Ever wonder why King Solomon was criticized for trading horses in Deuteronomy 17:16?
Because horses were mainly used for chariots, the ancient equivalent of modern day tanks. In other words, what surfaces here is nothing more than a tenth-century BC arms race. Because Solomon had bred the horses he obtained from Egypt, and traded them to neighboring countries to profit, namely the Hittites and Syria, he provided them with the means to attack and conquer Israel and Judah in later years.
Some biblical scholars claim that Deuteronomy was written by Moses around 1400 BC, while others believe it was written nine hundred years later after the Israelites were freed from Babylonian conquest and exile to return to Israel.
When we consider the news of the recent past about the conflicts in the Middle East, King Solomon’s writings in Ecclesiastes appear to be as prophetic today as they have been throughout history. Nothing is new under the sun. (Ecclesiastes 1:9) For what will the man do who is to come after the King? What men have already done. (Ecclesiastes 2:12)
For example:
ISIS is using the weapons and dollars captured in Northern Iraq that were supplied by the US to be used to defend Iraq.
The US supplied armaments to Afghanistan rebels to combat the Russian invasion. Osama Bin Laden learned how to use these weapons.
The European and USA manufacturers of weapons have been selling armaments to the Middle East in exchange for oil.
The nuclear bomb technology stolen from the US after WWII is now a threat to the entire world especially if it is ever obtained by extreme terrorists or nations with ideologies to destroy perceived enemies even if they purposely kill themselves in the act.
However, life’s reality is that weapons are a vital means for defense today, same as they were in ancient times. Sometimes the best laid plans, well-meant intentions, or a means to profit, will backfire and bite a person in their backside.
King Solomon profited in the short term by trading arms same as many countries are doing today. So what is the answer or point of the controversy of trading horses in ancient times or arms today? It is that King Solomon’s Ecclesiastes prophecy has proven to be true. This will sadly continue in every new generation as in the past, until we all somehow wise up, stop killing each other, and use all the resources our Creator gave us under the sun to provide means to promote life instead of death.
As for King Solomon, I wonder what he would have to say about the wisdom of US foreign aid in regards to our present policy to supply men and arms in the Middle East supposedly as a defense for the US. While at the same time having absolutely no control of US borders and visas in spite of a potential threat of a nuclear dirty bomb.
Some news commentators and politicians are now advising Obama to rush the US into another full scale involvement of men and arms in order to police the world while at the same time continue to ignore policing our own borders. Are they wise of foolish? You can decide with your vote in the next election.
In the next sixty days, you might also want to ask Congress how they intend to vote on the Iran Nuclear agreement that also allows Iran to purchase more new modern weapons. Do you think perhaps the weapons will someday be used against us same as King Solomon’s horses were used by the Babylonians who later invaded and conquered Israel. Babylonia by the way is the same mideast territory now known as Iran.
References
Wikepedia, Ten Commandments
Thou shalt not Kill HERE
Wikipedia, Book of Deuteronomy HERE
Bible Verses about Multiplying Horses HERE
King Solomon on Foreign Aid HERE
As a Lily Among Thorns – A Story of King Solomon, the Queen of Sheba, and the Goddess of Wisdom by Rudy U Martinka.
In a novel, I surmised what Bilqis, the Queen of Sheba, may have said to King Solomon based on his writings referenced below. The novel is a contemporary application of a story form to promote understanding of proverbs and ancient wise sayings in relation to modern times.
http://amazon.com/gp/search?field-author=rudy+martinka&index=books
Rudy u Martinka 
This I think is a common error in logic. Because we find it difficult to accept the truth that the Bible is of God, we date the books so that the prophecies occur befor the books were written.
In any event, as a officer in the Pharaoh’s army, Moses would have been quite familiar with horses. And when he led the Hebrews out of Egypt, he gained even more experience.
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I agree Moses was familiar with Egyptian horses and chariots. However, I interpret that this particular phrase could have been written later to criticize Solomon’s lifestyle as being one of a number of Israelite disobedience’s to Moses covenant that they blamed themselves for as a cause their being conquered and exiled by the Babylonians.
Reference
http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Book_of_Deuteronomy
• The next stage took place during the Babylonian exile. The destruction of Judah by Babylon in 586 BC and the end of kingship was the occasion of much reflection and theological speculation among the Deuteronomistic elite, now in exile in Babylon. They explained the disaster as Yahweh’s punishment of their failure to follow the law, and created a history of Israel (the books of Joshua through Kings) to illustrate this.
Regards and good will blogging.
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I find it curious that you respect King Solomon’s wisdom and yet you seem to doubt the Bible’s authorship. But, perhaps I misunderstand.
Anyway, here is what I have observed. When unbelieving scholars date the books of the Bible hundreds latter than tradition dates those same books, they do so because they don’t believe the prophecies. Their “explanation” only makes sense because they don’t believe.
Because the Bible had to be copied to preserve it, we naturally suspect changes. Nevertheless, because we have unearthed some very old copies, and the copies we have come via difference sources, we have plenty of evidence the Old Testament has remained virtually unchanged for over a couple of thousand years. The New Testament has remained unchanged for almost two thousand years.
Unfortunately, because the Bible has been copied, we find it difficult to date the first copy of each book. If we don’t believe the prophecies, that simplifies the problem. No book in the Bible can be older than the things it predicts.
