Bible Lessons
Fifth Grade
Bible Lessons
For the Fifth Grade
Last of
Old Testament Times
Stories from Israel
MRS. ALMA E. McKIBBIN
EMMANUEL MISSIONARY COLLEGE LIBRARY
Published for the Department of Bduoation of the General Conference of Seventh*day Adventists
(Revised 1926)
PACIFIC PRESS PUBLISHING ASSOCIATION
Mountain View, California
Portland, Oregon	Omaha, Nebraska	Cristobal, Canal Zone
Brookfield, Illinois (foreign*language publications only)
BIBLE LESSONS SERIES
Third Grade—When the World Was Young Fourth 6rade—From Egypt to Canaan Fifth Grade—Last of Old Testament Times Sixth Grade—The Life of Jesus Seventh Grade—The Gospel to All the World Eighth Grade—God’s Great Plan
Copyright 1926, by
PACIFIC PRESS PUBLISHING ASSOCIATION AU rights reserved
1926
TO THE TEACHER
How shall I teach Thy sacred word To children dear, 0 Lord?
How train young soldiers of the cross To wield the Spirit's sword?
These lessons in Old Testament history are designed to aid the teacher and parent in answering these questions. How well they* serve the purpose for which' they have been prepared, each must prove for himself;. He who uses, them most successfully must acknowledge in the end that they are but a JjtgZxi. (The lesson in the* teacher's soul, riot the one in ttiese booksfrathe impressionTHaF
“In order to interest our children in the Bible, we ourselves must be interested in it. To awaken in them a love for its study, we must love it. Our instruction to them will have only the weight of influence given it by our own example and spirit."—Ed., p. 187.
The history given in the Bible is the child's true field of Bible study, and his effort in this, as in all else, should be systematic and thorough.
“Our heavenly Father, in giving His word, did not overlook the children. In all that men have written, where can be found anything ... so well adapted to awaken the interest of the little ones, as the stories of the Bible? In these simple stories may be made plain the great principles of the law of God."—Ed., p. 185.
Therefore, to make these stories familiar to the children is only a means to an end. The purpose ever to be kept in mind is, by means of these stories, to make plain the great principles of the law QL God,—the true end of all Bible study and teaching.
The Bible is the textbook. This book of lessons is only a guide, a help iiLstudy, and should be made in every sense secondary to the Bible. % With proper guidance, even little children may understand'the Bible. t Teachers do not have time to give all the necessary direction to the child's efforts; hence these lessons.
The questions are grouped in paragraphs, with a paragraph topic, arid the verses that answer the questions. Each question may be answered in the exact words of the Bible, and if so answered, will prove a blessing to the child who answers it. No human paraphrase can ever equal in power and effectiveness the simple word of God. Let the teacher quote the Bible language, ana the pupils will naturally do the same.
Only two memory verses a week are given, but any teacher should feel free to add more if he or she wishes to do so, and has
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time for thorough drill. Whatever memory work is required should be often reviewed.
The lessons contain many proper names that the pupils have never seen or heard before. When a new lesson is assigned, drill on the pronunciation of the proper names, so that when the pupils read the lesson, they may pronounce the names correctly the first time they meet them. If thoroughly drilled, these once unpronounceable words become as familiar as the names of schoolmates and teachers, and the pupils have the satisfaction of knowing that they can not only spell, but also pronounce correctly, such puzzles as “Jehoiachin” or “Sennacherib.” The same word is sometimes repeated for sake of review "and drill.
New maps have been made for this book. These are as simple as possible. Upon them will be found the names of all the places the pupil is required to locate, and only these. Each pupil should have a package of outline maps, Envelope No. 2. Upon these outline maps he should fill in the names of places as required in the lessons, or as directed by the teacher. Frequent map drills should be given from maps drawn upon the blackboard and from wall maps, or from relief maps in a sand table or out of doors. “Geography is the handmaid of history.”
Objects should also be used, such as torches, pitchers, trumpets, slings, idols, crowns, ancient lamps, rolls, fleece of wool, scourge, sandals, bow and arrow, etc.
“The use of object lessons, blackboards, maps, and pictures, will be an aid in explaining these lessons, and fixing them in thef memory. Parents and teachers should constantly seek for improved methods. The teaching of the Bible should have our freshest thought, our best methods, and our most earnest effort.”—Ed.,
p. 186.
Frequent short review lessons are given in the form of questions, or stories to be told or written. The teacher may add to-these stories, or modify them, as the ability and the attainments of his pupils may indicate. At the end of the lessons is given a list of quotations, which may be used or not, at the discretion of the teacher. Pupils should be carefully prepared for writing or telling stories. Story-telling is a great art, and should be cultivated in childhood, and encouraged in all periods of life. The teacher should tell or read a Bible story occasionally as a model.
The most important change made in this revision of Bible Lessons is the elimination of certain lessons which have seemed to be difficult and not as interesting as others, or which contain incidents or principles not readily comprehended by children.
VII
Only four of the judges are studied: Othniel, Gideon, Eli, and Samuel. Only nine of the kings of Judah are in the lessons: Re-hoboam, Jehoshaphat, Joash, Hezekiah, Manasseh, Josiah, Jehoi'a-kim, Jehoiachin, and Zedekiah. Only five of the kings of Israel are included: Jeroboam, Ahab, Ahaziah, Jehu, and Hoshea.
The work of prophets is emphasized, especially in the history of Israel. The stories of the work of Elijah and Elisha are in the forefront, while the wicked kings are only a dark background. Frequent reference to the Table of Kings and Prophets will help the children to keep the continuity of history as much as is necessary.
The chief addition is in the notes. A wise use of notes is helpful, but they can very easily be abused. The thoughts, principles, and lessons that come warm from the teacher’s own study and experience are worth more than the second-hand wisdom of even a Solomon. The teacher should be very familiar with the inspired commentaries, “Patriarchs and Prophets” and “Prophets and Kings.”
All these suggestions, and many more, may be given and faithfully followed, and still the word of God find no place in the hearts' of the children. These methods, or any others of human devising, are not the prime essentials. They are only supplements to the great and essential aid, the Holy Spirit. Without His power added to human effort, the best must fail; with it, the humble, consecrated teacher may expect at last to shine “a& the stars forever and ever,” because of having turned many to righteousness. May this be the reward of all who “feed the lambs” of the flock of God.
A. E. M.
CONTENTS
1.	The Times of the Judges....
2.	Othniel, the First Judge...
3.	Gideon.....................
4.	Gideon Begins His Work.....
5.	Gideon’s Army .............
6.	Gideon and the Midianites —
7.	Map Exercise ..............
8.	The Story of Gideon .......
9.	Ruth ......................
10.	Ruth the Gleaner ..........
11.	Ruth and Boaz .............
12.	The Story of Ruth..........
13.	Review Lesson..............
14.	Review Lesson .............
15.	Review Lesson,.............
16.	Samuel......".............
17.	Eli and His Sons ..........
18.	God Calls Samuel ..........
19.	Death of Eli and His Sons__
20.	The Ark of God ............
21.	The Ark Returned to Israel ..
22.	Samuel Turns Israel to God ..
23.	The Story of Samuel's Call ...
24.	Review Lesson .............
25.	Review Lesson .............
26/SAm^HE First King of Israel
127TSaul’s First Disobedience..
28. Saul’s Second Disobedience ...
(29. Samuel Anoints David......
30/David and Saul..............
31.	Cavid and Goliath ........
32.	David and Jonathan ........
33.	David Escapes ............,
34.	The Death of Saul..........
|35. What I Remember About Saul &6. Review Lesson .............
Judges 2: 7-23.........
Judges 3:1-11..........
Judges 6:1-23..........
Judges 6: 24-40 .......
Judges 7:1-15..........
Judges 7:16-25; 8:22, 23
Ruth 1 Ruth 2 Ruth 4
1 Samuel 1............
1 Samuel 2:12-19, 23-26.
1 Samuel 3............
1 Samuel 4:1-18.......
1 Samuel 5............
1 Samuel 6............
1 Samuel 7............
1 Samuel 8; 10.........
1 Samuel 13............
1 Samuel 15:1-31.......
1 Samuel 1£l1-13_......
1 Samuel 16; 14-23.....
1 Samuel 17:117-25, 32-50 1 Samuel 18:1-16,28-30 .
1 Samuel 19:1-17.......
1 Samuel 31; 2 Samuel 1:17-27 ...............
37.	Review Le&on .........................................
38.	The Story of Bethlehem .............,.................
39.	David, the Second King of Israel....^SamueL&;_l-12____
40.	T)avid and the Ark.................. 2	SaiAuel 6:1-19_
41.	David and the Temple ............... 2	Samuel 7:1-16__
42.	David a*td Mephibosheth ............ 2	Samuel 9.......
43.	' Solomon, the Third King of Israel .... 1 Kings 3: 3-14;
4:20,21,29-34..
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26 26 27 29 31
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34 36 38
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48 50 53 55 57
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64 67' 69
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72
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44.	Solomon Builds the Temple......... 1 Kings 5..............
45.	The Dedication of the Temple...... 1 Kings 8:1-21 ........
46.	The Queen ofJSjheba............... 1 Kings 10.............
47.	'The Story of Mephibosheth ...............................
*48. Review Lesson ............................................
49.	Review Lesson .............................................
50.	The Kingdom Divided................ 1 Kings 12:1-20........
51. The-SUTof'JEKUBOam................. 1 Kings 12: 25-33; 13:1-6
52.	Ahab, Seventh King of Israel....... 1 Kings 16:29-33 ......
53.	'Elijah	the Prophet................ 1	Kings 17...........
54.	Eotxh	and Ahab .................. 1	Kings 18:1-19......
55.	Elijah	at Mount Carmel ........... 1	Kings 18:20-40 ....
56.	Elijah	Prays for Rain............. 1	Kings 18: 41-46; 19:1-3
57.	Elijah	in the Desert.............. 1	Kings 19:4-21 .....
58.	Elijah	at the Vineyard of Naboth__ 1	Kings 21:1-20......
59.	A Story Lesson ............................................
60.	Review Lesson .............................................
61.	Review Lesson .............................................
62.	JehoshaPhat, Fourth King of Judah ... 2 Chronicles 20: 1-19 ...
63.	The Victory ....................... 2 Chronicles 20:20-34 ..
64.	Elijah	and Ahaziah ............... 2	Kings 1 ...........
65.	Elijah	Translated................. 2	Kings 2:1-18.......
66.	The Story of Elijah........................................
67.	Elisha ............................ 2 Kings 2:19-25........
68.	The Widow and Her Debt............. 2 Kings 4:1-7..........
69.	The Woman of Shunem............... 2 Kings 4: 8-37........
70.	Miracles in the Schools of the Prophets 2 Kings 4: 38-44 .
71.	Naaman, the Leper ................ 2 Kings 5:1-19.........
72.	Gehazi, a Leper .................. 2 Kings 5: 20-27 ......
73.	Another Miracle in the Schools of
the Prophets.................... 2	Kings	6:1-7.......
74.	Elisha Delivered at Dothan ....... 2	Kings	6:8-23.......
75.	Elisha Blamed for the Famine...... 2	Kings	6: 24-33; 7:1,2 .
76.	Elisha’s Prophecy Fulfilled ...... 2	Kings	7: 3-20......
^7. How Hazael Became King............. 2	Kings	8: 7-15......
78.	The Miracles of Elisha ...................................
79.	Review Lesson ............................................
80.	Joash, the First Boy King ........ 2 Kings 11 ............
81.	Joash Repairs the Temple.......... 2 Chronicles 24:1-25 ...
82.	Jonah ............................ Jonah 1......./........
83.	Jonah’s Prayer ................... Jonah 2......./........
84.	Nineveh .......................... Jonah 3; 4.............
85.	Israel Made Captive by Assyria ... 2 Kings 17:1-23........
86.	The Samaritans ................... 2 Kings 17:24-41.......
87.	Review Lesson ............................................
88. Hbzekiah, King of Judah............ 2 Kings 18:13-37.......
89. Hezekiah and the Letter............ 2 Kings 19.............
90.	Hezekiah’s Life Spared ........... 2 Kings 20.............
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108
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140!
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143
14B
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148'
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152/
155,
156!
157;
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XI
91. Manasseh’s Wicked Reign............. 2 Kings 21:1-16......
92. Josiah’s Good Reign ................ 2 Kings 22 ..........
93.	The Book of the Law................. 2 Kings 23:1-25 .....
9jf. Nebuchadnezzar Takes Captives to
Babylon ......................... 2 Kings 24:1-16......
95.	Nebuchadnezzar Captures Jerusalem .. 2 Kings 25:1-21......
96.	Story of the Three Boy Kings..............................
97.	Review Lesson.............................................
98.	In Captivity in Babylon............. Psalm 137:1-6;
Jeremiah 29:1-14 ..
99.	Daniel in BabVloX................... Daniel 1 ............
100.	Belshazzar's Feast1................ Daniel 5:1-17, 25-31 ...
101.	The Decree of Cyrus................ Ezra 1; 2: 64-70 ....
102.	Foundation of the Temple Laid ..... Ezra 3...............
103.	The Work Hindered.................. Ezra 4...............
104.	The Prophets Set the People to Work .. Ezra 5............
105.	The Decree of Darius............... Ezra 6...............
106.	Review Lesson............................................
107.	Ahasuerus and Vashti .............. Esther 1 ............
108.	Ahasuerus and Esther............... Esther 2 ............
109.	The Decree Against the Jews........ Esther 3 ............
110* Mordecai and Esther ............... Esther 4.............
111.	Esther Favored by Ahasuerus........ Esther 5 ..............
112.	Mordecai Honored................... Esther 6.............
113.	Wicked Haman’s Death............... Esther 7.............
114.	Mordecai and the Jews ............. Esther 8.............
115.	The Feast of Purim................. Esther 9; 10.........
116.	The Decree of Artaxerxes .......... Ezra 7...............
117..J^ehemiah Goes to Jerusalem........ Nehemiah 2 ..........
118.	The Jews Ridiculed and Distressed__ Nehemiah 4 ..........
119.	The Wall Completed ................ Nehemiah 6 ..........
12(1 The Story of.............................................
Ijjl. Review Lesson ..........................................
Who Said It? Under What Circumstances?
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The Child Samuel
Reynolds
1.	THE TIMES OF THE JUDGES
Study Judges 2:7-23
Israel Forsakes the Lord. Judges 2:7-15.
1.	How long did Israel serve the Lord?
„2. How old was Joshua when he died? Where was he buried?
3.	What difference was there in the next generation
after Joshua?
4.	What gods did the new generation serve?
5.	Into whose hands were they delivered?
The Lord Gives Them Judges. Judges 2:16-19.
6.	Whom did the Lord raise up to help Israel?
7.	What did the Lord help the judges to do?
8.	Were the people obedient to the Lord?
9.	When a judge died, to what stubborn way did the
people again turn?
Nations Left to Test Israel. Judges 2:20-23.
10.	Why did the Lord not drive out any more of the na-
tions left when Joshua died?
11.	How would these nations test, or prove, Israel?
Pronounce
Ba' al	Ash' ta roth	Ga' ash
kBa' al im	Ash' to reth	Tim nath-he res
Is' ra el	Josh' u a	(tlm' nath-he' rez)
Memory Verse
The people served the Lord all the days of Joshua, and all the days of the elders that outlived Joshua. Joshua. 2:7.
(i)
Notes
1.	When the Lord brought the children of Israel out of Egypt, they wandered in the wilderness for forty years. Then they were brought across Jordan and into the land of Canaan. Joshua was their leader. At this time, Canaan was inhabited by many different tribes, but all called Canaanites. The map on page 5 shows where these tribes lived.
2.	The Canaanites were very wicked, though they had had many opportunities to know about God. Abraham had lived among them a hundred years. He was a great missionary. He taught them about the true God. Isaac and Jacob also had lived there. The Canaanites had heard of all the wonderful things God did for Israel in Egypt and in the wilderness. But they would not repent. They hated God and His people. So they must leave Canaan or be destroyed. Their land was to be given to the children of Israel.
3.	Joshua overcame and destroyed many of the Canaanites. When he died, the Lord told Israel they must drive out the rest. The tribes of Judah, Ephraim, and Manasseh destroyed a few of the Canaanite towns; but they soon grew weary, and the rest of the tribes did nothing at all.
4.	There were two reasons why the Israelites and the Canaanites could not live together in Canaan: first, the land was too small for so many people; second, the Canaanites were so very wicked that their influence and example were bad for the children of Israel. They tempted Israel all the time to break the commandments of God.
5.	Two of the false gods of the Canaanites were Baal, the sun god, and Ashtoreth, the moon goddess. “Baalim” is the plural of “Baal,” and “Ashtaroth” is the plural of “Ashtoreth.” Many other nations, also, worshiped these gods.
6.	The anger of the Lord is the grief He feels because of sin, His indignation against sin. He loved the children of Israel, but He hated their sin. It was impossible for Him to protect them when they sinned, so the Canaanites and other nations overcame them.
7.	But the Lord was very good to Israel; for when they repented, He always forgave them, and called seme good and faithful man to deliver them. These men were called judges, because they not only led Israel to battle, but gave them advice and instruction in times of peace. There were fifteen judges, but we shall study about only four of them.
They “followed other gods, of the gods of the people that we.?e round about them.”
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2.	OTHNIEL, THE FIRST JUDGE
Study Judges 3:1-11 The Canaanite Nations. Judges 3:1-7.
1.	What nations were still left in Canaan?
2.	What did the children of Israel learn from these na-
tions?
3.	How close to these nations did Israel live?
4.	Whom did some of the Israelites marry?
5.	What gods did they serve?
Chushan-rishathaim Oppresses Israel. Judges 3:8.
6.	Who was king of Mesopotamia?
7.	How long did Chushan-rishathaim oppress Israel?
Othniel Delivers Israel. Judges 3:9-11.
8.	In their distress, to whom did Israel cry?
9.	Who was called to deliver them?
10.	Who was Othniel’s father? His uncle?
11.	What Canaanite city had Othniel captured before
this time? Judged 1:12, 13.
12.	What was given to Othniel that made him able to be
a judge?
13.	How long did Othniel judge Israel?
Pronounce
Oth' ni el Leb' a non Her' mon Ca naan ite (ka' nan ite) Hh' math Hit' tite Am' o rite
Si do' ni an Ba' al im Jeb' u site Ke' naz Hi' vite Per' iz zite Phi lis tine (fi lis' tin)
Ach sah (ak' sa)
Mes" o po ta' mi a Kir jath-se pher (kur' jath-se' fer)
Chu shan-rish a tha im (ku' shan-rish" a tha' im)
Notes
1.	If the children of Israel had believed and obeyed God, they would never have needed to go to war, for God had said He would send hornets
2—B. L., Fifth Grade
“They followed other gods, . . . and bowed themselves unto them.”
that would drive the Canaanites out. But they sinned, and their faith was' weak; so they had to fight.
2.	The nations left to prove Israel were the five great cities of the Philistines: Gath, Ashkelon, Ashdod, Ekron, and Gaza, each ruled by a lord, or king. There were four great tribes of Canaanites: the Hittites, the Amorites, the Perizzites, and the Jebusites. There were also the Sidonians and the Hivites. Find on the map the place where each of these nations lived. (Map, page 5.)
3.	The Lord had told the children of Israel they should not marry anyone who worshiped false gods; but Israel disobeyed, and soon they bowed down with their heathen wives and husbands to worship “Baalim and the groves.” “The groves” means the images of the gods that they placed among the trees. Many of these images were carved out of the trunks of trees. Sometimes altars and even small temples were built under the trees, and a whole grove was often given up to be a place of worship for one or more gods.
4.	When anyone worships a false god, he is really worshiping Satan. The worship of the true God is a pure and holy service that makes men better; but in idol worship the people perform many cruel and wicked
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No. 4 — The Canaanite Tribes
ceremonies. These things fill the minds of the people with impure, unholy thoughts that cause them to live very wicked lives.
5.	‘‘Mesopotamia” means “between the rivers.” This is the| land lying between the Tigris and Euphrates Rivers. It is northeast of Palestine. Find Mesopotamia, the Tigris River, and the Euphrates River, pn the map. (Map No. 3 — page 153 — The Lands of the Captivities.)
6.	The Spirit of the Lord fitted Othniel for his work. A person who attempts a work for the Lord may have a bright mind, many talents, and be very well educated; but if he does not have the Spirit of God, he will not succeed.
7.	“The land had rest” means that no other nation invaded or oppressed Israel for forty years, or during the time that Othniel was judge. The reason was that Othniel taught them to serve God and keep His law. When they did this, they were stronger than any other nation, for God was their protector.
3.	GIDEON
Study Judges 6:1-23 Israel Oppressed by Midian. Judges 6:1-6.
1.	How long was Israel oppressed by Midian?
2.	Where did Israel hide from the Midianites?
3.	Who came and destroyed their crops?
A Prophet’s Message to Israel. Judges 6:7-10.
4.	When did the Lord send a prophet to Israel?
5.	Of what wonderful deliverance did the prophet re-
mind Israel?
Gideon, Son of Joash. Judges 6:11
6.	Who was Gideon? Where did he live?
7.	Why did Gideon thresh behind the wine press?
An Angel’s Message to Gideon. Judges 6:12-16.
8.	How did the angel greet Gideon?
9.	Why did Gideon doubt that the Lord was with Israel?
10.	What did the Lord command him to do?
11.	What did Gideon say about himself and his family?
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Gideon Asks for a Sign. Judges 6:17-23.
12.	Why did Gideon ask for a sign?
13.	When he offered the angel food, what sign was given
him?
14.	Why was Gideon afraid?
15.	What comforting words did the Lord speak to Gideon?
16.	Place Ophrah upon your copy of the map on page 15.
Pronounce
Gid' e on	Jo' ash	Am' a lek ite
Mid' i an	A' bi-ez' rite	Ma nas' seh
Ga'za	Ophrah (of'ra)	Am'orite
Notes
1.	The Midianites and the Amalekites had been enemies of the children of Israel ever since Israel came out of Egypt. The first battle Israel ever fought was with Amalek, at Rephidim; and the last battle before they entered Canaan was with Midian. In both these battles Israel had been victorious. Now, when the protection of God was again taken from Israel because of their sins, these ancient enemies were glad of an opportunity for revenge. The Israelites were in great distress, yet it was seven years before they would1 humble their proud hearts and repent.
2.	A prophet reminded Israel of how God delivered their fathers from Egypt. This was to encourage them to believe that they might be delivered from the Midianites. It always strengthens our faith to remember how God has helped us in the past.
3.	Gideon was the son of Joash, of the tribe of Manasseh. Gideon's brothers had all been killed by the Midianites, who said of them that “each, one resembled the children of a king." The angel called Gideon a “mighty man of valor," which shows that Gideon also was a great warrior. Find Ophrah, the home of Gideon, on the map.
4.	“Gideon desired some token that the one now addressing him was the Covenant Angel, who in time past had wrought for Israel. Angels of God, who communed with Abraham, had once tarried to share his hospitality; and Gideon now entreated the divine Messenger to remain as his guest.... ^ith the staff in His hand, the Angel touched the flesh and the unleavened cakes, and a flame bursting from the rock consumed the sacrifice."— P. P., p. 547. Then Gideon knew that the Lord Himself had been his visitor and had called him to deliver Israel.
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“Let it now be dry only upon the fleece, and upon all the ground let there be dew.”
4.	GIDEON BEGINS HIS WORK
Study Judges 6:24-40
The Altar of God. Judges 6:24.
1.	Where did Gideon build an altar?
2.	What does “Jehovah-shalom” mean? (See margin.)
The Altar of Baal. Judges 6.; 25-30.
3.	What altar did the Lord tell Gideon to destroy?
4.	Why did he do all this at night?
5.	Who wanted to put Gideon to death?
Joash, the Father of Gideon. Judges 6:31, 32.
6.	How did Joasji save the life of Gideon?
7.	By what name did he call Gideon?
8.	What does “Jerubbaal” mean? (See margin.)
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Gideon Gathers an Army. Judges 6:33-35.
9.	Where were the enemies of Israel encamped?
10.	To what tribes did Gideon send messengers?
Gideon Asks for Signs. Judges 6:36-40.
11.	For wh&t two signs did Gideon ask?
12.	Why was the second a better sign than the first?
Pronounce
Jez' re el	Naph ta li
Ash'er	(naf tali)
Jer"’ ub ba' al	Je ho' vah-sha' lom
Zeb' u lun
Memory Verse
We know that an idol is nothing in the world, and that there is none other God but one. 1 Cor. 8:4.
Notes
1.	Gideon's father, Joash, was an idolater. He had built a large altar to Baal, at which all the people of the town worshiped. Gideon was told to destroy this altar, and to build an altar to the true God over the rock on which his offering had been burned by fire from heaven. On this altar he offered a sacrifice. The name of this altar is a prayer, “The Lord send peace."
2.	In this way Gideon showed to Israel that they could not overcome their enemies or have peace until they gave up their false gods and destroyed their altars and images.
3.	Gideon probably told his father of the Angel's visit, and so Joash understood why Gideon had destroyed the altar of Baal. Joash now clearly saw that if Baal was a god, he should be able to defend himself. How foolish to worship a god that could not protect his own altar!
4.	The Valley of Jezreel was a famous battlefield of ancient times. Here once more the enemies of Israel gathered. It was a very great army, for later we are told that a hundred and twenty thousand were killed, while many escaped.
5.	“The Spirit of the Lord clothed Gideon.'' (Margin.) Warriors often wore armor in olden times, to protect their bodies when, they were fighting. This armor was made sometimes of leather, but oftener of steel
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or some other metal. But no coat of mail could compare with the defense and protection that were given to Gideon; for the Spirit of God not only defends the body against earthly enemies, but protects the soul against the temptations of Satan.
6.	The members of Gideon's own family, the Abi-ezrites, were the first to join his army. Then the rest of the men of his tribe, Manasseh, came to help him; and after them came men from Asher, Zebulun, and Naphtali, the tribes that had been most bitterly oppressed.
7.	Wool absorbs moisture very easily, so it would not be very strange if wool were wet and the ground dry; but if the wool were dry and the ground wet, all would know that this was a miracle, a sign given by God that He would save Israel by the hand of Gideon.
5.	GIDEON’S ARMY
Study Judges 7:1-15
Gideon’s Army Too Large. Judges 7:1-3.
1.	Where did Gideon’s army make their camp?
2.	Why was the army too large?
3.	What proclamation did the Lord tell Gideon to make?
4.	How many went home? How many remained?
Gideon’s Army Tested. Judges 7:4-8.
5.	What did the Lord again tell Gideon about his army?
6.	How were Gideon’s soldiers tested?
7.	How many passed the test?
8.	What promise did the Lord make to Gideon?
9.	What weapons did the three hundred have?
The Midianite Soldier’s Dream. Judges 7:9-15.
10.	Where did the Lord tell Gideon to go that night?
11.	Describe the army of Midianites and Amalekites.
12.	What did a soldier dream?
13.	How did his fellow soldier interpret his dream?
14.	What did Gideon do when he heard the dream and its
interpretation?
15.	Place the Hill of Moreh upon your copy of the map
on page 15.
Pronounce
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Ha' rod Gil' e ad
Phu rah (fu' ra) Mo' reh
Notes
1.	Deuteronomy 20: 5-8 is a law that the leaders were always to read to the army before they went to battle: “The officers shall speak unto the people, saying, What man is there that hath built a new house, and hath not dedicated it? let him go and return to his house, lest he die in the battle, and another man dedicate it. And what man is he that hath planted a vineyard, and hath not yet eaten of it ? let him also go and return unto his house, lest he die in the battle, and another man eat of it. And what man is there that hath betrothed a wife, and hath not taken her? let him go and return unto his house, lest he die in the battle, and another man take her. And the officers shall speak further unto the people, and they shall say, What man is there that is fearful and faint-hearted? let him go and return unto his house, lest his brethren's heart faint as well as his heart."
2.	Because his numbers were so few, Gideon had not made this proclamation. It was hard for him to believe that his army was too large. But the Lord knew that most of the soldiers would boast and take glory to themselves if Israel was victorious.
3.	Twenty-two thousand went home. Still there were too many. “The people were led down to the waterside, expecting to make an immediate advance upon the enemy. A few hastily took a little water in the hand, and sucked it up as they went on; but nearly all bowed upon their knees, and leisurely drank from the surface of the stream. . . .
4.	“By the simplest means, character is often tested. Those who in time of peril were intent upon supplying their own wants, were not the. men to be trusted in an emergency.... The three hundred chosen men not only possessed courage and self-control, but they were men of faith. They had not defiled themselves with idolatry. God could direct them, and through them He could work deliverance for Israel. Success does not depend upon numbers. God can deliver by few as well as by many. He is honored not so much by the great numbers as by the character of those who serve Him."—P. P., pp. 549, 550.
5.	God very pitiful to the weaknesses of men. He does not excuse their faults, but He helps them to believe Him and to overcome. He sent Gideon to the camp of his enemies to listen to a dream, that he might have faith to believe that God would give victory over the Midianites.
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6.	GIDEON AND THE MIDIANITES
Study Judges 7:16-25; 8: 22, 23
Strange Weapons. Judges 7:16-18.
1.	How did Gideon divide his army?
2.	What did he give to each man?
3.	What were they to do?
4.	What were they all to shout?
The Three Hundred. Judges 7:19-22.
5.	Where did Gideon place his men?
6.	At what time of night did they attack the Midianites?
7.	What mistake did the Midianites make?
8.	To what places did the Midianites flee?
Naphtali, Asher, and Manasseh. Judges 7:23.
9.	What tribes came to help Gideon and the three hun-
dred?
Ephraim. Judges 7:24, 25.
10.	To what tribe did Gideon send messengers?
11.	What did Ephraim do?
Gideon Refuses to Be King. Judges 8:22, 23.
12.	What invitation did Israel give to Gideon because of
this victory?
13.	How did Gideon show his loyalty to God?
Pronounce
Beth-shit' tah Tab' bath Zer' e rath Beth-ba' rah
A' bel-me ho' lah O'reb Jor' dan Ze' eb
Notes
1.	In ancient times, the night was divided into three periods, called “watches.” The first watch was from nine o'clock until midnight; the middle watch, from midnight until three o'clock; the morning watch, from
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“The three companies blew the trumpets, and brake the pitchers/'
three until six o’clock in the morning. Gideon attacked Midian in the early part of the middle watch, or soon after midnight.
2.	“The sleeping army was suddenly aroused. Upon every side was seen the light of the flaming torches. In every direction was heard the sound of trumpets. . . . The Midianites were panic-stricken. With wild cries of alarm they fled for life, and mistaking their own companions for enemies, they slew one another. As news of the victory spread, thousands of the men of Israel who had been dismissed to their homes returned, and joined in pursuit of their fleeing enemies. The Midianites were making their way toward the Jordan, hoping to reach their own territory, beyond the river.”— P. P., pp. 552, 553.
3.	There were only a few fords, or places where men could cross the river Jordan. The Midianites fled from the Valley of Jezreel across the territory of Manasseh south to the fords of Beth-barah, which may have been Beth-abara, the place where Israel crossed the Jordan, and where John baptized. Trace the flight of the Midianites on the map on page 15.
4.	“In tjiis signal defeat, not less than one hundred and twenty thousand of the invaders perished. The power of the Midianites was broken, so that they were never again able to make war upon Israel. The tidings spread swiftly far and wide; that Israel’s God had again fought for His
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people. No words can describe the terror of the surrounding nations when they learned what simple means had prevailed against the power of a bold, warlike people/’— P. P., p. 553.
5.	God was the ruler of Israel, but the people often forgot this. They were very grateful to Gideon, and asked him to be their king. They seem to have thought more about what he did to deliver them from the Midian-ites than of the wonderful power of God that had made them able to overcome their enemies. But Gideon was true to God. He reminded them that God was their king, and therefore he would not be their king.
7.	MAP EXERCISE
Print the name of each tribe in its proper place on a copy of Map 6 — Palestine Divided Among the Tribes.
Reu' ben Sim' e on Ju' dah Naph ta li (naf ta li)
Dan Gad Ash' er Is sa char (is' sa kar)
Zeb' u lun E phra im (e' fra im) Ma nas' seh Ben' ja min
Place also upon this map:
The Great Sea The Dead Sea Sea of Chin ne reth (kin' e reth) £eb' a non Mountains ■Jor' dan River Ki' shon River Valley of Jez' re el A" bel-me ho' lah Beth-ba' rah
Phoe ni ci a (fe nish' i a) Si' don Gath
Ash' ke lOn Ash' dod Ek'ron Ga' za Oph rah (of' ra)
The Midianites were camped in the Valley of JezreeT. Their home was in the desert east and southeast of Palestine. When they fled from Israel, they started for their home. When you have finished your map, trace the probable course of their flight.
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No. 6 — Palestine Divided Among the Tribes
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8.	THE STORY OF GIDEON
In this lesson, you are to tell what you have learned about Gideon and the wonderful victory over the Midian-ites. The outline given below is to help you to remember the important points in the story and to tell them in their proper order. To prepare this lesson, you should think about each topic in the outline and what you are going to say about it. Tell the story to your teacher and classmates as you would to some one who had never heard it before.
Outline for Story
1.	Gideon's home, family, and tribe.
2.	An angel appears to Gideon.
3.	The sign that God would help him.
4.	Gideon destroys the altar of Baal.
5.	Gideon builds an altar to the Lord.
6.	Gideon gathers an army.
7.	Signs in fleece of wool.
8.	Why Gideon’s army was too large.
9.	How Gideon's army was reduced.
10.	The dream of the Midianite soldier.
11.	Plan for the battle with Midian.
12.	Victory over the Midianites.
13.	Why Gideon refused to be king.
THE NAMES OF THE JUDGES
(For Reference Only)
Israel was ruled by judges from the death of Joshua until their first king, who was Saul. Not all the judges ruled over all Israel. It is quite probable that sometimes two or more judges may have lived at the same time, each acting as judge over a tribe or a group of tribes. Those tribes that were most unfaithful to God were most heavily oppressed by other nations.
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You will want to learn to pronounce the names of the fifteen judges of Israel and of the six nations that oppressed them during this time.
4. Oth' ni el
2.	E'hud
3.	Sham'gar
4.	Deb' o rah and Ba' rak 5- GId' e on
6.	A him e lech (abim'elek)
7.	To'la
Judges
8.	Ja'ir
9.	Jeph thah (jef' tha)
10.	Ib'zan
11.	E' Ion
12.	Ab' don
13.	Sam'son 4J. E'li
15.	Sam',u el
Six Nations That Oppressed Israel
1.	Mes" o po ta' mi a	4. Mid' i an
2.	Mo'ab	5. Am'mon
3.	Canaan (ka'nan)	6. Philistines (fills'tins)
9.	RUTH
Study Ruth 1
In the Days of the Judges. Ruth 1:1, 2.
1.	What came to pass in the days of the judges? ,2. Who lived at Bethlehem in Judah?
3.	To what country did Elimelech take his family?
4.	Name the members of this family.
In the Land of Moab. Ruth 1:3-5.
5.	HoWiong did this family live in Moan?
6.	Who were Naomi’s daughters-in-law?
i7.	What members of this family died in Moab?
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Naomi and Ruth. Ruth 1:6-18.
8.	Why did Naomi decide to return to Judah?
9.	What did she say to her daughters-in-law?
10.	Which one went back to her people and her gods?
11.	What did Ruth say to Naomi?
12.	Why was Naomi willing that Ruth should go with her?
In Bethlehem of Judah. Ruth 1:19-22.
13.	To what city did Naomi and Ruth come?
14.	How were they received?
15.	Why did Naomi ask the people to call her Mara?
(Margin.)
16.	What does “Naomi” mean? What does “Mara”
mean?
17.	At what time of year did they come to Bethlehem?
18.	Place Bethlehem and Moab upon your copy of the
map on page 15.
Pronounce
Riith Or' pah Ju' dah Mah' Ion Chil i on (kir i on )
Mo' ab It" ess Ma' ra
Memory Verse
Ruth said, Entreat me not to leave thee, or to return from following after thee: for whither thou goest, I will go; and where thou lodgest, I will lodge: thy people shall be my people, and thy God my God. Ruth 1:16.
Notes
1.	A famine is a great scarcity of food. The nations that oppressed Israel took away their crops, so that there was little or nothing left to eat, and Israel must often have suffered from lack of food.
Na 6' mi Mo' ab E lim e lech (e lim' e lek) Beth' le hem Eph rath ite (ef' rath ite)
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2.	Bethlehem was one of the oldest towns in Canaan. Its earliest name was Ephrath (Gen. 35:19); therefore those who lived there were called Ephrathites. Bethlehem was built on the top of a hill that is about a mile in length. “In a little plain close under the town to the eastward are some vineyards and barley fields in which Ruth came to glean in the early days of Israel beside a gentle brook that still murmurs through them.”— Geikie, “Life of Christ ” p. 83.
3.	Ruth had been an idolatress. She had been taught, when a child, to worship idols: but when she learned of the true God, she gave up all her false gods. She left her home, her parents, her friends, her native land, to go with Naomi to a strange land to be one of the Lord's people. She could do this because she loved the Lord with all her heart and Naomi as herself.
4.	Naomi's old friends and neighbors in Bethlehem made her very welcome when she came back. But she was sad. She thought she could never be happy again, because her husband and sons were dead, and she had no money and no home and was too old now to care for herself.
5.	For the time, Naomi seemed to forget that the Lord has promised to care for His people, and that He would care for her, and that He could make her happy again. She must have forgotten, too, how much Ruth loved her and how she had vowed she would never leave her until death parted them.
6.	They came to Bethlehem in the beginning of barley harvest, which must have been in the latter part of March or the first of April, for barley harvest began immediately after the Passover.
10.	RUTH THE GLEANER
Study Ruth 2
Ruth Gleans in the Field of Boaz. Ruth 2:1-3.
1.	Who was a relative of Elimelech’s?
2.	Where did Ruth go to glean?
The Kindness of Boaz. Ruth 2:4-16.
3.	How did Boaz and his reapers greet each other?
4.	Wh^t did Boaz ask concerning Ruth?
5.	What did his servant tell him?
6.	What gracious words did Boaz say to Ruth?
7.	What question did Ruth ask him?
3—B. L., Fifth Grade
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8.	Why was Boaz so kind to her?
9.	With whom did she take her meals?
10.	What did Boaz tell his young men to do?
Good News for Naomi. Ruth 2:17-23.
11.	How much did Ruth glean the first day?
12.	What did Naomi ask when Ruth gave her the barley?
13.	What did Naomi say when she learned where Ruth
had gleaned?
14.	How long did Ruth glean in the field of Boaz?
Notes
1.	In the laws that God gave to Israel, He provided for the poor. When the children of Israel reaped their fields, they were not to go over them the second time, to gather what had been dropped or left in the corners. This was called “the gleanings” and was left for the poor. It was the same with their fruit trees. The fruit that ripened late was not to be gathered, but was to be left for the poor.
