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236 THE CONVENTION TEACHER Lesson IV. October 24, 1948 HISTORY IN THE OLD TESTAMENT SENIOR TOPIC: HISTORY IN THE OLD TESTAMENT I Kings 4:21-29; 11:6, 9-11. [[line]] AUTHORIZED VERSION [[column 1]] 21 And Solomon reigned over all kingdoms from the river unto the land of the Philistines and unto the border of Egypt: they brought presents, and served Solomon all the days of his life. 22 And Solomon's provision for one day was thirty measures of fine flour, and threescore measures of meal. 23 Ten fat oxen, and twenty oxen out of the pastures, and a hundred sheep, besides harts, and roebucks, and fallow deer, and fatted fowl. 24 For he had dominion over all the region on this side the river, from Tiphsah even to Azzah, over all the kings on this side the river: and he had peace on all sides round about him. 25 And Judah and Israel dwelt safely, every man under his vine and under his fig tree, from Dan even to Beer-sheba, all the days of Solomon. 26 And Solomon had forty thousand stalls of horses for his chariots, and twelve thousand horsemen. 27 And those officers provided victuals for king Solomon, and for all that came unto [[/column 1]] [[column 2]] king Solomon's table, every man in his month: they lacked nothing. 28 Barley also and straw for the horses and dromedaries brought they unto the place where the officers were, every man according to his charge. 29 And God gave Solomon wisdom and understanding exceeding much, and largeness of heart, even as the sand that is on the seashore. 6 And Solomon did evil in the sight of the Lord, and went not fully after the Lord, as did David his father. 9 And the Lord was angry with Solomon, because his heart was turned from the Lord God of Israel, which had appeared unto him twice, 10 And had commanded him concerning this thing, that he should not go after other gods: but he kept not that which the Lord commanded. 11 Wherefore the Lord said unto Solomon, Forasmuch as this is done of thee, and thou hast not kept my covenant and my statutes, which I have commanded thee, I will surely rend the kingdom from thee, and will give it to thy servant. [[/column 2]] [[line]] REVISED VERSION [[column 1]] 21 And Solomon ruled over all the kingdoms from the River unto the land of the Philistines, and unto the border of Egypt: they brought tribute, and served Solomon all the days of his life. 22 And Solomon's provision for one day was thirty measures of fine flour, and threescore measures of meal, 23 ten fat oxen, and twenty oxen out of the pastures, and a hundred sheep, besides harts, and gazelles, and roebucks, and fatted fowl. 24 For he had dominion over all the region on this side the River, from Tiphsah even to Gaza, over all the kings on this side the River: and he had peace on all sides round about him. 25 And Judah and Israel dwelt safely, every man under his vine and under his fig-tree, from Dan even to Beer-sheba, all the days of Solomon. 26 And Solomon had forty thousand stalls of horses for his chariots, and twelve thousand horsemen. 27 And those officers provided victuals for king Solomon, and for all that came unto king Solomon's table, every man in his month; they let nothing be lack- [[/column 1]] [[column 2]] ing. 28 Barley also and straw for the horses and swift steeds brought they unto the place where the officers were, every man according to his charge. 29 And God gave Solomon wisdom and understanding exceeding much, and largeness of heart, even as the sand that is on the seashore. 6 And Solomon did that which was evil in the sight of Jehovah, and went not fully after Jehovah, as did David his father. 9 And Jehovah was angry with Solomon, because his heart was turned away from Jehovah, the God of Israel, who had appeared unto him twice, 10 and had commanded him concerning this thing, that he should not go after other gods: but he kept not that which Jehovah commanded. 11 Wherefore Jehovah said unto Solomon, Forasmuch as this is done of thee, and thou hast not kept my covenant and my statutes, which I have commanded thee, I will surely rend the kingdom from thee, and will give it to thy servant. [[/column 2]] [[line]] MOTTO TEXT -- Blessed is the nation whose God is the Lord. Psalms 33:12. [[line]] [[column 1]] LESSON SETTING Time: B.C. 1014. Place: Jerusalem. LESSON OUTLINE I. Solomon's Magnificent Kingdom. (VV. 21-29.) II. Solomon's Sin Exposed. (V. 6.) III. Divine Anger Against Solomon. (VV. 9-11.) [[/column 1]] [[column 2]] DAILY HOME READING October 18-October 24 M. Solomon's Great Reign. I Kings 4:29-34. T. A Nation Builds A Temple. I Kings 6:1-10. W. Security for the Nation. I Kings 9:1-9. T. International Good Will. I Kings 10:1-10. F. God's Judgment for a Nation's Sins. Isaiah 1:1-9. S. God's Call to National Repentance. Isaiah 1:18-20. S. "Blessed Is the Nation Whose God Is the Lord." Psalms 33:12-22. [[/column 2]] INTRODUCTION [[column 1]] "The two books of Kings originally constituted one continuous