extent of philosophy, natural and political, moral and religious. It extended, I say, to things,
1. Natural —
[Universal nature seemed, as it were, to be open to his view : " He spake of trees, from the cedar- tree that is in Le- banon, even to the hyssop that springeth out of the wall : he sjiake also of beasts and of fowl, and of creeping things, and of fishes'^." The distinctive properties of each in their several classes were comprehended by liim ; but whether from study or from revelation, we do not know : such knowledge however, though curious and entertaining, was probably in point of utility the lowest that he possessed. Still it could not fail to interest an inquisitive mind, and to excite an high admiration of him in the breast of this intelligent queen.]
2. Pohtical—
[The perfection of his laws, the equity of his administra- tion, the penetration exercised by him in his judicial capacity, the order in which every thing, whether in his civil or domestic concerns, was arranged ; the grandeiu' of his edifices, the splen- dour of his court, the peacefulness of his reign, the prosperity of his people, and the whole extent of his pohtical economy, bespoke him almost more than human; and made the admiring queen envy the lowest of his servants, who were honoured with access to liis presence*^.]
3. Moral —
[He had spoken three thousand proverbs, and composed above a thousand songs ^. What depths of wisdom were con- tained in these we may judge from those which have come dovra to us. The whole subject of ethics was familiar to his mind, so that he needed not to draw conclusions in a way of rational argumentation, but was enabled to declare with uner- ring certainty the duty of man in every relation, and in every circumstance of life. The most difficult cases were easy to his comprehensive mind ; and the clouds with which they were enveloped were dispelled by him as before the rising smi. We wonder not that, when she heard his oracular discourses, she was lost in utter amazement.]
4. Religious —
[This, after all, was the wisdom by which the Queen of Sheba sought most to profit: " When she heard of the fame of Solomon concerning the name of the Lord, she came to prove him with hard questions^." Earnestly did she desire to be
c 1 Kings iv. 33. ^ ver. 4, 5, 8.
e 1 Kings iv. 32. f ver. 1.
336.1 THE QUEEN OF SHEBa's VISIT TO SOLOMON. 361
informed concerning the nature and perfections of God ; and the way in which he was to be worshipped ; and how a sinner might find acceptance with him. These and numberless other points Solomon no doubt opened to her with such clearness and per- spicuity, as carried the fullest conviction to her mind. Nor can we doubt but that as she would inqmre respecting the sacrifices and oblations, he would point out to her the figura- tive nature, and typical intent, of every thing that she beheld ; the temple, its furniture, its ordinances, its ministers, its ser- vice altogether. Glorious would be the opportunity afforded him of commending to her the God of Israel, and of pointing- out to her that Messiah in whom all these types should receive their accomplishment ; and no doubt he availed himself of it. Well therefore might such transcendent wisdom overwhelm her with astonishment, so that " there was no more spirit in her^:" and well might she say, that " the half had not been told her."]
Let US now turn from Solomon, to contemplate, II. The surprise which an acquaintance with Jesus Christ will occasion —
Our views must not be confined to Solomon ; for beyond all doubt " a greater than Solomon is here." Solomon was an eminent type of Christ ; as is clear from many passages of Scripture, and especially the 72d Psalm, which is not more apphcable to Solomon in the letter of it, than it is to Christ in the spirit. Solomon was the first who could be called " a king, and a king's son ;" and therefore a fit type of that Son of David who is " King of kings, and Lord of lords."