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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. IV.</FONT>
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<HR SIZE=1 WIDTH=50>
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</CENTER>
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<FONT SIZE=-1>
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<P>
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An instance of the wisdom God granted to Solomon we had in the close of
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the foregoing chapter. In this we have an account of his wealth and
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prosperity, the other branch of the promise there made him. We have
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here,
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I. The magnificence of his court, his ministers of state
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(<A HREF="http://bible.gospelcom.net/bible?version=KJV&passage=1Ki+4:1-6">ver. 1-6</A>),
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and the purveyors of his household
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(<A HREF="http://bible.gospelcom.net/bible?version=KJV&passage=1Ki+4:7-19">ver. 7-19</A>),
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and their office,
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<A HREF="http://bible.gospelcom.net/bible?version=KJV&passage=1Ki+4:27,28">ver. 27, 28</A>.
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II. The provisions for his table,
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<A HREF="http://bible.gospelcom.net/bible?version=KJV&passage=1Ki+4:22,23">ver. 22, 23</A>.
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III. The extent of his dominion,
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<A HREF="http://bible.gospelcom.net/bible?version=KJV&passage=1Ki+4:21-24">ver. 21-24</A>.
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IV. The numbers, case, and peace, of his subjects,
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<A HREF="http://bible.gospelcom.net/bible?version=KJV&passage=1Ki+4:20-25">ver. 20-25</A>.
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V. His stables,
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<A HREF="http://bible.gospelcom.net/bible?version=KJV&passage=1Ki+4:26">ver. 26</A>.
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VI. His great reputation for wisdom and learning,
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<A HREF="http://bible.gospelcom.net/bible?version=KJV&passage=1Ki+4:29-34">ver. 29-34</A>.
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Thus great was Solomon, but our Lord Jesus was greater than he
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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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though he took upon him the form of a servant; for divinity, in its
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lowest humiliation, infinitely transcends royalty in its highest
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elevation.</P>
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</FONT>
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<A NAME="1Ki4_1"> </A>
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<A NAME="1Ki4_2"> </A>
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<A NAME="1Ki4_3"> </A>
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<A NAME="1Ki4_4"> </A>
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<A NAME="1Ki4_5"> </A>
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<A NAME="1Ki4_6"> </A>
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<A NAME="1Ki4_7"> </A>
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<A NAME="1Ki4_8"> </A>
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<A NAME="1Ki4_9"> </A>
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<A NAME="1Ki4_10"> </A>
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<A NAME="1Ki4_11"> </A>
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<A NAME="1Ki4_12"> </A>
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<A NAME="1Ki4_13"> </A>
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<A NAME="1Ki4_14"> </A>
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<A NAME="1Ki4_15"> </A>
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<A NAME="1Ki4_16"> </A>
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<A NAME="1Ki4_17"> </A>
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<A NAME="1Ki4_18"> </A>
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<A NAME="1Ki4_19"> </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>Solomon's Officers.</I></FONT></TD>
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<TD ALIGN=RIGHT><FONT SIZE=-1>B. C.</FONT> 1014.</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 So king Solomon was king over all Israel.
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2 And these <I>were</I> the princes which he had; Azariah the son of
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Zadok the priest,
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3 Elihoreph and Ahiah, the sons of Shisha, scribes; Jehoshaphat
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the son of Ahilud, the recorder.
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4 And Benaiah the son of Jehoiada <I>was</I> over the host: and
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Zadok and Abiathar <I>were</I> the priests:
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5 And Azariah the son of Nathan <I>was</I> over the officers: and
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Zabud the son of Nathan <I>was</I> principal officer, <I>and</I> the king's
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friend:
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6 And Ahishar <I>was</I> over the household: and Adoniram the son of
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Abda <I>was</I> over the tribute.
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7 And Solomon had twelve officers over all Israel, which
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provided victuals for the king and his household: each man his
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month in a year made provision.
