Israel and all the princes. They praised the Lord, and offered great The glory of the Lord

sacrifices.

filled the house, and the king kneeled down before all the congregation and prayed for the people. God accepted the temple for his house of prayer.

The Lord said unto Solomon, "I have heard thy prayer and thy supplication, that thou has made before me: I have hallowed this house which thou hast built, to put my name there for ever; and mine eyes and my heart shall be there perpetually. And if thou wilt walk before me, as David thy father walked in integrity of heart and in uprightness, to do according to all that I have commanded thee, and wilt keep my statutes and my judgments; then I will establish the throne of thy kingdom upon Israel for ever, as I promised to David thy father." I Kings ix. 3-5.

Lesson 70. The Queen of Sheba visits Solomon.

Solomon had a navy of ships which traded to many countries. The queen of Sheba heard of Solomon's greatness, and came to visit him, bringing him large presents.

She

asked Solomon many hard questions which he answered. She said she had not believed all she had heard of his wisdom, till she

saw it.

came and

As long as Solomon ruled in the fear of God, "Judah and Israel dwelt safely, every man under his vine, and under his fig tree, from Dan even to Beersheba." "And all the earth sought to Solomon, to hear his wisdom which God had put in his heart." "And the king made silver to be in Jerusalem as stones." "So king Solomon exceeded all the kings of the earth for riches and for wisdom." I. Kings iv. 25 ; x. 24; 27; 23.

Lesson 71. Solomon's Wisdom. His Offences. Solomon's wisdom exceeded the wisdom of all other people. He had knowledge of all kinds of plants and animals. His people were as many as the sand by the sea-shore, and all were happy and dwelt safely. When he became old, he forsook God, served idols and married wives from strange nations. God was angry with him.

The Lord was angry with Solomon, because his heart was turned from the LORD God of Israel," Wherefore the LORD said unto Solomon, 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." I. Kings xi. 11.

Lesson 72. Solomon's Enemies.-His Repentance.

Ahijah, the prophet, declared God's judgments against Solomon-that he would rend the kingdom out of his son's hand and give ten tribes to Jeroboam, his servant. Solomon is supposed to have repented of his sins before he died, and then to have written many warnings and admonitions for others. He reigned forty years over Israel.

Solomon thus concluded his wise admonitions, "Let us hear the conclusion of the whole matter: Fear God, and keep his commandments, for this is the whole duty of man; for God shall bring every work into judgment with every secret thing, whether it be good, or whether it be evil." Ecclesiastes xii. 13, 14.

PERIOD VI.

THE KINGS OF JUDAH AND ISRAEL.

B.C. 975-B.C. 606. 369 YEARS.

Lesson 73. Revolt of Ten Tribes.

Rehoboam, the son of Solomon, was proclaimed king over all Israel. The people came to him to complain; the old men advised him to answer the people kindly, but he forsook their counsel and followed that of his young friends. The tribes of Israel sent for Jeroboam, and made him king over Israel. Rehoboam then reigned over Judah and Benjamin only.

Rehoboam would not listen to the good advice of his father's old counsellors, who knew what was best, but he followed the advice of his young men who had grown up with him. The people were very angry and said they would no longer obey Rehoboam. Thus was the word of God to Solomon fulfilled.

Lesson 74. Jeroboam's Idolatry.

Jeroboam wished to prevent the tribes of Israel from going up to Jerusalem to worship. He set up calves, as idols, at Bethel and at Dan. He made priests of the lowest of the people, and offered sacrifices on his altar. A man of God came from Judah to Bethel; he reproved Jeroboam, and cried against his altar, which was rent.

Jeroboam said "if this people go up to do sacrifice in the house of the Lord at Jerusalem, then shall the heart of this people turn again unto their lord, even unto Rehoboam, king of Judah, and they shall kill me." I. Kings xii. 27. Therefore he set up calves,