The Green Forest tribune., 1915-10-29
LESSON FOR OCTOBER 31
THE BOY JoAsH CROWNED KING.


 LESSON TEET-II Kings 114-12
 GOLDEN TExT-The house of the wicked shall be overthrown but the tent of the upright shall fiourish.-Prov. IA: Ii. R. V.
 This Is 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 Jezebel's 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 2 Chron 22). General Jehu wrought in the northern kingdom. hence the temporary escape of this child of Jezebel, the cursed queen.
 |. ConceaIment, w. 1-3. Jehosheba, the wife of Jehoia6a, 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 ESQ woman's ruthlessness was out witted by a woman's cunning. Far Tar. Thus God saved the seed of Da- vid according to- his Word (Psalms S9:3. 4.
 II. Conspiracy, w. 4-8. 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 8:26, 27; II Chron. 22:3, 4. God had made a promise (ch. S:19; Isa. 7:6; Jer. 33: 17-26) and that promise must be fulfilled, for no evil can thwart his will. Athaliah is a terrible example of unrest:ained 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, Co 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 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, 9. Jehoiada, knowing Athaliah. proceeded "ftA 6iOdI CdoIloA III pldI1, Uut uO must have known the readiness of the people to respond QI Chron 3:l-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 (v. 4). He also gave explicit di- rections (v. 3D. Even so the Word is our guide (Psalms 119:1D.
 ilI. Browning, w. 9-12 (to V. 16). It was 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 AS; Peter 5:14; Rev. 2:10).
 There are two accounts of the coro- nation ceremonies (see also II Chron. 22:10-23:2D; they differ but do not conflict. The five captains and 500 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. oo oioO VIII ou1 hiuS appear dt NOu ; appointed time. The law is placed in his hands (v. 12, Ex. 25:16; Ps. 78:5; Isa. 8:16, 20). This controverts those who would have us believe the law was not written until Joash relgned Aside from the law which was placed in his hands 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. V.) 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.
 W. Conclusion. CD Our Youna Kings (and 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