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<center><h1>Matthew Henry's Complete Commentary
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on the Whole Bible</h1>
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[<A HREF="MHC00000.HTM">Table of Contents</A>]<BR>
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Matthew Henry<BR><I>Commentary on the Whole Bible</I> (1708)
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<!-- (Begin Body) -->
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<CENTER>
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<BR><FONT SIZE=+3><B>F I R S T K I N G S</B></FONT>
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<BR>
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<BR><FONT SIZE=+2>CHAP. X.</FONT>
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<HR SIZE=1 WIDTH=50>
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<FONT SIZE=-1>
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<P>
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Still Solomon looks great, and every thing in this chapter adds to his
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magnificence. We read nothing indeed of his charity, of no hospitals he
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built, or alms-houses; he made his kingdom so rich that it did not need
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them; yet, no question, many poor were relieved from the abundance of
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his table. A church he had built, never to be equalled; schools or
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colleges he need not build any, his own palace is an academy, and his
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court a rendezvous of wise and learned men, as well as the centre of
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all the circulating riches of that part of the world.
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I. What abundance of wisdom there was there appears from the
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application the queen of Sheba made to him, and the great satisfaction
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she had in her entertainment there
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(<A HREF="http://bible.gospelcom.net/bible?version=KJV&passage=1Ki+10:1-13">ver. 1-13</A>),
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and others likewise,
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<A HREF="http://bible.gospelcom.net/bible?version=KJV&passage=1Ki+10:24">ver. 24</A>.
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II. What abundance of wealth there was there appears here by the gold
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imported, with other things, yearly
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(<A HREF="http://bible.gospelcom.net/bible?version=KJV&passage=1Ki+10:14,15">ver. 14, 15</A>),
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and in a triennial return,
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<A HREF="http://bible.gospelcom.net/bible?version=KJV&passage=1Ki+10:22">ver. 22</A>.
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Gold presented
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(<A HREF="http://bible.gospelcom.net/bible?version=KJV&passage=1Ki+10:25">ver. 25</A>),
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and gold used in targets and shields
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(<A HREF="http://bible.gospelcom.net/bible?version=KJV&passage=1Ki+10:16,17">ver. 16, 17</A>),
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and vessels,
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<A HREF="http://bible.gospelcom.net/bible?version=KJV&passage=1Ki+10:21">ver. 21</A>.
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A stately throne made,
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<A HREF="http://bible.gospelcom.net/bible?version=KJV&passage=1Ki+10:18-20">ver. 18-20</A>.
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His chariots and horsemen,
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<A HREF="http://bible.gospelcom.net/bible?version=KJV&passage=1Ki+10:26">ver. 26</A>.
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His trade with Egypt,
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<A HREF="http://bible.gospelcom.net/bible?version=KJV&passage=1Ki+10:28,29">ver. 28, 29</A>.
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And the great plenty of silver and cedars among his people,
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<A HREF="http://bible.gospelcom.net/bible?version=KJV&passage=1Ki+10:27">ver. 27</A>.
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So that, putting all together, it must be owned, as it is here said
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(<A HREF="http://bible.gospelcom.net/bible?version=KJV&passage=1Ki+10:23">ver. 23</A>),
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that "king Solomon exceeded all the kings of the earth for riches, and
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for wisdom." Yet what was he to the King of kings? Where Christ is, by
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his word and Spirit, "Behold, a greater than Solomon is there."</P>
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</FONT>
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<A NAME="1Ki10_1"> </A>
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<A NAME="1Ki10_2"> </A>
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<A NAME="1Ki10_3"> </A>
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<A NAME="1Ki10_4"> </A>
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<A NAME="1Ki10_5"> </A>
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<A NAME="1Ki10_6"> </A>
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<A NAME="1Ki10_7"> </A>
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<A NAME="1Ki10_8"> </A>
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<A NAME="1Ki10_9"> </A>
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<A NAME="1Ki10_10"> </A>
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<A NAME="1Ki10_11"> </A>
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<A NAME="1Ki10_12"> </A>
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<A NAME="1Ki10_13"> </A>
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<A NAME="Sec1"> </A>
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<TABLE WIDTH="100%" BORDER=0>
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<TR><TD><FONT SIZE=+1><I>Visit of the Queen of Sheba.</I></FONT></TD>
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<TD ALIGN=RIGHT><FONT SIZE=-1>B. C.</FONT> 990.</TD></TR>
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<TR><TD COLSPAN=2><HR SIZE=1></TD></TR>
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</TABLE>
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<P>
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<FONT SIZE=+1>1 And when the queen of Sheba heard of the fame of Solomon
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concerning the name of the L<FONT SIZE=-1><B>ORD</B></FONT>, she came to prove him with hard
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questions.
