The Indianapolis journal. [volume] (Indianapolis [Ind.]) 1867-1904, 1896-10-03
SUNDAY-SCHOOL LESSON
CALCULATION AND REVIEW OF IN
TERNATIONAL TOPIC, OCT. 4.
on Amounted King, as Related in
First Kings, /, 2S-39-Predestined
to a Great Mission.
BY Rev. JAMES e. GILBERT,

| Secretary of American Society of Religious Edu-
cation.
NEUTRALITY-SUSPICIOUS. David was approach
ing the end of a long and eventful life. For
forty years he had ruled over, Israel, esteemed
in the later time by the people as their father
and savior. But bodily infrmities were coming
| on with increasing years Verse u, and it was
evident that he must shortly lay down the bur-
dens and honors of office. Who shall succeed
him? The first and second sons were dead, and
the third, Absalom, had persisted seven years
before, a rebel. The fourth son, Adonijah, whose
mothers name was Hagith III Sam. iii, ~, be-
lieved himself to be the rightful heir. With the
approval of Joab and Abiathar Verse ., he re-
PAL, ID secretly to Zoheleth, calling such of the
Kir 5 sons as were known to be in sympathy
witt his claims, there to be anointed King. It'd
ings of this irregular proceeding were carried by
Zadock and Nathan to David, who in his in
trinity had been extremely lenient toward his
sons (Verse 81, and. withal, was not informed
of what was TRANSPORTING.
SUMMONS.-The speech of the faithful Nathan
reused the King to the situation. This man Of
God had come on many occasions into the most
intimate relation with David. Once he had de-
nounced sin and secured repentance. QI Sam.
xii, 1-6.) He had also been the confidential adj
wiser AMI instructor, concerning the building Of
the temple. making known the will of God as
against the purpose of David. III Sam. vii, 81
On this occasion he plainly recited what Adoni-
Jan zone " efSe Z), SHOW HS ina there was
a well-laid plan to grasp the throne, and ending
with the question whether all this was according
to the Kings will. Nathan's address produced
the desired result. David could not doubt the
truthfulness of the statements. nor hesitate con-
corning his duty. call me Bath-Sheba, > he ex-
claimed, who had but just gone forth from his
presence, after speaking on the same subject.
Verses l6-21) 1t appears that the words OF the
wife and the mother had, not made their proper
impression, until confirmed by the prophet. ia,
vid.s summons proved that he gave hrst heed
10 God $ messenger:
her son, solomon, should be at once elevated TO
the throne, a fulfllnent of a promise previously
speech. Verse 10 1t is not possible to state
under what circumstances this pledge of the
that when he ~purposed to build the temple God
had prevented him; saying that his son, after
ward to be born, should build it, and the name
of that son was announced. Il Chron. xxi, 81
him by the prophet II Sam. xii. 20, and it may
have been at That interesting time that David
told the mother the future of the child. But
now. the years having elapsed. old age having
come to the monarch, and intrigue having been
laid to thwart the purpose of the Almighty,
which must have been generally known, it was
necessary to take immediate and decisive action.
David confirms ms, premise with q solemn oath:
"As the Lord liveth that hath redeemed me out
fidelity, all united in a single sentence!
REVERENCE.-That, was a glad hour for the
plans carried it meant death to all rival candi-
dates, possibly to the venerable King, involving
rulers. Now they may live. David may go
down to his grave in peace. the honored sire of
witness the rising and spreading glory Of King
Bath-Sheba displayed her gratitude. Taking for
the time the place of a subject. rather than of a
wife, she cried; Let my lord, the King, live
forever a fayorite expression of the ancients
toward benefactors. Neh. iii. - What striking
contrast between her and the woman of modern
time, elevated by the gospel! And this she said,
not standing or sitting at his side. but bowed,
with reverence to the earth before him, She
huubled herself in his sight, a return for his
oFFICERs.-who shall execute the viii of the
King concerning the son of Bath-Sheba2 The
name and character Of an agent display the pur-e
pose of a principal. The first oHicer called was
Abiathar, being with Adonijah. q Chr. xii, 80
The second was Nathan. the prophet, the very
mouthpiece of God, disciple of Samuel, the then
recognized instructor of the King; whose words
ll az, rann1ar ayer tbn ri = q III had vs. ig,ait :
faithful Cherethites and PeIethites, a position
ness. q Chron. XII. $3.50 These three men rep
resented all departments Of the government. the
the known and It'd tried friends Of the ' King st.s having
been long in his service. 1t was the intention OF
David to commit the matter to persons who
would be recognized by the PEOPLE as authorized
should be done; The three. responding to the
call. stand in The Kings presence, ready 10 do
oRDERs.-How shall the new King be made?
to make the event very public and impressive.
solomon was to ride on the mule of his father,
west to Gihon. a watering place to which many
should anolnt him in the name Of the Lord to
be King over Israel Il Sam. X. D.. using holy oil
out of the tabernacle. tEx. xxx, PSI The great
officers. civil and military. should express the
public Joy by sound OF the trumpet which Moses
appointed to grace important assemblies. CNumb.
Y. p Afterward the acclaim should be
given. God save King Solomon" a kind of
prayer and ratification. These acts done-the
procession. the amounting, the trumpet blast, the
subjects. should follow the new monarch into
Jerusalem where he should ascend the throne OF
duties as viceroy. succeeding to all the honors
and PRIVILEGES Of the empire. All this was die
lie records, the last will of the great King OF
REsPoNsE.-The three men thus charged did
not pass hastily out Of the Kings presence. 1t
and feeling. The great general was the spokes-
mamie who represented the power 70 execute
so be it. We approve" and expressed the hope
that what had been determined should also be
the whole Transaction into one Of great national
agreed. and they invoked the divine favor upon
what was proposed. Benaiah. who had been an
reign III Sam. xiii. 29. then turned his thought
toward the new monarch. and expressed the hope
in the favor of God and become more illustrious
than that of David. The. veteran warrier knew
would in no wise ~dispiease the father. Besides.
he had in view the welfare OF the nation. and he
was prompted, as all through his career. by
feelings Of loyalty; Evidently his speech was
REsULT-The directions thus given were car
ried out in detail The young prince. then
the palace, where. evidently. he had quietly
waited TO learn the Issue or the pleading in his
behalf. Mounted upon the Kings mule. he rode
through the streets OF the city. attended by those
who were in honor at court. doubtless attracting
the attention Of all. Into the valley beyond the
wall the com7any came. The oil was poured
up0n his head in the presence Of the vast con-
course of people, The trumpet blew ana the peo-
pie shouted. Then. with much rejoicing. the pro-
+ eession formed end passed through the gate. the
demonstrations increasing, POSSIBLY not unlike
these on another occasion when a greater King
appeared. fMatt. xxi, - Jer1Aalem was filed
with gladness. The earth renr4rith The xannds'