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. IX.

THIS Chapter gives an Account of Solomon's Building Cities and Navies, after he had compleated the Temple, &c.

N. B. 1. Having now through the good hand of my God upon me (as Nehemia's and Ezra's Phrase is) travel'd through the most Remarkable Scripture Histories from the Creation of Adam, unto the finishing of God's Temple by Solomon, wherein are compleated (by our most Authentick and best Chronologers, Bishop Ʋsher, Dr. Lightfoot, &c.) the first three thousand years of the World, I now address my self with Divine Assistance to run over the following most Remarkable Histories until the accomplishment of the next Thousand years, even unto the end thereof, which ushereth in the Birth of our Blessed Saviour, who was typified by this Temple of Solomon, John 2.19. and who was Born (as some suppose) at the same time of the year, when Solomon Dedicated his Temple to the Lord, which was in the Month Tisri or Ethanim, the Seventh Month, answering to part of our September: sub judice lis est.

Secondly, From the Birth of Christ the Old Rabbins reckon the World shall continue two thousand years longer after Christ, to make the whole continuation of the World the term or time of Six Thousand Years, after the expiration whereof succeedeth the Sabbatical or seventh thousand year, which (according to this Old Tradition) will be a Blessed Jubilee, and Sabbath of sweet rest and peace, &c. This odd notion they ground not only upon the six days of God's creating the World, and then succeeded the Sab∣bath; but also upon the six days of the Ark's compassing the City Jericho, and then fol∣lowed the downfal of its walls upon the Seventh Day. According to this Rabbinical Opinion, the World can continue but three hundred and ten years longer, which being added to our present one thousand six hundred and ninetieth year after Christ, make up compleatly the last two thousand years of the World's continuance after Christ, before the Seventh Millenary do enter, mentioned in Revel. 20. but our Lord himself telleth us [This Day is only known to the Lord,] Zech. 14.7. and [that day and hour knoweth no Man] Mat. 24.36. That the Lord will come, there is nothing more cer∣tain, but what time this will be, there is nothing more uncertain: Sundry gh••sses have been given to it both by Antient and Modern Authors, most of which that are now past, time hath already confuted: The dates to come are (1.) Nich. Cusanus his 1700 y. (2.) Cardanus's 1800 y. (3.) Picus Mirandulas's 1905 y. &c. But what is all this conjecture save wanton wit upon serious work: Ideò latet unus dies, ut observentur omnes. God hath hid it, that we may not grow secure, Mat. 24.38, 48. Luke 17.24, 27. Knowing the time of her Lord's return made the Harlot sin, Prov. 7.19, 20.

The Building of those Cities and Navies mentioned in this Chapter, fall under a two∣fold Consideration:

First, What helps Solomon had to build them, and

Secondly, What they were he built, and for what use, &c.

First of his Helps which were double, first Divine, secondly Humane.

First, Remarks upon Solomon's Divine Help.

(1.) God's appearance again to Solomon to confirm him, v. 1.2, and 11. The manner of it was the same with that at Gibeon before, Chap. 3.5. which was a Vision by Night, after a well spent day in religious duties, when he was just entring upon his Kingdom: But this is call'd the second time here, after he had accomplished his foregoing Fabricks, and had attained to the very Apex and heighth of Royal Dignity, v. 1, 2, and 10. where 'tis intimated that this confirming Vision came in the 24th year of his Reign, seeing he had Reigned four years before he began to build. N. B. Tho' Solomon seem to have two other Divine Confirmations betwixt those two, as that mentioned Ch. 6.11. and that likewise, Chap. 8.10, 11. yet neither of those two were like the first and the last; for that word which came to Solomon, Chap. 6.11. was most probably by some Prophet whom God sent to him, and that in Chap 8.10, 11. there was indeed a glorious Cloud, but there was no Audible Voice (we read of) came out of that Cloud, it was only a visible approbation.

The Second Remark here, is, The matter of this Audible Apparition, which is ma∣nifold, as

First, God declares here, that he had graciously heard Solomon's prayer at the Dedica∣tion of the Temple, v. 3. N. B. A great encouragement from this prayer-hearing God, Psal. 65.2. who sometimes hears prayer before his people ask, Isa. 65.24. Psal. 32.5. and sometimes as they are asking, Dan. 9.20.23. and 10.12. but always after they have prayed (either in kind, or by way of equivalency, 2 Cor. 12.8, 9.) provided they bring to him lawful petitions, and honest hearts: The Reason hereof is rendred, John 16.26, 27.

