The Scranton tribune. [volume] (Scranton, Pa.) 1891-1910, 1898-07-30

INTRODUCTION.-P bly, six yeais
intervened between the visit of Elijah to
Mount Horeb and the events of todays
lesson. During that time Elisha had be-
come a follower and disciple of Elijan.
Benhadad had beseged Samaria and had
been defeated. Peace being restored, not
withstanding the interposition and warn
ing of God, Ahab soon returned to the
vices of his luxurious life and strength
ened himself more and more in his wick
cdness. His lust of gain, his disregard of
the rights of others, his infiamed conccit,
found expression in even the trivial af-
fairs of every day occurrence, and Jeze-
bel proved his evil genius, indulging his
whims, ministering to his passions, and
gratifying his ambitions. The passage
before us is a disclosure of the man on
one of his worst sides 1t was bad enough
for him to marry a heather woman. 1t
was infinitely worse under her dictation
to become an idolater, and to lead the
nation in the worship of strange gods.
We shall now see that he fell into the
lowest depths of unmanly weakness and
deserved only to be despised by his own
people.
DEJECTION.-Our lesson opens with
strange scene,-the king is in bed, his
face turned to the wall. refusing to eat,
heavy hearted, offended. Verse A. And
Why 1t appears that hard by the palace
was vineyard owned by Naboth a man
of considerable Importance no doubt, as
otherwise he would not have possessions
in that locality. Ahab proposed to pur-
chase, but the offer was refused. Ma
both was unwilling 20 ALLEVIATE an inherit
ance. Indeed there was o prohibition in
the Divine law against it, He might sell
or mortgage, but in the jubilee 1t would
revert. Lev. XIV: IA The refusal was
displeasing to the king, not merely be-
cause he failed to obtain by purchase
what he coveted. nor yet because one
presumed to resist his will, but because
the old law stood in his way. He had
found himself several times face to face
with the legislation of Moses bound by
regulations that he could not violate with
impunity. Ahab went home In a rage,
detected, dissatisfied with the whole
economy of government handed down to
him, which limited his authority and
compelled him to respect the property
rights of others. Il was stubborn re-
sistance against God.
lNQC1RY.-ln a short time Jezebel ap-
peared in the kings chamber to learn
the cause of his sudden detection of
spirit. Verse 81 This was both her
privilege and duty. Woman never ep-
pears to better advantage than when she
assists those in distress. To her own
husband she has ministry at such a
time which no other can render. There
are not many men whose wives have not
sustained them in trying hours and made
| them strong to bear or overcome. 1t has
| been said that never does a man do a
great thing but woman is near to ad-
| wise OF course Ahab explained the situ-
alton. Nerse g. 1t is a peculiar fact
| that when man gets the dumps he looks
| for some one to whom he may speak, and
| he generally finds relief in speaking. In
| this instance it was useless to try to he
| SILENT for the king had sold himself out
| and dared not resist the imperious will of
Jezebel who was "a stronger character
| than he. 1t Is quite probable, moreover,
| that, knowing by former experiences,
| how resourceful she was he expected she
| would as she did. find some way out of
the trouble. Indeed, he may have gone to
bed, expecting she would come to his re-
| lief.
| CONTEMPT.--A head-strong woman
makes her husband weak minded, COM
| pels him to serve her and then despisas
| him on every exhibition of weakness. The