The Scranton tribune. [volume] (Scranton, Pa.) 1891-1910, 1898-07-02

scendants of Abraham, established In the
land promised as the home of the chosen
people, the one at the north with its
mountains ard lakes, the other at the
south with its fertile valleys and beauti-
full cities-so begins new period in
sacred history, the unfolding and out
come of which reveal the ultimate pur-
pose of God (verse 10.
HOMICIDE.-The rejection by the ten
tribes left the two tribes as the only
subjects of Rehobcam. We are not in
formed where or when or by what cere-
monies they recognized him as their
king. But before leaving Shechem, which
was in rebel territory. he determined upon
an exercise of authority perhaps to test
the spirit of the peOpe lie sent out ADO
ram, who was over the tribute, demand
ing the payment of taxes, custom COM
mon in eastern countries, as "a mark Of
loyalty to the new monarchy. This act
was one of supreme folly. The subject OF
taxation had been discussed, causing
breach, and ought not to have been mem
toned again unit time should allay the
excitement and ll-feeling. Besides, the
man sent to collect had been charged
with that business under David III. Sam.
XXX, 2D, and Solomon G Kings, iv, g., so
that his presence would eNaspcrate all
who saw him. 1t is not surprising. there
fore, that he was stoned to death (verSe
49, with commendable prudence Re-
hoboam FASTENED to Jerusalem, the right
full seat of his government, the only place
of personal security.
CORONATION.-1t would seem that
after the events just narrated-the rejcc-
tion of Rehoboam by the elders of the
ten tribes at ShcChem. the murder of
Adoram the taX-gatherer the fight of Re
hohoam-cvery one returned to his home.
What had happened was announced to all
Israel 1t thus became known to 'he
great body of the people that Jeroboam
had returned from Egypt, and immodi-
atcly there began popular movement in
his behalf AS by one voice he was called
from his retirement and chosen to be
king of the new nation (verse 2O). They
thus formally set up a government of
their own. under man who belonged TO
them, who had shown his interest in
them, who had demonstrated his abiii-
| ties by his service under Solomon, who
had been wronged and made a fugitive
who had been declared by prophecy as
| the first occupant of the lew throne. Je-
robodm had no claim-he was not of royal
| descent. But he ca me to power by the
| will of the people. The government es
spirit, illustrating at least our principle
of American Declaration of Independence.
Subjugation.-1h ten tribes evdeltly
| believed that they had right to retire
| from a contract in which they had volun-
| tarily entered. The power to make in
| Nolved the right to repeal I'll Sam. Y, -.
| But Rehoboam considered that during
| the two previous reigns the common
| treasure and blood of the monarchy ha |
! been so expended for the defense and
| prosperity of the whole land that none
were at liberty to withdraw. lie may have
| thought, moreover. that he had Divine
right and hence duty to defend his right
| He determined to subdue the rebels. One
| hundred and eighty thousand warrio, IS
| were assembled, the whole fighting force
| being three times that number, as
| against eight hundred thousand in Israel
| Il Sam. xXiv, 81. 1t is impossible to say
| how the king eXpectd to overcome such a
| vastly superior number. for Judah was
| no match for Israel. 1t may he that
| he relied upon the strength of his gov