INTERNATIONAL SERIES

Pacific Press Publishing Company · Oakland, California · Nov 18, 1903

FromSigns of the Times, Vol. 29, No. 46.

INTERNATIONAL SERIES

THE SUNDAY SCHOOL

LESSON 9.—NOVEMBER 29.—DAVID'S CHARGE TO SOLOMON.

Lesson Scripture, I Chron. 28:1-10, A. R. V.

(1) “And David assembled all the princes of Israel, the princes of the tribes, and the captains of the companies that served the king by course, and the captains of thousands, and the captains of hundreds, and the rulers over all the substance and possessions of the king and of his sons, with the officers, and the mighty men, even all the mighty men of valor, unto Jerusalem. (2) Then David the king stood up upon his feet, and said, Hear me, my brethren, and my people: as for me, it was in my heart to build a house of rest for the ark of the covenant of Jehovah, and for the footstool of our God; and I had made ready for the building. (3) But God said unto me, Thou shalt not build a house for My name, because thou art a man of war, and hast shed blood. (4) Howbeit Jehovah, the God of Israel, chose me out of all the house of my father to be king over Israel forever: for He hath chosen Judah to be prince; and in the house of Judah, the house of my father; and among the sons of my father He took pleasure in me to make me king over all Israel; (5) and of all my sons (for Jehovah hath given me many sons), He hath chosen Solomon my son to sit upon the throne of the kingdom of Jehovah over Israel. (6) And He said unto me, Solomon thy son, he shall build My house and My courts; for I have chosen him to be My son, and I will be his Father. (7) And I will establish his kingdom forever, if he be constant to do My commandments and Mine ordinances, as at this day. (8) Now therefore, in the sight of all Israel, the assembly of Jehovah, and in the audience of our God, observe and seek out all the commandments of Jehovah your God; that ye may possess this good land, and leave it for an inheritance to your children after you forever. (9) “And thou, Solomon my son, know thou the God of thy father, and serve Him with a perfect heart and with a willing mind; for Jehovah searcheth all hearts, and understandeth all the imaginations of the thoughts. If thou seek Him, He will be found of thee; but if thou forsake Him, He will cast thee off forever. (10) Take heed now; for Jehovah hath chosen thee to build a house for the sanctuary: be strong, and do it.”

Golden Text.—“Trust in the Lord with all thine heart.” Prov. 3:5.

SUGGESTIVE QUESTIONS.

(1) What great assembly did King David call together? Verse 1. (2) What had led to the calling of all these prominent men? Note 1. (3) What unusual position did the king take before the assembly? What did he say was in his heart? What steps had he already taken? Verse 2. Note 2. (4) But what had God said about it? Verse 3. Note 3. (5) What had God chosen David to be? From what tribe and what family had he been chosen? Verse 4; 1 Sam. 16:11-13. (6) Whom had the Lord chosen to succeed David on the throne? Verse 5. (7) For what other duty had Solomon been chosen? What further honor was to be bestowed on him? Verse 6. Note 4. (8) What promise was made concerning Solomon's kingdom? On what condition? Verse 7. Note 5. (9) What witnesses did David invoke as to what he was about to say? Then what admonition did he give to the assembly? Verse 8. (10) What counsel was then given to Solomon? What is said of the Lord's knowledge of men? Then what promise followed? And what warning? Verse 9. (11) What further admonition was given to Solomon? Verse 10.

NOTES.

1. David was now an old man. His wars and other heavy cares and anxieties had left him well worn out before the age of seventy. The question of his successor was no doubt a leading topic. After the death of Absalom, Adonijah was the natural heir to the throne, but, under divine direction, David had selected Solomon, the son of Bathsheba, the former wife of Uriah. Taking advantage of David's increasing infirmity, Adonijah had been displaying royal style, with chariots and a large retinue of servants and other followers. When he thought the time propitious, he invited his adherents, with all the king's sons (excepting Solomon) to a banquet. Amid the festivities, the cry was raised, “Long live King Adonijah!” But Nathan, the prophet, heard of the proceedings, and brought the matter to the attention of the king. Then followed the proceedings recorded in this lesson.

2. Building a house for the Lord was a purpose very dear to the heart of David. He had accomplished about everything else that he deemed in the line of his mission as king. “The footstool of our God.”—The Lord says, “The heaven is My throne, and the earth is My footstool.” Isa. 66:1. The sanctuary was deemed the Lord's earthly dwelling-place. See Ex. 25:8; Lam. 2:1. It was here where His name was, because here was His covenant, the place of His law.

3. An important principle is enunciated in the refusal to allow David to build the house of God. He had been a great shedder of blood, and a house built by him would appear somewhat like a monument to carnal victories, rather than a dwelling-place of the God of peace. David had done a necessary work in destroying the enemies of Israel, but it was a bloody work made necessary by the departure of Israel from right paths. The man of war could not legitimately take a leading part in the peaceable work of the Lord. This house was to be a resting-place for the ark of the covenant, and, many years before, it had been demonstrated that the ark of the Lord could have no connection with carnal warfare. That was settled when the sons of Eli carried it onto the battle-field. David had fulfilled his mission, but it was not a mission that had qualified him for the work on hand. The odor of human blood was on his garments. The “all-around man” principle has its limitations in spiritual as well as temporal matters.

4. Solomon was a man of peace. His name signifies “peaceful.” The work of the Lord signifies “peace on earth, good-will toward men”—not warfare upon men. The resting-place of the covenant, with its mercy-seat, said to all the nations, “Come unto Me, all ye that labor and are heavy laden, and I will give you rest.”

5. “If He Be Constant.”—Solomon did not remain constant, but the kingdom was allowed to remain intact until his son Rehoboam came to the throne, then the results of Solomon's apostasy (which was emphasized by his son) were shown in the loss of ten tribes. Constancy to do His commandments is always a condition of full success in the cause of the Lord. Solomon was spared and Judah was spared because of the Lord's word to David. 2 Sam. 7:5, 13-16; 1 Kings 11:9-13.