The Abbeville press and banner. [volume] (Abbeville, S.C.) 1869-1924, 1905-09-27
THE SUNDAY SCHOOL
INTERNATIONAL LESSON COMMENTS
FOR NOVEMBER l3.
Subject: Joash Repairs the Temple, III
Kings Kill, 4-15-Golden Text, Neh.
Z, 39-Memory Verses, 0-12-Com-
mentarv on The Davis Lesson.

The reformation under Joash began at
the time of his coronation. !. A solemn
covenant was made between the Lord
and the king and the people," and "be-
tween the king also and the people" that
they would be 1.-THE Lords people" z Kings
Hid. 2. Baal worship was Immediately
overthrown. From the inner court OF the
temple, which was the scene Of the coro.
nation, the multitudes, beyond all doubt
encouraged by Jehoiada, streamed forth
to the neighborihg seat oe idol worship,
bent upon Its complete demolition. The
people of the land went into the house
cf Baal and brake it down" e Kings Ills;
8 Chron. 23:l7). The altars and images
which adorned it were broken to pieces,
and Mattan the high priest slain as he
offciated. Baal worship was thus for q
time completely rooted out of Judah, and
the old religion resumed its place. 3. The
priests and Levites were appointed, to
serve in the temple "as it was ordained by
I. Raising funds to repair the temple
Tvs. 4.9). 'Jehoash." The same as
Joash. It must 1--we been some time after
his coronation before he began this work.
Said to the priests" 1t is remarkable
that the first movement toward restoring
the temple should come, not from Jeho-
iada, but from Joash, not from the priest,
but from the king. Jehoiada had allowed
the mischief done in Athaliahs time to re.
main unrepaired during his whole. term OF
government. Remembering that ne owed
| his preservation and restoration to the
temple, and that God had made him its
to be, Joash decides to repair it. AN the
money" etc. There are three kinds OF
offerings mentioned in this verse: /. The
"atonement" money, the same amount
half shekel, about yhirty-three cents-for
rich and poor alike; illustrating the truth
that the souls of of men are equally prec-
ious in Gods sight. This was probably a
poll tax (Exod. 30: ll-l6). 2. Money from
special VOWS, which was regulated by law
and circumstances LEV. 27:1-S). 3. Free
win offerings (Exod. $3.50.
is made de- clear efs D'iIs3 in 2 Ghron. M:5. Tie
priests and Levites were asked to go into
1.-THE cities of Judah and gather of all
Israeli money for the repairs. They would
naturally 90 to those with whom they
were acquainted. Breaches" Years of
neglect had allowed the walls to crack
and crumble, and the sons of Athafiah
had broken it to pieces e ChFon. ,Ts ,2a;,.i a;D;
a failure /: Probably because the priests
took but little interest. 2. Perhaps the
people were afraid to trust the priests.
There are those in our churches to-day
priests. They would see the sanctuary
almost tumble about their heads in ruins
before they would initiate any movement
to repair and renovate it. Piety is at a
| low ebb in that soul which is 80 Indifferent
10 the outer fabric of Gods house.
z. Called for Jehoiada." 1t is strange
that the high priest should be negligent;
but he was a very old man z Chron. d:
| l5), even if, with most critics, we read one
hundred and three instead of one hundred
and thirty years. He had become accus-
toned to the. .dilapidated state of the tenn.
PIE and perhaps sympathized with the
priests in their reasons for delay. "hecelye
no more" etc. The plan was now entirely
changed, and the collection which at first
had been ordered was now to cease. .:
"The priests consented" They had found
The work too great for them and were 40
doubt glad to be relieved; -
9. "fook a chest" This was done by
direction of the king e Chron. 24:S), and
was "a much more popular measure than
the one tried before" Joash did not be-
come discouraged, but when he failed on
one line he tried another. Bored hole"
"The chest was locked and had hole
bored in its lid just large enough to ad-
init pieces of silver" 1t was placed be-
side the great brazen altar which stood in
the priests court. It was therefore out
sos q 1na put psi thereinS R0f In 2 Chron. 24:io
it appears that the people cast the money
into the chest, but it probably passed
through the hands of the priests. There
is not the slightest evidence that. the
priests and Levites had been guilty of any
dishonesty"
II. The temple repaired Tvs. 1919. TO-.
"Much money" The new plan had put
life into the work. The givers saw that
others were giving and that success was
likely to attend their efforts, and accord
ingly there was money in abundance.
the support of the priests was not given
with the other, 30 that every person knew
exactly for what purpose his gifts were
used. Joy and delight in the object made
liberal givers ''The kings SCRIBE ETC.
It appears by comparing Chron. M:ll
that the chest was carried unopened into
the kings Office and that the money was
placed in charge of two responsible per,
sons, who put it in bags, counted and
marked, ready to be paid out to the work
II. "Being told" See R. V. We would
They counted tex asbna the moneyb ybt% Dp5 ad i'd
value was louuo NY mciShAhS' 1A~S -
it out" .(R. W: lhe money was placed ed
in the hands of the overseers and they
paid it out to the workmen. From verse
Is we see that they were trusted perfect
lY, "for they dealt faithfully !3. In
this verse mention is made of certain YES
sels and implements which were not made
at this time, while in Chron. 24:4 men
ton is made of those which were made;
the passages are not contradictory. H.
"They - repaired the house OF
the Lord" The labors of all, from the
king to the humblest carpenter, were es-
sential to the success OF the great under
taking. 1t is not for any worker in the
Lords cause to say he has Of himself done
any good thing. At the best he IS only
one Of the many agents in the perfecting
Of Gods plans. The restoration of the
house of the Lord was accomplished only
by resolute and united effort. |. There
was a willingness among the people to give
liberally. .. There was strict and I'm,
partial administration of the funds. 3. All
! unnecessary eXpensee was avoided. To-
'They dealt faithfully" Those who
handled the money as well as the work
men were conscientious and faithful. In
this REORGANIZATION we observe all the ele.
ments of success-prompt and decided ac.
ton, generous giving, careful expenditure,
earnest and faithful toll. If you wish sue
cess in life, make perseverance your bosom
friend, experience your wise coun-eior,
raution your elder brother and hope your
guardian genius.