Highland recorder. (Monterey, Highland County, Va.) 1877-1972, 1904-11-04
THE SUNDAY SCHOOL
INTERNATIONAL LESSON COMMENTS
FOR NOVEMBER s.
Subject: Joash, the Boy King, ii hings
XII, 1-I6-Goldcn Text. Prov. XXX -
Memory Verses, 1912 - Commentary
on the Days Lesson.

on the Days Lesson.
Introduction.-Our lessons now return
to the kingdom of Judah. Last quarter we
saw how Jehoshaphat, III his desire ~
deep peace with the northern kIlguoli''
made the fatal mistake OF uniting ms sp,t
Jehoram to Athaliah the daughter oil
khab and Jezebel. Athaiah was the
image of her heather mother, ana the
union was DISASTROUS in the extreme TO Che
kingdom of Judah. Jehoram was weak az
well As wicked. and was wholly under the
influence of his heather queen, ana tle
Gcentious worship of Baal was soon III
troduced into Jerusalem and estaollsheo
Commentary. Athaliah usurps the
throne Tvs. l-3). l. "Atha!iah. AS s9on
as Athaliah. Jehoram's widow, knew that
her son Ahaziah was dead, she at once
took steps to seat herself on the thIohe'
She was wicked and INSCRIPTIONS ana ell,
dcavored to make her title to the thToDe
secure by ordering all Of the male memoeiis
OF the royal family to be put TO ag haif,
2. "Jchosheba." She was probably a nan
sister of Ahaziah and a step-daughter OF
Athaliah, being the daughter OF JOrami
by another wife She was the wife OF
Jehoiada, the priest e ClTon: %:li
which explains the ease with which she
could arrange for hiding Joash IN the
temple. Took Joash." He was an I!r IN,
FAINT at this time, not year old. Inc
bedchamber." The original words signify
a chamber of beds. Not regular sleep
ing apartment, for Athaliah would leave
10 such place unsearched, but place
where beds were slowed away. 3. was
with her" That is, his nurse. Hid
six years" He was concealed In one OF
the chambers which ran around the tempe
on two sides and one end and which were
'variously used as warCrObes or as dwell
ing rooms" We may safely conclude that
thew 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 reign,
fell into neglect and disrepute..
II. The plan to make Joash king VS.
An. 4. THE seventh year." The sew
euth year of, Joasn age. See " IL
Jehoiada" The high priest. He was
brother-in-law to Ahaziah, and therefore
uncle to Joash. In the revolution which
be planned he showed great tact and abu'
ity. Always loyal to, Jehovah, he was
safe and wise counselor: Captains over
hundreds" (R. ". Their names are given
in 2 Chron. 23:l. 2. They were probably
officers of the army, having charge OF
men of Caria, i'll Asia Minor. Guard;
The word rendered guard is literally
runners" and applies to the royal body
guard the Carries are thought to be
similar class These officers were strictly
military. Made a covenant etc. lie
made u 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.
S. "He commanded them. The de-
scriDtion Of the arrangement OF the lIevlte
guards in the verses which follow Is OBJ
scure. The difficulty comes from our lg'
norance of some of the terms employed.
"A third part" etc. The guards were d.
vided into FIVE companies. On the Sab
bath" A large humber of Levites were
constantly employed about the temple, and
they relieved each other by turns, making
their shifts on the Sabbath. Jeboiada's
plan was to enlist the services OF those who
we're retiring from duty as well as those
yho were entering upon duty. The kings
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
to the royal residence.
6. Gate of Sur" A third part were to
guard the gate Sur, which was probably
"the main entrance into the inner court
of the temple" Gate behind the guard
A third part were to guard this gate,
which was evidently some well known
side or rear entrance into the court OF
the temple, from which an attack might be
expected ''Be barrier (R. W. In
this way the Levites were to guard the
approaches to the temple and be a barrier
or defense.
7. "That 90 forth" Those relieved
from duty on the Sabbath instead of re-
turning home were to form themselves
into two divisions and act as the imme-
date bodyguard of the youthful king.
Their particular duty is more fully given IN
verse s. s. within the ranges" with
in the ranks" (R. 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" The
trophies of David's many wars, stored
probably in some of the chambers sur
the temple. 1t would have eX-
cited suspicion if the captains and the
evites had entered the temple armed. Ii.
pcr of the porch, on the right and left,
the men we're 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" Jehoiada, who had
charge of Joash brought him out and |
Dfficiated in the ceremony that followed.
1.-THE testimony AS a part of the cOro-
nation ceremony the high priest gave
Joash a copy of the law of Moses. See
IJeut. l7:lS, 10. "They made him king
The people appear to have all been of one |
pind and rejoice greatly that the reign !
Of the wicked Athaliah was ended.
". Athaiah slain Tvs. 1916. -. |
when Athaliah heard the noise" The
arrangements had been made with such |
secrecy that Athalah 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. II. The
king stood by the pillar" (R. 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
he taken without the temple, so that the
,acred apartments would not be stained
With human blood. He also commanded
hat any one who might undertake TO de-
lend her should be instantly killed. l6.
Athaliah was slain.