The Scranton tribune. [volume] (Scranton, Pa.) 1891-1910, 1898-07-30
1 Kings XXI: A-16.

surprise felt by Jezebel on entering the
kings chamber was soon turned to dis
gust and indignation as she heard his
words and considered his unmanly con-
duct. In strong, hot words she upbraided
him. Are you a king? DO you behave
like one? Verse ~ She probably had in
mind the absolute authority exercised by
her father and the heather rulers of
other nations. She did not understand
that Israel was limited monarchy, that
its sovereign was under law no less than
the subjects. that the law was of Divine
origin. or. IL she understood this, she
would have Ahab know that such royalty
was of little worth and that he ought to
deserve something better. Having thus
reproached she commanded him to rise
from his COUCH to eat and to be merry.
That was her. idea of life. That was the
idea of the whole ancient world, and 1t is
the idea of the whole modern world out
side of religious conviction. Have a
good time, enjoy yourself, that is the
counsel of goddess heart. Uuke xii. 49,
1t is the carnal triumphing over the
spiritual. To induce him to accept her
advice she promised to give him the vine-
yard of Nabcth. This hope might we'll
cheer the king.
ORDERS.-Jezebel was true to her
promise. In the depths of her wicked
heart she conceived diabolical plot and
proceeded to execute II. To avoid popuA
lar Indignation she determined to use the
forms of law and justice. and appear rs
the patron of righteousness. To the eld-
ers and mobiles dwelling in the city she
wrote letters, using Ahab's name and
seal, which probably he allowed her to
use when she pleased. (Verse 81 In
these letters she represented that Naboth
was guilty of a great offense. which must
be expiated to avert the Divine judgment
upon the nation. Hence, she ordered the
olders o call public fast Usa. lvii. q,
for humiliation before God, an act which
she had reason to believe would be ap-
proved by all gcdly men. In that fast
Naboth must be set in conspicuous
place among the people Verse 81 that he
might be seen by ALL Private instruc-
tions were given to trusted servants that
men of Belial should be procured Deut.
xiii: 13. men free from the restraints of
conscience, who. at the proper time
should come forth and testify that Ma
both had blasphemed God and the king
Verse 10) As this offense was punish
able with death. Gev xiv: 14,) the man
would disappear and his estate be con-
fiscated.
RESPONSE.-The elders and mobiles
must have been surprised when they re-
ceived those letters Naboth, their neigh
bor, had maintained a good name among
them, and was free from all suspicion
They might havA protected him, as was
their duty to do in case of his innocence
for. Notwithstanding the government was
monarchical in form. the elders still exs:-
cised great authority, which they had in
herited from the very beginning of ma
tional life CEx. tii 49, an authority which
even Jezebel felt compelled to respect it,
But. II Naboth was guilty, these mon
were the last to shield him, for in that
case they world have been parties to his
crime. That was the glory of Israel all
through its history, that the elders sought
to enforce law. Besides. the call OF the
king was intended rs method TO deter
mine the guilt or innocence of the ac-
cused Furthermore, to refuse the pro-
clamation would be a neglect of their
duty, giving occasion for subsequent en-
croachment by the kirg upon their privi-
| lege, and might also expose them to his
ill-will They therefore resolved to pro-
| claim the fast. to set Naboth on high
| and to conform to all customs imposed
| when any great matters of state was to
be determined wherein the question Of