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sense of dependence upon Him。
During these years of apostasy； the spiritual decline of Israel progressed steadily。 How could it be otherwise when their king had united his interests with satanic agencies？ Through these agencies the enemy worked to confuse the minds of the Israelites in regard to true and false worship； and they became an easy prey。 Commerce with other nations brought them into intimate contact with those who had no love for God； and their own love for Him was greatly lessened。 Their keen sense of the high； holy character of God was deadened。 Refusing to follow in the path of
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obedience； they transferred their allegiance to the enemy of righteousness。 It came to be a common practice to intermarry with idolaters； and the Israelites rapidly lost their abhorrence of idol worship。 Polygamy was countenanced。 Idolatrous mothers brought their children up to observe heathen rites。 In the lives of some； the pure religious service instituted by God was replaced by idolatry of the darkest hue。
Christians are to keep themselves distinct and separate from the world； its spirit； and its influences。 God is fully able to keep us in the world； but we are not to be of the world。 His love is not uncertain and fluctuating。 Ever He watches over His children with a care that is measureless。 But He requires undivided allegiance。 〃No man can serve two masters： for either he will hate the one； and love the other； or else he will hold to the one； and despise the other。 Ye cannot serve God and mammon。〃 Matthew 6：24。
Solomon was endued with wonderful wisdom； but the world drew him away from God。 Men today are no stronger than he； they are as prone to yield to the influences that caused his downfall。 As God warned Solomon of his danger； so today He warns His children not to imperil their souls by affinity with the world。 〃Come out from among them；〃 He pleads； 〃and be ye separate； 。 。 。 and touch not the unclean thing； and I will receive you； and will be a Father unto you； and ye shall be My sons and daughters； saith the Lord Almighty。〃 2 Corinthians 6：17； 18。
In the midst of prosperity lurks danger。 Throughout the ages； riches and honor have ever been attended with peril to humility and spirituality。 It is not the empty cup
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that we have difficulty in carrying； it is the cup full to the brim that must be carefully balanced。 Affliction and adversity may cause sorrow； but it is prosperity that is most dangerous to spiritual life。 Unless the human subject is in constant submission to the will of God； unless he is sanctified by the truth； prosperity will surely arouse the natural inclination to presumption。
In the valley of humiliation； where men depend on God to teach them and to guide their every step； there is comparative safety。 But the men who stand； as it were； on a lofty pinnacle； and who； because of their position； are supposed to possess great wisdomthese are in gravest peril。 Unless such men make God their dependence； they will surely fall。
Whenever pride and ambition are indulged； the life is marred； for pride； feeling no need； closes the heart against the infinite blessings of Heaven。 He who makes self…glorification his aim will find himself destitute of the grace of God； through whose efficiency the truest riches and the most satisfying joys are won。 But he who gives all and does all for Christ will know the fulfillment of the promise； 〃The blessing of the Lord； it maketh rich； and He addeth no sorrow with it。〃 Proverbs 10：22。 With the gentle touch of grace the Saviour banishes from the soul unrest and unholy ambition； changing enmity to love and unbelief to confidence。 When He speaks to the soul； saying； 〃Follow Me；〃 the spell of the world's enchantment is broken。 At the sound of His voice the spirit of greed and ambition flees from the heart； and men arise； emancipated； to follow Him。
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Chapter 4
Results of Transgression
Prominent among the primary causes that led Solomon into extravagance and oppression was his failure to maintain and foster the spirit of self…sacrifice。
When； at the foot of Sinai； Moses told the people of the divine command； 〃Let them make Me a sanctuary； that I may dwell among them；〃 the response of the Israelites was accompanied by the appropriate gifts。 〃They came； everyone whose heart stirred him up； and everyone whom his spirit made willing；〃 and brought offerings。 Exodus 25：8； 35：21。 For the building of the sanctuary； great and extensive preparations were necessary； a large amount of the most precious and costly material was required； but the Lord accepted only freewill offerings。 〃Of every man that giveth it willingly with his heart ye shall take My offering；〃 was the command repeated by Moses to the congregation。 Exodus 25：2。 Devotion to God and a spirit of sacrifice were the
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first requisites in preparing a dwelling place for the Most High。
A similar call to self…sacrifice was made when David turned over to Solomon the responsibility of building the temple。 Of the assembled multitude David asked； 〃Who then is willing to consecrate his service this day unto the Lord？〃 1 Chronicles 29：5。 This call to consecration and willing service should ever have been kept in mind by those who had to do with the erection of the temple。
For the construction of the wilderness tabernacle； chosen men were endowed by God with special skill and wisdom。 〃Moses said unto the children of Israel； See； the Lord hath called by name Bezaleel； 。 。 。 of the tribe of Judah； and He hath filled him with the Spirit of God； in wisdom； in understanding； and in knowledge； and in all manner of workmanship。 。 。 。 And He hath put in his heart that he may teach； both he； and Aholiab； 。 。 。 of the tribe of Dan。 Them hath He filled with wisdom of heart； to work all manner of work； of the engraver； and of the cunning workman； and of the embroiderer； 。 。 。 and of the weaver； even of them that do any work。 。 。 。 Then wrought Bezaleel and Aholiab； and every wisehearted man； in whom the Lord put wisdom and understanding。〃 Exodus 35：30…35； 36：1。 Heavenly intelligences co…operated with the workmen whom God Himself had chosen。
The descendants of these workmen inherited to a large degree the talents conferred on their forefathers。 For a time these men of Judah and Dan remained humble and unselfish； but gradually； almost imperceptibly； they lost their hold upon God and their desire to serve Him unselfishly。 They
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asked higher wages for their services； because of their superior skill as workmen in the finer arts。 In some instances their request was granted； but more often they found employment in the surrounding nations。 In place of the noble spirit of self…sacrifice that had filled the hearts of their illustrious ancestors； they indulged a spirit of covetousness； of grasping for more and more。 That their selfish desires might be gratified； they used their God…given skill in the service of heathen kings； and l