The bystander. [volume] (Des Moines, Iowa) 1916-1922, 1920-08-26
LESSON FOR AUGUST 20
Beginning OF soLoMoM's.RE.en

BEGINNING OF soLoMoM,sAREleN
| n .ESsON TEXT Kings l:5: 3:la
GOLDEN TExT-The fear of the Lord
that is wisdom: and to depart from evil
| IL Observation-Disclosures 2S:2S.
PRIMARY TOPIC-Solomon's Choice
JUNIOR TOPIC-soIomon's Wise Be-
ginning.
I Choosing the Best Things.
| YOUNG PEOPLE AND ADULT TOPIC
! True Wisdom and How TO Get 1t.
I. Solomon Amounted King IL: 5-40).
David had hitherto failed to show
the people who should be king after
| him ". 2O). He Is now stirred to
action by the combined appeals Of
Bathsheba and Nathan. He immedi-
ately sent for the faithful three. "a
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 r.
n. soIomon's Acts to Establish His
Kingdom Il: 41-2: 46).
Coming to the kingdom at such
time as this. he noted certain danger
Gus elements, which, # allowed to de-
velop, would weaken If not destroy
his rule.
l. Adonijah placed under surveil-
lance wv 41-53}. Though he had at
tempted to usurp the kingdom, Solo
mon placed him on good behavior. In
this treatment, Solomon displayed
both clemency and dignity, which are
praiseworthy in ruler.
2. Adonijah executed e.: 13-25).
Solomon ordered him executed be-
cause he made an undetermined effort
to become king.
3. Abiathar removed from the priest
hood e :26. 27). This man had joined
Adonijah in his plot of usuIpation.
Solomon removed him from Office and
appointed Zadok in his stead.
4. Joah executed e :28-35). Joab,
too, was party in Adonijah's rebel
lion. Beside this he had treacherous-
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
1874, 81.
Solomon made lavish sacrifice to
the Lord. 1t was not that the Lord
cared for the number of animals, but
the attitude of the mans heart to-
ward him. ASK what 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. SoIomon's Wise Choice 1861.
The Lords gracious offer brought
the king face to face with the re-
sponsibility of making choice. God
SO deals with his children that a
choice must be made by everyone.
Solomon was keenly sensible of the
difficulty and the responsibility Of hisl
position. David was great king
For young man to take up the work
of an illustrious father and push 1t
to completion is most difficult task.
Besides all this, the disturbing ele-
ments set in motion by the usurper.I
Adonijah, were to be dealt with. mi
his reply to God he pleads that bel
was not king as result Of his Ownl
choosing, but because of Gods lovingI
kindness. All who have been called
0f Go1 fp nf nd
trust can truly exercise that sameI
boldness Of faith. When called to1
positions of honor and trust we should
not become high-minded and vain. butt
humbly present ourselves before GodI
for help.
" Gods Unstinted Gift to Solomon
(3:1O-15).
Solomon's speech pleased the Lord.
The Lord is always pleased when wei
place ourselves before him in SUCH
attitude. Solomon got more than heI
asked for. Because he put wisdomI
first. God saw that he could be trust
ed with material good. also. Christi
taught the same thing when he said
Seek We FIRST the Kingdom OF GodI
and his righteousness; and all thesei
things shall be added unto you."-I
Matt. 6:33. He that puts God and
spiritual things first in time and i'm
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 VIII"
feel the lack Of wisdom can go to Cool
with confidence danes l :5). Cool
blessed Solomon with singhlarl.
comprehensive mind Il Kings :29-34)
tie was botanist, zoologist, archi
tect, poet: and moral philosopher
When we ask what God wills, we shat
surely get what we ask.