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REFLECTIONS.

HE caution which God gave Solomon in this chapter, reminds us, that if we desire the continuance of our privileges, we must be an obedient and holy people. No establishment of the externals of religion, no splendor of the church, or forms of worship, can secure the divine favour, and lengthen our tranquillity, without obedience to God's laws and keeping his commandments. Let us impress this truth upon our hearts, that we may not be high minded, but fear; and let every particular person remember, that doing the will of God is necessary to the acceptance of our prayers, and the continuance of the divine blessing. We see,

2. The wisdom of God in the different genius and inclinations of men. Hiram and his men loved the streets of Tyre better than the dirt of the country. The Israelites preferred the country to the town. Merchantmen and tradesmen are pleased with the noise and hurry of the city and seaports; while farmers love the quietness of the country. And in their different ways and occupations, they both contribute to the welfare of the land and the benefit of their neighbours. These different inclinations are appointed by Providence to promote the happiness of mankind; and God is to be praised therein.

3. Observe, for the honour of trade, that these two princes were employed in it. They thought it not beneath them to fit out ships and commence merchants. Solomon thought it no impeachment of his wisdom, though he was the wisest of men, nor a lessening of his glory, though he was the richest and greatest, to be a merchant, to go himself to his port, and to see with his own eyes. This shames the folly and pride of those, who, boasting of their being noblemen and gentlemen, think that trade is dishonourable: while many of them think it no dishonour to be wicked, to run in debt, and to cheat and defraud all about them. Once more,

4. Let merchantmen and tradesmen remember what Solomon suggests, that wisdom is the principal thing; that true religion is the one thing needful. Solomon, who knew the sweets of trade, and who brought in vast wealth by his navy, informs us, and we should all attend to the admonition, Prov. iii. 13—17. Happy is the man that findeth wisdom, and the man that getteth understanding; for the merchandise of it is better than the merchandise of silver, and the gain thereof than fine gold. She is more precious than rubies; and all the things thou canst desire are not to be compared unto her. Length of days is in her right hand; and in her left hand riches and honour. Her ways are ways of pleasantness, and all her paths are peace.

CHAP. X.

An account of Solomon's interview with the queen of Sheba, and of his wealth and grandeur.

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ND when the queen of Sheba* heard, (perhaps by some of his ships which touched on her coasts, in their way to Ophir) of the fame of Solomon, of his wealth and wisdom, and concerning the name of the LORD, the great things he had done for the honour, worship, and service of God, she came to prove 2 him with hard questions.† And she came to Jerusalem with a very great train, with camels that bare spices, and very much gold, and precious stones: and when she was come to Solomon, she communed with him of all that was in her heart; she had liberty 3 to propose what questions she pleased. And Solomon told her all her questions there was not [any] thing hid from the king, which he told her not; he answered them all to her satisfaction. 4 And when the queen of Sheba had seen all Solomon's wisdom, and the house that he had built, the house or temple of God, and the palace for himself, And the meat of his table, and the sitting of his servants, and the attendance of his ministers and their apparel, and his cup bearers, the order of his family, kis attendants and provisions, and his ascent by which he went up unto the house of the LORD, the grand walk or terrace from his own palace to the temple, there was no more spirit in her, she was quite 5 astonished. And she said to the king, It was a true report that 7 I heard in mine own land of thy acts and of thy wisdom. How

beit I believed not the words, until I came, and mine eyes have seen [it] and, behold, the half was not told me: thy wisdom and prosperity exceedeth the fame which I heard; she thought common fame might magnify things, and that what she should see would fall short of what was told her; but it greatly exceeded it. 8 Happy [are] thy men, thy subjects in general, happy [are] these thy servants, thy courtiers, which stand continually before thee, [and] that hear thy wisdom; not so much because of thy wealth and honour, but as they have an opportunity of hearing thy wis9 dom, and improving their minds. Blessed be the LORD thy God, which delighted in thee, to set thee on the throne of Israel: because the LORD loved Israel for ever, therefore made he thee king, to do judgment and justice. This was a grave and solemn admonition both to him and his people. They ought to thank God who gave them such a king; and he should remember, that all his wealth, power, and wisdom, were given him for the good of his subjects; not to live in ease, splendor, and pleasure; but to consult 10 their happiness. And she gave the king an hundred and twenty talents of gold, and of spices very great store, the products of her

Sheba was part of Arabia Felix, which lay south of Canaan; and therefore she is called the queen of the south. Her country was bounded by the ocean, and therefore she is said to come from the uttermost parts of the earth.

