The Brinkley argus., 1915-07-09
LESSON FOR JULY II
SOLOMON ANoINTED KING.

SOLOMON ANoINTED KING.
 LESSON TEXT-I Kings 1:2s-4O
 GOLDEN TExT-Know thou the God of thy father, and serve him with & perfect heart and willing mind 1 Chron. 28:9
 "The king is dead; long live the king" Old and decrepit at seventy years of age, successor must soon take the shepherd kings seat of power.
 David's record is a wonderful one as an empire builder, an organizer and an accumulator of wealth. Read care fully Chron. 29:2S. Three characters are the most outstanding for our con- sideration in this lesson.
 l. David. (a) He had to make a selection (vv. 20, 27) but God used Da- vid to make his own choice of Solo mon Jedidiah, "the beloved of Jeho- vah," @ Sam. 12:25), was he whom Jehovah desired to sit upon the throne. | (b) David had promise he must needs fulfill (vv. IT, 30). While his second son, who sought to usurp his throne, is engaged with his fellow con- spirators (vv. g. 41) in feasting and rejoicing in their supposedly easy vic tory over the aged father, David ral- | lies and gives direction for the public proclamation of Solomon as king, thereby redeeming his promise. Many professed Christians treat their prom | ises far too lightly. Bath-sheba en- boldened by her need (v. 16) enters the kings chamber where now another ministers in her stead, and lays the facts of Adonijah's rebellion before David, concluding her petition with the dramatic words of verse twenty. Bath sheba's petition is re-enforced by the words of David's mentor, Nathan (vv. 22, 27). Turning again to Bath-sheba | David emphatically reiterates his de- termination to carry out to the full Gods commandments relative to his | successor Even in the hour of his de- parture David remembers that it is Jehovah that hath redeemed my soul out of all distress" (v. 29). Co David then gives careful command relative | to the public proclamation of the new | king (vv. 32, 35). Calling to his help | his trusted and tried friends. Zadok the priest, Nathan the prophet (see 2 Sam. 12:24, 25) and Benaiah the sol dier q Chron, 11:22-25), he directs them to place Solomon upon his own | mule (v. 33) and take him to Gihon there to be anointed and proclaimed king in David's stead. Contrast Da- vid's scrupulous obedience regarding the use of horses (Deut. 17:16) with that of Absalom @ Sam. 15:D and | Adonijah (v. 5. Note also it was the priest and the prophet alone who were | to anoint the king (v. 34. In this we see a parable of the establishment of | the everlasting kingdom of righteous ness by the Prince of Peace and not by means, or use, of the sword.
 This anointing was a symbol oi dedication to God Uev. 8:19-12) and the oil of our amounting by the Holy Spirit which is all essential and sui ficient for the subjects of his king dom (Luke 24:49, Acts 15-8). But as | these were only outward form and symbol, they must petition Jehovah to keep the new king (v. 34). (d) David took no chances but steps aside fully while he yet lived, that all question oi Solomon's right should be removed (v. 35).
 II. Solomon. (a) God-ehosen. q Chron. 28:5; 29:D. Solomon was the first son of David and Bath-sheba after their legal marriage. His name means Peaceful" (see Chron. 22:9) and may suggest the fact that David had found the peace of forgiveness. Solo mon inherited the strength of David'f maturity and christening also, anc through his mother, the wisdom ol Ahithophel, whose advice was as If man had inquired at the oracle of God @ Sam. 16:23). (b) He was chosen be cause of intercession (ch. IBID. The standing of the Christian is what 1t If in the sight of God because of one wn( mercedes on our behalf (John ID (c) He was chosen in the midst Of con troversy and as against antagonist (v. 6). So the Christian, chosen De fore the foundation of the world II Christ, also has great opposition an( a dangerous antagonist and, like Solo mon. he is secure in spite of the as saults of the evil one q Cor. 1o:lS Jude 24. (d) Solomon was chosel for a definite work q Chron. 28:l0) The sad spectacle presented today | to see so many professed Christian who seem to have no sense Of respon sibility much less an appreciation their privileges in Christ Jesus. (e Solomon was promised help q Chron 2S:9) so are we and according to eacl days duty "so shall thy strength De. q can do all things through Chris which strengtheneth me" (Phil. 4:lSl i III. Adonijah. (a) He was seif-se lected king (v. 5 and as such lacke
 not only the approval of God but tn ability to execute his designs. He ha
 Joab the bloody soldier and Abiatha
 the jealour priest as his conspirator'
 vet all co..bined could not set asid
 the decree of God (b) He was
 spoiled child. His father had nc
 displeased him at any time" tall hl
 life. V. @. True he was Davids eides
 living son, yet he was not in the iin
 of Gods selection. Throughout tn
 history of Israel the elder is constan
 ly set aside for the younger. He ws