The Yale expositor., 1920-08-26
IMPROVED UNIFORM INTERNATIONAL
SUNlNYSQIOOL
LESSON
tBy REV. p. b. FITZWATER, d. D..
Teacher OF English Bible in the Moody
Bible Institute OF Chicago)
Copyright. 1920. Western Newspaper Union-b
LESSON FOR AUGUST 20
BEGINNING OF soLoMoN's REIGN

LESSON TEXT Kings lis; 3:l3
GOLDEN TEXT-The fear of the Lord,
that Is wisdom: and TO depart from evil
Is understandng.-Job 8:28
PRIMARY TOPIC-Solomon's Choice.
JUNIOR TOPIC-SOlomon's Wise Be-
ginning.
INTERMEDIATES AND SENIOR TOPIC
Choosing the Best Things
YOUNG PEOPLE AND ADULT TOPIC
True Wisdom and How to Get II.
!. Solomon Amounted King Il: $40.
David had hitherto failed to show
the people who should be king after
him ". 20). He is now stirred to
action by the combined appeals Of
Bathsheba and Nathan. He immedi-
ately sent for the faithful three, Ia
dok, Nathan and Benaiah, and babe
them to anoint Solomon king. They
speedily executed their commission
and soon the people shouted "God save
king Solomon -
u. SoIomon's Acts to Establish His
Kingdom Il: 41-2: 46).
Coming to the kingdom at such a
time as this, he noted certain danger
Gus elements, which, If allowed to de-
velOp, would weaken II not destroy
his rule.
/. Adonijah placed under surveil-
lance wv. 41-53). Though he had at
tefnpted TO usurp the kingdom, Solo
mon placed him on good behavior. In
this treatment, Solomon displayed
both clemency and dignity. which are
praiseworthy in a ruler.
2. Adonijah executed Il: 1929,
Solomon ordered him executed be-
cause he made an undetermined effort
to become king.
3. Abiathar removed from the priest
hood (2:26, 2O. This man had joined
AdoniJah in his plot of usurpation
Solomon removed him from office and
appointed Zadok In his stead.
4. Joab executed (2:28-35). Joan,
too, was a party in Adonijahs rebel
lion. Beside this he had tfeacherous
ly murdered his rivals in the army
He was succeeded in the generalship
by Benaiah.
5. Shimei executed e :36-46). Shimei
had deserted David and joined his
enemies, even bitterly cursed him.
Solomon first paroled him and confined
him to Jerusalem, but when he broke
his parole he had him executed.
III. Gods Gracious Offer to Solomon
(3:4, 81.
Solomon made a lavish sacrifice to
tho ord hoN he 4 0.I
cared for the number of animals, but
the attitude of the mans heart to-
ward him. ASK what l shall give
thee" placed very wide possibilities be-
fore the king. God, as 1t were, signed
blank checks and turned them over
to Solomon to fill in any amount that
his heart desired.
w. Solomon's Wise Choice Is :6-9).
The Lords gracious offer brought
the king face to face with the re-
sponsibility Of making a choice. God
so deals with his children that
choice must be made by everyone.
Solomon was keenly sensible of the
difficulty and the responsibility Of his
position. David was a great king.
For young man TO take up the work
of an illustrious father and push IL
to completion is most difficult task.
Besides all this, the disturbing ele-
ments set in motion by the usurper,
Adonijah, were to be dealt with. In
his reply to God he pleads that he
was not king as a result Of his own
choosing, but because of Gods loving
kindness. All who have been called
of God to fill positions of honor and
trust can truly exercise that same
holiness Of faith. When called to
positions of honor and trust we should
not become high-minded and vain, but
humbly present ourselves before God
for help.
v. Code Unstinted Gift to Solomon
g 1918.
Solomon's speech pleased the Lord.
The Lord is always pleased when we
place ourselves before him in such
attitude. Solomon got more than he
asked for. Because he put wisdom
first, God saw that he could be trust
ed with material good, also. Christ
taught the same thing when he said,
"Seek We first the kingdom of God
and his righteousness; and all these
things shall be added unto YOU
Matt. 6:33. He that puts God and
spiritual things first in time and inn
portance can be trusted with temper
al things. That which God promised
him above what he asked was riches.
honor and length of days. All who
feel the lack of wisdom can go to God
with confidence (James 1867. God
blessed Solomon With singularly
comprehensive mind Il Kings 4:29-34).
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