mh_parser/vol_split/14 - 2Chronicles/Chapter 9.xml

<div2 id="iiCh.x" n="x" next="iiCh.xi" prev="iiCh.ix" progress="81.25%" title="Chapter IX">
<h2 id="iiCh.x-p0.1">S E C O N D   C H R O N I C L E
S</h2>
<h3 id="iiCh.x-p0.2">CHAP. IX.</h3>
<p class="intro" id="iiCh.x-p1">Solomon here continues to appear great both at
home and abroad. We had this account of his grandeur, <scripRef id="iiCh.x-p1.1" osisRef="Bible:1Kgs.10.1-1Kgs.10.29" parsed="|1Kgs|10|1|10|29" passage="1Ki 10:1-29">1 Kings x.</scripRef> Nothing is here added;
but his defection towards his latter end, which we have there
(<scripRef id="iiCh.x-p1.2" osisRef="Bible:1Kgs.11.1-1Kgs.11.43" parsed="|1Kgs|11|1|11|43" passage="1Ki 11:1-43"><i>ch.</i> xi.</scripRef>), is
here omitted, and the close of this chapter brings him to the grave
with an unstained reputation. Perhaps none of the chapters in the
Chronicles agree so much with a chapter in the Kings as this does
with <scripRef id="iiCh.x-p1.3" osisRef="Bible:1Kgs.10.1-1Kgs.10.29" parsed="|1Kgs|10|1|10|29" passage="1Ki 10:1-29">1 Kings x.</scripRef> verse
for verse, only that the <scripRef id="iiCh.x-p1.4" osisRef="Bible:1Kgs.10.1-1Kgs.10.2 Bible:2Chr.9.1" parsed="|1Kgs|10|1|10|2;|2Chr|9|1|0|0" passage="1Ki 10:1,2,2Ch 9:1">first two verses there</scripRef> are put into
one here, and <scripRef id="iiCh.x-p1.5" osisRef="Bible:2Chr.9.25 Bible:1Kgs.4.26" parsed="|2Chr|9|25|0|0;|1Kgs|4|26|0|0" passage="2Ch 9:25,1Ki 4:26">verse
25</scripRef> here is taken from <scripRef id="iiCh.x-p1.6" osisRef="Bible:1Kgs.4.26 Bible:2Chr.9.25" parsed="|1Kgs|4|26|0|0;|2Chr|9|25|0|0" passage="1Ki 4:26,2Ch 9:25">1 Kings iv. 26</scripRef>, and the <scripRef id="iiCh.x-p1.7" osisRef="Bible:2Chr.9.29-2Chr.9.31 Bible:1Kgs.11.41-1Kgs.11.43" parsed="|2Chr|9|29|9|31;|1Kgs|11|41|11|43" passage="2Ch 9:29-31,1Ki 11:41-43">last three verses</scripRef>
here from <scripRef id="iiCh.x-p1.8" osisRef="Bible:1Kgs.11.41-1Kgs.11.43 Bible:2Chr.9.29-2Chr.9.31" parsed="|1Kgs|11|41|11|43;|2Chr|9|29|9|31" passage="1Ki 11:41-43,2Ch 9:29-31">1 Kings xi.
41-43</scripRef>. Here is, I. The honour which the queen of Sheba
did to Solomon, in the visit she made him to hear his wisdom,
<scripRef id="iiCh.x-p1.9" osisRef="Bible:2Chr.9.1-2Chr.9.12" parsed="|2Chr|9|1|9|12" passage="2Ch 9:1-12">ver. 1-12</scripRef>. II. Many
instances given of the riches and splendour of Solomon's court,
<scripRef id="iiCh.x-p1.10" osisRef="Bible:2Chr.9.13-2Chr.9.28" parsed="|2Chr|9|13|9|28" passage="2Ch 9:13-28">ver. 13-28</scripRef>. III. The
conclusion of his reign, <scripRef id="iiCh.x-p1.11" osisRef="Bible:2Chr.9.29-2Chr.9.31" parsed="|2Chr|9|29|9|31" passage="2Ch 9:29-31">ver.
