The central Presbyterian. [volume] (Richmond, Va.) 1856-1908, 1877-08-22
For THE CENTRAL PRESBYTERIAN.
WAS SOLOMON SAVED?

Some months ago the writer listened to a
discourse based on the dying charge delivered
by David to his son Solomon. The theme
was one admirably chosen as the foundation
of an appeal to the young, (Of whom there
was large number present., to make the
service of God the chief end of life. But to
the disappointment of at least one of the
hearers, the text and the religious history of
Solomon were used merely to point the moral
of warning to those called "Scientists" Of
the day; men who defy mere knowledge,
and ignore the Bible and the religion en-
bodied in it. To reach this theme Zone not
inappropriate surely the preacher gave an
exposition of the passage in Kings, in which
God appeared in vision to the young king,
and gave him leave to choose what boon he
might ask at the hand of God; and the king
chose "aOisdom." In commenting on this
choice, if the writer did not misunderstood
the preacher, the sentiment was expressed
that the choice of WisdOm was not q WiSe
choice. And the painful impression was pro-
duced by the whole discourse, that We have
no satisfactory evidence that Solomon re-
covered from his "dark and winding ways"
and was finally saved. This is the view, it
is admitted, expressed by celebrated Ar
minian commentator, who while he expressed
grave doubt as to the salvation of Solomon,
at the same time has charity enough to ex-
press the hope that Absalom, while hanging
by his treacherous hair to the limbs of the
tree, breathed prayer in the ear of God
that was heard and accepted, ere the dart of
fierce Joab sent him to his long account
But these peculiar views were connected with
a theological system with which the preacher
above alluded to has no sympathy. Still,
uneuestionably, the more than Craze doubt
expressed as to the eternal destiny of Israel's
wise king, and one of Gods inspired SER
wants, is to say the least, not in accordance
with the common belief of the church to
which the preacher who delivered the dis
course belongs.
God did indeed use Solomon as beacon
light to warn others of the evil consequences
of departing even for time, from the "pre'
cepts and ordinances and commandments, y
given to Israel, and recorded especially in
the books of Moses. He had foreWarned the
Iraelites as to the danger of copying the
example of the goddess nations of Canaan
He knew the prOcivity of his people to run
after idols, and hence he enjoined on his an
cient people to utterly exterminste the Ca
mantle, the Hittite, the AmOrite and th'
other nations that dwelt in Canaan. HI
wished every Indictment to idOlatry removed
SO that his people might be free from temp
tstion. The case of Solomon was fulfil
ment of the predictions uttered by Moses, a
to the sad delinquency of Gods people afte
the death of Moses and Joshua, and Samue
and David. The fearful example of tn
+. wisest of men, in yielding to the seduction
!. of wealth and women, is solemn warnini
+ to those that think they stand, to "tak
q heed lest they fall" 1t is an admirabl
theme on which to rest the force of an az
- peal to Gods people, to beware lest " bein
e led away by the error of the wicked they ia
10 from their own steadfastiness." But the quet
D ton recurs again, was the choice of SolOmO
d in choosing wisdom 80 far forth unoia
rs as that it can be legitimately used as eve
1t good motto text, in inveighing again
Dr. those who make q god of knowledge
rs science, and render to these the devotion dr
II alone to the Great Jehovah.