The Scranton tribune. [volume] (Scranton, Pa.) 1891-1910, 1897-03-22
NABOTH AND AHAB.
Dwelled Upon by Rev. DR.. Mcleod in
His Sermon Last Night.

Rev. James Mcleod. d. D., in the
First Presbyterian church last night,
delivered another of his series of sun
day evening sermons on the "Prophets
of Fire" His subject last night was
"Naboth and Ahab, an Honest Peas
ant and Dishonest King" He took
his text from the words found in |
Kings, NXi:l9: In the place where
dogs licked the blood of Naboth, shall
dogs lick thy blood. even thine" Dur
ing his discourse he spoke in part as
follows:
SO spake Elijah to Ahab. They had
met before-during the famine and in
Carmel and at Jezrie--but this last meet
ing between the prophet and the king
brings into view some notable characters,
and it suggests some valuable lessons. A
guilty king, an Infamous queen, a hum
Bile peasant, and a great prophet are
brought prominently before US, and the
sin of COVetOuSneSS is Sternly reDuked
and severely punished.
The story OF Nabeth's murder is a pitt
ful tale of falsehoOd and cruelty. lie had
a vineyard adjoining the royal grounds in
Jezreel and the king coveted it and tried
to secure it either by eXcambion OF by
purchase. Naboth refused to part with
it, not because of disloyalty to the king
and not because of any studied disCour-
tcsy; but he refused the kings request
on religious and patriotic grounds. He
said "'rhe Lord forbid it me that
should give the inheritance Of my fathers
unto thee" The Mosaic law forbade
such a transfer of property as Ahab
desired Qev. XIV. 1928; Numb. XXXvi y,
and hence Nabeth's explicit and emphatic
refusal. But Ahab was not satisfied. He
was angry and he ''nursed his wrath to
keep it warm" His ivory palace gave
nj ha
also, own the poor mans cottage. lie
fretted and worried, and soured and
sulked, and refused to eat, and went to
bed. What conduct for a king
His wife came to his rescue She said:
arise and eat bread and let thine heart
be merry, l will give thee the vineyard
of Naboth, the Jezreelite." She kept her
word. She planned the murder OF NabOth
and she executed her plan.
1t was cOvetousness in respect of Ma
both's vineyard that brought down upon
Ahab the wrath of God. 1t is an old sin,
and a deadly sin, and sin that is widely
distributed. 1t led Ahab to sell himself
to do evil. 1t led to murder. 1t has led
to many robbery and many murder.
1t is Il sin that is inSidious in its work.
| ings. Unlawful desire is covetousness,
| and covetousness is idolatry. who IS
| free this sin in some form or other?
| Ahab. and Achan, and Marman and Da-
| breeds discomfort 1t is tWln-bOrn with
| envy, and envy begets cruelty. 1t is the
| foe of philanthropy If Ahab had been a
| true patriot, or philanthrOpisr, ne
would not have coveted Naboth's prop
| erty.
| CoVetousness lies at the root OF the
| liquor traffic as eNempltied in the liquor
saloons. 1t was COVetouSneSs tina first
| opened them and it is coVetousness that
| keeps them open. 1t is covetousness that
| induces men to sell themselves to do evil.
| 1t is hard to get rid of this sin. 1t re-
quires continued watchtulness. 1t con-
| quered Ahab and David and hosts of men
| in the past. 1t is exercising a wide domin-
| ion today. 1t is a deadly sin, but 1t need
not prove fatal. There is a Divine remedy
| for it. Repent of it: forsake it, and fol-
| low Christ. He is able to save the chief
| of sinners. But this sin must be resist
| ed obsta principiis. Resist beginnings, let
| not this sin have dominion over you. The
| prayer of the Balmist should be on our
| lips frequently: search me, . God, ana
| know my heart; try me ana know my
| thoughts, and see if there be any wicked
way in me, and lead me in the way ever
|