Middletown transcript., 1920-08-28
LESSON FOR AUGUST 20
BEGINNING OF soLoMoN's REIGN

BEGINNING OF soLoMoN's REIGN
LESSON TEXT Kings 1:5: 3:13. :.
GOLDEN TEXT-The fear of the Lord.
that is wisdom: and to depart from evi1
is understanding.-Job2 2S:28.
PRIMARY TOPIC-Solomon's Choice.
JUNIOR TOPIC-Sclomon's Wise Be-
ginning.
INTERMEDIATE AND SENIOR TOPIC
Choosing the Best Things.
YOUNG PEOPLE AND ADULT TOPIC
True Wisdom and How to Get It.
I. Solomon Anointed King Il: 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. He immedi-
ately sent for the faithful three, Ia
dok, Nathan and Benaiah, and bade
them to anoint Solomon king. They
speedily executed their commission
and soon the people shouted "God save
king Solomon
II. 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, if allowed to de-
velop, would weaken if not destroy
his rule.
/. 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 a ruler.
2. Adonijah executed e: 1929.
Solomon ordered him executed be-
cause he made an underhanded eff0rt
to become king.
8. Abiathar removed from the priest
hood e :26, 27). This man had Joined
Adonijah in his plot Of usurpation.
Solomon removed him from Office and
appointed Zadok in his stead.
4. Joab executed (2:2S-35). Joab,
too, was a 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.
s. 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.
- cA1
(3:4, s.,
Solomon made a lavish sacrifice to
the Lord. It was not that the Lord
cared for the number of animals, but
the attitude of the mans heart to-
ward him. "Ask what I shall give
thee" placed very wide possibilities be-
fore the king. God, as it were, signed
blank checks and turned them over
to Solomon to fill In any amount that
his heart desired.
~. SoIomon's Wise Choice e :8-9).
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 his
position. David was great king.
For a young man to take up the work
of an illustrious father and push it
to completion is a most difficult tas'-.
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 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
toldness Of faith. This is true of the
minister, Sunday school teacher, and
Christian worker in general. When
called to positions of honor and trust
we should not become Eigh-minded and
vain, but humbly present ourselves be-
fore God for help. His petition was
most unselfish; he desired inward
worth, not outward show. Let us
learn. like Solomon, to be grateful to
God for his gifts and to keenly recog-
nize our responsibilities, showing be-
coming humility.
v. Gods Unstinted Gift to Solomon
g :1015).
Solomon's speech pleased the Lord.
The Lord is always pleased when we
place ourselves before him in such
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 i'm
portance can be trusted with tempor-
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 1:5). God
blessed Solomon with a singularly |
mind Il Kings 4 :29-34).
He was botanist, zoologist, archi-
tect, poet, and moral philosopher.
When we ask what God wills, we shall
surely get what we ask.