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8 And these <I>are</I> their names: The son of Hur, in mount
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Ephraim:
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9 The son of Dekar, in Makaz, and in Shaalbim, and Beth-shemesh,
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and Elon-beth-hanan:
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10 The son of Hesed, in Aruboth; to him <I>pertained</I> Sochoh, and
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all the land of Hepher:
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11 The son of Abinadab, in all the region of Dor; which had
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Taphath the daughter of Solomon to wife:
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12 Baana the son of Ahilud; <I>to him pertained</I> Taanach and
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Megiddo, and all Beth-shean, which <I>is</I> by Zartanah beneath
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Jezreel, from Beth-shean to Abel-meholah, <I>even</I> unto <I>the place
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that is</I> beyond Jokneam:
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13 The son of Geber, in Ramoth-gilead; to him <I>pertained</I> the
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towns of Jair the son of Manasseh, which <I>are</I> in Gilead; to him
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<I>also pertained</I> the region of Argob, which <I>is</I> in Bashan,
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threescore great cities with walls and brasen bars:
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14 Ahinadab the son of Iddo <I>had</I> Mahanaim:
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15 Ahimaaz <I>was</I> in Naphtali; he also took Basmath the daughter
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of Solomon to wife:
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16 Baanah the son of Hushai <I>was</I> in Asher and in Aloth:
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17 Jehoshaphat the son of Paruah, in Issachar:
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18 Shimei the son of Elah, in Benjamin:
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19 Geber the son of Uri <I>was</I> in the country of Gilead, <I>in</I>
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the country of Sihon king of the Amorites, and of Og king of
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Bashan; and <I>he was</I> the only officer which <I>was</I> in the land.
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</FONT></P>
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<P>
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Here we have,</P>
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<P>
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I. Solomon upon his throne
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(<A HREF="http://bible.gospelcom.net/bible?version=KJV&passage=1Ki+4:1"><I>v.</I> 1</A>):
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<I>So king Solomon was king,</I> that is, he was confirmed and
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established king <I>over all Israel,</I> and not, as his successors,
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only over two tribes. He was a king, that is, he did the work and duty
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of a king, with the wisdom God had given him. Those preserve the name
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and honour of their place that mind the business of it and make
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conscience of it.</P>
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<P>
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II. The great officers of his court, in the choice of whom, no doubt,
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his wisdom much appeared. It is observable,
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1. That several of them are the same that were in his father's time.
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Zadok and Abiathar were then priests
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(<A HREF="http://bible.gospelcom.net/bible?version=KJV&passage=2Sa+20:25">2 Sam. xx. 25</A>),
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so they were now; only then Abiathar had the precedency, now Zadok.
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Jehoshaphat was then recorder, or keeper of the great seal, so he was
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now. Benaiah, in his father's time, was a principal man in military
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affairs, and so he was now. Shisha was his father's scribe, and his
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sons were his,
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<A HREF="http://bible.gospelcom.net/bible?version=KJV&passage=1Ki+4:3"><I>v.</I> 3</A>.
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Solomon, though a wise man, would not affect to be wiser than his
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father in this matter. When sons come to inherit their father's wealth,
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honour, and power, it is a piece of respect to their memory,
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<I>cæteris paribus--where it can properly be done,</I> to employ those
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whom they employed, and trust those whom they trusted. Many pride
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themselves in being the reverse of their good parents.
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2. The rest were priests' sons. His prime-minister of state was
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<I>Azariah the son of Zadok the priest.</I> Two others of the first
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rank were the sons of Nathan the prophet,
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<A HREF="http://bible.gospelcom.net/bible?version=KJV&passage=1Ki+4:5"><I>v.</I> 5</A>.
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In preferring them he testified the grateful respect he had for their
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good father, whom he loved <I>in the name of a prophet.</I></P>
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<P>
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III. The purveyors for his household, whose business it was to send in
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provisions from several parts of the country, for the king's tables and
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cellars
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(<A HREF="http://bible.gospelcom.net/bible?version=KJV&passage=1Ki+4:7"><I>v.</I> 7</A>)
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and for his stables
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(<A HREF="http://bible.gospelcom.net/bible?version=KJV&passage=1Ki+4:27,28"><I>v.</I> 27, 28</A>),
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that thus,
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1. His house might always be well furnished at the best hand. Let great
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men learn hence good house-keeping, to be generous in spending
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according to their ability, but prudent in providing. It is the
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character of the virtuous woman that she <I>bringeth her food from
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afar</I>
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(<A HREF="http://bible.gospelcom.net/bible?version=KJV&passage=Pr+31:14">Prov. xxxi. 14</A>),
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not far-fetched and dear-bought, but the contrary, every thing bought
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where it is cheapest.
