(10) And the speech pleased the Lord, that Solomon had asked this thing. (11) And God said unto him, Because thou hast asked this thing, and hast not asked for thyself long life; neither hast asked riches for thyself, nor hast asked the life of thine enemies; but hast asked for thyself understanding to discern judgment; (12) Behold, I have done according to thy words: lo, I have given thee a wise and an understanding heart; so that there was none like thee before thee, neither after thee shall any arise like unto thee. (13) And I have also given thee that which thou hast not asked, both riches, and honour: so that there shall not be any among the kings like unto thee all thy days. (14) And if thou wilt walk in my ways, to keep my statutes and my commandments, as thy father David did walk, then I will lengthen thy days.
Do observe, Reader, how the Lord expresseth his approbation of what is in fact at the same time the precious workings of his own grace in their hearts. We have another beautiful example of the same kind in the gospel, where our Lord Jesus is said to have marveled at the faith of the centurion, meaning, that he called upon those around to take notice of it; when it was Jesus himself, as the author and finisher of faith, literally and truly wrought it in the poor man's heart. Matthew 8:10. Do observe further, the bounty of our God in his gifts to Solomon. The Lord not only gave him wisdom and understanding, and all other blessings suited to his need for his exalted station; but, because he had passed by what men of the world would most covet, the Lord superadded all those unasked. But when you and I, Reader, have paid all due respect to the subject, as it concerned Solomon king of Israel, let us look at the subject a little more closely, and see whether a greater than Solomon is not typified here. Do I not see in what is said Jesus, in whom are hid all the treasures of wisdom and knowledge? Solomon, as his type, had wisdom beyond all the kings of the earth. But that, spiritually considered, Jesus was implied in the whole, is evident from what the Lord promised by vision, when David, speaking by the Spirit of prophecy, declared in another scripture, Thou spakest in vision to the Holy One, and saidst, I have laid help upon one that is mighty, I have exalted one chosen out of the people. His seed will I make to endure forever, and his throne as the days of heaven. Compare this with Psalms 89:19-37, and Psalms 72:1. throughout.