I made me gardens and orchards
Of the king's garden, we read ( Jeremiah
39:4 ) . Adrichomius F2 makes mention of a royal garden in
the suburbs of Jerusalem, fenced with walls; and was a paradise
of fruit trees, herbs, spices, and flowers; abounded with all
kind of fruit, exceeding pleasant and delightful to the senses:
and, as Solomon was so great a botanist, and knew the nature and
use of all kinds of trees and herbs, ( 1 Kings 4:33
) ; no doubt but he has a herbal garden, well stocked with
everything of that kind, curious and useful; see ( 1 Kings 21:2
) . Gardens are made for pleasure as well as profit; Adam, as
soon as created, was put into a garden, to add to his natural
pleasure and felicity, as well as for his employment, ( Genesis 2:8 ) ; and the
pleasure of walking in a garden, and partaking of the fruits of
it, are alluded to by Solomon, ( Song of Solomon
4:12 Song of Solomon
4:13 Song of Solomon
4:16 ) ( 5:1 )
( 6:9 )
; and I planted trees in them of all [kind of]
fruits;
which, as before observed, he had thorough knowledge of, and many
of which were brought him from foreign parts; and all served to
make his gardens, orchards, parks, forests, and enclosures, very
pleasant and delectable. The Targum adds,
``some for food, others for drink, and others for medicine.''