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2 And she came to Jerusalem with a very great train, with
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camels that bare spices, and very much gold, and precious stones:
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and when she was come to Solomon, she communed with him of all
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that was in her heart.
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3 And Solomon told her all her questions: there was not <I>any</I>
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thing hid from the king, which he told her not.
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4 And when the queen of Sheba had seen all Solomon's wisdom,
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and the house that he had built,
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5 And the meat of his table, and the sitting of his servants,
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and the attendance of his ministers, and their apparel, and his
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cupbearers, and his ascent by which he went up unto the house of
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the L<FONT SIZE=-1><B>ORD</B></FONT>; there was no more spirit in her.
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6 And she said to the king, It was a true report that I heard
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in mine own land of thy acts and of thy wisdom.
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7 Howbeit I believed not the words, until I came, and mine eyes
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had seen <I>it:</I> and, behold, the half was not told me: thy wisdom
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and prosperity exceedeth the fame which I heard.
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8 Happy <I>are</I> thy men, happy <I>are</I> these thy servants, which
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stand continually before thee, <I>and</I> that hear thy wisdom.
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9 Blessed be the L<FONT SIZE=-1><B>ORD</B></FONT> thy God, which delighted in thee, to set
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thee on the throne of Israel: because the L<FONT SIZE=-1><B>ORD</B></FONT> loved Israel for
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ever, therefore made he thee king, to do judgment and justice.
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10 And she gave the king a hundred and twenty talents of gold,
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and of spices very great store, and precious stones: there came
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no more such abundance of spices as these which the queen of
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Sheba gave to king Solomon.
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11 And the navy also of Hiram, that brought gold from Ophir,
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brought in from Ophir great plenty of almug trees, and precious
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stones.
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12 And the king made of the almug trees pillars for the house
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of the L<FONT SIZE=-1><B>ORD</B></FONT>, and for the king's house, harps also and psalteries
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for singers: there came no such almug trees, nor were seen unto
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this day.
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13 And king Solomon gave unto the queen of Sheba all her
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desire, whatsoever she asked, beside <I>that</I> which Solomon gave
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her of his royal bounty. So she turned and went to her own
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country, she and her servants.
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</FONT></P>
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<P>
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We have here an account of the visit which the queen of Sheba made to
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Solomon, no doubt when he was in the height of his piety and
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prosperity. Our Saviour calls her <I>the queen of the south,</I> for
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Sheba lay south of Canaan. The common opinion is that it was in Africa;
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and the Christians in Ethiopia, to this day, are confident that she
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came from their country, and that Candace was her successor, who is
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mentioned
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<A HREF="http://bible.gospelcom.net/bible?version=KJV&passage=Ac+8:27">Acts viii. 27</A>.
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But it is more probable that she came from the south part of Arabia the
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happy. It should seem she was a queen regent, sovereign of her country.
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Many a kingdom would have been deprived of its greatest blessings if a
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Salique law had been admitted into its constitution. Observe,</P>
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<P>
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I. On what errand the queen of Sheba came--not to treat of trade or
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commerce, to adjust the limits of their dominions, to court his
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alliance for their mutual strength or his assistance against some
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common enemy, which are the common occasions of the congress of crowned
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heads and their interviews, but she came,
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1. To satisfy her curiosity; for she had heard of his fame, especially
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for wisdom, and she came to prove him, whether he was so great a man as
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he was reported to be,
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<A HREF="http://bible.gospelcom.net/bible?version=KJV&passage=1Ki+10:1"><I>v.</I> 1</A>.
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Solomon's fleet sailed near the coast of her country, and probably
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might put in there for fresh water; perhaps it was thus that <I>she
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heard of the fame of Solomon,</I> that he excelled in wisdom all the
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children of the east, and nothing would serve her but she would go
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herself and know the truth of the report.