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2. That thus he himself, and those who immediately attended him, might
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be eased of a great deal of care, and the more closely apply themselves
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to the business of the state, not troubled about much serving,
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provision for that being got ready to their hand.
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3. That thus all the parts of the kingdom might be equally benefited by
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the taking off of the commodities that were the productions of their
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country and the circulating of the coin. Industry would hereby be
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encouraged, and consequently wealth increased, even in those tribes
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that lay most remote from the court. The providence of God extends
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itself to all <I>places of his dominions</I>
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(<A HREF="http://bible.gospelcom.net/bible?version=KJV&passage=Ps+103:22">Ps. ciii. 22</A>);
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so should the prudence and care of princes.
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4. The dividing of this trust into so many hands was prudent, that no
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man might be continually burdened with the care of it nor grow
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exorbitantly rich with the profit of it, but that Solomon might have
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those, in every district, who, having a dependence upon the court,
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would be serviceable to him and his interest as there was occasion.
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These commissioners of the victualling-office, not for the army or navy
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(Solomon was engaged in no war), but for the household, are here named,
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several of them only by their surnames, as great men commonly call
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their servants: <I>Ben-hur, Ben-dekar, &c.,</I> though several of them
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have also their proper names prefixed. Two of them married Solomon's
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daughters, Ben-Abinadab
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(<A HREF="http://bible.gospelcom.net/bible?version=KJV&passage=1Ki+4:11"><I>v.</I> 11</A>)
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and Ahimaaz
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(<A HREF="http://bible.gospelcom.net/bible?version=KJV&passage=1Ki+4:15"><I>v.</I> 15</A>),
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and no disparagement to them to marry men of business. Better match
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with the officers of their father's court that were Israelites than
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with the sons of princes that were <I>strangers to the covenant of
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promise.</I> The son of Geber was in Ramoth-Gilead
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(<A HREF="http://bible.gospelcom.net/bible?version=KJV&passage=1Ki+4:19"><I>v.</I> 19</A>),
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and Geber himself was in the country of Sihon and Og, which included
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that and Mahanaim,
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<A HREF="http://bible.gospelcom.net/bible?version=KJV&passage=1Ki+4:14"><I>v.</I> 14</A>.
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He is therefore said to be <I>the only officer in that land,</I>
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because the other two, mentioned
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<A HREF="http://bible.gospelcom.net/bible?version=KJV&passage=1Ki+4:13,14"><I>v.</I> 13, 14</A>,
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depended on him, and were subordinate to him.</P>
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<A NAME="1Ki4_20"> </A>
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<A NAME="1Ki4_21"> </A>
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<A NAME="1Ki4_22"> </A>
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<A NAME="1Ki4_23"> </A>
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<A NAME="1Ki4_24"> </A>
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<A NAME="1Ki4_25"> </A>
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<A NAME="1Ki4_26"> </A>
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<A NAME="1Ki4_27"> </A>
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<A NAME="1Ki4_28"> </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>The Supply of Solomon's Household.</I></FONT></TD>
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<TD ALIGN=RIGHT><FONT SIZE=-1>B. C.</FONT> 1014.</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>20 Judah and Israel <I>were</I> many, as the sand which <I>is</I> by the
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sea in multitude, eating and drinking, and making merry.
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21 And Solomon reigned over all kingdoms from the river unto
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the land of the Philistines, and unto the border of Egypt: they
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brought presents, and served Solomon all the days of his life.
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22 And Solomon's provision for one day was thirty measures of
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fine flour, and threescore measures of meal,
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23 Ten fat oxen, and twenty oxen out of the pastures, and an
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hundred sheep, beside harts, and roebucks, and fallowdeer, and
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fatted fowl.
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24 For he had dominion over all <I>the region</I> on this side the
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river, from Tiphsah even to Azzah, over all the kings on this
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side the river: and he had peace on all sides round about him.
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25 And Judah and Israel dwelt safely, every man under his vine
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and under his fig tree, from Dan even to Beer-sheba, all the days
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of Solomon.
