1 Kings 4:20-25

The Golden Age.

It has been cynically said that men always place the golden age in the past or in the future. Possibly they are not so far wrong after all. For, if our historian is true, there has been such a period in the history of the world. And if the Holy Gospel is true, there will be such a period hereafter. The reign of Solomon was the Augustan, the golden age, of Israel. The reign of Jesus, of which Solomon's empire was a foreshadowing, will be the golden age of the world. Let us then consider what light the first period—the past—throws upon the future; in what respects, that is to say, the sway of Solomon is a type and prefigurement of the holy and beneficent rule of our Redeemer. Observe—

I. THE MONARCH .

1 . He was the wisest of men. This was the root of the universal prosperity. He was capax imperii; he had the understanding to judge that great people ( 1 Kings 3:9 ). From a throne stablished in equity and intelligence ( Psalms 72:2 ) flowed a tide of blessing through the land. But "Messiah the Prince" is the Incarnation of Wisdom. He is "made unto us wisdom" ( 1 Corinthians 1:30 ). In Him "are hid all the treasures of wisdom and knowledge" ( Colossians 2:3 ). He is "the wisdom of God" ( 1 Corinthians 1:24 ).

2 . He ruled in the fear of the Lord. The precept of his father ( 2 Samuel 23:3 ) was not forgotten ( 1 Kings 3:6-9 ). Compare the account of Messiah's reign—the reign of the Branch of the root of Jesse in Isaiah 2:2-5 . This "King shall reign in righteousness" ( Isaiah 32:1 ).

II. THE EMPIRE .

1 . Its extent. He had dominion from "the river to the border of Egypt," "from Tiphsali even to Azzah." The petty kings brought presents and did fealty. Now observe how Psalms 72:1-20 ; descriptive or prophetic of the reign of Solomon, is also prophetic of the reign of our blessed Lord. Of Him alone is it strictly true that "He shall have dominion from sea to sea," etc. ( Psalms 72:8 ), that "all kings shall fall down before Him," etc. True, His enemies do not yet "lick the dust" ( Psalms 72:9 ), for "we see not yet all things put under Him," but we know that all power is given to Him in heaven and in earth ( Matthew 28:18 ), and that "the kingdoms of this world" shall "become the kingdoms of our Lord and of his Christ" ( Revelation 11:15 ).

2 . Its duration. Solomon's was a long reign, and would have been much longer ( 1 Kings 3:14 ) had he been faithful But He who shall possess "the throne of his father David shall reign over the house of Jacob forever , and of his kingdom there shall be no end" ( Luke 1:32 , Luke 1:33 ; cf. Daniel 2:44 ; Daniel 7:14 , Daniel 7:27 ; Psalms 145:13 ; Micah 4:7 ).

III. THE SUBJECTS .

1 . Their number. They were "many," "as the sand which is by the sea in multitude." Compare Daniel 7:10 , "ten thousand times ten thousand stood before him," and Revelation 5:11 ; Revelation 7:9 , "a great multitude which no man could number."

2 . Their character. Solomon's sway extended over Gentiles as well as Jews (verses 21, 24). A foreshadowing of the inclusion of Gentiles in the kingdom of Christ. In the one fold, two flocks ( John 10:16 ). Compare Acts 26:23 ; Acts 28:28 ; Romans 11:15 ; Ephesians 3:6 ; Ephesians 2:14 , etc. There are three particulars, however, in which the subjects of our Lord will differ from those of Solomon.

IV. THE REIGN .

1 . It was peaceful (verse 24; cf. 1 Kings 5:4 and 1 Chronicles 32:9). In Messiah's reign they shall "beat theft swords into ploughshares," etc. ( Isaiah 2:4 ). Into His court "neither foe entereth nor friend departeth." He is the King and Prince of Peace ( Hebrews 7:2 ).

2 . It was joyous and prosperous. "Eating and drinking and making merry." " Ibi festivitas sine fine" . And Athanasius speaks τῶν ἁγίων καὶ τῶν ἀγγέλων ἀεί ἑορταζοντων . The vine and the fig tree may remind us of the tree of life with its twelve manner of fruits; the security (verse 25) of the pillars in the temple of God ( Revelation 3:12 ). "In his days Israel shall dwell safely" ( Jeremiah 23:6 ; cf. Isaiah 11:6-9 ). That golden age lasted "all the days of Solomon" (verse 23). That which is to come shall be coeternal with the endless life of the Son of God ( Hebrews 7:16 ; John 14:19 ; Psalms 16:11 ).