The commonwealth. (Greenwood, Miss.) 1896-1923, 1908-01-03

expedition against Rezon, and Cd,
vision Of worldwide conquest oDene,
up before him.
Better send for Nathan the pre-
phet and Zadok the high priest an,
talk it over with them" camd tn,
thought. which brought a temporar,
check to the glow Of enthusiasm which
thrilled his being as he had picturet
all the magnificence and glory arr
power which would be his when b,
had brought the whole world at bill
feet.
but why talk with Them" he I'm
patiently calculated. IF 1t were l
question as to the religious OBJ
~servances. or the laws Of the nation
1t would be well, but what know they
about war and conquest
And turning with an air OF decision
as though that matter was settled anf
out Of the way. he summoned n Of
the servants and dispatched him with
a message to Benaian and the other
chief warriors Of Israel that they
should meet him in conference that
day at the palace, "for," said he tc
himself, I'VE must needs lose no time
for so vast an expedition will require
long and careful preparation"
AS may well be supposed, Benaiah
and the other officers of the army
We're highly pleased at the promise
Of such extensive military operations,
and the active work of preparing for
the expedition soon aroused unusual
interest and enthusiasm throughout
the kingdom. Not a word CT com
mendation or of condemnation had
come to the king from either Nathan
or Zadok, although Solomon knew
that they must have heard of the
plans. But he felt rather relieved and
glad that they had not sought him
out, for he did not care to go into too
deep an analysis CT the motives and
desires which actuated him In seeking
a world conquest. Somehow, he felt
that 1t would not meet their approval,
and he was glad he did not have to
answer uncomfortable questions and
enter into long explanations as to his
plans.
But You must have God with you
II your plans are to be a success"
came the voice OF conscience from
within, for Solomon loved the Lord,
and desired to do ali that the Lord re-
CURED, Yes" Solomon persuaded
himself, but would 1t not be to the
honor and glory of God to bring all
Kingdoms and all nations under the
dominion of the nation whose God Ia
the Lord? | will hold sacrifices at
Gideon and all the nation shall know
that the Lord Is with me In this
thing"
So saying, King Solomon gave or.
ders that Zadok prepare for the SER
vices, and on the appointed day he
went thither, with all his courtiers and
the chief men of his army, that they
might worship. Day after day the
ceremonies continued until at last a
thousand burnt offerings had been sac
rificed upon the high place. During
all those days of worship and service
the heart of the young king had been
singularly touched and stirred, and
there had come to him a new realiza-
ton of the need Of and dependence
upon God. He had come to Gideon
filled with the great ambition to send
his armies out into the world and ex-
tend his scepter to every nation, and
n day when the question had arisen
in his heart whether he was willing to
give up that ambition IL God was not
with him in the plan, a fierce, i'm
patient spirit had seized him, and the
impulse was strong upon him to forth
with leave Gideon and plunge head
long into the completing of the plans
Of the expedition.
"But would you attempt to conquer |
the world while yet you cannot rule
your own spirit?" came the voice from
within.
With sudden horror and an inner re- |
yulsion of feeling, Solomon realized
the awful crisis which faced his life. |
Was he ready for a world conquest
while yet he had failed to conquer his
own heart? Was he ready to rule
the world, while yet he had not
proved that he could rule %righteously
over the nation which had chosen him
king?
With these questions uppermost in
mind, while yet he was shaping an
to them, he sought his couch that
night, and in a dream thought God
spoke to him, asking him what he
should give to him.
It was all so real that during all the
years which followed Solomon never
questioned but that God had visited
him In person and had given him the
promise of his blessing because he had
chosen the wisdom and UNDERSTANDING
Of God rather than all the kingdoms OF
The earth. And more than once. as
The borders of his kingdom extended
and riches and honor and power
lowed unto him, did he exclaim:
the Lord hath kept his word
ind hath given not only wisdom, but
Ill else besides"