PREACHING AND MIRACLES OF ELIAS.

87

city which he named Samaria. After a reign of twelve years, Amri died, leaving the throne to his son Achab.

Achab married Jezabel, daughter of the king of Sidon; he was already prone to evil, and the influence of his wicked wife soon destroyed whatever virtuous dispositions he might have possessed. To gratify this woman, he did not hesitate to establish the worship of Baal throughout his kingdom.

The kingdom of Juda was governed during this time by Abias, son of Roboam and his grandson Asa. The conduct of these princes was a mixture of good and evil, and Juda was continually disturbed by war. Asa reigned forty years, and was succeeded by his virtuous son Josaphat.

CHAPTER XLIII.

PREACHING AND MIRACLES OF ELIAS.

HE sins of the Israelites soon became so

THE

enormous, that the Almighty sent the prophet Elias to reprove them. As they paid no heed to his admonitions, the prophet prayed to God, and the heavens were shut up for three years, during which time no rain fell.

This long drought caused a dreadful famine. throughout the land of Israel, but Elias, who dwelt

What alliance did Achab contract? What is said of the kings of Juda? What is related of Elias?

by the torrent Carith, was fed by ravens, that brought him bread morning and evening. He drank the pure water of the stream, and when it was dried up, God admonished him to go to Sarephta, in the country of the Sidonians.

Here the prophet was hospitably entertained by a poor widow who shared with him her last scanty meal. God blessed her charity, and her small provision of corn and oil remained undiminished during the whole time which the famine lasted. The only son of this good woman died while the prophet sojourned in her house. He was moved by her affliction, and having prayed over the dead body, God was pleased to restore his life.

When the drought had lasted more than three years, Elias persuaded Achab to call an assembly of the people, and of the priests of Baal. He then challenged the latter to a public contest, proposing that they should prepare a holocaust and place it on an altar, with the wood disposed around, but no fire. He would prepare a sacrifice in the same manner. Then said Elias: "Call ye on the names of your gods: and I will call upon the name of my Lord; and the God that shall answer by fire, let him be God."

The priests of Baal did not dare to refuse this public challenge. They prepared their victim and called aloud upon their god; howling and cutting their flesh with knives, as the time passed without any

What is related of the widow of Sarephta? Relate the contest between Elias and the priests of Baal.

:

CALLING OF ELISEUS.

81

response. Then Elias came forth, and having caused the victim and altar to be thoroughly saturated with water, he called upon the name of the Lord, beseeching Him to glorify His name that the hearts of the people might be turned from their idols.

Scarcely had Elias ceased his prayer, when fire fell from heaven, consuming, not only the holocaust, but the very stones of the altar. When the people saw this prodigy they fell upon their faces and cried: 'The Lord is God?"

Elias then prayed a second time, that the Lord would open the heavens, and send rain upon the parched earth. This petition was granted, and the multitude had scarcely time to reach the town of Jezrahel before the rain fell in torrents.

CHAPTER XLIV.

CALLING OF ELISEUS.-DEATH OF NABOTH.

HORTLY after these events God commanded Elias to confer the gift of prophecy on a young man named Eliseus. The latter was ploughing in his father's field when Elias announced to him the word of the Lord. He asked permission to take leave of his parents, after which he followed Elias and became his disciple.

Who was Eliseus?

Among the many crimes committed by Achab and Jezabel, the murder of Naboth was one of the most odious. This inoffensive man was possessed of a vineyard which, unfortunately for him, lay adjoining to the king's garden. Achab desired to add it to his pleasure-grounds, and offered to give Naboth the value in money, or to exchange it for a better vineyard. Naboth was attached to the spot, which had come down to him from his forefathers, and would not consent to part with it.

Achab was so much irritated by this refusal that he threw himself on his bed, turned his face to the wall, and refused to eat. Jezabel, however, exclaimed scornfully: "Thou art of great authority, indeed, and governest well the kingdom of Israel. Arise and eat bread, and be of good cheer. I will give thee the vineyard of Naboth." Jezabel immediately wrote letters to the chief men of Jezrahel, commanding them to summon false witnesses to prove that Naboth had spoken blasphemy against God, and treason against the king. These letters she sealed with the king's signet.

The orders of the wicked queen were faithfully obeyed. Naboth was condemned and stoned to death. Jezabel repaired in triumph to the king, bidding him go and take possession of the land he coveted, for that Naboth was now dead. Achab went out in haste, but Elias, by the command of God, met him by the way, and said to him: "Thou hast slain Naboth; thou hast

Relate the murder of Naboth.