The Republican. [volume] (Oakland, Md.) 1877-current, 1927-09-08
Lesson for September IL
SOLOMON DELEGATES THE
TEMPLE

LESSON TEXT Kings. chapter 8.
GOLDEN TEXT was glad when
they said unto me, let US go into the
house OF the Lord.
PRIMARY Notwithstanding in
Gods House.
JUNIOR TOPIC--A Young Mans
Love for Gods House.
INTERMEDIATE AND SENIOR TOP
TC-Love for Gods House.
YOUNG PEOPLE AND ADULT TOP
IC-The Value of Gods House to
Community.
The first task of Solomon after his
coronation was the building of the
temple, a privilege which was denied
to his father, David. In his prepare
ton for this task he secured wood
the foundations from the Phoenicians,
skilled workmen also from King
Hiram. 1t was located on Mount
Moriah QI Chron. 3 ~. The suitable
ness of this place was due to the fact
that the Lord had appeared here to
Abraham. Its dimensions were 90
feet long, 80 feet wide, and As feet
high. 1t contained the brazen altar,
the laver, the golden candlesticks and
cherubim. The dedication of the tenn
pie was arranged to take place at an
suspicious time. The dedicatory serv-
fees consisted of:
!. Bringing Up the Ark wv. 1-1D.
The ark of the covenant was typical
Of Jesus Christ. God dwells among
men through Jesus Christ (John :14).
The ark was Gods holy dwelling place.
This, therefore, must be brought up
first and placed in the temple. For
the manifestation of the divine pres
ence was the real dedication. When
the house of God was to be dedicated
the king arranged for a representative
gathering of the people, consisting of
the elders, princes and heads of the
tribes. There were many great men
present, but only the priests, Gods
appointed ministers, moved the ark.
The fatal experience of Uzzoh in
David's time was doubtless clear in
their minds. Solomon profited by the
blunder of his father. Connected with
this service was very great sacrifice,
one in keeping with the occasion. The
ark with the two tablets of stone I'M
der the mercy seat shows God mani
Testing Himself to His people on the
ground of law perfectly kept and
since atoned for by the shedding Of
blood. At the completion of the sac
rifice, the temple was filed with the
glory Of the Lord
II. Solomon's Address to the People
wv. 12-2D.
He points out to the people that God
had chosen David to be king, yet for
certain reasons He would not allow
him to build the temple, promising
that his son should do the work. Now
that the work was done, the temple
was built and the ark of the covenant
was in its place, they could be as
sured that God had raised him up in
the room of his father.
Ill. SoIomon's Ded;catory Prayer
(vv. 22-53).
The ark having now been placed in
the most holy place, and the address
TO the people being ended, the king
pours out his soul to God In prayer
In this prayer Solomon gratefully ac-
knowledges Gods goodness in the
past, giving glory to Him, and pleads
that His promise to his father be veri-
fed wv. 22-26); he prays that Gods
eyes might be continually open toward
the temple which He had now taken
possession Of wv. 27-33); so that (1)
In case of contention between parties
He would judge between them wv. 81,
BY (2) in case of being smitten by
the enemy, even though they had
sinned, upon confession of the same,
God would forgive and restore wv.
81, 34 (3) in case Of famine as chas.
tisement for sin, upon confession and
prayer before the temple, God would
forgive and send rain wv. 80, 36);
~ in case Of pestilence and sickness,
IL they pray to God toward the tenn
pie, God should hear and forgive wv,
E-40); (5) in case of the coming Of
the foreigner who comes at the news
OF Gods greatness, and prays toward
Jerusalem, his prayers should be
heard wv. 41-43); (6) in case of go.
ing out to battle, their cause should
be maintained wv. A, 45); 60 in
case of being in captivity because Of
ain, God should hear their prayers
and restore wv. 1868.
w. Solomon BIesses the People wv.
461).
On the strength of the covenant
promises, he invokes His presence al
ways with them to keep them faithful,
and exhorts the people to have their
hearts perfect before God, walking in
His commandments and statutes.
v. Solomon and the People Offer
Sacrifices of Thanksgiving wv. 62-66).
Ideals Like Stars