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2. To receive instruction from him. She came to <I>hear his wisdom,</I>
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and thereby to improve her own
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(<A HREF="http://bible.gospelcom.net/bible?version=KJV&passage=Mt+12:42">Matt. xii. 42</A>),
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that she might be the better able to govern her own kingdom by his
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maxims of policy. Those whom God has called to any public employment,
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particularly in the magistracy and ministry, should, by all means
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possible, be still improving themselves in that knowledge which will
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more and more qualify them for it, and enable them to discharge their
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trust well. But, it should seem, that which she chiefly aimed at was to
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be instructed in the things of God. She was religiously inclined, and
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had heard not only of the fame of Solomon, but <I>concerning the name
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of the Lord</I>
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(<A HREF="http://bible.gospelcom.net/bible?version=KJV&passage=1Ki+10:1"><I>v.</I> 1</A>),
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the great name of that God whom Solomon worshipped and from whom he
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received his wisdom, and with this God she desired to be better
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acquainted. Therefore does our Saviour mention her enquiries after God,
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by Solomon, as an aggravation of the stupidity of those who enquire not
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after God by our Lord Jesus Christ, though he, having lain in his
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bosom, was much better able to instruct them.</P>
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<P>
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II. With what equipage she came, with a very great retinue, agreeable
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to her rank, intending to try Solomon's wealth and generosity, as well
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as his wisdom, what entertainment he could and would give to a royal
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visitant,
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<A HREF="http://bible.gospelcom.net/bible?version=KJV&passage=1Ki+10:2"><I>v.</I> 2</A>.
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Yet she came not as one begging, but brought enough to bear her
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charges, and abundantly to recompense Solomon for his attention to her,
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nothing mean or common, but gold, and precious stones, and spices,
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because she came to trade for wisdom, which she would purchase at any
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rate.</P>
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<P>
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III. What entertainment Solomon gave her. He despised not the weakness
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of her sex, blamed her not for leaving her own business at home to come
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so long a journey, and put herself and him to so much trouble and
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expense merely to satisfy her curiosity; but he made her welcome and
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all her train, gave her liberty to put all her questions, though some
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perhaps were frivolous, some captious, and some over-curious; he
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allowed her to <I>commune with him of all that was in her heart</I>
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(<A HREF="http://bible.gospelcom.net/bible?version=KJV&passage=1Ki+10:2"><I>v.</I> 2</A>)
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and gave her a satisfactory answer to <I>all her questions</I>
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(<A HREF="http://bible.gospelcom.net/bible?version=KJV&passage=1Ki+10:3"><I>v.</I> 3</A>),
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whether natural, moral, political, or divine. Were they designed to try
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him? he gave them such turns as abundantly satisfied her of his
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uncommon knowledge. Were they designed for her own instruction? (as we
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suppose most of them were), she received abundant instruction from him,
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and he made things surprisingly easy which she apprehended insuperably
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difficult, and satisfied her that there was <I>a divine sentence in the
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lips of</I> this <I>king.</I> But he informed her no doubt, with
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particular care, concerning God, and his law and instituted worship. He
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had taken it for granted
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(<A HREF="http://bible.gospelcom.net/bible?version=KJV&passage=1Ki+8:42"><I>ch.</I> viii. 42</A>)
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that <I>strangers would hear of his great name,</I> and would come
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thither to enquire after him; and now that so great a stranger came we
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may be sure he was not wanting to assist and encourage her enquiries,
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and give her a description of the temple, and the officers and services
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of it, that she might be persuaded to serve the Lord whom she now
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sought.</P>
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<P>
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IV. How she was affected with what she saw and heard in Solomon's
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court. Divers things are here mentioned which she admired, the
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buildings and furniture of his palace, the provision that was made very
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day for his table (when she saw that perhaps she wondered where there
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were mouths for all that meat, but when she saw the multitude of his
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attendants and guests she was as ready to wonder where was the meat for
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all those mouths), the orderly sitting of his servants, every one in
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his place, and the ready attendance of his ministers, without any
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confusion, their rich liveries, and the propriety with which his
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cup-bearers waited at his table. These things she admired, as adding
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much to his magnificence. But, above all these, the first thing
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mentioned (which contained all) is his wisdom
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(<A HREF="http://bible.gospelcom.net/bible?version=KJV&passage=1Ki+10:4"><I>v.</I> 4</A>),
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of the transcendency of which she now had incontestable proofs: and the
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last thing mentioned, which crowned all, is his piety, the <I>ascent by
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which he went up to the house of the Lord,</I> with what gravity and
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seriousness, and an air of devotion in his countenance, he appeared,
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when he went to the temple to worship God, with as much humility then
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as majesty at other times. Many of the ancient versions read it, The
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<I>burnt-offerings which he offered in the house of the Lord;</I> she
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observed with what a generous bounty he brought his sacrifices, and
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with what a pious fervour he attended the offering of them; never did
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she see so much goodness with so much greatness. Every thing was so
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surprising that there was no more spirit in her, but she stood amazed;
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she had never seen the like.</P>
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<P>
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V. How she expressed herself upon this occasion.
