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The Bible Year

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Review and Herald Publishing Association · Takoma Park Station, Washington, D. C. · May 25, 1916

FromReview and Herald, Vol. 93, No. 26.

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The Bible Year

Assignment for May 28 to June 8

“I advise you, my son, in whatever you read, and most of all in reading the Bible, to remember that it is for the purpose of making you wiser and more virtuous. I have myself, for many years, made it a practice to read through the Bible once every year. I have always endeavored to read it with the same spirit and temper of mind, which I now recommend to you; that is, with the intention and desire that it may contribute to my advancement in wisdom and virtue.”— John Quincy Adams.

The Book of Ecclesiastes

“Ecclesiastes signifies Preacher. It was written by Solomon, most probably at the close of his life and reign, after having been drawn aside by his idolatrous wives, and as expressive of his sincere repentance and return to God. The main object is to show the utter insufficiency of have earthly objects of desire and pursuit to confer real happiness. The inscrutableness of many of the arrangements of divine providence in this life, together with the universality of divine control in the affairs of men, is also set forth; also the numerous and bitter disappointments often experienced in the failure of human purposes and plans. The need of the gospel, rather than the gospel itself, is proclaimed in this book. Note especially the beautiful description of the infirmities of old age in the last chapter.”— Anderson.
“This is a book of experiences, the experiences of a man who had tried the ways of the world to find out what pleasure there was in them, and ascertained to his sorrow that, from a worldly point of view, ‘all is vanity and vexation of spirit.’ This is a potential book. There can be no doubt but that Solomon sincerely repented of his folly. After testing all the gratifications there were in worldly grandeur and riches, and sensual pleasure and mirth, he turns away with utter disappointment; for the world is full of sorrow, not only in the life experience of the poor, but of the rich and pleasure-loving also.”— Starr.

Chapters 12 to 22

of the first book of Kings “relate to the history of the two separate kingdoms of Judah and Israel for about eighty years, from the revolt of the ten tribes to the death of Jehoshaphat. It comprises therefore the histories of the reigns of several kings both of Judah and Israel. Note especially the robbery of the treasures of the temple and royal palace as the punishment for idolatry, also the extraordinary ministry of the prophet Elijah.”