1 Kings 3

AND Solomon made affinity with Pharaoh king of Egypt As being a powerful neighbour., and took Pharaohs daughter Upon what conditions is not here expressed: but it is probable, she was first Instructed in, and Proselyted to the Jewish Religion; as may be gathered, 1. Because he was not yet fallen from God, but loved the Lord, and walked in the statutes of David, ver. 3. And therefore would never have Married a gross Idolater, which was so contrary to God's Law, and so pernicious in its Consequences. 2. Because... e is no where... eproved for this Fact, as he is for loving many other strange women, 1 King. 11. 1. 3. By comparing Psal. 45. and the Book of Canticles: whereby it plainly appears, that this Action had something extraordinary in it, and was design'd by God to be a Type of Christ, calling his Church to himself, and to the true Religion, not only out of the Iews, but even out of the Gentile World., and brought her into the city of David Of which, see Chap. 2. 10. Into David's Palace there., until he had made an end of building his own house, and the house of the LORD i. e. The Temple appropriated... o the Worship and Honour of God., and the wall of Jerusalem round about Which though in some sort Built by David, 2 Sam. 5. 9. yet Solomon is here said to Build, either because he made it higher, and stronger, and more beautiful, and glorious; in which, or the like sense Nebuchadnezzar is said to have built Babylon, Dan. 4. 30. or because he built another Wall besides the former, for greater security; for after this time Ierusalem was encompassed with more Walls than one.

Only This Particle is used here, and v. 3. as an Exception to Solomon's Integrity and Glory, and as his infirmity, and a blemish to his Government, That he himself both permitted and practised this which was expresly forbidden, Levit. 17. 3, 4. Deut. 12. 13, 14. except in some extraordinary cases. Possibly he permitted it, because he thought it better to allow an Error in a Circumstance, than to occasion a neglect of the Substance of God's Worship, which he apprehended would follow upon a severe Prohibition of that Practise, because the Peoples hearts were generally and constantly set upon these high places, as appears from all the following History; and they were not willing to submit to so much trouble and charge as the bringing of all their Sacrifices to one place would cause; nor would yield to it until the Temple was built, which he knew would easily encline and oblige them to it; and that being speedily to be done, he might think it more adviseable, rather to delay the Execution of that Law of God for an approaching Season, wherein he doubted not, they would be sweetly and freely drawn to it; than at present to drive them to it by force. Although these and all other prudential Considerations should have given place to the Will and Wisdom of God. the people sacrificed in high places Which were Groves, or other convenient places upon Hills, in which the Patriarchs used to offer up their Worship and Sacrifices to God; and from them this Custom was derived both to the Gentiles and the Iews: and in them the Gentiles Sacrifice... to Idols, Ier. 7. 31. Ezek. 6. 3, 4. Hos. 10. 8. the Hebrews to the true God., because there was no house Which reason was not sufficient, for there was a Tabernacle, to which they were as much confined as to the Temple, Deut. 12, &c. built unto the name of the LORD Either, 1. To the Lord, the name of the Lord being oft put for the Lord himself, as Deut. 28. 58. Iob 1. 21. Psal. 7. 17. and 116. 13. and 135. 1. Or, 2. To the Honour, and Praise, and Service of God; to the Glory of his Name; i. e. of his Majesty, and all his Perfections, which shall be adored and manifested there. until those days.

And Or, yet, although he mistook, and miscarried himself in the matter of the High Places, yet in the general, his Heart was right with God, and he both loved him with inward Affection, and walked with him in outward Conversation and Worship. Solomon loved the LORD, walking in the statutes of David i. e. According to the Statutes or Commands of God, which are here called the statutes of David; not only because they were so freely chosen, and heartily loved, and diligently practised by David, but also because the observation of them was so earnestly pressed upon Solomon, and fortified with David's Authority and Command: See 1 King. 2. 2, 3, 4. and 1 Chron. 28. 8, 9. his father The most eminent and frequented, because there was the Tabernacle, and the Altar of Moses, 1 Chron. 16. 39. and 21. 29. And 2 Chron. 1. 3, 5, 6. which possibly were placed upon an high, or raised Ground.: only he sacrificed and burnt incense in high places.

And the king went to Gibeon to sacrifice there; for that was the great high place The most eminent and frequented, because there was the Tabernacle, and the Altar of Moses, 1 Chron. 16. 39. and 21. 29. And 2 Chron. 1. 3, 5, 6. which possibly were placed upon an high, or raised Ground.: a thousand burnt offerings did Solomon offer upon that altar Thereby showing his special respect to this above all other places; and by his Example teaching and inviting all his People to do so..