2.	Boaz is a good example of a Christian master. If all rich men treated their servants as kindly as Boaz treated his, there would be no strife between the rich and the poor, as there is to-day.
3.	“Boaz came from Bethlehem.” Most cities in ancient times had high walls around them because of robbers and other enemies. The people did not usually live on their farms, but in these walled towns. They worked in the fields during the day; but when the sun went down, they went to their homes inside the walls of the town, and the gates were shut. No one could go out or come in until the gates were opened in the morning.
4.	Boaz had never seen Ruth, but he had heard about her. He had been told how kind she was to her mother-in-law, and all she had given up to be a servant of the true God. He said, “All the city of my people doth know, that thou art a virtuous woman.” Ruth had a good name; and that is one of the most precious treasures anyone can have, for “a good name is rather to be chosen than great riches, and loving favor rather than silver and gold.” Prov. 22: 1.
5.	An ephah is about twenty-five quarts. This is probably more than a gleaner was usually able to gather in a day. When Naomi saw what a large quantity Ruth had brought home, she felt that some one had shown her special £avor. When she learned that Boaz, her kinsman, was the kind man, she prayed that the Lord would bless him; and her heart must have grown lighter at this token that God had not forgotten her and her good daughter-in-law, Ruth.
“Then said Boaz unto Ruth, ... Go not to glean in another field, neither go from hence, but abide here fast by my maidens.”
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11.	RUTH AND BOAZ
Study Ruth 4
At the Gate of Bethlehem. Ruth 4:1, 2.
1.	To what place did Boaz go?
2.	Whom did he ask to sit down with him?
3.	How many other men did he call?
Kinsman Refuses to Redeem. Ruth 4:3-6.
4.	What did Boaz ask his kinsman to do?
5.	Was the kinsman willing to redeem the land?
6.	What must the kinsman do besides buying the land?
7.	Why could he not redeem the inheritance?
Boaz Redeems the Inheritance. Ruth 4:7, 8.
8.	What was the law concerning redeeming and chang-
ing?
9.	What did the kinsman ask Boaz to do?
10.	How did he show that he gave up his right to redeem?
The Witnesses. Ruth 4:9-12.
11.	To what did Boaz ask the elders and people to be
witnesses?
12.	What blessing did they ask upon Ruth and Boaz? Obed and Naomi. Ruth 4:13-17.
13.	What did the women say to Naomi about the little
son of Ruth and Boaz?
14.	What ^ood thing did they say about Ruth?_
15.	Who was the baby’s nurse? Who named him?
Obed and David. Ruth 4:17.
16.	Who was Obed’s grandson?
17.	Who was David’s great-grandmother.
Pronounce ''
O' bed	Jes' se	Bd' az	Eph ra tah	Ta' mar
Ra' chel	Le' ah	Da' vid	(ef' ra ta)	Ju' dah
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Memory Verse
Trust in the Lord, and do good; so shalt thou dwell in the land, and verily thou shalt be fed. Ps. 37:3.
Notes
1.	When the children of Israel received their inheritance in Canaan, each man was given land for a home. They were never to sell this land, or let it in any other way pass out of the family. If anyone should part with his land, his nearest kinsman (relative) had the right to redeem it, which means “buy back.”
2.	The law of Israel also said that if a man died childless, his oldest brother should marry his widow, and their first-born son should inherit “in the name of his brother which is dead, that his name be not put out of Israel.” The kinsman in this story probably had a wife already, and so, though he was willing to buy the land, he could not marry Ruth.
3.	Many of the customs of the people of ancient times seem very strange to us. The kinsman took off his shoe to show that he gave up all right to the inheritance. The walls of cities were usually quite thick, so there was a large room at the gate. Much of the public business was done at the gate, especially the settlement of questions about the laws of Israel.
4.	A family is often called a house. Children add to or build up this house. The wish of the people that the children of Ruth might build up the house of Boaz had a wonderful fulfillment, for her first-born son became the grandfather of David, and therefore the ancestor of Jesus, the Redeemer of the world. Ruth trusted in the Lord, and did good, and the promise in the memory verse was fulfilled to her. Surely Naomi did not ask the people to call her Mara now, but was happy and grateful to God for the little Obed, and for a home with the great and good man Boaz, and with Ruth, who was better to her “than seven sons.”
12.	THE STORY OF RUTH
This is to be a written lesson. You may write the story, following the outline given. Write the story as you would like t<3 have some one tell it to you. Write the things especially that show that Ruth loved the Lord with all her heart, that she loved Naomi, that she was modest, pure, kind, and good, and the great happiness that came to her.
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Outline for Story
1.	Ruth of Moab, a worshiper of idols.
2.	Mahlon of Bethlehem, a worshiper of the true God.
3.	Mahlon marries Ruth; lives ten years in Moab.
4.	Three widows start for Bethlehem; one goes back to Moab.
5.	Ruth and Naomi at Bethlehem; Ruth gleans to support them.
6.	Boaz, a wealthy farmer; his kindness to Ruth.
7.	The inheritance; laws for redeeming.
8.	Boaz marries Ruth; their little son, Obed.
13.	REVIEW LESSON
1.	What is the name of the seventh book of the Bible?
Why does it have this name?
2.	Repeat a memory verse that tells how long Israel served
the Lord in Canaan.
3.	What false gods did Israel serve?
4.	When people serve false gods, whom are they worship-
ing? Quote text.
5.	How many judges were there?
6.	Why were the heathen nations permitted to oppress
Israel?
7.	Name the first nation that oppressed Israel.
8.	Who was the first judge? What famous man was his
uncle?
9.	What was given to Othniel to fit him for his work?
10.	When did .the children of Israel live in dens and caves
of the mountains?
11.	Who threshed wheat behind a wine press? Why?
12.	When was food that was offered to an angel consumed
byvfire?
13.	What people were compared to grasshoppers? Why?
14.	Who made two tests with a fleece of wool?
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14.	REVIEW LESSON
1.	How long was Israel oppressed by Midian?
2.	Whose home was at Ophr^h?
3.	To what tribe did Gideptf belong?
4.	Whose sons looked ‘‘like the children of a king”?
5.	What did Gideon destroy?
6.	How large was Gideon’s army at first?
7.	Why did the Lord say it was too large?
8.	How was it reduced to ten thousand?
9.	How were the ten thousand tested? How many passed
the test?
10.	Who overheard a dream that greatly encouraged him?
Tell the dream.
11.	What was the battle cry of the three hundred? What
were their weapons?
12.	Which judge refused to be king? Why?
13.	What do the words “The land had rest” mean?
14.	Where did Elimelech live? When?
15.	To what land did he take his family? Why?
16.	Name three widows in Moab who started for the land
of Judah.
17.	Which one went back to Moab?
18.	What was Ruth’s vow when she went with Naomi?
15.	REVIEW LESSON
1.	Who wanted her friends to call her Mara? Why?
2.	Describe the town that was the old home of Naomi.
3.	What rich man was very kind to his servants and the
poor?
4.	What was the law of Israel concerning the poor?
5.	What is one of the proverbs about a good name? Who
had a good name?
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6.	What blessing did Boaz ask for Ruth?
7.	How was Ruth able to glean so much in one day?
8.	What was the law of inheritance in Israel?
9.	How did a man show that he .gave up to his kinsman
his right to inherit?
10.	In ancient cities, where did the people hold court?
11.	What wonderful promise in the thirty-seventh psalm
was fulfilled to Ruth?
12.	What is a family often called in the Bible?
13.	What baby was named by the neighbors?
14.	Who was this baby’s nurse?
15.	What great man was the grandson of this baby?
16.	What relation was Ruth to David?
16.	SAMUEL
Study 1 Samuel 1
Elkanah the Levite. 1 Sam. 1:1, 2.
1.	Where did Elkanah live? Who were his wives? Shiloh; Hannah’s Sorrow. 1 Sam. 1:3-8.
2.	Where did this family go each year to worship?
3.	What special favor did Elkanah show to Hannah?
4.	How did Peninnah treat Hannah?
5.	Why was Hannah a sorrowful woman?
6.	How did her husband try to comfort her?
Hannah’s Prayer. 1 Sam. 1:9-18.
7.	Where did Hannah go to pray?
8.	What did she vow to the Lord?
9.	Why did Eli reprove her?
10.	What did she tell Eli? How did he bless her?
Hannah’s Prayer Answered. 1 Sam. 1:19-23.
11.	What did they do before they went home to Ramah?
12.	How was Hannah’s prayer answered?
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13.	What does “Samuel” mean?
14.	How long did Halnnah keep Samuel with her?
Samuel Given to the Lord. 1 Sam. 1:24-28.
15.	Whom did Hannah take with her to Shiloh?
16.	In whose care did she place her child?
17.	For how long did she give him to the Lord? l&_Place Ramah, Shiloh, and Gilgal upon your map.
Pronounce
Zuph	E phra im
(zuf)	(e' fraim)
To' hu	El ka' nah
E 11' hu	Je ro' ham
Hoph ni	Shi' loh
(hof ni)	Han' nah
Eph rath ite	Ra' mah
(ef' rath ite)	Be' li al
Phin e has	Pe nin' nah
(fin' e has)	Ra ma tha im-zo phim
Sam' u el	(ra ma tha' im-zo' fim)
Memory Verse
The Lord is far from the wicked: but He heareth the prayer of the righteous. Prov. 15:29.
Notes
1.	“Ramah” is a short form of the long name “Ramathaim-zophim,” and means “a hill.” Ramah was four miles northwest of Jerusalem. Shiloh was a town in the territory of the tribe of Ephraim. The tabernacle that was built in the wilderness was at this place. When the children of Israel first came into the land, they set up the tabernacle at Gilgal, near the Jordan; but afterwards they moved it to Shiloh.
2.	Because Hannah had no children, Elkanah married another wife. Peninnah was very unkind to Hannah. She said it was because Hannah had displeased the Lord that she had no children. This was not true ; but most people in those days believed it was a disgrace to have no children, a sign of the Lord’s displeasure.
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3.	At this time there were not many who truly loved the Lord. Very few came to worship at the tabernacle, and some of those who did come feasted and drank as the heathen did when they worshiped their gods. Drunken people often whisper or talk to themselves; and when Eli saw Hannah's lips move, he thought she was one of these drunken people.
4.	Elkanah was a faithful Levite; but so few people came to offer sacrifices, that he was not needed to help the priest. Yet he went every year to worship the Lord. Every Levite was supposed to serve at the tabernacle from the time he was twenty-five until he was fifty, but Hannah gave Samuel to the Lord for life. One who was thus set apart to serve the Lord was called a Nazarite, which means one separated, or set apart.
17.	ELI AND HIS SONS
Study 1 Samuel 2:12-19, 23-36
The Sons of Eli. 1 Sam. 2:12-17.
1.	What was the character of the sons of Eli?
2.	What wrong thing did they do when sacrifices were
offered?
3.	How did many regard the offering of the Lord?
Samuel. 1 Sam. 2:18, 19, 26.
4.	In whose service was Samuel engaged?
5.	How did he dress? What did -his mother make for
him?
6.	With whom was Samuel in favor?
Eli Reproves His Sons. 1 Sam. 2:23-25.
7.	Of what did Eli hear? Did he reprove his sons?
8.	Did they heed his reproof?
A Prophet Warns Eli. 1 Sam. 2:27-36.
9.	Who made Eli’s family priests? When?
10.	Whjrwas the priesthood to be taken from the family
of Eli?
11.	Why would none of them live to old age?
so
12.	Who would die in the same day?
13.	What kind of priest would take Eli’s place?
14.	What favors would the family of Eli ask of this priest?
Pronounce
1.	“Belial” means lawless, worthless. The sons of Eli did not obey the law. The Lord had told Israel that all the fat was to be carefully removed from the sacrifices and burned. It represented sin. Only certain parts of some of the sacrifices were for the priests, but Hophni and Phinehas took whatever they wished.
2.	“Eli was priest and judge in Israel. .. . Although he had been appointed to govern the people, he did not rule his own household. ... Eli shrank from this duty, because it involved crossing the will of his sons, and would make it necessary to punish and deny them. . . . Eli allowed his children to control him. . ..
3.	“Many of the people, filled with indignation at the corrupt course of Hophni and Phinehas, ceased to come up to the appointed place of worship. Thus the service which God had ordained was despised and neglected. ... Had Eli dealt justly with his wicked sons, they would have been put out of the priest's office, and punished with death.”—P. P., pp. 575-577, adapted
4.	Parents and teachers are responsible, not only for their own conduct, but for that of the children in their charge. Children should remember that when they are wicked and sinful, they not only bring trouble upon themselves, but sorrow and distress upon those in whose care God has placed them.
5.	“It was not customary for the Levites to enter upon their peculiar services until they were twenty-five years of age, but Samuel had been an exception to this rule. Every year saw more important trusts committed to him; and while he was yet a child, a linen ephod was placed upon him as a token of his consecration to the work of the sanctuary. Young as he was when brought to minister in the tabernacle, Samuel had even then duties to perform in the service of God, according to his capacity.”—P. P., p. 573.
E' li Hoph ni (hof' ni)
Be' li al Phin e has (fin' e has)
Notes
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“For this child I prayed; and the Lord hath given me my petition which I asked of Him: therefore also I have lent him to the Lord; as long as he liveth he shall be lent to the Lord.”
18.	GOD CALLS SAMUEL
Study 1 Samuel 3 The Call. 1 Sam. 3:1-10.
1.	Why was the word of the Lord precious?
2.	To whom did the Lord speak? When?
3.	Who did Samuel think was calling him?
4.	How idhny times was he called?
5.	What did Eli tell him to do?
6.	What did Samuel answer to the call of God?
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The Message. 1 Sam. 3:11-14.
7.	What was it that was to make the ears of the people
tingle? What does this mean?
8.	For what was the house of Eli to be judged?
Samuel Tells Eli. 1 Sam. 3:15-18.
9.	What did Samuel fear to tell Eli?
10.	What did Eli command him to do?
11.	How much did Samuel tell him?
12.	What did Eli say?
Samuel, a Prophet. 1 Sam. 3:19-21.
13.	How great was the influence of Samuel?
14.	What did all Israel know?
15.	At what place did the Lord appear to Samuel?
16.	Place. Ba»~and Beersheba upon your copy of Map 6,
on page 15.
Memory Verse
Even a child is known by his doings, whether his work be pure, and whether it be right. Prov. 20:11.
Notes
1.	God is no respecter of persons. He is as willing to bless a little child and reveal His will to him, as to commune with the most devoted prophet. Indeed, the love and service of children are very precious to Him.
2.	“There was no open vision” means that there was no prophet in Israel at this time to whom the Lord spoke in this way. “Samuel did not yet know the Lordthe Lord had never yet spoken to him in a vision. This, then, was his first vision.
3.	Another warning was to be given to Eli’s house; but God could not speak to the high priest and his sons, because of their sins. But Samuel, though living in the midst of all the evil example of Hophni and Phinehas, was a true child of God, and God could speak to him.
4.	“Samuel was filled with fear and amazement at the thought of having so terrible a message committed to him. In the morning he went about his duties as usual, but with a heavy burden upon his young heart. The Lord had not commanded him to reveal the fearful denunciation, hence he remained silent, avoiding, as far as possible, the presence of Eli. He trembled, lest some question should compel him to declare the divine judgments against one whom he loved and reverenced.”—P. P., p. 582.
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5.	After Eli knew the terrible message, he did not compel his sons to do right, nor put them out of their positions. Year after year went by, but there was no change, except that Hophni and Phinehas hardened their hearts more and more.
6.	“The messages of warning and reproof to his house were made known by Eli to the whole nation.... But the warnings were disregarded by the people, as they had been by the priests. The people of surrounding nations also, who were not ignorant of the iniquities openly practiced in Israel, became still bolder in their idolatry and crime.”—P. P., p. 582.
7.	The Lord “did let none of his words fall to the ground.” All of Samuel's words were fulfilled, so all Israel knew he was a true prophet. Dan was the farthest city north in Palestine, and Beersheba was near the southern border. Every one from the north to the south “knew that Samuel was a faithful prophet of the Lord.”
19.	DEATH OF ELI AND HIS SONS
Study 1 Samuel 4:1-18 First Battle of Ebenezer. 1 Sam. 4:1, 2.
1.	What people came against Israel?
2.	Where were they encamped?
3.	What was the result of the battle?
The Ark in Camp. 1 Sam. 4:3-9.
4.	Why did the elders decide to bring the ark into camp?
5.	Who brought the ark to the battlefield?
6.	How was it greeted by the army of Israel?
7.	What did the Philistines ask? Why were they afraid?
8.	What part of Israel’s history did they know?
9.	How did they encourage one another?
Second Battle of Ebenezer, 1 Sam. 4:10-18.
10.	Give three results of the second battle.
11.	Who brought the news to Shiloh?
12.	Where' was Eli' watching? What did he ask?
13.	How did the sad news affect him? How old was Eli?
14.	How long had he judged Israel?
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Memory Verse
The way of transgressors is hard. Prov. 13:15. Pronounce
Aphek (a' fek) He brew (he' bru)
Eb en e' zer Phi lis tine (fi lis' tin)
Notes
1.	Aphek was northwest of Jebus (Jerusalem), and not far from it. The Philistines were always the enemies of Israel. Because of the sins of the people, especially of the priests, Hophni and Phinehas, God could not protect them; so the Philistines came once more against them. Eben-ezer is near Mizpeh.
2.	When Israel were defeated, they did not think of the reason. They did not repent of their sins; instead, they brought the ark to the battlefield. They remembered how Jericho fell down when their fathers carried the ark around the city, but they did not consider that the ark could not help them unless the presence of God was with it.
3.	The Philistines thought the ark was the god of Israel. They were afraid, but they hoped their gods would help them to overcome. When they defeated Israel and captured the ark, they thought they really had been victorious over the God of Israel. They boasted, and rejoiced, and praised their own gods.
4.	‘Whatsoever a man soweth, that shall he also reap.” The reaping may be many, many years after the sowing; but whenever it comes, like Eli and his sons, we reap what we have sown.
The Ark at Ashdod. 1 Sam. 5:1-6.
1.	To what city did the Philistines take the ark?
2.	In what house did they place it?
3.	Where was Dagon the next morning?
4.	On the following morning, in what condition did they
find Dagon?
20.	THE ARK OF GOD
Study 1 Samuel 5
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“Behold, Dagon was fallen upon his face to the ground before the ark of the Lord; and the head of Dagon and both the palms of his hands were cut off.”
5.	Why did the priests and the people never tread on the
threshold of Dagon’s house after that day?
6.	What disease now troubled the people of Ashdod?
The Ark at Gath. 1 Sam. 5:7-9.
7.	Why could not the people of Ashdod keep the ark?
8.	To what city did the lords of Philistia send the ark?
9.	With what disease were the people of Gath also
troubled?
The Ark at Ekron. 1 Sam. 5:10-12.
10.	To what city was the ark next sent?
11.	How 'was it received by the people of Ekron?
12.	What did they ask the lords to do? Why?
13.	How great was their distress?
4- SB. L„ Fifth Grade
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Pronounce
Da' gon Gath Ash' dod Ek' ron
Notes
1.	Dagon was the national god of the Philistines. ‘The upper part of this idol was like that of a man, and the lower part was in the likeness of a fish. Now every part that resembled the human form had been cut off, and only the body of the fish remained. Priests and people were horror-struck. . . . They now removed the ark from their temple, and placed it in a building by itself.”—P. P., p. 586.
2.	God wanted His people to be missionaries to all these heathen people, as Abraham was; but when they would not do this, He taught the heathen by affliction that He is the true God.
3.	The word “emerod” means tumor. The Philistines sent the ark from city to city. They wanted to be sure that their troubles came because of the ark and not from some natural cause.
Find Ashdod, Ekron, and Gath on the map. Place them upon your map.
21.	THE ARK RETURNED TO ISRAEL
Study 1 Samuel 6
The Heathen Priests’ Advice. 1 Sam. 6:1-9.
1.	How long was the ark in the country of the Philis-
tines?
2.	Whom dicUthe Philistines ask as to how they should
return the ark?
3.	What did the priests advise?
4.	Was it strange that the priests should remind them
of Pharaoh’s experience?
5.	What test did they make to learn whether God had
afflicted them?
•The Ark Returned to Israel. 1 Sam. 6:10-12.
6.	Why were the calves shut up at home?
7.	What road did the cows take?
8.	Who followed them? How far?
“And the kine took the straight way to the way of Beth-shemesh, and went along the highway, lowing as they went”
The Ark at Beth-shemesh. 1 Sam. 6:13-21.
9.	How did the people of Beth-shemesh receive the ark?
10.	How did they show their lack of reverence?
11.	How were they punished?
12.	What did the people then say?
13.	Whom did they ask to take the ark away?
14.	Place Beth-shemesh. and Kirjath-jearim upon your
copy of the map on page'15.
Pronounce
Beth-she' mesh	Kir jath-je a rim
Phi lis ti a	(kur' jath-je' a rim)
(fi lis' ti a)
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88
otes
1.	“For seven months the ark remained in Philistia, and during all this time the Israelites made no effort for its recovery. But the Philistines were now as anxious to free themselves from its presence as they had been to obtain it. . . .
2.	“To ward off or to remove a plague, it was anciently the custom among the heathen, to make an image in gold, silver, or other material, of that which caused the destruction, or of the object or part of the body specially affected. This was set up on a pillar or in some conspicuous place, and was supposed to be an effectual protection against the evils thus represented. A similar practice still exists among some heathen peoples. . . .
3.	“All Israel had been taught to regard the ark with awe and reverence. When required to remove it from place to place, the Levites were not so much as to look upon it. Only once a year was the high priest permitted to behold the ark of God. Even the heathen Philistines had not dared to remove its coverings. Angels of heaven, unseen, ever attended it in all its journeyings. The irreverent daring of the people at Beth-shemesh was speedily punished. Many were smitten with sudden death.
4.	“The survivors were not led by this judgment to repent of their sin, but only to regard the ark with superstitious fear. Eager to be free from its presence, yet not daring to remove it, the Beth-shemites sent a message to the inhabitants of Kirjath-jearim inviting them to take it away.”— P. P., pp. 586-589.
22.	SAMUEL TURNS ISRAEL TO GOD
Study 1 Samuel 7 The Ark at Kirjath-jearim. 1 Sam. 7:1, 2.
1.	In whose house was the ark placed?
2.	Who was sanctified to care for it?
3.	Hdw long was the ark at Kirjath-jearim before Israel
repented?
The Repentance of Israel. 1 Sam. 7:3, 4.
4.	What did Samuel say to all Israel?
5.	What was the result?
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Israel at Mizpeh. 1 Sam. 7:5-9.
6.	To what place did the people gather?
7.	What confession did they make?
8.	Who came to attack them?
9.	What did the people ask Samuel to do for them?
10.	Did the Lord hear Samuel’s prayer for Israel?
Battle at Ebenezer. 1 Sam. 7:10-14.
11.	Who defeated the Philistines? How?
12.	What part did Israel have in the battle?
13.	What memorial did Samuel set up?
14.	What did the Philistines restore to Israel?
Samuel, Judge of Israel. 1 Sam. 7:15-17.
15.	How long did Samuel judge Israel?
16.	What was his circuit? Where did he live?
17.	Place Mizpeluupon your map.
Pronounce
A bin' a dab Beth' el El e a' zar Ba' al im Miz' peh
Ash' ta roth Shen Beth-car (beth'-kar)
Kir jath-je a rim (kur' jath-je' a rim)
Memory Verse
Let him know, that he which converteth the sinner from the error of his way shall save a soul from death, and shall hide a multitude of sins. James 5:20.
Notes
1.	“With great joy the men of this place [Kirjath-jearim] welcomed the sacred chest. They knew that it was the pledge of divine favor to the obedient and faithful. With solemn gladness they brought it to their city, and placed it in the house of Abinadab, a Levite. This man appointed his son Eleazar to take charge of it, and it remained there for many years....
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2.	“During this time, Samuel visited the cities and villages throughout the land, seeking to turn the hearts of the people to the God of their fathers ; and his efforts were successful. After suffering the oppression of their enemies for twenty years, the Israelites ‘mourned after the Lord/ ...
3.	“While Samuel was in the act of presenting a lamb as a burnt offering, the Philistines drew near for battle.... A terrible storm burst upon the advancing host, and the earth was strewn with the dead bodies of mighty warriors.
4.	“The Israelites had stood in silent awe, trembling with hope and fear. When they beheld the slaughter of their enemies, they knew that God had accepted their repentance. Though unprepared for battle, they seized the weapons of the dead Philistines, and pursued the fleeing host to Beth-car.
5.	“This signal victory was gained upon the very field where, twenty years before, Israel had been smitten before the Philistines, the priests slain, and the ark of God taken. . . . The path of obedience to God is the path of safety and happiness/'—P. P.t pp. 589-591, adapted.
6.	Samuel established schools for the young men of Israel. The teachers were prophets. He did this because the parents neglected to teach their children. The pupils in these schools earned their own living by farming or by some trade. They studied the law of God and the history of Israel, also sacred music and poetry. They were taught how to pray and how to have faith in God. These schools were called the schools of the prophets, and the pupils were called sons of the prophets.
In this lesson, you are not to tell ajl you know about Samuel, but only about how he served m the temple, and how the Lord called him to be a prophet and gave him a message for Eli, and how all Israel knew that Samuel was a true prophet.
If you will read “Patriarchs and Prophets,” pages 573, 574, 581, 582, it will help you to tell a good story.
23.	THE STORY OF SAMUEL’S CALL
Outline for Story
1.	Asked of God.
2.	Service in the temple.
3.	The call.
4.	The message.
5.	Tells the message.
6.	Samuel a prophet.
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24.	REVIEW LESSON
1.	What family lived at Ramah?
2.	Why was it an unhappy family?
3.	Where was the tabernacle when Eli was judge?
4.	Who, while praying, was accused of drunkenness?
5.	Quote a memory verse that says the Lord hears the
prayers of the righteous.
6.	What child was given to the service of God for life?
What does his name mean?
7.	What good judge had very wicked, rebellious sons?
8.	Whom does God honor?
9.	Why did the people “abhor” the offerings?
10.	Who served in the sanctuary when he was a little
child? How was he dressed?
11.	How is the character even of a child known? Quote
text.
12.	Who first reproved Eli and warned him?
13.	Why was the priesthood taken from the family'of Eli?
14.	Who are responsible for the conduct of children?
15.	At what place in Canaan was the sanctuary first
pitched?
25.	REVIEW LESSON
1.	What is an “open vision”?
2.	Who was called by God but did not recognize His voice?
3.	How was a second warning given to Eli?
4.	What is meant by the words, “from Dan to Beer-
sheba”?
5.	How did all Israel know that Samuel was a prophet?
6.	By what people was the ark of God captured? Where?
7.	Why did God permit a heathen people to capture the
ark£
8.	Who died when he heard bad news? How long had he
judged Israel?
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9.	What was Dagon? How was it shown that he could not protect himself or others?
10.	How long was the ark in Philistia?
11.	To how many cities in Philistia was it taken?
12.	Why was the ark returned to Israel? How?
13.	Who treated the ark with irreverence?
14.	To what place was the ark taken from Beth-shemesh?
What Levite took care of it?
15.	How long did Samuel teach Israel before they repented?
16.	To what place did Samuel bring all Israel for a conse-
cration meeting?
17.	Who was the last judge? How long did he judge Israel?
18.	Quote a promise made to those who turn sinners from
their wrong ways.
26.	SAUL, THE FIRST KING OF ISRAEL
Study 1 Samuel 8; 10 Israel Asks for a King. 1 Sam. 8:4-8.
1.	Why did Israel want to have a king?
2.	How did Samuel feel about this?
3.	Whom did Israel really reject?
4.	Did the Lord give them what they wished?
Samuel Protests. 1 Sam. 8:9, 19, 20.
5.	Who made a solemn protest?
6.	Did the protest change their minds?
7.	Whom did they wish to be like?
Saul. 1 Sam. 9:1, 2.
8.	Of what family and tribe was Saul?
9.	What is said of his appearance?
Samuel Anoints Saul. 1 Sam. 10:1, 9.
10.	What did Samuel say to Saul when he anointed him?
11.	Who changed Saul’s heart?
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Saul Chosen by Lot. 1 Sam. 10:17-25.
12.	To what place did Samuel call Israel?
13.	Of what did Samuel remind Israel?
14.	How did the people discover that Saul was to be king?
15.	Where was Saul hidden? Why?
16.	What did the peo-
ple shout when saw him?
17.	What did Samuel
write in a book?
Pronounce
Saul Kish A' bi el Ze' ror A phi ah (afi'a)
Ben' ja mite Be cho rath (be ko' rath)
Memory Verse
Love not the world, neither the things that are in the world. 1 John 2:15.
Notes
1.	God was the king, the ruler, of Israel. He gave all the laws. The judges and other rulers carried out these laws. This kind of government is called a theocracy. When the children of Israel first settled in Canaan, they were quite content with this form of government; but after a time, they grew tired of it. No other nation in the world had a government like theirs. They should have been happy and grateful because they had the best government in all the world.
2.	Israel wanted to be like the nations that were ruled by kings who were men like the people themselves. Such a government is called a monarchy. It is not the best form of government, because the people give to the king the love and honor and loyalty that they should give only to
“And Samuel said to all the people, See ye him whom the Lord hath chosen, that there is none like him' among: all the people."
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God, and often the king is cruel and unjust, and the people suffer under his rule. Samuel told Israel their king would oppress them in many ways and lead them away from God. Still the blind, stubborn Israelites said, “But we will have a king.”
3.	Though Israel rejected God, He did not yet cast them off, but watched over thetfi still, and guided them as far as they would permit Him, so great is the love and patience of God. He still claimed the right to choose their king, and He expected the king to obey His laws and to teach the people to do so.
4.	Saul was the kind of king the people wanted, and they hoped the Lord would choose him to be their king. Samuel said: “On whom is all the desire of Israel? Is it not on thee?” The people chose him because he looked like a king. He was large and tall, the tallest man among them, and they were proud that such a kingly-looking person should be their ruler. They did not think about his character, but only about his appearance. God let them have the king they wanted, though He knew that Saul would not be a good king. He often lets us have our way so that we will learn that His way is best.
5.	Through Samuel, God tried to prepare Saul to fill this very responsible position. Samuel told him the kind of king he should be, that he should be careful to obey God in everything. Doubtless he read Deuteronomy 17:14-20, the “Law for Kings,” and explained what it meant. As Samuel talked to him, Saul felt that he wanted to do the will of God; and on his way home, the Spirit of God changed Saul’s heart, “gave him a new heart.” He was converted; and now he felt so humble that at the great meeting where he was chosen king by lot, he went away by himself to think about the duties that would be his as king, and the people had to search for him.
6.	Read the “Law for Kings,” and answer these questions:
a.	Of what nation must the king of Israel be chosen?
b.	Should the king have more than one wife?
c.	What does the law say about horses, silver, and gold?
d.	What should the king write in a book and study every day?
27.	SAUL’S FIRST DISOBEDIENCE
Study 1 Samuel 13 Saul’s Army. 1 Sam. 13:1-4.
1.	How many men were there in Saul’s army?
2.	What garrison did Jonathan capture?
3.	At what place did Saul assemble his army?
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The Philistine Army. 1 Sam. 13:5.
4.	How large was the army of the Philistines?
5.	Where did the Philistines encamp?
Israel Afraid. 1 Sam. 13:6, 7.
6.	Where did Israel hide? Why?
7.	How far away did some go?
Saul Offers Sacrifice. 1 Sam. 13: 8-10.
8.	How long did Saul wait for Samuel?
9.	Why did Saul sacrifice the burnt offering himself?
10.	When did Samuel come?
Samuel Reproves Saul. 1 Sam. 13:11-14.
11.	What question did Samuel ask Saul? What was
Saul’s excuse?
12.	What did Samuel say Saul had not kept?/
13.	To whom would the kingdom be given?
Israel Oppressed by the Philistines. 1 Sam. 13:15, 16, 19-23.
14.	How many men stayed with Saul?
15.	To what place did Saul return?
16.	Why was there no blacksmith in Israel?
Pronounce
Mich mash (mik' mash)
Jon' a than Gib'e ah Gil' gal
Notes
1.	The Philistines didjiot trouble Israel for some time after their defeat at Ebenezer; but when a number of years had gone by, they again invaded the land. Israel feared them very much.
2.	Jonathan was Saul's son, a brave young man who had faith in God. He did not fear the Philistines, because he believed it was the Lord's will that they shotrid be driven out of the land, and that God would help him.
3.	Gilgal was near the Jordan River. It was the first place Israel camped after they crossed the Jordan. Gibeah was in the territory of
Ge' ba Gil' e ad Is' ra el He' brew Beth-a' ven
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Benjamin, and was the home of Saul. Gilead was the land beyond the Jordan. Find these places, and print them upon your map.
4.	While Saul waited for Samuel to come, he should have encouraged his army to trust in God. To seek the Lord by sacrifices was a very solemn act. Saul and his soldiers should have been searching their hearts and praying and confessing their sins. But Saul was restless and impatient because Samuel did not come, and his soldiers looked to him for help and direction instead of to the Lord.
5.	The law said that no one but a priest should offer a sacrifice; but Saul, a soldier and king, dressed in armor and his weapons of war, dared to go up to the altar and offer sacrifice as if he were a priest. He broke the law. He disobeyed God. He forgot that God was the true king of Israel, and that he was only His servant to do His will. If he had been obedient, God would have given him a wonderful victory over the Philistines.
6.	The dearest wish of a king is that his son shall be king after him, and the rulership always remain in his family. This might have been Saul's happy lot, but now the kingdom was to be taken from him and given to one who would obey God. We learned, in our last lesson, that Saul was very humble at first, and obedient; but he lost that spirit, because he did not watch and pray. He needed to have his heart changed and made right every day.
'Samuel said unto Saul, I will not return with thee: for thou hast rejected the word of the Lord.”
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28.	SAUL’S SECOND DISOBEDIENCE
Study 1 Samuel 15:1-31 Saul and the Amalekites. 1 Sam. 15:1-9.
1.	What nation was Saul commanded to destroy? Why?
2.	In what way did he disobey this command?
Samuel’s Grief. 1 Sam. 15:10, 11.
3.	Who was told of Saul’s disobedience?
4.	When Samuel was grieved, what did he do?
Samuel Meets Saul. 1 Sam. 15:12-21.
5.	Where did Samuel find Saul?
6.	How did Saul greet him?
7.	What question did Samuel ask?
8.	Upon whom did Saul put the blame?
9.	How did Samuel try to help Saul to see his wrong?
10.	How did Saul still try to excuse himself?
Obedience Is Better than Sacrifice. 1 Sam. 15:22, 23.
11.	Will the Lord accept anything in the place of obedi-
ence?
12.	How does the Lord look upon stubbornness and re-
bellion?
Saul’s Confession. 1 Sam. 15:24-31.
13.	What confession did Saul make?
14.	How did Saul try to keep Samuel with him?
15.	To whom was the kingdom to be given?
Pronounce
Hav'ilah	Tela'im	A'gag	Carmel
Shur	Am'alek	E'gypt	(kar'mel)
Memory Verge
Behold, to obey is better than sacrifice, and to hearken than the fat of rams. 1 Sam. 15:22.
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Notes
1.	The Amalekites lived in the wilderness, or desert, through which the children of Israel came to Canaan. At a place called Repjiidim, near Mount Sinai, they attacked Israel in the rear — the old, the weak, the helpless ones, who could not protect themselves. Israel fought with them and defeated them. The Lord told Israel that at some future time, they should return to the desert and destroy the Amalekites. All this you may read in Exodus 17: 8-16.
2.	Four hundred years passed by. Amalek did not repent, but hated God and His people as much as ever. Then the Lord commanded Saul to carry out the sentence. The victory over the Amalekites was the greatest Saul had ever gained, and it made him very proud. Saul thought a royal captive would add to his fame, so he saved Agag; and the people kept some of the cattle for sacrifice in place of their own.
3.	Samuel loved Saul; and it broke his heart to know that Saul had again disobeyed the Lord, for this was his last chance. He had shown that he intended to be an independent king and to have his own way. He could not be trusted. When Saul argued that he had done the will of God, he grieved the Holy Spirit, and thus he separated himself from God.
4.	There are two kinds of repentance. True repentance is sorrow for sin, but false repentance is sorrow because of the punishment we are to suffer for our sin. Saul was sorry because the kingdom was going to be taken away from him, not because he had disobeyed God. He wanted Samuel to stay with him so that the people would still honor him.
5.	“Then Samuel went to Ramah; and Saul went up to his house to Gibeah of Saul. And Samuel came no more to see Saul until the day of his death: nevertheless Samuel mourned for Saul: and the Lord repented that He had made Saul king over Israel.” Qod^xepentance means that He is sorry man has changed so that He cannot carry outTHis plans for him. God has a beautiful plan for each one of us. How sad to spoil God's plan!
29.	SAMUEL ANOINTS DAVID
Study 1 Samuel 16:1-13 Samuel Sent to Bethlehem. 1 Sam. 16:1-3.
1.	What was Samuel told to do? Where?
2.	Why did he fear to obey?
3.	Who was to be especially invited to the service?
4.	Who would name the one to be anointed?
The Elders of Bethlehem. 1 Sam. 16:4, 5.
5.	What did the elders ask?
6.	What was Samuel’s reply?
7.	How were Jesse and his sons prepared for the service? Man’s Choice. 1 Sam. 16:6-10.
8.	What did Samuel think when he saw Eliab?
9.	Was Eliab the Lord’s choice?
0.	Upon what does the Lord look?
11.	How many of Jesse’s sons came before Samuel?
12.	What did Samuel say to Jesse about these?
The Lord’s Choice. 1 Sam. 16:11-13.
13.	Had Jesse any more sons?
14.	What was the youngest doing?
15.	What kind of looking boy was David?
HL' When he came, what did the Lord say to Samuel?
17.	How did Samuel consecrate David?
18.	What came upon David from that day?
Pronounce
1.	Once more we go in our lesson to the little town of Bethlehem, to the home of Jesse, the grandson of Boaz and Ruth. It may "be that Tie lived in the very house of Boaz, and that David cared for the sheep in the fields where Ruth gleaned and on the hills around Bethlehem.
2.	Samuel often visited the people in their home towns and offered sacrifice for them; so when he came to Bethlehem with a sacrifice, the elders and the people assembled for the solemn service. No one guessed the greater errand that brought Samuel to their village that day.
