Grant County herald. [volume] (Lancaster, Wis.) 1850-1968, 1896-10-08
THE SUNDAY SCHOOL.
international Lesson for October IL, 1895
-SolomOn's Wise Choice-I Kings 8,
sis.


ARRANGED FROM Peloubet's Notes.l
GOLDEN TExT.-The fear of the Lord
is the beginning of wisdom.-Psa. 1II:1e
THE SECTION sslciuGes / Kings 1915:
the parallel. ? Chronicles 1I-1s; I Kings
4:29, and the Scripture texts given below.
TIAiE.-B. c. 10l5. the early part of Solo
mons reign.
PLACE.-Gibeon. a high hill six miles
north OF Jerusalem, now called FL Jib.
Here was the ancient tabernacle con-
structed by Moses q Chron. I'D.
LESSON NOTES.
The Great Festival at Gibeoa.-Solo-
mon. after a NUNS Of preliminary diff
ficulties, had come into a settled peace,
which asted almost 40 years. The
first work of Solomon was 10 hold the
great national festival at 6ilbeon, a COM
handing elevation about six miles
north of Jerusalem, because here stood
the ancient tabernacle :, constructed by
Moses and the brazen affair made by
Bezaleel. nearly 500 yeas before, I'M
der the shadow OF Sinai e Chron. /: 3,
s.; 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 i'm
posing civil, religious and military
procession of the leaders of the whole
nation, and, with oriental magnifcence,
he Offered a thousandfold holocaust in
sacrifice TO Jehovah"
Solomon's Dreamy. S. 1.-THE Lord
appeared in dream" This was the first
Of three dream messages to Solomon.
in approval Of his sacrifice
v. 5. 'Ard God said: ASK what 1
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 omnipotence could supply.
This would reveal what it was that
was really uppermost in his desires.
Solomon, before deciding what to
cumstances and needs, thus showing
that we'll balanced mind on which it
was possible TO bestow tie gift of wis
dom. The record of this is in verses
TO s. The first consideration that pre-
scented itself to him was Gods mercy 10
lis father David. second considera-
ton was that God had placed him in his
present position. He hal been chosen
by God to be king. A third considera-
ton was his youth and inexperience.
And the last and most impressive con-
sideration was the greatness. of the
work to be done.
We. Give therefore hy servant an I'M
Outstanding heart There were two di-
rections in one or the other of which
young kings desires would naturally
tend. He would either ask greatness,
glory victory, riches for himself
through his country, and long life IN
which to enjoy them ". III; or ne
would ask for fitness to do his work as
king. and thus be 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 ali it's de-
partments. THAT | may discern be-
tween good and bad:" i. 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 people p The larger the num-
Der of people. the more wisdom and
ability it takes to govern them. Many
officers can command hundred men;
few can wisely manage an army of
million.
The Double Blessing.-vs. 1918. The
choice was made in a dream. but it ex-
pressed Solomon's real desire. And
the speech pleased the Lord
Ii. Because thou hast. not asked
for myself" He ha not selfshly
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. Il 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 ba added unto
you" Matt. 6:33: Luke f2:31).
IA. And if thou wilt walk in my
ways !. | VIII lengthen thy days
The promise here is conditional AS the
conditions were not observed Il Kings
11:1-8), the right to promise was for
AGilCtis II was nOb 1uiiilitI. ne uiGu
at the age of SO. ten years younger than
his father David.
Is. And Solomon awoke. and behold
it was a dream" But the results were
real, because what was done in the
dream expressed what Solomon really
was and actually chose. And he came
to Jerusalem: his home, and the other
sanctuary where the ark was placed.
Here he continued the sacrifcial feast.
PRACTICAL SUGGESTIONS.
Dreams become significant when they
are the concentrated essence of the
main stream of the waking thoughts,
and picturesquely exhibit the tendency
of the character.
you must choose; your refusal 10
choose is itself choice, and it is the
liberty TO choose your own aim in life,