Solomon marries the daughter of Pharaoh -- his sacrifice at Gibeon -- his dream and prayer -- Solomon's

wisdom -- Solomon's officers and court -- prosperity of the country -- understanding and knowledge of

the king.

1 KINGS 3, 4, 2 CHRONICLES 1

IT is remarkable how often seemingly unimportant details in the sacred narrative gain a fresh meaning and

new interest if viewed in their higher bearing and spiritual import. Nor is such application of them arbitrary.

On the contrary, we conclude that Scripture was intended to be so read. This is evident from the

circumstance that it is, avowedly not a secular but a prophetic history,77 and that, being such, it is not

arranged according to the chronological succession of events, but grouped so as to bring into prominence

that which concerns the kingdom of God. This plan of Scripture history is not only worthy of its object, but

gives it its permanent interest and application.

What has just been stated is aptly illustrated by the opening account of King Solomon's reign. Of course,

no chronological arrangement could have been here intended, since the list of Solomon's officers, given in 1

Kings 4, contains the names of at least two of the king's sons-in-law (vers. 11,15), whose appointment must,

therefore, date from a period considerably later than the commencement of his reign. What, then, we may

ask, is the object of not only recording in a "prophetic history" such apparently unimportant details, but

grouping them together irrespective of their dates? Without undervaluing them, considered as purely

historical notices, we may venture to suggest a higher object in their record and arrangement.

This detailed account of all the court and government appointments serves as evidence, how thoroughly

and even elaborately the kingdom of Solomon was organized - and by obvious inference, how fully God had

made good in this respect His gracious promises to King David. But may we not go even beyond this, and

see in the literal fulfillment of these outward promises a pledge and assurance that the spiritual realities

connected with them, and of which they were the symbol and type, would likewise become true in the

Kingdom of Him Who was "David's better Son?" Thus viewed, the Divine promise made to David (2 Samuel

7) was once more like a light casting the lengthening shadows of present events towards the far-off future.

The first event of national interest that occurred was the marriage of Solomon with the daughter of Pharaoh.

It was of almost equal political importance to Egypt and to Palestine. An alliance with the great neighboring

kingdom of Egypt might have seemed an eventuality almost unthought of among the possibilities of the new

and somewhat doubtful monarchy in Israel. But, on the other hand, it may have been also of importance to

the then reigning Egyptian dynasty (the 21st Time), which, as we know, was rapidly declining in authority.78

To Israel and to the countries around, such a union would now afford evidence of the position and

influence which the Jewish monarchy had attained in the opinion of foreign politicians. All the more are we

involuntarily carried back in spirit to the period when Israel was oppressed and in servitude to Egypt. As we

contrast the relations in the past and in the time of Solomon, we realize how marvelously God had fulfilled

His promises of deliverance to His people. And here we again turn to the great promise in 2 Samuel 7, as

alike instructive to Israel as regarded their present, and as full of blessed hope for their future. The time of

the Judges had been one of struggle and disorganization; that of David one of war and conflicts. But with

Solomon the period of peace had begun, emblematic of the higher peace of the "Prince of Peace." Thus

viewed, the account of the prosperity of the land and people, as further evidenced by the wealth displayed

in the ordinary appointments of the Court; by the arrangement of the country into provinces under officers

for fiscal administration and civil government; and, above all, by the wisdom of Solomon, - who, while

encouraging by example literature and study of every kind, chiefly aimed after that higher knowledge and

understanding which is God-given, and leads to the fear and service of the Lord, - acquires a new and a

spiritual meaning.