2 Chronicles 1:16

And Solomon had horses, &c.— See the note on 1 Kings 10:28. Moses had expressly prohibited the multiplying of horses, Deuteronomy 17:16 by which the future king was forbidden to establish a body of cavalry, because this could not be effected without sending into Egypt, with which people the Lord had forbidden any communication; as, of all foreign commerce, that was the most dangerous to true religion. When Solomon had violated this law, and multiplied horses to excess, (1 Kings 4:26.) it was soon attended with those fatal consequences which the law foretold: for, this wisest of kings having likewise, in violation of another law of Moses, married Pharaoh's daughter, (the early fruits of this commerce,) and then, by a repetition of the same crime, but a transgression of another law, espoused more strange women (1 Kings 4:26; 1 Kings 11:1.); they first, in defiance of a fourth law, persuaded him to build them idol temples for their use; and afterwards, against a fifth law, still more fundamental, brought him to erect other temples for his own. Now the origin of all this mischief was the forbidden traffic with Egypt for horses; for thither, we are told in this and the next verse, the agents of Solomon were sent to mount his cavalry. Nay, this great king even turned factor for the neighbouring monarchs; 2 Chronicles 1:17. This opprobrious commerce was kept up by his successors, and attended with the same pernicious consequences. Isaiah, with his usual majesty, denounces the mischiefs of this traffic, and foretels that one of the good effects of leaving it would be the forsaking of their idolatries. Isaiah 4:6; Isaiah 4:6. Div. Leg. vol. 3: p. 289.

REFLECTIONS.—We left Solomon in quiet possession of Israel's throne. His authority was still more firmly established by the removal of some secret enemies; and, God being evidently with him, his prosperity increased.

1. He summoned the chief men of Israel to attend him at Gibeon, where the tabernacle was; for he well knew, that having God for his friend was the only sure establishment of his throne. By his own example also he laboured to diffuse an universal attachment to God and his ordinances through his kingdom; as being persuaded that good men would be the most loyal subjects. There he offered a thousand burnt-offerings, beside peace-offerings, and all the assembled congregation kept a feast with him before the Lord. Note; (1.) Great is the influence of a good magistrate's example. (2.) When we begin well, we have half ended. (3.) The more God does for us, the more should we labour to testify our gratitude towards him.

2. God appeared to him at night, and bid him ask and have whatever he chose. His prayer and happy choice, with God's gracious answer, we find 1 Kings 3:5. We may farther observe here, (1.) That a man's state is best known by the secret desires of his soul. (2.) Faith, which through the great sacrifice enables us to realize eternal things, will make us count all things dung and loss, compared with spiritual graces, and the knowledge of our Lord Jesus Christ, in whom are hid all the treasures of wisdom. (3.) Our fathers' mercies are an encouragement to us to pray and hope for the same blessing. (4.) The more eminent our predecessors, the more earnestly had we need beg, that, being in their place, we may be strengthened with equal ability and fidelity for our work. (5.) If we have God's promises with us, we may pray in faith, nothing doubting. (6.) God often exceeds our desires. When, seeking only his favour, we are content to trust all our worldly affairs on his providence, the blessing of the Lord shall enrich us; and, better than all our gains, he will give us a heart to enjoy what he bestows with thankfulness to his glory.