The Pickens sentinel. (Pickens, S.C.) 1911-2016, 1915-07-15
INTERNATIONAL,
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LESSON
BY 2. O. SELLERS. Acting Director Of
SUNDAY school Course, The Moody Bible
institute of Chicago)
LESSON FOR JULY 18
SOLOMON CHOOSES WISDOM.

Last week we had the story of
Ioung 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, &ho,
lnder better influences, chose the way
hat leads to true success. Emphasize
therefore the fact that this Sunday Is
Decision Day"
!. Solomon's Part wv. 3.9) (1)
preparation ". 81. Solomon was look
ng out Of the open gateway Of life.
Still the text suggests that there was
preparation for his hearing Of Gods
wonderful promise, ASK what l shall
give thee" (aD He loved the Lord
". 81 1t was a wonderful kingdom
David had bequeathed to his son,
enough to entice any young man, yet
It was in the statutes of David" and
n the worship Of Jehovah that Solo
mon had his chief delight 90 He
went to Gibeon" ". ~ because there
at the tabernacle (the temple was
aot yet builD Jehovah particularly
manifested himself to the peope CT
Chron. 21:29; EX. 29:42, 43 r. w.
(2) Presentation w. A. He offered
burnt offerings" q thousand, when
,egally one would have sufced The
:abernacle was type Of Christ (John
liza r. V. and John 146) and each
IF the one thousand sacrifices also
pointed forward to the Christ. The
Christian has better ground where
on to approach God (Heb. 10:1-22)
han that Of countless sacrifices of
cams and bulls.
.(3) Revelation ". 81. God appeared
20 Solomon in dream, we have n
better revelation in Jesus and the in
spired Word, still it was real ap-
oearance to him as subsequent events
prove. (Gen. 2S:12, 13; Matt 1920;
Acts 1879, 1O. Scientists themselves
confess that they know comparatively
little about dreams. That God can
and does even in modern times give
is revelations of truth by such means
S witnessed by the book by the late
Dr.. A. ]. Gordon, "How Christ Came
% Church" That dream transformed
pastor.
(4 Position (vv. 6, y. In reply to
Gods wonderful permission to Solo
mon, the setting before him Of his
infinite resources, Solomon first of
al acknowledged his debt to David
fulness and bounty" (marg.) to
David had been according to the man
ner of his walking in "uprightness Of
heart: and to crown that kindness,
he, Solomon is "the son to sit on his
throne" This acknowledgment in
volved definite obligation or
service for which Solomon felt
his unworthiness.
(5) Petition wv s. 81. Seeing the
greatness Of the responsibility now
resting w. s. upon him Solomons
plea is for wisdom. Already he had
shown that he had in him the root Of
true wisdom (Prov. IL and Golden
Text. Solomon seemed to realize his
responsibility. first to God and then
to the people, for he said, "WhO is
able to Judge this Thy great people
r. V. This is the true and right rela
ton of duty, public or private. God
first, the people afterward. Solomon
asked for a hearing heart (sce r.
Y. marg). Such request was Of
more value than great riches prov.
9:13-1S) and was in line With his fa
Their David's petition Ct Chron. 22:12;
| 29:1O: another suggestion as to how
fathers should pray for their sons.
II. Gods Part, w. 1915. CD His
Pleasure (vv 10, ~. Solomon had
not asked for self, for pleasure nor
sor earthly power and hence Gods de-
| light God delights in an intelligent
prayer prov. 1879. 1t is greater
thing to make a speech that pleases
God than one to please man. Verso
eleven tells Of some of the things Sol
omon might have asked for, and
which doubtless many Of us would
have asked under the same circum.
stances.
(2) His Performance ". 12). But
Solomon made more wise choice,
hence Gods pleasure to do not only
all he had asked. according to his
human words, but more also (Eph,
$500. His name has become a
proverb. synonymous with the great.
est wisdom ". 2S, Ch. 4:29-34; 5:12.
atc) Seeking what seemed to be the
minor thing God gave him the best
| (Matt. G:33: Rom. S:32; Oh. 10:23-29)
and chat which thou hast not asked
(3) His Promise ". 14. AS though
to heap up his goodness, as sort Of
q reward Of merit, God offered Solo.
mon "long life on one condition only
viz, obedience. Such promise Is
ours and the world has yet to realize
the wisdom of Gods ordinances for
the good of our physical well being
(Deut. SIG; 25:15; Prov 81; 1915
%. Tim A.Sl ALI nf Gnds nrnm