(22) And Solomon's provision for one day was thirty measures of fine flour, and threescore measures of meal, (23) Ten fat oxen, and twenty oxen out of the pastures, and an hundred sheep, beside harts, and roebucks, and fallowdeer, and fatted fowl. (24) 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.
The provision for Solomon means for his court and servants. But what an astonishing allowance, and this not for an occasional feast, but for every day's table. One of the old writers hath computed that the bread and flesh here set down would afford ample food, even as a feast, for nearly fifty thousand men. But Reader! after having our astonishment carried to the utmost stretch, in considering such a daily supply for such a multitude; how infinitely short doth this fall of the daily supply of our Jesus's table. He openeth his hand, and filleth all things living, both in providence and grace, with plenteousness! What a thought! David, after enumerating the several works of inanimate creation, speaks in one of his psalms of the animated part, and breaks out into those devout expressions; these wait all upon thee that thou mayest give them their meat in due season. Psalms 104:27. Reader! let us cherish this thought, for it is a very sweet and refreshing one. Jesus feeds his people. Jesus keeps a daily, nay an hourly court: a constant table. He still receiveth sinners, and eateth with them. He will not remit the bounties of his house, neither will he send the poor and the hungry empty away. If, dearest Lord! in the days of thy flesh thou didst supply the wants of thousands in the wilderness, by multiplying a few loaves and fishes into ample food for all; surely thou wilt not relax in thy mercy now, when all power is thine in heaven and in earth! Thou wilt feed thine hidden ones with the bread that is handed in secret, and give them to eat of that bread which perisheth not in the using, but endureth unto everlasting life. Lord! (I would say for myself and for all thy people), evermore give us this bread, which is thyself. John 6:33-35.