The National tribune., 1889-12-05
SUNDAY MEDITATION.
Practical Duties Taught by Study of the Inter
national Sunday school Lesson Appointed 10
nac

Dec. 10. H., III :9-IB.
Zone reading these notes should first carefully
study the paragraph from the Holy Scriptures ~
indicated above.l
SUBJECT: SoLoMoN's PUNISHMENT ON AU-
COUNT OF HIS PoLYGAMY AND IDoLATRY.
j. Data.
We have only tho single report found In l
Kings. 1t is brief. but by its inklings gives
us quite clear explanation of Solomon's mis-
takes and the evil consequences thereof. The
original document was probably written coin
ci6ent with the events and compiled later by
Ezra
g. Time
We date the lesson A. M. 1929, or B. G. 975.
Solomon was SO years old. He had ruled for
about 10 years. III :42.) Hence David had
been dead for 40 years. The rending referred
to in verses IL, ID began very soon after the
Lord announced to Solomon the fact it was to
occur. Gods first appearance to Solomon ".
~ took place 40 years before the lesson, and his
second appearance 20 years before Il XII,
3:5; 9:2)
The lesson slocated in Jerusalem, the place
Of the temple and tho palace. Solomon's
Kingdom extended from the Mediterranean TO
the Euphrates-from northern Syria way into
southern Arabia and Egypt (4:21.) Gods
first appearance to Solomon was ut Gideon
4. Suggestions
l. Worship God exclusively ". I0.) 90
not after humanity -made gods. Ono who COM
promises jehovah breaks the first two Com
mandments. God is particular about this mat
ter. lie is called n jealous God. We see how
grieved, offended, indignant he was when Solo
mon countenanced at all any heather object Of
worship. With us it must BIO God or no God.
We must DO theists or atheists. There is no
middle ground. God will not tolerate divis-
lon of our religious affections.
e. Be careful as to marriage Two serious
mistakes were made by Solomon. Not only
was he polygamist, but he was utterly indif-
ferent as to the religious status of the women
whom he married. The doctrine Of the Bible
ms whole shows monogomy to be the rule Of
Heaven. (Deu., II: ~ Even Mormons base
polygamy on special revelation outside Of
their Bible Book Of Morm0n) permitting the
practice. Then in forming the marriage re-
lation care should be given to the moral char
acter. r. Cor, 6: Id; Deu., 7:3, ~ Solomon
plainly did violence to Gods commands-broke
bis statutes ". H. He not only had 1000
women in his harem, but the great majority Of
them were of heather religions. I'll :1-3) 1t
Is not so wonderful he was found at times near
the shrines of Asbtaroth, the impure Venus of
the Sidonians. III: So Verse of chapter IL
explains verse as TO why Solomons heart was
turned from Cad.
g. BE thankful for righteous parents ~ 10. l
Solomon derived benefit from tho fact Of being
a son of David. In consideration of the fact
Soloman was thus related, he was spared the
pain OF seeing his Kingdom rent in twain.
And RehOboam, the son of Solomon. was profit
ed by being thus connected. He was not wholly
deprived OF governmental power. lie became
King OF the southern Kingdom, composed Of
the tribes Of Judah and Benjamin, while Jore-
Iz.a - = l. Il
parents insure benefits to their children, even
though they die and their children thus be-
come Orphans Children can inherit no greater
benefit. Parents though dead, yet speak in
the interest of their offspring. (Vs. IL and 49,
The heritage from father and mother Of good
bodies, sound minds, elevating moral tenden-
cies Is OF great advantage to youth. To in
horit, likewise. from parents interest in grand
promises Of earthly success made to them by
Providence and matters of inheritance, ia
great comfort aud subject for much con-
graduation. Solomon not only inherited
the throne, but also series OF glowing
promises. Gods covenant with Abraham
did not end with him. but embraced his seed
after him. (Gen.. l7:7; compare Deu., 3 90;
Ps., % IS; 7:26; So: %: l02: %; 1l2: 2;
Prov, 20: ~ The entire nation of the Israeli
ites-children, in sense of Davd-were bene-
fted in consideration of David. For centuries
after the death of David God blessed the He
brews out Of respect to David. (Is., 81: 35.l
4. While children should take to themselves
Joy from the fact that their parents pleased
God. and that as q consequences said parents
handed down heritage of blessings 10 their
Offspring, it becomes parents to be righteous in
order that they may thus profit their children.
Interested in our offspring aud anxious for
their welfare, we can do nothing moro helpful
to them than to maintain pety, morality,
righteousness. When Solomon assembled tho
throne he was rich US a sharer in blessings
pledged to David, and through him to his SON.
A serCas feature of this matter is that children
can inherit not only blessings but cursipgs, not
only promises but threateninga. lex, 20: 5,
o. As Solomon harvested good In considera-
ton OF Dayid's fidelity to God, so RehOboam,
san OF Solomon, reaped evil on account Of the
sins OF his father. Reading the second COM
mandment Ex., 20 5, g. wo find some children
prodting from good parentage, and others suf-
fering from the fact their fathers and mothers
were evil, and that for several generations.
Righteous parents not selfish. They want
their children TO share in all their blessings.
God knows these facts, and SO, in pronouncing
blessingson his favorites, he includes also their
offspring. We are studying more than ever the
Laws OF inheritance as it affects the mental and
physical. Parents are beginning 10 feel the
need and duty of health not only for them
selves, but for their children. May they be-
COHo COHCtTHbu uiSD tue spiritual heritage.
5. 1t is proper To be righteously indignant at
evil. The account says plainly that God was
angry at Solomon because Solomon had disObey-
ed him. God disapproved Of his conduct and
let Solomon know the fact. Passivity in the
presence of Indifference in the sight of an
act done in violation of Code law-witness-
ing without emotion any gross wrong, are
proofs ofan almost expiring moral force. Quiet
ness in the observation of an evil act can be
Interpreted as assent Hence the saying,
"Silence gives consent" We remember sew
eral instances in the life OF our Savior in which
no showed in most decisive ways his disap-
prevail of certain deeds. Once in particular he
was violent in his demonstrations against out
rageous improperly. As there is "A wide differ
ence between the right and the wrong, so it is
becoming I'm Us TO exhibit proofs of difference
of feeling toward the one from what we show
toward the other. A part of the punishment
of evil doors should consist in their loss of the
approval of the righteous. Not to vary our at
tentfons TO the good aud the evil is to make no
distinction between the right and the wrong
between justice and its opposite. When code
of law is enacted it prescribes severe penalties
for violation. II one be evil the law shows
anger-not revengefully, but punitive; not
cruel, but favorable TO reform.
q. Much is expected of those who have had
special privileges. 1t was greatly against Solo
mon, when evil, that he committed such wrong
49,