mh_parser/vol_split/11 - 1Kings/Chapter 10.xml

<div2 id="iKi.xi" n="xi" next="iKi.xii" prev="iKi.x" progress="54.97%" title="Chapter X">
<h2 id="iKi.xi-p0.1">F I R S T   K I N G S</h2>
<h3 id="iKi.xi-p0.2">CHAP. X.</h3>
<p class="intro" id="iKi.xi-p1">Still Solomon looks great, and every thing in this
chapter adds to his magnificence. We read nothing indeed of his
charity, of no hospitals he built, or alms-houses; he made his
kingdom so rich that it did not need them; yet, no question, many
poor were relieved from the abundance of his table. A church he had
built, never to be equalled; schools or colleges he need not build
any, his own palace is an academy, and his court a rendezvous of
wise and learned men, as well as the centre of all the circulating
riches of that part of the world. I. What abundance of wisdom there
was there appears from the application the queen of Sheba made to
him, and the great satisfaction she had in her entertainment there
(<scripRef id="iKi.xi-p1.1" osisRef="Bible:1Kgs.10.1-1Kgs.10.13" parsed="|1Kgs|10|1|10|13" passage="1Ki 10:1-13">ver. 1-13</scripRef>), and others
likewise, <scripRef id="iKi.xi-p1.2" osisRef="Bible:1Kgs.10.24" parsed="|1Kgs|10|24|0|0" passage="1Ki 10:24">ver. 24</scripRef>. II.
What abundance of wealth there was there appears here by the gold
imported, with other things, yearly (<scripRef id="iKi.xi-p1.3" osisRef="Bible:1Kgs.10.14-1Kgs.10.15" parsed="|1Kgs|10|14|10|15" passage="1Ki 10:14,15">ver. 14, 15</scripRef>), and in a triennial return,
<scripRef id="iKi.xi-p1.4" osisRef="Bible:1Kgs.10.22" parsed="|1Kgs|10|22|0|0" passage="1Ki 10:22">ver. 22</scripRef>. Gold presented
(<scripRef id="iKi.xi-p1.5" osisRef="Bible:1Kgs.10.25" parsed="|1Kgs|10|25|0|0" passage="1Ki 10:25">ver. 25</scripRef>), and gold used
in targets and shields (<scripRef id="iKi.xi-p1.6" osisRef="Bible:1Kgs.10.16-1Kgs.10.17" parsed="|1Kgs|10|16|10|17" passage="1Ki 10:16,17">ver. 16,
17</scripRef>), and vessels, <scripRef id="iKi.xi-p1.7" osisRef="Bible:1Kgs.10.21" parsed="|1Kgs|10|21|0|0" passage="1Ki 10:21">ver.
21</scripRef>. A stately throne made, <scripRef id="iKi.xi-p1.8" osisRef="Bible:1Kgs.10.18-1Kgs.10.20" parsed="|1Kgs|10|18|10|20" passage="1Ki 10:18-20">ver. 18-20</scripRef>. His chariots and horsemen,
<scripRef id="iKi.xi-p1.9" osisRef="Bible:1Kgs.10.26" parsed="|1Kgs|10|26|0|0" passage="1Ki 10:26">ver. 26</scripRef>. His trade with
Egypt, <scripRef id="iKi.xi-p1.10" osisRef="Bible:1Kgs.10.28-1Kgs.10.29" parsed="|1Kgs|10|28|10|29" passage="1Ki 10:28,29">ver. 28, 29</scripRef>. And
the great plenty of silver and cedars among his people, <scripRef id="iKi.xi-p1.11" osisRef="Bible:1Kgs.10.27" parsed="|1Kgs|10|27|0|0" passage="1Ki 10:27">ver. 27</scripRef>. So that, putting all
together, it must be owned, as it is here said (<scripRef id="iKi.xi-p1.12" osisRef="Bible:1Kgs.10.23" parsed="|1Kgs|10|23|0|0" passage="1Ki 10:23">ver. 23</scripRef>), that "king Solomon exceeded all
the kings of the earth for riches, and for wisdom." Yet what was he
to the King of kings? Where Christ is, by his word and Spirit,
"Behold, a greater than Solomon is there."</p>
<scripCom id="iKi.xi-p0.1_1" osisRef="Bible:1Kgs.10" parsed="|1Kgs|10|0|0|0" passage="1Ki 10" type="Commentary"/>
<scripCom id="iKi.xi-p0.2_1" osisRef="Bible:1Kgs.10.1-1Kgs.10.13" parsed="|1Kgs|10|1|10|13" passage="1Ki 10:1-13" type="Commentary"/><div class="Commentary" id="Bible:1Kgs.10.1-1Kgs.10.13">
<h4 id="iKi.xi-p1.15">Visit of the Queen of Sheba. (<span class="smallcaps" id="iKi.xi-p1.16">b. c.</span> 990.)</h4>
<p class="passage" id="iKi.xi-p2">1 And when the queen of Sheba heard of the fame
of Solomon concerning the name of the <span class="smallcaps" id="iKi.xi-p2.1">Lord</span>, she came to prove him with hard questions.
