August 1927
520
T h e
K i n g ’ s
B u s i n e s s
belongs to God, and that it is not for in dividuals to requite -others for their mis deeds. He understood, evidently, that God would overrule all things and would deliver him on all occasions. After hav ing reigned in Hebron for seven years and six months, David, through the help of Abner, who had been insulted by Ish- bosheth, his master,, was crowned king over the entire^ijation. Being settled in his new capital, Jerusalem, he went to have the ark, the visible symbol of God’s presence, brought to Jerusalem regardless; of the Mosaic ritual as to how the ark was to be transported, and attempted to have it brought upon a ;new cart drawn by cows; One of the cows, stumbled, and it looked as though the ark would fall, and Uzzah put forth his hand to support it, whereupon God smote him with death. Temporarily the ark was placed in:The house of Obed-edom. Three months later David made his second attempt to bring the ark, , at which time he did it Scripturally and brought it with. rejoic ing into the city. It is for God to speak, and man-'to obey. Man cannot please God in following his own plans and de sires, but must surrender his will com pletely to God apd be willing to do what the Lord says. With that in. mind God warned Moses that he make the ark ac cording to pattern. Having rest from his numerous; wars and being comfortably lpcated in his cap ital, David .saw the incongruity of his; living in such luxury, whereas the ark was housed in a tent. Immediately he was seized with the impulse to build a temple to God’s glory, and divulged his plan to Nathan, who encouraged him to carry out his plan. That night, however, God told Nathan that David should not build it, for he had been a man of bipod. In order to be used of God, one must live a clean life: This life, however, cannot be lived in the strength of the flesh, but only by the power and aid .of God. As David grew older he ceased to be so very active,in the ministration of the af fairs of the kingdom, hence,- when the war with the children ,of Ammon broke out, David remained at Home. “Idleness is the Devil’s workshop.” Satan is seek ing to find the children of God with noth ing to do, then he will immediately have them entrapped before they are aware of it. Thus it was with David. He fell into sin by taking Bathsheba, the wife of Ur iah. One sin called for another in order to hide the wrong-doing from man. Though sin may be hidden from mortal eyes, all things'are open before Him with Whom we have to do, and to Whom all have to come and account for the deeds done in the flesh. Nathan, the prophet, came boldly in the power of the Spirit of God and convicted David of sin. Having spoken a parable, which aroused David’s righteous indignation, Nathan pointedly said, “Thou art the man." Upon David’s death Solomon ascended the throne. He humbled himself before God and God exalted him. Having imme diately attended to the malcontents in his land, he realized the great responsibility of the kingdom, hence, he went to God in prayer and asked for wisdom that he might know how to conduct himself. God is the one Who gives wisdom; the wisdom of the world, brings destruction. Take everything to God in earnest, sincere prayer. Being, established in his kingdom, Sol omon, in the fourth year of his reign, be
that he would remember them before the throne of Grace. It is a wonderful thing to have such a man of faith, love, and purity interceding for another. When Saul failed to obey the Lord’s plan and specific directions in- regard to the extermination df the Amalekites. Samuel announced to him that God had rejected him from being king, pointing out the great principle that “ To obey is better than sacrifice, and to hearken than the fa t o f ram s” This same principle ob tains today. Let no one assume that, since he is free from the law and is un der grace, he can d i s r e g a r d any thing which God says for him to do, and go unpunished. Every son whom the Lord receives'He chastens.:; Saul being rejected, Samuel selected the youngest son of Jesse to be his successor, who was a man after God’s own heart. In order for one to be used of God he must be eager to do thè will of God. For such ones, God is on the lookout, humanly speaking. For the eyes of the Lord run to and fro throughout the earth, to show Himself strong in behalf of him whose heart is perfect toward Him. Since God looks not upon the outward appearance, but upon the heart, he passed by all of the sons of Jesse and selected David, who had a heart to do the will of God. Though anointed to be king, David re turned to his daily work of caring for his father’s sheep,' waiting for the time when God would call him out into active service. God’s time will surely come, he who believeth shall not be in haste. They who wait upon the Lord shall mount up as on eagles’ wings ; God will never dis appoint them. When the Philistines in vaded Israel’s territory, and from a hu man standpojnt there was no “inope for victory, David, who had learned to rely upon God, being* sent by his father to carry provisions to his- brothers in the army,v’Saw the situation and offered to fight Goliath, the giant'of Gath. Having been accepted,' he attempted to put on Saul’s armor,- but having found it a hindrance instead of a help, laid' it aside by faith, and with a sling and five little pebbles from the brook, went forth and performed a superhuman task. God was with him and granted victory, “W h o art thou, O great mountain-? b efore Zer.ubr babel, thou shalt become a plain.” Man can accomplish nothing by his own strength and power, hence, be strong, brethren, in the Lord, and in the strength of His might. Though Saul did all within his power to slay David, Jonathan, Saul’s son, saw the unreasonableness of his father’s en mity toward David. Having been won by the straightforward, manly character and lovable disposition of David, who had lived such a clean, pure life, he en tered into friendship with him, sealing it by a covenant in the presence of the Lord. Each of these men had confidence in the other, and, regardless of evil re ports, the cords of love were never broken, not even strained. This friend ship was the true kind. Love is that which never fails. Lord, grant to us real, genuine love that we may prove true friends to everyone. , Notwithstanding the ill treatment which Saul gave David, the latter never resented it, and refused to take advantage of different opportunities to reap ven geance upon him who had so very unjustly treated him. Evidently David had learned the principle that vengeance
gan the erection of his temple, which was the most glorious building ever erected upon the earth. It was but fitting and proper that this building should be built on such a magnificent scale, since it is in God that we live and move and have our continual being. God does not, however, dwell in houses made with hands, but abides in the heart of the obedient faith ful one. - Upon Solomon’s death Rehoboam as cended the throne, and disregarding the advice of the .older experienced counsel lors of his-^father, he listened to the youths and refused the just demands of the oppressed people.;-This refusal occa sioned the secession of the ten northern tribes and hindered the progress df the nation. That progress, however, doubt less would have been an impediment in stead o f an aid to the kingdom of God, because at this time Egypt was weak, and Assyria was inactive, being engaged with internal affairs. Hence, the time was op portune for the little kingdom of Israel to develop.into a mighty empire. Had such been the' case, the course of history would have doubtless been entirely different. But God, Who sees the end from the be ginning, overruled, and .kept the chosen nation in subjection, and downtrodden. It will be only in its hour of distress, which seems just before us, that Israel will see her fatal mistake of rejecting Jesus as Messiah, and be willing to say, "B lessed is H e who cometh in the name o f the. Lord.” When Israel comes to this attitude, then the Messiah will return and lift the curse, reigning for one thousand years. . Learning from the Kings and the P rophets Memory V erse: “Great is'the Lord.” Psa. 48:1. A pp roach : A father wished to teach his little son that God plans things. He laid out the son’s name in the garden and planted it to flowers. When they were the quarter. 1. God has plans for men and nations alike. 2. A clean record of long, valuable ser vice is' a crowning glory. 3. The church that desires true leaders must secure them through divine direc tion. 4. Personal courage and great faith in God are the foundation of great deeds. 5. Love is the strongest hutjian tie. 6. Extending unmerited kindness is a most powerful factor in influencing others, 7. The worship of God should be cen tral in national life. 8. When we propose great things for God, He proposes greater things for us; 9. Repentance will bring God’s mercy within reach of the most wicked. grown the son came in greatly excited to tell about it. Then the father explain ed how it c a m e about, and also how God works. R ¿view Below is a1li§t of practical; t r u t h s from 12 lessons of
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