turned the wickedness of Nabal upon his own head."

David was blessed afterwards by obtaining Abigail for his wife, for Solomon says, "A prudent wife is from the Lord.” Abigail had such respect and esteem for David's character, that she did not refuse to become his wife when he sent to ask her consent.

"Favour is deceitful and beauty is vain; but a woman that feareth the Lord she shall be praised."

THE QUEEN OF SHEBA.

THE Queen of Sheba heard of the riches and glory of Solomon; she heard with astonishment of the magnificence of the temple he had built, which had taken seven years to build, of the splendour of his own house, which had taken thirteen years to build. She heard of the cities he had erected, of the navy of ships he had made, of the great throne of ivory overlaid with gold; all these things, and a vast deal more, reached the wondering ears of the Queen of Sheba. But none of these splendid things made so great an impression on her mind, as the greatness of his wisdom. It was not out of idle curiosity

The splendour of his riches filled her with mazement. They far surpassed all she

ever heard. In general, people raise eir expectations too high from what ney hear, but here it seems they had not een raised high enough. "Thy wisdom id prosperity," says the Queen to Solomon, exceedeth the fame which I heard." She says also, "Because the Lord loved Israel for ever, therefore made he the king, to do judgment and justice."

David says in his psalm for Solomon, all judge thy people with righteousthy poor with judgment." The have returned to her own iser woman than she left it. She ed her knowledge of God and doubt she had gained hints for with equity and judgment. Soy have taught her "how to deliver when he crieth, the poor also, that hath no helper." Psalm xxxii.

Queen of the South

that she set off towards Jerusalem where Solomon dwelt, but it was for the purpose of gaining some instruction for herself. She wished, too, to prove his wisdom by hard questions. No one should ever think they know enough, and always be ready to glean something from others.

The Queen arrived at Jerusalem with a very great train, with camels loaded with spices, and a quantity of gold and precious stones. These were intended as a present for Solomon in return for his wise instructions, which she considered of far higher value than all the gold the world contained. Solomon says, "Wisdom is the principal thing, therefore get wisdom; and with all thy getting, get understanding. How much better is it to get wisdom than gold, and to get understanding rather to be chosen than silver."

Solomon was quite as willing to teach as the Queen was to listen. She might ask any questions she chose, and she was thunder-struck at the wisdom of his answers.