The West Virginian. [volume] (Fairmont, W. Va.) 1914-1974, 1915-07-16

Last week we had the story Of
young man whose childhood was I'M
restrained and ungoverned. who
proved to be a sad failure. unable to
govern the kingdom he SO much de-
sired. Today, by contrast. we study
the life OF 4 younger brother who.
under better influences. chose the way
that leads to true success. Emphasize
therefore the fact that this Sunday is
Decision Day"
!. solomer's Part wv. 3-s) (D
Preparation ~ ~. Solomon was look
ing out Ot the open gateway Of life
SIN the text suggests that there was
preparation for his hearing Of Gods
wonderful promise. ASK what shall
give thee" (a) He loved the Lord"
". 81. It was q wonderful kingdom
David had bequeathed to his son,
enough to entice any young man, yet
It was in the statutes OF David" and
IN the worship OF Jehovah that Solo
mon had his chief delight. OBJ He
went to Gideon" ". A. because there
ct the tabernacle (the temple was
not yet builO Jehovah particularly
manifested himself to the people Il
Chron. 21:2s; Ex. 29:42. 43 R. W.
{ (2) Presentation ". ~. He offered
burnt offerings" a thousand. when
legally one would have suf1ced. The
Tabernacle was a type OF Christ (John
TIA 3. v. and John 1850 and each
OF the one thousand sacrifices also
pointed forward to the Christ. The
Christian has a better ground where
on to approach God Heb. 10:l22)
than that OF countless sacrifices OF
rams and bulls.
(3) Revelation ". 81. God appeared
TO Solomon IN a dream. we have
better revelation in Jesus and the in
Bpired Word, still it was a real ap-
pearance to him as subsequent events
prove. (Gen. 2S:12. 10: Matt. 1:2o:
Acts 1879, 10Y. Scientists themselves
confess that they know comparatively
little about dreams. That God can
and does even in modern times give
Us revelations of truth by such means
Is witnessed by the book by the late
DR.. A. ]. Gordon, How Christ Came
10 Church" That dream transformed
9 pastor.
"a Position Wv. 6. D.. In reply to
Gods wonderful permission to Solo
mon, the setting before him Of his
infinite resources, Solomon first Of
all acknowledged his debt to David,
his father Gods kindness, his faith
fuIness and bounty" (marg) to
David had been according tc the man
ner Of his walking in "uprightness Of
heart; and to crown that kindness,
he, Solomon, Is 1.-The son to sit on his
throne" This acknowledgment IN
voived definite obligation or
service for which Solomon felt
his unworthiness.
(5) Petition wv 8. 81. Seeing the
greatness Of the responsibility now
resting Cx 81 upon him solomons
plea Is for wisdom. Already he had
shown that he had IN him the root Of
true wisdom prov. IL and Golden
Text. Solomon seemed to realize his
responsibility. first to God and then
70 the people, for he said. who Is
able to Judge this Thy great people"
r v. This is the true and right rela-
ton Of duty. public or private. God
Eirst, the people afterward. Solomon
asked for a clearing heart" (see R..
v. marg9. Such request was Of
more value than great riches (Prov.
3:131S) and was. in. line with his ia
Their David's petition Il Chron. 22:R;
as:1s); another. suggestion as to how
fnthers should pray for their sons.
II. CODE PART, w. 1o-15. ~ His
pleasure wv. 10, ID. Solomon had
not asked for self, for pleasure nor
for earthly power. and hence Gods de-
light. God delights in an intelligent
prayer prov. 1879: It IS greater
hing to make a speech that pleases
God than one to please man. Verse
sIeven tells Of some Of the things Sol
prnon might have asked for, and
which doubtless many OF US would
have asked under the same circum.
stances.
(2) HE Performances ". 19). But
Solomon made a more wise choice,
hence Gods pleasure to do not only
al he had asked, according to his
human words, but more also (Eph.
$500. His name has become
uroyerb, synonymous with the great.
est wisdom ". %. Oh. 4:29-34; 5:12,,
ete.). Seeking what seemed to be the
minor thing God gave him the best
(Matt. 1888; Rom. 1882; Oh. 1o:23-2S),
ma "that which thou hast not asked"
{, go His Promise ". 40. AS though;
10 heap up his goodness. as a sort Of;
reward Of merit, God offered Solo
mon 'Iong life" on one condition only
viz. obedience. Such promise Is
ours and the world has yet to realize
ne wisdom Of Gods ordinances for
he good Of our physical well being
(Deut. SIG; 25:15; Prov. 81; 14:l5.
~: / Tim. 4:s). All Of Gods prom.
lses are conditioned upon our obedI
ance. It is sad to think that with all
81 his wisdom Solomon failed to learn
the wisdom OF obedience Il Kings