mh_parser/vol_split/11 - 1Kings/Chapter 4.xml

<div2 id="iKi.v" n="v" next="iKi.vi" prev="iKi.iv" progress="52.46%" title="Chapter IV">
<h2 id="iKi.v-p0.1">F I R S T   K I N G S</h2>
<h3 id="iKi.v-p0.2">CHAP. IV.</h3>
<p class="intro" id="iKi.v-p1">An instance of the wisdom God granted to Solomon
we had in the close of the foregoing chapter. In this we have an
account of his wealth and prosperity, the other branch of the
promise there made him. We have here, I. The magnificence of his
court, his ministers of state (<scripRef id="iKi.v-p1.1" osisRef="Bible:1Kgs.4.1-1Kgs.4.6" parsed="|1Kgs|4|1|4|6" passage="1Ki 4:1-6">ver.
1-6</scripRef>), and the purveyors of his household (<scripRef id="iKi.v-p1.2" osisRef="Bible:1Kgs.4.7-1Kgs.4.19" parsed="|1Kgs|4|7|4|19" passage="1Ki 4:7-19">ver. 7-19</scripRef>), and their office,
<scripRef id="iKi.v-p1.3" osisRef="Bible:1Kgs.4.27-1Kgs.4.28" parsed="|1Kgs|4|27|4|28" passage="1Ki 4:27,28">ver. 27, 28</scripRef>. II. The
provisions for his table, <scripRef id="iKi.v-p1.4" osisRef="Bible:1Kgs.4.22-1Kgs.4.23" parsed="|1Kgs|4|22|4|23" passage="1Ki 4:22,23">ver. 22,
23</scripRef>. III. The extent of his dominion, <scripRef id="iKi.v-p1.5" osisRef="Bible:1Kgs.4.21-1Kgs.4.24" parsed="|1Kgs|4|21|4|24" passage="1Ki 4:21-24">ver. 21-24</scripRef>. IV. The numbers, case, and
peace, of his subjects, <scripRef id="iKi.v-p1.6" osisRef="Bible:1Kgs.4.20-1Kgs.4.25" parsed="|1Kgs|4|20|4|25" passage="1Ki 4:20-25">ver.
20-25</scripRef>. V. His stables, <scripRef id="iKi.v-p1.7" osisRef="Bible:1Kgs.4.26" parsed="|1Kgs|4|26|0|0" passage="1Ki 4:26">ver.
26</scripRef>. VI. His great reputation for wisdom and learning,
<scripRef id="iKi.v-p1.8" osisRef="Bible:1Kgs.4.29-1Kgs.4.34" parsed="|1Kgs|4|29|4|34" passage="1Ki 4:29-34">ver. 29-34</scripRef>. Thus great
was Solomon, but our Lord Jesus was greater than he (<scripRef id="iKi.v-p1.9" osisRef="Bible:Matt.12.42" parsed="|Matt|12|42|0|0" passage="Mt 12:42">Matt. xii. 42</scripRef>), though he took upon
him the form of a servant; for divinity, in its lowest humiliation,
infinitely transcends royalty in its highest elevation.</p>
<scripCom id="iKi.v-p0.1_1" osisRef="Bible:1Kgs.4" parsed="|1Kgs|4|0|0|0" passage="1Ki 4" type="Commentary"/>
<scripCom id="iKi.v-p0.2_1" osisRef="Bible:1Kgs.4.1-1Kgs.4.19" parsed="|1Kgs|4|1|4|19" passage="1Ki 4:1-19" type="Commentary"/><div class="Commentary" id="Bible:1Kgs.4.1-1Kgs.4.19">
<h4 id="iKi.v-p1.12">Solomon's Officers. (<span class="smallcaps" id="iKi.v-p1.13">b. c.</span> 1014.)</h4>
<p class="passage" id="iKi.v-p2">1 So king Solomon was king over all Israel.
  2 And these <i>were</i> the princes which he had; Azariah
the son of Zadok the priest,   3 Elihoreph and Ahiah, the sons
of Shisha, scribes; Jehoshaphat the son of Ahilud, the recorder.
