III. This chapter completes, in a narrative singularly beautiful and instructive, the detailed record of the early days of Solomon’s reign — a record which bears such marks of continuity as argue derivation from a single source.... [ Continue Reading ]
PHARAOH KING OF EGYPT. — At this time it would appear, from the Egyptian records and traditions, that Egypt was weak and divided, and that what is called the twenty-first dynasty of the Tanite kings was ruling in Lower Egypt. This, and a corresponding abeyance (judging from the monuments) of Assyria... [ Continue Reading ]
IN HIGH PLACES. — The historian, writing from the point of view of his own time, when, after the solemn consecration of the Temple, the worship at “the high places,” which form natural sanctuaries, was forbidden, explains that “because there was no house built unto the name of the Lord,” the people,... [ Continue Reading ]
GIBEON. — The name itself, signifying “belonging to a hill,” indicates its position on the central plateau of Israel, in the land of Benjamin, whence rise several round hills, on one of which the town stood. There was now reared the Tabernacle, with the brazen altar of sacrifice, to which the descen... [ Continue Reading ]
THE LORD APPEARED. — This direct communication to Solomon by a dream — standing in contrast with the indirect knowledge of the Lord’s will by David through the prophets Nathan and Gad (2 Samuel 7:2; 2 Samuel 12:1; 2 Samuel 24:11), and by “enquiring of the Lord” through the priest (1 Samuel 23:9; 1 S... [ Continue Reading ]
AND SOLOMON SAID. — On Solomon’s “wisdom,” see Note on 1 Kings 4:29. Here it is clear that the wisdom which he asks is that of the ruler, involving elements both moral and intellectual — the wisdom to discern and do true justice between man and man. He calls himself “a little child” — his age is var... [ Continue Reading ]
BECAUSE THOU HAST ASKED. — It is obvious to note this verse as a fulfilment of the Divine law, “Seek first the kingdom of God and his righteousness, and -all these things shall be added unto you” (Matthew 6:33). All these secondary blessings are good, just so far as they conduce to the supreme good,... [ Continue Reading ]
I WILL LENGTHEN. — In this promise only one point, “length of days,” is conditional; and it was not fulfilled. For though Solomon’s age at the time of death is not given, yet, as his reign is given as lasting forty years, it could hardly have exceeded sixty. (Josephus, indeed, with his usual tendenc... [ Continue Reading ]
STOOD BEFORE THE ARK OF THE COVENANT, in its Tabernacle on Mount Sion, which now constituted a second, and probably still more sacred, place of worship. The great sacrifice — now distinctly a thank-offering, followed as usual by a sacred feast — is naturally repeated there.... [ Continue Reading ]
THEN CAME THERE. — The celebrated “judgment of Solomon,” given here as a specimen of his wisdom, is simply an instance of intuitive sagacity, cutting the Gordian knot of hopeless difficulty by the appear to maternal instinct — an appeal which might, of course, fail, but which was, under the exceptio... [ Continue Reading ]