EXPLANATIONS. Art thou he, &c.-he who was sent to bring blessings on Israel is insulted by the man whose iniquities had brought divine judgments on the nation. thou and thy father's house-Elijah returned Ahab's charge upon himself and proved it. prophets of Baal-they received the king's patronage and support. Jezebel being a Phoenician. Les. 78. prophets of the groves-they gave oracular and obscure responses to their superstitious followers. eat at Jezebel's table-this idolatrous queen provided liberally for the real troublers of Israel. How long halt ye, &c.-indecision on the all-important subject of religion is dangerous. Our first duty is to satisfy ourselves that we are right; our next to be equally decided in our practice. not a word-they could not justify, and would not condemn themselves. two bullocks-Baal had all the outward advantages, for he had 850 supplicants. It is well spoken-the proposal was a fair one, the proof of divinity which was suggested could not be opposed. mocked them-he upbraided them for their folly, while their absurd superstitions excited his ridicule. no answer-showing plainly that their idols could do neither good nor evil. water-this was probably sea-water, for Carmel was on the coast; and there was no fresh water to be had. Lord God of Abraham, &-the idolatrous prophets had invoked Baal. Elijah called upon God in the names of the heads of the Israelitish nation, with whom the original covenant had been made. altar of Elijah was flowing with water, there could be no suspicion of any fire being placed under it. Elijah was not a priest, there was no tabernacle at Carmel, and the ark of the testimony was far away from the place; yet God acknowledged his own prophet, the fire fell, and it was proved that the God of Abraham, of Isaac, and of Jacob was the True God. slew-they were put to death as traitors to the king of Israel, as rebels against Jehovah. a little cloud-a sure sign of rain in countries east of the Levant. hand of the Lord-a mighty impulse. ran before, &c.-after the custom of runners before Eastern princes. Elijah distinctly fulfilled his duties towards God, and those he owed to his king. Now he is found acting as one of Ahab's most faithful subjects, while he had just asserted the truth of God in utter disregard of royal power. QUESTIONS. Tell me the address of Ahab to Elijah, and the prophet's answer. Explain the particulars which led to the great national assembly at Carmel. What apparent advantages had the prophets of Baal over those of Elijah? Why did the people admit Elijah's proposal without hesitation? What course did the prophets of Baal pursue? How did Elijah ridicule them? For how long did they call upon Baal? What were the circumstances under which Elijah's sacrifice was consumed, which prove that no deception could have been practised? Why is it that we are not to consider the slaughter of the idolatrous prophets as needless and cruel? What were Elijah's next proceedings? When he heard of the little cloud what did he know would follow? What did he say to Ahab? What does the conduct of Elijah in running before Ahab's chariot illustrate? PRECEPTIVE LESSONS. the fire... We learn that it has been the lot of some of the best men to be considered as troublers of the public peace, and enemies to their nation's prosperity. That the impiety of princes is a curse to their nation; true religion is not a craft,' and needs no concealment. That one true messenger of God need not shrink from encountering a host of false teachers. That it is a reproach to be undecided in religion-"Ye cannot serve God and mammon.' That perverters of the true religion, "false prophets" are the greatest of criminals; our Saviour said of such men, "ye shut up the kingdom of heaven against men; for ye neither go in yourselves, neither suffer ye them that are entering to go in." That the "fervent prayer of a righteous man availeth much," is seen in the grant of rain. That God's messengers should not be above the humblest lawful services to their sovereign. 82. Elijah's Grief. Elisha is called. 