Jasper County Democrat, Volume 18, Number 28, Rensselaer, Jasper County, 10 July 1915 — SOLOMON, THE WISE, KING OF ISRAEL [ARTICLE+ILLUSTRATION]

SOLOMON, THE WISE, KING OF ISRAEL

1 Kings Ito 2:12.—Jul g 11. King David Aged—A Fresh Revolt. Solomon Called to the Throne—His Anointing as the Lord’s Choice —Approval of the Multitude —Meaning of His Name —His Natural Advantages and Preparation For His Honors. “Know thou the God of thy father, and serve Him with a perfect heart and with a willing mind.”—! Chronicles 25.-9. KING DAVID was seventy years old; Absalom, his eldest son, had died in rebellion not long before the present lesson; opens. David’s next eldest son was Adonijah, who is supposed to have been between thirty and forty years of age at tills time. Joab, for a long time the head of David’s army, must have been well advanced in years and probably was on the retired lisC not merely on account of his age, but because he had deeply wouhded King David's feelings in disregarding his instructions that Absalom’s life should not be taken. Prince Adonijah thought the time ripe to proclaim himself king, especially as he had the friendship of Joab and of a prominent priest. He made a feast, to which apparent!}’ all of King David's sons were invited except Solomon, who was known to be a favorite with his father. The feast was held not far from Jerusalem. The arrangement was made that in the midst of the feast one of the company should salute Adonijah as king. The other guests wei’e expected to echo the sentiment; and thus the movement would seemingly be a popular one, and not a rebellion. Thus far it carried out much as planned. However, in God’s providence the matter was brought to King David’s

notice. He promptly arranged with the new general, Benaiah, with Nathan |the prophet and with Zadok the priest to have Solomon immediately placed upon the king’s white mule, as a sign that he was approved by the king as his suc-

cessor. Then Solomon wa.s anointed in the name of the Lord. Forthwith the military salute was given, and all the people shouted, “Long live King Solomon!’’ Next in turn, by King David’s direction, Solomon was brought to the throne and publicly crowned. Adonijah and those with him were astounded when they heard the clamor of the people, the blowing of horns, etc., and later learned that Solomon had been crowned and enthroned. Fearing for his life, Adonijah tied; and his adherents melted away. Later, however, King Solomon sent Word to Adonijah. assuring him of peace. Thus beautifully Kiijg David’s public career ended, not in an eclipse, but at his zenith, in his full maturity of old age and in his perpetuation upon the throne in his chosen son.

Solomon, Son of Peace. Solomon’s name has come to signify wisdom, but originally it meant peaceful. It surely was a prophecy of his wonderful life, during which there was no war. He was the son of Bathsheba, after she had legally become King David's wife. Somehow, not explained, the Lord had revealed to the king that Solomon was to be bls successor; and King David had promised Bathsheba to this effect. Solomon was born at a period when King David’s activities as a warrior had very nearly closed, and tvhen the double sin of the king’s life and his re-

pentance had wonderfully moderated and chastened him. His loyalty to God in this serious matter. his earnest prayer for forgiveness and his realization of peace from God had apparently made a new man of David. Even though he had always been loyal to God, he

now seemed still more devoted. The peace which he craved, and which was a mark of Divine forgiveness, may have had something to do with the gentle, thoughtful character of Solomon, whose name may have been given him as signifying that his birth marked peace with God on the part of his parents. In King Solomon we perceive a different character from that manifested by any of his brethren whose histories are recorded. He partook of his father David’s religious disposition more than did the others. He was thus highly favored, while probably more gifted. Surely it is time for us to estimate to what extent we are handicapped or blessed by dispositions and charactertraits inherited from our parents! Another thing favorable to King Solomon would appear to have been the fact that his mother was an Israelite, and therefore more in sympathy with the Divine arrangement than were others of King David’s wives. Additionally, the record seems to show that King David, perhaps realizing that he had not done his full duty by his other children in allowing them to grow up under the adverse influence of the court, had appointed Solomon as the ward and pupil of the Prophet Nathan. This excellent start in life doubtless had, much to dowithSolomou’s.career, which we shall examine in our next Study.

Bathsheba in King David's Presence.

Solomon Anointed King.