The Pulpit Commentary — 1 Kings — Section 242

elsewhere explicitly condemned. (3) Rehoboam, who as king of Judah, like his father Solomon, began bis reign well, fell into the snare of Solomon in multiplyin"' wives (see 2 Chron. xi. 21). 8. In his authorship of the Ecclesiastes. (1) Th~ argument is that upon the message of God, by Ahijah, as is supposed (vers. 9-13), Solomon repented, and afterwards wrote this hook, in which he confesses the vanity of his past life. (2) But the theory of his repentance upon that occasion ill consorts ll'ith the history of his seeking the life of Jeroboam, because he was destined to give effect to the burden of that message. True repentance will bear meet fruit (Matt. iii. 8). (3) The Ecclesiastes was more probably written before than after the apostasy of Solomon. The allusions to his experiences as " king over Israel in Jerusalem " may have been prophetic anticipations, which may explain the past tense, "was king," which is agreeable to the prophetic style. When all has been said that can be alleged to encourage hope in Solomon's end, the doubt is grave enough to instruct us that we must not presume upon God's mercy, and sin. Let us rather hope in His mercy, repent, and sin no more. Praise God for the Great Atonement 1-M. Vera. 14-25.-The Divine Chastisements. I. CHASTISEMENT IS MERCY. Thougll the judgment was kept back, Solomon was meanwhile made to feel the rod of cor- rection. We may be forgiven and yet chastised-yea, chastised because we are forgiven. "Whom the Lord loveth He chastenetb, and sconrgeth," &c. This, too, was mercy, for-1. It was fitted to lead him to seek God in truth. It is easier to feel and confess our folly and sin in adversity than when all is well wi•h us, 2. It revealed to him the kind of harvest he had prepared for his child. He was now reaping the fruits of his father's fierce vengeance (see ver. 15). The story recorded on the page of Scripture was then on Israel's lips and in Solomon's th.onghts. When God visits for sin, the iniquity of the past is remembered. Sins are seeds that produce harvests of trouble for those who come after us ; and Solomon's reaping the fruit of his father's deeds must have set bef, re him the legacy of judgment he was bequeathing to his own son. And yet Solomon does not seem to have been benefited. Are we reading the lessons of our chn.stisements? II. OuR ENEMIES ARE Goo's INSTRUMENTS. 1. When they assail us it is of Him. The Lord stirred them up. They had been adversaries before, but they had hitherto been powerless to harm Israel (see ver. 4). But now in Solomon's fall the day of their opporranity came. Our foes are held o,s in a leash by God. Without His permission they oan attempt nothing: when they are loosed it is of Him. They serve Him and in the truest sense serve us. In the midst of evil de ids ancl evil speech let us look past all to Him. 2. God's restraining hand is still upon them. Though Hadad and Razon attempted more, they were not permitted to succeed. So far as they may serve us they are allowed to go, but no further.-U. Vers. 26-43.-The call to Jeroboam. I. THE UNWE.IBIED EFFORTS OF Goo TO WIN MEN FOR RIGHTEOUSNESS. This is the beginning of the story of Jeroboam the son of Nebat, who made Israel to sin. 1. He is met by mercy. The widow's son is made king of Israel. 2. By coimsel and promise (ver. 38). The seecl is cast upon the stony ground and among the thorns, as well as upon the good soil. Learn-1. That, like the great husbandman, we should sow the seed of the kingdom everywhere ; though men may not bear, God is served and glorified in that offerell mercy. 2. It is no proof that nll is well with us, that we have been the recipients of God's goodness, or that His Word has touched and searched our heart: is there any fruit? II. THE SPIRIT REQUIRED IN ORDER TO REAP LASTING BENEFIT FROM O IIEI:S' DIS- ASTERS. 1. Sympathy with them in their suffering. The jmlgment which is to foll upon Solomon aud Israel is laid upon Jeroboam's heart. He went out elothell with a new go,rment, he returned -with a handful of fragments, the symbol of the new kingdo~ and the effect of God's judgment. \Ve cannot rightly enter into blessing springing from another's loss if we .prtss in with II light heart. 2. Recognition of them as still objects of Divine mei·cy (vers. 84, 3G). ·rhe house of Da.,·id was not 246 THE FIRST BOOK OF RINGS. [ OH, XI. 14--48.