Bible Commentaries

CONTENTS

This second book of Chronicles takes up the subject of history where the former left off. Solomon's entrance on his reign is here recorded: his solemn offering at Gibeon: his choice of wisdom: his strength, and riches.

There is somewhat very interesting in this view of Solomon, on his entrance on his government. How beautiful is it to see magistrates first seeking grace and wisdom from the Lord, before that they take the reins of government into their hand. Is not the custom of our nation, in the election of chief magistrates in towns and cities, being preceded by prayer, to direct them in their choice; is it not taken from such scripture authority as this? I shall not offend, I hope, any of this character, (if peradventure any such should condescend to glance their eye on my Poor Man's Commentary) when I add, it is a sight indeed most lovely, when men really and truly seek counsel from God on those occasions. Oh! what a beautiful portrait of magistracy hath Job drawn, when he says, I put on righteousness, and it clothed me; my judgment was as a robe and a diadem. I was eyes to the blind, and feet was I to the lame. I was a father to the poor, and the cause which I knew not I searched out. When Jesus, in whom are hid all the treasures of wisdom and knowledge, gives out of himself to the men that seek for him as for hidden treasure; then he is, and will be all this to his people. I would wish the Reader to peruse the whole passage. Job 29:5-17. It should seem that the ark being at Jerusalem, and the altar at Gibeon, was for the present intended for the greater benefit of the church. Our Jesus is both the Ark and the Altar: and he, blessed be his name, is in all places, and with all his people always, even unto the end of the world. Matthew 28:20.

We have this account before, 1 Kings 3:5, I must again beg the Reader to consult the parallel passage, both in the sacred text, and in the Commentary. For the sake of shortness, I shall not repeat what is there said. I only in addition, request the Reader to observe with me, how evident it is, from this prayer of Solomon, that the Spirit of the Lord was upon him, to teach him what to say, and what to pray for. Observe how Solomon eyes the Lord's hand in his appointment as king. Thou hast showed mercy to David my father, and hast made me to reign in his stead. Observe moreover, how Solomon begs for suited wisdom to the discharge of the high trust to which he was called. Give me wisdom, that I may go in and out before this people. And observe still further, that he founds all his claim upon God's promises; Let the promise unto David my father be established. Reader! mark down what most concerns us in this view. Doth not our God say, Ask what I shall give thee? Not indeed in dreams of the night, but in the open full day of his gospel. So run the precious words, Ask, and ye shall receive that your joy may be full. John 16:24. And is not the promise of God the Father founded in covenant engagements, confirmed with an oath, and sealed in the blood of his dear Son? Shall we doubt? Shall we question the divine truth and faithfulness? Oh! how precious is it to see our security in this doubled grace; the glory of Jehovah's name, in his word and oath; and the everlasting merit and righteousness of the Lord Jesus Christ!

We have here God's gracious answer. And in the overflowing bounty of the Lord, how sweetly doth it remind us what the apostle saith, that God is able to do exceeding abundantly above all that we can ask or think. Ephesians 3:20. But I hope, after what was observed in the parallel passage, (1Ki 3) that the Reader is running beyond his views of Solomon king of Israel, to contemplate in all this our Almighty Solomon, God the Father's Jedidiah (his beloved) shadowed forth in his furniture for the kingdom of his people. Jesus indeed, in his mediatorial character, was not only filled with wisdom and knowledge, and all the treasures hidden with him: but he is emphatically called wisdom itself, even the Wisdom of God for salvation. Reader! behold then the Lord Jesus entering upon his kingdom, and in the constitution of his Person, in his offices, in all his characters, acts, and relations, unfolding to his church and people, the most sovereign proofs of wisdom, grace, and riches. How lovely is it to behold the features of the Redeemer, shadowed forth in any of his people!

I have before noticed those things in the Commentary on the same history, 1 Kings 3:1-28 etc. I only therefore now add, that when we read those things of Solomon's splendor with an eye to Jesus, what is the plenteousness of the silver and gold at Jerusalem, compared to the durable riches, and righteousness, which Jesus gives in plentiful profusion to his people, when he gives them himself? Then, in deed and in truth, Jesus causeth them to inherit substance; all else is vanity. Jesus's fruit is better than gold, yea, than fine gold, and his revenue than choice silver. Oh! thou precious Lord! lead me in the way of righteousness, and cause me to inherit thyself, which is substance indeed! Proverbs 8:18-20.

REFLECTIONS

I PASS over every other consideration in this chapter, to have my soul unceasingly fixed on thee, thou glorious Solomon, and the peaceable, happy reign of righteousness, which by thy coming to the throne of David thy father, thou, even thou, O blessed Jesus, hast brought in to the redemption of mankind! I cannot look on any other. I dare not take off my thoughts from the contemplation of Jesus! Thy word tells me, that in thee are hid all the treasures of wisdom and knowledge. And to what other source shall I go, who am so poor and ignorant in myself, and need supply so continually, when all riches and honour are with thee, and there is none else that can cause my soul to inherit substance. Like the Solomon of whom I read in this chapter, I would say, Give me understanding and knowledge, that I may have that life eternal, which consisteth in the light of the knowledge of the glory of God in the face of Jesus Christ! Hath not God thy Father constituted thee King in Zion? Hath he not given all things into thine hand? Is not grace, mercy, life, and peace, treasured up in thee? And are not all the blessings thy redeemed can possibly need, in time or in eternity, found in thee? not simply as plenteous as the stones in Jerusalem, but inexhaustible, incalculable, unsearchable? Oh! then for faith to believe the record which God hath given of his dear Son! I would come to thee, blessed Jesus, for all I need. And I would come as one sure to obtain. For though thou hast all the treasures of heaven, and art the Almighty Treasurer, yet is it not for thyself, but for thy people. It hath pleased the Father, that in thee should all fulness dwell; that of thy fulness we might all receive, and grace for grace. Who so ready to give as Jesus! Who so needy as I! Pour out then, Lord, of thy fullness. I ask not the riches, the wealth, the honour of this vain world, but the wisdom that maketh wise unto salvation. I ask Jesus himself! Grant me thyself, O Lord, for in thee I have all things.