Highland recorder. (Monterey, Highland County, Va.) 1877-1972, 1904-07-22
THE SUNDAY SCHOOL
INTERNATIONAL LESSON COMMENTS
FOR JULY "a.

CnFOns.
Chrou., XIX, 11-Memory Verses ~
documentary on the Days Lesson
I. A severe reproof Tvs. l-3). This
chapter is entirely additional to Kings.
and is of great interest. 1t deals with
three matters only: The rebuke addressed
to Jehoshaphat by the prophet Jehu VS..
l-3): the personal efforts of Jehoshaphat
to effect q religious reformation ". ~;
and his reform of the judicial system Tvs.
5-ll. /. Returned" From the battle
against Benhadad in which Ahab was slam
'1n peace" Without capture or pursuit,
being miraculously delivered from immi
nent danger.
.. "Jehu," etc. The Hanani who lie
here mentioned was probably the seer who
reproyed Asa for seeking help from the
King of Syria (chap. 1871. His son Jehu
was early called to the same divine worn
which distinguished his father. More than
thirty years before this Jehu had foreto d
the doom of Baasha, King. OF Israel u
Kings l6:D. ITO meet him." he went at
the earliest possible moment. God had
sent him for this purpose and the 90
prophet did not hesitate. But Jehu re-
ceiyed better treatment from Jehoshaphat
than his father Hanani had received iron,
Asa lchap. l6:7-l0). "Shouldest thou;
What a forcible, piercing question; Jehosh'
anhat's conscience would cause HIM to
quickly answer it negatively. Help the
ungodiy." "Such was the idolatrous Ahab,
whose kingdom was SO largely given over
to the worship of Baal and Ashtoretn;,
A great principle is here laid down. Gods
people should not give the hand OF ief
fowship to the wicked or assist them IN
any Of their ungodly doings. The words
of the apostle are to the point, be we not
unequally yoked together with unbellev,
temple Of God with idois?" z Cor. Ola
iSl. "And love them," etc. James says:
"Whosoeyer therefore will be friend OF
the world is the enemy OF God (chap.
4:Q. What would we conclude II those
whom we supposed to be our friends should
Join themselves to our enemies and show
fondness for those who were bent on OUT
downfall? John says, Love all the
world" etc. Il John 2:l5, l6). The friend
shin of wicked men is one of the most dan
perous temptations to which Christians
are subjected. The wealth of the world
and business interests are largely in the
hands of men who are not friends OF
Christ. While the Christian religion re-
uuires no narrow or ascetic secu5lon from
the world, it does forbid the seeking world
" friendships and alliances Tor seltsh
ends and to the peril of religious, usefui.
ness and religious character. Christian
alliances with the wicked do not command
the resnect of the very men for whose
favor thew are formed To love those who
hate God is a personal thrust at Jesus
Christ. Therefore is wrath. The
prophet does not tone down or mince mat
tiers. Faithful are the wounds of friend,
but the kisses of an enemy are deceittul.
"Upon thee" He was plainly tod that
the consequences of his sin would fall upon
him and his people with crushing force:
And is not the wrath of God upon all
those alliances which His people form with
the ungodly, whether they be social, matrl
monial, commercial or political!
8. Nevertheless" The seer has fol-
Jehoshaphat words of encouragement as
we'll as words of blame, and reminds the
King that in taking away the groves he
had shown the true theocratic spirit, which
of God. And this oracle OF blame and
praise inspired the King to attempt further
reforms. "Groves." The Asherah images
II. Judges appointed Tvs. 40. 4.
"Again." This refers to his previous re.
forms described in chapter II. Beer.
sheba" This was at the southern extrem'
ity of Judah. mount Ephriam." The
kingdom of Judah was bounded on The
north by the mountains of Ephraim. Je-
hoshaphat travelled the whole length Of his
kingdom and examined everything himself
ito see that judgment and justice were
properly administered among the people;
drought them back" Many probably
had gone into idolatry when they saw their
King so intimate with ldolaters, therefore
he put forth every effort possible to rescue
Il Lr;o,, thar, hooL m tho Xrup rp.
ligion. Those who truly repent Of sin do
all in their power to repair the damage
thew may have done to others. 5. "Set
Judges" The King appointed local magis-
trates in all the principal cities, according
to the directions Of the law (Deut. l6:
1920, so that justice might be admins
tered with ease and convenience. 9. Take
heed" A very solemn and necessary eau
ton. The case seems hopeless when the
Judge is corrupt "Is with you" See K.
V. "The judges in deciding cases against
the rich and powerful were to strengthen
themselves with the thought God is with
u.s." 7. Wherefore now" Probably
Jehoshaphat discovered irregularities and
wrongs in the administration OF justice
such as showing respect of persons and the
taking of brides, and he accordingly under
took an extensive reform in the matter.
His work no doubt consisted largely in
removing evil judges and confirming the
good in their Office.
III. A supreme court established Tvs.
8-lD.
8. "Tn Jerusalem" Jehoshaphat's Sec
ond reform measure was to establish
court of appeal in Jerusalem in accordance
with Deut. 1882. "This measure was
probably altogether new. David and Solo.
mon had kept Judgment i'll their own
hands. The prominent position assigned to
the priests as judges was in accordance
with Deut. l7:9; 1917" "Of the Levites,"
etc. A certain number of each of these
three classes constituted a supreme court.
Judgment of the Lord" All matters
pertaining to religion about which some de-
cision could be found in the Mosaic law.
Controversies" Civil disputes, called in
verse IL "all the Kings matters" "They
returned" Read this, "And they dwelt in
jerusalem" that is, the judges appointed
could always be decided in Jerusalem, be.
cause the judges were always there. 8.
"a perfect heart" That is, heart undi.
vided in its allegiance. The judges could
not serve God and take brides at the same
time. 10. "Blood and blood" Between
manslaughter and murder or "the settle.
ment Of inheritance and family claims,
etc" claw and commandment" To de.
eide what particular ordinance applies to q
particular case. This refers to Ceases
where the matter concerns the interprets-
ton and application of the law and its in
dividual commands, statutes and judg-
ments TO particular crimes" IL. The
King appointed. Amariah supreme Judge in
the ecclesiastical court and Zebadiah in the
civil ,:ourt. The Levites were to be coun.
sellers and officers to assist.