580
September 1924
T H E
K I N G ’ S
B U S I N E S S
L e t y b t/ r L i / i t 3 s fii/ ie - So These Gospels tell the story of The Lord Jesus: how He came from Heaven and suf fered, and died, and rose again that “Whosoever believeth in Him should not perish but have everlasting life.”
court at the brazen altar, and as she watched, she knew that here was the true God; the God who could bring' peace to aching hearts and make them happy and glad. What do you think the Queen of Sheba did? She sat down with King Solomon and told him all that was in her heart, and asked him question after question about the Lord God of Israel. God told King Solomon just how to answer her questions, and perhaps the King told her how God had promised to send a Saviour to save those who believed in Him, from their sin3. When the Queen heard, she felt very humble. She could not be proud' of her wealth and beauty when here was such a wonderful God who cre ated the heaven and the earth, and loved the people and forgave their sins. Turning to King Solomon, the Queen of Sheba said: “ It was a true report I heard in mine own land of thy acts and thy wisdom, but I believed not the words until I came and mine eyes have seen it, and behold, the half was not told me! Happy are thy men and thy ser vants which are with thee always, and blessed be the Lord thy God who was pleased to set thee on His throne to be king for the Lord thy God, because thy God loved His people.” The Queen of Sheba presented her gifts to King Solomon and the King asked her to choose a gift for a remembrance from him. The Queen and her servants traveled back to their own land, but in the Queen’s heart was a remembrance that would never fade, for she had come to know God and His-great love and peace. I think King Solomon must have been happy to tell the story of God, don’t you? Shall we go out and tell some boy or girl the story of the Lord Jesus, and bring them to listen to the beautiful stories God has told us in the Bible. Let us say our memory verse: “Let your light so shine before men, that they may see your good works and glorify your Father who is in Heaven.” What song shall we jsing in closing? Oh, of course, “ I Love to Tell the Story!” Golden Text: “Take heed, brethren, lest there be in any of you an evil heart of unbelief, in departing from the living God” Heb. 3:12. Outline: • (1), Request for and Rejection of Advice, 12:1-16. i (2) Rehoboam’s Rebellion, 12:17-24. (3) Rough Ruling and Religious Sacrilege, 12:25-31. ' (4) Retribution for Sin, 15:26 to 16:28. Introduction: These five chapters cover far too much material tp be handled in one lesson. Any one chapter would be sufficient for an hour of serious meditation. We can only suggest the practical lessons, and give ourselves particularly to chapter 12 and from 15:26 to 16:28. LESSON In chapter 12, verses 17 to 24, we have EXPOSITION Rehoboam’s Rebellion which should be T. C. Horton read and studied in connection with the last division of the outline, Retribution for Sin, 15:26 to 16:28. As far as possible have the scholars read the entire five chapters. At least, every teacher should carefully do so and select the chief lessons from them, many of which will prove valuable as illustrations in future teach ing. Notice, too, that this is the first lesson in the Eighth Period, which deals with the history of the Divided King- SEPTEMBER 28, 1924 LESSON 52 THE DIVISION OF THE KINGDOM 1 Kings, Chapters 12 to 16
Do you know there is an other Gospel? “The Gospel ac cording to YOU.” For you and I who have given our hearts to the Lord Jesus must tell the story to others. The Lord Jesus said: “Let your light so shine before men, that they may see your good works and glorify your Father who is in Heaven,” shall confess me before men.
G lo r i fy ' y o u r '' tu t/ icy
X*Jho /s J fi' /hea.ve.li' f W & l i and “Whosoever, therefore;
him will I confess also, before my Father who is in Heaven.” In the Bible God has told us how King Solomon told the story about God. How a Rich. Queen Heard About God Far away in the desert country of Arabia there lived a Queen who was very rich but very unhappy. She was called the Queen of Sheba, and her kingdom was along the coast where great ships came laden with beautiful ivory, precious jewels, silks, rare spices and perfumes from India’s sunny land. Merchants carried these by camel caravans to the courts of kings over all the land, even to the golden city of Babylon and to far away Jerusalem. Strange were the tales which the merchants brought to Sheba of a great, wise and wealthy King who ruled in the city of Jerusalem. Stor ies of King Solomon who, when but a young man, built a magnificent temple for the Lord God of Israel. And stories of how this wonderful God came and filled Solomon’s temple with a cloud of glory and dwelt there with His people, bringing peace and prosperity. # Kings from all countries journeyed to Jerusalem, taking to wise King Solomon many gifts and returned telling of his great wealth, his wisdom and his God. As the Queen of Sheba heard these thrilling stories her heart was sad, for, with all her fine clothes and jewels and riches, she was not satisfied.. One day she thought that she, too, would visit King Solomon’s court. Her servants were called and great preparations made for the journey. Gifts she would take to the King and his God— gifts such as none of the great kings of the country had taken— much gold and a very store of precious jewels, rare and costly spices and perfumes. When the camels were laden, the servants ready, and the Queen seated in her magnificent camel carriage with its heavily embroidered curtains, the caravan started over the hot sands of Arabia. It was a long, long journey and took many days. No doubt the Queen and her caravan often rested under the shade of date palms in an oasis in the desert. But at last, over the mountains and through the gates of the city of Jerusalem, came the long train of dusty camels bearing the Queen of Sheba and her gifts. King Solomon received the Queen in his wondrous house of Cedars of Lebanon, where she saw his splendid ivory throne with carved lions and golden footstool; the richly robed servants and the handsome young lads who were the King’s Cupbearers, and who served his guests with refresh ing wine. How interested the Queen must have been as she viewed the magnificent temple of God and the long stone porch supported by two huge carved pillars and with steps leading up to the Holy Place and the Most Holy Place where rested the golden Ark of God. She may have seen the white robed priests ministering the sacrifice in the
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