The daily star-mirror. (Moscow, Idaho) 1911-1939, 1917-11-02

|
GOLDEN TExT-Let not him tina
rirdeth on his harness boast himself
Re that putteth 1t OFF, Kings 2o:H.
| /. samaria Besieoed wv. 1-12.)
| 1. BY whom ". ~
Benhadad, the Syrian king, accom-
panied by 80 kings, came against Sa
maria. These so kings were not al
lies, but rulers over the neighborin
cities-vassal princes.
Q. Benhadad's message to Ahab wv
2-6)
He offered peace on the most abjec
and insulting terms. His demands
meant more than the exaction of tr1b
ute. He over-reached himself In this
thus defeating his purpose. He no
only demanded tribute money, but thu
surrender of that which was most vita
J 70 Ahab's manhood and self-respect-
his wives and children. He thus made
thrust at his tenderest spot. Many
man has been thus aroused to do his
dirty. who otherwise would have sub
mitted to shameful indignities.
3. AIdD , reply wv. 4, s-0/
His reply was tame and humiliating-
ly 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.
4. Benhadad's buster 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, Sc overwhelming IS
the number of his host.
s. Ahabs answer by a proverb ".
11.)
sIet not him that girdeth on his
harness boast himself as he that put
teth it off," This is proverb full of
points for all boosters. Gods purpose
may overrule all mans proud pre-
sumptions. "Man proposes, but God
disposes." "Pride goeth before de-
struction, and naughty spirit before
a fall"
6. Readiness for the attack ". 12.) (
In the full confidence of victory, the
Syrian king was giving banquet to
his princes. In the midst of this'feast-
ing, the command was given to invade
Samaria. Incited by strong drink, he
gave no attention to the striking prov
erb of Ahab. Many have gone to ruin
because through the stupor of drunk
they have failed to heed proper
II. A Prophet Sent to Ahab wv. 10,
14.)
Who the prophet was, we are not
told, but why he was sent, is made
clear. He brought from God Iprom-
se of victory which was to cause Ahab
to know Jehovah. 1t is a marvellous
display of Gods goodness and grace.
Israel deserved the most severe chas
-isement, but God promised victory for
his own sake in order to make his glory
Known. The agency by which the vic
DRY was to be achieved, was the young
men, an agency purposely feeble, that
he victory might be seen to be of God.
III. Ahab's Victory over the Syrians
". 1920
The army of Ahab was but a handful
with that of the Syrian king
v. Is; CT, v. 10Y. Benhadad, with con-
idence in his superior numbers, Or
Tered the young men of Israel to be
aiken whether they came for peace or
var. He, with his princes, continued |
heir drunken debauch. The young men |
truck right and left, creating great |
When the seven thou
and reserves joined the young men,
eneral panic was produced among the
yrians. From the human side, the
ictory is accounted for by the drunk
mess of the Syrians, but from the di-
inc side, we see that God wrought for
is own glory. Ahab pursued the Syri-
MS with a great slaughter, but Ben
adad escaped. Many have been the
efeats which have come through
defeats in morals, de-
eats in religion, defeats in business,
efeats in physical endurance. The
IAN who INDUCES even moderately
as reduced his opportunities of sue
,ss very greatly. Most of the acct
ants by automobiles, railroads, ETC.,
e traceable to the use of intoxicating
luors.