¶ In Gibeon the LORD appeared to Solomon in a dream Quest. How could Solomon pray in his Dream, or that prayer be acceptable to God, as this was, v. 10? Ans. The Dreams of Men are not such insignificant things as many imagine. That good Dreams are oftentimes praise-worthy, and evil Dreams blame-worthy, is not only the opinion of the Iews and Christians, but of divers of the wiser and better Heathens; and the reason hereof is evident, because mens Dreams are commonly the Images of their minds and tempers, and do only reflect and represent, though but faintly and imperfectly, those very things which are most imprinted upon their hearts by their waking-meditations, and daily conversation; and therefore it is not unreasonable that either the sinful Dreams of evil-minded Men should be imputed to them, and punished in them, or the vertuous Dreams of good Men imputed to, and rewarded in them; which was Solomon's case: for his heart having been daily and constantly imployed in passionate longings and prayers for the Wisdom, which here he begs; it was a natural and likely thing that his heart should, as it did, work that way even in his Dreams. Although, to speak truly and strictly, Solomon's prayer made in his Dream, would have been no way pleasing to God, not profitable to himself, if it had not been the result of his daily and most serious practice; and though God signified his mind in a Dream, yet it was Solomon's waking-prayers (which were shadowed by this dark representation) which God accepted and required; and this acceptance of God was signified to him in an extraordinary manner, and by a Divine Dream, which was one of those ways whereby God oft used to communicate his Will to his Prophets and People. So the whole business lies thus: Solomon Dreamed that God bid him ask what he would, 1 King. 3. 5. and that he did ask Wisdom, v. 6, &c. and that God accepted his desire, ver. 10. and gave him that Gracious answer, ver. 11, &c. And all this was done in a Dream, but with this difference; Solomon's prayer was but imaginary, but Gods answer was real, though conveyed in a Dream. And when he awoke, he knew by Divine inspiration that this was a Dream sent from God to assure him that he would give him Wisdom, and Riches, and Honour, and this with respect unto his frequent, constant, and fervent waking-desires, which his Dream of his prayers did sufficiently intimate. See more on v. 6. by night: and God said i. e. He Dreamed that God said so., Ask what I shall give thee.

And Solomon said i. e. He Dreamed that he said. See on v. 5. Or, he really said. For although the use of reason is ordinarily so dark and imperfect in Dreams, that such actings are not human actions; yet in extraordinary and Divine Dreams it is but reasonable to allow something extraordinary. For who can doubt but God may so clear up and assist a mans reason in his Dream, that he may have a true and strong apprehension of some things, which also may make a sutable impression upon the will or affections; and consequently such acts of the Soul may be Moral acts, and regardable by God and men? And this might be a kind of exstatical rapture, whereby his Soul might be as it were carried out of his Body, as St. Paul's was, 2 Cor. 12. 3. for a season, in which case both his reason might clearly and distinctly apprehend Gods mind, and his Gracious offer; and his Will might make a free choice of Wisdom; which therefore might be accepted and rewarded by God., Thou hast showed unto thy servant David my father great mercy, according as he walked before thee in truth Either, First, Sincerely, and without dissimulation. But that is more fully expressed in the following words, in uprightness of heart. Or rather, Secondly, in the true Worship and Service of God, in the profession, belief, practice and defence of the truth, or of the true Religion, or of Gods Will or Word, which is called truth, Prov. 23. 23. Ioh. 17. 17. Gal. 3. 1. So truth here contains all his duties to God, as righteousness does his duties to men, and uprightness the right manner of performing both sorts of duties., and in righteousness, and in uprightness of heart with thee i. e. In thy Judgment, to whom alone his heart was known, and to whom he oft appealed as the witness of his Integrity; and with respect to whom he performed all his duties, even to men., and thou hast kept Or, reserved; that which thou didst not reserve for Saul, whose Posterity thou didst cut off from the Kingdom. for him this great kindness, that thou hast given him a son to sit on his throne: as it is this day.

And now; O LORD my God, thou hast made thy servant king in stead of David my father: and I am but a little child So he was in Years: not as if he were now but twelve Years old, as many gather from this name of Child; for that name is given to Ishmael, when 18 Years old, Gen. 21. 14, 15 and to Rehoboam when 41 Years old, 2 Chron. 13. 7. where the word is the same in the Hebrew and before this time David calls him a wise man, chap. 2. 9. but he was now not above 20 Years old; and withal (which he principally intends) he was raw and unexperienced, as a Child, in State-Affairs, and altogether unfit for so hard a task.: I know not how to go out or come in i. e. To govern my People, and manage Affairs, as that Phrase signifies, Num. 27. 17. Deut. 31. 2. Ios. 14. 11..