3.	Samuel was a good man, but, like all of us, he thought more about how people looked than about what they really were. Eliab looked like a king, but he did not have the character that would make a good king. God gave the people for their first king the kind of king they wanted; but for
E lr ab A bin' a dab Beth' le hem ite
Sham' mah Da' vid Jes' se
Notes
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the secondrH^BCtttJ5e>fi^,one He wanted. This does not mean that David HttKtKMV. He had faults and weaknesses and made mistakes, but the DofcTcTWSg him because he was the best one that could be found. There are no perfect people, so the Lord does the best He can with imperfect people who want to do right.
4.	David must have been greatly surprised when he was called from his work to meet the prophet and priest of Israel, but much more surprised when Samuel took him aside and told him he was to be the next king of Israel. This first anointing was a kind of prophecy, or pledge, that some day he was to be king. It was to give him courage and faith for the great trials before him.
5.	David went back to the fields to care for his sheep. He was a musician, and had always sung songs that he composed himself, and played upon his harp; but now he had many wonderful new subjects for his songs. While he watched and guarded his flocks, he was learning how to be a true shepherd to Israel.
30.	DAVID AND SAUL
Study 1 Samuel 16:14-23
The Result of Disobedience. 1 Sam. 16:14.
1.	Who departed from Saul?
2.	What took the place of the Spirit of God?
3.	How did the evil spirit affect Saul? (Margin.)
Saul’s Servants Advise Him. 1 Sam. 16:15-18.
4.	What did Saul’s servants suggest for his relief ?
5.	What command did Saul then give?
6.	Who was named as a suitable person to play for Saul?
7.	Give five things that were said about David.
Jesse Asked to Send David. 1 Sam. 16:19-22.
8.	What message did Saul send to Jesse?
9.	What present did Jesse send to Saul with David?
10.	What did David become to Saul?
11.	What are the duties of an armor-bearer?
Schopin
“When the evil spirit. . . was upon Saul, . . . David took an harp, and played with his hand; so Saul was refreshed, and was well, and the evil spirit departed from him,’*
The Power of Music. 1 Sam. 16:23.
12.	When did David play for Saul?
13.	Did David’s music help Saul?
Memory Verse
Seest thou a man diligent in his business? he shall stand before Icings. Prov. 22:29.
Notes
1.	Now we begin to see more clearly than before, the awful results of disobedience. When Saul knew that the Lord had rejected him, he rebelled in his heart, and became sad and despairing. He thought about it all the * time, but he would not say that the Lord was just and right. He had been very brave and had defeated many of the enemies of Israel; and because of this, he thought the Lord ought to excuse his sin. He could not bear to think that his son would not be king after him.
2.	The Spirit of the Lord makes us sorry for our sins, and helps us to repent, and protects us from evil spirits. If the Spirit is grieved away, then the evil spirits, which are the wicked angels, can come close to us to trouble and'terrify us. Satan and his angels tempted Saul to disobey God and grieve the Spirit. Then when he was defenseless, they troubled him until he was almost insane.
5—B. L., Fifth Grade
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3.	David was a very great musician. He composed not only the songs, or psalms, that he played and sang, but the music as well. He also invented the instruments upon which he played. David was afterwards called “the sweet psalmist of Israel” Good music has great power to help people. It is used in many homes for the insane at the present day, to soothe the troubled minds of these unfortunate people.
4.	In ancient times, soldiers wore armor to protect their bodies when they were fighting. Armor was made of various materials, such as leather, brass, and iron. There were different pieces for different parts of the body — a helmet for the face, a breastplate for the trunk of the body, a shield to carry on the left arm to ward off blows, and greaves, or plates of metal, for the legs. Their weapons were swords and spears chiefly. An armor-bearer was one who carried the armor and weapons of his chief when they were not in use.
5.	David was a faithful shepherd, and he had also been a brave soldier before he was called to play for Saul. Like his great-grandmother Ruth, he had a good name. Among other things, the servants of Saul said he was “prudent in speech” (margin), which means that he spoke wisely. He did not say hasty, rash, foolish things. He was truly a model young man.
Man in Armor
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“Then David ran, and stood upon the Philistine, and took his sword, . . • and slew him."
31.	DAVID AND GOLIATH
Study 1 Samuel 17:17-25, 32-50 David Goes to Camp. 1 Sam. 17:17-22.
1.	Who was sent to camp to inquire about his brothers?
2.	With whom was Israel at war? Where?
3.	When did David arrive at the camp?
4.	With whom did he leave the presents he had brought?
Goliath, Champion of the Philistines. 1 Sam. 17:23-25.
5.	Who'vwas the champion of the Philistines? 1 Sam.
17:4-7.
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6.	What did he do each day? 1 Sam. 17:8-10.
7.	What reward would be given to the man who should
kill Goliath?
David, Champion of Israel. 1 Sam. 17:32-39.
8.	What did David tell Saul he would do?
9.	Why did he believe that he would be able to overcome
the giant?
10.	With what words did Saul bless David?
11.	Why could David not use Saul’s armor?
David Kills Goliath. 1 Sam. 17:40-50.
12.	What were David’s weapons?
13.	When Goliath saw David, what did he say?
14.	How did David answer?
15.	How was Goliath killed?
16.	Place the valley of Elah upon your map.
Notes
1.	The Valley of Elah was west of Bethlehem, probably fifteen miles away. A hill or mountain was on either side of the valley. A brook ran through the valley. The Philistines were on the western mountain, the Israelites on the eastern.
2.	A giant is a person who is much larger than ordinary people. The short cubit is eighteen inches, a span is nine inches. According to these measurements, Goliath was nine feet nine inches tall. His coat of mail weighed five thousand shekels of brass, or one hundred fifty-six pounds.
3.	A champion is one who fights for others. Goliath fought for the gods of the Philistines. We have already learned that the gods of the heathen really represent Satan, so Goliath was the champion of Satan. David was the champion of the Lord. He did not fight for himself nor for the glory of Israel, but for the honor of the Lord’s name. He could not bear to hear Goliath boast that his gods were greater than the God of Israel.
4.	“When war was declared by Israel against the Philistines, three of the sons of Jesse joined the army under Saul ; but David remained at home. After a time, however, he went to visit the camp of Saul. By his father’s direction he was to carry a message and a gift to his elder brothers, and to learn if they were still in safety and health. But, unknown to Jesse, the youthful shepherd had been intrusted with a higher mission. The armies of Israel were in peril, and David had been directed by an angel to save his people.’’— P. P., pp. 644, 645.
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5.	“David left his carriage in the hand of the keeper of the carriage” means that he left the gifts he was carrying to his brothers — the corn, the loaves, and the cheeses — with the man who cared for such things.
6.	David could not wear Saul’s armor, because it was too large and heavy for him, and he was not used to wearing armor. Armor was so heavy and stiff that a man must wear it a long time before he could walk rapidly or fight in it. David did not depend upon armor or weapons anyway. He believed that God would help him to overcome the great giant Goliath. God had helped him in his duties as shepherd, so that he had been able to kill both a lion and a bear.
7.	Weapons and ways of fighting have changed greatly since the days of David. In the armies of that time, part of the soldiers were trained to be slingers. By long practice, they became very skillful. In some nations, the children were trained in the use of the sling from early childhood. “While they are young and under their mother’s care, they are obliged to learn to sling; for they fasten bread for a mark, at the top of a pole; and, till the child hit the bread, he must remain fasting; and when he has hit it, the mother gives it to him to eat.”
8.	David was not afraid of Goliath, but said, “I come to thee in the name of the Lord of hosts.” “The anger of Goliath was roused to the very highest heat. In his rage he pushed up the helmet that protected his forehead, and rushed forward to wreak vengeance upon his opponent. The son of Jesse was preparing for his foe. . .. Amazement spread along the lines of the two armies. They had been confident that David would be slain; but when the stone went whizzing through the air, straight to the mark, they saw the mighty warrior tremble, and reach forth his hands, as if he were struck with sudden blindness. The giant reeled, and staggered, and like a smitten oak, fell to the ground.”—P. P., p. 648.
32.	DAVID AND JONATHAN
Study 1 Samuel 18:1-16, 28-30
Jonathan Loves David. 1 Sam. 18:1-4.
1.	Who loved David very much?
2.	Where did David now live all the time?
3.	Why did David and Jonathan make a covenant?
4.	What did Jonathan give to David?
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David Made Commander. 1 Sam. 18:5.
5.	How did David behave himself?
6.	What position was given David by Saul?
Saul Is Jealous of David. 1 Sam. 18:6-9.
7.	Who came to meet Saul after the battle with the
Philistines?
8.	What did the women sing?
9.	Why did this song make Saul angry?
10.	How did he feel toward David from that day?
Saul Tries to Kill David. 1 Sam. 18:10-16, 28-30.
11.	What came upon Saul? How did he try to kill David?
12.	Why was Saul afraid of David? Who loved David?
13.	Who was the greatest of Saul’s servants?
Memory Verse
Wrath is cruel, and anger is outrageous; but who is able to stand before envy? Prov. 27:4.
Notes
1.	Jonathan was Saul's sen. If Saul had obeyed the Lord, Jonathan would have been king when his father died. But Saul had been told the kingdom would be taken away from his family and given to a neighbor that was better than he. Jonathan believed the words of the Lord; and when he saw David slay Goliath, and heard the words that he spoke to Saul, he believed that David was the one who should be king in his place.
2.	Jonathan had an unselfish, noble character. He was not jealous of David, as most people would be, but took off his beautiful robe — the robe of a prince — and put it on David, thus showing that he gave up his right to the kingdom. He truly loved David, and cheerfully submitted to the will of the Lord.
3.	A true friend is a precious treasure. We should be very‘loyal and true to our friends. Jonathan was a true friend. He gave up his right to the throne and even risked his life for David's sake. Jonathan and David made a covenant of friendship; that is, each made a solemn promise that he would be a true friend to the other forever.
4.	Our memory verse asks a question that is hard to answer, “Who is able to stand before envy?" Envy, or jealousy, was the first sin ever committed. Lucifer envied the Son of God. This awful sin changed him from a beautiful, wonderful angel of God, light bearer to the whole universe, to Satan, the prince of darkness, the enemy, or adversary, of God.
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5.	Saul's jealous thoughts grieved the Spirit of God away from him, left him without protection. Then the evil angels came close to him, took possession of his mind, and made him like themselves, until his soul was filled with hate, and he tried to kill David.
6.	“David behaved himself . . . wisely" means he was very careful about his behavior. He set a good example. He did all his work so well that he was made Saul's greatest officer. He made no mistakes in anything Saul gave him to do.
“So Michal let David down through a window: and he went, and fled, and escaped.’’
33.	DAVID ESCAPES
Stucfy 1 Samuel 19:1-17 Jonathan Warns David, il Sam. 19:1-3.
1.	What did Saul command his son and his officers?
2.	Who warned David?
3.	What did Jonathan tell David to do?
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Jonathan Pleads for David. 1 Sam. 19:4-7.
4.	How had David always treated Saul?
5.	Over what act of David had Saul rejoiced?
6.	Did he have a just cause for slaying David?
7.	Wnat did Saul promise?
8.	Did David return to the court of Saul?
David Defeats the Philistines Again. 1 Sam. 19:8-10.
9.	What was the effect upon Saul of David’s victory?
10.	What did he again attempt to do?
Michal Saves David’s Life. 1 Sam. 19:11-17.
11.	Of what did Michal warn David?
12.	How did she help him to escape?
13.	How did she deceive the messengers?
14.	What did she tell her father?
15.	Do you think this was true?
Memory Verse
Deliver me from mine enemies, 0 my God: defend me from them that rise up against me. Ps. 59:1.
Notes
1.	The memory verse for this lesson is from a psalm that is supposed to have been written by David when he was told that Saul had given command that he should be killed, and when his house was watched by Saul’s officers. The sixteenth verse says, “I will sing aloud of Thy mercy in the morning: for Thou hast been my defense and refuge in the day of trouble.” David was a child of God. He believed that his heavenly Father would take care of him, and some day make him king of Israel, as He had promised.
2.	David had many trials before this came to pass, but these made him a better man and a better king. He learned to be a just and merciful ruler, for he knew how sad and terrible it is for a ruler to treat his subjects cruelly and unjustly.
3.	Saul was an ungrateful man. David had saved the kingdom more than once, and especially when he slew Goliath, as Jonathan said. Yet Saul plotted to kill David. If the wicked were always permitted to carry out their plans, there would be no safety for good people. But God does not permit evil men to do all they wish to do. He has many ways of protecting His people. In this lesson, He used Jonathan, the friend of David,
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to plead for David, and change Saul's mind for a time; and later He used David's wife to help him to escape.
4.	Michal told her father that David had said he would kill her if she did not help him to escape. We cannot believe this is true, and we are sorry Michal should tell a lie because she feared to tell her father the truth.
God would have protected her also if she had been brave and had told the truth.
5.	Saul tried to find David after he escaped. He chased him around from place to place for about seven years. During this time, David was most of the time in the mountains of Judah. Sometimes he hid in caves and sometimes in the forests. Saul was not a good ruler to any of the people, and there were many who ran away and joined David, so that after a while he had six hundred men with him. David was captain over them.
6.	During this dark time of trial, the prophet Samuel died. The people of Israel were sad, for they knew they had lost their best friend, one who had prayed for them and helped them to do right. All Israel mourned for Samuel. David, too, was sad, for Samuel
was his friend also. It was Samuel who had anointed him and told him he would be king, and had helped him when he first escaped from Saul.
“And Jonathan said to David, Go in peace. The Lord be between me and thee, and between my seed and thy seed forever."
7.	Jonathan was always his true friend. Once when David was in great danger and almost discouraged, Jonathan came out into the mountains and found David and comforted him. He told David not to be discouraged, for he knew that some day David should be king of Israel, as God had promised. This was the last time these two friends ever met. Twice Saul was very near, and David could have killed him easily, but he would not do this, though his men urged him to do so. He would not kill one who had J^een anointed to be king over Israel. He said, “As the Lord liveth, the Lord shall smite him; or his day shall come to die; or he shall descend into battle, and perish."
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34.	THE DEATH OF SAUL
Study 1 Samuel 31; 2 Samuel 1:17-27
The Battle of Mount Gilboa. 1 Sam. 31:1, 7.
1.	Who again fought against Israel?
2.	Who gained the victory in the battle of Gilboa?
What did Israel give up to the Philistines?
Saul and His Sons. 1 Sam. 31:2-6.
3.	Name the sons of Saul who were slain.
4.	Who wounded Saul? What is an archer?
5.	How did Saul die? How did his armor-bearer die?
The Brave Men of Jabesh-gilead. 1 Sam. 31:8-13.
6.	What did the Philistines do with the bodies of Saul
and his sons?
7.	Who rescued the bodies of Saul and his sons from the
walls of Beth-shan?
David’s Lament over Saul and Jonathan. 2 Sam. 1:17-27.
8.	How did David express his grief for Saul and
Jonathan?
9.	Why did he wish that it might not be known in
Philistia?
10.	What curse did he pronounce upon Mount Gilboa?
11.	To what were Saul and Jonathan compared?
12.	How did David express the love of Jonathan for
himself?
13.	Place Mount Gilboa, Jabesh-gilead, and Beth-shan
upon your copy of the map on page 15.
Pronounce
Phi lis tine	Ja' besh	A bin' a dab
(fi lis' tin)	Gil' e ad	Mel chi shu a
Beth'-shan Gil bo' a
Jon' a than
(mel ki shu' a) Ash' ta roth
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Memory Verse
Hatred stirreth up strifes: but love covereth all sins. Prov.
10:12.
Notes
1.	For seven years, Saul had been so busy hunting for David, to kill him, that he had neglected all his duties as king. The Philistines knew this, and they thought it a good time to attack him. They wanted the land of Israel for themselves. So they gathered a great army together and came up to.the Valley of Jezreel. This was the place where Gideon, with his three hundred men, put to flight the Midianites. On the easterfl side of this valley is a mountain called Gilboa. Here Saul brought his army, and here the great battle was fought. Find Gilboa on the map.
2.	The Lord could not help Saul as He did Gideon, for Saul had disobeyed Him and rebelled against Him. He had hated his best friend, David, and had tried again and again to kill him. So Saul lost the battle and took his own life — a sad and terrible end to a life that might have been grand and noble. This is the result of pride and disobedience.
3.	Jabesh was a city in Gilead, on the eastern side of the Jordan River.-Soon after Saul became king, the Ammonites attacked the city of Jabesh. They were going to put out the right eye of every one in the city, but Saul came with an army and saved the people from this terrible fate. They were very grateful to Saul, and when they learned that the bodies of Saul and his sons had been put up on the walls of Beth-shan, they risked their lives to go and get them. Beth-shan is near the Jordan River, and was one of the cities the Philistines took from Israel. The men of Jabesh crossed the Jordan in the night, took the bodies down, and carried them away and buried them. Then they fasted seven days, to show their sorrow for the death of their king and his sons.
4.	When David heard the sad news of*this battle, and that Saul and Jonathan were dead, he and all his men “mourned, and wept, and fasted until even.” Afterwards David wrote the poem, or song, called a lameata-tion, in our lesson. David called it the “Song of the Bow,” and he taught it to Israel. Some do not understand this song. They think David must have been glad that Saul was dead, because he had tried to kill him, and that it was not true that Saul was “lovely and pleasant;” but our memory Verse explains all this. David loved Saul even when Saul tried to kill him, and “love covereth all sins.” David's love covered Saul's sins, so he remembered only the beautiful things about Saul. Only the love that the Lord has for us and that He puts into the hearts of His children can cover up other people'g^sins so that the people look good and lovely to us. Jesus said, “Love your enemies, bless them that curse you, do good to them that hate you, and pray for them that despitefully use you, and persecute you.” Matt. 5:44.
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35.	WHAT I REMEMBER ABOUT SAUL
You may write the title of this lesson upon a sheet of paper, and beneath it write a list of all the good and pleasant things you have learned about Saul in these lessons. Follow this with another list, of all the wicked things he did, and the sad things that happened to him and to others because of his sins.
You may finish this lesson with a paragraph telling why you think Jonathan was a perfect friend.
36.	REVIEW LESSON
1.	Who was the first king of Israel? Of what tribe was
he? Who was his father?
2.	Who was the true king of Israel?
3.	Why did Israel wish to be ruled by an earthly king?
4.	Who was the tallest man in Israel?
5.	Where in the Bible is the “Law for Kings”?
6.	Tell three things you find in this law.
7.	What was Saul’s first act of disobedience?
8.	WTiat was his second act of disobedience?
9.	Is there anything that is better than obedience? Quote
text.
10.	What caused Saul to become insane?
11.	Name three sons of Saul. Which one do you know best?
12.	Whose home was at Gibeah, in Benjamin? . -
13.	Where was David born? To what tribe did he belong?
14.	What was David’s occupation in his boyhood?
15.	For what purpose did David first go to the court of
Saul?
16; How many brothers had David? Who was their father?
17.	Who was anointed to be king and was given “a new
heart” the same day?
18.	Who was anointed many years before he became king?
19.	How does the Lord choose men?
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37. REVIEW LESSON
1.	Who said, “I come to thee in the name of the Lord of
hosts”? Why?
2.	Who made a covenant of everlasting friendship?
3.	What did the women sing when Saul and David gained
a victory?
4.	Who was Saul’s neighbor that was better than he?
5.	Why did Saul hate David and try to kill him?
6.	How did Jonathan save David’s life?
7.	How did David escape from Saul?
8.	How many persons joined David when he was hiding
from Saul?
9.	Where was the last meeting of David and Jonathan?
10.	Whose death caused all Israel to mourn? Why?
11.	How many times did David spare Saul’s life?
12.	What was the reason David would not kill Saul?
13.	Where did Saul fight his last battle with the Philistines?
14.	Why could God not help him in this battle?
15.	How did Saul die? Who was killed in this battle?
16.	What noble act of gratitude did the men of Jabesh
perform?
17.	What is the “Song of the Bow”?
18.	Prove that Proverbs 10:12 is true.
38. THE STORY OF BETHLEHEM
For this story you are to make your own outline. Describe Bethlehem by telling where it was in Palestine and what it looked like. Then tell about different people who lived there, and interesting things they did there. If you know anything about Bethleheni.that you have not learned in these lesions, be sure to put thisin your story also. The greatest, most wonderful eyent that occurred at Bethlehem is told in the New Testament.
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39. DAVID, THE SECOND KING OF ISRAEL
Study 2 Samuel 5:1-12
David, King at Hebron over Judah. 2 Sam. 2:1, 4, 11.
1.	After the death of Saul, what did David inquire of
the Lord?
2.	Who made David king over Judah?
3.	How long did David reign at Hebron over Judah
alone?
David Invited to Be King over All Israel. 2 Sam. 5:1-5.
4.	Who came to David at Hebron?
5.	What had David done when Saul was king?
6.	What had the Lord said about David?
7.	Who made a league with David?
8.	How old was David when he began to reign?
9.	How long did David reign?
Jerusalem. 2 Sam. 5:6-12.
10.	To what city did David go?
11.	Who captured Jerusalem for David? 1 Chron. 11:6.
12.	Who were the Jebusites, and what did they say?
13.	Who sent material for a house for David?
14.	For whose sake did God make David king?
15.	Who understood that this was so?
16.	Place Hebron, Jerusalem, and Tyre upon your copy
of the map on page TST
Memory Verse
And David went on, and grew great, and the Lord God of hosts was with him. 2 Sam. 5:10.
Notes
1.	In this lesson, we see more clearly than before how different David was from Saul. When David did not know what to do, he humbly asked the Lord to tell him',t and so he did not make mistakes. When Saul died, only
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No. 7 — Dominions of David and Solomon
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the tribe of Judah wanted David to be their king. David did not compel the rest of Israel to let him reign over them. He waited patiently for seven years and a half, until the people went with their leaders to Hebron to ask him to be their king.
2.	Hebron is about twenty miles south of Jerusalem. It is one of the oldest cities in the world. Abraham lived for many years at Hebron. His wife Sarah died-there, and Abraham bought the cave Machpelah and buried her in the cave. Afterwards he was buried there, as were also Isaac and JacobancTtheir wives. When Israel came into Canaan, Caleb tooITit from the giants who lived there. It was one of the cities in which priests lived; and when David was king there, it was the chief city of Judah.
3.	When David was made king over all Israel, thousands of people came from all parts of the country to Hebron to see him crowned. Many years before, Samuel the prophet had anointed him in secret when he was only a simple shepherd boy. Now David was dressed in a beautiful robe and stood where all the people could see him. The holy oil was put upon his brow by the high priest, a scepter was given him, and a crown was placed upon his head. And so after many years the promise of God was fulfilled, and David was king of Israel.
4.	Now that David was king over all the people, he thought his capital city should be nearer to the other tribes. Eight hundred years before David was king, a priest of God by the name of Melchizedek had lived in a city that was called Salem. Later the children of Jebus lived in this city, which was built upon mountains. Two of these mountains were called Zion and Moriah. The Jebusites built walls around these mountains and lived there. They thought no one could capture their city. They laughed at David when he came to take it for his capital, and put blind and lame men on the walls to defend them. But Joab, one of David's soldiers, took the city, and David made him commander-in-chief of his army. “Millo” is probably the name of the fortress on Mount Zion. If you will write “Jdw" and “Salem” together, drop one “s” and change “b” to “r,” so that the word will be sweet-sounding, you will have the name that David gave to his new capital.
5.	Tyre is one of the cities of Phoenicia. Hiram was a friendly king. He was “ever a lover of David” and always readyTo help him. The beautiful and famous cedars of Lebanon grew in his country, and his people were very skillful workmen. They built David a beautiful palace of this cedar timber, on Mount Zion, and this part of Jerusalem was always called “the city of David.”
6.	All the honor and success that came to David did not make him proud. He was still humble, for he knew it was not because of anything wonderful in himself that God had given him the kingdom. It was for the sake of the people over whom he ruled, the children of Israel.
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40. DAVID AND THE ARK
Study 2 Samuel 6:1-19
The Ark Brought from Kirjath-jearim. 2 Sam. 6:1-9.
1.	For what purpose did the chief men of Israel come to
Jerusalem?
2.	Where was the ark? 1 Chron. 13:6.
3.	How long had it been in the house of Abinadab?
1 Sam. 7:1.
4.	What priest had charge of it?
5.	How did David and the people express their joy?
6.	Who touched the ark? How was he punished?
7.	What was that place called? Who was afraid?
The Ark Left with Obed-edom. 2 Sam. 6:10, 11.
8.	In whose house was the ark left?
9.	How long was it in the house of Obed-edom?
The Ark Brought to Jerusalem. 2 Sam. 6:12-19.
10.	What report gave David courage to remove the ark?
11.	How was the ark at last brought to Jerusalem?
12.	What place had David prepared for it?
13.	What did David give to each person?
Pronounce
A hi' o	Git' tite	O' bed-e' dom
A bin' a dab	Kir jath-je a rim	Na chon
Pe'rez	(kur'jath-je'a rim)	(na'kon)
Uz' zah	Ba' a lah
Memory Verse
Give thanks unto the Lord, call upon His name, make known His deeds among the people. 1 Chron. 16:8.
Notes
1.	After David was made king at Jerusalem, the Philistines, who were always the enemies of Israel, came against him; but he defeated them and drove them out of the land. Then David decided to carry out a plan he had
6—B. L., Fifth Grade
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had in mind for a long time. This was to brings the ark to Jerusalem from Kirjath-jearim, where it had been for many years, ever since it came back from the land of the Philistines.
2.	Kirjath-jearim, or Baalah of Judah, as it was sometimes called, was only nine miles from Jerusalem. On a hill called Gibeah was the home of Abinadab. David and the people were all very glad and happy, when they started to bring the ark to Jerusalem. They sang and rejoiced and played on many instruments; but before the journey was ended, a dreadful thing happened.
3.	God can accept only perfect obedience. He had given Israel a law, long before, that the ark should always be carried on the
"David and all the house of Tsrael brought ud the arlc of the shoulders Of the priests. Lord with shouting, and with the sound of the trumpet.” But David and the people
had either forgotten this law or thought that it did not make any difference. At first, David was displeased. He thought the death of Uzzah was too great a punishment; but during the three months that the ark was at Obed-edom's, David studied the laws God had given, and then he saw what a wrong thing he had done. He said to the priests and Levites, “We sought Him not after the due order.” 1 Chron. 15:13.
4.	The law given to Moses said that the ark should always be carried on the shoulders of the priests. It is true that the Philistines returned the ark to Israel on a new cart; but they did not know the law, and could not have obeyed it if they had known it, for they had no true priests of God to carry the ark. When David and the children of Israel did exactly
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as the Lord had told them, then He was pleased with them, and they brought the ar^n^afoty to Jerusalem.
5.	The tabernacle built in the wilderness was now about four hundred years old, and probably parts of it at least were worn out. It was at Gibeon. David did not move it; but he made a tent, and in this the priests placed the ark when they arrived in Jerusalem.
6.	David wrote a psalm to be sung on the day the ark was brought to Jerusalem. He gave it to Asaph, the leader of the singers, and they sang it, and the people said, Amen. Our memory verse is the first stanza of this psalm. You may read it all in 1 Chronicles 16: 7-36. David wrote many psalms, not only for the priests and Levites to sing in Jerusalem and at the tabernacle at Gibeon, but for all the people to sing in their homes and on their journeys to the feasts. The service of song was an important part of their worship.
41. DAVED AND THE TEMPLE
Study 2 Samuel 7:1-16 A Temple for the Lord. 2 Sam. 7:1-7.
1.	What did David wish to do? Why?
2.	What did Nathan tell him to do?
3.	What word came to Nathan that night?
4.	In what had the presence of God dwelt since Israel
left Egypt?
5.	Had the Lord ever asked them to build a temple?
David’s House. 2 Sam. 7:8-11.
6.	What was David doing when he was called to be ruler?
7.	Who had guided and guarded him all his life?
8.	What kind of name had the Lord made for David?
9.	What would the Lord do for Israel?
10.	What would the Lord make for David?
11.	Why was David not to build a temple? 1 Chron. 22:8.
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David’s Son to Build the Temple. 2 Sam. 7:12-15.
12.	After David's death, who should build a house for
God?
13.	What would the Lord do for David's son?
David’s Kingdom Established Forever. 2 Sam. 7:16.
14.	What wonderful promise was made to David?
Notes
1.	As David sat in his palace of cedar on Mount Zion, he could see the tent in which was the ark of God, and it seemed to him that he ought to build a beautiful temple for the Lord. The prophet Nathan told David to do what was in his mind; but that night the Lord told Nathan that David must not build a temple for Him because he had been a man of war.
2.	David was disappointed, but he knew that the Lord's way is always best. He was not angry and sullen, as Saul would have been, but gave up his own way cheerfully; and because he did, the Lord made him the most wonderful promise ever made to any king. You have already learned that “house” has two meanings. It means not only a building, but also a family. The Lord said, “I will build thee an house [family],” “and thine house [family] and thy kingdom shall be established forever.” David answered, “Thou hast spoken also of Thy servant's house for a great while to come;” and truly “forever” is indeed “a great while.”
3.	Now there is only one way for this wonderful promise to be fulfilled. There must be in David's family some one who would live and reign forever. There is only One who can have an everlasting kingdom; that is Jesus, the Son of God. So David knew that the Lord really promised him that Jesus, when He should come to the earth, would be a member of his family and inherit his throne. All this was really and wonderfully fulfilled; for Mary, the mother of Jesus, was of the family of David, and Jesus was always called the Son of David. The angel Gabriel said to Mary before Jesus was born, “He shall be great, and shall be called the Son of the Highest: and the Lord God shall give unto Him the throne of His father David: and He shall reign over the house of Jacob forever; and of His kingdom there shall be no end.” Luke 1: 32, 33.
4.	The Lord also promised David that his son should build a temple for Him. David was glad, and he gathered together a great deal of material for the temple, and he made many musical instruments for the musicians, and trained the singers to sing, so that there was a great choir ready to sing when the temple was built. He was just as eager to help and as interested as if he were going to build the temple himself. He is a beautiful example of how we should behave when we cannot have our own way.
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42. DAVID AND MEPHIBOSHETH
Study 2 Samuel 9
The House of Saul. 2 Sam. 9:1, 2.
1.	Why did David inquire about the family of Saul?
2.	Who was Ziba? What did David ask him?
Mephibosheth. 2 Sam. 9:3-8.
3.	Who was left of the family of Saul?
4.	Why was Mephibosheth lame? 2 Sam. 4:4.
5.	Where did Mephibosheth live?
6.	What did Mephibosheth do when he met David?
7.	Why did David wish to show him a kindness?
8.	What did David restore to Mephibosheth?
9.	Where was Mephibosheth invited to live?
10.	How did he receive David’s kindness?
Ziba. 2 Sam. 9:9-13.
11.	What directions were given to Ziba?
12.	How many sons and servants did Ziba have to help
him in his work?
13.	Place Lo-debar upon your map.
Pronounce
Memory Verse
A friend loveth at all times, and a brother is born for adversity. Prov. 17:17.
1.	In the covenant that David and Jonathan made, each promised to be a true friend to the other and to his children. Many years passed by before David could fulfill the promise to be a friend to Jonathan’s children.
Zl' ba Ma chir (ma' kir)
Me phib o sheth (me fib' o sheth)
(mi' ka) Am' mi el
Lo-de' bar Jon' a than Mi cha
Notes
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When he asked about them, there was only one living, Mephibosheth, the son of Jonathan. This man was lame in both feet. On that terrible day when the battle of Mount Gilboa was fought, the families of Saul and Jonathan feared the Philistines would come to their home and kill them, so they all ran away to hide. Mephibosheth was then only five, years old, and his nurse carried him, because he could not run as fast nor as far as she could. But the nurse fell as she was running, and the little boy's feet were so badly hurt that it made him very lame for the rest of his life. He lived with Machir, at Lo-debar, which was on the eastern side of the Jordan River, in the land of Gilead.
2.	When David first became king, all the family of Saul hated David. They told Mephibosheth that David was a bad man who had tried to take the kingdom away from his grandfather Saul. We know this was not true; but Mephibosheth thought it was true, so he did not like David either. He did not know how much Jonathan his father had loved David, and of the promise they had made to each other.
3.	How surprised Mephibosheth must have been when his servant Ziba told him that David had asked kindly about him, and was going to give back to him all the land that had been Saul's! David also invited him to live with him in his palace and to sit at table with him every day. This was a great honor. David treated Mephibosheth as if he were his own son; and then Mephibosheth knew that the things he had been told about David were not true, and he loved David and was a true friend to him always.
4.	We can imagine what happy times Mephibosheth must have had in the palace of King David. He was too young when his father died to remember him; but doubtless David told him many stories about his true friend Jonathan, and all that he had done for David, and how much they loved each other.
43.	SOLOMON, THE THIRD KING OF ISRAEL
Study 1 Kings 3:3-14; 4:20, 21, 29-34 David Chooses Solomon. 1 Kings 1:28-30.
1.	Which of his sons did David say should be king?
2.	What were David’s last words to Solomon? 1 Kings
2:1-4.
The Death of David. 1 Kings 2:10, 11.
3.	How long did David reign? Where was he buried?
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Solomon Asks for Wisdom. 1 Kings 3:3-9.
4.	What was the character of Solomon?
5.	Where did he go to worship?
6.	How did the Lord appear to Solomon?
7.	For what blessing did Solomon ask?
8.	Why did Solomon especially need wisdom?
Solomon Given Wisdom, Riches, and Honor. 1 Kings 3:10-14.
9.	Why was the Lord pleased with Solomon’s answer?
10.	Why was he given riches and honor?
11.	What else did the Lord promise to Solomon?
Solomon’s Kingdom and Wisdom. 1 Kings 4:20, 21, 29-34.
12.	How large was Solomon’s kingdom?
13.	How great became Solomon’s wisdom?
14.	How many proverbs did Solomon write? How many
songs?
15.	Who came to hear the wisdom of Solomon?
16.	Place Gibeon upon your map.
Pronounce
Bath-she' ba	Gib' e on	Chal col
He' man	E' than	(kal'	kol)
Ma' hoi	Ez' ra hite	Dar' da
Memory Verse
The fear of the Lord, that is wisdom; and to depart from evil is understanding. Job 28:28.
Notes
1.	David lived to be seventy years old. When he knew that he must soon die, he said that his son Solomon should be king after him. He wanted Solomon to be a good man and a good king, so he begged him to keep the commandments of God. If he did, God would fulfill His promise that there should always be a king of the family of David on the throne of Israel.
2.	Gibeofl'was in the land of Benjamin, but only five or six miles from Jerusalem. The tabernacle was here, with all the furniture except the ark, which was in Jerusalem. Soon after Solomon began to reign, he went to Gibeon to worship. Kings have many great and important duties, and
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Solomon was only a young man. He felt that he needed the help of the Lord that he might be a kind, just, and wise ruler. So he asked the Lord to give him an understanding heart.
3.	The Lord was very much pleased with Solomon because he did not ask for riches, honor, nor long life; so He not only made him the wisest man that ever lived, but gave him all these other things as well. That which Solomon really asked for was “a quick mind, a large heart, and a tender spirit.” Solomon studied the things that God had made, plants and animals and the mineral world. In everything, he saw the wisdom and power of God; so he came to know God better and to love Him more.
4.	Solomon wrote many wise sayings, which are called proverbs. A book of these proverbs is a part of the Bible. Only one of his songs has been kept for us, though he wrote a thousand and five. He wrote also the book of Ecclesiastes. Find in the Bible the three books written by Solomon.
5.	There were wise men in other nations, but none so wise as Solomon, because he served the true God. Kings sent their wise men to Solomon to talk with him and to learn the wonderful things he knew. Solomon taught them about the true God, and showed them His wisdom and character in the things He had made; and many of them became worshipers of the true God.
6.	God had promised Abraham that his children should have all the land from Egypt as far north as the great river Euphrates. David conquered all this land, and Solomon ruled over it all. Solomon’s reign was a time of peace — a good time; and the children of Israel were happy, and “dwelt safely, every man under his vine and under his fig tree, ... all the days of Solomon.” How different this time from the sad, troubled days of the judges and of King Saul! When the king and the people served the Lord, God cared for them, and kept all His promises to them, and made them a great nation.
44.	SOLOMON BUILDS THE TEMPLE
Study 1 Kings 5
Hiram, King of Tyre. 1 Kings 5:1.
1.	Who sent his servants to Solomon? Why?
Solomon’s purpose to Build the Temple. 1 Kings 5:2-6.
2.	Why had not David been able to build a temple?
3.	What did Solomon wish to do?
4.	What did he ask Hiram to do for him?
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Cedars and Firs of Lebanon. 1 Kings 5:7-12.
5.	What grew on the mountains of Lebanon?
6.	How was timber brought to -Jerusalem?
7.	With what did Solomon pay for this timber?
Solomon’s Workmen. 1 Kings 5:13-18.
8.	How many men of Israel worked in the forests of
Lebanon?
9.	How many burden bearers? How many hewers?
10.	How many officers were there over these workmen?
Building the Temple. 1 Kings 6:1-3, 7, 22, 38.
11.	How long after Israel came from Egypt did Solomon
begin to build the temple?
12.	How large was the temple?
13.	How could it be built without the sound of a tool?
14.	With what was the whole house overlaid?
15.	How long did it take to build the temple?
16.	Place Mountains of Lebanon upon your map.
Pronounce
1.	Hiram, the king of Tyre, desired to be friendly with Solomon, as he had been with David. He was very willing to help Solomon in any way he could. Hiram's country was Phoenicia. In his land there was a range of mountains called Lebanon. On these mountains there grew forests of cedars and also fir trees. Solomon needed a great deal of timber for the temple, and Hiram was willing to let him have it.
2.	The chief crops of the land of Israel were grain and olive oil. Grain was not raised in Phoenicia, so Hiram was very glad to receive wheat and
Tyre HI' ram Leb' a non Sol' o mon
Phoe ni ci a (fe nish' i a) Si do' ni ans Ad o ni' ram
Notes
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Cedars of Lebanon
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oil for his timber. The people of Phoenicia knew how to cut down large trees and make them into lumber. What a busy place must the mountains of Lebanon have been for a long time, with thousands of men working there, cutting down trees and hewing them! The timber was then taken over to the seacoast, where it was floated on the waters of the Great Sea down to Joppa, a seaport of Palestine. Here it was drawn out of the water and taken across the country to Jerusalem, thirty-two miles away. This must have been a great task, for Jerusalem is 2,550 feet above the level of the sea, so the way would all be uphill.
3.	On the plains around Jerusalem there were many more workmen, who took these logs that had come so far, cut them up, and made them ready for their places in the temple. There were also men cutting great stones for the foundation. Others were making furniture and vessels for the temple; and still others were weaving beautiful curtains, and making garments for the priests. When the parts were ready, they were taken to Mount Moriah, in Jerusalem, and put together without the sound Of a tool. After seven years there stood a temple built of stone and cedar and overlaid with gold, a most beautiful building — a dwelling place for God.
