David, Solomon, and the Kings of Judah
Our lesson begins with David's preparation for the building of the house of God, his charge to Solomon his son, Solomon's plans in the building of that house, and the wonderful blessing of God upon it. The Lord does not hide from us the awful mistakes made by the wisest king of Israel. Our lesson carries us through the reign of the wretched Rehoboam, who lost the Ten Tribes by his foolish stubbornness, and much of his riches also to the king of Egypt. He was followed by Abijah; then Asa, who was truly a reformer. Then came the good king Jehoshaphat, who nevertheless made the awful mistake of making alliance with wicked Israel. But unlike his father, he received reproof, and manifested marked faithfulness in his last days, in his earnest endeavor to restore completely the worship of God. His connection with the house of Israel lived after him, as shown in his progeny and successors.