The citizen. [volume] (Berea, Ky.) 1899-1958, 1922-01-19

LESSON TENT Kings 2l:l-2g.
GOLDEN TENT-Be sure your sin will
find you out-Num. 81 %.
REFERENCE MATER1AL,-Lev % rs.
Amos $40. Micah 3.l-A
PRIMARY TOPIC-The Sin OF Selfish
ness
JUNIOR ToPIC-EnJah Denounces a
Selfish King
INTERMEDIATES AND SENIOR TOPIC
--Jehovah's champion Feared.
YOUNG PEOPLE AND ADULT TOPIC
Respecting the Rights Of Others.
/. Ahab covets Naboth's Vineyard
wv. l-6).
Ii Joined Ahabs summer home in Jez-
reel. lie wanted to transform II into
an herb garden and thus round out
his property.
. Ahab's proposal ". p. He Of
fered To buy IL outright for money, or
give in exchange a better one. Ahab's
wish for il was a selfish within. He
did not at all need 1t.
3. Naboth's refusal ". 81. II was
for a twofold reason: % regard for
the paternal estate; (2) obedience to
Gods law Uev. - :23-2S, CT. Mum. 80:
7-9). His refusal was on conscientious
grounds. A king, even, has no right
to ask Of his subject that he violate
his conscience
T. Ahab's behavior ". ~. He came
into his house, lay down upon his bed
and refused to eat. The king was
sulking like spoiled child This Is
a picture Of what fool even king.
may make of himself. Let us learn
that "godliness with contentment is
great gain" q Tim. 6 :6).
:. Jezebel's inquiry wv. 3, 60. APP
parently she came with the sympa-
thy of a wife, inquiring as to the
cause of his behavior. But when she
knew of Naboth's refusal she was vi
oIently angry. That humble sub
ject should refuse to conform TO the
desire of the king was an insult which
she would not brook.
u. Ahab Taking Possession Of Ma
both's Vineyard wv. 1-l6).
/. Jezebels treachery wv. 7-15).
Q) Her contemptuous question ".
y. She tainted him for his coward
Ice. The fear Of being thought weak
moves a weak man quickly. (2) Her
exhortation to Ahab ". y. Arise, eat
bread. and let thine heart be merry"
A wife has great influence over her
husband. Many man has been saved
from encouragement and therefore
defeat. through his wife's influence.
Unfortunately in this case the in
fluence of the wife is bad. (0
Her promise to Ahab ". y. Il will
give thee the vineyard of Naboth."
She took matters into her own hands,
If Ahab was too weak to-be king, she
would rule for him. (4) Her wicked
scheme (vv SD. She wrote letters
In Ahab's name, sealed them with his
seal and sent them to the elders and
mobiles who were dwelling in the city
with NabOth, asking them to proclaim
Il fast, as though some great calamity
had hefallen the nation, and place Ma
both before the public as the one who
was the cause of IL all. They were
instructed to find two false witnesses
who would testify against Naboth.
The charge they brought according TO
xhe wicked device of JeZehel was
hlaSphemy against God and the king.
Nahoth's only offense was his refusal
10 sell his estate, contrary to the law
of God. When they had stoned to
death Naboth and his Sons eli Kings
:2G). they came and told Jezebel
who I'm turn came To Ahab with the
information and directed him 10 take
possession of the vineyard.
.. Ahah goes to Jezreel 10 take pos
session If Naboth's vineyard ". 1G.
Ahab had not killed Naboth, but he
eagerly accepted the prize without in
curing ms to how il was secured
~. Elijah in Naboth's Vineyard
Announcing Doom Upon Ahsb (NN. IL
26).
l. Doom upon Ahab wv. l1-22).
Elijah told him the dogs should lick
his blood in the place where they
licked the blood Of Naboth. Evil was
to fall upon Ahab and his posterity,
even wipe out his seed and name. lie
was guilty Of conspiracy, murder. rob
berry, perjury, blasphemy, though he
had been silent and inactive. God
held him responsible for Jezebels acts,
for he was king and head Of the ma.
tion. The day Of reckoning did come
! to Ahab q Kings % :3S).
.. Doom upon Jezebel wv. 1920.
She likewise should be eaten by dogs
by the wall of Jezreel. This was lit
orally fulfilled Oil Kings 9:33-3D.
"Be sure your sin will find you out"
". Ahab's Repentance wv. 27-29).
Because of this, God promised TO
withhold Judgment during his life
lInnLn