The Pulpit Commentary — 2 Chronicles — Section 275

it is boldly and effectively nccomplished, n. very great work of patriotism and philan- thropy is wrought; and it is not only man who is served, but God also. On the other hand, to undertake vuch an achievement without adequate cause and without sufficient means, is to plunge a country into civil strife and to ensure the spilling of much blood antl tbo desolation of many homes. Jehoiada succeeded in bis great undertaking, and his success was due to many things. 'l'bese things are the constant constitueots of prosperity everywhere. '!'hey are- I. A BENSE OF SACRED DUTY, Jehoinda was not seeking his own exaltation; he was concerned that the purpose of God was not being fulfilled, and he was desirous of acting in such a way that the will of God should be done in the land, "as the Lord hath said" (ver. 3), Men often carry a purposCJ into execution because they are ani- mated by a strong, energizing ambition; but they may also be quickened and sustained by a nobler end. They may be charged with a commission from God; they may be filled with a sense of what they owe to him. And a profound persuasion that God has called us to execute a certain work has again and again proved a most powerful inspiration. II. COURAGE AND COMMAND ON THE PART OF THE LEADER (OR LEADERS). Jehoiada had made up his mind that the thing was now to be done; "The king's son shall reign," he said. And he went about the work of the restoration of the royal house of David with the firmness of fearlessness. He took a commanding tone, knowing that the moment of revolution is not the time for divided counsels. "This is the thing that ye shall do," he said (ver. 4); they did" according to all things Jehoiada ..• commanded" (ver. 8). Had there been any hesitancy on his part, any lack of decision or resolution, the attempt might have broken down. In perilous times, when great issues are at stake, we must D.ot object to, but rather admire and sustain, the vigour and the determination of our leader. III. THE GREATEST POSSIBLE CO·OPERATION. Jehoiada called to his aid the military (ver. 1), the ecclesiastics (ver. 2), the people (ver. 3). We should invite all to help on whose willingness and fidelity we can depend. IV. A CO~SCIENTIOUS REGARD FOR WHAT IS RIGHT. Jehoiada wanted to make the most effective arrangement of those who were to act at the critical moment, but he would not have any violation of sacred law under any circumstances (ver. 6). It is our bounden duty to neglect no measures that are likely to work toward the desired end; but in all our arrangements, with this in view, we must stop at the point of disobedience to the Divine Word. Even success itself, however ardently we may desire it, and however devotedly we may have been pursuing it, must be renounced if it cannot be won without the sacrifice of conscience. It is often bought too dearly; and the price is always too high when it includes even the small change of conscientious scruples. V. THE GREATEST POSSIBLE WISDOM IN CONTRIVANCE, The outworking and execu- tion of the most sagacious measures (vers. 3-10). VI. BOLDNESS AT THE MOMENT OF EXECUTION. (Ver. 11.) Caution, perhaps secrecy, up to a certain hour; then openness and even daring will win the prize. VIJ. A REVERENT ATTITUDE TOWARD THE GREAT DISPOSER OF EVENTS,-C, Vcrs. 11-15.-Sin surprised at its failure. The success of this revolution, so long prepared and so admirably accomplished by Jehoiada, involved the ruin of one" wicked woman" (eh. xxiv. 7). It was inevitable that Athaliah must perish; here we have the account of her fall. We have before us- I. Srn SURPRISED AT ITS OWN FAILURE, This co1tp d'etat evidently came upon Athaliah with surprise. 'fhe twelfth verse describes the action of one that is both astonished and alarmed, who takes hasty measures to learn what is happening, and to provide for her own interests. Suddenly and unexpectedly the blow fell upon her head. She was pursuing her evil course, reckoning on future years of power and pos- session, and in the very midst of her iniquity jud~ment overtook and ove~threw her, How continually does this happen, though it may be on a smaller scale an~ m humbler ~pheres I Sin appears to succeed, holds up its head in triumph for a_ while, defies_ a~l Justice, human and Divine; then suddenly the crround opens beneath its feet, and 1t 1s swallowed up. Its temporary success is only ~ inciden~ in its short-lived career; it 1s a stage on its way to failure and humiliation. 'l'he foolish man docs no~ t1nt1erstand  276 THE SECOND BOOK OF THl<i CIIRONICLES. [on. um. 1-21,