Was King Solomon a Type of Christ our King?

The promises to David clearly had a primary fulfilment in Solomon; there are too many similarities between those promises and the life of Solomon to deny this. Particularly is his Kingdom typical of that of Christ, and through this fact we can gain insight into the nature of the Millennium. Nearly all the information we have about the Millennium is taught to us through type -- especially once it is realized that the majority of Isaiah's well known 'Kingdom' passages are alluding back to Solomon's reign (notably Isa. 60:1-8), and had their initial fulfilment in Hezekiah's Kingdom, which was also typical of Christ's. The hope of the Kingdom motivates our lives. We cannot believe in or be motivated by something we know little about. King Solomon was a type of Christ.

1. His Reign began with Judgement and Reward.

Solomon sat on God's throne as King over His Kingdom (2 Chron. 9:8), in Jerusalem. Therefore his first duty was to punish the wicked and reward the righteous. Men who had lived through the entire reign of David and had gotten away with many serious crimes now got punished. The same will be true when Christ returns and sets up his kingdom. People in our age commit great sins against both God and man and for the time being, do not seem to be judged for their actions. God in His mercy and patience allows them time to repent but He has set aside a day when he will judge the world. When Solomon’s reign began, judgement was pronounced upon these wicked men. "So King Solomon gave orders to Benaiah son of Jehoiada, and he struck down Adonijah and he died. To Abiathar the priest the king said, 'Go back to your fields in Anathoth. You deserve to die, but I will not put you to death now, because you carried the ark of the Sovereign LORD before my father David and shared all my father’s hardships.'” (1 Ki. 2:25-26) Furthermore, "‘The LORD will repay him (Joab) for the blood he shed, because without the knowledge of my father David he attacked two men and killed them with the sword.' So Benaiah son of Jehoiada went up and struck down Joab and killed him." (1 Ki. 2:32-34) "The king also said to Shimei, 'You know in your heart all the wrong you did to my father David. Now the LORD will repay you for your wrongdoing.' Then the king gave the order to Benaiah son of Jehoiada, and he went out and struck Shimei down and killed him." (12 Ki. 2:44-46).

In the same way, "When the Son of Man comes in his glory, and all the angels with him, he will sit on his throne in heavenly glory. All the nations will be gathered before him, and he will separate the people one from another as a shepherd separates the sheep from the goats." (Matt. 25:31-32) "Therefore judge nothing before the appointed time; wait till the Lord comes. He will bring to light what is hidden in darkness and will expose the motives of men’s hearts." (1 Cor. 4:5)

Solomon's servants were rewarded with happiness as they sat down to food and wine and listened to Solomon's wisdom and ate in the presence of onlooking Gentiles (2 Chron.9:4,7) This is alluded to in Luke 22:30 and 14:15. After Solomon's coronation, the righteous were rewarded. The reward was in the form of being able to eat at his table (1 Kings 2:7 cp. 2 Sam.9: 7,10; 19:28) which gave joy to his servants (2 Chron.9:3,4,6). Hearing his wisdom brought joy (3:13; 8:34). His wisdom concerned the natural creation but taught spiritual lessons (1 Kings 4: 29,32,33). Solomon “taught the people knowledge continually” (Eccl. 12:9, 10). After Christ's return, the reward is to break bread with him (Lk.14:15; 22:30). Rev.19:17 says, “Come and gather yourselves to the supper of the great God.” He also is known to use parables from nature to teach wisdom.

Furthermore, the priests were dressed in white linen, praising God with one sound (2 Chron.5:11,12) just as it shall be in the Millenium (Rev. 19:8). This is possible even now in ecclesiastical life (Rom.15:6). In this sense we begin living the type of life we will eternally live right now. Just as Solomon's Kingdom was ruled by king-priests (1 Kings 4:2) with 12 deputy rulers (1 Kings 4:7) who provided food each month (1 Kings 4:27), so also we shall be "kings and priests" and "we shall reign on the earth" (Rev. 5:10). The twelve disciples will "also sit upon twelve thrones" (Matt. 19:28) and have a fruit harvest every month (Rev. 22:2; Ez. 47:12) and worship once a month (Isa. 66:23).