Secondly, That his Kingdom should be continued in the house of David for ever, v. 4.5. that is, until Shilo come, and a period then put to the Jewish polity,

Thirdly, The Conditions of this Promise for so long a season; the failure on Man's part herein makes the promise of God void, v. 6, 7, 8, 9. If thou (and Israel with thee) or thy posterity fall into that foul sin of Apostasy, so hateful to God, and so hurtful to Men, then shall ye be a Scorn, and a By-word to the World, as the Jews are at this day, Zech. 8.13. 2 Chron. 7.21. If ye refuse to return, Jer. 8.5, &c.

Secondly, Remarks upon Solomon's second help, which was Humane.

First, His Foreign, afforded by King Hiram.

Secondly, Domestick, his home Tribute, &c.

Remarks on his Foreign help are,

First, Solomon's Commutative Justice in assigning some Cities in Galilee (lately Con∣quered) unto King Hiram, as satisfaction for all the Wood and Gold he had supplied him with, and sent to him to carry on his many Famous Fabricks, v. 11.14. tho' Lebanon (saith Peter Martyr) did undoubtedly belong to Israel, so the Wood was none of Hi∣ram's, yet is he said to give it to Solomon, because he found both Carpenters, and Car∣riages: However the Sixscore Talents of Gold were Hiram's own goods, which great Sum Solomon solveth with a Country, containing in it twenty Cities.

Remark the Second, is, King Hiram's Avarice discovered by his lofty looks, and scornful expostulations, contemning those Cities by the name of Chabul, Hebr. Dirty Cities, as laying in a clayie Land, v. 12, 13. tho' the Soil was good in it self, yet because it stood in need of more pains to manure and manage, than the luxurious and lazy Tyrians (so devoted to Merchandize) were willing to take, therefore he despised them, and re∣quired a better Recompence.

Remarks upon Solomon's Domestick help are,

First, His laying of a Levy or Tribute at home; the Reason is rendred, v. 15. be∣cause Hiram would not accept of those twenty Cities for suitable satisfaction, there∣fore Solomon lays this Levy of Mony upon his Subjects, that Hiram might have his Mony repaid him.

Remark the Second, Solomon had his Levy of Men, as well as of Money, his Buildings as they were many, v. 15, 16, 17, 18, 19. so they were costly (as 'tis said of Building in general) swallowing up Hiram's Gold, as well as his own; and many hands were necessary to carry them on.

N. B. Howbeit Solomon used not Israelites as Bondmen, but the Posterity of the Amo∣rites, &c. v. 20, 21, 22, 23. These they could once have destroyed, and would not, afterwards they would have done it, and could not; and tho' Solomon would not en∣slave any of Israel as he did of these Canaanites, yet were they so discontented with his Government, that Ten whole Tribes cast off his Son Rehoboam, and chose his Servant Jeroboam for their King.

Remark the Third, When Solomon had finished all his Houses, &c. (having placed his Queen in her peculiar Palace, v. 24. and 2 Chron. 8.11. and had fixed his three Annual Feasts in the Temple, v. 25. 2 Chron. 8.13. and Deut. 16.16. then he equipped a Navy to Sea in Ezion Geber, v. 26. which Jehosaphat in imitation of Solomon essayed to do, but not with the same success; for his Ships, that should have gone to fetch Gold from Ophir were broken (the effect of his sinful Affinity with wicked Ahaziah) 1 King. 22.48, 49. but these Ships of Solomon being assisted with the skilful Seamen of King Hiram's Tyrians, v. 27. brought from the East-Indies four hundred and fifty Talents of Gold, 2 Chron. 8.18. but because 30 Talents were allowed by Solomon to Hiram and his Seamen for their Voyage, therefore 'tis said here, v. 28. 'twas but 420 Talents, because no more came clearly into Solomon's Treasury: This is call'd a three years Voyage, chap. 10.22. America, and the use of the Loadstone might be made known to Wise Solomon, tho' unknown to after Ages, &c.