work. The division into two parts was made in 1518. [[/column 1]] [[column 2]] They are essentially historical in their character, though the history throughout has an evident moral drift. The work [[/column 2]] [[end page]] [[start page]] THE CONVENTION TEACHER 237 [[column 1]] was composed probably by Jeremiah during the second half of the Captivity. The object of the writer appears to be to place before the exiled and sorrowing Jews a faithful picture of their history from the period when the kingdom reached its highest pitch of national glory under Solomon, to its declension and fall. The Jews are regarded not as an ordinary nation, but as the people of God with whom He has entered into covenant. The historian refers to civil events only so far as they illustrate the moral condition of the nation, and the divine dealings with it. He traces the various steps in the moral probation in its true light. In the full career of Solomon's prosperity and magnificence, the author sees and notes the fatal taint of evil, the inclina- [[/column 1]] [[column 2]] tion toward idolatry, which is to gather strength and increase, and finally to bring about the complete rejection of both Israel and Judah. The sun of Solomon sets amid clouds, and henceforth the narrative is marked by a pervading spirit of deep melancholy which is not wholly cast off even when the most pious monarchs are its subject, and the most glorious deliverance spoken about" The author of these Books of Kings, true to the religious intention of the history, gives but a scanty description of the external magnificence of the Israelitish kingdom in those days. But the list of names, and brief references contained in this chapter, present glimpses of the glory and affluence of that period. [[/column 2]] EXPOSITION [[column 1]] I. SOLOMON'S MAGNIFICENT KINGDOM. (VV. 21-29.) (21) And Solomon reigned over all the kingdoms from the river unto the land of the Philistines, and unto the border of Egypt: they brought presents, and served Solomon all the days of his life. Solomon was the only Hebrew monarch who ever governed for his whole lifetime so vast a territory. David for seven years ruled but a single tribe; and at the beginning of the reign of Solomon's successor the kingdom was rent asunder by the revolt of ten tribes. The subject kingdoms, doubtless, preserved their separate organization and nationality, as when independent, but were ever ready both to contribute to the annual revenues of Solomon, and also to furnish, when occasion offered, their quota of men for any public service. from the river unto the land of the Philistines--This refers to the Euphrates river. All the petty kingdoms from this river to the Mediterranean acknowledged the Hebrew monarchy. (22) And Solomon's provision for one day was thirty measures of fine flour, and threescore measures of meal, Solomon's provisions supplied the king's table, the court, principal officers, foreign visitors and royal guests. The quantity of fine flour used is estimated at two hundred and forty (240) bushels; that of meal, or common flour, at four hundred and eighty (480). The daily supply for Solomon's provision was able to serve at two pounds of bread each besides meat no less than twenty-nine thousand, one hundred and sixty (29,160) men. (23) Ten fat oxen, and twenty oxen out of the pastures, and a hundred sheep, [[/column 1]] [[column 2]] besides harts, and roebucks, and fallow deer, and fatted fowl. This is the number of cattle required for consumption besides poultry and several kinds of game, which were obtained in abundance on the mountains and which did not exceed in proportion what was needed. (24) For he had dominion over all the region on this side the river, from Tiphsah even to Azzah, over all the kings on this side of the river: and he had peace on all sides round about him. Solomon's dominion extended over all the regions that started from Tiphsah, a large town on the west bank of the Euphrates. Even to Azzah, that is, Gaza, on the extreme southwest, about ten miles from the Mediterranean. peace on all sides--Herein he became a lively type of Christ, the Prince of Peace, who as He was brought from heaven with a song of peace, so He returned up again with a farewell of peace; thus leaving to the world the doctrine of peace, the Gospel of peace. (25) And Judah and Israel dwelt safely, every man under his vine and under his fig tree, from Dan even to Beersheba, all the days of Solomon. Verse one says that king Solomon was king over all Israel, inclusive of Judah, and everything was peaceable and quiet. every man under his vine and under his fig tree--A beautiful expression suggesting peace and quiet and security. One sees the conscious comfort and happiness of the people, joyful in their prosperity, eating, drinking and making merry--evidences of a prosperous administration. They were no longer obliged to live in fortified cities for fear of their enemies; they [[/column 2]] [[end page]]
