The Denison review. [volume] (Denison, Iowa) 1867-current, 1908-11-18

Nov. %. Solomon Amounted King.
/ Kings l:32-40. 50-53.
The lesson of this date relates the
end of the career of David and the
succession to the kingship of Solomon,
his son. To many there will come
to mind a review of the life of this
wonderful man, who is introduced to
bible history as ruddy shepherd boy
on the day he was Amounted to be
king by the prophet Samuel. His
faith in God as shown in going single
handed against Goliath; the good
sense in his attitude toward Saul: his
covenant with Jonathan. which
he kept; the wonderful psalms he
wrote; his repentance for sins: his
conduct when Absalom rebelled; his
forgiveness of his enemies. and his
final words to Solomon. all call to mind
the career of a remarkable man,
which carries important lessons to us
today.
Another son, Adonijah, who was
a brother to Absalom. had attempted
to have himself made king. This
aroused David to the necessity of TAX
ing a decided stand as to who should
be his successor and he stated that
Solomon should be crowned at once.
and this was done. All opposition to
Solomon. subsidized when it became
known that the kingship had the ap-
prevail of David and Nathan, the rec
onized prophet of God. Passing
notice might be made of the manner
in which the follow ers of Adonijah
deserted him when it became known
that Solomon was king. He had in
vited groupe of friends to a feast.
Among this number was not Solomon.
Nathan the prophet. or Benaiah, the
captain of the kings guards. He
did have Joab. the head of the army.
and Abiathar. the high priest. So it
will be seen that there was divis-
ion among the recognized leaders.
Adonijah and his friends were feast
ing and the merriment was at its
height when other sounds of rejoic-
ing came to their ears. They enquir-
ed as to the cause, and were told that
Solomon had been made king by Day.
| i'd. Then every guest deserted the
place and Auonijah himself flew to the
temple and grasped the horns of the
altar for safety. Solomon was told
of this and graciously spared his life
In doing this he said as to him, eff
he shew himself a worthy man there
shall not hair of him fall to the
earth. but if wickedness shall be
found in him, he shall die,' thus
, early in his career showing that wisdom
of speech which made him famous
forever. The friends of Adonijah
deserted him when he was in trouble
showing that human nature was the
same then as now.
ALI can learn wisdom and guide
for conduct from the words of advice
given by David to Solomon. He said,
"Be strong and show yourself q
man; keep the charge Of the Lore
to walk in His ways, to keep His
statutes, and His commandments. and
His judgment. as it is written in the
law of Moses. that thou mayest pros.
: per in all that thou doest." What
better thought can we take from this
5 lesson than to heed the advice of
( David to Solomon. 1t is very sell
s dom that boy or girl will go far es.
: tray who takes heed to the advice Of
: their earthly parents, and how much
s more truly will prosperity come
s here on earth. and certainly joys of
5 heaven to those who obey the com
! mands of God. Therefore let thu
s young readers be true men and womel
keeping Gods truths in mind. ant
the older ones point their course will
set determination towards those thing
: which will meet the approval of thei
consciences and the we'll done' O
s God The lesson for the next week
: deals with the Temperance question.