The false must be displaced by the true—­the world by the Christ—­the usurper by the Divinely-appointed King.  It was thus that Adonijah’s scheme was defeated.  Bathsheba, Solomon’s mother, and Nathan, the prophet, hurried in to tell David of Adonijah’s revolt against his authority, and that at his coronation-festival, then begun, even Joab, the commander-in-chief, and Abiathar, the priest, were present.  Then David’s old decision and promptitude reasserted themselves once more.  At his command, Solomon, his designated successor, was seated on the King’s own mule, and rode in state to Gihon, where Zadok anointed him in Jehovah’s name; and when the trumpet was blown all the people said, “God save King Solomon!”

It was the crowning of the new king which proved the dethronement of the false; and this fact enshrines a principle divine and permanent.  False doctrine is overcome, not by abuse, but by the proclamation of the true.  Evil, whether enthroned in the heart or in the world, is conquered by greater good.  The strong man armed, only keeps his goods in peace, until One stronger than he comes to bind him and cast him out.  Christ conquers the devil, be he where he may. “For this purpose the Son of God was manifested that He might destroy the works of the devil.”

In the progress of Solomon, as he rode on his mule to Jerusalem, amid the acclamations of the people, we see the Old Testament counterpart to the New Testament narrative, which tells how Christ Jesus entered Jerusalem as its king, while the people met Him with welcomes, and with palms, and children sang His praises.  And in both is a symbol of His advent to every heart, and, if He be but welcomed as rightful king, He will take to Himself His power, and reign.

HIRAM, THE INSPIRED ARTIFICER

BY REV.  W. J. TOWNSEND, D.D.

The Temple of Solomon was the crown of art in the old world.  There were temples on a larger scale, and of more massive construction, but the enormous masses of masonry of the oldest nations were not comparable with the artistic grace, the luxurious adornments, and the harmonious proportions of this glorious House of God.  David had laid up money and material for the great work, but he was not permitted to carry it out.  He was a man of war, and blood-stained hands were not to build the temple of peace and righteousness.  Solomon was the providential man for such an undertaking.  He had large ideas, a keen sense of beauty, generous instincts, a religious nature, a literary training, and a highly cultivated mind.  He was in peaceful alliance with surrounding nations, many of whom would be drawn into requisition for the suitable materials.  They had to supply the cedar wood, iron, copper, brass, tin, gold, silver, and the rich fabrics which have made proverbial the sumptuous and beautiful raiment and decorations of those times, with the rarest marbles that the quarries of Lebanon and Bezetha could contribute.  So with the thousands of busy builders and artificers,