Evening journal., 1911-03-18
l0LBTESfAmENIIlnEs
]
ffIABERNACtE
INV BIBLE. STUDIES
DEFEAT THROUGH DRUNKEN.
Kings 20; 12-21--March 10
1T Is not for kings TO drink wine; nor
for princes strong drink"
Proverbs 8I:4.

OF the land Of Israel by King Ben
hadad, over-lord of Syria, who had
under him thirty-two kings OF Syria !
and large army. Warfare in those |
days. OF course. was very different
from what IL is today The numbers
in conflict we're fewer and their
weapons inferior. Their motive was
plunder. They would take back with
them, not only the gold and silver
and other valuables, but fruits.
| grains, etc
Our dav witnesses a considerable
advance along the lines of diplomacy.
Wars and invasions now are always
based upon some philanthropic mo-
! tive-to free people from bad govern
ment, or to compel them to pay their
debts. or to open up their country to
civilization. or to give them more re-
sponsible and representative govern
ment or greater freedom of religion.
Robbery and pillage. by an invading
army, are reprobated Whatever is
: taken from the conquered people must
be obtained in p different manner--by
the levying OF an indemnity fund,
amounting to far more than could be
stolen by the looting processes. All
this speaks TO us OF higher moral
sense, even though much relating to
It be hypocrisy. The very need for
the hypocrisy implies that with a
considerable number, there arc
qualms Of conscience on the subject.
The Battle Was the Lords, and of
Course He Won.
Benhadad sent his demands 20 King
Ahab saying, Thy silver and thy
gold are mine; thy wives and thy chill
dren, even the goodllest OF thine"
King Ahab. recognizing the greatness
OF the army and his own unprepared-
ness for resisting them, answered.
MY Lord, o King, according 10 thy
saying, ! am thine. | and all that I
, have" But when the invader broad
ened his demand and included with II
I the wealth OF all the mobiles Of Israel,
their wives and their children, etc,
resistance was aroused and the mes
sage went back that the additional de-
mands would not be granted. There
upon the invaders set the battle array
against the walls OF lsrael's Capital.
Samaria.
At this iuncture God sent a Prophet
TO Israel's King. informing him that
he would deliver the invaders into
his hand and give him a great victory
9 The astonished Ahab asked by whom
? would the battle bewaged against the
. host. The answer was that at the
r command the princes of the provinces
should fight under Ahab's direction
supported by the militia. BY this sig
=, nal victory God would demonstrate
Y his power by protecting the natiol
a with whom he had made the Law
- Covenant He would revive thei
y faith.
The Divine order was followe'
Two hundred and thirty-two prince
10 or chiefs, of the people at noon passe
- out Of the gates Of the city, followe
n by seven thousand militia-a sma
number wherewith to meet a hos
Apparently this was poor general
shin: but the Lord was the Genera
10 and overruled the results. King Ben
1 hadad and his associates had beel
\ drinking and were amused by tn
a sallying forth Of the battle army from
- the gateway. The Syrians were or
dered TO CAPTURE the men alive. Blu
:, this they did not do. Soon the Syrian
forces were I'm disorder and complete
" routed. Humanity speaking. th'
battle was lost by Benhadad's over
confidence. and practically by his I'm
m diligence I'm Intoxicating liquors.
Lessons Which We May Draw.
The honest. the holy, the reverenta
J. of mankind, who seek peace AM
ie Righteousness may be likened 4
&c Israel. TO Gods people Behada'
p and HIS thirty-two kings and thci
e. armies would correspond to Satan an
lie his various hosts Of unrighteousnes'
ST We may name these hosts as "
ar please. To some. one portion, and I
s. others. other portions Of these host
r are the more reprehensible. Many Z
these Kings may represent variou
n Trusts which. by manipulation
y. life's necessities. are attacking IN
a welfare of the people others OF thes
he hinge NAV represent political grafteri
at Others may represent various vice
It. which prey upon the public. includin
m intennarance The forces thus set !
ed hattie array against the public M
,ir annalling. especially when the wealt
AZ their command is considered.
ns The demands Of these various III
mi terests" come first upon the honorabl
or and well-meaning public servants
r >" These. like Ahab. would be incline
he TO submit. even ANONYMOUSLY,
thereby the public would be saf'
M guarded. But when the demand
n broaden. and II Is evident that ger
1v eraI pillage Is the intention, the voiC
of the Lord should he heard an
needed. and a stout resistance shoul
be made.
ha AS with Ahab the resistance shou
an not he defensive merely. The call
re for the princes. the chiefs of the PEI
~ nle. who live righteousness. to 20 N
tic first TO do battle with all iniouitous Il
vaders Of the rights. happiness ar
interests Of the people. And the
= princes or leaders who stand z
righteousness should be ably second
nv all the courageous and efficient
the peonle.
King Alcohol Recently Suffering \
merOus Defeats.
Amongst the most powerful foes
Righteousness Is King Alcohol. "
has recently been suffering numero
defeats and admits being crippled a
fearful
Not long since the streets OF q
- caeo witnessed a novel parade viii
at first was headed by General F.
o. Grant, Maior-General OF the Unit
n States Army. Later be withdrew frl
the ranks and reviewed the march'
IN for nearly two hours. frenuen
,e- dofing his hat The General evide
" wished 70 give his moral supp
nR