Middletown transcript., 1915-07-10
LESSON FOR JULY II
SOLOMON AMOUNTED KING.
LESSON TEXT Kings 1:2s-4O.

heart and a willing mind. Chron. 2S:9.
"The king is dead; long live the
king" Old and decrepit at seventy
years of age, a successor must soon
take the shepherd kings seat of
power.
Davids record is a wonderful one
as an empire builder. an organizer and
an accumulator of wealth. Read care
fully l Chron. 1928. Three characters
are the most outstanding for our con-
sideration in this lesson.
I. David. (a) He had to make a
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. 12;25), was he whom
Jehovah desired to sit upon the throne.
(b) David had a promise he must
needs fulfill wv. IT, 3O). While his
second son, who sought to usurp his
throne, is engaged with his fellow con-
spirators wv. 9, All 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
professed Christians treat their prom
lses far too lightly. Bath-sheba en-
boldened by her need ". 16) 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
shebas petition is REINFORCED by the
words of Davids mentor, Nathan wv.
20, 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). (c) David
then gives careful command relative
to the public proclamation of the new
king wv. 32, 35). Calling to his help
his trusted and tried friends, zadok
the priest, Nathan the prophet (see 2
Sam. 1924, 25) and Benaiah the sol
dier Il Chron, 11:22-25), he directs
them to place Solomon upon his own
mule ". 33) and take him to Gihon
there to be anointed and proclaimed
king in Davids stead. Contrast Da-
vid's scrupulous obedience regarding
the use of horses (Deut. 1915 with
that of Absalom e Sam. 15:D and
Adoniiah ". 81. Note also it was the
priest and the prophet alone who were
to anoint the king ". S4) 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 (Luke 24:49, Acts 1859. But as
these were only outward form and
symbol, they must petition Jehovah to
keep the new king ". S4). (d) David
took no chances but steps aside fully,
while he yet lived, that all question OF
Solomon's right should be removed
". 35). Solomon had the added se-
curity in that he had been appointed
also by Jehovah to be a prince over
Israel and Judah. 1t was Benaiah the
soldier who, true to his training, re-
ported to the king the execution OF
his orders and swears fealty to his sue
cessor, at the same time interceding
for Jehovahs blessing upon Solomon.
II. Solomon. (a) God-chosen. Il
Chron. 1856; 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
3 may suggest the fact that David had
!, found the peace of forgiveness. Solo,
a mon inherited the strength of David's s
s maturity and chastening also, and
l. through his mother, the wisdom of
4 Ahithophel, whose advice was as if a
9 man had inquired at the oracle of Cod
a q Sam. 16 23). (b) He was chosen be-
g cause of intercession (ch. 1:1T. The
s standing of the Christian is what it is
e in the sight of God because of one who
l. intercedes on our behalf John 17).
(c) He was chosen in the midst of con
troversy and as against antagonists
". 81. So the Christian, chosen be
- fore the foundation of the world In
II Christ, also has great opposition and
a dangerous antagonist and, like Solo
- mon, he is secure in spite of the as
g saults of the evil. one Il Cor. 10: 13
- Jude 24). (d) Solomon was chosen
. for a definite work Il Chron. 2S:1O)
- The sad spectacle presented today Il
% to see so many professed Christians
- who seem to have no sense of respon
h sibility much less an appreciation o
their privileges in Christ Jesus. (el
Solomon was promised help Il Chron
28:9) so are we and according to eacl
=. days duty $50 shall thy strength be.
y 81 can do all things through Chris
,. which strengthened me" (Phil. 4:13)
81 The people ". 4O) accepted Solomon
y born to the purple" as one worth!
y, ,e the position. We are chosen to b
- "kings and priests unto God" to b.
- saints because God has chosen us ''il
~ the beloved" This is a great homo
~ Il Cor. 1:2-6:2), all that is required 4
the gift of our heart.
~. Adonijah. (a) He was self-se
Iected king ". 81 and as such lackeI
N not only the approval of God but tn
- ability to execute his designs He hal
q q Joab the bloody soldier and Abiatha
M - the Jealous priest as his conspiratorl
:, yet all combined could not set asid
>" the decree of God. (b) He was
spoiled child. His father had nc