  2 And she came to Jerusalem with a very great train, with
camels that bare spices, and very much gold, and precious stones:
and when she was come to Solomon, she communed with him of all that
was in her heart.   3 And Solomon told her all her questions:
there was not <i>any</i> thing hid from the king, which he told her
not.   4 And when the queen of Sheba had seen all Solomon's
wisdom, and the house that he had built,   5 And the meat of
his table, and the sitting of his servants, and the attendance of
his ministers, and their apparel, and his cupbearers, and his
ascent by which he went up unto the house of the <span class="smallcaps" id="iKi.xi-p2.2">Lord</span>; there was no more spirit in her.   6
And she said to the king, It was a true report that I heard in mine
own land of thy acts and of thy wisdom.   7 Howbeit I believed
not the words, until I came, and mine eyes had seen <i>it:</i> and,
behold, the half was not told me: thy wisdom and prosperity
exceedeth the fame which I heard.   8 Happy <i>are</i> thy
men, happy <i>are</i> these thy servants, which stand continually
before thee, <i>and</i> that hear thy wisdom.   9 Blessed be
the <span class="smallcaps" id="iKi.xi-p2.3">Lord</span> thy God, which delighted in
thee, to set thee on the throne of Israel: because the <span class="smallcaps" id="iKi.xi-p2.4">Lord</span> loved Israel for ever, therefore made he
thee king, to do judgment and justice.   10 And she gave the
king a hundred and twenty talents of gold, and of spices very great
store, and precious stones: there came no more such abundance of
spices as these which the queen of Sheba gave to king Solomon.
  11 And the navy also of Hiram, that brought gold from Ophir,
brought in from Ophir great plenty of almug trees, and precious
stones.   12 And the king made of the almug trees pillars for
the house of the <span class="smallcaps" id="iKi.xi-p2.5">Lord</span>, and for the
king's house, harps also and psalteries for singers: there came no
such almug trees, nor were seen unto this day.   13 And king
Solomon gave unto the queen of Sheba all her desire, whatsoever she
asked, beside <i>that</i> which Solomon gave her of his royal
bounty. So she turned and went to her own country, she and her
servants.</p>
<p class="indent" id="iKi.xi-p3">We have here an account of the visit which
the queen of Sheba made to Solomon, no doubt when he was in the
height of his piety and prosperity. Our Saviour calls her <i>the
queen of the south,</i> for Sheba lay south of Canaan. The common
opinion is that it was in Africa; and the Christians in Ethiopia,
to this day, are confident that she came from their country, and
that Candace was her successor, who is mentioned <scripRef id="iKi.xi-p3.1" osisRef="Bible:Acts.8.27" parsed="|Acts|8|27|0|0" passage="Ac 8:27">Acts viii. 27</scripRef>. But it is more probable that
she came from the south part of Arabia the happy. It should seem
she was a queen regent, sovereign of her country. Many a kingdom
would have been deprived of its greatest blessings if a Salique law
had been admitted into its constitution. Observe,</p>
<p class="indent" id="iKi.xi-p4">I. On what errand the queen of Sheba
came—not to treat of trade or commerce, to adjust the limits of
their dominions, to court his alliance for their mutual strength or
his assistance against some common enemy, which are the common
occasions of the congress of crowned heads and their interviews,
but she came, 1. To satisfy her curiosity; for she had heard of his
