The Indianapolis journal. [volume] (Indianapolis [Ind.]) 1867-1904, 1896-10-10
SUNDAY SCHOOL LESSON
ELUCIDATIoN AND REVIEW OF IN
TERNATIONAL TOPIC, OCT. H.
SoIOmon's Wise Choice, as Set Forth
I'm First Kings, iii, b-15-The Al
mighty VIII Keep His Promise.
BY Rev. JAMES e. GILBERT.
Secretary of American Society of Religious E6
cation.


ONION was magnanfnous toward those who had
opposed him (Ch. /, 1853, but under the in
struction of his father who died shortly after
the amounting, there came a change of policy
(Ch. ii, LID Adonijah, the would-be King, was
put to death because he asked for Abishag as
wife. (Ch. ii. 25) Abiathar was thrust out of
the priesthood. Joab. through fear, had fed to
the tabernacle and laid hold on the horns of the
altar but there he slain. och. ii. 2s-s5.)
Shimoi who had cursed David he fed from
Absalom, shut up In Jerusalem by the
Kings order. and on going out was executed
Och ii, 36-46.) These deeds of blood, deemed to
be necessary to establish the royal authority
show that Israel pursued methods common to
other nations, of which records in profane
history. Among his first King, Solomon
made affinity with Pharaoh by marrying his
daughter Although this contrary to the
law (Deut. vii, 81, he yet walked in the statutes
of David.
QUESTION.-David had brought the ark of the
covenant to Jerusalem III Sam. vi, 15), and had
deposited it there in tent made for the
purpose. But the tabernacle of Moses, then five
hundred years DID, had been set up at Gibeon
an elevated spot about six miles north of Jerusa-
lem. There a staff of priests. set apart for such
service, offered daily sacrifices upon the brazen
altar, and fulfilled other requirements OF the
law. q Chr. xvi. 400 Thus Gideon had become
the seat Of public religion. and remained until
the temple erected Verse % Hence Solo
mon repaired to Gideon to perform religious
rites. He went with all the congregation, the
great officers of state. the captains of hundreds
and thousands, the judges, the governors and
were sacrificed Verse 40 The ceremonial was
magnificent, the changing trumpets and musical
lIisti uinehts iiislhs tnioush tle Naiiey u oui'
XVI. 40 AT night after day OF such rites.
God came 10 The young King; thumb. xii, g.
manifesting his presence. asking this question:
What shall l give thee?"
GltATII GDE.-Tns remarkable inquiry
When God appeared ~ Abraham, Moses TO
Joshua and TO Samuel ii was to secure their
to bestow d gift. anxious only know the pleas
OF tie recipient, who is even favored
each exhibiting phase of his character.
First ne reverts to the goodness shown his
career In tbis there was the spirit Of eenuins
ings DANES ~, 10, and second 10 his father.
Who had set before him such a cody example
and had bequeatled the results OF his holy life.
1t was eminently proper that solomon should
Iook forward, build castles. cherish ambitions
and entertain great schemes. But they who con-
ton they sustain to those who preceded them,
are in condition to turn with far better spirit
Gratitude is the first debt.
HUMILITY From thoughts or his father Solo
These latter thoughts were Of four kinds. He
his fathers success sor--Ihe fame wealth,
power that had been achieved by the great King
mad all been transferred TO him. And this had
been by divine appointment-not by David $
caprice not by Solomons ambition. not by any
mere stroke Of good fortune. but God had made
him King. Moreover. this promotion was not a
proof OF Kindness 10 Solomon, or recognition
of his abilities, but II was the erowning mark
of Gods love to David. These three thoughts.
advancing in this order, prepared for the fourth.
which appeared 10 he dominant. He felt himself
to be a little ehild-not in years. for ne had
nearly reached his nlaiorty-but in experience,
Ia Judgment. He did not know what he needed
to knew In his exalted station. did know
'-how to 90 out come IN btfore the people
Probably he had contrasted himself with that
peerless man Who for years mad stood before
the adTairifg gaze Of his countrymen, well fur
nished fer every service.
NEUTRALITY-SUSPICIOUS. and humility are
beautiful traits hat they must be Joined with
others. Alone they make weak character.
Unless there Is something more In solomon he
Is not the man to rule Israel. But there Is