(30-34) The whole passage implies a general growth of wisdom, a largeness of knowledge, and an outburst of literature, of which, as usual with great men, Solomon is at once the child and the leader. read more
The Bunch of Hyssop 1 Kings 4:33 These words imply that the hyssop must have been a weak and insignificant plant. And it must have been weak and insignificant because of its contrast with the cedar. And yet it played a by no means trivial part in the Old Testament Church. It was with 'a bunch of hyssop' the Passover blood was sprinkled 'on the two side-posts and on the lintels of the houses'. I. Faith in Christ is a confession of helplessness. There was no particular virtue in the hyssop. It... read more
SOLOMON’S COURT AND KINGDOM1 Kings 4:1-34."But what more oft in nations grown corrupt And by their vices brought to servitude, Than to love bondage more than liberty, Bondage with ease than strenuous liberty?" -Samson Agonistes.WHEN David was dead, and Solomon was established on his throne, his first thoughts were turned to the consolidation of his kingdom. He was probably quite a youth. He was not, nor did he ever desire to be, a warlike prince; but he was compelled to make himself secure from... read more
3. Solomon’s Princes and Officers The Prosperous Kingdom and the King’s Great Wisdom CHAPTER 4 1. The Princes (1 Kings 4:1-6 ) 2. The Officers (1 Kings 4:7-19 ) 3. The prosperous kingdom (1 Kings 4:20-28 ) 4. Solomon’s great wisdom (1 Kings 4:29-34 ) “So King Solomon was king over all Israel.” A list of the princes and the twelve officers is given first. Their names fit in perfectly with the character of the kingdom, foreshadowing the coming and better kingdom of our Lord. We give the... read more
SOLOMON'S ADMINISTRATION (vs.1-19) In Solomon's time peace was established in a way not seen in David's day, for there was continual turmoil while David reigned. Now Solomon was undisputed king over all Israel, and the unity of peace prevailed, for this is typical of the millennial reign of the Lord Jesus. However, Solomon's reign was not itself millennial, so that he had only eleven princes (vs.2-6), rather than twelve, which is the number of governmental completeness. Azariah is the first... read more
SOLOMON ’S GREATNESS AND WISDOM HIS EGYPTIAN ALLIANCE (1 Kings 3:1-4 ) It is disappointing at the beginning to speak of that which betokens neither greatness nor wisdom on Solomon’s part, looking at it from the highest point of view. This marriage with a heathen wife was contrary to the law of God (Exodus 34:16 ); and while it was entered into for political reasons, and to strengthen Israel’s hands, yet in the end it weakened them, as Israel came to trust in Pharaoh more than Jehovah. And... read more
The Church Triumphant 1 Kings 4:0 IN David we have seen, vividly enough, a picture of the Church militant. When was David not at war? When was he not persecuted, followed hotly upon the mountains by vengeful rivals and hostile men of various names? Did he not live often in the rock and in the den and in the cave of the earth? Was he not often without shelter, without food, without friends? Verily no better type for the Church militant can be found in history, and it is questionable whether a... read more
(34) And there came of all people to hear the wisdom of Solomon, from all kings of the earth, which had heard of his wisdom. What honour the Lord put upon Solomon! but what glory hath the Father given to our Solomon, his dear and ever blessed Son! in whom it hath pleased him that all fulness should dwell, and to whom all the kings of the earth, and all nations, must come to receive out of his fulness, and grace for grace. Oh! may my soul come and turn aside from all created wisdom, all the... read more
Wisdom. The Scriptures relate the coming of the queen of Saba, chap. x. Thus Livy attracted the attention of distant nations, who neglected the grandeur of Rome, to visit him. (St. Jerome, Ep. ad Paulin.) Solomon's wisdom is compared to a great river, inundating the whole earth. (Ecclesiasticus xlvii. 16.) read more
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John Dummelow's Commentary on the Bible - 1 Kings 4:1-34
Solomon’s Officers and Court2. Azariah the son of Zadok] he was really the grandson of Zadok (1 Chronicles 6:8-9). 3. Shisha] also called Shavsha and Sheva. In David’s reign he filled the same office now discharged by his sons (2 Samuel 20:25). Scribes] i.e. the royal secretaries. Jehoshaphat] he had previously served David (2 Samuel 8:16; 2 Samuel 20:24). Recorder] probably the keeper of the state archives (RM ’chronicler’), though some suppose that his function was to remind the king of state... read more