4.	The plan of the temple was like the tabernacle built in the wilderness, but it was twice as long and twice as wide as the tabernacle. It had also rooms built around it for the priests and Levites and as storehouses for the tithes and offerings of the people. All the furniture was new except the ark. Instead of one candlestick there were ten, and there were also ten golden tables. In the court, instead of one laver there were ten lavers, and also a large tank, or reservoir, called a “sea.” This rested on the backs of twelve brazen oxen, as you see in the picture. The most holy place was called “the oracle.” Before David died, he gave to Solomon a plan, or pattern, of the temple and of everything in it, also directions for the services. All these plans had been given to David by the Spirit of the Lord, as you may read in 1 Chronicles 28:10-13.
5.	The ark was too small to be in proportion to the most holy place, or oracle. So two large cherubim, or angels, were made, ten cubits high. Each wing was five cubits from tip to tip. A wing of each extended over the ark, the other to the wall.
6.	The children of Israel left Egypt in 1491 B. c. The temple was built 480 years later. What year did Solomon begin to build the temple? What year was it finished ? The year the temple was begun was the fourth year of Solomon's reign. When did Solomon begin to reign?
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Molten Sea in the Temple of Solomon
45.	THE DEDICATION OF THE TEMPLE
Study 1 Kings 8:1-21 The Ark of God. 1 Kings 8:1-9.
1.	Whom did Solomon summon to Jerusalem? In what
month?
2.	How was the ark moved from its tent to the temple?
3.	Where was the ark placed in the temple? What was
in the ark?
The Glory of God. 1 Kings 8:10-13.
4.	When the priests came out and the Levites sang, what
filled the temple? 2 Chron. 5:11-14.
5.	What did Solomon say at this token of the presence
of the Lord?
The Story of the Temple. 1 Kings 8:14-21.
6.	WTio Had it in his heart to build the temple?
7.	Was the Lord pleased with David when he wished to
build the temple?
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8.	What promise was now fulfilled?
9.	What was the most important part of the temple?
Solomon’s Prayer. 1 Kings 8:22-61.
10.	This prayer of dedication is too long for you to study.
In Note 3 you will find some of the things that Solomon prayed about.
11.	When Solomon finished this prayer, what came down
from heaven? 2 Chron. 7:1-3.
The Sacrifices and the Feast. 1 Kings 8:62-66.
12.	What did Solomon and the people offer to God?
13.	How long was the feast continued?
14.	How did the children of Israel feel when they went
home?
Memory Verse
But will God indeed dwell on the earth? behold, the heaven and heaven of heavens cannot contain Thee; how much less this house that I have builded? 1 Kings 8:27.
Notes
1.	The last thing that was done before the temple was dedicated was to bring the ark from its tent on Mount Zion, near David’s palace, to the temple on Mount Moriah. It was put in the most holy place, between two very large cherubim of gold. The ark was the most sacred thing in the temple, because it contained the holy law of God, and the Lord’s presence had always been specially shown between the cherubim on the mercy seat that covered the ark.
2.	At this time, when the priests came out, and the Levites sang,
“Praise the Lord, for He is good,” the whole temple was filled with the presence of the Lord, so that the priests could not enter. This showed that the Lord was pleased with the king and the people, and accepted the beautiful temple as His special dwelling place on earth. But Solomon knew, and we all know, that the Creator of the universe is not confined to one small temple or to one spot anywhere. His dwelling place is in heaven, but He is everywhere present by His Spirit.	^
3.	Solomon’s prayer of dedication is the longest prayer in the Bible. He first thanked the Lord because He had kept all the promises made to David. Every one was fulfilled. He asked the Lord to hear him and his
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people Israel when they prayed toward the temple, and when He heard them to forgive, even though they might be captives in a foreign land because of their sins.
He asked the Lord to hear even the stranger — a gentile — one who did not belong to Israel — to hear his prayer also and forgive him if he prayed toward the temple.
The Lord appeared to Solomon at night, as He had at Gibeon, and told him He had heard his prayer, and if he and the people would “humble themselves and pray” and seek His face, He would forgive them, but if not, He would cause them to be taken into captivity and the temple should be destroyed.
4.	“When Solomon had made an end of praying, the fire came down from heaven, and consumed the burnt offering and the sacrifices; and the glory of the Lord filled the house.” This fire from heaven was never to be allowed to go out, even at night. Some of the priests must watch this fire all the time and add fuel to keep it burning. No other fire was ever to be used to burn the sacrifices in the court or the incense in the holy place.
5.	The time of the dedication was in the autumn, the seventh month, September and October of our year. The Feast of Tabernacles occurred in this month, from the fifteenth to the twenty-second. The feast of dedication was held seven days before this Feast of Tabernacles, so it is said that Solomon held a feast “seven days and seven days, even fourteen days.” On the eighth day, he sent the people away — the next day after the seventh, or last, day of the Feast of Tabernacles.
46.	THE QUEEN OF SHEBA
Study 1 Kings 10
The Queen Visits Solomon. 1 Kings 10:1, 2.
1.	Who came to Jerusalem to test Solomon’s wisdom?
2.	What did she bring with her?
The Queen Tests Solomon. 1 Kings 10:3-5.
3.	How many of her questions did Solomon answer?
4.	What was she shown of his works and life?
5.	What was the effect of all this upon her?
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The Queen’s Words of Praise. 1 Kings 10:6-9.
6.	How did she express her surprise?
7.	Why had the Lord made Solomon king?
The Queen’s Presents. 1 Kings 10:10, 13.
8.	What presents did she give to Solomon?
9.	What did Solomon give to her?
Solomon’s Wealth. 1 Kings 10:11, 12, 14-29.
10.	What was brought to Solomon from over the seas?
11.	How much gold came to Solomon each year?
12.	What did he receive from Egypt?
13.	What did he do with the trees? With the gold?
With the ivory? With the horses?
Notes
1.	“Far to the south, on the shores of the Arabian Gulf, the country of Sheba was ruled by a queen who seems to have enjoyed a reputation like Solomon's for wisdom. His fame reached her ears and she determined to judge for herself." So she came a long distance with a great number of servants. After she had talked with Solomon and had seen all his works, she said it was a true report she had heard, except that the half was not told her. The best thing she learned was to know the God of Solomon and to understand that it was the Lord who had given wisdom to the king of Israel. She praised the Lord, just as we all should do when we learn of the great things man has done, for all true wisdom is the gift of God.
2.	Besides the temple, Solomon erected many other beautiful buildings. Among these were “the house of the forest of Lebanon," “the porch of judgment," “the porch of pillars," and the palace of Pharaoh's daughter. One of his most magnificent works was the ivory throne he made for himself. He also built and repaired the walls of Jerusalem. These are his own words: “I made me great works; I builded me houses; I planted me vineyards: I made me gardens and orchards, and I planted trees in them of all kinds of fruits: I made me pools of water, to water therewith the wood that bringeth forth trees." Eccl. 2: 4-6.
3.	He rebuilt many cities, and had many ships, which sailed the Mediterranean Sea and the Indian Ocean with the fleets of Hiram, king of Tyre. These ships brought many things from far-away lands, such as gold, silver, ivory, peacocks* apes, and almug trees. Almug is probably the red sandalwood of India and Ceylon. “The wood is very heavy, hard, and finegrained, and of a beautiful garnet color." The kings of the countries
7—B. L., Fifth Grade
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around brought costly presents to Solomon, because they were really dependent upon Solomon, and these presents were tribute they paid for the help and protection of the kingdom of Israel.
4.	All this story about Solomon has seemed very bright, happy, and wonderful. But now we must tell something very sad. God gave Solomon all the riches he needed, and much honor and fame; and for many years he was satisfied and contented, and thanked the Lord for it all. But after a while, he began to forget where all his wisdom, wealth, and fame came from, and to think more about himself than about the Lord. Then he wanted more riches than God had given him, and he began to tax the people very heavily. He had never had a war, but he began to buy horses, which in those times were used only in war — something he did not need, for why should he go to war? Solomon had all the land the Lord had promised to Israel, and everything else he needed. But worst of all, he married the daughters of heathen kings — women who were idolaters. They persuaded him to build temples for their gods on the Mount of Olives, opposite Mount Moriah, on which was the temple of the Lord. After a time, Solomon himself worshiped the gods of his heathen wives.
5.	The heathen, who worshiped the sun, imagined that it was a god who rode through the sky in a chariot drawn by fleet horses. Because of this belief, they consecrated the finest horses and chariots to the sun, and kept them in stables in or near their temples. This is another reason why the Lord did not wish the kings of Israel to have horses.
6.	Solomon reigned forty years. Before he died, he saw what an awful mistake he had made, and he came back to the Lord. “In his later years, turning wearied and thirsting from earth's broken cisterns, Solomon returned to drink at the fountain of life."—Ed.f pp. 153,15k. He wrote the book of Ecclesiastes after he repented. This was a kind of confession to his people, that he had set them a wrong example, so that they would not do as he had done. But many of the people did follow his example, with sad results, as we shall see in future lessons.
47. THE STORY OF MEPHIBOSHETH
You may write a story about Jonathan’s son Mephibo-sheth. «It will be more interesting if you imagine what his home in Gibeah was like, and what happened on that sad day when the battle of Mount Gilboa was fought. Tell about what you think life was like in the home of Machir in Lo-debar, the large family of his servant Ziba, and how
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Mephibosheth came to know and love David. Remember you are telling the story of a prince, the son of a prince, and the grandson of a king. If you will read or have some one read to you from the book “A Man of Valor,” pages 139-146, 204-206, it will help you to describe his home at Gibeah, and the day of the battle of Mount Gilboa, the day Mephibosheth was made a cripple.
Outline for Story of Mephibosheth
1.	Home at Gibeah of Benjamin; his family.
2.	Battle of Mount Gilboa; crippled for life.
3.	Home with Machir, at Lo-debar.
4.	Why he hated David.
5.	His son, Micha; his servant Ziba.
6.	How David won his heart.
7.	Life in the palace, with David.
48. REVIEW LESSON
1.	Who reigned over one tribe for seven.and a half years?
2.	What was David’s first capital? Tell all you know of
its history.
3.	What was the first name by which Jerusalem was
known? The second?
4.	What foreign king was lover of David”?
5.	How many times was David anointed?
6.	Who anointed him the first time? Where?
7.	Where was he crowned king over all Israel?
8.	Name the two principal mountains upon which Jeru-
salem is built.
9.	Upon which of these mountains did David build his
palace?
10.	Where^are,the Mountains of Lebanon? Why are they
famous?
11.	When David became king, where was the ark of God?
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12.	What mistake did David make the first time he tried
to move the ark?' *What was the result?
13.	Repeat the first verse of the psalm that the singers
sang the day the ark came to Jerusalem.
14.	Why was David not permitted to build the temple?
15.	What place was prepared for the ark in Jerusalem?"
16.	What wonderful promise was made to David concern-
ing his family?
17.. How only could this promise be fulfilled?
18.	How did David fulfill his covenant with Jonathan?
49. REVIEW LESSON
1.	Who is called “the wise man”? Why?
2.	What is wisdom? Quote a memory text.
3.	How did Solomon obtain wisdom? How did he use it?
4.	What were the boundaries of Solomon’s kingdom?
5.	What did the Lord give Solomon that he did hot ask
for?
6.	How many years before Christ did Solomon begin to
build the temple?
7.	What materials were used in the temple?
8.	Compare the size of the temple with that of the taber-
nacle. Compare the furniture.
9.	What piece of furniture in the temple had been in the
tabernacle?
10.	Upon what mountain in Jerusalem was the temple
built?
11.	What is the longest prayer in the Bible? When was
it offered?
12.	How did Solomon and the people know that the Lord
accepted the temple? How did they know that the Lord accepted the sacrifice? How did they know He accepted the prayer of Solomon?
13.	What wise woman tested the wisdom of Solomon?
From what country did she come?
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14.	To what countries did the navies of Hiram and Solo-
mon go? What did they bring back with them?
15.	How much of the “Law for Kings” (Deut. 17:14-20)
did Solomon disobey?
16.	Name the books of the Bible that were written by
Solomon.
17.	Which one did he write after he repented?
18.	Name the first three kings of Israel.
50.	THE KINGDOM DIVIDED
Study 1 Kings 12:1-20
Rehsboam, Son of Solomon. 1 Kings 12:1.
1.	Which one of Solomon’s sons became king after him?
1 Kings 11:43.
2.	In what city was Rehoboam made king?
Jeroboam, Son of Nebat. 1 Kings 12:2, 3.
3.	Who was Jeroboam?
4.	Why had he been in Egypt? 1 Kings 11:26, 40.
5.	Why did he return from Egypt?
Heavy Burdens. 1 Kings 12:3-5.
6.	What request did Jeroboam and the people make?
7.	How long must they wait for an answer?
Rehohoam>s Advisers. 1 Kings 12:6-11.
8.	What was the advice of the old men? Of the young
men?
Rehoboam’s Answer. 1 Kings 12:12-15.
9.	What was Rehoboam’s answer to the people?
Ten Tribes {lebel. 1 Kings 12:16-20.
10.	When Israel heard the king’s answer, what did they say?
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11.	Who was Adoram? To whom did the king send
him? How was he received?
12.	Who was made king over the/ten tribes?
13.	Place JerusaLem and Shechem upon Map 4, page 5 —
The Kingdoms of Judah and Israel.
Pronounce
Re ho bo' am She chem (she' kem) Jer o bo' am Ne' bat A do' ram
Memory Verse
He that ruleth over men must be just, ruling in the fear of God.
“My father hath chastised you with whips, but I will chastise you with scorpions.”
Notes
1.	In the lapt days of Solomon, after he sinned, he had many enemies. One of them wks Jerobpam, a young man of the tribe of Ephraim. Jeroboam had been told by a prophet that because of Solomon's sins, the kingdom would be divided, and ten tribes would be given to him. (1 Kings 11: 26-40.) Jeroboam was not like David, who waited so patiently many years for God to give him the kingdom. Jeroboam tried to get it at once. Solomon learned this, and Jeroboam had to leave the land of Israel. He went to*the court of Shishak, the king of Egypt, and remained there till Solomon died.
2.	Solomon had made the people work very hard for him and pay heavy taxes. They determined that before they accepted Rehoboam as king, he should promise to make these burdens lighter. If Rehoboam had been a Wise young m£h, he would have listened to the old men. These men had been Solomon's counselors in the days when Solomon was a good and wise king. They knew that what the people asked was right, and that if Reho-
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“And the king answered the people roughly, and forsook the old men’s counsel that they gave him.”
boam would be kind to them, they would serve him faithfully, and he would be a great king, as his father and grandfather had been.
3.	Rehoboam was a proud, stubborn young man. He thought that because he was king, he had a right to demand from the people anything he wished. The young men who were brought up with him were just like him. They knew very little about the burdens of the people, and cared less. They loved gold and power, no matter who had to suffer that they might have them. They would not lighten the burdens of the people, but wouYd make them heavier, and beat them with scorpions. “Scorpion” is the name of a whip, also called a scourge. It is made of strips of leather bound to a short handle. These strips of leather are tipped with sharp iron barbs that cut and sting like a scorpion.
4.	The ten tribes that rebelled were Ephraim, Manasseh, Zebulun, Issa-char, Naphtali, Dan, Asher, Reuben, Gad, and Simeon. When Rehoboam
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saw that they really would not have him for their king, he sent his treasurer, Adoram, to talk with them, and bring them back if possible; but they killed Adoram, and Rehoboam was so frightened that he ran away to Jerusalem as fast as he could go, lest they should kill him also. This division occurred in 976 B. C., nearly a thousand years before Christ came to this earth.
5.	Then the tribe of Benjamin joined the tribe of Judah. From these two tribes, Rehoboam formed an army of 180,000 men to go and fight with Israel and compel them to receive him as king. But the Lord sent a prophet to tell Rehoboam that he must not fight against Israel. Rehoboam obeyed, and the men in his army went to their homes.
6.	How sad that the only nation in the world that knew God or served Him at all should be divided by hatred and strife! Yet it was best that it should be divided. The ten tribes that we shall now call the kingdom of Israel made Jeroboam their king. They always had a greater love for idolatry than had the two tribes that were called the kingdom of Judah. If they had remained together, they would all have gone into idolatry and been lost among the heathen. By permitting the division, God was able to save Judah long enough for Jesus to be born of that tribe. His promise was fulfilled, “The scepter shall not depart from Judah . . . until Shiloh come.” This, however, He could do only by allowing suffering and trial to come upon them.
51.	THE SIN OF JEROBOAM Study 1 Kings 12:25-33; 13:1-6 Shechem, the Capital of Israel. 1 Kings 12:25.
1.	What city did Jeroboam choose for his capital?
2.	What other city did he build?
Two Golden Calves. 1 Kings 12:26-33.
3.	Why did Jeroboam not wish his people to go to Jeru-^ salem to worship?
4.	How did he try to prevent their going to Jerusalem?
5.	What did he tell the people these idols were?
6.	In what places did he set up these idols?
7.	Did "the people worship the golden calves?
8.	Whom did he make priests?
9.	Describe the feast that he ordained.
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Reproved by a Prophet. 1 Kings 13:1-6.
10.	What was Jeroboam doing when a prophet came to
him? -
11.	What did the prophet prophesy against the altar?
12.	What sign was given that this would be done?
13.	What did Jeroboam attempt to do?
14.	How was he punished? How was his hand restored?
15.	Did Jeroboam repent of his evil ways? 1 Kings
13:33, 34.
16.	Place Bethel4and Dan upon your map.
Pronounce
1.	There were many more people in the kingdom of Israel than in the kingdom of Judah. The map on page 88 shows that there was also much more land. Jeroboam might have built up a great and powerful kingdom. But there was one thing that troubled him. The people of aft\ the tribes went three times each year to the feasts at Jerusalem. Jeroboam feared that if they went to the temple to worship and offer their sacrifices, they might after a while think they had done wrong in choosing another king, and that they would kill him and go back to Rehoboam. He forgot that God gave him his kingdom, and would keep the people true to him if he was loyal to the Lord.
*2. Jeroboam had just returned from Egypt, where the people worshiped animals. The calf was one of the chief gods of the Egyptians. He made two golden calves, and placed one in Dan, the most northern town in his kingdom, the other in Bethel, on the southern border. He did not call them new gods, but said they represented the true God — the God of Israel — the One who brought them from the land of Egypt; but the making of them broke the second commandment of the law of God.
3.	The priests and the Levites would not serve in these idol temples, so Jeroboam would not have them as priests. They left his kingdom, and went to the land of Judah and Jerusalem; and there followed “after them out of all the tribes of Israel such as set their hearts to seek the Lord God of Israel.” They “came to Jerusalem, to sacrifice unto the Lord God of
Jer o bd' am Beth' el Le' vites
Is' ra el Dan /
Pe nu' el Jo si' ah
Notes
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their fathers. So they strengthened the kingdom of Judah, and made Rehoboam the son of Solomon strong.” 2 Chron. 11:13-17. Now Reho-boam had the best people of both kingdoms in his land.
4.	One of the yearly feasts was the Feast of Tabernacles. It was held on the fifteenth day of the seventh month. But Jeroboam would do nothing just as the Lord commanded. He made a feast on the fifteenth day of the eighth month. The Lord sent one of His prophets from Judah to reprove Jeroboam. He found the king at the altar in Bethel acting as priest. The prophet made a wonderful prophecy about Josiah, who lived three hundred years after Jeroboam's time. When you study about Josiah, you will learn how he fulfilled this prophecy.
5.	Jeroboam was a wicked man. He dared to defy the prophet of God, and would have killed him if the Lord had not paralyzed his arm. When he asked the prophet to pray for him, his arm was restored. How good the Lord is even to those who disobey Him and persecute His people! All the kings of the kingdom of Israel after Jeroboam were wicked men, but none of them had a worse influence than did Jeroboam. He really taught Israel to sin against the Lord. The Bible says of many of these kings, that they “walked in the ways of Jeroboam the son of Nebat, who made Israel to sin.”
52.	AHAB, SEVENTH KING OF ISRAEL
Study 1 Kings 16:29-33
The Character of Ahab. 1 Kings 16; 29-31.
1.	Whose son was Ahab? How long did Ahab reign?
2.	Who was king of Judah when Ahab began to reign?
3.	How did Ahab compare in character with the kings
before him?
4.	Whose example did he follow?
The Character of Jezebel. 1 Kings 16:31.
5.	Whose daughter did Ahab marry?
6.	Of what nation was Jezebel?
7.	What-gods did the Zidonians worship?
8.	What was Jezebel’s influence over Ahab? 1 Kings
21:25, 26.
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Ahab
9.
10.
11.
12.
13.
Worships Baal. 1 Kings 16:32, 33.
What was Ahab’s capital city? 1 Kings 16:23, 24. What did Ahab build in Samaria?
What did he p What else did Place Samaria'*
ace in the house of Baal?
le make?
upon your map.
Pronounce
Jez' e bel / Sa ma' ri a Zi do' ni ans She' mer
A' hab Eth' ba al A' sa Om' ri
Notes
1.	Let us study the Table of Kings and Prophets, on page 95. This table gives the names of all the kings of Judah, of Israel, and of other nations that are mentioned in the Bible. It also gives the names of the chief prophets of each kingdom. Learn to pronounce these names. Whenever you study about a king or a prophet, turn to this table, and find his name, and also the names of kings reigning in other nations at the same time. We shall not study about all these kings, but only a few of the most important.
2.	Our last lesson was about Jeroboam, the first king of Israel after the kingdom was divided. In this lesson, we learn about Ahab, the seventh king. Between these two, as you see in the table, were Nadab, Baasha, Elah, Zimri, and Omri, who was the father of Ahab. Omri built the city of Samaria. It was on an oblong hill with steep sides and a long, flat top. It was about six miles northwest of Shechem, the first capital of Israel.
3.	All the kings before Ahab were wicked men. They all worshiped the golden calves, as Jeroboam had taught Israel to do. Ahab also followed Jeroboam's evil example; but he did worse — he married Jezebel, one of the wickedest women that ever lived. She was from Zidon, a city in Phoenicia. Its people were called Zidonians. Her father was Ethbaal (Man of Baal), the king of the Zidonians. The people of Phoenicia, like many other nations before, worshiped Baal and Ashtoreth. Baal represented the sun. The heathen believed that all life on the earth came from the sun, that the earth was caused to be fruitful by the sun; therefore they worshiped the sun as the life-giver, instead of God.
4.	Jezebel brought the worship of Baal with her into Israel. She determined that every one in the kingdom of Israel should become Baal worshipers, and she very nearly succeeded. She had four hundred fifty
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976
959
956
955
953
931
930
930
917
915
898
89'
889
885
883
877
855
838
823
808
771
770
770
761
m
756
742
730
726
721
697
642
640
609
609
606
599
599
588
536
TABLE OF KINGS AND PROPHETS
JUDAH ^			ISRAEL/* k			Kings of Other Nations
Kings..	3 >*	Prophets	Kings	i *	Prophets	
Rehobdam. t	17	ShenMuah		Jeroboam 1.	22	Ahijah		Shishak, Egypt
Abijah		3					
Asa..		41					Benhadad I, Syria
		Hanani		Nadab		2		
			Baasha....	24		11
			Elah		2		11
			Zimri		7d		n
			Omri		12	v		tt
		Jehu		Ahab			'Elijah		tt
Jebosjhaphat	25				11 Micaiah	
			Ahaziah...	2	. 11	
			Jehoram...	12	Elisha		Benhadad II, Syria Hazael, Syria * t
.Tohorarp. . .	8				■ “ 	•>	
Ahftzinh		1				< <	
Atljaliah,... .Toash		6		Jphvi , - - -	28	< <	11
	40				tt ‘ i	: {1
			Jehoahaz...	17	11	**^tt
Amaziah		29		Jehoash	 jjTeroboam II	16	11	Benhadad III, Syria
		Joel			41	Jonah, Hosea Amos ‘ ‘ 11	
TTzziah		52	Isaiah					
		it	Zachariah.. Shallum	 Menahem.. Pekahiah...	% lm		
		11			<*»	
		11		10	< (	Pul, Assyria	
		n		2	tt	‘ ‘ Rezin, Syria Tiglath-pileser, Assyria.
		11	Pfikah		20	t(.	
JothfllD i • • •	16	‘1 Micah...			11	
Ahaz..... /.	16	tt tt			11	
		tt a	Hoshea		9	11	Shalmaneser IV, Assyria. So, Egypt. Sennacherib, Assyria.
Hezekjah...	39	tt tt			tt	
		*( Nahum..	Captivity..		11	
Manasseh. •.	55	a			tt	
Am on		2					
Josiah.... A	k1 a	Zeph. Hab Jer				
Jehoahaz..		< t				Pharaoh-necho,
Jehoiakim..		tt				Egypt.
Captivity... Jehoiachin..	70	Ezekiel .. ‘ * .				Nebuchadnezzar,
	K 11	11				‘ * Babylon
Zedekiah.... Com. Cant...		11				
		Daniel, Obadiah 11				
Jews Return						Cvrus. Persia	
under Zerub-		Haggai, Zecha-riah, Malachi			i	Darius, Persia Artaxerxes, Persia.
babel							
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priests of Baal, and four hundred prophets of the groves. These were to teach this new religion to Israel.
5.	Ahab built a temple for Baal in Samaria, and that part of the city was called “the city of the house of Baal.” 2 Kings 10: 25. “And Ahab made a grove.” This was a wooden pillar carved to represent Ashtoreth. It was not the planting of a grove of trees; but these wooden pillars, or images, were often set up in groves of trees standing closely together as a sort of screen to hide the cruel and indecent worship of this false god.
6.	Afterwards other temples were built all over the land, and idols and “groves” were everywhere to be seen. The air was filled with the smoke of sacrifices offered to these gods. Through the hills and valleys .could be heard the drunken cries of heathen priests who worshiped the sun and the moon and the stars.
7.	The people were taught that the streams of water, the dew, the rain which fell on the earth and watered their crops, were gifts from these idol gods. The Lord sent faithful messengers to Israel to tell them that all this was not true — that the true God, the living God of their fathers, had made the world and all things in it, and that He and not Baal caused the sun to shine, the rain to fall, and the earth to bring forth food for them and their children. But the people would not listen, would not believe. They wandered farther and farther away from God and from all that was right and good and pure. It seemed that they would all become idolaters. What a sad time! It was worse than the days of the judges. In our next lesson, we shall learn what the Lord did to help Israel in this awful time of backsliding.
53.	ELIJAH THE PROPHET
Study 1 Kings 17
Elijah’s Prophecy. 1 Kings 17:1-7.
1.	Who prophesied a drought? How long would the
drought last?
2.	To what place did the Lord tell Elijah to go?
3.	Why was it necessary for him to hide?
4.	How was he given food and drink?
5.	How many meals did he have each day?
Elijah at Zarephath. 1 Kings 17:8-16.
6.	When the brook dried up, where was he told to go?
7.	Whom did he meet at the gate of Zarephath?
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“And the word of the Lord came unto him [Elijah], saying, Get thee hence, and turn thee eastward, and hide thyself by the brook Cherith, ... and it shall be, that thou shalt drink of the brook; and I have commanded the ravens to feed thee there.”
8.	What favor did he ask of the woman of Zarephath?
9.	Why was it hard for her to grant his request?
10.	What had the Lord promised about her meal and oil?
11.	How was this promise fulfilled?
Raised from the Dead. 1 Kings 17:17-24.
12.	What did the woman say when her son died?
13.	Where did Elijah take the child? What did he pray?
14.	What did he say when he returned the child to his
mother?.
15.	What did the woman now know?
16.	How many miracles are/there in this lesson?
17.	Place Gilead; Zarephath; and the brook Cherith upon
your map.
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Pronounce
E lr jah Tish' bite Che rith (ke' rith)
Gil' e ad Zar e phath (zar' e fath)
Memory Verse
Elijah was a man subject to like passions as fve are, and he prayed earnestly that it might not rain: and it rained not on the earth by the space of three years and six months. James 5:17.
1. Among the mountains of Gilead, east of the Jordan River, there lived a humble man called Elijah the Tishbite. As he saw Israel going deeper and deeper into idolatry, his soul was distressed, he was filled with sorrow. He wept, and prayed that somehow Israel would be caused to repent and return to the Lord. He saw how they misused the blessings of their kind heavenly Father, and gave all the praise and glory to Baal.
2.	Elijah knew that sometimes suffering and trial help people to see that they have done wrong, and cause them to repent. So he prayed that the Lord would hold the heavens from giving rain, that the people might know that the rain was not given them by Baal. The Lord heard his prayer, and Elijah started at once for Samaria to tell Ahab. He knew that if he prophesied so terrible a judgment, Ahab and Jezebel would try to kill him; but he loved Israel so much he willingly risked his life to deliver a message that he hoped would help his backsliding people. On his way to Samaria, he crossed streams of water, and went over hills covered with beautiful trees, and through fields of grass and grain. The prophet might have wondered how the streams that had never ceased to flow, or those hills and valleys, could be burned with drought. But he would not permit a thought of unbelief to stay in his mind. He was a man of faith.
3.	Elijah came to the great city of Samaria, to the palace of the king. He did not ask if he might see the king, but went in boldly and stood before Ahab. Lifting his hand toward heaven, he said, “As the Lord God of Israel liveth, before whom I stand, there shall not be dew nor rain these years, but according to my word.” Then he left as suddenly as he came, and none could tell whence he came nor whither he had gone. But we know that for a long time, perhaps six months, he was hiding down by the brook Cherith, which is one of the small streams that flow into the Jordan River. You mav find it on the map.
4.	Elijah knew that his prophecy was being fulfilled, for never a drop' of rain fell from the cloudless skies, and the brook was slowly drying up.
Notes
99
When the water was all gone, the Lord found another refuge for him. Not in the land of Israel. Oh, no, he could not be safe there. He must go far away to the city of Zarephath. In the very country from which Jezebel had come there was a good woman who, though she was brought up a heathen, yet had heard of the true God, and believed in Him as well as she knew. She received Elijah, and gave him the last morsel of food she had, because she, too, believed the promise of God.
5.	God always blesses those who believe His word. The famine that came because 01 the drought was in Phoenicia as well as in Israel, but the poor widow always had flour in her barrel and oil in her bottle. When her son died, she thought it was because of some sin she had committed. We dio not know whether this was the reason; but when her son was restored to life, she knew two things. She knew that Elijah was a man of God, and that the word of God is truth. Elijah was truly a man of wonderful faith, yet our memory verse says he was just like any one of us. He had the same desires, the same weaknesses, as any other man or woman in the world. God heard his prayer; He will hear ours, if we pray as earnestly as Elijah did for the salvation of others.
54.	ELIJAH AND AHAB
Study 1 Kings 18:1-19 Elijah Returns to Israel. 1 Kings 18:1, 2.
1.	When was Elijah sent back to Israel?
2.	What did the Lord promise to do?
*
Obadiah. 1 Kings 18:3-6.
3.	Who was the governor of Ahab’s house?
4.	What had he done for the Lord’s prophets?
5.	On what errand did Ahab send him?
Elijah Meets Obadiah. 1 Kings 18:7-16.
6.	How did Obadiah greet Elijah?
7.	What did Elijah ask Obadiah to do? '
8.	Why did Obadiah fear to do as Elijah wished?
9.	Where had Ahab searched for Elijah?
10.	What did Elijah promise Obadiah?
8—B. L., Fifth Grade
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Elijah Meets Ahab. 1 Kings 18:17-19.
11.	What did Ahab say when he met Elijah?
12.	With what accusation did Elijah reply?
13.	Whom did he ask Ahab to gather upon Mount Carmel?
Pronounce
1.	Elijah remained hidden at Zarephath for three years. During this time there had been much suffering in the land of Israel, for the drought and famine became worse and worse as time went on. At first, the priests were very sure that Baal would send rain. They offered costly sacrifices and prayed to Baal night and day, but no cloud appeared to hide the burning rays of the sun. Many died of hunger and thirst. Still Jezebel and the priests refused to say that the drought was a judgment from God. They said Elijah had spoken against Baal worship; this had made the gods angry, and they would send no rain until Elijah was put to death.
2.	Then Ahab sent men everywhere, even to other nations, to search for Elijah. But he could not be found. Jezebel was so angry she killed all the prophets of God that she could find. There was one faithful, true man among Ahab’s officers. This was Obadiah, who hid one hundred of the true prophets in caves and secretly carried them food and water.
3.	The prophet Elijah, in his safe hiding place in Zarephath, still prayed for Israel, that they might see that Baal was nothing, and turn to the Lord with true repentance. After three years, the Lord told him to go to Ahab, for now He would send rain. What a journey that must have been from Zarephath down to Samaria! The whole land was like a desert. Even the animals that belonged to the king were starving and dying of thirst, so that he himself undertook to find something for them to eat.
4.	Obadiah knew Elijah at once when he met him, probably because of the way he dressed. Elijah’s clothing was very plain and coarse. He wore a mantle of sheepskin with a girdle of leather. Obadiah thought the reason no one had been able to find Elijah for three years and a half was because the Spirit of the Lord had taken him away to distant lands. He knew that Ahab wanted to kill Elijah, and he feared that the Spirit of the Lord would take Elijah away again.
5.	What a strange meeting that was between Elijah and the king of Israel! Doubtless Ahab came in his chariot with his bodyguard. In the
O ba dr ah Jez' e bel
A'hab Car mel (kar' mel)
Notes
101
way before him, he saw a man clothed in skins, standing there in the road waiting for him. Ahab accused Elijah of being the cause of all the trouble that had come upon Israel. The wicked blame their trouble upon God and His people. They think that if they destroy all the people who tell them they have done wrong, then they will have no more trouble. Elijah was not afraid of Ahab, but told him that he and his house were the real cause of all the trouble that had come to Israel. Then he commanded Ahab to gather all the people to Mount Carmel, where it would be proved who was the true God — Baal or the God of Elijah.
55.	ELIJAH AT MOUNT CARMEL
Study 1 Kings 18:20-40
Mount Carmel. 1 Kings 18:20, 21.
1.	Who gathered together at Mount Carmel?
2.	What question did Elijah ask the people?
The Test. 1 Kings 18:22-25.
3.	What did Elijah say about himself?
4.	What test did he ask them to make?
5.	Did the people agree to this test?
The Prophets of Baal. 1 Kings 18:26-29.
6.	Describe the efforts of the false prophets to cause
Baal to hear them. •
7.	How did Elijah mock them?
8.	How long did they pray to Baal?
The Prophet of God. 1 Kings 18:30-38.
9.	When the false prophets gave up, what did Elijah say
to the people?
10.	Of what did Elijah build an altar?
11.	How large a trench did he make?
12.	How many barrels of water were poured over the sac-
rifice? Why?
13.	What did Elijah pray? How was his prayer an-
swered?
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‘The Lord, He Is the God.” 1 Kings 18:39, 40.
14.	What did the people say?
15.	Who slew the prophets of Baal? Where?
16.	Place Mount CarmeJ/upon your map.
Notes
1.	“ ‘Carmel' is the name given to a range of mountains about eighteen miles long and extending from the mountains of Samaria in a northwesterly direction, and terminating at the Mediterranean Sea, just opposite the Sea of Galilee. The place where Elijah tested the prophets of Baal is supposed to be near the southeastern end of the range. The Great Sea looking directly west from this point, is only nine or ten miles distant, and in plain sight. On the northeastern side of this range is the famous Valley of Jezreel, or Esdraelon, and through this valley the river Kishon makes its way to the Mediterranean. These mountains were once covered with luxuriant forests and beautiful flowers, and are still noted for their numerous caves.”—“Bell's Progressive Bible Lessons.”
2.	Find Carmel on the map, and think of how it looked on the day of the great test. It had been a place of beauty, but now it is as brown and bare as all the rest of the land. Early in the morning, the people of Israel gather near the top of the mountain. Jezebel's priests and prophets march up, and the king takes his place at the head of the priests. The idolaters shout his welcome. Facing them all stands one lone man — Elijah.
3.	The test that Elijah asked to be made was a good one. From earliest times, fire from heaven was a sure token that God accepted the sacrifice. The heathen thought fire was given by Baal to man. How earnestly they now prayed for Baal to prove that he was God! What a terrible scene that must have been when eight hundred and fifty men from morning till night shrieked and cried, “0 Baal, hear us”! They leaped and writhed and screamed, tore their hair and beat their breasts; and when there was no answer, they even cut themselves with their knives.
4.	“Gladly would Satan have come to the help of those whom he had deceived, and who were devoted to his service. Gladly would he have sent the lightning to kindle their sacrifice. But Jehovah has set Satan's bounds,— restrained his power,— and not all the enemy's devices can convey one spark to Baal's altar.”— P. K.f p. 150. Elijah watched the priests every minute all day long; for he knew that if possible, they themselves would set fire to the sacrifice, and if they should, he would be torn in pieces instantly.
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5.	At length, the priests of Baal are worn out. They are too tired to pray any longer, and Baal does not answer. They give up. It is the hour when the evening sacrifice should be offered — the time of evening worship. Elijah asks the people to come near to him, that they may see all he does. Near by is a broken-down altar where men once worshiped the God of heaven. It is very precious to Elijah. With twelve stones from this altar, one for each of the tribes, he builds an altar to the Lord. When the sacrifice is ready, he has the people thoroughly soak it with water, so that no one can say he has kindled the fire and deceived them.
6.	Elijah's prayer was very short and simple. He did not need to say much, for he knew that he was doing the will of God. “No sooner is the prayer of Elijah ended, than flames of fire, like brilliant flashes of lightning, descend from heaven upon the upreared altar. . . . The brilliancy of the blaze illumines the mountain and dazzles the eyes of the multitude. In the valleys below, where many are watching in anxious suspense the movements of those above, the descent of fire is clearly seen, and all are amazed at the sight. It resembles the pillar of fire which at the Red Sea separated the children of Israel from the Egyptian host."
56.	ELIJAH PRAYS FOR RAIN
Study 1 Kings 18:41-46; 19:1-3 Rain! 1 Kings 18:41-44.
1.	What did Elijah tell Ahab to do? Why
2.	Where did Elijah then go?
3.	After he had prayed, what did he tell his servant to do?
4.	How many times did he send him on the same errand?
5.	What sign of rain was seen?
To Jezreel. 1 Kings 18:44-46.
6.	What message did Elijah send to Ahab?
7.	To what place did Elijah guide the chariot of Ahab?
Elijah Flees to Beersheba. 1 Kings 19:1-3.
8.	Whardid Ahab tell Jezebel?
9.	What message did she send to Elijah?
10.	When he received the message, what did he do?
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11.	At what placp did he leave his servant?
12.	Place Jezreel and Beershebav upon your map.
Memory Verse
Elijah was a man subject to like passions as we are, and he prayed earnestly that it might not rain: and it rained not on the earth by the space of three years and six months. And he prayed again, and the heaven gave rain, and the earth brought forth her fruit. James 5:17, 18.
