“Thus was the land acquired: but there was still wanting a civil constitution, and a vigorous executive government. Jehovah alone would be their king; but the people felt the necessity that this dignity should be embodied to them in the person of one from among themselves. Samuel disapproved this imitation of the customs of the heathens, but he was compelled to yield, and anointed first Saul, and then David, king. In the whole history of our nation, there is no character that takes a more powerful hold of human sympathies than David, from his youth and his friendship, his heroic spirit, his conquests and institutions, his weaknesses and his sufferings. Scripture calls him ‘a man after God’s own heart.’ Under him the promise of God to Abraham was fulfilled in the amplest sense, and from the river of Egypt to the great river Euphrates, the whole country was subject to Israel. But he did still more. He became the central point to all the tribes who had hitherto lived in nominal federation and virtual independence. He united all the five millions of his subjects by a common bond, and made Jerusalem the capital. For the first time, under him, it was possible to observe the civil laws of Moses. Joshua had conquered a country for the law, but David established a state for it. “Still one thing was wanting, the temple, in which the glory of the Lord should dwell. The tabernacle, its prototype, had been brought to Shiloh, and from thence to Gibeon. The ark had been captured by the Philistines, had been brought back by them to Bethshemesh, thence to Kiriath Jearim, to Gilgal, to Nob, to the house of Obed-Edom at Gibeon, and finally to Zion. In all these places sacrifices had been performed. This was contrary to the will of Jehovah. David, who knew this, had already made preparations for the building of a temple, but it was not the pleasure of Jehovah that he should erect it. It was reserved for Solomon his son, to be the third, who, after Joshua and David, should furnish the last and most important of those means, which still were wanting to make the external observance of the law practicable. And how did he perform this duty! In what strains do our sacred books speak of his wisdom, of his riches and of the unparalleled splendour of his temple! Kings and queens came from the east to behold this wonder of the world. “The reign of Solomon was the era in which all was fulfilled, which Israel could still desire; in which every thing united to give external dignity to the worship of Jehovah. The country was tranquil within, and at peace with its neighbours, governed by its king with wisdom, and united by the temple which served as a central point to the whole nation. This is the most splendid era of our history, and when an Israelite pictures to himself days of happiness and prosperity, it is under the image of the reign of Solomon.