1. Kings xix. *Ahab told Jezebel all that Elijah had done, and how he had slain the "prophets of Baal. Then Jezebel sent a messenger to Elijah to tell him that she would put him to death. When Elijah heard that, 'he arose, and went to Beersheba,9 in Judah ;73 there he left his servant, but he went himself a day's journey into the wilderness, and sat down under a 'juniper tree, and requested for himself that he might die. As he lay and slept under the juniper tree, an angel touched him, and said to him, "Arise and eat." He looked and there was a cake baked on the coals, and a cruse of water at his head. He ate and drank, and laid him down again. And the angel came again, and said, "Arise and eat; because the journey is too great for thee." And he arose and did eat and drink, and went in the strength of that food forty days and forty nights, unto Horeb,17 the mount of God. Elijah came to a cave in Horeb, and lodged there; and the word of the Lord came to him and said, "What doest thou here, Elijah ?" Elijah said, "I have been very jealous for the LORD God of hosts; for the children of Israel have 'forsaken thy covenant, thrown down 'thine altars, and slain thy prophets with the sword; and I, even I only, am left; and they seek my life, to take it away." And Elijah stood on the mount before the Lord. And behold, the Lord passed by, and a great strong wind rent the mountains, and brake in pieces the rocks before the Lord; but the Lord was not in the wind; and after the wind an earthquake ; but the Lord was not in the earthquake; and after the earthquake a fire; but the Lord was not in the fire; and after the fire a still small voice. And when Elijah heard it he wrapped his face in his mantle. And there came a voice to him and said, "What doest thou here, Elijah ?” Elijah answered as he had before. And the Lord said, "Go, return on thy way to the wilderness of Damascus ;57 and when thou comest, anoint Hazael to be king over Syria ;38 and Jehu the son of Nimshi, shalt thou anoint to be king over Israel; and Elisha, the son of Shaphat, of Abel-meholah shalt thou anoint to be prophet in thy room." God then assured Elijah that there were left 'seven-thousand in Israel, which had not bowed the knee to Baal. Elijah departed thence, and found Elisha the son of Shaphat, who was ploughing with twelve yoke of oxen before him. Elijah passed by him, and cast his mantle upon him. He knew from this that Elijah had called him, and he left the oxen, and said, "Let me, I pray thee, kiss my father and my mother, and then I will follow thee." And Elijah said unto him, "Go back again, for what have I done to thee?" And he returned back from him, and took a yoke of oxen, and slew them, and boiled their flesh with the instruments of the oxen, and gave unto the people, and they did eat. Then he arose, and went after Elijah, and ministered unto him. GEOGRAPHICAL NOTE. Abel-meholah-a town in western Manasseh, to which the army of the Midianites went when put to flight by Gideon. This town was the birth-place of the prophet Elisha. EXPLANATIONS. Ahab told, &c.-he had been a witness to the sovereignty of Jehovah; he told his wife all this, and she was left with out excuse. prophets of Baal-these were Israelites, and justly esteemed rebels; the prophets of the groves, it is supposed, were spared on the ground that they were foreigners, and were not therefore guilty of rebellion against God. he arose and went-it would appear that the prophet's courage failed him, and having received no divine intimation of the course he should adopt for his personal safety, he fled to the wilderness. Beersheba in Judah-he must have passed through Jehoshaphat's dominions; his terror was probably so great as to lead him to suspect danger from that good king, because of the friendly relations between his family and that of Ahab. juniper tree-a large shrub which grows thickly in the valleys and water courses of the desert. The Arabs to this day seek shelter from the mid-day sun under this shrub. he might die-his unreasonable fears overcame his confidence he could not preserve calmness of spirit under the trying circumstances in which he was placed. We ought not to desire to quit the scene of our duties till it is the Lord's pleasure to remove us. an angel touched, &c.-a supernatural impression was made on him during his sleep; he awoke and saw before him the proof of God's watchful care over him. forty days-including the whole period from his leaving Beersheba till his return to the land of Israel. The journey from Beersheba to Horeb was about five days. What doest thou, &c.-implying that he was away from the scene of active duty. Those who are qualified for public usefulness greatly err, if from fear of the dangers connected with it they seek ease and retirement. jealous, &c.-filled with grief and pain, and inspired by zeal for truth. forsaken thy covenant-in setting up the worship of calves and other idolatries. thine altars-at Ed, Ramah, Mizpeh, Gilgal and other places. even I only, &c.