The Scranton tribune. [volume] (Scranton, Pa.) 1891-1910, 1898-08-27
Sunday School Lesson for August e.
Elisha at DOtham.
Kings VII: S-lS
BY j. e. GILBERT, d. D., Ii. D.,
Secretary of American Society of Religious Education

ALARM.-When the morning broke
upon Dothan tn Syrian host compassed
the city. (Verse 15.) Men on raising
from their couches We're filled with ter
ror. SO quietly and stealthily had the
movement been executed that there
had been no attempt at defense. The
inhabitants appeared to be at the mer-
cy of the invaders, who might at pleas
ure plumber, destroy and murder, ac-
cording to the custom of war in those
days. Elisha's servants rushed in the
presence of his master, uttering the
despair which was in every heart. His
words had, however n measure of
hope, How shall we do?" as IL he
supposed the man of miracle might do
something even under these distress
ing circumstances. The spirit of Eli
sha did not fail in this hour of alarm.
Sustained by an unfaltering trust, he
called the fears of his servant by as
suring him that there was ample pro-
lection, a greater force that might be
used against the Syrians. Verse 16)
His was like the faith of Hezekiah.
UI Chron. XXI: 7-S) a century later.
He knew that he would not bcforsaken
by the Almighty Matt. XVI: $50.
| VICTORY..-Elisha did not rest in
the Righteousness of his cause, but he
prayed. That prayer was in two parts,
| each having q specific object. and both
| parts exhibiting faith and leading to
victory. The purpose Of the first prayer
| was to strengthen the servant, that he
as well as his master might be conf
| dent and know the secret of defense.
| Verse III In answer to this prayer
the young mans spiritual vision was
| quickened so that he saw angelic fore
| es in form resembling chariots and
| horses Ot-tire psalm XXxiv: ~ the
same appearance granted at the trans
| lation of Elijah. GI Kings ii: 12D 1t
IS impossible to give any further ac-
count of this phenomenon, although
many attempts have been made to find
here figures of spiritual things. The
second prayer (verse 1S) was offered
while the Syraians were approaching
| the prophets house to lay hands on
| him "Smito this people with blind
ness" he cried, a measure of defense.
Gen. xix: 2D employed by Lot in So
dom. Here our lesson closes abruptly,
but the verse following relates how
Elisha led the blinded men to Samaria
and delivered them to the king.
| CONCLUSION.-T lesson shows
and was doubtless intended to show
the worth of a good man. However
necessary may be armies and navies in
tire of war, men who trust in God are
more valuable, greater defense
against enemies, psalm xxxiii: 1919
for they secure the wisdom and help OF
God, who alone gives victory. We learn
here also the secret of the good mans
strength-it is in prayer. Laying hold
upon the Almighty by faith one allies
himself to the unfailing source of al
wisdom and prayer. Peter iii: 13.
Such man is calm when others art
excited, courageous in the midst o.
fear, and safe even in the time of ex
trenie peril. And what does all thi!
mean, except that righteousness eXalt!
a nation? prov. xiv: 34) This is the
one great truth to be learned from the
history of the Jewish and Israelitisf
monarchy. the lesson which needs t.
he learned liz all nations. So long a,
Elisha is at Dothan the king is safe II
Samaria! A faithful minister of God
delivering his word to rulers, will bring
peace to a land. and defeat its foes.