1 Kings 4

He was put to it early, and so deep were the lessons set him that he was nearly out of his mind, as he says there. Yet in the end, when God raised him up again, this Heman — who lived around the time of David and Solomon — is reckoned among the wisest men of his time and one of…

Proverbs 12:26. The righteous is more excellent than his neighbor. Solomon was a man of renown, he was the world's wonder; he discoursed of trees from the cedar-tree in Lebanon unto the hyssop that springs out of the wall (1 Kings 4:33). The Proverbs are profound and holy aphori…

For as often as the enemies spoil and rob us of them, let us assure ourselves that this falls out by God's permission, according as he threatens us in his Law: (Deuteronomy 28:33). As on the contrary, it is by the special blessing of his hand, when every one sits in peace under…

2. The excellence of this song is expressed in this, that it is A Song of Songs, a most excellent song, this being the manner how the Hebrews express their superlatives. While it is called A Song of Songs, it is compared with, and preferred to, all other songs: and we conceive t…

"And David smote also Hadadezer the son of Rehob, king of Zobah, as he went to recover his border at the river Euphrates." Accordingly we read, that Solomon his son reigned over all the region on this side the river, 1 Kings 4:24. "For he had dominion over all the region on this…

But briefly, that we may know when the heart is enlarged, understand the nature of it, let us see when the heart in Scripture is said to be enlarged. 1. You may look upon this enlargement as the effect of wisdom and knowledge; and so Solomon is said to have a large heart (1 King…

Second point: verse 19, I have laid help upon one that is mighty, I have exalted one chosen out of the people; verse 18, I have found David my servant. Most grave divines (and it may be they gathered it from verses 38-39, etc.) think that the Psalm was composed upon the occasion…

Justice goes a footpace, Genesis 18:21. mercy has wings; the sword of justice oft lies a long time in the scabbard, and rusts, till sin does draw it out and whet it against a Nation; God's justice is like the widow's oil, which ran a while, and ceased, 1 Kings 4:6. God's mercy i…