many favours to them, and hope the same may be shown them, while they are careful to tread in their steps.

2. The great subject of our prayers should be a wise and an understanding heart, to know our duty in every circumstance; to see the good and the bad, that we may pursue one and avoid the other, and judge right of other men's actions and our own. Let young people pray for this, and pray for it with earnestness. Youth are raw, ignorant, and unexperienced, and need divine teaching. They should therefore plead with God, saying, Truly I am thy servant, give me an understanding heart, that I may discern between good and bad.

3. God is greatly pleased with the devotions of young people, especially when they fix their hearts upon wisdom and piety. He loves to see them sensible of their ignorance and danger, and the difficulties of their station, and desirous to learn and practise their duty; and he will grant them their request. I love them that love me, and they who seek me early shall find me. We learn,

4. That spiritual blessings should be sought with the greatest importunity, and temporal ones submitted to divine choice; this is the way to succeed in both. God allows us to be earnest for spiritual ones, but we should be indifferent to temporal ones; preferring wisdom to gold, and grace to worldly honour. Wisdom is good with an inheritance; without wisdom an inheritance is good for nothing. Godliness has the promise of this life, and that which is to come. It is perhaps with reference to this our Lord gives that advice, Seek first the kingdom of God and his righteousness, and all other things shall be added unto you.

5. The story of the harlots may suggest some useful reflections to parents. These women, bad as their characters were, nursed their own children; while, as Bp. HALL says, some, who pretend to religion, have put off nature, the primary and unalterable law of God, and committed their children to hirelings.' They should learn to be careful of the lives of their children, as they are so tender, and so easily destroyed; and should show their love to their children, by taking care of them themselves, especially by taking care of their souls. Those who thus do their duty to their children in both respects, are most likely to have comfort in them.

CHAP. IV.

An account of Solomon's grandeur, magnificence, and wisdom; the extent of his dominions, and the happiness of his subjects.

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O king Solomon was king over all Israel; his successors were only over part of it." And these [were] the princes, or great officers, which he had; Azariah the son of Zadok the 3 priest, or the chief officer. Elihoreph and Ahiah the sons of Shisha, scribes, or secretaries of state; Jehoshaphat the son of

Ahilud the recorder, who presented petitions to the king, and re4gistered public affairs; And Benaiah the son of Jehoiada [was] over the host: and Zadok and Abiathar [were] the priests = Abiathar still retained the title of priest, and perhaps performed 5 some offices, though Zadok was the chief. And Azariah the son of Nathan [was] over the officers and Zabud the son of Nathan [was] principal officer, [and] the king's friend; he was president of the council, or chancellor, and particularly intimate with the king. Solomon had a great regard for these sons of Nathan for 6 their father's sake. And Ahishar [was] over the household, or lord chamberlain : and Adoniram the son of Abda [was] over the tribute, receiver of the revenues, or the levy of men.*

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And Solomon had twelve officers over all Israel, in different parts of the land, which provided victuals for the king and his household each man his month in a year made provision.t 8 And these [are] their names: the son of Hur, in mount Eph9 raim: The son of Dekar, in Makaz, and in Shaalbim, and Beth10 shemesh, and Elonbethhanan: The son of Hesed, in Aruboth; 11 to him [pertained] Sochoh, and all the land of Hepher: The

son of Abinadab, in all the region of Dor; which had Taphath 12 the daughter of Solomon to wife: Baana the son of Ahilud; [to him pertained] Taanach and Megiddo, and all Bethshean, which [is] by Zartanah beneath Jezreel, from Bethshean to Abelmeholah, [even] unto [the place that is] beyond Jokneam = 13 The son of Geber, in Ramoth Gilead; to him [pertained] the towns of Jair the son of Manasseh, which [are] in Gilead; to him [also pertained] the region of Argob, which [is] in Bashan, 14 threescore great cities with walls and brazen bars: Ahinadab 15 the son of Iddo [had] Mahanaim: Ahimaaz [was] in Naph16 tali; he also took Basmath the daughter of Solomon to wife : 17 Baanah the son of Hushai [was] in Asher and in Aloth: Je18 hoshaphat the son of Paruah, in Issachar Shimei the son of 19 Elah, in Benjamin: Geber the son of Uri [was] in the country

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of Gilead, [in] the country of Sihon king of the Amorites, and of Og king of Bashan; and [he was] the only officer which [was] in the land, in that part of the land which lay eastward.

