2 CHRON. I. to vers. 14. 1 KING. 3. from ver. 3. to the end.
THE Story of the death of Shimei is anticipated and joyned to the Story of his confinement, though it were three years after, that the Relation might have done with Shimei at once. So also is the Story of Solomons marry∣ing Pharaohs daughter, laid sooner then its Chronical time; for it was not before Solomons going to Gibeon, and there begging wisdom, but it was after. But the reason of the placing of it before, is given by the Jews to be because he married not Pharaohs daughter before he had slain Shimei; and therefore the Stories of them are so laid together: But upon viewing well the scope of the Stories preceeding, about the death of Joab, and the exclusion of Abishai from the Priesthood, &c. the reason of joyning Solomons marriage with Pha∣raohs daughter will easily appear; namely, because the Text would lay the po∣litick ways of Solomon for the establishing of his Kingdom close together; and those were these two, The taking away those that might disquiet it at home; and by making league and affinity with powerful Princes abroad: And then it cometh to tell the sure and divine way how to make it sure; and that it also expresseth to be two, namely, loving the Lord, and begging wisdom of him.
At Gibeon was the greatest Synagogue in the Land, for there stood the Ta∣bernacle, and the brazen Altar that Moses had made; being brought thither as to the chief residence of the sons of Ithamar, who waited on the Sanctuary when Shiloh fell. There Solomon asketh wisdom of the Lord, and obtaineth it: And coming to Jerusalem, he sheweth it in determining the doubtful case be∣tween the two Harlots. He was now but twelve years old.