Belington progressive. [volume] (Belington, W. Va.) 1912-1927, 1915-07-08
LESSON FOR JULY II
SOLOMON AMOUNTED KING.

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. 1928. Three characters
are the most outstanding for our con
sideration in this lesson.
|. David. (a) He had to make q
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. 1920, was he whom
Jehovah desired to sit upon the throne
tb) David had promise he must
needs fulfill wv. IL, 30) While his
second son. who sought to usurp his
throne. is engaged with his fellow con
spirators tvv. 8, Al in feasting and
rejoicing In their supposedly easy vic
tory over the aged father, David raj
lies and gives direction for the public
proclamation of Solomon as king,
thereby redeeming his promise. Many
protested Christians treat their prom,
Uses far too lightly. Bath-sheba EN-.
boldened by her need ". I6) 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 REINFORCED by the
words of Davids mentor, Nathan (vv.
%, 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" ". 29). tc) David
then gives careful command relative
to the public proclamation of the new
king wv. 80, 35). Calling to his help
his trusted and tried friends, Zadok
the priest, Nathan the prophet (see
Sam. 12:24, 25) and Benaiah the sol
der Il 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 1870 with
that of Absalom e Sam. 15:D and
Adonijah (v. 50. Note also 1t was the
priest and the prophet alone who were
to anoint the king ". BAY. 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. 8:19-12) and
the oil of our amounting by the Holy
Spirit which is all essential and suf-
ficient for the subjects OF his king
dom duke 24:49. Acts 1853. But as
these were 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
Solomon's right should be removed
w. $50.
n. Solomon. (a) God-chosen. q
Chron. 1915; 29:1). 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's
and Christening also, and
through his mother, the wisdom of
Ahithophel, whose advice was as IL a
man had inquired at the oracle Of God"
q Sam. 1929. (b) He was chosen be.
cause Of intercession (ch. lid. The
of the Christian is what it Is
In the sight OF God because OF one who |
on our behalf John 10. |
(c) He was chosen In the midst OF con- |
and as against antagonists
". s.. So the Christian, chosen be-
lore the foundation of the world IN |
Christ, also has great opposition and |
! dangerous antagonist and, like Solo |
mon. he is secure In spite Of the as
faults OF the evil one Il Cor. 1913, |
Jude "a td) Solomon was chosen |
'or a definite work Il Chron. 28:10). |
rhe sad spectacle presented today Is
% see so many professed Christians
who seem to have no sense OF respon-
,ibility much less an appreciation Of
heir privileges in Christ Jesus. te) |
Solomon was promised help Il Chron.
1872 so are We and according to each |
lays duty so shall thy strength be-"
i can do all things through Christ
which strengthened me" (Phil. 4:1s).
~. Adonijah. (a) He was self-se-
ected king ". 3 and - such lacked
lot only the approval Of God but the
Utility to execute his designs. He had |
Ioab the bloody soldier and Abiathar
he jealous priest as his conspirators,
ret all combined could not set aside
he decree Of God. (b) He was
spoiled child. His father had not
iispleased him at any time" (all his
lie, V. 81. True he was David's eldest
living son, yet he was not in the line
~ - NH - ~