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26 And Solomon had forty thousand stalls of horses for his
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chariots, and twelve thousand horsemen.
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27 And those officers provided victual for king Solomon, and
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for all that came unto king Solomon's table, every man in his
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month: they lacked nothing.
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28 Barley also and straw for the horses and dromedaries brought
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they unto the place where <I>the officers</I> were, every man
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according to his charge.
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</FONT></P>
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<P>
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Such a kingdom, and such a court, surely never any prince had, as
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Solomon's are here described to be.</P>
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<P>
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I. Such a kingdom. Never did the crown of Israel shine so brightly as
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it did when Solomon wore it, never in his father's days, never in the
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days of any of his successors; nor was that kingdom ever so glorious a
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type of the kingdom of the Messiah as it was then. The account here
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given of it is such as fully answers the prophecies which we have
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concerning it in
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<A HREF="http://bible.gospelcom.net/bible?version=KJV&passage=Ps+72:1-20">Ps. lxxii.</A>,
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which is a psalm for Solomon, but with reference to Christ.
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1. The territories of his kingdom were large and its tributaries many;
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so it was foretold that he should <I>have dominion from sea to sea,</I>
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<A HREF="http://bible.gospelcom.net/bible?version=KJV&passage=Ps+72:8-11">Ps. lxxii. 8-11</A>.
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Solomon reigned not only over all Israel, who were his subjects by
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choice, but over all the neighbouring kingdoms, who were his subjects
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by constraint. All the princes from the river Euphrates, north-east to
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the border of Egypt south-west, not only added to his honour by doing
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him homage and holding their crowns from him, but added to his wealth
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by serving him, and bringing him presents,
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<A HREF="http://bible.gospelcom.net/bible?version=KJV&passage=1Ki+4:21"><I>v.</I> 21</A>.
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David, by his successful wars, compelled them to this subjection, and
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Solomon, by his admirable wisdom, made it easy and reasonable; for it
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is fit that the fool should be <I>servant to the wise in heart.</I> If
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they gave him presents, he gave them instructions, and still <I>taught
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the people knowledge,</I> not only his own people, but those of other
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nations: and <I>wisdom is better than gold.</I> He had <I>peace on all
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sides,</I>
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<A HREF="http://bible.gospelcom.net/bible?version=KJV&passage=1Ki+4:24"><I>v.</I> 24</A>.
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None of all the nations that were subject to him offered to shake off
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his yoke, or to give him any disturbance, but rather thought themselves
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happy in their dependence upon him. Herein his kingdom typified the
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Messiah's; for to him it is promised that he shall have the <I>heathen
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for his inheritance</I> and that <I>princes shall worship him,</I>
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<A HREF="http://bible.gospelcom.net/bible?version=KJV&passage=Isa+49:6,7,53:12">Isa. xlix. 6, 7; liii. 12</A>.
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2. The subjects of his kingdom and its inhabitants, were many and
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cheerful.
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(1.) They were numerous and country was exceedingly populous
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(<A HREF="http://bible.gospelcom.net/bible?version=KJV&passage=1Ki+4:20"><I>v.</I> 20</A>):
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<I>Judah and Israel were many,</I> and that good land was sufficient to
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maintain them all. <I>They were as the sand of the sea in
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multitude.</I> Now was fulfilled the promise made to Abraham concerning
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the increase of his seed
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(<A HREF="http://bible.gospelcom.net/bible?version=KJV&passage=Ge+22:17">Gen. xxii. 17</A>),
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as well as that concerning the extent of their dominion,
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<A HREF="http://bible.gospelcom.net/bible?version=KJV&passage=Ge+15:18">Gen. xv. 18</A>.
