A Tale of Two Tables: Solomon and Nehemiah

In reading through Nehemiah 5 this morning, I was struck by the difference between Nehemiah's table (5:18) and Solomon's, as described in 1 Kings 4:22-23.  True, it was an entirely different set of circumstances: on the one hand is Israel's wealthiest monarch at the height of his power; on the other hand is the appointed governor of the feeble Jewish remnant from Babylon.  Nonetheless, the last phrase of Neh. 5:18 was very illuminating to me.  Nehemiah is very conscious and conscientious that "...the bondage was heavy upon this people."  Hence, he is sparing with the amount of food that he accepts for his sustenance and that of those attending him.

I do not think that this was the case with Solomon.  When Israel first desired a king to rule over them, the prophet Samuel warned them of the burdens that would accompany such rule (1 Sam. 8).  Although those burdens may not be so evident in David's reign, they are deeply felt in Solomon's, as evidenced by the people's complaint through Jeroboam (1 Kings 12:3-4).  This is no surprise to me, in light of Solomon's vast projects, even beyond the construction of the temple (e.g. a palace which took 13 years to construct; cf. 1 Kings 7:1; 2 Chron. 8:1).  It seems that the people were heavily taxed, though enjoying a general national prosperity (deja vu? Eccl. 1:9-10), and Solomon did nothing to lighten their burdens, nor does his foolish son Rehoboam (1 Kings 12:12-15), with terrible consequences. 

Contrarily, Nehemiah makes every effort to ease the remnant's burdens (cf. 5:1ff.), including frugality at his table, with positive consequences.  His leadership and example inspire the remnant to complete the great work of reconstucting Jerusalem's walls and provide stability "in  troublous times" (Dan. 9:25), in contrast to Solomon's lifestyle, which ultimately severs his nation in two for centuries.  I wonder if Solomon ever heeded the counsel that his attendants gave to Rehoboam, "If thou wilt be a servant unto this people this day, and wilt serve them...then they will be thy servants for ever" (1 Kings 12:7)...