THE KING’S BUSINESS
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hovah, and faith in Him and His word (cf. 2 Chron. 23:3). He bound them by the most sacred covenant made in God’s own house, and God’s own presence. vs. 5-6. "And he commanded them, say ing, This is the thing that ye shall do; a third pant of you that enter in on the sabbath shall even be keepers of the watch of the king’s house; and a third part,” etc. Jehoiada carefully guarded every point; every man was definitely instructed as to his duty, and expected to do it. No one was even allowed to pass within the ranks but a sworn and trusted follower (v. 8). v. 9. “And the captains over the Hun dreds did according to all things that Je hoiada, the priest, commanded.” Every man did as he was fold; they were true soldiers. If we expect to be used of our leader we must do exactly as we are told (John 15:14). Jehoiada must have been a man of charac ter to have commanded such implicit obe dience. v. 10. “And to the captains over the hundreds did the priest give king David’s spears and sword?, that were in the temple of the LORD." They were to fight a holy fight, and therefore consecrated weapons were put in their hands. The spears and swords that had belonged to David had been used of God and were now kept in the temple of God. v. 11. “And the guard stood, every man with his weapons in his hand, round about the king.” Thus should our King’s soldiers stand about Him, round about on every side, but the weapons of our warfare are not carnal, but they are “mighty through God to the pulling down of strongholds” (2 Cor. 10:4). v. 12. “And he brought forth the king’s son,»and pu* the crown upon him, and gave (1) Concealing the Young King, vs. 1-3. Athaliah, the mother of Ahaziah, after his death sought to slay all of his sons, v. 1 Jehosheba secretes Joash, one of the sons, and hides him in the house of the Lord for six years, vs. 2, 3.
him the testimony; and they made him king, and anointed him; and they clapped their hands, and said, God save the king.” Joash was brought forth just at the, right moment. The testimony that was put in his hands was the Mosaic law (cf. Ex. 25: 16; 31:18; Deut. 17:18-20; Ps. 78:5; -Isa. 8:16, 20). There is a very self-confident and self-assertive school of criticism that would have us believe that the Mosaic law was not written until the time of Josiah : but this theory does not stand a candid and thorough examination, because it is out of keeping with the known historic facts. By putting the Mosaic law in his hands, it was significant that, he was to rule according to the law of God. The anointing was sym bolic of God’s^ sealing him by the endue- ment of the Holy Spirit (1 Sam. 10:16; 16:13; Acts 4:27; 10:38; Heb. 1:9). The king was received with prompt and hearty enthusiasm. Indeed the enthusiasm was so great that the noise of it reached Athaliah in the palace (v. 13). She was filled with dismay, and hopelessly cried, “Treason, treason” (v. 14). The one who was most guilty of treason was the one who was most ready to cry treason against others. It was a day of great gladness for the mis governed people when they saw this infa mous woman deposed, and a true son of David elevated to the throne (Prov. 29:2). But their joy was nothing to what the joy of this earth will be when the kings of this earth shall lay down their power, and Jesus, earth’s true King, the Prince of Peace, shall reign over all the earth in undisputed sway. Never did the truly wise more long for His coming than this year. ■•-“Even so, come, Lord Jesus” (Rev: 22:20). Athaliah has been to6 long upon the throne; we want Joash—Jesus. “Come quickly.” Questions: Was Athaliah, the wife'of king Jehoram, from bad stock? 2 Kings 8:26. What kind of a king was Ahaziah? 2 Chron. 22:1-4. What are the tender mercies of the wick ed? Prov. 12:10,
LESSON OUTLINE
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