  4 And Benaiah the son of Jehoiada <i>was</i> over the host:
and Zadok and Abiathar <i>were</i> the priests:   5 And
Azariah the son of Nathan <i>was</i> over the officers: and Zabud
the son of Nathan <i>was</i> principal officer, <i>and</i> the
king's friend:   6 And Ahishar <i>was</i> over the household:
and Adoniram the son of Abda <i>was</i> over the tribute.   7
And Solomon had twelve officers over all Israel, which provided
victuals for the king and his household: each man his month in a
year made provision.   8 And these <i>are</i> their names: The
son of Hur, in mount Ephraim:   9 The son of Dekar, in Makaz,
and in Shaalbim, and Beth-shemesh, and Elon-beth-hanan:   10
The son of Hesed, in Aruboth; to him <i>pertained</i> Sochoh, and
all the land of Hepher:   11 The son of Abinadab, in all the
region of Dor; which had Taphath the daughter of Solomon to wife:
  12 Baana the son of Ahilud; <i>to him pertained</i> Taanach
and Megiddo, and all Beth-shean, which <i>is</i> by Zartanah
beneath Jezreel, from Beth-shean to Abel-meholah, <i>even</i> unto
<i>the place that is</i> beyond Jokneam:   13 The son of
Geber, in Ramoth-gilead; to him <i>pertained</i> the towns of Jair
the son of Manasseh, which <i>are</i> in Gilead; to him <i>also
pertained</i> the region of Argob, which <i>is</i> in Bashan,
threescore great cities with walls and brasen bars:   14
Ahinadab the son of Iddo <i>had</i> Mahanaim:   15 Ahimaaz
<i>was</i> in Naphtali; he also took Basmath the daughter of
Solomon to wife:   16 Baanah the son of Hushai <i>was</i> in
Asher and in Aloth:   17 Jehoshaphat the son of Paruah, in
Issachar:   18 Shimei the son of Elah, in Benjamin:   19
Geber the son of Uri <i>was</i> in the country of Gilead, <i>in</i>
the country of Sihon king of the Amorites, and of Og king of
Bashan; and <i>he was</i> the only officer which <i>was</i> in the
land.</p>
<p class="indent" id="iKi.v-p3">Here we have,</p>
<p class="indent" id="iKi.v-p4">I. Solomon upon his throne (<scripRef id="iKi.v-p4.1" osisRef="Bible:1Kgs.4.1" parsed="|1Kgs|4|1|0|0" passage="1Ki 4:1"><i>v.</i> 1</scripRef>): <i>So king Solomon was
king,</i> that is, he was confirmed and established king <i>over
all Israel,</i> and not, as his successors, only over two tribes.
He was a king, that is, he did the work and duty of a king, with
the wisdom God had given him. Those preserve the name and honour of
their place that mind the business of it and make conscience of
it.</p>
<p class="indent" id="iKi.v-p5">II. The great officers of his court, in the
choice of whom, no doubt, his wisdom much appeared. It is
observable, 1. That several of them are the same that were in his
father's time. Zadok and Abiathar were then priests (<scripRef id="iKi.v-p5.1" osisRef="Bible:2Sam.20.25" parsed="|2Sam|20|25|0|0" passage="2Sa 20:25">2 Sam. xx. 25</scripRef>), so they were now;
only then Abiathar had the precedency, now Zadok. Jehoshaphat was
then recorder, or keeper of the great seal, so he was now. Benaiah,
in his father's time, was a principal man in military affairs, and
so he was now. Shisha was his father's scribe, and his sons were
his, <scripRef id="iKi.v-p5.2" osisRef="Bible:1Kgs.4.3" parsed="|1Kgs|4|3|0|0" passage="1Ki 4:3"><i>v.</i> 3</scripRef>. Solomon,
though a wise man, would not affect to be wiser than his father in
this matter. When sons come to inherit their father's wealth,
honour, and power, it is a piece of respect to their memory,
<i>cæteris paribus—where it can properly be done,</i> to employ
those whom they employed, and trust those whom they trusted. Many
pride themselves in being the reverse of their good parents. 2. The
rest were priests' sons. His prime-minister of state was <i>Azariah
the son of Zadok the priest.</i> Two others of the first rank were
the sons of Nathan the prophet, <scripRef id="iKi.v-p5.3" osisRef="Bible:1Kgs.4.5" parsed="|1Kgs|4|5|0|0" passage="1Ki 4:5"><i>v.</i> 5</scripRef>. In preferring them he testified
the grateful respect he had for their good father, whom he loved
<i>in the name of a prophet.</i></p>
<p class="indent" id="iKi.v-p6">III. The purveyors for his household, whose
business it was to send in provisions from several parts of the
country, for the king's tables and cellars (<scripRef id="iKi.v-p6.1" osisRef="Bible:1Kgs.4.7" parsed="|1Kgs|4|7|0|0" passage="1Ki 4:7"><i>v.</i> 7</scripRef>) and for his stables (<scripRef id="iKi.v-p6.2" osisRef="Bible:1Kgs.4.27-1Kgs.4.28" parsed="|1Kgs|4|27|4|28" passage="1Ki 4:27,28"><i>v.</i> 27, 28</scripRef>), that thus, 1.