fame, especially for wisdom, and she came to prove him, whether he
was so great a man as he was reported to be, <scripRef id="iKi.xi-p4.1" osisRef="Bible:1Kgs.10.1" parsed="|1Kgs|10|1|0|0" passage="1Ki 10:1"><i>v.</i> 1</scripRef>. Solomon's fleet sailed near the
coast of her country, and probably might put in there for fresh
water; perhaps it was thus that <i>she heard of the fame of
Solomon,</i> that he excelled in wisdom all the children of the
east, and nothing would serve her but she would go herself and know
the truth of the report. 2. To receive instruction from him. She
came to <i>hear his wisdom,</i> and thereby to improve her own
(<scripRef id="iKi.xi-p4.2" osisRef="Bible:Matt.12.42" parsed="|Matt|12|42|0|0" passage="Mt 12:42">Matt. xii. 42</scripRef>), that she
might be the better able to govern her own kingdom by his maxims of
policy. Those whom God has called to any public employment,
particularly in the magistracy and ministry, should, by all means
possible, be still improving themselves in that knowledge which
will more and more qualify them for it, and enable them to
discharge their trust well. But, it should seem, that which she
chiefly aimed at was to be instructed in the things of God. She was
religiously inclined, and had heard not only of the fame of
Solomon, but <i>concerning the name of the Lord</i> (<scripRef id="iKi.xi-p4.3" osisRef="Bible:1Kgs.10.1" parsed="|1Kgs|10|1|0|0" passage="1Ki 10:1"><i>v.</i> 1</scripRef>), the great name of that
God whom Solomon worshipped and from whom he received his wisdom,
and with this God she desired to be better acquainted. Therefore
does our Saviour mention her enquiries after God, by Solomon, as an
aggravation of the stupidity of those who enquire not after God by
our Lord Jesus Christ, though he, having lain in his bosom, was
much better able to instruct them.</p>
<p class="indent" id="iKi.xi-p5">II. With what equipage she came, with a
very great retinue, agreeable to her rank, intending to try
Solomon's wealth and generosity, as well as his wisdom, what
entertainment he could and would give to a royal visitant,
<scripRef id="iKi.xi-p5.1" osisRef="Bible:1Kgs.10.2" parsed="|1Kgs|10|2|0|0" passage="1Ki 10:2"><i>v.</i> 2</scripRef>. Yet she came
not as one begging, but brought enough to bear her charges, and
abundantly to recompense Solomon for his attention to her, nothing
mean or common, but gold, and precious stones, and spices, because
she came to trade for wisdom, which she would purchase at any
rate.</p>
<p class="indent" id="iKi.xi-p6">III. What entertainment Solomon gave her.
He despised not the weakness of her sex, blamed her not for leaving
her own business at home to come so long a journey, and put herself
and him to so much trouble and expense merely to satisfy her
curiosity; but he made her welcome and all her train, gave her
liberty to put all her questions, though some perhaps were
frivolous, some captious, and some over-curious; he allowed her to
<i>commune with him of all that was in her heart</i> (<scripRef id="iKi.xi-p6.1" osisRef="Bible:1Kgs.10.2" parsed="|1Kgs|10|2|0|0" passage="1Ki 10:2"><i>v.</i> 2</scripRef>) and gave her a
satisfactory answer to <i>all her questions</i> (<scripRef id="iKi.xi-p6.2" osisRef="Bible:1Kgs.10.3" parsed="|1Kgs|10|3|0|0" passage="1Ki 10:3"><i>v.</i> 3</scripRef>), whether natural, moral,
political, or divine. Were they designed to try him? he gave them
such turns as abundantly satisfied her of his uncommon knowledge.