-the prophet was ignorant of the existence of even one public worshipper of Jehovah in the land of Israel. they seek my life-not only would Jezebel be gratified with his execution, but thousands of idolaters throughout Israel would rejoice. the Lord passed by-such evidences of the power of God over the material elements as were sufficient to satisfy the prophet that Jehovah was infinitely great, and could show himself strong on behalf of those who trust in him. a voice-the voice of his best friend comes to cheer him when the manifestations of God's terrific power had passed. 7,000-they worshipped God in secret fearing to profess the truth publicly. mantle-or outward cloak. It was customary to confer upon persons both dignity and authority by such an in vestiture. ministered-he became his personal attendant, the better to become qualified for the prophetic office. QUESTIONS. Narrate the circumstances which led Elijah to flee to the wilderness? What divine directions did he receive? Relate the particulars of his journey? What was the probable reason for his not remaining in Jehoshaphat's dominions, under that good king's protection? What did the question of the Lord to Elijah imply? What do we learn from Elijah's answer respecting the state of true religion in Israel? What object was served by the awful manifestations of God's power at Horeb ? What comfortable assurance did the Lord give Elijah? &c. &c. PRECEPTIVE LESSONS. &c. A bad man who refuses to do mischief himself, may be so mean as to incite others to do it; and superstition ascribes the wondrous works of God to the spells and crafts of the priesthood. Ahab told Jezebel what Elijah had done and what God had performed. "The husband is the head of the wife," but Jezebel ruled in Israel, and the law of nature was reversed. Great faith is not always strong-Elijah who had not quailed before eight-hundred-and-fifty false prophets, now flies from the threats of Jezebel. An impatient desire for death indicates an ascendancy of the feelings of nature over the power of grace. God will preserve those who have his work to do under the most trying circumstances. In all ages God has reserved "a remnant" of the true worshippers, though they may be hidden from the world. Such as are called to situations of public usefulness require time to learn their duties-Elisha became the pupil of Elijali. 83. Benhadad besieges Samaria. 1. Kings xx. 1-25. Benhadad the king of Syria,38 gathered all his host together, and there were thirty-and-two kings with him, and horses, and chariots, and he went up and besieged Samaria.78 And he sent messengers into the city, to king Ahab, saying, "Thus saith Benhadad, 'thy silver and thy gold is mine; thy wives also and 'thy children, even the goodliest, are mine." And the king of Israel answered, "My lord, O king, according to thy. saying, I am thine, and all that I have." And the messengers came again, and said, "Thus speaketh Benhadad, saying, Although I have sent unto thee, saying, Thou shalt deliver me thy silver, and thy gold, and thy wives, and thy children; yet I will send my servants unto thee to-morrow about this time, and they shall 'search thine house, and the houses of thy servants; and it shall be, that whatsoever is pleasant in thine eyes, they shall put it in their hand, and take it away." Then Ahab said to the elders of the land, "Mark, I pray you, and see how this man seeketh mischief: for he sent unto me for my wives, and for my children, and for my silver, and for my gold; and I denied him not." And all the elders and all the people said unto him, "Hearken not unto him, nor consent." Wherefore he said unto the messengers of Benhadad, Tell my lord the king. All that thou didst send for to thy servant at the first I will do but this thing I may not do." And the messengers departed, and brought him word again. And Benhadad sent unto him, and said, "The gods do so unto me, and more also, if the dust of Samaria shall suffice for handfuls for all the people that follow me." And Ahab answered," Tell him 'Let not him that girdeth on his harness boast himself as he that putteth it off." And when Benhadad heard this message, as he was drinking, he and the kings in the pavilions, that he said unto his army, "Set yourselves in array." And they set themselves in array against the city. Then there came a prophet to Ahab and said, "Thus saith the LORD, hast thou seen all this great multitude? behold, I will deliver it into thine hand this day; and thou shalt know that I am the Lord." And Ahab said, "By whom?" And he said, "By the 'young men of the princes of the provinces." Then Ahab asked, "Who shall order the battle ?" And he answered, "Thou." So Ahab numbered the princes