The Pickens sentinel. (Pickens, S.C.) 1911-2016, 1915-09-16


the title of this lesson. 1t can be used
as temperance lesson no doubt, but
to attribute Ben-hadads defeat entire
ly to drunkenness is not quite true to
the facts. Jehovahs jealousy Of his
name ". 13) and the enemies con-
tempt for Jehovah wv. 23, 2S) are the
fundamental causes Of the defeat Of
the Syrians though, OF course, drunk
cnness, as an exhibition OF self-indulg-
ence and therefore Of weakness, was
a natural accompaniment OF that con-
tempt for God
!. Ahab's Predlcament, w. 1912.
The Syrian kings contemptuous treat
ment OF Ahab (vv. 10 at last became
80 great that in sheer desperation the
people refused to listen to his demands
". 81. His forces far overwhelmed
the little army Of Israel (vv. 1, TO-
2O, but one was on Ahab's side who
had not yet withdrawn his mercy from
Israel and with whom Ben-hadad could
not cope ". 13; Rom. 1891; Phil.
4:13). Ben-hadad was the most pow
erful monarch Of his time Of those ma
tions bordering upon the Medter-
ranean. The march Of his army was
Aiho u teilpcSI VI llali All OFCl WHclul-
ing scourge" with unrestrained power.
The effect was worse than the plaques
Of Egypt. But Ben-hadad was drunk
ard, habitual one (vv. 12-16).
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 wv. 3, 12). Drink
always makes a fool Of it's victim and
dooms to ultimate defeat all who yield
to its power (ch. 1879; ii Sam. 1928;
Prov. 31:4, 8; Luke 21:34; Eph.
5:1S).
u. Gods Prophet, w. 1915. 1t was
indeed dark for Ahab. He saw (v. 13)
the host confronting him but he also
! heard the word Of Jehovah. AS con.
| trasted with Jehovah that multituds
was but as handful OF dust. God
is on tho sido OF temperance. All Of
Gods laws favor temperance. Our
everything gloriiied leader and the
encrgizing power Of the holy spirit are
the ones who are the source OF our
victories over all principalitics and
powers Of evil. Ahab's predicamcnt
Is answered by Gods Il will deliver"
". 13) and SO today we have his sure
promise Of victory (Eph. 6:10-12).
God has today set forth his prophets
q Cor 12:2S) 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. Ahab's unfortunate char
acter appears at It's best in this story,
but alas he and his successors soon
forgot the lesson.
III. Victorious Princes, Wv. 1921. To
Ahab's question "by whom" Is this de.
liVerance to be wrought, God answers,
by the young men OF tho princes Of
the provinces" (v. 14). These choice
young follows are mustered in, 232 of
them, as leaders Of an army OF 1000
all who could be found in the capital
| God delights to work through young
men I John 2:13. 1D and the pages
| OF history are strewn with the victori.
Gus achievements Of youth
Two-thirds Of Lincoln's army were
under twcnty.onc years Of age at their
enlistment; the Union was preserved
by an army OF boys.
Ahab himself is tho leader ". 14)
and they began ut once by carrying
the battle into the enemies territory.
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
Syrian host in overwhelming defeat.
lsraels enemies had incapacitatcd
themselves. drunken mob is no
match for even a handful OF organized
ana sober men. These thirty-three
kings courted their own defeat (Prov.
23:29-32; Eccl II: 10; Hos. AID. Ben.
hadad's kings "who helped him" ". 16)
proved to be reed for all the strength
Ind support they rendered him in the
moment Of his need.
1t was the young men who went
first, @. g., struck the first blow. Ben.
badad's sclfconfidence and boasting
| ". 1S) Is but another illustration OF
that pride which goeth before do
struction" (Prov. 1918; Luke 1910.
The army Of Israel was small (v. 15)
but 1t did not hesitate to attack tho
superior force and that sort OF faith
Will always incite others which will
follow them" ". 19).
Every man slew his man." each
did his part-"playcd the game and
played it fair"-and the result was n
host in full flight and the handful OF
lsraelites in pursuit ". 20).
God saved Israel that day by the use
Of young mon. Teachers do YOU real.
ize your opportunity? 1t is ours to
arouse in youth realization OF it's
capacities. advantages, opportunities
and reSDOnSiblities. to insDire them