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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. V.</FONT>
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<HR SIZE=1 WIDTH=50>
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<FONT SIZE=-1>
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<P>
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The great work which Solomon was raised up to do was the building of
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the temple; his wealth and wisdom were given him to qualify him for
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that. In this, especially, he was to be a type of Christ, for "he shall
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build the temple of the Lord,"
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<A HREF="http://bible.gospelcom.net/bible?version=KJV&passage=Zec+6:12">Zech. vi. 12</A>.
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In this chapter we have an account of the preparations he made for that
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and his other buildings. Gold and silver his good father had prepared
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in abundance, but timber and stones he must get ready; and about these
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we have him treating with Hiram king of Tyre.
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I. Hiram congratulated him on his accession to the throne,
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<A HREF="http://bible.gospelcom.net/bible?version=KJV&passage=1Ki+5:1">ver. 1</A>.
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II. Solomon signified to him his design to build the temple and desired
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him to furnish him with workmen,
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<A HREF="http://bible.gospelcom.net/bible?version=KJV&passage=1Ki+5:2-6">ver. 2-6</A>.
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III. Hiram agreed to do it,
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<A HREF="http://bible.gospelcom.net/bible?version=KJV&passage=1Ki+5:7-9">ver. 7-9</A>.
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IV. Solomon's work was accordingly well done and Hiram's workmen were
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well paid,
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<A HREF="http://bible.gospelcom.net/bible?version=KJV&passage=1Ki+5:10-18">ver. 10-18</A>.</P>
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<A NAME="1Ki5_2"> </A>
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<TABLE WIDTH="100%" BORDER=0>
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<TR><TD><FONT SIZE=+1><I>Solomon's Agreement with Hiram.</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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<P>
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<FONT SIZE=+1>1 And Hiram king of Tyre sent his servants unto Solomon; for he
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had heard that they had anointed him king in the room of his
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father: for Hiram was ever a lover of David.
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2 And Solomon sent to Hiram, saying,
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3 Thou knowest how that David my father could not build an
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house unto the name of the L<FONT SIZE=-1><B>ORD</B></FONT> his God for the wars which were
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about him on every side, until the L<FONT SIZE=-1><B>ORD</B></FONT> put them under the soles
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of his feet.
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4 But now the L<FONT SIZE=-1><B>ORD</B></FONT> my God hath given me rest on every side, <I>so
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that there is</I> neither adversary nor evil occurrent.
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5 And, behold, I purpose to build a house unto the name of the
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L<FONT SIZE=-1><B>ORD</B></FONT> my God, as the L<FONT SIZE=-1><B>ORD</B></FONT> spake unto David my father, saying, Thy
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son, whom I will set upon thy throne in thy room, he shall build
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a house unto my name.
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6 Now therefore command thou that they hew me cedar trees out
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of Lebanon; and my servants shall be with thy servants: and unto
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thee will I give hire for thy servants according to all that thou
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shalt appoint: for thou knowest that <I>there is</I> not among us any
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that can skill to hew timber like unto the Sidonians.
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7 And it came to pass, when Hiram heard the words of Solomon,
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that he rejoiced greatly, and said, Blessed <I>be</I> the L<FONT SIZE=-1><B>ORD</B></FONT> this
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day, which hath given unto David a wise son over this great
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people.
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8 And Hiram sent to Solomon, saying, I have considered the
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things which thou sentest to me for: <I>and</I> I will do all thy
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desire concerning timber of cedar, and concerning timber of fir.
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9 My servants shall bring <I>them</I> down from Lebanon unto the
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sea: and I will convey them by sea in floats unto the place that
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thou shalt appoint me, and will cause them to be discharged
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there, and thou shalt receive <I>them:</I> and thou shalt accomplish
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my desire, in giving food for my household.
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</FONT></P>
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<P>
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We have here an account of the amicable correspondence between Solomon
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and Hiram. Tyre was a famous trading city, that lay close upon the sea,
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in the border of Israel; its inhabitants (as should seem) were none of
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the devoted nations, nor ever at enmity with Israel, and therefore
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David never offered to destroy them, but lived in friendship with them.
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It is here said of Hiram their king that he was <I>ever a lover of
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David;</I> and we have reason to think he was a worshipper of the true
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God, and had himself renounced, though he could not reform, the
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idolatry of his city. David's character will win the affections even of
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those that are without. Here is,</P>
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<P>
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I. Hiram's embassy of compliment to Solomon,
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<A HREF="http://bible.gospelcom.net/bible?version=KJV&passage=1Ki+5:1"><I>v.</I> 1</A>.
