The Republican. [volume] (Oakland, Md.) 1877-current, 1927-09-01
Lesson for September 4
soLoMoN's WISE CHOICE

soLoMoN's WISE CHOICE
LESSON TEXT Kings 3:4-i5.
GOLDEN TEXT-Happy Is the man
who f1ndeth wisdom and the man that
getteth understanding.
PRIMARY TOPIC-Solomon's Wise
Choice.
JUNIOR ToPIc-A Young Mans
Wise Choice.
INTERMEDIATE AND SENIOR TOP
IC-Choosing Things Worth While.
YOUNG PEOPLE AND ADULT TOP
IC-The Best Things in Life.
Following the death Of David, Solo
mon was anointed king Il Kings
1:5-40). David had failed to show the
people who should be king after him
". 20). Though an old man, he Is
stirred into action by the combined ap-
peals Of Bathsheba and Nathan. He
Immediately sent for the faithful three
-Zadok, Nathan and Beniah, and COM
manded them to anoint Solomon king
|. Gods Gracious Offer wv. 4, 81.
Solomon made lavish sacrifice to
the Lord. The magnitude Of the Offer
ing shows that he had strong impulses
toward God and that he was unwilling
to hold anything back from God. Fol
lowing the sacrifice, the Lord made
to him this gracious offer. This offer
was not on the basis that the Lord
cared for the number of animals, but
the attitude Of the mans heart toward
him. ASK what I shall give thee"
placed very wide possibilities before
the king. God, as it were, signed
blank checks and turned them over to
Solomon to fill in any amount that
his heart desired. This was not
reckless act on the part Of God, for
He foreknew what was in Solomon's
heart to ask. This offer to Solomon
Is no exceptional one, for opportu-
mites equally limitless are placed be-
fore us. God Is saying to every one
Of His children, "Ask and 1t shall be
given you" The matter with its limi-
tations is placed before US in John
1877. eff We abide in Me and My
words abide in you, We shall ask what
we will, and it shall be done unto you"
These unlimited offers are open to
those who abide in Christ and let His
words abide in them.
II. SoIomon's Wise Choice wv. COY.
The Lords gracious offer brought
the king face to face with the re-
sponsibility Of making choice. There
was no middle course open to him.
God deals with all His children in
such a way that choice must be
made by them. Solomon was keenly
aware Of the difficulty and RESPONSE
bility 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 q most
difficult task. Comparatively few ever
succeed. Besides this, he had to deal
with the disturbing elements which
had been set in motion by the usurper,
Adonijah. Being made to shoulder so
great a responsibility SO suddenly,
brought him to keenly feel his insult
ficiency. In his reply to God he plead
ed that his being king was not of his
own choice but an act Of Gods loving
kindness. He argued that, since God
had made him king, He was bound to
qualify him to fill the place. All who
have been called of God to fill posi-
tons Of honor and trust can surely
exercise that same holiness of faith.
When called to positions of honor and
trust we should humbly present our
selves before God for help. To feel
ourselves unworthy and unfit for great
and responsible work and to cast our
selves upon God for help is not COW
ardice, but a good sign that we shall
not fail at the critical moment. Solo
mons object in asking for wisdom was
not for display but for the good of
others.
III. Gods Unstlnted Gift wv.
1919.
Solomon's speech pleased the Lord.
God gave him more than he asked.
Because he put wisdom first, God saw
that he could be trusted with material
good also. Christ saw the same thing
when He said. seek ye first the king
dom Of God, and His righteousness
and all these things shall be added
unto you" Matt $3.50. He who puts
God and spiritual things first in time
and Importance can be trusted with
temporal 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 (Jas. 1 10y.
God blessed Solomon with a singular
ly comprehensive mind Il Kings
4:29-34). He was botanist, zoologist,
architect, poet and moral philosopher.
Christian Life