A compleat history and mystery of the Old and New Testament logically discust and theologically improved : in four volumes ... the like undertaking (in such a manner and method) being never by any author attempted before : yet this is now approved and commended by grave divines, &c. / by Christopher Ness ...

1 Kings CHAP. XI.

THIS Chapter contains, (1.) Solomon's Sins: (2.) His Punishments by God's Justice for them: And lastly, Solomon's Death. The Remark in general upon the whole (be∣fore we come to the Three parts) is this, That no earthly Felicity, tho' raised up to its Zenith, or highest point and pitch, yet (through Humane Infirmity in the faln Estate) is not durable, but hath its declensions, and (as P. Martyr noteth) ought not to have any confi∣dence placed in it; the Wheel of Providence in ordering worldly affairs, when at its highest point of Exaltation, then begins to decline downward. N.B. The glory of all Kingdoms (as in the four grand Monarchies of the World) hath its Times and its Turns: Solomon here is a clear Specimen hereof, whom the Lord exalted to the highest Eminen∣cies and Perfections that this lower World could afford him; yet God suffered him to fall so foully, that he (like another Adam in his Paradise-Happiness) might exemplifie this great Truth, that there is no constancy in the compleatest worldly Felicity, and nothing here below is to be trusted to, but all is vanity, save only the Kingdom which is not of this World, &c. N.B. Behold here a Star of the first magnitude fall from Heaven, a None-such Saint into scarce None-such Sins; another Lucifer, &c. Isa. 14.12, &c.

The particular Remarks upon the first part; namely, Solomon's Sins are, (1.) The Oc∣casion of his foul fall from this 〈 in non-Latin alphabet 〉〈 in non-Latin alphabet 〉, or highest degree of earthly Excellency, was his love of Women, ver. 1, 2, 3, 4. This is one of Satan's Baits, which hath put a monstrous [But] at the Doors of the best of men, who were but men at the best, as in those famous Examples upon Scripture-Record. N. B. (1.) In that of Adam the Innocentest Man that ever was in the World, yet was he made Nocent and undone by a Woman, which was given to him for a Comforter, and not for a Counsellor, much less for a Controuler: There∣fore God in his first Sentence against Adam expresseth this as the cause, [Because thou hast obeyed the Voice of thy Wife, &c.] Gen. 3.17. (2.) In that of Sampson, the strongest Man that ever was in the World, who by his prodigious strength slew his Thousands of Men [laying them heaps upon heaps] yet so weak he became in the hands of a Woman, that in fine he lost his Strength, his Eyes, and his God also. And (3.) In this of Solomon, the wisest Man that ever was in the World, yet how foully did he fall by his exorbitant love of fair Ladies, &c.!

The (2d.) Remark is, The Time when this lustful Devil took possession of Solomon's Soul and prevailed so far over him, that himself, after his Repentance, calleth it a bitterness beyond that of Death, Eccles. 7.26. As if he had said, [I had better have been buried alive, than thus to have miscarried to the great dishonour of God, and gross detriment of Israel.] This he did in his old Age, &c. ver. 4.

N.B. Solomon, having now Reign'd about 36 years (as Dr. Lightfoot computeth it) and being about 20 years old when he began to Reign, when his Son Rehoboam was one year old, chap. 14.21. was not now sixty years old: So that in truth he did but now be∣gin to be an old Man, yet might it have been well expected, that the Elder be was, the Wiser he should have been, Job 32.7. having had so long Communion with God, and Experience of his goodness, which might have made him Better. Beside, his body had been long despumed, and (one would think) well-nigh drained dry upon his many Wives and Concubines which he multiplied both for his Lust, and for his Pride and Mag∣nificence, looking upon it as a point of Honour, &c. However his Age here is an Aggra∣vation of his sin, seeing his lust now was as monstrous as to behold green Apples upon leafless Trees that look gray or white with Snow in Winter. Gray Hairs and green Hearts can never have a comely and commendable Agreement. Whenever the time was, both Piscator and Junius reckon from it to the Ruine of Solomon's Temple, of Jerusalem, and of the Kingdom of the Jews 390 years, according to Ezek. 4.5. Solomon's sin here was the beginning of all the mischiefs that followed after. N. B. Note well with P. Martyr here; This teacheth, that no Age is free from Temptation, there is such weakness and wicked∣ness even in the best and wisest of Men, that if left to themselves, they may foully fall. While Solomon was young, he was wholly taken up with his framing famous Fabricks, with Executing Justice among his Subjects, and with writing sundry excellent Books; but now beginning to grow old, he indulg'd himself in Amorous Imbracements, &c. therefore should we watch in all Ages, old and young. The (3d.) Remark is, Solomon's Sin; It was the Sin of Idolatry, that Land-desolating Sin, into which David never fell, tho' he greatly sinned otherwise, ver. 5, 6, 7, 8. where his sin is marked to be manifold; As,

