The News-Herald. [volume] (Hillsboro, Highland Co., Ohio) 1886-1973, 1911-01-19

LESSON TENT-l Kings l6:lh-8. Mem |
ory Verses Is. 30.
GOLDEN TEXT--"rlghteousn EN- |
sltoth a nation: but sin is a reproach to |
any people Prov. 1874
TIMF-Omr rel gned 2 years from B. G. |
a36 Tor S93) to 925 Tor SID Abah. his son.
from r. c. 925-9O4 Cs6D.
PBACTI-They were kings of Israel
with their capital at SlmaIia.
In the thirty and FIRST year OF Asa
king OF Judah began Omri to reign
over Israel. Omri was the general Of
'>iael's army in the unsettled and
troublous times that followed Baa-
shas 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. When first
brought to notice he was fighting for
his country against the Philistines at
Gibbethon. Another general named
Timri was put forward as king. and
there was war for several years be
tween these two warriors. Finally
Omrl had full possession OF the king
dom
ter site for his capital, for Tirzah had
doubtless been injured in the siege.
and It's 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 Samaria conica hill standing 400
oh Ia s,f ha 4
ley. is evidenced by the long siege
which II endured. and the stout resist
ance which II offered to the armies of
| Sargon.
Omri wrought evil We are not told
the particulars OF Omris sin, but MI
| cab says: For the statutes of Omri
are kept" we cannot doubt that
these statutes of Omri' we're measures
adopted for more completely isolating
the people Of Israel from the services
Of the house of the Lord at Jerusalem,
and of rpetuating-perhaps OF in
| creasing-their idolatrous practices"
Men thought him rich and prosperous,
but God looks on the heart and not
on outward appearances.
|
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 I.
but still more In the ldolatrous ten
denotes, the debased morality, the al
lance with heather nations, the neg
| - a
course toward ruin, which character,
lied Omri's reign. Instead of being
a positive, creative force for good, he
sailed with the downward tide, as a
boat without engine or rover down
the rapids OF Niagara toward the falls.
1T takes live Ash to swim up stream"
"a boys will is the winds will"
Ahab was a man not destitute OF
abilitv, not devoid OF patriotism, not
wanting in courage, at times not un,
kingly but perfectly Indifferent to the
obligations under which he lay as
ruler OF a nation which God had taken
into covenant with himself" He was
egotistical covetous, selfish, cruel, the
worst OF IsraePs 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 OF
those masterful, indomltable, implac
able women who, when fate places
) them in exalted power, leave 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 Medicl In that ol
. France that Jezebel was In the his
tory of Palestine.
] Jezebel stands out on the page o.
sacred history as the first supporter
of religious persecution. Such fanat
icism is a frequent concomitant o.
guilt. She is the authentic authoresi
of priestly inquisltions. II no kinf
so completely sold himself to worl
wickedness' as Ahab, 1t was becaus,
"JeZebel his wife stirred him up"
He went and served Baal, and wor
shipped him. The downward cours,
of religion is marked II not measured
| Dy tne idct tndt Wnlle solomon al
lowed his heather wives to worship
their gods, but did not join In the wor
ship, Ahab rejected Jehovah by Join
ing his wife in worshiping the idol.
1t is of the utmost Importance I,
avoid false friendships and compan
ionship with the bad. Every powe
for good In true friendship Is a powe
for evil In the false. Our environ
. ment, the persons with whom we com'
! in contact. especially II we admir-,
them, are among the most potent fac
tors for good or evil in our lives. 4
. great deal of evil comes from falls,
friendship. The danger is doubl.
: great because It comes under th
!. gulse of friendliness--a wolf in sheep
< clothing. Give me-" says one, g,
roaring devil rather than a sleeping
4 one; for q sleeping devil makes M
slumber, but roaring ones provoke M
to run to my Master"
= Many are ruined by bad con