In order to build these fine buildings and have great numbers of servants it was necessary to extort the money from his people by heavy taxes.  They were also compelled to labor without pay in his quarries and elsewhere.  So with all the increased wealth in the land and with all the seeming progress in civilization, the common people were really wretched—­almost worse off than in the old days of disunion and confusion and fear.

=The disruption of the kingdom.=—­As a result of this cruelty and oppression, the northern tribes, after Solomon’s death, rebelled against his son Rehoboam, who seemed likely to become even more of an oppressor than his father.  The tribe of Judah in the south remained faithful to the family of David.  So the nation was split in two parts, which were never reunited.

If only all kings could be like David!  He indeed was far from perfect; he was guilty of some very wicked crimes.  But on the whole he came nearer than most kings to the best ideals of the Hebrews for their rulers:  a man “from among thy brethren:  ... neither shall he greatly multiply to himself silver and gold, ... that his heart be not lifted up above his brethren, ... and that he turn not aside from the commandment, to the right hand nor to the left.”

STUDY TOPICS

1.  Look up Joab in a good Bible dictionary, and see how much David owed to this extraordinary man for his success.

2.  Read 2 Samuel 23. 13-17, as a good example of the devotion and loyalty David was able to awaken in his followers.

3.  With which did David do the more for the happiness of his people, with the sword, or with his harp?

4.  Why did Solomon grow up with selfish and extravagant habits and ideals?  Read 2 Samuel 11, 12 for an explanation.

CHAPTER XIV

THE WARS OF KINGS AND THE PEOPLE’S SORROWS

The Hebrews did not greatly better themselves by the division of the kingdom and by the revolt of the northern tribes from Solomon’s son.  There were still kings both in the north and in the south.  And all they cared about was glory and luxury for themselves.

AN ERA OF PERPETUAL WAR

In order to get glory and wealth these kings made war on neighboring countries.  For a long time there was war between the northern and southern Hebrews.  There were long and very bloody wars between the Hebrews and the Arameans, whose kings ruled in Damascus.  There were many wars between rival candidates for the throne among the Hebrews themselves.  Especially was this true in the northern kingdom where, during the two hundred years of its separate existence, there was a revolution on an average every thirty or forty years.  In such cases all the members of the existing royal family would be assassinated and all persons who defended them or were suspected of sympathizing with them were put to death.  After the murder of hundreds and sometimes thousands the new upstart conqueror would proclaim himself king.