Were they designed for her own instruction? (as we suppose most of
them were), she received abundant instruction from him, and he made
things surprisingly easy which she apprehended insuperably
difficult, and satisfied her that there was <i>a divine sentence in
the lips of</i> this <i>king.</i> But he informed her no doubt,
with particular care, concerning God, and his law and instituted
worship. He had taken it for granted (<scripRef id="iKi.xi-p6.3" osisRef="Bible:1Kgs.8.42" parsed="|1Kgs|8|42|0|0" passage="1Ki 8:42"><i>ch.</i> viii. 42</scripRef>) that <i>strangers would
hear of his great name,</i> and would come thither to enquire after
him; and now that so great a stranger came we may be sure he was
not wanting to assist and encourage her enquiries, and give her a
description of the temple, and the officers and services of it,
that she might be persuaded to serve the Lord whom she now
sought.</p>
<p class="indent" id="iKi.xi-p7">IV. How she was affected with what she saw
and heard in Solomon's court. Divers things are here mentioned
which she admired, the buildings and furniture of his palace, the
provision that was made very day for his table (when she saw that
perhaps she wondered where there were mouths for all that meat, but
when she saw the multitude of his attendants and guests she was as
ready to wonder where was the meat for all those mouths), the
orderly sitting of his servants, every one in his place, and the
ready attendance of his ministers, without any confusion, their
rich liveries, and the propriety with which his cup-bearers waited
at his table. These things she admired, as adding much to his
magnificence. But, above all these, the first thing mentioned
(which contained all) is his wisdom (<scripRef id="iKi.xi-p7.1" osisRef="Bible:1Kgs.10.4" parsed="|1Kgs|10|4|0|0" passage="1Ki 10:4"><i>v.</i> 4</scripRef>), of the transcendency of which
she now had incontestable proofs: and the last thing mentioned,
which crowned all, is his piety, the <i>ascent by which he went up
to the house of the Lord,</i> with what gravity and seriousness,
and an air of devotion in his countenance, he appeared, when he
went to the temple to worship God, with as much humility then as
majesty at other times. Many of the ancient versions read it, The
<i>burnt-offerings which he offered in the house of the Lord;</i>
she observed with what a generous bounty he brought his sacrifices,
and with what a pious fervour he attended the offering of them;
never did she see so much goodness with so much greatness. Every
thing was so surprising that there was no more spirit in her, but
she stood amazed; she had never seen the like.</p>
<p class="indent" id="iKi.xi-p8">V. How she expressed herself upon this
occasion. 1. She owned her expectation far out-done, though it was
highly raised by the report she heard, <scripRef id="iKi.xi-p8.1" osisRef="Bible:1Kgs.10.6-1Kgs.10.7" parsed="|1Kgs|10|6|10|7" passage="1Ki 10:6,7"><i>v.</i> 6, 7</scripRef>. She is far from repenting
her journey or calling herself a <i>fool</i> for undertaking it,
but acknowledges it was well worth her while to come so far for the
sight of that which she could not believe the report of. Usually
things are represented to us, both by common fame and by our own
imagination, much greater than we find them when we come to examine
them; but here the truth exceeded both fame and fancy. Those who,
through grace, are brought to experience the delights of communion
with God will say that the one-half was not told them of the
pleasures of Wisdom's ways and the advantages of her gates.
Glorified saints, much more, will say that it was a true report
which they heard of the happiness of heaven, but that the
thousandth part was not told them, <scripRef id="iKi.xi-p8.2" osisRef="Bible:1Cor.2.9" parsed="|1Cor|2|9|0|0" passage="1Co 2:9">1
Cor. ii. 9</scripRef>. 2. She pronounced those happy that
constantly attended him, and waited on him at table: "<i>Happy are
thy men, happy are these thy servants</i> (<scripRef id="iKi.xi-p8.3" osisRef="Bible:1Kgs.10.8" parsed="|1Kgs|10|8|0|0" passage="1Ki 10:8"><i>v.</i> 8</scripRef>); they may improve their own
wisdom by hearing thine." She was tempted to envy them and to which
herself one of them. Note, It is a great advantage to be in good
families, and to have opportunity of frequent converse with those
that are wise, and good, and communicative. Many have this
happiness who know not how to value it. With much more reason may
we say this of Christ's servants, <i>Blessed are those that dwell
in his house, they will be still praising him.</i> 3. She blessed
God, the giver of Solomon's wisdom and wealth, and the author of
his advancement, who had made him king, (1.) In kindness to him,
that he might have the larger opportunity of doing good with his
wisdom: He <i>delighted in thee, to set thee on the throne of
Israel,</i> <scripRef id="iKi.xi-p8.4" osisRef="Bible:1Kgs.10.9" parsed="|1Kgs|10|9|0|0" passage="1Ki 10:9"><i>v.</i> 9</scripRef>.