2. The Wisdom of God Manifested By His Rule

"At Gibeon the LORD appeared to Solomon during the night in a dream, and God said, 'Ask for whatever you want me to give you.' Solomon answered, 'Your servant is here among the people you have chosen, a great people, too numerous to count or number. So give your servant a DISCERNING heart to govern your people and TO DISTINGUISH BETWEEN RIGHT and WRONG. For who is able to govern this great people of yours?' The Lord was pleased that Solomon had asked for this. So God said to him, 'Since you have asked for this and not for long life or wealth for yourself, nor have asked for the death of your enemies but for DISCERNMENT in administering JUSTICE, I will do what you have asked. I will give you a WISE and DISCERNING heart, so that there will never have been anyone like you, nor will there ever be.’" He also gave him riches and honor in addition (1 Ki. 3:5-13). "Seek ye first the kingdom of God, and his righteousness, and all these things shall be added unto you" (Matt. 6:33; Luke 12:31).

But even Solomon cannot compare with the soon coming rule of the King of Kings, Jesus Christ. "A shoot will come up from the stump of Jesse; from his roots a Branch will bear fruit. The Spirit of the LORD will rest on him— the Spirit of WISDOM and of UNDERSTANDING, the Spirit of COUNSEL and of power, the Spirit of KNOWLEDGE and of the fear of the LORD— and he will delight in the fear of the LORD. He will not judge by what he sees with his eyes, or decide by what he hears with his ears; but with RIGHTEOUSNESS he will judge the needy, with JUSTICE he will give decisions for the poor of the earth. He will strike the earth with the rod of his mouth; with the breath of his lips he will slay the wicked. RIGHTEOUSNESS will be his belt and faithfulness the sash around his waist." (Isa. 11:1-5) Our Lord mentioned that the "Queen of the South" would be a witness against the deaf Jews because "she came from the ends of the earth to listen to Solomon's wisdom, and now something greater than Solomon is here!" (Matthew 12:42) -- greater WISDOM.

"God gave Solomon wisdom and very great insight, and a breadth of understanding as measureless as the sand on the seashore. Solomon’s wisdom was greater than the wisdom of all the men of the East, and greater than all the wisdom of Egypt. He was wiser than any other man, including Ethan the Ezrahite—wiser than Heman, Calcol and Darda, the sons of Mahol. And his fame spread to all the surrounding nations. He spoke three thousand proverbs and his songs numbered a thousand and five. He described plant life, from the cedar of Lebanon to the hyssop that grows out of walls. He also taught about animals and birds, reptiles and fish. Men of all nations came to listen to Solomon’s wisdom, sent by all the kings of the world, who had heard of his wisdom." (1 Ki. 4:29-34) We know that "In the last days, the mountain of the LORD’s temple will be established as chief among the mountains; it will be raised above the hills, and all nations will stream to it. Many peoples will come and say, “Come, let us go up to the mountain of the LORD, to the house of the God of Jacob. He will teach us his ways, so that we may walk in his paths.” The law will go out from Zion, the word of the LORD from Jerusalem. He will judge between the nations and will settle disputes for many peoples" (Isaiah 2:1-5).

Both Solomon and Christ were wise men of sorrows and acquainted with grief (Eccl. 1:18; Isa. 53:3). The nations will send representatives to Christ to learn wisdom. The value of spiritual wisdom will then be appreciated. There will still be an element of mortal rulership, with Christ's superimposed over it. Just as the nations traded their material wealth for spiritual instruction, coming annually to Jerusalem for instruction (2 Chron. 9:23,24). so also will be the case in the kingdom (Zech. 14:16). Knowledge of the Kingdom leads to quitting materialism for “the pearl of great price”. Just as the "king made silver and gold at Jerusalem as plenteous as stones" (2 Chron. 1:15) so also there will be no materialism in the Kingdom because of such abundance. There will be a different set of values then, as there was even in Solomon's day due to his wisdom.

