The Abbeville press and banner. [volume] (Abbeville, S.C.) 1869-1924, 1904-11-09
THE SUNDAY SCHOOL
INTERNATIONAL LESSON COMMENTS
FOR NOVEMBER 10.
Subject: Joash Repairs the Temple, II
Kings Kill, 4-15-Golden Text, Neh.
X, 39-Memory Verses, 0-13-Com-
mentary on the Days Lesson.

l. nentary on the Days LesSOns
The reformation under Joash began at
the time of his coronation. J.. \ solemn
covenant was made between the Lord
and the king and the people," and be
tween the king also and the people" that
they would be 1.-The Lords people" e Kings
ll:i7. .. Baal worship was Immediately
overthrown. From the inner court OF the
temple, which was the scene of the coro-
encouraged by Jehoiada, streamed forth
to the neighboring seat o. idol worship,
bent upon It's complete demolition. THE
people of the land went into the house
| Of Baal and brake it down" e Kings Ills;
9 Chron. BID. The affairs and images
which adorned it were broken to pieces,
and Mattan the high priest slain as he
oficiated. Baal worship was thus for a
time completely rooted out of judah, and
the old religion resumed its place. 3. The
priests and Levites were appointed to
serve in the temple las it was ordained by
David" e Chron. 1918.
I. Raising funds to repair the temple
Tvs. 4-9). 4 'Jehoash." The same as
Joash. 1t must i've been som time after
| his coronation before he began this work.
| Said to the priests" 1t is remarkable
that the first movement toward restoring
the temple should come, not from Jeho-
iada, but from Joash, not from the priest,
but from the king. Jehoiada had allowed
the mischief done in Athaliah's time to re-
main %unrepaireu during his whole term OF
government. Remembering that he owed
his preservation and restoration to the
temple, and that God had made him its
guardian, and that he had coyenanted SO
to be, Joash decides to repair it. An the
money" etc. There are three kinds OF
offerings mentioned in this verse: l. The
"atonement" money, the same amount
/ half a shekel, about :hirty-three cents-for
rich and poor alike; illustrating the truth
that the souls of of mer are equally ,prec-
poll tax (Exod. 2O:ll-l6). 2. Money from
special VOWS, which was regulated by law
and circumstance (Lev. N:l-S). 3. Free
Will offerings (Exod. $3.50.
5. Let the priests" etc. The meaning
is made clear in 2 Chron. 24:5. The
priests and Levites were asked to 60 into
1.-THE cities of Judah and gather of al!
Israel" money for the repairs. They would
naturally 60 to those with whom They,
were acquainted. Breaches" Years OF
neglect had allowed the walls to crack
ard crumble, and the sons of Athalah
had broken it to pieces z Chron. 24:I;
g.. Had not repaired" This plan proved
q failure. 1. Probably because the priests
took but little interest: 9. Perhaps the
people were afraid to trust the priests.
There are those in our churches to-day
who imbibe too much of the spirit of these
priests. They would see the sanctuary
almost tumble about their heads in ruins
before they would initiate any movement
to repair and renovate it.. Piety is at a
low ebb in that soul which is so indifferent
to the outer fabric of Gods house.
7. Called for Jehoiada." 1t is strange
that the high priest should be negligent;
but he was q very old man q Chron. "a:
Isl. even if, with most critics, we read one
hundred and three instead of one hundred
and thirty years. He had become accus-
toned to the dilapidated. state of the tenn
lie and perhaps s%ympathized with the
priests in their reasons for delay. Receive
no more" etc. The plan was now entirely
changed, and the collection which at first
had been ordered was now to cease. 8:
"The priests consented" They had found
The work too great for them and were no
doubt glad to be relieved;
direction of the king e Chron. 24:s), and
was "a much more popular measure than
the one tried before" Joash did not be-
come discouraged, but when he failed on
one line he tried another. Bored a hole"
"The chest was locked and had a hole
bored in its lid just large enough to ad-
nit pieces OF silver" 1t was placed be-
side the great brazen altar which stood in
the priests court. 1t was therefore out
side Of the temple proper cThe priests
it appears that the people cast the money
into the chest, but it probably passed
through the hands of the priests. There
is not the slightest evidence that the
priests and Levites had been guilty Of any
dishonesty"
II. The temple repaired Tvs. 1918. 10.
"Much money" The new plan had put
life into the work. The givers saw that
Others were giving and that success was
likely to attend their efforts, and accord
ingly there was money in abundance.
From verse 6 we see that the money. for
the support of the priests was not given
with the other, so that every person knew
exactly for what purpose his gifts were
used. Joy and delight in the object made
liberal givers. The kings SCRIBE" etc.
It appears by comparing 2 Chron. PAIL
that the chest was carried unopened into
the kings office and that the money was
placed in charge OF two responsible per,
sons, who put it in bags, counted and
marked, ready to be paid out to the work
men.
II. "Being told" See R. V. We would
saw, "They counted the money" but it's
value was found by weighing. "They paid
it out" (R. W. The money was placed
in the hands of the orerseers and they
paid it out to the workmen. From verse
Is we sec that they were trusted perfect
", "for they dealt faithfully" IL. In
this verse mention is made OF certain yes
sells and implements which were not made
at this time, while in 2 Chron. 24:4 men
ton is made OF those which were made;
the passages are not contradictory. Il:
'"They ~" repaired y the house of
the lord" The labors Of all, from the
king to the humb,est carpenter. were es-
sential to the success of the great under
taking. It is not for any worker IN the
Lords cause to say he has of himself done
any GOOD thing. At the best he is only
one of the many agents in the perfectlng
OF Gods plans. The restoration of the
house of the Lord was accomplished only
by n r~esolute and united effort. l. There
was a willingness among the people to give
literally. .. There was a strict and i'm;
partial administration of the funds. 3. All
unnecessary EXPENSE was avoided. 10.
"They dealt faithfully" Those who
handled the money as well as the work
men were conscientious and faithful. In
this reorganization we observe all the ele-
ments of success-prompt and decided &C.
ton. generous giving, careful expenditure,
earnest and faithful toll. If you wish sue
cess in life, make perseverance your bosom
friend, experience your wise cou1ceior,
raution your elder brother and hope your
guardian genius. ~