Atlanta tri-weekly journal. [volume] (Atlanta, Ga.) 1920-19??, 1920-09-11
SABBATH SCHOOL
LESSON
For September 12-1 Kings, $40
BY DR.. MARION NTH. HULL

Golden Text: "B1essed is every one
that feareth the Lord, that walketh
in His ways" Psa. 1891.
What a wonderful picture this is,
Solomon in all his glory" So mag
niffcent was the reign of this son of
David that David's greater Son spoke
of it thus. Let us visualize it if we
can.
David had extended his kingdom
far and wide, and had laid yearly
tribute upon all the nations about
him, so year by year the governors
and kings of the surrounding peoples
brought into Solomon's Golfers their
taxes amounting to enormous sums.
With these and other tributes Solo
mon began extensive building opera
lions. After he had finished the
house of Jehovah and his own palace,
Mello, and the walls of Jerusalem,
and Hazor, and Megiddo, and Gezer,
and Beth-horon, both upper and low
er, and Baalath, and Tadmor in the
wilderness, and store cities, and cities
for his horsemen, and summer pal
aces in Lebanon, to which he might
go for hunting and pleasure parties.
Solomon also entered into trade re-
lat1ons with the merchantmen of va
rious countries, and traded success
fully in all their wares, to his ad-
vantage, with the peoples tributary
wealth every year.
Not satified with this, he went into
partnership with Hiram and built a
great navy (for those days. which
piled between Spain (Tarshia) and
years years ' his Ships returned, bringing 9g
gold from Ophir and the beautiful
almug wood, and apes and peacocks.
and precious stones and spices. The
weight Of gold which came to Solo
1 l. L
his profits from merchandise and land
taxes.
Nor did Solomon hoard all of this
wealth. He believed that the profit,
of the earth is for all" Gee. $50, so
he spent it freely. He made his peo-
pie rich, too, so that silver was as
paving stones in Jerusalem. The
vessels of his house were all Of gold,
none Of them were of silver, and
nothing was thought of it. Can you
picture the wonderful palaces with
their ; gardens and vineyards z and orch orch
Look at his focks and herds feed
ing in wonderful pastures, and his
great collection of the finest horses
in the world. See his gorgeously liv-
cried servants and attendants, antici-
pating every desires and serving with
perfect quietnesS and order. Hear his
wonderful orchestra and the magnif1-
cent choruses that made sweet music
for him and for his people at all
times. Is there anything that your
heart can imagine that would bring
that for Himself and and his lP people. D"O
No wonder as his navy went to
distant shores that his servants
spoke of fame and Of his glory in ex-
travagant terms. No wonder people
who heard them doubted.
A Woman's Curiosity
BUt there was one whose olIrinSitU
got the better of her. Away down
south in Africa was Balkis, the
Queen Of Sheba. The stories of Solo
mon in all his glory were more than
see for herself, and she had no doubt
but that she would find it all hot
air" 1t was a long and expensive
Journey, but that made no difference,
she fitted out an expedition, and
bearing with her a fabulous sum of
as present, she left. for the long
sands and the hills and valleys, that
separated his land from hers. At
Solomon received her courteously,
and answered all Of her questions.
were intended to catch him; some
were captious; some were serious.
Her curiosity was satisfied but her
interest was aroused now, and her
questions became more intelligent.
There were questions Of politics;
questions Of morals; questions of ma
ture; questions of religion-all of
these arose in her mind and Solomon
gave heed to them. and answered
them patiently, fully, and to her en-
tire satisfaction.
I can imagine with how much in
terest he showed her his palaces,
with that wonderful ivory and gold
l. l., lNN IL.
dens; his summer palaces; his cities;
his treasure horses; his great water
works system. She must have been
dazzled by the beauty of his wives
the wonderful court he had gathered
about him. And nothing could have
been more magnificent than the royal
way he entertained her at his boun-
teous table.
She was keenly interested in the
temple and the burnt offerings which
he made unto Jehovah; and know
Solomon rejoiced as he told her Of
the way, too, she might approach the
Holy God who dwelt between the
cherubimS.
A Convert
Finally she gave UP. There was no
more spirit in her. and she told Solo
mon SO. When she had heard of his
wisdom, etc, and of his piety, she
had considered it an exaggeration;
but now that she had seen for her
self she had to say that the half
even had never been told.
Notice that it was his wisdom she
mentions first and his piety last, as
the climax of her discovery. 1t was
worth the trip, and she expressed
the opinion that she would gladly be
one of his servants. as they must be
happy indeed who could sit and serve
at his feet But best Of all, she glo-
rifed the God of Israel who had
shown His love for His people in this
way
Then she made magnificent pres
ents to Solomon. The other things
he could get elsewhere, but the spices
she brought excelled any he had ever
seen or had.
In turn Solomon gave her Of his
royal bounty; and whatsoever she de-
sired he gave her-probably plans
and specifications, or directions for
worship or something that money
could not buy. And she turned her
face homeward satisfied with Solo
mons visit, and acquainted with Sol