The Pulpit Commentary — 1 Kings — Section 70

HOMILETICS. ' Ver. 28. - Solomon's Judgment a Foreshadowing of the Judgment to come. Again we see in Solomon a type of the true " Son of David.'' The arraignment of the two harlots is an adumbration of the "great assize." This striking scene- t)J.e young king sitting on his throne, probably in a void place at the gate of the city, in the bright clear Eastern morning; around him his guards, counsellors, and ministers of state (eh. xii 6) ; before him the two harlots and the helpless child- carries our thoughts to a day of storm e.nd cloud, a day of darkness and dread, when the "Son of Man shall sit upon the throne of His glory," with "the holy angels" around Him and "all nations" before Him (St. Matt. xxv. 31). Let us see in this first judgment, then, an outline of the last Observe : I. THE JUDGE. It is (1) the Son of David. We do not read of David's judg- ments. This a duty which he was apparently remiss in discharging (2 Sam. rv.) He devolved the duty of judging and punishing upon his son (1 Kings ii. 1-10). Even so, the " Eternal Father judgeth no man, but hath committed all judgment to the Son." Because He is the Son of David, i.e., the Son of Man, our Lord will judge the sons of men. The Judge is, therefore, one who knows us, one who feels for us. It is (2) the wisest of men. "He was wiser than all men'' (eh. iv. 31). The wisdom of God was in him to do judgment (eh. iii. 28). But the Judge of men and angels not only has, but is the Wisdom of God (Prov. ix.; 1 Cor. i. 24). The Supreme, the Essential Wisdom will sit upon the great white throne. His judgments, therefore, must be "just and true." Now consider II. THE JUDGED. They were (1) of two classes. There was the innocent babe and the impure women. And of the latter one wo.s true, the other false ; one right, the other wrong. There will be two classes, and only two, in the judgment to come : sheep and goats, wheat and tares, good fish and bo.d, the righteous and the sinner. (2) Both were harlots. "Whoremongers and adulterers GoD will judge." Men cannot, or do not. Our pleasant vices are often undetected; or, if known, are not reprobated. But see 1 Cor. v. 11; vi. 9-19; Gal. v. 19-2L III. THE JuDGMENT. Thereby (1) a sin was brought to light. No eye saw that midnight theft. They two were alone. But the deed is now dragged to the light of day. And the Lord" will bring to light the hidden things of darkness." What was "whispered in the ear in closets shall be proclaimed upon the housetops." (2) A wrong was redressed. The pretended mother probably held the child when they came before the king. The true mother carried it in her arms when they left the judgment-seat. Restitution, i.e., was enforced. And the judgment-seat of Christ shall accomplish the restitution of all things. There every wrong shall have its remedy. Now the" foundations of the earth are out of course." Might stands for right. Possession is nine points of the law. But in that clay "mum cuique." It is related of one of the Wesleys that on paying· an account which was a gross imposition, he wrote upon the bill, "To be re-adjusted in that clay." (3) Character was revealed. The true motlier and the pretended alike proclaim themselves. A word from each decides the question, and reveals their inmost thoughts. So shall it be at the end of the world. " Out of thine own mouth will I judge thee." "By thy words thou (!halt .be justified, and by thy worcla thou she.It  64 THE FIRST BOOK OF KINGS. [ CH, III, 16-28.