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This was their strength and beauty, the honour of their prince, the
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terror of their enemies, and an advancement of the wealth of the
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nation. If they grew so numerous that the place was any where too
|
|
strait for them, they might remove with advantage into the countries
|
|
that were subject to them. God's spiritual Israel are many, at least
|
|
they will be so when they come all together,
|
|
|
|
<A HREF="http://bible.gospelcom.net/bible?version=KJV&passage=Re+7:9">Rev. vii. 9</A>.
|
|
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(2.) They were easy, they dwelt safely, or with confidence and
|
|
assurance
|
|
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|
(<A HREF="http://bible.gospelcom.net/bible?version=KJV&passage=1Ki+4:25"><I>v.</I> 25</A>),
|
|
|
|
not jealous of their king or of his officers, not disaffected either to
|
|
him or one to another, nor under any apprehension or danger from
|
|
enemies foreign or domestic. They were happy and knew it, safe and
|
|
willing to think themselves so. They dwelt every man under <I>his vine
|
|
and fig-tree.</I> Solomon invaded no man's property, took not to
|
|
himself their vineyards and olive-yards, as sometimes was the manner of
|
|
the king
|
|
|
|
(<A HREF="http://bible.gospelcom.net/bible?version=KJV&passage=1Sa+8:14">1 Sam. viii. 14</A>),
|
|
|
|
but what they had they could call their own: he protected every man in
|
|
the possession and enjoyment of his property. Those that had vines and
|
|
fig-trees ate the fruit of them themselves; and so great was the peace
|
|
of the country that they might, if they pleased, dwell as safely under
|
|
the shadow of them as within the walls of a city. Or, because it was
|
|
usual to have <I>vines by the sides of their houses</I>
|
|
|
|
(<A HREF="http://bible.gospelcom.net/bible?version=KJV&passage=Ps+128:3">Ps. cxxviii. 3</A>),
|
|
|
|
they are said to <I>dwell under their vines.</I>
|
|
|
|
(3.) They were cheerful in the use of their plenty, <I>eating and
|
|
drinking, and making merry,</I>
|
|
|
|
<A HREF="http://bible.gospelcom.net/bible?version=KJV&passage=1Ki+4:20"><I>v.</I> 20</A>.
|
|
|
|
Solomon did not only keep a good table himself, but enabled all his
|
|
subjects, according to their rank, to do so too, and taught them that
|
|
God gave them their abundance that they might use it soberly and
|
|
pleasantly, not that they might hoard it up. <I>There is nothing
|
|
better</I> than for a man to <I>eat the labour of his hands</I>
|
|
|
|
(<A HREF="http://bible.gospelcom.net/bible?version=KJV&passage=Ec+2:24">Eccl. ii. 24</A>),
|
|
|
|
and that <I>with a merry heart,</I>
|
|
|
|
<A HREF="http://bible.gospelcom.net/bible?version=KJV&passage=Ec+9:7">Eccl. ix. 7</A>.
|
|
|
|
His father, in the Psalms, had led his people into the comforts of
|
|
communion with God, and now he led them into the comfortable use of the
|
|
good things of this life. This pleasant posture of Israel's affairs
|
|
extended, in place, from Dan to Beer-sheba--no part of the country was
|
|
exposed nor upon any account uneasy; and it continued a long time,
|
|
<I>all the days of Solomon,</I> without any material interruption. Go
|
|
where you would, you might see all the marks of plenty, peace, and
|
|
satisfaction. The spiritual peace, and joy, and holy security, of all
|
|
the faithful subjects of the Lord Jesus were typified by this. <I>The
|
|
kingdom of God is not,</I> as Solomon's was, <I>meat and drink,</I>
|
|
but, what is infinitely better, <I>righteousness, and peace, and joy in
|
|
the Holy Ghost.</I></P>
|
|
|
|
<P>
|
|
|
|
II. Such a court Solomon kept as can scarcely be paralleled. We may
|
|
guess at the vast number of his attendants, and the great resort there
|
|
was to him, by the provision that was made daily for his table. Of
|
|
bread there were so many measures of flour and meal as, it is computed,
|
|
would richly serve 3000 men (Carellus computes above 4800 men), and the
|
|
provision of flesh
|
|
|
|
(<A HREF="http://bible.gospelcom.net/bible?version=KJV&passage=1Ki+4:23"><I>v.</I> 23</A>)
|
|
|
|
was rather more in proportion. What vast quantities were here of beef,
|
|
mutton, and venison, and the choicest of all <I>fatted things,</I> as
|
|
some read that which we translate <I>fatted fowl!</I> Ahasuerus, once
|
|
in his reign, made a <I>great feast,</I> to <I>show the riches of his
|
|
kingdom,</I>
|
|
|
|
<A HREF="http://bible.gospelcom.net/bible?version=KJV&passage=Es+1:3,4">Esth. i. 3, 4</A>.
