The Success of Solomon as a King
John Drane came to the conclusion that 'Judged by the standards of
world powers, Solomon was outstandingly successful, the greatest of
all Israel's rulers. But judged by the moral and spiritual standards
of the covenant, he was a miserable failure.' I agree with Drane in
this statement because there were indeed many things Solomon did in
his reign that were beneficial to the people and the country. However,
for a man working for God, he does not seem to apply the covenant of
Yahweh very much to the decisions he makes as king.
Previously, during the reign of David, a new kingdom was beginning to
be established. The small towns of the tribal confederacy were
developing into larger cities throughout the land, noted for their
economic and political importance. Israel was growing into a powerful
nation, while David's powerful armies were defeating others around it.
Therefore, when Solomon became king, he inherited an already large and
stable kingdom in a secure position, with relatively large military
forces and a reasonably content population. He also had the great
example of his own father to follow, unlike Saul previously. However,
his Father advises him to follow the word of God, which he does not
take much heed of. He did many things within his reign that
consolidated not only his own position, but also aided the position of
Israel.
Solomon was 'born to the purple' (Anderson), and never knew anything
but the sheltered, extravagant life of a king's palace. However, it
was this influence that made him want to demonstrate his power and
wealth to the surrounding nations, therefore both building up ...
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...was a successful king: he brought military strength, strong alliances
and trading routes, great wealth and efficient central administration.
All of these are imperative to a stable and successful kingdom.
However Anderson argues that all of this glory and security was
achieved through 'harsh measures of exploitation', which is evident
through the evidence of taxation and forced labour Solomon inflicted
on the country. Drane and Bright both agree that 'He had become like
the kings of other nations in every bad sense', and he was 'the
embodiment of all a king ought not to be'. Solomon's reign is a
controversial one, and although he was successful in many ways, his
greed and desire for absolute luxury brought out qualities that led to
the disintegration of himself and Israel, particularly as a nation
that followed Yahweh.
Much like the laws in the Old Testament, the law is God solving a problem before it occurs (Maxwell, 2010). As Reggie Joiner reminds us: “Relationship comes before rules” (Maxwell, 2010, 176). If a relationship forms, rules are easier to embrace. Rules are a tool to keep the ship and everyone on it going in the same direction. Shared systems of values strengthen partnerships minimizing the possibility of comprise. Values determine our actions. Our conscience can be a fickle thing if not tended to. A good study of 1 Timothy 1:5 will sharpen the cause for keeping the conscience in order and know that a good conscience is the product of a pure heart. Finally, we trust fully in God’s promises to comfort us, but need to share that same comfort through an empowerment to do so from God himself. Kept promises are the glue that holds all the guidelines together and shuttles them into the heart and soul of mankind by building
Edward IV's Reign and Success Edward’s reign was mainly stable and successful. He was the first king to die financially solvent in over 200 years due mainly to his careful avoidance of major foreign wars and by the end of his reign there was evident recovery of prosperity in the southern counties. However, Edward died too early to ensure that his heir would succeed him unchallenged. He had not created a collective commitment to the future of his dynasty that would make his heir strong enough to survive a minority reign. Although this was his main failure, he did not wholly succeed in all other actions through his reign.
fighting in the name of God. Arthur Becomes King, written by T. H. White, is a
It can be said that Song of Solomon is bildungsroman which is defined by The Encyclopedia Britannica as “a class of novel that deals with the [coming-of-age or] formative years of an individual”. Furthermore, in a bildungsroman, a main protagonist usually undergoes some transformation after seeking truth or philosophical enlightenment. In Morrison’s novel, the plot follows the main protagonist Milkman as he matures within his community while developing relationships with others and discovering his individual identity. In an essay titled Call and Response, Marilyn Sanders Mobley notes that “What Song of Solomon does ultimately is suggest that a viable sense of African American identity comes from responding to alternative constructions of self and community other that those received from mainstream American culture” (Smith 42). This viewpoint of discovering one’s identity in community is expressed in Song of Solomon and is expressed in other African-American literature including The Autobiography of Malcolm X, A Raisin in the Sun and The Tropics in New York. Milkman’s development of an individual identity which ultimately eschews mainstream American ideals of wealth, prosperity, and Western culture exemplifies a fundamental theme that is analogous to a predicament African-Americans encounter.