It was an ancient diversion among princes to propose curious and difficult questions, in order to try each other's sagacity and skill.

own country, and precious stones: there came no more such abundance of spices as these which the queen of Sheba gave to 11 king Solomon. And the navy also of Hiram, that brought gold from Ophir, brought in from Ophir great plenty of almug trees, 12 an hard wood, like Brazil, and precious stones. And the king made of the almug trees pillars for the house of the LORD, or rails for the terrace, and for the king's house, harps also and psalteries for singers: there came no such almug trees, nor 13 were seen unto this day. And king Solomon gave unto the queen of Sheba, all her desire, whatsoever she asked, 'any curiosity she had a mind of, beside [that] which Solomon gave her of his royal bounty. So she turned and went to her own country, she and her servants.

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Now the weight of gold that came to Solomon in one year was six hundred threescore and six talents of gold, worth 15 considerably more than three millions. Beside [that he had] of the merchantmen, the inhabitants of the north, who brought the commodities of their own country, and of the traffic of the spice merchants, other merchants who paid custom, and of all the kings of Arabia, the princes who were tributary to him, and of the governors of the country, the revenue which came in from the several provinces.

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And king Solomon made two hundred targets [of] beaten 17 gold six hundred [shekels] of gold went to one target. And [he made] three hundred shields [of] beaten gold ;* three pounds of gold went to one shield and the king put them in the house of the forest of Lebanon.

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Moreover the king made a great throne of ivory, and over19 laid it, or rather, inlaid or studded it, with the best gold. The throne had six steps, and the top of the throne [was] round behind, a semicircle and [there were] stays on either side on the place of the seat, two arms, like an elbow chair, and two lions stood be20 side the stays, as large as life, for supporters. And twelve lions stood there on the one side and on the other upon the six steps, for ornament: there was not the like made in any kingdom. 21 And all king Solomon's drinking vessels [were of] gold, and all the vessels of the house of the forest of Lebanon [were of] pure gold; none [were of] silver it was nothing accounted of in the days of Solomon. We have then an account how Solomon 22 came by all this wealth. For the king had at sea a navy of Tharshish, with the navy of Hiram † once in three years came the navy of Tharshish, bringing gold and silver, ivory, and apes, and peacocks, or farrots, which are still the commodities of 23 that country. So king Solomon exceeded all the kings of the 24 earth for riches and for wisdom. And all the earth sought to Solomon, to hear his wisdom, which God had put in his heart.

These were probably designed to be carried before him when he went in state; and at other times were to be hung up in the grand hall at the house of Lebanon.

There were two ficets, one belonging to Hiram, in which Solomon had a share; and one belonging to Solomon, in which Hiram had a share. These sailed through the straits of Gib raltar quite to Guinea,

25 And they brought every man his present, vessels of silver, and vessels of gold, and garments, and armour, and spices, horses, and mules, a rate year by year. The great men of neighbouring nations so highly esteemed his wisdom, that they courted his friendship, and sent him presents annually, as ą token of respect, and from a desire that the friendship and alliance might be continued.

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And Solomon gathered together chariots and horsemen : and he had a thousand and four hundred chariots, and twelve thousand horsemen, whom he bestowed in the cities for chariots, and with the king at Jerusalem; to be ready on any emergency, as well as for state.

And the king made silver [to be] in Jerusalem as stones, and cedars made he [to be] as the sycamore trees, or wild fig trees, that [are] in the vale for abundance; hyperbolical expressions for the great plenty of silver and cedar.

