the people. The Word of truth is the source and the food of all vital godliness. We can know nothing of God or his Christ, nothing of sin and its danger, nothing of the way of life and peace, but as we become more and more acquainted with the Word of truth and grace. Where that Word is not known, the truth of God must be hid. Where there is no vision, the people perish. It is as true of nations, as of parishes, families, and individuals. It was so in Israel; for there they had "cast away the law of the Lord." It was so in Judah; for there they had forgotten it. One of Jehoshaphat's first acts, therefore, was, to diffuse scriptural instruction. throughout the land. Persons were appointed by him expressly to teach in Judah. They took the book of the law of the Lord with them, and went about through all the cities of Judah teaching the people (v. 7-9). What a delightful work was this! Oh, that we could see something of the same sort going on in this land, in all our cities, and throughout all our towns and villages! For such a work as this men must be qualified. They must know and love the truth. Out of the abundance of the heart their mouth should speak. They should be able to expound, to teach, and to preach the pure word of the living God with all its simplicity, unction, and power. May the Lord dispose the hearts of our rulers to imitate this godly Jehoshaphat; and cause the pure truths of the gospel to be diffused throughout this whole kingdom, and throughout all the earth!

We must not forget, lastly, how God blessed Jehoshaphat. First, it is said, the Lord stablished his kingdom; the people testified their gratitude by their presents; and that he was greatly enriched and blessed (v. 5). Then, it is added, the fear of the Lord so fell upon the nations while this work of mercy and peace was going on, that none ventured to molest him (v. 10). Thus, he was enabled to further this great and happy work under the visible care and blessing of heaven. Cannot the Lord bless you and others in the same manner? Then up, and be doing. Be active and laborious for God. Preach the word. Spread abroad the truth. Extend the blessed gospel. Let people read it at

2 And 'after certain years he went down to Ahab to Samaria. And Ahab killed sheep and oxen for him in abundance, and for the people that he had with him, and persuaded him to go up with him to Ramoth-gilead.

3 And Ahab king of Israel said unto Jehoshaphat king of Judah, Wilt thou go with me to Ramoth-gilead? And he answered him, I am as thou art, and my people as thy people; and we will be with thee in the war.

4 And Jehoshaphat said unto the king of Israel, Enquire, I pray thee, at the word of the LORD to day.

5 Therefore the king of Israel gathered together of prophets four hundred men, and said unto them, Shall we go to Ramoth-gilead to battle, or shall I forbear? And they said, Go up; for God will deliver it into the king's hand.

6 But Jehoshaphat said, Is there not here a prophet of the LORD besides, that we might enquire of him?

7 And the king of Israel said unto Jehoshaphat, There is yet one man, by whom we may enquire of the LORD: but I hate him; for he never prophesied good unto me, but always evil: the same is Micaiah the son of Imla. And Jehoshaphat said, Let not the king say so.

8 And the king of Israel called for one of his officers, and said, 'Fetch quickly Micaiah the son of Imla.

9 And the king of Israel and Jehoshaphat king of Judah sat either of them on his throne, clothed in their robes, and they sat in a 'void place at the entering in of the gate of Samaria; and all the prophets prophesied before them.

10 And Zedekiah the son of Chenaanah had made him horns of iron, and said, Thus saith the LORD, With these thou shalt push Syria until they be consumed.

11 And all the prophets prophesied so, saying, Go up to Ramoth-gilead, and prosper:

for the LORD shall deliver it into the hand of the king.

12 And the messenger that went to call Micaiah spake to him, saying, Behold, the words of the prophets declare good to the king with one assent; let thy word therefore, I pray thee, be like one of their's, and speak thou good.

13 And Micaiah said, As the LORD liveth, even what my God saith, that will I speak.

14 And when he was come to the king, the king said unto him, Micaiah, shall we go to Ramoth-gilead to battle, or shall I forbear? And he said, Go ye up, and prosper, and they shall be delivered into your hand.

15 And the king said to him, How many times shall I adjure thee that thou say nothing but the truth to me in the name of the LORD?

16 Then he said, I did see all Israel scattered upon the mountains, as sheep that have no shepherd: and the LORD said, These have no master; let them return therefore every man to his house in peace.

