The Chickasha daily express. (Chickasha, Indian Territory [Okla.]) 1899-current, 1908-06-10

result Of his fan during a drunken rev
elry, and Joram, another son Of Ahab,
had come to the throne without any
apparent opposition, Elijah had indeed
been disappointed.
It was then that he had spoken to
Elisha of the commission God had
laid upon him to anoint Jehu king
over Israel, and only a few short
weeks after that be had been snatched
from earth to heaven. And ever since
that hour Elisha had been watching
intently the course of events in Is
rael, conscious Of the solemn re-
sponsibility which Elijah had placed
upon him Of fulfilling the commission
to anoiht Jehu. king over Israel But
as he had waited through the years
there had come no word or sign from
God, and his spirit was sore vexed
by the delay. Then had come the.
war with Syria, and the well-nigh NOR
tai woundlhg Of King Joram. Then,
Elisha had said
Now Is the time come when Jehu
shall be anointed king over Israel, and
the judgment Of God will fall upon the
wicked house of Ahab."
In obedience to this conviction,
Elisha had hastened to Ramoth-Gilead
and was there when Jehu and the
other captains Of Israel's army re-
turned Day after day he had wait
ed momentarily expecting the death
Of King Joram, and the arrival Of the
auspicious moment when Gods word
would come to him to anoint Jehu
But Joram, to the surprise of every
one, grew stronger and was finally
able to 60 to Jezreel to regain his
full health and vigor and at last,
as we have said, Elisha had left Ra-
rnoth-Gilead for home, disappointed
and perplexed.
Then what a struggle ensued In the
heart of the prophet. Impatience and
doubt strove for the mastery, and
feverishly the prophet watched events
at Jezreel and at Ramoth-Gilead. The
reports from the former place we're
that Joram was fast recovering from
his wounds, and the fact that Ahaziah,
king Of Judah, went down to Jezreel to
visit Joram indicated a continuation
Of the alliance between the two kings
which would strengthen the hands OF
both.
King Joram at Jezreel also received
reports from Ramoth-Gilead which
were favorable; his captains to all out
ward appearances remaining loyal to
him In fact they had sent repeated
messages to the king wishing him a
full recovery and speedy return to
Ramoth-Gilead. True, there was smol
dering In the breast of each captain
OF the kings hosts the fires of dis
loyalty, but each was fearful to show
his hand and be the first 10 take the
step Of revolt. And while each
1 professed loyalty to the king and seni
messages to the king at Jezreel, eact
Was watching for the opportunity
which would give him the balance oi
power.
Thus matters stood when Elisha haC
visited Ramoth-Gilead with the bur
den Of desire to fulfill his commission
but as he had waited there had come
no word from God and at last he haf
departed from Ramoth- -Gilead.
And what of Jehu during these days
While no hint had ever come TO him
OF the Divine word which had beer
spoken concerning him there haC
grown up within him an irresistible
ambition to rule over thenation.
But" said he TO himself, for hs
dared not trust hts condolences to any
man. IF this thing is to be it mus
be because God is in It, and l mus
wait for him to open up the way.
know the wickedness Of the house O
Ahab and know the judgments whicl
God has spoken against them by th'
mouth Of his prophet"
The presence OF the prophet in Ra
moth-Gilead had filed him full Of ex
pectancy, but when news was brough
him that Elisha had finally left ant
gone to his own city his hopes wer,
dashed to the ground, and he sum
moned the other captains that the.
might plan for the return Of the king
FOR" said he, the king is making
good recovery and Ahaziah. king o
Judah, hath gone TO visit him at Jez
reel"
we are with thee in this thing,
they all exclaimed with one accord
when they had come together Blu
scarce had they begun their meetin
when there burst abruptly into thei
midst a young man Of most unusua
appearance. his manner and dress bs
tokening that he belonged to the son
Of the prophets. Every eye was fixe
upon him, as he exclaimed:
4 have an errand to thee, o car
TAIN
Jehu felt the not blood rush to hi
head as he suddenly realized that hi
call had come, but he managed to blul
out;
Unto which Of us all seeing we b
all captains Of the kings hosts. +"
"To thee, 0 captain"
And he went with him, and when b
returned the consciousness that III
amounting oil from God was upon hiI