sperity which distinguished the reigns of David and [48]
Solomon.
The principles taught in the schools of the prophets were the
same that molded David’s character and shaped his life. The word
of God was his instructor. “Through Thy precepts,” he said, “I get
understanding.... I have inclined mine heart to perform Thy statutes.”
Psalm 119:104-112. It was this that caused the Lord to pronounce
David, when in his youth He called him to the throne, “a man after
Mine own heart.” Acts 13:22.
In the early life of Solomon also are seen the results of God’s
method of education. Solomon in his youth made David’s choice
his own. Above every earthly good he asked of God a wise and
understanding heart. And the Lord gave him not only that which he
sought, but that also for which he had not sought—both riches and
honor. The power of his understanding, the extent of his knowledge,
the glory of his reign, became the wonder of the world.
In the reigns of David and Solomon, Israel reached the height of
her greatness. The promise given to Abraham and repeated through
Moses was fulfilled: “If ye shall diligently keep all these commandments
which I command you, to do them, to love the Lord your
God, to walk in all His ways, and to cleave unto Him; then will
the Lord drive out all these nations from before you, and ye shall
possess greater nations and mightier than yourselves. Every place
whereon the soles of your feet shall tread shall be yours: from the
wilderness and Lebanon, from the river, the river Euphrates, even
unto the uttermost sea shall your coast be. There shall no man be
able to stand before you.” Deuteronomy 11:22-25.
But in the midst of prosperity lurked danger. The sin of David’s
later years, though sincerely repented of and sorely punished, em- [49]
boldened the people in transgression of God’s commandments. And
Solomon’s life, after a morning of so great promise, was darkened
with apostasy. Desire for political power and self-aggrandizement
led to alliance with heathen nations. The silver of Tarshish and the
36 Education
gold of Ophir were procured by the sacrifice of integrity, the betrayal
of sacred trusts. Association with idolaters, marriage with heathen
wives, corrupted his faith. The barriers that God had erected for
the safety of His people were thus broken down, and Solomon gave
himself up to the worship of false gods. On the summit of the Mount
of Olives, confronting the temple of Jehovah, were erected gigantic
images and altars for the service of heathen deities. As he cast off
his allegiance to God, Solomon lost the mastery of himself. His fine
sensibilities became blunted. The conscientious, considerate spirit
of his early reign was changed. Pride, ambition, prodigality, and
indulgence bore fruit in cruelty and exaction. He who had been a
just, compassionate, and God-fearing ruler, became tyrannical and
oppressive. He who at the dedication of the temple had prayed for
his people that their hearts might be undividedly given to the Lord,
became their seducer. Solomon dishonored himself, dishonored
Israel, and dishonored God.
The nation, of which he had been the pride, followed his leading.
Though he afterward repented, his repentance did not prevent the
fruition of the evil he had sown. The discipline and training that
God appointed for Israel would cause them, in all their ways of life,
to differ from the people of other nations. This peculiarity, which
should have been regarded as a special privilege and blessing, was
to them unwelcome. The simplicity and self-restraint essential to
[50] the highest development they sought to exchange for the pomp and
self-indulgence of heathen peoples. To be “like all the nations” (1
Samuel 8:5) was their ambition. God’s plan of education was set
aside, His authority disowned.
In the rejection of the ways of God for the ways of men, the
downfall of Israel began. Thus also it continued, until the Jewish
people became a prey to the very nations whose practices they had
chosen to follow.
As a nation the children of Israel failed of receiving the benefits
that God desired to give them. They did not appreciate His purpose
or co-operate in its execution. But though individuals and peoples
may thus separate themselves from Him, His purpose for those who
trust Him is unchanged. “Whatsoever God doeth, it shall be forever.”
Ecclesiastes 3:14.
Chapter 6—The Schools of the Prophets 37
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While there are different degrees of development and different
manifestations of His power to meet the wants of men in the different
ages, God’s work in all time is the same. The Teacher is the
same. God’s character and His plan are the same. With Him “is no
variableness, neither shadow of turning.” James 1:17.
The experiences of Israel were recorded for our instruction. “All
these things happened unto them for ensamples: and they are written
for our admonition, upon whom the ends of the world are come.”
1 Corinthians 10:11. With us, as with Israel of old, success in
education depends on fidelity in carrying out the Creator’s plan. Adherence
to the principles of God’s word will bring as great blessings
to us as it would have brought to the H
