The Abbeville press and banner. [volume] (Abbeville, S.C.) 1869-1924, 1904-09-28
THE SUNDAY SCHOOL
INTERNATIONAL LESSON COMMENTS
FOR OCTOBER 2.
subject: Elisha Succeeds Elijah, II
Kings, H., 12-22-Golden Text, III
Kings, H., 0-Mernory Verses, RID
Commentary On the Days Lesson.

SuDleCt. I.l1Sllh 5uCCccub EllJhhB IL
Kings, IT,, 12-a2-Golden Text, III
Kings, H., 9-Memory Verses, 12-14-
Commentary On the Days Lesson.
7. The vision (v. l2). Lesson II of the
third quarter should now be reviewed. u.
Elisha saw it," That is, the ascension of
Elijah. Elisha saw this. however. not with
his natural eyes. for it was a scene belong
ing to the spiritual world, and to behold
it lie must, like the young man mentioned
in chapter Gil. have his inner senses un-
yelled. This sight was 4 special divine IA
vor and was made by Elijah the condi-
tional sign OF Elisha's obtaining a double
portion of his spirit (v. 10y. My father"
This title of affection was given by the
younger prophets TO an elder. Elijah had
been a father to him in his care and train
ing, in love and legacy. These words
should be understood as an exclamation OF
wonder and -amazement. Elisha sees his
spiritual father denart, and he sees the
chariot and the celestial steeds. and he
calls after them all. Some think that
Elisha desired to convey the impression
that Elijah was more to Israel by his coun-
sells, reproofs and prayers than chariots
and horses. Rent them" This was a
commo mode Of expressing grief. Elisha
looked upon Elijah's departure as a per-
sonal bereavement. He had lost the guide
of his youth; loneliness came over
J him and he acted like 4 heartbroken
mourner.
II. Dividing the Jordan Tvs. 13. l4l. Is.
The mantle. This was the same mantle
the prophetic office, and by which Elijah
divided Jordan. Having the mantle was a
proof that he was invested with the au-
thority OF his master. STOOD by the
bank lie was the same man and yet not
the same; like many another who has
gone to the gate of heaven with a depart
ing saint. He could no more lean on Eli
jah, but he found that he had received as
the prophets dying legacy, l. Elijah's
mantle. . Elijah,s God. 3. Elijah's
spirit. I. Eliiah's Office.
Identical with Elijah's last one. He acts
upon the faith that he would receive from
God the power which he had desired.
Where Isl etc. This question docs not
imply doubt of Gods presence, but is an
e~ntreaty for His power to show itself. and
give a foretaste OF the spirit of Elijah
which had been promised.
III. Searching for Elijah Tvs. 1919. IL.
Sons CT the prophets. The fifty who had
gone 10 4 height to watch Elijah and
Elisha as they went across the Jordan ".
y. and were waiting for his return. "'They
said" etc. When they saw the miracle.
wrought by Elisha they were confirmed in,
The belief that he was the divinely APP
themselves" Thus showing that they ac-
knowlcdged him as their head. These
men were trained up in the schools OF the
prophets.
lG. Seek thy MASTER 1t cannot be-
,,n,,neo1 affa,, ,yi,t t1or hn1 cnil hnfnrto
to Elisha that the Lord would take away
his master on that day. that they expected
to find Elisha somewhere alive. No doubt
Elisha had at once told them how Elijah
had departed. but evidently they could
not fully believe that he had gone bodily
to heaven. Their search to find him. how
ever. was as f~ruitless and idle as The at.
tempt OF some moderns to explain away
the idea OF 4 bodily ascension into heaven.
'Ye shall not" Elisha was absolutely
certain that the body could not be
found.
II. "Ashamed.' TO refuse longer to
grant their request. He saw that they
would not be satisfied until they had made
the search. The best way to solve doubts
and questionings about religion, is by a
book on intideiity. says that he never
knew an inlidel who fairly investigated the
claims OF the gospel to remain all intidel.
10. Did ] not say The search only
confirmed The words of Elisha. Those
that would find Elijah, let them aspire to
the heavenly paradise. Let them follow
the high steps of his sincere iaithiulness,
strong patience, undaunted courage, Ter
vent zeal and constant obedience.
". Healing the waters Tvs. 1922. l9:
MEN of the city" Prominent citizens o.
tle place. Perhaps they were the elders OF
The city who. thus applied to Elisha, and
their action shows that lie had their CONT
deuce. As he had now attained the high
bly, they expected that he might he able to
rid the city Of its plague. SIS pleasant"
The situation Of Jericho. near the passage
of the Jordan. was such as to attract q
considerable population after it was re-
built: and for the sake of the prosperity
which came to them in other ways they
were content to dwell in such an unwhole-
some place. Now. however, they saw a
hope of benefit and with this thought they
came to Elisha. Jericho was a part of that
country which, in Gen. 1910, is compared
ito the garden OF the Lord rs naught.'
Is bad, harmful; the word "naught" was
rem" See r. V. ''Casteth her fruit 4.
v, margin. The evil effect was clearly in
consequence Of the hurtfu! water, for :hs
healing Of the spring is to bring a remedy
for the other evils. 1t seems therefore
that the water was such as caused the trees
to shed their fruit prematurely.
20. a new c,use.' 4 new cup or dish,
one "never used III any common or unholy
service. The purity Of the vessel was to
typiiy the publication wrought upon the
spring" salt therein" Elisha in work.
ing this miracle would seem 10 make use
of means just as Jesus did when lie put
spittle on the blind mans eyes, Ilohn
9:6). The injurious properly and effect
was not taken from the water by the salt
poured in. for even il the salt actually
possessed this power, a whole spring could
not be corrected by a single dish OF salt.
! even for one day, much less for Il longer
time, or forever.
81. Unto the spring" The fountain
bursts forth at the eastern foot OF a high
double mound, or group Of mounds, stu,
ated a mile or more in front oil the mounts
ain Quarantauia, and about thirtr-tre
minutes from the modern village of Jeri-
! cho. 1t is a large and beautiful fountain
of sweet and pleasant water; not. indeed,
cold, but also not warm. 1t is the only
one near Jericho. and there is every reason
to regard it az the scene OF Elisha's mir:
acle. "Lord- healed" Not Elisha, nor
the salt, but God brought the change in
the fountain. This miracle was typical OF
the work done by the Lord after the as
c~ension Of Christ. by means of the apostles
and their successors casting the salt of
Christian doctrine from the new cruise of
The gospel into the unhealthlul waters OF
The Jericho of this world, and healing
them. Compare this miracle with that OF
the healing Of the poisonous pottase lchsp.
4:3s-4l) and the waters OF Malah LEzot.
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