Sirach (Ecclesiasticus) — Chapter 47

And as the fat separated from the flesh, so was David chosen from among the children of Israel. David's election is as distinctive as the separation of fat from flesh—the best and richest part of the whole. Lapide expounds David as the supreme figure of Israel: king, prophet, psalmist, and type of Christ.

He played with lions as with lambs, and with bears as with kids. David's youthful prowess against lions and bears (1 Sam. 17:34-37) as the preparation for his defeat of Goliath. Lapide treats these acts as divinely ordered training, each test preparing David for a greater one.

In all his works he gave thanks to the Holy One Most High with words of glory; he sang praises with his whole heart, and loved God that made him. David's defining characteristic: grateful praise of God in all circumstances. Lapide treats the Psalms as the supreme expression of David's theological genius—the prayer of all time, used by the whole Church.

Solomon reigned in days of peace, and God gave him rest on all sides, that he might build a house in His name, and prepare a sanctuary for ever. Solomon's reign of peace as divine preparation for the building of the Temple. Lapide treats Solomon's wisdom and his Temple as the pinnacle of Old Testament civilization, culminating in the type of the true Temple that is Christ.

Thou didst bow thyself to women, and by thy body thou wast brought under subjection. Solomon's fall through his many wives—the darkest section of his biography. Lapide expounds the theological dimensions of Solomon's apostasy: gifted with the greatest wisdom yet overcome by the weakness of sensuality, he became the tragic warning against presumption.

But God will not leave off His mercy, and He will not destroy nor abolish His own works. Despite Solomon's sin and the subsequent schism, God preserves His mercy and does not utterly destroy His own creation. Lapide treats divine faithfulness as the theological constant that persists even through human unfaithfulness.