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Chapter 1
Solomon
In the reign of David and Solomon； Israel became strong among the nations and had many opportunities to wield a mighty influence in behalf of truth and the right。 The name of Jehovah was exalted and held in honor； and the purpose for which the Israelites had been established in the Land of Promise bade fair of meeting with fulfillment。 Barriers were broken down； and seekers after truth from the lands of the heathen were not turned away unsatisfied。 Conversions took place； and the church of God on earth was enlarged and prospered。
Solomon was anointed and proclaimed king in the closing years of his father David； who abdicated in his favor。 His early life was bright with promise； and it was God's purpose that he should go on from strength to strength； from glory to glory； ever approaching nearer the similitude of the character of God； and thus inspiring His people to fulfill their sacred trust as the depositaries of divine truth。
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David knew that God's high purpose for Israel could be met only as rulers and people should seek with unceasing vigilance to attain to the standard placed before them。 He knew that in order for his son Solomon to fulfill the trust with which God was pleased to honor him； the youthful ruler must be not merely a warrior； a statesman； and a sovereign； but a strong； good man； a teacher of righteousness； an example of fidelity。
With tender earnestness David entreated Solomon to be manly and noble； to show mercy and loving…kindness to his subjects； and in all his dealings with the nations of earth to honor and glorify the name of God and to make manifest the beauty of holiness。 The many trying and remarkable experiences through which David had passed during his lifetime had taught him the value of the nobler virtues and led him to declare in his dying charge to Solomon： 〃He that ruleth over men must be just； ruling in the fear of God。 And he shall be as the light of the morning； when the sun riseth； even a morning without clouds； as the tender grass springing out of the earth by clear shining after rain。〃 2 Samuel 23：3；4。
Oh； what an opportunity was Solomon's！ Should he follow the divinely inspired instruction of his father； his reign would be a reign of righteousness； like that described in the seventy…second psalm：
〃Give the king Thy judgments； O God； And Thy righteousness unto the king's son。 He shall judge Thy people with righteousness； And Thy poor with judgment。 。 。 。 He shall come down like rain upon the mown grass： As showers that water the earth。
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In his days shall the righteous flourish； And abundance of peace so long as the moon endureth。 He shall have dominion also from sea to sea； And from the river unto the ends of the earth。 。 。 。 The kings of Tarshish and of the isles shall bring presents： The kings of Sheba and Seba shall offer gifts。 Yea； all kings shall fall down before him： All nations shall serve him。 For he shall deliver the needy when he crieth； The poor also； and him that hath no helper。 。 。 。 Prayer also shall be made for him continually； And daily shall he be praised。 。 。 。 His name shall endure forever： His name shall be continued as long as the sun： And men shall be blessed in him： All nations shall call him blessed。
〃Blessed be the Lord God； the God of Israel； Who only doeth wondrous things。 And blessed be His glorious name forever： And let the whole earth be filled with His glory； Amen； and Amen。〃
In his youth Solomon made David's choice his own； and for many years he walked uprightly； his life marked with strict obedience to God's commands。 Early in his reign he went with his counselors of state to Gibeon； where the tabernacle that had been built in the wilderness still was； and there he united with his chosen advisers； 〃the captains of thousands and of hundreds；〃 〃the judges；〃 and 〃every governor in all Israel； the chief of the fathers；〃 in offering sacrifices to God and in consecrating themselves fully to the Lord's service。 2 Chronicles 1：2。 Comprehending something of the magnitude of the duties connected with the kingly office； Solomon knew that those bearing heavy burdens must
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seek the Source of Wisdom for guidance； if they would fulfill their responsibilities acceptably。 This led him to encourage his counselors to unite with him heartily in making sure of their acceptance with God。
Above every earthly good； the king desired wisdom and understanding for the accomplishment of the work God had given him to do。 He longed for quickness of mind； for largeness of heart； for tenderness of spirit。 That night the Lord appeared to Solomon in a dream and said； 〃Ask what I shall give thee。〃 In his answer the young and inexperienced ruler gave utterance to his feeling of helplessness and his desire for aid。 〃Thou hast showed unto Thy servant David my father great mercy；〃 he said； 〃according as he walked before Thee in truth； and in righteousness； and in uprightness of heart with Thee； and Thou hast kept for him this great kindness； that Thou hast given him a son to sit on his throne； as it is this day。
〃And now； O Lord my God； Thou hast made Thy servant king instead of David my father： and I am but a little child： I know not how to go out or come in。 And Thy servant is in the midst of Thy people which Thou hast chosen； a great people； that cannot be numbered nor counted for multitude。 Give therefore Thy servant an understanding heart to judge Thy people； that I may discern between good and bad： for who is able to judge this Thy so great a people？
〃And the speech pleased the Lord； that Solomon had asked this thing。〃
〃Because this was in thine heart；〃 God said to Solomon； 〃and thou hast not asked riches； wealth； or honor； nor the life of thine enemies； neither yet hast asked long life； but hast asked wisdom and knowledge for thyself； that thou mayest
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judge My people；〃 〃behold； I have done according to thy words： lo； I have given thee a wise and an understanding heart； so that there was none like thee before thee； neither after thee shall any arise like unto thee。 And I have also given thee that which thou hast not asked； both riches； and honor；〃 〃such as none of the kings have had that have been before thee； neither shall there any after thee have the like。〃
〃And if thou wilt walk in My ways； to keep My statutes and My commandments； as thy father David did walk； then I will lengthen thy days。〃 1 Kings 3：5…14； 2 Chronicles 1：7…12。
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God promised that as He had been with David； so He would be with Solomon。 If the king would walk before the Lord in uprightness； if he would do what God had commanded him； his throne would be established and his reign would be the means of exalting Israel as 〃a wise and understanding people；〃 the light of the surrounding nations。 Deuteronomy 4：6。
The language used by Solomon while praying to God b