The Jasper weekly courier. [volume] (Jasper, Ind.) 1858-1922, 1898-09-02
THE DEATH OF ELISHA.
5undny School Lessop IT. tho Inter.
aassonni series for September
g. Isis. Kings. iJiI9-.5.

"
and both containing tests OF faith ana
training Ia trust First chaps 6.si-1 20.
then glance al the religious progress OF
the nation during the intervening time.
and then the lesson verses i3.lf--a
TIME.-Ellsha died early IN the rcign
OF Jchoash. si2-S2s - G. (or 7H-7sD. This
lesson Is IS years after our last.
EXPLANATORY.
l. The Prophet and the Siege OF
Samaria.--A few years after our last
lesson. still in the reign of Jehoram,
the Syrians besieged Samaria so closely
that there was the utmost distress. 1t
is probable that Elisha had shown the
King that this misfortune was the
fruit of his sins.
Then came the word of the Lord TO
Elisha, and he announced 10 the king
that within "a hours plenty should
reign in the city
AS promised. the relief came. Dur
ing the night the Syrians heard unac-
countable sounds echoing among the
hills. as OF horses and chariois rush
ing toward them. They thought that
the hosts Of the warlike Utilities from
the north we're coming. and they fed
In a panic, leaving their supplies be-
hind them.
Thus was fulfilled the promise OF
Elisha. No sooner had the messengers
delivered their glad tidings than the
people OF Samaria began to pour tu-
multuously out of tie gates, TO fling
themselves on the food and on the
spoil.
ri. The Political Changes in Israel
were, the extinction Of the house OF
Ahab. the coming Of a new dynasty
into power through Jehu, as foretold
by Elijah, the destruction of Baal wor-
ship and violent reforms. considered
prosperity. several serious invasions
from Syria and Assyria. and at last
very low condition politically at the
time of Elisha's death.
III. The Dying Prophets Last Gift
VS.. 1925 After the death of Jehn
the kingdom became greatly weak
ened. The Syrians were the chief enc
mics, and they had taken from Israel
their possessions east of the Jordan
C Kings 10: 32-33). and had desolated
and devastated the kingdom. and so
reduced its resources that the king
had but 30 horsemen and ten chariots
in his army Of 10000 footmen e Kings
1870 when his young grandson
Jehoash came TO the throne.
Elisha. now an old man. over so years
of age. is lying on his deathbed in
Samaria. IA. The king came down
from his palace TO the lowly abode of
the prophet. land wept over his face"
.sn r.. Ha L. nd
and loving interest the aged prophet
took in the young king. THE chariot OF
Israel, and the horsemen thereof"
The prophet of God was of more value
for the defense of the kingdom than an
army with chariots and cavalry.
IS. Take bow and arrows:" VS.. Is
TO IL describe n symbolical action n a
preparation for the test which was 10
follow. II said to the king: Shooting
the arrow means victory over your OPP
pressors. And the king understood the
symbol. For il was an ancient Gus
tom to shoot an arrow or cast spear
into the country which an army in
tended TO invade.
l6. Elisha put his hands upon the
kings hands," To show that Gods
power would work through the kings
hands.
II. open the window. eastward:"
Toward the scene of the recent defeats
of Israel by Syria. and where Syrians
still held the country. The arrow of
the Lords deliverance:" This was said
TO explain to Joash the meaning of the
symbolical action and the one to fol-
low. 1t meant delivcrance from the
power of Syria. "Aphek:" 4 town
now called Fix. six miles east of the
Sea Of Galilee. on the road o Damas-
Gus.
Is. "And he said: Take the ar
rows" That is, those left in the culver
''Smite upon the ground:" Shoot them
one after another to the ground out
OF TIE same eastward window. "IIe
was not merely 10 shoot, he was to
hit" And he smote thrice. and stayed.
He had so little faith. so little earnest
ness that instead of shooting till the
prophet told him TO stop. or till every
arrow was gone. he sped three arrows
and basely stayed his hand.
10. And the man Of God was wroth:'
He was indignant that when such
blessings were offered. when such de-
liverencc for his native land was al
most thrust upon him. such a noble
and splendid career was opened before
him. the young king should be so weak,
so blind. so wicked as TO throw away
his opportunity. Thou shouldesi
have smitton five or six tines" You
should have shown zeal. and faith, and
earnestness by shooting more arrows.
snow thou shalt smite Syria but
thrice:" Gain only three victories in
stead OF entire deIiverance from the
foreign yoke.
The fulfillment OF the promise is
found in VS.. 22-25. 1t is expressly said
that II was Gods gracious mercy that
preserved them. and Ills covenan;
with Abraham" that God would make
His children an everlasting nation as
the stars OF heaven for multitude. (Ses
Gen. 17:i-s; 22:i3-ls.)
PRACTICAL SUGGESTIONS
Crd Il saefipn ropttVnallv