And thy servant is in the midst of thy people i. e. Is set over them to rule and guide them. A Metaphor from the Overseer of divers Workmen, who usually is in the midst of them, that he may the better observe how each of them dischargeth his office. which thou hast chosen Thy peculiar People, whom thou takest special care of, and therefore wiltst expect a more punctual account of my Government of them., a great people, that cannot be numbred, nor counted for multitude.

Give therefore thy servant an understanding heart Whereby I may both clearly discern, and faithfully perform all the parts of my duty: for both these are spoken of in Scripture, as the effects of a good understanding; and he that lives in the neglect of his duties, or the practice of wickedness, is called a Fool, and one void of understanding. to judge Or, govern, as that word is used, Iudg. 3. 10. and 4. 4. Psal. 7. 8. and 67. 4. Isa. 2. 4. and 16. 5. thy people, that I may discern between good and bad To wit, in Causes and Controversies among my People, that I may not through mistakes, or prejudices, or passions, give wrong Sentences, and call evil good, or good evil.: for who is able Of himself, or without thy Gracious assistance. to judg this thy so great a people?

And the speech pleased the LORD How such a Dreaming-prayer could please God, see in the notes on v. 5, and 6., that Solomon had asked this thing.

And God said unto him, Because thou hast asked this thing, and hast not asked for thy self long life, neither hast asked riches for thy self, nor hast asked the life of thine enemies That God would take away their lives, or put them into thy power to destroy them., but hast asked for thy self understanding to discern judgment;

Behold, I have done according to thy word I have granted, and do at this present grant unto thee thy desire. And accordingly at this time God did infuse into him a far higher degree, and greater measure of Wisdom than he naturally had.: lo, I have given thee a wise and an understanding heart i. e. Wisdom to govern thy People, to know and do thy several duties, which was the thing that Solomon desired, v. 7, 9. and the effects whereof here follow, v. 16, &c. and withal, all Divine and human Wisdom, the knowledge of all things, of all the Arts and Sciences, as may be gathered from 1 King. 4. 29, &c. and that in a far greater proportion than by his years, and the time he could get for his study, could possibly produce., so that there was none Either, no King: or rather, no man: for he is herein preferred not only before all Kings, but before all men, chap. 4. 31. no mere man since the fall equalled him, to wit, in universal knowledge, and especially in the art of well governing his People. like thee before thee, neither after thee shall any arise like unto thee Quest. Did not the Apostles excel him? Ans. They did not in Natural and Political knowledge, but only in the knowledge of the mysteries of Faith, which were more freely and more fully imparted in those times; the ignorance whereof was no disparagement to Solomon's Wisdom, because they were not discoverable by any Creature without Divine revelation, which God saw fit not to afford in Solomon's time. I know no inconvenience in affirming that Solomon's Natural capacities were higher than any of the Apostles; and Solomon had a more comprehensive knowledge of all things known in that Age, than the Apostles had in all the discoveries of their Age..

And I have also given Either, First, I have granted and decreed to give: for words signifying action, are oft put only for the purpose of the action. Or rather, Secondly, I will give, as it is expressed in the Parallel place, 2 Chron. 1. 12. I will as certainly give them, as if I had actually done it; for future certain things are oft expressed in Scripture in the past time, as is well known to all. thee that which thou hast not asked, both riches and honour, so that there shall not be So it is true of all the succeeding Kings of Israel, of whom he speaks. Or, has not been, as it is in the Hebrew: and so it may be true of all the Kings that then were or had been in the world, whereof none was like to him, to wit, in all the things here mentioned, and wherein he is compared with them, which is not only in Riches, but also in Wisdom, and in Honour or Renown. any among the kings like unto thee all thy days To wit, of thy life. Whereby he signifies, that these gifts of God were not temporary and transient, as they were in Saul, but such as should abide with him whilst he lived..

And if thou wilt walk in my ways This caution God gives him, lest his great Wisdom should make him proud, or careless, or presumptuous, as if he were out of all danger; and to oblige him to more care and circumspection to avoid the snares and mischiefs to which so much prosperity and glory would probably expose him; and withal to justify himself in case he should afterwards alter the course of his Providence towards Solomon; and that, when men are surprized with Solomon's dreadful fall, they might know, it was no surprizal to God, but that he did foresee it, and would over-rule it to his own Glory one way or other., to keep my statutes, and my commandments, as thy father David did walk, then I will lengthen thy days.