17 And the king of Israel said to Jehoshaphat, Did I not tell thee that he would not prophesy good unto me, but evil?

18 Again he said, Therefore hear the word of the LORD; I saw the LORD sitting upon his throne, and all the host of heaven standing on his right hand and on his left.

19 And the LORD said, Who shall entice Ahab king of Israel, that he may go up and fall at Ramoth-gilead? And one spake saying after this manner, and another saying after that manner.

20 Then there came out a spirit, and stood before the LORD, and said, I will entice him. And the LORD said unto him, Wherewith?

21 And he said, I will go out, and be a lying spirit in the mouth of all his prophets. And the LORD said, Thou shalt entice him, and thou shalt also prevail: go out, and do

26 And say, Thus saith the king, Put this fellow in the prison, and feed him with bread of affliction and with water of affliction, until I return in peace.

27 And Micaiah said, If thou certainly return in peace, then hath not the LORD spoken by me. And he said, Hearken, all ye people.

28 So the king of Israel and Jehoshaphat the king of Judah went up to Ramoth-gilead. 29 And the king of Israel said unto Jehoshaphat, I will disguise myself, and will go to the battle; but put thou on thy robes. So the king of Israel disguised himself; and they went to the battle.

30 Now the king of Syria had commanded the captains of the chariots that were with him, saying, Fight ye not with small or great, save only with the king of Israel.

31 And it came to pass, when the captains of the chariots saw Jehoshaphat, that they said, It is the king of Israel. Therefore they compassed about him to fight: but Jehoshaphat cried out, and the LORD helped him; and God moved them to depart from him.

32 For it came to pass, that, when the captains of the chariots perceived that it was not the king of Israel, they turned back again "from pursuing him.

Ahab? The wicked king of Israel. He was the patron of idolatry; the murderer of Naboth; the persecutor of the Lord's prophets and people. Yet Jehoshaphat made Yet Jehoshaphat made affinity with him! He so joined interests

with this ungodly man, as to say, “I am as thou art, and my people as thy people; and we will be with thee in the war" (v. 3). Could this be right? Was this acting like the man who truly feared the Lord? Did Jehoshaphat's religion teach him to act in this manner? Did that book of the law of the Lord authorise him to join such affinity with the ungodly? How strange was this! Had Jehoshaphat forgotten these things? Had he neglected to study that law of the Lord for his own guidance, which he was SO anxious to diffuse among his people for their instruction? One can hardly suppose such could have been the case. What, then, might have been his motive for so doing? It seems to have arisen from false feelings of worldly policy, mixed with some vain expectations of probable good. Perhaps he thought, if Israel and Judah could but be united together, what enemy can injure or withstand them? And who knows? Perhaps I may be of some use in bringing them back to serve the Lord. At least, I will try.

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Supposing such might have been the cause, how deceitful is the heart of man! sinned against the Lord by creature-confidence. He looked to man for help, when he ought to have trusted in the Lord. Jehoshaphat was drawn aside by worldly policy; which, after all, involved the same sin; for it is, when stripped of its fallacious guise, nothing but creature-confidence. It would lead him to look to the strength of the united kingdoms for safety, and not to the Lord. And with regard to the other probable motive, the expectation of being possibly useful to Ahab in bringing him back to the service of God; how many deceive themselves in the same way! It is one of Satan's most successful

from them! What follows? They become weak and helpless. They sin against God. They lose the influence they once possessed. They have no courage to resist evil. The utmost of their exertions extend no further than some poor and feeble disapprobation of their sin, like Jehoshaphat's saying, “Let not the king say so" (v. 7). And it is well if they are not altogether carried away by the force of what they see and hear; and have their final portion with those whom they have vainly sought to amend. Such is the general result of these unscriptural and ill-advised expedients. You never can expect any blessing, when you sin against God. You never can keep at too great a distance from the ways of the world. You never can be too watchful over your heart, when you feel inclined to associate with the wicked from worldly motives, or under the fallacious pretext of seeking to do them good by unscriptural means. You must keep your ground; not go down to them. They must come to you; you must never go over to them.

