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king, and stood before him.

17 And the one woman said, O my lord, I and
this woman dwell in one house; and I was
delivered of a child with her in the house.
18 And it came to pass the third day after that
I was delivered, that this woman was delivered
also: and we were together; there was no
stranger with us in the house, save we two in
the house.

19 And this woman's child died in the night;
because she overlaid it.

20 And she arose at midnight, and took my son from beside me, while thy handmaid slept, and laid it in her bosom, and laid her dead child in my bosom.

21 And when I arose in the morning to give my child suck, behold, it was dead: but when I had considered it in the morning, behold,

case of the two harlots.

it was not my son which I did A. M. 2990
bear.

B. C. 1014

22 And the other woman said, Nay; but the living is my son, and the dead is thy son. And this said, No; but the dead is thy son, and the living is my son. Thus they spake before the

king.

23 Then said the king, The one saith, This is my son that liveth, and thy son is the dead; and the other saith, Nay; but thy son is the dead, and my son is the living.

24 And the king said, Bring me a sword. And they brought a sword before the king.

25 And the king said, Divide the living child in two, and give half to the one, and half to the other.

26 Then spake the woman whose the living child was unto the king, for her bowels yearned upon her son, and she said, O my lord, give her the living child, and in no wise

Num. xxvii. 2. Gen. xliii. 30; Isa. xlix. 15; Jer. xxxi. 20; Hos. xi. 8.- 6 Heb. were hot.
which he presented himself in a way of holy adora-
tion. And offered up burnt-offerings-Chiefly for
the expiation of his and his people's sin, through
the blood of Christ, manifestly signified in these sa-
erifices. And peace-offerings-Solemnly to praise
God for all his mercies, and especially for giving
him quiet possession of the kingdom, and for his
glorious appearance to him in the dream, and for.
the promise therein made to him, and the actual ac-
complishment of it.

cause there were evidences of that kind of death,
but no appearance of any other cause thereof.
Thus they spake before the king-Both peremp-
torily and vehemently affirmed the same thing; oft
repeating the same words.

Verse 16. Two women that were harlots-Or, tictuallers; for the Hebrew word signifies both. Yet that they were unmarried persons seems probable, both because there is no mention of any husbands, whose office it was, if there were any such, to contest for their wives; and because they lived a solitary life in one house. Unto the king-Probably they had presented their cause to the inferior courts, and as they could not determine it, they now bring it to the king as the supreme magistrate, and famous for wisdom. And stood there before himDesiring and expecting his sentence in the case. Verses 18-22. On the third day--this woman was delivered also-So that the children could not be distinguished by their age. No stranger was with us in the house-Therefore there was no witness on either side; and although there might be some difference distinguishable by an exact observer between the features of the two children, yet it is not probable that was much attended to by the neighbours who might be present to assist either or both of them in their labour; as they were persons, seems, of suspected fame. And the testimonies of the women were of equal credit, that is, of no credit at all. Because she overlaid it—And so smothered it: which she justly conjectures, be

it

Verse 25. The king said-With seeming sincerity, though with a design far above the reach of the two women, or of the people present, who probably with horror expected the execution of his sentence. "Solomon knew at once that the only sign whereby to discover the true mother, would be her affection, and compassionate tenderness for her child; and therefore, in order to distinguish between the two, his business was to make trial of this. And if we suppose that, when he commanded the child to be divided, he spake with a sedate countenance and seeming earnestness, as the true mother's petition to the king makes it apparent that he did; then we may suppose further, not only the two women, but all the people present, with dread and admiration expecting the execution of the thing; which when it ended in so just a decision, quite contrary to what they looked for, raised joy in every breast, and gave a more advantageous commendation to the judge. And yet Abarbinel, the Jewish commentator, thinks that all this was no great proof of Solomon's extraordinary wisdom, nor could it beget that fear or reverence which the text (says verse 28) it procured to his person. His opinion, therefore, is, that Solomon made a discovery of the truth antecedent to this experiment that by observing the countenance, the manner of speech, and all the motions of the women, he discerned the secret of their hearts, and penetrated to the bottom of the business; and that his commanding the child to be divided afterward was only to

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B. C. 1014.

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B. C. 1014.

A. M. 2990. slay it. But the other said, Let it be But the other said, Let it be || 28 And all Israel heard of the judg- A. M. 2990. neither mine nor thine, but divide it. ment which the king had judged; 27 Then the king answered and said, Give and they feared the king: for they saw that her the living child, and in no wise slay it: she the wisdom of God was in him, to do judgis the mother thereof.

ment.