And Solomon awoke, and behold, it was a dream i. e. He perceived that it was a Dream; not a vain Dream wherewith men are commonly deluded; but a Divine Dream, assuring him of the thing: which he knew, partly, by a Divine impression and inspiration thereof in his mind after he was awakened: and partly, by the vast alteration which he presently found within himself in point of Wisdom and Knowledge.: and he came to Jerusalem, and stood before the ark of the covenant of the LORD Which was there in the City of David, 2 Sam. 6. 17. before which he presented himself in way of Holy Ministration and Adoration, which may be noted by the word, stood. Or, that word may note his abode there for some considerable time, as the offering of so many Sacrifices required., and offered up burnt-offerings Chiefly for the expiation of his and his peoples sin, through the Blood of Christ, manifestly signified in these Sacrifices., and offered peaceofferings Solemnly to praise God for all his Mercies, and especially for giving him a quiet and fixed possession of the Kingdom, and for his Glorious appearance to him in a Dream, and for the great promise therein made to him, and the actual accomplishment of it since wrought in him., and made a feast to all his servants.

¶ Then came there two women that were harlots Or, Victuallers: for the Hebrew word signifies both. See on Ios. 2. 1. And possibly they might be both, this by their open profession, and the other by their secret practice: not that they were common Harlots; for neither would Solomon have tolerated such; nor durst such have presented themselves before so wise and just a Ruler; nor do such use either to bring forth Children, or to have such a tender care of, and affection to them as these express. Yet that they were unmarried persons, and so guilty of Fornication, seems most probable, both because there is no mention of any Husbands, whose office it was, if there were any such, to contest for their Wives; and because they lived a solitary life in one House., unto the king Haply they had presented their Cause to the Inferior Courts, who could not determine; and therefore now they bring it to the King, as the Supreme Magistrate, and famous for his Wisdom., and stood there before him Desiring and expecting his Sentence in the case..

And the one woman said, O my lord, I and this woman dwell in one house, and I was delivered of a child with her in the house.

And it came to pass the third day So they could not be distinguished by their Age. after that I was delivered, that the woman was delivered also: and we were together; there was no stranger with us in the house Therefore no Witness on either side: and although there might be some sensible difference to an exact observer between the features of the two Children; yet it is not probable that was much minded by the Neighbours: for though civil Women might assist them both in their Child-births, yet it is not likely they would afterwards converse much with them, as being persons of suspected fame, and the features of the Children, especially for so few days, night easily be so like, that it was difficult to discern the one from the other. And the Testimonies of the Women were of equal credit, i. e. of none at all., save we two in the house.

And this womans child died in the night, because she over-laid it And so smothered it: which she justly conjectures, because there were evidences of that kind of death, but no appearance of any other cause thereof..

And she arose at midnight When I was asleep, as she reasonably and truly concluded., and took my son from beside me Either, because the really desired the comfort of a Child, to be educated by her, and owned as hers: or, because she would not be thought guilty of the Childs death, for which she knew not how severely Solomon would punish her., while thine handmaid slept As the might well know, because had she been awake, she had discovered and prevented her design., and laid it in her bosome, and laid her dead child in my bosome.

And when I rose in the morning to give my child suck, behold, it was dead: but when I had considered it in the morning, behold, it was not my son, which I did bear.

And the other woman said, Nay, but the living is my son, and the dead is thy son: and this said, No; but the dead is thy son, and the living is my son. Thus they spake before the king Both peremptorily and vehemently affirmed the same thing, oft repeating the same words..

Then said the king, The one says, This is my son that liveth, and thy son is the dead: and the other says, Nay; but thy son is the dead, and my son is the living.

And the king said, Bring me a sword: and they brought a sword before the king.

And the king said With seeming sincerity and earnestness, though with a design far above the reach of the two Women, or of the People present, who probably with admiration and horror expected the execution of it., Divide the living child in two, and give half to the one, and half to the other.

Then spake the woman whose the living child was, unto the king, (for her bowels yerned upon her son) and she said, O my lord, give her the living child, and in no wise slay it: but the other said, Let it be neither mine nor thine, but divide it.

Then the king answered and said, Give her the living child, and in no wise slay it: she is the mother thereof As is evident from her Natural and Motherly affection to the Child, which she had rather have alienated and given away from her, than destroyed..

And all Israel heard of the judgment which the king had judged, and they feared the king: for they saw that the wisdom of God Either, great and eminent Wisdom, as the Cedars or mountains of God are the highest and most eminent of the kind: or, Divine Wisdom, with which God had inspired him for the better government of his People. was in him to do judgment To assist him in Wisely examining and Justly determining the causes and controversies of his people..