The Abbeville press and banner. [volume] (Abbeville, S.C.) 1869-1924, 1904-08-10
THE SUNDAY SCHOOL
INTERNATIONAL LESSON COMMENTS
FOR AUGUST Ia.
Subject: Obadiah and Elijah, I KinGb
xviii, 1-1G-Golden Text, I Kings,
xviii, 12-MeInory Verses, 8, 0-Com-

xviii, 12-Menory Verses, 8, G-Com-
mentary on the Days Lesson.
L. Elijah goes to meet Ahab Tvs. !, p.
]. Many days" The waiting time must
have seemed long to Elijah. The third
year" 1t is supposed that he dwelt by
the Cherith about a year and at Lare-
phath two years and six months. 1t was
now in the third year since he went to
Zarephath. 60" Elijah made no move
only as he had directions from God. The
time had come when the people were IN a
state of mind to receive the benefit God
intended them to receive through the ter
Unto Ahab." The King had remained
obdurate and unreformed. Another OPP
portunity was to be given him of repent
ance, and Elijah was sent in order to de,
clare to him the cause of the national
judgment and to promise him, on condl-
ton of his removing 1t, the immediate
blessing of rain. .
:. Elijah went" A marvellous proof
Of the natural %intrepidity Of this prophet,
or his moral courage and his untalterlng
confidence in the protecting care OF God,
of the raging lion. Sore famine While
it is clear, from chapter II: l2.l4, that the
famine extended beyond the Kingdom OF
Israel. it is still probabl, that it was es-
pecially oppressive in Samaria and the
provinces immediately adjacent. Corn
must have been obtained for the people
from Egypt or the adjoining countries,
else life could not have been sustained so
long.
ii. Ahab and Obadiah searching for
food Tvs. 3-6). 8. Obadiah" There are
no less than twelve mon by this name re-
ferred to in the Old Testament. The most
conspicuous among them was Obadiah; the
prophet. Governor" He was al officer
court. Feared the Lord" 1t is, indeed,
very remarkable that Obadiah, a devout
| Morshiper of Jehovah, was allowed to re-
tain his position when Jezebel was putting
forth every effort to rid the country OF
Gods true followers. No doubt it was
because Obadiah could be trusted. He
was a man of integrity and lndustry-Just
the sort of a man that Ahab would wish
to appoint over his household. 1t is not
uncommon to find wicked Len and haters
of Christianity employing Christians pre-
ferably to others, simply because 1t IS to
their interest to do so.
| 4. Cut off the prophets The story of
JezebePs slaughter Of the prophets is not
: given us, but it is referred to in this les
son and in chapter 10: 1914. Not salts
! fed in establishing the worship of Baal,
this wicked woman undertook to eNter-
inmate the prophets of the Lord. This
persecution she had probably ordered IN
vengeance because Elijah could not be
found, and on suspicion that they, were
privy to his c~oncealment. No doubt the
larger number whom Jezebel cut off were
sons of the prophets, those who belonged
to the schools Of the prophets, which We
| Learn from , Kings > were both numerous
and largely frequented. 1t was 100 of
these men whom Obadiah saved in the
time of persecution. BY fifty" That is,
he hid them in two caves, fifty in each.
| These were they of whom the world was
not worthy, mentioned in Heb. II: IS as
noble %eXemplars OF faith. Fed them"
This was done secretly, at his own eE-
pense, and at the risk CT losing his posi-
ton and his life. and would, therefore,
be a strong proof that he was a true wor-
shiper Of Jehovah. S. go through the
land" CR. W 1t is said to be a custom
in the East. when a public calamity
reaches its highest point, for the King
himself and his chief minister to 60 forth
and seek relief. This shows further how
high was the position of Obadiah in the
service and confidence of the King.
III. Elijah meets Obadiah Tvs. 7-l6). 7.
"NIet him" Deeming it imprudent to
rush without previous intimation into the
presence of Ahab, the prophet solicited
Obadiah to announce his return to the
King. Knew him." The prophets garb
would make him easy to recognize, and
he must have been seen more than once
in Samaria. 'On his face" 10 Oba-
diah Elljah was Gods true representative.
BY his actions Obadiah showed his pro-
found respect and love for the prophet.
rs it thou?" (R. W His language and
actions are full of emotion and surprise.
T - a.. H. +t-l N-l,o,,, ,,,-al do
vice has been exhausted; thou, Elijah, In
broad daylight, right here near the gates
of Samaria! S. "Tell"thy lord" 1t would
be news of great interest to the King.
0. "Wherein have l sinned" r.. W
Obadiah's fear is very natural. He IS
asked to carry a message to Ahab, which
another disappearance OF Elijah may seem
to make untrue, in which case the wrath
of the King. would fall upon him. ITO
slay me" Thus we see how Obadiah dis.
trusted Ahab. 10. No nation" etc. OF
course, Obadiah's words only apply to
those countries Immediately around Israel
into which Elijah could be supposed to
have fled for refuge. But he employs the
language of Oriental hyperhole, so fire.
uuentIy found in the Old Testament.
''Took an cath" He caused each nation
to solemnly and formally affirm and swear
that the prophet was not IN their terri
tory. This shows the influence Ahab
must have had over the surrounding ma
tons.
l2. "Thc spirit shall carry
tee" This may be an a~llusion to the
announced the drought to Ahab. Evident.
" Obadiah regarded Eljah's concealment
as only possible through divine assistance.
81 fear the Lord This and the
following verse was not spoken in a boast
ing spirit. but merely to disclose to the
prophet his true character and thus move
Elijah to spare him from what seemed to
him to be almost certain death. The true
worsMpers had not all persisted; there
were some who still held to the pure re-
Obadiah's thought seems to be that Elijah
could believe nothing but evil of one who
was in the household of Ahab. Is, Is.
After Elijah had disnelled all the appre-
tensions Of Obadiah and had positively as
serted that he would show himself to
Ahab that day, Obadiah conveyed the
prophets message to the King.
". Elijah neets Ahab Tvs. 17-l9). When
Elijah and Ahab met, the King said: Are
! question he really charged Elijah with
bringing the famine upon the nation. Ahab
thought to awe him into submission, but
the pronhet boldly told the King that the
cause OF the national calamity was trace
able to his own rngodly doings in forsakI
ing the Lord and establishing Baal wor!
ship in the land. He then demanded OF
Ahab tlat he gather all Israel and the $50
prophets of Baal and Ashcrah upon MouT
Carmel. This Ahab proceeded to do.
rho Turkish Coal Fields.
The coal district IN Asa Nine is known
as the HcTacica Basin. extending along the
east coast OF the Black Sea from EregI.