The Fulton County news. [volume] (McConnellsburg, Pa.) 1899-current, 1915-07-15
LESSON FOR JULY 10
SOLOMON CHOOSES WISDOM.

Last week we had the story OF a
young man whose childhood was un-
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 younger brother, who,
under better influences, chose the way
that leads to true success. Emphasize
therefore the fact that this Sunday is
''Decision Day"
|. Solomon's Part wv. 3-9) O
Preparation ". 81. Solomon was look.
ing out of the open gateway OF life.
Still 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. II was a wonderful kingdom
David had bequeathed to his son,
enough TO entice any young man, yet
II was in the statutes of David and
in the worship of Jehovah that Solo,
mon had his chief delight (b) lie
went to Gibeon' ". ~ because there
at the tabernacle (the temple was
not yet builU Jehovah particularly
manifested himself to the people Il
Chron. 21:29: Elk. 29:42. 43 r. W.
The people we're still adhering TO the
ordinance found in Ex. 20:24.
(2) Presentation w. ~. He offered
burnt offerings a thousand, when
legally one would have suflced The
tabernacle was a type of Christ John
1:14 r. 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. 10:1-22)
than that of countless sacrifices of
rams and bulls.
(3) Revelation ". 81. God appeared
TO Solomon in a dream, we have q
better revelation in Jesus and the in
spired Word. still it was a real ap-
pearance to him as subsequent events
prove. (Gen. 2S:12, 13; Matt. 1920;
Acts 1879. l0) 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
to Church" That dream transformed
a pastor. Dreams are, however, most
probably the concentrated essence )f
the main stream of waking thoughts.
Visions furnish ideals and inspira'
tions. Let the church keep before II.
self the vision of a, perfect church.
world and city of God. Life is no
dream, but life is nothing without
great dreams. Doctor Cope.
(4) Position wv. 6, D. In reply Ia
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
fulness and bounty" (marg) to
David had been according to the man
ner of his walking in "uprightness oi
heart: and to crown that kindness
he, Solomon, is "the son to sit on his
throne" This acknowledgment in
volved definite obligation ol
service for which Solomon fell
his unworthiness. 1t is such a
spirit that God delights to honor
and in response TO It he has sci
the infinite resources Of his power
John 14:13, IA; 1871; 1916; 1928
"a; Mark 1924; John 1922; 5:14
15). Solomon was perhaps twenty
one years of age yet in Gods sight he
is but "a little child'-teachable
obedent, trusting.
(5) Petition wv s, 81. Seeing the
greatness of the responsibility now
resting ". 81 upon him Solomon's
plea is for wisdom Already he hat
shown that he had in him the root Of
true wisdom prov. IL and Colder
Text. Solomon seemed to realize hil
responsibility, first to God and ther
to the people, for he said, who Ii
able to Judge this Thy great people
RV. This is the true and right rela
ton of duty, public or private, Goo
first, the people afterward Solomon
asked for hearing heart" (see r
V. marg). Such request was o.
more value than great riches prov
3:13.1S) and was in line with his ia
ther David's petition Il Chron. 22:12
29:19): another suggestion as to how
fathers should pray for their sons
Christians may pray this same prayer
(James 1850 and in addition have
the promise of One, the Holy Spirit
who shall guide them into all trutl
John 1919. It is the Spirits worl
10 impart wisdom. and thus equipped
the Christian is not overwhelmed by
sense of his inefficiency or his re
sponsibility. In its last analysis this
petition is for the glory of God, ant
as such must prevail (Jas. 4:2, 81. 1
represents the highest form Of wis
dom, Of moral integrity and discern
ment
/ n. Gods part, Wv. 10-15. % HI,
Pleasure wv. 10, ~. Solomon haC
rot asked for self, for pleasure mo-
for earthly power and hence Gods de
light. God delights in an intelligen
prayer prov 15;S). 1t is a greater
thing to make speech that please'
God than one to please man. Vers'
eleven tells of some of the things Sol
omon might have asked for, ant
which doubtless many of us woulC
have asked under the same circum
stances.
(2) HE Performance ". 12). Blu
Solomon made more wise choice
| II. L. nA !.