The Pulpit Commentary — 2 Chronicles — Section 211

Jehosho.phat obtainod wo.s Jehovah's, and Jehoshaphat was merely his viceroy and representative. III. Tm'l Pnun1c:-10E OF ms RULE. 1. He considered Israel as an enemy. This was wise. If Ilaasha had been hostilely disposed towards Judah all the clays of his father Asa., Ahe.b was not likely to be more peacefully inclined. Cautious men should unrler- stand the situations in which they are placed. No good can come from mistaking enemies for friends. 2. He strengthened himself against Israel. Ile planted ga.rri8ons thougbout Judah and in the cities of Mount Ephraim his father had captured from Baasba (eh. xv. 8), and located forces in all the fenced cities of Judah. "The prudent man foreseeth the evil, and hideth himself; the simple pass on, and are punished" (Prov. xxii. 3; xxvii. 12). "The prudent man looketh well to his going" (Prov. xiv. 15), especially wheu Ahabs are abroad. IV. 'l'm: GREATNESS OF HIS ALLY. Asa had sought a league with Benhadarl of Syria (eh. xvi. 2), ;Jehoshaphat preferred a league with Jehovah (eh. xvii. 3). An ally: I . .All-powerful, as his father Asa once believed (eh. xiv. 11), as David had often sung (Ps, lxvi. 3; lxxvi. 6, 7; lxxxix. 8), as Moses had long ago taught (Deut. vii. 21), as Miriam had chanted on the sea-shore (Exod. xv. 3), and as Jehovah himself had once reminded Abraham (Gen. xviii. 14). 2. • Omniscient, as Hanani the seer had on a memorable occasion told his father (eh. xvi. 9), and as he perhaps remembered, having been then a boy of ten years of age; an ally who could assist in every strait for which his aid was wanted'(Prov. xv. 3}-yea, who could detect straits and emergencies in which his aid would be wanted before the individual himself should see them, and who would be forward with reinforcements even before their need was discerned. 3. Unchanging. Benhadad broke his league with Baasha (eh. xvi. 4), as doubtless he would have done with Asa had more powerful inducements been offered him by Baasha or another. When Jehovah covenants with his people, he changes not (1 Sam. xv. 29; P,. cxi. 5; Isa. !iv. 10; Jer. xxxiii. 20, 21; Mai. iii. 6). 4. Gracious. Benhadad required to be bribed. Jehovah /!:rants his friendship and aid free, stipulating only that they whose ally he becomes shall be true to him (eh. xv. 2). Motley, somewhere in his' Dutch Republic,' says that when William of Orange was advised to seek the help of European sove- reigns in his struggle with Philip of Spain, he replied that he had formed a league with the King of kings. V. THE QUALITY OF HIS RELIGION. 1. Personal. Jehoshaphat as a man, not merely as a monarch, was pious. He, and not only his temple officials, sought Jehovah. Religion nothing, if not personal. Kings as well as subjects are under law to God. 2. Practical. Jehoshaphat's piety was not limited to state proclamations, or official acts of homage to Jehovah in the temple, but extended to the domain of his own indi- vidual walk. 3. Ancestral. It had been the religion of his father Asa. and of his renowned ancestor David in their best days, of Asa before he took the first false step in leaving Jehovah for Ilenhadad, of David before and after he sinned in connection with Bathsheba. 4. Scriptural. It was the worship of Jehovah as prescribed by the Law of Moses, and not the service of idols as practised by the northern kingdom ; in particular not the adoration of golden calves like those at Dan and Bethel (1 Kings xii. 28). Scripture the only directory of worship for the New Testament Church. 6. Reforma- tory. Not content with abstaining from idolatrous worship, Jehoshaphat abandoned the position of neutrality and compromise his father had occupied (eh. xv. 17); he" took away the high places and groves out of Judah." Neutrality in religion always an impossibility (Josh. xxiv. 15), is less a possibility now than ever (Matt. xii. 30). VI. THE REWARD OF HIS PIETY. I. Jehovah established the kingdom in his hand. Jehovah had done so to David (2 Sam. v. 12) and to Solomon (1 Kings ii. 46), accord- ing to his promise (2 Sam. vii. 12, 13; I Kings ix. 5). In continuation of that promise, he now confirms the government of Judah in the hands of their descendant. The only real King-maker and Throne-establisher is God (Prov. viii. 15 ; Ps. ii. 6 ; lxi. 6 ; Hos. xiii. 11). No monarch can keep his crown when God wishes to uncrown him; no throne can be upset until God grants permission to throw it down. 2. His sub:jects did him homage by presenting gifts. (Ver. 6.) Hardly taxes, but free-will offerings over and above,_ in expression of loyalty and good will, as appears t~ have be~n cus!oma~y on th,e accession of a king (1 Sam. x. 27). It augurs well for a reign when 1t begms with Gods blessing and the people's favour. No ruler's title is complete, wanting either of these  212 THE SECOND BOOK OF THE CHRONICLES. [au. xvu. 1-19,