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e to the divine precepts； Israel would have been shielded from the evils practiced by the heathen； and the Lord of glory would have been greatly honored。 But Solomon lost sight of this high purpose。 He failed of improving his splendid opportunities for enlightening those who were continually passing through his territory or tarrying at the principal cities。
The missionary spirit that God had implanted in the heart of Solomon and in the hearts of all true Israelites was supplanted by a spirit of commercialism。 The opportunities afforded by contact with many nations were used for personal aggrandizement。 Solomon sought to strengthen his position politically by building fortified cities at the gateways of commerce。 He rebuilt Gezer； near Joppa； lying along the road between Egypt and Syria； Beth…horon； to the westward of Jerusalem； commanding the passes of the highway leading from the heart of Judea to Gezer and the seacoast； Megiddo； situated on the caravan road from Damascus to Egypt； and from Jerusalem to the northward； and 〃Tadmor in the wilderness〃 （2 Chronicles 8：4）； along the route of caravans from the east。 All these cities were strongly
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fortified。 The commercial advantages of an outlet at the head of the Red Sea were developed by the construction of 〃a navy of ships in Ezion…geber； 。 。 。 on the shore of the Red Sea； in the land of Edom。〃 Trained sailors from Tyre； 〃with the servants of Solomon；〃 manned these vessels on voyages 〃to Ophir； and fetched from thence gold；〃 and 〃great plenty of almug trees； and precious stones。〃 Verse 18； 1 Kings 9：26； 28； 10：11。
The revenue of the king and of many of his subjects was greatly increased； but at what a cost！ Through the cupidity and shortsightedness of those to whom had been entrusted the oracles of God； the countless multitudes who thronged
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the highways of travel were allowed to remain in ignorance of Jehovah。
In striking contrast to the course pursued by Solomon was the course followed by Christ when He was on this earth。 The Saviour； though possessing 〃all power；〃 never used this power for self…aggrandizement。 No dream of earthly conquest； of worldly greatness； marred the perfection of His service for mankind。 〃Foxes have holes； and the birds of the air have nests；〃 He said； 〃but the Son of man hath not where to lay His head。〃 Matthew 8：20。 Those who； in response to the call of the hour； have entered the service of the Master Worker； may well study His methods。 He took advantage of the opportunities to be found along the great thoroughfares of travel。
In the intervals of His journeys to and fro； Jesus dwelt at Capernaum； which came to be known as 〃His own city。〃 Matthew 9：1。 Situated on the highway from Damascus to Jerusalem and Egypt and to the Mediterranean Sea； it was well adapted to be the center of the Saviour's work。 People from many lands passed through the city or tarried for rest。 There Jesus met with those of all nations and all ranks； and thus His lessons were carried to other countries and into many households。 By this means interest was aroused in the prophecies pointing forward to the Messiah； attention was directed to the Saviour； and His mission was brought before the world。
In this our day the opportunities for coming into contact with men and women of all classes and many nationalities are much greater than in the days of Israel。 The thoroughfares of travel have multiplied a thousandfold。
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Like Christ； the messengers of the Most High today should take their position in these great thoroughfares； where they can meet the passing multitudes from all parts of the world。 Like Him； hiding self in God； they are to sow the gospel seed； presenting before others the precious truths of Holy Scripture that will take deep root in mind and heart； and spring up unto life eternal。
Solemn are the lessons of Israel's failure during the years when ruler and people turned from the high purpose they had been called to fulfill。 Wherein they were weak； even to the point of failure； the Israel of God today； the representatives of heaven that make up the true church of Christ； must be strong； for upon them devolves the task of finishing the work that has been committed to man； and of ushering in the day of final awards。 Yet the same influences that prevailed against Israel in the time when Solomon reigned are to be met with still。 The forces of the enemy of all righteousness are strongly entrenched； only by the power of God can the victory be gained。 The conflict before us calls for the exercise of a spirit of self…denial； for distrust of self and for dependence on God alone； for the wise use of every opportunity for the saving of souls。 The Lord's blessing will attend His church as they advance unitedly； revealing to a world lying in the darkness of error the beauty of holiness as manifested in a Christlike spirit of self…sacrifice； in an exaltation of the divine rather than the human； and in loving and untiring service for those so much in need of the blessings of the gospel。
