“And after him rose up Nathan to prophesy in the time of David.”
Nathan. Many other prophets lived at the same time. But he was most conspicuous, and crowned Solomon. (Calmet) — Greek, “and after him Nathan arose to prophesy,” (Haydock) and keep up the succession.
“As is the fat taken away from the peace offering, so was David chosen out of the children of Israel.”
Flesh. Greek, “peace-offering.” The fat was deemed most delicate.
“He played with lions as with kids, and with bears as with lambs.”
Played. Tearing them to pieces with the greatest ease, 1 Kings xvii. 34. (Calmet)
“So the people honoured him with ten thousands, and praised him in the blessings of the Lord, in that he gave him a crown of glory.”
Nation. Who were no longer under the control of the Philistines. (Haydock)
“For he destroyed the enemies on every side, and brought to nought the Philistines his adversaries, and brake their horn in sunder unto this day.”
Thousand. This was sung in the cities, (1 Kings xviii. 7.; Calmet) and excited the envy of Saul, who nevertheless could not prevent David’s exaltation. (Haydock) — Did he, or the people who praised the Lord and David. (Calmet)
“In all his works he praised the Holy One most high with words of glory; with his whole heart he sung songs, and loved him that made him.”
Horn. Power and glory. (Haydock) — For ever, is not in Greek. David defeated the Philistines at the beginning of his reign. (Calmet)
“He set singers also before the altar, that by their voices they might make sweet melody, and daily sing praises in their songs.”
Glory. Contained in the Psalms. (Haydock) — He was always very grateful. (Calmet) — His pure and sincere heart pleased God more than his other works. (Worthington)
“The Lord took away his sins, and exalted his horn for ever: he gave him a covenant of kings, and a throne of glory in Israel.”
Altar. Of holocausts. Moses had not appointed singing.
“After him rose up a wise son, and for his sake he dwelt at large.”
Set. Literally, “adorned the times.” — Of his. Greek, “while they praised his holy name, and sounded forth holiness early.” (Haydock) — David strove to give all perfection to the sacred ceremonies of religion, that the people might be attracted to the tabernacle, (Calmet) and serve the Lord with gladness. (Haydock)
“Solomon reigned in a peaceable time, and was honoured; for God made all quiet round about him, that he might build an house in his name, and prepare his sanctuary for ever.”
Sins. Remitting the punishment, (2 Kings xii. 13.; Calmet) and the guilt also, (Haydock) in consequence of his repentance. — Covenant. Engaging that his posterity should enjoy the throne (2 Kings vii. 12.; Calmet) if they continued faithful, Psalm cxxxi. 11., and supra [Ecclesiasticus] chap. xlv. 31.
“How wise wast thou in thy youth and, as a flood, filled with understanding!”
Enemies. The piety of David was thus rewarded. (Haydock) — It must have been the greatest satisfaction to him, to see so wise a son on the throne, and all in perfect peace, 3 Kings i. 48., and iv. 24. (Calmet) — These blessings were a reward of his virtue. (Worthington)
“Thy soul covered the whole earth, and thou filledst it with dark parables.”
Youth. When other are less informed. This serves to place the apostacy of Solomon in a more striking light. (Calmet) — The author seems astonished both at the wisdom and at the folly of this prince, (Haydock) and apostrophises him. (Worthington)
“Thy name went far unto the islands; and for thy peace thou wast beloved.”
Earth. Or explored all the secrets of nature, retexit, 3 Kings iv. 29.
“By the name of the Lord God, which is called the Lord God of Israel, thou didst gather gold as tin and didst multiply silver as lead.”
Interpretations of riddles. Hence people praised the Lord, 3 Kings x. 24.
“Thou didst stain thy honour, and pollute thy seed: so that thou broughtest wrath upon thy children, and wast grieved for thy folly.”
Copper, (aurichalcum.) Greek, “tin,” 2 Paralipomenon ix. 13.
“So the kingdom was divided, and out of Ephraim ruled a rebellious kingdom.”
Thyself. Literally, “thy thighs.” Greek, “sides.” Syriac, “strength.” — Subjection. Literally, “thou hadst power over thy body,” (Haydock) using it as if it belonged not to God. He was guilty of excess in marrying a thousand wives, and yielding to idolatry, (Calmet) fearing to displease those whom he loved to his own ruin.” (St. Augustine, de Gen. ad lit. xi. 42.) — Dreadful infatuation! (Haydock)
“But the Lord will never leave off his mercy, neither shall any of his works perish, neither will he abolish the posterity of his elect, and the seed of him that loveth him he will not take away: wherefore he gave a remnant unto Jacob, and out of him a root unto David.”
Defiled. Consecrating some even to Moloch, (Pineda vii. 11.) or having children by those whom the law prohibited, Deuteronomy vii. 2., and xxiii. 2. (Calmet) — His sins were punished: yet God’s mercy preserved his posterity. (Worthington) (Psalm lxxxviii.)
“Thus rested Solomon with his fathers, and of his seed he left behind him Roboam, even the foolishness of the people, and one that had no understanding, who turned away the people through his counsel. There was also Jeroboam the son of Nebat, who caused Israel to sin, and shewed Ephraim the way of sin:”
Rebellious. Greek literally, “hard.” (Haydock) — Jeroboam was at the head of it, 3 Kings xii. 14. (Calmet)
“And their sins were multiplied exceedingly, that they were driven out of the land.”
Lord. David’s piety caused the sceptre to be still preserved in his family, (Haydock) though Solomon’s conduct deserved to lose it. (Calmet)
“For they sought out all wickedness, till the vengeance came upon them.”
Of the. Greek, “a root from him,” to govern a part, while Jeroboam reigned over the other tribes of Jacob. (Haydock) — God fulfilled his promises to Jacob and David. (Menochius)
Fathers. Some would hence infer, that Solomon died penitent. (Haydock)
Folly. A most imprudent prince, despised by the whole nation. He answered the people roughly, and lost the ten tribes; but idolatry was his greatest folly, and from this he was never reclaimed, 3 Kings xiv. 22. (Calmet)
Jeroboam. Though not of his seed, as we only find Roboam mentioned of all the thousand wives of Solomon. He left behind him Jeroboam, notwithstanding his desire to have him slain; and this man brought ruin on the nation. (Haydock) — Sin. This is the usual title given to this introducer of idolatry. He engaged the ten tribes in the worship of the golden calves, which ruined the state and religion of Israel.
Vengeance, (defensio) and put, &c., in not in Greek. Theglatphalasar and Salmanasar carried the tribes away into captivity, 1 Paralipomenon v. 26., and 4 Kings xiv., and xvii. 6. (Calmet) — Many hereupon opened their eyes, (Menochius) as we may hope. Those who returned with the rest of the Jews relapsed not, at least into idolatry, in such an open manner. (Haydock)