Perrysburg journal. (Perrysburg, Wood Co., O. [Ohio]) 186?-1965, 1889-11-22
THE SUNDAY SCHOOL.
International Lcsson-Nov. 81.
Fourth Quarter.
Lesson WILL Kings 3, 5-l5

Fourth Quarter.
Lesson WILL Kings =, 5-15.
TITLE-Solomon Wise Choice
TOplC-rhe Rewards of II Right Choice.
OUTLINE. Gods Offer. y.S. ,. solomons
GOLDEN TEXT-wisdum IS better than
rubicsmprov. =, T.;
of heaven, and nll other things shall be added
unto you.
LESSON CONNECTION.
The incidents recorded near the close
of David's life are the revolt of Adoni-
iah, the son of David next Younger
than Absalom, made known to David
by Bathsheba and Nathan; Solomon
proclaimed king by David's command,
and the conspiracy defeated. Then
follows the parting injunctions to
Solomon, and among these he is COM
mandcd to punish Joab and Shimei. A
presumptuOus request of Adoniiah leads
to his punishment by death. Abiathar
is removed from the priesthood Joub
taking alarm, seeks to save himself in
"the tent of the Lord" at Gideon, but
is slain there Shimei il commanded
not to leave Jerusalem under pain of
death, but three years later disobeys
the command and is slain. Solomon
marries the daughter Of Pharaoh. lie
calls u council of the chief men of the
nation, and goes with them to Gideon,
seven miles northwest of Jerusalem,
where the tabernacle of Moses was at
that time located. There a thousand
burnt offerings were offered in suppllca-
tion for Gods blessing on the reign just
beginning. 1t was i'll answer to the
petition accompanying these sacrifices
that the vision was granted to Solomon,
which is detailed in our present lesson.
Time-B. G. 1918 to 1919. BY many
good authorities b. q. 1917 is given as
the correct date. 1t was undoubtedly
during the first year of Solomon's reign.
Place-Gibeon, about seven miles
northwest of Jerusalem. 1t is now
called EI-Jib. Some claim that the
great high place" was ON n high peak
or mountain about mile away from
the city.
Persons-Solomon to whom Jehovah
appears as in dream.
Incidents-While Solomon is at Gideon
Jehovah appears to him in dream OF
vision, ard offers him TO ask what Ii,
desires. Solomon asks for IAN under
standing heart" that he may judge tlit
people and fill his great office Alright,
Jehovah is pleased with the request and
6'
riches and honor. He also promises
him long life il he will walk in his ways
and keep his commandments. Il Par
allel Passage-2 Chronicles /, 7-l3,
Lesson SUGGESTIONS.
A writer in the Sunday School Sup
erintendent says that striking contrus
is presented to us in the character anC
circumstances of David and his sol
Solomon. The former had known hard
ship, struggle, war, aud the more rug
ged side OF life. The latter was emf.
nently "The Man of Peace" brought III
In luxury and shielded as far as possible
from trouble. In him centered the
hopes of the aged king in respect to Tho
carrying out of the great ambition oi
his life, namely, the building of a house
for the Lord. He longed, moreover, tc
see his son better, nobler, truer mar
than he himself had been.
Solomon began his reign before he
was twenty years of age, his father
having caused HIM to be proclaimed
king to overthrow the ambitious design.
of Adonijah, his older brother. Si1
months later David died, and the young
man took up his great responsibilities
That he realized his position is apparent
from his own words, II am but IL little
child: know not how to go out or CONT
in."
In connection with great and solemn
coronation feast at Gideon occurred th,
dream or vision in which the Lord pre-,
sented TO him the opportunity of choos
ing whatever he might wish. We ma,
notice i'll this connection that Solomon
was not solitary experience. Fo
does not the Lord open To every youtl
his vast treasure house and say, "Asl
what l shall give thee? Are not tn
many good gifts bestowed upon us s.
freely II pledge ot his Willingness l.
grant us the higher blessings? HI
that spared not hls own Son, but deliv
cred Inn up for us all, how shall he no
also with him freely give It's all things
In SolomOn's answer four things ar
noticeable. l. His humi i,y 2. hi
sense of dependence on God 3. Iii
wlsdom in seeing wla, he needed most
A. HIS desire To be useful 10 his country
Ii every youth should seriously an,
tboughtIully consider himself and hi
aims III life, with these feelings upper
most, how noble and grand would b
the outcome
We are permitted to look on th
Divine side OF this great transac tiul
which occurred SO long sago. 18Th
speech pleased the Lord" OF the grea
aims Which have been and still ar
before mankind, riches, honor, long lif,
wisdom. the Lord has set the seal of hi
approval OH the last rs the most worth
and, in fnc', the only one which take
hold on the life which shall never end
For it is not mere intellectual attain
ment that is meant, but in the word
OF James, "The wisdom that is frol
above is first pure, then peaceabe
gentle, easy to be intreated, full of mere
and good fruits
One who chooses this wisdom wi
find that with it will come unexpccte
blessings and unmeasured happines
and peace.
Jesus spoke of Solomon in all hi
glory" but he said that the flowers q
the field were dressed in greater beaut
than he. And the child who choose
the best gift of wisdom will be cothe
in more lovely dress than either, he wi
wear more beautiful ornament tha
precious stones, for our Golden Tex
tells us that Wisdom is better thu
rubies."
When Salomon asked for wisdor
what did he mean? He meant MOI