1 Verses 9, 11.

"Heb. in the midst of him.

notify to the company what he before had discover- had rather have given away from her than deed." See Patrick and Calmet. stroyed. Wisdom of God-Divine wisdom, with which God had inspired him for the government of his people.

Verses 27, 28. She is the mother-As is evident from her natural affection to the child, which she

CHAPTER IV.

Solomon's ministers of state, 1-6. The purveyors of his household, 7-19. The number of his subjects, and extent of his kingdom, 20, 21. The provision for his table, 22, 23. The peace of his subjects, 24, 25. His stables, 26–28. His wisdom, 29-34.

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NOTES ON CHAPTER IV. Verse 1. Over all Israel-Reigned over all the tribes, and with the full consent of them all. This is spoken with respect to his successors, who were kings only over a part, and that the smallest part of Israel. Or in reference to the times of division and rebellion under David, when part only went after David, and part after Ish-bosheth, Absalom, Sheba, or Adonijah.

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Verse 2. These were the princes which he had-7, rendered officers, signifies any governors, or comThe principal officers employed under him. Azariah the son-Or the grandson; of Zadok-1 Chron. vi. 8, 9. The priest-The second priest, or the priest that attended upon Solomon's person in holy offices and administrations. Or, as the Hebrew word here rendered priest may be, and is often, translated prince, in Scripture, this Azariah might be the highest officer of the state, next to the king; or the chief minister of state, by whom the great affairs of the kingdom were managed and prepared for the king's consideration.

manders of the higher sort. See 2 Chron. viii. 10. Zabud the son of Nathan-The prophet, who had been so highly instrumental in establishing Solomon on the throne; was principal officer-Possibly president of the king's council. The Hebrew word is 2, cohen, which, verse 2, and generally, is rendered priest, although, as we have observed there, it may also be translated prince. And the king's friend-His confidant, with whom he used to communicate his most secret counsels. Ahishar was over the household-Steward of the king's Verses 3, 4. Scribes-That is, secretaries of state. house. Over the tribute-The personal tribute, or He chose two, whereas David had but one, either levy of men, as appears by comparing this with because he observed some inconveniences in trust-chap. v. 13, 14; it being very fit that there should ing all the important matters of his government in be some one person to whom the chief conduct or one hand; or because he had now more employment inspection of that great business should be comthan David had, this being a time of great peace |mitted.

Number of Solomon's subjects,

CHAPTER IV.

and extent of his kingdom.

B. C. 1014.

A. M. 2930. 7¶ And Solomon had twelve offi- || Bashan, threescore great cities with A. M. 2990. cers over all Israel, which provided walls and brazen bars:

B. C. 1014.

victuals for the king and his household: each man his month in a year made provision.

8 And these are their names: 5 The son of Hur, in mount Ephraim:

9 The son of Dekar, in Makaz, and in Shaalbim, and Beth-shemesh, and Elonbethhanan:

10 The son of Hesed, in Aruboth; to him pertained Sochoh, and all the land of Hepher: 11 The son of Abinadab, in all the region of Dor; which had Taphath the daughter of Solomon to wife:

12 Baanah the son of Ahilud; to him pertained Taanach and Megiddo, and all Bethshean, which is by Zartanah beneath Jezreel, from Beth-shean to Abel-meholah, even unto the place that is beyond Jokneam:

13 The son of Geber, in Ramoth-gilead; to him pertained the towns of Jair the son of Manasseh, which are in Gilead; to him also pertained the region of Argob, which is in

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14 Ahinadab the son of Iddo had 10 Mahanaim:

15 Ahimaaz was in Naphtali; he also took Basmath the daughter of Solomon to wife: 16 Baanah the son of Hushai was in Asher and in Aloth:

17 Jehoshaphat the son of Paruah, in Issachar:

18 Shimei the son of Elah, in Benjamin. 19 Geber the son of Uri was in the country of Gilead, in the country of Sihon king of the Amorites, and of Og king of Bashan; and he was the only officer which was in the land.

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20 Judah and Israel were many, as the sand which is by the sea in multitude, eating and drinking, and making merry.

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21 And Solomon reigned over all kingdoms from the river unto the land of the Philistines, and unto the border of Egypt: "they brought presents, and served Solomon all the days of his life.

Deut. iii. 8. Gen. xxii. 17; Chap. iii. 8; Prov. xiv. 28. Psa. lxxii. 3,7; Mic. iv. 4.- 2 Chron. ix. 26; Psa. lxxii. 8. • Gen. xv. 18; Josh. i. 4.- -P Psa. lxviii. 29; lxxii. 10.