Jesus “grew and became strong, filled with wisdom, and the favor God was upon him” (Luke 2:40; cf. 2:52). Eventually it would be clearly understood by “those who are called, both Jews and Greeks,” that, “Christ is the power of God and the wisdom of God” (1 Cor. 1:24). Indeed, God’s son, Jesus Christ “became for believers wisdom from God, and righteousness and sanctification and redemption” (1 Cor. 1: 30).Just as Solomon's wisdom understood the love of a mother in deciding a case between two women who claimed the same baby as her own (1 Kings 3:16-26), so also Christ had to come to earth as a human since that experience here taught him about humanity in a way that he could never have learned simply by watching from heaven (Hebrews 5:8). Christ had the ability to read the hearts of men. He will discern the habits and reasons that people do what they do (Isaiah 11:1-4).

3. The Prince of Peace!

"You will have a son who will be a man of PEACE and REST, and I will give him REST from all his enemies on every side. His name will be Solomon, and I will grant Israel PEACE and QUIET during his reign." (1 Chron 22:9) One of the main characteristics of Solomon’s 40-year reign was peace. King David had not been allowed to build the temple because of the wars and bloodshed he had been involved with. Instead this was granted to his son Solomon, a man of "peace and rest" whom God would grant "rest from all his enemies on every side." Jerusalem means city of peace. What better picture of the reign of Jesus is there? The name of Solomon even means "peace"! The Bible states concerning those years: “Judah and Israel continued to dwell in security, everyone under his own vine and under his own fig tree, from Dan to Beer-sheba, all the days of Solomon.” (1 Ki. 4:25) There will be peace in the coming kingdom of Jesus Christ. "The law will go out from Zion, the word of the LORD from Jerusalem. He will judge between the nations and will settle disputes for many peoples. They will beat their swords into plowshares and their spears into pruning hooks. Nation will not take up sword against nation, nor will they train for war anymore." (Isa. 2:3-4) "For to us a child is born, to us a son is given, and the government will be on his shoulders. And he will be called Wonderful Counselor, Mighty God, Everlasting Father, Prince of Peace. Of the increase of his government and peace there will be no end. He will reign on David’s throne and over his kingdom, establishing and upholding it with justice and righteousness from that time on and forever. The zeal of the LORD Almighty will accomplish this. " (Isa. 9:6-8) "The wolf will live with the lamb, the leopard will lie down with the goat, the calf and the lion and the yearling together; and a little child will lead them. The cow will feed with the bear, their young will lie down together, and the lion will eat straw like the ox. The infant will play near the hole of the cobra, and the young child put his hand into the viper’s nest. They will neither harm nor destroy on all my holy mountain, for the earth will be full of the knowledge of the LORD as the waters cover the sea." (Isa. 11:6-9). Still, Solomon, in all his wisdom, could not free his subjects from the shackles of sickness, sin, and death. The Greater Solomon, though, will free his subjects from all of that (Romans 8:19-21).

The name "Solomon" means "the Peaceful One" (1 Chr. 22:9) and his nature was peaceful and his reign was peaceful. In the same way, Christ is "our peace" as well as "the Prince of Peace" and his Millenial reign will be full of peace. Solomon's empire stretched from the Euphrates to Egypt (1 Kings 4:21). Solomon's reign typified the Millenial reign of Christ. His dominion, glory and wealth were a golden age -- the greatest ever -- and rulers of many nations came to see his splendor and listen to his wisdom. It was an imperfect type of Jesus’ perfect millennium reign. Israel's blessing was dependent on Solomon's obedience (1 Kings 6:12,13); their joy was because of the honour God had given Solomon (2 Chron. 7:10). Because of Christ' obedience we have been blessed with forgiveness of sin.

