Grant County herald. [volume] (Lancaster, Wis.) 1850-1968, 1896-11-05
TtiE SUNDAY schccL
/ international Lesson for November I6,
/ 1896 Gods Blessing Upon Solomon
4 I Kings asS-9

international Lesson for November I6,
1890 Gods Blessing Upon Solomon
Kings ast-9.
ARRANGED from Peloubet's Notes.I
GOLDEN TENT-.rhe blessing OF the
Lord. it maketh rich. and lie addett no
sorrow with it-Pr0v 10.22
THE SECTION includes 1l-9 and the
parallel account in Chron. 7.l2-22
TIME.-Prohably q. G. So. in the Gath
year OF solomon s reign. when in the height
OF his prosperity he needed another warn
ing. (See under verse 81
PLACE.
EXPLANATORY.
The Need of Repeated Warnings-V.
J. when Solomon had finisned the
building" etc. The buildings were be-
gun early IN the fourth year Of his reign
q Kings Gay, ana the temple was
finished in the nth year and Sth month.
being 71s years in building q Kings
6:3s). His own palace took 3 years
more Il Kings I'll. Thus MS great
work Of building occupied about 20
years Il Kings 9:lo), and brought Sol
onion 70 the oath year Of his reign and
the 44th of his age.
Solomon at this time was in all his
glory. His fame had reached other ma
tons. He had become very rich from
his commerce. He had grown luxurious.
''All Golomen's desire which he was
pleased to dos" He had hitherto mad
nc check upon his prosperity. What
ever he wished he had.
The Vision of the Two Ways.-Vs.
?, 3. 2. The Lord Jehovah. appeared
to Solomon q second time. because of
the dangers that were now threatening
BIN. He was in perilous need, and God
took every method of saving the king
from going end leading the people in
the wrong way.
3. Il have heard thy prayer" Some
have thought that this reference to Sol
omon's prayer of dedication and the
similar order of thought in what fol-
lows implies that this vision was sent
Immediately after the dedication of the
temple. But it clearly implied in the
first verse that it was after the compile
ton of his palace 10 years later. The
reference to the prayer is perfectly
natural, for that prayer was not merely
the feeling of Solomon 1t the time. but
was the desire of his heart. Now. when
there was danger of its being forgot
ten, il was recalled 10 his mind. The
temple itself was perpetual reminder
81 have hallowed this house to put
My name there forever" ! accept it as
mine; and my purpose has not charged.
mine eyes" to watch over it. and to
note the sincere worship hat will go up
from il. And Mine heart" in love, and
affection, and care. not only see but
] delight in it. / will care for Il as for
the apple of mine eye. It shall be a
peculiar treasure. "Perpetually." will
keep my part of the covenant. This
temple shall never be destroyed or i'm
jured through any neglect of mine.
Then God. in this vision, puts clearly
before the king the two ways-thc way
of Life and the way of Death.
The Way of Life.-Vs. 4. 5. 4.
IF thou wilt walk before Me as David,
thy father. walked, in integrity of
heart, and in righteousness" (cf ch.
5: 6. Il; 1: BAY. David was not perfect,
os our author tells us elsewhere fch. 49,:
{: Ct. CHI l. 6; 2 Sam. p: 10). His in
tegrity consisted in his unvarying 10y
atty to the true God.
). "Then will | establish the throne
forever:" There was always this
condition imposed.
The Way Of Death = VS.. 60. 8.
"Butif ye shallat all twholy) turn from
following Me-" etc The meaning is rath-
er If ye shall wholly tnrn away from
following Ne" See the parallel passage
=, C6wo,4;ef,,e 20 f-t,.., -rpN ..Ie 80
turn away and forsake Ny statutes.''
The Israelites were not to be cut or,
except Cor an entire detection. Cook
And serve other gods" The Israel
ties were exposed TWO forms of for
| Saking God; one was nv crimes q
orders, and all breaking e the sec d
table OF he law. which naturally and
i necessarily led to ruin. and the other
was by = neglect OF religion and a turn
ing to idols. which led to breaking of
all the other commandment The whole
tendency of idol worship was TO i'm
purity of life. The neglect of God took
away the restraining influences of re-
ligion and the very life and soul of
morals.
Z. "a proverb and a byword:" 1.-THE
very name of Israel win become a prov
erbial expression significant of disas-
trous failure" to be used il mcckery
and sarcastic scorn.
PRACTICAL SUGGESTIONS
The very kindcst thing friend can
20 for rs IS 70 admonish us when de are
going wrong.
The wise man always foresees the