Verses 8-10. The son of Hur-This person and Verses 14-18. The son of Iddo had Mahanaim others of them are denominated from their fathers, -The city and territory of Mahanaim, Gen. xxxii. because they were known and famous in their gene- 2; Josh. xiii. 26. If this district seem of less extent ration. In mount Ephraim-And the territory be- than the rest, it must be observed, these portions longing to it, which must be understood also of the were distributed into larger or lesser parts, according rest of the places mentioned in the following verses. to their barrenness or fertility; and this seems to have Elonbeth-hanan-Or, Elon, the house, or dwelling-been a very fruitful place, 2 Sam. xvii. 27. Shimei,

Chron. iv. 6.

the son of Elah-This is added to distinguish him from the Shimei who cursed and insulted David.

place of Hanan. For Hanan may be a man's name, and this place may be thus distinguished from other Elons. Or, as the word Elon signifies a plain, the Verse 19. In the country of Gilead-That is, in meaning may be, the plain of Beth-hanan. Sochoh the remaining part of that land of Gilead which -There were two places of this name, but near was mentioned above. The only officer in the land each other, Josh. xv. 35-38. Hepher-In Judah, 1-Or rather, in that land; namely, in all Gilead, excepting the parcels mentioned before, the only one Verses 11-13. The region of Dor-In Manasseh, in all the territories of Sihon and Og. These were where also were Taanach, Megiddo, and Beth-shean. of large extent, and yet all committed to this one Who had the daughter of Solomon to wife-Solo-man, which is here noticed as a peculiar privilege mon had no daughters marriageable when these offi- which he had above the other officers, whose juriscers were appointed; but in process of time, this dictions were of narrower extent. man and Ahimaaz, mentioned verse 15, had behaved Verse 20. As the sand which is on the sea-shore themselves so well in their offices, that Solomon-An hyperbolical expression to signify a vast numdid them the honour to give them two of his daugh- ber. Eating and drinking, &c.-In perfect secuters to wife. In Ramoth-gilead-That is, Ramoth rity, and highly satisfied. Jeshurun now began to in the land of Gilead, Deut. iv. 43; so called, to dis- wax fat, as Moses foresaw would be the case, and tinguish it from Ramoth in Issachar, 1 Chron. vi. 73. soon kicked; soon forsook God who made him, and The towns of Jair-In Manasseh beyond Jordan, lightly esteemed the rock of his salvation, Deut. Num. xxxii. 41. With walls and brazen bars xxxii. 15. This even Solomon himself did. What inThis is added by way of distinction from those dividual, or what nation, can bear continual prospetowns of Jair mentioned before. For, being beyond rity and plenty? Jordan, they were liable to the attempts of their

enemies.

Verse 21. From the river-Euphrates; for so far David, having conquered the Syrians, extended his

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both these are spoken of in
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neglect of his duties, or
is called a fool, and one
judge thy people—0
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Benaiah the son of Jehoiada was

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Or, remembrancer.

a 2 Sam. viii. 16;
Ch. ii. 27.

NOTES ON CHAPTER IV.

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and prosperity, and his empire being enlarged, and

tribes, and with the full consent of them all. This quent. Zadok and Abiathar were the priestsIs spoken with respect to his successors, who were

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That is, the high-priests, namely, successively, first
Abiathar, and then Zadok.

Verses 5, 6. The son of Nathan was over the

and rebellion under David, when part only went officers-Over those twelve officers named verse 7, of Israel. Or in reference to the times of division aner David, and part after Ish-bosheth, Absalom,

Sheba, or

Adonijah.

Verse 2. These were the princes which he had

&c., who were all to give up their accounts to him.

The Hebrew word, ' nitsabim, here, and verse 7, rendered officers, signifies any governors, or comThe principal officers employed under him. Aza- manders of the higher sort. See 2 Chron. viii. 10. riah the son-Or the grandson; of Zadok-1 Chron. The priest―The second priest, or the

vi. 8, 9.

priest that attended upon Solomon's person in holy offices and administrations. Or, as the Hebrew word here rendered priest may be, and is often, translated prince, in Scripture, this Azariah might be the highest officer of the state, next to the king; or the chief minister of state, by whom the great affairs of the kingdom were managed and prepared for the king's consideration.

