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THE STORY OF ELIJAH, THE PROPHET
One of the greatest of all the kings of the Ten Tribes was Jeroboam the
second. Under him the kingdom of Israel grew rich and strong. He
conquered nearly all Syria, and made Samaria the greatest city of all
those lands.
But though Syria went down, another nation was now rising to
power--Assyria, on the eastern side of the river Tigris. Its capital was
Nineveh, a great city, so vast that it would take three days for a man
to walk around its walls. The Assyrians were beginning to conquer all
the lands near them, and Israel was in danger of falling under their
power.
One of the kings who ruled over Israel was named Ahab. He provoked the
anger of the Lord. His wife, Jezebel, who was a worshiper of Baal,
persuaded him to build an altar to the false god.
Elijah, a prophet of the Lord, was sent to him and proposed a test. Two
altars were built; one to Jehovah and one to Baal. The priests of Baal
called upon their god to send down fire; but there was no answer. Then
Elijah called upon the Lord God of Abraham, Isaac and Israel, and fire
came down and burnt up the offering.
The people turned upon the priests of Baal and killed them all. Later
the wicked queen, Jezebel, coveted a vineyard for Ahab, and she caused
Naboth, the owner of the vineyard, to be placed in front of the battle.
When he was slain Ahab took the vineyard.
Once more Elijah came and denounced Ahab and Jezebel, telling them that
they had done wickedly, and that the Lord would punish them.
In a little while the prophet's words came true, for Ahab was slain in
battle and Jezebel was put to death by order of King Jehu. Elijah was
taken up to heaven in a chariot of fire.
There was another prophet, a companion of Elijah, whose name was Elisha,
a brave and courageous man who did not fail to deliver God's message.
It happened that when Elisha was an old man there can to him King Joash,
who had been made king when he was only seven years old. Joash was now a
young man and was trying to do right in the sight of the Lord. But he
felt the need of the prophet's aid, and he came to Elisha and said:
"My father, my father, you are more to Israel than its chariots and
horsemen."
Elisha, though weak in body, was yet strong in soul. He told Joash to
bring him a bow and arrows, and to open the window to the east, looking
toward the land of Syria. Then Elisha caused the king to draw the bow;
and he placed his hands on the king's hands. And as the king shot an
arrow, Elisha said:
"This is the arrow of victory; of victory over Syria; for you shall
smite the Syrians in Aphek and shall destroy them."
It happened as Elisha had foretold and the Syrians were defeated and
their cities taken.
Next
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THE STORY OF ADAM AND EVE
THE STORY OF NOAH AND THE ARK
THE STORY OF HAGAR AND ISHMAEL
THE STORY OF ABRAHAM AND ISAAC
THE STORY OF JACOB
THE SALE OF A BIRTHRIGHT
THE STORY OF THE LADDER THAT REACHED TO HEAVEN
THE STORY OF JOSEPH
THE COAT OF MANY COLORS
THE DREAMS OF A KING
THE STORY OF THE MONEY IN THE SACKS
THE MYSTERY OF THE LOST BROTHER
THE STORY OF MOSES, THE CHILD WHO WAS FOUND IN THE RIVER
THE STORY OF THE GRAPES FROM CANAAN
THE STORY OF GIDEON AND HIS THREE HUNDRED SOLDIERS
THE STORY OF SAMSON, THE STRONG MAN
THE STORY OF RUTH, THE GLEANER
THE STORY OF DAVID
THE SHEPHERD BOY
THE STORY OF THE FIGHT WITH THE GIANT
THE STORY OF THE CAVE OF ADULLAM
THE STORY OF SOLOMON AND HIS TEMPLE
THE STORY OF ELIJAH, THE PROPHET
THE STORY OF JONAH AND THE WHALE
THE STORY OF THE FIERY FURNACE
THE STORY OF DANIEL IN THE LION'S DEN
THE STORY OF THE ANGEL BY THE ALTAR
THE STORY OF JESUS
THE BABE OF BETHLEHEM
THE STORY OF THE STAR AND THE WISE MEN
THE STORY OF THE CHILD IN THE TEMPLE
THE STORY OF THE WATER THAT WAS TURNED INTO WINE
THE STORY OF THE STRANGER AT THE WELL
THE STORY OF THE FISHERMEN
THE STORY OF THE SERMON ON THE MOUNT
THE STORY OF THE MIRACLE WORKER
THE GOOD SHEPHERD AND THE GOOD SAMARITAN
THE STORY OF THE PALM BRANCHES
THE STORY OF THE BETRAYAL
THE STORY OF THE EMPTY TOMB
THE STORY OF THE MAN AT THE BEAUTIFUL GATE
THE STORY OF STEPHEN, THE FIRST MARTYR
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