I. Goo 18 AN OMNISOiENT OBSERVER, 1. He inspects all human actions. (1) He was present in the palace looking upon the king of Isro.el as he sulked and sickened upon his bed. His eye also was full upon Jezebel as sho proposed her ready cnre for the monarch's cha.grin. "Thou God seest me.'' (2) He was present in that court of justice when the honest Na.both was '' set on high among the people." He witnessed the sons of Belie.I as they swore away the lives of a worthy family. He looked into the faces of the " nobles'' and " elders" of J ezreel who suborned these perjurers. " Thou God seest me.'' (3) He was a spectator at the place of execu- tion. He saw the steadiness of Naboth's step, and noted well the bearing of hi3 sons as they came forth to suffer for rigbtepusness. And the swelling of every muscle of those who hurled the stones was measured by His piercing vision. "Thou God seest me.'' 2. He swrveys all human motives. (1) He clearly discerned the abominable hypocrisy of J ezebel's "fast.'' It was proclaimed ostensibly to avert from the nation Divine judgments provoked by the alleged blasphemy or idolatry of Na.both. 'l'he vineyard of Na both ho.cl more to do with it than his crime. It is " a new thing in the earth" to see Jezebel jealous for the honour of Jehovah ! (2) He knew why the sons of Belia! publicly perjured themselves, and accurately estimated the price for which they sold the lives of honourable citizens. He also estimated the cowardly fear of J ezebel's wrath, rather than encounter which the magistrates carried out her wicked instructions. "Nobles'' and " elders" they were accounted by men; perjurers, murderers, and dastarcls they were accounted by God. (3) He nicely weighed the motive which nerved the muscle of every man who lifted a stone against the life of Naboth. If any were misled by the hypocrisy of the authorities, and thought they "did God service" when they cast the stones, their sincerity was recognized; and those who were not deceived were e.lso known. 3. Nothing ui forgotten before Him. (1) As He sees the end from the beginning so does He see the beginning from the end. (2) Let us never forget that God never can forget. Every action of our lives is present with Him-so every word-so every thought and intent of the heart. Therefore- II. Goo IS A SUPREME JUDGE. 1. He makes sin bitter to the sinner. (1) The acquiEition of the vineyard, the mlll·ders notwithstanding, was at fiLt so pleasing to Ahab that it cured bis sickness, and he "rose up to go down to tlie vineyard of Na.both the J ezreelite, to take possession of it." And this is often the first effect of the gmti.fication of covetousness. (2) But bow transient is the unwo1thy satis- faction I It is soon succeeded by a season of reflection. The sudden apparition of Elijah upon the scene filled Ahab with alarm. His conscience now brought his guilt home, and before Elijah uttered a word, the king exclaimed, " H[Lst thou found me, 0 mine enemy?" This was the language of miogled hatred and fear (see Go.L iv. 16). The presence of the good is a. silent and effective robuke to the wicked. (3) The enormity of Ahab's guilt was brought home to him by the questions, "Hast thou killed, a.ud also taken possession?" He has killed, for by taking possossion lie snnctions the moo.us by which his title is made out (see Job xxxi. 39; J er. :nii. 13, 14; Hab. ii.12). (4) God's Holy Spirit still, by means of the word of prophecy, if not by the lips of living prophets, carries gu.iU to the consciences of sinners, and fills them with remorseful shame. 2. He conveys judgments in Hui providence. We read this principle in the denuuciations uttered by Elijah. (1\ Upon Ahab. "In th~ place whero dogs licked the blood of Nabotb shall dog-a lick thy blood, even thme." This wo.s fulfilled (see eh. xxii. 88). But how "in the place ? " for Naboth suffered ~e.arJezreel. Jezreel is, generally, celled Samaria, being like Ilethcl, one ?f tb~ "c1tie~ of Samaria" (see eh. xiii. 32). So in verse 18, the vineyard of N abotb IS said to be m Samaria, The pa.ssage is more clearly thus tro.nslo.ted: '' Auel the word_of Jehovah came to Elijah the 'l'ishbite, saying, A.rise, go down to meot Alui.b the_king of Israel, who is in Samaria; behold, at the vineyard of Naboth, whither he IS gone d~wn to take possession of it.'' (2) Upon the family of .A.h:tb ('l'ers. 21, 22, _24) •. This was a reprisal for the family of No.both sacrificed with him (see 2Kings ix. 26). A.ll was to the letter accomplished (see 2 Kings ix., x.) (3) Upon Jezebel.. The" cursed ~oman" is signally execrated (ver. 23). The retribution was as signally accomplished (see 2 Kings• ix. 36), (4) This law of retribution iu 624 TlIE FIRST BOOK OF KINGS. [on. xx.t. 1-29.
the judgments of Providence is not limited to sacred history. Orestes recognii,;ed it when he said to lEgisthus- " Go where thou slew'et my father, That in the selfsame place thou too m11y'et die." It may be read in every full and accurate history. 8. He will finally judge the world. (1) For Naboth and his family have yet to be vindicn.ted. Providence has vindicated ~heir reputatio1;1; bu~ they have ~o be vindicated in person also. To this end all parties concerned m theu murder will have to stand face to face with their hearts exposed to the clear light and sensible presence of Omniscient Justice. What defence can the sons of Belial then set up 'l The magistrates 'l Jezebel 'l Ahab 'l (2) Wl_mt a day of ~dications will th_at be_ to all_ the righteous ! What a day of confusion to all the wicked I Everythmg will be nghteously adjusted in that final sentence (!lfatt. xx:v. 34, 41, 46).-J. A. M.