Zabud the son of Nathan-The prophet, who had been so highly instrumental in establishing Solomon

on the throne; was principal officer-Possibly president of the king's council. The Hebrew word is 2, cohen, which, verse 2, and generally, is rendered priest, although, as we have observed there, it may also be translated prince. And the king's friend-His confidant, with whom he used to communicate his most secret counsels. Ahishar was over the household-Steward of the king's Verses 3, 4. Scribes-That is, secretaries of state. house. Over the tribute-The personal tribute, or He chose two, whereas David had but one, either levy of men, as appears by comparing this with because he observed some inconveniences in trust-chap. v. 13, 14; it being very fit that there should ing all the important matters of his government in be some one person to whom the chief conduct or one hand; or because he had now more employment inspection of that great business should be comthan David had, this being a time of great peace mitted.

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anah the son of Ahilud; to him pertained Taanach and Megiddo, and all Bethshean, which is by Zartanah beneath Jezreel, from Beth-shean to Abel-meholah, even unto the place that is beyond Jokneam :

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20 Judah and Israel were . sand which is by the sea in multitude, and drinking, and making merry. 21 And Solomon reigned over all kingdoma

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13 The son of Geber, in Ramoth-gilead; || from the river unto the land of the Philistines, to him pertained the towns of Jair the son of and unto the border of Egypt: they brought Manasseh, which are in Gilead; to him also presents, and served Solomon all the days of pertained the region of Argob, which is in his life.

'Or, Benhur Or, Bendekar.- -7 Or, Benhesed.Benatinadab.. Or, Bengeber.h Num. xxxii. 41.4-Or, to Mahanaim.

8 Or, i Deut.

* Deut. iii. 8. Gen. xxii. 17; Chap. iii. 8; Prov. xiv. 28. Psa. lxxii. 3,7; Mic. iv. 4.-2 Chron. ix. 26; Psa. lxxii. 8. Gen. xv. 18; Josh. i. 4.-P Psa. lxviii. 29; lxxii. 10.

Verses 8-10. The son of Hur-This person and others of them are denominated from their fathers, because they were known and famous in their generation. In mount Ephraim-And the territory belonging to it, which must be understood also of the rest of the places mentioned in the following verses. Elonbeth-hanan-Or, Elon, the house, or dwellingplace of Hanan. For Hanan may be a man's name, and this place may be thus distinguished from other Elons. Or, as the word Elon signifies a plain, the Verse 19. In the country of Gilead-That is, in meaning may be, the plain of Beth-hanan. Sochoh the remaining part of that land of Gilead which -There were two places of this name, but near was mentioned above. The only officer in the land each other, Josh. xv. 35-38. Hepher-In Judah, 1-Or rather, in that land; namely, in all Gilead, excepting the parcels mentioned before, the only one in all the territories of Sihon and Og. These were of large extent, and yet all committed to this one man, which is here noticed as a peculiar privilege which he had above the other officers, whose jurisdictions were of narrower extent.

Verses 14-18. The son of Iddo had Mahanaim -The city and territory of Mahanaim, Gen. xxxii. 2; Josh. xiii. 26. If this district seem of less extent than the rest, it must be observed, these portions were distributed into larger or lesser parts, according to their barrenness or fertility; and this seems to have been a very fruitful place, 2 Sam. xvii. 27. Shimei, the son of Elah-This is added to distinguish him from the Shimei who cursed and insulted David.

Chron. iv. 6.

Verses 11-13. The region of Dor-In Manasseh, where also were Taanach, Megiddo, and Beth-shean. Who had the daughter of Solomon to wife-Solomon had no daughters marriageable when these offieers were appointed; but in process of time, this man and Ahimaaz, mentioned verse 15, had behaved Verse 20. As the sand which is on the sea-shore themselves so well in their offices, that Solomon-An hyperbolical expression to signify a vast numdid them the honour to give them two of his daugh- ber. Eating and drinking, &c.—In perfect secuters to wife. In Ramoth-gilead-That is, Ramoth rity, and highly satisfied. Jeshurun now began to in the land of Gilead, Deut. iv. 43; so called, to dis- wax fat, as Moses foresaw would be the case, and tinguish it from Ramoth in Issachar, 1 Chron. vi. 73. soon kicked; soon forsook God who made him, and The towns of Juir-In Manasseh beyond Jordan, lightly esteemed the rock of his salvation, Deut. Num. xxxii. 41. With walls and brazen bars xxxii. 15. This even Solomon himself did. What inThis is added by way of distinction from those dividual, or what nation, can bear continual prospetowns of Jair mentioned before. For, being beyond rity and plenty ? Jordan, they were liable to the attempts of their

enernies.

Verse 21. From the river-Euphrates; for so far David, having conquered the Syrians, extended his

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