The National tribune., 1896-10-22
SUNDAY :.MEDlTATI0N
A Study Of the international Sunday
School Lesson Appointed for Nov.
hiuo
l, 1896. l,.
Subject. Building the Temple. Kings
tS:l-12.

through all time with increasing authority ana
power He meant that the Bible with It's
Christ would keep getting more and more hold
of the human heart and mind. Voltaire, the
sage of Ferney, said that before the 18th century
dawned the Bible would be actually forgotten.
It was to suffer an easy death from the fact so
few would care any further to contend for It's
integrity. But that euthanasia found no place
in 1900 A. D. And yet we see no signs OF d.
minished influence on the part of the Bible.
The British Quarterly Review lately said :
Archaeology and philology. history sacred and
profane, all the natural sciences, all the IN
eenuity of scholarship and criticism have been
directed against it's authority and integrity,
with the result that the Bible never before had
such hold on the mind aud heart of mankind
as it enjoys at the present moment"
Which prophecy proved true-that OF 81.
Peter or that of Voltaire?
BUILDING OF THE TEMPLE.
Data.
We have for study 1 XII, 5: LIZ.
Time.
2990 A. NJ. or 1014 B. G. That was AT years
after the Exodus from Egypt. The Temple was
begun 1927 b. c. in the second month aud
finished in six and one-half years.
Place.
The Temple was built in Jerusalem on Mt.
Moriah. 1t was there that Abraham was about
to sacrifice his son Isaac. In clearing the top
of Mt Moriah preparatory to building thereon
the Temple, part of the original rock was left
untouched or unremoved-50 to 60 feet long
and 40 to SO wide. 1t is said that was the very
spot where Abraham offered ram for burnt
offering instead of sacrificing his son Isaac. 1t
is supposed the altar of the Temple was con-
structed at that point 1t is elevated some IL
to Is feet above the common surface. BY COM
pairing / Chr, 81: 49, 26, with Chr, 3: ], we
a. ~, hos xyar "A
as that where David built an altar and where
the Lord answered Davii's prayer by fire
upon the altar of burnt Offering"
Josephus, giving account of Solomon building
the Temple, remarks: Now it happened that
Abraham came and offered his son Isaac for a
burnt Offering at that very place." Hebrew
tradition has all along pointed to Mt Morah
as being identical with the mount where
Abraham offered the ram. 1t is said Moham-
met assembled from there to Heaven.
Solomon.
He was son Of David by Bathsheba, third
King Of the Jews; author of the Proverbs
Ecclesiastes and Canticles; man Of great wis
dom and Of great folly-rrather Il warning than
an example. His experiences and deductions
therefrom very valuable. The young
should, in special. read his writings, in partic-
ular the Book Of Proverbs lie became King
when about 20 years old, and continued to rule
Of the Temple. He thus carried out the pur-
pose Of his father. The structure has always
been known rs the Temple of Solomon.
Hiram.
All credit must not be given to Solomon for
building the Temple. David himself did an
immense amount of preliminary work. And
Hiram helped along tic grand enterprise. 1T
was we'll that David formed alliance with
Hiram. He aud David had much OF dealing
with each other for over 30 years. Hiram was
a PhGncian, King OF Tyre. He supplied to
David architects, mechanics timber, etc. The
land Of the Phenicians was maritime, while
the Israeites cultivated the lands Hence ex
changes were constantly made. Tyre could
furnish timber. precious stones dyed goods
crimson. purple, etc As an Offset Solomon sent
wheat. pure olive oil. etc. 1t is to be remem-
bered that Hiram probably had deep SYM
pathies with Solomon in religious sense.
Hiram was idoiater, with no extensive
know ledge of Jehovah. But see his words in
V. z of this lesson. They show some acqnaint-
ahce with the truth. In all business and social
relations he must have been honorable, for we
read Hiram was ever lover Of David. l XII.
ST. Solomon continued the acquaintance be-
gun by his father, and that 10 his great nd van
tage. Hiram built palace for David. 2 Sam,
5:1I.
There were two Hirams-one the King who
Supplied materials and workmen; the other a
skilled artisan, the widows son, specially apt
in delicate decorative art. His father was a
Tyrian, but his mother was q woman of the
tribe of Dan. Chr. g: Ia. Probably he was
selected because Hiram the King Judged he
would be specially accepted rs having kinship
with the Jews. He too might feel deeper in
terest since his mother was allied to the He
| brews.
Homer speaks of "the skillful Sidonian
artists" See Cowper's Had, XIII, sol. No.
| tice v 6 Of the lesson.
Words and Phrases.
| /. Amounted. VI. Set apart, naugurated
| Some pure oil WAS generally used. See account
| of the amounting in l Kings, 1: 80.
2. Room OF. v. In placeof rs successor to-
| 3. Sent his servants Y. /. 1t was customary
! to send messages of ondolence from neighbor.
| ing Kingdoms to a successor OF a deceased King
and also congratulations to the incoming ruler
| Hiram heard David WAS dead and that Solomon
| had assembled the throne Exchanges OF cour.
tesy took place We see further on how Solo
mon received the messengers servants, V. :,
| ana sent back proper replies to their messages
A. Ever lover of David. ". /. Kitto thinks
this Hiram was a grandson to the Hiram with
| whom David consorted SO much. Winner be
lieves the two illusions to Hiram refer TO the
same person. Tho love between Hiram anG
David was long continued and thorough,
tested. Some think Hiram became in sym
! pathy with the Hebrew faith.
5. House. ". g. The Temple.
Unto the name Of the Lord. va For til,
worship of the Lord God.
Z. Wars. vs.. David was called "a man
war" ! Sam, 16:16; 2 SAM, 1913; Chr.
%: 3. He shed much blood. There is som,
apparent unftnass in one who has slaughtered
| human beings becoming the founder of
| Temple devoted to the peaceful. standing al
the symbol OF quietness. consecrated to th'
| Prince Of Peace.
3. Put them under the sOles of his feet. v. 2
| Conquered them. This is a case Of autliropo
mOrphism. God is imagined and Representa-
| as III human form, having feet. We are Il
| avoid such liberalism and teach that all which j
meant is that God gave David victory over hi
| enemies.
8. Given me rest VA The neighborin,
nations having been conquered by David ceaset
10 modest him and his successor. The rest
was rest from war, the quiet njoyment of peac
and plenty and prosperity
10. Adversary. VA! No opposer in hur'al
or personal form. No evil. No principle O
hatred, envy, etc.. in operation or occurring.
II. Purpose. v. 5. soomons mind wa
firmly fixed. Nothing could check him. Al
his plans were made to bend that way
IL. Cedar trees We. The cedar OF Lebanon
was specially valued. Lebanon itself as
mountain WAS famous because OF the abundanc
there of superior kind of cedar trees Tn
mountain gained tsfame thus: 1t was the am
bition OF many nanyin early days to see til
grand mountain with its stately cedars, rc
with a peculiar depth of green, magnifcen
with their broad, extended branches beauLifn
in gracefulness of shape and motion. We re