The peace that Solomon's kingdom had didn't happen just because of his fame. Solomon went to great lengths to build up the defenses of Israel. David had defeated most of Israel's enemies, but those enemies had to be kept at bay, so the Scriptures tell us that Solomon spent vast amounts of money to fortify the frontier cities of Israel. He built towers and walls to make sure that outsiders would not be tempted to invade. Solomon gathered a standing army of 1,400 chariots and 12,000 horse soldiers (1 Kings 9 & 10).

The picture of a fortified nation having a large number of defenders is comparable to the work of the Kingdom because Christ's peaceable Kingdom doesn't happen just because Christ is so wise. It happens because the spiritual powers of the Kingdom will be so mighty that no one could possibly attack it. Revelation 7:4-8 gives us a picture of the Church. It will be made up of 12,000 individuals from each of the 12 spiritual tribes of Israel. This is represented in the 12,000 horse soldiers of Solomon's Kingdom. The same number, 12,000, is being applied to that spiritual class of people who will be called upon to serve and protect God's earthly Kingdom.

4. The Rebuilding of the Temple

"In the four hundred and eightieth year after the Israelites had come out of Egypt, in the fourth year of Solomon’s reign over Israel, in the month of Ziv, the second month, he began to build the temple of the LORD… So Solomon built the temple and completed it." (1 Ki. 6:1,14) Solomon built the temple of stone already prepared beforehand (1 Kings 6:7). Christ is the builder of the spiritual temple, in which the stones should fit together without strife (Eph. 2:21 alludes to 1 Kings 6:7). After Solomon dedicated the temple, it was filled with the cloud of glory so that the priests could not stand to minister (2 Chron. 5:13,14). In the same way, the church became the Temple of the Holy Spirit after Christ died and the Levite priesthood ended (Rev. 15:8 cp. 2 Cor. 3:10). The true church is "the temple of God" (1 Cor. 3:16-19) exceeding the glory of Solomon's temple. In 2 Samuel 7:13-15 God promised to David that his kingdom would be forever, and that after his loins one would raise up a house to the Lord. This prophesy has a DUAL fulfillment. The first fulfillment is found in Solomon (1 Kings 8:18-20). Solomon built a house unto the Lord and sat upon the throne of Israel. Christ also built a house (Matthew 16:17-18). He is also a king. Solomon's house that he built and kingdom which he ruled over were physical. However Christ's house which he built and kingdom which he ruled over was spiritual. Solomon's house to the Lord and his kingdom was a shadow of Christ's spiritual kingdom that was to come. Also, in this present age, each member of the church is the temple of God (1 Cor 6:19) – a habitation for God himself to dwell. Jesus has also been the builder of this temple as he declared to Peter -- "I tell you that you are Peter, and on this rock I will build my church, and the gates of Hades will not overcome it." (Matt. 16:18). The completion of the Temple represents the completion of Christ's Church (1 Corinthians 3:16; 2 Corinthians 6:16) and when this happens, the spiritual Temple will go into operation to perform the future work in the Kingdom (2 Timothy 2:12; Revelation 3:12 and 20:6).

Solomon, the man of peace, dedicated his temple on the 17th day of the seventh month, the day on which Noah, the man of peace or rest, emerged from the ark and erected his altar.

But there is another parallel to Solomon's Temple. Like Solomon, Jesus will also build a physical temple in His Kingdom. This is the temple that has been described in Ezekiel Chapters 40-46 that has not yet been constructed. It has been written in Zechariah that the Messiah will do this. Solomon's temple was built by Gentiles (2 Chron. 2:17,18) just as Christ's Temple will be built by gentiles when the Kingdom is re-established. (Jer. 3:17; Ez.40-48; Zech.6:13; Isa.60:10). "Take the silver and gold and make a crown, and set it on the head of the high priest, JOSHUA son of Jehozadak. Tell him this is what the LORD Almighty says: ‘Here is the man whose name is the BRANCH, and he will BRANCH out from his place and build the temple of the LORD. It is he who will build the temple of the LORD, and he will be clothed with majesty and will sit and rule on his throne. And he will be a priest on his throne. And there will be harmony between the two." (Zech. 6:11-13) The title of the ‘BRANCH’ is a known name given to the MESSIAH. The crowning of JOSHUA in this passage foreshadowed the crowning of the MESSIAH who, at His second coming, would build a physical temple and unite the offices of King and Priest in one person just as Melchizedek had done. (Gen 14:18-20)