Notes
1.	When Israel confessed that “the Lord, He is the God,” then the Lord could give them rain; so Elijah told Ahab to eat and drink, for there would be a storm. There was no sign of rain; but he knew that the people had done their part, and the Lord would surely fulfill His promise. He did not become discouraged when his servant could see no sign of rain. He just kept praying. When the sign was given, it was a very small sign, but it was enough for Elijah. He sent a message to Ahab to hasten to get down from the mountains before the storm should overtake him.
2.	It was too far for Ahab to go to Samaria; so he started for Jezreel, where he had a summer home. Jezreel was sixteen miles from Mount Carmel. Samaria was twenty-five miles from Jezreel. As Ahab rode on in his chariot toward Jezreel, the storm grew worse and worse. It was so dark he could not see the way before him. Elijah knew that the king would lose his way in the darkness and the blinding rain. So, though Ahab was his bitter enemy and had tried for years to kill him, yet Elijah showed him the respect and honor due to a king. He girded up his robe so that he might run very fast, and guided the chariot of Ahab to the gates of Jezreel. There they parted. Ahab went through the gates into the city, to tell Jezebel all that had happened that day on Mount Carmel.
3.	Elijah was very weary and hungry. All day he had watched closely the priests of Baal, that they might not deceive the people. While Ahab went to his tent for food to prepare him for the journey to Jezreel, Elijah had prayed for rain; and then he had run before the swift chariot horses all the long sixteen miles to Jezreel. Now he wrapped himself in his mantle and lay down on the bare earth to sleep. Suddenly he was awakened. A messenger said to him: “Jezebel is very angry. To-morrow you shall die as did her priests.” The rain was pouring down. He was tired and cold and wet; and without stopping to think, he started to run for his life. He kept going and going, down past Samaria, through the kingdom of Judah, down to Beersheba. Here he left his servant, but he himself went on for a day longer, far away into the desert.
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A School of the Prophets
57. ELIJAH IN THE DESERT
Study 1 Kings 19:4-21 Discouraged. 1 Kings 19:4.
1.	How far did Elijah go into the desert?
2.	Where did he sit down to rest? -
3.	Why did he ask the Lord to let him die? ’
Angels Serve Elijah. 1 Kings 19:5-8.
4.	Who woke Elijah as he lay asleep under the tree?
5.	What.had the angel prepared for him?
6.	Why was he waked a second time? ^
7.	How long was it before he ate again?
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Mount Horeb. 1 Kings 19:9-12.
8.	Where did Elijah lodge at Mount Horeb?
9.	What did the Lord ask him? What did he answer?
10.	Where was he bidden to stand? ^Who passed by?
11.	Was the Lord in the wind, the earthquake, or the fire?
A Still Small Voice. 1 Kings 19:13-18.
12.	What did the voice of God again ask Elijah? How
did he answer?
13.	What three men was he bidden to anoint?
14.	How many in Israel were still faithful to God?
Elisha of Abel-meholah. 1 Kings 19:19-21.
15.	What was Elisha doing when Elijah came?
16.	Why did Elijah cast his mantle upon Elisha?
17.	What did Elisha do before he followed Elijah?
18.	Place Abel-meholah upon\your map.
Pronounce
1.	Elijah had expected that the miracle of fire on Mount Carmel would turn all Israel to God. When he received the message that Jezebel would kill him on the morrow, he was so tired he did not think clearly, but had a terrible feeling that the drought and the famine and the fire had all failed to bring Israel to repentance. He thought Israel was joined to Baal, and would not give up its idols, even when convinced that they were nothing.
2.	Elijah should not have run away. If he had stayed where he was, the Lord would have cared for him and would have sent His judgments on Jezebel. This would have caused a great reformation in Israel. He forgot, for a time, all the wonderful ways God had cared for him in the past. This shows how much power a sudden temptation may have over us when our bodies are sick or tired. Elijah went far away into the desert by himself. He was so discouraged he wished never to see the face of any man again. He wanted to die.
Ho' reb Da mas cus (da mas' kus) Sha phat (sha' fat)
A' bel-me ho' lah
Je' hu Haz' a el E H' sha Nim' shi Syr' i a
Notes
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3.	“Did God forsake Elijah in his hour of trial? Oh, no! He loved His servant no less when Elijah felt himself forsaken of God and man, than when, in answer to his prayer, fire flashed from heaven and illuminated the mountain top. And now, as Elijah slept, a soft touch and a pleasant voice awoke him. He started up in terror, as if to flee, fearing that the enemy had discovered him. But the pitying face bending over him was not the face of an enemy, but of a friend. God had sent an angel from heaven with food for His servant. . . .
4.	“Elijah's retreat on Mount Horeb, though hidden from man, was known to God; and the weary and discouraged prophet was not left to struggle alone with the powers of darkness that were pressing upon him. At the entrance to the cave wherein Elijah had taken refuge, God met with him, through a mighty angel sent to inquire into his needs and to make plain the divine purpose. . . .
5.	“God met His tried servant with the inquiry, ‘What doest thou here, Elijah?' I sent you to the brook Cherith, and afterward to the widow of Zarephath. I commissioned you to return to Israel, and to stand before the idolatrous priests on Carmel; and I girded you with strength to guide the chariot of the king to the gate of Jezreel. But who sent you on this hasty flight into the wilderness? What errand have you here?"—P. K.,
pp. 166-168.
6.	Poor Elijah thought he was the only one left in the earth who loved the Lord. This was because he had not seen a great reformation. So God gave him an object lesson to teach him that the Lord works in quiet ways to change people's hearts and keep them true to Him. Strong winds and earthquakes make terrible noises and cause great changes, but they destroy. Fire does also. None of these could represent the Xord and His ways of working.
7.	Elijah heard a voice — just a quiet voice, but he knew that he was in the presence of God, and he covered his face in reverence. The Lord told him to anoint three persons. Two of these, Hazael of Syria, and Jehu of Israel, were to punish the Baal worshipers — those who would not repent. Elisha was to be prophet in place of Elijah. The Lord told Elijah he was mistaken in thinking that he was the only one who loved Him, for He still had seven thousand who had never served Baal. Truly God had been working mightily in Israel to keep so many faithful to Him while they lived under the powerful influence of sun worship.
8.	Elisha was a rich farmer who lived at Abel-meholah, east of Samaria, near the Jordan River. He was plowing when Elijah came. When Elijah took off his mantle and threw it over his shoulders, Elisha knew that this me£nt he was to go with Elijah and learn to do the work of Elijah and be a prophet after Elijah. He used his oxen for sacrifice,* his plow for wood to burn it, because he would never need them again. Now he was to do a different work.
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58. ELIJAH AT THE VINEYARD OF NABOTH
Study 1 Kings 21:1-20
Naboth Refuses to Sell His Vineyard. 1 Kings 21:1-4.
1.	Who had a vineyard in Jezreel?
2.	Why did Ahab desire this vineyard?
3.	What did he offer Naboth for his vineyard?
4.	What law did Naboth obey when he refused to sell
his vineyard? Lev. 25:23.
5.	In what foolish way did Ahab show his disappoint-
ment?
Jezebel Causes Naboth to Be Killed. 1 Kings 21:5-14.
6.	What did Jezebel ask Ahab?
7.	What did she say she would do?
8.	What did she write to the elders and nobles of Jezreel?
9.	Did they do as Jezebel commanded?
10.	What word did the elders send to Jezebel?
Ahab Takes Possession of the Vineyard. 1 Kings 21:15,16.
11.	How did Jezebel announce her success to Ahab?
12.	What did Ahab do at once?
Elijah Meets Ahab at the Vineyard. 1 Kings 21:17-20.
13.	Who sent Elijah to the vineyard of Naboth?
14.	What message was he to deliver to Ahab? .
15.	What did Ahab call Elijah? What was Elijah’s reply?
16.	What judgment was spoken against Jezebel?
Kings 21:23.
Pronounce
Na' both Jez' re el Syr' i ans Be' li al Memory Verse
It is ah abomination to kings to commit wickedness: for the throne is established by righteousness. Prov. 16:12.
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Notes
1.	Naboth was a true Israelite. He loved God, and obeyed all the laws given by God to them through Moses. One of these laws said, “The lantf shall not be sold forever.” The land of Israel represented the new earth. Each one who is saved will be given land in the new earth. This home he will have forever. It will never pass to another, for the owner will never die and will never need to sell it. Any Israelite who parted with his land spoiled this figure, or type, of the new earth. Naboth refused to do this even though the king asked him. He was not afraid to do right.
2.	Ahab sulked and pouted because he could not have what he wanted. What an unmanly thing to do! We should be cheerful and patient when our good plans go wrong, how much more when our bad plans are broken up. Jezebel thought he did not behave like a king. She believed that a king had a right to do anything he wished. This is a very bad principle, but many people have believed it. It has made a great deal of trouble in the world.
3.	When wicked men and women plot the death of the righteous, they think no one sees or knows, and that they will never have to give an account of their evil deeds; but the Lord says: “The wicked plotteth against the just, and gnasheth upon him with his teeth. The Lord shall laugh at him: for He seeth that his day is coming.” Jezebel plotted the death of Naboth, but God knew that the day was soon coming when both she and Ahab would be slain.
4.	Elijah was not Ahab's enemy. He was his friend. No enemy would have guided his chariot through the storm to Jezreel. But Ahab knew that he had done a wicked thing in permitting Jezebel to have Naboth slain, and the very sight of the prophet was a reproof to him.
5.	Elijah prophesied that dogs should lick the blood of Ahab and eat the body of. Jezebel. This prophecy had a strange and wonderful fulfillment. Three years after this, Ahab persuaded Jehoshaphat, the king of Judah, to go to war with him against Syria. A prophet of God had told Ahab that he would be defeated and slain, but false prophets told him he would be victorious. Ahab believed the false prophets, but nevertheless he disguised himself. He did not wear his kingly robes, because he knew that the enemy always tries to kill the king.
6.	“And a certain man drew his bow at a venture, and smote the king of Israel between the joints of the armor: wherefore he said unto the driver of his chariot, Turn thy hand, and carry me out of the Jjosti for I am sore wouncted. And the battle increased that day: and the king wasy stayed up in his chariot against the Syrians, and died at even; and the blood ran out of the wound into the bottom of the chariot. . . .
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“So the king died, and was brought to Samaria; and they buried the king in Samaria. And they washed the chariot by the pool of Samaria; and the dogs licked up his blood; . . . according unto the word of Jehovah which He spake.” 1 Kings 22: 34, 35, 37, 38, A. R. V.
59.	A STORY LESSON
Select one of the last six lessons, and prepare to tell it as a story. Make your own outline, and carefully plan what you will say on each topic. Use a map when you tell your story, and point to each place that you tell about.
Tell your story interestingly, so that your teacher and classmates will be glad to listen.
60.	REVIEW LESSON
1.	Why was Israel divided into two kingdoms? When?
2.	Name the tribes that rebelled. What was their king-
dom called?
3.	Which kingdom had the more territory?
4.	Who was the first king of the kingdom of Judah?
Name the tribes that were faithful to him.
5.	Who was Adoram? How did he die?
6.	Who was the first king of the kingdom of Israel?
What was his capital city?
7.	How did Jeroboam cause the people to forsake the
worship of God?
8.	Where were the temples and altars of the golden calves?
9.	Why did the priests, the Levites, and many other good
people leave the kingdom of Israel? Where did they go?
10.	What was prophesied against the altar at Bethel?
Ill
11.	Why was Jeroboam’s hand withered? How restored?
12.	Repeat a memory verse that tells what kind of man a
ruler should be.
13.	Whose evil example did many kings follow?
14.	What did a young man lose who would not follow the
advice of wise old men?
15.	Where did Jeroboam learn calf worship?
61.	REVIEW LESSON
1.	Who was the seventh king of the kingdom of Israel?
What was his character?
2.	What was Ahab’s capital city? His summer residence?
3.	What did Ahab do that made him worse than any king
before him?
4.	Who established the worship of Baal in the kingdom of
Israel?
5.	How many priests taught the worship of Baal? How
many prophets led the worship of the groves?
6.	What great prophet lived in the days of Ahab? From
what land did he come? How did he dress?
7.	Why did Elijah pray that it might not rain?
8.	In what different ways did God provide food for Elijah
at three different times?
9.	Repeat a memory verse that tells how long the drought
for which Elijah prayed lasted.
10.	How was the widow of Zarephath rewarded for her
kindness to Elijah?
11.	Why was Elijah blamed for the drought and famine?
12.	Who saved the lives of a hundred prophets? How?
13.	Who searched all nations and kingdoms for Elijah?
14.	What question was decided by the great test on Mount
Carmel?
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15.	Why did Elijah become discouraged?
^,6. What did Elijah learn at Mount Horeb?
17.	What was the last great sin of Ahab’s life? What prophecy was fulfilled at .his death?
62. JEHOSHAPHAT, FOURTH KING OF JUDAH
Study 2 Chronicles 20:1-19 Heathen Nations Against Judah. 2 Chron. 20:1, 2.
1.	Wfaat nations came against Judah?
2.	What was Jehoshaphat told about this army?
Judah Gathers at Jerusalem. 2 Chron. 20: 3, 4.
3.	Who proclaimed a fast?
4.	Who came together to ask the Lord to help them? Jehoshaphat’s Prayer. 2 Chron. 20:5-13.
5.	Where did Jehoshaphat pray?
6.	How did he speak of the power of God?
7.	What promise did he plead as a reason why God
should help them?
8.	When Israel came from Egypt, how did they treat
Moab and Ammon?	;
9.	What were these nations planning to do to Israel?
10.	Did Jehoshaphat and the people of Judah know what
to do?
Jahaziel’s Message. 2 Chron. 20:14-17.
11.	Upon whom came the Spirit of the Lord? Where?
12.	How did Jahaziel encourage them?
13.	Wftere would they find the enemy on the morrow?
14.	Why would they not need to fight?
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Praise the Lord! 2 Chron. 20:18,19.
15.	What did the king and the people do when they heard
the prophet’s words?
16.	How did the,Levites express theh/thankfulness?
17.	Place Edom, Moab,vand Ammon upon your map.
Pronounce
Mo' ab Syr'ia Asaph (a' saf) Am' mon Be na iah (be na' ya)
Je ru' el Se' ir En ge' di Mat ta ni' ah Ziz
Je I' el Ko' hath ites
Kor' hites Haz' a zon-ta' mar Je hosh a phat He hosh' a fat)
Ja ha' zi el Zech a ri ah (zek a ri' a)
Notes
1.	We have been studying about the kingdom of Israel for some time. In this lesson and the next, we shall learn of a wonderful answer to prayer in the kingdom of Judah. Let us turn again to the Table of Kings and Prophets, and read the names of the first four kings of Judah. Rehoboam and Abijah did not_serve the Lord very earnestly, and finally they became idol worshipers. Asa was a better king, especially in the early part of his reign. He removed the idols from the land and destroyed their temples. His son was the best king of all. He is often called “good King Jehoshaphat.”
2.	Jehoshaphat made the kingdom of Judah strong, by causing the people to serve the Lord, by building forts and other defenses, by sending priests and Levites throughout his kingdom to teach the word of God to the people. The three kings before him had always warred with the kingdom of Israel; but Jehoshaphat thought he ought not to fight with his brethren, so he made peace with Ahab.1 He went up in his chariot to visit Ahab in Samaria. On one of these visits, he was persuaded to go to war with Ahab against Syria. After Ahab was killed, Jehoshaphat went home to Jerusalem. A prophet said to him: “Shouldest thou help the ungodly, and love them that hate the Lord? ... Nevertheless there are good things found in thee, in that thou hast taken away the groves out of the land, and hast prepared tjiine heart to seek God.”
3.	Toward the close of Jehoshaphat’s reign, one day there came a very startling message: “There cometh a great multitude against thee.” The king was a brave man. He had a large army and many fortified cities, but
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he did not trust in these to save his kingdom. He called all the people together at Jerusalem to fast and pray that God would help them. He himself prayed in the temple courts in the presence of all. He first thought of how great God is, how much power and might He has. Then he repeated the promise made to Solomon, that if they prayed to Him in time of trouble, He would help them. It pleases the Lord always when His people repeat His promises, for it shows that they believe He will keep them.
4.	When Israel came out of Egypt, their way to Canaan lay through the land of Seir, which is Edom, Moab, and Ammon; but when these people refused to let them pass, the Lord would not permit Israel to force their way through, but told them to go around their land. Now, said Jehosha-phat, “Behold how they reward us.” Then he humbly asked the Lord to help them, for they had no might against so great a multitude, and knew not what to do. Jehoshaphat went to the Lord as a little child goes to its father with all its troubles. The Lord loves such a spirit, and He answered the king’s prayer at once.
5.	As they all stood waiting before the Lord, the Spirit of God came upon a Levite by the name of Jahaziel. The Lord gave him a strange message. He said: “Be not afraid; ... the battle is not yours, but God’s. . . . Ye shall not need to fight.” How happy and how thankful they all were! After they had worshiped the Lord, the Levites sang a beautiful song of praise for the victory the Lord was going to give them, for they really believed the word of the Lord.
63.	THE VICTORY
Study 2 Chronicles 20:20-34 Faith in God. 2 Chron. 20:20, 21.
1.	What did Jehoshaphat say to his army as it marched
out of Jerusalem?
2.	What did he do after consulting with the people?
3.	What was sung by the appointed singers?
The Enemy Fight Among Themselves. 2 Chron. 20:22-25.
4.	When the singers began to sing, what did the Lord
do for them?
5.	How were their enemies destroyed?
6.	How much spoil was found on the battlefield?
7.	How long did it take them to gather it?
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The Valley of Blessing. 2 Chron. 20:26-28.
8.	For what purpose did they assemble in the Valley of
Berachah? What does “Berachah” mean? (See margin.)
9.	How did they return to Jerusalem?
Rest. 2 Chron. 20:29-34.
10.	Why did Judah have peace for a time?
11.	How long did Jehoshaphat reign?
12.	Whose example did he follow?
13.	Why was he not able to cause a complete reformation?
14.	Place Valley of Berachah upon your map.
Pronounce
Je' hu Ha na' ni A' sa
Ber a chah (her' a ka)
Te ko' a A zu' bah Je hosh a phat (je hosh' a fat)
shir hi
Memory Verse
Believe in the Lord your God, so shall ye be established; believe His prophets, so shall ye prosper. 2 Chron. 20:20.
Notes
1; When an army is about to go into a great battle, the commander speaks words of advice and encouragement to his soldiers. Some of these speeches have become very famous. But surely never were wiser words spoken than those of Jehoshaphat as his army marched out of the gates of Jerusalem southward to the wilderness of Tekoa. Victory depended upon their faith — but not in him, not in themselves or their weapons. Success for them depended upon their truly believing the Lord and His prophets.
2.	Jehoshaphat consulted with the people. Again we see his humble spirit. He did not exalt himself over the people as their king, but kindly talked with tKfem as a father with his children. King and people were of one mind and heart that day. Surely there never was another such sight — an army led to battle by a band of unarmed singers praising the Lord
9—B. L., Fifth Grade
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for a victory not yet gained. Those who serve the Lord are often led to do things that seem very strange to those who do not have faith in God or believe His prophets.
3.	As soon as they began to sing praises, the Lord confused their enemies so that they fought one another. When Judah came and looked upon the battlefield, they saw only the dead bodies of their enemies. After they had gathered their spoil, they did not forget to praise the Lord again. The place where they assembled was afterwards called Berachah, which means “blessing.” Then they, with the king at their head, marched home from this strange battle, laden with the riches of their enemies, playing upon musical instruments, and singing the praises of the Lord. The nations around were afraid to come against Judah again in the days of Jehoshaphat, for they knew that great army had been defeated by God, not by man.
4.	We, too, have enemies, hosts of them. They are the evil angels who continually plan to lead us into temptation, to overcome us, and to keep us in captivity — in bondage to sin. If we believe the word of the Lord, and the messages He has sent through His prophets, we shall praise the Lord for victory over temptation, and God will overcome these wicked tempters for us. Jesus overcame all the temptations of Satan. We claim this victory for ourselves. “This is the victory that overcometh the world, even our faith.” The battle is not ours, but the Lord’s.
64.	ELIJAH AND AHAZIAH
Study 2 Kings 1
Ahaziah, Son of Ahab. 1 Kings 22:51-53.
1.	Who reigned over Israel after Ahab?
2.	What was his character? Whose example did he
follow?
Baal-zebub, God of Ekron. 2 Kings 1:2.
3.	Why was Ahaziah sick?
4.	To what god did he send messengers?
Elijah and the Messengers. 2 Kings 1:3-14.
5.	Who sent Elijah to meet the messengers?
6.	What was Elijah told to say to them?
7.	What did the messengers tell the king?
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8.	How did they describe Elijah’s appearance?
9.	What was the fate of the first company? Of the
second?
10.	What did the third captain plead?
Elijah Speaks to Ahaziah. 2 Kings 1:15,16.
11.	" What did the angel of the Lord tell Elijah to do?
12.	What reason was given the king why he must die?
Jehoram, Brother of Ahaziah. 2 Kings 1:17, 18.
13.	Who reigned as king after Ahaziah?
14.	Who was king at the same time in Judah?
15.	Place Ekron upon your map.
Memory Verse
A ha zi' ah	Je ho' ram	Ba' al-ze' bub
Ek' ron	Is' ra	el	Tish' bite
E ll' jah	A' hab	Sa ma' ri a
Notes
1.	The last time we met Elijah in our lessons, he was at the vineyard of Naboth, to meet Ahab when he came to take possession of that place. There he pronounced judgment upon the house of Ahab. Part of this sentence was, “I will bring evil upon thee, and will take away thy posterity.” This lesson shows the fulfillment.
2.	Ahaziah, the son of Ahab and Jezebel, was, as we should expect, a wicked young man. He reigned only two years. The “lattice” he fell through means probably a low framework such as was built on the tops of flat houses to keep people from falling over. When the lattice grew old, it sometimes broke when leaned upon. Ahaziah met with such an accident. He was very badly hurt, and he wanted to know if he would recover.
3.	Ekron, as we have learned, was a city of the Philistines. The people of Ekron worshiped Baal-zebub, a god that was supposed to be able to tell whether a sick person would recover or not. Find both Ekron and Samaria on the map. Imagine the road taken by the messengers who started to go to Ekron. As they rode along, they were met by a very strange-looking man, who told them to go back to the king and tell him he must die. When Ahaziah was^told these words, he immediately asked, “What manner of man was he?” They answered, “He was an hairy man, and girt with a girdle of leather about his loins.” The king knew at once that it was Elijah; for doubtless he had seen him often when his father was living,
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or at least had heard about the prophet most hated by his father's family — Elijah the Tishbite.
4.	Ahaziah intended to kill Elijah. He sent fifty men to arrest him and bring him to Samaria. How strange Elijah must have looked sitting stern and silent on the top of a hill on the road to Ekron, his girdle of leather about his loins, his mantle, or cape, of sheepskin wrapped about him, and his white hair falling over his shoulders! Fire from heaven proved again that Elijah was a prophet of the true God. The heart of Ahaziah must have been hard to cause him to persist in sending band after band to take the prophet, after such wonderful proof that Elijah was protected by the God who answers by fire.
5.	The captain of the third company knew that he could not take Elijah. He humbled himself, and begged for his life and that of the soldiers. Then the Lord rewarded him by telling Elijah to go back with him. Elijah was a brave man, because he believed God. He did not fear to come down from the hill and go to the bedside of his greatest and most powerful enemy, to tell him he must die because he had trusted in Baal-zebub rather than in the God of Israel.
6.	Ahaziah had no son; so when he died, his brother Jehoram became king. These two brothers had a sister whose name was Athaliah. She was a wicked woman, like her mother Jezebel. She worshiped Baal and Ashtaroth, as her mother did. When Jehoshaphat, the king of Judah, died, his son, whose name was also Jehoram, became king of Judah. At the close of this lesson, we must think of two kings, both having the same name, reigning in these two kingdoms. They were brothers-in-law, for Jehoram of Judah married Athaliah, and she brought Baal-worship into Judah, which you may read about in 2 Chronicles 21: 5-7, 11-20.
65.	ELIJAH TRANSLATED
Study 2 Kings 2:1-18
Elijah’s Last Visit to the Schools. 2 Kings 2:1-6.
1.	When Elish'a knew that Elijah was to be translated,
where did he go with him?
2.	Why did Elisha refuse to tarry at Gilgal, Bethel, or
Jericho?
3.	What did the sons of the prophets ask him at each
place?
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P. J. de Loutherbourg
'‘And it came to pass, as they went on, and talked, that, behold, there appeared a chariot of fire, and horses of fire, and parted them both asunder, and Elijah went up by a whirlwind into heaven.'’
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Crossing the Jordan. 2 Kings 2:7, 8.
4.	Who watched the two prophets as they went toward
Jordan?
5.	How did the prophets cross the river?
The Translation. 2 Kings 2:9-13.
6.	What did Elisha wish to have above all things else?
7.	How only could his wish be fulfilled?
8.	How was Elijah taken to heaven?
9.	What did Elisha exclaim? What did he do?
10.	What fell from Elijah’s shoulders?
Recrossing the Jordan. 2 Kings 2:13-18.
11.	What did Elisha say as he stood by the bank of the
river?
12.	What did the sons of the prophets know when they
saw the river open before Elisha?
13.	Why was Elisha so unwilling that they should search
for Elijah?
14.	Place Gilgal,''Bethel, and Jericho upon your map. Memory Verse
The chariots of God are twenty thousand, even thousands of angels. Ps. 68:17.
Notes
1.	The schools of the prophets established by Samuel did a good work for a long time; but when Israel wandered away from God and worshiped Baal, these schools were closed. Many of the teachers who were prophets were killed, or had hidden away to save their lives.
Elijah opened these schools again, and gathered young men into them, and he and other prophets taught them. This was a very quiet, slow work, but it did more to help Israel than anything else that Elijah did for them. In this lesson, we have the story of his last visit to three of these schools.
2.	Evidently it had been revealed to Elisha that Elijah was to be translated; so he refused to be parted from him, for he felt that it would be a great aid to his faith if he could see Elijah taken from the earth alive and carried to heaven. He felt very humble when he knew he must take up Elijah’s work, and felt that he needed a double portion of the Spirit to do
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this great work. And because he was so earnest, he received what he desired.
3.	“By one failure of his faith Elijah cut short his life work. ... The work he had begun, he was not to complete. God bade him anoint another to be prophet in his stead.
“But God had marked the heart service of His servant. Elijah was not to perish in discouragement and solitude in the wilderness. Not for him the descent to the tomb, but the ascent with God's angels to the presence of His glory.”—Ed,., p. 151.
4.	Only one other person has been taken from this earth without dying. In the early history of the world, Enoch was translated to encourage the righteous, that they might know that all who love God will finally be taken to heaven. Now Elijah was taken that all may know that though a person may make a great mistake that mars his life work, yet if he truly repents, he will be forgiven and saved in the kingdom of heaven.
66.	THE STORY OF ELIJAH
. If you will first trace the journeys of Elijah on the map, and think what happened at each place, before you begin to write, you will be able to write a much better story. You should begin with his early home in the land of Gilead, on the eastern side of Jordan. His home is not described for us, but we know how he dressed.
The story of his life begins the morning he left Gilead and started for Samaria to tell King Ahab of the drought that was coming. If you will read “Prophets and Kings,” pages 119-170, 204-228, you will understand the life of Elijah much better.
Outline for Story
1.	His home; his dress.
2.	His first appearance to Ahab, in Samaria.
3.	By the brook Cherith.
4.	At the widow's home in Zarephath.
J>. His second appearance to Ahab, in the road.
6.	The test on Mount Carmel.
7.	Guides Ahab to Jezreel.
8.	Flees to Beersheba; to the desert; to Mount Horeb.
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9.	At Horeb; what he learned.
10.	Sent back to Israel; anoints Elisha.
11.	Opens again the schools of the prophets.
12.	Third appearance to Ahab, by Naboth's vineyard.
13.	On the road to Ekron.
14.	Last visit to schools; translation.
67.	ELISHA
Study 2 Kings 2:19-25
Elisha Heals the Waters at Jericho. 2 Kings 2:18-22.
1.	What was Elisha told about the water at Jericho?
2.	For what did Elisha ask?
3.	What did he cast into the spring of waters?
4.	What was the result?
Elisha and the Children of Bethel. 2 Kings 2:23, 24.
5.	How did the children of Bethel treat Elisha?
6.	In whose name did Elisha curse them?
7.	How were these children destroyed?
Elisha’s Journeys. 2 Kings 2:25.
8.	To what places did Elisha go?
9.	Find on the map the four places mentioned in this
lesson, and place them upSh your map.
1 Memory Verse
Thou shalt rise up before the hoary head, and honor the face of the old man, and fear thy God. Lev. 19:32.
Notes
1.	“Not far from Jericho, in the midst of fruitful groves, was one of the schools of the prophets; and thither, after the ascension of Elijah, Elisha went.... The spring that in former years had been pure and life-giving, and had contributed largely to the water supply of the city and the surrounding district, was now unfit for use.”— P. K., p. 230.
2.	The salt used by Elisha in healing the waters is a symbol of the righteous. God means that His people shall be a blessing to sinners, and
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save them from sin and death, by teaching them also to loVO &od and to serve Him. “Ye are the salt of the earth.”
3.	The work of Elisha as a prophet was in some ways different from that of Elijah. Elisha is, the “miracle-working” prophet. His was a peaceful work. He carried on the schools of the prophets begun by Elijah, and taught the people to serve the Lord. Yet he could be very stern, as we learn in this lesson.
4.	“Children” as used in the Bible often refers to young men and women. These children of Bethel were old enough to know they should respect a prophet of God. A prophet is a mouthpiece for God. He receives messages from God and gives them to the people, and because of this, should be held in special reverence.
5.	If the young people of Bethel had not been punished, other young people would have followed their example, and Elisha's work for Israel would have been greatly hindered. It was better that a few should perish than that all should be lost.
6.	“Reverence, in which the youth who mocked Elisha were so lacking, is a grace that should be carefully cherished. Every child should be taught to show true reverence for God. Never should His name be spoken lightly or thoughtlessly. Angels, as they speak it, veil their faces. With what reverence should we, who are fallen and sinful, take it upon our lips!
7.	“Reverence should be shown for God's representatives,— for ministers, teachers, and parents, who are called to speak and act in His stead. In the respect shown them, God is honored.”— P. K., pp. 236,237.
68.	THE WIDOW AND HER DEBT
Study 2 Kings 4:1-7
A Widow in Trouble. 2 Kings 4:1.
1.	Who were the sons of the prophets?
2.	What trouble came upon the widow of one of them?
3.	Why were her sons to be sold?
Elisha Advises the Widow. 2 Kings 4:2-4.
4.	What question did Elisha ask the widow?
5.	What thing only did she have in her house?
6.	What was she to borrow?
7.	What was she to do with the vessels she had bor-
rowed?
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The Miracle. 2 Kings 4:5, 6.
8.	How many of the vessels were filled?
9.	When did the oil cease to flow?
10.	Do you think more vessels could have been filled?
The Widow Pays Her Debt. 2 Kings 4:7.
11.	What did Elisha tell the widow to do with the oil?
12.	Did she have more than enough to pay the debt?
Memory Verse
Vessels for Oil
According to your faith be it unto you. Matt.
9:29.
Notes
1.	The sons of the prophets were those who had been educated in the schools taught by prophets. One of these had died, and his widow was m great distress because she owed a debt. In ancient times, if a man could not pay his debts, he might be put in prison, or sold for a slave, or his children might become bond servants, or slaves.
2.	The widow told Elisha that her husband had been a good man, one who feared the Lord. She pleaded this as a reason why Elisha should help her. The widow had a little oil. When the Lord helps us, He does it through whatever gift or possession we may have.
3.	Oil represents the Holy Spirit. God has given to every man a measure of faith and of the Spirit. The supply of the oil of grace is unlimited, but we receive it according to our faith and as we make room for it. If our faith be little, we receive a small measure; if it be greater, we receive a greater supply, just as our memory verse tells us.
4.	The oil did not cease to flow so long as there was an empty vessel to fill. It ceased only because there was nothing more to receive it. So it is with our hearts, or minds. If we empty them of wrong things,— selfishness, hatred, unbelief, sin of all kinds,— God will fill them with His Holy Spirit.
“A little chamber . . . pn the wall.” “The chamber over the gate.”
69.	THE WOMAN OF SHUNEM
Study 2 Kings 4:8-37 Kindness Shown to Elisha. 2 Kings 4:8-10.
1.	Who entertained Elisha at Shunem?
2.	What was built for Elisha?
3.	What furniture was placed in the room?
The Woman Given a Son. 2 Kings 4:11-17.
4.	What did Elisha wish to do for the woman?
5.	What did Elisha promise her?
The Woman’s Son Dies. 2 Kings 4:18-21.
6.	What caused the death of the woman’s son?
' 7. In what room did she lay him?
The Woman Goes for Elisha. 2 Kings 4:22-31.
8. Why did the woman’s husband object to her going for Elisha?
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"She went in, and fell at his feet, and bowed herself to the ground, and took up her son, and went out.”
9.	VTiere did she find Elisha?
10.	VTiat did Elisha tell Gehazi to«do?
11.	(mid Gehazi raise the dead to life?
The Cl ;ld Restored to Life. 2 Kings 4:32-37.
12.	How was the dead child restored to life? l*k 1 low did the woman express her gratitude?
•44. l lace Shunem upon your map.
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Pronounce
Shu' nem Car mel (kar' mel)
Gil bo'a Ge ha' zi Jez' re el
Shu' nam mite
Notes
1.	Houses in Palestine and other eastern lands are usually built with a court in the middle. The different rooms open into this court, but often they have no doors between. Especially is this true of guest rooms. The roofs are flat, and sometimes, as in our lesson, a special guest chamber is built on the roof, over the gate, or entrance. Often there are outside stairways, so that one may go to this room without going into the house at all.
2.	We remember that Shunem is the place where the Philistines camped before the battle with Saul on Mount Gilboa, and therefore in the Valley of Jezreel. The woman who was so kind to Elisha was a contented woman. She would rather live among her own people than have a place at the court of the king. “Godliness with contentment is great gain.” 1 Tim. 6: 6.
3.	Gehazi could not restore the dead to life. The reason you will learn in a future lesson. The heart that is selfish and full of deceit cannot have faith in God. The woman did not have confidence in Gehazi. Perhaps she did not know why. But she did believe in Elisha.
4.	What a great reward this woman had for her kindness to Elisha! What did Solomon mean when he said, “Cast thy bread upon the waters: for thou shalt find it after many days”? Eccl. 11:1.
70.	MIRACLES IN THE SCHOOLS OF THE PROPHETS
Famine. 2 Kings 4:38.
1.	To what place did Elisha again come?
2.	What calamity jiad come upon the land?
Wild Gourds. 2 Kings 8:38-40.
3.	What did Elisha ask his servant to prepare?
4.	What did one gather in the field?
5.	When did they learn that the gourds were poi mous?
Study 2 Kings 4:38-44
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Meal. 2 Kings'S; 41.
6.	What did Elisha tell them to put in the pot?
7.	What was the result?
A Present. 2 Kings p -J42, 43.
8.	Who brought a"present to the school?
9.	What was this present?
10.	To whom did Elisha command it to be given?
11.	How did his servant express his surprise?
Food for a Hundred Men. 2 Kings $: 43, 44.
12.	What had the Lord said about this present?
13.	How was the word of the Lord fulfilled?
Pronounce
Gil' gal	Ba' al-shal' i sha
Memory Verse
The young lions do lack, and suffer hunger: but they that seek the Lord shall not want any good thing. Ps. 34:10.
Notes
1.	How many events in former lessons can you remember that occurred at Gilgal ? One of the schools of the prophets was at this place. This lesson shows how the students in this school were taught that God cared for them and protected them.
2.	Elisha labored as faithfully as had Elijah to build up the schools of
the prophets. He not only taught the students lessons of faith, but God wrought great miracles through him for their benefit.	^
“Faith is needed in the smaller no less than in the greater affairs of life.”
3.	Can you tell how this promise of the Lord was fulfilled in this lesson? “Because thou hast'made the Lord, which is my refuge, even the Most High, thy habitation; there shall no evil befall thee.” Ps. 91: 9, 10.
4.	Elisha's servant doubted because there was so little to feed so many. “It is the grace of God op the small portion that makes it all-sufficient. God's hand can multiply it a hundredfold. From His resources He can
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spread a table in the wilderness. By the touch of His hand He can increase the scanty provision, and make it sufficient for all. It was His power that increased the loaves and corn in the hands of the sons of the prophets.”—P. K.t pp. 2M, W-
71.	NAAMAN, THE LEPER
Study 2 Kings 5:1-19 Naaman. 2 Kings 5:1.
1.	Where is Syria? Who was Naaman?
2.	Why was he so highly regarded by his king?
3.	With what disease was he afflicted?
The Captive Maid. 2 Kings 5:2-4.
4.	What captive was in Naaman’s home?
5.	Who did she say could cure Naaman?
A Letter from the King of Syria. 2 Kings 5:5-7.
6.	To whom did the king of Syria write a letter?
7.	What did he say in the letter? What present did he
send?
8.	What did the king of Israel say when he read the
letter?
Elisha and Naaman. 2 Kings 5:8-12.
9.	What word did Elisha send to the king of Israel?
10.	What did Elisha tell Naaman to do?
11.	What had Naaman expected Elisha to do?
12.	What rivers did he think were better than all the
waters of Israel?
Naaman Healed. 2 Kings 5:13-19.
13.	Who persuaded Naaman to do as Elisha told him?
14.	When he was healed, what did he say he knew?
15.	What did he urgjfe Elisha to take? For what did he
ask?
16.	Place Damascus upon your map.
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Pronounce
Na' a man Syr' i a Da mas cus (da mas' kus)
Ab' a na Phar par (far' par) Rim' mon
Memory Verse
Thy faith hath made thee whole. Mark 5:34.
Notes
1.	Leprosy is one of the worst of diseases, and no one in ancient times expected to be cured of it by any natural means. The king of Syria was so anxious to have Naaman healed that he humbled himself and wrote a letter to the king of Israel. The king of Israel misjudged him. He thought the Syrian king was not sincere, but was seeking a cause for a quarrel.
2.	Syria was the country north of Israel. The Syrians were the enemies of Israel. They often invaded Israel, and when they captured some of the people, they took them to Syria to be their servants, or slaves. The little maid in this lesson was one of these captive slaves; but she forgave her enemies and loved her master and mistress, though it was they who kept her there so far from home and friends.
3.	Damascus is the capital of Syria. It is supposed to be the oldest city in the world. It is situated on a large plain through which flow the two rivers, Abana and Pharpar. These were beautiful streams of clear, sparkling water. Trees and shrubs grew on their banks. The plain was covered with gardens kept fresh and green by the waters of these rivers.
