We now read of the other things that happened in Solomon's reign. He had apparently become indebted to Hiram of Tyre and gave him twenty of the Phoenician-Galilee towns. Apparently Hiram was not best pleased with these towns, his attitude seems to have changed somewhat since the early days.
Solomon made slaves of various people to do his work, but verse 22 makes it clear that he did not make slaves of the Israelites, showing that he observed the law in this respect. Solomon also established a sizeable trading fleet of ships and went and obtained more gold.
The Queen of Sheba came to visit Solomon with a vast array of luxury goods. She had heard of his reputation and came to test him. Sheba was in Arabia. She was impressed with all the wealth of Solomon. She also seemed to recognise that the Lord was the source of this blessing, and she gave Solomon many of her goods. Solomon also gave gifts to her.
Solomon received 666 talents of gold. Don't know if this has any bearing on the number of the beast!
So Solomon had built up a vast trading force, had built up the army, and established great wealth. Yet he was about to head for a fall.
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