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the whole earth, to show himself strong in the behalf of them whose heart is perfect toward him. God has appeared for us in six and in seven troubles; it is therefore unreasonable to distrust him. He is quick sighted; sees our wants and dangers in a moment; and is ready to help us. Let us therefore trust in the Lord for ever, for in the Lord Jehovah is everlasting strength.

3. How difficult is it even for good men to bear plain and useful reproof! Asa was an enemy to idolatry, and had a veneration in general for the prophets; but he was angry at Hanani the prophet, and oppressed him for telling him the truth. Pride is too predominant in those who in the main are good men; therefore they account those enemies that deal plainly with them: but it is an unhappy temper, very uncomfortable to ministers, and dangerous to themselves; and it ought cautiously to be guarded against.

4. Those who are sick and pained, are in danger of being fretful and peevish, and should carefully watch against it. It is generally supposed that it was Asa's disorder which made him abuse the prophet, and oppress his people. Let us guard our hearts when visited with pain and sickness, lest we are tempted to murmur against God, and behave in a fretful manner with men. Let those who have such infirmities watch and pray, lest at such times they enter into temptation.

5. The help of creatures should always be sought with a dependence on God. Asa did right in seeking after a physician; there was no blame for that; but he is justly blamed for not seeking the Lord. All creatures are that to us which God makes them. Skilful physicians are but instruments in his hands, and should be used and acknowledged as such. All second causes are under his direction; without him physicians are of no value. Therefore our eyes should be ever toward the Lord, to bless the means used; and we should own his hand in every success and every disappointment.

6. Honour should be done to the remains and memory of good men, though they may have had their foibles and blemishes. The people were sensible of Asa's worth, and made a great burning for him. So we should forget the errors of such, and do honour to their virtues; especially to those who have been publicly and extensively useful. The memory of the just should be blessed.

CHAP. XVII.

Contains the character of Jehoshaphat, and the method he took to promote religion.

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ND Jehoshaphat his son reigned in his stead, and strength

the fenced cities of Judah, and set garrisons in the land of Judah, and in the cities of Ephraim, which Asa his father had taken. 3 And the LORD was with Jehoshaphat, because he walked in the 4 first ways of his father David, and sought not unto Baalim; But

sought to the [Lord] GoD of his father, and walked in his com3 mandments, and not after the doings of Israel. Therefore the LORD stablished the kingdom in his hand; and all Judah brought to Jehoshaphat presents; and he had riches and honour in abundance. And his heart was lifted up in the ways of the LORD: he became zealous and very courageous in God's cause, his heart being lifted up above all discouragements, difficulties, and fears: moreover he took away the high places and groves out of Judah, wherein idols were worshipped.

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Also in the third year of his reign he sent to his princes, [even] to Benhail, and to Obadiah, and to Zechariah, and to Ne8 thaneel, and to Michaiah, to teach in the cities of Judah. And with them [he sent] Levites, [even] Shemaiah, and Nethaniah, and Zebadiah, and Asahel, and Shemiramoth, and Jehonathan, and Adonijah, and Tobijah, and Tobadonijah, Levites; and 9 with them Elishama and Jehoram, priests.* And they taught in Judah, and [had] the book of the law of the LORD with them, and went about throughout all the cities of Judah, and taught the people. He soon found the good effects of this, in the prosperity of his kingdom, and in presents from neighbouring nations.

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And the fear of the LORD fell upon all the kingdoms of the lands that [were] round about Judah, so that they made no war 11 against Jehoshaphat. Also [some] of the Philistines brought Jehoshaphat presents, and tribute silver; and the Arabians brought him flocks, seven thousand and seven hundred rams, and seven thousand and seven hundred he goats.

12 And Jehoshaphat waxed great exceedingly; and he built 13 in Judah castles, and cities of store. And he had much business in the cities of Judah and the men of war, mighty men of 14 valour, [were] in Jerusalem. And these [are] the numbers of

them according to the house of their fathers: Of Judah, the captains of thousands; Adnah the chief, and with him mighty 15 men of valour three hundred thousand. And next to him [was] Jehohanan the captain, and with him two hundred and 16 four score thousand. And next him [was] Amasiah the son of Zichri, who willingly offered himself unto the LORD; and 17 with him two hundred thousand mighty men of valour. And

of Benjamin; Eliada a mighty man of valour, and with him 18 armed men with bow and shield two hundred thousand. And next him [was] Jehozabad, and with him an hundred and four 19 score thousand ready prepared for the war. These waited on the king, beside [those] whom the king put in the fenced cities throughout all Judah.

