August 1927
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K i n g ’ s
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jah, another son of King David, made up his mind that he would be king. Do we ever want to have our ovtm way, like this selfish, wicked son? (Describe how Ad- onijah made a. feast and had the people shout and proclaim him king.) But our story tells us this' did , nôt make the wicked son king. Again the good prophet Nathan hears the news and comes to David,' for he knew that God had chosen Solomon. At once David gave orders to have Solomon made king. He called some of his chief men before him, and told them to put Solomon on his own mule;: and to blow a trumpet before him, going in a procession before him, shouting ' “God save King Solomon.” All this was done, and the people rejoiced with great joy wheft they knew that Solomon' had been made king. After Solomon was made king, .he wor shipped God by praying and making many offerings. In the long ago thèse things all had a meaning. It was a picture of the time when Jesus should come to offer himself to save the people from their sins. King Solomon was just a young-man (about 20), and he felt he could not be the right kind of a king in his own strength. In his prayer'-;; Solomon told God how he remembered God’s goodness to David his father. He told God he felt he was just like a little child, and wanted God to help him.' While he was a grown man, her had the heart of a little child, that was riot proud ; he wanted God to lead him. The Lord wàs pleased with Solomon’s prayer, and told him he would
F red S. Shepard’s Blackboard Outline
not necessarily bestow the priceless1gem o f wisdom upon the ceaseless toiler. It is God Who gives wisdom and understand ing. The educated man according to the standards of the highest institution of learning among men, may have innumer able facts at his command and may be considered by men as “highly educated,” but in God’s sight he may be “less than nothing, and vanity.” "The fe a r o f J e hovah is the beginning o f Wisdom; the know ledge o f the Holy One is under standing" (Prov. 9:10). Education which begins with the fear of Jehovah and is permeated ' by reverence for the Holy One of Israel, is a most wonderful .asset to any one, but an education without the fear of Jehovah is a most dangerous and deadly poison., “Open Thou mine eyes that I may behold the wondrous things contained in Thy word.” Though there are many great teachers in the world from whom the^istudent receives great blessing, let every child of God keep in mind that Christ is The Great Teacher Who, though invisible to mortal- eyes, is everpresent to teach the real, true lessons of life. Frequently God gives far more than one asks for:. It was. that way with Solomon. He asked for wisdom and re ceived both wisdom and riches. "Now unto H im Who ,is able, to do exceeding abundantly above all we ask or think, according to the power that worketh in us, Unto H im be the' glory in the church by Christ Jesu s unto all generations fo r ever and ever.” ■ Upon waking from his dream, Solomon showed his appreciation by offering sac rifices to God and making a feast for all o f his servants. God blesses His people that they might become a blessing to others.
give him whatever he asked. Now, what would you ask for this very minute, if you knew you could have it? What do you suppose King Solomon asked? He asked for an understanding heart, that he' might lead the many people rightly. It was .a great task and Solomon wanted God’s help in leading the people in the right way. He had not asked for long life or riches, but Hod was sb pleased at his wise choice, that he :also promised him riches and honor. You see Solomon did not-ask for himself. Now, we all have choices to make, and did you know, boys and girls, the choices we are making now will help or harm our Jives in the future. Is the Lord pleased with the choice you have made ? Have you ever thought what you want to be when you grow up? Let us remember that no choice of life work will have a happy result unless the choice of Christ comes first. Because Solomon depended upon God, he received riches, wisdom, honor, and long life. We all need wis dom. Let us ask thé Lord for it. Prayer. Remember that David had already or ganized the priesthood and Levites, 38,000 of the tribe having been assigned to their particular work. Common duties fell to 24,000 ; 6,000 were to be officers ; 4,000 were to be guards and porters, and 4,000 made up a great choir and orchestra; We are told that 120 of the latter were trum peters, while others had cymbals, harps and psalteries. Picture the scene—around the great brazen altar in the vast court before the Temple doors, the sacrifice«, surrounded by this magnificent choir arrayed in white linen ! Solomon himself took his place on a raised platform, and there, crowded in the spacious court beyond, were the thou sands upon thousands of the Israelites. Where could we look today for a reli gious event-of such profound interest? It was fitting that the ceremonies should begin with thè burnt offerings, typical of Him Who on Calvary’s Cross should later offer Himself in perfect de votion to the Father’s will. Then there was the bringing in of the ark of the cov enant, which was the formal recognition of God in His new and appropriate dwelling place. As the ark, borne by Levites, advanced through the open portals of the Temple, it may be that the 24th Psalm was sung by the choir. We may well imagine, also, the joining of all those voices and iristru- ate
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S eptember 11, 1927 Solomon Dedicates the Temple Lesson Text—1 Kings 8
Solomon’s Wise Choice 1 Kings 3 :4-15
Memory V erse: “Thou art my God,; earnestly will I seek thee.” Psa. 63:1. A pproach: Show the children a ruby or other precious stone. Explain to them that all the costly and beautiful things in this world, with all the knowledge and
J T was eleven months after the comple tion of the magnificent Temple, reared under the oversight of King Solomon, that the great formal dedication of which
we read in today’s chapter took place. During that t i me , much thought h ad been put into the matter of making this one of the most in tensely , 'solemn and instructive occasions
honor that t h e y may give, cannot make one r e a l l y happy or safe. To trust in the Lord is real wisdom, for He alone can give us wisdom, keep us from wrong in this life, and take us to heaven. Our own
the nation had ever had. Seven days were occupied by the dedi cation festival late in October, leading up to the great feast of tabernacles (2 Chron. 7:8-10). There must have been an immense multitude present as the re sult of the King’s widespread invitations. The offering of sacrifices preceded and closed the transaction. , The chapter divides into three sections: Act IgrThe solemn removal of the ark and other furniture of the old sanctuary into the new Temple (vs. 1-21). Act II.— Solomon’s introductory address and noble prayer (vs. 22-61), Act III.—The offer ing of the sacrifice (vs; 62-66). Who can read the detailed accounts here and in Chronicles arid not feel that this was a service in the highest degree impressive and sublime? Every word seems perfectly adapted to the grand oc casion.
hearts are evil and would lead us away from God, but we should seek Him and His way, and strive to know and to do His will. It is better to get wisdom than to get gold; for wisdom is better than rubies. The beginning of wisdom is to fear the Lord, and the fear of the Lord is to hate evil. Primary Teacher. Lesson S tory : Our stories have been about King David, and his trust in God. When he did wrong, he confessed his sin to God and was truly sorry. He had many sons, and one of them would be come king later on, and the Lord had told David which one that should be. David was ready to obey God, and he was glad to make his plans to have Solomon take his place when the time came. But Adoni-
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