29-31</scripRef>.</p>
<scripCom id="iiCh.x-p0.1_1" osisRef="Bible:2Chr.9" parsed="|2Chr|9|0|0|0" passage="2Ch 9" type="Commentary"/>
<scripCom id="iiCh.x-p0.2_1" osisRef="Bible:2Chr.9.1-2Chr.9.12" parsed="|2Chr|9|1|9|12" passage="2Ch 9:1-12" type="Commentary"/><div class="Commentary" id="Bible:2Chr.9.1-2Chr.9.12">
<h4 id="iiCh.x-p1.14">The Queen of Sheba Visit
Solomon. (<span class="smallcaps" id="iiCh.x-p1.15">b. c.</span> 992.)</h4>
<p class="passage" id="iiCh.x-p2">1 And when the queen of Sheba heard of the fame
of Solomon, she came to prove Solomon with hard questions at
Jerusalem, with a very great company, and camels that bare spices,
and gold in abundance, and precious stones: and when she was come
to Solomon, she communed with him of all that was in her heart.
  2 And Solomon told her all her questions: and there was
nothing hid from Solomon which he told her not.   3 And when
the queen of Sheba had seen the wisdom of Solomon, and the house
that he had built,   4 And the meat of his table, and the
sitting of his servants, and the attendance of his ministers, and
their apparel; his cupbearers also, and their apparel; and his
ascent by which he went up into the house of the <span class="smallcaps" id="iiCh.x-p2.1">Lord</span>; there was no more spirit in her.   5
And she said to the king, <i>It was</i> a true report which I heard
in mine own land of thine acts, and of thy wisdom:   6 Howbeit
I believed not their words, until I came, and mine eyes had seen
<i>it:</i> and, behold, the one half of the greatness of thy wisdom
was not told me: <i>for</i> thou exceedest the fame that I heard.
  7 Happy <i>are</i> thy men, and happy <i>are</i> these thy
servants, which stand continually before thee, and hear thy wisdom.
  8 Blessed be the <span class="smallcaps" id="iiCh.x-p2.2">Lord</span> thy
God, which delighted in thee to set thee on his throne, <i>to
be</i> king for the <span class="smallcaps" id="iiCh.x-p2.3">Lord</span> thy God:
because thy God loved Israel, to establish them for ever, therefore
made he thee king over them, to do judgment and justice.   9
And she gave the king a hundred and twenty talents of gold, and of
spices great abundance, and precious stones: neither was there any
such spice as the queen of Sheba gave king Solomon.   10 And
the servants also of Huram, and the servants of Solomon, which
brought gold from Ophir, brought algum trees and precious stones.
  11 And the king made <i>of</i> the algum trees terraces to
the house of the <span class="smallcaps" id="iiCh.x-p2.4">Lord</span>, and to the
king's palace, and harps and psalteries for singers: and there were
none such seen before in the land of Judah.   12 And king
Solomon gave to the queen of Sheba all her desire, whatsoever she
asked, beside <i>that</i> which she had brought unto the king. So
she turned, and went away to her own land, she and her
servants.</p>
<p class="indent" id="iiCh.x-p3">This passage of story had been largely
considered in the Kings; yet, because our Saviour has proposed it
as an example to us in our enquiries after him (<scripRef id="iiCh.x-p3.1" osisRef="Bible:Matt.12.42" parsed="|Matt|12|42|0|0" passage="Mt 12:42">Matt. xii. 42</scripRef>), we must not pass it over
without observing briefly, 1. <i>Those who honour God he will
honour,</i> <scripRef id="iiCh.x-p3.2" osisRef="Bible:1Sam.2.30" parsed="|1Sam|2|30|0|0" passage="1Sa 2:30">1 Sam. ii. 30</scripRef>.
Solomon had greatly honoured God, in building, beautifying, and
dedicating the temple; all his wisdom and all his wealth were
employed for the making of that a consummate piece: and now God
made his wisdom and wealth to redound greatly to his reputation.