5. The Ark and the Glory Return!

"The priests then brought the ark of the LORD’s covenant to its place in the inner sanctuary of the temple, the Most Holy Place, and put it beneath the wings of the cherubim… When the priests withdrew from the Holy Place, the cloud filled the temple of the LORD. And the priests could not perform their service because of the cloud, for the glory of the LORD filled his temple." (1 Ki. 8:6-11).

With the temple completed and the ark of God returned to the Holy of Holies, God showed His pleasure in all that had been done by filling the temple with His presence and glory. The ark of God is a type of Jesus Himself – the manifest presence and power of God. The same glory that filled the temple will one day, in the Kingdom to come, be openly manifest for the world to see. "The moon will be abashed, the sun ashamed; for the LORD Almighty will reign on Mount Zion and in Jerusalem, and before its elders, gloriously." (Isa. 24:23) "And the glory of the LORD will be revealed, and all mankind together will see it. For the mouth of the LORD has spoken.” (Isa. 40:5) “Arise, shine, for your light has come, and the glory of the LORD rises upon you. See, darkness covers the earth and thick darkness is over the peoples, but the LORD rises upon you and his glory appears over you. Nations will come to your light, and kings to the brightness of your dawn." (Isa. 60:1-3)


6. Israel Lifted in Status to Pre-eminent Position among the Nations

Israel was at it's largest extent in Solomon's Kingdom; lost land was restored, and the borders re-established (2 Chron. 9:26; 8:4 cp. Josh. 16:3,5). There was great fertility (1 Ki. 4:22-28); it was also at its political strongest (Micah 4:7-8); secure and at peace (Micah 4:4; Ez. 34:28); nations submitted to Solomon (1 Kings 4:20; 2 Chron. 9:26); Israel was the chief of the nations (1 Kings 4:21) -- "a people like the dust of the earth" (2 Chron.1:9; cp. Gen. 13:16). The nations bring " presents" to him (1 Kings 4:21). Jerusalem was the centre of wisdom and worship for the region (1 Kings 4:34; 2 Chron.9:23). The promises to Abraham were initially fulfilled (1 Kings 4:20).

It will be the same in the Millenium. Chief of the nations (Isa. 2:2-4). Nations will bring presents (Ps.68:29; 76:11; 72:8,10) and lost land restored (Ps. 72:8). There will be great fertility (Isa. 35:1-2); secure and at peace (Micah 4:4; Ez. 34:28). Jerusalem will be the center of worship for the world (Zech. 14:16).

"When the queen of Sheba saw all the wisdom of Solomon and the palace he had built, the food on his table, the seating of his officials, the attending servants in their robes, his cupbearers, and the burnt offerings he made at the temple of the LORD, she was overwhelmed."(1 Ki. 10:4-9) She said to the king, “The report I heard in my own country about your achievements and your wisdom is true. But I did not believe these things until I came and saw with my own eyes. Indeed, not even half was told me; in wisdom and wealth you have far exceeded the report I heard. How happy your men must be! How happy your officials, who continually stand before you and hear your wisdom! Praise be to the LORD your God, who has delighted in you and placed you on the throne of Israel. Because of the LORD’s eternal love for Israel, he has made you king, to maintain justice and righteousness.”

1 Kings 10:23-27 ‘King Solomon was greater in riches and wisdom than all the other kings of the earth. The whole world sought audience with Solomon to hear the wisdom God had put in his heart. Year after year, everyone who came brought a gift—articles of silver and gold, robes, weapons and spices, and horses and mules. Solomon accumulated chariots and horses; he had fourteen hundred chariots and twelve thousand horses, which he kept in the chariot cities and also with him in Jerusalem. The king made silver as common in Jerusalem as stones, and cedar as plentiful as sycamore-fig trees in the foothills.’

