Middletown transcript., 1917-11-03

girdeth on his harness boast himself AZ
he that putteth it off Kings N:ll.
!. SamariA 5esieged wv. 1-12.)
1. By whom (v. ~
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.
9. Benhadad's message to Ahab wv.
2-6)
He offered peace on the most ab1ect
and Insulting terms. His demands
meant more than the exaction OF trlD-
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
a thrust at his tenderest spot. Many
a man has been thus aroused to DO MS
duty, who otherwise would have SUD-
mitted to shameful indignities.
3. Ahab's reply wv. 4, 7-9)
His reply was tame and humiliating-
ly submissive. Perhaps, he thought
1t 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, AhaD
refused to make full compliance with
his demands.
4. Benhadads buster and boasting
w. 1O)
The design of this was to strike ter
rOr into the hearts of the king ana
people, He vows that he will make
Samaria 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.
S. Ahab's answer by proverb ".
11.)
"Let not him that girdeth on his
harness boast himself as he that put
teth 1t off, This is proverb full OF
points for all boasters. Gods purpose
may overrule all mans proud pre-
sumptions. Man proposes, but God
disposes." pride goeth before de-
struction, and naughty spirit before
q fall"
tha oft "
In the.full confidence of victory, the
Syrian king was giving a 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
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 prom.
ise Of victory which was to cause Ahab
to know Jehovah. It Is q 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
". IS; cf. v. 10Y. Benhadad, with con.
fidence 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
struck right and left, creating great
CONSERVATION. When the seven thou.
sand reserves Joined the young men,
general panic was produced among the
Syrians. From the human side, the
victory is accounted for by the drunk.
enness Of the Syrians, but from the di.
vine side. we see that God wrought for
his own glory. Ahab pursued the Syri-
ans with a 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.