A Taste of Tomorrow

How Solomon’s Kingdom Foreshadowed the Millennial Reign of Christ
On October 25, 2021, shares of Tesla spiked almost 13 percent, surpassing the $1 trillion market cap and making the electric car company’s CEO, Elon Musk, the richest person in the world.¹

But Musk’s enormous wealth of almost $275 billion is merely a fraction of the fortune the richest man in the Bible possessed. That man was King Solomon. Some estimate that today, Solomon’s wealth would amount to trillions of dollars. He was so rich he could finance the United States’ infrastructure bill of $1.2 trillion all by himself.

But Solomon’s riches tell only part of his story. His wealth was a byproduct of the great blessing he received from God—so great, in fact, that it makes the magnificent period of his reign a picture of the future Messianic Kingdom.

THE CORONATION
Israel’s history is part of the cosmic struggle between the forces of darkness and light— between Satan, who hates the Jews, and God, who loves them. Unprovoked hatred for the Jewish people goes as far back as their origin— to the days of Abraham, Isaac, and Jacob. And it has endured in various guises for the past 4,000 years.

The victorious culmination of Israel’s history will begin at a moment foretold by the prophet Zechariah, when the feet of the Lord—the Messiah Jesus, Son of David—touch the Mount of Olives (Zech. 14:4) as He returns to Earth. Then the satanically driven evil forces gathered around Jerusalem to annihilate the Jewish people will suffer destruction from the Lord, and the Messiah will take His rightful place on the throne (Mt. 19:28).

As a chosen descendant of King David, Solomon engaged in his own battle to inherit the throne. It was not an easy beginning for him, as there were several contenders. The most notable was Adonijah, his older half-brother, who gathered a coalition and proclaimed himself king of Israel (1 Ki. 1:5). The prophet Nathan and Bathsheba, Solomon’s mother, prompted David to give quick orders to crown Solomon as David’s rightful successor.

Imagine the surprise and dismay of Adonijah and his followers when they heard the trumpet sound, announcing Solomon’s coronation. The rich feast and deceitful plan that led many away from the truth fell apart in a moment. When it looked like the forces of evil were strong and unstoppable, Zadok, the priest, took the horn of oil from the Tabernacle and anointed Solomon king by the spring of Gihon (v. 38).

The trumpet blast was a terrifying reminder to the forces of evil that God was in control. The God of Israel does not slumber or sleep. When the Israelites shouted, “Long live King Solomon!” (v. 39), Adonijah and his coalition fled, knowing there was no hope for victory.

Solomon’s coronation is a beautiful picture of what will happen in the last days. Jesus warned His disciples that false prophets will proclaim themselves Messiah and will perform many signs and wonders to enhance their credibility, misleading multitudes (Mt. 24:5, 11, 24). But as it was in the days of Solomon, the true heir to the kingdom will reveal Himself dramatically, vanquish His enemies, and take His seat on the throne.

At the sound of the great trumpet, the Son of Man will appear in the sky in power and great glory. Satan’s plan to prevent God from restoring humanity to Edenic conditions under the Messiah’s rule will shatter in this glorious moment of Jesus’ triumphant return to Jerusalem (25:31–46).

THE KINGDOM
The Messianic (Millennial) Kingdom will embrace four elements: judgment, wisdom, peace, and a Temple, much as Solomon’s did.

JUDGMENT. One of Solomon’s first acts as king was to punish the men who had lived through David’s reign and gotten away with hideous crimes. Adonijah and those who followed him faced severe judgment for betraying David. Adonijah was killed (1 Ki. 2:24–25), as were other defectors; and Abiathar the priest, who had supported Adonijah, was exiled (v. 26).

Some may think Solomon cruel in this situation. But the big picture reveals powerful symbolism: God judges evil. One of the first things Jesus will do when He returns is punish the unrighteous: “Then He will also say to those on the left hand, ‘Depart from Me, you cursed, into the everlasting fire prepared for the devil and his angels’” (Mt. 25:41).

WISDOM. When the Lord appeared to young Solomon at Gibeon, He asked him, “What shall I give you?” (1 Ki. 3:5). The heroes of fairy tales usually ask for riches, power, or love. But Solomon’s choice reveals an aspect of his character that makes him a type of the future Messiah. Solomon chose wisdom.

His decision pleased God and shaped the new king of Israel into a legendary ruler. His name became so famous that “men of all nations, from all the kings of the earth who had heard of his wisdom, came to hear the wisdom of Solomon” (4:34).

But Solomon’s wisdom still cannot compare to that of Jesus Christ. Even as a child, His wisdom astonished the most educated elite in Israel. As an adult, His words silenced everyone who tried to argue with Him.

In the Messianic Kingdom, His wisdom will be supreme, leading Him to rule “upon the throne of David and over His kingdom, to order it and establish it with judgment and justice from that time forward, even forever” (Isa. 9:7).

PEACE. Solomon also was a man of peace and rest. God gave him rest from all his enemies “on every side” (1 Ki. 5:4), making his reign extremely different from that of his father. David had to fight to attain dominance over his enemies, but Solomon’s diplomacy brought peace.

When the King of kings, the Prince of Peace, returns, not only will Israel enjoy lasting peace, but the whole world will as well. Peace will flow like a river, and “the wolf and the lamb shall feed together, the lion shall eat straw like the ox” (Isa. 65:25).

In Israel, where the Jewish people experience opposition and terrorism every day, “‘They shall not hurt nor destroy in all My holy mountain,’ says the LORD” (v. 25).

TEMPLE. Israel has had no Temple for almost 2,000 years. But in the Millennium, as in the days of Solomon, God’s Temple again will stand atop Mount Moriah in Jerusalem:

The mountain of the LORD’s house shall be established on top of the mountains, and shall be exalted above the hills; and all nations shall flow to it. . . . For out of Zion shall go forth the law, and the word of the LORD from Jerusalem. He shall judge between the nations, and rebuke many people; they shall beat their swords into plowshares, and their spears into pruning hooks; nation shall not lift up sword against nation, neither shall they learn war anymore (2:2–4).

This is the wonderful future that awaits the Jewish people, and Solomon’s kingdom is a beautiful picture of what is yet to come.

ENDNOTE

1. 1. Eliza Haverstock, “Elon Musk, Nearing $300 Billion Fortune, Is The Richest Person In History,” Forbes.com, October 26, 2021 (tinyurl.com/EMuskk).