Section I – From Strength to
Weakness
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From Strength to Weakness “Thus saith the Lord, Let not the wise man
glory in his wisdom, neither let the mighty man glory in his might, let not
the rich man glory in his riches: but let him that glorieth glory in this,
that he understandeth and knoweth Me, that I am the Lord which exercise
loving-kindness, judgment, and righteousness, in the earth: for in these things
I delight, saith the Lord.” Jeremiah 9:23, 24.
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Chap. 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
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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 wit