This quote by William the Conqueror pretty much describes his whole philosophy: “Life yields only to be conqueror. Never accept what can be gained by giving in.” William the Conqueror is best remembered for the fact that he ruled over England and Normandy for many years and had won several battles against several armies. He also is known for the fact that he won the Battle of Hastings against Harold Godwinson after William’s uncle handed the throne to him. William’s career as a leader actually began at an early age. (Bio.com)
Guitar, meanwhile, has grown increasingly edgy and increasingly obsessed with the idea of Milkman's pampered position within the local black hierarchy; at last he divulges to Milkman that he is in a group called the Seven Days, which kills a white person for every black person murdered by a white. Each person has a different day; Guitar's day is Sunday; whenever a black person is murdered on a Sunday, Guitar murders a white person in the same fashion.
The first matter to consider is what constitutes “greatness”. There are no set standards no checklist, to apply to a person, to determine it they are “great.” The simplest way that I could conceive to decide whether this title should apply to Alexander was to determine if he was, in some way, superior to the rulers that came before or after his reign. The most obvious place for me to start my consideration is with Alexander’s vast accomplishments as a conquerer.
Deuteronomy 17: 18-20 (NIV Student Bible) reminded me that no one should be above the law and we are all under His view. Much in the same way a leader should lead by actions and adhere to the same rules as all on others in the organization. Hebrews 4:11 (NIV Student Bible) reiterated that all should follow the rules, of the Lord (and also organizations). Proverbs 24:30 (NIV Student Bible) instills that we must all keeping working, be diligent in our quest for our own successes. In the grand scheme of things, we all work for the Lord serving Him in some way or another during our daily lives at home and in the office. We must learn from the mistakes he wants us to make, work hard for our goals, and treat others the way we would like to be treated
Studies of The Old Testament make it evident that kingship is the ruling principle of leadership for a kingdom. There were no presidents with a democracy like The United States has today or communists making everyone equal. There was simply one king, specifically a male, his subordinates, and the kingdom he governed over. Hebrew culture was no different. This is seen through the great kings of the Bible, one of the most well known of them being King YHWH also called Yahweh. Kingship played a vital role in the progression and development of the kingdom of Israel throughout history from the time they first were freed by the mercy of Yahweh. The presentation of ancient Hebrew culture from kingship in the Old Testament reveals the tradition in
There have been many influential influences to the English culture throughout its hundreds of years of existence, but there was one man who arguably was one of the most important figures to have ever changed the course of English culture forever. This man was no inventor who sparked a new age, nor an artist who introduced a romantic theme. Shockingly, this man was not even of English descent, but rather a conqueror from a foreign land. He is most well known as William the Conqueror and the date 1066, is remembered as the year of his arrival to Anglo-Saxon England when he began the famous Norman invasion. This alien invader to the British island was a Duke in the northern region of France. To be more specific, he was the Duke of Normandy, a province of France whose culture was descended from the Norse influence of Vikings. In a series of tactfully genius military battles, William the Conqueror captured the English throne. Few figures in history can boast of conquering an entire nation and even less can claim that they kept control and influenced their new lands. After his invasion and being crowned king of England, William began to dig into England like a tick and his Norman culture spread. William had pulled off an amazing feat through his invasion in England and as well as his earlier life when he rose to power in Normandy which allowed him to embark on such rigorous campaign.
word here is obey, we need to keep our side of the covenant and follow
Alexander The Great is one of the most accomplished generals and kings of any time throughout history. Alexander was born in Macedonia in 356 B.C., as a young child, he watched his father transform his country’s military into one of the best military’s. Alexander’s Father was King Phillip of Macedonia and his mother was Olympias, The princess of neighboring Epirus. Olympias was a very spiritual person that made sure her son knew who his ancestors were, like Achilles of Troy and the mythical warrior Hercules. Starting at an early age, he was trained both in education and military tactics to be a great and powerful leader and King. Alexander became focused on becoming a great ruler and a hero of his people, which he later would become.
A leader is defined as a person who holds command over a group of people. A great leader is someone who commands over his people with grace, authority, and adaptability. Alexander the Great came to power following the murder of his father in 336 BCE. At the young age of twenty years old, Alexander was thrusted into power, now in control of Macedon. Until his own death, Alexander would engage in battles, negotiations and takeovers that would ultimately define him as a ruler and a man. Throughout his life, Alexander paid extra attention to his relationship with the gods, and how this would define him in adulthood and his death. Alexander the Great achieved as well as lived up to his title due to his pure ruthlessness, loyalty, and malleability
The thoughts kept whirling around in his head, “Am I being too preachy? Am I over doing it?” Still, a constant pressing in on his heart to not hold back, made it abundantly clear, time will not wait for him or anyone to answer God’s call to fulfill the Great Commission.
As it is recorded in the Bible, there are are few leaders who measured up to Mose. Mose was a prophet of God, sent to bring the Children of Israel out of slavery and into the promise land. Moses had strengths, weakness, and was a Intercessor. Moses was a perfect example of great leadership.