Divine and Dependent Wisdom

King Solomon got divine wisdom as a gift from the Lord as an answer to his request. (I Kings 3:10-15) However, Solomon did not continuously use that wisdom for the glory of God or the benefit of the Nation of Israel.

Tabernacle and Temple

Moses built the Tabernacle as commanded by the Lord and it served to unite the former slaves around a common Holy space. In contrast, Solomon failed to preserve the unity. Under his son Rehoboam, the Kingdom split into two.

Contribution

For the construction of the Tabernacle, Moses called the people to give. They all gave willingly and at one point he requested people not to give more. (Exodus 36:5-6)

Volunteers and forced labor

The Tabernacle was built with the active participation of all of Israel. Solomon used the census data of David and made all resident aliens work for the Temple building. 70000 bearers of burdens, 80000 quarry workers, and 3600 overseers, a total of 153600. (II Chronicles 2:17-18) Scholars state that Solomon later made Israelites from the Northern part as workers for his other projects like palaces. Moses built with a national consensus and spontaneous popular support, and Solomon did not.

High cost

In addition to the laborers, Solomon had to pay annually to Hiram, the King of Lebanon, with natural resources of wheat and oil. (I Kings 5:25) To meet the construction cost, and royal court costs, Solomon raised the taxes also. (I Kings 4:1-9; 5:13-18) Instead of natural tribal division, he created twelve administrative districts that brought disunity.

Reaping consequences

As soon as Solomon died, his son Rehoboam had to reap what his father had sown. The disgruntled people came to Rehoboam stating that his father Solomon had put on them hard labor or yoke or service under cruel slavery. Rehoboam influenced by his young friends ridiculed the people and the kingdom was split. (I Kings 12: 4-9)

Dependent Wisdom

Solomon received wisdom but did not get divine direction to apply his wisdom in administration in contrast Moses depended on God in each of his steps.