His house might always be well furnished at the best hand. Let
great men learn hence good house-keeping, to be generous in
spending according to their ability, but prudent in providing. It
is the character of the virtuous woman that she <i>bringeth her
food from afar</i> (<scripRef id="iKi.v-p6.3" osisRef="Bible:Prov.31.14" parsed="|Prov|31|14|0|0" passage="Pr 31:14">Prov. xxxi.
14</scripRef>), not far-fetched and dear-bought, but the contrary,
every thing bought where it is cheapest. 2. That thus he himself,
and those who immediately attended him, might be eased of a great
deal of care, and the more closely apply themselves to the business
of the state, not troubled about much serving, provision for that
being got ready to their hand. 3. That thus all the parts of the
kingdom might be equally benefited by the taking off of the
commodities that were the productions of their country and the
circulating of the coin. Industry would hereby be encouraged, and
consequently wealth increased, even in those tribes that lay most
remote from the court. The providence of God extends itself to all
<i>places of his dominions</i> (<scripRef id="iKi.v-p6.4" osisRef="Bible:Ps.103.22" parsed="|Ps|103|22|0|0" passage="Ps 103:22">Ps.
ciii. 22</scripRef>); so should the prudence and care of princes.
4. The dividing of this trust into so many hands was prudent, that
no man might be continually burdened with the care of it nor grow
exorbitantly rich with the profit of it, but that Solomon might
have those, in every district, who, having a dependence upon the
court, would be serviceable to him and his interest as there was
occasion. These commissioners of the victualling-office, not for
the army or navy (Solomon was engaged in no war), but for the
household, are here named, several of them only by their surnames,
as great men commonly call their servants: <i>Ben-hur, Ben-dekar,
&amp;c.,</i> though several of them have also their proper names
prefixed. Two of them married Solomon's daughters, Ben-Abinadab
(<scripRef id="iKi.v-p6.5" osisRef="Bible:1Kgs.4.11" parsed="|1Kgs|4|11|0|0" passage="1Ki 4:11"><i>v.</i> 11</scripRef>) and Ahimaaz
(<scripRef id="iKi.v-p6.6" osisRef="Bible:1Kgs.4.15" parsed="|1Kgs|4|15|0|0" passage="1Ki 4:15"><i>v.</i> 15</scripRef>), and no
disparagement to them to marry men of business. Better match with
the officers of their father's court that were Israelites than with
the sons of princes that were <i>strangers to the covenant of
promise.</i> The son of Geber was in Ramoth-Gilead (<scripRef id="iKi.v-p6.7" osisRef="Bible:1Kgs.4.19" parsed="|1Kgs|4|19|0|0" passage="1Ki 4:19"><i>v.</i> 19</scripRef>), and Geber himself was
in the country of Sihon and Og, which included that and Mahanaim,
<scripRef id="iKi.v-p6.8" osisRef="Bible:1Kgs.4.14" parsed="|1Kgs|4|14|0|0" passage="1Ki 4:14"><i>v.</i> 14</scripRef>. He is
therefore said to be <i>the only officer in that land,</i> because
the other two, mentioned <scripRef id="iKi.v-p6.9" osisRef="Bible:1Kgs.4.13-1Kgs.4.14" parsed="|1Kgs|4|13|4|14" passage="1Ki 4:13,14"><i>v.</i>
13, 14</scripRef>, depended on him, and were subordinate to
him.</p>
</div><scripCom id="iKi.v-p0.3" osisRef="Bible:1Kgs.4.20-1Kgs.4.28" parsed="|1Kgs|4|20|4|28" passage="1Ki 4:20-28" type="Commentary"/><div class="Commentary" id="Bible:1Kgs.4.20-1Kgs.4.28">
<h4 id="iKi.v-p6.11">The Supply of Solomon's
Household. (<span class="smallcaps" id="iKi.v-p6.12">b. c.</span> 1014.)</h4>
<p class="passage" id="iKi.v-p7">20 Judah and Israel <i>were</i> many, as the
sand which <i>is</i> by the sea in multitude, eating and drinking,
and making merry.   21 And Solomon reigned over all kingdoms
