The Abbeville press and banner. [volume] (Abbeville, S.C.) 1869-1924, 1903-11-25
THE SUNDAY SCHOOL
INTERNATIONAL LESSON COMMENTS
FOR NOVEMBER 2e.
Subject: David's Charge to Solomon :
Chron. xviii, 1-1O-Golden Text, Prov
ill.,, 5-Memory Verses, 8, ,1o-cornmen-
tary on the Days Lesson. - =.

Chron. xviii, 1-10-Golden Iext' ffoss
ill.,, 5-Memory Verses, 8, ,1o-connnen-
tary on the Days Lesson. - n
I. The assembly Of princes Tvs. la. Il
2. "And David assembled" etc. jnls rs
fers to the persons whose names ana omsss
are mentioned in the preceding chapter.
An assembly convened consisting OF the
princes of tribes, captains and subordlnatg
officers of the army. stewards OF the royai
household and mobiles of the land. Inc ma
ton was well represented, and the occaaom
was solemn and important. STOOD up.
He was now very old and chiefly confined
to his bed, and while he was addressing
his son Solomon he continued on the pea,
but when all the principal mobiles OF ms
kingdom came before him ne receve%
ing. "My brethren" Although David is
their superior aad speaks with dignity and
authority, yet his spirit is humble ana az;
fectionate. II had in mine heart. Davld
had intended to build the temple, unit!
God denied him the privilege and promised
him son who should build it.. ITO bulid
an house." David had accomplished nearly
all of his hearts desire as to his kingdoms
He had found it small and left it great
He found it chaos, and left it finely organ.
lied He found religion at a low ebb, and
But there was one great work on winch ne
had set his heart which he could not ac-
complish, and that was the rearing OF
temple worthy of the religion of the true
Cod and which should hold up the name
of the true God before the nations. and
make permanent in his own nation the
principles and teachings of the divine re-
Ggion.
David were not carried on against coos
will. In many cases they were expressly
ordered by Jehovah, and often called the
wars of the Lord In order to establish
Israel in Canaan, wars and bloodshed could
not be avoided. Yet this was not in har.
mony with the symbolism of peace and
quiet which were to be embodied in the,
house of Jehovah. Hence it could not be
done by David in his time. David Is NOT
blamed for his great wars. They were
necessary wars. not wars Of aggression,
but defensive wars, to keep the enemies OF
and the religion it represented; or they
were executive wars for the necessary pun
ishment and restraint OF crime. !. These
wars took up his time, so that he could
not do well the other task, for which his
victories prepared the way. 2. They un-
fitted him for the best doing of the great
work of peace. This required different
kind of ability and different training. 8.
1t was fitting that the temple of the true
God for all the world should be temple
of peace. 1t was intended to proclaim
peace, to bring peace. to teach peace to
individuals and to nations. Its victories
were to be victories of peace; into 1T was
to come the Prince of Peace. proclaiming
peace on earth, good will to men. -
"Chose me-" See ] Sam. l6:l-l3. Notice
the different steps mentioned here: David
refers to the tribe, the family and the e
.dividual. One after another was set aside
and at last he was chosen.
II. Solomon declared successor tvs.
Solomon" The meaning is peaceful"
He was go called because his reign was to
be peaceful one. and also because, beng
peculiarly associated in prophecy with
David's greater Son in whom the throne
of his kingdom should be established for
ever. He was to be figure of that Mes
siah who is the Prince of Peace. Upon
the throne" Note the qualifications need
ed to successfully do Gods work: ]. The
feet heart ". 81. 3. Readiness and abilit1
to do the Lords work ". g.. 4. Perfe(
obedience to God ". s.. Solomon Z.
shall build" God had appointed SoloI
to 90 this work. and nothing could
courage him more than a knowledf
this fact My son." A most pr
promise to David that his son shoI
ceive fathers care from the Lord
most cheering message to offer ID
mon. His father" What wo
promise is this! And yet this same
God and serve Him faithfully. An eaft1
father is exnected to ~ care for, (2J pro-
vide for, 81 -rotect. and ~ correct his
children. God will do all Of this for His /
children. All we have comes from God.
He has watched over US during our entire
lifetime, providing for US and protecting
US from harm and danger. But the best
of all is tina. He has promised to correct
us. When We do wrong end so astray He
follows us by ~ His Spirit, ~ by His
providences, (3) by the entreaties of our
and thus endeavors to win US back to the
right way. We should learn to love, trust;
and obey Him in all things. Those who
7, 8. "Wiii Establish" Added to His
tender care should be the strength, power
and authority Of the Lord. There could be
no nation greater than Israel: for God was
their King. For ever" This promise so
far as Solomon is concerned, is made con;
1t is the constant, steady obedience that
is pleasing 20 God. '"ro do" etc. There is
no way to usefulness and success in doing
Gods work except by careful obedience
to His law. For that law will (D show
him what to do. (2) give him the qualities
of mind and heart which bring success,
and (3) enable him to work by example as
well as precept. "May possess. -, The
Lord designed and promised prosperity to
Solomon, but it must not be expected on
any other condition than obedience to the
same laws OF government that had liked
the standard for others. The fundamental
principles mast be observed, else all the
structure would be lacking.
III. D; ids charge to Solomon Tvs. 9,
10) 9. know thou Become thorough.
" acquainted with God. "0f thy Father
God had been true to David and sustained
Him" etc. We can serve God acceptably
only as we have a perfect heart and a
willing mind. Cast thee Of" The Lord
js no respector of persons, and Solomon
The king would have no favor shown him
Il he failed to obey the Lord. He would
fare no hettec than the poorest subject in
his kingdom. Take heed now" Notice.
J. The anxiety OF David for the moral and
spiritual welfare OF his son. David cared
first for character. and next for circum-
stances. He believed that il the heart were
right with God things would of themselves
20 right with men. 2. The Willingness Of
solomon to receive sucb/eolnsele. How
different was his spirit from that of Adoni-
jah q Kings l-5i. Though young, high
spirited. of nrincc,S rank, and already an
ointed king. ne bo&:s to listen to his aged
father. Lessons OF reverence for age and
respect to parents are to be drawn from
this.