The Middleburgh post. [volume] (Middleburgh, Snyder Co., Pa.) 1883-1916, 1898-09-29
1HosHApHAr.s GOOD REIGN.
national series for October =
1861 Chron. I:tl.lU.,

0Ol>OEN IbAA.-lu hn tuy wAys SC
knowledge Him, and He shall direct thy
THE SECTION includes the work Of j.
hoshaDhat for . quarter OF century. and
| its in0uence on the kingdom Of Judah u
chron.. chaps II 70 sol
TIME-Jehoshapha reigned 25 years.
from B. c. slA to $50. or. rev. chron. Ss-ssl
PLACE.-Ths kingdom Of Judah.
LESSON COMMENTS.
The second period Of the history OF
Judah. like the first, Il one Of reforma-
ton 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
and peaceful prosperity. Here, too. asin
the case of Asa, there was flaw in the
diamond. fly in the apothecary's oint-
ment.\
1. King Jehoshaphat-v. /. His
name means Jehovah is judge;" was
the son Of Asa and Azubah. He began
to reign when he was as years old, and
reigned rs years.
II. His Defenses.-Vs. l. q. 1. "He
strengthened himself against Israeli"
Which nation had attacked his father
Asa. He defended his borders In such
q way that there was little danger Of
attack.
2. "He placed forces" garrisoned
with troops. "in all the fenced" forti-
fled, settles of Judah" I'm the cities
of Ephraim:" Probably Oh the south
ern borders near his own kingdom.
(which Asa his father had taken:"
They were first taken by Asa's father
Abijah (chap. 1870, but held, defend
ed, and strengthened by Asa, who prob
ably aidedIhis ather in capturing them.
so that they vent by his name.
III. His Religious Character and Re
for1ns.-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 ne was worshiped
4. "But sought to the Lord:" To
seek to the Lor, is to strive to find out
what Gods v;Il *, and then to do 1t
with all tie heart. "And not after the
doing OF !srael:"
8. "All Judah brought -. pres
en.s," I. e.. "free-will offeribss," 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 q Chron. 20:2s;
Chron. 1:12).
6. His he@t was lifted ups" Not
with pride, but with courage and hope
w. Promotion of Education.-V. z
, "Sent to his princess: -, 8. "The five
I princes, nine Lcvites and two priests
. named in these verses are otherwise
unknown.
o. "And they taught in Judah:'
They had q campaign Of education.
v. A Better Administration Of Jus
q tice.-l9:4-h. We learn later on thai
, another important reform was the bet
ter administration OF justice. Judge:
and courts were established, and the
judges were commanded to mete ou,
exact justice without fear or favor, tc
,. rich and poor alike, without respect o.
persons or taking OF bribes.
!, vi. The Effects OF Jehoshaphat'
Plans.-V. 10. The fruits Of the king
policy were seen in many directions
D THE fear of the Lord fell upon al
. the kingdoms: They realized th'
;, power of His blessing, and the strength
J, of His defense, so that they dared no
:. attack Judah. but brought presents o
% peace instead ". ny.
' VII. Jehoshaphat's Great Mistake
Jehoshaphat did wisely in maxim,
=, peace with the northern kingdom.
:. So far an was well, but Jehoshapha
then committed double error, whic
{ wrought untold evil upon his famil
e and his kingdom. He visited Samaria
u soon he Joined Ahab in o war of attac
: against Syria. Ahab was slain, bu
Jehoshaphat returned safely. The
: Jehu, the son OF Hnnani. rcproved tn
e king. God was angry with him for hi
!. conduct. Jehoshaphat did not in
u prison Jehu for his reproof. as tn
e kings father Asa had imprisoned tn
|. prophets father Hanani for simila
u faithfulness, but the wrath cam,
:, Thusthe king helped, by this policy, t
!. destroy the great and good work hi
u life had been spent in doing. Nor
81 than this, his sinful alliance brought t
G. "the whole family OF his grandchildre
j. overwhelming misery, and all but totl
Is exterminat tion," by the hand Of Jeh
y in his efforts to destroy Baal worshi
70 out Of the land.
Z VIII. The Hnllelujah Victory
he Chron. 20. Jehoshaphat repented, an
n worked with zeal for his kingdom
lie counteract the evils flowing from h
n wrong doing. Once he was attacked b
Id great allied army coming from b
r yond Jordan around the lower end I
I'd the Dead sea, and up the west shore
re Engedi about midway OF its lengt
st Jehoshnphut and his army went dow