2 Chronicles 9:31

REFLECTIONS

READER! it is truly interesting to behold the queen of the South coming from her own country, excited by the fame of Solomon to seek after his wisdom. But how much more truly interesting is it when we consider that the Holy Ghost herein beautifully represents the coming of the whole gentile church to the light of Jesus, and kings to the brightness of his rising.

It forms a subject in which every intelligent Reader cannot but feel pleased to behold the friendship between Solomon and the queen of Sheba, when he imparted to her of all her heart desired, and she presented to him the treasures of gold of Ophir, and precious stones, and algum trees. But how infinitely higher in delight doth the subject arise in our view, when we behold in this a lively representation of Jesus our Solomon receiving the poor gentile church, and every individual sinner among his redeemed ones, with his poor offerings, and bartering his grace, and wisdom, and love, with all the riches of his redemption in the wonderful exchange!

And Reader! while we look at Solomon in all the splendor in which he is here described, and before we take our farewell of him, shall we not be led from the view of him as far as the shadow goes, to the contemplation of Jesus the substance, of whom in many instances he was a lively type. Our Christ, as well as Solomon after the flesh, was the son of David; and sure I am, that as the Lord sent by Nathan to have Solomon named Jedidiah, beloved of the Lord, a voice from heaven proclaimed our Jesus under this glorious character, the beloved and only begotten Son of God, in whom Jehovah was well pleased. And who can read the account of the wisdom of Solomon, as wiser than all the men of the east, without having their thoughts directed to the contemplation of that Solomon in whom are hid all the treasures of wisdom and knowledge! who can behold the extensiveness of Solomon's empire, of whom it is said that the Lord gave him a largeness of heart, even as the sand which is on the sea shore: without immediately being led to consider the kingdom of our Lord Jesus Christ, whose dominion is an everlasting dominion and whose power ruleth over all. Solomon was indeed the richest of all princes of the earth; for silver was as the stones of the street in Jerusalem. But what is this in comparison of the unsearchable riches of Christ! Solomon had a reign of peace during his life, and his subjects were happy under his government. But Jesus is himself, by way of emphasis called the prince of peace; for the sceptre of his kingdom is altogether righteousness, and peace, and joy in the Holy Ghost. And if Solomon built by divine appointment the temple of the Lord, did not our Jesus himself become both the builder and the temple; for all his people are built on Jesus, the chief corner stone. He it is of whom alone it ever could be said, He shall build the temple of the Lord, and he shall bear the glory! Hail! holy, glorious, gracious, blessed Jesus! a greater indeed than Solomon is here. Thou art higher and more excellent than the kings of any land. Thou art the man whose name is the Branch, Under thee and thy government we shall be safe. All power is thine in heaven and in earth. Thy name shall endure forever. Thy name shall be continued as long as the sun. Men shall be blessed in thee. All nations shall call thee blessed. Blessed be thy glorious name forever; let the whole earth be filled with thy glory. Amen, and amen.