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CHAPTER 5 : 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
(^)