The Yale expositor., 1908-12-04
Solomon
Chooses Wisdom
Sunday School Lesson for Dec. 6, 1908
Specially Arranged for This Paper

iSoiu u tue pebihiih5 Va "'S"O"' w.
$40.
TIME.-About 1922 Il. C. Cor 97l). The
early part OF Solomon's reign.
pLACE.-Gibeon. a sacred place hve OF
six miles northwest OF Jerusalem. where
the tabernacle had been erected Tor
lime, and with it's buildings had been
center OF religious worship.
Comment and Suggestive Thought.
In Joel (2:2S. 29) there is a
prophecy quoted in the Acts (2:17-lS)
that your daughters shall prophesy,
and your young men shall see visions,
and your old men shall dream
dreams" Visions and dreams bring
before us the ideals and possibilities
which we can press forward TO make
real and true. The whole church
should keep before her the vision of
a perfect church and perfect world,
the city of God.
How Solomon Reasoned Out His De
cision.-Vs. 6-S. Solomon. before de-
Gliding what to choose, carefully con-
sidered his circumstances and needs,
thus showing that well-balanced mind
on which it was possible TO bestow the
gift of wisdom.
First Consideration.-The memory
Of what God had done for his father
was a motive for walking in the same
ways, receiving the same favor, and
carrying out to perfect fulfillment
what his father had begun.
Second Consideration.-His work
was laid upon him by God. Solomon
aad not sought the place as did Absa-
lom and Adonijah.
V. Z. Thou hast made thy serv-
ant king" The fact that God has
put man in any position OF trust or
duty creates an obligation to fulfill
the trust and perform the duty.
Third Consideration. - His youth
and inexperience. And am but little
child" He was young and inexpe-
rienced compared with his father.
who came to the throne after youth
of activity, and ten or twelve years
of special training, and seven more as
king over a small kingdom. Il know
not how to go out or come in" This
expression is proverbial for the active
conduct of affairs. See Mum. 27:17;
Deut. 2S:6; 1 Sam. 1913. This was
strong reason for asking of God
the things he decided to ask.
Fourth Consideration.-The great
ness of the work to be done. V. 8.
Thy servant is in the midst of thy
people" That is, is set over them as
king. They were a turbulent peo-
pie, often going astray, often contend
ing with each other, with strong wills
and an impulsive temperament. Prob
ably there was strong party opposed
to him, and brothers of full age ready
TO lead it. Which thou hast chosen"
1t was not only great nation, but the
nation chosen to represent God be-
fore the world and carry out his king
dom and teach the world his truths.
All this was a far greater responsible
ity than the ruling of an ordinary king
dom. "A great people, that cannot be
numbered" This was a common and
natural expression for a large num-
Der. See Gen. 1916. From the pum-
Der Of men given in 2 Sam. 24:9 and
l Chron. 21:5 6, 1t is inferred that the
population was about 100000. 1t
would have been very difficult in those
days to get the exact number of the
people.
Solomon Chooses Wisdom.-V. 9.
GIVE therefore" In view of all the
above considerations, and because God
had the gifts in vast abundance, and
he alone was the source and fountain
thereof. IAN understanding heart"
Wisdom for the administration of his
duties, wise principles, and wisdom in
the application of them TO the nation.
V. 10. And the speech pleased the
Lord" Why? Cd 1t was right,
noble, unselfish, like God himself. (2)
1t rendered 1t possible for God to give
him large measures OF the best things
in all the universe. 90 1t furnished
an opportunity to give many other
things. God loves to give. He gives
us all we can beneficially receive.
The more he can give us, the better
he Is pleased.
v. IL. Because thou hast not
asked for myself" The selfish man
cannot receive the gifts God gave to
Solomon, and he ought not to re-
ceive what he selfishly risks for him.
self. SelAshness is of hell, not OF
heaven, and bears the blossoms and
fruits Of the place to which it be-
longs
Note that the religious, unselfish life
is the essential condition on which
the best earthly gifts can safely be
bestowed. The spiritual city Of God
must come before 1t is possible or
safe to have the outward glories and
riches and pleasures which are the
fruit of the perfect spiritual life.
Just as fast and as far as society be-
comes Christianized throughout. so far
will II be able TO work out the most
helpful things which the laws Of ma
ture and the will of man can pro-
duce.
The world has been deprived OF the
best worldly conditions possible, be-
cause 1t was not safe to entrust all
these forces and powers to selfish men,
and to a community where ignorance
and vice are unrestrained.