Judah and Israel [were] many, as the sand which [is] by the sea in multitude, eating and drinking, and making merry; they' were in perfect security, and had every thing in plenty; were highly pleased with the king, and all those wise contrivances for 21 the prosperity of the nation. And Solomon reigned over all kingdoms from the river Euphrates in the east, unto the land of the Philistines, and unto the border of Egypt: they brought presents, and served Solomon all the days of his life, were in subjection to him, and paid him tribute.

* Several of these were men of approved wisdom and fidelity, and had been employed under David.

This was a wise appointment, as provisions were furnished at the best hand, and all parts of the kingdom were equally benefited; their products consumed, and the money circulated through them.

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And Solomon's provision for one day, was thirty measures of fine flour, and threescore measures of meal, about three hundred measures of fine flour, and six hundred of a coarser kind for 23 the soldiers and guards, Ten fat oxen from the stall, and twenty oxen out of the pastures, and an hundred sheep, beside harts, 24 and roebucks, and fallow deer, and fatted fowl. For he had dominion over all [the region] on this side the river, from Tipsah even to Azzah, over all the kings on this side the river: and he had peace on all sides round about him, so that commerce 25 was open to every place. And Judah and Israel dwelt safely, every man under his vine and under his fig tree,* from Dan even to Beersheba, all the days of Solomon.

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And Solomon had forty thousand stalls of horses for his chariots, and twelve thousand horsemen dispersed through the several 27 tribes, to keep peace, and be ready in case of an attack. And those officers provided victual for king Solomon, and for all that came unto king Solomon's table, every man in his month: they 28 lacked nothing. Barley also, which was anciently the food for horses, and straw for the horses and dromedaries brought they unto the place where [the officers] were, or rather where the beasts were; officers is not in the original; every man according to his charge.

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And God gave Solomon wisdom and understanding exceeding much, and largeness of heart, a most comprehensive knowledge of all things, both divine and human, and a readiness to communicate his knowledge to others, even as the sand that [is] on the sea shore. This was more his glory, than all his wealth and 30 splendor, And Solomon's wisdom excelled the wisdom of all the children of the east country, and all the wisdom of Egypt. He was wiser than the Arabians or the Egyptians, who were famous for philosophy, astronomy, and other sciences, and into whose country the Grecian philosophers travelled to get wisdom and knowledge. 31 For he was wiser than all men; than Ethan the Ezrahite, and Heman, and Chalcol, and Darda, the sons of Mahol and his 32 fame was in all nations round about. And he spake three thousand proverbs, short, useful sentences, and those about him wrote them down; he was an excellent moral philosopher and his songs 33 were a thousand and five. And he spake of trees, from the cedar tree that [is] in Lebanon even unto the hyssop, or moss, that springeth out of the wall: he spake also of beasts, and of fowl, and of creeping things, and of fishes; he was acquainted

These trees were plentiful in Canaan, and valuable both for their fruit and shade, under which they sat, enjoying the fruits of their labour. The expression denotes both their plenty and security; they were in no danger from enemies.

+ In 2 Chron. ix. 25. they are called four thousand; probably there were ten horses to a stall or stable.

The two first named of these were eminent men; the eighty eighth and eighty ninth psalins were composed by them.

This was the ancient way of instructing, and of recording facts. But these were proba bly not so well adapted to stir up a spirit of piety and devotion, as David's were. He was the sweet psalmist of Is-gel. We have one of Solomon's on record, which shows a fing genius, and a noble "agination.

with natural history and botany, from the greatest to the least veg34 etable production. And there came of all people to hear the wisdom of Solomon, from all kings of the earth, which had heard of his wisdom; the kings of the earth sent some of their wise men to hear his wisdom and learn of him.

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REFLECTIONS.

