thorns and nettles, and shows how looking on it he "received instruction," and w0,ming against sloth. 8. Again turn to Proverbs xxiii. 82, wher8, spea~ing of intoxicating drink, he says, "at last it biteth like a serpent, and stingeth like an adder." It was in this way he referred to the animals and plants aronnd him. v. THE 0BEATUREB OF GOD SPEAK TO us OF SOCIAL EVIl.S. In those clays, as in other days, foolish favourites, and unworthy men, were exalted to places of trust and honour. Seeing it Solomon draws again on hie observance of nature; and having noted the disorder and injury caused by untimely storms, says, "As snow in summer, and as rain in harvest, so honour is not seemly in a fool" (Prov. xxvi.1). Another example of this teaching occurs in Proverbs xxviii. 3. A heavy rain after long drought, raising the streamlets to floods, would sweep away the mud-built dwellings of the poor and the harvest already reaped; and to those who had seen that the wise king said, " A poor man that oppresseth the poor is like a sweeping rain which leaveth no food." VI. THE CREATURES OF GoD SPEAK TO us OF NOBLE POSSIBil.lTIES. Solomon saw growth around him on every side. The seed dropped in the crevice of a wall was not forgotten, but appeared in the "hyssop;" and the sapling, which a child could break, at last became the great "cedar of Lebanon.'' God's benediction and man's toil developed life ; and the feeblest was not forgotten, the smallest not de- spised. We can imagine how from such facts Solomon would draw lessons of trust and hope. IN CONCLUSION let us learn from the subject the following lessons-1. Never be afraid, of the teachings of natural science. Show how geology, botany, astro- nomy, &c., are regarded by some Christians with terror, as if their influence would affect the spiritual truths revealed of God. Demonstrate the folly of this. Let theology recognize the sisterhood of science. 2. Never become absorbed in pursuits which are merely intellectual. The soul of man needs more than his intellect can win. The "hunger and thirst o.fter righteousness" only a living God can satisfy. Use the suggestions of nature as the witnesses of God. 8. Never neglect the wonderful works of God,. Many a frivolous life would be redeemed from vacuity and ennui if young people were trained to observe and take interest in the habits of animoJ life and the marvels of inanimate existence. Show the wholesomeness of such studies, as those of Charles Kingsley and others. But let us walk through this fair world as those who follow Christ, and then from the fragrant lilies and golden harvest fields He will speak to us of our Father in heaven.-A. R.
EXPOSITION. OHAPTEB V. 1-18. xiv. 1, where the Keri, however, follows the preve.iling usage), the name apperu:s as SoLoMoN AND Hmw.-The somewhat de- Huram (C1~n). In Josephus it is Eipwµo,;. tailed description which we he.ve he.d in This prince and his friendly relations with chapter iv. of Solomon's pomp e.nd power the Jews are referred to by the Tyrian his- e.nd wisdom, is followed in chapters v. sqq. torians, of whose me.terials the Greek writers by an account of what, in Jewish eyes, was Dius and Mene.nder of Ephesus (te111p. Alex- the gree.t underte.king of his reign, e.nd, in- ander the Great) availed themselves. Ac- cording to Dius (quoted by Josephus contr. deed, the great glory of Hebrew history-the Apion, i. 17) Hiram was the son of Abibaal. erection e.nd adornment of the Temple. And Mene.nder states tho.t the building of the a.s this was largely due to the assistance he temple was commenced in the twelfth year of received-both in the she.pa of me.terials and Hiram's reign, which le.sted 34 years (Jos. labourers-from the Tyrie.n king, we he.ve Ant. viii. 3. 1 ; Contr. Ap. i. 18). Hiram is further said to have married his daughter in the first ple.ce e.n account of his alliance to Solomon and to have engaged with him with Hiram. in an intellectual encounter which took the Ver. 1.-And B1ram [In vers. 10, 18, the shape of riddles] k1ng of Tyre [Heb. i1"1, name is spelled Hirom (Cti•r:, ), whilst in rock, so called because of the rocky island on Chronicles, with one exception_ (1 Ohron, which old Tyre was built, sometimes called THE FIRST BOOK OF KINGS. (os. v. 1-18.