The Scranton tribune. [volume] (Scranton, Pa.) 1891-1910, 1898-09-03
Sunday School Lesson for September d.
The Death of Elisha.
Kings XIII: l4-25
BY j. E. GILBERT, ID. D., LII. d.
Secretary of American Society of Religious Education

CONTEXT.-Thew warning of the pro-
phet delivered to the King of Israel
against the Syrlans is put down by
leading chronologists at S93 b. C. 1t
is believed that his death occurred at
S3S b. c. The half century interven-
ing was filled with stirring events.
War was nearly perpetual, involving
Edom. Judah. Moab, Syria and Israel
in which Elisha rendered valuable SER
vice as counsellor. aided ALWAYS by
the Holy Spirit. During that long per-
ior kings arose and disappeared. In
Israel Jehu was succeeded by Jehoahaz
and he Joash; in Judah Athaliah was
followed by Jehoash and he by AmaZ-
iah; while in syria, Hazael whom Eli
jah annointed q Kings xix. 15), died
and Ben-hadad ascended the throne.
There was thus presented the inter
esting spectacle of man of God the
most conspicuous figure of the trouble
some times, around whom revolved the
kings of three great nations: upon
whom depended the welfare of the
chosen people, the very center of both
sacred and profane history. We are
now to consider how this man passed
away and what influence his departure
had upon its contemporaries.
MOURNING.-When it became
known that Elisha was sick, and that
he must die, Joash, the reigning king
of Israel FASTENED to visit him. Verse
14) This fact in itself was a high tri-
butte. Royalty honors man of faith.
The journey from Samaria, the capital,
to Dothan, Elisha's home, lay south
ward, about fifteen miles. (Chaptor vi,
l3DOn entering the chamber of the
dying prophet the king wept aloud in
true oriental fashion. Gen. xiv, 15)
And well he might for no other one
had rendered such valuable service to
the public. my father my father"
he exclaimed, terms of reverence and
endearment, highly appropriate when
the holiness of the age of the sick man
are remembered. Joash felt himself
personally bcreaved. What shall / do
now that thou art dying? Thou art
the only defense of Israel" This was
what he intended to say. Continuing
he made a free and honest confession.
The chariot of Israel, and the horse
man thereof" he cried, the very ex-
preston used by Elisha at the transla-
tion of Elijah, G. kings ii, 12,) an ac-
acknowledgement that the protection of
the years had been through divine in
terposition.
SYMBOL.-These words of Joaash
were kind Of appeal or inquiry, COM
ing from one who was so anxious for
the nations safety. Elisha, although
old and feeble, his labor nearly done,
could not decline the counsel thus
sought. He proceeded to give the king
in symbol that what might strengthen
his heart (Verses Is and 16) 1t was
beautiful and highly expressive SYM
Dol that he employed. Bows and ar
rows We're ordered to be taken. These
emblems of war signified that Joash
after Elisha's death should be a war
riOr. He was not to think of peace
which is generally most to be desired
There are times when nations must
employ force for the accom- plishment of
their mission when, not to use force
is to be false to that mission. Here a
man of God, moved by holy patriotism
instructed the king that he should en-
gage in war. Joash was directed tC
place his hands upon the bow, signify
ing that he, as the representative OF
the sovereign power of the land, should
handle the weapons. Then Elisha
placed his hand upon the bow, declar-
ing and announcing Gods blessings
psalm sxliv, 1) This was a definite
| commission from the prophet to the
king, a divine authority not less dis
tinct than that delivered to Joshua be-
fore he invaded Canaan. Josh /, %
PREDICTION.-Hav thus made
known that war should be conducted
after his death, Elisha predicts the ma