The territory that formed Solomon’s Israel comprised more of the land located on the west side of the Euphrates instead of the east.
Keep in mind that the writer is talking about land that mattered to Israel and was connected to the Promised Land.
In Solomon’s day, Israel controlled a huge area. It included both sides of the Jordan River and land that today would be part of Israel, Jordan, Syria, and the so-called West Bank.
However, Solomon did not rule everything around him.
Lebanon and Phoenicia remained independent nations, although Israel had great relationships with them. Trade was booming, and the two sides got along well.
The Philistines also kept their own territory along the coast, which we would think of today as Gaza and the areas just north of it.
But there was peace between Israel and the Philistines during Solomon’s reign.
And when it came to Egypt, Israel’s southern border was pretty much in the same place it is today, stopping at the edge of the Sinai.
So yes, Solomon’s kingdom was massive.
But no, he did not literally rule every nation in the region.
Now here’s something important to understand.
Within the huge area that Solomon controlled, there were still a bunch of smaller kingdoms ruled by non-Israelite kings.
So how did Solomon keep control over all of them?
Simple.
In some cases, he placed his own homie in charge.
In other cases, he allowed the local king to stay on the throne as long as that king agreed to submit to Solomon’s authority.
It was basically a vassal-state arrangement.
The local king got to keep his position and continue ruling his people.
In return, he had to recognize Solomon as his master and regularly send him tribute, usually in the form of money, goods, livestock, or other valuable resources.
That was a common arrangement in the ancient world and one of the main reasons Solomon’s wealth became so great.
So what takeaway can we extract from all of this?
Simple.
Even at the height of Solomon’s power, Israel still did not possess every piece of territory that God promised to Abraham.
Sure, Israel’s borders had expanded farther than ever before, and Solomon ruled over a vast area, including receiving tribute from many nations.
But places like Lebanon and other territories on the edge of the Promised Land remained outside of Israel’s direct control.
In other words, the story ain’t finished yet.
Solomon’s kingdom was impressive.
But it wasn’t the final picture.
One day, Messiah will return and establish His Kingdom from Jerusalem.
And when that happens, every inch of land God promised to Abraham will belong to Israel exactly as the Lord intended.
No rival kings, disputed borders, or gentile nations occupying portions of the inheritance.
The full extent of the Promised Land, from its southern border all the way to its northern limits, will finally be under the rule of Israel’s Messiah.
So what Solomon achieved was only a preview.
What Messiah will accomplish will be the complete fulfillment.
Ya feel me here?
Done.
CONNECTING THIS TEACHING TO THE NEW TESTAMENT
“The kingdoms of this world are
become the kingdoms of our Lord,
and of his Messiah;
and he shall reign forever and ever.”
-Revelation 11:15
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