The Pulpit Commentary — 1 Kings — Section 541

his wife. Jehoshaphat's heart was lifted up with the abundanoe of his "riches and honour," and "joined affinity with Ahab" (see 2 Chron. xviii. 1). He became too great to be content with an humble match for his son, and sacrificed godliness to grandeur. He has many imitators in this. (2) Unequal yoking has ever been prolific in mischief. Athaliah inherited the evil spirit of both her parents, and she led away t:11e heart of Jehoram from God to his ruin. The object of this marriage was to build up the house of Jehoshaphat, but it well-nigh proved its ruin (see 2 Chron. xxii. 10, 11). God is the builder of families (see 2 Sam. vii. 11, 27; 1 ~ings ii. 24; xi. 38 ; P_sa. cuvii. 1). 2. His friendship with Ahab. (1) This evil grew out of the ma1nage. The peace between Israel and Judah, which in the abstract was a benefit, was probably a condition of the marriage. But the friend· ship between Jehoshaphat and Ahab which followed, was too intimate for the good of the king of Judah's soul (2) Evils beget evils. This friendship led to Jehosha-· phat helping Ahab in his war against Syria, and had nearly cost Jehoshaphat his life. It also sullied his reputation, for he was persuaded into it by Ahab against the voice of Micaiah. This friendship exposed Jehoshaphat to the reproof of the prophet J elrn (2 Chron. xix. 2). 3. His friendship with Ahaziah. (1) This son of Ahab was no more a companion fit for Jehoshaphat tban Ahab. For Ahaziah "walked in tbe way of his father, and in the way of his mother, and in the way of Jeroboam the son of Nebat, who made Israel to sin: for he served Baal and worshipped him, and provoked to anger the Lord God of Israel, according to all that his father had done." (2) Yet Jehoshaphat formed a trade alliance with Ahaziah. They jointly fitted out a fleet at the port of Ezion-Geber, on the Red Sea, to sail to Ophir for gold. But for this God rebuked him, and "the ships were broken" in the port (see 2 Chron. xx. 35-37). Let no money consideration, no gold of Ophir, induce godly yollllg men to enter into trade partnerships with the ungodly. (3) This judgment of God had a salutary effect upon Jehoshaphat. For when Ahaziall would renew the attempt at Ezion-Geber, Jehoshaphat declined (ver. 49). Let us be careful never to repeat a blunder.-J. A. M. Vers. 1-28.-Crime brings its own pwnishment. ,I. THE WICKED RUSH UPON DESTRUCTION. 1. Ahab provokes the war in which he himself will perish. The peace which had lasted so long might have continued. Every day it was pro- longed was a day placed between him and death; and yet witll his own hand he brings to an end the period of grace. How often are the calamities of the wicked invoked by themselves, and are the fruit of their own rashness I 2. It came as the prompting of the d,eepest wisdom. Jehoshaphat's presence afforded tho oppor- tunity of forming a league to which success seemed certain. The selfish cun- ning of the sinful becomes a snare to them. 8. He closes his ear against God's deterring counsel. (1) When asked to inquire of God, he brings those only who will speak the things that accord with his own determination. The false prophets are called, but not the true. (2) When compelled to bring Micaiah from the prison (see ver. 26, "carry him back unto Amon," &c.), he endeavours to prevent J ehosha- phat being moved by his words. Micaiah is his enemy, therefore a prophecy of good is not to be expected from him. (3) When warned he will not be hindered, but defies God, who would save him, by insulting and persecuting His servant (ver. 27). II. THE FALSE PROPHETS. 1. They bind the cords which are leading a sinf1tl aoul to death. The word which they profess to speak for God is a word which it pleases the king to hear. It is the echo of his own desires (ver. G). There are those who by voice and/en proclaim a new gospel. It is no longer sought to lead up the world to God an thus reconcile it to Him. It is boldly declared that the reconciliation is already effected. God has come down to it. There is no anger and no threatening and no terrible shadow of judgment. There is nothing but goodness and love. They are the false prophets of to-day, and these do for the men of their generation what those did for Ahab. 2. Their blasphemy. When a prophet of Jelwvah was asked for (ver. 7), they who have hitherto spoken only of Adonai do not scruple to take the name of the Highest into their lips (vers. 11, 12). We do not escape the false prophets when we appeal from their speech concerning the OII, XXII. 1-58.] THE FIRST BOOK OF KINGS.