and the people; and they went out at noon. Benhadad was then drinking himself drunk, he and the thirty-two kings that helped him. The young princes went out of the city first. The army followed the princes, and they slew every one his man; the Syrians fled, and the king escaped on a horse with the horsemen. A prophet then came to Ahab, and told him to strengthen himself, for Benhadad would return in a year. The servants of Benhadad said of the Israelites, Their gods are gods of the hills; therefore they were stronger than we; but let us fight against them in the plain, and surely we shall be stronger than they Number thee an army, like the army that thou hast lost... and we will fight them in the plain." And he hearkened unto their voice, and did so. EXPLANATIONS. thirty and two kings-chieftains of petty independent states bound by mutual obligation to assist each other in war. besieged Samaria-success in Israel would enable him afterwards to attack Judah, the reigning family of which state were descendants of David who had expelled Hadad from the throne of Edom. thy silver and thy gold-as tribute, which he asserted he should receive, or as property on which he could lay his hand. thy wives, &c.-the glory of an eastern conquest was enhanced by the capture of the royal harem, which was invariably added to that of the conqueror. How remarkable that the ideas which men have generally entertained of glory are so opposed to human happiness, purity, and prosperity. thy children as servants to wait upon this insulting and boastful prince. I am thine-probably Ahab conceived that by verbal concessions, and an agreement to pay annual tribute, further evils might be averted. Although, Sc.-Ahab's hopes were now frustrated; for the tyrant outside the walls is not to be satisfied by mere admissions. He must have a proof of the submission of the tyrant within, and thus assert his lordship over him. my servants-not a few; but a large body of soldiers, having with them the means of speedily carrying off what they wished to take. search-that is, plunder the palace and city of every thing valuable. I denied him not-that which was in my personal keeping and which belonged to me; but now he demands the property of my people, which it is my duty to protect. if the dust...shall suffice, &c.-conveying, by this boasting figure of speech, that he had an immense army at his command. Let not, &c.-Let not Benhadad boast Even apostate Israel was not without evidence of the special care of God. young men a term for servants. The princes of the provinces were the officers who provided for the royal table. They, with their servants or young men were to gain the victory. gods of the hills-Canaan being a hilly country, it was supposed that the golden calves were the representatives of the gods of the hills. Thus Israel gave occasion to the enemies of Jehovah to deny his unity, and to limit his power. CONTEMPORARY CHARACTER. BENHADAD-son of Hadad the Edomite, whom David had deprived of his kingdom. Hadad was then very young, he escaped into Egypt, but after some years he became one of Solomon's adversaries; Rezon of Damascus was another. Hadad probably succeeded to Rezon's kingdom, and extended his rule throughout Syria; to this kingdom Benhadad succeeded. Les. 57. 71. QUESTIONS. What are we to understand when we read that thirty-two kings with their armies assembled for war? What would Benhadad's success in Israel enable him to do? Why would he naturally desire to attack Judah? Describe the nature of the demands made What was the advice of the elders? answer? How was Benhadad then employed? before he has gained the victory. Then there came, &c.-observe how the Lord interferes at the proper moment. David subdued the Syrians, but now they are so powerful as to terrify Ahab; apostacy from God brings a punishment on Israel. Benhadad's iniquitous demand caused the mean spirit of Ahab to rebel; his gross injustice, and his insolent tyranny defeated his ends. To be self-confident of victory is the way to be beaten, and it is impolitic to despise an enemy; the apostle Peter fell through self-confidence; "Happy is the man that feareth always." Excesses at the table are productive of much evil, especially in those who command enterprizes; the false security and drunkenness of Benhadad and his allies were the precursors of his defeat. Those who know not God limit his power and define his authority; they think he is such a one as themselves. Finally, we learn that confidence in any power but God is vain. "Be wise therefore O ye kings, be instructed ye judges of the earth." |