4.	The Syrians were heathen. They worshiped false gods. One of their gods was Rimmon. A temple, or house, for Rimmon had been built in Damascus. Here the king went to worship. Naaman, one of the chief officers, attended the king when he went to the house of Rimmon. There were also idols in the groves by the rivers, and many people flocked to these rivers to worship their idol gods.
5.	Naaman was a proud man. He thought it was too humiliating to go to the humble river Jordan and wash. But it was only by doing just what the Lord through Elisha told him, that he could be healed. It would have been no^cross to wash in the rivers of Damascus. He humbled his heart, and washed in Jordan, and was clean. Pride almost cheated him out of this great blessing.
10—B. L., Fifth Grade
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fAnd the Syrians had gone out by companies, and had brought away captive out of the land of Israel a little maid; and she waited on Naaman’s wife."
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72.	GEHAZI, A LEPER
Study 2 Kings 5:20-27 Gehazi. 2 Kings 5:20, 21.
1.	In what did Gehazi think his master had made a
mistake?
2.	What did he decide to do for himself?
3.	How did Naaman greet Gehazi?
Gehazi Tells a Lie. 2 Kings 5:22-24.
4.	What did Gehazi tell Naaman that was not true?
5.	How much did Naaman urge him to take?
6.	Who carried the silver and the garments for Gehazi?
7.	Where did he hide these things?
Gehazi Tells Another Lie. 2 Kings 5:25, 26.
8.	What did Gehazi tell Elisha, to cover up his wrong-
doing?
9.	How did Elisha show him that he knew what he had
been doing?
Gehazi Becomes a Leper. 2 Kings 5:26, 27.
10.	Was it right for them to receive gifts as a reward for
healing Naaman?
11.	How was Gehazi punished for his sin?
Memory Verse
The love of money is the root of all evil. 1 Tim. 6:10.
Notes
1.	Now we see why Gehazi could not raise the dead boy to life. Sin may be cherished in the heart for a long time and no one else know of it. We may hide our selfishness and deceit for a time, but sooner or later they will come to light. Our character may seem beautiful and strong, but if we love sin of any sort, it will weaken the foundation, and our house of character that others think so perfect will fall in ruins.
2.	Gehazrhad had great opportunities, during the years he had been with Elisha, to develop a spirit of truth and self-denial. Elisha had set him an example of unselfishness and devotion to the work of God. But
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Gehazi loved money, and that was what led him to lie and deceive. When he had told one lie, he had to tell another to cover up the first one. One sin leads to another.
3.	“The course of Gehazi was such as to place a stumblingblock in the pathway of Naaman, upon whose mind had broken a wonderful light, and who was favorably disposed toward the service of the living God. . . . Truth is of God; deception in all its myriad forms is of Satan; and whoever in any way departs from the straight line of truth, is betraying himself into the power of the wicked one. . . . Centuries after Naaman returned to his Syrian home, healed in body and converted in spirit, his wonderful faith was referred to and commended by the Saviour as an object lesson for all who claim to serve God. .. .
4.	“To-day in every land there are those who are honest in heart, and upon these the light of heaven is shining. If they continue faithful in following that which they understand to be duty, they will be given increased light, until, like Naaman of old, they will . . . acknowledge that there is no God in all the earth, save the living God, the Creator.”— P. K., pp. 252, 253.
73.	ANOTHER MIRACLE IN THE SCHOOLS OF THE PROPHETS
Study 2 Kings 6:1-7 A New Schoolhouse. 2 Kings 6:1, 2.
1.	Why must a new schoolhouse be built?
2.	To whom did the sons of the prophets tell their plan?
3.	Where were they going to build?
Elisha. 2 Kings 6:2, 3.
4.	Did Elisha consent to the plan?
5.	What did they wish him to do?
Ax Head Lost. 2 Kings 6:4, 5.
6.	What accident happened as they were cutting down
trees?
7.	Why did the one who let the ax head fall feel so dis-
tressed about it?
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“The man of God said, Where fell it ? . . . And he cut down a stick, and cast it in hither; and the iron did swim.”
Ax Head Swims. 2 Kings 6:6, 7.
8.	What did Elisha ask? What did he do?
9.	What did the ax head do when the stick was put into
the water?
10.	Why does iron sink in water?
11.	Did the stick cause the iron to rise to the top of the
water?
12.	What did Elisha tell the one who lost it to do?
Notes
1.	The young men in the schools of the prophets were taught to help themselves, not to depend upon others. When they needed a new building, they did not ask their fathers or some rich man to build it for them. They went to the woods, cut down trees, hewed them into boards, and built their own schoolhouse. Their teachers worked with them and taught them how to do their work. Even Elisha, the superintendent of all the schools, went with them and helped them.
2.	“The pupils of these schools sustained themselves by their own labor in tilling the soil or in some mechanical employment. In Israel this was not thought sttemge or degrading; indeed, it was regarded a crime to allow children to grow up in ignorance of useful labor. By the command of God, every child was taught some trade, even though he was to be educated for
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holy office. Many of the religious teachers supported themselves by manual labor.”— P. P., p. 593.
3.	The young man who lost the ax head was most distressed because it was borrowed. This shows that he was a very honest person. We should be especially careful of whatever we borrow from others, not to lose it, soil* it, or injure it in any way. We should return it promptly to the owners. Which of the commandments do we break when we do not take good care of borrowed things?
4.	Iron is much heavier than water, so water cannot hold it up, and it sinks at once to the bottom. A stick thrown into the water cannot make iron lighter than water and cause it to swim, and this they all knew. It was the power of God that raised the ax head. When the power of God is used jajuL unusual way, different from the laws that we understand, we calTthe result aTjfiiracle.
74.	ELISHA DELIVERED AT DOTHAN
Study 2 Kings 6: 8-23 The King of Syria. 2 Kings 6:8-12.
1.	Who again warred against Israel?
2.	Who told the king of Israel all the plans of the king
of Syria?
3.	What did the king of Syria ask his officers?
4.	How did one of them explain the matter?
Elisha at Dothan. 2 Kings 6:13-15.
5.	How did the king of Syria learn that Elisha was at
Dothan?
6.	How did he attempt to capture Elisha?
7.	What did Elisha’s servant see early in the morning?
Angel Guards. 2 Kings 6:16,17.
8.	What wonderful thing did Elisha tell his servant?
9.	When the young man’s eyes were opened, what did he
see also?
Syriahs Led to Samaria. 2 Kings 6:18-20.
10.	For what did Elisha pray? What did he tell the
Syrians?
11.	When their eyes were opened, where were they?
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Kindness to Enemies. 2 Kings 6:21-23.
12.	How did Elisha say the Syrians should be treated?
13.	Did these Syrians ever come into the land of Israel
again?
Place Dothan upon your map.
Memory Verse
The angel of the Lord encampeth round about them that fear Him, and delivereth them. Ps. 34:7.
Notes
1.	It may seem strange that the Lord should permit the Syrians to afflict Israel. It was because He loved Israel and knew that this was the only way they could be led to see that they were doing wrong. Elisha and other prophets were all the time faithfully teaching the people, but some opposed them and would not listen to them.
2.	Elisha helped the king of Israel by letting him know all the plans of the king of Syria, which the Lord revealed to him. The Lord took care of His faithful servant Elisha and fulfilled to him the promise in the memory verse. This promise is not only for prophets and others who hold sacred office, but for even the youngest and humblest child.
3.	Can you show how each of these verses was fulfilled in this lesson? ‘The secret of the Lord is with them that fear Him; and He will show
them His covenant.” Ps. 25:14.
“If thine enemy hunger, feed him; if he thirst, give him drink: for in so doing thou shalt heap coals of fire on his head.” Rom. 12: 20.
75.	ELISHA BLAMED FOR THE FAMINE
Study 2 Kings 6:24-33; 7:1, 2 The Siege of Samaria. 2 Kings 6:24, 25.
1.	What king of Syria besieged Samaria?
2.	How great was the famine in Samaria?
A Woman o£.^amaria. 2 Kings 6:26-29.
3.	Who called to the king as he was passing by?
4.	Who only could help this woman?
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5.	What had she and another woman eaten?
6.	Of what did she complain?
The King’s Grief. 2 Kings 6:30, 31.
7.	How did the king show his grief?
8.	Whom did he blame for the famine?
The King’s Threat. 2 Kings 6:31-33.
9.	What did the king vow he would do?
10.	Where was Elisha? Who was with him?
11.	What did he say to the elders before the messenger
came?
12.	Who said, “This evil is of the Lord”?
Elisha’s Prophecy. 2 Kings 7:1, 2.
13.	What did Elisha prophesy?
14.	Who doubted? What did Elisha tell him?
Notes
1.	What is a siege? The famine in the city of Samaria was the greatest trouble that had yet come to Israel. There was no food left, and they ate anything they could find, even animals that were called “unclean,” like the ass, or donkey. Even the head of an ass sold for what would be about forty-four dollars in our money.
2.	When all food was gone, they even ate their own children. This had been predicted by Moses long before. He told Israel that if they did not serve the Lord, the heathen would be permitted to besiege their cities until they would do this awful thing. Yet they blamed Elisha instead of themselves for all this trouble. The king wore sackcloth because he was so sorrowful about this trouble, but he did not repent of the sins that caused the trouble.
3.	Elisha said, “This evil is of the Lord,” but that he would not have to wait longer, for now the Lord would cause the siege to come to an end in so wonderful a way that no one could doubt that the Lord did it. The officer who attended the king doubted, and so he was never to receive any benefit for himself. The king was Jehoram the son of Ahab, whom Elisha calls a murderer because of the death of Naboth.
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“When these lepers came to the uttermost part of the camp, they went into one tent, and did eat and drink, and carried thence silver, and gold, and raiment.”
76.	ELISHA’S PROPHECY FULFILLED
Study 2 Kings 7:3-20
The Four Lepers. 2 Kings 7:3, 4.
1.	Who sat at the gate of the city?
2.	What did the lepers decide to do?
The Camp of the Syrians. 2 Kings 7:5-8.
3.	What did the lepers discover when they came to the
camp of the Syrians?
4.	What had caused the Syrians to leave so suddenly?
5.	To what did the lepers help themselves?
The Lepers’ Report. 2 Kings 7:9-12.
6.	Did they do right to keep the good news to themselves?
7.	To whom did they report what they had found?
8.	What did the king say when he heard their report?
The Report Was True. 2 Kings 7:13-15.
9.	What plan did one of the king’s officers propose?
10.	What did the messengers find all the way to Jordan?
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Prophecy Fulfilled. 2 Kings 7:16-20.
11.	For what price were flour and barley sold?
12.	Who was appointed to have charge of the gate?
13.	What prophecy was fulfilled in his death?
Memory Verse
Commit thy way unto the Lord; trust also in Him; and He shall bring it to pass. Ps. 37:5.
Notes
1.	Lepers were not usually allowed to live in cities or with other people. They were often found outside the walls, near the gates, where they begged from those who passed by. The lepers by the gate of Samaria were starving. They decided to surrender to the Syrians, with the hope that the Syrians would spare their lives and give them something to eat.
2.	Many times in the story of Israel, we read that God made their enemies hear a great noise as if an army were coming. When the lepers reported to the king, he feared that the Syrians were playing a trick on him, that they were only pretending to run away, but were hiding out of sight and would attack them if they opened the gates and went out of the city. But when he investigated, he found that the lepers had told the truth.
3.	A measure of flour is about two gallons and a half, and a shekel is about fifty-five cents. Compared with prices during the siege, this was very cheap. But the man who doubted did not buy any at this price, for the people were so hungry they rushed through the gate, really ran over him in their haste to get something to eat, and so he died in sight of plenty.
77.	HOW HAZAEL BECAME KING
Study 2 Kings 8:7-15 Elisha in Damascus. 2 Kings 8:7, 8.
1.	To what city did Elisha go? Who was sick there?
2.	When Benhadad heard that Elisha was in the city,
whom did he send to him?
Hazael Before Elisha. 2 Kings 8:9-13.
3.	What present did Hazael take to Elisha?
4.	How did he tell his errand?
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5.	What strange answer did Elisha return to Hazael’s
question?
6.	Why did Elisha weep?
7.	What indignant remark did Hazael make?
8.	What had the Lord shown Elisha concerning Hazael’s
future?
Hazael Murders Benhadad. 2 Kings 8:14, 15.
9.	What anxious question did Benhadad ask?
10.	What did Hazael tell him?
11.	What wicked thing did Hazael do the next day?
Pronounce
Memory Verse
Thou knowest my downsitting and mine uprising, Thou under-standest my thought afar off. Ps. 139:2.
1.	In this lesson, we come again to Damascus, the capital of Syria. We remember that the Lord told Elijah to anoint three persons. One of these, Elisha, he anointed and called to go with him. Hazael was anointed by Elisha, and Jehu by a prophet appointed by Elisha. Before Elijah was translated, the time had not come for these men to do their work.
2.	It may seem strange to us that a prophet of God should be sent to anoint a heathen king, one who would murder his master and treat God's people with the most extreme cruelty. Elisha wept with shame and grief as he thought of the wicked deeds Hazael would do. God used Hazael to punish His people for their sins. God often uses those who “do not know” Him, to carry out His purposes.
3.	Elisha in a vision had seen a man who would oppress Israel and terribly afflict his people. He did not know who this man would be, until he saw Hazael. He at once recognized him as the man he had seen in his vision.
4.	Hazael could not wait for God to set him on the throne of Syria. He thought that he would never do deeds so wicked as Elisha told him he would do. Yet lie did them. We know not what we may do if we depart from God, and His Spirit leaves us. But God knows the heart of every one. What does our memory verse mean?
Ben ha/ dad Haz' a el
Syr' i a
Da mas cus (da mas' kus)
Notes
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78.	THE MIRACLES OF ELISHA
Because Elisha worked so many miracles, he is called the “miracle-working prophet.” Write a list of all the miracles performed by Elisha that you have studied.
Write the story of one of these miracles. In your story; tell what you learned by the miracle. You may give your story any appropriate title that you wish.
79- REVIEW LESSON
1.	Who was the first king of Judah who was friendly
with Israel? Was this a good thing?
2.	Whose army went to battle with singers in front sing-
ing, “Praise the Lord; for His mercy endureth forever”?
3.	Who sent to Baal-zebub to ask if he should recover?
4.	Who was “an hairy man, and girt with a girdle of
leather about his loins”?
5.	Why was Elijah translated? Who witnessed his
translation?
6.	Where were the waters healed by a prophet?
7.	What was the sin of the children of Bethel?
8.	What was a poor widow told to do to obtain money to
pay her debts?
9.	Who built a room and furnished it for a prophet?
10.	How was poisonous food once made harmless?
11.	Who came from another nation to a prophet of Israel
to be healed?
12.	Where did a teacher and his pupils build their own
schoolhouse?
13.	Who is called the “miracle-working prophet”? What
is a miracle?
14.	How did a little captive girl save her master’s life?
15.	What man became a leper because of his covetousness?
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16.	Tell a Bible story that shows Psalm 34:7 to be true.
17.	Tell a Bible story that illustrates Romans 12:20.
18.	Why did Elisha weep when he saw Hazael?
19.	What prophecy was fulfilled in the siege of Samaria?
80. JOASH, THE FIRST BOY KING
Study 2 Kings 11 Athaliah. 2 Kings 11:1.
1.	Who was Attialiah? 2 Kings 8:18, 26.
2.	Whom did she destroy? Who were the “seed royal”?
Joash. 2 Kings 11:2, 3.
3.	How was Joash saved? By whom?
4.	How long was he hidden in the temple?
Jehoiada. 2 Kings 11:4-11.
5.	Who was Jehoiada? 2 Chron. 22:11.
6.	With whom did he make a covenant?
7.	What secret did he tell them? Where did he place
them?
Joash Crowned. 2 Kings 11:12.
8.	Describe the coronation of Joash.
9.	What did the people say when he was crowned?
Death of Athaliah. 2 Kings 11:13-16, 19, 20.
10.	Why did Athaliah come to the temple?
11.	What did she cry when she saw the king?
12.	Why was she taken out of the temple?
13.	Who escorted Joash to the king’s palace?
Baal Worship Destroyed. 2 Kings 11:17, 18, 21.
14.	WTiat was done with the house of Baal? What waS
done with the priest of Baal?
15.	How old was Joash when he became king?
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And Jehoiada, the priest, "brought forth the king’s son [Joash] and put the crown upon him; . . . and they made him king, and anointed him; and they clapped their hands, and said,
God save the king.”
Pronounce
Ath a lr ah	Je hoi' a da
Jo' ash	Je hosh' e ba
Notes
1.	Jehoshaphat was the first of the kings of Judah who was friendly with the kings of Israel, as we have learned in Lesson 62. He yas friendly not only with Ahab but also with Ahab's wicked s<* Ahaziah; Rut worst of all, he permitted his son Jehoram to marry AtAliah, the daughter <p Ahab and Jezebel, and she brought Baal worship into Judah,
2.	After Jehoram married Athaliah, he became very wiclceJ. He killed his six brothers, and built a temple for Baal. Jehoram’s son, Ahaziah, “also walked in the ways of the house of Ahab: for his mother was his counselor to do wickedly. Wherefore he did evil in the sight of the L^rd like the house of Ahab: for they were his counselors after the death of his father to his destruction.”
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3.	Jehu was appointed by God to destroy the family of Ahab because of their wickedness. Ahaziah of Judah was also slain, because his mother, Athaliah, was the daughter of Ahab. After his death, Athaliah slew all the “seed royal,” which means all her own children and grandchildren, because she wanted to be queen.
4.	No, we should not say all, for there was one she could not find — little baby Joash, only a year old — the youngest of Ahaziah’s sons. His great-aunt Jehosheba, wife of the good high priest Jehoiada, hid him in the temple for six years. And then he was brought out of his hiding place and crowned king of Judah, as told in this lesson.
81.	JOASH REPAIRS THE TEMPLE
Study 2 Chronicles 24:1-25
The Influence of Jehoiada. 2 Chron. 24:1, 2.
1.	How long did Joash reign? What was his character?
2.	What was the influence of Jehoiada over Joash?
Money for the Temple. 2 Chron. 24:4-14.
3.	How did Joash attempt to collect money to repair the
temple?
4.	Why did the temple need repairs?
5.	Where was a chest placed? For what purpose?
6.	Who emptied the chest? To whom was the money
given?
7.	What did they do with the money left after all re-
pairs had been made?
Death of Jehoiada. 2 Chron. 24:15, 16.
8.	How old wdS Jehoiada when he died?
9.	Why was he buried among the kings?
Death of Zechariah. 2 Chron. 24:17-22.
10i Whatflid the princes do after the death of Jehoiada?
11.	Why did they put Zechariah to death?
12.	What did Joash forget?
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Death of Joash. 2 Chron. 24:23-25.
13.	What army was permitted to come against Jerusalem?
14.	How did Joash die? Where was he buried?
Memory Verse
When the righteous turneth from his righteousness, and com-mitteth iniquity, he shall even die thereby. Eze. 33: 18.
Notes
1.	This lesson teaches the great power of personal influence. Each one has an influence either for good or for evil. Jehoiada had a good influence over Joash, and so Joash did well while Jehoiada lived. When the good high priest died, however, the princes who did not love God influenced Joash to leave the worship of God and serve false gods.
2.	Ingratitude is one of the worst of sins. Joash forgot all the kindness of Jehoiada, how he and Jehosheba saved his life when he was a baby, and cared for him six years at the risk of their own lives, and had made him king, and helped him to repair the temple, and had been his friends always. Now Joash slew their son Zechariah, because he dared to reprove him for his sins.
3.	A very small company of Syrians could conquer Judah after they sinned against God. Joash became very sick, and then some of his “servants,” which means officers, slew him on his bed. He was not buried with the kings, because he had worshiped idols and slain the prophet. What a sad end for one who might have been loved and honored if he had been true to God!
82.	JONAH
Study Jonah 1 The Disobedient Prophet. Jonah 1:1-3.
1.	What did the Lord ask Jonah to do?
2.	To what place did Jonah attempt to flee?
The Storm. Jonah 1:4-6.
3.	What did the Lord cause to blow?
4.	Where was Jonah during the storm?
5.	What did the shipmaster ask Jonah to do?
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“They took up Jonah, and cast him forth into the sea.”
The Cause of the Storm. Jonah 1:7-12.
6.	Why did the seamen cast lots?
7.	What questions did they ask Jonah?
8.	How did he answer them?
9.	Why were the seamen afraid?
10.	What did he tell them to do with him?
In the Sea. Jonah 1:13-16.
11.	What prayer did the seamen pray?
12.	When did the storm cease?
13.	What was the effect upon the seamen?
In the Fish. Jonah 1:17.
14.	What had the Lord prepared?
15.	How long was Jonah in the fish?
Pronounce
Jo' nah	Tar' shish
A mit' ta i	Jop' pa
Nin' e veh
Notes
1.	Because Jehu destroyed Baal worship in Israel, the Lord promised him that his children for four generations should sit on the throne of Israel. If you will now turn to the Table of Kings and Prophets, you will read there the'names of these four kings, who were Jehoahaz, Jehoash, Jeroboam II, and Zachariah. None of these were good kings. They worshiped the golden calves of the first Jeroboam.
11—B. L., Fifth Grade
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2.	All this time, the people of Israel were departing farther and farther from God. The Lord sent prophets to plead with them, and to warn them that unless they returned to Him they would all be carried away by a heathen nation, and never come back. Jonah, Amos, and Hosea were three of these prophets. They all prophesied in the reign of Jeroboam II.
3.	The city of Nineveh was founded by Nimrod, who, after building cities in the land of Shinar, the first of which was Babylon, “went out into Assyria and builded Nineveh.” Gen. 10:11, margin. Nineveh was built on the eastern bank of the Tigris River. It was enlarged by later kings until it became a very great city. It was eighteen miles long and eleven miles wide. The walls were one hundred feet high, and so broad that three chariots might be driven abreast upon them. Find Nineveh on the map, and place it on your own copy of the map on page 153.
4.	We do not know why Jonah did not want to warn Nineveh, the capital of Assyria. Perhaps he was afraid, for surely it would take a great deal of courage to go alone to that great, wicked city and tell the people they would be destroyed if they did not repent. It may have been because he knew Assyria was the nation that some day would destroy his own country and carry his people away, and he feared the Assyrians would repent and be saved from destruction.
5.	Tarshish is supposed to be Spain. That was about as far away from Palestine as one could go in those days. There are two great miracles in this lesson. Can you tell what they are?
83.	JONAH’S PRAYER
Study Jonah 2.
Then Jonah prayed unto the Lord his God out of the fish’s belly, and said,
“I cried by reason of mine affliction unto the Lord,
And He heard me;
Out of the belly of hell cried I,
And Thou heardest my voice.
“For Thou hadst cast me into the deep,
In the midst of the seas;
And the floods compassed me about:
All Thy billows and Thy waves passed over me.
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“Then I said, I am cast out of Thy sight;
Yet I will look again toward Thy holy temple.
The waters compassed me about,
Even to the soul:
“The depth closed me round about,
The weeds were wrapped about my head.
I went down to the bottoms of the mountains;
The earth with her bars was about me forever:
“Yet hast Thou brought up my life from corruption, 0 Lord my God.
When my soul fainted within me I remembered the Lord:
And my prayer came in unto Thee,
Into Thine holy temple.
“They that observe lying vanities forsake their own mercy.
But I will sacrifice unto Thee with the voice of thanksgiving;
I will pay that I have vowed. Salvation is of the Lord.”
And the Lord spake unto the fish, and it vomited out Jonah upon the dry land.
Notes
1.	The prayer of Jonah is a poem, from which we learn a number of things about his experience in the body of the whale. You may memorize a stanza of this poem for your memory verse. Select the one you like best.
2.	The word “hell” in the first stanza is translated from the Hebrew word sheol, which means “grave.” The whale's belly was a grave to Jonah for three days. This was a type of the time Jesus would lie in the grave. Read Matthew 12: 40.
3.	Jonah knew that God overrules all things; so, though the sailors cast him into the sea, he said to the Lord, “Thou hadst cast me into the deep.” Men may seem to have a great deal to do with events in our lives, but all things that come to us are permitted by God.
4.	He seemed to be “cast out” of God's sight, but he was not. By faith he looked toward the temple at Jerusalem. The Lord had promised Solomon that if anyone in trouble should pray toward the temple, He would help him and deliver him.
5.	“The weeds” probably means seaweeds. These wrapped about his head as he went down into the water. There are mountains in the sea.
150
Jonah at Nineveh
151
Islands are the tops of mountains. The earth seemed to close about him as the bars of a dungeon, and he feared ifwould be forever.
6.	The last two stanzas seem to have been composed after he was delivered from his living grave in the whale's body. “Lying vanities" are things of no real value, that deceive us into thinking they are worth a great deal. Truly Jonah had cause for great thanksgiving.
84.	NINEVEH
Study Jonah 3, 4
Jonah Goes to Nineveh. Jonah 3:1-3.
1.	What did the Lord again tell Jonah to do?
2.	How large was the city of Nineveh?
3.	What did Jonah preach to the Ninevites?
Nineveh Repents. Jonah 3:4-10.
4.	How did they receive the message of Jonah?
5.	What proclamation did the king make? Did the
Lord accept their repentance?
Jonah Displeased. Jonah 4:14.
6.	Why was Jonah displeased?
7.	Why had he tried to go to Tarshish?
8.	Why did he wish to die? What did the Lord ask him? The Gourd. Jonah 4:5-8.
9.	Where did Jonah go to see what would become of the
city?
10.	How was he shaded from the sun?
11.	How was the gourd killed? What did Jonah wish?
Jonah Reproved. Jonah 4:9-11.
12.	What did the Lord again ask Jonah?
13.	What reason did the Lord give for sparing Nineveh?
Memory Verse
As I live, saith the Lord God, I have no pleasure in the death of the wicked; but that the wicked turn from his way and live. Eze, 33:11.
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153
Notes
1.	Jonah was not excused from the duty of warning Nineveh. When the Lord spoke to him again, he went at Once. Nineveh was the largest city in the world, and very wicked.
2.	“As Jonah entered the city, he began at once to 'cry against* it the message, 'Yet forty days, and Nineveh shall be overthrown.* From street to street he went, sounding the note of warning.
3.	“The message was not in vain. The cry that rang through the streets of the godless city was passed from lip to lip, until all the inhabitants had heard the startling announcement. The Spirit of God pressed the message home to every heart, and caused multitudes to tremble because of their sins, and to repent in deep humiliation. . . .
4.	“Their doom was averted; the God of Israel was exalted and honored throughout the heathen world, and His law was revered. Not until many years later was Nineveh to fall a prey to the surrounding nations through forgetfulness of God and through boastful pride.**—P. K., pp. 270, 271.
Jonah feared that people would think he was a false prophet. He should have been the first one to rejoice that Nineveh was not to be destroyed. He was selfish. He thought more of his reputation than of the salvation of souls.
5.	It is supposed that “persons that cannot discern between their right and their left hand** means little children too young to know the difference between right and wrong. Surely Jonah must have felt ashamed when the Lord asked him if he was sorry 120,000 little children had been spared.
85.	ISRAEL MADE CAPTIVE BY ASSYRIA
Study 2 Kings 17:1-23 Hoshea. 2 Kings 17:1-4.
1.	What was the character of the last king of Israel?
2.	To whom did he pay tribute?
3.	What did Shalmaneser do with Hoshea when he
learned of his conspiracy against him?
Siege of Samaria. 2 Kings 17:5, 6.
4.	Hot# long did Shalmaneser besiege Samaria?
5.	To what places were the people of Israel carried as
captives?
154
The Sins of Israel. 2 Kings 17:7-23.
6.	Why did the Lord permit Israel to be taken into cap-
tivity?
7.	Whose statutes had they kept? What had they se-
cretly done?
8.	Where had they placed idols and burned incense?
9.	By whom had He taught and warned them?
10.	What had they utterly rejected?
11.	What special gods had they worshiped?
12.	What king was especially responsible for the sins of
Israel?
13.	Find on the map the places to which Israel was taken,
and place them upon your copy of Map 3.
Pronounce
Memory Verse
The Lord removed Israel out of His sight, as He had said by all His servants the prophets. So was Israel carried away out of their own land to Assyria unto this day. 2 Kings 17:23.
1.	If you will turn again to the “Table of Kings,” you will see that Hoshea was the last king of Israel. You may read the names of all the kings, and mark those you have studied. All the kings of Israel were wicked men. They led Israel farther and farther from God, until there was “no remedy,” nothing more that the Lord could do to save them.
2.	Now we see the final result of the sin of Jeroboam, who established calf worship two hundred fifty years before. Everything we do has either a good or an evil result. We may see this at once, or the final result may not come until long after we are dead. This should make us very careful of all our words and ways.
3.	The Lord loved Israel. These are some of the last words He spoke • to them before the Assyrians besieged Samaria:
Ho she' a Ha' lah Is' ra el Ha' bor
Go' zan Sa ma' ri a So
Medes As syr' i a
Notes
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“When Israel was a child, then I loved him, and called My son out of Egypt.” Hosea 11:1.
“I drew them with cords of a man, with bands of love.” Hosea 11:4.
“0 Israel, return unto the Lord thy God; for thou hast fallen by thine iniquity.” Hosea 14:1.
“I will heal their backsliding, I will love them freely: for Mine anger is turned away from him.” Hosea 14: 4.
4.	The people of Israel were carried far away into Assyria and into Media. It is supposed that some of them intermarried with the heathen, and so their identity has been largely lost. Some individuals and families came back; but as a nation, they never saw their native land again.
86.	THE SAMARITANS
Study 2 Kings 17:24-41 Captives Exchanged. 2 Kings 17: 24, 25.
1.	From what cities did the king of Assyria bring people
to live in the cities of Samaria?
2.	What was sent among them? Why?
A Priest of Israel. 2 Kings 17:26-28.
3.	What message did the people send to the king?
4.	Who was sent back from Assyria to Samaria to teach
the people?
5.	Where did this priest live? What did he teach?
The Gods of the People. 2 Kings 17:29-32.
6.	Who was the god of the people from Babylon? From
Cuthah? From Hamath? From Ava? From Sepharvaim?
7.	From what class were their priests selected?
A Pretended Service. 2 Kings 17:33-41.
8.	Did the Samaritans really serve the Lord?
9.	What did they never obey?
10.	Fin'd on the map the places from which these people were brought, and place them on your copy of* Map 3.
156
Pronounce
A' va.
Cu thah (ku' tha) Ha' math Bab' y Ion
Notes
Seph ar va im (sef" ar va' im) Nib' haz Ner' gal A dram me lech (a dram' e lek)
Tar' tak A shi' ma A nam me lech (anam'elek)
Sue coth-be noth (suk' oth-be' noth)
1.	While Shalmaneser was besieging Samaria, he died, and Sargon became king. Sargon carried Israel away captive. Probably some time went by before the Assyrian kings brought other peoples whom they had conquered, and placed them in the cities of Samaria.
2.	The places from which these people came were between the Tigris and Euphrates Rivers and in Syria. Wild beasts quickly multiply in a land that is not inhabited, or in a land where there are but few people. The heathen believe that each country has its own gods, which must be worshiped in a special way.
3.	We remember that the priests of the kingdom of Israel were not Levites, for the Levites would not serve false gods. Jeroboam had taken of the lowest of the people to be priests of his gods, the golden calves. These priests taught the people that they were worshiping the true God when they worshiped the golden calves. It was one of these priests who was sent back to teach these heathen people. These people were called Samaritans because they lived in Samaria, the old capital of Israel.
4.	The Samaritans, as we learn, came from many different places. The people of Israel afterwards intermarried with them. So they became a mixed people, with a very mixed religion; for they professed to serve the Lord, that they might be saved from the lions, and served their own gods to please themselves.
87.	REVIEW LESSON
1.	Who was JehU7 What was he appointed td ad?
_ 2. Who was the first boy king? Describe his coronation.
3.	What queen was killed when Joash was crowned?
Why?
4.	Who killed the son of the man who had saved his life?
5.	Tell the story of the prophet who was swallowed by a
whale.
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6.	In what great city were there 120,000 little children?
7.	What sea is between Palestine and Tarshish?
8.	Who was the last king of the kingdom of Israel?
9.	Who besieged Samaria three years?
10.	Why were the people of the kingdom of Israel taken
into captivity?
11.	To what countries were they takeiff? Did they ever
return?
12.	What prophets prophesied in Israel during the last
years of that kingdom?
13.	Who were brought from other lands and placed in the
cities of Israel ? What were they afterwards called ?
14.	Why was a priest sent to teach the Samaritans? What
did he teach them?
88.	HEZEKIAH, KING OF JUDAH
Study 2 Kings 18:13-37 Character of Hezekiah. 2 Kings 18:3, 5-7.
1.	Which of the good kings was Hezekiah most like?
2.	Against whom did he rebel?
Invasion of Sennacherib. 2 Kings 18:13-16.
3.	When did Sennacherib invade Judah?
4.	What did Hezekiah give him?
Sennacherib’s Officers Come to Jerusalem. 2 Kings 18:17-26.
5.	Whom did Sennacherib send to Jerusalem?
6.	Who went out to receive their message?
7.	Upon whom did they accuse Hezekiah of trusting?
8.	What command did Rabshakeh say he had received
from the Lord?
Rabshakehfe. Speech to the People. 2 Kings 18:28-37.
9.	What loud speech did Rabshakeh make?'
10.	To what kind of land would he take them?
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11.	How did he try to prove that his gods were more
powerful than the Lord?^
12.	Why did the people not answer him?
13.	Who reported this speech to Hezekiah?
14.	Place Lachish and Libnah upon Map 4, page 88.
Pronounce
Hez e kr ah	I' vah
As syr' i a	4lil kl' ah
Pha raoh	E H' a kim
(fa' ro)	Jo' ah
Rab' sha keh	E' gypt
Sen nach e rib	Tar' tan
(sen ak' e rib)	Syr' i an
Ha' math	Rab' sa ris
He' na	Seph ar va im
Asaph	(sef" ar va' im)
(a'saf)	La chish
Sheb' na	(la' kish) -Lib' nah
Memory Verse
Blessed is the man that trusteth in the Lord, and whose hope the Lord is. Jer. 17:7.
Notes
1.	It was the purpose of Assyria to conquer Egypt and all the countries between Assyria and Egypt. Israel had been conquered and carried away, and the next step was to conquer Judah if possible.
2.	Assyria thought Judah was depending on Egypt for help against her; so the king of Assyria went south of Jerusalem and besieged the strong cities of Lachish and Libnah, intending to capture these before he attempted Jerusalem. If he gained possession of these cities, he could use them as forts to prevent Egypt from giving any help to Judah.
3.	Find Lachish and Libnah on the map. While besieging Lachish, Sennacherib sentliis chief officers to demand the surrender of Jerusalem. They tried to make Hezekiah and his people believe that it was of no use for them to trust in Egypt or in the God of heaven.
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4.	Hezekiah was one of the best kings of Judah. He had made many reforms in Judah, and had even tried to help Israel before they were carried into captivity. He began to reign five years before the people of Israel were carried away by Assyria. He reigned twenty-nine years.
5.	Rabshakeh wanted the people to understand what he was saying, so he spoke in the language of the Jews — the Hebrew. He thought if they heard his boasts, they would lose heart and refuse to fight against him. But he was mistaken. The Jews were loyal to their king and their country.
89.	HEZEKIAH AND THE LETTER
Study 2 Kings 19
Isaiah the Prophet. 2 Kings 19:1-7.
1.	Whom did Hezekiah send to Isaiah? With what
question?
2.	What answer did Isaiah return?
The Letter. 2 Kings 19:8-14.
"3. Who came from Ethiopia to fight the king of Assyria?J
4.	What did the king of Assyria write in a letter?
5.	To whom did Hezekiah present this letter?
Hezekiah’s Prayer. 2 Kings 19:15-19.
6.	What was true in the letter of Sennacherib? Why?
7.	What did Hezekiah ask the Lord to do for him and
his people?
The Answer to Hezekiah’s Prayer. 2 Kings 19:20-34.
8.	Through whom did the Lord send an answer to Heze-
kiah’s prayer?
9.	Who had been scorned by Sennacherib?
10.	How would Sennacherib return to Assyria?>
11.	For whose sake would the Lord defend Jerusalem?
Destruction of Sennacherib’s Army. 2 Kings 19:35-37.
12.	Who passed through the Assyrian camp that night?
13.	How many were dead in the morning?
14.	How and where did Sennacherib die?
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Pronounce
A' moz I sa iah (i sa' ya)
Sen nach e rib (sen ak' e rib) E" sar had' don
Hez e ki' ah A dram me lech (a dram' e lek) Lib' nah La chish
(la' kish)
TJz zi' ah Sha re' zer Tir ha' kah E thi 6' pi a Nis roch (nis' rok)
Notes
1.	This is the first time that Isaiah appears in Bible history, but he had been prophesying since the days of Uzziah, the great-grandfather of Heze-kiah. Isaiah is called the “gospel prophet," because his writings contain so many prophecies of the Saviour. These prophecies were given to cheer the hearts of those who were true to the Lord, for they must often have been tempted to be discouraged because of the sins of so many of their brethren.
2.	When Rabshakeh returned to the king of Assyria, he found him besieging Libnah. At the same time, the news came that Tirhakah, king of Ethiopia, was coming against him from Africa. Then Sennacherib wrote a letter to Hezekiah, that he might know that he had not given up his purpose of capturing Jerusalem through fear of Tirhakah. Ethiopia is south of Egypt.
3.	Hezekiah did as we all should do. He took his trouble to the Lord and asked for help. How humble he must have appeared to the people when he, their king, dressed in sackcloth, went to the temple, and kneeling down, spread the letter out before the Lord! He talked to Him about it as a little child would talk to its father. His simple faith and trust had a wonderful reward.
4.	That very night, his prayer was answered. The angel of death passed over the camp of the Assyrians, and a hundred eighty-five thousand of Sennacherib’s soldiers lay dead. Sennacherib “returned with shame of face to his own land.” But he did not live long, for he was killed by his own sons.
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Hezekiah “showed them all the house of his precious things, the silver, and the gold.”
90.	HEZEKIAH’S LIFE SPARED
Study 2 Kings 20
Hezekiah’s Sickness. 2 Kings 20:1-7.
1.	What word did Hezekiah receive from the Lord?
2.	Why did he think his life should be spared?
3.	What answer did he receive to his prayer?
4.	What was placed upon the boil? What was the result?
A Sign. 2 Kings 20:8-11.
5.	What sign was given to Hezekiah?
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6.	Why would the shadow turned backward ten degrees
be a more sure sign than the reverse?
Ambassadors from Babylon. 2 Kings 20:12, 13.
