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and he cast off the Levites whom God had chosen, from being priests, and made priests of the lowest of the people.

Lesson 75. Rehoboam's Conduct.

The priests and Levites out of Israel resorted to Rehoboam, and all such as set their hearts to seek the Lord. They strengthened his kingdom, and for three years he followed the good ways of David and SoloRehoboam forsook God, and he permitted Shishak, king of Egypt to invade Judah, and to spoil the temple.

mon.

Shemaiah, the prophet, said to Rehoboam and to the princes of Judah, "Thus saith the LORD, Ye have forsaken me, and therefore have I also left you in the hand of Shishak." They humbled themselves and said, "The Lord is righteous." Then the Lord granted them some deliverance, but said they should be servants of Shishak. II. Chron. 5-8.

Lesson 76. Of Abijah and Asa.

Abijah was king after Rehoboam. In his reign the people of Judah prevailed against Israel,

because

they relied on the Lord God. Abijah was succeeded by his son Asa, who removed all the idols out of the land. Jeroboam was succeeded by his son Nadab. Baasha conspired against Nadab, slew him, and became king.

When Abijah went to meet Jeroboam and his army, he stood upon a mountain and told them of their rebellion against Rehoboam, and their idolatries, and he ended by saying, " O children of Israel, fight ye not against the LORD God of your fathers; for ye shall not prosper." II. Chron. xiii. 12.

Lesson 77. Asa's Government.

Asa commanded all Judah to obey the commandments. He was encouraged to rely on God, and he put

away all the abominable idols in Judah and Benjamin. After that he did wrong by sending the silver and gold of the temple to the king of Syria, that he might assist him in his wars against Baasha. For this he was reproved.

The prophet Azariah counselled Asa saying, "The LORD is with you, while ye be with him; and if ye seek him he will be found of you; but if ye forsake him, he will forsake you." II. Chron. xv. 2.

Lesson 78. Baasha, Elah, Zimri, Omri, and Ahab, Baasha committed sins like those of Jeroboam. His son Elah reigned only two years; he was slain at a feast, by Zimri. Omri was then made king; he besieged Zimri's palace at Tirzah. Zimri set fire to the palace, and was burnt in it. Omri built Samaria, which became the chief

city of Israel. His son Ahab reign

ed after him.

Nadab the son of Jeroboam was slain by Baasha when he had reigned but two years. Elah the son of Baasha reigned only two years, when he was slain by Zimri another usurper; and thus the house of Baasha was made like the house of Jeroboam.

Lesson 79. Jehoshaphat's Prosperity.

Asa died of a disease in his feet. His son Jehoshaphat succeeded him; he did that which was right. He sent his princes, and the Levites and priests through all the cities of Judah, and they taught the people the law of God. The Lord was with him because he kept his commandments. And no king made war against him.

The Lord established the kingdom of Jehoshaphat because he "sought to the LORD God of his father, and walked in his commandments and not after the doings of Israel." The Lord will establish all who are faithful to him.

Lesson 80. Elijah's Mission.

Elijah the prophet was sent to declare God's judgments against Ahab. He was to hide himself from Ahab by the brook Cherith. After many days he was commanded to go show himself to Ahab. At that time there was a famine in the land, for there had been no rain for years. God promised to send rain.

. "The effectual fervent prayer of a righteous man availeth much. Elias 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 v. 16-18.

Lesson 81. The Sacrifice on Carmel.

All Israel was gathered to a sacrifice on Mount Carmel. The prophets of Baal were there, and Elijah also. The false prophets called on their

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