The Levites and priests only were to teach the law; but the princes went with them, to see that it was done, to punish obstinate offenders and idolaters, to give greater respect to she instructors, and slemnity to the work.

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CHAP. XVIII.

This Chapter is, in a great measure, the same as 1 Kings, chapter xxii

Jehoshaphat goes with Ahab against Ramothgilead; Ahab, seduced by false prophets, is slain.

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OW Jehoshaphat had riches and honour in abundance, and joined affinity with Ahab. And after [certain] years he went down to Ahab to Samaria. And Ahab killed sheep and oxen for him in abundance, and for the people that [he had] with him, and persuaded him to go up [with him] to Ramoth3 gilead. And Ahab king of Israel said unto Jehoshaphat king of Judah, Wilt thou go with me to Ramothgilead? And he answered him, I [am] as thou [art,] and my people as thy people; and [we will be] with thee in the war.

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And Jehoshaphat said unto the king of Israel, Inquire, I pray 5 thee, at the word of the LORD today. Therefore the king of Israel gathered together of prophets four hundred men, and said unto them, Shall we go to Ramothgilead to battle, or shall I forbear? And they said, Go up; for God will deliver [it] into the king's hand.

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But Jehoshaphat said, [Is there] not here a prophet of the 7 LORD beside, that we might inquire of him? And the king of Israel said unto Jehoshaphat, [There is] yet one man, by whom we may inquire of the LORD: but I hate him; for he never prophesied good unto me, but always evil the same [is] Micaiah the son of Imla. And Jehoshaphat said, Let not the king 8 say so. And the king of Israel called for one [of his] officers, 9 and said, Fetch quickly Micaiah the son of Imla. And the king of Israel and Jehoshaphat king of Judah sat either of them on his throne, clothed in [their] robes, and they sat in a void place at the entering in of the gate of Samaria; and all the prophets 10 prophesied before them. And Zedekiah the son of Chenaanah had made him horns of iron, and said, Thus saith the LORD, 11 With these thou shalt push Syria until they be consumed. And all the prophets prophesied so, saying, Go up to Ramothgilead, and prosper for the LORD shall deliver [it] into the hand of the 12 king. And the messenger that went to call Micaiah spake to him, saying, Behold, the words of the prophets [declare] good to the king with one assent; let thy word therefore, I pray 13 thee, be like one of theirs, and speak thou good. And Micaiah said, [As the LORD liveth, even what my God saith, that will I 14 speak. And when he was come to the king, the king said unto him, Micaiah, shall we go to Ramothgilead to battle, or shall I forbear? And he said, Go ye up, and prosper, and they shall be 15 delivered into your hand. And the king said to him, How many times shall I adjure thee that thou say nothing but the truth 16 to me in the name of the LORD? Then he said, I did see all Israel scattered upon the mountains, as sheep that have no shepherd and the LORD said, These have no master; let them

17 return [therefore] every man to his house in peace. And the king of Isreal said to Jehoshaphat, Did I not tell thee [that] 18 he would not prophesy good unto me, but evil? Again he said,

Therefore hear the word of the LORD; I saw the LORD sitting upon his throne, and all the host of heaven standing on his right 19 hand and [on] his left. And the LORD said, Who shall entice Ahab king of Israel, that he may go up and fall at Ramothgilead? And one spake saying after this manner, and another 20 saying after that manner. Then there came out a spirit, and 21 stood before the LORD, and said, I will entice him. And the Lord said unto him, Wherewith? And he said, I will go out, and be a lying spirit in the mouth of all his prophets. And [the LORD] said, Thou shalt entice [him,] and thou shalt also prevail : 22 go out, and do [even] so. Now therefore, behold, the LORD hath put a lying spirit in the mouth of these thy prophets, and the LORD hath spoken evil against thee.