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1. She owned her expectation far out-done, though it was highly raised
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by the report she heard,
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<A HREF="http://bible.gospelcom.net/bible?version=KJV&passage=1Ki+10:6,7"><I>v.</I> 6, 7</A>.
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She is far from repenting her journey or calling herself a <I>fool</I>
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for undertaking it, but acknowledges it was well worth her while to
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come so far for the sight of that which she could not believe the
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report of. Usually things are represented to us, both by common fame
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and by our own imagination, much greater than we find them when we come
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to examine them; but here the truth exceeded both fame and fancy. Those
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who, through grace, are brought to experience the delights of communion
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with God will say that the one-half was not told them of the pleasures
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of Wisdom's ways and the advantages of her gates. Glorified saints,
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much more, will say that it was a true report which they heard of the
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happiness of heaven, but that the thousandth part was not told them,
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<A HREF="http://bible.gospelcom.net/bible?version=KJV&passage=1Co+2:9">1 Cor. ii. 9</A>.
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2. She pronounced those happy that constantly attended him, and waited
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on him at table: "<I>Happy are thy men, happy are these thy
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servants</I>
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(<A HREF="http://bible.gospelcom.net/bible?version=KJV&passage=1Ki+10:8"><I>v.</I> 8</A>);
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they may improve their own wisdom by hearing thine." She was tempted to
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envy them and to which herself one of them. Note, It is a great
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advantage to be in good families, and to have opportunity of frequent
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converse with those that are wise, and good, and communicative. Many
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have this happiness who know not how to value it. With much more reason
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may we say this of Christ's servants, <I>Blessed are those that dwell
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in his house, they will be still praising him.</I>
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3. She blessed God, the giver of Solomon's wisdom and wealth, and the
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author of his advancement, who had made him king,
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(1.) In kindness to him, that he might have the larger opportunity of
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doing good with his wisdom: He <I>delighted in thee, to set thee on the
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throne of Israel,</I>
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<A HREF="http://bible.gospelcom.net/bible?version=KJV&passage=1Ki+10:9"><I>v.</I> 9</A>.
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Solomon's preferment began in the prophet's calling him <I>Jedidiah,
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because the Lord loved him,</I>
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<A HREF="http://bible.gospelcom.net/bible?version=KJV&passage=2Sa+12:25">2 Sam. xii. 25</A>.
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It more than doubles our comforts if we have reason to hope they come
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from God's delight in us. <I>It was his pleasure concerning thee</I>
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(so it may be read) to <I>set thee on the throne,</I> not for thy
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merit's sake, but because it so seemed good unto him.
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(2.) In kindness to the people, <I>because the Lord loved Israel for
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ever,</I> designed them a lasting bliss, long to survive him that laid
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the foundations of it. "He has made thee king, not that thou mayest
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live in pomp and pleasure, and do what thou wilt, but <I>to do judgment
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and justice.</I>" This she kindly reminded Solomon of, and no doubt he
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took it kindly. Both magistrates and ministers must be more solicitous
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to do the duty of their places than to secure the honours and profits
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of them. To this she attributes his prosperity, not to his wisdom, for
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bread is not always <I>to the wise</I>
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(<A HREF="http://bible.gospelcom.net/bible?version=KJV&passage=Ec+9:11">Eccl. ix. 11</A>),
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but whoso <I>doeth judgment and justice,</I> it shall be <I>well with
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him,</I>
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<A HREF="http://bible.gospelcom.net/bible?version=KJV&passage=Jer+22:15">Jer. xxii. 15</A>.
