JEHU’S

and to cast it into this box. The
people were very glad to do this;
they did not want to keep their
riches for themselves, but were will-
ing and joyful to give much of it to
God. The box was soon full; and
then the Levites opened it, and
counted the money, and emptied the
box, and put it in its place again.
The money was given to the carpen-
ters, and masons, and workmen,
who repaired the house of God, to
pay them for their work. When all
was finished, the Levites brought
the rest of the money to the king
and Jehoiada. Then Joash com-
manded that all this gold and silver
should be made into holy vessels for
the service of God; because the
money all belonged to God. The
temple was now repaired; and the
people went to it every day, to offer

 

 

 

~~

REIGN. R57

their sacrifices, as God commanded.
Let us learn to be as generous, in
giving our money in God’s service,
as the good people of Judah were.
We have boxes now to hold money
for holy purposes; to send out mis-
sionaries to heathen lands; and to
buy Bibles and Testaments; and to
build churches and schools, where
idolaters may learn about Jesus.
The money in these boxes is all for
the service of God; and if we love
God, we shall be as glad to contrib-
ute as the people of Judah were.
Rich people would throw in a great
deal, if they truly loved God; and
poor people would try to throw in a
little. All would give something:
and they would give it joyfully; for
God does not like unwilling offer-
ings. “ God lovetha cheerful giv-
er.” 2 Cor. 1X. 7%,

 

Ve

CLXX VII.

jEHUS REIGN.

"HU was still reigning in
Samaria. When he came
there he slew all who

were left of Ahab’s family.
God’s word by Elijah was

now fulfilled. God never forgets

His threatenings to His enemies,

nor His promises to His friends.

What a fearful thing it is, then, to

have Him for an enemy; and what

a blessing to have Him for a friend!

Jehu called all the people together,
and said to them, “ Ahab served

Baal a little, but I will serve him

much. Call all the prophets and

servants of Baal tome. I am going
to make a great feast and sacrifice

 

 

to Baal, and I shall put to death all
who do not come.” Then all the
people who worshipped Baal in the
land of Israel, made themselves
ready, and came to the sacrifice in
the house of Baal. The house was
full from one end to the other, with
these wicked idolaters. Then Jehu
told his servants to bring robes for
all the worshippers of Baal, and the
servants obeyed. Jehu did all this
deceitfully; he did not really wor-
ship Baal; he only pretended that
he served him. Why? Because he
wished to deceive the idolaters, and
to bring them together that he
might slay them. Was all this