Verse 4Grievous - It is probable, when Solomon had declined from God, that God left him to himself to act thus impolitically. Verse 7If thou be kind, &c. - Moderate counsels are generally best. Gentleness will do what violence will not do. Good words cost nothing but a little self - denial, and yet they purchase great things. Verse 16See to thine own house - When public affairs are in a ferment, violent proceedings do but make ill worse. Many have been driven to the mischief they did not intend, by being too severely dealt with.