Forest City press. (Forest City, Potter County, D.T. [S.D.]) 1883-19??, 1903-12-10
MOST IMPORTANT THING.
"so!omon's Wise Choice" Kings,
8, Ais.
RY' WILLIAM r. ELLIS.

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3, Ats.
BY WILLIAM T. ELLIS.
There is something rather sad in the
way in which David is permitted TO slip
out of this course of Sunday school les
sons, and out of the sacred history.
His passing is obscured by his son Sol
omon's coronation. The old king,
whose fidelity, fearlessness. wisdom
and broadmindedness had brought the
Jewish nation to the high point at
which Solomon received 1t, is all UNI
consciously lost sight of in the splen-
doris of the newly crowned prince. OF
course, David himself would have had
1t SO. His life and. work found their
fruition in Splomon's brilliant reign.
All that he had done he would willingly
have counted but a preparation for this
golden period in Israel's history. After
all. every life is at best but a prepara-
ton for some other life that is to fol-
low; most of us are engaged In laying
foundations for others to build upon.
BY several bold actions Solomon, at
the very outset of his reign, made sure
of peace in the kingdom by putting
away. by death or Punishment, Joab.
Adonijah. Shimei and Abiathar. The
sword was busy for a time; plainly. the
new king was no h~esitating, fearful
weakling, but rather u man of Iron.
The result was wholesome. n the
whole kingdom was soon able to turn
it's attention to the great national prof.
ect of temple building. But first of all
Solomon called a national assembly Of
worship and sacrifice at Gideon.
| WHEN THE HEART Is TENDEREsT
1t was at this place, n on this oc-
casion, that Solomon made his wise
choice. He was amid sacred scenes.
A great religious festival had stirred
onI roo1lnuod biS honrt The 6qQnqSt
feelings Of his nature had been quick
ened. AS a revival of religion pierces
beneath a mans exterior life and
arouses dormant emotions-and 1t Is to
be noticed that the best sentiments lie
deepest-so the finest impulses of the
kings heart moved at this time.
Their are some places and seasons
that are more favorable than others to
the solution of spiritual problems. One
reason why people should go to church
Ia that there they are likeliest to give
their inner nature an opportunity to be
heard And to gain the ascendancy. 1t Is
wise to put ones self under influences
that will elicit the best that Is In one.
Solomon's revelation, which came to
him through a dream, might never have
been made had 1t not been for h great
sacrifice at Gideon.
A YOUNG MANS CHOICE.
In his dream Solomon heard God say
ing, ASK what 1 shall give thee" The
fancy is one that appeals to every
youth. that Of being permitted to
choose from among all of life's possible
tiles; although in Solomon's case 1T vas
more than a fancy, an actual opportu-
nity such as no other mortal ever en-
joyed. True, in a sense every young
person has to crafty his senses or to
serve his spirit; he may choose things
or truth, gold or o The choices
men make make or mar men. What
we are is largely h result of how we
have chosen. i.
That sudden power had not turned
the young kings head is made plain by
his reply. He recognized the RESPONSE
bilities of his position. Nor was ne ig-
nerant- of What he owed to his father.
F.. David, or Of what they both owed TO
Jehovah. He perceived his own limi-
tations and temptations: a conscious
ness of his youth and unfitness weighed
him down. Those very traits. however.
were signs of fitness. His high concep-
ton of public office, which should not
be overlooked by teachers of this les
son, wa a prime qualification FOR Of
foeholding. In asking for more wisdom
he displayed the wisdom that ne al
ready possessed.
The gift Solomon asked for when
IOlu ~ CIlO&oS oAA IN
of omnipotence was an understanding
heart, that he might perform his high
| duties we'll. AS he himself later wrote,
wisdom is the principal thing; there
fore, get wisdom"
In so asking Solomon secured the
philosophers stone. which transmutes
all the baser metals of life into pure
gold. Wisdom enables n to attain.
or. failing of attainment, to endure
failures; wisdom is the branch that
sweetens the waters of every Marah.
BY it any evil situation Is made toler-
able, and every pleasant situation en-
joyable.
and it pleased God. The young man
had not asked for long life. or wealth
or revenge upon his enemies. or any
other petty, selfish thing. God Is al
ways glad to see a spirit Of breadth
and magnanimity in a He loves
bigness of soul. The persons whose
greatest desires are for human service
and whose wishes comprehend the
whole worlds welfare are the e
whom He honors and uses. Because
Solomon chose first wisdom for service,
he was given all the lesser rewards for
which he had not asked. Seek We
first the kingdom of God and his right
eousness. and all these things shall be
added INT you" If any of you lack
WISOOuls leS ulIu dch VI 0Ous SAidS 0ASSeA
to all men literally. and upbraideth
not; and it shall be given him."
THE BEST GIFT GRANTED.
So Solomon's desire was fulfilled, and
he became the wisest man that ever
lived, before or since his day. His
worka and his words show how COM
pletely Gods promise to him was full
filled. Unlimited wealth and exalted
station were placed at tho disposal OF
his wisdom, and all three became
world marvels.
The writings OF Solomon show us how
deep was his understanding Of life
and how practical the application he
made Of his wisdom. 1t is to be noted
that he did not crave this boon merely
as an honor for himself. It was not
for display, but for use. that he sought
wisdom. Wisdom. He wanted to be
wise that ne might rule we'll. His am.
bition was to be the best possible king
to his people. which IL the sort of am.
bition that the Lord loves to aid IL
every man.
THE ONE CONDITION.
Solomon began his reign by a full and
implicit recognition Of his dependence
upon Jehovah. From God anne his
power. in God was his hope. Because
he put God first he was promised the
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