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 almost infinitude of forms; and the treasures of snow are as wonderful as the treasures of wisdom and knowledge observed in the works of Him, the depth of whose wisdom is past finding out. Again, the scattering of kings can hardly be compared with the colour white, seeing that white is an emblem of purity; and desolation and destruction, under any form, are the results of evil and error. If we leave out the word white, and take the sentence as in the original, it reads thus, "It was as snow in Salmon." Salmon, or Zalmon, was a mountain in Samaria (see Judges ix. 48), and, from its elevation, the snow would probably remain longer upon it than in the valleys; but when the sun acquires power, it speedily melts the snow. According to the subject treated of, kings have either a good or an evil signification. The Lord, as a king, has for His subjects, and consequently for His kingdom, all those who are in genuine truth and doctrine. But, in the present instance, kings relate to false principles of life and doctrine; and hence, as snow melts before the ardour of the sun's beams, so kings—or all those principles of life and doctrine which are evil and erroneous—are scattered at the approach of the King of kings, at the presence of Him who, as the glorious sun of righteousness, is now rising upon us.

But let us at all times carefully discriminate the true nature of the subject treated of. "Whoso readeth, let him understand," is a divine caution which we should ever remember when we read the Scriptures. Snow, while it remains in the memory, is but as natural truth; but when it is melted by the heat of the sun, and becomes rain-water, by its very warmth its analogy becomes spiritual. Hence the word of the