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Afterwards shall the children of Israel return, and seek the Lord their God, and David their king; and shall fear the Lord and his goodness in the latter days."*

The fear and flight of David from the land of Israel into that of the Philistines; his appearance among the hosts of the latter to fight against the people of God; his awful transgressions in the case of Uriah and Bathsheba; his inability to maintain the throne against his rebellious son, or to secure the affection and attachment of his subjects, and his mortality, are proofs of the imperfection of this type; and as relates more especially to later times, the historical extinction of his family. None of his race can be proved to have existed for many centuries; but to the birth of Jesus Christ, his promised son, the genealogical evidence is clear and authoritative. Like his father David, he is king over a suffering people, in a state of trial and probation, therefore his kingdom is as yet imperfect; but it is founded in heaven, and is daily building up there, and shall continue to be built up until the faithfulness of God shall be established in the completion of it.

* Hos. iii. 5.

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CHAPTER XVIII.

Typical Character of Solomon.

ABRAHAM and David appear upon the page of sacred history in the distinguishing characters of heads of two covenants respectively established with them and their posterity. They are also assured of a particular seed from among the latter, necessary for the divine fulfilment of the promises connected with these engagements; and as the persons to whom these charters of blessings were given were the typical heads, so were their immediate sons the typical promised seeds of their peculiar covenants, a succession which was necessary to render the symbols complete in all their correspondent parts. Abraham is head and representative of the church; Isaac is the son of Abraham, born to him to whom the promise was given, and therefore called the promised seed, but the type of the Son of man, born in

that church of the seed of Abraham after the flesh, for the redemption of the heirs of the covenant. David is the type of the Messiah in his state of humiliation and warfare, fighting for and gaining the victory over the enemies of Israel. Solomon, the son of David, according to the promise, is the type of the Son of man, born of the seed of David, but ascending the throne of his father's glory, that he might raise his paternal kingdom to the highest pitch of splendour and happiness, and extend the blessings of eternal peace to all who bow to his authority.

The privileges attached to these heirs of the covenants were very similar, particularly in the everlasting perpetuity of the blessings promised; but the circumstances under which these symbolical personages appeared were very different. Solomon was king over that land where Isaac had held no possession but his tent. He was also anointed to build a temple to the service of that God to whom the latter had been offered as a sacrifice, in the purpose and intentional obedience of his father Abraham.

The promise which foretold the birth, also appointed the name, and described the character and work of the son of David. "Behold, a son shall be born unto thee, who shall

be a man of rest; and I will give him rest from all his enemies round about: for his name shall be Solomon, and I will give peace and quietness unto Israel in his days. He shall build a house for my name; and he shall be my son, and I will be his father; and I will establish the throne of his kingdom over Israel for ever."* The name signifies, peaceable or perfect, or one who recompenses, all particularly applicable to the office of the Messiah, who being perfect became our peace, and will be the righteous Judge of all men to recompense both to his friends and his enemies according to their works. His employment, to build the house of the Lord, and the expressions of close and dear relationship, are all suitable to the symbolical connexion which he bore to the Author of eternal peace, who was anointed, that he might gather together in one the children of God;"† the family of the house of Israel, building them up into a spiritual temple, a work to which the Son of God was alone equal, and in which the Father particularly owned him for his son. After his birth, the Lord sent by Nathan the prophet, and "called his name Jedidiah," or beloved of the Lord, "and the Lord loved him;" a typical pro

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* 1 Chron. xxii. 9, 10.

2 Sam. xii. 24.

↑ John xi. 52.

phecy of the Lord of life and glory, to whom this distinction was peculiarly appropriated. "Behold my servant whom I have chosen, my beloved in whom my soul is well pleased.”* "For he received from God the Father honour and glory, when there came such a voice to him from the excellent glory, This is my beloved Son, in whom I am well pleased." ↑

His supplication to the Almighty, when he appeared to him after his first public sacrifice at Gibeon, marks the peculiar integrity and simplicity of his mind; a singular personal disinterestedness. “Now, O God, let thy promise unto David my father be established: for thou hast made me king over a people like the dust of the earth in multitude. Give me now wisdom and knowledge, that I may go out and come in before this people: for who can judge this thy people, that is so great? And God said unto Solomon, Because this was in thine heart, and thou hast not asked riches, wealth, or honour, nor the life of thine enemies, neither yet hast asked long life; but hast asked wisdom and knowledge for thyself, that thou mayest judge my people, over whom I have made thee king: wisdom and knowledge is granted unto thee and I will give thee riches, and wealth, and honour, such as none of the kings have + 2 Pet. i. 17.

* Matt. xii. 18,