The News-Herald. [volume] (Hillsboro, Highland Co., Ohio) 1886-1973, 1896-10-08
rSe SUNDAY SCHOOL.
International Lesson for October n, 1899 |
-solomon's Wise Choice--l Kings -

6.16.
ARRANGED from Peloubet's Notes.l
GOLDEN TExT.-The fear Of the Lord |
IL the beginning of wisdom-Psa. 111:10.
THE SECTION includes Kings 1915; |
the parallel, 2 Chronicles 11-13; Kings |
4:29; and the Scripture texts given below |
TiME.-B. c. 1Ol5. the early part Of Solo |
mons reign. ,
north of Jerusalem. now called Ell Jib |
Here was the ancient tabernacle con- |
structed by Moses e Chron. 1:S.
LESSON NOTES.
The Great Festival at Gibeon.-Solo- |
mon, after number of preliminary diff
fculties, had come into settled peace,
which lasted almost 40 years. The
first work of Solomon was to hold the
great national festival at GIDEON, COM
manding elevation about six miles
north of Jerusalem, "because here stood
the ancient tabernacle c, instructed by
Moses and the brazen altar made by
Bezaleel. nearly 500 yeas before, un-
der the shadow of Sinai e Chron. 1: 8,
81; and because here Zadok, the high
priest from the time of Saul, had charge
Of the religious sacrifices" This was
the great high place, till the temple
was built. Here Solomon went in an inn
posing civil, religious and military
procession of the leaders of the whole
nation, and, with oriental magnificence,
he "offered thousandfold holocaust in
| sacrifice to Jehovah"
Solomon's DREAMY. s. "The Lord
| appeared in a dream" This was the first
| of three dream messages to Solomon.
"In approval of his sacrifice"
| v. S. "And God said: ASK what
shall give thee" AS there is no limita-
ton in the implied offer, an absolutely
unlimited range of choice is here placed
before Solomon. He might ask any
thing that omnipotehce could supply.
This would reveal what it was that
was really uppermost in his desires.
Solomon, before deciding what to
choose, carefully considered his cir
cumstances and needs, thus showing
that well. balanced mind on which it
was possible to bestow tfe gift of wis
dom. The record of this is in verses
to 8. The first consideration that pre-
sented itself to him was Gods mercy to
lis father David A second considera-
ton was that God had placed him in his
present position. He had been chosen
by God to be king. A third considera-
tion was his youth and inexperience.
And the last and most impressive con-
sideratiop was the greatness of the
work to be done.
| We. "Give therefore thy servant an un-
derstanding heart" There were two di-
rections in one or the other of which q
young kings desires would naturally
| OH nell Tn
glory, victory, riches for himself
through his country, and long life in
which to enjoy them ". ~; or he
would ask for fitness to do his work as .
king, and thus be a benefactor to his
nation. Solomon chose the latter. An
understanding heart meant wisdom for
the administration of his duties, wise
principles and wisdom in the applica.
ton of them. ITO judge Thy people:
Administer the government in all it's de.
partments. THAT 1 may discern be.
tween good and bad:" /. e., right and
wrong, justice and injustice, what plans
are good for the people and what are
bad. For who is able to judge this Thy
so great a people?" The larger the mum.
ber of people, the more wisdom and
ability it takes to govern them. Many
officers can command a hundred men
few can wisely manage an army of q
million.
The Double Blessing.--Vs. 1915. The
choice was made in dream, but it ex.
pressed Solomon's real desire. "And
the speech pleased the Lord"
ii. because thou hast not asked
60 en- To Qoh1 L.
asked the things which would merely
give glory and pleasure to himself.
IL. 10, have given thee wise and
understanding heart" for which he had
asked.
13. II have also given thee that which
thou hast not asked" Here we see a
striking illustration of the law of the
Divine government: Seek We first the
kingdom of God and His righteousness
and all these things shall be added unto
you" Matt. 6:33; Luke 12:3D.
IA. "And if thou wilt walk in my
ways . I will lengthen thy days.
The promise here is conditional. AS the
conditions were not observed Il Kings
11:1-s). the right to promise was for
, feited, and it was not fulfilled. He dice
at the age of 60, ten years younger thar
his father David.
IS. "And Solomon awoke, and behold
it was dream" But the results were
real, because what was done in tn,
dream expressed what Solomon really
was and actually chose. "And he cam'
to Jerusalem:" his home, and the othel
sanctuary where the ark was placed
Here he continued the sacrificial feast
PRACTICAL SUGGESTIONS.
dreams become significant when they
are the concentrated essence of tn,
main stream of the waking thoughts
and picturesquely exhibit the tendency
of the character.
"You must choose; your refusal I.
choose is itself choice, and it is tn,
liberty to choose your own aim in life
and at last your own destiny tha