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Thus <I>giving of thanks</I> must be <I>made for kings,</I> for good
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kings, for such kings; they are what God makes them to be.</P>
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<P>
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VI. How they parted.
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1. She made a noble present to Solomon of <I>gold and spices,</I>
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<A HREF="http://bible.gospelcom.net/bible?version=KJV&passage=1Ki+10:10"><I>v.</I> 10</A>.
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David had foretold concerning Solomon that <I>to him should be given of
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the gold of Sheba,</I>
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<A HREF="http://bible.gospelcom.net/bible?version=KJV&passage=Ps+72:15">Ps. lxxii. 15</A>.
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The present of gold and spices which the wise men of the east brought
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to Christ was signified by this,
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<A HREF="http://bible.gospelcom.net/bible?version=KJV&passage=Mt+2:11">Matt. ii. 11</A>.
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Thus she paid for the wisdom she had learned and did not think she
|
|
bought it dearly. Let those that are taught of God give him their
|
|
hearts, and the present will be more acceptable than this of gold and
|
|
spices. Mention is made of the great abundance Solomon had of his own,
|
|
notwithstanding she presented and he accepted this gold. What we
|
|
present to Christ he needs not, but will have us so to express our
|
|
gratitude. The almug-trees are here spoken of
|
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(<A HREF="http://bible.gospelcom.net/bible?version=KJV&passage=1Ki+10:11,12"><I>v.</I> 11, 12</A>)
|
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as extraordinary, because perhaps much admired by the queen of Sheba.
|
|
|
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2. Solomon was not behind-hand with her: <I>He gave her whatsoever,
|
|
she asked,</I> patterns, we may suppose, of those things that were
|
|
curious, by which she might make the like; or perhaps he gave her his
|
|
precepts of wisdom and piety in writing, <I>besides that which he gave
|
|
her of his royal bounty,</I>
|
|
|
|
<A HREF="http://bible.gospelcom.net/bible?version=KJV&passage=1Ki+10:13"><I>v.</I> 13</A>.
|
|
|
|
Thus those who apply to our Lord Jesus will find him not only greater
|
|
than Solomon, and wiser, but more kind; whatsoever we ask, it shall be
|
|
done for us; nay, he will, out of his divine bounty, which infinitely
|
|
exceeds royal bounty, even Solomon's, do for us <I>more than we are
|
|
able to ask or think.</I></P>
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<A NAME="1Ki10_14"> </A>
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<A NAME="1Ki10_15"> </A>
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<A NAME="1Ki10_16"> </A>
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<A NAME="1Ki10_17"> </A>
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<A NAME="1Ki10_18"> </A>
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<A NAME="1Ki10_19"> </A>
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<A NAME="1Ki10_20"> </A>
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<A NAME="1Ki10_21"> </A>
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<A NAME="1Ki10_22"> </A>
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<A NAME="1Ki10_23"> </A>
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<A NAME="1Ki10_24"> </A>
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<A NAME="1Ki10_25"> </A>
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<A NAME="1Ki10_26"> </A>
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<A NAME="1Ki10_27"> </A>
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<A NAME="1Ki10_28"> </A>
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<A NAME="1Ki10_29"> </A>
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<A NAME="Sec2"> </A>
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<TABLE WIDTH="100%" BORDER=0>
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<TR><TD><FONT SIZE=+1><I>Solomon's Wealth.</I></FONT></TD>
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<TD ALIGN=RIGHT><FONT SIZE=-1>B. C.</FONT> 990.</TD></TR>
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<TR><TD COLSPAN=2><HR SIZE=1></TD></TR>
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</TABLE>
|
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<P>
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<FONT SIZE=+1>14 Now the weight of gold that came to Solomon in one year was
|
|
six hundred threescore and six talents of gold,
|
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15 Beside <I>that he had</I> of the merchantmen, and of the traffick
|
|
of the spice merchants, and of all the kings of Arabia, and of
|
|
the governors of the country.
