The Fulton County news. [volume] (McConnellsburg, Pa.) 1899-current, 1911-01-19

TIAIE-Omri reigned Y years from B. Q.
0S6 (or S90 60 92j (or SS9. Abah his son,
from p. c. 925-0Oi s6D.
PLACE-They were kings OF Israel,
with their capital at Samaria.
In the thirty and first year OF Asa
king Of Judah began Omri to reign
over Israel Omri was the general Of
Israels army in the unsettled and
troublous times that followed Baa'
sha's reign. Before his call to be king
we know nothing about him. He was
the sixth king Of Israel, and founded
the fourth dynasty, which lasted sixty
years, with four kings. ihen first
brought to notice he was fighting for
his country against the Philistlnes at
Gibbethon. Another general named
Timrl was put forward as king, and
there was war for several years be
tween these two warriors. Finally
Omri had full possession Of the king
dom.
His first work was TO choose bet
ter site for his capital. for Tirzah had
doubtless been injured IN the siege,
and its location was not the best for
defense. He bought the hill Samaria
for his capital This choice proved
his sagacity as a general and states
man. The superior strategic position
of Samarla, a conlcal hill standing 400
feet above the base Of the broad val
ley, IS evidenced by the long siege
which # endured and the stout resist
ance which II offered to the armies OF
Sargon.
Omri wrought evil We are not told
the particulars OF Omri's sin, but Mi
cab says: "For the statutes of Omrl
are kept I'VE cannot doubt that
these statutes OF Omri' were measures
adopted for more completely isolating
the people of Israel from the services
of the house OF the Lord at Jerusalem,
and of perpetuatlng-perhaps of In
creasing-their idolatrous practices"
Men thought him rich and prosperous
bat God looks on the heart and not
on outward appearances.
J The retribution for Omris course
did not come all at once for the ma
tion, but the seeds Of ruin were com
ing up like upas trees. Ahab, the son
OF Omri. followed his father Omri in
his military traditions and prowess;
but stlll more in the idolatrous ten.
dencies, the debased morality, the al
lance with heather nations, the neg
lect of true religion, the downward
course toward ruin, which character
ized Omri's reign. Instead OF being
positive. creative force for good, he
sailed with the downward tide. as a
boat without engine o. rowpr down
the rapids of Niagara toward the falls
1T takes live fish to swim up stream"
"a boys will is the winds will"
Abab was man not destitute OF
ability. not devoid Of patriotism, not
wanting in courage, at times not un.
lingly, but perfectly Indifferent to the
obligations under which he lay as
iruler Of a nation which God had taken
into covenant with himself" He was
egotlstical, covetous. selfish, cruel, the
worst Of Israers evil kings. He took
10 wife Jezebel, the daughter of Eth
baal
"The shadow Of Queen Jezebel falls
dark for many years over the history
of Israel and Judah. She was one oil
those masterful, indomitable, implac
able women who, when fate places
Them In exalted power, leave a terri
BILE mark on the annals Of nations
What the Empress Irene was in The
history Of Constantinople, or the She
wolf of France in that Of England
or Catherine de Medici in that o
France. that Jezebel was in the his
tory Of Palestine.
Jezebel stands out on the page o
sacred history as the first supporte
of religious persecution. Such fanat
iclsm is a frequent concomitant o
guilt. she is the authentic authores
of priestly inquisitions. If no kin
so completely sold himself to wor
wickedness" MS Ahab. It was becaus
"Jezebel his wife stirred him up"
He went and served Baal, and VOL
shipped him. The downward cours
of religion is marked II not measure
by the fact that while Solomon a
lowed his heather wives to worshl
their gods. but did not Join in the wo
ship. Ahab rejected Jehovah by joil
ing his wife in worshiplng the idol.
Il ls of the utmost Importance
avoid false friendships and compaI
ionshlp with the bad Every powC
for good in true friendship is a pow'
for evil in the false Our enviro
ment. the persons with whom we con
in contact, especially If we admir-
them. are among the most potent ia
tors for good or evil in our lives.
great deal Of evil comes from fall
friendship. The danger is doub
great because It comes under Il
guse Of friendllness-a wolf In sheer
clothing. GIVE me- says one,
roaring devil rather than sleepil
one. for a sleeping devil makes Il
slumber but roaring ones provoke Il
to run to my Master"
Many are ruined by bad co
panionship How large part
drunkenness comes from the custc
Of social drinking! How many q
kept away from Christ and heay
by fear OF their friends.
----
Looking Ahead.
We cannot change the record Of
past by bemoaning It; we can
-i.h4on thn crnnhah fnrrnWa