M. E. CADY by M. E. Cady

Review and Herald Publishing Association · Tacoma Park Station, Washington, D. C. · May 27, 1915

M. E. CADY

By M. E. Cady

The Schools of the Prophets — No. 10

M. E. CADY

In looking over the names of the students enrolled in the schools of the prophets, we find among them Gad, Nathan, Iddo, David, Solomon, Elisha, and others whose history we should find very interesting and profitable to consider; but we shall limit our consideration to David and Solomon, two of the most gifted students that enrolled in those ancient schools.

David

Like Joseph, David was early trained in the shepherd school. While learning how to contend with the enemies of his flock, he also learned lessons that were invaluable to him later in guarding the sheep of the heavenly fold. He comes from the field where he had slain the lion and the bear, and, with a stone and a sling, slays Goliath, the enemy of Israel, on the field of battle. Observe the close bond of union between David's physical and spiritual powers, which is so unconsciously expressed when he affirms that the God who delivered him from his animal foes will give him victory over his human foe: “The Lord that delivered me out of the paw of the lion, and out of the paw of the bear, he will deliver me out of the hand of this Philistine.” 1 Sam. 17:37. In God's hand he was a mighty warrior, and was used by him to subdue all of Israel's enemies.

In the time of peace David carried forward great building enterprises, building largely the city called by his own name; he also built a large house of cedars for himself. 2 Sam. 5:9-12. He desired greatly to build a house for God; but, being a man of war, he was permitted only to gather the materials. 2 Sam. 7:2; 1 Kings 8:17; 1 Chron. 22:1-12. But David was a man of words as well as deeds. He was a master of words as well as a master of deeds. No student of the schools of the prophets ever wrote more beautiful words, more mighty, more spiritual, than David, as they appear in his psalms. Thus we see that his intellectual power was not a whit behind his physical and spiritual powers. When God found him in the sheepcote, he said, “I have found David the son of Jesse, a man after mine own heart, which shall fulfill all my will.”

David in his home education had received such a thorough, symmetrical training that he was very highly regarded in the royal court of Saul. “David behaved himself wisely in all his ways; and the Lord was with him.” “David behaved himself more wisely than all the servants of Saul; so that his name was precious.” 1 Sam. 18:14, 30, margin. The secret of his influence and knowledge is revealed in his own words: “I will behave myself wisely in a perfect way. . . . I will set no wicked thing before mine eyes: I hate the work of them that turn aside; it shall not cleave to me. A froward heart shall depart from me: I will not know a wicked person.” Ps. 101:2-4. Surely David was educated according to the divine standard, and the results of such a training are seen in his life work.

Solomon

David's son Solomon was undoubtedly given every opportunity to receive an education after the divine plan. He early showed his ability to carry forward successfully great industrial enterprises requiring physical skill. This was manifest in the seven years of construction work upon the temple. All nations were represented at the dedication, and saw the grandest structure that had ever been reared by human hands. The rulers of the surrounding nations returned to their kingdoms greatly impressed with its magnificence and grandeur, and endeavored in the building of their temples to copy Solomon's work. 1 Kings 6:38.

Solomon spent thirteen years in building his own house, and he also built many cities. 1 Kings 7:1; 2 Chron. 8:1-6. Of his industrial activities, calling into action his physical powers and those of his subjects, he says: “I made me great works; I builded me houses; I planted me vineyards: I made me gardens and orchards, and I planted trees in them of all kinds of fruits: I made me pools of water, to water therewith the wood that bringeth forth trees.” Eccl. 2:4-6. This industrial spirit, Solomon imbibed from the schools of the prophets, and later in life reproved the sluggard for his indolence and lack of thrift. Prov. 24:30-34; Eccl. 10:18; Prov. 6:6-11; 20:4.

His intellectual powers were equally developed with his physical powers, if not more fully. We find him a master in science, literature, and music, and his fame so spread abroad that the rulers of the surrounding nations came to inquire regarding the report they had heard, and went away convinced of its truthfulness. One of the rulers, after an interview with Solomon, said, “Behold the half was not told me: thy wisdom and prosperity exceedeth the fame which I heard.” 1 Kings 10:7.

Early in life Solomon recognized his dependence upon God, and in a dream of the night acknowledged his nothingness without divine aid, and, when given his choice of all gifts, chose the supreme gift—wisdom. For he said, “Wisdom is the principal thing.” As long as he acknowledged God as supreme, and preserved the proper equilibrium of his physical, mental, and spiritual powers, there was none recognized greater than he. But the cup most difficult to carry is the cup that is full to the brim. Becoming proud of his attainments physically and intellectually, he neglected the culture of his spiritual powers,—the balance wheel of character,—and allying himself with the surrounding nations, he soon fell from the high eminence to which God had exalted him, and, taking with him a whole nation of loyal and devoted subjects, they sank together into the mires of heathenism, from which Elijah, Elisha, and other prophets of God were never able wholly to extricate them.