The Morris County chronicle., 1898-10-07
JEHosHApHAT's GOOD REIGN.
Sunday school Lesson in the Inter-
national Series for October .,
1882 Chron. 17.1-1O.

Chron., chaps. II to 2O.
TIME.-Jehoshaphat reigned rs years,
from B. C. 9l4 to SS9, or, rev. chron. S76-S51.
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 a good king
who sought to build up his people in
true religion first, and then, as natu-
raj concomitant, in education, justice
and peaceful prosperity. Here, too, asin
the case of Asa, there was flaw in the
diamond, fly in the apothecary's oint-
ment.
l. King Jehoshaphat.-V. 1. His
name means Jehovah is judges" was
the son of Asa and Azubah. He began
no reign when he was IS years old, and
reigned 25 years.
H. His Defenses.-vs. 1, g.. 1. HE
strengthened himself against Israeli"
Which nation had attacked his father
Asa. He defended his borders in such
way that there was little danger of
attack.
2. "He placed forces," garrisoned
with troops, sin all the fenced" forti-
fed, "cities of Judah" sIn the cities
of Ephraim:" Probably on the south
ern borders near his own kingdom.
(which Asa his father had taken:"
They were first taken by Asa's father
Abijah (chap. 1919, but held, defend
ed, and strengthened by Asa, who prob
ably aided his father in capturing them,
so that they went by his name.
III. His Religious Character and Re
forms.-Vs. SO. 3. ''The Lord was
with Jehoshaphat: Strengthened
blessed, defended, prospered him. "He
walked in the first ways of his father
David: His active, devoted, earnest,
religious ways. "And 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 worshiped.
4. "But sought TO the Lord." To
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
doing of Israeli"
5. "All judah brought pres
ents," i. e., "free-wfll offerings in ad-
dition to the regular taxes They ex-
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. 29:28;
Chron. 1:12).
6. His heart was lifted ups" Not
with pride, but with courage and hope.
". Promotion of Education.-V. Z.
Sent to his princess" Z, s. '~The five
princes, nine Leyites and two priests,
named in these verses are otherwise
unknown" ."-Zochler.
9. "And they taught in Judah"
They had campaign of education.
v. A Better Administration of JUS
tice.-19:411. We learn later on that
another important reform was the bet.
ter administration 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 bribes.
VI. The Effects of Jehoshaphat's
Plans.--V. 10. The fruits of the kings
policy were seen in many directions.
~ ''The fear of the Lord fell upon all
the Kingdoms" They realized the
power of His blessing, and the strength
of His defense, so that they dared moi
attack Judah, but brought presents of
peace instead ". 11).
VII. Jehoshaphat's Great Mistake
Jehoshaphat did wisely in making
peace with the northern kingdom.
So far all was well, but Jehoshaphat
then committed double error, which
wrought untold evil upon his family
and his kingdom. He visited Samaria,
soon he Joined Ahab in war of attack
against Syria. Ahab was slain, but
.Jehoshaphat returned safely. Then
Jehu, the son of Hanani, 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 Hanani for similar
faithfulness, 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 grandchildren
overwhelming misery, and all but total
determination" 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
a great allied army coming from be-
yond 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
to meet them. But God delivered them
without battle. They spread them
selves abroad in companies and shout
Il n01- L L L = i >