(1.) In Doting upon so many Wives, &c. His Father contented himself with six Wives, 2 Sam. 3.3, 4.5. but his Son will have seven hundred Wives, and three hundred Concu∣bines, ver. 3. here. (2.) His marrying so many Idolatrous Strangers contrary to the Law of God. (3.) In suffering them to set up their Idolatrous Worship in God's Land, and to practise it. (4.) In appointing Places for their Idols. (5.) In raising heavy Taxes upon his Subjects (whereof Complaint is made by them in the next Chapter) to maintain the Idolatrous Priests and Worship of his Wives, &c. (6.) In con∣forming himself to their Desires, in worshiping their Idols [Venus, Bacchus, and other Pagan Idols] with them in his own person (say Lavater and Serrarius) yea and com∣pelling his Hebrews to worship them also. And 'tis said here, ver. 4. that his Wives turned away his heart after other Gods: For after he had once gratified his Mistresses of Moab, the rest of his Idolatrous Women wished him to do the like favour for them, and he out of a Complaisant Humour (being left of God to himself) did unlike him∣self comply with them, unwisely for wise Solomon to do, as P. Martyr observeth.

The Fourth Remark is, No wonder if the Lord were Angry, v. 9, 10, 11, 12, 13. The Effect of his Complicated Sin, and so oft twisted Transgression: Though Solomon was Jedidiah God's beloved Darling. Wherein Mark

(1.) God's Chastizements of his own Children, as the ground is grieved Love, so the end is fuller and freer Embracements: The Antinomian Notion is here condem∣ned, that saith [God is never Angry with his People (fall they never so foully) no not with a Fatherly Anger.] This is contradicted here, and Isa. 57.17. and 1 Cor. 11.30.

Mark (2.) When the Heart is won, the whole Man is won in that hidden Man of the Heart, 1 Pet. 3.4. When Solomon's Heart was turned aside from God, then took he this Liberty to Sin thus grievously; 'twas a wicked Heart of Ʋnbelief, that was the grand ground of his great Sin, and set him upon departing from the Living God to Dead Idols, Heb. 3.12.

Mark (3.) God's great Favour in appearing twice to Solomon, after an extraordinary manner, was a great Aggravation of Solomon's Apostasy. Transcendent Divine kind∣nesses do greatly aggravate Humane Ʋnkindnesses; a double Bond indeed He broke here, yea a truly golden Obligation.

Mark (4.) To Despise God's express Command is an heinous Offence, ver. 10. as Gen. 2.17. 2 Sam. 12.9. Such Rebellion is as the Sin of Witchcraft, 1 Sam. 15.22, 23.

Mark (5.) The Equity of God's Proceedings against Solomon, ver. 11. God Loves to Retaliate: Solomon had shared God's Service betwixt God and Idols, and now Solo∣mon's Servant must share the Kingdom with his only Son of so many Wives and Concu∣bines, ver. 12. and Chap. 12.16, 17.

Mark (6.) In Wrath God remembers Mercy, Hab. 3.2. Here is a double Allay of this Divine Judgment for Solomon's Sin, ver. 12.13. As (1.) There is this mixture of Mer∣cy, that the Doom foretold should not be executed in Solomon's Day for David's sake: As it is a great Aggravation of a Son's Sin, in swerving from the approved Pattern of a Pious Father, ver. 4. So here, this sinful Son hath his Punishment lessened for the sake of his Godly Parent; yet Solomon's Son fares the worse for Solomon's Sin, and the Father is punish'd in the Son: The (2.) Mitigation of God's Sentence of Wrath is, [All shall not be Rent away, but reserve one Tribe for him.] Benjamin is included in Judah, so much as lay within him, Josh. 19.1, 9.

The Second Part of this Chapter, is the Punishment God inflicted upon Solomon's Per∣son, for his personal Sin, &c.

Remarks hereupon are, (1.) The Lord stirred up an Adversary against him, ver. 14, to 22. Wherein Mark

(1.) Though God was so gracious to Solomon, as to put off the Time of punishing his Sin, until the Reign of his Son (as before) yet must not himself pass altogether unpunished, Jer. 30.11.

Mark (2.) Hadad is the first Adversary, whom God stirred up. N. B. Not by infusing this Malice into him, but by over ruling that Rage (wherewith the Devill had before∣hand fill'd his Heart) as an Instrument of his Justice to punish Solomon's Sin, though Hadad himself sought his own ends, to revenge his own quarrel. N. B. Thus a skilful Workman will use crooked Tools, wherewith he maketh straight and smooth Work.

Mark (3.) This Hadad is described here to be of the Royal Seed of Edom, flying for his Life while but a Child in David's Day, when Joab had a Commission from the King to kill all the Males of Edom, ver. 15, 16, 17.