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Chapter 5
Solomon's Repentance
Twice during Solomon's reign the Lord had appeared to him with words of approval and counselin the night vision at Gibeon； when the promise of wisdom； riches； and honor was accompanied by an admonition to remain humble and obedient； and after the dedication of the temple； when once more the Lord exhorted him to faithfulness。 Plain were the admonitions； wonderful the promises； given to Solomon； yet of him who in circumstances； in character； and in life seemed abundantly fitted to heed the charge and meet the expectation of Heaven； it is recorded： 〃He kept not that which the Lord commanded。〃 〃His heart was turned from the Lord God of Israel； which had appeared unto him twice； and had commanded him concerning this thing； that he should not go after other gods。〃 I Kings 11：9； 10。 And so complete was his apostasy； so hardened his heart in transgression； that his case seemed well…nigh hopeless。
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From the joy of divine communion； Solomon turned to find satisfaction in the pleasures of sense。 Of this experience he says：
〃I made me great works； I builded me houses； I planted me vineyards： I made me gardens and orchards： 。 。 。 I got me servants and maidens： 。 。 。 I gathered me also silver and gold； and the peculiar treasure of kings and of the provinces： I gat me men singers and women singers； and the delights of the sons of men； as musical instruments； and that of all sorts。 So I was great； and increased more than all that were before me in Jerusalem。 。 。 。
〃And whatsoever mine eyes desired I kept not from them； I withheld not my heart from any joy； for my heart rejoiced in all my labor。 。 。 。 Then I looked on all the works that my hands had wrought； and on the labor that I had labored to do： and； behold； all was vanity and vexation of spirit； and there was no profit under the sun。
〃And I turned myself to behold wisdom； and madness； and folly： for what can the man do that cometh after the king？ even that which hath been already done。 。 。 。 I hated life。 。 。 。 Yea； I hated all my labor which I had taken under the sun。〃 Ecclesiastes 2：4…18。
By his own bitter experience； Solomon learned the emptiness of a life that seeks in earthly things its highest good。 He erected altars to heathen gods； only to learn how vain is their promise of rest to the spirit。 Gloomy and soul…harassing thoughts troubled him night and day。 For him there was no longer any joy of life or peace of mind； and the future was dark with despair。
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Yet the Lord forsook him not。 By messages of reproof and by severe judgments； He sought to arouse the king to a realization of the sinfulness of his course。 He removed His protecting care and permitted adversaries to harass and weaken the kingdom。 〃The Lord stirred up an adversary unto Solomon； Hadad the Edomite。 。 。 。 And God stirred him up another adversary； Rezon； 。 。 。 captain over a band；〃 who 〃abhorred Israel； and reigned over Syria。 And Jeroboam； 。 。 。 Solomon's servant；〃 〃a mighty man of valor；〃 〃even he lifted up his hand against the king。〃 I Kings 11：14…28。
At last the Lord； through a prophet； delivered to Solomon the startling message： 〃Forasmuch as this is done of thee； and thou hast not kept My covenant and My statutes； which I have commanded thee； I will surely rend the kingdom from thee； and will give it to thy servant。 Notwithstanding in thy days I will not do it for David thy father's sake： but I will rend it out of the hand of thy son。〃 Verses 11； 12。
Awakened as from a dream by this sentence of judgment pronounced against him and his house； Solomon with quickened conscience began to see his folly in its true light。 Chastened in spirit； with mind and body enfeebled； he turned wearied and thirsting from earth's broken cisterns； to drink once more at the fountain of life。 For him at last the discipline of suffering had accomplished its work。 Long had he been harassed by the fear of utter ruin because of ina