1 Kings 4:34

(34) And there came of all people to hear the wisdom of Solomon, from all kings of the earth, which had heard of his wisdom.

What honour the Lord put upon Solomon! but what glory hath the Father given to our Solomon, his dear and ever blessed Son! in whom it hath pleased him that all fulness should dwell, and to whom all the kings of the earth, and all nations, must come to receive out of his fulness, and grace for grace. Oh! may my soul come and turn aside from all created wisdom, all the powers of human knowledge and learning, to behold in thee, thou blessed Jesus, that wisdom which eclipses all earthly science, and puts out, by thy meridian brightness, the glow-worm shining of nature's glory. Let me behold thy rays, let me be brought under thy wings, thou Sun of Righteousness, for in thy light shall I see light! Psalms 36:9

REFLECTIONS

IN beholding the greatness and majesty of Solomon, as this chapter represents him; his riches, his courts, his retinue, his servants, and more especially his great wisdom; I desire to ascribe all due praise and glory to the Lord God of Solomon, in distinguishing his chosen with such marks of his love and favor; and to bless so bountiful a God in having given such power unto men. But from the court of Solomon, and all his grandeur, my soul desires rapidly to take wing, and flee by faith to the court of heaven, and behold Jesus in the midst of the throne, as possessing all power in heaven and in earth. What was Solomon in all his glory compared to him who maketh the clouds his chariot, and walketh upon the wings of the wind? Nay, Solomon in all his glory was not arrayed in point of beauty like even the lilies of the field. But thy throne, blessed Jesus, as one with the Father, in the nature of the Godhead, was and is thine, from everlasting, and so must be to all eternity. And as the mediator, thou art in full right of the throne forever and ever. Methinks the thought of Solomon's court, prompts my soul to contemplate with the eye of faith the unfailing splendors of thine. Yes! heavenly King! my soul beholds thee as king over all; God blessed forever. I see thy princes like Solomon's. I view thine officers whom thou hast appointed over thine household, to give thy people meat in due season. I behold thee encircled with all the innumerable host of angels; the spirits of just men made perfect; the noble army of martyrs; the glorious company of apostles; the venerable host of patriarchs; the sacred band of prophets; the multitude which no man can number, who have come out of great tribulation, and have washed their robes, and made them white in the blood of the Lamb; the church above triumphant; the church below still militant; all Judah and Israel, and the nations that are saved by thy blood: all! all! are of thy court, and the kings of the earth do bring their glory and honour unto it. To thee then, King of kings, and Lord of lords, do, come to hear thy wisdom, to see thy glory, to adore thy name, and to bow my knee before thee, as my Saviour, my king, and my God.

Oh! then blessed Jesus, do thou maintain thy kingdom in my heart. There reign, there rule, there govern; there give out of thy fulness and of thy wisdom. And while the services of every creature, the praises of every angel, and the love and affection of every redeemed soul, become thy just revenue; oh! Lord God, let the poor worm that is now looking up to thee partake of thy bounty, and be enabled to give to thee of thy praise; till from living under the grace of thy courts here upon earth, thou shalt call me home to live eternally under the more immediate view of thy glory, and the everlasting enjoyment of thy presence in thy courts above; where the city hath neither the need of the sun, nor of the moon to shine in it; for the glory of the Father doth lighten it, and thou dearest Lamb of God, art the light thereof. Amen! Amen!