The Jasper weekly courier. [volume] (Jasper, Ind.) 1858-1922, 1898-10-07

sunday school Lesson In the '"ses'
national cries for october ~
IsDs-x Caron. f7si-1o.
rnasea nnon pelouhet.s Select Notes.l

hoshaphat for quarter OF a century aiu
rs influence on the kingdom OF Judah
Chron.. chaps IL TO 2V
TIME.-Jehoshap reigned % years
froN 49, c. 9l4 to $40. or. rev. chron. @s-sol.
PLACE The kingdom OF Judah.
LESSON COMMENTS.
The second period of the history OF
Judah. like the first, is one OF reforma-
tion and prosperity under good KING
who sought to build up his people in
true religion first, and then. as natu'
raj concomitant. in education, justice
andpea ceful prosperity. Here, too. as IN
the case OF Asa, there was flaw in the
diamond, a ily in the apothecary's oint-
ment.
/ King Jehoshaphat.-N. /. His
name means Jehovah is judge;" was
,be san of Asa and Azubah. lie began
10 reign when he VIE 80 years old, and
reigned % years.
IT His Defenses.-Ns. /. g.. /. "He
strengt hened himself against Israeli"
Which nation had attacked his father
Asa lie defended his borders in such
a way that there was little danger OF
attack.
2 ale placed forces" gnrrisoned
with troops, lin all the fenced forti-
fled. "cities Of Judah" In the cities
of Ephraim:" Probably on the south
ern borders near his own kingdom.
s.Which Asa his father had takcn:"
They were first taken by Asa's father
Abiiah (chap. 1910. but held, defend
ed. and strengt hened by Asa. who prob
ably aided his father in capturing them,
So that they went by bis name.
III. His Religious Character and Re
forms.-Ns. SO. ,. The Lord was
with Jehoshaphat: Strengthened
blessed. defended, prospered him. ale
walked in the first ways of his father
David: His active, devoted, earnest
religious ways. Ard sought not unto
Baalim:"' Baalim. the plural Of Baal,
Is used on account OF the great number
Of images of Baal and the various
forms under which he was worsh.red.
4. But sought to the Lord" TIC
seek to the Lord Is to strive to find out
what Gods will is, and then to do IT
with all the heart. "And not after the
q ding of Israeli"
:. "Ali Judah brought pres.
en.s," i. e. "free-will offerings" in adj
dition to the regular taxes. They cx.
pressed their loyalty and good will in
this way. Riches and honor in abund.
ance:" His prosperity was greater
than that of any king since the days OF
David and Solomon Il Chron. 2o:2s; 9
Chron. 1:l2).
6. His heart was lifted up:" Not
with pride hut with courage and hope.
~ Promotion of Education.-v. I.
''Sent o his princess" Z, S. The five
princes. nine Levites and two priests
named in these verses are otherwise
."-Zochler.
O. and they taught in Judah:'
They had campaign OF education.
Y. A Better Administration OF Jus.
tice.-19:4-li We learn later on that
another important reform was the bet
ter administra tion Of Justice. Judges
and courts were established. and the
judges were commanded to mete out
exact justice without fear or favor. to
rich and poor alike. without respect of
persons or taking of brides.
vi. The Effects of Jehoshaphat's
Plans.-N. 10. The fruits of the kings
policy were seen in many directions
t) The fear of the Lord fell upon all
he kingdoms:" They realized the
power of His blessing. and the strength
of His defense. SO that they dared not
attack Judah. but brought presents OF
Peace instead (v. IL.
VII. Jchoshaphat's Great Mistake
Jehoshaphat did wisely in making
peace with the northern kingdom.
c., e, n 4 4
then committed a double error. which
wrought untold evil upon his family
and his kngdom lie visited Samaria
soon he joined Ahab in war ofattack
against Syria. Ahab was slain. bu'
-Iehosha plat returned safely Then
Jehu the son Of IIanani. reproved the
king. God was angry with him for his
conduct. Jehoshaphat did not i'm.
prison Jehu for his reproof. as the
Kings father Asa had imprisoned the
prophets father 1Ianani for similar
fathfulness, but the wrath came.
Thus the king helped. by this policy. TO
destroy the great and good work his
life had been spent in doing. More
than this. his sinful alliance brought to
the whole family OF his gra ndchildren
overwhe lining misery, and all but total
exterminaton.' by the hand Of Jehu
in his efforts TO destroy Baal worship
out of the land
VIII. The Hallelujah Victory.-2
Chron. 20. Jehoshaphat repented. and
worked with zeal for his kingdom TO
counteract the evils flowing from his
wrong doing. Once he was attacked by
n great allied army coming from be-
You'd Jordan around the lower end of
the Dead sea, and up the west shore to
Engedi about midway Of its length
Jehoshaphat and his army went down
tomeet them. But God delivered them
without battle. They spread them.
selves abroad in companies and shout
ed "IIallelnjah! Praise ye the Lord"
and sang the songs of Zion. The allies
were thrown into disorder. and slew
one another. till the field was covered
with the slain.
PRACTICAL SUGGESTIONS.