|
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16 And king Solomon made two hundred targets <I>of</I> beaten gold:
|
|
six hundred <I>shekels</I> of gold went to one target.
|
|
17 And <I>he made</I> three hundred shields <I>of</I> beaten gold; three
|
|
pound of gold went to one shield: and the king put them in the
|
|
house of the forest of Lebanon.
|
|
18 Moreover the king made a great throne of ivory, and overlaid
|
|
it with the best gold.
|
|
19 The throne had six steps, and the top of the throne <I>was</I>
|
|
round behind: and <I>there were</I> stays on either side on the place
|
|
of the seat, and two lions stood beside the stays.
|
|
20 And twelve lions stood there on the one side and on the
|
|
other upon the six steps: there was not the like made in any
|
|
kingdom.
|
|
21 And all king Solomon's drinking vessels <I>were of</I> gold, and
|
|
all the vessels of the house of the forest of Lebanon <I>were of</I>
|
|
pure gold; none <I>were of</I> silver: it was nothing accounted of in
|
|
the days of Solomon.
|
|
22 For the king had at sea a navy of Tharshish with the navy of
|
|
Hiram: once in three years came the navy of Tharshish, bringing
|
|
gold, and silver, ivory, and apes, and peacocks.
|
|
23 So king Solomon exceeded all the kings of the earth for
|
|
riches and for wisdom.
|
|
24 And all the earth sought to Solomon, to hear his wisdom,
|
|
which God had put in his heart.
|
|
25 And they brought every man his present, vessels of silver,
|
|
and vessels of gold, and garments, and armour, and spices,
|
|
horses, and mules, a rate year by year.
|
|
26 And Solomon gathered together chariots and horsemen: and he
|
|
had a thousand and four hundred chariots, and twelve thousand
|
|
horsemen, whom he bestowed in the cities for chariots, and with
|
|
the king at Jerusalem.
|
|
27 And the king made silver <I>to be</I> in Jerusalem as stones, and
|
|
cedars made he <I>to be</I> as the sycamore trees that <I>are</I> in the
|
|
vale, for abundance.
|
|
28 And Solomon had horses brought out of Egypt, and linen yarn:
|
|
the king's merchants received the linen yarn at a price.
|
|
29 And a chariot came up and went out of Egypt for six hundred
|
|
<I>shekels</I> of silver, and a horse for a hundred and fifty: and
|
|
so for all the kings of the Hittites, and for the kings of Syria,
|
|
did they bring <I>them</I> out by their means.
|
|
</FONT></P>
|
|
|
|
<P>
|
|
|
|
We have here a further account of Solomon's prosperity.</P>
|
|
|
|
<P>
|
|
|
|
I. How he increased his wealth. Though he had much, he still coveted to
|
|
have more, being willing to try the utmost the things of this world
|
|
could do to make men happy.
|
|
|
|
1. Besides the gold that came from Ophir
|
|
|
|
(<A HREF="http://bible.gospelcom.net/bible?version=KJV&passage=1Ki+9:28"><I>ch.</I> ix. 28</A>),
|
|
|
|
he brought so much into his country from other places that the whole
|
|
amounted, every year, to 666 <I>talents</I>
|
|
|
|
(<A HREF="http://bible.gospelcom.net/bible?version=KJV&passage=1Ki+10:14"><I>v.</I> 14</A>),
|
|
|
|
an ominous number, compare
|
|
|
|
<A HREF="http://bible.gospelcom.net/bible?version=KJV&passage=Re+13:18,Ezr+2:13">Rev. xiii. 18, and Ezra ii. 13</A>.
|
|
|
|
2. He received a great deal in customs from the merchants, and in
|
|
land-taxes from the countries his father had conquered and made
|
|
tributaries to Israel,
|
|
|
|
<A HREF="http://bible.gospelcom.net/bible?version=KJV&passage=1Ki+10:15"><I>v.</I> 15</A>.
