1 Kings 3:16-28 Then came there two women, that were harlots, to the king, and stood before him.… Now, by the same law that it would have been wicked in Solomon to have divided the child, is it wicked in us to divide our affections. Divisions at all times are bad. Whether they harass a church, which should be of one mind and one body; or a family, which should be united and strong in fellowship and love; we may rest assured, that evil consequences must arise, most injurious to individual members. And as for a house, we are told, if it be divided against itself it cannot stand. The Jew and the Gentile were two distinct persons, but Christianity made them one people. By the universality of the Gospel, all nations were united; by embracing the same faith they became one; a distinct people, having an appointed priesthood, with the great Author of our religion as their Head. They became indeed a church — one body, with one spirit — "a congregation of faithful men, in the which the pure Word of God is preached, and the sacraments are duly ministered, according to Christ's ordinance, in all those things that of necessity are requisite to the same." (E. Thompson, D. D.) Parallel Verses KJV: Then came there two women, that were harlots, unto the king, and stood before him.WEB: Then two women who were prostitutes came to the king, and stood before him. |
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