2 CHROICLES 17 COMMETARYEDITED BY GLE PEASE

Jehoshaphat King of Judah

1 Jehoshaphat his son succeeded him as king and strengthened himself against Israel

BARES Jehoshaphat ascended the throne in the fourth year of Ahab 1Ki_2241 probably after that monarch had contracted his alliance with the royal family of Sidon and before he was engaged in war with Syria It was thus not unnatural that Jehoshaphat should begin his reign by strengthening himself against a possible attack on the part of his northern neighbor

CLARKE Jehoshaphat - and strengthened himself against Israel - The kingdoms of Israel and Judah were rivals from the beginning sometimes one sometimes the other prevailed Asa and Baasha were nearly matched but after Baasharsquos death Israel was greatly weakened by civil contentions and Jehoshaphat got the ascendancy See 1Ki_1616-23

GILL And Jehoshaphat his son reigned in his stead In the stead of Asa his father

and strengthened himself against Israel the ten tribes by fortifying his cities building castles raising and keeping a large standing army as the latter part of this chapter shows and the next verse

HERY 1-5 Here we find concerning Jehoshaphat

I What a wise man he was As soon as he came to the crown he strengthened himself against Israel 2Ch_171 Ahab an active warlike prince had now been three years upon the throne of Israel the vigour of his beginning falling in with the decay of Asas conclusion It is probable that the kingdom of Israel had of late got ground of the kingdom of Judah and began to grow formidable to it so that the first thing Jehoshaphat had to do was to make his part good on that side and to check the growing greatness of the king of Israel which he did so effectually and without bloodshed that

Ahab soon courted his alliance so far was he from giving him any disturbance and proved more dangerous as a friend than he could have been as an enemy Jehoshaphat strengthened himself not to act offensively against Israel or invade them but only to maintain his own which he did by fortifying the cities that were on his frontiers and putting garrisons stronger than had been in the cities of Ephraim which he was master of 2Ch_172 He did not strengthen himself as his father did by a league with the king of Syria but by fair and regular methods on which he might expect the blessing of God and in which he trusted God

II What a good man he was It is an excellent character that is here given him 1 He walked in the ways of his father David In the characters of the kings Davids ways are often made the standard as 1Ki_153 1Ki_1511 2Ki_143 2Ki_162 2Ki_183 But the distinction is nowhere so strongly marked as here between his first ways and his last ways for the last were not so good as the first his ways before he fell so foully in the matter of Uriah (which is mentioned long afterwards as the bar in his escutcheon 1Ki_155) were good ways and though he happily recovered from that fall yet perhaps he never while he lived fully retrieved the spiritual strength and comfort he lost by it Jehoshaphat followed David as far as he followed God and no further Paul himself thus limits our imitation of him (1Co_111) Follow me as I follow Christ and not otherwise Many good people have had their first ways which were their best ways their first love which was their strongest love and in every copy we propose to write after as we must single out that only which is good so that chiefly which is best The words here will admit another reading they run thus He walked in the ways of David his father

(Hareshonim) those first ways or those ancient ways He proposed to himself for his

example the primitive times of the royal family those purest times before the corruptions of the late reigns came in See Jer_616 The Septuagint leaves out David and so refers it to Asa He walked in the first ways of his father and did not imitate him in what was amiss in him towards the latter end of his time It is good to be cautious in following the best men lest we step aside after them 2 He sought not to Baalim but sought to the Lord God of his father 2Ch_173 2Ch_174 The neighbouring nations had their Baalim one had one Baal and another had another but he abhorred them all had nothing to do with them he worshipped the Lord God of his father and him only prayed to him only and enquired of him only both are included in seeking him 3 That he walked in Gods commandments not only worshipped the true God but worshipped him according to his own institution and not after the doings of Israel 2Ch_174 Though the king of Israel was his neighbour and ally yet he did not learn his way Whatever dealings he had with him in civil matters he would not have communion with him nor comply with him in his religion In this he kept close to the rule 4 His heart was lifted up in the ways of the Lord (2Ch_176) or he lifted up his heart He brought his heart to his work and lifted up his heart in it that is he had a sincere regard to God in it Unto thee O Lord do I lift up my soul His heart was enlarged in that which is good Psa_11932 He never thought he could do enough for God He was lively and affectionate in his religion fervent in spirit serving the Lord cheerful and pleasant in it he went on in his work with alacrity as Jacob who after his vision of God at Bethel lifted up his feet Gen_291 margin He was bold and resolute in the ways of God and went on with courage His heart was lifted up above the consideration of the difficulties that were in the way of his duty he easily got over them all and was not frightened with winds and clouds from sowing and reaping Ecc_114 Let us walk in the same spirit

JAMISO 2Ch_171-6 Jehoshaphat reigns well prospers

Jehoshaphat strengthened himself against Israelmdash The temper and

proceedings of the kings of Israel rendered it necessary for him to prepare vigorous measures of defense on the northern frontier of his kingdom These consisted in filling all the fortresses with their full complement of troops and establishing military stations in various parts of the country as well as in the cities of Mount Ephraim which belonged to Jehoshaphat (2Ch_158)

KampD Jehoshaphats efforts to strengthen the kingdom internally and externally -2Ch_171 or rather the first half of this verse belongs properly to the preceding chapter since when the son immediately follows the father on the throne the successor is mentioned immediately cf 2Ch_931 2Ch_1216 2Ch_2427 2Ch_279 etc Here however the account of the accession to the throne is combined with a general remark on the reign of the successor and therefore it is placed at the commencement of the account of the reign while in the case of Asa (2Ch_141) both come in immediately at the conclusion of the reign of his predecessor Asa had shown himself weak against Israel as he had sought help against Baashas attack from the Syrians (2Ch_161) but it was otherwise with Jehoshaphat He indeed put the fenced cities of his kingdom in a thoroughly good condition for defence to protect his kingdom against hostile attacks from without (v 20 but he walked at the same time in the ways of the Lord so that the Lord made his kingdom strong and mighty (2Ch_173-5) This general characterization of his reign is in 2Ch_176 illustrated by facts first by the communication of what Jehoshaphat did for the inner spiritual strengthening of the kingdom by raising the standard of religion and morals among the people (2Ch_176-11) and then by what he did for the external increase of his power (2Ch_1712-19)

BESO 2 Chronicles 171 Jehoshaphat strengthened himself against Israel mdashAgainst the king and people of Israel who had molested the kingdom of Judah with wars all the days of Asa after that sin of his mentioned 2 Chronicles 162 ampc Ahab had now been three years upon the throne of Israel an active warlike prince The vigour of the beginning of his reign falling in with the decay of the conclusion of Asarsquos it is probable the kingdom of Israel had of late gained ground of the kingdom of Judah and become formidable to it so that Jehoshaphat wisely judged that the first thing he had to do was to strengthen himself on that side and check the growing greatness of the king of Israel which he did so effectually and without bloodshed that Ahab soon courted his alliance (so far was he from giving him any disturbance) and proved more dangerous as a friend than he could have been as an enemy

TRAPP 2 Chronicles 171 And Jehoshaphat his son reigned in his stead and strengthened himself against Israel

Ver 1 And Jehoshaphat his son reigned] See 1 Kings 1524

And strengthened himself against Israel] Or Upon Israel ie upon that part of it which was subject to him

POOLE Jehoshaphat is made king reigneth well and prospereth 2 Chronicles 171-6 He sendeth Levites with the princes to teach Judah 2 Chronicles 177-9 He is feared by the nations round about who bring him presents and tribute his greatness captains and armies 2 Chronicles 1710-19

Against the king and people of Israel who had molested the kingdom of Judah with wars all the days of Asa after that sin of his mentioned 2 Chronicles 162 ampc

WHEDO 1 Strengthened himself against Israel mdash Asa had shown a fear of Israel and rather than venture war had hired the help of Ben-hadad (2 Chronicles 161-3) but his son Jehoshaphat prepared at the beginning of his reign to withstand opposition from his northern neighbour Rawlinson also suggests that a reason for Jehoshaphatrsquos strengthening himself against Israel may have been the alliance which Ahab had then recently formed with the king of Zidon by marriage with his daughter Jezebel 1 Kings 1631

ELLICOTT JEHOSHAPHAT (2 Chronicles 17-20)

PROPHETIC MIISTRY OF MICAH THE SO OF IMLAH AD JEHU THE SO OF HAAI

Jehoshaphat labours to strengthen his realm internally and externally

This entire chapter is peculiar to the Chronicle

Verse 1 (1) And Jehoshaphat in his steadmdashThe last words of 1 Kings 1524 The name means Iah judgeth

And strengthened himself against IsraelmdashAs described in 2 Chronicles 172 Israel is here the northern kingdom These defensive measures were taken in the early part of the reign and before Jehoshaphat connected himself by marriage with the northern dynasty (2 Chronicles 181)

PARKER 1-4 1 And Jehoshaphat his son reigned in his stead and strengthened himself against Israel

[Jehoshaphat ascended the throne in the fourth year of Ahab ( 1 Kings 2241) probably after that monarch had contracted his alliance with the royal family of Sidon and before he was engaged in war with Syria It was thus not unnatural that he should begin his reign by strengthening himself against a possible attack on the part of his northern neighbourmdashThe Speakers Commentary]

2 And he placed forces [comp chap 2 Chronicles 1112] in all the fenced cities of Judah and set garrisons [or governors (comp 1 Kings 47 1 Kings 419)] in the

land of Judah and in the cities of Ephraim which Asa his father had taken

3 And the Lord was with Jehoshaphat because he walked in the first ways of his father David [The LXX and several Hebrew MSS omit David The real meaning of the writer Isaiah that Jehoshaphat followed the example set by his father Asa in his earlier years] and sought not unto Baalim [And sought not the Baals The Baals were different local aspects of the sun-god Jehoshaphat was not seduced into this worship though in his day it overspread almost the whole kingdom of Israel]

4 But sought to the Lord God of his father and walked in his commandments and not after the doings of Israel

PARKER The Reign of Jehoshaphat

And Jehoshaphat his son reigned in his stead and strengthened himself against Israel ( 2 Chronicles 171)

I succeeding to that throne of Israel Jehoshaphat simply followed the course of a law but in strengthening himself against Israel he indicated a personal policy How definitely the statement reads There is no doubt or hesitation in the mind of Jehoshaphat as to the course which ought to be pursued He did not simply think that he would strengthen himself against Israel he had not a merely momentary vision of a possible fortification against the enemy he actually carried out his purpose and thus challenged northern Israel On the other hand how peaceful is the declaration that is here made There is not an aggressive tone in all the statement Innocent Jehoshaphat simply strengthened himself against Israel that is to say he puts himself into a highly defensive position so that if the enemy should pour down from the north Jehoshaphat would be secured against his assaults Everything therefore depends upon the point of view which we take of this policy But the thing which history has made clear is that a man often lays down a policy before waiting the issue of events which would determine its scope and tone All this was done by Jehoshaphat before he connected himself by marriage with the northern dynasty A marriage may upset a policy a domestic event may alter the course of a kings thinking and readjust the lines of a nations relation to other kingdoms The wise man holds himself open to the suggestion and inspiration of events o man is as wise to-day as he will be tomorrow provided he pay attention to the literature of providence which is being daily written before his eyes Our dogmatics whether in theology or in state policy should be modified by the recollection that we do not now know all things and that further light may show what we do know in a totally different aspect Our policy like our bread should in a sense be from day to day When men are omniscient they may lay down a theological programme from which departure would be blasphemy but until they are omniscient they had better write with modesty and subscribe even their best constructed creeds with reservations which will leave room for providence

GUZIK 2 CHROICLES 17 - FEATURES OF JEHOSHAPHATrsquoS REIG

A How King Jehoshaphat pleased God

1 (2 Chronicles 171-4) The personal spiritual commitment of King Jehosphaphat

Then Jehoshaphat his son reigned in his place and strengthened himself against Israel And he placed troops in all the fortified cities of Judah and set garrisons in the land of Judah and in the cities of Ephraim which Asa his father had taken ow the LORD was with Jehoshaphat because he walked in the former ways of his father David he did not seek the Baals but sought the God of his father and walked in His commandments and not according to the acts of Israel

a Then Jehoshaphat his son reigned in his place Asa was generally a good king (though he did not finish well) and Jehoshaphat his son followed in his footsteps and the LORD was with Jehoshaphat because he walked in the former ways of his father David

i ldquoIn the first ways which David walked in before he fell into those horrid sins of murder and adulteryrdquo (Trapp)

ii ldquoHave you never noticed the career of David What a happy life Davidrsquos was up to one point But that hour when he walked on the roof of his house and saw Bathsheba and gave way to his unholy desires put an end to the happy days of David You recognize him as the same man but his voice is broken his music is deep bass he cannot reach one high notes of the scale From the hour in which he sinned he began to sorrow more and more So will it be with us if we are not watchfulrdquo (Spurgeon)

b Strengthened himself against Israel Jehoshaphat recognized that the northern kingdom was a danger to Judah militarily politically and especially spiritually He therefore strengthened the defenses against this threat and specifically did not according to the acts of Israel

i In his presentation of the history of the kings of Judah the Chronicler constantly brings the contrast and the challenge before the readers of his day and ours ldquoYour destiny as an individual and as a nation can either be like that of Judah or Israel You should follow the example of those who did not according to the acts of Israelrdquo

PULPIT To the contents of this chapter and to the reign of Jehoshaphat which occupies this and the following three chapters the Book of Kings furnishes as yet no parallel All that it has to say of Jehoshaphat now is summed up in one sentence (1 Kings 1524) And Jehoshaphat his son reigned in his stead till we arrive at the ten verses of 1 Kings 2241-51 with their very slender sketch (see also 2 Kings 31-14)

2 Chronicles 171

Jehoshaphat In 2 Chronicles 2031 and 1 Kings 2241 1 Kings 2242 we are told that Jehoshaphat was now thirty-five years of age He must therefore have been born when Asa was in the sixth year of his reign and presumably not under sixteen years of age His reign extended to twenty-five years ie from BC 914 to BC 889 The name signifies whom God judges or pleads for Ahab is now in the fourth year of his reign and the symptoms he manifests (1 Kings 1630-33) are those that the rather urge Jehoshaphat to strengthen himself ie strengthen the defences of his kingdom on the Israel side

BI 1-19 And Jehoshaphat his son reigned in his stead

The conditions of national prosperity

This chapter showsmdash

I That true religion is the basis of the State and that wherever it prospers there the State prospers

II That it is the wisdom of kings to encourage religion with all their power and influence

III That a religious nation is ever a great nation

IV That a religious nation is ever a peaceful and united nation (A Clarke D D)

Jehoshaphat

I His policy as a statesman

1 It was protective (2Ch_171-2)

2 It was wise

3 It was eminently patriotic

II His character as a man

1 He was distinguished for true piety

(1) In his every-day life (2Ch_173)

(2) In his private devotions (2Ch_173-4)

(3) In his obedience to God (2Ch_174)

2 The inspiration of his heart came from the consciousness of his obedience to God (2Ch_176)

III His wisdom as a ruler

1 He removed temptation from his people (2Ch_176)

2 He provided for his people the highest means of good (2Ch_177-9) (Metropolitan Pulpit)

Jehoshaphatrsquos prosperity

I Its measure Everything indicates that it was great and genuine Not an element of true prosperity is wanting whether we consider him individually or as identified with the realm It involvedmdash

1 The safety of the kingdom

2 Wealth

3 Honour from abroad

4 The love and confidence of his own people

II Its origin This was partly natural partly supernatural

1 Natural

(1) The roots of his prosperity lay largely in himself He was a man of correct instincts and good convictions A man of worth and weight of character By these he won the love and secured the co-operation of his people

(2) He was wise in management

2 Supernatural ldquoThe Lord stablished the kingdom in his handrdquo It was a reward of piety He honoured God and God honoured and exalted him Lessons

1 The union of prudence and piety Each is helpful to the other neither is sufficient without the other Prudence gives tone and practicality to piety piety gives sweetness and mellowness to prudence Piety alone tends to feebleness and inefficiency prudence alone inclines to coldness and covetousness United they round out the character in beauty and strength

2 Reform through religion and law Jehoshaphat united the civil and religious power in securing national reform How necessary is this union in the great struggle with intemperance and other moral defilements (Monday Club Sermons)

2 He stationed troops in all the fortified cities of Judah and put garrisons in Judah and in the towns of Ephraim that his father Asa had captured

CLARKE The cities of Ephraim - This conquest from the kingdom of Israel is referred to 2Ch_158 but when it was made we do not know

GILL And he placed forces in all the fenced cities of Judah A considerable number of soldiers to defend them should they be attacked

and set garrisons in the land of Judah on the frontiers and borders of it to protect it

and in the cities of Ephraim soldiers to keep garrison there

which Asa his father had taken see 2Ch_158

KampD 2-4 He placed forces (חיל) in all the fenced cities of Judah and garrisons

in the land of Judah and in the cities of Ephraim (military posts cf 1Ch_1116 נציבים)

which is father Asa had taken cf 2Ch_158 God blessed these undertakings Jahve was with him because he walked in the ways of David his ancestor the former ways and sought not the Baals The former ways of David are his ways in the earlier years of his reign in contrast to the later years in which his adultery with Bathsheba (2 Sam 11) and

the sin of numbering the people (1 Chron 21) fall העלים are all false gods in contrast to

Jahve the one God of Israel and here the word designates not only the Baal-worship properly so called but also the worship of Jahve by means of images by which Jahve is

brought down to the level of the Baals cf Jdg_211 The ל before עלים stands according

to the later usage as a sign of the accusative In the last clause of 2Ch_174 ldquoand not

after the doings of Israelrdquo (of the ten tribes) הלך ldquohe walkedrdquo is to be repeated The

doing of Israel is the worship of Jahve through the images of the golden calves which

the author of the Chronicle includes in the לעלים רש

BESO 2 Chronicles 172 And set garrisons in the cities which Asa had taken mdash We do not read of any cities which Asa took but Abijah his father possessed himself of several which Asa kept and took for his own 2 Chronicles 1319 And it appears Jehoshaphat put such forces in them as might secure them to himself

TRAPP 2 Chronicles 172 And he placed forces in all the fenced cities of Judah and set garrisons in the land of Judah and in the cities of Ephraim which Asa his father had taken

Ver 2 And he placed forces] See 2 Chronicles 1719

ELLICOTT (2) And he placed forcesmdashComp 2 Chronicles 1112

The fenced citiesmdashlsquoArecirc ha-bĕtsucircrocircth (Comp 2 Chronicles 115 sqq 2 Chronicles 146-7)

And set garrisonsmdashPlaced military posts or prefects (netsicircbicircm) (1 Chronicles 1116 2 Chronicles 1111) Syriac ldquoappointed rulersrdquo

The cities of Ephraim had takenmdashSee on 2 Chronicles 158

PULPIT He placed forces literally he gave (Genesis 117) forces or a force or host or army חיל (Exodus 1428 2 Samuel 242) And set garrisons again literally he gave garrisons ( נאיבים ) ie either the persons set over prefects or officers (1 Kings 419) or the military garrison itself stationed (1 Samuel 105 1 Samuel 133) A village in Judah also had the name ezeb (Joshua 1545) In the cities of Ephraim (see 2 Chronicles 158)

3 The Lord was with Jehoshaphat because he followed the ways of his father David before him He did not consult the Baals

BARES The first ways of his father David - The Septuagint and several Hebrew manuscripts omit ldquoDavidrdquo which has probably crept in from the margin for Davidrsquos ldquofirst waysrdquo are nowhere else contrasted with his later ways The real meaning of the writer is that Jehoshaphat followed the example set by his father Asa in his earlier years 2Ch_141-15 15

Baalim - On the plural form see 1Ki_1818 note

CLARKE The Lord was with Jehoshaphat - ldquoThe Word of the Lord was Jehoshaphatrsquos Helperrdquo - Targum

GILL And the Lord was with Jehoshaphat Guiding and directing prospering and succeeding him in all things he had no doubt his gracious presence in spiritual things as well as his powerful and directing presence in things civil the Targum isthe Word of the Lord was for his help

because he walked in the first ways of his father David which were his best some of his last ways not being good as in the affair of Uriah and Bathsheba and his numbering of the people Jehoshaphat followed him in the one but not in the other or in the ways of David and his father the first the first of them both for the latter ways of his father Asa were not so good as his first as the preceding chapter shows and the

Septuagint version leaves out the word David and so restrains it to his own father

and sought not unto Baalim as did Ahab king of Israel who now reigned there 1Ki_1524

JAMISO 3-5 he walked in the first ways of his father Davidmdash He imitated the piety of his great ancestor in the early part of his reign before he made those unhappy lapses which dishonored his character

and sought not unto Baalimmdash a term used for idols generally in contradistinction to the Lord God of his father

BESO 2 Chronicles 173-4 He walked in the first ways of his father David mdashHis ways before he fell so foully in the matter of Uriah which were good ways David indeed recovered from that fall but perhaps never while he lived fully retrieved the spiritual strength and comfort which he had lost Jehoshaphat followed David as far as he followed God and no farther St Paul himself thus limits our imitation of him 1 Corinthians 111 Follow me as I follow Christ and not otherwise The first ways of many pious people have been their best ways and their first love their strongest love which however ought not to be the case for the last ought to be more than the first Revelation 219 But in every copy we propose to write after as we ought to single out that only which is good so that chiefly which is best The original words here are literally rendered He walked in the ways of David his father הראשונים hareshonim those first or ancient ways He proposed to himself for his example the primitive times of the royal family those purest times before the corruptions of the late reigns came in See Jeremiah 616 The LXX leave out David and so refer this to Asa He walked in the first ways of his father Asa and did not imitate him in what was amiss in him toward the latter end of his time It is well to be cautious in following the best men lest we step aside after them And sought not unto Baalim mdash The neighbouring nations had their Baalim one had one Baal and another had another but he abhorred them all and had nothing to do with any of them He sought the Lord God of his father and him only prayed to him only and inquired of him only

TRAPP 2 Chronicles 173 And the LORD was with Jehoshaphat because he walked in the first ways of his father David and sought not unto Baalim

Ver 3 Because he walked in the first ways of his father David] Who during his trouble kept himself free from scandalous and reproachful practices innocent from the great transgression [Psalms 1913] David rectior fuit in servitio quam in regno saith Gregory

POOLE In the first ways which David walked in before he fell into those horrid sins of murder and adultery Or in the ways of David and his fatherrsquos first ways For the beginning of Asarsquos reign was laudable as we have seen though he declined at last For it seems more probable that this passage is a reflection upon Asa whose last ways were much his worst and of whose repentance we have no evidence than

upon David who though he fell dreadfully in the matter of Uriah yet did manifestly repent of it and return to his first and holy course of life in which also he continued until death having this character given him by the Holy Ghost after his death that he did right in all things saving that of Uriah 1 Kings 155

WHEDO 3 The first ways of his father David mdash The first or earlier ways of David are contrasted with his later ways ldquoin the matter of Uriahrdquo and his sin in numbering the people The Septuagint omits the word David and some have therefore thought it an interpolation and understand the earlier ways of Asa to be intended

ELLICOTT (3) He walked in the first waysmdashThe former or earlier ways of David as contrasted with his later conductmdasha tacit allusion to the adultery with Bathsheba and other sins of David committed in his later years (2 Samuel 11-24) A few MSS and the LXX omit David

And sought not unto BaalimmdashAnd sought not the Baals (dacircrash lĕ a late construction) The Baals were different local aspects of the sun-god Here the term no doubt includes the illegal worship of Jehovah under the form of a bullock as instituted by Jeroboam and practised in the northern kingdom (ldquothe doing of Israelrdquo 2 Chronicles 174) Syriac ldquoand prayed not to imagesrdquo

PARKER And the Lord was with Jehoshaphat because he walked in the first ways of his father David and sought not unto Baalim ( 2 Chronicles 173)

The Lord was not with Jehoshaphat because he strengthened himself against Israel nor because he placed forces in all the fenced cities of Judah and set garrisons in the land of Judah and in the streets of Ephraim ot one of these little triumphs is referred to as affording God a basis for the complaisant treatment of the new king As ever the Lords relation to Jehoshaphat was determined by Jehoshaphats own moral condition A very beautiful expression is thismdashhe walked in the first ways of his father David that is to say in the former or earlier ways of David as contrasted with Davids later conduct Some have found here a tacit allusion to Davids greatest sin which he committed when he was advanced in life A somewhat mournful thing it is that a mans first ways should be better than his last The other relation would seem to be the one which reason would approve and God would specially honour namely that a mans old age should be the ripest and best part of his conduct rich with Wisdom of Solomon strong with experience and chastened by many a pensive recollection Sad when you have to go back to a mans youth to find his virtues or his most conspicuous excellences but most beautiful when a mans earlier mistakes are lost in the richness and wisdom of his later conduct God keeps his attention fixed on all the parts of a mans life and he observes which of those parts is most esteemed by the mans own successors Happy is that father whose whole example is worthy of imitation yet more than human is he the whole of whose life is without stain or flaw Jehoshaphats conduct in this matter is the more notable because of the constant observation of mankind that it is easier to follow the evil than to imitate the good When imitation enters into a mans life he is prone to

copy that which is inferior and to leave without reproduction that which is lofty and disciplinary In this instance Jehoshaphat sets an example to the world His conduct too is represented negatively as well as positivelymdashand sought not unto Baalim The word Baalim is in the plural number and the literal reading might be Jehoshaphat sought not the Baals the Baals being different local aspects or phases of the sun-god It is to be specially noted that the term Baal includes an aspect even of Jehovah himself that is to say Israel had degenerated so far as to suppose that in worshipping Baal they were worshipping at least one phase of the true God We must not mix up our religion with our irreligion our prayers with our idolatry our heavenliness with our worldly-mindedness the whole arrangement must be clean and pure from one end to the other inasmuch as one taint may cause the whole process of our religious thought and service to become deteriorated and valueless It is often difficult to abandon a popular custom More people might be in favour of Jehoshaphat strengthening himself against Israel than in returning to the first ways of David and abandoning the altar of the Baals History and religion are always considered in their separate distribution There are politicians who would vote for a war who would on no account surrender a superstition On the other hand there are men who pride themselves on being free of the influence of superstition who would willingly enter into the most sanguinary wars for the extension of empire or the glory of some particular throne In Jehoshaphat we seem to come into contact with a complete character in other words a man who in every point was equally strong a man of foresight a man of reverence a man of an honest heart a man who felt that idolatry and true worship could not coexist in the same breast

ISBET lsquoThe Lord was with Jehoshaphatrsquo2 Chronicles 173It is instructive to notice what is said about Davidrsquos waysmdashit was his first ways that Jehoshaphat took for his pattern We should always be careful to adopt only the good things in others

I lsquoThe Lord stablished the kingdom in his handrsquo God loves to find a man He can trust a man into whose hand He can put holy interests and know that they will be sacredly cherishedmdashThe Lord established the kingdom in the hands of Jehoshaphat because Jehoshaphat was true to his trust In our Lordrsquos parable of The Talents we are taught that those who prove faithful to their trust receive other things also in trust while those who are unfaithful even in small things God will not intrust with larger things

II lsquoHis heart was lifted up in the ways of the Lordrsquo There is a bad lifting up and a good lifting up Some people are made vain and self-conceited by prosperitymdashThe temptation for young people when first called upon to do any work and accomplishing it with some measure of success is to become proud and to show their vanity by talking too much about themselves and what they have done Such lifting up not only dishonours God but hurts the person But Jehoshaphat was lifted up in the ways of the Lord Too often as money comes in and prosperity increases

people get so absorbed in these new gifts of God that the Giver Himself fades out of their vision If only we see the hand of God in every new mercy and goodness that comes to us our heart will be lifted up in the ways of the Lord

III lsquoThe fear of the Lord fell upon all the kingdoms hellip so that they made no war against Jehoshaphatrsquo The Lord is able to control even the diplomacy and the politics of nationsmdashWhen these kingdoms saw the blessing which Jehoshaphat was enjoying in his country they felt an awe in their heartsmdashthe fear of the Lord fell upon themmdashand they refrained from making war God will always find some way to defend His own people in the midst of dangers

PULPIT The first ways of his father David Although there would be no difficulty in reconciling this statement with history yet probably the name David should not stand here It is not in the Septuagint The most natural and sufficient reference is to Asa And sought not unto Ballim literally to the Baalim ie to the various false gods of surrounding peoples ( 211) Baal-berith ( 833 94 946) Baal-zebub (2 Kings 12) Baal-peor (umbers 2328 etc umbers 253) according to the places where the idolatrous worship was carried on (For the preposition ל to after sought in this and following verse see again 1 Chronicles 2219 )

4 but sought the God of his father and followed his commands rather than the practices of Israel

BARES The doings of Israel - i e the especially idolatrous doings of the time -the introduction and establishment of the worship of Baal and the groves

GILL But sought to the Lord God of his fathers Prayed to him worshipped and served him

and walked in his commandments observed and kept them moral ceremonial and judicial

and not after the doings of Israel who worshipped the golden calves at Dan and Bethel

JAMISO and not after the doings of Israelmdash He observed with scrupulous fidelity and employed his royal influence to support the divine institutions as enacted by Moses abhorring that spurious and unlawful calf-worship that now formed the established religion in Israel Being thus far removed alike from gross idolatry and Israelitish apostasy and adhering zealously to the requirements of the divine law the blessing of God rested on his government Ruling in the fear of God and for the good of his subjects ldquothe Lord established the kingdom in his handrdquo

COFFMA So far so good Jehoshaphat like some others of the kings of Judah began very well receiving as their reward the blessing of the Lord and the prosperity of the people but his alliance with Ahab (described in 2 Chronicles 18) would cast a dark shadow over what is written here

(He) walked not after the doings of Israel (2 Chronicles 174) The contempt in which the author of Chronicles held the orthern Israel appears in a clause like this The outstanding feature of Chronicles is the omission wherever possible of practically the entire history of their kings This reminds us of the Book of umbers in which the whole history of the apostate Israel records only a few events for the whole period Why It was because of the fact that what any nation does after they have rejected God is of minor importance

With the apostasy of the orthern Israel and their rejection of Gods choice of the house of David the history of the redemption of mankind dramatically shifted to what happened in Jerusalem

TRAPP 2 Chronicles 174 But sought to the [LORD] God of his father and walked in his commandments and not after the doings of Israel

Ver 4 And not after the doings of Israel] Who in his days did evil as they could under that nonsuch Ahab But Jehoshaphat was not corrupted with their ill neighbourhood

PARKER But sought to the Lord God of his father and walked in his commandments and not after the doings of Israel ( 2 Chronicles 174)

We must be prepared for singularity if we are genuinely prepared to be good Let a man settle it with himself in prayerful solitude whether he means to walk with God or to identify himself with the spirit and customs of his age Jehoshaphat laid down a clear programme for himself and followed it out with patient and faithful industry The Lord God of his father was not a mere term in a crowd it was the object of daily search and quest Jehoshaphat inquired for him and operated constantly upon the doctrine Ask and it shall be given you knock and it shall be opened unto you or was Jehoshaphats religion merely speculative that is to say an intellectual quest after an intellectual God whatever was speculative in the mind and service of Jehoshaphat was sustained and ennobled by a solid moral element

forasmuch as Jehoshaphat walked in Gods commandmentsmdashhe read the decalogue he studied Gods word he would take no action personal regal or social that was not first examined and approved in the light of the divine statutes All this might have been comparatively easy if Jehoshaphat had started at an independent point but at such a point no man can start for he must take up the age as he finds it and must first disembarrass himself from all the stipulations and claims of custom usage and popular superstition Jehoshaphat sought not after the doings of Israel he set himself up in this respect against the kingdom he was not afraid of peculiarity in a word Jehoshaphats religion was characteristic that is to say it had lines points and colours of its own about which there could be no reasonable mistake What is our religion Do we intellectually assent to the existence and sovereignty of one God and then degenerate into self-worship Do we admit that there must be an ultimate morality a philosophy of conduct founded upon eternal metaphysics and then do we measure our own behaviour by the canon of custom These are questions that search the heart and no man can answer them for his brother

What became of all this noble conduct arising out of this high religious conception We shall see in the following versemdash

PULPIT After the doings of Israel This expression probably marks the doings of the northern kingdom as both the more typical throughout its whole history of the wrong and also as the systematic beginning by a law of idolatrous worship and images in the matter of the calves and so on

5 The Lord established the kingdom under his control and all Judah brought gifts to Jehoshaphat so that he had great wealth and honor

BARES Presents - i e ldquofree-will offeringsrdquo in addition to the regular taxes See 1Sa_1027

GILL Therefore the Lord stablished the kingdom in his hand Piety is the

best prop of government the throne is best supported and established by truth righteousness and mercy by the exercise of these Jehoshaphat was settled in his kingdom and had a place in the hearts of his people

and all Judah brought to Jehoshaphat presents being well affected to him as well as it was usual so to do at a princes accession to the throne see 1Sa_1027

and he had riches and honour in abundance through the presents his subjects brought him and the respect they showed him

JAMISO all Judah brought presentsmdash This was customary with the people generally at the beginning of a reign (1Sa_1027) and with the nobles and high functionaries yearly afterwards They were given in the form of voluntary offerings to avoid the odious idea of a tax or tribute

KampD Therefore Jahve established the kingdom in his hand ie under his rule cf

2Ki_145 All Judah brought him presents מנחה often used of tribute of subject peoples

eg in 2Ch_1711 of the Philistines cannot here have that signification nor can it denote

the regular imposts of subjects for these are not called מנחה but must denote voluntary

gifts which his subjects brought him as a token of their reverence and love The last clause ldquoand there was to him (he attained) riches and honour in abundancerdquo which is repeated 2Ch_181 recalls 1Ch_2928 2Ch_112 and signifies that Jehoshaphat like his ancestors David and Solomon was blessed for walking in the pious ways of these his forefathers

BESO 2 Chronicles 175-6 Therefore the Lord established the kingdom in his hand mdash Those stand firm that have the presence of God with them If the beauty of the Lord our God be upon us that will stablish the work of our hands and establish us in our integrity And all Judah brought to Jehoshaphat presents mdash As subjects in those times and places used to do to their kings in token of their respect and subjection to them The more there is of true religion among a people the more conscientious loyalty there will be A governor that answers the end of government will be supported And he had riches and honour in abundance mdash The effect of the favour both of God and his people It is undoubtedly true though few will believe it that religion and piety are the best friends to outward prosperity And his heart was lift up in the ways of the Lord mdash Riches and honour in abundance prove to many a clog and a hinderance in the ways of the Lord an occasion of pride security and sensuality but they had a quite contrary effect upon Jehoshaphat his abundance was oil to the wheels of his obedience and the more he had of the wealth of this world the more cheerfully and resolutely he went on in the ways of the Lord His heart also was lifted up above all discouragements difficulties and fears by which menrsquos hearts are wont to be cast down He was valiant and resolute for God and his ways He took away the high places and groves mdash That is those in which idols were worshipped for those that were dedicated to the true God only were not taken away chap 2 Chronicles 2033 And though Asa had done the same before yet

either he did not do it thoroughly or the people who were mad upon their idols had secretly made new ones in the latter part of his reign when he grew more infirm in body and more remiss in Godrsquos cause

TRAPP 2 Chronicles 175 Therefore the LORD stablished the kingdom in his hand and all Judah brought to Jehoshaphat presents and he had riches and honour in abundance

Ver 5 And he had riches and honour in abundance] Herein he came near unto Solomon in his greatest flourish

ELLICOTT (5) ThereforemdashAnd (so ldquoalsordquo ldquoso thatrdquo in 2 Chronicles 177 2 Chronicles 1710)

The Lord stablished the kingdom in his handmdashComp 2 Kings 145

PresentsmdashMinchah This word often means tributary offerings as in 2 Chronicles 1711 but here it obviously denotes the voluntary gifts of loyal subjects usual at the beginning of a reign (1 Samuel 1027)

And he had (or got) riches and honour in abundancemdashLike David and Solomon (1 Chronicles 2928 2 Chronicles 112)

PARKER 5-9 5 Therefore the Lord stablished the kingdom in his hand [comp 2 Kings 145] and all Judah brought to Jehoshaphat presents [this word often means tributary offerings but here it denotes the voluntary gifts of loyal subjects] and he had riches and honour in abundance

6 And his heart was lifted up [usually the phrase has a bad meaning (as in Deuteronomy 814 2 Chronicles 2616 Psalm 1311 etc) but it is evident that it must be taken differently here The marginal reading is right his courage rose high or he grew bold] in the ways of the Lord moreover he took away the high places and groves out of Judah

7 Also in the third year of his reign he sent to his princes [rather he sent his princes] even to Ben-hail and to Obadiah and to Zechariah and to ethaneel and to Michaiah to teach in the cities of Judah

8 And with them he sent [rather were the] Levites even Shemaiah and ethaniah and Zebadiah and Asahel and Shemiramoth and Jehonathan and Adonijah and Tobijah and Tobadonijah Levites and with them Elishama and Jehoram priests

9 And they taught in Judah and had the book of the law of the Lord [the Pentateuchmdashnearly if not quite in the shape in which we now have it] with them and went about throughout all the cities of Judah and taught [among] the people

PARKER Therefore the Lord stablished the kingdom in his hand and all Judah brought to Jehoshaphat presents and he had riches and honour in abundance ( 2 Chronicles 175)

Whatever was doubtful about the ascent of Jehoshaphat to the throne was removed and the king was enabled to realise his power when he closed his hand upon the royal sceptre he found that he was not grasping a shadow but a reality There are times when men become fully conscious of their influence and of their proper social position happy are they if in this consciousness they detect a prevailingly religious element which constrains them to acknowledge that honour and wealth power and dignity are the gifts of God Is not this an anticipation of the Saviours great doctrinemdashSeek ye first the kingdom of God and his righteousness and all these things shall be added unto you Jehoshaphat did not seek riches and honour he sought to the Lord God of his father and walked in the divine commandments and as a result he enjoyed all that kings delight in as indicating strength and pomp renown and influence

GUZIK 2 (2 Chronicles 175-6) The blessing upon his reign

Therefore the LORD established the kingdom in his hand and all Judah gave presents to Jehoshaphat and he had riches and honor in abundance And his heart took delight in the ways of the LORD moreover he removed the high places and wooden images from Judah

a Therefore the LORD established the kingdom in his hand This was no small accomplishment In those days kings and kingdoms were fragile and under constant threat Yet if the descendants of David would seek God first He promised to take care of their security ndash and God makes the same promise to His people today (Matthew 633)

b All Judah gave presents to Jehoshaphat and he had riches and honor in abundance Because Jehoshaphat trusted God God lifted him up and exalted him as a king As his heart took delight in the ways of the LORD the LORD gave him the desires of his heart (Psalms 374)

c Moreover he removed the high places and wooden images from Judah 1 Kings 2243 says that Jehoshaphat did not remove the high places Adam Clarke explains ldquoIn 2 Chronicles 176 it is expressly said that he did take way the high places Allowing that the text is right in 2 Chronicles the two places may be easily recognized There were two kinds of high places in the land 1 Those used for idolatrous purposes 2 Those that were consecrated to God and were used before the temple was built The former he did take away the latter he did notrdquo

i ldquoThey may also witness to the deep hold of the Canaanite and syncretic forms of religion on ordinary Israelites Popular views and practices are often quite different from pronouncements by religious authoritiesrdquo (Selman)

PULPIT All Judah brought presents to Jehoshaphat These presents were of course voluntary gifts though like not a few others custom may have taken off from them something of the bloom of spontaneousness (1 Samuel 1027 2 Samuel 82 1 Kings 421 1 Kings 1025 Psalms 7210)

6 His heart was devoted to the ways of the Lord furthermore he removed the high places and the Asherah poles from Judah

BARES His heart was lifted up - This expression generally occurs in a bad sense Deu_814 2Ch_2616 Psa_1311 Pro_1812 but here it must be taken differently The margin ldquowas encouragedrdquo expresses fairly the true meaning He first began by setting an example of faithfulness to Yahweh He then proceeded to use his best endeavors to extirpate idolatry

He took away the high places - Compare 2Ch_2033 and see the 2Ch_1517 note

GILL And his heart was lifted up in the ways of the Lord It was engaged in them was bent and set upon them he walked in them with great pleasure and cheerfulness being inspired with zeal and courage he was fearless and intrepid and regarded not any opposition he might have or expect to have in the work of reformation in which he was concerned

moreover he took away the high places such as were dedicated to idols but not those in which the true God was worshipped 2Ch_2033

and groves out of Judah where idols were placed for though these had been removed by Asa yet had been renewed in the latter part of his days when more negligent of religion

HERY 2 He was a despised man (Job_176) ldquoHerdquo (that is Eliphaz so some or rather God whom he all along acknowledges to be the author of his calamities) ldquohas made me a byword of the people the talk of the country a laughing-stock to many a gazing-stock to all and aforetime (or to mens faces publicly) I was as a tabret that whoever chose might play uponrdquo They made ballads of him his name became a proverb it is so still As poor as Job ldquoHe has now made me a bywordrdquo a reproach of men whereas aforetime in my prosperity I was as a tabret deliciae humani generis -

the darling of the human race whom they were all pleased with It is common for those who were honoured in their wealth to be despised in their poverty

JAMISO his heart was lifted up in the ways of the Lordmdash Full of faith and piety he possessed zeal and courage to undertake the reformation of manners to suppress all the works and objects of idolatry (see on 2Ch_2033) and he held out public encouragement to the pure worship of God

KampD This blessing encouraged Jehoshaphat to extirpate from the land all

idolatrous worship and to teach the people the law of the Lord לב usually sensu ב

malo to be haughty proud cf eg 2Ch_2616 2Ch_3225 here sensu bono of rising

courage to advance in ways pleasing to God and he removed the high places also etc עודpoints back to 2Ch_173 not only did he himself keep far from the Baals but he

removed besides all memorials of the Baal-worship from Judah On מות and אשרים see

on 2Ch_142

COKE 2 Chronicles 176 And his heart was lifted upmdash And when he had elevated his mind in following the commandments of God he took yet from Judah high places and groves ie he destroyed yet other monuments of idolatry which had escaped the diligence of his father Asa though he took not away those high places and altars which had been erected in Jerusalem for the true God See 1 Kings 2243 and ch 1 Kings 2033 of this book

TRAPP 2 Chronicles 176 And his heart was lifted up in the ways of the LORD moreover he took away the high places and groves out of Judah

Ver 6 And his heart was lifted up] ot with pride as 2 Chronicles 3225 but with undaunted courage and disengaged zeal such as made him come off roundly and readily in the ensuing reformation he was more forward and forth putting than his father Asa not slothful in business but fervent in spirit serving the Lord

POOLE His heart was lifted up above all discouragements and difficulties and fears by which menrsquos hearts use to be cast down he was valiant and resolute for God and his ways

He took away the high places and groves to wit such only wherein idols were worshipped as appears by comparing this with 2 Chronicles 2033 And though Asa had done this before yet either he did not do it thoroughly or the Jews (who were many of them mad upon their idols) had secretly made new ones in the latter part of his reign when he grew more infirm in body and more remiss in Godrsquos cause

WHEDO 6 His heart was lifted up mdash That is exalted with holy faith and courage

Took away the high places mdash Yet in spite of all his efforts and successes in this matter the people had become so addicted to these practices that their destruction was not thoroughly secured See note on 2 Chronicles 143 and compare 2 Chronicles 2033

ELLICOTT (6) And his heart was lifted upmdashGabhah lccedilbh which usually like the phrase of Authorised version has a bad meaning as in 2 Chronicles 2616 The margin is right here ldquohis courage rose highrdquo or ldquohe grew boldrdquo in the ways of Jehovah ie in the path of religious reform Vulg ldquocum sumpsisset cor ejus audaciam propter vias Dominirdquo

MoreovermdashAnd again further Referring to 2 Chronicles 173 ot only did he not seek the Baals but more than this he removed the high places ampc [This is the common explanation But the sense may rather be ldquoAnd he again removedrdquo referring back to Asarsquos reforms 2 Chronicles 145]

GrovesmdashrsquoAshecircrim ldquoAsherahsrdquo (2 Chronicles 143)

PARKER And his heart was lifted up in the ways of the Lord moreover he took away the high places and groves out of Judah ( 2 Chronicles 176)

The expression his heart was lifted up is an awkward one The lifting up of the heart signifies increase of pride a sensation of vanity a desire to gratify personal ambition and to make an idol of his will In this instance the marginal reading is to be preferredmdashwas encouraged or otherwise his courage rose high and again it has been rendered Jehoshaphat grew bold that is to say he was not a timid reformer or a timid worshipper a trimmer or a time-server in any sense he was a heroic worshipper of the living God when he saw that reform was necessary he went forward with a steady step and an energetic hand We should call Jehoshaphat a man of conviction and a man who had the courage of his convictions altogether this is the outline of a noble personage a born king a man who has a right to the purple and the sceptre When such men ascend thrones nations should be glad and rejoice with a great joy for their character is grander than their office and their spirit is the best guarantee of the elevation and utility of their regal policy Becoming conscious of his power knowing that his kingdom was established from on high Jehoshaphat not only did pot seek the Baals himself but he took away the high places and groves out of Judah Jehoshaphat was not content with a merely personal religion he could not convert the hearts of his people but he could destroy all the symbols of unholy worship Men are only required to do that which lies within their power A proprietor may not be able to make people sober but he can forbid the introduction of temptations to drunkenness a parent may not be able to subdue the spirit of pride but he can in many instances limit the means of gratifying it There are reforms which are open to us all in personal custom in social habit it may be even in imperial ways let each Jehoshaphat seize his opportunity and magnify it

All this would have been comparatively in vain but for another step which

Jehoshaphat took In the third year of his reign he sent to his princesmdashthat is to say he sent his princesmdashand he sent Levites all of whose names are given and he sent also two priests Elishama and Jehoram and their business was purely educational

PULPIT And his heart was lifted up in the ways of the Lord Although the verb often carries a bad sense with it it quite as often carries with it a good one in the גבהOld Testament and the typical instance of the former (Psalms 1311) is fully counterbalanced by Isaiah 5213 The marginal was enencouraged may be superseded with advantage by took courage (Isaiah 4029-31) The groves Supersede this incorrect rendering by the Asherim and upon the seeming discrepancy see again Isaiah 151-9 17 and Introduction to Chronicles there quoted

7 In the third year of his reign he sent his officials Ben-Hail Obadiah Zechariah ethanel and Micaiah to teach in the towns of Judah

BARES The princes were not sent as teachers themselves but had the duty committed to them of seeing that the people were taught The actual teachers were the priests and Levites of 2Ch_178

CLARKE 7-9 To teach in the cities of Judah - ldquoTo teach the fear of the Lord in the cities of Judahrdquo - Targum

In these verses we find a remarkable account of an itinerant ministry established by Jehoshaphat and in this work he employed three classes of men

1 The princes

2 The Levites

3 The priests

We may presume that the princes instructed the people in the nature of the civil law and constitution of the kingdom the Levites instructed them in every thing that appertained to the temple service and ritual law and the priests instructed them in the

nature and design of the religion they professed Thus the nation became thoroughly instructed in their duty to God to the king and to each other They became therefore as one man and against a people thus united on such principles no enemy could be successful

GILL Also in the third year of his reign he sent to his princes That dwelt in the several parts of the kingdom or he sent them being with him some of the

principal men of his court for ל may be a sign of the accusative case as it sometimes is

even to Benhail and to Obadiah and to Zechariah and to Nethaneel and to Michaiah to teach in the cities of Judah to see that they were taught and oblige them to attend to the instructions that should be given them and not mutiny and rebel against their teachers and to let them know what was the kings pleasure on this head and to back with their authority the priests and Levites whose proper work it was to instruct and who therefore were sent with them as follows

JAMISO 7-11 2Ch_177-11 He sends Levites to teach in Judah

Also in the third year of his reign he sent to his princes to teach in the cities of Judahmdash The ordinary work of teaching devolved on the priests But extraordinary commissioners were appointed probably to ascertain whether the work had been done or neglected This deputation of five princes assisted by two priests and nine Levites was to make a circuit of the towns in Judah It is the first practical measure we read of as being adopted by any of the kings for the religious instruction of the people Time and unbroken opportunities were afforded for carrying out fully this excellent plan of home education for the kingdom enjoyed internal tranquillity as well as freedom for foreign wars It is conformable to the pious style of the sacred historian to trace this profound peace to the ldquofear of the Lord having fallen on all kingdoms of the lands that were round about Judahrdquo

BESO 2 Chronicles 177 He sent to his princes mdash to teach in the cities of Judah mdash To inform the people of their duty and of the kingrsquos pleasure As judges teach or instruct the people in the laws of the land when they deliver their charges upon the bench so did these princes in the kingrsquos name admonish and require the people to observe and obey the laws of God which were the municipal laws of that land the particular explication and enforcement whereof they left to the Levites and priests here following who were sent for this end and accordingly taught the people 2 Chronicles 179

COFFMA Because of the clause which we have capitalized this is one of the most important passages in Chronicles Right here is the reason radical critics have extended themselves so unreasonably in their efforts to discredit Chronicles Here is dependable historical proof of the continued existence of the Torah from the days of Moses throughout the history of Israel As Keil stated it The book of the law of Jehovah is the Pentateuch not merely a collection of Mosaic laws since in Jehoshaphats time the Mosaic Book of the Law (the Pentateuch) had been long in existence[1] We shall not take the space to repeat the vociferous denials of critics

except to cite one knee-jerk remark that characterizes all of them Such action was not taken in Jehoshaphats time[2] What is the basis of such a blatant denial of what Gods Word states as a fact even giving the very names of the royal princes who did the teaching THERE IS OE o matter what unbelievers say this chapter IS the historical record of what happened in the reign of Jehoshaphat and those who live two and one half millenniums afterward have nothing of value by which they may challenge it Then why do men deny it The false theories they have invented are here contradicted forcing them either to give up their false theories or to deny the Sacred Scriptures that contradict them

COKE 2 Chronicles 177 He sent to his princes even to Ben-hail ampcmdash He sent of his princes Ben-hail Obadiah ampc The proper business of these princes in their circuit round the kingdom says Bishop Patrick was to admonish and require the people to observe the laws of God and to leave the particular explication and enforcement of them to those of the sacred order who went with them supporting them in the execution of their office and obliging the people to receive them with respect to hear them with attention and to practise what they taught

TRAPP 2 Chronicles 177 Also in the third year of his reign he sent to his princes [even] to Benhail and to Obadiah and to Zechariah and to ethaneel and to Michaiah to teach in the cities of Judah

Ver 7 He sent to his princes to teach in the cities of Judah] Teaching princes there are not many such as were David Solomon George prince of Anhalt ampc but these were sent with the teaching Levites to countenance and bear them out in this visitation general and perhaps to punish the opposite and obstinate if any such Junius readeth the text thus He sent with his princes these Levites for the teaching Or the princes taught the people the law of the land the priests and Levites the law of God both did mutually help one another So a Danish king of this land made a law that at the general court of every shire the bishop of the diocese should accompany the sheriff that the one might countenance Godrsquos law the other manrsquos (a) Queen Elizabeth once in her progress through Suffolk observing that the justices of that county who came to meet her had every man his minister next to his body said she wondered not that that county was so well governed where she saw that the word and sword went so lovingly together (b)

POOLE To teach in the cities of Judah to inform the people of their duty and of the kingrsquos pleasure As judges or justices of peace teach or instruct the people in the laws of the land when they deliver their charges upon the bench so did these princes in the kingrsquos name admonish and require the people to observe and obey the laws of God which were the prinicipal laws of that land the particular explication and enforcement whereof they left to the Levites and priests here following who were sent for this end and accordingly taught the people 2 Chronicles 179

WHEDO 7 He sent to his princeshellip to teach mdash He committed the matter of

teaching to their oversight and care and the teaching was done by the Levites and priests as stated in the next verse He did well to put down idolatry but he was wise enough to know that unless the people were instructed they would soon apostatize again

ELLICOTT THE COMMISSIOERS OF PUBLIC ISTRUCTIO I THE LAW

(7) He sent to his princes even to Ben-hail to MichaiahmdashRather He sent his princes Ben- hail and Obadiah and Michaiah (The le ldquotordquo in the chroniclerrsquos idiom marking the object of the verb) If however Authorised Version were correct the construction would not be unique as the Speakerrsquos Com mentary asserts (Comp 2 Kings 57 ldquothis man sendeth to me to recover a manrdquo ampc)

Princesmdashone of the personages mentioned in this and the following verse are otherwise known The ldquofive princesrdquo were laymen of rank and were accompanied by nine (eight) Levites and two priests

Ben-hailmdashSon of valour A compound proper name only occurring here but analogous to Ben-hur Ben-deker and Ben-hesed in 1 Kings 48-10 (The LXX renders ldquothe sons of the mightyrdquo Syriac ldquothe chiefs of the forcesrdquo apparently reading bnecirc chail)

ethaneelmdashSyriac Mattanael Arabic Mattaniah Michaiah Syriac and Arabic Malachiah

GUZIK B The strength of Jehoshaphatrsquos kingdom

1 (2 Chronicles 177-10) The spiritual strength of the kingdom Jehoshaphat brings the Word of God to the people

Also in the third year of his reign he sent his leaders Ben-Hail Obadiah Zechariah ethanel and Michaiah to teach in the cities of Judah And with them he sent Levites Shemaiah ethaniah Zebadiah Asahel Shemiramoth Jehonathan Adonijah Tobijah and Tobadonijah the Levites and with them Elishama and Jehoram the priests So they taught in Judah and had the Book of the Law of the LORD with them they went throughout all the cities of Judah and taught the people And the fear of the LORD fell on all the kingdoms of the lands that were around Judah so that they did not make war against Jehoshaphat

a To teach in the cities of Judah These ldquoteaching priestsrdquo have been mentioned by the Chronicler before (2 Chronicles 153) They had the important role of bringing the word of God to the people especially those who lived outside of Jerusalem

b They taught in Judah and had the Book of the Law of the LORD with them they went throughout all the cities of Judah and taught the people This was the wisest

and best policy a security-conscious king of Judah could promote Because Jehoshaphat sought God first God sent fear upon the neighboring kingdoms so that they did not make war against Jehoshaphat

i ldquoBy this little band of princes Levites and priests sixteen in all Jehoshaphat did more toward impressing the surrounding nations with a sense of his power than the largest and best-equipped standing army could have secured to himrdquo (Knapp)

ii ldquoThe method adopted was what in these modern times we might describe as the holding of Special Missions throughout the cities of Judah for the specific purpose of proclaiming and interpreting lsquothe book of the law of Jehovahrsquordquo (Morgan)

iii ldquoo better service can be rendered to the nation than that of proclaiming the Word of Jehovah to the people in cities towns villages and hamlets By such proclamation the heart of the people may be turned to Jehovah and so He be enabled to do for them all that is in His heartrdquo (Morgan)

iv ldquoThus the nation became thoroughly instructed in their duty to God to the king and to each other They became therefore as one man and against a people thus united on such principles no enemy could be successfulrdquo (Clarke)

v Clarke observed how a similar itinerant ministry in the days of John Wesley and his followers impacted Britain ldquoSuch an itinerant ministry established in these kingdoms for upwards of fourscore years teaching the pure unadulterated doctrines of the Gospel with the propriety and necessity of obedience to the laws has been the principle means in the hand of God of preserving the lands from those convulsions and revolutions that have ruined and nearly dissolved the European continentrdquo

vi ldquoIt is said (2 Chronicles 172) Jehoshaphat place forces in all the fenced cities yet it is not said thereupon that lsquothe fear of the Lord fell upon the neighbour nationsrsquo But when he had established a preaching ministry in all the cities then his enemies had a fear and made no warrdquo (Trapp)

PULPIT He sent Hebrew שלח The Hebrew text distinctly says he sent to his princes not he sent his princes The meaning ismdashhe sent orders to his princes to see to it that Judah was taught (2 Chronicles 179) the book of the Law of the Lord (Le 2 Chronicles 1011 Deuteronomy 49 Deuteronomy 1718) not indeed without their own personal aid in whatever way able to be given but systematically and with authority by the Levites and priests (Deuteronomy 3310) This deeper fathoming of the needs of the time and of what constituted its real safety was greatly to the spiritual credit of Jehoshaphat The references (2 Chronicles 153 2 Chronicles 352-4 2 Chronicles 3510-12) are full of point one of these princes or Levites and priests are elsewhere mentioned by name

8 With them were certain LevitesmdashShemaiah ethaniah Zebadiah Asahel Shemiramoth Jehonathan Adonijah Tobijah and Tob-Adonijahmdashand the priests Elishama and Jehoram

GILL 2 Chronicles 178And with them he sent Levites With the five princes he sent nine Levites

even Shemaiah and Nethaniah and Zebadiah and Asahel and Shemiramoth and Jehonathan and Adonijah and Tobijah and Tobadonijah Levites of whom we nowhere else read no doubt they were principal persons and fit for the work they were sent about

and with them Elishama and Jehoram priests whose lips were to keep knowledge and at whose mouth the law was to be sought Mal_27

ELLICOTT (8) And with them he sent LevitesmdashRather And with them were the Levites The construction being changed So LXX and the Syriac (Comp 1 Chronicles 1641-42 1 Chronicles 1518 for the same mode of enumeration which is characteristic of the style of the chronicler

ZebadiahmdashSome MSS and Syriac and Arabic read Zechariah

ShemiramothmdashSo LXX and Vulg (see 1 Chronicles 165 1 Chronicles 1518) The Heb text is probably incorrect Syriac and Arabic read instead atucircra

Tob-adonijahmdashThis curious name occurs only here and is perhaps a mere mistake arising out of the preceding Adonijah and Tobijah The Syriac and Arabic omit it

PriestsmdashThe priests

The commission was a mixed one of civil and ecclesiastical persons (comp 1 Chronicles 131-2 1 Chronicles 232 1 Chronicles 246)

And had the book of the law of the LordmdashAnd with them was the book of the law (teaching) of Jehovah For the construction compare 1 Chronicles 1642 The writer

evidently means the Pentateuch and if this notice was derived by him from a contemporary source eg the ldquowords of Jehu the son of Hananirdquo to which he refers as an authority for the reign (2 Chronicles 2034) it would constitute an important testimony to the existence if not of the five books at least of an ancient collection of laws at this early date (circ 850 BC )

And taught the peoplemdashTaught among the people

9 They taught throughout Judah taking with them the Book of the Law of the Lord they went around to all the towns of Judah and taught the people

BARES There is no reasonable doubt that this ldquobook of the lawrdquo was the Pentateuch - nearly if not quite in the shape in which we now have it Copies of the whole Law were no doubt scarce and therefore Jehoshaphatrsquos commission took care to carry a copy with them

CLARKE Had the book of the law of the Lord with them - This was their text book it was the book of God they taught it as such and as such the people received it Its laws were Godrsquos laws and the people felt their obligation and their consciences were bound Thus they were obedient to the laws of the land on the principle of religion In this they were encouraged and confirmed by the example of all both in Church and state The princes were not only pious but were teachers of piety the Levites showed them the worth and excellence of their ritual institutions and the priests showed them the moral use they were to make of the whole and thus the people became obedient to God as well as to the king and kept all the civil ordinances not merely for the sake of a good king but for the sake of a good and gracious God By these means the nation enjoyed peace and prosperity and all insurrections seditions and popular commotions were prevented The surrounding nations perceiving this saw that there was no hope of subduing such a people so they made no war with Jehoshaphat 2Ch_1710 And they took care not to provoke such a people to fall on them therefore it is said The fear of the Lord fell on all the kingdoms and lands that were round about Judah Such an itinerant ministry established in these kingdoms for upwards of fourscore years

teaching the pure unadulterated doctrines of the Gospel with the propriety and necessity of obedience to the laws has been the principal means in the hand of God of preserving these lands from those convulsions and revolutions that have ruined and nearly dissolved the European continent The itinerant ministry to which this refers is that which was established in these lands by the late truly reverend highly learned and cultivated deeply pious and loyal John Wesley AM formerly a fellow of Lincoln College Oxford whose followers are known by the name of Methodists a people who are an honor to their country and a blessing to the government under which they live

GILL And they taught in Judah The people their duty to God and man

and had the book of the law of the Lord with them as the rule of their instruction and the peoples obedience out of this they taught them and by it confirmed what they taught and enforced it with the divine authority

and went about throughout all the cities of Judah not only their own cities the Levitical ones but all others

and taught the people the law of the Lord the fear and worship of God

JAMISO the book of the lawmdash that is either the whole Pentateuch or only the book of Deuteronomy which contains an abridgment of it

BESO 2 Chronicles 179 And they taught in Judah ampc mdash The Levites and priests were teachers by office Deuteronomy 3310 It was a part of the work for which they had their maintenance and indeed had little else to do But it seems they had neglected it pretending probably that they could not get the people to hear them Jehoshaphat therefore sends them with the princes who by their authority might require the people to assemble together to receive instruction in the laws of God and their duty ldquoWhat a great deal of goodrdquo says Henry ldquomay be done when Moses and Aaron thus go hand in hand in the doing of it when princes with their power and priests and Levites with their Scripture-learning agree to teach the people the good knowledge of God and their duty These itinerant judges and itinerant preachers together were instrumental to diffuse a blessed light throughout the cities of Judahrdquo And had the book of the law of the Lord with them mdash 1st For their own guidance that from thence they might draw all the instructions they gave to the people and not teach for doctrines the commandments of men 2d For the conviction or the people that they might see these priests and Levites had a divine warrant for what they said and delivered to them only that which they had received from the Lord

TRAPP 2 Chronicles 179 And they taught in Judah and [had] the book of the law of the LORD with them and went about throughout all the cities of Judah and taught the people

Ver 9 And had the book of the law of the Lord with them] They taught not

traditions human inventions or unwritten verities All their doctrines came cum privilegio and were Scripture proof

WHEDO 9 The book of the law mdash Our Pentateuch in substantially its present form ldquoCopies of the whole law were no doubt scarce and therefore Jehoshaphatrsquos commission took care to carry a copy with themrdquo mdash Rawlinson

PARKER And they taught in Judah and had the book of the law of the Lord with them and went about throughout all the cities of Judah and taught the people ( 2 Chronicles 179)

This was a mixed commission partly civil partly ecclesiastical The men here mentioned are otherwise unknown We identify them as educational reformers or reformers who operated through the medium of education they were not warriors destroyers revolutionists but men who addressed the mind and the understanding and the conscience and caused men to know that the true law was from above and not from beneath The book which the commission had in hand was the Pentateuch or the law of Moses This was known to be the law which alone could touch all the vital necessities of the commonwealth Again and again we are constrained to admit that there is a law beyond Prayer of Manasseh above Prayer of Manasseh in a sense apart from man men are not driven within themselves to find a law an instinct or a reason they have a written statute an authoritative declaration a book which Christian teachers do not hesitate to describe as a Revelation and to that they call the attention of men If the teacher were teaching out of his own consciousness he would be but an equal often exposing himself to the destructive criticism of his more advanced and penetrating scholars but the teacher takes his stand upon a book upon the Book the Bible a revelation which he believes to be divine and final Say what we will the effect of Bible teaching must be judged by its fruits Where are the nations that are most distinguished for wide and varied intelligence for large and exhaustive sympathy for missionary enterprise for philanthropic institutions and for all the elements which give grace and beauty to social existence The question should admit of definite reply the facts are before men let them judge fearlessly and honestly and we need have no apprehension concerning their verdict Wherever the word of the Lord has had free course superstition has been chased away human slavery has been abolished every instance of intolerance injustice unkindness has felt the influence of holy thought in all these matters discussion should be limited strictly to facts Thus kings can help nations not by forcing education not by attempting to rule opinion not by setting up standards of orthodoxy to fall short of which is to incur penalty but by spreading education by extending light by cultivating a spirit of inquiry and by a generous multiplication of all the instrumentalities needed for the destruction of ignorance What may come of this we are not supposed at this moment to know Meanwhile let us be thankful that we are face to face with a man who has conviction courage independence high patriotic and generous impulse and let us hope that his end may be as beautiful as his beginning was promising

SIMEO THE ROYAL EDICT

ADVERTISEMETmdashThe author feels it necessary to prefix to this Sermon some short account of the occasion on which it was delivered

The author was at Amsterdam (in June 1818) partly with a view of re-establishing there an Episcopal Chapel in which there had been no service for seven years but principally with a view of seeking the welfare of the Children of Israel He went thither rather to explore than to act (See ehemiah 212-16) But just previous to the 18th of June he understood that the Third Anniversary of the Battle of Waterloo was to be kept throughout the etherlands as a day of thanksgiving and just at that time also he quite accidentally heard that the King of the etherlands had a year before issued an Edict requiring all the Jews to educate their children in the knowledge of their own Scriptures and calling upon all his Christian Subjects to aid in this good work Despondency not unlike to that which paralyzed all exertion at Jerusalem in ehemiahrsquos days so universally prevailed that no one had risen to the occasion the very Commissioners who had been appointed to carry the Edict into effect had published a Report in which they gave it as their opinion ldquothat the Lordrsquos time was not comerdquo and there was great danger that the gracious designs of the Monarch would be altogether frustrated The author therefore judged this a fit occasion for calling the attention of the Public to the Edict and accordingly after devoting the Morning Service to the more appropriate subject of the day he employed the Evening Service in an endeavour to forward this good work Considerable attention was excited to the subject by means of the Sermon which was therefore instantly printed in Dutch French and English for the purpose of its being circulated throughout the etherlands and he has reason to hope that active exertions were afterwards made in many places to promote what every benevolent mind must ardently desire the edification and welfare of the Jewish People

So good an example having been set by the Emperor of Russia and the King of the etherlands the author hopes that the attention of our own Governors also both in Church and State may be called to this long-neglected People and that now the British Public has been invited by authority (the Kingrsquos Letter) to aid in supporting Missions to the Heathen World the claims of the Jewish ation to whom under God we owe all the light that we ourselves enjoy will not be overlooked It is with a view to this great object that the author sends forth the Sermon in this country where if the foregoing explanation had not been given its relevancy and use might have been justly called in question

2 Chronicles 179 And they taught in Judah and had the book of the law of the Lord with them and went about throughout all the cities of Judah and taught the people

O a day set apart for thanksgiving to God for mercies received it is peculiarly proper to consider what we may render unto the Lord for all his benefits Certainly if any event ever deserved repeated annual commemoration it is that which has

freed the world from the most grievous tyranny that ever it endured Of the bitter cup which was put into the hands of every nation in Europe this nation [ote The etherlands] drank very deeply and the change which it has experienced in the restoration of their rightful Monarch and in the establishment of a free Constitution calls for their devoutest acknowledgments to Almighty God Doubtless we may with justice pay some tribute of honour to those who by their counsels and their arms effected the overthrow of the Usurper but it is God alone who giveth victory to kings and to whom the glory of this great victory must be primarily ascribed and he who accounts a day consecrated to this service superfluous shews that he is far from justly appreciating the blessings that have been conferred upon him The monarch himself has given to his people a very decided evidence that he feels the depth of his obligations to the God of his salvation and it will be your own loss if you do not cultivate a similar spirit and improve the occasion to the honour of your God

But it is not to thanksgiving only that your Monarch invites you he calls you by a special Edict to unite with him in seeking the welfare of your Jewish Brethren who in their struggle with the enemy signally approved their fidelity to their legitimate Sovereign Their welfare he in his turn studies to promote and he desires to combine the energies of all his subjects in efforts for their good Methinks he is like Jehoshaphat of old who well knowing that piety must be founded in knowledge and happiness in piety sent forth the Princes of his empire with a select number of Priests and Levites to instruct his people in the knowledge of Godrsquos blessed word

His edict on this occasion and the manner in which it was carried into effect will form the subject of my present discourse

I Then we notice the edict of King Jehoshaphatmdash

This was such as became a great and pious monarch and we shall find it not unprofitable or unsuitable to the present occasion to enter into a distinct consideration of it We observe then that it was a kind and benevolent edict a wise and politic edict a good and beneficial edict

Mark the benevolence displayed in it He sought the present and eternal welfare of his subjects He knew that as men are raised above the beasts by the exercise of reason so are they elevated in the scale of rational beings in proportion as their intellectual powers are cultivated and enlarged Man destitute of knowledge is a mere savage but when instructed in the various branches of science he becomes refined and civilized and capable of contributing to the general good In the very cultivation of knowledge there is much pleasure arising to the mind and in the application of that knowledge to useful purposes there is an exquisite delight We need only observe persons when employed in their several vocations how happy they are how contented how cheerful oftentimes unconsciously proclaiming their happiness like the birds of the air in festal songs or consciously and with devotion in songs of praise

But it was not mere intellectual improvement which Jehoshaphat sought to convey he wished his people to be instructed in the knowledge of that God whom they professed to fear and worship This alone could make them truly happy this alone could impart to them sound wisdom or solid consolation He therefore gave particular directions that they should be taught ldquoin the Book of the Law of the Lordrdquo and this throughout the whole land O happy people whose governor so employed the authority with which he was invested And happy that monarch who so improved his influence not for his own personal aggrandizement but for the best interests of the people committed to his charge In so doing he approved himself to be indeed what every governor should be the friend and father of his people

or was the policy of this measure at all inferior to its benevolence A people well instructed in moral and religious knowledge will view government as an ordinance of God and will learn to obey the constituted authorities not so much from fear of their wrath as for conscience sake towards God They will view their governors as Godrsquos vicegerents upon earth and will consider allegiance to them as an essential part of their duty to him Hence will spring up love in their hearts and a real delight in manifesting on all proper occasions their loyalty to their king they will form a bulwark around his person in case of necessity and even glory in laying down their lives for him as their greatest benefactor

The benefits arising from this edict were incalculable Such was the effect of it that the fear of Jehoshaphat and of Jehovah as his protector fell on all the nations that were round about him so that none however hostile in their hearts dared to make war against him [ote ver 10] Doubtless this resulted chiefly from an impression made upon their minds by God himself yet it was also produced by a dread of that energy which an united people were ready to put forth at any instant at the call of their beloved monarch At the same time that peace was thus secured prosperity reigned in every part of the empire and as the immediate fruit of it Jehoshaphat as well as the people ldquohad riches and honour in abundance [ote ver 5]rdquo In his own mind too he reaped the fruits of his own benevolence God smiled upon him and manifested himself to him and enabled him to walk with ldquohis heart lifted up in the ways of the Lord [ote ver 6]rdquo

Such was the edict of the pious Jehoshaphatmdashbenevolent politic beneficial And what I would ask is the Edict which has been issued by the highest authority in this kingdom Do we not see in it the same blessed characters as in that which we have been considering It was ldquoin the third year of his reign [ote ver 7]rdquo that Jehoshaphat sent forth teachers to enlighten and instruct his subjects The very instant he felt himself at liberty from the more urgent and pressing calls of duty (such as the fortifying of his land against foreign enemies and the correcting of some great internal abuses) he engaged in this good work of diffusing light and knowledge through all classes of the community In like manner the sovereign of this kingdom has scarcely had time to repair the ravages of war and to establish his empire too long weakened and impoverished by a cruel usurpation before he stands forth as the friend and father of his people and more especially of that portion of them who have in every age and place been most treated with neglect and

disdain to have them educated in scriptural knowledge and in the fear of God It is much to be lamented that the Jewish people have not in general been so attentive either to the learning or morals of their children as might be wished and hence arose a necessity for some authoritative admonition on the subject Yet if I may say it without offence this neglect has not been more reprehensible in them than has been the indifference with which the Christian world has regarded it The monarch (may God recompense it richly into his bosom) has risen up to remedy the supineness both of the one and the other and to call forth the united energies of all to correct and terminate this evil Yet whilst he thus consults the best interests of his subjects with what paternal tenderness has he guarded against wounding the feelings of any or exciting their religious prejudices The Scriptures of the Old Testament are alone to be used in the schools that shall be established even those Scriptures which Jews as well as Christians believe to have been given by inspiration of God and to contain truth without any mixture of error In this is marked the policy no less than the benevolence of the edict for it is not by constraint but by conciliation and kindness that good is to be done to any and more especially to those who have shewn themselves now for so many centuries proof against all the efforts of intimidation or force In this kingdom they form no small body and I may add no unimportant portion of the community It is well known how extensive is their influence in the affairs of commerce and how by their activity they contribute to enrich the state Hence it is now generally seen and felt that they are entitled to the same respect as any other subjects of the realm and whilst as in the present instance they see how deeply their monarch feels interested in their welfare they cannot but on their part be sensible of the privileges they enjoy under his paternal government and testify their gratitude to him by every possible expression of loyalty and affection

What the ultimate effect of these measures will be may be conjectured from the blessed results of the edict of Jehoshaphat all will feel themselves happy under the government of such a prince and he whilst he is respected abroad and beloved at home will have the happiness of seeing his labours crowned with prosperity throughout his dominions and with peace in his own soul

II The manner in which Jehoshaphatrsquos edict was carried into execution is now to be noticedmdash

The promptness with which his commands were executed deserves the highest praise All were ready to co-operate in this good work as soon as it was proposed ldquoPrinces and priests and Levites [ote ver 7 8]rdquo all addressed themselves to it instantly with one heart and one soul one accounted their dignity so high or their functions so sacred but they thought it an honour to be employed in such a service and found a delight in fulfilling the wishes of their revered monarch all entered into the work with zeal and prosecuted it with diligence and hence a rapid change was effected both in the temporal and spiritual condition of the whole nation And what may not be effected in this kingdom also if a similar zeal be exercised by ldquothe princes and priestsrdquo (the magistrates and clergy) of the land With them it must begin Those who move in a lower station can effect nothing if they be not aided and

countenanced by the higher orders whose rank in life or sacredness of character will give a tone to the general feeling and combine the energies of the whole kingdom If it be said that those for whom the benefit is designed do not feel a desire after it this only shews how much they need it and how earnestly we should all embark in a cause proposed by such high authority and recommended by the soundest dictates of wisdom and piety

That our obligations to unite in this labour of love may the more distinctly appear I would beg leave to suggest the following considerations

First Loyalty to the king demands our concurrence with him in this good work and a holy emulation amongst us to carry into effect his benevolent designs What can the greatest or best of men effect (what could Jehoshaphat himself have done) if there be none to act in subserviency to them and to follow their directions As the most potent monarch upon earth would in vain proclaim war if there were no soldiers found to enlist under his banners and to execute his commands so it will be in vain that the design of benefiting the Jewish people was ever conceived in the mind of the king or that his edict respecting them was ever issued if his subjects do not put forth their energies in obedience to his call In truth a backwardness to co-operate with him in this blessed work would seem like a reflection cast upon him as recommending a measure that was unworthy of attention I do not mean to insinuate that such an idea really exists in the minds of any for I am perfectly convinced it does not but certainly in appearance it is open to this construction and every subject of the empire is concerned to act in such a way as to cut off all occasion for a reflection like this I say loyalty alone even if we had no higher motive should be sufficient to call forth our exertions in this cause

But let me next observe that gratitude to the Jewish nation demands it at our hands How great how manifold are our obligations to them Behold Moses and the prophets what instruction have they given us in reference to the way of life and salvation Without the moral law as revealed by Moses we should never have known to what an extent we need a Saviour nor if the prophecies had not so fully designated the promised Messiah could we have ever so fully known that Jesus was the Christ Of whom did the Lord Jesus Christ himself come as pertaining to the flesh but from the loins of David and of the seed of Abraham Yet to him are we indebted for all that we either have or hope for in time or in eternity And who were the Apostles but Jews who for our sakes went forth preaching the word and counted not their lives dear to them so that they might but lead us to the knowledge of Christ and make us partakers of his salvation From them too we have received the lively oracles which are the one source of all spiritual knowledge and the one foundation of all our hopes Does all this call for no recompence at our hands Knowing as we do the vast importance of education should we not endeavour to impart it to those from whose ancestors we have received such innumerable such inestimable benefits Yet behold these are the people whom for many many centuries we have treated with more neglect and contempt than any other people upon the face of the earth the savages of the most distant climes have received more attention from us than they Surely it is high time that the Christian world awake to

a sense of their duty and begin to shew to the Jews somewhat of that love which their forefathers exercised towards us in our Gentile state We are debtors to them to a vast amount and it is high time that we begin to discharge our debt And how can we discharge it better than by enabling them to read and understand those very oracles which they have preserved with such fidelity and which testify so fully of their promised Messiah

Further A love to the rising generation should lead us to avail ourselves of the present opportunity to promote their welfaremdashIt is truly afflictive to see how low and degraded is the state of multitudes especially of the Jewish nation purely through the neglect with which they are treated in their early youth and still more grievous is it to reflect on their ignorance of those things which belong to their everlasting peace To counteract this we should endeavour to qualify the whole of their population for good and useful employments and through the medium of useful instruction to make them holy and to make them happy We need never be afraid that there will not be a sufficient number of poor to fill the lower stations do what we will there will never be wanting persons who through their own fault or misfortunes are necessitated to undertake the lowest offices of life And if they have been previously instructed in the Scriptures of Truth they will have a fund of consolation ever open to them in their deepest afflictions they will learn from the inspired volume in whatsoever state they are there-with to be content and in the prospect of the eternal world they will find joys with which a stranger intermeddleth not and which the world can neither give nor take away We feel the force of these considerations in reference to the poor of our own communion how is it that we feel it not in reference to our Jewish Brethren This is a partiality unworthy of us and we should rise as one man to wipe off this disgrace from our own character

This brings me to the last consideration which I propose to mention namely that a concern for the honour of our holy religion should operate to unite us all in executing the Royal EdictmdashWhat must a Jew think of our religion when he sees how little it has wrought for us in the production of love We may tell him of a Messiah who has loved us and laid down his life for us but what credit will he give us for our principles when he sees how little our practice corresponds with them May he not well say to us ldquoPhysician heal thyselfrdquo Shew by your conduct the superiority of your principles before you call on me to embrace them It is by love that we must win them it is by shewing kindness to them that we must efface from their hearts those prejudices which with too much reason they entertain against us We must exhibit in our own person the loveliness of Christianity before we can bring them to investigate the grounds of our faith or to imagine that they can improve their own condition by embracing it May I not then call upon you as Christians to unite in the good work that is now before you that you may thereby serve and glorify your Lord and Saviour As Christians you believe that there is no other way to the Father but by Christ [ote John 146] and no other name but his whereby any human being can be saved [ote Acts 412] Where is your piety where is your love to Christ where is even common humanity if you will not avail yourselves of the present opportunity to remove from before your Jewish Brethren

the stumbling-blocks which for so many ages have been laid in their way

Do any ask What shall we do I answer search out amongst the Jews some persons of probity and talent to commence schools among them and do you yourselves aid to the utmost of your power in the support of them provide them with all necessary books for instructing children in the first rudiments of knowledge provide them with Bibles also both in the Dutch and Hebrew languages that they may be thoroughly instructed in the knowledge of their own religion and learn to walk in the steps of their father Abraham and of all the holy prophets

Begin too without loss of time Adult Schools You will find many among the house of Israel who will be glad to avail themselves of your instructions Let those who are benevolent amongst you dedicate an hour in a day to the instructing of a few who may be desirous to learn and carefully avoid every thing which may give unnecessary offence Confine yourselves to the Old Testament which they venerate as well as you Let those who can teach only in the Dutch language give instruction in that and let those who either understand or have leisure to attain the Hebrew tongue draw their attention to that In particular let it be the united endeavour of all to qualify masters for this good work

And let it not be thought that this is the duty of men only The Royal Edict has particularly and with great wisdom recommended it to females who may be of infinite service in conveying instruction to their own sex This age is distinguished above all others for the activity of females in the service of God and in the performance of every good work Were I able to declare the proportion of good that is done in Britain by the female sex it would appear incredible I believe from my soul that it far exceeds one half in all the societies raised since the commencement of the present century in the Bible Society the Missionary Societies and the Society for Promoting the Knowledge of Christianity amongst the Jews yes let the ladies of this country exert themselves in a prudent modest and discreet way and the effects will soon appear the Royal Edict will not be a dead letter but will produce incalculable good to the whole nationmdashand the agents in this benevolent work will themselves receive quite as much benefit as they impart their benevolence being in proportion as it is exercised its own reward

10 The fear of the Lord fell on all the kingdoms of the lands surrounding Judah so that they did not go to war against Jehoshaphat

GILL And the fear of the Lord fell upon all the kingdoms of the lands that were round about Judah Upon the ten tribes and on foreign nations about them as Moabites Edomites Syrians Egyptians Arabs and Philistines this fear as it came from the Lord so might be raised and increased by observing that religion was revived in them for they might perceive by former observations made that the more religious these people were the more prosperous and formidable they were

so that they made no war against Jehoshaphat to interrupt him in the work of reformation he was so intent upon

HERY We have here a further account of Jehoshaphats great prosperity and the flourishing state of his kingdom

I He had good interest in the neighbouring princes and nations Though he was not perhaps so great a soldier as David (which might have made him their terror) nor so great a scholar as Solomon (which might have made him their oracle) yet the fear of the Lord fell so upon them (that is God so influenced and governed their spirits) that they had all a reverence for him 2Ch_1710 And 1 None of them made war against himGods good providence so ordered it that while the princes and priests were instructing and reforming the country none of his neighbours gave him any molestations to take him off from that good work Thus when Jacob and his sons were going to worship at Bethel the terror of God was upon the neighbouring cities that they did not pursue after them Gen_355 and see Exo_3424 2 Many of them brought presents to him (2Ch_1711) to secure his friendship Perhaps these were a tribute imposed upon them by Asa who made himself master of the cities of the Philistines and the tents of the Arabians 2Ch_1414 2Ch_1415 With the 7700 rams and the same number of he-goats which the Arabians brought there was probably a proportionable number of ewes and lambs she-goats and kids

KampD This attempt of Jehoshaphat brought him this blessing that the terror of Jahve fell upon all the surrounding kingdoms and not only did none of the neighbouring peoples venture to make war upon him but also various tribes did homage to him by presents Ramb has already so understood the connection of these verses (erat hoc praemium pietatis Josaphati quod vicini satisque potentes hostes non auderent adversus ipsum hiscere) while Berth fails to apprehend it saying that Jehoshaphat had time to care for the instruction of his people because at that time the neighbouring peoples did not venture to undertake war against Judah The words ldquoterror of Jahverdquo cf 2Ch_1413 2Ch_2029 and ldquoall the kingdoms of the landsrdquo cf 2Ch_128 1Ch_2930 are expressions peculiar to the author of the Chronicle which show that by these remarks he is preparing the way for a transition to a more detailed

portrayal of Jehoshaphats political power מן־(לש)ים is subject מן partitive some of the

Philistines brought him presents (for מנחה see on 2Ch_175) ldquoand silver a burdenrdquo ie

in great quantity מא does not signify tribute vectigal argento (Vulg) for the word has

not that signification but denotes burden that which can be carried as in מא לאן

2Ch_2025 - 2Ch_2116 2Ch_221 ערבים 2Ch_267 and more usually ערב-ים or ערביאים

are Arabian nomadic tribes (Bedacircwin) perhaps those whom Asa after his victory over the Cushite Zerah had brought under the kingdom of Judah 2Ch_1414 These paid

their tribute in small cattle rams and he-goats (ישים( Gen_3035 Gen_3215 Pro_

3031)

BESO 2 Chronicles 1710 The fear of the Lord fell upon all the kingdoms ampc mdash Justly concluding from his singular piety that God would eminently appear for him for even the heathen could not but observe that the kings of Judah were either prosperous or unhappy according as they served God or forsook him So that they made no war against Jehoshaphat mdash Godrsquos good providence so ordered it that while the princes and priests were instructing and endeavouring to reform the country none of his neighbours gave him any molestation to take him off from that good work

COFFMA All of this peace and prosperity were directly due to the respect which Jehoshaphat had shown to the Law of God and to his efforts to teach that word to all the people It is no problem that much of the material here is omitted in Kings because the primary focus there was political whereas in Chronicles the focus is upon the spiritual and religious significance of the same history

TRAPP 2 Chronicles 1710 And the fear of the LORD fell upon all the kingdoms of the lands that [were] round about Judah so that they made no war against Jehoshaphat

Ver 10 And the fear of the Lord fell upon all the kingdoms] It is said [2 Chronicles 172] Jehoshaphat placed forces in all the fenced cities yet it is not said thereupon that the fear of the Lord fell upon the neighbour nations But when he had established a preaching ministry in all the cities then his enemies had a fear and made no war

POOLE Justly concluding from this singular piety that God would eminently appear for him and against all those who had ill will to him which was their case For even the heathens could not but observe that the kings of Judah were either prosperous or unhappy accordingly as they served God or forsook him

ELLICOTT (10) The fear of the LordmdashA dread of Jehovah (pachad) aps 2029 (Comp Exodus 1516 1 Samuel 117 Isaiah 210 ) This phrase is not peculiar to the chronicler as Keil and Bertheau assert ldquoThe kingdoms of the landsrdquo is so (2 Chronicles 128 1 Chronicles 2930)

They made no warmdashThe reward of Jehosha-phatrsquos piety (1 Chronicles 229

Proverbs 167) ldquoWhen a manrsquos ways please the Lord he maketh even his enemies to be at peace with himrdquo (Comp also Genesis 355)

11 Some Philistines brought Jehoshaphat gifts and silver as tribute and the Arabs brought him flocks seven thousand seven hundred rams and seven thousand seven hundred goats

BARES Some of the Philistines brought Jehoshaphat presents - i e ldquosome of the Philistines were among his tributariesrdquo Compare 2Sa_82 1Ki_421

Tribute silver - Or ldquomuch silverrdquo - literally ldquosilver of burthenrdquo

The Arabians - The Arab tribes who bordered Judaea to the south and the southeast paid Jehoshaphat a fixed tribute in kind Compare 2Ki_34 note

CLARKE The Philistines brought - presents - They and the Arabians purchased peace with the king of Judah by paying an annual tribute The Philistines brought silver and no doubt different kinds of merchandise The Arabs whose riches consisted in cattle brought him flocks in great abundance principally rams and he-goats

GILL Also some of the Philistines brought Jehoshaphat presents and tribute silver Perhaps those of Gerar and the parts adjacent Asa took and spoiled and made tributary 2Ch_1414

and the Arabians brought him flocks seven thousand and seven hundred rams and seven thousand and seven hundred he goats with which their country abounded and these might be the Scenite Arabs who fearing lest Jehoshaphat should fall upon them and take away their flocks as his father had done 2Ch_1415 brought these presents to him

JAMISO Also some of the Philistines brought Jehoshaphat presents and tribute silvermdash either they had been his tributaries or they were desirous of securing his valuable friendship and now made a voluntary offer of tribute Perhaps

they were the Philistines who had submitted to the yoke of David (2Sa_81 Psa_608)

the Arabiansmdash the nomad tribes on the south of the Dead Sea who seeking the protection of Jehoshaphat after his conquest of Edom paid their tribute in the way most suitable to their pastoral habits - the present of so many head of cattle

BESO 2 Chronicles 1711 Some of the Philistines brought presents mdash They had been subject to Judah ever since Davidrsquos time but it seems had neglected this duty in the times of his predecessors but were now moved by their own fears to perform it And the Arabians brought him flocks mdash Either because he had upon some just occasion waged war against them and subdued them or because they voluntarily put themselves under his protection in recompense whereof they sent him these presents or only as a free acknowledgment of their respect for him

TRAPP 2 Chronicles 1711 Also [some] of the Philistines brought Jehoshaphat presents and tribute silver and the Arabians brought him flocks seven thousand and seven hundred rams and seven thousand and seven hundred he goats

Ver 11 Also some of the Philistines] These having been subdued by David had withheld their tribute for a time but now seeing Jehoshaphatrsquos growing greatness they bring it in with the better that no offence might be taken at their former neglect The word here used signifieth honorary gifts or oblations pacifications

ldquo Placatur donis Iupiter ipse datis rdquo

Think the same of the Arabians See 2 Chronicles 1414-15

POOLE Some of the Philistines who had been subjects to this kingdom ever since Davidrsquos time but it seems had neglected this duty in the times of his predecessors but now were moved by their own fears to perform it

The Arabians brought him flocks either because he had upon some just occasion waged war against them and subdued them though the particulars of it be not described in Scripture or because they voluntarily put themselves under his protection in recompence whereof they sent him those presents or only as a free acknowledgment of their respects to him

ELLICOTT (11) Broughtmdashie continually Such is the force of the participle

PresentsmdashAn offering ie tribute (minchah 2 Chronicles 175)

And tribute silvermdashRather and silver a load or burden ie a great quantity (massacircrsquo) 2 Chronicles 2025 As if ldquosilver as much as they could carryrdquomdasha natural hyperbole ot all the five states of the Philistines were subject to Jehoshaphat (Comp 2 Samuel 81)

The ArabiansmdashlsquoArbicircrsquoim here only equivalent to lsquoArbicircyicircm (2 Chronicles 267) and

lsquoArbim (2 Chronicles 2116) They are in each case grouped with the Philistines The nomad Bedacircwin conquered by Asa (2 Chronicles 1415) appear to be meant here or else some tribes which recognised the overlordship of Jehoshaphat after his reduction of Edom (2 Chronicles 2022 sqq)

Brought him flocksmdashComp Mesha of Moabrsquos tribute to Ahab (2 Kings 34)

GUZIK 2 (2 Chronicles 1711-19) The international strength of Jehoshaphatrsquos kingdom

Also some of the Philistines brought Jehoshaphat presents and silver as tribute and the Arabians brought him flocks seven thousand seven hundred rams and seven thousand seven hundred male goats So Jehoshaphat became increasingly powerful and he built fortresses and storage cities in Judah He had much property in the cities of Judah and the men of war mighty men of valor were in Jerusalem These are their numbers according to their fathersrsquo houses Of Judah the captains of thousands Adnah the captain and with him three hundred thousand mighty men of valor and next to him was Jehohanan the captain and with him two hundred and eighty thousand and next to him was Amasiah the son of Zichri who willingly offered himself to the LORD and with him two hundred thousand mighty men of valor Of Benjamin Eliada a mighty man of valor and with him two hundred thousand men armed with bow and shield and next to him was Jehozabad and with him one hundred and eighty thousand prepared for war These served the king besides those the king put in the fortified cities throughout all Judah

a Some of the Philistines brought Jehoshaphat presents and silver as tribute and the Arabians brought him flocks Jehoshaphatrsquos commitment to personal and public godliness meant that God exalted his kingdom above the neighboring nations even as God promised in Deuteronomy 281-13

b These served the king The true treasure of Jehoshaphatrsquos kingdom was not numbered only in security or material things but also in the dedicated and courageous men he had surrounding him these mighty men of valor

i Amasiah the son of Zichri who willingly offered himself to the LORD ldquoAmasiah is a man of whom we do not know anything beyond this ndash he lsquowillingly offered himself unto the Lordrsquo There must have been a turning-point in his career a time when first he knew the grace of God which wrought such a change in him There must have been a waking up to the feeling that God deserved his love and his liferdquo (Spurgeon)

ii Amasiah was a ready servant of the Lord this particularly notable because he did it in an otherwise secular calling

middot o one had to press him into service

middot o one had to seek him out for service

middot o one had to look after him once he had begun serving

middot o one had to lead him

iii ldquoThere is no lawful occupation in which a man cannot thoroughly serve the Lord It is a great privilege and blessing to be set apart to the work of winning souls but we must never separate that work from all the rest of the callings of life as though it alone were sacred and all the rest were secular and almost sinful Serve God where you arerdquo (Spurgeon)

PULPIT The presents were probably enough in the nature of tribute the fixed rate of which is sometimes alluded to (1 Kings 421 1 Kings 1025 2 Samuel 82) but it is doubtful whether the word משא purports to say this The word means bearing or carrying and then a burden load or weight The expression (2 Chronicles 2025) more than they could carry away where this word is used favours the idea that the meaning here is silver of great weight Probably the moral significance and historical interest whether of this statement respecting the Philistines or the following respecting the Arabians lies in the fact that both of them brought without more ado their payments and did not seek to slip out of their engagements with Judah and Judahs king ote for confirmation of this view 2 Kings 34 2 Kings 35

12 Jehoshaphat became more and more powerful he built forts and store cities in Judah

GILL And Jehoshaphat waxed great exceedingly In wealth and riches power and authority in his forces and fortifications

and he built in Judah castles and cities of stores castles for the defence of his kingdom and store cities to lay up corn and wine and all provisions in case of an invasion or against a time of war

HERY II He had a very considerable stores laid up in the cities of Judah He pulled down his barns and built larger (2Ch_1712) castles and cities of store for arms and victuals He was a man of business and aimed at the public good in all his

undertakings either to preserve the peace or prepare for war

JAMISO 2Ch_1712-19 His greatness captains and armies

KampD Description of Jehoshaphats power - 2Ch_1712 And Jehoshaphat became

ever greater sc in power The partic הולך expresses the continuous advance in

greatness cf Ew sect280 b as the infin absol does elsewhere eg Gen_83 למעלה as עד

in 2Ch_1612 - He built castles in Judah ירנ-ות only here and in 2Ch_274 from ירנית

derivative formed from ירה by the Syriac termination נית- fem of ן- castle fortress On

מסנות cf 2Ch_84 ערי

TRAPP 2 Chronicles 1712 And Jehoshaphat waxed great exceedingly and he built in Judah castles and cities of store

Ver 12 And Jehoshaphat waxed great exceedingly] Heb He was going and growing By humility and the fear of the Lord are riches and honour and life [Proverbs 224]

And he built in Judah castles] Bironeoth πυργους turres So did the Burgundians and thence had their names

And cities of store] Granaries in the Hebrew they have their name from their utility or usefulness

ELLICOTT (12) And Jehoshaphat waxed greatmdashLiterally And Jehoshaphat was going on and waxing great ie became greater and greater (Comp 1 Chronicles 119)

ExceedinglymdashlsquoAd lĕmagraversquolah This phrase occurs again in 2 Chronicles 1612 2 Chronicles 268 and nowhere else in the Old Testament (See on 1 Chronicles 142)

And he builtmdashLike his predecessorsmdashSolomon Rehoboam Asamdashhe displayed his wealth and power in great public works The records of the Assyrian and Babylonian sovereigns are largely taken up with similar accounts of temple and palace building

CastlesmdashBiranicircyocircth a derivative from birah (1 Chronicles 291 1 Chronicles 2919 comp Syriac here birocircthocirc) It only recurs at 2 Chronicles 274 It is an Aramaic term (Comp bicircranyacircthacirc which in the Targums means ldquopalacesrdquo)

Cities of storesmdashComp 2 Chronicles 84 2 Chronicles 164 Exodus 111

PULPIT Castles This rendering better than palaces (margin) wound bear improving to the rather stronger word fortresses Hebrew בירניות found only here and in 2 Chronicles 274 plur of בירנית connected with the Chaldee and later Hebrew בירה of Ezra 62 ehemiah 11 Esther 12 Daniel 82 Cities of store (see note under 2 Chronicles 84 see also 1 Kings 919 Exodus 111)

13 and had large supplies in the towns of Judah He also kept experienced fighting men in Jerusalem

CLARKE He hadmuch business in the cities - He kept the people constantly employed they had wages for their work and by their labors the empire was both enriched and strengthened

GILL And he had much business in the cities of Judah Partly in fortifying them and partly in reforming the inhabitants of them

and the men of war mighty men of valour were in Jerusalem or by or near unto it so the particle is rendered Jos_513 they encamped in places adjacent to it for such a number of men as follows even 1160000 could never be contained in Jerusalem but must be disposed of in the territories of it nor did they wait on the king together but in course see 2Ch_1719 by which it appears there is no need to suppose any mistake of the transcriber in any or all of the following sums as has been suggested (q)

HERY 13-19 III He had the militia in good order It was never in better since David modelled it Five lord-lieutenants (if I may so call them) are here named with the numbers of those under their command (the serviceable men that were fit for war in their respective districts) three in Judah and two in Benjamin It is said of one of these great commanders Amasiah that he willingly offered himself unto the Lord (2Ch_1716) not only to the king to serve him in this post but to the Lord to glorify him in it He was the most eminent among them for religion he accepted the place not for the

honour or power or profit of it but for conscience sake towards God that he might serve his country It was usual for great generals then to offer of their spoils to the Lord 1Ch_2626 But this good man offered himself first to the Lord and then his dedicated things The number of the soldiers under these five generals amounts to 1160000 men a vast number for so small a compass of ground as Judahs and Benjamins lot to furnish out and maintain Abijah could bring into the field but 400000 (2Ch_133) Asa not 600000 (2Ch_148) yet Jehoshaphat has at command almost 1200000 But it must be considered 1 That God had promised to make the seed of Abraham like the sand of the sea for number 2 There had now been a long peace 3 We may suppose that the city of Jerusalem was very much enlarged 4 Many had come over to them from the kingdom of Israel (2Ch_1519) which would increase the numbers of the people 5 Jehoshaphat was under a special blessing of God which made his affairs to prosper greatly The armies we may suppose were dispersed all the country over and each man resided for the most part on his own estate but they appeared often to be mustered and trained and were ready at call whenever there was occasion The commanders waited on the king (2Ch_1719) as officers of his court privy-counsellors and ministers of state

But lastly observe It was not this formidable army that struck a terror upon the neighbouring nations that restrained them from attempting any thing against Israel or obliged them to pay tribute but the fear of God which fell upon them when Jehoshaphat reformed his country and set up a preaching ministry in it 2Ch_1710 The ordinances of God are more the strength and safety of a kingdom than its military force - its men of God more than its men of war

KampD 2Ch_1713

וגווגווגווגו רהרהרהרה is rightly translated by Luther ldquound hatte viel Vorrathsrdquo (and ומלעכהומלעכהומלעכהומלעכה

had much store) מלעכהמלעכהמלעכהמלעכה denotes here as in Exo_227-10 property that which has been gained by work or business The signification much work opera magna (Vulg Cler etc) as also Bertheaus translation ldquothe works for equipping and provisioning the fortressesrdquo correspond neither to the context nor to the parallel (synonymous) second member of the verse The work and trouble necessary to equip the cities of Judah does not correspond to ldquothe valiant warriors in Jerusalemrdquo the only parallel is the goods and property which were in these cities the provision of victuals and war material there stored up

BESO 2 Chronicles 1713 He had much business in the cities of Judah mdash To repair and fortify them and furnish them with provisions and to purge out all the relics of idolatry and injustice which were more secretly and craftily managed in the cities than in the country and which were first and most prevalent in the cities and thence spread their infection into the country around them

TRAPP 2 Chronicles 1713 And he had much business in the cities of Judah and the men of war mighty men of valour [were] in Jerusalem

Ver 13 And he had much business] Eργα πολλα (a) Many works going forward at

once a negotious man he was His business say some lay in beautifying and fortifying those cities Augustus gloried at his death that whereas he had found Rome built with brick he had left it made of marble

And the men of war hellip were in Jerusalem] These were his Praetorian forces his Praesidiaries were up and down in the various cities

POOLE He had much business in the cities of Judah partly to repair and fortify them and furnish them with all necessary provisions and partly to purge out all the relies and seeds of idolatry and injustice which were more secretly and subtlely managed in the cities than in the country and which were first and most in the cities and thence spread their infection into the country about them See Jeremiah 228

ELLICOTT (13) BusinessmdashRather much goods or stores literally work (mĕlacirckacirch) and then produce The Hebrew word is so used in Exodus 227 Exodus 2210 (ldquoHis neighbourrsquos goodsrdquo) Stores of provisions and war material seem to be intended (Comp 2 Chronicles 1111)

And the man of war were in JerusalemmdashRather and (he had) men of war in Jerusalem

In Jerusalemmdashot the entire army corps whose numbers are given in 2 Chronicles 1714-18 but simply their chiefs

PULPIT Much business Hebrew מלאכה The meaning of the word is service labour bestowed and the verse reads And there was to him much labour in the cities of Judah and men of war mighty men of valour in Jerusalem ie He bestoweth much pains on the cities of Judah and had etc The word were Authorized Version italics is incorrectly inserted The former half of this verse would better constitute the end of 2 Chronicles 1712 Keil however maintains the rendering substance property for מלאכה (Exodus 227 Exodus 2210)

14 Their enrollment by families was as followsFrom Judah commanders of units of 1000Adnah the commander with 300000 fighting men

BARES The captains of thousands Adnah the chief - literally ldquoprinces of thousands Adnah the princerdquo The writer does not mean that Adnah (or Johohanan 2Ch_1715) was in any way superior to the other ldquoprincesrdquo but only that he was one of them

Three hundred thousand - This number and those which follow in 2Ch_1715-18 have been with good reason regarded as corrupt by most critics For

(1) They imply a minimum population of 1480 to the square mile which is more than three times greater than that of any country in the known world (circa 1880rsquos)

(2) they produce a total just double that of the next largest estimate of the military force of Judah the 580 000 of 2Ch_148

(3) they are professedly a statement not of the whole military force but of the force maintained at Jerusalem (2Ch_1713 compare 2Ch_1719)

It is probable that the original numbers have been lost and that the loss was suppplied by a scribe who took 2Ch_148 as his basis

CLARKE Adnah the chief - He was generalissimo of all this host These are the numbers of the five battalions under Adnah three hundred thousand Jehohanan two hundred and eighty thousand Amasiah two hundred thousand Eliada two hundred thousand Jehozabad one hundred and eighty thousand in all one million one hundred and sixty thousand

GILL And these are the numbers of them according to the house of their fathers Both of the tribe of Judah and of Benjamin and first

of Judah the captains of thousands some had 1000 men under them and some one hundred

Adnah the chief he was the principal commander or general of them

and with him mighty men of valour three hundred thousand such a number was under his command

JAMISO these are the numbersmdash The warriors were arranged in the army according to their fathers houses The army of Jehoshaphat commanded by five great generals and consisting of five unequal divisions comprised one million one hundred and sixty thousand men without including those who garrisoned the fortresses No monarch since the time of Solomon equaled Jehoshaphat in the extent of his revenue in the strength of his fortifications and in the number of his troops

KampD 2Ch_1714-16

The men fit for war passed in review according to their fathers-houses The male population of Judah fell into three divisions that of Benjamin into two The prince

Adnah held the first place among the generals with 300000 men of Judah ידו at his על

hand ie with and under him Jehohanan had the command of 280000 men and

Amasiah over 200000 השר is a contraction for אלפים For what special reason it is so שר

honourably recorded of Amasiah that he had willingly offered himself to the Lord (cf for

Jdg_59) has not been communicated התנב

COFFMA his represented a standing army of 1160000 men besides the garrisons in the fortified cities and this goes a long way to explaining why the Arabians and the Philistines brought tribute to Jehoshaphat In ancient times as in our own day peace frequently depended upon the strength of those who desired it

We should ignore the screams of exaggeration[3] which mark the writings of radical critics Pagan rulers of that era reported even larger armies than this and until the critics can prove that those were exaggerated reports they should let these alone Besides that we have already noted that the very word from which thousand is translated is disputed as to its exact meaning

COKE 2 Chronicles 1714 And these are the numbers of themmdash That is of the soldiers as well as of those who were employed in the kings works in the several cities ampc which he built See 2 Chronicles 1719

REFLECTIOSmdash1st Jehoshaphat no sooner comes to the throne than we see the dawnings of a glorious reign

1 He strengthened his kingdom by placing strong garrisons in the cities of Judah and those which his father had recovered from Israel and prepared against that danger which Ahabs growing power seemed to threaten

2 Religion was his great concern He copied after the best of his predecessors in their best days such as were the first of David before the matter of Uriah and the numbering of the people had blotted his fair copy Faithful to the worship of God he abhorred all idols the law of God was his rule of duty and Israels apostacy rendered his fidelity more singular and exemplary Inspired with holy zeal his heart with delight and sincerity was engaged for God and no difficulties deterred him from the path of duty The idols and groves which in the declining days of Asa might have been set up again he utterly destroyed with all the high places where they still offered sacrifices to these abominations ote (1) In the fairest human pattern there will be found imperfections but there is a Son of David more than man who has set us a spotless example that we should follow his steps (2) Fidelity in Gods service is the stability of a nation (3) A lively soul on wings of faith and love mounts up to God rises superior to every difficulty and looks down upon every thing besides his favour as altogether vanity

3 He not only removed the temptations to sin but took care to instruct the people in

the path of duty Ignorance of Gods law had greatly prevailed and to oblige them merely to conform to his reformation without grounding them on the true foundation of Gods word promised little stability The Levites and priests therefore are sent in progress through the cities of Judah with the book of the law to explain and enforce the commandments of God and several princes accompanied them in order to engage the people to hear them and give countenance to these preachers by their weight and influence ote (1) It is a blessed thing when princes countenance faithful ministers Though they cannot make men true converts their example and authority will induce them to attend (2) They who are sent to teach must see that they take the pure word of God along with them A true preacher wishes for nothing in his hand but his Bible (3) Religion is a reasonable service Conviction alone not compulsion or education can make a man a christian

4 The blessing of God attended his labours The Lord was with him or as the Targum generally expresses it the word of the Lord the divine Logos to whom all things are committed strengthened him in his labours and established his kingdom The people charmed with his government liberally sent their presents to him and abounding in riches and honour his heart far from being intoxicated by prosperity was lifted up in greater love and thankfulness to the gracious giver ote (1) God often here rewards piety with prosperity (2) Worldly comforts are then truly blessings when as the steps of Jacobs ladder they raise our hearts to heaven

2nd Like the light of the morning which shineth more and more so did Jehoshaphats glory increase

1 Feared by his enemies as beloved by his subjects the neighbouring princes did not offer to molest him while those of Philistia and Arabia courted his favour either by a voluntary present or exact payment of the tribute which Asa had imposed on them see 2 Chronicles 1711 God had put an awe upon them of the majesty of his king in Zion ote God hath access to the spirits of men and by secret yet irresistible influence can bow them to his sovereign will

2 His military preparations greatly advanced While he reformed the people he fortified their ramparts and built new castles and store-cities strengthening them within and without against their enemies Under five chief officers an immense army was enlisted Probably all the able men in the country were enrolled and regularly mustered though not drawn out except in case of necessity and this may easily account for the greatness of their number if we consider also the long peace they had enjoyed the accession of Israelites to them and especially the blessing of Abraham which no doubt was eminently fulfilled Amasiah one of the officers is mentioned with an honourable mark of distinction as a volunteer who served for the glory of God not for the sake of pay Such patriots are scarce

TRAPP 2 Chronicles 1714 And these [are] the numbers of them according to the house of their fathers Of Judah the captains of thousands Adnah the chief and

with him mighty men of valour three hundred thousand

Ver 14 Three hundred thousand] These were under his command and at hand to come whensoever the king would

WHEDO 14 Three hundred thousand mdash The numbers in this verse and the four verses following are generally regarded as corrupt ldquoThey implyrdquo observes the writer last quoted ldquoa minimum population of 1480 to the square mile which is more than three times greater than that of any country in the known world It is probable that the original numbers have been lost and the loss supplied by a scribe who took 2 Chronicles 148 as his basis

ELLICOTT Verse 14 (14) And these their fathersmdashAnd this is their muster (or census) according to their father-houses (clans) 1 Chronicles 243 The warriors were marshalled in the army according to clans so that men of the same stock fought side by side with their kindred Perhaps in the original document this heading was followed by a much more detailed scheme of names and divisions than that which the text presents

Of JudahmdashTo Judah (belonged) captains of thousands viz the three enumerated in 2 Chronicles 1714-16 Adnah Jehohanan and Amasiah They were the principal officers or generals of the entire forces of Judah

Adnah the chiefmdashTo wit the captain Adnah That Adnah was commander-in-chief is implied by his being named first and his corps being the largest

PULPIT This verse with the following four gives us the names of five captains chiefs princes or military officers for the kingdoms service with the numbers of the troops they severally commanded The numbers of them (see note under 1 Chronicles 2311) Hebrew פקדתם The better English rendering to carry at once the signification would be The muster of them etc The captains hellip the chief In both cases the Hebrew is the familiar word for prince ( שר ) in the former without article in the latter with article The numbers of this and following four verses are not only absolutely unreliable but in themselves impossible According to the house of their fathers ie the quotation is drawn from an army catalogue arranged carefully by fathers houses (umbers 118 umbers 122 etc)

15 next Jehohanan the commander with 280000

GILL And next to him was Jehohanan the captain Being of the same rank as to office but having a lesser number of men under him and it may respect not any kind of subordination only nearness of place as the Targumhe that encamped next to him

and with him two hundred and fourscore thousand which number was but 20000 less than the former

POOLE ext to him either

1 After his death as his successor in the same command And the like is supposed concerning Jehozabad 2 Chronicles 1718 Or rather

2 ext to him in place and authority or at least in power and the numbers of his host

16 next Amasiah son of Zikri who volunteered himself for the service of the Lord with 200000

GILL And next him was Amasiah the son of Zichri He encamped next to him as the Targum

who willingly offered himself unto the Lord to fight the Lords battles and without any stipend as some think or as Kimchi he offered gold and silver to the treasures of the house of the Lord

and with him two hundred thousand mighty men of valour the number was 80000 less than the former the whole of Judah amounted to 780000 men

TRAPP 2 Chronicles 1716 And next him [was] Amasiah the son of Zichri who willingly offered himself unto the LORD and with him two hundred thousand mighty men of valour

Ver 16 Who willingly offered himself unto the Lord] He was a votary the vows of God were upon him and this made him the more valiant and resolute (a) in the exercise of arms for the service of God and the safety of his people The Spahis among the Turks are a sort of horsemen voluntaries and votaries to gain paradise by dying for the Mohammedan cause These are never known to return home but

with victory these are heavy upon the enemy For

ldquo Vincitur haud gratis iugulo qui provocat ensem rdquo

POOLE As volunteers and auxiliaries to be ready upon occasion as the service of God and the king should require Possibly these or most of them were the strangers which had come out of Israel into the kingdom of Judah in Asarsquos days and probably since that in his time

ELLICOTT (16) AmasiahmdashIah carrieth (Isaiah 4011) different from Amaziah (Iah is strong)

Who willingly offered himself unto the Lordmdash(Judges 52 Judges 59) An allusion to some noble act of self-devotion which was doubtless more fully recorded in the source from which the chronicler has drawn this brief account Such allusions though no longer intelligible are important as conducing to the proof of the historical value of the narratives in which they occur LXX ὁ προθυmicroούmicroενος τῷ κυρίῳ Vulg consecratus Domino

PULPIT Amaziah the son of Zichri This man is not titled at all The description of him as one who had willingly offered himself unto the Lord not elucidated by the context or any effective parallel will mark something honorable in his history Possibly he comes from an unexpected quarter and is a man of approved skill othing further is known of these three men Meantime it has been suggested (Professor Dr J Murphy of Belfast Handbook to Chronicles ) that the first of the three was for Judah proper the second for that contingent of Judah that hailed from Dan and the Philistines and the third for that of Simeon and the Arabs

MACLARE This is a scrap from the catalogue of Jehoshaphatrsquos lsquomighty men of valourrsquo and is Amasiahrsquos sole record We see him for a moment and hear his eulogium and then oblivion swallows him up We do not know what it was that he did to earn it But what a fate to live to all generations by that one sentence

I Cheerful self-surrender the secret of all religion

The words of our text contain a metaphor naturally drawn from the sacrificial system It comes so easily to us that we scarcely recognise the metaphorical element but the clear recognition of it gives great additional energy to the words Amasiah was both sacrificer and sacrifice His offering was self-immolation As in all love so in that noblest kind of it which clasps God its perfect expression is lsquoI give Thee my living loving selfrsquo Nor is it only sacrifice and sacrificer that are seen in deepest truth in the experience of the Christian life but the reality of the Temple is also there for lsquoYe also are built up a spiritual house to be a holy priesthood to offer up spiritual sacrificesrsquo Only when God dwells in us shall we have the nerve and the firmness of hand to take the knife and lsquoslay before the Lordrsquo the awful Guest in the sanctuary within the most precious of the children of our spirits

The essence of the sacrifice of self is the sacrifice of will In the Christian experience

lsquowillingly offeredrsquo is almost tautology for unwilling offerings are a contradiction and in fact there are no such things The quality of unwillingness destroys the character of the offering and robs it of all sacredness Reluctant Christianity is not Christianity That noun and that adjective can never be buckled together

The submission of will and the consequent surrender of myself and my powers opportunities and possessions so that I do all enjoy all use all and when need is endure all with glad thankful reference to God is only possible to me in the measure in which my will is made flexible by love and such will-subduing love comes only when we lsquoknow and believe the love that God hath to usrsquo There is the point at which not a few moral and religious teachers go wrong and bewilder themselves and their disciples There too is the point at which Christ and the Gospel of salvation through faith in Him stand forth as emancipating humanity from the dreary round of efforts and vain attempts to work up the condition needful for achieving the height of self-surrender which is seen to be indispensable to all true nobleness of living but is felt to be beyond the reach of the ordinary man There too is the point at which many good people mar their lives as Christians They waste their strength in trying to bring the jibbing horse up to the leap They try to blow up a fire of devotion and to make themselves priests to offer themselves but all the while the mutinous self recoils from the leap and the fire burns smokily and their sacrifice is laid on the altar with little joy because they have not been careful and wise enough to begin at the beginning and to follow Godrsquos way of melting their wills by love the reflection of the Infinite love of God to them Godrsquos priests offer themselves because they offer their wills they offer their wills because they love God they love God because they know that God loves them That is the divine order It is vain to try to accomplish the end by any other

II This willing offering hallows all life

No syllable is left to tell us what Amasiah did to win this praise Probably the words enshrine some now forgotten memory of his cheerful courage some heroic feat on an unrecorded battlefield Particulars are not given nor needed Specific actions are unimportant the spirit of a life can be told with very incomplete details and it not the details is the important thing Sometimes as in many modern biographies one lsquocannot see the wood for the treesrsquo and misses the main drift and aim of a life in the chaos of a bewildering mass of nothings How much more happy the lot of this man of whom we have only the generalised expression of the text unweighted and undisturbed by petty incidents It takes tons of rose leaves to make a tiny phial of otto of roses but the fragrance is far more pungent in a drop of the distillation than in armfuls of leaves Every life shrinks into very small compass and the centuries do not tolerate long biographies Shall we not seek to order our life so that Amasiahrsquos epitaph may serve for us It will be blessed if this-and nothing else-is known about us that we lsquowillingly offered ourselves to the Lordrsquo My friend will that be a true epitome of your life

III This willing offering is accepted by God

We may hear a mightier voice behind the chroniclerrsquo s and the judgment of the Judge of all pronounced by His lips It matters little what men say of one another but it matters everything what God says of us We are but too apt to forget that He is now saying something as to each of us and that we have not to wait for death to put a final period to our activities before our lives become fit subjects for Godrsquos judgment Moment by moment we are writing our own sentences But while it is good for us to remember the continuous judgment of God on each deed it is not good to let dark thoughts of the principles of that judgment paralyse our activity or chill our confidence in His forgiving and accepting mercy There is often a dark suspicion like that of the one-talented

servant which blackens Godrsquos fair fame as being lsquoan austere Manrsquo making demands rather than imparting power and the effect of such an ugly conception of Him is to cut the nerve of service and bury the talent carefully folded up it may be but none the less earning nothing lsquoIf we call on Him as Father who without respect of persons judgeth according to every manrsquos workrsquo let us be sure that it will be a Fatherly judgment that He will pass upon us and our offerings There is a wonderful collection on His altar of what many people would think rubbish just as many a mother has laid away among her treasures some worthless article which her child had once given her-a weed plucked by the roadside in a long past summer day some trifle of rare preciousness in the childrsquos eyes and of none in any others than her own She opens her drawer and brings out the poor little thing and her eyes fill and her heart fills as she looks And does not God keep His childrenrsquos gifts as lovingly and set them in places of honour in the day when He lsquomakes up His jewelsrsquo There are cups of cold water and widowsrsquo mites and much else that a supercilious world would call lsquotrashrsquo stored there Thank God He accepts imperfect service faltering faith partial consecration a little love Even our poor offering may be an lsquoodour of a sweet smellrsquo ministering fragrance that is a delight to Him if it is offered with the much incense of the great Sacrifice and through the mediation of the great High Priest

The world forgot Amasiah or never knew him an obscure soldier in an obscure kingdom but God did not forget and here is his epitaph and this is his memorial to all generations Menrsquos chronicles have no room for all the names that their wearers are eager to have inscribed on their crumbling and crowded pages lsquobut the Lambrsquos Book of Lifersquo has ample space on its radiant pages for all who desire to set their names there and if ours are there we need not envy the proudest whose titles and deeds fill the most conspicuous pages in the worldrsquos records lsquoThen shall every man have praise of Christrsquo and he who wins that guerdon needs nothing more and can have nothing more to swell his blessedness

17 From BenjaminEliada a valiant soldier with 200000 men armed with bows and shields

GILL And of Benjamin Eliada a mighty man of valour Was the chief commander

and with armed men with bow and shield two hundred thousand which were

the armour of the tribe of Benjamin they were best skilled in 2Ch_148

TRAPP 2 Chronicles 1717 And of Benjamin Eliada a mighty man of valour and with him armed men with bow and shield two hundred thousand

Ver 17 With bow and shield] The Benjamites were notable bowmen [1 Chronicles 122] The Engish were anciently so too

ELLICOTT (17) Armed men with bow and shieldmdashLiterally drawing bow and shield ie as the Targum explains ldquodrawing bow and grasping shieldsrdquo (Comp 1 Chronicles 122) LXX ldquoArchers and peltastsrdquo Vulg ldquoGrasping bow and shieldrdquo (Comp also 1 Chronicles 840 for the arms of the Benjaminites)

18 next Jehozabad with 180000 men armed for battle

GILL And next to him was Jehozabad According to the Targum he encamped next him

and with him one hundred and fourscore thousand ready prepared for war being able bodied men well disciplined valiant and well armed these numbers of Judah and Benjamin put together amount to 1160000 men whereas Asa only brought into the field 580000 but it should be considered there had been a long time of peace many had come off from the ten tribes to Judah and the promise of multiplying the seed of Abraham was eminently fulfilled

TRAPP 2 Chronicles 1718 And next him [was] Jehozabad and with him an hundred and fourscore thousand ready prepared for the war

Ver 18 A hundred and fourscore thousand] His militia was eleven hundred and threescore thousand besides what he had in garrisons [2 Chronicles 1719] So that as he was better he was stronger than his father Asa had been Piety hath prosperity

ELLICOTT (18) Ready prepared for the warmdashEquipped for service (See on 1

Chronicles 1223-24 umbers 315 umbers 3229) The hoplites or heavy-armed infantry are probably meant

PULPIT While Eliada of last verse was for Benjamin Professor Dr Murphy supposes that Jehozabad was for the annexed part of Ephraim But no suppositions of this kind can avail to explain the numbers in the text which is no doubt corrupt

19 These were the men who served the king besides those he stationed in the fortified cities throughout Judah

CLARKE These waited on the king - They were disposable forces always at the kingrsquos command and were independent of those by which the cities of Judah were garrisoned

There is not a sovereign in Europe or in the world but might read this chapter with advantage

1 It shows most forcibly that true religion is the basis of the state and that wherever it prospers there the state prospers

2 It shows also that it is the wisdom of kings to encourage religion with all their power and influence for if the hearts of the subjects be not bound and influenced by true religion vain is the application of laws fines imprisonments or corporal punishment of any kind

3 A religious nation is ever a great nation it is loved by its friends it is dreaded by its enemies

4 It is ever a peaceable and united nation the blessings of religion and a wholesome and paternal government are so fully felt and prized that all find it their interest to preserve and defend them Harmony peace piety and strength are the stability of such times May Britain know and value them

GILL These waited on the king Not this vast number of men at one time but in course as Davids military men waited on him 1Ch_271 or each of these captains with a proper number of men under them detached from the body and they were all ready to obey the kings orders whenever he should have occasion for them

besides those whom the king put into the fenced cities throughout Judah and all together the militia of the kingdom was very numerous and formidable

KampD 2Ch_1719

These were serving the king א6ה refers not to the above-mentioned men capable of

bearing arms for sheereet is not used of service in war but to the commanders whom he had placed in the fortified cities of all Judah ldquoin which probably bodies of the above-mentioned troops lay as garrisonsrdquo (Berth)

BESO 2 Chronicles 1719 These waited on the king mdash These above-mentioned were the trained bands or auxiliaries whose chief officers waited on the king to receive his commands and to raise and bring in all or part of their forces to the service of the king as need required A vast number for so small a compass of ground to furnish out and maintain But we may consider that God had promised to make the seed of Abraham like the sand of the sea for number that there had now been a long peace that many were come to them from the kingdom of Israel and that Jehoshaphat was under a special blessing of God They were doubtless dispersed all the country over every one residing on his own land only they were ready at call whenever there was occasion

TRAPP 2 Chronicles 1719 These waited on the king beside [those] whom the king put in the fenced cities throughout all Judah

Ver 19 These waited on the king] ie In their turns and by course

POOLE These above mentioned were the trained bands or auxiliaries whose chief officers waited upon the king to receive his commands and to raise and bring in all or part of their forces to the service of the king and kingdom as need required

ELLICOTT (19) These waited on the kingmdashRather these are they that ministered unto the king viz the five generals above named

Beside those whom the king put in the fenced citiesmdashie the commandants of the fortresses of the kingdom (2 Chronicles 1111 2 Chronicles 1123) These latter as well as the generals of the forces are called the kingrsquos ldquoministersrdquo (mĕshacircrĕthicircm)mdasha word which is not used of service in the field but implies their presence at court (ldquoin Jerusalemrdquo 2 Chronicles 1713 as the royal staff)

According to the above list the army of Jehoshaphat was organised in five grand divisions corresponding perhaps to five territorial divisions of the southern kingdom The totals are the largest assigned to the two tribes anywhere in the Old Testament viz Judah 780000 and Benjamin 380000 in all 1160000 At Davidrsquos census Judah had 500000 warriors (2 Samuel 249) and Israel 800000 Again in 2

Chronicles 148 Asarsquos army consists of 300000 men of Judah and 280000 Benjaminites clearly such an increase as our text indicates is unaccountable At the same time it is equally clear that the present numbers are not fortuitous results of clerical errors for they follow each other in the order of relative strength Judah 300000 280000 200000 Benjamin 200000 180000 and they are evidently not independent of the estimates of 2 Chronicles 148 above quoted

In the absence of adequate data for modifying these certainly startling figures it is well to bear in mind that we need not understand by them an army which ever actually mustered in the field or on parade but simply an estimate of the total male population liable to be called out for the national defence although even upon that understanding the total appears to be at least three times too great considering the small extent of the country

PULPIT These waited Hebrew המשרתים plur piel part of שרת The verse states that this enormous fivefold army with its five princes (counting in our corrupt text one million one hundred and sixty thousand) was the kings Jerusalem standing army while other separate regiments or bands of troops were spread through all Judah where they might be most needed for defence

Ahab soon courted his alliance so far was he from giving him any disturbance and proved more dangerous as a friend than he could have been as an enemy Jehoshaphat strengthened himself not to act offensively against Israel or invade them but only to maintain his own which he did by fortifying the cities that were on his frontiers and putting garrisons stronger than had been in the cities of Ephraim which he was master of 2Ch_172 He did not strengthen himself as his father did by a league with the king of Syria but by fair and regular methods on which he might expect the blessing of God and in which he trusted God

II What a good man he was It is an excellent character that is here given him 1 He walked in the ways of his father David In the characters of the kings Davids ways are often made the standard as 1Ki_153 1Ki_1511 2Ki_143 2Ki_162 2Ki_183 But the distinction is nowhere so strongly marked as here between his first ways and his last ways for the last were not so good as the first his ways before he fell so foully in the matter of Uriah (which is mentioned long afterwards as the bar in his escutcheon 1Ki_155) were good ways and though he happily recovered from that fall yet perhaps he never while he lived fully retrieved the spiritual strength and comfort he lost by it Jehoshaphat followed David as far as he followed God and no further Paul himself thus limits our imitation of him (1Co_111) Follow me as I follow Christ and not otherwise Many good people have had their first ways which were their best ways their first love which was their strongest love and in every copy we propose to write after as we must single out that only which is good so that chiefly which is best The words here will admit another reading they run thus He walked in the ways of David his father

(Hareshonim) those first ways or those ancient ways He proposed to himself for his

example the primitive times of the royal family those purest times before the corruptions of the late reigns came in See Jer_616 The Septuagint leaves out David and so refers it to Asa He walked in the first ways of his father and did not imitate him in what was amiss in him towards the latter end of his time It is good to be cautious in following the best men lest we step aside after them 2 He sought not to Baalim but sought to the Lord God of his father 2Ch_173 2Ch_174 The neighbouring nations had their Baalim one had one Baal and another had another but he abhorred them all had nothing to do with them he worshipped the Lord God of his father and him only prayed to him only and enquired of him only both are included in seeking him 3 That he walked in Gods commandments not only worshipped the true God but worshipped him according to his own institution and not after the doings of Israel 2Ch_174 Though the king of Israel was his neighbour and ally yet he did not learn his way Whatever dealings he had with him in civil matters he would not have communion with him nor comply with him in his religion In this he kept close to the rule 4 His heart was lifted up in the ways of the Lord (2Ch_176) or he lifted up his heart He brought his heart to his work and lifted up his heart in it that is he had a sincere regard to God in it Unto thee O Lord do I lift up my soul His heart was enlarged in that which is good Psa_11932 He never thought he could do enough for God He was lively and affectionate in his religion fervent in spirit serving the Lord cheerful and pleasant in it he went on in his work with alacrity as Jacob who after his vision of God at Bethel lifted up his feet Gen_291 margin He was bold and resolute in the ways of God and went on with courage His heart was lifted up above the consideration of the difficulties that were in the way of his duty he easily got over them all and was not frightened with winds and clouds from sowing and reaping Ecc_114 Let us walk in the same spirit

JAMISO 2Ch_171-6 Jehoshaphat reigns well prospers

Jehoshaphat strengthened himself against Israelmdash The temper and

proceedings of the kings of Israel rendered it necessary for him to prepare vigorous measures of defense on the northern frontier of his kingdom These consisted in filling all the fortresses with their full complement of troops and establishing military stations in various parts of the country as well as in the cities of Mount Ephraim which belonged to Jehoshaphat (2Ch_158)

KampD Jehoshaphats efforts to strengthen the kingdom internally and externally -2Ch_171 or rather the first half of this verse belongs properly to the preceding chapter since when the son immediately follows the father on the throne the successor is mentioned immediately cf 2Ch_931 2Ch_1216 2Ch_2427 2Ch_279 etc Here however the account of the accession to the throne is combined with a general remark on the reign of the successor and therefore it is placed at the commencement of the account of the reign while in the case of Asa (2Ch_141) both come in immediately at the conclusion of the reign of his predecessor Asa had shown himself weak against Israel as he had sought help against Baashas attack from the Syrians (2Ch_161) but it was otherwise with Jehoshaphat He indeed put the fenced cities of his kingdom in a thoroughly good condition for defence to protect his kingdom against hostile attacks from without (v 20 but he walked at the same time in the ways of the Lord so that the Lord made his kingdom strong and mighty (2Ch_173-5) This general characterization of his reign is in 2Ch_176 illustrated by facts first by the communication of what Jehoshaphat did for the inner spiritual strengthening of the kingdom by raising the standard of religion and morals among the people (2Ch_176-11) and then by what he did for the external increase of his power (2Ch_1712-19)

BESO 2 Chronicles 171 Jehoshaphat strengthened himself against Israel mdashAgainst the king and people of Israel who had molested the kingdom of Judah with wars all the days of Asa after that sin of his mentioned 2 Chronicles 162 ampc Ahab had now been three years upon the throne of Israel an active warlike prince The vigour of the beginning of his reign falling in with the decay of the conclusion of Asarsquos it is probable the kingdom of Israel had of late gained ground of the kingdom of Judah and become formidable to it so that Jehoshaphat wisely judged that the first thing he had to do was to strengthen himself on that side and check the growing greatness of the king of Israel which he did so effectually and without bloodshed that Ahab soon courted his alliance (so far was he from giving him any disturbance) and proved more dangerous as a friend than he could have been as an enemy

TRAPP 2 Chronicles 171 And Jehoshaphat his son reigned in his stead and strengthened himself against Israel

Ver 1 And Jehoshaphat his son reigned] See 1 Kings 1524

And strengthened himself against Israel] Or Upon Israel ie upon that part of it which was subject to him

POOLE Jehoshaphat is made king reigneth well and prospereth 2 Chronicles 171-6 He sendeth Levites with the princes to teach Judah 2 Chronicles 177-9 He is feared by the nations round about who bring him presents and tribute his greatness captains and armies 2 Chronicles 1710-19

Against the king and people of Israel who had molested the kingdom of Judah with wars all the days of Asa after that sin of his mentioned 2 Chronicles 162 ampc

WHEDO 1 Strengthened himself against Israel mdash Asa had shown a fear of Israel and rather than venture war had hired the help of Ben-hadad (2 Chronicles 161-3) but his son Jehoshaphat prepared at the beginning of his reign to withstand opposition from his northern neighbour Rawlinson also suggests that a reason for Jehoshaphatrsquos strengthening himself against Israel may have been the alliance which Ahab had then recently formed with the king of Zidon by marriage with his daughter Jezebel 1 Kings 1631

ELLICOTT JEHOSHAPHAT (2 Chronicles 17-20)

PROPHETIC MIISTRY OF MICAH THE SO OF IMLAH AD JEHU THE SO OF HAAI

Jehoshaphat labours to strengthen his realm internally and externally

This entire chapter is peculiar to the Chronicle

Verse 1 (1) And Jehoshaphat in his steadmdashThe last words of 1 Kings 1524 The name means Iah judgeth

And strengthened himself against IsraelmdashAs described in 2 Chronicles 172 Israel is here the northern kingdom These defensive measures were taken in the early part of the reign and before Jehoshaphat connected himself by marriage with the northern dynasty (2 Chronicles 181)

PARKER 1-4 1 And Jehoshaphat his son reigned in his stead and strengthened himself against Israel

[Jehoshaphat ascended the throne in the fourth year of Ahab ( 1 Kings 2241) probably after that monarch had contracted his alliance with the royal family of Sidon and before he was engaged in war with Syria It was thus not unnatural that he should begin his reign by strengthening himself against a possible attack on the part of his northern neighbourmdashThe Speakers Commentary]

2 And he placed forces [comp chap 2 Chronicles 1112] in all the fenced cities of Judah and set garrisons [or governors (comp 1 Kings 47 1 Kings 419)] in the

land of Judah and in the cities of Ephraim which Asa his father had taken

3 And the Lord was with Jehoshaphat because he walked in the first ways of his father David [The LXX and several Hebrew MSS omit David The real meaning of the writer Isaiah that Jehoshaphat followed the example set by his father Asa in his earlier years] and sought not unto Baalim [And sought not the Baals The Baals were different local aspects of the sun-god Jehoshaphat was not seduced into this worship though in his day it overspread almost the whole kingdom of Israel]

4 But sought to the Lord God of his father and walked in his commandments and not after the doings of Israel

PARKER The Reign of Jehoshaphat

And Jehoshaphat his son reigned in his stead and strengthened himself against Israel ( 2 Chronicles 171)

I succeeding to that throne of Israel Jehoshaphat simply followed the course of a law but in strengthening himself against Israel he indicated a personal policy How definitely the statement reads There is no doubt or hesitation in the mind of Jehoshaphat as to the course which ought to be pursued He did not simply think that he would strengthen himself against Israel he had not a merely momentary vision of a possible fortification against the enemy he actually carried out his purpose and thus challenged northern Israel On the other hand how peaceful is the declaration that is here made There is not an aggressive tone in all the statement Innocent Jehoshaphat simply strengthened himself against Israel that is to say he puts himself into a highly defensive position so that if the enemy should pour down from the north Jehoshaphat would be secured against his assaults Everything therefore depends upon the point of view which we take of this policy But the thing which history has made clear is that a man often lays down a policy before waiting the issue of events which would determine its scope and tone All this was done by Jehoshaphat before he connected himself by marriage with the northern dynasty A marriage may upset a policy a domestic event may alter the course of a kings thinking and readjust the lines of a nations relation to other kingdoms The wise man holds himself open to the suggestion and inspiration of events o man is as wise to-day as he will be tomorrow provided he pay attention to the literature of providence which is being daily written before his eyes Our dogmatics whether in theology or in state policy should be modified by the recollection that we do not now know all things and that further light may show what we do know in a totally different aspect Our policy like our bread should in a sense be from day to day When men are omniscient they may lay down a theological programme from which departure would be blasphemy but until they are omniscient they had better write with modesty and subscribe even their best constructed creeds with reservations which will leave room for providence

GUZIK 2 CHROICLES 17 - FEATURES OF JEHOSHAPHATrsquoS REIG

A How King Jehoshaphat pleased God

1 (2 Chronicles 171-4) The personal spiritual commitment of King Jehosphaphat

Then Jehoshaphat his son reigned in his place and strengthened himself against Israel And he placed troops in all the fortified cities of Judah and set garrisons in the land of Judah and in the cities of Ephraim which Asa his father had taken ow the LORD was with Jehoshaphat because he walked in the former ways of his father David he did not seek the Baals but sought the God of his father and walked in His commandments and not according to the acts of Israel

a Then Jehoshaphat his son reigned in his place Asa was generally a good king (though he did not finish well) and Jehoshaphat his son followed in his footsteps and the LORD was with Jehoshaphat because he walked in the former ways of his father David

i ldquoIn the first ways which David walked in before he fell into those horrid sins of murder and adulteryrdquo (Trapp)

ii ldquoHave you never noticed the career of David What a happy life Davidrsquos was up to one point But that hour when he walked on the roof of his house and saw Bathsheba and gave way to his unholy desires put an end to the happy days of David You recognize him as the same man but his voice is broken his music is deep bass he cannot reach one high notes of the scale From the hour in which he sinned he began to sorrow more and more So will it be with us if we are not watchfulrdquo (Spurgeon)

b Strengthened himself against Israel Jehoshaphat recognized that the northern kingdom was a danger to Judah militarily politically and especially spiritually He therefore strengthened the defenses against this threat and specifically did not according to the acts of Israel

i In his presentation of the history of the kings of Judah the Chronicler constantly brings the contrast and the challenge before the readers of his day and ours ldquoYour destiny as an individual and as a nation can either be like that of Judah or Israel You should follow the example of those who did not according to the acts of Israelrdquo

PULPIT To the contents of this chapter and to the reign of Jehoshaphat which occupies this and the following three chapters the Book of Kings furnishes as yet no parallel All that it has to say of Jehoshaphat now is summed up in one sentence (1 Kings 1524) And Jehoshaphat his son reigned in his stead till we arrive at the ten verses of 1 Kings 2241-51 with their very slender sketch (see also 2 Kings 31-14)

2 Chronicles 171

Jehoshaphat In 2 Chronicles 2031 and 1 Kings 2241 1 Kings 2242 we are told that Jehoshaphat was now thirty-five years of age He must therefore have been born when Asa was in the sixth year of his reign and presumably not under sixteen years of age His reign extended to twenty-five years ie from BC 914 to BC 889 The name signifies whom God judges or pleads for Ahab is now in the fourth year of his reign and the symptoms he manifests (1 Kings 1630-33) are those that the rather urge Jehoshaphat to strengthen himself ie strengthen the defences of his kingdom on the Israel side

BI 1-19 And Jehoshaphat his son reigned in his stead

The conditions of national prosperity

This chapter showsmdash

I That true religion is the basis of the State and that wherever it prospers there the State prospers

II That it is the wisdom of kings to encourage religion with all their power and influence

III That a religious nation is ever a great nation

IV That a religious nation is ever a peaceful and united nation (A Clarke D D)

Jehoshaphat

I His policy as a statesman

1 It was protective (2Ch_171-2)

2 It was wise

3 It was eminently patriotic

II His character as a man

1 He was distinguished for true piety

(1) In his every-day life (2Ch_173)

(2) In his private devotions (2Ch_173-4)

(3) In his obedience to God (2Ch_174)

2 The inspiration of his heart came from the consciousness of his obedience to God (2Ch_176)

III His wisdom as a ruler

1 He removed temptation from his people (2Ch_176)

2 He provided for his people the highest means of good (2Ch_177-9) (Metropolitan Pulpit)

Jehoshaphatrsquos prosperity

I Its measure Everything indicates that it was great and genuine Not an element of true prosperity is wanting whether we consider him individually or as identified with the realm It involvedmdash

1 The safety of the kingdom

2 Wealth

3 Honour from abroad

4 The love and confidence of his own people

II Its origin This was partly natural partly supernatural

1 Natural

(1) The roots of his prosperity lay largely in himself He was a man of correct instincts and good convictions A man of worth and weight of character By these he won the love and secured the co-operation of his people

(2) He was wise in management

2 Supernatural ldquoThe Lord stablished the kingdom in his handrdquo It was a reward of piety He honoured God and God honoured and exalted him Lessons

1 The union of prudence and piety Each is helpful to the other neither is sufficient without the other Prudence gives tone and practicality to piety piety gives sweetness and mellowness to prudence Piety alone tends to feebleness and inefficiency prudence alone inclines to coldness and covetousness United they round out the character in beauty and strength

2 Reform through religion and law Jehoshaphat united the civil and religious power in securing national reform How necessary is this union in the great struggle with intemperance and other moral defilements (Monday Club Sermons)

2 He stationed troops in all the fortified cities of Judah and put garrisons in Judah and in the towns of Ephraim that his father Asa had captured

CLARKE The cities of Ephraim - This conquest from the kingdom of Israel is referred to 2Ch_158 but when it was made we do not know

GILL And he placed forces in all the fenced cities of Judah A considerable number of soldiers to defend them should they be attacked

and set garrisons in the land of Judah on the frontiers and borders of it to protect it

and in the cities of Ephraim soldiers to keep garrison there

which Asa his father had taken see 2Ch_158

KampD 2-4 He placed forces (חיל) in all the fenced cities of Judah and garrisons

in the land of Judah and in the cities of Ephraim (military posts cf 1Ch_1116 נציבים)

which is father Asa had taken cf 2Ch_158 God blessed these undertakings Jahve was with him because he walked in the ways of David his ancestor the former ways and sought not the Baals The former ways of David are his ways in the earlier years of his reign in contrast to the later years in which his adultery with Bathsheba (2 Sam 11) and

the sin of numbering the people (1 Chron 21) fall העלים are all false gods in contrast to

Jahve the one God of Israel and here the word designates not only the Baal-worship properly so called but also the worship of Jahve by means of images by which Jahve is

brought down to the level of the Baals cf Jdg_211 The ל before עלים stands according

to the later usage as a sign of the accusative In the last clause of 2Ch_174 ldquoand not

after the doings of Israelrdquo (of the ten tribes) הלך ldquohe walkedrdquo is to be repeated The

doing of Israel is the worship of Jahve through the images of the golden calves which

the author of the Chronicle includes in the לעלים רש

BESO 2 Chronicles 172 And set garrisons in the cities which Asa had taken mdash We do not read of any cities which Asa took but Abijah his father possessed himself of several which Asa kept and took for his own 2 Chronicles 1319 And it appears Jehoshaphat put such forces in them as might secure them to himself

TRAPP 2 Chronicles 172 And he placed forces in all the fenced cities of Judah and set garrisons in the land of Judah and in the cities of Ephraim which Asa his father had taken

Ver 2 And he placed forces] See 2 Chronicles 1719

ELLICOTT (2) And he placed forcesmdashComp 2 Chronicles 1112

The fenced citiesmdashlsquoArecirc ha-bĕtsucircrocircth (Comp 2 Chronicles 115 sqq 2 Chronicles 146-7)

And set garrisonsmdashPlaced military posts or prefects (netsicircbicircm) (1 Chronicles 1116 2 Chronicles 1111) Syriac ldquoappointed rulersrdquo

The cities of Ephraim had takenmdashSee on 2 Chronicles 158

PULPIT He placed forces literally he gave (Genesis 117) forces or a force or host or army חיל (Exodus 1428 2 Samuel 242) And set garrisons again literally he gave garrisons ( נאיבים ) ie either the persons set over prefects or officers (1 Kings 419) or the military garrison itself stationed (1 Samuel 105 1 Samuel 133) A village in Judah also had the name ezeb (Joshua 1545) In the cities of Ephraim (see 2 Chronicles 158)

3 The Lord was with Jehoshaphat because he followed the ways of his father David before him He did not consult the Baals

BARES The first ways of his father David - The Septuagint and several Hebrew manuscripts omit ldquoDavidrdquo which has probably crept in from the margin for Davidrsquos ldquofirst waysrdquo are nowhere else contrasted with his later ways The real meaning of the writer is that Jehoshaphat followed the example set by his father Asa in his earlier years 2Ch_141-15 15

Baalim - On the plural form see 1Ki_1818 note

CLARKE The Lord was with Jehoshaphat - ldquoThe Word of the Lord was Jehoshaphatrsquos Helperrdquo - Targum

GILL And the Lord was with Jehoshaphat Guiding and directing prospering and succeeding him in all things he had no doubt his gracious presence in spiritual things as well as his powerful and directing presence in things civil the Targum isthe Word of the Lord was for his help

because he walked in the first ways of his father David which were his best some of his last ways not being good as in the affair of Uriah and Bathsheba and his numbering of the people Jehoshaphat followed him in the one but not in the other or in the ways of David and his father the first the first of them both for the latter ways of his father Asa were not so good as his first as the preceding chapter shows and the

Septuagint version leaves out the word David and so restrains it to his own father

and sought not unto Baalim as did Ahab king of Israel who now reigned there 1Ki_1524

JAMISO 3-5 he walked in the first ways of his father Davidmdash He imitated the piety of his great ancestor in the early part of his reign before he made those unhappy lapses which dishonored his character

and sought not unto Baalimmdash a term used for idols generally in contradistinction to the Lord God of his father

BESO 2 Chronicles 173-4 He walked in the first ways of his father David mdashHis ways before he fell so foully in the matter of Uriah which were good ways David indeed recovered from that fall but perhaps never while he lived fully retrieved the spiritual strength and comfort which he had lost Jehoshaphat followed David as far as he followed God and no farther St Paul himself thus limits our imitation of him 1 Corinthians 111 Follow me as I follow Christ and not otherwise The first ways of many pious people have been their best ways and their first love their strongest love which however ought not to be the case for the last ought to be more than the first Revelation 219 But in every copy we propose to write after as we ought to single out that only which is good so that chiefly which is best The original words here are literally rendered He walked in the ways of David his father הראשונים hareshonim those first or ancient ways He proposed to himself for his example the primitive times of the royal family those purest times before the corruptions of the late reigns came in See Jeremiah 616 The LXX leave out David and so refer this to Asa He walked in the first ways of his father Asa and did not imitate him in what was amiss in him toward the latter end of his time It is well to be cautious in following the best men lest we step aside after them And sought not unto Baalim mdash The neighbouring nations had their Baalim one had one Baal and another had another but he abhorred them all and had nothing to do with any of them He sought the Lord God of his father and him only prayed to him only and inquired of him only

TRAPP 2 Chronicles 173 And the LORD was with Jehoshaphat because he walked in the first ways of his father David and sought not unto Baalim

Ver 3 Because he walked in the first ways of his father David] Who during his trouble kept himself free from scandalous and reproachful practices innocent from the great transgression [Psalms 1913] David rectior fuit in servitio quam in regno saith Gregory

POOLE In the first ways which David walked in before he fell into those horrid sins of murder and adultery Or in the ways of David and his fatherrsquos first ways For the beginning of Asarsquos reign was laudable as we have seen though he declined at last For it seems more probable that this passage is a reflection upon Asa whose last ways were much his worst and of whose repentance we have no evidence than

upon David who though he fell dreadfully in the matter of Uriah yet did manifestly repent of it and return to his first and holy course of life in which also he continued until death having this character given him by the Holy Ghost after his death that he did right in all things saving that of Uriah 1 Kings 155

WHEDO 3 The first ways of his father David mdash The first or earlier ways of David are contrasted with his later ways ldquoin the matter of Uriahrdquo and his sin in numbering the people The Septuagint omits the word David and some have therefore thought it an interpolation and understand the earlier ways of Asa to be intended

ELLICOTT (3) He walked in the first waysmdashThe former or earlier ways of David as contrasted with his later conductmdasha tacit allusion to the adultery with Bathsheba and other sins of David committed in his later years (2 Samuel 11-24) A few MSS and the LXX omit David

And sought not unto BaalimmdashAnd sought not the Baals (dacircrash lĕ a late construction) The Baals were different local aspects of the sun-god Here the term no doubt includes the illegal worship of Jehovah under the form of a bullock as instituted by Jeroboam and practised in the northern kingdom (ldquothe doing of Israelrdquo 2 Chronicles 174) Syriac ldquoand prayed not to imagesrdquo

PARKER And the Lord was with Jehoshaphat because he walked in the first ways of his father David and sought not unto Baalim ( 2 Chronicles 173)

The Lord was not with Jehoshaphat because he strengthened himself against Israel nor because he placed forces in all the fenced cities of Judah and set garrisons in the land of Judah and in the streets of Ephraim ot one of these little triumphs is referred to as affording God a basis for the complaisant treatment of the new king As ever the Lords relation to Jehoshaphat was determined by Jehoshaphats own moral condition A very beautiful expression is thismdashhe walked in the first ways of his father David that is to say in the former or earlier ways of David as contrasted with Davids later conduct Some have found here a tacit allusion to Davids greatest sin which he committed when he was advanced in life A somewhat mournful thing it is that a mans first ways should be better than his last The other relation would seem to be the one which reason would approve and God would specially honour namely that a mans old age should be the ripest and best part of his conduct rich with Wisdom of Solomon strong with experience and chastened by many a pensive recollection Sad when you have to go back to a mans youth to find his virtues or his most conspicuous excellences but most beautiful when a mans earlier mistakes are lost in the richness and wisdom of his later conduct God keeps his attention fixed on all the parts of a mans life and he observes which of those parts is most esteemed by the mans own successors Happy is that father whose whole example is worthy of imitation yet more than human is he the whole of whose life is without stain or flaw Jehoshaphats conduct in this matter is the more notable because of the constant observation of mankind that it is easier to follow the evil than to imitate the good When imitation enters into a mans life he is prone to

copy that which is inferior and to leave without reproduction that which is lofty and disciplinary In this instance Jehoshaphat sets an example to the world His conduct too is represented negatively as well as positivelymdashand sought not unto Baalim The word Baalim is in the plural number and the literal reading might be Jehoshaphat sought not the Baals the Baals being different local aspects or phases of the sun-god It is to be specially noted that the term Baal includes an aspect even of Jehovah himself that is to say Israel had degenerated so far as to suppose that in worshipping Baal they were worshipping at least one phase of the true God We must not mix up our religion with our irreligion our prayers with our idolatry our heavenliness with our worldly-mindedness the whole arrangement must be clean and pure from one end to the other inasmuch as one taint may cause the whole process of our religious thought and service to become deteriorated and valueless It is often difficult to abandon a popular custom More people might be in favour of Jehoshaphat strengthening himself against Israel than in returning to the first ways of David and abandoning the altar of the Baals History and religion are always considered in their separate distribution There are politicians who would vote for a war who would on no account surrender a superstition On the other hand there are men who pride themselves on being free of the influence of superstition who would willingly enter into the most sanguinary wars for the extension of empire or the glory of some particular throne In Jehoshaphat we seem to come into contact with a complete character in other words a man who in every point was equally strong a man of foresight a man of reverence a man of an honest heart a man who felt that idolatry and true worship could not coexist in the same breast

ISBET lsquoThe Lord was with Jehoshaphatrsquo2 Chronicles 173It is instructive to notice what is said about Davidrsquos waysmdashit was his first ways that Jehoshaphat took for his pattern We should always be careful to adopt only the good things in others

I lsquoThe Lord stablished the kingdom in his handrsquo God loves to find a man He can trust a man into whose hand He can put holy interests and know that they will be sacredly cherishedmdashThe Lord established the kingdom in the hands of Jehoshaphat because Jehoshaphat was true to his trust In our Lordrsquos parable of The Talents we are taught that those who prove faithful to their trust receive other things also in trust while those who are unfaithful even in small things God will not intrust with larger things

II lsquoHis heart was lifted up in the ways of the Lordrsquo There is a bad lifting up and a good lifting up Some people are made vain and self-conceited by prosperitymdashThe temptation for young people when first called upon to do any work and accomplishing it with some measure of success is to become proud and to show their vanity by talking too much about themselves and what they have done Such lifting up not only dishonours God but hurts the person But Jehoshaphat was lifted up in the ways of the Lord Too often as money comes in and prosperity increases

people get so absorbed in these new gifts of God that the Giver Himself fades out of their vision If only we see the hand of God in every new mercy and goodness that comes to us our heart will be lifted up in the ways of the Lord

III lsquoThe fear of the Lord fell upon all the kingdoms hellip so that they made no war against Jehoshaphatrsquo The Lord is able to control even the diplomacy and the politics of nationsmdashWhen these kingdoms saw the blessing which Jehoshaphat was enjoying in his country they felt an awe in their heartsmdashthe fear of the Lord fell upon themmdashand they refrained from making war God will always find some way to defend His own people in the midst of dangers

PULPIT The first ways of his father David Although there would be no difficulty in reconciling this statement with history yet probably the name David should not stand here It is not in the Septuagint The most natural and sufficient reference is to Asa And sought not unto Ballim literally to the Baalim ie to the various false gods of surrounding peoples ( 211) Baal-berith ( 833 94 946) Baal-zebub (2 Kings 12) Baal-peor (umbers 2328 etc umbers 253) according to the places where the idolatrous worship was carried on (For the preposition ל to after sought in this and following verse see again 1 Chronicles 2219 )

4 but sought the God of his father and followed his commands rather than the practices of Israel

BARES The doings of Israel - i e the especially idolatrous doings of the time -the introduction and establishment of the worship of Baal and the groves

GILL But sought to the Lord God of his fathers Prayed to him worshipped and served him

and walked in his commandments observed and kept them moral ceremonial and judicial

and not after the doings of Israel who worshipped the golden calves at Dan and Bethel

JAMISO and not after the doings of Israelmdash He observed with scrupulous fidelity and employed his royal influence to support the divine institutions as enacted by Moses abhorring that spurious and unlawful calf-worship that now formed the established religion in Israel Being thus far removed alike from gross idolatry and Israelitish apostasy and adhering zealously to the requirements of the divine law the blessing of God rested on his government Ruling in the fear of God and for the good of his subjects ldquothe Lord established the kingdom in his handrdquo

COFFMA So far so good Jehoshaphat like some others of the kings of Judah began very well receiving as their reward the blessing of the Lord and the prosperity of the people but his alliance with Ahab (described in 2 Chronicles 18) would cast a dark shadow over what is written here

(He) walked not after the doings of Israel (2 Chronicles 174) The contempt in which the author of Chronicles held the orthern Israel appears in a clause like this The outstanding feature of Chronicles is the omission wherever possible of practically the entire history of their kings This reminds us of the Book of umbers in which the whole history of the apostate Israel records only a few events for the whole period Why It was because of the fact that what any nation does after they have rejected God is of minor importance

With the apostasy of the orthern Israel and their rejection of Gods choice of the house of David the history of the redemption of mankind dramatically shifted to what happened in Jerusalem

TRAPP 2 Chronicles 174 But sought to the [LORD] God of his father and walked in his commandments and not after the doings of Israel

Ver 4 And not after the doings of Israel] Who in his days did evil as they could under that nonsuch Ahab But Jehoshaphat was not corrupted with their ill neighbourhood

PARKER But sought to the Lord God of his father and walked in his commandments and not after the doings of Israel ( 2 Chronicles 174)

We must be prepared for singularity if we are genuinely prepared to be good Let a man settle it with himself in prayerful solitude whether he means to walk with God or to identify himself with the spirit and customs of his age Jehoshaphat laid down a clear programme for himself and followed it out with patient and faithful industry The Lord God of his father was not a mere term in a crowd it was the object of daily search and quest Jehoshaphat inquired for him and operated constantly upon the doctrine Ask and it shall be given you knock and it shall be opened unto you or was Jehoshaphats religion merely speculative that is to say an intellectual quest after an intellectual God whatever was speculative in the mind and service of Jehoshaphat was sustained and ennobled by a solid moral element

forasmuch as Jehoshaphat walked in Gods commandmentsmdashhe read the decalogue he studied Gods word he would take no action personal regal or social that was not first examined and approved in the light of the divine statutes All this might have been comparatively easy if Jehoshaphat had started at an independent point but at such a point no man can start for he must take up the age as he finds it and must first disembarrass himself from all the stipulations and claims of custom usage and popular superstition Jehoshaphat sought not after the doings of Israel he set himself up in this respect against the kingdom he was not afraid of peculiarity in a word Jehoshaphats religion was characteristic that is to say it had lines points and colours of its own about which there could be no reasonable mistake What is our religion Do we intellectually assent to the existence and sovereignty of one God and then degenerate into self-worship Do we admit that there must be an ultimate morality a philosophy of conduct founded upon eternal metaphysics and then do we measure our own behaviour by the canon of custom These are questions that search the heart and no man can answer them for his brother

What became of all this noble conduct arising out of this high religious conception We shall see in the following versemdash

PULPIT After the doings of Israel This expression probably marks the doings of the northern kingdom as both the more typical throughout its whole history of the wrong and also as the systematic beginning by a law of idolatrous worship and images in the matter of the calves and so on

5 The Lord established the kingdom under his control and all Judah brought gifts to Jehoshaphat so that he had great wealth and honor

BARES Presents - i e ldquofree-will offeringsrdquo in addition to the regular taxes See 1Sa_1027

GILL Therefore the Lord stablished the kingdom in his hand Piety is the

best prop of government the throne is best supported and established by truth righteousness and mercy by the exercise of these Jehoshaphat was settled in his kingdom and had a place in the hearts of his people

and all Judah brought to Jehoshaphat presents being well affected to him as well as it was usual so to do at a princes accession to the throne see 1Sa_1027

and he had riches and honour in abundance through the presents his subjects brought him and the respect they showed him

JAMISO all Judah brought presentsmdash This was customary with the people generally at the beginning of a reign (1Sa_1027) and with the nobles and high functionaries yearly afterwards They were given in the form of voluntary offerings to avoid the odious idea of a tax or tribute

KampD Therefore Jahve established the kingdom in his hand ie under his rule cf

2Ki_145 All Judah brought him presents מנחה often used of tribute of subject peoples

eg in 2Ch_1711 of the Philistines cannot here have that signification nor can it denote

the regular imposts of subjects for these are not called מנחה but must denote voluntary

gifts which his subjects brought him as a token of their reverence and love The last clause ldquoand there was to him (he attained) riches and honour in abundancerdquo which is repeated 2Ch_181 recalls 1Ch_2928 2Ch_112 and signifies that Jehoshaphat like his ancestors David and Solomon was blessed for walking in the pious ways of these his forefathers

BESO 2 Chronicles 175-6 Therefore the Lord established the kingdom in his hand mdash Those stand firm that have the presence of God with them If the beauty of the Lord our God be upon us that will stablish the work of our hands and establish us in our integrity And all Judah brought to Jehoshaphat presents mdash As subjects in those times and places used to do to their kings in token of their respect and subjection to them The more there is of true religion among a people the more conscientious loyalty there will be A governor that answers the end of government will be supported And he had riches and honour in abundance mdash The effect of the favour both of God and his people It is undoubtedly true though few will believe it that religion and piety are the best friends to outward prosperity And his heart was lift up in the ways of the Lord mdash Riches and honour in abundance prove to many a clog and a hinderance in the ways of the Lord an occasion of pride security and sensuality but they had a quite contrary effect upon Jehoshaphat his abundance was oil to the wheels of his obedience and the more he had of the wealth of this world the more cheerfully and resolutely he went on in the ways of the Lord His heart also was lifted up above all discouragements difficulties and fears by which menrsquos hearts are wont to be cast down He was valiant and resolute for God and his ways He took away the high places and groves mdash That is those in which idols were worshipped for those that were dedicated to the true God only were not taken away chap 2 Chronicles 2033 And though Asa had done the same before yet

either he did not do it thoroughly or the people who were mad upon their idols had secretly made new ones in the latter part of his reign when he grew more infirm in body and more remiss in Godrsquos cause

TRAPP 2 Chronicles 175 Therefore the LORD stablished the kingdom in his hand and all Judah brought to Jehoshaphat presents and he had riches and honour in abundance

Ver 5 And he had riches and honour in abundance] Herein he came near unto Solomon in his greatest flourish

ELLICOTT (5) ThereforemdashAnd (so ldquoalsordquo ldquoso thatrdquo in 2 Chronicles 177 2 Chronicles 1710)

The Lord stablished the kingdom in his handmdashComp 2 Kings 145

PresentsmdashMinchah This word often means tributary offerings as in 2 Chronicles 1711 but here it obviously denotes the voluntary gifts of loyal subjects usual at the beginning of a reign (1 Samuel 1027)

And he had (or got) riches and honour in abundancemdashLike David and Solomon (1 Chronicles 2928 2 Chronicles 112)

PARKER 5-9 5 Therefore the Lord stablished the kingdom in his hand [comp 2 Kings 145] and all Judah brought to Jehoshaphat presents [this word often means tributary offerings but here it denotes the voluntary gifts of loyal subjects] and he had riches and honour in abundance

6 And his heart was lifted up [usually the phrase has a bad meaning (as in Deuteronomy 814 2 Chronicles 2616 Psalm 1311 etc) but it is evident that it must be taken differently here The marginal reading is right his courage rose high or he grew bold] in the ways of the Lord moreover he took away the high places and groves out of Judah

7 Also in the third year of his reign he sent to his princes [rather he sent his princes] even to Ben-hail and to Obadiah and to Zechariah and to ethaneel and to Michaiah to teach in the cities of Judah

8 And with them he sent [rather were the] Levites even Shemaiah and ethaniah and Zebadiah and Asahel and Shemiramoth and Jehonathan and Adonijah and Tobijah and Tobadonijah Levites and with them Elishama and Jehoram priests

9 And they taught in Judah and had the book of the law of the Lord [the Pentateuchmdashnearly if not quite in the shape in which we now have it] with them and went about throughout all the cities of Judah and taught [among] the people

PARKER Therefore the Lord stablished the kingdom in his hand and all Judah brought to Jehoshaphat presents and he had riches and honour in abundance ( 2 Chronicles 175)

Whatever was doubtful about the ascent of Jehoshaphat to the throne was removed and the king was enabled to realise his power when he closed his hand upon the royal sceptre he found that he was not grasping a shadow but a reality There are times when men become fully conscious of their influence and of their proper social position happy are they if in this consciousness they detect a prevailingly religious element which constrains them to acknowledge that honour and wealth power and dignity are the gifts of God Is not this an anticipation of the Saviours great doctrinemdashSeek ye first the kingdom of God and his righteousness and all these things shall be added unto you Jehoshaphat did not seek riches and honour he sought to the Lord God of his father and walked in the divine commandments and as a result he enjoyed all that kings delight in as indicating strength and pomp renown and influence

GUZIK 2 (2 Chronicles 175-6) The blessing upon his reign

Therefore the LORD established the kingdom in his hand and all Judah gave presents to Jehoshaphat and he had riches and honor in abundance And his heart took delight in the ways of the LORD moreover he removed the high places and wooden images from Judah

a Therefore the LORD established the kingdom in his hand This was no small accomplishment In those days kings and kingdoms were fragile and under constant threat Yet if the descendants of David would seek God first He promised to take care of their security ndash and God makes the same promise to His people today (Matthew 633)

b All Judah gave presents to Jehoshaphat and he had riches and honor in abundance Because Jehoshaphat trusted God God lifted him up and exalted him as a king As his heart took delight in the ways of the LORD the LORD gave him the desires of his heart (Psalms 374)

c Moreover he removed the high places and wooden images from Judah 1 Kings 2243 says that Jehoshaphat did not remove the high places Adam Clarke explains ldquoIn 2 Chronicles 176 it is expressly said that he did take way the high places Allowing that the text is right in 2 Chronicles the two places may be easily recognized There were two kinds of high places in the land 1 Those used for idolatrous purposes 2 Those that were consecrated to God and were used before the temple was built The former he did take away the latter he did notrdquo

i ldquoThey may also witness to the deep hold of the Canaanite and syncretic forms of religion on ordinary Israelites Popular views and practices are often quite different from pronouncements by religious authoritiesrdquo (Selman)

PULPIT All Judah brought presents to Jehoshaphat These presents were of course voluntary gifts though like not a few others custom may have taken off from them something of the bloom of spontaneousness (1 Samuel 1027 2 Samuel 82 1 Kings 421 1 Kings 1025 Psalms 7210)

6 His heart was devoted to the ways of the Lord furthermore he removed the high places and the Asherah poles from Judah

BARES His heart was lifted up - This expression generally occurs in a bad sense Deu_814 2Ch_2616 Psa_1311 Pro_1812 but here it must be taken differently The margin ldquowas encouragedrdquo expresses fairly the true meaning He first began by setting an example of faithfulness to Yahweh He then proceeded to use his best endeavors to extirpate idolatry

He took away the high places - Compare 2Ch_2033 and see the 2Ch_1517 note

GILL And his heart was lifted up in the ways of the Lord It was engaged in them was bent and set upon them he walked in them with great pleasure and cheerfulness being inspired with zeal and courage he was fearless and intrepid and regarded not any opposition he might have or expect to have in the work of reformation in which he was concerned

moreover he took away the high places such as were dedicated to idols but not those in which the true God was worshipped 2Ch_2033

and groves out of Judah where idols were placed for though these had been removed by Asa yet had been renewed in the latter part of his days when more negligent of religion

HERY 2 He was a despised man (Job_176) ldquoHerdquo (that is Eliphaz so some or rather God whom he all along acknowledges to be the author of his calamities) ldquohas made me a byword of the people the talk of the country a laughing-stock to many a gazing-stock to all and aforetime (or to mens faces publicly) I was as a tabret that whoever chose might play uponrdquo They made ballads of him his name became a proverb it is so still As poor as Job ldquoHe has now made me a bywordrdquo a reproach of men whereas aforetime in my prosperity I was as a tabret deliciae humani generis -

the darling of the human race whom they were all pleased with It is common for those who were honoured in their wealth to be despised in their poverty

JAMISO his heart was lifted up in the ways of the Lordmdash Full of faith and piety he possessed zeal and courage to undertake the reformation of manners to suppress all the works and objects of idolatry (see on 2Ch_2033) and he held out public encouragement to the pure worship of God

KampD This blessing encouraged Jehoshaphat to extirpate from the land all

idolatrous worship and to teach the people the law of the Lord לב usually sensu ב

malo to be haughty proud cf eg 2Ch_2616 2Ch_3225 here sensu bono of rising

courage to advance in ways pleasing to God and he removed the high places also etc עודpoints back to 2Ch_173 not only did he himself keep far from the Baals but he

removed besides all memorials of the Baal-worship from Judah On מות and אשרים see

on 2Ch_142

COKE 2 Chronicles 176 And his heart was lifted upmdash And when he had elevated his mind in following the commandments of God he took yet from Judah high places and groves ie he destroyed yet other monuments of idolatry which had escaped the diligence of his father Asa though he took not away those high places and altars which had been erected in Jerusalem for the true God See 1 Kings 2243 and ch 1 Kings 2033 of this book

TRAPP 2 Chronicles 176 And his heart was lifted up in the ways of the LORD moreover he took away the high places and groves out of Judah

Ver 6 And his heart was lifted up] ot with pride as 2 Chronicles 3225 but with undaunted courage and disengaged zeal such as made him come off roundly and readily in the ensuing reformation he was more forward and forth putting than his father Asa not slothful in business but fervent in spirit serving the Lord

POOLE His heart was lifted up above all discouragements and difficulties and fears by which menrsquos hearts use to be cast down he was valiant and resolute for God and his ways

He took away the high places and groves to wit such only wherein idols were worshipped as appears by comparing this with 2 Chronicles 2033 And though Asa had done this before yet either he did not do it thoroughly or the Jews (who were many of them mad upon their idols) had secretly made new ones in the latter part of his reign when he grew more infirm in body and more remiss in Godrsquos cause

WHEDO 6 His heart was lifted up mdash That is exalted with holy faith and courage

Took away the high places mdash Yet in spite of all his efforts and successes in this matter the people had become so addicted to these practices that their destruction was not thoroughly secured See note on 2 Chronicles 143 and compare 2 Chronicles 2033

ELLICOTT (6) And his heart was lifted upmdashGabhah lccedilbh which usually like the phrase of Authorised version has a bad meaning as in 2 Chronicles 2616 The margin is right here ldquohis courage rose highrdquo or ldquohe grew boldrdquo in the ways of Jehovah ie in the path of religious reform Vulg ldquocum sumpsisset cor ejus audaciam propter vias Dominirdquo

MoreovermdashAnd again further Referring to 2 Chronicles 173 ot only did he not seek the Baals but more than this he removed the high places ampc [This is the common explanation But the sense may rather be ldquoAnd he again removedrdquo referring back to Asarsquos reforms 2 Chronicles 145]

GrovesmdashrsquoAshecircrim ldquoAsherahsrdquo (2 Chronicles 143)

PARKER And his heart was lifted up in the ways of the Lord moreover he took away the high places and groves out of Judah ( 2 Chronicles 176)

The expression his heart was lifted up is an awkward one The lifting up of the heart signifies increase of pride a sensation of vanity a desire to gratify personal ambition and to make an idol of his will In this instance the marginal reading is to be preferredmdashwas encouraged or otherwise his courage rose high and again it has been rendered Jehoshaphat grew bold that is to say he was not a timid reformer or a timid worshipper a trimmer or a time-server in any sense he was a heroic worshipper of the living God when he saw that reform was necessary he went forward with a steady step and an energetic hand We should call Jehoshaphat a man of conviction and a man who had the courage of his convictions altogether this is the outline of a noble personage a born king a man who has a right to the purple and the sceptre When such men ascend thrones nations should be glad and rejoice with a great joy for their character is grander than their office and their spirit is the best guarantee of the elevation and utility of their regal policy Becoming conscious of his power knowing that his kingdom was established from on high Jehoshaphat not only did pot seek the Baals himself but he took away the high places and groves out of Judah Jehoshaphat was not content with a merely personal religion he could not convert the hearts of his people but he could destroy all the symbols of unholy worship Men are only required to do that which lies within their power A proprietor may not be able to make people sober but he can forbid the introduction of temptations to drunkenness a parent may not be able to subdue the spirit of pride but he can in many instances limit the means of gratifying it There are reforms which are open to us all in personal custom in social habit it may be even in imperial ways let each Jehoshaphat seize his opportunity and magnify it

All this would have been comparatively in vain but for another step which

Jehoshaphat took In the third year of his reign he sent to his princesmdashthat is to say he sent his princesmdashand he sent Levites all of whose names are given and he sent also two priests Elishama and Jehoram and their business was purely educational

PULPIT And his heart was lifted up in the ways of the Lord Although the verb often carries a bad sense with it it quite as often carries with it a good one in the גבהOld Testament and the typical instance of the former (Psalms 1311) is fully counterbalanced by Isaiah 5213 The marginal was enencouraged may be superseded with advantage by took courage (Isaiah 4029-31) The groves Supersede this incorrect rendering by the Asherim and upon the seeming discrepancy see again Isaiah 151-9 17 and Introduction to Chronicles there quoted

7 In the third year of his reign he sent his officials Ben-Hail Obadiah Zechariah ethanel and Micaiah to teach in the towns of Judah

BARES The princes were not sent as teachers themselves but had the duty committed to them of seeing that the people were taught The actual teachers were the priests and Levites of 2Ch_178

CLARKE 7-9 To teach in the cities of Judah - ldquoTo teach the fear of the Lord in the cities of Judahrdquo - Targum

In these verses we find a remarkable account of an itinerant ministry established by Jehoshaphat and in this work he employed three classes of men

1 The princes

2 The Levites

3 The priests

We may presume that the princes instructed the people in the nature of the civil law and constitution of the kingdom the Levites instructed them in every thing that appertained to the temple service and ritual law and the priests instructed them in the

nature and design of the religion they professed Thus the nation became thoroughly instructed in their duty to God to the king and to each other They became therefore as one man and against a people thus united on such principles no enemy could be successful

GILL Also in the third year of his reign he sent to his princes That dwelt in the several parts of the kingdom or he sent them being with him some of the

principal men of his court for ל may be a sign of the accusative case as it sometimes is

even to Benhail and to Obadiah and to Zechariah and to Nethaneel and to Michaiah to teach in the cities of Judah to see that they were taught and oblige them to attend to the instructions that should be given them and not mutiny and rebel against their teachers and to let them know what was the kings pleasure on this head and to back with their authority the priests and Levites whose proper work it was to instruct and who therefore were sent with them as follows

JAMISO 7-11 2Ch_177-11 He sends Levites to teach in Judah

Also in the third year of his reign he sent to his princes to teach in the cities of Judahmdash The ordinary work of teaching devolved on the priests But extraordinary commissioners were appointed probably to ascertain whether the work had been done or neglected This deputation of five princes assisted by two priests and nine Levites was to make a circuit of the towns in Judah It is the first practical measure we read of as being adopted by any of the kings for the religious instruction of the people Time and unbroken opportunities were afforded for carrying out fully this excellent plan of home education for the kingdom enjoyed internal tranquillity as well as freedom for foreign wars It is conformable to the pious style of the sacred historian to trace this profound peace to the ldquofear of the Lord having fallen on all kingdoms of the lands that were round about Judahrdquo

BESO 2 Chronicles 177 He sent to his princes mdash to teach in the cities of Judah mdash To inform the people of their duty and of the kingrsquos pleasure As judges teach or instruct the people in the laws of the land when they deliver their charges upon the bench so did these princes in the kingrsquos name admonish and require the people to observe and obey the laws of God which were the municipal laws of that land the particular explication and enforcement whereof they left to the Levites and priests here following who were sent for this end and accordingly taught the people 2 Chronicles 179

COFFMA Because of the clause which we have capitalized this is one of the most important passages in Chronicles Right here is the reason radical critics have extended themselves so unreasonably in their efforts to discredit Chronicles Here is dependable historical proof of the continued existence of the Torah from the days of Moses throughout the history of Israel As Keil stated it The book of the law of Jehovah is the Pentateuch not merely a collection of Mosaic laws since in Jehoshaphats time the Mosaic Book of the Law (the Pentateuch) had been long in existence[1] We shall not take the space to repeat the vociferous denials of critics

except to cite one knee-jerk remark that characterizes all of them Such action was not taken in Jehoshaphats time[2] What is the basis of such a blatant denial of what Gods Word states as a fact even giving the very names of the royal princes who did the teaching THERE IS OE o matter what unbelievers say this chapter IS the historical record of what happened in the reign of Jehoshaphat and those who live two and one half millenniums afterward have nothing of value by which they may challenge it Then why do men deny it The false theories they have invented are here contradicted forcing them either to give up their false theories or to deny the Sacred Scriptures that contradict them

COKE 2 Chronicles 177 He sent to his princes even to Ben-hail ampcmdash He sent of his princes Ben-hail Obadiah ampc The proper business of these princes in their circuit round the kingdom says Bishop Patrick was to admonish and require the people to observe the laws of God and to leave the particular explication and enforcement of them to those of the sacred order who went with them supporting them in the execution of their office and obliging the people to receive them with respect to hear them with attention and to practise what they taught

TRAPP 2 Chronicles 177 Also in the third year of his reign he sent to his princes [even] to Benhail and to Obadiah and to Zechariah and to ethaneel and to Michaiah to teach in the cities of Judah

Ver 7 He sent to his princes to teach in the cities of Judah] Teaching princes there are not many such as were David Solomon George prince of Anhalt ampc but these were sent with the teaching Levites to countenance and bear them out in this visitation general and perhaps to punish the opposite and obstinate if any such Junius readeth the text thus He sent with his princes these Levites for the teaching Or the princes taught the people the law of the land the priests and Levites the law of God both did mutually help one another So a Danish king of this land made a law that at the general court of every shire the bishop of the diocese should accompany the sheriff that the one might countenance Godrsquos law the other manrsquos (a) Queen Elizabeth once in her progress through Suffolk observing that the justices of that county who came to meet her had every man his minister next to his body said she wondered not that that county was so well governed where she saw that the word and sword went so lovingly together (b)

POOLE To teach in the cities of Judah to inform the people of their duty and of the kingrsquos pleasure As judges or justices of peace teach or instruct the people in the laws of the land when they deliver their charges upon the bench so did these princes in the kingrsquos name admonish and require the people to observe and obey the laws of God which were the prinicipal laws of that land the particular explication and enforcement whereof they left to the Levites and priests here following who were sent for this end and accordingly taught the people 2 Chronicles 179

WHEDO 7 He sent to his princeshellip to teach mdash He committed the matter of

teaching to their oversight and care and the teaching was done by the Levites and priests as stated in the next verse He did well to put down idolatry but he was wise enough to know that unless the people were instructed they would soon apostatize again

ELLICOTT THE COMMISSIOERS OF PUBLIC ISTRUCTIO I THE LAW

(7) He sent to his princes even to Ben-hail to MichaiahmdashRather He sent his princes Ben- hail and Obadiah and Michaiah (The le ldquotordquo in the chroniclerrsquos idiom marking the object of the verb) If however Authorised Version were correct the construction would not be unique as the Speakerrsquos Com mentary asserts (Comp 2 Kings 57 ldquothis man sendeth to me to recover a manrdquo ampc)

Princesmdashone of the personages mentioned in this and the following verse are otherwise known The ldquofive princesrdquo were laymen of rank and were accompanied by nine (eight) Levites and two priests

Ben-hailmdashSon of valour A compound proper name only occurring here but analogous to Ben-hur Ben-deker and Ben-hesed in 1 Kings 48-10 (The LXX renders ldquothe sons of the mightyrdquo Syriac ldquothe chiefs of the forcesrdquo apparently reading bnecirc chail)

ethaneelmdashSyriac Mattanael Arabic Mattaniah Michaiah Syriac and Arabic Malachiah

GUZIK B The strength of Jehoshaphatrsquos kingdom

1 (2 Chronicles 177-10) The spiritual strength of the kingdom Jehoshaphat brings the Word of God to the people

Also in the third year of his reign he sent his leaders Ben-Hail Obadiah Zechariah ethanel and Michaiah to teach in the cities of Judah And with them he sent Levites Shemaiah ethaniah Zebadiah Asahel Shemiramoth Jehonathan Adonijah Tobijah and Tobadonijah the Levites and with them Elishama and Jehoram the priests So they taught in Judah and had the Book of the Law of the LORD with them they went throughout all the cities of Judah and taught the people And the fear of the LORD fell on all the kingdoms of the lands that were around Judah so that they did not make war against Jehoshaphat

a To teach in the cities of Judah These ldquoteaching priestsrdquo have been mentioned by the Chronicler before (2 Chronicles 153) They had the important role of bringing the word of God to the people especially those who lived outside of Jerusalem

b They taught in Judah and had the Book of the Law of the LORD with them they went throughout all the cities of Judah and taught the people This was the wisest

and best policy a security-conscious king of Judah could promote Because Jehoshaphat sought God first God sent fear upon the neighboring kingdoms so that they did not make war against Jehoshaphat

i ldquoBy this little band of princes Levites and priests sixteen in all Jehoshaphat did more toward impressing the surrounding nations with a sense of his power than the largest and best-equipped standing army could have secured to himrdquo (Knapp)

ii ldquoThe method adopted was what in these modern times we might describe as the holding of Special Missions throughout the cities of Judah for the specific purpose of proclaiming and interpreting lsquothe book of the law of Jehovahrsquordquo (Morgan)

iii ldquoo better service can be rendered to the nation than that of proclaiming the Word of Jehovah to the people in cities towns villages and hamlets By such proclamation the heart of the people may be turned to Jehovah and so He be enabled to do for them all that is in His heartrdquo (Morgan)

iv ldquoThus the nation became thoroughly instructed in their duty to God to the king and to each other They became therefore as one man and against a people thus united on such principles no enemy could be successfulrdquo (Clarke)

v Clarke observed how a similar itinerant ministry in the days of John Wesley and his followers impacted Britain ldquoSuch an itinerant ministry established in these kingdoms for upwards of fourscore years teaching the pure unadulterated doctrines of the Gospel with the propriety and necessity of obedience to the laws has been the principle means in the hand of God of preserving the lands from those convulsions and revolutions that have ruined and nearly dissolved the European continentrdquo

vi ldquoIt is said (2 Chronicles 172) Jehoshaphat place forces in all the fenced cities yet it is not said thereupon that lsquothe fear of the Lord fell upon the neighbour nationsrsquo But when he had established a preaching ministry in all the cities then his enemies had a fear and made no warrdquo (Trapp)

PULPIT He sent Hebrew שלח The Hebrew text distinctly says he sent to his princes not he sent his princes The meaning ismdashhe sent orders to his princes to see to it that Judah was taught (2 Chronicles 179) the book of the Law of the Lord (Le 2 Chronicles 1011 Deuteronomy 49 Deuteronomy 1718) not indeed without their own personal aid in whatever way able to be given but systematically and with authority by the Levites and priests (Deuteronomy 3310) This deeper fathoming of the needs of the time and of what constituted its real safety was greatly to the spiritual credit of Jehoshaphat The references (2 Chronicles 153 2 Chronicles 352-4 2 Chronicles 3510-12) are full of point one of these princes or Levites and priests are elsewhere mentioned by name

8 With them were certain LevitesmdashShemaiah ethaniah Zebadiah Asahel Shemiramoth Jehonathan Adonijah Tobijah and Tob-Adonijahmdashand the priests Elishama and Jehoram

GILL 2 Chronicles 178And with them he sent Levites With the five princes he sent nine Levites

even Shemaiah and Nethaniah and Zebadiah and Asahel and Shemiramoth and Jehonathan and Adonijah and Tobijah and Tobadonijah Levites of whom we nowhere else read no doubt they were principal persons and fit for the work they were sent about

and with them Elishama and Jehoram priests whose lips were to keep knowledge and at whose mouth the law was to be sought Mal_27

ELLICOTT (8) And with them he sent LevitesmdashRather And with them were the Levites The construction being changed So LXX and the Syriac (Comp 1 Chronicles 1641-42 1 Chronicles 1518 for the same mode of enumeration which is characteristic of the style of the chronicler

ZebadiahmdashSome MSS and Syriac and Arabic read Zechariah

ShemiramothmdashSo LXX and Vulg (see 1 Chronicles 165 1 Chronicles 1518) The Heb text is probably incorrect Syriac and Arabic read instead atucircra

Tob-adonijahmdashThis curious name occurs only here and is perhaps a mere mistake arising out of the preceding Adonijah and Tobijah The Syriac and Arabic omit it

PriestsmdashThe priests

The commission was a mixed one of civil and ecclesiastical persons (comp 1 Chronicles 131-2 1 Chronicles 232 1 Chronicles 246)

And had the book of the law of the LordmdashAnd with them was the book of the law (teaching) of Jehovah For the construction compare 1 Chronicles 1642 The writer

evidently means the Pentateuch and if this notice was derived by him from a contemporary source eg the ldquowords of Jehu the son of Hananirdquo to which he refers as an authority for the reign (2 Chronicles 2034) it would constitute an important testimony to the existence if not of the five books at least of an ancient collection of laws at this early date (circ 850 BC )

And taught the peoplemdashTaught among the people

9 They taught throughout Judah taking with them the Book of the Law of the Lord they went around to all the towns of Judah and taught the people

BARES There is no reasonable doubt that this ldquobook of the lawrdquo was the Pentateuch - nearly if not quite in the shape in which we now have it Copies of the whole Law were no doubt scarce and therefore Jehoshaphatrsquos commission took care to carry a copy with them

CLARKE Had the book of the law of the Lord with them - This was their text book it was the book of God they taught it as such and as such the people received it Its laws were Godrsquos laws and the people felt their obligation and their consciences were bound Thus they were obedient to the laws of the land on the principle of religion In this they were encouraged and confirmed by the example of all both in Church and state The princes were not only pious but were teachers of piety the Levites showed them the worth and excellence of their ritual institutions and the priests showed them the moral use they were to make of the whole and thus the people became obedient to God as well as to the king and kept all the civil ordinances not merely for the sake of a good king but for the sake of a good and gracious God By these means the nation enjoyed peace and prosperity and all insurrections seditions and popular commotions were prevented The surrounding nations perceiving this saw that there was no hope of subduing such a people so they made no war with Jehoshaphat 2Ch_1710 And they took care not to provoke such a people to fall on them therefore it is said The fear of the Lord fell on all the kingdoms and lands that were round about Judah Such an itinerant ministry established in these kingdoms for upwards of fourscore years

teaching the pure unadulterated doctrines of the Gospel with the propriety and necessity of obedience to the laws has been the principal means in the hand of God of preserving these lands from those convulsions and revolutions that have ruined and nearly dissolved the European continent The itinerant ministry to which this refers is that which was established in these lands by the late truly reverend highly learned and cultivated deeply pious and loyal John Wesley AM formerly a fellow of Lincoln College Oxford whose followers are known by the name of Methodists a people who are an honor to their country and a blessing to the government under which they live

GILL And they taught in Judah The people their duty to God and man

and had the book of the law of the Lord with them as the rule of their instruction and the peoples obedience out of this they taught them and by it confirmed what they taught and enforced it with the divine authority

and went about throughout all the cities of Judah not only their own cities the Levitical ones but all others

and taught the people the law of the Lord the fear and worship of God

JAMISO the book of the lawmdash that is either the whole Pentateuch or only the book of Deuteronomy which contains an abridgment of it

BESO 2 Chronicles 179 And they taught in Judah ampc mdash The Levites and priests were teachers by office Deuteronomy 3310 It was a part of the work for which they had their maintenance and indeed had little else to do But it seems they had neglected it pretending probably that they could not get the people to hear them Jehoshaphat therefore sends them with the princes who by their authority might require the people to assemble together to receive instruction in the laws of God and their duty ldquoWhat a great deal of goodrdquo says Henry ldquomay be done when Moses and Aaron thus go hand in hand in the doing of it when princes with their power and priests and Levites with their Scripture-learning agree to teach the people the good knowledge of God and their duty These itinerant judges and itinerant preachers together were instrumental to diffuse a blessed light throughout the cities of Judahrdquo And had the book of the law of the Lord with them mdash 1st For their own guidance that from thence they might draw all the instructions they gave to the people and not teach for doctrines the commandments of men 2d For the conviction or the people that they might see these priests and Levites had a divine warrant for what they said and delivered to them only that which they had received from the Lord

TRAPP 2 Chronicles 179 And they taught in Judah and [had] the book of the law of the LORD with them and went about throughout all the cities of Judah and taught the people

Ver 9 And had the book of the law of the Lord with them] They taught not

traditions human inventions or unwritten verities All their doctrines came cum privilegio and were Scripture proof

WHEDO 9 The book of the law mdash Our Pentateuch in substantially its present form ldquoCopies of the whole law were no doubt scarce and therefore Jehoshaphatrsquos commission took care to carry a copy with themrdquo mdash Rawlinson

PARKER And they taught in Judah and had the book of the law of the Lord with them and went about throughout all the cities of Judah and taught the people ( 2 Chronicles 179)

This was a mixed commission partly civil partly ecclesiastical The men here mentioned are otherwise unknown We identify them as educational reformers or reformers who operated through the medium of education they were not warriors destroyers revolutionists but men who addressed the mind and the understanding and the conscience and caused men to know that the true law was from above and not from beneath The book which the commission had in hand was the Pentateuch or the law of Moses This was known to be the law which alone could touch all the vital necessities of the commonwealth Again and again we are constrained to admit that there is a law beyond Prayer of Manasseh above Prayer of Manasseh in a sense apart from man men are not driven within themselves to find a law an instinct or a reason they have a written statute an authoritative declaration a book which Christian teachers do not hesitate to describe as a Revelation and to that they call the attention of men If the teacher were teaching out of his own consciousness he would be but an equal often exposing himself to the destructive criticism of his more advanced and penetrating scholars but the teacher takes his stand upon a book upon the Book the Bible a revelation which he believes to be divine and final Say what we will the effect of Bible teaching must be judged by its fruits Where are the nations that are most distinguished for wide and varied intelligence for large and exhaustive sympathy for missionary enterprise for philanthropic institutions and for all the elements which give grace and beauty to social existence The question should admit of definite reply the facts are before men let them judge fearlessly and honestly and we need have no apprehension concerning their verdict Wherever the word of the Lord has had free course superstition has been chased away human slavery has been abolished every instance of intolerance injustice unkindness has felt the influence of holy thought in all these matters discussion should be limited strictly to facts Thus kings can help nations not by forcing education not by attempting to rule opinion not by setting up standards of orthodoxy to fall short of which is to incur penalty but by spreading education by extending light by cultivating a spirit of inquiry and by a generous multiplication of all the instrumentalities needed for the destruction of ignorance What may come of this we are not supposed at this moment to know Meanwhile let us be thankful that we are face to face with a man who has conviction courage independence high patriotic and generous impulse and let us hope that his end may be as beautiful as his beginning was promising

SIMEO THE ROYAL EDICT

ADVERTISEMETmdashThe author feels it necessary to prefix to this Sermon some short account of the occasion on which it was delivered

The author was at Amsterdam (in June 1818) partly with a view of re-establishing there an Episcopal Chapel in which there had been no service for seven years but principally with a view of seeking the welfare of the Children of Israel He went thither rather to explore than to act (See ehemiah 212-16) But just previous to the 18th of June he understood that the Third Anniversary of the Battle of Waterloo was to be kept throughout the etherlands as a day of thanksgiving and just at that time also he quite accidentally heard that the King of the etherlands had a year before issued an Edict requiring all the Jews to educate their children in the knowledge of their own Scriptures and calling upon all his Christian Subjects to aid in this good work Despondency not unlike to that which paralyzed all exertion at Jerusalem in ehemiahrsquos days so universally prevailed that no one had risen to the occasion the very Commissioners who had been appointed to carry the Edict into effect had published a Report in which they gave it as their opinion ldquothat the Lordrsquos time was not comerdquo and there was great danger that the gracious designs of the Monarch would be altogether frustrated The author therefore judged this a fit occasion for calling the attention of the Public to the Edict and accordingly after devoting the Morning Service to the more appropriate subject of the day he employed the Evening Service in an endeavour to forward this good work Considerable attention was excited to the subject by means of the Sermon which was therefore instantly printed in Dutch French and English for the purpose of its being circulated throughout the etherlands and he has reason to hope that active exertions were afterwards made in many places to promote what every benevolent mind must ardently desire the edification and welfare of the Jewish People

So good an example having been set by the Emperor of Russia and the King of the etherlands the author hopes that the attention of our own Governors also both in Church and State may be called to this long-neglected People and that now the British Public has been invited by authority (the Kingrsquos Letter) to aid in supporting Missions to the Heathen World the claims of the Jewish ation to whom under God we owe all the light that we ourselves enjoy will not be overlooked It is with a view to this great object that the author sends forth the Sermon in this country where if the foregoing explanation had not been given its relevancy and use might have been justly called in question

2 Chronicles 179 And they taught in Judah and had the book of the law of the Lord with them and went about throughout all the cities of Judah and taught the people

O a day set apart for thanksgiving to God for mercies received it is peculiarly proper to consider what we may render unto the Lord for all his benefits Certainly if any event ever deserved repeated annual commemoration it is that which has

freed the world from the most grievous tyranny that ever it endured Of the bitter cup which was put into the hands of every nation in Europe this nation [ote The etherlands] drank very deeply and the change which it has experienced in the restoration of their rightful Monarch and in the establishment of a free Constitution calls for their devoutest acknowledgments to Almighty God Doubtless we may with justice pay some tribute of honour to those who by their counsels and their arms effected the overthrow of the Usurper but it is God alone who giveth victory to kings and to whom the glory of this great victory must be primarily ascribed and he who accounts a day consecrated to this service superfluous shews that he is far from justly appreciating the blessings that have been conferred upon him The monarch himself has given to his people a very decided evidence that he feels the depth of his obligations to the God of his salvation and it will be your own loss if you do not cultivate a similar spirit and improve the occasion to the honour of your God

But it is not to thanksgiving only that your Monarch invites you he calls you by a special Edict to unite with him in seeking the welfare of your Jewish Brethren who in their struggle with the enemy signally approved their fidelity to their legitimate Sovereign Their welfare he in his turn studies to promote and he desires to combine the energies of all his subjects in efforts for their good Methinks he is like Jehoshaphat of old who well knowing that piety must be founded in knowledge and happiness in piety sent forth the Princes of his empire with a select number of Priests and Levites to instruct his people in the knowledge of Godrsquos blessed word

His edict on this occasion and the manner in which it was carried into effect will form the subject of my present discourse

I Then we notice the edict of King Jehoshaphatmdash

This was such as became a great and pious monarch and we shall find it not unprofitable or unsuitable to the present occasion to enter into a distinct consideration of it We observe then that it was a kind and benevolent edict a wise and politic edict a good and beneficial edict

Mark the benevolence displayed in it He sought the present and eternal welfare of his subjects He knew that as men are raised above the beasts by the exercise of reason so are they elevated in the scale of rational beings in proportion as their intellectual powers are cultivated and enlarged Man destitute of knowledge is a mere savage but when instructed in the various branches of science he becomes refined and civilized and capable of contributing to the general good In the very cultivation of knowledge there is much pleasure arising to the mind and in the application of that knowledge to useful purposes there is an exquisite delight We need only observe persons when employed in their several vocations how happy they are how contented how cheerful oftentimes unconsciously proclaiming their happiness like the birds of the air in festal songs or consciously and with devotion in songs of praise

But it was not mere intellectual improvement which Jehoshaphat sought to convey he wished his people to be instructed in the knowledge of that God whom they professed to fear and worship This alone could make them truly happy this alone could impart to them sound wisdom or solid consolation He therefore gave particular directions that they should be taught ldquoin the Book of the Law of the Lordrdquo and this throughout the whole land O happy people whose governor so employed the authority with which he was invested And happy that monarch who so improved his influence not for his own personal aggrandizement but for the best interests of the people committed to his charge In so doing he approved himself to be indeed what every governor should be the friend and father of his people

or was the policy of this measure at all inferior to its benevolence A people well instructed in moral and religious knowledge will view government as an ordinance of God and will learn to obey the constituted authorities not so much from fear of their wrath as for conscience sake towards God They will view their governors as Godrsquos vicegerents upon earth and will consider allegiance to them as an essential part of their duty to him Hence will spring up love in their hearts and a real delight in manifesting on all proper occasions their loyalty to their king they will form a bulwark around his person in case of necessity and even glory in laying down their lives for him as their greatest benefactor

The benefits arising from this edict were incalculable Such was the effect of it that the fear of Jehoshaphat and of Jehovah as his protector fell on all the nations that were round about him so that none however hostile in their hearts dared to make war against him [ote ver 10] Doubtless this resulted chiefly from an impression made upon their minds by God himself yet it was also produced by a dread of that energy which an united people were ready to put forth at any instant at the call of their beloved monarch At the same time that peace was thus secured prosperity reigned in every part of the empire and as the immediate fruit of it Jehoshaphat as well as the people ldquohad riches and honour in abundance [ote ver 5]rdquo In his own mind too he reaped the fruits of his own benevolence God smiled upon him and manifested himself to him and enabled him to walk with ldquohis heart lifted up in the ways of the Lord [ote ver 6]rdquo

Such was the edict of the pious Jehoshaphatmdashbenevolent politic beneficial And what I would ask is the Edict which has been issued by the highest authority in this kingdom Do we not see in it the same blessed characters as in that which we have been considering It was ldquoin the third year of his reign [ote ver 7]rdquo that Jehoshaphat sent forth teachers to enlighten and instruct his subjects The very instant he felt himself at liberty from the more urgent and pressing calls of duty (such as the fortifying of his land against foreign enemies and the correcting of some great internal abuses) he engaged in this good work of diffusing light and knowledge through all classes of the community In like manner the sovereign of this kingdom has scarcely had time to repair the ravages of war and to establish his empire too long weakened and impoverished by a cruel usurpation before he stands forth as the friend and father of his people and more especially of that portion of them who have in every age and place been most treated with neglect and

disdain to have them educated in scriptural knowledge and in the fear of God It is much to be lamented that the Jewish people have not in general been so attentive either to the learning or morals of their children as might be wished and hence arose a necessity for some authoritative admonition on the subject Yet if I may say it without offence this neglect has not been more reprehensible in them than has been the indifference with which the Christian world has regarded it The monarch (may God recompense it richly into his bosom) has risen up to remedy the supineness both of the one and the other and to call forth the united energies of all to correct and terminate this evil Yet whilst he thus consults the best interests of his subjects with what paternal tenderness has he guarded against wounding the feelings of any or exciting their religious prejudices The Scriptures of the Old Testament are alone to be used in the schools that shall be established even those Scriptures which Jews as well as Christians believe to have been given by inspiration of God and to contain truth without any mixture of error In this is marked the policy no less than the benevolence of the edict for it is not by constraint but by conciliation and kindness that good is to be done to any and more especially to those who have shewn themselves now for so many centuries proof against all the efforts of intimidation or force In this kingdom they form no small body and I may add no unimportant portion of the community It is well known how extensive is their influence in the affairs of commerce and how by their activity they contribute to enrich the state Hence it is now generally seen and felt that they are entitled to the same respect as any other subjects of the realm and whilst as in the present instance they see how deeply their monarch feels interested in their welfare they cannot but on their part be sensible of the privileges they enjoy under his paternal government and testify their gratitude to him by every possible expression of loyalty and affection

What the ultimate effect of these measures will be may be conjectured from the blessed results of the edict of Jehoshaphat all will feel themselves happy under the government of such a prince and he whilst he is respected abroad and beloved at home will have the happiness of seeing his labours crowned with prosperity throughout his dominions and with peace in his own soul

II The manner in which Jehoshaphatrsquos edict was carried into execution is now to be noticedmdash

The promptness with which his commands were executed deserves the highest praise All were ready to co-operate in this good work as soon as it was proposed ldquoPrinces and priests and Levites [ote ver 7 8]rdquo all addressed themselves to it instantly with one heart and one soul one accounted their dignity so high or their functions so sacred but they thought it an honour to be employed in such a service and found a delight in fulfilling the wishes of their revered monarch all entered into the work with zeal and prosecuted it with diligence and hence a rapid change was effected both in the temporal and spiritual condition of the whole nation And what may not be effected in this kingdom also if a similar zeal be exercised by ldquothe princes and priestsrdquo (the magistrates and clergy) of the land With them it must begin Those who move in a lower station can effect nothing if they be not aided and

countenanced by the higher orders whose rank in life or sacredness of character will give a tone to the general feeling and combine the energies of the whole kingdom If it be said that those for whom the benefit is designed do not feel a desire after it this only shews how much they need it and how earnestly we should all embark in a cause proposed by such high authority and recommended by the soundest dictates of wisdom and piety

That our obligations to unite in this labour of love may the more distinctly appear I would beg leave to suggest the following considerations

First Loyalty to the king demands our concurrence with him in this good work and a holy emulation amongst us to carry into effect his benevolent designs What can the greatest or best of men effect (what could Jehoshaphat himself have done) if there be none to act in subserviency to them and to follow their directions As the most potent monarch upon earth would in vain proclaim war if there were no soldiers found to enlist under his banners and to execute his commands so it will be in vain that the design of benefiting the Jewish people was ever conceived in the mind of the king or that his edict respecting them was ever issued if his subjects do not put forth their energies in obedience to his call In truth a backwardness to co-operate with him in this blessed work would seem like a reflection cast upon him as recommending a measure that was unworthy of attention I do not mean to insinuate that such an idea really exists in the minds of any for I am perfectly convinced it does not but certainly in appearance it is open to this construction and every subject of the empire is concerned to act in such a way as to cut off all occasion for a reflection like this I say loyalty alone even if we had no higher motive should be sufficient to call forth our exertions in this cause

But let me next observe that gratitude to the Jewish nation demands it at our hands How great how manifold are our obligations to them Behold Moses and the prophets what instruction have they given us in reference to the way of life and salvation Without the moral law as revealed by Moses we should never have known to what an extent we need a Saviour nor if the prophecies had not so fully designated the promised Messiah could we have ever so fully known that Jesus was the Christ Of whom did the Lord Jesus Christ himself come as pertaining to the flesh but from the loins of David and of the seed of Abraham Yet to him are we indebted for all that we either have or hope for in time or in eternity And who were the Apostles but Jews who for our sakes went forth preaching the word and counted not their lives dear to them so that they might but lead us to the knowledge of Christ and make us partakers of his salvation From them too we have received the lively oracles which are the one source of all spiritual knowledge and the one foundation of all our hopes Does all this call for no recompence at our hands Knowing as we do the vast importance of education should we not endeavour to impart it to those from whose ancestors we have received such innumerable such inestimable benefits Yet behold these are the people whom for many many centuries we have treated with more neglect and contempt than any other people upon the face of the earth the savages of the most distant climes have received more attention from us than they Surely it is high time that the Christian world awake to

a sense of their duty and begin to shew to the Jews somewhat of that love which their forefathers exercised towards us in our Gentile state We are debtors to them to a vast amount and it is high time that we begin to discharge our debt And how can we discharge it better than by enabling them to read and understand those very oracles which they have preserved with such fidelity and which testify so fully of their promised Messiah

Further A love to the rising generation should lead us to avail ourselves of the present opportunity to promote their welfaremdashIt is truly afflictive to see how low and degraded is the state of multitudes especially of the Jewish nation purely through the neglect with which they are treated in their early youth and still more grievous is it to reflect on their ignorance of those things which belong to their everlasting peace To counteract this we should endeavour to qualify the whole of their population for good and useful employments and through the medium of useful instruction to make them holy and to make them happy We need never be afraid that there will not be a sufficient number of poor to fill the lower stations do what we will there will never be wanting persons who through their own fault or misfortunes are necessitated to undertake the lowest offices of life And if they have been previously instructed in the Scriptures of Truth they will have a fund of consolation ever open to them in their deepest afflictions they will learn from the inspired volume in whatsoever state they are there-with to be content and in the prospect of the eternal world they will find joys with which a stranger intermeddleth not and which the world can neither give nor take away We feel the force of these considerations in reference to the poor of our own communion how is it that we feel it not in reference to our Jewish Brethren This is a partiality unworthy of us and we should rise as one man to wipe off this disgrace from our own character

This brings me to the last consideration which I propose to mention namely that a concern for the honour of our holy religion should operate to unite us all in executing the Royal EdictmdashWhat must a Jew think of our religion when he sees how little it has wrought for us in the production of love We may tell him of a Messiah who has loved us and laid down his life for us but what credit will he give us for our principles when he sees how little our practice corresponds with them May he not well say to us ldquoPhysician heal thyselfrdquo Shew by your conduct the superiority of your principles before you call on me to embrace them It is by love that we must win them it is by shewing kindness to them that we must efface from their hearts those prejudices which with too much reason they entertain against us We must exhibit in our own person the loveliness of Christianity before we can bring them to investigate the grounds of our faith or to imagine that they can improve their own condition by embracing it May I not then call upon you as Christians to unite in the good work that is now before you that you may thereby serve and glorify your Lord and Saviour As Christians you believe that there is no other way to the Father but by Christ [ote John 146] and no other name but his whereby any human being can be saved [ote Acts 412] Where is your piety where is your love to Christ where is even common humanity if you will not avail yourselves of the present opportunity to remove from before your Jewish Brethren

the stumbling-blocks which for so many ages have been laid in their way

Do any ask What shall we do I answer search out amongst the Jews some persons of probity and talent to commence schools among them and do you yourselves aid to the utmost of your power in the support of them provide them with all necessary books for instructing children in the first rudiments of knowledge provide them with Bibles also both in the Dutch and Hebrew languages that they may be thoroughly instructed in the knowledge of their own religion and learn to walk in the steps of their father Abraham and of all the holy prophets

Begin too without loss of time Adult Schools You will find many among the house of Israel who will be glad to avail themselves of your instructions Let those who are benevolent amongst you dedicate an hour in a day to the instructing of a few who may be desirous to learn and carefully avoid every thing which may give unnecessary offence Confine yourselves to the Old Testament which they venerate as well as you Let those who can teach only in the Dutch language give instruction in that and let those who either understand or have leisure to attain the Hebrew tongue draw their attention to that In particular let it be the united endeavour of all to qualify masters for this good work

And let it not be thought that this is the duty of men only The Royal Edict has particularly and with great wisdom recommended it to females who may be of infinite service in conveying instruction to their own sex This age is distinguished above all others for the activity of females in the service of God and in the performance of every good work Were I able to declare the proportion of good that is done in Britain by the female sex it would appear incredible I believe from my soul that it far exceeds one half in all the societies raised since the commencement of the present century in the Bible Society the Missionary Societies and the Society for Promoting the Knowledge of Christianity amongst the Jews yes let the ladies of this country exert themselves in a prudent modest and discreet way and the effects will soon appear the Royal Edict will not be a dead letter but will produce incalculable good to the whole nationmdashand the agents in this benevolent work will themselves receive quite as much benefit as they impart their benevolence being in proportion as it is exercised its own reward

10 The fear of the Lord fell on all the kingdoms of the lands surrounding Judah so that they did not go to war against Jehoshaphat

GILL And the fear of the Lord fell upon all the kingdoms of the lands that were round about Judah Upon the ten tribes and on foreign nations about them as Moabites Edomites Syrians Egyptians Arabs and Philistines this fear as it came from the Lord so might be raised and increased by observing that religion was revived in them for they might perceive by former observations made that the more religious these people were the more prosperous and formidable they were

so that they made no war against Jehoshaphat to interrupt him in the work of reformation he was so intent upon

HERY We have here a further account of Jehoshaphats great prosperity and the flourishing state of his kingdom

I He had good interest in the neighbouring princes and nations Though he was not perhaps so great a soldier as David (which might have made him their terror) nor so great a scholar as Solomon (which might have made him their oracle) yet the fear of the Lord fell so upon them (that is God so influenced and governed their spirits) that they had all a reverence for him 2Ch_1710 And 1 None of them made war against himGods good providence so ordered it that while the princes and priests were instructing and reforming the country none of his neighbours gave him any molestations to take him off from that good work Thus when Jacob and his sons were going to worship at Bethel the terror of God was upon the neighbouring cities that they did not pursue after them Gen_355 and see Exo_3424 2 Many of them brought presents to him (2Ch_1711) to secure his friendship Perhaps these were a tribute imposed upon them by Asa who made himself master of the cities of the Philistines and the tents of the Arabians 2Ch_1414 2Ch_1415 With the 7700 rams and the same number of he-goats which the Arabians brought there was probably a proportionable number of ewes and lambs she-goats and kids

KampD This attempt of Jehoshaphat brought him this blessing that the terror of Jahve fell upon all the surrounding kingdoms and not only did none of the neighbouring peoples venture to make war upon him but also various tribes did homage to him by presents Ramb has already so understood the connection of these verses (erat hoc praemium pietatis Josaphati quod vicini satisque potentes hostes non auderent adversus ipsum hiscere) while Berth fails to apprehend it saying that Jehoshaphat had time to care for the instruction of his people because at that time the neighbouring peoples did not venture to undertake war against Judah The words ldquoterror of Jahverdquo cf 2Ch_1413 2Ch_2029 and ldquoall the kingdoms of the landsrdquo cf 2Ch_128 1Ch_2930 are expressions peculiar to the author of the Chronicle which show that by these remarks he is preparing the way for a transition to a more detailed

portrayal of Jehoshaphats political power מן־(לש)ים is subject מן partitive some of the

Philistines brought him presents (for מנחה see on 2Ch_175) ldquoand silver a burdenrdquo ie

in great quantity מא does not signify tribute vectigal argento (Vulg) for the word has

not that signification but denotes burden that which can be carried as in מא לאן

2Ch_2025 - 2Ch_2116 2Ch_221 ערבים 2Ch_267 and more usually ערב-ים or ערביאים

are Arabian nomadic tribes (Bedacircwin) perhaps those whom Asa after his victory over the Cushite Zerah had brought under the kingdom of Judah 2Ch_1414 These paid

their tribute in small cattle rams and he-goats (ישים( Gen_3035 Gen_3215 Pro_

3031)

BESO 2 Chronicles 1710 The fear of the Lord fell upon all the kingdoms ampc mdash Justly concluding from his singular piety that God would eminently appear for him for even the heathen could not but observe that the kings of Judah were either prosperous or unhappy according as they served God or forsook him So that they made no war against Jehoshaphat mdash Godrsquos good providence so ordered it that while the princes and priests were instructing and endeavouring to reform the country none of his neighbours gave him any molestation to take him off from that good work

COFFMA All of this peace and prosperity were directly due to the respect which Jehoshaphat had shown to the Law of God and to his efforts to teach that word to all the people It is no problem that much of the material here is omitted in Kings because the primary focus there was political whereas in Chronicles the focus is upon the spiritual and religious significance of the same history

TRAPP 2 Chronicles 1710 And the fear of the LORD fell upon all the kingdoms of the lands that [were] round about Judah so that they made no war against Jehoshaphat

Ver 10 And the fear of the Lord fell upon all the kingdoms] It is said [2 Chronicles 172] Jehoshaphat placed forces in all the fenced cities yet it is not said thereupon that the fear of the Lord fell upon the neighbour nations But when he had established a preaching ministry in all the cities then his enemies had a fear and made no war

POOLE Justly concluding from this singular piety that God would eminently appear for him and against all those who had ill will to him which was their case For even the heathens could not but observe that the kings of Judah were either prosperous or unhappy accordingly as they served God or forsook him

ELLICOTT (10) The fear of the LordmdashA dread of Jehovah (pachad) aps 2029 (Comp Exodus 1516 1 Samuel 117 Isaiah 210 ) This phrase is not peculiar to the chronicler as Keil and Bertheau assert ldquoThe kingdoms of the landsrdquo is so (2 Chronicles 128 1 Chronicles 2930)

They made no warmdashThe reward of Jehosha-phatrsquos piety (1 Chronicles 229

Proverbs 167) ldquoWhen a manrsquos ways please the Lord he maketh even his enemies to be at peace with himrdquo (Comp also Genesis 355)

11 Some Philistines brought Jehoshaphat gifts and silver as tribute and the Arabs brought him flocks seven thousand seven hundred rams and seven thousand seven hundred goats

BARES Some of the Philistines brought Jehoshaphat presents - i e ldquosome of the Philistines were among his tributariesrdquo Compare 2Sa_82 1Ki_421

Tribute silver - Or ldquomuch silverrdquo - literally ldquosilver of burthenrdquo

The Arabians - The Arab tribes who bordered Judaea to the south and the southeast paid Jehoshaphat a fixed tribute in kind Compare 2Ki_34 note

CLARKE The Philistines brought - presents - They and the Arabians purchased peace with the king of Judah by paying an annual tribute The Philistines brought silver and no doubt different kinds of merchandise The Arabs whose riches consisted in cattle brought him flocks in great abundance principally rams and he-goats

GILL Also some of the Philistines brought Jehoshaphat presents and tribute silver Perhaps those of Gerar and the parts adjacent Asa took and spoiled and made tributary 2Ch_1414

and the Arabians brought him flocks seven thousand and seven hundred rams and seven thousand and seven hundred he goats with which their country abounded and these might be the Scenite Arabs who fearing lest Jehoshaphat should fall upon them and take away their flocks as his father had done 2Ch_1415 brought these presents to him

JAMISO Also some of the Philistines brought Jehoshaphat presents and tribute silvermdash either they had been his tributaries or they were desirous of securing his valuable friendship and now made a voluntary offer of tribute Perhaps

they were the Philistines who had submitted to the yoke of David (2Sa_81 Psa_608)

the Arabiansmdash the nomad tribes on the south of the Dead Sea who seeking the protection of Jehoshaphat after his conquest of Edom paid their tribute in the way most suitable to their pastoral habits - the present of so many head of cattle

BESO 2 Chronicles 1711 Some of the Philistines brought presents mdash They had been subject to Judah ever since Davidrsquos time but it seems had neglected this duty in the times of his predecessors but were now moved by their own fears to perform it And the Arabians brought him flocks mdash Either because he had upon some just occasion waged war against them and subdued them or because they voluntarily put themselves under his protection in recompense whereof they sent him these presents or only as a free acknowledgment of their respect for him

TRAPP 2 Chronicles 1711 Also [some] of the Philistines brought Jehoshaphat presents and tribute silver and the Arabians brought him flocks seven thousand and seven hundred rams and seven thousand and seven hundred he goats

Ver 11 Also some of the Philistines] These having been subdued by David had withheld their tribute for a time but now seeing Jehoshaphatrsquos growing greatness they bring it in with the better that no offence might be taken at their former neglect The word here used signifieth honorary gifts or oblations pacifications

ldquo Placatur donis Iupiter ipse datis rdquo

Think the same of the Arabians See 2 Chronicles 1414-15

POOLE Some of the Philistines who had been subjects to this kingdom ever since Davidrsquos time but it seems had neglected this duty in the times of his predecessors but now were moved by their own fears to perform it

The Arabians brought him flocks either because he had upon some just occasion waged war against them and subdued them though the particulars of it be not described in Scripture or because they voluntarily put themselves under his protection in recompence whereof they sent him those presents or only as a free acknowledgment of their respects to him

ELLICOTT (11) Broughtmdashie continually Such is the force of the participle

PresentsmdashAn offering ie tribute (minchah 2 Chronicles 175)

And tribute silvermdashRather and silver a load or burden ie a great quantity (massacircrsquo) 2 Chronicles 2025 As if ldquosilver as much as they could carryrdquomdasha natural hyperbole ot all the five states of the Philistines were subject to Jehoshaphat (Comp 2 Samuel 81)

The ArabiansmdashlsquoArbicircrsquoim here only equivalent to lsquoArbicircyicircm (2 Chronicles 267) and

lsquoArbim (2 Chronicles 2116) They are in each case grouped with the Philistines The nomad Bedacircwin conquered by Asa (2 Chronicles 1415) appear to be meant here or else some tribes which recognised the overlordship of Jehoshaphat after his reduction of Edom (2 Chronicles 2022 sqq)

Brought him flocksmdashComp Mesha of Moabrsquos tribute to Ahab (2 Kings 34)

GUZIK 2 (2 Chronicles 1711-19) The international strength of Jehoshaphatrsquos kingdom

Also some of the Philistines brought Jehoshaphat presents and silver as tribute and the Arabians brought him flocks seven thousand seven hundred rams and seven thousand seven hundred male goats So Jehoshaphat became increasingly powerful and he built fortresses and storage cities in Judah He had much property in the cities of Judah and the men of war mighty men of valor were in Jerusalem These are their numbers according to their fathersrsquo houses Of Judah the captains of thousands Adnah the captain and with him three hundred thousand mighty men of valor and next to him was Jehohanan the captain and with him two hundred and eighty thousand and next to him was Amasiah the son of Zichri who willingly offered himself to the LORD and with him two hundred thousand mighty men of valor Of Benjamin Eliada a mighty man of valor and with him two hundred thousand men armed with bow and shield and next to him was Jehozabad and with him one hundred and eighty thousand prepared for war These served the king besides those the king put in the fortified cities throughout all Judah

a Some of the Philistines brought Jehoshaphat presents and silver as tribute and the Arabians brought him flocks Jehoshaphatrsquos commitment to personal and public godliness meant that God exalted his kingdom above the neighboring nations even as God promised in Deuteronomy 281-13

b These served the king The true treasure of Jehoshaphatrsquos kingdom was not numbered only in security or material things but also in the dedicated and courageous men he had surrounding him these mighty men of valor

i Amasiah the son of Zichri who willingly offered himself to the LORD ldquoAmasiah is a man of whom we do not know anything beyond this ndash he lsquowillingly offered himself unto the Lordrsquo There must have been a turning-point in his career a time when first he knew the grace of God which wrought such a change in him There must have been a waking up to the feeling that God deserved his love and his liferdquo (Spurgeon)

ii Amasiah was a ready servant of the Lord this particularly notable because he did it in an otherwise secular calling

middot o one had to press him into service

middot o one had to seek him out for service

middot o one had to look after him once he had begun serving

middot o one had to lead him

iii ldquoThere is no lawful occupation in which a man cannot thoroughly serve the Lord It is a great privilege and blessing to be set apart to the work of winning souls but we must never separate that work from all the rest of the callings of life as though it alone were sacred and all the rest were secular and almost sinful Serve God where you arerdquo (Spurgeon)

PULPIT The presents were probably enough in the nature of tribute the fixed rate of which is sometimes alluded to (1 Kings 421 1 Kings 1025 2 Samuel 82) but it is doubtful whether the word משא purports to say this The word means bearing or carrying and then a burden load or weight The expression (2 Chronicles 2025) more than they could carry away where this word is used favours the idea that the meaning here is silver of great weight Probably the moral significance and historical interest whether of this statement respecting the Philistines or the following respecting the Arabians lies in the fact that both of them brought without more ado their payments and did not seek to slip out of their engagements with Judah and Judahs king ote for confirmation of this view 2 Kings 34 2 Kings 35

12 Jehoshaphat became more and more powerful he built forts and store cities in Judah

GILL And Jehoshaphat waxed great exceedingly In wealth and riches power and authority in his forces and fortifications

and he built in Judah castles and cities of stores castles for the defence of his kingdom and store cities to lay up corn and wine and all provisions in case of an invasion or against a time of war

HERY II He had a very considerable stores laid up in the cities of Judah He pulled down his barns and built larger (2Ch_1712) castles and cities of store for arms and victuals He was a man of business and aimed at the public good in all his

undertakings either to preserve the peace or prepare for war

JAMISO 2Ch_1712-19 His greatness captains and armies

KampD Description of Jehoshaphats power - 2Ch_1712 And Jehoshaphat became

ever greater sc in power The partic הולך expresses the continuous advance in

greatness cf Ew sect280 b as the infin absol does elsewhere eg Gen_83 למעלה as עד

in 2Ch_1612 - He built castles in Judah ירנ-ות only here and in 2Ch_274 from ירנית

derivative formed from ירה by the Syriac termination נית- fem of ן- castle fortress On

מסנות cf 2Ch_84 ערי

TRAPP 2 Chronicles 1712 And Jehoshaphat waxed great exceedingly and he built in Judah castles and cities of store

Ver 12 And Jehoshaphat waxed great exceedingly] Heb He was going and growing By humility and the fear of the Lord are riches and honour and life [Proverbs 224]

And he built in Judah castles] Bironeoth πυργους turres So did the Burgundians and thence had their names

And cities of store] Granaries in the Hebrew they have their name from their utility or usefulness

ELLICOTT (12) And Jehoshaphat waxed greatmdashLiterally And Jehoshaphat was going on and waxing great ie became greater and greater (Comp 1 Chronicles 119)

ExceedinglymdashlsquoAd lĕmagraversquolah This phrase occurs again in 2 Chronicles 1612 2 Chronicles 268 and nowhere else in the Old Testament (See on 1 Chronicles 142)

And he builtmdashLike his predecessorsmdashSolomon Rehoboam Asamdashhe displayed his wealth and power in great public works The records of the Assyrian and Babylonian sovereigns are largely taken up with similar accounts of temple and palace building

CastlesmdashBiranicircyocircth a derivative from birah (1 Chronicles 291 1 Chronicles 2919 comp Syriac here birocircthocirc) It only recurs at 2 Chronicles 274 It is an Aramaic term (Comp bicircranyacircthacirc which in the Targums means ldquopalacesrdquo)

Cities of storesmdashComp 2 Chronicles 84 2 Chronicles 164 Exodus 111

PULPIT Castles This rendering better than palaces (margin) wound bear improving to the rather stronger word fortresses Hebrew בירניות found only here and in 2 Chronicles 274 plur of בירנית connected with the Chaldee and later Hebrew בירה of Ezra 62 ehemiah 11 Esther 12 Daniel 82 Cities of store (see note under 2 Chronicles 84 see also 1 Kings 919 Exodus 111)

13 and had large supplies in the towns of Judah He also kept experienced fighting men in Jerusalem

CLARKE He hadmuch business in the cities - He kept the people constantly employed they had wages for their work and by their labors the empire was both enriched and strengthened

GILL And he had much business in the cities of Judah Partly in fortifying them and partly in reforming the inhabitants of them

and the men of war mighty men of valour were in Jerusalem or by or near unto it so the particle is rendered Jos_513 they encamped in places adjacent to it for such a number of men as follows even 1160000 could never be contained in Jerusalem but must be disposed of in the territories of it nor did they wait on the king together but in course see 2Ch_1719 by which it appears there is no need to suppose any mistake of the transcriber in any or all of the following sums as has been suggested (q)

HERY 13-19 III He had the militia in good order It was never in better since David modelled it Five lord-lieutenants (if I may so call them) are here named with the numbers of those under their command (the serviceable men that were fit for war in their respective districts) three in Judah and two in Benjamin It is said of one of these great commanders Amasiah that he willingly offered himself unto the Lord (2Ch_1716) not only to the king to serve him in this post but to the Lord to glorify him in it He was the most eminent among them for religion he accepted the place not for the

honour or power or profit of it but for conscience sake towards God that he might serve his country It was usual for great generals then to offer of their spoils to the Lord 1Ch_2626 But this good man offered himself first to the Lord and then his dedicated things The number of the soldiers under these five generals amounts to 1160000 men a vast number for so small a compass of ground as Judahs and Benjamins lot to furnish out and maintain Abijah could bring into the field but 400000 (2Ch_133) Asa not 600000 (2Ch_148) yet Jehoshaphat has at command almost 1200000 But it must be considered 1 That God had promised to make the seed of Abraham like the sand of the sea for number 2 There had now been a long peace 3 We may suppose that the city of Jerusalem was very much enlarged 4 Many had come over to them from the kingdom of Israel (2Ch_1519) which would increase the numbers of the people 5 Jehoshaphat was under a special blessing of God which made his affairs to prosper greatly The armies we may suppose were dispersed all the country over and each man resided for the most part on his own estate but they appeared often to be mustered and trained and were ready at call whenever there was occasion The commanders waited on the king (2Ch_1719) as officers of his court privy-counsellors and ministers of state

But lastly observe It was not this formidable army that struck a terror upon the neighbouring nations that restrained them from attempting any thing against Israel or obliged them to pay tribute but the fear of God which fell upon them when Jehoshaphat reformed his country and set up a preaching ministry in it 2Ch_1710 The ordinances of God are more the strength and safety of a kingdom than its military force - its men of God more than its men of war

KampD 2Ch_1713

וגווגווגווגו רהרהרהרה is rightly translated by Luther ldquound hatte viel Vorrathsrdquo (and ומלעכהומלעכהומלעכהומלעכה

had much store) מלעכהמלעכהמלעכהמלעכה denotes here as in Exo_227-10 property that which has been gained by work or business The signification much work opera magna (Vulg Cler etc) as also Bertheaus translation ldquothe works for equipping and provisioning the fortressesrdquo correspond neither to the context nor to the parallel (synonymous) second member of the verse The work and trouble necessary to equip the cities of Judah does not correspond to ldquothe valiant warriors in Jerusalemrdquo the only parallel is the goods and property which were in these cities the provision of victuals and war material there stored up

BESO 2 Chronicles 1713 He had much business in the cities of Judah mdash To repair and fortify them and furnish them with provisions and to purge out all the relics of idolatry and injustice which were more secretly and craftily managed in the cities than in the country and which were first and most prevalent in the cities and thence spread their infection into the country around them

TRAPP 2 Chronicles 1713 And he had much business in the cities of Judah and the men of war mighty men of valour [were] in Jerusalem

Ver 13 And he had much business] Eργα πολλα (a) Many works going forward at

once a negotious man he was His business say some lay in beautifying and fortifying those cities Augustus gloried at his death that whereas he had found Rome built with brick he had left it made of marble

And the men of war hellip were in Jerusalem] These were his Praetorian forces his Praesidiaries were up and down in the various cities

POOLE He had much business in the cities of Judah partly to repair and fortify them and furnish them with all necessary provisions and partly to purge out all the relies and seeds of idolatry and injustice which were more secretly and subtlely managed in the cities than in the country and which were first and most in the cities and thence spread their infection into the country about them See Jeremiah 228

ELLICOTT (13) BusinessmdashRather much goods or stores literally work (mĕlacirckacirch) and then produce The Hebrew word is so used in Exodus 227 Exodus 2210 (ldquoHis neighbourrsquos goodsrdquo) Stores of provisions and war material seem to be intended (Comp 2 Chronicles 1111)

And the man of war were in JerusalemmdashRather and (he had) men of war in Jerusalem

In Jerusalemmdashot the entire army corps whose numbers are given in 2 Chronicles 1714-18 but simply their chiefs

PULPIT Much business Hebrew מלאכה The meaning of the word is service labour bestowed and the verse reads And there was to him much labour in the cities of Judah and men of war mighty men of valour in Jerusalem ie He bestoweth much pains on the cities of Judah and had etc The word were Authorized Version italics is incorrectly inserted The former half of this verse would better constitute the end of 2 Chronicles 1712 Keil however maintains the rendering substance property for מלאכה (Exodus 227 Exodus 2210)

14 Their enrollment by families was as followsFrom Judah commanders of units of 1000Adnah the commander with 300000 fighting men

BARES The captains of thousands Adnah the chief - literally ldquoprinces of thousands Adnah the princerdquo The writer does not mean that Adnah (or Johohanan 2Ch_1715) was in any way superior to the other ldquoprincesrdquo but only that he was one of them

Three hundred thousand - This number and those which follow in 2Ch_1715-18 have been with good reason regarded as corrupt by most critics For

(1) They imply a minimum population of 1480 to the square mile which is more than three times greater than that of any country in the known world (circa 1880rsquos)

(2) they produce a total just double that of the next largest estimate of the military force of Judah the 580 000 of 2Ch_148

(3) they are professedly a statement not of the whole military force but of the force maintained at Jerusalem (2Ch_1713 compare 2Ch_1719)

It is probable that the original numbers have been lost and that the loss was suppplied by a scribe who took 2Ch_148 as his basis

CLARKE Adnah the chief - He was generalissimo of all this host These are the numbers of the five battalions under Adnah three hundred thousand Jehohanan two hundred and eighty thousand Amasiah two hundred thousand Eliada two hundred thousand Jehozabad one hundred and eighty thousand in all one million one hundred and sixty thousand

GILL And these are the numbers of them according to the house of their fathers Both of the tribe of Judah and of Benjamin and first

of Judah the captains of thousands some had 1000 men under them and some one hundred

Adnah the chief he was the principal commander or general of them

and with him mighty men of valour three hundred thousand such a number was under his command

JAMISO these are the numbersmdash The warriors were arranged in the army according to their fathers houses The army of Jehoshaphat commanded by five great generals and consisting of five unequal divisions comprised one million one hundred and sixty thousand men without including those who garrisoned the fortresses No monarch since the time of Solomon equaled Jehoshaphat in the extent of his revenue in the strength of his fortifications and in the number of his troops

KampD 2Ch_1714-16

The men fit for war passed in review according to their fathers-houses The male population of Judah fell into three divisions that of Benjamin into two The prince

Adnah held the first place among the generals with 300000 men of Judah ידו at his על

hand ie with and under him Jehohanan had the command of 280000 men and

Amasiah over 200000 השר is a contraction for אלפים For what special reason it is so שר

honourably recorded of Amasiah that he had willingly offered himself to the Lord (cf for

Jdg_59) has not been communicated התנב

COFFMA his represented a standing army of 1160000 men besides the garrisons in the fortified cities and this goes a long way to explaining why the Arabians and the Philistines brought tribute to Jehoshaphat In ancient times as in our own day peace frequently depended upon the strength of those who desired it

We should ignore the screams of exaggeration[3] which mark the writings of radical critics Pagan rulers of that era reported even larger armies than this and until the critics can prove that those were exaggerated reports they should let these alone Besides that we have already noted that the very word from which thousand is translated is disputed as to its exact meaning

COKE 2 Chronicles 1714 And these are the numbers of themmdash That is of the soldiers as well as of those who were employed in the kings works in the several cities ampc which he built See 2 Chronicles 1719

REFLECTIOSmdash1st Jehoshaphat no sooner comes to the throne than we see the dawnings of a glorious reign

1 He strengthened his kingdom by placing strong garrisons in the cities of Judah and those which his father had recovered from Israel and prepared against that danger which Ahabs growing power seemed to threaten

2 Religion was his great concern He copied after the best of his predecessors in their best days such as were the first of David before the matter of Uriah and the numbering of the people had blotted his fair copy Faithful to the worship of God he abhorred all idols the law of God was his rule of duty and Israels apostacy rendered his fidelity more singular and exemplary Inspired with holy zeal his heart with delight and sincerity was engaged for God and no difficulties deterred him from the path of duty The idols and groves which in the declining days of Asa might have been set up again he utterly destroyed with all the high places where they still offered sacrifices to these abominations ote (1) In the fairest human pattern there will be found imperfections but there is a Son of David more than man who has set us a spotless example that we should follow his steps (2) Fidelity in Gods service is the stability of a nation (3) A lively soul on wings of faith and love mounts up to God rises superior to every difficulty and looks down upon every thing besides his favour as altogether vanity

3 He not only removed the temptations to sin but took care to instruct the people in

the path of duty Ignorance of Gods law had greatly prevailed and to oblige them merely to conform to his reformation without grounding them on the true foundation of Gods word promised little stability The Levites and priests therefore are sent in progress through the cities of Judah with the book of the law to explain and enforce the commandments of God and several princes accompanied them in order to engage the people to hear them and give countenance to these preachers by their weight and influence ote (1) It is a blessed thing when princes countenance faithful ministers Though they cannot make men true converts their example and authority will induce them to attend (2) They who are sent to teach must see that they take the pure word of God along with them A true preacher wishes for nothing in his hand but his Bible (3) Religion is a reasonable service Conviction alone not compulsion or education can make a man a christian

4 The blessing of God attended his labours The Lord was with him or as the Targum generally expresses it the word of the Lord the divine Logos to whom all things are committed strengthened him in his labours and established his kingdom The people charmed with his government liberally sent their presents to him and abounding in riches and honour his heart far from being intoxicated by prosperity was lifted up in greater love and thankfulness to the gracious giver ote (1) God often here rewards piety with prosperity (2) Worldly comforts are then truly blessings when as the steps of Jacobs ladder they raise our hearts to heaven

2nd Like the light of the morning which shineth more and more so did Jehoshaphats glory increase

1 Feared by his enemies as beloved by his subjects the neighbouring princes did not offer to molest him while those of Philistia and Arabia courted his favour either by a voluntary present or exact payment of the tribute which Asa had imposed on them see 2 Chronicles 1711 God had put an awe upon them of the majesty of his king in Zion ote God hath access to the spirits of men and by secret yet irresistible influence can bow them to his sovereign will

2 His military preparations greatly advanced While he reformed the people he fortified their ramparts and built new castles and store-cities strengthening them within and without against their enemies Under five chief officers an immense army was enlisted Probably all the able men in the country were enrolled and regularly mustered though not drawn out except in case of necessity and this may easily account for the greatness of their number if we consider also the long peace they had enjoyed the accession of Israelites to them and especially the blessing of Abraham which no doubt was eminently fulfilled Amasiah one of the officers is mentioned with an honourable mark of distinction as a volunteer who served for the glory of God not for the sake of pay Such patriots are scarce

TRAPP 2 Chronicles 1714 And these [are] the numbers of them according to the house of their fathers Of Judah the captains of thousands Adnah the chief and

with him mighty men of valour three hundred thousand

Ver 14 Three hundred thousand] These were under his command and at hand to come whensoever the king would

WHEDO 14 Three hundred thousand mdash The numbers in this verse and the four verses following are generally regarded as corrupt ldquoThey implyrdquo observes the writer last quoted ldquoa minimum population of 1480 to the square mile which is more than three times greater than that of any country in the known world It is probable that the original numbers have been lost and the loss supplied by a scribe who took 2 Chronicles 148 as his basis

ELLICOTT Verse 14 (14) And these their fathersmdashAnd this is their muster (or census) according to their father-houses (clans) 1 Chronicles 243 The warriors were marshalled in the army according to clans so that men of the same stock fought side by side with their kindred Perhaps in the original document this heading was followed by a much more detailed scheme of names and divisions than that which the text presents

Of JudahmdashTo Judah (belonged) captains of thousands viz the three enumerated in 2 Chronicles 1714-16 Adnah Jehohanan and Amasiah They were the principal officers or generals of the entire forces of Judah

Adnah the chiefmdashTo wit the captain Adnah That Adnah was commander-in-chief is implied by his being named first and his corps being the largest

PULPIT This verse with the following four gives us the names of five captains chiefs princes or military officers for the kingdoms service with the numbers of the troops they severally commanded The numbers of them (see note under 1 Chronicles 2311) Hebrew פקדתם The better English rendering to carry at once the signification would be The muster of them etc The captains hellip the chief In both cases the Hebrew is the familiar word for prince ( שר ) in the former without article in the latter with article The numbers of this and following four verses are not only absolutely unreliable but in themselves impossible According to the house of their fathers ie the quotation is drawn from an army catalogue arranged carefully by fathers houses (umbers 118 umbers 122 etc)

15 next Jehohanan the commander with 280000

GILL And next to him was Jehohanan the captain Being of the same rank as to office but having a lesser number of men under him and it may respect not any kind of subordination only nearness of place as the Targumhe that encamped next to him

and with him two hundred and fourscore thousand which number was but 20000 less than the former

POOLE ext to him either

1 After his death as his successor in the same command And the like is supposed concerning Jehozabad 2 Chronicles 1718 Or rather

2 ext to him in place and authority or at least in power and the numbers of his host

16 next Amasiah son of Zikri who volunteered himself for the service of the Lord with 200000

GILL And next him was Amasiah the son of Zichri He encamped next to him as the Targum

who willingly offered himself unto the Lord to fight the Lords battles and without any stipend as some think or as Kimchi he offered gold and silver to the treasures of the house of the Lord

and with him two hundred thousand mighty men of valour the number was 80000 less than the former the whole of Judah amounted to 780000 men

TRAPP 2 Chronicles 1716 And next him [was] Amasiah the son of Zichri who willingly offered himself unto the LORD and with him two hundred thousand mighty men of valour

Ver 16 Who willingly offered himself unto the Lord] He was a votary the vows of God were upon him and this made him the more valiant and resolute (a) in the exercise of arms for the service of God and the safety of his people The Spahis among the Turks are a sort of horsemen voluntaries and votaries to gain paradise by dying for the Mohammedan cause These are never known to return home but

with victory these are heavy upon the enemy For

ldquo Vincitur haud gratis iugulo qui provocat ensem rdquo

POOLE As volunteers and auxiliaries to be ready upon occasion as the service of God and the king should require Possibly these or most of them were the strangers which had come out of Israel into the kingdom of Judah in Asarsquos days and probably since that in his time

ELLICOTT (16) AmasiahmdashIah carrieth (Isaiah 4011) different from Amaziah (Iah is strong)

Who willingly offered himself unto the Lordmdash(Judges 52 Judges 59) An allusion to some noble act of self-devotion which was doubtless more fully recorded in the source from which the chronicler has drawn this brief account Such allusions though no longer intelligible are important as conducing to the proof of the historical value of the narratives in which they occur LXX ὁ προθυmicroούmicroενος τῷ κυρίῳ Vulg consecratus Domino

PULPIT Amaziah the son of Zichri This man is not titled at all The description of him as one who had willingly offered himself unto the Lord not elucidated by the context or any effective parallel will mark something honorable in his history Possibly he comes from an unexpected quarter and is a man of approved skill othing further is known of these three men Meantime it has been suggested (Professor Dr J Murphy of Belfast Handbook to Chronicles ) that the first of the three was for Judah proper the second for that contingent of Judah that hailed from Dan and the Philistines and the third for that of Simeon and the Arabs

MACLARE This is a scrap from the catalogue of Jehoshaphatrsquos lsquomighty men of valourrsquo and is Amasiahrsquos sole record We see him for a moment and hear his eulogium and then oblivion swallows him up We do not know what it was that he did to earn it But what a fate to live to all generations by that one sentence

I Cheerful self-surrender the secret of all religion

The words of our text contain a metaphor naturally drawn from the sacrificial system It comes so easily to us that we scarcely recognise the metaphorical element but the clear recognition of it gives great additional energy to the words Amasiah was both sacrificer and sacrifice His offering was self-immolation As in all love so in that noblest kind of it which clasps God its perfect expression is lsquoI give Thee my living loving selfrsquo Nor is it only sacrifice and sacrificer that are seen in deepest truth in the experience of the Christian life but the reality of the Temple is also there for lsquoYe also are built up a spiritual house to be a holy priesthood to offer up spiritual sacrificesrsquo Only when God dwells in us shall we have the nerve and the firmness of hand to take the knife and lsquoslay before the Lordrsquo the awful Guest in the sanctuary within the most precious of the children of our spirits

The essence of the sacrifice of self is the sacrifice of will In the Christian experience

lsquowillingly offeredrsquo is almost tautology for unwilling offerings are a contradiction and in fact there are no such things The quality of unwillingness destroys the character of the offering and robs it of all sacredness Reluctant Christianity is not Christianity That noun and that adjective can never be buckled together

The submission of will and the consequent surrender of myself and my powers opportunities and possessions so that I do all enjoy all use all and when need is endure all with glad thankful reference to God is only possible to me in the measure in which my will is made flexible by love and such will-subduing love comes only when we lsquoknow and believe the love that God hath to usrsquo There is the point at which not a few moral and religious teachers go wrong and bewilder themselves and their disciples There too is the point at which Christ and the Gospel of salvation through faith in Him stand forth as emancipating humanity from the dreary round of efforts and vain attempts to work up the condition needful for achieving the height of self-surrender which is seen to be indispensable to all true nobleness of living but is felt to be beyond the reach of the ordinary man There too is the point at which many good people mar their lives as Christians They waste their strength in trying to bring the jibbing horse up to the leap They try to blow up a fire of devotion and to make themselves priests to offer themselves but all the while the mutinous self recoils from the leap and the fire burns smokily and their sacrifice is laid on the altar with little joy because they have not been careful and wise enough to begin at the beginning and to follow Godrsquos way of melting their wills by love the reflection of the Infinite love of God to them Godrsquos priests offer themselves because they offer their wills they offer their wills because they love God they love God because they know that God loves them That is the divine order It is vain to try to accomplish the end by any other

II This willing offering hallows all life

No syllable is left to tell us what Amasiah did to win this praise Probably the words enshrine some now forgotten memory of his cheerful courage some heroic feat on an unrecorded battlefield Particulars are not given nor needed Specific actions are unimportant the spirit of a life can be told with very incomplete details and it not the details is the important thing Sometimes as in many modern biographies one lsquocannot see the wood for the treesrsquo and misses the main drift and aim of a life in the chaos of a bewildering mass of nothings How much more happy the lot of this man of whom we have only the generalised expression of the text unweighted and undisturbed by petty incidents It takes tons of rose leaves to make a tiny phial of otto of roses but the fragrance is far more pungent in a drop of the distillation than in armfuls of leaves Every life shrinks into very small compass and the centuries do not tolerate long biographies Shall we not seek to order our life so that Amasiahrsquos epitaph may serve for us It will be blessed if this-and nothing else-is known about us that we lsquowillingly offered ourselves to the Lordrsquo My friend will that be a true epitome of your life

III This willing offering is accepted by God

We may hear a mightier voice behind the chroniclerrsquo s and the judgment of the Judge of all pronounced by His lips It matters little what men say of one another but it matters everything what God says of us We are but too apt to forget that He is now saying something as to each of us and that we have not to wait for death to put a final period to our activities before our lives become fit subjects for Godrsquos judgment Moment by moment we are writing our own sentences But while it is good for us to remember the continuous judgment of God on each deed it is not good to let dark thoughts of the principles of that judgment paralyse our activity or chill our confidence in His forgiving and accepting mercy There is often a dark suspicion like that of the one-talented

servant which blackens Godrsquos fair fame as being lsquoan austere Manrsquo making demands rather than imparting power and the effect of such an ugly conception of Him is to cut the nerve of service and bury the talent carefully folded up it may be but none the less earning nothing lsquoIf we call on Him as Father who without respect of persons judgeth according to every manrsquos workrsquo let us be sure that it will be a Fatherly judgment that He will pass upon us and our offerings There is a wonderful collection on His altar of what many people would think rubbish just as many a mother has laid away among her treasures some worthless article which her child had once given her-a weed plucked by the roadside in a long past summer day some trifle of rare preciousness in the childrsquos eyes and of none in any others than her own She opens her drawer and brings out the poor little thing and her eyes fill and her heart fills as she looks And does not God keep His childrenrsquos gifts as lovingly and set them in places of honour in the day when He lsquomakes up His jewelsrsquo There are cups of cold water and widowsrsquo mites and much else that a supercilious world would call lsquotrashrsquo stored there Thank God He accepts imperfect service faltering faith partial consecration a little love Even our poor offering may be an lsquoodour of a sweet smellrsquo ministering fragrance that is a delight to Him if it is offered with the much incense of the great Sacrifice and through the mediation of the great High Priest

The world forgot Amasiah or never knew him an obscure soldier in an obscure kingdom but God did not forget and here is his epitaph and this is his memorial to all generations Menrsquos chronicles have no room for all the names that their wearers are eager to have inscribed on their crumbling and crowded pages lsquobut the Lambrsquos Book of Lifersquo has ample space on its radiant pages for all who desire to set their names there and if ours are there we need not envy the proudest whose titles and deeds fill the most conspicuous pages in the worldrsquos records lsquoThen shall every man have praise of Christrsquo and he who wins that guerdon needs nothing more and can have nothing more to swell his blessedness

17 From BenjaminEliada a valiant soldier with 200000 men armed with bows and shields

GILL And of Benjamin Eliada a mighty man of valour Was the chief commander

and with armed men with bow and shield two hundred thousand which were

the armour of the tribe of Benjamin they were best skilled in 2Ch_148

TRAPP 2 Chronicles 1717 And of Benjamin Eliada a mighty man of valour and with him armed men with bow and shield two hundred thousand

Ver 17 With bow and shield] The Benjamites were notable bowmen [1 Chronicles 122] The Engish were anciently so too

ELLICOTT (17) Armed men with bow and shieldmdashLiterally drawing bow and shield ie as the Targum explains ldquodrawing bow and grasping shieldsrdquo (Comp 1 Chronicles 122) LXX ldquoArchers and peltastsrdquo Vulg ldquoGrasping bow and shieldrdquo (Comp also 1 Chronicles 840 for the arms of the Benjaminites)

18 next Jehozabad with 180000 men armed for battle

GILL And next to him was Jehozabad According to the Targum he encamped next him

and with him one hundred and fourscore thousand ready prepared for war being able bodied men well disciplined valiant and well armed these numbers of Judah and Benjamin put together amount to 1160000 men whereas Asa only brought into the field 580000 but it should be considered there had been a long time of peace many had come off from the ten tribes to Judah and the promise of multiplying the seed of Abraham was eminently fulfilled

TRAPP 2 Chronicles 1718 And next him [was] Jehozabad and with him an hundred and fourscore thousand ready prepared for the war

Ver 18 A hundred and fourscore thousand] His militia was eleven hundred and threescore thousand besides what he had in garrisons [2 Chronicles 1719] So that as he was better he was stronger than his father Asa had been Piety hath prosperity

ELLICOTT (18) Ready prepared for the warmdashEquipped for service (See on 1

Chronicles 1223-24 umbers 315 umbers 3229) The hoplites or heavy-armed infantry are probably meant

PULPIT While Eliada of last verse was for Benjamin Professor Dr Murphy supposes that Jehozabad was for the annexed part of Ephraim But no suppositions of this kind can avail to explain the numbers in the text which is no doubt corrupt

19 These were the men who served the king besides those he stationed in the fortified cities throughout Judah

CLARKE These waited on the king - They were disposable forces always at the kingrsquos command and were independent of those by which the cities of Judah were garrisoned

There is not a sovereign in Europe or in the world but might read this chapter with advantage

1 It shows most forcibly that true religion is the basis of the state and that wherever it prospers there the state prospers

2 It shows also that it is the wisdom of kings to encourage religion with all their power and influence for if the hearts of the subjects be not bound and influenced by true religion vain is the application of laws fines imprisonments or corporal punishment of any kind

3 A religious nation is ever a great nation it is loved by its friends it is dreaded by its enemies

4 It is ever a peaceable and united nation the blessings of religion and a wholesome and paternal government are so fully felt and prized that all find it their interest to preserve and defend them Harmony peace piety and strength are the stability of such times May Britain know and value them

GILL These waited on the king Not this vast number of men at one time but in course as Davids military men waited on him 1Ch_271 or each of these captains with a proper number of men under them detached from the body and they were all ready to obey the kings orders whenever he should have occasion for them

besides those whom the king put into the fenced cities throughout Judah and all together the militia of the kingdom was very numerous and formidable

KampD 2Ch_1719

These were serving the king א6ה refers not to the above-mentioned men capable of

bearing arms for sheereet is not used of service in war but to the commanders whom he had placed in the fortified cities of all Judah ldquoin which probably bodies of the above-mentioned troops lay as garrisonsrdquo (Berth)

BESO 2 Chronicles 1719 These waited on the king mdash These above-mentioned were the trained bands or auxiliaries whose chief officers waited on the king to receive his commands and to raise and bring in all or part of their forces to the service of the king as need required A vast number for so small a compass of ground to furnish out and maintain But we may consider that God had promised to make the seed of Abraham like the sand of the sea for number that there had now been a long peace that many were come to them from the kingdom of Israel and that Jehoshaphat was under a special blessing of God They were doubtless dispersed all the country over every one residing on his own land only they were ready at call whenever there was occasion

TRAPP 2 Chronicles 1719 These waited on the king beside [those] whom the king put in the fenced cities throughout all Judah

Ver 19 These waited on the king] ie In their turns and by course

POOLE These above mentioned were the trained bands or auxiliaries whose chief officers waited upon the king to receive his commands and to raise and bring in all or part of their forces to the service of the king and kingdom as need required

ELLICOTT (19) These waited on the kingmdashRather these are they that ministered unto the king viz the five generals above named

Beside those whom the king put in the fenced citiesmdashie the commandants of the fortresses of the kingdom (2 Chronicles 1111 2 Chronicles 1123) These latter as well as the generals of the forces are called the kingrsquos ldquoministersrdquo (mĕshacircrĕthicircm)mdasha word which is not used of service in the field but implies their presence at court (ldquoin Jerusalemrdquo 2 Chronicles 1713 as the royal staff)

According to the above list the army of Jehoshaphat was organised in five grand divisions corresponding perhaps to five territorial divisions of the southern kingdom The totals are the largest assigned to the two tribes anywhere in the Old Testament viz Judah 780000 and Benjamin 380000 in all 1160000 At Davidrsquos census Judah had 500000 warriors (2 Samuel 249) and Israel 800000 Again in 2

Chronicles 148 Asarsquos army consists of 300000 men of Judah and 280000 Benjaminites clearly such an increase as our text indicates is unaccountable At the same time it is equally clear that the present numbers are not fortuitous results of clerical errors for they follow each other in the order of relative strength Judah 300000 280000 200000 Benjamin 200000 180000 and they are evidently not independent of the estimates of 2 Chronicles 148 above quoted

In the absence of adequate data for modifying these certainly startling figures it is well to bear in mind that we need not understand by them an army which ever actually mustered in the field or on parade but simply an estimate of the total male population liable to be called out for the national defence although even upon that understanding the total appears to be at least three times too great considering the small extent of the country

PULPIT These waited Hebrew המשרתים plur piel part of שרת The verse states that this enormous fivefold army with its five princes (counting in our corrupt text one million one hundred and sixty thousand) was the kings Jerusalem standing army while other separate regiments or bands of troops were spread through all Judah where they might be most needed for defence

proceedings of the kings of Israel rendered it necessary for him to prepare vigorous measures of defense on the northern frontier of his kingdom These consisted in filling all the fortresses with their full complement of troops and establishing military stations in various parts of the country as well as in the cities of Mount Ephraim which belonged to Jehoshaphat (2Ch_158)

KampD Jehoshaphats efforts to strengthen the kingdom internally and externally -2Ch_171 or rather the first half of this verse belongs properly to the preceding chapter since when the son immediately follows the father on the throne the successor is mentioned immediately cf 2Ch_931 2Ch_1216 2Ch_2427 2Ch_279 etc Here however the account of the accession to the throne is combined with a general remark on the reign of the successor and therefore it is placed at the commencement of the account of the reign while in the case of Asa (2Ch_141) both come in immediately at the conclusion of the reign of his predecessor Asa had shown himself weak against Israel as he had sought help against Baashas attack from the Syrians (2Ch_161) but it was otherwise with Jehoshaphat He indeed put the fenced cities of his kingdom in a thoroughly good condition for defence to protect his kingdom against hostile attacks from without (v 20 but he walked at the same time in the ways of the Lord so that the Lord made his kingdom strong and mighty (2Ch_173-5) This general characterization of his reign is in 2Ch_176 illustrated by facts first by the communication of what Jehoshaphat did for the inner spiritual strengthening of the kingdom by raising the standard of religion and morals among the people (2Ch_176-11) and then by what he did for the external increase of his power (2Ch_1712-19)

BESO 2 Chronicles 171 Jehoshaphat strengthened himself against Israel mdashAgainst the king and people of Israel who had molested the kingdom of Judah with wars all the days of Asa after that sin of his mentioned 2 Chronicles 162 ampc Ahab had now been three years upon the throne of Israel an active warlike prince The vigour of the beginning of his reign falling in with the decay of the conclusion of Asarsquos it is probable the kingdom of Israel had of late gained ground of the kingdom of Judah and become formidable to it so that Jehoshaphat wisely judged that the first thing he had to do was to strengthen himself on that side and check the growing greatness of the king of Israel which he did so effectually and without bloodshed that Ahab soon courted his alliance (so far was he from giving him any disturbance) and proved more dangerous as a friend than he could have been as an enemy

TRAPP 2 Chronicles 171 And Jehoshaphat his son reigned in his stead and strengthened himself against Israel

Ver 1 And Jehoshaphat his son reigned] See 1 Kings 1524

And strengthened himself against Israel] Or Upon Israel ie upon that part of it which was subject to him

POOLE Jehoshaphat is made king reigneth well and prospereth 2 Chronicles 171-6 He sendeth Levites with the princes to teach Judah 2 Chronicles 177-9 He is feared by the nations round about who bring him presents and tribute his greatness captains and armies 2 Chronicles 1710-19

Against the king and people of Israel who had molested the kingdom of Judah with wars all the days of Asa after that sin of his mentioned 2 Chronicles 162 ampc

WHEDO 1 Strengthened himself against Israel mdash Asa had shown a fear of Israel and rather than venture war had hired the help of Ben-hadad (2 Chronicles 161-3) but his son Jehoshaphat prepared at the beginning of his reign to withstand opposition from his northern neighbour Rawlinson also suggests that a reason for Jehoshaphatrsquos strengthening himself against Israel may have been the alliance which Ahab had then recently formed with the king of Zidon by marriage with his daughter Jezebel 1 Kings 1631

ELLICOTT JEHOSHAPHAT (2 Chronicles 17-20)

PROPHETIC MIISTRY OF MICAH THE SO OF IMLAH AD JEHU THE SO OF HAAI

Jehoshaphat labours to strengthen his realm internally and externally

This entire chapter is peculiar to the Chronicle

Verse 1 (1) And Jehoshaphat in his steadmdashThe last words of 1 Kings 1524 The name means Iah judgeth

And strengthened himself against IsraelmdashAs described in 2 Chronicles 172 Israel is here the northern kingdom These defensive measures were taken in the early part of the reign and before Jehoshaphat connected himself by marriage with the northern dynasty (2 Chronicles 181)

PARKER 1-4 1 And Jehoshaphat his son reigned in his stead and strengthened himself against Israel

[Jehoshaphat ascended the throne in the fourth year of Ahab ( 1 Kings 2241) probably after that monarch had contracted his alliance with the royal family of Sidon and before he was engaged in war with Syria It was thus not unnatural that he should begin his reign by strengthening himself against a possible attack on the part of his northern neighbourmdashThe Speakers Commentary]

2 And he placed forces [comp chap 2 Chronicles 1112] in all the fenced cities of Judah and set garrisons [or governors (comp 1 Kings 47 1 Kings 419)] in the

land of Judah and in the cities of Ephraim which Asa his father had taken

3 And the Lord was with Jehoshaphat because he walked in the first ways of his father David [The LXX and several Hebrew MSS omit David The real meaning of the writer Isaiah that Jehoshaphat followed the example set by his father Asa in his earlier years] and sought not unto Baalim [And sought not the Baals The Baals were different local aspects of the sun-god Jehoshaphat was not seduced into this worship though in his day it overspread almost the whole kingdom of Israel]

4 But sought to the Lord God of his father and walked in his commandments and not after the doings of Israel

PARKER The Reign of Jehoshaphat

And Jehoshaphat his son reigned in his stead and strengthened himself against Israel ( 2 Chronicles 171)

I succeeding to that throne of Israel Jehoshaphat simply followed the course of a law but in strengthening himself against Israel he indicated a personal policy How definitely the statement reads There is no doubt or hesitation in the mind of Jehoshaphat as to the course which ought to be pursued He did not simply think that he would strengthen himself against Israel he had not a merely momentary vision of a possible fortification against the enemy he actually carried out his purpose and thus challenged northern Israel On the other hand how peaceful is the declaration that is here made There is not an aggressive tone in all the statement Innocent Jehoshaphat simply strengthened himself against Israel that is to say he puts himself into a highly defensive position so that if the enemy should pour down from the north Jehoshaphat would be secured against his assaults Everything therefore depends upon the point of view which we take of this policy But the thing which history has made clear is that a man often lays down a policy before waiting the issue of events which would determine its scope and tone All this was done by Jehoshaphat before he connected himself by marriage with the northern dynasty A marriage may upset a policy a domestic event may alter the course of a kings thinking and readjust the lines of a nations relation to other kingdoms The wise man holds himself open to the suggestion and inspiration of events o man is as wise to-day as he will be tomorrow provided he pay attention to the literature of providence which is being daily written before his eyes Our dogmatics whether in theology or in state policy should be modified by the recollection that we do not now know all things and that further light may show what we do know in a totally different aspect Our policy like our bread should in a sense be from day to day When men are omniscient they may lay down a theological programme from which departure would be blasphemy but until they are omniscient they had better write with modesty and subscribe even their best constructed creeds with reservations which will leave room for providence

GUZIK 2 CHROICLES 17 - FEATURES OF JEHOSHAPHATrsquoS REIG

A How King Jehoshaphat pleased God

1 (2 Chronicles 171-4) The personal spiritual commitment of King Jehosphaphat

Then Jehoshaphat his son reigned in his place and strengthened himself against Israel And he placed troops in all the fortified cities of Judah and set garrisons in the land of Judah and in the cities of Ephraim which Asa his father had taken ow the LORD was with Jehoshaphat because he walked in the former ways of his father David he did not seek the Baals but sought the God of his father and walked in His commandments and not according to the acts of Israel

a Then Jehoshaphat his son reigned in his place Asa was generally a good king (though he did not finish well) and Jehoshaphat his son followed in his footsteps and the LORD was with Jehoshaphat because he walked in the former ways of his father David

i ldquoIn the first ways which David walked in before he fell into those horrid sins of murder and adulteryrdquo (Trapp)

ii ldquoHave you never noticed the career of David What a happy life Davidrsquos was up to one point But that hour when he walked on the roof of his house and saw Bathsheba and gave way to his unholy desires put an end to the happy days of David You recognize him as the same man but his voice is broken his music is deep bass he cannot reach one high notes of the scale From the hour in which he sinned he began to sorrow more and more So will it be with us if we are not watchfulrdquo (Spurgeon)

b Strengthened himself against Israel Jehoshaphat recognized that the northern kingdom was a danger to Judah militarily politically and especially spiritually He therefore strengthened the defenses against this threat and specifically did not according to the acts of Israel

i In his presentation of the history of the kings of Judah the Chronicler constantly brings the contrast and the challenge before the readers of his day and ours ldquoYour destiny as an individual and as a nation can either be like that of Judah or Israel You should follow the example of those who did not according to the acts of Israelrdquo

PULPIT To the contents of this chapter and to the reign of Jehoshaphat which occupies this and the following three chapters the Book of Kings furnishes as yet no parallel All that it has to say of Jehoshaphat now is summed up in one sentence (1 Kings 1524) And Jehoshaphat his son reigned in his stead till we arrive at the ten verses of 1 Kings 2241-51 with their very slender sketch (see also 2 Kings 31-14)

2 Chronicles 171

Jehoshaphat In 2 Chronicles 2031 and 1 Kings 2241 1 Kings 2242 we are told that Jehoshaphat was now thirty-five years of age He must therefore have been born when Asa was in the sixth year of his reign and presumably not under sixteen years of age His reign extended to twenty-five years ie from BC 914 to BC 889 The name signifies whom God judges or pleads for Ahab is now in the fourth year of his reign and the symptoms he manifests (1 Kings 1630-33) are those that the rather urge Jehoshaphat to strengthen himself ie strengthen the defences of his kingdom on the Israel side

BI 1-19 And Jehoshaphat his son reigned in his stead

The conditions of national prosperity

This chapter showsmdash

I That true religion is the basis of the State and that wherever it prospers there the State prospers

II That it is the wisdom of kings to encourage religion with all their power and influence

III That a religious nation is ever a great nation

IV That a religious nation is ever a peaceful and united nation (A Clarke D D)

Jehoshaphat

I His policy as a statesman

1 It was protective (2Ch_171-2)

2 It was wise

3 It was eminently patriotic

II His character as a man

1 He was distinguished for true piety

(1) In his every-day life (2Ch_173)

(2) In his private devotions (2Ch_173-4)

(3) In his obedience to God (2Ch_174)

2 The inspiration of his heart came from the consciousness of his obedience to God (2Ch_176)

III His wisdom as a ruler

1 He removed temptation from his people (2Ch_176)

2 He provided for his people the highest means of good (2Ch_177-9) (Metropolitan Pulpit)

Jehoshaphatrsquos prosperity

I Its measure Everything indicates that it was great and genuine Not an element of true prosperity is wanting whether we consider him individually or as identified with the realm It involvedmdash

1 The safety of the kingdom

2 Wealth

3 Honour from abroad

4 The love and confidence of his own people

II Its origin This was partly natural partly supernatural

1 Natural

(1) The roots of his prosperity lay largely in himself He was a man of correct instincts and good convictions A man of worth and weight of character By these he won the love and secured the co-operation of his people

(2) He was wise in management

2 Supernatural ldquoThe Lord stablished the kingdom in his handrdquo It was a reward of piety He honoured God and God honoured and exalted him Lessons

1 The union of prudence and piety Each is helpful to the other neither is sufficient without the other Prudence gives tone and practicality to piety piety gives sweetness and mellowness to prudence Piety alone tends to feebleness and inefficiency prudence alone inclines to coldness and covetousness United they round out the character in beauty and strength

2 Reform through religion and law Jehoshaphat united the civil and religious power in securing national reform How necessary is this union in the great struggle with intemperance and other moral defilements (Monday Club Sermons)

2 He stationed troops in all the fortified cities of Judah and put garrisons in Judah and in the towns of Ephraim that his father Asa had captured

CLARKE The cities of Ephraim - This conquest from the kingdom of Israel is referred to 2Ch_158 but when it was made we do not know

GILL And he placed forces in all the fenced cities of Judah A considerable number of soldiers to defend them should they be attacked

and set garrisons in the land of Judah on the frontiers and borders of it to protect it

and in the cities of Ephraim soldiers to keep garrison there

which Asa his father had taken see 2Ch_158

KampD 2-4 He placed forces (חיל) in all the fenced cities of Judah and garrisons

in the land of Judah and in the cities of Ephraim (military posts cf 1Ch_1116 נציבים)

which is father Asa had taken cf 2Ch_158 God blessed these undertakings Jahve was with him because he walked in the ways of David his ancestor the former ways and sought not the Baals The former ways of David are his ways in the earlier years of his reign in contrast to the later years in which his adultery with Bathsheba (2 Sam 11) and

the sin of numbering the people (1 Chron 21) fall העלים are all false gods in contrast to

Jahve the one God of Israel and here the word designates not only the Baal-worship properly so called but also the worship of Jahve by means of images by which Jahve is

brought down to the level of the Baals cf Jdg_211 The ל before עלים stands according

to the later usage as a sign of the accusative In the last clause of 2Ch_174 ldquoand not

after the doings of Israelrdquo (of the ten tribes) הלך ldquohe walkedrdquo is to be repeated The

doing of Israel is the worship of Jahve through the images of the golden calves which

the author of the Chronicle includes in the לעלים רש

BESO 2 Chronicles 172 And set garrisons in the cities which Asa had taken mdash We do not read of any cities which Asa took but Abijah his father possessed himself of several which Asa kept and took for his own 2 Chronicles 1319 And it appears Jehoshaphat put such forces in them as might secure them to himself

TRAPP 2 Chronicles 172 And he placed forces in all the fenced cities of Judah and set garrisons in the land of Judah and in the cities of Ephraim which Asa his father had taken

Ver 2 And he placed forces] See 2 Chronicles 1719

ELLICOTT (2) And he placed forcesmdashComp 2 Chronicles 1112

The fenced citiesmdashlsquoArecirc ha-bĕtsucircrocircth (Comp 2 Chronicles 115 sqq 2 Chronicles 146-7)

And set garrisonsmdashPlaced military posts or prefects (netsicircbicircm) (1 Chronicles 1116 2 Chronicles 1111) Syriac ldquoappointed rulersrdquo

The cities of Ephraim had takenmdashSee on 2 Chronicles 158

PULPIT He placed forces literally he gave (Genesis 117) forces or a force or host or army חיל (Exodus 1428 2 Samuel 242) And set garrisons again literally he gave garrisons ( נאיבים ) ie either the persons set over prefects or officers (1 Kings 419) or the military garrison itself stationed (1 Samuel 105 1 Samuel 133) A village in Judah also had the name ezeb (Joshua 1545) In the cities of Ephraim (see 2 Chronicles 158)

3 The Lord was with Jehoshaphat because he followed the ways of his father David before him He did not consult the Baals

BARES The first ways of his father David - The Septuagint and several Hebrew manuscripts omit ldquoDavidrdquo which has probably crept in from the margin for Davidrsquos ldquofirst waysrdquo are nowhere else contrasted with his later ways The real meaning of the writer is that Jehoshaphat followed the example set by his father Asa in his earlier years 2Ch_141-15 15

Baalim - On the plural form see 1Ki_1818 note

CLARKE The Lord was with Jehoshaphat - ldquoThe Word of the Lord was Jehoshaphatrsquos Helperrdquo - Targum

GILL And the Lord was with Jehoshaphat Guiding and directing prospering and succeeding him in all things he had no doubt his gracious presence in spiritual things as well as his powerful and directing presence in things civil the Targum isthe Word of the Lord was for his help

because he walked in the first ways of his father David which were his best some of his last ways not being good as in the affair of Uriah and Bathsheba and his numbering of the people Jehoshaphat followed him in the one but not in the other or in the ways of David and his father the first the first of them both for the latter ways of his father Asa were not so good as his first as the preceding chapter shows and the

Septuagint version leaves out the word David and so restrains it to his own father

and sought not unto Baalim as did Ahab king of Israel who now reigned there 1Ki_1524

JAMISO 3-5 he walked in the first ways of his father Davidmdash He imitated the piety of his great ancestor in the early part of his reign before he made those unhappy lapses which dishonored his character

and sought not unto Baalimmdash a term used for idols generally in contradistinction to the Lord God of his father

BESO 2 Chronicles 173-4 He walked in the first ways of his father David mdashHis ways before he fell so foully in the matter of Uriah which were good ways David indeed recovered from that fall but perhaps never while he lived fully retrieved the spiritual strength and comfort which he had lost Jehoshaphat followed David as far as he followed God and no farther St Paul himself thus limits our imitation of him 1 Corinthians 111 Follow me as I follow Christ and not otherwise The first ways of many pious people have been their best ways and their first love their strongest love which however ought not to be the case for the last ought to be more than the first Revelation 219 But in every copy we propose to write after as we ought to single out that only which is good so that chiefly which is best The original words here are literally rendered He walked in the ways of David his father הראשונים hareshonim those first or ancient ways He proposed to himself for his example the primitive times of the royal family those purest times before the corruptions of the late reigns came in See Jeremiah 616 The LXX leave out David and so refer this to Asa He walked in the first ways of his father Asa and did not imitate him in what was amiss in him toward the latter end of his time It is well to be cautious in following the best men lest we step aside after them And sought not unto Baalim mdash The neighbouring nations had their Baalim one had one Baal and another had another but he abhorred them all and had nothing to do with any of them He sought the Lord God of his father and him only prayed to him only and inquired of him only

TRAPP 2 Chronicles 173 And the LORD was with Jehoshaphat because he walked in the first ways of his father David and sought not unto Baalim

Ver 3 Because he walked in the first ways of his father David] Who during his trouble kept himself free from scandalous and reproachful practices innocent from the great transgression [Psalms 1913] David rectior fuit in servitio quam in regno saith Gregory

POOLE In the first ways which David walked in before he fell into those horrid sins of murder and adultery Or in the ways of David and his fatherrsquos first ways For the beginning of Asarsquos reign was laudable as we have seen though he declined at last For it seems more probable that this passage is a reflection upon Asa whose last ways were much his worst and of whose repentance we have no evidence than

upon David who though he fell dreadfully in the matter of Uriah yet did manifestly repent of it and return to his first and holy course of life in which also he continued until death having this character given him by the Holy Ghost after his death that he did right in all things saving that of Uriah 1 Kings 155

WHEDO 3 The first ways of his father David mdash The first or earlier ways of David are contrasted with his later ways ldquoin the matter of Uriahrdquo and his sin in numbering the people The Septuagint omits the word David and some have therefore thought it an interpolation and understand the earlier ways of Asa to be intended

ELLICOTT (3) He walked in the first waysmdashThe former or earlier ways of David as contrasted with his later conductmdasha tacit allusion to the adultery with Bathsheba and other sins of David committed in his later years (2 Samuel 11-24) A few MSS and the LXX omit David

And sought not unto BaalimmdashAnd sought not the Baals (dacircrash lĕ a late construction) The Baals were different local aspects of the sun-god Here the term no doubt includes the illegal worship of Jehovah under the form of a bullock as instituted by Jeroboam and practised in the northern kingdom (ldquothe doing of Israelrdquo 2 Chronicles 174) Syriac ldquoand prayed not to imagesrdquo

PARKER And the Lord was with Jehoshaphat because he walked in the first ways of his father David and sought not unto Baalim ( 2 Chronicles 173)

The Lord was not with Jehoshaphat because he strengthened himself against Israel nor because he placed forces in all the fenced cities of Judah and set garrisons in the land of Judah and in the streets of Ephraim ot one of these little triumphs is referred to as affording God a basis for the complaisant treatment of the new king As ever the Lords relation to Jehoshaphat was determined by Jehoshaphats own moral condition A very beautiful expression is thismdashhe walked in the first ways of his father David that is to say in the former or earlier ways of David as contrasted with Davids later conduct Some have found here a tacit allusion to Davids greatest sin which he committed when he was advanced in life A somewhat mournful thing it is that a mans first ways should be better than his last The other relation would seem to be the one which reason would approve and God would specially honour namely that a mans old age should be the ripest and best part of his conduct rich with Wisdom of Solomon strong with experience and chastened by many a pensive recollection Sad when you have to go back to a mans youth to find his virtues or his most conspicuous excellences but most beautiful when a mans earlier mistakes are lost in the richness and wisdom of his later conduct God keeps his attention fixed on all the parts of a mans life and he observes which of those parts is most esteemed by the mans own successors Happy is that father whose whole example is worthy of imitation yet more than human is he the whole of whose life is without stain or flaw Jehoshaphats conduct in this matter is the more notable because of the constant observation of mankind that it is easier to follow the evil than to imitate the good When imitation enters into a mans life he is prone to

copy that which is inferior and to leave without reproduction that which is lofty and disciplinary In this instance Jehoshaphat sets an example to the world His conduct too is represented negatively as well as positivelymdashand sought not unto Baalim The word Baalim is in the plural number and the literal reading might be Jehoshaphat sought not the Baals the Baals being different local aspects or phases of the sun-god It is to be specially noted that the term Baal includes an aspect even of Jehovah himself that is to say Israel had degenerated so far as to suppose that in worshipping Baal they were worshipping at least one phase of the true God We must not mix up our religion with our irreligion our prayers with our idolatry our heavenliness with our worldly-mindedness the whole arrangement must be clean and pure from one end to the other inasmuch as one taint may cause the whole process of our religious thought and service to become deteriorated and valueless It is often difficult to abandon a popular custom More people might be in favour of Jehoshaphat strengthening himself against Israel than in returning to the first ways of David and abandoning the altar of the Baals History and religion are always considered in their separate distribution There are politicians who would vote for a war who would on no account surrender a superstition On the other hand there are men who pride themselves on being free of the influence of superstition who would willingly enter into the most sanguinary wars for the extension of empire or the glory of some particular throne In Jehoshaphat we seem to come into contact with a complete character in other words a man who in every point was equally strong a man of foresight a man of reverence a man of an honest heart a man who felt that idolatry and true worship could not coexist in the same breast

ISBET lsquoThe Lord was with Jehoshaphatrsquo2 Chronicles 173It is instructive to notice what is said about Davidrsquos waysmdashit was his first ways that Jehoshaphat took for his pattern We should always be careful to adopt only the good things in others

I lsquoThe Lord stablished the kingdom in his handrsquo God loves to find a man He can trust a man into whose hand He can put holy interests and know that they will be sacredly cherishedmdashThe Lord established the kingdom in the hands of Jehoshaphat because Jehoshaphat was true to his trust In our Lordrsquos parable of The Talents we are taught that those who prove faithful to their trust receive other things also in trust while those who are unfaithful even in small things God will not intrust with larger things

II lsquoHis heart was lifted up in the ways of the Lordrsquo There is a bad lifting up and a good lifting up Some people are made vain and self-conceited by prosperitymdashThe temptation for young people when first called upon to do any work and accomplishing it with some measure of success is to become proud and to show their vanity by talking too much about themselves and what they have done Such lifting up not only dishonours God but hurts the person But Jehoshaphat was lifted up in the ways of the Lord Too often as money comes in and prosperity increases

people get so absorbed in these new gifts of God that the Giver Himself fades out of their vision If only we see the hand of God in every new mercy and goodness that comes to us our heart will be lifted up in the ways of the Lord

III lsquoThe fear of the Lord fell upon all the kingdoms hellip so that they made no war against Jehoshaphatrsquo The Lord is able to control even the diplomacy and the politics of nationsmdashWhen these kingdoms saw the blessing which Jehoshaphat was enjoying in his country they felt an awe in their heartsmdashthe fear of the Lord fell upon themmdashand they refrained from making war God will always find some way to defend His own people in the midst of dangers

PULPIT The first ways of his father David Although there would be no difficulty in reconciling this statement with history yet probably the name David should not stand here It is not in the Septuagint The most natural and sufficient reference is to Asa And sought not unto Ballim literally to the Baalim ie to the various false gods of surrounding peoples ( 211) Baal-berith ( 833 94 946) Baal-zebub (2 Kings 12) Baal-peor (umbers 2328 etc umbers 253) according to the places where the idolatrous worship was carried on (For the preposition ל to after sought in this and following verse see again 1 Chronicles 2219 )

4 but sought the God of his father and followed his commands rather than the practices of Israel

BARES The doings of Israel - i e the especially idolatrous doings of the time -the introduction and establishment of the worship of Baal and the groves

GILL But sought to the Lord God of his fathers Prayed to him worshipped and served him

and walked in his commandments observed and kept them moral ceremonial and judicial

and not after the doings of Israel who worshipped the golden calves at Dan and Bethel

JAMISO and not after the doings of Israelmdash He observed with scrupulous fidelity and employed his royal influence to support the divine institutions as enacted by Moses abhorring that spurious and unlawful calf-worship that now formed the established religion in Israel Being thus far removed alike from gross idolatry and Israelitish apostasy and adhering zealously to the requirements of the divine law the blessing of God rested on his government Ruling in the fear of God and for the good of his subjects ldquothe Lord established the kingdom in his handrdquo

COFFMA So far so good Jehoshaphat like some others of the kings of Judah began very well receiving as their reward the blessing of the Lord and the prosperity of the people but his alliance with Ahab (described in 2 Chronicles 18) would cast a dark shadow over what is written here

(He) walked not after the doings of Israel (2 Chronicles 174) The contempt in which the author of Chronicles held the orthern Israel appears in a clause like this The outstanding feature of Chronicles is the omission wherever possible of practically the entire history of their kings This reminds us of the Book of umbers in which the whole history of the apostate Israel records only a few events for the whole period Why It was because of the fact that what any nation does after they have rejected God is of minor importance

With the apostasy of the orthern Israel and their rejection of Gods choice of the house of David the history of the redemption of mankind dramatically shifted to what happened in Jerusalem

TRAPP 2 Chronicles 174 But sought to the [LORD] God of his father and walked in his commandments and not after the doings of Israel

Ver 4 And not after the doings of Israel] Who in his days did evil as they could under that nonsuch Ahab But Jehoshaphat was not corrupted with their ill neighbourhood

PARKER But sought to the Lord God of his father and walked in his commandments and not after the doings of Israel ( 2 Chronicles 174)

We must be prepared for singularity if we are genuinely prepared to be good Let a man settle it with himself in prayerful solitude whether he means to walk with God or to identify himself with the spirit and customs of his age Jehoshaphat laid down a clear programme for himself and followed it out with patient and faithful industry The Lord God of his father was not a mere term in a crowd it was the object of daily search and quest Jehoshaphat inquired for him and operated constantly upon the doctrine Ask and it shall be given you knock and it shall be opened unto you or was Jehoshaphats religion merely speculative that is to say an intellectual quest after an intellectual God whatever was speculative in the mind and service of Jehoshaphat was sustained and ennobled by a solid moral element

forasmuch as Jehoshaphat walked in Gods commandmentsmdashhe read the decalogue he studied Gods word he would take no action personal regal or social that was not first examined and approved in the light of the divine statutes All this might have been comparatively easy if Jehoshaphat had started at an independent point but at such a point no man can start for he must take up the age as he finds it and must first disembarrass himself from all the stipulations and claims of custom usage and popular superstition Jehoshaphat sought not after the doings of Israel he set himself up in this respect against the kingdom he was not afraid of peculiarity in a word Jehoshaphats religion was characteristic that is to say it had lines points and colours of its own about which there could be no reasonable mistake What is our religion Do we intellectually assent to the existence and sovereignty of one God and then degenerate into self-worship Do we admit that there must be an ultimate morality a philosophy of conduct founded upon eternal metaphysics and then do we measure our own behaviour by the canon of custom These are questions that search the heart and no man can answer them for his brother

What became of all this noble conduct arising out of this high religious conception We shall see in the following versemdash

PULPIT After the doings of Israel This expression probably marks the doings of the northern kingdom as both the more typical throughout its whole history of the wrong and also as the systematic beginning by a law of idolatrous worship and images in the matter of the calves and so on

5 The Lord established the kingdom under his control and all Judah brought gifts to Jehoshaphat so that he had great wealth and honor

BARES Presents - i e ldquofree-will offeringsrdquo in addition to the regular taxes See 1Sa_1027

GILL Therefore the Lord stablished the kingdom in his hand Piety is the

best prop of government the throne is best supported and established by truth righteousness and mercy by the exercise of these Jehoshaphat was settled in his kingdom and had a place in the hearts of his people

and all Judah brought to Jehoshaphat presents being well affected to him as well as it was usual so to do at a princes accession to the throne see 1Sa_1027

and he had riches and honour in abundance through the presents his subjects brought him and the respect they showed him

JAMISO all Judah brought presentsmdash This was customary with the people generally at the beginning of a reign (1Sa_1027) and with the nobles and high functionaries yearly afterwards They were given in the form of voluntary offerings to avoid the odious idea of a tax or tribute

KampD Therefore Jahve established the kingdom in his hand ie under his rule cf

2Ki_145 All Judah brought him presents מנחה often used of tribute of subject peoples

eg in 2Ch_1711 of the Philistines cannot here have that signification nor can it denote

the regular imposts of subjects for these are not called מנחה but must denote voluntary

gifts which his subjects brought him as a token of their reverence and love The last clause ldquoand there was to him (he attained) riches and honour in abundancerdquo which is repeated 2Ch_181 recalls 1Ch_2928 2Ch_112 and signifies that Jehoshaphat like his ancestors David and Solomon was blessed for walking in the pious ways of these his forefathers

BESO 2 Chronicles 175-6 Therefore the Lord established the kingdom in his hand mdash Those stand firm that have the presence of God with them If the beauty of the Lord our God be upon us that will stablish the work of our hands and establish us in our integrity And all Judah brought to Jehoshaphat presents mdash As subjects in those times and places used to do to their kings in token of their respect and subjection to them The more there is of true religion among a people the more conscientious loyalty there will be A governor that answers the end of government will be supported And he had riches and honour in abundance mdash The effect of the favour both of God and his people It is undoubtedly true though few will believe it that religion and piety are the best friends to outward prosperity And his heart was lift up in the ways of the Lord mdash Riches and honour in abundance prove to many a clog and a hinderance in the ways of the Lord an occasion of pride security and sensuality but they had a quite contrary effect upon Jehoshaphat his abundance was oil to the wheels of his obedience and the more he had of the wealth of this world the more cheerfully and resolutely he went on in the ways of the Lord His heart also was lifted up above all discouragements difficulties and fears by which menrsquos hearts are wont to be cast down He was valiant and resolute for God and his ways He took away the high places and groves mdash That is those in which idols were worshipped for those that were dedicated to the true God only were not taken away chap 2 Chronicles 2033 And though Asa had done the same before yet

either he did not do it thoroughly or the people who were mad upon their idols had secretly made new ones in the latter part of his reign when he grew more infirm in body and more remiss in Godrsquos cause

TRAPP 2 Chronicles 175 Therefore the LORD stablished the kingdom in his hand and all Judah brought to Jehoshaphat presents and he had riches and honour in abundance

Ver 5 And he had riches and honour in abundance] Herein he came near unto Solomon in his greatest flourish

ELLICOTT (5) ThereforemdashAnd (so ldquoalsordquo ldquoso thatrdquo in 2 Chronicles 177 2 Chronicles 1710)

The Lord stablished the kingdom in his handmdashComp 2 Kings 145

PresentsmdashMinchah This word often means tributary offerings as in 2 Chronicles 1711 but here it obviously denotes the voluntary gifts of loyal subjects usual at the beginning of a reign (1 Samuel 1027)

And he had (or got) riches and honour in abundancemdashLike David and Solomon (1 Chronicles 2928 2 Chronicles 112)

PARKER 5-9 5 Therefore the Lord stablished the kingdom in his hand [comp 2 Kings 145] and all Judah brought to Jehoshaphat presents [this word often means tributary offerings but here it denotes the voluntary gifts of loyal subjects] and he had riches and honour in abundance

6 And his heart was lifted up [usually the phrase has a bad meaning (as in Deuteronomy 814 2 Chronicles 2616 Psalm 1311 etc) but it is evident that it must be taken differently here The marginal reading is right his courage rose high or he grew bold] in the ways of the Lord moreover he took away the high places and groves out of Judah

7 Also in the third year of his reign he sent to his princes [rather he sent his princes] even to Ben-hail and to Obadiah and to Zechariah and to ethaneel and to Michaiah to teach in the cities of Judah

8 And with them he sent [rather were the] Levites even Shemaiah and ethaniah and Zebadiah and Asahel and Shemiramoth and Jehonathan and Adonijah and Tobijah and Tobadonijah Levites and with them Elishama and Jehoram priests

9 And they taught in Judah and had the book of the law of the Lord [the Pentateuchmdashnearly if not quite in the shape in which we now have it] with them and went about throughout all the cities of Judah and taught [among] the people

PARKER Therefore the Lord stablished the kingdom in his hand and all Judah brought to Jehoshaphat presents and he had riches and honour in abundance ( 2 Chronicles 175)

Whatever was doubtful about the ascent of Jehoshaphat to the throne was removed and the king was enabled to realise his power when he closed his hand upon the royal sceptre he found that he was not grasping a shadow but a reality There are times when men become fully conscious of their influence and of their proper social position happy are they if in this consciousness they detect a prevailingly religious element which constrains them to acknowledge that honour and wealth power and dignity are the gifts of God Is not this an anticipation of the Saviours great doctrinemdashSeek ye first the kingdom of God and his righteousness and all these things shall be added unto you Jehoshaphat did not seek riches and honour he sought to the Lord God of his father and walked in the divine commandments and as a result he enjoyed all that kings delight in as indicating strength and pomp renown and influence

GUZIK 2 (2 Chronicles 175-6) The blessing upon his reign

Therefore the LORD established the kingdom in his hand and all Judah gave presents to Jehoshaphat and he had riches and honor in abundance And his heart took delight in the ways of the LORD moreover he removed the high places and wooden images from Judah

a Therefore the LORD established the kingdom in his hand This was no small accomplishment In those days kings and kingdoms were fragile and under constant threat Yet if the descendants of David would seek God first He promised to take care of their security ndash and God makes the same promise to His people today (Matthew 633)

b All Judah gave presents to Jehoshaphat and he had riches and honor in abundance Because Jehoshaphat trusted God God lifted him up and exalted him as a king As his heart took delight in the ways of the LORD the LORD gave him the desires of his heart (Psalms 374)

c Moreover he removed the high places and wooden images from Judah 1 Kings 2243 says that Jehoshaphat did not remove the high places Adam Clarke explains ldquoIn 2 Chronicles 176 it is expressly said that he did take way the high places Allowing that the text is right in 2 Chronicles the two places may be easily recognized There were two kinds of high places in the land 1 Those used for idolatrous purposes 2 Those that were consecrated to God and were used before the temple was built The former he did take away the latter he did notrdquo

i ldquoThey may also witness to the deep hold of the Canaanite and syncretic forms of religion on ordinary Israelites Popular views and practices are often quite different from pronouncements by religious authoritiesrdquo (Selman)

PULPIT All Judah brought presents to Jehoshaphat These presents were of course voluntary gifts though like not a few others custom may have taken off from them something of the bloom of spontaneousness (1 Samuel 1027 2 Samuel 82 1 Kings 421 1 Kings 1025 Psalms 7210)

6 His heart was devoted to the ways of the Lord furthermore he removed the high places and the Asherah poles from Judah

BARES His heart was lifted up - This expression generally occurs in a bad sense Deu_814 2Ch_2616 Psa_1311 Pro_1812 but here it must be taken differently The margin ldquowas encouragedrdquo expresses fairly the true meaning He first began by setting an example of faithfulness to Yahweh He then proceeded to use his best endeavors to extirpate idolatry

He took away the high places - Compare 2Ch_2033 and see the 2Ch_1517 note

GILL And his heart was lifted up in the ways of the Lord It was engaged in them was bent and set upon them he walked in them with great pleasure and cheerfulness being inspired with zeal and courage he was fearless and intrepid and regarded not any opposition he might have or expect to have in the work of reformation in which he was concerned

moreover he took away the high places such as were dedicated to idols but not those in which the true God was worshipped 2Ch_2033

and groves out of Judah where idols were placed for though these had been removed by Asa yet had been renewed in the latter part of his days when more negligent of religion

HERY 2 He was a despised man (Job_176) ldquoHerdquo (that is Eliphaz so some or rather God whom he all along acknowledges to be the author of his calamities) ldquohas made me a byword of the people the talk of the country a laughing-stock to many a gazing-stock to all and aforetime (or to mens faces publicly) I was as a tabret that whoever chose might play uponrdquo They made ballads of him his name became a proverb it is so still As poor as Job ldquoHe has now made me a bywordrdquo a reproach of men whereas aforetime in my prosperity I was as a tabret deliciae humani generis -

the darling of the human race whom they were all pleased with It is common for those who were honoured in their wealth to be despised in their poverty

JAMISO his heart was lifted up in the ways of the Lordmdash Full of faith and piety he possessed zeal and courage to undertake the reformation of manners to suppress all the works and objects of idolatry (see on 2Ch_2033) and he held out public encouragement to the pure worship of God

KampD This blessing encouraged Jehoshaphat to extirpate from the land all

idolatrous worship and to teach the people the law of the Lord לב usually sensu ב

malo to be haughty proud cf eg 2Ch_2616 2Ch_3225 here sensu bono of rising

courage to advance in ways pleasing to God and he removed the high places also etc עודpoints back to 2Ch_173 not only did he himself keep far from the Baals but he

removed besides all memorials of the Baal-worship from Judah On מות and אשרים see

on 2Ch_142

COKE 2 Chronicles 176 And his heart was lifted upmdash And when he had elevated his mind in following the commandments of God he took yet from Judah high places and groves ie he destroyed yet other monuments of idolatry which had escaped the diligence of his father Asa though he took not away those high places and altars which had been erected in Jerusalem for the true God See 1 Kings 2243 and ch 1 Kings 2033 of this book

TRAPP 2 Chronicles 176 And his heart was lifted up in the ways of the LORD moreover he took away the high places and groves out of Judah

Ver 6 And his heart was lifted up] ot with pride as 2 Chronicles 3225 but with undaunted courage and disengaged zeal such as made him come off roundly and readily in the ensuing reformation he was more forward and forth putting than his father Asa not slothful in business but fervent in spirit serving the Lord

POOLE His heart was lifted up above all discouragements and difficulties and fears by which menrsquos hearts use to be cast down he was valiant and resolute for God and his ways

He took away the high places and groves to wit such only wherein idols were worshipped as appears by comparing this with 2 Chronicles 2033 And though Asa had done this before yet either he did not do it thoroughly or the Jews (who were many of them mad upon their idols) had secretly made new ones in the latter part of his reign when he grew more infirm in body and more remiss in Godrsquos cause

WHEDO 6 His heart was lifted up mdash That is exalted with holy faith and courage

Took away the high places mdash Yet in spite of all his efforts and successes in this matter the people had become so addicted to these practices that their destruction was not thoroughly secured See note on 2 Chronicles 143 and compare 2 Chronicles 2033

ELLICOTT (6) And his heart was lifted upmdashGabhah lccedilbh which usually like the phrase of Authorised version has a bad meaning as in 2 Chronicles 2616 The margin is right here ldquohis courage rose highrdquo or ldquohe grew boldrdquo in the ways of Jehovah ie in the path of religious reform Vulg ldquocum sumpsisset cor ejus audaciam propter vias Dominirdquo

MoreovermdashAnd again further Referring to 2 Chronicles 173 ot only did he not seek the Baals but more than this he removed the high places ampc [This is the common explanation But the sense may rather be ldquoAnd he again removedrdquo referring back to Asarsquos reforms 2 Chronicles 145]

GrovesmdashrsquoAshecircrim ldquoAsherahsrdquo (2 Chronicles 143)

PARKER And his heart was lifted up in the ways of the Lord moreover he took away the high places and groves out of Judah ( 2 Chronicles 176)

The expression his heart was lifted up is an awkward one The lifting up of the heart signifies increase of pride a sensation of vanity a desire to gratify personal ambition and to make an idol of his will In this instance the marginal reading is to be preferredmdashwas encouraged or otherwise his courage rose high and again it has been rendered Jehoshaphat grew bold that is to say he was not a timid reformer or a timid worshipper a trimmer or a time-server in any sense he was a heroic worshipper of the living God when he saw that reform was necessary he went forward with a steady step and an energetic hand We should call Jehoshaphat a man of conviction and a man who had the courage of his convictions altogether this is the outline of a noble personage a born king a man who has a right to the purple and the sceptre When such men ascend thrones nations should be glad and rejoice with a great joy for their character is grander than their office and their spirit is the best guarantee of the elevation and utility of their regal policy Becoming conscious of his power knowing that his kingdom was established from on high Jehoshaphat not only did pot seek the Baals himself but he took away the high places and groves out of Judah Jehoshaphat was not content with a merely personal religion he could not convert the hearts of his people but he could destroy all the symbols of unholy worship Men are only required to do that which lies within their power A proprietor may not be able to make people sober but he can forbid the introduction of temptations to drunkenness a parent may not be able to subdue the spirit of pride but he can in many instances limit the means of gratifying it There are reforms which are open to us all in personal custom in social habit it may be even in imperial ways let each Jehoshaphat seize his opportunity and magnify it

