Metropolitan Tabernacle Pulpit · Sermon No. 1504
“Judah and Israel were many, as the sand which is by the sea in multitude, eating and drinking, and making merry. And Solomon reigned over all kingdoms from the river unto the land of the Philistines, and unto the border of Egypt: they brought presents, 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 an hundred sheep, beside harts, and roebucks, and fallow deer, and fatted fowl. For he had dominion over all the region on this side the river, from Tiphsah even to Azzah, 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 Beersheba, 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 lacked nothing. Barley also and straw for the horses and camels brought they unto the place where the officers were, every man according to his charge.” 1 Kings 4:20-28.
We will read a few verses first, and at the close of them you will find the text.
The last words are the text for this occasion. From the whole passage you will see that the kingdom of Israel under the sway of Solomon was a fair type of the reign of our Lord Jesus Christ. Perhaps it most exactly describes His future dominion, in the long-expected Glory of the latter days. The present state of the Church may be compared to the reign of David, splendid with victories, but disturbed with battles. But there are better days to come, days in which the kingdom shall be extended and become more manifest—and then the Lord Jesus Christ shall be even more conspicuously seen as the Solomon of the kingdom, “who shall have dominion from sea to sea.”
Yet even now, as “we that have believed do enter into rest,” so do we also enter into the richest provision which is made in the Covenant of Grace, even at this present time. And I may say of all who have come under the sway of Christ, that we dwell in a region of peace, seated, every man, under his vine and fig tree and none making us afraid. “There is, therefore, now no condemnation to them which are in Christ Jesus,” and, “therefore, being justified by faith, we have peace with God through our Lord Jesus Christ.” “The peace of God which passes all understanding” does keep our heart and mind by Jesus Christ.
Israel under Solomon had abundance as well as peace. What says the historian? They were “as the sand which is by the sea in multitude, eating and drinking and making merry.” It is said that there was such plenty in the land in Solomon’s time that gold was of no more value than silver and silver became of little more value than iron! And as for the other metals, they were little accounted of. So common had precious metals become, they were scarcely precious any longer, they were so plentiful! The whole land flowed with milk and honey and the people rejoiced and were glad. Certainly the Lord Jesus Christ has brought His people into a state of the greatest plenty, for, “all things are yours; whether things present, or things to come; or life, or death; all are yours; and you are Christ’s; and Christ is God’s.”
What plenty must that man have to whom the Lord has said, “No good thing will I withhold from them that walk uprightly”! “Whatever you shall ask in prayer, believing, you shall receive.” He has given us carte blanche in prayer. He has put into our hands the keys of His treasury and has bid us take what we will! He has said, “Delight yourself also in
the Lord, and He shall give you the desires of your heart.” And He has added, “Open your mouth wide and I will fill it.” If we have not, it is “because we ask not, or because we ask amiss.”
So, too, we dwell in a kingdom which is ruled with wisdom. It is said of Solomon, in this chapter, that he had wisdom and understanding exceeding much and largeness of heart, even as the sand on the sea shore. And Solomon’s wisdom excelled the wisdom of all the children of the east country and all the wisdom of the Egyptians. Is not this, also, our honor and privilege? Behold, this day the Lord Jesus Christ is “made unto us wisdom.” “We have an unction from the Holy One, and know all things” while we dwell in Him, for, “the secret of the Lord is with them that fear Him, and He will show them His Covenant.” “If any man will do His will he shall know of the doctrine.” “All your children shall be taught of the Lord, and great shall be the peace of your children.”
Therefore we dwell under a rule of wisdom, which wisdom imparts itself to each one of us according to his capacity to receive it, yes, even to those whose experience is but shallow—“to teach the young men wisdom, and the babes knowledge and discretion.” “If any man lacks wisdom, let him ask of God that gives to all men liberally and upbraids not.” Israel had a king who was full ofpower. Solomon had squadrons of horse and chariots of war and he was so strong that the kings of the earth dared not come into conflict with him, but paid him tribute. As for our King, He has better forces than horses and chariots of war, for He has but to speak to His Father and He will presently send Him 20 legions of angels!