The Daily Ardmoreite. [volume] (Ardmore, Okla.) 1893-current, 1898-09-04

LESSON xii. SEPT. 10. . KINGS
XVIII e-ts.
Golden xszt t-e1s zhoa seek. uIn. He
VIII Bs Roaaa Of rhss; bua R rhou
Korsaks HIN. ne win cast rhss on
Forsver---l chron. sss Q.

The section includes the last years of
Israel. IN 2 Kings IS: s-a1: 1T:1-41: and the
prophets Amos and Hosea
Suggestions to Teachers-The map and
the chart VIII help much In gaining
clear view of the outward circumstances
OF this lesson. We see the great Assyr-
Ian power coming down upon this little
kingdom, whose defense was taken away
by their sins. We look upon the nation
dying. and then dead Then the lesson
is the epitaph upon its monument. writ
ten by the finger of God, and therefore
true: and we read why the nation per-
ished. and take warning. Or We may
look upon these verses as the post-mort-
en- examination by q skilled physician,
showing the disease which caused the
death. In order that we may avoid that
course of living which produced II. Place
in the History-The end OF the kingdom
of Israel
Historical Setting.-TIme-The fall of
Samaria took place In December. n. or
early In IN All authorities agree here.
Place-Samaria. the capital of Israel.
Rulers-Hoshea was king OF Israel. the
captivity taking place In his ninth year,
Hezekiah, king of judah, sixth year Qs:
lO). The invasion Of Israel, by Assyria
was begun by Shalmaneser w.. but Sa-
maria was captured by his successor.
sargon. who had been his general-in-
chief, and began to reign December. az.
Prophets-Issiah and Micah. were
prophesying in Judah at this time. Ho-
sea. the prophet OF Israel. died shortly
/ before the captivity.
Parallel History-The state OF things in
Judah is described in Chron. chaps. %.
/ 30.
| 9. Did secretly" Literally, they COW
cred. They cloaked or covered their idol
airy with pretenses that IT was worship
weakness and death. Built high
places" Affairs in groves on hill. for
worship. sometimes for worship OF Jeho-
yah. but often for the licentiousness and
revelry OF the worship OF idols. From
the tower of the watchman-" In lonely
spots. to guard vineyards and iocks.
TO- Images" OR. ". pIllars). perhaps
carved in some figure. but often only
| obelisks. representing some idol.
Groves" Asherim. wooden images,
carved on pillars. Of the goddess Asher
ah, corresponding to the Grecian Venus.
IL. Whom the Lord carried away" in
to captivity by the Assyrians. These ma
tions were nearer Assyria, and first at
tackled. and yet Israel did not take warn
ing, but did the very things which
brought evil upon others.
13. Yet the Lord testified against Or
v, unto)- BY all the prophets" Those
who speak forth what God would say to
men, And by all the seers-" Those
who see visions which God reveals.
Prophets OF every kind were sent.
metaphor derived from those oxen who.
in spite of all efforts to guide them. hold
their necks set and firm In the way they
determine to go. 1t expresses unbendlng
obstinacy and self-will. THAT did not
| believe I'm the Lord" They of course
knew his existence, but they did not
trust to his guidance, in his wisdom and
goodness. so as to do what he command
| ed. They did not commit their ways,
their interests. and their future into his
hands. but thought their own way was
| better.
Is. They rejected his statutes The
natural result of unbelIef. And his
covenant" So the law was called, be-
cause II was an agreement between God
and his people. he to preserve and de-
fend them. they to obey. (see Deut. .:
i, 8. I'D His testimonies His law,
which Is the testimony he bears for truth
and against iniquity.-Alexander. "And
| followed vanity" Nothingness.
Idols who were absolutely powerless to
help them Became vain" Weak, help
less. with no power to resist attacks.
16- "A grove" An Asherah. (See on v.
10.)
IL. Caused their sons to Pass
through the fire." Not merely made
them pass through the fire for purifica-
tion,'' but burnt them with fire. as is
said of Ahaz e Chron. %: 3: see |; King.
Il: 81; Eek. is: ID. This was done In the
worship OF Molech. The Rabbins tel
US that this idol was made OF brass. and
that the head was that OF q calf with q
crown upon Ii. 1t was made hollow, and
furious fire was kIndled within It.
When the arms were red hot. the vic,
tim was thrown into them, and was al
most Immediately burned to death, while
its cries were drowned by drums
Schaffs. Bible Dictionary. This horrible
custom was grounded in part on the no
ton that children were the dearest DOS.
session of their parents (who shorld Of.
fer their best to Cod. and in part thai
as pure and innocent beings. they wer,
the offerings OF atonement most certain
to pacify the anger of Deity.-G. Raw.
linson. Story OF the Nations. "Divina-
ton and enchantments." There were elf.
ferent ways OF seeking to know futur.
events, and OF imposing upon the people
And sold themselves 10 do evil" Ths
metaphor Is taken from the practice o.
men selling themDelves into slavery. and
so giving themselves wholly up to worh
the will of their master. This was 4