Democratic messenger. [volume] (Snow Hill, Md.) 1869-1973, 1903-12-05
THE SABBATH SCHOOL
International Lesson Comments for
December 6.

SuDleCls SOlOmOuS WISE SuViSSs mugs u''S
,4.l5-Golden Text, Prov. tx, l0-Memory
Verses, IL, documentary on the
Days Lesson.
event to to Gibeon." The first work Of Sol.
ONION was to hold national festival at
Gideon. This was the great high place"
till the temple was built. The chronlcer
informs us that Solomon assembled great
congregation with him, and that the brazen
altar made in the days of Moses by Beza-
leel and the Old tabernacle of the congre-
CATION were still existing at that place.
See 2 Chron. l:l-6. The object of this
great assembly was to unity the people
| under Solomon. to show the nation that
he stood by the religion and the God OF
his fathers, to extend the. influence Of
religion over the nation, and to bring all
into harmony.
''1he Lord appeared" At the close Of
this season of worship, when his mind
was up,ifted to God. ''In dream" God
frequently appeared. ), to men in .S dreams in
Of choice is here placed before Solomon.
This would reveal what it was that was
6. Solomon said" Solomon, before de-
Gliding what to choose, carefully considered
his circumstances and needs, thus showing
possible to bestow the gift of wisdom.
''Shrewd mercy" Four consid-
crations moved Solomon to make the choice
he did First. God had shown mercy to
David, his father. He spoke honorably of
his fathers piety, conceaing his faults,
ised great kindness that God had given to
David in his family. Truth -. :. right
eousness uprightness." Truth here
contains all duties to God; Righteousness
the duties to men, and uprightness the
right manner of performing both. Such
grateful humility and such high apprccia-
ton of moral excellence are qualities Of
heart favorable to the reception of Gods
best gifts.
:. Thy servant king The second con-
s,aeratiol was because he was king. Al
though Solomon recognized the fact that
God and not man had placed him upon
the throne, vet he needed divine assistance
in his work. 1t is a source of great
strength and blessing to be in the position
and doing the work to which we are con-
scious that God has appointed lis. This is
a strong reason for asking and expecting
Gods Blessing upon us. "a little child
The third consideration was his youth
at this time is unknown, but he was prob
ably nineteen or twenty. This devout con-
seriousness OF his own weakness was really
So'omon's best Qualification as a ruler.
s. In the midst" That is, Solomon is
set over them as king. The fourth consid
to be done. All eyes are turned upon
him, and he is expected to rule and guide
the people. They were 4 turbulent people,
often going astray, often cOntending with
each other, with strong wills and an inn
pulsive temperament. Probably there was
strong party opposed to him, and BROTH
,srs of full age ready to lead it. Chou
nation, but the nation chosen to represent
God before the world. and carry out His
kingdom, and teach the world His truths.
All this was far greater responsibility
than the ruling of an ordinary kingdom.
"Cannot be numbered" There seems to
ises made hy God to Abraham, more es-
pecially to Genesis 1916. This was a COM
mon and natural expression for a large
number. In such kingdom it would be
very difficult to get the actual number of
the people. From the number of men gwen
in 3 Sam. 24:9 and Chron. 2l:5, 6, it is
inferred that the population was about
9. Give therefore" Because Of these
considerations. "An understanding heart"
Ills request accorded with the exhorta.
tions David had given him. His petition
was chat the Lord would enlarge and
strengthen his intellectual powers, give
and a corresponding dispositions and fur
nish him with the peculiar talents and
ability for government, that he might adj
minister justice and judgment rightly for
the benefit of the people, and the honor Of
God. ITO Judge" Absalom wished to be
taking. Solomon asked nothing merely for
himself: but everything was directed to.
ward the good of the peoDle. His choice
wss unse!fsh, noble and divine.
OIL, III Go ID answer sy (ys; lo-l5) 10, II.
place in a dream, yet it expressed Solo.
mons real desire during his waking mo.
ments. Solomon had prayed the day be-
fore with great frequency. and desired OF
God the gift of wisdom. " Hast not asked"
The greatness of Solomon's request is esti.
mated by what he did not ask; He was
90 the life of his enemies; that is, that
God would take the life of his enemies,
or put it in his power to destroy them:
y, IL. "According to Thy words" Those
are accepted Of God who prefer spiritual
blessings to temporal, and are more de.
than preferment. So'omon's prayer was
prevailing prayer. God gave him riches
and honor and long life without his ak.
ing. and thus he received double blessing.
But although the Lord gave Solomon wis.
dom and understanding, vet he doubtless
studied and toiled like other men for his
requirements.
ii, Is. "If thou wilt" etc. There is
moral hinge on which every blessing OF
God swings. Divine favors and promises
release no man from the Obligations OF
Righteousness. Solomon never met these
conditions fully. He received much, but
he would have received much more had
he been faithful to the grace given. "Came
to Jerusalem" He had made his prayer
at Gibeon. and there God gracious!y met
him; but he returned to the capital again
where he might in holy alteration present
himself before the sacred ark of the cove
rart. which was there in the city of David
"Offered offerings" Solemnly to
praise God for all His mercies, and espe-
cially for giving him Quiet possession of
the kingdom, and for His glorious appear
ance to him in the dream, and for the
promise made to him.
w. Solomon's wisdom (chap. 4:29-34).
In chapter A:25-2S we have an account Of
Soiomon's wealth and worldly greatness
and n verses 1894 of his wisdom. His
wisdom took many directions. He was
wise as Judge. as an architect, as states
man, in literature, in science. He had a
comprehensive, powerful mind capable 81
crashing the knowledge of macy and d.
frnlt snhiects-
A Notorious Criminal.
In Sweden there is man named
IOefdahl who is said to he in one