LIFE OF SOLOMON.

CHAPTER XLII.

SOLOMON'S BIRTH AND NAME-HOW HE BEGAN HIS REIGN-HIS PRAYER FOR WISDOM, AND THE ANSWER TO IT.

SOLOMON, the son of David and Bath-sheba, was born a little more than a thousand years before the birth of Christ. His name, which means the peaceable, was a very significant one. For his father, who had been told by God himself that he should have such a son, and what his name should be, was informed at the same time that this son would be a man of rest from all his enemies round about. In his days the Israelites would dwell in peace and quietness. He was to build the temple, which David was not permitted to do; and he would enjoy, in a peculiar manner, the protection and favor of the Almighty.

Of the earliest years of his life we know nothing. During this period David was harassed by various domestic and public troubles, yet he doubtless made every necessary provision for the

education of Solomon in a way suited to the high station which he was destined to fill. The piety

of the father must lead us to believe that this education was truly religious, and that no means were neglected to train up this beloved son in "the nurture and admonition of the Lord."

He became king of Israel when he was about twenty years of age. The few events of his life which accompanied his elevation to the throne, or intervened between that period and the death of David, have already been noticed in the history of the latter. We proceed, therefore, to those which followed.

Solomon began his reign under very favorable auspices. Although a youth, he received the sceptre from the hands of one who had swayed it with singular wisdom and energy, and who died in a good old age, beloved and venerated by his people. It was known, too, that he came to the throne by divine appointment, as well as by the orders of his father. We are told, that "his kingdom was established greatly;" that "he was strengthened in his kingdom ;" and that "the Lord his God was with him, and magnified him exceedingly." His empire stretched from the Mediterranean sea and Phoenicia to the Euphrates, and southward to the borders of Egypt. The Philistines, Edomites, Moabites, Ammonites, Syrians of Damascus, and some

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Arabian tribes of the desert, were tributary to him, and the revenues derived from these sources were immense. At home, the Canaanites still remained in very considerable numbers, though obedient and peaceable, and liable at all times to render services to the king. His own subjects, the Israelites, amounting probably to between five and six millions, and having no wars to carry on, were prosperous and secure; cultivating the arts of peace; and enjoying in rich abundance the comforts, and even the luxuries of life. His wealth was continually increasing; and he had an extent of power, and an amount of resources, which rendered his reign peculiarly fitted for the accomplishment of the vast and magnificent work that had been assigned him.

But what was of more value to him than all his wealth and power, was his spirit of obedience to the will of God; for we are told, he "loved the Lord, walking in the statutes of David his father." This formed his surest security. But to show, at the same time, that he was far from being free from sin, it is said, in the way of disapprobation, that "he sacrificed and burnt incense in high places." As there was yet no temple for the worship of God, he may have regarded this as excusable; though had he conscientiously weighed the matter, he would have recollected that the ark