Mark (4.) Pharaoh entertains him kindly, giving him both an House to live in, and a Wife to live with, ver. 18, 19, 20. as not knowing but that himself might one day have as much need to borrow Mercy, as now he had to lend it.

Mark (5.) Peter Martyr saith, this was the same Pharaoh that had given his Daugh∣ter to Solomon in Marriage, though he knew it could not be well resented by Hadad, but great Kings make small account of such matches in Cross-marriages upon Politick designs in hedging with contrary Parties. Therefore this Pharaoh gives his Queens Si∣ster to this Hadad, as well as his Daughter to Solomon.

Mark (6.) Hadad's Lady, though she were a Princess, yet gave she Suck to her Child, ver. 20. as Sarah that Princess had done before her, Gen. 22.1, 8.

Mark (7.) This Hadad return'd from Egypt into Edom, when David was Dead, and Joab was slain by Solomon, ver. 21, 22. Wherein he undeniably begg'd leave of Phara∣oh to return home into his Countrey. N. B. Patri am quisque amat non quia pulchram, sed quia propriam, saith the Orator, we all naturally affect our own Native Countrey. Oh that we could long as much to get to Heaven, which Bernard calls [Repatriâsse] to go to Heaven is to go home again; to which Peter Martyr adds, 'tis Pity the De∣lights of this World, should take off our longings to Depart into a better World.

Mark (8.) Hadad was thus importunate to return home to Edom, that he might re∣venge himself of the Posterity of David, and that he might recover his Father's King∣dom; yet is it not Recorded, wherein this Hadad was mischievous to Solomon. N. B. Though he could not upon his speedy return, recover the Kingdom of Edom absolutely to himself; yet some suppose, that with Solomon's good leave, through his Father Pharaoh's Mediation, He reigned over Edom under the Law of Tribute paid to Israel, which yet in the last Days of Solomon he deny'd to pay. N. B. So long as Solo∣mon held fast his Integrity, God preserved him from all Hadad's Projects, and possi∣bly Pharaoh might lay his Charge upon him not to enterprize any Evil against his Son Solomon: But what he at first could not effect, was in time brought to pass: Hadad laid the Foundation of Edom's utter Revolt, 2 King. 8.20, 22. with Gen. 27.40.

The Second Remark upon this Second Part is, the second Adversary God raised up against Backsliding Solomon; to wit, Rezon, ver. 23, 24, 25. Wherein Mark.

(1) Twisted Sins against God, bring twisted Judgments from God: Some suppose this Rezon was stirred up by Hadad; yet God, by disposing of all Men's Hearts, is said to stir up both these Adversaries to scourge Solomon for his Impieties against both Tables.

Mark (2.) This Rezon dealt perfidiously with his own Lord by lurching him, and fleeing from him, when he saw Hadadezer was like to be defeated by David, 2 Sam. 8.3, 4. and 10.18. He that left his Liege-Lord in the midst of his Conflict with Jo∣ab, and was such a false Friend, as was rather a Cause of, than a Companion in his King's Calamity; no wonder if he proved a false Friend to Solomon as well as Hadad.

Mark (3.) This Rezon rallied his Master's Routed Forces, became their Captain, lived till now upon Robbery like Arabians, and being increased in Strength, drove out David's Garrison, 2 Sam. 8.6. out of Damascus, while Solomon was wallowing in Luxury (before which time He had no Adversary, 1 King. 15.4.) and made himself King over Syria in Damascus: Now Hadad and Rezon Confederate to afflict Israel for So∣lomon's Sins, &c.

The Third Remark is upon the Third Adversary, God raised up against Solomon for his Sins; namely not only those two Strangers, Hadad and Rezon, but also his own Domestick Servant Jeroboam ver. 26, to ver. 40. Wherein Mark

(1.) God hath many Arrows in his Quiver to shoot at the Hairy Scalps of such Sin∣ners, as go on in their Sins, Psal. 68.21. Deut. 32.23. 'Tis said by the Pagan Poet of his Heathen Jove,

Si quoties peccent homines, sua fulmina mittat Jupiter, exiguo tempore inermis erit.

If their Jupiter should so oft cast his Thunder-bolts, as Men offend him, his Armo∣ry would soon be exhausted and Empty. But this cannot be said of the true Johovah, who hath an inexhaustible Armory of Arrows, &c. The Lord of Hosts shoots this third Arrow (Jeroboam) against Backsliding Solomon.

