The Indianapolis journal. [volume] (Indianapolis [Ind.]) 1867-1904, 1896-09-05
SUNDAY-SCHOOL LESSON
CALCULATION AND REVIEW OF IN
TERNATIONAL TOPIC, SEPT. O.
David's Love for Gods House, First
Chronicles xii, 6-I6-Things Made
Possible by One Mans Purpose.
BY the Rev. JAMES E. GILBERT.

| By the Rev. JAMES z. GILBERT,
/ Secretary of American Society of Religious Edu-
cation.
INTRoDUcTIoN-The last lesson closed with
| David weeping for Absalom. His mourning was
| brought to an end through the influence of Joab
| (Ch. xix, 3d. and the people conducted him back
| to the capital The disorders consequent upon
| the rebellion were speedily adjusted, and in
| cipient revolt under Sheha suppressed. och.
Xxx, 1o.) Three years of famine following were
interpreted judgment for the evil done 70 the
Gibonites Afterward David bought the bones OF
Saul and Jonathan from Jabesh- Gilead and
buried them with honor in the old family sepul-
cbre, in Benjamin. War broke out with the
fhilistnes, and David gained great victory.
which he celebrated in a psalm. Six years had
now passed since the restoration, and David
nearing the end of his career. After adjusting
some matters pertaining to the internal affairs
of the kingdom he looked forward to the time
when ne should lay off the burdens of Office.
Then came the rebellion of Adonijah. causing the
hasty settlement of the Solomon.
Il Kings, j. 22-3e.)
PURPOSED.-At the amounting of his son as
successor David delivered an address. In this he
referred to number of events that had rendered
his reign illustrious-the unity of the tribes the
conquest of the lands, the extension of his do
minions to include the territory promised in the
Irvine deed of settlement Numb. XIV 3-12), the
accumulation of treasures in Jerusalem.
evident that in his closing years he did not re-
gard them most important. He passed
lay special emphasis upon work which had
not been done, but which he had purposed at
one time to DO. What finished was secure
1t could not be will disturbed But what was
unfinished, namely, the building of a house for
God QI sam. vii, p to be cherished of the
first Importance In this respect David acted the
part OF a wise sovereign ana good father He
turned his eyes toward the future and sought
HINDEhED. But David did not rest the
ter on this basis. He would not have Solomon
think that he had been neglectIul rresoiate,
that the failure to execute his good purpose
dGe 10 any fauit OF MIS- the remembrance of
when IN ola age was painful Most men have
hlndered him from undertaking the task,
ferring to the message delivered twenty-five
vii, l, 81 But here he goes on to explain what
IS not in the earlier history, that he was forbid
SIZED much blood. Il Kings. v 81 In the divine
mind it deemed improper to commit the
religion, the first the expression of dark age
me other the noolest achievement of man. ought
act best to give all the glory to one man. 1t
ldite enough TO have subdued enemies and built
well be restrained and delayed.
vas not destined to perish hepishe9 d IN his
leart from the time it first formed, it was
90 be transmitted with other possessions to the
son, whom God had appointed for the task
tCn. xviii 81 1t was therefore with much
tsfaction that David informed Solomon this
point In doing SO he presents several items
WITCH God had proclaimed. That should
man of rest, having therefore abundance of
time and opportunity, which account he had
reign there should be quietness throughout all
the land 50 that the people, having rest from
disposed to cooperate. This son should be the
,pJect of the Almightys special regard verse 10)
over ISRAEL This is the whom God has ap-
pointed to do what David desired, but not
iernlitted to do. This is the course of many
Enterprises. They are conceived by one mind
cursed through many years. and realized by
he
tons together psalm cxlv, ~
the delivery of solemn Injunction to solomon
and David spoke earnestly, Now my son. build
he house of the Lord thy Cod Into that one
sentence was compressed the hopes of the future
rs well as the longings of the past. The inten-
twenty years old. feel his destiny and duty. He
one work. Others had been kept from the throne,
and he had been elevated to it only that he might
ill it. Comprehend your mission. accept it and
attempt it. All your fathers planning. your
success in life, aye. and the work OF after cen
turies' call upon you, Solomon, to erect the
or be dishonored forever. according to your re-
sponse to this trust" So David seemed to say.
solomon by his royal father. To serve such
people and be a wise and useful king would have
been a high service at such a time enough tc
awaken misgivings in most minds But to add
a national house Of worship worthy of the peo
pie and acceptable to God in this golden era
pafes his sons fears. and informs him concern
ing the secret of success. God will give wisdom
adequate to his need, and solomon must fulfll
the statutes and judgment which the Lord de
livered to Moses. In effect this was the same
condition as that prescribed to Joshua Josh l. s..
the one condition required of all who do work
for God Hence the young king, made wise by
law, must dismiss all fear and be strong and I'M
waverfng. Wisdom, obedience, courage--those
would make Solomon prosperous in his exalted
place and work.
PREPARED.-David next explains why such
vast treasures had been laid up in Jerusalem
it was a preparation for Soomons temple. The
billions of dollars. The brass and the iron were
without weight. Timber and stone in large
ous stores showed that David intended ia the
t Ten to be the most magnifcent structure on
he Eathered all together in the time CT his
quieting him he had steadily nursued his pur-
nose, that his son might have all that was need
ful for the accomplishment of the great work
This is new use to be made of wealth, and
here is a noble example for every man. why
that work? why ought he not in Is his Wiil 'f to
h bee tt the work and the property toeether.
he contemplates his patrimony, will be inspired
to noble career and the money kings will be-
BI-EssE D.LHaying declared his early purpose
execute that purpose: having charged solomon
to begin work for which material had been
David brought his address to close with most
appropriate benediction. The piety of the king
"cmmit this young man to his life work in his
wn name and strlngth He knew too well what
newer would utterly fail. He had experienced
in many severe Affections what led him to feel
his insufficiency Looking into the face of his
son, with all the untried duties of the kingdom
before him, with all the interests of religion at
stake with ali the outcome of the nations life
involved. he exclaimed: The Lcrd tay God be
with thee So age ever speaks TO youth What
a may have been. however crooked his
blessing upon his children and believes that only
with that blessing will they succeed. psalm
I'D
CONCLUSIoN.-There are several subordinate
topics in lesson. David for his son was anx-
ious father that he should make no mistake. /
He also sought the future welfare of the nation
in whose service he had given his life But
above all else. he had all controlling love for
the house of God. and for God, the rghtful
head OF the nation. To him the building OF the
temple appeared essential TO the promotion of the
national religion He never lost sight of it from
the day ii first entered his mind In all the sub
seouent years its Importance increased, and his
efforts for it engaged shis best thought. He came
down to the end of life with 1t, and would not
depart until he had breathed the same spirit into
his And when at last the temple stood COM
plete Mount Moriah it the ma gnificent
monument 10 father and whose lives were
wrought into it. psalm lxxxiv. 1-4) And all
the assemblies there in after centuries were
made possible because of mans purpose,
The Burden Lifted.
Over the footpath
That led from my lowly door.
4E-fth Irvrt Of fHa