|
|
|
|
3. He was Hiram's partner in a Tharshish fleet, of and for Tyre, which
|
|
imported once in three years, not only gold, and silver, and ivory,
|
|
substantial goods and serviceable, but apes to play with and peacocks
|
|
to please the eye with their feathers,
|
|
|
|
<A HREF="http://bible.gospelcom.net/bible?version=KJV&passage=1Ki+10:22"><I>v.</I> 22</A>.
|
|
|
|
I wish this may not be an evidence that Solomon and his people, being
|
|
overcharged with prosperity, by this time grew childish and wanton.
|
|
|
|
4. He had presents made him, every year, from the neighbouring princes
|
|
and great men, to engage the continuance of his friendship, not so much
|
|
because they feared him or were jealous of him as because they loved
|
|
him and admired his wisdom, had often occasion to consult him as an
|
|
oracle, and sent him these presents by way of recompence for his advice
|
|
in politics, and (whether it became his grandeur and generosity or no
|
|
we will not enquire) he took all that came, even garments and spices,
|
|
horses and mules,
|
|
|
|
<A HREF="http://bible.gospelcom.net/bible?version=KJV&passage=1Ki+10:24,25"><I>v.</I> 24, 25</A>.
|
|
|
|
5. He traded to Egypt for horses and linen-yarn (or, as some read it,
|
|
<I>linen-cloth</I>), the staple commodities of that country, and had
|
|
his own merchants or factors whom he employed in this traffic and who
|
|
were accountable to him,
|
|
|
|
<A HREF="http://bible.gospelcom.net/bible?version=KJV&passage=1Ki+10:28,29"><I>v.</I> 28, 29</A>.
|
|
|
|
The custom to be paid to the king of Egypt for exported chariots and
|
|
horses out of Egypt was very high, but (as bishop Patrick understands
|
|
it) Solomon, having married his daughter, got him to compound for the
|
|
customs, so that he could bring them up cheaper than his neighbours,
|
|
which obliged them to buy them of him, which he was wise enough no
|
|
doubt to make his advantage of. This puts an honour upon the trading
|
|
part of a nation, and sets a tradesman not so much below a gentleman as
|
|
some place him, that Solomon, one of the greatest men that ever was,
|
|
thought it no disparagement to him to deal in trade. In all labour
|
|
there is profit.</P>
|
|
|
|
<P>
|
|
|
|
II. What use he made of his wealth. He did not hoard it up in his
|
|
coffers, that he might have it to look upon and leave behind him. He
|
|
has, in his Ecclesiastes, so much exposed the folly of hoarding that we
|
|
cannot suppose he would himself be guilty of it. No, God that had given
|
|
him riches, and wealth, and honour, gave him also power to eat thereof,
|
|
and to take his portion,
|
|
|
|
<A HREF="http://bible.gospelcom.net/bible?version=KJV&passage=Ec+5:19">Eccles. v. 19</A>.</P>
|
|
|
|
<P>
|
|
|
|
1. He laid out his gold in fine things for himself, which he might the
|
|
better be allowed to do when he had before laid out so much in fine
|
|
things for the house of God.
|
|
|
|
(1.) He made 200 targets, and 300 shields, of beaten gold
|
|
|
|
(<A HREF="http://bible.gospelcom.net/bible?version=KJV&passage=1Ki+10:16,17"><I>v.</I> 16, 17</A>),
|
|
|
|
not for service, but for state, to be carried before him when he
|
|
appeared in pomp. With us, magistrates have <I>swords</I> and
|
|
<I>maces</I> carried before them, as the Romans had their <I>rods</I>
|
|
and <I>axes,</I> in token of their power to correct and punish the bad,
|
|
to whom they are to be a terror. But Solomon had <I>shields</I> and
|
|
<I>targets</I> carried before him, to signify that he took more
|
|
pleasure in using his power for the defence and protection of the good,
|
|
to whom he would be a praise. Magistrates are <I>shields of the
|
|
earth.</I>
|
|
|
|
(2.) He made a stately throne, on which he sat, to give laws to his
|
|
subjects, audience to ambassadors, and judgment upon appeals,
|
|
|
|
<A HREF="http://bible.gospelcom.net/bible?version=KJV&passage=1Ki+10:18-20"><I>v.</I> 18-20</A>.
