Cleveland County herald., 1920-08-26

1 that IS wisdom: and to depart rom eVIl | is understanding.-Job 2S:2S. ] PRIMARY TOPIC-Soomop's Choice. | JUNIOR TOPIC-solomon' Wise Be- | ginning.
 INTERMEDIATE AND SENIOR TOPIC l Choosing the Best Things.
 YOUNG PEOPLE AND ADULT TOPIC True Wisdom and How to Get It. l. Solomon Anointed King q: 5-40) David had hitherto failed to show the people who should be king after him (v. 20). He is now stirred to action by the combined appeals of Bathsheba and Nathan. He immedi- ately sent for the faithful three, Za- dok, Nathan and BeUaiah. and bade them to anoint Solomon king. They speedily executed their commission and soon the people shouted God save king Solomon !''
 II. Soomon's Acts to EstabIish His Kingdom q: 41-2: 46). Coming to the kingdom at such a time as this, he noted certain danger ous elements, which, if allowed to de velop, would weaken if not destroy his rule
 1. Adonijah placed under surveil- lance (vv. 41-53). Trough he had at tempted to usurp the kingdom, Solo mon placed him on good behavior. In both clemency and dignity, which are praiseworthy in a ruler.
 2. Adonijah executed c: 13-25). Solomon ordered him executed be- 9Suse he made an underhanded effort po become king.
 3. Abiathar removed from the priest hood c :26, 27). This man had joined Adonijah in his plot of usurpation. Solomon removed him from office and appointed Zadok in h:s stead.
 4. Joab executed e :28-35). 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.
 ,. Shimei executed (2 :36-46). Shimei had deserted David and joined his enemies, even bitterly cursed him. Solomon first paroled him and confined Aim to Jerusalem, bue when he broke his parole he had ht1n executed.
 III. Gods Gracious Offer to Solomon (3:4, 5.
 Solomon made a lavish sacrifice to the Lord. It was net 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 vice 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
 W. SoIomon's Wisc Choice 6 6-3).
 The Lords gracious offer brought the king face to face with the re- sponsibility of making choice. God so deals with his children that choice must be made by everyone. Solomon was keenly sensible of the difficulty and the responsibility of his position. David was a great king. For young man to take up the work of an illustrious father and push it to completion is a most difficult task. Besides all this, the disturbing eIe- ments set in motion by the usurper, Adonljah, 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 boldness of faith When called to positions of honor and trust we should not become high-minded and vain, but humbly present ourselves before God for help.
 V. Gods Unstinted Gift to Solomon (3:10-15).
 SolomonG speech pleased the Lord. The Lord is always pleased when we place ourselves before him in such attitude. 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 ye first the kingdom of God and hls 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 :5). God blessed Solomon with a singularly comprehensive mind q Kings :29-34). He was botanist, zooIogiSt, archi. tect, poet. and moral philosopher. When we ask what God wills, we shall surely get what we ask.
 Ia Cheer Thee on Inv May