All this would have been comparatively in vain but for another step which

Jehoshaphat took In the third year of his reign he sent to his princesmdashthat is to say he sent his princesmdashand he sent Levites all of whose names are given and he sent also two priests Elishama and Jehoram and their business was purely educational

PULPIT And his heart was lifted up in the ways of the Lord Although the verb often carries a bad sense with it it quite as often carries with it a good one in the גבהOld Testament and the typical instance of the former (Psalms 1311) is fully counterbalanced by Isaiah 5213 The marginal was enencouraged may be superseded with advantage by took courage (Isaiah 4029-31) The groves Supersede this incorrect rendering by the Asherim and upon the seeming discrepancy see again Isaiah 151-9 17 and Introduction to Chronicles there quoted

7 In the third year of his reign he sent his officials Ben-Hail Obadiah Zechariah ethanel and Micaiah to teach in the towns of Judah

BARES The princes were not sent as teachers themselves but had the duty committed to them of seeing that the people were taught The actual teachers were the priests and Levites of 2Ch_178

CLARKE 7-9 To teach in the cities of Judah - ldquoTo teach the fear of the Lord in the cities of Judahrdquo - Targum

In these verses we find a remarkable account of an itinerant ministry established by Jehoshaphat and in this work he employed three classes of men

1 The princes

2 The Levites

3 The priests

We may presume that the princes instructed the people in the nature of the civil law and constitution of the kingdom the Levites instructed them in every thing that appertained to the temple service and ritual law and the priests instructed them in the

nature and design of the religion they professed Thus the nation became thoroughly instructed in their duty to God to the king and to each other They became therefore as one man and against a people thus united on such principles no enemy could be successful

GILL Also in the third year of his reign he sent to his princes That dwelt in the several parts of the kingdom or he sent them being with him some of the

principal men of his court for ל may be a sign of the accusative case as it sometimes is

even to Benhail and to Obadiah and to Zechariah and to Nethaneel and to Michaiah to teach in the cities of Judah to see that they were taught and oblige them to attend to the instructions that should be given them and not mutiny and rebel against their teachers and to let them know what was the kings pleasure on this head and to back with their authority the priests and Levites whose proper work it was to instruct and who therefore were sent with them as follows

JAMISO 7-11 2Ch_177-11 He sends Levites to teach in Judah

Also in the third year of his reign he sent to his princes to teach in the cities of Judahmdash The ordinary work of teaching devolved on the priests But extraordinary commissioners were appointed probably to ascertain whether the work had been done or neglected This deputation of five princes assisted by two priests and nine Levites was to make a circuit of the towns in Judah It is the first practical measure we read of as being adopted by any of the kings for the religious instruction of the people Time and unbroken opportunities were afforded for carrying out fully this excellent plan of home education for the kingdom enjoyed internal tranquillity as well as freedom for foreign wars It is conformable to the pious style of the sacred historian to trace this profound peace to the ldquofear of the Lord having fallen on all kingdoms of the lands that were round about Judahrdquo

BESO 2 Chronicles 177 He sent to his princes mdash to teach in the cities of Judah mdash To inform the people of their duty and of the kingrsquos pleasure As judges teach or instruct the people in the laws of the land when they deliver their charges upon the bench so did these princes in the kingrsquos name admonish and require the people to observe and obey the laws of God which were the municipal laws of that land the particular explication and enforcement whereof they left to the Levites and priests here following who were sent for this end and accordingly taught the people 2 Chronicles 179

COFFMA Because of the clause which we have capitalized this is one of the most important passages in Chronicles Right here is the reason radical critics have extended themselves so unreasonably in their efforts to discredit Chronicles Here is dependable historical proof of the continued existence of the Torah from the days of Moses throughout the history of Israel As Keil stated it The book of the law of Jehovah is the Pentateuch not merely a collection of Mosaic laws since in Jehoshaphats time the Mosaic Book of the Law (the Pentateuch) had been long in existence[1] We shall not take the space to repeat the vociferous denials of critics

except to cite one knee-jerk remark that characterizes all of them Such action was not taken in Jehoshaphats time[2] What is the basis of such a blatant denial of what Gods Word states as a fact even giving the very names of the royal princes who did the teaching THERE IS OE o matter what unbelievers say this chapter IS the historical record of what happened in the reign of Jehoshaphat and those who live two and one half millenniums afterward have nothing of value by which they may challenge it Then why do men deny it The false theories they have invented are here contradicted forcing them either to give up their false theories or to deny the Sacred Scriptures that contradict them

COKE 2 Chronicles 177 He sent to his princes even to Ben-hail ampcmdash He sent of his princes Ben-hail Obadiah ampc The proper business of these princes in their circuit round the kingdom says Bishop Patrick was to admonish and require the people to observe the laws of God and to leave the particular explication and enforcement of them to those of the sacred order who went with them supporting them in the execution of their office and obliging the people to receive them with respect to hear them with attention and to practise what they taught

TRAPP 2 Chronicles 177 Also in the third year of his reign he sent to his princes [even] to Benhail and to Obadiah and to Zechariah and to ethaneel and to Michaiah to teach in the cities of Judah

Ver 7 He sent to his princes to teach in the cities of Judah] Teaching princes there are not many such as were David Solomon George prince of Anhalt ampc but these were sent with the teaching Levites to countenance and bear them out in this visitation general and perhaps to punish the opposite and obstinate if any such Junius readeth the text thus He sent with his princes these Levites for the teaching Or the princes taught the people the law of the land the priests and Levites the law of God both did mutually help one another So a Danish king of this land made a law that at the general court of every shire the bishop of the diocese should accompany the sheriff that the one might countenance Godrsquos law the other manrsquos (a) Queen Elizabeth once in her progress through Suffolk observing that the justices of that county who came to meet her had every man his minister next to his body said she wondered not that that county was so well governed where she saw that the word and sword went so lovingly together (b)

POOLE To teach in the cities of Judah to inform the people of their duty and of the kingrsquos pleasure As judges or justices of peace teach or instruct the people in the laws of the land when they deliver their charges upon the bench so did these princes in the kingrsquos name admonish and require the people to observe and obey the laws of God which were the prinicipal laws of that land the particular explication and enforcement whereof they left to the Levites and priests here following who were sent for this end and accordingly taught the people 2 Chronicles 179

WHEDO 7 He sent to his princeshellip to teach mdash He committed the matter of

teaching to their oversight and care and the teaching was done by the Levites and priests as stated in the next verse He did well to put down idolatry but he was wise enough to know that unless the people were instructed they would soon apostatize again

ELLICOTT THE COMMISSIOERS OF PUBLIC ISTRUCTIO I THE LAW

(7) He sent to his princes even to Ben-hail to MichaiahmdashRather He sent his princes Ben- hail and Obadiah and Michaiah (The le ldquotordquo in the chroniclerrsquos idiom marking the object of the verb) If however Authorised Version were correct the construction would not be unique as the Speakerrsquos Com mentary asserts (Comp 2 Kings 57 ldquothis man sendeth to me to recover a manrdquo ampc)

Princesmdashone of the personages mentioned in this and the following verse are otherwise known The ldquofive princesrdquo were laymen of rank and were accompanied by nine (eight) Levites and two priests

Ben-hailmdashSon of valour A compound proper name only occurring here but analogous to Ben-hur Ben-deker and Ben-hesed in 1 Kings 48-10 (The LXX renders ldquothe sons of the mightyrdquo Syriac ldquothe chiefs of the forcesrdquo apparently reading bnecirc chail)

ethaneelmdashSyriac Mattanael Arabic Mattaniah Michaiah Syriac and Arabic Malachiah

GUZIK B The strength of Jehoshaphatrsquos kingdom

1 (2 Chronicles 177-10) The spiritual strength of the kingdom Jehoshaphat brings the Word of God to the people

Also in the third year of his reign he sent his leaders Ben-Hail Obadiah Zechariah ethanel and Michaiah to teach in the cities of Judah And with them he sent Levites Shemaiah ethaniah Zebadiah Asahel Shemiramoth Jehonathan Adonijah Tobijah and Tobadonijah the Levites and with them Elishama and Jehoram the priests So they taught in Judah and had the Book of the Law of the LORD with them they went throughout all the cities of Judah and taught the people And the fear of the LORD fell on all the kingdoms of the lands that were around Judah so that they did not make war against Jehoshaphat

a To teach in the cities of Judah These ldquoteaching priestsrdquo have been mentioned by the Chronicler before (2 Chronicles 153) They had the important role of bringing the word of God to the people especially those who lived outside of Jerusalem

b They taught in Judah and had the Book of the Law of the LORD with them they went throughout all the cities of Judah and taught the people This was the wisest

and best policy a security-conscious king of Judah could promote Because Jehoshaphat sought God first God sent fear upon the neighboring kingdoms so that they did not make war against Jehoshaphat

i ldquoBy this little band of princes Levites and priests sixteen in all Jehoshaphat did more toward impressing the surrounding nations with a sense of his power than the largest and best-equipped standing army could have secured to himrdquo (Knapp)

ii ldquoThe method adopted was what in these modern times we might describe as the holding of Special Missions throughout the cities of Judah for the specific purpose of proclaiming and interpreting lsquothe book of the law of Jehovahrsquordquo (Morgan)

iii ldquoo better service can be rendered to the nation than that of proclaiming the Word of Jehovah to the people in cities towns villages and hamlets By such proclamation the heart of the people may be turned to Jehovah and so He be enabled to do for them all that is in His heartrdquo (Morgan)

iv ldquoThus the nation became thoroughly instructed in their duty to God to the king and to each other They became therefore as one man and against a people thus united on such principles no enemy could be successfulrdquo (Clarke)

v Clarke observed how a similar itinerant ministry in the days of John Wesley and his followers impacted Britain ldquoSuch an itinerant ministry established in these kingdoms for upwards of fourscore years teaching the pure unadulterated doctrines of the Gospel with the propriety and necessity of obedience to the laws has been the principle means in the hand of God of preserving the lands from those convulsions and revolutions that have ruined and nearly dissolved the European continentrdquo

vi ldquoIt is said (2 Chronicles 172) Jehoshaphat place forces in all the fenced cities yet it is not said thereupon that lsquothe fear of the Lord fell upon the neighbour nationsrsquo But when he had established a preaching ministry in all the cities then his enemies had a fear and made no warrdquo (Trapp)

PULPIT He sent Hebrew שלח The Hebrew text distinctly says he sent to his princes not he sent his princes The meaning ismdashhe sent orders to his princes to see to it that Judah was taught (2 Chronicles 179) the book of the Law of the Lord (Le 2 Chronicles 1011 Deuteronomy 49 Deuteronomy 1718) not indeed without their own personal aid in whatever way able to be given but systematically and with authority by the Levites and priests (Deuteronomy 3310) This deeper fathoming of the needs of the time and of what constituted its real safety was greatly to the spiritual credit of Jehoshaphat The references (2 Chronicles 153 2 Chronicles 352-4 2 Chronicles 3510-12) are full of point one of these princes or Levites and priests are elsewhere mentioned by name

8 With them were certain LevitesmdashShemaiah ethaniah Zebadiah Asahel Shemiramoth Jehonathan Adonijah Tobijah and Tob-Adonijahmdashand the priests Elishama and Jehoram

GILL 2 Chronicles 178And with them he sent Levites With the five princes he sent nine Levites

even Shemaiah and Nethaniah and Zebadiah and Asahel and Shemiramoth and Jehonathan and Adonijah and Tobijah and Tobadonijah Levites of whom we nowhere else read no doubt they were principal persons and fit for the work they were sent about

and with them Elishama and Jehoram priests whose lips were to keep knowledge and at whose mouth the law was to be sought Mal_27

ELLICOTT (8) And with them he sent LevitesmdashRather And with them were the Levites The construction being changed So LXX and the Syriac (Comp 1 Chronicles 1641-42 1 Chronicles 1518 for the same mode of enumeration which is characteristic of the style of the chronicler

ZebadiahmdashSome MSS and Syriac and Arabic read Zechariah

ShemiramothmdashSo LXX and Vulg (see 1 Chronicles 165 1 Chronicles 1518) The Heb text is probably incorrect Syriac and Arabic read instead atucircra

Tob-adonijahmdashThis curious name occurs only here and is perhaps a mere mistake arising out of the preceding Adonijah and Tobijah The Syriac and Arabic omit it

PriestsmdashThe priests

The commission was a mixed one of civil and ecclesiastical persons (comp 1 Chronicles 131-2 1 Chronicles 232 1 Chronicles 246)

And had the book of the law of the LordmdashAnd with them was the book of the law (teaching) of Jehovah For the construction compare 1 Chronicles 1642 The writer

evidently means the Pentateuch and if this notice was derived by him from a contemporary source eg the ldquowords of Jehu the son of Hananirdquo to which he refers as an authority for the reign (2 Chronicles 2034) it would constitute an important testimony to the existence if not of the five books at least of an ancient collection of laws at this early date (circ 850 BC )

And taught the peoplemdashTaught among the people

9 They taught throughout Judah taking with them the Book of the Law of the Lord they went around to all the towns of Judah and taught the people

BARES There is no reasonable doubt that this ldquobook of the lawrdquo was the Pentateuch - nearly if not quite in the shape in which we now have it Copies of the whole Law were no doubt scarce and therefore Jehoshaphatrsquos commission took care to carry a copy with them

CLARKE Had the book of the law of the Lord with them - This was their text book it was the book of God they taught it as such and as such the people received it Its laws were Godrsquos laws and the people felt their obligation and their consciences were bound Thus they were obedient to the laws of the land on the principle of religion In this they were encouraged and confirmed by the example of all both in Church and state The princes were not only pious but were teachers of piety the Levites showed them the worth and excellence of their ritual institutions and the priests showed them the moral use they were to make of the whole and thus the people became obedient to God as well as to the king and kept all the civil ordinances not merely for the sake of a good king but for the sake of a good and gracious God By these means the nation enjoyed peace and prosperity and all insurrections seditions and popular commotions were prevented The surrounding nations perceiving this saw that there was no hope of subduing such a people so they made no war with Jehoshaphat 2Ch_1710 And they took care not to provoke such a people to fall on them therefore it is said The fear of the Lord fell on all the kingdoms and lands that were round about Judah Such an itinerant ministry established in these kingdoms for upwards of fourscore years

teaching the pure unadulterated doctrines of the Gospel with the propriety and necessity of obedience to the laws has been the principal means in the hand of God of preserving these lands from those convulsions and revolutions that have ruined and nearly dissolved the European continent The itinerant ministry to which this refers is that which was established in these lands by the late truly reverend highly learned and cultivated deeply pious and loyal John Wesley AM formerly a fellow of Lincoln College Oxford whose followers are known by the name of Methodists a people who are an honor to their country and a blessing to the government under which they live

GILL And they taught in Judah The people their duty to God and man

and had the book of the law of the Lord with them as the rule of their instruction and the peoples obedience out of this they taught them and by it confirmed what they taught and enforced it with the divine authority

and went about throughout all the cities of Judah not only their own cities the Levitical ones but all others

and taught the people the law of the Lord the fear and worship of God

JAMISO the book of the lawmdash that is either the whole Pentateuch or only the book of Deuteronomy which contains an abridgment of it

BESO 2 Chronicles 179 And they taught in Judah ampc mdash The Levites and priests were teachers by office Deuteronomy 3310 It was a part of the work for which they had their maintenance and indeed had little else to do But it seems they had neglected it pretending probably that they could not get the people to hear them Jehoshaphat therefore sends them with the princes who by their authority might require the people to assemble together to receive instruction in the laws of God and their duty ldquoWhat a great deal of goodrdquo says Henry ldquomay be done when Moses and Aaron thus go hand in hand in the doing of it when princes with their power and priests and Levites with their Scripture-learning agree to teach the people the good knowledge of God and their duty These itinerant judges and itinerant preachers together were instrumental to diffuse a blessed light throughout the cities of Judahrdquo And had the book of the law of the Lord with them mdash 1st For their own guidance that from thence they might draw all the instructions they gave to the people and not teach for doctrines the commandments of men 2d For the conviction or the people that they might see these priests and Levites had a divine warrant for what they said and delivered to them only that which they had received from the Lord

TRAPP 2 Chronicles 179 And they taught in Judah and [had] the book of the law of the LORD with them and went about throughout all the cities of Judah and taught the people

Ver 9 And had the book of the law of the Lord with them] They taught not

traditions human inventions or unwritten verities All their doctrines came cum privilegio and were Scripture proof

WHEDO 9 The book of the law mdash Our Pentateuch in substantially its present form ldquoCopies of the whole law were no doubt scarce and therefore Jehoshaphatrsquos commission took care to carry a copy with themrdquo mdash Rawlinson

PARKER And they taught in Judah and had the book of the law of the Lord with them and went about throughout all the cities of Judah and taught the people ( 2 Chronicles 179)

This was a mixed commission partly civil partly ecclesiastical The men here mentioned are otherwise unknown We identify them as educational reformers or reformers who operated through the medium of education they were not warriors destroyers revolutionists but men who addressed the mind and the understanding and the conscience and caused men to know that the true law was from above and not from beneath The book which the commission had in hand was the Pentateuch or the law of Moses This was known to be the law which alone could touch all the vital necessities of the commonwealth Again and again we are constrained to admit that there is a law beyond Prayer of Manasseh above Prayer of Manasseh in a sense apart from man men are not driven within themselves to find a law an instinct or a reason they have a written statute an authoritative declaration a book which Christian teachers do not hesitate to describe as a Revelation and to that they call the attention of men If the teacher were teaching out of his own consciousness he would be but an equal often exposing himself to the destructive criticism of his more advanced and penetrating scholars but the teacher takes his stand upon a book upon the Book the Bible a revelation which he believes to be divine and final Say what we will the effect of Bible teaching must be judged by its fruits Where are the nations that are most distinguished for wide and varied intelligence for large and exhaustive sympathy for missionary enterprise for philanthropic institutions and for all the elements which give grace and beauty to social existence The question should admit of definite reply the facts are before men let them judge fearlessly and honestly and we need have no apprehension concerning their verdict Wherever the word of the Lord has had free course superstition has been chased away human slavery has been abolished every instance of intolerance injustice unkindness has felt the influence of holy thought in all these matters discussion should be limited strictly to facts Thus kings can help nations not by forcing education not by attempting to rule opinion not by setting up standards of orthodoxy to fall short of which is to incur penalty but by spreading education by extending light by cultivating a spirit of inquiry and by a generous multiplication of all the instrumentalities needed for the destruction of ignorance What may come of this we are not supposed at this moment to know Meanwhile let us be thankful that we are face to face with a man who has conviction courage independence high patriotic and generous impulse and let us hope that his end may be as beautiful as his beginning was promising

SIMEO THE ROYAL EDICT

ADVERTISEMETmdashThe author feels it necessary to prefix to this Sermon some short account of the occasion on which it was delivered

The author was at Amsterdam (in June 1818) partly with a view of re-establishing there an Episcopal Chapel in which there had been no service for seven years but principally with a view of seeking the welfare of the Children of Israel He went thither rather to explore than to act (See ehemiah 212-16) But just previous to the 18th of June he understood that the Third Anniversary of the Battle of Waterloo was to be kept throughout the etherlands as a day of thanksgiving and just at that time also he quite accidentally heard that the King of the etherlands had a year before issued an Edict requiring all the Jews to educate their children in the knowledge of their own Scriptures and calling upon all his Christian Subjects to aid in this good work Despondency not unlike to that which paralyzed all exertion at Jerusalem in ehemiahrsquos days so universally prevailed that no one had risen to the occasion the very Commissioners who had been appointed to carry the Edict into effect had published a Report in which they gave it as their opinion ldquothat the Lordrsquos time was not comerdquo and there was great danger that the gracious designs of the Monarch would be altogether frustrated The author therefore judged this a fit occasion for calling the attention of the Public to the Edict and accordingly after devoting the Morning Service to the more appropriate subject of the day he employed the Evening Service in an endeavour to forward this good work Considerable attention was excited to the subject by means of the Sermon which was therefore instantly printed in Dutch French and English for the purpose of its being circulated throughout the etherlands and he has reason to hope that active exertions were afterwards made in many places to promote what every benevolent mind must ardently desire the edification and welfare of the Jewish People

So good an example having been set by the Emperor of Russia and the King of the etherlands the author hopes that the attention of our own Governors also both in Church and State may be called to this long-neglected People and that now the British Public has been invited by authority (the Kingrsquos Letter) to aid in supporting Missions to the Heathen World the claims of the Jewish ation to whom under God we owe all the light that we ourselves enjoy will not be overlooked It is with a view to this great object that the author sends forth the Sermon in this country where if the foregoing explanation had not been given its relevancy and use might have been justly called in question

2 Chronicles 179 And they taught in Judah and had the book of the law of the Lord with them and went about throughout all the cities of Judah and taught the people

O a day set apart for thanksgiving to God for mercies received it is peculiarly proper to consider what we may render unto the Lord for all his benefits Certainly if any event ever deserved repeated annual commemoration it is that which has

freed the world from the most grievous tyranny that ever it endured Of the bitter cup which was put into the hands of every nation in Europe this nation [ote The etherlands] drank very deeply and the change which it has experienced in the restoration of their rightful Monarch and in the establishment of a free Constitution calls for their devoutest acknowledgments to Almighty God Doubtless we may with justice pay some tribute of honour to those who by their counsels and their arms effected the overthrow of the Usurper but it is God alone who giveth victory to kings and to whom the glory of this great victory must be primarily ascribed and he who accounts a day consecrated to this service superfluous shews that he is far from justly appreciating the blessings that have been conferred upon him The monarch himself has given to his people a very decided evidence that he feels the depth of his obligations to the God of his salvation and it will be your own loss if you do not cultivate a similar spirit and improve the occasion to the honour of your God

But it is not to thanksgiving only that your Monarch invites you he calls you by a special Edict to unite with him in seeking the welfare of your Jewish Brethren who in their struggle with the enemy signally approved their fidelity to their legitimate Sovereign Their welfare he in his turn studies to promote and he desires to combine the energies of all his subjects in efforts for their good Methinks he is like Jehoshaphat of old who well knowing that piety must be founded in knowledge and happiness in piety sent forth the Princes of his empire with a select number of Priests and Levites to instruct his people in the knowledge of Godrsquos blessed word

His edict on this occasion and the manner in which it was carried into effect will form the subject of my present discourse

I Then we notice the edict of King Jehoshaphatmdash

This was such as became a great and pious monarch and we shall find it not unprofitable or unsuitable to the present occasion to enter into a distinct consideration of it We observe then that it was a kind and benevolent edict a wise and politic edict a good and beneficial edict

Mark the benevolence displayed in it He sought the present and eternal welfare of his subjects He knew that as men are raised above the beasts by the exercise of reason so are they elevated in the scale of rational beings in proportion as their intellectual powers are cultivated and enlarged Man destitute of knowledge is a mere savage but when instructed in the various branches of science he becomes refined and civilized and capable of contributing to the general good In the very cultivation of knowledge there is much pleasure arising to the mind and in the application of that knowledge to useful purposes there is an exquisite delight We need only observe persons when employed in their several vocations how happy they are how contented how cheerful oftentimes unconsciously proclaiming their happiness like the birds of the air in festal songs or consciously and with devotion in songs of praise

But it was not mere intellectual improvement which Jehoshaphat sought to convey he wished his people to be instructed in the knowledge of that God whom they professed to fear and worship This alone could make them truly happy this alone could impart to them sound wisdom or solid consolation He therefore gave particular directions that they should be taught ldquoin the Book of the Law of the Lordrdquo and this throughout the whole land O happy people whose governor so employed the authority with which he was invested And happy that monarch who so improved his influence not for his own personal aggrandizement but for the best interests of the people committed to his charge In so doing he approved himself to be indeed what every governor should be the friend and father of his people

or was the policy of this measure at all inferior to its benevolence A people well instructed in moral and religious knowledge will view government as an ordinance of God and will learn to obey the constituted authorities not so much from fear of their wrath as for conscience sake towards God They will view their governors as Godrsquos vicegerents upon earth and will consider allegiance to them as an essential part of their duty to him Hence will spring up love in their hearts and a real delight in manifesting on all proper occasions their loyalty to their king they will form a bulwark around his person in case of necessity and even glory in laying down their lives for him as their greatest benefactor

The benefits arising from this edict were incalculable Such was the effect of it that the fear of Jehoshaphat and of Jehovah as his protector fell on all the nations that were round about him so that none however hostile in their hearts dared to make war against him [ote ver 10] Doubtless this resulted chiefly from an impression made upon their minds by God himself yet it was also produced by a dread of that energy which an united people were ready to put forth at any instant at the call of their beloved monarch At the same time that peace was thus secured prosperity reigned in every part of the empire and as the immediate fruit of it Jehoshaphat as well as the people ldquohad riches and honour in abundance [ote ver 5]rdquo In his own mind too he reaped the fruits of his own benevolence God smiled upon him and manifested himself to him and enabled him to walk with ldquohis heart lifted up in the ways of the Lord [ote ver 6]rdquo

Such was the edict of the pious Jehoshaphatmdashbenevolent politic beneficial And what I would ask is the Edict which has been issued by the highest authority in this kingdom Do we not see in it the same blessed characters as in that which we have been considering It was ldquoin the third year of his reign [ote ver 7]rdquo that Jehoshaphat sent forth teachers to enlighten and instruct his subjects The very instant he felt himself at liberty from the more urgent and pressing calls of duty (such as the fortifying of his land against foreign enemies and the correcting of some great internal abuses) he engaged in this good work of diffusing light and knowledge through all classes of the community In like manner the sovereign of this kingdom has scarcely had time to repair the ravages of war and to establish his empire too long weakened and impoverished by a cruel usurpation before he stands forth as the friend and father of his people and more especially of that portion of them who have in every age and place been most treated with neglect and

disdain to have them educated in scriptural knowledge and in the fear of God It is much to be lamented that the Jewish people have not in general been so attentive either to the learning or morals of their children as might be wished and hence arose a necessity for some authoritative admonition on the subject Yet if I may say it without offence this neglect has not been more reprehensible in them than has been the indifference with which the Christian world has regarded it The monarch (may God recompense it richly into his bosom) has risen up to remedy the supineness both of the one and the other and to call forth the united energies of all to correct and terminate this evil Yet whilst he thus consults the best interests of his subjects with what paternal tenderness has he guarded against wounding the feelings of any or exciting their religious prejudices The Scriptures of the Old Testament are alone to be used in the schools that shall be established even those Scriptures which Jews as well as Christians believe to have been given by inspiration of God and to contain truth without any mixture of error In this is marked the policy no less than the benevolence of the edict for it is not by constraint but by conciliation and kindness that good is to be done to any and more especially to those who have shewn themselves now for so many centuries proof against all the efforts of intimidation or force In this kingdom they form no small body and I may add no unimportant portion of the community It is well known how extensive is their influence in the affairs of commerce and how by their activity they contribute to enrich the state Hence it is now generally seen and felt that they are entitled to the same respect as any other subjects of the realm and whilst as in the present instance they see how deeply their monarch feels interested in their welfare they cannot but on their part be sensible of the privileges they enjoy under his paternal government and testify their gratitude to him by every possible expression of loyalty and affection

What the ultimate effect of these measures will be may be conjectured from the blessed results of the edict of Jehoshaphat all will feel themselves happy under the government of such a prince and he whilst he is respected abroad and beloved at home will have the happiness of seeing his labours crowned with prosperity throughout his dominions and with peace in his own soul

II The manner in which Jehoshaphatrsquos edict was carried into execution is now to be noticedmdash

The promptness with which his commands were executed deserves the highest praise All were ready to co-operate in this good work as soon as it was proposed ldquoPrinces and priests and Levites [ote ver 7 8]rdquo all addressed themselves to it instantly with one heart and one soul one accounted their dignity so high or their functions so sacred but they thought it an honour to be employed in such a service and found a delight in fulfilling the wishes of their revered monarch all entered into the work with zeal and prosecuted it with diligence and hence a rapid change was effected both in the temporal and spiritual condition of the whole nation And what may not be effected in this kingdom also if a similar zeal be exercised by ldquothe princes and priestsrdquo (the magistrates and clergy) of the land With them it must begin Those who move in a lower station can effect nothing if they be not aided and

countenanced by the higher orders whose rank in life or sacredness of character will give a tone to the general feeling and combine the energies of the whole kingdom If it be said that those for whom the benefit is designed do not feel a desire after it this only shews how much they need it and how earnestly we should all embark in a cause proposed by such high authority and recommended by the soundest dictates of wisdom and piety

That our obligations to unite in this labour of love may the more distinctly appear I would beg leave to suggest the following considerations

First Loyalty to the king demands our concurrence with him in this good work and a holy emulation amongst us to carry into effect his benevolent designs What can the greatest or best of men effect (what could Jehoshaphat himself have done) if there be none to act in subserviency to them and to follow their directions As the most potent monarch upon earth would in vain proclaim war if there were no soldiers found to enlist under his banners and to execute his commands so it will be in vain that the design of benefiting the Jewish people was ever conceived in the mind of the king or that his edict respecting them was ever issued if his subjects do not put forth their energies in obedience to his call In truth a backwardness to co-operate with him in this blessed work would seem like a reflection cast upon him as recommending a measure that was unworthy of attention I do not mean to insinuate that such an idea really exists in the minds of any for I am perfectly convinced it does not but certainly in appearance it is open to this construction and every subject of the empire is concerned to act in such a way as to cut off all occasion for a reflection like this I say loyalty alone even if we had no higher motive should be sufficient to call forth our exertions in this cause

But let me next observe that gratitude to the Jewish nation demands it at our hands How great how manifold are our obligations to them Behold Moses and the prophets what instruction have they given us in reference to the way of life and salvation Without the moral law as revealed by Moses we should never have known to what an extent we need a Saviour nor if the prophecies had not so fully designated the promised Messiah could we have ever so fully known that Jesus was the Christ Of whom did the Lord Jesus Christ himself come as pertaining to the flesh but from the loins of David and of the seed of Abraham Yet to him are we indebted for all that we either have or hope for in time or in eternity And who were the Apostles but Jews who for our sakes went forth preaching the word and counted not their lives dear to them so that they might but lead us to the knowledge of Christ and make us partakers of his salvation From them too we have received the lively oracles which are the one source of all spiritual knowledge and the one foundation of all our hopes Does all this call for no recompence at our hands Knowing as we do the vast importance of education should we not endeavour to impart it to those from whose ancestors we have received such innumerable such inestimable benefits Yet behold these are the people whom for many many centuries we have treated with more neglect and contempt than any other people upon the face of the earth the savages of the most distant climes have received more attention from us than they Surely it is high time that the Christian world awake to

a sense of their duty and begin to shew to the Jews somewhat of that love which their forefathers exercised towards us in our Gentile state We are debtors to them to a vast amount and it is high time that we begin to discharge our debt And how can we discharge it better than by enabling them to read and understand those very oracles which they have preserved with such fidelity and which testify so fully of their promised Messiah

Further A love to the rising generation should lead us to avail ourselves of the present opportunity to promote their welfaremdashIt is truly afflictive to see how low and degraded is the state of multitudes especially of the Jewish nation purely through the neglect with which they are treated in their early youth and still more grievous is it to reflect on their ignorance of those things which belong to their everlasting peace To counteract this we should endeavour to qualify the whole of their population for good and useful employments and through the medium of useful instruction to make them holy and to make them happy We need never be afraid that there will not be a sufficient number of poor to fill the lower stations do what we will there will never be wanting persons who through their own fault or misfortunes are necessitated to undertake the lowest offices of life And if they have been previously instructed in the Scriptures of Truth they will have a fund of consolation ever open to them in their deepest afflictions they will learn from the inspired volume in whatsoever state they are there-with to be content and in the prospect of the eternal world they will find joys with which a stranger intermeddleth not and which the world can neither give nor take away We feel the force of these considerations in reference to the poor of our own communion how is it that we feel it not in reference to our Jewish Brethren This is a partiality unworthy of us and we should rise as one man to wipe off this disgrace from our own character

This brings me to the last consideration which I propose to mention namely that a concern for the honour of our holy religion should operate to unite us all in executing the Royal EdictmdashWhat must a Jew think of our religion when he sees how little it has wrought for us in the production of love We may tell him of a Messiah who has loved us and laid down his life for us but what credit will he give us for our principles when he sees how little our practice corresponds with them May he not well say to us ldquoPhysician heal thyselfrdquo Shew by your conduct the superiority of your principles before you call on me to embrace them It is by love that we must win them it is by shewing kindness to them that we must efface from their hearts those prejudices which with too much reason they entertain against us We must exhibit in our own person the loveliness of Christianity before we can bring them to investigate the grounds of our faith or to imagine that they can improve their own condition by embracing it May I not then call upon you as Christians to unite in the good work that is now before you that you may thereby serve and glorify your Lord and Saviour As Christians you believe that there is no other way to the Father but by Christ [ote John 146] and no other name but his whereby any human being can be saved [ote Acts 412] Where is your piety where is your love to Christ where is even common humanity if you will not avail yourselves of the present opportunity to remove from before your Jewish Brethren

the stumbling-blocks which for so many ages have been laid in their way

Do any ask What shall we do I answer search out amongst the Jews some persons of probity and talent to commence schools among them and do you yourselves aid to the utmost of your power in the support of them provide them with all necessary books for instructing children in the first rudiments of knowledge provide them with Bibles also both in the Dutch and Hebrew languages that they may be thoroughly instructed in the knowledge of their own religion and learn to walk in the steps of their father Abraham and of all the holy prophets

Begin too without loss of time Adult Schools You will find many among the house of Israel who will be glad to avail themselves of your instructions Let those who are benevolent amongst you dedicate an hour in a day to the instructing of a few who may be desirous to learn and carefully avoid every thing which may give unnecessary offence Confine yourselves to the Old Testament which they venerate as well as you Let those who can teach only in the Dutch language give instruction in that and let those who either understand or have leisure to attain the Hebrew tongue draw their attention to that In particular let it be the united endeavour of all to qualify masters for this good work

And let it not be thought that this is the duty of men only The Royal Edict has particularly and with great wisdom recommended it to females who may be of infinite service in conveying instruction to their own sex This age is distinguished above all others for the activity of females in the service of God and in the performance of every good work Were I able to declare the proportion of good that is done in Britain by the female sex it would appear incredible I believe from my soul that it far exceeds one half in all the societies raised since the commencement of the present century in the Bible Society the Missionary Societies and the Society for Promoting the Knowledge of Christianity amongst the Jews yes let the ladies of this country exert themselves in a prudent modest and discreet way and the effects will soon appear the Royal Edict will not be a dead letter but will produce incalculable good to the whole nationmdashand the agents in this benevolent work will themselves receive quite as much benefit as they impart their benevolence being in proportion as it is exercised its own reward

10 The fear of the Lord fell on all the kingdoms of the lands surrounding Judah so that they did not go to war against Jehoshaphat

GILL And the fear of the Lord fell upon all the kingdoms of the lands that were round about Judah Upon the ten tribes and on foreign nations about them as Moabites Edomites Syrians Egyptians Arabs and Philistines this fear as it came from the Lord so might be raised and increased by observing that religion was revived in them for they might perceive by former observations made that the more religious these people were the more prosperous and formidable they were

so that they made no war against Jehoshaphat to interrupt him in the work of reformation he was so intent upon

HERY We have here a further account of Jehoshaphats great prosperity and the flourishing state of his kingdom

I He had good interest in the neighbouring princes and nations Though he was not perhaps so great a soldier as David (which might have made him their terror) nor so great a scholar as Solomon (which might have made him their oracle) yet the fear of the Lord fell so upon them (that is God so influenced and governed their spirits) that they had all a reverence for him 2Ch_1710 And 1 None of them made war against himGods good providence so ordered it that while the princes and priests were instructing and reforming the country none of his neighbours gave him any molestations to take him off from that good work Thus when Jacob and his sons were going to worship at Bethel the terror of God was upon the neighbouring cities that they did not pursue after them Gen_355 and see Exo_3424 2 Many of them brought presents to him (2Ch_1711) to secure his friendship Perhaps these were a tribute imposed upon them by Asa who made himself master of the cities of the Philistines and the tents of the Arabians 2Ch_1414 2Ch_1415 With the 7700 rams and the same number of he-goats which the Arabians brought there was probably a proportionable number of ewes and lambs she-goats and kids

KampD This attempt of Jehoshaphat brought him this blessing that the terror of Jahve fell upon all the surrounding kingdoms and not only did none of the neighbouring peoples venture to make war upon him but also various tribes did homage to him by presents Ramb has already so understood the connection of these verses (erat hoc praemium pietatis Josaphati quod vicini satisque potentes hostes non auderent adversus ipsum hiscere) while Berth fails to apprehend it saying that Jehoshaphat had time to care for the instruction of his people because at that time the neighbouring peoples did not venture to undertake war against Judah The words ldquoterror of Jahverdquo cf 2Ch_1413 2Ch_2029 and ldquoall the kingdoms of the landsrdquo cf 2Ch_128 1Ch_2930 are expressions peculiar to the author of the Chronicle which show that by these remarks he is preparing the way for a transition to a more detailed

portrayal of Jehoshaphats political power מן־(לש)ים is subject מן partitive some of the

Philistines brought him presents (for מנחה see on 2Ch_175) ldquoand silver a burdenrdquo ie

in great quantity מא does not signify tribute vectigal argento (Vulg) for the word has

not that signification but denotes burden that which can be carried as in מא לאן

2Ch_2025 - 2Ch_2116 2Ch_221 ערבים 2Ch_267 and more usually ערב-ים or ערביאים

are Arabian nomadic tribes (Bedacircwin) perhaps those whom Asa after his victory over the Cushite Zerah had brought under the kingdom of Judah 2Ch_1414 These paid

their tribute in small cattle rams and he-goats (ישים( Gen_3035 Gen_3215 Pro_

3031)

BESO 2 Chronicles 1710 The fear of the Lord fell upon all the kingdoms ampc mdash Justly concluding from his singular piety that God would eminently appear for him for even the heathen could not but observe that the kings of Judah were either prosperous or unhappy according as they served God or forsook him So that they made no war against Jehoshaphat mdash Godrsquos good providence so ordered it that while the princes and priests were instructing and endeavouring to reform the country none of his neighbours gave him any molestation to take him off from that good work

COFFMA All of this peace and prosperity were directly due to the respect which Jehoshaphat had shown to the Law of God and to his efforts to teach that word to all the people It is no problem that much of the material here is omitted in Kings because the primary focus there was political whereas in Chronicles the focus is upon the spiritual and religious significance of the same history

TRAPP 2 Chronicles 1710 And the fear of the LORD fell upon all the kingdoms of the lands that [were] round about Judah so that they made no war against Jehoshaphat

Ver 10 And the fear of the Lord fell upon all the kingdoms] It is said [2 Chronicles 172] Jehoshaphat placed forces in all the fenced cities yet it is not said thereupon that the fear of the Lord fell upon the neighbour nations But when he had established a preaching ministry in all the cities then his enemies had a fear and made no war

POOLE Justly concluding from this singular piety that God would eminently appear for him and against all those who had ill will to him which was their case For even the heathens could not but observe that the kings of Judah were either prosperous or unhappy accordingly as they served God or forsook him

ELLICOTT (10) The fear of the LordmdashA dread of Jehovah (pachad) aps 2029 (Comp Exodus 1516 1 Samuel 117 Isaiah 210 ) This phrase is not peculiar to the chronicler as Keil and Bertheau assert ldquoThe kingdoms of the landsrdquo is so (2 Chronicles 128 1 Chronicles 2930)

They made no warmdashThe reward of Jehosha-phatrsquos piety (1 Chronicles 229

Proverbs 167) ldquoWhen a manrsquos ways please the Lord he maketh even his enemies to be at peace with himrdquo (Comp also Genesis 355)

11 Some Philistines brought Jehoshaphat gifts and silver as tribute and the Arabs brought him flocks seven thousand seven hundred rams and seven thousand seven hundred goats

BARES Some of the Philistines brought Jehoshaphat presents - i e ldquosome of the Philistines were among his tributariesrdquo Compare 2Sa_82 1Ki_421

Tribute silver - Or ldquomuch silverrdquo - literally ldquosilver of burthenrdquo

The Arabians - The Arab tribes who bordered Judaea to the south and the southeast paid Jehoshaphat a fixed tribute in kind Compare 2Ki_34 note

CLARKE The Philistines brought - presents - They and the Arabians purchased peace with the king of Judah by paying an annual tribute The Philistines brought silver and no doubt different kinds of merchandise The Arabs whose riches consisted in cattle brought him flocks in great abundance principally rams and he-goats

GILL Also some of the Philistines brought Jehoshaphat presents and tribute silver Perhaps those of Gerar and the parts adjacent Asa took and spoiled and made tributary 2Ch_1414

and the Arabians brought him flocks seven thousand and seven hundred rams and seven thousand and seven hundred he goats with which their country abounded and these might be the Scenite Arabs who fearing lest Jehoshaphat should fall upon them and take away their flocks as his father had done 2Ch_1415 brought these presents to him

JAMISO Also some of the Philistines brought Jehoshaphat presents and tribute silvermdash either they had been his tributaries or they were desirous of securing his valuable friendship and now made a voluntary offer of tribute Perhaps

they were the Philistines who had submitted to the yoke of David (2Sa_81 Psa_608)

the Arabiansmdash the nomad tribes on the south of the Dead Sea who seeking the protection of Jehoshaphat after his conquest of Edom paid their tribute in the way most suitable to their pastoral habits - the present of so many head of cattle

BESO 2 Chronicles 1711 Some of the Philistines brought presents mdash They had been subject to Judah ever since Davidrsquos time but it seems had neglected this duty in the times of his predecessors but were now moved by their own fears to perform it And the Arabians brought him flocks mdash Either because he had upon some just occasion waged war against them and subdued them or because they voluntarily put themselves under his protection in recompense whereof they sent him these presents or only as a free acknowledgment of their respect for him

TRAPP 2 Chronicles 1711 Also [some] of the Philistines brought Jehoshaphat presents and tribute silver and the Arabians brought him flocks seven thousand and seven hundred rams and seven thousand and seven hundred he goats

Ver 11 Also some of the Philistines] These having been subdued by David had withheld their tribute for a time but now seeing Jehoshaphatrsquos growing greatness they bring it in with the better that no offence might be taken at their former neglect The word here used signifieth honorary gifts or oblations pacifications

ldquo Placatur donis Iupiter ipse datis rdquo

Think the same of the Arabians See 2 Chronicles 1414-15

POOLE Some of the Philistines who had been subjects to this kingdom ever since Davidrsquos time but it seems had neglected this duty in the times of his predecessors but now were moved by their own fears to perform it

The Arabians brought him flocks either because he had upon some just occasion waged war against them and subdued them though the particulars of it be not described in Scripture or because they voluntarily put themselves under his protection in recompence whereof they sent him those presents or only as a free acknowledgment of their respects to him

ELLICOTT (11) Broughtmdashie continually Such is the force of the participle

PresentsmdashAn offering ie tribute (minchah 2 Chronicles 175)

And tribute silvermdashRather and silver a load or burden ie a great quantity (massacircrsquo) 2 Chronicles 2025 As if ldquosilver as much as they could carryrdquomdasha natural hyperbole ot all the five states of the Philistines were subject to Jehoshaphat (Comp 2 Samuel 81)

The ArabiansmdashlsquoArbicircrsquoim here only equivalent to lsquoArbicircyicircm (2 Chronicles 267) and

lsquoArbim (2 Chronicles 2116) They are in each case grouped with the Philistines The nomad Bedacircwin conquered by Asa (2 Chronicles 1415) appear to be meant here or else some tribes which recognised the overlordship of Jehoshaphat after his reduction of Edom (2 Chronicles 2022 sqq)

Brought him flocksmdashComp Mesha of Moabrsquos tribute to Ahab (2 Kings 34)

GUZIK 2 (2 Chronicles 1711-19) The international strength of Jehoshaphatrsquos kingdom

Also some of the Philistines brought Jehoshaphat presents and silver as tribute and the Arabians brought him flocks seven thousand seven hundred rams and seven thousand seven hundred male goats So Jehoshaphat became increasingly powerful and he built fortresses and storage cities in Judah He had much property in the cities of Judah and the men of war mighty men of valor were in Jerusalem These are their numbers according to their fathersrsquo houses Of Judah the captains of thousands Adnah the captain and with him three hundred thousand mighty men of valor and next to him was Jehohanan the captain and with him two hundred and eighty thousand and next to him was Amasiah the son of Zichri who willingly offered himself to the LORD and with him two hundred thousand mighty men of valor Of Benjamin Eliada a mighty man of valor and with him two hundred thousand men armed with bow and shield and next to him was Jehozabad and with him one hundred and eighty thousand prepared for war These served the king besides those the king put in the fortified cities throughout all Judah

a Some of the Philistines brought Jehoshaphat presents and silver as tribute and the Arabians brought him flocks Jehoshaphatrsquos commitment to personal and public godliness meant that God exalted his kingdom above the neighboring nations even as God promised in Deuteronomy 281-13

b These served the king The true treasure of Jehoshaphatrsquos kingdom was not numbered only in security or material things but also in the dedicated and courageous men he had surrounding him these mighty men of valor

i Amasiah the son of Zichri who willingly offered himself to the LORD ldquoAmasiah is a man of whom we do not know anything beyond this ndash he lsquowillingly offered himself unto the Lordrsquo There must have been a turning-point in his career a time when first he knew the grace of God which wrought such a change in him There must have been a waking up to the feeling that God deserved his love and his liferdquo (Spurgeon)

ii Amasiah was a ready servant of the Lord this particularly notable because he did it in an otherwise secular calling

middot o one had to press him into service

middot o one had to seek him out for service

middot o one had to look after him once he had begun serving

middot o one had to lead him

iii ldquoThere is no lawful occupation in which a man cannot thoroughly serve the Lord It is a great privilege and blessing to be set apart to the work of winning souls but we must never separate that work from all the rest of the callings of life as though it alone were sacred and all the rest were secular and almost sinful Serve God where you arerdquo (Spurgeon)

PULPIT The presents were probably enough in the nature of tribute the fixed rate of which is sometimes alluded to (1 Kings 421 1 Kings 1025 2 Samuel 82) but it is doubtful whether the word משא purports to say this The word means bearing or carrying and then a burden load or weight The expression (2 Chronicles 2025) more than they could carry away where this word is used favours the idea that the meaning here is silver of great weight Probably the moral significance and historical interest whether of this statement respecting the Philistines or the following respecting the Arabians lies in the fact that both of them brought without more ado their payments and did not seek to slip out of their engagements with Judah and Judahs king ote for confirmation of this view 2 Kings 34 2 Kings 35

12 Jehoshaphat became more and more powerful he built forts and store cities in Judah

GILL And Jehoshaphat waxed great exceedingly In wealth and riches power and authority in his forces and fortifications

and he built in Judah castles and cities of stores castles for the defence of his kingdom and store cities to lay up corn and wine and all provisions in case of an invasion or against a time of war

HERY II He had a very considerable stores laid up in the cities of Judah He pulled down his barns and built larger (2Ch_1712) castles and cities of store for arms and victuals He was a man of business and aimed at the public good in all his

undertakings either to preserve the peace or prepare for war

JAMISO 2Ch_1712-19 His greatness captains and armies

KampD Description of Jehoshaphats power - 2Ch_1712 And Jehoshaphat became

ever greater sc in power The partic הולך expresses the continuous advance in

greatness cf Ew sect280 b as the infin absol does elsewhere eg Gen_83 למעלה as עד

in 2Ch_1612 - He built castles in Judah ירנ-ות only here and in 2Ch_274 from ירנית

derivative formed from ירה by the Syriac termination נית- fem of ן- castle fortress On

מסנות cf 2Ch_84 ערי

TRAPP 2 Chronicles 1712 And Jehoshaphat waxed great exceedingly and he built in Judah castles and cities of store

Ver 12 And Jehoshaphat waxed great exceedingly] Heb He was going and growing By humility and the fear of the Lord are riches and honour and life [Proverbs 224]

And he built in Judah castles] Bironeoth πυργους turres So did the Burgundians and thence had their names

And cities of store] Granaries in the Hebrew they have their name from their utility or usefulness

ELLICOTT (12) And Jehoshaphat waxed greatmdashLiterally And Jehoshaphat was going on and waxing great ie became greater and greater (Comp 1 Chronicles 119)

ExceedinglymdashlsquoAd lĕmagraversquolah This phrase occurs again in 2 Chronicles 1612 2 Chronicles 268 and nowhere else in the Old Testament (See on 1 Chronicles 142)

And he builtmdashLike his predecessorsmdashSolomon Rehoboam Asamdashhe displayed his wealth and power in great public works The records of the Assyrian and Babylonian sovereigns are largely taken up with similar accounts of temple and palace building

CastlesmdashBiranicircyocircth a derivative from birah (1 Chronicles 291 1 Chronicles 2919 comp Syriac here birocircthocirc) It only recurs at 2 Chronicles 274 It is an Aramaic term (Comp bicircranyacircthacirc which in the Targums means ldquopalacesrdquo)

Cities of storesmdashComp 2 Chronicles 84 2 Chronicles 164 Exodus 111

PULPIT Castles This rendering better than palaces (margin) wound bear improving to the rather stronger word fortresses Hebrew בירניות found only here and in 2 Chronicles 274 plur of בירנית connected with the Chaldee and later Hebrew בירה of Ezra 62 ehemiah 11 Esther 12 Daniel 82 Cities of store (see note under 2 Chronicles 84 see also 1 Kings 919 Exodus 111)

13 and had large supplies in the towns of Judah He also kept experienced fighting men in Jerusalem

CLARKE He hadmuch business in the cities - He kept the people constantly employed they had wages for their work and by their labors the empire was both enriched and strengthened

GILL And he had much business in the cities of Judah Partly in fortifying them and partly in reforming the inhabitants of them

and the men of war mighty men of valour were in Jerusalem or by or near unto it so the particle is rendered Jos_513 they encamped in places adjacent to it for such a number of men as follows even 1160000 could never be contained in Jerusalem but must be disposed of in the territories of it nor did they wait on the king together but in course see 2Ch_1719 by which it appears there is no need to suppose any mistake of the transcriber in any or all of the following sums as has been suggested (q)

HERY 13-19 III He had the militia in good order It was never in better since David modelled it Five lord-lieutenants (if I may so call them) are here named with the numbers of those under their command (the serviceable men that were fit for war in their respective districts) three in Judah and two in Benjamin It is said of one of these great commanders Amasiah that he willingly offered himself unto the Lord (2Ch_1716) not only to the king to serve him in this post but to the Lord to glorify him in it He was the most eminent among them for religion he accepted the place not for the

honour or power or profit of it but for conscience sake towards God that he might serve his country It was usual for great generals then to offer of their spoils to the Lord 1Ch_2626 But this good man offered himself first to the Lord and then his dedicated things The number of the soldiers under these five generals amounts to 1160000 men a vast number for so small a compass of ground as Judahs and Benjamins lot to furnish out and maintain Abijah could bring into the field but 400000 (2Ch_133) Asa not 600000 (2Ch_148) yet Jehoshaphat has at command almost 1200000 But it must be considered 1 That God had promised to make the seed of Abraham like the sand of the sea for number 2 There had now been a long peace 3 We may suppose that the city of Jerusalem was very much enlarged 4 Many had come over to them from the kingdom of Israel (2Ch_1519) which would increase the numbers of the people 5 Jehoshaphat was under a special blessing of God which made his affairs to prosper greatly The armies we may suppose were dispersed all the country over and each man resided for the most part on his own estate but they appeared often to be mustered and trained and were ready at call whenever there was occasion The commanders waited on the king (2Ch_1719) as officers of his court privy-counsellors and ministers of state

But lastly observe It was not this formidable army that struck a terror upon the neighbouring nations that restrained them from attempting any thing against Israel or obliged them to pay tribute but the fear of God which fell upon them when Jehoshaphat reformed his country and set up a preaching ministry in it 2Ch_1710 The ordinances of God are more the strength and safety of a kingdom than its military force - its men of God more than its men of war

KampD 2Ch_1713

וגווגווגווגו רהרהרהרה is rightly translated by Luther ldquound hatte viel Vorrathsrdquo (and ומלעכהומלעכהומלעכהומלעכה

had much store) מלעכהמלעכהמלעכהמלעכה denotes here as in Exo_227-10 property that which has been gained by work or business The signification much work opera magna (Vulg Cler etc) as also Bertheaus translation ldquothe works for equipping and provisioning the fortressesrdquo correspond neither to the context nor to the parallel (synonymous) second member of the verse The work and trouble necessary to equip the cities of Judah does not correspond to ldquothe valiant warriors in Jerusalemrdquo the only parallel is the goods and property which were in these cities the provision of victuals and war material there stored up

BESO 2 Chronicles 1713 He had much business in the cities of Judah mdash To repair and fortify them and furnish them with provisions and to purge out all the relics of idolatry and injustice which were more secretly and craftily managed in the cities than in the country and which were first and most prevalent in the cities and thence spread their infection into the country around them

TRAPP 2 Chronicles 1713 And he had much business in the cities of Judah and the men of war mighty men of valour [were] in Jerusalem

Ver 13 And he had much business] Eργα πολλα (a) Many works going forward at

once a negotious man he was His business say some lay in beautifying and fortifying those cities Augustus gloried at his death that whereas he had found Rome built with brick he had left it made of marble

And the men of war hellip were in Jerusalem] These were his Praetorian forces his Praesidiaries were up and down in the various cities

POOLE He had much business in the cities of Judah partly to repair and fortify them and furnish them with all necessary provisions and partly to purge out all the relies and seeds of idolatry and injustice which were more secretly and subtlely managed in the cities than in the country and which were first and most in the cities and thence spread their infection into the country about them See Jeremiah 228

ELLICOTT (13) BusinessmdashRather much goods or stores literally work (mĕlacirckacirch) and then produce The Hebrew word is so used in Exodus 227 Exodus 2210 (ldquoHis neighbourrsquos goodsrdquo) Stores of provisions and war material seem to be intended (Comp 2 Chronicles 1111)

And the man of war were in JerusalemmdashRather and (he had) men of war in Jerusalem

In Jerusalemmdashot the entire army corps whose numbers are given in 2 Chronicles 1714-18 but simply their chiefs

PULPIT Much business Hebrew מלאכה The meaning of the word is service labour bestowed and the verse reads And there was to him much labour in the cities of Judah and men of war mighty men of valour in Jerusalem ie He bestoweth much pains on the cities of Judah and had etc The word were Authorized Version italics is incorrectly inserted The former half of this verse would better constitute the end of 2 Chronicles 1712 Keil however maintains the rendering substance property for מלאכה (Exodus 227 Exodus 2210)

14 Their enrollment by families was as followsFrom Judah commanders of units of 1000Adnah the commander with 300000 fighting men

BARES The captains of thousands Adnah the chief - literally ldquoprinces of thousands Adnah the princerdquo The writer does not mean that Adnah (or Johohanan 2Ch_1715) was in any way superior to the other ldquoprincesrdquo but only that he was one of them

Three hundred thousand - This number and those which follow in 2Ch_1715-18 have been with good reason regarded as corrupt by most critics For

(1) They imply a minimum population of 1480 to the square mile which is more than three times greater than that of any country in the known world (circa 1880rsquos)

(2) they produce a total just double that of the next largest estimate of the military force of Judah the 580 000 of 2Ch_148

(3) they are professedly a statement not of the whole military force but of the force maintained at Jerusalem (2Ch_1713 compare 2Ch_1719)

It is probable that the original numbers have been lost and that the loss was suppplied by a scribe who took 2Ch_148 as his basis

CLARKE Adnah the chief - He was generalissimo of all this host These are the numbers of the five battalions under Adnah three hundred thousand Jehohanan two hundred and eighty thousand Amasiah two hundred thousand Eliada two hundred thousand Jehozabad one hundred and eighty thousand in all one million one hundred and sixty thousand

GILL And these are the numbers of them according to the house of their fathers Both of the tribe of Judah and of Benjamin and first

of Judah the captains of thousands some had 1000 men under them and some one hundred

Adnah the chief he was the principal commander or general of them

and with him mighty men of valour three hundred thousand such a number was under his command

JAMISO these are the numbersmdash The warriors were arranged in the army according to their fathers houses The army of Jehoshaphat commanded by five great generals and consisting of five unequal divisions comprised one million one hundred and sixty thousand men without including those who garrisoned the fortresses No monarch since the time of Solomon equaled Jehoshaphat in the extent of his revenue in the strength of his fortifications and in the number of his troops

KampD 2Ch_1714-16

The men fit for war passed in review according to their fathers-houses The male population of Judah fell into three divisions that of Benjamin into two The prince

Adnah held the first place among the generals with 300000 men of Judah ידו at his על

hand ie with and under him Jehohanan had the command of 280000 men and

Amasiah over 200000 השר is a contraction for אלפים For what special reason it is so שר

honourably recorded of Amasiah that he had willingly offered himself to the Lord (cf for

Jdg_59) has not been communicated התנב

COFFMA his represented a standing army of 1160000 men besides the garrisons in the fortified cities and this goes a long way to explaining why the Arabians and the Philistines brought tribute to Jehoshaphat In ancient times as in our own day peace frequently depended upon the strength of those who desired it

We should ignore the screams of exaggeration[3] which mark the writings of radical critics Pagan rulers of that era reported even larger armies than this and until the critics can prove that those were exaggerated reports they should let these alone Besides that we have already noted that the very word from which thousand is translated is disputed as to its exact meaning

COKE 2 Chronicles 1714 And these are the numbers of themmdash That is of the soldiers as well as of those who were employed in the kings works in the several cities ampc which he built See 2 Chronicles 1719

REFLECTIOSmdash1st Jehoshaphat no sooner comes to the throne than we see the dawnings of a glorious reign

1 He strengthened his kingdom by placing strong garrisons in the cities of Judah and those which his father had recovered from Israel and prepared against that danger which Ahabs growing power seemed to threaten

2 Religion was his great concern He copied after the best of his predecessors in their best days such as were the first of David before the matter of Uriah and the numbering of the people had blotted his fair copy Faithful to the worship of God he abhorred all idols the law of God was his rule of duty and Israels apostacy rendered his fidelity more singular and exemplary Inspired with holy zeal his heart with delight and sincerity was engaged for God and no difficulties deterred him from the path of duty The idols and groves which in the declining days of Asa might have been set up again he utterly destroyed with all the high places where they still offered sacrifices to these abominations ote (1) In the fairest human pattern there will be found imperfections but there is a Son of David more than man who has set us a spotless example that we should follow his steps (2) Fidelity in Gods service is the stability of a nation (3) A lively soul on wings of faith and love mounts up to God rises superior to every difficulty and looks down upon every thing besides his favour as altogether vanity

3 He not only removed the temptations to sin but took care to instruct the people in

the path of duty Ignorance of Gods law had greatly prevailed and to oblige them merely to conform to his reformation without grounding them on the true foundation of Gods word promised little stability The Levites and priests therefore are sent in progress through the cities of Judah with the book of the law to explain and enforce the commandments of God and several princes accompanied them in order to engage the people to hear them and give countenance to these preachers by their weight and influence ote (1) It is a blessed thing when princes countenance faithful ministers Though they cannot make men true converts their example and authority will induce them to attend (2) They who are sent to teach must see that they take the pure word of God along with them A true preacher wishes for nothing in his hand but his Bible (3) Religion is a reasonable service Conviction alone not compulsion or education can make a man a christian

4 The blessing of God attended his labours The Lord was with him or as the Targum generally expresses it the word of the Lord the divine Logos to whom all things are committed strengthened him in his labours and established his kingdom The people charmed with his government liberally sent their presents to him and abounding in riches and honour his heart far from being intoxicated by prosperity was lifted up in greater love and thankfulness to the gracious giver ote (1) God often here rewards piety with prosperity (2) Worldly comforts are then truly blessings when as the steps of Jacobs ladder they raise our hearts to heaven

2nd Like the light of the morning which shineth more and more so did Jehoshaphats glory increase

1 Feared by his enemies as beloved by his subjects the neighbouring princes did not offer to molest him while those of Philistia and Arabia courted his favour either by a voluntary present or exact payment of the tribute which Asa had imposed on them see 2 Chronicles 1711 God had put an awe upon them of the majesty of his king in Zion ote God hath access to the spirits of men and by secret yet irresistible influence can bow them to his sovereign will

2 His military preparations greatly advanced While he reformed the people he fortified their ramparts and built new castles and store-cities strengthening them within and without against their enemies Under five chief officers an immense army was enlisted Probably all the able men in the country were enrolled and regularly mustered though not drawn out except in case of necessity and this may easily account for the greatness of their number if we consider also the long peace they had enjoyed the accession of Israelites to them and especially the blessing of Abraham which no doubt was eminently fulfilled Amasiah one of the officers is mentioned with an honourable mark of distinction as a volunteer who served for the glory of God not for the sake of pay Such patriots are scarce

TRAPP 2 Chronicles 1714 And these [are] the numbers of them according to the house of their fathers Of Judah the captains of thousands Adnah the chief and

with him mighty men of valour three hundred thousand

Ver 14 Three hundred thousand] These were under his command and at hand to come whensoever the king would

WHEDO 14 Three hundred thousand mdash The numbers in this verse and the four verses following are generally regarded as corrupt ldquoThey implyrdquo observes the writer last quoted ldquoa minimum population of 1480 to the square mile which is more than three times greater than that of any country in the known world It is probable that the original numbers have been lost and the loss supplied by a scribe who took 2 Chronicles 148 as his basis

ELLICOTT Verse 14 (14) And these their fathersmdashAnd this is their muster (or census) according to their father-houses (clans) 1 Chronicles 243 The warriors were marshalled in the army according to clans so that men of the same stock fought side by side with their kindred Perhaps in the original document this heading was followed by a much more detailed scheme of names and divisions than that which the text presents

Of JudahmdashTo Judah (belonged) captains of thousands viz the three enumerated in 2 Chronicles 1714-16 Adnah Jehohanan and Amasiah They were the principal officers or generals of the entire forces of Judah

Adnah the chiefmdashTo wit the captain Adnah That Adnah was commander-in-chief is implied by his being named first and his corps being the largest

PULPIT This verse with the following four gives us the names of five captains chiefs princes or military officers for the kingdoms service with the numbers of the troops they severally commanded The numbers of them (see note under 1 Chronicles 2311) Hebrew פקדתם The better English rendering to carry at once the signification would be The muster of them etc The captains hellip the chief In both cases the Hebrew is the familiar word for prince ( שר ) in the former without article in the latter with article The numbers of this and following four verses are not only absolutely unreliable but in themselves impossible According to the house of their fathers ie the quotation is drawn from an army catalogue arranged carefully by fathers houses (umbers 118 umbers 122 etc)

15 next Jehohanan the commander with 280000

GILL And next to him was Jehohanan the captain Being of the same rank as to office but having a lesser number of men under him and it may respect not any kind of subordination only nearness of place as the Targumhe that encamped next to him

and with him two hundred and fourscore thousand which number was but 20000 less than the former

POOLE ext to him either

1 After his death as his successor in the same command And the like is supposed concerning Jehozabad 2 Chronicles 1718 Or rather

2 ext to him in place and authority or at least in power and the numbers of his host

16 next Amasiah son of Zikri who volunteered himself for the service of the Lord with 200000

GILL And next him was Amasiah the son of Zichri He encamped next to him as the Targum

who willingly offered himself unto the Lord to fight the Lords battles and without any stipend as some think or as Kimchi he offered gold and silver to the treasures of the house of the Lord

and with him two hundred thousand mighty men of valour the number was 80000 less than the former the whole of Judah amounted to 780000 men

TRAPP 2 Chronicles 1716 And next him [was] Amasiah the son of Zichri who willingly offered himself unto the LORD and with him two hundred thousand mighty men of valour

Ver 16 Who willingly offered himself unto the Lord] He was a votary the vows of God were upon him and this made him the more valiant and resolute (a) in the exercise of arms for the service of God and the safety of his people The Spahis among the Turks are a sort of horsemen voluntaries and votaries to gain paradise by dying for the Mohammedan cause These are never known to return home but

with victory these are heavy upon the enemy For

ldquo Vincitur haud gratis iugulo qui provocat ensem rdquo

POOLE As volunteers and auxiliaries to be ready upon occasion as the service of God and the king should require Possibly these or most of them were the strangers which had come out of Israel into the kingdom of Judah in Asarsquos days and probably since that in his time

ELLICOTT (16) AmasiahmdashIah carrieth (Isaiah 4011) different from Amaziah (Iah is strong)

Who willingly offered himself unto the Lordmdash(Judges 52 Judges 59) An allusion to some noble act of self-devotion which was doubtless more fully recorded in the source from which the chronicler has drawn this brief account Such allusions though no longer intelligible are important as conducing to the proof of the historical value of the narratives in which they occur LXX ὁ προθυmicroούmicroενος τῷ κυρίῳ Vulg consecratus Domino

PULPIT Amaziah the son of Zichri This man is not titled at all The description of him as one who had willingly offered himself unto the Lord not elucidated by the context or any effective parallel will mark something honorable in his history Possibly he comes from an unexpected quarter and is a man of approved skill othing further is known of these three men Meantime it has been suggested (Professor Dr J Murphy of Belfast Handbook to Chronicles ) that the first of the three was for Judah proper the second for that contingent of Judah that hailed from Dan and the Philistines and the third for that of Simeon and the Arabs

MACLARE This is a scrap from the catalogue of Jehoshaphatrsquos lsquomighty men of valourrsquo and is Amasiahrsquos sole record We see him for a moment and hear his eulogium and then oblivion swallows him up We do not know what it was that he did to earn it But what a fate to live to all generations by that one sentence

I Cheerful self-surrender the secret of all religion

The words of our text contain a metaphor naturally drawn from the sacrificial system It comes so easily to us that we scarcely recognise the metaphorical element but the clear recognition of it gives great additional energy to the words Amasiah was both sacrificer and sacrifice His offering was self-immolation As in all love so in that noblest kind of it which clasps God its perfect expression is lsquoI give Thee my living loving selfrsquo Nor is it only sacrifice and sacrificer that are seen in deepest truth in the experience of the Christian life but the reality of the Temple is also there for lsquoYe also are built up a spiritual house to be a holy priesthood to offer up spiritual sacrificesrsquo Only when God dwells in us shall we have the nerve and the firmness of hand to take the knife and lsquoslay before the Lordrsquo the awful Guest in the sanctuary within the most precious of the children of our spirits

The essence of the sacrifice of self is the sacrifice of will In the Christian experience

lsquowillingly offeredrsquo is almost tautology for unwilling offerings are a contradiction and in fact there are no such things The quality of unwillingness destroys the character of the offering and robs it of all sacredness Reluctant Christianity is not Christianity That noun and that adjective can never be buckled together

The submission of will and the consequent surrender of myself and my powers opportunities and possessions so that I do all enjoy all use all and when need is endure all with glad thankful reference to God is only possible to me in the measure in which my will is made flexible by love and such will-subduing love comes only when we lsquoknow and believe the love that God hath to usrsquo There is the point at which not a few moral and religious teachers go wrong and bewilder themselves and their disciples There too is the point at which Christ and the Gospel of salvation through faith in Him stand forth as emancipating humanity from the dreary round of efforts and vain attempts to work up the condition needful for achieving the height of self-surrender which is seen to be indispensable to all true nobleness of living but is felt to be beyond the reach of the ordinary man There too is the point at which many good people mar their lives as Christians They waste their strength in trying to bring the jibbing horse up to the leap They try to blow up a fire of devotion and to make themselves priests to offer themselves but all the while the mutinous self recoils from the leap and the fire burns smokily and their sacrifice is laid on the altar with little joy because they have not been careful and wise enough to begin at the beginning and to follow Godrsquos way of melting their wills by love the reflection of the Infinite love of God to them Godrsquos priests offer themselves because they offer their wills they offer their wills because they love God they love God because they know that God loves them That is the divine order It is vain to try to accomplish the end by any other

II This willing offering hallows all life

No syllable is left to tell us what Amasiah did to win this praise Probably the words enshrine some now forgotten memory of his cheerful courage some heroic feat on an unrecorded battlefield Particulars are not given nor needed Specific actions are unimportant the spirit of a life can be told with very incomplete details and it not the details is the important thing Sometimes as in many modern biographies one lsquocannot see the wood for the treesrsquo and misses the main drift and aim of a life in the chaos of a bewildering mass of nothings How much more happy the lot of this man of whom we have only the generalised expression of the text unweighted and undisturbed by petty incidents It takes tons of rose leaves to make a tiny phial of otto of roses but the fragrance is far more pungent in a drop of the distillation than in armfuls of leaves Every life shrinks into very small compass and the centuries do not tolerate long biographies Shall we not seek to order our life so that Amasiahrsquos epitaph may serve for us It will be blessed if this-and nothing else-is known about us that we lsquowillingly offered ourselves to the Lordrsquo My friend will that be a true epitome of your life

III This willing offering is accepted by God

We may hear a mightier voice behind the chroniclerrsquo s and the judgment of the Judge of all pronounced by His lips It matters little what men say of one another but it matters everything what God says of us We are but too apt to forget that He is now saying something as to each of us and that we have not to wait for death to put a final period to our activities before our lives become fit subjects for Godrsquos judgment Moment by moment we are writing our own sentences But while it is good for us to remember the continuous judgment of God on each deed it is not good to let dark thoughts of the principles of that judgment paralyse our activity or chill our confidence in His forgiving and accepting mercy There is often a dark suspicion like that of the one-talented

servant which blackens Godrsquos fair fame as being lsquoan austere Manrsquo making demands rather than imparting power and the effect of such an ugly conception of Him is to cut the nerve of service and bury the talent carefully folded up it may be but none the less earning nothing lsquoIf we call on Him as Father who without respect of persons judgeth according to every manrsquos workrsquo let us be sure that it will be a Fatherly judgment that He will pass upon us and our offerings There is a wonderful collection on His altar of what many people would think rubbish just as many a mother has laid away among her treasures some worthless article which her child had once given her-a weed plucked by the roadside in a long past summer day some trifle of rare preciousness in the childrsquos eyes and of none in any others than her own She opens her drawer and brings out the poor little thing and her eyes fill and her heart fills as she looks And does not God keep His childrenrsquos gifts as lovingly and set them in places of honour in the day when He lsquomakes up His jewelsrsquo There are cups of cold water and widowsrsquo mites and much else that a supercilious world would call lsquotrashrsquo stored there Thank God He accepts imperfect service faltering faith partial consecration a little love Even our poor offering may be an lsquoodour of a sweet smellrsquo ministering fragrance that is a delight to Him if it is offered with the much incense of the great Sacrifice and through the mediation of the great High Priest

The world forgot Amasiah or never knew him an obscure soldier in an obscure kingdom but God did not forget and here is his epitaph and this is his memorial to all generations Menrsquos chronicles have no room for all the names that their wearers are eager to have inscribed on their crumbling and crowded pages lsquobut the Lambrsquos Book of Lifersquo has ample space on its radiant pages for all who desire to set their names there and if ours are there we need not envy the proudest whose titles and deeds fill the most conspicuous pages in the worldrsquos records lsquoThen shall every man have praise of Christrsquo and he who wins that guerdon needs nothing more and can have nothing more to swell his blessedness

17 From BenjaminEliada a valiant soldier with 200000 men armed with bows and shields

GILL And of Benjamin Eliada a mighty man of valour Was the chief commander

and with armed men with bow and shield two hundred thousand which were

the armour of the tribe of Benjamin they were best skilled in 2Ch_148

TRAPP 2 Chronicles 1717 And of Benjamin Eliada a mighty man of valour and with him armed men with bow and shield two hundred thousand

Ver 17 With bow and shield] The Benjamites were notable bowmen [1 Chronicles 122] The Engish were anciently so too

ELLICOTT (17) Armed men with bow and shieldmdashLiterally drawing bow and shield ie as the Targum explains ldquodrawing bow and grasping shieldsrdquo (Comp 1 Chronicles 122) LXX ldquoArchers and peltastsrdquo Vulg ldquoGrasping bow and shieldrdquo (Comp also 1 Chronicles 840 for the arms of the Benjaminites)

18 next Jehozabad with 180000 men armed for battle

GILL And next to him was Jehozabad According to the Targum he encamped next him

and with him one hundred and fourscore thousand ready prepared for war being able bodied men well disciplined valiant and well armed these numbers of Judah and Benjamin put together amount to 1160000 men whereas Asa only brought into the field 580000 but it should be considered there had been a long time of peace many had come off from the ten tribes to Judah and the promise of multiplying the seed of Abraham was eminently fulfilled

TRAPP 2 Chronicles 1718 And next him [was] Jehozabad and with him an hundred and fourscore thousand ready prepared for the war

Ver 18 A hundred and fourscore thousand] His militia was eleven hundred and threescore thousand besides what he had in garrisons [2 Chronicles 1719] So that as he was better he was stronger than his father Asa had been Piety hath prosperity

ELLICOTT (18) Ready prepared for the warmdashEquipped for service (See on 1

Chronicles 1223-24 umbers 315 umbers 3229) The hoplites or heavy-armed infantry are probably meant

PULPIT While Eliada of last verse was for Benjamin Professor Dr Murphy supposes that Jehozabad was for the annexed part of Ephraim But no suppositions of this kind can avail to explain the numbers in the text which is no doubt corrupt

19 These were the men who served the king besides those he stationed in the fortified cities throughout Judah

CLARKE These waited on the king - They were disposable forces always at the kingrsquos command and were independent of those by which the cities of Judah were garrisoned

There is not a sovereign in Europe or in the world but might read this chapter with advantage

1 It shows most forcibly that true religion is the basis of the state and that wherever it prospers there the state prospers

2 It shows also that it is the wisdom of kings to encourage religion with all their power and influence for if the hearts of the subjects be not bound and influenced by true religion vain is the application of laws fines imprisonments or corporal punishment of any kind

3 A religious nation is ever a great nation it is loved by its friends it is dreaded by its enemies

4 It is ever a peaceable and united nation the blessings of religion and a wholesome and paternal government are so fully felt and prized that all find it their interest to preserve and defend them Harmony peace piety and strength are the stability of such times May Britain know and value them

GILL These waited on the king Not this vast number of men at one time but in course as Davids military men waited on him 1Ch_271 or each of these captains with a proper number of men under them detached from the body and they were all ready to obey the kings orders whenever he should have occasion for them

besides those whom the king put into the fenced cities throughout Judah and all together the militia of the kingdom was very numerous and formidable

KampD 2Ch_1719

These were serving the king א6ה refers not to the above-mentioned men capable of

bearing arms for sheereet is not used of service in war but to the commanders whom he had placed in the fortified cities of all Judah ldquoin which probably bodies of the above-mentioned troops lay as garrisonsrdquo (Berth)

BESO 2 Chronicles 1719 These waited on the king mdash These above-mentioned were the trained bands or auxiliaries whose chief officers waited on the king to receive his commands and to raise and bring in all or part of their forces to the service of the king as need required A vast number for so small a compass of ground to furnish out and maintain But we may consider that God had promised to make the seed of Abraham like the sand of the sea for number that there had now been a long peace that many were come to them from the kingdom of Israel and that Jehoshaphat was under a special blessing of God They were doubtless dispersed all the country over every one residing on his own land only they were ready at call whenever there was occasion

TRAPP 2 Chronicles 1719 These waited on the king beside [those] whom the king put in the fenced cities throughout all Judah

Ver 19 These waited on the king] ie In their turns and by course

POOLE These above mentioned were the trained bands or auxiliaries whose chief officers waited upon the king to receive his commands and to raise and bring in all or part of their forces to the service of the king and kingdom as need required

ELLICOTT (19) These waited on the kingmdashRather these are they that ministered unto the king viz the five generals above named

Beside those whom the king put in the fenced citiesmdashie the commandants of the fortresses of the kingdom (2 Chronicles 1111 2 Chronicles 1123) These latter as well as the generals of the forces are called the kingrsquos ldquoministersrdquo (mĕshacircrĕthicircm)mdasha word which is not used of service in the field but implies their presence at court (ldquoin Jerusalemrdquo 2 Chronicles 1713 as the royal staff)

According to the above list the army of Jehoshaphat was organised in five grand divisions corresponding perhaps to five territorial divisions of the southern kingdom The totals are the largest assigned to the two tribes anywhere in the Old Testament viz Judah 780000 and Benjamin 380000 in all 1160000 At Davidrsquos census Judah had 500000 warriors (2 Samuel 249) and Israel 800000 Again in 2

Chronicles 148 Asarsquos army consists of 300000 men of Judah and 280000 Benjaminites clearly such an increase as our text indicates is unaccountable At the same time it is equally clear that the present numbers are not fortuitous results of clerical errors for they follow each other in the order of relative strength Judah 300000 280000 200000 Benjamin 200000 180000 and they are evidently not independent of the estimates of 2 Chronicles 148 above quoted

In the absence of adequate data for modifying these certainly startling figures it is well to bear in mind that we need not understand by them an army which ever actually mustered in the field or on parade but simply an estimate of the total male population liable to be called out for the national defence although even upon that understanding the total appears to be at least three times too great considering the small extent of the country

PULPIT These waited Hebrew המשרתים plur piel part of שרת The verse states that this enormous fivefold army with its five princes (counting in our corrupt text one million one hundred and sixty thousand) was the kings Jerusalem standing army while other separate regiments or bands of troops were spread through all Judah where they might be most needed for defence

POOLE Jehoshaphat is made king reigneth well and prospereth 2 Chronicles 171-6 He sendeth Levites with the princes to teach Judah 2 Chronicles 177-9 He is feared by the nations round about who bring him presents and tribute his greatness captains and armies 2 Chronicles 1710-19

Against the king and people of Israel who had molested the kingdom of Judah with wars all the days of Asa after that sin of his mentioned 2 Chronicles 162 ampc

WHEDO 1 Strengthened himself against Israel mdash Asa had shown a fear of Israel and rather than venture war had hired the help of Ben-hadad (2 Chronicles 161-3) but his son Jehoshaphat prepared at the beginning of his reign to withstand opposition from his northern neighbour Rawlinson also suggests that a reason for Jehoshaphatrsquos strengthening himself against Israel may have been the alliance which Ahab had then recently formed with the king of Zidon by marriage with his daughter Jezebel 1 Kings 1631

ELLICOTT JEHOSHAPHAT (2 Chronicles 17-20)

PROPHETIC MIISTRY OF MICAH THE SO OF IMLAH AD JEHU THE SO OF HAAI

Jehoshaphat labours to strengthen his realm internally and externally

This entire chapter is peculiar to the Chronicle

Verse 1 (1) And Jehoshaphat in his steadmdashThe last words of 1 Kings 1524 The name means Iah judgeth

And strengthened himself against IsraelmdashAs described in 2 Chronicles 172 Israel is here the northern kingdom These defensive measures were taken in the early part of the reign and before Jehoshaphat connected himself by marriage with the northern dynasty (2 Chronicles 181)

PARKER 1-4 1 And Jehoshaphat his son reigned in his stead and strengthened himself against Israel

[Jehoshaphat ascended the throne in the fourth year of Ahab ( 1 Kings 2241) probably after that monarch had contracted his alliance with the royal family of Sidon and before he was engaged in war with Syria It was thus not unnatural that he should begin his reign by strengthening himself against a possible attack on the part of his northern neighbourmdashThe Speakers Commentary]

2 And he placed forces [comp chap 2 Chronicles 1112] in all the fenced cities of Judah and set garrisons [or governors (comp 1 Kings 47 1 Kings 419)] in the

land of Judah and in the cities of Ephraim which Asa his father had taken

3 And the Lord was with Jehoshaphat because he walked in the first ways of his father David [The LXX and several Hebrew MSS omit David The real meaning of the writer Isaiah that Jehoshaphat followed the example set by his father Asa in his earlier years] and sought not unto Baalim [And sought not the Baals The Baals were different local aspects of the sun-god Jehoshaphat was not seduced into this worship though in his day it overspread almost the whole kingdom of Israel]

4 But sought to the Lord God of his father and walked in his commandments and not after the doings of Israel

PARKER The Reign of Jehoshaphat

And Jehoshaphat his son reigned in his stead and strengthened himself against Israel ( 2 Chronicles 171)

I succeeding to that throne of Israel Jehoshaphat simply followed the course of a law but in strengthening himself against Israel he indicated a personal policy How definitely the statement reads There is no doubt or hesitation in the mind of Jehoshaphat as to the course which ought to be pursued He did not simply think that he would strengthen himself against Israel he had not a merely momentary vision of a possible fortification against the enemy he actually carried out his purpose and thus challenged northern Israel On the other hand how peaceful is the declaration that is here made There is not an aggressive tone in all the statement Innocent Jehoshaphat simply strengthened himself against Israel that is to say he puts himself into a highly defensive position so that if the enemy should pour down from the north Jehoshaphat would be secured against his assaults Everything therefore depends upon the point of view which we take of this policy But the thing which history has made clear is that a man often lays down a policy before waiting the issue of events which would determine its scope and tone All this was done by Jehoshaphat before he connected himself by marriage with the northern dynasty A marriage may upset a policy a domestic event may alter the course of a kings thinking and readjust the lines of a nations relation to other kingdoms The wise man holds himself open to the suggestion and inspiration of events o man is as wise to-day as he will be tomorrow provided he pay attention to the literature of providence which is being daily written before his eyes Our dogmatics whether in theology or in state policy should be modified by the recollection that we do not now know all things and that further light may show what we do know in a totally different aspect Our policy like our bread should in a sense be from day to day When men are omniscient they may lay down a theological programme from which departure would be blasphemy but until they are omniscient they had better write with modesty and subscribe even their best constructed creeds with reservations which will leave room for providence

GUZIK 2 CHROICLES 17 - FEATURES OF JEHOSHAPHATrsquoS REIG

A How King Jehoshaphat pleased God

1 (2 Chronicles 171-4) The personal spiritual commitment of King Jehosphaphat

Then Jehoshaphat his son reigned in his place and strengthened himself against Israel And he placed troops in all the fortified cities of Judah and set garrisons in the land of Judah and in the cities of Ephraim which Asa his father had taken ow the LORD was with Jehoshaphat because he walked in the former ways of his father David he did not seek the Baals but sought the God of his father and walked in His commandments and not according to the acts of Israel

a Then Jehoshaphat his son reigned in his place Asa was generally a good king (though he did not finish well) and Jehoshaphat his son followed in his footsteps and the LORD was with Jehoshaphat because he walked in the former ways of his father David

i ldquoIn the first ways which David walked in before he fell into those horrid sins of murder and adulteryrdquo (Trapp)

ii ldquoHave you never noticed the career of David What a happy life Davidrsquos was up to one point But that hour when he walked on the roof of his house and saw Bathsheba and gave way to his unholy desires put an end to the happy days of David You recognize him as the same man but his voice is broken his music is deep bass he cannot reach one high notes of the scale From the hour in which he sinned he began to sorrow more and more So will it be with us if we are not watchfulrdquo (Spurgeon)

b Strengthened himself against Israel Jehoshaphat recognized that the northern kingdom was a danger to Judah militarily politically and especially spiritually He therefore strengthened the defenses against this threat and specifically did not according to the acts of Israel

i In his presentation of the history of the kings of Judah the Chronicler constantly brings the contrast and the challenge before the readers of his day and ours ldquoYour destiny as an individual and as a nation can either be like that of Judah or Israel You should follow the example of those who did not according to the acts of Israelrdquo

PULPIT To the contents of this chapter and to the reign of Jehoshaphat which occupies this and the following three chapters the Book of Kings furnishes as yet no parallel All that it has to say of Jehoshaphat now is summed up in one sentence (1 Kings 1524) And Jehoshaphat his son reigned in his stead till we arrive at the ten verses of 1 Kings 2241-51 with their very slender sketch (see also 2 Kings 31-14)

2 Chronicles 171

Jehoshaphat In 2 Chronicles 2031 and 1 Kings 2241 1 Kings 2242 we are told that Jehoshaphat was now thirty-five years of age He must therefore have been born when Asa was in the sixth year of his reign and presumably not under sixteen years of age His reign extended to twenty-five years ie from BC 914 to BC 889 The name signifies whom God judges or pleads for Ahab is now in the fourth year of his reign and the symptoms he manifests (1 Kings 1630-33) are those that the rather urge Jehoshaphat to strengthen himself ie strengthen the defences of his kingdom on the Israel side

BI 1-19 And Jehoshaphat his son reigned in his stead

The conditions of national prosperity

This chapter showsmdash

I That true religion is the basis of the State and that wherever it prospers there the State prospers

II That it is the wisdom of kings to encourage religion with all their power and influence

III That a religious nation is ever a great nation

IV That a religious nation is ever a peaceful and united nation (A Clarke D D)

Jehoshaphat

I His policy as a statesman

1 It was protective (2Ch_171-2)

2 It was wise

3 It was eminently patriotic

II His character as a man

1 He was distinguished for true piety

(1) In his every-day life (2Ch_173)

(2) In his private devotions (2Ch_173-4)

(3) In his obedience to God (2Ch_174)

2 The inspiration of his heart came from the consciousness of his obedience to God (2Ch_176)

III His wisdom as a ruler

1 He removed temptation from his people (2Ch_176)

2 He provided for his people the highest means of good (2Ch_177-9) (Metropolitan Pulpit)

Jehoshaphatrsquos prosperity

I Its measure Everything indicates that it was great and genuine Not an element of true prosperity is wanting whether we consider him individually or as identified with the realm It involvedmdash

1 The safety of the kingdom

2 Wealth

3 Honour from abroad

4 The love and confidence of his own people

II Its origin This was partly natural partly supernatural

1 Natural

(1) The roots of his prosperity lay largely in himself He was a man of correct instincts and good convictions A man of worth and weight of character By these he won the love and secured the co-operation of his people

(2) He was wise in management

2 Supernatural ldquoThe Lord stablished the kingdom in his handrdquo It was a reward of piety He honoured God and God honoured and exalted him Lessons

1 The union of prudence and piety Each is helpful to the other neither is sufficient without the other Prudence gives tone and practicality to piety piety gives sweetness and mellowness to prudence Piety alone tends to feebleness and inefficiency prudence alone inclines to coldness and covetousness United they round out the character in beauty and strength

2 Reform through religion and law Jehoshaphat united the civil and religious power in securing national reform How necessary is this union in the great struggle with intemperance and other moral defilements (Monday Club Sermons)

2 He stationed troops in all the fortified cities of Judah and put garrisons in Judah and in the towns of Ephraim that his father Asa had captured

CLARKE The cities of Ephraim - This conquest from the kingdom of Israel is referred to 2Ch_158 but when it was made we do not know

GILL And he placed forces in all the fenced cities of Judah A considerable number of soldiers to defend them should they be attacked

and set garrisons in the land of Judah on the frontiers and borders of it to protect it

and in the cities of Ephraim soldiers to keep garrison there

which Asa his father had taken see 2Ch_158

KampD 2-4 He placed forces (חיל) in all the fenced cities of Judah and garrisons

in the land of Judah and in the cities of Ephraim (military posts cf 1Ch_1116 נציבים)

which is father Asa had taken cf 2Ch_158 God blessed these undertakings Jahve was with him because he walked in the ways of David his ancestor the former ways and sought not the Baals The former ways of David are his ways in the earlier years of his reign in contrast to the later years in which his adultery with Bathsheba (2 Sam 11) and

the sin of numbering the people (1 Chron 21) fall העלים are all false gods in contrast to

Jahve the one God of Israel and here the word designates not only the Baal-worship properly so called but also the worship of Jahve by means of images by which Jahve is

brought down to the level of the Baals cf Jdg_211 The ל before עלים stands according

to the later usage as a sign of the accusative In the last clause of 2Ch_174 ldquoand not

after the doings of Israelrdquo (of the ten tribes) הלך ldquohe walkedrdquo is to be repeated The

doing of Israel is the worship of Jahve through the images of the golden calves which

the author of the Chronicle includes in the לעלים רש

BESO 2 Chronicles 172 And set garrisons in the cities which Asa had taken mdash We do not read of any cities which Asa took but Abijah his father possessed himself of several which Asa kept and took for his own 2 Chronicles 1319 And it appears Jehoshaphat put such forces in them as might secure them to himself

TRAPP 2 Chronicles 172 And he placed forces in all the fenced cities of Judah and set garrisons in the land of Judah and in the cities of Ephraim which Asa his father had taken

Ver 2 And he placed forces] See 2 Chronicles 1719

ELLICOTT (2) And he placed forcesmdashComp 2 Chronicles 1112

The fenced citiesmdashlsquoArecirc ha-bĕtsucircrocircth (Comp 2 Chronicles 115 sqq 2 Chronicles 146-7)

And set garrisonsmdashPlaced military posts or prefects (netsicircbicircm) (1 Chronicles 1116 2 Chronicles 1111) Syriac ldquoappointed rulersrdquo

The cities of Ephraim had takenmdashSee on 2 Chronicles 158

PULPIT He placed forces literally he gave (Genesis 117) forces or a force or host or army חיל (Exodus 1428 2 Samuel 242) And set garrisons again literally he gave garrisons ( נאיבים ) ie either the persons set over prefects or officers (1 Kings 419) or the military garrison itself stationed (1 Samuel 105 1 Samuel 133) A village in Judah also had the name ezeb (Joshua 1545) In the cities of Ephraim (see 2 Chronicles 158)

3 The Lord was with Jehoshaphat because he followed the ways of his father David before him He did not consult the Baals

BARES The first ways of his father David - The Septuagint and several Hebrew manuscripts omit ldquoDavidrdquo which has probably crept in from the margin for Davidrsquos ldquofirst waysrdquo are nowhere else contrasted with his later ways The real meaning of the writer is that Jehoshaphat followed the example set by his father Asa in his earlier years 2Ch_141-15 15

Baalim - On the plural form see 1Ki_1818 note

CLARKE The Lord was with Jehoshaphat - ldquoThe Word of the Lord was Jehoshaphatrsquos Helperrdquo - Targum

GILL And the Lord was with Jehoshaphat Guiding and directing prospering and succeeding him in all things he had no doubt his gracious presence in spiritual things as well as his powerful and directing presence in things civil the Targum isthe Word of the Lord was for his help

because he walked in the first ways of his father David which were his best some of his last ways not being good as in the affair of Uriah and Bathsheba and his numbering of the people Jehoshaphat followed him in the one but not in the other or in the ways of David and his father the first the first of them both for the latter ways of his father Asa were not so good as his first as the preceding chapter shows and the

Septuagint version leaves out the word David and so restrains it to his own father

and sought not unto Baalim as did Ahab king of Israel who now reigned there 1Ki_1524

JAMISO 3-5 he walked in the first ways of his father Davidmdash He imitated the piety of his great ancestor in the early part of his reign before he made those unhappy lapses which dishonored his character

and sought not unto Baalimmdash a term used for idols generally in contradistinction to the Lord God of his father

BESO 2 Chronicles 173-4 He walked in the first ways of his father David mdashHis ways before he fell so foully in the matter of Uriah which were good ways David indeed recovered from that fall but perhaps never while he lived fully retrieved the spiritual strength and comfort which he had lost Jehoshaphat followed David as far as he followed God and no farther St Paul himself thus limits our imitation of him 1 Corinthians 111 Follow me as I follow Christ and not otherwise The first ways of many pious people have been their best ways and their first love their strongest love which however ought not to be the case for the last ought to be more than the first Revelation 219 But in every copy we propose to write after as we ought to single out that only which is good so that chiefly which is best The original words here are literally rendered He walked in the ways of David his father הראשונים hareshonim those first or ancient ways He proposed to himself for his example the primitive times of the royal family those purest times before the corruptions of the late reigns came in See Jeremiah 616 The LXX leave out David and so refer this to Asa He walked in the first ways of his father Asa and did not imitate him in what was amiss in him toward the latter end of his time It is well to be cautious in following the best men lest we step aside after them And sought not unto Baalim mdash The neighbouring nations had their Baalim one had one Baal and another had another but he abhorred them all and had nothing to do with any of them He sought the Lord God of his father and him only prayed to him only and inquired of him only

TRAPP 2 Chronicles 173 And the LORD was with Jehoshaphat because he walked in the first ways of his father David and sought not unto Baalim

Ver 3 Because he walked in the first ways of his father David] Who during his trouble kept himself free from scandalous and reproachful practices innocent from the great transgression [Psalms 1913] David rectior fuit in servitio quam in regno saith Gregory

POOLE In the first ways which David walked in before he fell into those horrid sins of murder and adultery Or in the ways of David and his fatherrsquos first ways For the beginning of Asarsquos reign was laudable as we have seen though he declined at last For it seems more probable that this passage is a reflection upon Asa whose last ways were much his worst and of whose repentance we have no evidence than

upon David who though he fell dreadfully in the matter of Uriah yet did manifestly repent of it and return to his first and holy course of life in which also he continued until death having this character given him by the Holy Ghost after his death that he did right in all things saving that of Uriah 1 Kings 155

WHEDO 3 The first ways of his father David mdash The first or earlier ways of David are contrasted with his later ways ldquoin the matter of Uriahrdquo and his sin in numbering the people The Septuagint omits the word David and some have therefore thought it an interpolation and understand the earlier ways of Asa to be intended

ELLICOTT (3) He walked in the first waysmdashThe former or earlier ways of David as contrasted with his later conductmdasha tacit allusion to the adultery with Bathsheba and other sins of David committed in his later years (2 Samuel 11-24) A few MSS and the LXX omit David

And sought not unto BaalimmdashAnd sought not the Baals (dacircrash lĕ a late construction) The Baals were different local aspects of the sun-god Here the term no doubt includes the illegal worship of Jehovah under the form of a bullock as instituted by Jeroboam and practised in the northern kingdom (ldquothe doing of Israelrdquo 2 Chronicles 174) Syriac ldquoand prayed not to imagesrdquo

PARKER And the Lord was with Jehoshaphat because he walked in the first ways of his father David and sought not unto Baalim ( 2 Chronicles 173)

The Lord was not with Jehoshaphat because he strengthened himself against Israel nor because he placed forces in all the fenced cities of Judah and set garrisons in the land of Judah and in the streets of Ephraim ot one of these little triumphs is referred to as affording God a basis for the complaisant treatment of the new king As ever the Lords relation to Jehoshaphat was determined by Jehoshaphats own moral condition A very beautiful expression is thismdashhe walked in the first ways of his father David that is to say in the former or earlier ways of David as contrasted with Davids later conduct Some have found here a tacit allusion to Davids greatest sin which he committed when he was advanced in life A somewhat mournful thing it is that a mans first ways should be better than his last The other relation would seem to be the one which reason would approve and God would specially honour namely that a mans old age should be the ripest and best part of his conduct rich with Wisdom of Solomon strong with experience and chastened by many a pensive recollection Sad when you have to go back to a mans youth to find his virtues or his most conspicuous excellences but most beautiful when a mans earlier mistakes are lost in the richness and wisdom of his later conduct God keeps his attention fixed on all the parts of a mans life and he observes which of those parts is most esteemed by the mans own successors Happy is that father whose whole example is worthy of imitation yet more than human is he the whole of whose life is without stain or flaw Jehoshaphats conduct in this matter is the more notable because of the constant observation of mankind that it is easier to follow the evil than to imitate the good When imitation enters into a mans life he is prone to

copy that which is inferior and to leave without reproduction that which is lofty and disciplinary In this instance Jehoshaphat sets an example to the world His conduct too is represented negatively as well as positivelymdashand sought not unto Baalim The word Baalim is in the plural number and the literal reading might be Jehoshaphat sought not the Baals the Baals being different local aspects or phases of the sun-god It is to be specially noted that the term Baal includes an aspect even of Jehovah himself that is to say Israel had degenerated so far as to suppose that in worshipping Baal they were worshipping at least one phase of the true God We must not mix up our religion with our irreligion our prayers with our idolatry our heavenliness with our worldly-mindedness the whole arrangement must be clean and pure from one end to the other inasmuch as one taint may cause the whole process of our religious thought and service to become deteriorated and valueless It is often difficult to abandon a popular custom More people might be in favour of Jehoshaphat strengthening himself against Israel than in returning to the first ways of David and abandoning the altar of the Baals History and religion are always considered in their separate distribution There are politicians who would vote for a war who would on no account surrender a superstition On the other hand there are men who pride themselves on being free of the influence of superstition who would willingly enter into the most sanguinary wars for the extension of empire or the glory of some particular throne In Jehoshaphat we seem to come into contact with a complete character in other words a man who in every point was equally strong a man of foresight a man of reverence a man of an honest heart a man who felt that idolatry and true worship could not coexist in the same breast

ISBET lsquoThe Lord was with Jehoshaphatrsquo2 Chronicles 173It is instructive to notice what is said about Davidrsquos waysmdashit was his first ways that Jehoshaphat took for his pattern We should always be careful to adopt only the good things in others

I lsquoThe Lord stablished the kingdom in his handrsquo God loves to find a man He can trust a man into whose hand He can put holy interests and know that they will be sacredly cherishedmdashThe Lord established the kingdom in the hands of Jehoshaphat because Jehoshaphat was true to his trust In our Lordrsquos parable of The Talents we are taught that those who prove faithful to their trust receive other things also in trust while those who are unfaithful even in small things God will not intrust with larger things

II lsquoHis heart was lifted up in the ways of the Lordrsquo There is a bad lifting up and a good lifting up Some people are made vain and self-conceited by prosperitymdashThe temptation for young people when first called upon to do any work and accomplishing it with some measure of success is to become proud and to show their vanity by talking too much about themselves and what they have done Such lifting up not only dishonours God but hurts the person But Jehoshaphat was lifted up in the ways of the Lord Too often as money comes in and prosperity increases

people get so absorbed in these new gifts of God that the Giver Himself fades out of their vision If only we see the hand of God in every new mercy and goodness that comes to us our heart will be lifted up in the ways of the Lord

III lsquoThe fear of the Lord fell upon all the kingdoms hellip so that they made no war against Jehoshaphatrsquo The Lord is able to control even the diplomacy and the politics of nationsmdashWhen these kingdoms saw the blessing which Jehoshaphat was enjoying in his country they felt an awe in their heartsmdashthe fear of the Lord fell upon themmdashand they refrained from making war God will always find some way to defend His own people in the midst of dangers

PULPIT The first ways of his father David Although there would be no difficulty in reconciling this statement with history yet probably the name David should not stand here It is not in the Septuagint The most natural and sufficient reference is to Asa And sought not unto Ballim literally to the Baalim ie to the various false gods of surrounding peoples ( 211) Baal-berith ( 833 94 946) Baal-zebub (2 Kings 12) Baal-peor (umbers 2328 etc umbers 253) according to the places where the idolatrous worship was carried on (For the preposition ל to after sought in this and following verse see again 1 Chronicles 2219 )

4 but sought the God of his father and followed his commands rather than the practices of Israel

BARES The doings of Israel - i e the especially idolatrous doings of the time -the introduction and establishment of the worship of Baal and the groves

GILL But sought to the Lord God of his fathers Prayed to him worshipped and served him

and walked in his commandments observed and kept them moral ceremonial and judicial

and not after the doings of Israel who worshipped the golden calves at Dan and Bethel

JAMISO and not after the doings of Israelmdash He observed with scrupulous fidelity and employed his royal influence to support the divine institutions as enacted by Moses abhorring that spurious and unlawful calf-worship that now formed the established religion in Israel Being thus far removed alike from gross idolatry and Israelitish apostasy and adhering zealously to the requirements of the divine law the blessing of God rested on his government Ruling in the fear of God and for the good of his subjects ldquothe Lord established the kingdom in his handrdquo

COFFMA So far so good Jehoshaphat like some others of the kings of Judah began very well receiving as their reward the blessing of the Lord and the prosperity of the people but his alliance with Ahab (described in 2 Chronicles 18) would cast a dark shadow over what is written here

(He) walked not after the doings of Israel (2 Chronicles 174) The contempt in which the author of Chronicles held the orthern Israel appears in a clause like this The outstanding feature of Chronicles is the omission wherever possible of practically the entire history of their kings This reminds us of the Book of umbers in which the whole history of the apostate Israel records only a few events for the whole period Why It was because of the fact that what any nation does after they have rejected God is of minor importance

With the apostasy of the orthern Israel and their rejection of Gods choice of the house of David the history of the redemption of mankind dramatically shifted to what happened in Jerusalem

TRAPP 2 Chronicles 174 But sought to the [LORD] God of his father and walked in his commandments and not after the doings of Israel

Ver 4 And not after the doings of Israel] Who in his days did evil as they could under that nonsuch Ahab But Jehoshaphat was not corrupted with their ill neighbourhood

PARKER But sought to the Lord God of his father and walked in his commandments and not after the doings of Israel ( 2 Chronicles 174)

We must be prepared for singularity if we are genuinely prepared to be good Let a man settle it with himself in prayerful solitude whether he means to walk with God or to identify himself with the spirit and customs of his age Jehoshaphat laid down a clear programme for himself and followed it out with patient and faithful industry The Lord God of his father was not a mere term in a crowd it was the object of daily search and quest Jehoshaphat inquired for him and operated constantly upon the doctrine Ask and it shall be given you knock and it shall be opened unto you or was Jehoshaphats religion merely speculative that is to say an intellectual quest after an intellectual God whatever was speculative in the mind and service of Jehoshaphat was sustained and ennobled by a solid moral element

forasmuch as Jehoshaphat walked in Gods commandmentsmdashhe read the decalogue he studied Gods word he would take no action personal regal or social that was not first examined and approved in the light of the divine statutes All this might have been comparatively easy if Jehoshaphat had started at an independent point but at such a point no man can start for he must take up the age as he finds it and must first disembarrass himself from all the stipulations and claims of custom usage and popular superstition Jehoshaphat sought not after the doings of Israel he set himself up in this respect against the kingdom he was not afraid of peculiarity in a word Jehoshaphats religion was characteristic that is to say it had lines points and colours of its own about which there could be no reasonable mistake What is our religion Do we intellectually assent to the existence and sovereignty of one God and then degenerate into self-worship Do we admit that there must be an ultimate morality a philosophy of conduct founded upon eternal metaphysics and then do we measure our own behaviour by the canon of custom These are questions that search the heart and no man can answer them for his brother

What became of all this noble conduct arising out of this high religious conception We shall see in the following versemdash

PULPIT After the doings of Israel This expression probably marks the doings of the northern kingdom as both the more typical throughout its whole history of the wrong and also as the systematic beginning by a law of idolatrous worship and images in the matter of the calves and so on

5 The Lord established the kingdom under his control and all Judah brought gifts to Jehoshaphat so that he had great wealth and honor

BARES Presents - i e ldquofree-will offeringsrdquo in addition to the regular taxes See 1Sa_1027

GILL Therefore the Lord stablished the kingdom in his hand Piety is the

best prop of government the throne is best supported and established by truth righteousness and mercy by the exercise of these Jehoshaphat was settled in his kingdom and had a place in the hearts of his people

and all Judah brought to Jehoshaphat presents being well affected to him as well as it was usual so to do at a princes accession to the throne see 1Sa_1027

and he had riches and honour in abundance through the presents his subjects brought him and the respect they showed him

JAMISO all Judah brought presentsmdash This was customary with the people generally at the beginning of a reign (1Sa_1027) and with the nobles and high functionaries yearly afterwards They were given in the form of voluntary offerings to avoid the odious idea of a tax or tribute

KampD Therefore Jahve established the kingdom in his hand ie under his rule cf

2Ki_145 All Judah brought him presents מנחה often used of tribute of subject peoples

eg in 2Ch_1711 of the Philistines cannot here have that signification nor can it denote

the regular imposts of subjects for these are not called מנחה but must denote voluntary

gifts which his subjects brought him as a token of their reverence and love The last clause ldquoand there was to him (he attained) riches and honour in abundancerdquo which is repeated 2Ch_181 recalls 1Ch_2928 2Ch_112 and signifies that Jehoshaphat like his ancestors David and Solomon was blessed for walking in the pious ways of these his forefathers

BESO 2 Chronicles 175-6 Therefore the Lord established the kingdom in his hand mdash Those stand firm that have the presence of God with them If the beauty of the Lord our God be upon us that will stablish the work of our hands and establish us in our integrity And all Judah brought to Jehoshaphat presents mdash As subjects in those times and places used to do to their kings in token of their respect and subjection to them The more there is of true religion among a people the more conscientious loyalty there will be A governor that answers the end of government will be supported And he had riches and honour in abundance mdash The effect of the favour both of God and his people It is undoubtedly true though few will believe it that religion and piety are the best friends to outward prosperity And his heart was lift up in the ways of the Lord mdash Riches and honour in abundance prove to many a clog and a hinderance in the ways of the Lord an occasion of pride security and sensuality but they had a quite contrary effect upon Jehoshaphat his abundance was oil to the wheels of his obedience and the more he had of the wealth of this world the more cheerfully and resolutely he went on in the ways of the Lord His heart also was lifted up above all discouragements difficulties and fears by which menrsquos hearts are wont to be cast down He was valiant and resolute for God and his ways He took away the high places and groves mdash That is those in which idols were worshipped for those that were dedicated to the true God only were not taken away chap 2 Chronicles 2033 And though Asa had done the same before yet

either he did not do it thoroughly or the people who were mad upon their idols had secretly made new ones in the latter part of his reign when he grew more infirm in body and more remiss in Godrsquos cause

TRAPP 2 Chronicles 175 Therefore the LORD stablished the kingdom in his hand and all Judah brought to Jehoshaphat presents and he had riches and honour in abundance

Ver 5 And he had riches and honour in abundance] Herein he came near unto Solomon in his greatest flourish

ELLICOTT (5) ThereforemdashAnd (so ldquoalsordquo ldquoso thatrdquo in 2 Chronicles 177 2 Chronicles 1710)

The Lord stablished the kingdom in his handmdashComp 2 Kings 145

PresentsmdashMinchah This word often means tributary offerings as in 2 Chronicles 1711 but here it obviously denotes the voluntary gifts of loyal subjects usual at the beginning of a reign (1 Samuel 1027)

And he had (or got) riches and honour in abundancemdashLike David and Solomon (1 Chronicles 2928 2 Chronicles 112)

PARKER 5-9 5 Therefore the Lord stablished the kingdom in his hand [comp 2 Kings 145] and all Judah brought to Jehoshaphat presents [this word often means tributary offerings but here it denotes the voluntary gifts of loyal subjects] and he had riches and honour in abundance

6 And his heart was lifted up [usually the phrase has a bad meaning (as in Deuteronomy 814 2 Chronicles 2616 Psalm 1311 etc) but it is evident that it must be taken differently here The marginal reading is right his courage rose high or he grew bold] in the ways of the Lord moreover he took away the high places and groves out of Judah

7 Also in the third year of his reign he sent to his princes [rather he sent his princes] even to Ben-hail and to Obadiah and to Zechariah and to ethaneel and to Michaiah to teach in the cities of Judah

8 And with them he sent [rather were the] Levites even Shemaiah and ethaniah and Zebadiah and Asahel and Shemiramoth and Jehonathan and Adonijah and Tobijah and Tobadonijah Levites and with them Elishama and Jehoram priests

9 And they taught in Judah and had the book of the law of the Lord [the Pentateuchmdashnearly if not quite in the shape in which we now have it] with them and went about throughout all the cities of Judah and taught [among] the people

PARKER Therefore the Lord stablished the kingdom in his hand and all Judah brought to Jehoshaphat presents and he had riches and honour in abundance ( 2 Chronicles 175)

Whatever was doubtful about the ascent of Jehoshaphat to the throne was removed and the king was enabled to realise his power when he closed his hand upon the royal sceptre he found that he was not grasping a shadow but a reality There are times when men become fully conscious of their influence and of their proper social position happy are they if in this consciousness they detect a prevailingly religious element which constrains them to acknowledge that honour and wealth power and dignity are the gifts of God Is not this an anticipation of the Saviours great doctrinemdashSeek ye first the kingdom of God and his righteousness and all these things shall be added unto you Jehoshaphat did not seek riches and honour he sought to the Lord God of his father and walked in the divine commandments and as a result he enjoyed all that kings delight in as indicating strength and pomp renown and influence

GUZIK 2 (2 Chronicles 175-6) The blessing upon his reign

Therefore the LORD established the kingdom in his hand and all Judah gave presents to Jehoshaphat and he had riches and honor in abundance And his heart took delight in the ways of the LORD moreover he removed the high places and wooden images from Judah

a Therefore the LORD established the kingdom in his hand This was no small accomplishment In those days kings and kingdoms were fragile and under constant threat Yet if the descendants of David would seek God first He promised to take care of their security ndash and God makes the same promise to His people today (Matthew 633)

b All Judah gave presents to Jehoshaphat and he had riches and honor in abundance Because Jehoshaphat trusted God God lifted him up and exalted him as a king As his heart took delight in the ways of the LORD the LORD gave him the desires of his heart (Psalms 374)

c Moreover he removed the high places and wooden images from Judah 1 Kings 2243 says that Jehoshaphat did not remove the high places Adam Clarke explains ldquoIn 2 Chronicles 176 it is expressly said that he did take way the high places Allowing that the text is right in 2 Chronicles the two places may be easily recognized There were two kinds of high places in the land 1 Those used for idolatrous purposes 2 Those that were consecrated to God and were used before the temple was built The former he did take away the latter he did notrdquo

i ldquoThey may also witness to the deep hold of the Canaanite and syncretic forms of religion on ordinary Israelites Popular views and practices are often quite different from pronouncements by religious authoritiesrdquo (Selman)

PULPIT All Judah brought presents to Jehoshaphat These presents were of course voluntary gifts though like not a few others custom may have taken off from them something of the bloom of spontaneousness (1 Samuel 1027 2 Samuel 82 1 Kings 421 1 Kings 1025 Psalms 7210)

6 His heart was devoted to the ways of the Lord furthermore he removed the high places and the Asherah poles from Judah

BARES His heart was lifted up - This expression generally occurs in a bad sense Deu_814 2Ch_2616 Psa_1311 Pro_1812 but here it must be taken differently The margin ldquowas encouragedrdquo expresses fairly the true meaning He first began by setting an example of faithfulness to Yahweh He then proceeded to use his best endeavors to extirpate idolatry

He took away the high places - Compare 2Ch_2033 and see the 2Ch_1517 note

GILL And his heart was lifted up in the ways of the Lord It was engaged in them was bent and set upon them he walked in them with great pleasure and cheerfulness being inspired with zeal and courage he was fearless and intrepid and regarded not any opposition he might have or expect to have in the work of reformation in which he was concerned

moreover he took away the high places such as were dedicated to idols but not those in which the true God was worshipped 2Ch_2033

and groves out of Judah where idols were placed for though these had been removed by Asa yet had been renewed in the latter part of his days when more negligent of religion

HERY 2 He was a despised man (Job_176) ldquoHerdquo (that is Eliphaz so some or rather God whom he all along acknowledges to be the author of his calamities) ldquohas made me a byword of the people the talk of the country a laughing-stock to many a gazing-stock to all and aforetime (or to mens faces publicly) I was as a tabret that whoever chose might play uponrdquo They made ballads of him his name became a proverb it is so still As poor as Job ldquoHe has now made me a bywordrdquo a reproach of men whereas aforetime in my prosperity I was as a tabret deliciae humani generis -

the darling of the human race whom they were all pleased with It is common for those who were honoured in their wealth to be despised in their poverty

JAMISO his heart was lifted up in the ways of the Lordmdash Full of faith and piety he possessed zeal and courage to undertake the reformation of manners to suppress all the works and objects of idolatry (see on 2Ch_2033) and he held out public encouragement to the pure worship of God

KampD This blessing encouraged Jehoshaphat to extirpate from the land all

idolatrous worship and to teach the people the law of the Lord לב usually sensu ב

malo to be haughty proud cf eg 2Ch_2616 2Ch_3225 here sensu bono of rising

courage to advance in ways pleasing to God and he removed the high places also etc עודpoints back to 2Ch_173 not only did he himself keep far from the Baals but he

removed besides all memorials of the Baal-worship from Judah On מות and אשרים see

on 2Ch_142

COKE 2 Chronicles 176 And his heart was lifted upmdash And when he had elevated his mind in following the commandments of God he took yet from Judah high places and groves ie he destroyed yet other monuments of idolatry which had escaped the diligence of his father Asa though he took not away those high places and altars which had been erected in Jerusalem for the true God See 1 Kings 2243 and ch 1 Kings 2033 of this book

TRAPP 2 Chronicles 176 And his heart was lifted up in the ways of the LORD moreover he took away the high places and groves out of Judah

Ver 6 And his heart was lifted up] ot with pride as 2 Chronicles 3225 but with undaunted courage and disengaged zeal such as made him come off roundly and readily in the ensuing reformation he was more forward and forth putting than his father Asa not slothful in business but fervent in spirit serving the Lord

POOLE His heart was lifted up above all discouragements and difficulties and fears by which menrsquos hearts use to be cast down he was valiant and resolute for God and his ways

He took away the high places and groves to wit such only wherein idols were worshipped as appears by comparing this with 2 Chronicles 2033 And though Asa had done this before yet either he did not do it thoroughly or the Jews (who were many of them mad upon their idols) had secretly made new ones in the latter part of his reign when he grew more infirm in body and more remiss in Godrsquos cause

WHEDO 6 His heart was lifted up mdash That is exalted with holy faith and courage

Took away the high places mdash Yet in spite of all his efforts and successes in this matter the people had become so addicted to these practices that their destruction was not thoroughly secured See note on 2 Chronicles 143 and compare 2 Chronicles 2033

ELLICOTT (6) And his heart was lifted upmdashGabhah lccedilbh which usually like the phrase of Authorised version has a bad meaning as in 2 Chronicles 2616 The margin is right here ldquohis courage rose highrdquo or ldquohe grew boldrdquo in the ways of Jehovah ie in the path of religious reform Vulg ldquocum sumpsisset cor ejus audaciam propter vias Dominirdquo

MoreovermdashAnd again further Referring to 2 Chronicles 173 ot only did he not seek the Baals but more than this he removed the high places ampc [This is the common explanation But the sense may rather be ldquoAnd he again removedrdquo referring back to Asarsquos reforms 2 Chronicles 145]

GrovesmdashrsquoAshecircrim ldquoAsherahsrdquo (2 Chronicles 143)

PARKER And his heart was lifted up in the ways of the Lord moreover he took away the high places and groves out of Judah ( 2 Chronicles 176)

The expression his heart was lifted up is an awkward one The lifting up of the heart signifies increase of pride a sensation of vanity a desire to gratify personal ambition and to make an idol of his will In this instance the marginal reading is to be preferredmdashwas encouraged or otherwise his courage rose high and again it has been rendered Jehoshaphat grew bold that is to say he was not a timid reformer or a timid worshipper a trimmer or a time-server in any sense he was a heroic worshipper of the living God when he saw that reform was necessary he went forward with a steady step and an energetic hand We should call Jehoshaphat a man of conviction and a man who had the courage of his convictions altogether this is the outline of a noble personage a born king a man who has a right to the purple and the sceptre When such men ascend thrones nations should be glad and rejoice with a great joy for their character is grander than their office and their spirit is the best guarantee of the elevation and utility of their regal policy Becoming conscious of his power knowing that his kingdom was established from on high Jehoshaphat not only did pot seek the Baals himself but he took away the high places and groves out of Judah Jehoshaphat was not content with a merely personal religion he could not convert the hearts of his people but he could destroy all the symbols of unholy worship Men are only required to do that which lies within their power A proprietor may not be able to make people sober but he can forbid the introduction of temptations to drunkenness a parent may not be able to subdue the spirit of pride but he can in many instances limit the means of gratifying it There are reforms which are open to us all in personal custom in social habit it may be even in imperial ways let each Jehoshaphat seize his opportunity and magnify it

All this would have been comparatively in vain but for another step which

Jehoshaphat took In the third year of his reign he sent to his princesmdashthat is to say he sent his princesmdashand he sent Levites all of whose names are given and he sent also two priests Elishama and Jehoram and their business was purely educational

PULPIT And his heart was lifted up in the ways of the Lord Although the verb often carries a bad sense with it it quite as often carries with it a good one in the גבהOld Testament and the typical instance of the former (Psalms 1311) is fully counterbalanced by Isaiah 5213 The marginal was enencouraged may be superseded with advantage by took courage (Isaiah 4029-31) The groves Supersede this incorrect rendering by the Asherim and upon the seeming discrepancy see again Isaiah 151-9 17 and Introduction to Chronicles there quoted

7 In the third year of his reign he sent his officials Ben-Hail Obadiah Zechariah ethanel and Micaiah to teach in the towns of Judah

BARES The princes were not sent as teachers themselves but had the duty committed to them of seeing that the people were taught The actual teachers were the priests and Levites of 2Ch_178

CLARKE 7-9 To teach in the cities of Judah - ldquoTo teach the fear of the Lord in the cities of Judahrdquo - Targum

In these verses we find a remarkable account of an itinerant ministry established by Jehoshaphat and in this work he employed three classes of men

1 The princes

2 The Levites

3 The priests

We may presume that the princes instructed the people in the nature of the civil law and constitution of the kingdom the Levites instructed them in every thing that appertained to the temple service and ritual law and the priests instructed them in the

nature and design of the religion they professed Thus the nation became thoroughly instructed in their duty to God to the king and to each other They became therefore as one man and against a people thus united on such principles no enemy could be successful

GILL Also in the third year of his reign he sent to his princes That dwelt in the several parts of the kingdom or he sent them being with him some of the

principal men of his court for ל may be a sign of the accusative case as it sometimes is

even to Benhail and to Obadiah and to Zechariah and to Nethaneel and to Michaiah to teach in the cities of Judah to see that they were taught and oblige them to attend to the instructions that should be given them and not mutiny and rebel against their teachers and to let them know what was the kings pleasure on this head and to back with their authority the priests and Levites whose proper work it was to instruct and who therefore were sent with them as follows

JAMISO 7-11 2Ch_177-11 He sends Levites to teach in Judah

Also in the third year of his reign he sent to his princes to teach in the cities of Judahmdash The ordinary work of teaching devolved on the priests But extraordinary commissioners were appointed probably to ascertain whether the work had been done or neglected This deputation of five princes assisted by two priests and nine Levites was to make a circuit of the towns in Judah It is the first practical measure we read of as being adopted by any of the kings for the religious instruction of the people Time and unbroken opportunities were afforded for carrying out fully this excellent plan of home education for the kingdom enjoyed internal tranquillity as well as freedom for foreign wars It is conformable to the pious style of the sacred historian to trace this profound peace to the ldquofear of the Lord having fallen on all kingdoms of the lands that were round about Judahrdquo

BESO 2 Chronicles 177 He sent to his princes mdash to teach in the cities of Judah mdash To inform the people of their duty and of the kingrsquos pleasure As judges teach or instruct the people in the laws of the land when they deliver their charges upon the bench so did these princes in the kingrsquos name admonish and require the people to observe and obey the laws of God which were the municipal laws of that land the particular explication and enforcement whereof they left to the Levites and priests here following who were sent for this end and accordingly taught the people 2 Chronicles 179

COFFMA Because of the clause which we have capitalized this is one of the most important passages in Chronicles Right here is the reason radical critics have extended themselves so unreasonably in their efforts to discredit Chronicles Here is dependable historical proof of the continued existence of the Torah from the days of Moses throughout the history of Israel As Keil stated it The book of the law of Jehovah is the Pentateuch not merely a collection of Mosaic laws since in Jehoshaphats time the Mosaic Book of the Law (the Pentateuch) had been long in existence[1] We shall not take the space to repeat the vociferous denials of critics

except to cite one knee-jerk remark that characterizes all of them Such action was not taken in Jehoshaphats time[2] What is the basis of such a blatant denial of what Gods Word states as a fact even giving the very names of the royal princes who did the teaching THERE IS OE o matter what unbelievers say this chapter IS the historical record of what happened in the reign of Jehoshaphat and those who live two and one half millenniums afterward have nothing of value by which they may challenge it Then why do men deny it The false theories they have invented are here contradicted forcing them either to give up their false theories or to deny the Sacred Scriptures that contradict them

COKE 2 Chronicles 177 He sent to his princes even to Ben-hail ampcmdash He sent of his princes Ben-hail Obadiah ampc The proper business of these princes in their circuit round the kingdom says Bishop Patrick was to admonish and require the people to observe the laws of God and to leave the particular explication and enforcement of them to those of the sacred order who went with them supporting them in the execution of their office and obliging the people to receive them with respect to hear them with attention and to practise what they taught

TRAPP 2 Chronicles 177 Also in the third year of his reign he sent to his princes [even] to Benhail and to Obadiah and to Zechariah and to ethaneel and to Michaiah to teach in the cities of Judah

Ver 7 He sent to his princes to teach in the cities of Judah] Teaching princes there are not many such as were David Solomon George prince of Anhalt ampc but these were sent with the teaching Levites to countenance and bear them out in this visitation general and perhaps to punish the opposite and obstinate if any such Junius readeth the text thus He sent with his princes these Levites for the teaching Or the princes taught the people the law of the land the priests and Levites the law of God both did mutually help one another So a Danish king of this land made a law that at the general court of every shire the bishop of the diocese should accompany the sheriff that the one might countenance Godrsquos law the other manrsquos (a) Queen Elizabeth once in her progress through Suffolk observing that the justices of that county who came to meet her had every man his minister next to his body said she wondered not that that county was so well governed where she saw that the word and sword went so lovingly together (b)

POOLE To teach in the cities of Judah to inform the people of their duty and of the kingrsquos pleasure As judges or justices of peace teach or instruct the people in the laws of the land when they deliver their charges upon the bench so did these princes in the kingrsquos name admonish and require the people to observe and obey the laws of God which were the prinicipal laws of that land the particular explication and enforcement whereof they left to the Levites and priests here following who were sent for this end and accordingly taught the people 2 Chronicles 179

WHEDO 7 He sent to his princeshellip to teach mdash He committed the matter of

teaching to their oversight and care and the teaching was done by the Levites and priests as stated in the next verse He did well to put down idolatry but he was wise enough to know that unless the people were instructed they would soon apostatize again

ELLICOTT THE COMMISSIOERS OF PUBLIC ISTRUCTIO I THE LAW

(7) He sent to his princes even to Ben-hail to MichaiahmdashRather He sent his princes Ben- hail and Obadiah and Michaiah (The le ldquotordquo in the chroniclerrsquos idiom marking the object of the verb) If however Authorised Version were correct the construction would not be unique as the Speakerrsquos Com mentary asserts (Comp 2 Kings 57 ldquothis man sendeth to me to recover a manrdquo ampc)

Princesmdashone of the personages mentioned in this and the following verse are otherwise known The ldquofive princesrdquo were laymen of rank and were accompanied by nine (eight) Levites and two priests

Ben-hailmdashSon of valour A compound proper name only occurring here but analogous to Ben-hur Ben-deker and Ben-hesed in 1 Kings 48-10 (The LXX renders ldquothe sons of the mightyrdquo Syriac ldquothe chiefs of the forcesrdquo apparently reading bnecirc chail)

ethaneelmdashSyriac Mattanael Arabic Mattaniah Michaiah Syriac and Arabic Malachiah

GUZIK B The strength of Jehoshaphatrsquos kingdom

1 (2 Chronicles 177-10) The spiritual strength of the kingdom Jehoshaphat brings the Word of God to the people

Also in the third year of his reign he sent his leaders Ben-Hail Obadiah Zechariah ethanel and Michaiah to teach in the cities of Judah And with them he sent Levites Shemaiah ethaniah Zebadiah Asahel Shemiramoth Jehonathan Adonijah Tobijah and Tobadonijah the Levites and with them Elishama and Jehoram the priests So they taught in Judah and had the Book of the Law of the LORD with them they went throughout all the cities of Judah and taught the people And the fear of the LORD fell on all the kingdoms of the lands that were around Judah so that they did not make war against Jehoshaphat

a To teach in the cities of Judah These ldquoteaching priestsrdquo have been mentioned by the Chronicler before (2 Chronicles 153) They had the important role of bringing the word of God to the people especially those who lived outside of Jerusalem

b They taught in Judah and had the Book of the Law of the LORD with them they went throughout all the cities of Judah and taught the people This was the wisest

and best policy a security-conscious king of Judah could promote Because Jehoshaphat sought God first God sent fear upon the neighboring kingdoms so that they did not make war against Jehoshaphat

i ldquoBy this little band of princes Levites and priests sixteen in all Jehoshaphat did more toward impressing the surrounding nations with a sense of his power than the largest and best-equipped standing army could have secured to himrdquo (Knapp)

ii ldquoThe method adopted was what in these modern times we might describe as the holding of Special Missions throughout the cities of Judah for the specific purpose of proclaiming and interpreting lsquothe book of the law of Jehovahrsquordquo (Morgan)

iii ldquoo better service can be rendered to the nation than that of proclaiming the Word of Jehovah to the people in cities towns villages and hamlets By such proclamation the heart of the people may be turned to Jehovah and so He be enabled to do for them all that is in His heartrdquo (Morgan)

iv ldquoThus the nation became thoroughly instructed in their duty to God to the king and to each other They became therefore as one man and against a people thus united on such principles no enemy could be successfulrdquo (Clarke)

v Clarke observed how a similar itinerant ministry in the days of John Wesley and his followers impacted Britain ldquoSuch an itinerant ministry established in these kingdoms for upwards of fourscore years teaching the pure unadulterated doctrines of the Gospel with the propriety and necessity of obedience to the laws has been the principle means in the hand of God of preserving the lands from those convulsions and revolutions that have ruined and nearly dissolved the European continentrdquo

vi ldquoIt is said (2 Chronicles 172) Jehoshaphat place forces in all the fenced cities yet it is not said thereupon that lsquothe fear of the Lord fell upon the neighbour nationsrsquo But when he had established a preaching ministry in all the cities then his enemies had a fear and made no warrdquo (Trapp)

PULPIT He sent Hebrew שלח The Hebrew text distinctly says he sent to his princes not he sent his princes The meaning ismdashhe sent orders to his princes to see to it that Judah was taught (2 Chronicles 179) the book of the Law of the Lord (Le 2 Chronicles 1011 Deuteronomy 49 Deuteronomy 1718) not indeed without their own personal aid in whatever way able to be given but systematically and with authority by the Levites and priests (Deuteronomy 3310) This deeper fathoming of the needs of the time and of what constituted its real safety was greatly to the spiritual credit of Jehoshaphat The references (2 Chronicles 153 2 Chronicles 352-4 2 Chronicles 3510-12) are full of point one of these princes or Levites and priests are elsewhere mentioned by name

8 With them were certain LevitesmdashShemaiah ethaniah Zebadiah Asahel Shemiramoth Jehonathan Adonijah Tobijah and Tob-Adonijahmdashand the priests Elishama and Jehoram

GILL 2 Chronicles 178And with them he sent Levites With the five princes he sent nine Levites

even Shemaiah and Nethaniah and Zebadiah and Asahel and Shemiramoth and Jehonathan and Adonijah and Tobijah and Tobadonijah Levites of whom we nowhere else read no doubt they were principal persons and fit for the work they were sent about

and with them Elishama and Jehoram priests whose lips were to keep knowledge and at whose mouth the law was to be sought Mal_27

ELLICOTT (8) And with them he sent LevitesmdashRather And with them were the Levites The construction being changed So LXX and the Syriac (Comp 1 Chronicles 1641-42 1 Chronicles 1518 for the same mode of enumeration which is characteristic of the style of the chronicler

ZebadiahmdashSome MSS and Syriac and Arabic read Zechariah

ShemiramothmdashSo LXX and Vulg (see 1 Chronicles 165 1 Chronicles 1518) The Heb text is probably incorrect Syriac and Arabic read instead atucircra

Tob-adonijahmdashThis curious name occurs only here and is perhaps a mere mistake arising out of the preceding Adonijah and Tobijah The Syriac and Arabic omit it

PriestsmdashThe priests

The commission was a mixed one of civil and ecclesiastical persons (comp 1 Chronicles 131-2 1 Chronicles 232 1 Chronicles 246)

And had the book of the law of the LordmdashAnd with them was the book of the law (teaching) of Jehovah For the construction compare 1 Chronicles 1642 The writer

evidently means the Pentateuch and if this notice was derived by him from a contemporary source eg the ldquowords of Jehu the son of Hananirdquo to which he refers as an authority for the reign (2 Chronicles 2034) it would constitute an important testimony to the existence if not of the five books at least of an ancient collection of laws at this early date (circ 850 BC )

And taught the peoplemdashTaught among the people

9 They taught throughout Judah taking with them the Book of the Law of the Lord they went around to all the towns of Judah and taught the people

BARES There is no reasonable doubt that this ldquobook of the lawrdquo was the Pentateuch - nearly if not quite in the shape in which we now have it Copies of the whole Law were no doubt scarce and therefore Jehoshaphatrsquos commission took care to carry a copy with them

CLARKE Had the book of the law of the Lord with them - This was their text book it was the book of God they taught it as such and as such the people received it Its laws were Godrsquos laws and the people felt their obligation and their consciences were bound Thus they were obedient to the laws of the land on the principle of religion In this they were encouraged and confirmed by the example of all both in Church and state The princes were not only pious but were teachers of piety the Levites showed them the worth and excellence of their ritual institutions and the priests showed them the moral use they were to make of the whole and thus the people became obedient to God as well as to the king and kept all the civil ordinances not merely for the sake of a good king but for the sake of a good and gracious God By these means the nation enjoyed peace and prosperity and all insurrections seditions and popular commotions were prevented The surrounding nations perceiving this saw that there was no hope of subduing such a people so they made no war with Jehoshaphat 2Ch_1710 And they took care not to provoke such a people to fall on them therefore it is said The fear of the Lord fell on all the kingdoms and lands that were round about Judah Such an itinerant ministry established in these kingdoms for upwards of fourscore years

teaching the pure unadulterated doctrines of the Gospel with the propriety and necessity of obedience to the laws has been the principal means in the hand of God of preserving these lands from those convulsions and revolutions that have ruined and nearly dissolved the European continent The itinerant ministry to which this refers is that which was established in these lands by the late truly reverend highly learned and cultivated deeply pious and loyal John Wesley AM formerly a fellow of Lincoln College Oxford whose followers are known by the name of Methodists a people who are an honor to their country and a blessing to the government under which they live

GILL And they taught in Judah The people their duty to God and man

and had the book of the law of the Lord with them as the rule of their instruction and the peoples obedience out of this they taught them and by it confirmed what they taught and enforced it with the divine authority

and went about throughout all the cities of Judah not only their own cities the Levitical ones but all others

and taught the people the law of the Lord the fear and worship of God

JAMISO the book of the lawmdash that is either the whole Pentateuch or only the book of Deuteronomy which contains an abridgment of it

BESO 2 Chronicles 179 And they taught in Judah ampc mdash The Levites and priests were teachers by office Deuteronomy 3310 It was a part of the work for which they had their maintenance and indeed had little else to do But it seems they had neglected it pretending probably that they could not get the people to hear them Jehoshaphat therefore sends them with the princes who by their authority might require the people to assemble together to receive instruction in the laws of God and their duty ldquoWhat a great deal of goodrdquo says Henry ldquomay be done when Moses and Aaron thus go hand in hand in the doing of it when princes with their power and priests and Levites with their Scripture-learning agree to teach the people the good knowledge of God and their duty These itinerant judges and itinerant preachers together were instrumental to diffuse a blessed light throughout the cities of Judahrdquo And had the book of the law of the Lord with them mdash 1st For their own guidance that from thence they might draw all the instructions they gave to the people and not teach for doctrines the commandments of men 2d For the conviction or the people that they might see these priests and Levites had a divine warrant for what they said and delivered to them only that which they had received from the Lord

TRAPP 2 Chronicles 179 And they taught in Judah and [had] the book of the law of the LORD with them and went about throughout all the cities of Judah and taught the people

Ver 9 And had the book of the law of the Lord with them] They taught not

traditions human inventions or unwritten verities All their doctrines came cum privilegio and were Scripture proof

WHEDO 9 The book of the law mdash Our Pentateuch in substantially its present form ldquoCopies of the whole law were no doubt scarce and therefore Jehoshaphatrsquos commission took care to carry a copy with themrdquo mdash Rawlinson

PARKER And they taught in Judah and had the book of the law of the Lord with them and went about throughout all the cities of Judah and taught the people ( 2 Chronicles 179)

This was a mixed commission partly civil partly ecclesiastical The men here mentioned are otherwise unknown We identify them as educational reformers or reformers who operated through the medium of education they were not warriors destroyers revolutionists but men who addressed the mind and the understanding and the conscience and caused men to know that the true law was from above and not from beneath The book which the commission had in hand was the Pentateuch or the law of Moses This was known to be the law which alone could touch all the vital necessities of the commonwealth Again and again we are constrained to admit that there is a law beyond Prayer of Manasseh above Prayer of Manasseh in a sense apart from man men are not driven within themselves to find a law an instinct or a reason they have a written statute an authoritative declaration a book which Christian teachers do not hesitate to describe as a Revelation and to that they call the attention of men If the teacher were teaching out of his own consciousness he would be but an equal often exposing himself to the destructive criticism of his more advanced and penetrating scholars but the teacher takes his stand upon a book upon the Book the Bible a revelation which he believes to be divine and final Say what we will the effect of Bible teaching must be judged by its fruits Where are the nations that are most distinguished for wide and varied intelligence for large and exhaustive sympathy for missionary enterprise for philanthropic institutions and for all the elements which give grace and beauty to social existence The question should admit of definite reply the facts are before men let them judge fearlessly and honestly and we need have no apprehension concerning their verdict Wherever the word of the Lord has had free course superstition has been chased away human slavery has been abolished every instance of intolerance injustice unkindness has felt the influence of holy thought in all these matters discussion should be limited strictly to facts Thus kings can help nations not by forcing education not by attempting to rule opinion not by setting up standards of orthodoxy to fall short of which is to incur penalty but by spreading education by extending light by cultivating a spirit of inquiry and by a generous multiplication of all the instrumentalities needed for the destruction of ignorance What may come of this we are not supposed at this moment to know Meanwhile let us be thankful that we are face to face with a man who has conviction courage independence high patriotic and generous impulse and let us hope that his end may be as beautiful as his beginning was promising

SIMEO THE ROYAL EDICT

ADVERTISEMETmdashThe author feels it necessary to prefix to this Sermon some short account of the occasion on which it was delivered

The author was at Amsterdam (in June 1818) partly with a view of re-establishing there an Episcopal Chapel in which there had been no service for seven years but principally with a view of seeking the welfare of the Children of Israel He went thither rather to explore than to act (See ehemiah 212-16) But just previous to the 18th of June he understood that the Third Anniversary of the Battle of Waterloo was to be kept throughout the etherlands as a day of thanksgiving and just at that time also he quite accidentally heard that the King of the etherlands had a year before issued an Edict requiring all the Jews to educate their children in the knowledge of their own Scriptures and calling upon all his Christian Subjects to aid in this good work Despondency not unlike to that which paralyzed all exertion at Jerusalem in ehemiahrsquos days so universally prevailed that no one had risen to the occasion the very Commissioners who had been appointed to carry the Edict into effect had published a Report in which they gave it as their opinion ldquothat the Lordrsquos time was not comerdquo and there was great danger that the gracious designs of the Monarch would be altogether frustrated The author therefore judged this a fit occasion for calling the attention of the Public to the Edict and accordingly after devoting the Morning Service to the more appropriate subject of the day he employed the Evening Service in an endeavour to forward this good work Considerable attention was excited to the subject by means of the Sermon which was therefore instantly printed in Dutch French and English for the purpose of its being circulated throughout the etherlands and he has reason to hope that active exertions were afterwards made in many places to promote what every benevolent mind must ardently desire the edification and welfare of the Jewish People

So good an example having been set by the Emperor of Russia and the King of the etherlands the author hopes that the attention of our own Governors also both in Church and State may be called to this long-neglected People and that now the British Public has been invited by authority (the Kingrsquos Letter) to aid in supporting Missions to the Heathen World the claims of the Jewish ation to whom under God we owe all the light that we ourselves enjoy will not be overlooked It is with a view to this great object that the author sends forth the Sermon in this country where if the foregoing explanation had not been given its relevancy and use might have been justly called in question

2 Chronicles 179 And they taught in Judah and had the book of the law of the Lord with them and went about throughout all the cities of Judah and taught the people

O a day set apart for thanksgiving to God for mercies received it is peculiarly proper to consider what we may render unto the Lord for all his benefits Certainly if any event ever deserved repeated annual commemoration it is that which has

freed the world from the most grievous tyranny that ever it endured Of the bitter cup which was put into the hands of every nation in Europe this nation [ote The etherlands] drank very deeply and the change which it has experienced in the restoration of their rightful Monarch and in the establishment of a free Constitution calls for their devoutest acknowledgments to Almighty God Doubtless we may with justice pay some tribute of honour to those who by their counsels and their arms effected the overthrow of the Usurper but it is God alone who giveth victory to kings and to whom the glory of this great victory must be primarily ascribed and he who accounts a day consecrated to this service superfluous shews that he is far from justly appreciating the blessings that have been conferred upon him The monarch himself has given to his people a very decided evidence that he feels the depth of his obligations to the God of his salvation and it will be your own loss if you do not cultivate a similar spirit and improve the occasion to the honour of your God

But it is not to thanksgiving only that your Monarch invites you he calls you by a special Edict to unite with him in seeking the welfare of your Jewish Brethren who in their struggle with the enemy signally approved their fidelity to their legitimate Sovereign Their welfare he in his turn studies to promote and he desires to combine the energies of all his subjects in efforts for their good Methinks he is like Jehoshaphat of old who well knowing that piety must be founded in knowledge and happiness in piety sent forth the Princes of his empire with a select number of Priests and Levites to instruct his people in the knowledge of Godrsquos blessed word

His edict on this occasion and the manner in which it was carried into effect will form the subject of my present discourse

I Then we notice the edict of King Jehoshaphatmdash

This was such as became a great and pious monarch and we shall find it not unprofitable or unsuitable to the present occasion to enter into a distinct consideration of it We observe then that it was a kind and benevolent edict a wise and politic edict a good and beneficial edict

Mark the benevolence displayed in it He sought the present and eternal welfare of his subjects He knew that as men are raised above the beasts by the exercise of reason so are they elevated in the scale of rational beings in proportion as their intellectual powers are cultivated and enlarged Man destitute of knowledge is a mere savage but when instructed in the various branches of science he becomes refined and civilized and capable of contributing to the general good In the very cultivation of knowledge there is much pleasure arising to the mind and in the application of that knowledge to useful purposes there is an exquisite delight We need only observe persons when employed in their several vocations how happy they are how contented how cheerful oftentimes unconsciously proclaiming their happiness like the birds of the air in festal songs or consciously and with devotion in songs of praise

But it was not mere intellectual improvement which Jehoshaphat sought to convey he wished his people to be instructed in the knowledge of that God whom they professed to fear and worship This alone could make them truly happy this alone could impart to them sound wisdom or solid consolation He therefore gave particular directions that they should be taught ldquoin the Book of the Law of the Lordrdquo and this throughout the whole land O happy people whose governor so employed the authority with which he was invested And happy that monarch who so improved his influence not for his own personal aggrandizement but for the best interests of the people committed to his charge In so doing he approved himself to be indeed what every governor should be the friend and father of his people

or was the policy of this measure at all inferior to its benevolence A people well instructed in moral and religious knowledge will view government as an ordinance of God and will learn to obey the constituted authorities not so much from fear of their wrath as for conscience sake towards God They will view their governors as Godrsquos vicegerents upon earth and will consider allegiance to them as an essential part of their duty to him Hence will spring up love in their hearts and a real delight in manifesting on all proper occasions their loyalty to their king they will form a bulwark around his person in case of necessity and even glory in laying down their lives for him as their greatest benefactor

The benefits arising from this edict were incalculable Such was the effect of it that the fear of Jehoshaphat and of Jehovah as his protector fell on all the nations that were round about him so that none however hostile in their hearts dared to make war against him [ote ver 10] Doubtless this resulted chiefly from an impression made upon their minds by God himself yet it was also produced by a dread of that energy which an united people were ready to put forth at any instant at the call of their beloved monarch At the same time that peace was thus secured prosperity reigned in every part of the empire and as the immediate fruit of it Jehoshaphat as well as the people ldquohad riches and honour in abundance [ote ver 5]rdquo In his own mind too he reaped the fruits of his own benevolence God smiled upon him and manifested himself to him and enabled him to walk with ldquohis heart lifted up in the ways of the Lord [ote ver 6]rdquo

Such was the edict of the pious Jehoshaphatmdashbenevolent politic beneficial And what I would ask is the Edict which has been issued by the highest authority in this kingdom Do we not see in it the same blessed characters as in that which we have been considering It was ldquoin the third year of his reign [ote ver 7]rdquo that Jehoshaphat sent forth teachers to enlighten and instruct his subjects The very instant he felt himself at liberty from the more urgent and pressing calls of duty (such as the fortifying of his land against foreign enemies and the correcting of some great internal abuses) he engaged in this good work of diffusing light and knowledge through all classes of the community In like manner the sovereign of this kingdom has scarcely had time to repair the ravages of war and to establish his empire too long weakened and impoverished by a cruel usurpation before he stands forth as the friend and father of his people and more especially of that portion of them who have in every age and place been most treated with neglect and

disdain to have them educated in scriptural knowledge and in the fear of God It is much to be lamented that the Jewish people have not in general been so attentive either to the learning or morals of their children as might be wished and hence arose a necessity for some authoritative admonition on the subject Yet if I may say it without offence this neglect has not been more reprehensible in them than has been the indifference with which the Christian world has regarded it The monarch (may God recompense it richly into his bosom) has risen up to remedy the supineness both of the one and the other and to call forth the united energies of all to correct and terminate this evil Yet whilst he thus consults the best interests of his subjects with what paternal tenderness has he guarded against wounding the feelings of any or exciting their religious prejudices The Scriptures of the Old Testament are alone to be used in the schools that shall be established even those Scriptures which Jews as well as Christians believe to have been given by inspiration of God and to contain truth without any mixture of error In this is marked the policy no less than the benevolence of the edict for it is not by constraint but by conciliation and kindness that good is to be done to any and more especially to those who have shewn themselves now for so many centuries proof against all the efforts of intimidation or force In this kingdom they form no small body and I may add no unimportant portion of the community It is well known how extensive is their influence in the affairs of commerce and how by their activity they contribute to enrich the state Hence it is now generally seen and felt that they are entitled to the same respect as any other subjects of the realm and whilst as in the present instance they see how deeply their monarch feels interested in their welfare they cannot but on their part be sensible of the privileges they enjoy under his paternal government and testify their gratitude to him by every possible expression of loyalty and affection

What the ultimate effect of these measures will be may be conjectured from the blessed results of the edict of Jehoshaphat all will feel themselves happy under the government of such a prince and he whilst he is respected abroad and beloved at home will have the happiness of seeing his labours crowned with prosperity throughout his dominions and with peace in his own soul

II The manner in which Jehoshaphatrsquos edict was carried into execution is now to be noticedmdash

The promptness with which his commands were executed deserves the highest praise All were ready to co-operate in this good work as soon as it was proposed ldquoPrinces and priests and Levites [ote ver 7 8]rdquo all addressed themselves to it instantly with one heart and one soul one accounted their dignity so high or their functions so sacred but they thought it an honour to be employed in such a service and found a delight in fulfilling the wishes of their revered monarch all entered into the work with zeal and prosecuted it with diligence and hence a rapid change was effected both in the temporal and spiritual condition of the whole nation And what may not be effected in this kingdom also if a similar zeal be exercised by ldquothe princes and priestsrdquo (the magistrates and clergy) of the land With them it must begin Those who move in a lower station can effect nothing if they be not aided and

countenanced by the higher orders whose rank in life or sacredness of character will give a tone to the general feeling and combine the energies of the whole kingdom If it be said that those for whom the benefit is designed do not feel a desire after it this only shews how much they need it and how earnestly we should all embark in a cause proposed by such high authority and recommended by the soundest dictates of wisdom and piety

That our obligations to unite in this labour of love may the more distinctly appear I would beg leave to suggest the following considerations

First Loyalty to the king demands our concurrence with him in this good work and a holy emulation amongst us to carry into effect his benevolent designs What can the greatest or best of men effect (what could Jehoshaphat himself have done) if there be none to act in subserviency to them and to follow their directions As the most potent monarch upon earth would in vain proclaim war if there were no soldiers found to enlist under his banners and to execute his commands so it will be in vain that the design of benefiting the Jewish people was ever conceived in the mind of the king or that his edict respecting them was ever issued if his subjects do not put forth their energies in obedience to his call In truth a backwardness to co-operate with him in this blessed work would seem like a reflection cast upon him as recommending a measure that was unworthy of attention I do not mean to insinuate that such an idea really exists in the minds of any for I am perfectly convinced it does not but certainly in appearance it is open to this construction and every subject of the empire is concerned to act in such a way as to cut off all occasion for a reflection like this I say loyalty alone even if we had no higher motive should be sufficient to call forth our exertions in this cause

But let me next observe that gratitude to the Jewish nation demands it at our hands How great how manifold are our obligations to them Behold Moses and the prophets what instruction have they given us in reference to the way of life and salvation Without the moral law as revealed by Moses we should never have known to what an extent we need a Saviour nor if the prophecies had not so fully designated the promised Messiah could we have ever so fully known that Jesus was the Christ Of whom did the Lord Jesus Christ himself come as pertaining to the flesh but from the loins of David and of the seed of Abraham Yet to him are we indebted for all that we either have or hope for in time or in eternity And who were the Apostles but Jews who for our sakes went forth preaching the word and counted not their lives dear to them so that they might but lead us to the knowledge of Christ and make us partakers of his salvation From them too we have received the lively oracles which are the one source of all spiritual knowledge and the one foundation of all our hopes Does all this call for no recompence at our hands Knowing as we do the vast importance of education should we not endeavour to impart it to those from whose ancestors we have received such innumerable such inestimable benefits Yet behold these are the people whom for many many centuries we have treated with more neglect and contempt than any other people upon the face of the earth the savages of the most distant climes have received more attention from us than they Surely it is high time that the Christian world awake to

a sense of their duty and begin to shew to the Jews somewhat of that love which their forefathers exercised towards us in our Gentile state We are debtors to them to a vast amount and it is high time that we begin to discharge our debt And how can we discharge it better than by enabling them to read and understand those very oracles which they have preserved with such fidelity and which testify so fully of their promised Messiah

Further A love to the rising generation should lead us to avail ourselves of the present opportunity to promote their welfaremdashIt is truly afflictive to see how low and degraded is the state of multitudes especially of the Jewish nation purely through the neglect with which they are treated in their early youth and still more grievous is it to reflect on their ignorance of those things which belong to their everlasting peace To counteract this we should endeavour to qualify the whole of their population for good and useful employments and through the medium of useful instruction to make them holy and to make them happy We need never be afraid that there will not be a sufficient number of poor to fill the lower stations do what we will there will never be wanting persons who through their own fault or misfortunes are necessitated to undertake the lowest offices of life And if they have been previously instructed in the Scriptures of Truth they will have a fund of consolation ever open to them in their deepest afflictions they will learn from the inspired volume in whatsoever state they are there-with to be content and in the prospect of the eternal world they will find joys with which a stranger intermeddleth not and which the world can neither give nor take away We feel the force of these considerations in reference to the poor of our own communion how is it that we feel it not in reference to our Jewish Brethren This is a partiality unworthy of us and we should rise as one man to wipe off this disgrace from our own character

This brings me to the last consideration which I propose to mention namely that a concern for the honour of our holy religion should operate to unite us all in executing the Royal EdictmdashWhat must a Jew think of our religion when he sees how little it has wrought for us in the production of love We may tell him of a Messiah who has loved us and laid down his life for us but what credit will he give us for our principles when he sees how little our practice corresponds with them May he not well say to us ldquoPhysician heal thyselfrdquo Shew by your conduct the superiority of your principles before you call on me to embrace them It is by love that we must win them it is by shewing kindness to them that we must efface from their hearts those prejudices which with too much reason they entertain against us We must exhibit in our own person the loveliness of Christianity before we can bring them to investigate the grounds of our faith or to imagine that they can improve their own condition by embracing it May I not then call upon you as Christians to unite in the good work that is now before you that you may thereby serve and glorify your Lord and Saviour As Christians you believe that there is no other way to the Father but by Christ [ote John 146] and no other name but his whereby any human being can be saved [ote Acts 412] Where is your piety where is your love to Christ where is even common humanity if you will not avail yourselves of the present opportunity to remove from before your Jewish Brethren

the stumbling-blocks which for so many ages have been laid in their way

Do any ask What shall we do I answer search out amongst the Jews some persons of probity and talent to commence schools among them and do you yourselves aid to the utmost of your power in the support of them provide them with all necessary books for instructing children in the first rudiments of knowledge provide them with Bibles also both in the Dutch and Hebrew languages that they may be thoroughly instructed in the knowledge of their own religion and learn to walk in the steps of their father Abraham and of all the holy prophets

Begin too without loss of time Adult Schools You will find many among the house of Israel who will be glad to avail themselves of your instructions Let those who are benevolent amongst you dedicate an hour in a day to the instructing of a few who may be desirous to learn and carefully avoid every thing which may give unnecessary offence Confine yourselves to the Old Testament which they venerate as well as you Let those who can teach only in the Dutch language give instruction in that and let those who either understand or have leisure to attain the Hebrew tongue draw their attention to that In particular let it be the united endeavour of all to qualify masters for this good work

And let it not be thought that this is the duty of men only The Royal Edict has particularly and with great wisdom recommended it to females who may be of infinite service in conveying instruction to their own sex This age is distinguished above all others for the activity of females in the service of God and in the performance of every good work Were I able to declare the proportion of good that is done in Britain by the female sex it would appear incredible I believe from my soul that it far exceeds one half in all the societies raised since the commencement of the present century in the Bible Society the Missionary Societies and the Society for Promoting the Knowledge of Christianity amongst the Jews yes let the ladies of this country exert themselves in a prudent modest and discreet way and the effects will soon appear the Royal Edict will not be a dead letter but will produce incalculable good to the whole nationmdashand the agents in this benevolent work will themselves receive quite as much benefit as they impart their benevolence being in proportion as it is exercised its own reward

10 The fear of the Lord fell on all the kingdoms of the lands surrounding Judah so that they did not go to war against Jehoshaphat

GILL And the fear of the Lord fell upon all the kingdoms of the lands that were round about Judah Upon the ten tribes and on foreign nations about them as Moabites Edomites Syrians Egyptians Arabs and Philistines this fear as it came from the Lord so might be raised and increased by observing that religion was revived in them for they might perceive by former observations made that the more religious these people were the more prosperous and formidable they were

so that they made no war against Jehoshaphat to interrupt him in the work of reformation he was so intent upon

HERY We have here a further account of Jehoshaphats great prosperity and the flourishing state of his kingdom

I He had good interest in the neighbouring princes and nations Though he was not perhaps so great a soldier as David (which might have made him their terror) nor so great a scholar as Solomon (which might have made him their oracle) yet the fear of the Lord fell so upon them (that is God so influenced and governed their spirits) that they had all a reverence for him 2Ch_1710 And 1 None of them made war against himGods good providence so ordered it that while the princes and priests were instructing and reforming the country none of his neighbours gave him any molestations to take him off from that good work Thus when Jacob and his sons were going to worship at Bethel the terror of God was upon the neighbouring cities that they did not pursue after them Gen_355 and see Exo_3424 2 Many of them brought presents to him (2Ch_1711) to secure his friendship Perhaps these were a tribute imposed upon them by Asa who made himself master of the cities of the Philistines and the tents of the Arabians 2Ch_1414 2Ch_1415 With the 7700 rams and the same number of he-goats which the Arabians brought there was probably a proportionable number of ewes and lambs she-goats and kids

KampD This attempt of Jehoshaphat brought him this blessing that the terror of Jahve fell upon all the surrounding kingdoms and not only did none of the neighbouring peoples venture to make war upon him but also various tribes did homage to him by presents Ramb has already so understood the connection of these verses (erat hoc praemium pietatis Josaphati quod vicini satisque potentes hostes non auderent adversus ipsum hiscere) while Berth fails to apprehend it saying that Jehoshaphat had time to care for the instruction of his people because at that time the neighbouring peoples did not venture to undertake war against Judah The words ldquoterror of Jahverdquo cf 2Ch_1413 2Ch_2029 and ldquoall the kingdoms of the landsrdquo cf 2Ch_128 1Ch_2930 are expressions peculiar to the author of the Chronicle which show that by these remarks he is preparing the way for a transition to a more detailed

portrayal of Jehoshaphats political power מן־(לש)ים is subject מן partitive some of the

Philistines brought him presents (for מנחה see on 2Ch_175) ldquoand silver a burdenrdquo ie

in great quantity מא does not signify tribute vectigal argento (Vulg) for the word has

not that signification but denotes burden that which can be carried as in מא לאן

2Ch_2025 - 2Ch_2116 2Ch_221 ערבים 2Ch_267 and more usually ערב-ים or ערביאים

are Arabian nomadic tribes (Bedacircwin) perhaps those whom Asa after his victory over the Cushite Zerah had brought under the kingdom of Judah 2Ch_1414 These paid

their tribute in small cattle rams and he-goats (ישים( Gen_3035 Gen_3215 Pro_

3031)

BESO 2 Chronicles 1710 The fear of the Lord fell upon all the kingdoms ampc mdash Justly concluding from his singular piety that God would eminently appear for him for even the heathen could not but observe that the kings of Judah were either prosperous or unhappy according as they served God or forsook him So that they made no war against Jehoshaphat mdash Godrsquos good providence so ordered it that while the princes and priests were instructing and endeavouring to reform the country none of his neighbours gave him any molestation to take him off from that good work

COFFMA All of this peace and prosperity were directly due to the respect which Jehoshaphat had shown to the Law of God and to his efforts to teach that word to all the people It is no problem that much of the material here is omitted in Kings because the primary focus there was political whereas in Chronicles the focus is upon the spiritual and religious significance of the same history

TRAPP 2 Chronicles 1710 And the fear of the LORD fell upon all the kingdoms of the lands that [were] round about Judah so that they made no war against Jehoshaphat

Ver 10 And the fear of the Lord fell upon all the kingdoms] It is said [2 Chronicles 172] Jehoshaphat placed forces in all the fenced cities yet it is not said thereupon that the fear of the Lord fell upon the neighbour nations But when he had established a preaching ministry in all the cities then his enemies had a fear and made no war

POOLE Justly concluding from this singular piety that God would eminently appear for him and against all those who had ill will to him which was their case For even the heathens could not but observe that the kings of Judah were either prosperous or unhappy accordingly as they served God or forsook him

ELLICOTT (10) The fear of the LordmdashA dread of Jehovah (pachad) aps 2029 (Comp Exodus 1516 1 Samuel 117 Isaiah 210 ) This phrase is not peculiar to the chronicler as Keil and Bertheau assert ldquoThe kingdoms of the landsrdquo is so (2 Chronicles 128 1 Chronicles 2930)

They made no warmdashThe reward of Jehosha-phatrsquos piety (1 Chronicles 229

Proverbs 167) ldquoWhen a manrsquos ways please the Lord he maketh even his enemies to be at peace with himrdquo (Comp also Genesis 355)

11 Some Philistines brought Jehoshaphat gifts and silver as tribute and the Arabs brought him flocks seven thousand seven hundred rams and seven thousand seven hundred goats

BARES Some of the Philistines brought Jehoshaphat presents - i e ldquosome of the Philistines were among his tributariesrdquo Compare 2Sa_82 1Ki_421

Tribute silver - Or ldquomuch silverrdquo - literally ldquosilver of burthenrdquo

The Arabians - The Arab tribes who bordered Judaea to the south and the southeast paid Jehoshaphat a fixed tribute in kind Compare 2Ki_34 note

CLARKE The Philistines brought - presents - They and the Arabians purchased peace with the king of Judah by paying an annual tribute The Philistines brought silver and no doubt different kinds of merchandise The Arabs whose riches consisted in cattle brought him flocks in great abundance principally rams and he-goats

GILL Also some of the Philistines brought Jehoshaphat presents and tribute silver Perhaps those of Gerar and the parts adjacent Asa took and spoiled and made tributary 2Ch_1414

and the Arabians brought him flocks seven thousand and seven hundred rams and seven thousand and seven hundred he goats with which their country abounded and these might be the Scenite Arabs who fearing lest Jehoshaphat should fall upon them and take away their flocks as his father had done 2Ch_1415 brought these presents to him

JAMISO Also some of the Philistines brought Jehoshaphat presents and tribute silvermdash either they had been his tributaries or they were desirous of securing his valuable friendship and now made a voluntary offer of tribute Perhaps

they were the Philistines who had submitted to the yoke of David (2Sa_81 Psa_608)

the Arabiansmdash the nomad tribes on the south of the Dead Sea who seeking the protection of Jehoshaphat after his conquest of Edom paid their tribute in the way most suitable to their pastoral habits - the present of so many head of cattle

BESO 2 Chronicles 1711 Some of the Philistines brought presents mdash They had been subject to Judah ever since Davidrsquos time but it seems had neglected this duty in the times of his predecessors but were now moved by their own fears to perform it And the Arabians brought him flocks mdash Either because he had upon some just occasion waged war against them and subdued them or because they voluntarily put themselves under his protection in recompense whereof they sent him these presents or only as a free acknowledgment of their respect for him

TRAPP 2 Chronicles 1711 Also [some] of the Philistines brought Jehoshaphat presents and tribute silver and the Arabians brought him flocks seven thousand and seven hundred rams and seven thousand and seven hundred he goats

Ver 11 Also some of the Philistines] These having been subdued by David had withheld their tribute for a time but now seeing Jehoshaphatrsquos growing greatness they bring it in with the better that no offence might be taken at their former neglect The word here used signifieth honorary gifts or oblations pacifications

ldquo Placatur donis Iupiter ipse datis rdquo

Think the same of the Arabians See 2 Chronicles 1414-15

POOLE Some of the Philistines who had been subjects to this kingdom ever since Davidrsquos time but it seems had neglected this duty in the times of his predecessors but now were moved by their own fears to perform it

The Arabians brought him flocks either because he had upon some just occasion waged war against them and subdued them though the particulars of it be not described in Scripture or because they voluntarily put themselves under his protection in recompence whereof they sent him those presents or only as a free acknowledgment of their respects to him

ELLICOTT (11) Broughtmdashie continually Such is the force of the participle

PresentsmdashAn offering ie tribute (minchah 2 Chronicles 175)

And tribute silvermdashRather and silver a load or burden ie a great quantity (massacircrsquo) 2 Chronicles 2025 As if ldquosilver as much as they could carryrdquomdasha natural hyperbole ot all the five states of the Philistines were subject to Jehoshaphat (Comp 2 Samuel 81)

The ArabiansmdashlsquoArbicircrsquoim here only equivalent to lsquoArbicircyicircm (2 Chronicles 267) and

lsquoArbim (2 Chronicles 2116) They are in each case grouped with the Philistines The nomad Bedacircwin conquered by Asa (2 Chronicles 1415) appear to be meant here or else some tribes which recognised the overlordship of Jehoshaphat after his reduction of Edom (2 Chronicles 2022 sqq)

Brought him flocksmdashComp Mesha of Moabrsquos tribute to Ahab (2 Kings 34)

GUZIK 2 (2 Chronicles 1711-19) The international strength of Jehoshaphatrsquos kingdom

Also some of the Philistines brought Jehoshaphat presents and silver as tribute and the Arabians brought him flocks seven thousand seven hundred rams and seven thousand seven hundred male goats So Jehoshaphat became increasingly powerful and he built fortresses and storage cities in Judah He had much property in the cities of Judah and the men of war mighty men of valor were in Jerusalem These are their numbers according to their fathersrsquo houses Of Judah the captains of thousands Adnah the captain and with him three hundred thousand mighty men of valor and next to him was Jehohanan the captain and with him two hundred and eighty thousand and next to him was Amasiah the son of Zichri who willingly offered himself to the LORD and with him two hundred thousand mighty men of valor Of Benjamin Eliada a mighty man of valor and with him two hundred thousand men armed with bow and shield and next to him was Jehozabad and with him one hundred and eighty thousand prepared for war These served the king besides those the king put in the fortified cities throughout all Judah

a Some of the Philistines brought Jehoshaphat presents and silver as tribute and the Arabians brought him flocks Jehoshaphatrsquos commitment to personal and public godliness meant that God exalted his kingdom above the neighboring nations even as God promised in Deuteronomy 281-13

b These served the king The true treasure of Jehoshaphatrsquos kingdom was not numbered only in security or material things but also in the dedicated and courageous men he had surrounding him these mighty men of valor

i Amasiah the son of Zichri who willingly offered himself to the LORD ldquoAmasiah is a man of whom we do not know anything beyond this ndash he lsquowillingly offered himself unto the Lordrsquo There must have been a turning-point in his career a time when first he knew the grace of God which wrought such a change in him There must have been a waking up to the feeling that God deserved his love and his liferdquo (Spurgeon)

ii Amasiah was a ready servant of the Lord this particularly notable because he did it in an otherwise secular calling

middot o one had to press him into service

middot o one had to seek him out for service

middot o one had to look after him once he had begun serving

middot o one had to lead him

iii ldquoThere is no lawful occupation in which a man cannot thoroughly serve the Lord It is a great privilege and blessing to be set apart to the work of winning souls but we must never separate that work from all the rest of the callings of life as though it alone were sacred and all the rest were secular and almost sinful Serve God where you arerdquo (Spurgeon)

PULPIT The presents were probably enough in the nature of tribute the fixed rate of which is sometimes alluded to (1 Kings 421 1 Kings 1025 2 Samuel 82) but it is doubtful whether the word משא purports to say this The word means bearing or carrying and then a burden load or weight The expression (2 Chronicles 2025) more than they could carry away where this word is used favours the idea that the meaning here is silver of great weight Probably the moral significance and historical interest whether of this statement respecting the Philistines or the following respecting the Arabians lies in the fact that both of them brought without more ado their payments and did not seek to slip out of their engagements with Judah and Judahs king ote for confirmation of this view 2 Kings 34 2 Kings 35

12 Jehoshaphat became more and more powerful he built forts and store cities in Judah

GILL And Jehoshaphat waxed great exceedingly In wealth and riches power and authority in his forces and fortifications

and he built in Judah castles and cities of stores castles for the defence of his kingdom and store cities to lay up corn and wine and all provisions in case of an invasion or against a time of war

HERY II He had a very considerable stores laid up in the cities of Judah He pulled down his barns and built larger (2Ch_1712) castles and cities of store for arms and victuals He was a man of business and aimed at the public good in all his

undertakings either to preserve the peace or prepare for war

JAMISO 2Ch_1712-19 His greatness captains and armies

KampD Description of Jehoshaphats power - 2Ch_1712 And Jehoshaphat became

ever greater sc in power The partic הולך expresses the continuous advance in

greatness cf Ew sect280 b as the infin absol does elsewhere eg Gen_83 למעלה as עד

in 2Ch_1612 - He built castles in Judah ירנ-ות only here and in 2Ch_274 from ירנית

derivative formed from ירה by the Syriac termination נית- fem of ן- castle fortress On

מסנות cf 2Ch_84 ערי

TRAPP 2 Chronicles 1712 And Jehoshaphat waxed great exceedingly and he built in Judah castles and cities of store

Ver 12 And Jehoshaphat waxed great exceedingly] Heb He was going and growing By humility and the fear of the Lord are riches and honour and life [Proverbs 224]

And he built in Judah castles] Bironeoth πυργους turres So did the Burgundians and thence had their names

And cities of store] Granaries in the Hebrew they have their name from their utility or usefulness

ELLICOTT (12) And Jehoshaphat waxed greatmdashLiterally And Jehoshaphat was going on and waxing great ie became greater and greater (Comp 1 Chronicles 119)

ExceedinglymdashlsquoAd lĕmagraversquolah This phrase occurs again in 2 Chronicles 1612 2 Chronicles 268 and nowhere else in the Old Testament (See on 1 Chronicles 142)

And he builtmdashLike his predecessorsmdashSolomon Rehoboam Asamdashhe displayed his wealth and power in great public works The records of the Assyrian and Babylonian sovereigns are largely taken up with similar accounts of temple and palace building

CastlesmdashBiranicircyocircth a derivative from birah (1 Chronicles 291 1 Chronicles 2919 comp Syriac here birocircthocirc) It only recurs at 2 Chronicles 274 It is an Aramaic term (Comp bicircranyacircthacirc which in the Targums means ldquopalacesrdquo)

Cities of storesmdashComp 2 Chronicles 84 2 Chronicles 164 Exodus 111

PULPIT Castles This rendering better than palaces (margin) wound bear improving to the rather stronger word fortresses Hebrew בירניות found only here and in 2 Chronicles 274 plur of בירנית connected with the Chaldee and later Hebrew בירה of Ezra 62 ehemiah 11 Esther 12 Daniel 82 Cities of store (see note under 2 Chronicles 84 see also 1 Kings 919 Exodus 111)

13 and had large supplies in the towns of Judah He also kept experienced fighting men in Jerusalem

CLARKE He hadmuch business in the cities - He kept the people constantly employed they had wages for their work and by their labors the empire was both enriched and strengthened

GILL And he had much business in the cities of Judah Partly in fortifying them and partly in reforming the inhabitants of them

and the men of war mighty men of valour were in Jerusalem or by or near unto it so the particle is rendered Jos_513 they encamped in places adjacent to it for such a number of men as follows even 1160000 could never be contained in Jerusalem but must be disposed of in the territories of it nor did they wait on the king together but in course see 2Ch_1719 by which it appears there is no need to suppose any mistake of the transcriber in any or all of the following sums as has been suggested (q)

HERY 13-19 III He had the militia in good order It was never in better since David modelled it Five lord-lieutenants (if I may so call them) are here named with the numbers of those under their command (the serviceable men that were fit for war in their respective districts) three in Judah and two in Benjamin It is said of one of these great commanders Amasiah that he willingly offered himself unto the Lord (2Ch_1716) not only to the king to serve him in this post but to the Lord to glorify him in it He was the most eminent among them for religion he accepted the place not for the

honour or power or profit of it but for conscience sake towards God that he might serve his country It was usual for great generals then to offer of their spoils to the Lord 1Ch_2626 But this good man offered himself first to the Lord and then his dedicated things The number of the soldiers under these five generals amounts to 1160000 men a vast number for so small a compass of ground as Judahs and Benjamins lot to furnish out and maintain Abijah could bring into the field but 400000 (2Ch_133) Asa not 600000 (2Ch_148) yet Jehoshaphat has at command almost 1200000 But it must be considered 1 That God had promised to make the seed of Abraham like the sand of the sea for number 2 There had now been a long peace 3 We may suppose that the city of Jerusalem was very much enlarged 4 Many had come over to them from the kingdom of Israel (2Ch_1519) which would increase the numbers of the people 5 Jehoshaphat was under a special blessing of God which made his affairs to prosper greatly The armies we may suppose were dispersed all the country over and each man resided for the most part on his own estate but they appeared often to be mustered and trained and were ready at call whenever there was occasion The commanders waited on the king (2Ch_1719) as officers of his court privy-counsellors and ministers of state

But lastly observe It was not this formidable army that struck a terror upon the neighbouring nations that restrained them from attempting any thing against Israel or obliged them to pay tribute but the fear of God which fell upon them when Jehoshaphat reformed his country and set up a preaching ministry in it 2Ch_1710 The ordinances of God are more the strength and safety of a kingdom than its military force - its men of God more than its men of war

KampD 2Ch_1713

וגווגווגווגו רהרהרהרה is rightly translated by Luther ldquound hatte viel Vorrathsrdquo (and ומלעכהומלעכהומלעכהומלעכה

had much store) מלעכהמלעכהמלעכהמלעכה denotes here as in Exo_227-10 property that which has been gained by work or business The signification much work opera magna (Vulg Cler etc) as also Bertheaus translation ldquothe works for equipping and provisioning the fortressesrdquo correspond neither to the context nor to the parallel (synonymous) second member of the verse The work and trouble necessary to equip the cities of Judah does not correspond to ldquothe valiant warriors in Jerusalemrdquo the only parallel is the goods and property which were in these cities the provision of victuals and war material there stored up

BESO 2 Chronicles 1713 He had much business in the cities of Judah mdash To repair and fortify them and furnish them with provisions and to purge out all the relics of idolatry and injustice which were more secretly and craftily managed in the cities than in the country and which were first and most prevalent in the cities and thence spread their infection into the country around them

TRAPP 2 Chronicles 1713 And he had much business in the cities of Judah and the men of war mighty men of valour [were] in Jerusalem

Ver 13 And he had much business] Eργα πολλα (a) Many works going forward at

once a negotious man he was His business say some lay in beautifying and fortifying those cities Augustus gloried at his death that whereas he had found Rome built with brick he had left it made of marble

And the men of war hellip were in Jerusalem] These were his Praetorian forces his Praesidiaries were up and down in the various cities

POOLE He had much business in the cities of Judah partly to repair and fortify them and furnish them with all necessary provisions and partly to purge out all the relies and seeds of idolatry and injustice which were more secretly and subtlely managed in the cities than in the country and which were first and most in the cities and thence spread their infection into the country about them See Jeremiah 228

ELLICOTT (13) BusinessmdashRather much goods or stores literally work (mĕlacirckacirch) and then produce The Hebrew word is so used in Exodus 227 Exodus 2210 (ldquoHis neighbourrsquos goodsrdquo) Stores of provisions and war material seem to be intended (Comp 2 Chronicles 1111)

And the man of war were in JerusalemmdashRather and (he had) men of war in Jerusalem

In Jerusalemmdashot the entire army corps whose numbers are given in 2 Chronicles 1714-18 but simply their chiefs

PULPIT Much business Hebrew מלאכה The meaning of the word is service labour bestowed and the verse reads And there was to him much labour in the cities of Judah and men of war mighty men of valour in Jerusalem ie He bestoweth much pains on the cities of Judah and had etc The word were Authorized Version italics is incorrectly inserted The former half of this verse would better constitute the end of 2 Chronicles 1712 Keil however maintains the rendering substance property for מלאכה (Exodus 227 Exodus 2210)

14 Their enrollment by families was as followsFrom Judah commanders of units of 1000Adnah the commander with 300000 fighting men

BARES The captains of thousands Adnah the chief - literally ldquoprinces of thousands Adnah the princerdquo The writer does not mean that Adnah (or Johohanan 2Ch_1715) was in any way superior to the other ldquoprincesrdquo but only that he was one of them

Three hundred thousand - This number and those which follow in 2Ch_1715-18 have been with good reason regarded as corrupt by most critics For

(1) They imply a minimum population of 1480 to the square mile which is more than three times greater than that of any country in the known world (circa 1880rsquos)

(2) they produce a total just double that of the next largest estimate of the military force of Judah the 580 000 of 2Ch_148

(3) they are professedly a statement not of the whole military force but of the force maintained at Jerusalem (2Ch_1713 compare 2Ch_1719)

It is probable that the original numbers have been lost and that the loss was suppplied by a scribe who took 2Ch_148 as his basis

CLARKE Adnah the chief - He was generalissimo of all this host These are the numbers of the five battalions under Adnah three hundred thousand Jehohanan two hundred and eighty thousand Amasiah two hundred thousand Eliada two hundred thousand Jehozabad one hundred and eighty thousand in all one million one hundred and sixty thousand

GILL And these are the numbers of them according to the house of their fathers Both of the tribe of Judah and of Benjamin and first

of Judah the captains of thousands some had 1000 men under them and some one hundred

Adnah the chief he was the principal commander or general of them

and with him mighty men of valour three hundred thousand such a number was under his command

JAMISO these are the numbersmdash The warriors were arranged in the army according to their fathers houses The army of Jehoshaphat commanded by five great generals and consisting of five unequal divisions comprised one million one hundred and sixty thousand men without including those who garrisoned the fortresses No monarch since the time of Solomon equaled Jehoshaphat in the extent of his revenue in the strength of his fortifications and in the number of his troops

KampD 2Ch_1714-16

The men fit for war passed in review according to their fathers-houses The male population of Judah fell into three divisions that of Benjamin into two The prince

Adnah held the first place among the generals with 300000 men of Judah ידו at his על

hand ie with and under him Jehohanan had the command of 280000 men and

Amasiah over 200000 השר is a contraction for אלפים For what special reason it is so שר

honourably recorded of Amasiah that he had willingly offered himself to the Lord (cf for

Jdg_59) has not been communicated התנב

COFFMA his represented a standing army of 1160000 men besides the garrisons in the fortified cities and this goes a long way to explaining why the Arabians and the Philistines brought tribute to Jehoshaphat In ancient times as in our own day peace frequently depended upon the strength of those who desired it

We should ignore the screams of exaggeration[3] which mark the writings of radical critics Pagan rulers of that era reported even larger armies than this and until the critics can prove that those were exaggerated reports they should let these alone Besides that we have already noted that the very word from which thousand is translated is disputed as to its exact meaning

COKE 2 Chronicles 1714 And these are the numbers of themmdash That is of the soldiers as well as of those who were employed in the kings works in the several cities ampc which he built See 2 Chronicles 1719

REFLECTIOSmdash1st Jehoshaphat no sooner comes to the throne than we see the dawnings of a glorious reign

1 He strengthened his kingdom by placing strong garrisons in the cities of Judah and those which his father had recovered from Israel and prepared against that danger which Ahabs growing power seemed to threaten

2 Religion was his great concern He copied after the best of his predecessors in their best days such as were the first of David before the matter of Uriah and the numbering of the people had blotted his fair copy Faithful to the worship of God he abhorred all idols the law of God was his rule of duty and Israels apostacy rendered his fidelity more singular and exemplary Inspired with holy zeal his heart with delight and sincerity was engaged for God and no difficulties deterred him from the path of duty The idols and groves which in the declining days of Asa might have been set up again he utterly destroyed with all the high places where they still offered sacrifices to these abominations ote (1) In the fairest human pattern there will be found imperfections but there is a Son of David more than man who has set us a spotless example that we should follow his steps (2) Fidelity in Gods service is the stability of a nation (3) A lively soul on wings of faith and love mounts up to God rises superior to every difficulty and looks down upon every thing besides his favour as altogether vanity

3 He not only removed the temptations to sin but took care to instruct the people in

the path of duty Ignorance of Gods law had greatly prevailed and to oblige them merely to conform to his reformation without grounding them on the true foundation of Gods word promised little stability The Levites and priests therefore are sent in progress through the cities of Judah with the book of the law to explain and enforce the commandments of God and several princes accompanied them in order to engage the people to hear them and give countenance to these preachers by their weight and influence ote (1) It is a blessed thing when princes countenance faithful ministers Though they cannot make men true converts their example and authority will induce them to attend (2) They who are sent to teach must see that they take the pure word of God along with them A true preacher wishes for nothing in his hand but his Bible (3) Religion is a reasonable service Conviction alone not compulsion or education can make a man a christian

4 The blessing of God attended his labours The Lord was with him or as the Targum generally expresses it the word of the Lord the divine Logos to whom all things are committed strengthened him in his labours and established his kingdom The people charmed with his government liberally sent their presents to him and abounding in riches and honour his heart far from being intoxicated by prosperity was lifted up in greater love and thankfulness to the gracious giver ote (1) God often here rewards piety with prosperity (2) Worldly comforts are then truly blessings when as the steps of Jacobs ladder they raise our hearts to heaven

2nd Like the light of the morning which shineth more and more so did Jehoshaphats glory increase

1 Feared by his enemies as beloved by his subjects the neighbouring princes did not offer to molest him while those of Philistia and Arabia courted his favour either by a voluntary present or exact payment of the tribute which Asa had imposed on them see 2 Chronicles 1711 God had put an awe upon them of the majesty of his king in Zion ote God hath access to the spirits of men and by secret yet irresistible influence can bow them to his sovereign will

2 His military preparations greatly advanced While he reformed the people he fortified their ramparts and built new castles and store-cities strengthening them within and without against their enemies Under five chief officers an immense army was enlisted Probably all the able men in the country were enrolled and regularly mustered though not drawn out except in case of necessity and this may easily account for the greatness of their number if we consider also the long peace they had enjoyed the accession of Israelites to them and especially the blessing of Abraham which no doubt was eminently fulfilled Amasiah one of the officers is mentioned with an honourable mark of distinction as a volunteer who served for the glory of God not for the sake of pay Such patriots are scarce

TRAPP 2 Chronicles 1714 And these [are] the numbers of them according to the house of their fathers Of Judah the captains of thousands Adnah the chief and

with him mighty men of valour three hundred thousand

Ver 14 Three hundred thousand] These were under his command and at hand to come whensoever the king would

WHEDO 14 Three hundred thousand mdash The numbers in this verse and the four verses following are generally regarded as corrupt ldquoThey implyrdquo observes the writer last quoted ldquoa minimum population of 1480 to the square mile which is more than three times greater than that of any country in the known world It is probable that the original numbers have been lost and the loss supplied by a scribe who took 2 Chronicles 148 as his basis

ELLICOTT Verse 14 (14) And these their fathersmdashAnd this is their muster (or census) according to their father-houses (clans) 1 Chronicles 243 The warriors were marshalled in the army according to clans so that men of the same stock fought side by side with their kindred Perhaps in the original document this heading was followed by a much more detailed scheme of names and divisions than that which the text presents

Of JudahmdashTo Judah (belonged) captains of thousands viz the three enumerated in 2 Chronicles 1714-16 Adnah Jehohanan and Amasiah They were the principal officers or generals of the entire forces of Judah

Adnah the chiefmdashTo wit the captain Adnah That Adnah was commander-in-chief is implied by his being named first and his corps being the largest

PULPIT This verse with the following four gives us the names of five captains chiefs princes or military officers for the kingdoms service with the numbers of the troops they severally commanded The numbers of them (see note under 1 Chronicles 2311) Hebrew פקדתם The better English rendering to carry at once the signification would be The muster of them etc The captains hellip the chief In both cases the Hebrew is the familiar word for prince ( שר ) in the former without article in the latter with article The numbers of this and following four verses are not only absolutely unreliable but in themselves impossible According to the house of their fathers ie the quotation is drawn from an army catalogue arranged carefully by fathers houses (umbers 118 umbers 122 etc)

15 next Jehohanan the commander with 280000

GILL And next to him was Jehohanan the captain Being of the same rank as to office but having a lesser number of men under him and it may respect not any kind of subordination only nearness of place as the Targumhe that encamped next to him

and with him two hundred and fourscore thousand which number was but 20000 less than the former

POOLE ext to him either

1 After his death as his successor in the same command And the like is supposed concerning Jehozabad 2 Chronicles 1718 Or rather

2 ext to him in place and authority or at least in power and the numbers of his host

16 next Amasiah son of Zikri who volunteered himself for the service of the Lord with 200000

GILL And next him was Amasiah the son of Zichri He encamped next to him as the Targum

who willingly offered himself unto the Lord to fight the Lords battles and without any stipend as some think or as Kimchi he offered gold and silver to the treasures of the house of the Lord

and with him two hundred thousand mighty men of valour the number was 80000 less than the former the whole of Judah amounted to 780000 men

TRAPP 2 Chronicles 1716 And next him [was] Amasiah the son of Zichri who willingly offered himself unto the LORD and with him two hundred thousand mighty men of valour

Ver 16 Who willingly offered himself unto the Lord] He was a votary the vows of God were upon him and this made him the more valiant and resolute (a) in the exercise of arms for the service of God and the safety of his people The Spahis among the Turks are a sort of horsemen voluntaries and votaries to gain paradise by dying for the Mohammedan cause These are never known to return home but

with victory these are heavy upon the enemy For

ldquo Vincitur haud gratis iugulo qui provocat ensem rdquo

POOLE As volunteers and auxiliaries to be ready upon occasion as the service of God and the king should require Possibly these or most of them were the strangers which had come out of Israel into the kingdom of Judah in Asarsquos days and probably since that in his time

ELLICOTT (16) AmasiahmdashIah carrieth (Isaiah 4011) different from Amaziah (Iah is strong)

Who willingly offered himself unto the Lordmdash(Judges 52 Judges 59) An allusion to some noble act of self-devotion which was doubtless more fully recorded in the source from which the chronicler has drawn this brief account Such allusions though no longer intelligible are important as conducing to the proof of the historical value of the narratives in which they occur LXX ὁ προθυmicroούmicroενος τῷ κυρίῳ Vulg consecratus Domino

PULPIT Amaziah the son of Zichri This man is not titled at all The description of him as one who had willingly offered himself unto the Lord not elucidated by the context or any effective parallel will mark something honorable in his history Possibly he comes from an unexpected quarter and is a man of approved skill othing further is known of these three men Meantime it has been suggested (Professor Dr J Murphy of Belfast Handbook to Chronicles ) that the first of the three was for Judah proper the second for that contingent of Judah that hailed from Dan and the Philistines and the third for that of Simeon and the Arabs

MACLARE This is a scrap from the catalogue of Jehoshaphatrsquos lsquomighty men of valourrsquo and is Amasiahrsquos sole record We see him for a moment and hear his eulogium and then oblivion swallows him up We do not know what it was that he did to earn it But what a fate to live to all generations by that one sentence

I Cheerful self-surrender the secret of all religion

The words of our text contain a metaphor naturally drawn from the sacrificial system It comes so easily to us that we scarcely recognise the metaphorical element but the clear recognition of it gives great additional energy to the words Amasiah was both sacrificer and sacrifice His offering was self-immolation As in all love so in that noblest kind of it which clasps God its perfect expression is lsquoI give Thee my living loving selfrsquo Nor is it only sacrifice and sacrificer that are seen in deepest truth in the experience of the Christian life but the reality of the Temple is also there for lsquoYe also are built up a spiritual house to be a holy priesthood to offer up spiritual sacrificesrsquo Only when God dwells in us shall we have the nerve and the firmness of hand to take the knife and lsquoslay before the Lordrsquo the awful Guest in the sanctuary within the most precious of the children of our spirits

The essence of the sacrifice of self is the sacrifice of will In the Christian experience

lsquowillingly offeredrsquo is almost tautology for unwilling offerings are a contradiction and in fact there are no such things The quality of unwillingness destroys the character of the offering and robs it of all sacredness Reluctant Christianity is not Christianity That noun and that adjective can never be buckled together

The submission of will and the consequent surrender of myself and my powers opportunities and possessions so that I do all enjoy all use all and when need is endure all with glad thankful reference to God is only possible to me in the measure in which my will is made flexible by love and such will-subduing love comes only when we lsquoknow and believe the love that God hath to usrsquo There is the point at which not a few moral and religious teachers go wrong and bewilder themselves and their disciples There too is the point at which Christ and the Gospel of salvation through faith in Him stand forth as emancipating humanity from the dreary round of efforts and vain attempts to work up the condition needful for achieving the height of self-surrender which is seen to be indispensable to all true nobleness of living but is felt to be beyond the reach of the ordinary man There too is the point at which many good people mar their lives as Christians They waste their strength in trying to bring the jibbing horse up to the leap They try to blow up a fire of devotion and to make themselves priests to offer themselves but all the while the mutinous self recoils from the leap and the fire burns smokily and their sacrifice is laid on the altar with little joy because they have not been careful and wise enough to begin at the beginning and to follow Godrsquos way of melting their wills by love the reflection of the Infinite love of God to them Godrsquos priests offer themselves because they offer their wills they offer their wills because they love God they love God because they know that God loves them That is the divine order It is vain to try to accomplish the end by any other

II This willing offering hallows all life

No syllable is left to tell us what Amasiah did to win this praise Probably the words enshrine some now forgotten memory of his cheerful courage some heroic feat on an unrecorded battlefield Particulars are not given nor needed Specific actions are unimportant the spirit of a life can be told with very incomplete details and it not the details is the important thing Sometimes as in many modern biographies one lsquocannot see the wood for the treesrsquo and misses the main drift and aim of a life in the chaos of a bewildering mass of nothings How much more happy the lot of this man of whom we have only the generalised expression of the text unweighted and undisturbed by petty incidents It takes tons of rose leaves to make a tiny phial of otto of roses but the fragrance is far more pungent in a drop of the distillation than in armfuls of leaves Every life shrinks into very small compass and the centuries do not tolerate long biographies Shall we not seek to order our life so that Amasiahrsquos epitaph may serve for us It will be blessed if this-and nothing else-is known about us that we lsquowillingly offered ourselves to the Lordrsquo My friend will that be a true epitome of your life

III This willing offering is accepted by God

We may hear a mightier voice behind the chroniclerrsquo s and the judgment of the Judge of all pronounced by His lips It matters little what men say of one another but it matters everything what God says of us We are but too apt to forget that He is now saying something as to each of us and that we have not to wait for death to put a final period to our activities before our lives become fit subjects for Godrsquos judgment Moment by moment we are writing our own sentences But while it is good for us to remember the continuous judgment of God on each deed it is not good to let dark thoughts of the principles of that judgment paralyse our activity or chill our confidence in His forgiving and accepting mercy There is often a dark suspicion like that of the one-talented

servant which blackens Godrsquos fair fame as being lsquoan austere Manrsquo making demands rather than imparting power and the effect of such an ugly conception of Him is to cut the nerve of service and bury the talent carefully folded up it may be but none the less earning nothing lsquoIf we call on Him as Father who without respect of persons judgeth according to every manrsquos workrsquo let us be sure that it will be a Fatherly judgment that He will pass upon us and our offerings There is a wonderful collection on His altar of what many people would think rubbish just as many a mother has laid away among her treasures some worthless article which her child had once given her-a weed plucked by the roadside in a long past summer day some trifle of rare preciousness in the childrsquos eyes and of none in any others than her own She opens her drawer and brings out the poor little thing and her eyes fill and her heart fills as she looks And does not God keep His childrenrsquos gifts as lovingly and set them in places of honour in the day when He lsquomakes up His jewelsrsquo There are cups of cold water and widowsrsquo mites and much else that a supercilious world would call lsquotrashrsquo stored there Thank God He accepts imperfect service faltering faith partial consecration a little love Even our poor offering may be an lsquoodour of a sweet smellrsquo ministering fragrance that is a delight to Him if it is offered with the much incense of the great Sacrifice and through the mediation of the great High Priest

The world forgot Amasiah or never knew him an obscure soldier in an obscure kingdom but God did not forget and here is his epitaph and this is his memorial to all generations Menrsquos chronicles have no room for all the names that their wearers are eager to have inscribed on their crumbling and crowded pages lsquobut the Lambrsquos Book of Lifersquo has ample space on its radiant pages for all who desire to set their names there and if ours are there we need not envy the proudest whose titles and deeds fill the most conspicuous pages in the worldrsquos records lsquoThen shall every man have praise of Christrsquo and he who wins that guerdon needs nothing more and can have nothing more to swell his blessedness

17 From BenjaminEliada a valiant soldier with 200000 men armed with bows and shields

GILL And of Benjamin Eliada a mighty man of valour Was the chief commander

and with armed men with bow and shield two hundred thousand which were

the armour of the tribe of Benjamin they were best skilled in 2Ch_148

TRAPP 2 Chronicles 1717 And of Benjamin Eliada a mighty man of valour and with him armed men with bow and shield two hundred thousand

Ver 17 With bow and shield] The Benjamites were notable bowmen [1 Chronicles 122] The Engish were anciently so too

ELLICOTT (17) Armed men with bow and shieldmdashLiterally drawing bow and shield ie as the Targum explains ldquodrawing bow and grasping shieldsrdquo (Comp 1 Chronicles 122) LXX ldquoArchers and peltastsrdquo Vulg ldquoGrasping bow and shieldrdquo (Comp also 1 Chronicles 840 for the arms of the Benjaminites)

18 next Jehozabad with 180000 men armed for battle

GILL And next to him was Jehozabad According to the Targum he encamped next him

and with him one hundred and fourscore thousand ready prepared for war being able bodied men well disciplined valiant and well armed these numbers of Judah and Benjamin put together amount to 1160000 men whereas Asa only brought into the field 580000 but it should be considered there had been a long time of peace many had come off from the ten tribes to Judah and the promise of multiplying the seed of Abraham was eminently fulfilled

TRAPP 2 Chronicles 1718 And next him [was] Jehozabad and with him an hundred and fourscore thousand ready prepared for the war

Ver 18 A hundred and fourscore thousand] His militia was eleven hundred and threescore thousand besides what he had in garrisons [2 Chronicles 1719] So that as he was better he was stronger than his father Asa had been Piety hath prosperity

ELLICOTT (18) Ready prepared for the warmdashEquipped for service (See on 1

Chronicles 1223-24 umbers 315 umbers 3229) The hoplites or heavy-armed infantry are probably meant

PULPIT While Eliada of last verse was for Benjamin Professor Dr Murphy supposes that Jehozabad was for the annexed part of Ephraim But no suppositions of this kind can avail to explain the numbers in the text which is no doubt corrupt

19 These were the men who served the king besides those he stationed in the fortified cities throughout Judah

CLARKE These waited on the king - They were disposable forces always at the kingrsquos command and were independent of those by which the cities of Judah were garrisoned

There is not a sovereign in Europe or in the world but might read this chapter with advantage

1 It shows most forcibly that true religion is the basis of the state and that wherever it prospers there the state prospers

2 It shows also that it is the wisdom of kings to encourage religion with all their power and influence for if the hearts of the subjects be not bound and influenced by true religion vain is the application of laws fines imprisonments or corporal punishment of any kind

3 A religious nation is ever a great nation it is loved by its friends it is dreaded by its enemies

4 It is ever a peaceable and united nation the blessings of religion and a wholesome and paternal government are so fully felt and prized that all find it their interest to preserve and defend them Harmony peace piety and strength are the stability of such times May Britain know and value them

GILL These waited on the king Not this vast number of men at one time but in course as Davids military men waited on him 1Ch_271 or each of these captains with a proper number of men under them detached from the body and they were all ready to obey the kings orders whenever he should have occasion for them

besides those whom the king put into the fenced cities throughout Judah and all together the militia of the kingdom was very numerous and formidable

KampD 2Ch_1719

These were serving the king א6ה refers not to the above-mentioned men capable of

bearing arms for sheereet is not used of service in war but to the commanders whom he had placed in the fortified cities of all Judah ldquoin which probably bodies of the above-mentioned troops lay as garrisonsrdquo (Berth)

BESO 2 Chronicles 1719 These waited on the king mdash These above-mentioned were the trained bands or auxiliaries whose chief officers waited on the king to receive his commands and to raise and bring in all or part of their forces to the service of the king as need required A vast number for so small a compass of ground to furnish out and maintain But we may consider that God had promised to make the seed of Abraham like the sand of the sea for number that there had now been a long peace that many were come to them from the kingdom of Israel and that Jehoshaphat was under a special blessing of God They were doubtless dispersed all the country over every one residing on his own land only they were ready at call whenever there was occasion

TRAPP 2 Chronicles 1719 These waited on the king beside [those] whom the king put in the fenced cities throughout all Judah

Ver 19 These waited on the king] ie In their turns and by course

POOLE These above mentioned were the trained bands or auxiliaries whose chief officers waited upon the king to receive his commands and to raise and bring in all or part of their forces to the service of the king and kingdom as need required

ELLICOTT (19) These waited on the kingmdashRather these are they that ministered unto the king viz the five generals above named

Beside those whom the king put in the fenced citiesmdashie the commandants of the fortresses of the kingdom (2 Chronicles 1111 2 Chronicles 1123) These latter as well as the generals of the forces are called the kingrsquos ldquoministersrdquo (mĕshacircrĕthicircm)mdasha word which is not used of service in the field but implies their presence at court (ldquoin Jerusalemrdquo 2 Chronicles 1713 as the royal staff)

According to the above list the army of Jehoshaphat was organised in five grand divisions corresponding perhaps to five territorial divisions of the southern kingdom The totals are the largest assigned to the two tribes anywhere in the Old Testament viz Judah 780000 and Benjamin 380000 in all 1160000 At Davidrsquos census Judah had 500000 warriors (2 Samuel 249) and Israel 800000 Again in 2

Chronicles 148 Asarsquos army consists of 300000 men of Judah and 280000 Benjaminites clearly such an increase as our text indicates is unaccountable At the same time it is equally clear that the present numbers are not fortuitous results of clerical errors for they follow each other in the order of relative strength Judah 300000 280000 200000 Benjamin 200000 180000 and they are evidently not independent of the estimates of 2 Chronicles 148 above quoted

In the absence of adequate data for modifying these certainly startling figures it is well to bear in mind that we need not understand by them an army which ever actually mustered in the field or on parade but simply an estimate of the total male population liable to be called out for the national defence although even upon that understanding the total appears to be at least three times too great considering the small extent of the country

PULPIT These waited Hebrew המשרתים plur piel part of שרת The verse states that this enormous fivefold army with its five princes (counting in our corrupt text one million one hundred and sixty thousand) was the kings Jerusalem standing army while other separate regiments or bands of troops were spread through all Judah where they might be most needed for defence

land of Judah and in the cities of Ephraim which Asa his father had taken

3 And the Lord was with Jehoshaphat because he walked in the first ways of his father David [The LXX and several Hebrew MSS omit David The real meaning of the writer Isaiah that Jehoshaphat followed the example set by his father Asa in his earlier years] and sought not unto Baalim [And sought not the Baals The Baals were different local aspects of the sun-god Jehoshaphat was not seduced into this worship though in his day it overspread almost the whole kingdom of Israel]

4 But sought to the Lord God of his father and walked in his commandments and not after the doings of Israel

PARKER The Reign of Jehoshaphat

And Jehoshaphat his son reigned in his stead and strengthened himself against Israel ( 2 Chronicles 171)

I succeeding to that throne of Israel Jehoshaphat simply followed the course of a law but in strengthening himself against Israel he indicated a personal policy How definitely the statement reads There is no doubt or hesitation in the mind of Jehoshaphat as to the course which ought to be pursued He did not simply think that he would strengthen himself against Israel he had not a merely momentary vision of a possible fortification against the enemy he actually carried out his purpose and thus challenged northern Israel On the other hand how peaceful is the declaration that is here made There is not an aggressive tone in all the statement Innocent Jehoshaphat simply strengthened himself against Israel that is to say he puts himself into a highly defensive position so that if the enemy should pour down from the north Jehoshaphat would be secured against his assaults Everything therefore depends upon the point of view which we take of this policy But the thing which history has made clear is that a man often lays down a policy before waiting the issue of events which would determine its scope and tone All this was done by Jehoshaphat before he connected himself by marriage with the northern dynasty A marriage may upset a policy a domestic event may alter the course of a kings thinking and readjust the lines of a nations relation to other kingdoms The wise man holds himself open to the suggestion and inspiration of events o man is as wise to-day as he will be tomorrow provided he pay attention to the literature of providence which is being daily written before his eyes Our dogmatics whether in theology or in state policy should be modified by the recollection that we do not now know all things and that further light may show what we do know in a totally different aspect Our policy like our bread should in a sense be from day to day When men are omniscient they may lay down a theological programme from which departure would be blasphemy but until they are omniscient they had better write with modesty and subscribe even their best constructed creeds with reservations which will leave room for providence

GUZIK 2 CHROICLES 17 - FEATURES OF JEHOSHAPHATrsquoS REIG

A How King Jehoshaphat pleased God

1 (2 Chronicles 171-4) The personal spiritual commitment of King Jehosphaphat

Then Jehoshaphat his son reigned in his place and strengthened himself against Israel And he placed troops in all the fortified cities of Judah and set garrisons in the land of Judah and in the cities of Ephraim which Asa his father had taken ow the LORD was with Jehoshaphat because he walked in the former ways of his father David he did not seek the Baals but sought the God of his father and walked in His commandments and not according to the acts of Israel

a Then Jehoshaphat his son reigned in his place Asa was generally a good king (though he did not finish well) and Jehoshaphat his son followed in his footsteps and the LORD was with Jehoshaphat because he walked in the former ways of his father David

i ldquoIn the first ways which David walked in before he fell into those horrid sins of murder and adulteryrdquo (Trapp)

ii ldquoHave you never noticed the career of David What a happy life Davidrsquos was up to one point But that hour when he walked on the roof of his house and saw Bathsheba and gave way to his unholy desires put an end to the happy days of David You recognize him as the same man but his voice is broken his music is deep bass he cannot reach one high notes of the scale From the hour in which he sinned he began to sorrow more and more So will it be with us if we are not watchfulrdquo (Spurgeon)

b Strengthened himself against Israel Jehoshaphat recognized that the northern kingdom was a danger to Judah militarily politically and especially spiritually He therefore strengthened the defenses against this threat and specifically did not according to the acts of Israel

i In his presentation of the history of the kings of Judah the Chronicler constantly brings the contrast and the challenge before the readers of his day and ours ldquoYour destiny as an individual and as a nation can either be like that of Judah or Israel You should follow the example of those who did not according to the acts of Israelrdquo

PULPIT To the contents of this chapter and to the reign of Jehoshaphat which occupies this and the following three chapters the Book of Kings furnishes as yet no parallel All that it has to say of Jehoshaphat now is summed up in one sentence (1 Kings 1524) And Jehoshaphat his son reigned in his stead till we arrive at the ten verses of 1 Kings 2241-51 with their very slender sketch (see also 2 Kings 31-14)

2 Chronicles 171

Jehoshaphat In 2 Chronicles 2031 and 1 Kings 2241 1 Kings 2242 we are told that Jehoshaphat was now thirty-five years of age He must therefore have been born when Asa was in the sixth year of his reign and presumably not under sixteen years of age His reign extended to twenty-five years ie from BC 914 to BC 889 The name signifies whom God judges or pleads for Ahab is now in the fourth year of his reign and the symptoms he manifests (1 Kings 1630-33) are those that the rather urge Jehoshaphat to strengthen himself ie strengthen the defences of his kingdom on the Israel side

BI 1-19 And Jehoshaphat his son reigned in his stead

The conditions of national prosperity

This chapter showsmdash

I That true religion is the basis of the State and that wherever it prospers there the State prospers

II That it is the wisdom of kings to encourage religion with all their power and influence

III That a religious nation is ever a great nation

IV That a religious nation is ever a peaceful and united nation (A Clarke D D)

Jehoshaphat

I His policy as a statesman

1 It was protective (2Ch_171-2)

2 It was wise

3 It was eminently patriotic

II His character as a man

1 He was distinguished for true piety

(1) In his every-day life (2Ch_173)

(2) In his private devotions (2Ch_173-4)

(3) In his obedience to God (2Ch_174)

2 The inspiration of his heart came from the consciousness of his obedience to God (2Ch_176)

III His wisdom as a ruler

1 He removed temptation from his people (2Ch_176)

2 He provided for his people the highest means of good (2Ch_177-9) (Metropolitan Pulpit)

Jehoshaphatrsquos prosperity

I Its measure Everything indicates that it was great and genuine Not an element of true prosperity is wanting whether we consider him individually or as identified with the realm It involvedmdash

1 The safety of the kingdom

2 Wealth

3 Honour from abroad

4 The love and confidence of his own people

II Its origin This was partly natural partly supernatural

1 Natural

(1) The roots of his prosperity lay largely in himself He was a man of correct instincts and good convictions A man of worth and weight of character By these he won the love and secured the co-operation of his people

(2) He was wise in management

2 Supernatural ldquoThe Lord stablished the kingdom in his handrdquo It was a reward of piety He honoured God and God honoured and exalted him Lessons

1 The union of prudence and piety Each is helpful to the other neither is sufficient without the other Prudence gives tone and practicality to piety piety gives sweetness and mellowness to prudence Piety alone tends to feebleness and inefficiency prudence alone inclines to coldness and covetousness United they round out the character in beauty and strength

2 Reform through religion and law Jehoshaphat united the civil and religious power in securing national reform How necessary is this union in the great struggle with intemperance and other moral defilements (Monday Club Sermons)

2 He stationed troops in all the fortified cities of Judah and put garrisons in Judah and in the towns of Ephraim that his father Asa had captured

CLARKE The cities of Ephraim - This conquest from the kingdom of Israel is referred to 2Ch_158 but when it was made we do not know

GILL And he placed forces in all the fenced cities of Judah A considerable number of soldiers to defend them should they be attacked

and set garrisons in the land of Judah on the frontiers and borders of it to protect it

and in the cities of Ephraim soldiers to keep garrison there

which Asa his father had taken see 2Ch_158

KampD 2-4 He placed forces (חיל) in all the fenced cities of Judah and garrisons

in the land of Judah and in the cities of Ephraim (military posts cf 1Ch_1116 נציבים)

which is father Asa had taken cf 2Ch_158 God blessed these undertakings Jahve was with him because he walked in the ways of David his ancestor the former ways and sought not the Baals The former ways of David are his ways in the earlier years of his reign in contrast to the later years in which his adultery with Bathsheba (2 Sam 11) and

the sin of numbering the people (1 Chron 21) fall העלים are all false gods in contrast to

Jahve the one God of Israel and here the word designates not only the Baal-worship properly so called but also the worship of Jahve by means of images by which Jahve is

brought down to the level of the Baals cf Jdg_211 The ל before עלים stands according

to the later usage as a sign of the accusative In the last clause of 2Ch_174 ldquoand not

after the doings of Israelrdquo (of the ten tribes) הלך ldquohe walkedrdquo is to be repeated The

doing of Israel is the worship of Jahve through the images of the golden calves which

the author of the Chronicle includes in the לעלים רש

BESO 2 Chronicles 172 And set garrisons in the cities which Asa had taken mdash We do not read of any cities which Asa took but Abijah his father possessed himself of several which Asa kept and took for his own 2 Chronicles 1319 And it appears Jehoshaphat put such forces in them as might secure them to himself

TRAPP 2 Chronicles 172 And he placed forces in all the fenced cities of Judah and set garrisons in the land of Judah and in the cities of Ephraim which Asa his father had taken

Ver 2 And he placed forces] See 2 Chronicles 1719

ELLICOTT (2) And he placed forcesmdashComp 2 Chronicles 1112

The fenced citiesmdashlsquoArecirc ha-bĕtsucircrocircth (Comp 2 Chronicles 115 sqq 2 Chronicles 146-7)

And set garrisonsmdashPlaced military posts or prefects (netsicircbicircm) (1 Chronicles 1116 2 Chronicles 1111) Syriac ldquoappointed rulersrdquo

The cities of Ephraim had takenmdashSee on 2 Chronicles 158

PULPIT He placed forces literally he gave (Genesis 117) forces or a force or host or army חיל (Exodus 1428 2 Samuel 242) And set garrisons again literally he gave garrisons ( נאיבים ) ie either the persons set over prefects or officers (1 Kings 419) or the military garrison itself stationed (1 Samuel 105 1 Samuel 133) A village in Judah also had the name ezeb (Joshua 1545) In the cities of Ephraim (see 2 Chronicles 158)

3 The Lord was with Jehoshaphat because he followed the ways of his father David before him He did not consult the Baals

BARES The first ways of his father David - The Septuagint and several Hebrew manuscripts omit ldquoDavidrdquo which has probably crept in from the margin for Davidrsquos ldquofirst waysrdquo are nowhere else contrasted with his later ways The real meaning of the writer is that Jehoshaphat followed the example set by his father Asa in his earlier years 2Ch_141-15 15

Baalim - On the plural form see 1Ki_1818 note

CLARKE The Lord was with Jehoshaphat - ldquoThe Word of the Lord was Jehoshaphatrsquos Helperrdquo - Targum

GILL And the Lord was with Jehoshaphat Guiding and directing prospering and succeeding him in all things he had no doubt his gracious presence in spiritual things as well as his powerful and directing presence in things civil the Targum isthe Word of the Lord was for his help

because he walked in the first ways of his father David which were his best some of his last ways not being good as in the affair of Uriah and Bathsheba and his numbering of the people Jehoshaphat followed him in the one but not in the other or in the ways of David and his father the first the first of them both for the latter ways of his father Asa were not so good as his first as the preceding chapter shows and the

Septuagint version leaves out the word David and so restrains it to his own father

and sought not unto Baalim as did Ahab king of Israel who now reigned there 1Ki_1524

JAMISO 3-5 he walked in the first ways of his father Davidmdash He imitated the piety of his great ancestor in the early part of his reign before he made those unhappy lapses which dishonored his character

and sought not unto Baalimmdash a term used for idols generally in contradistinction to the Lord God of his father

BESO 2 Chronicles 173-4 He walked in the first ways of his father David mdashHis ways before he fell so foully in the matter of Uriah which were good ways David indeed recovered from that fall but perhaps never while he lived fully retrieved the spiritual strength and comfort which he had lost Jehoshaphat followed David as far as he followed God and no farther St Paul himself thus limits our imitation of him 1 Corinthians 111 Follow me as I follow Christ and not otherwise The first ways of many pious people have been their best ways and their first love their strongest love which however ought not to be the case for the last ought to be more than the first Revelation 219 But in every copy we propose to write after as we ought to single out that only which is good so that chiefly which is best The original words here are literally rendered He walked in the ways of David his father הראשונים hareshonim those first or ancient ways He proposed to himself for his example the primitive times of the royal family those purest times before the corruptions of the late reigns came in See Jeremiah 616 The LXX leave out David and so refer this to Asa He walked in the first ways of his father Asa and did not imitate him in what was amiss in him toward the latter end of his time It is well to be cautious in following the best men lest we step aside after them And sought not unto Baalim mdash The neighbouring nations had their Baalim one had one Baal and another had another but he abhorred them all and had nothing to do with any of them He sought the Lord God of his father and him only prayed to him only and inquired of him only

TRAPP 2 Chronicles 173 And the LORD was with Jehoshaphat because he walked in the first ways of his father David and sought not unto Baalim

Ver 3 Because he walked in the first ways of his father David] Who during his trouble kept himself free from scandalous and reproachful practices innocent from the great transgression [Psalms 1913] David rectior fuit in servitio quam in regno saith Gregory

POOLE In the first ways which David walked in before he fell into those horrid sins of murder and adultery Or in the ways of David and his fatherrsquos first ways For the beginning of Asarsquos reign was laudable as we have seen though he declined at last For it seems more probable that this passage is a reflection upon Asa whose last ways were much his worst and of whose repentance we have no evidence than

upon David who though he fell dreadfully in the matter of Uriah yet did manifestly repent of it and return to his first and holy course of life in which also he continued until death having this character given him by the Holy Ghost after his death that he did right in all things saving that of Uriah 1 Kings 155

WHEDO 3 The first ways of his father David mdash The first or earlier ways of David are contrasted with his later ways ldquoin the matter of Uriahrdquo and his sin in numbering the people The Septuagint omits the word David and some have therefore thought it an interpolation and understand the earlier ways of Asa to be intended

ELLICOTT (3) He walked in the first waysmdashThe former or earlier ways of David as contrasted with his later conductmdasha tacit allusion to the adultery with Bathsheba and other sins of David committed in his later years (2 Samuel 11-24) A few MSS and the LXX omit David

And sought not unto BaalimmdashAnd sought not the Baals (dacircrash lĕ a late construction) The Baals were different local aspects of the sun-god Here the term no doubt includes the illegal worship of Jehovah under the form of a bullock as instituted by Jeroboam and practised in the northern kingdom (ldquothe doing of Israelrdquo 2 Chronicles 174) Syriac ldquoand prayed not to imagesrdquo

PARKER And the Lord was with Jehoshaphat because he walked in the first ways of his father David and sought not unto Baalim ( 2 Chronicles 173)

The Lord was not with Jehoshaphat because he strengthened himself against Israel nor because he placed forces in all the fenced cities of Judah and set garrisons in the land of Judah and in the streets of Ephraim ot one of these little triumphs is referred to as affording God a basis for the complaisant treatment of the new king As ever the Lords relation to Jehoshaphat was determined by Jehoshaphats own moral condition A very beautiful expression is thismdashhe walked in the first ways of his father David that is to say in the former or earlier ways of David as contrasted with Davids later conduct Some have found here a tacit allusion to Davids greatest sin which he committed when he was advanced in life A somewhat mournful thing it is that a mans first ways should be better than his last The other relation would seem to be the one which reason would approve and God would specially honour namely that a mans old age should be the ripest and best part of his conduct rich with Wisdom of Solomon strong with experience and chastened by many a pensive recollection Sad when you have to go back to a mans youth to find his virtues or his most conspicuous excellences but most beautiful when a mans earlier mistakes are lost in the richness and wisdom of his later conduct God keeps his attention fixed on all the parts of a mans life and he observes which of those parts is most esteemed by the mans own successors Happy is that father whose whole example is worthy of imitation yet more than human is he the whole of whose life is without stain or flaw Jehoshaphats conduct in this matter is the more notable because of the constant observation of mankind that it is easier to follow the evil than to imitate the good When imitation enters into a mans life he is prone to

copy that which is inferior and to leave without reproduction that which is lofty and disciplinary In this instance Jehoshaphat sets an example to the world His conduct too is represented negatively as well as positivelymdashand sought not unto Baalim The word Baalim is in the plural number and the literal reading might be Jehoshaphat sought not the Baals the Baals being different local aspects or phases of the sun-god It is to be specially noted that the term Baal includes an aspect even of Jehovah himself that is to say Israel had degenerated so far as to suppose that in worshipping Baal they were worshipping at least one phase of the true God We must not mix up our religion with our irreligion our prayers with our idolatry our heavenliness with our worldly-mindedness the whole arrangement must be clean and pure from one end to the other inasmuch as one taint may cause the whole process of our religious thought and service to become deteriorated and valueless It is often difficult to abandon a popular custom More people might be in favour of Jehoshaphat strengthening himself against Israel than in returning to the first ways of David and abandoning the altar of the Baals History and religion are always considered in their separate distribution There are politicians who would vote for a war who would on no account surrender a superstition On the other hand there are men who pride themselves on being free of the influence of superstition who would willingly enter into the most sanguinary wars for the extension of empire or the glory of some particular throne In Jehoshaphat we seem to come into contact with a complete character in other words a man who in every point was equally strong a man of foresight a man of reverence a man of an honest heart a man who felt that idolatry and true worship could not coexist in the same breast

ISBET lsquoThe Lord was with Jehoshaphatrsquo2 Chronicles 173It is instructive to notice what is said about Davidrsquos waysmdashit was his first ways that Jehoshaphat took for his pattern We should always be careful to adopt only the good things in others

I lsquoThe Lord stablished the kingdom in his handrsquo God loves to find a man He can trust a man into whose hand He can put holy interests and know that they will be sacredly cherishedmdashThe Lord established the kingdom in the hands of Jehoshaphat because Jehoshaphat was true to his trust In our Lordrsquos parable of The Talents we are taught that those who prove faithful to their trust receive other things also in trust while those who are unfaithful even in small things God will not intrust with larger things

II lsquoHis heart was lifted up in the ways of the Lordrsquo There is a bad lifting up and a good lifting up Some people are made vain and self-conceited by prosperitymdashThe temptation for young people when first called upon to do any work and accomplishing it with some measure of success is to become proud and to show their vanity by talking too much about themselves and what they have done Such lifting up not only dishonours God but hurts the person But Jehoshaphat was lifted up in the ways of the Lord Too often as money comes in and prosperity increases

people get so absorbed in these new gifts of God that the Giver Himself fades out of their vision If only we see the hand of God in every new mercy and goodness that comes to us our heart will be lifted up in the ways of the Lord

III lsquoThe fear of the Lord fell upon all the kingdoms hellip so that they made no war against Jehoshaphatrsquo The Lord is able to control even the diplomacy and the politics of nationsmdashWhen these kingdoms saw the blessing which Jehoshaphat was enjoying in his country they felt an awe in their heartsmdashthe fear of the Lord fell upon themmdashand they refrained from making war God will always find some way to defend His own people in the midst of dangers

PULPIT The first ways of his father David Although there would be no difficulty in reconciling this statement with history yet probably the name David should not stand here It is not in the Septuagint The most natural and sufficient reference is to Asa And sought not unto Ballim literally to the Baalim ie to the various false gods of surrounding peoples ( 211) Baal-berith ( 833 94 946) Baal-zebub (2 Kings 12) Baal-peor (umbers 2328 etc umbers 253) according to the places where the idolatrous worship was carried on (For the preposition ל to after sought in this and following verse see again 1 Chronicles 2219 )

4 but sought the God of his father and followed his commands rather than the practices of Israel

BARES The doings of Israel - i e the especially idolatrous doings of the time -the introduction and establishment of the worship of Baal and the groves

GILL But sought to the Lord God of his fathers Prayed to him worshipped and served him

and walked in his commandments observed and kept them moral ceremonial and judicial

and not after the doings of Israel who worshipped the golden calves at Dan and Bethel

JAMISO and not after the doings of Israelmdash He observed with scrupulous fidelity and employed his royal influence to support the divine institutions as enacted by Moses abhorring that spurious and unlawful calf-worship that now formed the established religion in Israel Being thus far removed alike from gross idolatry and Israelitish apostasy and adhering zealously to the requirements of the divine law the blessing of God rested on his government Ruling in the fear of God and for the good of his subjects ldquothe Lord established the kingdom in his handrdquo

COFFMA So far so good Jehoshaphat like some others of the kings of Judah began very well receiving as their reward the blessing of the Lord and the prosperity of the people but his alliance with Ahab (described in 2 Chronicles 18) would cast a dark shadow over what is written here

(He) walked not after the doings of Israel (2 Chronicles 174) The contempt in which the author of Chronicles held the orthern Israel appears in a clause like this The outstanding feature of Chronicles is the omission wherever possible of practically the entire history of their kings This reminds us of the Book of umbers in which the whole history of the apostate Israel records only a few events for the whole period Why It was because of the fact that what any nation does after they have rejected God is of minor importance

With the apostasy of the orthern Israel and their rejection of Gods choice of the house of David the history of the redemption of mankind dramatically shifted to what happened in Jerusalem

TRAPP 2 Chronicles 174 But sought to the [LORD] God of his father and walked in his commandments and not after the doings of Israel

Ver 4 And not after the doings of Israel] Who in his days did evil as they could under that nonsuch Ahab But Jehoshaphat was not corrupted with their ill neighbourhood

PARKER But sought to the Lord God of his father and walked in his commandments and not after the doings of Israel ( 2 Chronicles 174)

We must be prepared for singularity if we are genuinely prepared to be good Let a man settle it with himself in prayerful solitude whether he means to walk with God or to identify himself with the spirit and customs of his age Jehoshaphat laid down a clear programme for himself and followed it out with patient and faithful industry The Lord God of his father was not a mere term in a crowd it was the object of daily search and quest Jehoshaphat inquired for him and operated constantly upon the doctrine Ask and it shall be given you knock and it shall be opened unto you or was Jehoshaphats religion merely speculative that is to say an intellectual quest after an intellectual God whatever was speculative in the mind and service of Jehoshaphat was sustained and ennobled by a solid moral element

forasmuch as Jehoshaphat walked in Gods commandmentsmdashhe read the decalogue he studied Gods word he would take no action personal regal or social that was not first examined and approved in the light of the divine statutes All this might have been comparatively easy if Jehoshaphat had started at an independent point but at such a point no man can start for he must take up the age as he finds it and must first disembarrass himself from all the stipulations and claims of custom usage and popular superstition Jehoshaphat sought not after the doings of Israel he set himself up in this respect against the kingdom he was not afraid of peculiarity in a word Jehoshaphats religion was characteristic that is to say it had lines points and colours of its own about which there could be no reasonable mistake What is our religion Do we intellectually assent to the existence and sovereignty of one God and then degenerate into self-worship Do we admit that there must be an ultimate morality a philosophy of conduct founded upon eternal metaphysics and then do we measure our own behaviour by the canon of custom These are questions that search the heart and no man can answer them for his brother

What became of all this noble conduct arising out of this high religious conception We shall see in the following versemdash

PULPIT After the doings of Israel This expression probably marks the doings of the northern kingdom as both the more typical throughout its whole history of the wrong and also as the systematic beginning by a law of idolatrous worship and images in the matter of the calves and so on

5 The Lord established the kingdom under his control and all Judah brought gifts to Jehoshaphat so that he had great wealth and honor

BARES Presents - i e ldquofree-will offeringsrdquo in addition to the regular taxes See 1Sa_1027

GILL Therefore the Lord stablished the kingdom in his hand Piety is the

best prop of government the throne is best supported and established by truth righteousness and mercy by the exercise of these Jehoshaphat was settled in his kingdom and had a place in the hearts of his people

and all Judah brought to Jehoshaphat presents being well affected to him as well as it was usual so to do at a princes accession to the throne see 1Sa_1027

and he had riches and honour in abundance through the presents his subjects brought him and the respect they showed him

JAMISO all Judah brought presentsmdash This was customary with the people generally at the beginning of a reign (1Sa_1027) and with the nobles and high functionaries yearly afterwards They were given in the form of voluntary offerings to avoid the odious idea of a tax or tribute

KampD Therefore Jahve established the kingdom in his hand ie under his rule cf

2Ki_145 All Judah brought him presents מנחה often used of tribute of subject peoples

eg in 2Ch_1711 of the Philistines cannot here have that signification nor can it denote

the regular imposts of subjects for these are not called מנחה but must denote voluntary

gifts which his subjects brought him as a token of their reverence and love The last clause ldquoand there was to him (he attained) riches and honour in abundancerdquo which is repeated 2Ch_181 recalls 1Ch_2928 2Ch_112 and signifies that Jehoshaphat like his ancestors David and Solomon was blessed for walking in the pious ways of these his forefathers

BESO 2 Chronicles 175-6 Therefore the Lord established the kingdom in his hand mdash Those stand firm that have the presence of God with them If the beauty of the Lord our God be upon us that will stablish the work of our hands and establish us in our integrity And all Judah brought to Jehoshaphat presents mdash As subjects in those times and places used to do to their kings in token of their respect and subjection to them The more there is of true religion among a people the more conscientious loyalty there will be A governor that answers the end of government will be supported And he had riches and honour in abundance mdash The effect of the favour both of God and his people It is undoubtedly true though few will believe it that religion and piety are the best friends to outward prosperity And his heart was lift up in the ways of the Lord mdash Riches and honour in abundance prove to many a clog and a hinderance in the ways of the Lord an occasion of pride security and sensuality but they had a quite contrary effect upon Jehoshaphat his abundance was oil to the wheels of his obedience and the more he had of the wealth of this world the more cheerfully and resolutely he went on in the ways of the Lord His heart also was lifted up above all discouragements difficulties and fears by which menrsquos hearts are wont to be cast down He was valiant and resolute for God and his ways He took away the high places and groves mdash That is those in which idols were worshipped for those that were dedicated to the true God only were not taken away chap 2 Chronicles 2033 And though Asa had done the same before yet

either he did not do it thoroughly or the people who were mad upon their idols had secretly made new ones in the latter part of his reign when he grew more infirm in body and more remiss in Godrsquos cause

TRAPP 2 Chronicles 175 Therefore the LORD stablished the kingdom in his hand and all Judah brought to Jehoshaphat presents and he had riches and honour in abundance

Ver 5 And he had riches and honour in abundance] Herein he came near unto Solomon in his greatest flourish

ELLICOTT (5) ThereforemdashAnd (so ldquoalsordquo ldquoso thatrdquo in 2 Chronicles 177 2 Chronicles 1710)

The Lord stablished the kingdom in his handmdashComp 2 Kings 145

PresentsmdashMinchah This word often means tributary offerings as in 2 Chronicles 1711 but here it obviously denotes the voluntary gifts of loyal subjects usual at the beginning of a reign (1 Samuel 1027)

And he had (or got) riches and honour in abundancemdashLike David and Solomon (1 Chronicles 2928 2 Chronicles 112)

PARKER 5-9 5 Therefore the Lord stablished the kingdom in his hand [comp 2 Kings 145] and all Judah brought to Jehoshaphat presents [this word often means tributary offerings but here it denotes the voluntary gifts of loyal subjects] and he had riches and honour in abundance

6 And his heart was lifted up [usually the phrase has a bad meaning (as in Deuteronomy 814 2 Chronicles 2616 Psalm 1311 etc) but it is evident that it must be taken differently here The marginal reading is right his courage rose high or he grew bold] in the ways of the Lord moreover he took away the high places and groves out of Judah

7 Also in the third year of his reign he sent to his princes [rather he sent his princes] even to Ben-hail and to Obadiah and to Zechariah and to ethaneel and to Michaiah to teach in the cities of Judah

8 And with them he sent [rather were the] Levites even Shemaiah and ethaniah and Zebadiah and Asahel and Shemiramoth and Jehonathan and Adonijah and Tobijah and Tobadonijah Levites and with them Elishama and Jehoram priests

9 And they taught in Judah and had the book of the law of the Lord [the Pentateuchmdashnearly if not quite in the shape in which we now have it] with them and went about throughout all the cities of Judah and taught [among] the people

PARKER Therefore the Lord stablished the kingdom in his hand and all Judah brought to Jehoshaphat presents and he had riches and honour in abundance ( 2 Chronicles 175)

Whatever was doubtful about the ascent of Jehoshaphat to the throne was removed and the king was enabled to realise his power when he closed his hand upon the royal sceptre he found that he was not grasping a shadow but a reality There are times when men become fully conscious of their influence and of their proper social position happy are they if in this consciousness they detect a prevailingly religious element which constrains them to acknowledge that honour and wealth power and dignity are the gifts of God Is not this an anticipation of the Saviours great doctrinemdashSeek ye first the kingdom of God and his righteousness and all these things shall be added unto you Jehoshaphat did not seek riches and honour he sought to the Lord God of his father and walked in the divine commandments and as a result he enjoyed all that kings delight in as indicating strength and pomp renown and influence

GUZIK 2 (2 Chronicles 175-6) The blessing upon his reign

Therefore the LORD established the kingdom in his hand and all Judah gave presents to Jehoshaphat and he had riches and honor in abundance And his heart took delight in the ways of the LORD moreover he removed the high places and wooden images from Judah

a Therefore the LORD established the kingdom in his hand This was no small accomplishment In those days kings and kingdoms were fragile and under constant threat Yet if the descendants of David would seek God first He promised to take care of their security ndash and God makes the same promise to His people today (Matthew 633)

b All Judah gave presents to Jehoshaphat and he had riches and honor in abundance Because Jehoshaphat trusted God God lifted him up and exalted him as a king As his heart took delight in the ways of the LORD the LORD gave him the desires of his heart (Psalms 374)

c Moreover he removed the high places and wooden images from Judah 1 Kings 2243 says that Jehoshaphat did not remove the high places Adam Clarke explains ldquoIn 2 Chronicles 176 it is expressly said that he did take way the high places Allowing that the text is right in 2 Chronicles the two places may be easily recognized There were two kinds of high places in the land 1 Those used for idolatrous purposes 2 Those that were consecrated to God and were used before the temple was built The former he did take away the latter he did notrdquo

i ldquoThey may also witness to the deep hold of the Canaanite and syncretic forms of religion on ordinary Israelites Popular views and practices are often quite different from pronouncements by religious authoritiesrdquo (Selman)

PULPIT All Judah brought presents to Jehoshaphat These presents were of course voluntary gifts though like not a few others custom may have taken off from them something of the bloom of spontaneousness (1 Samuel 1027 2 Samuel 82 1 Kings 421 1 Kings 1025 Psalms 7210)

6 His heart was devoted to the ways of the Lord furthermore he removed the high places and the Asherah poles from Judah

BARES His heart was lifted up - This expression generally occurs in a bad sense Deu_814 2Ch_2616 Psa_1311 Pro_1812 but here it must be taken differently The margin ldquowas encouragedrdquo expresses fairly the true meaning He first began by setting an example of faithfulness to Yahweh He then proceeded to use his best endeavors to extirpate idolatry

He took away the high places - Compare 2Ch_2033 and see the 2Ch_1517 note

GILL And his heart was lifted up in the ways of the Lord It was engaged in them was bent and set upon them he walked in them with great pleasure and cheerfulness being inspired with zeal and courage he was fearless and intrepid and regarded not any opposition he might have or expect to have in the work of reformation in which he was concerned

moreover he took away the high places such as were dedicated to idols but not those in which the true God was worshipped 2Ch_2033

and groves out of Judah where idols were placed for though these had been removed by Asa yet had been renewed in the latter part of his days when more negligent of religion

HERY 2 He was a despised man (Job_176) ldquoHerdquo (that is Eliphaz so some or rather God whom he all along acknowledges to be the author of his calamities) ldquohas made me a byword of the people the talk of the country a laughing-stock to many a gazing-stock to all and aforetime (or to mens faces publicly) I was as a tabret that whoever chose might play uponrdquo They made ballads of him his name became a proverb it is so still As poor as Job ldquoHe has now made me a bywordrdquo a reproach of men whereas aforetime in my prosperity I was as a tabret deliciae humani generis -

the darling of the human race whom they were all pleased with It is common for those who were honoured in their wealth to be despised in their poverty

JAMISO his heart was lifted up in the ways of the Lordmdash Full of faith and piety he possessed zeal and courage to undertake the reformation of manners to suppress all the works and objects of idolatry (see on 2Ch_2033) and he held out public encouragement to the pure worship of God

KampD This blessing encouraged Jehoshaphat to extirpate from the land all

idolatrous worship and to teach the people the law of the Lord לב usually sensu ב

malo to be haughty proud cf eg 2Ch_2616 2Ch_3225 here sensu bono of rising

courage to advance in ways pleasing to God and he removed the high places also etc עודpoints back to 2Ch_173 not only did he himself keep far from the Baals but he

removed besides all memorials of the Baal-worship from Judah On מות and אשרים see

on 2Ch_142

COKE 2 Chronicles 176 And his heart was lifted upmdash And when he had elevated his mind in following the commandments of God he took yet from Judah high places and groves ie he destroyed yet other monuments of idolatry which had escaped the diligence of his father Asa though he took not away those high places and altars which had been erected in Jerusalem for the true God See 1 Kings 2243 and ch 1 Kings 2033 of this book

TRAPP 2 Chronicles 176 And his heart was lifted up in the ways of the LORD moreover he took away the high places and groves out of Judah

Ver 6 And his heart was lifted up] ot with pride as 2 Chronicles 3225 but with undaunted courage and disengaged zeal such as made him come off roundly and readily in the ensuing reformation he was more forward and forth putting than his father Asa not slothful in business but fervent in spirit serving the Lord

POOLE His heart was lifted up above all discouragements and difficulties and fears by which menrsquos hearts use to be cast down he was valiant and resolute for God and his ways

He took away the high places and groves to wit such only wherein idols were worshipped as appears by comparing this with 2 Chronicles 2033 And though Asa had done this before yet either he did not do it thoroughly or the Jews (who were many of them mad upon their idols) had secretly made new ones in the latter part of his reign when he grew more infirm in body and more remiss in Godrsquos cause

WHEDO 6 His heart was lifted up mdash That is exalted with holy faith and courage

Took away the high places mdash Yet in spite of all his efforts and successes in this matter the people had become so addicted to these practices that their destruction was not thoroughly secured See note on 2 Chronicles 143 and compare 2 Chronicles 2033

ELLICOTT (6) And his heart was lifted upmdashGabhah lccedilbh which usually like the phrase of Authorised version has a bad meaning as in 2 Chronicles 2616 The margin is right here ldquohis courage rose highrdquo or ldquohe grew boldrdquo in the ways of Jehovah ie in the path of religious reform Vulg ldquocum sumpsisset cor ejus audaciam propter vias Dominirdquo

MoreovermdashAnd again further Referring to 2 Chronicles 173 ot only did he not seek the Baals but more than this he removed the high places ampc [This is the common explanation But the sense may rather be ldquoAnd he again removedrdquo referring back to Asarsquos reforms 2 Chronicles 145]

GrovesmdashrsquoAshecircrim ldquoAsherahsrdquo (2 Chronicles 143)

PARKER And his heart was lifted up in the ways of the Lord moreover he took away the high places and groves out of Judah ( 2 Chronicles 176)

The expression his heart was lifted up is an awkward one The lifting up of the heart signifies increase of pride a sensation of vanity a desire to gratify personal ambition and to make an idol of his will In this instance the marginal reading is to be preferredmdashwas encouraged or otherwise his courage rose high and again it has been rendered Jehoshaphat grew bold that is to say he was not a timid reformer or a timid worshipper a trimmer or a time-server in any sense he was a heroic worshipper of the living God when he saw that reform was necessary he went forward with a steady step and an energetic hand We should call Jehoshaphat a man of conviction and a man who had the courage of his convictions altogether this is the outline of a noble personage a born king a man who has a right to the purple and the sceptre When such men ascend thrones nations should be glad and rejoice with a great joy for their character is grander than their office and their spirit is the best guarantee of the elevation and utility of their regal policy Becoming conscious of his power knowing that his kingdom was established from on high Jehoshaphat not only did pot seek the Baals himself but he took away the high places and groves out of Judah Jehoshaphat was not content with a merely personal religion he could not convert the hearts of his people but he could destroy all the symbols of unholy worship Men are only required to do that which lies within their power A proprietor may not be able to make people sober but he can forbid the introduction of temptations to drunkenness a parent may not be able to subdue the spirit of pride but he can in many instances limit the means of gratifying it There are reforms which are open to us all in personal custom in social habit it may be even in imperial ways let each Jehoshaphat seize his opportunity and magnify it

All this would have been comparatively in vain but for another step which

Jehoshaphat took In the third year of his reign he sent to his princesmdashthat is to say he sent his princesmdashand he sent Levites all of whose names are given and he sent also two priests Elishama and Jehoram and their business was purely educational

PULPIT And his heart was lifted up in the ways of the Lord Although the verb often carries a bad sense with it it quite as often carries with it a good one in the גבהOld Testament and the typical instance of the former (Psalms 1311) is fully counterbalanced by Isaiah 5213 The marginal was enencouraged may be superseded with advantage by took courage (Isaiah 4029-31) The groves Supersede this incorrect rendering by the Asherim and upon the seeming discrepancy see again Isaiah 151-9 17 and Introduction to Chronicles there quoted

7 In the third year of his reign he sent his officials Ben-Hail Obadiah Zechariah ethanel and Micaiah to teach in the towns of Judah

BARES The princes were not sent as teachers themselves but had the duty committed to them of seeing that the people were taught The actual teachers were the priests and Levites of 2Ch_178

CLARKE 7-9 To teach in the cities of Judah - ldquoTo teach the fear of the Lord in the cities of Judahrdquo - Targum

In these verses we find a remarkable account of an itinerant ministry established by Jehoshaphat and in this work he employed three classes of men

1 The princes

2 The Levites

3 The priests

We may presume that the princes instructed the people in the nature of the civil law and constitution of the kingdom the Levites instructed them in every thing that appertained to the temple service and ritual law and the priests instructed them in the

nature and design of the religion they professed Thus the nation became thoroughly instructed in their duty to God to the king and to each other They became therefore as one man and against a people thus united on such principles no enemy could be successful

GILL Also in the third year of his reign he sent to his princes That dwelt in the several parts of the kingdom or he sent them being with him some of the

principal men of his court for ל may be a sign of the accusative case as it sometimes is

even to Benhail and to Obadiah and to Zechariah and to Nethaneel and to Michaiah to teach in the cities of Judah to see that they were taught and oblige them to attend to the instructions that should be given them and not mutiny and rebel against their teachers and to let them know what was the kings pleasure on this head and to back with their authority the priests and Levites whose proper work it was to instruct and who therefore were sent with them as follows

JAMISO 7-11 2Ch_177-11 He sends Levites to teach in Judah

Also in the third year of his reign he sent to his princes to teach in the cities of Judahmdash The ordinary work of teaching devolved on the priests But extraordinary commissioners were appointed probably to ascertain whether the work had been done or neglected This deputation of five princes assisted by two priests and nine Levites was to make a circuit of the towns in Judah It is the first practical measure we read of as being adopted by any of the kings for the religious instruction of the people Time and unbroken opportunities were afforded for carrying out fully this excellent plan of home education for the kingdom enjoyed internal tranquillity as well as freedom for foreign wars It is conformable to the pious style of the sacred historian to trace this profound peace to the ldquofear of the Lord having fallen on all kingdoms of the lands that were round about Judahrdquo

BESO 2 Chronicles 177 He sent to his princes mdash to teach in the cities of Judah mdash To inform the people of their duty and of the kingrsquos pleasure As judges teach or instruct the people in the laws of the land when they deliver their charges upon the bench so did these princes in the kingrsquos name admonish and require the people to observe and obey the laws of God which were the municipal laws of that land the particular explication and enforcement whereof they left to the Levites and priests here following who were sent for this end and accordingly taught the people 2 Chronicles 179

COFFMA Because of the clause which we have capitalized this is one of the most important passages in Chronicles Right here is the reason radical critics have extended themselves so unreasonably in their efforts to discredit Chronicles Here is dependable historical proof of the continued existence of the Torah from the days of Moses throughout the history of Israel As Keil stated it The book of the law of Jehovah is the Pentateuch not merely a collection of Mosaic laws since in Jehoshaphats time the Mosaic Book of the Law (the Pentateuch) had been long in existence[1] We shall not take the space to repeat the vociferous denials of critics

except to cite one knee-jerk remark that characterizes all of them Such action was not taken in Jehoshaphats time[2] What is the basis of such a blatant denial of what Gods Word states as a fact even giving the very names of the royal princes who did the teaching THERE IS OE o matter what unbelievers say this chapter IS the historical record of what happened in the reign of Jehoshaphat and those who live two and one half millenniums afterward have nothing of value by which they may challenge it Then why do men deny it The false theories they have invented are here contradicted forcing them either to give up their false theories or to deny the Sacred Scriptures that contradict them

COKE 2 Chronicles 177 He sent to his princes even to Ben-hail ampcmdash He sent of his princes Ben-hail Obadiah ampc The proper business of these princes in their circuit round the kingdom says Bishop Patrick was to admonish and require the people to observe the laws of God and to leave the particular explication and enforcement of them to those of the sacred order who went with them supporting them in the execution of their office and obliging the people to receive them with respect to hear them with attention and to practise what they taught

TRAPP 2 Chronicles 177 Also in the third year of his reign he sent to his princes [even] to Benhail and to Obadiah and to Zechariah and to ethaneel and to Michaiah to teach in the cities of Judah

Ver 7 He sent to his princes to teach in the cities of Judah] Teaching princes there are not many such as were David Solomon George prince of Anhalt ampc but these were sent with the teaching Levites to countenance and bear them out in this visitation general and perhaps to punish the opposite and obstinate if any such Junius readeth the text thus He sent with his princes these Levites for the teaching Or the princes taught the people the law of the land the priests and Levites the law of God both did mutually help one another So a Danish king of this land made a law that at the general court of every shire the bishop of the diocese should accompany the sheriff that the one might countenance Godrsquos law the other manrsquos (a) Queen Elizabeth once in her progress through Suffolk observing that the justices of that county who came to meet her had every man his minister next to his body said she wondered not that that county was so well governed where she saw that the word and sword went so lovingly together (b)

POOLE To teach in the cities of Judah to inform the people of their duty and of the kingrsquos pleasure As judges or justices of peace teach or instruct the people in the laws of the land when they deliver their charges upon the bench so did these princes in the kingrsquos name admonish and require the people to observe and obey the laws of God which were the prinicipal laws of that land the particular explication and enforcement whereof they left to the Levites and priests here following who were sent for this end and accordingly taught the people 2 Chronicles 179

WHEDO 7 He sent to his princeshellip to teach mdash He committed the matter of

teaching to their oversight and care and the teaching was done by the Levites and priests as stated in the next verse He did well to put down idolatry but he was wise enough to know that unless the people were instructed they would soon apostatize again

ELLICOTT THE COMMISSIOERS OF PUBLIC ISTRUCTIO I THE LAW

(7) He sent to his princes even to Ben-hail to MichaiahmdashRather He sent his princes Ben- hail and Obadiah and Michaiah (The le ldquotordquo in the chroniclerrsquos idiom marking the object of the verb) If however Authorised Version were correct the construction would not be unique as the Speakerrsquos Com mentary asserts (Comp 2 Kings 57 ldquothis man sendeth to me to recover a manrdquo ampc)

Princesmdashone of the personages mentioned in this and the following verse are otherwise known The ldquofive princesrdquo were laymen of rank and were accompanied by nine (eight) Levites and two priests

Ben-hailmdashSon of valour A compound proper name only occurring here but analogous to Ben-hur Ben-deker and Ben-hesed in 1 Kings 48-10 (The LXX renders ldquothe sons of the mightyrdquo Syriac ldquothe chiefs of the forcesrdquo apparently reading bnecirc chail)

ethaneelmdashSyriac Mattanael Arabic Mattaniah Michaiah Syriac and Arabic Malachiah

GUZIK B The strength of Jehoshaphatrsquos kingdom

1 (2 Chronicles 177-10) The spiritual strength of the kingdom Jehoshaphat brings the Word of God to the people

Also in the third year of his reign he sent his leaders Ben-Hail Obadiah Zechariah ethanel and Michaiah to teach in the cities of Judah And with them he sent Levites Shemaiah ethaniah Zebadiah Asahel Shemiramoth Jehonathan Adonijah Tobijah and Tobadonijah the Levites and with them Elishama and Jehoram the priests So they taught in Judah and had the Book of the Law of the LORD with them they went throughout all the cities of Judah and taught the people And the fear of the LORD fell on all the kingdoms of the lands that were around Judah so that they did not make war against Jehoshaphat

a To teach in the cities of Judah These ldquoteaching priestsrdquo have been mentioned by the Chronicler before (2 Chronicles 153) They had the important role of bringing the word of God to the people especially those who lived outside of Jerusalem

b They taught in Judah and had the Book of the Law of the LORD with them they went throughout all the cities of Judah and taught the people This was the wisest

and best policy a security-conscious king of Judah could promote Because Jehoshaphat sought God first God sent fear upon the neighboring kingdoms so that they did not make war against Jehoshaphat

i ldquoBy this little band of princes Levites and priests sixteen in all Jehoshaphat did more toward impressing the surrounding nations with a sense of his power than the largest and best-equipped standing army could have secured to himrdquo (Knapp)

ii ldquoThe method adopted was what in these modern times we might describe as the holding of Special Missions throughout the cities of Judah for the specific purpose of proclaiming and interpreting lsquothe book of the law of Jehovahrsquordquo (Morgan)

iii ldquoo better service can be rendered to the nation than that of proclaiming the Word of Jehovah to the people in cities towns villages and hamlets By such proclamation the heart of the people may be turned to Jehovah and so He be enabled to do for them all that is in His heartrdquo (Morgan)

iv ldquoThus the nation became thoroughly instructed in their duty to God to the king and to each other They became therefore as one man and against a people thus united on such principles no enemy could be successfulrdquo (Clarke)

v Clarke observed how a similar itinerant ministry in the days of John Wesley and his followers impacted Britain ldquoSuch an itinerant ministry established in these kingdoms for upwards of fourscore years teaching the pure unadulterated doctrines of the Gospel with the propriety and necessity of obedience to the laws has been the principle means in the hand of God of preserving the lands from those convulsions and revolutions that have ruined and nearly dissolved the European continentrdquo

vi ldquoIt is said (2 Chronicles 172) Jehoshaphat place forces in all the fenced cities yet it is not said thereupon that lsquothe fear of the Lord fell upon the neighbour nationsrsquo But when he had established a preaching ministry in all the cities then his enemies had a fear and made no warrdquo (Trapp)

PULPIT He sent Hebrew שלח The Hebrew text distinctly says he sent to his princes not he sent his princes The meaning ismdashhe sent orders to his princes to see to it that Judah was taught (2 Chronicles 179) the book of the Law of the Lord (Le 2 Chronicles 1011 Deuteronomy 49 Deuteronomy 1718) not indeed without their own personal aid in whatever way able to be given but systematically and with authority by the Levites and priests (Deuteronomy 3310) This deeper fathoming of the needs of the time and of what constituted its real safety was greatly to the spiritual credit of Jehoshaphat The references (2 Chronicles 153 2 Chronicles 352-4 2 Chronicles 3510-12) are full of point one of these princes or Levites and priests are elsewhere mentioned by name

8 With them were certain LevitesmdashShemaiah ethaniah Zebadiah Asahel Shemiramoth Jehonathan Adonijah Tobijah and Tob-Adonijahmdashand the priests Elishama and Jehoram

GILL 2 Chronicles 178And with them he sent Levites With the five princes he sent nine Levites

even Shemaiah and Nethaniah and Zebadiah and Asahel and Shemiramoth and Jehonathan and Adonijah and Tobijah and Tobadonijah Levites of whom we nowhere else read no doubt they were principal persons and fit for the work they were sent about

and with them Elishama and Jehoram priests whose lips were to keep knowledge and at whose mouth the law was to be sought Mal_27

ELLICOTT (8) And with them he sent LevitesmdashRather And with them were the Levites The construction being changed So LXX and the Syriac (Comp 1 Chronicles 1641-42 1 Chronicles 1518 for the same mode of enumeration which is characteristic of the style of the chronicler

ZebadiahmdashSome MSS and Syriac and Arabic read Zechariah

ShemiramothmdashSo LXX and Vulg (see 1 Chronicles 165 1 Chronicles 1518) The Heb text is probably incorrect Syriac and Arabic read instead atucircra

Tob-adonijahmdashThis curious name occurs only here and is perhaps a mere mistake arising out of the preceding Adonijah and Tobijah The Syriac and Arabic omit it

PriestsmdashThe priests

The commission was a mixed one of civil and ecclesiastical persons (comp 1 Chronicles 131-2 1 Chronicles 232 1 Chronicles 246)

And had the book of the law of the LordmdashAnd with them was the book of the law (teaching) of Jehovah For the construction compare 1 Chronicles 1642 The writer

evidently means the Pentateuch and if this notice was derived by him from a contemporary source eg the ldquowords of Jehu the son of Hananirdquo to which he refers as an authority for the reign (2 Chronicles 2034) it would constitute an important testimony to the existence if not of the five books at least of an ancient collection of laws at this early date (circ 850 BC )

And taught the peoplemdashTaught among the people

9 They taught throughout Judah taking with them the Book of the Law of the Lord they went around to all the towns of Judah and taught the people

BARES There is no reasonable doubt that this ldquobook of the lawrdquo was the Pentateuch - nearly if not quite in the shape in which we now have it Copies of the whole Law were no doubt scarce and therefore Jehoshaphatrsquos commission took care to carry a copy with them

CLARKE Had the book of the law of the Lord with them - This was their text book it was the book of God they taught it as such and as such the people received it Its laws were Godrsquos laws and the people felt their obligation and their consciences were bound Thus they were obedient to the laws of the land on the principle of religion In this they were encouraged and confirmed by the example of all both in Church and state The princes were not only pious but were teachers of piety the Levites showed them the worth and excellence of their ritual institutions and the priests showed them the moral use they were to make of the whole and thus the people became obedient to God as well as to the king and kept all the civil ordinances not merely for the sake of a good king but for the sake of a good and gracious God By these means the nation enjoyed peace and prosperity and all insurrections seditions and popular commotions were prevented The surrounding nations perceiving this saw that there was no hope of subduing such a people so they made no war with Jehoshaphat 2Ch_1710 And they took care not to provoke such a people to fall on them therefore it is said The fear of the Lord fell on all the kingdoms and lands that were round about Judah Such an itinerant ministry established in these kingdoms for upwards of fourscore years

teaching the pure unadulterated doctrines of the Gospel with the propriety and necessity of obedience to the laws has been the principal means in the hand of God of preserving these lands from those convulsions and revolutions that have ruined and nearly dissolved the European continent The itinerant ministry to which this refers is that which was established in these lands by the late truly reverend highly learned and cultivated deeply pious and loyal John Wesley AM formerly a fellow of Lincoln College Oxford whose followers are known by the name of Methodists a people who are an honor to their country and a blessing to the government under which they live

GILL And they taught in Judah The people their duty to God and man

and had the book of the law of the Lord with them as the rule of their instruction and the peoples obedience out of this they taught them and by it confirmed what they taught and enforced it with the divine authority

and went about throughout all the cities of Judah not only their own cities the Levitical ones but all others

and taught the people the law of the Lord the fear and worship of God

JAMISO the book of the lawmdash that is either the whole Pentateuch or only the book of Deuteronomy which contains an abridgment of it

BESO 2 Chronicles 179 And they taught in Judah ampc mdash The Levites and priests were teachers by office Deuteronomy 3310 It was a part of the work for which they had their maintenance and indeed had little else to do But it seems they had neglected it pretending probably that they could not get the people to hear them Jehoshaphat therefore sends them with the princes who by their authority might require the people to assemble together to receive instruction in the laws of God and their duty ldquoWhat a great deal of goodrdquo says Henry ldquomay be done when Moses and Aaron thus go hand in hand in the doing of it when princes with their power and priests and Levites with their Scripture-learning agree to teach the people the good knowledge of God and their duty These itinerant judges and itinerant preachers together were instrumental to diffuse a blessed light throughout the cities of Judahrdquo And had the book of the law of the Lord with them mdash 1st For their own guidance that from thence they might draw all the instructions they gave to the people and not teach for doctrines the commandments of men 2d For the conviction or the people that they might see these priests and Levites had a divine warrant for what they said and delivered to them only that which they had received from the Lord

TRAPP 2 Chronicles 179 And they taught in Judah and [had] the book of the law of the LORD with them and went about throughout all the cities of Judah and taught the people

Ver 9 And had the book of the law of the Lord with them] They taught not

traditions human inventions or unwritten verities All their doctrines came cum privilegio and were Scripture proof

WHEDO 9 The book of the law mdash Our Pentateuch in substantially its present form ldquoCopies of the whole law were no doubt scarce and therefore Jehoshaphatrsquos commission took care to carry a copy with themrdquo mdash Rawlinson

PARKER And they taught in Judah and had the book of the law of the Lord with them and went about throughout all the cities of Judah and taught the people ( 2 Chronicles 179)

This was a mixed commission partly civil partly ecclesiastical The men here mentioned are otherwise unknown We identify them as educational reformers or reformers who operated through the medium of education they were not warriors destroyers revolutionists but men who addressed the mind and the understanding and the conscience and caused men to know that the true law was from above and not from beneath The book which the commission had in hand was the Pentateuch or the law of Moses This was known to be the law which alone could touch all the vital necessities of the commonwealth Again and again we are constrained to admit that there is a law beyond Prayer of Manasseh above Prayer of Manasseh in a sense apart from man men are not driven within themselves to find a law an instinct or a reason they have a written statute an authoritative declaration a book which Christian teachers do not hesitate to describe as a Revelation and to that they call the attention of men If the teacher were teaching out of his own consciousness he would be but an equal often exposing himself to the destructive criticism of his more advanced and penetrating scholars but the teacher takes his stand upon a book upon the Book the Bible a revelation which he believes to be divine and final Say what we will the effect of Bible teaching must be judged by its fruits Where are the nations that are most distinguished for wide and varied intelligence for large and exhaustive sympathy for missionary enterprise for philanthropic institutions and for all the elements which give grace and beauty to social existence The question should admit of definite reply the facts are before men let them judge fearlessly and honestly and we need have no apprehension concerning their verdict Wherever the word of the Lord has had free course superstition has been chased away human slavery has been abolished every instance of intolerance injustice unkindness has felt the influence of holy thought in all these matters discussion should be limited strictly to facts Thus kings can help nations not by forcing education not by attempting to rule opinion not by setting up standards of orthodoxy to fall short of which is to incur penalty but by spreading education by extending light by cultivating a spirit of inquiry and by a generous multiplication of all the instrumentalities needed for the destruction of ignorance What may come of this we are not supposed at this moment to know Meanwhile let us be thankful that we are face to face with a man who has conviction courage independence high patriotic and generous impulse and let us hope that his end may be as beautiful as his beginning was promising

SIMEO THE ROYAL EDICT

ADVERTISEMETmdashThe author feels it necessary to prefix to this Sermon some short account of the occasion on which it was delivered

The author was at Amsterdam (in June 1818) partly with a view of re-establishing there an Episcopal Chapel in which there had been no service for seven years but principally with a view of seeking the welfare of the Children of Israel He went thither rather to explore than to act (See ehemiah 212-16) But just previous to the 18th of June he understood that the Third Anniversary of the Battle of Waterloo was to be kept throughout the etherlands as a day of thanksgiving and just at that time also he quite accidentally heard that the King of the etherlands had a year before issued an Edict requiring all the Jews to educate their children in the knowledge of their own Scriptures and calling upon all his Christian Subjects to aid in this good work Despondency not unlike to that which paralyzed all exertion at Jerusalem in ehemiahrsquos days so universally prevailed that no one had risen to the occasion the very Commissioners who had been appointed to carry the Edict into effect had published a Report in which they gave it as their opinion ldquothat the Lordrsquos time was not comerdquo and there was great danger that the gracious designs of the Monarch would be altogether frustrated The author therefore judged this a fit occasion for calling the attention of the Public to the Edict and accordingly after devoting the Morning Service to the more appropriate subject of the day he employed the Evening Service in an endeavour to forward this good work Considerable attention was excited to the subject by means of the Sermon which was therefore instantly printed in Dutch French and English for the purpose of its being circulated throughout the etherlands and he has reason to hope that active exertions were afterwards made in many places to promote what every benevolent mind must ardently desire the edification and welfare of the Jewish People

So good an example having been set by the Emperor of Russia and the King of the etherlands the author hopes that the attention of our own Governors also both in Church and State may be called to this long-neglected People and that now the British Public has been invited by authority (the Kingrsquos Letter) to aid in supporting Missions to the Heathen World the claims of the Jewish ation to whom under God we owe all the light that we ourselves enjoy will not be overlooked It is with a view to this great object that the author sends forth the Sermon in this country where if the foregoing explanation had not been given its relevancy and use might have been justly called in question

2 Chronicles 179 And they taught in Judah and had the book of the law of the Lord with them and went about throughout all the cities of Judah and taught the people

O a day set apart for thanksgiving to God for mercies received it is peculiarly proper to consider what we may render unto the Lord for all his benefits Certainly if any event ever deserved repeated annual commemoration it is that which has

freed the world from the most grievous tyranny that ever it endured Of the bitter cup which was put into the hands of every nation in Europe this nation [ote The etherlands] drank very deeply and the change which it has experienced in the restoration of their rightful Monarch and in the establishment of a free Constitution calls for their devoutest acknowledgments to Almighty God Doubtless we may with justice pay some tribute of honour to those who by their counsels and their arms effected the overthrow of the Usurper but it is God alone who giveth victory to kings and to whom the glory of this great victory must be primarily ascribed and he who accounts a day consecrated to this service superfluous shews that he is far from justly appreciating the blessings that have been conferred upon him The monarch himself has given to his people a very decided evidence that he feels the depth of his obligations to the God of his salvation and it will be your own loss if you do not cultivate a similar spirit and improve the occasion to the honour of your God

But it is not to thanksgiving only that your Monarch invites you he calls you by a special Edict to unite with him in seeking the welfare of your Jewish Brethren who in their struggle with the enemy signally approved their fidelity to their legitimate Sovereign Their welfare he in his turn studies to promote and he desires to combine the energies of all his subjects in efforts for their good Methinks he is like Jehoshaphat of old who well knowing that piety must be founded in knowledge and happiness in piety sent forth the Princes of his empire with a select number of Priests and Levites to instruct his people in the knowledge of Godrsquos blessed word

His edict on this occasion and the manner in which it was carried into effect will form the subject of my present discourse

I Then we notice the edict of King Jehoshaphatmdash

This was such as became a great and pious monarch and we shall find it not unprofitable or unsuitable to the present occasion to enter into a distinct consideration of it We observe then that it was a kind and benevolent edict a wise and politic edict a good and beneficial edict

Mark the benevolence displayed in it He sought the present and eternal welfare of his subjects He knew that as men are raised above the beasts by the exercise of reason so are they elevated in the scale of rational beings in proportion as their intellectual powers are cultivated and enlarged Man destitute of knowledge is a mere savage but when instructed in the various branches of science he becomes refined and civilized and capable of contributing to the general good In the very cultivation of knowledge there is much pleasure arising to the mind and in the application of that knowledge to useful purposes there is an exquisite delight We need only observe persons when employed in their several vocations how happy they are how contented how cheerful oftentimes unconsciously proclaiming their happiness like the birds of the air in festal songs or consciously and with devotion in songs of praise

But it was not mere intellectual improvement which Jehoshaphat sought to convey he wished his people to be instructed in the knowledge of that God whom they professed to fear and worship This alone could make them truly happy this alone could impart to them sound wisdom or solid consolation He therefore gave particular directions that they should be taught ldquoin the Book of the Law of the Lordrdquo and this throughout the whole land O happy people whose governor so employed the authority with which he was invested And happy that monarch who so improved his influence not for his own personal aggrandizement but for the best interests of the people committed to his charge In so doing he approved himself to be indeed what every governor should be the friend and father of his people

or was the policy of this measure at all inferior to its benevolence A people well instructed in moral and religious knowledge will view government as an ordinance of God and will learn to obey the constituted authorities not so much from fear of their wrath as for conscience sake towards God They will view their governors as Godrsquos vicegerents upon earth and will consider allegiance to them as an essential part of their duty to him Hence will spring up love in their hearts and a real delight in manifesting on all proper occasions their loyalty to their king they will form a bulwark around his person in case of necessity and even glory in laying down their lives for him as their greatest benefactor

The benefits arising from this edict were incalculable Such was the effect of it that the fear of Jehoshaphat and of Jehovah as his protector fell on all the nations that were round about him so that none however hostile in their hearts dared to make war against him [ote ver 10] Doubtless this resulted chiefly from an impression made upon their minds by God himself yet it was also produced by a dread of that energy which an united people were ready to put forth at any instant at the call of their beloved monarch At the same time that peace was thus secured prosperity reigned in every part of the empire and as the immediate fruit of it Jehoshaphat as well as the people ldquohad riches and honour in abundance [ote ver 5]rdquo In his own mind too he reaped the fruits of his own benevolence God smiled upon him and manifested himself to him and enabled him to walk with ldquohis heart lifted up in the ways of the Lord [ote ver 6]rdquo

Such was the edict of the pious Jehoshaphatmdashbenevolent politic beneficial And what I would ask is the Edict which has been issued by the highest authority in this kingdom Do we not see in it the same blessed characters as in that which we have been considering It was ldquoin the third year of his reign [ote ver 7]rdquo that Jehoshaphat sent forth teachers to enlighten and instruct his subjects The very instant he felt himself at liberty from the more urgent and pressing calls of duty (such as the fortifying of his land against foreign enemies and the correcting of some great internal abuses) he engaged in this good work of diffusing light and knowledge through all classes of the community In like manner the sovereign of this kingdom has scarcely had time to repair the ravages of war and to establish his empire too long weakened and impoverished by a cruel usurpation before he stands forth as the friend and father of his people and more especially of that portion of them who have in every age and place been most treated with neglect and

disdain to have them educated in scriptural knowledge and in the fear of God It is much to be lamented that the Jewish people have not in general been so attentive either to the learning or morals of their children as might be wished and hence arose a necessity for some authoritative admonition on the subject Yet if I may say it without offence this neglect has not been more reprehensible in them than has been the indifference with which the Christian world has regarded it The monarch (may God recompense it richly into his bosom) has risen up to remedy the supineness both of the one and the other and to call forth the united energies of all to correct and terminate this evil Yet whilst he thus consults the best interests of his subjects with what paternal tenderness has he guarded against wounding the feelings of any or exciting their religious prejudices The Scriptures of the Old Testament are alone to be used in the schools that shall be established even those Scriptures which Jews as well as Christians believe to have been given by inspiration of God and to contain truth without any mixture of error In this is marked the policy no less than the benevolence of the edict for it is not by constraint but by conciliation and kindness that good is to be done to any and more especially to those who have shewn themselves now for so many centuries proof against all the efforts of intimidation or force In this kingdom they form no small body and I may add no unimportant portion of the community It is well known how extensive is their influence in the affairs of commerce and how by their activity they contribute to enrich the state Hence it is now generally seen and felt that they are entitled to the same respect as any other subjects of the realm and whilst as in the present instance they see how deeply their monarch feels interested in their welfare they cannot but on their part be sensible of the privileges they enjoy under his paternal government and testify their gratitude to him by every possible expression of loyalty and affection

What the ultimate effect of these measures will be may be conjectured from the blessed results of the edict of Jehoshaphat all will feel themselves happy under the government of such a prince and he whilst he is respected abroad and beloved at home will have the happiness of seeing his labours crowned with prosperity throughout his dominions and with peace in his own soul

II The manner in which Jehoshaphatrsquos edict was carried into execution is now to be noticedmdash

The promptness with which his commands were executed deserves the highest praise All were ready to co-operate in this good work as soon as it was proposed ldquoPrinces and priests and Levites [ote ver 7 8]rdquo all addressed themselves to it instantly with one heart and one soul one accounted their dignity so high or their functions so sacred but they thought it an honour to be employed in such a service and found a delight in fulfilling the wishes of their revered monarch all entered into the work with zeal and prosecuted it with diligence and hence a rapid change was effected both in the temporal and spiritual condition of the whole nation And what may not be effected in this kingdom also if a similar zeal be exercised by ldquothe princes and priestsrdquo (the magistrates and clergy) of the land With them it must begin Those who move in a lower station can effect nothing if they be not aided and

countenanced by the higher orders whose rank in life or sacredness of character will give a tone to the general feeling and combine the energies of the whole kingdom If it be said that those for whom the benefit is designed do not feel a desire after it this only shews how much they need it and how earnestly we should all embark in a cause proposed by such high authority and recommended by the soundest dictates of wisdom and piety

That our obligations to unite in this labour of love may the more distinctly appear I would beg leave to suggest the following considerations

First Loyalty to the king demands our concurrence with him in this good work and a holy emulation amongst us to carry into effect his benevolent designs What can the greatest or best of men effect (what could Jehoshaphat himself have done) if there be none to act in subserviency to them and to follow their directions As the most potent monarch upon earth would in vain proclaim war if there were no soldiers found to enlist under his banners and to execute his commands so it will be in vain that the design of benefiting the Jewish people was ever conceived in the mind of the king or that his edict respecting them was ever issued if his subjects do not put forth their energies in obedience to his call In truth a backwardness to co-operate with him in this blessed work would seem like a reflection cast upon him as recommending a measure that was unworthy of attention I do not mean to insinuate that such an idea really exists in the minds of any for I am perfectly convinced it does not but certainly in appearance it is open to this construction and every subject of the empire is concerned to act in such a way as to cut off all occasion for a reflection like this I say loyalty alone even if we had no higher motive should be sufficient to call forth our exertions in this cause

But let me next observe that gratitude to the Jewish nation demands it at our hands How great how manifold are our obligations to them Behold Moses and the prophets what instruction have they given us in reference to the way of life and salvation Without the moral law as revealed by Moses we should never have known to what an extent we need a Saviour nor if the prophecies had not so fully designated the promised Messiah could we have ever so fully known that Jesus was the Christ Of whom did the Lord Jesus Christ himself come as pertaining to the flesh but from the loins of David and of the seed of Abraham Yet to him are we indebted for all that we either have or hope for in time or in eternity And who were the Apostles but Jews who for our sakes went forth preaching the word and counted not their lives dear to them so that they might but lead us to the knowledge of Christ and make us partakers of his salvation From them too we have received the lively oracles which are the one source of all spiritual knowledge and the one foundation of all our hopes Does all this call for no recompence at our hands Knowing as we do the vast importance of education should we not endeavour to impart it to those from whose ancestors we have received such innumerable such inestimable benefits Yet behold these are the people whom for many many centuries we have treated with more neglect and contempt than any other people upon the face of the earth the savages of the most distant climes have received more attention from us than they Surely it is high time that the Christian world awake to

a sense of their duty and begin to shew to the Jews somewhat of that love which their forefathers exercised towards us in our Gentile state We are debtors to them to a vast amount and it is high time that we begin to discharge our debt And how can we discharge it better than by enabling them to read and understand those very oracles which they have preserved with such fidelity and which testify so fully of their promised Messiah

Further A love to the rising generation should lead us to avail ourselves of the present opportunity to promote their welfaremdashIt is truly afflictive to see how low and degraded is the state of multitudes especially of the Jewish nation purely through the neglect with which they are treated in their early youth and still more grievous is it to reflect on their ignorance of those things which belong to their everlasting peace To counteract this we should endeavour to qualify the whole of their population for good and useful employments and through the medium of useful instruction to make them holy and to make them happy We need never be afraid that there will not be a sufficient number of poor to fill the lower stations do what we will there will never be wanting persons who through their own fault or misfortunes are necessitated to undertake the lowest offices of life And if they have been previously instructed in the Scriptures of Truth they will have a fund of consolation ever open to them in their deepest afflictions they will learn from the inspired volume in whatsoever state they are there-with to be content and in the prospect of the eternal world they will find joys with which a stranger intermeddleth not and which the world can neither give nor take away We feel the force of these considerations in reference to the poor of our own communion how is it that we feel it not in reference to our Jewish Brethren This is a partiality unworthy of us and we should rise as one man to wipe off this disgrace from our own character

This brings me to the last consideration which I propose to mention namely that a concern for the honour of our holy religion should operate to unite us all in executing the Royal EdictmdashWhat must a Jew think of our religion when he sees how little it has wrought for us in the production of love We may tell him of a Messiah who has loved us and laid down his life for us but what credit will he give us for our principles when he sees how little our practice corresponds with them May he not well say to us ldquoPhysician heal thyselfrdquo Shew by your conduct the superiority of your principles before you call on me to embrace them It is by love that we must win them it is by shewing kindness to them that we must efface from their hearts those prejudices which with too much reason they entertain against us We must exhibit in our own person the loveliness of Christianity before we can bring them to investigate the grounds of our faith or to imagine that they can improve their own condition by embracing it May I not then call upon you as Christians to unite in the good work that is now before you that you may thereby serve and glorify your Lord and Saviour As Christians you believe that there is no other way to the Father but by Christ [ote John 146] and no other name but his whereby any human being can be saved [ote Acts 412] Where is your piety where is your love to Christ where is even common humanity if you will not avail yourselves of the present opportunity to remove from before your Jewish Brethren

the stumbling-blocks which for so many ages have been laid in their way

Do any ask What shall we do I answer search out amongst the Jews some persons of probity and talent to commence schools among them and do you yourselves aid to the utmost of your power in the support of them provide them with all necessary books for instructing children in the first rudiments of knowledge provide them with Bibles also both in the Dutch and Hebrew languages that they may be thoroughly instructed in the knowledge of their own religion and learn to walk in the steps of their father Abraham and of all the holy prophets

Begin too without loss of time Adult Schools You will find many among the house of Israel who will be glad to avail themselves of your instructions Let those who are benevolent amongst you dedicate an hour in a day to the instructing of a few who may be desirous to learn and carefully avoid every thing which may give unnecessary offence Confine yourselves to the Old Testament which they venerate as well as you Let those who can teach only in the Dutch language give instruction in that and let those who either understand or have leisure to attain the Hebrew tongue draw their attention to that In particular let it be the united endeavour of all to qualify masters for this good work

And let it not be thought that this is the duty of men only The Royal Edict has particularly and with great wisdom recommended it to females who may be of infinite service in conveying instruction to their own sex This age is distinguished above all others for the activity of females in the service of God and in the performance of every good work Were I able to declare the proportion of good that is done in Britain by the female sex it would appear incredible I believe from my soul that it far exceeds one half in all the societies raised since the commencement of the present century in the Bible Society the Missionary Societies and the Society for Promoting the Knowledge of Christianity amongst the Jews yes let the ladies of this country exert themselves in a prudent modest and discreet way and the effects will soon appear the Royal Edict will not be a dead letter but will produce incalculable good to the whole nationmdashand the agents in this benevolent work will themselves receive quite as much benefit as they impart their benevolence being in proportion as it is exercised its own reward

10 The fear of the Lord fell on all the kingdoms of the lands surrounding Judah so that they did not go to war against Jehoshaphat

GILL And the fear of the Lord fell upon all the kingdoms of the lands that were round about Judah Upon the ten tribes and on foreign nations about them as Moabites Edomites Syrians Egyptians Arabs and Philistines this fear as it came from the Lord so might be raised and increased by observing that religion was revived in them for they might perceive by former observations made that the more religious these people were the more prosperous and formidable they were

so that they made no war against Jehoshaphat to interrupt him in the work of reformation he was so intent upon

HERY We have here a further account of Jehoshaphats great prosperity and the flourishing state of his kingdom

I He had good interest in the neighbouring princes and nations Though he was not perhaps so great a soldier as David (which might have made him their terror) nor so great a scholar as Solomon (which might have made him their oracle) yet the fear of the Lord fell so upon them (that is God so influenced and governed their spirits) that they had all a reverence for him 2Ch_1710 And 1 None of them made war against himGods good providence so ordered it that while the princes and priests were instructing and reforming the country none of his neighbours gave him any molestations to take him off from that good work Thus when Jacob and his sons were going to worship at Bethel the terror of God was upon the neighbouring cities that they did not pursue after them Gen_355 and see Exo_3424 2 Many of them brought presents to him (2Ch_1711) to secure his friendship Perhaps these were a tribute imposed upon them by Asa who made himself master of the cities of the Philistines and the tents of the Arabians 2Ch_1414 2Ch_1415 With the 7700 rams and the same number of he-goats which the Arabians brought there was probably a proportionable number of ewes and lambs she-goats and kids

KampD This attempt of Jehoshaphat brought him this blessing that the terror of Jahve fell upon all the surrounding kingdoms and not only did none of the neighbouring peoples venture to make war upon him but also various tribes did homage to him by presents Ramb has already so understood the connection of these verses (erat hoc praemium pietatis Josaphati quod vicini satisque potentes hostes non auderent adversus ipsum hiscere) while Berth fails to apprehend it saying that Jehoshaphat had time to care for the instruction of his people because at that time the neighbouring peoples did not venture to undertake war against Judah The words ldquoterror of Jahverdquo cf 2Ch_1413 2Ch_2029 and ldquoall the kingdoms of the landsrdquo cf 2Ch_128 1Ch_2930 are expressions peculiar to the author of the Chronicle which show that by these remarks he is preparing the way for a transition to a more detailed

portrayal of Jehoshaphats political power מן־(לש)ים is subject מן partitive some of the

Philistines brought him presents (for מנחה see on 2Ch_175) ldquoand silver a burdenrdquo ie

in great quantity מא does not signify tribute vectigal argento (Vulg) for the word has

not that signification but denotes burden that which can be carried as in מא לאן

2Ch_2025 - 2Ch_2116 2Ch_221 ערבים 2Ch_267 and more usually ערב-ים or ערביאים

are Arabian nomadic tribes (Bedacircwin) perhaps those whom Asa after his victory over the Cushite Zerah had brought under the kingdom of Judah 2Ch_1414 These paid

their tribute in small cattle rams and he-goats (ישים( Gen_3035 Gen_3215 Pro_

3031)

BESO 2 Chronicles 1710 The fear of the Lord fell upon all the kingdoms ampc mdash Justly concluding from his singular piety that God would eminently appear for him for even the heathen could not but observe that the kings of Judah were either prosperous or unhappy according as they served God or forsook him So that they made no war against Jehoshaphat mdash Godrsquos good providence so ordered it that while the princes and priests were instructing and endeavouring to reform the country none of his neighbours gave him any molestation to take him off from that good work

COFFMA All of this peace and prosperity were directly due to the respect which Jehoshaphat had shown to the Law of God and to his efforts to teach that word to all the people It is no problem that much of the material here is omitted in Kings because the primary focus there was political whereas in Chronicles the focus is upon the spiritual and religious significance of the same history

TRAPP 2 Chronicles 1710 And the fear of the LORD fell upon all the kingdoms of the lands that [were] round about Judah so that they made no war against Jehoshaphat

Ver 10 And the fear of the Lord fell upon all the kingdoms] It is said [2 Chronicles 172] Jehoshaphat placed forces in all the fenced cities yet it is not said thereupon that the fear of the Lord fell upon the neighbour nations But when he had established a preaching ministry in all the cities then his enemies had a fear and made no war

POOLE Justly concluding from this singular piety that God would eminently appear for him and against all those who had ill will to him which was their case For even the heathens could not but observe that the kings of Judah were either prosperous or unhappy accordingly as they served God or forsook him

ELLICOTT (10) The fear of the LordmdashA dread of Jehovah (pachad) aps 2029 (Comp Exodus 1516 1 Samuel 117 Isaiah 210 ) This phrase is not peculiar to the chronicler as Keil and Bertheau assert ldquoThe kingdoms of the landsrdquo is so (2 Chronicles 128 1 Chronicles 2930)

They made no warmdashThe reward of Jehosha-phatrsquos piety (1 Chronicles 229

Proverbs 167) ldquoWhen a manrsquos ways please the Lord he maketh even his enemies to be at peace with himrdquo (Comp also Genesis 355)

11 Some Philistines brought Jehoshaphat gifts and silver as tribute and the Arabs brought him flocks seven thousand seven hundred rams and seven thousand seven hundred goats

BARES Some of the Philistines brought Jehoshaphat presents - i e ldquosome of the Philistines were among his tributariesrdquo Compare 2Sa_82 1Ki_421

Tribute silver - Or ldquomuch silverrdquo - literally ldquosilver of burthenrdquo

The Arabians - The Arab tribes who bordered Judaea to the south and the southeast paid Jehoshaphat a fixed tribute in kind Compare 2Ki_34 note

CLARKE The Philistines brought - presents - They and the Arabians purchased peace with the king of Judah by paying an annual tribute The Philistines brought silver and no doubt different kinds of merchandise The Arabs whose riches consisted in cattle brought him flocks in great abundance principally rams and he-goats

GILL Also some of the Philistines brought Jehoshaphat presents and tribute silver Perhaps those of Gerar and the parts adjacent Asa took and spoiled and made tributary 2Ch_1414

and the Arabians brought him flocks seven thousand and seven hundred rams and seven thousand and seven hundred he goats with which their country abounded and these might be the Scenite Arabs who fearing lest Jehoshaphat should fall upon them and take away their flocks as his father had done 2Ch_1415 brought these presents to him

JAMISO Also some of the Philistines brought Jehoshaphat presents and tribute silvermdash either they had been his tributaries or they were desirous of securing his valuable friendship and now made a voluntary offer of tribute Perhaps

they were the Philistines who had submitted to the yoke of David (2Sa_81 Psa_608)

the Arabiansmdash the nomad tribes on the south of the Dead Sea who seeking the protection of Jehoshaphat after his conquest of Edom paid their tribute in the way most suitable to their pastoral habits - the present of so many head of cattle

BESO 2 Chronicles 1711 Some of the Philistines brought presents mdash They had been subject to Judah ever since Davidrsquos time but it seems had neglected this duty in the times of his predecessors but were now moved by their own fears to perform it And the Arabians brought him flocks mdash Either because he had upon some just occasion waged war against them and subdued them or because they voluntarily put themselves under his protection in recompense whereof they sent him these presents or only as a free acknowledgment of their respect for him

TRAPP 2 Chronicles 1711 Also [some] of the Philistines brought Jehoshaphat presents and tribute silver and the Arabians brought him flocks seven thousand and seven hundred rams and seven thousand and seven hundred he goats

Ver 11 Also some of the Philistines] These having been subdued by David had withheld their tribute for a time but now seeing Jehoshaphatrsquos growing greatness they bring it in with the better that no offence might be taken at their former neglect The word here used signifieth honorary gifts or oblations pacifications

ldquo Placatur donis Iupiter ipse datis rdquo

Think the same of the Arabians See 2 Chronicles 1414-15

POOLE Some of the Philistines who had been subjects to this kingdom ever since Davidrsquos time but it seems had neglected this duty in the times of his predecessors but now were moved by their own fears to perform it

The Arabians brought him flocks either because he had upon some just occasion waged war against them and subdued them though the particulars of it be not described in Scripture or because they voluntarily put themselves under his protection in recompence whereof they sent him those presents or only as a free acknowledgment of their respects to him

ELLICOTT (11) Broughtmdashie continually Such is the force of the participle

PresentsmdashAn offering ie tribute (minchah 2 Chronicles 175)

And tribute silvermdashRather and silver a load or burden ie a great quantity (massacircrsquo) 2 Chronicles 2025 As if ldquosilver as much as they could carryrdquomdasha natural hyperbole ot all the five states of the Philistines were subject to Jehoshaphat (Comp 2 Samuel 81)

The ArabiansmdashlsquoArbicircrsquoim here only equivalent to lsquoArbicircyicircm (2 Chronicles 267) and

lsquoArbim (2 Chronicles 2116) They are in each case grouped with the Philistines The nomad Bedacircwin conquered by Asa (2 Chronicles 1415) appear to be meant here or else some tribes which recognised the overlordship of Jehoshaphat after his reduction of Edom (2 Chronicles 2022 sqq)

Brought him flocksmdashComp Mesha of Moabrsquos tribute to Ahab (2 Kings 34)

GUZIK 2 (2 Chronicles 1711-19) The international strength of Jehoshaphatrsquos kingdom

Also some of the Philistines brought Jehoshaphat presents and silver as tribute and the Arabians brought him flocks seven thousand seven hundred rams and seven thousand seven hundred male goats So Jehoshaphat became increasingly powerful and he built fortresses and storage cities in Judah He had much property in the cities of Judah and the men of war mighty men of valor were in Jerusalem These are their numbers according to their fathersrsquo houses Of Judah the captains of thousands Adnah the captain and with him three hundred thousand mighty men of valor and next to him was Jehohanan the captain and with him two hundred and eighty thousand and next to him was Amasiah the son of Zichri who willingly offered himself to the LORD and with him two hundred thousand mighty men of valor Of Benjamin Eliada a mighty man of valor and with him two hundred thousand men armed with bow and shield and next to him was Jehozabad and with him one hundred and eighty thousand prepared for war These served the king besides those the king put in the fortified cities throughout all Judah

a Some of the Philistines brought Jehoshaphat presents and silver as tribute and the Arabians brought him flocks Jehoshaphatrsquos commitment to personal and public godliness meant that God exalted his kingdom above the neighboring nations even as God promised in Deuteronomy 281-13

b These served the king The true treasure of Jehoshaphatrsquos kingdom was not numbered only in security or material things but also in the dedicated and courageous men he had surrounding him these mighty men of valor

i Amasiah the son of Zichri who willingly offered himself to the LORD ldquoAmasiah is a man of whom we do not know anything beyond this ndash he lsquowillingly offered himself unto the Lordrsquo There must have been a turning-point in his career a time when first he knew the grace of God which wrought such a change in him There must have been a waking up to the feeling that God deserved his love and his liferdquo (Spurgeon)

ii Amasiah was a ready servant of the Lord this particularly notable because he did it in an otherwise secular calling

middot o one had to press him into service

middot o one had to seek him out for service

middot o one had to look after him once he had begun serving

middot o one had to lead him

iii ldquoThere is no lawful occupation in which a man cannot thoroughly serve the Lord It is a great privilege and blessing to be set apart to the work of winning souls but we must never separate that work from all the rest of the callings of life as though it alone were sacred and all the rest were secular and almost sinful Serve God where you arerdquo (Spurgeon)

PULPIT The presents were probably enough in the nature of tribute the fixed rate of which is sometimes alluded to (1 Kings 421 1 Kings 1025 2 Samuel 82) but it is doubtful whether the word משא purports to say this The word means bearing or carrying and then a burden load or weight The expression (2 Chronicles 2025) more than they could carry away where this word is used favours the idea that the meaning here is silver of great weight Probably the moral significance and historical interest whether of this statement respecting the Philistines or the following respecting the Arabians lies in the fact that both of them brought without more ado their payments and did not seek to slip out of their engagements with Judah and Judahs king ote for confirmation of this view 2 Kings 34 2 Kings 35

12 Jehoshaphat became more and more powerful he built forts and store cities in Judah

GILL And Jehoshaphat waxed great exceedingly In wealth and riches power and authority in his forces and fortifications

and he built in Judah castles and cities of stores castles for the defence of his kingdom and store cities to lay up corn and wine and all provisions in case of an invasion or against a time of war

HERY II He had a very considerable stores laid up in the cities of Judah He pulled down his barns and built larger (2Ch_1712) castles and cities of store for arms and victuals He was a man of business and aimed at the public good in all his

undertakings either to preserve the peace or prepare for war

JAMISO 2Ch_1712-19 His greatness captains and armies

KampD Description of Jehoshaphats power - 2Ch_1712 And Jehoshaphat became

ever greater sc in power The partic הולך expresses the continuous advance in

greatness cf Ew sect280 b as the infin absol does elsewhere eg Gen_83 למעלה as עד

in 2Ch_1612 - He built castles in Judah ירנ-ות only here and in 2Ch_274 from ירנית

derivative formed from ירה by the Syriac termination נית- fem of ן- castle fortress On

מסנות cf 2Ch_84 ערי

TRAPP 2 Chronicles 1712 And Jehoshaphat waxed great exceedingly and he built in Judah castles and cities of store

Ver 12 And Jehoshaphat waxed great exceedingly] Heb He was going and growing By humility and the fear of the Lord are riches and honour and life [Proverbs 224]

And he built in Judah castles] Bironeoth πυργους turres So did the Burgundians and thence had their names

And cities of store] Granaries in the Hebrew they have their name from their utility or usefulness

ELLICOTT (12) And Jehoshaphat waxed greatmdashLiterally And Jehoshaphat was going on and waxing great ie became greater and greater (Comp 1 Chronicles 119)

ExceedinglymdashlsquoAd lĕmagraversquolah This phrase occurs again in 2 Chronicles 1612 2 Chronicles 268 and nowhere else in the Old Testament (See on 1 Chronicles 142)

And he builtmdashLike his predecessorsmdashSolomon Rehoboam Asamdashhe displayed his wealth and power in great public works The records of the Assyrian and Babylonian sovereigns are largely taken up with similar accounts of temple and palace building

CastlesmdashBiranicircyocircth a derivative from birah (1 Chronicles 291 1 Chronicles 2919 comp Syriac here birocircthocirc) It only recurs at 2 Chronicles 274 It is an Aramaic term (Comp bicircranyacircthacirc which in the Targums means ldquopalacesrdquo)

Cities of storesmdashComp 2 Chronicles 84 2 Chronicles 164 Exodus 111

PULPIT Castles This rendering better than palaces (margin) wound bear improving to the rather stronger word fortresses Hebrew בירניות found only here and in 2 Chronicles 274 plur of בירנית connected with the Chaldee and later Hebrew בירה of Ezra 62 ehemiah 11 Esther 12 Daniel 82 Cities of store (see note under 2 Chronicles 84 see also 1 Kings 919 Exodus 111)

13 and had large supplies in the towns of Judah He also kept experienced fighting men in Jerusalem

CLARKE He hadmuch business in the cities - He kept the people constantly employed they had wages for their work and by their labors the empire was both enriched and strengthened

GILL And he had much business in the cities of Judah Partly in fortifying them and partly in reforming the inhabitants of them

and the men of war mighty men of valour were in Jerusalem or by or near unto it so the particle is rendered Jos_513 they encamped in places adjacent to it for such a number of men as follows even 1160000 could never be contained in Jerusalem but must be disposed of in the territories of it nor did they wait on the king together but in course see 2Ch_1719 by which it appears there is no need to suppose any mistake of the transcriber in any or all of the following sums as has been suggested (q)

HERY 13-19 III He had the militia in good order It was never in better since David modelled it Five lord-lieutenants (if I may so call them) are here named with the numbers of those under their command (the serviceable men that were fit for war in their respective districts) three in Judah and two in Benjamin It is said of one of these great commanders Amasiah that he willingly offered himself unto the Lord (2Ch_1716) not only to the king to serve him in this post but to the Lord to glorify him in it He was the most eminent among them for religion he accepted the place not for the

honour or power or profit of it but for conscience sake towards God that he might serve his country It was usual for great generals then to offer of their spoils to the Lord 1Ch_2626 But this good man offered himself first to the Lord and then his dedicated things The number of the soldiers under these five generals amounts to 1160000 men a vast number for so small a compass of ground as Judahs and Benjamins lot to furnish out and maintain Abijah could bring into the field but 400000 (2Ch_133) Asa not 600000 (2Ch_148) yet Jehoshaphat has at command almost 1200000 But it must be considered 1 That God had promised to make the seed of Abraham like the sand of the sea for number 2 There had now been a long peace 3 We may suppose that the city of Jerusalem was very much enlarged 4 Many had come over to them from the kingdom of Israel (2Ch_1519) which would increase the numbers of the people 5 Jehoshaphat was under a special blessing of God which made his affairs to prosper greatly The armies we may suppose were dispersed all the country over and each man resided for the most part on his own estate but they appeared often to be mustered and trained and were ready at call whenever there was occasion The commanders waited on the king (2Ch_1719) as officers of his court privy-counsellors and ministers of state

But lastly observe It was not this formidable army that struck a terror upon the neighbouring nations that restrained them from attempting any thing against Israel or obliged them to pay tribute but the fear of God which fell upon them when Jehoshaphat reformed his country and set up a preaching ministry in it 2Ch_1710 The ordinances of God are more the strength and safety of a kingdom than its military force - its men of God more than its men of war

KampD 2Ch_1713

וגווגווגווגו רהרהרהרה is rightly translated by Luther ldquound hatte viel Vorrathsrdquo (and ומלעכהומלעכהומלעכהומלעכה

had much store) מלעכהמלעכהמלעכהמלעכה denotes here as in Exo_227-10 property that which has been gained by work or business The signification much work opera magna (Vulg Cler etc) as also Bertheaus translation ldquothe works for equipping and provisioning the fortressesrdquo correspond neither to the context nor to the parallel (synonymous) second member of the verse The work and trouble necessary to equip the cities of Judah does not correspond to ldquothe valiant warriors in Jerusalemrdquo the only parallel is the goods and property which were in these cities the provision of victuals and war material there stored up

BESO 2 Chronicles 1713 He had much business in the cities of Judah mdash To repair and fortify them and furnish them with provisions and to purge out all the relics of idolatry and injustice which were more secretly and craftily managed in the cities than in the country and which were first and most prevalent in the cities and thence spread their infection into the country around them

TRAPP 2 Chronicles 1713 And he had much business in the cities of Judah and the men of war mighty men of valour [were] in Jerusalem

Ver 13 And he had much business] Eργα πολλα (a) Many works going forward at

once a negotious man he was His business say some lay in beautifying and fortifying those cities Augustus gloried at his death that whereas he had found Rome built with brick he had left it made of marble

And the men of war hellip were in Jerusalem] These were his Praetorian forces his Praesidiaries were up and down in the various cities

POOLE He had much business in the cities of Judah partly to repair and fortify them and furnish them with all necessary provisions and partly to purge out all the relies and seeds of idolatry and injustice which were more secretly and subtlely managed in the cities than in the country and which were first and most in the cities and thence spread their infection into the country about them See Jeremiah 228

ELLICOTT (13) BusinessmdashRather much goods or stores literally work (mĕlacirckacirch) and then produce The Hebrew word is so used in Exodus 227 Exodus 2210 (ldquoHis neighbourrsquos goodsrdquo) Stores of provisions and war material seem to be intended (Comp 2 Chronicles 1111)

And the man of war were in JerusalemmdashRather and (he had) men of war in Jerusalem

In Jerusalemmdashot the entire army corps whose numbers are given in 2 Chronicles 1714-18 but simply their chiefs

PULPIT Much business Hebrew מלאכה The meaning of the word is service labour bestowed and the verse reads And there was to him much labour in the cities of Judah and men of war mighty men of valour in Jerusalem ie He bestoweth much pains on the cities of Judah and had etc The word were Authorized Version italics is incorrectly inserted The former half of this verse would better constitute the end of 2 Chronicles 1712 Keil however maintains the rendering substance property for מלאכה (Exodus 227 Exodus 2210)

14 Their enrollment by families was as followsFrom Judah commanders of units of 1000Adnah the commander with 300000 fighting men

BARES The captains of thousands Adnah the chief - literally ldquoprinces of thousands Adnah the princerdquo The writer does not mean that Adnah (or Johohanan 2Ch_1715) was in any way superior to the other ldquoprincesrdquo but only that he was one of them

Three hundred thousand - This number and those which follow in 2Ch_1715-18 have been with good reason regarded as corrupt by most critics For

(1) They imply a minimum population of 1480 to the square mile which is more than three times greater than that of any country in the known world (circa 1880rsquos)

(2) they produce a total just double that of the next largest estimate of the military force of Judah the 580 000 of 2Ch_148

(3) they are professedly a statement not of the whole military force but of the force maintained at Jerusalem (2Ch_1713 compare 2Ch_1719)

It is probable that the original numbers have been lost and that the loss was suppplied by a scribe who took 2Ch_148 as his basis

CLARKE Adnah the chief - He was generalissimo of all this host These are the numbers of the five battalions under Adnah three hundred thousand Jehohanan two hundred and eighty thousand Amasiah two hundred thousand Eliada two hundred thousand Jehozabad one hundred and eighty thousand in all one million one hundred and sixty thousand