So how can we argue the prophecies are true? That each book of the Bible predates the event it predicted? Why should we believe what the Bible claims for itself?
1. Without the inspiration of God, men would not have written the Bible. No other book is like it. The Bible doesn’t flatter us; it tells us the story of how God redeemed us from sin. There are about 40 authors and these tell a coherent story in a book whose writing spans 1500 hundred years. Moreover, in spite of the violence and travails of human history, believers have preserved the Bible virtually unchanged for thousands of years. What other book is like that?
2. Without the God of Israel, the history of the Jews makes no sense. After all that has been done to destroy them, after all they have suffered, the Jews still exist as a nation. No other people has a story so remarkable, not even close.
3. Without Christ Jesus, the formation of Christianity makes no sense. After His crucifixion, hundreds saw Him — alive. Rather than deny Christ, many died. That includes all but one of His apostles. Only John died of old age. Why? What for? These people had nothing to gain.
4. Christianity works. As a way of life, loving God and ones neighbors cannot be beat. That’s why 2000 years after the birth of Christ men and women still speak of being born again.
So here you are hoping your fellow citizens will take up the wisdom of King Solomon. If you don’t believe in the Bible, agree with point #4, why?
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4. Christianity works. As a way of life, loving God and ones neighbors cannot be beat. That’s why 2000 years after the birth of Christ men and women still speak of being born again.
So here you are hoping your fellow citizens will take up the wisdom of King Solomon. If you don’t believe in the Bible, agree with point #4, why?
Thank you for taking my comment to task. My original intention was meant only to point out how the subject of ancient wisdom is still relevant in today’s modern world. I have edited my post to delete my personal beliefs of Deuteronomy.
As for your point #4, I agree that the world would be a better place if everyone believes in the teachings of Jesus Christ. However, the reality of the world is that there are many different religious faiths. I just wish we all would agree to believe it is wrong to kill each other, especially over different religious beliefs as is happening now in the Middle East.
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I did not take your comment to task to silence the expression of your personal opinions. Because what we believe makes a difference, and we need to discuss and examine our beliefs. Therefore, when we debate in search of truth, that I believe is entirely appropriate.
Others, of course, have different opinions even on that matter. Yet when we seek after the grace of God, we can agree to disagree in peace.
Your comment suggests religion is the cause of strife. Doesn’t that depend upon what people believe about God?
In the 20th Century, Nazis and Communists went on killing sprees. Both ideologies are essentially atheistic. In this century radical Muslims once again threaten to spread their faith through warfare. In doing so, they follow the example of their prophet, Mohammed.
What do some atheists and Muslims have in common? Because we are prideful creatures, what we design and invent, we often design and invent to elevate ourselves over others. The Bible, on the other hand, speaks of the glory of the Creator God and of His everlasting love, even for us. God summarized his commands for us in these few words.
God want is to follow His example. He wants us to humble ourselves in love for Him and for others. He wants us to consider each others needs as important as our own.
Thus, it is not the multitude of religions that brings strife among us. What causes us to fight among ourselves is our unwillingness to love God and each other. And except for setting a good example (as Jesus did), there is little we can do about that problem. Only God can change hearts.
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I edited my post after I recognized from your comment that my personal opinion, or the opinion of any biblical scholar for that matter, may anger a Bible fundamentalist.
My posts are intended to be non-denominational and focused on the subject of wisdom. King Solomon proverbs and many ancient wise sayings were written before the Bible that we know today came into existence. I am not a biblical scholar qualified in my mind to debate philosophical or religious beliefs.
History records many conflicts, most for power and greed, and some because of different religious beliefs. Today in the Middle East, two different Muslim religious factions are killing each other even though both originated from the same founder, Mohammad.
Wise or foolish? You decide.
To quote a proverb by King Solomon, pressing a religious belief or religious opinion on someone can become volcanic.
For the making of milk produces curds, and the pressing of the nose produces blood, and the pressing of anger produces strife. (Proverb, 30:33)
Regards and good will blogging.
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Non-denominational? When people call themselves that, I take it that they are trying to avoid conflict. Nothing wrong with that, but with some people (because of what they believe) conflict is unavoidable.
Each of us defines our own point-of-view. Each of us chooses our own rules of evidence. Each of us possesses our own secret thoughts. That is why there are thousands of different religious beliefs. That is why Thomas Jefferson could go so far as to say, ”I am of a sect by myself, as far as I know.”
I am for a world where Thomas Jefferson can find their own way.
Anyway, I respect your desire to avoid conflict, and I respect your efforts to instruct others in Solomon’s wisdom. And I thank you for taking the time to explain.
May our Lord bless your efforts.
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The reason I said non-denominational is to accurately describe the beliefs of the time period of King Solomon. The only religion that preceded Judaism was Hinduism. See below.
http://www.sacred-texts.com/time/origtime.htm
Regards and Good Will Blogging.
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The information given provokes thoughts about the present wisdom of our society today. Thanks for this transfer of Bible History and Inspiration to 2014. pmartunka
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Great picture you selected for your Gravatar.
Thanks for reading and commenting.
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Reblogged this on GoodOleWoody's Blog and Website and commented:
Thanks for your comment.
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Thanks for your reblog.
Regards and good will blogging.
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