from the river unto the land of the Philistines, and unto the
border of Egypt: they brought presents, and served Solomon all the
days of his life.   22 And Solomon's provision for one day was
thirty measures of fine flour, and threescore measures of meal,
  23 Ten fat oxen, and twenty oxen out of the pastures, and an
hundred sheep, beside harts, and roebucks, and fallowdeer, and
fatted fowl.   24 For he had dominion over all <i>the
region</i> on this side the river, from Tiphsah even to Azzah, over
all the kings on this side the river: and he had peace on all sides
round about him.   25 And Judah and Israel dwelt safely, every
man under his vine and under his fig tree, from Dan even to
Beer-sheba, all the days of Solomon.   26 And Solomon had
forty thousand stalls of horses for his chariots, and twelve
thousand horsemen.   27 And those officers provided victual
for king Solomon, and for all that came unto king Solomon's table,
every man in his month: they lacked nothing.   28 Barley also
and straw for the horses and dromedaries brought they unto the
place where <i>the officers</i> were, every man according to his
charge.</p>
<p class="indent" id="iKi.v-p8">Such a kingdom, and such a court, surely
never any prince had, as Solomon's are here described to be.</p>
<p class="indent" id="iKi.v-p9">I. Such a kingdom. Never did the crown of
Israel shine so brightly as it did when Solomon wore it, never in
his father's days, never in the days of any of his successors; nor
was that kingdom ever so glorious a type of the kingdom of the
Messiah as it was then. The account here given of it is such as
fully answers the prophecies which we have concerning it in
<scripRef id="iKi.v-p9.1" osisRef="Bible:Ps.72.1-Ps.72.20" parsed="|Ps|72|1|72|20" passage="Ps 72:1-20">Ps. lxxii.</scripRef>, which is a
psalm for Solomon, but with reference to Christ. 1. The territories
of his kingdom were large and its tributaries many; so it was
foretold that he should <i>have dominion from sea to sea,</i>
<scripRef id="iKi.v-p9.2" osisRef="Bible:Ps.72.8-Ps.72.11" parsed="|Ps|72|8|72|11" passage="Ps 72:8-11">Ps. lxxii. 8-11</scripRef>. Solomon
reigned not only over all Israel, who were his subjects by choice,
but over all the neighbouring kingdoms, who were his subjects by
constraint. All the princes from the river Euphrates, north-east to
the border of Egypt south-west, not only added to his honour by
doing him homage and holding their crowns from him, but added to
his wealth by serving him, and bringing him presents, <scripRef id="iKi.v-p9.3" osisRef="Bible:1Kgs.4.21" parsed="|1Kgs|4|21|0|0" passage="1Ki 4:21"><i>v.</i> 21</scripRef>. David, by his
successful wars, compelled them to this subjection, and Solomon, by
his admirable wisdom, made it easy and reasonable; for it is fit
that the fool should be <i>servant to the wise in heart.</i> If
they gave him presents, he gave them instructions, and still
<i>taught the people knowledge,</i> not only his own people, but
those of other nations: and <i>wisdom is better than gold.</i> He
had <i>peace on all sides,</i> <scripRef id="iKi.v-p9.4" osisRef="Bible:1Kgs.4.24" parsed="|1Kgs|4|24|0|0" passage="1Ki 4:24"><i>v.</i> 24</scripRef>. None of all the nations that
were subject to him offered to shake off his yoke, or to give him
any disturbance, but rather thought themselves happy in their
dependence upon him. Herein his kingdom typified the Messiah's; for
to him it is promised that he shall have the <i>heathen for his
inheritance</i> and that <i>princes shall worship him,</i>
<scripRef id="iKi.v-p9.5" osisRef="Bible:Isa.49.6-Isa.49.7 Bible:Isa.53.12" parsed="|Isa|49|6|49|7;|Isa|53|12|0|0" passage="Isa 49:6,7,53:12">Isa. xlix. 6, 7; liii.