Solomon's preferment began in the prophet's calling him
<i>Jedidiah, because the Lord loved him,</i> <scripRef id="iKi.xi-p8.5" osisRef="Bible:2Sam.12.25" parsed="|2Sam|12|25|0|0" passage="2Sa 12:25">2 Sam. xii. 25</scripRef>. It more than doubles our
comforts if we have reason to hope they come from God's delight in
us. <i>It was his pleasure concerning thee</i> (so it may be read)
to <i>set thee on the throne,</i> not for thy merit's sake, but
because it so seemed good unto him. (2.) In kindness to the people,
<i>because the Lord loved Israel for ever,</i> designed them a
lasting bliss, long to survive him that laid the foundations of it.
"He has made thee king, not that thou mayest live in pomp and
pleasure, and do what thou wilt, but <i>to do judgment and
justice.</i>" This she kindly reminded Solomon of, and no doubt he
took it kindly. Both magistrates and ministers must be more
solicitous to do the duty of their places than to secure the
honours and profits of them. To this she attributes his prosperity,
not to his wisdom, for bread is not always <i>to the wise</i>
(<scripRef id="iKi.xi-p8.6" osisRef="Bible:Eccl.9.11" parsed="|Eccl|9|11|0|0" passage="Ec 9:11">Eccl. ix. 11</scripRef>), but whoso
<i>doeth judgment and justice,</i> it shall be <i>well with
him,</i> <scripRef id="iKi.xi-p8.7" osisRef="Bible:Jer.22.15" parsed="|Jer|22|15|0|0" passage="Jer 22:15">Jer. xxii. 15</scripRef>.
Thus <i>giving of thanks</i> must be <i>made for kings,</i> for
good kings, for such kings; they are what God makes them to be.</p>
<p class="indent" id="iKi.xi-p9">VI. How they parted. 1. She made a noble
present to Solomon of <i>gold and spices,</i> <scripRef id="iKi.xi-p9.1" osisRef="Bible:1Kgs.10.10" parsed="|1Kgs|10|10|0|0" passage="1Ki 10:10"><i>v.</i> 10</scripRef>. David had foretold concerning
Solomon that <i>to him should be given of the gold of Sheba,</i>
<scripRef id="iKi.xi-p9.2" osisRef="Bible:Ps.72.15" parsed="|Ps|72|15|0|0" passage="Ps 72:15">Ps. lxxii. 15</scripRef>. The present
of gold and spices which the wise men of the east brought to Christ
was signified by this, <scripRef id="iKi.xi-p9.3" osisRef="Bible:Matt.2.11" parsed="|Matt|2|11|0|0" passage="Mt 2:11">Matt. ii.
11</scripRef>. 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 (<scripRef id="iKi.xi-p9.4" osisRef="Bible:1Kgs.10.11-1Kgs.10.12" parsed="|1Kgs|10|11|10|12" passage="1Ki 10:11,12"><i>v.</i> 11,
12</scripRef>) as extraordinary, because perhaps much admired by
the queen of Sheba. 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>
<scripRef id="iKi.xi-p9.5" osisRef="Bible:1Kgs.10.13" parsed="|1Kgs|10|13|0|0" passage="1Ki 10:13"><i>v.</i> 13</scripRef>. 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>
</div><scripCom id="iKi.xi-p0.3" osisRef="Bible:1Kgs.10.14-1Kgs.10.29" parsed="|1Kgs|10|14|10|29" passage="1Ki 10:14-29" type="Commentary"/><div class="Commentary" id="Bible:1Kgs.10.14-1Kgs.10.29">
<h4 id="iKi.xi-p9.7">Solomon's Wealth. (<span class="smallcaps" id="iKi.xi-p9.8">b. c.</span> 990.)</h4>
<p class="passage" id="iKi.xi-p10">14 Now the weight of gold that came to Solomon
in one year was six hundred threescore and six talents of gold,
  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.   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.</p>
<p class="indent" id="iKi.xi-p11">We have here a further account of Solomon's
