Tulsa daily world. [volume] (Tulsa, Indian Territory [Okla.]) 1905-1919, 1915-07-25
ITIHIIE SUNDAY SCHIOOL LESSON
BY REN NEWSOME

Lesson text | Kings s;1-53
Since our last lesson, which dealt
with SOlomOn's wise choice Of bless
Ings having asked for wisdom to rule
the nation Justly instead Of for riches,
honor or glory, the record of the in
terry enlug chapters is mostly taken up
with tine details of organizing the new
administration and with the work Of
building the temple. Gods promise
that Solomon should have the wis
dom ne asked for was abundantly
fulfilled, and fulfilled SO much so
that his fame in that particular went
out over all the known world In ad-
dition to this he was blessed with
riches and honor in great measure.
His domain extended from the
Euphratcs to the borders Of Egypt,
and this great nation enjoyed pros
rcrity and was at peace with all the
world. As one instance of his wise
judgments the case Is cited of the
two women who claimed the same
child, which he decided on the
strength OF keen understanding Of
maternal nature, The work of build
ing the temple, which was part of the
charge Of his father David, was be.
gun in the fourth year Of his reign
and occupied seven years. The king
of Tyre, who was a great admirer Of
David, was pleased to assist in pro-
yiding material ana workmen for the
great edifice The Sidonians were
skilled in woodwork and in brass, be-
sides which their territory was rich
in the timber resources needed which
were conveyed to Joppa by water and
thence overland to Jerusalem.
Defeating the Temple.
when the great work was finished,
the young king called the elders to-
gcthcr, and the people came from all
parts OF the kingdom to witness the
installation Of the ark of the cove
naut i'm its appointed sanctuary and
to take part in the dedication of their
magnificent temple to the worship Of
Jehovah As a mark of divine ap-
proyal the Shekinah. which had
guided the IsraChtes in the many
years of wanderings after their de-
livery from Egyptian bondage came
and filled the holy place, and solomon
knew that Jehovah had come to dwell
with his chosen people. Then fol-
lows a resume by the king of the cir
Cumstauccs leading up to this con
summation, why David had not been
permitted to build the house and how
his son. had been commissioned to do
so. Then follows Solomons remark
able dedicatory prayer, which forms
the topical part OF today's lesson, after
which came the offering Of sacrifices
and a seven days festival, at the close
OF which solomon blessed the people
and sent them home.
4 Comprehensive Prayer.
This prayer, which occupies verses
. . to SO inclusive, is worthy Of exam
ination in all its parts. In form It
first recites conditions requiring peni-
tence and turning toward the house
Of God in prayer, and each section
concludes with hear thou in heaven
thy dwelling place, and when thou
ioarest, forgive" First acknowledge
ing Ne Incompatible character of
Jehovah, his mercy and goodness,
and his never-failing fulfillment of
promises, he prays for the continuity
OF the lineage OF David and for his
special consideration for the children
of Israel. While no house built with
hands could hope to contain the omni-
present Jehovah yet he asks that his
name shall ever be with this visible
sanctuary, which should prove a BEN
cdiction and refuge to all
who chose to call upon his
holy name. Should there be injustice
between man and man, here they
should come FOR judgment. when
enemies should oppress. when drouth,
plague or pestilence should prevail,
player and supplication should be
toward this house. Even the stranger
of alien race who accepted Jehovah