PRINCES, and great and wealthy men, may learn lience

how to employ their riches, and contrive how to add dignity and lustre to their greatness. Let them keep plentiful tables for the benefit of their subjects, their neighbours, and strangers; manage with prudence and economy, and guide their affairs with discretion. Above all, let them labour to furnish their minds with useful knowledge, and enlarge their hearts with wisdom. Thus will they appear worthy their splendor; will secure their reputation, and be a blessing to mankind.

2. See the wisdom of Providence in giving Solomon so much wealth, wisdom, and influence, which raised the glory of Israel so high, and made them appear great in the eyes of the nations about them. When they had such a prince at their head, strangers would naturally inquire into their religion and laws; especially those, who, as in the last verse, were sent on purpose to inquire. Thus, some knowledge of the living God and of true religion, would be diffused through the nations, and a way made for multitudes to become proselytes to the Jewish church.

8. We see that neither the greatest wealth, nor the greatest wisdom, can always secure men from folly and vice, for we find afterwards that Solomon apostatized. This should prevent our confidence in any thing that is great, and our trusting to our wisdom, skill, or discretion. Wealth well employed is good; learning and wisdom very good; but religion is every thing; and those who desire to be eminent for that, should be very humble and very cautious. We reflect,

4. How well qualified Solomon was to judge wherein true happiness consisted. Of all men living he had the greatest advantages for knowing what wealth and all that could be procured by it, what splendor, honour, or reputation, can do; yea, what knowledge can do, toward making men happy. His reflection on this in the book of Ecclesiastes, is, that all is vanity, and vexation of spirit. Let us then, when we read of his greatness and his wisdom, remember what he has taught us of their vanity, and attend to what he justly observes is the natural conclusion of the whole matter; fear God, and keep his commandments, for that is the whole duty of man.

Contains articles of agreement between Solomon and Hiram, and the

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fulfilling of them.

ND Hiram king of Tyre sent his servants unto Solomon, to condole with him on David's death, and congratulate him on his succession; for he had heard that they had anointed him king in the room of his father: for Hiram was ever a lover of David, and therefore was desirous of continuing a 2 friendship with his son. And Solomon sent to Hiram to remind 3 him of what he had been before informed of, saying, Thou knowest how that David my father could not build an house unto the name of the LORD his God, for the wars which were about him on every side, until the LORD put them, his enemies, under the soles of his feet, made them subject to him. But now the LORD my God hath given me rest on every side, [so that there is] neither adversary nor evil occurrent, nothing to make me fear any 5 disturbances. And, Behold, I purpose to build an house unto the name of the LORD my God, for his honour and worship, as the LORD spake unto David my father, saying, Thy son, whom I will set upon thy throne in thy room, he shall build an house unto my name. Now therefore command thou that they hew me cedar trees out of Lebanon; and my servants shall be with thy servants, to assist them and learn of them; and unto thee will I give hire for thy servants according to all that thou shalt appoint for thou knowest that [there is] not among us any that can skill to hew timber like unto the Sidonians.†

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And it came to pass, when Hiram heard the words of Solo mon, that he rejoiced greatly, and paid him a great compliment, saying, (2 Chron. ii. 11.) Because the Lord loveth his people, he hath made thee king over them; and he said also, Blessed [be] the LORD this day, which hath given unto David a wise son over this great people. And Hiram sent to Solomon, saying, I have considered the things which thou sentest to me for, and agree to the proposals: [and] I will do all thy desire concern9 ing timber of cedar, and concerning timber of fir. My servants shall bring [them] down from Lebanon unto the sea and I will convey them by sea in floats, unto the place that thou shalt appoint me, and will cause them to be discharged there,

In 2 Chron. ii. there is a larger account of this message. It was to be a great house, for great is our God above all gods. He would not have Hiram think God was a local deity, and confined to a temple. In that chapter he asserts his universal presence, and declares, that this house was only intended as a place for his servants to assemble in, and for the priests to sacri fice and burn incense.

+ The Sidonians and Tyrians were neighbours, under one king. They were celebrated among the ancients for their skill in architecture and curious work. In 2 Chron. ii. Solomon desires Hiram to send a man skilful in working gold, silver, brass, iron, &c.

He seems not to have been an idolater, but a worshipper of Jehovah, as he mentions his panie with great reverence.

This was at Joppa, a seaport in Israel.