Contrast the Lesson Taught by the Conduct of Solomon and of Rehoboam, at the Commencement of their Reign.
The chief lesson taught by the conduct of Solomon at the commencement of his reign is, humility. We know this by his choice when God asked him, in a dream, "What shall I give thee?" He made answer that the people he had to rule were as the dust of the earth for multitude, and that he had no more power to act as a king than a child. He therefore wished for wisdom to help him to do right, and for God to be with him, as He had been with his father David.
This incident shows the gracious nature of Solomon's character; and the reward that God gave him ought to make us remember that "he that humbleth himself shall be exalted."
With Rehoboam it was different. The lesson taught is, that his conduct should be shunned by all. Shortly after he was made king, those who had lived the greater part of Solomon's reign came and asked him if he would be kind to them, and ease the servitude that his father had put upon them. He sought to man instead of to God, and chose the counsel of foolish young men. After the people had been kept waiting three days, he told them that he would add to the yoke that they formerly had borne, and as his father had "chastised them with whips," so would he "with scorpions." At the time that Rehoboam made that rough and haughty answer, he probably had forgotten that the majority of the people had most power, but so it was here, for ten of the twelve tribes revolted.
The first lesson taught by Solomon, and the second taught by Rehoboam, contrast deeply with each other. The first, if imitated by every one, would work a wonderful change in the world. There would be fewer quarrels, fewer wars, and, in a word, less sin. The second is the cause of many evils with which the earth abounds. The former the Lord is delighted with; the latter is an abomination. If Jesus Christ was once "made lower than the angels" for our sakes, surely we ought to put away all haughtiness, and remember that we are on a level with our fellow-creatures by creation, and that all who are saved are saved by free grace, through faith in Christ.
William Ernest Cray
(Aged 11 years).
Pearl Cottage, Carlyle Road,
Forton, Gosport, Hants.
[Good Essays have been received from Jane Bell, Laura Creasey, E. B. Knocker, Alice Creasey, B. Stroud, Annie Judd, Alice Pease, G. A. Osmotherly, E. Saunders, M. E. Denly.]
[The writer of the above Essay receives a copy of "The Life of George Whitfield."
The subject for October will be, "Charity," as commended in the Scriptures; and the prize to be given for the best Essay on that subject, a copy of Foxe's "Book of Martyrs." All competitors must give a guarantee that they are under fifteen years of age, and that the Essay is their own composition, or the papers will be passed over, as the Editor cannot undertake to write for this necessary information. Papers must be sent direct to the Editor, Mr. T. Hull, 117, High Street, Hastings, by the first of September.]
The cross is the distinct announcement to us of that wonderful law, that "through much tribulation we must enter into the kingdom of heaven." Perfection through suffering—that is the doctrine of the cross. There is love in that law.