Solomon. By the death of his enemies, and by his affinity with the king of Egypt, and his friendship with Hiram, king Tyre, who were the most potent princes in the neighbourhood. Eupolemus (ap. Eusebius, præp.) has a letter of Solomon to Pharao Vaphres, in which the latter is said to have been the f... [ Continue Reading ]
But yet. It is not clear to what this refers. Hebrew, "for the rest, (Calmet) or only;" (as also ver. 3,) which may signify that the people, and their king, were blamable; or else, that they zealously offered sacrifices to God, even before the temple was erected. (Haydock) --- Those who afterwards l... [ Continue Reading ]
_Only, &c. Which David had not done, though it was lawful. (Pineda) --- Yet we read that he offered victims on Sion, &c., 2 Kings vi. 18. (Haydock)_... [ Continue Reading ]
_Victims. These he accompanied with most fervent prayer, Wisdom vii. 7., and 2 Paralipomenon i. 9._... [ Continue Reading ]
_In a prophetic dream, or ecstasy. His mind had been so filled with the desire of wisdom, that the same thoughts recurred to him while he slept; and, as he had entertained them voluntarily before, he acquired fresh merit even during that time; as a man, who indulges sensual affections, becomes respo... [ Continue Reading ]
_In. So as to judge with discretion, and to lead my people. (Calmet)_... [ Continue Reading ]
_Understanding. Literally, "docile." (Haydock) --- Hebrew, "willing to hear," and to obey God. (Menochius)_... [ Continue Reading ]
_After thee. Solomon has given us some idea of his wisdom in the works which he has left. They were dictated by the Holy Spirit, who adorned his soul with so many graces, chap. iv. 29, 30. (Haydock) --- His knowledge of nature, and of the art of governing, excelled that of any of the kings of Israel... [ Continue Reading ]
_Heretofore: 2 Paralipomenon (i. 12,) adds, nor after thee, Ecclesiastes ii. 7.[i. 16.?] This is also limited by some to the kings of that country. But the riches of Solomon were not exceeded by those of the greatest monarchs. Diss., "on the riches which David left." (Calmet)_... [ Continue Reading ]
_Days. But this he forfeited. (Menochius)_... [ Continue Reading ]
_Dream. Sent by God, as [in] Genesis xli. 1. (Calmet)_... [ Continue Reading ]
_Harlots. Rather than simply, "innkeepers." (Chaldean) (Menochius) --- The latter signification of Zona might, however, seem more natural; as harlots seldom have children; or, at least, any affection for them. Neither would such people have dared to appear before the king, Deuteronomy xxiii. 17._... [ Continue Reading ]
_Him. This she suspected to be the case. They did not then place infants in the cradle, but let them sleep in their bosoms. (Calmet)_... [ Continue Reading ]
_Other. This sentence manifested the wisdom of Solomon, who knew that the real mother would feel the emotions of parental tenderness. By similar experiments, the truth has sometimes been discovered. Claudius obliged a mother to own her son, by ordering her to take him for a husband. (Seutonius xv.)... [ Continue Reading ]
CHAPTER III.... [ Continue Reading ]