Atlanta tri-weekly journal. [volume] (Atlanta, Ga.) 1920-19??, 1920-09-23
Sabbath School
Lesson
For Sunday September &c
By MAEION M'E. HULL

Golden Text: "nTan 1ooketh on the
outward appearance, but GOD look
| eth on the heart"
How many of the Kings Of Isreal
and Judah can you name? If that
question were put to any ordinary
group of Christians, probably all Of
| them could name Saul, David and
Solomon; a few others might name
Jereboam and Reboboam, Asa Heze-
kiah, Josiah, Manassch and Zede-
kiah. But who could tell the name
associated the most in the book Of
Ezekiel, the last on the thrown in
direct line with David? Possibly
one could be found who could name
them all. Why are Saul, David and
Solomon so much better known than
any of the others? Just now 1t
might be because we have been
studying incidents in their lives for
the past three months. This, how
ever, would be true at any time, we
facts in their lives that make it
true.
Saul, the Wil1ful
Saul is known for his primacy.
for his physique, and for his perse-
cution. David's name brings to our
minds his skill, his success, his SIN,
Is a synonem for his wisdom, his
words, his works and his wonders.
Saul as the first Kin of Israel
had wonderful opportunity. he
could have moulded the nation as ne
pleased, and made of it what his
heart desired. He had many fine
qualities, he had a splendid physique
and attractive personality. He was
thoughtful of his father, at least;
and was the idol Of the people, But
couldn't bear to see any one else
have any praise. This was the be-
ginning of his jealousy and elrth
persecution of David that marr red lra
revocabby what Msef1 mis iife f He VAS
self-wilied, another evidence OF his
selfishness No man can nave ms
own way and "get by" with 1t al
the time. Saul was no exception ana
own self respect, his klngooIns' HIS
friends and his life.
David the worshtpfu
David was the many-sided man;
We think at once. when MS mans
is mentioned of his sfi ION a bear vs and
eeTading Saul, in controlling himself,
| in governing his people, in conquer.
ing his enemies, in putting down
rebellion and in building kingdom
But we think also of his sin. Oh,
the depths of tan adulterer, a
| murderer and dissembler, covetous
mamie broke practically every
commandment in the decalogute
David was snd o pig ehedge his aI mis-
take, and David's sin always brings
to mind also his wonderful songs
| especially that Fifty-first psalm,
through which he lays e.; pare Delo of
hearts If we should pick. out one
thing that was the secret of his whole
life it would be his appreciation OF
the realty of Gods presence. DaVlo S
habit was to ask God what to do be-
fore he made any plans, and then to
do what God said, depending upon
| God for strength to accomplish IT.
There were two exceptions to TINS
rule, but they only serve to prove
Uriah and Bethsheba, and in , MS
first attempt to move the ARK. IhS
results were so disastrous that David
never forgot the lessons:
| Solomon the Wise
Solomon's name brings before our
minds his glorious Kingdom, his
wisdom, his magnificent building
operations, his merchandise his
| proverbs or wise sayings, and the
wonders of his court that startled the
world and excited a woman's curl
osity, which was more than satisfied
Solomon had a hard task to per
form. 1t is always difficult to fol
low an outstanding character. 1t
case because David had been so won
derfulIy blessed, and Solomon was
so young and inexperienced. But
David had taught him where to go
when he needed help, and God gave
him, as God loves to give, far more
exceeding abundance above all that
he asked or thought.
Yet Solmon's wisdom was his
weakness, for in seeking to estab-
lish his kingdom forever, he sowed
the seeds that resulted in the dis
ruption of it. His plan was to put
a great big task before his people
so as to unite them into a strong ma
tional bond; but it taxed them to the
straining point, which. after his
death, brought about its distintegra-
| enough to God.
Of the three David, in spite Of
the fact that his sin was the most
heinOus, has a warmer place in our
hearts. because David brings us
closer to God. Say, are you trying
to have your own way like Saul did?
Are you getting proud of your great
achievem like Saul did? Have
you poured out your heart in confess
not follow David in this-that you
will never take any step, trivial or
important, without finding out what
God would like you to do? In that
path is peace and power.