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Then Zedekiah the son of Chenaanah, came near, and smote Micaiah upon the cheek, and said, Which way went the Spirit 24 of the LORD from me to speak unto thee? And Micaiah said,

Behold, thou shalt see on that day when thou shalt go into an 25 inner chamber to hide thyself. Then the king of Israel said,

Take ye Micaiah, and carry him back to Amon the governor of 26 the city, and to Joash the king's son; And say, Thus saith the king, Put this [fellow] in the prison, and feed him with bread of affliction and with water of affliction, until I return in peace. 27 And Micaiah said, If thou certainly return in peace, [then] hath not the LORD spoken by me. And he said, Hearken, all ye people.

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So the king of Israel and Jehoshaphat the king of Judah went 29 up to Ramothgilead. And the king of Israel said unto Jehoshaphat, I will disguise myself, and will go to the battle; but put thou on thy robes. So the king of Israel disguised himself; 30 and they went to the battle. Now the king of Syria had commanded the captains of the chariots that [were] with him, saying, Fight ye not with small or great, save only with the king 31 of Israel. And it came to pass, when the captains of the chariots saw Jehoshaphat, that they said, It [is] the king of Israel. Therefore they compassed about him to fight: but Jehoshaphat cried out, and the LORD helped him; and God moved them 32 [to depart] from him. For it came to pass, that, when the captains of the chariots perceived that it was not the king of Israel, they turned back again from pursuing him.

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And a [certain] man drew a bow at a venture, and smote the king of Israel between the joints of the harness therefore he said to his chariot man, Turn thine hand, that thou mayest carry 34 me out of the host; for I am wounded. And the battle increased that day howbeit the king of Israel stayed [himself] up in [his] chariot against the Syrians until the even and about the time of the sun going down he died.

CHAP. XIX.

Jehoshaphat's return to his kingdom; is reproved by a prophet for his alliance with Ahab ; and appoints magistrates in the land.

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ND Jehoshaphat the king of Judah, being delivered from that imminent danger he was in, ch. xviii. 31, 32. returned 2 to his house in peace or safety to Jerusalem. And Jehu the son of Hanani the seer went out to meet him before he came to the city, that being thus admonished, he might be more sensible of the goodness of God in his deliverance, and said to king Jehoshaphat, Shouldst thou help the ungodly, and love them that hate the LORD? It was contrary to reason, and to the command of God, to join in alliance with such an infamous wretch as Ahab was: therefore [is] wrath upon thee from before the LORD, who brought a numerous army against him, as we read in the next chapter. 3 Nevertheless there are good things found in thee, in that thou hast taken away the groves out of the land; the high places dedicated to the idols, and not those that were dedicated to God; and hast prepared thine heart to seek God; hast done it sincerely and heartily, with thought and reflection; therefore God did not punish him in his person, but in his posterity.

And Jehoshaphat dwelt at Jerusalem; he was not angry with the prophet, as his father had been with Hanani, but laid it to heart, and set about a further reformation: and he went out again through the people from Beersheba to mount Ephraim, and 5 brought them back unto the Lord GoD of their fathers. And he set judges in the land throughout all the fenced cities of 6 Judah, city by city, And said to the judges, Take heed what ye do for ye judge not for man, but for the LORD, who [is] 7 with you in the judgment. Wherefore now let the fear of the LORD be upon you; take heed and do [it:†] for [there is] no iniquity with the LORD our God, nor respect of persons, nor 8 taking of gifts, and therefore ye ought to imitate him. Moreover in Jerusalem did Jehoshaphat set of the Levites, and [of] the priests, and of the chief of the fathers of Israel, for the judg ment of the LORD, for sacred and civil matters, and for controversies, when they returned to Jerusalem, for causes received 9 from inferior courts who had applied to this higher court. he charged them, saying, Thus shall ye do in the fear of the LORD, faithfully, and with a perfect heart; with an heart possessed with and guided by the fear of God, acting as in his pres10 ence. And what cause soever, by way of appeal, shall come to you of your brethren that dwell in their cities, between blood

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There were judges in the land before, but they were either indolent or corrupt; there fore he now set up others to punish idolatry, and do justice between man and man; and he gave them a most excellent admonition.

† Judges represent God, have their commission from him, his eyes are upon them, and his honour is concerned in their fidelity.

Some think this was the institution of the sanhedrim, or great council, mentioned in the New Testament, which was the highest court among the Jews.

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