The Brinkley argus., 1915-09-17
INTERNATIONAL S()lDGYSCllD0L
 LESSON
LESSON FOR SEPTEMBER 1s
(By o. D. SELLERS, Acting Director or the Sunday School Course or the MOODY Rihle InStitute.)

LESSON FOR SEPTEMBER 19 DEFEAT THROUGH DRUNKEN
 NESS.
 LESSON TExT-I Kings 20:10-1
 GOLDEN TExT-wine and new wine take away the understanding. Hos. All R. "
 We feel somewhat like questioning the title of this lesson. It can be used as . temperance lesson no doubt, but to attribute Ben-hadad's defeat entire ly to drunkenness is not quite true to the facts. Jehovah's jealousy of his name (v. 13) and the enemies con- tempt for Jehovah (vv. 23, 2S) are the fundamental causes of the defeat or the Syrians though, of course, drunk enness, as an exhibition of self-indulg- ence and therefore of weakness, was . natural accompaniment of that con- tempt for God.
 I. Ahab's Predlcament, w. 1o-12. The Syrian kings contemptuous treat ment of Ahab (vv. ID at last became SO great that in sheer desperation the people refused to listen to his demands (v. 8). His forces far overwhelmed the little army of Israel (vv. l, 10, 27). but one was on Ahab's side who had not yet withdrawn his mercy from Israel and with whom Ben-hadad could not cope (v. 13; Rom. S:31; Phil 4:13). Ben-hadad was the most pow erful monarch of his time of those nar tions bordering upon the Mediter- ranean. The march of his army was like "a tempest of hail, an overwheim- ing scourge'' with unrestrained power. The effect was worse than the plaques of Egypt. But Ben-hadad was drunk ard. habitual one (vv. l2-l6). Samaria was rich and this king want ed 1t even as intemperance always lusts after the wealth of youth and the gold of a nation (vv 3, 12). Drink always makes fool of its victim and dooms to ultimate defeat all who yield to its power (ch. 16:9; II Sam. 1928; Prov. 31:4, 5; Luke PISA; Eph. 5:1S).
 II. Code Prophet, w. 1915. It was indeed dark for Ahab. He saw (y. l3) the host confronting him but he also heard the word of Jehovah. As con trasted with Jehovah that multitude was but as handful of dust. God Is on the side of temperance. All Of Gods laws favor temperance. Our ever-living glorified leader and the energizing power of the holy spirit are the ones who are the source of our victories over all principalities and powers of evil. Ahab's predicament
 is answered by Gods T will deliver (v. 13) and so today we have his sure promise of victory (Eph. 6:10-12). God has today set forth his prophets q Cor. 12:28) to proclaim his mes sage of salvation and power to over come intemperance. This is not a necessary evil" Experts and scien- lists have clearly demonstrated its be- | ing unnecessary and drag upon SO ciety, and God has taught us how to | overcome it. Ahabs unfortunate char acter appears at its best in this story, | but alas he and his successors soon forgot the lesson.
 III. Victorious Princes, w. f6-21. To Ahab's question ''by whom" is this de- | ltverance to be wrought, God answers,
 "by the young men of the princes of | the provinces" (v. 14). These choice young fellows are mustered in, 232 of 1 them, as leaders of an army of 1000, | all who could be found in the capital God delights to work through young l men l John 2:13, 14) and the pages
 of history are strewn with the victori. | ous achievements of youth.
 Two-thirds of Lincoln's army were under twenty-one years of age at their
 enlistment; the Union waS preserved
 by an army of boys.
 and they began at once by carrying
 the battle into the enemies territory l Ben-hadad and his drinking compan
 ions never dreamed of being attacked | at that hour. Like Gideon and his
 army these young men smote the | " A10 AOot III O'Ci uclcdL
 Israel's enemies had incapacitated
 themselves. A drunken mob is nc
 match for even handful of organized
 and sober men. These thirty-three
 kings courted their own defeat (Prov
 2S:29-S2; Feel. 11:10; Hos. AID. Ben
 hadad's kings "who helped him" (v. 16)
 proved to be reed for all the strength
 and support they rendered him in the
 moment of his need.
 It was the young men who went
 first, e. g., struck the first blow. Ben
 hadad's self-confidence and boastine l (v. 1S) is but another illustration oi
 that pride which goeth before de
 struction" (Prov. 16:18; Luke 18:14)
 The army of Israel was small (v 15)
 but 1t did not hesitate to attack the
 superior force and that sort of faitt
 will always incite others which will
 follow them" (v. 19).
 Every man slew his man." each
 did his part-"played the game anc
 played 1t fair"-and the result was 2
 host in full flight and the handful oi
 Israelites in pursuit (v. 20).
 God saved Israel that day by the use
 of young men. Teachers, do you real
 ize your opportunity? It is ours tc
 arouse in youth a realization of its l canaciffna advautaqoc opport,p;+i<,