(25) And bestowed upon him such royal majesty as had not been on any king before him in Israel.--Literally, and put upon him a glory of kingship that had not become on any king over Israel before him. The phrase "put glory upon . . ." (n?than hod 'al . . .) occurs in Psalm 8:2. Only two or, counting Ish-bosheth, three kings had preceded Solomon. (Comp. 1Kings 3:12; 2Chronicles 1:12.)Verse 25. - Any king before him in Israel. There were, of course, only two kings "before" Solomon in Israel. The promise of God to Solomon, however, when he was "pleased" with the speech of the prayer which he offered a very short time subsequently, was much larger, and suggests itself to us as what may really have been present to the mind of the historian when he used the less comprehensive words above (2 Chronicles 1:12; 1 Kings 4:12, 13). 29:20-25 This great assembly joined with David in adoring God. Whoever is the mouth of the congregation, those only have the benefit who join him, not by bowing down the head, so much as by lifting up the soul. Solomon sat on the throne of the Lord. Solomon's kingdom typified the kingdom of the Messiah, whose throne is the throne of the Lord.And the Lord magnified Solomon exceedingly before all Israel,.... By giving him such a large share of wisdom and understanding in government: and bestowed upon him such royal majesty; not only such wealth and riches, but such honour and reverence: as had not been on any king before him in Israel; not on Saul, nor even on David. |