Grant County herald. [volume] (Lancaster, Wis.) 1850-1968, 1898-10-06
JEHosHApHAT's GOOD REIGN.
sunday school Lesson in the Inter-
national Series for October o,
1852 Cbron. I7.I-1O.

-
it's influence on the kingdom Of Judah e
shron., chaps. II 10 20)-
TIME.--Jehoshapha reigned q. years.
from p. 9. 9l4 to $50, or, rev. chron. s76-s5l.
PLACE.-The kingdom of Judah.
LESSON COMMENTS.
The second period Of the history of
Judah, like the first, is one of reforma-
ton and prosperity under a good king
who sought TO build up his people in
true religion first, and then, as a natu-
raj concomitant, in education, Justice
and peacefulprosrerity. Here, too, as in
the case Of Asa, there was flaw in the
diamond, fly in the apothecarv oint :
ment
/. King Jehoshaphat-y. 1. His
name means Jehovah is judge" was
the son of Asa ana Azubah He began
to reign when he was IS years old, and
reigned 25 wears.
II. His Defenses.-vs. I, 2. 1. "He
strengthe ned 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
?. lie placed forces" garrisoned
with troops, ''in all the fenced " forti-
fled, "cities Of Judah" in the cities
of Ephraim:" Probably on the south
ern borders near his own kixgdom.
(Which Asa his father had taken:"
They were first taken by Asa's father
4 bijah (chap. 1870, but held, defend
! ed, and strengthened by Asa. who prob
ably aided his father in capturing them,
30 that they went by his name.
III. Ills Religious Character and Re
/ forms.-Ns. SIS. g. The Lord was
with Jehoshaphat; Strengthened
blessed, defended, prospered him. lie
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.
!. But sought 10 the Lord" To
| seek TO the Lord IS to strive TO find out
what Gods viii is, and then to do it
with all the heart. "And not after the
doing Of Israeli"
3. "All Judah brought pres
en:s," !. e., "free-will offerings in adj
| 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. 29:2s; .
Chron. 1:12).
g. His heart was lifted up:" Not
with pride, but with courage and hope.
IN Promotion % Education.-V. 7.
"Sent 10 his princess" !, s. ''The five
princes, nine Levites and two priests,
named In these verses are otherwise
unknown. "-Zochler
0. And they taught in Judah:"
They had campaign of education.
Y. a Better Administration of JUS
tice.-19:4- We learn later on that
another important reform was the bet
ter administration of justice Judges
and courts we're established, and the
Judges were commanded 10 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.
Cd 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 not
attack Judah, but brought presents of
peace instead ". III.
vi. Jehoshaphat's Great Mistake
lehoshaphat did wisely in making
peace with the northern kingdom.
So far all was we'll, but Jehoshaphat
then committed a double error. which
wrought untold evil upon his family
and his kingdom. He visited Samaria.
soon he joined Ahab in a war of attack
against Syria. Ahab was slain, but
Jehoshaphat returned safely. Then
Jehu the son Of Hanani. rcproved 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. TIE Hallelujah Victory.-2
/ Chron. 20. Jehoshaphat repented, and
worked with zeal fer his kingdom TO
counteract the evils flowing from his
wrong doing. Once he was attacked BY
great allied army coming from be-
/ you'd Jordan around the lower end Of
the Dead sen, and up the west shore TO
/ Engedi about midway OF its length
/ Jehoshaphat and his army went down
| 10 meet them. But God delivered them
without battle. They spread them
selves abroad in companies and shout
4 ed 'Haileluiah, Praise We the Lord :"
and sang the songs Of Zion The allies
We're thrown into disorder. and slew
one another, till the field was covered
i With the slain.
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