|
|
|
|
But it was much more the honour of Solomon that he kept a constant
|
|
table and a very noble one, not of dainties or deceitful meats (he
|
|
himself witnessed against them,
|
|
|
|
<A HREF="http://bible.gospelcom.net/bible?version=KJV&passage=Pr+23:3">Prov. xxiii. 3</A>),
|
|
|
|
but substantial food, for the entertainment of those who came to hear
|
|
his wisdom. Thus Christ fed those whom he taught, 5000 at a time, more
|
|
than ever Solomon's table would entertain at once: and all believers
|
|
have in him a continual feast. Herein he far outdoes Solomon, that he
|
|
feeds all his subjects, not with the bread that perishes, but <I>with
|
|
that which endures to eternal life.</I> It added much both to the
|
|
strength and glory of Solomon's kingdom that he had such abundance of
|
|
horses, 40,000 for chariots and 12,000 for his troops, 1000 horse,
|
|
perhaps, in every tribe, for the preserving of the public peace,
|
|
|
|
<A HREF="http://bible.gospelcom.net/bible?version=KJV&passage=1Ki+4:26"><I>v.</I> 26</A>.
|
|
|
|
God had commanded that their king should not multiply horses
|
|
|
|
(<A HREF="http://bible.gospelcom.net/bible?version=KJV&passage=De+17:16">Deut. xvii. 16</A>),
|
|
|
|
nor, according to the account here given, considering the extent and
|
|
wealth of Solomon's kingdom, did he multiply horses in proportion to
|
|
his neighbours; for we find even the Philistines bringing into the
|
|
field 30,000 chariots
|
|
|
|
(<A HREF="http://bible.gospelcom.net/bible?version=KJV&passage=1Sa+13:5">1 Sam. xiii. 5</A>)
|
|
|
|
and the Syrians at least 40,000 horse,
|
|
|
|
<A HREF="http://bible.gospelcom.net/bible?version=KJV&passage=2Sa+10:18">2 Sam. x. 18</A>.
|
|
|
|
The same officers that provided for his house provided also for his
|
|
stable,
|
|
|
|
<A HREF="http://bible.gospelcom.net/bible?version=KJV&passage=1Ki+4:27,28"><I>v.</I> 27, 28</A>.
|
|
|
|
Every one knew his place, and work, and time; and so this great court
|
|
was kept without confusion. Solomon, that had vast incomes, lived at a
|
|
vast expense, and perhaps wrote that with application to himself,
|
|
|
|
<A HREF="http://bible.gospelcom.net/bible?version=KJV&passage=Ec+5:11">Eccl. v. 11</A>.
|
|
|
|
<I>When goods increase those are increased that eat them; and what good
|
|
is there to the owners thereof, saving the beholding of them with their
|
|
eyes,</I> unless withal they have the satisfaction of doing good with
|
|
them?</P>
|
|
|
|
<A NAME="1Ki4_29"> </A>
|
|
<A NAME="1Ki4_30"> </A>
|
|
<A NAME="1Ki4_31"> </A>
|
|
<A NAME="1Ki4_32"> </A>
|
|
<A NAME="1Ki4_33"> </A>
|
|
<A NAME="1Ki4_34"> </A>
|
|
|
|
<A NAME="Sec3"> </A>
|
|
<TABLE WIDTH="100%" BORDER=0>
|
|
<TR><TD><FONT SIZE=+1><I>Solomon's Distinguished Reputation.</I></FONT></TD>
|
|
<TD ALIGN=RIGHT><FONT SIZE=-1>B. C.</FONT> 1014.</TD></TR>
|
|
<TR><TD COLSPAN=2><HR SIZE=1></TD></TR>
|
|
</TABLE>
|
|
|
|
<P>
|
|
<FONT SIZE=+1>29 And God gave Solomon wisdom and understanding exceeding
|
|
much, and largeness of heart, even as the sand that <I>is</I> on the
|
|
sea shore.
|
|
30 And Solomon's wisdom excelled the wisdom of all the children
|
|
of the east country, and all the wisdom of Egypt.
