The St. Louis Republic. [volume] (St. Louis, Mo.) 1888-1919, 1904-07-23
> THE SUNDAY-sCHOOL LESSON,

1STRODUCTION-Afte the lessons con-
corning Judah We turn to-day to the
Northern Kingdom. Jeroboam. the first
ruler Of Israel. about whom We studied
July 10, was succeeded b. his son. Nadab,
and he, after reigning two years. was
murdered by Eaaslia, tho COMMANDMENT
chlef OF the army, who assembled tho
throne. Baasha reig1ed twenty-four Years..
q Kings Nv:33J His successor. Elah. his
son was assassinated by Zimri. a General
of the army. who assumed the crown.
Thus OF tho five ruouarchs IN the srace of
haIf a century two mot violent deaths.
Three dynastics had boon formed and
ido.atry was established by royal decree
ana patronage. The worship of ehoya
was limited 10 q few in secret.
TIRlAH-Nerse 3c) Zimri enjoyed his
engaged in the siege of Gibbethon. on
hearing of the death of Elah. proclaimed
0mrt King, and marched TO Tirzah, where
llmri had shut himself in the palace. The
place was soon taken, and Zimri persisted
In the flames. which he kindled with his
Own hands. Omri thereby became the
sixth hinS OF Israel. and he continued for
six years at T1rzah, which had been the
place Of royal residence of all his prede-
cessors. q Kings xiv. t7,6.) Evident
~ that was a beautiful little city celcbrat-
cd in the time of Solomon (Song VI. ~
chosen on that account as the place OF
private resort. where one burdened with
the cares of government might rest and
gam refreshment. During four years OF
the time of his residence here Omri was
engaged in war with Tfbni. another aspir-
ant to the throne.
SAMARIA-(Verse a4.)-After two Years
of undisputed rule In T1rzah. his compet-
lIo5 having been Killed and the civil war
ended. Omri abandoned that residence and
built the lonG-famous capital of Samaria.
DE may have been prompted to this by
the fact that the palace was burned and
fh4t fho fnprD had nrnt-nI ir[.If 4
q siege. He naturally looked for greater
security, knowing by the records of for
reigns that Kings held uncertain IL
ties to their thrones. Samar.a was SO
called. because Shemer had owned the land
on which II was built. Situated in the
center of a wide. basin-shaped valley
was encircled with high hills. almost on
the edge of the great plain which borders
the Mediterranean. The city was still
%. There Omri set up his court for the
last half OF his reign.
NANITIES-CVerses % and 26.) Viewed
on the secular siua. there We're many
things to be said to the credit of Omri.
The overthrow of an assassin and pre-
tender. the subjugation of a rival, the
suppression OF civil war lasting four years.
were achievements that might make a
immortal If fully sketched. But the
sacred penman passed all this over in i
few short sentences-just enough to show
tina the man had ability winch might,
have been used to a good purpose. But,
hat more concerned the writer of this
to God. received chief attention. a few
told 1t aIl-he wrought evil in the
eyes of the Lord" He followed the sin OF
ali before him. His idoiatrous CON
duct provoked the .anger OF God. and Il
pronounced vain and proftless.
RECORD-CVerse ~ Is this all that an
Inspired writer has to say of a King who
gaf twelve vParQ on the throne of Israeli
Is the account of that reign to be COM
pressed into six short verses? Yes-when
interests, there was nothing more that
could be said. Here Is a transcript from
the o kept by the hands of angels to
How men will shrivel when that book is
How their pomp and power DIS
appear and their deeds and character are
It was kept by a faithful scribe who es-
teemed It a great honor to set down big
f he might i look on the page and feesd
his vanity and leave IT TO those who
come after him and so gain fame. !
Of tbs fsr seGk Of WHAT 1hs c = Rissesoa D1 tine t kens!
But where is that book now No one can
I,5F1.i it. r Lost s,r amop 4sc5 shs o debris 1sn Of een-
sCCCESSOR-Cverses % and ~ There |
are two ways by which men of high sta
ion expect to acquire fame-by their own
Ted to posterity. and BY their sons, who
carry their names and proiong their in
BY this latter method David
in solomon. -Jeroboam in Nadab,
Baasha In Elah. It was on this account
ali the ancients turned with affection
TO their children Gen. xv. q, or esteemed
t to be a calamity II left childiess. There
was blended with this. the hope In all |
Il. u, 50 that every son was the gift Of
God. Gen. ~, IL Hence It was TO the |
zreat comfort of Omri, and in the public |
Estimation an honor also that. he had a
Iuiet hour IN which to die, that he was |
hurled In tho capttal city. douhtless With |