The National tribune. [volume] (Washington, D.C.) 1877-1917, 1889-12-12
SUNDAY MEDITATION.
Practical Duties Taught by Study Of the Inter-
national Sunday school Lesson Appointed for
Dec. g.. 1 H., III :2343.

SUBJECT: AHIJAH's ANNOUNCEMENT TO JERO-
BoAM.
l. Data
We find the facts of the lesson, mentioned
in the paragraph, alluded to only in the FIRST
book of the Kings. There are illusions found
In the second book Of the Chronicles. The most
direct is 2 Chr, 1912. 1t is probable that every
Ring had n sort OF secretary or chrOncler of
events. Then contemporaneous prophets were
doubtless i'll the habit of journalizng incidents.
Thus numerous data existed. There was, there
fore, probably book giving account of the
principal events or acts in the life of Solomon.
(V. Al Such volume is not now in exist
ence. Verse Al seems tn imply the writer of
Kings drew from said Book of Solomon such
incidents as he chose, aud then informed his
readers where they could find the particulars.
Tho word Chronicles is used in l XII, ID: %;
IS: 81; %: 80, 10. We are not from that word
necessarily to understand tho Bible books
named Chronicles, but the records kept reat-
ing to each King We see from Ch.. l2: Is;
Is %; 20: 81; 49, %. that the prophets kept
records God in giving us n volume for the
world through all time, to wit, the Bible, did
not weave into its pages all the records at hand,
but simply preserved those necessary for doc
trine, teaching, continuity of history. 1t is
probable all the data referred to above was at
hand, and that Ezra guided by the Holy Spirit,
complied such items as God dictated.
=. lame.
We date the lesson A. NJ. 1924 or B. G. 980
Solomon had been ruling 50 years and continued
as King five years longer, to wit, until his
death. He thus ruled 40 years. (V. 42.) jose
plus is absurd in putting the reign of Solomon
at 80 years. Davids son was not far from 90
years old when he became King. and hence
died at about go years Of age, u comparatively
young man. But he lived fast life. One
cannot violate physical laws and maintain
longevity.
The reconstruction of Milo was begun not
long after the time Solomon entered on the
kingship. The rendng referred to in V. 81
took place five years after the lesson. The
kingdom Of the IL tribes remained intact until
Solomon's death, out of consideration of the
virtues Of David his father. ". 81
3. Where.
Jerusalem was the Capital of Solomon's great
Empire, which stretched out to the Euphrates
River up to Syria and down to Egypt. u Ch.,
o 2G) it was called the City of David. David
ruled there. His Capital for seven and
half years was at Hebron-for 33i at Jcrusa-
lem. Solomon reigned longer at Jerusalem
than did any other King, to wit, during his
whole reign of 10 years. Hence at Solomon's
death Jerusalem had been the Capital for 70
years. Some think Milo was the valley boz
tween Mt. Zion and Mt. MOriah which was
filled in, making highway across. Evidently
the best opinion is that il was a rampant or in
trenchment about the main citadel of Jgrusa-
lem.
The place of meeting of Ahjah and Jero-
beam was near Jerusalem. it may be that
Jeroboam had been in Jerusalem making his
report rs charged with the care of the house
Of Joseph" to wit, the tribes of Ephraim and
Manasseh, and was now on his way back.
Ahiiah wished to meet him in somewhat re-
tired spot. 1t was not unlikely n little out
from Jerusalem in quiet, secluded locality.
Probably Ahijah anticipated Jerohoam's de-
partuFe, and arranged TO meet him outside the
city. Some hold Ahijah met Jeroboam after
the latter returned from Egypt
4. 4hiidh.
We know little indeed of this person. His
Hebrew name means brother or friend of
Jehovah. Ahiah would DO u correct form for
the word Ahjah. lie was from Shiloh. He
was of that noble line Of prophets who
graced those days SO wanting in the religious
element. The prophets maintained the honor
of God spoke for him; declared his denuncia-
tions; made revelations as to the future. Ii
appears from Ch., .: -, that he wrote book
OF records. IL is now ont of existence. He
commended himself to tho confidence of the
royal family, rs Is apparent from the anxiety
OF AbiJah, son OF Jeroboam, to seek his help in
question involving tho life of his dear child.
In our lesson Ahijah tells Jeroboam Gods pur-
pose 10 make him ruler of the tribes and to es-
tablish his family In a royal line, providing
tho founder. Jeruboam, did Gods will IN:
49, In the 18th chapter the same prophet de-
nounced Jeroboam, and declared to him Gods
determination 10 snatch from his family the
royal scepter.
>. Jerobodm
The name Of Jeroboams father was Nebat:
that Of his mother Zeruah. He was an
Ephrathite. (Gen., 80: 10; Ru., 9; Sam, Ill;
II: II; CHI, 2:l9.l The Revised Version has
more properly Ephraimite. Jeroboam was of
the tribe Of Ephraim. He was left early in life
without a father. But 10 seems he was blessed
with mothers care. The family lived at
Iereda, city in Manasseh. not far OF from
Seythopopis. At first Jerohoam was an or1i-
nary servant Of Solomon. But he showed him.
selfsupcrior to the place and worthy of promo
ton. He was brave amid dangers and toll
some in Iabors. Not long after his inangura-
tion Solomon, among other public works set to
strengthening the Notifications about Jerusa-
lem The " house Of Joseph" to wit. Iraelites
from the tribes of Ephraim and Manasseh, were
working upon a certain part. probably some
strong citadel known as Milo. %: 10, 81:
Sa., 90; CHI, l1:si Ch,, -: 81 There
was call for "A leader Solomon knowing the
many good qualities of Jeroboam. mt once ap-
pointed him the ruler of that section. He did
not imagine the young man would use against
his King the very qualifications which secured
him promotion over the house of Joseph"
The fact of being advanced stirred up the am
bition of Jeroboam, and desire seized him to
dispiace even Solomon. (Y. 81 At the time
Of our lesson Jeroboam was quite likely mt least
do years of age. He was young man ut the
time OF the construction of Milo, but that was
many years before the lesson.
6. Circumstances
Solomon had been King for about So wears.
He had succeeded in constructing many fine
buildings, in spreading abroad the commerce
OF ms nation, III forming strong alliances, aud
in epriching the governmental treasury. He
was needless, however, of the very condition
on which tho success of his throne depended
When God promised David that Solomon would
be his successor ho declared plainly that if Sol
ONION wavered from obedience to the will of
Heaven he would sacrifice success @ Sam.
z: A. He became grossly guilty rs to his
domestic life. He had practically 1000 wives
and, worse yet, most of his wives were foreign
heather alliances, each marriage n fragrant
violation of Gods law. Then he became an
idolater, allowing most shameful heather
practices in his very Capital and not far from
the temple itself
z. Solomon's Doom.
AS God had told Solomon beforehand that
he would lose his power if he sinned, SO now,
Solomon having broken Gods laws, is Informed
in detail of the evil consequences To be suffered
by himself, and specially by his son as his sue
cessor. The message was given from heaven
by one of Gods prophets. To make il i'm
pressive and clear Ahiah imparts the sad an-
nouncement by sort of object teaching in
correspondence with Oriental rhetorical real