|
|
31 For he was wiser than all men; than Ethan the Ezrahite, and
|
|
Heman, and Chalcol, and Darda, the sons of Mahol: and his fame
|
|
was in all nations round about.
|
|
32 And he spake three thousand proverbs: and his songs were a
|
|
thousand and five.
|
|
33 And he spake of trees, from the cedar tree that <I>is</I> in
|
|
Lebanon even unto the hyssop that springeth out of the wall: he
|
|
spake also of beasts, and of fowl, and of creeping things, and of
|
|
fishes.
|
|
34 And there came of all people to hear the wisdom of Solomon,
|
|
from all kings of the earth, which had heard of his wisdom.
|
|
</FONT></P>
|
|
|
|
<P>
|
|
|
|
Solomon's wisdom was more his glory than his wealth, and here we have a
|
|
general account of it.</P>
|
|
|
|
<P>
|
|
|
|
I. The fountain of his wisdom: <I>God gave it him,</I>
|
|
|
|
<A HREF="http://bible.gospelcom.net/bible?version=KJV&passage=1Ki+4:29"><I>v.</I> 29</A>.
|
|
|
|
He owns it himself.
|
|
|
|
<A HREF="http://bible.gospelcom.net/bible?version=KJV&passage=Pr+2:6">Prov. ii. 6</A>,
|
|
|
|
<I>The Lord giveth wisdom.</I> He gives the powers of reason
|
|
|
|
(<A HREF="http://bible.gospelcom.net/bible?version=KJV&passage=Job+38:36">Job xxxviii. 36</A>),
|
|
|
|
preserves and improves them. The ordinary advances of them are owing to
|
|
his providence, the sanctification of them to his grace, and this
|
|
extraordinary pitch at which they arrived in Solomon to a special grant
|
|
of his favour to him in answer to prayer.</P>
|
|
|
|
<P>
|
|
|
|
II. The fulness of it: <I>He had wisdom and understanding, exceeding
|
|
much,</I> great knowledge of distant countries and the histories of
|
|
former times, a quickness of thought, strength of memory, and clearness
|
|
of judgment, such as never any man had. It is called <I>largeness of
|
|
heart;</I> for the heart is often put for the intellectual powers. He
|
|
had a vast compass of knowledge, could take things entire, and had an
|
|
admirable faculty of laying things together. Some, by his <I>largeness
|
|
of heart,</I> understand his courage and boldness, and that great
|
|
assurance with which he delivered his dictates and determinations. Or
|
|
it may be meant of his disposition to do good with his knowledge. He
|
|
was very free and communicative, had the gift of utterance as well as
|
|
wisdom, was as free of his learning as he was of his meat, and grudged
|
|
neither to any that were about him. Note, It is very desirable that
|
|
those who have large gifts of any kind should have large hearts to use
|
|
them for the good of others; and this is <I>from the hand of God,</I>
|
|
|
|
<A HREF="http://bible.gospelcom.net/bible?version=KJV&passage=Ec+2:24">Eccl. ii. 24</A>.
|
|
|
|
He shall <I>enlarge the heart,</I>
|
|
|
|
<A HREF="http://bible.gospelcom.net/bible?version=KJV&passage=Ps+119:32">Ps. cxix. 32</A>.
|
|
|
|
The greatness of Solomon's wisdom is illustrated by comparison. Chaldea
|
|
and Egypt were nations famous for learning; thence the Greeks borrowed
|
|
theirs; but the greatest scholars of these nations came short of
|
|
Solomon,
|
|
|
|
<A HREF="http://bible.gospelcom.net/bible?version=KJV&passage=1Ki+4:30"><I>v.</I> 30</A>.
|
|
|
|
If nature excels art, much more does grace. The knowledge which God
|
|
gives by special favour goes beyond that which man gets by his own
|
|
labour. Some wise men there were in Solomon's time, who were in great
|
|
repute, particularly Heman, and others who were Levites, and employed
|
|
by David in the temple-music,
|
|
|
|
<A HREF="http://bible.gospelcom.net/bible?version=KJV&passage=1Ch+15:19">1 Chron. xv. 19</A>.
