Ahab, bnt between the heathen and the living God who had been blasphemously challenged. Describe Ben-he.dad's successful appeal to Ahab after the defeat. Why was it not commendable (as it was, for example, after the siege of Calais) to spo.re the vanquished? Because the motive was not pity, but policy; o.nd the criminal allowed to escnpe had avowedly fought as J ehovah's foe. It is sometimes " expe- dient that one man should die for the people." Ben-he.dad's death would have been the salvation of Ahab, who in the next war fell mortally wounded ; it would have ensured a lasting peace, as this was the campaign of the Syrian king, rather than of the Syrian people ; and it would have seriously shaken the confidence of the heathen in their gods. The king let his prisoner go to his own undoina. It was this sin which was now rebuked. Picture Ahab returning from the" field flushed with victory. He is accosted by a man who has been sitting wounded and dusty beside the road. He is a disguised prophet, probably Micafo.h, actina a parable. Says he, in effect: "I have come from the battle. In the hour" of victory, the captain, whom I acknowledge I was bound to obey, gave me in charge a prisoner of note, saying that if he escaped my life should answer for it. I admit that I failed, though not designedly; but while thy servnnt was busy here and there he was gone. Ought I to suffer for that slight negligence ? " And when Ahab answered, " Yes,'' the disguise was flung off, and the daring prophet appeared, saying, " In pronouncing my doom, thou hast pronounced thine own." [Read vers. 42 and 43.] The prophet set before the king a picture of his neglect of opportunity which is worthy of our study. We observe- !. THAT OPPORTUNITY IS GIVEN OF GOD. " There is a time for every purpoee under heaven." Examples: (1) In the operations of nature. There is a suit- able time for the gathering of fruit. It may not come when you wish it or expec't it; but neglected then, the fruit is spoiled. A farmer may in the spring be " busy here and there '' with other things, and so neglect to sow his seed. The oppor• tnnity does not recur. (2) In the cultivation of mind. The indolent schoolboy never gets again the leisure 11nd opportunity for study; and if he did, hie capacity for acquiring knowledge has decreased. Contrast the flexibility of mind of the md with that of the man in middle life. (3) In the acquisition of material good. Energy, promptitude, and diligence displayed at a critical moment make a man a millionaire. " There is a tide in the affairs of men which, taken at the flood, leads on to fortune,'' &c. (4) In the consecration of life. No father is content with the physical beanty of his child if mentally he is dead-an idiot; nor is our heavenly Father satisfied to see mental vigour accompanied by spiritual de11,th. He looks for a change, which is a passing from death unto life, and for this He gives opportunity. Observe, secondly- IL THAT OPPORTUNITY xs GRANTED TO ALL. If you would discover this, (I) Consider your outward circumstances. The helpfulness of e. Christian home ; inherited tendencies ; direct religious teaching; exemplars of holy life; recog- nition of God at the family altar; servicee frequented from childhood. If these leave you unblessed, they leave you under heavier condemnation. Soon the home may be broken up, and the encouragements to good may vanioh, and with unavailing regret yon will say," As thy servant was busy here and there, they were gone." (2) Consider your inward condition. There o.re seasons when it is easier to avail ourselves of religious advantages. Youth ie such a season, for then impulses are generous, eusceptibilitieA are tender, affections free, Under the influence of bereavement or personal illness religious convictions are experienced. In and throngh these the Holy Spirit works. Such a timo may be like the morning twilight which brightens into day, or like the evening twilight tho.t deepens into night. Beware of letting convictions slip I III. THAT OPPORTUNITY 18 NEGLECTED BY MANY. Two eanses of this may be enggeeted: (1) The pressure of business. The man on the battle-field was busy enough, but he failed to remember hie special charge. Nothing he did was wrong in itself, but it became a wro:ag when it led to the neglect of obvious duty: and if his life wa.e sacrificed becaasCJ of that nog1cct, the advantage gaiuecl hy othor activity Wll.B of no value. Apply this, and show the difficulty in the way of Oil. S:XI, 1-29.] THE FIRST BOOK OF K!NGS. 607
medito.tion and prayer, created by the multitudinous claims upon our activity. (2) The effect of frwoUty. Some people are "busy here a.ud there" in another sense. You never know where to find them. Their character is indeterminate; their information is incomplete ; their work is wanting in persistence and thoroughness; and their whole life is frittered a.way, they scarcely know how. Ea.eh do.y comes to such o.n one, saying, " Here is something for you to do for God, something for you to think of for your epiritua.l good;" and, having delivered its message, the day falls back into the darkness of night. Again and again the message comes in vain, until the le.et day approaches, then vanishes, and eternity is at hand I The work is left undone; and- over the lost opportunity he can only sa:r, " While thy servant was busy here and there, it was gone." CoNCLUSION.-1. Apply to Christians who are neglecting work for God. 2. Apply to the careleBB who are neglecting decision for God.-A. R.
EXPOSITION.