The Abbeville press and banner. [volume] (Abbeville, S.C.) 1869-1924, 1908-12-02
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INTERNATIONAL LESSON COM.
MENTS FOR DECEMBER 6.

Subject: Solomon Chooses wisdom,
1 Kings 3:4-15-Golden Text,
Prov. 9:10-Comnit Verses II,
documentary.
TIME. - 1914 B. C. PLACE
EXPOSITION. - I. Solomon's
Prayer to jehovah, 40. Solomon
went to Gideon because the Taber.
nacle, the place where Jehovah Pc
culiarly manifested Himself to His
people, was there q Chron. 21:29;
2 Chron. 1:3, z, R. "; Elk. 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R. W. Until the Temple superseded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 Ono. 1:14, r.
W., it is in Him that we meet God
Ono. 1850. Each n of the thou
sand burnt offerings that Solomon
offered also pointed forward to
Christ. In Him there is a better
ground Of approach to God than in
countless slain beasts (Heb. 1871
22). The desire with which Solomon
went to Gideon was satisfied, God met
him there. Twice in his life was 1t
granted Solomon to meet God (cf. oh.
81; 11:9). To many of US It Is
granted to meet God far more fire.
quently than that. The appearance
was in a dream, but 1t vas a real ap-
pearance (cf. Gen. 28:12, 10; M.
1856; Job 33:14, Is; Matt. 1920;
2:13, 10; Acts 1879, 10Y. That God
really spoke to Solomon, and that the
whole incident al no product Of q
~disordered fancy, is evident from the
outcome-Solomon really obtained
what God promised at this time. 1t
was a 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 a man. But He says the same won
derful thing to each humblest child
Of God to-day Ono. 1913, 14S 1851;
Matt. TT, 8; Mark 1924; Jno.
1915; 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. 49,; Col. 4:2). Gods great
kindness" (R. 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 David's sin
cere, righteous and upright walk (cf.
CHI. ga; 1875; 2 K. 20:3, 4; Ps. 1851.
2; 1S:20-24; 1 ,Jno. 1920 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
e Sam. 7:5)., Solomon recognized
that he owed his own present exalted
position entirely to God (cf. Dan.
s2:21; 4:25, 80; 5:1S, 21). Ho also
recognEe9 his own utter insuf1ciency
for the position. He was perhaps
tWenty-one years of age at this time.
In his own eyes he was "but a little
child" (cf, 1 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,
a hearing heart" i. e., a heart that
Should tear the voice of God. What he
asked Is Of more value than all honors
and all riches prov. 3:13-18; 1919.
His fathers words to him and prayer
for him had suggested to Sol
ONION this request Il Chron. 22:12;
29:19). Those words had gone deep
into Solomon's heart. This great
thing that Solomon asked we may all
ask and get Gas. 1:5-7). Tt 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 hnala 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
onions 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 God
says to him, II have done according
to thy words" Think of it, the in
finite God doing according to the
words of a finite man. But He often
does that (Jno. 15:7). Solomon got
what he had asked, but he got it in a
more abundant measure. than he had
asked. His wisdom becam. noted
throughout the earth, and throughout
all ages ". 20; CHI. 4:29-34; SIP;
1898, 23, 24). God also gave him
exceeding abundantly above what he
asked (cf. Eph. 1920. If we seek the
best thing, God will give us with it
the minor things Matt. 6:33; Ps.
BAIL, -; Ro. $500. His riches
were enormous (ch. 10~:23-29). Wis
dom which he sought came bringing
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 ".
14). The promise was lone life; the
condition, obedience. Obedience to
Gods laws Is the great secret of
longevity (Deu. 5:16; 25:15; Prov.
81, 2, 16; 1 Tim. 4:S). All Gods
richest blessings are conditioned upon
obidence (Acts 5:32; Jno. ~14:15-23)o
Solomon did not fulfill the condition
and missed the promised blessing, he
died comparatively young Il K.
HAD. He showed his appreciation
of Jehovah's goodness in the only way
known to him. The sacrifices that We
offer are different Gle. 1915, 16, R.
w. but have the same purpose.