The Brinkley argus., 1915-07-16
LESSON FOR JULY 18
SOLOMON CHOOSES WISDOM.

R "
 Last week we had the story of
 young 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 a younger brother, who, under better influences, chose the way
 that leads to true success. Emphasize
 therefore the fact that this Sunday is
 Decision Day
 I. soIomor's Part (vv. 9-9) CD
 Preparation (y. 3. Solomon was look ing out of the open gateway of life
 stl the text suggests that there was preparation for his hearing of Gods wonderful promise, Ask what l shall give thee (ag He flowed the Lord (y B. t 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 in the worship of Jehovah that Solo, mon had his chief delight (b) He went to Gibeon' (y. 4) because there 1 at the tabernacle (the temple was not yet builO Jehovah particularly
 manifested himself to the people q
 Chron. 21:29; Ex. 29:42, 43 R. VI.
 f2) Presentation (v. 4) He offered burnt offerings a thousand, when legally one would have sufficed The tabernacle was a type of Christ (John ID TN1 H.GN and nnnh of the one thousand sacrifices also pointed forward 10 the Christ. The Christian has a better ground where on to approach God (Heb. 10:1-22)- 1 than that of countless sacrifices of 1 rams and bulls.
 (3) Revelation (v. 3. God appeared
 to Solomon in a dream, we have a l better revelation in Jesus and the in- spired Word, still it was a real ap- pearance to him as subsequent events prove. Gen 28:12. 13; Matt 1920;
 Acts 18:9, 10) Scientists themselves confess that they know comparatively little about dreams That God can and does even in modern times give us revelations of truth by such means is witnessed by the book by the late
 Dr. 4. ] Gordon How Christ Came
 to Church That dream transformed
 g pastor.
 (4) Position (vv. 6, D. In reply to Gods wonderful permission to Solo,
 mon the setting before him of his infinite resources, Solomon first of all acknowledged his debt to David,
 his father. Gods kindness, his faith fitness 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 volyed definite obligation or
 service for which Solomon felt
 his unworthiness.
 @ Petition Cvv 8. 9. Seeing the
 greatness of the responsibility now
 resting (v S) upon him Solomon's plea is for wisdom. Already he had shown that he had in him the root of true wisdom Prov 1:7 and Golden Text). Solomon seemed to realize his responsibility, first to God and then
 10 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 nearing heart (see R. V. marg) Such a request was of more value than great riches (Prov. 3:13-1S) and was in line with his fa- ther Davids petition q Chron. 22:12; 29:1O; another suggestion as to how fathers should pray for their sons.
 q. Gods Part, w. 1915. CD His Pleasure (yv. 10, ID. Solomon had not asked for self, for pleasure nor for earthly power and hence Gods de- light God delights in an intelligent prayer (Prov 15:S). It is a greater thing to make a speech that pleases God than one to please man. Verse 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
 AAI f9te FcFfCFfNdnCc W. IAj. put Solomon made a more wise choice, hence Gsd's pleasure to do not only all he had asked. according to his human words. but more also (Eph
 3.20) His name has become proyerb, synonymous with the great est wisdom (v 2S, Ch. 4:29-34; 5:12,
 etc). Seeking what seemed to be the
 minor thing God gave him the best (Matt 6:33. Rom S:32; Ch 10:2 :23-291 and that which thou hast not asked"
 (3) fiis Promise (V. 14). As though
 to heap up his goodness, as a sort of a reward of merit God offered Solo,
 mon long life on one condition only,
 viz. obedience. Such a promise is ours and the world has yet to realize the wisdom of Gods ordinances for
 the good of our physical we'll being (Deut. 5:16, 25:15; Prov. 3:1; 14:15- 23; l Tim. 4:8) All of Gods prom
 fses are conditioned upon our obedl-
 ence It IS sad to think that with all
 of his wisdom Solomon failed to learn
 the wisdom of obedience q Kings
 11:42) and died comparatively
 young man