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He sent, as is usual among princes, to condole with him on the death of
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David, and to renew his alliances with him upon his succession to the
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government. It is good keeping up friendship and communion with the
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families in which religion is uppermost.</P>
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<P>
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II. Solomon's embassy of business to Hiram, sent, it is likely, by
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messengers of his own. In wealth, honour, and power, Hiram was very
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much inferior to Solomon, yet Solomon had occasion to be beholden to
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him and begged his favour. Let us never look with disdain on those
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below us, because we know not how soon we may need them. Solomon, in
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his letter to Hiram, acquaints him,</P>
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<P>
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1. With his design to build a temple to the honour of God. Some think
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that temples among the heathen took their first rise and copy from the
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tabernacle which Moses erected in the wilderness, and that there were
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none before that; however there were many houses built in honour of the
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false gods before this was built in honour of the God of Israel, so
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little is external splendour a mark of the true church. Solomon tells
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Hiram, who was himself no stranger to the affair,
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(1.) That David's wars were an obstruction to him, that he could not
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build this temple, though he designed it,
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<A HREF="http://bible.gospelcom.net/bible?version=KJV&passage=1Ki+5:3"><I>v.</I> 3</A>.
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They took up much of his time, and thoughts, and cares, were a constant
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expense to him and a constant employment of his subjects; so that he
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could not do it so well as it must be done, and therefore, it not being
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essential to religion, he must leave it to be done by his successor.
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See what need we have to pray that God will <I>give peace in our
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time,</I> because, in time or war, the building of the gospel temple
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commonly goes on slowly.
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(2.) That peace gave him an opportunity to build it, and therefore he
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resolved to set about it immediately: <I>God has given me rest</I> both
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at home and abroad, and there is no adversary
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(<A HREF="http://bible.gospelcom.net/bible?version=KJV&passage=1Ki+5:4"><I>v.</I> 4</A>),
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no <I>Satan</I> (so the word is), no instrument of Satan to oppose it,
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or to divert us from it. Satan does all he can to hinder temple work
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(<A HREF="http://bible.gospelcom.net/bible?version=KJV&passage=1Th+2:18,Zec+3:1">1 Thess. ii. 18; Zech. iii. 1</A>),
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but when he is bound
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(<A HREF="http://bible.gospelcom.net/bible?version=KJV&passage=Re+20:2">Rev. xx. 2</A>)
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we should be busy. When there is <I>no evil occurrent,</I> then let us
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be vigorous and zealous in that which is good and get it forward. When
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the churches have rest let them be edified,
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<A HREF="http://bible.gospelcom.net/bible?version=KJV&passage=Ac+9:31">Acts ix. 31</A>.
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Days of peace and prosperity present us with a fair gale, which we must
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account for if we improve not. As God's providence excited Solomon to
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think of building the temple, by giving him wealth and leisure, so his
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promise encouraged him. God had told David that his <I>son should build
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him a house,</I>
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<A HREF="http://bible.gospelcom.net/bible?version=KJV&passage=1Ki+5:5"><I>v.</I> 5</A>.
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He will take it as a pleasure to be thus employed, and will not lose
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the honour designed him by that promise. It may stir us up much to
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good undertakings to be assured of good success in them. Let God's
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promise quicken our endeavours.</P>
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<P>
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2. With his desire that Hiram would assist him herein. Lebanon was the
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place whence timber must be had, a noble forest in the north of Canaan,
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particularly expressed in the grant of that land to Israel--<I>all
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Lebanon,</I>
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<A HREF="http://bible.gospelcom.net/bible?version=KJV&passage=Jos+13:5">Josh. xiii. 5</A>.
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So that Solomon was proprietor of all its productions. The <I>cedars of
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Lebanon</I> are spoken of as, in a special manner, the <I>planting of
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the Lord</I>
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(<A HREF="http://bible.gospelcom.net/bible?version=KJV&passage=Ps+109:16">Ps. cix. 16</A>),
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being designed for Israel's use and particularly for temple service.
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But Solomon owned that though the trees were his the Israelites had not
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<I>skill to hew timber</I> like the Sidonians, who were Hiram's
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subjects. Canaan was <I>a land of wheat and barley</I>
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(<A HREF="http://bible.gospelcom.net/bible?version=KJV&passage=De+8:8">Deut. viii. 8</A>),
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which employed Israel in the affairs of husbandry, so that they were
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not at all versed in manufactures: in them the Sidonians excelled.
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Israel, in the things of God, are a <I>wise and understanding
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people;</I> and yet, in curious arts, inferior to their neighbours.
