Middletown transcript., 1915-10-30


Of the upright shall fiourish.-Prov. IA:
II. r. v.
This Is a great and most intensely
interesting boys story. For thirty
years two great heroes, Elijah and
Elisha, fought against Baal. They
stood up against kings and people,
and fought for pure morals as the
champions of Jehovah. Jehoshaphat,
a good man, allowed his son to marry
JezebePs daughter and the nation
reaped the results. The son of this
union reigned over Judah but one year
and was slain by Jehu. the destroyer
of Ahab's dynasty. Athaliah, as dow
ager queen regent ruled for six years
(See Chron. 22). General Jehu
wrought in the northern kingdom,
hence the temporary escape of this
child of Jezebel, the cursed queen.
l. concealment, w. 1-3. Jehosheba,
the wife Of JehoiaGa, the high priest in
charge Of the temple. is thought to be
the daughter of Joram by another wife
than Athaliah. She was the agent in
Gods hands Of saving the boys life
and of the final extinguishment of the
seed of Ahab. Jehosheba, as daughter
of one king, sister of another and high
priests wife, was familiar with every
nook and corner of the temple, and
so woman's ruthlessness was out
witted by a woman's cunning. Far
rar. Thus God saved the seed of Da-
vid according to his Word (Psalms
1913, A..
II. Conspiracy, w. 4-s. Athaliah's
bloody reign is one of the darkest
pages in the history of Judah. She
murdered not her own children but
her grandchildren to gain, or rather to
continue, her rule, for as her sons
counselor she was the real ruler of
the nation (II Kings 1926, 27; II Chron.
22:3, A.. God had made a promise
(ch. 8:19; lisa. 7:6; Jer 33: 1920 and
that promise must be fulfilled, for no
evil can thwart his will. Athaliah is
a terrible example Of unrestrained
heredity. We have here the results of
an unholy alliance. This is also an
appalling example of the fruit of
selfish ambition: (a) upon the nation,
(b) on the family. (c) on the individ-
ual.
AS against this picture we see con-
secrated woman, devoted home and
the teaching Of a pious priest, the
final outcome of which was the over
throw of evil. This priest and his
wife took certain other traits Joash
inherited from his vile ancestors such
as courage, energy, skill and perse-
verance, and, training them under
right and pious environment, turned
them to the blessing of the nation.
The early formative period Of this
boys life was thus spent in such
way as to result in continuous bless
| ing throughout his reign (12:1, p.
| Jehoiada, knowing Athaliah, proceeded
with great caution in his plan, but he
must have known the readiness of the
people to respond II Chron. 23:1-3).
| Having chosen his men, he appeals to
their loyalty to God, their faith in him
and his Word, and covenanted them
In Gods house and in his very pres
ence ". A.. He also gave explicit d.
rections ". 81. Even so the Word is
| our Bulu0 NEbdlIuS Ilo' II y.
III. Growing, w. gig Ito v. 16). 1t
was a great service the priest and his
wife rendered to Judah to save and to
train child So likewise we are priv
ileged, and those who are truly saved
and rightly trained will also ulti-
mately be crowned QI Tim. 4:8;
Peter 5:14; Rev. 2:10).
There are two accounts of the coro-
nation ceremonies (see also II Chron.
%: 10-23:2D; they differ but do not
conflict. The five captains and SEQ
bodyguards wrought a great work on
that Sabbath day. Every man in the
conspiracy did exactly as told. Joash
is brought out at the exact moment.
So also will our king appear at Gods
appointed time. The law is placed in
his hands ". IL, Elk. 25:16; Ps. 1876;
lisa. S:16, 20). This controverts those
who would have us believe the law
was not written until Joash reigned
Aside from the law which was placed
in his hands a crown was placed on
his head and there was also the Gus
tomary shouting and clapping of hands
and cries of God save the king" (Am
R. W which accompany such occa-
sions The noise of the ceremonies
reached the ears of Athaliah and she
rushed into the court of the temple
Looking upon the scene she cried
Treason! Treason!" Jehoiada direct
ed the guard to open ranks and let
her, without attendants pass through
to the palace. outside of the temple,
where she was slain.
~. Conclusion. ~ Our Younq
Kings land Queens). For everyone of
our boys and girls there is awaiting a
kingdom. Each is surrounded by dan
gers even as Joash. Their only safety
is in God, in the love and power of
his holy spirit, the knowledge of his
word the care and culture of his
church, the guidance and influence Of
homes which belong to him.
(2) The Bible and the Coronation.
The chief and most important part Of
the coronation was to place the word
of God in the young kings hand. Thy
word have l hid Ia my heart that l
might not sin against thee"
The best book in the best place for
the best possible use.
1t is tine royal law, life, lively
oracles, food, light and wisdom for
king and subject alike.
(3) The Anointed King. Symbolical-
ly Joash received the holy spirit that
he might know how and have power