Evening star. [volume] (Washington, D.C.) 1854-1972, 1908-11-21

nouncement all the company ike ioliN
subjects should follow the new monarch
into Jerusalem where lie should ascend
the throne Of his father, and where lie
should enter upon his duties as viceroy,
succeeding 10 all the honors and priv
leges Of the empire. All ;his was die
tated to the royal scribe aud entered in
the public records. the last will of the
great King Of Israel.
RESPONSE.-The three men thus
charged did not pass hastily out OF the
kings presence. II was necessary that
they should express their purpose and
feeling. The great general was the spokes-
man; he who represented the power 10
execute the decree ought to be heard.
Amen he c-ied-so be ii. we approve
and expressed the hope that what had
been determined should also be ratified
/ in heaven. This pious response elevated
the whole transaction into one of great
national significance. The king and his
counSelorS were agreed and they invoked
7 the divine favor upon what was proposed.
Benaiah. who had been an ardent sup
porter of David during his entire reign
Gil Sam. Nxiii :Go). then turned his thought
toward the new monarch. and expressed
the hope that the throne Of Solomon
might be established ia the favor Of Coz
and become even more illustrious tina I
that of David. The veteran warrior knew
that such expressions of loyalty for thu
son would in no wise diSplease the aged
father. Besides. he had in view the well
fare of the nation and he WAS prompted,
as all through his career. by feelings OF
loyalty Evidently his speech was for all
for the others were silent
RESI- IT.-The directions thus given
were carried out in detail The young
| prince, then scarcely eighteen years Of
age. was taken from the palace where.
evidently he had quietly waited to learn
the issue of the pleading in his behalf.
Mounted upon the kings mule he rode
through the streets of the city, attended
by those who We're i'm honor at court
doubtless attracting the attention of all.
Into the valley beyond the wall the COM
pany came. The oil was poured upon
his head in the presence of the vast cor
course of people The trumpet blew and
the people shouted. Then with much re-
joicing the procession formed and passed
through the gate. the demonstrations iu-
creasing. possibly not unlike those on an
other occasion when a greater king APP
peared. Matt, XXi:.'D Jerusalem was
! filled with gladness. The earth rent
with the sounds OF JOY as it became
known that David. in his old age. had alb
dicated. and that without boodshed his
son. by his appointment was seated i'll
the place of power. Intrigue has failed
Revolution has been averted. The nation
is safe: Solomon Is king.
REFUGE.-When Solomon was
proclaimed king with the rejoicing Ct
the people Adonijah, the pretender.
was filled with fear. And well he
might be. In those days when nan
came to the throne. it was customary
for him to put to death all who might
cause him trouble by usurping the
crown. Even brothers according TO the
! flesh were not spared. Indeed. they
were first to die because they were
| most likely to put in their claims.
Adonijah had reason, therefore, TO ex-
| pect that he should fall before the new
sovereign. That fear was increased by
| the fact that a short time pre-
viously lie had made movement, in
his own behalf. There was but one
| way to safety. and that he eagerly
sought. Hastily entering the sacred in
! closure. he FRUSTRATED himself to the
earth and grasped the horns Of the al
! tar. This was quivalent to a plea for
mercy and protection at the hands OF
| God The right of asylum was acknowl-
! edged among all ancient peoples.
| Adonijah knew that his fellow conn
trymen and that Solomon also would
| regard his desperate state.
MERCY.-ThiS plea was not in
vain. The news was quickly borne
to the king that his rival had thus
sought protection. The intelligence
must have been received with satisfac-
| ton. for it was virtual acknowledge
ment that there was no other hope. All
| other attempts at security were cast
aside. And when Solomon heard the
pitiful condition of the trembling man
he was moved with feelings of tender
| ness. Mercy at once filled his heart
and dominated his action. And so he
! gave his decision that if Adoni ia n
I proved himself worthy-that is. If he
| behaved as a loyal subject--he should
! not be harmed, but if he acted
! wickedly he should die. This was the
same as to put him on probation. JEe
past was forgiven. His future wo::id
depend on his after conduct. Nothing
could be more righteous than this. And
so Solomon told AdOnijah. after such
mangnanimOus words. to arise and GO
to his home. Alas he did not walk
worthy of his liberty, but forfeited his
life by his wickednesS
REFLECTONS.-No man ever be-
gan public life under apparently more
favorable circumstances than did Sol
named before birth and predestined I'd
a mission. His mother was the guard
ian of his fortunes and the advocate
of his rights. He received his fathers
blessing and estate. and with 1t tie
support of men high in position. who
had been long enough in public service
to gain wisdom. and who had demon
strated their wisdom sufficiently 10 i'll
Spire confidence. Withal. he was borne
in honor from the palace in which 20
was born to the place of his annoint-
ing without any seeking or effort of his
own, and followed by the rejoicing pop
ulace to the seat of government Great
ness was thrust upon him, the Tree
: gift of u kind Providence, How Will
this man employ his opportunities?
Will he attain the glory of his Illus
triouS father, who carved out his os5n
fortunes?