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True piety is a much more valuable gift of heaven than the highest
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degree of ingenuity. Better be an Israelite skilful in the law than a
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Sidonian skilful to hew timber. But, the case being thus, Solomon
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courts Hiram to send him workmen, and promises
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(<A HREF="http://bible.gospelcom.net/bible?version=KJV&passage=1Ki+5:6"><I>v.</I> 6</A>)
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both to <I>assist</I> them (<I>my servants shall be with thy
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servants,</I> to work under them), and to <I>pay</I> them (<I>unto thee
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will I give hire for thy servants</I>); for the labourer, even in
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church-work, though it be indeed its own wages, <I>is worthy of his
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hire,</I> The evangelical prophet, foretelling the glory of the church
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in the days of the Messiah, seems to allude to this story,
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<A HREF="http://bible.gospelcom.net/bible?version=KJV&passage=Isa+60:1-22">Isa. 60</A>,
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where he prophesies,
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(1.) That the <I>sons of strangers</I> (such were the Tyrians and
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Sidonians) shall <I>build up the wall</I> of the gospel temple,
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<A HREF="http://bible.gospelcom.net/bible?version=KJV&passage=Isa+60:10"><I>v.</I> 10</A>.
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Ministers were raised up among the Gentiles for the edifying of the
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body of Christ.
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(2.) That <I>the glory of Lebanon</I> shall be brought to it to
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<I>beautify it,</I>
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<A HREF="http://bible.gospelcom.net/bible?version=KJV&passage=Isa+60:13"><I>v.</I> 13</A>.
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All external endowments and advantages shall be made serviceable to the
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interests of Christ's kingdom.</P>
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<P>
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3. Hiram's reception of, and return to, this message.</P>
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<P>
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(1.) He received it with great satisfaction to himself: He <I>rejoiced
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greatly</I>
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(<A HREF="http://bible.gospelcom.net/bible?version=KJV&passage=1Ki+5:7"><I>v.</I> 7</A>)
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that Solomon trod in his father's steps, and carried on his designs,
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and was likely to be so great a blessing to his kingdom. In this
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Hiram's generous spirit rejoiced, and not merely in the prospect he had
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of making an advantage to himself by Solomon's employing him. What he
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had the pleasure of he gave God the praise of: <I>Blessed be the Lord,
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who has given to David</I> (who was himself a wise man) <I>a wise
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son</I> to rule <I>over this great people.</I> See here,
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[1.] With what pleasure Hiram speaks of Solomon's wisdom and the extent
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of his dominion. Let us learn not to envy others either those secular
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advantages or those endowments of the mind wherein they excel us. What
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a great comfort it is to those that wish well to the Israel of God to
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see religion and wisdom kept up in families from one generation to
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another, especially in great families and those that have great
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influence on others! where it is so, God must have the glory of it. If
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to godly parents be given a godly seed
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(<A HREF="http://bible.gospelcom.net/bible?version=KJV&passage=Mal+2:15">Mal. ii. 15</A>),
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it is a token for good, and a happy indication that the entail of the
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blessing shall not be cut off.</P>
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<P>
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(2.) He answered it with great satisfaction to Solomon, granting him
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what he desired, and showing himself very forward to assist him in this
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great and good work to which he was laying his hand. We have here his
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articles of agreement with Solomon concerning this affair, in which we
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may observe Hiram's prudence.
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[1.] He deliberated upon the proposal, before he returned an answer
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(<A HREF="http://bible.gospelcom.net/bible?version=KJV&passage=1Ki+5:8"><I>v.</I> 8</A>):
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<I>I have considered the things.</I> It is common for those that make
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bargains rashly afterwards to wish them unmade again. The virtuous
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woman <I>considers a field</I> and then <I>buys it,</I>
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<A HREF="http://bible.gospelcom.net/bible?version=KJV&passage=Pr+31:16">Prov. xxxi. 16</A>.
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Those do not lose time who take time to consider.
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[2.] He descended to particulars in the articles, that there might be
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no misunderstanding afterwards, to occasion a quarrel. Solomon had
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spoken of hewing the trees
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(<A HREF="http://bible.gospelcom.net/bible?version=KJV&passage=1Ki+5:6"><I>v.</I> 6</A>),
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and Hiram agrees to what he desired concerning that
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(<A HREF="http://bible.gospelcom.net/bible?version=KJV&passage=1Ki+5:8"><I>v.</I> 8</A>);
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but nothing had been said concerning carriage, and this matter
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therefore must be settled. Land-carriage would be very troublesome and
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chargeable; he therefore undertakes to bring all the timber down from
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Lebanon by sea, a coasting voyage. Conveyance by water is a great
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convenience to trade, for which God is to have praise, who taught man
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that discretion. Observe what a definite bargain Hiram made. Solomon
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must appoint the place where the timber shall be delivered, and thither
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Hiram will undertake to bring it and be responsible for its safety. As
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the Sidonians excelled the Israelites in timber-work, so they did in
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sailing; for Tyre and Sidon were <I>situate at the entry of the sea</I>
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(<A HREF="http://bible.gospelcom.net/bible?version=KJV&passage=Eze+27:3">Ezek. xxvii. 3</A>):
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they therefore were fittest to take care of the water-carriage.
