For the Children K ing D avid and J onathan ’ s S on 2 S amuel 9:3-7,13 M emory V erse : “Be ye kind one to another” (Eph. 4:32). Note: Use the adult material for April 20 as a background for this lesson. David, the shepherd boy, was chosen by God to be king over Israel. He did not become king at once, for God wanted to train him to be a godly and faithful man before he commenced to rule the Jewish peo ple. At last, David the shepherd, was ready to become David the king. All of the tribes of Israel came to see David rejoicing that he was to become their ruler. One day, David remembered his friend, Jonathan, and said, “Is there yet any that is left of the house of Saul, that I may shew him kindness for Jonathan’s sake?” (9:1). Through one of Saul’s old servants, David learned that Jonathan had a lame son who was still alive. Quickly David found out where this boy lived and had him brought to the palace. When Mephibosheth, Jonathan’s son, came before David, he was afraid that he might be killed because his grand father, Saul, had been so cruel to David. How thrilled his heart must have been when he heard the words of the king: “Fear not: for I will surely shew thee kindness for Jona than thy father’s sake, and will re store thee all the land of Saul thy father; and thou shalt eat bread at my table continually” ! God had made a wise choice in the new king of Israel. Not only was David handsome; he was a man whose heart was right in the sight of God. His kindness and love, even for his enemies, made him one of the greatest of all kings. David could have felt so proud at being made a great king that he would not have taken time to be kind to the sick or to help those who were in trouble. Instead, he remembered his love for Jonathan, and tried to keep it alive by showing love for Jonathan’s son. The Lord Jesus Christ, the King of kings, is eagerly seeking those who need His salvation, His love, and His care. Has He found you and become your King? If so, will you, like the faithful servant, bring others to Him, that they, too, may know his love? DON’T FORGET Our Free Subscription Fund for missionaries and servicemen still overseas. For two dollars you can give a lot of happiness to some one far away from home.
APRIL 27, 1947 NATIONAL GLORY AND DECAY I K ings 3:5-9; 5:13-16; 11:4-9
Outline and Exposition S olomon ’ s O pportunity (3:5-9)
and subsequent captivity. “From glory to decay” is the history of any nation that starts with God and then gives place to other gods. Points and Problems “ In Gibeon the Lord appeared to Solomon in a dream” (1 Ki. 3:5). Does God still reveal Himself to men in dreams? In the days before God’s written revelation was complete, it is clear that He ofttimes spoke through this medium. In the Old Testament era, when His written revelation was in the process of coming into being, there were occasional instances of His thus revealing Himself (Gen. 20:6; 37:5-10; Dan. 2:3-45). When we come to New Testament days, we discover, as God’s written revelation neared completion, that less place is given to dreams, only six references to them being given in the record. Today, with the completed canon of Scripture, the need for dreams as a divine means of communication has ceased. Man may find all the revela tion he needs in the Bible. This is not to say that God may not at times permit dreams to serve as warnings to shape the thoughts and careers of men. But they must always be in harmony with God’s Word. It is said that a dream of A. J. Gordon’s com pletely transformed his religious life. No one should depend upon dreams; God’s Word will furnish all the un derstanding of His will that is nec essary. “ Ask what I shall give thee” (1 Ki. 3:5). God still offers this promise to His children—His blank check for bounties from His treasury. The rea son so many Christians have so little is that they do not ask from God. “Ye have not, because ye ask not” (Jas. 4:2). Learning how to ask is a cardinal need in the church. “ When Solomon was old . . . his wives turned away his heart after other gods” (1 Ki. ll:b ). This is one of the most tragic statements in the Old Testament. It shows clearly what can happen to a man, no matter how wonderful his past, if he permits the elements of the world to seep into his life. The only safe place for any one is close to the cross of Christ.
Since the tabernacle was located at Gibeon, Solomon went there to of fer his sacrifices (2 Chron. 1:1-5). At that place God spoke to him: “Ask what I shall give thee.” What an opportunity and what a test of character! Solomon confessed that God had made him king, and ac knowledged that he was not suffi cient for such an office. Then he asked for that which would enable him to administer his office proper ly: an “understanding heart.” Look ing back, he reasoned from history; looking within, he reasoned from self-knowledge; and looking about him, he reasoned from his responsi bility; he knew what he needed. Then, looking up, he reasoned from God’s side, and boldly besought Him for the essential gift. S olomon ’ s G reatness (5:13-16) His influence was so great that Hiram, king of Tyre, was willing to provide the material Solomon re quested for building the temple. His wisdom was adequate for the em ployment of nearly 200,000 workmen. Everyone was assigned to the task for which he was fitted. S olomon ’ s F ailure (11:4-9) In spite of his God-given wisdom, Solomon took many wives from the surrounding nations and these “turned away his heart after other gods.’’ Idolatry was permitted in his kingdom; he himself actually en gaged in it, instead of “fully” fol lowing his God (vs. 5, 6). Finally, the influence of the heathen wives became so strong that the land was filled with all manner of idolatrous abominations (vs. 7, 8). God marked the failure, and “the Lord was angry with Solomon” (v. 9). Solomon represented Israel, and instead of leading them to greater glory by using the heart of under standing God had given him,- he sowed among them the seeds of de struction which led to their decline
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