Israel held an exalted position among the nations. When the Queen of Sheba came she was ‘overwhelmed’ and ascribed all that she saw and heard to the ‘LORD’s eternal love for Israel.’ The reign of Solomon marked a wonderful influence among the gentile nations, with many sending representatives to bow and pay homage at the footstool of his throne. Israel was praised among the nations and peace reigned. The millennial kingdom also displays the pre-eminence of Israel as out of her will come the word and glory of the Lord. "In the last days…The law will go out from Zion, the word of the LORD from Jerusalem." (Micah 4:2) "This is what the LORD Almighty says: “Many peoples and the inhabitants of many cities will yet come, and the inhabitants of one city will go to another and say, ‘Let us go at once to entreat the LORD and seek the LORD Almighty. I myself am going.’ And many peoples and powerful nations will come to Jerusalem to seek the LORD Almighty and to entreat him.” This is what the LORD Almighty says: “In those days ten men from all languages and nations will take firm hold of one Jew by the hem of his robe and say, ‘Let us go with you, because we have heard that God is with you.’” (Zech. 8:20-23) "the LORD Almighty will reign on Mount Zion and in Jerusalem, …gloriously." (Isa. 24:23) Also, "On that day living water will flow out from Jerusalem, half to the eastern sea and half to the western sea, in summer and in winter. The LORD will be king over the whole earth. On that day there will be one LORD, and his name the only name… Then the survivors from all the nations that have attacked Jerusalem will go up year after year to worship the King, the LORD Almighty." (Zech. 14:8-9,16)

7. Many Foreign Wives Just Like Christ:

Solomon was tested by materialism, women and pride and fell short. "Christ was tempted in all points like us. yet without sin." (Heb. 4:15)

He acquired many wives in addition to the daughter of Pharaoh whom he had married earlier (1 Kings 3:1). Like that earlier marriage, his subsequent wives were wed on the basis of political alliances and relationships intended to foster peaceful relations between normally combative countries. In addition to the 700 wives, which Solomon accumulated he gathered some 300 concubines (I Kings 11:3) thus establishing a very sizable harem.

The Lord had admonished his people long ago not to intermarry with foreign women (Deut. 7: 3-4; 17:17; cf. 1 Kings 11:2), but a reputably wise Solomon foolishly lusted after many such women. The predictable result followed: “When Solomon became old, his wives shifted his allegiance to other gods; he was not wholeheartedly devoted to the Lord, his God, as his father David had been” (1 Kings 11:4). Rather, Solomon indulged in many foreign religious practices (1Kings 11:5-8) and “did not remain loyal to the Lord like his father David had” (v.6). Thus Solomon failed to heed his father’s admonition, which David had delivered to him shortly before his death that, if he wished to succeed in his kingship, he should serve the Lord faithfully by “following his instructions and obeying his rules, commandments, regulations, and laws as written in the law of Moses” ( Kings 2:3). Similarly, when God granted him his requested wisdom, the Lord brought up his father David’s faithfulness to that standard as an example that he should follow: “If you will follow my instructions by obeying my rules and regulations, just as your father David did, then I will grant you long life” (1Kings 3:14). Still further, God again used similar language in his second appearance to Solomon: “You must serve me with sincerity and integrity, just as your father David did. Do everything I commanded and obey my rules and regulations. Then I will allow your dynasty to rule over Israel permanently” (1Kings 9:4-5).

