Every Man under His Vine

Peace and Prosperity

Solomon's reign ushered in a golden era in Israel. His capital became the center of wisdom, riches, and splendor. Monarchs as well as ordinary people came to gaze on all the marvels to be seen there, and left wide-eyed with amazement and awe at the great wisdom that Solomon possessed, and at the splendor of his court!

The Queen of Sheba, hearing of the wonderful monarch, so very gifted and so very prosperous, journeyed to Jerusalem to test his wisdom. She came, followed by a long train of camels, laden with spices and gold and precious stones. She appeared before Solomon and put to him all the hard questions she had prepared. He readily answered them all. Then she gazed with wondering eyes upon the magnificence of his palace and the splendor of his household, and exclaimed; "It was a true report that I heard in my own land of thine acts and of thy wisdom. But I did not believe the words until I came, and mine eyes had seen it; and behold, the half was not told me; thy wisdom and thy wealth exceed the fame which I heard. Happy are thy men, happy are these thy servants, who stand continually before thee and hear thy wisdom!" She then presented him with "one hundred and twenty talents of gold, and of spices very great store, and precious stones: there came no more such abundance of spices as these which the Queen of Sheba gave to King Solomon." Her visit was followed by the visits of many other rulers and chieftains.

Under Solomon's reign, Eretz Israel developed into a great center of commerce. It became a thoroughfare for caravans to and from Africa and Asia. Together with Hiram of Tyre, Solomon sent ships on the high seas which brought back gold in return for the various products they carried out of the land of Israel. The Jews lived in peace and happiness, "every man under his vine and under his fig tree."