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determinate counsel and foreknowledge of God;" cites the language of the Psalmist, saying, "David speaketh concerning Him, I foresaw the Lord always before my face, for He is on my right hand that I should not be moved therefore did my heart rejoice, and my tongue was glad; moreover also my flesh shall rest in hope; because thou wilt not leave my soul in hell, (or, as it is by some translated "my life in the grave,") neither wilt thou suffer thine Holy One to see corruption."—And the Apostle adds that David,

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being a prophet, and seeing this before, spake of the resurrection of Christ, that his soul was not left in hell, (or, as some translators render it, his person in the grave,) neither did his flesh see corruption." In those sublime expressions, which the sacred text records as "the last words of David," we may perceive that, in some small degree at least, through the power of living faith, "life and immortality were brought to light:" "Although my house be not so with God, yet hath He made with me an everlasting covenant, ordered in all things and sure: for this is all my salvation, and all my desire, although he make it not to grow."

CHAP. LX.-The first years of Solomon's reign were singularly blessed. He "loved the Lord, walking in the statutes of David his father." He desired not riches, nor honours, nor length of days, but he besought the Lord to give him an understanding heart; for, said he, "I am but a little child; I know not how to go out, or come in:" and this humble petition was acceptable to his God; who not only imbued him with a wise and understanding heart, but graciously added thereto both riches and honour.

Solomon caused the temple to be built in a style of magnificence which the imagination cannot realize. Artists of wondrous skill were employed in the work: men of Tyre assisted in framing the ponderous architecture, which was all overlaid with gold; and, from the description given of it in the sacred records, was evidently wrought with exquisite beauty, and adorned with many precious stones and pearls. Massive decorations, in pure gold and fine brass, were cast in a clay ground by an ingenious Tyrian, and were of unequalled splendour. All the appendages of this house of God were executed with corresponding grandeur; and when it was

finished king Solomon dedicated it to the service of Jehovah-offering burnt sacrifices in great abundance, accompanied by a sublime and solemn prayer: and when he "had made an end of praying, the fire came down from heaven and consumed the burnt offering and the sacrifices, and the glory of the Lord filled the house." This hallowed building was erected by Solomon according to the Divine instruction given to David. He placed within it the altar for sacrifice, and a sea of molten brass in which the priests bathed, with ten lavers for the washing of "such things as they offered for the burnt offering:" there was also the golden candlestick that gave perpetual light; and, within the vail, was "the oracle," or "holiest of all," where the ark of the covenant was placed, overshadowed by "the cherubims of glory." Many other instruments of pure gold were provided for the sacred service: the whole being a perfect type of "the church of God, which He hath purchased with His own blood;" all the members of which, whatever be their sect or clime, are, through the effectual operation of the Holy Spirit, "built upon the foundation

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of the apostles and prophets, Jesus Christ Himself being the chief corner-stone; in whom all the building, fitly framed together, groweth unto an holy temple in the Lord."

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Solomon built also several splendid palaces, and some great cities, with walls, gates, and bars of these the most remarkable were Tadmor in the wilderness, Beth-horon the upper, Beth-horon the nether, and store cities in the district of Hamath. In riches and wisdom Solomon surpassed all the kings of the earth. The vessels in his palaces were made of pure gold; none were of silver, it was nothing accounted of in the days of Solomon:" and it is recorded that the “king made silver and gold at Jerusalem as plenteous as stones." He was renowned for his wisdom above all other men; the fame of it reached to the uttermost parts of the then peopled earth: "All the kings" of the nations "sought the presence of Solomon, to hear his wisdom that God had put in his heart." The queen of Sheba came "with a very great company, and camels that bare spices, and gold in abundance, and precious stones," which she gave unto the king: "and she communed

with him upon all that was in her heart:" and when she heard his sayings, and beheld his greatness, "there was no more spirit left in her;" but she blessed the Lord God of Israel who had so richly endowed him.

But notwithstanding the vast capaciousness of his mental faculties, illuminated, as they were, by the light of the Holy Spirit, we find not, in the annals of time, a more striking or affecting illustration of the utter frailty of the human heart, than that which is exhibited in the character of this distinguished monarch. Incalculable were the blessings bestowed upon him; together with the promises of continued greatness and glory, on the righteous condition of a faithful obedience to the law of his God: and, on the other hand, most solemn were the warnings of misery and desolation that should result from his forsaking the Lord, and serving other gods. Yet, alas! this king-the most favoured of the sons of men-became a lover of pleasure and voluptuousness. He married many women who were of idolatrous nations, and his wives turned away his heart from God; and he "went after Ashtoreth, the