The Pulpit Commentary — 1 Kings — Section 64

standing heart to judge," &c. Thie was the virtue of Solomon's prayer-it craved a moral rather than mere circumstantial, or even intellectual, endowment. He had the wisdom of the man of science, the "minute philosopher" (see chap. iv. 38). But higher wisdom was wanted for higher work-for guiding and governing the people-and this is what he prayed for. Little trace in Solomon of the pure, fervent spirit of devotion that glowed in his father David. The yearning of David's heart was not so much for wisdom as for holiness. But Solomon has e, lofty ideal of kingly rule before him, and this is how he seeks to realize it. 1. Wisdom is a practical quality; not merely theoretical; consists less in true ideas than in the ability to embody them in a real and living form; not knowledge or insight, but power to turn what is known and understood to highest account. In common affairs of life-in matters of business, science, art-how many clever theoretical men are there whose cleverness never takes a tangible, practical form I You can point to nothing that they have ever d,one as a worthy expression of their native capacity. Only in a qualified sense are such men" wise." How much more in the higher sphere of moral and religious life. Here also a science and an art, the ideal and the practical. Wisdom is the combination of the two. It is thought and it is life-the science of spiritual truth and reality married to the divine art of living under the influence of what is real and true. 2. Wisdom deals with those eternal prindples that undeTlie the surface ap- pearances of life. The judgment of Solomon in the dispute between the two women about the child (verse 16 to end) is suggestive here. Its peculiarity is, that instead of trusting to appearances to decide the doubt, be leaves the decision to the deep instinct of the mother's nature, i.e., his wisdom is seen in calling to its aid a principle profounder and less fallible than itself. Apply this to the higher conduct of life. We want something more reliable than our own observation or reason as a guide. " The fear of the Lord is the beginning of wisdom.'' Lay hold on Goel. Walk by :faith. Let there be e, divine element in your life: "There is more wisdom in e. whisper'd prayer The.n in the e.ncient lore of e.ll the schools." How great the wisdom of him whose whole daily life is a hea.ven-o.scending prayer I II. THE DIVINE ORIGIN OF WISD0111. "Ask what I sholl give thee.'' God is the infinite Fount of Wisdom, and He " gives" from His exhaustless fulness. " The Father of Lights.'' What a world of wonders is the book of Nature I Who.t crentive thought, constructive skill, wise ada.ptation are here ! A world of profounder wonders is the Book of Truth. " O the depth of the riches," &c. But this is revelation; we have to think of impartation. God will give wisdom. "Ask whnt I shall give thee.'' "If any man lack wisdom let him ask of God," &c. All trne light that guides man in any right path is His gift. Most of all those right thoughts, high aspirations, holy energies, which are the very life of men. 1fon can only disclose his mental riches. The philosopher cannot " give" the rustic wisdom, nor the father or teacher the child. God sheds tl.1e light of His Spirit ;nto the soul. " If ye being evil,'' &o. III. THE ABUNDANT REWARD OF WISDOM. "And I have also given thee," &c. (ver. 13). God's beneficence exceeds the expectations of His children. "Able to do exceeding abundantly," &c. (Eph. iii. 20). "Seek ye first the kingdom of God,'' &c. (Matt. vi. 33). -W. Ver. 6.-SERMON FOR CHILDREN. Waiting for God's voice. Little children are sometimes intended to do great things. God has a special place for everyone to fill. Sometimes the child who is least thought of in the home or in the class is to ho.ve the noblest destiny. Two brothers once lived in the same tent. One was bruvo and manly, a greo.t hunter, and a, popular, generous man, but his younger ancl feebler brother, Jacob, became greater thnn he. In J csse's family at Bethlehem there were young men, tall, comely, o.nd heroic, yet their shepherd brother, whom they despised, wo.s chosen to be their king. Now in David's own family God mado Hie oho1ce; and overlooking the beo.utiful Absalom, and the ambitious Aclonijah,  68 1'HE FIRS'r~BOOK OF KINGS. (cu. m. 1-16.