The Pulpit Commentary — 1 Kings — Section 432

ii. 8). (2) And this depravity is complete (Gen. vi. 5; Isa. i. 5, 6; Rom. iii. 9-19). (8) Life is only tolerable through the meliorating influences of the " gospel of the grace of God." To these must be attributed whatever seems good in unconverted men (Rom. i. 28-82). 2. <hace is free. (1) Ali are directly the subjects of its illuminations, restraints, and encouragements (John i. 9; 1 Cor. xii. 7). (2) Some are indirect7,y specially favoured. Being surrounded by Christian influences. Being children of godly parents. (8) These opportunities, if duly improved, will infallibly lead to salvation (Titus ii. 11-14). 8. Those who fear God from their youth have great advantages. (1) They have not given evil habits time to consoli- date into rigidity. Time is necessary to· this, for habits are strengthened by repetition. The hard crystallization of bad habira renders the conversion of oh! sinners very difficult. Therefore, how few are such conversions, comparatively I (2) They have a splendid opportunity of founding e. strong character of goodness. When the habit of resisting temptation is formed, it becomes more and more natural and easy to resist. Hence, like Obadiah, who " feared the Lord from his youth," they will come to fear Him" greatly." II. HE FEARED THE LORD GREATLY. See the manifestation of this in his-I. Respect for the ambassador of God. (1) He "knew Elijah." Probably he had been present when the prophet warned the king that his fire-god would be made to punish his votaries i11 the absence of dew and rain (eh. xvii. 1). The godly, having sympathy with the ministers of God, are quick to recognize them. (2) He "fell on his face before him." This was the form of e. most respectfnl salutation. He honoured in him that God whose ambassador he was. Obadiah feared the Lord too greatly to give to any creature the homage due to God alone. (3) He addressed him reverently, "My lord Elijah." And he spoke of himself as " thy servant." This was proper on his part ; but we note how Elijah transferred the styla to Ahab--" Go tell thy lord, Beholu, Elijah is here." 2. Kindness to the aervants of God. (1) Through the sin of Jeroboam the priests and Levites went into Judah (see 2 Chron. xi. 18, 14). To supply their le.ck in Ephraim, prophets' colleges were established. The students in these colleges were called " sons of the prophets" (see 2 Kings ii. 8, 5, 7). (2) These, together with their masters, or "fathers," were probably the objects of Jezebel's resentment when Elijah coukl not be found. They are called " prophets of the Lord " (var. 18 ; comp,ue eh. xxii. 85, 88, 41). (8) At the time of that persecution Obadiah sheltered· and fo,l one hundred of these. This he did at the hazard of his life. Because he feared the Lord greatly, he fee.red not the wrath of the king (compare Heb. xi. 28, 27). 8. Faith in the power of God. (1) He believed that Jehovah might raise a wiud that could carry Elijah a.way from the power of Ahab. He doubtless knew that Enoch had been translated into the heavens, and may have known of examples of translations from one locality to another, not recorded in the earlier Scriptmeg (compare 2 Kings ii. 11-16 ; Ezek. iii. 14; Acts viii. 89). (2) A being who con.lLl do such wonders, and whose power was now terribly manifest in the drought, was greatly to be feared (see Matt. x. 28; Luke xii. 5), (S) But whilo God is of all enemies the most formidable, He is an Almighty Friend. III. HE FAITHFULLY SERVED HIS KING. 1. God-fearing men make good citizens. (1) Wicked as Ahab was, he preferred Obadiah to the courtiers of JezeLcl in the high office of chamberlain. (2) This is not a solitary case. Joseph over tho houso of Pharaoh. Daniel in the house of the kings of Babylon. Christians wero iu the household even of Nero. (8) The qualities of a servant of tho Lord-truth, honour, diligence-nre those sought after for places of trust. "Goclliness is profit- able unto all things" (1 Tim. iv. 8; Isa. lviii. 14). 2. God preserves them i-n their faithfulness. (1) Service in a licentious court Obadiah would not lmve chosen. But he is in it aud maintains his integrity. They that fear the Lord need not go out of the world. (2) They have a testimony for God. (8) They have opportunities of serving the servants of the Lord. Let us not mmmlll' at our providential lot. God can chango it if He see fit. If He does not change it, then He has e. purpose in it which we shoulcl emlcavour to fulfil.-J. A. M. 442 THE FIBST BOOK 01!' lUNGS. [ OR, :I.Vitt, 1-46.