What was the result of this conduct in the case of Jehoshaphat? It nearly cost him. his life. Had he not cried unto the Lord in the battle, and had not the Lord heard that cry (v. 31, 32), there was every probability that his enemies would have killed him. His was a narrow and merciful escape. So, with regard to others. Some are brought to see the evil of their ways, and are delivered from the peril; but others are not. They are entirely carried away. The world gets the upperhand. They are caught in such a snare as they are not able to break; and their latter end is worse with them than the beginning. Beware of the deceitfulness of the heart and the alluring enticements of the world.

CHAPTER XIX.

1 Jehoshaphat, reproved by Jehu, visiteth his kingdom. 5 His instructions to the judges, 8 to the priests and Levites.

ND Jehoshaphat the king of Judah

unsettled minds within the vortex of worldly conformity. They commit sin in the hope of doing good! They yield to the world in the vain expectation of being useful! They They sanction the people of the world in their evil courses, and then hope to wean them

Jerusalem.

2 And Jehu the son of Hanani the seer went out to meet him, and said to king Jehoshaphat, Shouldest thou help the ungodly,

and love them that hate the LORD? therefore is wrath upon thee from before the LORD.

3 Nevertheless there are good things found in thee, in that thou hast taken away the groves out of the land, and hast prepared thine heart to seek God.

4 And Jehoshaphat dwelt at Jerusalem: and he went out again through the people from Beer-sheba to mount Ephraim, and brought them back unto the LORD God of their fathers.

5¶ And he set judges in the land throughout all the fenced cities of Judah, city by city,

6 And said to the judges, Take heed what ye do: for ye judge not for man, but for the LORD, who is with you in the judgment.

7 Wherefore now let the fear of the LORD be upon you; take heed and do it: for there is no iniquity with the LORD our God, nor respect of persons, nor taking of gifts.

8¶ Moreover in Jerusalem did Jehoshaphat set of the Levites, and of the priests, and of the chief of the fathers of Israel, for the judgment of the LORD, and for controversies, when they returned to Jerusalem.

9 And he charged them, saying, Thus shall ye do in the fear of the LORD, faithfully, and with a perfect heart.

10 And what cause soever shall come to you of your brethren that dwelt in their cities, between blood and blood, between law and commandment, statutes and judgments, ye shall even warn them that they trespass not against the LORD, and so wrath come upon you, and upon your brethren: this do, and ye shall not trespass.

11 And, behold, Amariah the chief priest is over you in all matters of the LORD; and Zebadiah the son of Ishmael, the ruler of the house of Judah, for all the king's matters: also the Levites shall be officers before you. Deal courageously, and the LORD shall be with the good.

(1) Heb. he returned and went out. (2) Heb. in the matter of judgment. (3) Heb. Take courage and do.

In the last chapter we were led to consider Jehoshaphat's sin in joining affinity with Ahab, and going with him to the war; the danger he incurred thereby; his prayer to God in the midst of the battle, and the answer he received. You are here told of his safe return. It is said he returned to his house in peace to Jerusalem (v. 1). How kind and merciful was God to his offending servant! Instead of casting him off, he heard his cry. Instead of leaving him to receive the bitter consequences of his fault, he delivered him from danger and brought him home in safety.

this dealing with Jehoshaphat, not according to his foolish and evil works, but according to his own mercy and love? And how deals the Lord with them whom he saves? Is it Or is it not according to their works? according to his own purpose and grace, given us in Christ before the world began? (2 Tim. i. 9.)

But observe the hand of God in regard to both. Ahab was cut off. Jehoshaphat was spared. Ahab, thinking to escape the peril of exposing himself to his foes in his kingly robes, mixed like a common man in the fight, and was slain by an arrow shot at a venture. Jehoshaphat, who entered the battle in regal pomp and state, though he became the general object of attack, was delivered in safety! Such are the ways of God. He permits the wicked to fall by their own devices; but rescues his servants from the danger of their ways. How terrible for Ahab to be cut off in his sins! How must Jehoshaphat have admired, praised, and adored the Lord for his safety! you spared, while others have been cut off? Observe the kindness of the Lord, and improve it for good.

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But when you do wrong, even though pardoned and restored, you must expect rebukes. Jehoshaphat found it so; and so will you. God sent his servant to meet him on his return, with these words: "Shouldest thou help the ungodly, and love them that hate the Lord? therefore is wrath upon thee from before the Lord" (v. 2). Have you acted as he did? Have you made affinity with the wicked? Have you made undue compliances to please them? Have you become as one with them? Can this meet the Lord's approval? Should you help the ungodly? Should you love them that hate the Lord? Can that be right? Is that the way to find the Lord's favour? Is not that the way to incur his heavy wrath and just displeasure?

