Catoctin clarion. [volume] (Mechanicstown, Md.) 1871-1940, 1904-11-03
THE SUNDAY SCHOOL
INTERNATIONAL LESSON COMMENTS
FOR NOVEMBER s.
Subject: JOasf, the Boy King. ii Kings
XII, 1-16-GUlden Text. Prov. xxix.."-
Memory Verses, IO-1. - Commentary
on the Days lesson.


XII, 1-16-Golden Text. Prov. xxix."-
Memory Verses, 1912 - Commentary
on the Days Lesson.
Introduction-Our lessons now return
to the kingdom of Judah. Last quarter we
saw how Jchoshaphat, in his desire to
deep peace with the northern kingdom,
made the fatal mistake of uniting his son
Jehoram to Athaliah, the daughter OF
Ahab and ,Jezebel. Athaliah was the
image OF her heather mother, and the
union was disatrous in the extreme to the
kingdom of Judah. ,jchOram was weak a.
well as wicked, and was wholly under the
influence of his heather queen, and the
licentous worship OF Baal wa, soon IN.
troduced into Jerusalem and established
over the country.
Commentary.-I. Athalah usurps the
throne Tvs. l-3). |. "Athalah.' As soon
her son Ahaziah was dead, she at once
took steps TO seat herself on the throne
She was wicked and unscrupulous 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
.. ",Jchosheba.' She was probably half,
sister of Ahaziah and Il step-daughter OF
Athaiah, being the daughter OF 'joram
by another wife. She was the wife of
which explains the ease with which she
could arrange for hiding Joash III the
temple. Took Joash.' He was an IN
fant at this time, not a year old. The
bedchamber" The original words signify
a chamber of beds. Not a regular sleep
ing apartment, for Athaliah would leave
no such place unsearched, but place
where beds were slowed away. ;. Was
with her That Is, his nurse. Hid
Ia, alaI
the chambers which ran around the temple
on two sides and one end and winch were
''varouslv used as war3robes or as dwell
ing rooms" We may safely conclude that
they were under The control oi the hlgh
priest, ,jehoada ! his would be a sal"
hiding place, Tor Athaliah probably never
visited the temple, which, under her reign,
fell into neglect and dlSreputc.
Ii. The plan to make Joash king Tvs
4.lD. /. The seventh year. The sev'
enth year OF Joasa age. See '. u.
.Jchoiada." The high priest, He was
brothcln.'aw to Ahaziah, and therefore
uncle to .Ipaah In the revolution which
be planned he showed great tact and abii-
i.y. Always loyal to Jehovah, he was Il
safe and wise counselor. "taptalns over
hundreds" tR. W. Their name. ar" given
III , Chron. 23:l. :. They were probably
officers of the army, having charge OF
men OF Cara, in Asia Minor. Guard.
The word rendered guard is literally
runners" and applies to the ROYAL body
guard the "tarttrs are thought to b" A
similar class. These officers were strictly
military. Made a covenant etc. II"
made a covenant with the tive captains
whom he had taken into III, confidence
and bound thcm under solemn oath 10
assist HIM III carrying ont his plans.
4, lpt
ecrlntlpu OF the arrangement nt the l.eNitc
guards in the verses which follow IL OBJ
scurc The difficulty comes from our u
poranrc oi some Of the terms employed.
\ third part etc. Inc guards we're ul'
NIded into five companies. ON the SAB
BATH 4 large number Of Levltcs were
constantly employed about the temple, aHd
they relieved each other by turns, making
their shifts on the sabbath. ,iehoIana
plan wa, TO enlist the services of those who
were retiring from duty ar well A. those
who we're entering upon duty. he king
house" Dnc-thlrd ol those ~ho were
entering upon duty were to remain out
side, instead OF entering the tempe. as
usual, and guard the paNsdgeWay leading
to the royal residence.
g. Gate 0t Sur y third part were to
guard the gate sun, which was probably
Tthr main entrance INTO the inner court
4 third part We're 10 guard tins gate,
which was evidently some well known
side or rear entrance into the court OF
the temple. from which an attack might ne
expected. BE hairirr' Or. w.. In
this way the l.cvltes were TO sund the
approaches to the temple and he barrier
or defense.
!. That go FORTH Those relieved
from duty on the Sabbath instead oi i''
H.,
into two divisions and act as the lmme'
date bodygUard of the youthful king.
Their particular dnly is more fully, given IN
verse s. =. within the ranges. With
in the ranks" IN W. q. Every man his
men" That Is, each OF the five captains
took immediate charge of the company OF
men put under him.
10. "David's spears and shields. Inc
trophies of David's many wars. stored
probably in some OF the chambers sur
rounding the temple. 1t would have eX-
cited suspicion ii the captains and the
Jevites had entered the temple armed. H.
"The guard Stood etc. From each cor
ner of the porch. on the right and lett,
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.
iii. The boy king crowned *. l2). r.
"He brought forth" Ichoiada, who had
charge Of Joash, brought him out and
oliiciated in the ceremony that followed,
"The testimony" As a part Of th" coro'
nation ceremony the high priest gave
Joash a copy OF the law of Moses. See
Deut. l7:ls, 70. They made hlm king
The people appear to have all been ot one
mind and rejoice greatly that he reign
of the wicked Athaliah was ended.
". Athaliah slain Tvs. l3-l6l. i3
"Whcn 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 tumult: IA. "lhe
king stood by the pillar Or. W: Some
spot is here clearly designated when was
the special position Of the king on such
occasions. We see that .Atha|iah took III
the whole scene at a glance and knew
without being told what was ,goIug on.
J5. The high priest commanded hat she
he taken without the temple, so that the
sacred apartments would not he stained
with human blood He also commanded
that any one who might undertake to de-
fcnd her should be instantly killed. H.