GILL And these are the numbers of them according to the house of their fathers Both of the tribe of Judah and of Benjamin and first

of Judah the captains of thousands some had 1000 men under them and some one hundred

Adnah the chief he was the principal commander or general of them

and with him mighty men of valour three hundred thousand such a number was under his command

JAMISO these are the numbersmdash The warriors were arranged in the army according to their fathers houses The army of Jehoshaphat commanded by five great generals and consisting of five unequal divisions comprised one million one hundred and sixty thousand men without including those who garrisoned the fortresses No monarch since the time of Solomon equaled Jehoshaphat in the extent of his revenue in the strength of his fortifications and in the number of his troops

KampD 2Ch_1714-16

The men fit for war passed in review according to their fathers-houses The male population of Judah fell into three divisions that of Benjamin into two The prince

Adnah held the first place among the generals with 300000 men of Judah ידו at his על

hand ie with and under him Jehohanan had the command of 280000 men and

Amasiah over 200000 השר is a contraction for אלפים For what special reason it is so שר

honourably recorded of Amasiah that he had willingly offered himself to the Lord (cf for

Jdg_59) has not been communicated התנב

COFFMA his represented a standing army of 1160000 men besides the garrisons in the fortified cities and this goes a long way to explaining why the Arabians and the Philistines brought tribute to Jehoshaphat In ancient times as in our own day peace frequently depended upon the strength of those who desired it

We should ignore the screams of exaggeration[3] which mark the writings of radical critics Pagan rulers of that era reported even larger armies than this and until the critics can prove that those were exaggerated reports they should let these alone Besides that we have already noted that the very word from which thousand is translated is disputed as to its exact meaning

COKE 2 Chronicles 1714 And these are the numbers of themmdash That is of the soldiers as well as of those who were employed in the kings works in the several cities ampc which he built See 2 Chronicles 1719

REFLECTIOSmdash1st Jehoshaphat no sooner comes to the throne than we see the dawnings of a glorious reign

1 He strengthened his kingdom by placing strong garrisons in the cities of Judah and those which his father had recovered from Israel and prepared against that danger which Ahabs growing power seemed to threaten

2 Religion was his great concern He copied after the best of his predecessors in their best days such as were the first of David before the matter of Uriah and the numbering of the people had blotted his fair copy Faithful to the worship of God he abhorred all idols the law of God was his rule of duty and Israels apostacy rendered his fidelity more singular and exemplary Inspired with holy zeal his heart with delight and sincerity was engaged for God and no difficulties deterred him from the path of duty The idols and groves which in the declining days of Asa might have been set up again he utterly destroyed with all the high places where they still offered sacrifices to these abominations ote (1) In the fairest human pattern there will be found imperfections but there is a Son of David more than man who has set us a spotless example that we should follow his steps (2) Fidelity in Gods service is the stability of a nation (3) A lively soul on wings of faith and love mounts up to God rises superior to every difficulty and looks down upon every thing besides his favour as altogether vanity

3 He not only removed the temptations to sin but took care to instruct the people in

the path of duty Ignorance of Gods law had greatly prevailed and to oblige them merely to conform to his reformation without grounding them on the true foundation of Gods word promised little stability The Levites and priests therefore are sent in progress through the cities of Judah with the book of the law to explain and enforce the commandments of God and several princes accompanied them in order to engage the people to hear them and give countenance to these preachers by their weight and influence ote (1) It is a blessed thing when princes countenance faithful ministers Though they cannot make men true converts their example and authority will induce them to attend (2) They who are sent to teach must see that they take the pure word of God along with them A true preacher wishes for nothing in his hand but his Bible (3) Religion is a reasonable service Conviction alone not compulsion or education can make a man a christian

4 The blessing of God attended his labours The Lord was with him or as the Targum generally expresses it the word of the Lord the divine Logos to whom all things are committed strengthened him in his labours and established his kingdom The people charmed with his government liberally sent their presents to him and abounding in riches and honour his heart far from being intoxicated by prosperity was lifted up in greater love and thankfulness to the gracious giver ote (1) God often here rewards piety with prosperity (2) Worldly comforts are then truly blessings when as the steps of Jacobs ladder they raise our hearts to heaven

2nd Like the light of the morning which shineth more and more so did Jehoshaphats glory increase

1 Feared by his enemies as beloved by his subjects the neighbouring princes did not offer to molest him while those of Philistia and Arabia courted his favour either by a voluntary present or exact payment of the tribute which Asa had imposed on them see 2 Chronicles 1711 God had put an awe upon them of the majesty of his king in Zion ote God hath access to the spirits of men and by secret yet irresistible influence can bow them to his sovereign will

2 His military preparations greatly advanced While he reformed the people he fortified their ramparts and built new castles and store-cities strengthening them within and without against their enemies Under five chief officers an immense army was enlisted Probably all the able men in the country were enrolled and regularly mustered though not drawn out except in case of necessity and this may easily account for the greatness of their number if we consider also the long peace they had enjoyed the accession of Israelites to them and especially the blessing of Abraham which no doubt was eminently fulfilled Amasiah one of the officers is mentioned with an honourable mark of distinction as a volunteer who served for the glory of God not for the sake of pay Such patriots are scarce

TRAPP 2 Chronicles 1714 And these [are] the numbers of them according to the house of their fathers Of Judah the captains of thousands Adnah the chief and

with him mighty men of valour three hundred thousand

Ver 14 Three hundred thousand] These were under his command and at hand to come whensoever the king would

WHEDO 14 Three hundred thousand mdash The numbers in this verse and the four verses following are generally regarded as corrupt ldquoThey implyrdquo observes the writer last quoted ldquoa minimum population of 1480 to the square mile which is more than three times greater than that of any country in the known world It is probable that the original numbers have been lost and the loss supplied by a scribe who took 2 Chronicles 148 as his basis

ELLICOTT Verse 14 (14) And these their fathersmdashAnd this is their muster (or census) according to their father-houses (clans) 1 Chronicles 243 The warriors were marshalled in the army according to clans so that men of the same stock fought side by side with their kindred Perhaps in the original document this heading was followed by a much more detailed scheme of names and divisions than that which the text presents

Of JudahmdashTo Judah (belonged) captains of thousands viz the three enumerated in 2 Chronicles 1714-16 Adnah Jehohanan and Amasiah They were the principal officers or generals of the entire forces of Judah

Adnah the chiefmdashTo wit the captain Adnah That Adnah was commander-in-chief is implied by his being named first and his corps being the largest

PULPIT This verse with the following four gives us the names of five captains chiefs princes or military officers for the kingdoms service with the numbers of the troops they severally commanded The numbers of them (see note under 1 Chronicles 2311) Hebrew פקדתם The better English rendering to carry at once the signification would be The muster of them etc The captains hellip the chief In both cases the Hebrew is the familiar word for prince ( שר ) in the former without article in the latter with article The numbers of this and following four verses are not only absolutely unreliable but in themselves impossible According to the house of their fathers ie the quotation is drawn from an army catalogue arranged carefully by fathers houses (umbers 118 umbers 122 etc)

15 next Jehohanan the commander with 280000

GILL And next to him was Jehohanan the captain Being of the same rank as to office but having a lesser number of men under him and it may respect not any kind of subordination only nearness of place as the Targumhe that encamped next to him

and with him two hundred and fourscore thousand which number was but 20000 less than the former

POOLE ext to him either

1 After his death as his successor in the same command And the like is supposed concerning Jehozabad 2 Chronicles 1718 Or rather

2 ext to him in place and authority or at least in power and the numbers of his host

16 next Amasiah son of Zikri who volunteered himself for the service of the Lord with 200000

GILL And next him was Amasiah the son of Zichri He encamped next to him as the Targum

who willingly offered himself unto the Lord to fight the Lords battles and without any stipend as some think or as Kimchi he offered gold and silver to the treasures of the house of the Lord

and with him two hundred thousand mighty men of valour the number was 80000 less than the former the whole of Judah amounted to 780000 men

TRAPP 2 Chronicles 1716 And next him [was] Amasiah the son of Zichri who willingly offered himself unto the LORD and with him two hundred thousand mighty men of valour

Ver 16 Who willingly offered himself unto the Lord] He was a votary the vows of God were upon him and this made him the more valiant and resolute (a) in the exercise of arms for the service of God and the safety of his people The Spahis among the Turks are a sort of horsemen voluntaries and votaries to gain paradise by dying for the Mohammedan cause These are never known to return home but

with victory these are heavy upon the enemy For

ldquo Vincitur haud gratis iugulo qui provocat ensem rdquo

POOLE As volunteers and auxiliaries to be ready upon occasion as the service of God and the king should require Possibly these or most of them were the strangers which had come out of Israel into the kingdom of Judah in Asarsquos days and probably since that in his time

ELLICOTT (16) AmasiahmdashIah carrieth (Isaiah 4011) different from Amaziah (Iah is strong)

Who willingly offered himself unto the Lordmdash(Judges 52 Judges 59) An allusion to some noble act of self-devotion which was doubtless more fully recorded in the source from which the chronicler has drawn this brief account Such allusions though no longer intelligible are important as conducing to the proof of the historical value of the narratives in which they occur LXX ὁ προθυmicroούmicroενος τῷ κυρίῳ Vulg consecratus Domino

PULPIT Amaziah the son of Zichri This man is not titled at all The description of him as one who had willingly offered himself unto the Lord not elucidated by the context or any effective parallel will mark something honorable in his history Possibly he comes from an unexpected quarter and is a man of approved skill othing further is known of these three men Meantime it has been suggested (Professor Dr J Murphy of Belfast Handbook to Chronicles ) that the first of the three was for Judah proper the second for that contingent of Judah that hailed from Dan and the Philistines and the third for that of Simeon and the Arabs

MACLARE This is a scrap from the catalogue of Jehoshaphatrsquos lsquomighty men of valourrsquo and is Amasiahrsquos sole record We see him for a moment and hear his eulogium and then oblivion swallows him up We do not know what it was that he did to earn it But what a fate to live to all generations by that one sentence

I Cheerful self-surrender the secret of all religion

The words of our text contain a metaphor naturally drawn from the sacrificial system It comes so easily to us that we scarcely recognise the metaphorical element but the clear recognition of it gives great additional energy to the words Amasiah was both sacrificer and sacrifice His offering was self-immolation As in all love so in that noblest kind of it which clasps God its perfect expression is lsquoI give Thee my living loving selfrsquo Nor is it only sacrifice and sacrificer that are seen in deepest truth in the experience of the Christian life but the reality of the Temple is also there for lsquoYe also are built up a spiritual house to be a holy priesthood to offer up spiritual sacrificesrsquo Only when God dwells in us shall we have the nerve and the firmness of hand to take the knife and lsquoslay before the Lordrsquo the awful Guest in the sanctuary within the most precious of the children of our spirits

The essence of the sacrifice of self is the sacrifice of will In the Christian experience

lsquowillingly offeredrsquo is almost tautology for unwilling offerings are a contradiction and in fact there are no such things The quality of unwillingness destroys the character of the offering and robs it of all sacredness Reluctant Christianity is not Christianity That noun and that adjective can never be buckled together

The submission of will and the consequent surrender of myself and my powers opportunities and possessions so that I do all enjoy all use all and when need is endure all with glad thankful reference to God is only possible to me in the measure in which my will is made flexible by love and such will-subduing love comes only when we lsquoknow and believe the love that God hath to usrsquo There is the point at which not a few moral and religious teachers go wrong and bewilder themselves and their disciples There too is the point at which Christ and the Gospel of salvation through faith in Him stand forth as emancipating humanity from the dreary round of efforts and vain attempts to work up the condition needful for achieving the height of self-surrender which is seen to be indispensable to all true nobleness of living but is felt to be beyond the reach of the ordinary man There too is the point at which many good people mar their lives as Christians They waste their strength in trying to bring the jibbing horse up to the leap They try to blow up a fire of devotion and to make themselves priests to offer themselves but all the while the mutinous self recoils from the leap and the fire burns smokily and their sacrifice is laid on the altar with little joy because they have not been careful and wise enough to begin at the beginning and to follow Godrsquos way of melting their wills by love the reflection of the Infinite love of God to them Godrsquos priests offer themselves because they offer their wills they offer their wills because they love God they love God because they know that God loves them That is the divine order It is vain to try to accomplish the end by any other

II This willing offering hallows all life

No syllable is left to tell us what Amasiah did to win this praise Probably the words enshrine some now forgotten memory of his cheerful courage some heroic feat on an unrecorded battlefield Particulars are not given nor needed Specific actions are unimportant the spirit of a life can be told with very incomplete details and it not the details is the important thing Sometimes as in many modern biographies one lsquocannot see the wood for the treesrsquo and misses the main drift and aim of a life in the chaos of a bewildering mass of nothings How much more happy the lot of this man of whom we have only the generalised expression of the text unweighted and undisturbed by petty incidents It takes tons of rose leaves to make a tiny phial of otto of roses but the fragrance is far more pungent in a drop of the distillation than in armfuls of leaves Every life shrinks into very small compass and the centuries do not tolerate long biographies Shall we not seek to order our life so that Amasiahrsquos epitaph may serve for us It will be blessed if this-and nothing else-is known about us that we lsquowillingly offered ourselves to the Lordrsquo My friend will that be a true epitome of your life

III This willing offering is accepted by God

We may hear a mightier voice behind the chroniclerrsquo s and the judgment of the Judge of all pronounced by His lips It matters little what men say of one another but it matters everything what God says of us We are but too apt to forget that He is now saying something as to each of us and that we have not to wait for death to put a final period to our activities before our lives become fit subjects for Godrsquos judgment Moment by moment we are writing our own sentences But while it is good for us to remember the continuous judgment of God on each deed it is not good to let dark thoughts of the principles of that judgment paralyse our activity or chill our confidence in His forgiving and accepting mercy There is often a dark suspicion like that of the one-talented

servant which blackens Godrsquos fair fame as being lsquoan austere Manrsquo making demands rather than imparting power and the effect of such an ugly conception of Him is to cut the nerve of service and bury the talent carefully folded up it may be but none the less earning nothing lsquoIf we call on Him as Father who without respect of persons judgeth according to every manrsquos workrsquo let us be sure that it will be a Fatherly judgment that He will pass upon us and our offerings There is a wonderful collection on His altar of what many people would think rubbish just as many a mother has laid away among her treasures some worthless article which her child had once given her-a weed plucked by the roadside in a long past summer day some trifle of rare preciousness in the childrsquos eyes and of none in any others than her own She opens her drawer and brings out the poor little thing and her eyes fill and her heart fills as she looks And does not God keep His childrenrsquos gifts as lovingly and set them in places of honour in the day when He lsquomakes up His jewelsrsquo There are cups of cold water and widowsrsquo mites and much else that a supercilious world would call lsquotrashrsquo stored there Thank God He accepts imperfect service faltering faith partial consecration a little love Even our poor offering may be an lsquoodour of a sweet smellrsquo ministering fragrance that is a delight to Him if it is offered with the much incense of the great Sacrifice and through the mediation of the great High Priest

The world forgot Amasiah or never knew him an obscure soldier in an obscure kingdom but God did not forget and here is his epitaph and this is his memorial to all generations Menrsquos chronicles have no room for all the names that their wearers are eager to have inscribed on their crumbling and crowded pages lsquobut the Lambrsquos Book of Lifersquo has ample space on its radiant pages for all who desire to set their names there and if ours are there we need not envy the proudest whose titles and deeds fill the most conspicuous pages in the worldrsquos records lsquoThen shall every man have praise of Christrsquo and he who wins that guerdon needs nothing more and can have nothing more to swell his blessedness

17 From BenjaminEliada a valiant soldier with 200000 men armed with bows and shields

GILL And of Benjamin Eliada a mighty man of valour Was the chief commander

and with armed men with bow and shield two hundred thousand which were

the armour of the tribe of Benjamin they were best skilled in 2Ch_148

TRAPP 2 Chronicles 1717 And of Benjamin Eliada a mighty man of valour and with him armed men with bow and shield two hundred thousand

Ver 17 With bow and shield] The Benjamites were notable bowmen [1 Chronicles 122] The Engish were anciently so too

ELLICOTT (17) Armed men with bow and shieldmdashLiterally drawing bow and shield ie as the Targum explains ldquodrawing bow and grasping shieldsrdquo (Comp 1 Chronicles 122) LXX ldquoArchers and peltastsrdquo Vulg ldquoGrasping bow and shieldrdquo (Comp also 1 Chronicles 840 for the arms of the Benjaminites)

18 next Jehozabad with 180000 men armed for battle

GILL And next to him was Jehozabad According to the Targum he encamped next him

and with him one hundred and fourscore thousand ready prepared for war being able bodied men well disciplined valiant and well armed these numbers of Judah and Benjamin put together amount to 1160000 men whereas Asa only brought into the field 580000 but it should be considered there had been a long time of peace many had come off from the ten tribes to Judah and the promise of multiplying the seed of Abraham was eminently fulfilled

TRAPP 2 Chronicles 1718 And next him [was] Jehozabad and with him an hundred and fourscore thousand ready prepared for the war

Ver 18 A hundred and fourscore thousand] His militia was eleven hundred and threescore thousand besides what he had in garrisons [2 Chronicles 1719] So that as he was better he was stronger than his father Asa had been Piety hath prosperity

ELLICOTT (18) Ready prepared for the warmdashEquipped for service (See on 1

Chronicles 1223-24 umbers 315 umbers 3229) The hoplites or heavy-armed infantry are probably meant

PULPIT While Eliada of last verse was for Benjamin Professor Dr Murphy supposes that Jehozabad was for the annexed part of Ephraim But no suppositions of this kind can avail to explain the numbers in the text which is no doubt corrupt

19 These were the men who served the king besides those he stationed in the fortified cities throughout Judah

CLARKE These waited on the king - They were disposable forces always at the kingrsquos command and were independent of those by which the cities of Judah were garrisoned

There is not a sovereign in Europe or in the world but might read this chapter with advantage

1 It shows most forcibly that true religion is the basis of the state and that wherever it prospers there the state prospers

2 It shows also that it is the wisdom of kings to encourage religion with all their power and influence for if the hearts of the subjects be not bound and influenced by true religion vain is the application of laws fines imprisonments or corporal punishment of any kind

3 A religious nation is ever a great nation it is loved by its friends it is dreaded by its enemies

4 It is ever a peaceable and united nation the blessings of religion and a wholesome and paternal government are so fully felt and prized that all find it their interest to preserve and defend them Harmony peace piety and strength are the stability of such times May Britain know and value them

GILL These waited on the king Not this vast number of men at one time but in course as Davids military men waited on him 1Ch_271 or each of these captains with a proper number of men under them detached from the body and they were all ready to obey the kings orders whenever he should have occasion for them

besides those whom the king put into the fenced cities throughout Judah and all together the militia of the kingdom was very numerous and formidable

KampD 2Ch_1719

These were serving the king א6ה refers not to the above-mentioned men capable of

bearing arms for sheereet is not used of service in war but to the commanders whom he had placed in the fortified cities of all Judah ldquoin which probably bodies of the above-mentioned troops lay as garrisonsrdquo (Berth)

BESO 2 Chronicles 1719 These waited on the king mdash These above-mentioned were the trained bands or auxiliaries whose chief officers waited on the king to receive his commands and to raise and bring in all or part of their forces to the service of the king as need required A vast number for so small a compass of ground to furnish out and maintain But we may consider that God had promised to make the seed of Abraham like the sand of the sea for number that there had now been a long peace that many were come to them from the kingdom of Israel and that Jehoshaphat was under a special blessing of God They were doubtless dispersed all the country over every one residing on his own land only they were ready at call whenever there was occasion

TRAPP 2 Chronicles 1719 These waited on the king beside [those] whom the king put in the fenced cities throughout all Judah

Ver 19 These waited on the king] ie In their turns and by course

POOLE These above mentioned were the trained bands or auxiliaries whose chief officers waited upon the king to receive his commands and to raise and bring in all or part of their forces to the service of the king and kingdom as need required

ELLICOTT (19) These waited on the kingmdashRather these are they that ministered unto the king viz the five generals above named

Beside those whom the king put in the fenced citiesmdashie the commandants of the fortresses of the kingdom (2 Chronicles 1111 2 Chronicles 1123) These latter as well as the generals of the forces are called the kingrsquos ldquoministersrdquo (mĕshacircrĕthicircm)mdasha word which is not used of service in the field but implies their presence at court (ldquoin Jerusalemrdquo 2 Chronicles 1713 as the royal staff)

According to the above list the army of Jehoshaphat was organised in five grand divisions corresponding perhaps to five territorial divisions of the southern kingdom The totals are the largest assigned to the two tribes anywhere in the Old Testament viz Judah 780000 and Benjamin 380000 in all 1160000 At Davidrsquos census Judah had 500000 warriors (2 Samuel 249) and Israel 800000 Again in 2

Chronicles 148 Asarsquos army consists of 300000 men of Judah and 280000 Benjaminites clearly such an increase as our text indicates is unaccountable At the same time it is equally clear that the present numbers are not fortuitous results of clerical errors for they follow each other in the order of relative strength Judah 300000 280000 200000 Benjamin 200000 180000 and they are evidently not independent of the estimates of 2 Chronicles 148 above quoted

In the absence of adequate data for modifying these certainly startling figures it is well to bear in mind that we need not understand by them an army which ever actually mustered in the field or on parade but simply an estimate of the total male population liable to be called out for the national defence although even upon that understanding the total appears to be at least three times too great considering the small extent of the country

PULPIT These waited Hebrew המשרתים plur piel part of שרת The verse states that this enormous fivefold army with its five princes (counting in our corrupt text one million one hundred and sixty thousand) was the kings Jerusalem standing army while other separate regiments or bands of troops were spread through all Judah where they might be most needed for defence

A How King Jehoshaphat pleased God

1 (2 Chronicles 171-4) The personal spiritual commitment of King Jehosphaphat

Then Jehoshaphat his son reigned in his place and strengthened himself against Israel And he placed troops in all the fortified cities of Judah and set garrisons in the land of Judah and in the cities of Ephraim which Asa his father had taken ow the LORD was with Jehoshaphat because he walked in the former ways of his father David he did not seek the Baals but sought the God of his father and walked in His commandments and not according to the acts of Israel

a Then Jehoshaphat his son reigned in his place Asa was generally a good king (though he did not finish well) and Jehoshaphat his son followed in his footsteps and the LORD was with Jehoshaphat because he walked in the former ways of his father David

i ldquoIn the first ways which David walked in before he fell into those horrid sins of murder and adulteryrdquo (Trapp)

ii ldquoHave you never noticed the career of David What a happy life Davidrsquos was up to one point But that hour when he walked on the roof of his house and saw Bathsheba and gave way to his unholy desires put an end to the happy days of David You recognize him as the same man but his voice is broken his music is deep bass he cannot reach one high notes of the scale From the hour in which he sinned he began to sorrow more and more So will it be with us if we are not watchfulrdquo (Spurgeon)

b Strengthened himself against Israel Jehoshaphat recognized that the northern kingdom was a danger to Judah militarily politically and especially spiritually He therefore strengthened the defenses against this threat and specifically did not according to the acts of Israel

i In his presentation of the history of the kings of Judah the Chronicler constantly brings the contrast and the challenge before the readers of his day and ours ldquoYour destiny as an individual and as a nation can either be like that of Judah or Israel You should follow the example of those who did not according to the acts of Israelrdquo

PULPIT To the contents of this chapter and to the reign of Jehoshaphat which occupies this and the following three chapters the Book of Kings furnishes as yet no parallel All that it has to say of Jehoshaphat now is summed up in one sentence (1 Kings 1524) And Jehoshaphat his son reigned in his stead till we arrive at the ten verses of 1 Kings 2241-51 with their very slender sketch (see also 2 Kings 31-14)

2 Chronicles 171

Jehoshaphat In 2 Chronicles 2031 and 1 Kings 2241 1 Kings 2242 we are told that Jehoshaphat was now thirty-five years of age He must therefore have been born when Asa was in the sixth year of his reign and presumably not under sixteen years of age His reign extended to twenty-five years ie from BC 914 to BC 889 The name signifies whom God judges or pleads for Ahab is now in the fourth year of his reign and the symptoms he manifests (1 Kings 1630-33) are those that the rather urge Jehoshaphat to strengthen himself ie strengthen the defences of his kingdom on the Israel side

BI 1-19 And Jehoshaphat his son reigned in his stead

The conditions of national prosperity

This chapter showsmdash

I That true religion is the basis of the State and that wherever it prospers there the State prospers

II That it is the wisdom of kings to encourage religion with all their power and influence

III That a religious nation is ever a great nation

IV That a religious nation is ever a peaceful and united nation (A Clarke D D)

Jehoshaphat

I His policy as a statesman

1 It was protective (2Ch_171-2)

2 It was wise

3 It was eminently patriotic

II His character as a man

1 He was distinguished for true piety

(1) In his every-day life (2Ch_173)

(2) In his private devotions (2Ch_173-4)

(3) In his obedience to God (2Ch_174)

2 The inspiration of his heart came from the consciousness of his obedience to God (2Ch_176)

III His wisdom as a ruler

1 He removed temptation from his people (2Ch_176)

2 He provided for his people the highest means of good (2Ch_177-9) (Metropolitan Pulpit)

Jehoshaphatrsquos prosperity

I Its measure Everything indicates that it was great and genuine Not an element of true prosperity is wanting whether we consider him individually or as identified with the realm It involvedmdash

1 The safety of the kingdom

2 Wealth

3 Honour from abroad

4 The love and confidence of his own people

II Its origin This was partly natural partly supernatural

1 Natural

(1) The roots of his prosperity lay largely in himself He was a man of correct instincts and good convictions A man of worth and weight of character By these he won the love and secured the co-operation of his people

(2) He was wise in management

2 Supernatural ldquoThe Lord stablished the kingdom in his handrdquo It was a reward of piety He honoured God and God honoured and exalted him Lessons

1 The union of prudence and piety Each is helpful to the other neither is sufficient without the other Prudence gives tone and practicality to piety piety gives sweetness and mellowness to prudence Piety alone tends to feebleness and inefficiency prudence alone inclines to coldness and covetousness United they round out the character in beauty and strength

2 Reform through religion and law Jehoshaphat united the civil and religious power in securing national reform How necessary is this union in the great struggle with intemperance and other moral defilements (Monday Club Sermons)

2 He stationed troops in all the fortified cities of Judah and put garrisons in Judah and in the towns of Ephraim that his father Asa had captured

CLARKE The cities of Ephraim - This conquest from the kingdom of Israel is referred to 2Ch_158 but when it was made we do not know

GILL And he placed forces in all the fenced cities of Judah A considerable number of soldiers to defend them should they be attacked

and set garrisons in the land of Judah on the frontiers and borders of it to protect it

and in the cities of Ephraim soldiers to keep garrison there

which Asa his father had taken see 2Ch_158

KampD 2-4 He placed forces (חיל) in all the fenced cities of Judah and garrisons

in the land of Judah and in the cities of Ephraim (military posts cf 1Ch_1116 נציבים)

which is father Asa had taken cf 2Ch_158 God blessed these undertakings Jahve was with him because he walked in the ways of David his ancestor the former ways and sought not the Baals The former ways of David are his ways in the earlier years of his reign in contrast to the later years in which his adultery with Bathsheba (2 Sam 11) and

the sin of numbering the people (1 Chron 21) fall העלים are all false gods in contrast to

Jahve the one God of Israel and here the word designates not only the Baal-worship properly so called but also the worship of Jahve by means of images by which Jahve is

brought down to the level of the Baals cf Jdg_211 The ל before עלים stands according

to the later usage as a sign of the accusative In the last clause of 2Ch_174 ldquoand not

after the doings of Israelrdquo (of the ten tribes) הלך ldquohe walkedrdquo is to be repeated The

doing of Israel is the worship of Jahve through the images of the golden calves which

the author of the Chronicle includes in the לעלים רש

BESO 2 Chronicles 172 And set garrisons in the cities which Asa had taken mdash We do not read of any cities which Asa took but Abijah his father possessed himself of several which Asa kept and took for his own 2 Chronicles 1319 And it appears Jehoshaphat put such forces in them as might secure them to himself

TRAPP 2 Chronicles 172 And he placed forces in all the fenced cities of Judah and set garrisons in the land of Judah and in the cities of Ephraim which Asa his father had taken

Ver 2 And he placed forces] See 2 Chronicles 1719

ELLICOTT (2) And he placed forcesmdashComp 2 Chronicles 1112

The fenced citiesmdashlsquoArecirc ha-bĕtsucircrocircth (Comp 2 Chronicles 115 sqq 2 Chronicles 146-7)

And set garrisonsmdashPlaced military posts or prefects (netsicircbicircm) (1 Chronicles 1116 2 Chronicles 1111) Syriac ldquoappointed rulersrdquo

The cities of Ephraim had takenmdashSee on 2 Chronicles 158

PULPIT He placed forces literally he gave (Genesis 117) forces or a force or host or army חיל (Exodus 1428 2 Samuel 242) And set garrisons again literally he gave garrisons ( נאיבים ) ie either the persons set over prefects or officers (1 Kings 419) or the military garrison itself stationed (1 Samuel 105 1 Samuel 133) A village in Judah also had the name ezeb (Joshua 1545) In the cities of Ephraim (see 2 Chronicles 158)

3 The Lord was with Jehoshaphat because he followed the ways of his father David before him He did not consult the Baals

BARES The first ways of his father David - The Septuagint and several Hebrew manuscripts omit ldquoDavidrdquo which has probably crept in from the margin for Davidrsquos ldquofirst waysrdquo are nowhere else contrasted with his later ways The real meaning of the writer is that Jehoshaphat followed the example set by his father Asa in his earlier years 2Ch_141-15 15

Baalim - On the plural form see 1Ki_1818 note

CLARKE The Lord was with Jehoshaphat - ldquoThe Word of the Lord was Jehoshaphatrsquos Helperrdquo - Targum

GILL And the Lord was with Jehoshaphat Guiding and directing prospering and succeeding him in all things he had no doubt his gracious presence in spiritual things as well as his powerful and directing presence in things civil the Targum isthe Word of the Lord was for his help

because he walked in the first ways of his father David which were his best some of his last ways not being good as in the affair of Uriah and Bathsheba and his numbering of the people Jehoshaphat followed him in the one but not in the other or in the ways of David and his father the first the first of them both for the latter ways of his father Asa were not so good as his first as the preceding chapter shows and the

Septuagint version leaves out the word David and so restrains it to his own father

and sought not unto Baalim as did Ahab king of Israel who now reigned there 1Ki_1524

JAMISO 3-5 he walked in the first ways of his father Davidmdash He imitated the piety of his great ancestor in the early part of his reign before he made those unhappy lapses which dishonored his character

and sought not unto Baalimmdash a term used for idols generally in contradistinction to the Lord God of his father

BESO 2 Chronicles 173-4 He walked in the first ways of his father David mdashHis ways before he fell so foully in the matter of Uriah which were good ways David indeed recovered from that fall but perhaps never while he lived fully retrieved the spiritual strength and comfort which he had lost Jehoshaphat followed David as far as he followed God and no farther St Paul himself thus limits our imitation of him 1 Corinthians 111 Follow me as I follow Christ and not otherwise The first ways of many pious people have been their best ways and their first love their strongest love which however ought not to be the case for the last ought to be more than the first Revelation 219 But in every copy we propose to write after as we ought to single out that only which is good so that chiefly which is best The original words here are literally rendered He walked in the ways of David his father הראשונים hareshonim those first or ancient ways He proposed to himself for his example the primitive times of the royal family those purest times before the corruptions of the late reigns came in See Jeremiah 616 The LXX leave out David and so refer this to Asa He walked in the first ways of his father Asa and did not imitate him in what was amiss in him toward the latter end of his time It is well to be cautious in following the best men lest we step aside after them And sought not unto Baalim mdash The neighbouring nations had their Baalim one had one Baal and another had another but he abhorred them all and had nothing to do with any of them He sought the Lord God of his father and him only prayed to him only and inquired of him only

TRAPP 2 Chronicles 173 And the LORD was with Jehoshaphat because he walked in the first ways of his father David and sought not unto Baalim

Ver 3 Because he walked in the first ways of his father David] Who during his trouble kept himself free from scandalous and reproachful practices innocent from the great transgression [Psalms 1913] David rectior fuit in servitio quam in regno saith Gregory

POOLE In the first ways which David walked in before he fell into those horrid sins of murder and adultery Or in the ways of David and his fatherrsquos first ways For the beginning of Asarsquos reign was laudable as we have seen though he declined at last For it seems more probable that this passage is a reflection upon Asa whose last ways were much his worst and of whose repentance we have no evidence than

upon David who though he fell dreadfully in the matter of Uriah yet did manifestly repent of it and return to his first and holy course of life in which also he continued until death having this character given him by the Holy Ghost after his death that he did right in all things saving that of Uriah 1 Kings 155

WHEDO 3 The first ways of his father David mdash The first or earlier ways of David are contrasted with his later ways ldquoin the matter of Uriahrdquo and his sin in numbering the people The Septuagint omits the word David and some have therefore thought it an interpolation and understand the earlier ways of Asa to be intended

ELLICOTT (3) He walked in the first waysmdashThe former or earlier ways of David as contrasted with his later conductmdasha tacit allusion to the adultery with Bathsheba and other sins of David committed in his later years (2 Samuel 11-24) A few MSS and the LXX omit David

And sought not unto BaalimmdashAnd sought not the Baals (dacircrash lĕ a late construction) The Baals were different local aspects of the sun-god Here the term no doubt includes the illegal worship of Jehovah under the form of a bullock as instituted by Jeroboam and practised in the northern kingdom (ldquothe doing of Israelrdquo 2 Chronicles 174) Syriac ldquoand prayed not to imagesrdquo

PARKER And the Lord was with Jehoshaphat because he walked in the first ways of his father David and sought not unto Baalim ( 2 Chronicles 173)

The Lord was not with Jehoshaphat because he strengthened himself against Israel nor because he placed forces in all the fenced cities of Judah and set garrisons in the land of Judah and in the streets of Ephraim ot one of these little triumphs is referred to as affording God a basis for the complaisant treatment of the new king As ever the Lords relation to Jehoshaphat was determined by Jehoshaphats own moral condition A very beautiful expression is thismdashhe walked in the first ways of his father David that is to say in the former or earlier ways of David as contrasted with Davids later conduct Some have found here a tacit allusion to Davids greatest sin which he committed when he was advanced in life A somewhat mournful thing it is that a mans first ways should be better than his last The other relation would seem to be the one which reason would approve and God would specially honour namely that a mans old age should be the ripest and best part of his conduct rich with Wisdom of Solomon strong with experience and chastened by many a pensive recollection Sad when you have to go back to a mans youth to find his virtues or his most conspicuous excellences but most beautiful when a mans earlier mistakes are lost in the richness and wisdom of his later conduct God keeps his attention fixed on all the parts of a mans life and he observes which of those parts is most esteemed by the mans own successors Happy is that father whose whole example is worthy of imitation yet more than human is he the whole of whose life is without stain or flaw Jehoshaphats conduct in this matter is the more notable because of the constant observation of mankind that it is easier to follow the evil than to imitate the good When imitation enters into a mans life he is prone to

copy that which is inferior and to leave without reproduction that which is lofty and disciplinary In this instance Jehoshaphat sets an example to the world His conduct too is represented negatively as well as positivelymdashand sought not unto Baalim The word Baalim is in the plural number and the literal reading might be Jehoshaphat sought not the Baals the Baals being different local aspects or phases of the sun-god It is to be specially noted that the term Baal includes an aspect even of Jehovah himself that is to say Israel had degenerated so far as to suppose that in worshipping Baal they were worshipping at least one phase of the true God We must not mix up our religion with our irreligion our prayers with our idolatry our heavenliness with our worldly-mindedness the whole arrangement must be clean and pure from one end to the other inasmuch as one taint may cause the whole process of our religious thought and service to become deteriorated and valueless It is often difficult to abandon a popular custom More people might be in favour of Jehoshaphat strengthening himself against Israel than in returning to the first ways of David and abandoning the altar of the Baals History and religion are always considered in their separate distribution There are politicians who would vote for a war who would on no account surrender a superstition On the other hand there are men who pride themselves on being free of the influence of superstition who would willingly enter into the most sanguinary wars for the extension of empire or the glory of some particular throne In Jehoshaphat we seem to come into contact with a complete character in other words a man who in every point was equally strong a man of foresight a man of reverence a man of an honest heart a man who felt that idolatry and true worship could not coexist in the same breast

ISBET lsquoThe Lord was with Jehoshaphatrsquo2 Chronicles 173It is instructive to notice what is said about Davidrsquos waysmdashit was his first ways that Jehoshaphat took for his pattern We should always be careful to adopt only the good things in others

I lsquoThe Lord stablished the kingdom in his handrsquo God loves to find a man He can trust a man into whose hand He can put holy interests and know that they will be sacredly cherishedmdashThe Lord established the kingdom in the hands of Jehoshaphat because Jehoshaphat was true to his trust In our Lordrsquos parable of The Talents we are taught that those who prove faithful to their trust receive other things also in trust while those who are unfaithful even in small things God will not intrust with larger things

II lsquoHis heart was lifted up in the ways of the Lordrsquo There is a bad lifting up and a good lifting up Some people are made vain and self-conceited by prosperitymdashThe temptation for young people when first called upon to do any work and accomplishing it with some measure of success is to become proud and to show their vanity by talking too much about themselves and what they have done Such lifting up not only dishonours God but hurts the person But Jehoshaphat was lifted up in the ways of the Lord Too often as money comes in and prosperity increases

people get so absorbed in these new gifts of God that the Giver Himself fades out of their vision If only we see the hand of God in every new mercy and goodness that comes to us our heart will be lifted up in the ways of the Lord

III lsquoThe fear of the Lord fell upon all the kingdoms hellip so that they made no war against Jehoshaphatrsquo The Lord is able to control even the diplomacy and the politics of nationsmdashWhen these kingdoms saw the blessing which Jehoshaphat was enjoying in his country they felt an awe in their heartsmdashthe fear of the Lord fell upon themmdashand they refrained from making war God will always find some way to defend His own people in the midst of dangers

PULPIT The first ways of his father David Although there would be no difficulty in reconciling this statement with history yet probably the name David should not stand here It is not in the Septuagint The most natural and sufficient reference is to Asa And sought not unto Ballim literally to the Baalim ie to the various false gods of surrounding peoples ( 211) Baal-berith ( 833 94 946) Baal-zebub (2 Kings 12) Baal-peor (umbers 2328 etc umbers 253) according to the places where the idolatrous worship was carried on (For the preposition ל to after sought in this and following verse see again 1 Chronicles 2219 )

4 but sought the God of his father and followed his commands rather than the practices of Israel

BARES The doings of Israel - i e the especially idolatrous doings of the time -the introduction and establishment of the worship of Baal and the groves

GILL But sought to the Lord God of his fathers Prayed to him worshipped and served him

and walked in his commandments observed and kept them moral ceremonial and judicial

and not after the doings of Israel who worshipped the golden calves at Dan and Bethel

JAMISO and not after the doings of Israelmdash He observed with scrupulous fidelity and employed his royal influence to support the divine institutions as enacted by Moses abhorring that spurious and unlawful calf-worship that now formed the established religion in Israel Being thus far removed alike from gross idolatry and Israelitish apostasy and adhering zealously to the requirements of the divine law the blessing of God rested on his government Ruling in the fear of God and for the good of his subjects ldquothe Lord established the kingdom in his handrdquo

COFFMA So far so good Jehoshaphat like some others of the kings of Judah began very well receiving as their reward the blessing of the Lord and the prosperity of the people but his alliance with Ahab (described in 2 Chronicles 18) would cast a dark shadow over what is written here

(He) walked not after the doings of Israel (2 Chronicles 174) The contempt in which the author of Chronicles held the orthern Israel appears in a clause like this The outstanding feature of Chronicles is the omission wherever possible of practically the entire history of their kings This reminds us of the Book of umbers in which the whole history of the apostate Israel records only a few events for the whole period Why It was because of the fact that what any nation does after they have rejected God is of minor importance

With the apostasy of the orthern Israel and their rejection of Gods choice of the house of David the history of the redemption of mankind dramatically shifted to what happened in Jerusalem

TRAPP 2 Chronicles 174 But sought to the [LORD] God of his father and walked in his commandments and not after the doings of Israel

Ver 4 And not after the doings of Israel] Who in his days did evil as they could under that nonsuch Ahab But Jehoshaphat was not corrupted with their ill neighbourhood

PARKER But sought to the Lord God of his father and walked in his commandments and not after the doings of Israel ( 2 Chronicles 174)

We must be prepared for singularity if we are genuinely prepared to be good Let a man settle it with himself in prayerful solitude whether he means to walk with God or to identify himself with the spirit and customs of his age Jehoshaphat laid down a clear programme for himself and followed it out with patient and faithful industry The Lord God of his father was not a mere term in a crowd it was the object of daily search and quest Jehoshaphat inquired for him and operated constantly upon the doctrine Ask and it shall be given you knock and it shall be opened unto you or was Jehoshaphats religion merely speculative that is to say an intellectual quest after an intellectual God whatever was speculative in the mind and service of Jehoshaphat was sustained and ennobled by a solid moral element

forasmuch as Jehoshaphat walked in Gods commandmentsmdashhe read the decalogue he studied Gods word he would take no action personal regal or social that was not first examined and approved in the light of the divine statutes All this might have been comparatively easy if Jehoshaphat had started at an independent point but at such a point no man can start for he must take up the age as he finds it and must first disembarrass himself from all the stipulations and claims of custom usage and popular superstition Jehoshaphat sought not after the doings of Israel he set himself up in this respect against the kingdom he was not afraid of peculiarity in a word Jehoshaphats religion was characteristic that is to say it had lines points and colours of its own about which there could be no reasonable mistake What is our religion Do we intellectually assent to the existence and sovereignty of one God and then degenerate into self-worship Do we admit that there must be an ultimate morality a philosophy of conduct founded upon eternal metaphysics and then do we measure our own behaviour by the canon of custom These are questions that search the heart and no man can answer them for his brother

What became of all this noble conduct arising out of this high religious conception We shall see in the following versemdash

PULPIT After the doings of Israel This expression probably marks the doings of the northern kingdom as both the more typical throughout its whole history of the wrong and also as the systematic beginning by a law of idolatrous worship and images in the matter of the calves and so on

5 The Lord established the kingdom under his control and all Judah brought gifts to Jehoshaphat so that he had great wealth and honor

BARES Presents - i e ldquofree-will offeringsrdquo in addition to the regular taxes See 1Sa_1027

GILL Therefore the Lord stablished the kingdom in his hand Piety is the

best prop of government the throne is best supported and established by truth righteousness and mercy by the exercise of these Jehoshaphat was settled in his kingdom and had a place in the hearts of his people

and all Judah brought to Jehoshaphat presents being well affected to him as well as it was usual so to do at a princes accession to the throne see 1Sa_1027

and he had riches and honour in abundance through the presents his subjects brought him and the respect they showed him

JAMISO all Judah brought presentsmdash This was customary with the people generally at the beginning of a reign (1Sa_1027) and with the nobles and high functionaries yearly afterwards They were given in the form of voluntary offerings to avoid the odious idea of a tax or tribute

KampD Therefore Jahve established the kingdom in his hand ie under his rule cf

2Ki_145 All Judah brought him presents מנחה often used of tribute of subject peoples

eg in 2Ch_1711 of the Philistines cannot here have that signification nor can it denote

the regular imposts of subjects for these are not called מנחה but must denote voluntary

gifts which his subjects brought him as a token of their reverence and love The last clause ldquoand there was to him (he attained) riches and honour in abundancerdquo which is repeated 2Ch_181 recalls 1Ch_2928 2Ch_112 and signifies that Jehoshaphat like his ancestors David and Solomon was blessed for walking in the pious ways of these his forefathers

BESO 2 Chronicles 175-6 Therefore the Lord established the kingdom in his hand mdash Those stand firm that have the presence of God with them If the beauty of the Lord our God be upon us that will stablish the work of our hands and establish us in our integrity And all Judah brought to Jehoshaphat presents mdash As subjects in those times and places used to do to their kings in token of their respect and subjection to them The more there is of true religion among a people the more conscientious loyalty there will be A governor that answers the end of government will be supported And he had riches and honour in abundance mdash The effect of the favour both of God and his people It is undoubtedly true though few will believe it that religion and piety are the best friends to outward prosperity And his heart was lift up in the ways of the Lord mdash Riches and honour in abundance prove to many a clog and a hinderance in the ways of the Lord an occasion of pride security and sensuality but they had a quite contrary effect upon Jehoshaphat his abundance was oil to the wheels of his obedience and the more he had of the wealth of this world the more cheerfully and resolutely he went on in the ways of the Lord His heart also was lifted up above all discouragements difficulties and fears by which menrsquos hearts are wont to be cast down He was valiant and resolute for God and his ways He took away the high places and groves mdash That is those in which idols were worshipped for those that were dedicated to the true God only were not taken away chap 2 Chronicles 2033 And though Asa had done the same before yet

either he did not do it thoroughly or the people who were mad upon their idols had secretly made new ones in the latter part of his reign when he grew more infirm in body and more remiss in Godrsquos cause

TRAPP 2 Chronicles 175 Therefore the LORD stablished the kingdom in his hand and all Judah brought to Jehoshaphat presents and he had riches and honour in abundance

Ver 5 And he had riches and honour in abundance] Herein he came near unto Solomon in his greatest flourish

ELLICOTT (5) ThereforemdashAnd (so ldquoalsordquo ldquoso thatrdquo in 2 Chronicles 177 2 Chronicles 1710)

The Lord stablished the kingdom in his handmdashComp 2 Kings 145

PresentsmdashMinchah This word often means tributary offerings as in 2 Chronicles 1711 but here it obviously denotes the voluntary gifts of loyal subjects usual at the beginning of a reign (1 Samuel 1027)

And he had (or got) riches and honour in abundancemdashLike David and Solomon (1 Chronicles 2928 2 Chronicles 112)

PARKER 5-9 5 Therefore the Lord stablished the kingdom in his hand [comp 2 Kings 145] and all Judah brought to Jehoshaphat presents [this word often means tributary offerings but here it denotes the voluntary gifts of loyal subjects] and he had riches and honour in abundance

6 And his heart was lifted up [usually the phrase has a bad meaning (as in Deuteronomy 814 2 Chronicles 2616 Psalm 1311 etc) but it is evident that it must be taken differently here The marginal reading is right his courage rose high or he grew bold] in the ways of the Lord moreover he took away the high places and groves out of Judah

7 Also in the third year of his reign he sent to his princes [rather he sent his princes] even to Ben-hail and to Obadiah and to Zechariah and to ethaneel and to Michaiah to teach in the cities of Judah

8 And with them he sent [rather were the] Levites even Shemaiah and ethaniah and Zebadiah and Asahel and Shemiramoth and Jehonathan and Adonijah and Tobijah and Tobadonijah Levites and with them Elishama and Jehoram priests

9 And they taught in Judah and had the book of the law of the Lord [the Pentateuchmdashnearly if not quite in the shape in which we now have it] with them and went about throughout all the cities of Judah and taught [among] the people

PARKER Therefore the Lord stablished the kingdom in his hand and all Judah brought to Jehoshaphat presents and he had riches and honour in abundance ( 2 Chronicles 175)

Whatever was doubtful about the ascent of Jehoshaphat to the throne was removed and the king was enabled to realise his power when he closed his hand upon the royal sceptre he found that he was not grasping a shadow but a reality There are times when men become fully conscious of their influence and of their proper social position happy are they if in this consciousness they detect a prevailingly religious element which constrains them to acknowledge that honour and wealth power and dignity are the gifts of God Is not this an anticipation of the Saviours great doctrinemdashSeek ye first the kingdom of God and his righteousness and all these things shall be added unto you Jehoshaphat did not seek riches and honour he sought to the Lord God of his father and walked in the divine commandments and as a result he enjoyed all that kings delight in as indicating strength and pomp renown and influence

GUZIK 2 (2 Chronicles 175-6) The blessing upon his reign

Therefore the LORD established the kingdom in his hand and all Judah gave presents to Jehoshaphat and he had riches and honor in abundance And his heart took delight in the ways of the LORD moreover he removed the high places and wooden images from Judah

a Therefore the LORD established the kingdom in his hand This was no small accomplishment In those days kings and kingdoms were fragile and under constant threat Yet if the descendants of David would seek God first He promised to take care of their security ndash and God makes the same promise to His people today (Matthew 633)

b All Judah gave presents to Jehoshaphat and he had riches and honor in abundance Because Jehoshaphat trusted God God lifted him up and exalted him as a king As his heart took delight in the ways of the LORD the LORD gave him the desires of his heart (Psalms 374)

c Moreover he removed the high places and wooden images from Judah 1 Kings 2243 says that Jehoshaphat did not remove the high places Adam Clarke explains ldquoIn 2 Chronicles 176 it is expressly said that he did take way the high places Allowing that the text is right in 2 Chronicles the two places may be easily recognized There were two kinds of high places in the land 1 Those used for idolatrous purposes 2 Those that were consecrated to God and were used before the temple was built The former he did take away the latter he did notrdquo

i ldquoThey may also witness to the deep hold of the Canaanite and syncretic forms of religion on ordinary Israelites Popular views and practices are often quite different from pronouncements by religious authoritiesrdquo (Selman)

PULPIT All Judah brought presents to Jehoshaphat These presents were of course voluntary gifts though like not a few others custom may have taken off from them something of the bloom of spontaneousness (1 Samuel 1027 2 Samuel 82 1 Kings 421 1 Kings 1025 Psalms 7210)

6 His heart was devoted to the ways of the Lord furthermore he removed the high places and the Asherah poles from Judah

BARES His heart was lifted up - This expression generally occurs in a bad sense Deu_814 2Ch_2616 Psa_1311 Pro_1812 but here it must be taken differently The margin ldquowas encouragedrdquo expresses fairly the true meaning He first began by setting an example of faithfulness to Yahweh He then proceeded to use his best endeavors to extirpate idolatry

He took away the high places - Compare 2Ch_2033 and see the 2Ch_1517 note

GILL And his heart was lifted up in the ways of the Lord It was engaged in them was bent and set upon them he walked in them with great pleasure and cheerfulness being inspired with zeal and courage he was fearless and intrepid and regarded not any opposition he might have or expect to have in the work of reformation in which he was concerned

moreover he took away the high places such as were dedicated to idols but not those in which the true God was worshipped 2Ch_2033

and groves out of Judah where idols were placed for though these had been removed by Asa yet had been renewed in the latter part of his days when more negligent of religion

HERY 2 He was a despised man (Job_176) ldquoHerdquo (that is Eliphaz so some or rather God whom he all along acknowledges to be the author of his calamities) ldquohas made me a byword of the people the talk of the country a laughing-stock to many a gazing-stock to all and aforetime (or to mens faces publicly) I was as a tabret that whoever chose might play uponrdquo They made ballads of him his name became a proverb it is so still As poor as Job ldquoHe has now made me a bywordrdquo a reproach of men whereas aforetime in my prosperity I was as a tabret deliciae humani generis -

the darling of the human race whom they were all pleased with It is common for those who were honoured in their wealth to be despised in their poverty

JAMISO his heart was lifted up in the ways of the Lordmdash Full of faith and piety he possessed zeal and courage to undertake the reformation of manners to suppress all the works and objects of idolatry (see on 2Ch_2033) and he held out public encouragement to the pure worship of God

KampD This blessing encouraged Jehoshaphat to extirpate from the land all

idolatrous worship and to teach the people the law of the Lord לב usually sensu ב

malo to be haughty proud cf eg 2Ch_2616 2Ch_3225 here sensu bono of rising

courage to advance in ways pleasing to God and he removed the high places also etc עודpoints back to 2Ch_173 not only did he himself keep far from the Baals but he

removed besides all memorials of the Baal-worship from Judah On מות and אשרים see

on 2Ch_142

COKE 2 Chronicles 176 And his heart was lifted upmdash And when he had elevated his mind in following the commandments of God he took yet from Judah high places and groves ie he destroyed yet other monuments of idolatry which had escaped the diligence of his father Asa though he took not away those high places and altars which had been erected in Jerusalem for the true God See 1 Kings 2243 and ch 1 Kings 2033 of this book

TRAPP 2 Chronicles 176 And his heart was lifted up in the ways of the LORD moreover he took away the high places and groves out of Judah

Ver 6 And his heart was lifted up] ot with pride as 2 Chronicles 3225 but with undaunted courage and disengaged zeal such as made him come off roundly and readily in the ensuing reformation he was more forward and forth putting than his father Asa not slothful in business but fervent in spirit serving the Lord

POOLE His heart was lifted up above all discouragements and difficulties and fears by which menrsquos hearts use to be cast down he was valiant and resolute for God and his ways

He took away the high places and groves to wit such only wherein idols were worshipped as appears by comparing this with 2 Chronicles 2033 And though Asa had done this before yet either he did not do it thoroughly or the Jews (who were many of them mad upon their idols) had secretly made new ones in the latter part of his reign when he grew more infirm in body and more remiss in Godrsquos cause

WHEDO 6 His heart was lifted up mdash That is exalted with holy faith and courage

Took away the high places mdash Yet in spite of all his efforts and successes in this matter the people had become so addicted to these practices that their destruction was not thoroughly secured See note on 2 Chronicles 143 and compare 2 Chronicles 2033

ELLICOTT (6) And his heart was lifted upmdashGabhah lccedilbh which usually like the phrase of Authorised version has a bad meaning as in 2 Chronicles 2616 The margin is right here ldquohis courage rose highrdquo or ldquohe grew boldrdquo in the ways of Jehovah ie in the path of religious reform Vulg ldquocum sumpsisset cor ejus audaciam propter vias Dominirdquo

MoreovermdashAnd again further Referring to 2 Chronicles 173 ot only did he not seek the Baals but more than this he removed the high places ampc [This is the common explanation But the sense may rather be ldquoAnd he again removedrdquo referring back to Asarsquos reforms 2 Chronicles 145]

GrovesmdashrsquoAshecircrim ldquoAsherahsrdquo (2 Chronicles 143)

PARKER And his heart was lifted up in the ways of the Lord moreover he took away the high places and groves out of Judah ( 2 Chronicles 176)

The expression his heart was lifted up is an awkward one The lifting up of the heart signifies increase of pride a sensation of vanity a desire to gratify personal ambition and to make an idol of his will In this instance the marginal reading is to be preferredmdashwas encouraged or otherwise his courage rose high and again it has been rendered Jehoshaphat grew bold that is to say he was not a timid reformer or a timid worshipper a trimmer or a time-server in any sense he was a heroic worshipper of the living God when he saw that reform was necessary he went forward with a steady step and an energetic hand We should call Jehoshaphat a man of conviction and a man who had the courage of his convictions altogether this is the outline of a noble personage a born king a man who has a right to the purple and the sceptre When such men ascend thrones nations should be glad and rejoice with a great joy for their character is grander than their office and their spirit is the best guarantee of the elevation and utility of their regal policy Becoming conscious of his power knowing that his kingdom was established from on high Jehoshaphat not only did pot seek the Baals himself but he took away the high places and groves out of Judah Jehoshaphat was not content with a merely personal religion he could not convert the hearts of his people but he could destroy all the symbols of unholy worship Men are only required to do that which lies within their power A proprietor may not be able to make people sober but he can forbid the introduction of temptations to drunkenness a parent may not be able to subdue the spirit of pride but he can in many instances limit the means of gratifying it There are reforms which are open to us all in personal custom in social habit it may be even in imperial ways let each Jehoshaphat seize his opportunity and magnify it

All this would have been comparatively in vain but for another step which

Jehoshaphat took In the third year of his reign he sent to his princesmdashthat is to say he sent his princesmdashand he sent Levites all of whose names are given and he sent also two priests Elishama and Jehoram and their business was purely educational

PULPIT And his heart was lifted up in the ways of the Lord Although the verb often carries a bad sense with it it quite as often carries with it a good one in the גבהOld Testament and the typical instance of the former (Psalms 1311) is fully counterbalanced by Isaiah 5213 The marginal was enencouraged may be superseded with advantage by took courage (Isaiah 4029-31) The groves Supersede this incorrect rendering by the Asherim and upon the seeming discrepancy see again Isaiah 151-9 17 and Introduction to Chronicles there quoted

7 In the third year of his reign he sent his officials Ben-Hail Obadiah Zechariah ethanel and Micaiah to teach in the towns of Judah

BARES The princes were not sent as teachers themselves but had the duty committed to them of seeing that the people were taught The actual teachers were the priests and Levites of 2Ch_178

CLARKE 7-9 To teach in the cities of Judah - ldquoTo teach the fear of the Lord in the cities of Judahrdquo - Targum

In these verses we find a remarkable account of an itinerant ministry established by Jehoshaphat and in this work he employed three classes of men

1 The princes

2 The Levites

3 The priests

We may presume that the princes instructed the people in the nature of the civil law and constitution of the kingdom the Levites instructed them in every thing that appertained to the temple service and ritual law and the priests instructed them in the

nature and design of the religion they professed Thus the nation became thoroughly instructed in their duty to God to the king and to each other They became therefore as one man and against a people thus united on such principles no enemy could be successful

GILL Also in the third year of his reign he sent to his princes That dwelt in the several parts of the kingdom or he sent them being with him some of the

principal men of his court for ל may be a sign of the accusative case as it sometimes is

even to Benhail and to Obadiah and to Zechariah and to Nethaneel and to Michaiah to teach in the cities of Judah to see that they were taught and oblige them to attend to the instructions that should be given them and not mutiny and rebel against their teachers and to let them know what was the kings pleasure on this head and to back with their authority the priests and Levites whose proper work it was to instruct and who therefore were sent with them as follows

JAMISO 7-11 2Ch_177-11 He sends Levites to teach in Judah

Also in the third year of his reign he sent to his princes to teach in the cities of Judahmdash The ordinary work of teaching devolved on the priests But extraordinary commissioners were appointed probably to ascertain whether the work had been done or neglected This deputation of five princes assisted by two priests and nine Levites was to make a circuit of the towns in Judah It is the first practical measure we read of as being adopted by any of the kings for the religious instruction of the people Time and unbroken opportunities were afforded for carrying out fully this excellent plan of home education for the kingdom enjoyed internal tranquillity as well as freedom for foreign wars It is conformable to the pious style of the sacred historian to trace this profound peace to the ldquofear of the Lord having fallen on all kingdoms of the lands that were round about Judahrdquo

BESO 2 Chronicles 177 He sent to his princes mdash to teach in the cities of Judah mdash To inform the people of their duty and of the kingrsquos pleasure As judges teach or instruct the people in the laws of the land when they deliver their charges upon the bench so did these princes in the kingrsquos name admonish and require the people to observe and obey the laws of God which were the municipal laws of that land the particular explication and enforcement whereof they left to the Levites and priests here following who were sent for this end and accordingly taught the people 2 Chronicles 179

COFFMA Because of the clause which we have capitalized this is one of the most important passages in Chronicles Right here is the reason radical critics have extended themselves so unreasonably in their efforts to discredit Chronicles Here is dependable historical proof of the continued existence of the Torah from the days of Moses throughout the history of Israel As Keil stated it The book of the law of Jehovah is the Pentateuch not merely a collection of Mosaic laws since in Jehoshaphats time the Mosaic Book of the Law (the Pentateuch) had been long in existence[1] We shall not take the space to repeat the vociferous denials of critics

except to cite one knee-jerk remark that characterizes all of them Such action was not taken in Jehoshaphats time[2] What is the basis of such a blatant denial of what Gods Word states as a fact even giving the very names of the royal princes who did the teaching THERE IS OE o matter what unbelievers say this chapter IS the historical record of what happened in the reign of Jehoshaphat and those who live two and one half millenniums afterward have nothing of value by which they may challenge it Then why do men deny it The false theories they have invented are here contradicted forcing them either to give up their false theories or to deny the Sacred Scriptures that contradict them

COKE 2 Chronicles 177 He sent to his princes even to Ben-hail ampcmdash He sent of his princes Ben-hail Obadiah ampc The proper business of these princes in their circuit round the kingdom says Bishop Patrick was to admonish and require the people to observe the laws of God and to leave the particular explication and enforcement of them to those of the sacred order who went with them supporting them in the execution of their office and obliging the people to receive them with respect to hear them with attention and to practise what they taught

TRAPP 2 Chronicles 177 Also in the third year of his reign he sent to his princes [even] to Benhail and to Obadiah and to Zechariah and to ethaneel and to Michaiah to teach in the cities of Judah

Ver 7 He sent to his princes to teach in the cities of Judah] Teaching princes there are not many such as were David Solomon George prince of Anhalt ampc but these were sent with the teaching Levites to countenance and bear them out in this visitation general and perhaps to punish the opposite and obstinate if any such Junius readeth the text thus He sent with his princes these Levites for the teaching Or the princes taught the people the law of the land the priests and Levites the law of God both did mutually help one another So a Danish king of this land made a law that at the general court of every shire the bishop of the diocese should accompany the sheriff that the one might countenance Godrsquos law the other manrsquos (a) Queen Elizabeth once in her progress through Suffolk observing that the justices of that county who came to meet her had every man his minister next to his body said she wondered not that that county was so well governed where she saw that the word and sword went so lovingly together (b)

POOLE To teach in the cities of Judah to inform the people of their duty and of the kingrsquos pleasure As judges or justices of peace teach or instruct the people in the laws of the land when they deliver their charges upon the bench so did these princes in the kingrsquos name admonish and require the people to observe and obey the laws of God which were the prinicipal laws of that land the particular explication and enforcement whereof they left to the Levites and priests here following who were sent for this end and accordingly taught the people 2 Chronicles 179

WHEDO 7 He sent to his princeshellip to teach mdash He committed the matter of

teaching to their oversight and care and the teaching was done by the Levites and priests as stated in the next verse He did well to put down idolatry but he was wise enough to know that unless the people were instructed they would soon apostatize again

ELLICOTT THE COMMISSIOERS OF PUBLIC ISTRUCTIO I THE LAW

(7) He sent to his princes even to Ben-hail to MichaiahmdashRather He sent his princes Ben- hail and Obadiah and Michaiah (The le ldquotordquo in the chroniclerrsquos idiom marking the object of the verb) If however Authorised Version were correct the construction would not be unique as the Speakerrsquos Com mentary asserts (Comp 2 Kings 57 ldquothis man sendeth to me to recover a manrdquo ampc)

Princesmdashone of the personages mentioned in this and the following verse are otherwise known The ldquofive princesrdquo were laymen of rank and were accompanied by nine (eight) Levites and two priests

Ben-hailmdashSon of valour A compound proper name only occurring here but analogous to Ben-hur Ben-deker and Ben-hesed in 1 Kings 48-10 (The LXX renders ldquothe sons of the mightyrdquo Syriac ldquothe chiefs of the forcesrdquo apparently reading bnecirc chail)

ethaneelmdashSyriac Mattanael Arabic Mattaniah Michaiah Syriac and Arabic Malachiah

GUZIK B The strength of Jehoshaphatrsquos kingdom

1 (2 Chronicles 177-10) The spiritual strength of the kingdom Jehoshaphat brings the Word of God to the people

Also in the third year of his reign he sent his leaders Ben-Hail Obadiah Zechariah ethanel and Michaiah to teach in the cities of Judah And with them he sent Levites Shemaiah ethaniah Zebadiah Asahel Shemiramoth Jehonathan Adonijah Tobijah and Tobadonijah the Levites and with them Elishama and Jehoram the priests So they taught in Judah and had the Book of the Law of the LORD with them they went throughout all the cities of Judah and taught the people And the fear of the LORD fell on all the kingdoms of the lands that were around Judah so that they did not make war against Jehoshaphat

a To teach in the cities of Judah These ldquoteaching priestsrdquo have been mentioned by the Chronicler before (2 Chronicles 153) They had the important role of bringing the word of God to the people especially those who lived outside of Jerusalem

b They taught in Judah and had the Book of the Law of the LORD with them they went throughout all the cities of Judah and taught the people This was the wisest

and best policy a security-conscious king of Judah could promote Because Jehoshaphat sought God first God sent fear upon the neighboring kingdoms so that they did not make war against Jehoshaphat

i ldquoBy this little band of princes Levites and priests sixteen in all Jehoshaphat did more toward impressing the surrounding nations with a sense of his power than the largest and best-equipped standing army could have secured to himrdquo (Knapp)

ii ldquoThe method adopted was what in these modern times we might describe as the holding of Special Missions throughout the cities of Judah for the specific purpose of proclaiming and interpreting lsquothe book of the law of Jehovahrsquordquo (Morgan)

iii ldquoo better service can be rendered to the nation than that of proclaiming the Word of Jehovah to the people in cities towns villages and hamlets By such proclamation the heart of the people may be turned to Jehovah and so He be enabled to do for them all that is in His heartrdquo (Morgan)

iv ldquoThus the nation became thoroughly instructed in their duty to God to the king and to each other They became therefore as one man and against a people thus united on such principles no enemy could be successfulrdquo (Clarke)

v Clarke observed how a similar itinerant ministry in the days of John Wesley and his followers impacted Britain ldquoSuch an itinerant ministry established in these kingdoms for upwards of fourscore years teaching the pure unadulterated doctrines of the Gospel with the propriety and necessity of obedience to the laws has been the principle means in the hand of God of preserving the lands from those convulsions and revolutions that have ruined and nearly dissolved the European continentrdquo

vi ldquoIt is said (2 Chronicles 172) Jehoshaphat place forces in all the fenced cities yet it is not said thereupon that lsquothe fear of the Lord fell upon the neighbour nationsrsquo But when he had established a preaching ministry in all the cities then his enemies had a fear and made no warrdquo (Trapp)

PULPIT He sent Hebrew שלח The Hebrew text distinctly says he sent to his princes not he sent his princes The meaning ismdashhe sent orders to his princes to see to it that Judah was taught (2 Chronicles 179) the book of the Law of the Lord (Le 2 Chronicles 1011 Deuteronomy 49 Deuteronomy 1718) not indeed without their own personal aid in whatever way able to be given but systematically and with authority by the Levites and priests (Deuteronomy 3310) This deeper fathoming of the needs of the time and of what constituted its real safety was greatly to the spiritual credit of Jehoshaphat The references (2 Chronicles 153 2 Chronicles 352-4 2 Chronicles 3510-12) are full of point one of these princes or Levites and priests are elsewhere mentioned by name

8 With them were certain LevitesmdashShemaiah ethaniah Zebadiah Asahel Shemiramoth Jehonathan Adonijah Tobijah and Tob-Adonijahmdashand the priests Elishama and Jehoram

GILL 2 Chronicles 178And with them he sent Levites With the five princes he sent nine Levites

even Shemaiah and Nethaniah and Zebadiah and Asahel and Shemiramoth and Jehonathan and Adonijah and Tobijah and Tobadonijah Levites of whom we nowhere else read no doubt they were principal persons and fit for the work they were sent about

and with them Elishama and Jehoram priests whose lips were to keep knowledge and at whose mouth the law was to be sought Mal_27

ELLICOTT (8) And with them he sent LevitesmdashRather And with them were the Levites The construction being changed So LXX and the Syriac (Comp 1 Chronicles 1641-42 1 Chronicles 1518 for the same mode of enumeration which is characteristic of the style of the chronicler

ZebadiahmdashSome MSS and Syriac and Arabic read Zechariah

ShemiramothmdashSo LXX and Vulg (see 1 Chronicles 165 1 Chronicles 1518) The Heb text is probably incorrect Syriac and Arabic read instead atucircra

Tob-adonijahmdashThis curious name occurs only here and is perhaps a mere mistake arising out of the preceding Adonijah and Tobijah The Syriac and Arabic omit it

PriestsmdashThe priests

The commission was a mixed one of civil and ecclesiastical persons (comp 1 Chronicles 131-2 1 Chronicles 232 1 Chronicles 246)

And had the book of the law of the LordmdashAnd with them was the book of the law (teaching) of Jehovah For the construction compare 1 Chronicles 1642 The writer

evidently means the Pentateuch and if this notice was derived by him from a contemporary source eg the ldquowords of Jehu the son of Hananirdquo to which he refers as an authority for the reign (2 Chronicles 2034) it would constitute an important testimony to the existence if not of the five books at least of an ancient collection of laws at this early date (circ 850 BC )

And taught the peoplemdashTaught among the people

9 They taught throughout Judah taking with them the Book of the Law of the Lord they went around to all the towns of Judah and taught the people

BARES There is no reasonable doubt that this ldquobook of the lawrdquo was the Pentateuch - nearly if not quite in the shape in which we now have it Copies of the whole Law were no doubt scarce and therefore Jehoshaphatrsquos commission took care to carry a copy with them

CLARKE Had the book of the law of the Lord with them - This was their text book it was the book of God they taught it as such and as such the people received it Its laws were Godrsquos laws and the people felt their obligation and their consciences were bound Thus they were obedient to the laws of the land on the principle of religion In this they were encouraged and confirmed by the example of all both in Church and state The princes were not only pious but were teachers of piety the Levites showed them the worth and excellence of their ritual institutions and the priests showed them the moral use they were to make of the whole and thus the people became obedient to God as well as to the king and kept all the civil ordinances not merely for the sake of a good king but for the sake of a good and gracious God By these means the nation enjoyed peace and prosperity and all insurrections seditions and popular commotions were prevented The surrounding nations perceiving this saw that there was no hope of subduing such a people so they made no war with Jehoshaphat 2Ch_1710 And they took care not to provoke such a people to fall on them therefore it is said The fear of the Lord fell on all the kingdoms and lands that were round about Judah Such an itinerant ministry established in these kingdoms for upwards of fourscore years

teaching the pure unadulterated doctrines of the Gospel with the propriety and necessity of obedience to the laws has been the principal means in the hand of God of preserving these lands from those convulsions and revolutions that have ruined and nearly dissolved the European continent The itinerant ministry to which this refers is that which was established in these lands by the late truly reverend highly learned and cultivated deeply pious and loyal John Wesley AM formerly a fellow of Lincoln College Oxford whose followers are known by the name of Methodists a people who are an honor to their country and a blessing to the government under which they live

GILL And they taught in Judah The people their duty to God and man

and had the book of the law of the Lord with them as the rule of their instruction and the peoples obedience out of this they taught them and by it confirmed what they taught and enforced it with the divine authority

and went about throughout all the cities of Judah not only their own cities the Levitical ones but all others

and taught the people the law of the Lord the fear and worship of God

JAMISO the book of the lawmdash that is either the whole Pentateuch or only the book of Deuteronomy which contains an abridgment of it

BESO 2 Chronicles 179 And they taught in Judah ampc mdash The Levites and priests were teachers by office Deuteronomy 3310 It was a part of the work for which they had their maintenance and indeed had little else to do But it seems they had neglected it pretending probably that they could not get the people to hear them Jehoshaphat therefore sends them with the princes who by their authority might require the people to assemble together to receive instruction in the laws of God and their duty ldquoWhat a great deal of goodrdquo says Henry ldquomay be done when Moses and Aaron thus go hand in hand in the doing of it when princes with their power and priests and Levites with their Scripture-learning agree to teach the people the good knowledge of God and their duty These itinerant judges and itinerant preachers together were instrumental to diffuse a blessed light throughout the cities of Judahrdquo And had the book of the law of the Lord with them mdash 1st For their own guidance that from thence they might draw all the instructions they gave to the people and not teach for doctrines the commandments of men 2d For the conviction or the people that they might see these priests and Levites had a divine warrant for what they said and delivered to them only that which they had received from the Lord

TRAPP 2 Chronicles 179 And they taught in Judah and [had] the book of the law of the LORD with them and went about throughout all the cities of Judah and taught the people

Ver 9 And had the book of the law of the Lord with them] They taught not

traditions human inventions or unwritten verities All their doctrines came cum privilegio and were Scripture proof

WHEDO 9 The book of the law mdash Our Pentateuch in substantially its present form ldquoCopies of the whole law were no doubt scarce and therefore Jehoshaphatrsquos commission took care to carry a copy with themrdquo mdash Rawlinson

PARKER And they taught in Judah and had the book of the law of the Lord with them and went about throughout all the cities of Judah and taught the people ( 2 Chronicles 179)

This was a mixed commission partly civil partly ecclesiastical The men here mentioned are otherwise unknown We identify them as educational reformers or reformers who operated through the medium of education they were not warriors destroyers revolutionists but men who addressed the mind and the understanding and the conscience and caused men to know that the true law was from above and not from beneath The book which the commission had in hand was the Pentateuch or the law of Moses This was known to be the law which alone could touch all the vital necessities of the commonwealth Again and again we are constrained to admit that there is a law beyond Prayer of Manasseh above Prayer of Manasseh in a sense apart from man men are not driven within themselves to find a law an instinct or a reason they have a written statute an authoritative declaration a book which Christian teachers do not hesitate to describe as a Revelation and to that they call the attention of men If the teacher were teaching out of his own consciousness he would be but an equal often exposing himself to the destructive criticism of his more advanced and penetrating scholars but the teacher takes his stand upon a book upon the Book the Bible a revelation which he believes to be divine and final Say what we will the effect of Bible teaching must be judged by its fruits Where are the nations that are most distinguished for wide and varied intelligence for large and exhaustive sympathy for missionary enterprise for philanthropic institutions and for all the elements which give grace and beauty to social existence The question should admit of definite reply the facts are before men let them judge fearlessly and honestly and we need have no apprehension concerning their verdict Wherever the word of the Lord has had free course superstition has been chased away human slavery has been abolished every instance of intolerance injustice unkindness has felt the influence of holy thought in all these matters discussion should be limited strictly to facts Thus kings can help nations not by forcing education not by attempting to rule opinion not by setting up standards of orthodoxy to fall short of which is to incur penalty but by spreading education by extending light by cultivating a spirit of inquiry and by a generous multiplication of all the instrumentalities needed for the destruction of ignorance What may come of this we are not supposed at this moment to know Meanwhile let us be thankful that we are face to face with a man who has conviction courage independence high patriotic and generous impulse and let us hope that his end may be as beautiful as his beginning was promising

SIMEO THE ROYAL EDICT

ADVERTISEMETmdashThe author feels it necessary to prefix to this Sermon some short account of the occasion on which it was delivered

The author was at Amsterdam (in June 1818) partly with a view of re-establishing there an Episcopal Chapel in which there had been no service for seven years but principally with a view of seeking the welfare of the Children of Israel He went thither rather to explore than to act (See ehemiah 212-16) But just previous to the 18th of June he understood that the Third Anniversary of the Battle of Waterloo was to be kept throughout the etherlands as a day of thanksgiving and just at that time also he quite accidentally heard that the King of the etherlands had a year before issued an Edict requiring all the Jews to educate their children in the knowledge of their own Scriptures and calling upon all his Christian Subjects to aid in this good work Despondency not unlike to that which paralyzed all exertion at Jerusalem in ehemiahrsquos days so universally prevailed that no one had risen to the occasion the very Commissioners who had been appointed to carry the Edict into effect had published a Report in which they gave it as their opinion ldquothat the Lordrsquos time was not comerdquo and there was great danger that the gracious designs of the Monarch would be altogether frustrated The author therefore judged this a fit occasion for calling the attention of the Public to the Edict and accordingly after devoting the Morning Service to the more appropriate subject of the day he employed the Evening Service in an endeavour to forward this good work Considerable attention was excited to the subject by means of the Sermon which was therefore instantly printed in Dutch French and English for the purpose of its being circulated throughout the etherlands and he has reason to hope that active exertions were afterwards made in many places to promote what every benevolent mind must ardently desire the edification and welfare of the Jewish People

So good an example having been set by the Emperor of Russia and the King of the etherlands the author hopes that the attention of our own Governors also both in Church and State may be called to this long-neglected People and that now the British Public has been invited by authority (the Kingrsquos Letter) to aid in supporting Missions to the Heathen World the claims of the Jewish ation to whom under God we owe all the light that we ourselves enjoy will not be overlooked It is with a view to this great object that the author sends forth the Sermon in this country where if the foregoing explanation had not been given its relevancy and use might have been justly called in question

2 Chronicles 179 And they taught in Judah and had the book of the law of the Lord with them and went about throughout all the cities of Judah and taught the people

O a day set apart for thanksgiving to God for mercies received it is peculiarly proper to consider what we may render unto the Lord for all his benefits Certainly if any event ever deserved repeated annual commemoration it is that which has

freed the world from the most grievous tyranny that ever it endured Of the bitter cup which was put into the hands of every nation in Europe this nation [ote The etherlands] drank very deeply and the change which it has experienced in the restoration of their rightful Monarch and in the establishment of a free Constitution calls for their devoutest acknowledgments to Almighty God Doubtless we may with justice pay some tribute of honour to those who by their counsels and their arms effected the overthrow of the Usurper but it is God alone who giveth victory to kings and to whom the glory of this great victory must be primarily ascribed and he who accounts a day consecrated to this service superfluous shews that he is far from justly appreciating the blessings that have been conferred upon him The monarch himself has given to his people a very decided evidence that he feels the depth of his obligations to the God of his salvation and it will be your own loss if you do not cultivate a similar spirit and improve the occasion to the honour of your God

But it is not to thanksgiving only that your Monarch invites you he calls you by a special Edict to unite with him in seeking the welfare of your Jewish Brethren who in their struggle with the enemy signally approved their fidelity to their legitimate Sovereign Their welfare he in his turn studies to promote and he desires to combine the energies of all his subjects in efforts for their good Methinks he is like Jehoshaphat of old who well knowing that piety must be founded in knowledge and happiness in piety sent forth the Princes of his empire with a select number of Priests and Levites to instruct his people in the knowledge of Godrsquos blessed word

His edict on this occasion and the manner in which it was carried into effect will form the subject of my present discourse

I Then we notice the edict of King Jehoshaphatmdash

This was such as became a great and pious monarch and we shall find it not unprofitable or unsuitable to the present occasion to enter into a distinct consideration of it We observe then that it was a kind and benevolent edict a wise and politic edict a good and beneficial edict

Mark the benevolence displayed in it He sought the present and eternal welfare of his subjects He knew that as men are raised above the beasts by the exercise of reason so are they elevated in the scale of rational beings in proportion as their intellectual powers are cultivated and enlarged Man destitute of knowledge is a mere savage but when instructed in the various branches of science he becomes refined and civilized and capable of contributing to the general good In the very cultivation of knowledge there is much pleasure arising to the mind and in the application of that knowledge to useful purposes there is an exquisite delight We need only observe persons when employed in their several vocations how happy they are how contented how cheerful oftentimes unconsciously proclaiming their happiness like the birds of the air in festal songs or consciously and with devotion in songs of praise

But it was not mere intellectual improvement which Jehoshaphat sought to convey he wished his people to be instructed in the knowledge of that God whom they professed to fear and worship This alone could make them truly happy this alone could impart to them sound wisdom or solid consolation He therefore gave particular directions that they should be taught ldquoin the Book of the Law of the Lordrdquo and this throughout the whole land O happy people whose governor so employed the authority with which he was invested And happy that monarch who so improved his influence not for his own personal aggrandizement but for the best interests of the people committed to his charge In so doing he approved himself to be indeed what every governor should be the friend and father of his people

or was the policy of this measure at all inferior to its benevolence A people well instructed in moral and religious knowledge will view government as an ordinance of God and will learn to obey the constituted authorities not so much from fear of their wrath as for conscience sake towards God They will view their governors as Godrsquos vicegerents upon earth and will consider allegiance to them as an essential part of their duty to him Hence will spring up love in their hearts and a real delight in manifesting on all proper occasions their loyalty to their king they will form a bulwark around his person in case of necessity and even glory in laying down their lives for him as their greatest benefactor

The benefits arising from this edict were incalculable Such was the effect of it that the fear of Jehoshaphat and of Jehovah as his protector fell on all the nations that were round about him so that none however hostile in their hearts dared to make war against him [ote ver 10] Doubtless this resulted chiefly from an impression made upon their minds by God himself yet it was also produced by a dread of that energy which an united people were ready to put forth at any instant at the call of their beloved monarch At the same time that peace was thus secured prosperity reigned in every part of the empire and as the immediate fruit of it Jehoshaphat as well as the people ldquohad riches and honour in abundance [ote ver 5]rdquo In his own mind too he reaped the fruits of his own benevolence God smiled upon him and manifested himself to him and enabled him to walk with ldquohis heart lifted up in the ways of the Lord [ote ver 6]rdquo

Such was the edict of the pious Jehoshaphatmdashbenevolent politic beneficial And what I would ask is the Edict which has been issued by the highest authority in this kingdom Do we not see in it the same blessed characters as in that which we have been considering It was ldquoin the third year of his reign [ote ver 7]rdquo that Jehoshaphat sent forth teachers to enlighten and instruct his subjects The very instant he felt himself at liberty from the more urgent and pressing calls of duty (such as the fortifying of his land against foreign enemies and the correcting of some great internal abuses) he engaged in this good work of diffusing light and knowledge through all classes of the community In like manner the sovereign of this kingdom has scarcely had time to repair the ravages of war and to establish his empire too long weakened and impoverished by a cruel usurpation before he stands forth as the friend and father of his people and more especially of that portion of them who have in every age and place been most treated with neglect and

disdain to have them educated in scriptural knowledge and in the fear of God It is much to be lamented that the Jewish people have not in general been so attentive either to the learning or morals of their children as might be wished and hence arose a necessity for some authoritative admonition on the subject Yet if I may say it without offence this neglect has not been more reprehensible in them than has been the indifference with which the Christian world has regarded it The monarch (may God recompense it richly into his bosom) has risen up to remedy the supineness both of the one and the other and to call forth the united energies of all to correct and terminate this evil Yet whilst he thus consults the best interests of his subjects with what paternal tenderness has he guarded against wounding the feelings of any or exciting their religious prejudices The Scriptures of the Old Testament are alone to be used in the schools that shall be established even those Scriptures which Jews as well as Christians believe to have been given by inspiration of God and to contain truth without any mixture of error In this is marked the policy no less than the benevolence of the edict for it is not by constraint but by conciliation and kindness that good is to be done to any and more especially to those who have shewn themselves now for so many centuries proof against all the efforts of intimidation or force In this kingdom they form no small body and I may add no unimportant portion of the community It is well known how extensive is their influence in the affairs of commerce and how by their activity they contribute to enrich the state Hence it is now generally seen and felt that they are entitled to the same respect as any other subjects of the realm and whilst as in the present instance they see how deeply their monarch feels interested in their welfare they cannot but on their part be sensible of the privileges they enjoy under his paternal government and testify their gratitude to him by every possible expression of loyalty and affection

What the ultimate effect of these measures will be may be conjectured from the blessed results of the edict of Jehoshaphat all will feel themselves happy under the government of such a prince and he whilst he is respected abroad and beloved at home will have the happiness of seeing his labours crowned with prosperity throughout his dominions and with peace in his own soul

II The manner in which Jehoshaphatrsquos edict was carried into execution is now to be noticedmdash

The promptness with which his commands were executed deserves the highest praise All were ready to co-operate in this good work as soon as it was proposed ldquoPrinces and priests and Levites [ote ver 7 8]rdquo all addressed themselves to it instantly with one heart and one soul one accounted their dignity so high or their functions so sacred but they thought it an honour to be employed in such a service and found a delight in fulfilling the wishes of their revered monarch all entered into the work with zeal and prosecuted it with diligence and hence a rapid change was effected both in the temporal and spiritual condition of the whole nation And what may not be effected in this kingdom also if a similar zeal be exercised by ldquothe princes and priestsrdquo (the magistrates and clergy) of the land With them it must begin Those who move in a lower station can effect nothing if they be not aided and

countenanced by the higher orders whose rank in life or sacredness of character will give a tone to the general feeling and combine the energies of the whole kingdom If it be said that those for whom the benefit is designed do not feel a desire after it this only shews how much they need it and how earnestly we should all embark in a cause proposed by such high authority and recommended by the soundest dictates of wisdom and piety

That our obligations to unite in this labour of love may the more distinctly appear I would beg leave to suggest the following considerations

First Loyalty to the king demands our concurrence with him in this good work and a holy emulation amongst us to carry into effect his benevolent designs What can the greatest or best of men effect (what could Jehoshaphat himself have done) if there be none to act in subserviency to them and to follow their directions As the most potent monarch upon earth would in vain proclaim war if there were no soldiers found to enlist under his banners and to execute his commands so it will be in vain that the design of benefiting the Jewish people was ever conceived in the mind of the king or that his edict respecting them was ever issued if his subjects do not put forth their energies in obedience to his call In truth a backwardness to co-operate with him in this blessed work would seem like a reflection cast upon him as recommending a measure that was unworthy of attention I do not mean to insinuate that such an idea really exists in the minds of any for I am perfectly convinced it does not but certainly in appearance it is open to this construction and every subject of the empire is concerned to act in such a way as to cut off all occasion for a reflection like this I say loyalty alone even if we had no higher motive should be sufficient to call forth our exertions in this cause

But let me next observe that gratitude to the Jewish nation demands it at our hands How great how manifold are our obligations to them Behold Moses and the prophets what instruction have they given us in reference to the way of life and salvation Without the moral law as revealed by Moses we should never have known to what an extent we need a Saviour nor if the prophecies had not so fully designated the promised Messiah could we have ever so fully known that Jesus was the Christ Of whom did the Lord Jesus Christ himself come as pertaining to the flesh but from the loins of David and of the seed of Abraham Yet to him are we indebted for all that we either have or hope for in time or in eternity And who were the Apostles but Jews who for our sakes went forth preaching the word and counted not their lives dear to them so that they might but lead us to the knowledge of Christ and make us partakers of his salvation From them too we have received the lively oracles which are the one source of all spiritual knowledge and the one foundation of all our hopes Does all this call for no recompence at our hands Knowing as we do the vast importance of education should we not endeavour to impart it to those from whose ancestors we have received such innumerable such inestimable benefits Yet behold these are the people whom for many many centuries we have treated with more neglect and contempt than any other people upon the face of the earth the savages of the most distant climes have received more attention from us than they Surely it is high time that the Christian world awake to

a sense of their duty and begin to shew to the Jews somewhat of that love which their forefathers exercised towards us in our Gentile state We are debtors to them to a vast amount and it is high time that we begin to discharge our debt And how can we discharge it better than by enabling them to read and understand those very oracles which they have preserved with such fidelity and which testify so fully of their promised Messiah

Further A love to the rising generation should lead us to avail ourselves of the present opportunity to promote their welfaremdashIt is truly afflictive to see how low and degraded is the state of multitudes especially of the Jewish nation purely through the neglect with which they are treated in their early youth and still more grievous is it to reflect on their ignorance of those things which belong to their everlasting peace To counteract this we should endeavour to qualify the whole of their population for good and useful employments and through the medium of useful instruction to make them holy and to make them happy We need never be afraid that there will not be a sufficient number of poor to fill the lower stations do what we will there will never be wanting persons who through their own fault or misfortunes are necessitated to undertake the lowest offices of life And if they have been previously instructed in the Scriptures of Truth they will have a fund of consolation ever open to them in their deepest afflictions they will learn from the inspired volume in whatsoever state they are there-with to be content and in the prospect of the eternal world they will find joys with which a stranger intermeddleth not and which the world can neither give nor take away We feel the force of these considerations in reference to the poor of our own communion how is it that we feel it not in reference to our Jewish Brethren This is a partiality unworthy of us and we should rise as one man to wipe off this disgrace from our own character

This brings me to the last consideration which I propose to mention namely that a concern for the honour of our holy religion should operate to unite us all in executing the Royal EdictmdashWhat must a Jew think of our religion when he sees how little it has wrought for us in the production of love We may tell him of a Messiah who has loved us and laid down his life for us but what credit will he give us for our principles when he sees how little our practice corresponds with them May he not well say to us ldquoPhysician heal thyselfrdquo Shew by your conduct the superiority of your principles before you call on me to embrace them It is by love that we must win them it is by shewing kindness to them that we must efface from their hearts those prejudices which with too much reason they entertain against us We must exhibit in our own person the loveliness of Christianity before we can bring them to investigate the grounds of our faith or to imagine that they can improve their own condition by embracing it May I not then call upon you as Christians to unite in the good work that is now before you that you may thereby serve and glorify your Lord and Saviour As Christians you believe that there is no other way to the Father but by Christ [ote John 146] and no other name but his whereby any human being can be saved [ote Acts 412] Where is your piety where is your love to Christ where is even common humanity if you will not avail yourselves of the present opportunity to remove from before your Jewish Brethren

the stumbling-blocks which for so many ages have been laid in their way

Do any ask What shall we do I answer search out amongst the Jews some persons of probity and talent to commence schools among them and do you yourselves aid to the utmost of your power in the support of them provide them with all necessary books for instructing children in the first rudiments of knowledge provide them with Bibles also both in the Dutch and Hebrew languages that they may be thoroughly instructed in the knowledge of their own religion and learn to walk in the steps of their father Abraham and of all the holy prophets

Begin too without loss of time Adult Schools You will find many among the house of Israel who will be glad to avail themselves of your instructions Let those who are benevolent amongst you dedicate an hour in a day to the instructing of a few who may be desirous to learn and carefully avoid every thing which may give unnecessary offence Confine yourselves to the Old Testament which they venerate as well as you Let those who can teach only in the Dutch language give instruction in that and let those who either understand or have leisure to attain the Hebrew tongue draw their attention to that In particular let it be the united endeavour of all to qualify masters for this good work

And let it not be thought that this is the duty of men only The Royal Edict has particularly and with great wisdom recommended it to females who may be of infinite service in conveying instruction to their own sex This age is distinguished above all others for the activity of females in the service of God and in the performance of every good work Were I able to declare the proportion of good that is done in Britain by the female sex it would appear incredible I believe from my soul that it far exceeds one half in all the societies raised since the commencement of the present century in the Bible Society the Missionary Societies and the Society for Promoting the Knowledge of Christianity amongst the Jews yes let the ladies of this country exert themselves in a prudent modest and discreet way and the effects will soon appear the Royal Edict will not be a dead letter but will produce incalculable good to the whole nationmdashand the agents in this benevolent work will themselves receive quite as much benefit as they impart their benevolence being in proportion as it is exercised its own reward

10 The fear of the Lord fell on all the kingdoms of the lands surrounding Judah so that they did not go to war against Jehoshaphat

GILL And the fear of the Lord fell upon all the kingdoms of the lands that were round about Judah Upon the ten tribes and on foreign nations about them as Moabites Edomites Syrians Egyptians Arabs and Philistines this fear as it came from the Lord so might be raised and increased by observing that religion was revived in them for they might perceive by former observations made that the more religious these people were the more prosperous and formidable they were

so that they made no war against Jehoshaphat to interrupt him in the work of reformation he was so intent upon

HERY We have here a further account of Jehoshaphats great prosperity and the flourishing state of his kingdom

I He had good interest in the neighbouring princes and nations Though he was not perhaps so great a soldier as David (which might have made him their terror) nor so great a scholar as Solomon (which might have made him their oracle) yet the fear of the Lord fell so upon them (that is God so influenced and governed their spirits) that they had all a reverence for him 2Ch_1710 And 1 None of them made war against himGods good providence so ordered it that while the princes and priests were instructing and reforming the country none of his neighbours gave him any molestations to take him off from that good work Thus when Jacob and his sons were going to worship at Bethel the terror of God was upon the neighbouring cities that they did not pursue after them Gen_355 and see Exo_3424 2 Many of them brought presents to him (2Ch_1711) to secure his friendship Perhaps these were a tribute imposed upon them by Asa who made himself master of the cities of the Philistines and the tents of the Arabians 2Ch_1414 2Ch_1415 With the 7700 rams and the same number of he-goats which the Arabians brought there was probably a proportionable number of ewes and lambs she-goats and kids

KampD This attempt of Jehoshaphat brought him this blessing that the terror of Jahve fell upon all the surrounding kingdoms and not only did none of the neighbouring peoples venture to make war upon him but also various tribes did homage to him by presents Ramb has already so understood the connection of these verses (erat hoc praemium pietatis Josaphati quod vicini satisque potentes hostes non auderent adversus ipsum hiscere) while Berth fails to apprehend it saying that Jehoshaphat had time to care for the instruction of his people because at that time the neighbouring peoples did not venture to undertake war against Judah The words ldquoterror of Jahverdquo cf 2Ch_1413 2Ch_2029 and ldquoall the kingdoms of the landsrdquo cf 2Ch_128 1Ch_2930 are expressions peculiar to the author of the Chronicle which show that by these remarks he is preparing the way for a transition to a more detailed

portrayal of Jehoshaphats political power מן־(לש)ים is subject מן partitive some of the

Philistines brought him presents (for מנחה see on 2Ch_175) ldquoand silver a burdenrdquo ie

in great quantity מא does not signify tribute vectigal argento (Vulg) for the word has

not that signification but denotes burden that which can be carried as in מא לאן

2Ch_2025 - 2Ch_2116 2Ch_221 ערבים 2Ch_267 and more usually ערב-ים or ערביאים

are Arabian nomadic tribes (Bedacircwin) perhaps those whom Asa after his victory over the Cushite Zerah had brought under the kingdom of Judah 2Ch_1414 These paid

their tribute in small cattle rams and he-goats (ישים( Gen_3035 Gen_3215 Pro_

3031)

BESO 2 Chronicles 1710 The fear of the Lord fell upon all the kingdoms ampc mdash Justly concluding from his singular piety that God would eminently appear for him for even the heathen could not but observe that the kings of Judah were either prosperous or unhappy according as they served God or forsook him So that they made no war against Jehoshaphat mdash Godrsquos good providence so ordered it that while the princes and priests were instructing and endeavouring to reform the country none of his neighbours gave him any molestation to take him off from that good work

COFFMA All of this peace and prosperity were directly due to the respect which Jehoshaphat had shown to the Law of God and to his efforts to teach that word to all the people It is no problem that much of the material here is omitted in Kings because the primary focus there was political whereas in Chronicles the focus is upon the spiritual and religious significance of the same history

TRAPP 2 Chronicles 1710 And the fear of the LORD fell upon all the kingdoms of the lands that [were] round about Judah so that they made no war against Jehoshaphat

Ver 10 And the fear of the Lord fell upon all the kingdoms] It is said [2 Chronicles 172] Jehoshaphat placed forces in all the fenced cities yet it is not said thereupon that the fear of the Lord fell upon the neighbour nations But when he had established a preaching ministry in all the cities then his enemies had a fear and made no war

POOLE Justly concluding from this singular piety that God would eminently appear for him and against all those who had ill will to him which was their case For even the heathens could not but observe that the kings of Judah were either prosperous or unhappy accordingly as they served God or forsook him

ELLICOTT (10) The fear of the LordmdashA dread of Jehovah (pachad) aps 2029 (Comp Exodus 1516 1 Samuel 117 Isaiah 210 ) This phrase is not peculiar to the chronicler as Keil and Bertheau assert ldquoThe kingdoms of the landsrdquo is so (2 Chronicles 128 1 Chronicles 2930)

They made no warmdashThe reward of Jehosha-phatrsquos piety (1 Chronicles 229

Proverbs 167) ldquoWhen a manrsquos ways please the Lord he maketh even his enemies to be at peace with himrdquo (Comp also Genesis 355)

11 Some Philistines brought Jehoshaphat gifts and silver as tribute and the Arabs brought him flocks seven thousand seven hundred rams and seven thousand seven hundred goats

BARES Some of the Philistines brought Jehoshaphat presents - i e ldquosome of the Philistines were among his tributariesrdquo Compare 2Sa_82 1Ki_421

Tribute silver - Or ldquomuch silverrdquo - literally ldquosilver of burthenrdquo

The Arabians - The Arab tribes who bordered Judaea to the south and the southeast paid Jehoshaphat a fixed tribute in kind Compare 2Ki_34 note

CLARKE The Philistines brought - presents - They and the Arabians purchased peace with the king of Judah by paying an annual tribute The Philistines brought silver and no doubt different kinds of merchandise The Arabs whose riches consisted in cattle brought him flocks in great abundance principally rams and he-goats

GILL Also some of the Philistines brought Jehoshaphat presents and tribute silver Perhaps those of Gerar and the parts adjacent Asa took and spoiled and made tributary 2Ch_1414

and the Arabians brought him flocks seven thousand and seven hundred rams and seven thousand and seven hundred he goats with which their country abounded and these might be the Scenite Arabs who fearing lest Jehoshaphat should fall upon them and take away their flocks as his father had done 2Ch_1415 brought these presents to him

JAMISO Also some of the Philistines brought Jehoshaphat presents and tribute silvermdash either they had been his tributaries or they were desirous of securing his valuable friendship and now made a voluntary offer of tribute Perhaps

they were the Philistines who had submitted to the yoke of David (2Sa_81 Psa_608)

the Arabiansmdash the nomad tribes on the south of the Dead Sea who seeking the protection of Jehoshaphat after his conquest of Edom paid their tribute in the way most suitable to their pastoral habits - the present of so many head of cattle

BESO 2 Chronicles 1711 Some of the Philistines brought presents mdash They had been subject to Judah ever since Davidrsquos time but it seems had neglected this duty in the times of his predecessors but were now moved by their own fears to perform it And the Arabians brought him flocks mdash Either because he had upon some just occasion waged war against them and subdued them or because they voluntarily put themselves under his protection in recompense whereof they sent him these presents or only as a free acknowledgment of their respect for him

TRAPP 2 Chronicles 1711 Also [some] of the Philistines brought Jehoshaphat presents and tribute silver and the Arabians brought him flocks seven thousand and seven hundred rams and seven thousand and seven hundred he goats

Ver 11 Also some of the Philistines] These having been subdued by David had withheld their tribute for a time but now seeing Jehoshaphatrsquos growing greatness they bring it in with the better that no offence might be taken at their former neglect The word here used signifieth honorary gifts or oblations pacifications

ldquo Placatur donis Iupiter ipse datis rdquo

Think the same of the Arabians See 2 Chronicles 1414-15

POOLE Some of the Philistines who had been subjects to this kingdom ever since Davidrsquos time but it seems had neglected this duty in the times of his predecessors but now were moved by their own fears to perform it

The Arabians brought him flocks either because he had upon some just occasion waged war against them and subdued them though the particulars of it be not described in Scripture or because they voluntarily put themselves under his protection in recompence whereof they sent him those presents or only as a free acknowledgment of their respects to him

ELLICOTT (11) Broughtmdashie continually Such is the force of the participle

PresentsmdashAn offering ie tribute (minchah 2 Chronicles 175)

And tribute silvermdashRather and silver a load or burden ie a great quantity (massacircrsquo) 2 Chronicles 2025 As if ldquosilver as much as they could carryrdquomdasha natural hyperbole ot all the five states of the Philistines were subject to Jehoshaphat (Comp 2 Samuel 81)

The ArabiansmdashlsquoArbicircrsquoim here only equivalent to lsquoArbicircyicircm (2 Chronicles 267) and

lsquoArbim (2 Chronicles 2116) They are in each case grouped with the Philistines The nomad Bedacircwin conquered by Asa (2 Chronicles 1415) appear to be meant here or else some tribes which recognised the overlordship of Jehoshaphat after his reduction of Edom (2 Chronicles 2022 sqq)

Brought him flocksmdashComp Mesha of Moabrsquos tribute to Ahab (2 Kings 34)

GUZIK 2 (2 Chronicles 1711-19) The international strength of Jehoshaphatrsquos kingdom

Also some of the Philistines brought Jehoshaphat presents and silver as tribute and the Arabians brought him flocks seven thousand seven hundred rams and seven thousand seven hundred male goats So Jehoshaphat became increasingly powerful and he built fortresses and storage cities in Judah He had much property in the cities of Judah and the men of war mighty men of valor were in Jerusalem These are their numbers according to their fathersrsquo houses Of Judah the captains of thousands Adnah the captain and with him three hundred thousand mighty men of valor and next to him was Jehohanan the captain and with him two hundred and eighty thousand and next to him was Amasiah the son of Zichri who willingly offered himself to the LORD and with him two hundred thousand mighty men of valor Of Benjamin Eliada a mighty man of valor and with him two hundred thousand men armed with bow and shield and next to him was Jehozabad and with him one hundred and eighty thousand prepared for war These served the king besides those the king put in the fortified cities throughout all Judah

a Some of the Philistines brought Jehoshaphat presents and silver as tribute and the Arabians brought him flocks Jehoshaphatrsquos commitment to personal and public godliness meant that God exalted his kingdom above the neighboring nations even as God promised in Deuteronomy 281-13

b These served the king The true treasure of Jehoshaphatrsquos kingdom was not numbered only in security or material things but also in the dedicated and courageous men he had surrounding him these mighty men of valor

i Amasiah the son of Zichri who willingly offered himself to the LORD ldquoAmasiah is a man of whom we do not know anything beyond this ndash he lsquowillingly offered himself unto the Lordrsquo There must have been a turning-point in his career a time when first he knew the grace of God which wrought such a change in him There must have been a waking up to the feeling that God deserved his love and his liferdquo (Spurgeon)

ii Amasiah was a ready servant of the Lord this particularly notable because he did it in an otherwise secular calling

middot o one had to press him into service

middot o one had to seek him out for service

middot o one had to look after him once he had begun serving

middot o one had to lead him

iii ldquoThere is no lawful occupation in which a man cannot thoroughly serve the Lord It is a great privilege and blessing to be set apart to the work of winning souls but we must never separate that work from all the rest of the callings of life as though it alone were sacred and all the rest were secular and almost sinful Serve God where you arerdquo (Spurgeon)

PULPIT The presents were probably enough in the nature of tribute the fixed rate of which is sometimes alluded to (1 Kings 421 1 Kings 1025 2 Samuel 82) but it is doubtful whether the word משא purports to say this The word means bearing or carrying and then a burden load or weight The expression (2 Chronicles 2025) more than they could carry away where this word is used favours the idea that the meaning here is silver of great weight Probably the moral significance and historical interest whether of this statement respecting the Philistines or the following respecting the Arabians lies in the fact that both of them brought without more ado their payments and did not seek to slip out of their engagements with Judah and Judahs king ote for confirmation of this view 2 Kings 34 2 Kings 35

12 Jehoshaphat became more and more powerful he built forts and store cities in Judah

GILL And Jehoshaphat waxed great exceedingly In wealth and riches power and authority in his forces and fortifications

and he built in Judah castles and cities of stores castles for the defence of his kingdom and store cities to lay up corn and wine and all provisions in case of an invasion or against a time of war

HERY II He had a very considerable stores laid up in the cities of Judah He pulled down his barns and built larger (2Ch_1712) castles and cities of store for arms and victuals He was a man of business and aimed at the public good in all his

undertakings either to preserve the peace or prepare for war

JAMISO 2Ch_1712-19 His greatness captains and armies

KampD Description of Jehoshaphats power - 2Ch_1712 And Jehoshaphat became

ever greater sc in power The partic הולך expresses the continuous advance in

greatness cf Ew sect280 b as the infin absol does elsewhere eg Gen_83 למעלה as עד

in 2Ch_1612 - He built castles in Judah ירנ-ות only here and in 2Ch_274 from ירנית

derivative formed from ירה by the Syriac termination נית- fem of ן- castle fortress On

מסנות cf 2Ch_84 ערי

TRAPP 2 Chronicles 1712 And Jehoshaphat waxed great exceedingly and he built in Judah castles and cities of store

Ver 12 And Jehoshaphat waxed great exceedingly] Heb He was going and growing By humility and the fear of the Lord are riches and honour and life [Proverbs 224]

And he built in Judah castles] Bironeoth πυργους turres So did the Burgundians and thence had their names

And cities of store] Granaries in the Hebrew they have their name from their utility or usefulness

ELLICOTT (12) And Jehoshaphat waxed greatmdashLiterally And Jehoshaphat was going on and waxing great ie became greater and greater (Comp 1 Chronicles 119)

ExceedinglymdashlsquoAd lĕmagraversquolah This phrase occurs again in 2 Chronicles 1612 2 Chronicles 268 and nowhere else in the Old Testament (See on 1 Chronicles 142)

And he builtmdashLike his predecessorsmdashSolomon Rehoboam Asamdashhe displayed his wealth and power in great public works The records of the Assyrian and Babylonian sovereigns are largely taken up with similar accounts of temple and palace building

CastlesmdashBiranicircyocircth a derivative from birah (1 Chronicles 291 1 Chronicles 2919 comp Syriac here birocircthocirc) It only recurs at 2 Chronicles 274 It is an Aramaic term (Comp bicircranyacircthacirc which in the Targums means ldquopalacesrdquo)

Cities of storesmdashComp 2 Chronicles 84 2 Chronicles 164 Exodus 111

PULPIT Castles This rendering better than palaces (margin) wound bear improving to the rather stronger word fortresses Hebrew בירניות found only here and in 2 Chronicles 274 plur of בירנית connected with the Chaldee and later Hebrew בירה of Ezra 62 ehemiah 11 Esther 12 Daniel 82 Cities of store (see note under 2 Chronicles 84 see also 1 Kings 919 Exodus 111)

13 and had large supplies in the towns of Judah He also kept experienced fighting men in Jerusalem

CLARKE He hadmuch business in the cities - He kept the people constantly employed they had wages for their work and by their labors the empire was both enriched and strengthened

GILL And he had much business in the cities of Judah Partly in fortifying them and partly in reforming the inhabitants of them

and the men of war mighty men of valour were in Jerusalem or by or near unto it so the particle is rendered Jos_513 they encamped in places adjacent to it for such a number of men as follows even 1160000 could never be contained in Jerusalem but must be disposed of in the territories of it nor did they wait on the king together but in course see 2Ch_1719 by which it appears there is no need to suppose any mistake of the transcriber in any or all of the following sums as has been suggested (q)

HERY 13-19 III He had the militia in good order It was never in better since David modelled it Five lord-lieutenants (if I may so call them) are here named with the numbers of those under their command (the serviceable men that were fit for war in their respective districts) three in Judah and two in Benjamin It is said of one of these great commanders Amasiah that he willingly offered himself unto the Lord (2Ch_1716) not only to the king to serve him in this post but to the Lord to glorify him in it He was the most eminent among them for religion he accepted the place not for the

honour or power or profit of it but for conscience sake towards God that he might serve his country It was usual for great generals then to offer of their spoils to the Lord 1Ch_2626 But this good man offered himself first to the Lord and then his dedicated things The number of the soldiers under these five generals amounts to 1160000 men a vast number for so small a compass of ground as Judahs and Benjamins lot to furnish out and maintain Abijah could bring into the field but 400000 (2Ch_133) Asa not 600000 (2Ch_148) yet Jehoshaphat has at command almost 1200000 But it must be considered 1 That God had promised to make the seed of Abraham like the sand of the sea for number 2 There had now been a long peace 3 We may suppose that the city of Jerusalem was very much enlarged 4 Many had come over to them from the kingdom of Israel (2Ch_1519) which would increase the numbers of the people 5 Jehoshaphat was under a special blessing of God which made his affairs to prosper greatly The armies we may suppose were dispersed all the country over and each man resided for the most part on his own estate but they appeared often to be mustered and trained and were ready at call whenever there was occasion The commanders waited on the king (2Ch_1719) as officers of his court privy-counsellors and ministers of state

But lastly observe It was not this formidable army that struck a terror upon the neighbouring nations that restrained them from attempting any thing against Israel or obliged them to pay tribute but the fear of God which fell upon them when Jehoshaphat reformed his country and set up a preaching ministry in it 2Ch_1710 The ordinances of God are more the strength and safety of a kingdom than its military force - its men of God more than its men of war

KampD 2Ch_1713

וגווגווגווגו רהרהרהרה is rightly translated by Luther ldquound hatte viel Vorrathsrdquo (and ומלעכהומלעכהומלעכהומלעכה

had much store) מלעכהמלעכהמלעכהמלעכה denotes here as in Exo_227-10 property that which has been gained by work or business The signification much work opera magna (Vulg Cler etc) as also Bertheaus translation ldquothe works for equipping and provisioning the fortressesrdquo correspond neither to the context nor to the parallel (synonymous) second member of the verse The work and trouble necessary to equip the cities of Judah does not correspond to ldquothe valiant warriors in Jerusalemrdquo the only parallel is the goods and property which were in these cities the provision of victuals and war material there stored up

BESO 2 Chronicles 1713 He had much business in the cities of Judah mdash To repair and fortify them and furnish them with provisions and to purge out all the relics of idolatry and injustice which were more secretly and craftily managed in the cities than in the country and which were first and most prevalent in the cities and thence spread their infection into the country around them

TRAPP 2 Chronicles 1713 And he had much business in the cities of Judah and the men of war mighty men of valour [were] in Jerusalem

Ver 13 And he had much business] Eργα πολλα (a) Many works going forward at

once a negotious man he was His business say some lay in beautifying and fortifying those cities Augustus gloried at his death that whereas he had found Rome built with brick he had left it made of marble

And the men of war hellip were in Jerusalem] These were his Praetorian forces his Praesidiaries were up and down in the various cities

POOLE He had much business in the cities of Judah partly to repair and fortify them and furnish them with all necessary provisions and partly to purge out all the relies and seeds of idolatry and injustice which were more secretly and subtlely managed in the cities than in the country and which were first and most in the cities and thence spread their infection into the country about them See Jeremiah 228

ELLICOTT (13) BusinessmdashRather much goods or stores literally work (mĕlacirckacirch) and then produce The Hebrew word is so used in Exodus 227 Exodus 2210 (ldquoHis neighbourrsquos goodsrdquo) Stores of provisions and war material seem to be intended (Comp 2 Chronicles 1111)

And the man of war were in JerusalemmdashRather and (he had) men of war in Jerusalem

In Jerusalemmdashot the entire army corps whose numbers are given in 2 Chronicles 1714-18 but simply their chiefs

PULPIT Much business Hebrew מלאכה The meaning of the word is service labour bestowed and the verse reads And there was to him much labour in the cities of Judah and men of war mighty men of valour in Jerusalem ie He bestoweth much pains on the cities of Judah and had etc The word were Authorized Version italics is incorrectly inserted The former half of this verse would better constitute the end of 2 Chronicles 1712 Keil however maintains the rendering substance property for מלאכה (Exodus 227 Exodus 2210)

14 Their enrollment by families was as followsFrom Judah commanders of units of 1000Adnah the commander with 300000 fighting men

BARES The captains of thousands Adnah the chief - literally ldquoprinces of thousands Adnah the princerdquo The writer does not mean that Adnah (or Johohanan 2Ch_1715) was in any way superior to the other ldquoprincesrdquo but only that he was one of them

Three hundred thousand - This number and those which follow in 2Ch_1715-18 have been with good reason regarded as corrupt by most critics For

(1) They imply a minimum population of 1480 to the square mile which is more than three times greater than that of any country in the known world (circa 1880rsquos)

(2) they produce a total just double that of the next largest estimate of the military force of Judah the 580 000 of 2Ch_148

(3) they are professedly a statement not of the whole military force but of the force maintained at Jerusalem (2Ch_1713 compare 2Ch_1719)

It is probable that the original numbers have been lost and that the loss was suppplied by a scribe who took 2Ch_148 as his basis

CLARKE Adnah the chief - He was generalissimo of all this host These are the numbers of the five battalions under Adnah three hundred thousand Jehohanan two hundred and eighty thousand Amasiah two hundred thousand Eliada two hundred thousand Jehozabad one hundred and eighty thousand in all one million one hundred and sixty thousand

GILL And these are the numbers of them according to the house of their fathers Both of the tribe of Judah and of Benjamin and first

of Judah the captains of thousands some had 1000 men under them and some one hundred

Adnah the chief he was the principal commander or general of them

and with him mighty men of valour three hundred thousand such a number was under his command

JAMISO these are the numbersmdash The warriors were arranged in the army according to their fathers houses The army of Jehoshaphat commanded by five great generals and consisting of five unequal divisions comprised one million one hundred and sixty thousand men without including those who garrisoned the fortresses No monarch since the time of Solomon equaled Jehoshaphat in the extent of his revenue in the strength of his fortifications and in the number of his troops

KampD 2Ch_1714-16

The men fit for war passed in review according to their fathers-houses The male population of Judah fell into three divisions that of Benjamin into two The prince

Adnah held the first place among the generals with 300000 men of Judah ידו at his על

hand ie with and under him Jehohanan had the command of 280000 men and

Amasiah over 200000 השר is a contraction for אלפים For what special reason it is so שר

honourably recorded of Amasiah that he had willingly offered himself to the Lord (cf for

Jdg_59) has not been communicated התנב

COFFMA his represented a standing army of 1160000 men besides the garrisons in the fortified cities and this goes a long way to explaining why the Arabians and the Philistines brought tribute to Jehoshaphat In ancient times as in our own day peace frequently depended upon the strength of those who desired it

We should ignore the screams of exaggeration[3] which mark the writings of radical critics Pagan rulers of that era reported even larger armies than this and until the critics can prove that those were exaggerated reports they should let these alone Besides that we have already noted that the very word from which thousand is translated is disputed as to its exact meaning

COKE 2 Chronicles 1714 And these are the numbers of themmdash That is of the soldiers as well as of those who were employed in the kings works in the several cities ampc which he built See 2 Chronicles 1719

REFLECTIOSmdash1st Jehoshaphat no sooner comes to the throne than we see the dawnings of a glorious reign

1 He strengthened his kingdom by placing strong garrisons in the cities of Judah and those which his father had recovered from Israel and prepared against that danger which Ahabs growing power seemed to threaten

2 Religion was his great concern He copied after the best of his predecessors in their best days such as were the first of David before the matter of Uriah and the numbering of the people had blotted his fair copy Faithful to the worship of God he abhorred all idols the law of God was his rule of duty and Israels apostacy rendered his fidelity more singular and exemplary Inspired with holy zeal his heart with delight and sincerity was engaged for God and no difficulties deterred him from the path of duty The idols and groves which in the declining days of Asa might have been set up again he utterly destroyed with all the high places where they still offered sacrifices to these abominations ote (1) In the fairest human pattern there will be found imperfections but there is a Son of David more than man who has set us a spotless example that we should follow his steps (2) Fidelity in Gods service is the stability of a nation (3) A lively soul on wings of faith and love mounts up to God rises superior to every difficulty and looks down upon every thing besides his favour as altogether vanity

3 He not only removed the temptations to sin but took care to instruct the people in

the path of duty Ignorance of Gods law had greatly prevailed and to oblige them merely to conform to his reformation without grounding them on the true foundation of Gods word promised little stability The Levites and priests therefore are sent in progress through the cities of Judah with the book of the law to explain and enforce the commandments of God and several princes accompanied them in order to engage the people to hear them and give countenance to these preachers by their weight and influence ote (1) It is a blessed thing when princes countenance faithful ministers Though they cannot make men true converts their example and authority will induce them to attend (2) They who are sent to teach must see that they take the pure word of God along with them A true preacher wishes for nothing in his hand but his Bible (3) Religion is a reasonable service Conviction alone not compulsion or education can make a man a christian

4 The blessing of God attended his labours The Lord was with him or as the Targum generally expresses it the word of the Lord the divine Logos to whom all things are committed strengthened him in his labours and established his kingdom The people charmed with his government liberally sent their presents to him and abounding in riches and honour his heart far from being intoxicated by prosperity was lifted up in greater love and thankfulness to the gracious giver ote (1) God often here rewards piety with prosperity (2) Worldly comforts are then truly blessings when as the steps of Jacobs ladder they raise our hearts to heaven

2nd Like the light of the morning which shineth more and more so did Jehoshaphats glory increase

1 Feared by his enemies as beloved by his subjects the neighbouring princes did not offer to molest him while those of Philistia and Arabia courted his favour either by a voluntary present or exact payment of the tribute which Asa had imposed on them see 2 Chronicles 1711 God had put an awe upon them of the majesty of his king in Zion ote God hath access to the spirits of men and by secret yet irresistible influence can bow them to his sovereign will

2 His military preparations greatly advanced While he reformed the people he fortified their ramparts and built new castles and store-cities strengthening them within and without against their enemies Under five chief officers an immense army was enlisted Probably all the able men in the country were enrolled and regularly mustered though not drawn out except in case of necessity and this may easily account for the greatness of their number if we consider also the long peace they had enjoyed the accession of Israelites to them and especially the blessing of Abraham which no doubt was eminently fulfilled Amasiah one of the officers is mentioned with an honourable mark of distinction as a volunteer who served for the glory of God not for the sake of pay Such patriots are scarce

TRAPP 2 Chronicles 1714 And these [are] the numbers of them according to the house of their fathers Of Judah the captains of thousands Adnah the chief and

with him mighty men of valour three hundred thousand

Ver 14 Three hundred thousand] These were under his command and at hand to come whensoever the king would

WHEDO 14 Three hundred thousand mdash The numbers in this verse and the four verses following are generally regarded as corrupt ldquoThey implyrdquo observes the writer last quoted ldquoa minimum population of 1480 to the square mile which is more than three times greater than that of any country in the known world It is probable that the original numbers have been lost and the loss supplied by a scribe who took 2 Chronicles 148 as his basis

ELLICOTT Verse 14 (14) And these their fathersmdashAnd this is their muster (or census) according to their father-houses (clans) 1 Chronicles 243 The warriors were marshalled in the army according to clans so that men of the same stock fought side by side with their kindred Perhaps in the original document this heading was followed by a much more detailed scheme of names and divisions than that which the text presents

Of JudahmdashTo Judah (belonged) captains of thousands viz the three enumerated in 2 Chronicles 1714-16 Adnah Jehohanan and Amasiah They were the principal officers or generals of the entire forces of Judah

Adnah the chiefmdashTo wit the captain Adnah That Adnah was commander-in-chief is implied by his being named first and his corps being the largest

PULPIT This verse with the following four gives us the names of five captains chiefs princes or military officers for the kingdoms service with the numbers of the troops they severally commanded The numbers of them (see note under 1 Chronicles 2311) Hebrew פקדתם The better English rendering to carry at once the signification would be The muster of them etc The captains hellip the chief In both cases the Hebrew is the familiar word for prince ( שר ) in the former without article in the latter with article The numbers of this and following four verses are not only absolutely unreliable but in themselves impossible According to the house of their fathers ie the quotation is drawn from an army catalogue arranged carefully by fathers houses (umbers 118 umbers 122 etc)

15 next Jehohanan the commander with 280000

GILL And next to him was Jehohanan the captain Being of the same rank as to office but having a lesser number of men under him and it may respect not any kind of subordination only nearness of place as the Targumhe that encamped next to him

and with him two hundred and fourscore thousand which number was but 20000 less than the former

POOLE ext to him either

1 After his death as his successor in the same command And the like is supposed concerning Jehozabad 2 Chronicles 1718 Or rather

2 ext to him in place and authority or at least in power and the numbers of his host

16 next Amasiah son of Zikri who volunteered himself for the service of the Lord with 200000

GILL And next him was Amasiah the son of Zichri He encamped next to him as the Targum

who willingly offered himself unto the Lord to fight the Lords battles and without any stipend as some think or as Kimchi he offered gold and silver to the treasures of the house of the Lord

and with him two hundred thousand mighty men of valour the number was 80000 less than the former the whole of Judah amounted to 780000 men

TRAPP 2 Chronicles 1716 And next him [was] Amasiah the son of Zichri who willingly offered himself unto the LORD and with him two hundred thousand mighty men of valour

Ver 16 Who willingly offered himself unto the Lord] He was a votary the vows of God were upon him and this made him the more valiant and resolute (a) in the exercise of arms for the service of God and the safety of his people The Spahis among the Turks are a sort of horsemen voluntaries and votaries to gain paradise by dying for the Mohammedan cause These are never known to return home but

with victory these are heavy upon the enemy For

ldquo Vincitur haud gratis iugulo qui provocat ensem rdquo

POOLE As volunteers and auxiliaries to be ready upon occasion as the service of God and the king should require Possibly these or most of them were the strangers which had come out of Israel into the kingdom of Judah in Asarsquos days and probably since that in his time

ELLICOTT (16) AmasiahmdashIah carrieth (Isaiah 4011) different from Amaziah (Iah is strong)

Who willingly offered himself unto the Lordmdash(Judges 52 Judges 59) An allusion to some noble act of self-devotion which was doubtless more fully recorded in the source from which the chronicler has drawn this brief account Such allusions though no longer intelligible are important as conducing to the proof of the historical value of the narratives in which they occur LXX ὁ προθυmicroούmicroενος τῷ κυρίῳ Vulg consecratus Domino

PULPIT Amaziah the son of Zichri This man is not titled at all The description of him as one who had willingly offered himself unto the Lord not elucidated by the context or any effective parallel will mark something honorable in his history Possibly he comes from an unexpected quarter and is a man of approved skill othing further is known of these three men Meantime it has been suggested (Professor Dr J Murphy of Belfast Handbook to Chronicles ) that the first of the three was for Judah proper the second for that contingent of Judah that hailed from Dan and the Philistines and the third for that of Simeon and the Arabs

MACLARE This is a scrap from the catalogue of Jehoshaphatrsquos lsquomighty men of valourrsquo and is Amasiahrsquos sole record We see him for a moment and hear his eulogium and then oblivion swallows him up We do not know what it was that he did to earn it But what a fate to live to all generations by that one sentence

I Cheerful self-surrender the secret of all religion

The words of our text contain a metaphor naturally drawn from the sacrificial system It comes so easily to us that we scarcely recognise the metaphorical element but the clear recognition of it gives great additional energy to the words Amasiah was both sacrificer and sacrifice His offering was self-immolation As in all love so in that noblest kind of it which clasps God its perfect expression is lsquoI give Thee my living loving selfrsquo Nor is it only sacrifice and sacrificer that are seen in deepest truth in the experience of the Christian life but the reality of the Temple is also there for lsquoYe also are built up a spiritual house to be a holy priesthood to offer up spiritual sacrificesrsquo Only when God dwells in us shall we have the nerve and the firmness of hand to take the knife and lsquoslay before the Lordrsquo the awful Guest in the sanctuary within the most precious of the children of our spirits

The essence of the sacrifice of self is the sacrifice of will In the Christian experience

lsquowillingly offeredrsquo is almost tautology for unwilling offerings are a contradiction and in fact there are no such things The quality of unwillingness destroys the character of the offering and robs it of all sacredness Reluctant Christianity is not Christianity That noun and that adjective can never be buckled together

The submission of will and the consequent surrender of myself and my powers opportunities and possessions so that I do all enjoy all use all and when need is endure all with glad thankful reference to God is only possible to me in the measure in which my will is made flexible by love and such will-subduing love comes only when we lsquoknow and believe the love that God hath to usrsquo There is the point at which not a few moral and religious teachers go wrong and bewilder themselves and their disciples There too is the point at which Christ and the Gospel of salvation through faith in Him stand forth as emancipating humanity from the dreary round of efforts and vain attempts to work up the condition needful for achieving the height of self-surrender which is seen to be indispensable to all true nobleness of living but is felt to be beyond the reach of the ordinary man There too is the point at which many good people mar their lives as Christians They waste their strength in trying to bring the jibbing horse up to the leap They try to blow up a fire of devotion and to make themselves priests to offer themselves but all the while the mutinous self recoils from the leap and the fire burns smokily and their sacrifice is laid on the altar with little joy because they have not been careful and wise enough to begin at the beginning and to follow Godrsquos way of melting their wills by love the reflection of the Infinite love of God to them Godrsquos priests offer themselves because they offer their wills they offer their wills because they love God they love God because they know that God loves them That is the divine order It is vain to try to accomplish the end by any other

II This willing offering hallows all life

No syllable is left to tell us what Amasiah did to win this praise Probably the words enshrine some now forgotten memory of his cheerful courage some heroic feat on an unrecorded battlefield Particulars are not given nor needed Specific actions are unimportant the spirit of a life can be told with very incomplete details and it not the details is the important thing Sometimes as in many modern biographies one lsquocannot see the wood for the treesrsquo and misses the main drift and aim of a life in the chaos of a bewildering mass of nothings How much more happy the lot of this man of whom we have only the generalised expression of the text unweighted and undisturbed by petty incidents It takes tons of rose leaves to make a tiny phial of otto of roses but the fragrance is far more pungent in a drop of the distillation than in armfuls of leaves Every life shrinks into very small compass and the centuries do not tolerate long biographies Shall we not seek to order our life so that Amasiahrsquos epitaph may serve for us It will be blessed if this-and nothing else-is known about us that we lsquowillingly offered ourselves to the Lordrsquo My friend will that be a true epitome of your life

III This willing offering is accepted by God

We may hear a mightier voice behind the chroniclerrsquo s and the judgment of the Judge of all pronounced by His lips It matters little what men say of one another but it matters everything what God says of us We are but too apt to forget that He is now saying something as to each of us and that we have not to wait for death to put a final period to our activities before our lives become fit subjects for Godrsquos judgment Moment by moment we are writing our own sentences But while it is good for us to remember the continuous judgment of God on each deed it is not good to let dark thoughts of the principles of that judgment paralyse our activity or chill our confidence in His forgiving and accepting mercy There is often a dark suspicion like that of the one-talented

servant which blackens Godrsquos fair fame as being lsquoan austere Manrsquo making demands rather than imparting power and the effect of such an ugly conception of Him is to cut the nerve of service and bury the talent carefully folded up it may be but none the less earning nothing lsquoIf we call on Him as Father who without respect of persons judgeth according to every manrsquos workrsquo let us be sure that it will be a Fatherly judgment that He will pass upon us and our offerings There is a wonderful collection on His altar of what many people would think rubbish just as many a mother has laid away among her treasures some worthless article which her child had once given her-a weed plucked by the roadside in a long past summer day some trifle of rare preciousness in the childrsquos eyes and of none in any others than her own She opens her drawer and brings out the poor little thing and her eyes fill and her heart fills as she looks And does not God keep His childrenrsquos gifts as lovingly and set them in places of honour in the day when He lsquomakes up His jewelsrsquo There are cups of cold water and widowsrsquo mites and much else that a supercilious world would call lsquotrashrsquo stored there Thank God He accepts imperfect service faltering faith partial consecration a little love Even our poor offering may be an lsquoodour of a sweet smellrsquo ministering fragrance that is a delight to Him if it is offered with the much incense of the great Sacrifice and through the mediation of the great High Priest

The world forgot Amasiah or never knew him an obscure soldier in an obscure kingdom but God did not forget and here is his epitaph and this is his memorial to all generations Menrsquos chronicles have no room for all the names that their wearers are eager to have inscribed on their crumbling and crowded pages lsquobut the Lambrsquos Book of Lifersquo has ample space on its radiant pages for all who desire to set their names there and if ours are there we need not envy the proudest whose titles and deeds fill the most conspicuous pages in the worldrsquos records lsquoThen shall every man have praise of Christrsquo and he who wins that guerdon needs nothing more and can have nothing more to swell his blessedness

17 From BenjaminEliada a valiant soldier with 200000 men armed with bows and shields

GILL And of Benjamin Eliada a mighty man of valour Was the chief commander

and with armed men with bow and shield two hundred thousand which were

the armour of the tribe of Benjamin they were best skilled in 2Ch_148

TRAPP 2 Chronicles 1717 And of Benjamin Eliada a mighty man of valour and with him armed men with bow and shield two hundred thousand

Ver 17 With bow and shield] The Benjamites were notable bowmen [1 Chronicles 122] The Engish were anciently so too

ELLICOTT (17) Armed men with bow and shieldmdashLiterally drawing bow and shield ie as the Targum explains ldquodrawing bow and grasping shieldsrdquo (Comp 1 Chronicles 122) LXX ldquoArchers and peltastsrdquo Vulg ldquoGrasping bow and shieldrdquo (Comp also 1 Chronicles 840 for the arms of the Benjaminites)

18 next Jehozabad with 180000 men armed for battle

GILL And next to him was Jehozabad According to the Targum he encamped next him

and with him one hundred and fourscore thousand ready prepared for war being able bodied men well disciplined valiant and well armed these numbers of Judah and Benjamin put together amount to 1160000 men whereas Asa only brought into the field 580000 but it should be considered there had been a long time of peace many had come off from the ten tribes to Judah and the promise of multiplying the seed of Abraham was eminently fulfilled

TRAPP 2 Chronicles 1718 And next him [was] Jehozabad and with him an hundred and fourscore thousand ready prepared for the war

Ver 18 A hundred and fourscore thousand] His militia was eleven hundred and threescore thousand besides what he had in garrisons [2 Chronicles 1719] So that as he was better he was stronger than his father Asa had been Piety hath prosperity

ELLICOTT (18) Ready prepared for the warmdashEquipped for service (See on 1

Chronicles 1223-24 umbers 315 umbers 3229) The hoplites or heavy-armed infantry are probably meant

PULPIT While Eliada of last verse was for Benjamin Professor Dr Murphy supposes that Jehozabad was for the annexed part of Ephraim But no suppositions of this kind can avail to explain the numbers in the text which is no doubt corrupt

19 These were the men who served the king besides those he stationed in the fortified cities throughout Judah

CLARKE These waited on the king - They were disposable forces always at the kingrsquos command and were independent of those by which the cities of Judah were garrisoned

There is not a sovereign in Europe or in the world but might read this chapter with advantage

1 It shows most forcibly that true religion is the basis of the state and that wherever it prospers there the state prospers

2 It shows also that it is the wisdom of kings to encourage religion with all their power and influence for if the hearts of the subjects be not bound and influenced by true religion vain is the application of laws fines imprisonments or corporal punishment of any kind

3 A religious nation is ever a great nation it is loved by its friends it is dreaded by its enemies

4 It is ever a peaceable and united nation the blessings of religion and a wholesome and paternal government are so fully felt and prized that all find it their interest to preserve and defend them Harmony peace piety and strength are the stability of such times May Britain know and value them

GILL These waited on the king Not this vast number of men at one time but in course as Davids military men waited on him 1Ch_271 or each of these captains with a proper number of men under them detached from the body and they were all ready to obey the kings orders whenever he should have occasion for them

besides those whom the king put into the fenced cities throughout Judah and all together the militia of the kingdom was very numerous and formidable

KampD 2Ch_1719

These were serving the king א6ה refers not to the above-mentioned men capable of

bearing arms for sheereet is not used of service in war but to the commanders whom he had placed in the fortified cities of all Judah ldquoin which probably bodies of the above-mentioned troops lay as garrisonsrdquo (Berth)

BESO 2 Chronicles 1719 These waited on the king mdash These above-mentioned were the trained bands or auxiliaries whose chief officers waited on the king to receive his commands and to raise and bring in all or part of their forces to the service of the king as need required A vast number for so small a compass of ground to furnish out and maintain But we may consider that God had promised to make the seed of Abraham like the sand of the sea for number that there had now been a long peace that many were come to them from the kingdom of Israel and that Jehoshaphat was under a special blessing of God They were doubtless dispersed all the country over every one residing on his own land only they were ready at call whenever there was occasion

TRAPP 2 Chronicles 1719 These waited on the king beside [those] whom the king put in the fenced cities throughout all Judah

Ver 19 These waited on the king] ie In their turns and by course

POOLE These above mentioned were the trained bands or auxiliaries whose chief officers waited upon the king to receive his commands and to raise and bring in all or part of their forces to the service of the king and kingdom as need required

ELLICOTT (19) These waited on the kingmdashRather these are they that ministered unto the king viz the five generals above named

Beside those whom the king put in the fenced citiesmdashie the commandants of the fortresses of the kingdom (2 Chronicles 1111 2 Chronicles 1123) These latter as well as the generals of the forces are called the kingrsquos ldquoministersrdquo (mĕshacircrĕthicircm)mdasha word which is not used of service in the field but implies their presence at court (ldquoin Jerusalemrdquo 2 Chronicles 1713 as the royal staff)

According to the above list the army of Jehoshaphat was organised in five grand divisions corresponding perhaps to five territorial divisions of the southern kingdom The totals are the largest assigned to the two tribes anywhere in the Old Testament viz Judah 780000 and Benjamin 380000 in all 1160000 At Davidrsquos census Judah had 500000 warriors (2 Samuel 249) and Israel 800000 Again in 2

Chronicles 148 Asarsquos army consists of 300000 men of Judah and 280000 Benjaminites clearly such an increase as our text indicates is unaccountable At the same time it is equally clear that the present numbers are not fortuitous results of clerical errors for they follow each other in the order of relative strength Judah 300000 280000 200000 Benjamin 200000 180000 and they are evidently not independent of the estimates of 2 Chronicles 148 above quoted

In the absence of adequate data for modifying these certainly startling figures it is well to bear in mind that we need not understand by them an army which ever actually mustered in the field or on parade but simply an estimate of the total male population liable to be called out for the national defence although even upon that understanding the total appears to be at least three times too great considering the small extent of the country

PULPIT These waited Hebrew המשרתים plur piel part of שרת The verse states that this enormous fivefold army with its five princes (counting in our corrupt text one million one hundred and sixty thousand) was the kings Jerusalem standing army while other separate regiments or bands of troops were spread through all Judah where they might be most needed for defence

Jehoshaphat In 2 Chronicles 2031 and 1 Kings 2241 1 Kings 2242 we are told that Jehoshaphat was now thirty-five years of age He must therefore have been born when Asa was in the sixth year of his reign and presumably not under sixteen years of age His reign extended to twenty-five years ie from BC 914 to BC 889 The name signifies whom God judges or pleads for Ahab is now in the fourth year of his reign and the symptoms he manifests (1 Kings 1630-33) are those that the rather urge Jehoshaphat to strengthen himself ie strengthen the defences of his kingdom on the Israel side

BI 1-19 And Jehoshaphat his son reigned in his stead

The conditions of national prosperity

This chapter showsmdash

I That true religion is the basis of the State and that wherever it prospers there the State prospers

II That it is the wisdom of kings to encourage religion with all their power and influence

III That a religious nation is ever a great nation

IV That a religious nation is ever a peaceful and united nation (A Clarke D D)

Jehoshaphat

I His policy as a statesman

1 It was protective (2Ch_171-2)

2 It was wise

3 It was eminently patriotic

II His character as a man

1 He was distinguished for true piety

(1) In his every-day life (2Ch_173)

(2) In his private devotions (2Ch_173-4)

(3) In his obedience to God (2Ch_174)

2 The inspiration of his heart came from the consciousness of his obedience to God (2Ch_176)

III His wisdom as a ruler

1 He removed temptation from his people (2Ch_176)

2 He provided for his people the highest means of good (2Ch_177-9) (Metropolitan Pulpit)

Jehoshaphatrsquos prosperity

I Its measure Everything indicates that it was great and genuine Not an element of true prosperity is wanting whether we consider him individually or as identified with the realm It involvedmdash

1 The safety of the kingdom

2 Wealth

3 Honour from abroad

4 The love and confidence of his own people

II Its origin This was partly natural partly supernatural

1 Natural

(1) The roots of his prosperity lay largely in himself He was a man of correct instincts and good convictions A man of worth and weight of character By these he won the love and secured the co-operation of his people

(2) He was wise in management

2 Supernatural ldquoThe Lord stablished the kingdom in his handrdquo It was a reward of piety He honoured God and God honoured and exalted him Lessons

1 The union of prudence and piety Each is helpful to the other neither is sufficient without the other Prudence gives tone and practicality to piety piety gives sweetness and mellowness to prudence Piety alone tends to feebleness and inefficiency prudence alone inclines to coldness and covetousness United they round out the character in beauty and strength

2 Reform through religion and law Jehoshaphat united the civil and religious power in securing national reform How necessary is this union in the great struggle with intemperance and other moral defilements (Monday Club Sermons)

2 He stationed troops in all the fortified cities of Judah and put garrisons in Judah and in the towns of Ephraim that his father Asa had captured

CLARKE The cities of Ephraim - This conquest from the kingdom of Israel is referred to 2Ch_158 but when it was made we do not know

GILL And he placed forces in all the fenced cities of Judah A considerable number of soldiers to defend them should they be attacked

and set garrisons in the land of Judah on the frontiers and borders of it to protect it

and in the cities of Ephraim soldiers to keep garrison there

which Asa his father had taken see 2Ch_158

KampD 2-4 He placed forces (חיל) in all the fenced cities of Judah and garrisons

in the land of Judah and in the cities of Ephraim (military posts cf 1Ch_1116 נציבים)

which is father Asa had taken cf 2Ch_158 God blessed these undertakings Jahve was with him because he walked in the ways of David his ancestor the former ways and sought not the Baals The former ways of David are his ways in the earlier years of his reign in contrast to the later years in which his adultery with Bathsheba (2 Sam 11) and

the sin of numbering the people (1 Chron 21) fall העלים are all false gods in contrast to

Jahve the one God of Israel and here the word designates not only the Baal-worship properly so called but also the worship of Jahve by means of images by which Jahve is

brought down to the level of the Baals cf Jdg_211 The ל before עלים stands according

to the later usage as a sign of the accusative In the last clause of 2Ch_174 ldquoand not

after the doings of Israelrdquo (of the ten tribes) הלך ldquohe walkedrdquo is to be repeated The

doing of Israel is the worship of Jahve through the images of the golden calves which

the author of the Chronicle includes in the לעלים רש

BESO 2 Chronicles 172 And set garrisons in the cities which Asa had taken mdash We do not read of any cities which Asa took but Abijah his father possessed himself of several which Asa kept and took for his own 2 Chronicles 1319 And it appears Jehoshaphat put such forces in them as might secure them to himself

TRAPP 2 Chronicles 172 And he placed forces in all the fenced cities of Judah and set garrisons in the land of Judah and in the cities of Ephraim which Asa his father had taken

Ver 2 And he placed forces] See 2 Chronicles 1719

ELLICOTT (2) And he placed forcesmdashComp 2 Chronicles 1112

The fenced citiesmdashlsquoArecirc ha-bĕtsucircrocircth (Comp 2 Chronicles 115 sqq 2 Chronicles 146-7)

And set garrisonsmdashPlaced military posts or prefects (netsicircbicircm) (1 Chronicles 1116 2 Chronicles 1111) Syriac ldquoappointed rulersrdquo

The cities of Ephraim had takenmdashSee on 2 Chronicles 158

PULPIT He placed forces literally he gave (Genesis 117) forces or a force or host or army חיל (Exodus 1428 2 Samuel 242) And set garrisons again literally he gave garrisons ( נאיבים ) ie either the persons set over prefects or officers (1 Kings 419) or the military garrison itself stationed (1 Samuel 105 1 Samuel 133) A village in Judah also had the name ezeb (Joshua 1545) In the cities of Ephraim (see 2 Chronicles 158)

3 The Lord was with Jehoshaphat because he followed the ways of his father David before him He did not consult the Baals

BARES The first ways of his father David - The Septuagint and several Hebrew manuscripts omit ldquoDavidrdquo which has probably crept in from the margin for Davidrsquos ldquofirst waysrdquo are nowhere else contrasted with his later ways The real meaning of the writer is that Jehoshaphat followed the example set by his father Asa in his earlier years 2Ch_141-15 15

Baalim - On the plural form see 1Ki_1818 note

CLARKE The Lord was with Jehoshaphat - ldquoThe Word of the Lord was Jehoshaphatrsquos Helperrdquo - Targum

GILL And the Lord was with Jehoshaphat Guiding and directing prospering and succeeding him in all things he had no doubt his gracious presence in spiritual things as well as his powerful and directing presence in things civil the Targum isthe Word of the Lord was for his help

because he walked in the first ways of his father David which were his best some of his last ways not being good as in the affair of Uriah and Bathsheba and his numbering of the people Jehoshaphat followed him in the one but not in the other or in the ways of David and his father the first the first of them both for the latter ways of his father Asa were not so good as his first as the preceding chapter shows and the

Septuagint version leaves out the word David and so restrains it to his own father

and sought not unto Baalim as did Ahab king of Israel who now reigned there 1Ki_1524

JAMISO 3-5 he walked in the first ways of his father Davidmdash He imitated the piety of his great ancestor in the early part of his reign before he made those unhappy lapses which dishonored his character

and sought not unto Baalimmdash a term used for idols generally in contradistinction to the Lord God of his father

BESO 2 Chronicles 173-4 He walked in the first ways of his father David mdashHis ways before he fell so foully in the matter of Uriah which were good ways David indeed recovered from that fall but perhaps never while he lived fully retrieved the spiritual strength and comfort which he had lost Jehoshaphat followed David as far as he followed God and no farther St Paul himself thus limits our imitation of him 1 Corinthians 111 Follow me as I follow Christ and not otherwise The first ways of many pious people have been their best ways and their first love their strongest love which however ought not to be the case for the last ought to be more than the first Revelation 219 But in every copy we propose to write after as we ought to single out that only which is good so that chiefly which is best The original words here are literally rendered He walked in the ways of David his father הראשונים hareshonim those first or ancient ways He proposed to himself for his example the primitive times of the royal family those purest times before the corruptions of the late reigns came in See Jeremiah 616 The LXX leave out David and so refer this to Asa He walked in the first ways of his father Asa and did not imitate him in what was amiss in him toward the latter end of his time It is well to be cautious in following the best men lest we step aside after them And sought not unto Baalim mdash The neighbouring nations had their Baalim one had one Baal and another had another but he abhorred them all and had nothing to do with any of them He sought the Lord God of his father and him only prayed to him only and inquired of him only

TRAPP 2 Chronicles 173 And the LORD was with Jehoshaphat because he walked in the first ways of his father David and sought not unto Baalim

Ver 3 Because he walked in the first ways of his father David] Who during his trouble kept himself free from scandalous and reproachful practices innocent from the great transgression [Psalms 1913] David rectior fuit in servitio quam in regno saith Gregory

POOLE In the first ways which David walked in before he fell into those horrid sins of murder and adultery Or in the ways of David and his fatherrsquos first ways For the beginning of Asarsquos reign was laudable as we have seen though he declined at last For it seems more probable that this passage is a reflection upon Asa whose last ways were much his worst and of whose repentance we have no evidence than

upon David who though he fell dreadfully in the matter of Uriah yet did manifestly repent of it and return to his first and holy course of life in which also he continued until death having this character given him by the Holy Ghost after his death that he did right in all things saving that of Uriah 1 Kings 155

WHEDO 3 The first ways of his father David mdash The first or earlier ways of David are contrasted with his later ways ldquoin the matter of Uriahrdquo and his sin in numbering the people The Septuagint omits the word David and some have therefore thought it an interpolation and understand the earlier ways of Asa to be intended

ELLICOTT (3) He walked in the first waysmdashThe former or earlier ways of David as contrasted with his later conductmdasha tacit allusion to the adultery with Bathsheba and other sins of David committed in his later years (2 Samuel 11-24) A few MSS and the LXX omit David

And sought not unto BaalimmdashAnd sought not the Baals (dacircrash lĕ a late construction) The Baals were different local aspects of the sun-god Here the term no doubt includes the illegal worship of Jehovah under the form of a bullock as instituted by Jeroboam and practised in the northern kingdom (ldquothe doing of Israelrdquo 2 Chronicles 174) Syriac ldquoand prayed not to imagesrdquo

PARKER And the Lord was with Jehoshaphat because he walked in the first ways of his father David and sought not unto Baalim ( 2 Chronicles 173)

The Lord was not with Jehoshaphat because he strengthened himself against Israel nor because he placed forces in all the fenced cities of Judah and set garrisons in the land of Judah and in the streets of Ephraim ot one of these little triumphs is referred to as affording God a basis for the complaisant treatment of the new king As ever the Lords relation to Jehoshaphat was determined by Jehoshaphats own moral condition A very beautiful expression is thismdashhe walked in the first ways of his father David that is to say in the former or earlier ways of David as contrasted with Davids later conduct Some have found here a tacit allusion to Davids greatest sin which he committed when he was advanced in life A somewhat mournful thing it is that a mans first ways should be better than his last The other relation would seem to be the one which reason would approve and God would specially honour namely that a mans old age should be the ripest and best part of his conduct rich with Wisdom of Solomon strong with experience and chastened by many a pensive recollection Sad when you have to go back to a mans youth to find his virtues or his most conspicuous excellences but most beautiful when a mans earlier mistakes are lost in the richness and wisdom of his later conduct God keeps his attention fixed on all the parts of a mans life and he observes which of those parts is most esteemed by the mans own successors Happy is that father whose whole example is worthy of imitation yet more than human is he the whole of whose life is without stain or flaw Jehoshaphats conduct in this matter is the more notable because of the constant observation of mankind that it is easier to follow the evil than to imitate the good When imitation enters into a mans life he is prone to

copy that which is inferior and to leave without reproduction that which is lofty and disciplinary In this instance Jehoshaphat sets an example to the world His conduct too is represented negatively as well as positivelymdashand sought not unto Baalim The word Baalim is in the plural number and the literal reading might be Jehoshaphat sought not the Baals the Baals being different local aspects or phases of the sun-god It is to be specially noted that the term Baal includes an aspect even of Jehovah himself that is to say Israel had degenerated so far as to suppose that in worshipping Baal they were worshipping at least one phase of the true God We must not mix up our religion with our irreligion our prayers with our idolatry our heavenliness with our worldly-mindedness the whole arrangement must be clean and pure from one end to the other inasmuch as one taint may cause the whole process of our religious thought and service to become deteriorated and valueless It is often difficult to abandon a popular custom More people might be in favour of Jehoshaphat strengthening himself against Israel than in returning to the first ways of David and abandoning the altar of the Baals History and religion are always considered in their separate distribution There are politicians who would vote for a war who would on no account surrender a superstition On the other hand there are men who pride themselves on being free of the influence of superstition who would willingly enter into the most sanguinary wars for the extension of empire or the glory of some particular throne In Jehoshaphat we seem to come into contact with a complete character in other words a man who in every point was equally strong a man of foresight a man of reverence a man of an honest heart a man who felt that idolatry and true worship could not coexist in the same breast

ISBET lsquoThe Lord was with Jehoshaphatrsquo2 Chronicles 173It is instructive to notice what is said about Davidrsquos waysmdashit was his first ways that Jehoshaphat took for his pattern We should always be careful to adopt only the good things in others

I lsquoThe Lord stablished the kingdom in his handrsquo God loves to find a man He can trust a man into whose hand He can put holy interests and know that they will be sacredly cherishedmdashThe Lord established the kingdom in the hands of Jehoshaphat because Jehoshaphat was true to his trust In our Lordrsquos parable of The Talents we are taught that those who prove faithful to their trust receive other things also in trust while those who are unfaithful even in small things God will not intrust with larger things

II lsquoHis heart was lifted up in the ways of the Lordrsquo There is a bad lifting up and a good lifting up Some people are made vain and self-conceited by prosperitymdashThe temptation for young people when first called upon to do any work and accomplishing it with some measure of success is to become proud and to show their vanity by talking too much about themselves and what they have done Such lifting up not only dishonours God but hurts the person But Jehoshaphat was lifted up in the ways of the Lord Too often as money comes in and prosperity increases

people get so absorbed in these new gifts of God that the Giver Himself fades out of their vision If only we see the hand of God in every new mercy and goodness that comes to us our heart will be lifted up in the ways of the Lord

III lsquoThe fear of the Lord fell upon all the kingdoms hellip so that they made no war against Jehoshaphatrsquo The Lord is able to control even the diplomacy and the politics of nationsmdashWhen these kingdoms saw the blessing which Jehoshaphat was enjoying in his country they felt an awe in their heartsmdashthe fear of the Lord fell upon themmdashand they refrained from making war God will always find some way to defend His own people in the midst of dangers

PULPIT The first ways of his father David Although there would be no difficulty in reconciling this statement with history yet probably the name David should not stand here It is not in the Septuagint The most natural and sufficient reference is to Asa And sought not unto Ballim literally to the Baalim ie to the various false gods of surrounding peoples ( 211) Baal-berith ( 833 94 946) Baal-zebub (2 Kings 12) Baal-peor (umbers 2328 etc umbers 253) according to the places where the idolatrous worship was carried on (For the preposition ל to after sought in this and following verse see again 1 Chronicles 2219 )

4 but sought the God of his father and followed his commands rather than the practices of Israel

BARES The doings of Israel - i e the especially idolatrous doings of the time -the introduction and establishment of the worship of Baal and the groves

GILL But sought to the Lord God of his fathers Prayed to him worshipped and served him

and walked in his commandments observed and kept them moral ceremonial and judicial

and not after the doings of Israel who worshipped the golden calves at Dan and Bethel

JAMISO and not after the doings of Israelmdash He observed with scrupulous fidelity and employed his royal influence to support the divine institutions as enacted by Moses abhorring that spurious and unlawful calf-worship that now formed the established religion in Israel Being thus far removed alike from gross idolatry and Israelitish apostasy and adhering zealously to the requirements of the divine law the blessing of God rested on his government Ruling in the fear of God and for the good of his subjects ldquothe Lord established the kingdom in his handrdquo

COFFMA So far so good Jehoshaphat like some others of the kings of Judah began very well receiving as their reward the blessing of the Lord and the prosperity of the people but his alliance with Ahab (described in 2 Chronicles 18) would cast a dark shadow over what is written here

(He) walked not after the doings of Israel (2 Chronicles 174) The contempt in which the author of Chronicles held the orthern Israel appears in a clause like this The outstanding feature of Chronicles is the omission wherever possible of practically the entire history of their kings This reminds us of the Book of umbers in which the whole history of the apostate Israel records only a few events for the whole period Why It was because of the fact that what any nation does after they have rejected God is of minor importance

With the apostasy of the orthern Israel and their rejection of Gods choice of the house of David the history of the redemption of mankind dramatically shifted to what happened in Jerusalem

TRAPP 2 Chronicles 174 But sought to the [LORD] God of his father and walked in his commandments and not after the doings of Israel

Ver 4 And not after the doings of Israel] Who in his days did evil as they could under that nonsuch Ahab But Jehoshaphat was not corrupted with their ill neighbourhood

PARKER But sought to the Lord God of his father and walked in his commandments and not after the doings of Israel ( 2 Chronicles 174)

We must be prepared for singularity if we are genuinely prepared to be good Let a man settle it with himself in prayerful solitude whether he means to walk with God or to identify himself with the spirit and customs of his age Jehoshaphat laid down a clear programme for himself and followed it out with patient and faithful industry The Lord God of his father was not a mere term in a crowd it was the object of daily search and quest Jehoshaphat inquired for him and operated constantly upon the doctrine Ask and it shall be given you knock and it shall be opened unto you or was Jehoshaphats religion merely speculative that is to say an intellectual quest after an intellectual God whatever was speculative in the mind and service of Jehoshaphat was sustained and ennobled by a solid moral element

forasmuch as Jehoshaphat walked in Gods commandmentsmdashhe read the decalogue he studied Gods word he would take no action personal regal or social that was not first examined and approved in the light of the divine statutes All this might have been comparatively easy if Jehoshaphat had started at an independent point but at such a point no man can start for he must take up the age as he finds it and must first disembarrass himself from all the stipulations and claims of custom usage and popular superstition Jehoshaphat sought not after the doings of Israel he set himself up in this respect against the kingdom he was not afraid of peculiarity in a word Jehoshaphats religion was characteristic that is to say it had lines points and colours of its own about which there could be no reasonable mistake What is our religion Do we intellectually assent to the existence and sovereignty of one God and then degenerate into self-worship Do we admit that there must be an ultimate morality a philosophy of conduct founded upon eternal metaphysics and then do we measure our own behaviour by the canon of custom These are questions that search the heart and no man can answer them for his brother

What became of all this noble conduct arising out of this high religious conception We shall see in the following versemdash

PULPIT After the doings of Israel This expression probably marks the doings of the northern kingdom as both the more typical throughout its whole history of the wrong and also as the systematic beginning by a law of idolatrous worship and images in the matter of the calves and so on

5 The Lord established the kingdom under his control and all Judah brought gifts to Jehoshaphat so that he had great wealth and honor

BARES Presents - i e ldquofree-will offeringsrdquo in addition to the regular taxes See 1Sa_1027

GILL Therefore the Lord stablished the kingdom in his hand Piety is the

best prop of government the throne is best supported and established by truth righteousness and mercy by the exercise of these Jehoshaphat was settled in his kingdom and had a place in the hearts of his people

and all Judah brought to Jehoshaphat presents being well affected to him as well as it was usual so to do at a princes accession to the throne see 1Sa_1027

and he had riches and honour in abundance through the presents his subjects brought him and the respect they showed him

JAMISO all Judah brought presentsmdash This was customary with the people generally at the beginning of a reign (1Sa_1027) and with the nobles and high functionaries yearly afterwards They were given in the form of voluntary offerings to avoid the odious idea of a tax or tribute

KampD Therefore Jahve established the kingdom in his hand ie under his rule cf

2Ki_145 All Judah brought him presents מנחה often used of tribute of subject peoples

eg in 2Ch_1711 of the Philistines cannot here have that signification nor can it denote

the regular imposts of subjects for these are not called מנחה but must denote voluntary

gifts which his subjects brought him as a token of their reverence and love The last clause ldquoand there was to him (he attained) riches and honour in abundancerdquo which is repeated 2Ch_181 recalls 1Ch_2928 2Ch_112 and signifies that Jehoshaphat like his ancestors David and Solomon was blessed for walking in the pious ways of these his forefathers

BESO 2 Chronicles 175-6 Therefore the Lord established the kingdom in his hand mdash Those stand firm that have the presence of God with them If the beauty of the Lord our God be upon us that will stablish the work of our hands and establish us in our integrity And all Judah brought to Jehoshaphat presents mdash As subjects in those times and places used to do to their kings in token of their respect and subjection to them The more there is of true religion among a people the more conscientious loyalty there will be A governor that answers the end of government will be supported And he had riches and honour in abundance mdash The effect of the favour both of God and his people It is undoubtedly true though few will believe it that religion and piety are the best friends to outward prosperity And his heart was lift up in the ways of the Lord mdash Riches and honour in abundance prove to many a clog and a hinderance in the ways of the Lord an occasion of pride security and sensuality but they had a quite contrary effect upon Jehoshaphat his abundance was oil to the wheels of his obedience and the more he had of the wealth of this world the more cheerfully and resolutely he went on in the ways of the Lord His heart also was lifted up above all discouragements difficulties and fears by which menrsquos hearts are wont to be cast down He was valiant and resolute for God and his ways He took away the high places and groves mdash That is those in which idols were worshipped for those that were dedicated to the true God only were not taken away chap 2 Chronicles 2033 And though Asa had done the same before yet

either he did not do it thoroughly or the people who were mad upon their idols had secretly made new ones in the latter part of his reign when he grew more infirm in body and more remiss in Godrsquos cause

TRAPP 2 Chronicles 175 Therefore the LORD stablished the kingdom in his hand and all Judah brought to Jehoshaphat presents and he had riches and honour in abundance

Ver 5 And he had riches and honour in abundance] Herein he came near unto Solomon in his greatest flourish

ELLICOTT (5) ThereforemdashAnd (so ldquoalsordquo ldquoso thatrdquo in 2 Chronicles 177 2 Chronicles 1710)

The Lord stablished the kingdom in his handmdashComp 2 Kings 145

PresentsmdashMinchah This word often means tributary offerings as in 2 Chronicles 1711 but here it obviously denotes the voluntary gifts of loyal subjects usual at the beginning of a reign (1 Samuel 1027)

And he had (or got) riches and honour in abundancemdashLike David and Solomon (1 Chronicles 2928 2 Chronicles 112)

PARKER 5-9 5 Therefore the Lord stablished the kingdom in his hand [comp 2 Kings 145] and all Judah brought to Jehoshaphat presents [this word often means tributary offerings but here it denotes the voluntary gifts of loyal subjects] and he had riches and honour in abundance

6 And his heart was lifted up [usually the phrase has a bad meaning (as in Deuteronomy 814 2 Chronicles 2616 Psalm 1311 etc) but it is evident that it must be taken differently here The marginal reading is right his courage rose high or he grew bold] in the ways of the Lord moreover he took away the high places and groves out of Judah

7 Also in the third year of his reign he sent to his princes [rather he sent his princes] even to Ben-hail and to Obadiah and to Zechariah and to ethaneel and to Michaiah to teach in the cities of Judah

8 And with them he sent [rather were the] Levites even Shemaiah and ethaniah and Zebadiah and Asahel and Shemiramoth and Jehonathan and Adonijah and Tobijah and Tobadonijah Levites and with them Elishama and Jehoram priests

9 And they taught in Judah and had the book of the law of the Lord [the Pentateuchmdashnearly if not quite in the shape in which we now have it] with them and went about throughout all the cities of Judah and taught [among] the people

PARKER Therefore the Lord stablished the kingdom in his hand and all Judah brought to Jehoshaphat presents and he had riches and honour in abundance ( 2 Chronicles 175)

Whatever was doubtful about the ascent of Jehoshaphat to the throne was removed and the king was enabled to realise his power when he closed his hand upon the royal sceptre he found that he was not grasping a shadow but a reality There are times when men become fully conscious of their influence and of their proper social position happy are they if in this consciousness they detect a prevailingly religious element which constrains them to acknowledge that honour and wealth power and dignity are the gifts of God Is not this an anticipation of the Saviours great doctrinemdashSeek ye first the kingdom of God and his righteousness and all these things shall be added unto you Jehoshaphat did not seek riches and honour he sought to the Lord God of his father and walked in the divine commandments and as a result he enjoyed all that kings delight in as indicating strength and pomp renown and influence

GUZIK 2 (2 Chronicles 175-6) The blessing upon his reign

Therefore the LORD established the kingdom in his hand and all Judah gave presents to Jehoshaphat and he had riches and honor in abundance And his heart took delight in the ways of the LORD moreover he removed the high places and wooden images from Judah

a Therefore the LORD established the kingdom in his hand This was no small accomplishment In those days kings and kingdoms were fragile and under constant threat Yet if the descendants of David would seek God first He promised to take care of their security ndash and God makes the same promise to His people today (Matthew 633)

b All Judah gave presents to Jehoshaphat and he had riches and honor in abundance Because Jehoshaphat trusted God God lifted him up and exalted him as a king As his heart took delight in the ways of the LORD the LORD gave him the desires of his heart (Psalms 374)

c Moreover he removed the high places and wooden images from Judah 1 Kings 2243 says that Jehoshaphat did not remove the high places Adam Clarke explains ldquoIn 2 Chronicles 176 it is expressly said that he did take way the high places Allowing that the text is right in 2 Chronicles the two places may be easily recognized There were two kinds of high places in the land 1 Those used for idolatrous purposes 2 Those that were consecrated to God and were used before the temple was built The former he did take away the latter he did notrdquo

i ldquoThey may also witness to the deep hold of the Canaanite and syncretic forms of religion on ordinary Israelites Popular views and practices are often quite different from pronouncements by religious authoritiesrdquo (Selman)

PULPIT All Judah brought presents to Jehoshaphat These presents were of course voluntary gifts though like not a few others custom may have taken off from them something of the bloom of spontaneousness (1 Samuel 1027 2 Samuel 82 1 Kings 421 1 Kings 1025 Psalms 7210)

6 His heart was devoted to the ways of the Lord furthermore he removed the high places and the Asherah poles from Judah

BARES His heart was lifted up - This expression generally occurs in a bad sense Deu_814 2Ch_2616 Psa_1311 Pro_1812 but here it must be taken differently The margin ldquowas encouragedrdquo expresses fairly the true meaning He first began by setting an example of faithfulness to Yahweh He then proceeded to use his best endeavors to extirpate idolatry

He took away the high places - Compare 2Ch_2033 and see the 2Ch_1517 note

GILL And his heart was lifted up in the ways of the Lord It was engaged in them was bent and set upon them he walked in them with great pleasure and cheerfulness being inspired with zeal and courage he was fearless and intrepid and regarded not any opposition he might have or expect to have in the work of reformation in which he was concerned

moreover he took away the high places such as were dedicated to idols but not those in which the true God was worshipped 2Ch_2033

and groves out of Judah where idols were placed for though these had been removed by Asa yet had been renewed in the latter part of his days when more negligent of religion

HERY 2 He was a despised man (Job_176) ldquoHerdquo (that is Eliphaz so some or rather God whom he all along acknowledges to be the author of his calamities) ldquohas made me a byword of the people the talk of the country a laughing-stock to many a gazing-stock to all and aforetime (or to mens faces publicly) I was as a tabret that whoever chose might play uponrdquo They made ballads of him his name became a proverb it is so still As poor as Job ldquoHe has now made me a bywordrdquo a reproach of men whereas aforetime in my prosperity I was as a tabret deliciae humani generis -

the darling of the human race whom they were all pleased with It is common for those who were honoured in their wealth to be despised in their poverty

JAMISO his heart was lifted up in the ways of the Lordmdash Full of faith and piety he possessed zeal and courage to undertake the reformation of manners to suppress all the works and objects of idolatry (see on 2Ch_2033) and he held out public encouragement to the pure worship of God

KampD This blessing encouraged Jehoshaphat to extirpate from the land all

idolatrous worship and to teach the people the law of the Lord לב usually sensu ב

malo to be haughty proud cf eg 2Ch_2616 2Ch_3225 here sensu bono of rising

courage to advance in ways pleasing to God and he removed the high places also etc עודpoints back to 2Ch_173 not only did he himself keep far from the Baals but he

removed besides all memorials of the Baal-worship from Judah On מות and אשרים see

on 2Ch_142

COKE 2 Chronicles 176 And his heart was lifted upmdash And when he had elevated his mind in following the commandments of God he took yet from Judah high places and groves ie he destroyed yet other monuments of idolatry which had escaped the diligence of his father Asa though he took not away those high places and altars which had been erected in Jerusalem for the true God See 1 Kings 2243 and ch 1 Kings 2033 of this book

TRAPP 2 Chronicles 176 And his heart was lifted up in the ways of the LORD moreover he took away the high places and groves out of Judah

Ver 6 And his heart was lifted up] ot with pride as 2 Chronicles 3225 but with undaunted courage and disengaged zeal such as made him come off roundly and readily in the ensuing reformation he was more forward and forth putting than his father Asa not slothful in business but fervent in spirit serving the Lord

POOLE His heart was lifted up above all discouragements and difficulties and fears by which menrsquos hearts use to be cast down he was valiant and resolute for God and his ways

He took away the high places and groves to wit such only wherein idols were worshipped as appears by comparing this with 2 Chronicles 2033 And though Asa had done this before yet either he did not do it thoroughly or the Jews (who were many of them mad upon their idols) had secretly made new ones in the latter part of his reign when he grew more infirm in body and more remiss in Godrsquos cause

WHEDO 6 His heart was lifted up mdash That is exalted with holy faith and courage

Took away the high places mdash Yet in spite of all his efforts and successes in this matter the people had become so addicted to these practices that their destruction was not thoroughly secured See note on 2 Chronicles 143 and compare 2 Chronicles 2033

ELLICOTT (6) And his heart was lifted upmdashGabhah lccedilbh which usually like the phrase of Authorised version has a bad meaning as in 2 Chronicles 2616 The margin is right here ldquohis courage rose highrdquo or ldquohe grew boldrdquo in the ways of Jehovah ie in the path of religious reform Vulg ldquocum sumpsisset cor ejus audaciam propter vias Dominirdquo

MoreovermdashAnd again further Referring to 2 Chronicles 173 ot only did he not seek the Baals but more than this he removed the high places ampc [This is the common explanation But the sense may rather be ldquoAnd he again removedrdquo referring back to Asarsquos reforms 2 Chronicles 145]

GrovesmdashrsquoAshecircrim ldquoAsherahsrdquo (2 Chronicles 143)

PARKER And his heart was lifted up in the ways of the Lord moreover he took away the high places and groves out of Judah ( 2 Chronicles 176)

The expression his heart was lifted up is an awkward one The lifting up of the heart signifies increase of pride a sensation of vanity a desire to gratify personal ambition and to make an idol of his will In this instance the marginal reading is to be preferredmdashwas encouraged or otherwise his courage rose high and again it has been rendered Jehoshaphat grew bold that is to say he was not a timid reformer or a timid worshipper a trimmer or a time-server in any sense he was a heroic worshipper of the living God when he saw that reform was necessary he went forward with a steady step and an energetic hand We should call Jehoshaphat a man of conviction and a man who had the courage of his convictions altogether this is the outline of a noble personage a born king a man who has a right to the purple and the sceptre When such men ascend thrones nations should be glad and rejoice with a great joy for their character is grander than their office and their spirit is the best guarantee of the elevation and utility of their regal policy Becoming conscious of his power knowing that his kingdom was established from on high Jehoshaphat not only did pot seek the Baals himself but he took away the high places and groves out of Judah Jehoshaphat was not content with a merely personal religion he could not convert the hearts of his people but he could destroy all the symbols of unholy worship Men are only required to do that which lies within their power A proprietor may not be able to make people sober but he can forbid the introduction of temptations to drunkenness a parent may not be able to subdue the spirit of pride but he can in many instances limit the means of gratifying it There are reforms which are open to us all in personal custom in social habit it may be even in imperial ways let each Jehoshaphat seize his opportunity and magnify it

All this would have been comparatively in vain but for another step which

Jehoshaphat took In the third year of his reign he sent to his princesmdashthat is to say he sent his princesmdashand he sent Levites all of whose names are given and he sent also two priests Elishama and Jehoram and their business was purely educational

PULPIT And his heart was lifted up in the ways of the Lord Although the verb often carries a bad sense with it it quite as often carries with it a good one in the גבהOld Testament and the typical instance of the former (Psalms 1311) is fully counterbalanced by Isaiah 5213 The marginal was enencouraged may be superseded with advantage by took courage (Isaiah 4029-31) The groves Supersede this incorrect rendering by the Asherim and upon the seeming discrepancy see again Isaiah 151-9 17 and Introduction to Chronicles there quoted

7 In the third year of his reign he sent his officials Ben-Hail Obadiah Zechariah ethanel and Micaiah to teach in the towns of Judah

BARES The princes were not sent as teachers themselves but had the duty committed to them of seeing that the people were taught The actual teachers were the priests and Levites of 2Ch_178

CLARKE 7-9 To teach in the cities of Judah - ldquoTo teach the fear of the Lord in the cities of Judahrdquo - Targum

In these verses we find a remarkable account of an itinerant ministry established by Jehoshaphat and in this work he employed three classes of men

1 The princes

2 The Levites

3 The priests

We may presume that the princes instructed the people in the nature of the civil law and constitution of the kingdom the Levites instructed them in every thing that appertained to the temple service and ritual law and the priests instructed them in the

nature and design of the religion they professed Thus the nation became thoroughly instructed in their duty to God to the king and to each other They became therefore as one man and against a people thus united on such principles no enemy could be successful

GILL Also in the third year of his reign he sent to his princes That dwelt in the several parts of the kingdom or he sent them being with him some of the

principal men of his court for ל may be a sign of the accusative case as it sometimes is

even to Benhail and to Obadiah and to Zechariah and to Nethaneel and to Michaiah to teach in the cities of Judah to see that they were taught and oblige them to attend to the instructions that should be given them and not mutiny and rebel against their teachers and to let them know what was the kings pleasure on this head and to back with their authority the priests and Levites whose proper work it was to instruct and who therefore were sent with them as follows

JAMISO 7-11 2Ch_177-11 He sends Levites to teach in Judah

Also in the third year of his reign he sent to his princes to teach in the cities of Judahmdash The ordinary work of teaching devolved on the priests But extraordinary commissioners were appointed probably to ascertain whether the work had been done or neglected This deputation of five princes assisted by two priests and nine Levites was to make a circuit of the towns in Judah It is the first practical measure we read of as being adopted by any of the kings for the religious instruction of the people Time and unbroken opportunities were afforded for carrying out fully this excellent plan of home education for the kingdom enjoyed internal tranquillity as well as freedom for foreign wars It is conformable to the pious style of the sacred historian to trace this profound peace to the ldquofear of the Lord having fallen on all kingdoms of the lands that were round about Judahrdquo

BESO 2 Chronicles 177 He sent to his princes mdash to teach in the cities of Judah mdash To inform the people of their duty and of the kingrsquos pleasure As judges teach or instruct the people in the laws of the land when they deliver their charges upon the bench so did these princes in the kingrsquos name admonish and require the people to observe and obey the laws of God which were the municipal laws of that land the particular explication and enforcement whereof they left to the Levites and priests here following who were sent for this end and accordingly taught the people 2 Chronicles 179

COFFMA Because of the clause which we have capitalized this is one of the most important passages in Chronicles Right here is the reason radical critics have extended themselves so unreasonably in their efforts to discredit Chronicles Here is dependable historical proof of the continued existence of the Torah from the days of Moses throughout the history of Israel As Keil stated it The book of the law of Jehovah is the Pentateuch not merely a collection of Mosaic laws since in Jehoshaphats time the Mosaic Book of the Law (the Pentateuch) had been long in existence[1] We shall not take the space to repeat the vociferous denials of critics

except to cite one knee-jerk remark that characterizes all of them Such action was not taken in Jehoshaphats time[2] What is the basis of such a blatant denial of what Gods Word states as a fact even giving the very names of the royal princes who did the teaching THERE IS OE o matter what unbelievers say this chapter IS the historical record of what happened in the reign of Jehoshaphat and those who live two and one half millenniums afterward have nothing of value by which they may challenge it Then why do men deny it The false theories they have invented are here contradicted forcing them either to give up their false theories or to deny the Sacred Scriptures that contradict them

COKE 2 Chronicles 177 He sent to his princes even to Ben-hail ampcmdash He sent of his princes Ben-hail Obadiah ampc The proper business of these princes in their circuit round the kingdom says Bishop Patrick was to admonish and require the people to observe the laws of God and to leave the particular explication and enforcement of them to those of the sacred order who went with them supporting them in the execution of their office and obliging the people to receive them with respect to hear them with attention and to practise what they taught

TRAPP 2 Chronicles 177 Also in the third year of his reign he sent to his princes [even] to Benhail and to Obadiah and to Zechariah and to ethaneel and to Michaiah to teach in the cities of Judah

Ver 7 He sent to his princes to teach in the cities of Judah] Teaching princes there are not many such as were David Solomon George prince of Anhalt ampc but these were sent with the teaching Levites to countenance and bear them out in this visitation general and perhaps to punish the opposite and obstinate if any such Junius readeth the text thus He sent with his princes these Levites for the teaching Or the princes taught the people the law of the land the priests and Levites the law of God both did mutually help one another So a Danish king of this land made a law that at the general court of every shire the bishop of the diocese should accompany the sheriff that the one might countenance Godrsquos law the other manrsquos (a) Queen Elizabeth once in her progress through Suffolk observing that the justices of that county who came to meet her had every man his minister next to his body said she wondered not that that county was so well governed where she saw that the word and sword went so lovingly together (b)

POOLE To teach in the cities of Judah to inform the people of their duty and of the kingrsquos pleasure As judges or justices of peace teach or instruct the people in the laws of the land when they deliver their charges upon the bench so did these princes in the kingrsquos name admonish and require the people to observe and obey the laws of God which were the prinicipal laws of that land the particular explication and enforcement whereof they left to the Levites and priests here following who were sent for this end and accordingly taught the people 2 Chronicles 179

WHEDO 7 He sent to his princeshellip to teach mdash He committed the matter of

teaching to their oversight and care and the teaching was done by the Levites and priests as stated in the next verse He did well to put down idolatry but he was wise enough to know that unless the people were instructed they would soon apostatize again

ELLICOTT THE COMMISSIOERS OF PUBLIC ISTRUCTIO I THE LAW

(7) He sent to his princes even to Ben-hail to MichaiahmdashRather He sent his princes Ben- hail and Obadiah and Michaiah (The le ldquotordquo in the chroniclerrsquos idiom marking the object of the verb) If however Authorised Version were correct the construction would not be unique as the Speakerrsquos Com mentary asserts (Comp 2 Kings 57 ldquothis man sendeth to me to recover a manrdquo ampc)

Princesmdashone of the personages mentioned in this and the following verse are otherwise known The ldquofive princesrdquo were laymen of rank and were accompanied by nine (eight) Levites and two priests

Ben-hailmdashSon of valour A compound proper name only occurring here but analogous to Ben-hur Ben-deker and Ben-hesed in 1 Kings 48-10 (The LXX renders ldquothe sons of the mightyrdquo Syriac ldquothe chiefs of the forcesrdquo apparently reading bnecirc chail)

ethaneelmdashSyriac Mattanael Arabic Mattaniah Michaiah Syriac and Arabic Malachiah

GUZIK B The strength of Jehoshaphatrsquos kingdom

1 (2 Chronicles 177-10) The spiritual strength of the kingdom Jehoshaphat brings the Word of God to the people

Also in the third year of his reign he sent his leaders Ben-Hail Obadiah Zechariah ethanel and Michaiah to teach in the cities of Judah And with them he sent Levites Shemaiah ethaniah Zebadiah Asahel Shemiramoth Jehonathan Adonijah Tobijah and Tobadonijah the Levites and with them Elishama and Jehoram the priests So they taught in Judah and had the Book of the Law of the LORD with them they went throughout all the cities of Judah and taught the people And the fear of the LORD fell on all the kingdoms of the lands that were around Judah so that they did not make war against Jehoshaphat

a To teach in the cities of Judah These ldquoteaching priestsrdquo have been mentioned by the Chronicler before (2 Chronicles 153) They had the important role of bringing the word of God to the people especially those who lived outside of Jerusalem

b They taught in Judah and had the Book of the Law of the LORD with them they went throughout all the cities of Judah and taught the people This was the wisest

and best policy a security-conscious king of Judah could promote Because Jehoshaphat sought God first God sent fear upon the neighboring kingdoms so that they did not make war against Jehoshaphat

i ldquoBy this little band of princes Levites and priests sixteen in all Jehoshaphat did more toward impressing the surrounding nations with a sense of his power than the largest and best-equipped standing army could have secured to himrdquo (Knapp)

ii ldquoThe method adopted was what in these modern times we might describe as the holding of Special Missions throughout the cities of Judah for the specific purpose of proclaiming and interpreting lsquothe book of the law of Jehovahrsquordquo (Morgan)

iii ldquoo better service can be rendered to the nation than that of proclaiming the Word of Jehovah to the people in cities towns villages and hamlets By such proclamation the heart of the people may be turned to Jehovah and so He be enabled to do for them all that is in His heartrdquo (Morgan)

iv ldquoThus the nation became thoroughly instructed in their duty to God to the king and to each other They became therefore as one man and against a people thus united on such principles no enemy could be successfulrdquo (Clarke)

v Clarke observed how a similar itinerant ministry in the days of John Wesley and his followers impacted Britain ldquoSuch an itinerant ministry established in these kingdoms for upwards of fourscore years teaching the pure unadulterated doctrines of the Gospel with the propriety and necessity of obedience to the laws has been the principle means in the hand of God of preserving the lands from those convulsions and revolutions that have ruined and nearly dissolved the European continentrdquo

vi ldquoIt is said (2 Chronicles 172) Jehoshaphat place forces in all the fenced cities yet it is not said thereupon that lsquothe fear of the Lord fell upon the neighbour nationsrsquo But when he had established a preaching ministry in all the cities then his enemies had a fear and made no warrdquo (Trapp)

PULPIT He sent Hebrew שלח The Hebrew text distinctly says he sent to his princes not he sent his princes The meaning ismdashhe sent orders to his princes to see to it that Judah was taught (2 Chronicles 179) the book of the Law of the Lord (Le 2 Chronicles 1011 Deuteronomy 49 Deuteronomy 1718) not indeed without their own personal aid in whatever way able to be given but systematically and with authority by the Levites and priests (Deuteronomy 3310) This deeper fathoming of the needs of the time and of what constituted its real safety was greatly to the spiritual credit of Jehoshaphat The references (2 Chronicles 153 2 Chronicles 352-4 2 Chronicles 3510-12) are full of point one of these princes or Levites and priests are elsewhere mentioned by name

8 With them were certain LevitesmdashShemaiah ethaniah Zebadiah Asahel Shemiramoth Jehonathan Adonijah Tobijah and Tob-Adonijahmdashand the priests Elishama and Jehoram

GILL 2 Chronicles 178And with them he sent Levites With the five princes he sent nine Levites

even Shemaiah and Nethaniah and Zebadiah and Asahel and Shemiramoth and Jehonathan and Adonijah and Tobijah and Tobadonijah Levites of whom we nowhere else read no doubt they were principal persons and fit for the work they were sent about

and with them Elishama and Jehoram priests whose lips were to keep knowledge and at whose mouth the law was to be sought Mal_27

ELLICOTT (8) And with them he sent LevitesmdashRather And with them were the Levites The construction being changed So LXX and the Syriac (Comp 1 Chronicles 1641-42 1 Chronicles 1518 for the same mode of enumeration which is characteristic of the style of the chronicler

ZebadiahmdashSome MSS and Syriac and Arabic read Zechariah

ShemiramothmdashSo LXX and Vulg (see 1 Chronicles 165 1 Chronicles 1518) The Heb text is probably incorrect Syriac and Arabic read instead atucircra

Tob-adonijahmdashThis curious name occurs only here and is perhaps a mere mistake arising out of the preceding Adonijah and Tobijah The Syriac and Arabic omit it

PriestsmdashThe priests

The commission was a mixed one of civil and ecclesiastical persons (comp 1 Chronicles 131-2 1 Chronicles 232 1 Chronicles 246)

And had the book of the law of the LordmdashAnd with them was the book of the law (teaching) of Jehovah For the construction compare 1 Chronicles 1642 The writer

evidently means the Pentateuch and if this notice was derived by him from a contemporary source eg the ldquowords of Jehu the son of Hananirdquo to which he refers as an authority for the reign (2 Chronicles 2034) it would constitute an important testimony to the existence if not of the five books at least of an ancient collection of laws at this early date (circ 850 BC )

And taught the peoplemdashTaught among the people

9 They taught throughout Judah taking with them the Book of the Law of the Lord they went around to all the towns of Judah and taught the people

BARES There is no reasonable doubt that this ldquobook of the lawrdquo was the Pentateuch - nearly if not quite in the shape in which we now have it Copies of the whole Law were no doubt scarce and therefore Jehoshaphatrsquos commission took care to carry a copy with them

CLARKE Had the book of the law of the Lord with them - This was their text book it was the book of God they taught it as such and as such the people received it Its laws were Godrsquos laws and the people felt their obligation and their consciences were bound Thus they were obedient to the laws of the land on the principle of religion In this they were encouraged and confirmed by the example of all both in Church and state The princes were not only pious but were teachers of piety the Levites showed them the worth and excellence of their ritual institutions and the priests showed them the moral use they were to make of the whole and thus the people became obedient to God as well as to the king and kept all the civil ordinances not merely for the sake of a good king but for the sake of a good and gracious God By these means the nation enjoyed peace and prosperity and all insurrections seditions and popular commotions were prevented The surrounding nations perceiving this saw that there was no hope of subduing such a people so they made no war with Jehoshaphat 2Ch_1710 And they took care not to provoke such a people to fall on them therefore it is said The fear of the Lord fell on all the kingdoms and lands that were round about Judah Such an itinerant ministry established in these kingdoms for upwards of fourscore years

teaching the pure unadulterated doctrines of the Gospel with the propriety and necessity of obedience to the laws has been the principal means in the hand of God of preserving these lands from those convulsions and revolutions that have ruined and nearly dissolved the European continent The itinerant ministry to which this refers is that which was established in these lands by the late truly reverend highly learned and cultivated deeply pious and loyal John Wesley AM formerly a fellow of Lincoln College Oxford whose followers are known by the name of Methodists a people who are an honor to their country and a blessing to the government under which they live

GILL And they taught in Judah The people their duty to God and man

and had the book of the law of the Lord with them as the rule of their instruction and the peoples obedience out of this they taught them and by it confirmed what they taught and enforced it with the divine authority

and went about throughout all the cities of Judah not only their own cities the Levitical ones but all others

and taught the people the law of the Lord the fear and worship of God

JAMISO the book of the lawmdash that is either the whole Pentateuch or only the book of Deuteronomy which contains an abridgment of it

BESO 2 Chronicles 179 And they taught in Judah ampc mdash The Levites and priests were teachers by office Deuteronomy 3310 It was a part of the work for which they had their maintenance and indeed had little else to do But it seems they had neglected it pretending probably that they could not get the people to hear them Jehoshaphat therefore sends them with the princes who by their authority might require the people to assemble together to receive instruction in the laws of God and their duty ldquoWhat a great deal of goodrdquo says Henry ldquomay be done when Moses and Aaron thus go hand in hand in the doing of it when princes with their power and priests and Levites with their Scripture-learning agree to teach the people the good knowledge of God and their duty These itinerant judges and itinerant preachers together were instrumental to diffuse a blessed light throughout the cities of Judahrdquo And had the book of the law of the Lord with them mdash 1st For their own guidance that from thence they might draw all the instructions they gave to the people and not teach for doctrines the commandments of men 2d For the conviction or the people that they might see these priests and Levites had a divine warrant for what they said and delivered to them only that which they had received from the Lord

TRAPP 2 Chronicles 179 And they taught in Judah and [had] the book of the law of the LORD with them and went about throughout all the cities of Judah and taught the people

Ver 9 And had the book of the law of the Lord with them] They taught not

traditions human inventions or unwritten verities All their doctrines came cum privilegio and were Scripture proof

WHEDO 9 The book of the law mdash Our Pentateuch in substantially its present form ldquoCopies of the whole law were no doubt scarce and therefore Jehoshaphatrsquos commission took care to carry a copy with themrdquo mdash Rawlinson

PARKER And they taught in Judah and had the book of the law of the Lord with them and went about throughout all the cities of Judah and taught the people ( 2 Chronicles 179)

This was a mixed commission partly civil partly ecclesiastical The men here mentioned are otherwise unknown We identify them as educational reformers or reformers who operated through the medium of education they were not warriors destroyers revolutionists but men who addressed the mind and the understanding and the conscience and caused men to know that the true law was from above and not from beneath The book which the commission had in hand was the Pentateuch or the law of Moses This was known to be the law which alone could touch all the vital necessities of the commonwealth Again and again we are constrained to admit that there is a law beyond Prayer of Manasseh above Prayer of Manasseh in a sense apart from man men are not driven within themselves to find a law an instinct or a reason they have a written statute an authoritative declaration a book which Christian teachers do not hesitate to describe as a Revelation and to that they call the attention of men If the teacher were teaching out of his own consciousness he would be but an equal often exposing himself to the destructive criticism of his more advanced and penetrating scholars but the teacher takes his stand upon a book upon the Book the Bible a revelation which he believes to be divine and final Say what we will the effect of Bible teaching must be judged by its fruits Where are the nations that are most distinguished for wide and varied intelligence for large and exhaustive sympathy for missionary enterprise for philanthropic institutions and for all the elements which give grace and beauty to social existence The question should admit of definite reply the facts are before men let them judge fearlessly and honestly and we need have no apprehension concerning their verdict Wherever the word of the Lord has had free course superstition has been chased away human slavery has been abolished every instance of intolerance injustice unkindness has felt the influence of holy thought in all these matters discussion should be limited strictly to facts Thus kings can help nations not by forcing education not by attempting to rule opinion not by setting up standards of orthodoxy to fall short of which is to incur penalty but by spreading education by extending light by cultivating a spirit of inquiry and by a generous multiplication of all the instrumentalities needed for the destruction of ignorance What may come of this we are not supposed at this moment to know Meanwhile let us be thankful that we are face to face with a man who has conviction courage independence high patriotic and generous impulse and let us hope that his end may be as beautiful as his beginning was promising

SIMEO THE ROYAL EDICT

ADVERTISEMETmdashThe author feels it necessary to prefix to this Sermon some short account of the occasion on which it was delivered

The author was at Amsterdam (in June 1818) partly with a view of re-establishing there an Episcopal Chapel in which there had been no service for seven years but principally with a view of seeking the welfare of the Children of Israel He went thither rather to explore than to act (See ehemiah 212-16) But just previous to the 18th of June he understood that the Third Anniversary of the Battle of Waterloo was to be kept throughout the etherlands as a day of thanksgiving and just at that time also he quite accidentally heard that the King of the etherlands had a year before issued an Edict requiring all the Jews to educate their children in the knowledge of their own Scriptures and calling upon all his Christian Subjects to aid in this good work Despondency not unlike to that which paralyzed all exertion at Jerusalem in ehemiahrsquos days so universally prevailed that no one had risen to the occasion the very Commissioners who had been appointed to carry the Edict into effect had published a Report in which they gave it as their opinion ldquothat the Lordrsquos time was not comerdquo and there was great danger that the gracious designs of the Monarch would be altogether frustrated The author therefore judged this a fit occasion for calling the attention of the Public to the Edict and accordingly after devoting the Morning Service to the more appropriate subject of the day he employed the Evening Service in an endeavour to forward this good work Considerable attention was excited to the subject by means of the Sermon which was therefore instantly printed in Dutch French and English for the purpose of its being circulated throughout the etherlands and he has reason to hope that active exertions were afterwards made in many places to promote what every benevolent mind must ardently desire the edification and welfare of the Jewish People

So good an example having been set by the Emperor of Russia and the King of the etherlands the author hopes that the attention of our own Governors also both in Church and State may be called to this long-neglected People and that now the British Public has been invited by authority (the Kingrsquos Letter) to aid in supporting Missions to the Heathen World the claims of the Jewish ation to whom under God we owe all the light that we ourselves enjoy will not be overlooked It is with a view to this great object that the author sends forth the Sermon in this country where if the foregoing explanation had not been given its relevancy and use might have been justly called in question

2 Chronicles 179 And they taught in Judah and had the book of the law of the Lord with them and went about throughout all the cities of Judah and taught the people

O a day set apart for thanksgiving to God for mercies received it is peculiarly proper to consider what we may render unto the Lord for all his benefits Certainly if any event ever deserved repeated annual commemoration it is that which has

freed the world from the most grievous tyranny that ever it endured Of the bitter cup which was put into the hands of every nation in Europe this nation [ote The etherlands] drank very deeply and the change which it has experienced in the restoration of their rightful Monarch and in the establishment of a free Constitution calls for their devoutest acknowledgments to Almighty God Doubtless we may with justice pay some tribute of honour to those who by their counsels and their arms effected the overthrow of the Usurper but it is God alone who giveth victory to kings and to whom the glory of this great victory must be primarily ascribed and he who accounts a day consecrated to this service superfluous shews that he is far from justly appreciating the blessings that have been conferred upon him The monarch himself has given to his people a very decided evidence that he feels the depth of his obligations to the God of his salvation and it will be your own loss if you do not cultivate a similar spirit and improve the occasion to the honour of your God

But it is not to thanksgiving only that your Monarch invites you he calls you by a special Edict to unite with him in seeking the welfare of your Jewish Brethren who in their struggle with the enemy signally approved their fidelity to their legitimate Sovereign Their welfare he in his turn studies to promote and he desires to combine the energies of all his subjects in efforts for their good Methinks he is like Jehoshaphat of old who well knowing that piety must be founded in knowledge and happiness in piety sent forth the Princes of his empire with a select number of Priests and Levites to instruct his people in the knowledge of Godrsquos blessed word

His edict on this occasion and the manner in which it was carried into effect will form the subject of my present discourse

I Then we notice the edict of King Jehoshaphatmdash

This was such as became a great and pious monarch and we shall find it not unprofitable or unsuitable to the present occasion to enter into a distinct consideration of it We observe then that it was a kind and benevolent edict a wise and politic edict a good and beneficial edict

Mark the benevolence displayed in it He sought the present and eternal welfare of his subjects He knew that as men are raised above the beasts by the exercise of reason so are they elevated in the scale of rational beings in proportion as their intellectual powers are cultivated and enlarged Man destitute of knowledge is a mere savage but when instructed in the various branches of science he becomes refined and civilized and capable of contributing to the general good In the very cultivation of knowledge there is much pleasure arising to the mind and in the application of that knowledge to useful purposes there is an exquisite delight We need only observe persons when employed in their several vocations how happy they are how contented how cheerful oftentimes unconsciously proclaiming their happiness like the birds of the air in festal songs or consciously and with devotion in songs of praise

But it was not mere intellectual improvement which Jehoshaphat sought to convey he wished his people to be instructed in the knowledge of that God whom they professed to fear and worship This alone could make them truly happy this alone could impart to them sound wisdom or solid consolation He therefore gave particular directions that they should be taught ldquoin the Book of the Law of the Lordrdquo and this throughout the whole land O happy people whose governor so employed the authority with which he was invested And happy that monarch who so improved his influence not for his own personal aggrandizement but for the best interests of the people committed to his charge In so doing he approved himself to be indeed what every governor should be the friend and father of his people

or was the policy of this measure at all inferior to its benevolence A people well instructed in moral and religious knowledge will view government as an ordinance of God and will learn to obey the constituted authorities not so much from fear of their wrath as for conscience sake towards God They will view their governors as Godrsquos vicegerents upon earth and will consider allegiance to them as an essential part of their duty to him Hence will spring up love in their hearts and a real delight in manifesting on all proper occasions their loyalty to their king they will form a bulwark around his person in case of necessity and even glory in laying down their lives for him as their greatest benefactor

The benefits arising from this edict were incalculable Such was the effect of it that the fear of Jehoshaphat and of Jehovah as his protector fell on all the nations that were round about him so that none however hostile in their hearts dared to make war against him [ote ver 10] Doubtless this resulted chiefly from an impression made upon their minds by God himself yet it was also produced by a dread of that energy which an united people were ready to put forth at any instant at the call of their beloved monarch At the same time that peace was thus secured prosperity reigned in every part of the empire and as the immediate fruit of it Jehoshaphat as well as the people ldquohad riches and honour in abundance [ote ver 5]rdquo In his own mind too he reaped the fruits of his own benevolence God smiled upon him and manifested himself to him and enabled him to walk with ldquohis heart lifted up in the ways of the Lord [ote ver 6]rdquo

Such was the edict of the pious Jehoshaphatmdashbenevolent politic beneficial And what I would ask is the Edict which has been issued by the highest authority in this kingdom Do we not see in it the same blessed characters as in that which we have been considering It was ldquoin the third year of his reign [ote ver 7]rdquo that Jehoshaphat sent forth teachers to enlighten and instruct his subjects The very instant he felt himself at liberty from the more urgent and pressing calls of duty (such as the fortifying of his land against foreign enemies and the correcting of some great internal abuses) he engaged in this good work of diffusing light and knowledge through all classes of the community In like manner the sovereign of this kingdom has scarcely had time to repair the ravages of war and to establish his empire too long weakened and impoverished by a cruel usurpation before he stands forth as the friend and father of his people and more especially of that portion of them who have in every age and place been most treated with neglect and

disdain to have them educated in scriptural knowledge and in the fear of God It is much to be lamented that the Jewish people have not in general been so attentive either to the learning or morals of their children as might be wished and hence arose a necessity for some authoritative admonition on the subject Yet if I may say it without offence this neglect has not been more reprehensible in them than has been the indifference with which the Christian world has regarded it The monarch (may God recompense it richly into his bosom) has risen up to remedy the supineness both of the one and the other and to call forth the united energies of all to correct and terminate this evil Yet whilst he thus consults the best interests of his subjects with what paternal tenderness has he guarded against wounding the feelings of any or exciting their religious prejudices The Scriptures of the Old Testament are alone to be used in the schools that shall be established even those Scriptures which Jews as well as Christians believe to have been given by inspiration of God and to contain truth without any mixture of error In this is marked the policy no less than the benevolence of the edict for it is not by constraint but by conciliation and kindness that good is to be done to any and more especially to those who have shewn themselves now for so many centuries proof against all the efforts of intimidation or force In this kingdom they form no small body and I may add no unimportant portion of the community It is well known how extensive is their influence in the affairs of commerce and how by their activity they contribute to enrich the state Hence it is now generally seen and felt that they are entitled to the same respect as any other subjects of the realm and whilst as in the present instance they see how deeply their monarch feels interested in their welfare they cannot but on their part be sensible of the privileges they enjoy under his paternal government and testify their gratitude to him by every possible expression of loyalty and affection

What the ultimate effect of these measures will be may be conjectured from the blessed results of the edict of Jehoshaphat all will feel themselves happy under the government of such a prince and he whilst he is respected abroad and beloved at home will have the happiness of seeing his labours crowned with prosperity throughout his dominions and with peace in his own soul

II The manner in which Jehoshaphatrsquos edict was carried into execution is now to be noticedmdash

The promptness with which his commands were executed deserves the highest praise All were ready to co-operate in this good work as soon as it was proposed ldquoPrinces and priests and Levites [ote ver 7 8]rdquo all addressed themselves to it instantly with one heart and one soul one accounted their dignity so high or their functions so sacred but they thought it an honour to be employed in such a service and found a delight in fulfilling the wishes of their revered monarch all entered into the work with zeal and prosecuted it with diligence and hence a rapid change was effected both in the temporal and spiritual condition of the whole nation And what may not be effected in this kingdom also if a similar zeal be exercised by ldquothe princes and priestsrdquo (the magistrates and clergy) of the land With them it must begin Those who move in a lower station can effect nothing if they be not aided and

countenanced by the higher orders whose rank in life or sacredness of character will give a tone to the general feeling and combine the energies of the whole kingdom If it be said that those for whom the benefit is designed do not feel a desire after it this only shews how much they need it and how earnestly we should all embark in a cause proposed by such high authority and recommended by the soundest dictates of wisdom and piety

That our obligations to unite in this labour of love may the more distinctly appear I would beg leave to suggest the following considerations

First Loyalty to the king demands our concurrence with him in this good work and a holy emulation amongst us to carry into effect his benevolent designs What can the greatest or best of men effect (what could Jehoshaphat himself have done) if there be none to act in subserviency to them and to follow their directions As the most potent monarch upon earth would in vain proclaim war if there were no soldiers found to enlist under his banners and to execute his commands so it will be in vain that the design of benefiting the Jewish people was ever conceived in the mind of the king or that his edict respecting them was ever issued if his subjects do not put forth their energies in obedience to his call In truth a backwardness to co-operate with him in this blessed work would seem like a reflection cast upon him as recommending a measure that was unworthy of attention I do not mean to insinuate that such an idea really exists in the minds of any for I am perfectly convinced it does not but certainly in appearance it is open to this construction and every subject of the empire is concerned to act in such a way as to cut off all occasion for a reflection like this I say loyalty alone even if we had no higher motive should be sufficient to call forth our exertions in this cause

But let me next observe that gratitude to the Jewish nation demands it at our hands How great how manifold are our obligations to them Behold Moses and the prophets what instruction have they given us in reference to the way of life and salvation Without the moral law as revealed by Moses we should never have known to what an extent we need a Saviour nor if the prophecies had not so fully designated the promised Messiah could we have ever so fully known that Jesus was the Christ Of whom did the Lord Jesus Christ himself come as pertaining to the flesh but from the loins of David and of the seed of Abraham Yet to him are we indebted for all that we either have or hope for in time or in eternity And who were the Apostles but Jews who for our sakes went forth preaching the word and counted not their lives dear to them so that they might but lead us to the knowledge of Christ and make us partakers of his salvation From them too we have received the lively oracles which are the one source of all spiritual knowledge and the one foundation of all our hopes Does all this call for no recompence at our hands Knowing as we do the vast importance of education should we not endeavour to impart it to those from whose ancestors we have received such innumerable such inestimable benefits Yet behold these are the people whom for many many centuries we have treated with more neglect and contempt than any other people upon the face of the earth the savages of the most distant climes have received more attention from us than they Surely it is high time that the Christian world awake to

a sense of their duty and begin to shew to the Jews somewhat of that love which their forefathers exercised towards us in our Gentile state We are debtors to them to a vast amount and it is high time that we begin to discharge our debt And how can we discharge it better than by enabling them to read and understand those very oracles which they have preserved with such fidelity and which testify so fully of their promised Messiah

Further A love to the rising generation should lead us to avail ourselves of the present opportunity to promote their welfaremdashIt is truly afflictive to see how low and degraded is the state of multitudes especially of the Jewish nation purely through the neglect with which they are treated in their early youth and still more grievous is it to reflect on their ignorance of those things which belong to their everlasting peace To counteract this we should endeavour to qualify the whole of their population for good and useful employments and through the medium of useful instruction to make them holy and to make them happy We need never be afraid that there will not be a sufficient number of poor to fill the lower stations do what we will there will never be wanting persons who through their own fault or misfortunes are necessitated to undertake the lowest offices of life And if they have been previously instructed in the Scriptures of Truth they will have a fund of consolation ever open to them in their deepest afflictions they will learn from the inspired volume in whatsoever state they are there-with to be content and in the prospect of the eternal world they will find joys with which a stranger intermeddleth not and which the world can neither give nor take away We feel the force of these considerations in reference to the poor of our own communion how is it that we feel it not in reference to our Jewish Brethren This is a partiality unworthy of us and we should rise as one man to wipe off this disgrace from our own character

This brings me to the last consideration which I propose to mention namely that a concern for the honour of our holy religion should operate to unite us all in executing the Royal EdictmdashWhat must a Jew think of our religion when he sees how little it has wrought for us in the production of love We may tell him of a Messiah who has loved us and laid down his life for us but what credit will he give us for our principles when he sees how little our practice corresponds with them May he not well say to us ldquoPhysician heal thyselfrdquo Shew by your conduct the superiority of your principles before you call on me to embrace them It is by love that we must win them it is by shewing kindness to them that we must efface from their hearts those prejudices which with too much reason they entertain against us We must exhibit in our own person the loveliness of Christianity before we can bring them to investigate the grounds of our faith or to imagine that they can improve their own condition by embracing it May I not then call upon you as Christians to unite in the good work that is now before you that you may thereby serve and glorify your Lord and Saviour As Christians you believe that there is no other way to the Father but by Christ [ote John 146] and no other name but his whereby any human being can be saved [ote Acts 412] Where is your piety where is your love to Christ where is even common humanity if you will not avail yourselves of the present opportunity to remove from before your Jewish Brethren

the stumbling-blocks which for so many ages have been laid in their way

Do any ask What shall we do I answer search out amongst the Jews some persons of probity and talent to commence schools among them and do you yourselves aid to the utmost of your power in the support of them provide them with all necessary books for instructing children in the first rudiments of knowledge provide them with Bibles also both in the Dutch and Hebrew languages that they may be thoroughly instructed in the knowledge of their own religion and learn to walk in the steps of their father Abraham and of all the holy prophets

Begin too without loss of time Adult Schools You will find many among the house of Israel who will be glad to avail themselves of your instructions Let those who are benevolent amongst you dedicate an hour in a day to the instructing of a few who may be desirous to learn and carefully avoid every thing which may give unnecessary offence Confine yourselves to the Old Testament which they venerate as well as you Let those who can teach only in the Dutch language give instruction in that and let those who either understand or have leisure to attain the Hebrew tongue draw their attention to that In particular let it be the united endeavour of all to qualify masters for this good work

And let it not be thought that this is the duty of men only The Royal Edict has particularly and with great wisdom recommended it to females who may be of infinite service in conveying instruction to their own sex This age is distinguished above all others for the activity of females in the service of God and in the performance of every good work Were I able to declare the proportion of good that is done in Britain by the female sex it would appear incredible I believe from my soul that it far exceeds one half in all the societies raised since the commencement of the present century in the Bible Society the Missionary Societies and the Society for Promoting the Knowledge of Christianity amongst the Jews yes let the ladies of this country exert themselves in a prudent modest and discreet way and the effects will soon appear the Royal Edict will not be a dead letter but will produce incalculable good to the whole nationmdashand the agents in this benevolent work will themselves receive quite as much benefit as they impart their benevolence being in proportion as it is exercised its own reward

10 The fear of the Lord fell on all the kingdoms of the lands surrounding Judah so that they did not go to war against Jehoshaphat

GILL And the fear of the Lord fell upon all the kingdoms of the lands that were round about Judah Upon the ten tribes and on foreign nations about them as Moabites Edomites Syrians Egyptians Arabs and Philistines this fear as it came from the Lord so might be raised and increased by observing that religion was revived in them for they might perceive by former observations made that the more religious these people were the more prosperous and formidable they were

so that they made no war against Jehoshaphat to interrupt him in the work of reformation he was so intent upon

HERY We have here a further account of Jehoshaphats great prosperity and the flourishing state of his kingdom

I He had good interest in the neighbouring princes and nations Though he was not perhaps so great a soldier as David (which might have made him their terror) nor so great a scholar as Solomon (which might have made him their oracle) yet the fear of the Lord fell so upon them (that is God so influenced and governed their spirits) that they had all a reverence for him 2Ch_1710 And 1 None of them made war against himGods good providence so ordered it that while the princes and priests were instructing and reforming the country none of his neighbours gave him any molestations to take him off from that good work Thus when Jacob and his sons were going to worship at Bethel the terror of God was upon the neighbouring cities that they did not pursue after them Gen_355 and see Exo_3424 2 Many of them brought presents to him (2Ch_1711) to secure his friendship Perhaps these were a tribute imposed upon them by Asa who made himself master of the cities of the Philistines and the tents of the Arabians 2Ch_1414 2Ch_1415 With the 7700 rams and the same number of he-goats which the Arabians brought there was probably a proportionable number of ewes and lambs she-goats and kids

KampD This attempt of Jehoshaphat brought him this blessing that the terror of Jahve fell upon all the surrounding kingdoms and not only did none of the neighbouring peoples venture to make war upon him but also various tribes did homage to him by presents Ramb has already so understood the connection of these verses (erat hoc praemium pietatis Josaphati quod vicini satisque potentes hostes non auderent adversus ipsum hiscere) while Berth fails to apprehend it saying that Jehoshaphat had time to care for the instruction of his people because at that time the neighbouring peoples did not venture to undertake war against Judah The words ldquoterror of Jahverdquo cf 2Ch_1413 2Ch_2029 and ldquoall the kingdoms of the landsrdquo cf 2Ch_128 1Ch_2930 are expressions peculiar to the author of the Chronicle which show that by these remarks he is preparing the way for a transition to a more detailed

portrayal of Jehoshaphats political power מן־(לש)ים is subject מן partitive some of the

Philistines brought him presents (for מנחה see on 2Ch_175) ldquoand silver a burdenrdquo ie

in great quantity מא does not signify tribute vectigal argento (Vulg) for the word has

not that signification but denotes burden that which can be carried as in מא לאן

2Ch_2025 - 2Ch_2116 2Ch_221 ערבים 2Ch_267 and more usually ערב-ים or ערביאים

are Arabian nomadic tribes (Bedacircwin) perhaps those whom Asa after his victory over the Cushite Zerah had brought under the kingdom of Judah 2Ch_1414 These paid

their tribute in small cattle rams and he-goats (ישים( Gen_3035 Gen_3215 Pro_

3031)

BESO 2 Chronicles 1710 The fear of the Lord fell upon all the kingdoms ampc mdash Justly concluding from his singular piety that God would eminently appear for him for even the heathen could not but observe that the kings of Judah were either prosperous or unhappy according as they served God or forsook him So that they made no war against Jehoshaphat mdash Godrsquos good providence so ordered it that while the princes and priests were instructing and endeavouring to reform the country none of his neighbours gave him any molestation to take him off from that good work

COFFMA All of this peace and prosperity were directly due to the respect which Jehoshaphat had shown to the Law of God and to his efforts to teach that word to all the people It is no problem that much of the material here is omitted in Kings because the primary focus there was political whereas in Chronicles the focus is upon the spiritual and religious significance of the same history

TRAPP 2 Chronicles 1710 And the fear of the LORD fell upon all the kingdoms of the lands that [were] round about Judah so that they made no war against Jehoshaphat

Ver 10 And the fear of the Lord fell upon all the kingdoms] It is said [2 Chronicles 172] Jehoshaphat placed forces in all the fenced cities yet it is not said thereupon that the fear of the Lord fell upon the neighbour nations But when he had established a preaching ministry in all the cities then his enemies had a fear and made no war

POOLE Justly concluding from this singular piety that God would eminently appear for him and against all those who had ill will to him which was their case For even the heathens could not but observe that the kings of Judah were either prosperous or unhappy accordingly as they served God or forsook him

ELLICOTT (10) The fear of the LordmdashA dread of Jehovah (pachad) aps 2029 (Comp Exodus 1516 1 Samuel 117 Isaiah 210 ) This phrase is not peculiar to the chronicler as Keil and Bertheau assert ldquoThe kingdoms of the landsrdquo is so (2 Chronicles 128 1 Chronicles 2930)

They made no warmdashThe reward of Jehosha-phatrsquos piety (1 Chronicles 229

Proverbs 167) ldquoWhen a manrsquos ways please the Lord he maketh even his enemies to be at peace with himrdquo (Comp also Genesis 355)

11 Some Philistines brought Jehoshaphat gifts and silver as tribute and the Arabs brought him flocks seven thousand seven hundred rams and seven thousand seven hundred goats

BARES Some of the Philistines brought Jehoshaphat presents - i e ldquosome of the Philistines were among his tributariesrdquo Compare 2Sa_82 1Ki_421

Tribute silver - Or ldquomuch silverrdquo - literally ldquosilver of burthenrdquo

The Arabians - The Arab tribes who bordered Judaea to the south and the southeast paid Jehoshaphat a fixed tribute in kind Compare 2Ki_34 note

CLARKE The Philistines brought - presents - They and the Arabians purchased peace with the king of Judah by paying an annual tribute The Philistines brought silver and no doubt different kinds of merchandise The Arabs whose riches consisted in cattle brought him flocks in great abundance principally rams and he-goats

GILL Also some of the Philistines brought Jehoshaphat presents and tribute silver Perhaps those of Gerar and the parts adjacent Asa took and spoiled and made tributary 2Ch_1414

and the Arabians brought him flocks seven thousand and seven hundred rams and seven thousand and seven hundred he goats with which their country abounded and these might be the Scenite Arabs who fearing lest Jehoshaphat should fall upon them and take away their flocks as his father had done 2Ch_1415 brought these presents to him

JAMISO Also some of the Philistines brought Jehoshaphat presents and tribute silvermdash either they had been his tributaries or they were desirous of securing his valuable friendship and now made a voluntary offer of tribute Perhaps

they were the Philistines who had submitted to the yoke of David (2Sa_81 Psa_608)

the Arabiansmdash the nomad tribes on the south of the Dead Sea who seeking the protection of Jehoshaphat after his conquest of Edom paid their tribute in the way most suitable to their pastoral habits - the present of so many head of cattle

BESO 2 Chronicles 1711 Some of the Philistines brought presents mdash They had been subject to Judah ever since Davidrsquos time but it seems had neglected this duty in the times of his predecessors but were now moved by their own fears to perform it And the Arabians brought him flocks mdash Either because he had upon some just occasion waged war against them and subdued them or because they voluntarily put themselves under his protection in recompense whereof they sent him these presents or only as a free acknowledgment of their respect for him

TRAPP 2 Chronicles 1711 Also [some] of the Philistines brought Jehoshaphat presents and tribute silver and the Arabians brought him flocks seven thousand and seven hundred rams and seven thousand and seven hundred he goats

Ver 11 Also some of the Philistines] These having been subdued by David had withheld their tribute for a time but now seeing Jehoshaphatrsquos growing greatness they bring it in with the better that no offence might be taken at their former neglect The word here used signifieth honorary gifts or oblations pacifications

ldquo Placatur donis Iupiter ipse datis rdquo

Think the same of the Arabians See 2 Chronicles 1414-15

POOLE Some of the Philistines who had been subjects to this kingdom ever since Davidrsquos time but it seems had neglected this duty in the times of his predecessors but now were moved by their own fears to perform it

The Arabians brought him flocks either because he had upon some just occasion waged war against them and subdued them though the particulars of it be not described in Scripture or because they voluntarily put themselves under his protection in recompence whereof they sent him those presents or only as a free acknowledgment of their respects to him

ELLICOTT (11) Broughtmdashie continually Such is the force of the participle

PresentsmdashAn offering ie tribute (minchah 2 Chronicles 175)

And tribute silvermdashRather and silver a load or burden ie a great quantity (massacircrsquo) 2 Chronicles 2025 As if ldquosilver as much as they could carryrdquomdasha natural hyperbole ot all the five states of the Philistines were subject to Jehoshaphat (Comp 2 Samuel 81)

The ArabiansmdashlsquoArbicircrsquoim here only equivalent to lsquoArbicircyicircm (2 Chronicles 267) and

lsquoArbim (2 Chronicles 2116) They are in each case grouped with the Philistines The nomad Bedacircwin conquered by Asa (2 Chronicles 1415) appear to be meant here or else some tribes which recognised the overlordship of Jehoshaphat after his reduction of Edom (2 Chronicles 2022 sqq)

Brought him flocksmdashComp Mesha of Moabrsquos tribute to Ahab (2 Kings 34)

GUZIK 2 (2 Chronicles 1711-19) The international strength of Jehoshaphatrsquos kingdom

Also some of the Philistines brought Jehoshaphat presents and silver as tribute and the Arabians brought him flocks seven thousand seven hundred rams and seven thousand seven hundred male goats So Jehoshaphat became increasingly powerful and he built fortresses and storage cities in Judah He had much property in the cities of Judah and the men of war mighty men of valor were in Jerusalem These are their numbers according to their fathersrsquo houses Of Judah the captains of thousands Adnah the captain and with him three hundred thousand mighty men of valor and next to him was Jehohanan the captain and with him two hundred and eighty thousand and next to him was Amasiah the son of Zichri who willingly offered himself to the LORD and with him two hundred thousand mighty men of valor Of Benjamin Eliada a mighty man of valor and with him two hundred thousand men armed with bow and shield and next to him was Jehozabad and with him one hundred and eighty thousand prepared for war These served the king besides those the king put in the fortified cities throughout all Judah

a Some of the Philistines brought Jehoshaphat presents and silver as tribute and the Arabians brought him flocks Jehoshaphatrsquos commitment to personal and public godliness meant that God exalted his kingdom above the neighboring nations even as God promised in Deuteronomy 281-13

b These served the king The true treasure of Jehoshaphatrsquos kingdom was not numbered only in security or material things but also in the dedicated and courageous men he had surrounding him these mighty men of valor

i Amasiah the son of Zichri who willingly offered himself to the LORD ldquoAmasiah is a man of whom we do not know anything beyond this ndash he lsquowillingly offered himself unto the Lordrsquo There must have been a turning-point in his career a time when first he knew the grace of God which wrought such a change in him There must have been a waking up to the feeling that God deserved his love and his liferdquo (Spurgeon)

ii Amasiah was a ready servant of the Lord this particularly notable because he did it in an otherwise secular calling

middot o one had to press him into service

middot o one had to seek him out for service

middot o one had to look after him once he had begun serving

middot o one had to lead him

iii ldquoThere is no lawful occupation in which a man cannot thoroughly serve the Lord It is a great privilege and blessing to be set apart to the work of winning souls but we must never separate that work from all the rest of the callings of life as though it alone were sacred and all the rest were secular and almost sinful Serve God where you arerdquo (Spurgeon)

PULPIT The presents were probably enough in the nature of tribute the fixed rate of which is sometimes alluded to (1 Kings 421 1 Kings 1025 2 Samuel 82) but it is doubtful whether the word משא purports to say this The word means bearing or carrying and then a burden load or weight The expression (2 Chronicles 2025) more than they could carry away where this word is used favours the idea that the meaning here is silver of great weight Probably the moral significance and historical interest whether of this statement respecting the Philistines or the following respecting the Arabians lies in the fact that both of them brought without more ado their payments and did not seek to slip out of their engagements with Judah and Judahs king ote for confirmation of this view 2 Kings 34 2 Kings 35

12 Jehoshaphat became more and more powerful he built forts and store cities in Judah

GILL And Jehoshaphat waxed great exceedingly In wealth and riches power and authority in his forces and fortifications

and he built in Judah castles and cities of stores castles for the defence of his kingdom and store cities to lay up corn and wine and all provisions in case of an invasion or against a time of war

HERY II He had a very considerable stores laid up in the cities of Judah He pulled down his barns and built larger (2Ch_1712) castles and cities of store for arms and victuals He was a man of business and aimed at the public good in all his

undertakings either to preserve the peace or prepare for war

JAMISO 2Ch_1712-19 His greatness captains and armies

KampD Description of Jehoshaphats power - 2Ch_1712 And Jehoshaphat became

ever greater sc in power The partic הולך expresses the continuous advance in

greatness cf Ew sect280 b as the infin absol does elsewhere eg Gen_83 למעלה as עד

in 2Ch_1612 - He built castles in Judah ירנ-ות only here and in 2Ch_274 from ירנית

derivative formed from ירה by the Syriac termination נית- fem of ן- castle fortress On

מסנות cf 2Ch_84 ערי

TRAPP 2 Chronicles 1712 And Jehoshaphat waxed great exceedingly and he built in Judah castles and cities of store

Ver 12 And Jehoshaphat waxed great exceedingly] Heb He was going and growing By humility and the fear of the Lord are riches and honour and life [Proverbs 224]

And he built in Judah castles] Bironeoth πυργους turres So did the Burgundians and thence had their names

And cities of store] Granaries in the Hebrew they have their name from their utility or usefulness

ELLICOTT (12) And Jehoshaphat waxed greatmdashLiterally And Jehoshaphat was going on and waxing great ie became greater and greater (Comp 1 Chronicles 119)

ExceedinglymdashlsquoAd lĕmagraversquolah This phrase occurs again in 2 Chronicles 1612 2 Chronicles 268 and nowhere else in the Old Testament (See on 1 Chronicles 142)

And he builtmdashLike his predecessorsmdashSolomon Rehoboam Asamdashhe displayed his wealth and power in great public works The records of the Assyrian and Babylonian sovereigns are largely taken up with similar accounts of temple and palace building

CastlesmdashBiranicircyocircth a derivative from birah (1 Chronicles 291 1 Chronicles 2919 comp Syriac here birocircthocirc) It only recurs at 2 Chronicles 274 It is an Aramaic term (Comp bicircranyacircthacirc which in the Targums means ldquopalacesrdquo)

Cities of storesmdashComp 2 Chronicles 84 2 Chronicles 164 Exodus 111

PULPIT Castles This rendering better than palaces (margin) wound bear improving to the rather stronger word fortresses Hebrew בירניות found only here and in 2 Chronicles 274 plur of בירנית connected with the Chaldee and later Hebrew בירה of Ezra 62 ehemiah 11 Esther 12 Daniel 82 Cities of store (see note under 2 Chronicles 84 see also 1 Kings 919 Exodus 111)

13 and had large supplies in the towns of Judah He also kept experienced fighting men in Jerusalem

CLARKE He hadmuch business in the cities - He kept the people constantly employed they had wages for their work and by their labors the empire was both enriched and strengthened

GILL And he had much business in the cities of Judah Partly in fortifying them and partly in reforming the inhabitants of them

and the men of war mighty men of valour were in Jerusalem or by or near unto it so the particle is rendered Jos_513 they encamped in places adjacent to it for such a number of men as follows even 1160000 could never be contained in Jerusalem but must be disposed of in the territories of it nor did they wait on the king together but in course see 2Ch_1719 by which it appears there is no need to suppose any mistake of the transcriber in any or all of the following sums as has been suggested (q)

HERY 13-19 III He had the militia in good order It was never in better since David modelled it Five lord-lieutenants (if I may so call them) are here named with the numbers of those under their command (the serviceable men that were fit for war in their respective districts) three in Judah and two in Benjamin It is said of one of these great commanders Amasiah that he willingly offered himself unto the Lord (2Ch_1716) not only to the king to serve him in this post but to the Lord to glorify him in it He was the most eminent among them for religion he accepted the place not for the

honour or power or profit of it but for conscience sake towards God that he might serve his country It was usual for great generals then to offer of their spoils to the Lord 1Ch_2626 But this good man offered himself first to the Lord and then his dedicated things The number of the soldiers under these five generals amounts to 1160000 men a vast number for so small a compass of ground as Judahs and Benjamins lot to furnish out and maintain Abijah could bring into the field but 400000 (2Ch_133) Asa not 600000 (2Ch_148) yet Jehoshaphat has at command almost 1200000 But it must be considered 1 That God had promised to make the seed of Abraham like the sand of the sea for number 2 There had now been a long peace 3 We may suppose that the city of Jerusalem was very much enlarged 4 Many had come over to them from the kingdom of Israel (2Ch_1519) which would increase the numbers of the people 5 Jehoshaphat was under a special blessing of God which made his affairs to prosper greatly The armies we may suppose were dispersed all the country over and each man resided for the most part on his own estate but they appeared often to be mustered and trained and were ready at call whenever there was occasion The commanders waited on the king (2Ch_1719) as officers of his court privy-counsellors and ministers of state

But lastly observe It was not this formidable army that struck a terror upon the neighbouring nations that restrained them from attempting any thing against Israel or obliged them to pay tribute but the fear of God which fell upon them when Jehoshaphat reformed his country and set up a preaching ministry in it 2Ch_1710 The ordinances of God are more the strength and safety of a kingdom than its military force - its men of God more than its men of war

KampD 2Ch_1713

וגווגווגווגו רהרהרהרה is rightly translated by Luther ldquound hatte viel Vorrathsrdquo (and ומלעכהומלעכהומלעכהומלעכה

had much store) מלעכהמלעכהמלעכהמלעכה denotes here as in Exo_227-10 property that which has been gained by work or business The signification much work opera magna (Vulg Cler etc) as also Bertheaus translation ldquothe works for equipping and provisioning the fortressesrdquo correspond neither to the context nor to the parallel (synonymous) second member of the verse The work and trouble necessary to equip the cities of Judah does not correspond to ldquothe valiant warriors in Jerusalemrdquo the only parallel is the goods and property which were in these cities the provision of victuals and war material there stored up

BESO 2 Chronicles 1713 He had much business in the cities of Judah mdash To repair and fortify them and furnish them with provisions and to purge out all the relics of idolatry and injustice which were more secretly and craftily managed in the cities than in the country and which were first and most prevalent in the cities and thence spread their infection into the country around them

TRAPP 2 Chronicles 1713 And he had much business in the cities of Judah and the men of war mighty men of valour [were] in Jerusalem

Ver 13 And he had much business] Eργα πολλα (a) Many works going forward at

once a negotious man he was His business say some lay in beautifying and fortifying those cities Augustus gloried at his death that whereas he had found Rome built with brick he had left it made of marble

And the men of war hellip were in Jerusalem] These were his Praetorian forces his Praesidiaries were up and down in the various cities

POOLE He had much business in the cities of Judah partly to repair and fortify them and furnish them with all necessary provisions and partly to purge out all the relies and seeds of idolatry and injustice which were more secretly and subtlely managed in the cities than in the country and which were first and most in the cities and thence spread their infection into the country about them See Jeremiah 228

ELLICOTT (13) BusinessmdashRather much goods or stores literally work (mĕlacirckacirch) and then produce The Hebrew word is so used in Exodus 227 Exodus 2210 (ldquoHis neighbourrsquos goodsrdquo) Stores of provisions and war material seem to be intended (Comp 2 Chronicles 1111)

And the man of war were in JerusalemmdashRather and (he had) men of war in Jerusalem

In Jerusalemmdashot the entire army corps whose numbers are given in 2 Chronicles 1714-18 but simply their chiefs

PULPIT Much business Hebrew מלאכה The meaning of the word is service labour bestowed and the verse reads And there was to him much labour in the cities of Judah and men of war mighty men of valour in Jerusalem ie He bestoweth much pains on the cities of Judah and had etc The word were Authorized Version italics is incorrectly inserted The former half of this verse would better constitute the end of 2 Chronicles 1712 Keil however maintains the rendering substance property for מלאכה (Exodus 227 Exodus 2210)

14 Their enrollment by families was as followsFrom Judah commanders of units of 1000Adnah the commander with 300000 fighting men

BARES The captains of thousands Adnah the chief - literally ldquoprinces of thousands Adnah the princerdquo The writer does not mean that Adnah (or Johohanan 2Ch_1715) was in any way superior to the other ldquoprincesrdquo but only that he was one of them

Three hundred thousand - This number and those which follow in 2Ch_1715-18 have been with good reason regarded as corrupt by most critics For

(1) They imply a minimum population of 1480 to the square mile which is more than three times greater than that of any country in the known world (circa 1880rsquos)

(2) they produce a total just double that of the next largest estimate of the military force of Judah the 580 000 of 2Ch_148

(3) they are professedly a statement not of the whole military force but of the force maintained at Jerusalem (2Ch_1713 compare 2Ch_1719)

It is probable that the original numbers have been lost and that the loss was suppplied by a scribe who took 2Ch_148 as his basis

CLARKE Adnah the chief - He was generalissimo of all this host These are the numbers of the five battalions under Adnah three hundred thousand Jehohanan two hundred and eighty thousand Amasiah two hundred thousand Eliada two hundred thousand Jehozabad one hundred and eighty thousand in all one million one hundred and sixty thousand

GILL And these are the numbers of them according to the house of their fathers Both of the tribe of Judah and of Benjamin and first

of Judah the captains of thousands some had 1000 men under them and some one hundred

Adnah the chief he was the principal commander or general of them

and with him mighty men of valour three hundred thousand such a number was under his command

JAMISO these are the numbersmdash The warriors were arranged in the army according to their fathers houses The army of Jehoshaphat commanded by five great generals and consisting of five unequal divisions comprised one million one hundred and sixty thousand men without including those who garrisoned the fortresses No monarch since the time of Solomon equaled Jehoshaphat in the extent of his revenue in the strength of his fortifications and in the number of his troops

KampD 2Ch_1714-16

The men fit for war passed in review according to their fathers-houses The male population of Judah fell into three divisions that of Benjamin into two The prince

Adnah held the first place among the generals with 300000 men of Judah ידו at his על

hand ie with and under him Jehohanan had the command of 280000 men and

Amasiah over 200000 השר is a contraction for אלפים For what special reason it is so שר

honourably recorded of Amasiah that he had willingly offered himself to the Lord (cf for

Jdg_59) has not been communicated התנב

COFFMA his represented a standing army of 1160000 men besides the garrisons in the fortified cities and this goes a long way to explaining why the Arabians and the Philistines brought tribute to Jehoshaphat In ancient times as in our own day peace frequently depended upon the strength of those who desired it

We should ignore the screams of exaggeration[3] which mark the writings of radical critics Pagan rulers of that era reported even larger armies than this and until the critics can prove that those were exaggerated reports they should let these alone Besides that we have already noted that the very word from which thousand is translated is disputed as to its exact meaning

COKE 2 Chronicles 1714 And these are the numbers of themmdash That is of the soldiers as well as of those who were employed in the kings works in the several cities ampc which he built See 2 Chronicles 1719

REFLECTIOSmdash1st Jehoshaphat no sooner comes to the throne than we see the dawnings of a glorious reign

1 He strengthened his kingdom by placing strong garrisons in the cities of Judah and those which his father had recovered from Israel and prepared against that danger which Ahabs growing power seemed to threaten

2 Religion was his great concern He copied after the best of his predecessors in their best days such as were the first of David before the matter of Uriah and the numbering of the people had blotted his fair copy Faithful to the worship of God he abhorred all idols the law of God was his rule of duty and Israels apostacy rendered his fidelity more singular and exemplary Inspired with holy zeal his heart with delight and sincerity was engaged for God and no difficulties deterred him from the path of duty The idols and groves which in the declining days of Asa might have been set up again he utterly destroyed with all the high places where they still offered sacrifices to these abominations ote (1) In the fairest human pattern there will be found imperfections but there is a Son of David more than man who has set us a spotless example that we should follow his steps (2) Fidelity in Gods service is the stability of a nation (3) A lively soul on wings of faith and love mounts up to God rises superior to every difficulty and looks down upon every thing besides his favour as altogether vanity

3 He not only removed the temptations to sin but took care to instruct the people in

the path of duty Ignorance of Gods law had greatly prevailed and to oblige them merely to conform to his reformation without grounding them on the true foundation of Gods word promised little stability The Levites and priests therefore are sent in progress through the cities of Judah with the book of the law to explain and enforce the commandments of God and several princes accompanied them in order to engage the people to hear them and give countenance to these preachers by their weight and influence ote (1) It is a blessed thing when princes countenance faithful ministers Though they cannot make men true converts their example and authority will induce them to attend (2) They who are sent to teach must see that they take the pure word of God along with them A true preacher wishes for nothing in his hand but his Bible (3) Religion is a reasonable service Conviction alone not compulsion or education can make a man a christian

4 The blessing of God attended his labours The Lord was with him or as the Targum generally expresses it the word of the Lord the divine Logos to whom all things are committed strengthened him in his labours and established his kingdom The people charmed with his government liberally sent their presents to him and abounding in riches and honour his heart far from being intoxicated by prosperity was lifted up in greater love and thankfulness to the gracious giver ote (1) God often here rewards piety with prosperity (2) Worldly comforts are then truly blessings when as the steps of Jacobs ladder they raise our hearts to heaven

2nd Like the light of the morning which shineth more and more so did Jehoshaphats glory increase

1 Feared by his enemies as beloved by his subjects the neighbouring princes did not offer to molest him while those of Philistia and Arabia courted his favour either by a voluntary present or exact payment of the tribute which Asa had imposed on them see 2 Chronicles 1711 God had put an awe upon them of the majesty of his king in Zion ote God hath access to the spirits of men and by secret yet irresistible influence can bow them to his sovereign will

2 His military preparations greatly advanced While he reformed the people he fortified their ramparts and built new castles and store-cities strengthening them within and without against their enemies Under five chief officers an immense army was enlisted Probably all the able men in the country were enrolled and regularly mustered though not drawn out except in case of necessity and this may easily account for the greatness of their number if we consider also the long peace they had enjoyed the accession of Israelites to them and especially the blessing of Abraham which no doubt was eminently fulfilled Amasiah one of the officers is mentioned with an honourable mark of distinction as a volunteer who served for the glory of God not for the sake of pay Such patriots are scarce

TRAPP 2 Chronicles 1714 And these [are] the numbers of them according to the house of their fathers Of Judah the captains of thousands Adnah the chief and

with him mighty men of valour three hundred thousand

Ver 14 Three hundred thousand] These were under his command and at hand to come whensoever the king would

WHEDO 14 Three hundred thousand mdash The numbers in this verse and the four verses following are generally regarded as corrupt ldquoThey implyrdquo observes the writer last quoted ldquoa minimum population of 1480 to the square mile which is more than three times greater than that of any country in the known world It is probable that the original numbers have been lost and the loss supplied by a scribe who took 2 Chronicles 148 as his basis

ELLICOTT Verse 14 (14) And these their fathersmdashAnd this is their muster (or census) according to their father-houses (clans) 1 Chronicles 243 The warriors were marshalled in the army according to clans so that men of the same stock fought side by side with their kindred Perhaps in the original document this heading was followed by a much more detailed scheme of names and divisions than that which the text presents

Of JudahmdashTo Judah (belonged) captains of thousands viz the three enumerated in 2 Chronicles 1714-16 Adnah Jehohanan and Amasiah They were the principal officers or generals of the entire forces of Judah

Adnah the chiefmdashTo wit the captain Adnah That Adnah was commander-in-chief is implied by his being named first and his corps being the largest

PULPIT This verse with the following four gives us the names of five captains chiefs princes or military officers for the kingdoms service with the numbers of the troops they severally commanded The numbers of them (see note under 1 Chronicles 2311) Hebrew פקדתם The better English rendering to carry at once the signification would be The muster of them etc The captains hellip the chief In both cases the Hebrew is the familiar word for prince ( שר ) in the former without article in the latter with article The numbers of this and following four verses are not only absolutely unreliable but in themselves impossible According to the house of their fathers ie the quotation is drawn from an army catalogue arranged carefully by fathers houses (umbers 118 umbers 122 etc)

15 next Jehohanan the commander with 280000

GILL And next to him was Jehohanan the captain Being of the same rank as to office but having a lesser number of men under him and it may respect not any kind of subordination only nearness of place as the Targumhe that encamped next to him

and with him two hundred and fourscore thousand which number was but 20000 less than the former

POOLE ext to him either

1 After his death as his successor in the same command And the like is supposed concerning Jehozabad 2 Chronicles 1718 Or rather

2 ext to him in place and authority or at least in power and the numbers of his host

16 next Amasiah son of Zikri who volunteered himself for the service of the Lord with 200000

GILL And next him was Amasiah the son of Zichri He encamped next to him as the Targum

who willingly offered himself unto the Lord to fight the Lords battles and without any stipend as some think or as Kimchi he offered gold and silver to the treasures of the house of the Lord

and with him two hundred thousand mighty men of valour the number was 80000 less than the former the whole of Judah amounted to 780000 men

TRAPP 2 Chronicles 1716 And next him [was] Amasiah the son of Zichri who willingly offered himself unto the LORD and with him two hundred thousand mighty men of valour

Ver 16 Who willingly offered himself unto the Lord] He was a votary the vows of God were upon him and this made him the more valiant and resolute (a) in the exercise of arms for the service of God and the safety of his people The Spahis among the Turks are a sort of horsemen voluntaries and votaries to gain paradise by dying for the Mohammedan cause These are never known to return home but

with victory these are heavy upon the enemy For

ldquo Vincitur haud gratis iugulo qui provocat ensem rdquo

POOLE As volunteers and auxiliaries to be ready upon occasion as the service of God and the king should require Possibly these or most of them were the strangers which had come out of Israel into the kingdom of Judah in Asarsquos days and probably since that in his time

ELLICOTT (16) AmasiahmdashIah carrieth (Isaiah 4011) different from Amaziah (Iah is strong)

Who willingly offered himself unto the Lordmdash(Judges 52 Judges 59) An allusion to some noble act of self-devotion which was doubtless more fully recorded in the source from which the chronicler has drawn this brief account Such allusions though no longer intelligible are important as conducing to the proof of the historical value of the narratives in which they occur LXX ὁ προθυmicroούmicroενος τῷ κυρίῳ Vulg consecratus Domino

PULPIT Amaziah the son of Zichri This man is not titled at all The description of him as one who had willingly offered himself unto the Lord not elucidated by the context or any effective parallel will mark something honorable in his history Possibly he comes from an unexpected quarter and is a man of approved skill othing further is known of these three men Meantime it has been suggested (Professor Dr J Murphy of Belfast Handbook to Chronicles ) that the first of the three was for Judah proper the second for that contingent of Judah that hailed from Dan and the Philistines and the third for that of Simeon and the Arabs

MACLARE This is a scrap from the catalogue of Jehoshaphatrsquos lsquomighty men of valourrsquo and is Amasiahrsquos sole record We see him for a moment and hear his eulogium and then oblivion swallows him up We do not know what it was that he did to earn it But what a fate to live to all generations by that one sentence

I Cheerful self-surrender the secret of all religion

The words of our text contain a metaphor naturally drawn from the sacrificial system It comes so easily to us that we scarcely recognise the metaphorical element but the clear recognition of it gives great additional energy to the words Amasiah was both sacrificer and sacrifice His offering was self-immolation As in all love so in that noblest kind of it which clasps God its perfect expression is lsquoI give Thee my living loving selfrsquo Nor is it only sacrifice and sacrificer that are seen in deepest truth in the experience of the Christian life but the reality of the Temple is also there for lsquoYe also are built up a spiritual house to be a holy priesthood to offer up spiritual sacrificesrsquo Only when God dwells in us shall we have the nerve and the firmness of hand to take the knife and lsquoslay before the Lordrsquo the awful Guest in the sanctuary within the most precious of the children of our spirits

The essence of the sacrifice of self is the sacrifice of will In the Christian experience

lsquowillingly offeredrsquo is almost tautology for unwilling offerings are a contradiction and in fact there are no such things The quality of unwillingness destroys the character of the offering and robs it of all sacredness Reluctant Christianity is not Christianity That noun and that adjective can never be buckled together

The submission of will and the consequent surrender of myself and my powers opportunities and possessions so that I do all enjoy all use all and when need is endure all with glad thankful reference to God is only possible to me in the measure in which my will is made flexible by love and such will-subduing love comes only when we lsquoknow and believe the love that God hath to usrsquo There is the point at which not a few moral and religious teachers go wrong and bewilder themselves and their disciples There too is the point at which Christ and the Gospel of salvation through faith in Him stand forth as emancipating humanity from the dreary round of efforts and vain attempts to work up the condition needful for achieving the height of self-surrender which is seen to be indispensable to all true nobleness of living but is felt to be beyond the reach of the ordinary man There too is the point at which many good people mar their lives as Christians They waste their strength in trying to bring the jibbing horse up to the leap They try to blow up a fire of devotion and to make themselves priests to offer themselves but all the while the mutinous self recoils from the leap and the fire burns smokily and their sacrifice is laid on the altar with little joy because they have not been careful and wise enough to begin at the beginning and to follow Godrsquos way of melting their wills by love the reflection of the Infinite love of God to them Godrsquos priests offer themselves because they offer their wills they offer their wills because they love God they love God because they know that God loves them That is the divine order It is vain to try to accomplish the end by any other

II This willing offering hallows all life

No syllable is left to tell us what Amasiah did to win this praise Probably the words enshrine some now forgotten memory of his cheerful courage some heroic feat on an unrecorded battlefield Particulars are not given nor needed Specific actions are unimportant the spirit of a life can be told with very incomplete details and it not the details is the important thing Sometimes as in many modern biographies one lsquocannot see the wood for the treesrsquo and misses the main drift and aim of a life in the chaos of a bewildering mass of nothings How much more happy the lot of this man of whom we have only the generalised expression of the text unweighted and undisturbed by petty incidents It takes tons of rose leaves to make a tiny phial of otto of roses but the fragrance is far more pungent in a drop of the distillation than in armfuls of leaves Every life shrinks into very small compass and the centuries do not tolerate long biographies Shall we not seek to order our life so that Amasiahrsquos epitaph may serve for us It will be blessed if this-and nothing else-is known about us that we lsquowillingly offered ourselves to the Lordrsquo My friend will that be a true epitome of your life

III This willing offering is accepted by God

We may hear a mightier voice behind the chroniclerrsquo s and the judgment of the Judge of all pronounced by His lips It matters little what men say of one another but it matters everything what God says of us We are but too apt to forget that He is now saying something as to each of us and that we have not to wait for death to put a final period to our activities before our lives become fit subjects for Godrsquos judgment Moment by moment we are writing our own sentences But while it is good for us to remember the continuous judgment of God on each deed it is not good to let dark thoughts of the principles of that judgment paralyse our activity or chill our confidence in His forgiving and accepting mercy There is often a dark suspicion like that of the one-talented

servant which blackens Godrsquos fair fame as being lsquoan austere Manrsquo making demands rather than imparting power and the effect of such an ugly conception of Him is to cut the nerve of service and bury the talent carefully folded up it may be but none the less earning nothing lsquoIf we call on Him as Father who without respect of persons judgeth according to every manrsquos workrsquo let us be sure that it will be a Fatherly judgment that He will pass upon us and our offerings There is a wonderful collection on His altar of what many people would think rubbish just as many a mother has laid away among her treasures some worthless article which her child had once given her-a weed plucked by the roadside in a long past summer day some trifle of rare preciousness in the childrsquos eyes and of none in any others than her own She opens her drawer and brings out the poor little thing and her eyes fill and her heart fills as she looks And does not God keep His childrenrsquos gifts as lovingly and set them in places of honour in the day when He lsquomakes up His jewelsrsquo There are cups of cold water and widowsrsquo mites and much else that a supercilious world would call lsquotrashrsquo stored there Thank God He accepts imperfect service faltering faith partial consecration a little love Even our poor offering may be an lsquoodour of a sweet smellrsquo ministering fragrance that is a delight to Him if it is offered with the much incense of the great Sacrifice and through the mediation of the great High Priest

The world forgot Amasiah or never knew him an obscure soldier in an obscure kingdom but God did not forget and here is his epitaph and this is his memorial to all generations Menrsquos chronicles have no room for all the names that their wearers are eager to have inscribed on their crumbling and crowded pages lsquobut the Lambrsquos Book of Lifersquo has ample space on its radiant pages for all who desire to set their names there and if ours are there we need not envy the proudest whose titles and deeds fill the most conspicuous pages in the worldrsquos records lsquoThen shall every man have praise of Christrsquo and he who wins that guerdon needs nothing more and can have nothing more to swell his blessedness

17 From BenjaminEliada a valiant soldier with 200000 men armed with bows and shields

GILL And of Benjamin Eliada a mighty man of valour Was the chief commander

and with armed men with bow and shield two hundred thousand which were

the armour of the tribe of Benjamin they were best skilled in 2Ch_148

TRAPP 2 Chronicles 1717 And of Benjamin Eliada a mighty man of valour and with him armed men with bow and shield two hundred thousand

Ver 17 With bow and shield] The Benjamites were notable bowmen [1 Chronicles 122] The Engish were anciently so too

ELLICOTT (17) Armed men with bow and shieldmdashLiterally drawing bow and shield ie as the Targum explains ldquodrawing bow and grasping shieldsrdquo (Comp 1 Chronicles 122) LXX ldquoArchers and peltastsrdquo Vulg ldquoGrasping bow and shieldrdquo (Comp also 1 Chronicles 840 for the arms of the Benjaminites)

18 next Jehozabad with 180000 men armed for battle

GILL And next to him was Jehozabad According to the Targum he encamped next him

and with him one hundred and fourscore thousand ready prepared for war being able bodied men well disciplined valiant and well armed these numbers of Judah and Benjamin put together amount to 1160000 men whereas Asa only brought into the field 580000 but it should be considered there had been a long time of peace many had come off from the ten tribes to Judah and the promise of multiplying the seed of Abraham was eminently fulfilled

TRAPP 2 Chronicles 1718 And next him [was] Jehozabad and with him an hundred and fourscore thousand ready prepared for the war

Ver 18 A hundred and fourscore thousand] His militia was eleven hundred and threescore thousand besides what he had in garrisons [2 Chronicles 1719] So that as he was better he was stronger than his father Asa had been Piety hath prosperity

ELLICOTT (18) Ready prepared for the warmdashEquipped for service (See on 1

Chronicles 1223-24 umbers 315 umbers 3229) The hoplites or heavy-armed infantry are probably meant

PULPIT While Eliada of last verse was for Benjamin Professor Dr Murphy supposes that Jehozabad was for the annexed part of Ephraim But no suppositions of this kind can avail to explain the numbers in the text which is no doubt corrupt

19 These were the men who served the king besides those he stationed in the fortified cities throughout Judah

CLARKE These waited on the king - They were disposable forces always at the kingrsquos command and were independent of those by which the cities of Judah were garrisoned

There is not a sovereign in Europe or in the world but might read this chapter with advantage

1 It shows most forcibly that true religion is the basis of the state and that wherever it prospers there the state prospers

2 It shows also that it is the wisdom of kings to encourage religion with all their power and influence for if the hearts of the subjects be not bound and influenced by true religion vain is the application of laws fines imprisonments or corporal punishment of any kind

3 A religious nation is ever a great nation it is loved by its friends it is dreaded by its enemies

4 It is ever a peaceable and united nation the blessings of religion and a wholesome and paternal government are so fully felt and prized that all find it their interest to preserve and defend them Harmony peace piety and strength are the stability of such times May Britain know and value them

GILL These waited on the king Not this vast number of men at one time but in course as Davids military men waited on him 1Ch_271 or each of these captains with a proper number of men under them detached from the body and they were all ready to obey the kings orders whenever he should have occasion for them

besides those whom the king put into the fenced cities throughout Judah and all together the militia of the kingdom was very numerous and formidable

KampD 2Ch_1719

These were serving the king א6ה refers not to the above-mentioned men capable of

bearing arms for sheereet is not used of service in war but to the commanders whom he had placed in the fortified cities of all Judah ldquoin which probably bodies of the above-mentioned troops lay as garrisonsrdquo (Berth)

BESO 2 Chronicles 1719 These waited on the king mdash These above-mentioned were the trained bands or auxiliaries whose chief officers waited on the king to receive his commands and to raise and bring in all or part of their forces to the service of the king as need required A vast number for so small a compass of ground to furnish out and maintain But we may consider that God had promised to make the seed of Abraham like the sand of the sea for number that there had now been a long peace that many were come to them from the kingdom of Israel and that Jehoshaphat was under a special blessing of God They were doubtless dispersed all the country over every one residing on his own land only they were ready at call whenever there was occasion

TRAPP 2 Chronicles 1719 These waited on the king beside [those] whom the king put in the fenced cities throughout all Judah

Ver 19 These waited on the king] ie In their turns and by course

POOLE These above mentioned were the trained bands or auxiliaries whose chief officers waited upon the king to receive his commands and to raise and bring in all or part of their forces to the service of the king and kingdom as need required

ELLICOTT (19) These waited on the kingmdashRather these are they that ministered unto the king viz the five generals above named

Beside those whom the king put in the fenced citiesmdashie the commandants of the fortresses of the kingdom (2 Chronicles 1111 2 Chronicles 1123) These latter as well as the generals of the forces are called the kingrsquos ldquoministersrdquo (mĕshacircrĕthicircm)mdasha word which is not used of service in the field but implies their presence at court (ldquoin Jerusalemrdquo 2 Chronicles 1713 as the royal staff)

According to the above list the army of Jehoshaphat was organised in five grand divisions corresponding perhaps to five territorial divisions of the southern kingdom The totals are the largest assigned to the two tribes anywhere in the Old Testament viz Judah 780000 and Benjamin 380000 in all 1160000 At Davidrsquos census Judah had 500000 warriors (2 Samuel 249) and Israel 800000 Again in 2

Chronicles 148 Asarsquos army consists of 300000 men of Judah and 280000 Benjaminites clearly such an increase as our text indicates is unaccountable At the same time it is equally clear that the present numbers are not fortuitous results of clerical errors for they follow each other in the order of relative strength Judah 300000 280000 200000 Benjamin 200000 180000 and they are evidently not independent of the estimates of 2 Chronicles 148 above quoted

In the absence of adequate data for modifying these certainly startling figures it is well to bear in mind that we need not understand by them an army which ever actually mustered in the field or on parade but simply an estimate of the total male population liable to be called out for the national defence although even upon that understanding the total appears to be at least three times too great considering the small extent of the country

PULPIT These waited Hebrew המשרתים plur piel part of שרת The verse states that this enormous fivefold army with its five princes (counting in our corrupt text one million one hundred and sixty thousand) was the kings Jerusalem standing army while other separate regiments or bands of troops were spread through all Judah where they might be most needed for defence

I Its measure Everything indicates that it was great and genuine Not an element of true prosperity is wanting whether we consider him individually or as identified with the realm It involvedmdash

1 The safety of the kingdom

2 Wealth

3 Honour from abroad

4 The love and confidence of his own people

II Its origin This was partly natural partly supernatural

1 Natural

(1) The roots of his prosperity lay largely in himself He was a man of correct instincts and good convictions A man of worth and weight of character By these he won the love and secured the co-operation of his people

(2) He was wise in management

2 Supernatural ldquoThe Lord stablished the kingdom in his handrdquo It was a reward of piety He honoured God and God honoured and exalted him Lessons

1 The union of prudence and piety Each is helpful to the other neither is sufficient without the other Prudence gives tone and practicality to piety piety gives sweetness and mellowness to prudence Piety alone tends to feebleness and inefficiency prudence alone inclines to coldness and covetousness United they round out the character in beauty and strength

2 Reform through religion and law Jehoshaphat united the civil and religious power in securing national reform How necessary is this union in the great struggle with intemperance and other moral defilements (Monday Club Sermons)

2 He stationed troops in all the fortified cities of Judah and put garrisons in Judah and in the towns of Ephraim that his father Asa had captured

CLARKE The cities of Ephraim - This conquest from the kingdom of Israel is referred to 2Ch_158 but when it was made we do not know

GILL And he placed forces in all the fenced cities of Judah A considerable number of soldiers to defend them should they be attacked

and set garrisons in the land of Judah on the frontiers and borders of it to protect it

and in the cities of Ephraim soldiers to keep garrison there

which Asa his father had taken see 2Ch_158

KampD 2-4 He placed forces (חיל) in all the fenced cities of Judah and garrisons

in the land of Judah and in the cities of Ephraim (military posts cf 1Ch_1116 נציבים)

which is father Asa had taken cf 2Ch_158 God blessed these undertakings Jahve was with him because he walked in the ways of David his ancestor the former ways and sought not the Baals The former ways of David are his ways in the earlier years of his reign in contrast to the later years in which his adultery with Bathsheba (2 Sam 11) and

the sin of numbering the people (1 Chron 21) fall העלים are all false gods in contrast to

Jahve the one God of Israel and here the word designates not only the Baal-worship properly so called but also the worship of Jahve by means of images by which Jahve is

brought down to the level of the Baals cf Jdg_211 The ל before עלים stands according

to the later usage as a sign of the accusative In the last clause of 2Ch_174 ldquoand not

after the doings of Israelrdquo (of the ten tribes) הלך ldquohe walkedrdquo is to be repeated The

doing of Israel is the worship of Jahve through the images of the golden calves which

the author of the Chronicle includes in the לעלים רש

BESO 2 Chronicles 172 And set garrisons in the cities which Asa had taken mdash We do not read of any cities which Asa took but Abijah his father possessed himself of several which Asa kept and took for his own 2 Chronicles 1319 And it appears Jehoshaphat put such forces in them as might secure them to himself

TRAPP 2 Chronicles 172 And he placed forces in all the fenced cities of Judah and set garrisons in the land of Judah and in the cities of Ephraim which Asa his father had taken

Ver 2 And he placed forces] See 2 Chronicles 1719

ELLICOTT (2) And he placed forcesmdashComp 2 Chronicles 1112

The fenced citiesmdashlsquoArecirc ha-bĕtsucircrocircth (Comp 2 Chronicles 115 sqq 2 Chronicles 146-7)

And set garrisonsmdashPlaced military posts or prefects (netsicircbicircm) (1 Chronicles 1116 2 Chronicles 1111) Syriac ldquoappointed rulersrdquo

The cities of Ephraim had takenmdashSee on 2 Chronicles 158

PULPIT He placed forces literally he gave (Genesis 117) forces or a force or host or army חיל (Exodus 1428 2 Samuel 242) And set garrisons again literally he gave garrisons ( נאיבים ) ie either the persons set over prefects or officers (1 Kings 419) or the military garrison itself stationed (1 Samuel 105 1 Samuel 133) A village in Judah also had the name ezeb (Joshua 1545) In the cities of Ephraim (see 2 Chronicles 158)

3 The Lord was with Jehoshaphat because he followed the ways of his father David before him He did not consult the Baals

BARES The first ways of his father David - The Septuagint and several Hebrew manuscripts omit ldquoDavidrdquo which has probably crept in from the margin for Davidrsquos ldquofirst waysrdquo are nowhere else contrasted with his later ways The real meaning of the writer is that Jehoshaphat followed the example set by his father Asa in his earlier years 2Ch_141-15 15

Baalim - On the plural form see 1Ki_1818 note

CLARKE The Lord was with Jehoshaphat - ldquoThe Word of the Lord was Jehoshaphatrsquos Helperrdquo - Targum

GILL And the Lord was with Jehoshaphat Guiding and directing prospering and succeeding him in all things he had no doubt his gracious presence in spiritual things as well as his powerful and directing presence in things civil the Targum isthe Word of the Lord was for his help

because he walked in the first ways of his father David which were his best some of his last ways not being good as in the affair of Uriah and Bathsheba and his numbering of the people Jehoshaphat followed him in the one but not in the other or in the ways of David and his father the first the first of them both for the latter ways of his father Asa were not so good as his first as the preceding chapter shows and the

Septuagint version leaves out the word David and so restrains it to his own father

and sought not unto Baalim as did Ahab king of Israel who now reigned there 1Ki_1524

JAMISO 3-5 he walked in the first ways of his father Davidmdash He imitated the piety of his great ancestor in the early part of his reign before he made those unhappy lapses which dishonored his character

and sought not unto Baalimmdash a term used for idols generally in contradistinction to the Lord God of his father

BESO 2 Chronicles 173-4 He walked in the first ways of his father David mdashHis ways before he fell so foully in the matter of Uriah which were good ways David indeed recovered from that fall but perhaps never while he lived fully retrieved the spiritual strength and comfort which he had lost Jehoshaphat followed David as far as he followed God and no farther St Paul himself thus limits our imitation of him 1 Corinthians 111 Follow me as I follow Christ and not otherwise The first ways of many pious people have been their best ways and their first love their strongest love which however ought not to be the case for the last ought to be more than the first Revelation 219 But in every copy we propose to write after as we ought to single out that only which is good so that chiefly which is best The original words here are literally rendered He walked in the ways of David his father הראשונים hareshonim those first or ancient ways He proposed to himself for his example the primitive times of the royal family those purest times before the corruptions of the late reigns came in See Jeremiah 616 The LXX leave out David and so refer this to Asa He walked in the first ways of his father Asa and did not imitate him in what was amiss in him toward the latter end of his time It is well to be cautious in following the best men lest we step aside after them And sought not unto Baalim mdash The neighbouring nations had their Baalim one had one Baal and another had another but he abhorred them all and had nothing to do with any of them He sought the Lord God of his father and him only prayed to him only and inquired of him only

TRAPP 2 Chronicles 173 And the LORD was with Jehoshaphat because he walked in the first ways of his father David and sought not unto Baalim

Ver 3 Because he walked in the first ways of his father David] Who during his trouble kept himself free from scandalous and reproachful practices innocent from the great transgression [Psalms 1913] David rectior fuit in servitio quam in regno saith Gregory

POOLE In the first ways which David walked in before he fell into those horrid sins of murder and adultery Or in the ways of David and his fatherrsquos first ways For the beginning of Asarsquos reign was laudable as we have seen though he declined at last For it seems more probable that this passage is a reflection upon Asa whose last ways were much his worst and of whose repentance we have no evidence than

upon David who though he fell dreadfully in the matter of Uriah yet did manifestly repent of it and return to his first and holy course of life in which also he continued until death having this character given him by the Holy Ghost after his death that he did right in all things saving that of Uriah 1 Kings 155

WHEDO 3 The first ways of his father David mdash The first or earlier ways of David are contrasted with his later ways ldquoin the matter of Uriahrdquo and his sin in numbering the people The Septuagint omits the word David and some have therefore thought it an interpolation and understand the earlier ways of Asa to be intended

ELLICOTT (3) He walked in the first waysmdashThe former or earlier ways of David as contrasted with his later conductmdasha tacit allusion to the adultery with Bathsheba and other sins of David committed in his later years (2 Samuel 11-24) A few MSS and the LXX omit David

And sought not unto BaalimmdashAnd sought not the Baals (dacircrash lĕ a late construction) The Baals were different local aspects of the sun-god Here the term no doubt includes the illegal worship of Jehovah under the form of a bullock as instituted by Jeroboam and practised in the northern kingdom (ldquothe doing of Israelrdquo 2 Chronicles 174) Syriac ldquoand prayed not to imagesrdquo

PARKER And the Lord was with Jehoshaphat because he walked in the first ways of his father David and sought not unto Baalim ( 2 Chronicles 173)

The Lord was not with Jehoshaphat because he strengthened himself against Israel nor because he placed forces in all the fenced cities of Judah and set garrisons in the land of Judah and in the streets of Ephraim ot one of these little triumphs is referred to as affording God a basis for the complaisant treatment of the new king As ever the Lords relation to Jehoshaphat was determined by Jehoshaphats own moral condition A very beautiful expression is thismdashhe walked in the first ways of his father David that is to say in the former or earlier ways of David as contrasted with Davids later conduct Some have found here a tacit allusion to Davids greatest sin which he committed when he was advanced in life A somewhat mournful thing it is that a mans first ways should be better than his last The other relation would seem to be the one which reason would approve and God would specially honour namely that a mans old age should be the ripest and best part of his conduct rich with Wisdom of Solomon strong with experience and chastened by many a pensive recollection Sad when you have to go back to a mans youth to find his virtues or his most conspicuous excellences but most beautiful when a mans earlier mistakes are lost in the richness and wisdom of his later conduct God keeps his attention fixed on all the parts of a mans life and he observes which of those parts is most esteemed by the mans own successors Happy is that father whose whole example is worthy of imitation yet more than human is he the whole of whose life is without stain or flaw Jehoshaphats conduct in this matter is the more notable because of the constant observation of mankind that it is easier to follow the evil than to imitate the good When imitation enters into a mans life he is prone to

copy that which is inferior and to leave without reproduction that which is lofty and disciplinary In this instance Jehoshaphat sets an example to the world His conduct too is represented negatively as well as positivelymdashand sought not unto Baalim The word Baalim is in the plural number and the literal reading might be Jehoshaphat sought not the Baals the Baals being different local aspects or phases of the sun-god It is to be specially noted that the term Baal includes an aspect even of Jehovah himself that is to say Israel had degenerated so far as to suppose that in worshipping Baal they were worshipping at least one phase of the true God We must not mix up our religion with our irreligion our prayers with our idolatry our heavenliness with our worldly-mindedness the whole arrangement must be clean and pure from one end to the other inasmuch as one taint may cause the whole process of our religious thought and service to become deteriorated and valueless It is often difficult to abandon a popular custom More people might be in favour of Jehoshaphat strengthening himself against Israel than in returning to the first ways of David and abandoning the altar of the Baals History and religion are always considered in their separate distribution There are politicians who would vote for a war who would on no account surrender a superstition On the other hand there are men who pride themselves on being free of the influence of superstition who would willingly enter into the most sanguinary wars for the extension of empire or the glory of some particular throne In Jehoshaphat we seem to come into contact with a complete character in other words a man who in every point was equally strong a man of foresight a man of reverence a man of an honest heart a man who felt that idolatry and true worship could not coexist in the same breast

ISBET lsquoThe Lord was with Jehoshaphatrsquo2 Chronicles 173It is instructive to notice what is said about Davidrsquos waysmdashit was his first ways that Jehoshaphat took for his pattern We should always be careful to adopt only the good things in others

I lsquoThe Lord stablished the kingdom in his handrsquo God loves to find a man He can trust a man into whose hand He can put holy interests and know that they will be sacredly cherishedmdashThe Lord established the kingdom in the hands of Jehoshaphat because Jehoshaphat was true to his trust In our Lordrsquos parable of The Talents we are taught that those who prove faithful to their trust receive other things also in trust while those who are unfaithful even in small things God will not intrust with larger things

II lsquoHis heart was lifted up in the ways of the Lordrsquo There is a bad lifting up and a good lifting up Some people are made vain and self-conceited by prosperitymdashThe temptation for young people when first called upon to do any work and accomplishing it with some measure of success is to become proud and to show their vanity by talking too much about themselves and what they have done Such lifting up not only dishonours God but hurts the person But Jehoshaphat was lifted up in the ways of the Lord Too often as money comes in and prosperity increases

people get so absorbed in these new gifts of God that the Giver Himself fades out of their vision If only we see the hand of God in every new mercy and goodness that comes to us our heart will be lifted up in the ways of the Lord

III lsquoThe fear of the Lord fell upon all the kingdoms hellip so that they made no war against Jehoshaphatrsquo The Lord is able to control even the diplomacy and the politics of nationsmdashWhen these kingdoms saw the blessing which Jehoshaphat was enjoying in his country they felt an awe in their heartsmdashthe fear of the Lord fell upon themmdashand they refrained from making war God will always find some way to defend His own people in the midst of dangers

PULPIT The first ways of his father David Although there would be no difficulty in reconciling this statement with history yet probably the name David should not stand here It is not in the Septuagint The most natural and sufficient reference is to Asa And sought not unto Ballim literally to the Baalim ie to the various false gods of surrounding peoples ( 211) Baal-berith ( 833 94 946) Baal-zebub (2 Kings 12) Baal-peor (umbers 2328 etc umbers 253) according to the places where the idolatrous worship was carried on (For the preposition ל to after sought in this and following verse see again 1 Chronicles 2219 )

4 but sought the God of his father and followed his commands rather than the practices of Israel

BARES The doings of Israel - i e the especially idolatrous doings of the time -the introduction and establishment of the worship of Baal and the groves

GILL But sought to the Lord God of his fathers Prayed to him worshipped and served him

and walked in his commandments observed and kept them moral ceremonial and judicial

and not after the doings of Israel who worshipped the golden calves at Dan and Bethel

JAMISO and not after the doings of Israelmdash He observed with scrupulous fidelity and employed his royal influence to support the divine institutions as enacted by Moses abhorring that spurious and unlawful calf-worship that now formed the established religion in Israel Being thus far removed alike from gross idolatry and Israelitish apostasy and adhering zealously to the requirements of the divine law the blessing of God rested on his government Ruling in the fear of God and for the good of his subjects ldquothe Lord established the kingdom in his handrdquo

COFFMA So far so good Jehoshaphat like some others of the kings of Judah began very well receiving as their reward the blessing of the Lord and the prosperity of the people but his alliance with Ahab (described in 2 Chronicles 18) would cast a dark shadow over what is written here

(He) walked not after the doings of Israel (2 Chronicles 174) The contempt in which the author of Chronicles held the orthern Israel appears in a clause like this The outstanding feature of Chronicles is the omission wherever possible of practically the entire history of their kings This reminds us of the Book of umbers in which the whole history of the apostate Israel records only a few events for the whole period Why It was because of the fact that what any nation does after they have rejected God is of minor importance

With the apostasy of the orthern Israel and their rejection of Gods choice of the house of David the history of the redemption of mankind dramatically shifted to what happened in Jerusalem

TRAPP 2 Chronicles 174 But sought to the [LORD] God of his father and walked in his commandments and not after the doings of Israel

Ver 4 And not after the doings of Israel] Who in his days did evil as they could under that nonsuch Ahab But Jehoshaphat was not corrupted with their ill neighbourhood

PARKER But sought to the Lord God of his father and walked in his commandments and not after the doings of Israel ( 2 Chronicles 174)

We must be prepared for singularity if we are genuinely prepared to be good Let a man settle it with himself in prayerful solitude whether he means to walk with God or to identify himself with the spirit and customs of his age Jehoshaphat laid down a clear programme for himself and followed it out with patient and faithful industry The Lord God of his father was not a mere term in a crowd it was the object of daily search and quest Jehoshaphat inquired for him and operated constantly upon the doctrine Ask and it shall be given you knock and it shall be opened unto you or was Jehoshaphats religion merely speculative that is to say an intellectual quest after an intellectual God whatever was speculative in the mind and service of Jehoshaphat was sustained and ennobled by a solid moral element

forasmuch as Jehoshaphat walked in Gods commandmentsmdashhe read the decalogue he studied Gods word he would take no action personal regal or social that was not first examined and approved in the light of the divine statutes All this might have been comparatively easy if Jehoshaphat had started at an independent point but at such a point no man can start for he must take up the age as he finds it and must first disembarrass himself from all the stipulations and claims of custom usage and popular superstition Jehoshaphat sought not after the doings of Israel he set himself up in this respect against the kingdom he was not afraid of peculiarity in a word Jehoshaphats religion was characteristic that is to say it had lines points and colours of its own about which there could be no reasonable mistake What is our religion Do we intellectually assent to the existence and sovereignty of one God and then degenerate into self-worship Do we admit that there must be an ultimate morality a philosophy of conduct founded upon eternal metaphysics and then do we measure our own behaviour by the canon of custom These are questions that search the heart and no man can answer them for his brother

What became of all this noble conduct arising out of this high religious conception We shall see in the following versemdash

PULPIT After the doings of Israel This expression probably marks the doings of the northern kingdom as both the more typical throughout its whole history of the wrong and also as the systematic beginning by a law of idolatrous worship and images in the matter of the calves and so on

5 The Lord established the kingdom under his control and all Judah brought gifts to Jehoshaphat so that he had great wealth and honor

BARES Presents - i e ldquofree-will offeringsrdquo in addition to the regular taxes See 1Sa_1027

GILL Therefore the Lord stablished the kingdom in his hand Piety is the

best prop of government the throne is best supported and established by truth righteousness and mercy by the exercise of these Jehoshaphat was settled in his kingdom and had a place in the hearts of his people

and all Judah brought to Jehoshaphat presents being well affected to him as well as it was usual so to do at a princes accession to the throne see 1Sa_1027

and he had riches and honour in abundance through the presents his subjects brought him and the respect they showed him

JAMISO all Judah brought presentsmdash This was customary with the people generally at the beginning of a reign (1Sa_1027) and with the nobles and high functionaries yearly afterwards They were given in the form of voluntary offerings to avoid the odious idea of a tax or tribute

KampD Therefore Jahve established the kingdom in his hand ie under his rule cf

2Ki_145 All Judah brought him presents מנחה often used of tribute of subject peoples

eg in 2Ch_1711 of the Philistines cannot here have that signification nor can it denote

the regular imposts of subjects for these are not called מנחה but must denote voluntary

gifts which his subjects brought him as a token of their reverence and love The last clause ldquoand there was to him (he attained) riches and honour in abundancerdquo which is repeated 2Ch_181 recalls 1Ch_2928 2Ch_112 and signifies that Jehoshaphat like his ancestors David and Solomon was blessed for walking in the pious ways of these his forefathers

BESO 2 Chronicles 175-6 Therefore the Lord established the kingdom in his hand mdash Those stand firm that have the presence of God with them If the beauty of the Lord our God be upon us that will stablish the work of our hands and establish us in our integrity And all Judah brought to Jehoshaphat presents mdash As subjects in those times and places used to do to their kings in token of their respect and subjection to them The more there is of true religion among a people the more conscientious loyalty there will be A governor that answers the end of government will be supported And he had riches and honour in abundance mdash The effect of the favour both of God and his people It is undoubtedly true though few will believe it that religion and piety are the best friends to outward prosperity And his heart was lift up in the ways of the Lord mdash Riches and honour in abundance prove to many a clog and a hinderance in the ways of the Lord an occasion of pride security and sensuality but they had a quite contrary effect upon Jehoshaphat his abundance was oil to the wheels of his obedience and the more he had of the wealth of this world the more cheerfully and resolutely he went on in the ways of the Lord His heart also was lifted up above all discouragements difficulties and fears by which menrsquos hearts are wont to be cast down He was valiant and resolute for God and his ways He took away the high places and groves mdash That is those in which idols were worshipped for those that were dedicated to the true God only were not taken away chap 2 Chronicles 2033 And though Asa had done the same before yet

either he did not do it thoroughly or the people who were mad upon their idols had secretly made new ones in the latter part of his reign when he grew more infirm in body and more remiss in Godrsquos cause

TRAPP 2 Chronicles 175 Therefore the LORD stablished the kingdom in his hand and all Judah brought to Jehoshaphat presents and he had riches and honour in abundance

Ver 5 And he had riches and honour in abundance] Herein he came near unto Solomon in his greatest flourish

ELLICOTT (5) ThereforemdashAnd (so ldquoalsordquo ldquoso thatrdquo in 2 Chronicles 177 2 Chronicles 1710)

The Lord stablished the kingdom in his handmdashComp 2 Kings 145

PresentsmdashMinchah This word often means tributary offerings as in 2 Chronicles 1711 but here it obviously denotes the voluntary gifts of loyal subjects usual at the beginning of a reign (1 Samuel 1027)

And he had (or got) riches and honour in abundancemdashLike David and Solomon (1 Chronicles 2928 2 Chronicles 112)

PARKER 5-9 5 Therefore the Lord stablished the kingdom in his hand [comp 2 Kings 145] and all Judah brought to Jehoshaphat presents [this word often means tributary offerings but here it denotes the voluntary gifts of loyal subjects] and he had riches and honour in abundance

6 And his heart was lifted up [usually the phrase has a bad meaning (as in Deuteronomy 814 2 Chronicles 2616 Psalm 1311 etc) but it is evident that it must be taken differently here The marginal reading is right his courage rose high or he grew bold] in the ways of the Lord moreover he took away the high places and groves out of Judah

7 Also in the third year of his reign he sent to his princes [rather he sent his princes] even to Ben-hail and to Obadiah and to Zechariah and to ethaneel and to Michaiah to teach in the cities of Judah

8 And with them he sent [rather were the] Levites even Shemaiah and ethaniah and Zebadiah and Asahel and Shemiramoth and Jehonathan and Adonijah and Tobijah and Tobadonijah Levites and with them Elishama and Jehoram priests

9 And they taught in Judah and had the book of the law of the Lord [the Pentateuchmdashnearly if not quite in the shape in which we now have it] with them and went about throughout all the cities of Judah and taught [among] the people

PARKER Therefore the Lord stablished the kingdom in his hand and all Judah brought to Jehoshaphat presents and he had riches and honour in abundance ( 2 Chronicles 175)

Whatever was doubtful about the ascent of Jehoshaphat to the throne was removed and the king was enabled to realise his power when he closed his hand upon the royal sceptre he found that he was not grasping a shadow but a reality There are times when men become fully conscious of their influence and of their proper social position happy are they if in this consciousness they detect a prevailingly religious element which constrains them to acknowledge that honour and wealth power and dignity are the gifts of God Is not this an anticipation of the Saviours great doctrinemdashSeek ye first the kingdom of God and his righteousness and all these things shall be added unto you Jehoshaphat did not seek riches and honour he sought to the Lord God of his father and walked in the divine commandments and as a result he enjoyed all that kings delight in as indicating strength and pomp renown and influence

GUZIK 2 (2 Chronicles 175-6) The blessing upon his reign

Therefore the LORD established the kingdom in his hand and all Judah gave presents to Jehoshaphat and he had riches and honor in abundance And his heart took delight in the ways of the LORD moreover he removed the high places and wooden images from Judah

a Therefore the LORD established the kingdom in his hand This was no small accomplishment In those days kings and kingdoms were fragile and under constant threat Yet if the descendants of David would seek God first He promised to take care of their security ndash and God makes the same promise to His people today (Matthew 633)

b All Judah gave presents to Jehoshaphat and he had riches and honor in abundance Because Jehoshaphat trusted God God lifted him up and exalted him as a king As his heart took delight in the ways of the LORD the LORD gave him the desires of his heart (Psalms 374)

c Moreover he removed the high places and wooden images from Judah 1 Kings 2243 says that Jehoshaphat did not remove the high places Adam Clarke explains ldquoIn 2 Chronicles 176 it is expressly said that he did take way the high places Allowing that the text is right in 2 Chronicles the two places may be easily recognized There were two kinds of high places in the land 1 Those used for idolatrous purposes 2 Those that were consecrated to God and were used before the temple was built The former he did take away the latter he did notrdquo

i ldquoThey may also witness to the deep hold of the Canaanite and syncretic forms of religion on ordinary Israelites Popular views and practices are often quite different from pronouncements by religious authoritiesrdquo (Selman)

PULPIT All Judah brought presents to Jehoshaphat These presents were of course voluntary gifts though like not a few others custom may have taken off from them something of the bloom of spontaneousness (1 Samuel 1027 2 Samuel 82 1 Kings 421 1 Kings 1025 Psalms 7210)

6 His heart was devoted to the ways of the Lord furthermore he removed the high places and the Asherah poles from Judah

BARES His heart was lifted up - This expression generally occurs in a bad sense Deu_814 2Ch_2616 Psa_1311 Pro_1812 but here it must be taken differently The margin ldquowas encouragedrdquo expresses fairly the true meaning He first began by setting an example of faithfulness to Yahweh He then proceeded to use his best endeavors to extirpate idolatry

He took away the high places - Compare 2Ch_2033 and see the 2Ch_1517 note

GILL And his heart was lifted up in the ways of the Lord It was engaged in them was bent and set upon them he walked in them with great pleasure and cheerfulness being inspired with zeal and courage he was fearless and intrepid and regarded not any opposition he might have or expect to have in the work of reformation in which he was concerned

moreover he took away the high places such as were dedicated to idols but not those in which the true God was worshipped 2Ch_2033

and groves out of Judah where idols were placed for though these had been removed by Asa yet had been renewed in the latter part of his days when more negligent of religion

HERY 2 He was a despised man (Job_176) ldquoHerdquo (that is Eliphaz so some or rather God whom he all along acknowledges to be the author of his calamities) ldquohas made me a byword of the people the talk of the country a laughing-stock to many a gazing-stock to all and aforetime (or to mens faces publicly) I was as a tabret that whoever chose might play uponrdquo They made ballads of him his name became a proverb it is so still As poor as Job ldquoHe has now made me a bywordrdquo a reproach of men whereas aforetime in my prosperity I was as a tabret deliciae humani generis -

the darling of the human race whom they were all pleased with It is common for those who were honoured in their wealth to be despised in their poverty

JAMISO his heart was lifted up in the ways of the Lordmdash Full of faith and piety he possessed zeal and courage to undertake the reformation of manners to suppress all the works and objects of idolatry (see on 2Ch_2033) and he held out public encouragement to the pure worship of God

KampD This blessing encouraged Jehoshaphat to extirpate from the land all

idolatrous worship and to teach the people the law of the Lord לב usually sensu ב

malo to be haughty proud cf eg 2Ch_2616 2Ch_3225 here sensu bono of rising

courage to advance in ways pleasing to God and he removed the high places also etc עודpoints back to 2Ch_173 not only did he himself keep far from the Baals but he

removed besides all memorials of the Baal-worship from Judah On מות and אשרים see

on 2Ch_142

COKE 2 Chronicles 176 And his heart was lifted upmdash And when he had elevated his mind in following the commandments of God he took yet from Judah high places and groves ie he destroyed yet other monuments of idolatry which had escaped the diligence of his father Asa though he took not away those high places and altars which had been erected in Jerusalem for the true God See 1 Kings 2243 and ch 1 Kings 2033 of this book

TRAPP 2 Chronicles 176 And his heart was lifted up in the ways of the LORD moreover he took away the high places and groves out of Judah

Ver 6 And his heart was lifted up] ot with pride as 2 Chronicles 3225 but with undaunted courage and disengaged zeal such as made him come off roundly and readily in the ensuing reformation he was more forward and forth putting than his father Asa not slothful in business but fervent in spirit serving the Lord

POOLE His heart was lifted up above all discouragements and difficulties and fears by which menrsquos hearts use to be cast down he was valiant and resolute for God and his ways

He took away the high places and groves to wit such only wherein idols were worshipped as appears by comparing this with 2 Chronicles 2033 And though Asa had done this before yet either he did not do it thoroughly or the Jews (who were many of them mad upon their idols) had secretly made new ones in the latter part of his reign when he grew more infirm in body and more remiss in Godrsquos cause

WHEDO 6 His heart was lifted up mdash That is exalted with holy faith and courage

Took away the high places mdash Yet in spite of all his efforts and successes in this matter the people had become so addicted to these practices that their destruction was not thoroughly secured See note on 2 Chronicles 143 and compare 2 Chronicles 2033

ELLICOTT (6) And his heart was lifted upmdashGabhah lccedilbh which usually like the phrase of Authorised version has a bad meaning as in 2 Chronicles 2616 The margin is right here ldquohis courage rose highrdquo or ldquohe grew boldrdquo in the ways of Jehovah ie in the path of religious reform Vulg ldquocum sumpsisset cor ejus audaciam propter vias Dominirdquo

MoreovermdashAnd again further Referring to 2 Chronicles 173 ot only did he not seek the Baals but more than this he removed the high places ampc [This is the common explanation But the sense may rather be ldquoAnd he again removedrdquo referring back to Asarsquos reforms 2 Chronicles 145]

GrovesmdashrsquoAshecircrim ldquoAsherahsrdquo (2 Chronicles 143)

PARKER And his heart was lifted up in the ways of the Lord moreover he took away the high places and groves out of Judah ( 2 Chronicles 176)

The expression his heart was lifted up is an awkward one The lifting up of the heart signifies increase of pride a sensation of vanity a desire to gratify personal ambition and to make an idol of his will In this instance the marginal reading is to be preferredmdashwas encouraged or otherwise his courage rose high and again it has been rendered Jehoshaphat grew bold that is to say he was not a timid reformer or a timid worshipper a trimmer or a time-server in any sense he was a heroic worshipper of the living God when he saw that reform was necessary he went forward with a steady step and an energetic hand We should call Jehoshaphat a man of conviction and a man who had the courage of his convictions altogether this is the outline of a noble personage a born king a man who has a right to the purple and the sceptre When such men ascend thrones nations should be glad and rejoice with a great joy for their character is grander than their office and their spirit is the best guarantee of the elevation and utility of their regal policy Becoming conscious of his power knowing that his kingdom was established from on high Jehoshaphat not only did pot seek the Baals himself but he took away the high places and groves out of Judah Jehoshaphat was not content with a merely personal religion he could not convert the hearts of his people but he could destroy all the symbols of unholy worship Men are only required to do that which lies within their power A proprietor may not be able to make people sober but he can forbid the introduction of temptations to drunkenness a parent may not be able to subdue the spirit of pride but he can in many instances limit the means of gratifying it There are reforms which are open to us all in personal custom in social habit it may be even in imperial ways let each Jehoshaphat seize his opportunity and magnify it

All this would have been comparatively in vain but for another step which

Jehoshaphat took In the third year of his reign he sent to his princesmdashthat is to say he sent his princesmdashand he sent Levites all of whose names are given and he sent also two priests Elishama and Jehoram and their business was purely educational

PULPIT And his heart was lifted up in the ways of the Lord Although the verb often carries a bad sense with it it quite as often carries with it a good one in the גבהOld Testament and the typical instance of the former (Psalms 1311) is fully counterbalanced by Isaiah 5213 The marginal was enencouraged may be superseded with advantage by took courage (Isaiah 4029-31) The groves Supersede this incorrect rendering by the Asherim and upon the seeming discrepancy see again Isaiah 151-9 17 and Introduction to Chronicles there quoted

7 In the third year of his reign he sent his officials Ben-Hail Obadiah Zechariah ethanel and Micaiah to teach in the towns of Judah

BARES The princes were not sent as teachers themselves but had the duty committed to them of seeing that the people were taught The actual teachers were the priests and Levites of 2Ch_178

CLARKE 7-9 To teach in the cities of Judah - ldquoTo teach the fear of the Lord in the cities of Judahrdquo - Targum

In these verses we find a remarkable account of an itinerant ministry established by Jehoshaphat and in this work he employed three classes of men

1 The princes

2 The Levites

3 The priests

We may presume that the princes instructed the people in the nature of the civil law and constitution of the kingdom the Levites instructed them in every thing that appertained to the temple service and ritual law and the priests instructed them in the

nature and design of the religion they professed Thus the nation became thoroughly instructed in their duty to God to the king and to each other They became therefore as one man and against a people thus united on such principles no enemy could be successful

GILL Also in the third year of his reign he sent to his princes That dwelt in the several parts of the kingdom or he sent them being with him some of the

principal men of his court for ל may be a sign of the accusative case as it sometimes is

even to Benhail and to Obadiah and to Zechariah and to Nethaneel and to Michaiah to teach in the cities of Judah to see that they were taught and oblige them to attend to the instructions that should be given them and not mutiny and rebel against their teachers and to let them know what was the kings pleasure on this head and to back with their authority the priests and Levites whose proper work it was to instruct and who therefore were sent with them as follows

JAMISO 7-11 2Ch_177-11 He sends Levites to teach in Judah

Also in the third year of his reign he sent to his princes to teach in the cities of Judahmdash The ordinary work of teaching devolved on the priests But extraordinary commissioners were appointed probably to ascertain whether the work had been done or neglected This deputation of five princes assisted by two priests and nine Levites was to make a circuit of the towns in Judah It is the first practical measure we read of as being adopted by any of the kings for the religious instruction of the people Time and unbroken opportunities were afforded for carrying out fully this excellent plan of home education for the kingdom enjoyed internal tranquillity as well as freedom for foreign wars It is conformable to the pious style of the sacred historian to trace this profound peace to the ldquofear of the Lord having fallen on all kingdoms of the lands that were round about Judahrdquo

BESO 2 Chronicles 177 He sent to his princes mdash to teach in the cities of Judah mdash To inform the people of their duty and of the kingrsquos pleasure As judges teach or instruct the people in the laws of the land when they deliver their charges upon the bench so did these princes in the kingrsquos name admonish and require the people to observe and obey the laws of God which were the municipal laws of that land the particular explication and enforcement whereof they left to the Levites and priests here following who were sent for this end and accordingly taught the people 2 Chronicles 179

COFFMA Because of the clause which we have capitalized this is one of the most important passages in Chronicles Right here is the reason radical critics have extended themselves so unreasonably in their efforts to discredit Chronicles Here is dependable historical proof of the continued existence of the Torah from the days of Moses throughout the history of Israel As Keil stated it The book of the law of Jehovah is the Pentateuch not merely a collection of Mosaic laws since in Jehoshaphats time the Mosaic Book of the Law (the Pentateuch) had been long in existence[1] We shall not take the space to repeat the vociferous denials of critics

except to cite one knee-jerk remark that characterizes all of them Such action was not taken in Jehoshaphats time[2] What is the basis of such a blatant denial of what Gods Word states as a fact even giving the very names of the royal princes who did the teaching THERE IS OE o matter what unbelievers say this chapter IS the historical record of what happened in the reign of Jehoshaphat and those who live two and one half millenniums afterward have nothing of value by which they may challenge it Then why do men deny it The false theories they have invented are here contradicted forcing them either to give up their false theories or to deny the Sacred Scriptures that contradict them

COKE 2 Chronicles 177 He sent to his princes even to Ben-hail ampcmdash He sent of his princes Ben-hail Obadiah ampc The proper business of these princes in their circuit round the kingdom says Bishop Patrick was to admonish and require the people to observe the laws of God and to leave the particular explication and enforcement of them to those of the sacred order who went with them supporting them in the execution of their office and obliging the people to receive them with respect to hear them with attention and to practise what they taught

TRAPP 2 Chronicles 177 Also in the third year of his reign he sent to his princes [even] to Benhail and to Obadiah and to Zechariah and to ethaneel and to Michaiah to teach in the cities of Judah

Ver 7 He sent to his princes to teach in the cities of Judah] Teaching princes there are not many such as were David Solomon George prince of Anhalt ampc but these were sent with the teaching Levites to countenance and bear them out in this visitation general and perhaps to punish the opposite and obstinate if any such Junius readeth the text thus He sent with his princes these Levites for the teaching Or the princes taught the people the law of the land the priests and Levites the law of God both did mutually help one another So a Danish king of this land made a law that at the general court of every shire the bishop of the diocese should accompany the sheriff that the one might countenance Godrsquos law the other manrsquos (a) Queen Elizabeth once in her progress through Suffolk observing that the justices of that county who came to meet her had every man his minister next to his body said she wondered not that that county was so well governed where she saw that the word and sword went so lovingly together (b)

POOLE To teach in the cities of Judah to inform the people of their duty and of the kingrsquos pleasure As judges or justices of peace teach or instruct the people in the laws of the land when they deliver their charges upon the bench so did these princes in the kingrsquos name admonish and require the people to observe and obey the laws of God which were the prinicipal laws of that land the particular explication and enforcement whereof they left to the Levites and priests here following who were sent for this end and accordingly taught the people 2 Chronicles 179

WHEDO 7 He sent to his princeshellip to teach mdash He committed the matter of

teaching to their oversight and care and the teaching was done by the Levites and priests as stated in the next verse He did well to put down idolatry but he was wise enough to know that unless the people were instructed they would soon apostatize again

ELLICOTT THE COMMISSIOERS OF PUBLIC ISTRUCTIO I THE LAW

(7) He sent to his princes even to Ben-hail to MichaiahmdashRather He sent his princes Ben- hail and Obadiah and Michaiah (The le ldquotordquo in the chroniclerrsquos idiom marking the object of the verb) If however Authorised Version were correct the construction would not be unique as the Speakerrsquos Com mentary asserts (Comp 2 Kings 57 ldquothis man sendeth to me to recover a manrdquo ampc)

Princesmdashone of the personages mentioned in this and the following verse are otherwise known The ldquofive princesrdquo were laymen of rank and were accompanied by nine (eight) Levites and two priests

Ben-hailmdashSon of valour A compound proper name only occurring here but analogous to Ben-hur Ben-deker and Ben-hesed in 1 Kings 48-10 (The LXX renders ldquothe sons of the mightyrdquo Syriac ldquothe chiefs of the forcesrdquo apparently reading bnecirc chail)

ethaneelmdashSyriac Mattanael Arabic Mattaniah Michaiah Syriac and Arabic Malachiah

GUZIK B The strength of Jehoshaphatrsquos kingdom

1 (2 Chronicles 177-10) The spiritual strength of the kingdom Jehoshaphat brings the Word of God to the people

Also in the third year of his reign he sent his leaders Ben-Hail Obadiah Zechariah ethanel and Michaiah to teach in the cities of Judah And with them he sent Levites Shemaiah ethaniah Zebadiah Asahel Shemiramoth Jehonathan Adonijah Tobijah and Tobadonijah the Levites and with them Elishama and Jehoram the priests So they taught in Judah and had the Book of the Law of the LORD with them they went throughout all the cities of Judah and taught the people And the fear of the LORD fell on all the kingdoms of the lands that were around Judah so that they did not make war against Jehoshaphat

a To teach in the cities of Judah These ldquoteaching priestsrdquo have been mentioned by the Chronicler before (2 Chronicles 153) They had the important role of bringing the word of God to the people especially those who lived outside of Jerusalem

b They taught in Judah and had the Book of the Law of the LORD with them they went throughout all the cities of Judah and taught the people This was the wisest

and best policy a security-conscious king of Judah could promote Because Jehoshaphat sought God first God sent fear upon the neighboring kingdoms so that they did not make war against Jehoshaphat

i ldquoBy this little band of princes Levites and priests sixteen in all Jehoshaphat did more toward impressing the surrounding nations with a sense of his power than the largest and best-equipped standing army could have secured to himrdquo (Knapp)

ii ldquoThe method adopted was what in these modern times we might describe as the holding of Special Missions throughout the cities of Judah for the specific purpose of proclaiming and interpreting lsquothe book of the law of Jehovahrsquordquo (Morgan)

iii ldquoo better service can be rendered to the nation than that of proclaiming the Word of Jehovah to the people in cities towns villages and hamlets By such proclamation the heart of the people may be turned to Jehovah and so He be enabled to do for them all that is in His heartrdquo (Morgan)

iv ldquoThus the nation became thoroughly instructed in their duty to God to the king and to each other They became therefore as one man and against a people thus united on such principles no enemy could be successfulrdquo (Clarke)

v Clarke observed how a similar itinerant ministry in the days of John Wesley and his followers impacted Britain ldquoSuch an itinerant ministry established in these kingdoms for upwards of fourscore years teaching the pure unadulterated doctrines of the Gospel with the propriety and necessity of obedience to the laws has been the principle means in the hand of God of preserving the lands from those convulsions and revolutions that have ruined and nearly dissolved the European continentrdquo

vi ldquoIt is said (2 Chronicles 172) Jehoshaphat place forces in all the fenced cities yet it is not said thereupon that lsquothe fear of the Lord fell upon the neighbour nationsrsquo But when he had established a preaching ministry in all the cities then his enemies had a fear and made no warrdquo (Trapp)

PULPIT He sent Hebrew שלח The Hebrew text distinctly says he sent to his princes not he sent his princes The meaning ismdashhe sent orders to his princes to see to it that Judah was taught (2 Chronicles 179) the book of the Law of the Lord (Le 2 Chronicles 1011 Deuteronomy 49 Deuteronomy 1718) not indeed without their own personal aid in whatever way able to be given but systematically and with authority by the Levites and priests (Deuteronomy 3310) This deeper fathoming of the needs of the time and of what constituted its real safety was greatly to the spiritual credit of Jehoshaphat The references (2 Chronicles 153 2 Chronicles 352-4 2 Chronicles 3510-12) are full of point one of these princes or Levites and priests are elsewhere mentioned by name

8 With them were certain LevitesmdashShemaiah ethaniah Zebadiah Asahel Shemiramoth Jehonathan Adonijah Tobijah and Tob-Adonijahmdashand the priests Elishama and Jehoram

GILL 2 Chronicles 178And with them he sent Levites With the five princes he sent nine Levites

even Shemaiah and Nethaniah and Zebadiah and Asahel and Shemiramoth and Jehonathan and Adonijah and Tobijah and Tobadonijah Levites of whom we nowhere else read no doubt they were principal persons and fit for the work they were sent about

and with them Elishama and Jehoram priests whose lips were to keep knowledge and at whose mouth the law was to be sought Mal_27

ELLICOTT (8) And with them he sent LevitesmdashRather And with them were the Levites The construction being changed So LXX and the Syriac (Comp 1 Chronicles 1641-42 1 Chronicles 1518 for the same mode of enumeration which is characteristic of the style of the chronicler

ZebadiahmdashSome MSS and Syriac and Arabic read Zechariah

ShemiramothmdashSo LXX and Vulg (see 1 Chronicles 165 1 Chronicles 1518) The Heb text is probably incorrect Syriac and Arabic read instead atucircra

Tob-adonijahmdashThis curious name occurs only here and is perhaps a mere mistake arising out of the preceding Adonijah and Tobijah The Syriac and Arabic omit it

PriestsmdashThe priests

The commission was a mixed one of civil and ecclesiastical persons (comp 1 Chronicles 131-2 1 Chronicles 232 1 Chronicles 246)