And Solomon had horses brought out of Egypt, and linen yarn the king's merchants received the linen yarn at a price. 29 And a chariot came up and went out of Egypt for six hundred [shekels] of silver, and an horse for an hundred and fifty and so for all the kings of the Hittites, and for the kings of Syria, did they bring [them] out by their means.*

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REFLECTIONS.

HOW shonost eminent for it. Many travel for

OW solicitous should we be to seek wisdom, especially

wealth, curiosity, or custom; this princess travelled for a nobler end, to learn wisdom; perhaps to gain the knowledge of Jehovah and his service; and she was at much pains and expense about it. Let us desire to learn wisdom whatever it may cost us, especially from Jesus Christ, who lay in the bosom of the Father, in whom are hid all the treasures of wisdom and knowledge. Many are fonder of discussing hard questions, than gaining useful knowledge; but let us seek true wisdom. We have no need to travel far for it; having in our Bible what is most important and most plain: the word is nigh unto us, Matt. xi. 42. We learn,

2. The happiness of those who have the opportunities of knowledge and piety. Happy are thy people! happy are these thy servants! And thus happy are the servants who live in religious families, if they did but know how to value and improve their privileges, which are far superior to any worldly advantages. Happy are the servants of God who dwell in his house, eat at his table, behold his glory in his temple, and have so many opportunities of

This verse gives an account of his cummerce with Egypt. It is rather obscurely ex pressed. Some translate linen yarn to be fall or custom. I understand it thus: as Egypt was famous for horses, the king would not suffer them to be exported without a large tribute. For this Solomon compounded with him for so much a year; so his merchants went down and bought and sold them to neighbouring states and princes, each horse at about eighteen pounds. Some think it was so much duty; and a chariot, in which was four horses, was six hundred shekels, that is, about seventy four pounds. I think this was a duty rather than the price. It may seem extravagant; but money was then very plentiful. Thus Solomon enriched his own country, and appeared the great friend and protector of trade.

growing wise to salvation. Above all, blessed are they who dwell in his house above, who see his face, and sing his praise.

3. The reflection which the queen of Sheba made on Solomon's advancement, is applicable to Christ. God delighted in him, therefore made him king of the church, and empowered him to communicate happiness to men. Out of love to mankind, God hath made him king, to save them from ruin; to govern them by his wise and wholesome laws, and make all who are dutiful, loyal, and obedient, completely and eternally happy. This demands our warmest praise. Thanks be to God for this unspeakable gift.

4. We may reflect once more, how good a judge Solomon was wherein true happiness consisted, and what regard should be paid to his judgment, who declared, that vanity of vanities all was vanity: and he wrote a whole book to prove this. May we learn wisdom of him; and make a right estimate of the world, and all that is in the world. Real religion will make us happier than he was with all his wealth and honors.

CHAP. XI.

We have seen Solomon in the height of his glory, but here is a melancholy alteration. We are now to read of his degeneracy; of God's displeasure and threatening to him; of the enemies God raised up against him; and of his death and successor,

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UT king Solomon loved many strange women, together with the daughter of Pharaoh, women of the Moabites, 2 Ammonites, Edomites, Zidonians, [and] Hittites; of the nations [concerning] which the LORD said unto the children of Israel, Ye shall not go in to them, neither shall they come in unto you: [for] surely they will turn away your heart after their gods: Solomon clave unto these in love. He was guilty of two sins against the law; the one was in having a multiplicity of 3 wives, the other, in taking strange women. And he had seven hundred wives, princesses, and three hundred concubines: and his wives turned away his heart. These were taken for state and pomp ; as eastern princes to this day have a great number of A wives, many of whom perhaps they scarce ever see. For it came to pass, when Solomon was old, [that] his wives turned away his heart after other gods: and his heart was not perfect with the LORD his God, as [was] the heart of David his father. He did not renounce Jehovah, but joined the worship of other gods with him he allowed his wives to do it at first privately, and then more openly. He attended himself in some instances out of complaisance, or partook of their feasts; which he never would have done 5 if his mind had not been depraved by sensual pleasures. For Solomon went after Ashtoreth the goddess of the Zidonians, 6 and after Milcom the abomination of the Ammonites. And Solomon did evil in the sight of the LORD, and went not fully