12</scripRef>. 2. The subjects of his kingdom and its inhabitants,
were many and cheerful. (1.) They were numerous and country was
exceedingly populous (<scripRef id="iKi.v-p9.6" osisRef="Bible:1Kgs.4.20" parsed="|1Kgs|4|20|0|0" passage="1Ki 4:20"><i>v.</i>
20</scripRef>): <i>Judah and Israel were many,</i> and that good
land was sufficient to maintain them all. <i>They were as the sand
of the sea in multitude.</i> Now was fulfilled the promise made to
Abraham concerning the increase of his seed (<scripRef id="iKi.v-p9.7" osisRef="Bible:Gen.22.17" parsed="|Gen|22|17|0|0" passage="Ge 22:17">Gen. xxii. 17</scripRef>), as well as that concerning
the extent of their dominion, <scripRef id="iKi.v-p9.8" osisRef="Bible:Gen.15.18" parsed="|Gen|15|18|0|0" passage="Ge 15:18">Gen. xv.
18</scripRef>. This was their strength and beauty, the honour of
their prince, the terror of their enemies, and an advancement of
the wealth of the nation. If they grew so numerous that the place
was any where too strait for them, they might remove with advantage
into the countries that were subject to them. God's spiritual
Israel are many, at least they will be so when they come all
together, <scripRef id="iKi.v-p9.9" osisRef="Bible:Rev.7.9" parsed="|Rev|7|9|0|0" passage="Re 7:9">Rev. vii. 9</scripRef>. (2.)
They were easy, they dwelt safely, or with confidence and assurance
(<scripRef id="iKi.v-p9.10" osisRef="Bible:1Kgs.4.25" parsed="|1Kgs|4|25|0|0" passage="1Ki 4:25"><i>v.</i> 25</scripRef>), not jealous
of their king or of his officers, not disaffected either to him or
one to another, nor under any apprehension or danger from enemies
foreign or domestic. They were happy and knew it, safe and willing
to think themselves so. They dwelt every man under <i>his vine and
fig-tree.</i> Solomon invaded no man's property, took not to
himself their vineyards and olive-yards, as sometimes was the
manner of the king (<scripRef id="iKi.v-p9.11" osisRef="Bible:1Sam.8.14" parsed="|1Sam|8|14|0|0" passage="1Sa 8:14">1 Sam. viii.
14</scripRef>), but what they had they could call their own: he
protected every man in the possession and enjoyment of his
property. Those that had vines and fig-trees ate the fruit of them
themselves; and so great was the peace of the country that they
might, if they pleased, dwell as safely under the shadow of them as
within the walls of a city. Or, because it was usual to have
<i>vines by the sides of their houses</i> (<scripRef id="iKi.v-p9.12" osisRef="Bible:Ps.128.3" parsed="|Ps|128|3|0|0" passage="Ps 128:3">Ps. cxxviii. 3</scripRef>), they are said to <i>dwell
under their vines.</i> (3.) They were cheerful in the use of their
plenty, <i>eating and drinking, and making merry,</i> <scripRef id="iKi.v-p9.13" osisRef="Bible:1Kgs.4.20" parsed="|1Kgs|4|20|0|0" passage="1Ki 4:20"><i>v.</i> 20</scripRef>. Solomon did not only
keep a good table himself, but enabled all his subjects, according
to their rank, to do so too, and taught them that God gave them
their abundance that they might use it soberly and pleasantly, not
that they might hoard it up. <i>There is nothing better</i> than
for a man to <i>eat the labour of his hands</i> (<scripRef id="iKi.v-p9.14" osisRef="Bible:Eccl.2.24" parsed="|Eccl|2|24|0|0" passage="Ec 2:24">Eccl. ii. 24</scripRef>), and that <i>with a merry