And had the book of the law of the LordmdashAnd with them was the book of the law (teaching) of Jehovah For the construction compare 1 Chronicles 1642 The writer

evidently means the Pentateuch and if this notice was derived by him from a contemporary source eg the ldquowords of Jehu the son of Hananirdquo to which he refers as an authority for the reign (2 Chronicles 2034) it would constitute an important testimony to the existence if not of the five books at least of an ancient collection of laws at this early date (circ 850 BC )

And taught the peoplemdashTaught among the people

9 They taught throughout Judah taking with them the Book of the Law of the Lord they went around to all the towns of Judah and taught the people

BARES There is no reasonable doubt that this ldquobook of the lawrdquo was the Pentateuch - nearly if not quite in the shape in which we now have it Copies of the whole Law were no doubt scarce and therefore Jehoshaphatrsquos commission took care to carry a copy with them

CLARKE Had the book of the law of the Lord with them - This was their text book it was the book of God they taught it as such and as such the people received it Its laws were Godrsquos laws and the people felt their obligation and their consciences were bound Thus they were obedient to the laws of the land on the principle of religion In this they were encouraged and confirmed by the example of all both in Church and state The princes were not only pious but were teachers of piety the Levites showed them the worth and excellence of their ritual institutions and the priests showed them the moral use they were to make of the whole and thus the people became obedient to God as well as to the king and kept all the civil ordinances not merely for the sake of a good king but for the sake of a good and gracious God By these means the nation enjoyed peace and prosperity and all insurrections seditions and popular commotions were prevented The surrounding nations perceiving this saw that there was no hope of subduing such a people so they made no war with Jehoshaphat 2Ch_1710 And they took care not to provoke such a people to fall on them therefore it is said The fear of the Lord fell on all the kingdoms and lands that were round about Judah Such an itinerant ministry established in these kingdoms for upwards of fourscore years

teaching the pure unadulterated doctrines of the Gospel with the propriety and necessity of obedience to the laws has been the principal means in the hand of God of preserving these lands from those convulsions and revolutions that have ruined and nearly dissolved the European continent The itinerant ministry to which this refers is that which was established in these lands by the late truly reverend highly learned and cultivated deeply pious and loyal John Wesley AM formerly a fellow of Lincoln College Oxford whose followers are known by the name of Methodists a people who are an honor to their country and a blessing to the government under which they live

GILL And they taught in Judah The people their duty to God and man

and had the book of the law of the Lord with them as the rule of their instruction and the peoples obedience out of this they taught them and by it confirmed what they taught and enforced it with the divine authority

and went about throughout all the cities of Judah not only their own cities the Levitical ones but all others

and taught the people the law of the Lord the fear and worship of God

JAMISO the book of the lawmdash that is either the whole Pentateuch or only the book of Deuteronomy which contains an abridgment of it

BESO 2 Chronicles 179 And they taught in Judah ampc mdash The Levites and priests were teachers by office Deuteronomy 3310 It was a part of the work for which they had their maintenance and indeed had little else to do But it seems they had neglected it pretending probably that they could not get the people to hear them Jehoshaphat therefore sends them with the princes who by their authority might require the people to assemble together to receive instruction in the laws of God and their duty ldquoWhat a great deal of goodrdquo says Henry ldquomay be done when Moses and Aaron thus go hand in hand in the doing of it when princes with their power and priests and Levites with their Scripture-learning agree to teach the people the good knowledge of God and their duty These itinerant judges and itinerant preachers together were instrumental to diffuse a blessed light throughout the cities of Judahrdquo And had the book of the law of the Lord with them mdash 1st For their own guidance that from thence they might draw all the instructions they gave to the people and not teach for doctrines the commandments of men 2d For the conviction or the people that they might see these priests and Levites had a divine warrant for what they said and delivered to them only that which they had received from the Lord

TRAPP 2 Chronicles 179 And they taught in Judah and [had] the book of the law of the LORD with them and went about throughout all the cities of Judah and taught the people

Ver 9 And had the book of the law of the Lord with them] They taught not

traditions human inventions or unwritten verities All their doctrines came cum privilegio and were Scripture proof

WHEDO 9 The book of the law mdash Our Pentateuch in substantially its present form ldquoCopies of the whole law were no doubt scarce and therefore Jehoshaphatrsquos commission took care to carry a copy with themrdquo mdash Rawlinson

PARKER And they taught in Judah and had the book of the law of the Lord with them and went about throughout all the cities of Judah and taught the people ( 2 Chronicles 179)

This was a mixed commission partly civil partly ecclesiastical The men here mentioned are otherwise unknown We identify them as educational reformers or reformers who operated through the medium of education they were not warriors destroyers revolutionists but men who addressed the mind and the understanding and the conscience and caused men to know that the true law was from above and not from beneath The book which the commission had in hand was the Pentateuch or the law of Moses This was known to be the law which alone could touch all the vital necessities of the commonwealth Again and again we are constrained to admit that there is a law beyond Prayer of Manasseh above Prayer of Manasseh in a sense apart from man men are not driven within themselves to find a law an instinct or a reason they have a written statute an authoritative declaration a book which Christian teachers do not hesitate to describe as a Revelation and to that they call the attention of men If the teacher were teaching out of his own consciousness he would be but an equal often exposing himself to the destructive criticism of his more advanced and penetrating scholars but the teacher takes his stand upon a book upon the Book the Bible a revelation which he believes to be divine and final Say what we will the effect of Bible teaching must be judged by its fruits Where are the nations that are most distinguished for wide and varied intelligence for large and exhaustive sympathy for missionary enterprise for philanthropic institutions and for all the elements which give grace and beauty to social existence The question should admit of definite reply the facts are before men let them judge fearlessly and honestly and we need have no apprehension concerning their verdict Wherever the word of the Lord has had free course superstition has been chased away human slavery has been abolished every instance of intolerance injustice unkindness has felt the influence of holy thought in all these matters discussion should be limited strictly to facts Thus kings can help nations not by forcing education not by attempting to rule opinion not by setting up standards of orthodoxy to fall short of which is to incur penalty but by spreading education by extending light by cultivating a spirit of inquiry and by a generous multiplication of all the instrumentalities needed for the destruction of ignorance What may come of this we are not supposed at this moment to know Meanwhile let us be thankful that we are face to face with a man who has conviction courage independence high patriotic and generous impulse and let us hope that his end may be as beautiful as his beginning was promising

SIMEO THE ROYAL EDICT

ADVERTISEMETmdashThe author feels it necessary to prefix to this Sermon some short account of the occasion on which it was delivered

The author was at Amsterdam (in June 1818) partly with a view of re-establishing there an Episcopal Chapel in which there had been no service for seven years but principally with a view of seeking the welfare of the Children of Israel He went thither rather to explore than to act (See ehemiah 212-16) But just previous to the 18th of June he understood that the Third Anniversary of the Battle of Waterloo was to be kept throughout the etherlands as a day of thanksgiving and just at that time also he quite accidentally heard that the King of the etherlands had a year before issued an Edict requiring all the Jews to educate their children in the knowledge of their own Scriptures and calling upon all his Christian Subjects to aid in this good work Despondency not unlike to that which paralyzed all exertion at Jerusalem in ehemiahrsquos days so universally prevailed that no one had risen to the occasion the very Commissioners who had been appointed to carry the Edict into effect had published a Report in which they gave it as their opinion ldquothat the Lordrsquos time was not comerdquo and there was great danger that the gracious designs of the Monarch would be altogether frustrated The author therefore judged this a fit occasion for calling the attention of the Public to the Edict and accordingly after devoting the Morning Service to the more appropriate subject of the day he employed the Evening Service in an endeavour to forward this good work Considerable attention was excited to the subject by means of the Sermon which was therefore instantly printed in Dutch French and English for the purpose of its being circulated throughout the etherlands and he has reason to hope that active exertions were afterwards made in many places to promote what every benevolent mind must ardently desire the edification and welfare of the Jewish People

So good an example having been set by the Emperor of Russia and the King of the etherlands the author hopes that the attention of our own Governors also both in Church and State may be called to this long-neglected People and that now the British Public has been invited by authority (the Kingrsquos Letter) to aid in supporting Missions to the Heathen World the claims of the Jewish ation to whom under God we owe all the light that we ourselves enjoy will not be overlooked It is with a view to this great object that the author sends forth the Sermon in this country where if the foregoing explanation had not been given its relevancy and use might have been justly called in question

2 Chronicles 179 And they taught in Judah and had the book of the law of the Lord with them and went about throughout all the cities of Judah and taught the people

O a day set apart for thanksgiving to God for mercies received it is peculiarly proper to consider what we may render unto the Lord for all his benefits Certainly if any event ever deserved repeated annual commemoration it is that which has

freed the world from the most grievous tyranny that ever it endured Of the bitter cup which was put into the hands of every nation in Europe this nation [ote The etherlands] drank very deeply and the change which it has experienced in the restoration of their rightful Monarch and in the establishment of a free Constitution calls for their devoutest acknowledgments to Almighty God Doubtless we may with justice pay some tribute of honour to those who by their counsels and their arms effected the overthrow of the Usurper but it is God alone who giveth victory to kings and to whom the glory of this great victory must be primarily ascribed and he who accounts a day consecrated to this service superfluous shews that he is far from justly appreciating the blessings that have been conferred upon him The monarch himself has given to his people a very decided evidence that he feels the depth of his obligations to the God of his salvation and it will be your own loss if you do not cultivate a similar spirit and improve the occasion to the honour of your God

But it is not to thanksgiving only that your Monarch invites you he calls you by a special Edict to unite with him in seeking the welfare of your Jewish Brethren who in their struggle with the enemy signally approved their fidelity to their legitimate Sovereign Their welfare he in his turn studies to promote and he desires to combine the energies of all his subjects in efforts for their good Methinks he is like Jehoshaphat of old who well knowing that piety must be founded in knowledge and happiness in piety sent forth the Princes of his empire with a select number of Priests and Levites to instruct his people in the knowledge of Godrsquos blessed word

His edict on this occasion and the manner in which it was carried into effect will form the subject of my present discourse

I Then we notice the edict of King Jehoshaphatmdash

This was such as became a great and pious monarch and we shall find it not unprofitable or unsuitable to the present occasion to enter into a distinct consideration of it We observe then that it was a kind and benevolent edict a wise and politic edict a good and beneficial edict

Mark the benevolence displayed in it He sought the present and eternal welfare of his subjects He knew that as men are raised above the beasts by the exercise of reason so are they elevated in the scale of rational beings in proportion as their intellectual powers are cultivated and enlarged Man destitute of knowledge is a mere savage but when instructed in the various branches of science he becomes refined and civilized and capable of contributing to the general good In the very cultivation of knowledge there is much pleasure arising to the mind and in the application of that knowledge to useful purposes there is an exquisite delight We need only observe persons when employed in their several vocations how happy they are how contented how cheerful oftentimes unconsciously proclaiming their happiness like the birds of the air in festal songs or consciously and with devotion in songs of praise

But it was not mere intellectual improvement which Jehoshaphat sought to convey he wished his people to be instructed in the knowledge of that God whom they professed to fear and worship This alone could make them truly happy this alone could impart to them sound wisdom or solid consolation He therefore gave particular directions that they should be taught ldquoin the Book of the Law of the Lordrdquo and this throughout the whole land O happy people whose governor so employed the authority with which he was invested And happy that monarch who so improved his influence not for his own personal aggrandizement but for the best interests of the people committed to his charge In so doing he approved himself to be indeed what every governor should be the friend and father of his people

or was the policy of this measure at all inferior to its benevolence A people well instructed in moral and religious knowledge will view government as an ordinance of God and will learn to obey the constituted authorities not so much from fear of their wrath as for conscience sake towards God They will view their governors as Godrsquos vicegerents upon earth and will consider allegiance to them as an essential part of their duty to him Hence will spring up love in their hearts and a real delight in manifesting on all proper occasions their loyalty to their king they will form a bulwark around his person in case of necessity and even glory in laying down their lives for him as their greatest benefactor

The benefits arising from this edict were incalculable Such was the effect of it that the fear of Jehoshaphat and of Jehovah as his protector fell on all the nations that were round about him so that none however hostile in their hearts dared to make war against him [ote ver 10] Doubtless this resulted chiefly from an impression made upon their minds by God himself yet it was also produced by a dread of that energy which an united people were ready to put forth at any instant at the call of their beloved monarch At the same time that peace was thus secured prosperity reigned in every part of the empire and as the immediate fruit of it Jehoshaphat as well as the people ldquohad riches and honour in abundance [ote ver 5]rdquo In his own mind too he reaped the fruits of his own benevolence God smiled upon him and manifested himself to him and enabled him to walk with ldquohis heart lifted up in the ways of the Lord [ote ver 6]rdquo

Such was the edict of the pious Jehoshaphatmdashbenevolent politic beneficial And what I would ask is the Edict which has been issued by the highest authority in this kingdom Do we not see in it the same blessed characters as in that which we have been considering It was ldquoin the third year of his reign [ote ver 7]rdquo that Jehoshaphat sent forth teachers to enlighten and instruct his subjects The very instant he felt himself at liberty from the more urgent and pressing calls of duty (such as the fortifying of his land against foreign enemies and the correcting of some great internal abuses) he engaged in this good work of diffusing light and knowledge through all classes of the community In like manner the sovereign of this kingdom has scarcely had time to repair the ravages of war and to establish his empire too long weakened and impoverished by a cruel usurpation before he stands forth as the friend and father of his people and more especially of that portion of them who have in every age and place been most treated with neglect and

disdain to have them educated in scriptural knowledge and in the fear of God It is much to be lamented that the Jewish people have not in general been so attentive either to the learning or morals of their children as might be wished and hence arose a necessity for some authoritative admonition on the subject Yet if I may say it without offence this neglect has not been more reprehensible in them than has been the indifference with which the Christian world has regarded it The monarch (may God recompense it richly into his bosom) has risen up to remedy the supineness both of the one and the other and to call forth the united energies of all to correct and terminate this evil Yet whilst he thus consults the best interests of his subjects with what paternal tenderness has he guarded against wounding the feelings of any or exciting their religious prejudices The Scriptures of the Old Testament are alone to be used in the schools that shall be established even those Scriptures which Jews as well as Christians believe to have been given by inspiration of God and to contain truth without any mixture of error In this is marked the policy no less than the benevolence of the edict for it is not by constraint but by conciliation and kindness that good is to be done to any and more especially to those who have shewn themselves now for so many centuries proof against all the efforts of intimidation or force In this kingdom they form no small body and I may add no unimportant portion of the community It is well known how extensive is their influence in the affairs of commerce and how by their activity they contribute to enrich the state Hence it is now generally seen and felt that they are entitled to the same respect as any other subjects of the realm and whilst as in the present instance they see how deeply their monarch feels interested in their welfare they cannot but on their part be sensible of the privileges they enjoy under his paternal government and testify their gratitude to him by every possible expression of loyalty and affection

What the ultimate effect of these measures will be may be conjectured from the blessed results of the edict of Jehoshaphat all will feel themselves happy under the government of such a prince and he whilst he is respected abroad and beloved at home will have the happiness of seeing his labours crowned with prosperity throughout his dominions and with peace in his own soul

II The manner in which Jehoshaphatrsquos edict was carried into execution is now to be noticedmdash

The promptness with which his commands were executed deserves the highest praise All were ready to co-operate in this good work as soon as it was proposed ldquoPrinces and priests and Levites [ote ver 7 8]rdquo all addressed themselves to it instantly with one heart and one soul one accounted their dignity so high or their functions so sacred but they thought it an honour to be employed in such a service and found a delight in fulfilling the wishes of their revered monarch all entered into the work with zeal and prosecuted it with diligence and hence a rapid change was effected both in the temporal and spiritual condition of the whole nation And what may not be effected in this kingdom also if a similar zeal be exercised by ldquothe princes and priestsrdquo (the magistrates and clergy) of the land With them it must begin Those who move in a lower station can effect nothing if they be not aided and

countenanced by the higher orders whose rank in life or sacredness of character will give a tone to the general feeling and combine the energies of the whole kingdom If it be said that those for whom the benefit is designed do not feel a desire after it this only shews how much they need it and how earnestly we should all embark in a cause proposed by such high authority and recommended by the soundest dictates of wisdom and piety

That our obligations to unite in this labour of love may the more distinctly appear I would beg leave to suggest the following considerations

First Loyalty to the king demands our concurrence with him in this good work and a holy emulation amongst us to carry into effect his benevolent designs What can the greatest or best of men effect (what could Jehoshaphat himself have done) if there be none to act in subserviency to them and to follow their directions As the most potent monarch upon earth would in vain proclaim war if there were no soldiers found to enlist under his banners and to execute his commands so it will be in vain that the design of benefiting the Jewish people was ever conceived in the mind of the king or that his edict respecting them was ever issued if his subjects do not put forth their energies in obedience to his call In truth a backwardness to co-operate with him in this blessed work would seem like a reflection cast upon him as recommending a measure that was unworthy of attention I do not mean to insinuate that such an idea really exists in the minds of any for I am perfectly convinced it does not but certainly in appearance it is open to this construction and every subject of the empire is concerned to act in such a way as to cut off all occasion for a reflection like this I say loyalty alone even if we had no higher motive should be sufficient to call forth our exertions in this cause

But let me next observe that gratitude to the Jewish nation demands it at our hands How great how manifold are our obligations to them Behold Moses and the prophets what instruction have they given us in reference to the way of life and salvation Without the moral law as revealed by Moses we should never have known to what an extent we need a Saviour nor if the prophecies had not so fully designated the promised Messiah could we have ever so fully known that Jesus was the Christ Of whom did the Lord Jesus Christ himself come as pertaining to the flesh but from the loins of David and of the seed of Abraham Yet to him are we indebted for all that we either have or hope for in time or in eternity And who were the Apostles but Jews who for our sakes went forth preaching the word and counted not their lives dear to them so that they might but lead us to the knowledge of Christ and make us partakers of his salvation From them too we have received the lively oracles which are the one source of all spiritual knowledge and the one foundation of all our hopes Does all this call for no recompence at our hands Knowing as we do the vast importance of education should we not endeavour to impart it to those from whose ancestors we have received such innumerable such inestimable benefits Yet behold these are the people whom for many many centuries we have treated with more neglect and contempt than any other people upon the face of the earth the savages of the most distant climes have received more attention from us than they Surely it is high time that the Christian world awake to

a sense of their duty and begin to shew to the Jews somewhat of that love which their forefathers exercised towards us in our Gentile state We are debtors to them to a vast amount and it is high time that we begin to discharge our debt And how can we discharge it better than by enabling them to read and understand those very oracles which they have preserved with such fidelity and which testify so fully of their promised Messiah

Further A love to the rising generation should lead us to avail ourselves of the present opportunity to promote their welfaremdashIt is truly afflictive to see how low and degraded is the state of multitudes especially of the Jewish nation purely through the neglect with which they are treated in their early youth and still more grievous is it to reflect on their ignorance of those things which belong to their everlasting peace To counteract this we should endeavour to qualify the whole of their population for good and useful employments and through the medium of useful instruction to make them holy and to make them happy We need never be afraid that there will not be a sufficient number of poor to fill the lower stations do what we will there will never be wanting persons who through their own fault or misfortunes are necessitated to undertake the lowest offices of life And if they have been previously instructed in the Scriptures of Truth they will have a fund of consolation ever open to them in their deepest afflictions they will learn from the inspired volume in whatsoever state they are there-with to be content and in the prospect of the eternal world they will find joys with which a stranger intermeddleth not and which the world can neither give nor take away We feel the force of these considerations in reference to the poor of our own communion how is it that we feel it not in reference to our Jewish Brethren This is a partiality unworthy of us and we should rise as one man to wipe off this disgrace from our own character

This brings me to the last consideration which I propose to mention namely that a concern for the honour of our holy religion should operate to unite us all in executing the Royal EdictmdashWhat must a Jew think of our religion when he sees how little it has wrought for us in the production of love We may tell him of a Messiah who has loved us and laid down his life for us but what credit will he give us for our principles when he sees how little our practice corresponds with them May he not well say to us ldquoPhysician heal thyselfrdquo Shew by your conduct the superiority of your principles before you call on me to embrace them It is by love that we must win them it is by shewing kindness to them that we must efface from their hearts those prejudices which with too much reason they entertain against us We must exhibit in our own person the loveliness of Christianity before we can bring them to investigate the grounds of our faith or to imagine that they can improve their own condition by embracing it May I not then call upon you as Christians to unite in the good work that is now before you that you may thereby serve and glorify your Lord and Saviour As Christians you believe that there is no other way to the Father but by Christ [ote John 146] and no other name but his whereby any human being can be saved [ote Acts 412] Where is your piety where is your love to Christ where is even common humanity if you will not avail yourselves of the present opportunity to remove from before your Jewish Brethren

the stumbling-blocks which for so many ages have been laid in their way

Do any ask What shall we do I answer search out amongst the Jews some persons of probity and talent to commence schools among them and do you yourselves aid to the utmost of your power in the support of them provide them with all necessary books for instructing children in the first rudiments of knowledge provide them with Bibles also both in the Dutch and Hebrew languages that they may be thoroughly instructed in the knowledge of their own religion and learn to walk in the steps of their father Abraham and of all the holy prophets

Begin too without loss of time Adult Schools You will find many among the house of Israel who will be glad to avail themselves of your instructions Let those who are benevolent amongst you dedicate an hour in a day to the instructing of a few who may be desirous to learn and carefully avoid every thing which may give unnecessary offence Confine yourselves to the Old Testament which they venerate as well as you Let those who can teach only in the Dutch language give instruction in that and let those who either understand or have leisure to attain the Hebrew tongue draw their attention to that In particular let it be the united endeavour of all to qualify masters for this good work

And let it not be thought that this is the duty of men only The Royal Edict has particularly and with great wisdom recommended it to females who may be of infinite service in conveying instruction to their own sex This age is distinguished above all others for the activity of females in the service of God and in the performance of every good work Were I able to declare the proportion of good that is done in Britain by the female sex it would appear incredible I believe from my soul that it far exceeds one half in all the societies raised since the commencement of the present century in the Bible Society the Missionary Societies and the Society for Promoting the Knowledge of Christianity amongst the Jews yes let the ladies of this country exert themselves in a prudent modest and discreet way and the effects will soon appear the Royal Edict will not be a dead letter but will produce incalculable good to the whole nationmdashand the agents in this benevolent work will themselves receive quite as much benefit as they impart their benevolence being in proportion as it is exercised its own reward

10 The fear of the Lord fell on all the kingdoms of the lands surrounding Judah so that they did not go to war against Jehoshaphat

GILL And the fear of the Lord fell upon all the kingdoms of the lands that were round about Judah Upon the ten tribes and on foreign nations about them as Moabites Edomites Syrians Egyptians Arabs and Philistines this fear as it came from the Lord so might be raised and increased by observing that religion was revived in them for they might perceive by former observations made that the more religious these people were the more prosperous and formidable they were

so that they made no war against Jehoshaphat to interrupt him in the work of reformation he was so intent upon

HERY We have here a further account of Jehoshaphats great prosperity and the flourishing state of his kingdom

I He had good interest in the neighbouring princes and nations Though he was not perhaps so great a soldier as David (which might have made him their terror) nor so great a scholar as Solomon (which might have made him their oracle) yet the fear of the Lord fell so upon them (that is God so influenced and governed their spirits) that they had all a reverence for him 2Ch_1710 And 1 None of them made war against himGods good providence so ordered it that while the princes and priests were instructing and reforming the country none of his neighbours gave him any molestations to take him off from that good work Thus when Jacob and his sons were going to worship at Bethel the terror of God was upon the neighbouring cities that they did not pursue after them Gen_355 and see Exo_3424 2 Many of them brought presents to him (2Ch_1711) to secure his friendship Perhaps these were a tribute imposed upon them by Asa who made himself master of the cities of the Philistines and the tents of the Arabians 2Ch_1414 2Ch_1415 With the 7700 rams and the same number of he-goats which the Arabians brought there was probably a proportionable number of ewes and lambs she-goats and kids

KampD This attempt of Jehoshaphat brought him this blessing that the terror of Jahve fell upon all the surrounding kingdoms and not only did none of the neighbouring peoples venture to make war upon him but also various tribes did homage to him by presents Ramb has already so understood the connection of these verses (erat hoc praemium pietatis Josaphati quod vicini satisque potentes hostes non auderent adversus ipsum hiscere) while Berth fails to apprehend it saying that Jehoshaphat had time to care for the instruction of his people because at that time the neighbouring peoples did not venture to undertake war against Judah The words ldquoterror of Jahverdquo cf 2Ch_1413 2Ch_2029 and ldquoall the kingdoms of the landsrdquo cf 2Ch_128 1Ch_2930 are expressions peculiar to the author of the Chronicle which show that by these remarks he is preparing the way for a transition to a more detailed

portrayal of Jehoshaphats political power מן־(לש)ים is subject מן partitive some of the

Philistines brought him presents (for מנחה see on 2Ch_175) ldquoand silver a burdenrdquo ie

in great quantity מא does not signify tribute vectigal argento (Vulg) for the word has

not that signification but denotes burden that which can be carried as in מא לאן

2Ch_2025 - 2Ch_2116 2Ch_221 ערבים 2Ch_267 and more usually ערב-ים or ערביאים

are Arabian nomadic tribes (Bedacircwin) perhaps those whom Asa after his victory over the Cushite Zerah had brought under the kingdom of Judah 2Ch_1414 These paid

their tribute in small cattle rams and he-goats (ישים( Gen_3035 Gen_3215 Pro_

3031)

BESO 2 Chronicles 1710 The fear of the Lord fell upon all the kingdoms ampc mdash Justly concluding from his singular piety that God would eminently appear for him for even the heathen could not but observe that the kings of Judah were either prosperous or unhappy according as they served God or forsook him So that they made no war against Jehoshaphat mdash Godrsquos good providence so ordered it that while the princes and priests were instructing and endeavouring to reform the country none of his neighbours gave him any molestation to take him off from that good work

COFFMA All of this peace and prosperity were directly due to the respect which Jehoshaphat had shown to the Law of God and to his efforts to teach that word to all the people It is no problem that much of the material here is omitted in Kings because the primary focus there was political whereas in Chronicles the focus is upon the spiritual and religious significance of the same history

TRAPP 2 Chronicles 1710 And the fear of the LORD fell upon all the kingdoms of the lands that [were] round about Judah so that they made no war against Jehoshaphat

Ver 10 And the fear of the Lord fell upon all the kingdoms] It is said [2 Chronicles 172] Jehoshaphat placed forces in all the fenced cities yet it is not said thereupon that the fear of the Lord fell upon the neighbour nations But when he had established a preaching ministry in all the cities then his enemies had a fear and made no war

POOLE Justly concluding from this singular piety that God would eminently appear for him and against all those who had ill will to him which was their case For even the heathens could not but observe that the kings of Judah were either prosperous or unhappy accordingly as they served God or forsook him

ELLICOTT (10) The fear of the LordmdashA dread of Jehovah (pachad) aps 2029 (Comp Exodus 1516 1 Samuel 117 Isaiah 210 ) This phrase is not peculiar to the chronicler as Keil and Bertheau assert ldquoThe kingdoms of the landsrdquo is so (2 Chronicles 128 1 Chronicles 2930)

They made no warmdashThe reward of Jehosha-phatrsquos piety (1 Chronicles 229

Proverbs 167) ldquoWhen a manrsquos ways please the Lord he maketh even his enemies to be at peace with himrdquo (Comp also Genesis 355)

11 Some Philistines brought Jehoshaphat gifts and silver as tribute and the Arabs brought him flocks seven thousand seven hundred rams and seven thousand seven hundred goats

BARES Some of the Philistines brought Jehoshaphat presents - i e ldquosome of the Philistines were among his tributariesrdquo Compare 2Sa_82 1Ki_421

Tribute silver - Or ldquomuch silverrdquo - literally ldquosilver of burthenrdquo

The Arabians - The Arab tribes who bordered Judaea to the south and the southeast paid Jehoshaphat a fixed tribute in kind Compare 2Ki_34 note

CLARKE The Philistines brought - presents - They and the Arabians purchased peace with the king of Judah by paying an annual tribute The Philistines brought silver and no doubt different kinds of merchandise The Arabs whose riches consisted in cattle brought him flocks in great abundance principally rams and he-goats

GILL Also some of the Philistines brought Jehoshaphat presents and tribute silver Perhaps those of Gerar and the parts adjacent Asa took and spoiled and made tributary 2Ch_1414

and the Arabians brought him flocks seven thousand and seven hundred rams and seven thousand and seven hundred he goats with which their country abounded and these might be the Scenite Arabs who fearing lest Jehoshaphat should fall upon them and take away their flocks as his father had done 2Ch_1415 brought these presents to him

JAMISO Also some of the Philistines brought Jehoshaphat presents and tribute silvermdash either they had been his tributaries or they were desirous of securing his valuable friendship and now made a voluntary offer of tribute Perhaps

they were the Philistines who had submitted to the yoke of David (2Sa_81 Psa_608)

the Arabiansmdash the nomad tribes on the south of the Dead Sea who seeking the protection of Jehoshaphat after his conquest of Edom paid their tribute in the way most suitable to their pastoral habits - the present of so many head of cattle

BESO 2 Chronicles 1711 Some of the Philistines brought presents mdash They had been subject to Judah ever since Davidrsquos time but it seems had neglected this duty in the times of his predecessors but were now moved by their own fears to perform it And the Arabians brought him flocks mdash Either because he had upon some just occasion waged war against them and subdued them or because they voluntarily put themselves under his protection in recompense whereof they sent him these presents or only as a free acknowledgment of their respect for him

TRAPP 2 Chronicles 1711 Also [some] of the Philistines brought Jehoshaphat presents and tribute silver and the Arabians brought him flocks seven thousand and seven hundred rams and seven thousand and seven hundred he goats

Ver 11 Also some of the Philistines] These having been subdued by David had withheld their tribute for a time but now seeing Jehoshaphatrsquos growing greatness they bring it in with the better that no offence might be taken at their former neglect The word here used signifieth honorary gifts or oblations pacifications

ldquo Placatur donis Iupiter ipse datis rdquo

Think the same of the Arabians See 2 Chronicles 1414-15

POOLE Some of the Philistines who had been subjects to this kingdom ever since Davidrsquos time but it seems had neglected this duty in the times of his predecessors but now were moved by their own fears to perform it

The Arabians brought him flocks either because he had upon some just occasion waged war against them and subdued them though the particulars of it be not described in Scripture or because they voluntarily put themselves under his protection in recompence whereof they sent him those presents or only as a free acknowledgment of their respects to him

ELLICOTT (11) Broughtmdashie continually Such is the force of the participle

PresentsmdashAn offering ie tribute (minchah 2 Chronicles 175)

And tribute silvermdashRather and silver a load or burden ie a great quantity (massacircrsquo) 2 Chronicles 2025 As if ldquosilver as much as they could carryrdquomdasha natural hyperbole ot all the five states of the Philistines were subject to Jehoshaphat (Comp 2 Samuel 81)

The ArabiansmdashlsquoArbicircrsquoim here only equivalent to lsquoArbicircyicircm (2 Chronicles 267) and

lsquoArbim (2 Chronicles 2116) They are in each case grouped with the Philistines The nomad Bedacircwin conquered by Asa (2 Chronicles 1415) appear to be meant here or else some tribes which recognised the overlordship of Jehoshaphat after his reduction of Edom (2 Chronicles 2022 sqq)

Brought him flocksmdashComp Mesha of Moabrsquos tribute to Ahab (2 Kings 34)

GUZIK 2 (2 Chronicles 1711-19) The international strength of Jehoshaphatrsquos kingdom

Also some of the Philistines brought Jehoshaphat presents and silver as tribute and the Arabians brought him flocks seven thousand seven hundred rams and seven thousand seven hundred male goats So Jehoshaphat became increasingly powerful and he built fortresses and storage cities in Judah He had much property in the cities of Judah and the men of war mighty men of valor were in Jerusalem These are their numbers according to their fathersrsquo houses Of Judah the captains of thousands Adnah the captain and with him three hundred thousand mighty men of valor and next to him was Jehohanan the captain and with him two hundred and eighty thousand and next to him was Amasiah the son of Zichri who willingly offered himself to the LORD and with him two hundred thousand mighty men of valor Of Benjamin Eliada a mighty man of valor and with him two hundred thousand men armed with bow and shield and next to him was Jehozabad and with him one hundred and eighty thousand prepared for war These served the king besides those the king put in the fortified cities throughout all Judah

a Some of the Philistines brought Jehoshaphat presents and silver as tribute and the Arabians brought him flocks Jehoshaphatrsquos commitment to personal and public godliness meant that God exalted his kingdom above the neighboring nations even as God promised in Deuteronomy 281-13

b These served the king The true treasure of Jehoshaphatrsquos kingdom was not numbered only in security or material things but also in the dedicated and courageous men he had surrounding him these mighty men of valor

i Amasiah the son of Zichri who willingly offered himself to the LORD ldquoAmasiah is a man of whom we do not know anything beyond this ndash he lsquowillingly offered himself unto the Lordrsquo There must have been a turning-point in his career a time when first he knew the grace of God which wrought such a change in him There must have been a waking up to the feeling that God deserved his love and his liferdquo (Spurgeon)

ii Amasiah was a ready servant of the Lord this particularly notable because he did it in an otherwise secular calling

middot o one had to press him into service

middot o one had to seek him out for service

middot o one had to look after him once he had begun serving

middot o one had to lead him

iii ldquoThere is no lawful occupation in which a man cannot thoroughly serve the Lord It is a great privilege and blessing to be set apart to the work of winning souls but we must never separate that work from all the rest of the callings of life as though it alone were sacred and all the rest were secular and almost sinful Serve God where you arerdquo (Spurgeon)

PULPIT The presents were probably enough in the nature of tribute the fixed rate of which is sometimes alluded to (1 Kings 421 1 Kings 1025 2 Samuel 82) but it is doubtful whether the word משא purports to say this The word means bearing or carrying and then a burden load or weight The expression (2 Chronicles 2025) more than they could carry away where this word is used favours the idea that the meaning here is silver of great weight Probably the moral significance and historical interest whether of this statement respecting the Philistines or the following respecting the Arabians lies in the fact that both of them brought without more ado their payments and did not seek to slip out of their engagements with Judah and Judahs king ote for confirmation of this view 2 Kings 34 2 Kings 35

12 Jehoshaphat became more and more powerful he built forts and store cities in Judah

GILL And Jehoshaphat waxed great exceedingly In wealth and riches power and authority in his forces and fortifications

and he built in Judah castles and cities of stores castles for the defence of his kingdom and store cities to lay up corn and wine and all provisions in case of an invasion or against a time of war

HERY II He had a very considerable stores laid up in the cities of Judah He pulled down his barns and built larger (2Ch_1712) castles and cities of store for arms and victuals He was a man of business and aimed at the public good in all his

undertakings either to preserve the peace or prepare for war

JAMISO 2Ch_1712-19 His greatness captains and armies

KampD Description of Jehoshaphats power - 2Ch_1712 And Jehoshaphat became

ever greater sc in power The partic הולך expresses the continuous advance in

greatness cf Ew sect280 b as the infin absol does elsewhere eg Gen_83 למעלה as עד

in 2Ch_1612 - He built castles in Judah ירנ-ות only here and in 2Ch_274 from ירנית

derivative formed from ירה by the Syriac termination נית- fem of ן- castle fortress On

מסנות cf 2Ch_84 ערי

TRAPP 2 Chronicles 1712 And Jehoshaphat waxed great exceedingly and he built in Judah castles and cities of store

Ver 12 And Jehoshaphat waxed great exceedingly] Heb He was going and growing By humility and the fear of the Lord are riches and honour and life [Proverbs 224]

And he built in Judah castles] Bironeoth πυργους turres So did the Burgundians and thence had their names

And cities of store] Granaries in the Hebrew they have their name from their utility or usefulness

ELLICOTT (12) And Jehoshaphat waxed greatmdashLiterally And Jehoshaphat was going on and waxing great ie became greater and greater (Comp 1 Chronicles 119)

ExceedinglymdashlsquoAd lĕmagraversquolah This phrase occurs again in 2 Chronicles 1612 2 Chronicles 268 and nowhere else in the Old Testament (See on 1 Chronicles 142)

And he builtmdashLike his predecessorsmdashSolomon Rehoboam Asamdashhe displayed his wealth and power in great public works The records of the Assyrian and Babylonian sovereigns are largely taken up with similar accounts of temple and palace building

CastlesmdashBiranicircyocircth a derivative from birah (1 Chronicles 291 1 Chronicles 2919 comp Syriac here birocircthocirc) It only recurs at 2 Chronicles 274 It is an Aramaic term (Comp bicircranyacircthacirc which in the Targums means ldquopalacesrdquo)

Cities of storesmdashComp 2 Chronicles 84 2 Chronicles 164 Exodus 111

PULPIT Castles This rendering better than palaces (margin) wound bear improving to the rather stronger word fortresses Hebrew בירניות found only here and in 2 Chronicles 274 plur of בירנית connected with the Chaldee and later Hebrew בירה of Ezra 62 ehemiah 11 Esther 12 Daniel 82 Cities of store (see note under 2 Chronicles 84 see also 1 Kings 919 Exodus 111)

13 and had large supplies in the towns of Judah He also kept experienced fighting men in Jerusalem

CLARKE He hadmuch business in the cities - He kept the people constantly employed they had wages for their work and by their labors the empire was both enriched and strengthened

GILL And he had much business in the cities of Judah Partly in fortifying them and partly in reforming the inhabitants of them

and the men of war mighty men of valour were in Jerusalem or by or near unto it so the particle is rendered Jos_513 they encamped in places adjacent to it for such a number of men as follows even 1160000 could never be contained in Jerusalem but must be disposed of in the territories of it nor did they wait on the king together but in course see 2Ch_1719 by which it appears there is no need to suppose any mistake of the transcriber in any or all of the following sums as has been suggested (q)

HERY 13-19 III He had the militia in good order It was never in better since David modelled it Five lord-lieutenants (if I may so call them) are here named with the numbers of those under their command (the serviceable men that were fit for war in their respective districts) three in Judah and two in Benjamin It is said of one of these great commanders Amasiah that he willingly offered himself unto the Lord (2Ch_1716) not only to the king to serve him in this post but to the Lord to glorify him in it He was the most eminent among them for religion he accepted the place not for the

honour or power or profit of it but for conscience sake towards God that he might serve his country It was usual for great generals then to offer of their spoils to the Lord 1Ch_2626 But this good man offered himself first to the Lord and then his dedicated things The number of the soldiers under these five generals amounts to 1160000 men a vast number for so small a compass of ground as Judahs and Benjamins lot to furnish out and maintain Abijah could bring into the field but 400000 (2Ch_133) Asa not 600000 (2Ch_148) yet Jehoshaphat has at command almost 1200000 But it must be considered 1 That God had promised to make the seed of Abraham like the sand of the sea for number 2 There had now been a long peace 3 We may suppose that the city of Jerusalem was very much enlarged 4 Many had come over to them from the kingdom of Israel (2Ch_1519) which would increase the numbers of the people 5 Jehoshaphat was under a special blessing of God which made his affairs to prosper greatly The armies we may suppose were dispersed all the country over and each man resided for the most part on his own estate but they appeared often to be mustered and trained and were ready at call whenever there was occasion The commanders waited on the king (2Ch_1719) as officers of his court privy-counsellors and ministers of state

But lastly observe It was not this formidable army that struck a terror upon the neighbouring nations that restrained them from attempting any thing against Israel or obliged them to pay tribute but the fear of God which fell upon them when Jehoshaphat reformed his country and set up a preaching ministry in it 2Ch_1710 The ordinances of God are more the strength and safety of a kingdom than its military force - its men of God more than its men of war

KampD 2Ch_1713

וגווגווגווגו רהרהרהרה is rightly translated by Luther ldquound hatte viel Vorrathsrdquo (and ומלעכהומלעכהומלעכהומלעכה

had much store) מלעכהמלעכהמלעכהמלעכה denotes here as in Exo_227-10 property that which has been gained by work or business The signification much work opera magna (Vulg Cler etc) as also Bertheaus translation ldquothe works for equipping and provisioning the fortressesrdquo correspond neither to the context nor to the parallel (synonymous) second member of the verse The work and trouble necessary to equip the cities of Judah does not correspond to ldquothe valiant warriors in Jerusalemrdquo the only parallel is the goods and property which were in these cities the provision of victuals and war material there stored up

BESO 2 Chronicles 1713 He had much business in the cities of Judah mdash To repair and fortify them and furnish them with provisions and to purge out all the relics of idolatry and injustice which were more secretly and craftily managed in the cities than in the country and which were first and most prevalent in the cities and thence spread their infection into the country around them

TRAPP 2 Chronicles 1713 And he had much business in the cities of Judah and the men of war mighty men of valour [were] in Jerusalem

Ver 13 And he had much business] Eργα πολλα (a) Many works going forward at

once a negotious man he was His business say some lay in beautifying and fortifying those cities Augustus gloried at his death that whereas he had found Rome built with brick he had left it made of marble

And the men of war hellip were in Jerusalem] These were his Praetorian forces his Praesidiaries were up and down in the various cities

POOLE He had much business in the cities of Judah partly to repair and fortify them and furnish them with all necessary provisions and partly to purge out all the relies and seeds of idolatry and injustice which were more secretly and subtlely managed in the cities than in the country and which were first and most in the cities and thence spread their infection into the country about them See Jeremiah 228

ELLICOTT (13) BusinessmdashRather much goods or stores literally work (mĕlacirckacirch) and then produce The Hebrew word is so used in Exodus 227 Exodus 2210 (ldquoHis neighbourrsquos goodsrdquo) Stores of provisions and war material seem to be intended (Comp 2 Chronicles 1111)

And the man of war were in JerusalemmdashRather and (he had) men of war in Jerusalem

In Jerusalemmdashot the entire army corps whose numbers are given in 2 Chronicles 1714-18 but simply their chiefs

PULPIT Much business Hebrew מלאכה The meaning of the word is service labour bestowed and the verse reads And there was to him much labour in the cities of Judah and men of war mighty men of valour in Jerusalem ie He bestoweth much pains on the cities of Judah and had etc The word were Authorized Version italics is incorrectly inserted The former half of this verse would better constitute the end of 2 Chronicles 1712 Keil however maintains the rendering substance property for מלאכה (Exodus 227 Exodus 2210)

14 Their enrollment by families was as followsFrom Judah commanders of units of 1000Adnah the commander with 300000 fighting men

BARES The captains of thousands Adnah the chief - literally ldquoprinces of thousands Adnah the princerdquo The writer does not mean that Adnah (or Johohanan 2Ch_1715) was in any way superior to the other ldquoprincesrdquo but only that he was one of them

Three hundred thousand - This number and those which follow in 2Ch_1715-18 have been with good reason regarded as corrupt by most critics For

(1) They imply a minimum population of 1480 to the square mile which is more than three times greater than that of any country in the known world (circa 1880rsquos)

(2) they produce a total just double that of the next largest estimate of the military force of Judah the 580 000 of 2Ch_148

(3) they are professedly a statement not of the whole military force but of the force maintained at Jerusalem (2Ch_1713 compare 2Ch_1719)

It is probable that the original numbers have been lost and that the loss was suppplied by a scribe who took 2Ch_148 as his basis

CLARKE Adnah the chief - He was generalissimo of all this host These are the numbers of the five battalions under Adnah three hundred thousand Jehohanan two hundred and eighty thousand Amasiah two hundred thousand Eliada two hundred thousand Jehozabad one hundred and eighty thousand in all one million one hundred and sixty thousand

GILL And these are the numbers of them according to the house of their fathers Both of the tribe of Judah and of Benjamin and first

of Judah the captains of thousands some had 1000 men under them and some one hundred

Adnah the chief he was the principal commander or general of them

and with him mighty men of valour three hundred thousand such a number was under his command

JAMISO these are the numbersmdash The warriors were arranged in the army according to their fathers houses The army of Jehoshaphat commanded by five great generals and consisting of five unequal divisions comprised one million one hundred and sixty thousand men without including those who garrisoned the fortresses No monarch since the time of Solomon equaled Jehoshaphat in the extent of his revenue in the strength of his fortifications and in the number of his troops

KampD 2Ch_1714-16

The men fit for war passed in review according to their fathers-houses The male population of Judah fell into three divisions that of Benjamin into two The prince

Adnah held the first place among the generals with 300000 men of Judah ידו at his על

hand ie with and under him Jehohanan had the command of 280000 men and

Amasiah over 200000 השר is a contraction for אלפים For what special reason it is so שר

honourably recorded of Amasiah that he had willingly offered himself to the Lord (cf for

Jdg_59) has not been communicated התנב

COFFMA his represented a standing army of 1160000 men besides the garrisons in the fortified cities and this goes a long way to explaining why the Arabians and the Philistines brought tribute to Jehoshaphat In ancient times as in our own day peace frequently depended upon the strength of those who desired it

We should ignore the screams of exaggeration[3] which mark the writings of radical critics Pagan rulers of that era reported even larger armies than this and until the critics can prove that those were exaggerated reports they should let these alone Besides that we have already noted that the very word from which thousand is translated is disputed as to its exact meaning

COKE 2 Chronicles 1714 And these are the numbers of themmdash That is of the soldiers as well as of those who were employed in the kings works in the several cities ampc which he built See 2 Chronicles 1719

REFLECTIOSmdash1st Jehoshaphat no sooner comes to the throne than we see the dawnings of a glorious reign

1 He strengthened his kingdom by placing strong garrisons in the cities of Judah and those which his father had recovered from Israel and prepared against that danger which Ahabs growing power seemed to threaten

2 Religion was his great concern He copied after the best of his predecessors in their best days such as were the first of David before the matter of Uriah and the numbering of the people had blotted his fair copy Faithful to the worship of God he abhorred all idols the law of God was his rule of duty and Israels apostacy rendered his fidelity more singular and exemplary Inspired with holy zeal his heart with delight and sincerity was engaged for God and no difficulties deterred him from the path of duty The idols and groves which in the declining days of Asa might have been set up again he utterly destroyed with all the high places where they still offered sacrifices to these abominations ote (1) In the fairest human pattern there will be found imperfections but there is a Son of David more than man who has set us a spotless example that we should follow his steps (2) Fidelity in Gods service is the stability of a nation (3) A lively soul on wings of faith and love mounts up to God rises superior to every difficulty and looks down upon every thing besides his favour as altogether vanity

3 He not only removed the temptations to sin but took care to instruct the people in

the path of duty Ignorance of Gods law had greatly prevailed and to oblige them merely to conform to his reformation without grounding them on the true foundation of Gods word promised little stability The Levites and priests therefore are sent in progress through the cities of Judah with the book of the law to explain and enforce the commandments of God and several princes accompanied them in order to engage the people to hear them and give countenance to these preachers by their weight and influence ote (1) It is a blessed thing when princes countenance faithful ministers Though they cannot make men true converts their example and authority will induce them to attend (2) They who are sent to teach must see that they take the pure word of God along with them A true preacher wishes for nothing in his hand but his Bible (3) Religion is a reasonable service Conviction alone not compulsion or education can make a man a christian

4 The blessing of God attended his labours The Lord was with him or as the Targum generally expresses it the word of the Lord the divine Logos to whom all things are committed strengthened him in his labours and established his kingdom The people charmed with his government liberally sent their presents to him and abounding in riches and honour his heart far from being intoxicated by prosperity was lifted up in greater love and thankfulness to the gracious giver ote (1) God often here rewards piety with prosperity (2) Worldly comforts are then truly blessings when as the steps of Jacobs ladder they raise our hearts to heaven

2nd Like the light of the morning which shineth more and more so did Jehoshaphats glory increase

1 Feared by his enemies as beloved by his subjects the neighbouring princes did not offer to molest him while those of Philistia and Arabia courted his favour either by a voluntary present or exact payment of the tribute which Asa had imposed on them see 2 Chronicles 1711 God had put an awe upon them of the majesty of his king in Zion ote God hath access to the spirits of men and by secret yet irresistible influence can bow them to his sovereign will

2 His military preparations greatly advanced While he reformed the people he fortified their ramparts and built new castles and store-cities strengthening them within and without against their enemies Under five chief officers an immense army was enlisted Probably all the able men in the country were enrolled and regularly mustered though not drawn out except in case of necessity and this may easily account for the greatness of their number if we consider also the long peace they had enjoyed the accession of Israelites to them and especially the blessing of Abraham which no doubt was eminently fulfilled Amasiah one of the officers is mentioned with an honourable mark of distinction as a volunteer who served for the glory of God not for the sake of pay Such patriots are scarce

TRAPP 2 Chronicles 1714 And these [are] the numbers of them according to the house of their fathers Of Judah the captains of thousands Adnah the chief and

with him mighty men of valour three hundred thousand

Ver 14 Three hundred thousand] These were under his command and at hand to come whensoever the king would

WHEDO 14 Three hundred thousand mdash The numbers in this verse and the four verses following are generally regarded as corrupt ldquoThey implyrdquo observes the writer last quoted ldquoa minimum population of 1480 to the square mile which is more than three times greater than that of any country in the known world It is probable that the original numbers have been lost and the loss supplied by a scribe who took 2 Chronicles 148 as his basis

ELLICOTT Verse 14 (14) And these their fathersmdashAnd this is their muster (or census) according to their father-houses (clans) 1 Chronicles 243 The warriors were marshalled in the army according to clans so that men of the same stock fought side by side with their kindred Perhaps in the original document this heading was followed by a much more detailed scheme of names and divisions than that which the text presents

Of JudahmdashTo Judah (belonged) captains of thousands viz the three enumerated in 2 Chronicles 1714-16 Adnah Jehohanan and Amasiah They were the principal officers or generals of the entire forces of Judah

Adnah the chiefmdashTo wit the captain Adnah That Adnah was commander-in-chief is implied by his being named first and his corps being the largest

PULPIT This verse with the following four gives us the names of five captains chiefs princes or military officers for the kingdoms service with the numbers of the troops they severally commanded The numbers of them (see note under 1 Chronicles 2311) Hebrew פקדתם The better English rendering to carry at once the signification would be The muster of them etc The captains hellip the chief In both cases the Hebrew is the familiar word for prince ( שר ) in the former without article in the latter with article The numbers of this and following four verses are not only absolutely unreliable but in themselves impossible According to the house of their fathers ie the quotation is drawn from an army catalogue arranged carefully by fathers houses (umbers 118 umbers 122 etc)

15 next Jehohanan the commander with 280000

GILL And next to him was Jehohanan the captain Being of the same rank as to office but having a lesser number of men under him and it may respect not any kind of subordination only nearness of place as the Targumhe that encamped next to him

and with him two hundred and fourscore thousand which number was but 20000 less than the former

POOLE ext to him either

1 After his death as his successor in the same command And the like is supposed concerning Jehozabad 2 Chronicles 1718 Or rather

2 ext to him in place and authority or at least in power and the numbers of his host

16 next Amasiah son of Zikri who volunteered himself for the service of the Lord with 200000

GILL And next him was Amasiah the son of Zichri He encamped next to him as the Targum

who willingly offered himself unto the Lord to fight the Lords battles and without any stipend as some think or as Kimchi he offered gold and silver to the treasures of the house of the Lord

and with him two hundred thousand mighty men of valour the number was 80000 less than the former the whole of Judah amounted to 780000 men

TRAPP 2 Chronicles 1716 And next him [was] Amasiah the son of Zichri who willingly offered himself unto the LORD and with him two hundred thousand mighty men of valour

Ver 16 Who willingly offered himself unto the Lord] He was a votary the vows of God were upon him and this made him the more valiant and resolute (a) in the exercise of arms for the service of God and the safety of his people The Spahis among the Turks are a sort of horsemen voluntaries and votaries to gain paradise by dying for the Mohammedan cause These are never known to return home but

with victory these are heavy upon the enemy For

ldquo Vincitur haud gratis iugulo qui provocat ensem rdquo

POOLE As volunteers and auxiliaries to be ready upon occasion as the service of God and the king should require Possibly these or most of them were the strangers which had come out of Israel into the kingdom of Judah in Asarsquos days and probably since that in his time

ELLICOTT (16) AmasiahmdashIah carrieth (Isaiah 4011) different from Amaziah (Iah is strong)

Who willingly offered himself unto the Lordmdash(Judges 52 Judges 59) An allusion to some noble act of self-devotion which was doubtless more fully recorded in the source from which the chronicler has drawn this brief account Such allusions though no longer intelligible are important as conducing to the proof of the historical value of the narratives in which they occur LXX ὁ προθυmicroούmicroενος τῷ κυρίῳ Vulg consecratus Domino

PULPIT Amaziah the son of Zichri This man is not titled at all The description of him as one who had willingly offered himself unto the Lord not elucidated by the context or any effective parallel will mark something honorable in his history Possibly he comes from an unexpected quarter and is a man of approved skill othing further is known of these three men Meantime it has been suggested (Professor Dr J Murphy of Belfast Handbook to Chronicles ) that the first of the three was for Judah proper the second for that contingent of Judah that hailed from Dan and the Philistines and the third for that of Simeon and the Arabs

MACLARE This is a scrap from the catalogue of Jehoshaphatrsquos lsquomighty men of valourrsquo and is Amasiahrsquos sole record We see him for a moment and hear his eulogium and then oblivion swallows him up We do not know what it was that he did to earn it But what a fate to live to all generations by that one sentence

I Cheerful self-surrender the secret of all religion

The words of our text contain a metaphor naturally drawn from the sacrificial system It comes so easily to us that we scarcely recognise the metaphorical element but the clear recognition of it gives great additional energy to the words Amasiah was both sacrificer and sacrifice His offering was self-immolation As in all love so in that noblest kind of it which clasps God its perfect expression is lsquoI give Thee my living loving selfrsquo Nor is it only sacrifice and sacrificer that are seen in deepest truth in the experience of the Christian life but the reality of the Temple is also there for lsquoYe also are built up a spiritual house to be a holy priesthood to offer up spiritual sacrificesrsquo Only when God dwells in us shall we have the nerve and the firmness of hand to take the knife and lsquoslay before the Lordrsquo the awful Guest in the sanctuary within the most precious of the children of our spirits

The essence of the sacrifice of self is the sacrifice of will In the Christian experience

lsquowillingly offeredrsquo is almost tautology for unwilling offerings are a contradiction and in fact there are no such things The quality of unwillingness destroys the character of the offering and robs it of all sacredness Reluctant Christianity is not Christianity That noun and that adjective can never be buckled together

The submission of will and the consequent surrender of myself and my powers opportunities and possessions so that I do all enjoy all use all and when need is endure all with glad thankful reference to God is only possible to me in the measure in which my will is made flexible by love and such will-subduing love comes only when we lsquoknow and believe the love that God hath to usrsquo There is the point at which not a few moral and religious teachers go wrong and bewilder themselves and their disciples There too is the point at which Christ and the Gospel of salvation through faith in Him stand forth as emancipating humanity from the dreary round of efforts and vain attempts to work up the condition needful for achieving the height of self-surrender which is seen to be indispensable to all true nobleness of living but is felt to be beyond the reach of the ordinary man There too is the point at which many good people mar their lives as Christians They waste their strength in trying to bring the jibbing horse up to the leap They try to blow up a fire of devotion and to make themselves priests to offer themselves but all the while the mutinous self recoils from the leap and the fire burns smokily and their sacrifice is laid on the altar with little joy because they have not been careful and wise enough to begin at the beginning and to follow Godrsquos way of melting their wills by love the reflection of the Infinite love of God to them Godrsquos priests offer themselves because they offer their wills they offer their wills because they love God they love God because they know that God loves them That is the divine order It is vain to try to accomplish the end by any other

II This willing offering hallows all life

No syllable is left to tell us what Amasiah did to win this praise Probably the words enshrine some now forgotten memory of his cheerful courage some heroic feat on an unrecorded battlefield Particulars are not given nor needed Specific actions are unimportant the spirit of a life can be told with very incomplete details and it not the details is the important thing Sometimes as in many modern biographies one lsquocannot see the wood for the treesrsquo and misses the main drift and aim of a life in the chaos of a bewildering mass of nothings How much more happy the lot of this man of whom we have only the generalised expression of the text unweighted and undisturbed by petty incidents It takes tons of rose leaves to make a tiny phial of otto of roses but the fragrance is far more pungent in a drop of the distillation than in armfuls of leaves Every life shrinks into very small compass and the centuries do not tolerate long biographies Shall we not seek to order our life so that Amasiahrsquos epitaph may serve for us It will be blessed if this-and nothing else-is known about us that we lsquowillingly offered ourselves to the Lordrsquo My friend will that be a true epitome of your life

III This willing offering is accepted by God

We may hear a mightier voice behind the chroniclerrsquo s and the judgment of the Judge of all pronounced by His lips It matters little what men say of one another but it matters everything what God says of us We are but too apt to forget that He is now saying something as to each of us and that we have not to wait for death to put a final period to our activities before our lives become fit subjects for Godrsquos judgment Moment by moment we are writing our own sentences But while it is good for us to remember the continuous judgment of God on each deed it is not good to let dark thoughts of the principles of that judgment paralyse our activity or chill our confidence in His forgiving and accepting mercy There is often a dark suspicion like that of the one-talented

servant which blackens Godrsquos fair fame as being lsquoan austere Manrsquo making demands rather than imparting power and the effect of such an ugly conception of Him is to cut the nerve of service and bury the talent carefully folded up it may be but none the less earning nothing lsquoIf we call on Him as Father who without respect of persons judgeth according to every manrsquos workrsquo let us be sure that it will be a Fatherly judgment that He will pass upon us and our offerings There is a wonderful collection on His altar of what many people would think rubbish just as many a mother has laid away among her treasures some worthless article which her child had once given her-a weed plucked by the roadside in a long past summer day some trifle of rare preciousness in the childrsquos eyes and of none in any others than her own She opens her drawer and brings out the poor little thing and her eyes fill and her heart fills as she looks And does not God keep His childrenrsquos gifts as lovingly and set them in places of honour in the day when He lsquomakes up His jewelsrsquo There are cups of cold water and widowsrsquo mites and much else that a supercilious world would call lsquotrashrsquo stored there Thank God He accepts imperfect service faltering faith partial consecration a little love Even our poor offering may be an lsquoodour of a sweet smellrsquo ministering fragrance that is a delight to Him if it is offered with the much incense of the great Sacrifice and through the mediation of the great High Priest

The world forgot Amasiah or never knew him an obscure soldier in an obscure kingdom but God did not forget and here is his epitaph and this is his memorial to all generations Menrsquos chronicles have no room for all the names that their wearers are eager to have inscribed on their crumbling and crowded pages lsquobut the Lambrsquos Book of Lifersquo has ample space on its radiant pages for all who desire to set their names there and if ours are there we need not envy the proudest whose titles and deeds fill the most conspicuous pages in the worldrsquos records lsquoThen shall every man have praise of Christrsquo and he who wins that guerdon needs nothing more and can have nothing more to swell his blessedness

17 From BenjaminEliada a valiant soldier with 200000 men armed with bows and shields

GILL And of Benjamin Eliada a mighty man of valour Was the chief commander

and with armed men with bow and shield two hundred thousand which were

the armour of the tribe of Benjamin they were best skilled in 2Ch_148

TRAPP 2 Chronicles 1717 And of Benjamin Eliada a mighty man of valour and with him armed men with bow and shield two hundred thousand

Ver 17 With bow and shield] The Benjamites were notable bowmen [1 Chronicles 122] The Engish were anciently so too

ELLICOTT (17) Armed men with bow and shieldmdashLiterally drawing bow and shield ie as the Targum explains ldquodrawing bow and grasping shieldsrdquo (Comp 1 Chronicles 122) LXX ldquoArchers and peltastsrdquo Vulg ldquoGrasping bow and shieldrdquo (Comp also 1 Chronicles 840 for the arms of the Benjaminites)

18 next Jehozabad with 180000 men armed for battle

GILL And next to him was Jehozabad According to the Targum he encamped next him

and with him one hundred and fourscore thousand ready prepared for war being able bodied men well disciplined valiant and well armed these numbers of Judah and Benjamin put together amount to 1160000 men whereas Asa only brought into the field 580000 but it should be considered there had been a long time of peace many had come off from the ten tribes to Judah and the promise of multiplying the seed of Abraham was eminently fulfilled

TRAPP 2 Chronicles 1718 And next him [was] Jehozabad and with him an hundred and fourscore thousand ready prepared for the war

Ver 18 A hundred and fourscore thousand] His militia was eleven hundred and threescore thousand besides what he had in garrisons [2 Chronicles 1719] So that as he was better he was stronger than his father Asa had been Piety hath prosperity

ELLICOTT (18) Ready prepared for the warmdashEquipped for service (See on 1

Chronicles 1223-24 umbers 315 umbers 3229) The hoplites or heavy-armed infantry are probably meant

PULPIT While Eliada of last verse was for Benjamin Professor Dr Murphy supposes that Jehozabad was for the annexed part of Ephraim But no suppositions of this kind can avail to explain the numbers in the text which is no doubt corrupt

19 These were the men who served the king besides those he stationed in the fortified cities throughout Judah

CLARKE These waited on the king - They were disposable forces always at the kingrsquos command and were independent of those by which the cities of Judah were garrisoned

There is not a sovereign in Europe or in the world but might read this chapter with advantage

1 It shows most forcibly that true religion is the basis of the state and that wherever it prospers there the state prospers

2 It shows also that it is the wisdom of kings to encourage religion with all their power and influence for if the hearts of the subjects be not bound and influenced by true religion vain is the application of laws fines imprisonments or corporal punishment of any kind

3 A religious nation is ever a great nation it is loved by its friends it is dreaded by its enemies

4 It is ever a peaceable and united nation the blessings of religion and a wholesome and paternal government are so fully felt and prized that all find it their interest to preserve and defend them Harmony peace piety and strength are the stability of such times May Britain know and value them

GILL These waited on the king Not this vast number of men at one time but in course as Davids military men waited on him 1Ch_271 or each of these captains with a proper number of men under them detached from the body and they were all ready to obey the kings orders whenever he should have occasion for them

besides those whom the king put into the fenced cities throughout Judah and all together the militia of the kingdom was very numerous and formidable

KampD 2Ch_1719

These were serving the king א6ה refers not to the above-mentioned men capable of

bearing arms for sheereet is not used of service in war but to the commanders whom he had placed in the fortified cities of all Judah ldquoin which probably bodies of the above-mentioned troops lay as garrisonsrdquo (Berth)

BESO 2 Chronicles 1719 These waited on the king mdash These above-mentioned were the trained bands or auxiliaries whose chief officers waited on the king to receive his commands and to raise and bring in all or part of their forces to the service of the king as need required A vast number for so small a compass of ground to furnish out and maintain But we may consider that God had promised to make the seed of Abraham like the sand of the sea for number that there had now been a long peace that many were come to them from the kingdom of Israel and that Jehoshaphat was under a special blessing of God They were doubtless dispersed all the country over every one residing on his own land only they were ready at call whenever there was occasion

TRAPP 2 Chronicles 1719 These waited on the king beside [those] whom the king put in the fenced cities throughout all Judah

Ver 19 These waited on the king] ie In their turns and by course

POOLE These above mentioned were the trained bands or auxiliaries whose chief officers waited upon the king to receive his commands and to raise and bring in all or part of their forces to the service of the king and kingdom as need required

ELLICOTT (19) These waited on the kingmdashRather these are they that ministered unto the king viz the five generals above named

Beside those whom the king put in the fenced citiesmdashie the commandants of the fortresses of the kingdom (2 Chronicles 1111 2 Chronicles 1123) These latter as well as the generals of the forces are called the kingrsquos ldquoministersrdquo (mĕshacircrĕthicircm)mdasha word which is not used of service in the field but implies their presence at court (ldquoin Jerusalemrdquo 2 Chronicles 1713 as the royal staff)

According to the above list the army of Jehoshaphat was organised in five grand divisions corresponding perhaps to five territorial divisions of the southern kingdom The totals are the largest assigned to the two tribes anywhere in the Old Testament viz Judah 780000 and Benjamin 380000 in all 1160000 At Davidrsquos census Judah had 500000 warriors (2 Samuel 249) and Israel 800000 Again in 2

Chronicles 148 Asarsquos army consists of 300000 men of Judah and 280000 Benjaminites clearly such an increase as our text indicates is unaccountable At the same time it is equally clear that the present numbers are not fortuitous results of clerical errors for they follow each other in the order of relative strength Judah 300000 280000 200000 Benjamin 200000 180000 and they are evidently not independent of the estimates of 2 Chronicles 148 above quoted

In the absence of adequate data for modifying these certainly startling figures it is well to bear in mind that we need not understand by them an army which ever actually mustered in the field or on parade but simply an estimate of the total male population liable to be called out for the national defence although even upon that understanding the total appears to be at least three times too great considering the small extent of the country

PULPIT These waited Hebrew המשרתים plur piel part of שרת The verse states that this enormous fivefold army with its five princes (counting in our corrupt text one million one hundred and sixty thousand) was the kings Jerusalem standing army while other separate regiments or bands of troops were spread through all Judah where they might be most needed for defence

GILL And he placed forces in all the fenced cities of Judah A considerable number of soldiers to defend them should they be attacked

and set garrisons in the land of Judah on the frontiers and borders of it to protect it

and in the cities of Ephraim soldiers to keep garrison there

which Asa his father had taken see 2Ch_158

KampD 2-4 He placed forces (חיל) in all the fenced cities of Judah and garrisons

in the land of Judah and in the cities of Ephraim (military posts cf 1Ch_1116 נציבים)

which is father Asa had taken cf 2Ch_158 God blessed these undertakings Jahve was with him because he walked in the ways of David his ancestor the former ways and sought not the Baals The former ways of David are his ways in the earlier years of his reign in contrast to the later years in which his adultery with Bathsheba (2 Sam 11) and

the sin of numbering the people (1 Chron 21) fall העלים are all false gods in contrast to

Jahve the one God of Israel and here the word designates not only the Baal-worship properly so called but also the worship of Jahve by means of images by which Jahve is

brought down to the level of the Baals cf Jdg_211 The ל before עלים stands according

to the later usage as a sign of the accusative In the last clause of 2Ch_174 ldquoand not

after the doings of Israelrdquo (of the ten tribes) הלך ldquohe walkedrdquo is to be repeated The

doing of Israel is the worship of Jahve through the images of the golden calves which

the author of the Chronicle includes in the לעלים רש

BESO 2 Chronicles 172 And set garrisons in the cities which Asa had taken mdash We do not read of any cities which Asa took but Abijah his father possessed himself of several which Asa kept and took for his own 2 Chronicles 1319 And it appears Jehoshaphat put such forces in them as might secure them to himself

TRAPP 2 Chronicles 172 And he placed forces in all the fenced cities of Judah and set garrisons in the land of Judah and in the cities of Ephraim which Asa his father had taken

Ver 2 And he placed forces] See 2 Chronicles 1719

ELLICOTT (2) And he placed forcesmdashComp 2 Chronicles 1112

The fenced citiesmdashlsquoArecirc ha-bĕtsucircrocircth (Comp 2 Chronicles 115 sqq 2 Chronicles 146-7)

And set garrisonsmdashPlaced military posts or prefects (netsicircbicircm) (1 Chronicles 1116 2 Chronicles 1111) Syriac ldquoappointed rulersrdquo

The cities of Ephraim had takenmdashSee on 2 Chronicles 158

PULPIT He placed forces literally he gave (Genesis 117) forces or a force or host or army חיל (Exodus 1428 2 Samuel 242) And set garrisons again literally he gave garrisons ( נאיבים ) ie either the persons set over prefects or officers (1 Kings 419) or the military garrison itself stationed (1 Samuel 105 1 Samuel 133) A village in Judah also had the name ezeb (Joshua 1545) In the cities of Ephraim (see 2 Chronicles 158)

3 The Lord was with Jehoshaphat because he followed the ways of his father David before him He did not consult the Baals

BARES The first ways of his father David - The Septuagint and several Hebrew manuscripts omit ldquoDavidrdquo which has probably crept in from the margin for Davidrsquos ldquofirst waysrdquo are nowhere else contrasted with his later ways The real meaning of the writer is that Jehoshaphat followed the example set by his father Asa in his earlier years 2Ch_141-15 15

Baalim - On the plural form see 1Ki_1818 note

CLARKE The Lord was with Jehoshaphat - ldquoThe Word of the Lord was Jehoshaphatrsquos Helperrdquo - Targum

GILL And the Lord was with Jehoshaphat Guiding and directing prospering and succeeding him in all things he had no doubt his gracious presence in spiritual things as well as his powerful and directing presence in things civil the Targum isthe Word of the Lord was for his help

because he walked in the first ways of his father David which were his best some of his last ways not being good as in the affair of Uriah and Bathsheba and his numbering of the people Jehoshaphat followed him in the one but not in the other or in the ways of David and his father the first the first of them both for the latter ways of his father Asa were not so good as his first as the preceding chapter shows and the

Septuagint version leaves out the word David and so restrains it to his own father

and sought not unto Baalim as did Ahab king of Israel who now reigned there 1Ki_1524

JAMISO 3-5 he walked in the first ways of his father Davidmdash He imitated the piety of his great ancestor in the early part of his reign before he made those unhappy lapses which dishonored his character

and sought not unto Baalimmdash a term used for idols generally in contradistinction to the Lord God of his father

BESO 2 Chronicles 173-4 He walked in the first ways of his father David mdashHis ways before he fell so foully in the matter of Uriah which were good ways David indeed recovered from that fall but perhaps never while he lived fully retrieved the spiritual strength and comfort which he had lost Jehoshaphat followed David as far as he followed God and no farther St Paul himself thus limits our imitation of him 1 Corinthians 111 Follow me as I follow Christ and not otherwise The first ways of many pious people have been their best ways and their first love their strongest love which however ought not to be the case for the last ought to be more than the first Revelation 219 But in every copy we propose to write after as we ought to single out that only which is good so that chiefly which is best The original words here are literally rendered He walked in the ways of David his father הראשונים hareshonim those first or ancient ways He proposed to himself for his example the primitive times of the royal family those purest times before the corruptions of the late reigns came in See Jeremiah 616 The LXX leave out David and so refer this to Asa He walked in the first ways of his father Asa and did not imitate him in what was amiss in him toward the latter end of his time It is well to be cautious in following the best men lest we step aside after them And sought not unto Baalim mdash The neighbouring nations had their Baalim one had one Baal and another had another but he abhorred them all and had nothing to do with any of them He sought the Lord God of his father and him only prayed to him only and inquired of him only

TRAPP 2 Chronicles 173 And the LORD was with Jehoshaphat because he walked in the first ways of his father David and sought not unto Baalim

Ver 3 Because he walked in the first ways of his father David] Who during his trouble kept himself free from scandalous and reproachful practices innocent from the great transgression [Psalms 1913] David rectior fuit in servitio quam in regno saith Gregory

POOLE In the first ways which David walked in before he fell into those horrid sins of murder and adultery Or in the ways of David and his fatherrsquos first ways For the beginning of Asarsquos reign was laudable as we have seen though he declined at last For it seems more probable that this passage is a reflection upon Asa whose last ways were much his worst and of whose repentance we have no evidence than

upon David who though he fell dreadfully in the matter of Uriah yet did manifestly repent of it and return to his first and holy course of life in which also he continued until death having this character given him by the Holy Ghost after his death that he did right in all things saving that of Uriah 1 Kings 155

WHEDO 3 The first ways of his father David mdash The first or earlier ways of David are contrasted with his later ways ldquoin the matter of Uriahrdquo and his sin in numbering the people The Septuagint omits the word David and some have therefore thought it an interpolation and understand the earlier ways of Asa to be intended

ELLICOTT (3) He walked in the first waysmdashThe former or earlier ways of David as contrasted with his later conductmdasha tacit allusion to the adultery with Bathsheba and other sins of David committed in his later years (2 Samuel 11-24) A few MSS and the LXX omit David

And sought not unto BaalimmdashAnd sought not the Baals (dacircrash lĕ a late construction) The Baals were different local aspects of the sun-god Here the term no doubt includes the illegal worship of Jehovah under the form of a bullock as instituted by Jeroboam and practised in the northern kingdom (ldquothe doing of Israelrdquo 2 Chronicles 174) Syriac ldquoand prayed not to imagesrdquo

PARKER And the Lord was with Jehoshaphat because he walked in the first ways of his father David and sought not unto Baalim ( 2 Chronicles 173)

The Lord was not with Jehoshaphat because he strengthened himself against Israel nor because he placed forces in all the fenced cities of Judah and set garrisons in the land of Judah and in the streets of Ephraim ot one of these little triumphs is referred to as affording God a basis for the complaisant treatment of the new king As ever the Lords relation to Jehoshaphat was determined by Jehoshaphats own moral condition A very beautiful expression is thismdashhe walked in the first ways of his father David that is to say in the former or earlier ways of David as contrasted with Davids later conduct Some have found here a tacit allusion to Davids greatest sin which he committed when he was advanced in life A somewhat mournful thing it is that a mans first ways should be better than his last The other relation would seem to be the one which reason would approve and God would specially honour namely that a mans old age should be the ripest and best part of his conduct rich with Wisdom of Solomon strong with experience and chastened by many a pensive recollection Sad when you have to go back to a mans youth to find his virtues or his most conspicuous excellences but most beautiful when a mans earlier mistakes are lost in the richness and wisdom of his later conduct God keeps his attention fixed on all the parts of a mans life and he observes which of those parts is most esteemed by the mans own successors Happy is that father whose whole example is worthy of imitation yet more than human is he the whole of whose life is without stain or flaw Jehoshaphats conduct in this matter is the more notable because of the constant observation of mankind that it is easier to follow the evil than to imitate the good When imitation enters into a mans life he is prone to

copy that which is inferior and to leave without reproduction that which is lofty and disciplinary In this instance Jehoshaphat sets an example to the world His conduct too is represented negatively as well as positivelymdashand sought not unto Baalim The word Baalim is in the plural number and the literal reading might be Jehoshaphat sought not the Baals the Baals being different local aspects or phases of the sun-god It is to be specially noted that the term Baal includes an aspect even of Jehovah himself that is to say Israel had degenerated so far as to suppose that in worshipping Baal they were worshipping at least one phase of the true God We must not mix up our religion with our irreligion our prayers with our idolatry our heavenliness with our worldly-mindedness the whole arrangement must be clean and pure from one end to the other inasmuch as one taint may cause the whole process of our religious thought and service to become deteriorated and valueless It is often difficult to abandon a popular custom More people might be in favour of Jehoshaphat strengthening himself against Israel than in returning to the first ways of David and abandoning the altar of the Baals History and religion are always considered in their separate distribution There are politicians who would vote for a war who would on no account surrender a superstition On the other hand there are men who pride themselves on being free of the influence of superstition who would willingly enter into the most sanguinary wars for the extension of empire or the glory of some particular throne In Jehoshaphat we seem to come into contact with a complete character in other words a man who in every point was equally strong a man of foresight a man of reverence a man of an honest heart a man who felt that idolatry and true worship could not coexist in the same breast

ISBET lsquoThe Lord was with Jehoshaphatrsquo2 Chronicles 173It is instructive to notice what is said about Davidrsquos waysmdashit was his first ways that Jehoshaphat took for his pattern We should always be careful to adopt only the good things in others

I lsquoThe Lord stablished the kingdom in his handrsquo God loves to find a man He can trust a man into whose hand He can put holy interests and know that they will be sacredly cherishedmdashThe Lord established the kingdom in the hands of Jehoshaphat because Jehoshaphat was true to his trust In our Lordrsquos parable of The Talents we are taught that those who prove faithful to their trust receive other things also in trust while those who are unfaithful even in small things God will not intrust with larger things

II lsquoHis heart was lifted up in the ways of the Lordrsquo There is a bad lifting up and a good lifting up Some people are made vain and self-conceited by prosperitymdashThe temptation for young people when first called upon to do any work and accomplishing it with some measure of success is to become proud and to show their vanity by talking too much about themselves and what they have done Such lifting up not only dishonours God but hurts the person But Jehoshaphat was lifted up in the ways of the Lord Too often as money comes in and prosperity increases

people get so absorbed in these new gifts of God that the Giver Himself fades out of their vision If only we see the hand of God in every new mercy and goodness that comes to us our heart will be lifted up in the ways of the Lord

III lsquoThe fear of the Lord fell upon all the kingdoms hellip so that they made no war against Jehoshaphatrsquo The Lord is able to control even the diplomacy and the politics of nationsmdashWhen these kingdoms saw the blessing which Jehoshaphat was enjoying in his country they felt an awe in their heartsmdashthe fear of the Lord fell upon themmdashand they refrained from making war God will always find some way to defend His own people in the midst of dangers

PULPIT The first ways of his father David Although there would be no difficulty in reconciling this statement with history yet probably the name David should not stand here It is not in the Septuagint The most natural and sufficient reference is to Asa And sought not unto Ballim literally to the Baalim ie to the various false gods of surrounding peoples ( 211) Baal-berith ( 833 94 946) Baal-zebub (2 Kings 12) Baal-peor (umbers 2328 etc umbers 253) according to the places where the idolatrous worship was carried on (For the preposition ל to after sought in this and following verse see again 1 Chronicles 2219 )

4 but sought the God of his father and followed his commands rather than the practices of Israel

BARES The doings of Israel - i e the especially idolatrous doings of the time -the introduction and establishment of the worship of Baal and the groves

GILL But sought to the Lord God of his fathers Prayed to him worshipped and served him

and walked in his commandments observed and kept them moral ceremonial and judicial

and not after the doings of Israel who worshipped the golden calves at Dan and Bethel

JAMISO and not after the doings of Israelmdash He observed with scrupulous fidelity and employed his royal influence to support the divine institutions as enacted by Moses abhorring that spurious and unlawful calf-worship that now formed the established religion in Israel Being thus far removed alike from gross idolatry and Israelitish apostasy and adhering zealously to the requirements of the divine law the blessing of God rested on his government Ruling in the fear of God and for the good of his subjects ldquothe Lord established the kingdom in his handrdquo

COFFMA So far so good Jehoshaphat like some others of the kings of Judah began very well receiving as their reward the blessing of the Lord and the prosperity of the people but his alliance with Ahab (described in 2 Chronicles 18) would cast a dark shadow over what is written here

(He) walked not after the doings of Israel (2 Chronicles 174) The contempt in which the author of Chronicles held the orthern Israel appears in a clause like this The outstanding feature of Chronicles is the omission wherever possible of practically the entire history of their kings This reminds us of the Book of umbers in which the whole history of the apostate Israel records only a few events for the whole period Why It was because of the fact that what any nation does after they have rejected God is of minor importance

With the apostasy of the orthern Israel and their rejection of Gods choice of the house of David the history of the redemption of mankind dramatically shifted to what happened in Jerusalem

TRAPP 2 Chronicles 174 But sought to the [LORD] God of his father and walked in his commandments and not after the doings of Israel

Ver 4 And not after the doings of Israel] Who in his days did evil as they could under that nonsuch Ahab But Jehoshaphat was not corrupted with their ill neighbourhood

PARKER But sought to the Lord God of his father and walked in his commandments and not after the doings of Israel ( 2 Chronicles 174)

We must be prepared for singularity if we are genuinely prepared to be good Let a man settle it with himself in prayerful solitude whether he means to walk with God or to identify himself with the spirit and customs of his age Jehoshaphat laid down a clear programme for himself and followed it out with patient and faithful industry The Lord God of his father was not a mere term in a crowd it was the object of daily search and quest Jehoshaphat inquired for him and operated constantly upon the doctrine Ask and it shall be given you knock and it shall be opened unto you or was Jehoshaphats religion merely speculative that is to say an intellectual quest after an intellectual God whatever was speculative in the mind and service of Jehoshaphat was sustained and ennobled by a solid moral element

forasmuch as Jehoshaphat walked in Gods commandmentsmdashhe read the decalogue he studied Gods word he would take no action personal regal or social that was not first examined and approved in the light of the divine statutes All this might have been comparatively easy if Jehoshaphat had started at an independent point but at such a point no man can start for he must take up the age as he finds it and must first disembarrass himself from all the stipulations and claims of custom usage and popular superstition Jehoshaphat sought not after the doings of Israel he set himself up in this respect against the kingdom he was not afraid of peculiarity in a word Jehoshaphats religion was characteristic that is to say it had lines points and colours of its own about which there could be no reasonable mistake What is our religion Do we intellectually assent to the existence and sovereignty of one God and then degenerate into self-worship Do we admit that there must be an ultimate morality a philosophy of conduct founded upon eternal metaphysics and then do we measure our own behaviour by the canon of custom These are questions that search the heart and no man can answer them for his brother

What became of all this noble conduct arising out of this high religious conception We shall see in the following versemdash

PULPIT After the doings of Israel This expression probably marks the doings of the northern kingdom as both the more typical throughout its whole history of the wrong and also as the systematic beginning by a law of idolatrous worship and images in the matter of the calves and so on

5 The Lord established the kingdom under his control and all Judah brought gifts to Jehoshaphat so that he had great wealth and honor

BARES Presents - i e ldquofree-will offeringsrdquo in addition to the regular taxes See 1Sa_1027

GILL Therefore the Lord stablished the kingdom in his hand Piety is the

best prop of government the throne is best supported and established by truth righteousness and mercy by the exercise of these Jehoshaphat was settled in his kingdom and had a place in the hearts of his people

and all Judah brought to Jehoshaphat presents being well affected to him as well as it was usual so to do at a princes accession to the throne see 1Sa_1027

and he had riches and honour in abundance through the presents his subjects brought him and the respect they showed him

JAMISO all Judah brought presentsmdash This was customary with the people generally at the beginning of a reign (1Sa_1027) and with the nobles and high functionaries yearly afterwards They were given in the form of voluntary offerings to avoid the odious idea of a tax or tribute

KampD Therefore Jahve established the kingdom in his hand ie under his rule cf

2Ki_145 All Judah brought him presents מנחה often used of tribute of subject peoples

eg in 2Ch_1711 of the Philistines cannot here have that signification nor can it denote

the regular imposts of subjects for these are not called מנחה but must denote voluntary

gifts which his subjects brought him as a token of their reverence and love The last clause ldquoand there was to him (he attained) riches and honour in abundancerdquo which is repeated 2Ch_181 recalls 1Ch_2928 2Ch_112 and signifies that Jehoshaphat like his ancestors David and Solomon was blessed for walking in the pious ways of these his forefathers

BESO 2 Chronicles 175-6 Therefore the Lord established the kingdom in his hand mdash Those stand firm that have the presence of God with them If the beauty of the Lord our God be upon us that will stablish the work of our hands and establish us in our integrity And all Judah brought to Jehoshaphat presents mdash As subjects in those times and places used to do to their kings in token of their respect and subjection to them The more there is of true religion among a people the more conscientious loyalty there will be A governor that answers the end of government will be supported And he had riches and honour in abundance mdash The effect of the favour both of God and his people It is undoubtedly true though few will believe it that religion and piety are the best friends to outward prosperity And his heart was lift up in the ways of the Lord mdash Riches and honour in abundance prove to many a clog and a hinderance in the ways of the Lord an occasion of pride security and sensuality but they had a quite contrary effect upon Jehoshaphat his abundance was oil to the wheels of his obedience and the more he had of the wealth of this world the more cheerfully and resolutely he went on in the ways of the Lord His heart also was lifted up above all discouragements difficulties and fears by which menrsquos hearts are wont to be cast down He was valiant and resolute for God and his ways He took away the high places and groves mdash That is those in which idols were worshipped for those that were dedicated to the true God only were not taken away chap 2 Chronicles 2033 And though Asa had done the same before yet

either he did not do it thoroughly or the people who were mad upon their idols had secretly made new ones in the latter part of his reign when he grew more infirm in body and more remiss in Godrsquos cause

TRAPP 2 Chronicles 175 Therefore the LORD stablished the kingdom in his hand and all Judah brought to Jehoshaphat presents and he had riches and honour in abundance

Ver 5 And he had riches and honour in abundance] Herein he came near unto Solomon in his greatest flourish

ELLICOTT (5) ThereforemdashAnd (so ldquoalsordquo ldquoso thatrdquo in 2 Chronicles 177 2 Chronicles 1710)

The Lord stablished the kingdom in his handmdashComp 2 Kings 145

PresentsmdashMinchah This word often means tributary offerings as in 2 Chronicles 1711 but here it obviously denotes the voluntary gifts of loyal subjects usual at the beginning of a reign (1 Samuel 1027)

And he had (or got) riches and honour in abundancemdashLike David and Solomon (1 Chronicles 2928 2 Chronicles 112)

PARKER 5-9 5 Therefore the Lord stablished the kingdom in his hand [comp 2 Kings 145] and all Judah brought to Jehoshaphat presents [this word often means tributary offerings but here it denotes the voluntary gifts of loyal subjects] and he had riches and honour in abundance

6 And his heart was lifted up [usually the phrase has a bad meaning (as in Deuteronomy 814 2 Chronicles 2616 Psalm 1311 etc) but it is evident that it must be taken differently here The marginal reading is right his courage rose high or he grew bold] in the ways of the Lord moreover he took away the high places and groves out of Judah

7 Also in the third year of his reign he sent to his princes [rather he sent his princes] even to Ben-hail and to Obadiah and to Zechariah and to ethaneel and to Michaiah to teach in the cities of Judah

8 And with them he sent [rather were the] Levites even Shemaiah and ethaniah and Zebadiah and Asahel and Shemiramoth and Jehonathan and Adonijah and Tobijah and Tobadonijah Levites and with them Elishama and Jehoram priests

9 And they taught in Judah and had the book of the law of the Lord [the Pentateuchmdashnearly if not quite in the shape in which we now have it] with them and went about throughout all the cities of Judah and taught [among] the people

PARKER Therefore the Lord stablished the kingdom in his hand and all Judah brought to Jehoshaphat presents and he had riches and honour in abundance ( 2 Chronicles 175)

Whatever was doubtful about the ascent of Jehoshaphat to the throne was removed and the king was enabled to realise his power when he closed his hand upon the royal sceptre he found that he was not grasping a shadow but a reality There are times when men become fully conscious of their influence and of their proper social position happy are they if in this consciousness they detect a prevailingly religious element which constrains them to acknowledge that honour and wealth power and dignity are the gifts of God Is not this an anticipation of the Saviours great doctrinemdashSeek ye first the kingdom of God and his righteousness and all these things shall be added unto you Jehoshaphat did not seek riches and honour he sought to the Lord God of his father and walked in the divine commandments and as a result he enjoyed all that kings delight in as indicating strength and pomp renown and influence

GUZIK 2 (2 Chronicles 175-6) The blessing upon his reign

Therefore the LORD established the kingdom in his hand and all Judah gave presents to Jehoshaphat and he had riches and honor in abundance And his heart took delight in the ways of the LORD moreover he removed the high places and wooden images from Judah

a Therefore the LORD established the kingdom in his hand This was no small accomplishment In those days kings and kingdoms were fragile and under constant threat Yet if the descendants of David would seek God first He promised to take care of their security ndash and God makes the same promise to His people today (Matthew 633)

b All Judah gave presents to Jehoshaphat and he had riches and honor in abundance Because Jehoshaphat trusted God God lifted him up and exalted him as a king As his heart took delight in the ways of the LORD the LORD gave him the desires of his heart (Psalms 374)

c Moreover he removed the high places and wooden images from Judah 1 Kings 2243 says that Jehoshaphat did not remove the high places Adam Clarke explains ldquoIn 2 Chronicles 176 it is expressly said that he did take way the high places Allowing that the text is right in 2 Chronicles the two places may be easily recognized There were two kinds of high places in the land 1 Those used for idolatrous purposes 2 Those that were consecrated to God and were used before the temple was built The former he did take away the latter he did notrdquo

i ldquoThey may also witness to the deep hold of the Canaanite and syncretic forms of religion on ordinary Israelites Popular views and practices are often quite different from pronouncements by religious authoritiesrdquo (Selman)

PULPIT All Judah brought presents to Jehoshaphat These presents were of course voluntary gifts though like not a few others custom may have taken off from them something of the bloom of spontaneousness (1 Samuel 1027 2 Samuel 82 1 Kings 421 1 Kings 1025 Psalms 7210)

6 His heart was devoted to the ways of the Lord furthermore he removed the high places and the Asherah poles from Judah

BARES His heart was lifted up - This expression generally occurs in a bad sense Deu_814 2Ch_2616 Psa_1311 Pro_1812 but here it must be taken differently The margin ldquowas encouragedrdquo expresses fairly the true meaning He first began by setting an example of faithfulness to Yahweh He then proceeded to use his best endeavors to extirpate idolatry

He took away the high places - Compare 2Ch_2033 and see the 2Ch_1517 note

GILL And his heart was lifted up in the ways of the Lord It was engaged in them was bent and set upon them he walked in them with great pleasure and cheerfulness being inspired with zeal and courage he was fearless and intrepid and regarded not any opposition he might have or expect to have in the work of reformation in which he was concerned

moreover he took away the high places such as were dedicated to idols but not those in which the true God was worshipped 2Ch_2033

and groves out of Judah where idols were placed for though these had been removed by Asa yet had been renewed in the latter part of his days when more negligent of religion

HERY 2 He was a despised man (Job_176) ldquoHerdquo (that is Eliphaz so some or rather God whom he all along acknowledges to be the author of his calamities) ldquohas made me a byword of the people the talk of the country a laughing-stock to many a gazing-stock to all and aforetime (or to mens faces publicly) I was as a tabret that whoever chose might play uponrdquo They made ballads of him his name became a proverb it is so still As poor as Job ldquoHe has now made me a bywordrdquo a reproach of men whereas aforetime in my prosperity I was as a tabret deliciae humani generis -

the darling of the human race whom they were all pleased with It is common for those who were honoured in their wealth to be despised in their poverty

JAMISO his heart was lifted up in the ways of the Lordmdash Full of faith and piety he possessed zeal and courage to undertake the reformation of manners to suppress all the works and objects of idolatry (see on 2Ch_2033) and he held out public encouragement to the pure worship of God

KampD This blessing encouraged Jehoshaphat to extirpate from the land all

idolatrous worship and to teach the people the law of the Lord לב usually sensu ב

malo to be haughty proud cf eg 2Ch_2616 2Ch_3225 here sensu bono of rising

courage to advance in ways pleasing to God and he removed the high places also etc עודpoints back to 2Ch_173 not only did he himself keep far from the Baals but he

removed besides all memorials of the Baal-worship from Judah On מות and אשרים see

on 2Ch_142

COKE 2 Chronicles 176 And his heart was lifted upmdash And when he had elevated his mind in following the commandments of God he took yet from Judah high places and groves ie he destroyed yet other monuments of idolatry which had escaped the diligence of his father Asa though he took not away those high places and altars which had been erected in Jerusalem for the true God See 1 Kings 2243 and ch 1 Kings 2033 of this book

TRAPP 2 Chronicles 176 And his heart was lifted up in the ways of the LORD moreover he took away the high places and groves out of Judah

Ver 6 And his heart was lifted up] ot with pride as 2 Chronicles 3225 but with undaunted courage and disengaged zeal such as made him come off roundly and readily in the ensuing reformation he was more forward and forth putting than his father Asa not slothful in business but fervent in spirit serving the Lord

POOLE His heart was lifted up above all discouragements and difficulties and fears by which menrsquos hearts use to be cast down he was valiant and resolute for God and his ways

He took away the high places and groves to wit such only wherein idols were worshipped as appears by comparing this with 2 Chronicles 2033 And though Asa had done this before yet either he did not do it thoroughly or the Jews (who were many of them mad upon their idols) had secretly made new ones in the latter part of his reign when he grew more infirm in body and more remiss in Godrsquos cause

WHEDO 6 His heart was lifted up mdash That is exalted with holy faith and courage

Took away the high places mdash Yet in spite of all his efforts and successes in this matter the people had become so addicted to these practices that their destruction was not thoroughly secured See note on 2 Chronicles 143 and compare 2 Chronicles 2033

ELLICOTT (6) And his heart was lifted upmdashGabhah lccedilbh which usually like the phrase of Authorised version has a bad meaning as in 2 Chronicles 2616 The margin is right here ldquohis courage rose highrdquo or ldquohe grew boldrdquo in the ways of Jehovah ie in the path of religious reform Vulg ldquocum sumpsisset cor ejus audaciam propter vias Dominirdquo

MoreovermdashAnd again further Referring to 2 Chronicles 173 ot only did he not seek the Baals but more than this he removed the high places ampc [This is the common explanation But the sense may rather be ldquoAnd he again removedrdquo referring back to Asarsquos reforms 2 Chronicles 145]

GrovesmdashrsquoAshecircrim ldquoAsherahsrdquo (2 Chronicles 143)

PARKER And his heart was lifted up in the ways of the Lord moreover he took away the high places and groves out of Judah ( 2 Chronicles 176)

The expression his heart was lifted up is an awkward one The lifting up of the heart signifies increase of pride a sensation of vanity a desire to gratify personal ambition and to make an idol of his will In this instance the marginal reading is to be preferredmdashwas encouraged or otherwise his courage rose high and again it has been rendered Jehoshaphat grew bold that is to say he was not a timid reformer or a timid worshipper a trimmer or a time-server in any sense he was a heroic worshipper of the living God when he saw that reform was necessary he went forward with a steady step and an energetic hand We should call Jehoshaphat a man of conviction and a man who had the courage of his convictions altogether this is the outline of a noble personage a born king a man who has a right to the purple and the sceptre When such men ascend thrones nations should be glad and rejoice with a great joy for their character is grander than their office and their spirit is the best guarantee of the elevation and utility of their regal policy Becoming conscious of his power knowing that his kingdom was established from on high Jehoshaphat not only did pot seek the Baals himself but he took away the high places and groves out of Judah Jehoshaphat was not content with a merely personal religion he could not convert the hearts of his people but he could destroy all the symbols of unholy worship Men are only required to do that which lies within their power A proprietor may not be able to make people sober but he can forbid the introduction of temptations to drunkenness a parent may not be able to subdue the spirit of pride but he can in many instances limit the means of gratifying it There are reforms which are open to us all in personal custom in social habit it may be even in imperial ways let each Jehoshaphat seize his opportunity and magnify it

All this would have been comparatively in vain but for another step which

Jehoshaphat took In the third year of his reign he sent to his princesmdashthat is to say he sent his princesmdashand he sent Levites all of whose names are given and he sent also two priests Elishama and Jehoram and their business was purely educational

PULPIT And his heart was lifted up in the ways of the Lord Although the verb often carries a bad sense with it it quite as often carries with it a good one in the גבהOld Testament and the typical instance of the former (Psalms 1311) is fully counterbalanced by Isaiah 5213 The marginal was enencouraged may be superseded with advantage by took courage (Isaiah 4029-31) The groves Supersede this incorrect rendering by the Asherim and upon the seeming discrepancy see again Isaiah 151-9 17 and Introduction to Chronicles there quoted

7 In the third year of his reign he sent his officials Ben-Hail Obadiah Zechariah ethanel and Micaiah to teach in the towns of Judah

BARES The princes were not sent as teachers themselves but had the duty committed to them of seeing that the people were taught The actual teachers were the priests and Levites of 2Ch_178

CLARKE 7-9 To teach in the cities of Judah - ldquoTo teach the fear of the Lord in the cities of Judahrdquo - Targum

In these verses we find a remarkable account of an itinerant ministry established by Jehoshaphat and in this work he employed three classes of men

1 The princes

2 The Levites

3 The priests

We may presume that the princes instructed the people in the nature of the civil law and constitution of the kingdom the Levites instructed them in every thing that appertained to the temple service and ritual law and the priests instructed them in the

nature and design of the religion they professed Thus the nation became thoroughly instructed in their duty to God to the king and to each other They became therefore as one man and against a people thus united on such principles no enemy could be successful

GILL Also in the third year of his reign he sent to his princes That dwelt in the several parts of the kingdom or he sent them being with him some of the

principal men of his court for ל may be a sign of the accusative case as it sometimes is

even to Benhail and to Obadiah and to Zechariah and to Nethaneel and to Michaiah to teach in the cities of Judah to see that they were taught and oblige them to attend to the instructions that should be given them and not mutiny and rebel against their teachers and to let them know what was the kings pleasure on this head and to back with their authority the priests and Levites whose proper work it was to instruct and who therefore were sent with them as follows

JAMISO 7-11 2Ch_177-11 He sends Levites to teach in Judah

Also in the third year of his reign he sent to his princes to teach in the cities of Judahmdash The ordinary work of teaching devolved on the priests But extraordinary commissioners were appointed probably to ascertain whether the work had been done or neglected This deputation of five princes assisted by two priests and nine Levites was to make a circuit of the towns in Judah It is the first practical measure we read of as being adopted by any of the kings for the religious instruction of the people Time and unbroken opportunities were afforded for carrying out fully this excellent plan of home education for the kingdom enjoyed internal tranquillity as well as freedom for foreign wars It is conformable to the pious style of the sacred historian to trace this profound peace to the ldquofear of the Lord having fallen on all kingdoms of the lands that were round about Judahrdquo

BESO 2 Chronicles 177 He sent to his princes mdash to teach in the cities of Judah mdash To inform the people of their duty and of the kingrsquos pleasure As judges teach or instruct the people in the laws of the land when they deliver their charges upon the bench so did these princes in the kingrsquos name admonish and require the people to observe and obey the laws of God which were the municipal laws of that land the particular explication and enforcement whereof they left to the Levites and priests here following who were sent for this end and accordingly taught the people 2 Chronicles 179

COFFMA Because of the clause which we have capitalized this is one of the most important passages in Chronicles Right here is the reason radical critics have extended themselves so unreasonably in their efforts to discredit Chronicles Here is dependable historical proof of the continued existence of the Torah from the days of Moses throughout the history of Israel As Keil stated it The book of the law of Jehovah is the Pentateuch not merely a collection of Mosaic laws since in Jehoshaphats time the Mosaic Book of the Law (the Pentateuch) had been long in existence[1] We shall not take the space to repeat the vociferous denials of critics

except to cite one knee-jerk remark that characterizes all of them Such action was not taken in Jehoshaphats time[2] What is the basis of such a blatant denial of what Gods Word states as a fact even giving the very names of the royal princes who did the teaching THERE IS OE o matter what unbelievers say this chapter IS the historical record of what happened in the reign of Jehoshaphat and those who live two and one half millenniums afterward have nothing of value by which they may challenge it Then why do men deny it The false theories they have invented are here contradicted forcing them either to give up their false theories or to deny the Sacred Scriptures that contradict them

COKE 2 Chronicles 177 He sent to his princes even to Ben-hail ampcmdash He sent of his princes Ben-hail Obadiah ampc The proper business of these princes in their circuit round the kingdom says Bishop Patrick was to admonish and require the people to observe the laws of God and to leave the particular explication and enforcement of them to those of the sacred order who went with them supporting them in the execution of their office and obliging the people to receive them with respect to hear them with attention and to practise what they taught

TRAPP 2 Chronicles 177 Also in the third year of his reign he sent to his princes [even] to Benhail and to Obadiah and to Zechariah and to ethaneel and to Michaiah to teach in the cities of Judah

Ver 7 He sent to his princes to teach in the cities of Judah] Teaching princes there are not many such as were David Solomon George prince of Anhalt ampc but these were sent with the teaching Levites to countenance and bear them out in this visitation general and perhaps to punish the opposite and obstinate if any such Junius readeth the text thus He sent with his princes these Levites for the teaching Or the princes taught the people the law of the land the priests and Levites the law of God both did mutually help one another So a Danish king of this land made a law that at the general court of every shire the bishop of the diocese should accompany the sheriff that the one might countenance Godrsquos law the other manrsquos (a) Queen Elizabeth once in her progress through Suffolk observing that the justices of that county who came to meet her had every man his minister next to his body said she wondered not that that county was so well governed where she saw that the word and sword went so lovingly together (b)

POOLE To teach in the cities of Judah to inform the people of their duty and of the kingrsquos pleasure As judges or justices of peace teach or instruct the people in the laws of the land when they deliver their charges upon the bench so did these princes in the kingrsquos name admonish and require the people to observe and obey the laws of God which were the prinicipal laws of that land the particular explication and enforcement whereof they left to the Levites and priests here following who were sent for this end and accordingly taught the people 2 Chronicles 179

WHEDO 7 He sent to his princeshellip to teach mdash He committed the matter of

teaching to their oversight and care and the teaching was done by the Levites and priests as stated in the next verse He did well to put down idolatry but he was wise enough to know that unless the people were instructed they would soon apostatize again

ELLICOTT THE COMMISSIOERS OF PUBLIC ISTRUCTIO I THE LAW

(7) He sent to his princes even to Ben-hail to MichaiahmdashRather He sent his princes Ben- hail and Obadiah and Michaiah (The le ldquotordquo in the chroniclerrsquos idiom marking the object of the verb) If however Authorised Version were correct the construction would not be unique as the Speakerrsquos Com mentary asserts (Comp 2 Kings 57 ldquothis man sendeth to me to recover a manrdquo ampc)

Princesmdashone of the personages mentioned in this and the following verse are otherwise known The ldquofive princesrdquo were laymen of rank and were accompanied by nine (eight) Levites and two priests

Ben-hailmdashSon of valour A compound proper name only occurring here but analogous to Ben-hur Ben-deker and Ben-hesed in 1 Kings 48-10 (The LXX renders ldquothe sons of the mightyrdquo Syriac ldquothe chiefs of the forcesrdquo apparently reading bnecirc chail)

ethaneelmdashSyriac Mattanael Arabic Mattaniah Michaiah Syriac and Arabic Malachiah

GUZIK B The strength of Jehoshaphatrsquos kingdom

1 (2 Chronicles 177-10) The spiritual strength of the kingdom Jehoshaphat brings the Word of God to the people

Also in the third year of his reign he sent his leaders Ben-Hail Obadiah Zechariah ethanel and Michaiah to teach in the cities of Judah And with them he sent Levites Shemaiah ethaniah Zebadiah Asahel Shemiramoth Jehonathan Adonijah Tobijah and Tobadonijah the Levites and with them Elishama and Jehoram the priests So they taught in Judah and had the Book of the Law of the LORD with them they went throughout all the cities of Judah and taught the people And the fear of the LORD fell on all the kingdoms of the lands that were around Judah so that they did not make war against Jehoshaphat

a To teach in the cities of Judah These ldquoteaching priestsrdquo have been mentioned by the Chronicler before (2 Chronicles 153) They had the important role of bringing the word of God to the people especially those who lived outside of Jerusalem

b They taught in Judah and had the Book of the Law of the LORD with them they went throughout all the cities of Judah and taught the people This was the wisest

and best policy a security-conscious king of Judah could promote Because Jehoshaphat sought God first God sent fear upon the neighboring kingdoms so that they did not make war against Jehoshaphat

i ldquoBy this little band of princes Levites and priests sixteen in all Jehoshaphat did more toward impressing the surrounding nations with a sense of his power than the largest and best-equipped standing army could have secured to himrdquo (Knapp)

ii ldquoThe method adopted was what in these modern times we might describe as the holding of Special Missions throughout the cities of Judah for the specific purpose of proclaiming and interpreting lsquothe book of the law of Jehovahrsquordquo (Morgan)

iii ldquoo better service can be rendered to the nation than that of proclaiming the Word of Jehovah to the people in cities towns villages and hamlets By such proclamation the heart of the people may be turned to Jehovah and so He be enabled to do for them all that is in His heartrdquo (Morgan)

iv ldquoThus the nation became thoroughly instructed in their duty to God to the king and to each other They became therefore as one man and against a people thus united on such principles no enemy could be successfulrdquo (Clarke)

v Clarke observed how a similar itinerant ministry in the days of John Wesley and his followers impacted Britain ldquoSuch an itinerant ministry established in these kingdoms for upwards of fourscore years teaching the pure unadulterated doctrines of the Gospel with the propriety and necessity of obedience to the laws has been the principle means in the hand of God of preserving the lands from those convulsions and revolutions that have ruined and nearly dissolved the European continentrdquo

vi ldquoIt is said (2 Chronicles 172) Jehoshaphat place forces in all the fenced cities yet it is not said thereupon that lsquothe fear of the Lord fell upon the neighbour nationsrsquo But when he had established a preaching ministry in all the cities then his enemies had a fear and made no warrdquo (Trapp)

PULPIT He sent Hebrew שלח The Hebrew text distinctly says he sent to his princes not he sent his princes The meaning ismdashhe sent orders to his princes to see to it that Judah was taught (2 Chronicles 179) the book of the Law of the Lord (Le 2 Chronicles 1011 Deuteronomy 49 Deuteronomy 1718) not indeed without their own personal aid in whatever way able to be given but systematically and with authority by the Levites and priests (Deuteronomy 3310) This deeper fathoming of the needs of the time and of what constituted its real safety was greatly to the spiritual credit of Jehoshaphat The references (2 Chronicles 153 2 Chronicles 352-4 2 Chronicles 3510-12) are full of point one of these princes or Levites and priests are elsewhere mentioned by name

8 With them were certain LevitesmdashShemaiah ethaniah Zebadiah Asahel Shemiramoth Jehonathan Adonijah Tobijah and Tob-Adonijahmdashand the priests Elishama and Jehoram

GILL 2 Chronicles 178And with them he sent Levites With the five princes he sent nine Levites

even Shemaiah and Nethaniah and Zebadiah and Asahel and Shemiramoth and Jehonathan and Adonijah and Tobijah and Tobadonijah Levites of whom we nowhere else read no doubt they were principal persons and fit for the work they were sent about

and with them Elishama and Jehoram priests whose lips were to keep knowledge and at whose mouth the law was to be sought Mal_27

ELLICOTT (8) And with them he sent LevitesmdashRather And with them were the Levites The construction being changed So LXX and the Syriac (Comp 1 Chronicles 1641-42 1 Chronicles 1518 for the same mode of enumeration which is characteristic of the style of the chronicler

ZebadiahmdashSome MSS and Syriac and Arabic read Zechariah

ShemiramothmdashSo LXX and Vulg (see 1 Chronicles 165 1 Chronicles 1518) The Heb text is probably incorrect Syriac and Arabic read instead atucircra

Tob-adonijahmdashThis curious name occurs only here and is perhaps a mere mistake arising out of the preceding Adonijah and Tobijah The Syriac and Arabic omit it

PriestsmdashThe priests

The commission was a mixed one of civil and ecclesiastical persons (comp 1 Chronicles 131-2 1 Chronicles 232 1 Chronicles 246)

And had the book of the law of the LordmdashAnd with them was the book of the law (teaching) of Jehovah For the construction compare 1 Chronicles 1642 The writer

evidently means the Pentateuch and if this notice was derived by him from a contemporary source eg the ldquowords of Jehu the son of Hananirdquo to which he refers as an authority for the reign (2 Chronicles 2034) it would constitute an important testimony to the existence if not of the five books at least of an ancient collection of laws at this early date (circ 850 BC )

And taught the peoplemdashTaught among the people

9 They taught throughout Judah taking with them the Book of the Law of the Lord they went around to all the towns of Judah and taught the people

BARES There is no reasonable doubt that this ldquobook of the lawrdquo was the Pentateuch - nearly if not quite in the shape in which we now have it Copies of the whole Law were no doubt scarce and therefore Jehoshaphatrsquos commission took care to carry a copy with them

CLARKE Had the book of the law of the Lord with them - This was their text book it was the book of God they taught it as such and as such the people received it Its laws were Godrsquos laws and the people felt their obligation and their consciences were bound Thus they were obedient to the laws of the land on the principle of religion In this they were encouraged and confirmed by the example of all both in Church and state The princes were not only pious but were teachers of piety the Levites showed them the worth and excellence of their ritual institutions and the priests showed them the moral use they were to make of the whole and thus the people became obedient to God as well as to the king and kept all the civil ordinances not merely for the sake of a good king but for the sake of a good and gracious God By these means the nation enjoyed peace and prosperity and all insurrections seditions and popular commotions were prevented The surrounding nations perceiving this saw that there was no hope of subduing such a people so they made no war with Jehoshaphat 2Ch_1710 And they took care not to provoke such a people to fall on them therefore it is said The fear of the Lord fell on all the kingdoms and lands that were round about Judah Such an itinerant ministry established in these kingdoms for upwards of fourscore years

teaching the pure unadulterated doctrines of the Gospel with the propriety and necessity of obedience to the laws has been the principal means in the hand of God of preserving these lands from those convulsions and revolutions that have ruined and nearly dissolved the European continent The itinerant ministry to which this refers is that which was established in these lands by the late truly reverend highly learned and cultivated deeply pious and loyal John Wesley AM formerly a fellow of Lincoln College Oxford whose followers are known by the name of Methodists a people who are an honor to their country and a blessing to the government under which they live

GILL And they taught in Judah The people their duty to God and man

and had the book of the law of the Lord with them as the rule of their instruction and the peoples obedience out of this they taught them and by it confirmed what they taught and enforced it with the divine authority

and went about throughout all the cities of Judah not only their own cities the Levitical ones but all others

and taught the people the law of the Lord the fear and worship of God

JAMISO the book of the lawmdash that is either the whole Pentateuch or only the book of Deuteronomy which contains an abridgment of it

BESO 2 Chronicles 179 And they taught in Judah ampc mdash The Levites and priests were teachers by office Deuteronomy 3310 It was a part of the work for which they had their maintenance and indeed had little else to do But it seems they had neglected it pretending probably that they could not get the people to hear them Jehoshaphat therefore sends them with the princes who by their authority might require the people to assemble together to receive instruction in the laws of God and their duty ldquoWhat a great deal of goodrdquo says Henry ldquomay be done when Moses and Aaron thus go hand in hand in the doing of it when princes with their power and priests and Levites with their Scripture-learning agree to teach the people the good knowledge of God and their duty These itinerant judges and itinerant preachers together were instrumental to diffuse a blessed light throughout the cities of Judahrdquo And had the book of the law of the Lord with them mdash 1st For their own guidance that from thence they might draw all the instructions they gave to the people and not teach for doctrines the commandments of men 2d For the conviction or the people that they might see these priests and Levites had a divine warrant for what they said and delivered to them only that which they had received from the Lord

TRAPP 2 Chronicles 179 And they taught in Judah and [had] the book of the law of the LORD with them and went about throughout all the cities of Judah and taught the people

Ver 9 And had the book of the law of the Lord with them] They taught not

traditions human inventions or unwritten verities All their doctrines came cum privilegio and were Scripture proof

WHEDO 9 The book of the law mdash Our Pentateuch in substantially its present form ldquoCopies of the whole law were no doubt scarce and therefore Jehoshaphatrsquos commission took care to carry a copy with themrdquo mdash Rawlinson

PARKER And they taught in Judah and had the book of the law of the Lord with them and went about throughout all the cities of Judah and taught the people ( 2 Chronicles 179)

This was a mixed commission partly civil partly ecclesiastical The men here mentioned are otherwise unknown We identify them as educational reformers or reformers who operated through the medium of education they were not warriors destroyers revolutionists but men who addressed the mind and the understanding and the conscience and caused men to know that the true law was from above and not from beneath The book which the commission had in hand was the Pentateuch or the law of Moses This was known to be the law which alone could touch all the vital necessities of the commonwealth Again and again we are constrained to admit that there is a law beyond Prayer of Manasseh above Prayer of Manasseh in a sense apart from man men are not driven within themselves to find a law an instinct or a reason they have a written statute an authoritative declaration a book which Christian teachers do not hesitate to describe as a Revelation and to that they call the attention of men If the teacher were teaching out of his own consciousness he would be but an equal often exposing himself to the destructive criticism of his more advanced and penetrating scholars but the teacher takes his stand upon a book upon the Book the Bible a revelation which he believes to be divine and final Say what we will the effect of Bible teaching must be judged by its fruits Where are the nations that are most distinguished for wide and varied intelligence for large and exhaustive sympathy for missionary enterprise for philanthropic institutions and for all the elements which give grace and beauty to social existence The question should admit of definite reply the facts are before men let them judge fearlessly and honestly and we need have no apprehension concerning their verdict Wherever the word of the Lord has had free course superstition has been chased away human slavery has been abolished every instance of intolerance injustice unkindness has felt the influence of holy thought in all these matters discussion should be limited strictly to facts Thus kings can help nations not by forcing education not by attempting to rule opinion not by setting up standards of orthodoxy to fall short of which is to incur penalty but by spreading education by extending light by cultivating a spirit of inquiry and by a generous multiplication of all the instrumentalities needed for the destruction of ignorance What may come of this we are not supposed at this moment to know Meanwhile let us be thankful that we are face to face with a man who has conviction courage independence high patriotic and generous impulse and let us hope that his end may be as beautiful as his beginning was promising

SIMEO THE ROYAL EDICT

ADVERTISEMETmdashThe author feels it necessary to prefix to this Sermon some short account of the occasion on which it was delivered

The author was at Amsterdam (in June 1818) partly with a view of re-establishing there an Episcopal Chapel in which there had been no service for seven years but principally with a view of seeking the welfare of the Children of Israel He went thither rather to explore than to act (See ehemiah 212-16) But just previous to the 18th of June he understood that the Third Anniversary of the Battle of Waterloo was to be kept throughout the etherlands as a day of thanksgiving and just at that time also he quite accidentally heard that the King of the etherlands had a year before issued an Edict requiring all the Jews to educate their children in the knowledge of their own Scriptures and calling upon all his Christian Subjects to aid in this good work Despondency not unlike to that which paralyzed all exertion at Jerusalem in ehemiahrsquos days so universally prevailed that no one had risen to the occasion the very Commissioners who had been appointed to carry the Edict into effect had published a Report in which they gave it as their opinion ldquothat the Lordrsquos time was not comerdquo and there was great danger that the gracious designs of the Monarch would be altogether frustrated The author therefore judged this a fit occasion for calling the attention of the Public to the Edict and accordingly after devoting the Morning Service to the more appropriate subject of the day he employed the Evening Service in an endeavour to forward this good work Considerable attention was excited to the subject by means of the Sermon which was therefore instantly printed in Dutch French and English for the purpose of its being circulated throughout the etherlands and he has reason to hope that active exertions were afterwards made in many places to promote what every benevolent mind must ardently desire the edification and welfare of the Jewish People

So good an example having been set by the Emperor of Russia and the King of the etherlands the author hopes that the attention of our own Governors also both in Church and State may be called to this long-neglected People and that now the British Public has been invited by authority (the Kingrsquos Letter) to aid in supporting Missions to the Heathen World the claims of the Jewish ation to whom under God we owe all the light that we ourselves enjoy will not be overlooked It is with a view to this great object that the author sends forth the Sermon in this country where if the foregoing explanation had not been given its relevancy and use might have been justly called in question

2 Chronicles 179 And they taught in Judah and had the book of the law of the Lord with them and went about throughout all the cities of Judah and taught the people

O a day set apart for thanksgiving to God for mercies received it is peculiarly proper to consider what we may render unto the Lord for all his benefits Certainly if any event ever deserved repeated annual commemoration it is that which has

freed the world from the most grievous tyranny that ever it endured Of the bitter cup which was put into the hands of every nation in Europe this nation [ote The etherlands] drank very deeply and the change which it has experienced in the restoration of their rightful Monarch and in the establishment of a free Constitution calls for their devoutest acknowledgments to Almighty God Doubtless we may with justice pay some tribute of honour to those who by their counsels and their arms effected the overthrow of the Usurper but it is God alone who giveth victory to kings and to whom the glory of this great victory must be primarily ascribed and he who accounts a day consecrated to this service superfluous shews that he is far from justly appreciating the blessings that have been conferred upon him The monarch himself has given to his people a very decided evidence that he feels the depth of his obligations to the God of his salvation and it will be your own loss if you do not cultivate a similar spirit and improve the occasion to the honour of your God

But it is not to thanksgiving only that your Monarch invites you he calls you by a special Edict to unite with him in seeking the welfare of your Jewish Brethren who in their struggle with the enemy signally approved their fidelity to their legitimate Sovereign Their welfare he in his turn studies to promote and he desires to combine the energies of all his subjects in efforts for their good Methinks he is like Jehoshaphat of old who well knowing that piety must be founded in knowledge and happiness in piety sent forth the Princes of his empire with a select number of Priests and Levites to instruct his people in the knowledge of Godrsquos blessed word

His edict on this occasion and the manner in which it was carried into effect will form the subject of my present discourse

I Then we notice the edict of King Jehoshaphatmdash

This was such as became a great and pious monarch and we shall find it not unprofitable or unsuitable to the present occasion to enter into a distinct consideration of it We observe then that it was a kind and benevolent edict a wise and politic edict a good and beneficial edict

Mark the benevolence displayed in it He sought the present and eternal welfare of his subjects He knew that as men are raised above the beasts by the exercise of reason so are they elevated in the scale of rational beings in proportion as their intellectual powers are cultivated and enlarged Man destitute of knowledge is a mere savage but when instructed in the various branches of science he becomes refined and civilized and capable of contributing to the general good In the very cultivation of knowledge there is much pleasure arising to the mind and in the application of that knowledge to useful purposes there is an exquisite delight We need only observe persons when employed in their several vocations how happy they are how contented how cheerful oftentimes unconsciously proclaiming their happiness like the birds of the air in festal songs or consciously and with devotion in songs of praise

But it was not mere intellectual improvement which Jehoshaphat sought to convey he wished his people to be instructed in the knowledge of that God whom they professed to fear and worship This alone could make them truly happy this alone could impart to them sound wisdom or solid consolation He therefore gave particular directions that they should be taught ldquoin the Book of the Law of the Lordrdquo and this throughout the whole land O happy people whose governor so employed the authority with which he was invested And happy that monarch who so improved his influence not for his own personal aggrandizement but for the best interests of the people committed to his charge In so doing he approved himself to be indeed what every governor should be the friend and father of his people

or was the policy of this measure at all inferior to its benevolence A people well instructed in moral and religious knowledge will view government as an ordinance of God and will learn to obey the constituted authorities not so much from fear of their wrath as for conscience sake towards God They will view their governors as Godrsquos vicegerents upon earth and will consider allegiance to them as an essential part of their duty to him Hence will spring up love in their hearts and a real delight in manifesting on all proper occasions their loyalty to their king they will form a bulwark around his person in case of necessity and even glory in laying down their lives for him as their greatest benefactor

The benefits arising from this edict were incalculable Such was the effect of it that the fear of Jehoshaphat and of Jehovah as his protector fell on all the nations that were round about him so that none however hostile in their hearts dared to make war against him [ote ver 10] Doubtless this resulted chiefly from an impression made upon their minds by God himself yet it was also produced by a dread of that energy which an united people were ready to put forth at any instant at the call of their beloved monarch At the same time that peace was thus secured prosperity reigned in every part of the empire and as the immediate fruit of it Jehoshaphat as well as the people ldquohad riches and honour in abundance [ote ver 5]rdquo In his own mind too he reaped the fruits of his own benevolence God smiled upon him and manifested himself to him and enabled him to walk with ldquohis heart lifted up in the ways of the Lord [ote ver 6]rdquo

Such was the edict of the pious Jehoshaphatmdashbenevolent politic beneficial And what I would ask is the Edict which has been issued by the highest authority in this kingdom Do we not see in it the same blessed characters as in that which we have been considering It was ldquoin the third year of his reign [ote ver 7]rdquo that Jehoshaphat sent forth teachers to enlighten and instruct his subjects The very instant he felt himself at liberty from the more urgent and pressing calls of duty (such as the fortifying of his land against foreign enemies and the correcting of some great internal abuses) he engaged in this good work of diffusing light and knowledge through all classes of the community In like manner the sovereign of this kingdom has scarcely had time to repair the ravages of war and to establish his empire too long weakened and impoverished by a cruel usurpation before he stands forth as the friend and father of his people and more especially of that portion of them who have in every age and place been most treated with neglect and

disdain to have them educated in scriptural knowledge and in the fear of God It is much to be lamented that the Jewish people have not in general been so attentive either to the learning or morals of their children as might be wished and hence arose a necessity for some authoritative admonition on the subject Yet if I may say it without offence this neglect has not been more reprehensible in them than has been the indifference with which the Christian world has regarded it The monarch (may God recompense it richly into his bosom) has risen up to remedy the supineness both of the one and the other and to call forth the united energies of all to correct and terminate this evil Yet whilst he thus consults the best interests of his subjects with what paternal tenderness has he guarded against wounding the feelings of any or exciting their religious prejudices The Scriptures of the Old Testament are alone to be used in the schools that shall be established even those Scriptures which Jews as well as Christians believe to have been given by inspiration of God and to contain truth without any mixture of error In this is marked the policy no less than the benevolence of the edict for it is not by constraint but by conciliation and kindness that good is to be done to any and more especially to those who have shewn themselves now for so many centuries proof against all the efforts of intimidation or force In this kingdom they form no small body and I may add no unimportant portion of the community It is well known how extensive is their influence in the affairs of commerce and how by their activity they contribute to enrich the state Hence it is now generally seen and felt that they are entitled to the same respect as any other subjects of the realm and whilst as in the present instance they see how deeply their monarch feels interested in their welfare they cannot but on their part be sensible of the privileges they enjoy under his paternal government and testify their gratitude to him by every possible expression of loyalty and affection

What the ultimate effect of these measures will be may be conjectured from the blessed results of the edict of Jehoshaphat all will feel themselves happy under the government of such a prince and he whilst he is respected abroad and beloved at home will have the happiness of seeing his labours crowned with prosperity throughout his dominions and with peace in his own soul

II The manner in which Jehoshaphatrsquos edict was carried into execution is now to be noticedmdash

The promptness with which his commands were executed deserves the highest praise All were ready to co-operate in this good work as soon as it was proposed ldquoPrinces and priests and Levites [ote ver 7 8]rdquo all addressed themselves to it instantly with one heart and one soul one accounted their dignity so high or their functions so sacred but they thought it an honour to be employed in such a service and found a delight in fulfilling the wishes of their revered monarch all entered into the work with zeal and prosecuted it with diligence and hence a rapid change was effected both in the temporal and spiritual condition of the whole nation And what may not be effected in this kingdom also if a similar zeal be exercised by ldquothe princes and priestsrdquo (the magistrates and clergy) of the land With them it must begin Those who move in a lower station can effect nothing if they be not aided and

countenanced by the higher orders whose rank in life or sacredness of character will give a tone to the general feeling and combine the energies of the whole kingdom If it be said that those for whom the benefit is designed do not feel a desire after it this only shews how much they need it and how earnestly we should all embark in a cause proposed by such high authority and recommended by the soundest dictates of wisdom and piety

That our obligations to unite in this labour of love may the more distinctly appear I would beg leave to suggest the following considerations

First Loyalty to the king demands our concurrence with him in this good work and a holy emulation amongst us to carry into effect his benevolent designs What can the greatest or best of men effect (what could Jehoshaphat himself have done) if there be none to act in subserviency to them and to follow their directions As the most potent monarch upon earth would in vain proclaim war if there were no soldiers found to enlist under his banners and to execute his commands so it will be in vain that the design of benefiting the Jewish people was ever conceived in the mind of the king or that his edict respecting them was ever issued if his subjects do not put forth their energies in obedience to his call In truth a backwardness to co-operate with him in this blessed work would seem like a reflection cast upon him as recommending a measure that was unworthy of attention I do not mean to insinuate that such an idea really exists in the minds of any for I am perfectly convinced it does not but certainly in appearance it is open to this construction and every subject of the empire is concerned to act in such a way as to cut off all occasion for a reflection like this I say loyalty alone even if we had no higher motive should be sufficient to call forth our exertions in this cause

But let me next observe that gratitude to the Jewish nation demands it at our hands How great how manifold are our obligations to them Behold Moses and the prophets what instruction have they given us in reference to the way of life and salvation Without the moral law as revealed by Moses we should never have known to what an extent we need a Saviour nor if the prophecies had not so fully designated the promised Messiah could we have ever so fully known that Jesus was the Christ Of whom did the Lord Jesus Christ himself come as pertaining to the flesh but from the loins of David and of the seed of Abraham Yet to him are we indebted for all that we either have or hope for in time or in eternity And who were the Apostles but Jews who for our sakes went forth preaching the word and counted not their lives dear to them so that they might but lead us to the knowledge of Christ and make us partakers of his salvation From them too we have received the lively oracles which are the one source of all spiritual knowledge and the one foundation of all our hopes Does all this call for no recompence at our hands Knowing as we do the vast importance of education should we not endeavour to impart it to those from whose ancestors we have received such innumerable such inestimable benefits Yet behold these are the people whom for many many centuries we have treated with more neglect and contempt than any other people upon the face of the earth the savages of the most distant climes have received more attention from us than they Surely it is high time that the Christian world awake to

a sense of their duty and begin to shew to the Jews somewhat of that love which their forefathers exercised towards us in our Gentile state We are debtors to them to a vast amount and it is high time that we begin to discharge our debt And how can we discharge it better than by enabling them to read and understand those very oracles which they have preserved with such fidelity and which testify so fully of their promised Messiah

Further A love to the rising generation should lead us to avail ourselves of the present opportunity to promote their welfaremdashIt is truly afflictive to see how low and degraded is the state of multitudes especially of the Jewish nation purely through the neglect with which they are treated in their early youth and still more grievous is it to reflect on their ignorance of those things which belong to their everlasting peace To counteract this we should endeavour to qualify the whole of their population for good and useful employments and through the medium of useful instruction to make them holy and to make them happy We need never be afraid that there will not be a sufficient number of poor to fill the lower stations do what we will there will never be wanting persons who through their own fault or misfortunes are necessitated to undertake the lowest offices of life And if they have been previously instructed in the Scriptures of Truth they will have a fund of consolation ever open to them in their deepest afflictions they will learn from the inspired volume in whatsoever state they are there-with to be content and in the prospect of the eternal world they will find joys with which a stranger intermeddleth not and which the world can neither give nor take away We feel the force of these considerations in reference to the poor of our own communion how is it that we feel it not in reference to our Jewish Brethren This is a partiality unworthy of us and we should rise as one man to wipe off this disgrace from our own character

This brings me to the last consideration which I propose to mention namely that a concern for the honour of our holy religion should operate to unite us all in executing the Royal EdictmdashWhat must a Jew think of our religion when he sees how little it has wrought for us in the production of love We may tell him of a Messiah who has loved us and laid down his life for us but what credit will he give us for our principles when he sees how little our practice corresponds with them May he not well say to us ldquoPhysician heal thyselfrdquo Shew by your conduct the superiority of your principles before you call on me to embrace them It is by love that we must win them it is by shewing kindness to them that we must efface from their hearts those prejudices which with too much reason they entertain against us We must exhibit in our own person the loveliness of Christianity before we can bring them to investigate the grounds of our faith or to imagine that they can improve their own condition by embracing it May I not then call upon you as Christians to unite in the good work that is now before you that you may thereby serve and glorify your Lord and Saviour As Christians you believe that there is no other way to the Father but by Christ [ote John 146] and no other name but his whereby any human being can be saved [ote Acts 412] Where is your piety where is your love to Christ where is even common humanity if you will not avail yourselves of the present opportunity to remove from before your Jewish Brethren

the stumbling-blocks which for so many ages have been laid in their way

Do any ask What shall we do I answer search out amongst the Jews some persons of probity and talent to commence schools among them and do you yourselves aid to the utmost of your power in the support of them provide them with all necessary books for instructing children in the first rudiments of knowledge provide them with Bibles also both in the Dutch and Hebrew languages that they may be thoroughly instructed in the knowledge of their own religion and learn to walk in the steps of their father Abraham and of all the holy prophets

Begin too without loss of time Adult Schools You will find many among the house of Israel who will be glad to avail themselves of your instructions Let those who are benevolent amongst you dedicate an hour in a day to the instructing of a few who may be desirous to learn and carefully avoid every thing which may give unnecessary offence Confine yourselves to the Old Testament which they venerate as well as you Let those who can teach only in the Dutch language give instruction in that and let those who either understand or have leisure to attain the Hebrew tongue draw their attention to that In particular let it be the united endeavour of all to qualify masters for this good work

And let it not be thought that this is the duty of men only The Royal Edict has particularly and with great wisdom recommended it to females who may be of infinite service in conveying instruction to their own sex This age is distinguished above all others for the activity of females in the service of God and in the performance of every good work Were I able to declare the proportion of good that is done in Britain by the female sex it would appear incredible I believe from my soul that it far exceeds one half in all the societies raised since the commencement of the present century in the Bible Society the Missionary Societies and the Society for Promoting the Knowledge of Christianity amongst the Jews yes let the ladies of this country exert themselves in a prudent modest and discreet way and the effects will soon appear the Royal Edict will not be a dead letter but will produce incalculable good to the whole nationmdashand the agents in this benevolent work will themselves receive quite as much benefit as they impart their benevolence being in proportion as it is exercised its own reward

10 The fear of the Lord fell on all the kingdoms of the lands surrounding Judah so that they did not go to war against Jehoshaphat

GILL And the fear of the Lord fell upon all the kingdoms of the lands that were round about Judah Upon the ten tribes and on foreign nations about them as Moabites Edomites Syrians Egyptians Arabs and Philistines this fear as it came from the Lord so might be raised and increased by observing that religion was revived in them for they might perceive by former observations made that the more religious these people were the more prosperous and formidable they were

so that they made no war against Jehoshaphat to interrupt him in the work of reformation he was so intent upon

HERY We have here a further account of Jehoshaphats great prosperity and the flourishing state of his kingdom

I He had good interest in the neighbouring princes and nations Though he was not perhaps so great a soldier as David (which might have made him their terror) nor so great a scholar as Solomon (which might have made him their oracle) yet the fear of the Lord fell so upon them (that is God so influenced and governed their spirits) that they had all a reverence for him 2Ch_1710 And 1 None of them made war against himGods good providence so ordered it that while the princes and priests were instructing and reforming the country none of his neighbours gave him any molestations to take him off from that good work Thus when Jacob and his sons were going to worship at Bethel the terror of God was upon the neighbouring cities that they did not pursue after them Gen_355 and see Exo_3424 2 Many of them brought presents to him (2Ch_1711) to secure his friendship Perhaps these were a tribute imposed upon them by Asa who made himself master of the cities of the Philistines and the tents of the Arabians 2Ch_1414 2Ch_1415 With the 7700 rams and the same number of he-goats which the Arabians brought there was probably a proportionable number of ewes and lambs she-goats and kids

KampD This attempt of Jehoshaphat brought him this blessing that the terror of Jahve fell upon all the surrounding kingdoms and not only did none of the neighbouring peoples venture to make war upon him but also various tribes did homage to him by presents Ramb has already so understood the connection of these verses (erat hoc praemium pietatis Josaphati quod vicini satisque potentes hostes non auderent adversus ipsum hiscere) while Berth fails to apprehend it saying that Jehoshaphat had time to care for the instruction of his people because at that time the neighbouring peoples did not venture to undertake war against Judah The words ldquoterror of Jahverdquo cf 2Ch_1413 2Ch_2029 and ldquoall the kingdoms of the landsrdquo cf 2Ch_128 1Ch_2930 are expressions peculiar to the author of the Chronicle which show that by these remarks he is preparing the way for a transition to a more detailed

portrayal of Jehoshaphats political power מן־(לש)ים is subject מן partitive some of the

Philistines brought him presents (for מנחה see on 2Ch_175) ldquoand silver a burdenrdquo ie

in great quantity מא does not signify tribute vectigal argento (Vulg) for the word has

not that signification but denotes burden that which can be carried as in מא לאן

2Ch_2025 - 2Ch_2116 2Ch_221 ערבים 2Ch_267 and more usually ערב-ים or ערביאים

are Arabian nomadic tribes (Bedacircwin) perhaps those whom Asa after his victory over the Cushite Zerah had brought under the kingdom of Judah 2Ch_1414 These paid

their tribute in small cattle rams and he-goats (ישים( Gen_3035 Gen_3215 Pro_

3031)

BESO 2 Chronicles 1710 The fear of the Lord fell upon all the kingdoms ampc mdash Justly concluding from his singular piety that God would eminently appear for him for even the heathen could not but observe that the kings of Judah were either prosperous or unhappy according as they served God or forsook him So that they made no war against Jehoshaphat mdash Godrsquos good providence so ordered it that while the princes and priests were instructing and endeavouring to reform the country none of his neighbours gave him any molestation to take him off from that good work

COFFMA All of this peace and prosperity were directly due to the respect which Jehoshaphat had shown to the Law of God and to his efforts to teach that word to all the people It is no problem that much of the material here is omitted in Kings because the primary focus there was political whereas in Chronicles the focus is upon the spiritual and religious significance of the same history

TRAPP 2 Chronicles 1710 And the fear of the LORD fell upon all the kingdoms of the lands that [were] round about Judah so that they made no war against Jehoshaphat

Ver 10 And the fear of the Lord fell upon all the kingdoms] It is said [2 Chronicles 172] Jehoshaphat placed forces in all the fenced cities yet it is not said thereupon that the fear of the Lord fell upon the neighbour nations But when he had established a preaching ministry in all the cities then his enemies had a fear and made no war

POOLE Justly concluding from this singular piety that God would eminently appear for him and against all those who had ill will to him which was their case For even the heathens could not but observe that the kings of Judah were either prosperous or unhappy accordingly as they served God or forsook him

ELLICOTT (10) The fear of the LordmdashA dread of Jehovah (pachad) aps 2029 (Comp Exodus 1516 1 Samuel 117 Isaiah 210 ) This phrase is not peculiar to the chronicler as Keil and Bertheau assert ldquoThe kingdoms of the landsrdquo is so (2 Chronicles 128 1 Chronicles 2930)

They made no warmdashThe reward of Jehosha-phatrsquos piety (1 Chronicles 229

Proverbs 167) ldquoWhen a manrsquos ways please the Lord he maketh even his enemies to be at peace with himrdquo (Comp also Genesis 355)

11 Some Philistines brought Jehoshaphat gifts and silver as tribute and the Arabs brought him flocks seven thousand seven hundred rams and seven thousand seven hundred goats

BARES Some of the Philistines brought Jehoshaphat presents - i e ldquosome of the Philistines were among his tributariesrdquo Compare 2Sa_82 1Ki_421

Tribute silver - Or ldquomuch silverrdquo - literally ldquosilver of burthenrdquo

The Arabians - The Arab tribes who bordered Judaea to the south and the southeast paid Jehoshaphat a fixed tribute in kind Compare 2Ki_34 note

CLARKE The Philistines brought - presents - They and the Arabians purchased peace with the king of Judah by paying an annual tribute The Philistines brought silver and no doubt different kinds of merchandise The Arabs whose riches consisted in cattle brought him flocks in great abundance principally rams and he-goats

GILL Also some of the Philistines brought Jehoshaphat presents and tribute silver Perhaps those of Gerar and the parts adjacent Asa took and spoiled and made tributary 2Ch_1414

and the Arabians brought him flocks seven thousand and seven hundred rams and seven thousand and seven hundred he goats with which their country abounded and these might be the Scenite Arabs who fearing lest Jehoshaphat should fall upon them and take away their flocks as his father had done 2Ch_1415 brought these presents to him

JAMISO Also some of the Philistines brought Jehoshaphat presents and tribute silvermdash either they had been his tributaries or they were desirous of securing his valuable friendship and now made a voluntary offer of tribute Perhaps

they were the Philistines who had submitted to the yoke of David (2Sa_81 Psa_608)

the Arabiansmdash the nomad tribes on the south of the Dead Sea who seeking the protection of Jehoshaphat after his conquest of Edom paid their tribute in the way most suitable to their pastoral habits - the present of so many head of cattle

BESO 2 Chronicles 1711 Some of the Philistines brought presents mdash They had been subject to Judah ever since Davidrsquos time but it seems had neglected this duty in the times of his predecessors but were now moved by their own fears to perform it And the Arabians brought him flocks mdash Either because he had upon some just occasion waged war against them and subdued them or because they voluntarily put themselves under his protection in recompense whereof they sent him these presents or only as a free acknowledgment of their respect for him

TRAPP 2 Chronicles 1711 Also [some] of the Philistines brought Jehoshaphat presents and tribute silver and the Arabians brought him flocks seven thousand and seven hundred rams and seven thousand and seven hundred he goats

Ver 11 Also some of the Philistines] These having been subdued by David had withheld their tribute for a time but now seeing Jehoshaphatrsquos growing greatness they bring it in with the better that no offence might be taken at their former neglect The word here used signifieth honorary gifts or oblations pacifications

ldquo Placatur donis Iupiter ipse datis rdquo

Think the same of the Arabians See 2 Chronicles 1414-15

POOLE Some of the Philistines who had been subjects to this kingdom ever since Davidrsquos time but it seems had neglected this duty in the times of his predecessors but now were moved by their own fears to perform it

The Arabians brought him flocks either because he had upon some just occasion waged war against them and subdued them though the particulars of it be not described in Scripture or because they voluntarily put themselves under his protection in recompence whereof they sent him those presents or only as a free acknowledgment of their respects to him

ELLICOTT (11) Broughtmdashie continually Such is the force of the participle

PresentsmdashAn offering ie tribute (minchah 2 Chronicles 175)

And tribute silvermdashRather and silver a load or burden ie a great quantity (massacircrsquo) 2 Chronicles 2025 As if ldquosilver as much as they could carryrdquomdasha natural hyperbole ot all the five states of the Philistines were subject to Jehoshaphat (Comp 2 Samuel 81)

The ArabiansmdashlsquoArbicircrsquoim here only equivalent to lsquoArbicircyicircm (2 Chronicles 267) and

lsquoArbim (2 Chronicles 2116) They are in each case grouped with the Philistines The nomad Bedacircwin conquered by Asa (2 Chronicles 1415) appear to be meant here or else some tribes which recognised the overlordship of Jehoshaphat after his reduction of Edom (2 Chronicles 2022 sqq)

Brought him flocksmdashComp Mesha of Moabrsquos tribute to Ahab (2 Kings 34)

GUZIK 2 (2 Chronicles 1711-19) The international strength of Jehoshaphatrsquos kingdom

Also some of the Philistines brought Jehoshaphat presents and silver as tribute and the Arabians brought him flocks seven thousand seven hundred rams and seven thousand seven hundred male goats So Jehoshaphat became increasingly powerful and he built fortresses and storage cities in Judah He had much property in the cities of Judah and the men of war mighty men of valor were in Jerusalem These are their numbers according to their fathersrsquo houses Of Judah the captains of thousands Adnah the captain and with him three hundred thousand mighty men of valor and next to him was Jehohanan the captain and with him two hundred and eighty thousand and next to him was Amasiah the son of Zichri who willingly offered himself to the LORD and with him two hundred thousand mighty men of valor Of Benjamin Eliada a mighty man of valor and with him two hundred thousand men armed with bow and shield and next to him was Jehozabad and with him one hundred and eighty thousand prepared for war These served the king besides those the king put in the fortified cities throughout all Judah

a Some of the Philistines brought Jehoshaphat presents and silver as tribute and the Arabians brought him flocks Jehoshaphatrsquos commitment to personal and public godliness meant that God exalted his kingdom above the neighboring nations even as God promised in Deuteronomy 281-13

b These served the king The true treasure of Jehoshaphatrsquos kingdom was not numbered only in security or material things but also in the dedicated and courageous men he had surrounding him these mighty men of valor

i Amasiah the son of Zichri who willingly offered himself to the LORD ldquoAmasiah is a man of whom we do not know anything beyond this ndash he lsquowillingly offered himself unto the Lordrsquo There must have been a turning-point in his career a time when first he knew the grace of God which wrought such a change in him There must have been a waking up to the feeling that God deserved his love and his liferdquo (Spurgeon)

ii Amasiah was a ready servant of the Lord this particularly notable because he did it in an otherwise secular calling

middot o one had to press him into service

middot o one had to seek him out for service

middot o one had to look after him once he had begun serving

middot o one had to lead him

iii ldquoThere is no lawful occupation in which a man cannot thoroughly serve the Lord It is a great privilege and blessing to be set apart to the work of winning souls but we must never separate that work from all the rest of the callings of life as though it alone were sacred and all the rest were secular and almost sinful Serve God where you arerdquo (Spurgeon)

PULPIT The presents were probably enough in the nature of tribute the fixed rate of which is sometimes alluded to (1 Kings 421 1 Kings 1025 2 Samuel 82) but it is doubtful whether the word משא purports to say this The word means bearing or carrying and then a burden load or weight The expression (2 Chronicles 2025) more than they could carry away where this word is used favours the idea that the meaning here is silver of great weight Probably the moral significance and historical interest whether of this statement respecting the Philistines or the following respecting the Arabians lies in the fact that both of them brought without more ado their payments and did not seek to slip out of their engagements with Judah and Judahs king ote for confirmation of this view 2 Kings 34 2 Kings 35

12 Jehoshaphat became more and more powerful he built forts and store cities in Judah

GILL And Jehoshaphat waxed great exceedingly In wealth and riches power and authority in his forces and fortifications

and he built in Judah castles and cities of stores castles for the defence of his kingdom and store cities to lay up corn and wine and all provisions in case of an invasion or against a time of war

HERY II He had a very considerable stores laid up in the cities of Judah He pulled down his barns and built larger (2Ch_1712) castles and cities of store for arms and victuals He was a man of business and aimed at the public good in all his

undertakings either to preserve the peace or prepare for war

JAMISO 2Ch_1712-19 His greatness captains and armies

KampD Description of Jehoshaphats power - 2Ch_1712 And Jehoshaphat became

ever greater sc in power The partic הולך expresses the continuous advance in

greatness cf Ew sect280 b as the infin absol does elsewhere eg Gen_83 למעלה as עד

in 2Ch_1612 - He built castles in Judah ירנ-ות only here and in 2Ch_274 from ירנית

derivative formed from ירה by the Syriac termination נית- fem of ן- castle fortress On

מסנות cf 2Ch_84 ערי

TRAPP 2 Chronicles 1712 And Jehoshaphat waxed great exceedingly and he built in Judah castles and cities of store

Ver 12 And Jehoshaphat waxed great exceedingly] Heb He was going and growing By humility and the fear of the Lord are riches and honour and life [Proverbs 224]

And he built in Judah castles] Bironeoth πυργους turres So did the Burgundians and thence had their names

And cities of store] Granaries in the Hebrew they have their name from their utility or usefulness

ELLICOTT (12) And Jehoshaphat waxed greatmdashLiterally And Jehoshaphat was going on and waxing great ie became greater and greater (Comp 1 Chronicles 119)

ExceedinglymdashlsquoAd lĕmagraversquolah This phrase occurs again in 2 Chronicles 1612 2 Chronicles 268 and nowhere else in the Old Testament (See on 1 Chronicles 142)

And he builtmdashLike his predecessorsmdashSolomon Rehoboam Asamdashhe displayed his wealth and power in great public works The records of the Assyrian and Babylonian sovereigns are largely taken up with similar accounts of temple and palace building

CastlesmdashBiranicircyocircth a derivative from birah (1 Chronicles 291 1 Chronicles 2919 comp Syriac here birocircthocirc) It only recurs at 2 Chronicles 274 It is an Aramaic term (Comp bicircranyacircthacirc which in the Targums means ldquopalacesrdquo)

Cities of storesmdashComp 2 Chronicles 84 2 Chronicles 164 Exodus 111

PULPIT Castles This rendering better than palaces (margin) wound bear improving to the rather stronger word fortresses Hebrew בירניות found only here and in 2 Chronicles 274 plur of בירנית connected with the Chaldee and later Hebrew בירה of Ezra 62 ehemiah 11 Esther 12 Daniel 82 Cities of store (see note under 2 Chronicles 84 see also 1 Kings 919 Exodus 111)

13 and had large supplies in the towns of Judah He also kept experienced fighting men in Jerusalem

CLARKE He hadmuch business in the cities - He kept the people constantly employed they had wages for their work and by their labors the empire was both enriched and strengthened

GILL And he had much business in the cities of Judah Partly in fortifying them and partly in reforming the inhabitants of them

and the men of war mighty men of valour were in Jerusalem or by or near unto it so the particle is rendered Jos_513 they encamped in places adjacent to it for such a number of men as follows even 1160000 could never be contained in Jerusalem but must be disposed of in the territories of it nor did they wait on the king together but in course see 2Ch_1719 by which it appears there is no need to suppose any mistake of the transcriber in any or all of the following sums as has been suggested (q)

HERY 13-19 III He had the militia in good order It was never in better since David modelled it Five lord-lieutenants (if I may so call them) are here named with the numbers of those under their command (the serviceable men that were fit for war in their respective districts) three in Judah and two in Benjamin It is said of one of these great commanders Amasiah that he willingly offered himself unto the Lord (2Ch_1716) not only to the king to serve him in this post but to the Lord to glorify him in it He was the most eminent among them for religion he accepted the place not for the

honour or power or profit of it but for conscience sake towards God that he might serve his country It was usual for great generals then to offer of their spoils to the Lord 1Ch_2626 But this good man offered himself first to the Lord and then his dedicated things The number of the soldiers under these five generals amounts to 1160000 men a vast number for so small a compass of ground as Judahs and Benjamins lot to furnish out and maintain Abijah could bring into the field but 400000 (2Ch_133) Asa not 600000 (2Ch_148) yet Jehoshaphat has at command almost 1200000 But it must be considered 1 That God had promised to make the seed of Abraham like the sand of the sea for number 2 There had now been a long peace 3 We may suppose that the city of Jerusalem was very much enlarged 4 Many had come over to them from the kingdom of Israel (2Ch_1519) which would increase the numbers of the people 5 Jehoshaphat was under a special blessing of God which made his affairs to prosper greatly The armies we may suppose were dispersed all the country over and each man resided for the most part on his own estate but they appeared often to be mustered and trained and were ready at call whenever there was occasion The commanders waited on the king (2Ch_1719) as officers of his court privy-counsellors and ministers of state

But lastly observe It was not this formidable army that struck a terror upon the neighbouring nations that restrained them from attempting any thing against Israel or obliged them to pay tribute but the fear of God which fell upon them when Jehoshaphat reformed his country and set up a preaching ministry in it 2Ch_1710 The ordinances of God are more the strength and safety of a kingdom than its military force - its men of God more than its men of war

KampD 2Ch_1713

וגווגווגווגו רהרהרהרה is rightly translated by Luther ldquound hatte viel Vorrathsrdquo (and ומלעכהומלעכהומלעכהומלעכה

had much store) מלעכהמלעכהמלעכהמלעכה denotes here as in Exo_227-10 property that which has been gained by work or business The signification much work opera magna (Vulg Cler etc) as also Bertheaus translation ldquothe works for equipping and provisioning the fortressesrdquo correspond neither to the context nor to the parallel (synonymous) second member of the verse The work and trouble necessary to equip the cities of Judah does not correspond to ldquothe valiant warriors in Jerusalemrdquo the only parallel is the goods and property which were in these cities the provision of victuals and war material there stored up

BESO 2 Chronicles 1713 He had much business in the cities of Judah mdash To repair and fortify them and furnish them with provisions and to purge out all the relics of idolatry and injustice which were more secretly and craftily managed in the cities than in the country and which were first and most prevalent in the cities and thence spread their infection into the country around them

TRAPP 2 Chronicles 1713 And he had much business in the cities of Judah and the men of war mighty men of valour [were] in Jerusalem

Ver 13 And he had much business] Eργα πολλα (a) Many works going forward at

once a negotious man he was His business say some lay in beautifying and fortifying those cities Augustus gloried at his death that whereas he had found Rome built with brick he had left it made of marble

And the men of war hellip were in Jerusalem] These were his Praetorian forces his Praesidiaries were up and down in the various cities

POOLE He had much business in the cities of Judah partly to repair and fortify them and furnish them with all necessary provisions and partly to purge out all the relies and seeds of idolatry and injustice which were more secretly and subtlely managed in the cities than in the country and which were first and most in the cities and thence spread their infection into the country about them See Jeremiah 228

ELLICOTT (13) BusinessmdashRather much goods or stores literally work (mĕlacirckacirch) and then produce The Hebrew word is so used in Exodus 227 Exodus 2210 (ldquoHis neighbourrsquos goodsrdquo) Stores of provisions and war material seem to be intended (Comp 2 Chronicles 1111)

And the man of war were in JerusalemmdashRather and (he had) men of war in Jerusalem

In Jerusalemmdashot the entire army corps whose numbers are given in 2 Chronicles 1714-18 but simply their chiefs

PULPIT Much business Hebrew מלאכה The meaning of the word is service labour bestowed and the verse reads And there was to him much labour in the cities of Judah and men of war mighty men of valour in Jerusalem ie He bestoweth much pains on the cities of Judah and had etc The word were Authorized Version italics is incorrectly inserted The former half of this verse would better constitute the end of 2 Chronicles 1712 Keil however maintains the rendering substance property for מלאכה (Exodus 227 Exodus 2210)

14 Their enrollment by families was as followsFrom Judah commanders of units of 1000Adnah the commander with 300000 fighting men

BARES The captains of thousands Adnah the chief - literally ldquoprinces of thousands Adnah the princerdquo The writer does not mean that Adnah (or Johohanan 2Ch_1715) was in any way superior to the other ldquoprincesrdquo but only that he was one of them

Three hundred thousand - This number and those which follow in 2Ch_1715-18 have been with good reason regarded as corrupt by most critics For

(1) They imply a minimum population of 1480 to the square mile which is more than three times greater than that of any country in the known world (circa 1880rsquos)

(2) they produce a total just double that of the next largest estimate of the military force of Judah the 580 000 of 2Ch_148

(3) they are professedly a statement not of the whole military force but of the force maintained at Jerusalem (2Ch_1713 compare 2Ch_1719)

It is probable that the original numbers have been lost and that the loss was suppplied by a scribe who took 2Ch_148 as his basis

CLARKE Adnah the chief - He was generalissimo of all this host These are the numbers of the five battalions under Adnah three hundred thousand Jehohanan two hundred and eighty thousand Amasiah two hundred thousand Eliada two hundred thousand Jehozabad one hundred and eighty thousand in all one million one hundred and sixty thousand

GILL And these are the numbers of them according to the house of their fathers Both of the tribe of Judah and of Benjamin and first

of Judah the captains of thousands some had 1000 men under them and some one hundred

Adnah the chief he was the principal commander or general of them

and with him mighty men of valour three hundred thousand such a number was under his command

JAMISO these are the numbersmdash The warriors were arranged in the army according to their fathers houses The army of Jehoshaphat commanded by five great generals and consisting of five unequal divisions comprised one million one hundred and sixty thousand men without including those who garrisoned the fortresses No monarch since the time of Solomon equaled Jehoshaphat in the extent of his revenue in the strength of his fortifications and in the number of his troops

KampD 2Ch_1714-16

The men fit for war passed in review according to their fathers-houses The male population of Judah fell into three divisions that of Benjamin into two The prince

Adnah held the first place among the generals with 300000 men of Judah ידו at his על

hand ie with and under him Jehohanan had the command of 280000 men and

Amasiah over 200000 השר is a contraction for אלפים For what special reason it is so שר

honourably recorded of Amasiah that he had willingly offered himself to the Lord (cf for

Jdg_59) has not been communicated התנב

COFFMA his represented a standing army of 1160000 men besides the garrisons in the fortified cities and this goes a long way to explaining why the Arabians and the Philistines brought tribute to Jehoshaphat In ancient times as in our own day peace frequently depended upon the strength of those who desired it

We should ignore the screams of exaggeration[3] which mark the writings of radical critics Pagan rulers of that era reported even larger armies than this and until the critics can prove that those were exaggerated reports they should let these alone Besides that we have already noted that the very word from which thousand is translated is disputed as to its exact meaning

COKE 2 Chronicles 1714 And these are the numbers of themmdash That is of the soldiers as well as of those who were employed in the kings works in the several cities ampc which he built See 2 Chronicles 1719

REFLECTIOSmdash1st Jehoshaphat no sooner comes to the throne than we see the dawnings of a glorious reign

1 He strengthened his kingdom by placing strong garrisons in the cities of Judah and those which his father had recovered from Israel and prepared against that danger which Ahabs growing power seemed to threaten

2 Religion was his great concern He copied after the best of his predecessors in their best days such as were the first of David before the matter of Uriah and the numbering of the people had blotted his fair copy Faithful to the worship of God he abhorred all idols the law of God was his rule of duty and Israels apostacy rendered his fidelity more singular and exemplary Inspired with holy zeal his heart with delight and sincerity was engaged for God and no difficulties deterred him from the path of duty The idols and groves which in the declining days of Asa might have been set up again he utterly destroyed with all the high places where they still offered sacrifices to these abominations ote (1) In the fairest human pattern there will be found imperfections but there is a Son of David more than man who has set us a spotless example that we should follow his steps (2) Fidelity in Gods service is the stability of a nation (3) A lively soul on wings of faith and love mounts up to God rises superior to every difficulty and looks down upon every thing besides his favour as altogether vanity

3 He not only removed the temptations to sin but took care to instruct the people in

the path of duty Ignorance of Gods law had greatly prevailed and to oblige them merely to conform to his reformation without grounding them on the true foundation of Gods word promised little stability The Levites and priests therefore are sent in progress through the cities of Judah with the book of the law to explain and enforce the commandments of God and several princes accompanied them in order to engage the people to hear them and give countenance to these preachers by their weight and influence ote (1) It is a blessed thing when princes countenance faithful ministers Though they cannot make men true converts their example and authority will induce them to attend (2) They who are sent to teach must see that they take the pure word of God along with them A true preacher wishes for nothing in his hand but his Bible (3) Religion is a reasonable service Conviction alone not compulsion or education can make a man a christian

4 The blessing of God attended his labours The Lord was with him or as the Targum generally expresses it the word of the Lord the divine Logos to whom all things are committed strengthened him in his labours and established his kingdom The people charmed with his government liberally sent their presents to him and abounding in riches and honour his heart far from being intoxicated by prosperity was lifted up in greater love and thankfulness to the gracious giver ote (1) God often here rewards piety with prosperity (2) Worldly comforts are then truly blessings when as the steps of Jacobs ladder they raise our hearts to heaven

2nd Like the light of the morning which shineth more and more so did Jehoshaphats glory increase

1 Feared by his enemies as beloved by his subjects the neighbouring princes did not offer to molest him while those of Philistia and Arabia courted his favour either by a voluntary present or exact payment of the tribute which Asa had imposed on them see 2 Chronicles 1711 God had put an awe upon them of the majesty of his king in Zion ote God hath access to the spirits of men and by secret yet irresistible influence can bow them to his sovereign will

2 His military preparations greatly advanced While he reformed the people he fortified their ramparts and built new castles and store-cities strengthening them within and without against their enemies Under five chief officers an immense army was enlisted Probably all the able men in the country were enrolled and regularly mustered though not drawn out except in case of necessity and this may easily account for the greatness of their number if we consider also the long peace they had enjoyed the accession of Israelites to them and especially the blessing of Abraham which no doubt was eminently fulfilled Amasiah one of the officers is mentioned with an honourable mark of distinction as a volunteer who served for the glory of God not for the sake of pay Such patriots are scarce

TRAPP 2 Chronicles 1714 And these [are] the numbers of them according to the house of their fathers Of Judah the captains of thousands Adnah the chief and

with him mighty men of valour three hundred thousand

Ver 14 Three hundred thousand] These were under his command and at hand to come whensoever the king would

WHEDO 14 Three hundred thousand mdash The numbers in this verse and the four verses following are generally regarded as corrupt ldquoThey implyrdquo observes the writer last quoted ldquoa minimum population of 1480 to the square mile which is more than three times greater than that of any country in the known world It is probable that the original numbers have been lost and the loss supplied by a scribe who took 2 Chronicles 148 as his basis

ELLICOTT Verse 14 (14) And these their fathersmdashAnd this is their muster (or census) according to their father-houses (clans) 1 Chronicles 243 The warriors were marshalled in the army according to clans so that men of the same stock fought side by side with their kindred Perhaps in the original document this heading was followed by a much more detailed scheme of names and divisions than that which the text presents

Of JudahmdashTo Judah (belonged) captains of thousands viz the three enumerated in 2 Chronicles 1714-16 Adnah Jehohanan and Amasiah They were the principal officers or generals of the entire forces of Judah

Adnah the chiefmdashTo wit the captain Adnah That Adnah was commander-in-chief is implied by his being named first and his corps being the largest

PULPIT This verse with the following four gives us the names of five captains chiefs princes or military officers for the kingdoms service with the numbers of the troops they severally commanded The numbers of them (see note under 1 Chronicles 2311) Hebrew פקדתם The better English rendering to carry at once the signification would be The muster of them etc The captains hellip the chief In both cases the Hebrew is the familiar word for prince ( שר ) in the former without article in the latter with article The numbers of this and following four verses are not only absolutely unreliable but in themselves impossible According to the house of their fathers ie the quotation is drawn from an army catalogue arranged carefully by fathers houses (umbers 118 umbers 122 etc)

15 next Jehohanan the commander with 280000

GILL And next to him was Jehohanan the captain Being of the same rank as to office but having a lesser number of men under him and it may respect not any kind of subordination only nearness of place as the Targumhe that encamped next to him

and with him two hundred and fourscore thousand which number was but 20000 less than the former

POOLE ext to him either

1 After his death as his successor in the same command And the like is supposed concerning Jehozabad 2 Chronicles 1718 Or rather

2 ext to him in place and authority or at least in power and the numbers of his host

16 next Amasiah son of Zikri who volunteered himself for the service of the Lord with 200000

GILL And next him was Amasiah the son of Zichri He encamped next to him as the Targum

who willingly offered himself unto the Lord to fight the Lords battles and without any stipend as some think or as Kimchi he offered gold and silver to the treasures of the house of the Lord

and with him two hundred thousand mighty men of valour the number was 80000 less than the former the whole of Judah amounted to 780000 men

TRAPP 2 Chronicles 1716 And next him [was] Amasiah the son of Zichri who willingly offered himself unto the LORD and with him two hundred thousand mighty men of valour

Ver 16 Who willingly offered himself unto the Lord] He was a votary the vows of God were upon him and this made him the more valiant and resolute (a) in the exercise of arms for the service of God and the safety of his people The Spahis among the Turks are a sort of horsemen voluntaries and votaries to gain paradise by dying for the Mohammedan cause These are never known to return home but

with victory these are heavy upon the enemy For

ldquo Vincitur haud gratis iugulo qui provocat ensem rdquo

POOLE As volunteers and auxiliaries to be ready upon occasion as the service of God and the king should require Possibly these or most of them were the strangers which had come out of Israel into the kingdom of Judah in Asarsquos days and probably since that in his time

ELLICOTT (16) AmasiahmdashIah carrieth (Isaiah 4011) different from Amaziah (Iah is strong)

Who willingly offered himself unto the Lordmdash(Judges 52 Judges 59) An allusion to some noble act of self-devotion which was doubtless more fully recorded in the source from which the chronicler has drawn this brief account Such allusions though no longer intelligible are important as conducing to the proof of the historical value of the narratives in which they occur LXX ὁ προθυmicroούmicroενος τῷ κυρίῳ Vulg consecratus Domino

PULPIT Amaziah the son of Zichri This man is not titled at all The description of him as one who had willingly offered himself unto the Lord not elucidated by the context or any effective parallel will mark something honorable in his history Possibly he comes from an unexpected quarter and is a man of approved skill othing further is known of these three men Meantime it has been suggested (Professor Dr J Murphy of Belfast Handbook to Chronicles ) that the first of the three was for Judah proper the second for that contingent of Judah that hailed from Dan and the Philistines and the third for that of Simeon and the Arabs

MACLARE This is a scrap from the catalogue of Jehoshaphatrsquos lsquomighty men of valourrsquo and is Amasiahrsquos sole record We see him for a moment and hear his eulogium and then oblivion swallows him up We do not know what it was that he did to earn it But what a fate to live to all generations by that one sentence

I Cheerful self-surrender the secret of all religion

The words of our text contain a metaphor naturally drawn from the sacrificial system It comes so easily to us that we scarcely recognise the metaphorical element but the clear recognition of it gives great additional energy to the words Amasiah was both sacrificer and sacrifice His offering was self-immolation As in all love so in that noblest kind of it which clasps God its perfect expression is lsquoI give Thee my living loving selfrsquo Nor is it only sacrifice and sacrificer that are seen in deepest truth in the experience of the Christian life but the reality of the Temple is also there for lsquoYe also are built up a spiritual house to be a holy priesthood to offer up spiritual sacrificesrsquo Only when God dwells in us shall we have the nerve and the firmness of hand to take the knife and lsquoslay before the Lordrsquo the awful Guest in the sanctuary within the most precious of the children of our spirits

The essence of the sacrifice of self is the sacrifice of will In the Christian experience

lsquowillingly offeredrsquo is almost tautology for unwilling offerings are a contradiction and in fact there are no such things The quality of unwillingness destroys the character of the offering and robs it of all sacredness Reluctant Christianity is not Christianity That noun and that adjective can never be buckled together

The submission of will and the consequent surrender of myself and my powers opportunities and possessions so that I do all enjoy all use all and when need is endure all with glad thankful reference to God is only possible to me in the measure in which my will is made flexible by love and such will-subduing love comes only when we lsquoknow and believe the love that God hath to usrsquo There is the point at which not a few moral and religious teachers go wrong and bewilder themselves and their disciples There too is the point at which Christ and the Gospel of salvation through faith in Him stand forth as emancipating humanity from the dreary round of efforts and vain attempts to work up the condition needful for achieving the height of self-surrender which is seen to be indispensable to all true nobleness of living but is felt to be beyond the reach of the ordinary man There too is the point at which many good people mar their lives as Christians They waste their strength in trying to bring the jibbing horse up to the leap They try to blow up a fire of devotion and to make themselves priests to offer themselves but all the while the mutinous self recoils from the leap and the fire burns smokily and their sacrifice is laid on the altar with little joy because they have not been careful and wise enough to begin at the beginning and to follow Godrsquos way of melting their wills by love the reflection of the Infinite love of God to them Godrsquos priests offer themselves because they offer their wills they offer their wills because they love God they love God because they know that God loves them That is the divine order It is vain to try to accomplish the end by any other

II This willing offering hallows all life

No syllable is left to tell us what Amasiah did to win this praise Probably the words enshrine some now forgotten memory of his cheerful courage some heroic feat on an unrecorded battlefield Particulars are not given nor needed Specific actions are unimportant the spirit of a life can be told with very incomplete details and it not the details is the important thing Sometimes as in many modern biographies one lsquocannot see the wood for the treesrsquo and misses the main drift and aim of a life in the chaos of a bewildering mass of nothings How much more happy the lot of this man of whom we have only the generalised expression of the text unweighted and undisturbed by petty incidents It takes tons of rose leaves to make a tiny phial of otto of roses but the fragrance is far more pungent in a drop of the distillation than in armfuls of leaves Every life shrinks into very small compass and the centuries do not tolerate long biographies Shall we not seek to order our life so that Amasiahrsquos epitaph may serve for us It will be blessed if this-and nothing else-is known about us that we lsquowillingly offered ourselves to the Lordrsquo My friend will that be a true epitome of your life

III This willing offering is accepted by God

We may hear a mightier voice behind the chroniclerrsquo s and the judgment of the Judge of all pronounced by His lips It matters little what men say of one another but it matters everything what God says of us We are but too apt to forget that He is now saying something as to each of us and that we have not to wait for death to put a final period to our activities before our lives become fit subjects for Godrsquos judgment Moment by moment we are writing our own sentences But while it is good for us to remember the continuous judgment of God on each deed it is not good to let dark thoughts of the principles of that judgment paralyse our activity or chill our confidence in His forgiving and accepting mercy There is often a dark suspicion like that of the one-talented

servant which blackens Godrsquos fair fame as being lsquoan austere Manrsquo making demands rather than imparting power and the effect of such an ugly conception of Him is to cut the nerve of service and bury the talent carefully folded up it may be but none the less earning nothing lsquoIf we call on Him as Father who without respect of persons judgeth according to every manrsquos workrsquo let us be sure that it will be a Fatherly judgment that He will pass upon us and our offerings There is a wonderful collection on His altar of what many people would think rubbish just as many a mother has laid away among her treasures some worthless article which her child had once given her-a weed plucked by the roadside in a long past summer day some trifle of rare preciousness in the childrsquos eyes and of none in any others than her own She opens her drawer and brings out the poor little thing and her eyes fill and her heart fills as she looks And does not God keep His childrenrsquos gifts as lovingly and set them in places of honour in the day when He lsquomakes up His jewelsrsquo There are cups of cold water and widowsrsquo mites and much else that a supercilious world would call lsquotrashrsquo stored there Thank God He accepts imperfect service faltering faith partial consecration a little love Even our poor offering may be an lsquoodour of a sweet smellrsquo ministering fragrance that is a delight to Him if it is offered with the much incense of the great Sacrifice and through the mediation of the great High Priest

The world forgot Amasiah or never knew him an obscure soldier in an obscure kingdom but God did not forget and here is his epitaph and this is his memorial to all generations Menrsquos chronicles have no room for all the names that their wearers are eager to have inscribed on their crumbling and crowded pages lsquobut the Lambrsquos Book of Lifersquo has ample space on its radiant pages for all who desire to set their names there and if ours are there we need not envy the proudest whose titles and deeds fill the most conspicuous pages in the worldrsquos records lsquoThen shall every man have praise of Christrsquo and he who wins that guerdon needs nothing more and can have nothing more to swell his blessedness

17 From BenjaminEliada a valiant soldier with 200000 men armed with bows and shields

GILL And of Benjamin Eliada a mighty man of valour Was the chief commander

and with armed men with bow and shield two hundred thousand which were

the armour of the tribe of Benjamin they were best skilled in 2Ch_148

TRAPP 2 Chronicles 1717 And of Benjamin Eliada a mighty man of valour and with him armed men with bow and shield two hundred thousand

Ver 17 With bow and shield] The Benjamites were notable bowmen [1 Chronicles 122] The Engish were anciently so too

ELLICOTT (17) Armed men with bow and shieldmdashLiterally drawing bow and shield ie as the Targum explains ldquodrawing bow and grasping shieldsrdquo (Comp 1 Chronicles 122) LXX ldquoArchers and peltastsrdquo Vulg ldquoGrasping bow and shieldrdquo (Comp also 1 Chronicles 840 for the arms of the Benjaminites)

18 next Jehozabad with 180000 men armed for battle

GILL And next to him was Jehozabad According to the Targum he encamped next him

and with him one hundred and fourscore thousand ready prepared for war being able bodied men well disciplined valiant and well armed these numbers of Judah and Benjamin put together amount to 1160000 men whereas Asa only brought into the field 580000 but it should be considered there had been a long time of peace many had come off from the ten tribes to Judah and the promise of multiplying the seed of Abraham was eminently fulfilled

TRAPP 2 Chronicles 1718 And next him [was] Jehozabad and with him an hundred and fourscore thousand ready prepared for the war

Ver 18 A hundred and fourscore thousand] His militia was eleven hundred and threescore thousand besides what he had in garrisons [2 Chronicles 1719] So that as he was better he was stronger than his father Asa had been Piety hath prosperity

ELLICOTT (18) Ready prepared for the warmdashEquipped for service (See on 1

Chronicles 1223-24 umbers 315 umbers 3229) The hoplites or heavy-armed infantry are probably meant

PULPIT While Eliada of last verse was for Benjamin Professor Dr Murphy supposes that Jehozabad was for the annexed part of Ephraim But no suppositions of this kind can avail to explain the numbers in the text which is no doubt corrupt

19 These were the men who served the king besides those he stationed in the fortified cities throughout Judah

CLARKE These waited on the king - They were disposable forces always at the kingrsquos command and were independent of those by which the cities of Judah were garrisoned

There is not a sovereign in Europe or in the world but might read this chapter with advantage

1 It shows most forcibly that true religion is the basis of the state and that wherever it prospers there the state prospers

2 It shows also that it is the wisdom of kings to encourage religion with all their power and influence for if the hearts of the subjects be not bound and influenced by true religion vain is the application of laws fines imprisonments or corporal punishment of any kind

3 A religious nation is ever a great nation it is loved by its friends it is dreaded by its enemies

4 It is ever a peaceable and united nation the blessings of religion and a wholesome and paternal government are so fully felt and prized that all find it their interest to preserve and defend them Harmony peace piety and strength are the stability of such times May Britain know and value them

GILL These waited on the king Not this vast number of men at one time but in course as Davids military men waited on him 1Ch_271 or each of these captains with a proper number of men under them detached from the body and they were all ready to obey the kings orders whenever he should have occasion for them

besides those whom the king put into the fenced cities throughout Judah and all together the militia of the kingdom was very numerous and formidable

KampD 2Ch_1719

These were serving the king א6ה refers not to the above-mentioned men capable of

bearing arms for sheereet is not used of service in war but to the commanders whom he had placed in the fortified cities of all Judah ldquoin which probably bodies of the above-mentioned troops lay as garrisonsrdquo (Berth)

BESO 2 Chronicles 1719 These waited on the king mdash These above-mentioned were the trained bands or auxiliaries whose chief officers waited on the king to receive his commands and to raise and bring in all or part of their forces to the service of the king as need required A vast number for so small a compass of ground to furnish out and maintain But we may consider that God had promised to make the seed of Abraham like the sand of the sea for number that there had now been a long peace that many were come to them from the kingdom of Israel and that Jehoshaphat was under a special blessing of God They were doubtless dispersed all the country over every one residing on his own land only they were ready at call whenever there was occasion

TRAPP 2 Chronicles 1719 These waited on the king beside [those] whom the king put in the fenced cities throughout all Judah

Ver 19 These waited on the king] ie In their turns and by course

POOLE These above mentioned were the trained bands or auxiliaries whose chief officers waited upon the king to receive his commands and to raise and bring in all or part of their forces to the service of the king and kingdom as need required

ELLICOTT (19) These waited on the kingmdashRather these are they that ministered unto the king viz the five generals above named

Beside those whom the king put in the fenced citiesmdashie the commandants of the fortresses of the kingdom (2 Chronicles 1111 2 Chronicles 1123) These latter as well as the generals of the forces are called the kingrsquos ldquoministersrdquo (mĕshacircrĕthicircm)mdasha word which is not used of service in the field but implies their presence at court (ldquoin Jerusalemrdquo 2 Chronicles 1713 as the royal staff)

According to the above list the army of Jehoshaphat was organised in five grand divisions corresponding perhaps to five territorial divisions of the southern kingdom The totals are the largest assigned to the two tribes anywhere in the Old Testament viz Judah 780000 and Benjamin 380000 in all 1160000 At Davidrsquos census Judah had 500000 warriors (2 Samuel 249) and Israel 800000 Again in 2

Chronicles 148 Asarsquos army consists of 300000 men of Judah and 280000 Benjaminites clearly such an increase as our text indicates is unaccountable At the same time it is equally clear that the present numbers are not fortuitous results of clerical errors for they follow each other in the order of relative strength Judah 300000 280000 200000 Benjamin 200000 180000 and they are evidently not independent of the estimates of 2 Chronicles 148 above quoted

In the absence of adequate data for modifying these certainly startling figures it is well to bear in mind that we need not understand by them an army which ever actually mustered in the field or on parade but simply an estimate of the total male population liable to be called out for the national defence although even upon that understanding the total appears to be at least three times too great considering the small extent of the country

PULPIT These waited Hebrew המשרתים plur piel part of שרת The verse states that this enormous fivefold army with its five princes (counting in our corrupt text one million one hundred and sixty thousand) was the kings Jerusalem standing army while other separate regiments or bands of troops were spread through all Judah where they might be most needed for defence

The cities of Ephraim had takenmdashSee on 2 Chronicles 158

PULPIT He placed forces literally he gave (Genesis 117) forces or a force or host or army חיל (Exodus 1428 2 Samuel 242) And set garrisons again literally he gave garrisons ( נאיבים ) ie either the persons set over prefects or officers (1 Kings 419) or the military garrison itself stationed (1 Samuel 105 1 Samuel 133) A village in Judah also had the name ezeb (Joshua 1545) In the cities of Ephraim (see 2 Chronicles 158)

3 The Lord was with Jehoshaphat because he followed the ways of his father David before him He did not consult the Baals

BARES The first ways of his father David - The Septuagint and several Hebrew manuscripts omit ldquoDavidrdquo which has probably crept in from the margin for Davidrsquos ldquofirst waysrdquo are nowhere else contrasted with his later ways The real meaning of the writer is that Jehoshaphat followed the example set by his father Asa in his earlier years 2Ch_141-15 15

Baalim - On the plural form see 1Ki_1818 note

CLARKE The Lord was with Jehoshaphat - ldquoThe Word of the Lord was Jehoshaphatrsquos Helperrdquo - Targum

GILL And the Lord was with Jehoshaphat Guiding and directing prospering and succeeding him in all things he had no doubt his gracious presence in spiritual things as well as his powerful and directing presence in things civil the Targum isthe Word of the Lord was for his help

because he walked in the first ways of his father David which were his best some of his last ways not being good as in the affair of Uriah and Bathsheba and his numbering of the people Jehoshaphat followed him in the one but not in the other or in the ways of David and his father the first the first of them both for the latter ways of his father Asa were not so good as his first as the preceding chapter shows and the

Septuagint version leaves out the word David and so restrains it to his own father

and sought not unto Baalim as did Ahab king of Israel who now reigned there 1Ki_1524

JAMISO 3-5 he walked in the first ways of his father Davidmdash He imitated the piety of his great ancestor in the early part of his reign before he made those unhappy lapses which dishonored his character

and sought not unto Baalimmdash a term used for idols generally in contradistinction to the Lord God of his father

BESO 2 Chronicles 173-4 He walked in the first ways of his father David mdashHis ways before he fell so foully in the matter of Uriah which were good ways David indeed recovered from that fall but perhaps never while he lived fully retrieved the spiritual strength and comfort which he had lost Jehoshaphat followed David as far as he followed God and no farther St Paul himself thus limits our imitation of him 1 Corinthians 111 Follow me as I follow Christ and not otherwise The first ways of many pious people have been their best ways and their first love their strongest love which however ought not to be the case for the last ought to be more than the first Revelation 219 But in every copy we propose to write after as we ought to single out that only which is good so that chiefly which is best The original words here are literally rendered He walked in the ways of David his father הראשונים hareshonim those first or ancient ways He proposed to himself for his example the primitive times of the royal family those purest times before the corruptions of the late reigns came in See Jeremiah 616 The LXX leave out David and so refer this to Asa He walked in the first ways of his father Asa and did not imitate him in what was amiss in him toward the latter end of his time It is well to be cautious in following the best men lest we step aside after them And sought not unto Baalim mdash The neighbouring nations had their Baalim one had one Baal and another had another but he abhorred them all and had nothing to do with any of them He sought the Lord God of his father and him only prayed to him only and inquired of him only

TRAPP 2 Chronicles 173 And the LORD was with Jehoshaphat because he walked in the first ways of his father David and sought not unto Baalim

Ver 3 Because he walked in the first ways of his father David] Who during his trouble kept himself free from scandalous and reproachful practices innocent from the great transgression [Psalms 1913] David rectior fuit in servitio quam in regno saith Gregory

POOLE In the first ways which David walked in before he fell into those horrid sins of murder and adultery Or in the ways of David and his fatherrsquos first ways For the beginning of Asarsquos reign was laudable as we have seen though he declined at last For it seems more probable that this passage is a reflection upon Asa whose last ways were much his worst and of whose repentance we have no evidence than

upon David who though he fell dreadfully in the matter of Uriah yet did manifestly repent of it and return to his first and holy course of life in which also he continued until death having this character given him by the Holy Ghost after his death that he did right in all things saving that of Uriah 1 Kings 155

WHEDO 3 The first ways of his father David mdash The first or earlier ways of David are contrasted with his later ways ldquoin the matter of Uriahrdquo and his sin in numbering the people The Septuagint omits the word David and some have therefore thought it an interpolation and understand the earlier ways of Asa to be intended

ELLICOTT (3) He walked in the first waysmdashThe former or earlier ways of David as contrasted with his later conductmdasha tacit allusion to the adultery with Bathsheba and other sins of David committed in his later years (2 Samuel 11-24) A few MSS and the LXX omit David

And sought not unto BaalimmdashAnd sought not the Baals (dacircrash lĕ a late construction) The Baals were different local aspects of the sun-god Here the term no doubt includes the illegal worship of Jehovah under the form of a bullock as instituted by Jeroboam and practised in the northern kingdom (ldquothe doing of Israelrdquo 2 Chronicles 174) Syriac ldquoand prayed not to imagesrdquo

PARKER And the Lord was with Jehoshaphat because he walked in the first ways of his father David and sought not unto Baalim ( 2 Chronicles 173)

The Lord was not with Jehoshaphat because he strengthened himself against Israel nor because he placed forces in all the fenced cities of Judah and set garrisons in the land of Judah and in the streets of Ephraim ot one of these little triumphs is referred to as affording God a basis for the complaisant treatment of the new king As ever the Lords relation to Jehoshaphat was determined by Jehoshaphats own moral condition A very beautiful expression is thismdashhe walked in the first ways of his father David that is to say in the former or earlier ways of David as contrasted with Davids later conduct Some have found here a tacit allusion to Davids greatest sin which he committed when he was advanced in life A somewhat mournful thing it is that a mans first ways should be better than his last The other relation would seem to be the one which reason would approve and God would specially honour namely that a mans old age should be the ripest and best part of his conduct rich with Wisdom of Solomon strong with experience and chastened by many a pensive recollection Sad when you have to go back to a mans youth to find his virtues or his most conspicuous excellences but most beautiful when a mans earlier mistakes are lost in the richness and wisdom of his later conduct God keeps his attention fixed on all the parts of a mans life and he observes which of those parts is most esteemed by the mans own successors Happy is that father whose whole example is worthy of imitation yet more than human is he the whole of whose life is without stain or flaw Jehoshaphats conduct in this matter is the more notable because of the constant observation of mankind that it is easier to follow the evil than to imitate the good When imitation enters into a mans life he is prone to

copy that which is inferior and to leave without reproduction that which is lofty and disciplinary In this instance Jehoshaphat sets an example to the world His conduct too is represented negatively as well as positivelymdashand sought not unto Baalim The word Baalim is in the plural number and the literal reading might be Jehoshaphat sought not the Baals the Baals being different local aspects or phases of the sun-god It is to be specially noted that the term Baal includes an aspect even of Jehovah himself that is to say Israel had degenerated so far as to suppose that in worshipping Baal they were worshipping at least one phase of the true God We must not mix up our religion with our irreligion our prayers with our idolatry our heavenliness with our worldly-mindedness the whole arrangement must be clean and pure from one end to the other inasmuch as one taint may cause the whole process of our religious thought and service to become deteriorated and valueless It is often difficult to abandon a popular custom More people might be in favour of Jehoshaphat strengthening himself against Israel than in returning to the first ways of David and abandoning the altar of the Baals History and religion are always considered in their separate distribution There are politicians who would vote for a war who would on no account surrender a superstition On the other hand there are men who pride themselves on being free of the influence of superstition who would willingly enter into the most sanguinary wars for the extension of empire or the glory of some particular throne In Jehoshaphat we seem to come into contact with a complete character in other words a man who in every point was equally strong a man of foresight a man of reverence a man of an honest heart a man who felt that idolatry and true worship could not coexist in the same breast

ISBET lsquoThe Lord was with Jehoshaphatrsquo2 Chronicles 173It is instructive to notice what is said about Davidrsquos waysmdashit was his first ways that Jehoshaphat took for his pattern We should always be careful to adopt only the good things in others

I lsquoThe Lord stablished the kingdom in his handrsquo God loves to find a man He can trust a man into whose hand He can put holy interests and know that they will be sacredly cherishedmdashThe Lord established the kingdom in the hands of Jehoshaphat because Jehoshaphat was true to his trust In our Lordrsquos parable of The Talents we are taught that those who prove faithful to their trust receive other things also in trust while those who are unfaithful even in small things God will not intrust with larger things

II lsquoHis heart was lifted up in the ways of the Lordrsquo There is a bad lifting up and a good lifting up Some people are made vain and self-conceited by prosperitymdashThe temptation for young people when first called upon to do any work and accomplishing it with some measure of success is to become proud and to show their vanity by talking too much about themselves and what they have done Such lifting up not only dishonours God but hurts the person But Jehoshaphat was lifted up in the ways of the Lord Too often as money comes in and prosperity increases

people get so absorbed in these new gifts of God that the Giver Himself fades out of their vision If only we see the hand of God in every new mercy and goodness that comes to us our heart will be lifted up in the ways of the Lord

III lsquoThe fear of the Lord fell upon all the kingdoms hellip so that they made no war against Jehoshaphatrsquo The Lord is able to control even the diplomacy and the politics of nationsmdashWhen these kingdoms saw the blessing which Jehoshaphat was enjoying in his country they felt an awe in their heartsmdashthe fear of the Lord fell upon themmdashand they refrained from making war God will always find some way to defend His own people in the midst of dangers

PULPIT The first ways of his father David Although there would be no difficulty in reconciling this statement with history yet probably the name David should not stand here It is not in the Septuagint The most natural and sufficient reference is to Asa And sought not unto Ballim literally to the Baalim ie to the various false gods of surrounding peoples ( 211) Baal-berith ( 833 94 946) Baal-zebub (2 Kings 12) Baal-peor (umbers 2328 etc umbers 253) according to the places where the idolatrous worship was carried on (For the preposition ל to after sought in this and following verse see again 1 Chronicles 2219 )

4 but sought the God of his father and followed his commands rather than the practices of Israel

BARES The doings of Israel - i e the especially idolatrous doings of the time -the introduction and establishment of the worship of Baal and the groves

GILL But sought to the Lord God of his fathers Prayed to him worshipped and served him

and walked in his commandments observed and kept them moral ceremonial and judicial

and not after the doings of Israel who worshipped the golden calves at Dan and Bethel

JAMISO and not after the doings of Israelmdash He observed with scrupulous fidelity and employed his royal influence to support the divine institutions as enacted by Moses abhorring that spurious and unlawful calf-worship that now formed the established religion in Israel Being thus far removed alike from gross idolatry and Israelitish apostasy and adhering zealously to the requirements of the divine law the blessing of God rested on his government Ruling in the fear of God and for the good of his subjects ldquothe Lord established the kingdom in his handrdquo

COFFMA So far so good Jehoshaphat like some others of the kings of Judah began very well receiving as their reward the blessing of the Lord and the prosperity of the people but his alliance with Ahab (described in 2 Chronicles 18) would cast a dark shadow over what is written here

(He) walked not after the doings of Israel (2 Chronicles 174) The contempt in which the author of Chronicles held the orthern Israel appears in a clause like this The outstanding feature of Chronicles is the omission wherever possible of practically the entire history of their kings This reminds us of the Book of umbers in which the whole history of the apostate Israel records only a few events for the whole period Why It was because of the fact that what any nation does after they have rejected God is of minor importance

With the apostasy of the orthern Israel and their rejection of Gods choice of the house of David the history of the redemption of mankind dramatically shifted to what happened in Jerusalem

TRAPP 2 Chronicles 174 But sought to the [LORD] God of his father and walked in his commandments and not after the doings of Israel

Ver 4 And not after the doings of Israel] Who in his days did evil as they could under that nonsuch Ahab But Jehoshaphat was not corrupted with their ill neighbourhood

PARKER But sought to the Lord God of his father and walked in his commandments and not after the doings of Israel ( 2 Chronicles 174)

We must be prepared for singularity if we are genuinely prepared to be good Let a man settle it with himself in prayerful solitude whether he means to walk with God or to identify himself with the spirit and customs of his age Jehoshaphat laid down a clear programme for himself and followed it out with patient and faithful industry The Lord God of his father was not a mere term in a crowd it was the object of daily search and quest Jehoshaphat inquired for him and operated constantly upon the doctrine Ask and it shall be given you knock and it shall be opened unto you or was Jehoshaphats religion merely speculative that is to say an intellectual quest after an intellectual God whatever was speculative in the mind and service of Jehoshaphat was sustained and ennobled by a solid moral element

forasmuch as Jehoshaphat walked in Gods commandmentsmdashhe read the decalogue he studied Gods word he would take no action personal regal or social that was not first examined and approved in the light of the divine statutes All this might have been comparatively easy if Jehoshaphat had started at an independent point but at such a point no man can start for he must take up the age as he finds it and must first disembarrass himself from all the stipulations and claims of custom usage and popular superstition Jehoshaphat sought not after the doings of Israel he set himself up in this respect against the kingdom he was not afraid of peculiarity in a word Jehoshaphats religion was characteristic that is to say it had lines points and colours of its own about which there could be no reasonable mistake What is our religion Do we intellectually assent to the existence and sovereignty of one God and then degenerate into self-worship Do we admit that there must be an ultimate morality a philosophy of conduct founded upon eternal metaphysics and then do we measure our own behaviour by the canon of custom These are questions that search the heart and no man can answer them for his brother

What became of all this noble conduct arising out of this high religious conception We shall see in the following versemdash

PULPIT After the doings of Israel This expression probably marks the doings of the northern kingdom as both the more typical throughout its whole history of the wrong and also as the systematic beginning by a law of idolatrous worship and images in the matter of the calves and so on

5 The Lord established the kingdom under his control and all Judah brought gifts to Jehoshaphat so that he had great wealth and honor

BARES Presents - i e ldquofree-will offeringsrdquo in addition to the regular taxes See 1Sa_1027

GILL Therefore the Lord stablished the kingdom in his hand Piety is the

best prop of government the throne is best supported and established by truth righteousness and mercy by the exercise of these Jehoshaphat was settled in his kingdom and had a place in the hearts of his people

and all Judah brought to Jehoshaphat presents being well affected to him as well as it was usual so to do at a princes accession to the throne see 1Sa_1027

and he had riches and honour in abundance through the presents his subjects brought him and the respect they showed him

JAMISO all Judah brought presentsmdash This was customary with the people generally at the beginning of a reign (1Sa_1027) and with the nobles and high functionaries yearly afterwards They were given in the form of voluntary offerings to avoid the odious idea of a tax or tribute

KampD Therefore Jahve established the kingdom in his hand ie under his rule cf

2Ki_145 All Judah brought him presents מנחה often used of tribute of subject peoples

eg in 2Ch_1711 of the Philistines cannot here have that signification nor can it denote

the regular imposts of subjects for these are not called מנחה but must denote voluntary

gifts which his subjects brought him as a token of their reverence and love The last clause ldquoand there was to him (he attained) riches and honour in abundancerdquo which is repeated 2Ch_181 recalls 1Ch_2928 2Ch_112 and signifies that Jehoshaphat like his ancestors David and Solomon was blessed for walking in the pious ways of these his forefathers

BESO 2 Chronicles 175-6 Therefore the Lord established the kingdom in his hand mdash Those stand firm that have the presence of God with them If the beauty of the Lord our God be upon us that will stablish the work of our hands and establish us in our integrity And all Judah brought to Jehoshaphat presents mdash As subjects in those times and places used to do to their kings in token of their respect and subjection to them The more there is of true religion among a people the more conscientious loyalty there will be A governor that answers the end of government will be supported And he had riches and honour in abundance mdash The effect of the favour both of God and his people It is undoubtedly true though few will believe it that religion and piety are the best friends to outward prosperity And his heart was lift up in the ways of the Lord mdash Riches and honour in abundance prove to many a clog and a hinderance in the ways of the Lord an occasion of pride security and sensuality but they had a quite contrary effect upon Jehoshaphat his abundance was oil to the wheels of his obedience and the more he had of the wealth of this world the more cheerfully and resolutely he went on in the ways of the Lord His heart also was lifted up above all discouragements difficulties and fears by which menrsquos hearts are wont to be cast down He was valiant and resolute for God and his ways He took away the high places and groves mdash That is those in which idols were worshipped for those that were dedicated to the true God only were not taken away chap 2 Chronicles 2033 And though Asa had done the same before yet

either he did not do it thoroughly or the people who were mad upon their idols had secretly made new ones in the latter part of his reign when he grew more infirm in body and more remiss in Godrsquos cause

TRAPP 2 Chronicles 175 Therefore the LORD stablished the kingdom in his hand and all Judah brought to Jehoshaphat presents and he had riches and honour in abundance

Ver 5 And he had riches and honour in abundance] Herein he came near unto Solomon in his greatest flourish

ELLICOTT (5) ThereforemdashAnd (so ldquoalsordquo ldquoso thatrdquo in 2 Chronicles 177 2 Chronicles 1710)

The Lord stablished the kingdom in his handmdashComp 2 Kings 145

PresentsmdashMinchah This word often means tributary offerings as in 2 Chronicles 1711 but here it obviously denotes the voluntary gifts of loyal subjects usual at the beginning of a reign (1 Samuel 1027)

And he had (or got) riches and honour in abundancemdashLike David and Solomon (1 Chronicles 2928 2 Chronicles 112)

PARKER 5-9 5 Therefore the Lord stablished the kingdom in his hand [comp 2 Kings 145] and all Judah brought to Jehoshaphat presents [this word often means tributary offerings but here it denotes the voluntary gifts of loyal subjects] and he had riches and honour in abundance

6 And his heart was lifted up [usually the phrase has a bad meaning (as in Deuteronomy 814 2 Chronicles 2616 Psalm 1311 etc) but it is evident that it must be taken differently here The marginal reading is right his courage rose high or he grew bold] in the ways of the Lord moreover he took away the high places and groves out of Judah

7 Also in the third year of his reign he sent to his princes [rather he sent his princes] even to Ben-hail and to Obadiah and to Zechariah and to ethaneel and to Michaiah to teach in the cities of Judah

8 And with them he sent [rather were the] Levites even Shemaiah and ethaniah and Zebadiah and Asahel and Shemiramoth and Jehonathan and Adonijah and Tobijah and Tobadonijah Levites and with them Elishama and Jehoram priests

9 And they taught in Judah and had the book of the law of the Lord [the Pentateuchmdashnearly if not quite in the shape in which we now have it] with them and went about throughout all the cities of Judah and taught [among] the people

PARKER Therefore the Lord stablished the kingdom in his hand and all Judah brought to Jehoshaphat presents and he had riches and honour in abundance ( 2 Chronicles 175)

Whatever was doubtful about the ascent of Jehoshaphat to the throne was removed and the king was enabled to realise his power when he closed his hand upon the royal sceptre he found that he was not grasping a shadow but a reality There are times when men become fully conscious of their influence and of their proper social position happy are they if in this consciousness they detect a prevailingly religious element which constrains them to acknowledge that honour and wealth power and dignity are the gifts of God Is not this an anticipation of the Saviours great doctrinemdashSeek ye first the kingdom of God and his righteousness and all these things shall be added unto you Jehoshaphat did not seek riches and honour he sought to the Lord God of his father and walked in the divine commandments and as a result he enjoyed all that kings delight in as indicating strength and pomp renown and influence

GUZIK 2 (2 Chronicles 175-6) The blessing upon his reign

Therefore the LORD established the kingdom in his hand and all Judah gave presents to Jehoshaphat and he had riches and honor in abundance And his heart took delight in the ways of the LORD moreover he removed the high places and wooden images from Judah

a Therefore the LORD established the kingdom in his hand This was no small accomplishment In those days kings and kingdoms were fragile and under constant threat Yet if the descendants of David would seek God first He promised to take care of their security ndash and God makes the same promise to His people today (Matthew 633)

b All Judah gave presents to Jehoshaphat and he had riches and honor in abundance Because Jehoshaphat trusted God God lifted him up and exalted him as a king As his heart took delight in the ways of the LORD the LORD gave him the desires of his heart (Psalms 374)

c Moreover he removed the high places and wooden images from Judah 1 Kings 2243 says that Jehoshaphat did not remove the high places Adam Clarke explains ldquoIn 2 Chronicles 176 it is expressly said that he did take way the high places Allowing that the text is right in 2 Chronicles the two places may be easily recognized There were two kinds of high places in the land 1 Those used for idolatrous purposes 2 Those that were consecrated to God and were used before the temple was built The former he did take away the latter he did notrdquo

i ldquoThey may also witness to the deep hold of the Canaanite and syncretic forms of religion on ordinary Israelites Popular views and practices are often quite different from pronouncements by religious authoritiesrdquo (Selman)

PULPIT All Judah brought presents to Jehoshaphat These presents were of course voluntary gifts though like not a few others custom may have taken off from them something of the bloom of spontaneousness (1 Samuel 1027 2 Samuel 82 1 Kings 421 1 Kings 1025 Psalms 7210)

6 His heart was devoted to the ways of the Lord furthermore he removed the high places and the Asherah poles from Judah

BARES His heart was lifted up - This expression generally occurs in a bad sense Deu_814 2Ch_2616 Psa_1311 Pro_1812 but here it must be taken differently The margin ldquowas encouragedrdquo expresses fairly the true meaning He first began by setting an example of faithfulness to Yahweh He then proceeded to use his best endeavors to extirpate idolatry

He took away the high places - Compare 2Ch_2033 and see the 2Ch_1517 note

GILL And his heart was lifted up in the ways of the Lord It was engaged in them was bent and set upon them he walked in them with great pleasure and cheerfulness being inspired with zeal and courage he was fearless and intrepid and regarded not any opposition he might have or expect to have in the work of reformation in which he was concerned

moreover he took away the high places such as were dedicated to idols but not those in which the true God was worshipped 2Ch_2033

and groves out of Judah where idols were placed for though these had been removed by Asa yet had been renewed in the latter part of his days when more negligent of religion

HERY 2 He was a despised man (Job_176) ldquoHerdquo (that is Eliphaz so some or rather God whom he all along acknowledges to be the author of his calamities) ldquohas made me a byword of the people the talk of the country a laughing-stock to many a gazing-stock to all and aforetime (or to mens faces publicly) I was as a tabret that whoever chose might play uponrdquo They made ballads of him his name became a proverb it is so still As poor as Job ldquoHe has now made me a bywordrdquo a reproach of men whereas aforetime in my prosperity I was as a tabret deliciae humani generis -

the darling of the human race whom they were all pleased with It is common for those who were honoured in their wealth to be despised in their poverty

JAMISO his heart was lifted up in the ways of the Lordmdash Full of faith and piety he possessed zeal and courage to undertake the reformation of manners to suppress all the works and objects of idolatry (see on 2Ch_2033) and he held out public encouragement to the pure worship of God

KampD This blessing encouraged Jehoshaphat to extirpate from the land all

idolatrous worship and to teach the people the law of the Lord לב usually sensu ב

malo to be haughty proud cf eg 2Ch_2616 2Ch_3225 here sensu bono of rising

courage to advance in ways pleasing to God and he removed the high places also etc עודpoints back to 2Ch_173 not only did he himself keep far from the Baals but he

removed besides all memorials of the Baal-worship from Judah On מות and אשרים see

on 2Ch_142

COKE 2 Chronicles 176 And his heart was lifted upmdash And when he had elevated his mind in following the commandments of God he took yet from Judah high places and groves ie he destroyed yet other monuments of idolatry which had escaped the diligence of his father Asa though he took not away those high places and altars which had been erected in Jerusalem for the true God See 1 Kings 2243 and ch 1 Kings 2033 of this book

TRAPP 2 Chronicles 176 And his heart was lifted up in the ways of the LORD moreover he took away the high places and groves out of Judah

Ver 6 And his heart was lifted up] ot with pride as 2 Chronicles 3225 but with undaunted courage and disengaged zeal such as made him come off roundly and readily in the ensuing reformation he was more forward and forth putting than his father Asa not slothful in business but fervent in spirit serving the Lord

POOLE His heart was lifted up above all discouragements and difficulties and fears by which menrsquos hearts use to be cast down he was valiant and resolute for God and his ways

He took away the high places and groves to wit such only wherein idols were worshipped as appears by comparing this with 2 Chronicles 2033 And though Asa had done this before yet either he did not do it thoroughly or the Jews (who were many of them mad upon their idols) had secretly made new ones in the latter part of his reign when he grew more infirm in body and more remiss in Godrsquos cause

WHEDO 6 His heart was lifted up mdash That is exalted with holy faith and courage

Took away the high places mdash Yet in spite of all his efforts and successes in this matter the people had become so addicted to these practices that their destruction was not thoroughly secured See note on 2 Chronicles 143 and compare 2 Chronicles 2033

ELLICOTT (6) And his heart was lifted upmdashGabhah lccedilbh which usually like the phrase of Authorised version has a bad meaning as in 2 Chronicles 2616 The margin is right here ldquohis courage rose highrdquo or ldquohe grew boldrdquo in the ways of Jehovah ie in the path of religious reform Vulg ldquocum sumpsisset cor ejus audaciam propter vias Dominirdquo

MoreovermdashAnd again further Referring to 2 Chronicles 173 ot only did he not seek the Baals but more than this he removed the high places ampc [This is the common explanation But the sense may rather be ldquoAnd he again removedrdquo referring back to Asarsquos reforms 2 Chronicles 145]

GrovesmdashrsquoAshecircrim ldquoAsherahsrdquo (2 Chronicles 143)

PARKER And his heart was lifted up in the ways of the Lord moreover he took away the high places and groves out of Judah ( 2 Chronicles 176)

The expression his heart was lifted up is an awkward one The lifting up of the heart signifies increase of pride a sensation of vanity a desire to gratify personal ambition and to make an idol of his will In this instance the marginal reading is to be preferredmdashwas encouraged or otherwise his courage rose high and again it has been rendered Jehoshaphat grew bold that is to say he was not a timid reformer or a timid worshipper a trimmer or a time-server in any sense he was a heroic worshipper of the living God when he saw that reform was necessary he went forward with a steady step and an energetic hand We should call Jehoshaphat a man of conviction and a man who had the courage of his convictions altogether this is the outline of a noble personage a born king a man who has a right to the purple and the sceptre When such men ascend thrones nations should be glad and rejoice with a great joy for their character is grander than their office and their spirit is the best guarantee of the elevation and utility of their regal policy Becoming conscious of his power knowing that his kingdom was established from on high Jehoshaphat not only did pot seek the Baals himself but he took away the high places and groves out of Judah Jehoshaphat was not content with a merely personal religion he could not convert the hearts of his people but he could destroy all the symbols of unholy worship Men are only required to do that which lies within their power A proprietor may not be able to make people sober but he can forbid the introduction of temptations to drunkenness a parent may not be able to subdue the spirit of pride but he can in many instances limit the means of gratifying it There are reforms which are open to us all in personal custom in social habit it may be even in imperial ways let each Jehoshaphat seize his opportunity and magnify it

All this would have been comparatively in vain but for another step which

Jehoshaphat took In the third year of his reign he sent to his princesmdashthat is to say he sent his princesmdashand he sent Levites all of whose names are given and he sent also two priests Elishama and Jehoram and their business was purely educational

PULPIT And his heart was lifted up in the ways of the Lord Although the verb often carries a bad sense with it it quite as often carries with it a good one in the גבהOld Testament and the typical instance of the former (Psalms 1311) is fully counterbalanced by Isaiah 5213 The marginal was enencouraged may be superseded with advantage by took courage (Isaiah 4029-31) The groves Supersede this incorrect rendering by the Asherim and upon the seeming discrepancy see again Isaiah 151-9 17 and Introduction to Chronicles there quoted

7 In the third year of his reign he sent his officials Ben-Hail Obadiah Zechariah ethanel and Micaiah to teach in the towns of Judah

BARES The princes were not sent as teachers themselves but had the duty committed to them of seeing that the people were taught The actual teachers were the priests and Levites of 2Ch_178

CLARKE 7-9 To teach in the cities of Judah - ldquoTo teach the fear of the Lord in the cities of Judahrdquo - Targum

In these verses we find a remarkable account of an itinerant ministry established by Jehoshaphat and in this work he employed three classes of men

1 The princes

2 The Levites

3 The priests

We may presume that the princes instructed the people in the nature of the civil law and constitution of the kingdom the Levites instructed them in every thing that appertained to the temple service and ritual law and the priests instructed them in the

nature and design of the religion they professed Thus the nation became thoroughly instructed in their duty to God to the king and to each other They became therefore as one man and against a people thus united on such principles no enemy could be successful

GILL Also in the third year of his reign he sent to his princes That dwelt in the several parts of the kingdom or he sent them being with him some of the

principal men of his court for ל may be a sign of the accusative case as it sometimes is

even to Benhail and to Obadiah and to Zechariah and to Nethaneel and to Michaiah to teach in the cities of Judah to see that they were taught and oblige them to attend to the instructions that should be given them and not mutiny and rebel against their teachers and to let them know what was the kings pleasure on this head and to back with their authority the priests and Levites whose proper work it was to instruct and who therefore were sent with them as follows

JAMISO 7-11 2Ch_177-11 He sends Levites to teach in Judah

Also in the third year of his reign he sent to his princes to teach in the cities of Judahmdash The ordinary work of teaching devolved on the priests But extraordinary commissioners were appointed probably to ascertain whether the work had been done or neglected This deputation of five princes assisted by two priests and nine Levites was to make a circuit of the towns in Judah It is the first practical measure we read of as being adopted by any of the kings for the religious instruction of the people Time and unbroken opportunities were afforded for carrying out fully this excellent plan of home education for the kingdom enjoyed internal tranquillity as well as freedom for foreign wars It is conformable to the pious style of the sacred historian to trace this profound peace to the ldquofear of the Lord having fallen on all kingdoms of the lands that were round about Judahrdquo

BESO 2 Chronicles 177 He sent to his princes mdash to teach in the cities of Judah mdash To inform the people of their duty and of the kingrsquos pleasure As judges teach or instruct the people in the laws of the land when they deliver their charges upon the bench so did these princes in the kingrsquos name admonish and require the people to observe and obey the laws of God which were the municipal laws of that land the particular explication and enforcement whereof they left to the Levites and priests here following who were sent for this end and accordingly taught the people 2 Chronicles 179

COFFMA Because of the clause which we have capitalized this is one of the most important passages in Chronicles Right here is the reason radical critics have extended themselves so unreasonably in their efforts to discredit Chronicles Here is dependable historical proof of the continued existence of the Torah from the days of Moses throughout the history of Israel As Keil stated it The book of the law of Jehovah is the Pentateuch not merely a collection of Mosaic laws since in Jehoshaphats time the Mosaic Book of the Law (the Pentateuch) had been long in existence[1] We shall not take the space to repeat the vociferous denials of critics

except to cite one knee-jerk remark that characterizes all of them Such action was not taken in Jehoshaphats time[2] What is the basis of such a blatant denial of what Gods Word states as a fact even giving the very names of the royal princes who did the teaching THERE IS OE o matter what unbelievers say this chapter IS the historical record of what happened in the reign of Jehoshaphat and those who live two and one half millenniums afterward have nothing of value by which they may challenge it Then why do men deny it The false theories they have invented are here contradicted forcing them either to give up their false theories or to deny the Sacred Scriptures that contradict them

COKE 2 Chronicles 177 He sent to his princes even to Ben-hail ampcmdash He sent of his princes Ben-hail Obadiah ampc The proper business of these princes in their circuit round the kingdom says Bishop Patrick was to admonish and require the people to observe the laws of God and to leave the particular explication and enforcement of them to those of the sacred order who went with them supporting them in the execution of their office and obliging the people to receive them with respect to hear them with attention and to practise what they taught

TRAPP 2 Chronicles 177 Also in the third year of his reign he sent to his princes [even] to Benhail and to Obadiah and to Zechariah and to ethaneel and to Michaiah to teach in the cities of Judah

Ver 7 He sent to his princes to teach in the cities of Judah] Teaching princes there are not many such as were David Solomon George prince of Anhalt ampc but these were sent with the teaching Levites to countenance and bear them out in this visitation general and perhaps to punish the opposite and obstinate if any such Junius readeth the text thus He sent with his princes these Levites for the teaching Or the princes taught the people the law of the land the priests and Levites the law of God both did mutually help one another So a Danish king of this land made a law that at the general court of every shire the bishop of the diocese should accompany the sheriff that the one might countenance Godrsquos law the other manrsquos (a) Queen Elizabeth once in her progress through Suffolk observing that the justices of that county who came to meet her had every man his minister next to his body said she wondered not that that county was so well governed where she saw that the word and sword went so lovingly together (b)

POOLE To teach in the cities of Judah to inform the people of their duty and of the kingrsquos pleasure As judges or justices of peace teach or instruct the people in the laws of the land when they deliver their charges upon the bench so did these princes in the kingrsquos name admonish and require the people to observe and obey the laws of God which were the prinicipal laws of that land the particular explication and enforcement whereof they left to the Levites and priests here following who were sent for this end and accordingly taught the people 2 Chronicles 179

WHEDO 7 He sent to his princeshellip to teach mdash He committed the matter of

teaching to their oversight and care and the teaching was done by the Levites and priests as stated in the next verse He did well to put down idolatry but he was wise enough to know that unless the people were instructed they would soon apostatize again

ELLICOTT THE COMMISSIOERS OF PUBLIC ISTRUCTIO I THE LAW

(7) He sent to his princes even to Ben-hail to MichaiahmdashRather He sent his princes Ben- hail and Obadiah and Michaiah (The le ldquotordquo in the chroniclerrsquos idiom marking the object of the verb) If however Authorised Version were correct the construction would not be unique as the Speakerrsquos Com mentary asserts (Comp 2 Kings 57 ldquothis man sendeth to me to recover a manrdquo ampc)

Princesmdashone of the personages mentioned in this and the following verse are otherwise known The ldquofive princesrdquo were laymen of rank and were accompanied by nine (eight) Levites and two priests

Ben-hailmdashSon of valour A compound proper name only occurring here but analogous to Ben-hur Ben-deker and Ben-hesed in 1 Kings 48-10 (The LXX renders ldquothe sons of the mightyrdquo Syriac ldquothe chiefs of the forcesrdquo apparently reading bnecirc chail)

ethaneelmdashSyriac Mattanael Arabic Mattaniah Michaiah Syriac and Arabic Malachiah

GUZIK B The strength of Jehoshaphatrsquos kingdom

1 (2 Chronicles 177-10) The spiritual strength of the kingdom Jehoshaphat brings the Word of God to the people

Also in the third year of his reign he sent his leaders Ben-Hail Obadiah Zechariah ethanel and Michaiah to teach in the cities of Judah And with them he sent Levites Shemaiah ethaniah Zebadiah Asahel Shemiramoth Jehonathan Adonijah Tobijah and Tobadonijah the Levites and with them Elishama and Jehoram the priests So they taught in Judah and had the Book of the Law of the LORD with them they went throughout all the cities of Judah and taught the people And the fear of the LORD fell on all the kingdoms of the lands that were around Judah so that they did not make war against Jehoshaphat

a To teach in the cities of Judah These ldquoteaching priestsrdquo have been mentioned by the Chronicler before (2 Chronicles 153) They had the important role of bringing the word of God to the people especially those who lived outside of Jerusalem

b They taught in Judah and had the Book of the Law of the LORD with them they went throughout all the cities of Judah and taught the people This was the wisest

and best policy a security-conscious king of Judah could promote Because Jehoshaphat sought God first God sent fear upon the neighboring kingdoms so that they did not make war against Jehoshaphat

i ldquoBy this little band of princes Levites and priests sixteen in all Jehoshaphat did more toward impressing the surrounding nations with a sense of his power than the largest and best-equipped standing army could have secured to himrdquo (Knapp)

ii ldquoThe method adopted was what in these modern times we might describe as the holding of Special Missions throughout the cities of Judah for the specific purpose of proclaiming and interpreting lsquothe book of the law of Jehovahrsquordquo (Morgan)

iii ldquoo better service can be rendered to the nation than that of proclaiming the Word of Jehovah to the people in cities towns villages and hamlets By such proclamation the heart of the people may be turned to Jehovah and so He be enabled to do for them all that is in His heartrdquo (Morgan)

iv ldquoThus the nation became thoroughly instructed in their duty to God to the king and to each other They became therefore as one man and against a people thus united on such principles no enemy could be successfulrdquo (Clarke)

v Clarke observed how a similar itinerant ministry in the days of John Wesley and his followers impacted Britain ldquoSuch an itinerant ministry established in these kingdoms for upwards of fourscore years teaching the pure unadulterated doctrines of the Gospel with the propriety and necessity of obedience to the laws has been the principle means in the hand of God of preserving the lands from those convulsions and revolutions that have ruined and nearly dissolved the European continentrdquo

vi ldquoIt is said (2 Chronicles 172) Jehoshaphat place forces in all the fenced cities yet it is not said thereupon that lsquothe fear of the Lord fell upon the neighbour nationsrsquo But when he had established a preaching ministry in all the cities then his enemies had a fear and made no warrdquo (Trapp)

PULPIT He sent Hebrew שלח The Hebrew text distinctly says he sent to his princes not he sent his princes The meaning ismdashhe sent orders to his princes to see to it that Judah was taught (2 Chronicles 179) the book of the Law of the Lord (Le 2 Chronicles 1011 Deuteronomy 49 Deuteronomy 1718) not indeed without their own personal aid in whatever way able to be given but systematically and with authority by the Levites and priests (Deuteronomy 3310) This deeper fathoming of the needs of the time and of what constituted its real safety was greatly to the spiritual credit of Jehoshaphat The references (2 Chronicles 153 2 Chronicles 352-4 2 Chronicles 3510-12) are full of point one of these princes or Levites and priests are elsewhere mentioned by name

8 With them were certain LevitesmdashShemaiah ethaniah Zebadiah Asahel Shemiramoth Jehonathan Adonijah Tobijah and Tob-Adonijahmdashand the priests Elishama and Jehoram

GILL 2 Chronicles 178And with them he sent Levites With the five princes he sent nine Levites

even Shemaiah and Nethaniah and Zebadiah and Asahel and Shemiramoth and Jehonathan and Adonijah and Tobijah and Tobadonijah Levites of whom we nowhere else read no doubt they were principal persons and fit for the work they were sent about

and with them Elishama and Jehoram priests whose lips were to keep knowledge and at whose mouth the law was to be sought Mal_27

ELLICOTT (8) And with them he sent LevitesmdashRather And with them were the Levites The construction being changed So LXX and the Syriac (Comp 1 Chronicles 1641-42 1 Chronicles 1518 for the same mode of enumeration which is characteristic of the style of the chronicler

ZebadiahmdashSome MSS and Syriac and Arabic read Zechariah

ShemiramothmdashSo LXX and Vulg (see 1 Chronicles 165 1 Chronicles 1518) The Heb text is probably incorrect Syriac and Arabic read instead atucircra

Tob-adonijahmdashThis curious name occurs only here and is perhaps a mere mistake arising out of the preceding Adonijah and Tobijah The Syriac and Arabic omit it

PriestsmdashThe priests

The commission was a mixed one of civil and ecclesiastical persons (comp 1 Chronicles 131-2 1 Chronicles 232 1 Chronicles 246)

And had the book of the law of the LordmdashAnd with them was the book of the law (teaching) of Jehovah For the construction compare 1 Chronicles 1642 The writer

evidently means the Pentateuch and if this notice was derived by him from a contemporary source eg the ldquowords of Jehu the son of Hananirdquo to which he refers as an authority for the reign (2 Chronicles 2034) it would constitute an important testimony to the existence if not of the five books at least of an ancient collection of laws at this early date (circ 850 BC )

And taught the peoplemdashTaught among the people

9 They taught throughout Judah taking with them the Book of the Law of the Lord they went around to all the towns of Judah and taught the people

BARES There is no reasonable doubt that this ldquobook of the lawrdquo was the Pentateuch - nearly if not quite in the shape in which we now have it Copies of the whole Law were no doubt scarce and therefore Jehoshaphatrsquos commission took care to carry a copy with them

CLARKE Had the book of the law of the Lord with them - This was their text book it was the book of God they taught it as such and as such the people received it Its laws were Godrsquos laws and the people felt their obligation and their consciences were bound Thus they were obedient to the laws of the land on the principle of religion In this they were encouraged and confirmed by the example of all both in Church and state The princes were not only pious but were teachers of piety the Levites showed them the worth and excellence of their ritual institutions and the priests showed them the moral use they were to make of the whole and thus the people became obedient to God as well as to the king and kept all the civil ordinances not merely for the sake of a good king but for the sake of a good and gracious God By these means the nation enjoyed peace and prosperity and all insurrections seditions and popular commotions were prevented The surrounding nations perceiving this saw that there was no hope of subduing such a people so they made no war with Jehoshaphat 2Ch_1710 And they took care not to provoke such a people to fall on them therefore it is said The fear of the Lord fell on all the kingdoms and lands that were round about Judah Such an itinerant ministry established in these kingdoms for upwards of fourscore years

teaching the pure unadulterated doctrines of the Gospel with the propriety and necessity of obedience to the laws has been the principal means in the hand of God of preserving these lands from those convulsions and revolutions that have ruined and nearly dissolved the European continent The itinerant ministry to which this refers is that which was established in these lands by the late truly reverend highly learned and cultivated deeply pious and loyal John Wesley AM formerly a fellow of Lincoln College Oxford whose followers are known by the name of Methodists a people who are an honor to their country and a blessing to the government under which they live

GILL And they taught in Judah The people their duty to God and man

and had the book of the law of the Lord with them as the rule of their instruction and the peoples obedience out of this they taught them and by it confirmed what they taught and enforced it with the divine authority

and went about throughout all the cities of Judah not only their own cities the Levitical ones but all others

and taught the people the law of the Lord the fear and worship of God

JAMISO the book of the lawmdash that is either the whole Pentateuch or only the book of Deuteronomy which contains an abridgment of it

BESO 2 Chronicles 179 And they taught in Judah ampc mdash The Levites and priests were teachers by office Deuteronomy 3310 It was a part of the work for which they had their maintenance and indeed had little else to do But it seems they had neglected it pretending probably that they could not get the people to hear them Jehoshaphat therefore sends them with the princes who by their authority might require the people to assemble together to receive instruction in the laws of God and their duty ldquoWhat a great deal of goodrdquo says Henry ldquomay be done when Moses and Aaron thus go hand in hand in the doing of it when princes with their power and priests and Levites with their Scripture-learning agree to teach the people the good knowledge of God and their duty These itinerant judges and itinerant preachers together were instrumental to diffuse a blessed light throughout the cities of Judahrdquo And had the book of the law of the Lord with them mdash 1st For their own guidance that from thence they might draw all the instructions they gave to the people and not teach for doctrines the commandments of men 2d For the conviction or the people that they might see these priests and Levites had a divine warrant for what they said and delivered to them only that which they had received from the Lord

TRAPP 2 Chronicles 179 And they taught in Judah and [had] the book of the law of the LORD with them and went about throughout all the cities of Judah and taught the people

Ver 9 And had the book of the law of the Lord with them] They taught not

traditions human inventions or unwritten verities All their doctrines came cum privilegio and were Scripture proof

WHEDO 9 The book of the law mdash Our Pentateuch in substantially its present form ldquoCopies of the whole law were no doubt scarce and therefore Jehoshaphatrsquos commission took care to carry a copy with themrdquo mdash Rawlinson

PARKER And they taught in Judah and had the book of the law of the Lord with them and went about throughout all the cities of Judah and taught the people ( 2 Chronicles 179)

This was a mixed commission partly civil partly ecclesiastical The men here mentioned are otherwise unknown We identify them as educational reformers or reformers who operated through the medium of education they were not warriors destroyers revolutionists but men who addressed the mind and the understanding and the conscience and caused men to know that the true law was from above and not from beneath The book which the commission had in hand was the Pentateuch or the law of Moses This was known to be the law which alone could touch all the vital necessities of the commonwealth Again and again we are constrained to admit that there is a law beyond Prayer of Manasseh above Prayer of Manasseh in a sense apart from man men are not driven within themselves to find a law an instinct or a reason they have a written statute an authoritative declaration a book which Christian teachers do not hesitate to describe as a Revelation and to that they call the attention of men If the teacher were teaching out of his own consciousness he would be but an equal often exposing himself to the destructive criticism of his more advanced and penetrating scholars but the teacher takes his stand upon a book upon the Book the Bible a revelation which he believes to be divine and final Say what we will the effect of Bible teaching must be judged by its fruits Where are the nations that are most distinguished for wide and varied intelligence for large and exhaustive sympathy for missionary enterprise for philanthropic institutions and for all the elements which give grace and beauty to social existence The question should admit of definite reply the facts are before men let them judge fearlessly and honestly and we need have no apprehension concerning their verdict Wherever the word of the Lord has had free course superstition has been chased away human slavery has been abolished every instance of intolerance injustice unkindness has felt the influence of holy thought in all these matters discussion should be limited strictly to facts Thus kings can help nations not by forcing education not by attempting to rule opinion not by setting up standards of orthodoxy to fall short of which is to incur penalty but by spreading education by extending light by cultivating a spirit of inquiry and by a generous multiplication of all the instrumentalities needed for the destruction of ignorance What may come of this we are not supposed at this moment to know Meanwhile let us be thankful that we are face to face with a man who has conviction courage independence high patriotic and generous impulse and let us hope that his end may be as beautiful as his beginning was promising

SIMEO THE ROYAL EDICT

ADVERTISEMETmdashThe author feels it necessary to prefix to this Sermon some short account of the occasion on which it was delivered

The author was at Amsterdam (in June 1818) partly with a view of re-establishing there an Episcopal Chapel in which there had been no service for seven years but principally with a view of seeking the welfare of the Children of Israel He went thither rather to explore than to act (See ehemiah 212-16) But just previous to the 18th of June he understood that the Third Anniversary of the Battle of Waterloo was to be kept throughout the etherlands as a day of thanksgiving and just at that time also he quite accidentally heard that the King of the etherlands had a year before issued an Edict requiring all the Jews to educate their children in the knowledge of their own Scriptures and calling upon all his Christian Subjects to aid in this good work Despondency not unlike to that which paralyzed all exertion at Jerusalem in ehemiahrsquos days so universally prevailed that no one had risen to the occasion the very Commissioners who had been appointed to carry the Edict into effect had published a Report in which they gave it as their opinion ldquothat the Lordrsquos time was not comerdquo and there was great danger that the gracious designs of the Monarch would be altogether frustrated The author therefore judged this a fit occasion for calling the attention of the Public to the Edict and accordingly after devoting the Morning Service to the more appropriate subject of the day he employed the Evening Service in an endeavour to forward this good work Considerable attention was excited to the subject by means of the Sermon which was therefore instantly printed in Dutch French and English for the purpose of its being circulated throughout the etherlands and he has reason to hope that active exertions were afterwards made in many places to promote what every benevolent mind must ardently desire the edification and welfare of the Jewish People

So good an example having been set by the Emperor of Russia and the King of the etherlands the author hopes that the attention of our own Governors also both in Church and State may be called to this long-neglected People and that now the British Public has been invited by authority (the Kingrsquos Letter) to aid in supporting Missions to the Heathen World the claims of the Jewish ation to whom under God we owe all the light that we ourselves enjoy will not be overlooked It is with a view to this great object that the author sends forth the Sermon in this country where if the foregoing explanation had not been given its relevancy and use might have been justly called in question

2 Chronicles 179 And they taught in Judah and had the book of the law of the Lord with them and went about throughout all the cities of Judah and taught the people

O a day set apart for thanksgiving to God for mercies received it is peculiarly proper to consider what we may render unto the Lord for all his benefits Certainly if any event ever deserved repeated annual commemoration it is that which has

freed the world from the most grievous tyranny that ever it endured Of the bitter cup which was put into the hands of every nation in Europe this nation [ote The etherlands] drank very deeply and the change which it has experienced in the restoration of their rightful Monarch and in the establishment of a free Constitution calls for their devoutest acknowledgments to Almighty God Doubtless we may with justice pay some tribute of honour to those who by their counsels and their arms effected the overthrow of the Usurper but it is God alone who giveth victory to kings and to whom the glory of this great victory must be primarily ascribed and he who accounts a day consecrated to this service superfluous shews that he is far from justly appreciating the blessings that have been conferred upon him The monarch himself has given to his people a very decided evidence that he feels the depth of his obligations to the God of his salvation and it will be your own loss if you do not cultivate a similar spirit and improve the occasion to the honour of your God

But it is not to thanksgiving only that your Monarch invites you he calls you by a special Edict to unite with him in seeking the welfare of your Jewish Brethren who in their struggle with the enemy signally approved their fidelity to their legitimate Sovereign Their welfare he in his turn studies to promote and he desires to combine the energies of all his subjects in efforts for their good Methinks he is like Jehoshaphat of old who well knowing that piety must be founded in knowledge and happiness in piety sent forth the Princes of his empire with a select number of Priests and Levites to instruct his people in the knowledge of Godrsquos blessed word

His edict on this occasion and the manner in which it was carried into effect will form the subject of my present discourse

I Then we notice the edict of King Jehoshaphatmdash

This was such as became a great and pious monarch and we shall find it not unprofitable or unsuitable to the present occasion to enter into a distinct consideration of it We observe then that it was a kind and benevolent edict a wise and politic edict a good and beneficial edict

Mark the benevolence displayed in it He sought the present and eternal welfare of his subjects He knew that as men are raised above the beasts by the exercise of reason so are they elevated in the scale of rational beings in proportion as their intellectual powers are cultivated and enlarged Man destitute of knowledge is a mere savage but when instructed in the various branches of science he becomes refined and civilized and capable of contributing to the general good In the very cultivation of knowledge there is much pleasure arising to the mind and in the application of that knowledge to useful purposes there is an exquisite delight We need only observe persons when employed in their several vocations how happy they are how contented how cheerful oftentimes unconsciously proclaiming their happiness like the birds of the air in festal songs or consciously and with devotion in songs of praise

But it was not mere intellectual improvement which Jehoshaphat sought to convey he wished his people to be instructed in the knowledge of that God whom they professed to fear and worship This alone could make them truly happy this alone could impart to them sound wisdom or solid consolation He therefore gave particular directions that they should be taught ldquoin the Book of the Law of the Lordrdquo and this throughout the whole land O happy people whose governor so employed the authority with which he was invested And happy that monarch who so improved his influence not for his own personal aggrandizement but for the best interests of the people committed to his charge In so doing he approved himself to be indeed what every governor should be the friend and father of his people

or was the policy of this measure at all inferior to its benevolence A people well instructed in moral and religious knowledge will view government as an ordinance of God and will learn to obey the constituted authorities not so much from fear of their wrath as for conscience sake towards God They will view their governors as Godrsquos vicegerents upon earth and will consider allegiance to them as an essential part of their duty to him Hence will spring up love in their hearts and a real delight in manifesting on all proper occasions their loyalty to their king they will form a bulwark around his person in case of necessity and even glory in laying down their lives for him as their greatest benefactor

The benefits arising from this edict were incalculable Such was the effect of it that the fear of Jehoshaphat and of Jehovah as his protector fell on all the nations that were round about him so that none however hostile in their hearts dared to make war against him [ote ver 10] Doubtless this resulted chiefly from an impression made upon their minds by God himself yet it was also produced by a dread of that energy which an united people were ready to put forth at any instant at the call of their beloved monarch At the same time that peace was thus secured prosperity reigned in every part of the empire and as the immediate fruit of it Jehoshaphat as well as the people ldquohad riches and honour in abundance [ote ver 5]rdquo In his own mind too he reaped the fruits of his own benevolence God smiled upon him and manifested himself to him and enabled him to walk with ldquohis heart lifted up in the ways of the Lord [ote ver 6]rdquo

Such was the edict of the pious Jehoshaphatmdashbenevolent politic beneficial And what I would ask is the Edict which has been issued by the highest authority in this kingdom Do we not see in it the same blessed characters as in that which we have been considering It was ldquoin the third year of his reign [ote ver 7]rdquo that Jehoshaphat sent forth teachers to enlighten and instruct his subjects The very instant he felt himself at liberty from the more urgent and pressing calls of duty (such as the fortifying of his land against foreign enemies and the correcting of some great internal abuses) he engaged in this good work of diffusing light and knowledge through all classes of the community In like manner the sovereign of this kingdom has scarcely had time to repair the ravages of war and to establish his empire too long weakened and impoverished by a cruel usurpation before he stands forth as the friend and father of his people and more especially of that portion of them who have in every age and place been most treated with neglect and

disdain to have them educated in scriptural knowledge and in the fear of God It is much to be lamented that the Jewish people have not in general been so attentive either to the learning or morals of their children as might be wished and hence arose a necessity for some authoritative admonition on the subject Yet if I may say it without offence this neglect has not been more reprehensible in them than has been the indifference with which the Christian world has regarded it The monarch (may God recompense it richly into his bosom) has risen up to remedy the supineness both of the one and the other and to call forth the united energies of all to correct and terminate this evil Yet whilst he thus consults the best interests of his subjects with what paternal tenderness has he guarded against wounding the feelings of any or exciting their religious prejudices The Scriptures of the Old Testament are alone to be used in the schools that shall be established even those Scriptures which Jews as well as Christians believe to have been given by inspiration of God and to contain truth without any mixture of error In this is marked the policy no less than the benevolence of the edict for it is not by constraint but by conciliation and kindness that good is to be done to any and more especially to those who have shewn themselves now for so many centuries proof against all the efforts of intimidation or force In this kingdom they form no small body and I may add no unimportant portion of the community It is well known how extensive is their influence in the affairs of commerce and how by their activity they contribute to enrich the state Hence it is now generally seen and felt that they are entitled to the same respect as any other subjects of the realm and whilst as in the present instance they see how deeply their monarch feels interested in their welfare they cannot but on their part be sensible of the privileges they enjoy under his paternal government and testify their gratitude to him by every possible expression of loyalty and affection

What the ultimate effect of these measures will be may be conjectured from the blessed results of the edict of Jehoshaphat all will feel themselves happy under the government of such a prince and he whilst he is respected abroad and beloved at home will have the happiness of seeing his labours crowned with prosperity throughout his dominions and with peace in his own soul

II The manner in which Jehoshaphatrsquos edict was carried into execution is now to be noticedmdash

The promptness with which his commands were executed deserves the highest praise All were ready to co-operate in this good work as soon as it was proposed ldquoPrinces and priests and Levites [ote ver 7 8]rdquo all addressed themselves to it instantly with one heart and one soul one accounted their dignity so high or their functions so sacred but they thought it an honour to be employed in such a service and found a delight in fulfilling the wishes of their revered monarch all entered into the work with zeal and prosecuted it with diligence and hence a rapid change was effected both in the temporal and spiritual condition of the whole nation And what may not be effected in this kingdom also if a similar zeal be exercised by ldquothe princes and priestsrdquo (the magistrates and clergy) of the land With them it must begin Those who move in a lower station can effect nothing if they be not aided and

countenanced by the higher orders whose rank in life or sacredness of character will give a tone to the general feeling and combine the energies of the whole kingdom If it be said that those for whom the benefit is designed do not feel a desire after it this only shews how much they need it and how earnestly we should all embark in a cause proposed by such high authority and recommended by the soundest dictates of wisdom and piety

That our obligations to unite in this labour of love may the more distinctly appear I would beg leave to suggest the following considerations

First Loyalty to the king demands our concurrence with him in this good work and a holy emulation amongst us to carry into effect his benevolent designs What can the greatest or best of men effect (what could Jehoshaphat himself have done) if there be none to act in subserviency to them and to follow their directions As the most potent monarch upon earth would in vain proclaim war if there were no soldiers found to enlist under his banners and to execute his commands so it will be in vain that the design of benefiting the Jewish people was ever conceived in the mind of the king or that his edict respecting them was ever issued if his subjects do not put forth their energies in obedience to his call In truth a backwardness to co-operate with him in this blessed work would seem like a reflection cast upon him as recommending a measure that was unworthy of attention I do not mean to insinuate that such an idea really exists in the minds of any for I am perfectly convinced it does not but certainly in appearance it is open to this construction and every subject of the empire is concerned to act in such a way as to cut off all occasion for a reflection like this I say loyalty alone even if we had no higher motive should be sufficient to call forth our exertions in this cause

But let me next observe that gratitude to the Jewish nation demands it at our hands How great how manifold are our obligations to them Behold Moses and the prophets what instruction have they given us in reference to the way of life and salvation Without the moral law as revealed by Moses we should never have known to what an extent we need a Saviour nor if the prophecies had not so fully designated the promised Messiah could we have ever so fully known that Jesus was the Christ Of whom did the Lord Jesus Christ himself come as pertaining to the flesh but from the loins of David and of the seed of Abraham Yet to him are we indebted for all that we either have or hope for in time or in eternity And who were the Apostles but Jews who for our sakes went forth preaching the word and counted not their lives dear to them so that they might but lead us to the knowledge of Christ and make us partakers of his salvation From them too we have received the lively oracles which are the one source of all spiritual knowledge and the one foundation of all our hopes Does all this call for no recompence at our hands Knowing as we do the vast importance of education should we not endeavour to impart it to those from whose ancestors we have received such innumerable such inestimable benefits Yet behold these are the people whom for many many centuries we have treated with more neglect and contempt than any other people upon the face of the earth the savages of the most distant climes have received more attention from us than they Surely it is high time that the Christian world awake to

a sense of their duty and begin to shew to the Jews somewhat of that love which their forefathers exercised towards us in our Gentile state We are debtors to them to a vast amount and it is high time that we begin to discharge our debt And how can we discharge it better than by enabling them to read and understand those very oracles which they have preserved with such fidelity and which testify so fully of their promised Messiah

Further A love to the rising generation should lead us to avail ourselves of the present opportunity to promote their welfaremdashIt is truly afflictive to see how low and degraded is the state of multitudes especially of the Jewish nation purely through the neglect with which they are treated in their early youth and still more grievous is it to reflect on their ignorance of those things which belong to their everlasting peace To counteract this we should endeavour to qualify the whole of their population for good and useful employments and through the medium of useful instruction to make them holy and to make them happy We need never be afraid that there will not be a sufficient number of poor to fill the lower stations do what we will there will never be wanting persons who through their own fault or misfortunes are necessitated to undertake the lowest offices of life And if they have been previously instructed in the Scriptures of Truth they will have a fund of consolation ever open to them in their deepest afflictions they will learn from the inspired volume in whatsoever state they are there-with to be content and in the prospect of the eternal world they will find joys with which a stranger intermeddleth not and which the world can neither give nor take away We feel the force of these considerations in reference to the poor of our own communion how is it that we feel it not in reference to our Jewish Brethren This is a partiality unworthy of us and we should rise as one man to wipe off this disgrace from our own character

This brings me to the last consideration which I propose to mention namely that a concern for the honour of our holy religion should operate to unite us all in executing the Royal EdictmdashWhat must a Jew think of our religion when he sees how little it has wrought for us in the production of love We may tell him of a Messiah who has loved us and laid down his life for us but what credit will he give us for our principles when he sees how little our practice corresponds with them May he not well say to us ldquoPhysician heal thyselfrdquo Shew by your conduct the superiority of your principles before you call on me to embrace them It is by love that we must win them it is by shewing kindness to them that we must efface from their hearts those prejudices which with too much reason they entertain against us We must exhibit in our own person the loveliness of Christianity before we can bring them to investigate the grounds of our faith or to imagine that they can improve their own condition by embracing it May I not then call upon you as Christians to unite in the good work that is now before you that you may thereby serve and glorify your Lord and Saviour As Christians you believe that there is no other way to the Father but by Christ [ote John 146] and no other name but his whereby any human being can be saved [ote Acts 412] Where is your piety where is your love to Christ where is even common humanity if you will not avail yourselves of the present opportunity to remove from before your Jewish Brethren

the stumbling-blocks which for so many ages have been laid in their way

Do any ask What shall we do I answer search out amongst the Jews some persons of probity and talent to commence schools among them and do you yourselves aid to the utmost of your power in the support of them provide them with all necessary books for instructing children in the first rudiments of knowledge provide them with Bibles also both in the Dutch and Hebrew languages that they may be thoroughly instructed in the knowledge of their own religion and learn to walk in the steps of their father Abraham and of all the holy prophets

Begin too without loss of time Adult Schools You will find many among the house of Israel who will be glad to avail themselves of your instructions Let those who are benevolent amongst you dedicate an hour in a day to the instructing of a few who may be desirous to learn and carefully avoid every thing which may give unnecessary offence Confine yourselves to the Old Testament which they venerate as well as you Let those who can teach only in the Dutch language give instruction in that and let those who either understand or have leisure to attain the Hebrew tongue draw their attention to that In particular let it be the united endeavour of all to qualify masters for this good work

And let it not be thought that this is the duty of men only The Royal Edict has particularly and with great wisdom recommended it to females who may be of infinite service in conveying instruction to their own sex This age is distinguished above all others for the activity of females in the service of God and in the performance of every good work Were I able to declare the proportion of good that is done in Britain by the female sex it would appear incredible I believe from my soul that it far exceeds one half in all the societies raised since the commencement of the present century in the Bible Society the Missionary Societies and the Society for Promoting the Knowledge of Christianity amongst the Jews yes let the ladies of this country exert themselves in a prudent modest and discreet way and the effects will soon appear the Royal Edict will not be a dead letter but will produce incalculable good to the whole nationmdashand the agents in this benevolent work will themselves receive quite as much benefit as they impart their benevolence being in proportion as it is exercised its own reward

10 The fear of the Lord fell on all the kingdoms of the lands surrounding Judah so that they did not go to war against Jehoshaphat

GILL And the fear of the Lord fell upon all the kingdoms of the lands that were round about Judah Upon the ten tribes and on foreign nations about them as Moabites Edomites Syrians Egyptians Arabs and Philistines this fear as it came from the Lord so might be raised and increased by observing that religion was revived in them for they might perceive by former observations made that the more religious these people were the more prosperous and formidable they were

so that they made no war against Jehoshaphat to interrupt him in the work of reformation he was so intent upon

HERY We have here a further account of Jehoshaphats great prosperity and the flourishing state of his kingdom

I He had good interest in the neighbouring princes and nations Though he was not perhaps so great a soldier as David (which might have made him their terror) nor so great a scholar as Solomon (which might have made him their oracle) yet the fear of the Lord fell so upon them (that is God so influenced and governed their spirits) that they had all a reverence for him 2Ch_1710 And 1 None of them made war against himGods good providence so ordered it that while the princes and priests were instructing and reforming the country none of his neighbours gave him any molestations to take him off from that good work Thus when Jacob and his sons were going to worship at Bethel the terror of God was upon the neighbouring cities that they did not pursue after them Gen_355 and see Exo_3424 2 Many of them brought presents to him (2Ch_1711) to secure his friendship Perhaps these were a tribute imposed upon them by Asa who made himself master of the cities of the Philistines and the tents of the Arabians 2Ch_1414 2Ch_1415 With the 7700 rams and the same number of he-goats which the Arabians brought there was probably a proportionable number of ewes and lambs she-goats and kids

KampD This attempt of Jehoshaphat brought him this blessing that the terror of Jahve fell upon all the surrounding kingdoms and not only did none of the neighbouring peoples venture to make war upon him but also various tribes did homage to him by presents Ramb has already so understood the connection of these verses (erat hoc praemium pietatis Josaphati quod vicini satisque potentes hostes non auderent adversus ipsum hiscere) while Berth fails to apprehend it saying that Jehoshaphat had time to care for the instruction of his people because at that time the neighbouring peoples did not venture to undertake war against Judah The words ldquoterror of Jahverdquo cf 2Ch_1413 2Ch_2029 and ldquoall the kingdoms of the landsrdquo cf 2Ch_128 1Ch_2930 are expressions peculiar to the author of the Chronicle which show that by these remarks he is preparing the way for a transition to a more detailed

portrayal of Jehoshaphats political power מן־(לש)ים is subject מן partitive some of the

Philistines brought him presents (for מנחה see on 2Ch_175) ldquoand silver a burdenrdquo ie

in great quantity מא does not signify tribute vectigal argento (Vulg) for the word has

not that signification but denotes burden that which can be carried as in מא לאן

2Ch_2025 - 2Ch_2116 2Ch_221 ערבים 2Ch_267 and more usually ערב-ים or ערביאים

are Arabian nomadic tribes (Bedacircwin) perhaps those whom Asa after his victory over the Cushite Zerah had brought under the kingdom of Judah 2Ch_1414 These paid

their tribute in small cattle rams and he-goats (ישים( Gen_3035 Gen_3215 Pro_

3031)

BESO 2 Chronicles 1710 The fear of the Lord fell upon all the kingdoms ampc mdash Justly concluding from his singular piety that God would eminently appear for him for even the heathen could not but observe that the kings of Judah were either prosperous or unhappy according as they served God or forsook him So that they made no war against Jehoshaphat mdash Godrsquos good providence so ordered it that while the princes and priests were instructing and endeavouring to reform the country none of his neighbours gave him any molestation to take him off from that good work

COFFMA All of this peace and prosperity were directly due to the respect which Jehoshaphat had shown to the Law of God and to his efforts to teach that word to all the people It is no problem that much of the material here is omitted in Kings because the primary focus there was political whereas in Chronicles the focus is upon the spiritual and religious significance of the same history

TRAPP 2 Chronicles 1710 And the fear of the LORD fell upon all the kingdoms of the lands that [were] round about Judah so that they made no war against Jehoshaphat

Ver 10 And the fear of the Lord fell upon all the kingdoms] It is said [2 Chronicles 172] Jehoshaphat placed forces in all the fenced cities yet it is not said thereupon that the fear of the Lord fell upon the neighbour nations But when he had established a preaching ministry in all the cities then his enemies had a fear and made no war

POOLE Justly concluding from this singular piety that God would eminently appear for him and against all those who had ill will to him which was their case For even the heathens could not but observe that the kings of Judah were either prosperous or unhappy accordingly as they served God or forsook him

ELLICOTT (10) The fear of the LordmdashA dread of Jehovah (pachad) aps 2029 (Comp Exodus 1516 1 Samuel 117 Isaiah 210 ) This phrase is not peculiar to the chronicler as Keil and Bertheau assert ldquoThe kingdoms of the landsrdquo is so (2 Chronicles 128 1 Chronicles 2930)

They made no warmdashThe reward of Jehosha-phatrsquos piety (1 Chronicles 229

Proverbs 167) ldquoWhen a manrsquos ways please the Lord he maketh even his enemies to be at peace with himrdquo (Comp also Genesis 355)

11 Some Philistines brought Jehoshaphat gifts and silver as tribute and the Arabs brought him flocks seven thousand seven hundred rams and seven thousand seven hundred goats

BARES Some of the Philistines brought Jehoshaphat presents - i e ldquosome of the Philistines were among his tributariesrdquo Compare 2Sa_82 1Ki_421

Tribute silver - Or ldquomuch silverrdquo - literally ldquosilver of burthenrdquo

The Arabians - The Arab tribes who bordered Judaea to the south and the southeast paid Jehoshaphat a fixed tribute in kind Compare 2Ki_34 note

CLARKE The Philistines brought - presents - They and the Arabians purchased peace with the king of Judah by paying an annual tribute The Philistines brought silver and no doubt different kinds of merchandise The Arabs whose riches consisted in cattle brought him flocks in great abundance principally rams and he-goats

GILL Also some of the Philistines brought Jehoshaphat presents and tribute silver Perhaps those of Gerar and the parts adjacent Asa took and spoiled and made tributary 2Ch_1414

and the Arabians brought him flocks seven thousand and seven hundred rams and seven thousand and seven hundred he goats with which their country abounded and these might be the Scenite Arabs who fearing lest Jehoshaphat should fall upon them and take away their flocks as his father had done 2Ch_1415 brought these presents to him

JAMISO Also some of the Philistines brought Jehoshaphat presents and tribute silvermdash either they had been his tributaries or they were desirous of securing his valuable friendship and now made a voluntary offer of tribute Perhaps

they were the Philistines who had submitted to the yoke of David (2Sa_81 Psa_608)

the Arabiansmdash the nomad tribes on the south of the Dead Sea who seeking the protection of Jehoshaphat after his conquest of Edom paid their tribute in the way most suitable to their pastoral habits - the present of so many head of cattle

BESO 2 Chronicles 1711 Some of the Philistines brought presents mdash They had been subject to Judah ever since Davidrsquos time but it seems had neglected this duty in the times of his predecessors but were now moved by their own fears to perform it And the Arabians brought him flocks mdash Either because he had upon some just occasion waged war against them and subdued them or because they voluntarily put themselves under his protection in recompense whereof they sent him these presents or only as a free acknowledgment of their respect for him

TRAPP 2 Chronicles 1711 Also [some] of the Philistines brought Jehoshaphat presents and tribute silver and the Arabians brought him flocks seven thousand and seven hundred rams and seven thousand and seven hundred he goats

Ver 11 Also some of the Philistines] These having been subdued by David had withheld their tribute for a time but now seeing Jehoshaphatrsquos growing greatness they bring it in with the better that no offence might be taken at their former neglect The word here used signifieth honorary gifts or oblations pacifications

ldquo Placatur donis Iupiter ipse datis rdquo

Think the same of the Arabians See 2 Chronicles 1414-15

POOLE Some of the Philistines who had been subjects to this kingdom ever since Davidrsquos time but it seems had neglected this duty in the times of his predecessors but now were moved by their own fears to perform it

The Arabians brought him flocks either because he had upon some just occasion waged war against them and subdued them though the particulars of it be not described in Scripture or because they voluntarily put themselves under his protection in recompence whereof they sent him those presents or only as a free acknowledgment of their respects to him

ELLICOTT (11) Broughtmdashie continually Such is the force of the participle

PresentsmdashAn offering ie tribute (minchah 2 Chronicles 175)

And tribute silvermdashRather and silver a load or burden ie a great quantity (massacircrsquo) 2 Chronicles 2025 As if ldquosilver as much as they could carryrdquomdasha natural hyperbole ot all the five states of the Philistines were subject to Jehoshaphat (Comp 2 Samuel 81)

The ArabiansmdashlsquoArbicircrsquoim here only equivalent to lsquoArbicircyicircm (2 Chronicles 267) and

lsquoArbim (2 Chronicles 2116) They are in each case grouped with the Philistines The nomad Bedacircwin conquered by Asa (2 Chronicles 1415) appear to be meant here or else some tribes which recognised the overlordship of Jehoshaphat after his reduction of Edom (2 Chronicles 2022 sqq)

Brought him flocksmdashComp Mesha of Moabrsquos tribute to Ahab (2 Kings 34)

GUZIK 2 (2 Chronicles 1711-19) The international strength of Jehoshaphatrsquos kingdom

Also some of the Philistines brought Jehoshaphat presents and silver as tribute and the Arabians brought him flocks seven thousand seven hundred rams and seven thousand seven hundred male goats So Jehoshaphat became increasingly powerful and he built fortresses and storage cities in Judah He had much property in the cities of Judah and the men of war mighty men of valor were in Jerusalem These are their numbers according to their fathersrsquo houses Of Judah the captains of thousands Adnah the captain and with him three hundred thousand mighty men of valor and next to him was Jehohanan the captain and with him two hundred and eighty thousand and next to him was Amasiah the son of Zichri who willingly offered himself to the LORD and with him two hundred thousand mighty men of valor Of Benjamin Eliada a mighty man of valor and with him two hundred thousand men armed with bow and shield and next to him was Jehozabad and with him one hundred and eighty thousand prepared for war These served the king besides those the king put in the fortified cities throughout all Judah

a Some of the Philistines brought Jehoshaphat presents and silver as tribute and the Arabians brought him flocks Jehoshaphatrsquos commitment to personal and public godliness meant that God exalted his kingdom above the neighboring nations even as God promised in Deuteronomy 281-13

b These served the king The true treasure of Jehoshaphatrsquos kingdom was not numbered only in security or material things but also in the dedicated and courageous men he had surrounding him these mighty men of valor

i Amasiah the son of Zichri who willingly offered himself to the LORD ldquoAmasiah is a man of whom we do not know anything beyond this ndash he lsquowillingly offered himself unto the Lordrsquo There must have been a turning-point in his career a time when first he knew the grace of God which wrought such a change in him There must have been a waking up to the feeling that God deserved his love and his liferdquo (Spurgeon)

ii Amasiah was a ready servant of the Lord this particularly notable because he did it in an otherwise secular calling

middot o one had to press him into service

middot o one had to seek him out for service

middot o one had to look after him once he had begun serving

middot o one had to lead him

iii ldquoThere is no lawful occupation in which a man cannot thoroughly serve the Lord It is a great privilege and blessing to be set apart to the work of winning souls but we must never separate that work from all the rest of the callings of life as though it alone were sacred and all the rest were secular and almost sinful Serve God where you arerdquo (Spurgeon)

PULPIT The presents were probably enough in the nature of tribute the fixed rate of which is sometimes alluded to (1 Kings 421 1 Kings 1025 2 Samuel 82) but it is doubtful whether the word משא purports to say this The word means bearing or carrying and then a burden load or weight The expression (2 Chronicles 2025) more than they could carry away where this word is used favours the idea that the meaning here is silver of great weight Probably the moral significance and historical interest whether of this statement respecting the Philistines or the following respecting the Arabians lies in the fact that both of them brought without more ado their payments and did not seek to slip out of their engagements with Judah and Judahs king ote for confirmation of this view 2 Kings 34 2 Kings 35

12 Jehoshaphat became more and more powerful he built forts and store cities in Judah

GILL And Jehoshaphat waxed great exceedingly In wealth and riches power and authority in his forces and fortifications

and he built in Judah castles and cities of stores castles for the defence of his kingdom and store cities to lay up corn and wine and all provisions in case of an invasion or against a time of war

HERY II He had a very considerable stores laid up in the cities of Judah He pulled down his barns and built larger (2Ch_1712) castles and cities of store for arms and victuals He was a man of business and aimed at the public good in all his

undertakings either to preserve the peace or prepare for war

JAMISO 2Ch_1712-19 His greatness captains and armies

KampD Description of Jehoshaphats power - 2Ch_1712 And Jehoshaphat became

ever greater sc in power The partic הולך expresses the continuous advance in

greatness cf Ew sect280 b as the infin absol does elsewhere eg Gen_83 למעלה as עד

in 2Ch_1612 - He built castles in Judah ירנ-ות only here and in 2Ch_274 from ירנית

derivative formed from ירה by the Syriac termination נית- fem of ן- castle fortress On

מסנות cf 2Ch_84 ערי

TRAPP 2 Chronicles 1712 And Jehoshaphat waxed great exceedingly and he built in Judah castles and cities of store

Ver 12 And Jehoshaphat waxed great exceedingly] Heb He was going and growing By humility and the fear of the Lord are riches and honour and life [Proverbs 224]

And he built in Judah castles] Bironeoth πυργους turres So did the Burgundians and thence had their names

And cities of store] Granaries in the Hebrew they have their name from their utility or usefulness

ELLICOTT (12) And Jehoshaphat waxed greatmdashLiterally And Jehoshaphat was going on and waxing great ie became greater and greater (Comp 1 Chronicles 119)

ExceedinglymdashlsquoAd lĕmagraversquolah This phrase occurs again in 2 Chronicles 1612 2 Chronicles 268 and nowhere else in the Old Testament (See on 1 Chronicles 142)

And he builtmdashLike his predecessorsmdashSolomon Rehoboam Asamdashhe displayed his wealth and power in great public works The records of the Assyrian and Babylonian sovereigns are largely taken up with similar accounts of temple and palace building

CastlesmdashBiranicircyocircth a derivative from birah (1 Chronicles 291 1 Chronicles 2919 comp Syriac here birocircthocirc) It only recurs at 2 Chronicles 274 It is an Aramaic term (Comp bicircranyacircthacirc which in the Targums means ldquopalacesrdquo)

Cities of storesmdashComp 2 Chronicles 84 2 Chronicles 164 Exodus 111

PULPIT Castles This rendering better than palaces (margin) wound bear improving to the rather stronger word fortresses Hebrew בירניות found only here and in 2 Chronicles 274 plur of בירנית connected with the Chaldee and later Hebrew בירה of Ezra 62 ehemiah 11 Esther 12 Daniel 82 Cities of store (see note under 2 Chronicles 84 see also 1 Kings 919 Exodus 111)

13 and had large supplies in the towns of Judah He also kept experienced fighting men in Jerusalem

CLARKE He hadmuch business in the cities - He kept the people constantly employed they had wages for their work and by their labors the empire was both enriched and strengthened

GILL And he had much business in the cities of Judah Partly in fortifying them and partly in reforming the inhabitants of them

and the men of war mighty men of valour were in Jerusalem or by or near unto it so the particle is rendered Jos_513 they encamped in places adjacent to it for such a number of men as follows even 1160000 could never be contained in Jerusalem but must be disposed of in the territories of it nor did they wait on the king together but in course see 2Ch_1719 by which it appears there is no need to suppose any mistake of the transcriber in any or all of the following sums as has been suggested (q)

HERY 13-19 III He had the militia in good order It was never in better since David modelled it Five lord-lieutenants (if I may so call them) are here named with the numbers of those under their command (the serviceable men that were fit for war in their respective districts) three in Judah and two in Benjamin It is said of one of these great commanders Amasiah that he willingly offered himself unto the Lord (2Ch_1716) not only to the king to serve him in this post but to the Lord to glorify him in it He was the most eminent among them for religion he accepted the place not for the

honour or power or profit of it but for conscience sake towards God that he might serve his country It was usual for great generals then to offer of their spoils to the Lord 1Ch_2626 But this good man offered himself first to the Lord and then his dedicated things The number of the soldiers under these five generals amounts to 1160000 men a vast number for so small a compass of ground as Judahs and Benjamins lot to furnish out and maintain Abijah could bring into the field but 400000 (2Ch_133) Asa not 600000 (2Ch_148) yet Jehoshaphat has at command almost 1200000 But it must be considered 1 That God had promised to make the seed of Abraham like the sand of the sea for number 2 There had now been a long peace 3 We may suppose that the city of Jerusalem was very much enlarged 4 Many had come over to them from the kingdom of Israel (2Ch_1519) which would increase the numbers of the people 5 Jehoshaphat was under a special blessing of God which made his affairs to prosper greatly The armies we may suppose were dispersed all the country over and each man resided for the most part on his own estate but they appeared often to be mustered and trained and were ready at call whenever there was occasion The commanders waited on the king (2Ch_1719) as officers of his court privy-counsellors and ministers of state

But lastly observe It was not this formidable army that struck a terror upon the neighbouring nations that restrained them from attempting any thing against Israel or obliged them to pay tribute but the fear of God which fell upon them when Jehoshaphat reformed his country and set up a preaching ministry in it 2Ch_1710 The ordinances of God are more the strength and safety of a kingdom than its military force - its men of God more than its men of war

KampD 2Ch_1713

וגווגווגווגו רהרהרהרה is rightly translated by Luther ldquound hatte viel Vorrathsrdquo (and ומלעכהומלעכהומלעכהומלעכה

had much store) מלעכהמלעכהמלעכהמלעכה denotes here as in Exo_227-10 property that which has been gained by work or business The signification much work opera magna (Vulg Cler etc) as also Bertheaus translation ldquothe works for equipping and provisioning the fortressesrdquo correspond neither to the context nor to the parallel (synonymous) second member of the verse The work and trouble necessary to equip the cities of Judah does not correspond to ldquothe valiant warriors in Jerusalemrdquo the only parallel is the goods and property which were in these cities the provision of victuals and war material there stored up

BESO 2 Chronicles 1713 He had much business in the cities of Judah mdash To repair and fortify them and furnish them with provisions and to purge out all the relics of idolatry and injustice which were more secretly and craftily managed in the cities than in the country and which were first and most prevalent in the cities and thence spread their infection into the country around them

TRAPP 2 Chronicles 1713 And he had much business in the cities of Judah and the men of war mighty men of valour [were] in Jerusalem

Ver 13 And he had much business] Eργα πολλα (a) Many works going forward at

once a negotious man he was His business say some lay in beautifying and fortifying those cities Augustus gloried at his death that whereas he had found Rome built with brick he had left it made of marble

And the men of war hellip were in Jerusalem] These were his Praetorian forces his Praesidiaries were up and down in the various cities

POOLE He had much business in the cities of Judah partly to repair and fortify them and furnish them with all necessary provisions and partly to purge out all the relies and seeds of idolatry and injustice which were more secretly and subtlely managed in the cities than in the country and which were first and most in the cities and thence spread their infection into the country about them See Jeremiah 228

ELLICOTT (13) BusinessmdashRather much goods or stores literally work (mĕlacirckacirch) and then produce The Hebrew word is so used in Exodus 227 Exodus 2210 (ldquoHis neighbourrsquos goodsrdquo) Stores of provisions and war material seem to be intended (Comp 2 Chronicles 1111)

And the man of war were in JerusalemmdashRather and (he had) men of war in Jerusalem

In Jerusalemmdashot the entire army corps whose numbers are given in 2 Chronicles 1714-18 but simply their chiefs

PULPIT Much business Hebrew מלאכה The meaning of the word is service labour bestowed and the verse reads And there was to him much labour in the cities of Judah and men of war mighty men of valour in Jerusalem ie He bestoweth much pains on the cities of Judah and had etc The word were Authorized Version italics is incorrectly inserted The former half of this verse would better constitute the end of 2 Chronicles 1712 Keil however maintains the rendering substance property for מלאכה (Exodus 227 Exodus 2210)

14 Their enrollment by families was as followsFrom Judah commanders of units of 1000Adnah the commander with 300000 fighting men

BARES The captains of thousands Adnah the chief - literally ldquoprinces of thousands Adnah the princerdquo The writer does not mean that Adnah (or Johohanan 2Ch_1715) was in any way superior to the other ldquoprincesrdquo but only that he was one of them

Three hundred thousand - This number and those which follow in 2Ch_1715-18 have been with good reason regarded as corrupt by most critics For

(1) They imply a minimum population of 1480 to the square mile which is more than three times greater than that of any country in the known world (circa 1880rsquos)

(2) they produce a total just double that of the next largest estimate of the military force of Judah the 580 000 of 2Ch_148

(3) they are professedly a statement not of the whole military force but of the force maintained at Jerusalem (2Ch_1713 compare 2Ch_1719)

It is probable that the original numbers have been lost and that the loss was suppplied by a scribe who took 2Ch_148 as his basis

CLARKE Adnah the chief - He was generalissimo of all this host These are the numbers of the five battalions under Adnah three hundred thousand Jehohanan two hundred and eighty thousand Amasiah two hundred thousand Eliada two hundred thousand Jehozabad one hundred and eighty thousand in all one million one hundred and sixty thousand

GILL And these are the numbers of them according to the house of their fathers Both of the tribe of Judah and of Benjamin and first

of Judah the captains of thousands some had 1000 men under them and some one hundred

Adnah the chief he was the principal commander or general of them

and with him mighty men of valour three hundred thousand such a number was under his command

JAMISO these are the numbersmdash The warriors were arranged in the army according to their fathers houses The army of Jehoshaphat commanded by five great generals and consisting of five unequal divisions comprised one million one hundred and sixty thousand men without including those who garrisoned the fortresses No monarch since the time of Solomon equaled Jehoshaphat in the extent of his revenue in the strength of his fortifications and in the number of his troops

KampD 2Ch_1714-16

The men fit for war passed in review according to their fathers-houses The male population of Judah fell into three divisions that of Benjamin into two The prince

Adnah held the first place among the generals with 300000 men of Judah ידו at his על

hand ie with and under him Jehohanan had the command of 280000 men and

Amasiah over 200000 השר is a contraction for אלפים For what special reason it is so שר

honourably recorded of Amasiah that he had willingly offered himself to the Lord (cf for

Jdg_59) has not been communicated התנב

COFFMA his represented a standing army of 1160000 men besides the garrisons in the fortified cities and this goes a long way to explaining why the Arabians and the Philistines brought tribute to Jehoshaphat In ancient times as in our own day peace frequently depended upon the strength of those who desired it

We should ignore the screams of exaggeration[3] which mark the writings of radical critics Pagan rulers of that era reported even larger armies than this and until the critics can prove that those were exaggerated reports they should let these alone Besides that we have already noted that the very word from which thousand is translated is disputed as to its exact meaning

COKE 2 Chronicles 1714 And these are the numbers of themmdash That is of the soldiers as well as of those who were employed in the kings works in the several cities ampc which he built See 2 Chronicles 1719

REFLECTIOSmdash1st Jehoshaphat no sooner comes to the throne than we see the dawnings of a glorious reign

1 He strengthened his kingdom by placing strong garrisons in the cities of Judah and those which his father had recovered from Israel and prepared against that danger which Ahabs growing power seemed to threaten

2 Religion was his great concern He copied after the best of his predecessors in their best days such as were the first of David before the matter of Uriah and the numbering of the people had blotted his fair copy Faithful to the worship of God he abhorred all idols the law of God was his rule of duty and Israels apostacy rendered his fidelity more singular and exemplary Inspired with holy zeal his heart with delight and sincerity was engaged for God and no difficulties deterred him from the path of duty The idols and groves which in the declining days of Asa might have been set up again he utterly destroyed with all the high places where they still offered sacrifices to these abominations ote (1) In the fairest human pattern there will be found imperfections but there is a Son of David more than man who has set us a spotless example that we should follow his steps (2) Fidelity in Gods service is the stability of a nation (3) A lively soul on wings of faith and love mounts up to God rises superior to every difficulty and looks down upon every thing besides his favour as altogether vanity

3 He not only removed the temptations to sin but took care to instruct the people in

the path of duty Ignorance of Gods law had greatly prevailed and to oblige them merely to conform to his reformation without grounding them on the true foundation of Gods word promised little stability The Levites and priests therefore are sent in progress through the cities of Judah with the book of the law to explain and enforce the commandments of God and several princes accompanied them in order to engage the people to hear them and give countenance to these preachers by their weight and influence ote (1) It is a blessed thing when princes countenance faithful ministers Though they cannot make men true converts their example and authority will induce them to attend (2) They who are sent to teach must see that they take the pure word of God along with them A true preacher wishes for nothing in his hand but his Bible (3) Religion is a reasonable service Conviction alone not compulsion or education can make a man a christian

4 The blessing of God attended his labours The Lord was with him or as the Targum generally expresses it the word of the Lord the divine Logos to whom all things are committed strengthened him in his labours and established his kingdom The people charmed with his government liberally sent their presents to him and abounding in riches and honour his heart far from being intoxicated by prosperity was lifted up in greater love and thankfulness to the gracious giver ote (1) God often here rewards piety with prosperity (2) Worldly comforts are then truly blessings when as the steps of Jacobs ladder they raise our hearts to heaven

2nd Like the light of the morning which shineth more and more so did Jehoshaphats glory increase

1 Feared by his enemies as beloved by his subjects the neighbouring princes did not offer to molest him while those of Philistia and Arabia courted his favour either by a voluntary present or exact payment of the tribute which Asa had imposed on them see 2 Chronicles 1711 God had put an awe upon them of the majesty of his king in Zion ote God hath access to the spirits of men and by secret yet irresistible influence can bow them to his sovereign will

2 His military preparations greatly advanced While he reformed the people he fortified their ramparts and built new castles and store-cities strengthening them within and without against their enemies Under five chief officers an immense army was enlisted Probably all the able men in the country were enrolled and regularly mustered though not drawn out except in case of necessity and this may easily account for the greatness of their number if we consider also the long peace they had enjoyed the accession of Israelites to them and especially the blessing of Abraham which no doubt was eminently fulfilled Amasiah one of the officers is mentioned with an honourable mark of distinction as a volunteer who served for the glory of God not for the sake of pay Such patriots are scarce

TRAPP 2 Chronicles 1714 And these [are] the numbers of them according to the house of their fathers Of Judah the captains of thousands Adnah the chief and

with him mighty men of valour three hundred thousand

Ver 14 Three hundred thousand] These were under his command and at hand to come whensoever the king would

WHEDO 14 Three hundred thousand mdash The numbers in this verse and the four verses following are generally regarded as corrupt ldquoThey implyrdquo observes the writer last quoted ldquoa minimum population of 1480 to the square mile which is more than three times greater than that of any country in the known world It is probable that the original numbers have been lost and the loss supplied by a scribe who took 2 Chronicles 148 as his basis

ELLICOTT Verse 14 (14) And these their fathersmdashAnd this is their muster (or census) according to their father-houses (clans) 1 Chronicles 243 The warriors were marshalled in the army according to clans so that men of the same stock fought side by side with their kindred Perhaps in the original document this heading was followed by a much more detailed scheme of names and divisions than that which the text presents

Of JudahmdashTo Judah (belonged) captains of thousands viz the three enumerated in 2 Chronicles 1714-16 Adnah Jehohanan and Amasiah They were the principal officers or generals of the entire forces of Judah

Adnah the chiefmdashTo wit the captain Adnah That Adnah was commander-in-chief is implied by his being named first and his corps being the largest

PULPIT This verse with the following four gives us the names of five captains chiefs princes or military officers for the kingdoms service with the numbers of the troops they severally commanded The numbers of them (see note under 1 Chronicles 2311) Hebrew פקדתם The better English rendering to carry at once the signification would be The muster of them etc The captains hellip the chief In both cases the Hebrew is the familiar word for prince ( שר ) in the former without article in the latter with article The numbers of this and following four verses are not only absolutely unreliable but in themselves impossible According to the house of their fathers ie the quotation is drawn from an army catalogue arranged carefully by fathers houses (umbers 118 umbers 122 etc)

15 next Jehohanan the commander with 280000

GILL And next to him was Jehohanan the captain Being of the same rank as to office but having a lesser number of men under him and it may respect not any kind of subordination only nearness of place as the Targumhe that encamped next to him

and with him two hundred and fourscore thousand which number was but 20000 less than the former

POOLE ext to him either

1 After his death as his successor in the same command And the like is supposed concerning Jehozabad 2 Chronicles 1718 Or rather

2 ext to him in place and authority or at least in power and the numbers of his host

16 next Amasiah son of Zikri who volunteered himself for the service of the Lord with 200000

GILL And next him was Amasiah the son of Zichri He encamped next to him as the Targum

who willingly offered himself unto the Lord to fight the Lords battles and without any stipend as some think or as Kimchi he offered gold and silver to the treasures of the house of the Lord

and with him two hundred thousand mighty men of valour the number was 80000 less than the former the whole of Judah amounted to 780000 men

TRAPP 2 Chronicles 1716 And next him [was] Amasiah the son of Zichri who willingly offered himself unto the LORD and with him two hundred thousand mighty men of valour

Ver 16 Who willingly offered himself unto the Lord] He was a votary the vows of God were upon him and this made him the more valiant and resolute (a) in the exercise of arms for the service of God and the safety of his people The Spahis among the Turks are a sort of horsemen voluntaries and votaries to gain paradise by dying for the Mohammedan cause These are never known to return home but

with victory these are heavy upon the enemy For

ldquo Vincitur haud gratis iugulo qui provocat ensem rdquo

POOLE As volunteers and auxiliaries to be ready upon occasion as the service of God and the king should require Possibly these or most of them were the strangers which had come out of Israel into the kingdom of Judah in Asarsquos days and probably since that in his time

ELLICOTT (16) AmasiahmdashIah carrieth (Isaiah 4011) different from Amaziah (Iah is strong)

Who willingly offered himself unto the Lordmdash(Judges 52 Judges 59) An allusion to some noble act of self-devotion which was doubtless more fully recorded in the source from which the chronicler has drawn this brief account Such allusions though no longer intelligible are important as conducing to the proof of the historical value of the narratives in which they occur LXX ὁ προθυmicroούmicroενος τῷ κυρίῳ Vulg consecratus Domino

PULPIT Amaziah the son of Zichri This man is not titled at all The description of him as one who had willingly offered himself unto the Lord not elucidated by the context or any effective parallel will mark something honorable in his history Possibly he comes from an unexpected quarter and is a man of approved skill othing further is known of these three men Meantime it has been suggested (Professor Dr J Murphy of Belfast Handbook to Chronicles ) that the first of the three was for Judah proper the second for that contingent of Judah that hailed from Dan and the Philistines and the third for that of Simeon and the Arabs

MACLARE This is a scrap from the catalogue of Jehoshaphatrsquos lsquomighty men of valourrsquo and is Amasiahrsquos sole record We see him for a moment and hear his eulogium and then oblivion swallows him up We do not know what it was that he did to earn it But what a fate to live to all generations by that one sentence

I Cheerful self-surrender the secret of all religion

The words of our text contain a metaphor naturally drawn from the sacrificial system It comes so easily to us that we scarcely recognise the metaphorical element but the clear recognition of it gives great additional energy to the words Amasiah was both sacrificer and sacrifice His offering was self-immolation As in all love so in that noblest kind of it which clasps God its perfect expression is lsquoI give Thee my living loving selfrsquo Nor is it only sacrifice and sacrificer that are seen in deepest truth in the experience of the Christian life but the reality of the Temple is also there for lsquoYe also are built up a spiritual house to be a holy priesthood to offer up spiritual sacrificesrsquo Only when God dwells in us shall we have the nerve and the firmness of hand to take the knife and lsquoslay before the Lordrsquo the awful Guest in the sanctuary within the most precious of the children of our spirits

The essence of the sacrifice of self is the sacrifice of will In the Christian experience

lsquowillingly offeredrsquo is almost tautology for unwilling offerings are a contradiction and in fact there are no such things The quality of unwillingness destroys the character of the offering and robs it of all sacredness Reluctant Christianity is not Christianity That noun and that adjective can never be buckled together

The submission of will and the consequent surrender of myself and my powers opportunities and possessions so that I do all enjoy all use all and when need is endure all with glad thankful reference to God is only possible to me in the measure in which my will is made flexible by love and such will-subduing love comes only when we lsquoknow and believe the love that God hath to usrsquo There is the point at which not a few moral and religious teachers go wrong and bewilder themselves and their disciples There too is the point at which Christ and the Gospel of salvation through faith in Him stand forth as emancipating humanity from the dreary round of efforts and vain attempts to work up the condition needful for achieving the height of self-surrender which is seen to be indispensable to all true nobleness of living but is felt to be beyond the reach of the ordinary man There too is the point at which many good people mar their lives as Christians They waste their strength in trying to bring the jibbing horse up to the leap They try to blow up a fire of devotion and to make themselves priests to offer themselves but all the while the mutinous self recoils from the leap and the fire burns smokily and their sacrifice is laid on the altar with little joy because they have not been careful and wise enough to begin at the beginning and to follow Godrsquos way of melting their wills by love the reflection of the Infinite love of God to them Godrsquos priests offer themselves because they offer their wills they offer their wills because they love God they love God because they know that God loves them That is the divine order It is vain to try to accomplish the end by any other

II This willing offering hallows all life

No syllable is left to tell us what Amasiah did to win this praise Probably the words enshrine some now forgotten memory of his cheerful courage some heroic feat on an unrecorded battlefield Particulars are not given nor needed Specific actions are unimportant the spirit of a life can be told with very incomplete details and it not the details is the important thing Sometimes as in many modern biographies one lsquocannot see the wood for the treesrsquo and misses the main drift and aim of a life in the chaos of a bewildering mass of nothings How much more happy the lot of this man of whom we have only the generalised expression of the text unweighted and undisturbed by petty incidents It takes tons of rose leaves to make a tiny phial of otto of roses but the fragrance is far more pungent in a drop of the distillation than in armfuls of leaves Every life shrinks into very small compass and the centuries do not tolerate long biographies Shall we not seek to order our life so that Amasiahrsquos epitaph may serve for us It will be blessed if this-and nothing else-is known about us that we lsquowillingly offered ourselves to the Lordrsquo My friend will that be a true epitome of your life

III This willing offering is accepted by God

We may hear a mightier voice behind the chroniclerrsquo s and the judgment of the Judge of all pronounced by His lips It matters little what men say of one another but it matters everything what God says of us We are but too apt to forget that He is now saying something as to each of us and that we have not to wait for death to put a final period to our activities before our lives become fit subjects for Godrsquos judgment Moment by moment we are writing our own sentences But while it is good for us to remember the continuous judgment of God on each deed it is not good to let dark thoughts of the principles of that judgment paralyse our activity or chill our confidence in His forgiving and accepting mercy There is often a dark suspicion like that of the one-talented

servant which blackens Godrsquos fair fame as being lsquoan austere Manrsquo making demands rather than imparting power and the effect of such an ugly conception of Him is to cut the nerve of service and bury the talent carefully folded up it may be but none the less earning nothing lsquoIf we call on Him as Father who without respect of persons judgeth according to every manrsquos workrsquo let us be sure that it will be a Fatherly judgment that He will pass upon us and our offerings There is a wonderful collection on His altar of what many people would think rubbish just as many a mother has laid away among her treasures some worthless article which her child had once given her-a weed plucked by the roadside in a long past summer day some trifle of rare preciousness in the childrsquos eyes and of none in any others than her own She opens her drawer and brings out the poor little thing and her eyes fill and her heart fills as she looks And does not God keep His childrenrsquos gifts as lovingly and set them in places of honour in the day when He lsquomakes up His jewelsrsquo There are cups of cold water and widowsrsquo mites and much else that a supercilious world would call lsquotrashrsquo stored there Thank God He accepts imperfect service faltering faith partial consecration a little love Even our poor offering may be an lsquoodour of a sweet smellrsquo ministering fragrance that is a delight to Him if it is offered with the much incense of the great Sacrifice and through the mediation of the great High Priest

The world forgot Amasiah or never knew him an obscure soldier in an obscure kingdom but God did not forget and here is his epitaph and this is his memorial to all generations Menrsquos chronicles have no room for all the names that their wearers are eager to have inscribed on their crumbling and crowded pages lsquobut the Lambrsquos Book of Lifersquo has ample space on its radiant pages for all who desire to set their names there and if ours are there we need not envy the proudest whose titles and deeds fill the most conspicuous pages in the worldrsquos records lsquoThen shall every man have praise of Christrsquo and he who wins that guerdon needs nothing more and can have nothing more to swell his blessedness

17 From BenjaminEliada a valiant soldier with 200000 men armed with bows and shields

GILL And of Benjamin Eliada a mighty man of valour Was the chief commander

and with armed men with bow and shield two hundred thousand which were

the armour of the tribe of Benjamin they were best skilled in 2Ch_148

TRAPP 2 Chronicles 1717 And of Benjamin Eliada a mighty man of valour and with him armed men with bow and shield two hundred thousand

Ver 17 With bow and shield] The Benjamites were notable bowmen [1 Chronicles 122] The Engish were anciently so too

ELLICOTT (17) Armed men with bow and shieldmdashLiterally drawing bow and shield ie as the Targum explains ldquodrawing bow and grasping shieldsrdquo (Comp 1 Chronicles 122) LXX ldquoArchers and peltastsrdquo Vulg ldquoGrasping bow and shieldrdquo (Comp also 1 Chronicles 840 for the arms of the Benjaminites)

18 next Jehozabad with 180000 men armed for battle

GILL And next to him was Jehozabad According to the Targum he encamped next him

and with him one hundred and fourscore thousand ready prepared for war being able bodied men well disciplined valiant and well armed these numbers of Judah and Benjamin put together amount to 1160000 men whereas Asa only brought into the field 580000 but it should be considered there had been a long time of peace many had come off from the ten tribes to Judah and the promise of multiplying the seed of Abraham was eminently fulfilled

TRAPP 2 Chronicles 1718 And next him [was] Jehozabad and with him an hundred and fourscore thousand ready prepared for the war

Ver 18 A hundred and fourscore thousand] His militia was eleven hundred and threescore thousand besides what he had in garrisons [2 Chronicles 1719] So that as he was better he was stronger than his father Asa had been Piety hath prosperity

ELLICOTT (18) Ready prepared for the warmdashEquipped for service (See on 1

Chronicles 1223-24 umbers 315 umbers 3229) The hoplites or heavy-armed infantry are probably meant

PULPIT While Eliada of last verse was for Benjamin Professor Dr Murphy supposes that Jehozabad was for the annexed part of Ephraim But no suppositions of this kind can avail to explain the numbers in the text which is no doubt corrupt

19 These were the men who served the king besides those he stationed in the fortified cities throughout Judah

CLARKE These waited on the king - They were disposable forces always at the kingrsquos command and were independent of those by which the cities of Judah were garrisoned

There is not a sovereign in Europe or in the world but might read this chapter with advantage

1 It shows most forcibly that true religion is the basis of the state and that wherever it prospers there the state prospers

2 It shows also that it is the wisdom of kings to encourage religion with all their power and influence for if the hearts of the subjects be not bound and influenced by true religion vain is the application of laws fines imprisonments or corporal punishment of any kind

3 A religious nation is ever a great nation it is loved by its friends it is dreaded by its enemies

4 It is ever a peaceable and united nation the blessings of religion and a wholesome and paternal government are so fully felt and prized that all find it their interest to preserve and defend them Harmony peace piety and strength are the stability of such times May Britain know and value them

GILL These waited on the king Not this vast number of men at one time but in course as Davids military men waited on him 1Ch_271 or each of these captains with a proper number of men under them detached from the body and they were all ready to obey the kings orders whenever he should have occasion for them

besides those whom the king put into the fenced cities throughout Judah and all together the militia of the kingdom was very numerous and formidable

KampD 2Ch_1719

These were serving the king א6ה refers not to the above-mentioned men capable of

bearing arms for sheereet is not used of service in war but to the commanders whom he had placed in the fortified cities of all Judah ldquoin which probably bodies of the above-mentioned troops lay as garrisonsrdquo (Berth)

BESO 2 Chronicles 1719 These waited on the king mdash These above-mentioned were the trained bands or auxiliaries whose chief officers waited on the king to receive his commands and to raise and bring in all or part of their forces to the service of the king as need required A vast number for so small a compass of ground to furnish out and maintain But we may consider that God had promised to make the seed of Abraham like the sand of the sea for number that there had now been a long peace that many were come to them from the kingdom of Israel and that Jehoshaphat was under a special blessing of God They were doubtless dispersed all the country over every one residing on his own land only they were ready at call whenever there was occasion

TRAPP 2 Chronicles 1719 These waited on the king beside [those] whom the king put in the fenced cities throughout all Judah

Ver 19 These waited on the king] ie In their turns and by course

POOLE These above mentioned were the trained bands or auxiliaries whose chief officers waited upon the king to receive his commands and to raise and bring in all or part of their forces to the service of the king and kingdom as need required

ELLICOTT (19) These waited on the kingmdashRather these are they that ministered unto the king viz the five generals above named

Beside those whom the king put in the fenced citiesmdashie the commandants of the fortresses of the kingdom (2 Chronicles 1111 2 Chronicles 1123) These latter as well as the generals of the forces are called the kingrsquos ldquoministersrdquo (mĕshacircrĕthicircm)mdasha word which is not used of service in the field but implies their presence at court (ldquoin Jerusalemrdquo 2 Chronicles 1713 as the royal staff)

According to the above list the army of Jehoshaphat was organised in five grand divisions corresponding perhaps to five territorial divisions of the southern kingdom The totals are the largest assigned to the two tribes anywhere in the Old Testament viz Judah 780000 and Benjamin 380000 in all 1160000 At Davidrsquos census Judah had 500000 warriors (2 Samuel 249) and Israel 800000 Again in 2

Chronicles 148 Asarsquos army consists of 300000 men of Judah and 280000 Benjaminites clearly such an increase as our text indicates is unaccountable At the same time it is equally clear that the present numbers are not fortuitous results of clerical errors for they follow each other in the order of relative strength Judah 300000 280000 200000 Benjamin 200000 180000 and they are evidently not independent of the estimates of 2 Chronicles 148 above quoted

In the absence of adequate data for modifying these certainly startling figures it is well to bear in mind that we need not understand by them an army which ever actually mustered in the field or on parade but simply an estimate of the total male population liable to be called out for the national defence although even upon that understanding the total appears to be at least three times too great considering the small extent of the country

PULPIT These waited Hebrew המשרתים plur piel part of שרת The verse states that this enormous fivefold army with its five princes (counting in our corrupt text one million one hundred and sixty thousand) was the kings Jerusalem standing army while other separate regiments or bands of troops were spread through all Judah where they might be most needed for defence

Septuagint version leaves out the word David and so restrains it to his own father

and sought not unto Baalim as did Ahab king of Israel who now reigned there 1Ki_1524

JAMISO 3-5 he walked in the first ways of his father Davidmdash He imitated the piety of his great ancestor in the early part of his reign before he made those unhappy lapses which dishonored his character

and sought not unto Baalimmdash a term used for idols generally in contradistinction to the Lord God of his father

BESO 2 Chronicles 173-4 He walked in the first ways of his father David mdashHis ways before he fell so foully in the matter of Uriah which were good ways David indeed recovered from that fall but perhaps never while he lived fully retrieved the spiritual strength and comfort which he had lost Jehoshaphat followed David as far as he followed God and no farther St Paul himself thus limits our imitation of him 1 Corinthians 111 Follow me as I follow Christ and not otherwise The first ways of many pious people have been their best ways and their first love their strongest love which however ought not to be the case for the last ought to be more than the first Revelation 219 But in every copy we propose to write after as we ought to single out that only which is good so that chiefly which is best The original words here are literally rendered He walked in the ways of David his father הראשונים hareshonim those first or ancient ways He proposed to himself for his example the primitive times of the royal family those purest times before the corruptions of the late reigns came in See Jeremiah 616 The LXX leave out David and so refer this to Asa He walked in the first ways of his father Asa and did not imitate him in what was amiss in him toward the latter end of his time It is well to be cautious in following the best men lest we step aside after them And sought not unto Baalim mdash The neighbouring nations had their Baalim one had one Baal and another had another but he abhorred them all and had nothing to do with any of them He sought the Lord God of his father and him only prayed to him only and inquired of him only

TRAPP 2 Chronicles 173 And the LORD was with Jehoshaphat because he walked in the first ways of his father David and sought not unto Baalim

Ver 3 Because he walked in the first ways of his father David] Who during his trouble kept himself free from scandalous and reproachful practices innocent from the great transgression [Psalms 1913] David rectior fuit in servitio quam in regno saith Gregory

POOLE In the first ways which David walked in before he fell into those horrid sins of murder and adultery Or in the ways of David and his fatherrsquos first ways For the beginning of Asarsquos reign was laudable as we have seen though he declined at last For it seems more probable that this passage is a reflection upon Asa whose last ways were much his worst and of whose repentance we have no evidence than

upon David who though he fell dreadfully in the matter of Uriah yet did manifestly repent of it and return to his first and holy course of life in which also he continued until death having this character given him by the Holy Ghost after his death that he did right in all things saving that of Uriah 1 Kings 155

WHEDO 3 The first ways of his father David mdash The first or earlier ways of David are contrasted with his later ways ldquoin the matter of Uriahrdquo and his sin in numbering the people The Septuagint omits the word David and some have therefore thought it an interpolation and understand the earlier ways of Asa to be intended

ELLICOTT (3) He walked in the first waysmdashThe former or earlier ways of David as contrasted with his later conductmdasha tacit allusion to the adultery with Bathsheba and other sins of David committed in his later years (2 Samuel 11-24) A few MSS and the LXX omit David

And sought not unto BaalimmdashAnd sought not the Baals (dacircrash lĕ a late construction) The Baals were different local aspects of the sun-god Here the term no doubt includes the illegal worship of Jehovah under the form of a bullock as instituted by Jeroboam and practised in the northern kingdom (ldquothe doing of Israelrdquo 2 Chronicles 174) Syriac ldquoand prayed not to imagesrdquo

PARKER And the Lord was with Jehoshaphat because he walked in the first ways of his father David and sought not unto Baalim ( 2 Chronicles 173)

The Lord was not with Jehoshaphat because he strengthened himself against Israel nor because he placed forces in all the fenced cities of Judah and set garrisons in the land of Judah and in the streets of Ephraim ot one of these little triumphs is referred to as affording God a basis for the complaisant treatment of the new king As ever the Lords relation to Jehoshaphat was determined by Jehoshaphats own moral condition A very beautiful expression is thismdashhe walked in the first ways of his father David that is to say in the former or earlier ways of David as contrasted with Davids later conduct Some have found here a tacit allusion to Davids greatest sin which he committed when he was advanced in life A somewhat mournful thing it is that a mans first ways should be better than his last The other relation would seem to be the one which reason would approve and God would specially honour namely that a mans old age should be the ripest and best part of his conduct rich with Wisdom of Solomon strong with experience and chastened by many a pensive recollection Sad when you have to go back to a mans youth to find his virtues or his most conspicuous excellences but most beautiful when a mans earlier mistakes are lost in the richness and wisdom of his later conduct God keeps his attention fixed on all the parts of a mans life and he observes which of those parts is most esteemed by the mans own successors Happy is that father whose whole example is worthy of imitation yet more than human is he the whole of whose life is without stain or flaw Jehoshaphats conduct in this matter is the more notable because of the constant observation of mankind that it is easier to follow the evil than to imitate the good When imitation enters into a mans life he is prone to

copy that which is inferior and to leave without reproduction that which is lofty and disciplinary In this instance Jehoshaphat sets an example to the world His conduct too is represented negatively as well as positivelymdashand sought not unto Baalim The word Baalim is in the plural number and the literal reading might be Jehoshaphat sought not the Baals the Baals being different local aspects or phases of the sun-god It is to be specially noted that the term Baal includes an aspect even of Jehovah himself that is to say Israel had degenerated so far as to suppose that in worshipping Baal they were worshipping at least one phase of the true God We must not mix up our religion with our irreligion our prayers with our idolatry our heavenliness with our worldly-mindedness the whole arrangement must be clean and pure from one end to the other inasmuch as one taint may cause the whole process of our religious thought and service to become deteriorated and valueless It is often difficult to abandon a popular custom More people might be in favour of Jehoshaphat strengthening himself against Israel than in returning to the first ways of David and abandoning the altar of the Baals History and religion are always considered in their separate distribution There are politicians who would vote for a war who would on no account surrender a superstition On the other hand there are men who pride themselves on being free of the influence of superstition who would willingly enter into the most sanguinary wars for the extension of empire or the glory of some particular throne In Jehoshaphat we seem to come into contact with a complete character in other words a man who in every point was equally strong a man of foresight a man of reverence a man of an honest heart a man who felt that idolatry and true worship could not coexist in the same breast

ISBET lsquoThe Lord was with Jehoshaphatrsquo2 Chronicles 173It is instructive to notice what is said about Davidrsquos waysmdashit was his first ways that Jehoshaphat took for his pattern We should always be careful to adopt only the good things in others

I lsquoThe Lord stablished the kingdom in his handrsquo God loves to find a man He can trust a man into whose hand He can put holy interests and know that they will be sacredly cherishedmdashThe Lord established the kingdom in the hands of Jehoshaphat because Jehoshaphat was true to his trust In our Lordrsquos parable of The Talents we are taught that those who prove faithful to their trust receive other things also in trust while those who are unfaithful even in small things God will not intrust with larger things

II lsquoHis heart was lifted up in the ways of the Lordrsquo There is a bad lifting up and a good lifting up Some people are made vain and self-conceited by prosperitymdashThe temptation for young people when first called upon to do any work and accomplishing it with some measure of success is to become proud and to show their vanity by talking too much about themselves and what they have done Such lifting up not only dishonours God but hurts the person But Jehoshaphat was lifted up in the ways of the Lord Too often as money comes in and prosperity increases

people get so absorbed in these new gifts of God that the Giver Himself fades out of their vision If only we see the hand of God in every new mercy and goodness that comes to us our heart will be lifted up in the ways of the Lord

III lsquoThe fear of the Lord fell upon all the kingdoms hellip so that they made no war against Jehoshaphatrsquo The Lord is able to control even the diplomacy and the politics of nationsmdashWhen these kingdoms saw the blessing which Jehoshaphat was enjoying in his country they felt an awe in their heartsmdashthe fear of the Lord fell upon themmdashand they refrained from making war God will always find some way to defend His own people in the midst of dangers

PULPIT The first ways of his father David Although there would be no difficulty in reconciling this statement with history yet probably the name David should not stand here It is not in the Septuagint The most natural and sufficient reference is to Asa And sought not unto Ballim literally to the Baalim ie to the various false gods of surrounding peoples ( 211) Baal-berith ( 833 94 946) Baal-zebub (2 Kings 12) Baal-peor (umbers 2328 etc umbers 253) according to the places where the idolatrous worship was carried on (For the preposition ל to after sought in this and following verse see again 1 Chronicles 2219 )

4 but sought the God of his father and followed his commands rather than the practices of Israel

BARES The doings of Israel - i e the especially idolatrous doings of the time -the introduction and establishment of the worship of Baal and the groves

GILL But sought to the Lord God of his fathers Prayed to him worshipped and served him

and walked in his commandments observed and kept them moral ceremonial and judicial

and not after the doings of Israel who worshipped the golden calves at Dan and Bethel

JAMISO and not after the doings of Israelmdash He observed with scrupulous fidelity and employed his royal influence to support the divine institutions as enacted by Moses abhorring that spurious and unlawful calf-worship that now formed the established religion in Israel Being thus far removed alike from gross idolatry and Israelitish apostasy and adhering zealously to the requirements of the divine law the blessing of God rested on his government Ruling in the fear of God and for the good of his subjects ldquothe Lord established the kingdom in his handrdquo

