Lessons From Solomons Leadership 1 Kings 4:1-2   1 Kings 4:7-8  1. Order and Unity Bring Prosperity  After again highlighting Solomon’s rule “over all Israel,” the text lists nine offices and those who held them. Certainly, Solomon employed other appointed officials, but these are mentioned because of their prominence in earlier stories Because of Israel’s size, diversity, and volatile nature, Solomon could not govern it, much less fulfill his later ambitious goals, without an extensive administrative system. Therefore, he names “twelve district governors” responsible for raising the revenue to sustain the central government.  Four details about these appointments deserve further mention.  I. First, Gray states that “the division of the country, if not ignoring the old tribal boundaries, was not rigidly bound by them”). Perhaps Solomon hoped to neutralize old enemies by linking them with non-allies. II. Solomon makes two of his sons-in-law, Ben-Abinadab and Ahimaaz, governors. Presumably, these men could also negate enemies through their family loyalties.  III. Solomon entrusts some men with more territory than others. Though the king does reward his friends, he only places capable ones in power and allows the best of these to gain extensive authority.  IV. Solomon manages to rule all the territory God promised Abraham through his God-given ability.  David had asked for wisdom to lead the people and he was doing it well. God’s people do well when there is order and good systems in place. When the church is unified, no force could ever take it down. 1 Kings 4:22-27  2. The Work Must Be Funded Only prosperity keeps people from resenting large government and new taxes. Israel’s population grew steadily during Solomon’s era. Food was plentiful, and the nation was in good spirits. Solomon gained both divine and popular favor. Such an impressive government required vast resources to continue operations. Estimates of the number of persons Solomon sustained vary from fourteen thousand to thirty-two thousand. Coupled with the military expenditures related to the horses mentioned in 4:26, the money earmarked for the central government appears great. Still, the money may have been well spent since the land was at peace. God funds the work that he is doing through his people. We do not have a rich uncle, the government, or the denomination giving us money. All of what is going on around here is funded through your tithes and offerings. What is the difference between your tithes and offerings? If we refuse to fund God’s work on the earth, we are content with those not saved dying and going to Hell. 1 Kings 4:29-34  3. Godly Wisdom Brings Success, But We Must Remain Humble These verses demonstrate how faithfully God kept his promise to make Solomon wise. The king’s “wisdom and great insight” have already been proven by his awareness of how to solve the prostitute dilemma and his skill in organizing the government.  Solomon’s greatest failure was not applying his wisdom to every area of his life. Though he was the wisest man of his time, he did not live as wisely as many of God’s other faithful people did. One of the greatest hindrances to Solomon’s spiritual life came from marrying foreign women who served false gods (11:1–8). Two factors were involved:  I. He did this to form political and military alliances (political unions). This showed that he did not completely trust God to keep his kingdom secure from foreign enemies. II. He found it difficult to resist his physical desire for women—a weakness his father, David, also had. What we must remember about all of the amazing things going on around here is that it is God doing it not us. We must never get to the point that we take credit for the work of God. One of our greatest honors as Christ Followers is that God allows us to be co-laborers in his work here on earth. What are our transformational moments? 1. Do you promote unity in the church? 2. Are you doing your part to fund the church? 3. Are you giving God all of the credit?