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<I>Tractant fabrilia fabri--Every artist has his trade assigned.</I>
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And,
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[3.] If Hiram undertake for the work, and <I>do all Solomon's desire
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concerning the timber</I>
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(<A HREF="http://bible.gospelcom.net/bible?version=KJV&passage=1Ki+5:8"><I>v.</I> 8</A>),
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he justly expects that Solomon shall undertake for the wages: "<I>Thou
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shalt accomplish my desire in giving food for my household</I>
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(<A HREF="http://bible.gospelcom.net/bible?version=KJV&passage=1Ki+5:9"><I>v.</I> 9</A>),
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not only for the workmen, but for my own family." If Tyre supply Israel
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with craftsmen, Israel will supply Tyre with corn,
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<A HREF="http://bible.gospelcom.net/bible?version=KJV&passage=Eze+27:17">Ezek. xxvii. 17</A>.
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Thus, by the wise disposal of Providence, one country has need of
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another and is benefited by another, that there may be mutual
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correspondence and dependence, to the glory of God our common
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parent.</P>
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<A NAME="1Ki5_10"> </A>
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<A NAME="1Ki5_11"> </A>
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<A NAME="1Ki5_12"> </A>
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<A NAME="1Ki5_13"> </A>
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<A NAME="1Ki5_14"> </A>
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<A NAME="1Ki5_15"> </A>
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<A NAME="1Ki5_16"> </A>
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<A NAME="1Ki5_17"> </A>
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<A NAME="1Ki5_18"> </A>
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<P>
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<FONT SIZE=+1>10 So Hiram gave Solomon cedar trees and fir trees <I>according
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to</I> all his desire.
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11 And Solomon gave Hiram twenty thousand measures of wheat
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<I>for</I> food to his household, and twenty measures of pure oil:
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thus gave Solomon to Hiram year by year.
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12 And the L<FONT SIZE=-1><B>ORD</B></FONT> gave Solomon wisdom, as he promised him: and
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there was peace between Hiram and Solomon; and they two made a
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league together.
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13 And king Solomon raised a levy out of all Israel; and the
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levy was thirty thousand men.
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14 And he sent them to Lebanon, ten thousand a month by
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courses: a month they were in Lebanon, <I>and</I> two months at home:
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and Adoniram <I>was</I> over the levy.
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15 And Solomon had threescore and ten thousand that bare
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burdens, and fourscore thousand hewers in the mountains;
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16 Beside the chief of Solomon's officers which <I>were</I> over the
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work, three thousand and three hundred, which ruled over the
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|
people that wrought in the work.
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17 And the king commanded, and they brought great stones,
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costly stones, <I>and</I> hewed stones, to lay the foundation of the
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house.
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18 And Solomon's builders and Hiram's builders did hew <I>them,</I>
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and the stonesquarers: so they prepared timber and stones to
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build the house.
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</FONT></P>
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<P>
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|
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Here is,
|
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|
I. The performance of the agreement between Solomon and Hiram. Each of
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|
the parties made good his engagement.
|
|
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|
1. Hiram delivered Solomon the timber, according to his bargain,
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|
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|
<A HREF="http://bible.gospelcom.net/bible?version=KJV&passage=1Ki+5:10"><I>v.</I> 10</A>.
|
|
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The trees were Solomon's, but perhaps--<I>Materiam superabat opus--The
|
|
workmanship was of more value than the article.</I> Hiram is therefore
|
|
said to deliver the trees.
|
|
|
|
2. Solomon conveyed to Hiram the corn which he had promised him,
|
|
|
|
<A HREF="http://bible.gospelcom.net/bible?version=KJV&passage=1Ki+5:11"><I>v.</I> 11</A>.