Mark (2.) Jeroboam was preferr'd by King Solomon (feeing him a Man of great Activity and Accomplishments) to be Ruler over the whole House of Joseph, where∣by, being of an Ambitious, and Aspiring Mind, (as the Prophet secretly Taxeth him) ver. 37. He had many opportunites to asperse Solomon's Government, for laying such heavy Taxes upon his People, to maintain his seven hundred Wives, and his three hundred Concubines. Peter Martyr saith, He traduced his Master Solomon to his Sub∣jects, as Absalom had done his Father David before him.

Mark (3.) That which flush'd him more toward a Rebellion, was Ahijah's Prophecy to him, being added to Solomon's preferment of him: For God's Providence, ordered a Private Conference of the Prophet Ahijah and Jeroboam, going to take his Principa∣lity upon him, the Prophet rends his new Garment into twelve Pieces, and gives ten of them to Jeroboam. Doing this for a Sign of what God said, ver. 11. shewing that the Kingdom (though it was new, fresh) and strong upon the Shoulders (as 1 Sam. 15.28.) and like a goodly glittering and glorious Mantle, yet (saith the all disposing God) I will rend it thus, and thou shalt have Ten Parts or Tribes, &c. N. B. God gives to every Man his Measure, as he is the Most High, Psal. 115.3. Dan. 5.21, &c.

Mark (4.) God's respect to David for his Integrity in the main, He therefore shall have a Light continued, ver. 36. So is a good King a Light in Counsel, and Comfort to his People, 2 Sam. 21.17. 1 King. 15.4. Psal. 132.17. N.B. Peter Martyr saith, David and Solomon shone splendidly like the Sun, whereas their Successors were but lesser Lights and Lanthorns comparatively.

Mark (5.) The Prophet makes a fair promise of an Established Throne to a woful Sinner, ver. 38. wherein God declares his gracious Disposition to all the Children of Men indefinitely, either to allure Jeroboam to obedience, or to aggravate his disobe∣dience, and so to justifie God's Justice, in inflicting his Judgments upon him for his Re∣bellion against him.

Mark (6.) Tho' the House of David was afflicted for Solomon's sins, and for the People's also by his Example, ver. 33. yet should it not be for ever, v. 39. For some Kings of Ju∣dah grew very great, as did Asa, Hezekiah, Josiah; the last of which recover'd Samaria and the Regions that belonged to the Ten Tribes, &c. N.B. About 256 years after this the Ten Tribes were carried into perpetual Captivity, whereby all their Conten∣tions with Judah were finally concluded, yea and the Jews of Judah returning from Babylon, did almost recover the whole Kingdom of Israel. N.B. But more especially (saith P. Martyr) this word [for ever] must relate to the Messiah, that Son of David, in whom the Glory of David's House was restored, and such as never any mortal King had, even greater than Solomon's, who united the Two broken Sticks of Judah and Joseph, and Ruleth still both over Jews and Gentiles.

Mark (7.) Solomon understood all this private Conference, &c. Kings have long Ears: It may be Jeroboam blab'd it out of Pride, and to make a Party out of Policy.

Hence Solomon sought to slay him, ver. 40. which was a fond Act in so wise a Man. God's Purpose cannot be cross'd by Man's Projects, as himself saith, Prov. 21.30. Hereupon Jeroboam fled to Egypt (and Ahijah too with him, saith the Chaldee Paraphrast) whom Shishak entertaineth till Solomon's Death; perhaps being offended that he had taken so many Wives to his Sister, or (as some say) Daughter, as is here noted in ver. 1.

The third part of this Chapter is Solomon's Death, ver. 41, 42, 43. wherein his Time of Reigning, his Death and Burial, and his Successor, are all mentioned; but his Repen∣tance is not expresly recorded among his other Acts. N.B. From whence some have rashly Judged that he was damned: But on the contrary, Consider (1.) The Book of Chronicles mentions not Solomon's fall, yet none doubt but he did so. (2.) No mention is made of the Repentance of Adam, Noah, Lot, yet none damns them for their sins. (3.) Solomon's Way is mentioned with honour, 2 Chron. 11.17. where 'tis joyned with the Way of David. (4.) Solomon's Ecclesiastes is all penitential, a Monument of his Re∣pentance, as Psal. 51, &c. are of David's. (5.) He was a Natural Progenitor of Christ, Luke 3.23. who were Elect Persons all accounted. (6.) As he penned part of Sacred Scripture, so he is call'd an Holy Man, 2 Pet. 1.21. (7.) He was Jedidiah, beloved of God, and whom God loveth once, he loveth ever, Joh. 13.1, &c. (8.) God his Father for∣sook him not finally, 2 Sam. 7.14, 15. Psal. 27.10. & 89.33. (9.) Nor did any com∣plain of his not Reforming Idolatry, chap. 12.4, &c. where his Subjects Rose up in Re∣bellion, and laid Lord of Accusations against him for his Misgovernment in Sacred, as well as Civil Matters; so they might have blamed him, had he failed therein, &.