heart,</i> <scripRef id="iKi.v-p9.15" osisRef="Bible:Eccl.9.7" parsed="|Eccl|9|7|0|0" passage="Ec 9:7">Eccl. ix. 7</scripRef>. His
father, in the Psalms, had led his people into the comforts of
communion with God, and now he led them into the comfortable use of
the good things of this life. This pleasant posture of Israel's
affairs extended, in place, from Dan to Beer-sheba—no part of the
country was exposed nor upon any account uneasy; and it continued a
long time, <i>all the days of Solomon,</i> without any material
interruption. Go where you would, you might see all the marks of
plenty, peace, and satisfaction. The spiritual peace, and joy, and
holy security, of all the faithful subjects of the Lord Jesus were
typified by this. <i>The kingdom of God is not,</i> as Solomon's
was, <i>meat and drink,</i> but, what is infinitely better,
<i>righteousness, and peace, and joy in the Holy Ghost.</i></p>
<p class="indent" id="iKi.v-p10">II. Such a court Solomon kept as can
scarcely be paralleled. We may guess at the vast number of his
attendants, and the great resort there was to him, by the provision
that was made daily for his table. Of bread there were so many
measures of flour and meal as, it is computed, would richly serve
3000 men (Carellus computes above 4800 men), and the provision of
flesh (<scripRef id="iKi.v-p10.1" osisRef="Bible:1Kgs.4.23" parsed="|1Kgs|4|23|0|0" passage="1Ki 4:23"><i>v.</i> 23</scripRef>) was
rather more in proportion. What vast quantities were here of beef,
mutton, and venison, and the choicest of all <i>fatted things,</i>
as some read that which we translate <i>fatted fowl!</i> Ahasuerus,
once in his reign, made a <i>great feast,</i> to <i>show the riches
of his kingdom,</i> <scripRef id="iKi.v-p10.2" osisRef="Bible:Esth.1.3-Esth.1.4" parsed="|Esth|1|3|1|4" passage="Es 1:3,4">Esth. i. 3,
4</scripRef>. But it was much more the honour of Solomon that he
kept a constant table and a very noble one, not of dainties or
deceitful meats (he himself witnessed against them, <scripRef id="iKi.v-p10.3" osisRef="Bible:Prov.23.3" parsed="|Prov|23|3|0|0" passage="Pr 23:3">Prov. xxiii. 3</scripRef>), but substantial food,
for the entertainment of those who came to hear his wisdom. Thus
Christ fed those whom he taught, 5000 at a time, more than ever
Solomon's table would entertain at once: and all believers have in
him a continual feast. Herein he far outdoes Solomon, that he feeds
all his subjects, not with the bread that perishes, but <i>with
that which endures to eternal life.</i> It added much both to the
strength and glory of Solomon's kingdom that he had such abundance
of horses, 40,000 for chariots and 12,000 for his troops, 1000
horse, perhaps, in every tribe, for the preserving of the public
peace, <scripRef id="iKi.v-p10.4" osisRef="Bible:1Kgs.4.26" parsed="|1Kgs|4|26|0|0" passage="1Ki 4:26"><i>v.</i> 26</scripRef>. God
had commanded that their king should not multiply horses (<scripRef id="iKi.v-p10.5" osisRef="Bible:Deut.17.16" parsed="|Deut|17|16|0|0" passage="De 17:16">Deut. xvii. 16</scripRef>), nor, according to
the account here given, considering the extent and wealth of
Solomon's kingdom, did he multiply horses in proportion to his
neighbours; for we find even the Philistines bringing into the
field 30,000 chariots (<scripRef id="iKi.v-p10.6" osisRef="Bible:1Sam.13.5" parsed="|1Sam|13|5|0|0" passage="1Sa 13:5">1 Sam. xiii.