COFFMA So far so good Jehoshaphat like some others of the kings of Judah began very well receiving as their reward the blessing of the Lord and the prosperity of the people but his alliance with Ahab (described in 2 Chronicles 18) would cast a dark shadow over what is written here

(He) walked not after the doings of Israel (2 Chronicles 174) The contempt in which the author of Chronicles held the orthern Israel appears in a clause like this The outstanding feature of Chronicles is the omission wherever possible of practically the entire history of their kings This reminds us of the Book of umbers in which the whole history of the apostate Israel records only a few events for the whole period Why It was because of the fact that what any nation does after they have rejected God is of minor importance

With the apostasy of the orthern Israel and their rejection of Gods choice of the house of David the history of the redemption of mankind dramatically shifted to what happened in Jerusalem

TRAPP 2 Chronicles 174 But sought to the [LORD] God of his father and walked in his commandments and not after the doings of Israel

Ver 4 And not after the doings of Israel] Who in his days did evil as they could under that nonsuch Ahab But Jehoshaphat was not corrupted with their ill neighbourhood

PARKER But sought to the Lord God of his father and walked in his commandments and not after the doings of Israel ( 2 Chronicles 174)

We must be prepared for singularity if we are genuinely prepared to be good Let a man settle it with himself in prayerful solitude whether he means to walk with God or to identify himself with the spirit and customs of his age Jehoshaphat laid down a clear programme for himself and followed it out with patient and faithful industry The Lord God of his father was not a mere term in a crowd it was the object of daily search and quest Jehoshaphat inquired for him and operated constantly upon the doctrine Ask and it shall be given you knock and it shall be opened unto you or was Jehoshaphats religion merely speculative that is to say an intellectual quest after an intellectual God whatever was speculative in the mind and service of Jehoshaphat was sustained and ennobled by a solid moral element

forasmuch as Jehoshaphat walked in Gods commandmentsmdashhe read the decalogue he studied Gods word he would take no action personal regal or social that was not first examined and approved in the light of the divine statutes All this might have been comparatively easy if Jehoshaphat had started at an independent point but at such a point no man can start for he must take up the age as he finds it and must first disembarrass himself from all the stipulations and claims of custom usage and popular superstition Jehoshaphat sought not after the doings of Israel he set himself up in this respect against the kingdom he was not afraid of peculiarity in a word Jehoshaphats religion was characteristic that is to say it had lines points and colours of its own about which there could be no reasonable mistake What is our religion Do we intellectually assent to the existence and sovereignty of one God and then degenerate into self-worship Do we admit that there must be an ultimate morality a philosophy of conduct founded upon eternal metaphysics and then do we measure our own behaviour by the canon of custom These are questions that search the heart and no man can answer them for his brother

What became of all this noble conduct arising out of this high religious conception We shall see in the following versemdash

PULPIT After the doings of Israel This expression probably marks the doings of the northern kingdom as both the more typical throughout its whole history of the wrong and also as the systematic beginning by a law of idolatrous worship and images in the matter of the calves and so on

5 The Lord established the kingdom under his control and all Judah brought gifts to Jehoshaphat so that he had great wealth and honor

BARES Presents - i e ldquofree-will offeringsrdquo in addition to the regular taxes See 1Sa_1027

GILL Therefore the Lord stablished the kingdom in his hand Piety is the

best prop of government the throne is best supported and established by truth righteousness and mercy by the exercise of these Jehoshaphat was settled in his kingdom and had a place in the hearts of his people

and all Judah brought to Jehoshaphat presents being well affected to him as well as it was usual so to do at a princes accession to the throne see 1Sa_1027

and he had riches and honour in abundance through the presents his subjects brought him and the respect they showed him

JAMISO all Judah brought presentsmdash This was customary with the people generally at the beginning of a reign (1Sa_1027) and with the nobles and high functionaries yearly afterwards They were given in the form of voluntary offerings to avoid the odious idea of a tax or tribute

KampD Therefore Jahve established the kingdom in his hand ie under his rule cf

2Ki_145 All Judah brought him presents מנחה often used of tribute of subject peoples

eg in 2Ch_1711 of the Philistines cannot here have that signification nor can it denote

the regular imposts of subjects for these are not called מנחה but must denote voluntary

gifts which his subjects brought him as a token of their reverence and love The last clause ldquoand there was to him (he attained) riches and honour in abundancerdquo which is repeated 2Ch_181 recalls 1Ch_2928 2Ch_112 and signifies that Jehoshaphat like his ancestors David and Solomon was blessed for walking in the pious ways of these his forefathers

BESO 2 Chronicles 175-6 Therefore the Lord established the kingdom in his hand mdash Those stand firm that have the presence of God with them If the beauty of the Lord our God be upon us that will stablish the work of our hands and establish us in our integrity And all Judah brought to Jehoshaphat presents mdash As subjects in those times and places used to do to their kings in token of their respect and subjection to them The more there is of true religion among a people the more conscientious loyalty there will be A governor that answers the end of government will be supported And he had riches and honour in abundance mdash The effect of the favour both of God and his people It is undoubtedly true though few will believe it that religion and piety are the best friends to outward prosperity And his heart was lift up in the ways of the Lord mdash Riches and honour in abundance prove to many a clog and a hinderance in the ways of the Lord an occasion of pride security and sensuality but they had a quite contrary effect upon Jehoshaphat his abundance was oil to the wheels of his obedience and the more he had of the wealth of this world the more cheerfully and resolutely he went on in the ways of the Lord His heart also was lifted up above all discouragements difficulties and fears by which menrsquos hearts are wont to be cast down He was valiant and resolute for God and his ways He took away the high places and groves mdash That is those in which idols were worshipped for those that were dedicated to the true God only were not taken away chap 2 Chronicles 2033 And though Asa had done the same before yet

either he did not do it thoroughly or the people who were mad upon their idols had secretly made new ones in the latter part of his reign when he grew more infirm in body and more remiss in Godrsquos cause

TRAPP 2 Chronicles 175 Therefore the LORD stablished the kingdom in his hand and all Judah brought to Jehoshaphat presents and he had riches and honour in abundance

Ver 5 And he had riches and honour in abundance] Herein he came near unto Solomon in his greatest flourish

ELLICOTT (5) ThereforemdashAnd (so ldquoalsordquo ldquoso thatrdquo in 2 Chronicles 177 2 Chronicles 1710)

The Lord stablished the kingdom in his handmdashComp 2 Kings 145

PresentsmdashMinchah This word often means tributary offerings as in 2 Chronicles 1711 but here it obviously denotes the voluntary gifts of loyal subjects usual at the beginning of a reign (1 Samuel 1027)

And he had (or got) riches and honour in abundancemdashLike David and Solomon (1 Chronicles 2928 2 Chronicles 112)

PARKER 5-9 5 Therefore the Lord stablished the kingdom in his hand [comp 2 Kings 145] and all Judah brought to Jehoshaphat presents [this word often means tributary offerings but here it denotes the voluntary gifts of loyal subjects] and he had riches and honour in abundance

6 And his heart was lifted up [usually the phrase has a bad meaning (as in Deuteronomy 814 2 Chronicles 2616 Psalm 1311 etc) but it is evident that it must be taken differently here The marginal reading is right his courage rose high or he grew bold] in the ways of the Lord moreover he took away the high places and groves out of Judah

7 Also in the third year of his reign he sent to his princes [rather he sent his princes] even to Ben-hail and to Obadiah and to Zechariah and to ethaneel and to Michaiah to teach in the cities of Judah

8 And with them he sent [rather were the] Levites even Shemaiah and ethaniah and Zebadiah and Asahel and Shemiramoth and Jehonathan and Adonijah and Tobijah and Tobadonijah Levites and with them Elishama and Jehoram priests

9 And they taught in Judah and had the book of the law of the Lord [the Pentateuchmdashnearly if not quite in the shape in which we now have it] with them and went about throughout all the cities of Judah and taught [among] the people

PARKER Therefore the Lord stablished the kingdom in his hand and all Judah brought to Jehoshaphat presents and he had riches and honour in abundance ( 2 Chronicles 175)

Whatever was doubtful about the ascent of Jehoshaphat to the throne was removed and the king was enabled to realise his power when he closed his hand upon the royal sceptre he found that he was not grasping a shadow but a reality There are times when men become fully conscious of their influence and of their proper social position happy are they if in this consciousness they detect a prevailingly religious element which constrains them to acknowledge that honour and wealth power and dignity are the gifts of God Is not this an anticipation of the Saviours great doctrinemdashSeek ye first the kingdom of God and his righteousness and all these things shall be added unto you Jehoshaphat did not seek riches and honour he sought to the Lord God of his father and walked in the divine commandments and as a result he enjoyed all that kings delight in as indicating strength and pomp renown and influence

GUZIK 2 (2 Chronicles 175-6) The blessing upon his reign

Therefore the LORD established the kingdom in his hand and all Judah gave presents to Jehoshaphat and he had riches and honor in abundance And his heart took delight in the ways of the LORD moreover he removed the high places and wooden images from Judah

a Therefore the LORD established the kingdom in his hand This was no small accomplishment In those days kings and kingdoms were fragile and under constant threat Yet if the descendants of David would seek God first He promised to take care of their security ndash and God makes the same promise to His people today (Matthew 633)

b All Judah gave presents to Jehoshaphat and he had riches and honor in abundance Because Jehoshaphat trusted God God lifted him up and exalted him as a king As his heart took delight in the ways of the LORD the LORD gave him the desires of his heart (Psalms 374)

c Moreover he removed the high places and wooden images from Judah 1 Kings 2243 says that Jehoshaphat did not remove the high places Adam Clarke explains ldquoIn 2 Chronicles 176 it is expressly said that he did take way the high places Allowing that the text is right in 2 Chronicles the two places may be easily recognized There were two kinds of high places in the land 1 Those used for idolatrous purposes 2 Those that were consecrated to God and were used before the temple was built The former he did take away the latter he did notrdquo

i ldquoThey may also witness to the deep hold of the Canaanite and syncretic forms of religion on ordinary Israelites Popular views and practices are often quite different from pronouncements by religious authoritiesrdquo (Selman)

PULPIT All Judah brought presents to Jehoshaphat These presents were of course voluntary gifts though like not a few others custom may have taken off from them something of the bloom of spontaneousness (1 Samuel 1027 2 Samuel 82 1 Kings 421 1 Kings 1025 Psalms 7210)

6 His heart was devoted to the ways of the Lord furthermore he removed the high places and the Asherah poles from Judah

BARES His heart was lifted up - This expression generally occurs in a bad sense Deu_814 2Ch_2616 Psa_1311 Pro_1812 but here it must be taken differently The margin ldquowas encouragedrdquo expresses fairly the true meaning He first began by setting an example of faithfulness to Yahweh He then proceeded to use his best endeavors to extirpate idolatry

He took away the high places - Compare 2Ch_2033 and see the 2Ch_1517 note

GILL And his heart was lifted up in the ways of the Lord It was engaged in them was bent and set upon them he walked in them with great pleasure and cheerfulness being inspired with zeal and courage he was fearless and intrepid and regarded not any opposition he might have or expect to have in the work of reformation in which he was concerned

moreover he took away the high places such as were dedicated to idols but not those in which the true God was worshipped 2Ch_2033

and groves out of Judah where idols were placed for though these had been removed by Asa yet had been renewed in the latter part of his days when more negligent of religion

HERY 2 He was a despised man (Job_176) ldquoHerdquo (that is Eliphaz so some or rather God whom he all along acknowledges to be the author of his calamities) ldquohas made me a byword of the people the talk of the country a laughing-stock to many a gazing-stock to all and aforetime (or to mens faces publicly) I was as a tabret that whoever chose might play uponrdquo They made ballads of him his name became a proverb it is so still As poor as Job ldquoHe has now made me a bywordrdquo a reproach of men whereas aforetime in my prosperity I was as a tabret deliciae humani generis -

the darling of the human race whom they were all pleased with It is common for those who were honoured in their wealth to be despised in their poverty

JAMISO his heart was lifted up in the ways of the Lordmdash Full of faith and piety he possessed zeal and courage to undertake the reformation of manners to suppress all the works and objects of idolatry (see on 2Ch_2033) and he held out public encouragement to the pure worship of God

KampD This blessing encouraged Jehoshaphat to extirpate from the land all

idolatrous worship and to teach the people the law of the Lord לב usually sensu ב

malo to be haughty proud cf eg 2Ch_2616 2Ch_3225 here sensu bono of rising

courage to advance in ways pleasing to God and he removed the high places also etc עודpoints back to 2Ch_173 not only did he himself keep far from the Baals but he

removed besides all memorials of the Baal-worship from Judah On מות and אשרים see

on 2Ch_142

COKE 2 Chronicles 176 And his heart was lifted upmdash And when he had elevated his mind in following the commandments of God he took yet from Judah high places and groves ie he destroyed yet other monuments of idolatry which had escaped the diligence of his father Asa though he took not away those high places and altars which had been erected in Jerusalem for the true God See 1 Kings 2243 and ch 1 Kings 2033 of this book

TRAPP 2 Chronicles 176 And his heart was lifted up in the ways of the LORD moreover he took away the high places and groves out of Judah

Ver 6 And his heart was lifted up] ot with pride as 2 Chronicles 3225 but with undaunted courage and disengaged zeal such as made him come off roundly and readily in the ensuing reformation he was more forward and forth putting than his father Asa not slothful in business but fervent in spirit serving the Lord

POOLE His heart was lifted up above all discouragements and difficulties and fears by which menrsquos hearts use to be cast down he was valiant and resolute for God and his ways

He took away the high places and groves to wit such only wherein idols were worshipped as appears by comparing this with 2 Chronicles 2033 And though Asa had done this before yet either he did not do it thoroughly or the Jews (who were many of them mad upon their idols) had secretly made new ones in the latter part of his reign when he grew more infirm in body and more remiss in Godrsquos cause

WHEDO 6 His heart was lifted up mdash That is exalted with holy faith and courage

Took away the high places mdash Yet in spite of all his efforts and successes in this matter the people had become so addicted to these practices that their destruction was not thoroughly secured See note on 2 Chronicles 143 and compare 2 Chronicles 2033

ELLICOTT (6) And his heart was lifted upmdashGabhah lccedilbh which usually like the phrase of Authorised version has a bad meaning as in 2 Chronicles 2616 The margin is right here ldquohis courage rose highrdquo or ldquohe grew boldrdquo in the ways of Jehovah ie in the path of religious reform Vulg ldquocum sumpsisset cor ejus audaciam propter vias Dominirdquo

MoreovermdashAnd again further Referring to 2 Chronicles 173 ot only did he not seek the Baals but more than this he removed the high places ampc [This is the common explanation But the sense may rather be ldquoAnd he again removedrdquo referring back to Asarsquos reforms 2 Chronicles 145]

GrovesmdashrsquoAshecircrim ldquoAsherahsrdquo (2 Chronicles 143)

PARKER And his heart was lifted up in the ways of the Lord moreover he took away the high places and groves out of Judah ( 2 Chronicles 176)

The expression his heart was lifted up is an awkward one The lifting up of the heart signifies increase of pride a sensation of vanity a desire to gratify personal ambition and to make an idol of his will In this instance the marginal reading is to be preferredmdashwas encouraged or otherwise his courage rose high and again it has been rendered Jehoshaphat grew bold that is to say he was not a timid reformer or a timid worshipper a trimmer or a time-server in any sense he was a heroic worshipper of the living God when he saw that reform was necessary he went forward with a steady step and an energetic hand We should call Jehoshaphat a man of conviction and a man who had the courage of his convictions altogether this is the outline of a noble personage a born king a man who has a right to the purple and the sceptre When such men ascend thrones nations should be glad and rejoice with a great joy for their character is grander than their office and their spirit is the best guarantee of the elevation and utility of their regal policy Becoming conscious of his power knowing that his kingdom was established from on high Jehoshaphat not only did pot seek the Baals himself but he took away the high places and groves out of Judah Jehoshaphat was not content with a merely personal religion he could not convert the hearts of his people but he could destroy all the symbols of unholy worship Men are only required to do that which lies within their power A proprietor may not be able to make people sober but he can forbid the introduction of temptations to drunkenness a parent may not be able to subdue the spirit of pride but he can in many instances limit the means of gratifying it There are reforms which are open to us all in personal custom in social habit it may be even in imperial ways let each Jehoshaphat seize his opportunity and magnify it

All this would have been comparatively in vain but for another step which

Jehoshaphat took In the third year of his reign he sent to his princesmdashthat is to say he sent his princesmdashand he sent Levites all of whose names are given and he sent also two priests Elishama and Jehoram and their business was purely educational

PULPIT And his heart was lifted up in the ways of the Lord Although the verb often carries a bad sense with it it quite as often carries with it a good one in the גבהOld Testament and the typical instance of the former (Psalms 1311) is fully counterbalanced by Isaiah 5213 The marginal was enencouraged may be superseded with advantage by took courage (Isaiah 4029-31) The groves Supersede this incorrect rendering by the Asherim and upon the seeming discrepancy see again Isaiah 151-9 17 and Introduction to Chronicles there quoted

7 In the third year of his reign he sent his officials Ben-Hail Obadiah Zechariah ethanel and Micaiah to teach in the towns of Judah

BARES The princes were not sent as teachers themselves but had the duty committed to them of seeing that the people were taught The actual teachers were the priests and Levites of 2Ch_178

CLARKE 7-9 To teach in the cities of Judah - ldquoTo teach the fear of the Lord in the cities of Judahrdquo - Targum

In these verses we find a remarkable account of an itinerant ministry established by Jehoshaphat and in this work he employed three classes of men

1 The princes

2 The Levites

3 The priests

We may presume that the princes instructed the people in the nature of the civil law and constitution of the kingdom the Levites instructed them in every thing that appertained to the temple service and ritual law and the priests instructed them in the

nature and design of the religion they professed Thus the nation became thoroughly instructed in their duty to God to the king and to each other They became therefore as one man and against a people thus united on such principles no enemy could be successful

GILL Also in the third year of his reign he sent to his princes That dwelt in the several parts of the kingdom or he sent them being with him some of the

principal men of his court for ל may be a sign of the accusative case as it sometimes is

even to Benhail and to Obadiah and to Zechariah and to Nethaneel and to Michaiah to teach in the cities of Judah to see that they were taught and oblige them to attend to the instructions that should be given them and not mutiny and rebel against their teachers and to let them know what was the kings pleasure on this head and to back with their authority the priests and Levites whose proper work it was to instruct and who therefore were sent with them as follows

JAMISO 7-11 2Ch_177-11 He sends Levites to teach in Judah

Also in the third year of his reign he sent to his princes to teach in the cities of Judahmdash The ordinary work of teaching devolved on the priests But extraordinary commissioners were appointed probably to ascertain whether the work had been done or neglected This deputation of five princes assisted by two priests and nine Levites was to make a circuit of the towns in Judah It is the first practical measure we read of as being adopted by any of the kings for the religious instruction of the people Time and unbroken opportunities were afforded for carrying out fully this excellent plan of home education for the kingdom enjoyed internal tranquillity as well as freedom for foreign wars It is conformable to the pious style of the sacred historian to trace this profound peace to the ldquofear of the Lord having fallen on all kingdoms of the lands that were round about Judahrdquo

BESO 2 Chronicles 177 He sent to his princes mdash to teach in the cities of Judah mdash To inform the people of their duty and of the kingrsquos pleasure As judges teach or instruct the people in the laws of the land when they deliver their charges upon the bench so did these princes in the kingrsquos name admonish and require the people to observe and obey the laws of God which were the municipal laws of that land the particular explication and enforcement whereof they left to the Levites and priests here following who were sent for this end and accordingly taught the people 2 Chronicles 179

COFFMA Because of the clause which we have capitalized this is one of the most important passages in Chronicles Right here is the reason radical critics have extended themselves so unreasonably in their efforts to discredit Chronicles Here is dependable historical proof of the continued existence of the Torah from the days of Moses throughout the history of Israel As Keil stated it The book of the law of Jehovah is the Pentateuch not merely a collection of Mosaic laws since in Jehoshaphats time the Mosaic Book of the Law (the Pentateuch) had been long in existence[1] We shall not take the space to repeat the vociferous denials of critics

except to cite one knee-jerk remark that characterizes all of them Such action was not taken in Jehoshaphats time[2] What is the basis of such a blatant denial of what Gods Word states as a fact even giving the very names of the royal princes who did the teaching THERE IS OE o matter what unbelievers say this chapter IS the historical record of what happened in the reign of Jehoshaphat and those who live two and one half millenniums afterward have nothing of value by which they may challenge it Then why do men deny it The false theories they have invented are here contradicted forcing them either to give up their false theories or to deny the Sacred Scriptures that contradict them

COKE 2 Chronicles 177 He sent to his princes even to Ben-hail ampcmdash He sent of his princes Ben-hail Obadiah ampc The proper business of these princes in their circuit round the kingdom says Bishop Patrick was to admonish and require the people to observe the laws of God and to leave the particular explication and enforcement of them to those of the sacred order who went with them supporting them in the execution of their office and obliging the people to receive them with respect to hear them with attention and to practise what they taught

TRAPP 2 Chronicles 177 Also in the third year of his reign he sent to his princes [even] to Benhail and to Obadiah and to Zechariah and to ethaneel and to Michaiah to teach in the cities of Judah

Ver 7 He sent to his princes to teach in the cities of Judah] Teaching princes there are not many such as were David Solomon George prince of Anhalt ampc but these were sent with the teaching Levites to countenance and bear them out in this visitation general and perhaps to punish the opposite and obstinate if any such Junius readeth the text thus He sent with his princes these Levites for the teaching Or the princes taught the people the law of the land the priests and Levites the law of God both did mutually help one another So a Danish king of this land made a law that at the general court of every shire the bishop of the diocese should accompany the sheriff that the one might countenance Godrsquos law the other manrsquos (a) Queen Elizabeth once in her progress through Suffolk observing that the justices of that county who came to meet her had every man his minister next to his body said she wondered not that that county was so well governed where she saw that the word and sword went so lovingly together (b)

POOLE To teach in the cities of Judah to inform the people of their duty and of the kingrsquos pleasure As judges or justices of peace teach or instruct the people in the laws of the land when they deliver their charges upon the bench so did these princes in the kingrsquos name admonish and require the people to observe and obey the laws of God which were the prinicipal laws of that land the particular explication and enforcement whereof they left to the Levites and priests here following who were sent for this end and accordingly taught the people 2 Chronicles 179

WHEDO 7 He sent to his princeshellip to teach mdash He committed the matter of

teaching to their oversight and care and the teaching was done by the Levites and priests as stated in the next verse He did well to put down idolatry but he was wise enough to know that unless the people were instructed they would soon apostatize again

ELLICOTT THE COMMISSIOERS OF PUBLIC ISTRUCTIO I THE LAW

(7) He sent to his princes even to Ben-hail to MichaiahmdashRather He sent his princes Ben- hail and Obadiah and Michaiah (The le ldquotordquo in the chroniclerrsquos idiom marking the object of the verb) If however Authorised Version were correct the construction would not be unique as the Speakerrsquos Com mentary asserts (Comp 2 Kings 57 ldquothis man sendeth to me to recover a manrdquo ampc)

Princesmdashone of the personages mentioned in this and the following verse are otherwise known The ldquofive princesrdquo were laymen of rank and were accompanied by nine (eight) Levites and two priests

Ben-hailmdashSon of valour A compound proper name only occurring here but analogous to Ben-hur Ben-deker and Ben-hesed in 1 Kings 48-10 (The LXX renders ldquothe sons of the mightyrdquo Syriac ldquothe chiefs of the forcesrdquo apparently reading bnecirc chail)

ethaneelmdashSyriac Mattanael Arabic Mattaniah Michaiah Syriac and Arabic Malachiah

GUZIK B The strength of Jehoshaphatrsquos kingdom

1 (2 Chronicles 177-10) The spiritual strength of the kingdom Jehoshaphat brings the Word of God to the people

Also in the third year of his reign he sent his leaders Ben-Hail Obadiah Zechariah ethanel and Michaiah to teach in the cities of Judah And with them he sent Levites Shemaiah ethaniah Zebadiah Asahel Shemiramoth Jehonathan Adonijah Tobijah and Tobadonijah the Levites and with them Elishama and Jehoram the priests So they taught in Judah and had the Book of the Law of the LORD with them they went throughout all the cities of Judah and taught the people And the fear of the LORD fell on all the kingdoms of the lands that were around Judah so that they did not make war against Jehoshaphat

a To teach in the cities of Judah These ldquoteaching priestsrdquo have been mentioned by the Chronicler before (2 Chronicles 153) They had the important role of bringing the word of God to the people especially those who lived outside of Jerusalem

b They taught in Judah and had the Book of the Law of the LORD with them they went throughout all the cities of Judah and taught the people This was the wisest

and best policy a security-conscious king of Judah could promote Because Jehoshaphat sought God first God sent fear upon the neighboring kingdoms so that they did not make war against Jehoshaphat

i ldquoBy this little band of princes Levites and priests sixteen in all Jehoshaphat did more toward impressing the surrounding nations with a sense of his power than the largest and best-equipped standing army could have secured to himrdquo (Knapp)

ii ldquoThe method adopted was what in these modern times we might describe as the holding of Special Missions throughout the cities of Judah for the specific purpose of proclaiming and interpreting lsquothe book of the law of Jehovahrsquordquo (Morgan)

iii ldquoo better service can be rendered to the nation than that of proclaiming the Word of Jehovah to the people in cities towns villages and hamlets By such proclamation the heart of the people may be turned to Jehovah and so He be enabled to do for them all that is in His heartrdquo (Morgan)

iv ldquoThus the nation became thoroughly instructed in their duty to God to the king and to each other They became therefore as one man and against a people thus united on such principles no enemy could be successfulrdquo (Clarke)

v Clarke observed how a similar itinerant ministry in the days of John Wesley and his followers impacted Britain ldquoSuch an itinerant ministry established in these kingdoms for upwards of fourscore years teaching the pure unadulterated doctrines of the Gospel with the propriety and necessity of obedience to the laws has been the principle means in the hand of God of preserving the lands from those convulsions and revolutions that have ruined and nearly dissolved the European continentrdquo

vi ldquoIt is said (2 Chronicles 172) Jehoshaphat place forces in all the fenced cities yet it is not said thereupon that lsquothe fear of the Lord fell upon the neighbour nationsrsquo But when he had established a preaching ministry in all the cities then his enemies had a fear and made no warrdquo (Trapp)

PULPIT He sent Hebrew שלח The Hebrew text distinctly says he sent to his princes not he sent his princes The meaning ismdashhe sent orders to his princes to see to it that Judah was taught (2 Chronicles 179) the book of the Law of the Lord (Le 2 Chronicles 1011 Deuteronomy 49 Deuteronomy 1718) not indeed without their own personal aid in whatever way able to be given but systematically and with authority by the Levites and priests (Deuteronomy 3310) This deeper fathoming of the needs of the time and of what constituted its real safety was greatly to the spiritual credit of Jehoshaphat The references (2 Chronicles 153 2 Chronicles 352-4 2 Chronicles 3510-12) are full of point one of these princes or Levites and priests are elsewhere mentioned by name

8 With them were certain LevitesmdashShemaiah ethaniah Zebadiah Asahel Shemiramoth Jehonathan Adonijah Tobijah and Tob-Adonijahmdashand the priests Elishama and Jehoram

GILL 2 Chronicles 178And with them he sent Levites With the five princes he sent nine Levites

even Shemaiah and Nethaniah and Zebadiah and Asahel and Shemiramoth and Jehonathan and Adonijah and Tobijah and Tobadonijah Levites of whom we nowhere else read no doubt they were principal persons and fit for the work they were sent about

and with them Elishama and Jehoram priests whose lips were to keep knowledge and at whose mouth the law was to be sought Mal_27

ELLICOTT (8) And with them he sent LevitesmdashRather And with them were the Levites The construction being changed So LXX and the Syriac (Comp 1 Chronicles 1641-42 1 Chronicles 1518 for the same mode of enumeration which is characteristic of the style of the chronicler

ZebadiahmdashSome MSS and Syriac and Arabic read Zechariah

ShemiramothmdashSo LXX and Vulg (see 1 Chronicles 165 1 Chronicles 1518) The Heb text is probably incorrect Syriac and Arabic read instead atucircra

Tob-adonijahmdashThis curious name occurs only here and is perhaps a mere mistake arising out of the preceding Adonijah and Tobijah The Syriac and Arabic omit it

PriestsmdashThe priests

The commission was a mixed one of civil and ecclesiastical persons (comp 1 Chronicles 131-2 1 Chronicles 232 1 Chronicles 246)

And had the book of the law of the LordmdashAnd with them was the book of the law (teaching) of Jehovah For the construction compare 1 Chronicles 1642 The writer

evidently means the Pentateuch and if this notice was derived by him from a contemporary source eg the ldquowords of Jehu the son of Hananirdquo to which he refers as an authority for the reign (2 Chronicles 2034) it would constitute an important testimony to the existence if not of the five books at least of an ancient collection of laws at this early date (circ 850 BC )

And taught the peoplemdashTaught among the people

9 They taught throughout Judah taking with them the Book of the Law of the Lord they went around to all the towns of Judah and taught the people

BARES There is no reasonable doubt that this ldquobook of the lawrdquo was the Pentateuch - nearly if not quite in the shape in which we now have it Copies of the whole Law were no doubt scarce and therefore Jehoshaphatrsquos commission took care to carry a copy with them

CLARKE Had the book of the law of the Lord with them - This was their text book it was the book of God they taught it as such and as such the people received it Its laws were Godrsquos laws and the people felt their obligation and their consciences were bound Thus they were obedient to the laws of the land on the principle of religion In this they were encouraged and confirmed by the example of all both in Church and state The princes were not only pious but were teachers of piety the Levites showed them the worth and excellence of their ritual institutions and the priests showed them the moral use they were to make of the whole and thus the people became obedient to God as well as to the king and kept all the civil ordinances not merely for the sake of a good king but for the sake of a good and gracious God By these means the nation enjoyed peace and prosperity and all insurrections seditions and popular commotions were prevented The surrounding nations perceiving this saw that there was no hope of subduing such a people so they made no war with Jehoshaphat 2Ch_1710 And they took care not to provoke such a people to fall on them therefore it is said The fear of the Lord fell on all the kingdoms and lands that were round about Judah Such an itinerant ministry established in these kingdoms for upwards of fourscore years

teaching the pure unadulterated doctrines of the Gospel with the propriety and necessity of obedience to the laws has been the principal means in the hand of God of preserving these lands from those convulsions and revolutions that have ruined and nearly dissolved the European continent The itinerant ministry to which this refers is that which was established in these lands by the late truly reverend highly learned and cultivated deeply pious and loyal John Wesley AM formerly a fellow of Lincoln College Oxford whose followers are known by the name of Methodists a people who are an honor to their country and a blessing to the government under which they live

GILL And they taught in Judah The people their duty to God and man

and had the book of the law of the Lord with them as the rule of their instruction and the peoples obedience out of this they taught them and by it confirmed what they taught and enforced it with the divine authority

and went about throughout all the cities of Judah not only their own cities the Levitical ones but all others

and taught the people the law of the Lord the fear and worship of God

JAMISO the book of the lawmdash that is either the whole Pentateuch or only the book of Deuteronomy which contains an abridgment of it

BESO 2 Chronicles 179 And they taught in Judah ampc mdash The Levites and priests were teachers by office Deuteronomy 3310 It was a part of the work for which they had their maintenance and indeed had little else to do But it seems they had neglected it pretending probably that they could not get the people to hear them Jehoshaphat therefore sends them with the princes who by their authority might require the people to assemble together to receive instruction in the laws of God and their duty ldquoWhat a great deal of goodrdquo says Henry ldquomay be done when Moses and Aaron thus go hand in hand in the doing of it when princes with their power and priests and Levites with their Scripture-learning agree to teach the people the good knowledge of God and their duty These itinerant judges and itinerant preachers together were instrumental to diffuse a blessed light throughout the cities of Judahrdquo And had the book of the law of the Lord with them mdash 1st For their own guidance that from thence they might draw all the instructions they gave to the people and not teach for doctrines the commandments of men 2d For the conviction or the people that they might see these priests and Levites had a divine warrant for what they said and delivered to them only that which they had received from the Lord

TRAPP 2 Chronicles 179 And they taught in Judah and [had] the book of the law of the LORD with them and went about throughout all the cities of Judah and taught the people

Ver 9 And had the book of the law of the Lord with them] They taught not

traditions human inventions or unwritten verities All their doctrines came cum privilegio and were Scripture proof

WHEDO 9 The book of the law mdash Our Pentateuch in substantially its present form ldquoCopies of the whole law were no doubt scarce and therefore Jehoshaphatrsquos commission took care to carry a copy with themrdquo mdash Rawlinson

PARKER And they taught in Judah and had the book of the law of the Lord with them and went about throughout all the cities of Judah and taught the people ( 2 Chronicles 179)

This was a mixed commission partly civil partly ecclesiastical The men here mentioned are otherwise unknown We identify them as educational reformers or reformers who operated through the medium of education they were not warriors destroyers revolutionists but men who addressed the mind and the understanding and the conscience and caused men to know that the true law was from above and not from beneath The book which the commission had in hand was the Pentateuch or the law of Moses This was known to be the law which alone could touch all the vital necessities of the commonwealth Again and again we are constrained to admit that there is a law beyond Prayer of Manasseh above Prayer of Manasseh in a sense apart from man men are not driven within themselves to find a law an instinct or a reason they have a written statute an authoritative declaration a book which Christian teachers do not hesitate to describe as a Revelation and to that they call the attention of men If the teacher were teaching out of his own consciousness he would be but an equal often exposing himself to the destructive criticism of his more advanced and penetrating scholars but the teacher takes his stand upon a book upon the Book the Bible a revelation which he believes to be divine and final Say what we will the effect of Bible teaching must be judged by its fruits Where are the nations that are most distinguished for wide and varied intelligence for large and exhaustive sympathy for missionary enterprise for philanthropic institutions and for all the elements which give grace and beauty to social existence The question should admit of definite reply the facts are before men let them judge fearlessly and honestly and we need have no apprehension concerning their verdict Wherever the word of the Lord has had free course superstition has been chased away human slavery has been abolished every instance of intolerance injustice unkindness has felt the influence of holy thought in all these matters discussion should be limited strictly to facts Thus kings can help nations not by forcing education not by attempting to rule opinion not by setting up standards of orthodoxy to fall short of which is to incur penalty but by spreading education by extending light by cultivating a spirit of inquiry and by a generous multiplication of all the instrumentalities needed for the destruction of ignorance What may come of this we are not supposed at this moment to know Meanwhile let us be thankful that we are face to face with a man who has conviction courage independence high patriotic and generous impulse and let us hope that his end may be as beautiful as his beginning was promising

SIMEO THE ROYAL EDICT

ADVERTISEMETmdashThe author feels it necessary to prefix to this Sermon some short account of the occasion on which it was delivered

The author was at Amsterdam (in June 1818) partly with a view of re-establishing there an Episcopal Chapel in which there had been no service for seven years but principally with a view of seeking the welfare of the Children of Israel He went thither rather to explore than to act (See ehemiah 212-16) But just previous to the 18th of June he understood that the Third Anniversary of the Battle of Waterloo was to be kept throughout the etherlands as a day of thanksgiving and just at that time also he quite accidentally heard that the King of the etherlands had a year before issued an Edict requiring all the Jews to educate their children in the knowledge of their own Scriptures and calling upon all his Christian Subjects to aid in this good work Despondency not unlike to that which paralyzed all exertion at Jerusalem in ehemiahrsquos days so universally prevailed that no one had risen to the occasion the very Commissioners who had been appointed to carry the Edict into effect had published a Report in which they gave it as their opinion ldquothat the Lordrsquos time was not comerdquo and there was great danger that the gracious designs of the Monarch would be altogether frustrated The author therefore judged this a fit occasion for calling the attention of the Public to the Edict and accordingly after devoting the Morning Service to the more appropriate subject of the day he employed the Evening Service in an endeavour to forward this good work Considerable attention was excited to the subject by means of the Sermon which was therefore instantly printed in Dutch French and English for the purpose of its being circulated throughout the etherlands and he has reason to hope that active exertions were afterwards made in many places to promote what every benevolent mind must ardently desire the edification and welfare of the Jewish People

So good an example having been set by the Emperor of Russia and the King of the etherlands the author hopes that the attention of our own Governors also both in Church and State may be called to this long-neglected People and that now the British Public has been invited by authority (the Kingrsquos Letter) to aid in supporting Missions to the Heathen World the claims of the Jewish ation to whom under God we owe all the light that we ourselves enjoy will not be overlooked It is with a view to this great object that the author sends forth the Sermon in this country where if the foregoing explanation had not been given its relevancy and use might have been justly called in question

2 Chronicles 179 And they taught in Judah and had the book of the law of the Lord with them and went about throughout all the cities of Judah and taught the people

O a day set apart for thanksgiving to God for mercies received it is peculiarly proper to consider what we may render unto the Lord for all his benefits Certainly if any event ever deserved repeated annual commemoration it is that which has

freed the world from the most grievous tyranny that ever it endured Of the bitter cup which was put into the hands of every nation in Europe this nation [ote The etherlands] drank very deeply and the change which it has experienced in the restoration of their rightful Monarch and in the establishment of a free Constitution calls for their devoutest acknowledgments to Almighty God Doubtless we may with justice pay some tribute of honour to those who by their counsels and their arms effected the overthrow of the Usurper but it is God alone who giveth victory to kings and to whom the glory of this great victory must be primarily ascribed and he who accounts a day consecrated to this service superfluous shews that he is far from justly appreciating the blessings that have been conferred upon him The monarch himself has given to his people a very decided evidence that he feels the depth of his obligations to the God of his salvation and it will be your own loss if you do not cultivate a similar spirit and improve the occasion to the honour of your God

But it is not to thanksgiving only that your Monarch invites you he calls you by a special Edict to unite with him in seeking the welfare of your Jewish Brethren who in their struggle with the enemy signally approved their fidelity to their legitimate Sovereign Their welfare he in his turn studies to promote and he desires to combine the energies of all his subjects in efforts for their good Methinks he is like Jehoshaphat of old who well knowing that piety must be founded in knowledge and happiness in piety sent forth the Princes of his empire with a select number of Priests and Levites to instruct his people in the knowledge of Godrsquos blessed word

His edict on this occasion and the manner in which it was carried into effect will form the subject of my present discourse

I Then we notice the edict of King Jehoshaphatmdash

This was such as became a great and pious monarch and we shall find it not unprofitable or unsuitable to the present occasion to enter into a distinct consideration of it We observe then that it was a kind and benevolent edict a wise and politic edict a good and beneficial edict

Mark the benevolence displayed in it He sought the present and eternal welfare of his subjects He knew that as men are raised above the beasts by the exercise of reason so are they elevated in the scale of rational beings in proportion as their intellectual powers are cultivated and enlarged Man destitute of knowledge is a mere savage but when instructed in the various branches of science he becomes refined and civilized and capable of contributing to the general good In the very cultivation of knowledge there is much pleasure arising to the mind and in the application of that knowledge to useful purposes there is an exquisite delight We need only observe persons when employed in their several vocations how happy they are how contented how cheerful oftentimes unconsciously proclaiming their happiness like the birds of the air in festal songs or consciously and with devotion in songs of praise

But it was not mere intellectual improvement which Jehoshaphat sought to convey he wished his people to be instructed in the knowledge of that God whom they professed to fear and worship This alone could make them truly happy this alone could impart to them sound wisdom or solid consolation He therefore gave particular directions that they should be taught ldquoin the Book of the Law of the Lordrdquo and this throughout the whole land O happy people whose governor so employed the authority with which he was invested And happy that monarch who so improved his influence not for his own personal aggrandizement but for the best interests of the people committed to his charge In so doing he approved himself to be indeed what every governor should be the friend and father of his people

or was the policy of this measure at all inferior to its benevolence A people well instructed in moral and religious knowledge will view government as an ordinance of God and will learn to obey the constituted authorities not so much from fear of their wrath as for conscience sake towards God They will view their governors as Godrsquos vicegerents upon earth and will consider allegiance to them as an essential part of their duty to him Hence will spring up love in their hearts and a real delight in manifesting on all proper occasions their loyalty to their king they will form a bulwark around his person in case of necessity and even glory in laying down their lives for him as their greatest benefactor

The benefits arising from this edict were incalculable Such was the effect of it that the fear of Jehoshaphat and of Jehovah as his protector fell on all the nations that were round about him so that none however hostile in their hearts dared to make war against him [ote ver 10] Doubtless this resulted chiefly from an impression made upon their minds by God himself yet it was also produced by a dread of that energy which an united people were ready to put forth at any instant at the call of their beloved monarch At the same time that peace was thus secured prosperity reigned in every part of the empire and as the immediate fruit of it Jehoshaphat as well as the people ldquohad riches and honour in abundance [ote ver 5]rdquo In his own mind too he reaped the fruits of his own benevolence God smiled upon him and manifested himself to him and enabled him to walk with ldquohis heart lifted up in the ways of the Lord [ote ver 6]rdquo

Such was the edict of the pious Jehoshaphatmdashbenevolent politic beneficial And what I would ask is the Edict which has been issued by the highest authority in this kingdom Do we not see in it the same blessed characters as in that which we have been considering It was ldquoin the third year of his reign [ote ver 7]rdquo that Jehoshaphat sent forth teachers to enlighten and instruct his subjects The very instant he felt himself at liberty from the more urgent and pressing calls of duty (such as the fortifying of his land against foreign enemies and the correcting of some great internal abuses) he engaged in this good work of diffusing light and knowledge through all classes of the community In like manner the sovereign of this kingdom has scarcely had time to repair the ravages of war and to establish his empire too long weakened and impoverished by a cruel usurpation before he stands forth as the friend and father of his people and more especially of that portion of them who have in every age and place been most treated with neglect and

disdain to have them educated in scriptural knowledge and in the fear of God It is much to be lamented that the Jewish people have not in general been so attentive either to the learning or morals of their children as might be wished and hence arose a necessity for some authoritative admonition on the subject Yet if I may say it without offence this neglect has not been more reprehensible in them than has been the indifference with which the Christian world has regarded it The monarch (may God recompense it richly into his bosom) has risen up to remedy the supineness both of the one and the other and to call forth the united energies of all to correct and terminate this evil Yet whilst he thus consults the best interests of his subjects with what paternal tenderness has he guarded against wounding the feelings of any or exciting their religious prejudices The Scriptures of the Old Testament are alone to be used in the schools that shall be established even those Scriptures which Jews as well as Christians believe to have been given by inspiration of God and to contain truth without any mixture of error In this is marked the policy no less than the benevolence of the edict for it is not by constraint but by conciliation and kindness that good is to be done to any and more especially to those who have shewn themselves now for so many centuries proof against all the efforts of intimidation or force In this kingdom they form no small body and I may add no unimportant portion of the community It is well known how extensive is their influence in the affairs of commerce and how by their activity they contribute to enrich the state Hence it is now generally seen and felt that they are entitled to the same respect as any other subjects of the realm and whilst as in the present instance they see how deeply their monarch feels interested in their welfare they cannot but on their part be sensible of the privileges they enjoy under his paternal government and testify their gratitude to him by every possible expression of loyalty and affection

What the ultimate effect of these measures will be may be conjectured from the blessed results of the edict of Jehoshaphat all will feel themselves happy under the government of such a prince and he whilst he is respected abroad and beloved at home will have the happiness of seeing his labours crowned with prosperity throughout his dominions and with peace in his own soul

II The manner in which Jehoshaphatrsquos edict was carried into execution is now to be noticedmdash

The promptness with which his commands were executed deserves the highest praise All were ready to co-operate in this good work as soon as it was proposed ldquoPrinces and priests and Levites [ote ver 7 8]rdquo all addressed themselves to it instantly with one heart and one soul one accounted their dignity so high or their functions so sacred but they thought it an honour to be employed in such a service and found a delight in fulfilling the wishes of their revered monarch all entered into the work with zeal and prosecuted it with diligence and hence a rapid change was effected both in the temporal and spiritual condition of the whole nation And what may not be effected in this kingdom also if a similar zeal be exercised by ldquothe princes and priestsrdquo (the magistrates and clergy) of the land With them it must begin Those who move in a lower station can effect nothing if they be not aided and

countenanced by the higher orders whose rank in life or sacredness of character will give a tone to the general feeling and combine the energies of the whole kingdom If it be said that those for whom the benefit is designed do not feel a desire after it this only shews how much they need it and how earnestly we should all embark in a cause proposed by such high authority and recommended by the soundest dictates of wisdom and piety

That our obligations to unite in this labour of love may the more distinctly appear I would beg leave to suggest the following considerations

First Loyalty to the king demands our concurrence with him in this good work and a holy emulation amongst us to carry into effect his benevolent designs What can the greatest or best of men effect (what could Jehoshaphat himself have done) if there be none to act in subserviency to them and to follow their directions As the most potent monarch upon earth would in vain proclaim war if there were no soldiers found to enlist under his banners and to execute his commands so it will be in vain that the design of benefiting the Jewish people was ever conceived in the mind of the king or that his edict respecting them was ever issued if his subjects do not put forth their energies in obedience to his call In truth a backwardness to co-operate with him in this blessed work would seem like a reflection cast upon him as recommending a measure that was unworthy of attention I do not mean to insinuate that such an idea really exists in the minds of any for I am perfectly convinced it does not but certainly in appearance it is open to this construction and every subject of the empire is concerned to act in such a way as to cut off all occasion for a reflection like this I say loyalty alone even if we had no higher motive should be sufficient to call forth our exertions in this cause

But let me next observe that gratitude to the Jewish nation demands it at our hands How great how manifold are our obligations to them Behold Moses and the prophets what instruction have they given us in reference to the way of life and salvation Without the moral law as revealed by Moses we should never have known to what an extent we need a Saviour nor if the prophecies had not so fully designated the promised Messiah could we have ever so fully known that Jesus was the Christ Of whom did the Lord Jesus Christ himself come as pertaining to the flesh but from the loins of David and of the seed of Abraham Yet to him are we indebted for all that we either have or hope for in time or in eternity And who were the Apostles but Jews who for our sakes went forth preaching the word and counted not their lives dear to them so that they might but lead us to the knowledge of Christ and make us partakers of his salvation From them too we have received the lively oracles which are the one source of all spiritual knowledge and the one foundation of all our hopes Does all this call for no recompence at our hands Knowing as we do the vast importance of education should we not endeavour to impart it to those from whose ancestors we have received such innumerable such inestimable benefits Yet behold these are the people whom for many many centuries we have treated with more neglect and contempt than any other people upon the face of the earth the savages of the most distant climes have received more attention from us than they Surely it is high time that the Christian world awake to

a sense of their duty and begin to shew to the Jews somewhat of that love which their forefathers exercised towards us in our Gentile state We are debtors to them to a vast amount and it is high time that we begin to discharge our debt And how can we discharge it better than by enabling them to read and understand those very oracles which they have preserved with such fidelity and which testify so fully of their promised Messiah

Further A love to the rising generation should lead us to avail ourselves of the present opportunity to promote their welfaremdashIt is truly afflictive to see how low and degraded is the state of multitudes especially of the Jewish nation purely through the neglect with which they are treated in their early youth and still more grievous is it to reflect on their ignorance of those things which belong to their everlasting peace To counteract this we should endeavour to qualify the whole of their population for good and useful employments and through the medium of useful instruction to make them holy and to make them happy We need never be afraid that there will not be a sufficient number of poor to fill the lower stations do what we will there will never be wanting persons who through their own fault or misfortunes are necessitated to undertake the lowest offices of life And if they have been previously instructed in the Scriptures of Truth they will have a fund of consolation ever open to them in their deepest afflictions they will learn from the inspired volume in whatsoever state they are there-with to be content and in the prospect of the eternal world they will find joys with which a stranger intermeddleth not and which the world can neither give nor take away We feel the force of these considerations in reference to the poor of our own communion how is it that we feel it not in reference to our Jewish Brethren This is a partiality unworthy of us and we should rise as one man to wipe off this disgrace from our own character

This brings me to the last consideration which I propose to mention namely that a concern for the honour of our holy religion should operate to unite us all in executing the Royal EdictmdashWhat must a Jew think of our religion when he sees how little it has wrought for us in the production of love We may tell him of a Messiah who has loved us and laid down his life for us but what credit will he give us for our principles when he sees how little our practice corresponds with them May he not well say to us ldquoPhysician heal thyselfrdquo Shew by your conduct the superiority of your principles before you call on me to embrace them It is by love that we must win them it is by shewing kindness to them that we must efface from their hearts those prejudices which with too much reason they entertain against us We must exhibit in our own person the loveliness of Christianity before we can bring them to investigate the grounds of our faith or to imagine that they can improve their own condition by embracing it May I not then call upon you as Christians to unite in the good work that is now before you that you may thereby serve and glorify your Lord and Saviour As Christians you believe that there is no other way to the Father but by Christ [ote John 146] and no other name but his whereby any human being can be saved [ote Acts 412] Where is your piety where is your love to Christ where is even common humanity if you will not avail yourselves of the present opportunity to remove from before your Jewish Brethren

the stumbling-blocks which for so many ages have been laid in their way

Do any ask What shall we do I answer search out amongst the Jews some persons of probity and talent to commence schools among them and do you yourselves aid to the utmost of your power in the support of them provide them with all necessary books for instructing children in the first rudiments of knowledge provide them with Bibles also both in the Dutch and Hebrew languages that they may be thoroughly instructed in the knowledge of their own religion and learn to walk in the steps of their father Abraham and of all the holy prophets

Begin too without loss of time Adult Schools You will find many among the house of Israel who will be glad to avail themselves of your instructions Let those who are benevolent amongst you dedicate an hour in a day to the instructing of a few who may be desirous to learn and carefully avoid every thing which may give unnecessary offence Confine yourselves to the Old Testament which they venerate as well as you Let those who can teach only in the Dutch language give instruction in that and let those who either understand or have leisure to attain the Hebrew tongue draw their attention to that In particular let it be the united endeavour of all to qualify masters for this good work

And let it not be thought that this is the duty of men only The Royal Edict has particularly and with great wisdom recommended it to females who may be of infinite service in conveying instruction to their own sex This age is distinguished above all others for the activity of females in the service of God and in the performance of every good work Were I able to declare the proportion of good that is done in Britain by the female sex it would appear incredible I believe from my soul that it far exceeds one half in all the societies raised since the commencement of the present century in the Bible Society the Missionary Societies and the Society for Promoting the Knowledge of Christianity amongst the Jews yes let the ladies of this country exert themselves in a prudent modest and discreet way and the effects will soon appear the Royal Edict will not be a dead letter but will produce incalculable good to the whole nationmdashand the agents in this benevolent work will themselves receive quite as much benefit as they impart their benevolence being in proportion as it is exercised its own reward

10 The fear of the Lord fell on all the kingdoms of the lands surrounding Judah so that they did not go to war against Jehoshaphat

GILL And the fear of the Lord fell upon all the kingdoms of the lands that were round about Judah Upon the ten tribes and on foreign nations about them as Moabites Edomites Syrians Egyptians Arabs and Philistines this fear as it came from the Lord so might be raised and increased by observing that religion was revived in them for they might perceive by former observations made that the more religious these people were the more prosperous and formidable they were

so that they made no war against Jehoshaphat to interrupt him in the work of reformation he was so intent upon

HERY We have here a further account of Jehoshaphats great prosperity and the flourishing state of his kingdom

I He had good interest in the neighbouring princes and nations Though he was not perhaps so great a soldier as David (which might have made him their terror) nor so great a scholar as Solomon (which might have made him their oracle) yet the fear of the Lord fell so upon them (that is God so influenced and governed their spirits) that they had all a reverence for him 2Ch_1710 And 1 None of them made war against himGods good providence so ordered it that while the princes and priests were instructing and reforming the country none of his neighbours gave him any molestations to take him off from that good work Thus when Jacob and his sons were going to worship at Bethel the terror of God was upon the neighbouring cities that they did not pursue after them Gen_355 and see Exo_3424 2 Many of them brought presents to him (2Ch_1711) to secure his friendship Perhaps these were a tribute imposed upon them by Asa who made himself master of the cities of the Philistines and the tents of the Arabians 2Ch_1414 2Ch_1415 With the 7700 rams and the same number of he-goats which the Arabians brought there was probably a proportionable number of ewes and lambs she-goats and kids

KampD This attempt of Jehoshaphat brought him this blessing that the terror of Jahve fell upon all the surrounding kingdoms and not only did none of the neighbouring peoples venture to make war upon him but also various tribes did homage to him by presents Ramb has already so understood the connection of these verses (erat hoc praemium pietatis Josaphati quod vicini satisque potentes hostes non auderent adversus ipsum hiscere) while Berth fails to apprehend it saying that Jehoshaphat had time to care for the instruction of his people because at that time the neighbouring peoples did not venture to undertake war against Judah The words ldquoterror of Jahverdquo cf 2Ch_1413 2Ch_2029 and ldquoall the kingdoms of the landsrdquo cf 2Ch_128 1Ch_2930 are expressions peculiar to the author of the Chronicle which show that by these remarks he is preparing the way for a transition to a more detailed

portrayal of Jehoshaphats political power מן־(לש)ים is subject מן partitive some of the

Philistines brought him presents (for מנחה see on 2Ch_175) ldquoand silver a burdenrdquo ie

in great quantity מא does not signify tribute vectigal argento (Vulg) for the word has

not that signification but denotes burden that which can be carried as in מא לאן

2Ch_2025 - 2Ch_2116 2Ch_221 ערבים 2Ch_267 and more usually ערב-ים or ערביאים

are Arabian nomadic tribes (Bedacircwin) perhaps those whom Asa after his victory over the Cushite Zerah had brought under the kingdom of Judah 2Ch_1414 These paid

their tribute in small cattle rams and he-goats (ישים( Gen_3035 Gen_3215 Pro_

3031)

BESO 2 Chronicles 1710 The fear of the Lord fell upon all the kingdoms ampc mdash Justly concluding from his singular piety that God would eminently appear for him for even the heathen could not but observe that the kings of Judah were either prosperous or unhappy according as they served God or forsook him So that they made no war against Jehoshaphat mdash Godrsquos good providence so ordered it that while the princes and priests were instructing and endeavouring to reform the country none of his neighbours gave him any molestation to take him off from that good work

COFFMA All of this peace and prosperity were directly due to the respect which Jehoshaphat had shown to the Law of God and to his efforts to teach that word to all the people It is no problem that much of the material here is omitted in Kings because the primary focus there was political whereas in Chronicles the focus is upon the spiritual and religious significance of the same history

TRAPP 2 Chronicles 1710 And the fear of the LORD fell upon all the kingdoms of the lands that [were] round about Judah so that they made no war against Jehoshaphat

Ver 10 And the fear of the Lord fell upon all the kingdoms] It is said [2 Chronicles 172] Jehoshaphat placed forces in all the fenced cities yet it is not said thereupon that the fear of the Lord fell upon the neighbour nations But when he had established a preaching ministry in all the cities then his enemies had a fear and made no war

POOLE Justly concluding from this singular piety that God would eminently appear for him and against all those who had ill will to him which was their case For even the heathens could not but observe that the kings of Judah were either prosperous or unhappy accordingly as they served God or forsook him

ELLICOTT (10) The fear of the LordmdashA dread of Jehovah (pachad) aps 2029 (Comp Exodus 1516 1 Samuel 117 Isaiah 210 ) This phrase is not peculiar to the chronicler as Keil and Bertheau assert ldquoThe kingdoms of the landsrdquo is so (2 Chronicles 128 1 Chronicles 2930)

They made no warmdashThe reward of Jehosha-phatrsquos piety (1 Chronicles 229

Proverbs 167) ldquoWhen a manrsquos ways please the Lord he maketh even his enemies to be at peace with himrdquo (Comp also Genesis 355)

11 Some Philistines brought Jehoshaphat gifts and silver as tribute and the Arabs brought him flocks seven thousand seven hundred rams and seven thousand seven hundred goats

BARES Some of the Philistines brought Jehoshaphat presents - i e ldquosome of the Philistines were among his tributariesrdquo Compare 2Sa_82 1Ki_421

Tribute silver - Or ldquomuch silverrdquo - literally ldquosilver of burthenrdquo

The Arabians - The Arab tribes who bordered Judaea to the south and the southeast paid Jehoshaphat a fixed tribute in kind Compare 2Ki_34 note

CLARKE The Philistines brought - presents - They and the Arabians purchased peace with the king of Judah by paying an annual tribute The Philistines brought silver and no doubt different kinds of merchandise The Arabs whose riches consisted in cattle brought him flocks in great abundance principally rams and he-goats

GILL Also some of the Philistines brought Jehoshaphat presents and tribute silver Perhaps those of Gerar and the parts adjacent Asa took and spoiled and made tributary 2Ch_1414

and the Arabians brought him flocks seven thousand and seven hundred rams and seven thousand and seven hundred he goats with which their country abounded and these might be the Scenite Arabs who fearing lest Jehoshaphat should fall upon them and take away their flocks as his father had done 2Ch_1415 brought these presents to him

JAMISO Also some of the Philistines brought Jehoshaphat presents and tribute silvermdash either they had been his tributaries or they were desirous of securing his valuable friendship and now made a voluntary offer of tribute Perhaps

they were the Philistines who had submitted to the yoke of David (2Sa_81 Psa_608)

the Arabiansmdash the nomad tribes on the south of the Dead Sea who seeking the protection of Jehoshaphat after his conquest of Edom paid their tribute in the way most suitable to their pastoral habits - the present of so many head of cattle

BESO 2 Chronicles 1711 Some of the Philistines brought presents mdash They had been subject to Judah ever since Davidrsquos time but it seems had neglected this duty in the times of his predecessors but were now moved by their own fears to perform it And the Arabians brought him flocks mdash Either because he had upon some just occasion waged war against them and subdued them or because they voluntarily put themselves under his protection in recompense whereof they sent him these presents or only as a free acknowledgment of their respect for him

TRAPP 2 Chronicles 1711 Also [some] of the Philistines brought Jehoshaphat presents and tribute silver and the Arabians brought him flocks seven thousand and seven hundred rams and seven thousand and seven hundred he goats

Ver 11 Also some of the Philistines] These having been subdued by David had withheld their tribute for a time but now seeing Jehoshaphatrsquos growing greatness they bring it in with the better that no offence might be taken at their former neglect The word here used signifieth honorary gifts or oblations pacifications

ldquo Placatur donis Iupiter ipse datis rdquo

Think the same of the Arabians See 2 Chronicles 1414-15

POOLE Some of the Philistines who had been subjects to this kingdom ever since Davidrsquos time but it seems had neglected this duty in the times of his predecessors but now were moved by their own fears to perform it

The Arabians brought him flocks either because he had upon some just occasion waged war against them and subdued them though the particulars of it be not described in Scripture or because they voluntarily put themselves under his protection in recompence whereof they sent him those presents or only as a free acknowledgment of their respects to him

ELLICOTT (11) Broughtmdashie continually Such is the force of the participle

PresentsmdashAn offering ie tribute (minchah 2 Chronicles 175)

And tribute silvermdashRather and silver a load or burden ie a great quantity (massacircrsquo) 2 Chronicles 2025 As if ldquosilver as much as they could carryrdquomdasha natural hyperbole ot all the five states of the Philistines were subject to Jehoshaphat (Comp 2 Samuel 81)

The ArabiansmdashlsquoArbicircrsquoim here only equivalent to lsquoArbicircyicircm (2 Chronicles 267) and

lsquoArbim (2 Chronicles 2116) They are in each case grouped with the Philistines The nomad Bedacircwin conquered by Asa (2 Chronicles 1415) appear to be meant here or else some tribes which recognised the overlordship of Jehoshaphat after his reduction of Edom (2 Chronicles 2022 sqq)

Brought him flocksmdashComp Mesha of Moabrsquos tribute to Ahab (2 Kings 34)

GUZIK 2 (2 Chronicles 1711-19) The international strength of Jehoshaphatrsquos kingdom

Also some of the Philistines brought Jehoshaphat presents and silver as tribute and the Arabians brought him flocks seven thousand seven hundred rams and seven thousand seven hundred male goats So Jehoshaphat became increasingly powerful and he built fortresses and storage cities in Judah He had much property in the cities of Judah and the men of war mighty men of valor were in Jerusalem These are their numbers according to their fathersrsquo houses Of Judah the captains of thousands Adnah the captain and with him three hundred thousand mighty men of valor and next to him was Jehohanan the captain and with him two hundred and eighty thousand and next to him was Amasiah the son of Zichri who willingly offered himself to the LORD and with him two hundred thousand mighty men of valor Of Benjamin Eliada a mighty man of valor and with him two hundred thousand men armed with bow and shield and next to him was Jehozabad and with him one hundred and eighty thousand prepared for war These served the king besides those the king put in the fortified cities throughout all Judah

a Some of the Philistines brought Jehoshaphat presents and silver as tribute and the Arabians brought him flocks Jehoshaphatrsquos commitment to personal and public godliness meant that God exalted his kingdom above the neighboring nations even as God promised in Deuteronomy 281-13

b These served the king The true treasure of Jehoshaphatrsquos kingdom was not numbered only in security or material things but also in the dedicated and courageous men he had surrounding him these mighty men of valor

i Amasiah the son of Zichri who willingly offered himself to the LORD ldquoAmasiah is a man of whom we do not know anything beyond this ndash he lsquowillingly offered himself unto the Lordrsquo There must have been a turning-point in his career a time when first he knew the grace of God which wrought such a change in him There must have been a waking up to the feeling that God deserved his love and his liferdquo (Spurgeon)

ii Amasiah was a ready servant of the Lord this particularly notable because he did it in an otherwise secular calling

middot o one had to press him into service

middot o one had to seek him out for service

middot o one had to look after him once he had begun serving

middot o one had to lead him

iii ldquoThere is no lawful occupation in which a man cannot thoroughly serve the Lord It is a great privilege and blessing to be set apart to the work of winning souls but we must never separate that work from all the rest of the callings of life as though it alone were sacred and all the rest were secular and almost sinful Serve God where you arerdquo (Spurgeon)

PULPIT The presents were probably enough in the nature of tribute the fixed rate of which is sometimes alluded to (1 Kings 421 1 Kings 1025 2 Samuel 82) but it is doubtful whether the word משא purports to say this The word means bearing or carrying and then a burden load or weight The expression (2 Chronicles 2025) more than they could carry away where this word is used favours the idea that the meaning here is silver of great weight Probably the moral significance and historical interest whether of this statement respecting the Philistines or the following respecting the Arabians lies in the fact that both of them brought without more ado their payments and did not seek to slip out of their engagements with Judah and Judahs king ote for confirmation of this view 2 Kings 34 2 Kings 35

12 Jehoshaphat became more and more powerful he built forts and store cities in Judah

GILL And Jehoshaphat waxed great exceedingly In wealth and riches power and authority in his forces and fortifications

and he built in Judah castles and cities of stores castles for the defence of his kingdom and store cities to lay up corn and wine and all provisions in case of an invasion or against a time of war

HERY II He had a very considerable stores laid up in the cities of Judah He pulled down his barns and built larger (2Ch_1712) castles and cities of store for arms and victuals He was a man of business and aimed at the public good in all his

undertakings either to preserve the peace or prepare for war

JAMISO 2Ch_1712-19 His greatness captains and armies

KampD Description of Jehoshaphats power - 2Ch_1712 And Jehoshaphat became

ever greater sc in power The partic הולך expresses the continuous advance in

greatness cf Ew sect280 b as the infin absol does elsewhere eg Gen_83 למעלה as עד

in 2Ch_1612 - He built castles in Judah ירנ-ות only here and in 2Ch_274 from ירנית

derivative formed from ירה by the Syriac termination נית- fem of ן- castle fortress On

מסנות cf 2Ch_84 ערי

TRAPP 2 Chronicles 1712 And Jehoshaphat waxed great exceedingly and he built in Judah castles and cities of store

Ver 12 And Jehoshaphat waxed great exceedingly] Heb He was going and growing By humility and the fear of the Lord are riches and honour and life [Proverbs 224]

And he built in Judah castles] Bironeoth πυργους turres So did the Burgundians and thence had their names

And cities of store] Granaries in the Hebrew they have their name from their utility or usefulness

ELLICOTT (12) And Jehoshaphat waxed greatmdashLiterally And Jehoshaphat was going on and waxing great ie became greater and greater (Comp 1 Chronicles 119)

ExceedinglymdashlsquoAd lĕmagraversquolah This phrase occurs again in 2 Chronicles 1612 2 Chronicles 268 and nowhere else in the Old Testament (See on 1 Chronicles 142)

And he builtmdashLike his predecessorsmdashSolomon Rehoboam Asamdashhe displayed his wealth and power in great public works The records of the Assyrian and Babylonian sovereigns are largely taken up with similar accounts of temple and palace building

CastlesmdashBiranicircyocircth a derivative from birah (1 Chronicles 291 1 Chronicles 2919 comp Syriac here birocircthocirc) It only recurs at 2 Chronicles 274 It is an Aramaic term (Comp bicircranyacircthacirc which in the Targums means ldquopalacesrdquo)

Cities of storesmdashComp 2 Chronicles 84 2 Chronicles 164 Exodus 111

PULPIT Castles This rendering better than palaces (margin) wound bear improving to the rather stronger word fortresses Hebrew בירניות found only here and in 2 Chronicles 274 plur of בירנית connected with the Chaldee and later Hebrew בירה of Ezra 62 ehemiah 11 Esther 12 Daniel 82 Cities of store (see note under 2 Chronicles 84 see also 1 Kings 919 Exodus 111)

13 and had large supplies in the towns of Judah He also kept experienced fighting men in Jerusalem

CLARKE He hadmuch business in the cities - He kept the people constantly employed they had wages for their work and by their labors the empire was both enriched and strengthened

GILL And he had much business in the cities of Judah Partly in fortifying them and partly in reforming the inhabitants of them

and the men of war mighty men of valour were in Jerusalem or by or near unto it so the particle is rendered Jos_513 they encamped in places adjacent to it for such a number of men as follows even 1160000 could never be contained in Jerusalem but must be disposed of in the territories of it nor did they wait on the king together but in course see 2Ch_1719 by which it appears there is no need to suppose any mistake of the transcriber in any or all of the following sums as has been suggested (q)

HERY 13-19 III He had the militia in good order It was never in better since David modelled it Five lord-lieutenants (if I may so call them) are here named with the numbers of those under their command (the serviceable men that were fit for war in their respective districts) three in Judah and two in Benjamin It is said of one of these great commanders Amasiah that he willingly offered himself unto the Lord (2Ch_1716) not only to the king to serve him in this post but to the Lord to glorify him in it He was the most eminent among them for religion he accepted the place not for the

honour or power or profit of it but for conscience sake towards God that he might serve his country It was usual for great generals then to offer of their spoils to the Lord 1Ch_2626 But this good man offered himself first to the Lord and then his dedicated things The number of the soldiers under these five generals amounts to 1160000 men a vast number for so small a compass of ground as Judahs and Benjamins lot to furnish out and maintain Abijah could bring into the field but 400000 (2Ch_133) Asa not 600000 (2Ch_148) yet Jehoshaphat has at command almost 1200000 But it must be considered 1 That God had promised to make the seed of Abraham like the sand of the sea for number 2 There had now been a long peace 3 We may suppose that the city of Jerusalem was very much enlarged 4 Many had come over to them from the kingdom of Israel (2Ch_1519) which would increase the numbers of the people 5 Jehoshaphat was under a special blessing of God which made his affairs to prosper greatly The armies we may suppose were dispersed all the country over and each man resided for the most part on his own estate but they appeared often to be mustered and trained and were ready at call whenever there was occasion The commanders waited on the king (2Ch_1719) as officers of his court privy-counsellors and ministers of state

But lastly observe It was not this formidable army that struck a terror upon the neighbouring nations that restrained them from attempting any thing against Israel or obliged them to pay tribute but the fear of God which fell upon them when Jehoshaphat reformed his country and set up a preaching ministry in it 2Ch_1710 The ordinances of God are more the strength and safety of a kingdom than its military force - its men of God more than its men of war

KampD 2Ch_1713

וגווגווגווגו רהרהרהרה is rightly translated by Luther ldquound hatte viel Vorrathsrdquo (and ומלעכהומלעכהומלעכהומלעכה

had much store) מלעכהמלעכהמלעכהמלעכה denotes here as in Exo_227-10 property that which has been gained by work or business The signification much work opera magna (Vulg Cler etc) as also Bertheaus translation ldquothe works for equipping and provisioning the fortressesrdquo correspond neither to the context nor to the parallel (synonymous) second member of the verse The work and trouble necessary to equip the cities of Judah does not correspond to ldquothe valiant warriors in Jerusalemrdquo the only parallel is the goods and property which were in these cities the provision of victuals and war material there stored up

BESO 2 Chronicles 1713 He had much business in the cities of Judah mdash To repair and fortify them and furnish them with provisions and to purge out all the relics of idolatry and injustice which were more secretly and craftily managed in the cities than in the country and which were first and most prevalent in the cities and thence spread their infection into the country around them

TRAPP 2 Chronicles 1713 And he had much business in the cities of Judah and the men of war mighty men of valour [were] in Jerusalem

Ver 13 And he had much business] Eργα πολλα (a) Many works going forward at

once a negotious man he was His business say some lay in beautifying and fortifying those cities Augustus gloried at his death that whereas he had found Rome built with brick he had left it made of marble

And the men of war hellip were in Jerusalem] These were his Praetorian forces his Praesidiaries were up and down in the various cities

POOLE He had much business in the cities of Judah partly to repair and fortify them and furnish them with all necessary provisions and partly to purge out all the relies and seeds of idolatry and injustice which were more secretly and subtlely managed in the cities than in the country and which were first and most in the cities and thence spread their infection into the country about them See Jeremiah 228

ELLICOTT (13) BusinessmdashRather much goods or stores literally work (mĕlacirckacirch) and then produce The Hebrew word is so used in Exodus 227 Exodus 2210 (ldquoHis neighbourrsquos goodsrdquo) Stores of provisions and war material seem to be intended (Comp 2 Chronicles 1111)

And the man of war were in JerusalemmdashRather and (he had) men of war in Jerusalem

In Jerusalemmdashot the entire army corps whose numbers are given in 2 Chronicles 1714-18 but simply their chiefs

PULPIT Much business Hebrew מלאכה The meaning of the word is service labour bestowed and the verse reads And there was to him much labour in the cities of Judah and men of war mighty men of valour in Jerusalem ie He bestoweth much pains on the cities of Judah and had etc The word were Authorized Version italics is incorrectly inserted The former half of this verse would better constitute the end of 2 Chronicles 1712 Keil however maintains the rendering substance property for מלאכה (Exodus 227 Exodus 2210)

14 Their enrollment by families was as followsFrom Judah commanders of units of 1000Adnah the commander with 300000 fighting men

BARES The captains of thousands Adnah the chief - literally ldquoprinces of thousands Adnah the princerdquo The writer does not mean that Adnah (or Johohanan 2Ch_1715) was in any way superior to the other ldquoprincesrdquo but only that he was one of them

Three hundred thousand - This number and those which follow in 2Ch_1715-18 have been with good reason regarded as corrupt by most critics For

(1) They imply a minimum population of 1480 to the square mile which is more than three times greater than that of any country in the known world (circa 1880rsquos)

(2) they produce a total just double that of the next largest estimate of the military force of Judah the 580 000 of 2Ch_148

(3) they are professedly a statement not of the whole military force but of the force maintained at Jerusalem (2Ch_1713 compare 2Ch_1719)

It is probable that the original numbers have been lost and that the loss was suppplied by a scribe who took 2Ch_148 as his basis

CLARKE Adnah the chief - He was generalissimo of all this host These are the numbers of the five battalions under Adnah three hundred thousand Jehohanan two hundred and eighty thousand Amasiah two hundred thousand Eliada two hundred thousand Jehozabad one hundred and eighty thousand in all one million one hundred and sixty thousand

GILL And these are the numbers of them according to the house of their fathers Both of the tribe of Judah and of Benjamin and first

of Judah the captains of thousands some had 1000 men under them and some one hundred

Adnah the chief he was the principal commander or general of them

and with him mighty men of valour three hundred thousand such a number was under his command

JAMISO these are the numbersmdash The warriors were arranged in the army according to their fathers houses The army of Jehoshaphat commanded by five great generals and consisting of five unequal divisions comprised one million one hundred and sixty thousand men without including those who garrisoned the fortresses No monarch since the time of Solomon equaled Jehoshaphat in the extent of his revenue in the strength of his fortifications and in the number of his troops

KampD 2Ch_1714-16

The men fit for war passed in review according to their fathers-houses The male population of Judah fell into three divisions that of Benjamin into two The prince

Adnah held the first place among the generals with 300000 men of Judah ידו at his על

hand ie with and under him Jehohanan had the command of 280000 men and

Amasiah over 200000 השר is a contraction for אלפים For what special reason it is so שר

honourably recorded of Amasiah that he had willingly offered himself to the Lord (cf for

Jdg_59) has not been communicated התנב

COFFMA his represented a standing army of 1160000 men besides the garrisons in the fortified cities and this goes a long way to explaining why the Arabians and the Philistines brought tribute to Jehoshaphat In ancient times as in our own day peace frequently depended upon the strength of those who desired it

We should ignore the screams of exaggeration[3] which mark the writings of radical critics Pagan rulers of that era reported even larger armies than this and until the critics can prove that those were exaggerated reports they should let these alone Besides that we have already noted that the very word from which thousand is translated is disputed as to its exact meaning

COKE 2 Chronicles 1714 And these are the numbers of themmdash That is of the soldiers as well as of those who were employed in the kings works in the several cities ampc which he built See 2 Chronicles 1719

REFLECTIOSmdash1st Jehoshaphat no sooner comes to the throne than we see the dawnings of a glorious reign

1 He strengthened his kingdom by placing strong garrisons in the cities of Judah and those which his father had recovered from Israel and prepared against that danger which Ahabs growing power seemed to threaten

2 Religion was his great concern He copied after the best of his predecessors in their best days such as were the first of David before the matter of Uriah and the numbering of the people had blotted his fair copy Faithful to the worship of God he abhorred all idols the law of God was his rule of duty and Israels apostacy rendered his fidelity more singular and exemplary Inspired with holy zeal his heart with delight and sincerity was engaged for God and no difficulties deterred him from the path of duty The idols and groves which in the declining days of Asa might have been set up again he utterly destroyed with all the high places where they still offered sacrifices to these abominations ote (1) In the fairest human pattern there will be found imperfections but there is a Son of David more than man who has set us a spotless example that we should follow his steps (2) Fidelity in Gods service is the stability of a nation (3) A lively soul on wings of faith and love mounts up to God rises superior to every difficulty and looks down upon every thing besides his favour as altogether vanity

3 He not only removed the temptations to sin but took care to instruct the people in

the path of duty Ignorance of Gods law had greatly prevailed and to oblige them merely to conform to his reformation without grounding them on the true foundation of Gods word promised little stability The Levites and priests therefore are sent in progress through the cities of Judah with the book of the law to explain and enforce the commandments of God and several princes accompanied them in order to engage the people to hear them and give countenance to these preachers by their weight and influence ote (1) It is a blessed thing when princes countenance faithful ministers Though they cannot make men true converts their example and authority will induce them to attend (2) They who are sent to teach must see that they take the pure word of God along with them A true preacher wishes for nothing in his hand but his Bible (3) Religion is a reasonable service Conviction alone not compulsion or education can make a man a christian

4 The blessing of God attended his labours The Lord was with him or as the Targum generally expresses it the word of the Lord the divine Logos to whom all things are committed strengthened him in his labours and established his kingdom The people charmed with his government liberally sent their presents to him and abounding in riches and honour his heart far from being intoxicated by prosperity was lifted up in greater love and thankfulness to the gracious giver ote (1) God often here rewards piety with prosperity (2) Worldly comforts are then truly blessings when as the steps of Jacobs ladder they raise our hearts to heaven

2nd Like the light of the morning which shineth more and more so did Jehoshaphats glory increase

1 Feared by his enemies as beloved by his subjects the neighbouring princes did not offer to molest him while those of Philistia and Arabia courted his favour either by a voluntary present or exact payment of the tribute which Asa had imposed on them see 2 Chronicles 1711 God had put an awe upon them of the majesty of his king in Zion ote God hath access to the spirits of men and by secret yet irresistible influence can bow them to his sovereign will

2 His military preparations greatly advanced While he reformed the people he fortified their ramparts and built new castles and store-cities strengthening them within and without against their enemies Under five chief officers an immense army was enlisted Probably all the able men in the country were enrolled and regularly mustered though not drawn out except in case of necessity and this may easily account for the greatness of their number if we consider also the long peace they had enjoyed the accession of Israelites to them and especially the blessing of Abraham which no doubt was eminently fulfilled Amasiah one of the officers is mentioned with an honourable mark of distinction as a volunteer who served for the glory of God not for the sake of pay Such patriots are scarce

TRAPP 2 Chronicles 1714 And these [are] the numbers of them according to the house of their fathers Of Judah the captains of thousands Adnah the chief and

with him mighty men of valour three hundred thousand

Ver 14 Three hundred thousand] These were under his command and at hand to come whensoever the king would

WHEDO 14 Three hundred thousand mdash The numbers in this verse and the four verses following are generally regarded as corrupt ldquoThey implyrdquo observes the writer last quoted ldquoa minimum population of 1480 to the square mile which is more than three times greater than that of any country in the known world It is probable that the original numbers have been lost and the loss supplied by a scribe who took 2 Chronicles 148 as his basis

ELLICOTT Verse 14 (14) And these their fathersmdashAnd this is their muster (or census) according to their father-houses (clans) 1 Chronicles 243 The warriors were marshalled in the army according to clans so that men of the same stock fought side by side with their kindred Perhaps in the original document this heading was followed by a much more detailed scheme of names and divisions than that which the text presents

Of JudahmdashTo Judah (belonged) captains of thousands viz the three enumerated in 2 Chronicles 1714-16 Adnah Jehohanan and Amasiah They were the principal officers or generals of the entire forces of Judah

Adnah the chiefmdashTo wit the captain Adnah That Adnah was commander-in-chief is implied by his being named first and his corps being the largest

PULPIT This verse with the following four gives us the names of five captains chiefs princes or military officers for the kingdoms service with the numbers of the troops they severally commanded The numbers of them (see note under 1 Chronicles 2311) Hebrew פקדתם The better English rendering to carry at once the signification would be The muster of them etc The captains hellip the chief In both cases the Hebrew is the familiar word for prince ( שר ) in the former without article in the latter with article The numbers of this and following four verses are not only absolutely unreliable but in themselves impossible According to the house of their fathers ie the quotation is drawn from an army catalogue arranged carefully by fathers houses (umbers 118 umbers 122 etc)

15 next Jehohanan the commander with 280000

GILL And next to him was Jehohanan the captain Being of the same rank as to office but having a lesser number of men under him and it may respect not any kind of subordination only nearness of place as the Targumhe that encamped next to him

and with him two hundred and fourscore thousand which number was but 20000 less than the former

POOLE ext to him either

1 After his death as his successor in the same command And the like is supposed concerning Jehozabad 2 Chronicles 1718 Or rather

2 ext to him in place and authority or at least in power and the numbers of his host

16 next Amasiah son of Zikri who volunteered himself for the service of the Lord with 200000

GILL And next him was Amasiah the son of Zichri He encamped next to him as the Targum

who willingly offered himself unto the Lord to fight the Lords battles and without any stipend as some think or as Kimchi he offered gold and silver to the treasures of the house of the Lord

and with him two hundred thousand mighty men of valour the number was 80000 less than the former the whole of Judah amounted to 780000 men

TRAPP 2 Chronicles 1716 And next him [was] Amasiah the son of Zichri who willingly offered himself unto the LORD and with him two hundred thousand mighty men of valour

Ver 16 Who willingly offered himself unto the Lord] He was a votary the vows of God were upon him and this made him the more valiant and resolute (a) in the exercise of arms for the service of God and the safety of his people The Spahis among the Turks are a sort of horsemen voluntaries and votaries to gain paradise by dying for the Mohammedan cause These are never known to return home but

with victory these are heavy upon the enemy For

ldquo Vincitur haud gratis iugulo qui provocat ensem rdquo

POOLE As volunteers and auxiliaries to be ready upon occasion as the service of God and the king should require Possibly these or most of them were the strangers which had come out of Israel into the kingdom of Judah in Asarsquos days and probably since that in his time

ELLICOTT (16) AmasiahmdashIah carrieth (Isaiah 4011) different from Amaziah (Iah is strong)

Who willingly offered himself unto the Lordmdash(Judges 52 Judges 59) An allusion to some noble act of self-devotion which was doubtless more fully recorded in the source from which the chronicler has drawn this brief account Such allusions though no longer intelligible are important as conducing to the proof of the historical value of the narratives in which they occur LXX ὁ προθυmicroούmicroενος τῷ κυρίῳ Vulg consecratus Domino

PULPIT Amaziah the son of Zichri This man is not titled at all The description of him as one who had willingly offered himself unto the Lord not elucidated by the context or any effective parallel will mark something honorable in his history Possibly he comes from an unexpected quarter and is a man of approved skill othing further is known of these three men Meantime it has been suggested (Professor Dr J Murphy of Belfast Handbook to Chronicles ) that the first of the three was for Judah proper the second for that contingent of Judah that hailed from Dan and the Philistines and the third for that of Simeon and the Arabs

MACLARE This is a scrap from the catalogue of Jehoshaphatrsquos lsquomighty men of valourrsquo and is Amasiahrsquos sole record We see him for a moment and hear his eulogium and then oblivion swallows him up We do not know what it was that he did to earn it But what a fate to live to all generations by that one sentence

I Cheerful self-surrender the secret of all religion

The words of our text contain a metaphor naturally drawn from the sacrificial system It comes so easily to us that we scarcely recognise the metaphorical element but the clear recognition of it gives great additional energy to the words Amasiah was both sacrificer and sacrifice His offering was self-immolation As in all love so in that noblest kind of it which clasps God its perfect expression is lsquoI give Thee my living loving selfrsquo Nor is it only sacrifice and sacrificer that are seen in deepest truth in the experience of the Christian life but the reality of the Temple is also there for lsquoYe also are built up a spiritual house to be a holy priesthood to offer up spiritual sacrificesrsquo Only when God dwells in us shall we have the nerve and the firmness of hand to take the knife and lsquoslay before the Lordrsquo the awful Guest in the sanctuary within the most precious of the children of our spirits

The essence of the sacrifice of self is the sacrifice of will In the Christian experience

lsquowillingly offeredrsquo is almost tautology for unwilling offerings are a contradiction and in fact there are no such things The quality of unwillingness destroys the character of the offering and robs it of all sacredness Reluctant Christianity is not Christianity That noun and that adjective can never be buckled together

The submission of will and the consequent surrender of myself and my powers opportunities and possessions so that I do all enjoy all use all and when need is endure all with glad thankful reference to God is only possible to me in the measure in which my will is made flexible by love and such will-subduing love comes only when we lsquoknow and believe the love that God hath to usrsquo There is the point at which not a few moral and religious teachers go wrong and bewilder themselves and their disciples There too is the point at which Christ and the Gospel of salvation through faith in Him stand forth as emancipating humanity from the dreary round of efforts and vain attempts to work up the condition needful for achieving the height of self-surrender which is seen to be indispensable to all true nobleness of living but is felt to be beyond the reach of the ordinary man There too is the point at which many good people mar their lives as Christians They waste their strength in trying to bring the jibbing horse up to the leap They try to blow up a fire of devotion and to make themselves priests to offer themselves but all the while the mutinous self recoils from the leap and the fire burns smokily and their sacrifice is laid on the altar with little joy because they have not been careful and wise enough to begin at the beginning and to follow Godrsquos way of melting their wills by love the reflection of the Infinite love of God to them Godrsquos priests offer themselves because they offer their wills they offer their wills because they love God they love God because they know that God loves them That is the divine order It is vain to try to accomplish the end by any other

II This willing offering hallows all life

No syllable is left to tell us what Amasiah did to win this praise Probably the words enshrine some now forgotten memory of his cheerful courage some heroic feat on an unrecorded battlefield Particulars are not given nor needed Specific actions are unimportant the spirit of a life can be told with very incomplete details and it not the details is the important thing Sometimes as in many modern biographies one lsquocannot see the wood for the treesrsquo and misses the main drift and aim of a life in the chaos of a bewildering mass of nothings How much more happy the lot of this man of whom we have only the generalised expression of the text unweighted and undisturbed by petty incidents It takes tons of rose leaves to make a tiny phial of otto of roses but the fragrance is far more pungent in a drop of the distillation than in armfuls of leaves Every life shrinks into very small compass and the centuries do not tolerate long biographies Shall we not seek to order our life so that Amasiahrsquos epitaph may serve for us It will be blessed if this-and nothing else-is known about us that we lsquowillingly offered ourselves to the Lordrsquo My friend will that be a true epitome of your life

III This willing offering is accepted by God

We may hear a mightier voice behind the chroniclerrsquo s and the judgment of the Judge of all pronounced by His lips It matters little what men say of one another but it matters everything what God says of us We are but too apt to forget that He is now saying something as to each of us and that we have not to wait for death to put a final period to our activities before our lives become fit subjects for Godrsquos judgment Moment by moment we are writing our own sentences But while it is good for us to remember the continuous judgment of God on each deed it is not good to let dark thoughts of the principles of that judgment paralyse our activity or chill our confidence in His forgiving and accepting mercy There is often a dark suspicion like that of the one-talented

servant which blackens Godrsquos fair fame as being lsquoan austere Manrsquo making demands rather than imparting power and the effect of such an ugly conception of Him is to cut the nerve of service and bury the talent carefully folded up it may be but none the less earning nothing lsquoIf we call on Him as Father who without respect of persons judgeth according to every manrsquos workrsquo let us be sure that it will be a Fatherly judgment that He will pass upon us and our offerings There is a wonderful collection on His altar of what many people would think rubbish just as many a mother has laid away among her treasures some worthless article which her child had once given her-a weed plucked by the roadside in a long past summer day some trifle of rare preciousness in the childrsquos eyes and of none in any others than her own She opens her drawer and brings out the poor little thing and her eyes fill and her heart fills as she looks And does not God keep His childrenrsquos gifts as lovingly and set them in places of honour in the day when He lsquomakes up His jewelsrsquo There are cups of cold water and widowsrsquo mites and much else that a supercilious world would call lsquotrashrsquo stored there Thank God He accepts imperfect service faltering faith partial consecration a little love Even our poor offering may be an lsquoodour of a sweet smellrsquo ministering fragrance that is a delight to Him if it is offered with the much incense of the great Sacrifice and through the mediation of the great High Priest

The world forgot Amasiah or never knew him an obscure soldier in an obscure kingdom but God did not forget and here is his epitaph and this is his memorial to all generations Menrsquos chronicles have no room for all the names that their wearers are eager to have inscribed on their crumbling and crowded pages lsquobut the Lambrsquos Book of Lifersquo has ample space on its radiant pages for all who desire to set their names there and if ours are there we need not envy the proudest whose titles and deeds fill the most conspicuous pages in the worldrsquos records lsquoThen shall every man have praise of Christrsquo and he who wins that guerdon needs nothing more and can have nothing more to swell his blessedness

17 From BenjaminEliada a valiant soldier with 200000 men armed with bows and shields

GILL And of Benjamin Eliada a mighty man of valour Was the chief commander

and with armed men with bow and shield two hundred thousand which were

the armour of the tribe of Benjamin they were best skilled in 2Ch_148

TRAPP 2 Chronicles 1717 And of Benjamin Eliada a mighty man of valour and with him armed men with bow and shield two hundred thousand

Ver 17 With bow and shield] The Benjamites were notable bowmen [1 Chronicles 122] The Engish were anciently so too

ELLICOTT (17) Armed men with bow and shieldmdashLiterally drawing bow and shield ie as the Targum explains ldquodrawing bow and grasping shieldsrdquo (Comp 1 Chronicles 122) LXX ldquoArchers and peltastsrdquo Vulg ldquoGrasping bow and shieldrdquo (Comp also 1 Chronicles 840 for the arms of the Benjaminites)

18 next Jehozabad with 180000 men armed for battle

GILL And next to him was Jehozabad According to the Targum he encamped next him

and with him one hundred and fourscore thousand ready prepared for war being able bodied men well disciplined valiant and well armed these numbers of Judah and Benjamin put together amount to 1160000 men whereas Asa only brought into the field 580000 but it should be considered there had been a long time of peace many had come off from the ten tribes to Judah and the promise of multiplying the seed of Abraham was eminently fulfilled

TRAPP 2 Chronicles 1718 And next him [was] Jehozabad and with him an hundred and fourscore thousand ready prepared for the war

Ver 18 A hundred and fourscore thousand] His militia was eleven hundred and threescore thousand besides what he had in garrisons [2 Chronicles 1719] So that as he was better he was stronger than his father Asa had been Piety hath prosperity

ELLICOTT (18) Ready prepared for the warmdashEquipped for service (See on 1

Chronicles 1223-24 umbers 315 umbers 3229) The hoplites or heavy-armed infantry are probably meant

PULPIT While Eliada of last verse was for Benjamin Professor Dr Murphy supposes that Jehozabad was for the annexed part of Ephraim But no suppositions of this kind can avail to explain the numbers in the text which is no doubt corrupt

19 These were the men who served the king besides those he stationed in the fortified cities throughout Judah

CLARKE These waited on the king - They were disposable forces always at the kingrsquos command and were independent of those by which the cities of Judah were garrisoned

There is not a sovereign in Europe or in the world but might read this chapter with advantage

1 It shows most forcibly that true religion is the basis of the state and that wherever it prospers there the state prospers

2 It shows also that it is the wisdom of kings to encourage religion with all their power and influence for if the hearts of the subjects be not bound and influenced by true religion vain is the application of laws fines imprisonments or corporal punishment of any kind

3 A religious nation is ever a great nation it is loved by its friends it is dreaded by its enemies

4 It is ever a peaceable and united nation the blessings of religion and a wholesome and paternal government are so fully felt and prized that all find it their interest to preserve and defend them Harmony peace piety and strength are the stability of such times May Britain know and value them

GILL These waited on the king Not this vast number of men at one time but in course as Davids military men waited on him 1Ch_271 or each of these captains with a proper number of men under them detached from the body and they were all ready to obey the kings orders whenever he should have occasion for them

besides those whom the king put into the fenced cities throughout Judah and all together the militia of the kingdom was very numerous and formidable

KampD 2Ch_1719

These were serving the king א6ה refers not to the above-mentioned men capable of

bearing arms for sheereet is not used of service in war but to the commanders whom he had placed in the fortified cities of all Judah ldquoin which probably bodies of the above-mentioned troops lay as garrisonsrdquo (Berth)

BESO 2 Chronicles 1719 These waited on the king mdash These above-mentioned were the trained bands or auxiliaries whose chief officers waited on the king to receive his commands and to raise and bring in all or part of their forces to the service of the king as need required A vast number for so small a compass of ground to furnish out and maintain But we may consider that God had promised to make the seed of Abraham like the sand of the sea for number that there had now been a long peace that many were come to them from the kingdom of Israel and that Jehoshaphat was under a special blessing of God They were doubtless dispersed all the country over every one residing on his own land only they were ready at call whenever there was occasion

TRAPP 2 Chronicles 1719 These waited on the king beside [those] whom the king put in the fenced cities throughout all Judah

Ver 19 These waited on the king] ie In their turns and by course

POOLE These above mentioned were the trained bands or auxiliaries whose chief officers waited upon the king to receive his commands and to raise and bring in all or part of their forces to the service of the king and kingdom as need required

ELLICOTT (19) These waited on the kingmdashRather these are they that ministered unto the king viz the five generals above named

Beside those whom the king put in the fenced citiesmdashie the commandants of the fortresses of the kingdom (2 Chronicles 1111 2 Chronicles 1123) These latter as well as the generals of the forces are called the kingrsquos ldquoministersrdquo (mĕshacircrĕthicircm)mdasha word which is not used of service in the field but implies their presence at court (ldquoin Jerusalemrdquo 2 Chronicles 1713 as the royal staff)

According to the above list the army of Jehoshaphat was organised in five grand divisions corresponding perhaps to five territorial divisions of the southern kingdom The totals are the largest assigned to the two tribes anywhere in the Old Testament viz Judah 780000 and Benjamin 380000 in all 1160000 At Davidrsquos census Judah had 500000 warriors (2 Samuel 249) and Israel 800000 Again in 2

Chronicles 148 Asarsquos army consists of 300000 men of Judah and 280000 Benjaminites clearly such an increase as our text indicates is unaccountable At the same time it is equally clear that the present numbers are not fortuitous results of clerical errors for they follow each other in the order of relative strength Judah 300000 280000 200000 Benjamin 200000 180000 and they are evidently not independent of the estimates of 2 Chronicles 148 above quoted

In the absence of adequate data for modifying these certainly startling figures it is well to bear in mind that we need not understand by them an army which ever actually mustered in the field or on parade but simply an estimate of the total male population liable to be called out for the national defence although even upon that understanding the total appears to be at least three times too great considering the small extent of the country

PULPIT These waited Hebrew המשרתים plur piel part of שרת The verse states that this enormous fivefold army with its five princes (counting in our corrupt text one million one hundred and sixty thousand) was the kings Jerusalem standing army while other separate regiments or bands of troops were spread through all Judah where they might be most needed for defence

upon David who though he fell dreadfully in the matter of Uriah yet did manifestly repent of it and return to his first and holy course of life in which also he continued until death having this character given him by the Holy Ghost after his death that he did right in all things saving that of Uriah 1 Kings 155

WHEDO 3 The first ways of his father David mdash The first or earlier ways of David are contrasted with his later ways ldquoin the matter of Uriahrdquo and his sin in numbering the people The Septuagint omits the word David and some have therefore thought it an interpolation and understand the earlier ways of Asa to be intended

ELLICOTT (3) He walked in the first waysmdashThe former or earlier ways of David as contrasted with his later conductmdasha tacit allusion to the adultery with Bathsheba and other sins of David committed in his later years (2 Samuel 11-24) A few MSS and the LXX omit David

And sought not unto BaalimmdashAnd sought not the Baals (dacircrash lĕ a late construction) The Baals were different local aspects of the sun-god Here the term no doubt includes the illegal worship of Jehovah under the form of a bullock as instituted by Jeroboam and practised in the northern kingdom (ldquothe doing of Israelrdquo 2 Chronicles 174) Syriac ldquoand prayed not to imagesrdquo

PARKER And the Lord was with Jehoshaphat because he walked in the first ways of his father David and sought not unto Baalim ( 2 Chronicles 173)

The Lord was not with Jehoshaphat because he strengthened himself against Israel nor because he placed forces in all the fenced cities of Judah and set garrisons in the land of Judah and in the streets of Ephraim ot one of these little triumphs is referred to as affording God a basis for the complaisant treatment of the new king As ever the Lords relation to Jehoshaphat was determined by Jehoshaphats own moral condition A very beautiful expression is thismdashhe walked in the first ways of his father David that is to say in the former or earlier ways of David as contrasted with Davids later conduct Some have found here a tacit allusion to Davids greatest sin which he committed when he was advanced in life A somewhat mournful thing it is that a mans first ways should be better than his last The other relation would seem to be the one which reason would approve and God would specially honour namely that a mans old age should be the ripest and best part of his conduct rich with Wisdom of Solomon strong with experience and chastened by many a pensive recollection Sad when you have to go back to a mans youth to find his virtues or his most conspicuous excellences but most beautiful when a mans earlier mistakes are lost in the richness and wisdom of his later conduct God keeps his attention fixed on all the parts of a mans life and he observes which of those parts is most esteemed by the mans own successors Happy is that father whose whole example is worthy of imitation yet more than human is he the whole of whose life is without stain or flaw Jehoshaphats conduct in this matter is the more notable because of the constant observation of mankind that it is easier to follow the evil than to imitate the good When imitation enters into a mans life he is prone to

copy that which is inferior and to leave without reproduction that which is lofty and disciplinary In this instance Jehoshaphat sets an example to the world His conduct too is represented negatively as well as positivelymdashand sought not unto Baalim The word Baalim is in the plural number and the literal reading might be Jehoshaphat sought not the Baals the Baals being different local aspects or phases of the sun-god It is to be specially noted that the term Baal includes an aspect even of Jehovah himself that is to say Israel had degenerated so far as to suppose that in worshipping Baal they were worshipping at least one phase of the true God We must not mix up our religion with our irreligion our prayers with our idolatry our heavenliness with our worldly-mindedness the whole arrangement must be clean and pure from one end to the other inasmuch as one taint may cause the whole process of our religious thought and service to become deteriorated and valueless It is often difficult to abandon a popular custom More people might be in favour of Jehoshaphat strengthening himself against Israel than in returning to the first ways of David and abandoning the altar of the Baals History and religion are always considered in their separate distribution There are politicians who would vote for a war who would on no account surrender a superstition On the other hand there are men who pride themselves on being free of the influence of superstition who would willingly enter into the most sanguinary wars for the extension of empire or the glory of some particular throne In Jehoshaphat we seem to come into contact with a complete character in other words a man who in every point was equally strong a man of foresight a man of reverence a man of an honest heart a man who felt that idolatry and true worship could not coexist in the same breast

ISBET lsquoThe Lord was with Jehoshaphatrsquo2 Chronicles 173It is instructive to notice what is said about Davidrsquos waysmdashit was his first ways that Jehoshaphat took for his pattern We should always be careful to adopt only the good things in others

I lsquoThe Lord stablished the kingdom in his handrsquo God loves to find a man He can trust a man into whose hand He can put holy interests and know that they will be sacredly cherishedmdashThe Lord established the kingdom in the hands of Jehoshaphat because Jehoshaphat was true to his trust In our Lordrsquos parable of The Talents we are taught that those who prove faithful to their trust receive other things also in trust while those who are unfaithful even in small things God will not intrust with larger things

II lsquoHis heart was lifted up in the ways of the Lordrsquo There is a bad lifting up and a good lifting up Some people are made vain and self-conceited by prosperitymdashThe temptation for young people when first called upon to do any work and accomplishing it with some measure of success is to become proud and to show their vanity by talking too much about themselves and what they have done Such lifting up not only dishonours God but hurts the person But Jehoshaphat was lifted up in the ways of the Lord Too often as money comes in and prosperity increases

people get so absorbed in these new gifts of God that the Giver Himself fades out of their vision If only we see the hand of God in every new mercy and goodness that comes to us our heart will be lifted up in the ways of the Lord

III lsquoThe fear of the Lord fell upon all the kingdoms hellip so that they made no war against Jehoshaphatrsquo The Lord is able to control even the diplomacy and the politics of nationsmdashWhen these kingdoms saw the blessing which Jehoshaphat was enjoying in his country they felt an awe in their heartsmdashthe fear of the Lord fell upon themmdashand they refrained from making war God will always find some way to defend His own people in the midst of dangers

PULPIT The first ways of his father David Although there would be no difficulty in reconciling this statement with history yet probably the name David should not stand here It is not in the Septuagint The most natural and sufficient reference is to Asa And sought not unto Ballim literally to the Baalim ie to the various false gods of surrounding peoples ( 211) Baal-berith ( 833 94 946) Baal-zebub (2 Kings 12) Baal-peor (umbers 2328 etc umbers 253) according to the places where the idolatrous worship was carried on (For the preposition ל to after sought in this and following verse see again 1 Chronicles 2219 )

4 but sought the God of his father and followed his commands rather than the practices of Israel

BARES The doings of Israel - i e the especially idolatrous doings of the time -the introduction and establishment of the worship of Baal and the groves

GILL But sought to the Lord God of his fathers Prayed to him worshipped and served him

and walked in his commandments observed and kept them moral ceremonial and judicial

and not after the doings of Israel who worshipped the golden calves at Dan and Bethel

JAMISO and not after the doings of Israelmdash He observed with scrupulous fidelity and employed his royal influence to support the divine institutions as enacted by Moses abhorring that spurious and unlawful calf-worship that now formed the established religion in Israel Being thus far removed alike from gross idolatry and Israelitish apostasy and adhering zealously to the requirements of the divine law the blessing of God rested on his government Ruling in the fear of God and for the good of his subjects ldquothe Lord established the kingdom in his handrdquo

COFFMA So far so good Jehoshaphat like some others of the kings of Judah began very well receiving as their reward the blessing of the Lord and the prosperity of the people but his alliance with Ahab (described in 2 Chronicles 18) would cast a dark shadow over what is written here

(He) walked not after the doings of Israel (2 Chronicles 174) The contempt in which the author of Chronicles held the orthern Israel appears in a clause like this The outstanding feature of Chronicles is the omission wherever possible of practically the entire history of their kings This reminds us of the Book of umbers in which the whole history of the apostate Israel records only a few events for the whole period Why It was because of the fact that what any nation does after they have rejected God is of minor importance

With the apostasy of the orthern Israel and their rejection of Gods choice of the house of David the history of the redemption of mankind dramatically shifted to what happened in Jerusalem

TRAPP 2 Chronicles 174 But sought to the [LORD] God of his father and walked in his commandments and not after the doings of Israel

Ver 4 And not after the doings of Israel] Who in his days did evil as they could under that nonsuch Ahab But Jehoshaphat was not corrupted with their ill neighbourhood

PARKER But sought to the Lord God of his father and walked in his commandments and not after the doings of Israel ( 2 Chronicles 174)

We must be prepared for singularity if we are genuinely prepared to be good Let a man settle it with himself in prayerful solitude whether he means to walk with God or to identify himself with the spirit and customs of his age Jehoshaphat laid down a clear programme for himself and followed it out with patient and faithful industry The Lord God of his father was not a mere term in a crowd it was the object of daily search and quest Jehoshaphat inquired for him and operated constantly upon the doctrine Ask and it shall be given you knock and it shall be opened unto you or was Jehoshaphats religion merely speculative that is to say an intellectual quest after an intellectual God whatever was speculative in the mind and service of Jehoshaphat was sustained and ennobled by a solid moral element

forasmuch as Jehoshaphat walked in Gods commandmentsmdashhe read the decalogue he studied Gods word he would take no action personal regal or social that was not first examined and approved in the light of the divine statutes All this might have been comparatively easy if Jehoshaphat had started at an independent point but at such a point no man can start for he must take up the age as he finds it and must first disembarrass himself from all the stipulations and claims of custom usage and popular superstition Jehoshaphat sought not after the doings of Israel he set himself up in this respect against the kingdom he was not afraid of peculiarity in a word Jehoshaphats religion was characteristic that is to say it had lines points and colours of its own about which there could be no reasonable mistake What is our religion Do we intellectually assent to the existence and sovereignty of one God and then degenerate into self-worship Do we admit that there must be an ultimate morality a philosophy of conduct founded upon eternal metaphysics and then do we measure our own behaviour by the canon of custom These are questions that search the heart and no man can answer them for his brother

What became of all this noble conduct arising out of this high religious conception We shall see in the following versemdash

PULPIT After the doings of Israel This expression probably marks the doings of the northern kingdom as both the more typical throughout its whole history of the wrong and also as the systematic beginning by a law of idolatrous worship and images in the matter of the calves and so on

5 The Lord established the kingdom under his control and all Judah brought gifts to Jehoshaphat so that he had great wealth and honor

BARES Presents - i e ldquofree-will offeringsrdquo in addition to the regular taxes See 1Sa_1027

GILL Therefore the Lord stablished the kingdom in his hand Piety is the

best prop of government the throne is best supported and established by truth righteousness and mercy by the exercise of these Jehoshaphat was settled in his kingdom and had a place in the hearts of his people

and all Judah brought to Jehoshaphat presents being well affected to him as well as it was usual so to do at a princes accession to the throne see 1Sa_1027

and he had riches and honour in abundance through the presents his subjects brought him and the respect they showed him

JAMISO all Judah brought presentsmdash This was customary with the people generally at the beginning of a reign (1Sa_1027) and with the nobles and high functionaries yearly afterwards They were given in the form of voluntary offerings to avoid the odious idea of a tax or tribute

KampD Therefore Jahve established the kingdom in his hand ie under his rule cf

2Ki_145 All Judah brought him presents מנחה often used of tribute of subject peoples

eg in 2Ch_1711 of the Philistines cannot here have that signification nor can it denote

the regular imposts of subjects for these are not called מנחה but must denote voluntary

gifts which his subjects brought him as a token of their reverence and love The last clause ldquoand there was to him (he attained) riches and honour in abundancerdquo which is repeated 2Ch_181 recalls 1Ch_2928 2Ch_112 and signifies that Jehoshaphat like his ancestors David and Solomon was blessed for walking in the pious ways of these his forefathers

BESO 2 Chronicles 175-6 Therefore the Lord established the kingdom in his hand mdash Those stand firm that have the presence of God with them If the beauty of the Lord our God be upon us that will stablish the work of our hands and establish us in our integrity And all Judah brought to Jehoshaphat presents mdash As subjects in those times and places used to do to their kings in token of their respect and subjection to them The more there is of true religion among a people the more conscientious loyalty there will be A governor that answers the end of government will be supported And he had riches and honour in abundance mdash The effect of the favour both of God and his people It is undoubtedly true though few will believe it that religion and piety are the best friends to outward prosperity And his heart was lift up in the ways of the Lord mdash Riches and honour in abundance prove to many a clog and a hinderance in the ways of the Lord an occasion of pride security and sensuality but they had a quite contrary effect upon Jehoshaphat his abundance was oil to the wheels of his obedience and the more he had of the wealth of this world the more cheerfully and resolutely he went on in the ways of the Lord His heart also was lifted up above all discouragements difficulties and fears by which menrsquos hearts are wont to be cast down He was valiant and resolute for God and his ways He took away the high places and groves mdash That is those in which idols were worshipped for those that were dedicated to the true God only were not taken away chap 2 Chronicles 2033 And though Asa had done the same before yet

either he did not do it thoroughly or the people who were mad upon their idols had secretly made new ones in the latter part of his reign when he grew more infirm in body and more remiss in Godrsquos cause

TRAPP 2 Chronicles 175 Therefore the LORD stablished the kingdom in his hand and all Judah brought to Jehoshaphat presents and he had riches and honour in abundance

Ver 5 And he had riches and honour in abundance] Herein he came near unto Solomon in his greatest flourish

ELLICOTT (5) ThereforemdashAnd (so ldquoalsordquo ldquoso thatrdquo in 2 Chronicles 177 2 Chronicles 1710)

The Lord stablished the kingdom in his handmdashComp 2 Kings 145

PresentsmdashMinchah This word often means tributary offerings as in 2 Chronicles 1711 but here it obviously denotes the voluntary gifts of loyal subjects usual at the beginning of a reign (1 Samuel 1027)

And he had (or got) riches and honour in abundancemdashLike David and Solomon (1 Chronicles 2928 2 Chronicles 112)

PARKER 5-9 5 Therefore the Lord stablished the kingdom in his hand [comp 2 Kings 145] and all Judah brought to Jehoshaphat presents [this word often means tributary offerings but here it denotes the voluntary gifts of loyal subjects] and he had riches and honour in abundance

6 And his heart was lifted up [usually the phrase has a bad meaning (as in Deuteronomy 814 2 Chronicles 2616 Psalm 1311 etc) but it is evident that it must be taken differently here The marginal reading is right his courage rose high or he grew bold] in the ways of the Lord moreover he took away the high places and groves out of Judah

7 Also in the third year of his reign he sent to his princes [rather he sent his princes] even to Ben-hail and to Obadiah and to Zechariah and to ethaneel and to Michaiah to teach in the cities of Judah

8 And with them he sent [rather were the] Levites even Shemaiah and ethaniah and Zebadiah and Asahel and Shemiramoth and Jehonathan and Adonijah and Tobijah and Tobadonijah Levites and with them Elishama and Jehoram priests

9 And they taught in Judah and had the book of the law of the Lord [the Pentateuchmdashnearly if not quite in the shape in which we now have it] with them and went about throughout all the cities of Judah and taught [among] the people

PARKER Therefore the Lord stablished the kingdom in his hand and all Judah brought to Jehoshaphat presents and he had riches and honour in abundance ( 2 Chronicles 175)

Whatever was doubtful about the ascent of Jehoshaphat to the throne was removed and the king was enabled to realise his power when he closed his hand upon the royal sceptre he found that he was not grasping a shadow but a reality There are times when men become fully conscious of their influence and of their proper social position happy are they if in this consciousness they detect a prevailingly religious element which constrains them to acknowledge that honour and wealth power and dignity are the gifts of God Is not this an anticipation of the Saviours great doctrinemdashSeek ye first the kingdom of God and his righteousness and all these things shall be added unto you Jehoshaphat did not seek riches and honour he sought to the Lord God of his father and walked in the divine commandments and as a result he enjoyed all that kings delight in as indicating strength and pomp renown and influence

GUZIK 2 (2 Chronicles 175-6) The blessing upon his reign

Therefore the LORD established the kingdom in his hand and all Judah gave presents to Jehoshaphat and he had riches and honor in abundance And his heart took delight in the ways of the LORD moreover he removed the high places and wooden images from Judah

a Therefore the LORD established the kingdom in his hand This was no small accomplishment In those days kings and kingdoms were fragile and under constant threat Yet if the descendants of David would seek God first He promised to take care of their security ndash and God makes the same promise to His people today (Matthew 633)

b All Judah gave presents to Jehoshaphat and he had riches and honor in abundance Because Jehoshaphat trusted God God lifted him up and exalted him as a king As his heart took delight in the ways of the LORD the LORD gave him the desires of his heart (Psalms 374)

c Moreover he removed the high places and wooden images from Judah 1 Kings 2243 says that Jehoshaphat did not remove the high places Adam Clarke explains ldquoIn 2 Chronicles 176 it is expressly said that he did take way the high places Allowing that the text is right in 2 Chronicles the two places may be easily recognized There were two kinds of high places in the land 1 Those used for idolatrous purposes 2 Those that were consecrated to God and were used before the temple was built The former he did take away the latter he did notrdquo

i ldquoThey may also witness to the deep hold of the Canaanite and syncretic forms of religion on ordinary Israelites Popular views and practices are often quite different from pronouncements by religious authoritiesrdquo (Selman)

PULPIT All Judah brought presents to Jehoshaphat These presents were of course voluntary gifts though like not a few others custom may have taken off from them something of the bloom of spontaneousness (1 Samuel 1027 2 Samuel 82 1 Kings 421 1 Kings 1025 Psalms 7210)

6 His heart was devoted to the ways of the Lord furthermore he removed the high places and the Asherah poles from Judah

BARES His heart was lifted up - This expression generally occurs in a bad sense Deu_814 2Ch_2616 Psa_1311 Pro_1812 but here it must be taken differently The margin ldquowas encouragedrdquo expresses fairly the true meaning He first began by setting an example of faithfulness to Yahweh He then proceeded to use his best endeavors to extirpate idolatry

He took away the high places - Compare 2Ch_2033 and see the 2Ch_1517 note

GILL And his heart was lifted up in the ways of the Lord It was engaged in them was bent and set upon them he walked in them with great pleasure and cheerfulness being inspired with zeal and courage he was fearless and intrepid and regarded not any opposition he might have or expect to have in the work of reformation in which he was concerned

moreover he took away the high places such as were dedicated to idols but not those in which the true God was worshipped 2Ch_2033

and groves out of Judah where idols were placed for though these had been removed by Asa yet had been renewed in the latter part of his days when more negligent of religion

HERY 2 He was a despised man (Job_176) ldquoHerdquo (that is Eliphaz so some or rather God whom he all along acknowledges to be the author of his calamities) ldquohas made me a byword of the people the talk of the country a laughing-stock to many a gazing-stock to all and aforetime (or to mens faces publicly) I was as a tabret that whoever chose might play uponrdquo They made ballads of him his name became a proverb it is so still As poor as Job ldquoHe has now made me a bywordrdquo a reproach of men whereas aforetime in my prosperity I was as a tabret deliciae humani generis -

the darling of the human race whom they were all pleased with It is common for those who were honoured in their wealth to be despised in their poverty

JAMISO his heart was lifted up in the ways of the Lordmdash Full of faith and piety he possessed zeal and courage to undertake the reformation of manners to suppress all the works and objects of idolatry (see on 2Ch_2033) and he held out public encouragement to the pure worship of God

KampD This blessing encouraged Jehoshaphat to extirpate from the land all

idolatrous worship and to teach the people the law of the Lord לב usually sensu ב

malo to be haughty proud cf eg 2Ch_2616 2Ch_3225 here sensu bono of rising

courage to advance in ways pleasing to God and he removed the high places also etc עודpoints back to 2Ch_173 not only did he himself keep far from the Baals but he

removed besides all memorials of the Baal-worship from Judah On מות and אשרים see

on 2Ch_142

COKE 2 Chronicles 176 And his heart was lifted upmdash And when he had elevated his mind in following the commandments of God he took yet from Judah high places and groves ie he destroyed yet other monuments of idolatry which had escaped the diligence of his father Asa though he took not away those high places and altars which had been erected in Jerusalem for the true God See 1 Kings 2243 and ch 1 Kings 2033 of this book

TRAPP 2 Chronicles 176 And his heart was lifted up in the ways of the LORD moreover he took away the high places and groves out of Judah

Ver 6 And his heart was lifted up] ot with pride as 2 Chronicles 3225 but with undaunted courage and disengaged zeal such as made him come off roundly and readily in the ensuing reformation he was more forward and forth putting than his father Asa not slothful in business but fervent in spirit serving the Lord

POOLE His heart was lifted up above all discouragements and difficulties and fears by which menrsquos hearts use to be cast down he was valiant and resolute for God and his ways

He took away the high places and groves to wit such only wherein idols were worshipped as appears by comparing this with 2 Chronicles 2033 And though Asa had done this before yet either he did not do it thoroughly or the Jews (who were many of them mad upon their idols) had secretly made new ones in the latter part of his reign when he grew more infirm in body and more remiss in Godrsquos cause

WHEDO 6 His heart was lifted up mdash That is exalted with holy faith and courage

Took away the high places mdash Yet in spite of all his efforts and successes in this matter the people had become so addicted to these practices that their destruction was not thoroughly secured See note on 2 Chronicles 143 and compare 2 Chronicles 2033

ELLICOTT (6) And his heart was lifted upmdashGabhah lccedilbh which usually like the phrase of Authorised version has a bad meaning as in 2 Chronicles 2616 The margin is right here ldquohis courage rose highrdquo or ldquohe grew boldrdquo in the ways of Jehovah ie in the path of religious reform Vulg ldquocum sumpsisset cor ejus audaciam propter vias Dominirdquo

MoreovermdashAnd again further Referring to 2 Chronicles 173 ot only did he not seek the Baals but more than this he removed the high places ampc [This is the common explanation But the sense may rather be ldquoAnd he again removedrdquo referring back to Asarsquos reforms 2 Chronicles 145]

GrovesmdashrsquoAshecircrim ldquoAsherahsrdquo (2 Chronicles 143)

PARKER And his heart was lifted up in the ways of the Lord moreover he took away the high places and groves out of Judah ( 2 Chronicles 176)

The expression his heart was lifted up is an awkward one The lifting up of the heart signifies increase of pride a sensation of vanity a desire to gratify personal ambition and to make an idol of his will In this instance the marginal reading is to be preferredmdashwas encouraged or otherwise his courage rose high and again it has been rendered Jehoshaphat grew bold that is to say he was not a timid reformer or a timid worshipper a trimmer or a time-server in any sense he was a heroic worshipper of the living God when he saw that reform was necessary he went forward with a steady step and an energetic hand We should call Jehoshaphat a man of conviction and a man who had the courage of his convictions altogether this is the outline of a noble personage a born king a man who has a right to the purple and the sceptre When such men ascend thrones nations should be glad and rejoice with a great joy for their character is grander than their office and their spirit is the best guarantee of the elevation and utility of their regal policy Becoming conscious of his power knowing that his kingdom was established from on high Jehoshaphat not only did pot seek the Baals himself but he took away the high places and groves out of Judah Jehoshaphat was not content with a merely personal religion he could not convert the hearts of his people but he could destroy all the symbols of unholy worship Men are only required to do that which lies within their power A proprietor may not be able to make people sober but he can forbid the introduction of temptations to drunkenness a parent may not be able to subdue the spirit of pride but he can in many instances limit the means of gratifying it There are reforms which are open to us all in personal custom in social habit it may be even in imperial ways let each Jehoshaphat seize his opportunity and magnify it

All this would have been comparatively in vain but for another step which

Jehoshaphat took In the third year of his reign he sent to his princesmdashthat is to say he sent his princesmdashand he sent Levites all of whose names are given and he sent also two priests Elishama and Jehoram and their business was purely educational

PULPIT And his heart was lifted up in the ways of the Lord Although the verb often carries a bad sense with it it quite as often carries with it a good one in the גבהOld Testament and the typical instance of the former (Psalms 1311) is fully counterbalanced by Isaiah 5213 The marginal was enencouraged may be superseded with advantage by took courage (Isaiah 4029-31) The groves Supersede this incorrect rendering by the Asherim and upon the seeming discrepancy see again Isaiah 151-9 17 and Introduction to Chronicles there quoted

7 In the third year of his reign he sent his officials Ben-Hail Obadiah Zechariah ethanel and Micaiah to teach in the towns of Judah

BARES The princes were not sent as teachers themselves but had the duty committed to them of seeing that the people were taught The actual teachers were the priests and Levites of 2Ch_178

CLARKE 7-9 To teach in the cities of Judah - ldquoTo teach the fear of the Lord in the cities of Judahrdquo - Targum

In these verses we find a remarkable account of an itinerant ministry established by Jehoshaphat and in this work he employed three classes of men

1 The princes

2 The Levites

3 The priests

We may presume that the princes instructed the people in the nature of the civil law and constitution of the kingdom the Levites instructed them in every thing that appertained to the temple service and ritual law and the priests instructed them in the

nature and design of the religion they professed Thus the nation became thoroughly instructed in their duty to God to the king and to each other They became therefore as one man and against a people thus united on such principles no enemy could be successful

GILL Also in the third year of his reign he sent to his princes That dwelt in the several parts of the kingdom or he sent them being with him some of the

principal men of his court for ל may be a sign of the accusative case as it sometimes is

even to Benhail and to Obadiah and to Zechariah and to Nethaneel and to Michaiah to teach in the cities of Judah to see that they were taught and oblige them to attend to the instructions that should be given them and not mutiny and rebel against their teachers and to let them know what was the kings pleasure on this head and to back with their authority the priests and Levites whose proper work it was to instruct and who therefore were sent with them as follows

JAMISO 7-11 2Ch_177-11 He sends Levites to teach in Judah

Also in the third year of his reign he sent to his princes to teach in the cities of Judahmdash The ordinary work of teaching devolved on the priests But extraordinary commissioners were appointed probably to ascertain whether the work had been done or neglected This deputation of five princes assisted by two priests and nine Levites was to make a circuit of the towns in Judah It is the first practical measure we read of as being adopted by any of the kings for the religious instruction of the people Time and unbroken opportunities were afforded for carrying out fully this excellent plan of home education for the kingdom enjoyed internal tranquillity as well as freedom for foreign wars It is conformable to the pious style of the sacred historian to trace this profound peace to the ldquofear of the Lord having fallen on all kingdoms of the lands that were round about Judahrdquo

BESO 2 Chronicles 177 He sent to his princes mdash to teach in the cities of Judah mdash To inform the people of their duty and of the kingrsquos pleasure As judges teach or instruct the people in the laws of the land when they deliver their charges upon the bench so did these princes in the kingrsquos name admonish and require the people to observe and obey the laws of God which were the municipal laws of that land the particular explication and enforcement whereof they left to the Levites and priests here following who were sent for this end and accordingly taught the people 2 Chronicles 179

COFFMA Because of the clause which we have capitalized this is one of the most important passages in Chronicles Right here is the reason radical critics have extended themselves so unreasonably in their efforts to discredit Chronicles Here is dependable historical proof of the continued existence of the Torah from the days of Moses throughout the history of Israel As Keil stated it The book of the law of Jehovah is the Pentateuch not merely a collection of Mosaic laws since in Jehoshaphats time the Mosaic Book of the Law (the Pentateuch) had been long in existence[1] We shall not take the space to repeat the vociferous denials of critics

except to cite one knee-jerk remark that characterizes all of them Such action was not taken in Jehoshaphats time[2] What is the basis of such a blatant denial of what Gods Word states as a fact even giving the very names of the royal princes who did the teaching THERE IS OE o matter what unbelievers say this chapter IS the historical record of what happened in the reign of Jehoshaphat and those who live two and one half millenniums afterward have nothing of value by which they may challenge it Then why do men deny it The false theories they have invented are here contradicted forcing them either to give up their false theories or to deny the Sacred Scriptures that contradict them

COKE 2 Chronicles 177 He sent to his princes even to Ben-hail ampcmdash He sent of his princes Ben-hail Obadiah ampc The proper business of these princes in their circuit round the kingdom says Bishop Patrick was to admonish and require the people to observe the laws of God and to leave the particular explication and enforcement of them to those of the sacred order who went with them supporting them in the execution of their office and obliging the people to receive them with respect to hear them with attention and to practise what they taught

TRAPP 2 Chronicles 177 Also in the third year of his reign he sent to his princes [even] to Benhail and to Obadiah and to Zechariah and to ethaneel and to Michaiah to teach in the cities of Judah

Ver 7 He sent to his princes to teach in the cities of Judah] Teaching princes there are not many such as were David Solomon George prince of Anhalt ampc but these were sent with the teaching Levites to countenance and bear them out in this visitation general and perhaps to punish the opposite and obstinate if any such Junius readeth the text thus He sent with his princes these Levites for the teaching Or the princes taught the people the law of the land the priests and Levites the law of God both did mutually help one another So a Danish king of this land made a law that at the general court of every shire the bishop of the diocese should accompany the sheriff that the one might countenance Godrsquos law the other manrsquos (a) Queen Elizabeth once in her progress through Suffolk observing that the justices of that county who came to meet her had every man his minister next to his body said she wondered not that that county was so well governed where she saw that the word and sword went so lovingly together (b)

POOLE To teach in the cities of Judah to inform the people of their duty and of the kingrsquos pleasure As judges or justices of peace teach or instruct the people in the laws of the land when they deliver their charges upon the bench so did these princes in the kingrsquos name admonish and require the people to observe and obey the laws of God which were the prinicipal laws of that land the particular explication and enforcement whereof they left to the Levites and priests here following who were sent for this end and accordingly taught the people 2 Chronicles 179

WHEDO 7 He sent to his princeshellip to teach mdash He committed the matter of

teaching to their oversight and care and the teaching was done by the Levites and priests as stated in the next verse He did well to put down idolatry but he was wise enough to know that unless the people were instructed they would soon apostatize again

ELLICOTT THE COMMISSIOERS OF PUBLIC ISTRUCTIO I THE LAW

(7) He sent to his princes even to Ben-hail to MichaiahmdashRather He sent his princes Ben- hail and Obadiah and Michaiah (The le ldquotordquo in the chroniclerrsquos idiom marking the object of the verb) If however Authorised Version were correct the construction would not be unique as the Speakerrsquos Com mentary asserts (Comp 2 Kings 57 ldquothis man sendeth to me to recover a manrdquo ampc)

Princesmdashone of the personages mentioned in this and the following verse are otherwise known The ldquofive princesrdquo were laymen of rank and were accompanied by nine (eight) Levites and two priests

Ben-hailmdashSon of valour A compound proper name only occurring here but analogous to Ben-hur Ben-deker and Ben-hesed in 1 Kings 48-10 (The LXX renders ldquothe sons of the mightyrdquo Syriac ldquothe chiefs of the forcesrdquo apparently reading bnecirc chail)

ethaneelmdashSyriac Mattanael Arabic Mattaniah Michaiah Syriac and Arabic Malachiah

GUZIK B The strength of Jehoshaphatrsquos kingdom

1 (2 Chronicles 177-10) The spiritual strength of the kingdom Jehoshaphat brings the Word of God to the people

Also in the third year of his reign he sent his leaders Ben-Hail Obadiah Zechariah ethanel and Michaiah to teach in the cities of Judah And with them he sent Levites Shemaiah ethaniah Zebadiah Asahel Shemiramoth Jehonathan Adonijah Tobijah and Tobadonijah the Levites and with them Elishama and Jehoram the priests So they taught in Judah and had the Book of the Law of the LORD with them they went throughout all the cities of Judah and taught the people And the fear of the LORD fell on all the kingdoms of the lands that were around Judah so that they did not make war against Jehoshaphat

a To teach in the cities of Judah These ldquoteaching priestsrdquo have been mentioned by the Chronicler before (2 Chronicles 153) They had the important role of bringing the word of God to the people especially those who lived outside of Jerusalem

b They taught in Judah and had the Book of the Law of the LORD with them they went throughout all the cities of Judah and taught the people This was the wisest

and best policy a security-conscious king of Judah could promote Because Jehoshaphat sought God first God sent fear upon the neighboring kingdoms so that they did not make war against Jehoshaphat

i ldquoBy this little band of princes Levites and priests sixteen in all Jehoshaphat did more toward impressing the surrounding nations with a sense of his power than the largest and best-equipped standing army could have secured to himrdquo (Knapp)

ii ldquoThe method adopted was what in these modern times we might describe as the holding of Special Missions throughout the cities of Judah for the specific purpose of proclaiming and interpreting lsquothe book of the law of Jehovahrsquordquo (Morgan)

iii ldquoo better service can be rendered to the nation than that of proclaiming the Word of Jehovah to the people in cities towns villages and hamlets By such proclamation the heart of the people may be turned to Jehovah and so He be enabled to do for them all that is in His heartrdquo (Morgan)

iv ldquoThus the nation became thoroughly instructed in their duty to God to the king and to each other They became therefore as one man and against a people thus united on such principles no enemy could be successfulrdquo (Clarke)

v Clarke observed how a similar itinerant ministry in the days of John Wesley and his followers impacted Britain ldquoSuch an itinerant ministry established in these kingdoms for upwards of fourscore years teaching the pure unadulterated doctrines of the Gospel with the propriety and necessity of obedience to the laws has been the principle means in the hand of God of preserving the lands from those convulsions and revolutions that have ruined and nearly dissolved the European continentrdquo

vi ldquoIt is said (2 Chronicles 172) Jehoshaphat place forces in all the fenced cities yet it is not said thereupon that lsquothe fear of the Lord fell upon the neighbour nationsrsquo But when he had established a preaching ministry in all the cities then his enemies had a fear and made no warrdquo (Trapp)

PULPIT He sent Hebrew שלח The Hebrew text distinctly says he sent to his princes not he sent his princes The meaning ismdashhe sent orders to his princes to see to it that Judah was taught (2 Chronicles 179) the book of the Law of the Lord (Le 2 Chronicles 1011 Deuteronomy 49 Deuteronomy 1718) not indeed without their own personal aid in whatever way able to be given but systematically and with authority by the Levites and priests (Deuteronomy 3310) This deeper fathoming of the needs of the time and of what constituted its real safety was greatly to the spiritual credit of Jehoshaphat The references (2 Chronicles 153 2 Chronicles 352-4 2 Chronicles 3510-12) are full of point one of these princes or Levites and priests are elsewhere mentioned by name

8 With them were certain LevitesmdashShemaiah ethaniah Zebadiah Asahel Shemiramoth Jehonathan Adonijah Tobijah and Tob-Adonijahmdashand the priests Elishama and Jehoram

GILL 2 Chronicles 178And with them he sent Levites With the five princes he sent nine Levites

even Shemaiah and Nethaniah and Zebadiah and Asahel and Shemiramoth and Jehonathan and Adonijah and Tobijah and Tobadonijah Levites of whom we nowhere else read no doubt they were principal persons and fit for the work they were sent about

and with them Elishama and Jehoram priests whose lips were to keep knowledge and at whose mouth the law was to be sought Mal_27

ELLICOTT (8) And with them he sent LevitesmdashRather And with them were the Levites The construction being changed So LXX and the Syriac (Comp 1 Chronicles 1641-42 1 Chronicles 1518 for the same mode of enumeration which is characteristic of the style of the chronicler

ZebadiahmdashSome MSS and Syriac and Arabic read Zechariah

ShemiramothmdashSo LXX and Vulg (see 1 Chronicles 165 1 Chronicles 1518) The Heb text is probably incorrect Syriac and Arabic read instead atucircra

Tob-adonijahmdashThis curious name occurs only here and is perhaps a mere mistake arising out of the preceding Adonijah and Tobijah The Syriac and Arabic omit it

PriestsmdashThe priests

The commission was a mixed one of civil and ecclesiastical persons (comp 1 Chronicles 131-2 1 Chronicles 232 1 Chronicles 246)

And had the book of the law of the LordmdashAnd with them was the book of the law (teaching) of Jehovah For the construction compare 1 Chronicles 1642 The writer

evidently means the Pentateuch and if this notice was derived by him from a contemporary source eg the ldquowords of Jehu the son of Hananirdquo to which he refers as an authority for the reign (2 Chronicles 2034) it would constitute an important testimony to the existence if not of the five books at least of an ancient collection of laws at this early date (circ 850 BC )

And taught the peoplemdashTaught among the people

9 They taught throughout Judah taking with them the Book of the Law of the Lord they went around to all the towns of Judah and taught the people

BARES There is no reasonable doubt that this ldquobook of the lawrdquo was the Pentateuch - nearly if not quite in the shape in which we now have it Copies of the whole Law were no doubt scarce and therefore Jehoshaphatrsquos commission took care to carry a copy with them

CLARKE Had the book of the law of the Lord with them - This was their text book it was the book of God they taught it as such and as such the people received it Its laws were Godrsquos laws and the people felt their obligation and their consciences were bound Thus they were obedient to the laws of the land on the principle of religion In this they were encouraged and confirmed by the example of all both in Church and state The princes were not only pious but were teachers of piety the Levites showed them the worth and excellence of their ritual institutions and the priests showed them the moral use they were to make of the whole and thus the people became obedient to God as well as to the king and kept all the civil ordinances not merely for the sake of a good king but for the sake of a good and gracious God By these means the nation enjoyed peace and prosperity and all insurrections seditions and popular commotions were prevented The surrounding nations perceiving this saw that there was no hope of subduing such a people so they made no war with Jehoshaphat 2Ch_1710 And they took care not to provoke such a people to fall on them therefore it is said The fear of the Lord fell on all the kingdoms and lands that were round about Judah Such an itinerant ministry established in these kingdoms for upwards of fourscore years

teaching the pure unadulterated doctrines of the Gospel with the propriety and necessity of obedience to the laws has been the principal means in the hand of God of preserving these lands from those convulsions and revolutions that have ruined and nearly dissolved the European continent The itinerant ministry to which this refers is that which was established in these lands by the late truly reverend highly learned and cultivated deeply pious and loyal John Wesley AM formerly a fellow of Lincoln College Oxford whose followers are known by the name of Methodists a people who are an honor to their country and a blessing to the government under which they live

GILL And they taught in Judah The people their duty to God and man

and had the book of the law of the Lord with them as the rule of their instruction and the peoples obedience out of this they taught them and by it confirmed what they taught and enforced it with the divine authority

and went about throughout all the cities of Judah not only their own cities the Levitical ones but all others

and taught the people the law of the Lord the fear and worship of God

JAMISO the book of the lawmdash that is either the whole Pentateuch or only the book of Deuteronomy which contains an abridgment of it

BESO 2 Chronicles 179 And they taught in Judah ampc mdash The Levites and priests were teachers by office Deuteronomy 3310 It was a part of the work for which they had their maintenance and indeed had little else to do But it seems they had neglected it pretending probably that they could not get the people to hear them Jehoshaphat therefore sends them with the princes who by their authority might require the people to assemble together to receive instruction in the laws of God and their duty ldquoWhat a great deal of goodrdquo says Henry ldquomay be done when Moses and Aaron thus go hand in hand in the doing of it when princes with their power and priests and Levites with their Scripture-learning agree to teach the people the good knowledge of God and their duty These itinerant judges and itinerant preachers together were instrumental to diffuse a blessed light throughout the cities of Judahrdquo And had the book of the law of the Lord with them mdash 1st For their own guidance that from thence they might draw all the instructions they gave to the people and not teach for doctrines the commandments of men 2d For the conviction or the people that they might see these priests and Levites had a divine warrant for what they said and delivered to them only that which they had received from the Lord

TRAPP 2 Chronicles 179 And they taught in Judah and [had] the book of the law of the LORD with them and went about throughout all the cities of Judah and taught the people

Ver 9 And had the book of the law of the Lord with them] They taught not

traditions human inventions or unwritten verities All their doctrines came cum privilegio and were Scripture proof

WHEDO 9 The book of the law mdash Our Pentateuch in substantially its present form ldquoCopies of the whole law were no doubt scarce and therefore Jehoshaphatrsquos commission took care to carry a copy with themrdquo mdash Rawlinson

PARKER And they taught in Judah and had the book of the law of the Lord with them and went about throughout all the cities of Judah and taught the people ( 2 Chronicles 179)

This was a mixed commission partly civil partly ecclesiastical The men here mentioned are otherwise unknown We identify them as educational reformers or reformers who operated through the medium of education they were not warriors destroyers revolutionists but men who addressed the mind and the understanding and the conscience and caused men to know that the true law was from above and not from beneath The book which the commission had in hand was the Pentateuch or the law of Moses This was known to be the law which alone could touch all the vital necessities of the commonwealth Again and again we are constrained to admit that there is a law beyond Prayer of Manasseh above Prayer of Manasseh in a sense apart from man men are not driven within themselves to find a law an instinct or a reason they have a written statute an authoritative declaration a book which Christian teachers do not hesitate to describe as a Revelation and to that they call the attention of men If the teacher were teaching out of his own consciousness he would be but an equal often exposing himself to the destructive criticism of his more advanced and penetrating scholars but the teacher takes his stand upon a book upon the Book the Bible a revelation which he believes to be divine and final Say what we will the effect of Bible teaching must be judged by its fruits Where are the nations that are most distinguished for wide and varied intelligence for large and exhaustive sympathy for missionary enterprise for philanthropic institutions and for all the elements which give grace and beauty to social existence The question should admit of definite reply the facts are before men let them judge fearlessly and honestly and we need have no apprehension concerning their verdict Wherever the word of the Lord has had free course superstition has been chased away human slavery has been abolished every instance of intolerance injustice unkindness has felt the influence of holy thought in all these matters discussion should be limited strictly to facts Thus kings can help nations not by forcing education not by attempting to rule opinion not by setting up standards of orthodoxy to fall short of which is to incur penalty but by spreading education by extending light by cultivating a spirit of inquiry and by a generous multiplication of all the instrumentalities needed for the destruction of ignorance What may come of this we are not supposed at this moment to know Meanwhile let us be thankful that we are face to face with a man who has conviction courage independence high patriotic and generous impulse and let us hope that his end may be as beautiful as his beginning was promising

SIMEO THE ROYAL EDICT

ADVERTISEMETmdashThe author feels it necessary to prefix to this Sermon some short account of the occasion on which it was delivered

The author was at Amsterdam (in June 1818) partly with a view of re-establishing there an Episcopal Chapel in which there had been no service for seven years but principally with a view of seeking the welfare of the Children of Israel He went thither rather to explore than to act (See ehemiah 212-16) But just previous to the 18th of June he understood that the Third Anniversary of the Battle of Waterloo was to be kept throughout the etherlands as a day of thanksgiving and just at that time also he quite accidentally heard that the King of the etherlands had a year before issued an Edict requiring all the Jews to educate their children in the knowledge of their own Scriptures and calling upon all his Christian Subjects to aid in this good work Despondency not unlike to that which paralyzed all exertion at Jerusalem in ehemiahrsquos days so universally prevailed that no one had risen to the occasion the very Commissioners who had been appointed to carry the Edict into effect had published a Report in which they gave it as their opinion ldquothat the Lordrsquos time was not comerdquo and there was great danger that the gracious designs of the Monarch would be altogether frustrated The author therefore judged this a fit occasion for calling the attention of the Public to the Edict and accordingly after devoting the Morning Service to the more appropriate subject of the day he employed the Evening Service in an endeavour to forward this good work Considerable attention was excited to the subject by means of the Sermon which was therefore instantly printed in Dutch French and English for the purpose of its being circulated throughout the etherlands and he has reason to hope that active exertions were afterwards made in many places to promote what every benevolent mind must ardently desire the edification and welfare of the Jewish People

So good an example having been set by the Emperor of Russia and the King of the etherlands the author hopes that the attention of our own Governors also both in Church and State may be called to this long-neglected People and that now the British Public has been invited by authority (the Kingrsquos Letter) to aid in supporting Missions to the Heathen World the claims of the Jewish ation to whom under God we owe all the light that we ourselves enjoy will not be overlooked It is with a view to this great object that the author sends forth the Sermon in this country where if the foregoing explanation had not been given its relevancy and use might have been justly called in question

2 Chronicles 179 And they taught in Judah and had the book of the law of the Lord with them and went about throughout all the cities of Judah and taught the people

O a day set apart for thanksgiving to God for mercies received it is peculiarly proper to consider what we may render unto the Lord for all his benefits Certainly if any event ever deserved repeated annual commemoration it is that which has

freed the world from the most grievous tyranny that ever it endured Of the bitter cup which was put into the hands of every nation in Europe this nation [ote The etherlands] drank very deeply and the change which it has experienced in the restoration of their rightful Monarch and in the establishment of a free Constitution calls for their devoutest acknowledgments to Almighty God Doubtless we may with justice pay some tribute of honour to those who by their counsels and their arms effected the overthrow of the Usurper but it is God alone who giveth victory to kings and to whom the glory of this great victory must be primarily ascribed and he who accounts a day consecrated to this service superfluous shews that he is far from justly appreciating the blessings that have been conferred upon him The monarch himself has given to his people a very decided evidence that he feels the depth of his obligations to the God of his salvation and it will be your own loss if you do not cultivate a similar spirit and improve the occasion to the honour of your God

But it is not to thanksgiving only that your Monarch invites you he calls you by a special Edict to unite with him in seeking the welfare of your Jewish Brethren who in their struggle with the enemy signally approved their fidelity to their legitimate Sovereign Their welfare he in his turn studies to promote and he desires to combine the energies of all his subjects in efforts for their good Methinks he is like Jehoshaphat of old who well knowing that piety must be founded in knowledge and happiness in piety sent forth the Princes of his empire with a select number of Priests and Levites to instruct his people in the knowledge of Godrsquos blessed word

His edict on this occasion and the manner in which it was carried into effect will form the subject of my present discourse

I Then we notice the edict of King Jehoshaphatmdash

This was such as became a great and pious monarch and we shall find it not unprofitable or unsuitable to the present occasion to enter into a distinct consideration of it We observe then that it was a kind and benevolent edict a wise and politic edict a good and beneficial edict

Mark the benevolence displayed in it He sought the present and eternal welfare of his subjects He knew that as men are raised above the beasts by the exercise of reason so are they elevated in the scale of rational beings in proportion as their intellectual powers are cultivated and enlarged Man destitute of knowledge is a mere savage but when instructed in the various branches of science he becomes refined and civilized and capable of contributing to the general good In the very cultivation of knowledge there is much pleasure arising to the mind and in the application of that knowledge to useful purposes there is an exquisite delight We need only observe persons when employed in their several vocations how happy they are how contented how cheerful oftentimes unconsciously proclaiming their happiness like the birds of the air in festal songs or consciously and with devotion in songs of praise

But it was not mere intellectual improvement which Jehoshaphat sought to convey he wished his people to be instructed in the knowledge of that God whom they professed to fear and worship This alone could make them truly happy this alone could impart to them sound wisdom or solid consolation He therefore gave particular directions that they should be taught ldquoin the Book of the Law of the Lordrdquo and this throughout the whole land O happy people whose governor so employed the authority with which he was invested And happy that monarch who so improved his influence not for his own personal aggrandizement but for the best interests of the people committed to his charge In so doing he approved himself to be indeed what every governor should be the friend and father of his people

or was the policy of this measure at all inferior to its benevolence A people well instructed in moral and religious knowledge will view government as an ordinance of God and will learn to obey the constituted authorities not so much from fear of their wrath as for conscience sake towards God They will view their governors as Godrsquos vicegerents upon earth and will consider allegiance to them as an essential part of their duty to him Hence will spring up love in their hearts and a real delight in manifesting on all proper occasions their loyalty to their king they will form a bulwark around his person in case of necessity and even glory in laying down their lives for him as their greatest benefactor

The benefits arising from this edict were incalculable Such was the effect of it that the fear of Jehoshaphat and of Jehovah as his protector fell on all the nations that were round about him so that none however hostile in their hearts dared to make war against him [ote ver 10] Doubtless this resulted chiefly from an impression made upon their minds by God himself yet it was also produced by a dread of that energy which an united people were ready to put forth at any instant at the call of their beloved monarch At the same time that peace was thus secured prosperity reigned in every part of the empire and as the immediate fruit of it Jehoshaphat as well as the people ldquohad riches and honour in abundance [ote ver 5]rdquo In his own mind too he reaped the fruits of his own benevolence God smiled upon him and manifested himself to him and enabled him to walk with ldquohis heart lifted up in the ways of the Lord [ote ver 6]rdquo

Such was the edict of the pious Jehoshaphatmdashbenevolent politic beneficial And what I would ask is the Edict which has been issued by the highest authority in this kingdom Do we not see in it the same blessed characters as in that which we have been considering It was ldquoin the third year of his reign [ote ver 7]rdquo that Jehoshaphat sent forth teachers to enlighten and instruct his subjects The very instant he felt himself at liberty from the more urgent and pressing calls of duty (such as the fortifying of his land against foreign enemies and the correcting of some great internal abuses) he engaged in this good work of diffusing light and knowledge through all classes of the community In like manner the sovereign of this kingdom has scarcely had time to repair the ravages of war and to establish his empire too long weakened and impoverished by a cruel usurpation before he stands forth as the friend and father of his people and more especially of that portion of them who have in every age and place been most treated with neglect and

disdain to have them educated in scriptural knowledge and in the fear of God It is much to be lamented that the Jewish people have not in general been so attentive either to the learning or morals of their children as might be wished and hence arose a necessity for some authoritative admonition on the subject Yet if I may say it without offence this neglect has not been more reprehensible in them than has been the indifference with which the Christian world has regarded it The monarch (may God recompense it richly into his bosom) has risen up to remedy the supineness both of the one and the other and to call forth the united energies of all to correct and terminate this evil Yet whilst he thus consults the best interests of his subjects with what paternal tenderness has he guarded against wounding the feelings of any or exciting their religious prejudices The Scriptures of the Old Testament are alone to be used in the schools that shall be established even those Scriptures which Jews as well as Christians believe to have been given by inspiration of God and to contain truth without any mixture of error In this is marked the policy no less than the benevolence of the edict for it is not by constraint but by conciliation and kindness that good is to be done to any and more especially to those who have shewn themselves now for so many centuries proof against all the efforts of intimidation or force In this kingdom they form no small body and I may add no unimportant portion of the community It is well known how extensive is their influence in the affairs of commerce and how by their activity they contribute to enrich the state Hence it is now generally seen and felt that they are entitled to the same respect as any other subjects of the realm and whilst as in the present instance they see how deeply their monarch feels interested in their welfare they cannot but on their part be sensible of the privileges they enjoy under his paternal government and testify their gratitude to him by every possible expression of loyalty and affection

What the ultimate effect of these measures will be may be conjectured from the blessed results of the edict of Jehoshaphat all will feel themselves happy under the government of such a prince and he whilst he is respected abroad and beloved at home will have the happiness of seeing his labours crowned with prosperity throughout his dominions and with peace in his own soul

II The manner in which Jehoshaphatrsquos edict was carried into execution is now to be noticedmdash

The promptness with which his commands were executed deserves the highest praise All were ready to co-operate in this good work as soon as it was proposed ldquoPrinces and priests and Levites [ote ver 7 8]rdquo all addressed themselves to it instantly with one heart and one soul one accounted their dignity so high or their functions so sacred but they thought it an honour to be employed in such a service and found a delight in fulfilling the wishes of their revered monarch all entered into the work with zeal and prosecuted it with diligence and hence a rapid change was effected both in the temporal and spiritual condition of the whole nation And what may not be effected in this kingdom also if a similar zeal be exercised by ldquothe princes and priestsrdquo (the magistrates and clergy) of the land With them it must begin Those who move in a lower station can effect nothing if they be not aided and

countenanced by the higher orders whose rank in life or sacredness of character will give a tone to the general feeling and combine the energies of the whole kingdom If it be said that those for whom the benefit is designed do not feel a desire after it this only shews how much they need it and how earnestly we should all embark in a cause proposed by such high authority and recommended by the soundest dictates of wisdom and piety

That our obligations to unite in this labour of love may the more distinctly appear I would beg leave to suggest the following considerations

First Loyalty to the king demands our concurrence with him in this good work and a holy emulation amongst us to carry into effect his benevolent designs What can the greatest or best of men effect (what could Jehoshaphat himself have done) if there be none to act in subserviency to them and to follow their directions As the most potent monarch upon earth would in vain proclaim war if there were no soldiers found to enlist under his banners and to execute his commands so it will be in vain that the design of benefiting the Jewish people was ever conceived in the mind of the king or that his edict respecting them was ever issued if his subjects do not put forth their energies in obedience to his call In truth a backwardness to co-operate with him in this blessed work would seem like a reflection cast upon him as recommending a measure that was unworthy of attention I do not mean to insinuate that such an idea really exists in the minds of any for I am perfectly convinced it does not but certainly in appearance it is open to this construction and every subject of the empire is concerned to act in such a way as to cut off all occasion for a reflection like this I say loyalty alone even if we had no higher motive should be sufficient to call forth our exertions in this cause

But let me next observe that gratitude to the Jewish nation demands it at our hands How great how manifold are our obligations to them Behold Moses and the prophets what instruction have they given us in reference to the way of life and salvation Without the moral law as revealed by Moses we should never have known to what an extent we need a Saviour nor if the prophecies had not so fully designated the promised Messiah could we have ever so fully known that Jesus was the Christ Of whom did the Lord Jesus Christ himself come as pertaining to the flesh but from the loins of David and of the seed of Abraham Yet to him are we indebted for all that we either have or hope for in time or in eternity And who were the Apostles but Jews who for our sakes went forth preaching the word and counted not their lives dear to them so that they might but lead us to the knowledge of Christ and make us partakers of his salvation From them too we have received the lively oracles which are the one source of all spiritual knowledge and the one foundation of all our hopes Does all this call for no recompence at our hands Knowing as we do the vast importance of education should we not endeavour to impart it to those from whose ancestors we have received such innumerable such inestimable benefits Yet behold these are the people whom for many many centuries we have treated with more neglect and contempt than any other people upon the face of the earth the savages of the most distant climes have received more attention from us than they Surely it is high time that the Christian world awake to

a sense of their duty and begin to shew to the Jews somewhat of that love which their forefathers exercised towards us in our Gentile state We are debtors to them to a vast amount and it is high time that we begin to discharge our debt And how can we discharge it better than by enabling them to read and understand those very oracles which they have preserved with such fidelity and which testify so fully of their promised Messiah

Further A love to the rising generation should lead us to avail ourselves of the present opportunity to promote their welfaremdashIt is truly afflictive to see how low and degraded is the state of multitudes especially of the Jewish nation purely through the neglect with which they are treated in their early youth and still more grievous is it to reflect on their ignorance of those things which belong to their everlasting peace To counteract this we should endeavour to qualify the whole of their population for good and useful employments and through the medium of useful instruction to make them holy and to make them happy We need never be afraid that there will not be a sufficient number of poor to fill the lower stations do what we will there will never be wanting persons who through their own fault or misfortunes are necessitated to undertake the lowest offices of life And if they have been previously instructed in the Scriptures of Truth they will have a fund of consolation ever open to them in their deepest afflictions they will learn from the inspired volume in whatsoever state they are there-with to be content and in the prospect of the eternal world they will find joys with which a stranger intermeddleth not and which the world can neither give nor take away We feel the force of these considerations in reference to the poor of our own communion how is it that we feel it not in reference to our Jewish Brethren This is a partiality unworthy of us and we should rise as one man to wipe off this disgrace from our own character

This brings me to the last consideration which I propose to mention namely that a concern for the honour of our holy religion should operate to unite us all in executing the Royal EdictmdashWhat must a Jew think of our religion when he sees how little it has wrought for us in the production of love We may tell him of a Messiah who has loved us and laid down his life for us but what credit will he give us for our principles when he sees how little our practice corresponds with them May he not well say to us ldquoPhysician heal thyselfrdquo Shew by your conduct the superiority of your principles before you call on me to embrace them It is by love that we must win them it is by shewing kindness to them that we must efface from their hearts those prejudices which with too much reason they entertain against us We must exhibit in our own person the loveliness of Christianity before we can bring them to investigate the grounds of our faith or to imagine that they can improve their own condition by embracing it May I not then call upon you as Christians to unite in the good work that is now before you that you may thereby serve and glorify your Lord and Saviour As Christians you believe that there is no other way to the Father but by Christ [ote John 146] and no other name but his whereby any human being can be saved [ote Acts 412] Where is your piety where is your love to Christ where is even common humanity if you will not avail yourselves of the present opportunity to remove from before your Jewish Brethren

the stumbling-blocks which for so many ages have been laid in their way

Do any ask What shall we do I answer search out amongst the Jews some persons of probity and talent to commence schools among them and do you yourselves aid to the utmost of your power in the support of them provide them with all necessary books for instructing children in the first rudiments of knowledge provide them with Bibles also both in the Dutch and Hebrew languages that they may be thoroughly instructed in the knowledge of their own religion and learn to walk in the steps of their father Abraham and of all the holy prophets

Begin too without loss of time Adult Schools You will find many among the house of Israel who will be glad to avail themselves of your instructions Let those who are benevolent amongst you dedicate an hour in a day to the instructing of a few who may be desirous to learn and carefully avoid every thing which may give unnecessary offence Confine yourselves to the Old Testament which they venerate as well as you Let those who can teach only in the Dutch language give instruction in that and let those who either understand or have leisure to attain the Hebrew tongue draw their attention to that In particular let it be the united endeavour of all to qualify masters for this good work

And let it not be thought that this is the duty of men only The Royal Edict has particularly and with great wisdom recommended it to females who may be of infinite service in conveying instruction to their own sex This age is distinguished above all others for the activity of females in the service of God and in the performance of every good work Were I able to declare the proportion of good that is done in Britain by the female sex it would appear incredible I believe from my soul that it far exceeds one half in all the societies raised since the commencement of the present century in the Bible Society the Missionary Societies and the Society for Promoting the Knowledge of Christianity amongst the Jews yes let the ladies of this country exert themselves in a prudent modest and discreet way and the effects will soon appear the Royal Edict will not be a dead letter but will produce incalculable good to the whole nationmdashand the agents in this benevolent work will themselves receive quite as much benefit as they impart their benevolence being in proportion as it is exercised its own reward

10 The fear of the Lord fell on all the kingdoms of the lands surrounding Judah so that they did not go to war against Jehoshaphat

GILL And the fear of the Lord fell upon all the kingdoms of the lands that were round about Judah Upon the ten tribes and on foreign nations about them as Moabites Edomites Syrians Egyptians Arabs and Philistines this fear as it came from the Lord so might be raised and increased by observing that religion was revived in them for they might perceive by former observations made that the more religious these people were the more prosperous and formidable they were

so that they made no war against Jehoshaphat to interrupt him in the work of reformation he was so intent upon

HERY We have here a further account of Jehoshaphats great prosperity and the flourishing state of his kingdom

I He had good interest in the neighbouring princes and nations Though he was not perhaps so great a soldier as David (which might have made him their terror) nor so great a scholar as Solomon (which might have made him their oracle) yet the fear of the Lord fell so upon them (that is God so influenced and governed their spirits) that they had all a reverence for him 2Ch_1710 And 1 None of them made war against himGods good providence so ordered it that while the princes and priests were instructing and reforming the country none of his neighbours gave him any molestations to take him off from that good work Thus when Jacob and his sons were going to worship at Bethel the terror of God was upon the neighbouring cities that they did not pursue after them Gen_355 and see Exo_3424 2 Many of them brought presents to him (2Ch_1711) to secure his friendship Perhaps these were a tribute imposed upon them by Asa who made himself master of the cities of the Philistines and the tents of the Arabians 2Ch_1414 2Ch_1415 With the 7700 rams and the same number of he-goats which the Arabians brought there was probably a proportionable number of ewes and lambs she-goats and kids

KampD This attempt of Jehoshaphat brought him this blessing that the terror of Jahve fell upon all the surrounding kingdoms and not only did none of the neighbouring peoples venture to make war upon him but also various tribes did homage to him by presents Ramb has already so understood the connection of these verses (erat hoc praemium pietatis Josaphati quod vicini satisque potentes hostes non auderent adversus ipsum hiscere) while Berth fails to apprehend it saying that Jehoshaphat had time to care for the instruction of his people because at that time the neighbouring peoples did not venture to undertake war against Judah The words ldquoterror of Jahverdquo cf 2Ch_1413 2Ch_2029 and ldquoall the kingdoms of the landsrdquo cf 2Ch_128 1Ch_2930 are expressions peculiar to the author of the Chronicle which show that by these remarks he is preparing the way for a transition to a more detailed

portrayal of Jehoshaphats political power מן־(לש)ים is subject מן partitive some of the

Philistines brought him presents (for מנחה see on 2Ch_175) ldquoand silver a burdenrdquo ie

in great quantity מא does not signify tribute vectigal argento (Vulg) for the word has

not that signification but denotes burden that which can be carried as in מא לאן

2Ch_2025 - 2Ch_2116 2Ch_221 ערבים 2Ch_267 and more usually ערב-ים or ערביאים

are Arabian nomadic tribes (Bedacircwin) perhaps those whom Asa after his victory over the Cushite Zerah had brought under the kingdom of Judah 2Ch_1414 These paid

their tribute in small cattle rams and he-goats (ישים( Gen_3035 Gen_3215 Pro_

3031)

BESO 2 Chronicles 1710 The fear of the Lord fell upon all the kingdoms ampc mdash Justly concluding from his singular piety that God would eminently appear for him for even the heathen could not but observe that the kings of Judah were either prosperous or unhappy according as they served God or forsook him So that they made no war against Jehoshaphat mdash Godrsquos good providence so ordered it that while the princes and priests were instructing and endeavouring to reform the country none of his neighbours gave him any molestation to take him off from that good work

COFFMA All of this peace and prosperity were directly due to the respect which Jehoshaphat had shown to the Law of God and to his efforts to teach that word to all the people It is no problem that much of the material here is omitted in Kings because the primary focus there was political whereas in Chronicles the focus is upon the spiritual and religious significance of the same history

TRAPP 2 Chronicles 1710 And the fear of the LORD fell upon all the kingdoms of the lands that [were] round about Judah so that they made no war against Jehoshaphat

Ver 10 And the fear of the Lord fell upon all the kingdoms] It is said [2 Chronicles 172] Jehoshaphat placed forces in all the fenced cities yet it is not said thereupon that the fear of the Lord fell upon the neighbour nations But when he had established a preaching ministry in all the cities then his enemies had a fear and made no war

POOLE Justly concluding from this singular piety that God would eminently appear for him and against all those who had ill will to him which was their case For even the heathens could not but observe that the kings of Judah were either prosperous or unhappy accordingly as they served God or forsook him

ELLICOTT (10) The fear of the LordmdashA dread of Jehovah (pachad) aps 2029 (Comp Exodus 1516 1 Samuel 117 Isaiah 210 ) This phrase is not peculiar to the chronicler as Keil and Bertheau assert ldquoThe kingdoms of the landsrdquo is so (2 Chronicles 128 1 Chronicles 2930)

They made no warmdashThe reward of Jehosha-phatrsquos piety (1 Chronicles 229

Proverbs 167) ldquoWhen a manrsquos ways please the Lord he maketh even his enemies to be at peace with himrdquo (Comp also Genesis 355)

11 Some Philistines brought Jehoshaphat gifts and silver as tribute and the Arabs brought him flocks seven thousand seven hundred rams and seven thousand seven hundred goats

BARES Some of the Philistines brought Jehoshaphat presents - i e ldquosome of the Philistines were among his tributariesrdquo Compare 2Sa_82 1Ki_421

Tribute silver - Or ldquomuch silverrdquo - literally ldquosilver of burthenrdquo

The Arabians - The Arab tribes who bordered Judaea to the south and the southeast paid Jehoshaphat a fixed tribute in kind Compare 2Ki_34 note

CLARKE The Philistines brought - presents - They and the Arabians purchased peace with the king of Judah by paying an annual tribute The Philistines brought silver and no doubt different kinds of merchandise The Arabs whose riches consisted in cattle brought him flocks in great abundance principally rams and he-goats

GILL Also some of the Philistines brought Jehoshaphat presents and tribute silver Perhaps those of Gerar and the parts adjacent Asa took and spoiled and made tributary 2Ch_1414

and the Arabians brought him flocks seven thousand and seven hundred rams and seven thousand and seven hundred he goats with which their country abounded and these might be the Scenite Arabs who fearing lest Jehoshaphat should fall upon them and take away their flocks as his father had done 2Ch_1415 brought these presents to him

JAMISO Also some of the Philistines brought Jehoshaphat presents and tribute silvermdash either they had been his tributaries or they were desirous of securing his valuable friendship and now made a voluntary offer of tribute Perhaps

they were the Philistines who had submitted to the yoke of David (2Sa_81 Psa_608)

the Arabiansmdash the nomad tribes on the south of the Dead Sea who seeking the protection of Jehoshaphat after his conquest of Edom paid their tribute in the way most suitable to their pastoral habits - the present of so many head of cattle

BESO 2 Chronicles 1711 Some of the Philistines brought presents mdash They had been subject to Judah ever since Davidrsquos time but it seems had neglected this duty in the times of his predecessors but were now moved by their own fears to perform it And the Arabians brought him flocks mdash Either because he had upon some just occasion waged war against them and subdued them or because they voluntarily put themselves under his protection in recompense whereof they sent him these presents or only as a free acknowledgment of their respect for him

TRAPP 2 Chronicles 1711 Also [some] of the Philistines brought Jehoshaphat presents and tribute silver and the Arabians brought him flocks seven thousand and seven hundred rams and seven thousand and seven hundred he goats

Ver 11 Also some of the Philistines] These having been subdued by David had withheld their tribute for a time but now seeing Jehoshaphatrsquos growing greatness they bring it in with the better that no offence might be taken at their former neglect The word here used signifieth honorary gifts or oblations pacifications

ldquo Placatur donis Iupiter ipse datis rdquo

Think the same of the Arabians See 2 Chronicles 1414-15

POOLE Some of the Philistines who had been subjects to this kingdom ever since Davidrsquos time but it seems had neglected this duty in the times of his predecessors but now were moved by their own fears to perform it

The Arabians brought him flocks either because he had upon some just occasion waged war against them and subdued them though the particulars of it be not described in Scripture or because they voluntarily put themselves under his protection in recompence whereof they sent him those presents or only as a free acknowledgment of their respects to him

ELLICOTT (11) Broughtmdashie continually Such is the force of the participle

PresentsmdashAn offering ie tribute (minchah 2 Chronicles 175)

And tribute silvermdashRather and silver a load or burden ie a great quantity (massacircrsquo) 2 Chronicles 2025 As if ldquosilver as much as they could carryrdquomdasha natural hyperbole ot all the five states of the Philistines were subject to Jehoshaphat (Comp 2 Samuel 81)

The ArabiansmdashlsquoArbicircrsquoim here only equivalent to lsquoArbicircyicircm (2 Chronicles 267) and

lsquoArbim (2 Chronicles 2116) They are in each case grouped with the Philistines The nomad Bedacircwin conquered by Asa (2 Chronicles 1415) appear to be meant here or else some tribes which recognised the overlordship of Jehoshaphat after his reduction of Edom (2 Chronicles 2022 sqq)

Brought him flocksmdashComp Mesha of Moabrsquos tribute to Ahab (2 Kings 34)

GUZIK 2 (2 Chronicles 1711-19) The international strength of Jehoshaphatrsquos kingdom

Also some of the Philistines brought Jehoshaphat presents and silver as tribute and the Arabians brought him flocks seven thousand seven hundred rams and seven thousand seven hundred male goats So Jehoshaphat became increasingly powerful and he built fortresses and storage cities in Judah He had much property in the cities of Judah and the men of war mighty men of valor were in Jerusalem These are their numbers according to their fathersrsquo houses Of Judah the captains of thousands Adnah the captain and with him three hundred thousand mighty men of valor and next to him was Jehohanan the captain and with him two hundred and eighty thousand and next to him was Amasiah the son of Zichri who willingly offered himself to the LORD and with him two hundred thousand mighty men of valor Of Benjamin Eliada a mighty man of valor and with him two hundred thousand men armed with bow and shield and next to him was Jehozabad and with him one hundred and eighty thousand prepared for war These served the king besides those the king put in the fortified cities throughout all Judah

a Some of the Philistines brought Jehoshaphat presents and silver as tribute and the Arabians brought him flocks Jehoshaphatrsquos commitment to personal and public godliness meant that God exalted his kingdom above the neighboring nations even as God promised in Deuteronomy 281-13

b These served the king The true treasure of Jehoshaphatrsquos kingdom was not numbered only in security or material things but also in the dedicated and courageous men he had surrounding him these mighty men of valor

i Amasiah the son of Zichri who willingly offered himself to the LORD ldquoAmasiah is a man of whom we do not know anything beyond this ndash he lsquowillingly offered himself unto the Lordrsquo There must have been a turning-point in his career a time when first he knew the grace of God which wrought such a change in him There must have been a waking up to the feeling that God deserved his love and his liferdquo (Spurgeon)

ii Amasiah was a ready servant of the Lord this particularly notable because he did it in an otherwise secular calling

middot o one had to press him into service

middot o one had to seek him out for service

middot o one had to look after him once he had begun serving

middot o one had to lead him

iii ldquoThere is no lawful occupation in which a man cannot thoroughly serve the Lord It is a great privilege and blessing to be set apart to the work of winning souls but we must never separate that work from all the rest of the callings of life as though it alone were sacred and all the rest were secular and almost sinful Serve God where you arerdquo (Spurgeon)

PULPIT The presents were probably enough in the nature of tribute the fixed rate of which is sometimes alluded to (1 Kings 421 1 Kings 1025 2 Samuel 82) but it is doubtful whether the word משא purports to say this The word means bearing or carrying and then a burden load or weight The expression (2 Chronicles 2025) more than they could carry away where this word is used favours the idea that the meaning here is silver of great weight Probably the moral significance and historical interest whether of this statement respecting the Philistines or the following respecting the Arabians lies in the fact that both of them brought without more ado their payments and did not seek to slip out of their engagements with Judah and Judahs king ote for confirmation of this view 2 Kings 34 2 Kings 35

12 Jehoshaphat became more and more powerful he built forts and store cities in Judah

GILL And Jehoshaphat waxed great exceedingly In wealth and riches power and authority in his forces and fortifications

and he built in Judah castles and cities of stores castles for the defence of his kingdom and store cities to lay up corn and wine and all provisions in case of an invasion or against a time of war

HERY II He had a very considerable stores laid up in the cities of Judah He pulled down his barns and built larger (2Ch_1712) castles and cities of store for arms and victuals He was a man of business and aimed at the public good in all his

undertakings either to preserve the peace or prepare for war

JAMISO 2Ch_1712-19 His greatness captains and armies

KampD Description of Jehoshaphats power - 2Ch_1712 And Jehoshaphat became

ever greater sc in power The partic הולך expresses the continuous advance in

greatness cf Ew sect280 b as the infin absol does elsewhere eg Gen_83 למעלה as עד

in 2Ch_1612 - He built castles in Judah ירנ-ות only here and in 2Ch_274 from ירנית

derivative formed from ירה by the Syriac termination נית- fem of ן- castle fortress On

מסנות cf 2Ch_84 ערי

TRAPP 2 Chronicles 1712 And Jehoshaphat waxed great exceedingly and he built in Judah castles and cities of store

Ver 12 And Jehoshaphat waxed great exceedingly] Heb He was going and growing By humility and the fear of the Lord are riches and honour and life [Proverbs 224]

And he built in Judah castles] Bironeoth πυργους turres So did the Burgundians and thence had their names

And cities of store] Granaries in the Hebrew they have their name from their utility or usefulness

ELLICOTT (12) And Jehoshaphat waxed greatmdashLiterally And Jehoshaphat was going on and waxing great ie became greater and greater (Comp 1 Chronicles 119)

ExceedinglymdashlsquoAd lĕmagraversquolah This phrase occurs again in 2 Chronicles 1612 2 Chronicles 268 and nowhere else in the Old Testament (See on 1 Chronicles 142)

And he builtmdashLike his predecessorsmdashSolomon Rehoboam Asamdashhe displayed his wealth and power in great public works The records of the Assyrian and Babylonian sovereigns are largely taken up with similar accounts of temple and palace building

CastlesmdashBiranicircyocircth a derivative from birah (1 Chronicles 291 1 Chronicles 2919 comp Syriac here birocircthocirc) It only recurs at 2 Chronicles 274 It is an Aramaic term (Comp bicircranyacircthacirc which in the Targums means ldquopalacesrdquo)

Cities of storesmdashComp 2 Chronicles 84 2 Chronicles 164 Exodus 111

PULPIT Castles This rendering better than palaces (margin) wound bear improving to the rather stronger word fortresses Hebrew בירניות found only here and in 2 Chronicles 274 plur of בירנית connected with the Chaldee and later Hebrew בירה of Ezra 62 ehemiah 11 Esther 12 Daniel 82 Cities of store (see note under 2 Chronicles 84 see also 1 Kings 919 Exodus 111)

13 and had large supplies in the towns of Judah He also kept experienced fighting men in Jerusalem

CLARKE He hadmuch business in the cities - He kept the people constantly employed they had wages for their work and by their labors the empire was both enriched and strengthened

GILL And he had much business in the cities of Judah Partly in fortifying them and partly in reforming the inhabitants of them

and the men of war mighty men of valour were in Jerusalem or by or near unto it so the particle is rendered Jos_513 they encamped in places adjacent to it for such a number of men as follows even 1160000 could never be contained in Jerusalem but must be disposed of in the territories of it nor did they wait on the king together but in course see 2Ch_1719 by which it appears there is no need to suppose any mistake of the transcriber in any or all of the following sums as has been suggested (q)

HERY 13-19 III He had the militia in good order It was never in better since David modelled it Five lord-lieutenants (if I may so call them) are here named with the numbers of those under their command (the serviceable men that were fit for war in their respective districts) three in Judah and two in Benjamin It is said of one of these great commanders Amasiah that he willingly offered himself unto the Lord (2Ch_1716) not only to the king to serve him in this post but to the Lord to glorify him in it He was the most eminent among them for religion he accepted the place not for the

honour or power or profit of it but for conscience sake towards God that he might serve his country It was usual for great generals then to offer of their spoils to the Lord 1Ch_2626 But this good man offered himself first to the Lord and then his dedicated things The number of the soldiers under these five generals amounts to 1160000 men a vast number for so small a compass of ground as Judahs and Benjamins lot to furnish out and maintain Abijah could bring into the field but 400000 (2Ch_133) Asa not 600000 (2Ch_148) yet Jehoshaphat has at command almost 1200000 But it must be considered 1 That God had promised to make the seed of Abraham like the sand of the sea for number 2 There had now been a long peace 3 We may suppose that the city of Jerusalem was very much enlarged 4 Many had come over to them from the kingdom of Israel (2Ch_1519) which would increase the numbers of the people 5 Jehoshaphat was under a special blessing of God which made his affairs to prosper greatly The armies we may suppose were dispersed all the country over and each man resided for the most part on his own estate but they appeared often to be mustered and trained and were ready at call whenever there was occasion The commanders waited on the king (2Ch_1719) as officers of his court privy-counsellors and ministers of state

But lastly observe It was not this formidable army that struck a terror upon the neighbouring nations that restrained them from attempting any thing against Israel or obliged them to pay tribute but the fear of God which fell upon them when Jehoshaphat reformed his country and set up a preaching ministry in it 2Ch_1710 The ordinances of God are more the strength and safety of a kingdom than its military force - its men of God more than its men of war

KampD 2Ch_1713

וגווגווגווגו רהרהרהרה is rightly translated by Luther ldquound hatte viel Vorrathsrdquo (and ומלעכהומלעכהומלעכהומלעכה

had much store) מלעכהמלעכהמלעכהמלעכה denotes here as in Exo_227-10 property that which has been gained by work or business The signification much work opera magna (Vulg Cler etc) as also Bertheaus translation ldquothe works for equipping and provisioning the fortressesrdquo correspond neither to the context nor to the parallel (synonymous) second member of the verse The work and trouble necessary to equip the cities of Judah does not correspond to ldquothe valiant warriors in Jerusalemrdquo the only parallel is the goods and property which were in these cities the provision of victuals and war material there stored up

BESO 2 Chronicles 1713 He had much business in the cities of Judah mdash To repair and fortify them and furnish them with provisions and to purge out all the relics of idolatry and injustice which were more secretly and craftily managed in the cities than in the country and which were first and most prevalent in the cities and thence spread their infection into the country around them

TRAPP 2 Chronicles 1713 And he had much business in the cities of Judah and the men of war mighty men of valour [were] in Jerusalem

Ver 13 And he had much business] Eργα πολλα (a) Many works going forward at

once a negotious man he was His business say some lay in beautifying and fortifying those cities Augustus gloried at his death that whereas he had found Rome built with brick he had left it made of marble

And the men of war hellip were in Jerusalem] These were his Praetorian forces his Praesidiaries were up and down in the various cities

POOLE He had much business in the cities of Judah partly to repair and fortify them and furnish them with all necessary provisions and partly to purge out all the relies and seeds of idolatry and injustice which were more secretly and subtlely managed in the cities than in the country and which were first and most in the cities and thence spread their infection into the country about them See Jeremiah 228

ELLICOTT (13) BusinessmdashRather much goods or stores literally work (mĕlacirckacirch) and then produce The Hebrew word is so used in Exodus 227 Exodus 2210 (ldquoHis neighbourrsquos goodsrdquo) Stores of provisions and war material seem to be intended (Comp 2 Chronicles 1111)

And the man of war were in JerusalemmdashRather and (he had) men of war in Jerusalem

In Jerusalemmdashot the entire army corps whose numbers are given in 2 Chronicles 1714-18 but simply their chiefs

PULPIT Much business Hebrew מלאכה The meaning of the word is service labour bestowed and the verse reads And there was to him much labour in the cities of Judah and men of war mighty men of valour in Jerusalem ie He bestoweth much pains on the cities of Judah and had etc The word were Authorized Version italics is incorrectly inserted The former half of this verse would better constitute the end of 2 Chronicles 1712 Keil however maintains the rendering substance property for מלאכה (Exodus 227 Exodus 2210)

14 Their enrollment by families was as followsFrom Judah commanders of units of 1000Adnah the commander with 300000 fighting men

BARES The captains of thousands Adnah the chief - literally ldquoprinces of thousands Adnah the princerdquo The writer does not mean that Adnah (or Johohanan 2Ch_1715) was in any way superior to the other ldquoprincesrdquo but only that he was one of them

Three hundred thousand - This number and those which follow in 2Ch_1715-18 have been with good reason regarded as corrupt by most critics For

(1) They imply a minimum population of 1480 to the square mile which is more than three times greater than that of any country in the known world (circa 1880rsquos)

(2) they produce a total just double that of the next largest estimate of the military force of Judah the 580 000 of 2Ch_148

(3) they are professedly a statement not of the whole military force but of the force maintained at Jerusalem (2Ch_1713 compare 2Ch_1719)

It is probable that the original numbers have been lost and that the loss was suppplied by a scribe who took 2Ch_148 as his basis

CLARKE Adnah the chief - He was generalissimo of all this host These are the numbers of the five battalions under Adnah three hundred thousand Jehohanan two hundred and eighty thousand Amasiah two hundred thousand Eliada two hundred thousand Jehozabad one hundred and eighty thousand in all one million one hundred and sixty thousand

GILL And these are the numbers of them according to the house of their fathers Both of the tribe of Judah and of Benjamin and first

of Judah the captains of thousands some had 1000 men under them and some one hundred

Adnah the chief he was the principal commander or general of them

and with him mighty men of valour three hundred thousand such a number was under his command

JAMISO these are the numbersmdash The warriors were arranged in the army according to their fathers houses The army of Jehoshaphat commanded by five great generals and consisting of five unequal divisions comprised one million one hundred and sixty thousand men without including those who garrisoned the fortresses No monarch since the time of Solomon equaled Jehoshaphat in the extent of his revenue in the strength of his fortifications and in the number of his troops

KampD 2Ch_1714-16

The men fit for war passed in review according to their fathers-houses The male population of Judah fell into three divisions that of Benjamin into two The prince

Adnah held the first place among the generals with 300000 men of Judah ידו at his על

hand ie with and under him Jehohanan had the command of 280000 men and

Amasiah over 200000 השר is a contraction for אלפים For what special reason it is so שר

honourably recorded of Amasiah that he had willingly offered himself to the Lord (cf for

Jdg_59) has not been communicated התנב

COFFMA his represented a standing army of 1160000 men besides the garrisons in the fortified cities and this goes a long way to explaining why the Arabians and the Philistines brought tribute to Jehoshaphat In ancient times as in our own day peace frequently depended upon the strength of those who desired it

We should ignore the screams of exaggeration[3] which mark the writings of radical critics Pagan rulers of that era reported even larger armies than this and until the critics can prove that those were exaggerated reports they should let these alone Besides that we have already noted that the very word from which thousand is translated is disputed as to its exact meaning

COKE 2 Chronicles 1714 And these are the numbers of themmdash That is of the soldiers as well as of those who were employed in the kings works in the several cities ampc which he built See 2 Chronicles 1719

REFLECTIOSmdash1st Jehoshaphat no sooner comes to the throne than we see the dawnings of a glorious reign

1 He strengthened his kingdom by placing strong garrisons in the cities of Judah and those which his father had recovered from Israel and prepared against that danger which Ahabs growing power seemed to threaten

2 Religion was his great concern He copied after the best of his predecessors in their best days such as were the first of David before the matter of Uriah and the numbering of the people had blotted his fair copy Faithful to the worship of God he abhorred all idols the law of God was his rule of duty and Israels apostacy rendered his fidelity more singular and exemplary Inspired with holy zeal his heart with delight and sincerity was engaged for God and no difficulties deterred him from the path of duty The idols and groves which in the declining days of Asa might have been set up again he utterly destroyed with all the high places where they still offered sacrifices to these abominations ote (1) In the fairest human pattern there will be found imperfections but there is a Son of David more than man who has set us a spotless example that we should follow his steps (2) Fidelity in Gods service is the stability of a nation (3) A lively soul on wings of faith and love mounts up to God rises superior to every difficulty and looks down upon every thing besides his favour as altogether vanity

3 He not only removed the temptations to sin but took care to instruct the people in

the path of duty Ignorance of Gods law had greatly prevailed and to oblige them merely to conform to his reformation without grounding them on the true foundation of Gods word promised little stability The Levites and priests therefore are sent in progress through the cities of Judah with the book of the law to explain and enforce the commandments of God and several princes accompanied them in order to engage the people to hear them and give countenance to these preachers by their weight and influence ote (1) It is a blessed thing when princes countenance faithful ministers Though they cannot make men true converts their example and authority will induce them to attend (2) They who are sent to teach must see that they take the pure word of God along with them A true preacher wishes for nothing in his hand but his Bible (3) Religion is a reasonable service Conviction alone not compulsion or education can make a man a christian

4 The blessing of God attended his labours The Lord was with him or as the Targum generally expresses it the word of the Lord the divine Logos to whom all things are committed strengthened him in his labours and established his kingdom The people charmed with his government liberally sent their presents to him and abounding in riches and honour his heart far from being intoxicated by prosperity was lifted up in greater love and thankfulness to the gracious giver ote (1) God often here rewards piety with prosperity (2) Worldly comforts are then truly blessings when as the steps of Jacobs ladder they raise our hearts to heaven

2nd Like the light of the morning which shineth more and more so did Jehoshaphats glory increase

1 Feared by his enemies as beloved by his subjects the neighbouring princes did not offer to molest him while those of Philistia and Arabia courted his favour either by a voluntary present or exact payment of the tribute which Asa had imposed on them see 2 Chronicles 1711 God had put an awe upon them of the majesty of his king in Zion ote God hath access to the spirits of men and by secret yet irresistible influence can bow them to his sovereign will

2 His military preparations greatly advanced While he reformed the people he fortified their ramparts and built new castles and store-cities strengthening them within and without against their enemies Under five chief officers an immense army was enlisted Probably all the able men in the country were enrolled and regularly mustered though not drawn out except in case of necessity and this may easily account for the greatness of their number if we consider also the long peace they had enjoyed the accession of Israelites to them and especially the blessing of Abraham which no doubt was eminently fulfilled Amasiah one of the officers is mentioned with an honourable mark of distinction as a volunteer who served for the glory of God not for the sake of pay Such patriots are scarce

TRAPP 2 Chronicles 1714 And these [are] the numbers of them according to the house of their fathers Of Judah the captains of thousands Adnah the chief and

with him mighty men of valour three hundred thousand

Ver 14 Three hundred thousand] These were under his command and at hand to come whensoever the king would

WHEDO 14 Three hundred thousand mdash The numbers in this verse and the four verses following are generally regarded as corrupt ldquoThey implyrdquo observes the writer last quoted ldquoa minimum population of 1480 to the square mile which is more than three times greater than that of any country in the known world It is probable that the original numbers have been lost and the loss supplied by a scribe who took 2 Chronicles 148 as his basis

ELLICOTT Verse 14 (14) And these their fathersmdashAnd this is their muster (or census) according to their father-houses (clans) 1 Chronicles 243 The warriors were marshalled in the army according to clans so that men of the same stock fought side by side with their kindred Perhaps in the original document this heading was followed by a much more detailed scheme of names and divisions than that which the text presents

Of JudahmdashTo Judah (belonged) captains of thousands viz the three enumerated in 2 Chronicles 1714-16 Adnah Jehohanan and Amasiah They were the principal officers or generals of the entire forces of Judah

Adnah the chiefmdashTo wit the captain Adnah That Adnah was commander-in-chief is implied by his being named first and his corps being the largest

PULPIT This verse with the following four gives us the names of five captains chiefs princes or military officers for the kingdoms service with the numbers of the troops they severally commanded The numbers of them (see note under 1 Chronicles 2311) Hebrew פקדתם The better English rendering to carry at once the signification would be The muster of them etc The captains hellip the chief In both cases the Hebrew is the familiar word for prince ( שר ) in the former without article in the latter with article The numbers of this and following four verses are not only absolutely unreliable but in themselves impossible According to the house of their fathers ie the quotation is drawn from an army catalogue arranged carefully by fathers houses (umbers 118 umbers 122 etc)

15 next Jehohanan the commander with 280000

GILL And next to him was Jehohanan the captain Being of the same rank as to office but having a lesser number of men under him and it may respect not any kind of subordination only nearness of place as the Targumhe that encamped next to him

and with him two hundred and fourscore thousand which number was but 20000 less than the former

POOLE ext to him either

1 After his death as his successor in the same command And the like is supposed concerning Jehozabad 2 Chronicles 1718 Or rather

2 ext to him in place and authority or at least in power and the numbers of his host

16 next Amasiah son of Zikri who volunteered himself for the service of the Lord with 200000

GILL And next him was Amasiah the son of Zichri He encamped next to him as the Targum

who willingly offered himself unto the Lord to fight the Lords battles and without any stipend as some think or as Kimchi he offered gold and silver to the treasures of the house of the Lord

and with him two hundred thousand mighty men of valour the number was 80000 less than the former the whole of Judah amounted to 780000 men

TRAPP 2 Chronicles 1716 And next him [was] Amasiah the son of Zichri who willingly offered himself unto the LORD and with him two hundred thousand mighty men of valour

Ver 16 Who willingly offered himself unto the Lord] He was a votary the vows of God were upon him and this made him the more valiant and resolute (a) in the exercise of arms for the service of God and the safety of his people The Spahis among the Turks are a sort of horsemen voluntaries and votaries to gain paradise by dying for the Mohammedan cause These are never known to return home but

with victory these are heavy upon the enemy For

ldquo Vincitur haud gratis iugulo qui provocat ensem rdquo

POOLE As volunteers and auxiliaries to be ready upon occasion as the service of God and the king should require Possibly these or most of them were the strangers which had come out of Israel into the kingdom of Judah in Asarsquos days and probably since that in his time

ELLICOTT (16) AmasiahmdashIah carrieth (Isaiah 4011) different from Amaziah (Iah is strong)

Who willingly offered himself unto the Lordmdash(Judges 52 Judges 59) An allusion to some noble act of self-devotion which was doubtless more fully recorded in the source from which the chronicler has drawn this brief account Such allusions though no longer intelligible are important as conducing to the proof of the historical value of the narratives in which they occur LXX ὁ προθυmicroούmicroενος τῷ κυρίῳ Vulg consecratus Domino

PULPIT Amaziah the son of Zichri This man is not titled at all The description of him as one who had willingly offered himself unto the Lord not elucidated by the context or any effective parallel will mark something honorable in his history Possibly he comes from an unexpected quarter and is a man of approved skill othing further is known of these three men Meantime it has been suggested (Professor Dr J Murphy of Belfast Handbook to Chronicles ) that the first of the three was for Judah proper the second for that contingent of Judah that hailed from Dan and the Philistines and the third for that of Simeon and the Arabs

MACLARE This is a scrap from the catalogue of Jehoshaphatrsquos lsquomighty men of valourrsquo and is Amasiahrsquos sole record We see him for a moment and hear his eulogium and then oblivion swallows him up We do not know what it was that he did to earn it But what a fate to live to all generations by that one sentence

I Cheerful self-surrender the secret of all religion

The words of our text contain a metaphor naturally drawn from the sacrificial system It comes so easily to us that we scarcely recognise the metaphorical element but the clear recognition of it gives great additional energy to the words Amasiah was both sacrificer and sacrifice His offering was self-immolation As in all love so in that noblest kind of it which clasps God its perfect expression is lsquoI give Thee my living loving selfrsquo Nor is it only sacrifice and sacrificer that are seen in deepest truth in the experience of the Christian life but the reality of the Temple is also there for lsquoYe also are built up a spiritual house to be a holy priesthood to offer up spiritual sacrificesrsquo Only when God dwells in us shall we have the nerve and the firmness of hand to take the knife and lsquoslay before the Lordrsquo the awful Guest in the sanctuary within the most precious of the children of our spirits

The essence of the sacrifice of self is the sacrifice of will In the Christian experience

lsquowillingly offeredrsquo is almost tautology for unwilling offerings are a contradiction and in fact there are no such things The quality of unwillingness destroys the character of the offering and robs it of all sacredness Reluctant Christianity is not Christianity That noun and that adjective can never be buckled together

The submission of will and the consequent surrender of myself and my powers opportunities and possessions so that I do all enjoy all use all and when need is endure all with glad thankful reference to God is only possible to me in the measure in which my will is made flexible by love and such will-subduing love comes only when we lsquoknow and believe the love that God hath to usrsquo There is the point at which not a few moral and religious teachers go wrong and bewilder themselves and their disciples There too is the point at which Christ and the Gospel of salvation through faith in Him stand forth as emancipating humanity from the dreary round of efforts and vain attempts to work up the condition needful for achieving the height of self-surrender which is seen to be indispensable to all true nobleness of living but is felt to be beyond the reach of the ordinary man There too is the point at which many good people mar their lives as Christians They waste their strength in trying to bring the jibbing horse up to the leap They try to blow up a fire of devotion and to make themselves priests to offer themselves but all the while the mutinous self recoils from the leap and the fire burns smokily and their sacrifice is laid on the altar with little joy because they have not been careful and wise enough to begin at the beginning and to follow Godrsquos way of melting their wills by love the reflection of the Infinite love of God to them Godrsquos priests offer themselves because they offer their wills they offer their wills because they love God they love God because they know that God loves them That is the divine order It is vain to try to accomplish the end by any other

II This willing offering hallows all life

No syllable is left to tell us what Amasiah did to win this praise Probably the words enshrine some now forgotten memory of his cheerful courage some heroic feat on an unrecorded battlefield Particulars are not given nor needed Specific actions are unimportant the spirit of a life can be told with very incomplete details and it not the details is the important thing Sometimes as in many modern biographies one lsquocannot see the wood for the treesrsquo and misses the main drift and aim of a life in the chaos of a bewildering mass of nothings How much more happy the lot of this man of whom we have only the generalised expression of the text unweighted and undisturbed by petty incidents It takes tons of rose leaves to make a tiny phial of otto of roses but the fragrance is far more pungent in a drop of the distillation than in armfuls of leaves Every life shrinks into very small compass and the centuries do not tolerate long biographies Shall we not seek to order our life so that Amasiahrsquos epitaph may serve for us It will be blessed if this-and nothing else-is known about us that we lsquowillingly offered ourselves to the Lordrsquo My friend will that be a true epitome of your life

III This willing offering is accepted by God

We may hear a mightier voice behind the chroniclerrsquo s and the judgment of the Judge of all pronounced by His lips It matters little what men say of one another but it matters everything what God says of us We are but too apt to forget that He is now saying something as to each of us and that we have not to wait for death to put a final period to our activities before our lives become fit subjects for Godrsquos judgment Moment by moment we are writing our own sentences But while it is good for us to remember the continuous judgment of God on each deed it is not good to let dark thoughts of the principles of that judgment paralyse our activity or chill our confidence in His forgiving and accepting mercy There is often a dark suspicion like that of the one-talented

servant which blackens Godrsquos fair fame as being lsquoan austere Manrsquo making demands rather than imparting power and the effect of such an ugly conception of Him is to cut the nerve of service and bury the talent carefully folded up it may be but none the less earning nothing lsquoIf we call on Him as Father who without respect of persons judgeth according to every manrsquos workrsquo let us be sure that it will be a Fatherly judgment that He will pass upon us and our offerings There is a wonderful collection on His altar of what many people would think rubbish just as many a mother has laid away among her treasures some worthless article which her child had once given her-a weed plucked by the roadside in a long past summer day some trifle of rare preciousness in the childrsquos eyes and of none in any others than her own She opens her drawer and brings out the poor little thing and her eyes fill and her heart fills as she looks And does not God keep His childrenrsquos gifts as lovingly and set them in places of honour in the day when He lsquomakes up His jewelsrsquo There are cups of cold water and widowsrsquo mites and much else that a supercilious world would call lsquotrashrsquo stored there Thank God He accepts imperfect service faltering faith partial consecration a little love Even our poor offering may be an lsquoodour of a sweet smellrsquo ministering fragrance that is a delight to Him if it is offered with the much incense of the great Sacrifice and through the mediation of the great High Priest

The world forgot Amasiah or never knew him an obscure soldier in an obscure kingdom but God did not forget and here is his epitaph and this is his memorial to all generations Menrsquos chronicles have no room for all the names that their wearers are eager to have inscribed on their crumbling and crowded pages lsquobut the Lambrsquos Book of Lifersquo has ample space on its radiant pages for all who desire to set their names there and if ours are there we need not envy the proudest whose titles and deeds fill the most conspicuous pages in the worldrsquos records lsquoThen shall every man have praise of Christrsquo and he who wins that guerdon needs nothing more and can have nothing more to swell his blessedness

17 From BenjaminEliada a valiant soldier with 200000 men armed with bows and shields

GILL And of Benjamin Eliada a mighty man of valour Was the chief commander

and with armed men with bow and shield two hundred thousand which were

the armour of the tribe of Benjamin they were best skilled in 2Ch_148

TRAPP 2 Chronicles 1717 And of Benjamin Eliada a mighty man of valour and with him armed men with bow and shield two hundred thousand

Ver 17 With bow and shield] The Benjamites were notable bowmen [1 Chronicles 122] The Engish were anciently so too

ELLICOTT (17) Armed men with bow and shieldmdashLiterally drawing bow and shield ie as the Targum explains ldquodrawing bow and grasping shieldsrdquo (Comp 1 Chronicles 122) LXX ldquoArchers and peltastsrdquo Vulg ldquoGrasping bow and shieldrdquo (Comp also 1 Chronicles 840 for the arms of the Benjaminites)

18 next Jehozabad with 180000 men armed for battle

GILL And next to him was Jehozabad According to the Targum he encamped next him

and with him one hundred and fourscore thousand ready prepared for war being able bodied men well disciplined valiant and well armed these numbers of Judah and Benjamin put together amount to 1160000 men whereas Asa only brought into the field 580000 but it should be considered there had been a long time of peace many had come off from the ten tribes to Judah and the promise of multiplying the seed of Abraham was eminently fulfilled

TRAPP 2 Chronicles 1718 And next him [was] Jehozabad and with him an hundred and fourscore thousand ready prepared for the war

Ver 18 A hundred and fourscore thousand] His militia was eleven hundred and threescore thousand besides what he had in garrisons [2 Chronicles 1719] So that as he was better he was stronger than his father Asa had been Piety hath prosperity

ELLICOTT (18) Ready prepared for the warmdashEquipped for service (See on 1

Chronicles 1223-24 umbers 315 umbers 3229) The hoplites or heavy-armed infantry are probably meant

PULPIT While Eliada of last verse was for Benjamin Professor Dr Murphy supposes that Jehozabad was for the annexed part of Ephraim But no suppositions of this kind can avail to explain the numbers in the text which is no doubt corrupt

19 These were the men who served the king besides those he stationed in the fortified cities throughout Judah

CLARKE These waited on the king - They were disposable forces always at the kingrsquos command and were independent of those by which the cities of Judah were garrisoned

There is not a sovereign in Europe or in the world but might read this chapter with advantage

1 It shows most forcibly that true religion is the basis of the state and that wherever it prospers there the state prospers

2 It shows also that it is the wisdom of kings to encourage religion with all their power and influence for if the hearts of the subjects be not bound and influenced by true religion vain is the application of laws fines imprisonments or corporal punishment of any kind

3 A religious nation is ever a great nation it is loved by its friends it is dreaded by its enemies

4 It is ever a peaceable and united nation the blessings of religion and a wholesome and paternal government are so fully felt and prized that all find it their interest to preserve and defend them Harmony peace piety and strength are the stability of such times May Britain know and value them

GILL These waited on the king Not this vast number of men at one time but in course as Davids military men waited on him 1Ch_271 or each of these captains with a proper number of men under them detached from the body and they were all ready to obey the kings orders whenever he should have occasion for them

besides those whom the king put into the fenced cities throughout Judah and all together the militia of the kingdom was very numerous and formidable

KampD 2Ch_1719

These were serving the king א6ה refers not to the above-mentioned men capable of

bearing arms for sheereet is not used of service in war but to the commanders whom he had placed in the fortified cities of all Judah ldquoin which probably bodies of the above-mentioned troops lay as garrisonsrdquo (Berth)

BESO 2 Chronicles 1719 These waited on the king mdash These above-mentioned were the trained bands or auxiliaries whose chief officers waited on the king to receive his commands and to raise and bring in all or part of their forces to the service of the king as need required A vast number for so small a compass of ground to furnish out and maintain But we may consider that God had promised to make the seed of Abraham like the sand of the sea for number that there had now been a long peace that many were come to them from the kingdom of Israel and that Jehoshaphat was under a special blessing of God They were doubtless dispersed all the country over every one residing on his own land only they were ready at call whenever there was occasion

TRAPP 2 Chronicles 1719 These waited on the king beside [those] whom the king put in the fenced cities throughout all Judah

Ver 19 These waited on the king] ie In their turns and by course

POOLE These above mentioned were the trained bands or auxiliaries whose chief officers waited upon the king to receive his commands and to raise and bring in all or part of their forces to the service of the king and kingdom as need required

ELLICOTT (19) These waited on the kingmdashRather these are they that ministered unto the king viz the five generals above named

Beside those whom the king put in the fenced citiesmdashie the commandants of the fortresses of the kingdom (2 Chronicles 1111 2 Chronicles 1123) These latter as well as the generals of the forces are called the kingrsquos ldquoministersrdquo (mĕshacircrĕthicircm)mdasha word which is not used of service in the field but implies their presence at court (ldquoin Jerusalemrdquo 2 Chronicles 1713 as the royal staff)

According to the above list the army of Jehoshaphat was organised in five grand divisions corresponding perhaps to five territorial divisions of the southern kingdom The totals are the largest assigned to the two tribes anywhere in the Old Testament viz Judah 780000 and Benjamin 380000 in all 1160000 At Davidrsquos census Judah had 500000 warriors (2 Samuel 249) and Israel 800000 Again in 2

Chronicles 148 Asarsquos army consists of 300000 men of Judah and 280000 Benjaminites clearly such an increase as our text indicates is unaccountable At the same time it is equally clear that the present numbers are not fortuitous results of clerical errors for they follow each other in the order of relative strength Judah 300000 280000 200000 Benjamin 200000 180000 and they are evidently not independent of the estimates of 2 Chronicles 148 above quoted

In the absence of adequate data for modifying these certainly startling figures it is well to bear in mind that we need not understand by them an army which ever actually mustered in the field or on parade but simply an estimate of the total male population liable to be called out for the national defence although even upon that understanding the total appears to be at least three times too great considering the small extent of the country

PULPIT These waited Hebrew המשרתים plur piel part of שרת The verse states that this enormous fivefold army with its five princes (counting in our corrupt text one million one hundred and sixty thousand) was the kings Jerusalem standing army while other separate regiments or bands of troops were spread through all Judah where they might be most needed for defence

copy that which is inferior and to leave without reproduction that which is lofty and disciplinary In this instance Jehoshaphat sets an example to the world His conduct too is represented negatively as well as positivelymdashand sought not unto Baalim The word Baalim is in the plural number and the literal reading might be Jehoshaphat sought not the Baals the Baals being different local aspects or phases of the sun-god It is to be specially noted that the term Baal includes an aspect even of Jehovah himself that is to say Israel had degenerated so far as to suppose that in worshipping Baal they were worshipping at least one phase of the true God We must not mix up our religion with our irreligion our prayers with our idolatry our heavenliness with our worldly-mindedness the whole arrangement must be clean and pure from one end to the other inasmuch as one taint may cause the whole process of our religious thought and service to become deteriorated and valueless It is often difficult to abandon a popular custom More people might be in favour of Jehoshaphat strengthening himself against Israel than in returning to the first ways of David and abandoning the altar of the Baals History and religion are always considered in their separate distribution There are politicians who would vote for a war who would on no account surrender a superstition On the other hand there are men who pride themselves on being free of the influence of superstition who would willingly enter into the most sanguinary wars for the extension of empire or the glory of some particular throne In Jehoshaphat we seem to come into contact with a complete character in other words a man who in every point was equally strong a man of foresight a man of reverence a man of an honest heart a man who felt that idolatry and true worship could not coexist in the same breast

ISBET lsquoThe Lord was with Jehoshaphatrsquo2 Chronicles 173It is instructive to notice what is said about Davidrsquos waysmdashit was his first ways that Jehoshaphat took for his pattern We should always be careful to adopt only the good things in others

I lsquoThe Lord stablished the kingdom in his handrsquo God loves to find a man He can trust a man into whose hand He can put holy interests and know that they will be sacredly cherishedmdashThe Lord established the kingdom in the hands of Jehoshaphat because Jehoshaphat was true to his trust In our Lordrsquos parable of The Talents we are taught that those who prove faithful to their trust receive other things also in trust while those who are unfaithful even in small things God will not intrust with larger things

II lsquoHis heart was lifted up in the ways of the Lordrsquo There is a bad lifting up and a good lifting up Some people are made vain and self-conceited by prosperitymdashThe temptation for young people when first called upon to do any work and accomplishing it with some measure of success is to become proud and to show their vanity by talking too much about themselves and what they have done Such lifting up not only dishonours God but hurts the person But Jehoshaphat was lifted up in the ways of the Lord Too often as money comes in and prosperity increases

people get so absorbed in these new gifts of God that the Giver Himself fades out of their vision If only we see the hand of God in every new mercy and goodness that comes to us our heart will be lifted up in the ways of the Lord

III lsquoThe fear of the Lord fell upon all the kingdoms hellip so that they made no war against Jehoshaphatrsquo The Lord is able to control even the diplomacy and the politics of nationsmdashWhen these kingdoms saw the blessing which Jehoshaphat was enjoying in his country they felt an awe in their heartsmdashthe fear of the Lord fell upon themmdashand they refrained from making war God will always find some way to defend His own people in the midst of dangers

PULPIT The first ways of his father David Although there would be no difficulty in reconciling this statement with history yet probably the name David should not stand here It is not in the Septuagint The most natural and sufficient reference is to Asa And sought not unto Ballim literally to the Baalim ie to the various false gods of surrounding peoples ( 211) Baal-berith ( 833 94 946) Baal-zebub (2 Kings 12) Baal-peor (umbers 2328 etc umbers 253) according to the places where the idolatrous worship was carried on (For the preposition ל to after sought in this and following verse see again 1 Chronicles 2219 )

4 but sought the God of his father and followed his commands rather than the practices of Israel

BARES The doings of Israel - i e the especially idolatrous doings of the time -the introduction and establishment of the worship of Baal and the groves

GILL But sought to the Lord God of his fathers Prayed to him worshipped and served him

and walked in his commandments observed and kept them moral ceremonial and judicial

and not after the doings of Israel who worshipped the golden calves at Dan and Bethel

JAMISO and not after the doings of Israelmdash He observed with scrupulous fidelity and employed his royal influence to support the divine institutions as enacted by Moses abhorring that spurious and unlawful calf-worship that now formed the established religion in Israel Being thus far removed alike from gross idolatry and Israelitish apostasy and adhering zealously to the requirements of the divine law the blessing of God rested on his government Ruling in the fear of God and for the good of his subjects ldquothe Lord established the kingdom in his handrdquo

COFFMA So far so good Jehoshaphat like some others of the kings of Judah began very well receiving as their reward the blessing of the Lord and the prosperity of the people but his alliance with Ahab (described in 2 Chronicles 18) would cast a dark shadow over what is written here

(He) walked not after the doings of Israel (2 Chronicles 174) The contempt in which the author of Chronicles held the orthern Israel appears in a clause like this The outstanding feature of Chronicles is the omission wherever possible of practically the entire history of their kings This reminds us of the Book of umbers in which the whole history of the apostate Israel records only a few events for the whole period Why It was because of the fact that what any nation does after they have rejected God is of minor importance

With the apostasy of the orthern Israel and their rejection of Gods choice of the house of David the history of the redemption of mankind dramatically shifted to what happened in Jerusalem

TRAPP 2 Chronicles 174 But sought to the [LORD] God of his father and walked in his commandments and not after the doings of Israel

Ver 4 And not after the doings of Israel] Who in his days did evil as they could under that nonsuch Ahab But Jehoshaphat was not corrupted with their ill neighbourhood

PARKER But sought to the Lord God of his father and walked in his commandments and not after the doings of Israel ( 2 Chronicles 174)

We must be prepared for singularity if we are genuinely prepared to be good Let a man settle it with himself in prayerful solitude whether he means to walk with God or to identify himself with the spirit and customs of his age Jehoshaphat laid down a clear programme for himself and followed it out with patient and faithful industry The Lord God of his father was not a mere term in a crowd it was the object of daily search and quest Jehoshaphat inquired for him and operated constantly upon the doctrine Ask and it shall be given you knock and it shall be opened unto you or was Jehoshaphats religion merely speculative that is to say an intellectual quest after an intellectual God whatever was speculative in the mind and service of Jehoshaphat was sustained and ennobled by a solid moral element

forasmuch as Jehoshaphat walked in Gods commandmentsmdashhe read the decalogue he studied Gods word he would take no action personal regal or social that was not first examined and approved in the light of the divine statutes All this might have been comparatively easy if Jehoshaphat had started at an independent point but at such a point no man can start for he must take up the age as he finds it and must first disembarrass himself from all the stipulations and claims of custom usage and popular superstition Jehoshaphat sought not after the doings of Israel he set himself up in this respect against the kingdom he was not afraid of peculiarity in a word Jehoshaphats religion was characteristic that is to say it had lines points and colours of its own about which there could be no reasonable mistake What is our religion Do we intellectually assent to the existence and sovereignty of one God and then degenerate into self-worship Do we admit that there must be an ultimate morality a philosophy of conduct founded upon eternal metaphysics and then do we measure our own behaviour by the canon of custom These are questions that search the heart and no man can answer them for his brother

What became of all this noble conduct arising out of this high religious conception We shall see in the following versemdash

PULPIT After the doings of Israel This expression probably marks the doings of the northern kingdom as both the more typical throughout its whole history of the wrong and also as the systematic beginning by a law of idolatrous worship and images in the matter of the calves and so on

5 The Lord established the kingdom under his control and all Judah brought gifts to Jehoshaphat so that he had great wealth and honor

BARES Presents - i e ldquofree-will offeringsrdquo in addition to the regular taxes See 1Sa_1027

GILL Therefore the Lord stablished the kingdom in his hand Piety is the

best prop of government the throne is best supported and established by truth righteousness and mercy by the exercise of these Jehoshaphat was settled in his kingdom and had a place in the hearts of his people

and all Judah brought to Jehoshaphat presents being well affected to him as well as it was usual so to do at a princes accession to the throne see 1Sa_1027

and he had riches and honour in abundance through the presents his subjects brought him and the respect they showed him

JAMISO all Judah brought presentsmdash This was customary with the people generally at the beginning of a reign (1Sa_1027) and with the nobles and high functionaries yearly afterwards They were given in the form of voluntary offerings to avoid the odious idea of a tax or tribute

KampD Therefore Jahve established the kingdom in his hand ie under his rule cf

2Ki_145 All Judah brought him presents מנחה often used of tribute of subject peoples

eg in 2Ch_1711 of the Philistines cannot here have that signification nor can it denote

the regular imposts of subjects for these are not called מנחה but must denote voluntary

gifts which his subjects brought him as a token of their reverence and love The last clause ldquoand there was to him (he attained) riches and honour in abundancerdquo which is repeated 2Ch_181 recalls 1Ch_2928 2Ch_112 and signifies that Jehoshaphat like his ancestors David and Solomon was blessed for walking in the pious ways of these his forefathers

BESO 2 Chronicles 175-6 Therefore the Lord established the kingdom in his hand mdash Those stand firm that have the presence of God with them If the beauty of the Lord our God be upon us that will stablish the work of our hands and establish us in our integrity And all Judah brought to Jehoshaphat presents mdash As subjects in those times and places used to do to their kings in token of their respect and subjection to them The more there is of true religion among a people the more conscientious loyalty there will be A governor that answers the end of government will be supported And he had riches and honour in abundance mdash The effect of the favour both of God and his people It is undoubtedly true though few will believe it that religion and piety are the best friends to outward prosperity And his heart was lift up in the ways of the Lord mdash Riches and honour in abundance prove to many a clog and a hinderance in the ways of the Lord an occasion of pride security and sensuality but they had a quite contrary effect upon Jehoshaphat his abundance was oil to the wheels of his obedience and the more he had of the wealth of this world the more cheerfully and resolutely he went on in the ways of the Lord His heart also was lifted up above all discouragements difficulties and fears by which menrsquos hearts are wont to be cast down He was valiant and resolute for God and his ways He took away the high places and groves mdash That is those in which idols were worshipped for those that were dedicated to the true God only were not taken away chap 2 Chronicles 2033 And though Asa had done the same before yet

either he did not do it thoroughly or the people who were mad upon their idols had secretly made new ones in the latter part of his reign when he grew more infirm in body and more remiss in Godrsquos cause

TRAPP 2 Chronicles 175 Therefore the LORD stablished the kingdom in his hand and all Judah brought to Jehoshaphat presents and he had riches and honour in abundance

Ver 5 And he had riches and honour in abundance] Herein he came near unto Solomon in his greatest flourish

ELLICOTT (5) ThereforemdashAnd (so ldquoalsordquo ldquoso thatrdquo in 2 Chronicles 177 2 Chronicles 1710)

The Lord stablished the kingdom in his handmdashComp 2 Kings 145

PresentsmdashMinchah This word often means tributary offerings as in 2 Chronicles 1711 but here it obviously denotes the voluntary gifts of loyal subjects usual at the beginning of a reign (1 Samuel 1027)

And he had (or got) riches and honour in abundancemdashLike David and Solomon (1 Chronicles 2928 2 Chronicles 112)

PARKER 5-9 5 Therefore the Lord stablished the kingdom in his hand [comp 2 Kings 145] and all Judah brought to Jehoshaphat presents [this word often means tributary offerings but here it denotes the voluntary gifts of loyal subjects] and he had riches and honour in abundance

6 And his heart was lifted up [usually the phrase has a bad meaning (as in Deuteronomy 814 2 Chronicles 2616 Psalm 1311 etc) but it is evident that it must be taken differently here The marginal reading is right his courage rose high or he grew bold] in the ways of the Lord moreover he took away the high places and groves out of Judah

7 Also in the third year of his reign he sent to his princes [rather he sent his princes] even to Ben-hail and to Obadiah and to Zechariah and to ethaneel and to Michaiah to teach in the cities of Judah

8 And with them he sent [rather were the] Levites even Shemaiah and ethaniah and Zebadiah and Asahel and Shemiramoth and Jehonathan and Adonijah and Tobijah and Tobadonijah Levites and with them Elishama and Jehoram priests

9 And they taught in Judah and had the book of the law of the Lord [the Pentateuchmdashnearly if not quite in the shape in which we now have it] with them and went about throughout all the cities of Judah and taught [among] the people

PARKER Therefore the Lord stablished the kingdom in his hand and all Judah brought to Jehoshaphat presents and he had riches and honour in abundance ( 2 Chronicles 175)

Whatever was doubtful about the ascent of Jehoshaphat to the throne was removed and the king was enabled to realise his power when he closed his hand upon the royal sceptre he found that he was not grasping a shadow but a reality There are times when men become fully conscious of their influence and of their proper social position happy are they if in this consciousness they detect a prevailingly religious element which constrains them to acknowledge that honour and wealth power and dignity are the gifts of God Is not this an anticipation of the Saviours great doctrinemdashSeek ye first the kingdom of God and his righteousness and all these things shall be added unto you Jehoshaphat did not seek riches and honour he sought to the Lord God of his father and walked in the divine commandments and as a result he enjoyed all that kings delight in as indicating strength and pomp renown and influence

GUZIK 2 (2 Chronicles 175-6) The blessing upon his reign

Therefore the LORD established the kingdom in his hand and all Judah gave presents to Jehoshaphat and he had riches and honor in abundance And his heart took delight in the ways of the LORD moreover he removed the high places and wooden images from Judah

a Therefore the LORD established the kingdom in his hand This was no small accomplishment In those days kings and kingdoms were fragile and under constant threat Yet if the descendants of David would seek God first He promised to take care of their security ndash and God makes the same promise to His people today (Matthew 633)

b All Judah gave presents to Jehoshaphat and he had riches and honor in abundance Because Jehoshaphat trusted God God lifted him up and exalted him as a king As his heart took delight in the ways of the LORD the LORD gave him the desires of his heart (Psalms 374)

c Moreover he removed the high places and wooden images from Judah 1 Kings 2243 says that Jehoshaphat did not remove the high places Adam Clarke explains ldquoIn 2 Chronicles 176 it is expressly said that he did take way the high places Allowing that the text is right in 2 Chronicles the two places may be easily recognized There were two kinds of high places in the land 1 Those used for idolatrous purposes 2 Those that were consecrated to God and were used before the temple was built The former he did take away the latter he did notrdquo

i ldquoThey may also witness to the deep hold of the Canaanite and syncretic forms of religion on ordinary Israelites Popular views and practices are often quite different from pronouncements by religious authoritiesrdquo (Selman)

PULPIT All Judah brought presents to Jehoshaphat These presents were of course voluntary gifts though like not a few others custom may have taken off from them something of the bloom of spontaneousness (1 Samuel 1027 2 Samuel 82 1 Kings 421 1 Kings 1025 Psalms 7210)

6 His heart was devoted to the ways of the Lord furthermore he removed the high places and the Asherah poles from Judah

BARES His heart was lifted up - This expression generally occurs in a bad sense Deu_814 2Ch_2616 Psa_1311 Pro_1812 but here it must be taken differently The margin ldquowas encouragedrdquo expresses fairly the true meaning He first began by setting an example of faithfulness to Yahweh He then proceeded to use his best endeavors to extirpate idolatry

He took away the high places - Compare 2Ch_2033 and see the 2Ch_1517 note

GILL And his heart was lifted up in the ways of the Lord It was engaged in them was bent and set upon them he walked in them with great pleasure and cheerfulness being inspired with zeal and courage he was fearless and intrepid and regarded not any opposition he might have or expect to have in the work of reformation in which he was concerned

moreover he took away the high places such as were dedicated to idols but not those in which the true God was worshipped 2Ch_2033

and groves out of Judah where idols were placed for though these had been removed by Asa yet had been renewed in the latter part of his days when more negligent of religion

HERY 2 He was a despised man (Job_176) ldquoHerdquo (that is Eliphaz so some or rather God whom he all along acknowledges to be the author of his calamities) ldquohas made me a byword of the people the talk of the country a laughing-stock to many a gazing-stock to all and aforetime (or to mens faces publicly) I was as a tabret that whoever chose might play uponrdquo They made ballads of him his name became a proverb it is so still As poor as Job ldquoHe has now made me a bywordrdquo a reproach of men whereas aforetime in my prosperity I was as a tabret deliciae humani generis -

the darling of the human race whom they were all pleased with It is common for those who were honoured in their wealth to be despised in their poverty

JAMISO his heart was lifted up in the ways of the Lordmdash Full of faith and piety he possessed zeal and courage to undertake the reformation of manners to suppress all the works and objects of idolatry (see on 2Ch_2033) and he held out public encouragement to the pure worship of God

KampD This blessing encouraged Jehoshaphat to extirpate from the land all

idolatrous worship and to teach the people the law of the Lord לב usually sensu ב

malo to be haughty proud cf eg 2Ch_2616 2Ch_3225 here sensu bono of rising

courage to advance in ways pleasing to God and he removed the high places also etc עודpoints back to 2Ch_173 not only did he himself keep far from the Baals but he

removed besides all memorials of the Baal-worship from Judah On מות and אשרים see

on 2Ch_142

COKE 2 Chronicles 176 And his heart was lifted upmdash And when he had elevated his mind in following the commandments of God he took yet from Judah high places and groves ie he destroyed yet other monuments of idolatry which had escaped the diligence of his father Asa though he took not away those high places and altars which had been erected in Jerusalem for the true God See 1 Kings 2243 and ch 1 Kings 2033 of this book

TRAPP 2 Chronicles 176 And his heart was lifted up in the ways of the LORD moreover he took away the high places and groves out of Judah

Ver 6 And his heart was lifted up] ot with pride as 2 Chronicles 3225 but with undaunted courage and disengaged zeal such as made him come off roundly and readily in the ensuing reformation he was more forward and forth putting than his father Asa not slothful in business but fervent in spirit serving the Lord

POOLE His heart was lifted up above all discouragements and difficulties and fears by which menrsquos hearts use to be cast down he was valiant and resolute for God and his ways

He took away the high places and groves to wit such only wherein idols were worshipped as appears by comparing this with 2 Chronicles 2033 And though Asa had done this before yet either he did not do it thoroughly or the Jews (who were many of them mad upon their idols) had secretly made new ones in the latter part of his reign when he grew more infirm in body and more remiss in Godrsquos cause

WHEDO 6 His heart was lifted up mdash That is exalted with holy faith and courage

Took away the high places mdash Yet in spite of all his efforts and successes in this matter the people had become so addicted to these practices that their destruction was not thoroughly secured See note on 2 Chronicles 143 and compare 2 Chronicles 2033

ELLICOTT (6) And his heart was lifted upmdashGabhah lccedilbh which usually like the phrase of Authorised version has a bad meaning as in 2 Chronicles 2616 The margin is right here ldquohis courage rose highrdquo or ldquohe grew boldrdquo in the ways of Jehovah ie in the path of religious reform Vulg ldquocum sumpsisset cor ejus audaciam propter vias Dominirdquo

MoreovermdashAnd again further Referring to 2 Chronicles 173 ot only did he not seek the Baals but more than this he removed the high places ampc [This is the common explanation But the sense may rather be ldquoAnd he again removedrdquo referring back to Asarsquos reforms 2 Chronicles 145]

GrovesmdashrsquoAshecircrim ldquoAsherahsrdquo (2 Chronicles 143)

PARKER And his heart was lifted up in the ways of the Lord moreover he took away the high places and groves out of Judah ( 2 Chronicles 176)

The expression his heart was lifted up is an awkward one The lifting up of the heart signifies increase of pride a sensation of vanity a desire to gratify personal ambition and to make an idol of his will In this instance the marginal reading is to be preferredmdashwas encouraged or otherwise his courage rose high and again it has been rendered Jehoshaphat grew bold that is to say he was not a timid reformer or a timid worshipper a trimmer or a time-server in any sense he was a heroic worshipper of the living God when he saw that reform was necessary he went forward with a steady step and an energetic hand We should call Jehoshaphat a man of conviction and a man who had the courage of his convictions altogether this is the outline of a noble personage a born king a man who has a right to the purple and the sceptre When such men ascend thrones nations should be glad and rejoice with a great joy for their character is grander than their office and their spirit is the best guarantee of the elevation and utility of their regal policy Becoming conscious of his power knowing that his kingdom was established from on high Jehoshaphat not only did pot seek the Baals himself but he took away the high places and groves out of Judah Jehoshaphat was not content with a merely personal religion he could not convert the hearts of his people but he could destroy all the symbols of unholy worship Men are only required to do that which lies within their power A proprietor may not be able to make people sober but he can forbid the introduction of temptations to drunkenness a parent may not be able to subdue the spirit of pride but he can in many instances limit the means of gratifying it There are reforms which are open to us all in personal custom in social habit it may be even in imperial ways let each Jehoshaphat seize his opportunity and magnify it

All this would have been comparatively in vain but for another step which

Jehoshaphat took In the third year of his reign he sent to his princesmdashthat is to say he sent his princesmdashand he sent Levites all of whose names are given and he sent also two priests Elishama and Jehoram and their business was purely educational

PULPIT And his heart was lifted up in the ways of the Lord Although the verb often carries a bad sense with it it quite as often carries with it a good one in the גבהOld Testament and the typical instance of the former (Psalms 1311) is fully counterbalanced by Isaiah 5213 The marginal was enencouraged may be superseded with advantage by took courage (Isaiah 4029-31) The groves Supersede this incorrect rendering by the Asherim and upon the seeming discrepancy see again Isaiah 151-9 17 and Introduction to Chronicles there quoted

7 In the third year of his reign he sent his officials Ben-Hail Obadiah Zechariah ethanel and Micaiah to teach in the towns of Judah

BARES The princes were not sent as teachers themselves but had the duty committed to them of seeing that the people were taught The actual teachers were the priests and Levites of 2Ch_178

CLARKE 7-9 To teach in the cities of Judah - ldquoTo teach the fear of the Lord in the cities of Judahrdquo - Targum

In these verses we find a remarkable account of an itinerant ministry established by Jehoshaphat and in this work he employed three classes of men

1 The princes

2 The Levites

3 The priests

We may presume that the princes instructed the people in the nature of the civil law and constitution of the kingdom the Levites instructed them in every thing that appertained to the temple service and ritual law and the priests instructed them in the

nature and design of the religion they professed Thus the nation became thoroughly instructed in their duty to God to the king and to each other They became therefore as one man and against a people thus united on such principles no enemy could be successful

GILL Also in the third year of his reign he sent to his princes That dwelt in the several parts of the kingdom or he sent them being with him some of the

principal men of his court for ל may be a sign of the accusative case as it sometimes is

even to Benhail and to Obadiah and to Zechariah and to Nethaneel and to Michaiah to teach in the cities of Judah to see that they were taught and oblige them to attend to the instructions that should be given them and not mutiny and rebel against their teachers and to let them know what was the kings pleasure on this head and to back with their authority the priests and Levites whose proper work it was to instruct and who therefore were sent with them as follows

JAMISO 7-11 2Ch_177-11 He sends Levites to teach in Judah

Also in the third year of his reign he sent to his princes to teach in the cities of Judahmdash The ordinary work of teaching devolved on the priests But extraordinary commissioners were appointed probably to ascertain whether the work had been done or neglected This deputation of five princes assisted by two priests and nine Levites was to make a circuit of the towns in Judah It is the first practical measure we read of as being adopted by any of the kings for the religious instruction of the people Time and unbroken opportunities were afforded for carrying out fully this excellent plan of home education for the kingdom enjoyed internal tranquillity as well as freedom for foreign wars It is conformable to the pious style of the sacred historian to trace this profound peace to the ldquofear of the Lord having fallen on all kingdoms of the lands that were round about Judahrdquo

BESO 2 Chronicles 177 He sent to his princes mdash to teach in the cities of Judah mdash To inform the people of their duty and of the kingrsquos pleasure As judges teach or instruct the people in the laws of the land when they deliver their charges upon the bench so did these princes in the kingrsquos name admonish and require the people to observe and obey the laws of God which were the municipal laws of that land the particular explication and enforcement whereof they left to the Levites and priests here following who were sent for this end and accordingly taught the people 2 Chronicles 179

COFFMA Because of the clause which we have capitalized this is one of the most important passages in Chronicles Right here is the reason radical critics have extended themselves so unreasonably in their efforts to discredit Chronicles Here is dependable historical proof of the continued existence of the Torah from the days of Moses throughout the history of Israel As Keil stated it The book of the law of Jehovah is the Pentateuch not merely a collection of Mosaic laws since in Jehoshaphats time the Mosaic Book of the Law (the Pentateuch) had been long in existence[1] We shall not take the space to repeat the vociferous denials of critics

except to cite one knee-jerk remark that characterizes all of them Such action was not taken in Jehoshaphats time[2] What is the basis of such a blatant denial of what Gods Word states as a fact even giving the very names of the royal princes who did the teaching THERE IS OE o matter what unbelievers say this chapter IS the historical record of what happened in the reign of Jehoshaphat and those who live two and one half millenniums afterward have nothing of value by which they may challenge it Then why do men deny it The false theories they have invented are here contradicted forcing them either to give up their false theories or to deny the Sacred Scriptures that contradict them

COKE 2 Chronicles 177 He sent to his princes even to Ben-hail ampcmdash He sent of his princes Ben-hail Obadiah ampc The proper business of these princes in their circuit round the kingdom says Bishop Patrick was to admonish and require the people to observe the laws of God and to leave the particular explication and enforcement of them to those of the sacred order who went with them supporting them in the execution of their office and obliging the people to receive them with respect to hear them with attention and to practise what they taught

TRAPP 2 Chronicles 177 Also in the third year of his reign he sent to his princes [even] to Benhail and to Obadiah and to Zechariah and to ethaneel and to Michaiah to teach in the cities of Judah

Ver 7 He sent to his princes to teach in the cities of Judah] Teaching princes there are not many such as were David Solomon George prince of Anhalt ampc but these were sent with the teaching Levites to countenance and bear them out in this visitation general and perhaps to punish the opposite and obstinate if any such Junius readeth the text thus He sent with his princes these Levites for the teaching Or the princes taught the people the law of the land the priests and Levites the law of God both did mutually help one another So a Danish king of this land made a law that at the general court of every shire the bishop of the diocese should accompany the sheriff that the one might countenance Godrsquos law the other manrsquos (a) Queen Elizabeth once in her progress through Suffolk observing that the justices of that county who came to meet her had every man his minister next to his body said she wondered not that that county was so well governed where she saw that the word and sword went so lovingly together (b)

POOLE To teach in the cities of Judah to inform the people of their duty and of the kingrsquos pleasure As judges or justices of peace teach or instruct the people in the laws of the land when they deliver their charges upon the bench so did these princes in the kingrsquos name admonish and require the people to observe and obey the laws of God which were the prinicipal laws of that land the particular explication and enforcement whereof they left to the Levites and priests here following who were sent for this end and accordingly taught the people 2 Chronicles 179

WHEDO 7 He sent to his princeshellip to teach mdash He committed the matter of

teaching to their oversight and care and the teaching was done by the Levites and priests as stated in the next verse He did well to put down idolatry but he was wise enough to know that unless the people were instructed they would soon apostatize again

ELLICOTT THE COMMISSIOERS OF PUBLIC ISTRUCTIO I THE LAW

(7) He sent to his princes even to Ben-hail to MichaiahmdashRather He sent his princes Ben- hail and Obadiah and Michaiah (The le ldquotordquo in the chroniclerrsquos idiom marking the object of the verb) If however Authorised Version were correct the construction would not be unique as the Speakerrsquos Com mentary asserts (Comp 2 Kings 57 ldquothis man sendeth to me to recover a manrdquo ampc)

Princesmdashone of the personages mentioned in this and the following verse are otherwise known The ldquofive princesrdquo were laymen of rank and were accompanied by nine (eight) Levites and two priests

Ben-hailmdashSon of valour A compound proper name only occurring here but analogous to Ben-hur Ben-deker and Ben-hesed in 1 Kings 48-10 (The LXX renders ldquothe sons of the mightyrdquo Syriac ldquothe chiefs of the forcesrdquo apparently reading bnecirc chail)

ethaneelmdashSyriac Mattanael Arabic Mattaniah Michaiah Syriac and Arabic Malachiah

GUZIK B The strength of Jehoshaphatrsquos kingdom

1 (2 Chronicles 177-10) The spiritual strength of the kingdom Jehoshaphat brings the Word of God to the people

Also in the third year of his reign he sent his leaders Ben-Hail Obadiah Zechariah ethanel and Michaiah to teach in the cities of Judah And with them he sent Levites Shemaiah ethaniah Zebadiah Asahel Shemiramoth Jehonathan Adonijah Tobijah and Tobadonijah the Levites and with them Elishama and Jehoram the priests So they taught in Judah and had the Book of the Law of the LORD with them they went throughout all the cities of Judah and taught the people And the fear of the LORD fell on all the kingdoms of the lands that were around Judah so that they did not make war against Jehoshaphat

a To teach in the cities of Judah These ldquoteaching priestsrdquo have been mentioned by the Chronicler before (2 Chronicles 153) They had the important role of bringing the word of God to the people especially those who lived outside of Jerusalem

b They taught in Judah and had the Book of the Law of the LORD with them they went throughout all the cities of Judah and taught the people This was the wisest

and best policy a security-conscious king of Judah could promote Because Jehoshaphat sought God first God sent fear upon the neighboring kingdoms so that they did not make war against Jehoshaphat

i ldquoBy this little band of princes Levites and priests sixteen in all Jehoshaphat did more toward impressing the surrounding nations with a sense of his power than the largest and best-equipped standing army could have secured to himrdquo (Knapp)

ii ldquoThe method adopted was what in these modern times we might describe as the holding of Special Missions throughout the cities of Judah for the specific purpose of proclaiming and interpreting lsquothe book of the law of Jehovahrsquordquo (Morgan)

iii ldquoo better service can be rendered to the nation than that of proclaiming the Word of Jehovah to the people in cities towns villages and hamlets By such proclamation the heart of the people may be turned to Jehovah and so He be enabled to do for them all that is in His heartrdquo (Morgan)

iv ldquoThus the nation became thoroughly instructed in their duty to God to the king and to each other They became therefore as one man and against a people thus united on such principles no enemy could be successfulrdquo (Clarke)

v Clarke observed how a similar itinerant ministry in the days of John Wesley and his followers impacted Britain ldquoSuch an itinerant ministry established in these kingdoms for upwards of fourscore years teaching the pure unadulterated doctrines of the Gospel with the propriety and necessity of obedience to the laws has been the principle means in the hand of God of preserving the lands from those convulsions and revolutions that have ruined and nearly dissolved the European continentrdquo

vi ldquoIt is said (2 Chronicles 172) Jehoshaphat place forces in all the fenced cities yet it is not said thereupon that lsquothe fear of the Lord fell upon the neighbour nationsrsquo But when he had established a preaching ministry in all the cities then his enemies had a fear and made no warrdquo (Trapp)

PULPIT He sent Hebrew שלח The Hebrew text distinctly says he sent to his princes not he sent his princes The meaning ismdashhe sent orders to his princes to see to it that Judah was taught (2 Chronicles 179) the book of the Law of the Lord (Le 2 Chronicles 1011 Deuteronomy 49 Deuteronomy 1718) not indeed without their own personal aid in whatever way able to be given but systematically and with authority by the Levites and priests (Deuteronomy 3310) This deeper fathoming of the needs of the time and of what constituted its real safety was greatly to the spiritual credit of Jehoshaphat The references (2 Chronicles 153 2 Chronicles 352-4 2 Chronicles 3510-12) are full of point one of these princes or Levites and priests are elsewhere mentioned by name

8 With them were certain LevitesmdashShemaiah ethaniah Zebadiah Asahel Shemiramoth Jehonathan Adonijah Tobijah and Tob-Adonijahmdashand the priests Elishama and Jehoram

GILL 2 Chronicles 178And with them he sent Levites With the five princes he sent nine Levites

even Shemaiah and Nethaniah and Zebadiah and Asahel and Shemiramoth and Jehonathan and Adonijah and Tobijah and Tobadonijah Levites of whom we nowhere else read no doubt they were principal persons and fit for the work they were sent about

and with them Elishama and Jehoram priests whose lips were to keep knowledge and at whose mouth the law was to be sought Mal_27

ELLICOTT (8) And with them he sent LevitesmdashRather And with them were the Levites The construction being changed So LXX and the Syriac (Comp 1 Chronicles 1641-42 1 Chronicles 1518 for the same mode of enumeration which is characteristic of the style of the chronicler

ZebadiahmdashSome MSS and Syriac and Arabic read Zechariah

ShemiramothmdashSo LXX and Vulg (see 1 Chronicles 165 1 Chronicles 1518) The Heb text is probably incorrect Syriac and Arabic read instead atucircra

Tob-adonijahmdashThis curious name occurs only here and is perhaps a mere mistake arising out of the preceding Adonijah and Tobijah The Syriac and Arabic omit it

PriestsmdashThe priests

The commission was a mixed one of civil and ecclesiastical persons (comp 1 Chronicles 131-2 1 Chronicles 232 1 Chronicles 246)

And had the book of the law of the LordmdashAnd with them was the book of the law (teaching) of Jehovah For the construction compare 1 Chronicles 1642 The writer

evidently means the Pentateuch and if this notice was derived by him from a contemporary source eg the ldquowords of Jehu the son of Hananirdquo to which he refers as an authority for the reign (2 Chronicles 2034) it would constitute an important testimony to the existence if not of the five books at least of an ancient collection of laws at this early date (circ 850 BC )

And taught the peoplemdashTaught among the people

9 They taught throughout Judah taking with them the Book of the Law of the Lord they went around to all the towns of Judah and taught the people

BARES There is no reasonable doubt that this ldquobook of the lawrdquo was the Pentateuch - nearly if not quite in the shape in which we now have it Copies of the whole Law were no doubt scarce and therefore Jehoshaphatrsquos commission took care to carry a copy with them

CLARKE Had the book of the law of the Lord with them - This was their text book it was the book of God they taught it as such and as such the people received it Its laws were Godrsquos laws and the people felt their obligation and their consciences were bound Thus they were obedient to the laws of the land on the principle of religion In this they were encouraged and confirmed by the example of all both in Church and state The princes were not only pious but were teachers of piety the Levites showed them the worth and excellence of their ritual institutions and the priests showed them the moral use they were to make of the whole and thus the people became obedient to God as well as to the king and kept all the civil ordinances not merely for the sake of a good king but for the sake of a good and gracious God By these means the nation enjoyed peace and prosperity and all insurrections seditions and popular commotions were prevented The surrounding nations perceiving this saw that there was no hope of subduing such a people so they made no war with Jehoshaphat 2Ch_1710 And they took care not to provoke such a people to fall on them therefore it is said The fear of the Lord fell on all the kingdoms and lands that were round about Judah Such an itinerant ministry established in these kingdoms for upwards of fourscore years

teaching the pure unadulterated doctrines of the Gospel with the propriety and necessity of obedience to the laws has been the principal means in the hand of God of preserving these lands from those convulsions and revolutions that have ruined and nearly dissolved the European continent The itinerant ministry to which this refers is that which was established in these lands by the late truly reverend highly learned and cultivated deeply pious and loyal John Wesley AM formerly a fellow of Lincoln College Oxford whose followers are known by the name of Methodists a people who are an honor to their country and a blessing to the government under which they live

GILL And they taught in Judah The people their duty to God and man

and had the book of the law of the Lord with them as the rule of their instruction and the peoples obedience out of this they taught them and by it confirmed what they taught and enforced it with the divine authority

and went about throughout all the cities of Judah not only their own cities the Levitical ones but all others

and taught the people the law of the Lord the fear and worship of God

JAMISO the book of the lawmdash that is either the whole Pentateuch or only the book of Deuteronomy which contains an abridgment of it

BESO 2 Chronicles 179 And they taught in Judah ampc mdash The Levites and priests were teachers by office Deuteronomy 3310 It was a part of the work for which they had their maintenance and indeed had little else to do But it seems they had neglected it pretending probably that they could not get the people to hear them Jehoshaphat therefore sends them with the princes who by their authority might require the people to assemble together to receive instruction in the laws of God and their duty ldquoWhat a great deal of goodrdquo says Henry ldquomay be done when Moses and Aaron thus go hand in hand in the doing of it when princes with their power and priests and Levites with their Scripture-learning agree to teach the people the good knowledge of God and their duty These itinerant judges and itinerant preachers together were instrumental to diffuse a blessed light throughout the cities of Judahrdquo And had the book of the law of the Lord with them mdash 1st For their own guidance that from thence they might draw all the instructions they gave to the people and not teach for doctrines the commandments of men 2d For the conviction or the people that they might see these priests and Levites had a divine warrant for what they said and delivered to them only that which they had received from the Lord

TRAPP 2 Chronicles 179 And they taught in Judah and [had] the book of the law of the LORD with them and went about throughout all the cities of Judah and taught the people

Ver 9 And had the book of the law of the Lord with them] They taught not

traditions human inventions or unwritten verities All their doctrines came cum privilegio and were Scripture proof

WHEDO 9 The book of the law mdash Our Pentateuch in substantially its present form ldquoCopies of the whole law were no doubt scarce and therefore Jehoshaphatrsquos commission took care to carry a copy with themrdquo mdash Rawlinson

PARKER And they taught in Judah and had the book of the law of the Lord with them and went about throughout all the cities of Judah and taught the people ( 2 Chronicles 179)

This was a mixed commission partly civil partly ecclesiastical The men here mentioned are otherwise unknown We identify them as educational reformers or reformers who operated through the medium of education they were not warriors destroyers revolutionists but men who addressed the mind and the understanding and the conscience and caused men to know that the true law was from above and not from beneath The book which the commission had in hand was the Pentateuch or the law of Moses This was known to be the law which alone could touch all the vital necessities of the commonwealth Again and again we are constrained to admit that there is a law beyond Prayer of Manasseh above Prayer of Manasseh in a sense apart from man men are not driven within themselves to find a law an instinct or a reason they have a written statute an authoritative declaration a book which Christian teachers do not hesitate to describe as a Revelation and to that they call the attention of men If the teacher were teaching out of his own consciousness he would be but an equal often exposing himself to the destructive criticism of his more advanced and penetrating scholars but the teacher takes his stand upon a book upon the Book the Bible a revelation which he believes to be divine and final Say what we will the effect of Bible teaching must be judged by its fruits Where are the nations that are most distinguished for wide and varied intelligence for large and exhaustive sympathy for missionary enterprise for philanthropic institutions and for all the elements which give grace and beauty to social existence The question should admit of definite reply the facts are before men let them judge fearlessly and honestly and we need have no apprehension concerning their verdict Wherever the word of the Lord has had free course superstition has been chased away human slavery has been abolished every instance of intolerance injustice unkindness has felt the influence of holy thought in all these matters discussion should be limited strictly to facts Thus kings can help nations not by forcing education not by attempting to rule opinion not by setting up standards of orthodoxy to fall short of which is to incur penalty but by spreading education by extending light by cultivating a spirit of inquiry and by a generous multiplication of all the instrumentalities needed for the destruction of ignorance What may come of this we are not supposed at this moment to know Meanwhile let us be thankful that we are face to face with a man who has conviction courage independence high patriotic and generous impulse and let us hope that his end may be as beautiful as his beginning was promising

SIMEO THE ROYAL EDICT

ADVERTISEMETmdashThe author feels it necessary to prefix to this Sermon some short account of the occasion on which it was delivered

The author was at Amsterdam (in June 1818) partly with a view of re-establishing there an Episcopal Chapel in which there had been no service for seven years but principally with a view of seeking the welfare of the Children of Israel He went thither rather to explore than to act (See ehemiah 212-16) But just previous to the 18th of June he understood that the Third Anniversary of the Battle of Waterloo was to be kept throughout the etherlands as a day of thanksgiving and just at that time also he quite accidentally heard that the King of the etherlands had a year before issued an Edict requiring all the Jews to educate their children in the knowledge of their own Scriptures and calling upon all his Christian Subjects to aid in this good work Despondency not unlike to that which paralyzed all exertion at Jerusalem in ehemiahrsquos days so universally prevailed that no one had risen to the occasion the very Commissioners who had been appointed to carry the Edict into effect had published a Report in which they gave it as their opinion ldquothat the Lordrsquos time was not comerdquo and there was great danger that the gracious designs of the Monarch would be altogether frustrated The author therefore judged this a fit occasion for calling the attention of the Public to the Edict and accordingly after devoting the Morning Service to the more appropriate subject of the day he employed the Evening Service in an endeavour to forward this good work Considerable attention was excited to the subject by means of the Sermon which was therefore instantly printed in Dutch French and English for the purpose of its being circulated throughout the etherlands and he has reason to hope that active exertions were afterwards made in many places to promote what every benevolent mind must ardently desire the edification and welfare of the Jewish People

So good an example having been set by the Emperor of Russia and the King of the etherlands the author hopes that the attention of our own Governors also both in Church and State may be called to this long-neglected People and that now the British Public has been invited by authority (the Kingrsquos Letter) to aid in supporting Missions to the Heathen World the claims of the Jewish ation to whom under God we owe all the light that we ourselves enjoy will not be overlooked It is with a view to this great object that the author sends forth the Sermon in this country where if the foregoing explanation had not been given its relevancy and use might have been justly called in question

2 Chronicles 179 And they taught in Judah and had the book of the law of the Lord with them and went about throughout all the cities of Judah and taught the people

O a day set apart for thanksgiving to God for mercies received it is peculiarly proper to consider what we may render unto the Lord for all his benefits Certainly if any event ever deserved repeated annual commemoration it is that which has

freed the world from the most grievous tyranny that ever it endured Of the bitter cup which was put into the hands of every nation in Europe this nation [ote The etherlands] drank very deeply and the change which it has experienced in the restoration of their rightful Monarch and in the establishment of a free Constitution calls for their devoutest acknowledgments to Almighty God Doubtless we may with justice pay some tribute of honour to those who by their counsels and their arms effected the overthrow of the Usurper but it is God alone who giveth victory to kings and to whom the glory of this great victory must be primarily ascribed and he who accounts a day consecrated to this service superfluous shews that he is far from justly appreciating the blessings that have been conferred upon him The monarch himself has given to his people a very decided evidence that he feels the depth of his obligations to the God of his salvation and it will be your own loss if you do not cultivate a similar spirit and improve the occasion to the honour of your God

But it is not to thanksgiving only that your Monarch invites you he calls you by a special Edict to unite with him in seeking the welfare of your Jewish Brethren who in their struggle with the enemy signally approved their fidelity to their legitimate Sovereign Their welfare he in his turn studies to promote and he desires to combine the energies of all his subjects in efforts for their good Methinks he is like Jehoshaphat of old who well knowing that piety must be founded in knowledge and happiness in piety sent forth the Princes of his empire with a select number of Priests and Levites to instruct his people in the knowledge of Godrsquos blessed word

His edict on this occasion and the manner in which it was carried into effect will form the subject of my present discourse

I Then we notice the edict of King Jehoshaphatmdash

This was such as became a great and pious monarch and we shall find it not unprofitable or unsuitable to the present occasion to enter into a distinct consideration of it We observe then that it was a kind and benevolent edict a wise and politic edict a good and beneficial edict

Mark the benevolence displayed in it He sought the present and eternal welfare of his subjects He knew that as men are raised above the beasts by the exercise of reason so are they elevated in the scale of rational beings in proportion as their intellectual powers are cultivated and enlarged Man destitute of knowledge is a mere savage but when instructed in the various branches of science he becomes refined and civilized and capable of contributing to the general good In the very cultivation of knowledge there is much pleasure arising to the mind and in the application of that knowledge to useful purposes there is an exquisite delight We need only observe persons when employed in their several vocations how happy they are how contented how cheerful oftentimes unconsciously proclaiming their happiness like the birds of the air in festal songs or consciously and with devotion in songs of praise

But it was not mere intellectual improvement which Jehoshaphat sought to convey he wished his people to be instructed in the knowledge of that God whom they professed to fear and worship This alone could make them truly happy this alone could impart to them sound wisdom or solid consolation He therefore gave particular directions that they should be taught ldquoin the Book of the Law of the Lordrdquo and this throughout the whole land O happy people whose governor so employed the authority with which he was invested And happy that monarch who so improved his influence not for his own personal aggrandizement but for the best interests of the people committed to his charge In so doing he approved himself to be indeed what every governor should be the friend and father of his people

or was the policy of this measure at all inferior to its benevolence A people well instructed in moral and religious knowledge will view government as an ordinance of God and will learn to obey the constituted authorities not so much from fear of their wrath as for conscience sake towards God They will view their governors as Godrsquos vicegerents upon earth and will consider allegiance to them as an essential part of their duty to him Hence will spring up love in their hearts and a real delight in manifesting on all proper occasions their loyalty to their king they will form a bulwark around his person in case of necessity and even glory in laying down their lives for him as their greatest benefactor

The benefits arising from this edict were incalculable Such was the effect of it that the fear of Jehoshaphat and of Jehovah as his protector fell on all the nations that were round about him so that none however hostile in their hearts dared to make war against him [ote ver 10] Doubtless this resulted chiefly from an impression made upon their minds by God himself yet it was also produced by a dread of that energy which an united people were ready to put forth at any instant at the call of their beloved monarch At the same time that peace was thus secured prosperity reigned in every part of the empire and as the immediate fruit of it Jehoshaphat as well as the people ldquohad riches and honour in abundance [ote ver 5]rdquo In his own mind too he reaped the fruits of his own benevolence God smiled upon him and manifested himself to him and enabled him to walk with ldquohis heart lifted up in the ways of the Lord [ote ver 6]rdquo

Such was the edict of the pious Jehoshaphatmdashbenevolent politic beneficial And what I would ask is the Edict which has been issued by the highest authority in this kingdom Do we not see in it the same blessed characters as in that which we have been considering It was ldquoin the third year of his reign [ote ver 7]rdquo that Jehoshaphat sent forth teachers to enlighten and instruct his subjects The very instant he felt himself at liberty from the more urgent and pressing calls of duty (such as the fortifying of his land against foreign enemies and the correcting of some great internal abuses) he engaged in this good work of diffusing light and knowledge through all classes of the community In like manner the sovereign of this kingdom has scarcely had time to repair the ravages of war and to establish his empire too long weakened and impoverished by a cruel usurpation before he stands forth as the friend and father of his people and more especially of that portion of them who have in every age and place been most treated with neglect and

disdain to have them educated in scriptural knowledge and in the fear of God It is much to be lamented that the Jewish people have not in general been so attentive either to the learning or morals of their children as might be wished and hence arose a necessity for some authoritative admonition on the subject Yet if I may say it without offence this neglect has not been more reprehensible in them than has been the indifference with which the Christian world has regarded it The monarch (may God recompense it richly into his bosom) has risen up to remedy the supineness both of the one and the other and to call forth the united energies of all to correct and terminate this evil Yet whilst he thus consults the best interests of his subjects with what paternal tenderness has he guarded against wounding the feelings of any or exciting their religious prejudices The Scriptures of the Old Testament are alone to be used in the schools that shall be established even those Scriptures which Jews as well as Christians believe to have been given by inspiration of God and to contain truth without any mixture of error In this is marked the policy no less than the benevolence of the edict for it is not by constraint but by conciliation and kindness that good is to be done to any and more especially to those who have shewn themselves now for so many centuries proof against all the efforts of intimidation or force In this kingdom they form no small body and I may add no unimportant portion of the community It is well known how extensive is their influence in the affairs of commerce and how by their activity they contribute to enrich the state Hence it is now generally seen and felt that they are entitled to the same respect as any other subjects of the realm and whilst as in the present instance they see how deeply their monarch feels interested in their welfare they cannot but on their part be sensible of the privileges they enjoy under his paternal government and testify their gratitude to him by every possible expression of loyalty and affection

What the ultimate effect of these measures will be may be conjectured from the blessed results of the edict of Jehoshaphat all will feel themselves happy under the government of such a prince and he whilst he is respected abroad and beloved at home will have the happiness of seeing his labours crowned with prosperity throughout his dominions and with peace in his own soul

II The manner in which Jehoshaphatrsquos edict was carried into execution is now to be noticedmdash

The promptness with which his commands were executed deserves the highest praise All were ready to co-operate in this good work as soon as it was proposed ldquoPrinces and priests and Levites [ote ver 7 8]rdquo all addressed themselves to it instantly with one heart and one soul one accounted their dignity so high or their functions so sacred but they thought it an honour to be employed in such a service and found a delight in fulfilling the wishes of their revered monarch all entered into the work with zeal and prosecuted it with diligence and hence a rapid change was effected both in the temporal and spiritual condition of the whole nation And what may not be effected in this kingdom also if a similar zeal be exercised by ldquothe princes and priestsrdquo (the magistrates and clergy) of the land With them it must begin Those who move in a lower station can effect nothing if they be not aided and

countenanced by the higher orders whose rank in life or sacredness of character will give a tone to the general feeling and combine the energies of the whole kingdom If it be said that those for whom the benefit is designed do not feel a desire after it this only shews how much they need it and how earnestly we should all embark in a cause proposed by such high authority and recommended by the soundest dictates of wisdom and piety

That our obligations to unite in this labour of love may the more distinctly appear I would beg leave to suggest the following considerations

First Loyalty to the king demands our concurrence with him in this good work and a holy emulation amongst us to carry into effect his benevolent designs What can the greatest or best of men effect (what could Jehoshaphat himself have done) if there be none to act in subserviency to them and to follow their directions As the most potent monarch upon earth would in vain proclaim war if there were no soldiers found to enlist under his banners and to execute his commands so it will be in vain that the design of benefiting the Jewish people was ever conceived in the mind of the king or that his edict respecting them was ever issued if his subjects do not put forth their energies in obedience to his call In truth a backwardness to co-operate with him in this blessed work would seem like a reflection cast upon him as recommending a measure that was unworthy of attention I do not mean to insinuate that such an idea really exists in the minds of any for I am perfectly convinced it does not but certainly in appearance it is open to this construction and every subject of the empire is concerned to act in such a way as to cut off all occasion for a reflection like this I say loyalty alone even if we had no higher motive should be sufficient to call forth our exertions in this cause

But let me next observe that gratitude to the Jewish nation demands it at our hands How great how manifold are our obligations to them Behold Moses and the prophets what instruction have they given us in reference to the way of life and salvation Without the moral law as revealed by Moses we should never have known to what an extent we need a Saviour nor if the prophecies had not so fully designated the promised Messiah could we have ever so fully known that Jesus was the Christ Of whom did the Lord Jesus Christ himself come as pertaining to the flesh but from the loins of David and of the seed of Abraham Yet to him are we indebted for all that we either have or hope for in time or in eternity And who were the Apostles but Jews who for our sakes went forth preaching the word and counted not their lives dear to them so that they might but lead us to the knowledge of Christ and make us partakers of his salvation From them too we have received the lively oracles which are the one source of all spiritual knowledge and the one foundation of all our hopes Does all this call for no recompence at our hands Knowing as we do the vast importance of education should we not endeavour to impart it to those from whose ancestors we have received such innumerable such inestimable benefits Yet behold these are the people whom for many many centuries we have treated with more neglect and contempt than any other people upon the face of the earth the savages of the most distant climes have received more attention from us than they Surely it is high time that the Christian world awake to

a sense of their duty and begin to shew to the Jews somewhat of that love which their forefathers exercised towards us in our Gentile state We are debtors to them to a vast amount and it is high time that we begin to discharge our debt And how can we discharge it better than by enabling them to read and understand those very oracles which they have preserved with such fidelity and which testify so fully of their promised Messiah

Further A love to the rising generation should lead us to avail ourselves of the present opportunity to promote their welfaremdashIt is truly afflictive to see how low and degraded is the state of multitudes especially of the Jewish nation purely through the neglect with which they are treated in their early youth and still more grievous is it to reflect on their ignorance of those things which belong to their everlasting peace To counteract this we should endeavour to qualify the whole of their population for good and useful employments and through the medium of useful instruction to make them holy and to make them happy We need never be afraid that there will not be a sufficient number of poor to fill the lower stations do what we will there will never be wanting persons who through their own fault or misfortunes are necessitated to undertake the lowest offices of life And if they have been previously instructed in the Scriptures of Truth they will have a fund of consolation ever open to them in their deepest afflictions they will learn from the inspired volume in whatsoever state they are there-with to be content and in the prospect of the eternal world they will find joys with which a stranger intermeddleth not and which the world can neither give nor take away We feel the force of these considerations in reference to the poor of our own communion how is it that we feel it not in reference to our Jewish Brethren This is a partiality unworthy of us and we should rise as one man to wipe off this disgrace from our own character

This brings me to the last consideration which I propose to mention namely that a concern for the honour of our holy religion should operate to unite us all in executing the Royal EdictmdashWhat must a Jew think of our religion when he sees how little it has wrought for us in the production of love We may tell him of a Messiah who has loved us and laid down his life for us but what credit will he give us for our principles when he sees how little our practice corresponds with them May he not well say to us ldquoPhysician heal thyselfrdquo Shew by your conduct the superiority of your principles before you call on me to embrace them It is by love that we must win them it is by shewing kindness to them that we must efface from their hearts those prejudices which with too much reason they entertain against us We must exhibit in our own person the loveliness of Christianity before we can bring them to investigate the grounds of our faith or to imagine that they can improve their own condition by embracing it May I not then call upon you as Christians to unite in the good work that is now before you that you may thereby serve and glorify your Lord and Saviour As Christians you believe that there is no other way to the Father but by Christ [ote John 146] and no other name but his whereby any human being can be saved [ote Acts 412] Where is your piety where is your love to Christ where is even common humanity if you will not avail yourselves of the present opportunity to remove from before your Jewish Brethren

the stumbling-blocks which for so many ages have been laid in their way

Do any ask What shall we do I answer search out amongst the Jews some persons of probity and talent to commence schools among them and do you yourselves aid to the utmost of your power in the support of them provide them with all necessary books for instructing children in the first rudiments of knowledge provide them with Bibles also both in the Dutch and Hebrew languages that they may be thoroughly instructed in the knowledge of their own religion and learn to walk in the steps of their father Abraham and of all the holy prophets

Begin too without loss of time Adult Schools You will find many among the house of Israel who will be glad to avail themselves of your instructions Let those who are benevolent amongst you dedicate an hour in a day to the instructing of a few who may be desirous to learn and carefully avoid every thing which may give unnecessary offence Confine yourselves to the Old Testament which they venerate as well as you Let those who can teach only in the Dutch language give instruction in that and let those who either understand or have leisure to attain the Hebrew tongue draw their attention to that In particular let it be the united endeavour of all to qualify masters for this good work

And let it not be thought that this is the duty of men only The Royal Edict has particularly and with great wisdom recommended it to females who may be of infinite service in conveying instruction to their own sex This age is distinguished above all others for the activity of females in the service of God and in the performance of every good work Were I able to declare the proportion of good that is done in Britain by the female sex it would appear incredible I believe from my soul that it far exceeds one half in all the societies raised since the commencement of the present century in the Bible Society the Missionary Societies and the Society for Promoting the Knowledge of Christianity amongst the Jews yes let the ladies of this country exert themselves in a prudent modest and discreet way and the effects will soon appear the Royal Edict will not be a dead letter but will produce incalculable good to the whole nationmdashand the agents in this benevolent work will themselves receive quite as much benefit as they impart their benevolence being in proportion as it is exercised its own reward

10 The fear of the Lord fell on all the kingdoms of the lands surrounding Judah so that they did not go to war against Jehoshaphat

GILL And the fear of the Lord fell upon all the kingdoms of the lands that were round about Judah Upon the ten tribes and on foreign nations about them as Moabites Edomites Syrians Egyptians Arabs and Philistines this fear as it came from the Lord so might be raised and increased by observing that religion was revived in them for they might perceive by former observations made that the more religious these people were the more prosperous and formidable they were

so that they made no war against Jehoshaphat to interrupt him in the work of reformation he was so intent upon

HERY We have here a further account of Jehoshaphats great prosperity and the flourishing state of his kingdom

I He had good interest in the neighbouring princes and nations Though he was not perhaps so great a soldier as David (which might have made him their terror) nor so great a scholar as Solomon (which might have made him their oracle) yet the fear of the Lord fell so upon them (that is God so influenced and governed their spirits) that they had all a reverence for him 2Ch_1710 And 1 None of them made war against himGods good providence so ordered it that while the princes and priests were instructing and reforming the country none of his neighbours gave him any molestations to take him off from that good work Thus when Jacob and his sons were going to worship at Bethel the terror of God was upon the neighbouring cities that they did not pursue after them Gen_355 and see Exo_3424 2 Many of them brought presents to him (2Ch_1711) to secure his friendship Perhaps these were a tribute imposed upon them by Asa who made himself master of the cities of the Philistines and the tents of the Arabians 2Ch_1414 2Ch_1415 With the 7700 rams and the same number of he-goats which the Arabians brought there was probably a proportionable number of ewes and lambs she-goats and kids

KampD This attempt of Jehoshaphat brought him this blessing that the terror of Jahve fell upon all the surrounding kingdoms and not only did none of the neighbouring peoples venture to make war upon him but also various tribes did homage to him by presents Ramb has already so understood the connection of these verses (erat hoc praemium pietatis Josaphati quod vicini satisque potentes hostes non auderent adversus ipsum hiscere) while Berth fails to apprehend it saying that Jehoshaphat had time to care for the instruction of his people because at that time the neighbouring peoples did not venture to undertake war against Judah The words ldquoterror of Jahverdquo cf 2Ch_1413 2Ch_2029 and ldquoall the kingdoms of the landsrdquo cf 2Ch_128 1Ch_2930 are expressions peculiar to the author of the Chronicle which show that by these remarks he is preparing the way for a transition to a more detailed

portrayal of Jehoshaphats political power מן־(לש)ים is subject מן partitive some of the

Philistines brought him presents (for מנחה see on 2Ch_175) ldquoand silver a burdenrdquo ie

in great quantity מא does not signify tribute vectigal argento (Vulg) for the word has

not that signification but denotes burden that which can be carried as in מא לאן

2Ch_2025 - 2Ch_2116 2Ch_221 ערבים 2Ch_267 and more usually ערב-ים or ערביאים

are Arabian nomadic tribes (Bedacircwin) perhaps those whom Asa after his victory over the Cushite Zerah had brought under the kingdom of Judah 2Ch_1414 These paid

their tribute in small cattle rams and he-goats (ישים( Gen_3035 Gen_3215 Pro_

3031)

BESO 2 Chronicles 1710 The fear of the Lord fell upon all the kingdoms ampc mdash Justly concluding from his singular piety that God would eminently appear for him for even the heathen could not but observe that the kings of Judah were either prosperous or unhappy according as they served God or forsook him So that they made no war against Jehoshaphat mdash Godrsquos good providence so ordered it that while the princes and priests were instructing and endeavouring to reform the country none of his neighbours gave him any molestation to take him off from that good work

COFFMA All of this peace and prosperity were directly due to the respect which Jehoshaphat had shown to the Law of God and to his efforts to teach that word to all the people It is no problem that much of the material here is omitted in Kings because the primary focus there was political whereas in Chronicles the focus is upon the spiritual and religious significance of the same history

TRAPP 2 Chronicles 1710 And the fear of the LORD fell upon all the kingdoms of the lands that [were] round about Judah so that they made no war against Jehoshaphat

Ver 10 And the fear of the Lord fell upon all the kingdoms] It is said [2 Chronicles 172] Jehoshaphat placed forces in all the fenced cities yet it is not said thereupon that the fear of the Lord fell upon the neighbour nations But when he had established a preaching ministry in all the cities then his enemies had a fear and made no war

POOLE Justly concluding from this singular piety that God would eminently appear for him and against all those who had ill will to him which was their case For even the heathens could not but observe that the kings of Judah were either prosperous or unhappy accordingly as they served God or forsook him

ELLICOTT (10) The fear of the LordmdashA dread of Jehovah (pachad) aps 2029 (Comp Exodus 1516 1 Samuel 117 Isaiah 210 ) This phrase is not peculiar to the chronicler as Keil and Bertheau assert ldquoThe kingdoms of the landsrdquo is so (2 Chronicles 128 1 Chronicles 2930)

They made no warmdashThe reward of Jehosha-phatrsquos piety (1 Chronicles 229

Proverbs 167) ldquoWhen a manrsquos ways please the Lord he maketh even his enemies to be at peace with himrdquo (Comp also Genesis 355)

11 Some Philistines brought Jehoshaphat gifts and silver as tribute and the Arabs brought him flocks seven thousand seven hundred rams and seven thousand seven hundred goats

BARES Some of the Philistines brought Jehoshaphat presents - i e ldquosome of the Philistines were among his tributariesrdquo Compare 2Sa_82 1Ki_421

Tribute silver - Or ldquomuch silverrdquo - literally ldquosilver of burthenrdquo

The Arabians - The Arab tribes who bordered Judaea to the south and the southeast paid Jehoshaphat a fixed tribute in kind Compare 2Ki_34 note

CLARKE The Philistines brought - presents - They and the Arabians purchased peace with the king of Judah by paying an annual tribute The Philistines brought silver and no doubt different kinds of merchandise The Arabs whose riches consisted in cattle brought him flocks in great abundance principally rams and he-goats

GILL Also some of the Philistines brought Jehoshaphat presents and tribute silver Perhaps those of Gerar and the parts adjacent Asa took and spoiled and made tributary 2Ch_1414

and the Arabians brought him flocks seven thousand and seven hundred rams and seven thousand and seven hundred he goats with which their country abounded and these might be the Scenite Arabs who fearing lest Jehoshaphat should fall upon them and take away their flocks as his father had done 2Ch_1415 brought these presents to him

JAMISO Also some of the Philistines brought Jehoshaphat presents and tribute silvermdash either they had been his tributaries or they were desirous of securing his valuable friendship and now made a voluntary offer of tribute Perhaps

they were the Philistines who had submitted to the yoke of David (2Sa_81 Psa_608)

the Arabiansmdash the nomad tribes on the south of the Dead Sea who seeking the protection of Jehoshaphat after his conquest of Edom paid their tribute in the way most suitable to their pastoral habits - the present of so many head of cattle

BESO 2 Chronicles 1711 Some of the Philistines brought presents mdash They had been subject to Judah ever since Davidrsquos time but it seems had neglected this duty in the times of his predecessors but were now moved by their own fears to perform it And the Arabians brought him flocks mdash Either because he had upon some just occasion waged war against them and subdued them or because they voluntarily put themselves under his protection in recompense whereof they sent him these presents or only as a free acknowledgment of their respect for him

TRAPP 2 Chronicles 1711 Also [some] of the Philistines brought Jehoshaphat presents and tribute silver and the Arabians brought him flocks seven thousand and seven hundred rams and seven thousand and seven hundred he goats

Ver 11 Also some of the Philistines] These having been subdued by David had withheld their tribute for a time but now seeing Jehoshaphatrsquos growing greatness they bring it in with the better that no offence might be taken at their former neglect The word here used signifieth honorary gifts or oblations pacifications

ldquo Placatur donis Iupiter ipse datis rdquo

Think the same of the Arabians See 2 Chronicles 1414-15

POOLE Some of the Philistines who had been subjects to this kingdom ever since Davidrsquos time but it seems had neglected this duty in the times of his predecessors but now were moved by their own fears to perform it

The Arabians brought him flocks either because he had upon some just occasion waged war against them and subdued them though the particulars of it be not described in Scripture or because they voluntarily put themselves under his protection in recompence whereof they sent him those presents or only as a free acknowledgment of their respects to him

ELLICOTT (11) Broughtmdashie continually Such is the force of the participle

PresentsmdashAn offering ie tribute (minchah 2 Chronicles 175)

And tribute silvermdashRather and silver a load or burden ie a great quantity (massacircrsquo) 2 Chronicles 2025 As if ldquosilver as much as they could carryrdquomdasha natural hyperbole ot all the five states of the Philistines were subject to Jehoshaphat (Comp 2 Samuel 81)

The ArabiansmdashlsquoArbicircrsquoim here only equivalent to lsquoArbicircyicircm (2 Chronicles 267) and

lsquoArbim (2 Chronicles 2116) They are in each case grouped with the Philistines The nomad Bedacircwin conquered by Asa (2 Chronicles 1415) appear to be meant here or else some tribes which recognised the overlordship of Jehoshaphat after his reduction of Edom (2 Chronicles 2022 sqq)

Brought him flocksmdashComp Mesha of Moabrsquos tribute to Ahab (2 Kings 34)

GUZIK 2 (2 Chronicles 1711-19) The international strength of Jehoshaphatrsquos kingdom

Also some of the Philistines brought Jehoshaphat presents and silver as tribute and the Arabians brought him flocks seven thousand seven hundred rams and seven thousand seven hundred male goats So Jehoshaphat became increasingly powerful and he built fortresses and storage cities in Judah He had much property in the cities of Judah and the men of war mighty men of valor were in Jerusalem These are their numbers according to their fathersrsquo houses Of Judah the captains of thousands Adnah the captain and with him three hundred thousand mighty men of valor and next to him was Jehohanan the captain and with him two hundred and eighty thousand and next to him was Amasiah the son of Zichri who willingly offered himself to the LORD and with him two hundred thousand mighty men of valor Of Benjamin Eliada a mighty man of valor and with him two hundred thousand men armed with bow and shield and next to him was Jehozabad and with him one hundred and eighty thousand prepared for war These served the king besides those the king put in the fortified cities throughout all Judah

a Some of the Philistines brought Jehoshaphat presents and silver as tribute and the Arabians brought him flocks Jehoshaphatrsquos commitment to personal and public godliness meant that God exalted his kingdom above the neighboring nations even as God promised in Deuteronomy 281-13

b These served the king The true treasure of Jehoshaphatrsquos kingdom was not numbered only in security or material things but also in the dedicated and courageous men he had surrounding him these mighty men of valor

i Amasiah the son of Zichri who willingly offered himself to the LORD ldquoAmasiah is a man of whom we do not know anything beyond this ndash he lsquowillingly offered himself unto the Lordrsquo There must have been a turning-point in his career a time when first he knew the grace of God which wrought such a change in him There must have been a waking up to the feeling that God deserved his love and his liferdquo (Spurgeon)

ii Amasiah was a ready servant of the Lord this particularly notable because he did it in an otherwise secular calling

middot o one had to press him into service

middot o one had to seek him out for service

middot o one had to look after him once he had begun serving

middot o one had to lead him

iii ldquoThere is no lawful occupation in which a man cannot thoroughly serve the Lord It is a great privilege and blessing to be set apart to the work of winning souls but we must never separate that work from all the rest of the callings of life as though it alone were sacred and all the rest were secular and almost sinful Serve God where you arerdquo (Spurgeon)

PULPIT The presents were probably enough in the nature of tribute the fixed rate of which is sometimes alluded to (1 Kings 421 1 Kings 1025 2 Samuel 82) but it is doubtful whether the word משא purports to say this The word means bearing or carrying and then a burden load or weight The expression (2 Chronicles 2025) more than they could carry away where this word is used favours the idea that the meaning here is silver of great weight Probably the moral significance and historical interest whether of this statement respecting the Philistines or the following respecting the Arabians lies in the fact that both of them brought without more ado their payments and did not seek to slip out of their engagements with Judah and Judahs king ote for confirmation of this view 2 Kings 34 2 Kings 35

12 Jehoshaphat became more and more powerful he built forts and store cities in Judah

GILL And Jehoshaphat waxed great exceedingly In wealth and riches power and authority in his forces and fortifications

and he built in Judah castles and cities of stores castles for the defence of his kingdom and store cities to lay up corn and wine and all provisions in case of an invasion or against a time of war

HERY II He had a very considerable stores laid up in the cities of Judah He pulled down his barns and built larger (2Ch_1712) castles and cities of store for arms and victuals He was a man of business and aimed at the public good in all his

undertakings either to preserve the peace or prepare for war

JAMISO 2Ch_1712-19 His greatness captains and armies

KampD Description of Jehoshaphats power - 2Ch_1712 And Jehoshaphat became

ever greater sc in power The partic הולך expresses the continuous advance in

greatness cf Ew sect280 b as the infin absol does elsewhere eg Gen_83 למעלה as עד

in 2Ch_1612 - He built castles in Judah ירנ-ות only here and in 2Ch_274 from ירנית

derivative formed from ירה by the Syriac termination נית- fem of ן- castle fortress On

מסנות cf 2Ch_84 ערי

TRAPP 2 Chronicles 1712 And Jehoshaphat waxed great exceedingly and he built in Judah castles and cities of store

Ver 12 And Jehoshaphat waxed great exceedingly] Heb He was going and growing By humility and the fear of the Lord are riches and honour and life [Proverbs 224]

And he built in Judah castles] Bironeoth πυργους turres So did the Burgundians and thence had their names

And cities of store] Granaries in the Hebrew they have their name from their utility or usefulness

ELLICOTT (12) And Jehoshaphat waxed greatmdashLiterally And Jehoshaphat was going on and waxing great ie became greater and greater (Comp 1 Chronicles 119)

ExceedinglymdashlsquoAd lĕmagraversquolah This phrase occurs again in 2 Chronicles 1612 2 Chronicles 268 and nowhere else in the Old Testament (See on 1 Chronicles 142)

And he builtmdashLike his predecessorsmdashSolomon Rehoboam Asamdashhe displayed his wealth and power in great public works The records of the Assyrian and Babylonian sovereigns are largely taken up with similar accounts of temple and palace building

CastlesmdashBiranicircyocircth a derivative from birah (1 Chronicles 291 1 Chronicles 2919 comp Syriac here birocircthocirc) It only recurs at 2 Chronicles 274 It is an Aramaic term (Comp bicircranyacircthacirc which in the Targums means ldquopalacesrdquo)

Cities of storesmdashComp 2 Chronicles 84 2 Chronicles 164 Exodus 111

PULPIT Castles This rendering better than palaces (margin) wound bear improving to the rather stronger word fortresses Hebrew בירניות found only here and in 2 Chronicles 274 plur of בירנית connected with the Chaldee and later Hebrew בירה of Ezra 62 ehemiah 11 Esther 12 Daniel 82 Cities of store (see note under 2 Chronicles 84 see also 1 Kings 919 Exodus 111)

13 and had large supplies in the towns of Judah He also kept experienced fighting men in Jerusalem

CLARKE He hadmuch business in the cities - He kept the people constantly employed they had wages for their work and by their labors the empire was both enriched and strengthened

GILL And he had much business in the cities of Judah Partly in fortifying them and partly in reforming the inhabitants of them

and the men of war mighty men of valour were in Jerusalem or by or near unto it so the particle is rendered Jos_513 they encamped in places adjacent to it for such a number of men as follows even 1160000 could never be contained in Jerusalem but must be disposed of in the territories of it nor did they wait on the king together but in course see 2Ch_1719 by which it appears there is no need to suppose any mistake of the transcriber in any or all of the following sums as has been suggested (q)

HERY 13-19 III He had the militia in good order It was never in better since David modelled it Five lord-lieutenants (if I may so call them) are here named with the numbers of those under their command (the serviceable men that were fit for war in their respective districts) three in Judah and two in Benjamin It is said of one of these great commanders Amasiah that he willingly offered himself unto the Lord (2Ch_1716) not only to the king to serve him in this post but to the Lord to glorify him in it He was the most eminent among them for religion he accepted the place not for the

honour or power or profit of it but for conscience sake towards God that he might serve his country It was usual for great generals then to offer of their spoils to the Lord 1Ch_2626 But this good man offered himself first to the Lord and then his dedicated things The number of the soldiers under these five generals amounts to 1160000 men a vast number for so small a compass of ground as Judahs and Benjamins lot to furnish out and maintain Abijah could bring into the field but 400000 (2Ch_133) Asa not 600000 (2Ch_148) yet Jehoshaphat has at command almost 1200000 But it must be considered 1 That God had promised to make the seed of Abraham like the sand of the sea for number 2 There had now been a long peace 3 We may suppose that the city of Jerusalem was very much enlarged 4 Many had come over to them from the kingdom of Israel (2Ch_1519) which would increase the numbers of the people 5 Jehoshaphat was under a special blessing of God which made his affairs to prosper greatly The armies we may suppose were dispersed all the country over and each man resided for the most part on his own estate but they appeared often to be mustered and trained and were ready at call whenever there was occasion The commanders waited on the king (2Ch_1719) as officers of his court privy-counsellors and ministers of state

But lastly observe It was not this formidable army that struck a terror upon the neighbouring nations that restrained them from attempting any thing against Israel or obliged them to pay tribute but the fear of God which fell upon them when Jehoshaphat reformed his country and set up a preaching ministry in it 2Ch_1710 The ordinances of God are more the strength and safety of a kingdom than its military force - its men of God more than its men of war

KampD 2Ch_1713

וגווגווגווגו רהרהרהרה is rightly translated by Luther ldquound hatte viel Vorrathsrdquo (and ומלעכהומלעכהומלעכהומלעכה

had much store) מלעכהמלעכהמלעכהמלעכה denotes here as in Exo_227-10 property that which has been gained by work or business The signification much work opera magna (Vulg Cler etc) as also Bertheaus translation ldquothe works for equipping and provisioning the fortressesrdquo correspond neither to the context nor to the parallel (synonymous) second member of the verse The work and trouble necessary to equip the cities of Judah does not correspond to ldquothe valiant warriors in Jerusalemrdquo the only parallel is the goods and property which were in these cities the provision of victuals and war material there stored up

BESO 2 Chronicles 1713 He had much business in the cities of Judah mdash To repair and fortify them and furnish them with provisions and to purge out all the relics of idolatry and injustice which were more secretly and craftily managed in the cities than in the country and which were first and most prevalent in the cities and thence spread their infection into the country around them

TRAPP 2 Chronicles 1713 And he had much business in the cities of Judah and the men of war mighty men of valour [were] in Jerusalem

Ver 13 And he had much business] Eργα πολλα (a) Many works going forward at

once a negotious man he was His business say some lay in beautifying and fortifying those cities Augustus gloried at his death that whereas he had found Rome built with brick he had left it made of marble

And the men of war hellip were in Jerusalem] These were his Praetorian forces his Praesidiaries were up and down in the various cities

POOLE He had much business in the cities of Judah partly to repair and fortify them and furnish them with all necessary provisions and partly to purge out all the relies and seeds of idolatry and injustice which were more secretly and subtlely managed in the cities than in the country and which were first and most in the cities and thence spread their infection into the country about them See Jeremiah 228

ELLICOTT (13) BusinessmdashRather much goods or stores literally work (mĕlacirckacirch) and then produce The Hebrew word is so used in Exodus 227 Exodus 2210 (ldquoHis neighbourrsquos goodsrdquo) Stores of provisions and war material seem to be intended (Comp 2 Chronicles 1111)

And the man of war were in JerusalemmdashRather and (he had) men of war in Jerusalem

In Jerusalemmdashot the entire army corps whose numbers are given in 2 Chronicles 1714-18 but simply their chiefs

PULPIT Much business Hebrew מלאכה The meaning of the word is service labour bestowed and the verse reads And there was to him much labour in the cities of Judah and men of war mighty men of valour in Jerusalem ie He bestoweth much pains on the cities of Judah and had etc The word were Authorized Version italics is incorrectly inserted The former half of this verse would better constitute the end of 2 Chronicles 1712 Keil however maintains the rendering substance property for מלאכה (Exodus 227 Exodus 2210)

14 Their enrollment by families was as followsFrom Judah commanders of units of 1000Adnah the commander with 300000 fighting men

BARES The captains of thousands Adnah the chief - literally ldquoprinces of thousands Adnah the princerdquo The writer does not mean that Adnah (or Johohanan 2Ch_1715) was in any way superior to the other ldquoprincesrdquo but only that he was one of them

Three hundred thousand - This number and those which follow in 2Ch_1715-18 have been with good reason regarded as corrupt by most critics For

(1) They imply a minimum population of 1480 to the square mile which is more than three times greater than that of any country in the known world (circa 1880rsquos)

(2) they produce a total just double that of the next largest estimate of the military force of Judah the 580 000 of 2Ch_148

(3) they are professedly a statement not of the whole military force but of the force maintained at Jerusalem (2Ch_1713 compare 2Ch_1719)

It is probable that the original numbers have been lost and that the loss was suppplied by a scribe who took 2Ch_148 as his basis

CLARKE Adnah the chief - He was generalissimo of all this host These are the numbers of the five battalions under Adnah three hundred thousand Jehohanan two hundred and eighty thousand Amasiah two hundred thousand Eliada two hundred thousand Jehozabad one hundred and eighty thousand in all one million one hundred and sixty thousand

GILL And these are the numbers of them according to the house of their fathers Both of the tribe of Judah and of Benjamin and first

of Judah the captains of thousands some had 1000 men under them and some one hundred

Adnah the chief he was the principal commander or general of them

and with him mighty men of valour three hundred thousand such a number was under his command

JAMISO these are the numbersmdash The warriors were arranged in the army according to their fathers houses The army of Jehoshaphat commanded by five great generals and consisting of five unequal divisions comprised one million one hundred and sixty thousand men without including those who garrisoned the fortresses No monarch since the time of Solomon equaled Jehoshaphat in the extent of his revenue in the strength of his fortifications and in the number of his troops

KampD 2Ch_1714-16

The men fit for war passed in review according to their fathers-houses The male population of Judah fell into three divisions that of Benjamin into two The prince

Adnah held the first place among the generals with 300000 men of Judah ידו at his על

hand ie with and under him Jehohanan had the command of 280000 men and

Amasiah over 200000 השר is a contraction for אלפים For what special reason it is so שר

honourably recorded of Amasiah that he had willingly offered himself to the Lord (cf for

Jdg_59) has not been communicated התנב

COFFMA his represented a standing army of 1160000 men besides the garrisons in the fortified cities and this goes a long way to explaining why the Arabians and the Philistines brought tribute to Jehoshaphat In ancient times as in our own day peace frequently depended upon the strength of those who desired it

We should ignore the screams of exaggeration[3] which mark the writings of radical critics Pagan rulers of that era reported even larger armies than this and until the critics can prove that those were exaggerated reports they should let these alone Besides that we have already noted that the very word from which thousand is translated is disputed as to its exact meaning

COKE 2 Chronicles 1714 And these are the numbers of themmdash That is of the soldiers as well as of those who were employed in the kings works in the several cities ampc which he built See 2 Chronicles 1719

REFLECTIOSmdash1st Jehoshaphat no sooner comes to the throne than we see the dawnings of a glorious reign

1 He strengthened his kingdom by placing strong garrisons in the cities of Judah and those which his father had recovered from Israel and prepared against that danger which Ahabs growing power seemed to threaten

2 Religion was his great concern He copied after the best of his predecessors in their best days such as were the first of David before the matter of Uriah and the numbering of the people had blotted his fair copy Faithful to the worship of God he abhorred all idols the law of God was his rule of duty and Israels apostacy rendered his fidelity more singular and exemplary Inspired with holy zeal his heart with delight and sincerity was engaged for God and no difficulties deterred him from the path of duty The idols and groves which in the declining days of Asa might have been set up again he utterly destroyed with all the high places where they still offered sacrifices to these abominations ote (1) In the fairest human pattern there will be found imperfections but there is a Son of David more than man who has set us a spotless example that we should follow his steps (2) Fidelity in Gods service is the stability of a nation (3) A lively soul on wings of faith and love mounts up to God rises superior to every difficulty and looks down upon every thing besides his favour as altogether vanity

3 He not only removed the temptations to sin but took care to instruct the people in

the path of duty Ignorance of Gods law had greatly prevailed and to oblige them merely to conform to his reformation without grounding them on the true foundation of Gods word promised little stability The Levites and priests therefore are sent in progress through the cities of Judah with the book of the law to explain and enforce the commandments of God and several princes accompanied them in order to engage the people to hear them and give countenance to these preachers by their weight and influence ote (1) It is a blessed thing when princes countenance faithful ministers Though they cannot make men true converts their example and authority will induce them to attend (2) They who are sent to teach must see that they take the pure word of God along with them A true preacher wishes for nothing in his hand but his Bible (3) Religion is a reasonable service Conviction alone not compulsion or education can make a man a christian

4 The blessing of God attended his labours The Lord was with him or as the Targum generally expresses it the word of the Lord the divine Logos to whom all things are committed strengthened him in his labours and established his kingdom The people charmed with his government liberally sent their presents to him and abounding in riches and honour his heart far from being intoxicated by prosperity was lifted up in greater love and thankfulness to the gracious giver ote (1) God often here rewards piety with prosperity (2) Worldly comforts are then truly blessings when as the steps of Jacobs ladder they raise our hearts to heaven

2nd Like the light of the morning which shineth more and more so did Jehoshaphats glory increase

1 Feared by his enemies as beloved by his subjects the neighbouring princes did not offer to molest him while those of Philistia and Arabia courted his favour either by a voluntary present or exact payment of the tribute which Asa had imposed on them see 2 Chronicles 1711 God had put an awe upon them of the majesty of his king in Zion ote God hath access to the spirits of men and by secret yet irresistible influence can bow them to his sovereign will

2 His military preparations greatly advanced While he reformed the people he fortified their ramparts and built new castles and store-cities strengthening them within and without against their enemies Under five chief officers an immense army was enlisted Probably all the able men in the country were enrolled and regularly mustered though not drawn out except in case of necessity and this may easily account for the greatness of their number if we consider also the long peace they had enjoyed the accession of Israelites to them and especially the blessing of Abraham which no doubt was eminently fulfilled Amasiah one of the officers is mentioned with an honourable mark of distinction as a volunteer who served for the glory of God not for the sake of pay Such patriots are scarce

TRAPP 2 Chronicles 1714 And these [are] the numbers of them according to the house of their fathers Of Judah the captains of thousands Adnah the chief and

with him mighty men of valour three hundred thousand

Ver 14 Three hundred thousand] These were under his command and at hand to come whensoever the king would

WHEDO 14 Three hundred thousand mdash The numbers in this verse and the four verses following are generally regarded as corrupt ldquoThey implyrdquo observes the writer last quoted ldquoa minimum population of 1480 to the square mile which is more than three times greater than that of any country in the known world It is probable that the original numbers have been lost and the loss supplied by a scribe who took 2 Chronicles 148 as his basis

ELLICOTT Verse 14 (14) And these their fathersmdashAnd this is their muster (or census) according to their father-houses (clans) 1 Chronicles 243 The warriors were marshalled in the army according to clans so that men of the same stock fought side by side with their kindred Perhaps in the original document this heading was followed by a much more detailed scheme of names and divisions than that which the text presents

Of JudahmdashTo Judah (belonged) captains of thousands viz the three enumerated in 2 Chronicles 1714-16 Adnah Jehohanan and Amasiah They were the principal officers or generals of the entire forces of Judah

Adnah the chiefmdashTo wit the captain Adnah That Adnah was commander-in-chief is implied by his being named first and his corps being the largest

PULPIT This verse with the following four gives us the names of five captains chiefs princes or military officers for the kingdoms service with the numbers of the troops they severally commanded The numbers of them (see note under 1 Chronicles 2311) Hebrew פקדתם The better English rendering to carry at once the signification would be The muster of them etc The captains hellip the chief In both cases the Hebrew is the familiar word for prince ( שר ) in the former without article in the latter with article The numbers of this and following four verses are not only absolutely unreliable but in themselves impossible According to the house of their fathers ie the quotation is drawn from an army catalogue arranged carefully by fathers houses (umbers 118 umbers 122 etc)

15 next Jehohanan the commander with 280000

GILL And next to him was Jehohanan the captain Being of the same rank as to office but having a lesser number of men under him and it may respect not any kind of subordination only nearness of place as the Targumhe that encamped next to him

and with him two hundred and fourscore thousand which number was but 20000 less than the former

POOLE ext to him either

1 After his death as his successor in the same command And the like is supposed concerning Jehozabad 2 Chronicles 1718 Or rather

2 ext to him in place and authority or at least in power and the numbers of his host

16 next Amasiah son of Zikri who volunteered himself for the service of the Lord with 200000

GILL And next him was Amasiah the son of Zichri He encamped next to him as the Targum

who willingly offered himself unto the Lord to fight the Lords battles and without any stipend as some think or as Kimchi he offered gold and silver to the treasures of the house of the Lord

and with him two hundred thousand mighty men of valour the number was 80000 less than the former the whole of Judah amounted to 780000 men

TRAPP 2 Chronicles 1716 And next him [was] Amasiah the son of Zichri who willingly offered himself unto the LORD and with him two hundred thousand mighty men of valour

Ver 16 Who willingly offered himself unto the Lord] He was a votary the vows of God were upon him and this made him the more valiant and resolute (a) in the exercise of arms for the service of God and the safety of his people The Spahis among the Turks are a sort of horsemen voluntaries and votaries to gain paradise by dying for the Mohammedan cause These are never known to return home but

with victory these are heavy upon the enemy For

ldquo Vincitur haud gratis iugulo qui provocat ensem rdquo

POOLE As volunteers and auxiliaries to be ready upon occasion as the service of God and the king should require Possibly these or most of them were the strangers which had come out of Israel into the kingdom of Judah in Asarsquos days and probably since that in his time

ELLICOTT (16) AmasiahmdashIah carrieth (Isaiah 4011) different from Amaziah (Iah is strong)

Who willingly offered himself unto the Lordmdash(Judges 52 Judges 59) An allusion to some noble act of self-devotion which was doubtless more fully recorded in the source from which the chronicler has drawn this brief account Such allusions though no longer intelligible are important as conducing to the proof of the historical value of the narratives in which they occur LXX ὁ προθυmicroούmicroενος τῷ κυρίῳ Vulg consecratus Domino

PULPIT Amaziah the son of Zichri This man is not titled at all The description of him as one who had willingly offered himself unto the Lord not elucidated by the context or any effective parallel will mark something honorable in his history Possibly he comes from an unexpected quarter and is a man of approved skill othing further is known of these three men Meantime it has been suggested (Professor Dr J Murphy of Belfast Handbook to Chronicles ) that the first of the three was for Judah proper the second for that contingent of Judah that hailed from Dan and the Philistines and the third for that of Simeon and the Arabs

MACLARE This is a scrap from the catalogue of Jehoshaphatrsquos lsquomighty men of valourrsquo and is Amasiahrsquos sole record We see him for a moment and hear his eulogium and then oblivion swallows him up We do not know what it was that he did to earn it But what a fate to live to all generations by that one sentence

I Cheerful self-surrender the secret of all religion

The words of our text contain a metaphor naturally drawn from the sacrificial system It comes so easily to us that we scarcely recognise the metaphorical element but the clear recognition of it gives great additional energy to the words Amasiah was both sacrificer and sacrifice His offering was self-immolation As in all love so in that noblest kind of it which clasps God its perfect expression is lsquoI give Thee my living loving selfrsquo Nor is it only sacrifice and sacrificer that are seen in deepest truth in the experience of the Christian life but the reality of the Temple is also there for lsquoYe also are built up a spiritual house to be a holy priesthood to offer up spiritual sacrificesrsquo Only when God dwells in us shall we have the nerve and the firmness of hand to take the knife and lsquoslay before the Lordrsquo the awful Guest in the sanctuary within the most precious of the children of our spirits

The essence of the sacrifice of self is the sacrifice of will In the Christian experience

lsquowillingly offeredrsquo is almost tautology for unwilling offerings are a contradiction and in fact there are no such things The quality of unwillingness destroys the character of the offering and robs it of all sacredness Reluctant Christianity is not Christianity That noun and that adjective can never be buckled together

The submission of will and the consequent surrender of myself and my powers opportunities and possessions so that I do all enjoy all use all and when need is endure all with glad thankful reference to God is only possible to me in the measure in which my will is made flexible by love and such will-subduing love comes only when we lsquoknow and believe the love that God hath to usrsquo There is the point at which not a few moral and religious teachers go wrong and bewilder themselves and their disciples There too is the point at which Christ and the Gospel of salvation through faith in Him stand forth as emancipating humanity from the dreary round of efforts and vain attempts to work up the condition needful for achieving the height of self-surrender which is seen to be indispensable to all true nobleness of living but is felt to be beyond the reach of the ordinary man There too is the point at which many good people mar their lives as Christians They waste their strength in trying to bring the jibbing horse up to the leap They try to blow up a fire of devotion and to make themselves priests to offer themselves but all the while the mutinous self recoils from the leap and the fire burns smokily and their sacrifice is laid on the altar with little joy because they have not been careful and wise enough to begin at the beginning and to follow Godrsquos way of melting their wills by love the reflection of the Infinite love of God to them Godrsquos priests offer themselves because they offer their wills they offer their wills because they love God they love God because they know that God loves them That is the divine order It is vain to try to accomplish the end by any other

II This willing offering hallows all life

No syllable is left to tell us what Amasiah did to win this praise Probably the words enshrine some now forgotten memory of his cheerful courage some heroic feat on an unrecorded battlefield Particulars are not given nor needed Specific actions are unimportant the spirit of a life can be told with very incomplete details and it not the details is the important thing Sometimes as in many modern biographies one lsquocannot see the wood for the treesrsquo and misses the main drift and aim of a life in the chaos of a bewildering mass of nothings How much more happy the lot of this man of whom we have only the generalised expression of the text unweighted and undisturbed by petty incidents It takes tons of rose leaves to make a tiny phial of otto of roses but the fragrance is far more pungent in a drop of the distillation than in armfuls of leaves Every life shrinks into very small compass and the centuries do not tolerate long biographies Shall we not seek to order our life so that Amasiahrsquos epitaph may serve for us It will be blessed if this-and nothing else-is known about us that we lsquowillingly offered ourselves to the Lordrsquo My friend will that be a true epitome of your life

III This willing offering is accepted by God

We may hear a mightier voice behind the chroniclerrsquo s and the judgment of the Judge of all pronounced by His lips It matters little what men say of one another but it matters everything what God says of us We are but too apt to forget that He is now saying something as to each of us and that we have not to wait for death to put a final period to our activities before our lives become fit subjects for Godrsquos judgment Moment by moment we are writing our own sentences But while it is good for us to remember the continuous judgment of God on each deed it is not good to let dark thoughts of the principles of that judgment paralyse our activity or chill our confidence in His forgiving and accepting mercy There is often a dark suspicion like that of the one-talented

servant which blackens Godrsquos fair fame as being lsquoan austere Manrsquo making demands rather than imparting power and the effect of such an ugly conception of Him is to cut the nerve of service and bury the talent carefully folded up it may be but none the less earning nothing lsquoIf we call on Him as Father who without respect of persons judgeth according to every manrsquos workrsquo let us be sure that it will be a Fatherly judgment that He will pass upon us and our offerings There is a wonderful collection on His altar of what many people would think rubbish just as many a mother has laid away among her treasures some worthless article which her child had once given her-a weed plucked by the roadside in a long past summer day some trifle of rare preciousness in the childrsquos eyes and of none in any others than her own She opens her drawer and brings out the poor little thing and her eyes fill and her heart fills as she looks And does not God keep His childrenrsquos gifts as lovingly and set them in places of honour in the day when He lsquomakes up His jewelsrsquo There are cups of cold water and widowsrsquo mites and much else that a supercilious world would call lsquotrashrsquo stored there Thank God He accepts imperfect service faltering faith partial consecration a little love Even our poor offering may be an lsquoodour of a sweet smellrsquo ministering fragrance that is a delight to Him if it is offered with the much incense of the great Sacrifice and through the mediation of the great High Priest