The way to have both the credit and comfort of all our endowments
and all our enjoyments is to consecrate them to God and use them
for him. 2. Those who know the worth of true wisdom will grudge no
pains nor cost to obtain it. The queen of Sheba put herself to a
great deal of trouble and expense to hear the wisdom of Solomon;
and yet, learning from him to serve God and do her duty, she
thought herself well paid for her pains. Heavenly wisdom is that
<i>pearl of great price</i> which is a good bargain to purchase by
parting with all that we have. 3. As every man has received the
gift so he ought to minister the same for the edification of
others, as he has opportunity. Solomon was communicative of his
wisdom and willing to teach others what he knew himself. Being
taught of God, freely he had received, and freely he gave. Let
those that are rich in wisdom, as well as wealth, learn <i>to do
good</i> and <i>be ready to distribute. Give to every one that
asketh.</i> 4. Good order in a family, a great family, especially
in the things of God, and a regular discharge of the duties of
religious worship, are highly expedient, and to be much admired
wherever found. The queen of Sheba was exceedingly affected to see
the propriety with which Solomon's servants attended him and with
which both he and they attended in the house of God. David's ascent
to the house of the Lord was also pleasant and interesting,
<scripRef id="iiCh.x-p3.3" osisRef="Bible:Ps.42.4" parsed="|Ps|42|4|0|0" passage="Ps 42:4">Ps. xlii. 4</scripRef>. 5. Those are
happy who have the opportunity of a constant converse with such as
are knowing, wise, and good. The queen of Sheba thought Solomon's
servants happy who continually <i>heard his wisdom;</i> for, it
seems, even to them he was communicative. And it is observable that
the posterity of those who had places in his court were willing to
have the names of their ancestors forgotten, and thought themselves
sufficiently distinguished and dignified when they were called the
<i>children of Solomon's servants</i> (<scripRef id="iiCh.x-p3.4" osisRef="Bible:Ezra.2.55 Bible:Neh.7.57" parsed="|Ezra|2|55|0|0;|Neh|7|57|0|0" passage="Ezr 2:55,Ne 7:57">Ezra ii. 55; Neh. vii. 57</scripRef>); so
eminent were they that it was honour enough to be named from them.
6. We ought to rejoice and give God thanks for the gifts, graces,
and usefulness, of others. The queen of Sheba blessed God for the
honour he put upon Solomon, and the favour he did to Israel, in
advancing him to the throne, <scripRef id="iiCh.x-p3.5" osisRef="Bible:2Chr.9.8" parsed="|2Chr|9|8|0|0" passage="2Ch 9:8"><i>v.</i>
8</scripRef>. By giving God the praise of the prosperity of others,
we share in the comfort of it; whereas, by envying the prosperity
of others, we lose the comfort even of our own. The happiness of
both king and kingdom she traces up to the fountain of all bliss,
the divine favour: it was because <i>thy God delighted in thee</i>
and because he <i>loved Israel.</i> Those mercies are doubly sweet
in which we can taste the kindness and good will of God as our God.
7. It becomes those that are wise and good to be generous according
to their place and power. The queen of Sheba was so to Solomon,
Solomon was so to her, <scripRef id="iiCh.x-p3.6" osisRef="Bible:2Chr.9.9 Bible:2Chr.9.12" parsed="|2Chr|9|9|0|0;|2Chr|9|12|0|0" passage="2Ch 9:9,12"><i>v.</i> 9,
12</scripRef>. They both knew how to value wisdom, and therefore
were neither of them covetous of their money, but cultivated the
acquaintance and confirmed the friendship they had contracted by
mutual presents. Our Lord Jesus has promised to give us all our
desire: <i>Ask, and it shall be given you.</i> Let us study what we
shall render to him, and not think any thing too much to do, or
suffer, or part with, for him.</p>
</div><scripCom id="iiCh.x-p0.3" osisRef="Bible:2Chr.9.13-2Chr.9.31" parsed="|2Chr|9|13|9|31" passage="2Ch 9:13-31" type="Commentary"/><div class="Commentary" id="Bible:2Chr.9.13-2Chr.9.31">
<h4 id="iiCh.x-p3.8">The Magnificence of Solomon; the Death of
Solomon. (<span class="smallcaps" id="iiCh.x-p3.9">b. c.</span> 975.)</h4>
<p class="passage" id="iiCh.x-p4">13 Now the weight of gold that came to Solomon
in one year was six hundred and threescore and six talents of gold;
  14 Beside <i>that which</i> chapmen and merchants brought.
And all the kings of Arabia and governors of the country brought
gold and silver to Solomon.   15 And king Solomon made two
hundred targets <i>of</i> beaten gold: six hundred <i>shekels</i>
of beaten gold went to one target.   16 And three hundred
shields <i>made he of</i> beaten gold: three hundred <i>shekels</i>
of gold went to one shield. And the king put them in the house of
the forest of Lebanon.   17 Moreover the king made a great
throne of ivory, and overlaid it with pure gold.   18 And
<i>there were</i> six steps to the throne, with a footstool of
gold, <i>which were</i> fastened to the throne, and stays on each
side of the sitting place, and two lions standing by the stays:
  19 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.   20 And all the drinking vessels of king Solomon
<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 <i>not</i> any thing accounted of in the days of Solomon.