|
|
|
|
Thus let justice be followed (as the expression is,
|
|
|
|
<A HREF="http://bible.gospelcom.net/bible?version=KJV&passage=De+16:20">Deut. xvi. 20</A>),
|
|
|
|
justice on both sides, in every bargain.</P>
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|
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<P>
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|
|
|
II. The confirmation of the friendship that was between them hereby.
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|
<I>God gave Solomon wisdom</I>
|
|
|
|
(<A HREF="http://bible.gospelcom.net/bible?version=KJV&passage=1Ki+5:12"><I>v.</I> 12</A>),
|
|
|
|
which was more and better than any thing Hiram did or could give him;
|
|
but this made Hiram love him, and enabled Solomon to improve his
|
|
kindness, so that they were both willing to ripen their mutual love
|
|
into a mutual league, that it might be lasting. It is wisdom to
|
|
strengthen our friendship with those whom we find to be honest and
|
|
fair, lest new friends prove not so firm and so kind as old ones.</P>
|
|
|
|
<P>
|
|
|
|
III. The labourers whom Solomon employed in preparing materials for the
|
|
temple.
|
|
|
|
1. Some were Israelites, who were employed in the more easy and
|
|
honourable part of the work, felling trees and helping to square them,
|
|
in conjunction with Hiram's servants; for this he appointed 30,000, but
|
|
employed only 10,000 at a time, so that for one month's work they had
|
|
two months' vacation, both for rest and for the despatch of their own
|
|
affairs at home,
|
|
|
|
<A HREF="http://bible.gospelcom.net/bible?version=KJV&passage=1Ki+5:13,14"><I>v.</I> 13, 14</A>.
|
|
|
|
It was temple service, yet Solomon takes care that they shall not be
|
|
over-worked. Great men ought to consider that their servants must rest
|
|
as well as they.
|
|
|
|
2. Others were captives of other nations, who were to bear burdens and
|
|
to hew stone
|
|
|
|
(<A HREF="http://bible.gospelcom.net/bible?version=KJV&passage=1Ki+5:15"><I>v.</I> 15</A>),
|
|
|
|
and we read not that these had their resting times as the other had,
|
|
for they were doomed to servitude.
|
|
|
|
3. There were some employed as directors and overseers
|
|
|
|
(<A HREF="http://bible.gospelcom.net/bible?version=KJV&passage=1Ki+5:16"><I>v.</I> 16</A>),
|
|
|
|
3300 that ruled over the people, and they were as necessary and useful
|
|
in their place as the labourers in theirs; here were many hands and
|
|
many eyes employed, for preparation was now to be made, not only for
|
|
the temple, but for all the rest of Solomon's buildings, at Jerusalem,
|
|
and here in the forest of Lebanon, and in other places of his dominion,
|
|
of which see
|
|
|
|
<A HREF="http://bible.gospelcom.net/bible?version=KJV&passage=1Ki+9:17-19"><I>ch.</I> ix. 17-19</A>.
|
|
|
|
He speaks of the vastness of his undertakings
|
|
|
|
(<A HREF="http://bible.gospelcom.net/bible?version=KJV&passage=Ec+2:4">Eccl. ii. 4</A>,
|
|
|
|
<I>I made me great works</I>), which required this vast number of
|
|
workmen.</P>
|
|
|
|
<P>
|
|
|
|
IV. The laying of the foundation of the temple; for that is the
|
|
building his heart is chiefly upon, and therefore he begins with that,
|
|
|
|
<A HREF="http://bible.gospelcom.net/bible?version=KJV&passage=1Ki+5:17,18"><I>v.</I> 17, 18</A>.
|
|
|
|
It should seem, Solomon was himself present, and president, at the
|
|
founding of the temple, and that the first stone (as has been usual in
|
|
famous buildings) was laid with some solemnity. <I>Solomon commanded
|
|
and they brought costly stones</I> for the foundation; he would do
|
|
every thing like himself, generously, and therefore would have some of
|
|
the costliest stones laid, or buried rather, in the foundation, though,
|
|
being out of sight, worse might have served. Christ, who is laid for a
|
|
foundation, is an elect and precious stone
|
|
|
|
(<A HREF="http://bible.gospelcom.net/bible?version=KJV&passage=Isa+28:16">Isa. xxviii. 16</A>),
|
|
|
|
and the foundations of the church are said to be <I>laid with
|
|
sapphires,</I>
|
|
|
|
<A HREF="http://bible.gospelcom.net/bible?version=KJV&passage=Isa+54:11">Isa. liv. 11</A>,
|
|
|
|
compare
|
|
|
|
<A HREF="http://bible.gospelcom.net/bible?version=KJV&passage=Re+21:19">Rev. xxi. 19</A>.
|
|
|
|
That sincerity which is our gospel perfection obliges us to lay our
|
|
foundation firm and to bestow most pains on that part of our religion
|
|
which lies out of the sight of men.</P>
|
|
|
|
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