The News-Herald. [volume] (Hillsboro, Highland Co., Ohio) 1886-1973, 1898-08-25
ELISHA AT DOTHAN.
sunday School Lesson In the Inter-
national Series for August ~,
1s8s--2 Kings, 8,s-1S.

BIASED upon Peloubet's Select Notes.1
GOLDEN TEXT.-The angel Of the Lord
encampeth round about them that fear
Him, and delivereth them.-Psa. S47
THE SECTION should include chapter
8, showing how God helps His people in
various kinds of trouble.
TIME-Not long after the last lesson.
Between b. c. $50 and Ss4 (com. chron);
or $50 and S45 (rev. chron).
PLACE.-U Samaria, the capital. CO
Dothan, on the south side of the plain OF
Jezreel, IL miles north of Samaria. Here
Joseph was put In the pit, and sold by
his brethren Gen. 1:17. etc.).
EXPLANATORY.
I. Elisha's Warnings.-Vs. s-12. 8.
''The king of Syria:" Benhadad H., of
Damascus.
9. "And the man of Gods" Elisha:
80 called because he was Gods special
servant and messenger, through whom
God revealed His will. "Sent unto the
king Of Israeli" Josephus says the
king of Israel was starting on hunt
Ing party when Elisha warned him.
"Beware that thou pass not such
place." or beware that thou pass not
over such q place, leaving it unoccu-
pied.-Keil. "Syrinas are come (R.V..
are coming) down." He must either
avoid the place, lest he be taken una
wares by the Syrians already there,
or he must occupy and defend 1t, ready
for the Syrians. who are on the way
there.
10. "And the King sent to
the place." several times, and in every
case the prophets warning was cor
rect.
II. "King Of Syria was sore
trosbled:" He was both enraged at
the defeat Of his schemes, and per-
picked at the unaccountable and mys-
terious manner OF his defeat. (Which
Of us is for the king of Israel?' He
could account for these things only by
some treachery among his intimate
advisers.
~. "And one of his servnnts:" Per-
haps some one who had been TO
Sumaria with Naaman and had con-
versed with the neighbors of Elisha.
III. Elisha's Defenders.-vs. 1918.
1s. go and spy where he is, that may
|. 4. fetch him." and take him away
from the power of communicating
with the king.
IA. "a great hosts" Great for the
purpose. ''They came by night" So
as to take the city by surprise, and
Elisha In 1t, without warning or op-
portunity for escape.
15. "The servant was risen
early" Something unusual had
alarmed him; the noise of the chariots
or the alarm Of the watchman.
16. "And he answered, Fear not:r
He comforts him in two ways: ~ by
his own faith and experience; (2) by
vision of those who defended him
"They that be with us are more thar
they that be with them" We need not
host of which he here spake. He only
gave utterance to the conviction Of al
Gods saints when the world perse
cutes them.
II. Lord, pray Thee, open hi.
eyes:" His spiritual vision, hispowe,
of recognizing the great unseen real
tiles around him. Nothing was createt
or changed for him. The heavenly
host was really there, but unperceived
. | dS tuc bCdES dTc III the ucuVcuS, 6u(
the flowers in the field, though ths
blind man sees them not. All he need.
is opened eyes. "Behold the noun
tain:" The hill on which Dothan wa
situated. "Was full of horses ant
chariots of fre:" The symbols Of tn,
unseen, powers and forces of God
which defended the prophet.
10. when they came down." from
the surrounding hills, ito him." t.
take Elisha. Apparently he and hi
servant had gone on toward the, Syri
ans. "Smite this people. l pray Thee
with blindness" This was not re
vengeful. but loving prayer, for tn
tendency Of the whole transaction wa
(D7to teach the Syrians about the tru
God and His goodness; (2) to lead Je
horam. the king, to- go to God for hi
! h611If24I p 6e liver the people fron