5</scripRef>) and the Syrians at least 40,000 horse, <scripRef id="iKi.v-p10.7" osisRef="Bible:2Sam.10.18" parsed="|2Sam|10|18|0|0" passage="2Sa 10:18">2 Sam. x. 18</scripRef>. The same officers that
provided for his house provided also for his stable, <scripRef id="iKi.v-p10.8" osisRef="Bible:1Kgs.4.27-1Kgs.4.28" parsed="|1Kgs|4|27|4|28" passage="1Ki 4:27,28"><i>v.</i> 27, 28</scripRef>. Every one knew
his place, and work, and time; and so this great court was kept
without confusion. Solomon, that had vast incomes, lived at a vast
expense, and perhaps wrote that with application to himself,
<scripRef id="iKi.v-p10.9" osisRef="Bible:Eccl.5.11" parsed="|Eccl|5|11|0|0" passage="Ec 5:11">Eccl. v. 11</scripRef>. <i>When goods
increase those are increased that eat them; and what good is there
to the owners thereof, saving the beholding of them with their
eyes,</i> unless withal they have the satisfaction of doing good
with them?</p>
</div><scripCom id="iKi.v-p0.4" osisRef="Bible:1Kgs.4.29-1Kgs.4.34" parsed="|1Kgs|4|29|4|34" passage="1Ki 4:29-34" type="Commentary"/><div class="Commentary" id="Bible:1Kgs.4.29-1Kgs.4.34">
<h4 id="iKi.v-p10.11">Solomon's Distinguished
Reputation. (<span class="smallcaps" id="iKi.v-p10.12">b. c.</span> 1014.)</h4>
<p class="passage" id="iKi.v-p11">29 And God gave Solomon wisdom and understanding
exceeding much, and largeness of heart, even as the sand that
<i>is</i> on the sea shore.   30 And Solomon's wisdom excelled
the wisdom of all the children of the east country, and all the
wisdom of Egypt.   31 For he was wiser than all men; than
Ethan the Ezrahite, and Heman, and Chalcol, and Darda, the sons of
Mahol: and his fame was in all nations round about.   32 And
he spake three thousand proverbs: and his songs were a thousand and
five.   33 And he spake of trees, from the cedar tree that
<i>is</i> in Lebanon even unto the hyssop that springeth out of the
wall: he spake also of beasts, and of fowl, and of creeping things,
and of fishes.   34 And there came of all people to hear the
wisdom of Solomon, from all kings of the earth, which had heard of
his wisdom.</p>
<p class="indent" id="iKi.v-p12">Solomon's wisdom was more his glory than
his wealth, and here we have a general account of it.</p>
<p class="indent" id="iKi.v-p13">I. The fountain of his wisdom: <i>God gave
it him,</i> <scripRef id="iKi.v-p13.1" osisRef="Bible:1Kgs.4.29" parsed="|1Kgs|4|29|0|0" passage="1Ki 4:29"><i>v.</i> 29</scripRef>.
He owns it himself. <scripRef id="iKi.v-p13.2" osisRef="Bible:Prov.2.6" parsed="|Prov|2|6|0|0" passage="Pr 2:6">Prov. ii.
6</scripRef>, <i>The Lord giveth wisdom.</i> He gives the powers of
reason (<scripRef id="iKi.v-p13.3" osisRef="Bible:Job.38.36" parsed="|Job|38|36|0|0" passage="Job 38:36">Job xxxviii. 36</scripRef>),
preserves and improves them. The ordinary advances of them are
owing to his providence, the sanctification of them to his grace,
and this extraordinary pitch at which they arrived in Solomon to a
special grant of his favour to him in answer to prayer.</p>
<p class="indent" id="iKi.v-p14">II. The fulness of it: <i>He had wisdom and
understanding, exceeding much,</i> great knowledge of distant
countries and the histories of former times, a quickness of
thought, strength of memory, and clearness of judgment, such as
never any man had. It is called <i>largeness of heart;</i> for the
heart is often put for the intellectual powers. He had a vast
compass of knowledge, could take things entire, and had an
admirable faculty of laying things together. Some, by his
<i>largeness of heart,</i> understand his courage and boldness, and
that great assurance with which he delivered his dictates and
determinations. Or it may be meant of his disposition to do good
with his knowledge. He was very free and communicative, had the
gift of utterance as well as wisdom, was as free of his learning as
he was of his meat, and grudged neither to any that were about him.
Note, It is very desirable that those who have large gifts of any
kind should have large hearts to use them for the good of others;
and this is <i>from the hand of God,</i> <scripRef id="iKi.v-p14.1" osisRef="Bible:Eccl.2.24" parsed="|Eccl|2|24|0|0" passage="Ec 2:24">Eccl. ii. 24</scripRef>. He shall <i>enlarge the
heart,</i> <scripRef id="iKi.v-p14.2" osisRef="Bible:Ps.119.32" parsed="|Ps|119|32|0|0" passage="Ps 119:32">Ps. cxix. 32</scripRef>.
The greatness of Solomon's wisdom is illustrated by comparison.
