2. The combination of powers. It was three against one; yet ,Jehoshaphat had no scruples in combining formerly with Ahab against Benhadad, or afterwards with fsrael and Edom against Moab (2 Kings iii. 7). "With wbat measure ye mete," etc. (Matt. vii. 7), applies t-0 kingdoms and kings no Iese than to private individuals. 3. The pre- diction of Jehu. Ha.nani's son had spoken of wrath upon Jehoshaphat for helping Ahah: was this invasion a fulfilment of that threatening? J ehoshapha.t might well tremble as he turned his thoughts southward to Engedi. III. A PRUDENT RESOLVE. In the sudden and dangerous emergency Jehoshaphat concluded to do three things. 1. To set himself to seek tlie Lord. So David had com- manded Israel (1 Chron, xvi. 10; Ps. cv. 3) and Solomon (1 Chron. xxii. 19), if they would prosper as people and sovereign, So had Oded's son, Azariah, directed Asa. an,{ his subjects if they would protect themselves against all future assailants (eh. xv. 2). So Asa. aod his subjects did; and the Lord gave them rest round about. Jehoshaplrnt, parhaps recalling these details of national history, possibly also remembering holV disastrously he had fared by going up against Benhadad without Jehovah's help, decided that the first thing to do was to draw more clornly together the alliance between himself and Jehovah, by a more diligent observance of worship and a more faithful performance of duty. Like all sincere reformers, whether in Church or state, Jehoshaphat began with himself (Luke iv. 23; Rom. ii. 21-23), and began in earnest, setting his heart in it as a ,vork he delighted in and intended to carry through. 2. To proclaim a fast throughout all Judah. Fasting a usual accompaniment of religious exercise~ in Israel, especially in times of anxiety and distress, whether individual or national. Witness the cases of David (2 Sam. xii. 16, 21), Esther (iv. 16), Nehemiah (i. 4), Daniel (ix. 3), Darius (Dan. vi. 18), and of the Jews at Mizpeh (Judg. x:x. 26; 1 Sam. vii. 6), the returning exiles at Ahava (Ezra viii. 21), and the Ninevites (Jonah iii. 5). It was intended as a sign of self-humiliation, an e:i:pression of sorrow, and a confession of guilt. 3. To hold a national convention at Jerusalem. Whether he actually summoned the heads and representatives of the people, as Asa previously did (eh. xv. 9), is not stated; but the princes, chiefs of the fathers' houses, and principal men out of all the cities of Judah hastened to the capital to ask help of Jehovah in the crisis that had arisen. LESSONS. 1. The hostility of the world-powers to the Church of God, exemplified in this combination ngaiost Judah. 2. 'l'he distinction between fear and cow:i.,,;ice in front of danger, illustrated by the behaviour of Jehoshaphat. 3. The place and value of fasting in religion. 4. The best defence for a natiou in the time of peril- prayer and piety, 6. 'l'he duty and advantage of kings and peoples standing shoulder to shoulder when their safety is threa.tened.-W.
Vers. 6-19.-The prayer of Jehoshaphat. I. TIIE SCENE. 1. The place. (1) Jerusalem, the metropolis of the land, whose safety was imperilled. (2) The house ot' Jehovah the sanctuary on Mount Moriah, erected by Solomon as a dwelling-place for the God 'or Israel. (3) The new court, the outer or great court of the temple (1 Kings vii. 12). A quadrangle, this was probably called "new," because of hav\ng _been restored or repaired by either Asa or J ehosbaphat. 2. The assembly. (1) '1 he rn~a- bitants of Jerusalem with their wives and children. (2) The representatives of Ju,iah from all the cities of the land-whether accompanied with their wives and children 248 'fiiE SECOND BOOK OF THE CRRONtCLES. tctt. xt. 1-8?.