The Pulpit Commentary — 1 Kings — Section 88

1), and in his treaty with Hiram, king of Tyre (eh. v.) This was the secret of Solomon's influence. As far as we can judge, it was not so much the result of overmastering force, but of a policy by which the bonds of mutual confidence and helpfulness were strengthened. We are reminded that this is the real stability of any nation-the spirit of justice, integrity, beneficence that inspires it, coupled with the disposition to form friendly and helpful relations. The influence that arises from the display of military strength not worthy to be compared with this. "Righteousness exalteth a nation" (Prov. xiv. 84). "The throne is established by righteousness" (Prov. xvi. 12). Every nation is strong and influential just in proportion as its internal order and external relations are conformed to the law of righteousness. III. THE PEACE THAT IS THE RESULT OF RIGHTEOUSNESS. " He had peace on all sides round about him'' (ver. 24). This was the fulfilment of a prophecy that attended his very birth. David, the "man of war," yearned for a time of peace, and the yearning expressed itself in the names he gave his sons-Absalom, " the father of peace ; " Shelomoh, Solomon, " the peaceful one." The peacefulness of Solomon's reign was the natural outcome of his own personal characteristics, and of the policy he adopted. "When a man's ways please the Lord, he maketh even his enemies to be at peace with him" (Prov. xvi. 7). False maxim of international life," If you want peace prepare for war "-multiply the means and provocations of strife ! Maintain an attitude of distrust, defiance, menace I Men have strange confidence in the pacifying effect of desolating force. They "make a solitude and call it peace,'' forgetting that tranquillity thus gained does but cover with a deceptive veil the latent seeds of hostility and revenge. How much better the Scripture idea, " The work of righteousness shall be peace," &c. (Isa. xxxii. 17) ; " The fruit of righteousness is sown in peace of them that make peace " (Ja.mes iii. 18). IV. THE SECURITY THAT SPRINGS FROM PEACE (ver. 25). "And Judah and Israel dwelt safely," &c.-this became al.most a proverbial expression (2 Kings xvJi. 81; Micah iv. 4; Zachariah iii 10). Suggests the quiet enjoyment of the good of life, the fruit of honest labour, under the protection of impartial law. This is the result of peace. Often urged that war 1s an education in some of the nobler elements of national character; safeguard against luxury and indolent self-indnl- gence, &c. But may not these good results be bought at too terrible a price ? Are there no other fields for the healthy development of a nation's energies ?-no foes of ignorance, and vice, and social wrong, to say nothing of forms of beneficent world-wide enterprise, that call them forth in manly: exercise? It is the reign of peace that fosters the industries that enrich the life of a people, and the bene- ficent activities that beautify it. 'Tis this that "makes the country flourish and the city smile." The happy condition of things here described is said to have lasted through "all the days of Solomon; " chiefly true of the earlier part of his reign. Sins and disasters involved the latter part in gloom. So far, however, we have in it e. prophecy of the reign of David's " greater Son." Pea. hxii. has its pn.rtial fulfihnent in the days of Solomon ; but the gre.ndeur of its prophetic men.ning is realized only in the surpassing glory of His kingdom who is the true " Prince of righteousness and peace."-W. Ver. 88.-The voice of Nature speaking for God. This is given as an example of the wisdom for which Solomon was jUBtly famed. His information was at once acourate and far reaching. Nothing escaped the notice of his observant eye, nothing was too insignificant to deserve his attention. The " hyssop " which was reme.rkable neither for size nor beauty, neither for fragrance nor utility, as well as the noble "cedar," we.s the subject of his research e.nd discourse. I. THE GElllll OF HIS KNOWLEDGE WAS FROM Gon. He was enriched with nntnral capacities above the av:erag~, as the_preceding ohe.pter s~ows. Men ~o di~er :Vicle)y in keenness of perception, 1~ retentiveness of_ memory, m power of unagrnn_tio~, m love or dislike for the studies of natural science. A remembrance of this 1s of peculiar value to us in the tre.ining of children. The dullard in mathematics may prove the scholar in classics, &c. The wisdom of the Divine arrangement which l KINGS. 0 82 THE FIRST BOOK OF KINGS. (cH. IV. 20-84.