"You Will Be With Me in Paradise" - KING SOLOMON'S RULE-A TASTE OF PARADISE

 King David was inspired to write about what life would be like when a future wise and faithful king would sit on the throne.  (Read Psalm 37:10, 11, 29.) We often read Psalm 37:11 to others when discussing the coming Paradise. That is certainly justified because Jesu quoted that text in  his Sermon on the Mount, indicating that it will have a future fulfillment. (Matthew 5:5)  But David's words also revealed what life would be like in King Solomon's day.  When Solomon ruled Israel, God's people enjoyed special peace and prosperity in a land "flowing with milk and honey."  God had said: "If you continue walking in my statutes . . . . , I will put peace in the land, and  you will lie down with no one making you afraid." (Leviticus 20:24; 26:3, 6) Those promises came true during Solomon's reign.  (1 Chronicles 22:9; 29:26-28)  And there was the prospect that wicked ones would "be no more." (Psalm 37:10) Hence, the words found at Psalm 37:10, 11, 29)  had an ancient fulfillment and will also be fulfilled in the future.

News of the peace and prosperity enjoyed by the Israelites under Solomon's rule reached the queen of Sheba.  That sovereign from distant land traveled to Jerusalem to see the situation for herself.  (1 Kings 10:1)  After inspecting Solomon's kingdom, she said: "I had  not been told the half. . . .Happy are your men, and happy are your servants who stand before you constantly, listening to your wisdom!" (1 Kings 10:6-8)  But the conditions  under Solomon's rule were just a taste of what  Jehovah will do for mankind under the rule of his Son, Jesus.

Next time: "You Will Be With Me in Paradise" - KING SOLOMON'S RULE-A TASTE OF PARADISE- Conclusion

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