The Pulpit Commentary — 1 Kings — Section 87

HOMILIES BY VARIOUS AUTHORS. Vers. 20-25.-.A Prosperous Reign. This chapter presents a general view of the prosperity of Solomon's reign, much of which was owing to the extraordinary glory of the reign of David. Such a rule as David's sowed seeds of blessing in the land -which it was Solomon's privilege to reap. David united the kingdoms of Judah and Israel, and Solomon canie into quiet possession of the completed co=onwealth. David laid the foundation, Solomon developed the fabric and adorned it. Each succeeding generation inherits the good stored up for it by those that went before. Happy they who are the descendants of a noble ancestry. If it is true that " the sins of the fathers are visited on the children," &c., equally true is it that" the good men do lives after them.'' We all reap the fruits of the care and toil and suffering of our fathers. "Other men labour and we enter into their labours." The text suggests- I. THE GRANDEUR OF A MULTITUDINOUS PEOPLE. "Judah and Israel were many, &c. What is the secret of the feeling of solemnity akin to awe with which we gaze upon a vast concourse of human beings ? It is the fulness of life-not mere physical force, but thin.king, emotional life, with all its latent capacities that im- presses us. But think of a great nation-what a world of busy, many-sided life is here! What complex relations; what slumbering energies; what rich resources; what mines of undeveloped thought; what tides of feeling; what boundless possibilities of good or evil, of glory or of shame I Consider the mutual action and reaction of the individual and corporate life in such a nation ; the conditions of its well-being ; the tremendous responsibility of those who are set to guide its forces, to guard its interests, to control its destinies. We can understand the trembling of spirit Moses felt when he looked on the thronging host of Israel in the wilderness. "Wherefore layest thou the burden of all this people upon me ? " &c. (Numbers xi. 11). So with Solomon-" Who is able to judge this thy so great a people?" (eh. iii. 9). Rulers who show that they are alive to the dread significance of their position claim our deepest sympathy. Well may we pray for them (1 Tim. ii. 2) that they may be inspired by the right spirit, prompted by purest motives, never allowed to fall into the sin "Of me.king their high place the lawless perch Of winged ambitions." II. T:IE FAR-REACHING INFLUENCE OF A WISE AND RIGHTEOUS RULE, "And Solomon reigned over all kingdoms," &c. (ver. 21). These were tributary kingdoms. It was not the division of one great empire into many provinces, but the recognition by outlying principalities of the superior sovereignty of the Hebrew monarc~. What was the cause of this wide-spread influence ? Won by force of arms m David's reign, it was retained, probably, by force of good government and beneficent policy. Israel presented an example of a well-ordered state-entered, under Solomon, on a remarkable career as a commerc~l peo,vle-Sol~mon himself a ro:y~I merchant. Note his sagacity in" making affinity" with the kmg of Egypt (eh. w. OH, IV, 20-84.] THE FIRST BOOK OF KINGS. 81