Page:PracticalCommentaryOnHolyScripture.djvu/301

 he sinned  both  by  being  indifferent  about  the  true  faith  and  by denying  it.

Worldliness and  pride  lead  to  religious  indifference.  But  how  was it possible  that  the  wise  and  devout  Solomon  could  offend  God  so grievously ? He gave  himself  over  to  worldliness,  led  a sensual,  luxurious life, and  set  his  affections  on  the  earthly  riches  with  which  God  had endowed him. His love  for  God  grew  cold,  his  zeal  for  prayer  and the service  of  God  grew  weak,  and  he  became  lax  and  indifferent about religion. Intercourse and  friendship  with  the  pagan  kings  of Tyre  and  Sidon  and  his  unlawful  intermarriage  with  pagan  wives  increased his  religious  indifference;  and  besides  this  the  universal  admiration of  which  he  was  the  object  made  him  proud,  so  that  he  became less and  less  worthy  of  divine  grace. He lost  the  grace  necessary  for perseverance in  good  and  sank  so  low  that  he  denied  the  true  faith and upheld  idolatry!

Happiness and  riches  are  dangerous.  Trials  are  wholesome. Solomon’s sad fall  shows  us  how  difficult  it  is  to  fear  God  and  persevere in good  in  the  midst  of  happiness,  riches,  honours  and  pleasures. Those with whom  everything  goes  well  love  the  world  and  earthly  possessions, forget the  end  for  which  they  were  made,  cease  to  love  God  and  often lose belief  in  Him  and  His  revelation. This is  why  God,  in  His  merciful wisdom, sends  us  sufferings,  so  as  to  prevent  our  being  arrogant  and forgetful of  God  and  His  holy  Commandments. These sufferings  sent are real  benefits  to  us  and  are  a proof  of  the  love  which  God  has  for our immortal  souls,  and  of  the  desire  He  has  to  draw  us  to  heaven. “Whom the  Lord  loveth  He  chasteneth”  (Hebr.  12,  6).

Solomon, the thirteenth  type  of  Jesus  Christ.  Solomon  was  also  a type  of  Jesus  Christ,  but  in  a different  way  from  the  preceding  ones. While for  instance  Abel,  Noe,  Isaac,  Joseph,  Job,  Moses  and  David were typical  of  the  suffering  Redeemer,  in  Solomon  we  find  a type  of the  glorified  Redeemer. His very  name,  signifying  peace,  presents  him to us  as  a type  of  Him  who  is  the  true  Prince  of  Peace. By his  wonderful wisdom  Solomon  was  a faint  type  of  Him  “in  whom  are  hid  all the treasures  of  wisdom  and  knowledge”  (Col.  2,  3). Likewise the riches of  Solomon  point  to  the  immeasurable  riches  of  grace  of  our Lord Jesus  Christ. Solomon built  the  Temple  of  strong  and  well-hewn stones: Jesus  Christ  founded  the  spiritual  temple,  the  Church,  on  the rock of  Peter  and  on  the  Apostles,  making  it  one  united  whole. The queen of  Saba  came  to  Solomon,  to  testify  her  reverence  for  him,  and load him  with  presents:  to  our  Lord  came  the  three  Magi  from  the East to  adore  Him  and  offer  Him  costly  gifts. Solomon, seated  in majesty  on  his  lofty  and  magnificent  throne,  ruled  over  many  nations. Jesus Christ,  raised  on  the  throne  of  heaven  and  sitting  at  the  right hand of  God  the  Father,  rules  with  divine  majesty  over  all  the  nations of the  earth  and  over  the  whole  host  of  heaven.