Chaldea and Egypt were nations famous for learning; thence the
Greeks borrowed theirs; but the greatest scholars of these nations
came short of Solomon, <scripRef id="iKi.v-p14.3" osisRef="Bible:1Kgs.4.30" parsed="|1Kgs|4|30|0|0" passage="1Ki 4:30"><i>v.</i>
30</scripRef>. If nature excels art, much more does grace. The
knowledge which God gives by special favour goes beyond that which
man gets by his own labour. Some wise men there were in Solomon's
time, who were in great repute, particularly Heman, and others who
were Levites, and employed by David in the temple-music, <scripRef id="iKi.v-p14.4" osisRef="Bible:1Chr.15.19" parsed="|1Chr|15|19|0|0" passage="1Ch 15:19">1 Chron. xv. 19</scripRef>. Heman was <i>his
seer in the word of God,</i> <scripRef id="iKi.v-p14.5" osisRef="Bible:1Chr.25.5" parsed="|1Chr|25|5|0|0" passage="1Ch 25:5">1 Chron.
xxv. 5</scripRef>. Chalcol and Darda were own brothers, and they
also were noted for learning and wisdom. But <i>Solomon excelled
them all</i> (<scripRef id="iKi.v-p14.6" osisRef="Bible:1Kgs.4.30" parsed="|1Kgs|4|30|0|0" passage="1Ki 4:30"><i>v.</i>
30</scripRef>), he out-did them and confounded them; his counsel
was much more valuable.</p>
<p class="indent" id="iKi.v-p15">III. The fame of it. It was talked of <i>in
all nations round about.</i> His great wealth and glory made his
wisdom much more illustrious, and have him those opportunities of
showing it which those cannot have that live in poverty and
obscurity. The jewel of wisdom may receive great advantage by the
setting of it.</p>
<p class="indent" id="iKi.v-p16">IV. The fruits of it; by these the tree is
known: he did not bury his talent, but showed his wisdom,</p>
<p class="indent" id="iKi.v-p17">1. In his compositions. Those in divinity,
written by divine inspiration, are not mentioned here, for they are
extant, and will remain to the world's end monuments of his wisdom,
and are, as other parts of scripture, of use to make us <i>wise
unto salvation.</i> But, besides these, it appears by what he
spoke, or dictated to be written from him, (1.) That he was a
moralist, and a man of great prudence, for he spoke 3000
<i>proverbs,</i> wise sayings, apophthegms, of admirable use for
the conduct of human life. The world is much governed by proverbs,
and was never better furnished with useful ones than by Solomon.
Whether those proverbs of Solomon that we have were any part of the
3000 is uncertain. (2.) That he was a poet and a man of great wit:
<i>His songs were</i> 1005, of which one only is extant, because
that only was divinely inspired, which is therefore called his
<i>Song of songs.</i> His wise instructions were communicated by
proverbs, that they might be familiar to those whom he designed to
teach and ready on all occasions, and by <i>songs,</i> that they
might be pleasant and move the affections. (3.) That he was a
natural philosopher, and a man of great learning and insight into
the mysteries of nature. From his own and others' observations and
experience, he wrote both of plants and animals (<scripRef id="iKi.v-p17.1" osisRef="Bible:1Kgs.4.33" parsed="|1Kgs|4|33|0|0" passage="1Ki 4:33"><i>v.</i> 33</scripRef>), descriptions of their natures
and qualities, and (some think) of the medicinal use of them.</p>
<p class="indent" id="iKi.v-p18">2. In his conversation. There came persons
from all parts, who were more inquisitive after knowledge than
their neighbours, to <i>hear the wisdom of Solomon,</i> <scripRef id="iKi.v-p18.1" osisRef="Bible:1Kgs.4.34" parsed="|1Kgs|4|34|0|0" passage="1Ki 4:34"><i>v.</i> 34</scripRef>. Kings that had heard of
it sent their ambassadors to hear it and to bring them instructions
from it. Solomon's court was the staple of learning, and the
rendezvous of philosophers, that is, the lovers of wisdom, who all
came to light their candle at his lamp and to borrow from him. Let
those who magnify the modern learning above that of the ancients
produce such a treasure of knowledge any where in these latter ages
as that was which Solomon was master of; yet this puts an honour
upon human learning, that Solomon was praised for it, and
recommends it to the great men of the earth, as well worthy their
diligent search. But,</p>
<p class="indent" id="iKi.v-p19"><i>Lastly,</i> Solomon was, herein, a type
of Christ, <i>in whom are hidden all the treasures of wisdom and
knowledge,</i> and hidden for use; for he is <i>made of God to us
wisdom.</i></p>
</div></div2>