Solomon: Israel’s Wisest King (14): Wise Solomon’s Cabinet and Table (I Kings 4:1-19) by Rev. Angus Stewart
I. His Orderly Cabinet
II. His Rich Table
Prof. David J. Engelsma: “Like the New Testament church, of which Solomon’s kingdom was the type, Israel under Solomon was well organized. There was internal regulation and order (1 Kings 4:19). Disorder jeopardizes peace. Besides, disorder detracts from the splendor of a kingdom, casting aspersions on the nation’s ruler. Indeed, disorder is a threat to the very existence of the kingdom. By its rampant disorder, the history of the judges had impressed all of this upon the nation of Israel. The New Testament kingdom of God is governed by King Jesus by a church order, drawn from scripture. One such church order is the church order of Dordt” (Unfolding Covenant History, vol. 6, p. 180).
Matthew Henry on I Kings 4:7: “... that thus all the parts of the kingdom might be equally benefited by the taking off of the commodities that were the productions of their country and the circulating of the coin. Industry would hereby be encouraged, and consequently wealth increased, even in those tribes that lay most remote from the court ... The dividing of this trust into so many hands was prudent, that no man might be continually burdened with the care of it nor grow exorbitantly rich with the profit of it, but that Solomon might have those, in every district, who, having a dependence upon the court, would be serviceable to him and his interest as there was occasion.”