Fulton County tribune. (Wauseon, Ohio) 1883-1925, 1915-07-09

ahy father. and serve him with a perfect
heart and a willing mind. / Chron. ISIS.
The king is dead; long live the
king" Old and decrepit at seventy
years OF age. a successor must soon
take the shepherd kings seat OF
power.
David's record is a wonderful one
MS an empire builder. an organizer and
an accumulation of wealth. Read care
fully 1 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 wv. 20, 27) but God used Da.
vid to make his own choice of Solo
mon. Jedidiah, the beloved of Jeho-
vah." e. Sam. 1925, was he whom
Jehovah desired to sit upon the throne.
(b) David had a promise he must
needs fulfill wv. II, 800. While his
second son, who sought to usurp his
throne, is engaged with his fellow con-
s~pirators (vv. Q, AZ in feasting and
rejoicing in their supposedly easy vic
tory over the aged father, David raj
AAC aha 6ANCD VII GCtlOu " liz PubAAO
proclamation of Solomon as king,
thereby redeeming his promise. Many
professed Christians treat their prom
Uses far too lightly. B%ath-sheba en-
boldened by her need ". 16) enters
the kings chamber where now another
ministers In her stead, and lays h
facts of Adonijah's rebellion before
No vid cnucIudino bor natittou Nth tho
dramatic words OF verse twenty. Bath
sheba's petition is REINFORCED by the
words Of David's mentor, Nathan wv.
20, 27). Turning again to B~ath-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 1t is
Jehovah that hath redeemed my soul
out of all distress" ~. 29). (c) David
then gives careful command relative
to the public proclamation Of theVnew
king wv. 80, 35). Calling to his .hsip
his trusted and tried friends, Zadok
the priest, Nathan the prophet (see 2
Sam. 1924. 25) and Benaiah the sol
der q Chron, I1:22-25), he directs
them TO place Solomon upon his W
mule ". 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. 1870 with
that Of Absalom e Sam. 15:1) and
Adonijah ". 81. Note also 1t was the
priest and theprophet alone who we're
to anoint the king ". 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 amounting was a symbol Of
dedication to God (Lev. S: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 1859. But as
these we're only outward form and
symbol. they must petition Jehovah to
keep the new king ". 34). (d) David
took no chances but steps aside fully.
while he yet lived. that all question Of
Solomonis right should be removed
". S5). Solomon had the added Sc
curity in that he had been appointed
also by Jehovah to be a prince over
Israel and Judah. It was Benaiah the
soldier who, true to his training, re-
ported to the king the execution of
his orders and swears fealty to his sue
cessor. nj the same time interceding
for Jehovah's blessing upon Solomon.
u. Solomon. (a) God-chosen. Il
Chron. 1856; 29:1). Solomon was the
first son of David and Bath-sheba after
their legal marriage. His name means
Peaceful" (see l Chron. 22:9) and
may suggest the fact that David had
found the peace of forgiveness. Solo,
mon inherited the strength of David's
maturity n Christening also, and
through his mother. the wisdom of
Ahithophel, whose advice was as If a
man had inquired at the oracle of God"
q Sam. 1929. (b) He was chosen be.
cause Of intercession (ch. IT'D. The
standing of the Christian is what 1t is
In the sight of God because OF one who
mercedes on our behalf John 10
Co He was chosen in the midst of con
troversy and as against antagonists
". 81. So the Christian, chosen be
fore the foundation Of the world In
Christ. also has great opposition anC
q dangerous antagonist and, like Solo
mon. he Is secure In spite of the as
saults of the evil one q Cor. 1913
Jude 24). I'D Solomon wal chosen
for a definite work q Chron. 28:10)
The sad spectacle presented today II
to see so many professed Christians
who seem to have no sense of respon
slbility much less an appreciation o
their privileges in Christ Jesus. (e'
Solomon vas promised help q Chron
$500 so are we and according 10 eacl
days duty so shall thy strength be.
81 can do all things through Chris
which strengthened me" (Phil. ABB
The people ". 40) accepted Solomon
born to the purple" as one worth,
the position. We are chosen to b
'kings and priests unto God" to b
saints because God has chosen us al
the beloved" This is a great hone
q Cor 1860, all that is required /
the gift Of our heart.
III. Adonijah. (a) He was a self-st
lected king ". 81 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 Jealous priest as his conspirator'
yet all combined could not set asid
the decree of God. (b) He was
spoiled child. His father had ne
displeassd him at any time" Gall hi
life, v. 81. True he was David's eldes
living son. yet he was not In the lin
OF Gods selection. Throughout tn
history Of Israel the elder is constan
ly set aside for the younger. He wa
lacking In many essentials.
The Kingdom Of Heaven.
The kingdom Of heaven is not CON
even when Gods will is our law.
Is come when Gods will is our will
a- 81