The Pulpit Commentary — 1 Kings — Section 207

in the " Book of Proverbs ; " the Poetic form, as in his " Songs" and " Psalms• " the Socratic form, by question and answer, riddles-" dark sayings ''-and the in- terpretation thereof. It is in this latter form that his wisdom here appears. Tradition says that Hiram engaged with him in this " cross questioning," and was worsted in the encounter; so here the queen of Sheba came " to prove him with hard questions," and" communing with him of all that was in her heart she found that he could tell her all her questions," &c. By all this we are led to think of "One greater than Solomon." (1) "Greater," inasmuch as He leads men to wisdom of a higher order. Solomon is the most secular of the inspired writers of the Old Testament. Divine things are approached by him, as it were, on the lower, earthly side. A prudential tone is given to the counsels of religion, and vice is set forth not so much as wickedness but as "folly." Think of the marked difference between the utterances of Solomon's wisdom and the sublime spiritual elevation of David's psalms. And when we come to Christ's teaching, what im- measurably loftier heights and deeper depths of Divine truth are here I Redemption, holiness, immortality, are His themes-the deeper "mysteries of the kingdom of heaven ; " "in him are hid all the treasures of wisdom and knowledge" (Col. ii. 3). (2) "Greater," inasmuch as the Divine fount of wisdom must needs be infinitely superior to any mere human channel through which it flows. Solomon was after all but a learner, not e. master. Hie were but guesses at truth. Christ's were the authoritative utterances of the incarnate "Word." Solomon spoke according to the limited measure of the spirit of truth in him. Christ spoke out of His own infinite fulness. '' God giveth not the Spirit by measure unto Him" (John iii. 34). Whence, indeed, did Solomon's wisdom come but from Him, the true fontal "Light that lighteth every man that cometh into the world '' ? The words that the wise in every age have spoken were but dim, dawning rays of the light that broke in a glorious day upon the world when He, the Sun of Righteousness, arose. II. THE QUEEN OF SHEBA, IN HER SEARCH AFTER WISDOM, AS AN EXAMPLE FOR OURSELVES. All the motives that actuated her in this long pilgrimage from the far. off corner of Arabia we know not. Mere curiosity, commercial interest, persone.l vanity may have had something to do with it. But the words of the narrative suggest that it was mainly an honest thirst for knowledge, and specially for clearer light on highest matters of human interest. Learn (1) The nobility of e. simple, earnest, restless search after truth. (2) The grateful respect which e. teachable r,pirit will feel towards one who can unveil the truth to it. (3) The joyous satisfac- tion of soul that springs from the discovery of the highest truth. How much does such an example as this in the ree.lms of heathen darkness rebnke the spiritual dulness and indifference of those who with the Light of Life shining gloriously upon them in the person of Christ refuse to welcome it, and wa.lk in it I " Many shall come from the east and the west," &c. (Matt. viii. 11, 12).-W. Vera. 1-13.-The Queen of Sheba. The suggestiveness of Solomon's intercourse with surrounding nations. His magnanimity was as remarkable as his magnifi- cence. His broad policy stood out in striking contrast with the narrowness of some of his contemporaries and successors. It was one evidence of his divinely inspired wisdom. In some respects his enlightenment puts to shame modem diplomacy. Trace his relations with the king of Tyre and the queen of Sheba. These were not exceptionally treated by the wise-hearted ruler. His country was open to the com- merce of surrounding peoples, and his court free to ell who would live in amity with him. Indicate the typical nature of his kingdom-the golden age of God's people. Apply to the reign of Him who said, "A greater than Solomon is here I" Remarks on the position and the commerce of the land from which this great queen came. Her conduct is full of suggestions for us- I. HER COMING SHOWS THE PAINS THOSE SHOULD TAKE WHO A.RE SEARCHING FOR .RUE WISDOM. The journey was long, arduous, oostly. n may have raised oppo- sition amongst the people she ruled. In spite of e,ll she came. Give exa.mples of men who in old time travelled far in search of wisdom, visiting schools of philo- sophy, astrologers, o.nd sages, ooneulting. oracl('s like that at Delphi. Not less if 1 KINGS. • ,1;1 210 THE FIRST BOOK OF h.INGS. [CH, X, 14-20,