Was Solomon's marriage with the daughter of Pharaoh, King of Egypt, a type of the union of Christ and the Church — a Gentile wife sharing the throne of Jehovah with the man of His choice? When Solomon brought up the ark of Jehovah into the city of David, he felt constrained to remove his Egyptian wife elsewhere. 2 Chronicles 8:11 tells us, "Solomon brought up the daughter of Pharaoh out of the city of David unto the house that he had built for her: for he said, My wife shall not dwell in the house of David King of Israel, because the places are holy, whereunto the ark of Jehovah has come." Solomon felt that his Egyptian wife had nothing in common with the holy things of God. She was as completely out of touch with Solomon spiritually. If Solomon was sensitive to the extent of removing Pharaoh's daughter from proximity to the holy places, why did he marry her? "Can two walk together, except they be agreed." (Amos 3:3). Do not his own words suggest that he had blundered in this union? 1 Kings 3:1 suggests that the affair was political in character. The sacred ordinance of marriage should never be used for such ends. True, Solomon gained the important frontier city of Gezer as dowry with his wife. The place was still held by a remnant of Canaanites, whom Egyptian forces exterminated for Solomon's benefit (1 Kings 9:16). But should not the Ephraimites have taken the place long before, trusting in God? (Joshua 16:10). The whole business was on a low level, not in keeping with Solomon's unique position as the man of God's choice. Faith is nowhere discernible in the matter, and "whatsoever is not of faith is sin" (Rom. 14:23).

It is refreshing to turn from Solomon to Christ. In Ephesians 5:25 we read that He "loved the Church, and gave Himself for it." None of those whom His grace is bringing thus nigh to Himself possessed naturally any fitness either for His holy company or for those surroundings of glory into which He will introduce His bride at the last. Solomon felt it was impossible to suit the Egyptian to the holy places of Jerusalem, her tastes being contrary to them. Christ, on the other hand, is rendering His own a continuous loving ministry in order to fit every one for all that He has in store. "He has delivered Himself up for it, that He might sanctify it, purifying it by the washing of water by the Word". The result: "that He might present the Assembly to Himself glorious, having no spot, or wrinkle, or any of such things; but that it might be holy and blameless." His Bride, composed of all nations, will be perfectly suited to all His desire, so perfect is His work.

There was, alas, a background to Solomon's Egyptian marriage. He was in transgression even before he ascended the throne. Although very young, he had already taken to wife an Ammonitish woman, and Rehoboam was the fruit of the union. Seeing that Rehoboam was forty-one years old when he began to reign, he was a babe of twelve months old when Solomon began to reign. It is twice repeated in 1 Kings 14:21, 31 that "his mother's name was Naamah an Ammonitess". The Holy Spirit mentions the fact again in 2 Chronicles 12:13. Solomon's first marriage was flagrant sin. Here is the divine command: "An Ammonite or Moabite shall not enter into the congregation of Jehovah; even to their tenth generation shall they not enter into the congregation of Jehovah for ever." This was thus the beginning of an evil course which led ultimately to Solomon's ruin, and also to the ruin of the whole order of things of which he was the divinely appointed centre. First, a woman from Ammon; then a woman from Egypt; and later a whole host of women from near and far, who brought their abominable idolatries into Jehovah's land, and into Solomon's heart. The Egyptian princess is again expressly mentioned in 1 Kings 11:1 as if she were the advance guard of this host of evil. "King Solomon loved many strange (or foreign) women, together with the daughter of Pharaoh."

Let us watch against the beginning of fleshly indulgence in any form. In the light of the great truth that in God's account we have "died with Christ," let us mortify our members which are upon the earth; fornication, uncleanness, inordinate affection, evil concupiscence, and covetousness which is idolatry" (Col. 3:5). If fornication is no special snare to us, its twin-brother covetousness may be. Let us beware. It has been truly said: "The slippery path of sin is always trodden with accelerated steps, because the first sin tends to weaken in the soul the authority and power of that which alone can prevent our committing still greater sins — that is, the Word of God, as well as the consciousness of His presence, which imparts to the Word all its practical power over us."

Be not unequally yoked together with unbelievers, for what fellowship has righteousness with unrighteousness? And what communion has light with darkness? And what concord has Christ with Belial? Or what part has he that believes with an unbeliever? (2 Cor 6:14-15) Be ye Holy, for I am Holy. (1 Peter 1:16).