Evening star. [volume] (Washington, D.C.) 1854-1972, 1915-07-10

and debasing luxurious living had ex-
hausted his physical powers so that he
had virtually withdrawn from all act
I've participation in the affairs OF the
Kingdom, which he would soon pass
over intact to his chosen successor.
His physicians had adopted the expe-
dent. frequently practiced in the east
today, especially among the Arabs, OF
securing a strong, healthy person as
nurse, because the Inhalation of the
young breath will give new life and
vigor to the worn-out frame. The
young girl selected as his nurse cher
ished the old man to her bosom and
gave him from her strength the power
TO execute the tasks that remained for
him TO do Although hts body was en-
feebled. his mental yigor remained un-
impaired. and IL was for this reason
that the court attendants and officials
had tried to prolong the life OF their
beloved king. The court was united In
their loyalty and devotion to David.
whose Will was law to the corps of
faithful servants. who were his chosen
administrators OF the affairs of the
country They were torn by dissension
ard divided into two camps by their
dispute as TO who should succeed David.
They were conspiring to place their
candidate upon the throne of his father,
David.
Intrigues.
Adoni!ah, who was ambitious, clever
and attractive. was the choice of men
Ike Joab and Abiather, who were. in
spite Of their independent spirit, abso-
lutely loyal to David. Their selection
was approved by the royal princes,
with one exception, Solomon. the no.
bility % Iudea and many leading war
rfors. who believed in his choice be-
cause he was the Oldest son. who, ac-
corci0r 70 the law of primogeniture,
was entitled TO succeed David, especial
" since ne had never opposed his
father and was acceptabl TO the lead
e-s % 'he nation.
Solomon. the beloved son of Bath
sNeha. who had been trained by the
Prophet Nathan. Young man q.
much promise. and he was the choice
Of snail but very Influential group
in III" court whose future depended
upon thH choice falling upon their cam
dtdafr. wpo they favored because he
was the child OF divine promise, having
been designated ny Jehovah as the sue
cessor ~ David ~ Chron cles. c2:9, The
king had assured Rathsheba that he
would appoint him as his successor
Deperdi"p upon the success OF the d.
etnsIy designated ore. they watched
The efforts Of the opposition who were
warming 10 have Adontjah declared
ling
ser1tled AL his a6herents at feas,
~ the point where the TWO valleys OF
Eedro, and Hinnon converge SO as 70
ConsurnrHare under what appeared &c
he favora r1n circumstances their plans
10 M he huonitah their king, Nathan
the prophet Of God Immediately held
conference with Bathsheba, and
urged le- 10 place the facts before
David, claiming that apparently such
feast could not have been arranged
without tHc approval OF the aged king
and that II he had sanctioned IT, ther
he violated his promise 10 his favorits
wife, which had been given In accord
arce with the divine program for Solo
mon 10 become his successor
Bathsheha risked her life, az Esther
had previously done, when she entered
the kings presence TO plea for TIT
rights of her son. She had hardly I'm
tshed her interview before the prophe
was announced who confirmed TIT
statements Of the queen. who. accord
ing TO custom. had retired upon Ma
than's arrival. When David had Learned
of the plans of the feast Adonijah WA
giving and the program that tn
prince and his friends proposed q
follow his lion heart was aroused, AM
though he had reached the extrern
point Of physical exhaustion the en-
feehied king with a fash of his for
rner energy ordered Rathsheba to b.
recalled aud Immediately took activ
measures for carrying out the divin
VIII concerning the coronation of Solo
mon. The call of duty. the factiona
opposition, excited the heroic soul, s
that ne declared with an oath that h