Democratic messenger. [volume] (Snow Hill, Md.) 1869-1973, 1903-11-28
THE SABBATH SCHOOL
International Lesson Comments for
November 70.

Subject: David's Charge to Solomon, Chron
xviii, Ll0-Goiden Text, Prov. Ill, s.
Memory Verses, 3 l0-commentary
on the Days Lessen.
l. The assembly of princes Tvs. l.4. l.
.. "And David assembled" etc. This re-
;crs to the persons whose names and office;
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.
ton was we'll represented. and the occasion
was solemn and important. Stool up
lie 'xas now very old and chiefly confined
to his bed, and while he was addressing
his son Solomon he continued on the bed,
but when all the principal no5.es Of his
kingdom came before him he received
strength to arise and address them stand
ing MY brethren" Although David is
their superior and speaks with d gnity and
authority. yet his spirit is humble and at
fectionata. Il had in mine heart" David
had intended to build the temple. until
him son who should build it. 80 bui'd
an house." David had accomplished nearly
all of his hearts desire as to his kingdom.
Tie had fo'-Yd it small and left it great.
He found it chaos. and left it finely organ.
lied. He found religion at low cbb. ard
left it earnest, active, organized for work
But there was OLE great work Oh which he
had set his hea;,. which he could not ac.
complish. and tE3t was the rearing of a
temple worthy OF the religion of the true
Cod. and which shoH.d 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.
igion.
3, a.. "a man of war" The wars of
David 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 boodshed could
not be avoided. Yet this was not in har.
mony with the symbolism of Deace and
quiet which were tn be embodied in the
house of Jehovah. Hence it could not be
cone by David. in his time. David is not
banned for his great wars. They were
but defensive wars. to keep the enemies OF
true religion from destroying the nation
and the religion it represented; or they
were executive wars for the necessary nun.
ishment and restraint of crime. l. These
wars took up his time. so that he cor'l
not do we'll the other task, for which his
victories prepared the way. >: They I'm:
uttCu ulut IOT Cu- DCSC uOI'1R Oh ire great
work of peace. This REQUIRED different
kind of ability and a different training. g.
1t was fitting that the tie, ,'e Of the true
God for all the world should be temple
of peace. 1t was intended tn proclaim
neace. to bring peace. to teach peace to
individuals and to nations. It's victories
were to be victories OF neace; into it was
to come the Prince of Peace: proc!aiming
"peace on earth, good will to men,"
6Choco - Cow, 1H.11H Nation
the different stems mentioned here. David
refers to the tribe, the family and the in.
dividual. One after another was set aside
and at last he was chosen.
II. So.omo1 declared successor Tvs.
~; s, g.. MANY sons" See chap. a:l-9
Solomon" The meaning is "peaceful."
He was so "al.ed because his reign was to
necn';ariy 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
sial who is TIE Prirce of Peace. Upon
the throne" Note the qualifications need.
ed to successfully do Gods work: !. The
presence and help Of the lord. 2. A per-
o5cdience to God ". 81. ":soiomon . :.
shall! build" God had appointed So'omon
to do this work. and nothing could ell.
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
mon. "Hia father" What ' a wonderful
promise is this! And yet this same prom.
ise is made to every one who will turn to
Gcd and serve Him faithfully. An earthly
father is ex-ected to % care for, (2) pro.
vide. for, (3) otect. and ~ correct his
children. God will do a.lrof this for His
children. All we have comes from God.
lifetime, providing for US and protecting
us from harm and danger. But the best
OF all is that He has promised to correct
us. When we do wrong and 60 astray lie
follows us by ~ His Spirit, (o) by His
provihences, .(3) bv the entreaties of our
friends. az by the prayers Of Christians,
land thus endeavors to win US back to the
end obey Him in. all things. Those who
do this are saved from many difficulties.
/, 7. s. "Wil establish" Added to HIS
fender care should be the strength, power
md authority of the Lord. There could be
TO nation greater than Israel. for God was
their King. "For ever" This promise, so
Far rs Solomon is concerned. is made con-
Hitiolnal on his obedience; BE constant"
is pleasing to God. "To do" etc. Inere is
to way to usefulness and success in doing
Gods work except by a careful obedience
to His law. For that law viii ~ show
him what to do. (2) give him the qualities
of mind an! heart which bring succe.s,
nnd, (3) enable him to work by example as
Ford designed and promised prosperity to
Solomon, but it must not be expected on
pny other condition than obedience to the
!ame laws of government that had fixed
the standard for others. The fundamental
principles must be observed, else all the
structure would be lacking.
y acquainted with God. "of thy Father"
God had been true to David and sustained
ard ard kept him for many years. Serve
.Him," etc. We can serve God acceptably
on;y as we have perfect heart and a
E5 re respect,orT of persons. and Solomon
# he failed to obey the Lord. He would
Iii: kingdom; Take heed now" Notice.
spiritual welfare of his son. David cared
stances. He believed that if the heart were
right with God things would of themselves
90 right with men. q The willingness Of
Solomon to receive such counsels. How
different was his spirit from that of Adoni.
jah Il Kings 10y. Though young, his;:.
spirited. OF prince,y rank, and already an.
'o;nted king, he bows to listen to his aged
father. Lessons of reverence for age and
reSnpct t0 narpnfa ara IN ha drawn fro,,,