The Fulton County news. [volume] (McConnellsburg, Pa.) 1899-current, 1903-11-25
The SABBATH SCHOOL
International Lesson Comments for
November 29.
Subject: David's Charge to Solomon, I cbron.
xviii. lI0-0oiden Text, Prov. III, s.
Memory Verses, 9. lo--Commeniary
on the Days Lesson.

on tue Days Lesson.
l.. The assembly of prilcrs Tvs. La. J.,
2. "And David assembled" etc. This re-.
iers to the persons whose names and offices
are mentioned in the preceding chapter.
An assembly convened consisting OF the
princes OF tribes captains and subordinate
officers of the army. stewards of the royal
household and mobiles of the land. The ma.
tion was well represented, and the occasion
was solemn and important. STOOD up"
He was. now very o.d and chiefly confined
to his bed, and while he was addressing
his son Solomon he continued on the bed
but when all the principal nob,es of his
kingdom came before him he received
strength. to arise and address them stand.
their superior and speaks with dignity and
authority, yet. his spirit is humble and af.
fectionate. IL had in mine heart" David
had intended to build the temple. until
God denied him the privilege and promised
hin, son who should build it, "To build
an house. David had accomplished nearly
all OF his hearts desire as to his kingdom.
lie 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
lett IT earnest, active, organized for work
But there was one great work on which he
had set his heart which he could not ac.
complish, and that was the rearing of a
temple worthy OF the religion OF the true
God; and which should ho,d 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.
ligion.
3, 4. "a man of war; The wars Of
Dnvid were not carried on against Gods
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
house of Jehovah. Hence it could not he
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
true religion from destroying the nation
and the religion it represented; or the;
were executive wars for the necessary pun.
ishment and restraint of crime. !. These
wars took up his time, 50 that he cord
not do well the other task, for which his
victories prepared the wav. .. They un.
fitted him for the hest doing OF the great
work of peace. This required different
kind of ability and different training. 3
It was fitting that the ter D'e of the true
God for all the wor should be a temple
of peace. 1t was intended tn proclaim
neace, to bring peace. to teach peace to
lndividua and to nations. It's victories
were to be victories of neace; into it was
to come the Prince of Peace. proclaimine
Chose me-" See l SarN. lf:l-l3. Notice
the different steps mentioned here David
refers to the tribe, the famiiy and the in.
dividual One after another was set aside
and at last he was chosen.
H. So'omH1 declared successor Tvs.
IN: D. q. "Mnny sons See chap. $40
Solomon" The meaning is peaceful"
lie was SO called because his reign was to
be a peaceful one. and a'so because, being
peculiarly associated in prophecy with
David's greater Son in whom the throne
of his kingdom should be established for.
siiah who is, the Pri"cc of Peace. Upon
the throne" Note the qualifications need.
ed to successfully do Gods work: J. The
presence and hep of the lord. . A per-
feet heart ". 81. 3. Readiness aud ability
to Do the Lord; worl; " o.. 4. Perfect
shall build God had appointed So omon
to do this work, and nothing could en-.
courage him more than knowledge of
this fact. MY SON." A most precious
promise to. David that his son should re.
ceive fathers care from the Lord, and a
most mos ehffffr,ns mes message to offer to soio;
promise is this! And yet this same prom.
ise Is made to every one who viii turn to
God and serve Him faithfully. An earthly
father is exrected to (D care for, (2) pro.
vide. for, 81 otect. and ~ correct his
children. God will do all of this for His
He has watched over us during our entire
lifetime, providing for us and protecting
lis from harm and danger But the best
OF all is that He has promised to correct
us, When we do wrong and go astray He
follows US by ~ His Spirit, (2) by His
providcnces, ,(3) bv the entreates Of our
friends. (4l by the of hri al
Ind thus endeavors to win us back to the
right way We should learn to love, trust
and obey Him in all things. Those who
do this are saved from many difficulties.
:, 8. viii establish" Added to HIS
cnd authority Of the Lord. There could be
no nation greater than Israel. for God was
heir King. "For ever" This promise. so
Far as Solomon is concerned. is made con.
blisional on his obedience. ''Be constant"
" j. the constant steady obedience that
Is pleasing to God. "To do" etc. 1 mere is
f'od's work except by a careful obedience
70 His law. For that law will Q) show
him what to do, (2) give him the qualities
pf mind and heart which bring success
nndd, (3) enable him to work by example as
well as .prec,ept. MAY possess" The
Solomon, but i must not be expected OH
rny other condition than obedience to the
anne laws OF government that had fixed
the standard for others. The Fundamental!
principles must be observed, else all the
structure would be lacking.
: LII. David's charge to Solomon Tvs. o,
l0.) 9. know thou" Become thorough.
" ACQUAINTED with God. "Of thy Father"
God bad been true to David and sustained |
and kept him for many years. Serve
Him." etc. We can serve God acceptably
Dnlv as we have perfect beart aud a
willing mind. Cast thee off !" The Lord
T. no respector of persons, and Solomon
the king would have no favor shown him
if he failed to obey the Lord. He would
fare no better than the poorest subject in
his kingdom. take heed now" Notice.
q. 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
go right with men. 2. The willingness OF
Solomon to receive such counsels. How
different was his spirit from that of Adoni.
jah Il Kings l-5). Though young, high
spirited, of princely rank, and already an.
ointed king, he bows to listen to his aged
father. Lessons OF reverence for age and
respect to parents are to be drawn from
this.