  21 For the king's ships went to Tarshish with the servants
of Huram: every three years once came the ships of Tarshish
bringing gold, and silver, ivory, and apes, and peacocks.   22
And king Solomon passed all the kings of the earth in riches and
wisdom.   23 And all the kings of the earth sought the
presence of Solomon, to hear his wisdom, that God had put in his
heart.   24 And they brought every man his present, vessels of
silver, and vessels of gold, and raiment, harness, and spices,
horses, and mules, a rate year by year.   25 And Solomon had
four thousand stalls for horses and chariots, and twelve thousand
horsemen; whom he bestowed in the chariot cities, and with the king
at Jerusalem.   26 And he reigned over all the kings from the
river even unto the land of the Philistines, and to the border of
Egypt.   27 And the king made silver in Jerusalem as stones,
and cedar trees made he as the sycamore trees that <i>are</i> in
the low plains in abundance.   28 And they brought unto
Solomon horses out of Egypt, and out of all lands.   29 Now
the rest of the acts of Solomon, first and last, <i>are</i> they
not written in the book of Nathan the prophet, and in the prophecy
of Ahijah the Shilonite, and in the visions of Iddo the seer
against Jeroboam the son of Nebat?   30 And Solomon reigned in
Jerusalem over all Israel forty years.   31 And Solomon slept
with his fathers, and he was buried in the city of David his
father: and Rehoboam his son reigned in his stead.</p>
<p class="indent" id="iiCh.x-p5">We have here Solomon in his throne, and
Solomon in his grave; for the throne would not secure him from the
grave. <i>Mors sceptra ligonibus aequat</i>—<i>Death wrenches from
the hand the sceptre as well as the spade.</i></p>
<p class="indent" id="iiCh.x-p6">I. Here is Solomon reigning in wealth and
power, in ease and fulness, such as, for aught I know, could never
since be paralleled by any king whatsoever. I cannot pretend to be
critical in comparing the grandeur of Solomon with that of some of
the great princes of the earth. But I may observe that the most
illustrious of them were famed for their wars, whereas Solomon
reigned forty years in profound peace. Some of those that might be
thought to vie with Solomon affected retirement, kept people in awe
by keeping them at a great distance; nobody must see them, or come
near him, upon pain of death: but Solomon went much abroad, and
appeared in public business. So that, all things considered, the
promise was fulfilled, that God would give him riches, and wealth,
and honour, such as no kings <i>have had, or shall have,</i>
<scripRef id="iiCh.x-p6.1" osisRef="Bible:2Chr.1.12" parsed="|2Chr|1|12|0|0" passage="2Ch 1:12"><i>ch.</i> i. 12</scripRef>. 1. Never
any prince appeared in public with great splendour than Solomon
did, which to those that judge by the sight of the eye, as most
people do, would very much recommend him. He had 200 targets and
300 shields, all of beaten gold, carried before him (<scripRef id="iiCh.x-p6.2" osisRef="Bible:2Chr.9.15-2Chr.9.16" parsed="|2Chr|9|15|9|16" passage="2Ch 9:15,16"><i>v.</i> 15, 16</scripRef>), and sat upon a
most stately throne, <scripRef id="iiCh.x-p6.3" osisRef="Bible:2Chr.9.17-2Chr.9.19" parsed="|2Chr|9|17|9|19" passage="2Ch 9:17-19"><i>v.</i>
17-19</scripRef>. <i>There was not the like in any kingdom.</i> The
lustre wherein he appeared was typical of the spiritual glory of
the kingdom of the Messiah and but a faint representation of his
throne, which is above every throne. Solomon's pomp was all
artificial; and therefore our Saviour prefers the natural beauty of
the <i>lilies of the field</i> before it. <scripRef id="iiCh.x-p6.4" osisRef="Bible:Matt.6.29" parsed="|Matt|6|29|0|0" passage="Mt 6:29">Matt. vi. 29</scripRef>, <i>Solomon, in all his glory,
was not arrayed like one of these.</i> 2. Never any prince had
greater plenty of gold and silver, though there were no gold or
silver mines in his own kingdom. Either he made himself master of
the mines in other countries, and, having a populous country, sent
hands to dig out those rich metals, or, having a fruitful country,
he exported the commodities of it and with them fetched home all
this gold that is here spoken of, <scripRef id="iiCh.x-p6.5" osisRef="Bible:2Chr.9.13-2Chr.9.21" parsed="|2Chr|9|13|9|21" passage="2Ch 9:13-21"><i>v.</i> 13, 14-21</scripRef>. 3. Never any
