The citizen., 1917-11-01

GOLDEN TExT-let not him that
he that putteth II OIL Kings 2:ii.
L. samaria Besieoed (vv. 1-12.)
I. by whom ". ~
Benhadad. the Syrian king accom-
ronicd by ~ kings came against Sa.
maria. These 81 kings were not al
lies, hut rulers over the neighboring
citics-vassal princes.
.. Benhadnd's message TO Ahab wv.
2-6.)
lie offered peace on the most abject
and insulting terms. His demands
meant more than the exaction Of trlb-
ute. lie over-renched himself In this;
thus defeating his purpose. lie not
only demanded tribute money. but the
surrender Of that which was most vital
10 Ahab's manhood and self-respect-
- wives and children. lie thus made
khrust at his tenderest spot. Many
n man has been thus aroused To do his
duty. who otherwise would have sub
mltted to shameful indignlues.
9. Ahab's reply wv. 4, 7-9.)
His reply was tame and humilIatlne-
ly submissive. Perhaps, he thought
Il only meant the giving OF tribute,
which he was willing to do In face of
Benhadnds overwhelming army. Con
cillntory measures were regarded as
most prudent. But the peremptory de
mnnds Of the enemy repeated. awoke
Ahab 10 his senses. and. caused him to
call together the elders OF the land.
who counseled against submission.
Thus stiffened for the opposition, Ahab
refused Ia make full compliance with
his demands.
4. Benhadad's bluster and boastlng
". 10)
The design of this was 10 strike ter
ror into the hearts OF the king and
people. He vows that he will make
Samaria heap of dust. and that this
dust will not be sufficient to MI the
hands OF his army So overwhelming Is
the number Of his host.
3. Ahab's answer by a proverb ".
IL
let not him that girdeth on his
harness boast himself us he that put
teth II on" This IN 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 q naughty spirit before
a fall"
o. Readiness for the attack ". 12)
In the full confidence Of victory, the
Syrian king was giving a banquet 10
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
enness. they have failed to heed proper
warnings.
u. A Prophet Sent to Ahab wv. 13.
14)
Who the prophet was, we are not
told. but why he was sent. is made
clear. He brought from God n prom
!se Of victory which was to cause Ahab
10 know Jehovah. II Is a marvellous
display OF Gods goodness and grace.
Israel deserved the most severe chas-
tisement. but God promised victory for
his own sake In order to make his glory
known. The agency by which the vic
tory was TO be achieved. was the young
men. an agency purposely feeble, that
the victory might be seen to be OF God.
III. Ahab's Victory Over the syrians
". 15-21)
The army Of Ahab was but handful
compared with that of the Syrian king
". 10; Ct. v. 10). Benhadad. with con-
fdence In his superior numbers, or
dered the young men Of Israel to be
taken whether they came for peace or
war; He. with his princes, continued
their drunken debauch. The young men
uck right and left. creating great
S0nsteruation. When the seven thou
sand reserves Joined the young men. a
general panic was produced among the
Syrians. From the human side. the
victory II accounted for by the drunk
enness Of the Syrians. but from the d.
vine side. we see that God wrought for
his own glory. Ahab pursued the Syri-
ans with great slaughter. but Ben
hadad escaped. Many have been the
defeats which have come through
drunkenness; defeats In morals, de-
feats In religion. defeats in business.
defeats In physical endurance. The
man who INDUCES even moderately.
has reduced his opportunities Of sue
cess very greatly. Most Of the acci-
dents BY automobiles. railroads, ETC.,
are traceable to the use Of Intoxicating
liquors.
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