The National tribune., 1891-03-12
SUNDAY MEDITATION.

Practical Duties Taught by Study of the
international sunday-schooI Lesson APP
pointed for March 22, 1891. hi, @: 8
| IS.
lone reading these notes should first carefully
| study the paragraph from the Holy Scriptures as
! indicated Rbove.f
/ SUBJECTS: ]. BESHADAD's MYSTERY. II
EEIsHAs HELPERS.
1. BENHADAD's MILITARY ScHEaEs THwART-
BID.
l. Data.
XII, 6: 1912. No other Bible reference is
made TO this incident 1t is supposed Ezra
wrote the account.
. Time.
We date A. D. sos. We move on for about
/ one year from the cure OF Nsaman. In the
/ interval difficulties have spranC up between the
/ Kingdoms of Israel and Syria We have no
| positive data by which 10 fix very exactly tho
date OF this lesson. 1t may be more than one
/ year elapsed, allowing for such apparent anon
ally, an almost an evident anaChroniSm, rs
war between Syria and Israel so soon after
Naaman's cure
3. Places
The King of Syria lived at Damascus; on
which consult former lesson. As 10 the place
/ or pass which Elisha warned Jehoram 10 avoid
we have only general knowledge. 10 was
/ probably some spot, Themopy Unlike, giving
good vantage ground for attacking an approach
ing enemy. IL may have been favorable to
/ ambush The war was not seemingly conducted
on military principles, but WAS rather guer-
| rilla-like Syrian troops lay here and there in
ambush at various points on the borders Of the
lands of Syria and Israel.
4. BruhadaTs Wvsic77,.
] Mems best laid plans often fail. and failure
! rs frequently ineXplicable. Benhadad devised
methods in the most secret manner; he placed
4 bodies Of soldiers at most retired spots lie
moved his forces clandestinely rs possible, and
after all he failed 20 entrap the enemy IL was
evident more than ordinary powers were
operating. There seemed something even
supernatural about the way in which Ben
/ hadad's secret plans became known. council
/ of war was held. Unjust be there was a traitor.
! One Of the council suggested that il might DO
/ that Elisha informed Jchoram of Benhadad's
\ movements. But how did Elisha know what
/ the King OF Syria uttered in his bedchamber?
\ Back OF him must be his God. But in heather
countries war involved not only contest with
people. hut opposition TO the god of the land
against whom they fought
g. Orr Mystery.
We find Bcnhadad carrying war into the
| land Of Israel, against Elisha's King We won
/ der at this when we remember how indebted
Benhadad was 20 a subject Of Jehoram. The
fact is 50 singular that some have imagined a
new Benhadad had come To the Syrian throne
rs after a time new Pharaoh ascended tho
Egyptian throne aud forgot Joseph. But Cal
met %. 1922 says, IAN ambitious and restless
prince always finds sufiiciency Of reasons 70
color an enterprise" (See . HI. 3: ~ And
we notice, as a too general fact, how inclined
persons are TO forget favOTs. Nothing is more
evaneseeut than gratitude. We have no posi-
tive way of fixing the date and il may be more
y fAas, -.
and this lesson.
6. The Commander Of BeHhadaTs Forces.
From 5: we learn Naaman was Captain
Of the host Of the King Of Syria" He probably
did not lose his rank while afflicted with lep-
rosy. After his cure he very probably re-
sumed command. Aud yet il is hard to believe
he would consent 10 command military forces
against Israel aftor such wonderful cure by
Elisha. lie may, however have separated in
his mind Jehoram from Elisha and while he
would not harm the prophet he might not feel
50 delicate about attacking Jehuram Then, a
General is under command and must obey or
ders, certainly must not slight the orders Of his
King. 1t is possible that NaamAn, after re-
turning to Damascus and becoming known as
a convert TO jehovah fell into disfaVor with
heather worshipers. From 5:15 it appears
however, NaAman was inclined not to be radi-
cal and offensive ia his new faith.
Z. spggestiouA
Here are facts each pregnant with practical
thoughts for the l0th century. To use the
language Of another, let MS "Strady ourselves
in the presence Of these facts" aud learn their
significance.
]. Warn persons Ofdanger. Elisha cautioned
Jehoram lest he might be caught by Benhadad's
strategy. IL is orr duty 10 put persons on
guard. Erect signals Of danger. (N.g.)
2 II duly warned, look out Jeboram did
I Ng...a =
Elijah has been dreaming. lie is more scared
than hurt" The account declares: THE King
sent TO the place which the man Of God told
him and warned him OF, and saved himself
there, not once nor twice" Nv. lOD
3 Study the Bible. 1t teaches US who are
orr enemies-their various plots and tempfa-
tions. IL also shows us how 10 deal with them
1t puts Us on guard. 1t is full OF warnings. 1t
eRiorces the doctrine OF Providence. (Ps., 119:
H.
Learn all you can Of the whereabouts and
plans OF yOnr enemies. Thus you can keep on
guard. Gods Word viii prove Of great service
"a ms. 1t shows where the evils lie in wait
Elisha knew snprrnaturally the strategies OF
iIeuhadad and informed IehOTam. The Bible
is inspired. II explains the devices Of Satan.
1t lifts signals over dangerous places. (Ps,
9:s, H.
4. seek the guidance OF the Holy Spirit. He
goes before US. He chdes our errors. There
Is some sense yet in which the words of the
Prophet Amos are true-the Lord God 4" re-
yealeth His secret unto His servants the
prophets" l3:7)
,. God is omniscient. lie sees all mons
acts. He foreknows their plans. lie can come
into contact with human minds, imparting in
formation. (Jer., % 2L) Neither Benhadad
nor Jehoram could get away from God. No
place is private 10 God. BE careful how you
act. God sees us all and always.
e. See the utility Of Christianity the great
advantage Of having God for our Friend; the
benefit OF maintaining the ministry. The true
religion is worth more to a nation than an
army is-better than human counsel. Elisha
WIS Of greater service to JehOram than were
his hosts and his staff Of officers to Benhadad.
A country can always rely on its Christian men,
The religion of Christ prescribes patriotism.
ii. ELIJAH's HELPERS.
]. Preliminary.
We are now 10 consider the 18th miracle per
formed 10y Elisha-tO wit, the impaTIing TO his
servant supernatural vision. Bsnhadad suspects
one Of his cabinet, staff guilty Of being atraitor
| and tries 10 discover which man is the culprit
| ltpuZZes MIN when lie sees his plans frustrated
One OF the council Of war probably Naaman)