prince had such presents brought him by all his neighbours as
Solomon had: <i>All the kings of Arabia, and governors of the
country, brought him gold and silver</i> (<scripRef id="iiCh.x-p6.6" osisRef="Bible:2Chr.9.14" parsed="|2Chr|9|14|0|0" passage="2Ch 9:14"><i>v.</i> 14</scripRef>), not as tribute which he
extorted from them, but as freewill offerings to procure his
favour, or in a way of exchange for some of the productions of his
husbandry, corn or cattle. All the kings of the earth brought him
presents, that is, all in those parts of the world (<scripRef id="iiCh.x-p6.7" osisRef="Bible:2Chr.9.24 Bible:2Chr.9.28" parsed="|2Chr|9|24|0|0;|2Chr|9|28|0|0" passage="2Ch 9:24,28"><i>v.</i> 24, 28</scripRef>), because they
coveted his acquaintance and friendship. Herein he was a type of
Christ, to whom, as soon as he was born, the wise men of the east
brought presents, <i>gold, frankincense, and myrrh</i> (<scripRef id="iiCh.x-p6.8" osisRef="Bible:Matt.2.11" parsed="|Matt|2|11|0|0" passage="Mt 2:11">Matt. ii. 11</scripRef>), and to whom all that
are about him must bring presents, <scripRef id="iiCh.x-p6.9" osisRef="Bible:Ps.76.11 Bible:Rom.12.1" parsed="|Ps|76|11|0|0;|Rom|12|1|0|0" passage="Ps 76:11,Ro 12:1">Ps. lxxvi. 11; Rom. xii. 1</scripRef>. 4. Never
any prince was so renowned for wisdom, so courted, so consulted, so
admired (<scripRef id="iiCh.x-p6.10" osisRef="Bible:2Chr.9.23" parsed="|2Chr|9|23|0|0" passage="2Ch 9:23"><i>v.</i> 23</scripRef>):
<i>The kings of the earth</i> (for it was too great a favour for
common persons to pretend to) <i>sought to hear his wisdom</i>—his
natural philosophy, or his skill in physic, or his state policy, or
his rules of prudence for the conduct of human life, or perhaps the
principles of his religion, and the reasons of it. The application
which they then made to Solomon to hear his wisdom will aggravate,
shame, and condemn, men's general contempt of Christ and his
gospel. Though in them are <i>hidden all the treasures of wisdom
and knowledge, yet none of the princes of this world</i> desire to
know them, for they are foolishness to them, <scripRef id="iiCh.x-p6.11" osisRef="Bible:1Cor.2.8 Bible:1Cor.2.14" parsed="|1Cor|2|8|0|0;|1Cor|2|14|0|0" passage="1Co 2:8,14">1 Cor. ii. 8, 14</scripRef>.</p>
<p class="indent" id="iiCh.x-p7">II. Here is Solomon dying, stripped of his
pomp, and leaving all his wealth and power, not to one concerning
whom he knew not <i>whether he would be a wise man or a fool</i>
(<scripRef id="iiCh.x-p7.1" osisRef="Bible:Eccl.2.19" parsed="|Eccl|2|19|0|0" passage="Ec 2:19">Eccles. ii. 19</scripRef>), but who he
knew would be a fool. This was not only vanity but vexation of
spirit, <scripRef id="iiCh.x-p7.2" osisRef="Bible:2Chr.9.29-2Chr.9.31" parsed="|2Chr|9|29|9|31" passage="2Ch 9:29-31"><i>v.</i> 29-31</scripRef>.
It is very observable that no mention is here made of Solomon's
departure from God in his latter days, not the least hint given of
it, 1. Because the Holy Ghost would teach us not to take delight in
repeating the faults and follies of others. If those that have been
in reputation for wisdom and honour misbehave, though it may be of
use to take notice of their misconduct for warning to ourselves and
others, yet we must not be forward to mention it, once the speaking
of it is enough; why should that unpleasing string be again struck
upon? Why can we not do as the sacred historian here does, speak
largely of that in others which is praise-worthy, without saying
any thing of their blemishes, yea, though they have been gross and
obvious? This is but doing as we would be done by. 2. Because,
though he fell, yet he was not utterly cast down. His sin is not
again recorded, because it was repented of, and pardoned, and
became as if it had never been. Scripture-silence sometimes speaks.
I am willing to believe that its silence here concerning the sin of
Solomon is an intimation that none of the sins he committed were
mentioned against him, <scripRef id="iiCh.x-p7.3" osisRef="Bible:Ezek.33.16" parsed="|Ezek|33|16|0|0" passage="Eze 33:16">Ezek. xxxiii.
16</scripRef>. When God pardons sin he <i>casts it behind his back
and remembers it no more.</i></p>
</div></div2>