Evening star. [volume] (Washington, D.C.) 1854-1972, 1908-11-21
Sunday School Lesson for November d Discussed
by Rev. J. E. Gilbert, D. D., Secretary
American Society of Religious Education.
SOLOMON AMOUNTED KING. Kings. So 10. 5o5s.

INTRODUCTION.-k David was
| approaching the end of Il long and event
ful life. For forty years he had ruled
. over Israel. esteemed in the later times
by the people as their father and savior.
| But bodily infirmities were coming on
with increasing years (verse -, and it was
evident that he must shortly lay down
| the burdens and honorS of office. VINO
! shall succeed him? The first and second
sons were dead, and the third. Absalorl.
had persisted seven years before. rebel.
The fourth son, Adonijah, whose mother $
| name was HaSgith III Sam, iii:D be-
lieved himself to be the rightful heir.
With the approval of Joab and Abiathar
/ (verse y, he repaired secretly to Zoheieth,
calling such of the kings sons were
known to be in sympathy with his claims,
there to be anointed king. Tidings of this
irregular proceeding were carried TO
Zadok and by Nathan to David, who In
his infirmity had been extremely lenient
toward his sons tverSe -. and, withal,
was not informed of what was transplr-
ing.
PROMISE.-Davidp promised th-Sheba
that her son, Solomon, should be at once
elevated to the throne. a fuifillment of d
promise previously made to her. winch
she had pleaded in her speech (verSe Id.
1t is not possible to state under what cir
cumstances this pledge of the king was
first given. 1t is known. however. that
when he purpoSed to build the temple God
had prevented him. saying that his son
afterWard to he born should build II. ana
thu name of that son was announced. q
Chr. xii:9. So when Solomon came the
name was given to him by the prophet
Oh Sam, Xii:2D. and it may have been
at that interesting time that David told
the mother the future of the child. But
now. the years having elapsed. old age
having come to the monarch and intrigue
having been laid to thwart the purpose OF
the Almighty. which must have been
generally known. it was necessary to take
, immediate and decisive action. David
confirms his promise with solemn oath.
LAS the Lord liveth that has redeemed
me out of all my distresses" Remem-
brance. gratitude, fidelity in single SEN
tence.
oFFICERs.-whos shall execute the
will of the king concerning the son OF
Bath-Sheba? The name and character OF
an agent display the purpose Of princi-
pal. The first officer called was ZadOk
one of the two chief priests; the other
Abial..ar. being with Adonijah. Verse u
The second was Nathan, the prophet. the
very mouthpiece of God. disciple of Sam.
uel. the then recognized instructor of the
king. whose words had universal author
| ity. The third was Benaiah. commander
| over the kings bodyguard the faithful
| Cherethites and Pelethites. a position
| which he had obtained by his valor anc
| fafthfulness. Il Chron.. Xi:23-25) These
| three men represented all departments o.
| the government, the ecclesiastical ant
| civil or military. and they were the known
| and tried friends of the king, having beer
| long in his service. 1t was the intention
| of David to commit this matter to per
sons who would be recognized by the PEG
| pie as authorized to act. so that nc doub
| should exist in any mind concerning the
| validity and force Of what should be done
| The three, responding to the call, stan6
in the kings presence, ready to do as re
/ quired.
| ORDERS.-How shall the new klns
| be made? The orders of David to the OH
! GERS were designed to make the event very
| public and impressive. Solomon was t.
| ride on the mule of his father. escorted b.
| military (verse 3:D out of the city west t.
Gibon, a watering place to which many re
sorted There the priest and the prophe,
should anoint him III the name of the
Lord to be king over Israel q Sam, KID
| using only oil out Of the tabernacle Gen:
xxx :25). The great officers, civil and mill
| tary, should express the public JOY b!
sound of the trumpet which Moses ap-
pointed to grace important assemblies
/ Numb, x:2). Afterward the acclai m
should be given. God save King Solo
mon," a kind of prayer and ratification
These acts done. the procession. the an
ointing, the trumpet blasts, the vocal an