The commonwealth. (Greenwood, Miss.) 1896-1923, 1915-07-23
LESSON FOR July Is
SOLOMON DELEGATES THE TEN.
PIE.

LESSON TEXT Kings $3.50.
TEXT-My house shall be
called a house of prayer for all people
lisa. 56:7.
To teach this lesson properly refer
nee must be made to the building of
the temple (ch. g., to the building of
Solomon's palace and that for his
Egyptian wife (ch. y, and also to the
renewal of the ark from the tent of
meeting in Zion, to it's new dwelling
place In h temple. The time con-
sumed In erecting the temple (seven
years. l Kings $3.50, the number of
men employed approximately $780,
OO0), and the skill and magnificence of
the building Il Kings CD will serve
as an interesting introduction to the
dedication ceremonies proper. Those
present on this occasion are suggested
in verses two and three; the time
consumed was seven days ". Ca and
the condition of Solomon's heart (v. 50
is seen in the multitude of his sacri-
fees. The temple marks the begin
ming Of a new era in Hebrew history,
one of great outward glory, though
1t was not n of inward strength
as the speedy breaking up of the king
dom and the final captivities give evil
dence. Professor Beecher sets the
date of this event as being about the
twelfth ear of Solomon's reign-say
1912 B. c." There has probably not
been in all time a sacred building its
equal for magnificence or situation.
Read any good Bible dictionary for its
description. 1t is a type of the Chris
tian q Cor. 3:1O-16).
l. SoIomon's Veneration, Wv, 1924.
Solomon's temple was a place of sacri-
flee but more han all it was a house
of prayer Matt. 21:13) and his dedi-
catory prayer is the longest prayer
recorded in the Scriptures. In it is
to be found nc mention of the temple
as a place of sacrifice, yet no prayer
is heard apart from sacrifice. Each
article of the temple furniture had its
special teaching but the greatest teach
ing of all was that of Gods proximity
and his readiness to hear the petitions
of his servants. Solomon personally
brought his thank and his petition
before the altar whereon lay the sacrt-
fee (see Heb. 1922; 1919, 90; John
1880, and even there he spread forth
his hands in token of supplication,
alteration and worship. We can come
boldly to a throne of grace" and need
not priest or sacrament, for we nave
one who ever liveth to intercede for
u.s." Christ Jesus.
SolomOn's words OF alteration are
deeply significant. There is reverent
boldness and pious confidence in his
words. 1t is a great blessing when
the leader of nIy people sets them a
pattern of uc' piety and prayer prov.
14:34). In this Solomon is a type OF
great David's greater son." (Heb.
7:25). This prayer is twice recorded
(see 2 Chron. 6 :13-42) and it begins
with an acknowledgment of Gods
new ples. In verse % two titles are
given God (see Elk. PAID; l Sam. Eli;
Ps. 41:3; lisa. 41:17; 45:3). God is
so great that there is none other with
whom to compare him.
II. Gods Word Verified, Wv. %, &c,
Solomon repeatedly referred to the
fact that. he has fulfilled Gods prom
Use to his father David in building
the temple. God is a covenant-keep-
ing God. Upon this fact Solomon
voices his plea for future blessings.
Every part of this praye is worthy
of careful study. Solomon's there
FORE ". 25) reveals his acceptance
of Gods words to David (ch. 2:4).
This word of Jehovah is sure and
~steadfast Ger. 33:17-26) and Solomon's
use of Gods promise & Sam. 7:12.16)
is an exhortation to us that we base
our nofitinpo ,nor ono Dn0 80 rolic
promises. Praying thus we can rest
assured that our prayer is in the will
of God and therefore that it will be
heard q John STA, 15).
Ill. Gods Vision, Wv. 27-3O. See also
2 Chron.; 1913, 12-22;tI Kings 9:1-9.
As the king concluded his prayer the
cloud resting over the holy of HOLES
grew bright and dazzling and fire fell
upon and consumed the sacrifices; the
priests stood without in awe and
amazement; the whole people fell upon
their faces, and worshiped ard praised
Jehovah. Even with all of this special
manifestation Solomon did not con-
ceive of Jehovah a local, tribal
deity" Earth could not contain him,
nor the heaven and the heaven of
heavens w. 10. IOu Ills the WDOlo
universe Cps. 129:7-16) yet he did and
does, give US special local manifesto
lions of himself. II is this same vast
God who dwelt fully in Jesus Christ
John liza; Col. 2:9). "Will (such a.
God indeed dwell IN the earth?' He
who created the universe? Yet this
God turned this vision towards the
temple day n night" Solomon GOV.
eted such scrutiny for in that temple
God had said: my name shall be
there" ". 29) and his nome is Love"
Il John AS; see also 2 Chron. $40.
400. This prayer is for us granted in
him whom the temple typifies. our
Lord Jesus John 14:13, 14). The eyes
Of God are v e towards him and
ready to answer the petition made in
his name. There is a great lesson for
the Christian and for the Christians
special places Of worship. our
churches, in this wonderful promise OF
Jehovah regarding his name.
Accompanying this ceremony was
the Feast Of Tabernacles" wv. 62.
So: 2 Chron. -~7:4-11) which usually
lasted eve days but on this occasion