Fulton County tribune. (Wauseon, Ohio) 1883-1925, 1917-11-02

GOLDEN TEXT-Let not him that
girdeth on his harness boast himself az
I. samaria Besieeed (vv. 1-12.)
1. BY whom ". ~
Benhadad, the Syrian king, accom-
panied by 80 kings, came against Sa-
maria. These 80 kings were not al
lies, but rulers over the neighboring
cities-vassal princes.
2. Benhadad's message to Ahab (vv.
2-6.)
He offered peace on the most abject
and insulting terms. His demands
meant more than the exaction of trib-
ute. He over-reached himself in this;
thus defeating his purpose. He not
only demanded tribute money, but the
surrender of that which was most vital
to Ahab's manhood and self-respect-
his wives and children. He thus made
q thrust at his tenderest spot. Many
n man has been thus aroused to do his
duty, who otherwise would have sub
mitted to shameful indignities.
3. Ahab's reply wv. a, 7-9)
His reply was tame and humiliating-
Iy submissive. Perhaps, he thought
it only meant the giving of tribute,
which he was willing to do in face OF
Benhadad's overwhelming army. Con-
ciliatory measures were regarded as
most prudent. But the peremptory de-
mands of the enemy repeated, awoke
Ahab to his senses, and caused him to
call together the elders Of the land,
who counseled against submission.
Thus stiffened for the opposition, Ahab
refused to make full compliance with
his demands.
A. Benhadad's bluster and boasting
| ". 10.)
The design of this was to strike ter
ror into the hearts of the king and
people. He vows that he will make
Samaria a heap of dust, and that this
dust will not be sufficient to fill the
hands of his army, so overwhelming is
the number of his host.
x. Ahab's answer by q proverb "
11.)
"Let not him that girdeth on his
harness boast himself as he that put
teth it off," This is a proverb full oi
points for all boosters. Gods purpose
may overruIe all mans proud pre-
sumptions. "Man proposes, but Coo
disposes." "Pride goeth before de
struction, and naughty spirit before
fall"
6. Readiness for the attack ". 12.)
In the full confidence of victory, tn,
Syrian king was giving a banquet t,
his princes. In the midst of, this feast
ing, the command was given to invad
Samaria. Incited by strong drink, h
gave no attention to the striking prov
erb of Ahab. Many have gone to ruiz
enness. they have failed to heed prope
warnings.
II. A Prophet Sent to Ahab (vv. Il
14.)
Who the prophet was. we are nc
told, but why he was sent, is mad
clear. He brought from God a prom
ise of victory which was to cause Aha
to know Jehovah. 1t is a marvelou
display of Gods goodness and grac,
Israel deserved the most severe cha.
tisement, but God promised victory fC
his own sake in order to make his glor
known. The agency by which the vi,
tory was to be achieved, was the youn
men, an agency purposely feeble, tbs
the victory might be seen to be of Go,
III. Ahab's Victory Over the Syrian
". 15-21.)
The army of Ahab was but handfl
compared with that of the Syrian kin
". IS; CT, V. 10). Benhadad, with col
fdence in his superior numbers, O
dered the young men of Israel to /
taken whether they came for peace {
war. He, with his princes, continue
their drunken debauch. The young me
struck right and left, creating grei
CONSERVATION. When the seven tho
sand reserves Joined the young men.
general panic was produced among Il
Syrians. From the human side. Il
victory is accounted for by the drum
enness of the Syrians, but from the {
vine side. we see that God wrought f
his own glory. Ahab pursued the Syl
unS WltH sIeat SiuuSHuer, DuIs be
/. hadad escaped. Many have been Il
defeats which have come throu,
/, drunkenness; defeats in morals, d
: feats in religion, defeats in busine.
defeats in physical endurance. T.
. man who indulges even moderate
! has reduced his opportunities of 81
cess very greatly. Most of the ac
dents by automobiles. railroads, ct
nrp troceobta tO the uSe of intoxico RI