Atlanta tri-weekly journal. [volume] (Atlanta, Ga.) 1920-19??, 1924-03-18
SUNDAY SCHOOL LESSON
Golden Text: "The fear of JehO-
yah is the beginning of knowledge D."
PROV IL
BY DR.. MARION McH. HULL
For March %, 1924-The Reign of Solomon
/ Kings 3-u; Chron. /.

oUlucu ABAl. lHt ltdE VI UCiO-
yah is the beginning of knowledge. "
PROV. IL.
David's latter years We're xs9t very
calm; on the other hand, taAy were
made hard for the aged .eSng by
strife and intrigue. Absalom had
rebelled against him and had been
slain. His oldest living son, Adoni-
Jah, realized that his father was
physically unable to reign any Ion
ger and decided to take the situation
. In hand while he could, and have
himself proclaimed king and sue
cessor. In this he was allotted by
some of DaVid's most trusted coun-
.sellors-Joab, the commanding gem
eral, and Abiathar, the priest. Zadok,
the high priest, and Nathan, the
prophet, and Shimei and Rel and
David's mighty men were notin the
plot, however, and disapproved Of it.
by an adrOit move, Nathan had
Bathshebam, the beautiful wife of
David, and who had formerly been
the wife Of Uriah to come to the
old king and make him confirm a
promise that he had once made her
that her son, Solomon, should be his
successor. Now, Solomon was only
a youth of nineteen years; but the
exlgencies of the case were such
that it seemed wise to have him
anolnted before the old king died,
md at once, since Adonijah was al.
Visady celebrating a feast and pro-
claiming himself king.
The ceremony was interesting
The young man was dressed in royal
robes and made to ride through the
streets of Jerusalem on King David's
mule. After being anointed at Gil.
hon, the trumpet was blown and a
shout, Long live King Solomon
Then he was brought back to the
palace and seated beside his father.
David, on the throne.
1t succeeded. All the people re-
Joiced with great joy, so that the
earth rent with the sound of them.
Adonijah realized that he had been
outWltted and accepted the situation
with grace. Although ordinarily in
those days he would have been slain
10 make sure that no trouble would
come from that quarter in the fu-
ture-and as guilty of treason he
merited death-Solomon was mag
unanimous enough to spare his life,
until he foolishly induced Rathsheba
10 ask her son the favor of giving
MIN Abishag, the beautiful Shunna-
mite who had ministered to the old
king in his last days. Then it be-
came necessary for him to be gotten
rid of; and that meant death in those
days.
Being established on the throne,
Solomon's first step was significant
he went up to Gideon where the
nrazen altar was at that time and
otfered on it burnt Offering, thus
slgnifying his own sin, his need Of
atoning blood, his recognition Of
his relationship to God, and his
dedication of himself wholly to Him.
In that night-notice that-God
appeared to Solomon and said, "Ask
what L shall give thee" God loves
to give. But He cannot give to those
who do not recognize His rights.
In the same night that Solomon
recognized God, God appeared to
him with this wonderful offer.
AS man thinketh in his heart,
SO is he. What would you ask if
you were given such liberty as
Solomon? Your request would re.
veal your character. What you are
would determine what you would
ask. Stop just here and think this
out, and put yourself to this test.
Are you the person you thought
you were? Would yuo like other
folks to know what kind of a per-
son you are?
Listen! You are being tested that
way ever day. God has given you
just such liberty as He did Solo
mon. Whatsoever We shall ask in
my name, that will l do" said
Jesus. What are you asking for?
What are your prayers? Are they
utterly selfish? Are they for tenn
poral and physical blessings large
ly? Are you asking for that which
shall bring the King back?
Notice Solomon's answer. "Thou
made me king give me wis
dom to judge Thy people" Thou.
Thou, Thy!
Solomon recognized his RESPONSE
bllity to the great God and the pc
culiar relationship this people bore
to Him. He recognized also his Ut
ter inadequacy to the task. This in
Volved his faith in the covenants
made by God with this people
through Abraham and David He
might have felt capable of ruling an
ordinary people, but to lead a peo-
pie with such a future and who
were to be Gods instruments in de-
veloping plan which would affect
the whole world and for eternity
was task too great for this nine
teen-year. king. He did not asl,
for money nor for political prosper
kty. but for wisdom to go out and
ne in before this THY" people.
Snd God gave him what he ask.
ed for. plus. This Is always the
way God gives. He loves to give
what We ask. plus. He gives good
measure, pressed down and run
ming over. He gave him the wis
dom he asked for, and in addition
wealth, and prosperity like as none
had had who had gone before him
or who came after him. Notice very
carefully the vehrbage of
Chron. ILL., Wisdom and knowl-
edge Is granted unto thee; and l
will give thee riches, and wealth,
and honor, such as none OF the
kings have had that have been be-
RFTEO MAI as.e>.,