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Solomon was now king. His
reign was a very happy one; not like David's full of sorrow and
trouble. But some sad things happened in the beginning of Solomon's
reign. Adonijah rebelled again, and was put to death. Joab,
too, was slain, because he was in Adonijah's conspiracy, and because of
the murders he had formerly committed. Abiathar was sent away.
Solomon could not let him be priest any longer, for he also had rebelled
with Adonijah; but Solomon did not put him to death, because he had once
been a kind friend to David. Was Shimei killed? Not at first;
Solomon commanded him to stay quietly at his own house in Jerusalem, and
promised him safety there; but if he went away from Jerusalem, Solomon
told him he should die. Shimei stayed at his house three years; and
then he disobeyed the king, and went to Achish, at Gath. Shimei soon
returned to Jerusalem; but he had disobeyed Solomon, and therefore he was
slain. All this was very sad, but we know it was right for these
wicked men to die. Sin must be punished. Perhaps God does not
punish it directly; He waits many years; He gives time for repentance; for
he does not wish people to die in their wickedness. God is ready to
save all, and He will forgive the most wicked people, if they repent and
turn to Him. But if not, He cannot wait for ever. He cannot
forget sin which is unrepented of, and unforgiven; not washed away in the
blood of Jesus. At last He will punish all rebellious sinners, as He
punished wicked Adonijah, and Joab, and Shimei, after so many years. All
was quiet now: Solomon could reign in peace, because his wicked
enemies were dead. And did he remember all that his father had told
him? Did he try to serve God, and to teach his people to serve Him
too? Yes, Solomon loved the Lord. He was young, and did not
yet know much; but he wished and prayed to know more. Solomon
went to Gibeon, to sacrifice there. The tabernacle which Moses made,
was at Gibeon, and the brazen altar. But the ark was at Jerusalem,
in the tent which David had made for it. Solomon offered a thousand
burnt-offerings upon the altar at Gibeon. He had great possessions,
and he liked to give much of what he had to God. He wanted to show
his love and his thankfulness to Him. And Solomon offered his
sacrifices in faith. When
the sacrifices were ended, and Solomon lay down to sleep, God appeared to
him in a dream. God came to encourage and to comfort young
Solomon. He spoke to him, and said, "Ask, what I shall give
thee." How kind God was, to promise Solomon to give him what he
asked! What did Solomon choose? Did he choose riches, or
possessions, or honors? No, he wanted what was better than
these. He knew that worldly things must soon pass away; he wished
for something which he could never, never lose. He said, "Lord,
I am very young and ignorant. I have no power to teach my people in
the right way. Give me now wisdom and knowledge, a wise and
understanding heart; that I may know how to rule my people as it shall
please Thee." Did God give Solomon what he asked? Yes;
God was pleased with his choice. Solomon had asked for the best
thing; heavenly wisdom, not worldly possessions. God said, "I
have given thee wisdom and understanding: and I will give thee more;
I will give thee what thou hast not asked; riches, and possessions, and
honors: and if thou wilt serve me, and obey my commands, I will
bless thee, and keep thee all thy life long." Then Solomon
awoke, and found it was a dream. But how happy he felt now!
God was with him; He had heard his prayer, and promised to love and bless
him, and to be his friend. We
all want wisdom. We are poor, weak, ignorant creatures; we know
nothing good of ourselves; we only know what is evil. How can we
become wise? Will God give us holy wisdom, as He did Solomon?
Yes, St. James says, "If any of you lack wisdom, let him ask of God,
and it shall be given him." The best wisdom is the knowledge of
God, and of Jesus Christ, and of the way to heaven. "The fear
of the Lord, that is wisdom, and to depart from evil is
understanding." Job 28:28. This is better than all
the riches in the world. It will make us happy now, and for
ever. How can we get it? Jesus says, "Ask, and it shall
be given you." Matthew 7:7.
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