Evening star. [volume] (Washington, D.C.) 1854-1972, 1939-07-01

less creatures are III Seal CIl VI 0olo-
mons lost sword.
In one of the encyclopedias I
read that there are no archaeological
remains of Solomon'S glories. Since
that article was written the diggers
have unearthed Solomon's immense
stables at Megiddo and his copper
smelling works at Ezion Geber, at
the head of the Gulf of Akaba. Only
a few weeks ago the mummy Of
Shishak, father of Solomon's Egyp-
tan princess wife, was found in
Egypt. And Gezer, the city that
Shishak gave his daughter as a
dowry, has of late years been ex-
cavated, with many corroborative
finds. Exploration has also pene-
trated the domains and discovered
the splendors of the reign of the
Queen of Sheba, in Southern Arabia.
An eye-hlling figure throughout
the ages has been Solomon. The
popular enthusiasm over the visit
of Great Britain's King and Queen
to these shores gave a glimpse OF
the loyalty and splendor that
marched with Solomon's early reign.
This fame, which has outlasted the
centuries, was merited by the mon
arch of Israel.
He was wise above all other lead
ers. He was builder, a consolida-
tor, harmonizer, an inspirer,
statesman, judge, a leader, an
author, a commercial and political
imperialist. who gave little Israel
not only enlarged boundaries. but
also a name among the nations
Before he died, the borders of his
country extended from the Euprates
to the Red Sea Jesus bore wit
ness to Solomon's superlative mag
nificence when He said of the flow
ers of the field that Even Solomon
in all his glory, was not arrayed like
one of these"
Solomon's blood was good and bad.
His father was great and godly
David, who sinned so terribly in the
matter of Bathsheba. Modern
eugenics would trace a connection
between Solomon's sensuality and
the fact that David and Bathsheba
were his parents. He married many
wives and his harem held a thou
sand women
Good Beginnings.
All that was later in Solomon's
life. His beginnings, while attended
by conspiracy and blood-letting that
seems horrible to us Cor does it, in
the light of China, Spain and Ethi-
opiaD were marked by nobility.
Upon him rested King Davids in
junction, which every good father
would like to lay upon his son, II
am going the way of all the earth:
be thou strong therefore, and show
thyself a man. and keep the charge
of Jehovah thy God, to walk in His
ways, to keep His statutes that
thou mayest prosper in all that thou
doeSt."
Conspiracy and revolt accompa-
MED Solomon's accession His BROTH
er Adonijah, with leading men of
the kingdom, plotted to seize the
throne. But Bathsheba and David
and Nathan acted swiftly and con-
structively. They put into effect an
immediate amounting and enthrone-
ment of Solomon, thus by positive
action forestalling the Adonijah
conspiracy.
Our lesson concentrates upon
Solomon's prayer at the great high
feast at Gideon. He had a dream
there, wherein God offered him a
choice of boons. Solomon chose IAN
understanding heart to judge Thy
people" Because he had asked the
wisdom. God gave him also, I'M
asked, riches and honor.
The Great Choice.
Choice is the supreme factor in
all education. Our schools are I'M
dergoing intense and widespread
analysis these days; but the element
which lies beyond the powers of
teachers and curricula rests within
the minds of the students. the
choices they make. Solomon's privi-
lege of election comes to every
body; il is the birthmark of Royal
Sonship. John Oxenham has put
the idea into verse:
loft, as he joys along the winding
way,
Occasion comes for Every Man to
say,
This road?-or 'That?' And as he
chooses then
So shall his journey end in Night
or Day"
Choice. diYinist of all the gifts of