7.	Who was king of Babylon?
8.	Whom did he send to Hezekiah? Why?
9.	What did Hezekiah show to the ambassadors?
Isaiah’s Prophecy. 2 Kings 20:14-19.
10.	What question did Isaiah ask?
11.	How did Hezekiah answer?
12.	To what place would the treasures of Jerusalem be
carried ?x
13.	What positions would his sons occupy in Babylon?,
14.	How did Hezekiah receive this message?
15.	Place Babylon upon your copy of Map 3.
Pronounce
I sa iah (isa'ya)
Hez e kr ah As syr' i a Bal' a dan
Be ro dach-bal a dan (be ro' dak-bal' a dan)
/Bab' y Ion
“And he brought the shadow ten degrees backward, by which it was gone down in the dial of Ahaz.”
Notes
1.	Hezekiah thought that because he had been so true to the Lord he should be allowed to live longer. So the Lord lengthened his life fifteen years; but it would have been better if he had died, for after this he made the sad mistake of showing the Babylonian ambassadors all his treasures. His son Manasseh was born three years after this sickness, and he was the wickedest king Judah ever had.
2.	The country in which Babylon is situated has a very clear atmosphere. For this reason, the people had always been interested in studying the heavens, because they could see the stars and the planets so distinctly.
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They heard about the wonderful sign given to Hezekiah, and they came to ask Hezekiah about it.
3.	Hezekiah had a precious opportunity to tell the ambassadors from Babylon about the true God. He might have revealed to them the God who rules in the heavens above, but no less upon the earth beneath. Instead, he revealed himself, he showed them his works, the great things, fee had done, and all the treasures of his kingdom.
4.	How sad that a great and good man should make such a mistake! It shows how necessary it is for us all to be humble and depend upon the Lord for power to meet temptations of all kinds. Hezekiah's mistake had awful consequences, for these ambassadors went home and told their king of the treasures in Judah, and he and later kings planned to conquer Judah and take those treasures for themselves.
91.	MANASSEH’S WICKED REIGN
Study 2 Kings 21:1-16 Second Boy King. 2 Kings 21:1, 2.
1.	How old was Manasseh when he began to reign?
2.	How many years did he reign?. - What was his char-
acter?
The Sins of Manasseh. 2 Kings 21:3-9.
3.	Whose work of reform did he strive to undo?
4.	What did he build in the temple and courts?
5.	What did he lead the people to do?
A Message from the Lord. 2 Kings 21:10-16.
6.	The sins of Judah were greater than those of what
people?
7.	How great was the evil that would come upon Judah?
8.	What would be stretched over Jerusalem?
9.	Why would the Lord forsake Judah?
10.	What was Manasseh’s greatest sin?
Manasseh’s Repentance. 2 Chron. 33:10-17.
11.	Who captured Manasseh?
12.	How did Manasseh learn to know Goc
12—B. L., Fifth Grade
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“He [Manasseh] made his son pass through the fire.”
13.	How did he show that he was sorry for his sins?
14.	Did the people also repent when Manasseh did?
Pronounce
■ili nas' seh Heph zi bah (hef zi ba) As syr' i a
Memory Verse
Bab' y Ion 'Mo lech (mo' lek) Am' o rites
If the wicked turn from his wickedness, and do that which is lawful and right, he shall live thereby. Eze. 33:19.
Notes
1.	Manasseh reigned longer than any other king of Judah, and did more evil deeds. Though Hezekiah made a great reformation, yet it is probable most of the people remained idolaters at heart. When Manasseh, a boy, became king, they showed their true character, and helped him in his wickedness.
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2.	Write a list of the sins of Manasseh. “Made his son pass through the fire” means he gave him to Molech. Molech was the god of the Ammonites. The idol was made of brass, and was hollow. A furious fire was made inside it. When the arms were red-hot, the victim was thrown into them and burned to death, while drums were beaten to drown the cries of the dying person. “Observed times.” Manasseh was superstitious. He believed in lucky and unlucky days and in signs. “Used enchantments.” He used spells and charms to ward off evil. “Dealt with familiar spirits and wizards.” He would be called a spiritualist now, for familiar spirits are devils, and a wizard was a medium who pretended to communicate with the dead.
^ 3. “Innocent blood.” Manasseh's greatest sin was his persecution of those who served the Lord, especially the prophets. A tradition of the rabbis says that he placed the prophet Isaiah in a hollow tree, and the tree was sawn in two. Hebrews 11: 37 is supposed to be a reference to this. Manasseh could not have done such dreadful things if the people had not helped him. He afterwards repented and was forgiven; but the nation was not forgiven, for they never repented.
4.	A “plummet,” or plumb line, is a line with a weight on it, that masons hang beside a wall to show them when the wall is vertical. It means here that the Lord would measure or judge them, as He had the people of the kingdom of Israel. They had been carried into captivity. Judah also would be carried away if they did not change.
5.	The king of Assyria conquered the king of Babylon, and lived at Babylon for a time. That is why he took Manasseh to Babylon, instead of to Nineveh, the capital of Assyria. The history of Manasseh's life is very remarkable. It shows how even a heart as hard and wicked as his can be softened by affliction, repent, and be forgiven of God, and how great is the mercy of God that will pardon such sins and save such a sinner.
92.	JOSIAH’S GOOD REIGN
Study 2 Kings 22
Third Boy King. 2 Kings 22:1, 2.
1.	How old was Josiah when he was made king?
2.	What did he do at the age of sixteen? 2 Chron. 34:3.
Josiah Repairs the Temple. 2 Kings 22:3-7.
3.	When did he begin to repair the temple?
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4.	Where was the money obtained for this work?
5.	What is said of the men who handled the money?
Book of the Law Found. 2 Kings 22; 8, 9.
6.	What did Hilkiah find in the temple?
7.	What did Shaphan report to the king?
The Book Read to the King. 2 Kings 22:10-13.
8.	Who read the book to the king?
9.	How did the king show his distress?
10.	To whom did he send Hilkiah and other officers?
Huldah the Prophetess. 2 Kings 22:14-20.
11.	Who was Huldah? Where did she live?
12.	How much of what was in the book would be ful-
filled? Why?
13.	Why would Josiah be spared these afflictions?
14.	Should he see any of the evil that was to be brought
upon Judah?
Pronounce
Mi cha iah	A hi' kam
(mi ka' ya)	Me shul' lam
Har' has	As a hi' ah
Hul' dah	Shal' lum
Jo si' ah	Tik' vah
Hil ki' ah	A da iah
Az a li' ah	(a da' ya)
Sha phan	A' mon
(sha'fan)	‘ Jer e mi' ah
Ach bor	Je di' dah
(ak' bor)	Bos' kath
Notes
1. Josiah’s father was Amon, a very wicked king. Though Josiah was so young when he became king, he determined to serve the Lord with all his heart. He was the greatest reformer among all the kings, but the people did not reform to any great extent. They loved idolatry still. This
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is why the Lord said His anger should not be quenched, though Josiah, because he was faithful, should never feel nor see the punishments that were to be brought on Judah.
2.	The book of the law contained the things that Moses wrote. The priests had been told to keep it in the side of the ark; but when they had wicked kings, they grew very careless, and lost it in the rubbish of the temple. Josiah had never seen this book, nor did he know what was in it. They had lost a part of the Bible, and nobody missed it!
3.	Huldah lived in the college, or school, of the prophets. These schools still existed in Judah, even after all the years of apostasy and idolatry. There were still a few parents who would educate their children after the plan of God and not after the way of the world.
4.	Jeremiah began to prophesy in th,e reign of Josiah. He lived until long after the captivity in Babylon began. He was a very faithful prophet. He warned the people of what was coming, but they would not heed. This made him very sad. He is called the “weeping prophet.” Once when the Lord showed him the awful fate that was coming'on his people if they did not repent and serve the Lord, he said, “Oh that my head were waters, and mine eyes a fountain of tears, that I might weep day and night for the slain of the daughter of my people!” Jer. 9:1.
93.	THE BOOK OF THE LAW
Study 2 Kings 23:1-25 The Covenant. 2 Kings 23:1-3.
1.	Whom did Josiah gather together at Jerusalem?
2.	What did he read to all the people?
3.	What was the covenant Josiah and the people made?
The Reformation in Judah. 2 Kings 23:4-14.
4.	What did Josiah command the priests to bring out of
the temple ?
5.	What-did he restore to its place? 2 Chron. 35:3.
6.	What was done with the idolatrous priests?
7.	Over how much of Judah did he destroy idolatry?
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The altar that was at Bethel, which Jeroboam had made, he broke down.
8.	What was done with the horses and chariots of the
sun?
9.	What monuments of Solomon's idolatry did he de-
stroy?
The Reformation in Israel. 2 Kings 23:15-20.
10.	What place of idolatry did he destroy in the land of
Israel?
11.	What did he bum upon the altar at Bethel? What
prophecy was thus fulfilled? 1 Kings 13:2.
12.	What prophet’s bones were undisturbed? Why?
The Passover. 2 Kings 23:21-25.
13.	When Judah and Israel were cleansed of idolatry,
what feast did Josiah keep?
14.	What is said of this feast? Of Josiah himself?
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Pronounce
Ge' ba To pheth (to' fet) Mo lech (mo' lek)
Hm' nom A' haz Ma nas' seh Kid' ron Be er she' ba
Notes
1.	Josiah himself read the book of the law to the people, and then he, with them, made a solemn covenant, or promise, to keep the law of God. Josiah destroyed every vestige of idolatry not only in Judah, but in the land of Israel. This was the result of reading the Bible.
2.	We do not know why none of the good kings before him had not destroyed the idols and temples built by Solomon on the Mount of Olives. Perhaps none had the courage to tear down the works of the great King Solomon. But Josiah was brave, and zealous for God. For three hundred years the Mount of Olives had been the “Mount of Offense.” Now it was cleansed from its corruption.
3.	Josiah also destroyed idolatry in the land of Israel, especially the calf worship of Jeroboam at Bethel, and thus fulfilled a prophecy made three hundred years before. No prophecy of God can fail. All are fulfilled exactly as foretold.
94.	NEBUCHADNEZZAR TAKES CAPTIVES TO BABYLON
(606 B. C.)
Study 2 Kings 24:1-16
Nebuchadnezzar’s First Invasion. 2 Kings 24:1-5.
1.	Who came against Jehoiakim?
2.	How long did he serve Nebuchadnezzar?
3.	What other nations attacked Judah?
4.	Because of whose sins especially was this permitted?
5.	What did Nebuchadnezzar take from the temple?
Dan. 1:1, 2.
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6.	Among the captives, who are named? Dan. 1:3, 6. Nebuchadnezzar’s Second Invasion. 2 Kings 24:6-16.
7.	Who was king after Jehoiakim?
8.	Why did not the king of Egypt trouble Judah any
more?
9.	Why was Jehoiachin’s reign so short?
10.	By whom was Jerusalem besieged?
11.	Who surrendered themselves to Nebuchadnezzar?
12.	What did Nebuchadnezzar take from the temple this
time?
13.	What classes of people were carried away by Nebu-
chadnezzar?
14.	How long was Jehoiachin in prison in Babylon?
2 Kings 25:27-30.
Pronounce
■Oe hoi' a kim i/Shi' nar <Je hoi a chin (je hoi' a kin)
^Neb u chad nez zar (neb" yu kad nez' ar) El na' than
Chal dees (kal' dez)
,yE vil-me ro dach (e' vil-me ro' dak) Ne hush' ta -Eu phra tes ' (yu-fra' tes)
Memory Verse
This whole land shall be a desolation, and an astonishment ;'and these nations shall serve the king of Babylon seventy years. Jer. 25:11.
Notes
1.	Jehoiakim was the son of good King Josiah, but he was not like his father. He was a vain, wicked king. He would not heed any of the warnings of Jeremiah, but burned the testimony the prophet sent to him. Still the Lord sent many messages to the king and the people, but they mocked Jeremiah and persecuted him.
2.	Babylon had now become very strong, and had conquered Assyria.
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Jeremiah prophesied that the king of Babylon, Nebuchadnezzar, would conquer Judah, destroy the temple, burn Jerusalem, and take the people into captivity for seventy years.
3.	In the year 606 B. c., when Jehoiakim had been reigning three years, Nebuchadnezzar besieged Jerusalem, captured it, and took away the princes of Judah, among whom were Daniel, Hananiah, Mishael, and Aza-riah. He also took many golden vessels from the temple. All this fulfilled the prophecy to Hezekiah, which you may read again in 2 Kings 20:16-18.
4.	Before the first invasion of Nebuchadnezzar, Jeremiah had told the king and the people that if they would submit to the king of Babylon and be his loyal subjects, they would not be taken into captivity, and Jerusalem would not be destroyed. But the last three kings all rebelled one by one against Nebuchadnezzar, and so he could not trust them, but*had to take them away out of the land.
5.	When Jehoiachin rebelled, Nebuchadnezzar invaded Judah the second time. This was in 599 B. c., only seven years after the first invasion. This time, he took away the king himself, and put him in a dungeon in Babylon. He was there thirty-seven years. Then another king took him out of prison, but he had to live in the palace all the rest of his days. Nebuchadnezzar took away ten thousand of the nobility and the military officers, seven thousand soldiers, and a thousand craftsmen, or mechanics. Ezekiel the prophet was carried away at this time.
95.	NEBUCHADNEZZAR CAPTURES JERUSALEM
Study 2 Kings 25:1-21
Nebuchadnezzar’s Third Invasion. 2 Kings 25:1-3.
1.	Who was the last king of Judah? 2 Kings 24:17-20..
2.	When did Nebuchadnezzar invade the land?
3.	How long was Jerusalem besieged?
4.	How great became the famine in the city?
The King Captured. 2 Kings 25:4-7.
5.	How did the king and his army attempt to escape?
6.	Where was the king captured? To whom was he
taken?
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“They burnt the house of God, and brake down the wall of Jerusalem, and burnt all the palaces thereof with fire, and destroyed all the goodly vessels thereof.’*
7.	What was done with Zedekiah? With his sons?
8.	What prophecies were thus fulfilled? Jer. 32:1-5;
Eze. 12:13.
Jerusalem Destroyed. 2 Kings 25:8-12,18-21.
9.	How was Jerusalem destroyed? By whom?
10.	How were the walls destroyed?
11.	Who were carried into captivity?
12.	Who only were left in the land of Judah?
13.	Who were slain at Riblah?
Spoil from the Temple. 2 Kings 25:13-17.
14.	What was done with the pillars and the brazen sea
before they were carried away?
15.	What other spoil was taken from the temple?
16.	Place Hamath and Riblah upon Map 3.
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Pronounce
‘fclb' lah Ha mu' tal Ha' math ^eb u zar-a dan (neb' yu zar-a' dan)
ze' ki el Mat ta ni' ah Zed e ki' ah
Che bar (ke' bar)
Memory Verse
They mocked the messengers of God, and despised His words, and misused His prophets, until the wrath of the Lord arose against His people, till there was no remedy. 2 Chron. 36:16.
1.	It was eighteen years from the first invasion until the last one. The Lord is so unwilling anyone should suffer that He delays punishment as long as possible. But king and people grew worse and worse. The Lord told Jeremiah again to tell them to surrender, and their lives would be spared; buf^they would not do this. They did not‘believe the word of the Lord, and so many thousands perished in the siege and fall of Jerusalem.
2.	Ezekiel, though a captive far away by the river Chebar, in Persia, saw in vision the things that were taking place in Jerusalem. At length, Ezekiel gave this prophecy against Zedekiah: “And thou, profane wicked prince of Israel, whose day is come, when iniquity shall have an end, thus saith the Lord God; Remove the diadem, and take off the crown.” Eze. 21:25, 26.
3.	Zedekiah was taken to Babylon; but he never saw it, because his eyes were put out at Riblah, a place in Syria, before he was taken to Babylon. He lived and died a blind prisoner in a Babylonian dungeon. Zedekiah was a son of King Josiah, and an uncle of Jehoiachin, who was also a prisoner with Km for many years.
4.	“Because of Israel's transgression of the commandments of God, and their wicked acts, God suffered them to go into captivity, to humble and punish them. Before the temple was destroyed, God made known to a few* of His faithful servants the fate of the temple, which was the pride of Israel, and which they regarded with idolatry, while they were sinning against God. He also revealed to them the captivity of Israel. These righteous men, jus; before the destruction of the temple, removed the sacred ark containing the tables of stone, and, with mourning and sadness, secreted it in a cavt where it was to be hid from the people of Israel, because of their sins, and was to be no more restored to them. That sacred ark is yet hid. It has never been disturbed since it was secreted.”— “Spirit of Prophecy ” Vol 1, p. hlk*
Notes
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96.	STORY OF THE THREE BOY KINGS
Of course, you remember at once the names of the boy kings, and many things about each of them. If not, you may turn to the lessons about them and refresh your memory. Make a list of the events most interesting in the life of each of these kings. Then you may write three paragraphs upon each one, selecting from your list the most important topics.
97.	REVIEW LESSON
1.	Who came against Judah in the days of Hezekiah?
What became of his army?
2.	Whose life was lengthened fifteen years? What sign
was given him that this would be so?
~~3. When did Hezekiah show the greatest faith in the Lord?
4.	When and how did he make a great mistake?
5.	Who was the wickedest king ol Judah ?^1Vhat was his
greatest sin?
6., Who was the third boy king? In what way was the reformation he carried on greater than any other?
7.	What book was found in the rubbish of the temple?
8.	Who was Huldah? What did she prophesy?
9.	Who is called the “gospel prophet”? Why?
10.	Who is called the “weeping prophet”? Why?
11.	What is said of the Passover held in the reign of Josiah?
12.	Who were the last three kings of Judah? What rela-
tion was each to King Josiah?
13.	Which of these kings was reigning when Nebuchadnez-
zar first invaded Judah?
14.	Who were carried away to Babylon at this time?
15.	Who was king of Judah at Nebuchadnezzar’s second
invasion? What city was besieged?
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16.	How many times did Nebuchadnezzar invade Judah?
What city did he destroy’
17.	What became of the ark? Has It ever been found?
18.	What king was in prison thirty-seven years?
19.	What king was taken to Babylon but never saw the
city? Why not?
20.	How many years were the Jews to be captives in Baby-
lon? Who prophesied this?
98.	IN CAPTIVITY IN BABYLON
Study Psalm 137:1-6; Jeremiah 29:1-14 In Babylon. Ps. 137:1-6.
1.	To what city were the Jews carried captive?
2.	How did they feel when they thought of Jerusalem?
3.	What did the Babylonians ask them to sing?
4.	Why could they not sing in Babylon?
5.	What vow did they make that they would remember
Jerusalem?
Jeremiah’s Letter. Jer. 29:1-14.
6.	Who wrote a letter to the captives in Babylon?
7.	What were they to do while in captivity?
8.	Why were they to carry on all the usual duties of life?
9.	Why were they to pray for Babylon? For what were
they to pray?
10.	To whom were they not to listen?
11.	What had one false prophet prophesied? Jer. 28:1-3.
12.	How Jong was the captivity to be?
13.	What were the thoughts of God to them?
14.	What gracious promise did He give them?
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“By the rivers of Babylon, there we sat down, yea, we wept, when we remembered Zion. We hanged our harps upon the willows in the midst thereof."
Memory Verse
For the Lord will not cast off forever:
For though He cause grief,
Yet will He have compassion
According to the multitude of His mercies. For He doth not afflict willingly Nor grieve the children of men.
Lam. 3:31-33.
Notes
1.	The Jewish captives in Babylon were^ery sad and homesick, too sad to sing. They could only weep and pray, and vow that they would never forget Jerusalem. Then when they remembered that their beautiful city was only a heap of ruins, they wept again. Sin causes much sorrow. This affliction turned the hearts of many back to God. They repented of their sins, and faithfully served the Lord, and taught the Babylonians about the true God.
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2.	Babylon, the city in which the Jews were captives, was the most wonderful city on the earth. It was laid out in a perfect square fifteen miles on each side. It was surrounded by a wall three hundred fifty feet high and eighty-seven feet thick. It had fifty streets, twenty-five running each way. The river Euphrates ran diagonally through the city. On each side of the river was a wall also, with gates of brass where the streets crossed the river.
3.	There were two royal palaces, one on either side of the river, connected by an underground tunnel. There was also a temple for the god Belus. There were hanging gardens — so called because they were made on artificial mountains — and many other pleasure grounds. But all the glory and beauty of Babylon could not make Jewish captives forget their own beloved Jerusalem.
4.	Jeremiah wrote the captives a letter in which he told them that since they would be in Babylon seventy years, they were to make homes there, and carry on the usual business of life as if they were at home, and pray for the peace 6f the city, because if the city had peace, they would have peace. The Lord assured them He loved them though they had sinned against Him, and would care for them there and bring them again to their own land.
99.	DANIEL IN BABYLON
Study Daniel 1
Princes in Captivity. Dan. 1:1-7.
1.	When was Daniel taken to Babylon?
2.	Who were his three companions?
3.	To what did Ashpenaz change the name of each?
4.	How'are these young nobles described?
Princes in School. Dan. 1:4, 5.
5.	What did Nebuchadnezzar wish these young nobles to
be taught?
6.	How long were they to go to school?
Food for Students. Dan. 1:5, 8-10.
7.	What food did the king appoint for them?
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“Daniel purposed in his heart that he would not defile himself with the portion of the king’s meat, nor with the wine which he drank.”
8.	What did Daniel resolve he would not do?
9.	How was he regarded by Ashpenaz?
10.	Why did Ashpenaz object to Daniel’s request?
A Ten Days’ Test. Dan. 1:11-16.
11.	What test did Daniel propose?
12.	What was the result of the test?
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The Final Examination. Dan. 1:17-21.
13.	What did God give these four young men? What
special gift had Daniel?
14.	How did these young men compare with those who
ate the king’s food?
15.	How did they stand in the final examination?
Pronounce
I)an iel	Az a ri' ah
(dan' yel)	A bed' ne go
■'Bel" te shaz' zar	Han a nl' ah
MIsh' a el	Sha drach
Me shach	(sha' drak)
(me' shak)
Notes
1.	We remember that the young nobles of Judah, the princes of the royal family, were taken to Babylon in the first invasion. Nebuchadnezzar had a very wise plan in his mind. He was now ruler of the world. He wished to build up a strong government; so he brought young princes from every country that he conquered, and put them in his school in Babylon. Here they were taught the Chaldean language and all the learning of his nation.
2.	He also changed the names of all these princes to names that represented his gods. “Daniel” means “God is my judge.” It was changed to “Belteshazzar,” which means “keeper of the hid treasures of Bel.” The king did not compel these young men to become idolaters; but he hoped that by giving them names that would make them think of false gods, and surrounding them with the customs and influences of idolatry, he would cause them gradually to give up their own faith and worship the gods of the Babylonians.
3.	At the very beginning, Daniel and his friends had a great test in the matter of food. The king ordered that they should eat food and drink wine that came from the king’s table. But a part of this had been offered to idols. If they ate it, they would be regarded as honoring the gods of Babylon. Besides, much of the food was rich and unwholesome, and some of it was in the class of foods that the Bible calls “unclean,” and the wine was intoxicating.
4.	So these noble young men refused the king’s food, though they risked their lives to do it. They asked for pulse and water. Pulse is a
13—B. L., Fifth Grade
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vegetable food, such as peas and beans. These young men were vegetarians, and they had pure blood, strong bodies, and clear minds. They could study better than others, and understand and remember what they were taught ten times better than those who ate the king’s food and drank his wine. They all afterwards held high positions in the government of Babylon.
100.	BELSHAZZAR’S FEAST
Study Daniel 5:1-17, 25-31 The Feast of Belshazzar. Dan. 5:1-4.
A.; For whom did Belshazzar make a feast?
2.	Out of what did they drink?
3.	What gods did they praise?
Writing on the Wall. Dan. 5:5, 6.
4.	What chme forth and wrote upon the wall?
(&} How was the king affected by this?
Wise Men Cannot Read the Writing. Dan. 5:7-9.
6.	Whom did the king ask to be brought before him?
(p What reward did the king promise the wise men?
8.	Could the wise men read the writing?
Daniel the Prophet. Dan. 5:10-17.
9.	Who reminded the king of Daniel and his ability?
10.	What did the king ask Daniel?
\lp Was Daniel willing to interpret for the king?
The Interpretation. Dan. 5:25-29.
12.	What does “Mene” mean? “Tekel”? “Peres”?
13.	Did Daniel receive the promised reward?
Babylon Falls. Dan. 5:30, 31. (538 B. c.)
14.	Who was slain that night? Who took the kingdom? Pronounce
Me' ne Te' kel
Rel shaz' zar Pe' res Da ri' us
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Dori
“Belshazzar, whiles he tasted the wine, ... in the same hour came forth fingers of a man^ hand, and wrote over against the candlestick upon the plaster of the wall of the king’s palace.”
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Memory Verses
This is the interpretation of the thing: MENE; God hath numbered thy kingdom, and finished it.
TEKEL; Thou art weighed in the balances, and art found wanting.
PERES; Thy kingdom is divided, and given to the Medes and Persians. Dan. 5:26-28.
Notes
1.	Nebuchadnezzar was king of Babylon forty-three years. After him were four other kings. Then came the last king, Belshazzar, who was the grandson of Nebuchadnezzar. Belshazzar was a very wicked, idolatrous king. He believed that the gods of Babylon were greater than the gods of other people, because the Babylonians had conquered all other nations.
2.	Belshazzar made a feast to honor his gods. He and his lords drank wine from the vessels brought from Jerusalem, to show contempt for the God of Israel. These were the beautiful cups and bowls and basins made for the service that taught the people about Jesus and His sacrifice for sin. When Belshazzar and his people did this, they filled up their cup of iniquity. God could not protect them any longer. That night their city was captured and their king was slain.
3.	The writing on the wall was in an unknown language. Study your memory verses very carefully until you know just what they mean.
Ask your teacher to tell you about how Cyrus and the Medo-Persians took the city of Babylon. It is a very interesting story. More than a hundred years before this time, God had named the man who should capture Babylon, as you may know if you will read Isaiah 45:1-3.
101.	THE DECREE OF CYRUS
(536 B. c.)
Study Ezra 1; 2:64-70 Cyrus, King of Medo-Persia. Ezra 1:1.
1.	When did Cyrus make this decree?
2.	Who influenced him to make the decree?
The Decree. Ezra 1:2-4.
3.	Who had made Cyrus ruler over the nations?
4.	What had God commanded him to build at Jerusalem?
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5.	To whom did he grant permission to return to Je-
rusalem?
6.	How were those who returned to be helped by their
neighbors?
Those Who Returned. Ezra 1:5, 6.
7.	Who responded to the proclamation of Cyrus?
8.	What was given to help them to rebuild the temple?
The Vessels of the Temple. Ezra 1:7-11.
9.	What did Cyrus restore to them?
10.	Into whose care were these vessels given?
Number Who Returned. Ezra 2:64-67.
11.	How many Jews returned to Judah?
12.	How many servants had they? How many animals?
At Jerusalem. Ezra 2:68-70.
13.	When they arrived at Jerusalem, who made an of-
fering?
14.	Where did the returned captives live?
Pronounce
Cy' rus	Ze rub' ba bel
Ez' ra	Me do-Per sia
Shesh baz' zar	(me' do-piir' sha)
Mith' re dath
Notes
1.	The first captives from Jerusalem were brought to Babylon in 606 B. c. The first year of Cyrus was 536 B. In this year, all who wished were permitted to go back, and di<f go. How many years between 606 and 536? How long did Jeremiah say the captivity should be? Every prophecy is fulfilled exactly as made. Do you think Belshazzar would have permitted the Jews to return to their own land? Can you see in this another reason why Babylon was overthrown by Medo-Persia?
2.	Zerubbabel, a grandson of Jehoiachin, was the leader of the little band who returned. The Medo-Persians called him Sheshbazzar. Not quite 50,000 persons ^°.nt back with him. How very few they seem com-
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pared with the mighty host that went into Canaan under Joshua! We wonder why so few wanted to go home. Many seem to have lost their love for their native land. They knew there would be many difficulties in building Jerusalem again. But if all had gone, it would have been much easier than for the few who did go.
3.	Those who did go, really loved the Lord and were happy to go home. One of the psalms tells how they felt. I think you would enjoy learning this beautiful poem.
A Song of Deliverance
When the Lord turned again the captivity of Zion, We were like them that dream.
Then was our mouth filled with laughter,
And our tongue with singing:
Then said they,among the heathen,
The Lord hath done great things for them.
The Lord hath done great things for us; Whereof we are glad.
Turn again our captivity, 0 Lord,
As the streams in the south.
They that sow in tears Shall reap in joy.
He that goeth forth and weepeth,
Bearing precious seed,
Shall doubtless come again with rejoicing, Bringing his sheaves with him.
Psalm 126.
102.	FOUNDATION OF THE TEMPLE LAID
Study Ezra 3
The Altar of Burnt Offering. Ezra 3:1-6.
1.	In what month did all the people gather together at
Jerusalem?
2.	Who built an altar for burnt offerings?
3.	Whom did they fear?
4.	What feast did they keep?
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5.	How many of the feasts and other services did they
observe?
Work Begun on the Temple. Ezra 3:7-9.
6.	Who brought cedar trees from Lebanon?
7.	When did they begin work upon the temple?
Dedication of the Foundation. Ezra 3:10-13.
8.	Who sang at the dedication of the foundation?
9.	In what order were the singers arranged?
10.	Why did the old men weep? Who shouted for joy?
Haggai Encourages the People. Haggai 2:3, 7-9.
11.	What question did Haggai ask?
12.	When the “Desire of all nations” should come, with
what would the house be filled?
13.	How would the glory of the latter house compare
with that of the former?
Pronounce
Jesh'u a Joz' a dak Kad' mi el A saph (a'saf)
Ze rub' ba bel
Memory Verse
The Desire of all nations shall come: and I will fill this house with glory, saith the Lord of hosts. Haggai 2:7.
Notes
1.	The seventh month of the Jewish year was sometimes called the “sacred month,” because so many feasts and other ceremonies came in this month. The returned captives first built an altar, that they might make offerings to the Lord, even before the temple was built.
2.	The'did men could remember the beautiful, glorious temple built by Solomon. They knew they could never build another like it, for they had not the wonderful treasures of gold and silver and precious stones to adorn
She al' ti el Hag' ga i Tyre Zi' don Jop' pa Leb' a non
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it. Then, too, they had no ark to place in it. No cloud of glory would fill the most holy place, no fire from heaven descend to burn upon the altar.
3.	But the Lord sent a message of comfort through the prophet Haggai. He told them that the glory of the house they were building would be greater than the glory of Solomon's temple. This would be when the “Desire of all nations" should come. This means when Jesus should come to heal and teach in the courts of this latter house. Always the prophets pointed the people to the time when Jesus, the Messiah, should come.
103.	THE WORK HINDERED
Study Ezra 4
The Samaritans Wish to Help. Ezra 4:1-3.
1.	Who wished to help the Jews rebuild the temple?
2.	Why did they think they should be allowed to help?
3.	Did they worship God? 2 Kings 17:34.
4.	Who refused their assistance?
The Samaritans Hinder the Work. Ezra 4:4, 5.
5.	How did these people hinder the work?
6.	Whom did they hire against the Jews?
Letter to Persian King. Ezra 4: 6-16.
7.	To what king did they write a letter of accusation?
8.	Who wrote a letter to Artaxerxes?
9.	How many nations were represented in this letter?
10.	What kind of city had Jerusalem been?
11.	What did they say the Jews would not do if they were
allowed to build it again?
12.	To what records did they refer for proof that this
was true? Was it true?
The King’s Letter. Ezra 4:17-22.
13.	Did King Artaxerxes answer the letter?
14.	What had he found in the records about the history
of Jerusalem?
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15.	Because of this, what did he command to be done?
The Work Stopped. Ezra 4:23, 24.
16.	Who went in haste to Jerusalem?
17.	How did they stop the work? For how long?
Pronounce
Qy' rus	A phar sites
Re' hum	(a far' sites)
Shim shai	De ha' vites
(shim' shi)	Tar' pel ites
Dl' na ites	A has" u e' rus
Su san chites	E sar had' don
(su san' kites)	As nap' per
Baby 16' ni an	Ar tax erx es
Ta' be el	(ar" tak surk' sez)
Jesh'u a	Aph ar sath chites
Da ri' us	(af" ar sath' kites)
Bish' lam	Ze rub' ba bel
Mith' re dath	Ar che vites
E' lam ites	(ar'ke vites)
Notes
1.	Kings of Medo-Persia:
a.	Dariijs ^he Mede (Dan. 5: 31)
b.	-Cxjm h	(Ezra 1: 2) gave the first decree, J&6 B. c.
c.	Ahasuerus	(Ezra 4: 6)
d.	Artaxerxes	(Ezra 4: 7-24)
e.	Darius	(Ezra 5:6) gave the second decree, §19 B. c.
/. Ahasuerus	(Esther)
g. Artaxerxes	(Ezra 7; Neh.) gave the third decree, 457 B. C.
2.	Seven of the kings of Medo-Persia are mentioned in the Bible. Cyrus was always kind to the Jews, and though the Samaritans hired men to make false reports about the Jews, neither Cyrus nor his son Ahasuerus would listen to them. But when the first Artaxerxes became king, the Samaritans were more successful.
3.	It was true that Jerusalem had been a very rebellious city before the captivity. Her kings had promised to obey Nebuchadnezzar, but had broken theirword again and again. All this was written in the records in Babylon, and when Artaxerxes read their past history, he sent word that they must not make a wall around Jerusalem or build up the city. The
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Jews who were building Jerusalem did not intend to rebel, but their reputation was against them. A bad name is a great disadvantage.
4.	Can you tell who the Samaritans were, and why they were called Samaritans, and how they came to be in the land of Israel? Do y9u think the Jews had a good reason for refusing the help of the Samaritans? What do you think would have been the result if they had been permitted to work with the Jews in building the temple?
104.	THE PROPHETS SET THE PEOPLE TO WORK
Study Ezra 5
Haggai and Zechariah Prophesy. Ezra 5:1-5.
1.	What prophets prophesied at this time?
2.	What did they prophesy? Haggai 1:1, 2, 7, 8; Zech.
1:1, 12-16.
3.	As a result, who began to build again?
4.	Who came to make an investigation?
5.	Why could not Tatnai and his companions stop the
work?
Tatnai’s Letter to King Darius. Ezra 5:6-17.
6.	To whom did they write a letter?
7.	What did they say about the work the Jews were
doing?
8.	What question had they asked the elders?
9.	What had the elders confessed as the reason they had
been in captivity?
10.	Who had given them permission to return?
11.	Whom did Cyrus make governor of Judea?
12.	What did the writers of the letter ask the king to do?
Pronounce
Hag' ga i Zech a ri ah (zek a ri' ah)
She thar-boz nai (she' thar-boz' ni)
Ju de' a Jesh'u a Chal de an (kal de' an) She al' ti el
Joz' a dak Tat nai (tat' ni)
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Memory Verse
It shall come to pass, that as ye were a curse among the heathen, 0 house of Judah, and house of Israel; so will I save you, and ye shall be a blessing. Zech. 8:13.
Notes
1.	The Jews grew very much discouraged about building the city of Jerusalem. They went to their homes and plowed and sowed their fields, but somehow nothing would grow very well. Then the prophets Haggai and Zechariah began to prophesy. They told them that if they would go to work on the temple again, the Lord would bless them, and help them, and they would be a blessing, as the memory verse says.
2.	There was a new king of Medo-Persia now. His name was Darius. He was like Cyrus. Soon after the Jews went to work on the temple again, Tatnai, who was governor on the western side of the Euphrates River, came down to Jerusalem to see what the Jews were doing. He was an officer of King Darius. It was his duty to know what they were doing and report to the king.
3.	The Lord helped the Jews to answer Tatnai wisely and truthfully. They confessed that they had sinned against God, and that that was why they had been in captivity; but they said that Cyrus had made a decree permitting them to return and build the temple. They respectfully asked that the king would search among the records for this decree.
105.	THE DECREE OF DARIUS
(519 b. c.)
Study Ezra 6
The Decree Found. Ezra 6:1, 2.
1.	What was searched by order of Darius?
2.	Where was the decree of Cyrus found?
The Decree of Cyrus. Ezra 6:3-5.
3.	What directions had Cyrus given for building the
foundations of the temple?
4.	What had he commanded concerning the vessels of
the temple?
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The Decree of Darius. Ezra 6:6-12.
5.	Who were commanded to let the work of God alone?
6.	How were they to help the elders of the Jews?
7.	For whom did he ask the prayers of the Jews?
8.	What was to be done with those who should hinder
the work any more?
The Temple Dedicated. Ezra 6:13-18.
9.	Who helped the Jews speedily? How did the prophets
help them?
10.	What three kings had made decrees concerning the
temple?
11.	When was the temple finished?
12.	How did they dedicate the temple?
The Passover. Ezra 6:19-22.
13.	What feast was kept at its appointed’time?
14.	What made them so joyful?
15.	Place Ecbatana (Achmetha) upon Map 3, page 153.
Pronounce
Cy'rus Da ri' us Ach me tha (ak'metha) Per sia (pur' sha) Zech a ri ah (zek a ri' ah) Ec bat a na (ek bat' a na)
Hag' ga i As syr' i a Artaxerxes (ar" tak surk' sez) Tat nai (tat' ni)
She thar-boz nai (she' thar-boz' ni) A phar sach ites (a far' sak ites)
Notes
1.	Cyrus was the greatest of the kings of Medo-Persia. His memory was reverenced and respected by Darius. When Darius was informed that Cyrus had made a decree, he at once ordered that it should be found and examined. The Jews thought this decree was at Babylon, for that is where
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Cyrus gave it. But it had been taken to the old capital of Media called Achmetha, or Ecbatana. Find this city on the map and place it on your own.
2.	“There are two sides to every story.” When Artaxerxes searched the records, he found one side of the history of Jerusalem (Ezra 4:19,20); Darius found the other (Ezra 6:3-5). It is always best to know both sides before we judge any person or thing. Darius quoted a part of the decree of Cyrus which is not given in Ezra 1. Darius wished the Jews to offer sacrifices and to pray for him and his sons.
3.	It was twenty-one years from the time the Jews began to build the temple until they finished it. How happy they were when it was all done, and could be dedicated to the service of the Lord! The time of the Pass-over came very soon after the dedication; and this feast they kept with great joy, “for the Lord had made them joyful.”
The Bible does not tell us what the Jews at Jerusalem did now for a number of years. In nine lessons we shall study about the Jews who did not go back to Jerusalem. They were called the “Dispersion,” because they were dispersed, or scattered, all over the Medo-Persian Empire.
106.	REVIEW LESSON
1.	What did Jeremiah write to the Jews in Babylon?
2.	When was Daniel taken to Babylon?
3.	What was Nebuchadnezzar’s plan for all the young
princes in captivity?