|
|
|
|
Heman was <I>his seer in the word of God,</I>
|
|
|
|
<A HREF="http://bible.gospelcom.net/bible?version=KJV&passage=1Ch+25:5">1 Chron. xxv. 5</A>.
|
|
|
|
Chalcol and Darda were own brothers, and they also were noted for
|
|
learning and wisdom. But <I>Solomon excelled them all</I>
|
|
|
|
(<A HREF="http://bible.gospelcom.net/bible?version=KJV&passage=1Ki+4:30"><I>v.</I> 30</A>),
|
|
|
|
he out-did them and confounded them; his counsel was much more
|
|
valuable.</P>
|
|
|
|
<P>
|
|
|
|
III. The fame of it. It was talked of <I>in all nations round
|
|
about.</I> His great wealth and glory made his wisdom much more
|
|
illustrious, and have him those opportunities of showing it which those
|
|
cannot have that live in poverty and obscurity. The jewel of wisdom may
|
|
receive great advantage by the setting of it.</P>
|
|
|
|
<P>
|
|
|
|
IV. The fruits of it; by these the tree is known: he did not bury his
|
|
talent, but showed his wisdom,</P>
|
|
|
|
<P>
|
|
|
|
1. In his compositions. Those in divinity, written by divine
|
|
inspiration, are not mentioned here, for they are extant, and will
|
|
remain to the world's end monuments of his wisdom, and are, as other
|
|
parts of scripture, of use to make us <I>wise unto salvation.</I> But,
|
|
besides these, it appears by what he spoke, or dictated to be written
|
|
from him,
|
|
|
|
(1.) That he was a moralist, and a man of great prudence, for he spoke
|
|
3000 <I>proverbs,</I> wise sayings, apophthegms, of admirable use for
|
|
the conduct of human life. The world is much governed by proverbs, and
|
|
was never better furnished with useful ones than by Solomon. Whether
|
|
those proverbs of Solomon that we have were any part of the 3000 is
|
|
uncertain.
|
|
|
|
(2.) That he was a poet and a man of great wit: <I>His songs were</I>
|
|
1005, of which one only is extant, because that only was divinely
|
|
inspired, which is therefore called his <I>Song of songs.</I> His wise
|
|
instructions were communicated by proverbs, that they might be familiar
|
|
to those whom he designed to teach and ready on all occasions, and by
|
|
<I>songs,</I> that they might be pleasant and move the affections.
|
|
|
|
(3.) That he was a natural philosopher, and a man of great learning and
|
|
insight into the mysteries of nature. From his own and others'
|
|
observations and experience, he wrote both of plants and animals
|
|
|
|
(<A HREF="http://bible.gospelcom.net/bible?version=KJV&passage=1Ki+4:33"><I>v.</I> 33</A>),
|
|
|
|
descriptions of their natures and qualities, and (some think) of the
|
|
medicinal use of them.</P>
|
|
|
|
<P>
|
|
|
|
2. In his conversation. There came persons from all parts, who were
|
|
more inquisitive after knowledge than their neighbours, to <I>hear the
|
|
wisdom of Solomon,</I>
|
|
|
|
<A HREF="http://bible.gospelcom.net/bible?version=KJV&passage=1Ki+4:34"><I>v.</I> 34</A>.
|
|
|
|
Kings that had heard of it sent their ambassadors to hear it and to
|
|
bring them instructions from it. Solomon's court was the staple of
|
|
learning, and the rendezvous of philosophers, that is, the lovers of
|
|
wisdom, who all came to light their candle at his lamp and to borrow
|
|
from him. Let those who magnify the modern learning above that of the
|
|
ancients produce such a treasure of knowledge any where in these latter
|
|
ages as that was which Solomon was master of; yet this puts an honour
|
|
upon human learning, that Solomon was praised for it, and recommends it
|
|
to the great men of the earth, as well worthy their diligent search.
|
|
But,</P>
|
|
|
|
<P>
|
|
|
|
<I>Lastly,</I> Solomon was, herein, a type of Christ, <I>in whom are
|
|
hidden all the treasures of wisdom and knowledge,</I> and hidden for
|
|
use; for he is <I>made of God to us wisdom.</I></P>
|
|
|
|
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