And Solomon offered a sacrifice of peace offerings, which he offered unto the LORD, two and twenty thousand oxen, and an hundred and twenty thousand sheep (1 Kings 8:63).
The greatness of the Person of the Lord Jesus is foreshadowed in Solomon. It is seen in his kingdom, his possessions, in his unique sonship. Solomon takes up a lot of space in Scripture, and this is indicative of his importance as a figure of Christ.
A Pointer to Our Lord’s Death
The coronation of Solomon was celebrated with burnt offerings, which included a thousand rams, and a thousand lambs, with their drink offerings, and sacrifices in abundance (1 Chronicles 29:21). The magnifical temple built by Solomon was dedicated with peace offerings, which included “two and twenty thousand oxen, and an hundred and twenty thousand sheep.” That meant death! Death! Death! All the time. This, together with millions of these sacrifices through the centuries, set forth something of the immensity of the sacrifice which was to be made by the Son of God. Yet these were but symbols, and symbols are but shadows of the real.
Moreover, the whole multitude of these sacrifices could not in themselves effect man’s redemption. They were no more than emblems or pointers to the great sacrifice to come. They could not of themselves reach an end. It was necessary, therefore, that there be a constant repetition of them—today, tomorrow, and on through successive years and centuries of time. Neither could they deal with man’s defiled conscience nor cleanse his heart from the guilt of sin. They “could not make him that did the service perfect, as pertaining to the conscience” (Hebrews 9:9).
Such sacrifices were external and ceremonial only; figurative and symbolical only. But the immensity of such sacrifices as offered by Solomon were pointers to the greatness of our Lord’s death. His one offering on the cross accomplished what millions of these Jewish sacrifices could never do. “So Christ was once offered to bear the sins of many” (Hebrews 9:28). “We are sanctified through the offering of the body of Jesus Christ once for all” (Hebrews 10:10). “For by one offering He hath perfected for ever them that are sanctified” (Hebrews 10:14).
Why could not these thousands of offerings do that? Because there was present in our Lord’s offering something not present in these animal offerings—a holy, spotless perfection. True, as far as priests could judge, those sacrifices had to be without blemish. But if you could have seen within the bloodstream, it would have been found that they belonged to a fallen creation. Their blood was by no means precious—that is, of rare worth—nor could their shed blood represent any love for the poor offerer.
Furthermore, our Lord’s sacrifice was something greater than time. The doctrinal Epistles of Paul do not mention the physical sufferings which the historical records of the Gospels do. Why? Because there was something greater in the cross than what men did to Him. The evil of men was manifest in their crucifying Him, but beyond this was “the determinate counsel and foreknowledge of God” (Acts 2:23). The death of the Lord Jesus was no mere accident, nor was it simply His mistreatment by men. It was God’s plan for human redemption. But, oh, how infinite was that cross! How vast that death!
A Pointer to the Lord’s Resurrection
Solomon came to the throne when all his enemies had been conquered. He had no battles to fight. In his reign no enemy dare rise up against him. He was ruler over all with universal sway. How mighty was Solomon’s name! In this he was a pointer to our Lord in resurrection life. Thus we catch a glimpse of our Lord, who rose from the dead to inherit all authority. In the days of His resurrection, while He was still lingering on earth, no enemy dare approach Him. All hell had been subdued and conquered.
In that resurrection there was a new relationship. In ancient times God said again and again to Solomon: “Solomon, My son”; not as to David: “David, My servant.” So we hear God speak of the Lord Jesus in His resurrection life: “Thou art My Son, this day have I begotten Thee” (Acts 13:33).
There was also a new freedom. When Solomon came to the throne, he was free to move through his vast domain. So with our Lord in resurrection. He was no longer limited by a body of flesh. He breathed the air of resurrection liberty.
Again, there was a new realm of things. Solomon’s reign was different. He was raised up to a new order of things. Listen to his prayer at the dedication of the Temple! What an intercessor! What a royal man of prayer! Does not this point to John 17, where the Lord takes up His mediatorial office on behalf of His people, and leaves us a record of magnificent intercession? How reviving to one’s faith it is to hear it!
A Pointer to Our Lord’s Exaltation
“And the LORD magnified Solomon exceedingly in the sight of all Israel, and bestowed upon him such royal majesty as had not been on any king before him in Israel” (1 Chronicles 29:25). He was set on a throne named “the throne of the LORD” (1 Chronicles 29:23). What a king God made him! He was God’s king. Righteousness characterized his throne. His kingdom was first one of righteousness, then of peace—words which are full of weight. They seat us on some height, as it were, to view in picture our Lord’s exaltation and His universal kingdom.
What is His Person—what His work—but the glory of righteousness? His throne which is in Heaven, and which is to be manifested here on earth in the millennium, is a throne to dispense righteousness. Every statute, decree, ordinance, precept, reward, and penalty is a sunbeam of righteousness.
And peace! Only in Christ and within the walls of His kingdom, is there peace. Here, within these walls, there is one song of perfect peace. And, thank God, the King of righteousness and peace still calls men to His standard!
Great God of wonders! all Thy ways
Are matchless, Godlike, and divine;
But the bright glories of Thy grace
Above Thine other wonders shine.
Who is a pardoning God like Thee?
Or who has grace so rich and free?
In wonder lost, with trembling joy,
We take the pardon of our God:
Pardon for crimes of deepest dye,
A pardon bought with Jesus’ blood.
Who is a pardoning God like Thee?
Or who has grace so rich and free?
Samuel Davies