The Morris County chronicle. [volume] (Morristown, N.J.) 1877-1915, 1904-11-01

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xi.s 1-16-Golden Text, Prov. xxx, s--,
Memory Verses. 1O-1e - Comm tary
on the Days Lesson.
NEUTRALITY-SUSPICIOUS. lessons now return
to the kingdom of Judah. Last quarter we
saw how Jehoshaphat, in his desire to
deep peace with the northern kingdom.
syehoram TO Athalah, the daughter Of
sAhab and Jezebei. Athaliah was the
image Of her heather mother, and the
union was DISASTROUS in the extreme to the
kingdom Of Judah. Jehoram was weak aa
well as wicked, and was wholly under the
influence Of his heather queen, and the
icentious worship Of Baal was soon nj
PRODUCED into Jerusalem and established
Commentary. Athaliah us1rps the
throne Tvs l.31 /. WAthaliabn AS SOON
as Athaliah, Jehoram's widow, knew that
her son Ahaziah was dead, she at once
took steps to seat herself on the throne.
She was wicked and INSCRIPTIONS and en-
deavored to make her title TO the throne
secure BY ordering all Of the male members
Of the royal family to be put to death
2. "Jehosheba.D She was probably half
sister of Ahaziah andsa step-daughter Of
Athaliah, being the daughter Of Joram
BY another wife. She was the wife OF
Jehoiada, the priest u Chron; 2z:llls
WHICH, explains bne ease with WHICH etss
could arrange for hiding Joash IN the
temple. Took Joash." He was an I'M
FAINT at this time, not q year old. The
bedchamber." The original words signify
chamber Of beds. Not regular Sleep
ing apartment, for Athaliah would leave
no such place unsearched, but place
where beds were slowed away. 3. Was
with her. That is, his nurse. Hid
Elk years" He was concealed in one Of
the chambers which ran around the temple
on two sides and one end and which we're
"variously used as wardrobes or as dwell
ing rooms We may safely conclude that
they were under the control of the high
priest, Jehoiada This would be a safe
hiding place, for Athaliah probably never
visited the temple, which, under her reigns
fell into neglect and disrepute.
ii. The plan to make Joash king (vsl
a-ll). 4. AThe seventh year" The sevs
enth year of Joashs age. See v. IA
<Jehoiada." The high priest. He was
brother-in-law to Ahaziah, and therefore
uncle to JoaAh, In the revolution which
he planned bestowed great tact and abili
safe and wise counselor. Captains oven
hundreds" (R. VI. Their names are given
in 2 Chron. 23:l, 2. They were probably
officers of the army, having charge of ~
hundred men. Carries (R. VI. The
men Of Caria, in Asia Minor. Guard, =
The word rendered guard" is literally
runners" and applies to the royal body
similar class. These officers were strictly
military. Made a covenant" etc. He
made covenant with the five captains
whom he had taken into his confidence
and bound them under a solemn oath to
assist him IN carrying out his plans.
5. He commanded them The de-
scription Of the arrangement Of the Levite
hr1c lsa Sunf0Ir ffnlloxU 1o h{1.i
scure. The difficulty comes from our ig-l
norance of some Of the terms employed
"A third part" etc. The guards were dir
vided into five companies. ION the Sab
bath" A large number of Levites were
constantly employed about the temple, and
they relieved each other by turns, making
their shifts on the Sabbath. Jehoiada'a
plan was to enlist the services Of those who
were retiring from duty as well as those
who were entering upon duty. The king r.
house" One-third of those who were
entering upon duty were to remain OUT
side, instead of entering the temple, as
usual, and guard the passageway leading
70 the royal residence.
6. "Gate of Sur" A third part were to
guard the gate Sur, which was probably,
Hthe main entrance into the inner court
of the temple "Gate behind the guard 4
h third part were to guard this gates
which was evidently some well known
side or rear entrance into the court of
the temple, from which an attack might be
expected" .sBe a barrier" (R. VI. In
this way the Levites were to guard the
approaches to the temple and be barrier
I. "That 10 forth" Those relieved
from duty on the Sabbath instead of re-
turning home were to form themselves
into two divisions and act as the jmme-
date bodyguard Of the youthful king.
Their particular duty is more fully. gwen in
verse s. 8. Within the ranges" With
In the ranks" (R. VI. 8. Every man his
men" That Is, each Of the five captains
took immediate charge Of the company OF
men put under him.
TO- "David's spears and shields" The
| trophies OF David's many wars, stored
probably in some of the chambers sur
rounding the temple. 1t would have ex-
cited suspicion if the captains and the
'sThe guard Stood" etc. From each cor
/ ner Of the porch, on the right and left,
the men were ranged in lines between the
| temple and the altar which stood in 'front.'
| Of the porch, so that when the king came
| forth he could advance between the lines
and be brought into the space enclosed
by them.
e brou nd tx Orsh n e. gshoisds Who had
charge Of Joasb, brought him out and
OBLIGATED in the ceremony that followed.
ssYhe testimony" As q part Of the coro-
nation ceremony the high priest gave
Joash copy Of the law Of Moses: See
lieut.. l7:lS, 10. "They made him king. Z
i The people appear to have all been Of one
nsind and rejoice greatly that the reign
Of the wicked Athaliah was ended.
~. Athahah slain Tvs. 1870. -.
when Athaliah heard the noise. The
arrangements had been made with such
secrecy that Athaliah knew nothing OF
| what was going on. When she heard the
| noise she hurried into the temple to as
| certain the cause Of the tunult. "A. The
| king stood by the pillar" Or. w. Some
spot IS here clearly designated which was
| HE special position Of the king on such
| occasions We see that Athaliah took in
! the whole scene at a glance and knew
! without being told what was going on.
\ Is. The high priest commanded that she
Isbe taken without the temple, SO that the
| sacred apartments would not be stained
1 with human blood. He also commanded
| that any one who might undertake to de-
| fcnd her should be instantly killed. 10.
| Athahah was slain.