Evening star. [volume] (Washington, D.C.) 1854-1972, 1927-09-03

Labor Sunday finds us studying
SoIomon's wise choice. In considering
the toiler's long and constant struggle
for their rights and opportunities with
the application of the teachings OF the
Master to their modern problems de-
mands more than wisdom. 1t calls
for a heart filled with a love Tor
Justice and a passion for human wei
fare on the part of both capital ana
labor. In the solution of the contro-
versies of the present hour moran
issues are involved. Not until the
ideals and spirit of Jesus are applleo
to every issue will the right solution
be obtained so that all can ENJOY the
best things in life" solomon wise
choice should be ours, when united
with a deep spiritual love for God
glory and mans advancement In
every good work.
solomon lis typical of that class of
men who by birth or circumstances
come to a great place, but who would
have held only respectable and or
binary positions had it not been Tor
the accident of fortune" 1t was due
to a. combination of circumstances
with which Solomon had nothing to
do that he became the successor OF
his father. David, as King of Israel.
It was due largely to the planning OF
Nathan and the cooperation of Beth
sheba. the intriguing and unscrupul-
Gus mother of Solomon, that David
was persuaded to exercise the quick
ness and adroitness of his earlier days
in his commands that Solomon be I'M
mediately made king and become at
once the reigning sovereign. rms
nipped in the bud the plot of his Oldest
son, Adonijab, to be proclaimed king
that very night at a banquet.
Solomon inherited an empire that
was thoroughly organized. 1T ex-
tended from Tiphsah on the Eupn-
rates to GAIA; two of its outposts
were lamar, in the Syrian desert, ana
Ezion-geber, at the head or the hed
Sea" He was handicapped by the
greatness and glory of David's reign.
He faced and quickly mastered the
possibilities of an uprising upon the
part of his elder half brother. whose
pretensions to the crown had the sup
port of Joab and Abiathar. He did
not hesitate to cause all who would
be opposed to him to be punished for
tlisIoyalty. He inherited the old and
bitter feeling of rivalry between the
tribes of Israel and Judah that David
had controlled by diplomacy and tact
full administration, but its existence
made his task difficult and threatened
his throne.
Solomon's Wise Choice.
Solomon started his reign well, Tor
the King loved the Lord and followed
the institutions of his father, whose
interest in the welfare of his pooreSt
subjects was we'll understood by all
No. ~
to meet all the perils and problems OF
his last days because of his convic'
ton that Solomon, who had been ap-
pointed by prophesy to be his sue
cessor. would be a deliverer Of the
poor and needy. The molding inftu-
ence Of his father and of the prophet
Nathan was seen in the early days
of Solomon, except that he sacrificed
and burnt incense on the high hills
He may have been guilty of worship.
ing on high places that were covered
with affairs expressive OF heathen re-
ligions. individuals lay offerings of
worship play a prominent part IN the
religious life of the Hebrews, pre-
ceding the Capitalization Of worship
in Jerusalem.
Solomon showed the strength OF
his devotion to the Lord by the multi
tude Of his sacrifices to Jehovah at
Gibson, where the tabernacle had
been located during the troublous
times of the judges. The offering or
"a thousand burnt offerings" by the
King, probably during the first year
Of his reign, must have made deep
impression upon the people. worn
out by his efforts, he slept that night
near the tabernacle and God appeared
to the young ruler in dream. The
character of his ambition revealed
itself in his vision. He had sought
Gods help. as our own Presidents
have when the burden of their task
as the Nations Executive sent them
to the Lord for divine guidance and
assistance. Dreaming that Jehovah
had offered him the privilege Of choos'
ing what he wished, as result OF his
sacrifices, his choice revealed the
| Kings one absorbing desire.
His wise choice revealed his graft
tude to God for recognizing David
with His great loving kindness" be
cause of his sincerity, justice and loya
obedience to Jehovah's commands. II
is evident that Solomon was impressed
| by the religious character of his
| father, who, with the exception OF his
great sin, that we considered last week
had always been obedient to Jehovah
| 1t is apparent that he realized some
thing Of the difficulty of his task
l ssf- 1t