1 Kings 10:14-29
The sight of the great king, Solomon, arrayed in his costly and magnificent robes, seated upon his throne, made of ivory and gold, must have been a magnificent spectacle. And yet the Lord Jesus, calling on us to consider the lilies of the field, affirms that "Solomon in all his glory was not arrayed like one of these" (Matthew 6:29). We can be sure that the finest of the works of man will never match up to the most modest of those of the Creator.
Psalms 72, composed "for Solomon", describes this reign of righteousness (vv. 1-4), of peace (v. 7), of power (vv. 8-11), of mercy (vv. 12-14), of prosperity (v. 16) and of blessing (v. 17). "The kings of Sheba and Seba shall offer gifts . . . and to him shall be given of the gold of Sheba" (vv. 10 and 15). In this tenth chapter, many details are given to illustrate the wealth, the wisdom, and the power of this son of David reigning in righteousness at Jerusalem. But we understand that here also there is portrayed in type One "greater than Solomon". Centre of glory, prosperity and blessing for all nations, this brilliant reign is but a pale reflection of the future universal dominion of our Lord Jesus Christ.