Still Solomon looks great, and every thing in this chapter adds to his magnificence. We read nothing indeed of his charity, of no hospitals he built, or alms-houses; he made his kingdom so rich that it did not need them; yet, no question, many poor were relieved from the abundance of his table. A church he had built, never to be equalled; schools or colleges he need not build any, his own palace is an academy, and his court a rendezvous of wise and learned men, as well as the centre of all the circulating riches of that part of the world. I. What abundance of wisdom there was there appears from the application the queen of Sheba made to him, and the great satisfaction she had in her entertainment there (ver. 1-13), and others likewise, ver. 24. II. What abundance of wealth there was there appears here by the gold imported, with other things, yearly (ver. 14, 15), and in a triennial return, ver. 22. Gold presented (ver. 25), and gold used in targets and shields (ver. 16, 17), and vessels, ver. 21. A stately throne made, ver. 18-20. His chariots and horsemen, ver. 26. His trade with Egypt, ver. 28, 29. And the great plenty of silver and cedars among his people, ver. 27. So that, putting all together, it must be owned, as it is here said (ver. 23), that "king Solomon exceeded all the kings of the earth for riches, and for wisdom." Yet what was he to the King of kings? Where Christ is, by his word and Spirit, "Behold, a greater than Solomon is there."
Visit of the Queen of Sheba. (b. c. 990.)