Evening star. [volume] (Washington, D.C.) 1854-1972, 1908-12-05
Sunday School Lesson for December Discussed
by Rev. ]. E. Gilbert, D. D., Secretary
American Society of Religious Education.
SOLOMON CHOOSES WISDOM. Kings. ri;i-lS.


past is good teacher. Gratitude is thu
first debt.
HUMILITY.-From thoughts OF his
father Solomon turned to thoughts o.
himself (verse ~. These latter thoughts
were of four kinds. He was his father
fame. wealth power tIa'
had been achieved by the great King mao
all been transferred to MN. Ana 'nf
had been by Divine appointment-not ps
David's caprice not by Solomon's amoi-
ton not by any mere stroke OF good
fortune. but God had made him kinS;
Moreover this promotion was not proc
of kindness to Solomon or recognition !!
of his abilities, but it was the GROWING
mark of Gods love to David. THESE
three thoughts. advancing In this order;
prepared for the fourth. which appeared
to be dominant He felt himself TO be
but a little child, not in years. for lie
had nearly reached his majority. but
in experience, in judgment. he ola noI '
know what he needed to know in ms
exalted station. did not know now 10
Probably he had contrasted himself with
that peerless man who for years hao
stood before the admirins gaze OF hfs
countrymen well furnished for every
service.
OBLIGATION.-Grati and hunnh'
Joined with others. Alone they make .
weak character Unless there is some
thing more i'm Solomon he Is not the man
to rule Israel. But there is sotnethlhs
more in him-a sense OF obligation. ne
considered himself a servant or Goo
people, a great people, so numerous that
they could not be counted Gen, Axn3i),
lnhabiting the most favored iand on the
globe, charged with a mission In whicn
all the nations of the earth were inVolNea'
they mad gathered about Solomon az their
leader and ruler. Their interests we're III
his keeping. He felt the burden On re-
sponsibility thus imposed Verse ~.
was no gala day upon which he had e"-H
tered His life was to be more than a time
of feasting and merrymaking in the
midst of courtiers. He realized the ire
mendous import of the word duty. which
alone saves a man from frivolity anu
makes him anxious to act his part.
PRAYER.-The thought of Solomon
crushed under the load of responsibility.
and he might have cried out: Who Is
sufficient for these things: But he re-
membered that the same God who had
father. was able to qualify and sustain
him in his place of duty. And that LED
him to prayer. in which he answered the
Almighty's question tverse 81. One only
request he made, but that met his need
he desired wisdom that he might become
good judge and ruler of Gods people
(James i:3). The prayer of Solomon was
a model for brevity, for scope, for direct
ness. He really asked nothing for him
self as an individual Games. iv:0; such
asking at that time would have been inn
proper. He merged all personal concerns
in the demands laid upon him as sover-
eign and besought God to bestow what
would enable him to be faithful and use
full. So always every noble soul, Triumph
ing over selfishness, will desire help from
above to fill his proper place and perform
his appointed service among men.
ANSWER.-In his reply that night
himself a indeed.
amounting oil or blast of trumpet, no pop
ular procession or gold crown could In
vest him with dignity equal to that which
came through his grateful and hum
BILE prayer. By this also he obtained
favor with God, which was better than
all else. Il have given thee an under
standing heart" was the reply. So that
no king before or after was SO much re-
nowned for wisdom as Solomon OF this
he became conscious in after years tEccl..
i:16). But the Lord never ends his gifts
with the things asked. He exceeds HUI
man desires toward those who are pleas
ing to him Eph.. iii:2W. When mans
heart is right he is worthy to be trusted
with temporal things psalm, lXxxiv:1H.
Hence came the promise of riches and
homer. for which Solomon had not asked.
vast treasures above what had been given
to any king. And SO the son Of David
had suddenly become the wisest and the
richest of men,
COVENANT.-The Lords twofold
DfeSSlnS at dlDeOn was IOllOWeO ny a
proffered covenant containing the secret
of all that had passed. On the divine
side there was but one requirement-to
keep the statutes and commandments as
David had done, accompanied by the
promise of long life as king tverse 15t.
For this the wisdom had been granted,
the question asked and the gifts be-
slowed. that there might be an agree
ment between Jehovah and the new King
of Israel. Morning came and Solomon
FASTENED to Jerusalem to ratify the cove
nant Standing before the ark. the meet
Ing place appointed under the law CEN.
XXv:22,. he offered up burnt offerings.
which were self-dedicatory, and peace Of
ferings, which were eucharistic Rom,
xii:D. Afterward he made feast to all
his servants. bidding them all rejoice with
him because he had entered into a COM
pact with high heaven, resolved to serve
the living god. and TO perpetuate the glory
of Israel
CONCLUSION.-Here are four rules
FOR the right beginning OF life: Look
ened gratitude to Him who bestowed
them. Look inward until weakness and
ignorance are realized and confessed in
an unaffected humility. Look around -
consider those to whom service is due and
to feel the responsibilities of the position
that is occupied. Then look UP to Him
who is able to do for man according to
his need. until the prayer of faith bursts
forth out of the heart. Then will come
COO ansWer-so prompt, SO full as to
leave nothing more to be said. opening
up the prospect and rendering a place il
his service Then man has nothing moro
to do but 70 be obedient to the heavenly
calling (ActS. XXvi:19). He may hasten
to dedicate himself to God and enter
upon his work He may summon his
go out into his place OF trust not doubt
Ing that the Almighty will for His mart