Matthew Henry Commentary 1 Kings 4:20-28

Matthew Henry Commentary

1 Kings 4:20-28

1662–1714
Presbyterian
Matthew Henry
Matthew Henry

Matthew Henry Commentary

1 Kings 4:20-28

1662–1714
Presbyterian
SCRIPTURE

"Judah and Israel were many as the sand which is by the sea in multitude, eating and drinking and making merry. And Solomon ruled over all the kingdoms from the River unto the land of the Philistines, and unto the border of Egypt: they brought tribute, and served Solomon all the days of his life. And Solomon`s provision for one day was thirty measures of fine flour, and threescore measures of meal, ten fat oxen, and twenty oxen out of the pastures, and a hundred sheep, besides harts, and gazelles, and roebucks, and fatted fowl. For he had dominion over all [the region] on this side the River, from Tiphsah even to Gaza, over all the kings on this side the River: and he had peace on all sides round about him. And Judah and Israel dwelt safely, every man under his vine and under his fig-tree, from Dan even to Beer-sheba, all the days of Solomon. And Solomon had forty thousand stalls of horses for his chariots, and twelve thousand horsemen. And those officers provided victuals for king Solomon, and for all that came unto king Solomon`s table, every man in his month; they let nothing be lacking. Barley also and straw for the horses and swift steeds brought they unto the place where [the officers] were, every man according to his charge." — 1 Kings 4:20-28 (ASV)

Never did the crown of Israel shine so bright, as when Solomon wore it. He had peace on all sides. In this, his kingdom was a type of the Messiah's; for it is promised to Him that He shall have the heathen for His inheritance, and that princes shall worship Him.

The spiritual peace, and joy, and holy security, of all the faithful subjects of the Lord Jesus, were typified by that of Israel. The kingdom of God is not, as Solomon's was, meat and drink, but is, what is infinitely better: righteousness, and peace, and joy in the Holy Ghost.

The vast number of his attendants, and the great gathering of people to him, are shown by the daily provision. In this, Christ far surpasses Solomon, in that He feeds all His subjects, not with the bread that perishes, but with that which endures to eternal life.