4.	Why did Daniel and his friends refuse the king’s food
and wine?
5.	Tell the story of the last night of. the last, king of
Babylon.	’	,
6.	What do these words mean: Mene, Tekel, Peres?
Who wrote them on the wall?
7.	In what year did the Babylonian captivity begin? In
what year did it end?
8.	By what nation was Babylon captured while the Jews
we're captives there?
9.	What Persian king made the first decree giving the
Jews permission to return to their own land?
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10.	Which psalm tells how the Jews felt when they were
captives in Babylon? Which one tells how they felt when they were allowed to go back to Jerusalem?
11.	How many people returned to Judea in response to the
first decree? Who was their leader?
12.	Why did the old men weep when the foundation of jthe
temple was laid?
13.	What did Haggai say of the glory of th,is “latter - house”? What does this mean?
14 What people hated the Jews and hindered their work? Why?
15.	What prophets encouraged, the Jews to continue their
work?
16.	Who found the decree of Cyrus? Where? Who gave
the second decree?
107.	AHASUERUS AND VASHTI
Study Esther 1 The Feast of Ahasuerus. Esther 1:1-8.
1.	Over how many provinces did Ahasuerus reign?
2.	What was the capital of his kingdom?
3.	When did he make a feast? For whom?
4.	How long did this feast continue?
5.	At its close, for whom did he make a feast? Where?
6.	From what did his guests drink?
The Feast of Vashti. Esther 1:9.
7.	For whom did Vashti make a feast?
Vashti Disobeys the King. Esther 1:10-12.
8.	Who were commanded to bring Vashti to the feast?
9.	Did Vashti obey? Why was the king angry?
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Vashti Is Deposed. Esther 1:13-22.
10.	What did the king ask his wise men? Who answered?
11.	What did Memucan think would be the result of the
queen’s disobedience?
12.	What decree did the king publish throughout his
empire?
13.	Place Shushan, the river Ulai, Media, and Persia,
upon your copy of Map 3.
Pronounce
In' di a She' thar Big' tha Me hu' man Biz' tha Per sia (pur' sha) Ze' thar Tar' shish
Me' res Car cas (kar' kas) Ad' ma tha Me' di a Vash' ti E thi 6' pi a Shu'shan Har bo' na
Mar se' na Ulai (yu' la i)
A has u e' rus Car she na (kar' she na) Me mu can (me mu' kan) A bag' tha
Memory Verse
It is not for kings to drink wine; nor for princes strong drink: lest they drink, and forget the law. Prov. 31:4, 5.
Notes
1.	Shushan was now the capital of Persia. It was situated on the Ulai River. Find it on the map and place it on your own. Also find the countries India and Ethiopia on a map of the Eastern Hemisphere in your geography. Darius was now dead, and Ahasuerus was king. In history, he is called Xerxes.
2.	It was the custom in Persia for men and women to hold their feasts in separate apartments. Women did not appear at the feasts of the men. The king and his princes drank wine until they forgot this law for women. The king asked the queen to break the law of Persia.
3.	Vashti was a modest woman. She would not do that which was wrong and contrary to the law and customs of her people. The Bible teaches that a woman should obey her husband in everything that is right. But a womaq should love the Lord more than any earthly being, and obey His laws first'of all. Vashti was deposed, which means that she could no longer be queen; but that was better than to be made a show before drunken men.
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108.	AHASUERUS AND ESTHER
Study Esther 2
A New Queen Sought. Esther 2:1-4.
1.	What did the king remember?
2.	What did the king’s officers advise?
Mordecai. Esther 2:5-7.
3.	Who was Mordecai?
4.	When had he been taken into captivity?
5.	Whom had he brought up as his own daughter?
Esther. Esther 2:8-11.
6.	Among the maidens gathered, what Jewish girl was
also taken to the palace?
7.	What had Mordecai told Esther to keep secret?
8.	Where did Mordecai walk every day? Why?
Esther Made Queen. Esther 2:17-20.
9.	Who was chosen to be queen instead of Vashti?
10.	Why did the king again make a great feast?
11.	How well did Esther obey Mordecai?
Mordecai Saves the King’s Life. Esther 2:21-23.
12.	Who conspired against the king?
13.	How was the plot made known to the king?
14.	Where was this matter recorded?
Pronounce
Heg'ai Shim' e i Big' than Te' resh Jec o ni ah (jekonl'a)
Es ther (es' ter)
Mor de cai (mor' de ki) Ha das' sah Sha ash' gaz
Notes
1.	The customs of people of ancient times and of other lands seem strange to us. The king of Persia was an absolute ruler. Whatever he
195
wished, must be done. Whether Esther wished to go to the king or not, she must do so.
2.	Mordecai was Esther’s cousin, but probably much older than she. She was an orphan, and he had brought her up. She showed her gratitude by obeying him as if he were her father. “Hadassah” was her Chaldean name. “Esther” means a star, in the Persian language.
3.	Mordecai was of the family of Saul, of the tribe of Benjamin. He “sat in the king’s gate” probably means that he held a position under the king, was one of the king’s officers. Mordecai told Esther not to tell anyone that she was a Jewess, because she might receive ill treatment. “Jeco-niah” is a form of the word “Jehoiachin.”
4.	Mordecai rendered the king a great service in saving him from the two chamberlains who plotted to take his life. A record of it all was made, and the king probably intended to reward Mordecai for his good deed, but it was forgotten for a long time.
109.	THE DECREE AGAINST THE JEWS
Study Esther 3
Hainan the Agagite. Esther 3:1-6.
1.	Who was promoted by King Ahasuerus?
2.	Who would not bow to or reverence Haman?
3.	What did the king’s servants ask Mordecai?
4.	Who told Haman that Mordecai would not reverence
him? Why?
5.	What did Haman determine to do?
Pur, or the Lot. Esther 3:7-11.
6.	Why did they cast lots before Haman?
7.	On what month did the lot fall?
8.	What did Haman tell the king about the Jews?
9.	What would he pay if the king would destroy them?
10.	What did the king give to Haman?
The Decree.' Esther 3:12-15.
11.	When was the decree made?
14—B. L., Fifth Grade
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12.	Who were commanded to destroy the Jews? When?
13.	By whom were the letters sent to the provinces?
14.	What was the effect of this letter in Shushan?
Pronounce
Nl' san
Pur
Adar'
Ha' man A' gag ite Ham me da' tha
Signet Rings
Notes
1.	Haman, it is supposed, was an Amalekite, a descendant of King Agag. The Amalekites always hated Israel, and tried to destroy them in the wilderness. Because of this, Saul was commanded to destroy the Amalekites. This he did not do. A remnant remained to annoy Israel through all the long years of their history. King Ahasuerus made Haman his prime minister.
2.	Mordecai would not bow himself before a man and give him reverence that belongs only to God. When he was asked why he did not bow before Haman, he said he was a Jew. They then knew that it was because of his loyalty to his God that he dared to disobey the king's commandment.
3.	Haman was not satisfied to take vengeance on Mordecai alone. He probably knew the history of his people and Israel. He determined to destroy forever the people who worshiped the true God. It was Satan who planned all this. Haman was only his human agent.
4.	The king's ring was his signet, the instrument that contained his seal. When this seal was stamped on a writing, that writing became a law. A law of the Medes and Persians could not be changed. After finishing this wicked business, the king and Haman sat down to a banquet of wine. How hard and cruel the heart may become when the love of God is not in it!
5.	To “cast Pur" means to cast lots. The lot fell on the thirteenth of Adar, the last month of the year. He cast the lot in the first month of the year, called “Nisan" by the Babylonians. The Jews adopted this name after the captivity. It took the place of “Abib," by which the first month had previously been called. Almost a year must pass by before the Jews would be killed.
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6.	Haman promised to pay the king a very large sum of money, probably more than ten millions of our money. Haman expected that when the Jews were killed, he would get their money and property. With their wealth he would pay what he had promised to the king.
7.	Xenophon describes the Persian posts in these words: “Stables are erected along the various lines of route, at such a distance one from another as a horse can accomplish in a day. All the stables are provided with a number of horses and grooms. There is a postmaster to preside over each, who receives the dispatches along with the tired men and horses and sends them on by fresh horses and fresh riders. Sometimes there is no stoppage in the conveyance even at night, since a night courier takes up the work for a day courier and continues it. It has been said that these posts outstrip the flight of birds, which is not altogether true; but beyond a doubt it is the most rapid of all conveyances.”
110.	MORDECAI AND ESTHER
Study Esther 4
The Jews Mourn. Esther 4:1-5.
1.	How did Mordecai express his grief when he heard of
the decree?
2.	What place was he not allowed to enter? Why?
3.	How did the Jews everywhere receive the decree?
4.	How did Esther learn of Mordecai’s grief?
5.	What did she send to him? What did she inquire?
Mordecai Tells Esther. Esther 4:6-14.
6.	How did Mordecai inform Esther of the decree?
7.	What did he ask Esther to do? Why did she think
this was impossible?
8.	What did Mordecai tell Esther would be her fate if
she still refused?
9.	Why had Esther been made queen of Persia?
Prayer for Esther. Esther 4:15-17.
10.	Whom did Esther wish to fast and pray for her?
11.	What did she say of herself?
12.	Did Mordecai do as Esther desired?
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Memory Verse
So will I go in unto the king, which is not according to the law: and if I perish, I perish. Esther 4:16.
Notes
1.	No sign of mourning was allowed in the palace of the Medo-Persian kings. Nothing that could suggest sorrow, loss, disappointment, or pain was ever allowed to come before the king or his household. Sackcloth was a coarse cloth worn by the Jews when they mourned. Therefore Mordecai could not enter the king's palace.
2.	Though Esther was the king's wife, his favorite, she dared not approach him unless he sent for her. When persons ventured into the presence of a Medo-Persian king unbidden, they were usually instantly killed. Sometimes, however, the king forgave them, and by holding out his scepter, showed that he would receive them. We may enter the presence of God, the King of kings, at any time, and tell Him all that is in our hearts. The golden scepter is always held out to us.
3.	Mordecai believed that Esther had been chosen queen that she might save her people at this time. Esther at last became willing to risk her life to save her people. She said, “If I perish, I perish.'' She wanted all the Jews in Shushan to fast and pray for her, that the king might favor her and spare her iife.
111.	ESTHER FAVORED BY AHASUERUS
Study Esther 5
The Golden Scepter. Esther 5:1, 2.
1.	How did Esther dress herself on the third day?
2.	Where did she stand? Where was the king’s throne?
3.	What did the king hold out to her? What did she do?
Esther’s Invitation. Esther 5:3-5.
4.	What did the king promise Esther?
5.	What was Esther’s request? Was it granted?
At the Banquet. Esther 5: 6-8.
6.	What did the king ask Esther at the banquet?
7.	What request did she repeat? What did she promise?
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Hainan and Zeresh. Esther 5:9-14.
8.	How did the favor shown to Haman affect him?
9.	What changed his joy to grief?
10.	What did he tell his wife and friends at home?
11.	Why could he not enjoy the honors bestowed upon
him?
12.	What did his wife and friends advise him to do?
Notes
1.	People in Eastern countries do not always tell plainly what they want, but ask for something else first. If they receive a favorable answer, after a time they tell what they really want. The king understood that Esther's invitation to a banquet was not her real request. The king’s promise of half his kingdom seems very rash, but that was the way of kings in ancient times.
2.	Though Haman held the highest position the king could give him, and received every day tokens of his favor, yet he was unhappy because a'Jew, a despised member of a captive people, did not bow down to the ground when he passed by. How small and mean is a selfish soul! Haman could see nothing but Haman. He thought only of Haman. He lived only for Haman.
3.	He felt sure he could persuade Ahasuerus the king to put Mordecai to death. Mordecai was sentenced to die anyway at the end of the year, and a few months would make little difference. Acting on the advice of his friends, he built the gallows, and went at an early hour to ask the king to hand Mordecai over* to him to be hanged. Haman thought that he would enjoy the banquet so much better if Mordecai were out of the way. Then he could go in “merrily” to eat and drink with the king and queen.
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“Then took Haman the apparel and the horse, and arrayed Mordecai, and brought him on horseback through the street of the city.”
112.	MORDECAI HONORED
Study Esther 6
A Sleepless Night. Esther 6:1-3.
1.	Who could not sleep on the night after the banquet?
2.	For what did the king ask? Why?
3.	What did he find recorded in the chronicles?
4.	What question did the king ask?
5.	Had Mordecai’s good deed been rewarded?
Haman Honors Mordecai. Esther 6:4-11.
6.	Who was in the court? Why was he there?
7.	What question did the king ask Haman?
8.	What did Haman think the king meant?
9.	What did Haman answer the king?
10.	What was Haman commanded to do at once?
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Haman Downcast. Esther 6:12-14.
11.	How did Haman feel about the honors he had been
obliged to give to Mordecai?
12.	What did his wife and friends prophesy?
13.	Who came to escort Haman to the second banquet?
Notes
1.	God is in all the affairs of life; but how seldom do we realize it! Little did King Ahasuerus think, as he turned on his pillow, restless and wakeful, that it was God who had taken sleep from his eyelids, that he might be led to do justice to one who was forgotten, despised, and condemned to death.
2.	Haman thought he was the one whom the king would most delight to honor. There was nothing he wanted so much as to wear the king’s robe and his crown and to ride upon his horse through the streets of Shushan. Really, it seems he would have liked to be king himself. 0 how bitter and humiliating to have to give all this honor to Mordecai the Jew!
3.	Hainan’s wife and friends were no comfort to him. When all was going well with him, they urged him to greater wickedness; now they could only prophesy discouraging things. True friends, who love the Lord, warn us and try to turn us from doing wrong; and if we have trouble, they speak hopeful, encouraging words.
113.	WICKED HAMAN’S DEATH
Study Esther 7
The Second Banquet. Esther 7:1, 2.
1.	Who came again to Esther’s banquet?
2.	What did the king again ask Esther?
Esther’s Request. Esther 7:3-5.
3.	What was Esther’s petition?
4.	If the. .sentence had been anything less than death,
would she have spoken?
5.	Whose name did the king desire to know?
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Haman Accused. Esther 7:6-8.
6.	How did Esther accuse Haman?
7.	Why did Ahasuerus leave the table?
8.	With whom did Haman plead for his life? Why?
9.	Why did they cover Haman’s face?
Haman Hanged. Esther 7:9, 10.
10.	What did Harbonah, the chamberlain, suggest?
11.	Where was Haman hanged?
Memory Verse
The righteousness of the perfect shall direct his way; but the wicked shall fall by his own wickedness. Prov. 11:5.
Notes
1.	For the first time, the king and Haman learned that Esther was a Jewess. This must have been a very great surprise. How strange it seems for a queen to plead for her own life! Yet she was in as much danger as the humblest woman among her people.
2.	‘The enemy could not countervail the king's damage" means that the great sum to be paid to the king would not balance the loss he would sustain in the death of so many of his subjects. The king was angry with Haman for planning to have the Jews killed, but he must also have been ashamed of himself for being so willing to allow this wicked thing to be done.
3.	“Covered Haman's face." It is customary to cover the face of one who is about to be put to death for his crimes. It signifies the shame of his deeds, and that he is no longer worthy to behold the light of day. Haman suffered the just punishment of his wicked deeds, as all will finally who have plotted against and persecuted the innocent.
“He made a pit, and digged it,
And is fallen into the ditch which he made.
His mischief shall return upon his own head,
And his violent dealing shall come down upon his own pate."
Ps. 7:15, 16.
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114.	MORDECAI AND THE JEWS
Study Esther 8
Mordecai Exalted. Esther 8:1,2.
1.	To whom was the house of Haman given?
2.	What position was given to Mordecai?
3.	Who was set over the house of Haman?
Esther’s Second Petition. Esther 8:3-8.
4.	How did Esther plead for her people?
5.	What sign of favor did she receive?
6.	What did she ask the king to do?
7.	What permission did the king give Esther?
The Second Decree. Esther 8:9-14.
8.	When was the second decree given?
9.	What was granted in this decree?
10.	How was this decree taken to all parts of the empire?
The Jews Rejoice. Esther 8:15-17.
11.	How did the Jews receive the good news in the decree?
12.	Why did many of the people become Jews?
Notes
1.	Mordecai was given the position that had.been held by Haman; but though he was now prime minister, his people were still in as great danger as before.
2.	Esther now pleaded most earnestly for her people. She was safe under the king's protection, and Haman was dead; but the evil he did lived after him. The law he made was in full effect, as if the king's purpose had not changed.
3.	The king himself could not change or destroy the law, but he could give Mordecai permission to make another law that would counteract the effect of the first. This he did; for another law, or decree, was made, giving the Jews permission to fight for themselves against any who should attack them. * This last decree was hastened on its way even more than the first, lest not all the people should get the news in time, though there were still nine months before the thirteenth of Adar.
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115.	THE FEAST OF PURIM
Study Esther 9; 10.
The Thirteenth of Adar. Esther 9:1-6,10,11,16,17.
1.	In what places did the Jews gather?
2.	Whose power and influence were very great?
3.	How successful were the Jews in their defense?
4.	Who were slain at Shushan?
5.	How many were slain in the provinces?
The Fourteenth of Adar. Esther 9:12-15.
6.	What did Esther request?
7.	What were the Jews in Shushan permitted to do on
the fourteenth?
The Feast of Purim. Esther 9:18-32.
8.	How did the Jews observe the day after their great
deliverance?
9.	What feast did Mordecai institute?
10.	Why is this feast called Purim?
11.	How long was this feast to be kept?
12.	To how many were the letters of Mordecai and
Esther sent?
Mordecai’s Greatness. Esther 10.
13.	Where was a record made of Mordecai’s greatness?
14.	How was he regarded by his brethren the Jews?
Notes
1.	When the thirteenth of Adar came, the Jews gathered in their cities, and defended themselves. The officers of the Persian government favored them. But although they now enjoyed royal favor, they still had many enemies who dared to attack them. The Jews only fought to save their lives. They took no spoil, which, according to the rules of war, rightfully belonged to them.
2.	It is supposed that the Jews at Shushan were still in danger at the close of the thirteenth of Adar. Esther therefore asked that they might be allowed to stand on the defensive for another day.
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3.	The Jews in the provinces had made the fourteenth of Adar a day of thanksgiving; the Jews of Shushan had observed the fifteenth day. When this was made a yearly, national feast, both days were to be celebrated. They called it the Feast of Purim, because Haman cast lots for the day. “Purim” is the plural of “Pur,” and means “lots.” The Feast of Purim has been observed by the Jews from that day to this. First they fast, then the book of Esther is read, and then they have a joyful feast and give presents to one another.
4.	How many times have you found the name of God in the book of Esther? Do you think God is in the book of Esther? Write a list of things that occurred in this story of Esther that show that the Lord was with His people the Jews, and helped them in a very wonderful way, though His name is not mentioned.
116.	THE DECREE OF ARTAXERXES
(457 B. C.)
Study Ezra 7
Ezra'the Scribe. Ezra 7:1-6,10.
1.	Of what tribe and family was Ezra?
2.	What was his profession? What had he prepared
to do?
Ezra Goes to Jerusalem. Ezra 7:6-9.
3.	How much did the king grant to Ezra?
4.	Who returned to Judea with him?
5.	Upon what date did he leave Babylon?
6.	When did he arrive at Jerusalem?
The Decree. Ezra 7:11-26.
7.	Who gave the decree permitting them to go to Je-
rusalem?
8.	By whom was Ezra sent? For what purpose?
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9.	Who gave the silver and gold which Ezra took to .Jerusalem?
10.	What was he to buy with it? How could they obtain
more?
11.	What did Artaxerxes command the treasurers to do?
12.	Who were not required to pay toll, tribute, or custom?
13.	What officers was Ezra to appoint?
14.	How much power was given to these officers?
Ezra’s Gratitude. Ezra 7:27, 28.
15.	How did Ezra express his thankfulness for these
favors?
Notes
1.	More than sixty years passed away between the decree of Darius in chapter six of the book of Ezra and the decree of Artaxerxes in chapter seven. During this time, the events in the book of Esther, which we have just been studying, took place.
2.	A scribe in Ezra’s day was one who copied the Bible. Scribes carefully studied the text, and followed strict rules in copying it. Because of their occupation, they were very well informed in the Scriptures, and many of them became teachers of the word of God.
3.	Ezra was one of the most learned and pious of all the scribes. He was also a priest, a descendant of Aaron. He is supposed to have gathered all the sacred writings together, and formed the canon of Scripture; which means that he collected the books of the Old Testament, at least all that were then written.
4.	The decree of Artaxerxes included many things: (1) It permitted all Israelites to return to Judea; (2) it permitted Ezra to take with him offerings for the temple; (3) it gave Ezra permission to draw on the royal treasury for whatever he needed to carry on the temple service and the work of rebuilding Jerusalem; (4) it relieved from taxation all who did anything in the temple service; (5) it gave Ezra full power to appoint officers and to compel all to obey his laws.
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117.	NEHEMIAH GOES TO JERUSALEM
Study Nehemiah 2
Nehemiah Sad. Neh. 2:1-3.
1.	Who was cupbearer for the king of Persia?
2.	What did the king notice about Nehemiah’s counte-
nance?
3.	Why was Nehemiah afraid? Why was he sad? Nehemiah’s Request. Neh. 2:4-9.
4.	What did the king ask him? Why did Nehemiah
pray?
5.	What favor did he ask of the king?
6.	Why did he wish letters to the governors beyond the
river?
7.	What did he wish to get from the keeper of the king’s
forest?
8.	Did the king permit Nehemiah to go? Who were
sent with him?
Nehemiah at Jerusalem. Neh. 2:10-20.
9.	Who was deeply grieved by the coming of Nehemiah?
10.	What did Nehemiah view alone by night?
11.	When he knew the condition of the ruins, what did he
ask the people to do?
12.	What personal experience did he relate to encourage
them?
13.	Who scorned and despised them?
14.	How did Nehemiah answer their taunting words?
Pronounce
Je ru' sa lem Ni' san Ze rub' ba bel Asaph (a' saf)
To bi' ah Ne he mi' ah Ge' shem - San bal' lat Hor' o nite
Ar tax erx es (ar" tak surk' sez) A ra' bi an Am' mon ite
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Notes
1.	Nehemiah had a brother who had been to Jerusalem. He told Nehemiah that the Jews were having a very hard time, they were “in great affliction and reproach: the wall of Jerusalem also is broken down, and the gates thereof are burned with fire.” This was what made Nehemiah so sad.
2.	Nehemiah was cupbearer to King Artaxerxes. This means that he examined and tasted all the food the king ate and the wine that he drank, and waited upon him at table. Kings in those days had many enemies, and one of the ways they tried to kill the kings was to put poison in their food or wine. The position of a cupbearer was therefore a very responsible and dangerous position. The king's life depended upon his cupbearer's faithfulness.
3.	Nehemiah wanted to go to Jerusalem. He felt that he could help his people, but he knew that the king would not want him to leave him. So Nehemiah prayed that the Lord would influence Artaxerxes to let him go; and He did. This is the same king who gave so many favors to Ezra.
4.	Nehemiah made a careful inspection of the ruined wall before he began building. He considered carefully all that had to be done. It was now ninety-two years since Zerubbabel led the first fifty thousand captives back to Judea. All this time, they had been trying to build up Jerusalem and restore the ruined wall. The Samaritans hindered them all the time. When they got a part of the wall built up, their enemies came and tore it down and burned the gates.
118.	THE JEWS RIDICULED AND DISTRESSED
Study Nehemiah 4 The Samaritans. Neh. 4:1-12.
1.	What scornful speech did Sanballat make before the
army of Samaria?
2.	What did Tobiah say could break down their walls?
3.	For what did Nehemiah pray?
4.	Who conspired together to make an attack on Jeru-
salem before the wall was finished?
5.	To whom did Nehemiah look for help? How did he
help- himself?
6.	What discouraging thing did Judah say?
7.	What was the plan of their adversaries?
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“The builders, every one had his sword girded by his side, and so builded.”
Working and Watching. Neh. 4:13-23.
8.	What did Nehemiah say in his speech to the people?
9.	How many of his servants worked? What did the
rest do?
10.	What did each workman hold in one hand?
11.	What plan did they arrange for warning one another?
12.	Where were they to lodge at night? Why?
13.	What does Nehemiah tell to show how constantly
they worked and watched?
Notes
1.	Nehemiah set every one to work. They prayed and watched and worked. If they had neglected any one of these, they would not have succeeded. “God helps him who helps himself.”
2.	Long before this, Daniel had made this prophecy about Jerusalem: “The street shall be built again, and the wall, even in troublous times.” Dan. 9:25. Surely this was fulfilled exactly.
3.	The scornful speeches did not trouble Nehemiah so much as the dis-
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couraging words of his own people. When a work goes hard, we should encourage one another. We cannot do this, however, unless we have faith. We must believe that the Lord will help us, and we shall succeed no matter how many difficulties there may be.
4.	Nehemiah set a good example of faith and courage and devotion. He and his men were on guard all the time. If they slept at all, they slept fully dressed, with their weapons at hand, to resist the Samaritans if they should attack them.
119.	THE WALL COMPLETED
Study Nehenyah 6 A Great Work. Neh. 6:1-4.
1.	What did the Samaritans hear about the wall?
2.	What new scheme did they plan?
3.	Did Nehemiah fall into their trap?
4.	What answer did he return to their invitation to meet
with them?
5.	How many times did they send messengers to him?
6.	What answer did he give each time?
Sanballat’s Letter. Neh. 6:5-9.
7.	Who sent an open letter to Nehemiah?
8.	What accusation did the letter contain?
9.	How did Nehemiah deny the accusation?
10.	For what did Nehemiah pray?
Shentaiah’s Plan. Neh. 6:10-14.
11.	What did Shemaiah wish Nehemiah to do?
12.	Why would Nehemiah not take his advice?
13.	Who had hired him to advise Nehemiah thus?
14.	What did Nehemiah again pray?
The Wall Finished. Neh. 6:15,16.
15.	When was the wall finished? In how many days?
When their enemies learned of this, how did they feel?
16.	What did they admit?
15—B. L., Fifth Grade
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The Dedication of the Wall. Neh. 12:27-31, 43.
17.	Who came to the dedication of the wall?
18.	How did the people express their joy?
Pronounce
O' no E' lul Ge' shem No a dr ah She ma iah (she ma' ya)
Memory Verse
I am doing a great work, so that I cannot come down: why should the work cease, whilst I leave it, and come down to you? Neh. 6:3.
Notes
1.	The wall abound Jerusalem was built by Nehemiah and the people in fifty-two days, because of the wonderful faith and courage of one man. How great an influence one person may have either to help or to hinder a good work!
2.	One of the secrets of Nehemiah’s success was that he would not even stop to talk with his enemies. He told them he was doing a great work. He could not come down from this work to talk with them. We should be so earnestly at work for God that we have no time for anyone or anything that would draw us away from that work.
3.	Nehemiah was a brave man. He would not hide in the temple. He was needed on the wall to help and encourage the people. He paid no attention to slander, but told his enemies they made it all up in their own hearts.
4.	How happy all who had worked on the wall were when it was finished! The more we do in the Lord’s work, the more joy we shall have when it is done. They dedicated the wall to the Lord the same as they had the temple, because they were His people, Jerusalem was His city in a special sense, and He had helped them to build the wall to make it a safe place in which to live and to serve Him.
5.	The period of time from the decree of Cyrus in 536 B. C. to the end of the Old Testament is called the Period of the Restoration, because during this time Jerusalem was built up again, restored. The three great leaders of this period are Zerubbabel, who led the first band of fifty thou-
To br ah De la iah (de la'ya)
Me het' a beel SanbaT lat
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sand back to Judea and was their governor; Ezra, who obtained the third decree, led the second band, and was the great scribe, or teacher of the law; and Nehemiah, who built the wall of Jerusalem and was governor for twelve years.
120. THE STORY OF-------------
There was a — of — who reigned over--------------.
He made a great — for all his — and —, which lasted —
----days. Afterwards he made a— for all the — for —
days. - —■— also made a — for the —. When ------had
drunk until he forgot the — for —, he commanded -----
to come in before the — to show them her —.-----would
not —, which made the — very —. He she should no longer be —. He would have another —.
Among the captives in—' was a — by the' — of —. He sat in the ——‘. He had a —, a—, named —, whom he had;—- — because she was an —. She was very — and very’—. Many"1*- were brought to the —, but — — chose
—	to be his —.
There lived also at this time in — an — by the name of—. He was a descendant of King —, whom slew.
•----- made —■ his — —, and commanded all to •— and —
him; but — would not, because he could not give to a — the -f that should be given only to -—. Because of this,
—	hated —1 and determined to take vengeance not only on — but on all the — throughout —.
— cast —■ for a —, The lot fell on the — of . He told the — that the — of the — were different from the king's —, therefore the — were dangerous to the — and ought not to '-—. The .— permitted — to make a — that on the — of —* all the —- should be —. When — knew this, he sent — to —- and told her she must — — before the —/and — for the life of — —. It was against the—■ for — to go before the .— who had not been —. — was
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afraid; but — told her if she did not go, — would come in some other way, but — would —. Then — said if — and the — in — would — and — for — days, she would go in. She said, “--------,-----
She went, and the — held out----------and asked her
what she —. She — the — and — to a —. They came. She — them to come to another — the — day. On the — day, she told the — of the — of the wicked —. The — was very —, and commanded — to be — on the — he had
—	for —.
The — gave — the position that had been filled by —, and gave him power to make another —. This — gave the
—	permission to — themselves. This they did, and------
of their — were —.
Then — appointed a great memorial — to be held on the — and — of —. This is called the — of —. It is — every year by the — in this way: First they —, then the book of — is —. When they read the name of —, they hiss; but when — name is read, they shout and clap their hands for joy. After this, they have a — and give — to one another.
121. REVIEW LESSON
1.	Who reigned over one hundred twenty provinces?
What was his capital city?
2.	Why was Vashti deposed from being queen?
3.	What orphan girl was brought up by her cousin?
4.	How did Esther come to be queen of Medo-Persia?
5.	Who saved the king’s life? How?
6.	What descendant of King Agag was prime minister of
Medo-Persia?
7.	Why did he plot the death of all the Jews?
8.	Who ventured into the presence of King Ahasuerus
contrary to the law? .
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9.	Who was obliged to honor the man he most hated?
10.	Who was hanged on a gallows he made for another
man?
11.	What is the Feast of Purim? Why so called? When
is it celebrated?
12.	In what government could a law never be changed?
13.	What scribe obtained a decree from King Artaxerxes
and led the second band of exiles back to Jerusalem? In what year?
14.	What position did Nehemiah hold at the court of King
Artaxerxes? What were his duties?
15.	Who viewed the ruins of Jerusalem alone by moonlight?
16.	What great work did Nehemiah finish at Jerusalem?
In how many days?
17.	Who called the Jews a “feeble” people? Who said a
fox could break down their wall?
18.	Who are the three great leaders of the Restoration?
What did each do?
WHO SAID IT? UNDER WHAT CIRCUMSTANCES?
1.	“I am the Lord your God; fear not the gods of the
Amorites, in whose land ye dwell: but ye have not obeyed My voice.”
2.	“The Lord is with thee, thou mighty man of valor.”
3.	“Go in this thy might, and thou shalt save Israel from
the hand of the Midianites: have not I sent thee?”
4.	“If now I have found grace in thy sight, then show me
a sign that thou talkest with me.”
5.	“Peace be unto thee; fear not: thou shalt not die.”
6.	“Will ye plead for Baal? will ye save him? he that will
plead 'for him, let him be put to death whilst it is yet morning: if he be a god, let him plead for himself, because one hath cast down his altar.”
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7.	“The people that are with thee are too many for Me to
give the Midianites into their hands.”
8.	“Whosoever is fearful and afraid, let him return and
depart early from Mount Gilead.”
9.	“By the three hundred men that lapped will I save you,
and deliver the Midianites into thine hand: and let all the other people go every man unto his place.”
10.	“Behold, I dreamed a dream, and, lo, a cake of barley
bread tumbled into the host of Midian, and came unto a tent, and smote it that it fell, and overturned it.”
11.	“The sword of the Lord, and of Gideon.”
12.	“Go, return each to her mother’s house: the Lord deal
kindly with you, as ye have dealt with the dead, and with me.”
13.	“I went out full, and the Lord hath brought me home
again empty.”
14.	“The Lord recompense thy work, and a full reward be
given thee of the Lord God of Israel, under whose wings thou art come to trust.”
15.	“Blessed be he of the Lord, who hath not left off his
kindness to the living and to the dead.”
16.	“Ho, such a one! turn aside, sit down here.”
17.	“Blessed be the Lord, which hath not left thee this day
without a kinsman, that his name may be famous in Israel.”
18.	“Am not I better to thee than ten sons?”
19.	“How long wilt thou be drunken? put away thy wine
from thee.”
20.	“I have lent him to the Lord; as long as he liveth he
shall be lent to the Lord.”
21.	“If one man sin against another, the judge shall judge
him: but if a man sin against the Lord, who shall entreat for him?”
22.	“Speak; for Thy servant heareth.”
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23.	“The glory is departed from Israel: for the ark of God
is taken.”
24.	“The ark of the God of Israel shall not abide with us.”
25.	“Who is able to stand before this holy Lord God?”
26.	“They have not rejected thee, but they have rejected
Me, that I should not reign over them.”
27.	“Nay; but we will have a king over us.”
28.	“Thou hast done foolishly: thou hast not kept the com-
mandment of the Lord thy God, which He commanded thee: for now would the Lord have established thy kingdom upon Israel forever.”
29.	“To obey is better than sacrifice.”
30.	“The Lord seeth not as man seeth; for man looketh on
the outward appearance, but the Lord looketh on the heart.”
31.	“Behold, I have seen a son of Jesse the Bethlehemite,
that is cunning in playing, and a mighty valiant man, and a man of war, and prudent in matters, and a comely person, and the Lord is with him.”
32.	“Thou comest to me with a sword, and with a spear,
and with a shield: but I come to thee in the name of the Lord of hosts, the God of the armies of Israel, whom thou hast defied.”
33.	“Let not the king sin against his servant, against
David; because he hath not sinned against thee, and because his works have been to thee-ward very good.”
34.	“I am distressed for thee, my brother Jonathan: very
pleasant hast thou been unto me: thy love to me was wonderful, passing the love of women.”
35.	“Behold, we are thy bone and thy flesh.”
36.	“Thine house and thy kingdom shall be established for-
ever before thee: thy throne shall be established forever.”
37.	“Is there not yet any of the house of Saul, that I may
show the kindness of God unto him?”
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38.	“I am but a little child: I know not how to go out or
come in. ... Give therefore Thy servant an understanding heart to judge Thy people, that I may discern between good and bad.”
39.	“I have surely built thee an house to dwell in, a settled
place for thee to abide in forever.”
40.	“Behold, the half was not told me: thy wisdom and
prosperity exceedeth the fame which I heard.”
41.	“My little finger shall be thicker than my father’s
loins.”
42.	“To your tents, 0 Israel.”
43.	“Behold, the altar shall be rent, and the ashes that are
upon it shall be poured out.”
44.	“As the Lord God of Israel liveth, before whom I
stand, there shall not be dew nor rain these years, but according to my word.”
45.	“I know that thou art a man of God, and that the word
of the Lord in thy mouth is truth.”
46.	“Art thou he that troubleth Israel?”
47.	“The Lord, He is the God.”
48.	“The Lord forbid it me, that I should give the inherit-
ance of my fathers unto thee.”
49.	“Hast thou found me, 0 mine enemy?”
50.	“Ye shall not need to fight in this battle.”
“Is it not because there is not a God in Israel, that thou sendest to inquire of Baal-zebub the god of Ekron?”
52.	“My father, my father, the chariot of Israel, and the
horsemen thereof.”
53.	“Go, borrow thee vessels abroad of all thy neighbors,
even empty vessels; borrow not a few.”
54.	“Is it well with thee? is it well with thy husband? is
it well with the child?”
55.	“0 thou man of God, there is death in the pot.”
56.	“Are not Abana and Pharpar, rivers of Damascus,
better than all the waters of Israel?”
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57.	“The leprosy therefore of Naaman shall cleave unto
thee, and unto thy seed forever.”
58.	“Alas, master! for it was borrowed.”
59.	“Fear not: for they that be with us are more than they
that be with them.”
60.	“Behold, if the Lord would make windows in heaven,
might this thing be?”
61.	“We do not well: this day is a day of good tidings, and
we hold our peace.”
62.	f^God save the king.”
63.	“Treason, treason.”
64.	“Why transgress ye the commandments of the Lord,
that ye cannot prosper? because ye have forsaken the Lord, He hath also forsaken you.”
65.	“What meanest thou, 0 sleeper? arise, call upon thy
God, if so be that God will think upon us, that we perish not.”
66.	“I am cast out of Thy sight.”
67.	“Yet forty days, and Nineveh shall be overthrown.”
68.	“Carry thither one of the priests whom ye brought
from thence; . . . and let him teach them the manner of the God of the land.”
69.	“The Lord said to me, Go up against this land, and
destroy it.”
70.	“What shall be the sign that the Lord will heal me?”i
71.	“I will bring evil upon this place, and upon the inhab-
itants thereof, even all the words of the book which the king of Judah hath read.”
72.	“Sing us one of the songs of Zion.”
73.	“Prove thy servants, I beseech thee, ten days; and let
them give us pulse to eat, and water to drink.”
74.	“Let thy gifts be to thyself, and give thy rewards to
another; yet I will read the writing unto the king, and make known to him the interpretation.”
75.	“Thou art weighed in the balances, and art found
wanting.”
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76.	“The Lord God of heaven hath given me all the king-
doms of the earth; and He hath charged me to build Him an house at Jerusalem, which is in Judah.”'
77.	“Let us build with you: for we seek your God, as ye do.”
78.	“Let the king give her royal estate unto another that
is better than she.’’
79.	“The silver is given to thee, the people also, to do with
them as it seemeth good to thee.”
80.	“If I perish, I perish.”
81.	“What is thy petition? and it shall be granted thee:
and what is thy request? even to the half of the kingdom it shall be performed.”
82.	“What shall be done unto the man whom the king de-
lighteth to honor?”
83.	“If I have found favor in thy sight, 0 king, and if it
please the king, let my life be given me at my petition, and my people at my request.”
84.	“Why is thy countenance sad, seeing thou art not sick?”
85.	“Let us rise up and build.”
86.	“What is this thing that ye do? will ye rebel against
the king?”
87.	“What do these feeble Jews?”
88.	“Even that which they build, if a fox go up, he shall
even break down their stone wall.”
89.	“Come, let us meet together in some one of the villages
in the plain of Ono.”
90.	“I am doing a great work, so that I cannot come
down.”
91.	“Should such a man as I flee? and who is there, that,
being as I am, would go into the temple to save his life? I will not go in.”