The citizen. [volume] (Berea, Ky.) 1899-1958, 1920-08-19

LESSON Tent Kings Is. ana
GOLDEN TENT-The fear of the Lord
that Is wisdom. and to depart from EVIL
10 understanding Job . =
PRIMARY TOP1C-solomon's Choice.
JUNIOR TOPlC-solomons Wise Be
ginning
INTERMEDIATE AND SENIOR TOPIC
Choosing the Rest Things
YOUNG PEOPLE AND ADULT TOPIC
True Wisdom and How 10 Get IT,
!. Solomon Amounted Kina q: 5-4O).
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. lie lmmedi-
ately sent for the faithful three. "a
dok. Nathan and Benalah. and babe
them 10 anoint Solomon king. They
speedily executed their commission
and soon the people shouted God save
king Solomon"
u. solomon's Acts TO Establish His
Kingdom q: 4l-2: i6).
Coming TO the kingdom at such a
time as this, he noted certain danger
Gus elements, which. II allowed TO de-
velop. would weaken II not destroy
his rule.
I. Adonijnh placed under surveil.
lance wv. 41-53). Though he had at.
tempted 10 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.: 1929.
Solomon ordered him executed be-
cause he made nn undetermined effort
TO become king.
3. Ablathnr removed from the priest.
hood e 81. 27). This man had Joined
AdoniJah In his plot Of usurpation.
solomon removed him from office and
appointed Zadok IN his stead
Z. Joab executed G. :2s-3j). Joab.
too, was a party IN Adonijah's rebel
lion. Beside this he had treacherous-
~ murdered his rivals IN the army.
He was succeeded I'm the generalship
by Benalah.
2. shimei executed G. :3G-4G). Shimel
had deserted David and Joined his
enemies. even bitterly cursed him.
Solomon first paroled him and confined
him 10 Jerusalem. but when he broke
his parole he had him executed.
~. Gods Gracious Offer TO Solomon
(3:I. -.
Solomon made lavish sacrifice 10
the Lord. 1t WIS not that the Lord
cared for the number Of animals. but
the attitude Of the mans heart to-
wgrd him. ASK what | shall give
thee" placed very vide possibilities be
fore the king God. as II were. signed
blank checks and turned them over
20 solomon 10 an In any amount that
his heart desired.
w. Solon,on's Wise Choice 600.
The lords gracious Offer brought
the king face 10 face with the re-
sponsblllty OF making a choice. God
SO deals with his children that
choice must be made 10y everyone
solomon was keenly sensible OF the
difficulty and the responsibility Of his
position. David was a great king
For young man 20 take up the work
Of an 'lllustrlous father and push Il
10 completion Is a most difficult task
Besides all this. the disturbing ele-
ments set In motion by the usurper
Ad0niiah. were 90 be dealt with. In
his reply 10 God he pleads that he
was not king as result Of bis own
choosing. but because Of Gods loving
Kindness. All who have been called
Of God 10 nm positions OF honor and
trust can truly exercise that same
holiness Of faith. when called 10
positions Of honor and trust we should
not become hlgh-minded and vain, but
humhly present ourselves before God
FOR help.
v. Gods Urstinted Gift to Solomon
(31O-1j).
Solomon's speech pleased the Lord.
The Lord is always pleased when we
place ourselves before BIN IN such
attitude. solomon got more than dee
asked for. Because ne put wisdom
first. God saw that be could be trust
ed with material good also. Christ
taught the same thing when he said
"Seek SO first the kingdom Of God
and his righteousness and all these
things shall be added unto YOU
Matt. G:33 lie that puts God and
spiritual things FIRST In time and I'M
portance can be trusted with temper
nj 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 90 10 God !
with confidence (James 1:5). God |
blessed Solomon With a slngularly |
comprehensive mind q Kings 4:20-3D. |
He was "a botanist. zoologist, archi- |
tect. poet. and a moral philosopher
When we ask what God Wills, we shall |
surely get what we ask.
To Cheer Thee on Thy Way
NaIfhnr hurr.sfUfr nor .1uasanfuo hut i