battle with Abijah, and, spite of clever generalship (vers. 13, 14), he is signally defeate<l; his troops are utterly routed, and he has to sacrifice three important places. From that time he <leclines in strength and spirit, until, cowed if not crushed by bis defeat, he dies of disappointment and chagrin. "'l'he Lord struck him." II. Ilrs OHAnACTER. He was evidently an e.ctive and able workman, competent to undertake the more difficult and responsible posts in the building of fortifications• he was a man of ambition as well as of resource, willing to enter the open door to m~unt the "fiery courser of opportunity;" he was capable of patience as well as of vigorous action; he could bide his time in Egypt as well as strike the blow when the hour was ripe; he was courageous and self-confident, not shrinking from the dangerous position of heading a revolt against the rightful ruler of the land (ver. 6); he was utterly unscrupulous as to the measures he adopted to retain the loyalty of his people (vers. 8-10); he was prepared to abolish the accepted and true faith, and import a false and low religion; also to rid himself of the best men as priests, introducing the lowest to take their place (1 Kings xii. 31). .All piety and principle he subordinated to the one end of preserving his throne and his dynasty. Thus he made shipwreck of faith and of a good conscience. III. Hrs REPUTATION, For reputation is to be very carefully distinguished from character. A man may have a good reputation, and, in the sight of him who is the Truth, a very bad character; such were the Pharisees of our Lord's time, and such have been hypocrites of all time. Or a man may have a bad reputation and a noble character; such was Paul amongst his countrymen; such have been the reformers and martyrs of all ages. But Jeroboam's reputation has answered to his character. He was, indeed, regarded as a. ma.n of considerable ability (1 Kings xi. 24); but the one chief and continual association with his name is that of the grea.t mischief-maker, the man who wrought <lire evil to his country; he was known, a.nd is known, as the man "who made Israel to sin." From his character, career, and reputation we may be reminded: 1. That it is right to be concerned about our career, right to wish for one that is bright and pleasant and honourable; and with this desire in our heart we should (1) ask for Divine guidance and aid; (2) do all that industry, patience, and moderation will accomplish to compass that end; and (3) be quite prepared to take a. lower place if that should be the will of our heavenly Father concerning us. 2. That it is of more importance that we should possess a good reputation; not that we need trouble our- selves about what the sinful or the foolish are saying of us, but that we should care much to win the esteem of the good and wise. 3. That the essential thing is a sound character in the sight of God. '!'hat is the foundation of all; on it rests a. good reputa- tion and a bright career. Therefore let us ask ourselves what we are; and let us be dissatisfied with ourselves unless we can believe that we a.re true disciples of Jesus Christ, "children of our Father who is in heaven," resembling him in spirit and in principle.-C.
Vers. 21, 22.-.Abijah: the lessons of his life. These concluding vetses, which dispose of the latter end of the life of Abijah, may briug before us the lessons which are to be gathered from his career. I. THE SLIORTNESS AND VALUELESSNESS OF HUMAN FAME. He was a descendant of David, and a king reigning at Jerusalem, and he gained a somewhat brilliant victory over his rival at Mount Ephraim-" the rest of his acts and his ways and sayings are written in the story of the Prophet Iddo;" but who reads them there, or who can tell us anything of what is there contained? In the Book of the Kings (1 Kings v. 7) we are referred to our text for the details of his career. But how scanty we find them to be I How little do we know of this once proud and "mighty" monarch; and how content we are that we know so little! And of what entire ve.luelessness to him would any fuller knowledge on our part be! We need not be concerned that our name and fame will traverse so small a. part of this globe, and travel so short a space of time; that we shall be so soon forgotten. Kings and statesmen, whose chances of fame were far greater than ours, have found how ephemeral and how worthless a thing is fame. To be loved by those whom we have blessed, to be esteemed by the good and trne, to be honoured of God to take some part in the promotion of his glorious kingdom,--that is tho heritage to be coveted aud to be gained, 160 THE SECOND BOOK OF THE CHRONICLES. [on. xm. 1-22,