In the case of Jehoshaphat, this appears to have been overruled for good. Being restored to the favour of God, he went on still with his pious designs; and, from that time, he seems to have been more decided in doing the work of the Lord than before (v. 5-11). He aimed to bring all orders under the influence of divine truth; and walked himself

in the way marked out for others. This was well. The truth is, there were some good things in him (v. 3). His heart was prepared to seek the Lord. This shews why he was pardoned and restored; and why he was not abandoned and left to himself. Have your falls been overruled for good? Have you become more watchful, prayerful, and devoted to God? Grieving over your past misconduct, and mercifully restored through the blood of Jesus, are you now more anxious to redeem your time; to be more useful to others; and more devoted to God? Are there these good things in your heart towards the Lord? Has the good work been really begun in you? Are you now more desirous than ever, that others may be taught and warned not to trespass against the Lord, and not to expose themselves to wrath, as you have done? Unless you exhibit some such fruits as these, how can you conclude that your backslidings have been healed, or that your sins have been pardoned? And if that be not the case, are you not still exposed to the frowns and displeasure of your offended God?

Ammon, and with them other beside the Ammonites, came against Jehoshaphat to battle.

2 Then there came some that told Jehoshaphat, saying, There cometh a great multitude against thee from beyond the sea on this side Syria; and, behold, they be in Hazazon-tamar, which is En-gedi.

3 And Jehoshaphat feared, and set 'himself to seek the LORD, and proclaimed a fast throughout all Judah.

4 And Judah gathered themselves together, to ask help of the LORD: even out of all the cities of Judah they came to seek the LORD.

5¶ And Jehoshaphat stood in the congregation of Judah and Jerusalem, in the house of the LORD, before the new court,

6 And said, O LORD God of our fathers, art not thou God in heaven? and rulest not

thou over all the kingdoms of the heathen? and in thine hand is there not power and might, so that none is able to withstand thee?

7 Art not thou our God, who didst drive out the inhabitants of this land before thy people Israel, and gavest it to the seed of Abraham thy friend for ever?

8 And they dwelt therein, and have built thee a sanctuary therein for thy name, saying,

9 If, when evil cometh upon us, as the sword, judgment, or pestilence, or famine, we stand before this house, and in thy presence, (for thy name is in this house,) and cry unto thee in our affliction, then thou wilt hear and help.

10 And now, behold, the children of Ammon and Moab and mount Seir, whom thou wouldest not let Israel invade, when they came out of the land of Egypt, but they turned from them, and destroyed them not;

11 Behold, I say, how they reward us, to come to cast us out of thy possession, which thou hast given us to inherit.

12 O our God, wilt thou not judge them? for we have no might against this great company that cometh against us; neither know we what to do: but our eyes are upon thee.

13 And all Judah stood before the LORD, with their little ones, their wives, and their children.

14 ¶ Then upon Jahaziel the son of Zechariah, the son of Benaiah, the son of Jeiel, the son of Mattaniah, a Levite of the sons of Asaph, came the Spirit of the LORD in the midst of the congregation;

15 And he said, Hearken ye, all Judah, and ye inhabitants of Jerusalem, and thou king Jehoshaphat, Thus saith the LORD unto you, Be not afraid nor dismayed by reason of this great multitude; for the battle is not your's, but God's.

3

16 To morrow go ye down against them: behold, they come up by the cliff of Ziz; and ye shall find them at the end of the 'brook, before the wilderness of Jeruel.

17 Ye shall not need to fight in this battle: set yourselves, stand ye still, and see the salvation of the LORD with you, O Judah and Jerusalem: fear not, nor be dismayed; to morrow go out against them: for the LORD will be with you.

18 And Jehoshaphat bowed his head with his face to the ground: and all Judah and the inhabitants of Jerusalem fell before the LORD, worshipping the LORD.

19 And the Levites, of the children of the Kohathites, and of the children of the Korhites, stood up to praise the LORD God of Israel with a loud voice on high.