The world forgot Amasiah or never knew him an obscure soldier in an obscure kingdom but God did not forget and here is his epitaph and this is his memorial to all generations Menrsquos chronicles have no room for all the names that their wearers are eager to have inscribed on their crumbling and crowded pages lsquobut the Lambrsquos Book of Lifersquo has ample space on its radiant pages for all who desire to set their names there and if ours are there we need not envy the proudest whose titles and deeds fill the most conspicuous pages in the worldrsquos records lsquoThen shall every man have praise of Christrsquo and he who wins that guerdon needs nothing more and can have nothing more to swell his blessedness

17 From BenjaminEliada a valiant soldier with 200000 men armed with bows and shields

GILL And of Benjamin Eliada a mighty man of valour Was the chief commander

and with armed men with bow and shield two hundred thousand which were

the armour of the tribe of Benjamin they were best skilled in 2Ch_148

TRAPP 2 Chronicles 1717 And of Benjamin Eliada a mighty man of valour and with him armed men with bow and shield two hundred thousand

Ver 17 With bow and shield] The Benjamites were notable bowmen [1 Chronicles 122] The Engish were anciently so too

ELLICOTT (17) Armed men with bow and shieldmdashLiterally drawing bow and shield ie as the Targum explains ldquodrawing bow and grasping shieldsrdquo (Comp 1 Chronicles 122) LXX ldquoArchers and peltastsrdquo Vulg ldquoGrasping bow and shieldrdquo (Comp also 1 Chronicles 840 for the arms of the Benjaminites)

18 next Jehozabad with 180000 men armed for battle

GILL And next to him was Jehozabad According to the Targum he encamped next him

and with him one hundred and fourscore thousand ready prepared for war being able bodied men well disciplined valiant and well armed these numbers of Judah and Benjamin put together amount to 1160000 men whereas Asa only brought into the field 580000 but it should be considered there had been a long time of peace many had come off from the ten tribes to Judah and the promise of multiplying the seed of Abraham was eminently fulfilled

TRAPP 2 Chronicles 1718 And next him [was] Jehozabad and with him an hundred and fourscore thousand ready prepared for the war

Ver 18 A hundred and fourscore thousand] His militia was eleven hundred and threescore thousand besides what he had in garrisons [2 Chronicles 1719] So that as he was better he was stronger than his father Asa had been Piety hath prosperity

ELLICOTT (18) Ready prepared for the warmdashEquipped for service (See on 1

Chronicles 1223-24 umbers 315 umbers 3229) The hoplites or heavy-armed infantry are probably meant

PULPIT While Eliada of last verse was for Benjamin Professor Dr Murphy supposes that Jehozabad was for the annexed part of Ephraim But no suppositions of this kind can avail to explain the numbers in the text which is no doubt corrupt

19 These were the men who served the king besides those he stationed in the fortified cities throughout Judah

CLARKE These waited on the king - They were disposable forces always at the kingrsquos command and were independent of those by which the cities of Judah were garrisoned

There is not a sovereign in Europe or in the world but might read this chapter with advantage

1 It shows most forcibly that true religion is the basis of the state and that wherever it prospers there the state prospers

2 It shows also that it is the wisdom of kings to encourage religion with all their power and influence for if the hearts of the subjects be not bound and influenced by true religion vain is the application of laws fines imprisonments or corporal punishment of any kind

3 A religious nation is ever a great nation it is loved by its friends it is dreaded by its enemies

4 It is ever a peaceable and united nation the blessings of religion and a wholesome and paternal government are so fully felt and prized that all find it their interest to preserve and defend them Harmony peace piety and strength are the stability of such times May Britain know and value them

GILL These waited on the king Not this vast number of men at one time but in course as Davids military men waited on him 1Ch_271 or each of these captains with a proper number of men under them detached from the body and they were all ready to obey the kings orders whenever he should have occasion for them

besides those whom the king put into the fenced cities throughout Judah and all together the militia of the kingdom was very numerous and formidable

KampD 2Ch_1719

These were serving the king א6ה refers not to the above-mentioned men capable of

bearing arms for sheereet is not used of service in war but to the commanders whom he had placed in the fortified cities of all Judah ldquoin which probably bodies of the above-mentioned troops lay as garrisonsrdquo (Berth)

BESO 2 Chronicles 1719 These waited on the king mdash These above-mentioned were the trained bands or auxiliaries whose chief officers waited on the king to receive his commands and to raise and bring in all or part of their forces to the service of the king as need required A vast number for so small a compass of ground to furnish out and maintain But we may consider that God had promised to make the seed of Abraham like the sand of the sea for number that there had now been a long peace that many were come to them from the kingdom of Israel and that Jehoshaphat was under a special blessing of God They were doubtless dispersed all the country over every one residing on his own land only they were ready at call whenever there was occasion

TRAPP 2 Chronicles 1719 These waited on the king beside [those] whom the king put in the fenced cities throughout all Judah

Ver 19 These waited on the king] ie In their turns and by course

POOLE These above mentioned were the trained bands or auxiliaries whose chief officers waited upon the king to receive his commands and to raise and bring in all or part of their forces to the service of the king and kingdom as need required

ELLICOTT (19) These waited on the kingmdashRather these are they that ministered unto the king viz the five generals above named

Beside those whom the king put in the fenced citiesmdashie the commandants of the fortresses of the kingdom (2 Chronicles 1111 2 Chronicles 1123) These latter as well as the generals of the forces are called the kingrsquos ldquoministersrdquo (mĕshacircrĕthicircm)mdasha word which is not used of service in the field but implies their presence at court (ldquoin Jerusalemrdquo 2 Chronicles 1713 as the royal staff)

According to the above list the army of Jehoshaphat was organised in five grand divisions corresponding perhaps to five territorial divisions of the southern kingdom The totals are the largest assigned to the two tribes anywhere in the Old Testament viz Judah 780000 and Benjamin 380000 in all 1160000 At Davidrsquos census Judah had 500000 warriors (2 Samuel 249) and Israel 800000 Again in 2

Chronicles 148 Asarsquos army consists of 300000 men of Judah and 280000 Benjaminites clearly such an increase as our text indicates is unaccountable At the same time it is equally clear that the present numbers are not fortuitous results of clerical errors for they follow each other in the order of relative strength Judah 300000 280000 200000 Benjamin 200000 180000 and they are evidently not independent of the estimates of 2 Chronicles 148 above quoted

In the absence of adequate data for modifying these certainly startling figures it is well to bear in mind that we need not understand by them an army which ever actually mustered in the field or on parade but simply an estimate of the total male population liable to be called out for the national defence although even upon that understanding the total appears to be at least three times too great considering the small extent of the country

PULPIT These waited Hebrew המשרתים plur piel part of שרת The verse states that this enormous fivefold army with its five princes (counting in our corrupt text one million one hundred and sixty thousand) was the kings Jerusalem standing army while other separate regiments or bands of troops were spread through all Judah where they might be most needed for defence

people get so absorbed in these new gifts of God that the Giver Himself fades out of their vision If only we see the hand of God in every new mercy and goodness that comes to us our heart will be lifted up in the ways of the Lord

III lsquoThe fear of the Lord fell upon all the kingdoms hellip so that they made no war against Jehoshaphatrsquo The Lord is able to control even the diplomacy and the politics of nationsmdashWhen these kingdoms saw the blessing which Jehoshaphat was enjoying in his country they felt an awe in their heartsmdashthe fear of the Lord fell upon themmdashand they refrained from making war God will always find some way to defend His own people in the midst of dangers

PULPIT The first ways of his father David Although there would be no difficulty in reconciling this statement with history yet probably the name David should not stand here It is not in the Septuagint The most natural and sufficient reference is to Asa And sought not unto Ballim literally to the Baalim ie to the various false gods of surrounding peoples ( 211) Baal-berith ( 833 94 946) Baal-zebub (2 Kings 12) Baal-peor (umbers 2328 etc umbers 253) according to the places where the idolatrous worship was carried on (For the preposition ל to after sought in this and following verse see again 1 Chronicles 2219 )

4 but sought the God of his father and followed his commands rather than the practices of Israel

BARES The doings of Israel - i e the especially idolatrous doings of the time -the introduction and establishment of the worship of Baal and the groves

GILL But sought to the Lord God of his fathers Prayed to him worshipped and served him

and walked in his commandments observed and kept them moral ceremonial and judicial

and not after the doings of Israel who worshipped the golden calves at Dan and Bethel

JAMISO and not after the doings of Israelmdash He observed with scrupulous fidelity and employed his royal influence to support the divine institutions as enacted by Moses abhorring that spurious and unlawful calf-worship that now formed the established religion in Israel Being thus far removed alike from gross idolatry and Israelitish apostasy and adhering zealously to the requirements of the divine law the blessing of God rested on his government Ruling in the fear of God and for the good of his subjects ldquothe Lord established the kingdom in his handrdquo

COFFMA So far so good Jehoshaphat like some others of the kings of Judah began very well receiving as their reward the blessing of the Lord and the prosperity of the people but his alliance with Ahab (described in 2 Chronicles 18) would cast a dark shadow over what is written here

(He) walked not after the doings of Israel (2 Chronicles 174) The contempt in which the author of Chronicles held the orthern Israel appears in a clause like this The outstanding feature of Chronicles is the omission wherever possible of practically the entire history of their kings This reminds us of the Book of umbers in which the whole history of the apostate Israel records only a few events for the whole period Why It was because of the fact that what any nation does after they have rejected God is of minor importance

With the apostasy of the orthern Israel and their rejection of Gods choice of the house of David the history of the redemption of mankind dramatically shifted to what happened in Jerusalem

TRAPP 2 Chronicles 174 But sought to the [LORD] God of his father and walked in his commandments and not after the doings of Israel

Ver 4 And not after the doings of Israel] Who in his days did evil as they could under that nonsuch Ahab But Jehoshaphat was not corrupted with their ill neighbourhood

PARKER But sought to the Lord God of his father and walked in his commandments and not after the doings of Israel ( 2 Chronicles 174)

We must be prepared for singularity if we are genuinely prepared to be good Let a man settle it with himself in prayerful solitude whether he means to walk with God or to identify himself with the spirit and customs of his age Jehoshaphat laid down a clear programme for himself and followed it out with patient and faithful industry The Lord God of his father was not a mere term in a crowd it was the object of daily search and quest Jehoshaphat inquired for him and operated constantly upon the doctrine Ask and it shall be given you knock and it shall be opened unto you or was Jehoshaphats religion merely speculative that is to say an intellectual quest after an intellectual God whatever was speculative in the mind and service of Jehoshaphat was sustained and ennobled by a solid moral element

forasmuch as Jehoshaphat walked in Gods commandmentsmdashhe read the decalogue he studied Gods word he would take no action personal regal or social that was not first examined and approved in the light of the divine statutes All this might have been comparatively easy if Jehoshaphat had started at an independent point but at such a point no man can start for he must take up the age as he finds it and must first disembarrass himself from all the stipulations and claims of custom usage and popular superstition Jehoshaphat sought not after the doings of Israel he set himself up in this respect against the kingdom he was not afraid of peculiarity in a word Jehoshaphats religion was characteristic that is to say it had lines points and colours of its own about which there could be no reasonable mistake What is our religion Do we intellectually assent to the existence and sovereignty of one God and then degenerate into self-worship Do we admit that there must be an ultimate morality a philosophy of conduct founded upon eternal metaphysics and then do we measure our own behaviour by the canon of custom These are questions that search the heart and no man can answer them for his brother

What became of all this noble conduct arising out of this high religious conception We shall see in the following versemdash

PULPIT After the doings of Israel This expression probably marks the doings of the northern kingdom as both the more typical throughout its whole history of the wrong and also as the systematic beginning by a law of idolatrous worship and images in the matter of the calves and so on

5 The Lord established the kingdom under his control and all Judah brought gifts to Jehoshaphat so that he had great wealth and honor

BARES Presents - i e ldquofree-will offeringsrdquo in addition to the regular taxes See 1Sa_1027

GILL Therefore the Lord stablished the kingdom in his hand Piety is the

best prop of government the throne is best supported and established by truth righteousness and mercy by the exercise of these Jehoshaphat was settled in his kingdom and had a place in the hearts of his people

and all Judah brought to Jehoshaphat presents being well affected to him as well as it was usual so to do at a princes accession to the throne see 1Sa_1027

and he had riches and honour in abundance through the presents his subjects brought him and the respect they showed him

JAMISO all Judah brought presentsmdash This was customary with the people generally at the beginning of a reign (1Sa_1027) and with the nobles and high functionaries yearly afterwards They were given in the form of voluntary offerings to avoid the odious idea of a tax or tribute

KampD Therefore Jahve established the kingdom in his hand ie under his rule cf

2Ki_145 All Judah brought him presents מנחה often used of tribute of subject peoples

eg in 2Ch_1711 of the Philistines cannot here have that signification nor can it denote

the regular imposts of subjects for these are not called מנחה but must denote voluntary

gifts which his subjects brought him as a token of their reverence and love The last clause ldquoand there was to him (he attained) riches and honour in abundancerdquo which is repeated 2Ch_181 recalls 1Ch_2928 2Ch_112 and signifies that Jehoshaphat like his ancestors David and Solomon was blessed for walking in the pious ways of these his forefathers

BESO 2 Chronicles 175-6 Therefore the Lord established the kingdom in his hand mdash Those stand firm that have the presence of God with them If the beauty of the Lord our God be upon us that will stablish the work of our hands and establish us in our integrity And all Judah brought to Jehoshaphat presents mdash As subjects in those times and places used to do to their kings in token of their respect and subjection to them The more there is of true religion among a people the more conscientious loyalty there will be A governor that answers the end of government will be supported And he had riches and honour in abundance mdash The effect of the favour both of God and his people It is undoubtedly true though few will believe it that religion and piety are the best friends to outward prosperity And his heart was lift up in the ways of the Lord mdash Riches and honour in abundance prove to many a clog and a hinderance in the ways of the Lord an occasion of pride security and sensuality but they had a quite contrary effect upon Jehoshaphat his abundance was oil to the wheels of his obedience and the more he had of the wealth of this world the more cheerfully and resolutely he went on in the ways of the Lord His heart also was lifted up above all discouragements difficulties and fears by which menrsquos hearts are wont to be cast down He was valiant and resolute for God and his ways He took away the high places and groves mdash That is those in which idols were worshipped for those that were dedicated to the true God only were not taken away chap 2 Chronicles 2033 And though Asa had done the same before yet

either he did not do it thoroughly or the people who were mad upon their idols had secretly made new ones in the latter part of his reign when he grew more infirm in body and more remiss in Godrsquos cause

TRAPP 2 Chronicles 175 Therefore the LORD stablished the kingdom in his hand and all Judah brought to Jehoshaphat presents and he had riches and honour in abundance

Ver 5 And he had riches and honour in abundance] Herein he came near unto Solomon in his greatest flourish

ELLICOTT (5) ThereforemdashAnd (so ldquoalsordquo ldquoso thatrdquo in 2 Chronicles 177 2 Chronicles 1710)

The Lord stablished the kingdom in his handmdashComp 2 Kings 145

PresentsmdashMinchah This word often means tributary offerings as in 2 Chronicles 1711 but here it obviously denotes the voluntary gifts of loyal subjects usual at the beginning of a reign (1 Samuel 1027)

And he had (or got) riches and honour in abundancemdashLike David and Solomon (1 Chronicles 2928 2 Chronicles 112)

PARKER 5-9 5 Therefore the Lord stablished the kingdom in his hand [comp 2 Kings 145] and all Judah brought to Jehoshaphat presents [this word often means tributary offerings but here it denotes the voluntary gifts of loyal subjects] and he had riches and honour in abundance

6 And his heart was lifted up [usually the phrase has a bad meaning (as in Deuteronomy 814 2 Chronicles 2616 Psalm 1311 etc) but it is evident that it must be taken differently here The marginal reading is right his courage rose high or he grew bold] in the ways of the Lord moreover he took away the high places and groves out of Judah

7 Also in the third year of his reign he sent to his princes [rather he sent his princes] even to Ben-hail and to Obadiah and to Zechariah and to ethaneel and to Michaiah to teach in the cities of Judah

8 And with them he sent [rather were the] Levites even Shemaiah and ethaniah and Zebadiah and Asahel and Shemiramoth and Jehonathan and Adonijah and Tobijah and Tobadonijah Levites and with them Elishama and Jehoram priests

9 And they taught in Judah and had the book of the law of the Lord [the Pentateuchmdashnearly if not quite in the shape in which we now have it] with them and went about throughout all the cities of Judah and taught [among] the people

PARKER Therefore the Lord stablished the kingdom in his hand and all Judah brought to Jehoshaphat presents and he had riches and honour in abundance ( 2 Chronicles 175)

Whatever was doubtful about the ascent of Jehoshaphat to the throne was removed and the king was enabled to realise his power when he closed his hand upon the royal sceptre he found that he was not grasping a shadow but a reality There are times when men become fully conscious of their influence and of their proper social position happy are they if in this consciousness they detect a prevailingly religious element which constrains them to acknowledge that honour and wealth power and dignity are the gifts of God Is not this an anticipation of the Saviours great doctrinemdashSeek ye first the kingdom of God and his righteousness and all these things shall be added unto you Jehoshaphat did not seek riches and honour he sought to the Lord God of his father and walked in the divine commandments and as a result he enjoyed all that kings delight in as indicating strength and pomp renown and influence

GUZIK 2 (2 Chronicles 175-6) The blessing upon his reign

Therefore the LORD established the kingdom in his hand and all Judah gave presents to Jehoshaphat and he had riches and honor in abundance And his heart took delight in the ways of the LORD moreover he removed the high places and wooden images from Judah

a Therefore the LORD established the kingdom in his hand This was no small accomplishment In those days kings and kingdoms were fragile and under constant threat Yet if the descendants of David would seek God first He promised to take care of their security ndash and God makes the same promise to His people today (Matthew 633)

b All Judah gave presents to Jehoshaphat and he had riches and honor in abundance Because Jehoshaphat trusted God God lifted him up and exalted him as a king As his heart took delight in the ways of the LORD the LORD gave him the desires of his heart (Psalms 374)

c Moreover he removed the high places and wooden images from Judah 1 Kings 2243 says that Jehoshaphat did not remove the high places Adam Clarke explains ldquoIn 2 Chronicles 176 it is expressly said that he did take way the high places Allowing that the text is right in 2 Chronicles the two places may be easily recognized There were two kinds of high places in the land 1 Those used for idolatrous purposes 2 Those that were consecrated to God and were used before the temple was built The former he did take away the latter he did notrdquo

i ldquoThey may also witness to the deep hold of the Canaanite and syncretic forms of religion on ordinary Israelites Popular views and practices are often quite different from pronouncements by religious authoritiesrdquo (Selman)

PULPIT All Judah brought presents to Jehoshaphat These presents were of course voluntary gifts though like not a few others custom may have taken off from them something of the bloom of spontaneousness (1 Samuel 1027 2 Samuel 82 1 Kings 421 1 Kings 1025 Psalms 7210)

6 His heart was devoted to the ways of the Lord furthermore he removed the high places and the Asherah poles from Judah

BARES His heart was lifted up - This expression generally occurs in a bad sense Deu_814 2Ch_2616 Psa_1311 Pro_1812 but here it must be taken differently The margin ldquowas encouragedrdquo expresses fairly the true meaning He first began by setting an example of faithfulness to Yahweh He then proceeded to use his best endeavors to extirpate idolatry

He took away the high places - Compare 2Ch_2033 and see the 2Ch_1517 note

GILL And his heart was lifted up in the ways of the Lord It was engaged in them was bent and set upon them he walked in them with great pleasure and cheerfulness being inspired with zeal and courage he was fearless and intrepid and regarded not any opposition he might have or expect to have in the work of reformation in which he was concerned

moreover he took away the high places such as were dedicated to idols but not those in which the true God was worshipped 2Ch_2033

and groves out of Judah where idols were placed for though these had been removed by Asa yet had been renewed in the latter part of his days when more negligent of religion

HERY 2 He was a despised man (Job_176) ldquoHerdquo (that is Eliphaz so some or rather God whom he all along acknowledges to be the author of his calamities) ldquohas made me a byword of the people the talk of the country a laughing-stock to many a gazing-stock to all and aforetime (or to mens faces publicly) I was as a tabret that whoever chose might play uponrdquo They made ballads of him his name became a proverb it is so still As poor as Job ldquoHe has now made me a bywordrdquo a reproach of men whereas aforetime in my prosperity I was as a tabret deliciae humani generis -

the darling of the human race whom they were all pleased with It is common for those who were honoured in their wealth to be despised in their poverty

JAMISO his heart was lifted up in the ways of the Lordmdash Full of faith and piety he possessed zeal and courage to undertake the reformation of manners to suppress all the works and objects of idolatry (see on 2Ch_2033) and he held out public encouragement to the pure worship of God

KampD This blessing encouraged Jehoshaphat to extirpate from the land all

idolatrous worship and to teach the people the law of the Lord לב usually sensu ב

malo to be haughty proud cf eg 2Ch_2616 2Ch_3225 here sensu bono of rising

courage to advance in ways pleasing to God and he removed the high places also etc עודpoints back to 2Ch_173 not only did he himself keep far from the Baals but he

removed besides all memorials of the Baal-worship from Judah On מות and אשרים see

on 2Ch_142

COKE 2 Chronicles 176 And his heart was lifted upmdash And when he had elevated his mind in following the commandments of God he took yet from Judah high places and groves ie he destroyed yet other monuments of idolatry which had escaped the diligence of his father Asa though he took not away those high places and altars which had been erected in Jerusalem for the true God See 1 Kings 2243 and ch 1 Kings 2033 of this book

TRAPP 2 Chronicles 176 And his heart was lifted up in the ways of the LORD moreover he took away the high places and groves out of Judah

Ver 6 And his heart was lifted up] ot with pride as 2 Chronicles 3225 but with undaunted courage and disengaged zeal such as made him come off roundly and readily in the ensuing reformation he was more forward and forth putting than his father Asa not slothful in business but fervent in spirit serving the Lord

POOLE His heart was lifted up above all discouragements and difficulties and fears by which menrsquos hearts use to be cast down he was valiant and resolute for God and his ways

He took away the high places and groves to wit such only wherein idols were worshipped as appears by comparing this with 2 Chronicles 2033 And though Asa had done this before yet either he did not do it thoroughly or the Jews (who were many of them mad upon their idols) had secretly made new ones in the latter part of his reign when he grew more infirm in body and more remiss in Godrsquos cause

WHEDO 6 His heart was lifted up mdash That is exalted with holy faith and courage

Took away the high places mdash Yet in spite of all his efforts and successes in this matter the people had become so addicted to these practices that their destruction was not thoroughly secured See note on 2 Chronicles 143 and compare 2 Chronicles 2033

ELLICOTT (6) And his heart was lifted upmdashGabhah lccedilbh which usually like the phrase of Authorised version has a bad meaning as in 2 Chronicles 2616 The margin is right here ldquohis courage rose highrdquo or ldquohe grew boldrdquo in the ways of Jehovah ie in the path of religious reform Vulg ldquocum sumpsisset cor ejus audaciam propter vias Dominirdquo

MoreovermdashAnd again further Referring to 2 Chronicles 173 ot only did he not seek the Baals but more than this he removed the high places ampc [This is the common explanation But the sense may rather be ldquoAnd he again removedrdquo referring back to Asarsquos reforms 2 Chronicles 145]

GrovesmdashrsquoAshecircrim ldquoAsherahsrdquo (2 Chronicles 143)

PARKER And his heart was lifted up in the ways of the Lord moreover he took away the high places and groves out of Judah ( 2 Chronicles 176)

The expression his heart was lifted up is an awkward one The lifting up of the heart signifies increase of pride a sensation of vanity a desire to gratify personal ambition and to make an idol of his will In this instance the marginal reading is to be preferredmdashwas encouraged or otherwise his courage rose high and again it has been rendered Jehoshaphat grew bold that is to say he was not a timid reformer or a timid worshipper a trimmer or a time-server in any sense he was a heroic worshipper of the living God when he saw that reform was necessary he went forward with a steady step and an energetic hand We should call Jehoshaphat a man of conviction and a man who had the courage of his convictions altogether this is the outline of a noble personage a born king a man who has a right to the purple and the sceptre When such men ascend thrones nations should be glad and rejoice with a great joy for their character is grander than their office and their spirit is the best guarantee of the elevation and utility of their regal policy Becoming conscious of his power knowing that his kingdom was established from on high Jehoshaphat not only did pot seek the Baals himself but he took away the high places and groves out of Judah Jehoshaphat was not content with a merely personal religion he could not convert the hearts of his people but he could destroy all the symbols of unholy worship Men are only required to do that which lies within their power A proprietor may not be able to make people sober but he can forbid the introduction of temptations to drunkenness a parent may not be able to subdue the spirit of pride but he can in many instances limit the means of gratifying it There are reforms which are open to us all in personal custom in social habit it may be even in imperial ways let each Jehoshaphat seize his opportunity and magnify it

All this would have been comparatively in vain but for another step which

Jehoshaphat took In the third year of his reign he sent to his princesmdashthat is to say he sent his princesmdashand he sent Levites all of whose names are given and he sent also two priests Elishama and Jehoram and their business was purely educational

PULPIT And his heart was lifted up in the ways of the Lord Although the verb often carries a bad sense with it it quite as often carries with it a good one in the גבהOld Testament and the typical instance of the former (Psalms 1311) is fully counterbalanced by Isaiah 5213 The marginal was enencouraged may be superseded with advantage by took courage (Isaiah 4029-31) The groves Supersede this incorrect rendering by the Asherim and upon the seeming discrepancy see again Isaiah 151-9 17 and Introduction to Chronicles there quoted

7 In the third year of his reign he sent his officials Ben-Hail Obadiah Zechariah ethanel and Micaiah to teach in the towns of Judah

BARES The princes were not sent as teachers themselves but had the duty committed to them of seeing that the people were taught The actual teachers were the priests and Levites of 2Ch_178

CLARKE 7-9 To teach in the cities of Judah - ldquoTo teach the fear of the Lord in the cities of Judahrdquo - Targum

In these verses we find a remarkable account of an itinerant ministry established by Jehoshaphat and in this work he employed three classes of men

1 The princes

2 The Levites

3 The priests

We may presume that the princes instructed the people in the nature of the civil law and constitution of the kingdom the Levites instructed them in every thing that appertained to the temple service and ritual law and the priests instructed them in the

nature and design of the religion they professed Thus the nation became thoroughly instructed in their duty to God to the king and to each other They became therefore as one man and against a people thus united on such principles no enemy could be successful

GILL Also in the third year of his reign he sent to his princes That dwelt in the several parts of the kingdom or he sent them being with him some of the

principal men of his court for ל may be a sign of the accusative case as it sometimes is

even to Benhail and to Obadiah and to Zechariah and to Nethaneel and to Michaiah to teach in the cities of Judah to see that they were taught and oblige them to attend to the instructions that should be given them and not mutiny and rebel against their teachers and to let them know what was the kings pleasure on this head and to back with their authority the priests and Levites whose proper work it was to instruct and who therefore were sent with them as follows

JAMISO 7-11 2Ch_177-11 He sends Levites to teach in Judah

Also in the third year of his reign he sent to his princes to teach in the cities of Judahmdash The ordinary work of teaching devolved on the priests But extraordinary commissioners were appointed probably to ascertain whether the work had been done or neglected This deputation of five princes assisted by two priests and nine Levites was to make a circuit of the towns in Judah It is the first practical measure we read of as being adopted by any of the kings for the religious instruction of the people Time and unbroken opportunities were afforded for carrying out fully this excellent plan of home education for the kingdom enjoyed internal tranquillity as well as freedom for foreign wars It is conformable to the pious style of the sacred historian to trace this profound peace to the ldquofear of the Lord having fallen on all kingdoms of the lands that were round about Judahrdquo

BESO 2 Chronicles 177 He sent to his princes mdash to teach in the cities of Judah mdash To inform the people of their duty and of the kingrsquos pleasure As judges teach or instruct the people in the laws of the land when they deliver their charges upon the bench so did these princes in the kingrsquos name admonish and require the people to observe and obey the laws of God which were the municipal laws of that land the particular explication and enforcement whereof they left to the Levites and priests here following who were sent for this end and accordingly taught the people 2 Chronicles 179

COFFMA Because of the clause which we have capitalized this is one of the most important passages in Chronicles Right here is the reason radical critics have extended themselves so unreasonably in their efforts to discredit Chronicles Here is dependable historical proof of the continued existence of the Torah from the days of Moses throughout the history of Israel As Keil stated it The book of the law of Jehovah is the Pentateuch not merely a collection of Mosaic laws since in Jehoshaphats time the Mosaic Book of the Law (the Pentateuch) had been long in existence[1] We shall not take the space to repeat the vociferous denials of critics

except to cite one knee-jerk remark that characterizes all of them Such action was not taken in Jehoshaphats time[2] What is the basis of such a blatant denial of what Gods Word states as a fact even giving the very names of the royal princes who did the teaching THERE IS OE o matter what unbelievers say this chapter IS the historical record of what happened in the reign of Jehoshaphat and those who live two and one half millenniums afterward have nothing of value by which they may challenge it Then why do men deny it The false theories they have invented are here contradicted forcing them either to give up their false theories or to deny the Sacred Scriptures that contradict them

COKE 2 Chronicles 177 He sent to his princes even to Ben-hail ampcmdash He sent of his princes Ben-hail Obadiah ampc The proper business of these princes in their circuit round the kingdom says Bishop Patrick was to admonish and require the people to observe the laws of God and to leave the particular explication and enforcement of them to those of the sacred order who went with them supporting them in the execution of their office and obliging the people to receive them with respect to hear them with attention and to practise what they taught

TRAPP 2 Chronicles 177 Also in the third year of his reign he sent to his princes [even] to Benhail and to Obadiah and to Zechariah and to ethaneel and to Michaiah to teach in the cities of Judah

Ver 7 He sent to his princes to teach in the cities of Judah] Teaching princes there are not many such as were David Solomon George prince of Anhalt ampc but these were sent with the teaching Levites to countenance and bear them out in this visitation general and perhaps to punish the opposite and obstinate if any such Junius readeth the text thus He sent with his princes these Levites for the teaching Or the princes taught the people the law of the land the priests and Levites the law of God both did mutually help one another So a Danish king of this land made a law that at the general court of every shire the bishop of the diocese should accompany the sheriff that the one might countenance Godrsquos law the other manrsquos (a) Queen Elizabeth once in her progress through Suffolk observing that the justices of that county who came to meet her had every man his minister next to his body said she wondered not that that county was so well governed where she saw that the word and sword went so lovingly together (b)

POOLE To teach in the cities of Judah to inform the people of their duty and of the kingrsquos pleasure As judges or justices of peace teach or instruct the people in the laws of the land when they deliver their charges upon the bench so did these princes in the kingrsquos name admonish and require the people to observe and obey the laws of God which were the prinicipal laws of that land the particular explication and enforcement whereof they left to the Levites and priests here following who were sent for this end and accordingly taught the people 2 Chronicles 179

WHEDO 7 He sent to his princeshellip to teach mdash He committed the matter of

teaching to their oversight and care and the teaching was done by the Levites and priests as stated in the next verse He did well to put down idolatry but he was wise enough to know that unless the people were instructed they would soon apostatize again

ELLICOTT THE COMMISSIOERS OF PUBLIC ISTRUCTIO I THE LAW

(7) He sent to his princes even to Ben-hail to MichaiahmdashRather He sent his princes Ben- hail and Obadiah and Michaiah (The le ldquotordquo in the chroniclerrsquos idiom marking the object of the verb) If however Authorised Version were correct the construction would not be unique as the Speakerrsquos Com mentary asserts (Comp 2 Kings 57 ldquothis man sendeth to me to recover a manrdquo ampc)

Princesmdashone of the personages mentioned in this and the following verse are otherwise known The ldquofive princesrdquo were laymen of rank and were accompanied by nine (eight) Levites and two priests

Ben-hailmdashSon of valour A compound proper name only occurring here but analogous to Ben-hur Ben-deker and Ben-hesed in 1 Kings 48-10 (The LXX renders ldquothe sons of the mightyrdquo Syriac ldquothe chiefs of the forcesrdquo apparently reading bnecirc chail)

ethaneelmdashSyriac Mattanael Arabic Mattaniah Michaiah Syriac and Arabic Malachiah

GUZIK B The strength of Jehoshaphatrsquos kingdom

1 (2 Chronicles 177-10) The spiritual strength of the kingdom Jehoshaphat brings the Word of God to the people

Also in the third year of his reign he sent his leaders Ben-Hail Obadiah Zechariah ethanel and Michaiah to teach in the cities of Judah And with them he sent Levites Shemaiah ethaniah Zebadiah Asahel Shemiramoth Jehonathan Adonijah Tobijah and Tobadonijah the Levites and with them Elishama and Jehoram the priests So they taught in Judah and had the Book of the Law of the LORD with them they went throughout all the cities of Judah and taught the people And the fear of the LORD fell on all the kingdoms of the lands that were around Judah so that they did not make war against Jehoshaphat

a To teach in the cities of Judah These ldquoteaching priestsrdquo have been mentioned by the Chronicler before (2 Chronicles 153) They had the important role of bringing the word of God to the people especially those who lived outside of Jerusalem

b They taught in Judah and had the Book of the Law of the LORD with them they went throughout all the cities of Judah and taught the people This was the wisest

and best policy a security-conscious king of Judah could promote Because Jehoshaphat sought God first God sent fear upon the neighboring kingdoms so that they did not make war against Jehoshaphat

i ldquoBy this little band of princes Levites and priests sixteen in all Jehoshaphat did more toward impressing the surrounding nations with a sense of his power than the largest and best-equipped standing army could have secured to himrdquo (Knapp)

ii ldquoThe method adopted was what in these modern times we might describe as the holding of Special Missions throughout the cities of Judah for the specific purpose of proclaiming and interpreting lsquothe book of the law of Jehovahrsquordquo (Morgan)

iii ldquoo better service can be rendered to the nation than that of proclaiming the Word of Jehovah to the people in cities towns villages and hamlets By such proclamation the heart of the people may be turned to Jehovah and so He be enabled to do for them all that is in His heartrdquo (Morgan)

iv ldquoThus the nation became thoroughly instructed in their duty to God to the king and to each other They became therefore as one man and against a people thus united on such principles no enemy could be successfulrdquo (Clarke)

v Clarke observed how a similar itinerant ministry in the days of John Wesley and his followers impacted Britain ldquoSuch an itinerant ministry established in these kingdoms for upwards of fourscore years teaching the pure unadulterated doctrines of the Gospel with the propriety and necessity of obedience to the laws has been the principle means in the hand of God of preserving the lands from those convulsions and revolutions that have ruined and nearly dissolved the European continentrdquo

vi ldquoIt is said (2 Chronicles 172) Jehoshaphat place forces in all the fenced cities yet it is not said thereupon that lsquothe fear of the Lord fell upon the neighbour nationsrsquo But when he had established a preaching ministry in all the cities then his enemies had a fear and made no warrdquo (Trapp)

PULPIT He sent Hebrew שלח The Hebrew text distinctly says he sent to his princes not he sent his princes The meaning ismdashhe sent orders to his princes to see to it that Judah was taught (2 Chronicles 179) the book of the Law of the Lord (Le 2 Chronicles 1011 Deuteronomy 49 Deuteronomy 1718) not indeed without their own personal aid in whatever way able to be given but systematically and with authority by the Levites and priests (Deuteronomy 3310) This deeper fathoming of the needs of the time and of what constituted its real safety was greatly to the spiritual credit of Jehoshaphat The references (2 Chronicles 153 2 Chronicles 352-4 2 Chronicles 3510-12) are full of point one of these princes or Levites and priests are elsewhere mentioned by name

8 With them were certain LevitesmdashShemaiah ethaniah Zebadiah Asahel Shemiramoth Jehonathan Adonijah Tobijah and Tob-Adonijahmdashand the priests Elishama and Jehoram

GILL 2 Chronicles 178And with them he sent Levites With the five princes he sent nine Levites

even Shemaiah and Nethaniah and Zebadiah and Asahel and Shemiramoth and Jehonathan and Adonijah and Tobijah and Tobadonijah Levites of whom we nowhere else read no doubt they were principal persons and fit for the work they were sent about

and with them Elishama and Jehoram priests whose lips were to keep knowledge and at whose mouth the law was to be sought Mal_27

ELLICOTT (8) And with them he sent LevitesmdashRather And with them were the Levites The construction being changed So LXX and the Syriac (Comp 1 Chronicles 1641-42 1 Chronicles 1518 for the same mode of enumeration which is characteristic of the style of the chronicler

ZebadiahmdashSome MSS and Syriac and Arabic read Zechariah

ShemiramothmdashSo LXX and Vulg (see 1 Chronicles 165 1 Chronicles 1518) The Heb text is probably incorrect Syriac and Arabic read instead atucircra

Tob-adonijahmdashThis curious name occurs only here and is perhaps a mere mistake arising out of the preceding Adonijah and Tobijah The Syriac and Arabic omit it

PriestsmdashThe priests

The commission was a mixed one of civil and ecclesiastical persons (comp 1 Chronicles 131-2 1 Chronicles 232 1 Chronicles 246)

And had the book of the law of the LordmdashAnd with them was the book of the law (teaching) of Jehovah For the construction compare 1 Chronicles 1642 The writer

evidently means the Pentateuch and if this notice was derived by him from a contemporary source eg the ldquowords of Jehu the son of Hananirdquo to which he refers as an authority for the reign (2 Chronicles 2034) it would constitute an important testimony to the existence if not of the five books at least of an ancient collection of laws at this early date (circ 850 BC )

And taught the peoplemdashTaught among the people

9 They taught throughout Judah taking with them the Book of the Law of the Lord they went around to all the towns of Judah and taught the people

BARES There is no reasonable doubt that this ldquobook of the lawrdquo was the Pentateuch - nearly if not quite in the shape in which we now have it Copies of the whole Law were no doubt scarce and therefore Jehoshaphatrsquos commission took care to carry a copy with them

CLARKE Had the book of the law of the Lord with them - This was their text book it was the book of God they taught it as such and as such the people received it Its laws were Godrsquos laws and the people felt their obligation and their consciences were bound Thus they were obedient to the laws of the land on the principle of religion In this they were encouraged and confirmed by the example of all both in Church and state The princes were not only pious but were teachers of piety the Levites showed them the worth and excellence of their ritual institutions and the priests showed them the moral use they were to make of the whole and thus the people became obedient to God as well as to the king and kept all the civil ordinances not merely for the sake of a good king but for the sake of a good and gracious God By these means the nation enjoyed peace and prosperity and all insurrections seditions and popular commotions were prevented The surrounding nations perceiving this saw that there was no hope of subduing such a people so they made no war with Jehoshaphat 2Ch_1710 And they took care not to provoke such a people to fall on them therefore it is said The fear of the Lord fell on all the kingdoms and lands that were round about Judah Such an itinerant ministry established in these kingdoms for upwards of fourscore years

teaching the pure unadulterated doctrines of the Gospel with the propriety and necessity of obedience to the laws has been the principal means in the hand of God of preserving these lands from those convulsions and revolutions that have ruined and nearly dissolved the European continent The itinerant ministry to which this refers is that which was established in these lands by the late truly reverend highly learned and cultivated deeply pious and loyal John Wesley AM formerly a fellow of Lincoln College Oxford whose followers are known by the name of Methodists a people who are an honor to their country and a blessing to the government under which they live

GILL And they taught in Judah The people their duty to God and man

and had the book of the law of the Lord with them as the rule of their instruction and the peoples obedience out of this they taught them and by it confirmed what they taught and enforced it with the divine authority

and went about throughout all the cities of Judah not only their own cities the Levitical ones but all others

and taught the people the law of the Lord the fear and worship of God

JAMISO the book of the lawmdash that is either the whole Pentateuch or only the book of Deuteronomy which contains an abridgment of it

BESO 2 Chronicles 179 And they taught in Judah ampc mdash The Levites and priests were teachers by office Deuteronomy 3310 It was a part of the work for which they had their maintenance and indeed had little else to do But it seems they had neglected it pretending probably that they could not get the people to hear them Jehoshaphat therefore sends them with the princes who by their authority might require the people to assemble together to receive instruction in the laws of God and their duty ldquoWhat a great deal of goodrdquo says Henry ldquomay be done when Moses and Aaron thus go hand in hand in the doing of it when princes with their power and priests and Levites with their Scripture-learning agree to teach the people the good knowledge of God and their duty These itinerant judges and itinerant preachers together were instrumental to diffuse a blessed light throughout the cities of Judahrdquo And had the book of the law of the Lord with them mdash 1st For their own guidance that from thence they might draw all the instructions they gave to the people and not teach for doctrines the commandments of men 2d For the conviction or the people that they might see these priests and Levites had a divine warrant for what they said and delivered to them only that which they had received from the Lord

TRAPP 2 Chronicles 179 And they taught in Judah and [had] the book of the law of the LORD with them and went about throughout all the cities of Judah and taught the people

Ver 9 And had the book of the law of the Lord with them] They taught not

traditions human inventions or unwritten verities All their doctrines came cum privilegio and were Scripture proof

WHEDO 9 The book of the law mdash Our Pentateuch in substantially its present form ldquoCopies of the whole law were no doubt scarce and therefore Jehoshaphatrsquos commission took care to carry a copy with themrdquo mdash Rawlinson

PARKER And they taught in Judah and had the book of the law of the Lord with them and went about throughout all the cities of Judah and taught the people ( 2 Chronicles 179)

This was a mixed commission partly civil partly ecclesiastical The men here mentioned are otherwise unknown We identify them as educational reformers or reformers who operated through the medium of education they were not warriors destroyers revolutionists but men who addressed the mind and the understanding and the conscience and caused men to know that the true law was from above and not from beneath The book which the commission had in hand was the Pentateuch or the law of Moses This was known to be the law which alone could touch all the vital necessities of the commonwealth Again and again we are constrained to admit that there is a law beyond Prayer of Manasseh above Prayer of Manasseh in a sense apart from man men are not driven within themselves to find a law an instinct or a reason they have a written statute an authoritative declaration a book which Christian teachers do not hesitate to describe as a Revelation and to that they call the attention of men If the teacher were teaching out of his own consciousness he would be but an equal often exposing himself to the destructive criticism of his more advanced and penetrating scholars but the teacher takes his stand upon a book upon the Book the Bible a revelation which he believes to be divine and final Say what we will the effect of Bible teaching must be judged by its fruits Where are the nations that are most distinguished for wide and varied intelligence for large and exhaustive sympathy for missionary enterprise for philanthropic institutions and for all the elements which give grace and beauty to social existence The question should admit of definite reply the facts are before men let them judge fearlessly and honestly and we need have no apprehension concerning their verdict Wherever the word of the Lord has had free course superstition has been chased away human slavery has been abolished every instance of intolerance injustice unkindness has felt the influence of holy thought in all these matters discussion should be limited strictly to facts Thus kings can help nations not by forcing education not by attempting to rule opinion not by setting up standards of orthodoxy to fall short of which is to incur penalty but by spreading education by extending light by cultivating a spirit of inquiry and by a generous multiplication of all the instrumentalities needed for the destruction of ignorance What may come of this we are not supposed at this moment to know Meanwhile let us be thankful that we are face to face with a man who has conviction courage independence high patriotic and generous impulse and let us hope that his end may be as beautiful as his beginning was promising

SIMEO THE ROYAL EDICT

ADVERTISEMETmdashThe author feels it necessary to prefix to this Sermon some short account of the occasion on which it was delivered

The author was at Amsterdam (in June 1818) partly with a view of re-establishing there an Episcopal Chapel in which there had been no service for seven years but principally with a view of seeking the welfare of the Children of Israel He went thither rather to explore than to act (See ehemiah 212-16) But just previous to the 18th of June he understood that the Third Anniversary of the Battle of Waterloo was to be kept throughout the etherlands as a day of thanksgiving and just at that time also he quite accidentally heard that the King of the etherlands had a year before issued an Edict requiring all the Jews to educate their children in the knowledge of their own Scriptures and calling upon all his Christian Subjects to aid in this good work Despondency not unlike to that which paralyzed all exertion at Jerusalem in ehemiahrsquos days so universally prevailed that no one had risen to the occasion the very Commissioners who had been appointed to carry the Edict into effect had published a Report in which they gave it as their opinion ldquothat the Lordrsquos time was not comerdquo and there was great danger that the gracious designs of the Monarch would be altogether frustrated The author therefore judged this a fit occasion for calling the attention of the Public to the Edict and accordingly after devoting the Morning Service to the more appropriate subject of the day he employed the Evening Service in an endeavour to forward this good work Considerable attention was excited to the subject by means of the Sermon which was therefore instantly printed in Dutch French and English for the purpose of its being circulated throughout the etherlands and he has reason to hope that active exertions were afterwards made in many places to promote what every benevolent mind must ardently desire the edification and welfare of the Jewish People

So good an example having been set by the Emperor of Russia and the King of the etherlands the author hopes that the attention of our own Governors also both in Church and State may be called to this long-neglected People and that now the British Public has been invited by authority (the Kingrsquos Letter) to aid in supporting Missions to the Heathen World the claims of the Jewish ation to whom under God we owe all the light that we ourselves enjoy will not be overlooked It is with a view to this great object that the author sends forth the Sermon in this country where if the foregoing explanation had not been given its relevancy and use might have been justly called in question

2 Chronicles 179 And they taught in Judah and had the book of the law of the Lord with them and went about throughout all the cities of Judah and taught the people

O a day set apart for thanksgiving to God for mercies received it is peculiarly proper to consider what we may render unto the Lord for all his benefits Certainly if any event ever deserved repeated annual commemoration it is that which has

freed the world from the most grievous tyranny that ever it endured Of the bitter cup which was put into the hands of every nation in Europe this nation [ote The etherlands] drank very deeply and the change which it has experienced in the restoration of their rightful Monarch and in the establishment of a free Constitution calls for their devoutest acknowledgments to Almighty God Doubtless we may with justice pay some tribute of honour to those who by their counsels and their arms effected the overthrow of the Usurper but it is God alone who giveth victory to kings and to whom the glory of this great victory must be primarily ascribed and he who accounts a day consecrated to this service superfluous shews that he is far from justly appreciating the blessings that have been conferred upon him The monarch himself has given to his people a very decided evidence that he feels the depth of his obligations to the God of his salvation and it will be your own loss if you do not cultivate a similar spirit and improve the occasion to the honour of your God

But it is not to thanksgiving only that your Monarch invites you he calls you by a special Edict to unite with him in seeking the welfare of your Jewish Brethren who in their struggle with the enemy signally approved their fidelity to their legitimate Sovereign Their welfare he in his turn studies to promote and he desires to combine the energies of all his subjects in efforts for their good Methinks he is like Jehoshaphat of old who well knowing that piety must be founded in knowledge and happiness in piety sent forth the Princes of his empire with a select number of Priests and Levites to instruct his people in the knowledge of Godrsquos blessed word

His edict on this occasion and the manner in which it was carried into effect will form the subject of my present discourse

I Then we notice the edict of King Jehoshaphatmdash

This was such as became a great and pious monarch and we shall find it not unprofitable or unsuitable to the present occasion to enter into a distinct consideration of it We observe then that it was a kind and benevolent edict a wise and politic edict a good and beneficial edict

Mark the benevolence displayed in it He sought the present and eternal welfare of his subjects He knew that as men are raised above the beasts by the exercise of reason so are they elevated in the scale of rational beings in proportion as their intellectual powers are cultivated and enlarged Man destitute of knowledge is a mere savage but when instructed in the various branches of science he becomes refined and civilized and capable of contributing to the general good In the very cultivation of knowledge there is much pleasure arising to the mind and in the application of that knowledge to useful purposes there is an exquisite delight We need only observe persons when employed in their several vocations how happy they are how contented how cheerful oftentimes unconsciously proclaiming their happiness like the birds of the air in festal songs or consciously and with devotion in songs of praise

But it was not mere intellectual improvement which Jehoshaphat sought to convey he wished his people to be instructed in the knowledge of that God whom they professed to fear and worship This alone could make them truly happy this alone could impart to them sound wisdom or solid consolation He therefore gave particular directions that they should be taught ldquoin the Book of the Law of the Lordrdquo and this throughout the whole land O happy people whose governor so employed the authority with which he was invested And happy that monarch who so improved his influence not for his own personal aggrandizement but for the best interests of the people committed to his charge In so doing he approved himself to be indeed what every governor should be the friend and father of his people

or was the policy of this measure at all inferior to its benevolence A people well instructed in moral and religious knowledge will view government as an ordinance of God and will learn to obey the constituted authorities not so much from fear of their wrath as for conscience sake towards God They will view their governors as Godrsquos vicegerents upon earth and will consider allegiance to them as an essential part of their duty to him Hence will spring up love in their hearts and a real delight in manifesting on all proper occasions their loyalty to their king they will form a bulwark around his person in case of necessity and even glory in laying down their lives for him as their greatest benefactor

The benefits arising from this edict were incalculable Such was the effect of it that the fear of Jehoshaphat and of Jehovah as his protector fell on all the nations that were round about him so that none however hostile in their hearts dared to make war against him [ote ver 10] Doubtless this resulted chiefly from an impression made upon their minds by God himself yet it was also produced by a dread of that energy which an united people were ready to put forth at any instant at the call of their beloved monarch At the same time that peace was thus secured prosperity reigned in every part of the empire and as the immediate fruit of it Jehoshaphat as well as the people ldquohad riches and honour in abundance [ote ver 5]rdquo In his own mind too he reaped the fruits of his own benevolence God smiled upon him and manifested himself to him and enabled him to walk with ldquohis heart lifted up in the ways of the Lord [ote ver 6]rdquo

Such was the edict of the pious Jehoshaphatmdashbenevolent politic beneficial And what I would ask is the Edict which has been issued by the highest authority in this kingdom Do we not see in it the same blessed characters as in that which we have been considering It was ldquoin the third year of his reign [ote ver 7]rdquo that Jehoshaphat sent forth teachers to enlighten and instruct his subjects The very instant he felt himself at liberty from the more urgent and pressing calls of duty (such as the fortifying of his land against foreign enemies and the correcting of some great internal abuses) he engaged in this good work of diffusing light and knowledge through all classes of the community In like manner the sovereign of this kingdom has scarcely had time to repair the ravages of war and to establish his empire too long weakened and impoverished by a cruel usurpation before he stands forth as the friend and father of his people and more especially of that portion of them who have in every age and place been most treated with neglect and

disdain to have them educated in scriptural knowledge and in the fear of God It is much to be lamented that the Jewish people have not in general been so attentive either to the learning or morals of their children as might be wished and hence arose a necessity for some authoritative admonition on the subject Yet if I may say it without offence this neglect has not been more reprehensible in them than has been the indifference with which the Christian world has regarded it The monarch (may God recompense it richly into his bosom) has risen up to remedy the supineness both of the one and the other and to call forth the united energies of all to correct and terminate this evil Yet whilst he thus consults the best interests of his subjects with what paternal tenderness has he guarded against wounding the feelings of any or exciting their religious prejudices The Scriptures of the Old Testament are alone to be used in the schools that shall be established even those Scriptures which Jews as well as Christians believe to have been given by inspiration of God and to contain truth without any mixture of error In this is marked the policy no less than the benevolence of the edict for it is not by constraint but by conciliation and kindness that good is to be done to any and more especially to those who have shewn themselves now for so many centuries proof against all the efforts of intimidation or force In this kingdom they form no small body and I may add no unimportant portion of the community It is well known how extensive is their influence in the affairs of commerce and how by their activity they contribute to enrich the state Hence it is now generally seen and felt that they are entitled to the same respect as any other subjects of the realm and whilst as in the present instance they see how deeply their monarch feels interested in their welfare they cannot but on their part be sensible of the privileges they enjoy under his paternal government and testify their gratitude to him by every possible expression of loyalty and affection

What the ultimate effect of these measures will be may be conjectured from the blessed results of the edict of Jehoshaphat all will feel themselves happy under the government of such a prince and he whilst he is respected abroad and beloved at home will have the happiness of seeing his labours crowned with prosperity throughout his dominions and with peace in his own soul

II The manner in which Jehoshaphatrsquos edict was carried into execution is now to be noticedmdash

The promptness with which his commands were executed deserves the highest praise All were ready to co-operate in this good work as soon as it was proposed ldquoPrinces and priests and Levites [ote ver 7 8]rdquo all addressed themselves to it instantly with one heart and one soul one accounted their dignity so high or their functions so sacred but they thought it an honour to be employed in such a service and found a delight in fulfilling the wishes of their revered monarch all entered into the work with zeal and prosecuted it with diligence and hence a rapid change was effected both in the temporal and spiritual condition of the whole nation And what may not be effected in this kingdom also if a similar zeal be exercised by ldquothe princes and priestsrdquo (the magistrates and clergy) of the land With them it must begin Those who move in a lower station can effect nothing if they be not aided and

countenanced by the higher orders whose rank in life or sacredness of character will give a tone to the general feeling and combine the energies of the whole kingdom If it be said that those for whom the benefit is designed do not feel a desire after it this only shews how much they need it and how earnestly we should all embark in a cause proposed by such high authority and recommended by the soundest dictates of wisdom and piety

That our obligations to unite in this labour of love may the more distinctly appear I would beg leave to suggest the following considerations

First Loyalty to the king demands our concurrence with him in this good work and a holy emulation amongst us to carry into effect his benevolent designs What can the greatest or best of men effect (what could Jehoshaphat himself have done) if there be none to act in subserviency to them and to follow their directions As the most potent monarch upon earth would in vain proclaim war if there were no soldiers found to enlist under his banners and to execute his commands so it will be in vain that the design of benefiting the Jewish people was ever conceived in the mind of the king or that his edict respecting them was ever issued if his subjects do not put forth their energies in obedience to his call In truth a backwardness to co-operate with him in this blessed work would seem like a reflection cast upon him as recommending a measure that was unworthy of attention I do not mean to insinuate that such an idea really exists in the minds of any for I am perfectly convinced it does not but certainly in appearance it is open to this construction and every subject of the empire is concerned to act in such a way as to cut off all occasion for a reflection like this I say loyalty alone even if we had no higher motive should be sufficient to call forth our exertions in this cause

But let me next observe that gratitude to the Jewish nation demands it at our hands How great how manifold are our obligations to them Behold Moses and the prophets what instruction have they given us in reference to the way of life and salvation Without the moral law as revealed by Moses we should never have known to what an extent we need a Saviour nor if the prophecies had not so fully designated the promised Messiah could we have ever so fully known that Jesus was the Christ Of whom did the Lord Jesus Christ himself come as pertaining to the flesh but from the loins of David and of the seed of Abraham Yet to him are we indebted for all that we either have or hope for in time or in eternity And who were the Apostles but Jews who for our sakes went forth preaching the word and counted not their lives dear to them so that they might but lead us to the knowledge of Christ and make us partakers of his salvation From them too we have received the lively oracles which are the one source of all spiritual knowledge and the one foundation of all our hopes Does all this call for no recompence at our hands Knowing as we do the vast importance of education should we not endeavour to impart it to those from whose ancestors we have received such innumerable such inestimable benefits Yet behold these are the people whom for many many centuries we have treated with more neglect and contempt than any other people upon the face of the earth the savages of the most distant climes have received more attention from us than they Surely it is high time that the Christian world awake to

a sense of their duty and begin to shew to the Jews somewhat of that love which their forefathers exercised towards us in our Gentile state We are debtors to them to a vast amount and it is high time that we begin to discharge our debt And how can we discharge it better than by enabling them to read and understand those very oracles which they have preserved with such fidelity and which testify so fully of their promised Messiah

Further A love to the rising generation should lead us to avail ourselves of the present opportunity to promote their welfaremdashIt is truly afflictive to see how low and degraded is the state of multitudes especially of the Jewish nation purely through the neglect with which they are treated in their early youth and still more grievous is it to reflect on their ignorance of those things which belong to their everlasting peace To counteract this we should endeavour to qualify the whole of their population for good and useful employments and through the medium of useful instruction to make them holy and to make them happy We need never be afraid that there will not be a sufficient number of poor to fill the lower stations do what we will there will never be wanting persons who through their own fault or misfortunes are necessitated to undertake the lowest offices of life And if they have been previously instructed in the Scriptures of Truth they will have a fund of consolation ever open to them in their deepest afflictions they will learn from the inspired volume in whatsoever state they are there-with to be content and in the prospect of the eternal world they will find joys with which a stranger intermeddleth not and which the world can neither give nor take away We feel the force of these considerations in reference to the poor of our own communion how is it that we feel it not in reference to our Jewish Brethren This is a partiality unworthy of us and we should rise as one man to wipe off this disgrace from our own character

This brings me to the last consideration which I propose to mention namely that a concern for the honour of our holy religion should operate to unite us all in executing the Royal EdictmdashWhat must a Jew think of our religion when he sees how little it has wrought for us in the production of love We may tell him of a Messiah who has loved us and laid down his life for us but what credit will he give us for our principles when he sees how little our practice corresponds with them May he not well say to us ldquoPhysician heal thyselfrdquo Shew by your conduct the superiority of your principles before you call on me to embrace them It is by love that we must win them it is by shewing kindness to them that we must efface from their hearts those prejudices which with too much reason they entertain against us We must exhibit in our own person the loveliness of Christianity before we can bring them to investigate the grounds of our faith or to imagine that they can improve their own condition by embracing it May I not then call upon you as Christians to unite in the good work that is now before you that you may thereby serve and glorify your Lord and Saviour As Christians you believe that there is no other way to the Father but by Christ [ote John 146] and no other name but his whereby any human being can be saved [ote Acts 412] Where is your piety where is your love to Christ where is even common humanity if you will not avail yourselves of the present opportunity to remove from before your Jewish Brethren

the stumbling-blocks which for so many ages have been laid in their way

Do any ask What shall we do I answer search out amongst the Jews some persons of probity and talent to commence schools among them and do you yourselves aid to the utmost of your power in the support of them provide them with all necessary books for instructing children in the first rudiments of knowledge provide them with Bibles also both in the Dutch and Hebrew languages that they may be thoroughly instructed in the knowledge of their own religion and learn to walk in the steps of their father Abraham and of all the holy prophets

Begin too without loss of time Adult Schools You will find many among the house of Israel who will be glad to avail themselves of your instructions Let those who are benevolent amongst you dedicate an hour in a day to the instructing of a few who may be desirous to learn and carefully avoid every thing which may give unnecessary offence Confine yourselves to the Old Testament which they venerate as well as you Let those who can teach only in the Dutch language give instruction in that and let those who either understand or have leisure to attain the Hebrew tongue draw their attention to that In particular let it be the united endeavour of all to qualify masters for this good work

And let it not be thought that this is the duty of men only The Royal Edict has particularly and with great wisdom recommended it to females who may be of infinite service in conveying instruction to their own sex This age is distinguished above all others for the activity of females in the service of God and in the performance of every good work Were I able to declare the proportion of good that is done in Britain by the female sex it would appear incredible I believe from my soul that it far exceeds one half in all the societies raised since the commencement of the present century in the Bible Society the Missionary Societies and the Society for Promoting the Knowledge of Christianity amongst the Jews yes let the ladies of this country exert themselves in a prudent modest and discreet way and the effects will soon appear the Royal Edict will not be a dead letter but will produce incalculable good to the whole nationmdashand the agents in this benevolent work will themselves receive quite as much benefit as they impart their benevolence being in proportion as it is exercised its own reward

10 The fear of the Lord fell on all the kingdoms of the lands surrounding Judah so that they did not go to war against Jehoshaphat

GILL And the fear of the Lord fell upon all the kingdoms of the lands that were round about Judah Upon the ten tribes and on foreign nations about them as Moabites Edomites Syrians Egyptians Arabs and Philistines this fear as it came from the Lord so might be raised and increased by observing that religion was revived in them for they might perceive by former observations made that the more religious these people were the more prosperous and formidable they were

so that they made no war against Jehoshaphat to interrupt him in the work of reformation he was so intent upon

HERY We have here a further account of Jehoshaphats great prosperity and the flourishing state of his kingdom

I He had good interest in the neighbouring princes and nations Though he was not perhaps so great a soldier as David (which might have made him their terror) nor so great a scholar as Solomon (which might have made him their oracle) yet the fear of the Lord fell so upon them (that is God so influenced and governed their spirits) that they had all a reverence for him 2Ch_1710 And 1 None of them made war against himGods good providence so ordered it that while the princes and priests were instructing and reforming the country none of his neighbours gave him any molestations to take him off from that good work Thus when Jacob and his sons were going to worship at Bethel the terror of God was upon the neighbouring cities that they did not pursue after them Gen_355 and see Exo_3424 2 Many of them brought presents to him (2Ch_1711) to secure his friendship Perhaps these were a tribute imposed upon them by Asa who made himself master of the cities of the Philistines and the tents of the Arabians 2Ch_1414 2Ch_1415 With the 7700 rams and the same number of he-goats which the Arabians brought there was probably a proportionable number of ewes and lambs she-goats and kids

KampD This attempt of Jehoshaphat brought him this blessing that the terror of Jahve fell upon all the surrounding kingdoms and not only did none of the neighbouring peoples venture to make war upon him but also various tribes did homage to him by presents Ramb has already so understood the connection of these verses (erat hoc praemium pietatis Josaphati quod vicini satisque potentes hostes non auderent adversus ipsum hiscere) while Berth fails to apprehend it saying that Jehoshaphat had time to care for the instruction of his people because at that time the neighbouring peoples did not venture to undertake war against Judah The words ldquoterror of Jahverdquo cf 2Ch_1413 2Ch_2029 and ldquoall the kingdoms of the landsrdquo cf 2Ch_128 1Ch_2930 are expressions peculiar to the author of the Chronicle which show that by these remarks he is preparing the way for a transition to a more detailed

portrayal of Jehoshaphats political power מן־(לש)ים is subject מן partitive some of the

Philistines brought him presents (for מנחה see on 2Ch_175) ldquoand silver a burdenrdquo ie

in great quantity מא does not signify tribute vectigal argento (Vulg) for the word has

not that signification but denotes burden that which can be carried as in מא לאן

2Ch_2025 - 2Ch_2116 2Ch_221 ערבים 2Ch_267 and more usually ערב-ים or ערביאים

are Arabian nomadic tribes (Bedacircwin) perhaps those whom Asa after his victory over the Cushite Zerah had brought under the kingdom of Judah 2Ch_1414 These paid

their tribute in small cattle rams and he-goats (ישים( Gen_3035 Gen_3215 Pro_

3031)

BESO 2 Chronicles 1710 The fear of the Lord fell upon all the kingdoms ampc mdash Justly concluding from his singular piety that God would eminently appear for him for even the heathen could not but observe that the kings of Judah were either prosperous or unhappy according as they served God or forsook him So that they made no war against Jehoshaphat mdash Godrsquos good providence so ordered it that while the princes and priests were instructing and endeavouring to reform the country none of his neighbours gave him any molestation to take him off from that good work

COFFMA All of this peace and prosperity were directly due to the respect which Jehoshaphat had shown to the Law of God and to his efforts to teach that word to all the people It is no problem that much of the material here is omitted in Kings because the primary focus there was political whereas in Chronicles the focus is upon the spiritual and religious significance of the same history

TRAPP 2 Chronicles 1710 And the fear of the LORD fell upon all the kingdoms of the lands that [were] round about Judah so that they made no war against Jehoshaphat

Ver 10 And the fear of the Lord fell upon all the kingdoms] It is said [2 Chronicles 172] Jehoshaphat placed forces in all the fenced cities yet it is not said thereupon that the fear of the Lord fell upon the neighbour nations But when he had established a preaching ministry in all the cities then his enemies had a fear and made no war

POOLE Justly concluding from this singular piety that God would eminently appear for him and against all those who had ill will to him which was their case For even the heathens could not but observe that the kings of Judah were either prosperous or unhappy accordingly as they served God or forsook him

ELLICOTT (10) The fear of the LordmdashA dread of Jehovah (pachad) aps 2029 (Comp Exodus 1516 1 Samuel 117 Isaiah 210 ) This phrase is not peculiar to the chronicler as Keil and Bertheau assert ldquoThe kingdoms of the landsrdquo is so (2 Chronicles 128 1 Chronicles 2930)

They made no warmdashThe reward of Jehosha-phatrsquos piety (1 Chronicles 229

Proverbs 167) ldquoWhen a manrsquos ways please the Lord he maketh even his enemies to be at peace with himrdquo (Comp also Genesis 355)

11 Some Philistines brought Jehoshaphat gifts and silver as tribute and the Arabs brought him flocks seven thousand seven hundred rams and seven thousand seven hundred goats

BARES Some of the Philistines brought Jehoshaphat presents - i e ldquosome of the Philistines were among his tributariesrdquo Compare 2Sa_82 1Ki_421

Tribute silver - Or ldquomuch silverrdquo - literally ldquosilver of burthenrdquo

The Arabians - The Arab tribes who bordered Judaea to the south and the southeast paid Jehoshaphat a fixed tribute in kind Compare 2Ki_34 note

CLARKE The Philistines brought - presents - They and the Arabians purchased peace with the king of Judah by paying an annual tribute The Philistines brought silver and no doubt different kinds of merchandise The Arabs whose riches consisted in cattle brought him flocks in great abundance principally rams and he-goats

GILL Also some of the Philistines brought Jehoshaphat presents and tribute silver Perhaps those of Gerar and the parts adjacent Asa took and spoiled and made tributary 2Ch_1414

and the Arabians brought him flocks seven thousand and seven hundred rams and seven thousand and seven hundred he goats with which their country abounded and these might be the Scenite Arabs who fearing lest Jehoshaphat should fall upon them and take away their flocks as his father had done 2Ch_1415 brought these presents to him

JAMISO Also some of the Philistines brought Jehoshaphat presents and tribute silvermdash either they had been his tributaries or they were desirous of securing his valuable friendship and now made a voluntary offer of tribute Perhaps

they were the Philistines who had submitted to the yoke of David (2Sa_81 Psa_608)

the Arabiansmdash the nomad tribes on the south of the Dead Sea who seeking the protection of Jehoshaphat after his conquest of Edom paid their tribute in the way most suitable to their pastoral habits - the present of so many head of cattle

BESO 2 Chronicles 1711 Some of the Philistines brought presents mdash They had been subject to Judah ever since Davidrsquos time but it seems had neglected this duty in the times of his predecessors but were now moved by their own fears to perform it And the Arabians brought him flocks mdash Either because he had upon some just occasion waged war against them and subdued them or because they voluntarily put themselves under his protection in recompense whereof they sent him these presents or only as a free acknowledgment of their respect for him

TRAPP 2 Chronicles 1711 Also [some] of the Philistines brought Jehoshaphat presents and tribute silver and the Arabians brought him flocks seven thousand and seven hundred rams and seven thousand and seven hundred he goats

Ver 11 Also some of the Philistines] These having been subdued by David had withheld their tribute for a time but now seeing Jehoshaphatrsquos growing greatness they bring it in with the better that no offence might be taken at their former neglect The word here used signifieth honorary gifts or oblations pacifications

ldquo Placatur donis Iupiter ipse datis rdquo

Think the same of the Arabians See 2 Chronicles 1414-15

POOLE Some of the Philistines who had been subjects to this kingdom ever since Davidrsquos time but it seems had neglected this duty in the times of his predecessors but now were moved by their own fears to perform it

The Arabians brought him flocks either because he had upon some just occasion waged war against them and subdued them though the particulars of it be not described in Scripture or because they voluntarily put themselves under his protection in recompence whereof they sent him those presents or only as a free acknowledgment of their respects to him

ELLICOTT (11) Broughtmdashie continually Such is the force of the participle

PresentsmdashAn offering ie tribute (minchah 2 Chronicles 175)

And tribute silvermdashRather and silver a load or burden ie a great quantity (massacircrsquo) 2 Chronicles 2025 As if ldquosilver as much as they could carryrdquomdasha natural hyperbole ot all the five states of the Philistines were subject to Jehoshaphat (Comp 2 Samuel 81)

The ArabiansmdashlsquoArbicircrsquoim here only equivalent to lsquoArbicircyicircm (2 Chronicles 267) and

lsquoArbim (2 Chronicles 2116) They are in each case grouped with the Philistines The nomad Bedacircwin conquered by Asa (2 Chronicles 1415) appear to be meant here or else some tribes which recognised the overlordship of Jehoshaphat after his reduction of Edom (2 Chronicles 2022 sqq)

Brought him flocksmdashComp Mesha of Moabrsquos tribute to Ahab (2 Kings 34)

GUZIK 2 (2 Chronicles 1711-19) The international strength of Jehoshaphatrsquos kingdom

Also some of the Philistines brought Jehoshaphat presents and silver as tribute and the Arabians brought him flocks seven thousand seven hundred rams and seven thousand seven hundred male goats So Jehoshaphat became increasingly powerful and he built fortresses and storage cities in Judah He had much property in the cities of Judah and the men of war mighty men of valor were in Jerusalem These are their numbers according to their fathersrsquo houses Of Judah the captains of thousands Adnah the captain and with him three hundred thousand mighty men of valor and next to him was Jehohanan the captain and with him two hundred and eighty thousand and next to him was Amasiah the son of Zichri who willingly offered himself to the LORD and with him two hundred thousand mighty men of valor Of Benjamin Eliada a mighty man of valor and with him two hundred thousand men armed with bow and shield and next to him was Jehozabad and with him one hundred and eighty thousand prepared for war These served the king besides those the king put in the fortified cities throughout all Judah

a Some of the Philistines brought Jehoshaphat presents and silver as tribute and the Arabians brought him flocks Jehoshaphatrsquos commitment to personal and public godliness meant that God exalted his kingdom above the neighboring nations even as God promised in Deuteronomy 281-13

b These served the king The true treasure of Jehoshaphatrsquos kingdom was not numbered only in security or material things but also in the dedicated and courageous men he had surrounding him these mighty men of valor

i Amasiah the son of Zichri who willingly offered himself to the LORD ldquoAmasiah is a man of whom we do not know anything beyond this ndash he lsquowillingly offered himself unto the Lordrsquo There must have been a turning-point in his career a time when first he knew the grace of God which wrought such a change in him There must have been a waking up to the feeling that God deserved his love and his liferdquo (Spurgeon)

ii Amasiah was a ready servant of the Lord this particularly notable because he did it in an otherwise secular calling

middot o one had to press him into service

middot o one had to seek him out for service

middot o one had to look after him once he had begun serving

middot o one had to lead him

iii ldquoThere is no lawful occupation in which a man cannot thoroughly serve the Lord It is a great privilege and blessing to be set apart to the work of winning souls but we must never separate that work from all the rest of the callings of life as though it alone were sacred and all the rest were secular and almost sinful Serve God where you arerdquo (Spurgeon)

PULPIT The presents were probably enough in the nature of tribute the fixed rate of which is sometimes alluded to (1 Kings 421 1 Kings 1025 2 Samuel 82) but it is doubtful whether the word משא purports to say this The word means bearing or carrying and then a burden load or weight The expression (2 Chronicles 2025) more than they could carry away where this word is used favours the idea that the meaning here is silver of great weight Probably the moral significance and historical interest whether of this statement respecting the Philistines or the following respecting the Arabians lies in the fact that both of them brought without more ado their payments and did not seek to slip out of their engagements with Judah and Judahs king ote for confirmation of this view 2 Kings 34 2 Kings 35

12 Jehoshaphat became more and more powerful he built forts and store cities in Judah

GILL And Jehoshaphat waxed great exceedingly In wealth and riches power and authority in his forces and fortifications

and he built in Judah castles and cities of stores castles for the defence of his kingdom and store cities to lay up corn and wine and all provisions in case of an invasion or against a time of war

HERY II He had a very considerable stores laid up in the cities of Judah He pulled down his barns and built larger (2Ch_1712) castles and cities of store for arms and victuals He was a man of business and aimed at the public good in all his

undertakings either to preserve the peace or prepare for war

JAMISO 2Ch_1712-19 His greatness captains and armies

KampD Description of Jehoshaphats power - 2Ch_1712 And Jehoshaphat became

ever greater sc in power The partic הולך expresses the continuous advance in

greatness cf Ew sect280 b as the infin absol does elsewhere eg Gen_83 למעלה as עד

in 2Ch_1612 - He built castles in Judah ירנ-ות only here and in 2Ch_274 from ירנית

derivative formed from ירה by the Syriac termination נית- fem of ן- castle fortress On

מסנות cf 2Ch_84 ערי

TRAPP 2 Chronicles 1712 And Jehoshaphat waxed great exceedingly and he built in Judah castles and cities of store

Ver 12 And Jehoshaphat waxed great exceedingly] Heb He was going and growing By humility and the fear of the Lord are riches and honour and life [Proverbs 224]

And he built in Judah castles] Bironeoth πυργους turres So did the Burgundians and thence had their names

And cities of store] Granaries in the Hebrew they have their name from their utility or usefulness

ELLICOTT (12) And Jehoshaphat waxed greatmdashLiterally And Jehoshaphat was going on and waxing great ie became greater and greater (Comp 1 Chronicles 119)

ExceedinglymdashlsquoAd lĕmagraversquolah This phrase occurs again in 2 Chronicles 1612 2 Chronicles 268 and nowhere else in the Old Testament (See on 1 Chronicles 142)

And he builtmdashLike his predecessorsmdashSolomon Rehoboam Asamdashhe displayed his wealth and power in great public works The records of the Assyrian and Babylonian sovereigns are largely taken up with similar accounts of temple and palace building

CastlesmdashBiranicircyocircth a derivative from birah (1 Chronicles 291 1 Chronicles 2919 comp Syriac here birocircthocirc) It only recurs at 2 Chronicles 274 It is an Aramaic term (Comp bicircranyacircthacirc which in the Targums means ldquopalacesrdquo)

Cities of storesmdashComp 2 Chronicles 84 2 Chronicles 164 Exodus 111

PULPIT Castles This rendering better than palaces (margin) wound bear improving to the rather stronger word fortresses Hebrew בירניות found only here and in 2 Chronicles 274 plur of בירנית connected with the Chaldee and later Hebrew בירה of Ezra 62 ehemiah 11 Esther 12 Daniel 82 Cities of store (see note under 2 Chronicles 84 see also 1 Kings 919 Exodus 111)

13 and had large supplies in the towns of Judah He also kept experienced fighting men in Jerusalem

CLARKE He hadmuch business in the cities - He kept the people constantly employed they had wages for their work and by their labors the empire was both enriched and strengthened

GILL And he had much business in the cities of Judah Partly in fortifying them and partly in reforming the inhabitants of them

and the men of war mighty men of valour were in Jerusalem or by or near unto it so the particle is rendered Jos_513 they encamped in places adjacent to it for such a number of men as follows even 1160000 could never be contained in Jerusalem but must be disposed of in the territories of it nor did they wait on the king together but in course see 2Ch_1719 by which it appears there is no need to suppose any mistake of the transcriber in any or all of the following sums as has been suggested (q)

HERY 13-19 III He had the militia in good order It was never in better since David modelled it Five lord-lieutenants (if I may so call them) are here named with the numbers of those under their command (the serviceable men that were fit for war in their respective districts) three in Judah and two in Benjamin It is said of one of these great commanders Amasiah that he willingly offered himself unto the Lord (2Ch_1716) not only to the king to serve him in this post but to the Lord to glorify him in it He was the most eminent among them for religion he accepted the place not for the

honour or power or profit of it but for conscience sake towards God that he might serve his country It was usual for great generals then to offer of their spoils to the Lord 1Ch_2626 But this good man offered himself first to the Lord and then his dedicated things The number of the soldiers under these five generals amounts to 1160000 men a vast number for so small a compass of ground as Judahs and Benjamins lot to furnish out and maintain Abijah could bring into the field but 400000 (2Ch_133) Asa not 600000 (2Ch_148) yet Jehoshaphat has at command almost 1200000 But it must be considered 1 That God had promised to make the seed of Abraham like the sand of the sea for number 2 There had now been a long peace 3 We may suppose that the city of Jerusalem was very much enlarged 4 Many had come over to them from the kingdom of Israel (2Ch_1519) which would increase the numbers of the people 5 Jehoshaphat was under a special blessing of God which made his affairs to prosper greatly The armies we may suppose were dispersed all the country over and each man resided for the most part on his own estate but they appeared often to be mustered and trained and were ready at call whenever there was occasion The commanders waited on the king (2Ch_1719) as officers of his court privy-counsellors and ministers of state

But lastly observe It was not this formidable army that struck a terror upon the neighbouring nations that restrained them from attempting any thing against Israel or obliged them to pay tribute but the fear of God which fell upon them when Jehoshaphat reformed his country and set up a preaching ministry in it 2Ch_1710 The ordinances of God are more the strength and safety of a kingdom than its military force - its men of God more than its men of war

KampD 2Ch_1713

וגווגווגווגו רהרהרהרה is rightly translated by Luther ldquound hatte viel Vorrathsrdquo (and ומלעכהומלעכהומלעכהומלעכה

had much store) מלעכהמלעכהמלעכהמלעכה denotes here as in Exo_227-10 property that which has been gained by work or business The signification much work opera magna (Vulg Cler etc) as also Bertheaus translation ldquothe works for equipping and provisioning the fortressesrdquo correspond neither to the context nor to the parallel (synonymous) second member of the verse The work and trouble necessary to equip the cities of Judah does not correspond to ldquothe valiant warriors in Jerusalemrdquo the only parallel is the goods and property which were in these cities the provision of victuals and war material there stored up

BESO 2 Chronicles 1713 He had much business in the cities of Judah mdash To repair and fortify them and furnish them with provisions and to purge out all the relics of idolatry and injustice which were more secretly and craftily managed in the cities than in the country and which were first and most prevalent in the cities and thence spread their infection into the country around them

TRAPP 2 Chronicles 1713 And he had much business in the cities of Judah and the men of war mighty men of valour [were] in Jerusalem

Ver 13 And he had much business] Eργα πολλα (a) Many works going forward at

once a negotious man he was His business say some lay in beautifying and fortifying those cities Augustus gloried at his death that whereas he had found Rome built with brick he had left it made of marble

And the men of war hellip were in Jerusalem] These were his Praetorian forces his Praesidiaries were up and down in the various cities

POOLE He had much business in the cities of Judah partly to repair and fortify them and furnish them with all necessary provisions and partly to purge out all the relies and seeds of idolatry and injustice which were more secretly and subtlely managed in the cities than in the country and which were first and most in the cities and thence spread their infection into the country about them See Jeremiah 228

ELLICOTT (13) BusinessmdashRather much goods or stores literally work (mĕlacirckacirch) and then produce The Hebrew word is so used in Exodus 227 Exodus 2210 (ldquoHis neighbourrsquos goodsrdquo) Stores of provisions and war material seem to be intended (Comp 2 Chronicles 1111)

And the man of war were in JerusalemmdashRather and (he had) men of war in Jerusalem

In Jerusalemmdashot the entire army corps whose numbers are given in 2 Chronicles 1714-18 but simply their chiefs

PULPIT Much business Hebrew מלאכה The meaning of the word is service labour bestowed and the verse reads And there was to him much labour in the cities of Judah and men of war mighty men of valour in Jerusalem ie He bestoweth much pains on the cities of Judah and had etc The word were Authorized Version italics is incorrectly inserted The former half of this verse would better constitute the end of 2 Chronicles 1712 Keil however maintains the rendering substance property for מלאכה (Exodus 227 Exodus 2210)

14 Their enrollment by families was as followsFrom Judah commanders of units of 1000Adnah the commander with 300000 fighting men

BARES The captains of thousands Adnah the chief - literally ldquoprinces of thousands Adnah the princerdquo The writer does not mean that Adnah (or Johohanan 2Ch_1715) was in any way superior to the other ldquoprincesrdquo but only that he was one of them

Three hundred thousand - This number and those which follow in 2Ch_1715-18 have been with good reason regarded as corrupt by most critics For

(1) They imply a minimum population of 1480 to the square mile which is more than three times greater than that of any country in the known world (circa 1880rsquos)

(2) they produce a total just double that of the next largest estimate of the military force of Judah the 580 000 of 2Ch_148

(3) they are professedly a statement not of the whole military force but of the force maintained at Jerusalem (2Ch_1713 compare 2Ch_1719)

It is probable that the original numbers have been lost and that the loss was suppplied by a scribe who took 2Ch_148 as his basis

CLARKE Adnah the chief - He was generalissimo of all this host These are the numbers of the five battalions under Adnah three hundred thousand Jehohanan two hundred and eighty thousand Amasiah two hundred thousand Eliada two hundred thousand Jehozabad one hundred and eighty thousand in all one million one hundred and sixty thousand

GILL And these are the numbers of them according to the house of their fathers Both of the tribe of Judah and of Benjamin and first

of Judah the captains of thousands some had 1000 men under them and some one hundred

Adnah the chief he was the principal commander or general of them

and with him mighty men of valour three hundred thousand such a number was under his command

JAMISO these are the numbersmdash The warriors were arranged in the army according to their fathers houses The army of Jehoshaphat commanded by five great generals and consisting of five unequal divisions comprised one million one hundred and sixty thousand men without including those who garrisoned the fortresses No monarch since the time of Solomon equaled Jehoshaphat in the extent of his revenue in the strength of his fortifications and in the number of his troops

KampD 2Ch_1714-16

The men fit for war passed in review according to their fathers-houses The male population of Judah fell into three divisions that of Benjamin into two The prince

Adnah held the first place among the generals with 300000 men of Judah ידו at his על

hand ie with and under him Jehohanan had the command of 280000 men and

Amasiah over 200000 השר is a contraction for אלפים For what special reason it is so שר

honourably recorded of Amasiah that he had willingly offered himself to the Lord (cf for

Jdg_59) has not been communicated התנב

COFFMA his represented a standing army of 1160000 men besides the garrisons in the fortified cities and this goes a long way to explaining why the Arabians and the Philistines brought tribute to Jehoshaphat In ancient times as in our own day peace frequently depended upon the strength of those who desired it

We should ignore the screams of exaggeration[3] which mark the writings of radical critics Pagan rulers of that era reported even larger armies than this and until the critics can prove that those were exaggerated reports they should let these alone Besides that we have already noted that the very word from which thousand is translated is disputed as to its exact meaning

COKE 2 Chronicles 1714 And these are the numbers of themmdash That is of the soldiers as well as of those who were employed in the kings works in the several cities ampc which he built See 2 Chronicles 1719

REFLECTIOSmdash1st Jehoshaphat no sooner comes to the throne than we see the dawnings of a glorious reign

1 He strengthened his kingdom by placing strong garrisons in the cities of Judah and those which his father had recovered from Israel and prepared against that danger which Ahabs growing power seemed to threaten

2 Religion was his great concern He copied after the best of his predecessors in their best days such as were the first of David before the matter of Uriah and the numbering of the people had blotted his fair copy Faithful to the worship of God he abhorred all idols the law of God was his rule of duty and Israels apostacy rendered his fidelity more singular and exemplary Inspired with holy zeal his heart with delight and sincerity was engaged for God and no difficulties deterred him from the path of duty The idols and groves which in the declining days of Asa might have been set up again he utterly destroyed with all the high places where they still offered sacrifices to these abominations ote (1) In the fairest human pattern there will be found imperfections but there is a Son of David more than man who has set us a spotless example that we should follow his steps (2) Fidelity in Gods service is the stability of a nation (3) A lively soul on wings of faith and love mounts up to God rises superior to every difficulty and looks down upon every thing besides his favour as altogether vanity

3 He not only removed the temptations to sin but took care to instruct the people in

the path of duty Ignorance of Gods law had greatly prevailed and to oblige them merely to conform to his reformation without grounding them on the true foundation of Gods word promised little stability The Levites and priests therefore are sent in progress through the cities of Judah with the book of the law to explain and enforce the commandments of God and several princes accompanied them in order to engage the people to hear them and give countenance to these preachers by their weight and influence ote (1) It is a blessed thing when princes countenance faithful ministers Though they cannot make men true converts their example and authority will induce them to attend (2) They who are sent to teach must see that they take the pure word of God along with them A true preacher wishes for nothing in his hand but his Bible (3) Religion is a reasonable service Conviction alone not compulsion or education can make a man a christian

4 The blessing of God attended his labours The Lord was with him or as the Targum generally expresses it the word of the Lord the divine Logos to whom all things are committed strengthened him in his labours and established his kingdom The people charmed with his government liberally sent their presents to him and abounding in riches and honour his heart far from being intoxicated by prosperity was lifted up in greater love and thankfulness to the gracious giver ote (1) God often here rewards piety with prosperity (2) Worldly comforts are then truly blessings when as the steps of Jacobs ladder they raise our hearts to heaven

2nd Like the light of the morning which shineth more and more so did Jehoshaphats glory increase

1 Feared by his enemies as beloved by his subjects the neighbouring princes did not offer to molest him while those of Philistia and Arabia courted his favour either by a voluntary present or exact payment of the tribute which Asa had imposed on them see 2 Chronicles 1711 God had put an awe upon them of the majesty of his king in Zion ote God hath access to the spirits of men and by secret yet irresistible influence can bow them to his sovereign will

2 His military preparations greatly advanced While he reformed the people he fortified their ramparts and built new castles and store-cities strengthening them within and without against their enemies Under five chief officers an immense army was enlisted Probably all the able men in the country were enrolled and regularly mustered though not drawn out except in case of necessity and this may easily account for the greatness of their number if we consider also the long peace they had enjoyed the accession of Israelites to them and especially the blessing of Abraham which no doubt was eminently fulfilled Amasiah one of the officers is mentioned with an honourable mark of distinction as a volunteer who served for the glory of God not for the sake of pay Such patriots are scarce

TRAPP 2 Chronicles 1714 And these [are] the numbers of them according to the house of their fathers Of Judah the captains of thousands Adnah the chief and

with him mighty men of valour three hundred thousand

Ver 14 Three hundred thousand] These were under his command and at hand to come whensoever the king would

WHEDO 14 Three hundred thousand mdash The numbers in this verse and the four verses following are generally regarded as corrupt ldquoThey implyrdquo observes the writer last quoted ldquoa minimum population of 1480 to the square mile which is more than three times greater than that of any country in the known world It is probable that the original numbers have been lost and the loss supplied by a scribe who took 2 Chronicles 148 as his basis

ELLICOTT Verse 14 (14) And these their fathersmdashAnd this is their muster (or census) according to their father-houses (clans) 1 Chronicles 243 The warriors were marshalled in the army according to clans so that men of the same stock fought side by side with their kindred Perhaps in the original document this heading was followed by a much more detailed scheme of names and divisions than that which the text presents

Of JudahmdashTo Judah (belonged) captains of thousands viz the three enumerated in 2 Chronicles 1714-16 Adnah Jehohanan and Amasiah They were the principal officers or generals of the entire forces of Judah

Adnah the chiefmdashTo wit the captain Adnah That Adnah was commander-in-chief is implied by his being named first and his corps being the largest

PULPIT This verse with the following four gives us the names of five captains chiefs princes or military officers for the kingdoms service with the numbers of the troops they severally commanded The numbers of them (see note under 1 Chronicles 2311) Hebrew פקדתם The better English rendering to carry at once the signification would be The muster of them etc The captains hellip the chief In both cases the Hebrew is the familiar word for prince ( שר ) in the former without article in the latter with article The numbers of this and following four verses are not only absolutely unreliable but in themselves impossible According to the house of their fathers ie the quotation is drawn from an army catalogue arranged carefully by fathers houses (umbers 118 umbers 122 etc)

15 next Jehohanan the commander with 280000

GILL And next to him was Jehohanan the captain Being of the same rank as to office but having a lesser number of men under him and it may respect not any kind of subordination only nearness of place as the Targumhe that encamped next to him

and with him two hundred and fourscore thousand which number was but 20000 less than the former

POOLE ext to him either

1 After his death as his successor in the same command And the like is supposed concerning Jehozabad 2 Chronicles 1718 Or rather

2 ext to him in place and authority or at least in power and the numbers of his host

16 next Amasiah son of Zikri who volunteered himself for the service of the Lord with 200000

GILL And next him was Amasiah the son of Zichri He encamped next to him as the Targum

who willingly offered himself unto the Lord to fight the Lords battles and without any stipend as some think or as Kimchi he offered gold and silver to the treasures of the house of the Lord

and with him two hundred thousand mighty men of valour the number was 80000 less than the former the whole of Judah amounted to 780000 men

TRAPP 2 Chronicles 1716 And next him [was] Amasiah the son of Zichri who willingly offered himself unto the LORD and with him two hundred thousand mighty men of valour

Ver 16 Who willingly offered himself unto the Lord] He was a votary the vows of God were upon him and this made him the more valiant and resolute (a) in the exercise of arms for the service of God and the safety of his people The Spahis among the Turks are a sort of horsemen voluntaries and votaries to gain paradise by dying for the Mohammedan cause These are never known to return home but

with victory these are heavy upon the enemy For

ldquo Vincitur haud gratis iugulo qui provocat ensem rdquo

POOLE As volunteers and auxiliaries to be ready upon occasion as the service of God and the king should require Possibly these or most of them were the strangers which had come out of Israel into the kingdom of Judah in Asarsquos days and probably since that in his time

ELLICOTT (16) AmasiahmdashIah carrieth (Isaiah 4011) different from Amaziah (Iah is strong)

Who willingly offered himself unto the Lordmdash(Judges 52 Judges 59) An allusion to some noble act of self-devotion which was doubtless more fully recorded in the source from which the chronicler has drawn this brief account Such allusions though no longer intelligible are important as conducing to the proof of the historical value of the narratives in which they occur LXX ὁ προθυmicroούmicroενος τῷ κυρίῳ Vulg consecratus Domino

PULPIT Amaziah the son of Zichri This man is not titled at all The description of him as one who had willingly offered himself unto the Lord not elucidated by the context or any effective parallel will mark something honorable in his history Possibly he comes from an unexpected quarter and is a man of approved skill othing further is known of these three men Meantime it has been suggested (Professor Dr J Murphy of Belfast Handbook to Chronicles ) that the first of the three was for Judah proper the second for that contingent of Judah that hailed from Dan and the Philistines and the third for that of Simeon and the Arabs

MACLARE This is a scrap from the catalogue of Jehoshaphatrsquos lsquomighty men of valourrsquo and is Amasiahrsquos sole record We see him for a moment and hear his eulogium and then oblivion swallows him up We do not know what it was that he did to earn it But what a fate to live to all generations by that one sentence

I Cheerful self-surrender the secret of all religion

The words of our text contain a metaphor naturally drawn from the sacrificial system It comes so easily to us that we scarcely recognise the metaphorical element but the clear recognition of it gives great additional energy to the words Amasiah was both sacrificer and sacrifice His offering was self-immolation As in all love so in that noblest kind of it which clasps God its perfect expression is lsquoI give Thee my living loving selfrsquo Nor is it only sacrifice and sacrificer that are seen in deepest truth in the experience of the Christian life but the reality of the Temple is also there for lsquoYe also are built up a spiritual house to be a holy priesthood to offer up spiritual sacrificesrsquo Only when God dwells in us shall we have the nerve and the firmness of hand to take the knife and lsquoslay before the Lordrsquo the awful Guest in the sanctuary within the most precious of the children of our spirits

The essence of the sacrifice of self is the sacrifice of will In the Christian experience

lsquowillingly offeredrsquo is almost tautology for unwilling offerings are a contradiction and in fact there are no such things The quality of unwillingness destroys the character of the offering and robs it of all sacredness Reluctant Christianity is not Christianity That noun and that adjective can never be buckled together

The submission of will and the consequent surrender of myself and my powers opportunities and possessions so that I do all enjoy all use all and when need is endure all with glad thankful reference to God is only possible to me in the measure in which my will is made flexible by love and such will-subduing love comes only when we lsquoknow and believe the love that God hath to usrsquo There is the point at which not a few moral and religious teachers go wrong and bewilder themselves and their disciples There too is the point at which Christ and the Gospel of salvation through faith in Him stand forth as emancipating humanity from the dreary round of efforts and vain attempts to work up the condition needful for achieving the height of self-surrender which is seen to be indispensable to all true nobleness of living but is felt to be beyond the reach of the ordinary man There too is the point at which many good people mar their lives as Christians They waste their strength in trying to bring the jibbing horse up to the leap They try to blow up a fire of devotion and to make themselves priests to offer themselves but all the while the mutinous self recoils from the leap and the fire burns smokily and their sacrifice is laid on the altar with little joy because they have not been careful and wise enough to begin at the beginning and to follow Godrsquos way of melting their wills by love the reflection of the Infinite love of God to them Godrsquos priests offer themselves because they offer their wills they offer their wills because they love God they love God because they know that God loves them That is the divine order It is vain to try to accomplish the end by any other

II This willing offering hallows all life

No syllable is left to tell us what Amasiah did to win this praise Probably the words enshrine some now forgotten memory of his cheerful courage some heroic feat on an unrecorded battlefield Particulars are not given nor needed Specific actions are unimportant the spirit of a life can be told with very incomplete details and it not the details is the important thing Sometimes as in many modern biographies one lsquocannot see the wood for the treesrsquo and misses the main drift and aim of a life in the chaos of a bewildering mass of nothings How much more happy the lot of this man of whom we have only the generalised expression of the text unweighted and undisturbed by petty incidents It takes tons of rose leaves to make a tiny phial of otto of roses but the fragrance is far more pungent in a drop of the distillation than in armfuls of leaves Every life shrinks into very small compass and the centuries do not tolerate long biographies Shall we not seek to order our life so that Amasiahrsquos epitaph may serve for us It will be blessed if this-and nothing else-is known about us that we lsquowillingly offered ourselves to the Lordrsquo My friend will that be a true epitome of your life

III This willing offering is accepted by God

We may hear a mightier voice behind the chroniclerrsquo s and the judgment of the Judge of all pronounced by His lips It matters little what men say of one another but it matters everything what God says of us We are but too apt to forget that He is now saying something as to each of us and that we have not to wait for death to put a final period to our activities before our lives become fit subjects for Godrsquos judgment Moment by moment we are writing our own sentences But while it is good for us to remember the continuous judgment of God on each deed it is not good to let dark thoughts of the principles of that judgment paralyse our activity or chill our confidence in His forgiving and accepting mercy There is often a dark suspicion like that of the one-talented

servant which blackens Godrsquos fair fame as being lsquoan austere Manrsquo making demands rather than imparting power and the effect of such an ugly conception of Him is to cut the nerve of service and bury the talent carefully folded up it may be but none the less earning nothing lsquoIf we call on Him as Father who without respect of persons judgeth according to every manrsquos workrsquo let us be sure that it will be a Fatherly judgment that He will pass upon us and our offerings There is a wonderful collection on His altar of what many people would think rubbish just as many a mother has laid away among her treasures some worthless article which her child had once given her-a weed plucked by the roadside in a long past summer day some trifle of rare preciousness in the childrsquos eyes and of none in any others than her own She opens her drawer and brings out the poor little thing and her eyes fill and her heart fills as she looks And does not God keep His childrenrsquos gifts as lovingly and set them in places of honour in the day when He lsquomakes up His jewelsrsquo There are cups of cold water and widowsrsquo mites and much else that a supercilious world would call lsquotrashrsquo stored there Thank God He accepts imperfect service faltering faith partial consecration a little love Even our poor offering may be an lsquoodour of a sweet smellrsquo ministering fragrance that is a delight to Him if it is offered with the much incense of the great Sacrifice and through the mediation of the great High Priest

The world forgot Amasiah or never knew him an obscure soldier in an obscure kingdom but God did not forget and here is his epitaph and this is his memorial to all generations Menrsquos chronicles have no room for all the names that their wearers are eager to have inscribed on their crumbling and crowded pages lsquobut the Lambrsquos Book of Lifersquo has ample space on its radiant pages for all who desire to set their names there and if ours are there we need not envy the proudest whose titles and deeds fill the most conspicuous pages in the worldrsquos records lsquoThen shall every man have praise of Christrsquo and he who wins that guerdon needs nothing more and can have nothing more to swell his blessedness

17 From BenjaminEliada a valiant soldier with 200000 men armed with bows and shields

GILL And of Benjamin Eliada a mighty man of valour Was the chief commander

and with armed men with bow and shield two hundred thousand which were

the armour of the tribe of Benjamin they were best skilled in 2Ch_148

TRAPP 2 Chronicles 1717 And of Benjamin Eliada a mighty man of valour and with him armed men with bow and shield two hundred thousand

Ver 17 With bow and shield] The Benjamites were notable bowmen [1 Chronicles 122] The Engish were anciently so too

ELLICOTT (17) Armed men with bow and shieldmdashLiterally drawing bow and shield ie as the Targum explains ldquodrawing bow and grasping shieldsrdquo (Comp 1 Chronicles 122) LXX ldquoArchers and peltastsrdquo Vulg ldquoGrasping bow and shieldrdquo (Comp also 1 Chronicles 840 for the arms of the Benjaminites)

18 next Jehozabad with 180000 men armed for battle

GILL And next to him was Jehozabad According to the Targum he encamped next him

and with him one hundred and fourscore thousand ready prepared for war being able bodied men well disciplined valiant and well armed these numbers of Judah and Benjamin put together amount to 1160000 men whereas Asa only brought into the field 580000 but it should be considered there had been a long time of peace many had come off from the ten tribes to Judah and the promise of multiplying the seed of Abraham was eminently fulfilled

TRAPP 2 Chronicles 1718 And next him [was] Jehozabad and with him an hundred and fourscore thousand ready prepared for the war

Ver 18 A hundred and fourscore thousand] His militia was eleven hundred and threescore thousand besides what he had in garrisons [2 Chronicles 1719] So that as he was better he was stronger than his father Asa had been Piety hath prosperity

ELLICOTT (18) Ready prepared for the warmdashEquipped for service (See on 1

Chronicles 1223-24 umbers 315 umbers 3229) The hoplites or heavy-armed infantry are probably meant

PULPIT While Eliada of last verse was for Benjamin Professor Dr Murphy supposes that Jehozabad was for the annexed part of Ephraim But no suppositions of this kind can avail to explain the numbers in the text which is no doubt corrupt

19 These were the men who served the king besides those he stationed in the fortified cities throughout Judah

CLARKE These waited on the king - They were disposable forces always at the kingrsquos command and were independent of those by which the cities of Judah were garrisoned

There is not a sovereign in Europe or in the world but might read this chapter with advantage

1 It shows most forcibly that true religion is the basis of the state and that wherever it prospers there the state prospers

2 It shows also that it is the wisdom of kings to encourage religion with all their power and influence for if the hearts of the subjects be not bound and influenced by true religion vain is the application of laws fines imprisonments or corporal punishment of any kind

3 A religious nation is ever a great nation it is loved by its friends it is dreaded by its enemies

4 It is ever a peaceable and united nation the blessings of religion and a wholesome and paternal government are so fully felt and prized that all find it their interest to preserve and defend them Harmony peace piety and strength are the stability of such times May Britain know and value them

GILL These waited on the king Not this vast number of men at one time but in course as Davids military men waited on him 1Ch_271 or each of these captains with a proper number of men under them detached from the body and they were all ready to obey the kings orders whenever he should have occasion for them

besides those whom the king put into the fenced cities throughout Judah and all together the militia of the kingdom was very numerous and formidable

KampD 2Ch_1719

These were serving the king א6ה refers not to the above-mentioned men capable of

bearing arms for sheereet is not used of service in war but to the commanders whom he had placed in the fortified cities of all Judah ldquoin which probably bodies of the above-mentioned troops lay as garrisonsrdquo (Berth)

BESO 2 Chronicles 1719 These waited on the king mdash These above-mentioned were the trained bands or auxiliaries whose chief officers waited on the king to receive his commands and to raise and bring in all or part of their forces to the service of the king as need required A vast number for so small a compass of ground to furnish out and maintain But we may consider that God had promised to make the seed of Abraham like the sand of the sea for number that there had now been a long peace that many were come to them from the kingdom of Israel and that Jehoshaphat was under a special blessing of God They were doubtless dispersed all the country over every one residing on his own land only they were ready at call whenever there was occasion

TRAPP 2 Chronicles 1719 These waited on the king beside [those] whom the king put in the fenced cities throughout all Judah

Ver 19 These waited on the king] ie In their turns and by course

POOLE These above mentioned were the trained bands or auxiliaries whose chief officers waited upon the king to receive his commands and to raise and bring in all or part of their forces to the service of the king and kingdom as need required

ELLICOTT (19) These waited on the kingmdashRather these are they that ministered unto the king viz the five generals above named

Beside those whom the king put in the fenced citiesmdashie the commandants of the fortresses of the kingdom (2 Chronicles 1111 2 Chronicles 1123) These latter as well as the generals of the forces are called the kingrsquos ldquoministersrdquo (mĕshacircrĕthicircm)mdasha word which is not used of service in the field but implies their presence at court (ldquoin Jerusalemrdquo 2 Chronicles 1713 as the royal staff)

According to the above list the army of Jehoshaphat was organised in five grand divisions corresponding perhaps to five territorial divisions of the southern kingdom The totals are the largest assigned to the two tribes anywhere in the Old Testament viz Judah 780000 and Benjamin 380000 in all 1160000 At Davidrsquos census Judah had 500000 warriors (2 Samuel 249) and Israel 800000 Again in 2

Chronicles 148 Asarsquos army consists of 300000 men of Judah and 280000 Benjaminites clearly such an increase as our text indicates is unaccountable At the same time it is equally clear that the present numbers are not fortuitous results of clerical errors for they follow each other in the order of relative strength Judah 300000 280000 200000 Benjamin 200000 180000 and they are evidently not independent of the estimates of 2 Chronicles 148 above quoted

In the absence of adequate data for modifying these certainly startling figures it is well to bear in mind that we need not understand by them an army which ever actually mustered in the field or on parade but simply an estimate of the total male population liable to be called out for the national defence although even upon that understanding the total appears to be at least three times too great considering the small extent of the country

PULPIT These waited Hebrew המשרתים plur piel part of שרת The verse states that this enormous fivefold army with its five princes (counting in our corrupt text one million one hundred and sixty thousand) was the kings Jerusalem standing army while other separate regiments or bands of troops were spread through all Judah where they might be most needed for defence

JAMISO and not after the doings of Israelmdash He observed with scrupulous fidelity and employed his royal influence to support the divine institutions as enacted by Moses abhorring that spurious and unlawful calf-worship that now formed the established religion in Israel Being thus far removed alike from gross idolatry and Israelitish apostasy and adhering zealously to the requirements of the divine law the blessing of God rested on his government Ruling in the fear of God and for the good of his subjects ldquothe Lord established the kingdom in his handrdquo

COFFMA So far so good Jehoshaphat like some others of the kings of Judah began very well receiving as their reward the blessing of the Lord and the prosperity of the people but his alliance with Ahab (described in 2 Chronicles 18) would cast a dark shadow over what is written here

(He) walked not after the doings of Israel (2 Chronicles 174) The contempt in which the author of Chronicles held the orthern Israel appears in a clause like this The outstanding feature of Chronicles is the omission wherever possible of practically the entire history of their kings This reminds us of the Book of umbers in which the whole history of the apostate Israel records only a few events for the whole period Why It was because of the fact that what any nation does after they have rejected God is of minor importance

With the apostasy of the orthern Israel and their rejection of Gods choice of the house of David the history of the redemption of mankind dramatically shifted to what happened in Jerusalem

TRAPP 2 Chronicles 174 But sought to the [LORD] God of his father and walked in his commandments and not after the doings of Israel

Ver 4 And not after the doings of Israel] Who in his days did evil as they could under that nonsuch Ahab But Jehoshaphat was not corrupted with their ill neighbourhood

PARKER But sought to the Lord God of his father and walked in his commandments and not after the doings of Israel ( 2 Chronicles 174)

We must be prepared for singularity if we are genuinely prepared to be good Let a man settle it with himself in prayerful solitude whether he means to walk with God or to identify himself with the spirit and customs of his age Jehoshaphat laid down a clear programme for himself and followed it out with patient and faithful industry The Lord God of his father was not a mere term in a crowd it was the object of daily search and quest Jehoshaphat inquired for him and operated constantly upon the doctrine Ask and it shall be given you knock and it shall be opened unto you or was Jehoshaphats religion merely speculative that is to say an intellectual quest after an intellectual God whatever was speculative in the mind and service of Jehoshaphat was sustained and ennobled by a solid moral element

forasmuch as Jehoshaphat walked in Gods commandmentsmdashhe read the decalogue he studied Gods word he would take no action personal regal or social that was not first examined and approved in the light of the divine statutes All this might have been comparatively easy if Jehoshaphat had started at an independent point but at such a point no man can start for he must take up the age as he finds it and must first disembarrass himself from all the stipulations and claims of custom usage and popular superstition Jehoshaphat sought not after the doings of Israel he set himself up in this respect against the kingdom he was not afraid of peculiarity in a word Jehoshaphats religion was characteristic that is to say it had lines points and colours of its own about which there could be no reasonable mistake What is our religion Do we intellectually assent to the existence and sovereignty of one God and then degenerate into self-worship Do we admit that there must be an ultimate morality a philosophy of conduct founded upon eternal metaphysics and then do we measure our own behaviour by the canon of custom These are questions that search the heart and no man can answer them for his brother

What became of all this noble conduct arising out of this high religious conception We shall see in the following versemdash

PULPIT After the doings of Israel This expression probably marks the doings of the northern kingdom as both the more typical throughout its whole history of the wrong and also as the systematic beginning by a law of idolatrous worship and images in the matter of the calves and so on

5 The Lord established the kingdom under his control and all Judah brought gifts to Jehoshaphat so that he had great wealth and honor

BARES Presents - i e ldquofree-will offeringsrdquo in addition to the regular taxes See 1Sa_1027

GILL Therefore the Lord stablished the kingdom in his hand Piety is the

best prop of government the throne is best supported and established by truth righteousness and mercy by the exercise of these Jehoshaphat was settled in his kingdom and had a place in the hearts of his people

and all Judah brought to Jehoshaphat presents being well affected to him as well as it was usual so to do at a princes accession to the throne see 1Sa_1027

and he had riches and honour in abundance through the presents his subjects brought him and the respect they showed him

JAMISO all Judah brought presentsmdash This was customary with the people generally at the beginning of a reign (1Sa_1027) and with the nobles and high functionaries yearly afterwards They were given in the form of voluntary offerings to avoid the odious idea of a tax or tribute

KampD Therefore Jahve established the kingdom in his hand ie under his rule cf

2Ki_145 All Judah brought him presents מנחה often used of tribute of subject peoples

eg in 2Ch_1711 of the Philistines cannot here have that signification nor can it denote

the regular imposts of subjects for these are not called מנחה but must denote voluntary

gifts which his subjects brought him as a token of their reverence and love The last clause ldquoand there was to him (he attained) riches and honour in abundancerdquo which is repeated 2Ch_181 recalls 1Ch_2928 2Ch_112 and signifies that Jehoshaphat like his ancestors David and Solomon was blessed for walking in the pious ways of these his forefathers

BESO 2 Chronicles 175-6 Therefore the Lord established the kingdom in his hand mdash Those stand firm that have the presence of God with them If the beauty of the Lord our God be upon us that will stablish the work of our hands and establish us in our integrity And all Judah brought to Jehoshaphat presents mdash As subjects in those times and places used to do to their kings in token of their respect and subjection to them The more there is of true religion among a people the more conscientious loyalty there will be A governor that answers the end of government will be supported And he had riches and honour in abundance mdash The effect of the favour both of God and his people It is undoubtedly true though few will believe it that religion and piety are the best friends to outward prosperity And his heart was lift up in the ways of the Lord mdash Riches and honour in abundance prove to many a clog and a hinderance in the ways of the Lord an occasion of pride security and sensuality but they had a quite contrary effect upon Jehoshaphat his abundance was oil to the wheels of his obedience and the more he had of the wealth of this world the more cheerfully and resolutely he went on in the ways of the Lord His heart also was lifted up above all discouragements difficulties and fears by which menrsquos hearts are wont to be cast down He was valiant and resolute for God and his ways He took away the high places and groves mdash That is those in which idols were worshipped for those that were dedicated to the true God only were not taken away chap 2 Chronicles 2033 And though Asa had done the same before yet

either he did not do it thoroughly or the people who were mad upon their idols had secretly made new ones in the latter part of his reign when he grew more infirm in body and more remiss in Godrsquos cause

TRAPP 2 Chronicles 175 Therefore the LORD stablished the kingdom in his hand and all Judah brought to Jehoshaphat presents and he had riches and honour in abundance

Ver 5 And he had riches and honour in abundance] Herein he came near unto Solomon in his greatest flourish

ELLICOTT (5) ThereforemdashAnd (so ldquoalsordquo ldquoso thatrdquo in 2 Chronicles 177 2 Chronicles 1710)

The Lord stablished the kingdom in his handmdashComp 2 Kings 145

PresentsmdashMinchah This word often means tributary offerings as in 2 Chronicles 1711 but here it obviously denotes the voluntary gifts of loyal subjects usual at the beginning of a reign (1 Samuel 1027)

And he had (or got) riches and honour in abundancemdashLike David and Solomon (1 Chronicles 2928 2 Chronicles 112)

PARKER 5-9 5 Therefore the Lord stablished the kingdom in his hand [comp 2 Kings 145] and all Judah brought to Jehoshaphat presents [this word often means tributary offerings but here it denotes the voluntary gifts of loyal subjects] and he had riches and honour in abundance

6 And his heart was lifted up [usually the phrase has a bad meaning (as in Deuteronomy 814 2 Chronicles 2616 Psalm 1311 etc) but it is evident that it must be taken differently here The marginal reading is right his courage rose high or he grew bold] in the ways of the Lord moreover he took away the high places and groves out of Judah

7 Also in the third year of his reign he sent to his princes [rather he sent his princes] even to Ben-hail and to Obadiah and to Zechariah and to ethaneel and to Michaiah to teach in the cities of Judah

8 And with them he sent [rather were the] Levites even Shemaiah and ethaniah and Zebadiah and Asahel and Shemiramoth and Jehonathan and Adonijah and Tobijah and Tobadonijah Levites and with them Elishama and Jehoram priests

9 And they taught in Judah and had the book of the law of the Lord [the Pentateuchmdashnearly if not quite in the shape in which we now have it] with them and went about throughout all the cities of Judah and taught [among] the people

PARKER Therefore the Lord stablished the kingdom in his hand and all Judah brought to Jehoshaphat presents and he had riches and honour in abundance ( 2 Chronicles 175)

Whatever was doubtful about the ascent of Jehoshaphat to the throne was removed and the king was enabled to realise his power when he closed his hand upon the royal sceptre he found that he was not grasping a shadow but a reality There are times when men become fully conscious of their influence and of their proper social position happy are they if in this consciousness they detect a prevailingly religious element which constrains them to acknowledge that honour and wealth power and dignity are the gifts of God Is not this an anticipation of the Saviours great doctrinemdashSeek ye first the kingdom of God and his righteousness and all these things shall be added unto you Jehoshaphat did not seek riches and honour he sought to the Lord God of his father and walked in the divine commandments and as a result he enjoyed all that kings delight in as indicating strength and pomp renown and influence

GUZIK 2 (2 Chronicles 175-6) The blessing upon his reign

Therefore the LORD established the kingdom in his hand and all Judah gave presents to Jehoshaphat and he had riches and honor in abundance And his heart took delight in the ways of the LORD moreover he removed the high places and wooden images from Judah

a Therefore the LORD established the kingdom in his hand This was no small accomplishment In those days kings and kingdoms were fragile and under constant threat Yet if the descendants of David would seek God first He promised to take care of their security ndash and God makes the same promise to His people today (Matthew 633)

b All Judah gave presents to Jehoshaphat and he had riches and honor in abundance Because Jehoshaphat trusted God God lifted him up and exalted him as a king As his heart took delight in the ways of the LORD the LORD gave him the desires of his heart (Psalms 374)

c Moreover he removed the high places and wooden images from Judah 1 Kings 2243 says that Jehoshaphat did not remove the high places Adam Clarke explains ldquoIn 2 Chronicles 176 it is expressly said that he did take way the high places Allowing that the text is right in 2 Chronicles the two places may be easily recognized There were two kinds of high places in the land 1 Those used for idolatrous purposes 2 Those that were consecrated to God and were used before the temple was built The former he did take away the latter he did notrdquo

i ldquoThey may also witness to the deep hold of the Canaanite and syncretic forms of religion on ordinary Israelites Popular views and practices are often quite different from pronouncements by religious authoritiesrdquo (Selman)

PULPIT All Judah brought presents to Jehoshaphat These presents were of course voluntary gifts though like not a few others custom may have taken off from them something of the bloom of spontaneousness (1 Samuel 1027 2 Samuel 82 1 Kings 421 1 Kings 1025 Psalms 7210)

6 His heart was devoted to the ways of the Lord furthermore he removed the high places and the Asherah poles from Judah

BARES His heart was lifted up - This expression generally occurs in a bad sense Deu_814 2Ch_2616 Psa_1311 Pro_1812 but here it must be taken differently The margin ldquowas encouragedrdquo expresses fairly the true meaning He first began by setting an example of faithfulness to Yahweh He then proceeded to use his best endeavors to extirpate idolatry

He took away the high places - Compare 2Ch_2033 and see the 2Ch_1517 note

GILL And his heart was lifted up in the ways of the Lord It was engaged in them was bent and set upon them he walked in them with great pleasure and cheerfulness being inspired with zeal and courage he was fearless and intrepid and regarded not any opposition he might have or expect to have in the work of reformation in which he was concerned

moreover he took away the high places such as were dedicated to idols but not those in which the true God was worshipped 2Ch_2033

and groves out of Judah where idols were placed for though these had been removed by Asa yet had been renewed in the latter part of his days when more negligent of religion

HERY 2 He was a despised man (Job_176) ldquoHerdquo (that is Eliphaz so some or rather God whom he all along acknowledges to be the author of his calamities) ldquohas made me a byword of the people the talk of the country a laughing-stock to many a gazing-stock to all and aforetime (or to mens faces publicly) I was as a tabret that whoever chose might play uponrdquo They made ballads of him his name became a proverb it is so still As poor as Job ldquoHe has now made me a bywordrdquo a reproach of men whereas aforetime in my prosperity I was as a tabret deliciae humani generis -

the darling of the human race whom they were all pleased with It is common for those who were honoured in their wealth to be despised in their poverty

JAMISO his heart was lifted up in the ways of the Lordmdash Full of faith and piety he possessed zeal and courage to undertake the reformation of manners to suppress all the works and objects of idolatry (see on 2Ch_2033) and he held out public encouragement to the pure worship of God

KampD This blessing encouraged Jehoshaphat to extirpate from the land all

idolatrous worship and to teach the people the law of the Lord לב usually sensu ב

malo to be haughty proud cf eg 2Ch_2616 2Ch_3225 here sensu bono of rising

courage to advance in ways pleasing to God and he removed the high places also etc עודpoints back to 2Ch_173 not only did he himself keep far from the Baals but he

removed besides all memorials of the Baal-worship from Judah On מות and אשרים see

on 2Ch_142

COKE 2 Chronicles 176 And his heart was lifted upmdash And when he had elevated his mind in following the commandments of God he took yet from Judah high places and groves ie he destroyed yet other monuments of idolatry which had escaped the diligence of his father Asa though he took not away those high places and altars which had been erected in Jerusalem for the true God See 1 Kings 2243 and ch 1 Kings 2033 of this book

TRAPP 2 Chronicles 176 And his heart was lifted up in the ways of the LORD moreover he took away the high places and groves out of Judah

Ver 6 And his heart was lifted up] ot with pride as 2 Chronicles 3225 but with undaunted courage and disengaged zeal such as made him come off roundly and readily in the ensuing reformation he was more forward and forth putting than his father Asa not slothful in business but fervent in spirit serving the Lord

POOLE His heart was lifted up above all discouragements and difficulties and fears by which menrsquos hearts use to be cast down he was valiant and resolute for God and his ways

He took away the high places and groves to wit such only wherein idols were worshipped as appears by comparing this with 2 Chronicles 2033 And though Asa had done this before yet either he did not do it thoroughly or the Jews (who were many of them mad upon their idols) had secretly made new ones in the latter part of his reign when he grew more infirm in body and more remiss in Godrsquos cause

WHEDO 6 His heart was lifted up mdash That is exalted with holy faith and courage

Took away the high places mdash Yet in spite of all his efforts and successes in this matter the people had become so addicted to these practices that their destruction was not thoroughly secured See note on 2 Chronicles 143 and compare 2 Chronicles 2033

ELLICOTT (6) And his heart was lifted upmdashGabhah lccedilbh which usually like the phrase of Authorised version has a bad meaning as in 2 Chronicles 2616 The margin is right here ldquohis courage rose highrdquo or ldquohe grew boldrdquo in the ways of Jehovah ie in the path of religious reform Vulg ldquocum sumpsisset cor ejus audaciam propter vias Dominirdquo

MoreovermdashAnd again further Referring to 2 Chronicles 173 ot only did he not seek the Baals but more than this he removed the high places ampc [This is the common explanation But the sense may rather be ldquoAnd he again removedrdquo referring back to Asarsquos reforms 2 Chronicles 145]

GrovesmdashrsquoAshecircrim ldquoAsherahsrdquo (2 Chronicles 143)

PARKER And his heart was lifted up in the ways of the Lord moreover he took away the high places and groves out of Judah ( 2 Chronicles 176)

The expression his heart was lifted up is an awkward one The lifting up of the heart signifies increase of pride a sensation of vanity a desire to gratify personal ambition and to make an idol of his will In this instance the marginal reading is to be preferredmdashwas encouraged or otherwise his courage rose high and again it has been rendered Jehoshaphat grew bold that is to say he was not a timid reformer or a timid worshipper a trimmer or a time-server in any sense he was a heroic worshipper of the living God when he saw that reform was necessary he went forward with a steady step and an energetic hand We should call Jehoshaphat a man of conviction and a man who had the courage of his convictions altogether this is the outline of a noble personage a born king a man who has a right to the purple and the sceptre When such men ascend thrones nations should be glad and rejoice with a great joy for their character is grander than their office and their spirit is the best guarantee of the elevation and utility of their regal policy Becoming conscious of his power knowing that his kingdom was established from on high Jehoshaphat not only did pot seek the Baals himself but he took away the high places and groves out of Judah Jehoshaphat was not content with a merely personal religion he could not convert the hearts of his people but he could destroy all the symbols of unholy worship Men are only required to do that which lies within their power A proprietor may not be able to make people sober but he can forbid the introduction of temptations to drunkenness a parent may not be able to subdue the spirit of pride but he can in many instances limit the means of gratifying it There are reforms which are open to us all in personal custom in social habit it may be even in imperial ways let each Jehoshaphat seize his opportunity and magnify it

All this would have been comparatively in vain but for another step which

Jehoshaphat took In the third year of his reign he sent to his princesmdashthat is to say he sent his princesmdashand he sent Levites all of whose names are given and he sent also two priests Elishama and Jehoram and their business was purely educational

PULPIT And his heart was lifted up in the ways of the Lord Although the verb often carries a bad sense with it it quite as often carries with it a good one in the גבהOld Testament and the typical instance of the former (Psalms 1311) is fully counterbalanced by Isaiah 5213 The marginal was enencouraged may be superseded with advantage by took courage (Isaiah 4029-31) The groves Supersede this incorrect rendering by the Asherim and upon the seeming discrepancy see again Isaiah 151-9 17 and Introduction to Chronicles there quoted

7 In the third year of his reign he sent his officials Ben-Hail Obadiah Zechariah ethanel and Micaiah to teach in the towns of Judah

BARES The princes were not sent as teachers themselves but had the duty committed to them of seeing that the people were taught The actual teachers were the priests and Levites of 2Ch_178

CLARKE 7-9 To teach in the cities of Judah - ldquoTo teach the fear of the Lord in the cities of Judahrdquo - Targum

In these verses we find a remarkable account of an itinerant ministry established by Jehoshaphat and in this work he employed three classes of men

1 The princes

2 The Levites

3 The priests

We may presume that the princes instructed the people in the nature of the civil law and constitution of the kingdom the Levites instructed them in every thing that appertained to the temple service and ritual law and the priests instructed them in the

nature and design of the religion they professed Thus the nation became thoroughly instructed in their duty to God to the king and to each other They became therefore as one man and against a people thus united on such principles no enemy could be successful

GILL Also in the third year of his reign he sent to his princes That dwelt in the several parts of the kingdom or he sent them being with him some of the

principal men of his court for ל may be a sign of the accusative case as it sometimes is

even to Benhail and to Obadiah and to Zechariah and to Nethaneel and to Michaiah to teach in the cities of Judah to see that they were taught and oblige them to attend to the instructions that should be given them and not mutiny and rebel against their teachers and to let them know what was the kings pleasure on this head and to back with their authority the priests and Levites whose proper work it was to instruct and who therefore were sent with them as follows

JAMISO 7-11 2Ch_177-11 He sends Levites to teach in Judah

Also in the third year of his reign he sent to his princes to teach in the cities of Judahmdash The ordinary work of teaching devolved on the priests But extraordinary commissioners were appointed probably to ascertain whether the work had been done or neglected This deputation of five princes assisted by two priests and nine Levites was to make a circuit of the towns in Judah It is the first practical measure we read of as being adopted by any of the kings for the religious instruction of the people Time and unbroken opportunities were afforded for carrying out fully this excellent plan of home education for the kingdom enjoyed internal tranquillity as well as freedom for foreign wars It is conformable to the pious style of the sacred historian to trace this profound peace to the ldquofear of the Lord having fallen on all kingdoms of the lands that were round about Judahrdquo

BESO 2 Chronicles 177 He sent to his princes mdash to teach in the cities of Judah mdash To inform the people of their duty and of the kingrsquos pleasure As judges teach or instruct the people in the laws of the land when they deliver their charges upon the bench so did these princes in the kingrsquos name admonish and require the people to observe and obey the laws of God which were the municipal laws of that land the particular explication and enforcement whereof they left to the Levites and priests here following who were sent for this end and accordingly taught the people 2 Chronicles 179

COFFMA Because of the clause which we have capitalized this is one of the most important passages in Chronicles Right here is the reason radical critics have extended themselves so unreasonably in their efforts to discredit Chronicles Here is dependable historical proof of the continued existence of the Torah from the days of Moses throughout the history of Israel As Keil stated it The book of the law of Jehovah is the Pentateuch not merely a collection of Mosaic laws since in Jehoshaphats time the Mosaic Book of the Law (the Pentateuch) had been long in existence[1] We shall not take the space to repeat the vociferous denials of critics

except to cite one knee-jerk remark that characterizes all of them Such action was not taken in Jehoshaphats time[2] What is the basis of such a blatant denial of what Gods Word states as a fact even giving the very names of the royal princes who did the teaching THERE IS OE o matter what unbelievers say this chapter IS the historical record of what happened in the reign of Jehoshaphat and those who live two and one half millenniums afterward have nothing of value by which they may challenge it Then why do men deny it The false theories they have invented are here contradicted forcing them either to give up their false theories or to deny the Sacred Scriptures that contradict them

COKE 2 Chronicles 177 He sent to his princes even to Ben-hail ampcmdash He sent of his princes Ben-hail Obadiah ampc The proper business of these princes in their circuit round the kingdom says Bishop Patrick was to admonish and require the people to observe the laws of God and to leave the particular explication and enforcement of them to those of the sacred order who went with them supporting them in the execution of their office and obliging the people to receive them with respect to hear them with attention and to practise what they taught

TRAPP 2 Chronicles 177 Also in the third year of his reign he sent to his princes [even] to Benhail and to Obadiah and to Zechariah and to ethaneel and to Michaiah to teach in the cities of Judah

Ver 7 He sent to his princes to teach in the cities of Judah] Teaching princes there are not many such as were David Solomon George prince of Anhalt ampc but these were sent with the teaching Levites to countenance and bear them out in this visitation general and perhaps to punish the opposite and obstinate if any such Junius readeth the text thus He sent with his princes these Levites for the teaching Or the princes taught the people the law of the land the priests and Levites the law of God both did mutually help one another So a Danish king of this land made a law that at the general court of every shire the bishop of the diocese should accompany the sheriff that the one might countenance Godrsquos law the other manrsquos (a) Queen Elizabeth once in her progress through Suffolk observing that the justices of that county who came to meet her had every man his minister next to his body said she wondered not that that county was so well governed where she saw that the word and sword went so lovingly together (b)

POOLE To teach in the cities of Judah to inform the people of their duty and of the kingrsquos pleasure As judges or justices of peace teach or instruct the people in the laws of the land when they deliver their charges upon the bench so did these princes in the kingrsquos name admonish and require the people to observe and obey the laws of God which were the prinicipal laws of that land the particular explication and enforcement whereof they left to the Levites and priests here following who were sent for this end and accordingly taught the people 2 Chronicles 179

WHEDO 7 He sent to his princeshellip to teach mdash He committed the matter of

teaching to their oversight and care and the teaching was done by the Levites and priests as stated in the next verse He did well to put down idolatry but he was wise enough to know that unless the people were instructed they would soon apostatize again

ELLICOTT THE COMMISSIOERS OF PUBLIC ISTRUCTIO I THE LAW

(7) He sent to his princes even to Ben-hail to MichaiahmdashRather He sent his princes Ben- hail and Obadiah and Michaiah (The le ldquotordquo in the chroniclerrsquos idiom marking the object of the verb) If however Authorised Version were correct the construction would not be unique as the Speakerrsquos Com mentary asserts (Comp 2 Kings 57 ldquothis man sendeth to me to recover a manrdquo ampc)

Princesmdashone of the personages mentioned in this and the following verse are otherwise known The ldquofive princesrdquo were laymen of rank and were accompanied by nine (eight) Levites and two priests

Ben-hailmdashSon of valour A compound proper name only occurring here but analogous to Ben-hur Ben-deker and Ben-hesed in 1 Kings 48-10 (The LXX renders ldquothe sons of the mightyrdquo Syriac ldquothe chiefs of the forcesrdquo apparently reading bnecirc chail)

ethaneelmdashSyriac Mattanael Arabic Mattaniah Michaiah Syriac and Arabic Malachiah

GUZIK B The strength of Jehoshaphatrsquos kingdom

1 (2 Chronicles 177-10) The spiritual strength of the kingdom Jehoshaphat brings the Word of God to the people

Also in the third year of his reign he sent his leaders Ben-Hail Obadiah Zechariah ethanel and Michaiah to teach in the cities of Judah And with them he sent Levites Shemaiah ethaniah Zebadiah Asahel Shemiramoth Jehonathan Adonijah Tobijah and Tobadonijah the Levites and with them Elishama and Jehoram the priests So they taught in Judah and had the Book of the Law of the LORD with them they went throughout all the cities of Judah and taught the people And the fear of the LORD fell on all the kingdoms of the lands that were around Judah so that they did not make war against Jehoshaphat

a To teach in the cities of Judah These ldquoteaching priestsrdquo have been mentioned by the Chronicler before (2 Chronicles 153) They had the important role of bringing the word of God to the people especially those who lived outside of Jerusalem

b They taught in Judah and had the Book of the Law of the LORD with them they went throughout all the cities of Judah and taught the people This was the wisest

and best policy a security-conscious king of Judah could promote Because Jehoshaphat sought God first God sent fear upon the neighboring kingdoms so that they did not make war against Jehoshaphat

i ldquoBy this little band of princes Levites and priests sixteen in all Jehoshaphat did more toward impressing the surrounding nations with a sense of his power than the largest and best-equipped standing army could have secured to himrdquo (Knapp)

ii ldquoThe method adopted was what in these modern times we might describe as the holding of Special Missions throughout the cities of Judah for the specific purpose of proclaiming and interpreting lsquothe book of the law of Jehovahrsquordquo (Morgan)

iii ldquoo better service can be rendered to the nation than that of proclaiming the Word of Jehovah to the people in cities towns villages and hamlets By such proclamation the heart of the people may be turned to Jehovah and so He be enabled to do for them all that is in His heartrdquo (Morgan)

iv ldquoThus the nation became thoroughly instructed in their duty to God to the king and to each other They became therefore as one man and against a people thus united on such principles no enemy could be successfulrdquo (Clarke)

v Clarke observed how a similar itinerant ministry in the days of John Wesley and his followers impacted Britain ldquoSuch an itinerant ministry established in these kingdoms for upwards of fourscore years teaching the pure unadulterated doctrines of the Gospel with the propriety and necessity of obedience to the laws has been the principle means in the hand of God of preserving the lands from those convulsions and revolutions that have ruined and nearly dissolved the European continentrdquo

vi ldquoIt is said (2 Chronicles 172) Jehoshaphat place forces in all the fenced cities yet it is not said thereupon that lsquothe fear of the Lord fell upon the neighbour nationsrsquo But when he had established a preaching ministry in all the cities then his enemies had a fear and made no warrdquo (Trapp)

PULPIT He sent Hebrew שלח The Hebrew text distinctly says he sent to his princes not he sent his princes The meaning ismdashhe sent orders to his princes to see to it that Judah was taught (2 Chronicles 179) the book of the Law of the Lord (Le 2 Chronicles 1011 Deuteronomy 49 Deuteronomy 1718) not indeed without their own personal aid in whatever way able to be given but systematically and with authority by the Levites and priests (Deuteronomy 3310) This deeper fathoming of the needs of the time and of what constituted its real safety was greatly to the spiritual credit of Jehoshaphat The references (2 Chronicles 153 2 Chronicles 352-4 2 Chronicles 3510-12) are full of point one of these princes or Levites and priests are elsewhere mentioned by name

8 With them were certain LevitesmdashShemaiah ethaniah Zebadiah Asahel Shemiramoth Jehonathan Adonijah Tobijah and Tob-Adonijahmdashand the priests Elishama and Jehoram

GILL 2 Chronicles 178And with them he sent Levites With the five princes he sent nine Levites

even Shemaiah and Nethaniah and Zebadiah and Asahel and Shemiramoth and Jehonathan and Adonijah and Tobijah and Tobadonijah Levites of whom we nowhere else read no doubt they were principal persons and fit for the work they were sent about

and with them Elishama and Jehoram priests whose lips were to keep knowledge and at whose mouth the law was to be sought Mal_27

ELLICOTT (8) And with them he sent LevitesmdashRather And with them were the Levites The construction being changed So LXX and the Syriac (Comp 1 Chronicles 1641-42 1 Chronicles 1518 for the same mode of enumeration which is characteristic of the style of the chronicler

ZebadiahmdashSome MSS and Syriac and Arabic read Zechariah

ShemiramothmdashSo LXX and Vulg (see 1 Chronicles 165 1 Chronicles 1518) The Heb text is probably incorrect Syriac and Arabic read instead atucircra

Tob-adonijahmdashThis curious name occurs only here and is perhaps a mere mistake arising out of the preceding Adonijah and Tobijah The Syriac and Arabic omit it

PriestsmdashThe priests

The commission was a mixed one of civil and ecclesiastical persons (comp 1 Chronicles 131-2 1 Chronicles 232 1 Chronicles 246)

And had the book of the law of the LordmdashAnd with them was the book of the law (teaching) of Jehovah For the construction compare 1 Chronicles 1642 The writer

evidently means the Pentateuch and if this notice was derived by him from a contemporary source eg the ldquowords of Jehu the son of Hananirdquo to which he refers as an authority for the reign (2 Chronicles 2034) it would constitute an important testimony to the existence if not of the five books at least of an ancient collection of laws at this early date (circ 850 BC )

And taught the peoplemdashTaught among the people

9 They taught throughout Judah taking with them the Book of the Law of the Lord they went around to all the towns of Judah and taught the people

BARES There is no reasonable doubt that this ldquobook of the lawrdquo was the Pentateuch - nearly if not quite in the shape in which we now have it Copies of the whole Law were no doubt scarce and therefore Jehoshaphatrsquos commission took care to carry a copy with them

CLARKE Had the book of the law of the Lord with them - This was their text book it was the book of God they taught it as such and as such the people received it Its laws were Godrsquos laws and the people felt their obligation and their consciences were bound Thus they were obedient to the laws of the land on the principle of religion In this they were encouraged and confirmed by the example of all both in Church and state The princes were not only pious but were teachers of piety the Levites showed them the worth and excellence of their ritual institutions and the priests showed them the moral use they were to make of the whole and thus the people became obedient to God as well as to the king and kept all the civil ordinances not merely for the sake of a good king but for the sake of a good and gracious God By these means the nation enjoyed peace and prosperity and all insurrections seditions and popular commotions were prevented The surrounding nations perceiving this saw that there was no hope of subduing such a people so they made no war with Jehoshaphat 2Ch_1710 And they took care not to provoke such a people to fall on them therefore it is said The fear of the Lord fell on all the kingdoms and lands that were round about Judah Such an itinerant ministry established in these kingdoms for upwards of fourscore years

teaching the pure unadulterated doctrines of the Gospel with the propriety and necessity of obedience to the laws has been the principal means in the hand of God of preserving these lands from those convulsions and revolutions that have ruined and nearly dissolved the European continent The itinerant ministry to which this refers is that which was established in these lands by the late truly reverend highly learned and cultivated deeply pious and loyal John Wesley AM formerly a fellow of Lincoln College Oxford whose followers are known by the name of Methodists a people who are an honor to their country and a blessing to the government under which they live

GILL And they taught in Judah The people their duty to God and man

and had the book of the law of the Lord with them as the rule of their instruction and the peoples obedience out of this they taught them and by it confirmed what they taught and enforced it with the divine authority

and went about throughout all the cities of Judah not only their own cities the Levitical ones but all others

and taught the people the law of the Lord the fear and worship of God

JAMISO the book of the lawmdash that is either the whole Pentateuch or only the book of Deuteronomy which contains an abridgment of it

BESO 2 Chronicles 179 And they taught in Judah ampc mdash The Levites and priests were teachers by office Deuteronomy 3310 It was a part of the work for which they had their maintenance and indeed had little else to do But it seems they had neglected it pretending probably that they could not get the people to hear them Jehoshaphat therefore sends them with the princes who by their authority might require the people to assemble together to receive instruction in the laws of God and their duty ldquoWhat a great deal of goodrdquo says Henry ldquomay be done when Moses and Aaron thus go hand in hand in the doing of it when princes with their power and priests and Levites with their Scripture-learning agree to teach the people the good knowledge of God and their duty These itinerant judges and itinerant preachers together were instrumental to diffuse a blessed light throughout the cities of Judahrdquo And had the book of the law of the Lord with them mdash 1st For their own guidance that from thence they might draw all the instructions they gave to the people and not teach for doctrines the commandments of men 2d For the conviction or the people that they might see these priests and Levites had a divine warrant for what they said and delivered to them only that which they had received from the Lord

TRAPP 2 Chronicles 179 And they taught in Judah and [had] the book of the law of the LORD with them and went about throughout all the cities of Judah and taught the people

Ver 9 And had the book of the law of the Lord with them] They taught not

traditions human inventions or unwritten verities All their doctrines came cum privilegio and were Scripture proof

WHEDO 9 The book of the law mdash Our Pentateuch in substantially its present form ldquoCopies of the whole law were no doubt scarce and therefore Jehoshaphatrsquos commission took care to carry a copy with themrdquo mdash Rawlinson

PARKER And they taught in Judah and had the book of the law of the Lord with them and went about throughout all the cities of Judah and taught the people ( 2 Chronicles 179)

This was a mixed commission partly civil partly ecclesiastical The men here mentioned are otherwise unknown We identify them as educational reformers or reformers who operated through the medium of education they were not warriors destroyers revolutionists but men who addressed the mind and the understanding and the conscience and caused men to know that the true law was from above and not from beneath The book which the commission had in hand was the Pentateuch or the law of Moses This was known to be the law which alone could touch all the vital necessities of the commonwealth Again and again we are constrained to admit that there is a law beyond Prayer of Manasseh above Prayer of Manasseh in a sense apart from man men are not driven within themselves to find a law an instinct or a reason they have a written statute an authoritative declaration a book which Christian teachers do not hesitate to describe as a Revelation and to that they call the attention of men If the teacher were teaching out of his own consciousness he would be but an equal often exposing himself to the destructive criticism of his more advanced and penetrating scholars but the teacher takes his stand upon a book upon the Book the Bible a revelation which he believes to be divine and final Say what we will the effect of Bible teaching must be judged by its fruits Where are the nations that are most distinguished for wide and varied intelligence for large and exhaustive sympathy for missionary enterprise for philanthropic institutions and for all the elements which give grace and beauty to social existence The question should admit of definite reply the facts are before men let them judge fearlessly and honestly and we need have no apprehension concerning their verdict Wherever the word of the Lord has had free course superstition has been chased away human slavery has been abolished every instance of intolerance injustice unkindness has felt the influence of holy thought in all these matters discussion should be limited strictly to facts Thus kings can help nations not by forcing education not by attempting to rule opinion not by setting up standards of orthodoxy to fall short of which is to incur penalty but by spreading education by extending light by cultivating a spirit of inquiry and by a generous multiplication of all the instrumentalities needed for the destruction of ignorance What may come of this we are not supposed at this moment to know Meanwhile let us be thankful that we are face to face with a man who has conviction courage independence high patriotic and generous impulse and let us hope that his end may be as beautiful as his beginning was promising

SIMEO THE ROYAL EDICT

ADVERTISEMETmdashThe author feels it necessary to prefix to this Sermon some short account of the occasion on which it was delivered

The author was at Amsterdam (in June 1818) partly with a view of re-establishing there an Episcopal Chapel in which there had been no service for seven years but principally with a view of seeking the welfare of the Children of Israel He went thither rather to explore than to act (See ehemiah 212-16) But just previous to the 18th of June he understood that the Third Anniversary of the Battle of Waterloo was to be kept throughout the etherlands as a day of thanksgiving and just at that time also he quite accidentally heard that the King of the etherlands had a year before issued an Edict requiring all the Jews to educate their children in the knowledge of their own Scriptures and calling upon all his Christian Subjects to aid in this good work Despondency not unlike to that which paralyzed all exertion at Jerusalem in ehemiahrsquos days so universally prevailed that no one had risen to the occasion the very Commissioners who had been appointed to carry the Edict into effect had published a Report in which they gave it as their opinion ldquothat the Lordrsquos time was not comerdquo and there was great danger that the gracious designs of the Monarch would be altogether frustrated The author therefore judged this a fit occasion for calling the attention of the Public to the Edict and accordingly after devoting the Morning Service to the more appropriate subject of the day he employed the Evening Service in an endeavour to forward this good work Considerable attention was excited to the subject by means of the Sermon which was therefore instantly printed in Dutch French and English for the purpose of its being circulated throughout the etherlands and he has reason to hope that active exertions were afterwards made in many places to promote what every benevolent mind must ardently desire the edification and welfare of the Jewish People

So good an example having been set by the Emperor of Russia and the King of the etherlands the author hopes that the attention of our own Governors also both in Church and State may be called to this long-neglected People and that now the British Public has been invited by authority (the Kingrsquos Letter) to aid in supporting Missions to the Heathen World the claims of the Jewish ation to whom under God we owe all the light that we ourselves enjoy will not be overlooked It is with a view to this great object that the author sends forth the Sermon in this country where if the foregoing explanation had not been given its relevancy and use might have been justly called in question

2 Chronicles 179 And they taught in Judah and had the book of the law of the Lord with them and went about throughout all the cities of Judah and taught the people

O a day set apart for thanksgiving to God for mercies received it is peculiarly proper to consider what we may render unto the Lord for all his benefits Certainly if any event ever deserved repeated annual commemoration it is that which has

freed the world from the most grievous tyranny that ever it endured Of the bitter cup which was put into the hands of every nation in Europe this nation [ote The etherlands] drank very deeply and the change which it has experienced in the restoration of their rightful Monarch and in the establishment of a free Constitution calls for their devoutest acknowledgments to Almighty God Doubtless we may with justice pay some tribute of honour to those who by their counsels and their arms effected the overthrow of the Usurper but it is God alone who giveth victory to kings and to whom the glory of this great victory must be primarily ascribed and he who accounts a day consecrated to this service superfluous shews that he is far from justly appreciating the blessings that have been conferred upon him The monarch himself has given to his people a very decided evidence that he feels the depth of his obligations to the God of his salvation and it will be your own loss if you do not cultivate a similar spirit and improve the occasion to the honour of your God

But it is not to thanksgiving only that your Monarch invites you he calls you by a special Edict to unite with him in seeking the welfare of your Jewish Brethren who in their struggle with the enemy signally approved their fidelity to their legitimate Sovereign Their welfare he in his turn studies to promote and he desires to combine the energies of all his subjects in efforts for their good Methinks he is like Jehoshaphat of old who well knowing that piety must be founded in knowledge and happiness in piety sent forth the Princes of his empire with a select number of Priests and Levites to instruct his people in the knowledge of Godrsquos blessed word

His edict on this occasion and the manner in which it was carried into effect will form the subject of my present discourse

I Then we notice the edict of King Jehoshaphatmdash

This was such as became a great and pious monarch and we shall find it not unprofitable or unsuitable to the present occasion to enter into a distinct consideration of it We observe then that it was a kind and benevolent edict a wise and politic edict a good and beneficial edict

Mark the benevolence displayed in it He sought the present and eternal welfare of his subjects He knew that as men are raised above the beasts by the exercise of reason so are they elevated in the scale of rational beings in proportion as their intellectual powers are cultivated and enlarged Man destitute of knowledge is a mere savage but when instructed in the various branches of science he becomes refined and civilized and capable of contributing to the general good In the very cultivation of knowledge there is much pleasure arising to the mind and in the application of that knowledge to useful purposes there is an exquisite delight We need only observe persons when employed in their several vocations how happy they are how contented how cheerful oftentimes unconsciously proclaiming their happiness like the birds of the air in festal songs or consciously and with devotion in songs of praise

But it was not mere intellectual improvement which Jehoshaphat sought to convey he wished his people to be instructed in the knowledge of that God whom they professed to fear and worship This alone could make them truly happy this alone could impart to them sound wisdom or solid consolation He therefore gave particular directions that they should be taught ldquoin the Book of the Law of the Lordrdquo and this throughout the whole land O happy people whose governor so employed the authority with which he was invested And happy that monarch who so improved his influence not for his own personal aggrandizement but for the best interests of the people committed to his charge In so doing he approved himself to be indeed what every governor should be the friend and father of his people

or was the policy of this measure at all inferior to its benevolence A people well instructed in moral and religious knowledge will view government as an ordinance of God and will learn to obey the constituted authorities not so much from fear of their wrath as for conscience sake towards God They will view their governors as Godrsquos vicegerents upon earth and will consider allegiance to them as an essential part of their duty to him Hence will spring up love in their hearts and a real delight in manifesting on all proper occasions their loyalty to their king they will form a bulwark around his person in case of necessity and even glory in laying down their lives for him as their greatest benefactor

The benefits arising from this edict were incalculable Such was the effect of it that the fear of Jehoshaphat and of Jehovah as his protector fell on all the nations that were round about him so that none however hostile in their hearts dared to make war against him [ote ver 10] Doubtless this resulted chiefly from an impression made upon their minds by God himself yet it was also produced by a dread of that energy which an united people were ready to put forth at any instant at the call of their beloved monarch At the same time that peace was thus secured prosperity reigned in every part of the empire and as the immediate fruit of it Jehoshaphat as well as the people ldquohad riches and honour in abundance [ote ver 5]rdquo In his own mind too he reaped the fruits of his own benevolence God smiled upon him and manifested himself to him and enabled him to walk with ldquohis heart lifted up in the ways of the Lord [ote ver 6]rdquo

Such was the edict of the pious Jehoshaphatmdashbenevolent politic beneficial And what I would ask is the Edict which has been issued by the highest authority in this kingdom Do we not see in it the same blessed characters as in that which we have been considering It was ldquoin the third year of his reign [ote ver 7]rdquo that Jehoshaphat sent forth teachers to enlighten and instruct his subjects The very instant he felt himself at liberty from the more urgent and pressing calls of duty (such as the fortifying of his land against foreign enemies and the correcting of some great internal abuses) he engaged in this good work of diffusing light and knowledge through all classes of the community In like manner the sovereign of this kingdom has scarcely had time to repair the ravages of war and to establish his empire too long weakened and impoverished by a cruel usurpation before he stands forth as the friend and father of his people and more especially of that portion of them who have in every age and place been most treated with neglect and

disdain to have them educated in scriptural knowledge and in the fear of God It is much to be lamented that the Jewish people have not in general been so attentive either to the learning or morals of their children as might be wished and hence arose a necessity for some authoritative admonition on the subject Yet if I may say it without offence this neglect has not been more reprehensible in them than has been the indifference with which the Christian world has regarded it The monarch (may God recompense it richly into his bosom) has risen up to remedy the supineness both of the one and the other and to call forth the united energies of all to correct and terminate this evil Yet whilst he thus consults the best interests of his subjects with what paternal tenderness has he guarded against wounding the feelings of any or exciting their religious prejudices The Scriptures of the Old Testament are alone to be used in the schools that shall be established even those Scriptures which Jews as well as Christians believe to have been given by inspiration of God and to contain truth without any mixture of error In this is marked the policy no less than the benevolence of the edict for it is not by constraint but by conciliation and kindness that good is to be done to any and more especially to those who have shewn themselves now for so many centuries proof against all the efforts of intimidation or force In this kingdom they form no small body and I may add no unimportant portion of the community It is well known how extensive is their influence in the affairs of commerce and how by their activity they contribute to enrich the state Hence it is now generally seen and felt that they are entitled to the same respect as any other subjects of the realm and whilst as in the present instance they see how deeply their monarch feels interested in their welfare they cannot but on their part be sensible of the privileges they enjoy under his paternal government and testify their gratitude to him by every possible expression of loyalty and affection

What the ultimate effect of these measures will be may be conjectured from the blessed results of the edict of Jehoshaphat all will feel themselves happy under the government of such a prince and he whilst he is respected abroad and beloved at home will have the happiness of seeing his labours crowned with prosperity throughout his dominions and with peace in his own soul

II The manner in which Jehoshaphatrsquos edict was carried into execution is now to be noticedmdash

The promptness with which his commands were executed deserves the highest praise All were ready to co-operate in this good work as soon as it was proposed ldquoPrinces and priests and Levites [ote ver 7 8]rdquo all addressed themselves to it instantly with one heart and one soul one accounted their dignity so high or their functions so sacred but they thought it an honour to be employed in such a service and found a delight in fulfilling the wishes of their revered monarch all entered into the work with zeal and prosecuted it with diligence and hence a rapid change was effected both in the temporal and spiritual condition of the whole nation And what may not be effected in this kingdom also if a similar zeal be exercised by ldquothe princes and priestsrdquo (the magistrates and clergy) of the land With them it must begin Those who move in a lower station can effect nothing if they be not aided and

countenanced by the higher orders whose rank in life or sacredness of character will give a tone to the general feeling and combine the energies of the whole kingdom If it be said that those for whom the benefit is designed do not feel a desire after it this only shews how much they need it and how earnestly we should all embark in a cause proposed by such high authority and recommended by the soundest dictates of wisdom and piety

That our obligations to unite in this labour of love may the more distinctly appear I would beg leave to suggest the following considerations

First Loyalty to the king demands our concurrence with him in this good work and a holy emulation amongst us to carry into effect his benevolent designs What can the greatest or best of men effect (what could Jehoshaphat himself have done) if there be none to act in subserviency to them and to follow their directions As the most potent monarch upon earth would in vain proclaim war if there were no soldiers found to enlist under his banners and to execute his commands so it will be in vain that the design of benefiting the Jewish people was ever conceived in the mind of the king or that his edict respecting them was ever issued if his subjects do not put forth their energies in obedience to his call In truth a backwardness to co-operate with him in this blessed work would seem like a reflection cast upon him as recommending a measure that was unworthy of attention I do not mean to insinuate that such an idea really exists in the minds of any for I am perfectly convinced it does not but certainly in appearance it is open to this construction and every subject of the empire is concerned to act in such a way as to cut off all occasion for a reflection like this I say loyalty alone even if we had no higher motive should be sufficient to call forth our exertions in this cause

But let me next observe that gratitude to the Jewish nation demands it at our hands How great how manifold are our obligations to them Behold Moses and the prophets what instruction have they given us in reference to the way of life and salvation Without the moral law as revealed by Moses we should never have known to what an extent we need a Saviour nor if the prophecies had not so fully designated the promised Messiah could we have ever so fully known that Jesus was the Christ Of whom did the Lord Jesus Christ himself come as pertaining to the flesh but from the loins of David and of the seed of Abraham Yet to him are we indebted for all that we either have or hope for in time or in eternity And who were the Apostles but Jews who for our sakes went forth preaching the word and counted not their lives dear to them so that they might but lead us to the knowledge of Christ and make us partakers of his salvation From them too we have received the lively oracles which are the one source of all spiritual knowledge and the one foundation of all our hopes Does all this call for no recompence at our hands Knowing as we do the vast importance of education should we not endeavour to impart it to those from whose ancestors we have received such innumerable such inestimable benefits Yet behold these are the people whom for many many centuries we have treated with more neglect and contempt than any other people upon the face of the earth the savages of the most distant climes have received more attention from us than they Surely it is high time that the Christian world awake to

a sense of their duty and begin to shew to the Jews somewhat of that love which their forefathers exercised towards us in our Gentile state We are debtors to them to a vast amount and it is high time that we begin to discharge our debt And how can we discharge it better than by enabling them to read and understand those very oracles which they have preserved with such fidelity and which testify so fully of their promised Messiah

Further A love to the rising generation should lead us to avail ourselves of the present opportunity to promote their welfaremdashIt is truly afflictive to see how low and degraded is the state of multitudes especially of the Jewish nation purely through the neglect with which they are treated in their early youth and still more grievous is it to reflect on their ignorance of those things which belong to their everlasting peace To counteract this we should endeavour to qualify the whole of their population for good and useful employments and through the medium of useful instruction to make them holy and to make them happy We need never be afraid that there will not be a sufficient number of poor to fill the lower stations do what we will there will never be wanting persons who through their own fault or misfortunes are necessitated to undertake the lowest offices of life And if they have been previously instructed in the Scriptures of Truth they will have a fund of consolation ever open to them in their deepest afflictions they will learn from the inspired volume in whatsoever state they are there-with to be content and in the prospect of the eternal world they will find joys with which a stranger intermeddleth not and which the world can neither give nor take away We feel the force of these considerations in reference to the poor of our own communion how is it that we feel it not in reference to our Jewish Brethren This is a partiality unworthy of us and we should rise as one man to wipe off this disgrace from our own character

This brings me to the last consideration which I propose to mention namely that a concern for the honour of our holy religion should operate to unite us all in executing the Royal EdictmdashWhat must a Jew think of our religion when he sees how little it has wrought for us in the production of love We may tell him of a Messiah who has loved us and laid down his life for us but what credit will he give us for our principles when he sees how little our practice corresponds with them May he not well say to us ldquoPhysician heal thyselfrdquo Shew by your conduct the superiority of your principles before you call on me to embrace them It is by love that we must win them it is by shewing kindness to them that we must efface from their hearts those prejudices which with too much reason they entertain against us We must exhibit in our own person the loveliness of Christianity before we can bring them to investigate the grounds of our faith or to imagine that they can improve their own condition by embracing it May I not then call upon you as Christians to unite in the good work that is now before you that you may thereby serve and glorify your Lord and Saviour As Christians you believe that there is no other way to the Father but by Christ [ote John 146] and no other name but his whereby any human being can be saved [ote Acts 412] Where is your piety where is your love to Christ where is even common humanity if you will not avail yourselves of the present opportunity to remove from before your Jewish Brethren

the stumbling-blocks which for so many ages have been laid in their way

Do any ask What shall we do I answer search out amongst the Jews some persons of probity and talent to commence schools among them and do you yourselves aid to the utmost of your power in the support of them provide them with all necessary books for instructing children in the first rudiments of knowledge provide them with Bibles also both in the Dutch and Hebrew languages that they may be thoroughly instructed in the knowledge of their own religion and learn to walk in the steps of their father Abraham and of all the holy prophets

Begin too without loss of time Adult Schools You will find many among the house of Israel who will be glad to avail themselves of your instructions Let those who are benevolent amongst you dedicate an hour in a day to the instructing of a few who may be desirous to learn and carefully avoid every thing which may give unnecessary offence Confine yourselves to the Old Testament which they venerate as well as you Let those who can teach only in the Dutch language give instruction in that and let those who either understand or have leisure to attain the Hebrew tongue draw their attention to that In particular let it be the united endeavour of all to qualify masters for this good work

And let it not be thought that this is the duty of men only The Royal Edict has particularly and with great wisdom recommended it to females who may be of infinite service in conveying instruction to their own sex This age is distinguished above all others for the activity of females in the service of God and in the performance of every good work Were I able to declare the proportion of good that is done in Britain by the female sex it would appear incredible I believe from my soul that it far exceeds one half in all the societies raised since the commencement of the present century in the Bible Society the Missionary Societies and the Society for Promoting the Knowledge of Christianity amongst the Jews yes let the ladies of this country exert themselves in a prudent modest and discreet way and the effects will soon appear the Royal Edict will not be a dead letter but will produce incalculable good to the whole nationmdashand the agents in this benevolent work will themselves receive quite as much benefit as they impart their benevolence being in proportion as it is exercised its own reward

10 The fear of the Lord fell on all the kingdoms of the lands surrounding Judah so that they did not go to war against Jehoshaphat

GILL And the fear of the Lord fell upon all the kingdoms of the lands that were round about Judah Upon the ten tribes and on foreign nations about them as Moabites Edomites Syrians Egyptians Arabs and Philistines this fear as it came from the Lord so might be raised and increased by observing that religion was revived in them for they might perceive by former observations made that the more religious these people were the more prosperous and formidable they were

so that they made no war against Jehoshaphat to interrupt him in the work of reformation he was so intent upon

HERY We have here a further account of Jehoshaphats great prosperity and the flourishing state of his kingdom

I He had good interest in the neighbouring princes and nations Though he was not perhaps so great a soldier as David (which might have made him their terror) nor so great a scholar as Solomon (which might have made him their oracle) yet the fear of the Lord fell so upon them (that is God so influenced and governed their spirits) that they had all a reverence for him 2Ch_1710 And 1 None of them made war against himGods good providence so ordered it that while the princes and priests were instructing and reforming the country none of his neighbours gave him any molestations to take him off from that good work Thus when Jacob and his sons were going to worship at Bethel the terror of God was upon the neighbouring cities that they did not pursue after them Gen_355 and see Exo_3424 2 Many of them brought presents to him (2Ch_1711) to secure his friendship Perhaps these were a tribute imposed upon them by Asa who made himself master of the cities of the Philistines and the tents of the Arabians 2Ch_1414 2Ch_1415 With the 7700 rams and the same number of he-goats which the Arabians brought there was probably a proportionable number of ewes and lambs she-goats and kids

KampD This attempt of Jehoshaphat brought him this blessing that the terror of Jahve fell upon all the surrounding kingdoms and not only did none of the neighbouring peoples venture to make war upon him but also various tribes did homage to him by presents Ramb has already so understood the connection of these verses (erat hoc praemium pietatis Josaphati quod vicini satisque potentes hostes non auderent adversus ipsum hiscere) while Berth fails to apprehend it saying that Jehoshaphat had time to care for the instruction of his people because at that time the neighbouring peoples did not venture to undertake war against Judah The words ldquoterror of Jahverdquo cf 2Ch_1413 2Ch_2029 and ldquoall the kingdoms of the landsrdquo cf 2Ch_128 1Ch_2930 are expressions peculiar to the author of the Chronicle which show that by these remarks he is preparing the way for a transition to a more detailed

portrayal of Jehoshaphats political power מן־(לש)ים is subject מן partitive some of the

Philistines brought him presents (for מנחה see on 2Ch_175) ldquoand silver a burdenrdquo ie

in great quantity מא does not signify tribute vectigal argento (Vulg) for the word has

not that signification but denotes burden that which can be carried as in מא לאן

2Ch_2025 - 2Ch_2116 2Ch_221 ערבים 2Ch_267 and more usually ערב-ים or ערביאים

are Arabian nomadic tribes (Bedacircwin) perhaps those whom Asa after his victory over the Cushite Zerah had brought under the kingdom of Judah 2Ch_1414 These paid

their tribute in small cattle rams and he-goats (ישים( Gen_3035 Gen_3215 Pro_

3031)

BESO 2 Chronicles 1710 The fear of the Lord fell upon all the kingdoms ampc mdash Justly concluding from his singular piety that God would eminently appear for him for even the heathen could not but observe that the kings of Judah were either prosperous or unhappy according as they served God or forsook him So that they made no war against Jehoshaphat mdash Godrsquos good providence so ordered it that while the princes and priests were instructing and endeavouring to reform the country none of his neighbours gave him any molestation to take him off from that good work

COFFMA All of this peace and prosperity were directly due to the respect which Jehoshaphat had shown to the Law of God and to his efforts to teach that word to all the people It is no problem that much of the material here is omitted in Kings because the primary focus there was political whereas in Chronicles the focus is upon the spiritual and religious significance of the same history

TRAPP 2 Chronicles 1710 And the fear of the LORD fell upon all the kingdoms of the lands that [were] round about Judah so that they made no war against Jehoshaphat

Ver 10 And the fear of the Lord fell upon all the kingdoms] It is said [2 Chronicles 172] Jehoshaphat placed forces in all the fenced cities yet it is not said thereupon that the fear of the Lord fell upon the neighbour nations But when he had established a preaching ministry in all the cities then his enemies had a fear and made no war

POOLE Justly concluding from this singular piety that God would eminently appear for him and against all those who had ill will to him which was their case For even the heathens could not but observe that the kings of Judah were either prosperous or unhappy accordingly as they served God or forsook him

ELLICOTT (10) The fear of the LordmdashA dread of Jehovah (pachad) aps 2029 (Comp Exodus 1516 1 Samuel 117 Isaiah 210 ) This phrase is not peculiar to the chronicler as Keil and Bertheau assert ldquoThe kingdoms of the landsrdquo is so (2 Chronicles 128 1 Chronicles 2930)

They made no warmdashThe reward of Jehosha-phatrsquos piety (1 Chronicles 229

Proverbs 167) ldquoWhen a manrsquos ways please the Lord he maketh even his enemies to be at peace with himrdquo (Comp also Genesis 355)

11 Some Philistines brought Jehoshaphat gifts and silver as tribute and the Arabs brought him flocks seven thousand seven hundred rams and seven thousand seven hundred goats

BARES Some of the Philistines brought Jehoshaphat presents - i e ldquosome of the Philistines were among his tributariesrdquo Compare 2Sa_82 1Ki_421

Tribute silver - Or ldquomuch silverrdquo - literally ldquosilver of burthenrdquo

The Arabians - The Arab tribes who bordered Judaea to the south and the southeast paid Jehoshaphat a fixed tribute in kind Compare 2Ki_34 note

CLARKE The Philistines brought - presents - They and the Arabians purchased peace with the king of Judah by paying an annual tribute The Philistines brought silver and no doubt different kinds of merchandise The Arabs whose riches consisted in cattle brought him flocks in great abundance principally rams and he-goats

GILL Also some of the Philistines brought Jehoshaphat presents and tribute silver Perhaps those of Gerar and the parts adjacent Asa took and spoiled and made tributary 2Ch_1414

and the Arabians brought him flocks seven thousand and seven hundred rams and seven thousand and seven hundred he goats with which their country abounded and these might be the Scenite Arabs who fearing lest Jehoshaphat should fall upon them and take away their flocks as his father had done 2Ch_1415 brought these presents to him

JAMISO Also some of the Philistines brought Jehoshaphat presents and tribute silvermdash either they had been his tributaries or they were desirous of securing his valuable friendship and now made a voluntary offer of tribute Perhaps

they were the Philistines who had submitted to the yoke of David (2Sa_81 Psa_608)

the Arabiansmdash the nomad tribes on the south of the Dead Sea who seeking the protection of Jehoshaphat after his conquest of Edom paid their tribute in the way most suitable to their pastoral habits - the present of so many head of cattle

BESO 2 Chronicles 1711 Some of the Philistines brought presents mdash They had been subject to Judah ever since Davidrsquos time but it seems had neglected this duty in the times of his predecessors but were now moved by their own fears to perform it And the Arabians brought him flocks mdash Either because he had upon some just occasion waged war against them and subdued them or because they voluntarily put themselves under his protection in recompense whereof they sent him these presents or only as a free acknowledgment of their respect for him

TRAPP 2 Chronicles 1711 Also [some] of the Philistines brought Jehoshaphat presents and tribute silver and the Arabians brought him flocks seven thousand and seven hundred rams and seven thousand and seven hundred he goats

Ver 11 Also some of the Philistines] These having been subdued by David had withheld their tribute for a time but now seeing Jehoshaphatrsquos growing greatness they bring it in with the better that no offence might be taken at their former neglect The word here used signifieth honorary gifts or oblations pacifications

ldquo Placatur donis Iupiter ipse datis rdquo

Think the same of the Arabians See 2 Chronicles 1414-15

POOLE Some of the Philistines who had been subjects to this kingdom ever since Davidrsquos time but it seems had neglected this duty in the times of his predecessors but now were moved by their own fears to perform it

The Arabians brought him flocks either because he had upon some just occasion waged war against them and subdued them though the particulars of it be not described in Scripture or because they voluntarily put themselves under his protection in recompence whereof they sent him those presents or only as a free acknowledgment of their respects to him

ELLICOTT (11) Broughtmdashie continually Such is the force of the participle

PresentsmdashAn offering ie tribute (minchah 2 Chronicles 175)

And tribute silvermdashRather and silver a load or burden ie a great quantity (massacircrsquo) 2 Chronicles 2025 As if ldquosilver as much as they could carryrdquomdasha natural hyperbole ot all the five states of the Philistines were subject to Jehoshaphat (Comp 2 Samuel 81)

The ArabiansmdashlsquoArbicircrsquoim here only equivalent to lsquoArbicircyicircm (2 Chronicles 267) and

lsquoArbim (2 Chronicles 2116) They are in each case grouped with the Philistines The nomad Bedacircwin conquered by Asa (2 Chronicles 1415) appear to be meant here or else some tribes which recognised the overlordship of Jehoshaphat after his reduction of Edom (2 Chronicles 2022 sqq)

Brought him flocksmdashComp Mesha of Moabrsquos tribute to Ahab (2 Kings 34)

GUZIK 2 (2 Chronicles 1711-19) The international strength of Jehoshaphatrsquos kingdom

Also some of the Philistines brought Jehoshaphat presents and silver as tribute and the Arabians brought him flocks seven thousand seven hundred rams and seven thousand seven hundred male goats So Jehoshaphat became increasingly powerful and he built fortresses and storage cities in Judah He had much property in the cities of Judah and the men of war mighty men of valor were in Jerusalem These are their numbers according to their fathersrsquo houses Of Judah the captains of thousands Adnah the captain and with him three hundred thousand mighty men of valor and next to him was Jehohanan the captain and with him two hundred and eighty thousand and next to him was Amasiah the son of Zichri who willingly offered himself to the LORD and with him two hundred thousand mighty men of valor Of Benjamin Eliada a mighty man of valor and with him two hundred thousand men armed with bow and shield and next to him was Jehozabad and with him one hundred and eighty thousand prepared for war These served the king besides those the king put in the fortified cities throughout all Judah

a Some of the Philistines brought Jehoshaphat presents and silver as tribute and the Arabians brought him flocks Jehoshaphatrsquos commitment to personal and public godliness meant that God exalted his kingdom above the neighboring nations even as God promised in Deuteronomy 281-13

b These served the king The true treasure of Jehoshaphatrsquos kingdom was not numbered only in security or material things but also in the dedicated and courageous men he had surrounding him these mighty men of valor

i Amasiah the son of Zichri who willingly offered himself to the LORD ldquoAmasiah is a man of whom we do not know anything beyond this ndash he lsquowillingly offered himself unto the Lordrsquo There must have been a turning-point in his career a time when first he knew the grace of God which wrought such a change in him There must have been a waking up to the feeling that God deserved his love and his liferdquo (Spurgeon)

ii Amasiah was a ready servant of the Lord this particularly notable because he did it in an otherwise secular calling

middot o one had to press him into service

middot o one had to seek him out for service

middot o one had to look after him once he had begun serving

middot o one had to lead him

iii ldquoThere is no lawful occupation in which a man cannot thoroughly serve the Lord It is a great privilege and blessing to be set apart to the work of winning souls but we must never separate that work from all the rest of the callings of life as though it alone were sacred and all the rest were secular and almost sinful Serve God where you arerdquo (Spurgeon)

PULPIT The presents were probably enough in the nature of tribute the fixed rate of which is sometimes alluded to (1 Kings 421 1 Kings 1025 2 Samuel 82) but it is doubtful whether the word משא purports to say this The word means bearing or carrying and then a burden load or weight The expression (2 Chronicles 2025) more than they could carry away where this word is used favours the idea that the meaning here is silver of great weight Probably the moral significance and historical interest whether of this statement respecting the Philistines or the following respecting the Arabians lies in the fact that both of them brought without more ado their payments and did not seek to slip out of their engagements with Judah and Judahs king ote for confirmation of this view 2 Kings 34 2 Kings 35

12 Jehoshaphat became more and more powerful he built forts and store cities in Judah

GILL And Jehoshaphat waxed great exceedingly In wealth and riches power and authority in his forces and fortifications

and he built in Judah castles and cities of stores castles for the defence of his kingdom and store cities to lay up corn and wine and all provisions in case of an invasion or against a time of war

HERY II He had a very considerable stores laid up in the cities of Judah He pulled down his barns and built larger (2Ch_1712) castles and cities of store for arms and victuals He was a man of business and aimed at the public good in all his

undertakings either to preserve the peace or prepare for war

JAMISO 2Ch_1712-19 His greatness captains and armies

KampD Description of Jehoshaphats power - 2Ch_1712 And Jehoshaphat became

ever greater sc in power The partic הולך expresses the continuous advance in

greatness cf Ew sect280 b as the infin absol does elsewhere eg Gen_83 למעלה as עד

in 2Ch_1612 - He built castles in Judah ירנ-ות only here and in 2Ch_274 from ירנית

derivative formed from ירה by the Syriac termination נית- fem of ן- castle fortress On

מסנות cf 2Ch_84 ערי

TRAPP 2 Chronicles 1712 And Jehoshaphat waxed great exceedingly and he built in Judah castles and cities of store

Ver 12 And Jehoshaphat waxed great exceedingly] Heb He was going and growing By humility and the fear of the Lord are riches and honour and life [Proverbs 224]

And he built in Judah castles] Bironeoth πυργους turres So did the Burgundians and thence had their names

And cities of store] Granaries in the Hebrew they have their name from their utility or usefulness

ELLICOTT (12) And Jehoshaphat waxed greatmdashLiterally And Jehoshaphat was going on and waxing great ie became greater and greater (Comp 1 Chronicles 119)

ExceedinglymdashlsquoAd lĕmagraversquolah This phrase occurs again in 2 Chronicles 1612 2 Chronicles 268 and nowhere else in the Old Testament (See on 1 Chronicles 142)

And he builtmdashLike his predecessorsmdashSolomon Rehoboam Asamdashhe displayed his wealth and power in great public works The records of the Assyrian and Babylonian sovereigns are largely taken up with similar accounts of temple and palace building

CastlesmdashBiranicircyocircth a derivative from birah (1 Chronicles 291 1 Chronicles 2919 comp Syriac here birocircthocirc) It only recurs at 2 Chronicles 274 It is an Aramaic term (Comp bicircranyacircthacirc which in the Targums means ldquopalacesrdquo)

Cities of storesmdashComp 2 Chronicles 84 2 Chronicles 164 Exodus 111

PULPIT Castles This rendering better than palaces (margin) wound bear improving to the rather stronger word fortresses Hebrew בירניות found only here and in 2 Chronicles 274 plur of בירנית connected with the Chaldee and later Hebrew בירה of Ezra 62 ehemiah 11 Esther 12 Daniel 82 Cities of store (see note under 2 Chronicles 84 see also 1 Kings 919 Exodus 111)

13 and had large supplies in the towns of Judah He also kept experienced fighting men in Jerusalem

CLARKE He hadmuch business in the cities - He kept the people constantly employed they had wages for their work and by their labors the empire was both enriched and strengthened

GILL And he had much business in the cities of Judah Partly in fortifying them and partly in reforming the inhabitants of them

and the men of war mighty men of valour were in Jerusalem or by or near unto it so the particle is rendered Jos_513 they encamped in places adjacent to it for such a number of men as follows even 1160000 could never be contained in Jerusalem but must be disposed of in the territories of it nor did they wait on the king together but in course see 2Ch_1719 by which it appears there is no need to suppose any mistake of the transcriber in any or all of the following sums as has been suggested (q)

HERY 13-19 III He had the militia in good order It was never in better since David modelled it Five lord-lieutenants (if I may so call them) are here named with the numbers of those under their command (the serviceable men that were fit for war in their respective districts) three in Judah and two in Benjamin It is said of one of these great commanders Amasiah that he willingly offered himself unto the Lord (2Ch_1716) not only to the king to serve him in this post but to the Lord to glorify him in it He was the most eminent among them for religion he accepted the place not for the

honour or power or profit of it but for conscience sake towards God that he might serve his country It was usual for great generals then to offer of their spoils to the Lord 1Ch_2626 But this good man offered himself first to the Lord and then his dedicated things The number of the soldiers under these five generals amounts to 1160000 men a vast number for so small a compass of ground as Judahs and Benjamins lot to furnish out and maintain Abijah could bring into the field but 400000 (2Ch_133) Asa not 600000 (2Ch_148) yet Jehoshaphat has at command almost 1200000 But it must be considered 1 That God had promised to make the seed of Abraham like the sand of the sea for number 2 There had now been a long peace 3 We may suppose that the city of Jerusalem was very much enlarged 4 Many had come over to them from the kingdom of Israel (2Ch_1519) which would increase the numbers of the people 5 Jehoshaphat was under a special blessing of God which made his affairs to prosper greatly The armies we may suppose were dispersed all the country over and each man resided for the most part on his own estate but they appeared often to be mustered and trained and were ready at call whenever there was occasion The commanders waited on the king (2Ch_1719) as officers of his court privy-counsellors and ministers of state

But lastly observe It was not this formidable army that struck a terror upon the neighbouring nations that restrained them from attempting any thing against Israel or obliged them to pay tribute but the fear of God which fell upon them when Jehoshaphat reformed his country and set up a preaching ministry in it 2Ch_1710 The ordinances of God are more the strength and safety of a kingdom than its military force - its men of God more than its men of war

KampD 2Ch_1713

וגווגווגווגו רהרהרהרה is rightly translated by Luther ldquound hatte viel Vorrathsrdquo (and ומלעכהומלעכהומלעכהומלעכה

had much store) מלעכהמלעכהמלעכהמלעכה denotes here as in Exo_227-10 property that which has been gained by work or business The signification much work opera magna (Vulg Cler etc) as also Bertheaus translation ldquothe works for equipping and provisioning the fortressesrdquo correspond neither to the context nor to the parallel (synonymous) second member of the verse The work and trouble necessary to equip the cities of Judah does not correspond to ldquothe valiant warriors in Jerusalemrdquo the only parallel is the goods and property which were in these cities the provision of victuals and war material there stored up

BESO 2 Chronicles 1713 He had much business in the cities of Judah mdash To repair and fortify them and furnish them with provisions and to purge out all the relics of idolatry and injustice which were more secretly and craftily managed in the cities than in the country and which were first and most prevalent in the cities and thence spread their infection into the country around them

TRAPP 2 Chronicles 1713 And he had much business in the cities of Judah and the men of war mighty men of valour [were] in Jerusalem

Ver 13 And he had much business] Eργα πολλα (a) Many works going forward at

once a negotious man he was His business say some lay in beautifying and fortifying those cities Augustus gloried at his death that whereas he had found Rome built with brick he had left it made of marble

And the men of war hellip were in Jerusalem] These were his Praetorian forces his Praesidiaries were up and down in the various cities

POOLE He had much business in the cities of Judah partly to repair and fortify them and furnish them with all necessary provisions and partly to purge out all the relies and seeds of idolatry and injustice which were more secretly and subtlely managed in the cities than in the country and which were first and most in the cities and thence spread their infection into the country about them See Jeremiah 228

ELLICOTT (13) BusinessmdashRather much goods or stores literally work (mĕlacirckacirch) and then produce The Hebrew word is so used in Exodus 227 Exodus 2210 (ldquoHis neighbourrsquos goodsrdquo) Stores of provisions and war material seem to be intended (Comp 2 Chronicles 1111)

And the man of war were in JerusalemmdashRather and (he had) men of war in Jerusalem

In Jerusalemmdashot the entire army corps whose numbers are given in 2 Chronicles 1714-18 but simply their chiefs

PULPIT Much business Hebrew מלאכה The meaning of the word is service labour bestowed and the verse reads And there was to him much labour in the cities of Judah and men of war mighty men of valour in Jerusalem ie He bestoweth much pains on the cities of Judah and had etc The word were Authorized Version italics is incorrectly inserted The former half of this verse would better constitute the end of 2 Chronicles 1712 Keil however maintains the rendering substance property for מלאכה (Exodus 227 Exodus 2210)

14 Their enrollment by families was as followsFrom Judah commanders of units of 1000Adnah the commander with 300000 fighting men

BARES The captains of thousands Adnah the chief - literally ldquoprinces of thousands Adnah the princerdquo The writer does not mean that Adnah (or Johohanan 2Ch_1715) was in any way superior to the other ldquoprincesrdquo but only that he was one of them

Three hundred thousand - This number and those which follow in 2Ch_1715-18 have been with good reason regarded as corrupt by most critics For

(1) They imply a minimum population of 1480 to the square mile which is more than three times greater than that of any country in the known world (circa 1880rsquos)

(2) they produce a total just double that of the next largest estimate of the military force of Judah the 580 000 of 2Ch_148

(3) they are professedly a statement not of the whole military force but of the force maintained at Jerusalem (2Ch_1713 compare 2Ch_1719)

It is probable that the original numbers have been lost and that the loss was suppplied by a scribe who took 2Ch_148 as his basis

CLARKE Adnah the chief - He was generalissimo of all this host These are the numbers of the five battalions under Adnah three hundred thousand Jehohanan two hundred and eighty thousand Amasiah two hundred thousand Eliada two hundred thousand Jehozabad one hundred and eighty thousand in all one million one hundred and sixty thousand

GILL And these are the numbers of them according to the house of their fathers Both of the tribe of Judah and of Benjamin and first

of Judah the captains of thousands some had 1000 men under them and some one hundred

Adnah the chief he was the principal commander or general of them

and with him mighty men of valour three hundred thousand such a number was under his command

JAMISO these are the numbersmdash The warriors were arranged in the army according to their fathers houses The army of Jehoshaphat commanded by five great generals and consisting of five unequal divisions comprised one million one hundred and sixty thousand men without including those who garrisoned the fortresses No monarch since the time of Solomon equaled Jehoshaphat in the extent of his revenue in the strength of his fortifications and in the number of his troops

KampD 2Ch_1714-16

The men fit for war passed in review according to their fathers-houses The male population of Judah fell into three divisions that of Benjamin into two The prince

Adnah held the first place among the generals with 300000 men of Judah ידו at his על

hand ie with and under him Jehohanan had the command of 280000 men and

Amasiah over 200000 השר is a contraction for אלפים For what special reason it is so שר

honourably recorded of Amasiah that he had willingly offered himself to the Lord (cf for

Jdg_59) has not been communicated התנב

COFFMA his represented a standing army of 1160000 men besides the garrisons in the fortified cities and this goes a long way to explaining why the Arabians and the Philistines brought tribute to Jehoshaphat In ancient times as in our own day peace frequently depended upon the strength of those who desired it

We should ignore the screams of exaggeration[3] which mark the writings of radical critics Pagan rulers of that era reported even larger armies than this and until the critics can prove that those were exaggerated reports they should let these alone Besides that we have already noted that the very word from which thousand is translated is disputed as to its exact meaning

COKE 2 Chronicles 1714 And these are the numbers of themmdash That is of the soldiers as well as of those who were employed in the kings works in the several cities ampc which he built See 2 Chronicles 1719

REFLECTIOSmdash1st Jehoshaphat no sooner comes to the throne than we see the dawnings of a glorious reign

1 He strengthened his kingdom by placing strong garrisons in the cities of Judah and those which his father had recovered from Israel and prepared against that danger which Ahabs growing power seemed to threaten

2 Religion was his great concern He copied after the best of his predecessors in their best days such as were the first of David before the matter of Uriah and the numbering of the people had blotted his fair copy Faithful to the worship of God he abhorred all idols the law of God was his rule of duty and Israels apostacy rendered his fidelity more singular and exemplary Inspired with holy zeal his heart with delight and sincerity was engaged for God and no difficulties deterred him from the path of duty The idols and groves which in the declining days of Asa might have been set up again he utterly destroyed with all the high places where they still offered sacrifices to these abominations ote (1) In the fairest human pattern there will be found imperfections but there is a Son of David more than man who has set us a spotless example that we should follow his steps (2) Fidelity in Gods service is the stability of a nation (3) A lively soul on wings of faith and love mounts up to God rises superior to every difficulty and looks down upon every thing besides his favour as altogether vanity

3 He not only removed the temptations to sin but took care to instruct the people in

the path of duty Ignorance of Gods law had greatly prevailed and to oblige them merely to conform to his reformation without grounding them on the true foundation of Gods word promised little stability The Levites and priests therefore are sent in progress through the cities of Judah with the book of the law to explain and enforce the commandments of God and several princes accompanied them in order to engage the people to hear them and give countenance to these preachers by their weight and influence ote (1) It is a blessed thing when princes countenance faithful ministers Though they cannot make men true converts their example and authority will induce them to attend (2) They who are sent to teach must see that they take the pure word of God along with them A true preacher wishes for nothing in his hand but his Bible (3) Religion is a reasonable service Conviction alone not compulsion or education can make a man a christian

4 The blessing of God attended his labours The Lord was with him or as the Targum generally expresses it the word of the Lord the divine Logos to whom all things are committed strengthened him in his labours and established his kingdom The people charmed with his government liberally sent their presents to him and abounding in riches and honour his heart far from being intoxicated by prosperity was lifted up in greater love and thankfulness to the gracious giver ote (1) God often here rewards piety with prosperity (2) Worldly comforts are then truly blessings when as the steps of Jacobs ladder they raise our hearts to heaven

2nd Like the light of the morning which shineth more and more so did Jehoshaphats glory increase

1 Feared by his enemies as beloved by his subjects the neighbouring princes did not offer to molest him while those of Philistia and Arabia courted his favour either by a voluntary present or exact payment of the tribute which Asa had imposed on them see 2 Chronicles 1711 God had put an awe upon them of the majesty of his king in Zion ote God hath access to the spirits of men and by secret yet irresistible influence can bow them to his sovereign will

2 His military preparations greatly advanced While he reformed the people he fortified their ramparts and built new castles and store-cities strengthening them within and without against their enemies Under five chief officers an immense army was enlisted Probably all the able men in the country were enrolled and regularly mustered though not drawn out except in case of necessity and this may easily account for the greatness of their number if we consider also the long peace they had enjoyed the accession of Israelites to them and especially the blessing of Abraham which no doubt was eminently fulfilled Amasiah one of the officers is mentioned with an honourable mark of distinction as a volunteer who served for the glory of God not for the sake of pay Such patriots are scarce

TRAPP 2 Chronicles 1714 And these [are] the numbers of them according to the house of their fathers Of Judah the captains of thousands Adnah the chief and

with him mighty men of valour three hundred thousand

Ver 14 Three hundred thousand] These were under his command and at hand to come whensoever the king would

WHEDO 14 Three hundred thousand mdash The numbers in this verse and the four verses following are generally regarded as corrupt ldquoThey implyrdquo observes the writer last quoted ldquoa minimum population of 1480 to the square mile which is more than three times greater than that of any country in the known world It is probable that the original numbers have been lost and the loss supplied by a scribe who took 2 Chronicles 148 as his basis

ELLICOTT Verse 14 (14) And these their fathersmdashAnd this is their muster (or census) according to their father-houses (clans) 1 Chronicles 243 The warriors were marshalled in the army according to clans so that men of the same stock fought side by side with their kindred Perhaps in the original document this heading was followed by a much more detailed scheme of names and divisions than that which the text presents

Of JudahmdashTo Judah (belonged) captains of thousands viz the three enumerated in 2 Chronicles 1714-16 Adnah Jehohanan and Amasiah They were the principal officers or generals of the entire forces of Judah

Adnah the chiefmdashTo wit the captain Adnah That Adnah was commander-in-chief is implied by his being named first and his corps being the largest

PULPIT This verse with the following four gives us the names of five captains chiefs princes or military officers for the kingdoms service with the numbers of the troops they severally commanded The numbers of them (see note under 1 Chronicles 2311) Hebrew פקדתם The better English rendering to carry at once the signification would be The muster of them etc The captains hellip the chief In both cases the Hebrew is the familiar word for prince ( שר ) in the former without article in the latter with article The numbers of this and following four verses are not only absolutely unreliable but in themselves impossible According to the house of their fathers ie the quotation is drawn from an army catalogue arranged carefully by fathers houses (umbers 118 umbers 122 etc)

15 next Jehohanan the commander with 280000

GILL And next to him was Jehohanan the captain Being of the same rank as to office but having a lesser number of men under him and it may respect not any kind of subordination only nearness of place as the Targumhe that encamped next to him

and with him two hundred and fourscore thousand which number was but 20000 less than the former

POOLE ext to him either

1 After his death as his successor in the same command And the like is supposed concerning Jehozabad 2 Chronicles 1718 Or rather

2 ext to him in place and authority or at least in power and the numbers of his host

16 next Amasiah son of Zikri who volunteered himself for the service of the Lord with 200000

GILL And next him was Amasiah the son of Zichri He encamped next to him as the Targum

who willingly offered himself unto the Lord to fight the Lords battles and without any stipend as some think or as Kimchi he offered gold and silver to the treasures of the house of the Lord

and with him two hundred thousand mighty men of valour the number was 80000 less than the former the whole of Judah amounted to 780000 men

TRAPP 2 Chronicles 1716 And next him [was] Amasiah the son of Zichri who willingly offered himself unto the LORD and with him two hundred thousand mighty men of valour

Ver 16 Who willingly offered himself unto the Lord] He was a votary the vows of God were upon him and this made him the more valiant and resolute (a) in the exercise of arms for the service of God and the safety of his people The Spahis among the Turks are a sort of horsemen voluntaries and votaries to gain paradise by dying for the Mohammedan cause These are never known to return home but

with victory these are heavy upon the enemy For

ldquo Vincitur haud gratis iugulo qui provocat ensem rdquo

POOLE As volunteers and auxiliaries to be ready upon occasion as the service of God and the king should require Possibly these or most of them were the strangers which had come out of Israel into the kingdom of Judah in Asarsquos days and probably since that in his time

ELLICOTT (16) AmasiahmdashIah carrieth (Isaiah 4011) different from Amaziah (Iah is strong)

Who willingly offered himself unto the Lordmdash(Judges 52 Judges 59) An allusion to some noble act of self-devotion which was doubtless more fully recorded in the source from which the chronicler has drawn this brief account Such allusions though no longer intelligible are important as conducing to the proof of the historical value of the narratives in which they occur LXX ὁ προθυmicroούmicroενος τῷ κυρίῳ Vulg consecratus Domino

PULPIT Amaziah the son of Zichri This man is not titled at all The description of him as one who had willingly offered himself unto the Lord not elucidated by the context or any effective parallel will mark something honorable in his history Possibly he comes from an unexpected quarter and is a man of approved skill othing further is known of these three men Meantime it has been suggested (Professor Dr J Murphy of Belfast Handbook to Chronicles ) that the first of the three was for Judah proper the second for that contingent of Judah that hailed from Dan and the Philistines and the third for that of Simeon and the Arabs

MACLARE This is a scrap from the catalogue of Jehoshaphatrsquos lsquomighty men of valourrsquo and is Amasiahrsquos sole record We see him for a moment and hear his eulogium and then oblivion swallows him up We do not know what it was that he did to earn it But what a fate to live to all generations by that one sentence

I Cheerful self-surrender the secret of all religion

The words of our text contain a metaphor naturally drawn from the sacrificial system It comes so easily to us that we scarcely recognise the metaphorical element but the clear recognition of it gives great additional energy to the words Amasiah was both sacrificer and sacrifice His offering was self-immolation As in all love so in that noblest kind of it which clasps God its perfect expression is lsquoI give Thee my living loving selfrsquo Nor is it only sacrifice and sacrificer that are seen in deepest truth in the experience of the Christian life but the reality of the Temple is also there for lsquoYe also are built up a spiritual house to be a holy priesthood to offer up spiritual sacrificesrsquo Only when God dwells in us shall we have the nerve and the firmness of hand to take the knife and lsquoslay before the Lordrsquo the awful Guest in the sanctuary within the most precious of the children of our spirits

The essence of the sacrifice of self is the sacrifice of will In the Christian experience

lsquowillingly offeredrsquo is almost tautology for unwilling offerings are a contradiction and in fact there are no such things The quality of unwillingness destroys the character of the offering and robs it of all sacredness Reluctant Christianity is not Christianity That noun and that adjective can never be buckled together

The submission of will and the consequent surrender of myself and my powers opportunities and possessions so that I do all enjoy all use all and when need is endure all with glad thankful reference to God is only possible to me in the measure in which my will is made flexible by love and such will-subduing love comes only when we lsquoknow and believe the love that God hath to usrsquo There is the point at which not a few moral and religious teachers go wrong and bewilder themselves and their disciples There too is the point at which Christ and the Gospel of salvation through faith in Him stand forth as emancipating humanity from the dreary round of efforts and vain attempts to work up the condition needful for achieving the height of self-surrender which is seen to be indispensable to all true nobleness of living but is felt to be beyond the reach of the ordinary man There too is the point at which many good people mar their lives as Christians They waste their strength in trying to bring the jibbing horse up to the leap They try to blow up a fire of devotion and to make themselves priests to offer themselves but all the while the mutinous self recoils from the leap and the fire burns smokily and their sacrifice is laid on the altar with little joy because they have not been careful and wise enough to begin at the beginning and to follow Godrsquos way of melting their wills by love the reflection of the Infinite love of God to them Godrsquos priests offer themselves because they offer their wills they offer their wills because they love God they love God because they know that God loves them That is the divine order It is vain to try to accomplish the end by any other

II This willing offering hallows all life

No syllable is left to tell us what Amasiah did to win this praise Probably the words enshrine some now forgotten memory of his cheerful courage some heroic feat on an unrecorded battlefield Particulars are not given nor needed Specific actions are unimportant the spirit of a life can be told with very incomplete details and it not the details is the important thing Sometimes as in many modern biographies one lsquocannot see the wood for the treesrsquo and misses the main drift and aim of a life in the chaos of a bewildering mass of nothings How much more happy the lot of this man of whom we have only the generalised expression of the text unweighted and undisturbed by petty incidents It takes tons of rose leaves to make a tiny phial of otto of roses but the fragrance is far more pungent in a drop of the distillation than in armfuls of leaves Every life shrinks into very small compass and the centuries do not tolerate long biographies Shall we not seek to order our life so that Amasiahrsquos epitaph may serve for us It will be blessed if this-and nothing else-is known about us that we lsquowillingly offered ourselves to the Lordrsquo My friend will that be a true epitome of your life

III This willing offering is accepted by God

We may hear a mightier voice behind the chroniclerrsquo s and the judgment of the Judge of all pronounced by His lips It matters little what men say of one another but it matters everything what God says of us We are but too apt to forget that He is now saying something as to each of us and that we have not to wait for death to put a final period to our activities before our lives become fit subjects for Godrsquos judgment Moment by moment we are writing our own sentences But while it is good for us to remember the continuous judgment of God on each deed it is not good to let dark thoughts of the principles of that judgment paralyse our activity or chill our confidence in His forgiving and accepting mercy There is often a dark suspicion like that of the one-talented

servant which blackens Godrsquos fair fame as being lsquoan austere Manrsquo making demands rather than imparting power and the effect of such an ugly conception of Him is to cut the nerve of service and bury the talent carefully folded up it may be but none the less earning nothing lsquoIf we call on Him as Father who without respect of persons judgeth according to every manrsquos workrsquo let us be sure that it will be a Fatherly judgment that He will pass upon us and our offerings There is a wonderful collection on His altar of what many people would think rubbish just as many a mother has laid away among her treasures some worthless article which her child had once given her-a weed plucked by the roadside in a long past summer day some trifle of rare preciousness in the childrsquos eyes and of none in any others than her own She opens her drawer and brings out the poor little thing and her eyes fill and her heart fills as she looks And does not God keep His childrenrsquos gifts as lovingly and set them in places of honour in the day when He lsquomakes up His jewelsrsquo There are cups of cold water and widowsrsquo mites and much else that a supercilious world would call lsquotrashrsquo stored there Thank God He accepts imperfect service faltering faith partial consecration a little love Even our poor offering may be an lsquoodour of a sweet smellrsquo ministering fragrance that is a delight to Him if it is offered with the much incense of the great Sacrifice and through the mediation of the great High Priest

The world forgot Amasiah or never knew him an obscure soldier in an obscure kingdom but God did not forget and here is his epitaph and this is his memorial to all generations Menrsquos chronicles have no room for all the names that their wearers are eager to have inscribed on their crumbling and crowded pages lsquobut the Lambrsquos Book of Lifersquo has ample space on its radiant pages for all who desire to set their names there and if ours are there we need not envy the proudest whose titles and deeds fill the most conspicuous pages in the worldrsquos records lsquoThen shall every man have praise of Christrsquo and he who wins that guerdon needs nothing more and can have nothing more to swell his blessedness

17 From BenjaminEliada a valiant soldier with 200000 men armed with bows and shields

GILL And of Benjamin Eliada a mighty man of valour Was the chief commander

and with armed men with bow and shield two hundred thousand which were

the armour of the tribe of Benjamin they were best skilled in 2Ch_148

TRAPP 2 Chronicles 1717 And of Benjamin Eliada a mighty man of valour and with him armed men with bow and shield two hundred thousand

Ver 17 With bow and shield] The Benjamites were notable bowmen [1 Chronicles 122] The Engish were anciently so too

ELLICOTT (17) Armed men with bow and shieldmdashLiterally drawing bow and shield ie as the Targum explains ldquodrawing bow and grasping shieldsrdquo (Comp 1 Chronicles 122) LXX ldquoArchers and peltastsrdquo Vulg ldquoGrasping bow and shieldrdquo (Comp also 1 Chronicles 840 for the arms of the Benjaminites)

18 next Jehozabad with 180000 men armed for battle

GILL And next to him was Jehozabad According to the Targum he encamped next him

and with him one hundred and fourscore thousand ready prepared for war being able bodied men well disciplined valiant and well armed these numbers of Judah and Benjamin put together amount to 1160000 men whereas Asa only brought into the field 580000 but it should be considered there had been a long time of peace many had come off from the ten tribes to Judah and the promise of multiplying the seed of Abraham was eminently fulfilled

TRAPP 2 Chronicles 1718 And next him [was] Jehozabad and with him an hundred and fourscore thousand ready prepared for the war

Ver 18 A hundred and fourscore thousand] His militia was eleven hundred and threescore thousand besides what he had in garrisons [2 Chronicles 1719] So that as he was better he was stronger than his father Asa had been Piety hath prosperity

ELLICOTT (18) Ready prepared for the warmdashEquipped for service (See on 1

Chronicles 1223-24 umbers 315 umbers 3229) The hoplites or heavy-armed infantry are probably meant

PULPIT While Eliada of last verse was for Benjamin Professor Dr Murphy supposes that Jehozabad was for the annexed part of Ephraim But no suppositions of this kind can avail to explain the numbers in the text which is no doubt corrupt

19 These were the men who served the king besides those he stationed in the fortified cities throughout Judah

CLARKE These waited on the king - They were disposable forces always at the kingrsquos command and were independent of those by which the cities of Judah were garrisoned

There is not a sovereign in Europe or in the world but might read this chapter with advantage

1 It shows most forcibly that true religion is the basis of the state and that wherever it prospers there the state prospers

2 It shows also that it is the wisdom of kings to encourage religion with all their power and influence for if the hearts of the subjects be not bound and influenced by true religion vain is the application of laws fines imprisonments or corporal punishment of any kind

3 A religious nation is ever a great nation it is loved by its friends it is dreaded by its enemies

4 It is ever a peaceable and united nation the blessings of religion and a wholesome and paternal government are so fully felt and prized that all find it their interest to preserve and defend them Harmony peace piety and strength are the stability of such times May Britain know and value them

GILL These waited on the king Not this vast number of men at one time but in course as Davids military men waited on him 1Ch_271 or each of these captains with a proper number of men under them detached from the body and they were all ready to obey the kings orders whenever he should have occasion for them

besides those whom the king put into the fenced cities throughout Judah and all together the militia of the kingdom was very numerous and formidable

KampD 2Ch_1719

These were serving the king א6ה refers not to the above-mentioned men capable of

bearing arms for sheereet is not used of service in war but to the commanders whom he had placed in the fortified cities of all Judah ldquoin which probably bodies of the above-mentioned troops lay as garrisonsrdquo (Berth)

BESO 2 Chronicles 1719 These waited on the king mdash These above-mentioned were the trained bands or auxiliaries whose chief officers waited on the king to receive his commands and to raise and bring in all or part of their forces to the service of the king as need required A vast number for so small a compass of ground to furnish out and maintain But we may consider that God had promised to make the seed of Abraham like the sand of the sea for number that there had now been a long peace that many were come to them from the kingdom of Israel and that Jehoshaphat was under a special blessing of God They were doubtless dispersed all the country over every one residing on his own land only they were ready at call whenever there was occasion

TRAPP 2 Chronicles 1719 These waited on the king beside [those] whom the king put in the fenced cities throughout all Judah

Ver 19 These waited on the king] ie In their turns and by course

POOLE These above mentioned were the trained bands or auxiliaries whose chief officers waited upon the king to receive his commands and to raise and bring in all or part of their forces to the service of the king and kingdom as need required

ELLICOTT (19) These waited on the kingmdashRather these are they that ministered unto the king viz the five generals above named

Beside those whom the king put in the fenced citiesmdashie the commandants of the fortresses of the kingdom (2 Chronicles 1111 2 Chronicles 1123) These latter as well as the generals of the forces are called the kingrsquos ldquoministersrdquo (mĕshacircrĕthicircm)mdasha word which is not used of service in the field but implies their presence at court (ldquoin Jerusalemrdquo 2 Chronicles 1713 as the royal staff)

According to the above list the army of Jehoshaphat was organised in five grand divisions corresponding perhaps to five territorial divisions of the southern kingdom The totals are the largest assigned to the two tribes anywhere in the Old Testament viz Judah 780000 and Benjamin 380000 in all 1160000 At Davidrsquos census Judah had 500000 warriors (2 Samuel 249) and Israel 800000 Again in 2

Chronicles 148 Asarsquos army consists of 300000 men of Judah and 280000 Benjaminites clearly such an increase as our text indicates is unaccountable At the same time it is equally clear that the present numbers are not fortuitous results of clerical errors for they follow each other in the order of relative strength Judah 300000 280000 200000 Benjamin 200000 180000 and they are evidently not independent of the estimates of 2 Chronicles 148 above quoted

In the absence of adequate data for modifying these certainly startling figures it is well to bear in mind that we need not understand by them an army which ever actually mustered in the field or on parade but simply an estimate of the total male population liable to be called out for the national defence although even upon that understanding the total appears to be at least three times too great considering the small extent of the country

PULPIT These waited Hebrew המשרתים plur piel part of שרת The verse states that this enormous fivefold army with its five princes (counting in our corrupt text one million one hundred and sixty thousand) was the kings Jerusalem standing army while other separate regiments or bands of troops were spread through all Judah where they might be most needed for defence

forasmuch as Jehoshaphat walked in Gods commandmentsmdashhe read the decalogue he studied Gods word he would take no action personal regal or social that was not first examined and approved in the light of the divine statutes All this might have been comparatively easy if Jehoshaphat had started at an independent point but at such a point no man can start for he must take up the age as he finds it and must first disembarrass himself from all the stipulations and claims of custom usage and popular superstition Jehoshaphat sought not after the doings of Israel he set himself up in this respect against the kingdom he was not afraid of peculiarity in a word Jehoshaphats religion was characteristic that is to say it had lines points and colours of its own about which there could be no reasonable mistake What is our religion Do we intellectually assent to the existence and sovereignty of one God and then degenerate into self-worship Do we admit that there must be an ultimate morality a philosophy of conduct founded upon eternal metaphysics and then do we measure our own behaviour by the canon of custom These are questions that search the heart and no man can answer them for his brother

What became of all this noble conduct arising out of this high religious conception We shall see in the following versemdash

PULPIT After the doings of Israel This expression probably marks the doings of the northern kingdom as both the more typical throughout its whole history of the wrong and also as the systematic beginning by a law of idolatrous worship and images in the matter of the calves and so on

5 The Lord established the kingdom under his control and all Judah brought gifts to Jehoshaphat so that he had great wealth and honor

BARES Presents - i e ldquofree-will offeringsrdquo in addition to the regular taxes See 1Sa_1027

GILL Therefore the Lord stablished the kingdom in his hand Piety is the

best prop of government the throne is best supported and established by truth righteousness and mercy by the exercise of these Jehoshaphat was settled in his kingdom and had a place in the hearts of his people

and all Judah brought to Jehoshaphat presents being well affected to him as well as it was usual so to do at a princes accession to the throne see 1Sa_1027

and he had riches and honour in abundance through the presents his subjects brought him and the respect they showed him

JAMISO all Judah brought presentsmdash This was customary with the people generally at the beginning of a reign (1Sa_1027) and with the nobles and high functionaries yearly afterwards They were given in the form of voluntary offerings to avoid the odious idea of a tax or tribute

KampD Therefore Jahve established the kingdom in his hand ie under his rule cf

2Ki_145 All Judah brought him presents מנחה often used of tribute of subject peoples

eg in 2Ch_1711 of the Philistines cannot here have that signification nor can it denote

the regular imposts of subjects for these are not called מנחה but must denote voluntary

gifts which his subjects brought him as a token of their reverence and love The last clause ldquoand there was to him (he attained) riches and honour in abundancerdquo which is repeated 2Ch_181 recalls 1Ch_2928 2Ch_112 and signifies that Jehoshaphat like his ancestors David and Solomon was blessed for walking in the pious ways of these his forefathers

BESO 2 Chronicles 175-6 Therefore the Lord established the kingdom in his hand mdash Those stand firm that have the presence of God with them If the beauty of the Lord our God be upon us that will stablish the work of our hands and establish us in our integrity And all Judah brought to Jehoshaphat presents mdash As subjects in those times and places used to do to their kings in token of their respect and subjection to them The more there is of true religion among a people the more conscientious loyalty there will be A governor that answers the end of government will be supported And he had riches and honour in abundance mdash The effect of the favour both of God and his people It is undoubtedly true though few will believe it that religion and piety are the best friends to outward prosperity And his heart was lift up in the ways of the Lord mdash Riches and honour in abundance prove to many a clog and a hinderance in the ways of the Lord an occasion of pride security and sensuality but they had a quite contrary effect upon Jehoshaphat his abundance was oil to the wheels of his obedience and the more he had of the wealth of this world the more cheerfully and resolutely he went on in the ways of the Lord His heart also was lifted up above all discouragements difficulties and fears by which menrsquos hearts are wont to be cast down He was valiant and resolute for God and his ways He took away the high places and groves mdash That is those in which idols were worshipped for those that were dedicated to the true God only were not taken away chap 2 Chronicles 2033 And though Asa had done the same before yet

either he did not do it thoroughly or the people who were mad upon their idols had secretly made new ones in the latter part of his reign when he grew more infirm in body and more remiss in Godrsquos cause

TRAPP 2 Chronicles 175 Therefore the LORD stablished the kingdom in his hand and all Judah brought to Jehoshaphat presents and he had riches and honour in abundance

Ver 5 And he had riches and honour in abundance] Herein he came near unto Solomon in his greatest flourish

ELLICOTT (5) ThereforemdashAnd (so ldquoalsordquo ldquoso thatrdquo in 2 Chronicles 177 2 Chronicles 1710)

The Lord stablished the kingdom in his handmdashComp 2 Kings 145

PresentsmdashMinchah This word often means tributary offerings as in 2 Chronicles 1711 but here it obviously denotes the voluntary gifts of loyal subjects usual at the beginning of a reign (1 Samuel 1027)

And he had (or got) riches and honour in abundancemdashLike David and Solomon (1 Chronicles 2928 2 Chronicles 112)

PARKER 5-9 5 Therefore the Lord stablished the kingdom in his hand [comp 2 Kings 145] and all Judah brought to Jehoshaphat presents [this word often means tributary offerings but here it denotes the voluntary gifts of loyal subjects] and he had riches and honour in abundance

6 And his heart was lifted up [usually the phrase has a bad meaning (as in Deuteronomy 814 2 Chronicles 2616 Psalm 1311 etc) but it is evident that it must be taken differently here The marginal reading is right his courage rose high or he grew bold] in the ways of the Lord moreover he took away the high places and groves out of Judah

7 Also in the third year of his reign he sent to his princes [rather he sent his princes] even to Ben-hail and to Obadiah and to Zechariah and to ethaneel and to Michaiah to teach in the cities of Judah

8 And with them he sent [rather were the] Levites even Shemaiah and ethaniah and Zebadiah and Asahel and Shemiramoth and Jehonathan and Adonijah and Tobijah and Tobadonijah Levites and with them Elishama and Jehoram priests

9 And they taught in Judah and had the book of the law of the Lord [the Pentateuchmdashnearly if not quite in the shape in which we now have it] with them and went about throughout all the cities of Judah and taught [among] the people

PARKER Therefore the Lord stablished the kingdom in his hand and all Judah brought to Jehoshaphat presents and he had riches and honour in abundance ( 2 Chronicles 175)

Whatever was doubtful about the ascent of Jehoshaphat to the throne was removed and the king was enabled to realise his power when he closed his hand upon the royal sceptre he found that he was not grasping a shadow but a reality There are times when men become fully conscious of their influence and of their proper social position happy are they if in this consciousness they detect a prevailingly religious element which constrains them to acknowledge that honour and wealth power and dignity are the gifts of God Is not this an anticipation of the Saviours great doctrinemdashSeek ye first the kingdom of God and his righteousness and all these things shall be added unto you Jehoshaphat did not seek riches and honour he sought to the Lord God of his father and walked in the divine commandments and as a result he enjoyed all that kings delight in as indicating strength and pomp renown and influence

GUZIK 2 (2 Chronicles 175-6) The blessing upon his reign

Therefore the LORD established the kingdom in his hand and all Judah gave presents to Jehoshaphat and he had riches and honor in abundance And his heart took delight in the ways of the LORD moreover he removed the high places and wooden images from Judah

a Therefore the LORD established the kingdom in his hand This was no small accomplishment In those days kings and kingdoms were fragile and under constant threat Yet if the descendants of David would seek God first He promised to take care of their security ndash and God makes the same promise to His people today (Matthew 633)

b All Judah gave presents to Jehoshaphat and he had riches and honor in abundance Because Jehoshaphat trusted God God lifted him up and exalted him as a king As his heart took delight in the ways of the LORD the LORD gave him the desires of his heart (Psalms 374)

c Moreover he removed the high places and wooden images from Judah 1 Kings 2243 says that Jehoshaphat did not remove the high places Adam Clarke explains ldquoIn 2 Chronicles 176 it is expressly said that he did take way the high places Allowing that the text is right in 2 Chronicles the two places may be easily recognized There were two kinds of high places in the land 1 Those used for idolatrous purposes 2 Those that were consecrated to God and were used before the temple was built The former he did take away the latter he did notrdquo

i ldquoThey may also witness to the deep hold of the Canaanite and syncretic forms of religion on ordinary Israelites Popular views and practices are often quite different from pronouncements by religious authoritiesrdquo (Selman)

PULPIT All Judah brought presents to Jehoshaphat These presents were of course voluntary gifts though like not a few others custom may have taken off from them something of the bloom of spontaneousness (1 Samuel 1027 2 Samuel 82 1 Kings 421 1 Kings 1025 Psalms 7210)

6 His heart was devoted to the ways of the Lord furthermore he removed the high places and the Asherah poles from Judah

BARES His heart was lifted up - This expression generally occurs in a bad sense Deu_814 2Ch_2616 Psa_1311 Pro_1812 but here it must be taken differently The margin ldquowas encouragedrdquo expresses fairly the true meaning He first began by setting an example of faithfulness to Yahweh He then proceeded to use his best endeavors to extirpate idolatry

He took away the high places - Compare 2Ch_2033 and see the 2Ch_1517 note

GILL And his heart was lifted up in the ways of the Lord It was engaged in them was bent and set upon them he walked in them with great pleasure and cheerfulness being inspired with zeal and courage he was fearless and intrepid and regarded not any opposition he might have or expect to have in the work of reformation in which he was concerned

moreover he took away the high places such as were dedicated to idols but not those in which the true God was worshipped 2Ch_2033

and groves out of Judah where idols were placed for though these had been removed by Asa yet had been renewed in the latter part of his days when more negligent of religion

HERY 2 He was a despised man (Job_176) ldquoHerdquo (that is Eliphaz so some or rather God whom he all along acknowledges to be the author of his calamities) ldquohas made me a byword of the people the talk of the country a laughing-stock to many a gazing-stock to all and aforetime (or to mens faces publicly) I was as a tabret that whoever chose might play uponrdquo They made ballads of him his name became a proverb it is so still As poor as Job ldquoHe has now made me a bywordrdquo a reproach of men whereas aforetime in my prosperity I was as a tabret deliciae humani generis -

the darling of the human race whom they were all pleased with It is common for those who were honoured in their wealth to be despised in their poverty

JAMISO his heart was lifted up in the ways of the Lordmdash Full of faith and piety he possessed zeal and courage to undertake the reformation of manners to suppress all the works and objects of idolatry (see on 2Ch_2033) and he held out public encouragement to the pure worship of God

KampD This blessing encouraged Jehoshaphat to extirpate from the land all

idolatrous worship and to teach the people the law of the Lord לב usually sensu ב

malo to be haughty proud cf eg 2Ch_2616 2Ch_3225 here sensu bono of rising

courage to advance in ways pleasing to God and he removed the high places also etc עודpoints back to 2Ch_173 not only did he himself keep far from the Baals but he

removed besides all memorials of the Baal-worship from Judah On מות and אשרים see

on 2Ch_142

COKE 2 Chronicles 176 And his heart was lifted upmdash And when he had elevated his mind in following the commandments of God he took yet from Judah high places and groves ie he destroyed yet other monuments of idolatry which had escaped the diligence of his father Asa though he took not away those high places and altars which had been erected in Jerusalem for the true God See 1 Kings 2243 and ch 1 Kings 2033 of this book

TRAPP 2 Chronicles 176 And his heart was lifted up in the ways of the LORD moreover he took away the high places and groves out of Judah

Ver 6 And his heart was lifted up] ot with pride as 2 Chronicles 3225 but with undaunted courage and disengaged zeal such as made him come off roundly and readily in the ensuing reformation he was more forward and forth putting than his father Asa not slothful in business but fervent in spirit serving the Lord

POOLE His heart was lifted up above all discouragements and difficulties and fears by which menrsquos hearts use to be cast down he was valiant and resolute for God and his ways

He took away the high places and groves to wit such only wherein idols were worshipped as appears by comparing this with 2 Chronicles 2033 And though Asa had done this before yet either he did not do it thoroughly or the Jews (who were many of them mad upon their idols) had secretly made new ones in the latter part of his reign when he grew more infirm in body and more remiss in Godrsquos cause

WHEDO 6 His heart was lifted up mdash That is exalted with holy faith and courage

Took away the high places mdash Yet in spite of all his efforts and successes in this matter the people had become so addicted to these practices that their destruction was not thoroughly secured See note on 2 Chronicles 143 and compare 2 Chronicles 2033

ELLICOTT (6) And his heart was lifted upmdashGabhah lccedilbh which usually like the phrase of Authorised version has a bad meaning as in 2 Chronicles 2616 The margin is right here ldquohis courage rose highrdquo or ldquohe grew boldrdquo in the ways of Jehovah ie in the path of religious reform Vulg ldquocum sumpsisset cor ejus audaciam propter vias Dominirdquo

MoreovermdashAnd again further Referring to 2 Chronicles 173 ot only did he not seek the Baals but more than this he removed the high places ampc [This is the common explanation But the sense may rather be ldquoAnd he again removedrdquo referring back to Asarsquos reforms 2 Chronicles 145]

GrovesmdashrsquoAshecircrim ldquoAsherahsrdquo (2 Chronicles 143)

PARKER And his heart was lifted up in the ways of the Lord moreover he took away the high places and groves out of Judah ( 2 Chronicles 176)

The expression his heart was lifted up is an awkward one The lifting up of the heart signifies increase of pride a sensation of vanity a desire to gratify personal ambition and to make an idol of his will In this instance the marginal reading is to be preferredmdashwas encouraged or otherwise his courage rose high and again it has been rendered Jehoshaphat grew bold that is to say he was not a timid reformer or a timid worshipper a trimmer or a time-server in any sense he was a heroic worshipper of the living God when he saw that reform was necessary he went forward with a steady step and an energetic hand We should call Jehoshaphat a man of conviction and a man who had the courage of his convictions altogether this is the outline of a noble personage a born king a man who has a right to the purple and the sceptre When such men ascend thrones nations should be glad and rejoice with a great joy for their character is grander than their office and their spirit is the best guarantee of the elevation and utility of their regal policy Becoming conscious of his power knowing that his kingdom was established from on high Jehoshaphat not only did pot seek the Baals himself but he took away the high places and groves out of Judah Jehoshaphat was not content with a merely personal religion he could not convert the hearts of his people but he could destroy all the symbols of unholy worship Men are only required to do that which lies within their power A proprietor may not be able to make people sober but he can forbid the introduction of temptations to drunkenness a parent may not be able to subdue the spirit of pride but he can in many instances limit the means of gratifying it There are reforms which are open to us all in personal custom in social habit it may be even in imperial ways let each Jehoshaphat seize his opportunity and magnify it

All this would have been comparatively in vain but for another step which

Jehoshaphat took In the third year of his reign he sent to his princesmdashthat is to say he sent his princesmdashand he sent Levites all of whose names are given and he sent also two priests Elishama and Jehoram and their business was purely educational

PULPIT And his heart was lifted up in the ways of the Lord Although the verb often carries a bad sense with it it quite as often carries with it a good one in the גבהOld Testament and the typical instance of the former (Psalms 1311) is fully counterbalanced by Isaiah 5213 The marginal was enencouraged may be superseded with advantage by took courage (Isaiah 4029-31) The groves Supersede this incorrect rendering by the Asherim and upon the seeming discrepancy see again Isaiah 151-9 17 and Introduction to Chronicles there quoted

7 In the third year of his reign he sent his officials Ben-Hail Obadiah Zechariah ethanel and Micaiah to teach in the towns of Judah

BARES The princes were not sent as teachers themselves but had the duty committed to them of seeing that the people were taught The actual teachers were the priests and Levites of 2Ch_178

CLARKE 7-9 To teach in the cities of Judah - ldquoTo teach the fear of the Lord in the cities of Judahrdquo - Targum

In these verses we find a remarkable account of an itinerant ministry established by Jehoshaphat and in this work he employed three classes of men

1 The princes

2 The Levites

3 The priests

We may presume that the princes instructed the people in the nature of the civil law and constitution of the kingdom the Levites instructed them in every thing that appertained to the temple service and ritual law and the priests instructed them in the

nature and design of the religion they professed Thus the nation became thoroughly instructed in their duty to God to the king and to each other They became therefore as one man and against a people thus united on such principles no enemy could be successful

GILL Also in the third year of his reign he sent to his princes That dwelt in the several parts of the kingdom or he sent them being with him some of the

principal men of his court for ל may be a sign of the accusative case as it sometimes is

even to Benhail and to Obadiah and to Zechariah and to Nethaneel and to Michaiah to teach in the cities of Judah to see that they were taught and oblige them to attend to the instructions that should be given them and not mutiny and rebel against their teachers and to let them know what was the kings pleasure on this head and to back with their authority the priests and Levites whose proper work it was to instruct and who therefore were sent with them as follows

JAMISO 7-11 2Ch_177-11 He sends Levites to teach in Judah

Also in the third year of his reign he sent to his princes to teach in the cities of Judahmdash The ordinary work of teaching devolved on the priests But extraordinary commissioners were appointed probably to ascertain whether the work had been done or neglected This deputation of five princes assisted by two priests and nine Levites was to make a circuit of the towns in Judah It is the first practical measure we read of as being adopted by any of the kings for the religious instruction of the people Time and unbroken opportunities were afforded for carrying out fully this excellent plan of home education for the kingdom enjoyed internal tranquillity as well as freedom for foreign wars It is conformable to the pious style of the sacred historian to trace this profound peace to the ldquofear of the Lord having fallen on all kingdoms of the lands that were round about Judahrdquo

BESO 2 Chronicles 177 He sent to his princes mdash to teach in the cities of Judah mdash To inform the people of their duty and of the kingrsquos pleasure As judges teach or instruct the people in the laws of the land when they deliver their charges upon the bench so did these princes in the kingrsquos name admonish and require the people to observe and obey the laws of God which were the municipal laws of that land the particular explication and enforcement whereof they left to the Levites and priests here following who were sent for this end and accordingly taught the people 2 Chronicles 179

COFFMA Because of the clause which we have capitalized this is one of the most important passages in Chronicles Right here is the reason radical critics have extended themselves so unreasonably in their efforts to discredit Chronicles Here is dependable historical proof of the continued existence of the Torah from the days of Moses throughout the history of Israel As Keil stated it The book of the law of Jehovah is the Pentateuch not merely a collection of Mosaic laws since in Jehoshaphats time the Mosaic Book of the Law (the Pentateuch) had been long in existence[1] We shall not take the space to repeat the vociferous denials of critics

except to cite one knee-jerk remark that characterizes all of them Such action was not taken in Jehoshaphats time[2] What is the basis of such a blatant denial of what Gods Word states as a fact even giving the very names of the royal princes who did the teaching THERE IS OE o matter what unbelievers say this chapter IS the historical record of what happened in the reign of Jehoshaphat and those who live two and one half millenniums afterward have nothing of value by which they may challenge it Then why do men deny it The false theories they have invented are here contradicted forcing them either to give up their false theories or to deny the Sacred Scriptures that contradict them

COKE 2 Chronicles 177 He sent to his princes even to Ben-hail ampcmdash He sent of his princes Ben-hail Obadiah ampc The proper business of these princes in their circuit round the kingdom says Bishop Patrick was to admonish and require the people to observe the laws of God and to leave the particular explication and enforcement of them to those of the sacred order who went with them supporting them in the execution of their office and obliging the people to receive them with respect to hear them with attention and to practise what they taught

TRAPP 2 Chronicles 177 Also in the third year of his reign he sent to his princes [even] to Benhail and to Obadiah and to Zechariah and to ethaneel and to Michaiah to teach in the cities of Judah

Ver 7 He sent to his princes to teach in the cities of Judah] Teaching princes there are not many such as were David Solomon George prince of Anhalt ampc but these were sent with the teaching Levites to countenance and bear them out in this visitation general and perhaps to punish the opposite and obstinate if any such Junius readeth the text thus He sent with his princes these Levites for the teaching Or the princes taught the people the law of the land the priests and Levites the law of God both did mutually help one another So a Danish king of this land made a law that at the general court of every shire the bishop of the diocese should accompany the sheriff that the one might countenance Godrsquos law the other manrsquos (a) Queen Elizabeth once in her progress through Suffolk observing that the justices of that county who came to meet her had every man his minister next to his body said she wondered not that that county was so well governed where she saw that the word and sword went so lovingly together (b)

POOLE To teach in the cities of Judah to inform the people of their duty and of the kingrsquos pleasure As judges or justices of peace teach or instruct the people in the laws of the land when they deliver their charges upon the bench so did these princes in the kingrsquos name admonish and require the people to observe and obey the laws of God which were the prinicipal laws of that land the particular explication and enforcement whereof they left to the Levites and priests here following who were sent for this end and accordingly taught the people 2 Chronicles 179

WHEDO 7 He sent to his princeshellip to teach mdash He committed the matter of

teaching to their oversight and care and the teaching was done by the Levites and priests as stated in the next verse He did well to put down idolatry but he was wise enough to know that unless the people were instructed they would soon apostatize again

ELLICOTT THE COMMISSIOERS OF PUBLIC ISTRUCTIO I THE LAW

(7) He sent to his princes even to Ben-hail to MichaiahmdashRather He sent his princes Ben- hail and Obadiah and Michaiah (The le ldquotordquo in the chroniclerrsquos idiom marking the object of the verb) If however Authorised Version were correct the construction would not be unique as the Speakerrsquos Com mentary asserts (Comp 2 Kings 57 ldquothis man sendeth to me to recover a manrdquo ampc)

Princesmdashone of the personages mentioned in this and the following verse are otherwise known The ldquofive princesrdquo were laymen of rank and were accompanied by nine (eight) Levites and two priests

Ben-hailmdashSon of valour A compound proper name only occurring here but analogous to Ben-hur Ben-deker and Ben-hesed in 1 Kings 48-10 (The LXX renders ldquothe sons of the mightyrdquo Syriac ldquothe chiefs of the forcesrdquo apparently reading bnecirc chail)

ethaneelmdashSyriac Mattanael Arabic Mattaniah Michaiah Syriac and Arabic Malachiah

GUZIK B The strength of Jehoshaphatrsquos kingdom

1 (2 Chronicles 177-10) The spiritual strength of the kingdom Jehoshaphat brings the Word of God to the people

Also in the third year of his reign he sent his leaders Ben-Hail Obadiah Zechariah ethanel and Michaiah to teach in the cities of Judah And with them he sent Levites Shemaiah ethaniah Zebadiah Asahel Shemiramoth Jehonathan Adonijah Tobijah and Tobadonijah the Levites and with them Elishama and Jehoram the priests So they taught in Judah and had the Book of the Law of the LORD with them they went throughout all the cities of Judah and taught the people And the fear of the LORD fell on all the kingdoms of the lands that were around Judah so that they did not make war against Jehoshaphat

a To teach in the cities of Judah These ldquoteaching priestsrdquo have been mentioned by the Chronicler before (2 Chronicles 153) They had the important role of bringing the word of God to the people especially those who lived outside of Jerusalem

b They taught in Judah and had the Book of the Law of the LORD with them they went throughout all the cities of Judah and taught the people This was the wisest

and best policy a security-conscious king of Judah could promote Because Jehoshaphat sought God first God sent fear upon the neighboring kingdoms so that they did not make war against Jehoshaphat

i ldquoBy this little band of princes Levites and priests sixteen in all Jehoshaphat did more toward impressing the surrounding nations with a sense of his power than the largest and best-equipped standing army could have secured to himrdquo (Knapp)

ii ldquoThe method adopted was what in these modern times we might describe as the holding of Special Missions throughout the cities of Judah for the specific purpose of proclaiming and interpreting lsquothe book of the law of Jehovahrsquordquo (Morgan)

iii ldquoo better service can be rendered to the nation than that of proclaiming the Word of Jehovah to the people in cities towns villages and hamlets By such proclamation the heart of the people may be turned to Jehovah and so He be enabled to do for them all that is in His heartrdquo (Morgan)

iv ldquoThus the nation became thoroughly instructed in their duty to God to the king and to each other They became therefore as one man and against a people thus united on such principles no enemy could be successfulrdquo (Clarke)

v Clarke observed how a similar itinerant ministry in the days of John Wesley and his followers impacted Britain ldquoSuch an itinerant ministry established in these kingdoms for upwards of fourscore years teaching the pure unadulterated doctrines of the Gospel with the propriety and necessity of obedience to the laws has been the principle means in the hand of God of preserving the lands from those convulsions and revolutions that have ruined and nearly dissolved the European continentrdquo

vi ldquoIt is said (2 Chronicles 172) Jehoshaphat place forces in all the fenced cities yet it is not said thereupon that lsquothe fear of the Lord fell upon the neighbour nationsrsquo But when he had established a preaching ministry in all the cities then his enemies had a fear and made no warrdquo (Trapp)

PULPIT He sent Hebrew שלח The Hebrew text distinctly says he sent to his princes not he sent his princes The meaning ismdashhe sent orders to his princes to see to it that Judah was taught (2 Chronicles 179) the book of the Law of the Lord (Le 2 Chronicles 1011 Deuteronomy 49 Deuteronomy 1718) not indeed without their own personal aid in whatever way able to be given but systematically and with authority by the Levites and priests (Deuteronomy 3310) This deeper fathoming of the needs of the time and of what constituted its real safety was greatly to the spiritual credit of Jehoshaphat The references (2 Chronicles 153 2 Chronicles 352-4 2 Chronicles 3510-12) are full of point one of these princes or Levites and priests are elsewhere mentioned by name

8 With them were certain LevitesmdashShemaiah ethaniah Zebadiah Asahel Shemiramoth Jehonathan Adonijah Tobijah and Tob-Adonijahmdashand the priests Elishama and Jehoram

GILL 2 Chronicles 178And with them he sent Levites With the five princes he sent nine Levites

even Shemaiah and Nethaniah and Zebadiah and Asahel and Shemiramoth and Jehonathan and Adonijah and Tobijah and Tobadonijah Levites of whom we nowhere else read no doubt they were principal persons and fit for the work they were sent about

and with them Elishama and Jehoram priests whose lips were to keep knowledge and at whose mouth the law was to be sought Mal_27

ELLICOTT (8) And with them he sent LevitesmdashRather And with them were the Levites The construction being changed So LXX and the Syriac (Comp 1 Chronicles 1641-42 1 Chronicles 1518 for the same mode of enumeration which is characteristic of the style of the chronicler

ZebadiahmdashSome MSS and Syriac and Arabic read Zechariah

ShemiramothmdashSo LXX and Vulg (see 1 Chronicles 165 1 Chronicles 1518) The Heb text is probably incorrect Syriac and Arabic read instead atucircra

Tob-adonijahmdashThis curious name occurs only here and is perhaps a mere mistake arising out of the preceding Adonijah and Tobijah The Syriac and Arabic omit it

PriestsmdashThe priests

The commission was a mixed one of civil and ecclesiastical persons (comp 1 Chronicles 131-2 1 Chronicles 232 1 Chronicles 246)

And had the book of the law of the LordmdashAnd with them was the book of the law (teaching) of Jehovah For the construction compare 1 Chronicles 1642 The writer

evidently means the Pentateuch and if this notice was derived by him from a contemporary source eg the ldquowords of Jehu the son of Hananirdquo to which he refers as an authority for the reign (2 Chronicles 2034) it would constitute an important testimony to the existence if not of the five books at least of an ancient collection of laws at this early date (circ 850 BC )

And taught the peoplemdashTaught among the people

9 They taught throughout Judah taking with them the Book of the Law of the Lord they went around to all the towns of Judah and taught the people

BARES There is no reasonable doubt that this ldquobook of the lawrdquo was the Pentateuch - nearly if not quite in the shape in which we now have it Copies of the whole Law were no doubt scarce and therefore Jehoshaphatrsquos commission took care to carry a copy with them

CLARKE Had the book of the law of the Lord with them - This was their text book it was the book of God they taught it as such and as such the people received it Its laws were Godrsquos laws and the people felt their obligation and their consciences were bound Thus they were obedient to the laws of the land on the principle of religion In this they were encouraged and confirmed by the example of all both in Church and state The princes were not only pious but were teachers of piety the Levites showed them the worth and excellence of their ritual institutions and the priests showed them the moral use they were to make of the whole and thus the people became obedient to God as well as to the king and kept all the civil ordinances not merely for the sake of a good king but for the sake of a good and gracious God By these means the nation enjoyed peace and prosperity and all insurrections seditions and popular commotions were prevented The surrounding nations perceiving this saw that there was no hope of subduing such a people so they made no war with Jehoshaphat 2Ch_1710 And they took care not to provoke such a people to fall on them therefore it is said The fear of the Lord fell on all the kingdoms and lands that were round about Judah Such an itinerant ministry established in these kingdoms for upwards of fourscore years

teaching the pure unadulterated doctrines of the Gospel with the propriety and necessity of obedience to the laws has been the principal means in the hand of God of preserving these lands from those convulsions and revolutions that have ruined and nearly dissolved the European continent The itinerant ministry to which this refers is that which was established in these lands by the late truly reverend highly learned and cultivated deeply pious and loyal John Wesley AM formerly a fellow of Lincoln College Oxford whose followers are known by the name of Methodists a people who are an honor to their country and a blessing to the government under which they live

GILL And they taught in Judah The people their duty to God and man

and had the book of the law of the Lord with them as the rule of their instruction and the peoples obedience out of this they taught them and by it confirmed what they taught and enforced it with the divine authority

and went about throughout all the cities of Judah not only their own cities the Levitical ones but all others

and taught the people the law of the Lord the fear and worship of God

JAMISO the book of the lawmdash that is either the whole Pentateuch or only the book of Deuteronomy which contains an abridgment of it

BESO 2 Chronicles 179 And they taught in Judah ampc mdash The Levites and priests were teachers by office Deuteronomy 3310 It was a part of the work for which they had their maintenance and indeed had little else to do But it seems they had neglected it pretending probably that they could not get the people to hear them Jehoshaphat therefore sends them with the princes who by their authority might require the people to assemble together to receive instruction in the laws of God and their duty ldquoWhat a great deal of goodrdquo says Henry ldquomay be done when Moses and Aaron thus go hand in hand in the doing of it when princes with their power and priests and Levites with their Scripture-learning agree to teach the people the good knowledge of God and their duty These itinerant judges and itinerant preachers together were instrumental to diffuse a blessed light throughout the cities of Judahrdquo And had the book of the law of the Lord with them mdash 1st For their own guidance that from thence they might draw all the instructions they gave to the people and not teach for doctrines the commandments of men 2d For the conviction or the people that they might see these priests and Levites had a divine warrant for what they said and delivered to them only that which they had received from the Lord

TRAPP 2 Chronicles 179 And they taught in Judah and [had] the book of the law of the LORD with them and went about throughout all the cities of Judah and taught the people

Ver 9 And had the book of the law of the Lord with them] They taught not

traditions human inventions or unwritten verities All their doctrines came cum privilegio and were Scripture proof

WHEDO 9 The book of the law mdash Our Pentateuch in substantially its present form ldquoCopies of the whole law were no doubt scarce and therefore Jehoshaphatrsquos commission took care to carry a copy with themrdquo mdash Rawlinson

PARKER And they taught in Judah and had the book of the law of the Lord with them and went about throughout all the cities of Judah and taught the people ( 2 Chronicles 179)

This was a mixed commission partly civil partly ecclesiastical The men here mentioned are otherwise unknown We identify them as educational reformers or reformers who operated through the medium of education they were not warriors destroyers revolutionists but men who addressed the mind and the understanding and the conscience and caused men to know that the true law was from above and not from beneath The book which the commission had in hand was the Pentateuch or the law of Moses This was known to be the law which alone could touch all the vital necessities of the commonwealth Again and again we are constrained to admit that there is a law beyond Prayer of Manasseh above Prayer of Manasseh in a sense apart from man men are not driven within themselves to find a law an instinct or a reason they have a written statute an authoritative declaration a book which Christian teachers do not hesitate to describe as a Revelation and to that they call the attention of men If the teacher were teaching out of his own consciousness he would be but an equal often exposing himself to the destructive criticism of his more advanced and penetrating scholars but the teacher takes his stand upon a book upon the Book the Bible a revelation which he believes to be divine and final Say what we will the effect of Bible teaching must be judged by its fruits Where are the nations that are most distinguished for wide and varied intelligence for large and exhaustive sympathy for missionary enterprise for philanthropic institutions and for all the elements which give grace and beauty to social existence The question should admit of definite reply the facts are before men let them judge fearlessly and honestly and we need have no apprehension concerning their verdict Wherever the word of the Lord has had free course superstition has been chased away human slavery has been abolished every instance of intolerance injustice unkindness has felt the influence of holy thought in all these matters discussion should be limited strictly to facts Thus kings can help nations not by forcing education not by attempting to rule opinion not by setting up standards of orthodoxy to fall short of which is to incur penalty but by spreading education by extending light by cultivating a spirit of inquiry and by a generous multiplication of all the instrumentalities needed for the destruction of ignorance What may come of this we are not supposed at this moment to know Meanwhile let us be thankful that we are face to face with a man who has conviction courage independence high patriotic and generous impulse and let us hope that his end may be as beautiful as his beginning was promising

SIMEO THE ROYAL EDICT

ADVERTISEMETmdashThe author feels it necessary to prefix to this Sermon some short account of the occasion on which it was delivered

The author was at Amsterdam (in June 1818) partly with a view of re-establishing there an Episcopal Chapel in which there had been no service for seven years but principally with a view of seeking the welfare of the Children of Israel He went thither rather to explore than to act (See ehemiah 212-16) But just previous to the 18th of June he understood that the Third Anniversary of the Battle of Waterloo was to be kept throughout the etherlands as a day of thanksgiving and just at that time also he quite accidentally heard that the King of the etherlands had a year before issued an Edict requiring all the Jews to educate their children in the knowledge of their own Scriptures and calling upon all his Christian Subjects to aid in this good work Despondency not unlike to that which paralyzed all exertion at Jerusalem in ehemiahrsquos days so universally prevailed that no one had risen to the occasion the very Commissioners who had been appointed to carry the Edict into effect had published a Report in which they gave it as their opinion ldquothat the Lordrsquos time was not comerdquo and there was great danger that the gracious designs of the Monarch would be altogether frustrated The author therefore judged this a fit occasion for calling the attention of the Public to the Edict and accordingly after devoting the Morning Service to the more appropriate subject of the day he employed the Evening Service in an endeavour to forward this good work Considerable attention was excited to the subject by means of the Sermon which was therefore instantly printed in Dutch French and English for the purpose of its being circulated throughout the etherlands and he has reason to hope that active exertions were afterwards made in many places to promote what every benevolent mind must ardently desire the edification and welfare of the Jewish People

So good an example having been set by the Emperor of Russia and the King of the etherlands the author hopes that the attention of our own Governors also both in Church and State may be called to this long-neglected People and that now the British Public has been invited by authority (the Kingrsquos Letter) to aid in supporting Missions to the Heathen World the claims of the Jewish ation to whom under God we owe all the light that we ourselves enjoy will not be overlooked It is with a view to this great object that the author sends forth the Sermon in this country where if the foregoing explanation had not been given its relevancy and use might have been justly called in question

2 Chronicles 179 And they taught in Judah and had the book of the law of the Lord with them and went about throughout all the cities of Judah and taught the people

O a day set apart for thanksgiving to God for mercies received it is peculiarly proper to consider what we may render unto the Lord for all his benefits Certainly if any event ever deserved repeated annual commemoration it is that which has

freed the world from the most grievous tyranny that ever it endured Of the bitter cup which was put into the hands of every nation in Europe this nation [ote The etherlands] drank very deeply and the change which it has experienced in the restoration of their rightful Monarch and in the establishment of a free Constitution calls for their devoutest acknowledgments to Almighty God Doubtless we may with justice pay some tribute of honour to those who by their counsels and their arms effected the overthrow of the Usurper but it is God alone who giveth victory to kings and to whom the glory of this great victory must be primarily ascribed and he who accounts a day consecrated to this service superfluous shews that he is far from justly appreciating the blessings that have been conferred upon him The monarch himself has given to his people a very decided evidence that he feels the depth of his obligations to the God of his salvation and it will be your own loss if you do not cultivate a similar spirit and improve the occasion to the honour of your God

But it is not to thanksgiving only that your Monarch invites you he calls you by a special Edict to unite with him in seeking the welfare of your Jewish Brethren who in their struggle with the enemy signally approved their fidelity to their legitimate Sovereign Their welfare he in his turn studies to promote and he desires to combine the energies of all his subjects in efforts for their good Methinks he is like Jehoshaphat of old who well knowing that piety must be founded in knowledge and happiness in piety sent forth the Princes of his empire with a select number of Priests and Levites to instruct his people in the knowledge of Godrsquos blessed word

His edict on this occasion and the manner in which it was carried into effect will form the subject of my present discourse

I Then we notice the edict of King Jehoshaphatmdash

This was such as became a great and pious monarch and we shall find it not unprofitable or unsuitable to the present occasion to enter into a distinct consideration of it We observe then that it was a kind and benevolent edict a wise and politic edict a good and beneficial edict

Mark the benevolence displayed in it He sought the present and eternal welfare of his subjects He knew that as men are raised above the beasts by the exercise of reason so are they elevated in the scale of rational beings in proportion as their intellectual powers are cultivated and enlarged Man destitute of knowledge is a mere savage but when instructed in the various branches of science he becomes refined and civilized and capable of contributing to the general good In the very cultivation of knowledge there is much pleasure arising to the mind and in the application of that knowledge to useful purposes there is an exquisite delight We need only observe persons when employed in their several vocations how happy they are how contented how cheerful oftentimes unconsciously proclaiming their happiness like the birds of the air in festal songs or consciously and with devotion in songs of praise

But it was not mere intellectual improvement which Jehoshaphat sought to convey he wished his people to be instructed in the knowledge of that God whom they professed to fear and worship This alone could make them truly happy this alone could impart to them sound wisdom or solid consolation He therefore gave particular directions that they should be taught ldquoin the Book of the Law of the Lordrdquo and this throughout the whole land O happy people whose governor so employed the authority with which he was invested And happy that monarch who so improved his influence not for his own personal aggrandizement but for the best interests of the people committed to his charge In so doing he approved himself to be indeed what every governor should be the friend and father of his people

or was the policy of this measure at all inferior to its benevolence A people well instructed in moral and religious knowledge will view government as an ordinance of God and will learn to obey the constituted authorities not so much from fear of their wrath as for conscience sake towards God They will view their governors as Godrsquos vicegerents upon earth and will consider allegiance to them as an essential part of their duty to him Hence will spring up love in their hearts and a real delight in manifesting on all proper occasions their loyalty to their king they will form a bulwark around his person in case of necessity and even glory in laying down their lives for him as their greatest benefactor

The benefits arising from this edict were incalculable Such was the effect of it that the fear of Jehoshaphat and of Jehovah as his protector fell on all the nations that were round about him so that none however hostile in their hearts dared to make war against him [ote ver 10] Doubtless this resulted chiefly from an impression made upon their minds by God himself yet it was also produced by a dread of that energy which an united people were ready to put forth at any instant at the call of their beloved monarch At the same time that peace was thus secured prosperity reigned in every part of the empire and as the immediate fruit of it Jehoshaphat as well as the people ldquohad riches and honour in abundance [ote ver 5]rdquo In his own mind too he reaped the fruits of his own benevolence God smiled upon him and manifested himself to him and enabled him to walk with ldquohis heart lifted up in the ways of the Lord [ote ver 6]rdquo

Such was the edict of the pious Jehoshaphatmdashbenevolent politic beneficial And what I would ask is the Edict which has been issued by the highest authority in this kingdom Do we not see in it the same blessed characters as in that which we have been considering It was ldquoin the third year of his reign [ote ver 7]rdquo that Jehoshaphat sent forth teachers to enlighten and instruct his subjects The very instant he felt himself at liberty from the more urgent and pressing calls of duty (such as the fortifying of his land against foreign enemies and the correcting of some great internal abuses) he engaged in this good work of diffusing light and knowledge through all classes of the community In like manner the sovereign of this kingdom has scarcely had time to repair the ravages of war and to establish his empire too long weakened and impoverished by a cruel usurpation before he stands forth as the friend and father of his people and more especially of that portion of them who have in every age and place been most treated with neglect and

disdain to have them educated in scriptural knowledge and in the fear of God It is much to be lamented that the Jewish people have not in general been so attentive either to the learning or morals of their children as might be wished and hence arose a necessity for some authoritative admonition on the subject Yet if I may say it without offence this neglect has not been more reprehensible in them than has been the indifference with which the Christian world has regarded it The monarch (may God recompense it richly into his bosom) has risen up to remedy the supineness both of the one and the other and to call forth the united energies of all to correct and terminate this evil Yet whilst he thus consults the best interests of his subjects with what paternal tenderness has he guarded against wounding the feelings of any or exciting their religious prejudices The Scriptures of the Old Testament are alone to be used in the schools that shall be established even those Scriptures which Jews as well as Christians believe to have been given by inspiration of God and to contain truth without any mixture of error In this is marked the policy no less than the benevolence of the edict for it is not by constraint but by conciliation and kindness that good is to be done to any and more especially to those who have shewn themselves now for so many centuries proof against all the efforts of intimidation or force In this kingdom they form no small body and I may add no unimportant portion of the community It is well known how extensive is their influence in the affairs of commerce and how by their activity they contribute to enrich the state Hence it is now generally seen and felt that they are entitled to the same respect as any other subjects of the realm and whilst as in the present instance they see how deeply their monarch feels interested in their welfare they cannot but on their part be sensible of the privileges they enjoy under his paternal government and testify their gratitude to him by every possible expression of loyalty and affection

What the ultimate effect of these measures will be may be conjectured from the blessed results of the edict of Jehoshaphat all will feel themselves happy under the government of such a prince and he whilst he is respected abroad and beloved at home will have the happiness of seeing his labours crowned with prosperity throughout his dominions and with peace in his own soul

II The manner in which Jehoshaphatrsquos edict was carried into execution is now to be noticedmdash

The promptness with which his commands were executed deserves the highest praise All were ready to co-operate in this good work as soon as it was proposed ldquoPrinces and priests and Levites [ote ver 7 8]rdquo all addressed themselves to it instantly with one heart and one soul one accounted their dignity so high or their functions so sacred but they thought it an honour to be employed in such a service and found a delight in fulfilling the wishes of their revered monarch all entered into the work with zeal and prosecuted it with diligence and hence a rapid change was effected both in the temporal and spiritual condition of the whole nation And what may not be effected in this kingdom also if a similar zeal be exercised by ldquothe princes and priestsrdquo (the magistrates and clergy) of the land With them it must begin Those who move in a lower station can effect nothing if they be not aided and

countenanced by the higher orders whose rank in life or sacredness of character will give a tone to the general feeling and combine the energies of the whole kingdom If it be said that those for whom the benefit is designed do not feel a desire after it this only shews how much they need it and how earnestly we should all embark in a cause proposed by such high authority and recommended by the soundest dictates of wisdom and piety

That our obligations to unite in this labour of love may the more distinctly appear I would beg leave to suggest the following considerations

First Loyalty to the king demands our concurrence with him in this good work and a holy emulation amongst us to carry into effect his benevolent designs What can the greatest or best of men effect (what could Jehoshaphat himself have done) if there be none to act in subserviency to them and to follow their directions As the most potent monarch upon earth would in vain proclaim war if there were no soldiers found to enlist under his banners and to execute his commands so it will be in vain that the design of benefiting the Jewish people was ever conceived in the mind of the king or that his edict respecting them was ever issued if his subjects do not put forth their energies in obedience to his call In truth a backwardness to co-operate with him in this blessed work would seem like a reflection cast upon him as recommending a measure that was unworthy of attention I do not mean to insinuate that such an idea really exists in the minds of any for I am perfectly convinced it does not but certainly in appearance it is open to this construction and every subject of the empire is concerned to act in such a way as to cut off all occasion for a reflection like this I say loyalty alone even if we had no higher motive should be sufficient to call forth our exertions in this cause

But let me next observe that gratitude to the Jewish nation demands it at our hands How great how manifold are our obligations to them Behold Moses and the prophets what instruction have they given us in reference to the way of life and salvation Without the moral law as revealed by Moses we should never have known to what an extent we need a Saviour nor if the prophecies had not so fully designated the promised Messiah could we have ever so fully known that Jesus was the Christ Of whom did the Lord Jesus Christ himself come as pertaining to the flesh but from the loins of David and of the seed of Abraham Yet to him are we indebted for all that we either have or hope for in time or in eternity And who were the Apostles but Jews who for our sakes went forth preaching the word and counted not their lives dear to them so that they might but lead us to the knowledge of Christ and make us partakers of his salvation From them too we have received the lively oracles which are the one source of all spiritual knowledge and the one foundation of all our hopes Does all this call for no recompence at our hands Knowing as we do the vast importance of education should we not endeavour to impart it to those from whose ancestors we have received such innumerable such inestimable benefits Yet behold these are the people whom for many many centuries we have treated with more neglect and contempt than any other people upon the face of the earth the savages of the most distant climes have received more attention from us than they Surely it is high time that the Christian world awake to

a sense of their duty and begin to shew to the Jews somewhat of that love which their forefathers exercised towards us in our Gentile state We are debtors to them to a vast amount and it is high time that we begin to discharge our debt And how can we discharge it better than by enabling them to read and understand those very oracles which they have preserved with such fidelity and which testify so fully of their promised Messiah

Further A love to the rising generation should lead us to avail ourselves of the present opportunity to promote their welfaremdashIt is truly afflictive to see how low and degraded is the state of multitudes especially of the Jewish nation purely through the neglect with which they are treated in their early youth and still more grievous is it to reflect on their ignorance of those things which belong to their everlasting peace To counteract this we should endeavour to qualify the whole of their population for good and useful employments and through the medium of useful instruction to make them holy and to make them happy We need never be afraid that there will not be a sufficient number of poor to fill the lower stations do what we will there will never be wanting persons who through their own fault or misfortunes are necessitated to undertake the lowest offices of life And if they have been previously instructed in the Scriptures of Truth they will have a fund of consolation ever open to them in their deepest afflictions they will learn from the inspired volume in whatsoever state they are there-with to be content and in the prospect of the eternal world they will find joys with which a stranger intermeddleth not and which the world can neither give nor take away We feel the force of these considerations in reference to the poor of our own communion how is it that we feel it not in reference to our Jewish Brethren This is a partiality unworthy of us and we should rise as one man to wipe off this disgrace from our own character

This brings me to the last consideration which I propose to mention namely that a concern for the honour of our holy religion should operate to unite us all in executing the Royal EdictmdashWhat must a Jew think of our religion when he sees how little it has wrought for us in the production of love We may tell him of a Messiah who has loved us and laid down his life for us but what credit will he give us for our principles when he sees how little our practice corresponds with them May he not well say to us ldquoPhysician heal thyselfrdquo Shew by your conduct the superiority of your principles before you call on me to embrace them It is by love that we must win them it is by shewing kindness to them that we must efface from their hearts those prejudices which with too much reason they entertain against us We must exhibit in our own person the loveliness of Christianity before we can bring them to investigate the grounds of our faith or to imagine that they can improve their own condition by embracing it May I not then call upon you as Christians to unite in the good work that is now before you that you may thereby serve and glorify your Lord and Saviour As Christians you believe that there is no other way to the Father but by Christ [ote John 146] and no other name but his whereby any human being can be saved [ote Acts 412] Where is your piety where is your love to Christ where is even common humanity if you will not avail yourselves of the present opportunity to remove from before your Jewish Brethren

the stumbling-blocks which for so many ages have been laid in their way

Do any ask What shall we do I answer search out amongst the Jews some persons of probity and talent to commence schools among them and do you yourselves aid to the utmost of your power in the support of them provide them with all necessary books for instructing children in the first rudiments of knowledge provide them with Bibles also both in the Dutch and Hebrew languages that they may be thoroughly instructed in the knowledge of their own religion and learn to walk in the steps of their father Abraham and of all the holy prophets

Begin too without loss of time Adult Schools You will find many among the house of Israel who will be glad to avail themselves of your instructions Let those who are benevolent amongst you dedicate an hour in a day to the instructing of a few who may be desirous to learn and carefully avoid every thing which may give unnecessary offence Confine yourselves to the Old Testament which they venerate as well as you Let those who can teach only in the Dutch language give instruction in that and let those who either understand or have leisure to attain the Hebrew tongue draw their attention to that In particular let it be the united endeavour of all to qualify masters for this good work

And let it not be thought that this is the duty of men only The Royal Edict has particularly and with great wisdom recommended it to females who may be of infinite service in conveying instruction to their own sex This age is distinguished above all others for the activity of females in the service of God and in the performance of every good work Were I able to declare the proportion of good that is done in Britain by the female sex it would appear incredible I believe from my soul that it far exceeds one half in all the societies raised since the commencement of the present century in the Bible Society the Missionary Societies and the Society for Promoting the Knowledge of Christianity amongst the Jews yes let the ladies of this country exert themselves in a prudent modest and discreet way and the effects will soon appear the Royal Edict will not be a dead letter but will produce incalculable good to the whole nationmdashand the agents in this benevolent work will themselves receive quite as much benefit as they impart their benevolence being in proportion as it is exercised its own reward

10 The fear of the Lord fell on all the kingdoms of the lands surrounding Judah so that they did not go to war against Jehoshaphat

GILL And the fear of the Lord fell upon all the kingdoms of the lands that were round about Judah Upon the ten tribes and on foreign nations about them as Moabites Edomites Syrians Egyptians Arabs and Philistines this fear as it came from the Lord so might be raised and increased by observing that religion was revived in them for they might perceive by former observations made that the more religious these people were the more prosperous and formidable they were

so that they made no war against Jehoshaphat to interrupt him in the work of reformation he was so intent upon

HERY We have here a further account of Jehoshaphats great prosperity and the flourishing state of his kingdom

I He had good interest in the neighbouring princes and nations Though he was not perhaps so great a soldier as David (which might have made him their terror) nor so great a scholar as Solomon (which might have made him their oracle) yet the fear of the Lord fell so upon them (that is God so influenced and governed their spirits) that they had all a reverence for him 2Ch_1710 And 1 None of them made war against himGods good providence so ordered it that while the princes and priests were instructing and reforming the country none of his neighbours gave him any molestations to take him off from that good work Thus when Jacob and his sons were going to worship at Bethel the terror of God was upon the neighbouring cities that they did not pursue after them Gen_355 and see Exo_3424 2 Many of them brought presents to him (2Ch_1711) to secure his friendship Perhaps these were a tribute imposed upon them by Asa who made himself master of the cities of the Philistines and the tents of the Arabians 2Ch_1414 2Ch_1415 With the 7700 rams and the same number of he-goats which the Arabians brought there was probably a proportionable number of ewes and lambs she-goats and kids

KampD This attempt of Jehoshaphat brought him this blessing that the terror of Jahve fell upon all the surrounding kingdoms and not only did none of the neighbouring peoples venture to make war upon him but also various tribes did homage to him by presents Ramb has already so understood the connection of these verses (erat hoc praemium pietatis Josaphati quod vicini satisque potentes hostes non auderent adversus ipsum hiscere) while Berth fails to apprehend it saying that Jehoshaphat had time to care for the instruction of his people because at that time the neighbouring peoples did not venture to undertake war against Judah The words ldquoterror of Jahverdquo cf 2Ch_1413 2Ch_2029 and ldquoall the kingdoms of the landsrdquo cf 2Ch_128 1Ch_2930 are expressions peculiar to the author of the Chronicle which show that by these remarks he is preparing the way for a transition to a more detailed

portrayal of Jehoshaphats political power מן־(לש)ים is subject מן partitive some of the

Philistines brought him presents (for מנחה see on 2Ch_175) ldquoand silver a burdenrdquo ie

in great quantity מא does not signify tribute vectigal argento (Vulg) for the word has

not that signification but denotes burden that which can be carried as in מא לאן

2Ch_2025 - 2Ch_2116 2Ch_221 ערבים 2Ch_267 and more usually ערב-ים or ערביאים

are Arabian nomadic tribes (Bedacircwin) perhaps those whom Asa after his victory over the Cushite Zerah had brought under the kingdom of Judah 2Ch_1414 These paid

their tribute in small cattle rams and he-goats (ישים( Gen_3035 Gen_3215 Pro_

3031)

BESO 2 Chronicles 1710 The fear of the Lord fell upon all the kingdoms ampc mdash Justly concluding from his singular piety that God would eminently appear for him for even the heathen could not but observe that the kings of Judah were either prosperous or unhappy according as they served God or forsook him So that they made no war against Jehoshaphat mdash Godrsquos good providence so ordered it that while the princes and priests were instructing and endeavouring to reform the country none of his neighbours gave him any molestation to take him off from that good work

COFFMA All of this peace and prosperity were directly due to the respect which Jehoshaphat had shown to the Law of God and to his efforts to teach that word to all the people It is no problem that much of the material here is omitted in Kings because the primary focus there was political whereas in Chronicles the focus is upon the spiritual and religious significance of the same history

TRAPP 2 Chronicles 1710 And the fear of the LORD fell upon all the kingdoms of the lands that [were] round about Judah so that they made no war against Jehoshaphat

Ver 10 And the fear of the Lord fell upon all the kingdoms] It is said [2 Chronicles 172] Jehoshaphat placed forces in all the fenced cities yet it is not said thereupon that the fear of the Lord fell upon the neighbour nations But when he had established a preaching ministry in all the cities then his enemies had a fear and made no war

POOLE Justly concluding from this singular piety that God would eminently appear for him and against all those who had ill will to him which was their case For even the heathens could not but observe that the kings of Judah were either prosperous or unhappy accordingly as they served God or forsook him

ELLICOTT (10) The fear of the LordmdashA dread of Jehovah (pachad) aps 2029 (Comp Exodus 1516 1 Samuel 117 Isaiah 210 ) This phrase is not peculiar to the chronicler as Keil and Bertheau assert ldquoThe kingdoms of the landsrdquo is so (2 Chronicles 128 1 Chronicles 2930)

They made no warmdashThe reward of Jehosha-phatrsquos piety (1 Chronicles 229

Proverbs 167) ldquoWhen a manrsquos ways please the Lord he maketh even his enemies to be at peace with himrdquo (Comp also Genesis 355)

11 Some Philistines brought Jehoshaphat gifts and silver as tribute and the Arabs brought him flocks seven thousand seven hundred rams and seven thousand seven hundred goats

BARES Some of the Philistines brought Jehoshaphat presents - i e ldquosome of the Philistines were among his tributariesrdquo Compare 2Sa_82 1Ki_421

Tribute silver - Or ldquomuch silverrdquo - literally ldquosilver of burthenrdquo

The Arabians - The Arab tribes who bordered Judaea to the south and the southeast paid Jehoshaphat a fixed tribute in kind Compare 2Ki_34 note

CLARKE The Philistines brought - presents - They and the Arabians purchased peace with the king of Judah by paying an annual tribute The Philistines brought silver and no doubt different kinds of merchandise The Arabs whose riches consisted in cattle brought him flocks in great abundance principally rams and he-goats

GILL Also some of the Philistines brought Jehoshaphat presents and tribute silver Perhaps those of Gerar and the parts adjacent Asa took and spoiled and made tributary 2Ch_1414

and the Arabians brought him flocks seven thousand and seven hundred rams and seven thousand and seven hundred he goats with which their country abounded and these might be the Scenite Arabs who fearing lest Jehoshaphat should fall upon them and take away their flocks as his father had done 2Ch_1415 brought these presents to him

JAMISO Also some of the Philistines brought Jehoshaphat presents and tribute silvermdash either they had been his tributaries or they were desirous of securing his valuable friendship and now made a voluntary offer of tribute Perhaps

they were the Philistines who had submitted to the yoke of David (2Sa_81 Psa_608)

the Arabiansmdash the nomad tribes on the south of the Dead Sea who seeking the protection of Jehoshaphat after his conquest of Edom paid their tribute in the way most suitable to their pastoral habits - the present of so many head of cattle

BESO 2 Chronicles 1711 Some of the Philistines brought presents mdash They had been subject to Judah ever since Davidrsquos time but it seems had neglected this duty in the times of his predecessors but were now moved by their own fears to perform it And the Arabians brought him flocks mdash Either because he had upon some just occasion waged war against them and subdued them or because they voluntarily put themselves under his protection in recompense whereof they sent him these presents or only as a free acknowledgment of their respect for him

TRAPP 2 Chronicles 1711 Also [some] of the Philistines brought Jehoshaphat presents and tribute silver and the Arabians brought him flocks seven thousand and seven hundred rams and seven thousand and seven hundred he goats

Ver 11 Also some of the Philistines] These having been subdued by David had withheld their tribute for a time but now seeing Jehoshaphatrsquos growing greatness they bring it in with the better that no offence might be taken at their former neglect The word here used signifieth honorary gifts or oblations pacifications

ldquo Placatur donis Iupiter ipse datis rdquo

Think the same of the Arabians See 2 Chronicles 1414-15

POOLE Some of the Philistines who had been subjects to this kingdom ever since Davidrsquos time but it seems had neglected this duty in the times of his predecessors but now were moved by their own fears to perform it

The Arabians brought him flocks either because he had upon some just occasion waged war against them and subdued them though the particulars of it be not described in Scripture or because they voluntarily put themselves under his protection in recompence whereof they sent him those presents or only as a free acknowledgment of their respects to him

ELLICOTT (11) Broughtmdashie continually Such is the force of the participle

PresentsmdashAn offering ie tribute (minchah 2 Chronicles 175)

And tribute silvermdashRather and silver a load or burden ie a great quantity (massacircrsquo) 2 Chronicles 2025 As if ldquosilver as much as they could carryrdquomdasha natural hyperbole ot all the five states of the Philistines were subject to Jehoshaphat (Comp 2 Samuel 81)

The ArabiansmdashlsquoArbicircrsquoim here only equivalent to lsquoArbicircyicircm (2 Chronicles 267) and

lsquoArbim (2 Chronicles 2116) They are in each case grouped with the Philistines The nomad Bedacircwin conquered by Asa (2 Chronicles 1415) appear to be meant here or else some tribes which recognised the overlordship of Jehoshaphat after his reduction of Edom (2 Chronicles 2022 sqq)

Brought him flocksmdashComp Mesha of Moabrsquos tribute to Ahab (2 Kings 34)

GUZIK 2 (2 Chronicles 1711-19) The international strength of Jehoshaphatrsquos kingdom

Also some of the Philistines brought Jehoshaphat presents and silver as tribute and the Arabians brought him flocks seven thousand seven hundred rams and seven thousand seven hundred male goats So Jehoshaphat became increasingly powerful and he built fortresses and storage cities in Judah He had much property in the cities of Judah and the men of war mighty men of valor were in Jerusalem These are their numbers according to their fathersrsquo houses Of Judah the captains of thousands Adnah the captain and with him three hundred thousand mighty men of valor and next to him was Jehohanan the captain and with him two hundred and eighty thousand and next to him was Amasiah the son of Zichri who willingly offered himself to the LORD and with him two hundred thousand mighty men of valor Of Benjamin Eliada a mighty man of valor and with him two hundred thousand men armed with bow and shield and next to him was Jehozabad and with him one hundred and eighty thousand prepared for war These served the king besides those the king put in the fortified cities throughout all Judah

a Some of the Philistines brought Jehoshaphat presents and silver as tribute and the Arabians brought him flocks Jehoshaphatrsquos commitment to personal and public godliness meant that God exalted his kingdom above the neighboring nations even as God promised in Deuteronomy 281-13

b These served the king The true treasure of Jehoshaphatrsquos kingdom was not numbered only in security or material things but also in the dedicated and courageous men he had surrounding him these mighty men of valor

i Amasiah the son of Zichri who willingly offered himself to the LORD ldquoAmasiah is a man of whom we do not know anything beyond this ndash he lsquowillingly offered himself unto the Lordrsquo There must have been a turning-point in his career a time when first he knew the grace of God which wrought such a change in him There must have been a waking up to the feeling that God deserved his love and his liferdquo (Spurgeon)

ii Amasiah was a ready servant of the Lord this particularly notable because he did it in an otherwise secular calling

middot o one had to press him into service

middot o one had to seek him out for service

middot o one had to look after him once he had begun serving

middot o one had to lead him

iii ldquoThere is no lawful occupation in which a man cannot thoroughly serve the Lord It is a great privilege and blessing to be set apart to the work of winning souls but we must never separate that work from all the rest of the callings of life as though it alone were sacred and all the rest were secular and almost sinful Serve God where you arerdquo (Spurgeon)

PULPIT The presents were probably enough in the nature of tribute the fixed rate of which is sometimes alluded to (1 Kings 421 1 Kings 1025 2 Samuel 82) but it is doubtful whether the word משא purports to say this The word means bearing or carrying and then a burden load or weight The expression (2 Chronicles 2025) more than they could carry away where this word is used favours the idea that the meaning here is silver of great weight Probably the moral significance and historical interest whether of this statement respecting the Philistines or the following respecting the Arabians lies in the fact that both of them brought without more ado their payments and did not seek to slip out of their engagements with Judah and Judahs king ote for confirmation of this view 2 Kings 34 2 Kings 35

12 Jehoshaphat became more and more powerful he built forts and store cities in Judah

GILL And Jehoshaphat waxed great exceedingly In wealth and riches power and authority in his forces and fortifications

and he built in Judah castles and cities of stores castles for the defence of his kingdom and store cities to lay up corn and wine and all provisions in case of an invasion or against a time of war

HERY II He had a very considerable stores laid up in the cities of Judah He pulled down his barns and built larger (2Ch_1712) castles and cities of store for arms and victuals He was a man of business and aimed at the public good in all his

undertakings either to preserve the peace or prepare for war

JAMISO 2Ch_1712-19 His greatness captains and armies

KampD Description of Jehoshaphats power - 2Ch_1712 And Jehoshaphat became

ever greater sc in power The partic הולך expresses the continuous advance in

greatness cf Ew sect280 b as the infin absol does elsewhere eg Gen_83 למעלה as עד

in 2Ch_1612 - He built castles in Judah ירנ-ות only here and in 2Ch_274 from ירנית

derivative formed from ירה by the Syriac termination נית- fem of ן- castle fortress On

מסנות cf 2Ch_84 ערי

TRAPP 2 Chronicles 1712 And Jehoshaphat waxed great exceedingly and he built in Judah castles and cities of store

Ver 12 And Jehoshaphat waxed great exceedingly] Heb He was going and growing By humility and the fear of the Lord are riches and honour and life [Proverbs 224]

And he built in Judah castles] Bironeoth πυργους turres So did the Burgundians and thence had their names

And cities of store] Granaries in the Hebrew they have their name from their utility or usefulness

ELLICOTT (12) And Jehoshaphat waxed greatmdashLiterally And Jehoshaphat was going on and waxing great ie became greater and greater (Comp 1 Chronicles 119)

ExceedinglymdashlsquoAd lĕmagraversquolah This phrase occurs again in 2 Chronicles 1612 2 Chronicles 268 and nowhere else in the Old Testament (See on 1 Chronicles 142)

And he builtmdashLike his predecessorsmdashSolomon Rehoboam Asamdashhe displayed his wealth and power in great public works The records of the Assyrian and Babylonian sovereigns are largely taken up with similar accounts of temple and palace building

CastlesmdashBiranicircyocircth a derivative from birah (1 Chronicles 291 1 Chronicles 2919 comp Syriac here birocircthocirc) It only recurs at 2 Chronicles 274 It is an Aramaic term (Comp bicircranyacircthacirc which in the Targums means ldquopalacesrdquo)

Cities of storesmdashComp 2 Chronicles 84 2 Chronicles 164 Exodus 111

PULPIT Castles This rendering better than palaces (margin) wound bear improving to the rather stronger word fortresses Hebrew בירניות found only here and in 2 Chronicles 274 plur of בירנית connected with the Chaldee and later Hebrew בירה of Ezra 62 ehemiah 11 Esther 12 Daniel 82 Cities of store (see note under 2 Chronicles 84 see also 1 Kings 919 Exodus 111)

13 and had large supplies in the towns of Judah He also kept experienced fighting men in Jerusalem

CLARKE He hadmuch business in the cities - He kept the people constantly employed they had wages for their work and by their labors the empire was both enriched and strengthened

GILL And he had much business in the cities of Judah Partly in fortifying them and partly in reforming the inhabitants of them

and the men of war mighty men of valour were in Jerusalem or by or near unto it so the particle is rendered Jos_513 they encamped in places adjacent to it for such a number of men as follows even 1160000 could never be contained in Jerusalem but must be disposed of in the territories of it nor did they wait on the king together but in course see 2Ch_1719 by which it appears there is no need to suppose any mistake of the transcriber in any or all of the following sums as has been suggested (q)

HERY 13-19 III He had the militia in good order It was never in better since David modelled it Five lord-lieutenants (if I may so call them) are here named with the numbers of those under their command (the serviceable men that were fit for war in their respective districts) three in Judah and two in Benjamin It is said of one of these great commanders Amasiah that he willingly offered himself unto the Lord (2Ch_1716) not only to the king to serve him in this post but to the Lord to glorify him in it He was the most eminent among them for religion he accepted the place not for the

honour or power or profit of it but for conscience sake towards God that he might serve his country It was usual for great generals then to offer of their spoils to the Lord 1Ch_2626 But this good man offered himself first to the Lord and then his dedicated things The number of the soldiers under these five generals amounts to 1160000 men a vast number for so small a compass of ground as Judahs and Benjamins lot to furnish out and maintain Abijah could bring into the field but 400000 (2Ch_133) Asa not 600000 (2Ch_148) yet Jehoshaphat has at command almost 1200000 But it must be considered 1 That God had promised to make the seed of Abraham like the sand of the sea for number 2 There had now been a long peace 3 We may suppose that the city of Jerusalem was very much enlarged 4 Many had come over to them from the kingdom of Israel (2Ch_1519) which would increase the numbers of the people 5 Jehoshaphat was under a special blessing of God which made his affairs to prosper greatly The armies we may suppose were dispersed all the country over and each man resided for the most part on his own estate but they appeared often to be mustered and trained and were ready at call whenever there was occasion The commanders waited on the king (2Ch_1719) as officers of his court privy-counsellors and ministers of state

But lastly observe It was not this formidable army that struck a terror upon the neighbouring nations that restrained them from attempting any thing against Israel or obliged them to pay tribute but the fear of God which fell upon them when Jehoshaphat reformed his country and set up a preaching ministry in it 2Ch_1710 The ordinances of God are more the strength and safety of a kingdom than its military force - its men of God more than its men of war

KampD 2Ch_1713

וגווגווגווגו רהרהרהרה is rightly translated by Luther ldquound hatte viel Vorrathsrdquo (and ומלעכהומלעכהומלעכהומלעכה

had much store) מלעכהמלעכהמלעכהמלעכה denotes here as in Exo_227-10 property that which has been gained by work or business The signification much work opera magna (Vulg Cler etc) as also Bertheaus translation ldquothe works for equipping and provisioning the fortressesrdquo correspond neither to the context nor to the parallel (synonymous) second member of the verse The work and trouble necessary to equip the cities of Judah does not correspond to ldquothe valiant warriors in Jerusalemrdquo the only parallel is the goods and property which were in these cities the provision of victuals and war material there stored up

BESO 2 Chronicles 1713 He had much business in the cities of Judah mdash To repair and fortify them and furnish them with provisions and to purge out all the relics of idolatry and injustice which were more secretly and craftily managed in the cities than in the country and which were first and most prevalent in the cities and thence spread their infection into the country around them

TRAPP 2 Chronicles 1713 And he had much business in the cities of Judah and the men of war mighty men of valour [were] in Jerusalem

Ver 13 And he had much business] Eργα πολλα (a) Many works going forward at

once a negotious man he was His business say some lay in beautifying and fortifying those cities Augustus gloried at his death that whereas he had found Rome built with brick he had left it made of marble

And the men of war hellip were in Jerusalem] These were his Praetorian forces his Praesidiaries were up and down in the various cities

POOLE He had much business in the cities of Judah partly to repair and fortify them and furnish them with all necessary provisions and partly to purge out all the relies and seeds of idolatry and injustice which were more secretly and subtlely managed in the cities than in the country and which were first and most in the cities and thence spread their infection into the country about them See Jeremiah 228

ELLICOTT (13) BusinessmdashRather much goods or stores literally work (mĕlacirckacirch) and then produce The Hebrew word is so used in Exodus 227 Exodus 2210 (ldquoHis neighbourrsquos goodsrdquo) Stores of provisions and war material seem to be intended (Comp 2 Chronicles 1111)

And the man of war were in JerusalemmdashRather and (he had) men of war in Jerusalem

In Jerusalemmdashot the entire army corps whose numbers are given in 2 Chronicles 1714-18 but simply their chiefs

PULPIT Much business Hebrew מלאכה The meaning of the word is service labour bestowed and the verse reads And there was to him much labour in the cities of Judah and men of war mighty men of valour in Jerusalem ie He bestoweth much pains on the cities of Judah and had etc The word were Authorized Version italics is incorrectly inserted The former half of this verse would better constitute the end of 2 Chronicles 1712 Keil however maintains the rendering substance property for מלאכה (Exodus 227 Exodus 2210)

14 Their enrollment by families was as followsFrom Judah commanders of units of 1000Adnah the commander with 300000 fighting men

BARES The captains of thousands Adnah the chief - literally ldquoprinces of thousands Adnah the princerdquo The writer does not mean that Adnah (or Johohanan 2Ch_1715) was in any way superior to the other ldquoprincesrdquo but only that he was one of them

Three hundred thousand - This number and those which follow in 2Ch_1715-18 have been with good reason regarded as corrupt by most critics For

(1) They imply a minimum population of 1480 to the square mile which is more than three times greater than that of any country in the known world (circa 1880rsquos)

(2) they produce a total just double that of the next largest estimate of the military force of Judah the 580 000 of 2Ch_148

(3) they are professedly a statement not of the whole military force but of the force maintained at Jerusalem (2Ch_1713 compare 2Ch_1719)

It is probable that the original numbers have been lost and that the loss was suppplied by a scribe who took 2Ch_148 as his basis

CLARKE Adnah the chief - He was generalissimo of all this host These are the numbers of the five battalions under Adnah three hundred thousand Jehohanan two hundred and eighty thousand Amasiah two hundred thousand Eliada two hundred thousand Jehozabad one hundred and eighty thousand in all one million one hundred and sixty thousand

GILL And these are the numbers of them according to the house of their fathers Both of the tribe of Judah and of Benjamin and first

of Judah the captains of thousands some had 1000 men under them and some one hundred

Adnah the chief he was the principal commander or general of them

and with him mighty men of valour three hundred thousand such a number was under his command

JAMISO these are the numbersmdash The warriors were arranged in the army according to their fathers houses The army of Jehoshaphat commanded by five great generals and consisting of five unequal divisions comprised one million one hundred and sixty thousand men without including those who garrisoned the fortresses No monarch since the time of Solomon equaled Jehoshaphat in the extent of his revenue in the strength of his fortifications and in the number of his troops

KampD 2Ch_1714-16

The men fit for war passed in review according to their fathers-houses The male population of Judah fell into three divisions that of Benjamin into two The prince

Adnah held the first place among the generals with 300000 men of Judah ידו at his על

hand ie with and under him Jehohanan had the command of 280000 men and

Amasiah over 200000 השר is a contraction for אלפים For what special reason it is so שר

honourably recorded of Amasiah that he had willingly offered himself to the Lord (cf for

Jdg_59) has not been communicated התנב

COFFMA his represented a standing army of 1160000 men besides the garrisons in the fortified cities and this goes a long way to explaining why the Arabians and the Philistines brought tribute to Jehoshaphat In ancient times as in our own day peace frequently depended upon the strength of those who desired it

We should ignore the screams of exaggeration[3] which mark the writings of radical critics Pagan rulers of that era reported even larger armies than this and until the critics can prove that those were exaggerated reports they should let these alone Besides that we have already noted that the very word from which thousand is translated is disputed as to its exact meaning

COKE 2 Chronicles 1714 And these are the numbers of themmdash That is of the soldiers as well as of those who were employed in the kings works in the several cities ampc which he built See 2 Chronicles 1719

REFLECTIOSmdash1st Jehoshaphat no sooner comes to the throne than we see the dawnings of a glorious reign

1 He strengthened his kingdom by placing strong garrisons in the cities of Judah and those which his father had recovered from Israel and prepared against that danger which Ahabs growing power seemed to threaten

2 Religion was his great concern He copied after the best of his predecessors in their best days such as were the first of David before the matter of Uriah and the numbering of the people had blotted his fair copy Faithful to the worship of God he abhorred all idols the law of God was his rule of duty and Israels apostacy rendered his fidelity more singular and exemplary Inspired with holy zeal his heart with delight and sincerity was engaged for God and no difficulties deterred him from the path of duty The idols and groves which in the declining days of Asa might have been set up again he utterly destroyed with all the high places where they still offered sacrifices to these abominations ote (1) In the fairest human pattern there will be found imperfections but there is a Son of David more than man who has set us a spotless example that we should follow his steps (2) Fidelity in Gods service is the stability of a nation (3) A lively soul on wings of faith and love mounts up to God rises superior to every difficulty and looks down upon every thing besides his favour as altogether vanity

3 He not only removed the temptations to sin but took care to instruct the people in

the path of duty Ignorance of Gods law had greatly prevailed and to oblige them merely to conform to his reformation without grounding them on the true foundation of Gods word promised little stability The Levites and priests therefore are sent in progress through the cities of Judah with the book of the law to explain and enforce the commandments of God and several princes accompanied them in order to engage the people to hear them and give countenance to these preachers by their weight and influence ote (1) It is a blessed thing when princes countenance faithful ministers Though they cannot make men true converts their example and authority will induce them to attend (2) They who are sent to teach must see that they take the pure word of God along with them A true preacher wishes for nothing in his hand but his Bible (3) Religion is a reasonable service Conviction alone not compulsion or education can make a man a christian

4 The blessing of God attended his labours The Lord was with him or as the Targum generally expresses it the word of the Lord the divine Logos to whom all things are committed strengthened him in his labours and established his kingdom The people charmed with his government liberally sent their presents to him and abounding in riches and honour his heart far from being intoxicated by prosperity was lifted up in greater love and thankfulness to the gracious giver ote (1) God often here rewards piety with prosperity (2) Worldly comforts are then truly blessings when as the steps of Jacobs ladder they raise our hearts to heaven

2nd Like the light of the morning which shineth more and more so did Jehoshaphats glory increase

1 Feared by his enemies as beloved by his subjects the neighbouring princes did not offer to molest him while those of Philistia and Arabia courted his favour either by a voluntary present or exact payment of the tribute which Asa had imposed on them see 2 Chronicles 1711 God had put an awe upon them of the majesty of his king in Zion ote God hath access to the spirits of men and by secret yet irresistible influence can bow them to his sovereign will

2 His military preparations greatly advanced While he reformed the people he fortified their ramparts and built new castles and store-cities strengthening them within and without against their enemies Under five chief officers an immense army was enlisted Probably all the able men in the country were enrolled and regularly mustered though not drawn out except in case of necessity and this may easily account for the greatness of their number if we consider also the long peace they had enjoyed the accession of Israelites to them and especially the blessing of Abraham which no doubt was eminently fulfilled Amasiah one of the officers is mentioned with an honourable mark of distinction as a volunteer who served for the glory of God not for the sake of pay Such patriots are scarce

TRAPP 2 Chronicles 1714 And these [are] the numbers of them according to the house of their fathers Of Judah the captains of thousands Adnah the chief and

with him mighty men of valour three hundred thousand

Ver 14 Three hundred thousand] These were under his command and at hand to come whensoever the king would

WHEDO 14 Three hundred thousand mdash The numbers in this verse and the four verses following are generally regarded as corrupt ldquoThey implyrdquo observes the writer last quoted ldquoa minimum population of 1480 to the square mile which is more than three times greater than that of any country in the known world It is probable that the original numbers have been lost and the loss supplied by a scribe who took 2 Chronicles 148 as his basis

ELLICOTT Verse 14 (14) And these their fathersmdashAnd this is their muster (or census) according to their father-houses (clans) 1 Chronicles 243 The warriors were marshalled in the army according to clans so that men of the same stock fought side by side with their kindred Perhaps in the original document this heading was followed by a much more detailed scheme of names and divisions than that which the text presents

Of JudahmdashTo Judah (belonged) captains of thousands viz the three enumerated in 2 Chronicles 1714-16 Adnah Jehohanan and Amasiah They were the principal officers or generals of the entire forces of Judah

Adnah the chiefmdashTo wit the captain Adnah That Adnah was commander-in-chief is implied by his being named first and his corps being the largest

PULPIT This verse with the following four gives us the names of five captains chiefs princes or military officers for the kingdoms service with the numbers of the troops they severally commanded The numbers of them (see note under 1 Chronicles 2311) Hebrew פקדתם The better English rendering to carry at once the signification would be The muster of them etc The captains hellip the chief In both cases the Hebrew is the familiar word for prince ( שר ) in the former without article in the latter with article The numbers of this and following four verses are not only absolutely unreliable but in themselves impossible According to the house of their fathers ie the quotation is drawn from an army catalogue arranged carefully by fathers houses (umbers 118 umbers 122 etc)

15 next Jehohanan the commander with 280000

GILL And next to him was Jehohanan the captain Being of the same rank as to office but having a lesser number of men under him and it may respect not any kind of subordination only nearness of place as the Targumhe that encamped next to him

and with him two hundred and fourscore thousand which number was but 20000 less than the former

POOLE ext to him either

1 After his death as his successor in the same command And the like is supposed concerning Jehozabad 2 Chronicles 1718 Or rather

2 ext to him in place and authority or at least in power and the numbers of his host

16 next Amasiah son of Zikri who volunteered himself for the service of the Lord with 200000

GILL And next him was Amasiah the son of Zichri He encamped next to him as the Targum

who willingly offered himself unto the Lord to fight the Lords battles and without any stipend as some think or as Kimchi he offered gold and silver to the treasures of the house of the Lord

and with him two hundred thousand mighty men of valour the number was 80000 less than the former the whole of Judah amounted to 780000 men

TRAPP 2 Chronicles 1716 And next him [was] Amasiah the son of Zichri who willingly offered himself unto the LORD and with him two hundred thousand mighty men of valour

Ver 16 Who willingly offered himself unto the Lord] He was a votary the vows of God were upon him and this made him the more valiant and resolute (a) in the exercise of arms for the service of God and the safety of his people The Spahis among the Turks are a sort of horsemen voluntaries and votaries to gain paradise by dying for the Mohammedan cause These are never known to return home but

with victory these are heavy upon the enemy For

ldquo Vincitur haud gratis iugulo qui provocat ensem rdquo

POOLE As volunteers and auxiliaries to be ready upon occasion as the service of God and the king should require Possibly these or most of them were the strangers which had come out of Israel into the kingdom of Judah in Asarsquos days and probably since that in his time

ELLICOTT (16) AmasiahmdashIah carrieth (Isaiah 4011) different from Amaziah (Iah is strong)

Who willingly offered himself unto the Lordmdash(Judges 52 Judges 59) An allusion to some noble act of self-devotion which was doubtless more fully recorded in the source from which the chronicler has drawn this brief account Such allusions though no longer intelligible are important as conducing to the proof of the historical value of the narratives in which they occur LXX ὁ προθυmicroούmicroενος τῷ κυρίῳ Vulg consecratus Domino

PULPIT Amaziah the son of Zichri This man is not titled at all The description of him as one who had willingly offered himself unto the Lord not elucidated by the context or any effective parallel will mark something honorable in his history Possibly he comes from an unexpected quarter and is a man of approved skill othing further is known of these three men Meantime it has been suggested (Professor Dr J Murphy of Belfast Handbook to Chronicles ) that the first of the three was for Judah proper the second for that contingent of Judah that hailed from Dan and the Philistines and the third for that of Simeon and the Arabs

MACLARE This is a scrap from the catalogue of Jehoshaphatrsquos lsquomighty men of valourrsquo and is Amasiahrsquos sole record We see him for a moment and hear his eulogium and then oblivion swallows him up We do not know what it was that he did to earn it But what a fate to live to all generations by that one sentence

I Cheerful self-surrender the secret of all religion

The words of our text contain a metaphor naturally drawn from the sacrificial system It comes so easily to us that we scarcely recognise the metaphorical element but the clear recognition of it gives great additional energy to the words Amasiah was both sacrificer and sacrifice His offering was self-immolation As in all love so in that noblest kind of it which clasps God its perfect expression is lsquoI give Thee my living loving selfrsquo Nor is it only sacrifice and sacrificer that are seen in deepest truth in the experience of the Christian life but the reality of the Temple is also there for lsquoYe also are built up a spiritual house to be a holy priesthood to offer up spiritual sacrificesrsquo Only when God dwells in us shall we have the nerve and the firmness of hand to take the knife and lsquoslay before the Lordrsquo the awful Guest in the sanctuary within the most precious of the children of our spirits

The essence of the sacrifice of self is the sacrifice of will In the Christian experience

lsquowillingly offeredrsquo is almost tautology for unwilling offerings are a contradiction and in fact there are no such things The quality of unwillingness destroys the character of the offering and robs it of all sacredness Reluctant Christianity is not Christianity That noun and that adjective can never be buckled together

The submission of will and the consequent surrender of myself and my powers opportunities and possessions so that I do all enjoy all use all and when need is endure all with glad thankful reference to God is only possible to me in the measure in which my will is made flexible by love and such will-subduing love comes only when we lsquoknow and believe the love that God hath to usrsquo There is the point at which not a few moral and religious teachers go wrong and bewilder themselves and their disciples There too is the point at which Christ and the Gospel of salvation through faith in Him stand forth as emancipating humanity from the dreary round of efforts and vain attempts to work up the condition needful for achieving the height of self-surrender which is seen to be indispensable to all true nobleness of living but is felt to be beyond the reach of the ordinary man There too is the point at which many good people mar their lives as Christians They waste their strength in trying to bring the jibbing horse up to the leap They try to blow up a fire of devotion and to make themselves priests to offer themselves but all the while the mutinous self recoils from the leap and the fire burns smokily and their sacrifice is laid on the altar with little joy because they have not been careful and wise enough to begin at the beginning and to follow Godrsquos way of melting their wills by love the reflection of the Infinite love of God to them Godrsquos priests offer themselves because they offer their wills they offer their wills because they love God they love God because they know that God loves them That is the divine order It is vain to try to accomplish the end by any other

II This willing offering hallows all life

No syllable is left to tell us what Amasiah did to win this praise Probably the words enshrine some now forgotten memory of his cheerful courage some heroic feat on an unrecorded battlefield Particulars are not given nor needed Specific actions are unimportant the spirit of a life can be told with very incomplete details and it not the details is the important thing Sometimes as in many modern biographies one lsquocannot see the wood for the treesrsquo and misses the main drift and aim of a life in the chaos of a bewildering mass of nothings How much more happy the lot of this man of whom we have only the generalised expression of the text unweighted and undisturbed by petty incidents It takes tons of rose leaves to make a tiny phial of otto of roses but the fragrance is far more pungent in a drop of the distillation than in armfuls of leaves Every life shrinks into very small compass and the centuries do not tolerate long biographies Shall we not seek to order our life so that Amasiahrsquos epitaph may serve for us It will be blessed if this-and nothing else-is known about us that we lsquowillingly offered ourselves to the Lordrsquo My friend will that be a true epitome of your life

III This willing offering is accepted by God

We may hear a mightier voice behind the chroniclerrsquo s and the judgment of the Judge of all pronounced by His lips It matters little what men say of one another but it matters everything what God says of us We are but too apt to forget that He is now saying something as to each of us and that we have not to wait for death to put a final period to our activities before our lives become fit subjects for Godrsquos judgment Moment by moment we are writing our own sentences But while it is good for us to remember the continuous judgment of God on each deed it is not good to let dark thoughts of the principles of that judgment paralyse our activity or chill our confidence in His forgiving and accepting mercy There is often a dark suspicion like that of the one-talented

servant which blackens Godrsquos fair fame as being lsquoan austere Manrsquo making demands rather than imparting power and the effect of such an ugly conception of Him is to cut the nerve of service and bury the talent carefully folded up it may be but none the less earning nothing lsquoIf we call on Him as Father who without respect of persons judgeth according to every manrsquos workrsquo let us be sure that it will be a Fatherly judgment that He will pass upon us and our offerings There is a wonderful collection on His altar of what many people would think rubbish just as many a mother has laid away among her treasures some worthless article which her child had once given her-a weed plucked by the roadside in a long past summer day some trifle of rare preciousness in the childrsquos eyes and of none in any others than her own She opens her drawer and brings out the poor little thing and her eyes fill and her heart fills as she looks And does not God keep His childrenrsquos gifts as lovingly and set them in places of honour in the day when He lsquomakes up His jewelsrsquo There are cups of cold water and widowsrsquo mites and much else that a supercilious world would call lsquotrashrsquo stored there Thank God He accepts imperfect service faltering faith partial consecration a little love Even our poor offering may be an lsquoodour of a sweet smellrsquo ministering fragrance that is a delight to Him if it is offered with the much incense of the great Sacrifice and through the mediation of the great High Priest

The world forgot Amasiah or never knew him an obscure soldier in an obscure kingdom but God did not forget and here is his epitaph and this is his memorial to all generations Menrsquos chronicles have no room for all the names that their wearers are eager to have inscribed on their crumbling and crowded pages lsquobut the Lambrsquos Book of Lifersquo has ample space on its radiant pages for all who desire to set their names there and if ours are there we need not envy the proudest whose titles and deeds fill the most conspicuous pages in the worldrsquos records lsquoThen shall every man have praise of Christrsquo and he who wins that guerdon needs nothing more and can have nothing more to swell his blessedness

17 From BenjaminEliada a valiant soldier with 200000 men armed with bows and shields

GILL And of Benjamin Eliada a mighty man of valour Was the chief commander

and with armed men with bow and shield two hundred thousand which were

the armour of the tribe of Benjamin they were best skilled in 2Ch_148

TRAPP 2 Chronicles 1717 And of Benjamin Eliada a mighty man of valour and with him armed men with bow and shield two hundred thousand

Ver 17 With bow and shield] The Benjamites were notable bowmen [1 Chronicles 122] The Engish were anciently so too

ELLICOTT (17) Armed men with bow and shieldmdashLiterally drawing bow and shield ie as the Targum explains ldquodrawing bow and grasping shieldsrdquo (Comp 1 Chronicles 122) LXX ldquoArchers and peltastsrdquo Vulg ldquoGrasping bow and shieldrdquo (Comp also 1 Chronicles 840 for the arms of the Benjaminites)

18 next Jehozabad with 180000 men armed for battle

GILL And next to him was Jehozabad According to the Targum he encamped next him

and with him one hundred and fourscore thousand ready prepared for war being able bodied men well disciplined valiant and well armed these numbers of Judah and Benjamin put together amount to 1160000 men whereas Asa only brought into the field 580000 but it should be considered there had been a long time of peace many had come off from the ten tribes to Judah and the promise of multiplying the seed of Abraham was eminently fulfilled

TRAPP 2 Chronicles 1718 And next him [was] Jehozabad and with him an hundred and fourscore thousand ready prepared for the war

Ver 18 A hundred and fourscore thousand] His militia was eleven hundred and threescore thousand besides what he had in garrisons [2 Chronicles 1719] So that as he was better he was stronger than his father Asa had been Piety hath prosperity

ELLICOTT (18) Ready prepared for the warmdashEquipped for service (See on 1

Chronicles 1223-24 umbers 315 umbers 3229) The hoplites or heavy-armed infantry are probably meant

PULPIT While Eliada of last verse was for Benjamin Professor Dr Murphy supposes that Jehozabad was for the annexed part of Ephraim But no suppositions of this kind can avail to explain the numbers in the text which is no doubt corrupt

19 These were the men who served the king besides those he stationed in the fortified cities throughout Judah

CLARKE These waited on the king - They were disposable forces always at the kingrsquos command and were independent of those by which the cities of Judah were garrisoned

There is not a sovereign in Europe or in the world but might read this chapter with advantage

1 It shows most forcibly that true religion is the basis of the state and that wherever it prospers there the state prospers

2 It shows also that it is the wisdom of kings to encourage religion with all their power and influence for if the hearts of the subjects be not bound and influenced by true religion vain is the application of laws fines imprisonments or corporal punishment of any kind

3 A religious nation is ever a great nation it is loved by its friends it is dreaded by its enemies

4 It is ever a peaceable and united nation the blessings of religion and a wholesome and paternal government are so fully felt and prized that all find it their interest to preserve and defend them Harmony peace piety and strength are the stability of such times May Britain know and value them

