THE KING’S BUSINESS
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answered, I have found thee: because thou hast sold thyself to work evil in the Sight of the LORD." Like sinners generally, Ahab regarded the man who rebuked his sin as his “enemy,” but in reality he was his best friend. There is no better friend than the one who frankly tells us of our faults, even our most grievous sins. Even at that late hour if Ahab had repented at Elij ah’s rebuke, he would have escaped his doom. Ahab had not bought a vineyard, but had sold himself; and hot merely sold him self, but sold himself “to work evil in the sight of the LORD.” All the miseries that came upon Ahab, came from his thus sell ing himself to do that which was evil in the Lord’s sight. What he had done was wise in the eyes of Jezebel and in the eyes of the world, but it was “evil in the sight of Jehovah.” OUTLINE (2) The Plot of Jezebel, vs. 7-14. Jezebel makes Tight of the king’s petu- lancy, ,v. 7. She assures him that she will fix it, v. 7. She uses the king’s seal in a letter to the elders, v. 8. She lays a plot f°r the killing of Naboth, vs. 9-12. 'Naboth is stoned and Jezebel informed, vs. 13, 14. Questions: What kind of a woman was Jezebel? ch. 18:4. ' Had she sought the life of a good man be fore? ch. 19:2. ‘ Into what sin had she Jed Ahab? ch. 16:31. Wgs our Lord subject to the same treat ment. as Naboth ? Matt. 26:59, 60. What man of God wrote a letter with similar intent? 2 Sam. 11:14, 15. Do men use a cloak of religion in the Devil’s service? Matt. 23:14.
killed, and also taken possession? And thou shalt speak unto him, saying, Thus saith the LORD, in the place where dogs licked the blood of Naboth, shall dogs lick thy blood, even thine." Ahab thought he had gained a vineyard, but in reality he had lost his throne and his life. God attributes the re sponsibility for Naboth’s death to him; he was the real murderer in God’s sight, and he was to pay the penalty , with his own life. In the very spot where the dogs had licked the blood of the faithful man of God whom he had put out of the way, would the dogs lick his blood, even his own. The vineyard which he considered his own, was not his own in God’s sight, but Naboth’s (v. 18). He had gained nothing, but lost everything by his- infamous act. v. 20. "And Ahab said to Elijah, Hast thou found me, 0 mine enemy? And he (1) Thev Petulant King, vs. 4-6. The king, like ,a spoiled child, goes to .bed because he could not have his own way, v. 4. His wife wants to know the cause, of his displeasure, v. 5. He tells her that Naboth refused to sell dr trade his inheritance, v. 6. Questions: What kind of a man was Ahab ? 2 Chron. 2:3, 4. What commandment did he break ? Ex. 20:17.- Was Naboth right in refusing the king? Num. 36:7; Ezek. 46:16. Had Ahab set at naught God’s Word be fore? ch. 20:42, 43. Did king Saul do the same? 1 Sam. 15:9-11. Must all men suffer who set at naught God’s counsel and despise God’s Word? Prov. 1:29-31. What does God say He will do to such men? Prov. 1:25, 26. LESSON
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