Catoctin clarion. [volume] (Mechanicstown, Md.) 1871-1940, 1908-12-03
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INTERNATIONAL LESSON COM.
MENTS FOR DECEMBER @.
Subject: Solomon Chooses Wisdom,
1 Kings 3:4-15-GOlden Text,
Prov. 0:1O-Commit Verses II,
12-Commentary.
TIME. 1914 B. G. PLACE. -
Gibeon.
EXPOSITION. - 1. Solomon's
Prayer to Jehovah, 40. Solomon
went to Gibeon because the Taber-
nacle, the place where Jehovah pc
culiarly manifested Himself to His
people, was there Il Chron. 21:29;
2 Chron. 1:3, 7, R. "; Ex. 29:42. 43.
r. w. Until the Temple superseded
1t, that Is where men who longed to
meet God went, the place God Him.
self had appointed. The Tabernacle
was a type of Christ (Jno. 1:14, R.
W, 1t is in Him that we meet God
(Jno. 1850. Each one Of the thou
sand burnt offerings that Solomon
offered also pointed forward to
Christ. In Him there is better
| ground of approach to God than In
countless slain beasts (Heb. 1911
22). The desire with which Solomon
| went to Gibeon was satisfied, God met
him there. Twice in his life was It
granted Solomon to meet God (cf. ch.
9:2: 11:9). To many of us it Is
granted to meet God far more fre.
quently than that. The appearance
was in a dream, but it was a real ap-
! pearance (cf. Gen. 28:12, 10; Nu.
1876; Job 33:14, 15; Matt. 1920;
2:13. 10; Acts 1879, 10Y. That God
really spoke to Solomon, and that the
whole incident was no product OF a
disordered fancy, Is evident from the
outcome-Solomon really obtained
what God promised at this time. 1t
was wonderful thing that God said
to Solomon, TASK what I shall give
thee"-God setting all the infinite re-
sources Of His power at the disposal
Of man. But He says the same won
derful thing to each humblest child
/ of God to-day (Jno. 14:13, IA; 1877;
Matt. TT, 8; Mark 11:24; Jno.
1916: 1928, "a; 1 Jno. 1922; 5:14,
15). Before asking for anything,
/ Solomon acknowledged the wonderful
goodness Of Jehovah already mani
tested toward his father and himself
(cf. Phil. AS; Col. 4:2). Gods great
kindness" Or. W to his father in
the past encouraged Solomon to ask
great things for himself in the pres
ent. Gods dealing in kindness with
David was according to Davids sin
cere, righteous and upright walk (cf.
ch. 9:4; 1876; 2 X. 2O:3, 4; Ps. 1871,
2; 18:20-24; l Jno. 3:22). A crown
Ing manifestation of Gods kindness
was that He had given him a son to
succeed to his position and his work.
Solomon speaks of his father by a
more honorable title than king, "Thy
servant David" Jehovah Himself
had conferred this title upon David
q Sam. 7:5). Solomon recognized
that he owed his own present exalted
position entirely to God (cf. Dan.
2:21; 4:25, 80; SIS, 2D. He also
recognized his own utter insufficiency
for the position. He was perhaps
twenty-one years of age at this time.
In his own eyes he was but little
child" (cf. Chron. 29:1; Jer. 1:6;
Lu. 14:11). He saw the greatness of
the responsibility that had been laid
upon him. He'asked, therefore, for
an understanding heart"-literally
,, hearing heart" /. e., a heart that
should hear the voice of God. What he
asked Is of more value than all honors
and all riches prov. 3:13-18; 16:l6).
His fathers words to him and prayer
for him had suggested to Sol
omon this request IL Chron. 22:12;
29:19). Those words had gone deer
into Solomon's heart. This great
thing that Solomon asked we may all
ask and get Gas. 1:5-D 1t was not
for his own sake that Solomon asked
for an understanding heart, but for
the peoples good, and above all be.
cause they were Jehovah's people. In
the final analysis the chief aim of the
prayer was Jehovah's glory. That is
the chief aim of all true prayer.
ii. JehOvah's Answer to Solomon
1915. God was pleased with Sol.
omon's prayer. He is always pleased
with an intelligent prayer prov
| 1888. He mentions some of the
things that Solomon might have
asked, things that many would have
asked had they had Solomon's oppor.
! tunity. But Solomon's choice was
| much wiser. A wonderful thing Goo
says to him, II have done according
to thy words" Think Of 1t, the in
finite God doing according to the
words of finite man. But He otter
does that (Jno. 1870. Solomon got
what he had asked, but he got 1t in 6
more abundant measure than he had
asked. His wisdom became notet
throughout the earth, and Throughout,
all ages ". 28; ch. 4:29-34; 5:12;
1898. 23, 24). God also gave hin
exceeding abundantly above what he
asked (cf. Eph. 3:2OD. If we seek the
best thing, God will give us with II
the minor things Matt. 8:33; Ps
SAIL, IL; Ro. $500. His richie,
were enormous (ch. 10:23-29). Wis
dom which he sought came bringine
riches and honor in her hand (cf
Prov. 3:16). God made Solomon still
another promise, but this was condi
tional upon his future conduct (v
14. The promise was lone life; tht
condition, obedience. Obedience tt
| Gods laws Is the great secret u
longevity (Deu. SIG; 25:15; Prov
3;1, Q, 16; Tim. 4:8). All God
richest blessings are conditioned upol
obidence (Acts 5:32; Jno. 14:15-23)
Solomon did not fulfill the condition
and missed the promised blessing, h,
died comparatively young (1 X
| HAD. He showed his appreciation
| OF Jehovah's goodness in the only wa,
known to him. The sacrifices that w
offer are different (He. 1915, 16. r
| N 1 MT hox ha