GILL These waited on the king Not this vast number of men at one time but in course as Davids military men waited on him 1Ch_271 or each of these captains with a proper number of men under them detached from the body and they were all ready to obey the kings orders whenever he should have occasion for them

besides those whom the king put into the fenced cities throughout Judah and all together the militia of the kingdom was very numerous and formidable

KampD 2Ch_1719

These were serving the king א6ה refers not to the above-mentioned men capable of

bearing arms for sheereet is not used of service in war but to the commanders whom he had placed in the fortified cities of all Judah ldquoin which probably bodies of the above-mentioned troops lay as garrisonsrdquo (Berth)

BESO 2 Chronicles 1719 These waited on the king mdash These above-mentioned were the trained bands or auxiliaries whose chief officers waited on the king to receive his commands and to raise and bring in all or part of their forces to the service of the king as need required A vast number for so small a compass of ground to furnish out and maintain But we may consider that God had promised to make the seed of Abraham like the sand of the sea for number that there had now been a long peace that many were come to them from the kingdom of Israel and that Jehoshaphat was under a special blessing of God They were doubtless dispersed all the country over every one residing on his own land only they were ready at call whenever there was occasion

TRAPP 2 Chronicles 1719 These waited on the king beside [those] whom the king put in the fenced cities throughout all Judah

Ver 19 These waited on the king] ie In their turns and by course

POOLE These above mentioned were the trained bands or auxiliaries whose chief officers waited upon the king to receive his commands and to raise and bring in all or part of their forces to the service of the king and kingdom as need required

ELLICOTT (19) These waited on the kingmdashRather these are they that ministered unto the king viz the five generals above named

Beside those whom the king put in the fenced citiesmdashie the commandants of the fortresses of the kingdom (2 Chronicles 1111 2 Chronicles 1123) These latter as well as the generals of the forces are called the kingrsquos ldquoministersrdquo (mĕshacircrĕthicircm)mdasha word which is not used of service in the field but implies their presence at court (ldquoin Jerusalemrdquo 2 Chronicles 1713 as the royal staff)

According to the above list the army of Jehoshaphat was organised in five grand divisions corresponding perhaps to five territorial divisions of the southern kingdom The totals are the largest assigned to the two tribes anywhere in the Old Testament viz Judah 780000 and Benjamin 380000 in all 1160000 At Davidrsquos census Judah had 500000 warriors (2 Samuel 249) and Israel 800000 Again in 2

Chronicles 148 Asarsquos army consists of 300000 men of Judah and 280000 Benjaminites clearly such an increase as our text indicates is unaccountable At the same time it is equally clear that the present numbers are not fortuitous results of clerical errors for they follow each other in the order of relative strength Judah 300000 280000 200000 Benjamin 200000 180000 and they are evidently not independent of the estimates of 2 Chronicles 148 above quoted

In the absence of adequate data for modifying these certainly startling figures it is well to bear in mind that we need not understand by them an army which ever actually mustered in the field or on parade but simply an estimate of the total male population liable to be called out for the national defence although even upon that understanding the total appears to be at least three times too great considering the small extent of the country

PULPIT These waited Hebrew המשרתים plur piel part of שרת The verse states that this enormous fivefold army with its five princes (counting in our corrupt text one million one hundred and sixty thousand) was the kings Jerusalem standing army while other separate regiments or bands of troops were spread through all Judah where they might be most needed for defence

best prop of government the throne is best supported and established by truth righteousness and mercy by the exercise of these Jehoshaphat was settled in his kingdom and had a place in the hearts of his people

and all Judah brought to Jehoshaphat presents being well affected to him as well as it was usual so to do at a princes accession to the throne see 1Sa_1027

and he had riches and honour in abundance through the presents his subjects brought him and the respect they showed him

JAMISO all Judah brought presentsmdash This was customary with the people generally at the beginning of a reign (1Sa_1027) and with the nobles and high functionaries yearly afterwards They were given in the form of voluntary offerings to avoid the odious idea of a tax or tribute

KampD Therefore Jahve established the kingdom in his hand ie under his rule cf

2Ki_145 All Judah brought him presents מנחה often used of tribute of subject peoples

eg in 2Ch_1711 of the Philistines cannot here have that signification nor can it denote

the regular imposts of subjects for these are not called מנחה but must denote voluntary

gifts which his subjects brought him as a token of their reverence and love The last clause ldquoand there was to him (he attained) riches and honour in abundancerdquo which is repeated 2Ch_181 recalls 1Ch_2928 2Ch_112 and signifies that Jehoshaphat like his ancestors David and Solomon was blessed for walking in the pious ways of these his forefathers

BESO 2 Chronicles 175-6 Therefore the Lord established the kingdom in his hand mdash Those stand firm that have the presence of God with them If the beauty of the Lord our God be upon us that will stablish the work of our hands and establish us in our integrity And all Judah brought to Jehoshaphat presents mdash As subjects in those times and places used to do to their kings in token of their respect and subjection to them The more there is of true religion among a people the more conscientious loyalty there will be A governor that answers the end of government will be supported And he had riches and honour in abundance mdash The effect of the favour both of God and his people It is undoubtedly true though few will believe it that religion and piety are the best friends to outward prosperity And his heart was lift up in the ways of the Lord mdash Riches and honour in abundance prove to many a clog and a hinderance in the ways of the Lord an occasion of pride security and sensuality but they had a quite contrary effect upon Jehoshaphat his abundance was oil to the wheels of his obedience and the more he had of the wealth of this world the more cheerfully and resolutely he went on in the ways of the Lord His heart also was lifted up above all discouragements difficulties and fears by which menrsquos hearts are wont to be cast down He was valiant and resolute for God and his ways He took away the high places and groves mdash That is those in which idols were worshipped for those that were dedicated to the true God only were not taken away chap 2 Chronicles 2033 And though Asa had done the same before yet

either he did not do it thoroughly or the people who were mad upon their idols had secretly made new ones in the latter part of his reign when he grew more infirm in body and more remiss in Godrsquos cause

TRAPP 2 Chronicles 175 Therefore the LORD stablished the kingdom in his hand and all Judah brought to Jehoshaphat presents and he had riches and honour in abundance

Ver 5 And he had riches and honour in abundance] Herein he came near unto Solomon in his greatest flourish

ELLICOTT (5) ThereforemdashAnd (so ldquoalsordquo ldquoso thatrdquo in 2 Chronicles 177 2 Chronicles 1710)

The Lord stablished the kingdom in his handmdashComp 2 Kings 145

PresentsmdashMinchah This word often means tributary offerings as in 2 Chronicles 1711 but here it obviously denotes the voluntary gifts of loyal subjects usual at the beginning of a reign (1 Samuel 1027)

And he had (or got) riches and honour in abundancemdashLike David and Solomon (1 Chronicles 2928 2 Chronicles 112)

PARKER 5-9 5 Therefore the Lord stablished the kingdom in his hand [comp 2 Kings 145] and all Judah brought to Jehoshaphat presents [this word often means tributary offerings but here it denotes the voluntary gifts of loyal subjects] and he had riches and honour in abundance

6 And his heart was lifted up [usually the phrase has a bad meaning (as in Deuteronomy 814 2 Chronicles 2616 Psalm 1311 etc) but it is evident that it must be taken differently here The marginal reading is right his courage rose high or he grew bold] in the ways of the Lord moreover he took away the high places and groves out of Judah

7 Also in the third year of his reign he sent to his princes [rather he sent his princes] even to Ben-hail and to Obadiah and to Zechariah and to ethaneel and to Michaiah to teach in the cities of Judah

8 And with them he sent [rather were the] Levites even Shemaiah and ethaniah and Zebadiah and Asahel and Shemiramoth and Jehonathan and Adonijah and Tobijah and Tobadonijah Levites and with them Elishama and Jehoram priests

9 And they taught in Judah and had the book of the law of the Lord [the Pentateuchmdashnearly if not quite in the shape in which we now have it] with them and went about throughout all the cities of Judah and taught [among] the people

PARKER Therefore the Lord stablished the kingdom in his hand and all Judah brought to Jehoshaphat presents and he had riches and honour in abundance ( 2 Chronicles 175)

Whatever was doubtful about the ascent of Jehoshaphat to the throne was removed and the king was enabled to realise his power when he closed his hand upon the royal sceptre he found that he was not grasping a shadow but a reality There are times when men become fully conscious of their influence and of their proper social position happy are they if in this consciousness they detect a prevailingly religious element which constrains them to acknowledge that honour and wealth power and dignity are the gifts of God Is not this an anticipation of the Saviours great doctrinemdashSeek ye first the kingdom of God and his righteousness and all these things shall be added unto you Jehoshaphat did not seek riches and honour he sought to the Lord God of his father and walked in the divine commandments and as a result he enjoyed all that kings delight in as indicating strength and pomp renown and influence

GUZIK 2 (2 Chronicles 175-6) The blessing upon his reign

Therefore the LORD established the kingdom in his hand and all Judah gave presents to Jehoshaphat and he had riches and honor in abundance And his heart took delight in the ways of the LORD moreover he removed the high places and wooden images from Judah

a Therefore the LORD established the kingdom in his hand This was no small accomplishment In those days kings and kingdoms were fragile and under constant threat Yet if the descendants of David would seek God first He promised to take care of their security ndash and God makes the same promise to His people today (Matthew 633)

b All Judah gave presents to Jehoshaphat and he had riches and honor in abundance Because Jehoshaphat trusted God God lifted him up and exalted him as a king As his heart took delight in the ways of the LORD the LORD gave him the desires of his heart (Psalms 374)

c Moreover he removed the high places and wooden images from Judah 1 Kings 2243 says that Jehoshaphat did not remove the high places Adam Clarke explains ldquoIn 2 Chronicles 176 it is expressly said that he did take way the high places Allowing that the text is right in 2 Chronicles the two places may be easily recognized There were two kinds of high places in the land 1 Those used for idolatrous purposes 2 Those that were consecrated to God and were used before the temple was built The former he did take away the latter he did notrdquo

i ldquoThey may also witness to the deep hold of the Canaanite and syncretic forms of religion on ordinary Israelites Popular views and practices are often quite different from pronouncements by religious authoritiesrdquo (Selman)

PULPIT All Judah brought presents to Jehoshaphat These presents were of course voluntary gifts though like not a few others custom may have taken off from them something of the bloom of spontaneousness (1 Samuel 1027 2 Samuel 82 1 Kings 421 1 Kings 1025 Psalms 7210)

6 His heart was devoted to the ways of the Lord furthermore he removed the high places and the Asherah poles from Judah

BARES His heart was lifted up - This expression generally occurs in a bad sense Deu_814 2Ch_2616 Psa_1311 Pro_1812 but here it must be taken differently The margin ldquowas encouragedrdquo expresses fairly the true meaning He first began by setting an example of faithfulness to Yahweh He then proceeded to use his best endeavors to extirpate idolatry

He took away the high places - Compare 2Ch_2033 and see the 2Ch_1517 note

GILL And his heart was lifted up in the ways of the Lord It was engaged in them was bent and set upon them he walked in them with great pleasure and cheerfulness being inspired with zeal and courage he was fearless and intrepid and regarded not any opposition he might have or expect to have in the work of reformation in which he was concerned

moreover he took away the high places such as were dedicated to idols but not those in which the true God was worshipped 2Ch_2033

and groves out of Judah where idols were placed for though these had been removed by Asa yet had been renewed in the latter part of his days when more negligent of religion

HERY 2 He was a despised man (Job_176) ldquoHerdquo (that is Eliphaz so some or rather God whom he all along acknowledges to be the author of his calamities) ldquohas made me a byword of the people the talk of the country a laughing-stock to many a gazing-stock to all and aforetime (or to mens faces publicly) I was as a tabret that whoever chose might play uponrdquo They made ballads of him his name became a proverb it is so still As poor as Job ldquoHe has now made me a bywordrdquo a reproach of men whereas aforetime in my prosperity I was as a tabret deliciae humani generis -

the darling of the human race whom they were all pleased with It is common for those who were honoured in their wealth to be despised in their poverty

JAMISO his heart was lifted up in the ways of the Lordmdash Full of faith and piety he possessed zeal and courage to undertake the reformation of manners to suppress all the works and objects of idolatry (see on 2Ch_2033) and he held out public encouragement to the pure worship of God

KampD This blessing encouraged Jehoshaphat to extirpate from the land all

idolatrous worship and to teach the people the law of the Lord לב usually sensu ב

malo to be haughty proud cf eg 2Ch_2616 2Ch_3225 here sensu bono of rising

courage to advance in ways pleasing to God and he removed the high places also etc עודpoints back to 2Ch_173 not only did he himself keep far from the Baals but he

removed besides all memorials of the Baal-worship from Judah On מות and אשרים see

on 2Ch_142

COKE 2 Chronicles 176 And his heart was lifted upmdash And when he had elevated his mind in following the commandments of God he took yet from Judah high places and groves ie he destroyed yet other monuments of idolatry which had escaped the diligence of his father Asa though he took not away those high places and altars which had been erected in Jerusalem for the true God See 1 Kings 2243 and ch 1 Kings 2033 of this book

TRAPP 2 Chronicles 176 And his heart was lifted up in the ways of the LORD moreover he took away the high places and groves out of Judah

Ver 6 And his heart was lifted up] ot with pride as 2 Chronicles 3225 but with undaunted courage and disengaged zeal such as made him come off roundly and readily in the ensuing reformation he was more forward and forth putting than his father Asa not slothful in business but fervent in spirit serving the Lord

POOLE His heart was lifted up above all discouragements and difficulties and fears by which menrsquos hearts use to be cast down he was valiant and resolute for God and his ways

He took away the high places and groves to wit such only wherein idols were worshipped as appears by comparing this with 2 Chronicles 2033 And though Asa had done this before yet either he did not do it thoroughly or the Jews (who were many of them mad upon their idols) had secretly made new ones in the latter part of his reign when he grew more infirm in body and more remiss in Godrsquos cause

WHEDO 6 His heart was lifted up mdash That is exalted with holy faith and courage

Took away the high places mdash Yet in spite of all his efforts and successes in this matter the people had become so addicted to these practices that their destruction was not thoroughly secured See note on 2 Chronicles 143 and compare 2 Chronicles 2033

ELLICOTT (6) And his heart was lifted upmdashGabhah lccedilbh which usually like the phrase of Authorised version has a bad meaning as in 2 Chronicles 2616 The margin is right here ldquohis courage rose highrdquo or ldquohe grew boldrdquo in the ways of Jehovah ie in the path of religious reform Vulg ldquocum sumpsisset cor ejus audaciam propter vias Dominirdquo

MoreovermdashAnd again further Referring to 2 Chronicles 173 ot only did he not seek the Baals but more than this he removed the high places ampc [This is the common explanation But the sense may rather be ldquoAnd he again removedrdquo referring back to Asarsquos reforms 2 Chronicles 145]

GrovesmdashrsquoAshecircrim ldquoAsherahsrdquo (2 Chronicles 143)

PARKER And his heart was lifted up in the ways of the Lord moreover he took away the high places and groves out of Judah ( 2 Chronicles 176)

The expression his heart was lifted up is an awkward one The lifting up of the heart signifies increase of pride a sensation of vanity a desire to gratify personal ambition and to make an idol of his will In this instance the marginal reading is to be preferredmdashwas encouraged or otherwise his courage rose high and again it has been rendered Jehoshaphat grew bold that is to say he was not a timid reformer or a timid worshipper a trimmer or a time-server in any sense he was a heroic worshipper of the living God when he saw that reform was necessary he went forward with a steady step and an energetic hand We should call Jehoshaphat a man of conviction and a man who had the courage of his convictions altogether this is the outline of a noble personage a born king a man who has a right to the purple and the sceptre When such men ascend thrones nations should be glad and rejoice with a great joy for their character is grander than their office and their spirit is the best guarantee of the elevation and utility of their regal policy Becoming conscious of his power knowing that his kingdom was established from on high Jehoshaphat not only did pot seek the Baals himself but he took away the high places and groves out of Judah Jehoshaphat was not content with a merely personal religion he could not convert the hearts of his people but he could destroy all the symbols of unholy worship Men are only required to do that which lies within their power A proprietor may not be able to make people sober but he can forbid the introduction of temptations to drunkenness a parent may not be able to subdue the spirit of pride but he can in many instances limit the means of gratifying it There are reforms which are open to us all in personal custom in social habit it may be even in imperial ways let each Jehoshaphat seize his opportunity and magnify it

All this would have been comparatively in vain but for another step which

Jehoshaphat took In the third year of his reign he sent to his princesmdashthat is to say he sent his princesmdashand he sent Levites all of whose names are given and he sent also two priests Elishama and Jehoram and their business was purely educational

PULPIT And his heart was lifted up in the ways of the Lord Although the verb often carries a bad sense with it it quite as often carries with it a good one in the גבהOld Testament and the typical instance of the former (Psalms 1311) is fully counterbalanced by Isaiah 5213 The marginal was enencouraged may be superseded with advantage by took courage (Isaiah 4029-31) The groves Supersede this incorrect rendering by the Asherim and upon the seeming discrepancy see again Isaiah 151-9 17 and Introduction to Chronicles there quoted

7 In the third year of his reign he sent his officials Ben-Hail Obadiah Zechariah ethanel and Micaiah to teach in the towns of Judah

BARES The princes were not sent as teachers themselves but had the duty committed to them of seeing that the people were taught The actual teachers were the priests and Levites of 2Ch_178

CLARKE 7-9 To teach in the cities of Judah - ldquoTo teach the fear of the Lord in the cities of Judahrdquo - Targum

In these verses we find a remarkable account of an itinerant ministry established by Jehoshaphat and in this work he employed three classes of men

1 The princes

2 The Levites

3 The priests

We may presume that the princes instructed the people in the nature of the civil law and constitution of the kingdom the Levites instructed them in every thing that appertained to the temple service and ritual law and the priests instructed them in the

nature and design of the religion they professed Thus the nation became thoroughly instructed in their duty to God to the king and to each other They became therefore as one man and against a people thus united on such principles no enemy could be successful

GILL Also in the third year of his reign he sent to his princes That dwelt in the several parts of the kingdom or he sent them being with him some of the

principal men of his court for ל may be a sign of the accusative case as it sometimes is

even to Benhail and to Obadiah and to Zechariah and to Nethaneel and to Michaiah to teach in the cities of Judah to see that they were taught and oblige them to attend to the instructions that should be given them and not mutiny and rebel against their teachers and to let them know what was the kings pleasure on this head and to back with their authority the priests and Levites whose proper work it was to instruct and who therefore were sent with them as follows

JAMISO 7-11 2Ch_177-11 He sends Levites to teach in Judah

Also in the third year of his reign he sent to his princes to teach in the cities of Judahmdash The ordinary work of teaching devolved on the priests But extraordinary commissioners were appointed probably to ascertain whether the work had been done or neglected This deputation of five princes assisted by two priests and nine Levites was to make a circuit of the towns in Judah It is the first practical measure we read of as being adopted by any of the kings for the religious instruction of the people Time and unbroken opportunities were afforded for carrying out fully this excellent plan of home education for the kingdom enjoyed internal tranquillity as well as freedom for foreign wars It is conformable to the pious style of the sacred historian to trace this profound peace to the ldquofear of the Lord having fallen on all kingdoms of the lands that were round about Judahrdquo

BESO 2 Chronicles 177 He sent to his princes mdash to teach in the cities of Judah mdash To inform the people of their duty and of the kingrsquos pleasure As judges teach or instruct the people in the laws of the land when they deliver their charges upon the bench so did these princes in the kingrsquos name admonish and require the people to observe and obey the laws of God which were the municipal laws of that land the particular explication and enforcement whereof they left to the Levites and priests here following who were sent for this end and accordingly taught the people 2 Chronicles 179

COFFMA Because of the clause which we have capitalized this is one of the most important passages in Chronicles Right here is the reason radical critics have extended themselves so unreasonably in their efforts to discredit Chronicles Here is dependable historical proof of the continued existence of the Torah from the days of Moses throughout the history of Israel As Keil stated it The book of the law of Jehovah is the Pentateuch not merely a collection of Mosaic laws since in Jehoshaphats time the Mosaic Book of the Law (the Pentateuch) had been long in existence[1] We shall not take the space to repeat the vociferous denials of critics

except to cite one knee-jerk remark that characterizes all of them Such action was not taken in Jehoshaphats time[2] What is the basis of such a blatant denial of what Gods Word states as a fact even giving the very names of the royal princes who did the teaching THERE IS OE o matter what unbelievers say this chapter IS the historical record of what happened in the reign of Jehoshaphat and those who live two and one half millenniums afterward have nothing of value by which they may challenge it Then why do men deny it The false theories they have invented are here contradicted forcing them either to give up their false theories or to deny the Sacred Scriptures that contradict them

COKE 2 Chronicles 177 He sent to his princes even to Ben-hail ampcmdash He sent of his princes Ben-hail Obadiah ampc The proper business of these princes in their circuit round the kingdom says Bishop Patrick was to admonish and require the people to observe the laws of God and to leave the particular explication and enforcement of them to those of the sacred order who went with them supporting them in the execution of their office and obliging the people to receive them with respect to hear them with attention and to practise what they taught

TRAPP 2 Chronicles 177 Also in the third year of his reign he sent to his princes [even] to Benhail and to Obadiah and to Zechariah and to ethaneel and to Michaiah to teach in the cities of Judah

Ver 7 He sent to his princes to teach in the cities of Judah] Teaching princes there are not many such as were David Solomon George prince of Anhalt ampc but these were sent with the teaching Levites to countenance and bear them out in this visitation general and perhaps to punish the opposite and obstinate if any such Junius readeth the text thus He sent with his princes these Levites for the teaching Or the princes taught the people the law of the land the priests and Levites the law of God both did mutually help one another So a Danish king of this land made a law that at the general court of every shire the bishop of the diocese should accompany the sheriff that the one might countenance Godrsquos law the other manrsquos (a) Queen Elizabeth once in her progress through Suffolk observing that the justices of that county who came to meet her had every man his minister next to his body said she wondered not that that county was so well governed where she saw that the word and sword went so lovingly together (b)

POOLE To teach in the cities of Judah to inform the people of their duty and of the kingrsquos pleasure As judges or justices of peace teach or instruct the people in the laws of the land when they deliver their charges upon the bench so did these princes in the kingrsquos name admonish and require the people to observe and obey the laws of God which were the prinicipal laws of that land the particular explication and enforcement whereof they left to the Levites and priests here following who were sent for this end and accordingly taught the people 2 Chronicles 179

WHEDO 7 He sent to his princeshellip to teach mdash He committed the matter of

teaching to their oversight and care and the teaching was done by the Levites and priests as stated in the next verse He did well to put down idolatry but he was wise enough to know that unless the people were instructed they would soon apostatize again

ELLICOTT THE COMMISSIOERS OF PUBLIC ISTRUCTIO I THE LAW

(7) He sent to his princes even to Ben-hail to MichaiahmdashRather He sent his princes Ben- hail and Obadiah and Michaiah (The le ldquotordquo in the chroniclerrsquos idiom marking the object of the verb) If however Authorised Version were correct the construction would not be unique as the Speakerrsquos Com mentary asserts (Comp 2 Kings 57 ldquothis man sendeth to me to recover a manrdquo ampc)

Princesmdashone of the personages mentioned in this and the following verse are otherwise known The ldquofive princesrdquo were laymen of rank and were accompanied by nine (eight) Levites and two priests

Ben-hailmdashSon of valour A compound proper name only occurring here but analogous to Ben-hur Ben-deker and Ben-hesed in 1 Kings 48-10 (The LXX renders ldquothe sons of the mightyrdquo Syriac ldquothe chiefs of the forcesrdquo apparently reading bnecirc chail)

ethaneelmdashSyriac Mattanael Arabic Mattaniah Michaiah Syriac and Arabic Malachiah

GUZIK B The strength of Jehoshaphatrsquos kingdom

1 (2 Chronicles 177-10) The spiritual strength of the kingdom Jehoshaphat brings the Word of God to the people

Also in the third year of his reign he sent his leaders Ben-Hail Obadiah Zechariah ethanel and Michaiah to teach in the cities of Judah And with them he sent Levites Shemaiah ethaniah Zebadiah Asahel Shemiramoth Jehonathan Adonijah Tobijah and Tobadonijah the Levites and with them Elishama and Jehoram the priests So they taught in Judah and had the Book of the Law of the LORD with them they went throughout all the cities of Judah and taught the people And the fear of the LORD fell on all the kingdoms of the lands that were around Judah so that they did not make war against Jehoshaphat

a To teach in the cities of Judah These ldquoteaching priestsrdquo have been mentioned by the Chronicler before (2 Chronicles 153) They had the important role of bringing the word of God to the people especially those who lived outside of Jerusalem

b They taught in Judah and had the Book of the Law of the LORD with them they went throughout all the cities of Judah and taught the people This was the wisest

and best policy a security-conscious king of Judah could promote Because Jehoshaphat sought God first God sent fear upon the neighboring kingdoms so that they did not make war against Jehoshaphat

i ldquoBy this little band of princes Levites and priests sixteen in all Jehoshaphat did more toward impressing the surrounding nations with a sense of his power than the largest and best-equipped standing army could have secured to himrdquo (Knapp)

ii ldquoThe method adopted was what in these modern times we might describe as the holding of Special Missions throughout the cities of Judah for the specific purpose of proclaiming and interpreting lsquothe book of the law of Jehovahrsquordquo (Morgan)

iii ldquoo better service can be rendered to the nation than that of proclaiming the Word of Jehovah to the people in cities towns villages and hamlets By such proclamation the heart of the people may be turned to Jehovah and so He be enabled to do for them all that is in His heartrdquo (Morgan)

iv ldquoThus the nation became thoroughly instructed in their duty to God to the king and to each other They became therefore as one man and against a people thus united on such principles no enemy could be successfulrdquo (Clarke)

v Clarke observed how a similar itinerant ministry in the days of John Wesley and his followers impacted Britain ldquoSuch an itinerant ministry established in these kingdoms for upwards of fourscore years teaching the pure unadulterated doctrines of the Gospel with the propriety and necessity of obedience to the laws has been the principle means in the hand of God of preserving the lands from those convulsions and revolutions that have ruined and nearly dissolved the European continentrdquo

vi ldquoIt is said (2 Chronicles 172) Jehoshaphat place forces in all the fenced cities yet it is not said thereupon that lsquothe fear of the Lord fell upon the neighbour nationsrsquo But when he had established a preaching ministry in all the cities then his enemies had a fear and made no warrdquo (Trapp)

PULPIT He sent Hebrew שלח The Hebrew text distinctly says he sent to his princes not he sent his princes The meaning ismdashhe sent orders to his princes to see to it that Judah was taught (2 Chronicles 179) the book of the Law of the Lord (Le 2 Chronicles 1011 Deuteronomy 49 Deuteronomy 1718) not indeed without their own personal aid in whatever way able to be given but systematically and with authority by the Levites and priests (Deuteronomy 3310) This deeper fathoming of the needs of the time and of what constituted its real safety was greatly to the spiritual credit of Jehoshaphat The references (2 Chronicles 153 2 Chronicles 352-4 2 Chronicles 3510-12) are full of point one of these princes or Levites and priests are elsewhere mentioned by name

8 With them were certain LevitesmdashShemaiah ethaniah Zebadiah Asahel Shemiramoth Jehonathan Adonijah Tobijah and Tob-Adonijahmdashand the priests Elishama and Jehoram

GILL 2 Chronicles 178And with them he sent Levites With the five princes he sent nine Levites

even Shemaiah and Nethaniah and Zebadiah and Asahel and Shemiramoth and Jehonathan and Adonijah and Tobijah and Tobadonijah Levites of whom we nowhere else read no doubt they were principal persons and fit for the work they were sent about

and with them Elishama and Jehoram priests whose lips were to keep knowledge and at whose mouth the law was to be sought Mal_27

ELLICOTT (8) And with them he sent LevitesmdashRather And with them were the Levites The construction being changed So LXX and the Syriac (Comp 1 Chronicles 1641-42 1 Chronicles 1518 for the same mode of enumeration which is characteristic of the style of the chronicler

ZebadiahmdashSome MSS and Syriac and Arabic read Zechariah

ShemiramothmdashSo LXX and Vulg (see 1 Chronicles 165 1 Chronicles 1518) The Heb text is probably incorrect Syriac and Arabic read instead atucircra

Tob-adonijahmdashThis curious name occurs only here and is perhaps a mere mistake arising out of the preceding Adonijah and Tobijah The Syriac and Arabic omit it

PriestsmdashThe priests

The commission was a mixed one of civil and ecclesiastical persons (comp 1 Chronicles 131-2 1 Chronicles 232 1 Chronicles 246)

And had the book of the law of the LordmdashAnd with them was the book of the law (teaching) of Jehovah For the construction compare 1 Chronicles 1642 The writer

evidently means the Pentateuch and if this notice was derived by him from a contemporary source eg the ldquowords of Jehu the son of Hananirdquo to which he refers as an authority for the reign (2 Chronicles 2034) it would constitute an important testimony to the existence if not of the five books at least of an ancient collection of laws at this early date (circ 850 BC )

And taught the peoplemdashTaught among the people

9 They taught throughout Judah taking with them the Book of the Law of the Lord they went around to all the towns of Judah and taught the people

BARES There is no reasonable doubt that this ldquobook of the lawrdquo was the Pentateuch - nearly if not quite in the shape in which we now have it Copies of the whole Law were no doubt scarce and therefore Jehoshaphatrsquos commission took care to carry a copy with them

CLARKE Had the book of the law of the Lord with them - This was their text book it was the book of God they taught it as such and as such the people received it Its laws were Godrsquos laws and the people felt their obligation and their consciences were bound Thus they were obedient to the laws of the land on the principle of religion In this they were encouraged and confirmed by the example of all both in Church and state The princes were not only pious but were teachers of piety the Levites showed them the worth and excellence of their ritual institutions and the priests showed them the moral use they were to make of the whole and thus the people became obedient to God as well as to the king and kept all the civil ordinances not merely for the sake of a good king but for the sake of a good and gracious God By these means the nation enjoyed peace and prosperity and all insurrections seditions and popular commotions were prevented The surrounding nations perceiving this saw that there was no hope of subduing such a people so they made no war with Jehoshaphat 2Ch_1710 And they took care not to provoke such a people to fall on them therefore it is said The fear of the Lord fell on all the kingdoms and lands that were round about Judah Such an itinerant ministry established in these kingdoms for upwards of fourscore years

teaching the pure unadulterated doctrines of the Gospel with the propriety and necessity of obedience to the laws has been the principal means in the hand of God of preserving these lands from those convulsions and revolutions that have ruined and nearly dissolved the European continent The itinerant ministry to which this refers is that which was established in these lands by the late truly reverend highly learned and cultivated deeply pious and loyal John Wesley AM formerly a fellow of Lincoln College Oxford whose followers are known by the name of Methodists a people who are an honor to their country and a blessing to the government under which they live

GILL And they taught in Judah The people their duty to God and man

and had the book of the law of the Lord with them as the rule of their instruction and the peoples obedience out of this they taught them and by it confirmed what they taught and enforced it with the divine authority

and went about throughout all the cities of Judah not only their own cities the Levitical ones but all others

and taught the people the law of the Lord the fear and worship of God

JAMISO the book of the lawmdash that is either the whole Pentateuch or only the book of Deuteronomy which contains an abridgment of it

BESO 2 Chronicles 179 And they taught in Judah ampc mdash The Levites and priests were teachers by office Deuteronomy 3310 It was a part of the work for which they had their maintenance and indeed had little else to do But it seems they had neglected it pretending probably that they could not get the people to hear them Jehoshaphat therefore sends them with the princes who by their authority might require the people to assemble together to receive instruction in the laws of God and their duty ldquoWhat a great deal of goodrdquo says Henry ldquomay be done when Moses and Aaron thus go hand in hand in the doing of it when princes with their power and priests and Levites with their Scripture-learning agree to teach the people the good knowledge of God and their duty These itinerant judges and itinerant preachers together were instrumental to diffuse a blessed light throughout the cities of Judahrdquo And had the book of the law of the Lord with them mdash 1st For their own guidance that from thence they might draw all the instructions they gave to the people and not teach for doctrines the commandments of men 2d For the conviction or the people that they might see these priests and Levites had a divine warrant for what they said and delivered to them only that which they had received from the Lord

TRAPP 2 Chronicles 179 And they taught in Judah and [had] the book of the law of the LORD with them and went about throughout all the cities of Judah and taught the people

Ver 9 And had the book of the law of the Lord with them] They taught not

traditions human inventions or unwritten verities All their doctrines came cum privilegio and were Scripture proof

WHEDO 9 The book of the law mdash Our Pentateuch in substantially its present form ldquoCopies of the whole law were no doubt scarce and therefore Jehoshaphatrsquos commission took care to carry a copy with themrdquo mdash Rawlinson

PARKER And they taught in Judah and had the book of the law of the Lord with them and went about throughout all the cities of Judah and taught the people ( 2 Chronicles 179)

This was a mixed commission partly civil partly ecclesiastical The men here mentioned are otherwise unknown We identify them as educational reformers or reformers who operated through the medium of education they were not warriors destroyers revolutionists but men who addressed the mind and the understanding and the conscience and caused men to know that the true law was from above and not from beneath The book which the commission had in hand was the Pentateuch or the law of Moses This was known to be the law which alone could touch all the vital necessities of the commonwealth Again and again we are constrained to admit that there is a law beyond Prayer of Manasseh above Prayer of Manasseh in a sense apart from man men are not driven within themselves to find a law an instinct or a reason they have a written statute an authoritative declaration a book which Christian teachers do not hesitate to describe as a Revelation and to that they call the attention of men If the teacher were teaching out of his own consciousness he would be but an equal often exposing himself to the destructive criticism of his more advanced and penetrating scholars but the teacher takes his stand upon a book upon the Book the Bible a revelation which he believes to be divine and final Say what we will the effect of Bible teaching must be judged by its fruits Where are the nations that are most distinguished for wide and varied intelligence for large and exhaustive sympathy for missionary enterprise for philanthropic institutions and for all the elements which give grace and beauty to social existence The question should admit of definite reply the facts are before men let them judge fearlessly and honestly and we need have no apprehension concerning their verdict Wherever the word of the Lord has had free course superstition has been chased away human slavery has been abolished every instance of intolerance injustice unkindness has felt the influence of holy thought in all these matters discussion should be limited strictly to facts Thus kings can help nations not by forcing education not by attempting to rule opinion not by setting up standards of orthodoxy to fall short of which is to incur penalty but by spreading education by extending light by cultivating a spirit of inquiry and by a generous multiplication of all the instrumentalities needed for the destruction of ignorance What may come of this we are not supposed at this moment to know Meanwhile let us be thankful that we are face to face with a man who has conviction courage independence high patriotic and generous impulse and let us hope that his end may be as beautiful as his beginning was promising

SIMEO THE ROYAL EDICT

ADVERTISEMETmdashThe author feels it necessary to prefix to this Sermon some short account of the occasion on which it was delivered

The author was at Amsterdam (in June 1818) partly with a view of re-establishing there an Episcopal Chapel in which there had been no service for seven years but principally with a view of seeking the welfare of the Children of Israel He went thither rather to explore than to act (See ehemiah 212-16) But just previous to the 18th of June he understood that the Third Anniversary of the Battle of Waterloo was to be kept throughout the etherlands as a day of thanksgiving and just at that time also he quite accidentally heard that the King of the etherlands had a year before issued an Edict requiring all the Jews to educate their children in the knowledge of their own Scriptures and calling upon all his Christian Subjects to aid in this good work Despondency not unlike to that which paralyzed all exertion at Jerusalem in ehemiahrsquos days so universally prevailed that no one had risen to the occasion the very Commissioners who had been appointed to carry the Edict into effect had published a Report in which they gave it as their opinion ldquothat the Lordrsquos time was not comerdquo and there was great danger that the gracious designs of the Monarch would be altogether frustrated The author therefore judged this a fit occasion for calling the attention of the Public to the Edict and accordingly after devoting the Morning Service to the more appropriate subject of the day he employed the Evening Service in an endeavour to forward this good work Considerable attention was excited to the subject by means of the Sermon which was therefore instantly printed in Dutch French and English for the purpose of its being circulated throughout the etherlands and he has reason to hope that active exertions were afterwards made in many places to promote what every benevolent mind must ardently desire the edification and welfare of the Jewish People

So good an example having been set by the Emperor of Russia and the King of the etherlands the author hopes that the attention of our own Governors also both in Church and State may be called to this long-neglected People and that now the British Public has been invited by authority (the Kingrsquos Letter) to aid in supporting Missions to the Heathen World the claims of the Jewish ation to whom under God we owe all the light that we ourselves enjoy will not be overlooked It is with a view to this great object that the author sends forth the Sermon in this country where if the foregoing explanation had not been given its relevancy and use might have been justly called in question

2 Chronicles 179 And they taught in Judah and had the book of the law of the Lord with them and went about throughout all the cities of Judah and taught the people

O a day set apart for thanksgiving to God for mercies received it is peculiarly proper to consider what we may render unto the Lord for all his benefits Certainly if any event ever deserved repeated annual commemoration it is that which has

freed the world from the most grievous tyranny that ever it endured Of the bitter cup which was put into the hands of every nation in Europe this nation [ote The etherlands] drank very deeply and the change which it has experienced in the restoration of their rightful Monarch and in the establishment of a free Constitution calls for their devoutest acknowledgments to Almighty God Doubtless we may with justice pay some tribute of honour to those who by their counsels and their arms effected the overthrow of the Usurper but it is God alone who giveth victory to kings and to whom the glory of this great victory must be primarily ascribed and he who accounts a day consecrated to this service superfluous shews that he is far from justly appreciating the blessings that have been conferred upon him The monarch himself has given to his people a very decided evidence that he feels the depth of his obligations to the God of his salvation and it will be your own loss if you do not cultivate a similar spirit and improve the occasion to the honour of your God

But it is not to thanksgiving only that your Monarch invites you he calls you by a special Edict to unite with him in seeking the welfare of your Jewish Brethren who in their struggle with the enemy signally approved their fidelity to their legitimate Sovereign Their welfare he in his turn studies to promote and he desires to combine the energies of all his subjects in efforts for their good Methinks he is like Jehoshaphat of old who well knowing that piety must be founded in knowledge and happiness in piety sent forth the Princes of his empire with a select number of Priests and Levites to instruct his people in the knowledge of Godrsquos blessed word

His edict on this occasion and the manner in which it was carried into effect will form the subject of my present discourse

I Then we notice the edict of King Jehoshaphatmdash

This was such as became a great and pious monarch and we shall find it not unprofitable or unsuitable to the present occasion to enter into a distinct consideration of it We observe then that it was a kind and benevolent edict a wise and politic edict a good and beneficial edict

Mark the benevolence displayed in it He sought the present and eternal welfare of his subjects He knew that as men are raised above the beasts by the exercise of reason so are they elevated in the scale of rational beings in proportion as their intellectual powers are cultivated and enlarged Man destitute of knowledge is a mere savage but when instructed in the various branches of science he becomes refined and civilized and capable of contributing to the general good In the very cultivation of knowledge there is much pleasure arising to the mind and in the application of that knowledge to useful purposes there is an exquisite delight We need only observe persons when employed in their several vocations how happy they are how contented how cheerful oftentimes unconsciously proclaiming their happiness like the birds of the air in festal songs or consciously and with devotion in songs of praise

But it was not mere intellectual improvement which Jehoshaphat sought to convey he wished his people to be instructed in the knowledge of that God whom they professed to fear and worship This alone could make them truly happy this alone could impart to them sound wisdom or solid consolation He therefore gave particular directions that they should be taught ldquoin the Book of the Law of the Lordrdquo and this throughout the whole land O happy people whose governor so employed the authority with which he was invested And happy that monarch who so improved his influence not for his own personal aggrandizement but for the best interests of the people committed to his charge In so doing he approved himself to be indeed what every governor should be the friend and father of his people

or was the policy of this measure at all inferior to its benevolence A people well instructed in moral and religious knowledge will view government as an ordinance of God and will learn to obey the constituted authorities not so much from fear of their wrath as for conscience sake towards God They will view their governors as Godrsquos vicegerents upon earth and will consider allegiance to them as an essential part of their duty to him Hence will spring up love in their hearts and a real delight in manifesting on all proper occasions their loyalty to their king they will form a bulwark around his person in case of necessity and even glory in laying down their lives for him as their greatest benefactor

The benefits arising from this edict were incalculable Such was the effect of it that the fear of Jehoshaphat and of Jehovah as his protector fell on all the nations that were round about him so that none however hostile in their hearts dared to make war against him [ote ver 10] Doubtless this resulted chiefly from an impression made upon their minds by God himself yet it was also produced by a dread of that energy which an united people were ready to put forth at any instant at the call of their beloved monarch At the same time that peace was thus secured prosperity reigned in every part of the empire and as the immediate fruit of it Jehoshaphat as well as the people ldquohad riches and honour in abundance [ote ver 5]rdquo In his own mind too he reaped the fruits of his own benevolence God smiled upon him and manifested himself to him and enabled him to walk with ldquohis heart lifted up in the ways of the Lord [ote ver 6]rdquo

Such was the edict of the pious Jehoshaphatmdashbenevolent politic beneficial And what I would ask is the Edict which has been issued by the highest authority in this kingdom Do we not see in it the same blessed characters as in that which we have been considering It was ldquoin the third year of his reign [ote ver 7]rdquo that Jehoshaphat sent forth teachers to enlighten and instruct his subjects The very instant he felt himself at liberty from the more urgent and pressing calls of duty (such as the fortifying of his land against foreign enemies and the correcting of some great internal abuses) he engaged in this good work of diffusing light and knowledge through all classes of the community In like manner the sovereign of this kingdom has scarcely had time to repair the ravages of war and to establish his empire too long weakened and impoverished by a cruel usurpation before he stands forth as the friend and father of his people and more especially of that portion of them who have in every age and place been most treated with neglect and

disdain to have them educated in scriptural knowledge and in the fear of God It is much to be lamented that the Jewish people have not in general been so attentive either to the learning or morals of their children as might be wished and hence arose a necessity for some authoritative admonition on the subject Yet if I may say it without offence this neglect has not been more reprehensible in them than has been the indifference with which the Christian world has regarded it The monarch (may God recompense it richly into his bosom) has risen up to remedy the supineness both of the one and the other and to call forth the united energies of all to correct and terminate this evil Yet whilst he thus consults the best interests of his subjects with what paternal tenderness has he guarded against wounding the feelings of any or exciting their religious prejudices The Scriptures of the Old Testament are alone to be used in the schools that shall be established even those Scriptures which Jews as well as Christians believe to have been given by inspiration of God and to contain truth without any mixture of error In this is marked the policy no less than the benevolence of the edict for it is not by constraint but by conciliation and kindness that good is to be done to any and more especially to those who have shewn themselves now for so many centuries proof against all the efforts of intimidation or force In this kingdom they form no small body and I may add no unimportant portion of the community It is well known how extensive is their influence in the affairs of commerce and how by their activity they contribute to enrich the state Hence it is now generally seen and felt that they are entitled to the same respect as any other subjects of the realm and whilst as in the present instance they see how deeply their monarch feels interested in their welfare they cannot but on their part be sensible of the privileges they enjoy under his paternal government and testify their gratitude to him by every possible expression of loyalty and affection

What the ultimate effect of these measures will be may be conjectured from the blessed results of the edict of Jehoshaphat all will feel themselves happy under the government of such a prince and he whilst he is respected abroad and beloved at home will have the happiness of seeing his labours crowned with prosperity throughout his dominions and with peace in his own soul

II The manner in which Jehoshaphatrsquos edict was carried into execution is now to be noticedmdash

The promptness with which his commands were executed deserves the highest praise All were ready to co-operate in this good work as soon as it was proposed ldquoPrinces and priests and Levites [ote ver 7 8]rdquo all addressed themselves to it instantly with one heart and one soul one accounted their dignity so high or their functions so sacred but they thought it an honour to be employed in such a service and found a delight in fulfilling the wishes of their revered monarch all entered into the work with zeal and prosecuted it with diligence and hence a rapid change was effected both in the temporal and spiritual condition of the whole nation And what may not be effected in this kingdom also if a similar zeal be exercised by ldquothe princes and priestsrdquo (the magistrates and clergy) of the land With them it must begin Those who move in a lower station can effect nothing if they be not aided and

countenanced by the higher orders whose rank in life or sacredness of character will give a tone to the general feeling and combine the energies of the whole kingdom If it be said that those for whom the benefit is designed do not feel a desire after it this only shews how much they need it and how earnestly we should all embark in a cause proposed by such high authority and recommended by the soundest dictates of wisdom and piety

That our obligations to unite in this labour of love may the more distinctly appear I would beg leave to suggest the following considerations

First Loyalty to the king demands our concurrence with him in this good work and a holy emulation amongst us to carry into effect his benevolent designs What can the greatest or best of men effect (what could Jehoshaphat himself have done) if there be none to act in subserviency to them and to follow their directions As the most potent monarch upon earth would in vain proclaim war if there were no soldiers found to enlist under his banners and to execute his commands so it will be in vain that the design of benefiting the Jewish people was ever conceived in the mind of the king or that his edict respecting them was ever issued if his subjects do not put forth their energies in obedience to his call In truth a backwardness to co-operate with him in this blessed work would seem like a reflection cast upon him as recommending a measure that was unworthy of attention I do not mean to insinuate that such an idea really exists in the minds of any for I am perfectly convinced it does not but certainly in appearance it is open to this construction and every subject of the empire is concerned to act in such a way as to cut off all occasion for a reflection like this I say loyalty alone even if we had no higher motive should be sufficient to call forth our exertions in this cause

But let me next observe that gratitude to the Jewish nation demands it at our hands How great how manifold are our obligations to them Behold Moses and the prophets what instruction have they given us in reference to the way of life and salvation Without the moral law as revealed by Moses we should never have known to what an extent we need a Saviour nor if the prophecies had not so fully designated the promised Messiah could we have ever so fully known that Jesus was the Christ Of whom did the Lord Jesus Christ himself come as pertaining to the flesh but from the loins of David and of the seed of Abraham Yet to him are we indebted for all that we either have or hope for in time or in eternity And who were the Apostles but Jews who for our sakes went forth preaching the word and counted not their lives dear to them so that they might but lead us to the knowledge of Christ and make us partakers of his salvation From them too we have received the lively oracles which are the one source of all spiritual knowledge and the one foundation of all our hopes Does all this call for no recompence at our hands Knowing as we do the vast importance of education should we not endeavour to impart it to those from whose ancestors we have received such innumerable such inestimable benefits Yet behold these are the people whom for many many centuries we have treated with more neglect and contempt than any other people upon the face of the earth the savages of the most distant climes have received more attention from us than they Surely it is high time that the Christian world awake to

a sense of their duty and begin to shew to the Jews somewhat of that love which their forefathers exercised towards us in our Gentile state We are debtors to them to a vast amount and it is high time that we begin to discharge our debt And how can we discharge it better than by enabling them to read and understand those very oracles which they have preserved with such fidelity and which testify so fully of their promised Messiah

Further A love to the rising generation should lead us to avail ourselves of the present opportunity to promote their welfaremdashIt is truly afflictive to see how low and degraded is the state of multitudes especially of the Jewish nation purely through the neglect with which they are treated in their early youth and still more grievous is it to reflect on their ignorance of those things which belong to their everlasting peace To counteract this we should endeavour to qualify the whole of their population for good and useful employments and through the medium of useful instruction to make them holy and to make them happy We need never be afraid that there will not be a sufficient number of poor to fill the lower stations do what we will there will never be wanting persons who through their own fault or misfortunes are necessitated to undertake the lowest offices of life And if they have been previously instructed in the Scriptures of Truth they will have a fund of consolation ever open to them in their deepest afflictions they will learn from the inspired volume in whatsoever state they are there-with to be content and in the prospect of the eternal world they will find joys with which a stranger intermeddleth not and which the world can neither give nor take away We feel the force of these considerations in reference to the poor of our own communion how is it that we feel it not in reference to our Jewish Brethren This is a partiality unworthy of us and we should rise as one man to wipe off this disgrace from our own character

This brings me to the last consideration which I propose to mention namely that a concern for the honour of our holy religion should operate to unite us all in executing the Royal EdictmdashWhat must a Jew think of our religion when he sees how little it has wrought for us in the production of love We may tell him of a Messiah who has loved us and laid down his life for us but what credit will he give us for our principles when he sees how little our practice corresponds with them May he not well say to us ldquoPhysician heal thyselfrdquo Shew by your conduct the superiority of your principles before you call on me to embrace them It is by love that we must win them it is by shewing kindness to them that we must efface from their hearts those prejudices which with too much reason they entertain against us We must exhibit in our own person the loveliness of Christianity before we can bring them to investigate the grounds of our faith or to imagine that they can improve their own condition by embracing it May I not then call upon you as Christians to unite in the good work that is now before you that you may thereby serve and glorify your Lord and Saviour As Christians you believe that there is no other way to the Father but by Christ [ote John 146] and no other name but his whereby any human being can be saved [ote Acts 412] Where is your piety where is your love to Christ where is even common humanity if you will not avail yourselves of the present opportunity to remove from before your Jewish Brethren

the stumbling-blocks which for so many ages have been laid in their way

Do any ask What shall we do I answer search out amongst the Jews some persons of probity and talent to commence schools among them and do you yourselves aid to the utmost of your power in the support of them provide them with all necessary books for instructing children in the first rudiments of knowledge provide them with Bibles also both in the Dutch and Hebrew languages that they may be thoroughly instructed in the knowledge of their own religion and learn to walk in the steps of their father Abraham and of all the holy prophets

Begin too without loss of time Adult Schools You will find many among the house of Israel who will be glad to avail themselves of your instructions Let those who are benevolent amongst you dedicate an hour in a day to the instructing of a few who may be desirous to learn and carefully avoid every thing which may give unnecessary offence Confine yourselves to the Old Testament which they venerate as well as you Let those who can teach only in the Dutch language give instruction in that and let those who either understand or have leisure to attain the Hebrew tongue draw their attention to that In particular let it be the united endeavour of all to qualify masters for this good work

And let it not be thought that this is the duty of men only The Royal Edict has particularly and with great wisdom recommended it to females who may be of infinite service in conveying instruction to their own sex This age is distinguished above all others for the activity of females in the service of God and in the performance of every good work Were I able to declare the proportion of good that is done in Britain by the female sex it would appear incredible I believe from my soul that it far exceeds one half in all the societies raised since the commencement of the present century in the Bible Society the Missionary Societies and the Society for Promoting the Knowledge of Christianity amongst the Jews yes let the ladies of this country exert themselves in a prudent modest and discreet way and the effects will soon appear the Royal Edict will not be a dead letter but will produce incalculable good to the whole nationmdashand the agents in this benevolent work will themselves receive quite as much benefit as they impart their benevolence being in proportion as it is exercised its own reward

10 The fear of the Lord fell on all the kingdoms of the lands surrounding Judah so that they did not go to war against Jehoshaphat

GILL And the fear of the Lord fell upon all the kingdoms of the lands that were round about Judah Upon the ten tribes and on foreign nations about them as Moabites Edomites Syrians Egyptians Arabs and Philistines this fear as it came from the Lord so might be raised and increased by observing that religion was revived in them for they might perceive by former observations made that the more religious these people were the more prosperous and formidable they were

so that they made no war against Jehoshaphat to interrupt him in the work of reformation he was so intent upon

HERY We have here a further account of Jehoshaphats great prosperity and the flourishing state of his kingdom

I He had good interest in the neighbouring princes and nations Though he was not perhaps so great a soldier as David (which might have made him their terror) nor so great a scholar as Solomon (which might have made him their oracle) yet the fear of the Lord fell so upon them (that is God so influenced and governed their spirits) that they had all a reverence for him 2Ch_1710 And 1 None of them made war against himGods good providence so ordered it that while the princes and priests were instructing and reforming the country none of his neighbours gave him any molestations to take him off from that good work Thus when Jacob and his sons were going to worship at Bethel the terror of God was upon the neighbouring cities that they did not pursue after them Gen_355 and see Exo_3424 2 Many of them brought presents to him (2Ch_1711) to secure his friendship Perhaps these were a tribute imposed upon them by Asa who made himself master of the cities of the Philistines and the tents of the Arabians 2Ch_1414 2Ch_1415 With the 7700 rams and the same number of he-goats which the Arabians brought there was probably a proportionable number of ewes and lambs she-goats and kids

KampD This attempt of Jehoshaphat brought him this blessing that the terror of Jahve fell upon all the surrounding kingdoms and not only did none of the neighbouring peoples venture to make war upon him but also various tribes did homage to him by presents Ramb has already so understood the connection of these verses (erat hoc praemium pietatis Josaphati quod vicini satisque potentes hostes non auderent adversus ipsum hiscere) while Berth fails to apprehend it saying that Jehoshaphat had time to care for the instruction of his people because at that time the neighbouring peoples did not venture to undertake war against Judah The words ldquoterror of Jahverdquo cf 2Ch_1413 2Ch_2029 and ldquoall the kingdoms of the landsrdquo cf 2Ch_128 1Ch_2930 are expressions peculiar to the author of the Chronicle which show that by these remarks he is preparing the way for a transition to a more detailed

portrayal of Jehoshaphats political power מן־(לש)ים is subject מן partitive some of the

Philistines brought him presents (for מנחה see on 2Ch_175) ldquoand silver a burdenrdquo ie

in great quantity מא does not signify tribute vectigal argento (Vulg) for the word has

not that signification but denotes burden that which can be carried as in מא לאן

2Ch_2025 - 2Ch_2116 2Ch_221 ערבים 2Ch_267 and more usually ערב-ים or ערביאים

are Arabian nomadic tribes (Bedacircwin) perhaps those whom Asa after his victory over the Cushite Zerah had brought under the kingdom of Judah 2Ch_1414 These paid

their tribute in small cattle rams and he-goats (ישים( Gen_3035 Gen_3215 Pro_

3031)

BESO 2 Chronicles 1710 The fear of the Lord fell upon all the kingdoms ampc mdash Justly concluding from his singular piety that God would eminently appear for him for even the heathen could not but observe that the kings of Judah were either prosperous or unhappy according as they served God or forsook him So that they made no war against Jehoshaphat mdash Godrsquos good providence so ordered it that while the princes and priests were instructing and endeavouring to reform the country none of his neighbours gave him any molestation to take him off from that good work

COFFMA All of this peace and prosperity were directly due to the respect which Jehoshaphat had shown to the Law of God and to his efforts to teach that word to all the people It is no problem that much of the material here is omitted in Kings because the primary focus there was political whereas in Chronicles the focus is upon the spiritual and religious significance of the same history

TRAPP 2 Chronicles 1710 And the fear of the LORD fell upon all the kingdoms of the lands that [were] round about Judah so that they made no war against Jehoshaphat

Ver 10 And the fear of the Lord fell upon all the kingdoms] It is said [2 Chronicles 172] Jehoshaphat placed forces in all the fenced cities yet it is not said thereupon that the fear of the Lord fell upon the neighbour nations But when he had established a preaching ministry in all the cities then his enemies had a fear and made no war

POOLE Justly concluding from this singular piety that God would eminently appear for him and against all those who had ill will to him which was their case For even the heathens could not but observe that the kings of Judah were either prosperous or unhappy accordingly as they served God or forsook him

ELLICOTT (10) The fear of the LordmdashA dread of Jehovah (pachad) aps 2029 (Comp Exodus 1516 1 Samuel 117 Isaiah 210 ) This phrase is not peculiar to the chronicler as Keil and Bertheau assert ldquoThe kingdoms of the landsrdquo is so (2 Chronicles 128 1 Chronicles 2930)

They made no warmdashThe reward of Jehosha-phatrsquos piety (1 Chronicles 229

Proverbs 167) ldquoWhen a manrsquos ways please the Lord he maketh even his enemies to be at peace with himrdquo (Comp also Genesis 355)

11 Some Philistines brought Jehoshaphat gifts and silver as tribute and the Arabs brought him flocks seven thousand seven hundred rams and seven thousand seven hundred goats

BARES Some of the Philistines brought Jehoshaphat presents - i e ldquosome of the Philistines were among his tributariesrdquo Compare 2Sa_82 1Ki_421

Tribute silver - Or ldquomuch silverrdquo - literally ldquosilver of burthenrdquo

The Arabians - The Arab tribes who bordered Judaea to the south and the southeast paid Jehoshaphat a fixed tribute in kind Compare 2Ki_34 note

CLARKE The Philistines brought - presents - They and the Arabians purchased peace with the king of Judah by paying an annual tribute The Philistines brought silver and no doubt different kinds of merchandise The Arabs whose riches consisted in cattle brought him flocks in great abundance principally rams and he-goats

GILL Also some of the Philistines brought Jehoshaphat presents and tribute silver Perhaps those of Gerar and the parts adjacent Asa took and spoiled and made tributary 2Ch_1414

and the Arabians brought him flocks seven thousand and seven hundred rams and seven thousand and seven hundred he goats with which their country abounded and these might be the Scenite Arabs who fearing lest Jehoshaphat should fall upon them and take away their flocks as his father had done 2Ch_1415 brought these presents to him

JAMISO Also some of the Philistines brought Jehoshaphat presents and tribute silvermdash either they had been his tributaries or they were desirous of securing his valuable friendship and now made a voluntary offer of tribute Perhaps

they were the Philistines who had submitted to the yoke of David (2Sa_81 Psa_608)

the Arabiansmdash the nomad tribes on the south of the Dead Sea who seeking the protection of Jehoshaphat after his conquest of Edom paid their tribute in the way most suitable to their pastoral habits - the present of so many head of cattle

BESO 2 Chronicles 1711 Some of the Philistines brought presents mdash They had been subject to Judah ever since Davidrsquos time but it seems had neglected this duty in the times of his predecessors but were now moved by their own fears to perform it And the Arabians brought him flocks mdash Either because he had upon some just occasion waged war against them and subdued them or because they voluntarily put themselves under his protection in recompense whereof they sent him these presents or only as a free acknowledgment of their respect for him

TRAPP 2 Chronicles 1711 Also [some] of the Philistines brought Jehoshaphat presents and tribute silver and the Arabians brought him flocks seven thousand and seven hundred rams and seven thousand and seven hundred he goats

Ver 11 Also some of the Philistines] These having been subdued by David had withheld their tribute for a time but now seeing Jehoshaphatrsquos growing greatness they bring it in with the better that no offence might be taken at their former neglect The word here used signifieth honorary gifts or oblations pacifications

ldquo Placatur donis Iupiter ipse datis rdquo

Think the same of the Arabians See 2 Chronicles 1414-15

POOLE Some of the Philistines who had been subjects to this kingdom ever since Davidrsquos time but it seems had neglected this duty in the times of his predecessors but now were moved by their own fears to perform it

The Arabians brought him flocks either because he had upon some just occasion waged war against them and subdued them though the particulars of it be not described in Scripture or because they voluntarily put themselves under his protection in recompence whereof they sent him those presents or only as a free acknowledgment of their respects to him

ELLICOTT (11) Broughtmdashie continually Such is the force of the participle

PresentsmdashAn offering ie tribute (minchah 2 Chronicles 175)

And tribute silvermdashRather and silver a load or burden ie a great quantity (massacircrsquo) 2 Chronicles 2025 As if ldquosilver as much as they could carryrdquomdasha natural hyperbole ot all the five states of the Philistines were subject to Jehoshaphat (Comp 2 Samuel 81)

The ArabiansmdashlsquoArbicircrsquoim here only equivalent to lsquoArbicircyicircm (2 Chronicles 267) and

lsquoArbim (2 Chronicles 2116) They are in each case grouped with the Philistines The nomad Bedacircwin conquered by Asa (2 Chronicles 1415) appear to be meant here or else some tribes which recognised the overlordship of Jehoshaphat after his reduction of Edom (2 Chronicles 2022 sqq)

Brought him flocksmdashComp Mesha of Moabrsquos tribute to Ahab (2 Kings 34)

GUZIK 2 (2 Chronicles 1711-19) The international strength of Jehoshaphatrsquos kingdom

Also some of the Philistines brought Jehoshaphat presents and silver as tribute and the Arabians brought him flocks seven thousand seven hundred rams and seven thousand seven hundred male goats So Jehoshaphat became increasingly powerful and he built fortresses and storage cities in Judah He had much property in the cities of Judah and the men of war mighty men of valor were in Jerusalem These are their numbers according to their fathersrsquo houses Of Judah the captains of thousands Adnah the captain and with him three hundred thousand mighty men of valor and next to him was Jehohanan the captain and with him two hundred and eighty thousand and next to him was Amasiah the son of Zichri who willingly offered himself to the LORD and with him two hundred thousand mighty men of valor Of Benjamin Eliada a mighty man of valor and with him two hundred thousand men armed with bow and shield and next to him was Jehozabad and with him one hundred and eighty thousand prepared for war These served the king besides those the king put in the fortified cities throughout all Judah

a Some of the Philistines brought Jehoshaphat presents and silver as tribute and the Arabians brought him flocks Jehoshaphatrsquos commitment to personal and public godliness meant that God exalted his kingdom above the neighboring nations even as God promised in Deuteronomy 281-13

b These served the king The true treasure of Jehoshaphatrsquos kingdom was not numbered only in security or material things but also in the dedicated and courageous men he had surrounding him these mighty men of valor

i Amasiah the son of Zichri who willingly offered himself to the LORD ldquoAmasiah is a man of whom we do not know anything beyond this ndash he lsquowillingly offered himself unto the Lordrsquo There must have been a turning-point in his career a time when first he knew the grace of God which wrought such a change in him There must have been a waking up to the feeling that God deserved his love and his liferdquo (Spurgeon)

ii Amasiah was a ready servant of the Lord this particularly notable because he did it in an otherwise secular calling

middot o one had to press him into service

middot o one had to seek him out for service

middot o one had to look after him once he had begun serving

middot o one had to lead him

iii ldquoThere is no lawful occupation in which a man cannot thoroughly serve the Lord It is a great privilege and blessing to be set apart to the work of winning souls but we must never separate that work from all the rest of the callings of life as though it alone were sacred and all the rest were secular and almost sinful Serve God where you arerdquo (Spurgeon)

PULPIT The presents were probably enough in the nature of tribute the fixed rate of which is sometimes alluded to (1 Kings 421 1 Kings 1025 2 Samuel 82) but it is doubtful whether the word משא purports to say this The word means bearing or carrying and then a burden load or weight The expression (2 Chronicles 2025) more than they could carry away where this word is used favours the idea that the meaning here is silver of great weight Probably the moral significance and historical interest whether of this statement respecting the Philistines or the following respecting the Arabians lies in the fact that both of them brought without more ado their payments and did not seek to slip out of their engagements with Judah and Judahs king ote for confirmation of this view 2 Kings 34 2 Kings 35

12 Jehoshaphat became more and more powerful he built forts and store cities in Judah

GILL And Jehoshaphat waxed great exceedingly In wealth and riches power and authority in his forces and fortifications

and he built in Judah castles and cities of stores castles for the defence of his kingdom and store cities to lay up corn and wine and all provisions in case of an invasion or against a time of war

HERY II He had a very considerable stores laid up in the cities of Judah He pulled down his barns and built larger (2Ch_1712) castles and cities of store for arms and victuals He was a man of business and aimed at the public good in all his

undertakings either to preserve the peace or prepare for war

JAMISO 2Ch_1712-19 His greatness captains and armies

KampD Description of Jehoshaphats power - 2Ch_1712 And Jehoshaphat became

ever greater sc in power The partic הולך expresses the continuous advance in

greatness cf Ew sect280 b as the infin absol does elsewhere eg Gen_83 למעלה as עד

in 2Ch_1612 - He built castles in Judah ירנ-ות only here and in 2Ch_274 from ירנית

derivative formed from ירה by the Syriac termination נית- fem of ן- castle fortress On

מסנות cf 2Ch_84 ערי

TRAPP 2 Chronicles 1712 And Jehoshaphat waxed great exceedingly and he built in Judah castles and cities of store

Ver 12 And Jehoshaphat waxed great exceedingly] Heb He was going and growing By humility and the fear of the Lord are riches and honour and life [Proverbs 224]

And he built in Judah castles] Bironeoth πυργους turres So did the Burgundians and thence had their names

And cities of store] Granaries in the Hebrew they have their name from their utility or usefulness

ELLICOTT (12) And Jehoshaphat waxed greatmdashLiterally And Jehoshaphat was going on and waxing great ie became greater and greater (Comp 1 Chronicles 119)

ExceedinglymdashlsquoAd lĕmagraversquolah This phrase occurs again in 2 Chronicles 1612 2 Chronicles 268 and nowhere else in the Old Testament (See on 1 Chronicles 142)

And he builtmdashLike his predecessorsmdashSolomon Rehoboam Asamdashhe displayed his wealth and power in great public works The records of the Assyrian and Babylonian sovereigns are largely taken up with similar accounts of temple and palace building

CastlesmdashBiranicircyocircth a derivative from birah (1 Chronicles 291 1 Chronicles 2919 comp Syriac here birocircthocirc) It only recurs at 2 Chronicles 274 It is an Aramaic term (Comp bicircranyacircthacirc which in the Targums means ldquopalacesrdquo)

Cities of storesmdashComp 2 Chronicles 84 2 Chronicles 164 Exodus 111

PULPIT Castles This rendering better than palaces (margin) wound bear improving to the rather stronger word fortresses Hebrew בירניות found only here and in 2 Chronicles 274 plur of בירנית connected with the Chaldee and later Hebrew בירה of Ezra 62 ehemiah 11 Esther 12 Daniel 82 Cities of store (see note under 2 Chronicles 84 see also 1 Kings 919 Exodus 111)

13 and had large supplies in the towns of Judah He also kept experienced fighting men in Jerusalem

CLARKE He hadmuch business in the cities - He kept the people constantly employed they had wages for their work and by their labors the empire was both enriched and strengthened

GILL And he had much business in the cities of Judah Partly in fortifying them and partly in reforming the inhabitants of them

and the men of war mighty men of valour were in Jerusalem or by or near unto it so the particle is rendered Jos_513 they encamped in places adjacent to it for such a number of men as follows even 1160000 could never be contained in Jerusalem but must be disposed of in the territories of it nor did they wait on the king together but in course see 2Ch_1719 by which it appears there is no need to suppose any mistake of the transcriber in any or all of the following sums as has been suggested (q)

HERY 13-19 III He had the militia in good order It was never in better since David modelled it Five lord-lieutenants (if I may so call them) are here named with the numbers of those under their command (the serviceable men that were fit for war in their respective districts) three in Judah and two in Benjamin It is said of one of these great commanders Amasiah that he willingly offered himself unto the Lord (2Ch_1716) not only to the king to serve him in this post but to the Lord to glorify him in it He was the most eminent among them for religion he accepted the place not for the

honour or power or profit of it but for conscience sake towards God that he might serve his country It was usual for great generals then to offer of their spoils to the Lord 1Ch_2626 But this good man offered himself first to the Lord and then his dedicated things The number of the soldiers under these five generals amounts to 1160000 men a vast number for so small a compass of ground as Judahs and Benjamins lot to furnish out and maintain Abijah could bring into the field but 400000 (2Ch_133) Asa not 600000 (2Ch_148) yet Jehoshaphat has at command almost 1200000 But it must be considered 1 That God had promised to make the seed of Abraham like the sand of the sea for number 2 There had now been a long peace 3 We may suppose that the city of Jerusalem was very much enlarged 4 Many had come over to them from the kingdom of Israel (2Ch_1519) which would increase the numbers of the people 5 Jehoshaphat was under a special blessing of God which made his affairs to prosper greatly The armies we may suppose were dispersed all the country over and each man resided for the most part on his own estate but they appeared often to be mustered and trained and were ready at call whenever there was occasion The commanders waited on the king (2Ch_1719) as officers of his court privy-counsellors and ministers of state

But lastly observe It was not this formidable army that struck a terror upon the neighbouring nations that restrained them from attempting any thing against Israel or obliged them to pay tribute but the fear of God which fell upon them when Jehoshaphat reformed his country and set up a preaching ministry in it 2Ch_1710 The ordinances of God are more the strength and safety of a kingdom than its military force - its men of God more than its men of war

KampD 2Ch_1713

וגווגווגווגו רהרהרהרה is rightly translated by Luther ldquound hatte viel Vorrathsrdquo (and ומלעכהומלעכהומלעכהומלעכה

had much store) מלעכהמלעכהמלעכהמלעכה denotes here as in Exo_227-10 property that which has been gained by work or business The signification much work opera magna (Vulg Cler etc) as also Bertheaus translation ldquothe works for equipping and provisioning the fortressesrdquo correspond neither to the context nor to the parallel (synonymous) second member of the verse The work and trouble necessary to equip the cities of Judah does not correspond to ldquothe valiant warriors in Jerusalemrdquo the only parallel is the goods and property which were in these cities the provision of victuals and war material there stored up

BESO 2 Chronicles 1713 He had much business in the cities of Judah mdash To repair and fortify them and furnish them with provisions and to purge out all the relics of idolatry and injustice which were more secretly and craftily managed in the cities than in the country and which were first and most prevalent in the cities and thence spread their infection into the country around them

TRAPP 2 Chronicles 1713 And he had much business in the cities of Judah and the men of war mighty men of valour [were] in Jerusalem

Ver 13 And he had much business] Eργα πολλα (a) Many works going forward at

once a negotious man he was His business say some lay in beautifying and fortifying those cities Augustus gloried at his death that whereas he had found Rome built with brick he had left it made of marble

And the men of war hellip were in Jerusalem] These were his Praetorian forces his Praesidiaries were up and down in the various cities

POOLE He had much business in the cities of Judah partly to repair and fortify them and furnish them with all necessary provisions and partly to purge out all the relies and seeds of idolatry and injustice which were more secretly and subtlely managed in the cities than in the country and which were first and most in the cities and thence spread their infection into the country about them See Jeremiah 228

ELLICOTT (13) BusinessmdashRather much goods or stores literally work (mĕlacirckacirch) and then produce The Hebrew word is so used in Exodus 227 Exodus 2210 (ldquoHis neighbourrsquos goodsrdquo) Stores of provisions and war material seem to be intended (Comp 2 Chronicles 1111)

And the man of war were in JerusalemmdashRather and (he had) men of war in Jerusalem

In Jerusalemmdashot the entire army corps whose numbers are given in 2 Chronicles 1714-18 but simply their chiefs

PULPIT Much business Hebrew מלאכה The meaning of the word is service labour bestowed and the verse reads And there was to him much labour in the cities of Judah and men of war mighty men of valour in Jerusalem ie He bestoweth much pains on the cities of Judah and had etc The word were Authorized Version italics is incorrectly inserted The former half of this verse would better constitute the end of 2 Chronicles 1712 Keil however maintains the rendering substance property for מלאכה (Exodus 227 Exodus 2210)

14 Their enrollment by families was as followsFrom Judah commanders of units of 1000Adnah the commander with 300000 fighting men

BARES The captains of thousands Adnah the chief - literally ldquoprinces of thousands Adnah the princerdquo The writer does not mean that Adnah (or Johohanan 2Ch_1715) was in any way superior to the other ldquoprincesrdquo but only that he was one of them

Three hundred thousand - This number and those which follow in 2Ch_1715-18 have been with good reason regarded as corrupt by most critics For

(1) They imply a minimum population of 1480 to the square mile which is more than three times greater than that of any country in the known world (circa 1880rsquos)

(2) they produce a total just double that of the next largest estimate of the military force of Judah the 580 000 of 2Ch_148

(3) they are professedly a statement not of the whole military force but of the force maintained at Jerusalem (2Ch_1713 compare 2Ch_1719)

It is probable that the original numbers have been lost and that the loss was suppplied by a scribe who took 2Ch_148 as his basis

CLARKE Adnah the chief - He was generalissimo of all this host These are the numbers of the five battalions under Adnah three hundred thousand Jehohanan two hundred and eighty thousand Amasiah two hundred thousand Eliada two hundred thousand Jehozabad one hundred and eighty thousand in all one million one hundred and sixty thousand

GILL And these are the numbers of them according to the house of their fathers Both of the tribe of Judah and of Benjamin and first

of Judah the captains of thousands some had 1000 men under them and some one hundred

Adnah the chief he was the principal commander or general of them

and with him mighty men of valour three hundred thousand such a number was under his command

JAMISO these are the numbersmdash The warriors were arranged in the army according to their fathers houses The army of Jehoshaphat commanded by five great generals and consisting of five unequal divisions comprised one million one hundred and sixty thousand men without including those who garrisoned the fortresses No monarch since the time of Solomon equaled Jehoshaphat in the extent of his revenue in the strength of his fortifications and in the number of his troops

KampD 2Ch_1714-16

The men fit for war passed in review according to their fathers-houses The male population of Judah fell into three divisions that of Benjamin into two The prince

Adnah held the first place among the generals with 300000 men of Judah ידו at his על

hand ie with and under him Jehohanan had the command of 280000 men and

Amasiah over 200000 השר is a contraction for אלפים For what special reason it is so שר

honourably recorded of Amasiah that he had willingly offered himself to the Lord (cf for

Jdg_59) has not been communicated התנב

COFFMA his represented a standing army of 1160000 men besides the garrisons in the fortified cities and this goes a long way to explaining why the Arabians and the Philistines brought tribute to Jehoshaphat In ancient times as in our own day peace frequently depended upon the strength of those who desired it

We should ignore the screams of exaggeration[3] which mark the writings of radical critics Pagan rulers of that era reported even larger armies than this and until the critics can prove that those were exaggerated reports they should let these alone Besides that we have already noted that the very word from which thousand is translated is disputed as to its exact meaning

COKE 2 Chronicles 1714 And these are the numbers of themmdash That is of the soldiers as well as of those who were employed in the kings works in the several cities ampc which he built See 2 Chronicles 1719

REFLECTIOSmdash1st Jehoshaphat no sooner comes to the throne than we see the dawnings of a glorious reign

1 He strengthened his kingdom by placing strong garrisons in the cities of Judah and those which his father had recovered from Israel and prepared against that danger which Ahabs growing power seemed to threaten

2 Religion was his great concern He copied after the best of his predecessors in their best days such as were the first of David before the matter of Uriah and the numbering of the people had blotted his fair copy Faithful to the worship of God he abhorred all idols the law of God was his rule of duty and Israels apostacy rendered his fidelity more singular and exemplary Inspired with holy zeal his heart with delight and sincerity was engaged for God and no difficulties deterred him from the path of duty The idols and groves which in the declining days of Asa might have been set up again he utterly destroyed with all the high places where they still offered sacrifices to these abominations ote (1) In the fairest human pattern there will be found imperfections but there is a Son of David more than man who has set us a spotless example that we should follow his steps (2) Fidelity in Gods service is the stability of a nation (3) A lively soul on wings of faith and love mounts up to God rises superior to every difficulty and looks down upon every thing besides his favour as altogether vanity

3 He not only removed the temptations to sin but took care to instruct the people in

the path of duty Ignorance of Gods law had greatly prevailed and to oblige them merely to conform to his reformation without grounding them on the true foundation of Gods word promised little stability The Levites and priests therefore are sent in progress through the cities of Judah with the book of the law to explain and enforce the commandments of God and several princes accompanied them in order to engage the people to hear them and give countenance to these preachers by their weight and influence ote (1) It is a blessed thing when princes countenance faithful ministers Though they cannot make men true converts their example and authority will induce them to attend (2) They who are sent to teach must see that they take the pure word of God along with them A true preacher wishes for nothing in his hand but his Bible (3) Religion is a reasonable service Conviction alone not compulsion or education can make a man a christian

4 The blessing of God attended his labours The Lord was with him or as the Targum generally expresses it the word of the Lord the divine Logos to whom all things are committed strengthened him in his labours and established his kingdom The people charmed with his government liberally sent their presents to him and abounding in riches and honour his heart far from being intoxicated by prosperity was lifted up in greater love and thankfulness to the gracious giver ote (1) God often here rewards piety with prosperity (2) Worldly comforts are then truly blessings when as the steps of Jacobs ladder they raise our hearts to heaven

2nd Like the light of the morning which shineth more and more so did Jehoshaphats glory increase

1 Feared by his enemies as beloved by his subjects the neighbouring princes did not offer to molest him while those of Philistia and Arabia courted his favour either by a voluntary present or exact payment of the tribute which Asa had imposed on them see 2 Chronicles 1711 God had put an awe upon them of the majesty of his king in Zion ote God hath access to the spirits of men and by secret yet irresistible influence can bow them to his sovereign will

2 His military preparations greatly advanced While he reformed the people he fortified their ramparts and built new castles and store-cities strengthening them within and without against their enemies Under five chief officers an immense army was enlisted Probably all the able men in the country were enrolled and regularly mustered though not drawn out except in case of necessity and this may easily account for the greatness of their number if we consider also the long peace they had enjoyed the accession of Israelites to them and especially the blessing of Abraham which no doubt was eminently fulfilled Amasiah one of the officers is mentioned with an honourable mark of distinction as a volunteer who served for the glory of God not for the sake of pay Such patriots are scarce

TRAPP 2 Chronicles 1714 And these [are] the numbers of them according to the house of their fathers Of Judah the captains of thousands Adnah the chief and

with him mighty men of valour three hundred thousand

Ver 14 Three hundred thousand] These were under his command and at hand to come whensoever the king would

WHEDO 14 Three hundred thousand mdash The numbers in this verse and the four verses following are generally regarded as corrupt ldquoThey implyrdquo observes the writer last quoted ldquoa minimum population of 1480 to the square mile which is more than three times greater than that of any country in the known world It is probable that the original numbers have been lost and the loss supplied by a scribe who took 2 Chronicles 148 as his basis

ELLICOTT Verse 14 (14) And these their fathersmdashAnd this is their muster (or census) according to their father-houses (clans) 1 Chronicles 243 The warriors were marshalled in the army according to clans so that men of the same stock fought side by side with their kindred Perhaps in the original document this heading was followed by a much more detailed scheme of names and divisions than that which the text presents

Of JudahmdashTo Judah (belonged) captains of thousands viz the three enumerated in 2 Chronicles 1714-16 Adnah Jehohanan and Amasiah They were the principal officers or generals of the entire forces of Judah

Adnah the chiefmdashTo wit the captain Adnah That Adnah was commander-in-chief is implied by his being named first and his corps being the largest

PULPIT This verse with the following four gives us the names of five captains chiefs princes or military officers for the kingdoms service with the numbers of the troops they severally commanded The numbers of them (see note under 1 Chronicles 2311) Hebrew פקדתם The better English rendering to carry at once the signification would be The muster of them etc The captains hellip the chief In both cases the Hebrew is the familiar word for prince ( שר ) in the former without article in the latter with article The numbers of this and following four verses are not only absolutely unreliable but in themselves impossible According to the house of their fathers ie the quotation is drawn from an army catalogue arranged carefully by fathers houses (umbers 118 umbers 122 etc)

15 next Jehohanan the commander with 280000

GILL And next to him was Jehohanan the captain Being of the same rank as to office but having a lesser number of men under him and it may respect not any kind of subordination only nearness of place as the Targumhe that encamped next to him

and with him two hundred and fourscore thousand which number was but 20000 less than the former

POOLE ext to him either

1 After his death as his successor in the same command And the like is supposed concerning Jehozabad 2 Chronicles 1718 Or rather

2 ext to him in place and authority or at least in power and the numbers of his host

16 next Amasiah son of Zikri who volunteered himself for the service of the Lord with 200000

GILL And next him was Amasiah the son of Zichri He encamped next to him as the Targum

who willingly offered himself unto the Lord to fight the Lords battles and without any stipend as some think or as Kimchi he offered gold and silver to the treasures of the house of the Lord

and with him two hundred thousand mighty men of valour the number was 80000 less than the former the whole of Judah amounted to 780000 men

TRAPP 2 Chronicles 1716 And next him [was] Amasiah the son of Zichri who willingly offered himself unto the LORD and with him two hundred thousand mighty men of valour

Ver 16 Who willingly offered himself unto the Lord] He was a votary the vows of God were upon him and this made him the more valiant and resolute (a) in the exercise of arms for the service of God and the safety of his people The Spahis among the Turks are a sort of horsemen voluntaries and votaries to gain paradise by dying for the Mohammedan cause These are never known to return home but

with victory these are heavy upon the enemy For

ldquo Vincitur haud gratis iugulo qui provocat ensem rdquo

POOLE As volunteers and auxiliaries to be ready upon occasion as the service of God and the king should require Possibly these or most of them were the strangers which had come out of Israel into the kingdom of Judah in Asarsquos days and probably since that in his time

ELLICOTT (16) AmasiahmdashIah carrieth (Isaiah 4011) different from Amaziah (Iah is strong)

Who willingly offered himself unto the Lordmdash(Judges 52 Judges 59) An allusion to some noble act of self-devotion which was doubtless more fully recorded in the source from which the chronicler has drawn this brief account Such allusions though no longer intelligible are important as conducing to the proof of the historical value of the narratives in which they occur LXX ὁ προθυmicroούmicroενος τῷ κυρίῳ Vulg consecratus Domino

PULPIT Amaziah the son of Zichri This man is not titled at all The description of him as one who had willingly offered himself unto the Lord not elucidated by the context or any effective parallel will mark something honorable in his history Possibly he comes from an unexpected quarter and is a man of approved skill othing further is known of these three men Meantime it has been suggested (Professor Dr J Murphy of Belfast Handbook to Chronicles ) that the first of the three was for Judah proper the second for that contingent of Judah that hailed from Dan and the Philistines and the third for that of Simeon and the Arabs

MACLARE This is a scrap from the catalogue of Jehoshaphatrsquos lsquomighty men of valourrsquo and is Amasiahrsquos sole record We see him for a moment and hear his eulogium and then oblivion swallows him up We do not know what it was that he did to earn it But what a fate to live to all generations by that one sentence

I Cheerful self-surrender the secret of all religion

The words of our text contain a metaphor naturally drawn from the sacrificial system It comes so easily to us that we scarcely recognise the metaphorical element but the clear recognition of it gives great additional energy to the words Amasiah was both sacrificer and sacrifice His offering was self-immolation As in all love so in that noblest kind of it which clasps God its perfect expression is lsquoI give Thee my living loving selfrsquo Nor is it only sacrifice and sacrificer that are seen in deepest truth in the experience of the Christian life but the reality of the Temple is also there for lsquoYe also are built up a spiritual house to be a holy priesthood to offer up spiritual sacrificesrsquo Only when God dwells in us shall we have the nerve and the firmness of hand to take the knife and lsquoslay before the Lordrsquo the awful Guest in the sanctuary within the most precious of the children of our spirits

The essence of the sacrifice of self is the sacrifice of will In the Christian experience

lsquowillingly offeredrsquo is almost tautology for unwilling offerings are a contradiction and in fact there are no such things The quality of unwillingness destroys the character of the offering and robs it of all sacredness Reluctant Christianity is not Christianity That noun and that adjective can never be buckled together

The submission of will and the consequent surrender of myself and my powers opportunities and possessions so that I do all enjoy all use all and when need is endure all with glad thankful reference to God is only possible to me in the measure in which my will is made flexible by love and such will-subduing love comes only when we lsquoknow and believe the love that God hath to usrsquo There is the point at which not a few moral and religious teachers go wrong and bewilder themselves and their disciples There too is the point at which Christ and the Gospel of salvation through faith in Him stand forth as emancipating humanity from the dreary round of efforts and vain attempts to work up the condition needful for achieving the height of self-surrender which is seen to be indispensable to all true nobleness of living but is felt to be beyond the reach of the ordinary man There too is the point at which many good people mar their lives as Christians They waste their strength in trying to bring the jibbing horse up to the leap They try to blow up a fire of devotion and to make themselves priests to offer themselves but all the while the mutinous self recoils from the leap and the fire burns smokily and their sacrifice is laid on the altar with little joy because they have not been careful and wise enough to begin at the beginning and to follow Godrsquos way of melting their wills by love the reflection of the Infinite love of God to them Godrsquos priests offer themselves because they offer their wills they offer their wills because they love God they love God because they know that God loves them That is the divine order It is vain to try to accomplish the end by any other

II This willing offering hallows all life

No syllable is left to tell us what Amasiah did to win this praise Probably the words enshrine some now forgotten memory of his cheerful courage some heroic feat on an unrecorded battlefield Particulars are not given nor needed Specific actions are unimportant the spirit of a life can be told with very incomplete details and it not the details is the important thing Sometimes as in many modern biographies one lsquocannot see the wood for the treesrsquo and misses the main drift and aim of a life in the chaos of a bewildering mass of nothings How much more happy the lot of this man of whom we have only the generalised expression of the text unweighted and undisturbed by petty incidents It takes tons of rose leaves to make a tiny phial of otto of roses but the fragrance is far more pungent in a drop of the distillation than in armfuls of leaves Every life shrinks into very small compass and the centuries do not tolerate long biographies Shall we not seek to order our life so that Amasiahrsquos epitaph may serve for us It will be blessed if this-and nothing else-is known about us that we lsquowillingly offered ourselves to the Lordrsquo My friend will that be a true epitome of your life

III This willing offering is accepted by God

We may hear a mightier voice behind the chroniclerrsquo s and the judgment of the Judge of all pronounced by His lips It matters little what men say of one another but it matters everything what God says of us We are but too apt to forget that He is now saying something as to each of us and that we have not to wait for death to put a final period to our activities before our lives become fit subjects for Godrsquos judgment Moment by moment we are writing our own sentences But while it is good for us to remember the continuous judgment of God on each deed it is not good to let dark thoughts of the principles of that judgment paralyse our activity or chill our confidence in His forgiving and accepting mercy There is often a dark suspicion like that of the one-talented

servant which blackens Godrsquos fair fame as being lsquoan austere Manrsquo making demands rather than imparting power and the effect of such an ugly conception of Him is to cut the nerve of service and bury the talent carefully folded up it may be but none the less earning nothing lsquoIf we call on Him as Father who without respect of persons judgeth according to every manrsquos workrsquo let us be sure that it will be a Fatherly judgment that He will pass upon us and our offerings There is a wonderful collection on His altar of what many people would think rubbish just as many a mother has laid away among her treasures some worthless article which her child had once given her-a weed plucked by the roadside in a long past summer day some trifle of rare preciousness in the childrsquos eyes and of none in any others than her own She opens her drawer and brings out the poor little thing and her eyes fill and her heart fills as she looks And does not God keep His childrenrsquos gifts as lovingly and set them in places of honour in the day when He lsquomakes up His jewelsrsquo There are cups of cold water and widowsrsquo mites and much else that a supercilious world would call lsquotrashrsquo stored there Thank God He accepts imperfect service faltering faith partial consecration a little love Even our poor offering may be an lsquoodour of a sweet smellrsquo ministering fragrance that is a delight to Him if it is offered with the much incense of the great Sacrifice and through the mediation of the great High Priest

The world forgot Amasiah or never knew him an obscure soldier in an obscure kingdom but God did not forget and here is his epitaph and this is his memorial to all generations Menrsquos chronicles have no room for all the names that their wearers are eager to have inscribed on their crumbling and crowded pages lsquobut the Lambrsquos Book of Lifersquo has ample space on its radiant pages for all who desire to set their names there and if ours are there we need not envy the proudest whose titles and deeds fill the most conspicuous pages in the worldrsquos records lsquoThen shall every man have praise of Christrsquo and he who wins that guerdon needs nothing more and can have nothing more to swell his blessedness

17 From BenjaminEliada a valiant soldier with 200000 men armed with bows and shields

GILL And of Benjamin Eliada a mighty man of valour Was the chief commander

and with armed men with bow and shield two hundred thousand which were

the armour of the tribe of Benjamin they were best skilled in 2Ch_148

TRAPP 2 Chronicles 1717 And of Benjamin Eliada a mighty man of valour and with him armed men with bow and shield two hundred thousand

Ver 17 With bow and shield] The Benjamites were notable bowmen [1 Chronicles 122] The Engish were anciently so too

ELLICOTT (17) Armed men with bow and shieldmdashLiterally drawing bow and shield ie as the Targum explains ldquodrawing bow and grasping shieldsrdquo (Comp 1 Chronicles 122) LXX ldquoArchers and peltastsrdquo Vulg ldquoGrasping bow and shieldrdquo (Comp also 1 Chronicles 840 for the arms of the Benjaminites)

18 next Jehozabad with 180000 men armed for battle

GILL And next to him was Jehozabad According to the Targum he encamped next him

and with him one hundred and fourscore thousand ready prepared for war being able bodied men well disciplined valiant and well armed these numbers of Judah and Benjamin put together amount to 1160000 men whereas Asa only brought into the field 580000 but it should be considered there had been a long time of peace many had come off from the ten tribes to Judah and the promise of multiplying the seed of Abraham was eminently fulfilled

TRAPP 2 Chronicles 1718 And next him [was] Jehozabad and with him an hundred and fourscore thousand ready prepared for the war

Ver 18 A hundred and fourscore thousand] His militia was eleven hundred and threescore thousand besides what he had in garrisons [2 Chronicles 1719] So that as he was better he was stronger than his father Asa had been Piety hath prosperity

ELLICOTT (18) Ready prepared for the warmdashEquipped for service (See on 1

Chronicles 1223-24 umbers 315 umbers 3229) The hoplites or heavy-armed infantry are probably meant

PULPIT While Eliada of last verse was for Benjamin Professor Dr Murphy supposes that Jehozabad was for the annexed part of Ephraim But no suppositions of this kind can avail to explain the numbers in the text which is no doubt corrupt

19 These were the men who served the king besides those he stationed in the fortified cities throughout Judah

CLARKE These waited on the king - They were disposable forces always at the kingrsquos command and were independent of those by which the cities of Judah were garrisoned

There is not a sovereign in Europe or in the world but might read this chapter with advantage

1 It shows most forcibly that true religion is the basis of the state and that wherever it prospers there the state prospers

2 It shows also that it is the wisdom of kings to encourage religion with all their power and influence for if the hearts of the subjects be not bound and influenced by true religion vain is the application of laws fines imprisonments or corporal punishment of any kind

3 A religious nation is ever a great nation it is loved by its friends it is dreaded by its enemies

4 It is ever a peaceable and united nation the blessings of religion and a wholesome and paternal government are so fully felt and prized that all find it their interest to preserve and defend them Harmony peace piety and strength are the stability of such times May Britain know and value them

GILL These waited on the king Not this vast number of men at one time but in course as Davids military men waited on him 1Ch_271 or each of these captains with a proper number of men under them detached from the body and they were all ready to obey the kings orders whenever he should have occasion for them

besides those whom the king put into the fenced cities throughout Judah and all together the militia of the kingdom was very numerous and formidable

KampD 2Ch_1719

These were serving the king א6ה refers not to the above-mentioned men capable of

bearing arms for sheereet is not used of service in war but to the commanders whom he had placed in the fortified cities of all Judah ldquoin which probably bodies of the above-mentioned troops lay as garrisonsrdquo (Berth)

BESO 2 Chronicles 1719 These waited on the king mdash These above-mentioned were the trained bands or auxiliaries whose chief officers waited on the king to receive his commands and to raise and bring in all or part of their forces to the service of the king as need required A vast number for so small a compass of ground to furnish out and maintain But we may consider that God had promised to make the seed of Abraham like the sand of the sea for number that there had now been a long peace that many were come to them from the kingdom of Israel and that Jehoshaphat was under a special blessing of God They were doubtless dispersed all the country over every one residing on his own land only they were ready at call whenever there was occasion

TRAPP 2 Chronicles 1719 These waited on the king beside [those] whom the king put in the fenced cities throughout all Judah

Ver 19 These waited on the king] ie In their turns and by course

POOLE These above mentioned were the trained bands or auxiliaries whose chief officers waited upon the king to receive his commands and to raise and bring in all or part of their forces to the service of the king and kingdom as need required

ELLICOTT (19) These waited on the kingmdashRather these are they that ministered unto the king viz the five generals above named

Beside those whom the king put in the fenced citiesmdashie the commandants of the fortresses of the kingdom (2 Chronicles 1111 2 Chronicles 1123) These latter as well as the generals of the forces are called the kingrsquos ldquoministersrdquo (mĕshacircrĕthicircm)mdasha word which is not used of service in the field but implies their presence at court (ldquoin Jerusalemrdquo 2 Chronicles 1713 as the royal staff)

According to the above list the army of Jehoshaphat was organised in five grand divisions corresponding perhaps to five territorial divisions of the southern kingdom The totals are the largest assigned to the two tribes anywhere in the Old Testament viz Judah 780000 and Benjamin 380000 in all 1160000 At Davidrsquos census Judah had 500000 warriors (2 Samuel 249) and Israel 800000 Again in 2

Chronicles 148 Asarsquos army consists of 300000 men of Judah and 280000 Benjaminites clearly such an increase as our text indicates is unaccountable At the same time it is equally clear that the present numbers are not fortuitous results of clerical errors for they follow each other in the order of relative strength Judah 300000 280000 200000 Benjamin 200000 180000 and they are evidently not independent of the estimates of 2 Chronicles 148 above quoted

In the absence of adequate data for modifying these certainly startling figures it is well to bear in mind that we need not understand by them an army which ever actually mustered in the field or on parade but simply an estimate of the total male population liable to be called out for the national defence although even upon that understanding the total appears to be at least three times too great considering the small extent of the country

PULPIT These waited Hebrew המשרתים plur piel part of שרת The verse states that this enormous fivefold army with its five princes (counting in our corrupt text one million one hundred and sixty thousand) was the kings Jerusalem standing army while other separate regiments or bands of troops were spread through all Judah where they might be most needed for defence

either he did not do it thoroughly or the people who were mad upon their idols had secretly made new ones in the latter part of his reign when he grew more infirm in body and more remiss in Godrsquos cause

TRAPP 2 Chronicles 175 Therefore the LORD stablished the kingdom in his hand and all Judah brought to Jehoshaphat presents and he had riches and honour in abundance

Ver 5 And he had riches and honour in abundance] Herein he came near unto Solomon in his greatest flourish

ELLICOTT (5) ThereforemdashAnd (so ldquoalsordquo ldquoso thatrdquo in 2 Chronicles 177 2 Chronicles 1710)

The Lord stablished the kingdom in his handmdashComp 2 Kings 145

PresentsmdashMinchah This word often means tributary offerings as in 2 Chronicles 1711 but here it obviously denotes the voluntary gifts of loyal subjects usual at the beginning of a reign (1 Samuel 1027)

And he had (or got) riches and honour in abundancemdashLike David and Solomon (1 Chronicles 2928 2 Chronicles 112)

PARKER 5-9 5 Therefore the Lord stablished the kingdom in his hand [comp 2 Kings 145] and all Judah brought to Jehoshaphat presents [this word often means tributary offerings but here it denotes the voluntary gifts of loyal subjects] and he had riches and honour in abundance

6 And his heart was lifted up [usually the phrase has a bad meaning (as in Deuteronomy 814 2 Chronicles 2616 Psalm 1311 etc) but it is evident that it must be taken differently here The marginal reading is right his courage rose high or he grew bold] in the ways of the Lord moreover he took away the high places and groves out of Judah

7 Also in the third year of his reign he sent to his princes [rather he sent his princes] even to Ben-hail and to Obadiah and to Zechariah and to ethaneel and to Michaiah to teach in the cities of Judah

8 And with them he sent [rather were the] Levites even Shemaiah and ethaniah and Zebadiah and Asahel and Shemiramoth and Jehonathan and Adonijah and Tobijah and Tobadonijah Levites and with them Elishama and Jehoram priests

9 And they taught in Judah and had the book of the law of the Lord [the Pentateuchmdashnearly if not quite in the shape in which we now have it] with them and went about throughout all the cities of Judah and taught [among] the people

PARKER Therefore the Lord stablished the kingdom in his hand and all Judah brought to Jehoshaphat presents and he had riches and honour in abundance ( 2 Chronicles 175)

Whatever was doubtful about the ascent of Jehoshaphat to the throne was removed and the king was enabled to realise his power when he closed his hand upon the royal sceptre he found that he was not grasping a shadow but a reality There are times when men become fully conscious of their influence and of their proper social position happy are they if in this consciousness they detect a prevailingly religious element which constrains them to acknowledge that honour and wealth power and dignity are the gifts of God Is not this an anticipation of the Saviours great doctrinemdashSeek ye first the kingdom of God and his righteousness and all these things shall be added unto you Jehoshaphat did not seek riches and honour he sought to the Lord God of his father and walked in the divine commandments and as a result he enjoyed all that kings delight in as indicating strength and pomp renown and influence

GUZIK 2 (2 Chronicles 175-6) The blessing upon his reign

Therefore the LORD established the kingdom in his hand and all Judah gave presents to Jehoshaphat and he had riches and honor in abundance And his heart took delight in the ways of the LORD moreover he removed the high places and wooden images from Judah

a Therefore the LORD established the kingdom in his hand This was no small accomplishment In those days kings and kingdoms were fragile and under constant threat Yet if the descendants of David would seek God first He promised to take care of their security ndash and God makes the same promise to His people today (Matthew 633)

b All Judah gave presents to Jehoshaphat and he had riches and honor in abundance Because Jehoshaphat trusted God God lifted him up and exalted him as a king As his heart took delight in the ways of the LORD the LORD gave him the desires of his heart (Psalms 374)

c Moreover he removed the high places and wooden images from Judah 1 Kings 2243 says that Jehoshaphat did not remove the high places Adam Clarke explains ldquoIn 2 Chronicles 176 it is expressly said that he did take way the high places Allowing that the text is right in 2 Chronicles the two places may be easily recognized There were two kinds of high places in the land 1 Those used for idolatrous purposes 2 Those that were consecrated to God and were used before the temple was built The former he did take away the latter he did notrdquo

i ldquoThey may also witness to the deep hold of the Canaanite and syncretic forms of religion on ordinary Israelites Popular views and practices are often quite different from pronouncements by religious authoritiesrdquo (Selman)

PULPIT All Judah brought presents to Jehoshaphat These presents were of course voluntary gifts though like not a few others custom may have taken off from them something of the bloom of spontaneousness (1 Samuel 1027 2 Samuel 82 1 Kings 421 1 Kings 1025 Psalms 7210)

6 His heart was devoted to the ways of the Lord furthermore he removed the high places and the Asherah poles from Judah

BARES His heart was lifted up - This expression generally occurs in a bad sense Deu_814 2Ch_2616 Psa_1311 Pro_1812 but here it must be taken differently The margin ldquowas encouragedrdquo expresses fairly the true meaning He first began by setting an example of faithfulness to Yahweh He then proceeded to use his best endeavors to extirpate idolatry

He took away the high places - Compare 2Ch_2033 and see the 2Ch_1517 note

GILL And his heart was lifted up in the ways of the Lord It was engaged in them was bent and set upon them he walked in them with great pleasure and cheerfulness being inspired with zeal and courage he was fearless and intrepid and regarded not any opposition he might have or expect to have in the work of reformation in which he was concerned

moreover he took away the high places such as were dedicated to idols but not those in which the true God was worshipped 2Ch_2033

and groves out of Judah where idols were placed for though these had been removed by Asa yet had been renewed in the latter part of his days when more negligent of religion

HERY 2 He was a despised man (Job_176) ldquoHerdquo (that is Eliphaz so some or rather God whom he all along acknowledges to be the author of his calamities) ldquohas made me a byword of the people the talk of the country a laughing-stock to many a gazing-stock to all and aforetime (or to mens faces publicly) I was as a tabret that whoever chose might play uponrdquo They made ballads of him his name became a proverb it is so still As poor as Job ldquoHe has now made me a bywordrdquo a reproach of men whereas aforetime in my prosperity I was as a tabret deliciae humani generis -

the darling of the human race whom they were all pleased with It is common for those who were honoured in their wealth to be despised in their poverty

JAMISO his heart was lifted up in the ways of the Lordmdash Full of faith and piety he possessed zeal and courage to undertake the reformation of manners to suppress all the works and objects of idolatry (see on 2Ch_2033) and he held out public encouragement to the pure worship of God

KampD This blessing encouraged Jehoshaphat to extirpate from the land all

idolatrous worship and to teach the people the law of the Lord לב usually sensu ב

malo to be haughty proud cf eg 2Ch_2616 2Ch_3225 here sensu bono of rising

courage to advance in ways pleasing to God and he removed the high places also etc עודpoints back to 2Ch_173 not only did he himself keep far from the Baals but he

removed besides all memorials of the Baal-worship from Judah On מות and אשרים see

on 2Ch_142

COKE 2 Chronicles 176 And his heart was lifted upmdash And when he had elevated his mind in following the commandments of God he took yet from Judah high places and groves ie he destroyed yet other monuments of idolatry which had escaped the diligence of his father Asa though he took not away those high places and altars which had been erected in Jerusalem for the true God See 1 Kings 2243 and ch 1 Kings 2033 of this book

TRAPP 2 Chronicles 176 And his heart was lifted up in the ways of the LORD moreover he took away the high places and groves out of Judah

Ver 6 And his heart was lifted up] ot with pride as 2 Chronicles 3225 but with undaunted courage and disengaged zeal such as made him come off roundly and readily in the ensuing reformation he was more forward and forth putting than his father Asa not slothful in business but fervent in spirit serving the Lord

POOLE His heart was lifted up above all discouragements and difficulties and fears by which menrsquos hearts use to be cast down he was valiant and resolute for God and his ways

He took away the high places and groves to wit such only wherein idols were worshipped as appears by comparing this with 2 Chronicles 2033 And though Asa had done this before yet either he did not do it thoroughly or the Jews (who were many of them mad upon their idols) had secretly made new ones in the latter part of his reign when he grew more infirm in body and more remiss in Godrsquos cause

WHEDO 6 His heart was lifted up mdash That is exalted with holy faith and courage

Took away the high places mdash Yet in spite of all his efforts and successes in this matter the people had become so addicted to these practices that their destruction was not thoroughly secured See note on 2 Chronicles 143 and compare 2 Chronicles 2033

ELLICOTT (6) And his heart was lifted upmdashGabhah lccedilbh which usually like the phrase of Authorised version has a bad meaning as in 2 Chronicles 2616 The margin is right here ldquohis courage rose highrdquo or ldquohe grew boldrdquo in the ways of Jehovah ie in the path of religious reform Vulg ldquocum sumpsisset cor ejus audaciam propter vias Dominirdquo

MoreovermdashAnd again further Referring to 2 Chronicles 173 ot only did he not seek the Baals but more than this he removed the high places ampc [This is the common explanation But the sense may rather be ldquoAnd he again removedrdquo referring back to Asarsquos reforms 2 Chronicles 145]

GrovesmdashrsquoAshecircrim ldquoAsherahsrdquo (2 Chronicles 143)

PARKER And his heart was lifted up in the ways of the Lord moreover he took away the high places and groves out of Judah ( 2 Chronicles 176)

The expression his heart was lifted up is an awkward one The lifting up of the heart signifies increase of pride a sensation of vanity a desire to gratify personal ambition and to make an idol of his will In this instance the marginal reading is to be preferredmdashwas encouraged or otherwise his courage rose high and again it has been rendered Jehoshaphat grew bold that is to say he was not a timid reformer or a timid worshipper a trimmer or a time-server in any sense he was a heroic worshipper of the living God when he saw that reform was necessary he went forward with a steady step and an energetic hand We should call Jehoshaphat a man of conviction and a man who had the courage of his convictions altogether this is the outline of a noble personage a born king a man who has a right to the purple and the sceptre When such men ascend thrones nations should be glad and rejoice with a great joy for their character is grander than their office and their spirit is the best guarantee of the elevation and utility of their regal policy Becoming conscious of his power knowing that his kingdom was established from on high Jehoshaphat not only did pot seek the Baals himself but he took away the high places and groves out of Judah Jehoshaphat was not content with a merely personal religion he could not convert the hearts of his people but he could destroy all the symbols of unholy worship Men are only required to do that which lies within their power A proprietor may not be able to make people sober but he can forbid the introduction of temptations to drunkenness a parent may not be able to subdue the spirit of pride but he can in many instances limit the means of gratifying it There are reforms which are open to us all in personal custom in social habit it may be even in imperial ways let each Jehoshaphat seize his opportunity and magnify it

All this would have been comparatively in vain but for another step which

Jehoshaphat took In the third year of his reign he sent to his princesmdashthat is to say he sent his princesmdashand he sent Levites all of whose names are given and he sent also two priests Elishama and Jehoram and their business was purely educational

PULPIT And his heart was lifted up in the ways of the Lord Although the verb often carries a bad sense with it it quite as often carries with it a good one in the גבהOld Testament and the typical instance of the former (Psalms 1311) is fully counterbalanced by Isaiah 5213 The marginal was enencouraged may be superseded with advantage by took courage (Isaiah 4029-31) The groves Supersede this incorrect rendering by the Asherim and upon the seeming discrepancy see again Isaiah 151-9 17 and Introduction to Chronicles there quoted

7 In the third year of his reign he sent his officials Ben-Hail Obadiah Zechariah ethanel and Micaiah to teach in the towns of Judah

BARES The princes were not sent as teachers themselves but had the duty committed to them of seeing that the people were taught The actual teachers were the priests and Levites of 2Ch_178

CLARKE 7-9 To teach in the cities of Judah - ldquoTo teach the fear of the Lord in the cities of Judahrdquo - Targum

In these verses we find a remarkable account of an itinerant ministry established by Jehoshaphat and in this work he employed three classes of men

1 The princes

2 The Levites

3 The priests

We may presume that the princes instructed the people in the nature of the civil law and constitution of the kingdom the Levites instructed them in every thing that appertained to the temple service and ritual law and the priests instructed them in the

nature and design of the religion they professed Thus the nation became thoroughly instructed in their duty to God to the king and to each other They became therefore as one man and against a people thus united on such principles no enemy could be successful

GILL Also in the third year of his reign he sent to his princes That dwelt in the several parts of the kingdom or he sent them being with him some of the

principal men of his court for ל may be a sign of the accusative case as it sometimes is

even to Benhail and to Obadiah and to Zechariah and to Nethaneel and to Michaiah to teach in the cities of Judah to see that they were taught and oblige them to attend to the instructions that should be given them and not mutiny and rebel against their teachers and to let them know what was the kings pleasure on this head and to back with their authority the priests and Levites whose proper work it was to instruct and who therefore were sent with them as follows

JAMISO 7-11 2Ch_177-11 He sends Levites to teach in Judah

Also in the third year of his reign he sent to his princes to teach in the cities of Judahmdash The ordinary work of teaching devolved on the priests But extraordinary commissioners were appointed probably to ascertain whether the work had been done or neglected This deputation of five princes assisted by two priests and nine Levites was to make a circuit of the towns in Judah It is the first practical measure we read of as being adopted by any of the kings for the religious instruction of the people Time and unbroken opportunities were afforded for carrying out fully this excellent plan of home education for the kingdom enjoyed internal tranquillity as well as freedom for foreign wars It is conformable to the pious style of the sacred historian to trace this profound peace to the ldquofear of the Lord having fallen on all kingdoms of the lands that were round about Judahrdquo

BESO 2 Chronicles 177 He sent to his princes mdash to teach in the cities of Judah mdash To inform the people of their duty and of the kingrsquos pleasure As judges teach or instruct the people in the laws of the land when they deliver their charges upon the bench so did these princes in the kingrsquos name admonish and require the people to observe and obey the laws of God which were the municipal laws of that land the particular explication and enforcement whereof they left to the Levites and priests here following who were sent for this end and accordingly taught the people 2 Chronicles 179

COFFMA Because of the clause which we have capitalized this is one of the most important passages in Chronicles Right here is the reason radical critics have extended themselves so unreasonably in their efforts to discredit Chronicles Here is dependable historical proof of the continued existence of the Torah from the days of Moses throughout the history of Israel As Keil stated it The book of the law of Jehovah is the Pentateuch not merely a collection of Mosaic laws since in Jehoshaphats time the Mosaic Book of the Law (the Pentateuch) had been long in existence[1] We shall not take the space to repeat the vociferous denials of critics

except to cite one knee-jerk remark that characterizes all of them Such action was not taken in Jehoshaphats time[2] What is the basis of such a blatant denial of what Gods Word states as a fact even giving the very names of the royal princes who did the teaching THERE IS OE o matter what unbelievers say this chapter IS the historical record of what happened in the reign of Jehoshaphat and those who live two and one half millenniums afterward have nothing of value by which they may challenge it Then why do men deny it The false theories they have invented are here contradicted forcing them either to give up their false theories or to deny the Sacred Scriptures that contradict them

COKE 2 Chronicles 177 He sent to his princes even to Ben-hail ampcmdash He sent of his princes Ben-hail Obadiah ampc The proper business of these princes in their circuit round the kingdom says Bishop Patrick was to admonish and require the people to observe the laws of God and to leave the particular explication and enforcement of them to those of the sacred order who went with them supporting them in the execution of their office and obliging the people to receive them with respect to hear them with attention and to practise what they taught

TRAPP 2 Chronicles 177 Also in the third year of his reign he sent to his princes [even] to Benhail and to Obadiah and to Zechariah and to ethaneel and to Michaiah to teach in the cities of Judah

Ver 7 He sent to his princes to teach in the cities of Judah] Teaching princes there are not many such as were David Solomon George prince of Anhalt ampc but these were sent with the teaching Levites to countenance and bear them out in this visitation general and perhaps to punish the opposite and obstinate if any such Junius readeth the text thus He sent with his princes these Levites for the teaching Or the princes taught the people the law of the land the priests and Levites the law of God both did mutually help one another So a Danish king of this land made a law that at the general court of every shire the bishop of the diocese should accompany the sheriff that the one might countenance Godrsquos law the other manrsquos (a) Queen Elizabeth once in her progress through Suffolk observing that the justices of that county who came to meet her had every man his minister next to his body said she wondered not that that county was so well governed where she saw that the word and sword went so lovingly together (b)

POOLE To teach in the cities of Judah to inform the people of their duty and of the kingrsquos pleasure As judges or justices of peace teach or instruct the people in the laws of the land when they deliver their charges upon the bench so did these princes in the kingrsquos name admonish and require the people to observe and obey the laws of God which were the prinicipal laws of that land the particular explication and enforcement whereof they left to the Levites and priests here following who were sent for this end and accordingly taught the people 2 Chronicles 179

WHEDO 7 He sent to his princeshellip to teach mdash He committed the matter of

teaching to their oversight and care and the teaching was done by the Levites and priests as stated in the next verse He did well to put down idolatry but he was wise enough to know that unless the people were instructed they would soon apostatize again

ELLICOTT THE COMMISSIOERS OF PUBLIC ISTRUCTIO I THE LAW

(7) He sent to his princes even to Ben-hail to MichaiahmdashRather He sent his princes Ben- hail and Obadiah and Michaiah (The le ldquotordquo in the chroniclerrsquos idiom marking the object of the verb) If however Authorised Version were correct the construction would not be unique as the Speakerrsquos Com mentary asserts (Comp 2 Kings 57 ldquothis man sendeth to me to recover a manrdquo ampc)

Princesmdashone of the personages mentioned in this and the following verse are otherwise known The ldquofive princesrdquo were laymen of rank and were accompanied by nine (eight) Levites and two priests

Ben-hailmdashSon of valour A compound proper name only occurring here but analogous to Ben-hur Ben-deker and Ben-hesed in 1 Kings 48-10 (The LXX renders ldquothe sons of the mightyrdquo Syriac ldquothe chiefs of the forcesrdquo apparently reading bnecirc chail)

ethaneelmdashSyriac Mattanael Arabic Mattaniah Michaiah Syriac and Arabic Malachiah

GUZIK B The strength of Jehoshaphatrsquos kingdom

1 (2 Chronicles 177-10) The spiritual strength of the kingdom Jehoshaphat brings the Word of God to the people

Also in the third year of his reign he sent his leaders Ben-Hail Obadiah Zechariah ethanel and Michaiah to teach in the cities of Judah And with them he sent Levites Shemaiah ethaniah Zebadiah Asahel Shemiramoth Jehonathan Adonijah Tobijah and Tobadonijah the Levites and with them Elishama and Jehoram the priests So they taught in Judah and had the Book of the Law of the LORD with them they went throughout all the cities of Judah and taught the people And the fear of the LORD fell on all the kingdoms of the lands that were around Judah so that they did not make war against Jehoshaphat

a To teach in the cities of Judah These ldquoteaching priestsrdquo have been mentioned by the Chronicler before (2 Chronicles 153) They had the important role of bringing the word of God to the people especially those who lived outside of Jerusalem

b They taught in Judah and had the Book of the Law of the LORD with them they went throughout all the cities of Judah and taught the people This was the wisest

and best policy a security-conscious king of Judah could promote Because Jehoshaphat sought God first God sent fear upon the neighboring kingdoms so that they did not make war against Jehoshaphat

i ldquoBy this little band of princes Levites and priests sixteen in all Jehoshaphat did more toward impressing the surrounding nations with a sense of his power than the largest and best-equipped standing army could have secured to himrdquo (Knapp)

ii ldquoThe method adopted was what in these modern times we might describe as the holding of Special Missions throughout the cities of Judah for the specific purpose of proclaiming and interpreting lsquothe book of the law of Jehovahrsquordquo (Morgan)

iii ldquoo better service can be rendered to the nation than that of proclaiming the Word of Jehovah to the people in cities towns villages and hamlets By such proclamation the heart of the people may be turned to Jehovah and so He be enabled to do for them all that is in His heartrdquo (Morgan)

iv ldquoThus the nation became thoroughly instructed in their duty to God to the king and to each other They became therefore as one man and against a people thus united on such principles no enemy could be successfulrdquo (Clarke)

v Clarke observed how a similar itinerant ministry in the days of John Wesley and his followers impacted Britain ldquoSuch an itinerant ministry established in these kingdoms for upwards of fourscore years teaching the pure unadulterated doctrines of the Gospel with the propriety and necessity of obedience to the laws has been the principle means in the hand of God of preserving the lands from those convulsions and revolutions that have ruined and nearly dissolved the European continentrdquo

vi ldquoIt is said (2 Chronicles 172) Jehoshaphat place forces in all the fenced cities yet it is not said thereupon that lsquothe fear of the Lord fell upon the neighbour nationsrsquo But when he had established a preaching ministry in all the cities then his enemies had a fear and made no warrdquo (Trapp)

PULPIT He sent Hebrew שלח The Hebrew text distinctly says he sent to his princes not he sent his princes The meaning ismdashhe sent orders to his princes to see to it that Judah was taught (2 Chronicles 179) the book of the Law of the Lord (Le 2 Chronicles 1011 Deuteronomy 49 Deuteronomy 1718) not indeed without their own personal aid in whatever way able to be given but systematically and with authority by the Levites and priests (Deuteronomy 3310) This deeper fathoming of the needs of the time and of what constituted its real safety was greatly to the spiritual credit of Jehoshaphat The references (2 Chronicles 153 2 Chronicles 352-4 2 Chronicles 3510-12) are full of point one of these princes or Levites and priests are elsewhere mentioned by name

8 With them were certain LevitesmdashShemaiah ethaniah Zebadiah Asahel Shemiramoth Jehonathan Adonijah Tobijah and Tob-Adonijahmdashand the priests Elishama and Jehoram

GILL 2 Chronicles 178And with them he sent Levites With the five princes he sent nine Levites

even Shemaiah and Nethaniah and Zebadiah and Asahel and Shemiramoth and Jehonathan and Adonijah and Tobijah and Tobadonijah Levites of whom we nowhere else read no doubt they were principal persons and fit for the work they were sent about

and with them Elishama and Jehoram priests whose lips were to keep knowledge and at whose mouth the law was to be sought Mal_27

ELLICOTT (8) And with them he sent LevitesmdashRather And with them were the Levites The construction being changed So LXX and the Syriac (Comp 1 Chronicles 1641-42 1 Chronicles 1518 for the same mode of enumeration which is characteristic of the style of the chronicler

ZebadiahmdashSome MSS and Syriac and Arabic read Zechariah

ShemiramothmdashSo LXX and Vulg (see 1 Chronicles 165 1 Chronicles 1518) The Heb text is probably incorrect Syriac and Arabic read instead atucircra

Tob-adonijahmdashThis curious name occurs only here and is perhaps a mere mistake arising out of the preceding Adonijah and Tobijah The Syriac and Arabic omit it

PriestsmdashThe priests

The commission was a mixed one of civil and ecclesiastical persons (comp 1 Chronicles 131-2 1 Chronicles 232 1 Chronicles 246)

And had the book of the law of the LordmdashAnd with them was the book of the law (teaching) of Jehovah For the construction compare 1 Chronicles 1642 The writer

evidently means the Pentateuch and if this notice was derived by him from a contemporary source eg the ldquowords of Jehu the son of Hananirdquo to which he refers as an authority for the reign (2 Chronicles 2034) it would constitute an important testimony to the existence if not of the five books at least of an ancient collection of laws at this early date (circ 850 BC )

And taught the peoplemdashTaught among the people

9 They taught throughout Judah taking with them the Book of the Law of the Lord they went around to all the towns of Judah and taught the people

BARES There is no reasonable doubt that this ldquobook of the lawrdquo was the Pentateuch - nearly if not quite in the shape in which we now have it Copies of the whole Law were no doubt scarce and therefore Jehoshaphatrsquos commission took care to carry a copy with them

CLARKE Had the book of the law of the Lord with them - This was their text book it was the book of God they taught it as such and as such the people received it Its laws were Godrsquos laws and the people felt their obligation and their consciences were bound Thus they were obedient to the laws of the land on the principle of religion In this they were encouraged and confirmed by the example of all both in Church and state The princes were not only pious but were teachers of piety the Levites showed them the worth and excellence of their ritual institutions and the priests showed them the moral use they were to make of the whole and thus the people became obedient to God as well as to the king and kept all the civil ordinances not merely for the sake of a good king but for the sake of a good and gracious God By these means the nation enjoyed peace and prosperity and all insurrections seditions and popular commotions were prevented The surrounding nations perceiving this saw that there was no hope of subduing such a people so they made no war with Jehoshaphat 2Ch_1710 And they took care not to provoke such a people to fall on them therefore it is said The fear of the Lord fell on all the kingdoms and lands that were round about Judah Such an itinerant ministry established in these kingdoms for upwards of fourscore years

teaching the pure unadulterated doctrines of the Gospel with the propriety and necessity of obedience to the laws has been the principal means in the hand of God of preserving these lands from those convulsions and revolutions that have ruined and nearly dissolved the European continent The itinerant ministry to which this refers is that which was established in these lands by the late truly reverend highly learned and cultivated deeply pious and loyal John Wesley AM formerly a fellow of Lincoln College Oxford whose followers are known by the name of Methodists a people who are an honor to their country and a blessing to the government under which they live

GILL And they taught in Judah The people their duty to God and man

and had the book of the law of the Lord with them as the rule of their instruction and the peoples obedience out of this they taught them and by it confirmed what they taught and enforced it with the divine authority

and went about throughout all the cities of Judah not only their own cities the Levitical ones but all others

and taught the people the law of the Lord the fear and worship of God

JAMISO the book of the lawmdash that is either the whole Pentateuch or only the book of Deuteronomy which contains an abridgment of it

BESO 2 Chronicles 179 And they taught in Judah ampc mdash The Levites and priests were teachers by office Deuteronomy 3310 It was a part of the work for which they had their maintenance and indeed had little else to do But it seems they had neglected it pretending probably that they could not get the people to hear them Jehoshaphat therefore sends them with the princes who by their authority might require the people to assemble together to receive instruction in the laws of God and their duty ldquoWhat a great deal of goodrdquo says Henry ldquomay be done when Moses and Aaron thus go hand in hand in the doing of it when princes with their power and priests and Levites with their Scripture-learning agree to teach the people the good knowledge of God and their duty These itinerant judges and itinerant preachers together were instrumental to diffuse a blessed light throughout the cities of Judahrdquo And had the book of the law of the Lord with them mdash 1st For their own guidance that from thence they might draw all the instructions they gave to the people and not teach for doctrines the commandments of men 2d For the conviction or the people that they might see these priests and Levites had a divine warrant for what they said and delivered to them only that which they had received from the Lord

TRAPP 2 Chronicles 179 And they taught in Judah and [had] the book of the law of the LORD with them and went about throughout all the cities of Judah and taught the people

Ver 9 And had the book of the law of the Lord with them] They taught not

traditions human inventions or unwritten verities All their doctrines came cum privilegio and were Scripture proof

WHEDO 9 The book of the law mdash Our Pentateuch in substantially its present form ldquoCopies of the whole law were no doubt scarce and therefore Jehoshaphatrsquos commission took care to carry a copy with themrdquo mdash Rawlinson

PARKER And they taught in Judah and had the book of the law of the Lord with them and went about throughout all the cities of Judah and taught the people ( 2 Chronicles 179)

This was a mixed commission partly civil partly ecclesiastical The men here mentioned are otherwise unknown We identify them as educational reformers or reformers who operated through the medium of education they were not warriors destroyers revolutionists but men who addressed the mind and the understanding and the conscience and caused men to know that the true law was from above and not from beneath The book which the commission had in hand was the Pentateuch or the law of Moses This was known to be the law which alone could touch all the vital necessities of the commonwealth Again and again we are constrained to admit that there is a law beyond Prayer of Manasseh above Prayer of Manasseh in a sense apart from man men are not driven within themselves to find a law an instinct or a reason they have a written statute an authoritative declaration a book which Christian teachers do not hesitate to describe as a Revelation and to that they call the attention of men If the teacher were teaching out of his own consciousness he would be but an equal often exposing himself to the destructive criticism of his more advanced and penetrating scholars but the teacher takes his stand upon a book upon the Book the Bible a revelation which he believes to be divine and final Say what we will the effect of Bible teaching must be judged by its fruits Where are the nations that are most distinguished for wide and varied intelligence for large and exhaustive sympathy for missionary enterprise for philanthropic institutions and for all the elements which give grace and beauty to social existence The question should admit of definite reply the facts are before men let them judge fearlessly and honestly and we need have no apprehension concerning their verdict Wherever the word of the Lord has had free course superstition has been chased away human slavery has been abolished every instance of intolerance injustice unkindness has felt the influence of holy thought in all these matters discussion should be limited strictly to facts Thus kings can help nations not by forcing education not by attempting to rule opinion not by setting up standards of orthodoxy to fall short of which is to incur penalty but by spreading education by extending light by cultivating a spirit of inquiry and by a generous multiplication of all the instrumentalities needed for the destruction of ignorance What may come of this we are not supposed at this moment to know Meanwhile let us be thankful that we are face to face with a man who has conviction courage independence high patriotic and generous impulse and let us hope that his end may be as beautiful as his beginning was promising

SIMEO THE ROYAL EDICT

ADVERTISEMETmdashThe author feels it necessary to prefix to this Sermon some short account of the occasion on which it was delivered

The author was at Amsterdam (in June 1818) partly with a view of re-establishing there an Episcopal Chapel in which there had been no service for seven years but principally with a view of seeking the welfare of the Children of Israel He went thither rather to explore than to act (See ehemiah 212-16) But just previous to the 18th of June he understood that the Third Anniversary of the Battle of Waterloo was to be kept throughout the etherlands as a day of thanksgiving and just at that time also he quite accidentally heard that the King of the etherlands had a year before issued an Edict requiring all the Jews to educate their children in the knowledge of their own Scriptures and calling upon all his Christian Subjects to aid in this good work Despondency not unlike to that which paralyzed all exertion at Jerusalem in ehemiahrsquos days so universally prevailed that no one had risen to the occasion the very Commissioners who had been appointed to carry the Edict into effect had published a Report in which they gave it as their opinion ldquothat the Lordrsquos time was not comerdquo and there was great danger that the gracious designs of the Monarch would be altogether frustrated The author therefore judged this a fit occasion for calling the attention of the Public to the Edict and accordingly after devoting the Morning Service to the more appropriate subject of the day he employed the Evening Service in an endeavour to forward this good work Considerable attention was excited to the subject by means of the Sermon which was therefore instantly printed in Dutch French and English for the purpose of its being circulated throughout the etherlands and he has reason to hope that active exertions were afterwards made in many places to promote what every benevolent mind must ardently desire the edification and welfare of the Jewish People

So good an example having been set by the Emperor of Russia and the King of the etherlands the author hopes that the attention of our own Governors also both in Church and State may be called to this long-neglected People and that now the British Public has been invited by authority (the Kingrsquos Letter) to aid in supporting Missions to the Heathen World the claims of the Jewish ation to whom under God we owe all the light that we ourselves enjoy will not be overlooked It is with a view to this great object that the author sends forth the Sermon in this country where if the foregoing explanation had not been given its relevancy and use might have been justly called in question

2 Chronicles 179 And they taught in Judah and had the book of the law of the Lord with them and went about throughout all the cities of Judah and taught the people

O a day set apart for thanksgiving to God for mercies received it is peculiarly proper to consider what we may render unto the Lord for all his benefits Certainly if any event ever deserved repeated annual commemoration it is that which has

freed the world from the most grievous tyranny that ever it endured Of the bitter cup which was put into the hands of every nation in Europe this nation [ote The etherlands] drank very deeply and the change which it has experienced in the restoration of their rightful Monarch and in the establishment of a free Constitution calls for their devoutest acknowledgments to Almighty God Doubtless we may with justice pay some tribute of honour to those who by their counsels and their arms effected the overthrow of the Usurper but it is God alone who giveth victory to kings and to whom the glory of this great victory must be primarily ascribed and he who accounts a day consecrated to this service superfluous shews that he is far from justly appreciating the blessings that have been conferred upon him The monarch himself has given to his people a very decided evidence that he feels the depth of his obligations to the God of his salvation and it will be your own loss if you do not cultivate a similar spirit and improve the occasion to the honour of your God

But it is not to thanksgiving only that your Monarch invites you he calls you by a special Edict to unite with him in seeking the welfare of your Jewish Brethren who in their struggle with the enemy signally approved their fidelity to their legitimate Sovereign Their welfare he in his turn studies to promote and he desires to combine the energies of all his subjects in efforts for their good Methinks he is like Jehoshaphat of old who well knowing that piety must be founded in knowledge and happiness in piety sent forth the Princes of his empire with a select number of Priests and Levites to instruct his people in the knowledge of Godrsquos blessed word

His edict on this occasion and the manner in which it was carried into effect will form the subject of my present discourse

I Then we notice the edict of King Jehoshaphatmdash

This was such as became a great and pious monarch and we shall find it not unprofitable or unsuitable to the present occasion to enter into a distinct consideration of it We observe then that it was a kind and benevolent edict a wise and politic edict a good and beneficial edict

Mark the benevolence displayed in it He sought the present and eternal welfare of his subjects He knew that as men are raised above the beasts by the exercise of reason so are they elevated in the scale of rational beings in proportion as their intellectual powers are cultivated and enlarged Man destitute of knowledge is a mere savage but when instructed in the various branches of science he becomes refined and civilized and capable of contributing to the general good In the very cultivation of knowledge there is much pleasure arising to the mind and in the application of that knowledge to useful purposes there is an exquisite delight We need only observe persons when employed in their several vocations how happy they are how contented how cheerful oftentimes unconsciously proclaiming their happiness like the birds of the air in festal songs or consciously and with devotion in songs of praise

But it was not mere intellectual improvement which Jehoshaphat sought to convey he wished his people to be instructed in the knowledge of that God whom they professed to fear and worship This alone could make them truly happy this alone could impart to them sound wisdom or solid consolation He therefore gave particular directions that they should be taught ldquoin the Book of the Law of the Lordrdquo and this throughout the whole land O happy people whose governor so employed the authority with which he was invested And happy that monarch who so improved his influence not for his own personal aggrandizement but for the best interests of the people committed to his charge In so doing he approved himself to be indeed what every governor should be the friend and father of his people

or was the policy of this measure at all inferior to its benevolence A people well instructed in moral and religious knowledge will view government as an ordinance of God and will learn to obey the constituted authorities not so much from fear of their wrath as for conscience sake towards God They will view their governors as Godrsquos vicegerents upon earth and will consider allegiance to them as an essential part of their duty to him Hence will spring up love in their hearts and a real delight in manifesting on all proper occasions their loyalty to their king they will form a bulwark around his person in case of necessity and even glory in laying down their lives for him as their greatest benefactor

The benefits arising from this edict were incalculable Such was the effect of it that the fear of Jehoshaphat and of Jehovah as his protector fell on all the nations that were round about him so that none however hostile in their hearts dared to make war against him [ote ver 10] Doubtless this resulted chiefly from an impression made upon their minds by God himself yet it was also produced by a dread of that energy which an united people were ready to put forth at any instant at the call of their beloved monarch At the same time that peace was thus secured prosperity reigned in every part of the empire and as the immediate fruit of it Jehoshaphat as well as the people ldquohad riches and honour in abundance [ote ver 5]rdquo In his own mind too he reaped the fruits of his own benevolence God smiled upon him and manifested himself to him and enabled him to walk with ldquohis heart lifted up in the ways of the Lord [ote ver 6]rdquo

Such was the edict of the pious Jehoshaphatmdashbenevolent politic beneficial And what I would ask is the Edict which has been issued by the highest authority in this kingdom Do we not see in it the same blessed characters as in that which we have been considering It was ldquoin the third year of his reign [ote ver 7]rdquo that Jehoshaphat sent forth teachers to enlighten and instruct his subjects The very instant he felt himself at liberty from the more urgent and pressing calls of duty (such as the fortifying of his land against foreign enemies and the correcting of some great internal abuses) he engaged in this good work of diffusing light and knowledge through all classes of the community In like manner the sovereign of this kingdom has scarcely had time to repair the ravages of war and to establish his empire too long weakened and impoverished by a cruel usurpation before he stands forth as the friend and father of his people and more especially of that portion of them who have in every age and place been most treated with neglect and

disdain to have them educated in scriptural knowledge and in the fear of God It is much to be lamented that the Jewish people have not in general been so attentive either to the learning or morals of their children as might be wished and hence arose a necessity for some authoritative admonition on the subject Yet if I may say it without offence this neglect has not been more reprehensible in them than has been the indifference with which the Christian world has regarded it The monarch (may God recompense it richly into his bosom) has risen up to remedy the supineness both of the one and the other and to call forth the united energies of all to correct and terminate this evil Yet whilst he thus consults the best interests of his subjects with what paternal tenderness has he guarded against wounding the feelings of any or exciting their religious prejudices The Scriptures of the Old Testament are alone to be used in the schools that shall be established even those Scriptures which Jews as well as Christians believe to have been given by inspiration of God and to contain truth without any mixture of error In this is marked the policy no less than the benevolence of the edict for it is not by constraint but by conciliation and kindness that good is to be done to any and more especially to those who have shewn themselves now for so many centuries proof against all the efforts of intimidation or force In this kingdom they form no small body and I may add no unimportant portion of the community It is well known how extensive is their influence in the affairs of commerce and how by their activity they contribute to enrich the state Hence it is now generally seen and felt that they are entitled to the same respect as any other subjects of the realm and whilst as in the present instance they see how deeply their monarch feels interested in their welfare they cannot but on their part be sensible of the privileges they enjoy under his paternal government and testify their gratitude to him by every possible expression of loyalty and affection

What the ultimate effect of these measures will be may be conjectured from the blessed results of the edict of Jehoshaphat all will feel themselves happy under the government of such a prince and he whilst he is respected abroad and beloved at home will have the happiness of seeing his labours crowned with prosperity throughout his dominions and with peace in his own soul

II The manner in which Jehoshaphatrsquos edict was carried into execution is now to be noticedmdash

The promptness with which his commands were executed deserves the highest praise All were ready to co-operate in this good work as soon as it was proposed ldquoPrinces and priests and Levites [ote ver 7 8]rdquo all addressed themselves to it instantly with one heart and one soul one accounted their dignity so high or their functions so sacred but they thought it an honour to be employed in such a service and found a delight in fulfilling the wishes of their revered monarch all entered into the work with zeal and prosecuted it with diligence and hence a rapid change was effected both in the temporal and spiritual condition of the whole nation And what may not be effected in this kingdom also if a similar zeal be exercised by ldquothe princes and priestsrdquo (the magistrates and clergy) of the land With them it must begin Those who move in a lower station can effect nothing if they be not aided and

countenanced by the higher orders whose rank in life or sacredness of character will give a tone to the general feeling and combine the energies of the whole kingdom If it be said that those for whom the benefit is designed do not feel a desire after it this only shews how much they need it and how earnestly we should all embark in a cause proposed by such high authority and recommended by the soundest dictates of wisdom and piety

That our obligations to unite in this labour of love may the more distinctly appear I would beg leave to suggest the following considerations

First Loyalty to the king demands our concurrence with him in this good work and a holy emulation amongst us to carry into effect his benevolent designs What can the greatest or best of men effect (what could Jehoshaphat himself have done) if there be none to act in subserviency to them and to follow their directions As the most potent monarch upon earth would in vain proclaim war if there were no soldiers found to enlist under his banners and to execute his commands so it will be in vain that the design of benefiting the Jewish people was ever conceived in the mind of the king or that his edict respecting them was ever issued if his subjects do not put forth their energies in obedience to his call In truth a backwardness to co-operate with him in this blessed work would seem like a reflection cast upon him as recommending a measure that was unworthy of attention I do not mean to insinuate that such an idea really exists in the minds of any for I am perfectly convinced it does not but certainly in appearance it is open to this construction and every subject of the empire is concerned to act in such a way as to cut off all occasion for a reflection like this I say loyalty alone even if we had no higher motive should be sufficient to call forth our exertions in this cause

But let me next observe that gratitude to the Jewish nation demands it at our hands How great how manifold are our obligations to them Behold Moses and the prophets what instruction have they given us in reference to the way of life and salvation Without the moral law as revealed by Moses we should never have known to what an extent we need a Saviour nor if the prophecies had not so fully designated the promised Messiah could we have ever so fully known that Jesus was the Christ Of whom did the Lord Jesus Christ himself come as pertaining to the flesh but from the loins of David and of the seed of Abraham Yet to him are we indebted for all that we either have or hope for in time or in eternity And who were the Apostles but Jews who for our sakes went forth preaching the word and counted not their lives dear to them so that they might but lead us to the knowledge of Christ and make us partakers of his salvation From them too we have received the lively oracles which are the one source of all spiritual knowledge and the one foundation of all our hopes Does all this call for no recompence at our hands Knowing as we do the vast importance of education should we not endeavour to impart it to those from whose ancestors we have received such innumerable such inestimable benefits Yet behold these are the people whom for many many centuries we have treated with more neglect and contempt than any other people upon the face of the earth the savages of the most distant climes have received more attention from us than they Surely it is high time that the Christian world awake to

a sense of their duty and begin to shew to the Jews somewhat of that love which their forefathers exercised towards us in our Gentile state We are debtors to them to a vast amount and it is high time that we begin to discharge our debt And how can we discharge it better than by enabling them to read and understand those very oracles which they have preserved with such fidelity and which testify so fully of their promised Messiah

Further A love to the rising generation should lead us to avail ourselves of the present opportunity to promote their welfaremdashIt is truly afflictive to see how low and degraded is the state of multitudes especially of the Jewish nation purely through the neglect with which they are treated in their early youth and still more grievous is it to reflect on their ignorance of those things which belong to their everlasting peace To counteract this we should endeavour to qualify the whole of their population for good and useful employments and through the medium of useful instruction to make them holy and to make them happy We need never be afraid that there will not be a sufficient number of poor to fill the lower stations do what we will there will never be wanting persons who through their own fault or misfortunes are necessitated to undertake the lowest offices of life And if they have been previously instructed in the Scriptures of Truth they will have a fund of consolation ever open to them in their deepest afflictions they will learn from the inspired volume in whatsoever state they are there-with to be content and in the prospect of the eternal world they will find joys with which a stranger intermeddleth not and which the world can neither give nor take away We feel the force of these considerations in reference to the poor of our own communion how is it that we feel it not in reference to our Jewish Brethren This is a partiality unworthy of us and we should rise as one man to wipe off this disgrace from our own character

This brings me to the last consideration which I propose to mention namely that a concern for the honour of our holy religion should operate to unite us all in executing the Royal EdictmdashWhat must a Jew think of our religion when he sees how little it has wrought for us in the production of love We may tell him of a Messiah who has loved us and laid down his life for us but what credit will he give us for our principles when he sees how little our practice corresponds with them May he not well say to us ldquoPhysician heal thyselfrdquo Shew by your conduct the superiority of your principles before you call on me to embrace them It is by love that we must win them it is by shewing kindness to them that we must efface from their hearts those prejudices which with too much reason they entertain against us We must exhibit in our own person the loveliness of Christianity before we can bring them to investigate the grounds of our faith or to imagine that they can improve their own condition by embracing it May I not then call upon you as Christians to unite in the good work that is now before you that you may thereby serve and glorify your Lord and Saviour As Christians you believe that there is no other way to the Father but by Christ [ote John 146] and no other name but his whereby any human being can be saved [ote Acts 412] Where is your piety where is your love to Christ where is even common humanity if you will not avail yourselves of the present opportunity to remove from before your Jewish Brethren

the stumbling-blocks which for so many ages have been laid in their way

Do any ask What shall we do I answer search out amongst the Jews some persons of probity and talent to commence schools among them and do you yourselves aid to the utmost of your power in the support of them provide them with all necessary books for instructing children in the first rudiments of knowledge provide them with Bibles also both in the Dutch and Hebrew languages that they may be thoroughly instructed in the knowledge of their own religion and learn to walk in the steps of their father Abraham and of all the holy prophets

Begin too without loss of time Adult Schools You will find many among the house of Israel who will be glad to avail themselves of your instructions Let those who are benevolent amongst you dedicate an hour in a day to the instructing of a few who may be desirous to learn and carefully avoid every thing which may give unnecessary offence Confine yourselves to the Old Testament which they venerate as well as you Let those who can teach only in the Dutch language give instruction in that and let those who either understand or have leisure to attain the Hebrew tongue draw their attention to that In particular let it be the united endeavour of all to qualify masters for this good work

And let it not be thought that this is the duty of men only The Royal Edict has particularly and with great wisdom recommended it to females who may be of infinite service in conveying instruction to their own sex This age is distinguished above all others for the activity of females in the service of God and in the performance of every good work Were I able to declare the proportion of good that is done in Britain by the female sex it would appear incredible I believe from my soul that it far exceeds one half in all the societies raised since the commencement of the present century in the Bible Society the Missionary Societies and the Society for Promoting the Knowledge of Christianity amongst the Jews yes let the ladies of this country exert themselves in a prudent modest and discreet way and the effects will soon appear the Royal Edict will not be a dead letter but will produce incalculable good to the whole nationmdashand the agents in this benevolent work will themselves receive quite as much benefit as they impart their benevolence being in proportion as it is exercised its own reward

10 The fear of the Lord fell on all the kingdoms of the lands surrounding Judah so that they did not go to war against Jehoshaphat

GILL And the fear of the Lord fell upon all the kingdoms of the lands that were round about Judah Upon the ten tribes and on foreign nations about them as Moabites Edomites Syrians Egyptians Arabs and Philistines this fear as it came from the Lord so might be raised and increased by observing that religion was revived in them for they might perceive by former observations made that the more religious these people were the more prosperous and formidable they were

so that they made no war against Jehoshaphat to interrupt him in the work of reformation he was so intent upon

HERY We have here a further account of Jehoshaphats great prosperity and the flourishing state of his kingdom

I He had good interest in the neighbouring princes and nations Though he was not perhaps so great a soldier as David (which might have made him their terror) nor so great a scholar as Solomon (which might have made him their oracle) yet the fear of the Lord fell so upon them (that is God so influenced and governed their spirits) that they had all a reverence for him 2Ch_1710 And 1 None of them made war against himGods good providence so ordered it that while the princes and priests were instructing and reforming the country none of his neighbours gave him any molestations to take him off from that good work Thus when Jacob and his sons were going to worship at Bethel the terror of God was upon the neighbouring cities that they did not pursue after them Gen_355 and see Exo_3424 2 Many of them brought presents to him (2Ch_1711) to secure his friendship Perhaps these were a tribute imposed upon them by Asa who made himself master of the cities of the Philistines and the tents of the Arabians 2Ch_1414 2Ch_1415 With the 7700 rams and the same number of he-goats which the Arabians brought there was probably a proportionable number of ewes and lambs she-goats and kids

KampD This attempt of Jehoshaphat brought him this blessing that the terror of Jahve fell upon all the surrounding kingdoms and not only did none of the neighbouring peoples venture to make war upon him but also various tribes did homage to him by presents Ramb has already so understood the connection of these verses (erat hoc praemium pietatis Josaphati quod vicini satisque potentes hostes non auderent adversus ipsum hiscere) while Berth fails to apprehend it saying that Jehoshaphat had time to care for the instruction of his people because at that time the neighbouring peoples did not venture to undertake war against Judah The words ldquoterror of Jahverdquo cf 2Ch_1413 2Ch_2029 and ldquoall the kingdoms of the landsrdquo cf 2Ch_128 1Ch_2930 are expressions peculiar to the author of the Chronicle which show that by these remarks he is preparing the way for a transition to a more detailed

portrayal of Jehoshaphats political power מן־(לש)ים is subject מן partitive some of the

Philistines brought him presents (for מנחה see on 2Ch_175) ldquoand silver a burdenrdquo ie

in great quantity מא does not signify tribute vectigal argento (Vulg) for the word has

not that signification but denotes burden that which can be carried as in מא לאן

2Ch_2025 - 2Ch_2116 2Ch_221 ערבים 2Ch_267 and more usually ערב-ים or ערביאים

are Arabian nomadic tribes (Bedacircwin) perhaps those whom Asa after his victory over the Cushite Zerah had brought under the kingdom of Judah 2Ch_1414 These paid

their tribute in small cattle rams and he-goats (ישים( Gen_3035 Gen_3215 Pro_

3031)

BESO 2 Chronicles 1710 The fear of the Lord fell upon all the kingdoms ampc mdash Justly concluding from his singular piety that God would eminently appear for him for even the heathen could not but observe that the kings of Judah were either prosperous or unhappy according as they served God or forsook him So that they made no war against Jehoshaphat mdash Godrsquos good providence so ordered it that while the princes and priests were instructing and endeavouring to reform the country none of his neighbours gave him any molestation to take him off from that good work

COFFMA All of this peace and prosperity were directly due to the respect which Jehoshaphat had shown to the Law of God and to his efforts to teach that word to all the people It is no problem that much of the material here is omitted in Kings because the primary focus there was political whereas in Chronicles the focus is upon the spiritual and religious significance of the same history

TRAPP 2 Chronicles 1710 And the fear of the LORD fell upon all the kingdoms of the lands that [were] round about Judah so that they made no war against Jehoshaphat

Ver 10 And the fear of the Lord fell upon all the kingdoms] It is said [2 Chronicles 172] Jehoshaphat placed forces in all the fenced cities yet it is not said thereupon that the fear of the Lord fell upon the neighbour nations But when he had established a preaching ministry in all the cities then his enemies had a fear and made no war

POOLE Justly concluding from this singular piety that God would eminently appear for him and against all those who had ill will to him which was their case For even the heathens could not but observe that the kings of Judah were either prosperous or unhappy accordingly as they served God or forsook him

ELLICOTT (10) The fear of the LordmdashA dread of Jehovah (pachad) aps 2029 (Comp Exodus 1516 1 Samuel 117 Isaiah 210 ) This phrase is not peculiar to the chronicler as Keil and Bertheau assert ldquoThe kingdoms of the landsrdquo is so (2 Chronicles 128 1 Chronicles 2930)

They made no warmdashThe reward of Jehosha-phatrsquos piety (1 Chronicles 229

Proverbs 167) ldquoWhen a manrsquos ways please the Lord he maketh even his enemies to be at peace with himrdquo (Comp also Genesis 355)

11 Some Philistines brought Jehoshaphat gifts and silver as tribute and the Arabs brought him flocks seven thousand seven hundred rams and seven thousand seven hundred goats

BARES Some of the Philistines brought Jehoshaphat presents - i e ldquosome of the Philistines were among his tributariesrdquo Compare 2Sa_82 1Ki_421

Tribute silver - Or ldquomuch silverrdquo - literally ldquosilver of burthenrdquo

The Arabians - The Arab tribes who bordered Judaea to the south and the southeast paid Jehoshaphat a fixed tribute in kind Compare 2Ki_34 note

CLARKE The Philistines brought - presents - They and the Arabians purchased peace with the king of Judah by paying an annual tribute The Philistines brought silver and no doubt different kinds of merchandise The Arabs whose riches consisted in cattle brought him flocks in great abundance principally rams and he-goats

GILL Also some of the Philistines brought Jehoshaphat presents and tribute silver Perhaps those of Gerar and the parts adjacent Asa took and spoiled and made tributary 2Ch_1414

and the Arabians brought him flocks seven thousand and seven hundred rams and seven thousand and seven hundred he goats with which their country abounded and these might be the Scenite Arabs who fearing lest Jehoshaphat should fall upon them and take away their flocks as his father had done 2Ch_1415 brought these presents to him

JAMISO Also some of the Philistines brought Jehoshaphat presents and tribute silvermdash either they had been his tributaries or they were desirous of securing his valuable friendship and now made a voluntary offer of tribute Perhaps

they were the Philistines who had submitted to the yoke of David (2Sa_81 Psa_608)

the Arabiansmdash the nomad tribes on the south of the Dead Sea who seeking the protection of Jehoshaphat after his conquest of Edom paid their tribute in the way most suitable to their pastoral habits - the present of so many head of cattle

BESO 2 Chronicles 1711 Some of the Philistines brought presents mdash They had been subject to Judah ever since Davidrsquos time but it seems had neglected this duty in the times of his predecessors but were now moved by their own fears to perform it And the Arabians brought him flocks mdash Either because he had upon some just occasion waged war against them and subdued them or because they voluntarily put themselves under his protection in recompense whereof they sent him these presents or only as a free acknowledgment of their respect for him

TRAPP 2 Chronicles 1711 Also [some] of the Philistines brought Jehoshaphat presents and tribute silver and the Arabians brought him flocks seven thousand and seven hundred rams and seven thousand and seven hundred he goats

Ver 11 Also some of the Philistines] These having been subdued by David had withheld their tribute for a time but now seeing Jehoshaphatrsquos growing greatness they bring it in with the better that no offence might be taken at their former neglect The word here used signifieth honorary gifts or oblations pacifications

ldquo Placatur donis Iupiter ipse datis rdquo

Think the same of the Arabians See 2 Chronicles 1414-15

POOLE Some of the Philistines who had been subjects to this kingdom ever since Davidrsquos time but it seems had neglected this duty in the times of his predecessors but now were moved by their own fears to perform it

The Arabians brought him flocks either because he had upon some just occasion waged war against them and subdued them though the particulars of it be not described in Scripture or because they voluntarily put themselves under his protection in recompence whereof they sent him those presents or only as a free acknowledgment of their respects to him

ELLICOTT (11) Broughtmdashie continually Such is the force of the participle

PresentsmdashAn offering ie tribute (minchah 2 Chronicles 175)

And tribute silvermdashRather and silver a load or burden ie a great quantity (massacircrsquo) 2 Chronicles 2025 As if ldquosilver as much as they could carryrdquomdasha natural hyperbole ot all the five states of the Philistines were subject to Jehoshaphat (Comp 2 Samuel 81)

The ArabiansmdashlsquoArbicircrsquoim here only equivalent to lsquoArbicircyicircm (2 Chronicles 267) and

lsquoArbim (2 Chronicles 2116) They are in each case grouped with the Philistines The nomad Bedacircwin conquered by Asa (2 Chronicles 1415) appear to be meant here or else some tribes which recognised the overlordship of Jehoshaphat after his reduction of Edom (2 Chronicles 2022 sqq)

Brought him flocksmdashComp Mesha of Moabrsquos tribute to Ahab (2 Kings 34)

GUZIK 2 (2 Chronicles 1711-19) The international strength of Jehoshaphatrsquos kingdom

Also some of the Philistines brought Jehoshaphat presents and silver as tribute and the Arabians brought him flocks seven thousand seven hundred rams and seven thousand seven hundred male goats So Jehoshaphat became increasingly powerful and he built fortresses and storage cities in Judah He had much property in the cities of Judah and the men of war mighty men of valor were in Jerusalem These are their numbers according to their fathersrsquo houses Of Judah the captains of thousands Adnah the captain and with him three hundred thousand mighty men of valor and next to him was Jehohanan the captain and with him two hundred and eighty thousand and next to him was Amasiah the son of Zichri who willingly offered himself to the LORD and with him two hundred thousand mighty men of valor Of Benjamin Eliada a mighty man of valor and with him two hundred thousand men armed with bow and shield and next to him was Jehozabad and with him one hundred and eighty thousand prepared for war These served the king besides those the king put in the fortified cities throughout all Judah

a Some of the Philistines brought Jehoshaphat presents and silver as tribute and the Arabians brought him flocks Jehoshaphatrsquos commitment to personal and public godliness meant that God exalted his kingdom above the neighboring nations even as God promised in Deuteronomy 281-13

b These served the king The true treasure of Jehoshaphatrsquos kingdom was not numbered only in security or material things but also in the dedicated and courageous men he had surrounding him these mighty men of valor

i Amasiah the son of Zichri who willingly offered himself to the LORD ldquoAmasiah is a man of whom we do not know anything beyond this ndash he lsquowillingly offered himself unto the Lordrsquo There must have been a turning-point in his career a time when first he knew the grace of God which wrought such a change in him There must have been a waking up to the feeling that God deserved his love and his liferdquo (Spurgeon)

ii Amasiah was a ready servant of the Lord this particularly notable because he did it in an otherwise secular calling

middot o one had to press him into service

middot o one had to seek him out for service

middot o one had to look after him once he had begun serving

middot o one had to lead him

iii ldquoThere is no lawful occupation in which a man cannot thoroughly serve the Lord It is a great privilege and blessing to be set apart to the work of winning souls but we must never separate that work from all the rest of the callings of life as though it alone were sacred and all the rest were secular and almost sinful Serve God where you arerdquo (Spurgeon)

PULPIT The presents were probably enough in the nature of tribute the fixed rate of which is sometimes alluded to (1 Kings 421 1 Kings 1025 2 Samuel 82) but it is doubtful whether the word משא purports to say this The word means bearing or carrying and then a burden load or weight The expression (2 Chronicles 2025) more than they could carry away where this word is used favours the idea that the meaning here is silver of great weight Probably the moral significance and historical interest whether of this statement respecting the Philistines or the following respecting the Arabians lies in the fact that both of them brought without more ado their payments and did not seek to slip out of their engagements with Judah and Judahs king ote for confirmation of this view 2 Kings 34 2 Kings 35

12 Jehoshaphat became more and more powerful he built forts and store cities in Judah

GILL And Jehoshaphat waxed great exceedingly In wealth and riches power and authority in his forces and fortifications

and he built in Judah castles and cities of stores castles for the defence of his kingdom and store cities to lay up corn and wine and all provisions in case of an invasion or against a time of war

HERY II He had a very considerable stores laid up in the cities of Judah He pulled down his barns and built larger (2Ch_1712) castles and cities of store for arms and victuals He was a man of business and aimed at the public good in all his

undertakings either to preserve the peace or prepare for war

JAMISO 2Ch_1712-19 His greatness captains and armies

KampD Description of Jehoshaphats power - 2Ch_1712 And Jehoshaphat became

ever greater sc in power The partic הולך expresses the continuous advance in

greatness cf Ew sect280 b as the infin absol does elsewhere eg Gen_83 למעלה as עד

in 2Ch_1612 - He built castles in Judah ירנ-ות only here and in 2Ch_274 from ירנית

derivative formed from ירה by the Syriac termination נית- fem of ן- castle fortress On

מסנות cf 2Ch_84 ערי

TRAPP 2 Chronicles 1712 And Jehoshaphat waxed great exceedingly and he built in Judah castles and cities of store

Ver 12 And Jehoshaphat waxed great exceedingly] Heb He was going and growing By humility and the fear of the Lord are riches and honour and life [Proverbs 224]

And he built in Judah castles] Bironeoth πυργους turres So did the Burgundians and thence had their names

And cities of store] Granaries in the Hebrew they have their name from their utility or usefulness

ELLICOTT (12) And Jehoshaphat waxed greatmdashLiterally And Jehoshaphat was going on and waxing great ie became greater and greater (Comp 1 Chronicles 119)

ExceedinglymdashlsquoAd lĕmagraversquolah This phrase occurs again in 2 Chronicles 1612 2 Chronicles 268 and nowhere else in the Old Testament (See on 1 Chronicles 142)

And he builtmdashLike his predecessorsmdashSolomon Rehoboam Asamdashhe displayed his wealth and power in great public works The records of the Assyrian and Babylonian sovereigns are largely taken up with similar accounts of temple and palace building

CastlesmdashBiranicircyocircth a derivative from birah (1 Chronicles 291 1 Chronicles 2919 comp Syriac here birocircthocirc) It only recurs at 2 Chronicles 274 It is an Aramaic term (Comp bicircranyacircthacirc which in the Targums means ldquopalacesrdquo)

Cities of storesmdashComp 2 Chronicles 84 2 Chronicles 164 Exodus 111

PULPIT Castles This rendering better than palaces (margin) wound bear improving to the rather stronger word fortresses Hebrew בירניות found only here and in 2 Chronicles 274 plur of בירנית connected with the Chaldee and later Hebrew בירה of Ezra 62 ehemiah 11 Esther 12 Daniel 82 Cities of store (see note under 2 Chronicles 84 see also 1 Kings 919 Exodus 111)

13 and had large supplies in the towns of Judah He also kept experienced fighting men in Jerusalem

CLARKE He hadmuch business in the cities - He kept the people constantly employed they had wages for their work and by their labors the empire was both enriched and strengthened

GILL And he had much business in the cities of Judah Partly in fortifying them and partly in reforming the inhabitants of them

and the men of war mighty men of valour were in Jerusalem or by or near unto it so the particle is rendered Jos_513 they encamped in places adjacent to it for such a number of men as follows even 1160000 could never be contained in Jerusalem but must be disposed of in the territories of it nor did they wait on the king together but in course see 2Ch_1719 by which it appears there is no need to suppose any mistake of the transcriber in any or all of the following sums as has been suggested (q)

HERY 13-19 III He had the militia in good order It was never in better since David modelled it Five lord-lieutenants (if I may so call them) are here named with the numbers of those under their command (the serviceable men that were fit for war in their respective districts) three in Judah and two in Benjamin It is said of one of these great commanders Amasiah that he willingly offered himself unto the Lord (2Ch_1716) not only to the king to serve him in this post but to the Lord to glorify him in it He was the most eminent among them for religion he accepted the place not for the

honour or power or profit of it but for conscience sake towards God that he might serve his country It was usual for great generals then to offer of their spoils to the Lord 1Ch_2626 But this good man offered himself first to the Lord and then his dedicated things The number of the soldiers under these five generals amounts to 1160000 men a vast number for so small a compass of ground as Judahs and Benjamins lot to furnish out and maintain Abijah could bring into the field but 400000 (2Ch_133) Asa not 600000 (2Ch_148) yet Jehoshaphat has at command almost 1200000 But it must be considered 1 That God had promised to make the seed of Abraham like the sand of the sea for number 2 There had now been a long peace 3 We may suppose that the city of Jerusalem was very much enlarged 4 Many had come over to them from the kingdom of Israel (2Ch_1519) which would increase the numbers of the people 5 Jehoshaphat was under a special blessing of God which made his affairs to prosper greatly The armies we may suppose were dispersed all the country over and each man resided for the most part on his own estate but they appeared often to be mustered and trained and were ready at call whenever there was occasion The commanders waited on the king (2Ch_1719) as officers of his court privy-counsellors and ministers of state

But lastly observe It was not this formidable army that struck a terror upon the neighbouring nations that restrained them from attempting any thing against Israel or obliged them to pay tribute but the fear of God which fell upon them when Jehoshaphat reformed his country and set up a preaching ministry in it 2Ch_1710 The ordinances of God are more the strength and safety of a kingdom than its military force - its men of God more than its men of war

KampD 2Ch_1713

וגווגווגווגו רהרהרהרה is rightly translated by Luther ldquound hatte viel Vorrathsrdquo (and ומלעכהומלעכהומלעכהומלעכה

had much store) מלעכהמלעכהמלעכהמלעכה denotes here as in Exo_227-10 property that which has been gained by work or business The signification much work opera magna (Vulg Cler etc) as also Bertheaus translation ldquothe works for equipping and provisioning the fortressesrdquo correspond neither to the context nor to the parallel (synonymous) second member of the verse The work and trouble necessary to equip the cities of Judah does not correspond to ldquothe valiant warriors in Jerusalemrdquo the only parallel is the goods and property which were in these cities the provision of victuals and war material there stored up

BESO 2 Chronicles 1713 He had much business in the cities of Judah mdash To repair and fortify them and furnish them with provisions and to purge out all the relics of idolatry and injustice which were more secretly and craftily managed in the cities than in the country and which were first and most prevalent in the cities and thence spread their infection into the country around them

TRAPP 2 Chronicles 1713 And he had much business in the cities of Judah and the men of war mighty men of valour [were] in Jerusalem

Ver 13 And he had much business] Eργα πολλα (a) Many works going forward at

once a negotious man he was His business say some lay in beautifying and fortifying those cities Augustus gloried at his death that whereas he had found Rome built with brick he had left it made of marble

And the men of war hellip were in Jerusalem] These were his Praetorian forces his Praesidiaries were up and down in the various cities

POOLE He had much business in the cities of Judah partly to repair and fortify them and furnish them with all necessary provisions and partly to purge out all the relies and seeds of idolatry and injustice which were more secretly and subtlely managed in the cities than in the country and which were first and most in the cities and thence spread their infection into the country about them See Jeremiah 228

ELLICOTT (13) BusinessmdashRather much goods or stores literally work (mĕlacirckacirch) and then produce The Hebrew word is so used in Exodus 227 Exodus 2210 (ldquoHis neighbourrsquos goodsrdquo) Stores of provisions and war material seem to be intended (Comp 2 Chronicles 1111)

And the man of war were in JerusalemmdashRather and (he had) men of war in Jerusalem

In Jerusalemmdashot the entire army corps whose numbers are given in 2 Chronicles 1714-18 but simply their chiefs

PULPIT Much business Hebrew מלאכה The meaning of the word is service labour bestowed and the verse reads And there was to him much labour in the cities of Judah and men of war mighty men of valour in Jerusalem ie He bestoweth much pains on the cities of Judah and had etc The word were Authorized Version italics is incorrectly inserted The former half of this verse would better constitute the end of 2 Chronicles 1712 Keil however maintains the rendering substance property for מלאכה (Exodus 227 Exodus 2210)

14 Their enrollment by families was as followsFrom Judah commanders of units of 1000Adnah the commander with 300000 fighting men

BARES The captains of thousands Adnah the chief - literally ldquoprinces of thousands Adnah the princerdquo The writer does not mean that Adnah (or Johohanan 2Ch_1715) was in any way superior to the other ldquoprincesrdquo but only that he was one of them

Three hundred thousand - This number and those which follow in 2Ch_1715-18 have been with good reason regarded as corrupt by most critics For

(1) They imply a minimum population of 1480 to the square mile which is more than three times greater than that of any country in the known world (circa 1880rsquos)

(2) they produce a total just double that of the next largest estimate of the military force of Judah the 580 000 of 2Ch_148

(3) they are professedly a statement not of the whole military force but of the force maintained at Jerusalem (2Ch_1713 compare 2Ch_1719)

It is probable that the original numbers have been lost and that the loss was suppplied by a scribe who took 2Ch_148 as his basis

CLARKE Adnah the chief - He was generalissimo of all this host These are the numbers of the five battalions under Adnah three hundred thousand Jehohanan two hundred and eighty thousand Amasiah two hundred thousand Eliada two hundred thousand Jehozabad one hundred and eighty thousand in all one million one hundred and sixty thousand

GILL And these are the numbers of them according to the house of their fathers Both of the tribe of Judah and of Benjamin and first

of Judah the captains of thousands some had 1000 men under them and some one hundred

Adnah the chief he was the principal commander or general of them

and with him mighty men of valour three hundred thousand such a number was under his command

JAMISO these are the numbersmdash The warriors were arranged in the army according to their fathers houses The army of Jehoshaphat commanded by five great generals and consisting of five unequal divisions comprised one million one hundred and sixty thousand men without including those who garrisoned the fortresses No monarch since the time of Solomon equaled Jehoshaphat in the extent of his revenue in the strength of his fortifications and in the number of his troops

KampD 2Ch_1714-16

The men fit for war passed in review according to their fathers-houses The male population of Judah fell into three divisions that of Benjamin into two The prince

Adnah held the first place among the generals with 300000 men of Judah ידו at his על

hand ie with and under him Jehohanan had the command of 280000 men and

Amasiah over 200000 השר is a contraction for אלפים For what special reason it is so שר

honourably recorded of Amasiah that he had willingly offered himself to the Lord (cf for

Jdg_59) has not been communicated התנב

COFFMA his represented a standing army of 1160000 men besides the garrisons in the fortified cities and this goes a long way to explaining why the Arabians and the Philistines brought tribute to Jehoshaphat In ancient times as in our own day peace frequently depended upon the strength of those who desired it

We should ignore the screams of exaggeration[3] which mark the writings of radical critics Pagan rulers of that era reported even larger armies than this and until the critics can prove that those were exaggerated reports they should let these alone Besides that we have already noted that the very word from which thousand is translated is disputed as to its exact meaning

COKE 2 Chronicles 1714 And these are the numbers of themmdash That is of the soldiers as well as of those who were employed in the kings works in the several cities ampc which he built See 2 Chronicles 1719

REFLECTIOSmdash1st Jehoshaphat no sooner comes to the throne than we see the dawnings of a glorious reign

1 He strengthened his kingdom by placing strong garrisons in the cities of Judah and those which his father had recovered from Israel and prepared against that danger which Ahabs growing power seemed to threaten

2 Religion was his great concern He copied after the best of his predecessors in their best days such as were the first of David before the matter of Uriah and the numbering of the people had blotted his fair copy Faithful to the worship of God he abhorred all idols the law of God was his rule of duty and Israels apostacy rendered his fidelity more singular and exemplary Inspired with holy zeal his heart with delight and sincerity was engaged for God and no difficulties deterred him from the path of duty The idols and groves which in the declining days of Asa might have been set up again he utterly destroyed with all the high places where they still offered sacrifices to these abominations ote (1) In the fairest human pattern there will be found imperfections but there is a Son of David more than man who has set us a spotless example that we should follow his steps (2) Fidelity in Gods service is the stability of a nation (3) A lively soul on wings of faith and love mounts up to God rises superior to every difficulty and looks down upon every thing besides his favour as altogether vanity

3 He not only removed the temptations to sin but took care to instruct the people in

the path of duty Ignorance of Gods law had greatly prevailed and to oblige them merely to conform to his reformation without grounding them on the true foundation of Gods word promised little stability The Levites and priests therefore are sent in progress through the cities of Judah with the book of the law to explain and enforce the commandments of God and several princes accompanied them in order to engage the people to hear them and give countenance to these preachers by their weight and influence ote (1) It is a blessed thing when princes countenance faithful ministers Though they cannot make men true converts their example and authority will induce them to attend (2) They who are sent to teach must see that they take the pure word of God along with them A true preacher wishes for nothing in his hand but his Bible (3) Religion is a reasonable service Conviction alone not compulsion or education can make a man a christian

4 The blessing of God attended his labours The Lord was with him or as the Targum generally expresses it the word of the Lord the divine Logos to whom all things are committed strengthened him in his labours and established his kingdom The people charmed with his government liberally sent their presents to him and abounding in riches and honour his heart far from being intoxicated by prosperity was lifted up in greater love and thankfulness to the gracious giver ote (1) God often here rewards piety with prosperity (2) Worldly comforts are then truly blessings when as the steps of Jacobs ladder they raise our hearts to heaven

2nd Like the light of the morning which shineth more and more so did Jehoshaphats glory increase

1 Feared by his enemies as beloved by his subjects the neighbouring princes did not offer to molest him while those of Philistia and Arabia courted his favour either by a voluntary present or exact payment of the tribute which Asa had imposed on them see 2 Chronicles 1711 God had put an awe upon them of the majesty of his king in Zion ote God hath access to the spirits of men and by secret yet irresistible influence can bow them to his sovereign will

2 His military preparations greatly advanced While he reformed the people he fortified their ramparts and built new castles and store-cities strengthening them within and without against their enemies Under five chief officers an immense army was enlisted Probably all the able men in the country were enrolled and regularly mustered though not drawn out except in case of necessity and this may easily account for the greatness of their number if we consider also the long peace they had enjoyed the accession of Israelites to them and especially the blessing of Abraham which no doubt was eminently fulfilled Amasiah one of the officers is mentioned with an honourable mark of distinction as a volunteer who served for the glory of God not for the sake of pay Such patriots are scarce

TRAPP 2 Chronicles 1714 And these [are] the numbers of them according to the house of their fathers Of Judah the captains of thousands Adnah the chief and

with him mighty men of valour three hundred thousand

Ver 14 Three hundred thousand] These were under his command and at hand to come whensoever the king would

WHEDO 14 Three hundred thousand mdash The numbers in this verse and the four verses following are generally regarded as corrupt ldquoThey implyrdquo observes the writer last quoted ldquoa minimum population of 1480 to the square mile which is more than three times greater than that of any country in the known world It is probable that the original numbers have been lost and the loss supplied by a scribe who took 2 Chronicles 148 as his basis

ELLICOTT Verse 14 (14) And these their fathersmdashAnd this is their muster (or census) according to their father-houses (clans) 1 Chronicles 243 The warriors were marshalled in the army according to clans so that men of the same stock fought side by side with their kindred Perhaps in the original document this heading was followed by a much more detailed scheme of names and divisions than that which the text presents

Of JudahmdashTo Judah (belonged) captains of thousands viz the three enumerated in 2 Chronicles 1714-16 Adnah Jehohanan and Amasiah They were the principal officers or generals of the entire forces of Judah

Adnah the chiefmdashTo wit the captain Adnah That Adnah was commander-in-chief is implied by his being named first and his corps being the largest

PULPIT This verse with the following four gives us the names of five captains chiefs princes or military officers for the kingdoms service with the numbers of the troops they severally commanded The numbers of them (see note under 1 Chronicles 2311) Hebrew פקדתם The better English rendering to carry at once the signification would be The muster of them etc The captains hellip the chief In both cases the Hebrew is the familiar word for prince ( שר ) in the former without article in the latter with article The numbers of this and following four verses are not only absolutely unreliable but in themselves impossible According to the house of their fathers ie the quotation is drawn from an army catalogue arranged carefully by fathers houses (umbers 118 umbers 122 etc)

15 next Jehohanan the commander with 280000

GILL And next to him was Jehohanan the captain Being of the same rank as to office but having a lesser number of men under him and it may respect not any kind of subordination only nearness of place as the Targumhe that encamped next to him

and with him two hundred and fourscore thousand which number was but 20000 less than the former

POOLE ext to him either

1 After his death as his successor in the same command And the like is supposed concerning Jehozabad 2 Chronicles 1718 Or rather

2 ext to him in place and authority or at least in power and the numbers of his host

16 next Amasiah son of Zikri who volunteered himself for the service of the Lord with 200000

GILL And next him was Amasiah the son of Zichri He encamped next to him as the Targum

who willingly offered himself unto the Lord to fight the Lords battles and without any stipend as some think or as Kimchi he offered gold and silver to the treasures of the house of the Lord

and with him two hundred thousand mighty men of valour the number was 80000 less than the former the whole of Judah amounted to 780000 men

TRAPP 2 Chronicles 1716 And next him [was] Amasiah the son of Zichri who willingly offered himself unto the LORD and with him two hundred thousand mighty men of valour

Ver 16 Who willingly offered himself unto the Lord] He was a votary the vows of God were upon him and this made him the more valiant and resolute (a) in the exercise of arms for the service of God and the safety of his people The Spahis among the Turks are a sort of horsemen voluntaries and votaries to gain paradise by dying for the Mohammedan cause These are never known to return home but

with victory these are heavy upon the enemy For

ldquo Vincitur haud gratis iugulo qui provocat ensem rdquo

POOLE As volunteers and auxiliaries to be ready upon occasion as the service of God and the king should require Possibly these or most of them were the strangers which had come out of Israel into the kingdom of Judah in Asarsquos days and probably since that in his time

ELLICOTT (16) AmasiahmdashIah carrieth (Isaiah 4011) different from Amaziah (Iah is strong)

Who willingly offered himself unto the Lordmdash(Judges 52 Judges 59) An allusion to some noble act of self-devotion which was doubtless more fully recorded in the source from which the chronicler has drawn this brief account Such allusions though no longer intelligible are important as conducing to the proof of the historical value of the narratives in which they occur LXX ὁ προθυmicroούmicroενος τῷ κυρίῳ Vulg consecratus Domino

PULPIT Amaziah the son of Zichri This man is not titled at all The description of him as one who had willingly offered himself unto the Lord not elucidated by the context or any effective parallel will mark something honorable in his history Possibly he comes from an unexpected quarter and is a man of approved skill othing further is known of these three men Meantime it has been suggested (Professor Dr J Murphy of Belfast Handbook to Chronicles ) that the first of the three was for Judah proper the second for that contingent of Judah that hailed from Dan and the Philistines and the third for that of Simeon and the Arabs

MACLARE This is a scrap from the catalogue of Jehoshaphatrsquos lsquomighty men of valourrsquo and is Amasiahrsquos sole record We see him for a moment and hear his eulogium and then oblivion swallows him up We do not know what it was that he did to earn it But what a fate to live to all generations by that one sentence

I Cheerful self-surrender the secret of all religion

The words of our text contain a metaphor naturally drawn from the sacrificial system It comes so easily to us that we scarcely recognise the metaphorical element but the clear recognition of it gives great additional energy to the words Amasiah was both sacrificer and sacrifice His offering was self-immolation As in all love so in that noblest kind of it which clasps God its perfect expression is lsquoI give Thee my living loving selfrsquo Nor is it only sacrifice and sacrificer that are seen in deepest truth in the experience of the Christian life but the reality of the Temple is also there for lsquoYe also are built up a spiritual house to be a holy priesthood to offer up spiritual sacrificesrsquo Only when God dwells in us shall we have the nerve and the firmness of hand to take the knife and lsquoslay before the Lordrsquo the awful Guest in the sanctuary within the most precious of the children of our spirits

The essence of the sacrifice of self is the sacrifice of will In the Christian experience

lsquowillingly offeredrsquo is almost tautology for unwilling offerings are a contradiction and in fact there are no such things The quality of unwillingness destroys the character of the offering and robs it of all sacredness Reluctant Christianity is not Christianity That noun and that adjective can never be buckled together

The submission of will and the consequent surrender of myself and my powers opportunities and possessions so that I do all enjoy all use all and when need is endure all with glad thankful reference to God is only possible to me in the measure in which my will is made flexible by love and such will-subduing love comes only when we lsquoknow and believe the love that God hath to usrsquo There is the point at which not a few moral and religious teachers go wrong and bewilder themselves and their disciples There too is the point at which Christ and the Gospel of salvation through faith in Him stand forth as emancipating humanity from the dreary round of efforts and vain attempts to work up the condition needful for achieving the height of self-surrender which is seen to be indispensable to all true nobleness of living but is felt to be beyond the reach of the ordinary man There too is the point at which many good people mar their lives as Christians They waste their strength in trying to bring the jibbing horse up to the leap They try to blow up a fire of devotion and to make themselves priests to offer themselves but all the while the mutinous self recoils from the leap and the fire burns smokily and their sacrifice is laid on the altar with little joy because they have not been careful and wise enough to begin at the beginning and to follow Godrsquos way of melting their wills by love the reflection of the Infinite love of God to them Godrsquos priests offer themselves because they offer their wills they offer their wills because they love God they love God because they know that God loves them That is the divine order It is vain to try to accomplish the end by any other

II This willing offering hallows all life

No syllable is left to tell us what Amasiah did to win this praise Probably the words enshrine some now forgotten memory of his cheerful courage some heroic feat on an unrecorded battlefield Particulars are not given nor needed Specific actions are unimportant the spirit of a life can be told with very incomplete details and it not the details is the important thing Sometimes as in many modern biographies one lsquocannot see the wood for the treesrsquo and misses the main drift and aim of a life in the chaos of a bewildering mass of nothings How much more happy the lot of this man of whom we have only the generalised expression of the text unweighted and undisturbed by petty incidents It takes tons of rose leaves to make a tiny phial of otto of roses but the fragrance is far more pungent in a drop of the distillation than in armfuls of leaves Every life shrinks into very small compass and the centuries do not tolerate long biographies Shall we not seek to order our life so that Amasiahrsquos epitaph may serve for us It will be blessed if this-and nothing else-is known about us that we lsquowillingly offered ourselves to the Lordrsquo My friend will that be a true epitome of your life

III This willing offering is accepted by God

We may hear a mightier voice behind the chroniclerrsquo s and the judgment of the Judge of all pronounced by His lips It matters little what men say of one another but it matters everything what God says of us We are but too apt to forget that He is now saying something as to each of us and that we have not to wait for death to put a final period to our activities before our lives become fit subjects for Godrsquos judgment Moment by moment we are writing our own sentences But while it is good for us to remember the continuous judgment of God on each deed it is not good to let dark thoughts of the principles of that judgment paralyse our activity or chill our confidence in His forgiving and accepting mercy There is often a dark suspicion like that of the one-talented

servant which blackens Godrsquos fair fame as being lsquoan austere Manrsquo making demands rather than imparting power and the effect of such an ugly conception of Him is to cut the nerve of service and bury the talent carefully folded up it may be but none the less earning nothing lsquoIf we call on Him as Father who without respect of persons judgeth according to every manrsquos workrsquo let us be sure that it will be a Fatherly judgment that He will pass upon us and our offerings There is a wonderful collection on His altar of what many people would think rubbish just as many a mother has laid away among her treasures some worthless article which her child had once given her-a weed plucked by the roadside in a long past summer day some trifle of rare preciousness in the childrsquos eyes and of none in any others than her own She opens her drawer and brings out the poor little thing and her eyes fill and her heart fills as she looks And does not God keep His childrenrsquos gifts as lovingly and set them in places of honour in the day when He lsquomakes up His jewelsrsquo There are cups of cold water and widowsrsquo mites and much else that a supercilious world would call lsquotrashrsquo stored there Thank God He accepts imperfect service faltering faith partial consecration a little love Even our poor offering may be an lsquoodour of a sweet smellrsquo ministering fragrance that is a delight to Him if it is offered with the much incense of the great Sacrifice and through the mediation of the great High Priest

The world forgot Amasiah or never knew him an obscure soldier in an obscure kingdom but God did not forget and here is his epitaph and this is his memorial to all generations Menrsquos chronicles have no room for all the names that their wearers are eager to have inscribed on their crumbling and crowded pages lsquobut the Lambrsquos Book of Lifersquo has ample space on its radiant pages for all who desire to set their names there and if ours are there we need not envy the proudest whose titles and deeds fill the most conspicuous pages in the worldrsquos records lsquoThen shall every man have praise of Christrsquo and he who wins that guerdon needs nothing more and can have nothing more to swell his blessedness

17 From BenjaminEliada a valiant soldier with 200000 men armed with bows and shields

GILL And of Benjamin Eliada a mighty man of valour Was the chief commander

and with armed men with bow and shield two hundred thousand which were

the armour of the tribe of Benjamin they were best skilled in 2Ch_148

TRAPP 2 Chronicles 1717 And of Benjamin Eliada a mighty man of valour and with him armed men with bow and shield two hundred thousand

Ver 17 With bow and shield] The Benjamites were notable bowmen [1 Chronicles 122] The Engish were anciently so too

ELLICOTT (17) Armed men with bow and shieldmdashLiterally drawing bow and shield ie as the Targum explains ldquodrawing bow and grasping shieldsrdquo (Comp 1 Chronicles 122) LXX ldquoArchers and peltastsrdquo Vulg ldquoGrasping bow and shieldrdquo (Comp also 1 Chronicles 840 for the arms of the Benjaminites)

18 next Jehozabad with 180000 men armed for battle

GILL And next to him was Jehozabad According to the Targum he encamped next him

and with him one hundred and fourscore thousand ready prepared for war being able bodied men well disciplined valiant and well armed these numbers of Judah and Benjamin put together amount to 1160000 men whereas Asa only brought into the field 580000 but it should be considered there had been a long time of peace many had come off from the ten tribes to Judah and the promise of multiplying the seed of Abraham was eminently fulfilled

TRAPP 2 Chronicles 1718 And next him [was] Jehozabad and with him an hundred and fourscore thousand ready prepared for the war

Ver 18 A hundred and fourscore thousand] His militia was eleven hundred and threescore thousand besides what he had in garrisons [2 Chronicles 1719] So that as he was better he was stronger than his father Asa had been Piety hath prosperity

ELLICOTT (18) Ready prepared for the warmdashEquipped for service (See on 1

Chronicles 1223-24 umbers 315 umbers 3229) The hoplites or heavy-armed infantry are probably meant

PULPIT While Eliada of last verse was for Benjamin Professor Dr Murphy supposes that Jehozabad was for the annexed part of Ephraim But no suppositions of this kind can avail to explain the numbers in the text which is no doubt corrupt

19 These were the men who served the king besides those he stationed in the fortified cities throughout Judah

CLARKE These waited on the king - They were disposable forces always at the kingrsquos command and were independent of those by which the cities of Judah were garrisoned

There is not a sovereign in Europe or in the world but might read this chapter with advantage

1 It shows most forcibly that true religion is the basis of the state and that wherever it prospers there the state prospers

2 It shows also that it is the wisdom of kings to encourage religion with all their power and influence for if the hearts of the subjects be not bound and influenced by true religion vain is the application of laws fines imprisonments or corporal punishment of any kind

3 A religious nation is ever a great nation it is loved by its friends it is dreaded by its enemies

4 It is ever a peaceable and united nation the blessings of religion and a wholesome and paternal government are so fully felt and prized that all find it their interest to preserve and defend them Harmony peace piety and strength are the stability of such times May Britain know and value them

GILL These waited on the king Not this vast number of men at one time but in course as Davids military men waited on him 1Ch_271 or each of these captains with a proper number of men under them detached from the body and they were all ready to obey the kings orders whenever he should have occasion for them

besides those whom the king put into the fenced cities throughout Judah and all together the militia of the kingdom was very numerous and formidable

KampD 2Ch_1719

These were serving the king א6ה refers not to the above-mentioned men capable of

bearing arms for sheereet is not used of service in war but to the commanders whom he had placed in the fortified cities of all Judah ldquoin which probably bodies of the above-mentioned troops lay as garrisonsrdquo (Berth)

BESO 2 Chronicles 1719 These waited on the king mdash These above-mentioned were the trained bands or auxiliaries whose chief officers waited on the king to receive his commands and to raise and bring in all or part of their forces to the service of the king as need required A vast number for so small a compass of ground to furnish out and maintain But we may consider that God had promised to make the seed of Abraham like the sand of the sea for number that there had now been a long peace that many were come to them from the kingdom of Israel and that Jehoshaphat was under a special blessing of God They were doubtless dispersed all the country over every one residing on his own land only they were ready at call whenever there was occasion

TRAPP 2 Chronicles 1719 These waited on the king beside [those] whom the king put in the fenced cities throughout all Judah

Ver 19 These waited on the king] ie In their turns and by course

POOLE These above mentioned were the trained bands or auxiliaries whose chief officers waited upon the king to receive his commands and to raise and bring in all or part of their forces to the service of the king and kingdom as need required

ELLICOTT (19) These waited on the kingmdashRather these are they that ministered unto the king viz the five generals above named

Beside those whom the king put in the fenced citiesmdashie the commandants of the fortresses of the kingdom (2 Chronicles 1111 2 Chronicles 1123) These latter as well as the generals of the forces are called the kingrsquos ldquoministersrdquo (mĕshacircrĕthicircm)mdasha word which is not used of service in the field but implies their presence at court (ldquoin Jerusalemrdquo 2 Chronicles 1713 as the royal staff)

According to the above list the army of Jehoshaphat was organised in five grand divisions corresponding perhaps to five territorial divisions of the southern kingdom The totals are the largest assigned to the two tribes anywhere in the Old Testament viz Judah 780000 and Benjamin 380000 in all 1160000 At Davidrsquos census Judah had 500000 warriors (2 Samuel 249) and Israel 800000 Again in 2

Chronicles 148 Asarsquos army consists of 300000 men of Judah and 280000 Benjaminites clearly such an increase as our text indicates is unaccountable At the same time it is equally clear that the present numbers are not fortuitous results of clerical errors for they follow each other in the order of relative strength Judah 300000 280000 200000 Benjamin 200000 180000 and they are evidently not independent of the estimates of 2 Chronicles 148 above quoted

In the absence of adequate data for modifying these certainly startling figures it is well to bear in mind that we need not understand by them an army which ever actually mustered in the field or on parade but simply an estimate of the total male population liable to be called out for the national defence although even upon that understanding the total appears to be at least three times too great considering the small extent of the country

PULPIT These waited Hebrew המשרתים plur piel part of שרת The verse states that this enormous fivefold army with its five princes (counting in our corrupt text one million one hundred and sixty thousand) was the kings Jerusalem standing army while other separate regiments or bands of troops were spread through all Judah where they might be most needed for defence

PARKER Therefore the Lord stablished the kingdom in his hand and all Judah brought to Jehoshaphat presents and he had riches and honour in abundance ( 2 Chronicles 175)

Whatever was doubtful about the ascent of Jehoshaphat to the throne was removed and the king was enabled to realise his power when he closed his hand upon the royal sceptre he found that he was not grasping a shadow but a reality There are times when men become fully conscious of their influence and of their proper social position happy are they if in this consciousness they detect a prevailingly religious element which constrains them to acknowledge that honour and wealth power and dignity are the gifts of God Is not this an anticipation of the Saviours great doctrinemdashSeek ye first the kingdom of God and his righteousness and all these things shall be added unto you Jehoshaphat did not seek riches and honour he sought to the Lord God of his father and walked in the divine commandments and as a result he enjoyed all that kings delight in as indicating strength and pomp renown and influence

GUZIK 2 (2 Chronicles 175-6) The blessing upon his reign

Therefore the LORD established the kingdom in his hand and all Judah gave presents to Jehoshaphat and he had riches and honor in abundance And his heart took delight in the ways of the LORD moreover he removed the high places and wooden images from Judah

a Therefore the LORD established the kingdom in his hand This was no small accomplishment In those days kings and kingdoms were fragile and under constant threat Yet if the descendants of David would seek God first He promised to take care of their security ndash and God makes the same promise to His people today (Matthew 633)

b All Judah gave presents to Jehoshaphat and he had riches and honor in abundance Because Jehoshaphat trusted God God lifted him up and exalted him as a king As his heart took delight in the ways of the LORD the LORD gave him the desires of his heart (Psalms 374)

c Moreover he removed the high places and wooden images from Judah 1 Kings 2243 says that Jehoshaphat did not remove the high places Adam Clarke explains ldquoIn 2 Chronicles 176 it is expressly said that he did take way the high places Allowing that the text is right in 2 Chronicles the two places may be easily recognized There were two kinds of high places in the land 1 Those used for idolatrous purposes 2 Those that were consecrated to God and were used before the temple was built The former he did take away the latter he did notrdquo

i ldquoThey may also witness to the deep hold of the Canaanite and syncretic forms of religion on ordinary Israelites Popular views and practices are often quite different from pronouncements by religious authoritiesrdquo (Selman)

PULPIT All Judah brought presents to Jehoshaphat These presents were of course voluntary gifts though like not a few others custom may have taken off from them something of the bloom of spontaneousness (1 Samuel 1027 2 Samuel 82 1 Kings 421 1 Kings 1025 Psalms 7210)

6 His heart was devoted to the ways of the Lord furthermore he removed the high places and the Asherah poles from Judah

BARES His heart was lifted up - This expression generally occurs in a bad sense Deu_814 2Ch_2616 Psa_1311 Pro_1812 but here it must be taken differently The margin ldquowas encouragedrdquo expresses fairly the true meaning He first began by setting an example of faithfulness to Yahweh He then proceeded to use his best endeavors to extirpate idolatry

He took away the high places - Compare 2Ch_2033 and see the 2Ch_1517 note

GILL And his heart was lifted up in the ways of the Lord It was engaged in them was bent and set upon them he walked in them with great pleasure and cheerfulness being inspired with zeal and courage he was fearless and intrepid and regarded not any opposition he might have or expect to have in the work of reformation in which he was concerned

moreover he took away the high places such as were dedicated to idols but not those in which the true God was worshipped 2Ch_2033

and groves out of Judah where idols were placed for though these had been removed by Asa yet had been renewed in the latter part of his days when more negligent of religion

HERY 2 He was a despised man (Job_176) ldquoHerdquo (that is Eliphaz so some or rather God whom he all along acknowledges to be the author of his calamities) ldquohas made me a byword of the people the talk of the country a laughing-stock to many a gazing-stock to all and aforetime (or to mens faces publicly) I was as a tabret that whoever chose might play uponrdquo They made ballads of him his name became a proverb it is so still As poor as Job ldquoHe has now made me a bywordrdquo a reproach of men whereas aforetime in my prosperity I was as a tabret deliciae humani generis -

the darling of the human race whom they were all pleased with It is common for those who were honoured in their wealth to be despised in their poverty

JAMISO his heart was lifted up in the ways of the Lordmdash Full of faith and piety he possessed zeal and courage to undertake the reformation of manners to suppress all the works and objects of idolatry (see on 2Ch_2033) and he held out public encouragement to the pure worship of God

KampD This blessing encouraged Jehoshaphat to extirpate from the land all

idolatrous worship and to teach the people the law of the Lord לב usually sensu ב

malo to be haughty proud cf eg 2Ch_2616 2Ch_3225 here sensu bono of rising

courage to advance in ways pleasing to God and he removed the high places also etc עודpoints back to 2Ch_173 not only did he himself keep far from the Baals but he

removed besides all memorials of the Baal-worship from Judah On מות and אשרים see

on 2Ch_142

COKE 2 Chronicles 176 And his heart was lifted upmdash And when he had elevated his mind in following the commandments of God he took yet from Judah high places and groves ie he destroyed yet other monuments of idolatry which had escaped the diligence of his father Asa though he took not away those high places and altars which had been erected in Jerusalem for the true God See 1 Kings 2243 and ch 1 Kings 2033 of this book

TRAPP 2 Chronicles 176 And his heart was lifted up in the ways of the LORD moreover he took away the high places and groves out of Judah

Ver 6 And his heart was lifted up] ot with pride as 2 Chronicles 3225 but with undaunted courage and disengaged zeal such as made him come off roundly and readily in the ensuing reformation he was more forward and forth putting than his father Asa not slothful in business but fervent in spirit serving the Lord

POOLE His heart was lifted up above all discouragements and difficulties and fears by which menrsquos hearts use to be cast down he was valiant and resolute for God and his ways

He took away the high places and groves to wit such only wherein idols were worshipped as appears by comparing this with 2 Chronicles 2033 And though Asa had done this before yet either he did not do it thoroughly or the Jews (who were many of them mad upon their idols) had secretly made new ones in the latter part of his reign when he grew more infirm in body and more remiss in Godrsquos cause

WHEDO 6 His heart was lifted up mdash That is exalted with holy faith and courage

Took away the high places mdash Yet in spite of all his efforts and successes in this matter the people had become so addicted to these practices that their destruction was not thoroughly secured See note on 2 Chronicles 143 and compare 2 Chronicles 2033

ELLICOTT (6) And his heart was lifted upmdashGabhah lccedilbh which usually like the phrase of Authorised version has a bad meaning as in 2 Chronicles 2616 The margin is right here ldquohis courage rose highrdquo or ldquohe grew boldrdquo in the ways of Jehovah ie in the path of religious reform Vulg ldquocum sumpsisset cor ejus audaciam propter vias Dominirdquo

MoreovermdashAnd again further Referring to 2 Chronicles 173 ot only did he not seek the Baals but more than this he removed the high places ampc [This is the common explanation But the sense may rather be ldquoAnd he again removedrdquo referring back to Asarsquos reforms 2 Chronicles 145]

GrovesmdashrsquoAshecircrim ldquoAsherahsrdquo (2 Chronicles 143)

PARKER And his heart was lifted up in the ways of the Lord moreover he took away the high places and groves out of Judah ( 2 Chronicles 176)

The expression his heart was lifted up is an awkward one The lifting up of the heart signifies increase of pride a sensation of vanity a desire to gratify personal ambition and to make an idol of his will In this instance the marginal reading is to be preferredmdashwas encouraged or otherwise his courage rose high and again it has been rendered Jehoshaphat grew bold that is to say he was not a timid reformer or a timid worshipper a trimmer or a time-server in any sense he was a heroic worshipper of the living God when he saw that reform was necessary he went forward with a steady step and an energetic hand We should call Jehoshaphat a man of conviction and a man who had the courage of his convictions altogether this is the outline of a noble personage a born king a man who has a right to the purple and the sceptre When such men ascend thrones nations should be glad and rejoice with a great joy for their character is grander than their office and their spirit is the best guarantee of the elevation and utility of their regal policy Becoming conscious of his power knowing that his kingdom was established from on high Jehoshaphat not only did pot seek the Baals himself but he took away the high places and groves out of Judah Jehoshaphat was not content with a merely personal religion he could not convert the hearts of his people but he could destroy all the symbols of unholy worship Men are only required to do that which lies within their power A proprietor may not be able to make people sober but he can forbid the introduction of temptations to drunkenness a parent may not be able to subdue the spirit of pride but he can in many instances limit the means of gratifying it There are reforms which are open to us all in personal custom in social habit it may be even in imperial ways let each Jehoshaphat seize his opportunity and magnify it

All this would have been comparatively in vain but for another step which

Jehoshaphat took In the third year of his reign he sent to his princesmdashthat is to say he sent his princesmdashand he sent Levites all of whose names are given and he sent also two priests Elishama and Jehoram and their business was purely educational

PULPIT And his heart was lifted up in the ways of the Lord Although the verb often carries a bad sense with it it quite as often carries with it a good one in the גבהOld Testament and the typical instance of the former (Psalms 1311) is fully counterbalanced by Isaiah 5213 The marginal was enencouraged may be superseded with advantage by took courage (Isaiah 4029-31) The groves Supersede this incorrect rendering by the Asherim and upon the seeming discrepancy see again Isaiah 151-9 17 and Introduction to Chronicles there quoted

7 In the third year of his reign he sent his officials Ben-Hail Obadiah Zechariah ethanel and Micaiah to teach in the towns of Judah

BARES The princes were not sent as teachers themselves but had the duty committed to them of seeing that the people were taught The actual teachers were the priests and Levites of 2Ch_178

CLARKE 7-9 To teach in the cities of Judah - ldquoTo teach the fear of the Lord in the cities of Judahrdquo - Targum

In these verses we find a remarkable account of an itinerant ministry established by Jehoshaphat and in this work he employed three classes of men

1 The princes

2 The Levites

3 The priests

We may presume that the princes instructed the people in the nature of the civil law and constitution of the kingdom the Levites instructed them in every thing that appertained to the temple service and ritual law and the priests instructed them in the

nature and design of the religion they professed Thus the nation became thoroughly instructed in their duty to God to the king and to each other They became therefore as one man and against a people thus united on such principles no enemy could be successful

GILL Also in the third year of his reign he sent to his princes That dwelt in the several parts of the kingdom or he sent them being with him some of the

principal men of his court for ל may be a sign of the accusative case as it sometimes is

even to Benhail and to Obadiah and to Zechariah and to Nethaneel and to Michaiah to teach in the cities of Judah to see that they were taught and oblige them to attend to the instructions that should be given them and not mutiny and rebel against their teachers and to let them know what was the kings pleasure on this head and to back with their authority the priests and Levites whose proper work it was to instruct and who therefore were sent with them as follows

JAMISO 7-11 2Ch_177-11 He sends Levites to teach in Judah

Also in the third year of his reign he sent to his princes to teach in the cities of Judahmdash The ordinary work of teaching devolved on the priests But extraordinary commissioners were appointed probably to ascertain whether the work had been done or neglected This deputation of five princes assisted by two priests and nine Levites was to make a circuit of the towns in Judah It is the first practical measure we read of as being adopted by any of the kings for the religious instruction of the people Time and unbroken opportunities were afforded for carrying out fully this excellent plan of home education for the kingdom enjoyed internal tranquillity as well as freedom for foreign wars It is conformable to the pious style of the sacred historian to trace this profound peace to the ldquofear of the Lord having fallen on all kingdoms of the lands that were round about Judahrdquo

BESO 2 Chronicles 177 He sent to his princes mdash to teach in the cities of Judah mdash To inform the people of their duty and of the kingrsquos pleasure As judges teach or instruct the people in the laws of the land when they deliver their charges upon the bench so did these princes in the kingrsquos name admonish and require the people to observe and obey the laws of God which were the municipal laws of that land the particular explication and enforcement whereof they left to the Levites and priests here following who were sent for this end and accordingly taught the people 2 Chronicles 179

COFFMA Because of the clause which we have capitalized this is one of the most important passages in Chronicles Right here is the reason radical critics have extended themselves so unreasonably in their efforts to discredit Chronicles Here is dependable historical proof of the continued existence of the Torah from the days of Moses throughout the history of Israel As Keil stated it The book of the law of Jehovah is the Pentateuch not merely a collection of Mosaic laws since in Jehoshaphats time the Mosaic Book of the Law (the Pentateuch) had been long in existence[1] We shall not take the space to repeat the vociferous denials of critics

except to cite one knee-jerk remark that characterizes all of them Such action was not taken in Jehoshaphats time[2] What is the basis of such a blatant denial of what Gods Word states as a fact even giving the very names of the royal princes who did the teaching THERE IS OE o matter what unbelievers say this chapter IS the historical record of what happened in the reign of Jehoshaphat and those who live two and one half millenniums afterward have nothing of value by which they may challenge it Then why do men deny it The false theories they have invented are here contradicted forcing them either to give up their false theories or to deny the Sacred Scriptures that contradict them

COKE 2 Chronicles 177 He sent to his princes even to Ben-hail ampcmdash He sent of his princes Ben-hail Obadiah ampc The proper business of these princes in their circuit round the kingdom says Bishop Patrick was to admonish and require the people to observe the laws of God and to leave the particular explication and enforcement of them to those of the sacred order who went with them supporting them in the execution of their office and obliging the people to receive them with respect to hear them with attention and to practise what they taught

TRAPP 2 Chronicles 177 Also in the third year of his reign he sent to his princes [even] to Benhail and to Obadiah and to Zechariah and to ethaneel and to Michaiah to teach in the cities of Judah

Ver 7 He sent to his princes to teach in the cities of Judah] Teaching princes there are not many such as were David Solomon George prince of Anhalt ampc but these were sent with the teaching Levites to countenance and bear them out in this visitation general and perhaps to punish the opposite and obstinate if any such Junius readeth the text thus He sent with his princes these Levites for the teaching Or the princes taught the people the law of the land the priests and Levites the law of God both did mutually help one another So a Danish king of this land made a law that at the general court of every shire the bishop of the diocese should accompany the sheriff that the one might countenance Godrsquos law the other manrsquos (a) Queen Elizabeth once in her progress through Suffolk observing that the justices of that county who came to meet her had every man his minister next to his body said she wondered not that that county was so well governed where she saw that the word and sword went so lovingly together (b)

POOLE To teach in the cities of Judah to inform the people of their duty and of the kingrsquos pleasure As judges or justices of peace teach or instruct the people in the laws of the land when they deliver their charges upon the bench so did these princes in the kingrsquos name admonish and require the people to observe and obey the laws of God which were the prinicipal laws of that land the particular explication and enforcement whereof they left to the Levites and priests here following who were sent for this end and accordingly taught the people 2 Chronicles 179

WHEDO 7 He sent to his princeshellip to teach mdash He committed the matter of

teaching to their oversight and care and the teaching was done by the Levites and priests as stated in the next verse He did well to put down idolatry but he was wise enough to know that unless the people were instructed they would soon apostatize again

ELLICOTT THE COMMISSIOERS OF PUBLIC ISTRUCTIO I THE LAW

(7) He sent to his princes even to Ben-hail to MichaiahmdashRather He sent his princes Ben- hail and Obadiah and Michaiah (The le ldquotordquo in the chroniclerrsquos idiom marking the object of the verb) If however Authorised Version were correct the construction would not be unique as the Speakerrsquos Com mentary asserts (Comp 2 Kings 57 ldquothis man sendeth to me to recover a manrdquo ampc)

Princesmdashone of the personages mentioned in this and the following verse are otherwise known The ldquofive princesrdquo were laymen of rank and were accompanied by nine (eight) Levites and two priests

Ben-hailmdashSon of valour A compound proper name only occurring here but analogous to Ben-hur Ben-deker and Ben-hesed in 1 Kings 48-10 (The LXX renders ldquothe sons of the mightyrdquo Syriac ldquothe chiefs of the forcesrdquo apparently reading bnecirc chail)

ethaneelmdashSyriac Mattanael Arabic Mattaniah Michaiah Syriac and Arabic Malachiah

GUZIK B The strength of Jehoshaphatrsquos kingdom

1 (2 Chronicles 177-10) The spiritual strength of the kingdom Jehoshaphat brings the Word of God to the people

Also in the third year of his reign he sent his leaders Ben-Hail Obadiah Zechariah ethanel and Michaiah to teach in the cities of Judah And with them he sent Levites Shemaiah ethaniah Zebadiah Asahel Shemiramoth Jehonathan Adonijah Tobijah and Tobadonijah the Levites and with them Elishama and Jehoram the priests So they taught in Judah and had the Book of the Law of the LORD with them they went throughout all the cities of Judah and taught the people And the fear of the LORD fell on all the kingdoms of the lands that were around Judah so that they did not make war against Jehoshaphat

a To teach in the cities of Judah These ldquoteaching priestsrdquo have been mentioned by the Chronicler before (2 Chronicles 153) They had the important role of bringing the word of God to the people especially those who lived outside of Jerusalem

b They taught in Judah and had the Book of the Law of the LORD with them they went throughout all the cities of Judah and taught the people This was the wisest

and best policy a security-conscious king of Judah could promote Because Jehoshaphat sought God first God sent fear upon the neighboring kingdoms so that they did not make war against Jehoshaphat

i ldquoBy this little band of princes Levites and priests sixteen in all Jehoshaphat did more toward impressing the surrounding nations with a sense of his power than the largest and best-equipped standing army could have secured to himrdquo (Knapp)

ii ldquoThe method adopted was what in these modern times we might describe as the holding of Special Missions throughout the cities of Judah for the specific purpose of proclaiming and interpreting lsquothe book of the law of Jehovahrsquordquo (Morgan)

iii ldquoo better service can be rendered to the nation than that of proclaiming the Word of Jehovah to the people in cities towns villages and hamlets By such proclamation the heart of the people may be turned to Jehovah and so He be enabled to do for them all that is in His heartrdquo (Morgan)

iv ldquoThus the nation became thoroughly instructed in their duty to God to the king and to each other They became therefore as one man and against a people thus united on such principles no enemy could be successfulrdquo (Clarke)

v Clarke observed how a similar itinerant ministry in the days of John Wesley and his followers impacted Britain ldquoSuch an itinerant ministry established in these kingdoms for upwards of fourscore years teaching the pure unadulterated doctrines of the Gospel with the propriety and necessity of obedience to the laws has been the principle means in the hand of God of preserving the lands from those convulsions and revolutions that have ruined and nearly dissolved the European continentrdquo

vi ldquoIt is said (2 Chronicles 172) Jehoshaphat place forces in all the fenced cities yet it is not said thereupon that lsquothe fear of the Lord fell upon the neighbour nationsrsquo But when he had established a preaching ministry in all the cities then his enemies had a fear and made no warrdquo (Trapp)

PULPIT He sent Hebrew שלח The Hebrew text distinctly says he sent to his princes not he sent his princes The meaning ismdashhe sent orders to his princes to see to it that Judah was taught (2 Chronicles 179) the book of the Law of the Lord (Le 2 Chronicles 1011 Deuteronomy 49 Deuteronomy 1718) not indeed without their own personal aid in whatever way able to be given but systematically and with authority by the Levites and priests (Deuteronomy 3310) This deeper fathoming of the needs of the time and of what constituted its real safety was greatly to the spiritual credit of Jehoshaphat The references (2 Chronicles 153 2 Chronicles 352-4 2 Chronicles 3510-12) are full of point one of these princes or Levites and priests are elsewhere mentioned by name

8 With them were certain LevitesmdashShemaiah ethaniah Zebadiah Asahel Shemiramoth Jehonathan Adonijah Tobijah and Tob-Adonijahmdashand the priests Elishama and Jehoram

GILL 2 Chronicles 178And with them he sent Levites With the five princes he sent nine Levites

even Shemaiah and Nethaniah and Zebadiah and Asahel and Shemiramoth and Jehonathan and Adonijah and Tobijah and Tobadonijah Levites of whom we nowhere else read no doubt they were principal persons and fit for the work they were sent about

and with them Elishama and Jehoram priests whose lips were to keep knowledge and at whose mouth the law was to be sought Mal_27

ELLICOTT (8) And with them he sent LevitesmdashRather And with them were the Levites The construction being changed So LXX and the Syriac (Comp 1 Chronicles 1641-42 1 Chronicles 1518 for the same mode of enumeration which is characteristic of the style of the chronicler

ZebadiahmdashSome MSS and Syriac and Arabic read Zechariah

ShemiramothmdashSo LXX and Vulg (see 1 Chronicles 165 1 Chronicles 1518) The Heb text is probably incorrect Syriac and Arabic read instead atucircra

Tob-adonijahmdashThis curious name occurs only here and is perhaps a mere mistake arising out of the preceding Adonijah and Tobijah The Syriac and Arabic omit it

PriestsmdashThe priests

The commission was a mixed one of civil and ecclesiastical persons (comp 1 Chronicles 131-2 1 Chronicles 232 1 Chronicles 246)

And had the book of the law of the LordmdashAnd with them was the book of the law (teaching) of Jehovah For the construction compare 1 Chronicles 1642 The writer

evidently means the Pentateuch and if this notice was derived by him from a contemporary source eg the ldquowords of Jehu the son of Hananirdquo to which he refers as an authority for the reign (2 Chronicles 2034) it would constitute an important testimony to the existence if not of the five books at least of an ancient collection of laws at this early date (circ 850 BC )

And taught the peoplemdashTaught among the people

9 They taught throughout Judah taking with them the Book of the Law of the Lord they went around to all the towns of Judah and taught the people

BARES There is no reasonable doubt that this ldquobook of the lawrdquo was the Pentateuch - nearly if not quite in the shape in which we now have it Copies of the whole Law were no doubt scarce and therefore Jehoshaphatrsquos commission took care to carry a copy with them

CLARKE Had the book of the law of the Lord with them - This was their text book it was the book of God they taught it as such and as such the people received it Its laws were Godrsquos laws and the people felt their obligation and their consciences were bound Thus they were obedient to the laws of the land on the principle of religion In this they were encouraged and confirmed by the example of all both in Church and state The princes were not only pious but were teachers of piety the Levites showed them the worth and excellence of their ritual institutions and the priests showed them the moral use they were to make of the whole and thus the people became obedient to God as well as to the king and kept all the civil ordinances not merely for the sake of a good king but for the sake of a good and gracious God By these means the nation enjoyed peace and prosperity and all insurrections seditions and popular commotions were prevented The surrounding nations perceiving this saw that there was no hope of subduing such a people so they made no war with Jehoshaphat 2Ch_1710 And they took care not to provoke such a people to fall on them therefore it is said The fear of the Lord fell on all the kingdoms and lands that were round about Judah Such an itinerant ministry established in these kingdoms for upwards of fourscore years

teaching the pure unadulterated doctrines of the Gospel with the propriety and necessity of obedience to the laws has been the principal means in the hand of God of preserving these lands from those convulsions and revolutions that have ruined and nearly dissolved the European continent The itinerant ministry to which this refers is that which was established in these lands by the late truly reverend highly learned and cultivated deeply pious and loyal John Wesley AM formerly a fellow of Lincoln College Oxford whose followers are known by the name of Methodists a people who are an honor to their country and a blessing to the government under which they live

GILL And they taught in Judah The people their duty to God and man

and had the book of the law of the Lord with them as the rule of their instruction and the peoples obedience out of this they taught them and by it confirmed what they taught and enforced it with the divine authority

and went about throughout all the cities of Judah not only their own cities the Levitical ones but all others

and taught the people the law of the Lord the fear and worship of God

JAMISO the book of the lawmdash that is either the whole Pentateuch or only the book of Deuteronomy which contains an abridgment of it

BESO 2 Chronicles 179 And they taught in Judah ampc mdash The Levites and priests were teachers by office Deuteronomy 3310 It was a part of the work for which they had their maintenance and indeed had little else to do But it seems they had neglected it pretending probably that they could not get the people to hear them Jehoshaphat therefore sends them with the princes who by their authority might require the people to assemble together to receive instruction in the laws of God and their duty ldquoWhat a great deal of goodrdquo says Henry ldquomay be done when Moses and Aaron thus go hand in hand in the doing of it when princes with their power and priests and Levites with their Scripture-learning agree to teach the people the good knowledge of God and their duty These itinerant judges and itinerant preachers together were instrumental to diffuse a blessed light throughout the cities of Judahrdquo And had the book of the law of the Lord with them mdash 1st For their own guidance that from thence they might draw all the instructions they gave to the people and not teach for doctrines the commandments of men 2d For the conviction or the people that they might see these priests and Levites had a divine warrant for what they said and delivered to them only that which they had received from the Lord

TRAPP 2 Chronicles 179 And they taught in Judah and [had] the book of the law of the LORD with them and went about throughout all the cities of Judah and taught the people

Ver 9 And had the book of the law of the Lord with them] They taught not

traditions human inventions or unwritten verities All their doctrines came cum privilegio and were Scripture proof

WHEDO 9 The book of the law mdash Our Pentateuch in substantially its present form ldquoCopies of the whole law were no doubt scarce and therefore Jehoshaphatrsquos commission took care to carry a copy with themrdquo mdash Rawlinson

PARKER And they taught in Judah and had the book of the law of the Lord with them and went about throughout all the cities of Judah and taught the people ( 2 Chronicles 179)

This was a mixed commission partly civil partly ecclesiastical The men here mentioned are otherwise unknown We identify them as educational reformers or reformers who operated through the medium of education they were not warriors destroyers revolutionists but men who addressed the mind and the understanding and the conscience and caused men to know that the true law was from above and not from beneath The book which the commission had in hand was the Pentateuch or the law of Moses This was known to be the law which alone could touch all the vital necessities of the commonwealth Again and again we are constrained to admit that there is a law beyond Prayer of Manasseh above Prayer of Manasseh in a sense apart from man men are not driven within themselves to find a law an instinct or a reason they have a written statute an authoritative declaration a book which Christian teachers do not hesitate to describe as a Revelation and to that they call the attention of men If the teacher were teaching out of his own consciousness he would be but an equal often exposing himself to the destructive criticism of his more advanced and penetrating scholars but the teacher takes his stand upon a book upon the Book the Bible a revelation which he believes to be divine and final Say what we will the effect of Bible teaching must be judged by its fruits Where are the nations that are most distinguished for wide and varied intelligence for large and exhaustive sympathy for missionary enterprise for philanthropic institutions and for all the elements which give grace and beauty to social existence The question should admit of definite reply the facts are before men let them judge fearlessly and honestly and we need have no apprehension concerning their verdict Wherever the word of the Lord has had free course superstition has been chased away human slavery has been abolished every instance of intolerance injustice unkindness has felt the influence of holy thought in all these matters discussion should be limited strictly to facts Thus kings can help nations not by forcing education not by attempting to rule opinion not by setting up standards of orthodoxy to fall short of which is to incur penalty but by spreading education by extending light by cultivating a spirit of inquiry and by a generous multiplication of all the instrumentalities needed for the destruction of ignorance What may come of this we are not supposed at this moment to know Meanwhile let us be thankful that we are face to face with a man who has conviction courage independence high patriotic and generous impulse and let us hope that his end may be as beautiful as his beginning was promising

SIMEO THE ROYAL EDICT

ADVERTISEMETmdashThe author feels it necessary to prefix to this Sermon some short account of the occasion on which it was delivered

The author was at Amsterdam (in June 1818) partly with a view of re-establishing there an Episcopal Chapel in which there had been no service for seven years but principally with a view of seeking the welfare of the Children of Israel He went thither rather to explore than to act (See ehemiah 212-16) But just previous to the 18th of June he understood that the Third Anniversary of the Battle of Waterloo was to be kept throughout the etherlands as a day of thanksgiving and just at that time also he quite accidentally heard that the King of the etherlands had a year before issued an Edict requiring all the Jews to educate their children in the knowledge of their own Scriptures and calling upon all his Christian Subjects to aid in this good work Despondency not unlike to that which paralyzed all exertion at Jerusalem in ehemiahrsquos days so universally prevailed that no one had risen to the occasion the very Commissioners who had been appointed to carry the Edict into effect had published a Report in which they gave it as their opinion ldquothat the Lordrsquos time was not comerdquo and there was great danger that the gracious designs of the Monarch would be altogether frustrated The author therefore judged this a fit occasion for calling the attention of the Public to the Edict and accordingly after devoting the Morning Service to the more appropriate subject of the day he employed the Evening Service in an endeavour to forward this good work Considerable attention was excited to the subject by means of the Sermon which was therefore instantly printed in Dutch French and English for the purpose of its being circulated throughout the etherlands and he has reason to hope that active exertions were afterwards made in many places to promote what every benevolent mind must ardently desire the edification and welfare of the Jewish People

So good an example having been set by the Emperor of Russia and the King of the etherlands the author hopes that the attention of our own Governors also both in Church and State may be called to this long-neglected People and that now the British Public has been invited by authority (the Kingrsquos Letter) to aid in supporting Missions to the Heathen World the claims of the Jewish ation to whom under God we owe all the light that we ourselves enjoy will not be overlooked It is with a view to this great object that the author sends forth the Sermon in this country where if the foregoing explanation had not been given its relevancy and use might have been justly called in question

2 Chronicles 179 And they taught in Judah and had the book of the law of the Lord with them and went about throughout all the cities of Judah and taught the people

O a day set apart for thanksgiving to God for mercies received it is peculiarly proper to consider what we may render unto the Lord for all his benefits Certainly if any event ever deserved repeated annual commemoration it is that which has

freed the world from the most grievous tyranny that ever it endured Of the bitter cup which was put into the hands of every nation in Europe this nation [ote The etherlands] drank very deeply and the change which it has experienced in the restoration of their rightful Monarch and in the establishment of a free Constitution calls for their devoutest acknowledgments to Almighty God Doubtless we may with justice pay some tribute of honour to those who by their counsels and their arms effected the overthrow of the Usurper but it is God alone who giveth victory to kings and to whom the glory of this great victory must be primarily ascribed and he who accounts a day consecrated to this service superfluous shews that he is far from justly appreciating the blessings that have been conferred upon him The monarch himself has given to his people a very decided evidence that he feels the depth of his obligations to the God of his salvation and it will be your own loss if you do not cultivate a similar spirit and improve the occasion to the honour of your God

But it is not to thanksgiving only that your Monarch invites you he calls you by a special Edict to unite with him in seeking the welfare of your Jewish Brethren who in their struggle with the enemy signally approved their fidelity to their legitimate Sovereign Their welfare he in his turn studies to promote and he desires to combine the energies of all his subjects in efforts for their good Methinks he is like Jehoshaphat of old who well knowing that piety must be founded in knowledge and happiness in piety sent forth the Princes of his empire with a select number of Priests and Levites to instruct his people in the knowledge of Godrsquos blessed word

His edict on this occasion and the manner in which it was carried into effect will form the subject of my present discourse

I Then we notice the edict of King Jehoshaphatmdash

This was such as became a great and pious monarch and we shall find it not unprofitable or unsuitable to the present occasion to enter into a distinct consideration of it We observe then that it was a kind and benevolent edict a wise and politic edict a good and beneficial edict

Mark the benevolence displayed in it He sought the present and eternal welfare of his subjects He knew that as men are raised above the beasts by the exercise of reason so are they elevated in the scale of rational beings in proportion as their intellectual powers are cultivated and enlarged Man destitute of knowledge is a mere savage but when instructed in the various branches of science he becomes refined and civilized and capable of contributing to the general good In the very cultivation of knowledge there is much pleasure arising to the mind and in the application of that knowledge to useful purposes there is an exquisite delight We need only observe persons when employed in their several vocations how happy they are how contented how cheerful oftentimes unconsciously proclaiming their happiness like the birds of the air in festal songs or consciously and with devotion in songs of praise

But it was not mere intellectual improvement which Jehoshaphat sought to convey he wished his people to be instructed in the knowledge of that God whom they professed to fear and worship This alone could make them truly happy this alone could impart to them sound wisdom or solid consolation He therefore gave particular directions that they should be taught ldquoin the Book of the Law of the Lordrdquo and this throughout the whole land O happy people whose governor so employed the authority with which he was invested And happy that monarch who so improved his influence not for his own personal aggrandizement but for the best interests of the people committed to his charge In so doing he approved himself to be indeed what every governor should be the friend and father of his people

or was the policy of this measure at all inferior to its benevolence A people well instructed in moral and religious knowledge will view government as an ordinance of God and will learn to obey the constituted authorities not so much from fear of their wrath as for conscience sake towards God They will view their governors as Godrsquos vicegerents upon earth and will consider allegiance to them as an essential part of their duty to him Hence will spring up love in their hearts and a real delight in manifesting on all proper occasions their loyalty to their king they will form a bulwark around his person in case of necessity and even glory in laying down their lives for him as their greatest benefactor

The benefits arising from this edict were incalculable Such was the effect of it that the fear of Jehoshaphat and of Jehovah as his protector fell on all the nations that were round about him so that none however hostile in their hearts dared to make war against him [ote ver 10] Doubtless this resulted chiefly from an impression made upon their minds by God himself yet it was also produced by a dread of that energy which an united people were ready to put forth at any instant at the call of their beloved monarch At the same time that peace was thus secured prosperity reigned in every part of the empire and as the immediate fruit of it Jehoshaphat as well as the people ldquohad riches and honour in abundance [ote ver 5]rdquo In his own mind too he reaped the fruits of his own benevolence God smiled upon him and manifested himself to him and enabled him to walk with ldquohis heart lifted up in the ways of the Lord [ote ver 6]rdquo

Such was the edict of the pious Jehoshaphatmdashbenevolent politic beneficial And what I would ask is the Edict which has been issued by the highest authority in this kingdom Do we not see in it the same blessed characters as in that which we have been considering It was ldquoin the third year of his reign [ote ver 7]rdquo that Jehoshaphat sent forth teachers to enlighten and instruct his subjects The very instant he felt himself at liberty from the more urgent and pressing calls of duty (such as the fortifying of his land against foreign enemies and the correcting of some great internal abuses) he engaged in this good work of diffusing light and knowledge through all classes of the community In like manner the sovereign of this kingdom has scarcely had time to repair the ravages of war and to establish his empire too long weakened and impoverished by a cruel usurpation before he stands forth as the friend and father of his people and more especially of that portion of them who have in every age and place been most treated with neglect and

disdain to have them educated in scriptural knowledge and in the fear of God It is much to be lamented that the Jewish people have not in general been so attentive either to the learning or morals of their children as might be wished and hence arose a necessity for some authoritative admonition on the subject Yet if I may say it without offence this neglect has not been more reprehensible in them than has been the indifference with which the Christian world has regarded it The monarch (may God recompense it richly into his bosom) has risen up to remedy the supineness both of the one and the other and to call forth the united energies of all to correct and terminate this evil Yet whilst he thus consults the best interests of his subjects with what paternal tenderness has he guarded against wounding the feelings of any or exciting their religious prejudices The Scriptures of the Old Testament are alone to be used in the schools that shall be established even those Scriptures which Jews as well as Christians believe to have been given by inspiration of God and to contain truth without any mixture of error In this is marked the policy no less than the benevolence of the edict for it is not by constraint but by conciliation and kindness that good is to be done to any and more especially to those who have shewn themselves now for so many centuries proof against all the efforts of intimidation or force In this kingdom they form no small body and I may add no unimportant portion of the community It is well known how extensive is their influence in the affairs of commerce and how by their activity they contribute to enrich the state Hence it is now generally seen and felt that they are entitled to the same respect as any other subjects of the realm and whilst as in the present instance they see how deeply their monarch feels interested in their welfare they cannot but on their part be sensible of the privileges they enjoy under his paternal government and testify their gratitude to him by every possible expression of loyalty and affection

What the ultimate effect of these measures will be may be conjectured from the blessed results of the edict of Jehoshaphat all will feel themselves happy under the government of such a prince and he whilst he is respected abroad and beloved at home will have the happiness of seeing his labours crowned with prosperity throughout his dominions and with peace in his own soul

II The manner in which Jehoshaphatrsquos edict was carried into execution is now to be noticedmdash

The promptness with which his commands were executed deserves the highest praise All were ready to co-operate in this good work as soon as it was proposed ldquoPrinces and priests and Levites [ote ver 7 8]rdquo all addressed themselves to it instantly with one heart and one soul one accounted their dignity so high or their functions so sacred but they thought it an honour to be employed in such a service and found a delight in fulfilling the wishes of their revered monarch all entered into the work with zeal and prosecuted it with diligence and hence a rapid change was effected both in the temporal and spiritual condition of the whole nation And what may not be effected in this kingdom also if a similar zeal be exercised by ldquothe princes and priestsrdquo (the magistrates and clergy) of the land With them it must begin Those who move in a lower station can effect nothing if they be not aided and

countenanced by the higher orders whose rank in life or sacredness of character will give a tone to the general feeling and combine the energies of the whole kingdom If it be said that those for whom the benefit is designed do not feel a desire after it this only shews how much they need it and how earnestly we should all embark in a cause proposed by such high authority and recommended by the soundest dictates of wisdom and piety

That our obligations to unite in this labour of love may the more distinctly appear I would beg leave to suggest the following considerations

First Loyalty to the king demands our concurrence with him in this good work and a holy emulation amongst us to carry into effect his benevolent designs What can the greatest or best of men effect (what could Jehoshaphat himself have done) if there be none to act in subserviency to them and to follow their directions As the most potent monarch upon earth would in vain proclaim war if there were no soldiers found to enlist under his banners and to execute his commands so it will be in vain that the design of benefiting the Jewish people was ever conceived in the mind of the king or that his edict respecting them was ever issued if his subjects do not put forth their energies in obedience to his call In truth a backwardness to co-operate with him in this blessed work would seem like a reflection cast upon him as recommending a measure that was unworthy of attention I do not mean to insinuate that such an idea really exists in the minds of any for I am perfectly convinced it does not but certainly in appearance it is open to this construction and every subject of the empire is concerned to act in such a way as to cut off all occasion for a reflection like this I say loyalty alone even if we had no higher motive should be sufficient to call forth our exertions in this cause

But let me next observe that gratitude to the Jewish nation demands it at our hands How great how manifold are our obligations to them Behold Moses and the prophets what instruction have they given us in reference to the way of life and salvation Without the moral law as revealed by Moses we should never have known to what an extent we need a Saviour nor if the prophecies had not so fully designated the promised Messiah could we have ever so fully known that Jesus was the Christ Of whom did the Lord Jesus Christ himself come as pertaining to the flesh but from the loins of David and of the seed of Abraham Yet to him are we indebted for all that we either have or hope for in time or in eternity And who were the Apostles but Jews who for our sakes went forth preaching the word and counted not their lives dear to them so that they might but lead us to the knowledge of Christ and make us partakers of his salvation From them too we have received the lively oracles which are the one source of all spiritual knowledge and the one foundation of all our hopes Does all this call for no recompence at our hands Knowing as we do the vast importance of education should we not endeavour to impart it to those from whose ancestors we have received such innumerable such inestimable benefits Yet behold these are the people whom for many many centuries we have treated with more neglect and contempt than any other people upon the face of the earth the savages of the most distant climes have received more attention from us than they Surely it is high time that the Christian world awake to

a sense of their duty and begin to shew to the Jews somewhat of that love which their forefathers exercised towards us in our Gentile state We are debtors to them to a vast amount and it is high time that we begin to discharge our debt And how can we discharge it better than by enabling them to read and understand those very oracles which they have preserved with such fidelity and which testify so fully of their promised Messiah

Further A love to the rising generation should lead us to avail ourselves of the present opportunity to promote their welfaremdashIt is truly afflictive to see how low and degraded is the state of multitudes especially of the Jewish nation purely through the neglect with which they are treated in their early youth and still more grievous is it to reflect on their ignorance of those things which belong to their everlasting peace To counteract this we should endeavour to qualify the whole of their population for good and useful employments and through the medium of useful instruction to make them holy and to make them happy We need never be afraid that there will not be a sufficient number of poor to fill the lower stations do what we will there will never be wanting persons who through their own fault or misfortunes are necessitated to undertake the lowest offices of life And if they have been previously instructed in the Scriptures of Truth they will have a fund of consolation ever open to them in their deepest afflictions they will learn from the inspired volume in whatsoever state they are there-with to be content and in the prospect of the eternal world they will find joys with which a stranger intermeddleth not and which the world can neither give nor take away We feel the force of these considerations in reference to the poor of our own communion how is it that we feel it not in reference to our Jewish Brethren This is a partiality unworthy of us and we should rise as one man to wipe off this disgrace from our own character

This brings me to the last consideration which I propose to mention namely that a concern for the honour of our holy religion should operate to unite us all in executing the Royal EdictmdashWhat must a Jew think of our religion when he sees how little it has wrought for us in the production of love We may tell him of a Messiah who has loved us and laid down his life for us but what credit will he give us for our principles when he sees how little our practice corresponds with them May he not well say to us ldquoPhysician heal thyselfrdquo Shew by your conduct the superiority of your principles before you call on me to embrace them It is by love that we must win them it is by shewing kindness to them that we must efface from their hearts those prejudices which with too much reason they entertain against us We must exhibit in our own person the loveliness of Christianity before we can bring them to investigate the grounds of our faith or to imagine that they can improve their own condition by embracing it May I not then call upon you as Christians to unite in the good work that is now before you that you may thereby serve and glorify your Lord and Saviour As Christians you believe that there is no other way to the Father but by Christ [ote John 146] and no other name but his whereby any human being can be saved [ote Acts 412] Where is your piety where is your love to Christ where is even common humanity if you will not avail yourselves of the present opportunity to remove from before your Jewish Brethren

the stumbling-blocks which for so many ages have been laid in their way

Do any ask What shall we do I answer search out amongst the Jews some persons of probity and talent to commence schools among them and do you yourselves aid to the utmost of your power in the support of them provide them with all necessary books for instructing children in the first rudiments of knowledge provide them with Bibles also both in the Dutch and Hebrew languages that they may be thoroughly instructed in the knowledge of their own religion and learn to walk in the steps of their father Abraham and of all the holy prophets

Begin too without loss of time Adult Schools You will find many among the house of Israel who will be glad to avail themselves of your instructions Let those who are benevolent amongst you dedicate an hour in a day to the instructing of a few who may be desirous to learn and carefully avoid every thing which may give unnecessary offence Confine yourselves to the Old Testament which they venerate as well as you Let those who can teach only in the Dutch language give instruction in that and let those who either understand or have leisure to attain the Hebrew tongue draw their attention to that In particular let it be the united endeavour of all to qualify masters for this good work

And let it not be thought that this is the duty of men only The Royal Edict has particularly and with great wisdom recommended it to females who may be of infinite service in conveying instruction to their own sex This age is distinguished above all others for the activity of females in the service of God and in the performance of every good work Were I able to declare the proportion of good that is done in Britain by the female sex it would appear incredible I believe from my soul that it far exceeds one half in all the societies raised since the commencement of the present century in the Bible Society the Missionary Societies and the Society for Promoting the Knowledge of Christianity amongst the Jews yes let the ladies of this country exert themselves in a prudent modest and discreet way and the effects will soon appear the Royal Edict will not be a dead letter but will produce incalculable good to the whole nationmdashand the agents in this benevolent work will themselves receive quite as much benefit as they impart their benevolence being in proportion as it is exercised its own reward

10 The fear of the Lord fell on all the kingdoms of the lands surrounding Judah so that they did not go to war against Jehoshaphat

GILL And the fear of the Lord fell upon all the kingdoms of the lands that were round about Judah Upon the ten tribes and on foreign nations about them as Moabites Edomites Syrians Egyptians Arabs and Philistines this fear as it came from the Lord so might be raised and increased by observing that religion was revived in them for they might perceive by former observations made that the more religious these people were the more prosperous and formidable they were

so that they made no war against Jehoshaphat to interrupt him in the work of reformation he was so intent upon

HERY We have here a further account of Jehoshaphats great prosperity and the flourishing state of his kingdom

I He had good interest in the neighbouring princes and nations Though he was not perhaps so great a soldier as David (which might have made him their terror) nor so great a scholar as Solomon (which might have made him their oracle) yet the fear of the Lord fell so upon them (that is God so influenced and governed their spirits) that they had all a reverence for him 2Ch_1710 And 1 None of them made war against himGods good providence so ordered it that while the princes and priests were instructing and reforming the country none of his neighbours gave him any molestations to take him off from that good work Thus when Jacob and his sons were going to worship at Bethel the terror of God was upon the neighbouring cities that they did not pursue after them Gen_355 and see Exo_3424 2 Many of them brought presents to him (2Ch_1711) to secure his friendship Perhaps these were a tribute imposed upon them by Asa who made himself master of the cities of the Philistines and the tents of the Arabians 2Ch_1414 2Ch_1415 With the 7700 rams and the same number of he-goats which the Arabians brought there was probably a proportionable number of ewes and lambs she-goats and kids

KampD This attempt of Jehoshaphat brought him this blessing that the terror of Jahve fell upon all the surrounding kingdoms and not only did none of the neighbouring peoples venture to make war upon him but also various tribes did homage to him by presents Ramb has already so understood the connection of these verses (erat hoc praemium pietatis Josaphati quod vicini satisque potentes hostes non auderent adversus ipsum hiscere) while Berth fails to apprehend it saying that Jehoshaphat had time to care for the instruction of his people because at that time the neighbouring peoples did not venture to undertake war against Judah The words ldquoterror of Jahverdquo cf 2Ch_1413 2Ch_2029 and ldquoall the kingdoms of the landsrdquo cf 2Ch_128 1Ch_2930 are expressions peculiar to the author of the Chronicle which show that by these remarks he is preparing the way for a transition to a more detailed

portrayal of Jehoshaphats political power מן־(לש)ים is subject מן partitive some of the

Philistines brought him presents (for מנחה see on 2Ch_175) ldquoand silver a burdenrdquo ie

in great quantity מא does not signify tribute vectigal argento (Vulg) for the word has

not that signification but denotes burden that which can be carried as in מא לאן

2Ch_2025 - 2Ch_2116 2Ch_221 ערבים 2Ch_267 and more usually ערב-ים or ערביאים

are Arabian nomadic tribes (Bedacircwin) perhaps those whom Asa after his victory over the Cushite Zerah had brought under the kingdom of Judah 2Ch_1414 These paid

their tribute in small cattle rams and he-goats (ישים( Gen_3035 Gen_3215 Pro_

3031)

BESO 2 Chronicles 1710 The fear of the Lord fell upon all the kingdoms ampc mdash Justly concluding from his singular piety that God would eminently appear for him for even the heathen could not but observe that the kings of Judah were either prosperous or unhappy according as they served God or forsook him So that they made no war against Jehoshaphat mdash Godrsquos good providence so ordered it that while the princes and priests were instructing and endeavouring to reform the country none of his neighbours gave him any molestation to take him off from that good work

COFFMA All of this peace and prosperity were directly due to the respect which Jehoshaphat had shown to the Law of God and to his efforts to teach that word to all the people It is no problem that much of the material here is omitted in Kings because the primary focus there was political whereas in Chronicles the focus is upon the spiritual and religious significance of the same history

TRAPP 2 Chronicles 1710 And the fear of the LORD fell upon all the kingdoms of the lands that [were] round about Judah so that they made no war against Jehoshaphat

Ver 10 And the fear of the Lord fell upon all the kingdoms] It is said [2 Chronicles 172] Jehoshaphat placed forces in all the fenced cities yet it is not said thereupon that the fear of the Lord fell upon the neighbour nations But when he had established a preaching ministry in all the cities then his enemies had a fear and made no war

POOLE Justly concluding from this singular piety that God would eminently appear for him and against all those who had ill will to him which was their case For even the heathens could not but observe that the kings of Judah were either prosperous or unhappy accordingly as they served God or forsook him

ELLICOTT (10) The fear of the LordmdashA dread of Jehovah (pachad) aps 2029 (Comp Exodus 1516 1 Samuel 117 Isaiah 210 ) This phrase is not peculiar to the chronicler as Keil and Bertheau assert ldquoThe kingdoms of the landsrdquo is so (2 Chronicles 128 1 Chronicles 2930)

They made no warmdashThe reward of Jehosha-phatrsquos piety (1 Chronicles 229

Proverbs 167) ldquoWhen a manrsquos ways please the Lord he maketh even his enemies to be at peace with himrdquo (Comp also Genesis 355)

11 Some Philistines brought Jehoshaphat gifts and silver as tribute and the Arabs brought him flocks seven thousand seven hundred rams and seven thousand seven hundred goats

BARES Some of the Philistines brought Jehoshaphat presents - i e ldquosome of the Philistines were among his tributariesrdquo Compare 2Sa_82 1Ki_421

Tribute silver - Or ldquomuch silverrdquo - literally ldquosilver of burthenrdquo

The Arabians - The Arab tribes who bordered Judaea to the south and the southeast paid Jehoshaphat a fixed tribute in kind Compare 2Ki_34 note

CLARKE The Philistines brought - presents - They and the Arabians purchased peace with the king of Judah by paying an annual tribute The Philistines brought silver and no doubt different kinds of merchandise The Arabs whose riches consisted in cattle brought him flocks in great abundance principally rams and he-goats

GILL Also some of the Philistines brought Jehoshaphat presents and tribute silver Perhaps those of Gerar and the parts adjacent Asa took and spoiled and made tributary 2Ch_1414

and the Arabians brought him flocks seven thousand and seven hundred rams and seven thousand and seven hundred he goats with which their country abounded and these might be the Scenite Arabs who fearing lest Jehoshaphat should fall upon them and take away their flocks as his father had done 2Ch_1415 brought these presents to him

JAMISO Also some of the Philistines brought Jehoshaphat presents and tribute silvermdash either they had been his tributaries or they were desirous of securing his valuable friendship and now made a voluntary offer of tribute Perhaps

they were the Philistines who had submitted to the yoke of David (2Sa_81 Psa_608)

the Arabiansmdash the nomad tribes on the south of the Dead Sea who seeking the protection of Jehoshaphat after his conquest of Edom paid their tribute in the way most suitable to their pastoral habits - the present of so many head of cattle

BESO 2 Chronicles 1711 Some of the Philistines brought presents mdash They had been subject to Judah ever since Davidrsquos time but it seems had neglected this duty in the times of his predecessors but were now moved by their own fears to perform it And the Arabians brought him flocks mdash Either because he had upon some just occasion waged war against them and subdued them or because they voluntarily put themselves under his protection in recompense whereof they sent him these presents or only as a free acknowledgment of their respect for him

TRAPP 2 Chronicles 1711 Also [some] of the Philistines brought Jehoshaphat presents and tribute silver and the Arabians brought him flocks seven thousand and seven hundred rams and seven thousand and seven hundred he goats

Ver 11 Also some of the Philistines] These having been subdued by David had withheld their tribute for a time but now seeing Jehoshaphatrsquos growing greatness they bring it in with the better that no offence might be taken at their former neglect The word here used signifieth honorary gifts or oblations pacifications

ldquo Placatur donis Iupiter ipse datis rdquo

Think the same of the Arabians See 2 Chronicles 1414-15

POOLE Some of the Philistines who had been subjects to this kingdom ever since Davidrsquos time but it seems had neglected this duty in the times of his predecessors but now were moved by their own fears to perform it

The Arabians brought him flocks either because he had upon some just occasion waged war against them and subdued them though the particulars of it be not described in Scripture or because they voluntarily put themselves under his protection in recompence whereof they sent him those presents or only as a free acknowledgment of their respects to him

ELLICOTT (11) Broughtmdashie continually Such is the force of the participle

PresentsmdashAn offering ie tribute (minchah 2 Chronicles 175)

And tribute silvermdashRather and silver a load or burden ie a great quantity (massacircrsquo) 2 Chronicles 2025 As if ldquosilver as much as they could carryrdquomdasha natural hyperbole ot all the five states of the Philistines were subject to Jehoshaphat (Comp 2 Samuel 81)

The ArabiansmdashlsquoArbicircrsquoim here only equivalent to lsquoArbicircyicircm (2 Chronicles 267) and

lsquoArbim (2 Chronicles 2116) They are in each case grouped with the Philistines The nomad Bedacircwin conquered by Asa (2 Chronicles 1415) appear to be meant here or else some tribes which recognised the overlordship of Jehoshaphat after his reduction of Edom (2 Chronicles 2022 sqq)

Brought him flocksmdashComp Mesha of Moabrsquos tribute to Ahab (2 Kings 34)

GUZIK 2 (2 Chronicles 1711-19) The international strength of Jehoshaphatrsquos kingdom

Also some of the Philistines brought Jehoshaphat presents and silver as tribute and the Arabians brought him flocks seven thousand seven hundred rams and seven thousand seven hundred male goats So Jehoshaphat became increasingly powerful and he built fortresses and storage cities in Judah He had much property in the cities of Judah and the men of war mighty men of valor were in Jerusalem These are their numbers according to their fathersrsquo houses Of Judah the captains of thousands Adnah the captain and with him three hundred thousand mighty men of valor and next to him was Jehohanan the captain and with him two hundred and eighty thousand and next to him was Amasiah the son of Zichri who willingly offered himself to the LORD and with him two hundred thousand mighty men of valor Of Benjamin Eliada a mighty man of valor and with him two hundred thousand men armed with bow and shield and next to him was Jehozabad and with him one hundred and eighty thousand prepared for war These served the king besides those the king put in the fortified cities throughout all Judah

a Some of the Philistines brought Jehoshaphat presents and silver as tribute and the Arabians brought him flocks Jehoshaphatrsquos commitment to personal and public godliness meant that God exalted his kingdom above the neighboring nations even as God promised in Deuteronomy 281-13

b These served the king The true treasure of Jehoshaphatrsquos kingdom was not numbered only in security or material things but also in the dedicated and courageous men he had surrounding him these mighty men of valor

i Amasiah the son of Zichri who willingly offered himself to the LORD ldquoAmasiah is a man of whom we do not know anything beyond this ndash he lsquowillingly offered himself unto the Lordrsquo There must have been a turning-point in his career a time when first he knew the grace of God which wrought such a change in him There must have been a waking up to the feeling that God deserved his love and his liferdquo (Spurgeon)

ii Amasiah was a ready servant of the Lord this particularly notable because he did it in an otherwise secular calling

middot o one had to press him into service

middot o one had to seek him out for service

middot o one had to look after him once he had begun serving

middot o one had to lead him

iii ldquoThere is no lawful occupation in which a man cannot thoroughly serve the Lord It is a great privilege and blessing to be set apart to the work of winning souls but we must never separate that work from all the rest of the callings of life as though it alone were sacred and all the rest were secular and almost sinful Serve God where you arerdquo (Spurgeon)

PULPIT The presents were probably enough in the nature of tribute the fixed rate of which is sometimes alluded to (1 Kings 421 1 Kings 1025 2 Samuel 82) but it is doubtful whether the word משא purports to say this The word means bearing or carrying and then a burden load or weight The expression (2 Chronicles 2025) more than they could carry away where this word is used favours the idea that the meaning here is silver of great weight Probably the moral significance and historical interest whether of this statement respecting the Philistines or the following respecting the Arabians lies in the fact that both of them brought without more ado their payments and did not seek to slip out of their engagements with Judah and Judahs king ote for confirmation of this view 2 Kings 34 2 Kings 35

12 Jehoshaphat became more and more powerful he built forts and store cities in Judah

GILL And Jehoshaphat waxed great exceedingly In wealth and riches power and authority in his forces and fortifications

and he built in Judah castles and cities of stores castles for the defence of his kingdom and store cities to lay up corn and wine and all provisions in case of an invasion or against a time of war

HERY II He had a very considerable stores laid up in the cities of Judah He pulled down his barns and built larger (2Ch_1712) castles and cities of store for arms and victuals He was a man of business and aimed at the public good in all his

undertakings either to preserve the peace or prepare for war

JAMISO 2Ch_1712-19 His greatness captains and armies

KampD Description of Jehoshaphats power - 2Ch_1712 And Jehoshaphat became

ever greater sc in power The partic הולך expresses the continuous advance in

greatness cf Ew sect280 b as the infin absol does elsewhere eg Gen_83 למעלה as עד

in 2Ch_1612 - He built castles in Judah ירנ-ות only here and in 2Ch_274 from ירנית

derivative formed from ירה by the Syriac termination נית- fem of ן- castle fortress On

מסנות cf 2Ch_84 ערי

TRAPP 2 Chronicles 1712 And Jehoshaphat waxed great exceedingly and he built in Judah castles and cities of store

Ver 12 And Jehoshaphat waxed great exceedingly] Heb He was going and growing By humility and the fear of the Lord are riches and honour and life [Proverbs 224]

And he built in Judah castles] Bironeoth πυργους turres So did the Burgundians and thence had their names

And cities of store] Granaries in the Hebrew they have their name from their utility or usefulness

ELLICOTT (12) And Jehoshaphat waxed greatmdashLiterally And Jehoshaphat was going on and waxing great ie became greater and greater (Comp 1 Chronicles 119)

ExceedinglymdashlsquoAd lĕmagraversquolah This phrase occurs again in 2 Chronicles 1612 2 Chronicles 268 and nowhere else in the Old Testament (See on 1 Chronicles 142)

And he builtmdashLike his predecessorsmdashSolomon Rehoboam Asamdashhe displayed his wealth and power in great public works The records of the Assyrian and Babylonian sovereigns are largely taken up with similar accounts of temple and palace building

CastlesmdashBiranicircyocircth a derivative from birah (1 Chronicles 291 1 Chronicles 2919 comp Syriac here birocircthocirc) It only recurs at 2 Chronicles 274 It is an Aramaic term (Comp bicircranyacircthacirc which in the Targums means ldquopalacesrdquo)

Cities of storesmdashComp 2 Chronicles 84 2 Chronicles 164 Exodus 111

PULPIT Castles This rendering better than palaces (margin) wound bear improving to the rather stronger word fortresses Hebrew בירניות found only here and in 2 Chronicles 274 plur of בירנית connected with the Chaldee and later Hebrew בירה of Ezra 62 ehemiah 11 Esther 12 Daniel 82 Cities of store (see note under 2 Chronicles 84 see also 1 Kings 919 Exodus 111)

13 and had large supplies in the towns of Judah He also kept experienced fighting men in Jerusalem

CLARKE He hadmuch business in the cities - He kept the people constantly employed they had wages for their work and by their labors the empire was both enriched and strengthened

GILL And he had much business in the cities of Judah Partly in fortifying them and partly in reforming the inhabitants of them

and the men of war mighty men of valour were in Jerusalem or by or near unto it so the particle is rendered Jos_513 they encamped in places adjacent to it for such a number of men as follows even 1160000 could never be contained in Jerusalem but must be disposed of in the territories of it nor did they wait on the king together but in course see 2Ch_1719 by which it appears there is no need to suppose any mistake of the transcriber in any or all of the following sums as has been suggested (q)

HERY 13-19 III He had the militia in good order It was never in better since David modelled it Five lord-lieutenants (if I may so call them) are here named with the numbers of those under their command (the serviceable men that were fit for war in their respective districts) three in Judah and two in Benjamin It is said of one of these great commanders Amasiah that he willingly offered himself unto the Lord (2Ch_1716) not only to the king to serve him in this post but to the Lord to glorify him in it He was the most eminent among them for religion he accepted the place not for the

honour or power or profit of it but for conscience sake towards God that he might serve his country It was usual for great generals then to offer of their spoils to the Lord 1Ch_2626 But this good man offered himself first to the Lord and then his dedicated things The number of the soldiers under these five generals amounts to 1160000 men a vast number for so small a compass of ground as Judahs and Benjamins lot to furnish out and maintain Abijah could bring into the field but 400000 (2Ch_133) Asa not 600000 (2Ch_148) yet Jehoshaphat has at command almost 1200000 But it must be considered 1 That God had promised to make the seed of Abraham like the sand of the sea for number 2 There had now been a long peace 3 We may suppose that the city of Jerusalem was very much enlarged 4 Many had come over to them from the kingdom of Israel (2Ch_1519) which would increase the numbers of the people 5 Jehoshaphat was under a special blessing of God which made his affairs to prosper greatly The armies we may suppose were dispersed all the country over and each man resided for the most part on his own estate but they appeared often to be mustered and trained and were ready at call whenever there was occasion The commanders waited on the king (2Ch_1719) as officers of his court privy-counsellors and ministers of state

But lastly observe It was not this formidable army that struck a terror upon the neighbouring nations that restrained them from attempting any thing against Israel or obliged them to pay tribute but the fear of God which fell upon them when Jehoshaphat reformed his country and set up a preaching ministry in it 2Ch_1710 The ordinances of God are more the strength and safety of a kingdom than its military force - its men of God more than its men of war

KampD 2Ch_1713

וגווגווגווגו רהרהרהרה is rightly translated by Luther ldquound hatte viel Vorrathsrdquo (and ומלעכהומלעכהומלעכהומלעכה

had much store) מלעכהמלעכהמלעכהמלעכה denotes here as in Exo_227-10 property that which has been gained by work or business The signification much work opera magna (Vulg Cler etc) as also Bertheaus translation ldquothe works for equipping and provisioning the fortressesrdquo correspond neither to the context nor to the parallel (synonymous) second member of the verse The work and trouble necessary to equip the cities of Judah does not correspond to ldquothe valiant warriors in Jerusalemrdquo the only parallel is the goods and property which were in these cities the provision of victuals and war material there stored up

BESO 2 Chronicles 1713 He had much business in the cities of Judah mdash To repair and fortify them and furnish them with provisions and to purge out all the relics of idolatry and injustice which were more secretly and craftily managed in the cities than in the country and which were first and most prevalent in the cities and thence spread their infection into the country around them

TRAPP 2 Chronicles 1713 And he had much business in the cities of Judah and the men of war mighty men of valour [were] in Jerusalem

Ver 13 And he had much business] Eργα πολλα (a) Many works going forward at

once a negotious man he was His business say some lay in beautifying and fortifying those cities Augustus gloried at his death that whereas he had found Rome built with brick he had left it made of marble

And the men of war hellip were in Jerusalem] These were his Praetorian forces his Praesidiaries were up and down in the various cities

POOLE He had much business in the cities of Judah partly to repair and fortify them and furnish them with all necessary provisions and partly to purge out all the relies and seeds of idolatry and injustice which were more secretly and subtlely managed in the cities than in the country and which were first and most in the cities and thence spread their infection into the country about them See Jeremiah 228

ELLICOTT (13) BusinessmdashRather much goods or stores literally work (mĕlacirckacirch) and then produce The Hebrew word is so used in Exodus 227 Exodus 2210 (ldquoHis neighbourrsquos goodsrdquo) Stores of provisions and war material seem to be intended (Comp 2 Chronicles 1111)

And the man of war were in JerusalemmdashRather and (he had) men of war in Jerusalem

In Jerusalemmdashot the entire army corps whose numbers are given in 2 Chronicles 1714-18 but simply their chiefs

PULPIT Much business Hebrew מלאכה The meaning of the word is service labour bestowed and the verse reads And there was to him much labour in the cities of Judah and men of war mighty men of valour in Jerusalem ie He bestoweth much pains on the cities of Judah and had etc The word were Authorized Version italics is incorrectly inserted The former half of this verse would better constitute the end of 2 Chronicles 1712 Keil however maintains the rendering substance property for מלאכה (Exodus 227 Exodus 2210)

14 Their enrollment by families was as followsFrom Judah commanders of units of 1000Adnah the commander with 300000 fighting men

BARES The captains of thousands Adnah the chief - literally ldquoprinces of thousands Adnah the princerdquo The writer does not mean that Adnah (or Johohanan 2Ch_1715) was in any way superior to the other ldquoprincesrdquo but only that he was one of them

Three hundred thousand - This number and those which follow in 2Ch_1715-18 have been with good reason regarded as corrupt by most critics For

(1) They imply a minimum population of 1480 to the square mile which is more than three times greater than that of any country in the known world (circa 1880rsquos)

(2) they produce a total just double that of the next largest estimate of the military force of Judah the 580 000 of 2Ch_148

(3) they are professedly a statement not of the whole military force but of the force maintained at Jerusalem (2Ch_1713 compare 2Ch_1719)

It is probable that the original numbers have been lost and that the loss was suppplied by a scribe who took 2Ch_148 as his basis

CLARKE Adnah the chief - He was generalissimo of all this host These are the numbers of the five battalions under Adnah three hundred thousand Jehohanan two hundred and eighty thousand Amasiah two hundred thousand Eliada two hundred thousand Jehozabad one hundred and eighty thousand in all one million one hundred and sixty thousand

GILL And these are the numbers of them according to the house of their fathers Both of the tribe of Judah and of Benjamin and first

of Judah the captains of thousands some had 1000 men under them and some one hundred

Adnah the chief he was the principal commander or general of them

and with him mighty men of valour three hundred thousand such a number was under his command

JAMISO these are the numbersmdash The warriors were arranged in the army according to their fathers houses The army of Jehoshaphat commanded by five great generals and consisting of five unequal divisions comprised one million one hundred and sixty thousand men without including those who garrisoned the fortresses No monarch since the time of Solomon equaled Jehoshaphat in the extent of his revenue in the strength of his fortifications and in the number of his troops

KampD 2Ch_1714-16

The men fit for war passed in review according to their fathers-houses The male population of Judah fell into three divisions that of Benjamin into two The prince

Adnah held the first place among the generals with 300000 men of Judah ידו at his על

hand ie with and under him Jehohanan had the command of 280000 men and

Amasiah over 200000 השר is a contraction for אלפים For what special reason it is so שר

honourably recorded of Amasiah that he had willingly offered himself to the Lord (cf for

Jdg_59) has not been communicated התנב

COFFMA his represented a standing army of 1160000 men besides the garrisons in the fortified cities and this goes a long way to explaining why the Arabians and the Philistines brought tribute to Jehoshaphat In ancient times as in our own day peace frequently depended upon the strength of those who desired it

We should ignore the screams of exaggeration[3] which mark the writings of radical critics Pagan rulers of that era reported even larger armies than this and until the critics can prove that those were exaggerated reports they should let these alone Besides that we have already noted that the very word from which thousand is translated is disputed as to its exact meaning

COKE 2 Chronicles 1714 And these are the numbers of themmdash That is of the soldiers as well as of those who were employed in the kings works in the several cities ampc which he built See 2 Chronicles 1719

REFLECTIOSmdash1st Jehoshaphat no sooner comes to the throne than we see the dawnings of a glorious reign

1 He strengthened his kingdom by placing strong garrisons in the cities of Judah and those which his father had recovered from Israel and prepared against that danger which Ahabs growing power seemed to threaten

2 Religion was his great concern He copied after the best of his predecessors in their best days such as were the first of David before the matter of Uriah and the numbering of the people had blotted his fair copy Faithful to the worship of God he abhorred all idols the law of God was his rule of duty and Israels apostacy rendered his fidelity more singular and exemplary Inspired with holy zeal his heart with delight and sincerity was engaged for God and no difficulties deterred him from the path of duty The idols and groves which in the declining days of Asa might have been set up again he utterly destroyed with all the high places where they still offered sacrifices to these abominations ote (1) In the fairest human pattern there will be found imperfections but there is a Son of David more than man who has set us a spotless example that we should follow his steps (2) Fidelity in Gods service is the stability of a nation (3) A lively soul on wings of faith and love mounts up to God rises superior to every difficulty and looks down upon every thing besides his favour as altogether vanity

3 He not only removed the temptations to sin but took care to instruct the people in

the path of duty Ignorance of Gods law had greatly prevailed and to oblige them merely to conform to his reformation without grounding them on the true foundation of Gods word promised little stability The Levites and priests therefore are sent in progress through the cities of Judah with the book of the law to explain and enforce the commandments of God and several princes accompanied them in order to engage the people to hear them and give countenance to these preachers by their weight and influence ote (1) It is a blessed thing when princes countenance faithful ministers Though they cannot make men true converts their example and authority will induce them to attend (2) They who are sent to teach must see that they take the pure word of God along with them A true preacher wishes for nothing in his hand but his Bible (3) Religion is a reasonable service Conviction alone not compulsion or education can make a man a christian

4 The blessing of God attended his labours The Lord was with him or as the Targum generally expresses it the word of the Lord the divine Logos to whom all things are committed strengthened him in his labours and established his kingdom The people charmed with his government liberally sent their presents to him and abounding in riches and honour his heart far from being intoxicated by prosperity was lifted up in greater love and thankfulness to the gracious giver ote (1) God often here rewards piety with prosperity (2) Worldly comforts are then truly blessings when as the steps of Jacobs ladder they raise our hearts to heaven

2nd Like the light of the morning which shineth more and more so did Jehoshaphats glory increase

1 Feared by his enemies as beloved by his subjects the neighbouring princes did not offer to molest him while those of Philistia and Arabia courted his favour either by a voluntary present or exact payment of the tribute which Asa had imposed on them see 2 Chronicles 1711 God had put an awe upon them of the majesty of his king in Zion ote God hath access to the spirits of men and by secret yet irresistible influence can bow them to his sovereign will

2 His military preparations greatly advanced While he reformed the people he fortified their ramparts and built new castles and store-cities strengthening them within and without against their enemies Under five chief officers an immense army was enlisted Probably all the able men in the country were enrolled and regularly mustered though not drawn out except in case of necessity and this may easily account for the greatness of their number if we consider also the long peace they had enjoyed the accession of Israelites to them and especially the blessing of Abraham which no doubt was eminently fulfilled Amasiah one of the officers is mentioned with an honourable mark of distinction as a volunteer who served for the glory of God not for the sake of pay Such patriots are scarce

TRAPP 2 Chronicles 1714 And these [are] the numbers of them according to the house of their fathers Of Judah the captains of thousands Adnah the chief and

with him mighty men of valour three hundred thousand

Ver 14 Three hundred thousand] These were under his command and at hand to come whensoever the king would

WHEDO 14 Three hundred thousand mdash The numbers in this verse and the four verses following are generally regarded as corrupt ldquoThey implyrdquo observes the writer last quoted ldquoa minimum population of 1480 to the square mile which is more than three times greater than that of any country in the known world It is probable that the original numbers have been lost and the loss supplied by a scribe who took 2 Chronicles 148 as his basis

ELLICOTT Verse 14 (14) And these their fathersmdashAnd this is their muster (or census) according to their father-houses (clans) 1 Chronicles 243 The warriors were marshalled in the army according to clans so that men of the same stock fought side by side with their kindred Perhaps in the original document this heading was followed by a much more detailed scheme of names and divisions than that which the text presents

Of JudahmdashTo Judah (belonged) captains of thousands viz the three enumerated in 2 Chronicles 1714-16 Adnah Jehohanan and Amasiah They were the principal officers or generals of the entire forces of Judah

Adnah the chiefmdashTo wit the captain Adnah That Adnah was commander-in-chief is implied by his being named first and his corps being the largest

PULPIT This verse with the following four gives us the names of five captains chiefs princes or military officers for the kingdoms service with the numbers of the troops they severally commanded The numbers of them (see note under 1 Chronicles 2311) Hebrew פקדתם The better English rendering to carry at once the signification would be The muster of them etc The captains hellip the chief In both cases the Hebrew is the familiar word for prince ( שר ) in the former without article in the latter with article The numbers of this and following four verses are not only absolutely unreliable but in themselves impossible According to the house of their fathers ie the quotation is drawn from an army catalogue arranged carefully by fathers houses (umbers 118 umbers 122 etc)

15 next Jehohanan the commander with 280000

GILL And next to him was Jehohanan the captain Being of the same rank as to office but having a lesser number of men under him and it may respect not any kind of subordination only nearness of place as the Targumhe that encamped next to him

and with him two hundred and fourscore thousand which number was but 20000 less than the former

POOLE ext to him either

1 After his death as his successor in the same command And the like is supposed concerning Jehozabad 2 Chronicles 1718 Or rather

2 ext to him in place and authority or at least in power and the numbers of his host

16 next Amasiah son of Zikri who volunteered himself for the service of the Lord with 200000

GILL And next him was Amasiah the son of Zichri He encamped next to him as the Targum

who willingly offered himself unto the Lord to fight the Lords battles and without any stipend as some think or as Kimchi he offered gold and silver to the treasures of the house of the Lord

and with him two hundred thousand mighty men of valour the number was 80000 less than the former the whole of Judah amounted to 780000 men

TRAPP 2 Chronicles 1716 And next him [was] Amasiah the son of Zichri who willingly offered himself unto the LORD and with him two hundred thousand mighty men of valour

Ver 16 Who willingly offered himself unto the Lord] He was a votary the vows of God were upon him and this made him the more valiant and resolute (a) in the exercise of arms for the service of God and the safety of his people The Spahis among the Turks are a sort of horsemen voluntaries and votaries to gain paradise by dying for the Mohammedan cause These are never known to return home but

with victory these are heavy upon the enemy For

ldquo Vincitur haud gratis iugulo qui provocat ensem rdquo

POOLE As volunteers and auxiliaries to be ready upon occasion as the service of God and the king should require Possibly these or most of them were the strangers which had come out of Israel into the kingdom of Judah in Asarsquos days and probably since that in his time

ELLICOTT (16) AmasiahmdashIah carrieth (Isaiah 4011) different from Amaziah (Iah is strong)

Who willingly offered himself unto the Lordmdash(Judges 52 Judges 59) An allusion to some noble act of self-devotion which was doubtless more fully recorded in the source from which the chronicler has drawn this brief account Such allusions though no longer intelligible are important as conducing to the proof of the historical value of the narratives in which they occur LXX ὁ προθυmicroούmicroενος τῷ κυρίῳ Vulg consecratus Domino

PULPIT Amaziah the son of Zichri This man is not titled at all The description of him as one who had willingly offered himself unto the Lord not elucidated by the context or any effective parallel will mark something honorable in his history Possibly he comes from an unexpected quarter and is a man of approved skill othing further is known of these three men Meantime it has been suggested (Professor Dr J Murphy of Belfast Handbook to Chronicles ) that the first of the three was for Judah proper the second for that contingent of Judah that hailed from Dan and the Philistines and the third for that of Simeon and the Arabs

MACLARE This is a scrap from the catalogue of Jehoshaphatrsquos lsquomighty men of valourrsquo and is Amasiahrsquos sole record We see him for a moment and hear his eulogium and then oblivion swallows him up We do not know what it was that he did to earn it But what a fate to live to all generations by that one sentence

I Cheerful self-surrender the secret of all religion

The words of our text contain a metaphor naturally drawn from the sacrificial system It comes so easily to us that we scarcely recognise the metaphorical element but the clear recognition of it gives great additional energy to the words Amasiah was both sacrificer and sacrifice His offering was self-immolation As in all love so in that noblest kind of it which clasps God its perfect expression is lsquoI give Thee my living loving selfrsquo Nor is it only sacrifice and sacrificer that are seen in deepest truth in the experience of the Christian life but the reality of the Temple is also there for lsquoYe also are built up a spiritual house to be a holy priesthood to offer up spiritual sacrificesrsquo Only when God dwells in us shall we have the nerve and the firmness of hand to take the knife and lsquoslay before the Lordrsquo the awful Guest in the sanctuary within the most precious of the children of our spirits

The essence of the sacrifice of self is the sacrifice of will In the Christian experience

lsquowillingly offeredrsquo is almost tautology for unwilling offerings are a contradiction and in fact there are no such things The quality of unwillingness destroys the character of the offering and robs it of all sacredness Reluctant Christianity is not Christianity That noun and that adjective can never be buckled together

The submission of will and the consequent surrender of myself and my powers opportunities and possessions so that I do all enjoy all use all and when need is endure all with glad thankful reference to God is only possible to me in the measure in which my will is made flexible by love and such will-subduing love comes only when we lsquoknow and believe the love that God hath to usrsquo There is the point at which not a few moral and religious teachers go wrong and bewilder themselves and their disciples There too is the point at which Christ and the Gospel of salvation through faith in Him stand forth as emancipating humanity from the dreary round of efforts and vain attempts to work up the condition needful for achieving the height of self-surrender which is seen to be indispensable to all true nobleness of living but is felt to be beyond the reach of the ordinary man There too is the point at which many good people mar their lives as Christians They waste their strength in trying to bring the jibbing horse up to the leap They try to blow up a fire of devotion and to make themselves priests to offer themselves but all the while the mutinous self recoils from the leap and the fire burns smokily and their sacrifice is laid on the altar with little joy because they have not been careful and wise enough to begin at the beginning and to follow Godrsquos way of melting their wills by love the reflection of the Infinite love of God to them Godrsquos priests offer themselves because they offer their wills they offer their wills because they love God they love God because they know that God loves them That is the divine order It is vain to try to accomplish the end by any other

II This willing offering hallows all life

No syllable is left to tell us what Amasiah did to win this praise Probably the words enshrine some now forgotten memory of his cheerful courage some heroic feat on an unrecorded battlefield Particulars are not given nor needed Specific actions are unimportant the spirit of a life can be told with very incomplete details and it not the details is the important thing Sometimes as in many modern biographies one lsquocannot see the wood for the treesrsquo and misses the main drift and aim of a life in the chaos of a bewildering mass of nothings How much more happy the lot of this man of whom we have only the generalised expression of the text unweighted and undisturbed by petty incidents It takes tons of rose leaves to make a tiny phial of otto of roses but the fragrance is far more pungent in a drop of the distillation than in armfuls of leaves Every life shrinks into very small compass and the centuries do not tolerate long biographies Shall we not seek to order our life so that Amasiahrsquos epitaph may serve for us It will be blessed if this-and nothing else-is known about us that we lsquowillingly offered ourselves to the Lordrsquo My friend will that be a true epitome of your life

III This willing offering is accepted by God

We may hear a mightier voice behind the chroniclerrsquo s and the judgment of the Judge of all pronounced by His lips It matters little what men say of one another but it matters everything what God says of us We are but too apt to forget that He is now saying something as to each of us and that we have not to wait for death to put a final period to our activities before our lives become fit subjects for Godrsquos judgment Moment by moment we are writing our own sentences But while it is good for us to remember the continuous judgment of God on each deed it is not good to let dark thoughts of the principles of that judgment paralyse our activity or chill our confidence in His forgiving and accepting mercy There is often a dark suspicion like that of the one-talented

servant which blackens Godrsquos fair fame as being lsquoan austere Manrsquo making demands rather than imparting power and the effect of such an ugly conception of Him is to cut the nerve of service and bury the talent carefully folded up it may be but none the less earning nothing lsquoIf we call on Him as Father who without respect of persons judgeth according to every manrsquos workrsquo let us be sure that it will be a Fatherly judgment that He will pass upon us and our offerings There is a wonderful collection on His altar of what many people would think rubbish just as many a mother has laid away among her treasures some worthless article which her child had once given her-a weed plucked by the roadside in a long past summer day some trifle of rare preciousness in the childrsquos eyes and of none in any others than her own She opens her drawer and brings out the poor little thing and her eyes fill and her heart fills as she looks And does not God keep His childrenrsquos gifts as lovingly and set them in places of honour in the day when He lsquomakes up His jewelsrsquo There are cups of cold water and widowsrsquo mites and much else that a supercilious world would call lsquotrashrsquo stored there Thank God He accepts imperfect service faltering faith partial consecration a little love Even our poor offering may be an lsquoodour of a sweet smellrsquo ministering fragrance that is a delight to Him if it is offered with the much incense of the great Sacrifice and through the mediation of the great High Priest

The world forgot Amasiah or never knew him an obscure soldier in an obscure kingdom but God did not forget and here is his epitaph and this is his memorial to all generations Menrsquos chronicles have no room for all the names that their wearers are eager to have inscribed on their crumbling and crowded pages lsquobut the Lambrsquos Book of Lifersquo has ample space on its radiant pages for all who desire to set their names there and if ours are there we need not envy the proudest whose titles and deeds fill the most conspicuous pages in the worldrsquos records lsquoThen shall every man have praise of Christrsquo and he who wins that guerdon needs nothing more and can have nothing more to swell his blessedness

17 From BenjaminEliada a valiant soldier with 200000 men armed with bows and shields

GILL And of Benjamin Eliada a mighty man of valour Was the chief commander

and with armed men with bow and shield two hundred thousand which were

the armour of the tribe of Benjamin they were best skilled in 2Ch_148

TRAPP 2 Chronicles 1717 And of Benjamin Eliada a mighty man of valour and with him armed men with bow and shield two hundred thousand

Ver 17 With bow and shield] The Benjamites were notable bowmen [1 Chronicles 122] The Engish were anciently so too

ELLICOTT (17) Armed men with bow and shieldmdashLiterally drawing bow and shield ie as the Targum explains ldquodrawing bow and grasping shieldsrdquo (Comp 1 Chronicles 122) LXX ldquoArchers and peltastsrdquo Vulg ldquoGrasping bow and shieldrdquo (Comp also 1 Chronicles 840 for the arms of the Benjaminites)

18 next Jehozabad with 180000 men armed for battle

GILL And next to him was Jehozabad According to the Targum he encamped next him

and with him one hundred and fourscore thousand ready prepared for war being able bodied men well disciplined valiant and well armed these numbers of Judah and Benjamin put together amount to 1160000 men whereas Asa only brought into the field 580000 but it should be considered there had been a long time of peace many had come off from the ten tribes to Judah and the promise of multiplying the seed of Abraham was eminently fulfilled

TRAPP 2 Chronicles 1718 And next him [was] Jehozabad and with him an hundred and fourscore thousand ready prepared for the war

Ver 18 A hundred and fourscore thousand] His militia was eleven hundred and threescore thousand besides what he had in garrisons [2 Chronicles 1719] So that as he was better he was stronger than his father Asa had been Piety hath prosperity

ELLICOTT (18) Ready prepared for the warmdashEquipped for service (See on 1

Chronicles 1223-24 umbers 315 umbers 3229) The hoplites or heavy-armed infantry are probably meant

PULPIT While Eliada of last verse was for Benjamin Professor Dr Murphy supposes that Jehozabad was for the annexed part of Ephraim But no suppositions of this kind can avail to explain the numbers in the text which is no doubt corrupt

19 These were the men who served the king besides those he stationed in the fortified cities throughout Judah

CLARKE These waited on the king - They were disposable forces always at the kingrsquos command and were independent of those by which the cities of Judah were garrisoned

There is not a sovereign in Europe or in the world but might read this chapter with advantage

1 It shows most forcibly that true religion is the basis of the state and that wherever it prospers there the state prospers

2 It shows also that it is the wisdom of kings to encourage religion with all their power and influence for if the hearts of the subjects be not bound and influenced by true religion vain is the application of laws fines imprisonments or corporal punishment of any kind

3 A religious nation is ever a great nation it is loved by its friends it is dreaded by its enemies

4 It is ever a peaceable and united nation the blessings of religion and a wholesome and paternal government are so fully felt and prized that all find it their interest to preserve and defend them Harmony peace piety and strength are the stability of such times May Britain know and value them

GILL These waited on the king Not this vast number of men at one time but in course as Davids military men waited on him 1Ch_271 or each of these captains with a proper number of men under them detached from the body and they were all ready to obey the kings orders whenever he should have occasion for them

besides those whom the king put into the fenced cities throughout Judah and all together the militia of the kingdom was very numerous and formidable

KampD 2Ch_1719

These were serving the king א6ה refers not to the above-mentioned men capable of

bearing arms for sheereet is not used of service in war but to the commanders whom he had placed in the fortified cities of all Judah ldquoin which probably bodies of the above-mentioned troops lay as garrisonsrdquo (Berth)

BESO 2 Chronicles 1719 These waited on the king mdash These above-mentioned were the trained bands or auxiliaries whose chief officers waited on the king to receive his commands and to raise and bring in all or part of their forces to the service of the king as need required A vast number for so small a compass of ground to furnish out and maintain But we may consider that God had promised to make the seed of Abraham like the sand of the sea for number that there had now been a long peace that many were come to them from the kingdom of Israel and that Jehoshaphat was under a special blessing of God They were doubtless dispersed all the country over every one residing on his own land only they were ready at call whenever there was occasion

TRAPP 2 Chronicles 1719 These waited on the king beside [those] whom the king put in the fenced cities throughout all Judah

Ver 19 These waited on the king] ie In their turns and by course

POOLE These above mentioned were the trained bands or auxiliaries whose chief officers waited upon the king to receive his commands and to raise and bring in all or part of their forces to the service of the king and kingdom as need required

ELLICOTT (19) These waited on the kingmdashRather these are they that ministered unto the king viz the five generals above named

Beside those whom the king put in the fenced citiesmdashie the commandants of the fortresses of the kingdom (2 Chronicles 1111 2 Chronicles 1123) These latter as well as the generals of the forces are called the kingrsquos ldquoministersrdquo (mĕshacircrĕthicircm)mdasha word which is not used of service in the field but implies their presence at court (ldquoin Jerusalemrdquo 2 Chronicles 1713 as the royal staff)

According to the above list the army of Jehoshaphat was organised in five grand divisions corresponding perhaps to five territorial divisions of the southern kingdom The totals are the largest assigned to the two tribes anywhere in the Old Testament viz Judah 780000 and Benjamin 380000 in all 1160000 At Davidrsquos census Judah had 500000 warriors (2 Samuel 249) and Israel 800000 Again in 2

Chronicles 148 Asarsquos army consists of 300000 men of Judah and 280000 Benjaminites clearly such an increase as our text indicates is unaccountable At the same time it is equally clear that the present numbers are not fortuitous results of clerical errors for they follow each other in the order of relative strength Judah 300000 280000 200000 Benjamin 200000 180000 and they are evidently not independent of the estimates of 2 Chronicles 148 above quoted

In the absence of adequate data for modifying these certainly startling figures it is well to bear in mind that we need not understand by them an army which ever actually mustered in the field or on parade but simply an estimate of the total male population liable to be called out for the national defence although even upon that understanding the total appears to be at least three times too great considering the small extent of the country

PULPIT These waited Hebrew המשרתים plur piel part of שרת The verse states that this enormous fivefold army with its five princes (counting in our corrupt text one million one hundred and sixty thousand) was the kings Jerusalem standing army while other separate regiments or bands of troops were spread through all Judah where they might be most needed for defence

PULPIT All Judah brought presents to Jehoshaphat These presents were of course voluntary gifts though like not a few others custom may have taken off from them something of the bloom of spontaneousness (1 Samuel 1027 2 Samuel 82 1 Kings 421 1 Kings 1025 Psalms 7210)

6 His heart was devoted to the ways of the Lord furthermore he removed the high places and the Asherah poles from Judah

BARES His heart was lifted up - This expression generally occurs in a bad sense Deu_814 2Ch_2616 Psa_1311 Pro_1812 but here it must be taken differently The margin ldquowas encouragedrdquo expresses fairly the true meaning He first began by setting an example of faithfulness to Yahweh He then proceeded to use his best endeavors to extirpate idolatry

He took away the high places - Compare 2Ch_2033 and see the 2Ch_1517 note

GILL And his heart was lifted up in the ways of the Lord It was engaged in them was bent and set upon them he walked in them with great pleasure and cheerfulness being inspired with zeal and courage he was fearless and intrepid and regarded not any opposition he might have or expect to have in the work of reformation in which he was concerned

moreover he took away the high places such as were dedicated to idols but not those in which the true God was worshipped 2Ch_2033

and groves out of Judah where idols were placed for though these had been removed by Asa yet had been renewed in the latter part of his days when more negligent of religion

HERY 2 He was a despised man (Job_176) ldquoHerdquo (that is Eliphaz so some or rather God whom he all along acknowledges to be the author of his calamities) ldquohas made me a byword of the people the talk of the country a laughing-stock to many a gazing-stock to all and aforetime (or to mens faces publicly) I was as a tabret that whoever chose might play uponrdquo They made ballads of him his name became a proverb it is so still As poor as Job ldquoHe has now made me a bywordrdquo a reproach of men whereas aforetime in my prosperity I was as a tabret deliciae humani generis -

the darling of the human race whom they were all pleased with It is common for those who were honoured in their wealth to be despised in their poverty

JAMISO his heart was lifted up in the ways of the Lordmdash Full of faith and piety he possessed zeal and courage to undertake the reformation of manners to suppress all the works and objects of idolatry (see on 2Ch_2033) and he held out public encouragement to the pure worship of God

KampD This blessing encouraged Jehoshaphat to extirpate from the land all

idolatrous worship and to teach the people the law of the Lord לב usually sensu ב

malo to be haughty proud cf eg 2Ch_2616 2Ch_3225 here sensu bono of rising

courage to advance in ways pleasing to God and he removed the high places also etc עודpoints back to 2Ch_173 not only did he himself keep far from the Baals but he

removed besides all memorials of the Baal-worship from Judah On מות and אשרים see

on 2Ch_142

COKE 2 Chronicles 176 And his heart was lifted upmdash And when he had elevated his mind in following the commandments of God he took yet from Judah high places and groves ie he destroyed yet other monuments of idolatry which had escaped the diligence of his father Asa though he took not away those high places and altars which had been erected in Jerusalem for the true God See 1 Kings 2243 and ch 1 Kings 2033 of this book

TRAPP 2 Chronicles 176 And his heart was lifted up in the ways of the LORD moreover he took away the high places and groves out of Judah

Ver 6 And his heart was lifted up] ot with pride as 2 Chronicles 3225 but with undaunted courage and disengaged zeal such as made him come off roundly and readily in the ensuing reformation he was more forward and forth putting than his father Asa not slothful in business but fervent in spirit serving the Lord

POOLE His heart was lifted up above all discouragements and difficulties and fears by which menrsquos hearts use to be cast down he was valiant and resolute for God and his ways

He took away the high places and groves to wit such only wherein idols were worshipped as appears by comparing this with 2 Chronicles 2033 And though Asa had done this before yet either he did not do it thoroughly or the Jews (who were many of them mad upon their idols) had secretly made new ones in the latter part of his reign when he grew more infirm in body and more remiss in Godrsquos cause

WHEDO 6 His heart was lifted up mdash That is exalted with holy faith and courage

Took away the high places mdash Yet in spite of all his efforts and successes in this matter the people had become so addicted to these practices that their destruction was not thoroughly secured See note on 2 Chronicles 143 and compare 2 Chronicles 2033

ELLICOTT (6) And his heart was lifted upmdashGabhah lccedilbh which usually like the phrase of Authorised version has a bad meaning as in 2 Chronicles 2616 The margin is right here ldquohis courage rose highrdquo or ldquohe grew boldrdquo in the ways of Jehovah ie in the path of religious reform Vulg ldquocum sumpsisset cor ejus audaciam propter vias Dominirdquo

MoreovermdashAnd again further Referring to 2 Chronicles 173 ot only did he not seek the Baals but more than this he removed the high places ampc [This is the common explanation But the sense may rather be ldquoAnd he again removedrdquo referring back to Asarsquos reforms 2 Chronicles 145]

GrovesmdashrsquoAshecircrim ldquoAsherahsrdquo (2 Chronicles 143)

PARKER And his heart was lifted up in the ways of the Lord moreover he took away the high places and groves out of Judah ( 2 Chronicles 176)

The expression his heart was lifted up is an awkward one The lifting up of the heart signifies increase of pride a sensation of vanity a desire to gratify personal ambition and to make an idol of his will In this instance the marginal reading is to be preferredmdashwas encouraged or otherwise his courage rose high and again it has been rendered Jehoshaphat grew bold that is to say he was not a timid reformer or a timid worshipper a trimmer or a time-server in any sense he was a heroic worshipper of the living God when he saw that reform was necessary he went forward with a steady step and an energetic hand We should call Jehoshaphat a man of conviction and a man who had the courage of his convictions altogether this is the outline of a noble personage a born king a man who has a right to the purple and the sceptre When such men ascend thrones nations should be glad and rejoice with a great joy for their character is grander than their office and their spirit is the best guarantee of the elevation and utility of their regal policy Becoming conscious of his power knowing that his kingdom was established from on high Jehoshaphat not only did pot seek the Baals himself but he took away the high places and groves out of Judah Jehoshaphat was not content with a merely personal religion he could not convert the hearts of his people but he could destroy all the symbols of unholy worship Men are only required to do that which lies within their power A proprietor may not be able to make people sober but he can forbid the introduction of temptations to drunkenness a parent may not be able to subdue the spirit of pride but he can in many instances limit the means of gratifying it There are reforms which are open to us all in personal custom in social habit it may be even in imperial ways let each Jehoshaphat seize his opportunity and magnify it

All this would have been comparatively in vain but for another step which

Jehoshaphat took In the third year of his reign he sent to his princesmdashthat is to say he sent his princesmdashand he sent Levites all of whose names are given and he sent also two priests Elishama and Jehoram and their business was purely educational

PULPIT And his heart was lifted up in the ways of the Lord Although the verb often carries a bad sense with it it quite as often carries with it a good one in the גבהOld Testament and the typical instance of the former (Psalms 1311) is fully counterbalanced by Isaiah 5213 The marginal was enencouraged may be superseded with advantage by took courage (Isaiah 4029-31) The groves Supersede this incorrect rendering by the Asherim and upon the seeming discrepancy see again Isaiah 151-9 17 and Introduction to Chronicles there quoted

7 In the third year of his reign he sent his officials Ben-Hail Obadiah Zechariah ethanel and Micaiah to teach in the towns of Judah

BARES The princes were not sent as teachers themselves but had the duty committed to them of seeing that the people were taught The actual teachers were the priests and Levites of 2Ch_178

CLARKE 7-9 To teach in the cities of Judah - ldquoTo teach the fear of the Lord in the cities of Judahrdquo - Targum

In these verses we find a remarkable account of an itinerant ministry established by Jehoshaphat and in this work he employed three classes of men

1 The princes

2 The Levites

3 The priests

We may presume that the princes instructed the people in the nature of the civil law and constitution of the kingdom the Levites instructed them in every thing that appertained to the temple service and ritual law and the priests instructed them in the

nature and design of the religion they professed Thus the nation became thoroughly instructed in their duty to God to the king and to each other They became therefore as one man and against a people thus united on such principles no enemy could be successful

GILL Also in the third year of his reign he sent to his princes That dwelt in the several parts of the kingdom or he sent them being with him some of the

principal men of his court for ל may be a sign of the accusative case as it sometimes is

even to Benhail and to Obadiah and to Zechariah and to Nethaneel and to Michaiah to teach in the cities of Judah to see that they were taught and oblige them to attend to the instructions that should be given them and not mutiny and rebel against their teachers and to let them know what was the kings pleasure on this head and to back with their authority the priests and Levites whose proper work it was to instruct and who therefore were sent with them as follows

JAMISO 7-11 2Ch_177-11 He sends Levites to teach in Judah

Also in the third year of his reign he sent to his princes to teach in the cities of Judahmdash The ordinary work of teaching devolved on the priests But extraordinary commissioners were appointed probably to ascertain whether the work had been done or neglected This deputation of five princes assisted by two priests and nine Levites was to make a circuit of the towns in Judah It is the first practical measure we read of as being adopted by any of the kings for the religious instruction of the people Time and unbroken opportunities were afforded for carrying out fully this excellent plan of home education for the kingdom enjoyed internal tranquillity as well as freedom for foreign wars It is conformable to the pious style of the sacred historian to trace this profound peace to the ldquofear of the Lord having fallen on all kingdoms of the lands that were round about Judahrdquo

BESO 2 Chronicles 177 He sent to his princes mdash to teach in the cities of Judah mdash To inform the people of their duty and of the kingrsquos pleasure As judges teach or instruct the people in the laws of the land when they deliver their charges upon the bench so did these princes in the kingrsquos name admonish and require the people to observe and obey the laws of God which were the municipal laws of that land the particular explication and enforcement whereof they left to the Levites and priests here following who were sent for this end and accordingly taught the people 2 Chronicles 179

COFFMA Because of the clause which we have capitalized this is one of the most important passages in Chronicles Right here is the reason radical critics have extended themselves so unreasonably in their efforts to discredit Chronicles Here is dependable historical proof of the continued existence of the Torah from the days of Moses throughout the history of Israel As Keil stated it The book of the law of Jehovah is the Pentateuch not merely a collection of Mosaic laws since in Jehoshaphats time the Mosaic Book of the Law (the Pentateuch) had been long in existence[1] We shall not take the space to repeat the vociferous denials of critics

except to cite one knee-jerk remark that characterizes all of them Such action was not taken in Jehoshaphats time[2] What is the basis of such a blatant denial of what Gods Word states as a fact even giving the very names of the royal princes who did the teaching THERE IS OE o matter what unbelievers say this chapter IS the historical record of what happened in the reign of Jehoshaphat and those who live two and one half millenniums afterward have nothing of value by which they may challenge it Then why do men deny it The false theories they have invented are here contradicted forcing them either to give up their false theories or to deny the Sacred Scriptures that contradict them

COKE 2 Chronicles 177 He sent to his princes even to Ben-hail ampcmdash He sent of his princes Ben-hail Obadiah ampc The proper business of these princes in their circuit round the kingdom says Bishop Patrick was to admonish and require the people to observe the laws of God and to leave the particular explication and enforcement of them to those of the sacred order who went with them supporting them in the execution of their office and obliging the people to receive them with respect to hear them with attention and to practise what they taught

TRAPP 2 Chronicles 177 Also in the third year of his reign he sent to his princes [even] to Benhail and to Obadiah and to Zechariah and to ethaneel and to Michaiah to teach in the cities of Judah

Ver 7 He sent to his princes to teach in the cities of Judah] Teaching princes there are not many such as were David Solomon George prince of Anhalt ampc but these were sent with the teaching Levites to countenance and bear them out in this visitation general and perhaps to punish the opposite and obstinate if any such Junius readeth the text thus He sent with his princes these Levites for the teaching Or the princes taught the people the law of the land the priests and Levites the law of God both did mutually help one another So a Danish king of this land made a law that at the general court of every shire the bishop of the diocese should accompany the sheriff that the one might countenance Godrsquos law the other manrsquos (a) Queen Elizabeth once in her progress through Suffolk observing that the justices of that county who came to meet her had every man his minister next to his body said she wondered not that that county was so well governed where she saw that the word and sword went so lovingly together (b)

POOLE To teach in the cities of Judah to inform the people of their duty and of the kingrsquos pleasure As judges or justices of peace teach or instruct the people in the laws of the land when they deliver their charges upon the bench so did these princes in the kingrsquos name admonish and require the people to observe and obey the laws of God which were the prinicipal laws of that land the particular explication and enforcement whereof they left to the Levites and priests here following who were sent for this end and accordingly taught the people 2 Chronicles 179

WHEDO 7 He sent to his princeshellip to teach mdash He committed the matter of

teaching to their oversight and care and the teaching was done by the Levites and priests as stated in the next verse He did well to put down idolatry but he was wise enough to know that unless the people were instructed they would soon apostatize again

ELLICOTT THE COMMISSIOERS OF PUBLIC ISTRUCTIO I THE LAW

(7) He sent to his princes even to Ben-hail to MichaiahmdashRather He sent his princes Ben- hail and Obadiah and Michaiah (The le ldquotordquo in the chroniclerrsquos idiom marking the object of the verb) If however Authorised Version were correct the construction would not be unique as the Speakerrsquos Com mentary asserts (Comp 2 Kings 57 ldquothis man sendeth to me to recover a manrdquo ampc)

Princesmdashone of the personages mentioned in this and the following verse are otherwise known The ldquofive princesrdquo were laymen of rank and were accompanied by nine (eight) Levites and two priests

Ben-hailmdashSon of valour A compound proper name only occurring here but analogous to Ben-hur Ben-deker and Ben-hesed in 1 Kings 48-10 (The LXX renders ldquothe sons of the mightyrdquo Syriac ldquothe chiefs of the forcesrdquo apparently reading bnecirc chail)

ethaneelmdashSyriac Mattanael Arabic Mattaniah Michaiah Syriac and Arabic Malachiah

GUZIK B The strength of Jehoshaphatrsquos kingdom

1 (2 Chronicles 177-10) The spiritual strength of the kingdom Jehoshaphat brings the Word of God to the people

Also in the third year of his reign he sent his leaders Ben-Hail Obadiah Zechariah ethanel and Michaiah to teach in the cities of Judah And with them he sent Levites Shemaiah ethaniah Zebadiah Asahel Shemiramoth Jehonathan Adonijah Tobijah and Tobadonijah the Levites and with them Elishama and Jehoram the priests So they taught in Judah and had the Book of the Law of the LORD with them they went throughout all the cities of Judah and taught the people And the fear of the LORD fell on all the kingdoms of the lands that were around Judah so that they did not make war against Jehoshaphat

a To teach in the cities of Judah These ldquoteaching priestsrdquo have been mentioned by the Chronicler before (2 Chronicles 153) They had the important role of bringing the word of God to the people especially those who lived outside of Jerusalem

b They taught in Judah and had the Book of the Law of the LORD with them they went throughout all the cities of Judah and taught the people This was the wisest

and best policy a security-conscious king of Judah could promote Because Jehoshaphat sought God first God sent fear upon the neighboring kingdoms so that they did not make war against Jehoshaphat

i ldquoBy this little band of princes Levites and priests sixteen in all Jehoshaphat did more toward impressing the surrounding nations with a sense of his power than the largest and best-equipped standing army could have secured to himrdquo (Knapp)

ii ldquoThe method adopted was what in these modern times we might describe as the holding of Special Missions throughout the cities of Judah for the specific purpose of proclaiming and interpreting lsquothe book of the law of Jehovahrsquordquo (Morgan)

iii ldquoo better service can be rendered to the nation than that of proclaiming the Word of Jehovah to the people in cities towns villages and hamlets By such proclamation the heart of the people may be turned to Jehovah and so He be enabled to do for them all that is in His heartrdquo (Morgan)

iv ldquoThus the nation became thoroughly instructed in their duty to God to the king and to each other They became therefore as one man and against a people thus united on such principles no enemy could be successfulrdquo (Clarke)

v Clarke observed how a similar itinerant ministry in the days of John Wesley and his followers impacted Britain ldquoSuch an itinerant ministry established in these kingdoms for upwards of fourscore years teaching the pure unadulterated doctrines of the Gospel with the propriety and necessity of obedience to the laws has been the principle means in the hand of God of preserving the lands from those convulsions and revolutions that have ruined and nearly dissolved the European continentrdquo

vi ldquoIt is said (2 Chronicles 172) Jehoshaphat place forces in all the fenced cities yet it is not said thereupon that lsquothe fear of the Lord fell upon the neighbour nationsrsquo But when he had established a preaching ministry in all the cities then his enemies had a fear and made no warrdquo (Trapp)

PULPIT He sent Hebrew שלח The Hebrew text distinctly says he sent to his princes not he sent his princes The meaning ismdashhe sent orders to his princes to see to it that Judah was taught (2 Chronicles 179) the book of the Law of the Lord (Le 2 Chronicles 1011 Deuteronomy 49 Deuteronomy 1718) not indeed without their own personal aid in whatever way able to be given but systematically and with authority by the Levites and priests (Deuteronomy 3310) This deeper fathoming of the needs of the time and of what constituted its real safety was greatly to the spiritual credit of Jehoshaphat The references (2 Chronicles 153 2 Chronicles 352-4 2 Chronicles 3510-12) are full of point one of these princes or Levites and priests are elsewhere mentioned by name

8 With them were certain LevitesmdashShemaiah ethaniah Zebadiah Asahel Shemiramoth Jehonathan Adonijah Tobijah and Tob-Adonijahmdashand the priests Elishama and Jehoram

GILL 2 Chronicles 178And with them he sent Levites With the five princes he sent nine Levites

even Shemaiah and Nethaniah and Zebadiah and Asahel and Shemiramoth and Jehonathan and Adonijah and Tobijah and Tobadonijah Levites of whom we nowhere else read no doubt they were principal persons and fit for the work they were sent about

and with them Elishama and Jehoram priests whose lips were to keep knowledge and at whose mouth the law was to be sought Mal_27

