tertaining any jealousy of Solomon's rising greatness, assisted him in his views, and permittedl the Tyrians, hen the most famous artificers and mariners in the world, to build him ships, and to navigate them.

The king of Israel, being determined to fulfil his father's solemn injunction, of building a temple to the glory of GoD, communicated his intentions to the king of Tyre, requesting that he would provide him a person qualified to superintend the work, together with proper labourers and materials. Hiram complied with the wish of his neighbour; and this magnificent structure was prosecuted with eagerness, and on being completed, was consecrated in the most solemn manner. On that great festival Solomon appeared as the conductor of his people's devotions; and the prayer which he pronounced at the dedication of the temple was fervent and pathetic, solemn and humiliating. It is the lowly language of a sinner bowing himself to the dust in the presence of his Creator, and acknowledging that the greatest of his performances is unworthy of the Divine notice.

What a happiness is it to see men of exalted station fulfilling the duties of religion, and setting a pious example to their inferiors and dependents! But every one has the same duties to perform, and the same example to set, let his sphere of action be ever so narrow, and his place in life be ever so humble. When Solomon dedicated the temple, and renewed the covenant with the Lord, all eyes were upon him; and it was naturally to be expected, that in the subsequent part of life he would have con. formed to the declarations which he had made in the presence of his people.

For a long time indeed he continued faithful to Gov, and experienced, in an abundant measure, the Divine favour upon himself and his kingdom. His name was known far and near; and so great was the renown of his wisdom, that the most exalted personages came from distant parts for the pleasure of

his conversation. Among these the most remarkable was the queen of Sheba, whom our Lord calls "the queen of the South." Her journey seems to have been from a very remote country; but the fame of this extraordinary prince was such that she readily undertook it, bringing with her "a great company, and camels that bare spices, and gold in abundance, and precious stones; and when she was come to Solomon, she communed with him of all that was in her heart." 2 Chronicles ix. 1, &c.

We cannot but admire that ardent love of wisdom which animated this princess to such a degree as to induce her to leave her own dominions to visit a country of strangers. It is plain, from what our Saviour says, that the intent of her journey was not to gratify an idle curiosity in matters of speculation, but to satisfy her mind on the most important points of religion. Well, therefore, did she merit the encomium bestowed upon her by the Redeemer; and well might he adduce her example as a reproach to that unbelieving generation, who neglected to hear or to profit by the words of life delivered by him who was greater than Solomon.

The greatest part of Solomon's reign was truly glorious; but we are now to view him sullying his reputation, and that too at a period of time when it might have been reasonably thought that the passions were subdued, and the principles of piety become habitual. His marriage with Pharaoh's daughter, which appears to have been in the early part of his life, has been considered by some writers as the occasion of his declension from the paths of religion. But this is not likely, for it is only said, that "he loved many strange women, together with, or besides, the daughter of Pharaoh, who was his lawful wife." 1 Kings xi. 1. These women he collected from the neighbouring nations, and by them he was enticed to acts of idolatry. Now it is not said that Pharaoh's daughter had any concern in perverting the heart of her husband from the true GOD. On the contrary, the

cause of his rejecting the truth was his "love of MANY women;" and thus, by his conjugal infidelity, he was led into apostacy.

It was his connexion with strange women, therefore, which disgraced the close of Solomon's life; and this lawless love drew him aside after the abominations of the heathen. Religion cannot dwell with impurity. Sensual indulgence will necessarily destroy all love of holiness; and the mind so contaminated can never have becoming sentiments of GOD, or a love of his precepts and ordinances. When Solomon first gave way to his evil inclinations, he probably had no thoughts of forsaking the faith and worship to which he had hitherto remained firm; but the descent to wickedness is gradual and easy. By suffering his affections to be fascinated by the charms of strange women, he soon gave them an advantage over his principles. No sooner did they gain an influence over his heart, but it was easy for them to prevail upon him to renounce his GOD.

From hence let young persons learn the force of the maxim, that "evil communications corrupt good manners;" and let them, above all things, learn Divine wisdom, which "may keep them from the strange woman, from the stranger that flattereth with her words." Prov. ii. 16.

If such a man as Solomon could not resist the blandishments of vice when he had suffered his affections to be ensnared, with what diligence should young and inexperienced minds shun the company of the wanton, the dissolute, and profane? We read of his unhappy fall, and we are told that it was fol lowed by severe judgments upon his family and kingdom. The tranquillity which had hitherto distinguished his reign, was broken by foreign enemies and by intestine divisions. Hadad the Edomite regained the throne of his ancestors, which had been in the possession of the kings of Israel since the conquest of that country by Joab. Rezon, the son of Eliadah, having lived by plunder, like the Arabs, now