prosperity.</p>
<p class="indent" id="iKi.xi-p12">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 (<scripRef id="iKi.xi-p12.1" osisRef="Bible:1Kgs.9.28" parsed="|1Kgs|9|28|0|0" passage="1Ki 9:28"><i>ch.</i> ix. 28</scripRef>), he brought so much into
his country from other places that the whole amounted, every year,
to 666 <i>talents</i> (<scripRef id="iKi.xi-p12.2" osisRef="Bible:1Kgs.10.14" parsed="|1Kgs|10|14|0|0" passage="1Ki 10:14"><i>v.</i>
14</scripRef>), an ominous number, compare <scripRef id="iKi.xi-p12.3" osisRef="Bible:Rev.13.18 Bible:Ezra.2.13" parsed="|Rev|13|18|0|0;|Ezra|2|13|0|0" passage="Re 13:18,Ezr 2:13">Rev. xiii. 18, and Ezra ii. 13</scripRef>. 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, <scripRef id="iKi.xi-p12.4" osisRef="Bible:1Kgs.10.15" parsed="|1Kgs|10|15|0|0" passage="1Ki 10:15"><i>v.</i>
15</scripRef>. 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,
<scripRef id="iKi.xi-p12.5" osisRef="Bible:1Kgs.10.22" parsed="|1Kgs|10|22|0|0" passage="1Ki 10:22"><i>v.</i> 22</scripRef>. 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, <scripRef id="iKi.xi-p12.6" osisRef="Bible:1Kgs.10.24-1Kgs.10.25" parsed="|1Kgs|10|24|10|25" passage="1Ki 10:24,25"><i>v.</i> 24, 25</scripRef>. 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, <scripRef id="iKi.xi-p12.7" osisRef="Bible:1Kgs.10.28-1Kgs.10.29" parsed="|1Kgs|10|28|10|29" passage="1Ki 10:28,29"><i>v.</i> 28, 29</scripRef>. 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 class="indent" id="iKi.xi-p13">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, <scripRef id="iKi.xi-p13.1" osisRef="Bible:Eccl.5.19" parsed="|Eccl|5|19|0|0" passage="Ec 5:19">Eccles. v. 19</scripRef>.</p>
<p class="indent" id="iKi.xi-p14">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 (<scripRef id="iKi.xi-p14.1" osisRef="Bible:1Kgs.10.16-1Kgs.10.17" parsed="|1Kgs|10|16|10|17" passage="1Ki 10:16,17"><i>v.</i> 16, 17</scripRef>), 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, <scripRef id="iKi.xi-p14.2" osisRef="Bible:1Kgs.10.18-1Kgs.10.20" parsed="|1Kgs|10|18|10|20" passage="1Ki 10:18-20"><i>v.</i>
18-20</scripRef>. 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, <scripRef id="iKi.xi-p14.3" osisRef="Bible:1Kgs.10.21" parsed="|1Kgs|10|21|0|0" passage="1Ki 10:21"><i>v.</i> 21</scripRef>. 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 class="indent" id="iKi.xi-p15">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> <scripRef id="iKi.xi-p15.1" osisRef="Bible:1Kgs.10.21" parsed="|1Kgs|10|21|0|0" passage="1Ki 10:21"><i>v.</i> 21</scripRef>.
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> <scripRef id="iKi.xi-p15.2" osisRef="Bible:1Kgs.10.27" parsed="|1Kgs|10|27|0|0" passage="1Ki 10:27"><i>v.</i>
27</scripRef>. 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 class="indent" id="iKi.xi-p16"><i>Lastly,</i> Well, thus rich, thus great,
was Solomon, and thus did he <i>exceed all the kings of the
earth,</i> <scripRef id="iKi.xi-p16.1" osisRef="Bible:1Kgs.10.23" parsed="|1Kgs|10|23|0|0" passage="1Ki 10:23"><i>v.</i> 23</scripRef>.
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 (<scripRef id="iKi.xi-p16.2" osisRef="Bible:1Kgs.3.13" parsed="|1Kgs|3|13|0|0" passage="1Ki 3:13"><i>ch.</i> iii.
13</scripRef>), 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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