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T H E K I N G ' S B U S I N E S S
December, 1938
hold that Old Testament stories of ven geance or judgment show a primitive view of God’s character, and overlook His lov ing-kindness. Archaeological discoveries in recent dec ades have revealed, however, that Baal worship was inseparably linked with un speakably immoral practices that were a part of the religion itself. The whole peo ple of Israel were in danger of becoming corrupted. Only seven thousand had main tained their separation from this evil reli gion and were true worshipers of Jehovah (1 Ki. 19:18). God in His mercy had given the king and his people three .years of warning through the prolonged drought. It was necessary for Him to deal severely with this heathen practice if any testimony for righteousness was to be maintained in IsraelS-I. M. S. III. T he M eeting For special music for this meeting, one or more selections from Mendelssohn’s Elijah would be appropriate. JANUARY 15, 1939 David’s story is in many ways a sad one, a record of strife and grievous sin and con sequent suffering in David's own life. But in the Word of God, we read that "the heart of David” was “perfect with the Lord his God” (1 Ki. 15:3). Why could this be said? First of all, in the genuineness of his repentance, David met God’s requirement of true contrition (2 Sam. 11:1 to 12:23; cf. Psa. 51 and 32:1). Further, David offered spontaneous and sincere praise. It was praise based upon a growing understanding of the holiness, p o w er, and go o d n ess o f God. Again and again, the Psalms of David start on a note of discouragement or defeat, then rise to a beautiful song of thanksgiving and worship. W e too may turn discouragement to rejoicing if we, like David, will direct all our attention to the character of God, and instead of consid- ing ourselves will praise the Lord. Helps for the Leader I. O utline of D avid ’ s L ife I. David’s Boyhood and Youth (1 Sam. 16:11 to 17:58). 1. His anointing by Samuel (16: 11-13). 2. His minstrelsy (16:14-23). 3. His victory over Goliath (17:1- 58). II. David and the Court of Saul (1 Sam. 18:1 to 20:42). 1. The love of Jonathan and David (18:1-4). 2. David’s popularity (18:5-7). 3. Saul's jealousy (18:8-16). 4. Saul’s attempts to kill David (18: 17 to 20:42). III. David a Fugitive (1 Sam. 21 to 30). 1. David and his followers (22:2). 2. David twice spares Saul’s life (chapters 24 and 26). 3. David’s sorrow for Saul and Jona than (2 Sam. 1). IV. David the King (2 Sam. 5 to 24; 1 Ki. 1 to 2:11). DAVID—AND PRAISE 2 S amuel 7:8-29; P salm 103 Meditation on the Lesson
lenges the king to meet him on Mt. Carmel. It has been well said, “There is a royalty in righteousness before which all other roy alty is but tinsel.” In spite of himself, Ahab must have recognized this force of holy character in Elijah as the prophet accepted the challenge. The scene on Mt. Carmel de picts a crisis in the long struggle between monotheism and idolatry. Elijah brings the people squarely to the issue with a single sentence: "How long halt ye between two opinions? If the Lord be God, follow him: but if Baal, then fol low him.” And we are told: “The people answered him not a word.” The arrow had gone point-blank to their hearts. The Spirit of God had carried it straight to its mark. Elijah’s prayer before his offering of the bullock is a model in its comprehensiveness. He pleaded the covenant promises to Abra ham, Isaac, and Israel; he gave glory to God, acknowledged his dependence upon God, and pleaded for the answer in order that God might be glorified in the eyes of the people. It is no wonder that we read that “the fire of the Lord fell” (v. 38) and that the awed people said: “The Lord, he is the God; the Lord, he is the God." Helps for the Leader I. O utline on E lijah I. His Preparation. 1. The prophet and the king (1 Ki. 17:1). 2. The prophet in solitude (1 Ki. 17:2-7). 3. The prophet and the widow (1 Ki. 17:8-24). II. Triumph and Despair. 1. Carmel (1 Ki. 18). 2. The wilderness and Horeb (1 Ki. 19:1-18). III. Later Years. 1. Naboth’s vineyard (1 Ki. 21). 2. Chariot of fire (2 Ki. 2:1-11). II. G od ’ s R ighteous J udgments This story of Elijah at Carmel is a fa vorite object of criticism from those who
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