I. That a rich man can get, as far as worldly goods are concerned, almost what he likes in this world.
II. What even wise men will do, when they have more money than they know how to use. Such was Solomon’s position; apes and peacocks were costly, and so he had a special desire to have s goodly number about him. (D. Davies.)
Apes
I. The ape is something like us, and yet he is very much unlike us.
1. He cannot speak.
2. He cannot learn.
3. He has no foresight or forethought. It is wonderful how deceptive appearances can be.
II. The ape is only a caricature of a man, and does not imitate him in his better movements or habits; so you generally find that if a child or man apes another, he apes him only in his failings. I saw a boy the other day, who could not have been more than eleven, vigorously puffing the end of a cigar that he had picked up somewhere. He evidently thought he looked like a man, but I need not tell you how disgusted I felt, and wished that he could imitate the man in a more manly way. He stupidly aped a gentleman whose failing was that he smoked at all. Learn to be natural. Let the one desire of your life be to be true. Never put on a false look or try to live under false pretences. (D. Davies.)
Peacocks
The peacock has a beautiful tail, and in this respect no bird can match him. But the more you know about him the less you think of his tail. He can only screech hideously when he tries to sing. He is also a very gluttonous and a very selfish and destructive character. The beautiful bird has nothing to commend it except its beautiful feathers. Its characteristic failing is vanity.
I. I want you to remember that there are some people in the world like that peacock. Everything depends upon their dress, or their outward appearance. But if you get to know their disposition and their conduct, you will very often cease to be charmed with their dress.
II. I want you to guard yourselves against attaching too much importance to appearances. God does not. Learn that the truest ornament is “a meek and gentle spirit, which in the sight of God is of great price.” (D. Davies.)
