The county record. [volume] (Kingstree, S.C.) 1885-1975, 1904-11-03
THE SUNDAY SCHOOL
INTERNATIONAL LESSON COMMENTS
FOR NOVEMBER 6
Subject: Joash, the Boy King, II Kings
IL, 1-16-Golden Text. Prov. XXX, p
Memory Verses, 1O-12 - Commentary
on the Days Lesson.

xi.. 1-16-Golden Text. Prov. XXX, p
Memory Verses, 1912 - Commentary
on the Days Lesson.
Introduction.-Our lessons now return
to the kingdom of Judah. Last quarter we
SAW how Jehoshaphat, III 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. Athallah was the
image of her heather mother, and the
union was disatrous in the extreme to the
kingdom of Judah. Jehoram was weak as
well as wicked, and was wholly under the
influence of his heather queen, and the
licentious worship of Baal was soon IN:
troduced into Jerusalem and established
over the country.
Commentary: Athaliah usurps the
as Atbaliah. Jehoram's widow, knew that
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.
.. "Jehosheba." She was probably halt.
sister of Ahaziah and step-daughter OF
Athaliah, being the daughter. OF Joram!
by another wife. She was the wife OF
Jehoiada, the priest e Chron. 22:1l),
which explains the ease with which she
could arrange for hiding Joash IN the
temple. Took Joash.' He was an IN
fant at this time, not a year old. Inc
bedchamber." The original words signify
a chamber OF beds. Not a regular, sleep
ing apartment, for Athaliah would leave
no such place unsearched, but a place
where beds were slowed away. 3. as
with her." That is, his nurse. Hid
Elk years" He was concealed in one OF
the chambers which ran around the temple
on two sides and one end and which were
"variously used as wardrobes or as dwell
ing rooms" We may safely Conclude that
they were under the control OF the high
priest, Jehoiada. This would be 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 Tvs.
l.lD. 4. The seventh year The sew.
enth year of Joasn age. See V. 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 abil'
iy. Always loyal to Jehovah, he was
safe and wise counselor. Captains over
hundreds" Or. W. Their names are given
in 2 Chron. 23:l, .. They were probably
officers of the army, having charge OF
hundred men. Carries" lR. ". The
men of Cara, in 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 covenant" etc. he
made covenant with the. five captains
whom he had taken into his confidence
md bound them under a solemn oath to
assist him i'll carrying out his plans.
5. He commanded them The de-
scription of the arrangement of the Ievlte
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 di-
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. Jeholada,s
plan was to enlist the services of those who
were retiring from duty as well as those
who 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.
y. 1ale Oi cur. y liiiu poit wa
guard the gate Sur, which was probably
of the temple" Gate behind the guard
Il third part were to guard this gate,
which was evidently some well known
side or rear entrance into the court or
the temple from which an attack might be
expected ''Be a barrier (R. W; In
this way the Levites were to guard the
approaches to the temple and be 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 lmme-
Giate bodyguard OF the youthful king.
Their particular duty is more fully, gwen IN
verse S. 8. within the ranges" With
in the ranks (R. W. 9. 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 Davids many wars, stored |
probably in some of the chambers sur
rounding the temple 1t would have ex-
cited suspicion if the captains and the |
] evites had entered the temple armed. ii.
'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). u;
'He brought forth" Jehoiada, who had
charge of Joash, brought him out and
oficiated in the, ceremony that. followed.
"The testimony" As part of the coro-
nation ceremony the high priest gave |
Joash copy of the law of Moses: See
Deut. l7:ls, 10. "They made him king"
The people appear to have all been of one
plind and rejoice greatly that the reign
OF the wicked Athaliah was ended.
". Athahah slain Tvs. l3-l6l. l3.
s'yVhen 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. The
king stood by the pillar" (R. W: Some !
spot is hG.'e clearly designated which was
the special position Of the king on such
occasions. We see that Athaliah took in
u III ~ ole and tpatu |