|
|
|
|
It was made of ivory, or elephants' teeth, which was very rich; and
|
|
yet, as if he had so much gold that he knew not what to do with it, he
|
|
<I>overlaid that with gold,</I> the best gold. Yet some think he did
|
|
not cover the ivory all over, but here and there. He rolled it,
|
|
flowered it, or inlaid it, with gold. The stays or arms of this stately
|
|
chair were supported by the images of lions in gold; so were the steps
|
|
and paces by which he went up to it, to be a memorandum to him of that
|
|
courage and resolution wherewith he ought to execute judgment, not
|
|
fearing the face of man. <I>The righteous,</I> in that post, <I>is bold
|
|
as a lion.</I>
|
|
|
|
(3.) He made all his drinking vessels, and all the furniture of his
|
|
table, even at his country seat, of pure gold,
|
|
|
|
<A HREF="http://bible.gospelcom.net/bible?version=KJV&passage=1Ki+10:21"><I>v.</I> 21</A>.
|
|
|
|
He did not grudge himself what he had, but took the credit and comfort
|
|
of it, such as it was. That is good that does us good.</P>
|
|
|
|
<P>
|
|
|
|
2. He made it circulate among his subjects, so that the kingdom was as
|
|
rich as the king; for he had no separate interests of his own to
|
|
consult, but sought the welfare of his people. Those princes are not
|
|
governed by Solomon's maxims who think it policy to keep their subjects
|
|
poor. Solomon was herein a type of Christ, who is not only rich
|
|
himself, but enriches all that are his. Solomon was instrumental to
|
|
bring so much gold into the country, and disperse it, that <I>silver
|
|
was nothing accounted of,</I>
|
|
|
|
<A HREF="http://bible.gospelcom.net/bible?version=KJV&passage=1Ki+10:21"><I>v.</I> 21</A>.
|
|
|
|
There was such plenty of it in Jerusalem that it was as the stones; and
|
|
cedars, that used to be great rarities, were as common <I>as sycamore
|
|
trees,</I>
|
|
|
|
<A HREF="http://bible.gospelcom.net/bible?version=KJV&passage=1Ki+10:27"><I>v.</I> 27</A>.
|
|
|
|
Such is the nature of worldly wealth, plenty of it makes it the less
|
|
valuable; much more should the enjoyment of spiritual riches lessen our
|
|
esteem of all earthly possessions. If <I>gold in abundance</I> would
|
|
make silver to seem so despicable, shall not wisdom, and grace, and the
|
|
foretastes of heaven, which are far better than gold, make earthly
|
|
wealth seem much more despicable?</P>
|
|
|
|
<P>
|
|
|
|
<I>Lastly,</I> Well, thus rich, thus great, was Solomon, and thus did
|
|
he <I>exceed all the kings of the earth,</I>
|
|
|
|
<A HREF="http://bible.gospelcom.net/bible?version=KJV&passage=1Ki+10:23"><I>v.</I> 23</A>.
|
|
|
|
Now let us remember,
|
|
|
|
1. That this was he who, when he was <I>setting out in the world,</I>
|
|
did not ask for the wealth and honour of it, but asked for <I>a wise
|
|
and understanding heart.</I> The more moderate our desires are towards
|
|
earthly things the better qualified we are for the enjoyment of them
|
|
and the more likely to have them. See, in Solomon's greatness, the
|
|
performance of God's promise
|
|
|
|
(<A HREF="http://bible.gospelcom.net/bible?version=KJV&passage=1Ki+3:13"><I>ch.</I> iii. 13</A>),
|
|
|
|
and let it encourage us to <I>seek first the righteousness of God's
|
|
kingdom.</I>
|
|
|
|
2. That this was he who, having tasted all these enjoyments, wrote a
|
|
whole book to show the vanity of all worldly things and the vexation of
|
|
spirit that attends them, their insufficiency to make us happy and the
|
|
folly of setting our hearts upon them, and to recommend to us the
|
|
practice of serious godliness, as that which is the whole of man, and
|
|
will do infinitely more towards the making of us easy and happy than
|
|
all the wealth and power that he was master of, and which, through the
|
|
grace of God, is within our reach, when the thousandth part of
|
|
Solomon's greatness is a thousand times more than we can ever be so
|
|
vain as to promise ourselves in this world.</P>
|
|
|
|
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