The Expositor's Bible: The Books of ChroniclesBennett, W. H. (William Henry)
Religion
The Expositor's Bible: The Books of Chronicles
Bennett, W. H. (William Henry)
Bible. Chronicles -- Commentaries
In religious significance, however, Solomon cannot rank with David. The
dynasty of Judah could have only one representative, and the founder and
eponym of the royal house was the most important figure for the subsequent
theology. The interest that later generations felt in Solomon lay apart
from the main line of Jewish orthodoxy, and he is never mentioned by the
prophets.(194)
Moreover, the darker aspects of Solomon’s reign made more impression upon
succeeding generations than even David’s sins and misfortunes. Occasional
lapses into vice and cruelty might be forgiven or even forgotten; but the
systematic oppression of Solomon rankled for long generations in the
hearts of the people, and the prophets always remembered his wanton
idolatry. His memory was further discredited by the disasters which marked
the close of his own reign and the beginning of Rehoboam’s. Centuries
later these feelings still prevailed. The prophets who adapted the Mosaic
law for the closing period of the monarchy exhort the king to take warning
by Solomon, and to multiply neither horses, nor wives, nor gold and
silver.(195)
But as time went on Judah fell into growing poverty and distress, which
came to a head in the Captivity, and were renewed with the Restoration.
The Jews were willing to forget Solomon’s faults in order that they might
indulge in fond recollections of the material prosperity of his reign.
Their experience of the culture of Babylon led them to feel greater
interest and pride in his wisdom, and the figure of Solomon began to
assume a mysterious grandeur, which has since become the nucleus for
Jewish and Mohammedan legends. The chief monument of his fame in Jewish
literature is the book of Proverbs, but his growing reputation is shown by
the numerous Biblical and apocryphal works ascribed to him. His name was
no doubt attached to Canticles because of a feature in his character which
the chronicler ignores. His supposed authorship of Ecclesiastes and of the
Wisdom of Solomon testifies to the fame of his wisdom, while the titles of
the “Psalms of Solomon” and even of some canonical psalms credit him with
spiritual feeling and poetic power.(196)
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