ELLICOTT (8) And with them he sent LevitesmdashRather And with them were the Levites The construction being changed So LXX and the Syriac (Comp 1 Chronicles 1641-42 1 Chronicles 1518 for the same mode of enumeration which is characteristic of the style of the chronicler

ZebadiahmdashSome MSS and Syriac and Arabic read Zechariah

ShemiramothmdashSo LXX and Vulg (see 1 Chronicles 165 1 Chronicles 1518) The Heb text is probably incorrect Syriac and Arabic read instead atucircra

Tob-adonijahmdashThis curious name occurs only here and is perhaps a mere mistake arising out of the preceding Adonijah and Tobijah The Syriac and Arabic omit it

PriestsmdashThe priests

The commission was a mixed one of civil and ecclesiastical persons (comp 1 Chronicles 131-2 1 Chronicles 232 1 Chronicles 246)

And had the book of the law of the LordmdashAnd with them was the book of the law (teaching) of Jehovah For the construction compare 1 Chronicles 1642 The writer

evidently means the Pentateuch and if this notice was derived by him from a contemporary source eg the ldquowords of Jehu the son of Hananirdquo to which he refers as an authority for the reign (2 Chronicles 2034) it would constitute an important testimony to the existence if not of the five books at least of an ancient collection of laws at this early date (circ 850 BC )

And taught the peoplemdashTaught among the people

9 They taught throughout Judah taking with them the Book of the Law of the Lord they went around to all the towns of Judah and taught the people

BARES There is no reasonable doubt that this ldquobook of the lawrdquo was the Pentateuch - nearly if not quite in the shape in which we now have it Copies of the whole Law were no doubt scarce and therefore Jehoshaphatrsquos commission took care to carry a copy with them

CLARKE Had the book of the law of the Lord with them - This was their text book it was the book of God they taught it as such and as such the people received it Its laws were Godrsquos laws and the people felt their obligation and their consciences were bound Thus they were obedient to the laws of the land on the principle of religion In this they were encouraged and confirmed by the example of all both in Church and state The princes were not only pious but were teachers of piety the Levites showed them the worth and excellence of their ritual institutions and the priests showed them the moral use they were to make of the whole and thus the people became obedient to God as well as to the king and kept all the civil ordinances not merely for the sake of a good king but for the sake of a good and gracious God By these means the nation enjoyed peace and prosperity and all insurrections seditions and popular commotions were prevented The surrounding nations perceiving this saw that there was no hope of subduing such a people so they made no war with Jehoshaphat 2Ch_1710 And they took care not to provoke such a people to fall on them therefore it is said The fear of the Lord fell on all the kingdoms and lands that were round about Judah Such an itinerant ministry established in these kingdoms for upwards of fourscore years

teaching the pure unadulterated doctrines of the Gospel with the propriety and necessity of obedience to the laws has been the principal means in the hand of God of preserving these lands from those convulsions and revolutions that have ruined and nearly dissolved the European continent The itinerant ministry to which this refers is that which was established in these lands by the late truly reverend highly learned and cultivated deeply pious and loyal John Wesley AM formerly a fellow of Lincoln College Oxford whose followers are known by the name of Methodists a people who are an honor to their country and a blessing to the government under which they live

GILL And they taught in Judah The people their duty to God and man

and had the book of the law of the Lord with them as the rule of their instruction and the peoples obedience out of this they taught them and by it confirmed what they taught and enforced it with the divine authority

and went about throughout all the cities of Judah not only their own cities the Levitical ones but all others

and taught the people the law of the Lord the fear and worship of God

JAMISO the book of the lawmdash that is either the whole Pentateuch or only the book of Deuteronomy which contains an abridgment of it

BESO 2 Chronicles 179 And they taught in Judah ampc mdash The Levites and priests were teachers by office Deuteronomy 3310 It was a part of the work for which they had their maintenance and indeed had little else to do But it seems they had neglected it pretending probably that they could not get the people to hear them Jehoshaphat therefore sends them with the princes who by their authority might require the people to assemble together to receive instruction in the laws of God and their duty ldquoWhat a great deal of goodrdquo says Henry ldquomay be done when Moses and Aaron thus go hand in hand in the doing of it when princes with their power and priests and Levites with their Scripture-learning agree to teach the people the good knowledge of God and their duty These itinerant judges and itinerant preachers together were instrumental to diffuse a blessed light throughout the cities of Judahrdquo And had the book of the law of the Lord with them mdash 1st For their own guidance that from thence they might draw all the instructions they gave to the people and not teach for doctrines the commandments of men 2d For the conviction or the people that they might see these priests and Levites had a divine warrant for what they said and delivered to them only that which they had received from the Lord

TRAPP 2 Chronicles 179 And they taught in Judah and [had] the book of the law of the LORD with them and went about throughout all the cities of Judah and taught the people

Ver 9 And had the book of the law of the Lord with them] They taught not

traditions human inventions or unwritten verities All their doctrines came cum privilegio and were Scripture proof

WHEDO 9 The book of the law mdash Our Pentateuch in substantially its present form ldquoCopies of the whole law were no doubt scarce and therefore Jehoshaphatrsquos commission took care to carry a copy with themrdquo mdash Rawlinson

PARKER And they taught in Judah and had the book of the law of the Lord with them and went about throughout all the cities of Judah and taught the people ( 2 Chronicles 179)

This was a mixed commission partly civil partly ecclesiastical The men here mentioned are otherwise unknown We identify them as educational reformers or reformers who operated through the medium of education they were not warriors destroyers revolutionists but men who addressed the mind and the understanding and the conscience and caused men to know that the true law was from above and not from beneath The book which the commission had in hand was the Pentateuch or the law of Moses This was known to be the law which alone could touch all the vital necessities of the commonwealth Again and again we are constrained to admit that there is a law beyond Prayer of Manasseh above Prayer of Manasseh in a sense apart from man men are not driven within themselves to find a law an instinct or a reason they have a written statute an authoritative declaration a book which Christian teachers do not hesitate to describe as a Revelation and to that they call the attention of men If the teacher were teaching out of his own consciousness he would be but an equal often exposing himself to the destructive criticism of his more advanced and penetrating scholars but the teacher takes his stand upon a book upon the Book the Bible a revelation which he believes to be divine and final Say what we will the effect of Bible teaching must be judged by its fruits Where are the nations that are most distinguished for wide and varied intelligence for large and exhaustive sympathy for missionary enterprise for philanthropic institutions and for all the elements which give grace and beauty to social existence The question should admit of definite reply the facts are before men let them judge fearlessly and honestly and we need have no apprehension concerning their verdict Wherever the word of the Lord has had free course superstition has been chased away human slavery has been abolished every instance of intolerance injustice unkindness has felt the influence of holy thought in all these matters discussion should be limited strictly to facts Thus kings can help nations not by forcing education not by attempting to rule opinion not by setting up standards of orthodoxy to fall short of which is to incur penalty but by spreading education by extending light by cultivating a spirit of inquiry and by a generous multiplication of all the instrumentalities needed for the destruction of ignorance What may come of this we are not supposed at this moment to know Meanwhile let us be thankful that we are face to face with a man who has conviction courage independence high patriotic and generous impulse and let us hope that his end may be as beautiful as his beginning was promising

SIMEO THE ROYAL EDICT

ADVERTISEMETmdashThe author feels it necessary to prefix to this Sermon some short account of the occasion on which it was delivered

The author was at Amsterdam (in June 1818) partly with a view of re-establishing there an Episcopal Chapel in which there had been no service for seven years but principally with a view of seeking the welfare of the Children of Israel He went thither rather to explore than to act (See ehemiah 212-16) But just previous to the 18th of June he understood that the Third Anniversary of the Battle of Waterloo was to be kept throughout the etherlands as a day of thanksgiving and just at that time also he quite accidentally heard that the King of the etherlands had a year before issued an Edict requiring all the Jews to educate their children in the knowledge of their own Scriptures and calling upon all his Christian Subjects to aid in this good work Despondency not unlike to that which paralyzed all exertion at Jerusalem in ehemiahrsquos days so universally prevailed that no one had risen to the occasion the very Commissioners who had been appointed to carry the Edict into effect had published a Report in which they gave it as their opinion ldquothat the Lordrsquos time was not comerdquo and there was great danger that the gracious designs of the Monarch would be altogether frustrated The author therefore judged this a fit occasion for calling the attention of the Public to the Edict and accordingly after devoting the Morning Service to the more appropriate subject of the day he employed the Evening Service in an endeavour to forward this good work Considerable attention was excited to the subject by means of the Sermon which was therefore instantly printed in Dutch French and English for the purpose of its being circulated throughout the etherlands and he has reason to hope that active exertions were afterwards made in many places to promote what every benevolent mind must ardently desire the edification and welfare of the Jewish People

So good an example having been set by the Emperor of Russia and the King of the etherlands the author hopes that the attention of our own Governors also both in Church and State may be called to this long-neglected People and that now the British Public has been invited by authority (the Kingrsquos Letter) to aid in supporting Missions to the Heathen World the claims of the Jewish ation to whom under God we owe all the light that we ourselves enjoy will not be overlooked It is with a view to this great object that the author sends forth the Sermon in this country where if the foregoing explanation had not been given its relevancy and use might have been justly called in question

2 Chronicles 179 And they taught in Judah and had the book of the law of the Lord with them and went about throughout all the cities of Judah and taught the people

O a day set apart for thanksgiving to God for mercies received it is peculiarly proper to consider what we may render unto the Lord for all his benefits Certainly if any event ever deserved repeated annual commemoration it is that which has

freed the world from the most grievous tyranny that ever it endured Of the bitter cup which was put into the hands of every nation in Europe this nation [ote The etherlands] drank very deeply and the change which it has experienced in the restoration of their rightful Monarch and in the establishment of a free Constitution calls for their devoutest acknowledgments to Almighty God Doubtless we may with justice pay some tribute of honour to those who by their counsels and their arms effected the overthrow of the Usurper but it is God alone who giveth victory to kings and to whom the glory of this great victory must be primarily ascribed and he who accounts a day consecrated to this service superfluous shews that he is far from justly appreciating the blessings that have been conferred upon him The monarch himself has given to his people a very decided evidence that he feels the depth of his obligations to the God of his salvation and it will be your own loss if you do not cultivate a similar spirit and improve the occasion to the honour of your God

But it is not to thanksgiving only that your Monarch invites you he calls you by a special Edict to unite with him in seeking the welfare of your Jewish Brethren who in their struggle with the enemy signally approved their fidelity to their legitimate Sovereign Their welfare he in his turn studies to promote and he desires to combine the energies of all his subjects in efforts for their good Methinks he is like Jehoshaphat of old who well knowing that piety must be founded in knowledge and happiness in piety sent forth the Princes of his empire with a select number of Priests and Levites to instruct his people in the knowledge of Godrsquos blessed word

His edict on this occasion and the manner in which it was carried into effect will form the subject of my present discourse

I Then we notice the edict of King Jehoshaphatmdash

This was such as became a great and pious monarch and we shall find it not unprofitable or unsuitable to the present occasion to enter into a distinct consideration of it We observe then that it was a kind and benevolent edict a wise and politic edict a good and beneficial edict

Mark the benevolence displayed in it He sought the present and eternal welfare of his subjects He knew that as men are raised above the beasts by the exercise of reason so are they elevated in the scale of rational beings in proportion as their intellectual powers are cultivated and enlarged Man destitute of knowledge is a mere savage but when instructed in the various branches of science he becomes refined and civilized and capable of contributing to the general good In the very cultivation of knowledge there is much pleasure arising to the mind and in the application of that knowledge to useful purposes there is an exquisite delight We need only observe persons when employed in their several vocations how happy they are how contented how cheerful oftentimes unconsciously proclaiming their happiness like the birds of the air in festal songs or consciously and with devotion in songs of praise

But it was not mere intellectual improvement which Jehoshaphat sought to convey he wished his people to be instructed in the knowledge of that God whom they professed to fear and worship This alone could make them truly happy this alone could impart to them sound wisdom or solid consolation He therefore gave particular directions that they should be taught ldquoin the Book of the Law of the Lordrdquo and this throughout the whole land O happy people whose governor so employed the authority with which he was invested And happy that monarch who so improved his influence not for his own personal aggrandizement but for the best interests of the people committed to his charge In so doing he approved himself to be indeed what every governor should be the friend and father of his people

or was the policy of this measure at all inferior to its benevolence A people well instructed in moral and religious knowledge will view government as an ordinance of God and will learn to obey the constituted authorities not so much from fear of their wrath as for conscience sake towards God They will view their governors as Godrsquos vicegerents upon earth and will consider allegiance to them as an essential part of their duty to him Hence will spring up love in their hearts and a real delight in manifesting on all proper occasions their loyalty to their king they will form a bulwark around his person in case of necessity and even glory in laying down their lives for him as their greatest benefactor

The benefits arising from this edict were incalculable Such was the effect of it that the fear of Jehoshaphat and of Jehovah as his protector fell on all the nations that were round about him so that none however hostile in their hearts dared to make war against him [ote ver 10] Doubtless this resulted chiefly from an impression made upon their minds by God himself yet it was also produced by a dread of that energy which an united people were ready to put forth at any instant at the call of their beloved monarch At the same time that peace was thus secured prosperity reigned in every part of the empire and as the immediate fruit of it Jehoshaphat as well as the people ldquohad riches and honour in abundance [ote ver 5]rdquo In his own mind too he reaped the fruits of his own benevolence God smiled upon him and manifested himself to him and enabled him to walk with ldquohis heart lifted up in the ways of the Lord [ote ver 6]rdquo

Such was the edict of the pious Jehoshaphatmdashbenevolent politic beneficial And what I would ask is the Edict which has been issued by the highest authority in this kingdom Do we not see in it the same blessed characters as in that which we have been considering It was ldquoin the third year of his reign [ote ver 7]rdquo that Jehoshaphat sent forth teachers to enlighten and instruct his subjects The very instant he felt himself at liberty from the more urgent and pressing calls of duty (such as the fortifying of his land against foreign enemies and the correcting of some great internal abuses) he engaged in this good work of diffusing light and knowledge through all classes of the community In like manner the sovereign of this kingdom has scarcely had time to repair the ravages of war and to establish his empire too long weakened and impoverished by a cruel usurpation before he stands forth as the friend and father of his people and more especially of that portion of them who have in every age and place been most treated with neglect and

disdain to have them educated in scriptural knowledge and in the fear of God It is much to be lamented that the Jewish people have not in general been so attentive either to the learning or morals of their children as might be wished and hence arose a necessity for some authoritative admonition on the subject Yet if I may say it without offence this neglect has not been more reprehensible in them than has been the indifference with which the Christian world has regarded it The monarch (may God recompense it richly into his bosom) has risen up to remedy the supineness both of the one and the other and to call forth the united energies of all to correct and terminate this evil Yet whilst he thus consults the best interests of his subjects with what paternal tenderness has he guarded against wounding the feelings of any or exciting their religious prejudices The Scriptures of the Old Testament are alone to be used in the schools that shall be established even those Scriptures which Jews as well as Christians believe to have been given by inspiration of God and to contain truth without any mixture of error In this is marked the policy no less than the benevolence of the edict for it is not by constraint but by conciliation and kindness that good is to be done to any and more especially to those who have shewn themselves now for so many centuries proof against all the efforts of intimidation or force In this kingdom they form no small body and I may add no unimportant portion of the community It is well known how extensive is their influence in the affairs of commerce and how by their activity they contribute to enrich the state Hence it is now generally seen and felt that they are entitled to the same respect as any other subjects of the realm and whilst as in the present instance they see how deeply their monarch feels interested in their welfare they cannot but on their part be sensible of the privileges they enjoy under his paternal government and testify their gratitude to him by every possible expression of loyalty and affection

What the ultimate effect of these measures will be may be conjectured from the blessed results of the edict of Jehoshaphat all will feel themselves happy under the government of such a prince and he whilst he is respected abroad and beloved at home will have the happiness of seeing his labours crowned with prosperity throughout his dominions and with peace in his own soul

II The manner in which Jehoshaphatrsquos edict was carried into execution is now to be noticedmdash

The promptness with which his commands were executed deserves the highest praise All were ready to co-operate in this good work as soon as it was proposed ldquoPrinces and priests and Levites [ote ver 7 8]rdquo all addressed themselves to it instantly with one heart and one soul one accounted their dignity so high or their functions so sacred but they thought it an honour to be employed in such a service and found a delight in fulfilling the wishes of their revered monarch all entered into the work with zeal and prosecuted it with diligence and hence a rapid change was effected both in the temporal and spiritual condition of the whole nation And what may not be effected in this kingdom also if a similar zeal be exercised by ldquothe princes and priestsrdquo (the magistrates and clergy) of the land With them it must begin Those who move in a lower station can effect nothing if they be not aided and

countenanced by the higher orders whose rank in life or sacredness of character will give a tone to the general feeling and combine the energies of the whole kingdom If it be said that those for whom the benefit is designed do not feel a desire after it this only shews how much they need it and how earnestly we should all embark in a cause proposed by such high authority and recommended by the soundest dictates of wisdom and piety

That our obligations to unite in this labour of love may the more distinctly appear I would beg leave to suggest the following considerations

First Loyalty to the king demands our concurrence with him in this good work and a holy emulation amongst us to carry into effect his benevolent designs What can the greatest or best of men effect (what could Jehoshaphat himself have done) if there be none to act in subserviency to them and to follow their directions As the most potent monarch upon earth would in vain proclaim war if there were no soldiers found to enlist under his banners and to execute his commands so it will be in vain that the design of benefiting the Jewish people was ever conceived in the mind of the king or that his edict respecting them was ever issued if his subjects do not put forth their energies in obedience to his call In truth a backwardness to co-operate with him in this blessed work would seem like a reflection cast upon him as recommending a measure that was unworthy of attention I do not mean to insinuate that such an idea really exists in the minds of any for I am perfectly convinced it does not but certainly in appearance it is open to this construction and every subject of the empire is concerned to act in such a way as to cut off all occasion for a reflection like this I say loyalty alone even if we had no higher motive should be sufficient to call forth our exertions in this cause

But let me next observe that gratitude to the Jewish nation demands it at our hands How great how manifold are our obligations to them Behold Moses and the prophets what instruction have they given us in reference to the way of life and salvation Without the moral law as revealed by Moses we should never have known to what an extent we need a Saviour nor if the prophecies had not so fully designated the promised Messiah could we have ever so fully known that Jesus was the Christ Of whom did the Lord Jesus Christ himself come as pertaining to the flesh but from the loins of David and of the seed of Abraham Yet to him are we indebted for all that we either have or hope for in time or in eternity And who were the Apostles but Jews who for our sakes went forth preaching the word and counted not their lives dear to them so that they might but lead us to the knowledge of Christ and make us partakers of his salvation From them too we have received the lively oracles which are the one source of all spiritual knowledge and the one foundation of all our hopes Does all this call for no recompence at our hands Knowing as we do the vast importance of education should we not endeavour to impart it to those from whose ancestors we have received such innumerable such inestimable benefits Yet behold these are the people whom for many many centuries we have treated with more neglect and contempt than any other people upon the face of the earth the savages of the most distant climes have received more attention from us than they Surely it is high time that the Christian world awake to

a sense of their duty and begin to shew to the Jews somewhat of that love which their forefathers exercised towards us in our Gentile state We are debtors to them to a vast amount and it is high time that we begin to discharge our debt And how can we discharge it better than by enabling them to read and understand those very oracles which they have preserved with such fidelity and which testify so fully of their promised Messiah

Further A love to the rising generation should lead us to avail ourselves of the present opportunity to promote their welfaremdashIt is truly afflictive to see how low and degraded is the state of multitudes especially of the Jewish nation purely through the neglect with which they are treated in their early youth and still more grievous is it to reflect on their ignorance of those things which belong to their everlasting peace To counteract this we should endeavour to qualify the whole of their population for good and useful employments and through the medium of useful instruction to make them holy and to make them happy We need never be afraid that there will not be a sufficient number of poor to fill the lower stations do what we will there will never be wanting persons who through their own fault or misfortunes are necessitated to undertake the lowest offices of life And if they have been previously instructed in the Scriptures of Truth they will have a fund of consolation ever open to them in their deepest afflictions they will learn from the inspired volume in whatsoever state they are there-with to be content and in the prospect of the eternal world they will find joys with which a stranger intermeddleth not and which the world can neither give nor take away We feel the force of these considerations in reference to the poor of our own communion how is it that we feel it not in reference to our Jewish Brethren This is a partiality unworthy of us and we should rise as one man to wipe off this disgrace from our own character

This brings me to the last consideration which I propose to mention namely that a concern for the honour of our holy religion should operate to unite us all in executing the Royal EdictmdashWhat must a Jew think of our religion when he sees how little it has wrought for us in the production of love We may tell him of a Messiah who has loved us and laid down his life for us but what credit will he give us for our principles when he sees how little our practice corresponds with them May he not well say to us ldquoPhysician heal thyselfrdquo Shew by your conduct the superiority of your principles before you call on me to embrace them It is by love that we must win them it is by shewing kindness to them that we must efface from their hearts those prejudices which with too much reason they entertain against us We must exhibit in our own person the loveliness of Christianity before we can bring them to investigate the grounds of our faith or to imagine that they can improve their own condition by embracing it May I not then call upon you as Christians to unite in the good work that is now before you that you may thereby serve and glorify your Lord and Saviour As Christians you believe that there is no other way to the Father but by Christ [ote John 146] and no other name but his whereby any human being can be saved [ote Acts 412] Where is your piety where is your love to Christ where is even common humanity if you will not avail yourselves of the present opportunity to remove from before your Jewish Brethren

the stumbling-blocks which for so many ages have been laid in their way

Do any ask What shall we do I answer search out amongst the Jews some persons of probity and talent to commence schools among them and do you yourselves aid to the utmost of your power in the support of them provide them with all necessary books for instructing children in the first rudiments of knowledge provide them with Bibles also both in the Dutch and Hebrew languages that they may be thoroughly instructed in the knowledge of their own religion and learn to walk in the steps of their father Abraham and of all the holy prophets

Begin too without loss of time Adult Schools You will find many among the house of Israel who will be glad to avail themselves of your instructions Let those who are benevolent amongst you dedicate an hour in a day to the instructing of a few who may be desirous to learn and carefully avoid every thing which may give unnecessary offence Confine yourselves to the Old Testament which they venerate as well as you Let those who can teach only in the Dutch language give instruction in that and let those who either understand or have leisure to attain the Hebrew tongue draw their attention to that In particular let it be the united endeavour of all to qualify masters for this good work

And let it not be thought that this is the duty of men only The Royal Edict has particularly and with great wisdom recommended it to females who may be of infinite service in conveying instruction to their own sex This age is distinguished above all others for the activity of females in the service of God and in the performance of every good work Were I able to declare the proportion of good that is done in Britain by the female sex it would appear incredible I believe from my soul that it far exceeds one half in all the societies raised since the commencement of the present century in the Bible Society the Missionary Societies and the Society for Promoting the Knowledge of Christianity amongst the Jews yes let the ladies of this country exert themselves in a prudent modest and discreet way and the effects will soon appear the Royal Edict will not be a dead letter but will produce incalculable good to the whole nationmdashand the agents in this benevolent work will themselves receive quite as much benefit as they impart their benevolence being in proportion as it is exercised its own reward

10 The fear of the Lord fell on all the kingdoms of the lands surrounding Judah so that they did not go to war against Jehoshaphat

GILL And the fear of the Lord fell upon all the kingdoms of the lands that were round about Judah Upon the ten tribes and on foreign nations about them as Moabites Edomites Syrians Egyptians Arabs and Philistines this fear as it came from the Lord so might be raised and increased by observing that religion was revived in them for they might perceive by former observations made that the more religious these people were the more prosperous and formidable they were

so that they made no war against Jehoshaphat to interrupt him in the work of reformation he was so intent upon

HERY We have here a further account of Jehoshaphats great prosperity and the flourishing state of his kingdom

I He had good interest in the neighbouring princes and nations Though he was not perhaps so great a soldier as David (which might have made him their terror) nor so great a scholar as Solomon (which might have made him their oracle) yet the fear of the Lord fell so upon them (that is God so influenced and governed their spirits) that they had all a reverence for him 2Ch_1710 And 1 None of them made war against himGods good providence so ordered it that while the princes and priests were instructing and reforming the country none of his neighbours gave him any molestations to take him off from that good work Thus when Jacob and his sons were going to worship at Bethel the terror of God was upon the neighbouring cities that they did not pursue after them Gen_355 and see Exo_3424 2 Many of them brought presents to him (2Ch_1711) to secure his friendship Perhaps these were a tribute imposed upon them by Asa who made himself master of the cities of the Philistines and the tents of the Arabians 2Ch_1414 2Ch_1415 With the 7700 rams and the same number of he-goats which the Arabians brought there was probably a proportionable number of ewes and lambs she-goats and kids

KampD This attempt of Jehoshaphat brought him this blessing that the terror of Jahve fell upon all the surrounding kingdoms and not only did none of the neighbouring peoples venture to make war upon him but also various tribes did homage to him by presents Ramb has already so understood the connection of these verses (erat hoc praemium pietatis Josaphati quod vicini satisque potentes hostes non auderent adversus ipsum hiscere) while Berth fails to apprehend it saying that Jehoshaphat had time to care for the instruction of his people because at that time the neighbouring peoples did not venture to undertake war against Judah The words ldquoterror of Jahverdquo cf 2Ch_1413 2Ch_2029 and ldquoall the kingdoms of the landsrdquo cf 2Ch_128 1Ch_2930 are expressions peculiar to the author of the Chronicle which show that by these remarks he is preparing the way for a transition to a more detailed

portrayal of Jehoshaphats political power מן־(לש)ים is subject מן partitive some of the

Philistines brought him presents (for מנחה see on 2Ch_175) ldquoand silver a burdenrdquo ie

in great quantity מא does not signify tribute vectigal argento (Vulg) for the word has

not that signification but denotes burden that which can be carried as in מא לאן

2Ch_2025 - 2Ch_2116 2Ch_221 ערבים 2Ch_267 and more usually ערב-ים or ערביאים

are Arabian nomadic tribes (Bedacircwin) perhaps those whom Asa after his victory over the Cushite Zerah had brought under the kingdom of Judah 2Ch_1414 These paid

their tribute in small cattle rams and he-goats (ישים( Gen_3035 Gen_3215 Pro_

3031)

BESO 2 Chronicles 1710 The fear of the Lord fell upon all the kingdoms ampc mdash Justly concluding from his singular piety that God would eminently appear for him for even the heathen could not but observe that the kings of Judah were either prosperous or unhappy according as they served God or forsook him So that they made no war against Jehoshaphat mdash Godrsquos good providence so ordered it that while the princes and priests were instructing and endeavouring to reform the country none of his neighbours gave him any molestation to take him off from that good work

COFFMA All of this peace and prosperity were directly due to the respect which Jehoshaphat had shown to the Law of God and to his efforts to teach that word to all the people It is no problem that much of the material here is omitted in Kings because the primary focus there was political whereas in Chronicles the focus is upon the spiritual and religious significance of the same history

TRAPP 2 Chronicles 1710 And the fear of the LORD fell upon all the kingdoms of the lands that [were] round about Judah so that they made no war against Jehoshaphat

Ver 10 And the fear of the Lord fell upon all the kingdoms] It is said [2 Chronicles 172] Jehoshaphat placed forces in all the fenced cities yet it is not said thereupon that the fear of the Lord fell upon the neighbour nations But when he had established a preaching ministry in all the cities then his enemies had a fear and made no war

POOLE Justly concluding from this singular piety that God would eminently appear for him and against all those who had ill will to him which was their case For even the heathens could not but observe that the kings of Judah were either prosperous or unhappy accordingly as they served God or forsook him

ELLICOTT (10) The fear of the LordmdashA dread of Jehovah (pachad) aps 2029 (Comp Exodus 1516 1 Samuel 117 Isaiah 210 ) This phrase is not peculiar to the chronicler as Keil and Bertheau assert ldquoThe kingdoms of the landsrdquo is so (2 Chronicles 128 1 Chronicles 2930)

They made no warmdashThe reward of Jehosha-phatrsquos piety (1 Chronicles 229

Proverbs 167) ldquoWhen a manrsquos ways please the Lord he maketh even his enemies to be at peace with himrdquo (Comp also Genesis 355)

11 Some Philistines brought Jehoshaphat gifts and silver as tribute and the Arabs brought him flocks seven thousand seven hundred rams and seven thousand seven hundred goats

BARES Some of the Philistines brought Jehoshaphat presents - i e ldquosome of the Philistines were among his tributariesrdquo Compare 2Sa_82 1Ki_421

Tribute silver - Or ldquomuch silverrdquo - literally ldquosilver of burthenrdquo

The Arabians - The Arab tribes who bordered Judaea to the south and the southeast paid Jehoshaphat a fixed tribute in kind Compare 2Ki_34 note

CLARKE The Philistines brought - presents - They and the Arabians purchased peace with the king of Judah by paying an annual tribute The Philistines brought silver and no doubt different kinds of merchandise The Arabs whose riches consisted in cattle brought him flocks in great abundance principally rams and he-goats

GILL Also some of the Philistines brought Jehoshaphat presents and tribute silver Perhaps those of Gerar and the parts adjacent Asa took and spoiled and made tributary 2Ch_1414

and the Arabians brought him flocks seven thousand and seven hundred rams and seven thousand and seven hundred he goats with which their country abounded and these might be the Scenite Arabs who fearing lest Jehoshaphat should fall upon them and take away their flocks as his father had done 2Ch_1415 brought these presents to him

JAMISO Also some of the Philistines brought Jehoshaphat presents and tribute silvermdash either they had been his tributaries or they were desirous of securing his valuable friendship and now made a voluntary offer of tribute Perhaps

they were the Philistines who had submitted to the yoke of David (2Sa_81 Psa_608)

the Arabiansmdash the nomad tribes on the south of the Dead Sea who seeking the protection of Jehoshaphat after his conquest of Edom paid their tribute in the way most suitable to their pastoral habits - the present of so many head of cattle

BESO 2 Chronicles 1711 Some of the Philistines brought presents mdash They had been subject to Judah ever since Davidrsquos time but it seems had neglected this duty in the times of his predecessors but were now moved by their own fears to perform it And the Arabians brought him flocks mdash Either because he had upon some just occasion waged war against them and subdued them or because they voluntarily put themselves under his protection in recompense whereof they sent him these presents or only as a free acknowledgment of their respect for him

TRAPP 2 Chronicles 1711 Also [some] of the Philistines brought Jehoshaphat presents and tribute silver and the Arabians brought him flocks seven thousand and seven hundred rams and seven thousand and seven hundred he goats

Ver 11 Also some of the Philistines] These having been subdued by David had withheld their tribute for a time but now seeing Jehoshaphatrsquos growing greatness they bring it in with the better that no offence might be taken at their former neglect The word here used signifieth honorary gifts or oblations pacifications

ldquo Placatur donis Iupiter ipse datis rdquo

Think the same of the Arabians See 2 Chronicles 1414-15

POOLE Some of the Philistines who had been subjects to this kingdom ever since Davidrsquos time but it seems had neglected this duty in the times of his predecessors but now were moved by their own fears to perform it

The Arabians brought him flocks either because he had upon some just occasion waged war against them and subdued them though the particulars of it be not described in Scripture or because they voluntarily put themselves under his protection in recompence whereof they sent him those presents or only as a free acknowledgment of their respects to him

ELLICOTT (11) Broughtmdashie continually Such is the force of the participle

PresentsmdashAn offering ie tribute (minchah 2 Chronicles 175)

And tribute silvermdashRather and silver a load or burden ie a great quantity (massacircrsquo) 2 Chronicles 2025 As if ldquosilver as much as they could carryrdquomdasha natural hyperbole ot all the five states of the Philistines were subject to Jehoshaphat (Comp 2 Samuel 81)

The ArabiansmdashlsquoArbicircrsquoim here only equivalent to lsquoArbicircyicircm (2 Chronicles 267) and

lsquoArbim (2 Chronicles 2116) They are in each case grouped with the Philistines The nomad Bedacircwin conquered by Asa (2 Chronicles 1415) appear to be meant here or else some tribes which recognised the overlordship of Jehoshaphat after his reduction of Edom (2 Chronicles 2022 sqq)

Brought him flocksmdashComp Mesha of Moabrsquos tribute to Ahab (2 Kings 34)

GUZIK 2 (2 Chronicles 1711-19) The international strength of Jehoshaphatrsquos kingdom

Also some of the Philistines brought Jehoshaphat presents and silver as tribute and the Arabians brought him flocks seven thousand seven hundred rams and seven thousand seven hundred male goats So Jehoshaphat became increasingly powerful and he built fortresses and storage cities in Judah He had much property in the cities of Judah and the men of war mighty men of valor were in Jerusalem These are their numbers according to their fathersrsquo houses Of Judah the captains of thousands Adnah the captain and with him three hundred thousand mighty men of valor and next to him was Jehohanan the captain and with him two hundred and eighty thousand and next to him was Amasiah the son of Zichri who willingly offered himself to the LORD and with him two hundred thousand mighty men of valor Of Benjamin Eliada a mighty man of valor and with him two hundred thousand men armed with bow and shield and next to him was Jehozabad and with him one hundred and eighty thousand prepared for war These served the king besides those the king put in the fortified cities throughout all Judah

a Some of the Philistines brought Jehoshaphat presents and silver as tribute and the Arabians brought him flocks Jehoshaphatrsquos commitment to personal and public godliness meant that God exalted his kingdom above the neighboring nations even as God promised in Deuteronomy 281-13

b These served the king The true treasure of Jehoshaphatrsquos kingdom was not numbered only in security or material things but also in the dedicated and courageous men he had surrounding him these mighty men of valor

i Amasiah the son of Zichri who willingly offered himself to the LORD ldquoAmasiah is a man of whom we do not know anything beyond this ndash he lsquowillingly offered himself unto the Lordrsquo There must have been a turning-point in his career a time when first he knew the grace of God which wrought such a change in him There must have been a waking up to the feeling that God deserved his love and his liferdquo (Spurgeon)

ii Amasiah was a ready servant of the Lord this particularly notable because he did it in an otherwise secular calling

middot o one had to press him into service

middot o one had to seek him out for service

middot o one had to look after him once he had begun serving

middot o one had to lead him

iii ldquoThere is no lawful occupation in which a man cannot thoroughly serve the Lord It is a great privilege and blessing to be set apart to the work of winning souls but we must never separate that work from all the rest of the callings of life as though it alone were sacred and all the rest were secular and almost sinful Serve God where you arerdquo (Spurgeon)

PULPIT The presents were probably enough in the nature of tribute the fixed rate of which is sometimes alluded to (1 Kings 421 1 Kings 1025 2 Samuel 82) but it is doubtful whether the word משא purports to say this The word means bearing or carrying and then a burden load or weight The expression (2 Chronicles 2025) more than they could carry away where this word is used favours the idea that the meaning here is silver of great weight Probably the moral significance and historical interest whether of this statement respecting the Philistines or the following respecting the Arabians lies in the fact that both of them brought without more ado their payments and did not seek to slip out of their engagements with Judah and Judahs king ote for confirmation of this view 2 Kings 34 2 Kings 35

12 Jehoshaphat became more and more powerful he built forts and store cities in Judah

GILL And Jehoshaphat waxed great exceedingly In wealth and riches power and authority in his forces and fortifications

and he built in Judah castles and cities of stores castles for the defence of his kingdom and store cities to lay up corn and wine and all provisions in case of an invasion or against a time of war

HERY II He had a very considerable stores laid up in the cities of Judah He pulled down his barns and built larger (2Ch_1712) castles and cities of store for arms and victuals He was a man of business and aimed at the public good in all his

undertakings either to preserve the peace or prepare for war

JAMISO 2Ch_1712-19 His greatness captains and armies

KampD Description of Jehoshaphats power - 2Ch_1712 And Jehoshaphat became

ever greater sc in power The partic הולך expresses the continuous advance in

greatness cf Ew sect280 b as the infin absol does elsewhere eg Gen_83 למעלה as עד

in 2Ch_1612 - He built castles in Judah ירנ-ות only here and in 2Ch_274 from ירנית

derivative formed from ירה by the Syriac termination נית- fem of ן- castle fortress On

מסנות cf 2Ch_84 ערי

TRAPP 2 Chronicles 1712 And Jehoshaphat waxed great exceedingly and he built in Judah castles and cities of store

Ver 12 And Jehoshaphat waxed great exceedingly] Heb He was going and growing By humility and the fear of the Lord are riches and honour and life [Proverbs 224]

And he built in Judah castles] Bironeoth πυργους turres So did the Burgundians and thence had their names

And cities of store] Granaries in the Hebrew they have their name from their utility or usefulness

ELLICOTT (12) And Jehoshaphat waxed greatmdashLiterally And Jehoshaphat was going on and waxing great ie became greater and greater (Comp 1 Chronicles 119)

ExceedinglymdashlsquoAd lĕmagraversquolah This phrase occurs again in 2 Chronicles 1612 2 Chronicles 268 and nowhere else in the Old Testament (See on 1 Chronicles 142)

And he builtmdashLike his predecessorsmdashSolomon Rehoboam Asamdashhe displayed his wealth and power in great public works The records of the Assyrian and Babylonian sovereigns are largely taken up with similar accounts of temple and palace building

CastlesmdashBiranicircyocircth a derivative from birah (1 Chronicles 291 1 Chronicles 2919 comp Syriac here birocircthocirc) It only recurs at 2 Chronicles 274 It is an Aramaic term (Comp bicircranyacircthacirc which in the Targums means ldquopalacesrdquo)

Cities of storesmdashComp 2 Chronicles 84 2 Chronicles 164 Exodus 111

PULPIT Castles This rendering better than palaces (margin) wound bear improving to the rather stronger word fortresses Hebrew בירניות found only here and in 2 Chronicles 274 plur of בירנית connected with the Chaldee and later Hebrew בירה of Ezra 62 ehemiah 11 Esther 12 Daniel 82 Cities of store (see note under 2 Chronicles 84 see also 1 Kings 919 Exodus 111)

13 and had large supplies in the towns of Judah He also kept experienced fighting men in Jerusalem

CLARKE He hadmuch business in the cities - He kept the people constantly employed they had wages for their work and by their labors the empire was both enriched and strengthened

GILL And he had much business in the cities of Judah Partly in fortifying them and partly in reforming the inhabitants of them

and the men of war mighty men of valour were in Jerusalem or by or near unto it so the particle is rendered Jos_513 they encamped in places adjacent to it for such a number of men as follows even 1160000 could never be contained in Jerusalem but must be disposed of in the territories of it nor did they wait on the king together but in course see 2Ch_1719 by which it appears there is no need to suppose any mistake of the transcriber in any or all of the following sums as has been suggested (q)

HERY 13-19 III He had the militia in good order It was never in better since David modelled it Five lord-lieutenants (if I may so call them) are here named with the numbers of those under their command (the serviceable men that were fit for war in their respective districts) three in Judah and two in Benjamin It is said of one of these great commanders Amasiah that he willingly offered himself unto the Lord (2Ch_1716) not only to the king to serve him in this post but to the Lord to glorify him in it He was the most eminent among them for religion he accepted the place not for the

honour or power or profit of it but for conscience sake towards God that he might serve his country It was usual for great generals then to offer of their spoils to the Lord 1Ch_2626 But this good man offered himself first to the Lord and then his dedicated things The number of the soldiers under these five generals amounts to 1160000 men a vast number for so small a compass of ground as Judahs and Benjamins lot to furnish out and maintain Abijah could bring into the field but 400000 (2Ch_133) Asa not 600000 (2Ch_148) yet Jehoshaphat has at command almost 1200000 But it must be considered 1 That God had promised to make the seed of Abraham like the sand of the sea for number 2 There had now been a long peace 3 We may suppose that the city of Jerusalem was very much enlarged 4 Many had come over to them from the kingdom of Israel (2Ch_1519) which would increase the numbers of the people 5 Jehoshaphat was under a special blessing of God which made his affairs to prosper greatly The armies we may suppose were dispersed all the country over and each man resided for the most part on his own estate but they appeared often to be mustered and trained and were ready at call whenever there was occasion The commanders waited on the king (2Ch_1719) as officers of his court privy-counsellors and ministers of state

But lastly observe It was not this formidable army that struck a terror upon the neighbouring nations that restrained them from attempting any thing against Israel or obliged them to pay tribute but the fear of God which fell upon them when Jehoshaphat reformed his country and set up a preaching ministry in it 2Ch_1710 The ordinances of God are more the strength and safety of a kingdom than its military force - its men of God more than its men of war

KampD 2Ch_1713

וגווגווגווגו רהרהרהרה is rightly translated by Luther ldquound hatte viel Vorrathsrdquo (and ומלעכהומלעכהומלעכהומלעכה

had much store) מלעכהמלעכהמלעכהמלעכה denotes here as in Exo_227-10 property that which has been gained by work or business The signification much work opera magna (Vulg Cler etc) as also Bertheaus translation ldquothe works for equipping and provisioning the fortressesrdquo correspond neither to the context nor to the parallel (synonymous) second member of the verse The work and trouble necessary to equip the cities of Judah does not correspond to ldquothe valiant warriors in Jerusalemrdquo the only parallel is the goods and property which were in these cities the provision of victuals and war material there stored up

BESO 2 Chronicles 1713 He had much business in the cities of Judah mdash To repair and fortify them and furnish them with provisions and to purge out all the relics of idolatry and injustice which were more secretly and craftily managed in the cities than in the country and which were first and most prevalent in the cities and thence spread their infection into the country around them

TRAPP 2 Chronicles 1713 And he had much business in the cities of Judah and the men of war mighty men of valour [were] in Jerusalem

Ver 13 And he had much business] Eργα πολλα (a) Many works going forward at

once a negotious man he was His business say some lay in beautifying and fortifying those cities Augustus gloried at his death that whereas he had found Rome built with brick he had left it made of marble

And the men of war hellip were in Jerusalem] These were his Praetorian forces his Praesidiaries were up and down in the various cities

POOLE He had much business in the cities of Judah partly to repair and fortify them and furnish them with all necessary provisions and partly to purge out all the relies and seeds of idolatry and injustice which were more secretly and subtlely managed in the cities than in the country and which were first and most in the cities and thence spread their infection into the country about them See Jeremiah 228

ELLICOTT (13) BusinessmdashRather much goods or stores literally work (mĕlacirckacirch) and then produce The Hebrew word is so used in Exodus 227 Exodus 2210 (ldquoHis neighbourrsquos goodsrdquo) Stores of provisions and war material seem to be intended (Comp 2 Chronicles 1111)

And the man of war were in JerusalemmdashRather and (he had) men of war in Jerusalem

In Jerusalemmdashot the entire army corps whose numbers are given in 2 Chronicles 1714-18 but simply their chiefs

PULPIT Much business Hebrew מלאכה The meaning of the word is service labour bestowed and the verse reads And there was to him much labour in the cities of Judah and men of war mighty men of valour in Jerusalem ie He bestoweth much pains on the cities of Judah and had etc The word were Authorized Version italics is incorrectly inserted The former half of this verse would better constitute the end of 2 Chronicles 1712 Keil however maintains the rendering substance property for מלאכה (Exodus 227 Exodus 2210)

14 Their enrollment by families was as followsFrom Judah commanders of units of 1000Adnah the commander with 300000 fighting men

BARES The captains of thousands Adnah the chief - literally ldquoprinces of thousands Adnah the princerdquo The writer does not mean that Adnah (or Johohanan 2Ch_1715) was in any way superior to the other ldquoprincesrdquo but only that he was one of them

Three hundred thousand - This number and those which follow in 2Ch_1715-18 have been with good reason regarded as corrupt by most critics For

(1) They imply a minimum population of 1480 to the square mile which is more than three times greater than that of any country in the known world (circa 1880rsquos)

(2) they produce a total just double that of the next largest estimate of the military force of Judah the 580 000 of 2Ch_148

(3) they are professedly a statement not of the whole military force but of the force maintained at Jerusalem (2Ch_1713 compare 2Ch_1719)

It is probable that the original numbers have been lost and that the loss was suppplied by a scribe who took 2Ch_148 as his basis

CLARKE Adnah the chief - He was generalissimo of all this host These are the numbers of the five battalions under Adnah three hundred thousand Jehohanan two hundred and eighty thousand Amasiah two hundred thousand Eliada two hundred thousand Jehozabad one hundred and eighty thousand in all one million one hundred and sixty thousand

GILL And these are the numbers of them according to the house of their fathers Both of the tribe of Judah and of Benjamin and first

of Judah the captains of thousands some had 1000 men under them and some one hundred

Adnah the chief he was the principal commander or general of them

and with him mighty men of valour three hundred thousand such a number was under his command

JAMISO these are the numbersmdash The warriors were arranged in the army according to their fathers houses The army of Jehoshaphat commanded by five great generals and consisting of five unequal divisions comprised one million one hundred and sixty thousand men without including those who garrisoned the fortresses No monarch since the time of Solomon equaled Jehoshaphat in the extent of his revenue in the strength of his fortifications and in the number of his troops

KampD 2Ch_1714-16

The men fit for war passed in review according to their fathers-houses The male population of Judah fell into three divisions that of Benjamin into two The prince

Adnah held the first place among the generals with 300000 men of Judah ידו at his על

hand ie with and under him Jehohanan had the command of 280000 men and

Amasiah over 200000 השר is a contraction for אלפים For what special reason it is so שר

honourably recorded of Amasiah that he had willingly offered himself to the Lord (cf for

Jdg_59) has not been communicated התנב

COFFMA his represented a standing army of 1160000 men besides the garrisons in the fortified cities and this goes a long way to explaining why the Arabians and the Philistines brought tribute to Jehoshaphat In ancient times as in our own day peace frequently depended upon the strength of those who desired it

We should ignore the screams of exaggeration[3] which mark the writings of radical critics Pagan rulers of that era reported even larger armies than this and until the critics can prove that those were exaggerated reports they should let these alone Besides that we have already noted that the very word from which thousand is translated is disputed as to its exact meaning

COKE 2 Chronicles 1714 And these are the numbers of themmdash That is of the soldiers as well as of those who were employed in the kings works in the several cities ampc which he built See 2 Chronicles 1719

REFLECTIOSmdash1st Jehoshaphat no sooner comes to the throne than we see the dawnings of a glorious reign

1 He strengthened his kingdom by placing strong garrisons in the cities of Judah and those which his father had recovered from Israel and prepared against that danger which Ahabs growing power seemed to threaten

2 Religion was his great concern He copied after the best of his predecessors in their best days such as were the first of David before the matter of Uriah and the numbering of the people had blotted his fair copy Faithful to the worship of God he abhorred all idols the law of God was his rule of duty and Israels apostacy rendered his fidelity more singular and exemplary Inspired with holy zeal his heart with delight and sincerity was engaged for God and no difficulties deterred him from the path of duty The idols and groves which in the declining days of Asa might have been set up again he utterly destroyed with all the high places where they still offered sacrifices to these abominations ote (1) In the fairest human pattern there will be found imperfections but there is a Son of David more than man who has set us a spotless example that we should follow his steps (2) Fidelity in Gods service is the stability of a nation (3) A lively soul on wings of faith and love mounts up to God rises superior to every difficulty and looks down upon every thing besides his favour as altogether vanity

3 He not only removed the temptations to sin but took care to instruct the people in

the path of duty Ignorance of Gods law had greatly prevailed and to oblige them merely to conform to his reformation without grounding them on the true foundation of Gods word promised little stability The Levites and priests therefore are sent in progress through the cities of Judah with the book of the law to explain and enforce the commandments of God and several princes accompanied them in order to engage the people to hear them and give countenance to these preachers by their weight and influence ote (1) It is a blessed thing when princes countenance faithful ministers Though they cannot make men true converts their example and authority will induce them to attend (2) They who are sent to teach must see that they take the pure word of God along with them A true preacher wishes for nothing in his hand but his Bible (3) Religion is a reasonable service Conviction alone not compulsion or education can make a man a christian

4 The blessing of God attended his labours The Lord was with him or as the Targum generally expresses it the word of the Lord the divine Logos to whom all things are committed strengthened him in his labours and established his kingdom The people charmed with his government liberally sent their presents to him and abounding in riches and honour his heart far from being intoxicated by prosperity was lifted up in greater love and thankfulness to the gracious giver ote (1) God often here rewards piety with prosperity (2) Worldly comforts are then truly blessings when as the steps of Jacobs ladder they raise our hearts to heaven

2nd Like the light of the morning which shineth more and more so did Jehoshaphats glory increase

1 Feared by his enemies as beloved by his subjects the neighbouring princes did not offer to molest him while those of Philistia and Arabia courted his favour either by a voluntary present or exact payment of the tribute which Asa had imposed on them see 2 Chronicles 1711 God had put an awe upon them of the majesty of his king in Zion ote God hath access to the spirits of men and by secret yet irresistible influence can bow them to his sovereign will

2 His military preparations greatly advanced While he reformed the people he fortified their ramparts and built new castles and store-cities strengthening them within and without against their enemies Under five chief officers an immense army was enlisted Probably all the able men in the country were enrolled and regularly mustered though not drawn out except in case of necessity and this may easily account for the greatness of their number if we consider also the long peace they had enjoyed the accession of Israelites to them and especially the blessing of Abraham which no doubt was eminently fulfilled Amasiah one of the officers is mentioned with an honourable mark of distinction as a volunteer who served for the glory of God not for the sake of pay Such patriots are scarce

TRAPP 2 Chronicles 1714 And these [are] the numbers of them according to the house of their fathers Of Judah the captains of thousands Adnah the chief and

with him mighty men of valour three hundred thousand

Ver 14 Three hundred thousand] These were under his command and at hand to come whensoever the king would

WHEDO 14 Three hundred thousand mdash The numbers in this verse and the four verses following are generally regarded as corrupt ldquoThey implyrdquo observes the writer last quoted ldquoa minimum population of 1480 to the square mile which is more than three times greater than that of any country in the known world It is probable that the original numbers have been lost and the loss supplied by a scribe who took 2 Chronicles 148 as his basis

ELLICOTT Verse 14 (14) And these their fathersmdashAnd this is their muster (or census) according to their father-houses (clans) 1 Chronicles 243 The warriors were marshalled in the army according to clans so that men of the same stock fought side by side with their kindred Perhaps in the original document this heading was followed by a much more detailed scheme of names and divisions than that which the text presents

Of JudahmdashTo Judah (belonged) captains of thousands viz the three enumerated in 2 Chronicles 1714-16 Adnah Jehohanan and Amasiah They were the principal officers or generals of the entire forces of Judah

Adnah the chiefmdashTo wit the captain Adnah That Adnah was commander-in-chief is implied by his being named first and his corps being the largest

PULPIT This verse with the following four gives us the names of five captains chiefs princes or military officers for the kingdoms service with the numbers of the troops they severally commanded The numbers of them (see note under 1 Chronicles 2311) Hebrew פקדתם The better English rendering to carry at once the signification would be The muster of them etc The captains hellip the chief In both cases the Hebrew is the familiar word for prince ( שר ) in the former without article in the latter with article The numbers of this and following four verses are not only absolutely unreliable but in themselves impossible According to the house of their fathers ie the quotation is drawn from an army catalogue arranged carefully by fathers houses (umbers 118 umbers 122 etc)

15 next Jehohanan the commander with 280000

GILL And next to him was Jehohanan the captain Being of the same rank as to office but having a lesser number of men under him and it may respect not any kind of subordination only nearness of place as the Targumhe that encamped next to him

and with him two hundred and fourscore thousand which number was but 20000 less than the former

POOLE ext to him either

1 After his death as his successor in the same command And the like is supposed concerning Jehozabad 2 Chronicles 1718 Or rather

2 ext to him in place and authority or at least in power and the numbers of his host

16 next Amasiah son of Zikri who volunteered himself for the service of the Lord with 200000

GILL And next him was Amasiah the son of Zichri He encamped next to him as the Targum

who willingly offered himself unto the Lord to fight the Lords battles and without any stipend as some think or as Kimchi he offered gold and silver to the treasures of the house of the Lord

and with him two hundred thousand mighty men of valour the number was 80000 less than the former the whole of Judah amounted to 780000 men

TRAPP 2 Chronicles 1716 And next him [was] Amasiah the son of Zichri who willingly offered himself unto the LORD and with him two hundred thousand mighty men of valour

Ver 16 Who willingly offered himself unto the Lord] He was a votary the vows of God were upon him and this made him the more valiant and resolute (a) in the exercise of arms for the service of God and the safety of his people The Spahis among the Turks are a sort of horsemen voluntaries and votaries to gain paradise by dying for the Mohammedan cause These are never known to return home but

with victory these are heavy upon the enemy For

ldquo Vincitur haud gratis iugulo qui provocat ensem rdquo

POOLE As volunteers and auxiliaries to be ready upon occasion as the service of God and the king should require Possibly these or most of them were the strangers which had come out of Israel into the kingdom of Judah in Asarsquos days and probably since that in his time

ELLICOTT (16) AmasiahmdashIah carrieth (Isaiah 4011) different from Amaziah (Iah is strong)

Who willingly offered himself unto the Lordmdash(Judges 52 Judges 59) An allusion to some noble act of self-devotion which was doubtless more fully recorded in the source from which the chronicler has drawn this brief account Such allusions though no longer intelligible are important as conducing to the proof of the historical value of the narratives in which they occur LXX ὁ προθυmicroούmicroενος τῷ κυρίῳ Vulg consecratus Domino

PULPIT Amaziah the son of Zichri This man is not titled at all The description of him as one who had willingly offered himself unto the Lord not elucidated by the context or any effective parallel will mark something honorable in his history Possibly he comes from an unexpected quarter and is a man of approved skill othing further is known of these three men Meantime it has been suggested (Professor Dr J Murphy of Belfast Handbook to Chronicles ) that the first of the three was for Judah proper the second for that contingent of Judah that hailed from Dan and the Philistines and the third for that of Simeon and the Arabs

MACLARE This is a scrap from the catalogue of Jehoshaphatrsquos lsquomighty men of valourrsquo and is Amasiahrsquos sole record We see him for a moment and hear his eulogium and then oblivion swallows him up We do not know what it was that he did to earn it But what a fate to live to all generations by that one sentence

I Cheerful self-surrender the secret of all religion

The words of our text contain a metaphor naturally drawn from the sacrificial system It comes so easily to us that we scarcely recognise the metaphorical element but the clear recognition of it gives great additional energy to the words Amasiah was both sacrificer and sacrifice His offering was self-immolation As in all love so in that noblest kind of it which clasps God its perfect expression is lsquoI give Thee my living loving selfrsquo Nor is it only sacrifice and sacrificer that are seen in deepest truth in the experience of the Christian life but the reality of the Temple is also there for lsquoYe also are built up a spiritual house to be a holy priesthood to offer up spiritual sacrificesrsquo Only when God dwells in us shall we have the nerve and the firmness of hand to take the knife and lsquoslay before the Lordrsquo the awful Guest in the sanctuary within the most precious of the children of our spirits

The essence of the sacrifice of self is the sacrifice of will In the Christian experience

lsquowillingly offeredrsquo is almost tautology for unwilling offerings are a contradiction and in fact there are no such things The quality of unwillingness destroys the character of the offering and robs it of all sacredness Reluctant Christianity is not Christianity That noun and that adjective can never be buckled together

The submission of will and the consequent surrender of myself and my powers opportunities and possessions so that I do all enjoy all use all and when need is endure all with glad thankful reference to God is only possible to me in the measure in which my will is made flexible by love and such will-subduing love comes only when we lsquoknow and believe the love that God hath to usrsquo There is the point at which not a few moral and religious teachers go wrong and bewilder themselves and their disciples There too is the point at which Christ and the Gospel of salvation through faith in Him stand forth as emancipating humanity from the dreary round of efforts and vain attempts to work up the condition needful for achieving the height of self-surrender which is seen to be indispensable to all true nobleness of living but is felt to be beyond the reach of the ordinary man There too is the point at which many good people mar their lives as Christians They waste their strength in trying to bring the jibbing horse up to the leap They try to blow up a fire of devotion and to make themselves priests to offer themselves but all the while the mutinous self recoils from the leap and the fire burns smokily and their sacrifice is laid on the altar with little joy because they have not been careful and wise enough to begin at the beginning and to follow Godrsquos way of melting their wills by love the reflection of the Infinite love of God to them Godrsquos priests offer themselves because they offer their wills they offer their wills because they love God they love God because they know that God loves them That is the divine order It is vain to try to accomplish the end by any other

II This willing offering hallows all life

No syllable is left to tell us what Amasiah did to win this praise Probably the words enshrine some now forgotten memory of his cheerful courage some heroic feat on an unrecorded battlefield Particulars are not given nor needed Specific actions are unimportant the spirit of a life can be told with very incomplete details and it not the details is the important thing Sometimes as in many modern biographies one lsquocannot see the wood for the treesrsquo and misses the main drift and aim of a life in the chaos of a bewildering mass of nothings How much more happy the lot of this man of whom we have only the generalised expression of the text unweighted and undisturbed by petty incidents It takes tons of rose leaves to make a tiny phial of otto of roses but the fragrance is far more pungent in a drop of the distillation than in armfuls of leaves Every life shrinks into very small compass and the centuries do not tolerate long biographies Shall we not seek to order our life so that Amasiahrsquos epitaph may serve for us It will be blessed if this-and nothing else-is known about us that we lsquowillingly offered ourselves to the Lordrsquo My friend will that be a true epitome of your life

III This willing offering is accepted by God

We may hear a mightier voice behind the chroniclerrsquo s and the judgment of the Judge of all pronounced by His lips It matters little what men say of one another but it matters everything what God says of us We are but too apt to forget that He is now saying something as to each of us and that we have not to wait for death to put a final period to our activities before our lives become fit subjects for Godrsquos judgment Moment by moment we are writing our own sentences But while it is good for us to remember the continuous judgment of God on each deed it is not good to let dark thoughts of the principles of that judgment paralyse our activity or chill our confidence in His forgiving and accepting mercy There is often a dark suspicion like that of the one-talented

servant which blackens Godrsquos fair fame as being lsquoan austere Manrsquo making demands rather than imparting power and the effect of such an ugly conception of Him is to cut the nerve of service and bury the talent carefully folded up it may be but none the less earning nothing lsquoIf we call on Him as Father who without respect of persons judgeth according to every manrsquos workrsquo let us be sure that it will be a Fatherly judgment that He will pass upon us and our offerings There is a wonderful collection on His altar of what many people would think rubbish just as many a mother has laid away among her treasures some worthless article which her child had once given her-a weed plucked by the roadside in a long past summer day some trifle of rare preciousness in the childrsquos eyes and of none in any others than her own She opens her drawer and brings out the poor little thing and her eyes fill and her heart fills as she looks And does not God keep His childrenrsquos gifts as lovingly and set them in places of honour in the day when He lsquomakes up His jewelsrsquo There are cups of cold water and widowsrsquo mites and much else that a supercilious world would call lsquotrashrsquo stored there Thank God He accepts imperfect service faltering faith partial consecration a little love Even our poor offering may be an lsquoodour of a sweet smellrsquo ministering fragrance that is a delight to Him if it is offered with the much incense of the great Sacrifice and through the mediation of the great High Priest

The world forgot Amasiah or never knew him an obscure soldier in an obscure kingdom but God did not forget and here is his epitaph and this is his memorial to all generations Menrsquos chronicles have no room for all the names that their wearers are eager to have inscribed on their crumbling and crowded pages lsquobut the Lambrsquos Book of Lifersquo has ample space on its radiant pages for all who desire to set their names there and if ours are there we need not envy the proudest whose titles and deeds fill the most conspicuous pages in the worldrsquos records lsquoThen shall every man have praise of Christrsquo and he who wins that guerdon needs nothing more and can have nothing more to swell his blessedness

17 From BenjaminEliada a valiant soldier with 200000 men armed with bows and shields

GILL And of Benjamin Eliada a mighty man of valour Was the chief commander

and with armed men with bow and shield two hundred thousand which were

the armour of the tribe of Benjamin they were best skilled in 2Ch_148

TRAPP 2 Chronicles 1717 And of Benjamin Eliada a mighty man of valour and with him armed men with bow and shield two hundred thousand

Ver 17 With bow and shield] The Benjamites were notable bowmen [1 Chronicles 122] The Engish were anciently so too

ELLICOTT (17) Armed men with bow and shieldmdashLiterally drawing bow and shield ie as the Targum explains ldquodrawing bow and grasping shieldsrdquo (Comp 1 Chronicles 122) LXX ldquoArchers and peltastsrdquo Vulg ldquoGrasping bow and shieldrdquo (Comp also 1 Chronicles 840 for the arms of the Benjaminites)

18 next Jehozabad with 180000 men armed for battle

GILL And next to him was Jehozabad According to the Targum he encamped next him

and with him one hundred and fourscore thousand ready prepared for war being able bodied men well disciplined valiant and well armed these numbers of Judah and Benjamin put together amount to 1160000 men whereas Asa only brought into the field 580000 but it should be considered there had been a long time of peace many had come off from the ten tribes to Judah and the promise of multiplying the seed of Abraham was eminently fulfilled

TRAPP 2 Chronicles 1718 And next him [was] Jehozabad and with him an hundred and fourscore thousand ready prepared for the war

Ver 18 A hundred and fourscore thousand] His militia was eleven hundred and threescore thousand besides what he had in garrisons [2 Chronicles 1719] So that as he was better he was stronger than his father Asa had been Piety hath prosperity

ELLICOTT (18) Ready prepared for the warmdashEquipped for service (See on 1

Chronicles 1223-24 umbers 315 umbers 3229) The hoplites or heavy-armed infantry are probably meant

PULPIT While Eliada of last verse was for Benjamin Professor Dr Murphy supposes that Jehozabad was for the annexed part of Ephraim But no suppositions of this kind can avail to explain the numbers in the text which is no doubt corrupt

19 These were the men who served the king besides those he stationed in the fortified cities throughout Judah

CLARKE These waited on the king - They were disposable forces always at the kingrsquos command and were independent of those by which the cities of Judah were garrisoned

There is not a sovereign in Europe or in the world but might read this chapter with advantage

1 It shows most forcibly that true religion is the basis of the state and that wherever it prospers there the state prospers

2 It shows also that it is the wisdom of kings to encourage religion with all their power and influence for if the hearts of the subjects be not bound and influenced by true religion vain is the application of laws fines imprisonments or corporal punishment of any kind

3 A religious nation is ever a great nation it is loved by its friends it is dreaded by its enemies

4 It is ever a peaceable and united nation the blessings of religion and a wholesome and paternal government are so fully felt and prized that all find it their interest to preserve and defend them Harmony peace piety and strength are the stability of such times May Britain know and value them

GILL These waited on the king Not this vast number of men at one time but in course as Davids military men waited on him 1Ch_271 or each of these captains with a proper number of men under them detached from the body and they were all ready to obey the kings orders whenever he should have occasion for them

besides those whom the king put into the fenced cities throughout Judah and all together the militia of the kingdom was very numerous and formidable

KampD 2Ch_1719

These were serving the king א6ה refers not to the above-mentioned men capable of

bearing arms for sheereet is not used of service in war but to the commanders whom he had placed in the fortified cities of all Judah ldquoin which probably bodies of the above-mentioned troops lay as garrisonsrdquo (Berth)

BESO 2 Chronicles 1719 These waited on the king mdash These above-mentioned were the trained bands or auxiliaries whose chief officers waited on the king to receive his commands and to raise and bring in all or part of their forces to the service of the king as need required A vast number for so small a compass of ground to furnish out and maintain But we may consider that God had promised to make the seed of Abraham like the sand of the sea for number that there had now been a long peace that many were come to them from the kingdom of Israel and that Jehoshaphat was under a special blessing of God They were doubtless dispersed all the country over every one residing on his own land only they were ready at call whenever there was occasion

TRAPP 2 Chronicles 1719 These waited on the king beside [those] whom the king put in the fenced cities throughout all Judah

Ver 19 These waited on the king] ie In their turns and by course

POOLE These above mentioned were the trained bands or auxiliaries whose chief officers waited upon the king to receive his commands and to raise and bring in all or part of their forces to the service of the king and kingdom as need required

ELLICOTT (19) These waited on the kingmdashRather these are they that ministered unto the king viz the five generals above named

Beside those whom the king put in the fenced citiesmdashie the commandants of the fortresses of the kingdom (2 Chronicles 1111 2 Chronicles 1123) These latter as well as the generals of the forces are called the kingrsquos ldquoministersrdquo (mĕshacircrĕthicircm)mdasha word which is not used of service in the field but implies their presence at court (ldquoin Jerusalemrdquo 2 Chronicles 1713 as the royal staff)

According to the above list the army of Jehoshaphat was organised in five grand divisions corresponding perhaps to five territorial divisions of the southern kingdom The totals are the largest assigned to the two tribes anywhere in the Old Testament viz Judah 780000 and Benjamin 380000 in all 1160000 At Davidrsquos census Judah had 500000 warriors (2 Samuel 249) and Israel 800000 Again in 2

Chronicles 148 Asarsquos army consists of 300000 men of Judah and 280000 Benjaminites clearly such an increase as our text indicates is unaccountable At the same time it is equally clear that the present numbers are not fortuitous results of clerical errors for they follow each other in the order of relative strength Judah 300000 280000 200000 Benjamin 200000 180000 and they are evidently not independent of the estimates of 2 Chronicles 148 above quoted

In the absence of adequate data for modifying these certainly startling figures it is well to bear in mind that we need not understand by them an army which ever actually mustered in the field or on parade but simply an estimate of the total male population liable to be called out for the national defence although even upon that understanding the total appears to be at least three times too great considering the small extent of the country

PULPIT These waited Hebrew המשרתים plur piel part of שרת The verse states that this enormous fivefold army with its five princes (counting in our corrupt text one million one hundred and sixty thousand) was the kings Jerusalem standing army while other separate regiments or bands of troops were spread through all Judah where they might be most needed for defence

the darling of the human race whom they were all pleased with It is common for those who were honoured in their wealth to be despised in their poverty

JAMISO his heart was lifted up in the ways of the Lordmdash Full of faith and piety he possessed zeal and courage to undertake the reformation of manners to suppress all the works and objects of idolatry (see on 2Ch_2033) and he held out public encouragement to the pure worship of God

KampD This blessing encouraged Jehoshaphat to extirpate from the land all

idolatrous worship and to teach the people the law of the Lord לב usually sensu ב

malo to be haughty proud cf eg 2Ch_2616 2Ch_3225 here sensu bono of rising

courage to advance in ways pleasing to God and he removed the high places also etc עודpoints back to 2Ch_173 not only did he himself keep far from the Baals but he

removed besides all memorials of the Baal-worship from Judah On מות and אשרים see

on 2Ch_142

COKE 2 Chronicles 176 And his heart was lifted upmdash And when he had elevated his mind in following the commandments of God he took yet from Judah high places and groves ie he destroyed yet other monuments of idolatry which had escaped the diligence of his father Asa though he took not away those high places and altars which had been erected in Jerusalem for the true God See 1 Kings 2243 and ch 1 Kings 2033 of this book

TRAPP 2 Chronicles 176 And his heart was lifted up in the ways of the LORD moreover he took away the high places and groves out of Judah

Ver 6 And his heart was lifted up] ot with pride as 2 Chronicles 3225 but with undaunted courage and disengaged zeal such as made him come off roundly and readily in the ensuing reformation he was more forward and forth putting than his father Asa not slothful in business but fervent in spirit serving the Lord

POOLE His heart was lifted up above all discouragements and difficulties and fears by which menrsquos hearts use to be cast down he was valiant and resolute for God and his ways

He took away the high places and groves to wit such only wherein idols were worshipped as appears by comparing this with 2 Chronicles 2033 And though Asa had done this before yet either he did not do it thoroughly or the Jews (who were many of them mad upon their idols) had secretly made new ones in the latter part of his reign when he grew more infirm in body and more remiss in Godrsquos cause

WHEDO 6 His heart was lifted up mdash That is exalted with holy faith and courage

Took away the high places mdash Yet in spite of all his efforts and successes in this matter the people had become so addicted to these practices that their destruction was not thoroughly secured See note on 2 Chronicles 143 and compare 2 Chronicles 2033

ELLICOTT (6) And his heart was lifted upmdashGabhah lccedilbh which usually like the phrase of Authorised version has a bad meaning as in 2 Chronicles 2616 The margin is right here ldquohis courage rose highrdquo or ldquohe grew boldrdquo in the ways of Jehovah ie in the path of religious reform Vulg ldquocum sumpsisset cor ejus audaciam propter vias Dominirdquo

MoreovermdashAnd again further Referring to 2 Chronicles 173 ot only did he not seek the Baals but more than this he removed the high places ampc [This is the common explanation But the sense may rather be ldquoAnd he again removedrdquo referring back to Asarsquos reforms 2 Chronicles 145]

GrovesmdashrsquoAshecircrim ldquoAsherahsrdquo (2 Chronicles 143)

PARKER And his heart was lifted up in the ways of the Lord moreover he took away the high places and groves out of Judah ( 2 Chronicles 176)

The expression his heart was lifted up is an awkward one The lifting up of the heart signifies increase of pride a sensation of vanity a desire to gratify personal ambition and to make an idol of his will In this instance the marginal reading is to be preferredmdashwas encouraged or otherwise his courage rose high and again it has been rendered Jehoshaphat grew bold that is to say he was not a timid reformer or a timid worshipper a trimmer or a time-server in any sense he was a heroic worshipper of the living God when he saw that reform was necessary he went forward with a steady step and an energetic hand We should call Jehoshaphat a man of conviction and a man who had the courage of his convictions altogether this is the outline of a noble personage a born king a man who has a right to the purple and the sceptre When such men ascend thrones nations should be glad and rejoice with a great joy for their character is grander than their office and their spirit is the best guarantee of the elevation and utility of their regal policy Becoming conscious of his power knowing that his kingdom was established from on high Jehoshaphat not only did pot seek the Baals himself but he took away the high places and groves out of Judah Jehoshaphat was not content with a merely personal religion he could not convert the hearts of his people but he could destroy all the symbols of unholy worship Men are only required to do that which lies within their power A proprietor may not be able to make people sober but he can forbid the introduction of temptations to drunkenness a parent may not be able to subdue the spirit of pride but he can in many instances limit the means of gratifying it There are reforms which are open to us all in personal custom in social habit it may be even in imperial ways let each Jehoshaphat seize his opportunity and magnify it

All this would have been comparatively in vain but for another step which

Jehoshaphat took In the third year of his reign he sent to his princesmdashthat is to say he sent his princesmdashand he sent Levites all of whose names are given and he sent also two priests Elishama and Jehoram and their business was purely educational

PULPIT And his heart was lifted up in the ways of the Lord Although the verb often carries a bad sense with it it quite as often carries with it a good one in the גבהOld Testament and the typical instance of the former (Psalms 1311) is fully counterbalanced by Isaiah 5213 The marginal was enencouraged may be superseded with advantage by took courage (Isaiah 4029-31) The groves Supersede this incorrect rendering by the Asherim and upon the seeming discrepancy see again Isaiah 151-9 17 and Introduction to Chronicles there quoted

7 In the third year of his reign he sent his officials Ben-Hail Obadiah Zechariah ethanel and Micaiah to teach in the towns of Judah

BARES The princes were not sent as teachers themselves but had the duty committed to them of seeing that the people were taught The actual teachers were the priests and Levites of 2Ch_178

CLARKE 7-9 To teach in the cities of Judah - ldquoTo teach the fear of the Lord in the cities of Judahrdquo - Targum

In these verses we find a remarkable account of an itinerant ministry established by Jehoshaphat and in this work he employed three classes of men

1 The princes

2 The Levites

3 The priests

We may presume that the princes instructed the people in the nature of the civil law and constitution of the kingdom the Levites instructed them in every thing that appertained to the temple service and ritual law and the priests instructed them in the

nature and design of the religion they professed Thus the nation became thoroughly instructed in their duty to God to the king and to each other They became therefore as one man and against a people thus united on such principles no enemy could be successful

GILL Also in the third year of his reign he sent to his princes That dwelt in the several parts of the kingdom or he sent them being with him some of the

principal men of his court for ל may be a sign of the accusative case as it sometimes is

even to Benhail and to Obadiah and to Zechariah and to Nethaneel and to Michaiah to teach in the cities of Judah to see that they were taught and oblige them to attend to the instructions that should be given them and not mutiny and rebel against their teachers and to let them know what was the kings pleasure on this head and to back with their authority the priests and Levites whose proper work it was to instruct and who therefore were sent with them as follows

JAMISO 7-11 2Ch_177-11 He sends Levites to teach in Judah

Also in the third year of his reign he sent to his princes to teach in the cities of Judahmdash The ordinary work of teaching devolved on the priests But extraordinary commissioners were appointed probably to ascertain whether the work had been done or neglected This deputation of five princes assisted by two priests and nine Levites was to make a circuit of the towns in Judah It is the first practical measure we read of as being adopted by any of the kings for the religious instruction of the people Time and unbroken opportunities were afforded for carrying out fully this excellent plan of home education for the kingdom enjoyed internal tranquillity as well as freedom for foreign wars It is conformable to the pious style of the sacred historian to trace this profound peace to the ldquofear of the Lord having fallen on all kingdoms of the lands that were round about Judahrdquo

BESO 2 Chronicles 177 He sent to his princes mdash to teach in the cities of Judah mdash To inform the people of their duty and of the kingrsquos pleasure As judges teach or instruct the people in the laws of the land when they deliver their charges upon the bench so did these princes in the kingrsquos name admonish and require the people to observe and obey the laws of God which were the municipal laws of that land the particular explication and enforcement whereof they left to the Levites and priests here following who were sent for this end and accordingly taught the people 2 Chronicles 179

COFFMA Because of the clause which we have capitalized this is one of the most important passages in Chronicles Right here is the reason radical critics have extended themselves so unreasonably in their efforts to discredit Chronicles Here is dependable historical proof of the continued existence of the Torah from the days of Moses throughout the history of Israel As Keil stated it The book of the law of Jehovah is the Pentateuch not merely a collection of Mosaic laws since in Jehoshaphats time the Mosaic Book of the Law (the Pentateuch) had been long in existence[1] We shall not take the space to repeat the vociferous denials of critics

except to cite one knee-jerk remark that characterizes all of them Such action was not taken in Jehoshaphats time[2] What is the basis of such a blatant denial of what Gods Word states as a fact even giving the very names of the royal princes who did the teaching THERE IS OE o matter what unbelievers say this chapter IS the historical record of what happened in the reign of Jehoshaphat and those who live two and one half millenniums afterward have nothing of value by which they may challenge it Then why do men deny it The false theories they have invented are here contradicted forcing them either to give up their false theories or to deny the Sacred Scriptures that contradict them

COKE 2 Chronicles 177 He sent to his princes even to Ben-hail ampcmdash He sent of his princes Ben-hail Obadiah ampc The proper business of these princes in their circuit round the kingdom says Bishop Patrick was to admonish and require the people to observe the laws of God and to leave the particular explication and enforcement of them to those of the sacred order who went with them supporting them in the execution of their office and obliging the people to receive them with respect to hear them with attention and to practise what they taught

TRAPP 2 Chronicles 177 Also in the third year of his reign he sent to his princes [even] to Benhail and to Obadiah and to Zechariah and to ethaneel and to Michaiah to teach in the cities of Judah

Ver 7 He sent to his princes to teach in the cities of Judah] Teaching princes there are not many such as were David Solomon George prince of Anhalt ampc but these were sent with the teaching Levites to countenance and bear them out in this visitation general and perhaps to punish the opposite and obstinate if any such Junius readeth the text thus He sent with his princes these Levites for the teaching Or the princes taught the people the law of the land the priests and Levites the law of God both did mutually help one another So a Danish king of this land made a law that at the general court of every shire the bishop of the diocese should accompany the sheriff that the one might countenance Godrsquos law the other manrsquos (a) Queen Elizabeth once in her progress through Suffolk observing that the justices of that county who came to meet her had every man his minister next to his body said she wondered not that that county was so well governed where she saw that the word and sword went so lovingly together (b)

POOLE To teach in the cities of Judah to inform the people of their duty and of the kingrsquos pleasure As judges or justices of peace teach or instruct the people in the laws of the land when they deliver their charges upon the bench so did these princes in the kingrsquos name admonish and require the people to observe and obey the laws of God which were the prinicipal laws of that land the particular explication and enforcement whereof they left to the Levites and priests here following who were sent for this end and accordingly taught the people 2 Chronicles 179

WHEDO 7 He sent to his princeshellip to teach mdash He committed the matter of

teaching to their oversight and care and the teaching was done by the Levites and priests as stated in the next verse He did well to put down idolatry but he was wise enough to know that unless the people were instructed they would soon apostatize again

ELLICOTT THE COMMISSIOERS OF PUBLIC ISTRUCTIO I THE LAW

(7) He sent to his princes even to Ben-hail to MichaiahmdashRather He sent his princes Ben- hail and Obadiah and Michaiah (The le ldquotordquo in the chroniclerrsquos idiom marking the object of the verb) If however Authorised Version were correct the construction would not be unique as the Speakerrsquos Com mentary asserts (Comp 2 Kings 57 ldquothis man sendeth to me to recover a manrdquo ampc)

Princesmdashone of the personages mentioned in this and the following verse are otherwise known The ldquofive princesrdquo were laymen of rank and were accompanied by nine (eight) Levites and two priests

Ben-hailmdashSon of valour A compound proper name only occurring here but analogous to Ben-hur Ben-deker and Ben-hesed in 1 Kings 48-10 (The LXX renders ldquothe sons of the mightyrdquo Syriac ldquothe chiefs of the forcesrdquo apparently reading bnecirc chail)

ethaneelmdashSyriac Mattanael Arabic Mattaniah Michaiah Syriac and Arabic Malachiah

GUZIK B The strength of Jehoshaphatrsquos kingdom

1 (2 Chronicles 177-10) The spiritual strength of the kingdom Jehoshaphat brings the Word of God to the people

Also in the third year of his reign he sent his leaders Ben-Hail Obadiah Zechariah ethanel and Michaiah to teach in the cities of Judah And with them he sent Levites Shemaiah ethaniah Zebadiah Asahel Shemiramoth Jehonathan Adonijah Tobijah and Tobadonijah the Levites and with them Elishama and Jehoram the priests So they taught in Judah and had the Book of the Law of the LORD with them they went throughout all the cities of Judah and taught the people And the fear of the LORD fell on all the kingdoms of the lands that were around Judah so that they did not make war against Jehoshaphat

a To teach in the cities of Judah These ldquoteaching priestsrdquo have been mentioned by the Chronicler before (2 Chronicles 153) They had the important role of bringing the word of God to the people especially those who lived outside of Jerusalem

b They taught in Judah and had the Book of the Law of the LORD with them they went throughout all the cities of Judah and taught the people This was the wisest

and best policy a security-conscious king of Judah could promote Because Jehoshaphat sought God first God sent fear upon the neighboring kingdoms so that they did not make war against Jehoshaphat

i ldquoBy this little band of princes Levites and priests sixteen in all Jehoshaphat did more toward impressing the surrounding nations with a sense of his power than the largest and best-equipped standing army could have secured to himrdquo (Knapp)

ii ldquoThe method adopted was what in these modern times we might describe as the holding of Special Missions throughout the cities of Judah for the specific purpose of proclaiming and interpreting lsquothe book of the law of Jehovahrsquordquo (Morgan)

iii ldquoo better service can be rendered to the nation than that of proclaiming the Word of Jehovah to the people in cities towns villages and hamlets By such proclamation the heart of the people may be turned to Jehovah and so He be enabled to do for them all that is in His heartrdquo (Morgan)

iv ldquoThus the nation became thoroughly instructed in their duty to God to the king and to each other They became therefore as one man and against a people thus united on such principles no enemy could be successfulrdquo (Clarke)

v Clarke observed how a similar itinerant ministry in the days of John Wesley and his followers impacted Britain ldquoSuch an itinerant ministry established in these kingdoms for upwards of fourscore years teaching the pure unadulterated doctrines of the Gospel with the propriety and necessity of obedience to the laws has been the principle means in the hand of God of preserving the lands from those convulsions and revolutions that have ruined and nearly dissolved the European continentrdquo

vi ldquoIt is said (2 Chronicles 172) Jehoshaphat place forces in all the fenced cities yet it is not said thereupon that lsquothe fear of the Lord fell upon the neighbour nationsrsquo But when he had established a preaching ministry in all the cities then his enemies had a fear and made no warrdquo (Trapp)

PULPIT He sent Hebrew שלח The Hebrew text distinctly says he sent to his princes not he sent his princes The meaning ismdashhe sent orders to his princes to see to it that Judah was taught (2 Chronicles 179) the book of the Law of the Lord (Le 2 Chronicles 1011 Deuteronomy 49 Deuteronomy 1718) not indeed without their own personal aid in whatever way able to be given but systematically and with authority by the Levites and priests (Deuteronomy 3310) This deeper fathoming of the needs of the time and of what constituted its real safety was greatly to the spiritual credit of Jehoshaphat The references (2 Chronicles 153 2 Chronicles 352-4 2 Chronicles 3510-12) are full of point one of these princes or Levites and priests are elsewhere mentioned by name

8 With them were certain LevitesmdashShemaiah ethaniah Zebadiah Asahel Shemiramoth Jehonathan Adonijah Tobijah and Tob-Adonijahmdashand the priests Elishama and Jehoram

GILL 2 Chronicles 178And with them he sent Levites With the five princes he sent nine Levites

even Shemaiah and Nethaniah and Zebadiah and Asahel and Shemiramoth and Jehonathan and Adonijah and Tobijah and Tobadonijah Levites of whom we nowhere else read no doubt they were principal persons and fit for the work they were sent about

and with them Elishama and Jehoram priests whose lips were to keep knowledge and at whose mouth the law was to be sought Mal_27

ELLICOTT (8) And with them he sent LevitesmdashRather And with them were the Levites The construction being changed So LXX and the Syriac (Comp 1 Chronicles 1641-42 1 Chronicles 1518 for the same mode of enumeration which is characteristic of the style of the chronicler

ZebadiahmdashSome MSS and Syriac and Arabic read Zechariah

ShemiramothmdashSo LXX and Vulg (see 1 Chronicles 165 1 Chronicles 1518) The Heb text is probably incorrect Syriac and Arabic read instead atucircra

Tob-adonijahmdashThis curious name occurs only here and is perhaps a mere mistake arising out of the preceding Adonijah and Tobijah The Syriac and Arabic omit it

PriestsmdashThe priests

The commission was a mixed one of civil and ecclesiastical persons (comp 1 Chronicles 131-2 1 Chronicles 232 1 Chronicles 246)

And had the book of the law of the LordmdashAnd with them was the book of the law (teaching) of Jehovah For the construction compare 1 Chronicles 1642 The writer

evidently means the Pentateuch and if this notice was derived by him from a contemporary source eg the ldquowords of Jehu the son of Hananirdquo to which he refers as an authority for the reign (2 Chronicles 2034) it would constitute an important testimony to the existence if not of the five books at least of an ancient collection of laws at this early date (circ 850 BC )

And taught the peoplemdashTaught among the people

9 They taught throughout Judah taking with them the Book of the Law of the Lord they went around to all the towns of Judah and taught the people

BARES There is no reasonable doubt that this ldquobook of the lawrdquo was the Pentateuch - nearly if not quite in the shape in which we now have it Copies of the whole Law were no doubt scarce and therefore Jehoshaphatrsquos commission took care to carry a copy with them

CLARKE Had the book of the law of the Lord with them - This was their text book it was the book of God they taught it as such and as such the people received it Its laws were Godrsquos laws and the people felt their obligation and their consciences were bound Thus they were obedient to the laws of the land on the principle of religion In this they were encouraged and confirmed by the example of all both in Church and state The princes were not only pious but were teachers of piety the Levites showed them the worth and excellence of their ritual institutions and the priests showed them the moral use they were to make of the whole and thus the people became obedient to God as well as to the king and kept all the civil ordinances not merely for the sake of a good king but for the sake of a good and gracious God By these means the nation enjoyed peace and prosperity and all insurrections seditions and popular commotions were prevented The surrounding nations perceiving this saw that there was no hope of subduing such a people so they made no war with Jehoshaphat 2Ch_1710 And they took care not to provoke such a people to fall on them therefore it is said The fear of the Lord fell on all the kingdoms and lands that were round about Judah Such an itinerant ministry established in these kingdoms for upwards of fourscore years

teaching the pure unadulterated doctrines of the Gospel with the propriety and necessity of obedience to the laws has been the principal means in the hand of God of preserving these lands from those convulsions and revolutions that have ruined and nearly dissolved the European continent The itinerant ministry to which this refers is that which was established in these lands by the late truly reverend highly learned and cultivated deeply pious and loyal John Wesley AM formerly a fellow of Lincoln College Oxford whose followers are known by the name of Methodists a people who are an honor to their country and a blessing to the government under which they live

GILL And they taught in Judah The people their duty to God and man

and had the book of the law of the Lord with them as the rule of their instruction and the peoples obedience out of this they taught them and by it confirmed what they taught and enforced it with the divine authority

and went about throughout all the cities of Judah not only their own cities the Levitical ones but all others

and taught the people the law of the Lord the fear and worship of God

JAMISO the book of the lawmdash that is either the whole Pentateuch or only the book of Deuteronomy which contains an abridgment of it

BESO 2 Chronicles 179 And they taught in Judah ampc mdash The Levites and priests were teachers by office Deuteronomy 3310 It was a part of the work for which they had their maintenance and indeed had little else to do But it seems they had neglected it pretending probably that they could not get the people to hear them Jehoshaphat therefore sends them with the princes who by their authority might require the people to assemble together to receive instruction in the laws of God and their duty ldquoWhat a great deal of goodrdquo says Henry ldquomay be done when Moses and Aaron thus go hand in hand in the doing of it when princes with their power and priests and Levites with their Scripture-learning agree to teach the people the good knowledge of God and their duty These itinerant judges and itinerant preachers together were instrumental to diffuse a blessed light throughout the cities of Judahrdquo And had the book of the law of the Lord with them mdash 1st For their own guidance that from thence they might draw all the instructions they gave to the people and not teach for doctrines the commandments of men 2d For the conviction or the people that they might see these priests and Levites had a divine warrant for what they said and delivered to them only that which they had received from the Lord

TRAPP 2 Chronicles 179 And they taught in Judah and [had] the book of the law of the LORD with them and went about throughout all the cities of Judah and taught the people

Ver 9 And had the book of the law of the Lord with them] They taught not

traditions human inventions or unwritten verities All their doctrines came cum privilegio and were Scripture proof

WHEDO 9 The book of the law mdash Our Pentateuch in substantially its present form ldquoCopies of the whole law were no doubt scarce and therefore Jehoshaphatrsquos commission took care to carry a copy with themrdquo mdash Rawlinson

PARKER And they taught in Judah and had the book of the law of the Lord with them and went about throughout all the cities of Judah and taught the people ( 2 Chronicles 179)

This was a mixed commission partly civil partly ecclesiastical The men here mentioned are otherwise unknown We identify them as educational reformers or reformers who operated through the medium of education they were not warriors destroyers revolutionists but men who addressed the mind and the understanding and the conscience and caused men to know that the true law was from above and not from beneath The book which the commission had in hand was the Pentateuch or the law of Moses This was known to be the law which alone could touch all the vital necessities of the commonwealth Again and again we are constrained to admit that there is a law beyond Prayer of Manasseh above Prayer of Manasseh in a sense apart from man men are not driven within themselves to find a law an instinct or a reason they have a written statute an authoritative declaration a book which Christian teachers do not hesitate to describe as a Revelation and to that they call the attention of men If the teacher were teaching out of his own consciousness he would be but an equal often exposing himself to the destructive criticism of his more advanced and penetrating scholars but the teacher takes his stand upon a book upon the Book the Bible a revelation which he believes to be divine and final Say what we will the effect of Bible teaching must be judged by its fruits Where are the nations that are most distinguished for wide and varied intelligence for large and exhaustive sympathy for missionary enterprise for philanthropic institutions and for all the elements which give grace and beauty to social existence The question should admit of definite reply the facts are before men let them judge fearlessly and honestly and we need have no apprehension concerning their verdict Wherever the word of the Lord has had free course superstition has been chased away human slavery has been abolished every instance of intolerance injustice unkindness has felt the influence of holy thought in all these matters discussion should be limited strictly to facts Thus kings can help nations not by forcing education not by attempting to rule opinion not by setting up standards of orthodoxy to fall short of which is to incur penalty but by spreading education by extending light by cultivating a spirit of inquiry and by a generous multiplication of all the instrumentalities needed for the destruction of ignorance What may come of this we are not supposed at this moment to know Meanwhile let us be thankful that we are face to face with a man who has conviction courage independence high patriotic and generous impulse and let us hope that his end may be as beautiful as his beginning was promising

SIMEO THE ROYAL EDICT

ADVERTISEMETmdashThe author feels it necessary to prefix to this Sermon some short account of the occasion on which it was delivered

The author was at Amsterdam (in June 1818) partly with a view of re-establishing there an Episcopal Chapel in which there had been no service for seven years but principally with a view of seeking the welfare of the Children of Israel He went thither rather to explore than to act (See ehemiah 212-16) But just previous to the 18th of June he understood that the Third Anniversary of the Battle of Waterloo was to be kept throughout the etherlands as a day of thanksgiving and just at that time also he quite accidentally heard that the King of the etherlands had a year before issued an Edict requiring all the Jews to educate their children in the knowledge of their own Scriptures and calling upon all his Christian Subjects to aid in this good work Despondency not unlike to that which paralyzed all exertion at Jerusalem in ehemiahrsquos days so universally prevailed that no one had risen to the occasion the very Commissioners who had been appointed to carry the Edict into effect had published a Report in which they gave it as their opinion ldquothat the Lordrsquos time was not comerdquo and there was great danger that the gracious designs of the Monarch would be altogether frustrated The author therefore judged this a fit occasion for calling the attention of the Public to the Edict and accordingly after devoting the Morning Service to the more appropriate subject of the day he employed the Evening Service in an endeavour to forward this good work Considerable attention was excited to the subject by means of the Sermon which was therefore instantly printed in Dutch French and English for the purpose of its being circulated throughout the etherlands and he has reason to hope that active exertions were afterwards made in many places to promote what every benevolent mind must ardently desire the edification and welfare of the Jewish People

So good an example having been set by the Emperor of Russia and the King of the etherlands the author hopes that the attention of our own Governors also both in Church and State may be called to this long-neglected People and that now the British Public has been invited by authority (the Kingrsquos Letter) to aid in supporting Missions to the Heathen World the claims of the Jewish ation to whom under God we owe all the light that we ourselves enjoy will not be overlooked It is with a view to this great object that the author sends forth the Sermon in this country where if the foregoing explanation had not been given its relevancy and use might have been justly called in question

2 Chronicles 179 And they taught in Judah and had the book of the law of the Lord with them and went about throughout all the cities of Judah and taught the people

O a day set apart for thanksgiving to God for mercies received it is peculiarly proper to consider what we may render unto the Lord for all his benefits Certainly if any event ever deserved repeated annual commemoration it is that which has

freed the world from the most grievous tyranny that ever it endured Of the bitter cup which was put into the hands of every nation in Europe this nation [ote The etherlands] drank very deeply and the change which it has experienced in the restoration of their rightful Monarch and in the establishment of a free Constitution calls for their devoutest acknowledgments to Almighty God Doubtless we may with justice pay some tribute of honour to those who by their counsels and their arms effected the overthrow of the Usurper but it is God alone who giveth victory to kings and to whom the glory of this great victory must be primarily ascribed and he who accounts a day consecrated to this service superfluous shews that he is far from justly appreciating the blessings that have been conferred upon him The monarch himself has given to his people a very decided evidence that he feels the depth of his obligations to the God of his salvation and it will be your own loss if you do not cultivate a similar spirit and improve the occasion to the honour of your God

But it is not to thanksgiving only that your Monarch invites you he calls you by a special Edict to unite with him in seeking the welfare of your Jewish Brethren who in their struggle with the enemy signally approved their fidelity to their legitimate Sovereign Their welfare he in his turn studies to promote and he desires to combine the energies of all his subjects in efforts for their good Methinks he is like Jehoshaphat of old who well knowing that piety must be founded in knowledge and happiness in piety sent forth the Princes of his empire with a select number of Priests and Levites to instruct his people in the knowledge of Godrsquos blessed word

His edict on this occasion and the manner in which it was carried into effect will form the subject of my present discourse

I Then we notice the edict of King Jehoshaphatmdash

This was such as became a great and pious monarch and we shall find it not unprofitable or unsuitable to the present occasion to enter into a distinct consideration of it We observe then that it was a kind and benevolent edict a wise and politic edict a good and beneficial edict

Mark the benevolence displayed in it He sought the present and eternal welfare of his subjects He knew that as men are raised above the beasts by the exercise of reason so are they elevated in the scale of rational beings in proportion as their intellectual powers are cultivated and enlarged Man destitute of knowledge is a mere savage but when instructed in the various branches of science he becomes refined and civilized and capable of contributing to the general good In the very cultivation of knowledge there is much pleasure arising to the mind and in the application of that knowledge to useful purposes there is an exquisite delight We need only observe persons when employed in their several vocations how happy they are how contented how cheerful oftentimes unconsciously proclaiming their happiness like the birds of the air in festal songs or consciously and with devotion in songs of praise

But it was not mere intellectual improvement which Jehoshaphat sought to convey he wished his people to be instructed in the knowledge of that God whom they professed to fear and worship This alone could make them truly happy this alone could impart to them sound wisdom or solid consolation He therefore gave particular directions that they should be taught ldquoin the Book of the Law of the Lordrdquo and this throughout the whole land O happy people whose governor so employed the authority with which he was invested And happy that monarch who so improved his influence not for his own personal aggrandizement but for the best interests of the people committed to his charge In so doing he approved himself to be indeed what every governor should be the friend and father of his people

or was the policy of this measure at all inferior to its benevolence A people well instructed in moral and religious knowledge will view government as an ordinance of God and will learn to obey the constituted authorities not so much from fear of their wrath as for conscience sake towards God They will view their governors as Godrsquos vicegerents upon earth and will consider allegiance to them as an essential part of their duty to him Hence will spring up love in their hearts and a real delight in manifesting on all proper occasions their loyalty to their king they will form a bulwark around his person in case of necessity and even glory in laying down their lives for him as their greatest benefactor

The benefits arising from this edict were incalculable Such was the effect of it that the fear of Jehoshaphat and of Jehovah as his protector fell on all the nations that were round about him so that none however hostile in their hearts dared to make war against him [ote ver 10] Doubtless this resulted chiefly from an impression made upon their minds by God himself yet it was also produced by a dread of that energy which an united people were ready to put forth at any instant at the call of their beloved monarch At the same time that peace was thus secured prosperity reigned in every part of the empire and as the immediate fruit of it Jehoshaphat as well as the people ldquohad riches and honour in abundance [ote ver 5]rdquo In his own mind too he reaped the fruits of his own benevolence God smiled upon him and manifested himself to him and enabled him to walk with ldquohis heart lifted up in the ways of the Lord [ote ver 6]rdquo

Such was the edict of the pious Jehoshaphatmdashbenevolent politic beneficial And what I would ask is the Edict which has been issued by the highest authority in this kingdom Do we not see in it the same blessed characters as in that which we have been considering It was ldquoin the third year of his reign [ote ver 7]rdquo that Jehoshaphat sent forth teachers to enlighten and instruct his subjects The very instant he felt himself at liberty from the more urgent and pressing calls of duty (such as the fortifying of his land against foreign enemies and the correcting of some great internal abuses) he engaged in this good work of diffusing light and knowledge through all classes of the community In like manner the sovereign of this kingdom has scarcely had time to repair the ravages of war and to establish his empire too long weakened and impoverished by a cruel usurpation before he stands forth as the friend and father of his people and more especially of that portion of them who have in every age and place been most treated with neglect and

disdain to have them educated in scriptural knowledge and in the fear of God It is much to be lamented that the Jewish people have not in general been so attentive either to the learning or morals of their children as might be wished and hence arose a necessity for some authoritative admonition on the subject Yet if I may say it without offence this neglect has not been more reprehensible in them than has been the indifference with which the Christian world has regarded it The monarch (may God recompense it richly into his bosom) has risen up to remedy the supineness both of the one and the other and to call forth the united energies of all to correct and terminate this evil Yet whilst he thus consults the best interests of his subjects with what paternal tenderness has he guarded against wounding the feelings of any or exciting their religious prejudices The Scriptures of the Old Testament are alone to be used in the schools that shall be established even those Scriptures which Jews as well as Christians believe to have been given by inspiration of God and to contain truth without any mixture of error In this is marked the policy no less than the benevolence of the edict for it is not by constraint but by conciliation and kindness that good is to be done to any and more especially to those who have shewn themselves now for so many centuries proof against all the efforts of intimidation or force In this kingdom they form no small body and I may add no unimportant portion of the community It is well known how extensive is their influence in the affairs of commerce and how by their activity they contribute to enrich the state Hence it is now generally seen and felt that they are entitled to the same respect as any other subjects of the realm and whilst as in the present instance they see how deeply their monarch feels interested in their welfare they cannot but on their part be sensible of the privileges they enjoy under his paternal government and testify their gratitude to him by every possible expression of loyalty and affection

What the ultimate effect of these measures will be may be conjectured from the blessed results of the edict of Jehoshaphat all will feel themselves happy under the government of such a prince and he whilst he is respected abroad and beloved at home will have the happiness of seeing his labours crowned with prosperity throughout his dominions and with peace in his own soul

II The manner in which Jehoshaphatrsquos edict was carried into execution is now to be noticedmdash

The promptness with which his commands were executed deserves the highest praise All were ready to co-operate in this good work as soon as it was proposed ldquoPrinces and priests and Levites [ote ver 7 8]rdquo all addressed themselves to it instantly with one heart and one soul one accounted their dignity so high or their functions so sacred but they thought it an honour to be employed in such a service and found a delight in fulfilling the wishes of their revered monarch all entered into the work with zeal and prosecuted it with diligence and hence a rapid change was effected both in the temporal and spiritual condition of the whole nation And what may not be effected in this kingdom also if a similar zeal be exercised by ldquothe princes and priestsrdquo (the magistrates and clergy) of the land With them it must begin Those who move in a lower station can effect nothing if they be not aided and

countenanced by the higher orders whose rank in life or sacredness of character will give a tone to the general feeling and combine the energies of the whole kingdom If it be said that those for whom the benefit is designed do not feel a desire after it this only shews how much they need it and how earnestly we should all embark in a cause proposed by such high authority and recommended by the soundest dictates of wisdom and piety

That our obligations to unite in this labour of love may the more distinctly appear I would beg leave to suggest the following considerations

First Loyalty to the king demands our concurrence with him in this good work and a holy emulation amongst us to carry into effect his benevolent designs What can the greatest or best of men effect (what could Jehoshaphat himself have done) if there be none to act in subserviency to them and to follow their directions As the most potent monarch upon earth would in vain proclaim war if there were no soldiers found to enlist under his banners and to execute his commands so it will be in vain that the design of benefiting the Jewish people was ever conceived in the mind of the king or that his edict respecting them was ever issued if his subjects do not put forth their energies in obedience to his call In truth a backwardness to co-operate with him in this blessed work would seem like a reflection cast upon him as recommending a measure that was unworthy of attention I do not mean to insinuate that such an idea really exists in the minds of any for I am perfectly convinced it does not but certainly in appearance it is open to this construction and every subject of the empire is concerned to act in such a way as to cut off all occasion for a reflection like this I say loyalty alone even if we had no higher motive should be sufficient to call forth our exertions in this cause

But let me next observe that gratitude to the Jewish nation demands it at our hands How great how manifold are our obligations to them Behold Moses and the prophets what instruction have they given us in reference to the way of life and salvation Without the moral law as revealed by Moses we should never have known to what an extent we need a Saviour nor if the prophecies had not so fully designated the promised Messiah could we have ever so fully known that Jesus was the Christ Of whom did the Lord Jesus Christ himself come as pertaining to the flesh but from the loins of David and of the seed of Abraham Yet to him are we indebted for all that we either have or hope for in time or in eternity And who were the Apostles but Jews who for our sakes went forth preaching the word and counted not their lives dear to them so that they might but lead us to the knowledge of Christ and make us partakers of his salvation From them too we have received the lively oracles which are the one source of all spiritual knowledge and the one foundation of all our hopes Does all this call for no recompence at our hands Knowing as we do the vast importance of education should we not endeavour to impart it to those from whose ancestors we have received such innumerable such inestimable benefits Yet behold these are the people whom for many many centuries we have treated with more neglect and contempt than any other people upon the face of the earth the savages of the most distant climes have received more attention from us than they Surely it is high time that the Christian world awake to

a sense of their duty and begin to shew to the Jews somewhat of that love which their forefathers exercised towards us in our Gentile state We are debtors to them to a vast amount and it is high time that we begin to discharge our debt And how can we discharge it better than by enabling them to read and understand those very oracles which they have preserved with such fidelity and which testify so fully of their promised Messiah

Further A love to the rising generation should lead us to avail ourselves of the present opportunity to promote their welfaremdashIt is truly afflictive to see how low and degraded is the state of multitudes especially of the Jewish nation purely through the neglect with which they are treated in their early youth and still more grievous is it to reflect on their ignorance of those things which belong to their everlasting peace To counteract this we should endeavour to qualify the whole of their population for good and useful employments and through the medium of useful instruction to make them holy and to make them happy We need never be afraid that there will not be a sufficient number of poor to fill the lower stations do what we will there will never be wanting persons who through their own fault or misfortunes are necessitated to undertake the lowest offices of life And if they have been previously instructed in the Scriptures of Truth they will have a fund of consolation ever open to them in their deepest afflictions they will learn from the inspired volume in whatsoever state they are there-with to be content and in the prospect of the eternal world they will find joys with which a stranger intermeddleth not and which the world can neither give nor take away We feel the force of these considerations in reference to the poor of our own communion how is it that we feel it not in reference to our Jewish Brethren This is a partiality unworthy of us and we should rise as one man to wipe off this disgrace from our own character

This brings me to the last consideration which I propose to mention namely that a concern for the honour of our holy religion should operate to unite us all in executing the Royal EdictmdashWhat must a Jew think of our religion when he sees how little it has wrought for us in the production of love We may tell him of a Messiah who has loved us and laid down his life for us but what credit will he give us for our principles when he sees how little our practice corresponds with them May he not well say to us ldquoPhysician heal thyselfrdquo Shew by your conduct the superiority of your principles before you call on me to embrace them It is by love that we must win them it is by shewing kindness to them that we must efface from their hearts those prejudices which with too much reason they entertain against us We must exhibit in our own person the loveliness of Christianity before we can bring them to investigate the grounds of our faith or to imagine that they can improve their own condition by embracing it May I not then call upon you as Christians to unite in the good work that is now before you that you may thereby serve and glorify your Lord and Saviour As Christians you believe that there is no other way to the Father but by Christ [ote John 146] and no other name but his whereby any human being can be saved [ote Acts 412] Where is your piety where is your love to Christ where is even common humanity if you will not avail yourselves of the present opportunity to remove from before your Jewish Brethren

the stumbling-blocks which for so many ages have been laid in their way

Do any ask What shall we do I answer search out amongst the Jews some persons of probity and talent to commence schools among them and do you yourselves aid to the utmost of your power in the support of them provide them with all necessary books for instructing children in the first rudiments of knowledge provide them with Bibles also both in the Dutch and Hebrew languages that they may be thoroughly instructed in the knowledge of their own religion and learn to walk in the steps of their father Abraham and of all the holy prophets

Begin too without loss of time Adult Schools You will find many among the house of Israel who will be glad to avail themselves of your instructions Let those who are benevolent amongst you dedicate an hour in a day to the instructing of a few who may be desirous to learn and carefully avoid every thing which may give unnecessary offence Confine yourselves to the Old Testament which they venerate as well as you Let those who can teach only in the Dutch language give instruction in that and let those who either understand or have leisure to attain the Hebrew tongue draw their attention to that In particular let it be the united endeavour of all to qualify masters for this good work

And let it not be thought that this is the duty of men only The Royal Edict has particularly and with great wisdom recommended it to females who may be of infinite service in conveying instruction to their own sex This age is distinguished above all others for the activity of females in the service of God and in the performance of every good work Were I able to declare the proportion of good that is done in Britain by the female sex it would appear incredible I believe from my soul that it far exceeds one half in all the societies raised since the commencement of the present century in the Bible Society the Missionary Societies and the Society for Promoting the Knowledge of Christianity amongst the Jews yes let the ladies of this country exert themselves in a prudent modest and discreet way and the effects will soon appear the Royal Edict will not be a dead letter but will produce incalculable good to the whole nationmdashand the agents in this benevolent work will themselves receive quite as much benefit as they impart their benevolence being in proportion as it is exercised its own reward

10 The fear of the Lord fell on all the kingdoms of the lands surrounding Judah so that they did not go to war against Jehoshaphat

GILL And the fear of the Lord fell upon all the kingdoms of the lands that were round about Judah Upon the ten tribes and on foreign nations about them as Moabites Edomites Syrians Egyptians Arabs and Philistines this fear as it came from the Lord so might be raised and increased by observing that religion was revived in them for they might perceive by former observations made that the more religious these people were the more prosperous and formidable they were

so that they made no war against Jehoshaphat to interrupt him in the work of reformation he was so intent upon

HERY We have here a further account of Jehoshaphats great prosperity and the flourishing state of his kingdom

I He had good interest in the neighbouring princes and nations Though he was not perhaps so great a soldier as David (which might have made him their terror) nor so great a scholar as Solomon (which might have made him their oracle) yet the fear of the Lord fell so upon them (that is God so influenced and governed their spirits) that they had all a reverence for him 2Ch_1710 And 1 None of them made war against himGods good providence so ordered it that while the princes and priests were instructing and reforming the country none of his neighbours gave him any molestations to take him off from that good work Thus when Jacob and his sons were going to worship at Bethel the terror of God was upon the neighbouring cities that they did not pursue after them Gen_355 and see Exo_3424 2 Many of them brought presents to him (2Ch_1711) to secure his friendship Perhaps these were a tribute imposed upon them by Asa who made himself master of the cities of the Philistines and the tents of the Arabians 2Ch_1414 2Ch_1415 With the 7700 rams and the same number of he-goats which the Arabians brought there was probably a proportionable number of ewes and lambs she-goats and kids

KampD This attempt of Jehoshaphat brought him this blessing that the terror of Jahve fell upon all the surrounding kingdoms and not only did none of the neighbouring peoples venture to make war upon him but also various tribes did homage to him by presents Ramb has already so understood the connection of these verses (erat hoc praemium pietatis Josaphati quod vicini satisque potentes hostes non auderent adversus ipsum hiscere) while Berth fails to apprehend it saying that Jehoshaphat had time to care for the instruction of his people because at that time the neighbouring peoples did not venture to undertake war against Judah The words ldquoterror of Jahverdquo cf 2Ch_1413 2Ch_2029 and ldquoall the kingdoms of the landsrdquo cf 2Ch_128 1Ch_2930 are expressions peculiar to the author of the Chronicle which show that by these remarks he is preparing the way for a transition to a more detailed

portrayal of Jehoshaphats political power מן־(לש)ים is subject מן partitive some of the

Philistines brought him presents (for מנחה see on 2Ch_175) ldquoand silver a burdenrdquo ie

in great quantity מא does not signify tribute vectigal argento (Vulg) for the word has

not that signification but denotes burden that which can be carried as in מא לאן

2Ch_2025 - 2Ch_2116 2Ch_221 ערבים 2Ch_267 and more usually ערב-ים or ערביאים

are Arabian nomadic tribes (Bedacircwin) perhaps those whom Asa after his victory over the Cushite Zerah had brought under the kingdom of Judah 2Ch_1414 These paid

their tribute in small cattle rams and he-goats (ישים( Gen_3035 Gen_3215 Pro_

3031)

BESO 2 Chronicles 1710 The fear of the Lord fell upon all the kingdoms ampc mdash Justly concluding from his singular piety that God would eminently appear for him for even the heathen could not but observe that the kings of Judah were either prosperous or unhappy according as they served God or forsook him So that they made no war against Jehoshaphat mdash Godrsquos good providence so ordered it that while the princes and priests were instructing and endeavouring to reform the country none of his neighbours gave him any molestation to take him off from that good work

COFFMA All of this peace and prosperity were directly due to the respect which Jehoshaphat had shown to the Law of God and to his efforts to teach that word to all the people It is no problem that much of the material here is omitted in Kings because the primary focus there was political whereas in Chronicles the focus is upon the spiritual and religious significance of the same history

TRAPP 2 Chronicles 1710 And the fear of the LORD fell upon all the kingdoms of the lands that [were] round about Judah so that they made no war against Jehoshaphat

Ver 10 And the fear of the Lord fell upon all the kingdoms] It is said [2 Chronicles 172] Jehoshaphat placed forces in all the fenced cities yet it is not said thereupon that the fear of the Lord fell upon the neighbour nations But when he had established a preaching ministry in all the cities then his enemies had a fear and made no war

POOLE Justly concluding from this singular piety that God would eminently appear for him and against all those who had ill will to him which was their case For even the heathens could not but observe that the kings of Judah were either prosperous or unhappy accordingly as they served God or forsook him

ELLICOTT (10) The fear of the LordmdashA dread of Jehovah (pachad) aps 2029 (Comp Exodus 1516 1 Samuel 117 Isaiah 210 ) This phrase is not peculiar to the chronicler as Keil and Bertheau assert ldquoThe kingdoms of the landsrdquo is so (2 Chronicles 128 1 Chronicles 2930)

They made no warmdashThe reward of Jehosha-phatrsquos piety (1 Chronicles 229

Proverbs 167) ldquoWhen a manrsquos ways please the Lord he maketh even his enemies to be at peace with himrdquo (Comp also Genesis 355)

11 Some Philistines brought Jehoshaphat gifts and silver as tribute and the Arabs brought him flocks seven thousand seven hundred rams and seven thousand seven hundred goats

BARES Some of the Philistines brought Jehoshaphat presents - i e ldquosome of the Philistines were among his tributariesrdquo Compare 2Sa_82 1Ki_421

Tribute silver - Or ldquomuch silverrdquo - literally ldquosilver of burthenrdquo

The Arabians - The Arab tribes who bordered Judaea to the south and the southeast paid Jehoshaphat a fixed tribute in kind Compare 2Ki_34 note

CLARKE The Philistines brought - presents - They and the Arabians purchased peace with the king of Judah by paying an annual tribute The Philistines brought silver and no doubt different kinds of merchandise The Arabs whose riches consisted in cattle brought him flocks in great abundance principally rams and he-goats

GILL Also some of the Philistines brought Jehoshaphat presents and tribute silver Perhaps those of Gerar and the parts adjacent Asa took and spoiled and made tributary 2Ch_1414

and the Arabians brought him flocks seven thousand and seven hundred rams and seven thousand and seven hundred he goats with which their country abounded and these might be the Scenite Arabs who fearing lest Jehoshaphat should fall upon them and take away their flocks as his father had done 2Ch_1415 brought these presents to him

JAMISO Also some of the Philistines brought Jehoshaphat presents and tribute silvermdash either they had been his tributaries or they were desirous of securing his valuable friendship and now made a voluntary offer of tribute Perhaps

they were the Philistines who had submitted to the yoke of David (2Sa_81 Psa_608)

the Arabiansmdash the nomad tribes on the south of the Dead Sea who seeking the protection of Jehoshaphat after his conquest of Edom paid their tribute in the way most suitable to their pastoral habits - the present of so many head of cattle

BESO 2 Chronicles 1711 Some of the Philistines brought presents mdash They had been subject to Judah ever since Davidrsquos time but it seems had neglected this duty in the times of his predecessors but were now moved by their own fears to perform it And the Arabians brought him flocks mdash Either because he had upon some just occasion waged war against them and subdued them or because they voluntarily put themselves under his protection in recompense whereof they sent him these presents or only as a free acknowledgment of their respect for him

TRAPP 2 Chronicles 1711 Also [some] of the Philistines brought Jehoshaphat presents and tribute silver and the Arabians brought him flocks seven thousand and seven hundred rams and seven thousand and seven hundred he goats

Ver 11 Also some of the Philistines] These having been subdued by David had withheld their tribute for a time but now seeing Jehoshaphatrsquos growing greatness they bring it in with the better that no offence might be taken at their former neglect The word here used signifieth honorary gifts or oblations pacifications

ldquo Placatur donis Iupiter ipse datis rdquo

Think the same of the Arabians See 2 Chronicles 1414-15

POOLE Some of the Philistines who had been subjects to this kingdom ever since Davidrsquos time but it seems had neglected this duty in the times of his predecessors but now were moved by their own fears to perform it

The Arabians brought him flocks either because he had upon some just occasion waged war against them and subdued them though the particulars of it be not described in Scripture or because they voluntarily put themselves under his protection in recompence whereof they sent him those presents or only as a free acknowledgment of their respects to him

ELLICOTT (11) Broughtmdashie continually Such is the force of the participle

PresentsmdashAn offering ie tribute (minchah 2 Chronicles 175)

And tribute silvermdashRather and silver a load or burden ie a great quantity (massacircrsquo) 2 Chronicles 2025 As if ldquosilver as much as they could carryrdquomdasha natural hyperbole ot all the five states of the Philistines were subject to Jehoshaphat (Comp 2 Samuel 81)

The ArabiansmdashlsquoArbicircrsquoim here only equivalent to lsquoArbicircyicircm (2 Chronicles 267) and

lsquoArbim (2 Chronicles 2116) They are in each case grouped with the Philistines The nomad Bedacircwin conquered by Asa (2 Chronicles 1415) appear to be meant here or else some tribes which recognised the overlordship of Jehoshaphat after his reduction of Edom (2 Chronicles 2022 sqq)

Brought him flocksmdashComp Mesha of Moabrsquos tribute to Ahab (2 Kings 34)

GUZIK 2 (2 Chronicles 1711-19) The international strength of Jehoshaphatrsquos kingdom

Also some of the Philistines brought Jehoshaphat presents and silver as tribute and the Arabians brought him flocks seven thousand seven hundred rams and seven thousand seven hundred male goats So Jehoshaphat became increasingly powerful and he built fortresses and storage cities in Judah He had much property in the cities of Judah and the men of war mighty men of valor were in Jerusalem These are their numbers according to their fathersrsquo houses Of Judah the captains of thousands Adnah the captain and with him three hundred thousand mighty men of valor and next to him was Jehohanan the captain and with him two hundred and eighty thousand and next to him was Amasiah the son of Zichri who willingly offered himself to the LORD and with him two hundred thousand mighty men of valor Of Benjamin Eliada a mighty man of valor and with him two hundred thousand men armed with bow and shield and next to him was Jehozabad and with him one hundred and eighty thousand prepared for war These served the king besides those the king put in the fortified cities throughout all Judah

a Some of the Philistines brought Jehoshaphat presents and silver as tribute and the Arabians brought him flocks Jehoshaphatrsquos commitment to personal and public godliness meant that God exalted his kingdom above the neighboring nations even as God promised in Deuteronomy 281-13

b These served the king The true treasure of Jehoshaphatrsquos kingdom was not numbered only in security or material things but also in the dedicated and courageous men he had surrounding him these mighty men of valor

i Amasiah the son of Zichri who willingly offered himself to the LORD ldquoAmasiah is a man of whom we do not know anything beyond this ndash he lsquowillingly offered himself unto the Lordrsquo There must have been a turning-point in his career a time when first he knew the grace of God which wrought such a change in him There must have been a waking up to the feeling that God deserved his love and his liferdquo (Spurgeon)

ii Amasiah was a ready servant of the Lord this particularly notable because he did it in an otherwise secular calling

middot o one had to press him into service

middot o one had to seek him out for service

middot o one had to look after him once he had begun serving

middot o one had to lead him

iii ldquoThere is no lawful occupation in which a man cannot thoroughly serve the Lord It is a great privilege and blessing to be set apart to the work of winning souls but we must never separate that work from all the rest of the callings of life as though it alone were sacred and all the rest were secular and almost sinful Serve God where you arerdquo (Spurgeon)

PULPIT The presents were probably enough in the nature of tribute the fixed rate of which is sometimes alluded to (1 Kings 421 1 Kings 1025 2 Samuel 82) but it is doubtful whether the word משא purports to say this The word means bearing or carrying and then a burden load or weight The expression (2 Chronicles 2025) more than they could carry away where this word is used favours the idea that the meaning here is silver of great weight Probably the moral significance and historical interest whether of this statement respecting the Philistines or the following respecting the Arabians lies in the fact that both of them brought without more ado their payments and did not seek to slip out of their engagements with Judah and Judahs king ote for confirmation of this view 2 Kings 34 2 Kings 35

12 Jehoshaphat became more and more powerful he built forts and store cities in Judah

GILL And Jehoshaphat waxed great exceedingly In wealth and riches power and authority in his forces and fortifications

and he built in Judah castles and cities of stores castles for the defence of his kingdom and store cities to lay up corn and wine and all provisions in case of an invasion or against a time of war

HERY II He had a very considerable stores laid up in the cities of Judah He pulled down his barns and built larger (2Ch_1712) castles and cities of store for arms and victuals He was a man of business and aimed at the public good in all his

undertakings either to preserve the peace or prepare for war

JAMISO 2Ch_1712-19 His greatness captains and armies

KampD Description of Jehoshaphats power - 2Ch_1712 And Jehoshaphat became

ever greater sc in power The partic הולך expresses the continuous advance in

greatness cf Ew sect280 b as the infin absol does elsewhere eg Gen_83 למעלה as עד

in 2Ch_1612 - He built castles in Judah ירנ-ות only here and in 2Ch_274 from ירנית

derivative formed from ירה by the Syriac termination נית- fem of ן- castle fortress On

מסנות cf 2Ch_84 ערי

TRAPP 2 Chronicles 1712 And Jehoshaphat waxed great exceedingly and he built in Judah castles and cities of store

Ver 12 And Jehoshaphat waxed great exceedingly] Heb He was going and growing By humility and the fear of the Lord are riches and honour and life [Proverbs 224]

And he built in Judah castles] Bironeoth πυργους turres So did the Burgundians and thence had their names

And cities of store] Granaries in the Hebrew they have their name from their utility or usefulness

ELLICOTT (12) And Jehoshaphat waxed greatmdashLiterally And Jehoshaphat was going on and waxing great ie became greater and greater (Comp 1 Chronicles 119)

ExceedinglymdashlsquoAd lĕmagraversquolah This phrase occurs again in 2 Chronicles 1612 2 Chronicles 268 and nowhere else in the Old Testament (See on 1 Chronicles 142)

And he builtmdashLike his predecessorsmdashSolomon Rehoboam Asamdashhe displayed his wealth and power in great public works The records of the Assyrian and Babylonian sovereigns are largely taken up with similar accounts of temple and palace building

CastlesmdashBiranicircyocircth a derivative from birah (1 Chronicles 291 1 Chronicles 2919 comp Syriac here birocircthocirc) It only recurs at 2 Chronicles 274 It is an Aramaic term (Comp bicircranyacircthacirc which in the Targums means ldquopalacesrdquo)

Cities of storesmdashComp 2 Chronicles 84 2 Chronicles 164 Exodus 111

PULPIT Castles This rendering better than palaces (margin) wound bear improving to the rather stronger word fortresses Hebrew בירניות found only here and in 2 Chronicles 274 plur of בירנית connected with the Chaldee and later Hebrew בירה of Ezra 62 ehemiah 11 Esther 12 Daniel 82 Cities of store (see note under 2 Chronicles 84 see also 1 Kings 919 Exodus 111)

13 and had large supplies in the towns of Judah He also kept experienced fighting men in Jerusalem

CLARKE He hadmuch business in the cities - He kept the people constantly employed they had wages for their work and by their labors the empire was both enriched and strengthened

GILL And he had much business in the cities of Judah Partly in fortifying them and partly in reforming the inhabitants of them

and the men of war mighty men of valour were in Jerusalem or by or near unto it so the particle is rendered Jos_513 they encamped in places adjacent to it for such a number of men as follows even 1160000 could never be contained in Jerusalem but must be disposed of in the territories of it nor did they wait on the king together but in course see 2Ch_1719 by which it appears there is no need to suppose any mistake of the transcriber in any or all of the following sums as has been suggested (q)

HERY 13-19 III He had the militia in good order It was never in better since David modelled it Five lord-lieutenants (if I may so call them) are here named with the numbers of those under their command (the serviceable men that were fit for war in their respective districts) three in Judah and two in Benjamin It is said of one of these great commanders Amasiah that he willingly offered himself unto the Lord (2Ch_1716) not only to the king to serve him in this post but to the Lord to glorify him in it He was the most eminent among them for religion he accepted the place not for the

honour or power or profit of it but for conscience sake towards God that he might serve his country It was usual for great generals then to offer of their spoils to the Lord 1Ch_2626 But this good man offered himself first to the Lord and then his dedicated things The number of the soldiers under these five generals amounts to 1160000 men a vast number for so small a compass of ground as Judahs and Benjamins lot to furnish out and maintain Abijah could bring into the field but 400000 (2Ch_133) Asa not 600000 (2Ch_148) yet Jehoshaphat has at command almost 1200000 But it must be considered 1 That God had promised to make the seed of Abraham like the sand of the sea for number 2 There had now been a long peace 3 We may suppose that the city of Jerusalem was very much enlarged 4 Many had come over to them from the kingdom of Israel (2Ch_1519) which would increase the numbers of the people 5 Jehoshaphat was under a special blessing of God which made his affairs to prosper greatly The armies we may suppose were dispersed all the country over and each man resided for the most part on his own estate but they appeared often to be mustered and trained and were ready at call whenever there was occasion The commanders waited on the king (2Ch_1719) as officers of his court privy-counsellors and ministers of state

But lastly observe It was not this formidable army that struck a terror upon the neighbouring nations that restrained them from attempting any thing against Israel or obliged them to pay tribute but the fear of God which fell upon them when Jehoshaphat reformed his country and set up a preaching ministry in it 2Ch_1710 The ordinances of God are more the strength and safety of a kingdom than its military force - its men of God more than its men of war

KampD 2Ch_1713

וגווגווגווגו רהרהרהרה is rightly translated by Luther ldquound hatte viel Vorrathsrdquo (and ומלעכהומלעכהומלעכהומלעכה

had much store) מלעכהמלעכהמלעכהמלעכה denotes here as in Exo_227-10 property that which has been gained by work or business The signification much work opera magna (Vulg Cler etc) as also Bertheaus translation ldquothe works for equipping and provisioning the fortressesrdquo correspond neither to the context nor to the parallel (synonymous) second member of the verse The work and trouble necessary to equip the cities of Judah does not correspond to ldquothe valiant warriors in Jerusalemrdquo the only parallel is the goods and property which were in these cities the provision of victuals and war material there stored up

BESO 2 Chronicles 1713 He had much business in the cities of Judah mdash To repair and fortify them and furnish them with provisions and to purge out all the relics of idolatry and injustice which were more secretly and craftily managed in the cities than in the country and which were first and most prevalent in the cities and thence spread their infection into the country around them

TRAPP 2 Chronicles 1713 And he had much business in the cities of Judah and the men of war mighty men of valour [were] in Jerusalem

Ver 13 And he had much business] Eργα πολλα (a) Many works going forward at

once a negotious man he was His business say some lay in beautifying and fortifying those cities Augustus gloried at his death that whereas he had found Rome built with brick he had left it made of marble

And the men of war hellip were in Jerusalem] These were his Praetorian forces his Praesidiaries were up and down in the various cities

POOLE He had much business in the cities of Judah partly to repair and fortify them and furnish them with all necessary provisions and partly to purge out all the relies and seeds of idolatry and injustice which were more secretly and subtlely managed in the cities than in the country and which were first and most in the cities and thence spread their infection into the country about them See Jeremiah 228

ELLICOTT (13) BusinessmdashRather much goods or stores literally work (mĕlacirckacirch) and then produce The Hebrew word is so used in Exodus 227 Exodus 2210 (ldquoHis neighbourrsquos goodsrdquo) Stores of provisions and war material seem to be intended (Comp 2 Chronicles 1111)

And the man of war were in JerusalemmdashRather and (he had) men of war in Jerusalem

In Jerusalemmdashot the entire army corps whose numbers are given in 2 Chronicles 1714-18 but simply their chiefs

PULPIT Much business Hebrew מלאכה The meaning of the word is service labour bestowed and the verse reads And there was to him much labour in the cities of Judah and men of war mighty men of valour in Jerusalem ie He bestoweth much pains on the cities of Judah and had etc The word were Authorized Version italics is incorrectly inserted The former half of this verse would better constitute the end of 2 Chronicles 1712 Keil however maintains the rendering substance property for מלאכה (Exodus 227 Exodus 2210)

14 Their enrollment by families was as followsFrom Judah commanders of units of 1000Adnah the commander with 300000 fighting men

BARES The captains of thousands Adnah the chief - literally ldquoprinces of thousands Adnah the princerdquo The writer does not mean that Adnah (or Johohanan 2Ch_1715) was in any way superior to the other ldquoprincesrdquo but only that he was one of them

Three hundred thousand - This number and those which follow in 2Ch_1715-18 have been with good reason regarded as corrupt by most critics For

(1) They imply a minimum population of 1480 to the square mile which is more than three times greater than that of any country in the known world (circa 1880rsquos)

(2) they produce a total just double that of the next largest estimate of the military force of Judah the 580 000 of 2Ch_148

(3) they are professedly a statement not of the whole military force but of the force maintained at Jerusalem (2Ch_1713 compare 2Ch_1719)

It is probable that the original numbers have been lost and that the loss was suppplied by a scribe who took 2Ch_148 as his basis

CLARKE Adnah the chief - He was generalissimo of all this host These are the numbers of the five battalions under Adnah three hundred thousand Jehohanan two hundred and eighty thousand Amasiah two hundred thousand Eliada two hundred thousand Jehozabad one hundred and eighty thousand in all one million one hundred and sixty thousand

GILL And these are the numbers of them according to the house of their fathers Both of the tribe of Judah and of Benjamin and first

of Judah the captains of thousands some had 1000 men under them and some one hundred

Adnah the chief he was the principal commander or general of them

and with him mighty men of valour three hundred thousand such a number was under his command

JAMISO these are the numbersmdash The warriors were arranged in the army according to their fathers houses The army of Jehoshaphat commanded by five great generals and consisting of five unequal divisions comprised one million one hundred and sixty thousand men without including those who garrisoned the fortresses No monarch since the time of Solomon equaled Jehoshaphat in the extent of his revenue in the strength of his fortifications and in the number of his troops

KampD 2Ch_1714-16

The men fit for war passed in review according to their fathers-houses The male population of Judah fell into three divisions that of Benjamin into two The prince

Adnah held the first place among the generals with 300000 men of Judah ידו at his על

hand ie with and under him Jehohanan had the command of 280000 men and

Amasiah over 200000 השר is a contraction for אלפים For what special reason it is so שר

honourably recorded of Amasiah that he had willingly offered himself to the Lord (cf for

Jdg_59) has not been communicated התנב

COFFMA his represented a standing army of 1160000 men besides the garrisons in the fortified cities and this goes a long way to explaining why the Arabians and the Philistines brought tribute to Jehoshaphat In ancient times as in our own day peace frequently depended upon the strength of those who desired it

We should ignore the screams of exaggeration[3] which mark the writings of radical critics Pagan rulers of that era reported even larger armies than this and until the critics can prove that those were exaggerated reports they should let these alone Besides that we have already noted that the very word from which thousand is translated is disputed as to its exact meaning

COKE 2 Chronicles 1714 And these are the numbers of themmdash That is of the soldiers as well as of those who were employed in the kings works in the several cities ampc which he built See 2 Chronicles 1719

REFLECTIOSmdash1st Jehoshaphat no sooner comes to the throne than we see the dawnings of a glorious reign

1 He strengthened his kingdom by placing strong garrisons in the cities of Judah and those which his father had recovered from Israel and prepared against that danger which Ahabs growing power seemed to threaten

2 Religion was his great concern He copied after the best of his predecessors in their best days such as were the first of David before the matter of Uriah and the numbering of the people had blotted his fair copy Faithful to the worship of God he abhorred all idols the law of God was his rule of duty and Israels apostacy rendered his fidelity more singular and exemplary Inspired with holy zeal his heart with delight and sincerity was engaged for God and no difficulties deterred him from the path of duty The idols and groves which in the declining days of Asa might have been set up again he utterly destroyed with all the high places where they still offered sacrifices to these abominations ote (1) In the fairest human pattern there will be found imperfections but there is a Son of David more than man who has set us a spotless example that we should follow his steps (2) Fidelity in Gods service is the stability of a nation (3) A lively soul on wings of faith and love mounts up to God rises superior to every difficulty and looks down upon every thing besides his favour as altogether vanity

3 He not only removed the temptations to sin but took care to instruct the people in

the path of duty Ignorance of Gods law had greatly prevailed and to oblige them merely to conform to his reformation without grounding them on the true foundation of Gods word promised little stability The Levites and priests therefore are sent in progress through the cities of Judah with the book of the law to explain and enforce the commandments of God and several princes accompanied them in order to engage the people to hear them and give countenance to these preachers by their weight and influence ote (1) It is a blessed thing when princes countenance faithful ministers Though they cannot make men true converts their example and authority will induce them to attend (2) They who are sent to teach must see that they take the pure word of God along with them A true preacher wishes for nothing in his hand but his Bible (3) Religion is a reasonable service Conviction alone not compulsion or education can make a man a christian

4 The blessing of God attended his labours The Lord was with him or as the Targum generally expresses it the word of the Lord the divine Logos to whom all things are committed strengthened him in his labours and established his kingdom The people charmed with his government liberally sent their presents to him and abounding in riches and honour his heart far from being intoxicated by prosperity was lifted up in greater love and thankfulness to the gracious giver ote (1) God often here rewards piety with prosperity (2) Worldly comforts are then truly blessings when as the steps of Jacobs ladder they raise our hearts to heaven

2nd Like the light of the morning which shineth more and more so did Jehoshaphats glory increase

1 Feared by his enemies as beloved by his subjects the neighbouring princes did not offer to molest him while those of Philistia and Arabia courted his favour either by a voluntary present or exact payment of the tribute which Asa had imposed on them see 2 Chronicles 1711 God had put an awe upon them of the majesty of his king in Zion ote God hath access to the spirits of men and by secret yet irresistible influence can bow them to his sovereign will

2 His military preparations greatly advanced While he reformed the people he fortified their ramparts and built new castles and store-cities strengthening them within and without against their enemies Under five chief officers an immense army was enlisted Probably all the able men in the country were enrolled and regularly mustered though not drawn out except in case of necessity and this may easily account for the greatness of their number if we consider also the long peace they had enjoyed the accession of Israelites to them and especially the blessing of Abraham which no doubt was eminently fulfilled Amasiah one of the officers is mentioned with an honourable mark of distinction as a volunteer who served for the glory of God not for the sake of pay Such patriots are scarce

TRAPP 2 Chronicles 1714 And these [are] the numbers of them according to the house of their fathers Of Judah the captains of thousands Adnah the chief and

with him mighty men of valour three hundred thousand

Ver 14 Three hundred thousand] These were under his command and at hand to come whensoever the king would

WHEDO 14 Three hundred thousand mdash The numbers in this verse and the four verses following are generally regarded as corrupt ldquoThey implyrdquo observes the writer last quoted ldquoa minimum population of 1480 to the square mile which is more than three times greater than that of any country in the known world It is probable that the original numbers have been lost and the loss supplied by a scribe who took 2 Chronicles 148 as his basis

ELLICOTT Verse 14 (14) And these their fathersmdashAnd this is their muster (or census) according to their father-houses (clans) 1 Chronicles 243 The warriors were marshalled in the army according to clans so that men of the same stock fought side by side with their kindred Perhaps in the original document this heading was followed by a much more detailed scheme of names and divisions than that which the text presents

Of JudahmdashTo Judah (belonged) captains of thousands viz the three enumerated in 2 Chronicles 1714-16 Adnah Jehohanan and Amasiah They were the principal officers or generals of the entire forces of Judah

Adnah the chiefmdashTo wit the captain Adnah That Adnah was commander-in-chief is implied by his being named first and his corps being the largest

PULPIT This verse with the following four gives us the names of five captains chiefs princes or military officers for the kingdoms service with the numbers of the troops they severally commanded The numbers of them (see note under 1 Chronicles 2311) Hebrew פקדתם The better English rendering to carry at once the signification would be The muster of them etc The captains hellip the chief In both cases the Hebrew is the familiar word for prince ( שר ) in the former without article in the latter with article The numbers of this and following four verses are not only absolutely unreliable but in themselves impossible According to the house of their fathers ie the quotation is drawn from an army catalogue arranged carefully by fathers houses (umbers 118 umbers 122 etc)

15 next Jehohanan the commander with 280000

GILL And next to him was Jehohanan the captain Being of the same rank as to office but having a lesser number of men under him and it may respect not any kind of subordination only nearness of place as the Targumhe that encamped next to him

and with him two hundred and fourscore thousand which number was but 20000 less than the former

POOLE ext to him either

1 After his death as his successor in the same command And the like is supposed concerning Jehozabad 2 Chronicles 1718 Or rather

2 ext to him in place and authority or at least in power and the numbers of his host

16 next Amasiah son of Zikri who volunteered himself for the service of the Lord with 200000

GILL And next him was Amasiah the son of Zichri He encamped next to him as the Targum

who willingly offered himself unto the Lord to fight the Lords battles and without any stipend as some think or as Kimchi he offered gold and silver to the treasures of the house of the Lord

and with him two hundred thousand mighty men of valour the number was 80000 less than the former the whole of Judah amounted to 780000 men

TRAPP 2 Chronicles 1716 And next him [was] Amasiah the son of Zichri who willingly offered himself unto the LORD and with him two hundred thousand mighty men of valour

Ver 16 Who willingly offered himself unto the Lord] He was a votary the vows of God were upon him and this made him the more valiant and resolute (a) in the exercise of arms for the service of God and the safety of his people The Spahis among the Turks are a sort of horsemen voluntaries and votaries to gain paradise by dying for the Mohammedan cause These are never known to return home but

with victory these are heavy upon the enemy For

ldquo Vincitur haud gratis iugulo qui provocat ensem rdquo

POOLE As volunteers and auxiliaries to be ready upon occasion as the service of God and the king should require Possibly these or most of them were the strangers which had come out of Israel into the kingdom of Judah in Asarsquos days and probably since that in his time

ELLICOTT (16) AmasiahmdashIah carrieth (Isaiah 4011) different from Amaziah (Iah is strong)

Who willingly offered himself unto the Lordmdash(Judges 52 Judges 59) An allusion to some noble act of self-devotion which was doubtless more fully recorded in the source from which the chronicler has drawn this brief account Such allusions though no longer intelligible are important as conducing to the proof of the historical value of the narratives in which they occur LXX ὁ προθυmicroούmicroενος τῷ κυρίῳ Vulg consecratus Domino

PULPIT Amaziah the son of Zichri This man is not titled at all The description of him as one who had willingly offered himself unto the Lord not elucidated by the context or any effective parallel will mark something honorable in his history Possibly he comes from an unexpected quarter and is a man of approved skill othing further is known of these three men Meantime it has been suggested (Professor Dr J Murphy of Belfast Handbook to Chronicles ) that the first of the three was for Judah proper the second for that contingent of Judah that hailed from Dan and the Philistines and the third for that of Simeon and the Arabs

MACLARE This is a scrap from the catalogue of Jehoshaphatrsquos lsquomighty men of valourrsquo and is Amasiahrsquos sole record We see him for a moment and hear his eulogium and then oblivion swallows him up We do not know what it was that he did to earn it But what a fate to live to all generations by that one sentence

I Cheerful self-surrender the secret of all religion

The words of our text contain a metaphor naturally drawn from the sacrificial system It comes so easily to us that we scarcely recognise the metaphorical element but the clear recognition of it gives great additional energy to the words Amasiah was both sacrificer and sacrifice His offering was self-immolation As in all love so in that noblest kind of it which clasps God its perfect expression is lsquoI give Thee my living loving selfrsquo Nor is it only sacrifice and sacrificer that are seen in deepest truth in the experience of the Christian life but the reality of the Temple is also there for lsquoYe also are built up a spiritual house to be a holy priesthood to offer up spiritual sacrificesrsquo Only when God dwells in us shall we have the nerve and the firmness of hand to take the knife and lsquoslay before the Lordrsquo the awful Guest in the sanctuary within the most precious of the children of our spirits

The essence of the sacrifice of self is the sacrifice of will In the Christian experience

lsquowillingly offeredrsquo is almost tautology for unwilling offerings are a contradiction and in fact there are no such things The quality of unwillingness destroys the character of the offering and robs it of all sacredness Reluctant Christianity is not Christianity That noun and that adjective can never be buckled together

The submission of will and the consequent surrender of myself and my powers opportunities and possessions so that I do all enjoy all use all and when need is endure all with glad thankful reference to God is only possible to me in the measure in which my will is made flexible by love and such will-subduing love comes only when we lsquoknow and believe the love that God hath to usrsquo There is the point at which not a few moral and religious teachers go wrong and bewilder themselves and their disciples There too is the point at which Christ and the Gospel of salvation through faith in Him stand forth as emancipating humanity from the dreary round of efforts and vain attempts to work up the condition needful for achieving the height of self-surrender which is seen to be indispensable to all true nobleness of living but is felt to be beyond the reach of the ordinary man There too is the point at which many good people mar their lives as Christians They waste their strength in trying to bring the jibbing horse up to the leap They try to blow up a fire of devotion and to make themselves priests to offer themselves but all the while the mutinous self recoils from the leap and the fire burns smokily and their sacrifice is laid on the altar with little joy because they have not been careful and wise enough to begin at the beginning and to follow Godrsquos way of melting their wills by love the reflection of the Infinite love of God to them Godrsquos priests offer themselves because they offer their wills they offer their wills because they love God they love God because they know that God loves them That is the divine order It is vain to try to accomplish the end by any other

II This willing offering hallows all life

No syllable is left to tell us what Amasiah did to win this praise Probably the words enshrine some now forgotten memory of his cheerful courage some heroic feat on an unrecorded battlefield Particulars are not given nor needed Specific actions are unimportant the spirit of a life can be told with very incomplete details and it not the details is the important thing Sometimes as in many modern biographies one lsquocannot see the wood for the treesrsquo and misses the main drift and aim of a life in the chaos of a bewildering mass of nothings How much more happy the lot of this man of whom we have only the generalised expression of the text unweighted and undisturbed by petty incidents It takes tons of rose leaves to make a tiny phial of otto of roses but the fragrance is far more pungent in a drop of the distillation than in armfuls of leaves Every life shrinks into very small compass and the centuries do not tolerate long biographies Shall we not seek to order our life so that Amasiahrsquos epitaph may serve for us It will be blessed if this-and nothing else-is known about us that we lsquowillingly offered ourselves to the Lordrsquo My friend will that be a true epitome of your life

III This willing offering is accepted by God

We may hear a mightier voice behind the chroniclerrsquo s and the judgment of the Judge of all pronounced by His lips It matters little what men say of one another but it matters everything what God says of us We are but too apt to forget that He is now saying something as to each of us and that we have not to wait for death to put a final period to our activities before our lives become fit subjects for Godrsquos judgment Moment by moment we are writing our own sentences But while it is good for us to remember the continuous judgment of God on each deed it is not good to let dark thoughts of the principles of that judgment paralyse our activity or chill our confidence in His forgiving and accepting mercy There is often a dark suspicion like that of the one-talented

servant which blackens Godrsquos fair fame as being lsquoan austere Manrsquo making demands rather than imparting power and the effect of such an ugly conception of Him is to cut the nerve of service and bury the talent carefully folded up it may be but none the less earning nothing lsquoIf we call on Him as Father who without respect of persons judgeth according to every manrsquos workrsquo let us be sure that it will be a Fatherly judgment that He will pass upon us and our offerings There is a wonderful collection on His altar of what many people would think rubbish just as many a mother has laid away among her treasures some worthless article which her child had once given her-a weed plucked by the roadside in a long past summer day some trifle of rare preciousness in the childrsquos eyes and of none in any others than her own She opens her drawer and brings out the poor little thing and her eyes fill and her heart fills as she looks And does not God keep His childrenrsquos gifts as lovingly and set them in places of honour in the day when He lsquomakes up His jewelsrsquo There are cups of cold water and widowsrsquo mites and much else that a supercilious world would call lsquotrashrsquo stored there Thank God He accepts imperfect service faltering faith partial consecration a little love Even our poor offering may be an lsquoodour of a sweet smellrsquo ministering fragrance that is a delight to Him if it is offered with the much incense of the great Sacrifice and through the mediation of the great High Priest

The world forgot Amasiah or never knew him an obscure soldier in an obscure kingdom but God did not forget and here is his epitaph and this is his memorial to all generations Menrsquos chronicles have no room for all the names that their wearers are eager to have inscribed on their crumbling and crowded pages lsquobut the Lambrsquos Book of Lifersquo has ample space on its radiant pages for all who desire to set their names there and if ours are there we need not envy the proudest whose titles and deeds fill the most conspicuous pages in the worldrsquos records lsquoThen shall every man have praise of Christrsquo and he who wins that guerdon needs nothing more and can have nothing more to swell his blessedness

17 From BenjaminEliada a valiant soldier with 200000 men armed with bows and shields

GILL And of Benjamin Eliada a mighty man of valour Was the chief commander

and with armed men with bow and shield two hundred thousand which were

the armour of the tribe of Benjamin they were best skilled in 2Ch_148

TRAPP 2 Chronicles 1717 And of Benjamin Eliada a mighty man of valour and with him armed men with bow and shield two hundred thousand

Ver 17 With bow and shield] The Benjamites were notable bowmen [1 Chronicles 122] The Engish were anciently so too

ELLICOTT (17) Armed men with bow and shieldmdashLiterally drawing bow and shield ie as the Targum explains ldquodrawing bow and grasping shieldsrdquo (Comp 1 Chronicles 122) LXX ldquoArchers and peltastsrdquo Vulg ldquoGrasping bow and shieldrdquo (Comp also 1 Chronicles 840 for the arms of the Benjaminites)

18 next Jehozabad with 180000 men armed for battle

GILL And next to him was Jehozabad According to the Targum he encamped next him

and with him one hundred and fourscore thousand ready prepared for war being able bodied men well disciplined valiant and well armed these numbers of Judah and Benjamin put together amount to 1160000 men whereas Asa only brought into the field 580000 but it should be considered there had been a long time of peace many had come off from the ten tribes to Judah and the promise of multiplying the seed of Abraham was eminently fulfilled

TRAPP 2 Chronicles 1718 And next him [was] Jehozabad and with him an hundred and fourscore thousand ready prepared for the war

Ver 18 A hundred and fourscore thousand] His militia was eleven hundred and threescore thousand besides what he had in garrisons [2 Chronicles 1719] So that as he was better he was stronger than his father Asa had been Piety hath prosperity

ELLICOTT (18) Ready prepared for the warmdashEquipped for service (See on 1

Chronicles 1223-24 umbers 315 umbers 3229) The hoplites or heavy-armed infantry are probably meant

PULPIT While Eliada of last verse was for Benjamin Professor Dr Murphy supposes that Jehozabad was for the annexed part of Ephraim But no suppositions of this kind can avail to explain the numbers in the text which is no doubt corrupt

19 These were the men who served the king besides those he stationed in the fortified cities throughout Judah

CLARKE These waited on the king - They were disposable forces always at the kingrsquos command and were independent of those by which the cities of Judah were garrisoned

There is not a sovereign in Europe or in the world but might read this chapter with advantage

1 It shows most forcibly that true religion is the basis of the state and that wherever it prospers there the state prospers

2 It shows also that it is the wisdom of kings to encourage religion with all their power and influence for if the hearts of the subjects be not bound and influenced by true religion vain is the application of laws fines imprisonments or corporal punishment of any kind

3 A religious nation is ever a great nation it is loved by its friends it is dreaded by its enemies

4 It is ever a peaceable and united nation the blessings of religion and a wholesome and paternal government are so fully felt and prized that all find it their interest to preserve and defend them Harmony peace piety and strength are the stability of such times May Britain know and value them

GILL These waited on the king Not this vast number of men at one time but in course as Davids military men waited on him 1Ch_271 or each of these captains with a proper number of men under them detached from the body and they were all ready to obey the kings orders whenever he should have occasion for them

besides those whom the king put into the fenced cities throughout Judah and all together the militia of the kingdom was very numerous and formidable

KampD 2Ch_1719

These were serving the king א6ה refers not to the above-mentioned men capable of

bearing arms for sheereet is not used of service in war but to the commanders whom he had placed in the fortified cities of all Judah ldquoin which probably bodies of the above-mentioned troops lay as garrisonsrdquo (Berth)

BESO 2 Chronicles 1719 These waited on the king mdash These above-mentioned were the trained bands or auxiliaries whose chief officers waited on the king to receive his commands and to raise and bring in all or part of their forces to the service of the king as need required A vast number for so small a compass of ground to furnish out and maintain But we may consider that God had promised to make the seed of Abraham like the sand of the sea for number that there had now been a long peace that many were come to them from the kingdom of Israel and that Jehoshaphat was under a special blessing of God They were doubtless dispersed all the country over every one residing on his own land only they were ready at call whenever there was occasion

TRAPP 2 Chronicles 1719 These waited on the king beside [those] whom the king put in the fenced cities throughout all Judah

Ver 19 These waited on the king] ie In their turns and by course

POOLE These above mentioned were the trained bands or auxiliaries whose chief officers waited upon the king to receive his commands and to raise and bring in all or part of their forces to the service of the king and kingdom as need required

ELLICOTT (19) These waited on the kingmdashRather these are they that ministered unto the king viz the five generals above named

Beside those whom the king put in the fenced citiesmdashie the commandants of the fortresses of the kingdom (2 Chronicles 1111 2 Chronicles 1123) These latter as well as the generals of the forces are called the kingrsquos ldquoministersrdquo (mĕshacircrĕthicircm)mdasha word which is not used of service in the field but implies their presence at court (ldquoin Jerusalemrdquo 2 Chronicles 1713 as the royal staff)

According to the above list the army of Jehoshaphat was organised in five grand divisions corresponding perhaps to five territorial divisions of the southern kingdom The totals are the largest assigned to the two tribes anywhere in the Old Testament viz Judah 780000 and Benjamin 380000 in all 1160000 At Davidrsquos census Judah had 500000 warriors (2 Samuel 249) and Israel 800000 Again in 2

Chronicles 148 Asarsquos army consists of 300000 men of Judah and 280000 Benjaminites clearly such an increase as our text indicates is unaccountable At the same time it is equally clear that the present numbers are not fortuitous results of clerical errors for they follow each other in the order of relative strength Judah 300000 280000 200000 Benjamin 200000 180000 and they are evidently not independent of the estimates of 2 Chronicles 148 above quoted

In the absence of adequate data for modifying these certainly startling figures it is well to bear in mind that we need not understand by them an army which ever actually mustered in the field or on parade but simply an estimate of the total male population liable to be called out for the national defence although even upon that understanding the total appears to be at least three times too great considering the small extent of the country

PULPIT These waited Hebrew המשרתים plur piel part of שרת The verse states that this enormous fivefold army with its five princes (counting in our corrupt text one million one hundred and sixty thousand) was the kings Jerusalem standing army while other separate regiments or bands of troops were spread through all Judah where they might be most needed for defence

Took away the high places mdash Yet in spite of all his efforts and successes in this matter the people had become so addicted to these practices that their destruction was not thoroughly secured See note on 2 Chronicles 143 and compare 2 Chronicles 2033

ELLICOTT (6) And his heart was lifted upmdashGabhah lccedilbh which usually like the phrase of Authorised version has a bad meaning as in 2 Chronicles 2616 The margin is right here ldquohis courage rose highrdquo or ldquohe grew boldrdquo in the ways of Jehovah ie in the path of religious reform Vulg ldquocum sumpsisset cor ejus audaciam propter vias Dominirdquo

MoreovermdashAnd again further Referring to 2 Chronicles 173 ot only did he not seek the Baals but more than this he removed the high places ampc [This is the common explanation But the sense may rather be ldquoAnd he again removedrdquo referring back to Asarsquos reforms 2 Chronicles 145]

GrovesmdashrsquoAshecircrim ldquoAsherahsrdquo (2 Chronicles 143)

PARKER And his heart was lifted up in the ways of the Lord moreover he took away the high places and groves out of Judah ( 2 Chronicles 176)

The expression his heart was lifted up is an awkward one The lifting up of the heart signifies increase of pride a sensation of vanity a desire to gratify personal ambition and to make an idol of his will In this instance the marginal reading is to be preferredmdashwas encouraged or otherwise his courage rose high and again it has been rendered Jehoshaphat grew bold that is to say he was not a timid reformer or a timid worshipper a trimmer or a time-server in any sense he was a heroic worshipper of the living God when he saw that reform was necessary he went forward with a steady step and an energetic hand We should call Jehoshaphat a man of conviction and a man who had the courage of his convictions altogether this is the outline of a noble personage a born king a man who has a right to the purple and the sceptre When such men ascend thrones nations should be glad and rejoice with a great joy for their character is grander than their office and their spirit is the best guarantee of the elevation and utility of their regal policy Becoming conscious of his power knowing that his kingdom was established from on high Jehoshaphat not only did pot seek the Baals himself but he took away the high places and groves out of Judah Jehoshaphat was not content with a merely personal religion he could not convert the hearts of his people but he could destroy all the symbols of unholy worship Men are only required to do that which lies within their power A proprietor may not be able to make people sober but he can forbid the introduction of temptations to drunkenness a parent may not be able to subdue the spirit of pride but he can in many instances limit the means of gratifying it There are reforms which are open to us all in personal custom in social habit it may be even in imperial ways let each Jehoshaphat seize his opportunity and magnify it

All this would have been comparatively in vain but for another step which

Jehoshaphat took In the third year of his reign he sent to his princesmdashthat is to say he sent his princesmdashand he sent Levites all of whose names are given and he sent also two priests Elishama and Jehoram and their business was purely educational

PULPIT And his heart was lifted up in the ways of the Lord Although the verb often carries a bad sense with it it quite as often carries with it a good one in the גבהOld Testament and the typical instance of the former (Psalms 1311) is fully counterbalanced by Isaiah 5213 The marginal was enencouraged may be superseded with advantage by took courage (Isaiah 4029-31) The groves Supersede this incorrect rendering by the Asherim and upon the seeming discrepancy see again Isaiah 151-9 17 and Introduction to Chronicles there quoted

7 In the third year of his reign he sent his officials Ben-Hail Obadiah Zechariah ethanel and Micaiah to teach in the towns of Judah

BARES The princes were not sent as teachers themselves but had the duty committed to them of seeing that the people were taught The actual teachers were the priests and Levites of 2Ch_178

CLARKE 7-9 To teach in the cities of Judah - ldquoTo teach the fear of the Lord in the cities of Judahrdquo - Targum

In these verses we find a remarkable account of an itinerant ministry established by Jehoshaphat and in this work he employed three classes of men

1 The princes

2 The Levites

3 The priests

We may presume that the princes instructed the people in the nature of the civil law and constitution of the kingdom the Levites instructed them in every thing that appertained to the temple service and ritual law and the priests instructed them in the

nature and design of the religion they professed Thus the nation became thoroughly instructed in their duty to God to the king and to each other They became therefore as one man and against a people thus united on such principles no enemy could be successful

GILL Also in the third year of his reign he sent to his princes That dwelt in the several parts of the kingdom or he sent them being with him some of the

principal men of his court for ל may be a sign of the accusative case as it sometimes is

even to Benhail and to Obadiah and to Zechariah and to Nethaneel and to Michaiah to teach in the cities of Judah to see that they were taught and oblige them to attend to the instructions that should be given them and not mutiny and rebel against their teachers and to let them know what was the kings pleasure on this head and to back with their authority the priests and Levites whose proper work it was to instruct and who therefore were sent with them as follows

JAMISO 7-11 2Ch_177-11 He sends Levites to teach in Judah

Also in the third year of his reign he sent to his princes to teach in the cities of Judahmdash The ordinary work of teaching devolved on the priests But extraordinary commissioners were appointed probably to ascertain whether the work had been done or neglected This deputation of five princes assisted by two priests and nine Levites was to make a circuit of the towns in Judah It is the first practical measure we read of as being adopted by any of the kings for the religious instruction of the people Time and unbroken opportunities were afforded for carrying out fully this excellent plan of home education for the kingdom enjoyed internal tranquillity as well as freedom for foreign wars It is conformable to the pious style of the sacred historian to trace this profound peace to the ldquofear of the Lord having fallen on all kingdoms of the lands that were round about Judahrdquo

BESO 2 Chronicles 177 He sent to his princes mdash to teach in the cities of Judah mdash To inform the people of their duty and of the kingrsquos pleasure As judges teach or instruct the people in the laws of the land when they deliver their charges upon the bench so did these princes in the kingrsquos name admonish and require the people to observe and obey the laws of God which were the municipal laws of that land the particular explication and enforcement whereof they left to the Levites and priests here following who were sent for this end and accordingly taught the people 2 Chronicles 179

COFFMA Because of the clause which we have capitalized this is one of the most important passages in Chronicles Right here is the reason radical critics have extended themselves so unreasonably in their efforts to discredit Chronicles Here is dependable historical proof of the continued existence of the Torah from the days of Moses throughout the history of Israel As Keil stated it The book of the law of Jehovah is the Pentateuch not merely a collection of Mosaic laws since in Jehoshaphats time the Mosaic Book of the Law (the Pentateuch) had been long in existence[1] We shall not take the space to repeat the vociferous denials of critics

except to cite one knee-jerk remark that characterizes all of them Such action was not taken in Jehoshaphats time[2] What is the basis of such a blatant denial of what Gods Word states as a fact even giving the very names of the royal princes who did the teaching THERE IS OE o matter what unbelievers say this chapter IS the historical record of what happened in the reign of Jehoshaphat and those who live two and one half millenniums afterward have nothing of value by which they may challenge it Then why do men deny it The false theories they have invented are here contradicted forcing them either to give up their false theories or to deny the Sacred Scriptures that contradict them

COKE 2 Chronicles 177 He sent to his princes even to Ben-hail ampcmdash He sent of his princes Ben-hail Obadiah ampc The proper business of these princes in their circuit round the kingdom says Bishop Patrick was to admonish and require the people to observe the laws of God and to leave the particular explication and enforcement of them to those of the sacred order who went with them supporting them in the execution of their office and obliging the people to receive them with respect to hear them with attention and to practise what they taught

TRAPP 2 Chronicles 177 Also in the third year of his reign he sent to his princes [even] to Benhail and to Obadiah and to Zechariah and to ethaneel and to Michaiah to teach in the cities of Judah

Ver 7 He sent to his princes to teach in the cities of Judah] Teaching princes there are not many such as were David Solomon George prince of Anhalt ampc but these were sent with the teaching Levites to countenance and bear them out in this visitation general and perhaps to punish the opposite and obstinate if any such Junius readeth the text thus He sent with his princes these Levites for the teaching Or the princes taught the people the law of the land the priests and Levites the law of God both did mutually help one another So a Danish king of this land made a law that at the general court of every shire the bishop of the diocese should accompany the sheriff that the one might countenance Godrsquos law the other manrsquos (a) Queen Elizabeth once in her progress through Suffolk observing that the justices of that county who came to meet her had every man his minister next to his body said she wondered not that that county was so well governed where she saw that the word and sword went so lovingly together (b)

POOLE To teach in the cities of Judah to inform the people of their duty and of the kingrsquos pleasure As judges or justices of peace teach or instruct the people in the laws of the land when they deliver their charges upon the bench so did these princes in the kingrsquos name admonish and require the people to observe and obey the laws of God which were the prinicipal laws of that land the particular explication and enforcement whereof they left to the Levites and priests here following who were sent for this end and accordingly taught the people 2 Chronicles 179

WHEDO 7 He sent to his princeshellip to teach mdash He committed the matter of

teaching to their oversight and care and the teaching was done by the Levites and priests as stated in the next verse He did well to put down idolatry but he was wise enough to know that unless the people were instructed they would soon apostatize again

ELLICOTT THE COMMISSIOERS OF PUBLIC ISTRUCTIO I THE LAW

(7) He sent to his princes even to Ben-hail to MichaiahmdashRather He sent his princes Ben- hail and Obadiah and Michaiah (The le ldquotordquo in the chroniclerrsquos idiom marking the object of the verb) If however Authorised Version were correct the construction would not be unique as the Speakerrsquos Com mentary asserts (Comp 2 Kings 57 ldquothis man sendeth to me to recover a manrdquo ampc)

Princesmdashone of the personages mentioned in this and the following verse are otherwise known The ldquofive princesrdquo were laymen of rank and were accompanied by nine (eight) Levites and two priests

Ben-hailmdashSon of valour A compound proper name only occurring here but analogous to Ben-hur Ben-deker and Ben-hesed in 1 Kings 48-10 (The LXX renders ldquothe sons of the mightyrdquo Syriac ldquothe chiefs of the forcesrdquo apparently reading bnecirc chail)

ethaneelmdashSyriac Mattanael Arabic Mattaniah Michaiah Syriac and Arabic Malachiah

GUZIK B The strength of Jehoshaphatrsquos kingdom

1 (2 Chronicles 177-10) The spiritual strength of the kingdom Jehoshaphat brings the Word of God to the people

Also in the third year of his reign he sent his leaders Ben-Hail Obadiah Zechariah ethanel and Michaiah to teach in the cities of Judah And with them he sent Levites Shemaiah ethaniah Zebadiah Asahel Shemiramoth Jehonathan Adonijah Tobijah and Tobadonijah the Levites and with them Elishama and Jehoram the priests So they taught in Judah and had the Book of the Law of the LORD with them they went throughout all the cities of Judah and taught the people And the fear of the LORD fell on all the kingdoms of the lands that were around Judah so that they did not make war against Jehoshaphat

a To teach in the cities of Judah These ldquoteaching priestsrdquo have been mentioned by the Chronicler before (2 Chronicles 153) They had the important role of bringing the word of God to the people especially those who lived outside of Jerusalem

b They taught in Judah and had the Book of the Law of the LORD with them they went throughout all the cities of Judah and taught the people This was the wisest

and best policy a security-conscious king of Judah could promote Because Jehoshaphat sought God first God sent fear upon the neighboring kingdoms so that they did not make war against Jehoshaphat

i ldquoBy this little band of princes Levites and priests sixteen in all Jehoshaphat did more toward impressing the surrounding nations with a sense of his power than the largest and best-equipped standing army could have secured to himrdquo (Knapp)

ii ldquoThe method adopted was what in these modern times we might describe as the holding of Special Missions throughout the cities of Judah for the specific purpose of proclaiming and interpreting lsquothe book of the law of Jehovahrsquordquo (Morgan)

iii ldquoo better service can be rendered to the nation than that of proclaiming the Word of Jehovah to the people in cities towns villages and hamlets By such proclamation the heart of the people may be turned to Jehovah and so He be enabled to do for them all that is in His heartrdquo (Morgan)

iv ldquoThus the nation became thoroughly instructed in their duty to God to the king and to each other They became therefore as one man and against a people thus united on such principles no enemy could be successfulrdquo (Clarke)

v Clarke observed how a similar itinerant ministry in the days of John Wesley and his followers impacted Britain ldquoSuch an itinerant ministry established in these kingdoms for upwards of fourscore years teaching the pure unadulterated doctrines of the Gospel with the propriety and necessity of obedience to the laws has been the principle means in the hand of God of preserving the lands from those convulsions and revolutions that have ruined and nearly dissolved the European continentrdquo

vi ldquoIt is said (2 Chronicles 172) Jehoshaphat place forces in all the fenced cities yet it is not said thereupon that lsquothe fear of the Lord fell upon the neighbour nationsrsquo But when he had established a preaching ministry in all the cities then his enemies had a fear and made no warrdquo (Trapp)

PULPIT He sent Hebrew שלח The Hebrew text distinctly says he sent to his princes not he sent his princes The meaning ismdashhe sent orders to his princes to see to it that Judah was taught (2 Chronicles 179) the book of the Law of the Lord (Le 2 Chronicles 1011 Deuteronomy 49 Deuteronomy 1718) not indeed without their own personal aid in whatever way able to be given but systematically and with authority by the Levites and priests (Deuteronomy 3310) This deeper fathoming of the needs of the time and of what constituted its real safety was greatly to the spiritual credit of Jehoshaphat The references (2 Chronicles 153 2 Chronicles 352-4 2 Chronicles 3510-12) are full of point one of these princes or Levites and priests are elsewhere mentioned by name

8 With them were certain LevitesmdashShemaiah ethaniah Zebadiah Asahel Shemiramoth Jehonathan Adonijah Tobijah and Tob-Adonijahmdashand the priests Elishama and Jehoram

GILL 2 Chronicles 178And with them he sent Levites With the five princes he sent nine Levites

even Shemaiah and Nethaniah and Zebadiah and Asahel and Shemiramoth and Jehonathan and Adonijah and Tobijah and Tobadonijah Levites of whom we nowhere else read no doubt they were principal persons and fit for the work they were sent about

and with them Elishama and Jehoram priests whose lips were to keep knowledge and at whose mouth the law was to be sought Mal_27

ELLICOTT (8) And with them he sent LevitesmdashRather And with them were the Levites The construction being changed So LXX and the Syriac (Comp 1 Chronicles 1641-42 1 Chronicles 1518 for the same mode of enumeration which is characteristic of the style of the chronicler

ZebadiahmdashSome MSS and Syriac and Arabic read Zechariah

ShemiramothmdashSo LXX and Vulg (see 1 Chronicles 165 1 Chronicles 1518) The Heb text is probably incorrect Syriac and Arabic read instead atucircra

Tob-adonijahmdashThis curious name occurs only here and is perhaps a mere mistake arising out of the preceding Adonijah and Tobijah The Syriac and Arabic omit it

PriestsmdashThe priests

The commission was a mixed one of civil and ecclesiastical persons (comp 1 Chronicles 131-2 1 Chronicles 232 1 Chronicles 246)

And had the book of the law of the LordmdashAnd with them was the book of the law (teaching) of Jehovah For the construction compare 1 Chronicles 1642 The writer

evidently means the Pentateuch and if this notice was derived by him from a contemporary source eg the ldquowords of Jehu the son of Hananirdquo to which he refers as an authority for the reign (2 Chronicles 2034) it would constitute an important testimony to the existence if not of the five books at least of an ancient collection of laws at this early date (circ 850 BC )

And taught the peoplemdashTaught among the people

9 They taught throughout Judah taking with them the Book of the Law of the Lord they went around to all the towns of Judah and taught the people

BARES There is no reasonable doubt that this ldquobook of the lawrdquo was the Pentateuch - nearly if not quite in the shape in which we now have it Copies of the whole Law were no doubt scarce and therefore Jehoshaphatrsquos commission took care to carry a copy with them

CLARKE Had the book of the law of the Lord with them - This was their text book it was the book of God they taught it as such and as such the people received it Its laws were Godrsquos laws and the people felt their obligation and their consciences were bound Thus they were obedient to the laws of the land on the principle of religion In this they were encouraged and confirmed by the example of all both in Church and state The princes were not only pious but were teachers of piety the Levites showed them the worth and excellence of their ritual institutions and the priests showed them the moral use they were to make of the whole and thus the people became obedient to God as well as to the king and kept all the civil ordinances not merely for the sake of a good king but for the sake of a good and gracious God By these means the nation enjoyed peace and prosperity and all insurrections seditions and popular commotions were prevented The surrounding nations perceiving this saw that there was no hope of subduing such a people so they made no war with Jehoshaphat 2Ch_1710 And they took care not to provoke such a people to fall on them therefore it is said The fear of the Lord fell on all the kingdoms and lands that were round about Judah Such an itinerant ministry established in these kingdoms for upwards of fourscore years

teaching the pure unadulterated doctrines of the Gospel with the propriety and necessity of obedience to the laws has been the principal means in the hand of God of preserving these lands from those convulsions and revolutions that have ruined and nearly dissolved the European continent The itinerant ministry to which this refers is that which was established in these lands by the late truly reverend highly learned and cultivated deeply pious and loyal John Wesley AM formerly a fellow of Lincoln College Oxford whose followers are known by the name of Methodists a people who are an honor to their country and a blessing to the government under which they live

GILL And they taught in Judah The people their duty to God and man

and had the book of the law of the Lord with them as the rule of their instruction and the peoples obedience out of this they taught them and by it confirmed what they taught and enforced it with the divine authority

and went about throughout all the cities of Judah not only their own cities the Levitical ones but all others

and taught the people the law of the Lord the fear and worship of God

JAMISO the book of the lawmdash that is either the whole Pentateuch or only the book of Deuteronomy which contains an abridgment of it

BESO 2 Chronicles 179 And they taught in Judah ampc mdash The Levites and priests were teachers by office Deuteronomy 3310 It was a part of the work for which they had their maintenance and indeed had little else to do But it seems they had neglected it pretending probably that they could not get the people to hear them Jehoshaphat therefore sends them with the princes who by their authority might require the people to assemble together to receive instruction in the laws of God and their duty ldquoWhat a great deal of goodrdquo says Henry ldquomay be done when Moses and Aaron thus go hand in hand in the doing of it when princes with their power and priests and Levites with their Scripture-learning agree to teach the people the good knowledge of God and their duty These itinerant judges and itinerant preachers together were instrumental to diffuse a blessed light throughout the cities of Judahrdquo And had the book of the law of the Lord with them mdash 1st For their own guidance that from thence they might draw all the instructions they gave to the people and not teach for doctrines the commandments of men 2d For the conviction or the people that they might see these priests and Levites had a divine warrant for what they said and delivered to them only that which they had received from the Lord

TRAPP 2 Chronicles 179 And they taught in Judah and [had] the book of the law of the LORD with them and went about throughout all the cities of Judah and taught the people

Ver 9 And had the book of the law of the Lord with them] They taught not

traditions human inventions or unwritten verities All their doctrines came cum privilegio and were Scripture proof

WHEDO 9 The book of the law mdash Our Pentateuch in substantially its present form ldquoCopies of the whole law were no doubt scarce and therefore Jehoshaphatrsquos commission took care to carry a copy with themrdquo mdash Rawlinson

PARKER And they taught in Judah and had the book of the law of the Lord with them and went about throughout all the cities of Judah and taught the people ( 2 Chronicles 179)

This was a mixed commission partly civil partly ecclesiastical The men here mentioned are otherwise unknown We identify them as educational reformers or reformers who operated through the medium of education they were not warriors destroyers revolutionists but men who addressed the mind and the understanding and the conscience and caused men to know that the true law was from above and not from beneath The book which the commission had in hand was the Pentateuch or the law of Moses This was known to be the law which alone could touch all the vital necessities of the commonwealth Again and again we are constrained to admit that there is a law beyond Prayer of Manasseh above Prayer of Manasseh in a sense apart from man men are not driven within themselves to find a law an instinct or a reason they have a written statute an authoritative declaration a book which Christian teachers do not hesitate to describe as a Revelation and to that they call the attention of men If the teacher were teaching out of his own consciousness he would be but an equal often exposing himself to the destructive criticism of his more advanced and penetrating scholars but the teacher takes his stand upon a book upon the Book the Bible a revelation which he believes to be divine and final Say what we will the effect of Bible teaching must be judged by its fruits Where are the nations that are most distinguished for wide and varied intelligence for large and exhaustive sympathy for missionary enterprise for philanthropic institutions and for all the elements which give grace and beauty to social existence The question should admit of definite reply the facts are before men let them judge fearlessly and honestly and we need have no apprehension concerning their verdict Wherever the word of the Lord has had free course superstition has been chased away human slavery has been abolished every instance of intolerance injustice unkindness has felt the influence of holy thought in all these matters discussion should be limited strictly to facts Thus kings can help nations not by forcing education not by attempting to rule opinion not by setting up standards of orthodoxy to fall short of which is to incur penalty but by spreading education by extending light by cultivating a spirit of inquiry and by a generous multiplication of all the instrumentalities needed for the destruction of ignorance What may come of this we are not supposed at this moment to know Meanwhile let us be thankful that we are face to face with a man who has conviction courage independence high patriotic and generous impulse and let us hope that his end may be as beautiful as his beginning was promising

SIMEO THE ROYAL EDICT

ADVERTISEMETmdashThe author feels it necessary to prefix to this Sermon some short account of the occasion on which it was delivered

The author was at Amsterdam (in June 1818) partly with a view of re-establishing there an Episcopal Chapel in which there had been no service for seven years but principally with a view of seeking the welfare of the Children of Israel He went thither rather to explore than to act (See ehemiah 212-16) But just previous to the 18th of June he understood that the Third Anniversary of the Battle of Waterloo was to be kept throughout the etherlands as a day of thanksgiving and just at that time also he quite accidentally heard that the King of the etherlands had a year before issued an Edict requiring all the Jews to educate their children in the knowledge of their own Scriptures and calling upon all his Christian Subjects to aid in this good work Despondency not unlike to that which paralyzed all exertion at Jerusalem in ehemiahrsquos days so universally prevailed that no one had risen to the occasion the very Commissioners who had been appointed to carry the Edict into effect had published a Report in which they gave it as their opinion ldquothat the Lordrsquos time was not comerdquo and there was great danger that the gracious designs of the Monarch would be altogether frustrated The author therefore judged this a fit occasion for calling the attention of the Public to the Edict and accordingly after devoting the Morning Service to the more appropriate subject of the day he employed the Evening Service in an endeavour to forward this good work Considerable attention was excited to the subject by means of the Sermon which was therefore instantly printed in Dutch French and English for the purpose of its being circulated throughout the etherlands and he has reason to hope that active exertions were afterwards made in many places to promote what every benevolent mind must ardently desire the edification and welfare of the Jewish People

So good an example having been set by the Emperor of Russia and the King of the etherlands the author hopes that the attention of our own Governors also both in Church and State may be called to this long-neglected People and that now the British Public has been invited by authority (the Kingrsquos Letter) to aid in supporting Missions to the Heathen World the claims of the Jewish ation to whom under God we owe all the light that we ourselves enjoy will not be overlooked It is with a view to this great object that the author sends forth the Sermon in this country where if the foregoing explanation had not been given its relevancy and use might have been justly called in question

2 Chronicles 179 And they taught in Judah and had the book of the law of the Lord with them and went about throughout all the cities of Judah and taught the people

O a day set apart for thanksgiving to God for mercies received it is peculiarly proper to consider what we may render unto the Lord for all his benefits Certainly if any event ever deserved repeated annual commemoration it is that which has

freed the world from the most grievous tyranny that ever it endured Of the bitter cup which was put into the hands of every nation in Europe this nation [ote The etherlands] drank very deeply and the change which it has experienced in the restoration of their rightful Monarch and in the establishment of a free Constitution calls for their devoutest acknowledgments to Almighty God Doubtless we may with justice pay some tribute of honour to those who by their counsels and their arms effected the overthrow of the Usurper but it is God alone who giveth victory to kings and to whom the glory of this great victory must be primarily ascribed and he who accounts a day consecrated to this service superfluous shews that he is far from justly appreciating the blessings that have been conferred upon him The monarch himself has given to his people a very decided evidence that he feels the depth of his obligations to the God of his salvation and it will be your own loss if you do not cultivate a similar spirit and improve the occasion to the honour of your God

But it is not to thanksgiving only that your Monarch invites you he calls you by a special Edict to unite with him in seeking the welfare of your Jewish Brethren who in their struggle with the enemy signally approved their fidelity to their legitimate Sovereign Their welfare he in his turn studies to promote and he desires to combine the energies of all his subjects in efforts for their good Methinks he is like Jehoshaphat of old who well knowing that piety must be founded in knowledge and happiness in piety sent forth the Princes of his empire with a select number of Priests and Levites to instruct his people in the knowledge of Godrsquos blessed word

His edict on this occasion and the manner in which it was carried into effect will form the subject of my present discourse

I Then we notice the edict of King Jehoshaphatmdash

This was such as became a great and pious monarch and we shall find it not unprofitable or unsuitable to the present occasion to enter into a distinct consideration of it We observe then that it was a kind and benevolent edict a wise and politic edict a good and beneficial edict

Mark the benevolence displayed in it He sought the present and eternal welfare of his subjects He knew that as men are raised above the beasts by the exercise of reason so are they elevated in the scale of rational beings in proportion as their intellectual powers are cultivated and enlarged Man destitute of knowledge is a mere savage but when instructed in the various branches of science he becomes refined and civilized and capable of contributing to the general good In the very cultivation of knowledge there is much pleasure arising to the mind and in the application of that knowledge to useful purposes there is an exquisite delight We need only observe persons when employed in their several vocations how happy they are how contented how cheerful oftentimes unconsciously proclaiming their happiness like the birds of the air in festal songs or consciously and with devotion in songs of praise

But it was not mere intellectual improvement which Jehoshaphat sought to convey he wished his people to be instructed in the knowledge of that God whom they professed to fear and worship This alone could make them truly happy this alone could impart to them sound wisdom or solid consolation He therefore gave particular directions that they should be taught ldquoin the Book of the Law of the Lordrdquo and this throughout the whole land O happy people whose governor so employed the authority with which he was invested And happy that monarch who so improved his influence not for his own personal aggrandizement but for the best interests of the people committed to his charge In so doing he approved himself to be indeed what every governor should be the friend and father of his people

or was the policy of this measure at all inferior to its benevolence A people well instructed in moral and religious knowledge will view government as an ordinance of God and will learn to obey the constituted authorities not so much from fear of their wrath as for conscience sake towards God They will view their governors as Godrsquos vicegerents upon earth and will consider allegiance to them as an essential part of their duty to him Hence will spring up love in their hearts and a real delight in manifesting on all proper occasions their loyalty to their king they will form a bulwark around his person in case of necessity and even glory in laying down their lives for him as their greatest benefactor

The benefits arising from this edict were incalculable Such was the effect of it that the fear of Jehoshaphat and of Jehovah as his protector fell on all the nations that were round about him so that none however hostile in their hearts dared to make war against him [ote ver 10] Doubtless this resulted chiefly from an impression made upon their minds by God himself yet it was also produced by a dread of that energy which an united people were ready to put forth at any instant at the call of their beloved monarch At the same time that peace was thus secured prosperity reigned in every part of the empire and as the immediate fruit of it Jehoshaphat as well as the people ldquohad riches and honour in abundance [ote ver 5]rdquo In his own mind too he reaped the fruits of his own benevolence God smiled upon him and manifested himself to him and enabled him to walk with ldquohis heart lifted up in the ways of the Lord [ote ver 6]rdquo

Such was the edict of the pious Jehoshaphatmdashbenevolent politic beneficial And what I would ask is the Edict which has been issued by the highest authority in this kingdom Do we not see in it the same blessed characters as in that which we have been considering It was ldquoin the third year of his reign [ote ver 7]rdquo that Jehoshaphat sent forth teachers to enlighten and instruct his subjects The very instant he felt himself at liberty from the more urgent and pressing calls of duty (such as the fortifying of his land against foreign enemies and the correcting of some great internal abuses) he engaged in this good work of diffusing light and knowledge through all classes of the community In like manner the sovereign of this kingdom has scarcely had time to repair the ravages of war and to establish his empire too long weakened and impoverished by a cruel usurpation before he stands forth as the friend and father of his people and more especially of that portion of them who have in every age and place been most treated with neglect and

disdain to have them educated in scriptural knowledge and in the fear of God It is much to be lamented that the Jewish people have not in general been so attentive either to the learning or morals of their children as might be wished and hence arose a necessity for some authoritative admonition on the subject Yet if I may say it without offence this neglect has not been more reprehensible in them than has been the indifference with which the Christian world has regarded it The monarch (may God recompense it richly into his bosom) has risen up to remedy the supineness both of the one and the other and to call forth the united energies of all to correct and terminate this evil Yet whilst he thus consults the best interests of his subjects with what paternal tenderness has he guarded against wounding the feelings of any or exciting their religious prejudices The Scriptures of the Old Testament are alone to be used in the schools that shall be established even those Scriptures which Jews as well as Christians believe to have been given by inspiration of God and to contain truth without any mixture of error In this is marked the policy no less than the benevolence of the edict for it is not by constraint but by conciliation and kindness that good is to be done to any and more especially to those who have shewn themselves now for so many centuries proof against all the efforts of intimidation or force In this kingdom they form no small body and I may add no unimportant portion of the community It is well known how extensive is their influence in the affairs of commerce and how by their activity they contribute to enrich the state Hence it is now generally seen and felt that they are entitled to the same respect as any other subjects of the realm and whilst as in the present instance they see how deeply their monarch feels interested in their welfare they cannot but on their part be sensible of the privileges they enjoy under his paternal government and testify their gratitude to him by every possible expression of loyalty and affection

What the ultimate effect of these measures will be may be conjectured from the blessed results of the edict of Jehoshaphat all will feel themselves happy under the government of such a prince and he whilst he is respected abroad and beloved at home will have the happiness of seeing his labours crowned with prosperity throughout his dominions and with peace in his own soul

II The manner in which Jehoshaphatrsquos edict was carried into execution is now to be noticedmdash

The promptness with which his commands were executed deserves the highest praise All were ready to co-operate in this good work as soon as it was proposed ldquoPrinces and priests and Levites [ote ver 7 8]rdquo all addressed themselves to it instantly with one heart and one soul one accounted their dignity so high or their functions so sacred but they thought it an honour to be employed in such a service and found a delight in fulfilling the wishes of their revered monarch all entered into the work with zeal and prosecuted it with diligence and hence a rapid change was effected both in the temporal and spiritual condition of the whole nation And what may not be effected in this kingdom also if a similar zeal be exercised by ldquothe princes and priestsrdquo (the magistrates and clergy) of the land With them it must begin Those who move in a lower station can effect nothing if they be not aided and

countenanced by the higher orders whose rank in life or sacredness of character will give a tone to the general feeling and combine the energies of the whole kingdom If it be said that those for whom the benefit is designed do not feel a desire after it this only shews how much they need it and how earnestly we should all embark in a cause proposed by such high authority and recommended by the soundest dictates of wisdom and piety

That our obligations to unite in this labour of love may the more distinctly appear I would beg leave to suggest the following considerations

First Loyalty to the king demands our concurrence with him in this good work and a holy emulation amongst us to carry into effect his benevolent designs What can the greatest or best of men effect (what could Jehoshaphat himself have done) if there be none to act in subserviency to them and to follow their directions As the most potent monarch upon earth would in vain proclaim war if there were no soldiers found to enlist under his banners and to execute his commands so it will be in vain that the design of benefiting the Jewish people was ever conceived in the mind of the king or that his edict respecting them was ever issued if his subjects do not put forth their energies in obedience to his call In truth a backwardness to co-operate with him in this blessed work would seem like a reflection cast upon him as recommending a measure that was unworthy of attention I do not mean to insinuate that such an idea really exists in the minds of any for I am perfectly convinced it does not but certainly in appearance it is open to this construction and every subject of the empire is concerned to act in such a way as to cut off all occasion for a reflection like this I say loyalty alone even if we had no higher motive should be sufficient to call forth our exertions in this cause

But let me next observe that gratitude to the Jewish nation demands it at our hands How great how manifold are our obligations to them Behold Moses and the prophets what instruction have they given us in reference to the way of life and salvation Without the moral law as revealed by Moses we should never have known to what an extent we need a Saviour nor if the prophecies had not so fully designated the promised Messiah could we have ever so fully known that Jesus was the Christ Of whom did the Lord Jesus Christ himself come as pertaining to the flesh but from the loins of David and of the seed of Abraham Yet to him are we indebted for all that we either have or hope for in time or in eternity And who were the Apostles but Jews who for our sakes went forth preaching the word and counted not their lives dear to them so that they might but lead us to the knowledge of Christ and make us partakers of his salvation From them too we have received the lively oracles which are the one source of all spiritual knowledge and the one foundation of all our hopes Does all this call for no recompence at our hands Knowing as we do the vast importance of education should we not endeavour to impart it to those from whose ancestors we have received such innumerable such inestimable benefits Yet behold these are the people whom for many many centuries we have treated with more neglect and contempt than any other people upon the face of the earth the savages of the most distant climes have received more attention from us than they Surely it is high time that the Christian world awake to

a sense of their duty and begin to shew to the Jews somewhat of that love which their forefathers exercised towards us in our Gentile state We are debtors to them to a vast amount and it is high time that we begin to discharge our debt And how can we discharge it better than by enabling them to read and understand those very oracles which they have preserved with such fidelity and which testify so fully of their promised Messiah

Further A love to the rising generation should lead us to avail ourselves of the present opportunity to promote their welfaremdashIt is truly afflictive to see how low and degraded is the state of multitudes especially of the Jewish nation purely through the neglect with which they are treated in their early youth and still more grievous is it to reflect on their ignorance of those things which belong to their everlasting peace To counteract this we should endeavour to qualify the whole of their population for good and useful employments and through the medium of useful instruction to make them holy and to make them happy We need never be afraid that there will not be a sufficient number of poor to fill the lower stations do what we will there will never be wanting persons who through their own fault or misfortunes are necessitated to undertake the lowest offices of life And if they have been previously instructed in the Scriptures of Truth they will have a fund of consolation ever open to them in their deepest afflictions they will learn from the inspired volume in whatsoever state they are there-with to be content and in the prospect of the eternal world they will find joys with which a stranger intermeddleth not and which the world can neither give nor take away We feel the force of these considerations in reference to the poor of our own communion how is it that we feel it not in reference to our Jewish Brethren This is a partiality unworthy of us and we should rise as one man to wipe off this disgrace from our own character

This brings me to the last consideration which I propose to mention namely that a concern for the honour of our holy religion should operate to unite us all in executing the Royal EdictmdashWhat must a Jew think of our religion when he sees how little it has wrought for us in the production of love We may tell him of a Messiah who has loved us and laid down his life for us but what credit will he give us for our principles when he sees how little our practice corresponds with them May he not well say to us ldquoPhysician heal thyselfrdquo Shew by your conduct the superiority of your principles before you call on me to embrace them It is by love that we must win them it is by shewing kindness to them that we must efface from their hearts those prejudices which with too much reason they entertain against us We must exhibit in our own person the loveliness of Christianity before we can bring them to investigate the grounds of our faith or to imagine that they can improve their own condition by embracing it May I not then call upon you as Christians to unite in the good work that is now before you that you may thereby serve and glorify your Lord and Saviour As Christians you believe that there is no other way to the Father but by Christ [ote John 146] and no other name but his whereby any human being can be saved [ote Acts 412] Where is your piety where is your love to Christ where is even common humanity if you will not avail yourselves of the present opportunity to remove from before your Jewish Brethren

the stumbling-blocks which for so many ages have been laid in their way

Do any ask What shall we do I answer search out amongst the Jews some persons of probity and talent to commence schools among them and do you yourselves aid to the utmost of your power in the support of them provide them with all necessary books for instructing children in the first rudiments of knowledge provide them with Bibles also both in the Dutch and Hebrew languages that they may be thoroughly instructed in the knowledge of their own religion and learn to walk in the steps of their father Abraham and of all the holy prophets

Begin too without loss of time Adult Schools You will find many among the house of Israel who will be glad to avail themselves of your instructions Let those who are benevolent amongst you dedicate an hour in a day to the instructing of a few who may be desirous to learn and carefully avoid every thing which may give unnecessary offence Confine yourselves to the Old Testament which they venerate as well as you Let those who can teach only in the Dutch language give instruction in that and let those who either understand or have leisure to attain the Hebrew tongue draw their attention to that In particular let it be the united endeavour of all to qualify masters for this good work

And let it not be thought that this is the duty of men only The Royal Edict has particularly and with great wisdom recommended it to females who may be of infinite service in conveying instruction to their own sex This age is distinguished above all others for the activity of females in the service of God and in the performance of every good work Were I able to declare the proportion of good that is done in Britain by the female sex it would appear incredible I believe from my soul that it far exceeds one half in all the societies raised since the commencement of the present century in the Bible Society the Missionary Societies and the Society for Promoting the Knowledge of Christianity amongst the Jews yes let the ladies of this country exert themselves in a prudent modest and discreet way and the effects will soon appear the Royal Edict will not be a dead letter but will produce incalculable good to the whole nationmdashand the agents in this benevolent work will themselves receive quite as much benefit as they impart their benevolence being in proportion as it is exercised its own reward

10 The fear of the Lord fell on all the kingdoms of the lands surrounding Judah so that they did not go to war against Jehoshaphat

GILL And the fear of the Lord fell upon all the kingdoms of the lands that were round about Judah Upon the ten tribes and on foreign nations about them as Moabites Edomites Syrians Egyptians Arabs and Philistines this fear as it came from the Lord so might be raised and increased by observing that religion was revived in them for they might perceive by former observations made that the more religious these people were the more prosperous and formidable they were

so that they made no war against Jehoshaphat to interrupt him in the work of reformation he was so intent upon

HERY We have here a further account of Jehoshaphats great prosperity and the flourishing state of his kingdom

I He had good interest in the neighbouring princes and nations Though he was not perhaps so great a soldier as David (which might have made him their terror) nor so great a scholar as Solomon (which might have made him their oracle) yet the fear of the Lord fell so upon them (that is God so influenced and governed their spirits) that they had all a reverence for him 2Ch_1710 And 1 None of them made war against himGods good providence so ordered it that while the princes and priests were instructing and reforming the country none of his neighbours gave him any molestations to take him off from that good work Thus when Jacob and his sons were going to worship at Bethel the terror of God was upon the neighbouring cities that they did not pursue after them Gen_355 and see Exo_3424 2 Many of them brought presents to him (2Ch_1711) to secure his friendship Perhaps these were a tribute imposed upon them by Asa who made himself master of the cities of the Philistines and the tents of the Arabians 2Ch_1414 2Ch_1415 With the 7700 rams and the same number of he-goats which the Arabians brought there was probably a proportionable number of ewes and lambs she-goats and kids

KampD This attempt of Jehoshaphat brought him this blessing that the terror of Jahve fell upon all the surrounding kingdoms and not only did none of the neighbouring peoples venture to make war upon him but also various tribes did homage to him by presents Ramb has already so understood the connection of these verses (erat hoc praemium pietatis Josaphati quod vicini satisque potentes hostes non auderent adversus ipsum hiscere) while Berth fails to apprehend it saying that Jehoshaphat had time to care for the instruction of his people because at that time the neighbouring peoples did not venture to undertake war against Judah The words ldquoterror of Jahverdquo cf 2Ch_1413 2Ch_2029 and ldquoall the kingdoms of the landsrdquo cf 2Ch_128 1Ch_2930 are expressions peculiar to the author of the Chronicle which show that by these remarks he is preparing the way for a transition to a more detailed

portrayal of Jehoshaphats political power מן־(לש)ים is subject מן partitive some of the

Philistines brought him presents (for מנחה see on 2Ch_175) ldquoand silver a burdenrdquo ie

in great quantity מא does not signify tribute vectigal argento (Vulg) for the word has

not that signification but denotes burden that which can be carried as in מא לאן

2Ch_2025 - 2Ch_2116 2Ch_221 ערבים 2Ch_267 and more usually ערב-ים or ערביאים

are Arabian nomadic tribes (Bedacircwin) perhaps those whom Asa after his victory over the Cushite Zerah had brought under the kingdom of Judah 2Ch_1414 These paid

their tribute in small cattle rams and he-goats (ישים( Gen_3035 Gen_3215 Pro_

3031)

BESO 2 Chronicles 1710 The fear of the Lord fell upon all the kingdoms ampc mdash Justly concluding from his singular piety that God would eminently appear for him for even the heathen could not but observe that the kings of Judah were either prosperous or unhappy according as they served God or forsook him So that they made no war against Jehoshaphat mdash Godrsquos good providence so ordered it that while the princes and priests were instructing and endeavouring to reform the country none of his neighbours gave him any molestation to take him off from that good work

COFFMA All of this peace and prosperity were directly due to the respect which Jehoshaphat had shown to the Law of God and to his efforts to teach that word to all the people It is no problem that much of the material here is omitted in Kings because the primary focus there was political whereas in Chronicles the focus is upon the spiritual and religious significance of the same history

TRAPP 2 Chronicles 1710 And the fear of the LORD fell upon all the kingdoms of the lands that [were] round about Judah so that they made no war against Jehoshaphat

Ver 10 And the fear of the Lord fell upon all the kingdoms] It is said [2 Chronicles 172] Jehoshaphat placed forces in all the fenced cities yet it is not said thereupon that the fear of the Lord fell upon the neighbour nations But when he had established a preaching ministry in all the cities then his enemies had a fear and made no war

POOLE Justly concluding from this singular piety that God would eminently appear for him and against all those who had ill will to him which was their case For even the heathens could not but observe that the kings of Judah were either prosperous or unhappy accordingly as they served God or forsook him

ELLICOTT (10) The fear of the LordmdashA dread of Jehovah (pachad) aps 2029 (Comp Exodus 1516 1 Samuel 117 Isaiah 210 ) This phrase is not peculiar to the chronicler as Keil and Bertheau assert ldquoThe kingdoms of the landsrdquo is so (2 Chronicles 128 1 Chronicles 2930)

They made no warmdashThe reward of Jehosha-phatrsquos piety (1 Chronicles 229

Proverbs 167) ldquoWhen a manrsquos ways please the Lord he maketh even his enemies to be at peace with himrdquo (Comp also Genesis 355)

11 Some Philistines brought Jehoshaphat gifts and silver as tribute and the Arabs brought him flocks seven thousand seven hundred rams and seven thousand seven hundred goats

BARES Some of the Philistines brought Jehoshaphat presents - i e ldquosome of the Philistines were among his tributariesrdquo Compare 2Sa_82 1Ki_421

Tribute silver - Or ldquomuch silverrdquo - literally ldquosilver of burthenrdquo

The Arabians - The Arab tribes who bordered Judaea to the south and the southeast paid Jehoshaphat a fixed tribute in kind Compare 2Ki_34 note

CLARKE The Philistines brought - presents - They and the Arabians purchased peace with the king of Judah by paying an annual tribute The Philistines brought silver and no doubt different kinds of merchandise The Arabs whose riches consisted in cattle brought him flocks in great abundance principally rams and he-goats

GILL Also some of the Philistines brought Jehoshaphat presents and tribute silver Perhaps those of Gerar and the parts adjacent Asa took and spoiled and made tributary 2Ch_1414

and the Arabians brought him flocks seven thousand and seven hundred rams and seven thousand and seven hundred he goats with which their country abounded and these might be the Scenite Arabs who fearing lest Jehoshaphat should fall upon them and take away their flocks as his father had done 2Ch_1415 brought these presents to him

JAMISO Also some of the Philistines brought Jehoshaphat presents and tribute silvermdash either they had been his tributaries or they were desirous of securing his valuable friendship and now made a voluntary offer of tribute Perhaps

they were the Philistines who had submitted to the yoke of David (2Sa_81 Psa_608)

the Arabiansmdash the nomad tribes on the south of the Dead Sea who seeking the protection of Jehoshaphat after his conquest of Edom paid their tribute in the way most suitable to their pastoral habits - the present of so many head of cattle

BESO 2 Chronicles 1711 Some of the Philistines brought presents mdash They had been subject to Judah ever since Davidrsquos time but it seems had neglected this duty in the times of his predecessors but were now moved by their own fears to perform it And the Arabians brought him flocks mdash Either because he had upon some just occasion waged war against them and subdued them or because they voluntarily put themselves under his protection in recompense whereof they sent him these presents or only as a free acknowledgment of their respect for him

TRAPP 2 Chronicles 1711 Also [some] of the Philistines brought Jehoshaphat presents and tribute silver and the Arabians brought him flocks seven thousand and seven hundred rams and seven thousand and seven hundred he goats

Ver 11 Also some of the Philistines] These having been subdued by David had withheld their tribute for a time but now seeing Jehoshaphatrsquos growing greatness they bring it in with the better that no offence might be taken at their former neglect The word here used signifieth honorary gifts or oblations pacifications

ldquo Placatur donis Iupiter ipse datis rdquo

Think the same of the Arabians See 2 Chronicles 1414-15

POOLE Some of the Philistines who had been subjects to this kingdom ever since Davidrsquos time but it seems had neglected this duty in the times of his predecessors but now were moved by their own fears to perform it

The Arabians brought him flocks either because he had upon some just occasion waged war against them and subdued them though the particulars of it be not described in Scripture or because they voluntarily put themselves under his protection in recompence whereof they sent him those presents or only as a free acknowledgment of their respects to him

ELLICOTT (11) Broughtmdashie continually Such is the force of the participle

PresentsmdashAn offering ie tribute (minchah 2 Chronicles 175)

And tribute silvermdashRather and silver a load or burden ie a great quantity (massacircrsquo) 2 Chronicles 2025 As if ldquosilver as much as they could carryrdquomdasha natural hyperbole ot all the five states of the Philistines were subject to Jehoshaphat (Comp 2 Samuel 81)

The ArabiansmdashlsquoArbicircrsquoim here only equivalent to lsquoArbicircyicircm (2 Chronicles 267) and

lsquoArbim (2 Chronicles 2116) They are in each case grouped with the Philistines The nomad Bedacircwin conquered by Asa (2 Chronicles 1415) appear to be meant here or else some tribes which recognised the overlordship of Jehoshaphat after his reduction of Edom (2 Chronicles 2022 sqq)

Brought him flocksmdashComp Mesha of Moabrsquos tribute to Ahab (2 Kings 34)

GUZIK 2 (2 Chronicles 1711-19) The international strength of Jehoshaphatrsquos kingdom

Also some of the Philistines brought Jehoshaphat presents and silver as tribute and the Arabians brought him flocks seven thousand seven hundred rams and seven thousand seven hundred male goats So Jehoshaphat became increasingly powerful and he built fortresses and storage cities in Judah He had much property in the cities of Judah and the men of war mighty men of valor were in Jerusalem These are their numbers according to their fathersrsquo houses Of Judah the captains of thousands Adnah the captain and with him three hundred thousand mighty men of valor and next to him was Jehohanan the captain and with him two hundred and eighty thousand and next to him was Amasiah the son of Zichri who willingly offered himself to the LORD and with him two hundred thousand mighty men of valor Of Benjamin Eliada a mighty man of valor and with him two hundred thousand men armed with bow and shield and next to him was Jehozabad and with him one hundred and eighty thousand prepared for war These served the king besides those the king put in the fortified cities throughout all Judah

a Some of the Philistines brought Jehoshaphat presents and silver as tribute and the Arabians brought him flocks Jehoshaphatrsquos commitment to personal and public godliness meant that God exalted his kingdom above the neighboring nations even as God promised in Deuteronomy 281-13

b These served the king The true treasure of Jehoshaphatrsquos kingdom was not numbered only in security or material things but also in the dedicated and courageous men he had surrounding him these mighty men of valor

i Amasiah the son of Zichri who willingly offered himself to the LORD ldquoAmasiah is a man of whom we do not know anything beyond this ndash he lsquowillingly offered himself unto the Lordrsquo There must have been a turning-point in his career a time when first he knew the grace of God which wrought such a change in him There must have been a waking up to the feeling that God deserved his love and his liferdquo (Spurgeon)

ii Amasiah was a ready servant of the Lord this particularly notable because he did it in an otherwise secular calling

middot o one had to press him into service

middot o one had to seek him out for service

middot o one had to look after him once he had begun serving

middot o one had to lead him

iii ldquoThere is no lawful occupation in which a man cannot thoroughly serve the Lord It is a great privilege and blessing to be set apart to the work of winning souls but we must never separate that work from all the rest of the callings of life as though it alone were sacred and all the rest were secular and almost sinful Serve God where you arerdquo (Spurgeon)

PULPIT The presents were probably enough in the nature of tribute the fixed rate of which is sometimes alluded to (1 Kings 421 1 Kings 1025 2 Samuel 82) but it is doubtful whether the word משא purports to say this The word means bearing or carrying and then a burden load or weight The expression (2 Chronicles 2025) more than they could carry away where this word is used favours the idea that the meaning here is silver of great weight Probably the moral significance and historical interest whether of this statement respecting the Philistines or the following respecting the Arabians lies in the fact that both of them brought without more ado their payments and did not seek to slip out of their engagements with Judah and Judahs king ote for confirmation of this view 2 Kings 34 2 Kings 35

12 Jehoshaphat became more and more powerful he built forts and store cities in Judah

GILL And Jehoshaphat waxed great exceedingly In wealth and riches power and authority in his forces and fortifications

and he built in Judah castles and cities of stores castles for the defence of his kingdom and store cities to lay up corn and wine and all provisions in case of an invasion or against a time of war

HERY II He had a very considerable stores laid up in the cities of Judah He pulled down his barns and built larger (2Ch_1712) castles and cities of store for arms and victuals He was a man of business and aimed at the public good in all his

undertakings either to preserve the peace or prepare for war

JAMISO 2Ch_1712-19 His greatness captains and armies

KampD Description of Jehoshaphats power - 2Ch_1712 And Jehoshaphat became

ever greater sc in power The partic הולך expresses the continuous advance in

greatness cf Ew sect280 b as the infin absol does elsewhere eg Gen_83 למעלה as עד

in 2Ch_1612 - He built castles in Judah ירנ-ות only here and in 2Ch_274 from ירנית

derivative formed from ירה by the Syriac termination נית- fem of ן- castle fortress On

מסנות cf 2Ch_84 ערי

TRAPP 2 Chronicles 1712 And Jehoshaphat waxed great exceedingly and he built in Judah castles and cities of store

Ver 12 And Jehoshaphat waxed great exceedingly] Heb He was going and growing By humility and the fear of the Lord are riches and honour and life [Proverbs 224]

And he built in Judah castles] Bironeoth πυργους turres So did the Burgundians and thence had their names

And cities of store] Granaries in the Hebrew they have their name from their utility or usefulness

ELLICOTT (12) And Jehoshaphat waxed greatmdashLiterally And Jehoshaphat was going on and waxing great ie became greater and greater (Comp 1 Chronicles 119)

ExceedinglymdashlsquoAd lĕmagraversquolah This phrase occurs again in 2 Chronicles 1612 2 Chronicles 268 and nowhere else in the Old Testament (See on 1 Chronicles 142)

And he builtmdashLike his predecessorsmdashSolomon Rehoboam Asamdashhe displayed his wealth and power in great public works The records of the Assyrian and Babylonian sovereigns are largely taken up with similar accounts of temple and palace building

CastlesmdashBiranicircyocircth a derivative from birah (1 Chronicles 291 1 Chronicles 2919 comp Syriac here birocircthocirc) It only recurs at 2 Chronicles 274 It is an Aramaic term (Comp bicircranyacircthacirc which in the Targums means ldquopalacesrdquo)

Cities of storesmdashComp 2 Chronicles 84 2 Chronicles 164 Exodus 111

PULPIT Castles This rendering better than palaces (margin) wound bear improving to the rather stronger word fortresses Hebrew בירניות found only here and in 2 Chronicles 274 plur of בירנית connected with the Chaldee and later Hebrew בירה of Ezra 62 ehemiah 11 Esther 12 Daniel 82 Cities of store (see note under 2 Chronicles 84 see also 1 Kings 919 Exodus 111)

13 and had large supplies in the towns of Judah He also kept experienced fighting men in Jerusalem

CLARKE He hadmuch business in the cities - He kept the people constantly employed they had wages for their work and by their labors the empire was both enriched and strengthened

GILL And he had much business in the cities of Judah Partly in fortifying them and partly in reforming the inhabitants of them

and the men of war mighty men of valour were in Jerusalem or by or near unto it so the particle is rendered Jos_513 they encamped in places adjacent to it for such a number of men as follows even 1160000 could never be contained in Jerusalem but must be disposed of in the territories of it nor did they wait on the king together but in course see 2Ch_1719 by which it appears there is no need to suppose any mistake of the transcriber in any or all of the following sums as has been suggested (q)

HERY 13-19 III He had the militia in good order It was never in better since David modelled it Five lord-lieutenants (if I may so call them) are here named with the numbers of those under their command (the serviceable men that were fit for war in their respective districts) three in Judah and two in Benjamin It is said of one of these great commanders Amasiah that he willingly offered himself unto the Lord (2Ch_1716) not only to the king to serve him in this post but to the Lord to glorify him in it He was the most eminent among them for religion he accepted the place not for the

honour or power or profit of it but for conscience sake towards God that he might serve his country It was usual for great generals then to offer of their spoils to the Lord 1Ch_2626 But this good man offered himself first to the Lord and then his dedicated things The number of the soldiers under these five generals amounts to 1160000 men a vast number for so small a compass of ground as Judahs and Benjamins lot to furnish out and maintain Abijah could bring into the field but 400000 (2Ch_133) Asa not 600000 (2Ch_148) yet Jehoshaphat has at command almost 1200000 But it must be considered 1 That God had promised to make the seed of Abraham like the sand of the sea for number 2 There had now been a long peace 3 We may suppose that the city of Jerusalem was very much enlarged 4 Many had come over to them from the kingdom of Israel (2Ch_1519) which would increase the numbers of the people 5 Jehoshaphat was under a special blessing of God which made his affairs to prosper greatly The armies we may suppose were dispersed all the country over and each man resided for the most part on his own estate but they appeared often to be mustered and trained and were ready at call whenever there was occasion The commanders waited on the king (2Ch_1719) as officers of his court privy-counsellors and ministers of state

But lastly observe It was not this formidable army that struck a terror upon the neighbouring nations that restrained them from attempting any thing against Israel or obliged them to pay tribute but the fear of God which fell upon them when Jehoshaphat reformed his country and set up a preaching ministry in it 2Ch_1710 The ordinances of God are more the strength and safety of a kingdom than its military force - its men of God more than its men of war

KampD 2Ch_1713

וגווגווגווגו רהרהרהרה is rightly translated by Luther ldquound hatte viel Vorrathsrdquo (and ומלעכהומלעכהומלעכהומלעכה

had much store) מלעכהמלעכהמלעכהמלעכה denotes here as in Exo_227-10 property that which has been gained by work or business The signification much work opera magna (Vulg Cler etc) as also Bertheaus translation ldquothe works for equipping and provisioning the fortressesrdquo correspond neither to the context nor to the parallel (synonymous) second member of the verse The work and trouble necessary to equip the cities of Judah does not correspond to ldquothe valiant warriors in Jerusalemrdquo the only parallel is the goods and property which were in these cities the provision of victuals and war material there stored up

BESO 2 Chronicles 1713 He had much business in the cities of Judah mdash To repair and fortify them and furnish them with provisions and to purge out all the relics of idolatry and injustice which were more secretly and craftily managed in the cities than in the country and which were first and most prevalent in the cities and thence spread their infection into the country around them

TRAPP 2 Chronicles 1713 And he had much business in the cities of Judah and the men of war mighty men of valour [were] in Jerusalem

Ver 13 And he had much business] Eργα πολλα (a) Many works going forward at

once a negotious man he was His business say some lay in beautifying and fortifying those cities Augustus gloried at his death that whereas he had found Rome built with brick he had left it made of marble

And the men of war hellip were in Jerusalem] These were his Praetorian forces his Praesidiaries were up and down in the various cities

POOLE He had much business in the cities of Judah partly to repair and fortify them and furnish them with all necessary provisions and partly to purge out all the relies and seeds of idolatry and injustice which were more secretly and subtlely managed in the cities than in the country and which were first and most in the cities and thence spread their infection into the country about them See Jeremiah 228

ELLICOTT (13) BusinessmdashRather much goods or stores literally work (mĕlacirckacirch) and then produce The Hebrew word is so used in Exodus 227 Exodus 2210 (ldquoHis neighbourrsquos goodsrdquo) Stores of provisions and war material seem to be intended (Comp 2 Chronicles 1111)

And the man of war were in JerusalemmdashRather and (he had) men of war in Jerusalem

In Jerusalemmdashot the entire army corps whose numbers are given in 2 Chronicles 1714-18 but simply their chiefs

PULPIT Much business Hebrew מלאכה The meaning of the word is service labour bestowed and the verse reads And there was to him much labour in the cities of Judah and men of war mighty men of valour in Jerusalem ie He bestoweth much pains on the cities of Judah and had etc The word were Authorized Version italics is incorrectly inserted The former half of this verse would better constitute the end of 2 Chronicles 1712 Keil however maintains the rendering substance property for מלאכה (Exodus 227 Exodus 2210)

14 Their enrollment by families was as followsFrom Judah commanders of units of 1000Adnah the commander with 300000 fighting men

BARES The captains of thousands Adnah the chief - literally ldquoprinces of thousands Adnah the princerdquo The writer does not mean that Adnah (or Johohanan 2Ch_1715) was in any way superior to the other ldquoprincesrdquo but only that he was one of them

Three hundred thousand - This number and those which follow in 2Ch_1715-18 have been with good reason regarded as corrupt by most critics For

(1) They imply a minimum population of 1480 to the square mile which is more than three times greater than that of any country in the known world (circa 1880rsquos)

(2) they produce a total just double that of the next largest estimate of the military force of Judah the 580 000 of 2Ch_148

(3) they are professedly a statement not of the whole military force but of the force maintained at Jerusalem (2Ch_1713 compare 2Ch_1719)

It is probable that the original numbers have been lost and that the loss was suppplied by a scribe who took 2Ch_148 as his basis

CLARKE Adnah the chief - He was generalissimo of all this host These are the numbers of the five battalions under Adnah three hundred thousand Jehohanan two hundred and eighty thousand Amasiah two hundred thousand Eliada two hundred thousand Jehozabad one hundred and eighty thousand in all one million one hundred and sixty thousand

GILL And these are the numbers of them according to the house of their fathers Both of the tribe of Judah and of Benjamin and first

of Judah the captains of thousands some had 1000 men under them and some one hundred

Adnah the chief he was the principal commander or general of them

and with him mighty men of valour three hundred thousand such a number was under his command

JAMISO these are the numbersmdash The warriors were arranged in the army according to their fathers houses The army of Jehoshaphat commanded by five great generals and consisting of five unequal divisions comprised one million one hundred and sixty thousand men without including those who garrisoned the fortresses No monarch since the time of Solomon equaled Jehoshaphat in the extent of his revenue in the strength of his fortifications and in the number of his troops

KampD 2Ch_1714-16

The men fit for war passed in review according to their fathers-houses The male population of Judah fell into three divisions that of Benjamin into two The prince

Adnah held the first place among the generals with 300000 men of Judah ידו at his על

hand ie with and under him Jehohanan had the command of 280000 men and

Amasiah over 200000 השר is a contraction for אלפים For what special reason it is so שר

honourably recorded of Amasiah that he had willingly offered himself to the Lord (cf for

Jdg_59) has not been communicated התנב

COFFMA his represented a standing army of 1160000 men besides the garrisons in the fortified cities and this goes a long way to explaining why the Arabians and the Philistines brought tribute to Jehoshaphat In ancient times as in our own day peace frequently depended upon the strength of those who desired it

We should ignore the screams of exaggeration[3] which mark the writings of radical critics Pagan rulers of that era reported even larger armies than this and until the critics can prove that those were exaggerated reports they should let these alone Besides that we have already noted that the very word from which thousand is translated is disputed as to its exact meaning

COKE 2 Chronicles 1714 And these are the numbers of themmdash That is of the soldiers as well as of those who were employed in the kings works in the several cities ampc which he built See 2 Chronicles 1719

REFLECTIOSmdash1st Jehoshaphat no sooner comes to the throne than we see the dawnings of a glorious reign

1 He strengthened his kingdom by placing strong garrisons in the cities of Judah and those which his father had recovered from Israel and prepared against that danger which Ahabs growing power seemed to threaten

2 Religion was his great concern He copied after the best of his predecessors in their best days such as were the first of David before the matter of Uriah and the numbering of the people had blotted his fair copy Faithful to the worship of God he abhorred all idols the law of God was his rule of duty and Israels apostacy rendered his fidelity more singular and exemplary Inspired with holy zeal his heart with delight and sincerity was engaged for God and no difficulties deterred him from the path of duty The idols and groves which in the declining days of Asa might have been set up again he utterly destroyed with all the high places where they still offered sacrifices to these abominations ote (1) In the fairest human pattern there will be found imperfections but there is a Son of David more than man who has set us a spotless example that we should follow his steps (2) Fidelity in Gods service is the stability of a nation (3) A lively soul on wings of faith and love mounts up to God rises superior to every difficulty and looks down upon every thing besides his favour as altogether vanity

3 He not only removed the temptations to sin but took care to instruct the people in

the path of duty Ignorance of Gods law had greatly prevailed and to oblige them merely to conform to his reformation without grounding them on the true foundation of Gods word promised little stability The Levites and priests therefore are sent in progress through the cities of Judah with the book of the law to explain and enforce the commandments of God and several princes accompanied them in order to engage the people to hear them and give countenance to these preachers by their weight and influence ote (1) It is a blessed thing when princes countenance faithful ministers Though they cannot make men true converts their example and authority will induce them to attend (2) They who are sent to teach must see that they take the pure word of God along with them A true preacher wishes for nothing in his hand but his Bible (3) Religion is a reasonable service Conviction alone not compulsion or education can make a man a christian

4 The blessing of God attended his labours The Lord was with him or as the Targum generally expresses it the word of the Lord the divine Logos to whom all things are committed strengthened him in his labours and established his kingdom The people charmed with his government liberally sent their presents to him and abounding in riches and honour his heart far from being intoxicated by prosperity was lifted up in greater love and thankfulness to the gracious giver ote (1) God often here rewards piety with prosperity (2) Worldly comforts are then truly blessings when as the steps of Jacobs ladder they raise our hearts to heaven

2nd Like the light of the morning which shineth more and more so did Jehoshaphats glory increase

1 Feared by his enemies as beloved by his subjects the neighbouring princes did not offer to molest him while those of Philistia and Arabia courted his favour either by a voluntary present or exact payment of the tribute which Asa had imposed on them see 2 Chronicles 1711 God had put an awe upon them of the majesty of his king in Zion ote God hath access to the spirits of men and by secret yet irresistible influence can bow them to his sovereign will

2 His military preparations greatly advanced While he reformed the people he fortified their ramparts and built new castles and store-cities strengthening them within and without against their enemies Under five chief officers an immense army was enlisted Probably all the able men in the country were enrolled and regularly mustered though not drawn out except in case of necessity and this may easily account for the greatness of their number if we consider also the long peace they had enjoyed the accession of Israelites to them and especially the blessing of Abraham which no doubt was eminently fulfilled Amasiah one of the officers is mentioned with an honourable mark of distinction as a volunteer who served for the glory of God not for the sake of pay Such patriots are scarce

TRAPP 2 Chronicles 1714 And these [are] the numbers of them according to the house of their fathers Of Judah the captains of thousands Adnah the chief and

with him mighty men of valour three hundred thousand

Ver 14 Three hundred thousand] These were under his command and at hand to come whensoever the king would

WHEDO 14 Three hundred thousand mdash The numbers in this verse and the four verses following are generally regarded as corrupt ldquoThey implyrdquo observes the writer last quoted ldquoa minimum population of 1480 to the square mile which is more than three times greater than that of any country in the known world It is probable that the original numbers have been lost and the loss supplied by a scribe who took 2 Chronicles 148 as his basis

ELLICOTT Verse 14 (14) And these their fathersmdashAnd this is their muster (or census) according to their father-houses (clans) 1 Chronicles 243 The warriors were marshalled in the army according to clans so that men of the same stock fought side by side with their kindred Perhaps in the original document this heading was followed by a much more detailed scheme of names and divisions than that which the text presents

Of JudahmdashTo Judah (belonged) captains of thousands viz the three enumerated in 2 Chronicles 1714-16 Adnah Jehohanan and Amasiah They were the principal officers or generals of the entire forces of Judah

Adnah the chiefmdashTo wit the captain Adnah That Adnah was commander-in-chief is implied by his being named first and his corps being the largest

PULPIT This verse with the following four gives us the names of five captains chiefs princes or military officers for the kingdoms service with the numbers of the troops they severally commanded The numbers of them (see note under 1 Chronicles 2311) Hebrew פקדתם The better English rendering to carry at once the signification would be The muster of them etc The captains hellip the chief In both cases the Hebrew is the familiar word for prince ( שר ) in the former without article in the latter with article The numbers of this and following four verses are not only absolutely unreliable but in themselves impossible According to the house of their fathers ie the quotation is drawn from an army catalogue arranged carefully by fathers houses (umbers 118 umbers 122 etc)

15 next Jehohanan the commander with 280000

GILL And next to him was Jehohanan the captain Being of the same rank as to office but having a lesser number of men under him and it may respect not any kind of subordination only nearness of place as the Targumhe that encamped next to him

and with him two hundred and fourscore thousand which number was but 20000 less than the former

POOLE ext to him either

1 After his death as his successor in the same command And the like is supposed concerning Jehozabad 2 Chronicles 1718 Or rather

2 ext to him in place and authority or at least in power and the numbers of his host

16 next Amasiah son of Zikri who volunteered himself for the service of the Lord with 200000

GILL And next him was Amasiah the son of Zichri He encamped next to him as the Targum

who willingly offered himself unto the Lord to fight the Lords battles and without any stipend as some think or as Kimchi he offered gold and silver to the treasures of the house of the Lord

and with him two hundred thousand mighty men of valour the number was 80000 less than the former the whole of Judah amounted to 780000 men

TRAPP 2 Chronicles 1716 And next him [was] Amasiah the son of Zichri who willingly offered himself unto the LORD and with him two hundred thousand mighty men of valour

Ver 16 Who willingly offered himself unto the Lord] He was a votary the vows of God were upon him and this made him the more valiant and resolute (a) in the exercise of arms for the service of God and the safety of his people The Spahis among the Turks are a sort of horsemen voluntaries and votaries to gain paradise by dying for the Mohammedan cause These are never known to return home but

with victory these are heavy upon the enemy For

ldquo Vincitur haud gratis iugulo qui provocat ensem rdquo

POOLE As volunteers and auxiliaries to be ready upon occasion as the service of God and the king should require Possibly these or most of them were the strangers which had come out of Israel into the kingdom of Judah in Asarsquos days and probably since that in his time

ELLICOTT (16) AmasiahmdashIah carrieth (Isaiah 4011) different from Amaziah (Iah is strong)

Who willingly offered himself unto the Lordmdash(Judges 52 Judges 59) An allusion to some noble act of self-devotion which was doubtless more fully recorded in the source from which the chronicler has drawn this brief account Such allusions though no longer intelligible are important as conducing to the proof of the historical value of the narratives in which they occur LXX ὁ προθυmicroούmicroενος τῷ κυρίῳ Vulg consecratus Domino

PULPIT Amaziah the son of Zichri This man is not titled at all The description of him as one who had willingly offered himself unto the Lord not elucidated by the context or any effective parallel will mark something honorable in his history Possibly he comes from an unexpected quarter and is a man of approved skill othing further is known of these three men Meantime it has been suggested (Professor Dr J Murphy of Belfast Handbook to Chronicles ) that the first of the three was for Judah proper the second for that contingent of Judah that hailed from Dan and the Philistines and the third for that of Simeon and the Arabs

MACLARE This is a scrap from the catalogue of Jehoshaphatrsquos lsquomighty men of valourrsquo and is Amasiahrsquos sole record We see him for a moment and hear his eulogium and then oblivion swallows him up We do not know what it was that he did to earn it But what a fate to live to all generations by that one sentence

I Cheerful self-surrender the secret of all religion

The words of our text contain a metaphor naturally drawn from the sacrificial system It comes so easily to us that we scarcely recognise the metaphorical element but the clear recognition of it gives great additional energy to the words Amasiah was both sacrificer and sacrifice His offering was self-immolation As in all love so in that noblest kind of it which clasps God its perfect expression is lsquoI give Thee my living loving selfrsquo Nor is it only sacrifice and sacrificer that are seen in deepest truth in the experience of the Christian life but the reality of the Temple is also there for lsquoYe also are built up a spiritual house to be a holy priesthood to offer up spiritual sacrificesrsquo Only when God dwells in us shall we have the nerve and the firmness of hand to take the knife and lsquoslay before the Lordrsquo the awful Guest in the sanctuary within the most precious of the children of our spirits

The essence of the sacrifice of self is the sacrifice of will In the Christian experience

lsquowillingly offeredrsquo is almost tautology for unwilling offerings are a contradiction and in fact there are no such things The quality of unwillingness destroys the character of the offering and robs it of all sacredness Reluctant Christianity is not Christianity That noun and that adjective can never be buckled together

The submission of will and the consequent surrender of myself and my powers opportunities and possessions so that I do all enjoy all use all and when need is endure all with glad thankful reference to God is only possible to me in the measure in which my will is made flexible by love and such will-subduing love comes only when we lsquoknow and believe the love that God hath to usrsquo There is the point at which not a few moral and religious teachers go wrong and bewilder themselves and their disciples There too is the point at which Christ and the Gospel of salvation through faith in Him stand forth as emancipating humanity from the dreary round of efforts and vain attempts to work up the condition needful for achieving the height of self-surrender which is seen to be indispensable to all true nobleness of living but is felt to be beyond the reach of the ordinary man There too is the point at which many good people mar their lives as Christians They waste their strength in trying to bring the jibbing horse up to the leap They try to blow up a fire of devotion and to make themselves priests to offer themselves but all the while the mutinous self recoils from the leap and the fire burns smokily and their sacrifice is laid on the altar with little joy because they have not been careful and wise enough to begin at the beginning and to follow Godrsquos way of melting their wills by love the reflection of the Infinite love of God to them Godrsquos priests offer themselves because they offer their wills they offer their wills because they love God they love God because they know that God loves them That is the divine order It is vain to try to accomplish the end by any other

II This willing offering hallows all life

No syllable is left to tell us what Amasiah did to win this praise Probably the words enshrine some now forgotten memory of his cheerful courage some heroic feat on an unrecorded battlefield Particulars are not given nor needed Specific actions are unimportant the spirit of a life can be told with very incomplete details and it not the details is the important thing Sometimes as in many modern biographies one lsquocannot see the wood for the treesrsquo and misses the main drift and aim of a life in the chaos of a bewildering mass of nothings How much more happy the lot of this man of whom we have only the generalised expression of the text unweighted and undisturbed by petty incidents It takes tons of rose leaves to make a tiny phial of otto of roses but the fragrance is far more pungent in a drop of the distillation than in armfuls of leaves Every life shrinks into very small compass and the centuries do not tolerate long biographies Shall we not seek to order our life so that Amasiahrsquos epitaph may serve for us It will be blessed if this-and nothing else-is known about us that we lsquowillingly offered ourselves to the Lordrsquo My friend will that be a true epitome of your life

III This willing offering is accepted by God

We may hear a mightier voice behind the chroniclerrsquo s and the judgment of the Judge of all pronounced by His lips It matters little what men say of one another but it matters everything what God says of us We are but too apt to forget that He is now saying something as to each of us and that we have not to wait for death to put a final period to our activities before our lives become fit subjects for Godrsquos judgment Moment by moment we are writing our own sentences But while it is good for us to remember the continuous judgment of God on each deed it is not good to let dark thoughts of the principles of that judgment paralyse our activity or chill our confidence in His forgiving and accepting mercy There is often a dark suspicion like that of the one-talented

servant which blackens Godrsquos fair fame as being lsquoan austere Manrsquo making demands rather than imparting power and the effect of such an ugly conception of Him is to cut the nerve of service and bury the talent carefully folded up it may be but none the less earning nothing lsquoIf we call on Him as Father who without respect of persons judgeth according to every manrsquos workrsquo let us be sure that it will be a Fatherly judgment that He will pass upon us and our offerings There is a wonderful collection on His altar of what many people would think rubbish just as many a mother has laid away among her treasures some worthless article which her child had once given her-a weed plucked by the roadside in a long past summer day some trifle of rare preciousness in the childrsquos eyes and of none in any others than her own She opens her drawer and brings out the poor little thing and her eyes fill and her heart fills as she looks And does not God keep His childrenrsquos gifts as lovingly and set them in places of honour in the day when He lsquomakes up His jewelsrsquo There are cups of cold water and widowsrsquo mites and much else that a supercilious world would call lsquotrashrsquo stored there Thank God He accepts imperfect service faltering faith partial consecration a little love Even our poor offering may be an lsquoodour of a sweet smellrsquo ministering fragrance that is a delight to Him if it is offered with the much incense of the great Sacrifice and through the mediation of the great High Priest

The world forgot Amasiah or never knew him an obscure soldier in an obscure kingdom but God did not forget and here is his epitaph and this is his memorial to all generations Menrsquos chronicles have no room for all the names that their wearers are eager to have inscribed on their crumbling and crowded pages lsquobut the Lambrsquos Book of Lifersquo has ample space on its radiant pages for all who desire to set their names there and if ours are there we need not envy the proudest whose titles and deeds fill the most conspicuous pages in the worldrsquos records lsquoThen shall every man have praise of Christrsquo and he who wins that guerdon needs nothing more and can have nothing more to swell his blessedness

17 From BenjaminEliada a valiant soldier with 200000 men armed with bows and shields

GILL And of Benjamin Eliada a mighty man of valour Was the chief commander

and with armed men with bow and shield two hundred thousand which were

the armour of the tribe of Benjamin they were best skilled in 2Ch_148

TRAPP 2 Chronicles 1717 And of Benjamin Eliada a mighty man of valour and with him armed men with bow and shield two hundred thousand

Ver 17 With bow and shield] The Benjamites were notable bowmen [1 Chronicles 122] The Engish were anciently so too

ELLICOTT (17) Armed men with bow and shieldmdashLiterally drawing bow and shield ie as the Targum explains ldquodrawing bow and grasping shieldsrdquo (Comp 1 Chronicles 122) LXX ldquoArchers and peltastsrdquo Vulg ldquoGrasping bow and shieldrdquo (Comp also 1 Chronicles 840 for the arms of the Benjaminites)

18 next Jehozabad with 180000 men armed for battle

GILL And next to him was Jehozabad According to the Targum he encamped next him

and with him one hundred and fourscore thousand ready prepared for war being able bodied men well disciplined valiant and well armed these numbers of Judah and Benjamin put together amount to 1160000 men whereas Asa only brought into the field 580000 but it should be considered there had been a long time of peace many had come off from the ten tribes to Judah and the promise of multiplying the seed of Abraham was eminently fulfilled

TRAPP 2 Chronicles 1718 And next him [was] Jehozabad and with him an hundred and fourscore thousand ready prepared for the war

Ver 18 A hundred and fourscore thousand] His militia was eleven hundred and threescore thousand besides what he had in garrisons [2 Chronicles 1719] So that as he was better he was stronger than his father Asa had been Piety hath prosperity

ELLICOTT (18) Ready prepared for the warmdashEquipped for service (See on 1

Chronicles 1223-24 umbers 315 umbers 3229) The hoplites or heavy-armed infantry are probably meant

PULPIT While Eliada of last verse was for Benjamin Professor Dr Murphy supposes that Jehozabad was for the annexed part of Ephraim But no suppositions of this kind can avail to explain the numbers in the text which is no doubt corrupt

19 These were the men who served the king besides those he stationed in the fortified cities throughout Judah

CLARKE These waited on the king - They were disposable forces always at the kingrsquos command and were independent of those by which the cities of Judah were garrisoned

There is not a sovereign in Europe or in the world but might read this chapter with advantage

1 It shows most forcibly that true religion is the basis of the state and that wherever it prospers there the state prospers

2 It shows also that it is the wisdom of kings to encourage religion with all their power and influence for if the hearts of the subjects be not bound and influenced by true religion vain is the application of laws fines imprisonments or corporal punishment of any kind

3 A religious nation is ever a great nation it is loved by its friends it is dreaded by its enemies

4 It is ever a peaceable and united nation the blessings of religion and a wholesome and paternal government are so fully felt and prized that all find it their interest to preserve and defend them Harmony peace piety and strength are the stability of such times May Britain know and value them

GILL These waited on the king Not this vast number of men at one time but in course as Davids military men waited on him 1Ch_271 or each of these captains with a proper number of men under them detached from the body and they were all ready to obey the kings orders whenever he should have occasion for them

besides those whom the king put into the fenced cities throughout Judah and all together the militia of the kingdom was very numerous and formidable

KampD 2Ch_1719

These were serving the king א6ה refers not to the above-mentioned men capable of

bearing arms for sheereet is not used of service in war but to the commanders whom he had placed in the fortified cities of all Judah ldquoin which probably bodies of the above-mentioned troops lay as garrisonsrdquo (Berth)

BESO 2 Chronicles 1719 These waited on the king mdash These above-mentioned were the trained bands or auxiliaries whose chief officers waited on the king to receive his commands and to raise and bring in all or part of their forces to the service of the king as need required A vast number for so small a compass of ground to furnish out and maintain But we may consider that God had promised to make the seed of Abraham like the sand of the sea for number that there had now been a long peace that many were come to them from the kingdom of Israel and that Jehoshaphat was under a special blessing of God They were doubtless dispersed all the country over every one residing on his own land only they were ready at call whenever there was occasion

TRAPP 2 Chronicles 1719 These waited on the king beside [those] whom the king put in the fenced cities throughout all Judah

Ver 19 These waited on the king] ie In their turns and by course

POOLE These above mentioned were the trained bands or auxiliaries whose chief officers waited upon the king to receive his commands and to raise and bring in all or part of their forces to the service of the king and kingdom as need required

ELLICOTT (19) These waited on the kingmdashRather these are they that ministered unto the king viz the five generals above named

Beside those whom the king put in the fenced citiesmdashie the commandants of the fortresses of the kingdom (2 Chronicles 1111 2 Chronicles 1123) These latter as well as the generals of the forces are called the kingrsquos ldquoministersrdquo (mĕshacircrĕthicircm)mdasha word which is not used of service in the field but implies their presence at court (ldquoin Jerusalemrdquo 2 Chronicles 1713 as the royal staff)

According to the above list the army of Jehoshaphat was organised in five grand divisions corresponding perhaps to five territorial divisions of the southern kingdom The totals are the largest assigned to the two tribes anywhere in the Old Testament viz Judah 780000 and Benjamin 380000 in all 1160000 At Davidrsquos census Judah had 500000 warriors (2 Samuel 249) and Israel 800000 Again in 2

Chronicles 148 Asarsquos army consists of 300000 men of Judah and 280000 Benjaminites clearly such an increase as our text indicates is unaccountable At the same time it is equally clear that the present numbers are not fortuitous results of clerical errors for they follow each other in the order of relative strength Judah 300000 280000 200000 Benjamin 200000 180000 and they are evidently not independent of the estimates of 2 Chronicles 148 above quoted

In the absence of adequate data for modifying these certainly startling figures it is well to bear in mind that we need not understand by them an army which ever actually mustered in the field or on parade but simply an estimate of the total male population liable to be called out for the national defence although even upon that understanding the total appears to be at least three times too great considering the small extent of the country

PULPIT These waited Hebrew המשרתים plur piel part of שרת The verse states that this enormous fivefold army with its five princes (counting in our corrupt text one million one hundred and sixty thousand) was the kings Jerusalem standing army while other separate regiments or bands of troops were spread through all Judah where they might be most needed for defence

Jehoshaphat took In the third year of his reign he sent to his princesmdashthat is to say he sent his princesmdashand he sent Levites all of whose names are given and he sent also two priests Elishama and Jehoram and their business was purely educational

PULPIT And his heart was lifted up in the ways of the Lord Although the verb often carries a bad sense with it it quite as often carries with it a good one in the גבהOld Testament and the typical instance of the former (Psalms 1311) is fully counterbalanced by Isaiah 5213 The marginal was enencouraged may be superseded with advantage by took courage (Isaiah 4029-31) The groves Supersede this incorrect rendering by the Asherim and upon the seeming discrepancy see again Isaiah 151-9 17 and Introduction to Chronicles there quoted

7 In the third year of his reign he sent his officials Ben-Hail Obadiah Zechariah ethanel and Micaiah to teach in the towns of Judah

BARES The princes were not sent as teachers themselves but had the duty committed to them of seeing that the people were taught The actual teachers were the priests and Levites of 2Ch_178

CLARKE 7-9 To teach in the cities of Judah - ldquoTo teach the fear of the Lord in the cities of Judahrdquo - Targum

In these verses we find a remarkable account of an itinerant ministry established by Jehoshaphat and in this work he employed three classes of men

1 The princes

2 The Levites

3 The priests

We may presume that the princes instructed the people in the nature of the civil law and constitution of the kingdom the Levites instructed them in every thing that appertained to the temple service and ritual law and the priests instructed them in the

nature and design of the religion they professed Thus the nation became thoroughly instructed in their duty to God to the king and to each other They became therefore as one man and against a people thus united on such principles no enemy could be successful

GILL Also in the third year of his reign he sent to his princes That dwelt in the several parts of the kingdom or he sent them being with him some of the

principal men of his court for ל may be a sign of the accusative case as it sometimes is

even to Benhail and to Obadiah and to Zechariah and to Nethaneel and to Michaiah to teach in the cities of Judah to see that they were taught and oblige them to attend to the instructions that should be given them and not mutiny and rebel against their teachers and to let them know what was the kings pleasure on this head and to back with their authority the priests and Levites whose proper work it was to instruct and who therefore were sent with them as follows

JAMISO 7-11 2Ch_177-11 He sends Levites to teach in Judah

Also in the third year of his reign he sent to his princes to teach in the cities of Judahmdash The ordinary work of teaching devolved on the priests But extraordinary commissioners were appointed probably to ascertain whether the work had been done or neglected This deputation of five princes assisted by two priests and nine Levites was to make a circuit of the towns in Judah It is the first practical measure we read of as being adopted by any of the kings for the religious instruction of the people Time and unbroken opportunities were afforded for carrying out fully this excellent plan of home education for the kingdom enjoyed internal tranquillity as well as freedom for foreign wars It is conformable to the pious style of the sacred historian to trace this profound peace to the ldquofear of the Lord having fallen on all kingdoms of the lands that were round about Judahrdquo

BESO 2 Chronicles 177 He sent to his princes mdash to teach in the cities of Judah mdash To inform the people of their duty and of the kingrsquos pleasure As judges teach or instruct the people in the laws of the land when they deliver their charges upon the bench so did these princes in the kingrsquos name admonish and require the people to observe and obey the laws of God which were the municipal laws of that land the particular explication and enforcement whereof they left to the Levites and priests here following who were sent for this end and accordingly taught the people 2 Chronicles 179

COFFMA Because of the clause which we have capitalized this is one of the most important passages in Chronicles Right here is the reason radical critics have extended themselves so unreasonably in their efforts to discredit Chronicles Here is dependable historical proof of the continued existence of the Torah from the days of Moses throughout the history of Israel As Keil stated it The book of the law of Jehovah is the Pentateuch not merely a collection of Mosaic laws since in Jehoshaphats time the Mosaic Book of the Law (the Pentateuch) had been long in existence[1] We shall not take the space to repeat the vociferous denials of critics

except to cite one knee-jerk remark that characterizes all of them Such action was not taken in Jehoshaphats time[2] What is the basis of such a blatant denial of what Gods Word states as a fact even giving the very names of the royal princes who did the teaching THERE IS OE o matter what unbelievers say this chapter IS the historical record of what happened in the reign of Jehoshaphat and those who live two and one half millenniums afterward have nothing of value by which they may challenge it Then why do men deny it The false theories they have invented are here contradicted forcing them either to give up their false theories or to deny the Sacred Scriptures that contradict them

COKE 2 Chronicles 177 He sent to his princes even to Ben-hail ampcmdash He sent of his princes Ben-hail Obadiah ampc The proper business of these princes in their circuit round the kingdom says Bishop Patrick was to admonish and require the people to observe the laws of God and to leave the particular explication and enforcement of them to those of the sacred order who went with them supporting them in the execution of their office and obliging the people to receive them with respect to hear them with attention and to practise what they taught

TRAPP 2 Chronicles 177 Also in the third year of his reign he sent to his princes [even] to Benhail and to Obadiah and to Zechariah and to ethaneel and to Michaiah to teach in the cities of Judah

Ver 7 He sent to his princes to teach in the cities of Judah] Teaching princes there are not many such as were David Solomon George prince of Anhalt ampc but these were sent with the teaching Levites to countenance and bear them out in this visitation general and perhaps to punish the opposite and obstinate if any such Junius readeth the text thus He sent with his princes these Levites for the teaching Or the princes taught the people the law of the land the priests and Levites the law of God both did mutually help one another So a Danish king of this land made a law that at the general court of every shire the bishop of the diocese should accompany the sheriff that the one might countenance Godrsquos law the other manrsquos (a) Queen Elizabeth once in her progress through Suffolk observing that the justices of that county who came to meet her had every man his minister next to his body said she wondered not that that county was so well governed where she saw that the word and sword went so lovingly together (b)

POOLE To teach in the cities of Judah to inform the people of their duty and of the kingrsquos pleasure As judges or justices of peace teach or instruct the people in the laws of the land when they deliver their charges upon the bench so did these princes in the kingrsquos name admonish and require the people to observe and obey the laws of God which were the prinicipal laws of that land the particular explication and enforcement whereof they left to the Levites and priests here following who were sent for this end and accordingly taught the people 2 Chronicles 179

WHEDO 7 He sent to his princeshellip to teach mdash He committed the matter of

teaching to their oversight and care and the teaching was done by the Levites and priests as stated in the next verse He did well to put down idolatry but he was wise enough to know that unless the people were instructed they would soon apostatize again

ELLICOTT THE COMMISSIOERS OF PUBLIC ISTRUCTIO I THE LAW

(7) He sent to his princes even to Ben-hail to MichaiahmdashRather He sent his princes Ben- hail and Obadiah and Michaiah (The le ldquotordquo in the chroniclerrsquos idiom marking the object of the verb) If however Authorised Version were correct the construction would not be unique as the Speakerrsquos Com mentary asserts (Comp 2 Kings 57 ldquothis man sendeth to me to recover a manrdquo ampc)

Princesmdashone of the personages mentioned in this and the following verse are otherwise known The ldquofive princesrdquo were laymen of rank and were accompanied by nine (eight) Levites and two priests

Ben-hailmdashSon of valour A compound proper name only occurring here but analogous to Ben-hur Ben-deker and Ben-hesed in 1 Kings 48-10 (The LXX renders ldquothe sons of the mightyrdquo Syriac ldquothe chiefs of the forcesrdquo apparently reading bnecirc chail)

ethaneelmdashSyriac Mattanael Arabic Mattaniah Michaiah Syriac and Arabic Malachiah

GUZIK B The strength of Jehoshaphatrsquos kingdom

1 (2 Chronicles 177-10) The spiritual strength of the kingdom Jehoshaphat brings the Word of God to the people

Also in the third year of his reign he sent his leaders Ben-Hail Obadiah Zechariah ethanel and Michaiah to teach in the cities of Judah And with them he sent Levites Shemaiah ethaniah Zebadiah Asahel Shemiramoth Jehonathan Adonijah Tobijah and Tobadonijah the Levites and with them Elishama and Jehoram the priests So they taught in Judah and had the Book of the Law of the LORD with them they went throughout all the cities of Judah and taught the people And the fear of the LORD fell on all the kingdoms of the lands that were around Judah so that they did not make war against Jehoshaphat

a To teach in the cities of Judah These ldquoteaching priestsrdquo have been mentioned by the Chronicler before (2 Chronicles 153) They had the important role of bringing the word of God to the people especially those who lived outside of Jerusalem

b They taught in Judah and had the Book of the Law of the LORD with them they went throughout all the cities of Judah and taught the people This was the wisest

and best policy a security-conscious king of Judah could promote Because Jehoshaphat sought God first God sent fear upon the neighboring kingdoms so that they did not make war against Jehoshaphat

i ldquoBy this little band of princes Levites and priests sixteen in all Jehoshaphat did more toward impressing the surrounding nations with a sense of his power than the largest and best-equipped standing army could have secured to himrdquo (Knapp)

ii ldquoThe method adopted was what in these modern times we might describe as the holding of Special Missions throughout the cities of Judah for the specific purpose of proclaiming and interpreting lsquothe book of the law of Jehovahrsquordquo (Morgan)

iii ldquoo better service can be rendered to the nation than that of proclaiming the Word of Jehovah to the people in cities towns villages and hamlets By such proclamation the heart of the people may be turned to Jehovah and so He be enabled to do for them all that is in His heartrdquo (Morgan)

iv ldquoThus the nation became thoroughly instructed in their duty to God to the king and to each other They became therefore as one man and against a people thus united on such principles no enemy could be successfulrdquo (Clarke)

v Clarke observed how a similar itinerant ministry in the days of John Wesley and his followers impacted Britain ldquoSuch an itinerant ministry established in these kingdoms for upwards of fourscore years teaching the pure unadulterated doctrines of the Gospel with the propriety and necessity of obedience to the laws has been the principle means in the hand of God of preserving the lands from those convulsions and revolutions that have ruined and nearly dissolved the European continentrdquo

vi ldquoIt is said (2 Chronicles 172) Jehoshaphat place forces in all the fenced cities yet it is not said thereupon that lsquothe fear of the Lord fell upon the neighbour nationsrsquo But when he had established a preaching ministry in all the cities then his enemies had a fear and made no warrdquo (Trapp)

PULPIT He sent Hebrew שלח The Hebrew text distinctly says he sent to his princes not he sent his princes The meaning ismdashhe sent orders to his princes to see to it that Judah was taught (2 Chronicles 179) the book of the Law of the Lord (Le 2 Chronicles 1011 Deuteronomy 49 Deuteronomy 1718) not indeed without their own personal aid in whatever way able to be given but systematically and with authority by the Levites and priests (Deuteronomy 3310) This deeper fathoming of the needs of the time and of what constituted its real safety was greatly to the spiritual credit of Jehoshaphat The references (2 Chronicles 153 2 Chronicles 352-4 2 Chronicles 3510-12) are full of point one of these princes or Levites and priests are elsewhere mentioned by name

8 With them were certain LevitesmdashShemaiah ethaniah Zebadiah Asahel Shemiramoth Jehonathan Adonijah Tobijah and Tob-Adonijahmdashand the priests Elishama and Jehoram

GILL 2 Chronicles 178And with them he sent Levites With the five princes he sent nine Levites

even Shemaiah and Nethaniah and Zebadiah and Asahel and Shemiramoth and Jehonathan and Adonijah and Tobijah and Tobadonijah Levites of whom we nowhere else read no doubt they were principal persons and fit for the work they were sent about

and with them Elishama and Jehoram priests whose lips were to keep knowledge and at whose mouth the law was to be sought Mal_27

ELLICOTT (8) And with them he sent LevitesmdashRather And with them were the Levites The construction being changed So LXX and the Syriac (Comp 1 Chronicles 1641-42 1 Chronicles 1518 for the same mode of enumeration which is characteristic of the style of the chronicler

ZebadiahmdashSome MSS and Syriac and Arabic read Zechariah

ShemiramothmdashSo LXX and Vulg (see 1 Chronicles 165 1 Chronicles 1518) The Heb text is probably incorrect Syriac and Arabic read instead atucircra

Tob-adonijahmdashThis curious name occurs only here and is perhaps a mere mistake arising out of the preceding Adonijah and Tobijah The Syriac and Arabic omit it

PriestsmdashThe priests

The commission was a mixed one of civil and ecclesiastical persons (comp 1 Chronicles 131-2 1 Chronicles 232 1 Chronicles 246)

And had the book of the law of the LordmdashAnd with them was the book of the law (teaching) of Jehovah For the construction compare 1 Chronicles 1642 The writer

evidently means the Pentateuch and if this notice was derived by him from a contemporary source eg the ldquowords of Jehu the son of Hananirdquo to which he refers as an authority for the reign (2 Chronicles 2034) it would constitute an important testimony to the existence if not of the five books at least of an ancient collection of laws at this early date (circ 850 BC )

And taught the peoplemdashTaught among the people

9 They taught throughout Judah taking with them the Book of the Law of the Lord they went around to all the towns of Judah and taught the people

BARES There is no reasonable doubt that this ldquobook of the lawrdquo was the Pentateuch - nearly if not quite in the shape in which we now have it Copies of the whole Law were no doubt scarce and therefore Jehoshaphatrsquos commission took care to carry a copy with them

CLARKE Had the book of the law of the Lord with them - This was their text book it was the book of God they taught it as such and as such the people received it Its laws were Godrsquos laws and the people felt their obligation and their consciences were bound Thus they were obedient to the laws of the land on the principle of religion In this they were encouraged and confirmed by the example of all both in Church and state The princes were not only pious but were teachers of piety the Levites showed them the worth and excellence of their ritual institutions and the priests showed them the moral use they were to make of the whole and thus the people became obedient to God as well as to the king and kept all the civil ordinances not merely for the sake of a good king but for the sake of a good and gracious God By these means the nation enjoyed peace and prosperity and all insurrections seditions and popular commotions were prevented The surrounding nations perceiving this saw that there was no hope of subduing such a people so they made no war with Jehoshaphat 2Ch_1710 And they took care not to provoke such a people to fall on them therefore it is said The fear of the Lord fell on all the kingdoms and lands that were round about Judah Such an itinerant ministry established in these kingdoms for upwards of fourscore years

teaching the pure unadulterated doctrines of the Gospel with the propriety and necessity of obedience to the laws has been the principal means in the hand of God of preserving these lands from those convulsions and revolutions that have ruined and nearly dissolved the European continent The itinerant ministry to which this refers is that which was established in these lands by the late truly reverend highly learned and cultivated deeply pious and loyal John Wesley AM formerly a fellow of Lincoln College Oxford whose followers are known by the name of Methodists a people who are an honor to their country and a blessing to the government under which they live

GILL And they taught in Judah The people their duty to God and man

and had the book of the law of the Lord with them as the rule of their instruction and the peoples obedience out of this they taught them and by it confirmed what they taught and enforced it with the divine authority

and went about throughout all the cities of Judah not only their own cities the Levitical ones but all others

and taught the people the law of the Lord the fear and worship of God

JAMISO the book of the lawmdash that is either the whole Pentateuch or only the book of Deuteronomy which contains an abridgment of it

BESO 2 Chronicles 179 And they taught in Judah ampc mdash The Levites and priests were teachers by office Deuteronomy 3310 It was a part of the work for which they had their maintenance and indeed had little else to do But it seems they had neglected it pretending probably that they could not get the people to hear them Jehoshaphat therefore sends them with the princes who by their authority might require the people to assemble together to receive instruction in the laws of God and their duty ldquoWhat a great deal of goodrdquo says Henry ldquomay be done when Moses and Aaron thus go hand in hand in the doing of it when princes with their power and priests and Levites with their Scripture-learning agree to teach the people the good knowledge of God and their duty These itinerant judges and itinerant preachers together were instrumental to diffuse a blessed light throughout the cities of Judahrdquo And had the book of the law of the Lord with them mdash 1st For their own guidance that from thence they might draw all the instructions they gave to the people and not teach for doctrines the commandments of men 2d For the conviction or the people that they might see these priests and Levites had a divine warrant for what they said and delivered to them only that which they had received from the Lord

TRAPP 2 Chronicles 179 And they taught in Judah and [had] the book of the law of the LORD with them and went about throughout all the cities of Judah and taught the people

Ver 9 And had the book of the law of the Lord with them] They taught not

traditions human inventions or unwritten verities All their doctrines came cum privilegio and were Scripture proof

WHEDO 9 The book of the law mdash Our Pentateuch in substantially its present form ldquoCopies of the whole law were no doubt scarce and therefore Jehoshaphatrsquos commission took care to carry a copy with themrdquo mdash Rawlinson

PARKER And they taught in Judah and had the book of the law of the Lord with them and went about throughout all the cities of Judah and taught the people ( 2 Chronicles 179)

This was a mixed commission partly civil partly ecclesiastical The men here mentioned are otherwise unknown We identify them as educational reformers or reformers who operated through the medium of education they were not warriors destroyers revolutionists but men who addressed the mind and the understanding and the conscience and caused men to know that the true law was from above and not from beneath The book which the commission had in hand was the Pentateuch or the law of Moses This was known to be the law which alone could touch all the vital necessities of the commonwealth Again and again we are constrained to admit that there is a law beyond Prayer of Manasseh above Prayer of Manasseh in a sense apart from man men are not driven within themselves to find a law an instinct or a reason they have a written statute an authoritative declaration a book which Christian teachers do not hesitate to describe as a Revelation and to that they call the attention of men If the teacher were teaching out of his own consciousness he would be but an equal often exposing himself to the destructive criticism of his more advanced and penetrating scholars but the teacher takes his stand upon a book upon the Book the Bible a revelation which he believes to be divine and final Say what we will the effect of Bible teaching must be judged by its fruits Where are the nations that are most distinguished for wide and varied intelligence for large and exhaustive sympathy for missionary enterprise for philanthropic institutions and for all the elements which give grace and beauty to social existence The question should admit of definite reply the facts are before men let them judge fearlessly and honestly and we need have no apprehension concerning their verdict Wherever the word of the Lord has had free course superstition has been chased away human slavery has been abolished every instance of intolerance injustice unkindness has felt the influence of holy thought in all these matters discussion should be limited strictly to facts Thus kings can help nations not by forcing education not by attempting to rule opinion not by setting up standards of orthodoxy to fall short of which is to incur penalty but by spreading education by extending light by cultivating a spirit of inquiry and by a generous multiplication of all the instrumentalities needed for the destruction of ignorance What may come of this we are not supposed at this moment to know Meanwhile let us be thankful that we are face to face with a man who has conviction courage independence high patriotic and generous impulse and let us hope that his end may be as beautiful as his beginning was promising

SIMEO THE ROYAL EDICT

ADVERTISEMETmdashThe author feels it necessary to prefix to this Sermon some short account of the occasion on which it was delivered

The author was at Amsterdam (in June 1818) partly with a view of re-establishing there an Episcopal Chapel in which there had been no service for seven years but principally with a view of seeking the welfare of the Children of Israel He went thither rather to explore than to act (See ehemiah 212-16) But just previous to the 18th of June he understood that the Third Anniversary of the Battle of Waterloo was to be kept throughout the etherlands as a day of thanksgiving and just at that time also he quite accidentally heard that the King of the etherlands had a year before issued an Edict requiring all the Jews to educate their children in the knowledge of their own Scriptures and calling upon all his Christian Subjects to aid in this good work Despondency not unlike to that which paralyzed all exertion at Jerusalem in ehemiahrsquos days so universally prevailed that no one had risen to the occasion the very Commissioners who had been appointed to carry the Edict into effect had published a Report in which they gave it as their opinion ldquothat the Lordrsquos time was not comerdquo and there was great danger that the gracious designs of the Monarch would be altogether frustrated The author therefore judged this a fit occasion for calling the attention of the Public to the Edict and accordingly after devoting the Morning Service to the more appropriate subject of the day he employed the Evening Service in an endeavour to forward this good work Considerable attention was excited to the subject by means of the Sermon which was therefore instantly printed in Dutch French and English for the purpose of its being circulated throughout the etherlands and he has reason to hope that active exertions were afterwards made in many places to promote what every benevolent mind must ardently desire the edification and welfare of the Jewish People

So good an example having been set by the Emperor of Russia and the King of the etherlands the author hopes that the attention of our own Governors also both in Church and State may be called to this long-neglected People and that now the British Public has been invited by authority (the Kingrsquos Letter) to aid in supporting Missions to the Heathen World the claims of the Jewish ation to whom under God we owe all the light that we ourselves enjoy will not be overlooked It is with a view to this great object that the author sends forth the Sermon in this country where if the foregoing explanation had not been given its relevancy and use might have been justly called in question

2 Chronicles 179 And they taught in Judah and had the book of the law of the Lord with them and went about throughout all the cities of Judah and taught the people

O a day set apart for thanksgiving to God for mercies received it is peculiarly proper to consider what we may render unto the Lord for all his benefits Certainly if any event ever deserved repeated annual commemoration it is that which has

freed the world from the most grievous tyranny that ever it endured Of the bitter cup which was put into the hands of every nation in Europe this nation [ote The etherlands] drank very deeply and the change which it has experienced in the restoration of their rightful Monarch and in the establishment of a free Constitution calls for their devoutest acknowledgments to Almighty God Doubtless we may with justice pay some tribute of honour to those who by their counsels and their arms effected the overthrow of the Usurper but it is God alone who giveth victory to kings and to whom the glory of this great victory must be primarily ascribed and he who accounts a day consecrated to this service superfluous shews that he is far from justly appreciating the blessings that have been conferred upon him The monarch himself has given to his people a very decided evidence that he feels the depth of his obligations to the God of his salvation and it will be your own loss if you do not cultivate a similar spirit and improve the occasion to the honour of your God

But it is not to thanksgiving only that your Monarch invites you he calls you by a special Edict to unite with him in seeking the welfare of your Jewish Brethren who in their struggle with the enemy signally approved their fidelity to their legitimate Sovereign Their welfare he in his turn studies to promote and he desires to combine the energies of all his subjects in efforts for their good Methinks he is like Jehoshaphat of old who well knowing that piety must be founded in knowledge and happiness in piety sent forth the Princes of his empire with a select number of Priests and Levites to instruct his people in the knowledge of Godrsquos blessed word

His edict on this occasion and the manner in which it was carried into effect will form the subject of my present discourse

I Then we notice the edict of King Jehoshaphatmdash

This was such as became a great and pious monarch and we shall find it not unprofitable or unsuitable to the present occasion to enter into a distinct consideration of it We observe then that it was a kind and benevolent edict a wise and politic edict a good and beneficial edict

Mark the benevolence displayed in it He sought the present and eternal welfare of his subjects He knew that as men are raised above the beasts by the exercise of reason so are they elevated in the scale of rational beings in proportion as their intellectual powers are cultivated and enlarged Man destitute of knowledge is a mere savage but when instructed in the various branches of science he becomes refined and civilized and capable of contributing to the general good In the very cultivation of knowledge there is much pleasure arising to the mind and in the application of that knowledge to useful purposes there is an exquisite delight We need only observe persons when employed in their several vocations how happy they are how contented how cheerful oftentimes unconsciously proclaiming their happiness like the birds of the air in festal songs or consciously and with devotion in songs of praise

But it was not mere intellectual improvement which Jehoshaphat sought to convey he wished his people to be instructed in the knowledge of that God whom they professed to fear and worship This alone could make them truly happy this alone could impart to them sound wisdom or solid consolation He therefore gave particular directions that they should be taught ldquoin the Book of the Law of the Lordrdquo and this throughout the whole land O happy people whose governor so employed the authority with which he was invested And happy that monarch who so improved his influence not for his own personal aggrandizement but for the best interests of the people committed to his charge In so doing he approved himself to be indeed what every governor should be the friend and father of his people

or was the policy of this measure at all inferior to its benevolence A people well instructed in moral and religious knowledge will view government as an ordinance of God and will learn to obey the constituted authorities not so much from fear of their wrath as for conscience sake towards God They will view their governors as Godrsquos vicegerents upon earth and will consider allegiance to them as an essential part of their duty to him Hence will spring up love in their hearts and a real delight in manifesting on all proper occasions their loyalty to their king they will form a bulwark around his person in case of necessity and even glory in laying down their lives for him as their greatest benefactor

The benefits arising from this edict were incalculable Such was the effect of it that the fear of Jehoshaphat and of Jehovah as his protector fell on all the nations that were round about him so that none however hostile in their hearts dared to make war against him [ote ver 10] Doubtless this resulted chiefly from an impression made upon their minds by God himself yet it was also produced by a dread of that energy which an united people were ready to put forth at any instant at the call of their beloved monarch At the same time that peace was thus secured prosperity reigned in every part of the empire and as the immediate fruit of it Jehoshaphat as well as the people ldquohad riches and honour in abundance [ote ver 5]rdquo In his own mind too he reaped the fruits of his own benevolence God smiled upon him and manifested himself to him and enabled him to walk with ldquohis heart lifted up in the ways of the Lord [ote ver 6]rdquo

Such was the edict of the pious Jehoshaphatmdashbenevolent politic beneficial And what I would ask is the Edict which has been issued by the highest authority in this kingdom Do we not see in it the same blessed characters as in that which we have been considering It was ldquoin the third year of his reign [ote ver 7]rdquo that Jehoshaphat sent forth teachers to enlighten and instruct his subjects The very instant he felt himself at liberty from the more urgent and pressing calls of duty (such as the fortifying of his land against foreign enemies and the correcting of some great internal abuses) he engaged in this good work of diffusing light and knowledge through all classes of the community In like manner the sovereign of this kingdom has scarcely had time to repair the ravages of war and to establish his empire too long weakened and impoverished by a cruel usurpation before he stands forth as the friend and father of his people and more especially of that portion of them who have in every age and place been most treated with neglect and

disdain to have them educated in scriptural knowledge and in the fear of God It is much to be lamented that the Jewish people have not in general been so attentive either to the learning or morals of their children as might be wished and hence arose a necessity for some authoritative admonition on the subject Yet if I may say it without offence this neglect has not been more reprehensible in them than has been the indifference with which the Christian world has regarded it The monarch (may God recompense it richly into his bosom) has risen up to remedy the supineness both of the one and the other and to call forth the united energies of all to correct and terminate this evil Yet whilst he thus consults the best interests of his subjects with what paternal tenderness has he guarded against wounding the feelings of any or exciting their religious prejudices The Scriptures of the Old Testament are alone to be used in the schools that shall be established even those Scriptures which Jews as well as Christians believe to have been given by inspiration of God and to contain truth without any mixture of error In this is marked the policy no less than the benevolence of the edict for it is not by constraint but by conciliation and kindness that good is to be done to any and more especially to those who have shewn themselves now for so many centuries proof against all the efforts of intimidation or force In this kingdom they form no small body and I may add no unimportant portion of the community It is well known how extensive is their influence in the affairs of commerce and how by their activity they contribute to enrich the state Hence it is now generally seen and felt that they are entitled to the same respect as any other subjects of the realm and whilst as in the present instance they see how deeply their monarch feels interested in their welfare they cannot but on their part be sensible of the privileges they enjoy under his paternal government and testify their gratitude to him by every possible expression of loyalty and affection

What the ultimate effect of these measures will be may be conjectured from the blessed results of the edict of Jehoshaphat all will feel themselves happy under the government of such a prince and he whilst he is respected abroad and beloved at home will have the happiness of seeing his labours crowned with prosperity throughout his dominions and with peace in his own soul

II The manner in which Jehoshaphatrsquos edict was carried into execution is now to be noticedmdash

The promptness with which his commands were executed deserves the highest praise All were ready to co-operate in this good work as soon as it was proposed ldquoPrinces and priests and Levites [ote ver 7 8]rdquo all addressed themselves to it instantly with one heart and one soul one accounted their dignity so high or their functions so sacred but they thought it an honour to be employed in such a service and found a delight in fulfilling the wishes of their revered monarch all entered into the work with zeal and prosecuted it with diligence and hence a rapid change was effected both in the temporal and spiritual condition of the whole nation And what may not be effected in this kingdom also if a similar zeal be exercised by ldquothe princes and priestsrdquo (the magistrates and clergy) of the land With them it must begin Those who move in a lower station can effect nothing if they be not aided and

countenanced by the higher orders whose rank in life or sacredness of character will give a tone to the general feeling and combine the energies of the whole kingdom If it be said that those for whom the benefit is designed do not feel a desire after it this only shews how much they need it and how earnestly we should all embark in a cause proposed by such high authority and recommended by the soundest dictates of wisdom and piety

That our obligations to unite in this labour of love may the more distinctly appear I would beg leave to suggest the following considerations

First Loyalty to the king demands our concurrence with him in this good work and a holy emulation amongst us to carry into effect his benevolent designs What can the greatest or best of men effect (what could Jehoshaphat himself have done) if there be none to act in subserviency to them and to follow their directions As the most potent monarch upon earth would in vain proclaim war if there were no soldiers found to enlist under his banners and to execute his commands so it will be in vain that the design of benefiting the Jewish people was ever conceived in the mind of the king or that his edict respecting them was ever issued if his subjects do not put forth their energies in obedience to his call In truth a backwardness to co-operate with him in this blessed work would seem like a reflection cast upon him as recommending a measure that was unworthy of attention I do not mean to insinuate that such an idea really exists in the minds of any for I am perfectly convinced it does not but certainly in appearance it is open to this construction and every subject of the empire is concerned to act in such a way as to cut off all occasion for a reflection like this I say loyalty alone even if we had no higher motive should be sufficient to call forth our exertions in this cause

But let me next observe that gratitude to the Jewish nation demands it at our hands How great how manifold are our obligations to them Behold Moses and the prophets what instruction have they given us in reference to the way of life and salvation Without the moral law as revealed by Moses we should never have known to what an extent we need a Saviour nor if the prophecies had not so fully designated the promised Messiah could we have ever so fully known that Jesus was the Christ Of whom did the Lord Jesus Christ himself come as pertaining to the flesh but from the loins of David and of the seed of Abraham Yet to him are we indebted for all that we either have or hope for in time or in eternity And who were the Apostles but Jews who for our sakes went forth preaching the word and counted not their lives dear to them so that they might but lead us to the knowledge of Christ and make us partakers of his salvation From them too we have received the lively oracles which are the one source of all spiritual knowledge and the one foundation of all our hopes Does all this call for no recompence at our hands Knowing as we do the vast importance of education should we not endeavour to impart it to those from whose ancestors we have received such innumerable such inestimable benefits Yet behold these are the people whom for many many centuries we have treated with more neglect and contempt than any other people upon the face of the earth the savages of the most distant climes have received more attention from us than they Surely it is high time that the Christian world awake to

a sense of their duty and begin to shew to the Jews somewhat of that love which their forefathers exercised towards us in our Gentile state We are debtors to them to a vast amount and it is high time that we begin to discharge our debt And how can we discharge it better than by enabling them to read and understand those very oracles which they have preserved with such fidelity and which testify so fully of their promised Messiah

Further A love to the rising generation should lead us to avail ourselves of the present opportunity to promote their welfaremdashIt is truly afflictive to see how low and degraded is the state of multitudes especially of the Jewish nation purely through the neglect with which they are treated in their early youth and still more grievous is it to reflect on their ignorance of those things which belong to their everlasting peace To counteract this we should endeavour to qualify the whole of their population for good and useful employments and through the medium of useful instruction to make them holy and to make them happy We need never be afraid that there will not be a sufficient number of poor to fill the lower stations do what we will there will never be wanting persons who through their own fault or misfortunes are necessitated to undertake the lowest offices of life And if they have been previously instructed in the Scriptures of Truth they will have a fund of consolation ever open to them in their deepest afflictions they will learn from the inspired volume in whatsoever state they are there-with to be content and in the prospect of the eternal world they will find joys with which a stranger intermeddleth not and which the world can neither give nor take away We feel the force of these considerations in reference to the poor of our own communion how is it that we feel it not in reference to our Jewish Brethren This is a partiality unworthy of us and we should rise as one man to wipe off this disgrace from our own character

This brings me to the last consideration which I propose to mention namely that a concern for the honour of our holy religion should operate to unite us all in executing the Royal EdictmdashWhat must a Jew think of our religion when he sees how little it has wrought for us in the production of love We may tell him of a Messiah who has loved us and laid down his life for us but what credit will he give us for our principles when he sees how little our practice corresponds with them May he not well say to us ldquoPhysician heal thyselfrdquo Shew by your conduct the superiority of your principles before you call on me to embrace them It is by love that we must win them it is by shewing kindness to them that we must efface from their hearts those prejudices which with too much reason they entertain against us We must exhibit in our own person the loveliness of Christianity before we can bring them to investigate the grounds of our faith or to imagine that they can improve their own condition by embracing it May I not then call upon you as Christians to unite in the good work that is now before you that you may thereby serve and glorify your Lord and Saviour As Christians you believe that there is no other way to the Father but by Christ [ote John 146] and no other name but his whereby any human being can be saved [ote Acts 412] Where is your piety where is your love to Christ where is even common humanity if you will not avail yourselves of the present opportunity to remove from before your Jewish Brethren

the stumbling-blocks which for so many ages have been laid in their way

Do any ask What shall we do I answer search out amongst the Jews some persons of probity and talent to commence schools among them and do you yourselves aid to the utmost of your power in the support of them provide them with all necessary books for instructing children in the first rudiments of knowledge provide them with Bibles also both in the Dutch and Hebrew languages that they may be thoroughly instructed in the knowledge of their own religion and learn to walk in the steps of their father Abraham and of all the holy prophets

Begin too without loss of time Adult Schools You will find many among the house of Israel who will be glad to avail themselves of your instructions Let those who are benevolent amongst you dedicate an hour in a day to the instructing of a few who may be desirous to learn and carefully avoid every thing which may give unnecessary offence Confine yourselves to the Old Testament which they venerate as well as you Let those who can teach only in the Dutch language give instruction in that and let those who either understand or have leisure to attain the Hebrew tongue draw their attention to that In particular let it be the united endeavour of all to qualify masters for this good work

And let it not be thought that this is the duty of men only The Royal Edict has particularly and with great wisdom recommended it to females who may be of infinite service in conveying instruction to their own sex This age is distinguished above all others for the activity of females in the service of God and in the performance of every good work Were I able to declare the proportion of good that is done in Britain by the female sex it would appear incredible I believe from my soul that it far exceeds one half in all the societies raised since the commencement of the present century in the Bible Society the Missionary Societies and the Society for Promoting the Knowledge of Christianity amongst the Jews yes let the ladies of this country exert themselves in a prudent modest and discreet way and the effects will soon appear the Royal Edict will not be a dead letter but will produce incalculable good to the whole nationmdashand the agents in this benevolent work will themselves receive quite as much benefit as they impart their benevolence being in proportion as it is exercised its own reward

10 The fear of the Lord fell on all the kingdoms of the lands surrounding Judah so that they did not go to war against Jehoshaphat

GILL And the fear of the Lord fell upon all the kingdoms of the lands that were round about Judah Upon the ten tribes and on foreign nations about them as Moabites Edomites Syrians Egyptians Arabs and Philistines this fear as it came from the Lord so might be raised and increased by observing that religion was revived in them for they might perceive by former observations made that the more religious these people were the more prosperous and formidable they were

so that they made no war against Jehoshaphat to interrupt him in the work of reformation he was so intent upon

HERY We have here a further account of Jehoshaphats great prosperity and the flourishing state of his kingdom

I He had good interest in the neighbouring princes and nations Though he was not perhaps so great a soldier as David (which might have made him their terror) nor so great a scholar as Solomon (which might have made him their oracle) yet the fear of the Lord fell so upon them (that is God so influenced and governed their spirits) that they had all a reverence for him 2Ch_1710 And 1 None of them made war against himGods good providence so ordered it that while the princes and priests were instructing and reforming the country none of his neighbours gave him any molestations to take him off from that good work Thus when Jacob and his sons were going to worship at Bethel the terror of God was upon the neighbouring cities that they did not pursue after them Gen_355 and see Exo_3424 2 Many of them brought presents to him (2Ch_1711) to secure his friendship Perhaps these were a tribute imposed upon them by Asa who made himself master of the cities of the Philistines and the tents of the Arabians 2Ch_1414 2Ch_1415 With the 7700 rams and the same number of he-goats which the Arabians brought there was probably a proportionable number of ewes and lambs she-goats and kids

KampD This attempt of Jehoshaphat brought him this blessing that the terror of Jahve fell upon all the surrounding kingdoms and not only did none of the neighbouring peoples venture to make war upon him but also various tribes did homage to him by presents Ramb has already so understood the connection of these verses (erat hoc praemium pietatis Josaphati quod vicini satisque potentes hostes non auderent adversus ipsum hiscere) while Berth fails to apprehend it saying that Jehoshaphat had time to care for the instruction of his people because at that time the neighbouring peoples did not venture to undertake war against Judah The words ldquoterror of Jahverdquo cf 2Ch_1413 2Ch_2029 and ldquoall the kingdoms of the landsrdquo cf 2Ch_128 1Ch_2930 are expressions peculiar to the author of the Chronicle which show that by these remarks he is preparing the way for a transition to a more detailed

portrayal of Jehoshaphats political power מן־(לש)ים is subject מן partitive some of the

Philistines brought him presents (for מנחה see on 2Ch_175) ldquoand silver a burdenrdquo ie

in great quantity מא does not signify tribute vectigal argento (Vulg) for the word has

not that signification but denotes burden that which can be carried as in מא לאן

2Ch_2025 - 2Ch_2116 2Ch_221 ערבים 2Ch_267 and more usually ערב-ים or ערביאים

are Arabian nomadic tribes (Bedacircwin) perhaps those whom Asa after his victory over the Cushite Zerah had brought under the kingdom of Judah 2Ch_1414 These paid

their tribute in small cattle rams and he-goats (ישים( Gen_3035 Gen_3215 Pro_

3031)

BESO 2 Chronicles 1710 The fear of the Lord fell upon all the kingdoms ampc mdash Justly concluding from his singular piety that God would eminently appear for him for even the heathen could not but observe that the kings of Judah were either prosperous or unhappy according as they served God or forsook him So that they made no war against Jehoshaphat mdash Godrsquos good providence so ordered it that while the princes and priests were instructing and endeavouring to reform the country none of his neighbours gave him any molestation to take him off from that good work

COFFMA All of this peace and prosperity were directly due to the respect which Jehoshaphat had shown to the Law of God and to his efforts to teach that word to all the people It is no problem that much of the material here is omitted in Kings because the primary focus there was political whereas in Chronicles the focus is upon the spiritual and religious significance of the same history

TRAPP 2 Chronicles 1710 And the fear of the LORD fell upon all the kingdoms of the lands that [were] round about Judah so that they made no war against Jehoshaphat

Ver 10 And the fear of the Lord fell upon all the kingdoms] It is said [2 Chronicles 172] Jehoshaphat placed forces in all the fenced cities yet it is not said thereupon that the fear of the Lord fell upon the neighbour nations But when he had established a preaching ministry in all the cities then his enemies had a fear and made no war

POOLE Justly concluding from this singular piety that God would eminently appear for him and against all those who had ill will to him which was their case For even the heathens could not but observe that the kings of Judah were either prosperous or unhappy accordingly as they served God or forsook him

ELLICOTT (10) The fear of the LordmdashA dread of Jehovah (pachad) aps 2029 (Comp Exodus 1516 1 Samuel 117 Isaiah 210 ) This phrase is not peculiar to the chronicler as Keil and Bertheau assert ldquoThe kingdoms of the landsrdquo is so (2 Chronicles 128 1 Chronicles 2930)

They made no warmdashThe reward of Jehosha-phatrsquos piety (1 Chronicles 229

Proverbs 167) ldquoWhen a manrsquos ways please the Lord he maketh even his enemies to be at peace with himrdquo (Comp also Genesis 355)

11 Some Philistines brought Jehoshaphat gifts and silver as tribute and the Arabs brought him flocks seven thousand seven hundred rams and seven thousand seven hundred goats

BARES Some of the Philistines brought Jehoshaphat presents - i e ldquosome of the Philistines were among his tributariesrdquo Compare 2Sa_82 1Ki_421

Tribute silver - Or ldquomuch silverrdquo - literally ldquosilver of burthenrdquo

The Arabians - The Arab tribes who bordered Judaea to the south and the southeast paid Jehoshaphat a fixed tribute in kind Compare 2Ki_34 note

CLARKE The Philistines brought - presents - They and the Arabians purchased peace with the king of Judah by paying an annual tribute The Philistines brought silver and no doubt different kinds of merchandise The Arabs whose riches consisted in cattle brought him flocks in great abundance principally rams and he-goats

GILL Also some of the Philistines brought Jehoshaphat presents and tribute silver Perhaps those of Gerar and the parts adjacent Asa took and spoiled and made tributary 2Ch_1414

and the Arabians brought him flocks seven thousand and seven hundred rams and seven thousand and seven hundred he goats with which their country abounded and these might be the Scenite Arabs who fearing lest Jehoshaphat should fall upon them and take away their flocks as his father had done 2Ch_1415 brought these presents to him

JAMISO Also some of the Philistines brought Jehoshaphat presents and tribute silvermdash either they had been his tributaries or they were desirous of securing his valuable friendship and now made a voluntary offer of tribute Perhaps

they were the Philistines who had submitted to the yoke of David (2Sa_81 Psa_608)

the Arabiansmdash the nomad tribes on the south of the Dead Sea who seeking the protection of Jehoshaphat after his conquest of Edom paid their tribute in the way most suitable to their pastoral habits - the present of so many head of cattle

BESO 2 Chronicles 1711 Some of the Philistines brought presents mdash They had been subject to Judah ever since Davidrsquos time but it seems had neglected this duty in the times of his predecessors but were now moved by their own fears to perform it And the Arabians brought him flocks mdash Either because he had upon some just occasion waged war against them and subdued them or because they voluntarily put themselves under his protection in recompense whereof they sent him these presents or only as a free acknowledgment of their respect for him

TRAPP 2 Chronicles 1711 Also [some] of the Philistines brought Jehoshaphat presents and tribute silver and the Arabians brought him flocks seven thousand and seven hundred rams and seven thousand and seven hundred he goats

Ver 11 Also some of the Philistines] These having been subdued by David had withheld their tribute for a time but now seeing Jehoshaphatrsquos growing greatness they bring it in with the better that no offence might be taken at their former neglect The word here used signifieth honorary gifts or oblations pacifications

ldquo Placatur donis Iupiter ipse datis rdquo

Think the same of the Arabians See 2 Chronicles 1414-15

POOLE Some of the Philistines who had been subjects to this kingdom ever since Davidrsquos time but it seems had neglected this duty in the times of his predecessors but now were moved by their own fears to perform it

The Arabians brought him flocks either because he had upon some just occasion waged war against them and subdued them though the particulars of it be not described in Scripture or because they voluntarily put themselves under his protection in recompence whereof they sent him those presents or only as a free acknowledgment of their respects to him

ELLICOTT (11) Broughtmdashie continually Such is the force of the participle

PresentsmdashAn offering ie tribute (minchah 2 Chronicles 175)

And tribute silvermdashRather and silver a load or burden ie a great quantity (massacircrsquo) 2 Chronicles 2025 As if ldquosilver as much as they could carryrdquomdasha natural hyperbole ot all the five states of the Philistines were subject to Jehoshaphat (Comp 2 Samuel 81)

The ArabiansmdashlsquoArbicircrsquoim here only equivalent to lsquoArbicircyicircm (2 Chronicles 267) and

lsquoArbim (2 Chronicles 2116) They are in each case grouped with the Philistines The nomad Bedacircwin conquered by Asa (2 Chronicles 1415) appear to be meant here or else some tribes which recognised the overlordship of Jehoshaphat after his reduction of Edom (2 Chronicles 2022 sqq)

Brought him flocksmdashComp Mesha of Moabrsquos tribute to Ahab (2 Kings 34)

GUZIK 2 (2 Chronicles 1711-19) The international strength of Jehoshaphatrsquos kingdom

Also some of the Philistines brought Jehoshaphat presents and silver as tribute and the Arabians brought him flocks seven thousand seven hundred rams and seven thousand seven hundred male goats So Jehoshaphat became increasingly powerful and he built fortresses and storage cities in Judah He had much property in the cities of Judah and the men of war mighty men of valor were in Jerusalem These are their numbers according to their fathersrsquo houses Of Judah the captains of thousands Adnah the captain and with him three hundred thousand mighty men of valor and next to him was Jehohanan the captain and with him two hundred and eighty thousand and next to him was Amasiah the son of Zichri who willingly offered himself to the LORD and with him two hundred thousand mighty men of valor Of Benjamin Eliada a mighty man of valor and with him two hundred thousand men armed with bow and shield and next to him was Jehozabad and with him one hundred and eighty thousand prepared for war These served the king besides those the king put in the fortified cities throughout all Judah

a Some of the Philistines brought Jehoshaphat presents and silver as tribute and the Arabians brought him flocks Jehoshaphatrsquos commitment to personal and public godliness meant that God exalted his kingdom above the neighboring nations even as God promised in Deuteronomy 281-13

b These served the king The true treasure of Jehoshaphatrsquos kingdom was not numbered only in security or material things but also in the dedicated and courageous men he had surrounding him these mighty men of valor

i Amasiah the son of Zichri who willingly offered himself to the LORD ldquoAmasiah is a man of whom we do not know anything beyond this ndash he lsquowillingly offered himself unto the Lordrsquo There must have been a turning-point in his career a time when first he knew the grace of God which wrought such a change in him There must have been a waking up to the feeling that God deserved his love and his liferdquo (Spurgeon)

ii Amasiah was a ready servant of the Lord this particularly notable because he did it in an otherwise secular calling

middot o one had to press him into service

middot o one had to seek him out for service

middot o one had to look after him once he had begun serving

middot o one had to lead him

iii ldquoThere is no lawful occupation in which a man cannot thoroughly serve the Lord It is a great privilege and blessing to be set apart to the work of winning souls but we must never separate that work from all the rest of the callings of life as though it alone were sacred and all the rest were secular and almost sinful Serve God where you arerdquo (Spurgeon)

PULPIT The presents were probably enough in the nature of tribute the fixed rate of which is sometimes alluded to (1 Kings 421 1 Kings 1025 2 Samuel 82) but it is doubtful whether the word משא purports to say this The word means bearing or carrying and then a burden load or weight The expression (2 Chronicles 2025) more than they could carry away where this word is used favours the idea that the meaning here is silver of great weight Probably the moral significance and historical interest whether of this statement respecting the Philistines or the following respecting the Arabians lies in the fact that both of them brought without more ado their payments and did not seek to slip out of their engagements with Judah and Judahs king ote for confirmation of this view 2 Kings 34 2 Kings 35

12 Jehoshaphat became more and more powerful he built forts and store cities in Judah

GILL And Jehoshaphat waxed great exceedingly In wealth and riches power and authority in his forces and fortifications

and he built in Judah castles and cities of stores castles for the defence of his kingdom and store cities to lay up corn and wine and all provisions in case of an invasion or against a time of war

HERY II He had a very considerable stores laid up in the cities of Judah He pulled down his barns and built larger (2Ch_1712) castles and cities of store for arms and victuals He was a man of business and aimed at the public good in all his

undertakings either to preserve the peace or prepare for war

JAMISO 2Ch_1712-19 His greatness captains and armies

KampD Description of Jehoshaphats power - 2Ch_1712 And Jehoshaphat became

ever greater sc in power The partic הולך expresses the continuous advance in

greatness cf Ew sect280 b as the infin absol does elsewhere eg Gen_83 למעלה as עד

in 2Ch_1612 - He built castles in Judah ירנ-ות only here and in 2Ch_274 from ירנית

derivative formed from ירה by the Syriac termination נית- fem of ן- castle fortress On

מסנות cf 2Ch_84 ערי

TRAPP 2 Chronicles 1712 And Jehoshaphat waxed great exceedingly and he built in Judah castles and cities of store

Ver 12 And Jehoshaphat waxed great exceedingly] Heb He was going and growing By humility and the fear of the Lord are riches and honour and life [Proverbs 224]

And he built in Judah castles] Bironeoth πυργους turres So did the Burgundians and thence had their names

And cities of store] Granaries in the Hebrew they have their name from their utility or usefulness

ELLICOTT (12) And Jehoshaphat waxed greatmdashLiterally And Jehoshaphat was going on and waxing great ie became greater and greater (Comp 1 Chronicles 119)

ExceedinglymdashlsquoAd lĕmagraversquolah This phrase occurs again in 2 Chronicles 1612 2 Chronicles 268 and nowhere else in the Old Testament (See on 1 Chronicles 142)

And he builtmdashLike his predecessorsmdashSolomon Rehoboam Asamdashhe displayed his wealth and power in great public works The records of the Assyrian and Babylonian sovereigns are largely taken up with similar accounts of temple and palace building

CastlesmdashBiranicircyocircth a derivative from birah (1 Chronicles 291 1 Chronicles 2919 comp Syriac here birocircthocirc) It only recurs at 2 Chronicles 274 It is an Aramaic term (Comp bicircranyacircthacirc which in the Targums means ldquopalacesrdquo)

Cities of storesmdashComp 2 Chronicles 84 2 Chronicles 164 Exodus 111

PULPIT Castles This rendering better than palaces (margin) wound bear improving to the rather stronger word fortresses Hebrew בירניות found only here and in 2 Chronicles 274 plur of בירנית connected with the Chaldee and later Hebrew בירה of Ezra 62 ehemiah 11 Esther 12 Daniel 82 Cities of store (see note under 2 Chronicles 84 see also 1 Kings 919 Exodus 111)

13 and had large supplies in the towns of Judah He also kept experienced fighting men in Jerusalem

CLARKE He hadmuch business in the cities - He kept the people constantly employed they had wages for their work and by their labors the empire was both enriched and strengthened

GILL And he had much business in the cities of Judah Partly in fortifying them and partly in reforming the inhabitants of them

and the men of war mighty men of valour were in Jerusalem or by or near unto it so the particle is rendered Jos_513 they encamped in places adjacent to it for such a number of men as follows even 1160000 could never be contained in Jerusalem but must be disposed of in the territories of it nor did they wait on the king together but in course see 2Ch_1719 by which it appears there is no need to suppose any mistake of the transcriber in any or all of the following sums as has been suggested (q)

HERY 13-19 III He had the militia in good order It was never in better since David modelled it Five lord-lieutenants (if I may so call them) are here named with the numbers of those under their command (the serviceable men that were fit for war in their respective districts) three in Judah and two in Benjamin It is said of one of these great commanders Amasiah that he willingly offered himself unto the Lord (2Ch_1716) not only to the king to serve him in this post but to the Lord to glorify him in it He was the most eminent among them for religion he accepted the place not for the

honour or power or profit of it but for conscience sake towards God that he might serve his country It was usual for great generals then to offer of their spoils to the Lord 1Ch_2626 But this good man offered himself first to the Lord and then his dedicated things The number of the soldiers under these five generals amounts to 1160000 men a vast number for so small a compass of ground as Judahs and Benjamins lot to furnish out and maintain Abijah could bring into the field but 400000 (2Ch_133) Asa not 600000 (2Ch_148) yet Jehoshaphat has at command almost 1200000 But it must be considered 1 That God had promised to make the seed of Abraham like the sand of the sea for number 2 There had now been a long peace 3 We may suppose that the city of Jerusalem was very much enlarged 4 Many had come over to them from the kingdom of Israel (2Ch_1519) which would increase the numbers of the people 5 Jehoshaphat was under a special blessing of God which made his affairs to prosper greatly The armies we may suppose were dispersed all the country over and each man resided for the most part on his own estate but they appeared often to be mustered and trained and were ready at call whenever there was occasion The commanders waited on the king (2Ch_1719) as officers of his court privy-counsellors and ministers of state

But lastly observe It was not this formidable army that struck a terror upon the neighbouring nations that restrained them from attempting any thing against Israel or obliged them to pay tribute but the fear of God which fell upon them when Jehoshaphat reformed his country and set up a preaching ministry in it 2Ch_1710 The ordinances of God are more the strength and safety of a kingdom than its military force - its men of God more than its men of war

KampD 2Ch_1713

וגווגווגווגו רהרהרהרה is rightly translated by Luther ldquound hatte viel Vorrathsrdquo (and ומלעכהומלעכהומלעכהומלעכה

had much store) מלעכהמלעכהמלעכהמלעכה denotes here as in Exo_227-10 property that which has been gained by work or business The signification much work opera magna (Vulg Cler etc) as also Bertheaus translation ldquothe works for equipping and provisioning the fortressesrdquo correspond neither to the context nor to the parallel (synonymous) second member of the verse The work and trouble necessary to equip the cities of Judah does not correspond to ldquothe valiant warriors in Jerusalemrdquo the only parallel is the goods and property which were in these cities the provision of victuals and war material there stored up

BESO 2 Chronicles 1713 He had much business in the cities of Judah mdash To repair and fortify them and furnish them with provisions and to purge out all the relics of idolatry and injustice which were more secretly and craftily managed in the cities than in the country and which were first and most prevalent in the cities and thence spread their infection into the country around them

TRAPP 2 Chronicles 1713 And he had much business in the cities of Judah and the men of war mighty men of valour [were] in Jerusalem

Ver 13 And he had much business] Eργα πολλα (a) Many works going forward at

once a negotious man he was His business say some lay in beautifying and fortifying those cities Augustus gloried at his death that whereas he had found Rome built with brick he had left it made of marble

And the men of war hellip were in Jerusalem] These were his Praetorian forces his Praesidiaries were up and down in the various cities

POOLE He had much business in the cities of Judah partly to repair and fortify them and furnish them with all necessary provisions and partly to purge out all the relies and seeds of idolatry and injustice which were more secretly and subtlely managed in the cities than in the country and which were first and most in the cities and thence spread their infection into the country about them See Jeremiah 228

ELLICOTT (13) BusinessmdashRather much goods or stores literally work (mĕlacirckacirch) and then produce The Hebrew word is so used in Exodus 227 Exodus 2210 (ldquoHis neighbourrsquos goodsrdquo) Stores of provisions and war material seem to be intended (Comp 2 Chronicles 1111)

And the man of war were in JerusalemmdashRather and (he had) men of war in Jerusalem

In Jerusalemmdashot the entire army corps whose numbers are given in 2 Chronicles 1714-18 but simply their chiefs

PULPIT Much business Hebrew מלאכה The meaning of the word is service labour bestowed and the verse reads And there was to him much labour in the cities of Judah and men of war mighty men of valour in Jerusalem ie He bestoweth much pains on the cities of Judah and had etc The word were Authorized Version italics is incorrectly inserted The former half of this verse would better constitute the end of 2 Chronicles 1712 Keil however maintains the rendering substance property for מלאכה (Exodus 227 Exodus 2210)

14 Their enrollment by families was as followsFrom Judah commanders of units of 1000Adnah the commander with 300000 fighting men

BARES The captains of thousands Adnah the chief - literally ldquoprinces of thousands Adnah the princerdquo The writer does not mean that Adnah (or Johohanan 2Ch_1715) was in any way superior to the other ldquoprincesrdquo but only that he was one of them

Three hundred thousand - This number and those which follow in 2Ch_1715-18 have been with good reason regarded as corrupt by most critics For

(1) They imply a minimum population of 1480 to the square mile which is more than three times greater than that of any country in the known world (circa 1880rsquos)

(2) they produce a total just double that of the next largest estimate of the military force of Judah the 580 000 of 2Ch_148

(3) they are professedly a statement not of the whole military force but of the force maintained at Jerusalem (2Ch_1713 compare 2Ch_1719)

It is probable that the original numbers have been lost and that the loss was suppplied by a scribe who took 2Ch_148 as his basis

CLARKE Adnah the chief - He was generalissimo of all this host These are the numbers of the five battalions under Adnah three hundred thousand Jehohanan two hundred and eighty thousand Amasiah two hundred thousand Eliada two hundred thousand Jehozabad one hundred and eighty thousand in all one million one hundred and sixty thousand

GILL And these are the numbers of them according to the house of their fathers Both of the tribe of Judah and of Benjamin and first

of Judah the captains of thousands some had 1000 men under them and some one hundred

Adnah the chief he was the principal commander or general of them

and with him mighty men of valour three hundred thousand such a number was under his command

JAMISO these are the numbersmdash The warriors were arranged in the army according to their fathers houses The army of Jehoshaphat commanded by five great generals and consisting of five unequal divisions comprised one million one hundred and sixty thousand men without including those who garrisoned the fortresses No monarch since the time of Solomon equaled Jehoshaphat in the extent of his revenue in the strength of his fortifications and in the number of his troops

KampD 2Ch_1714-16

The men fit for war passed in review according to their fathers-houses The male population of Judah fell into three divisions that of Benjamin into two The prince

Adnah held the first place among the generals with 300000 men of Judah ידו at his על

hand ie with and under him Jehohanan had the command of 280000 men and

Amasiah over 200000 השר is a contraction for אלפים For what special reason it is so שר

honourably recorded of Amasiah that he had willingly offered himself to the Lord (cf for

Jdg_59) has not been communicated התנב

COFFMA his represented a standing army of 1160000 men besides the garrisons in the fortified cities and this goes a long way to explaining why the Arabians and the Philistines brought tribute to Jehoshaphat In ancient times as in our own day peace frequently depended upon the strength of those who desired it

We should ignore the screams of exaggeration[3] which mark the writings of radical critics Pagan rulers of that era reported even larger armies than this and until the critics can prove that those were exaggerated reports they should let these alone Besides that we have already noted that the very word from which thousand is translated is disputed as to its exact meaning

COKE 2 Chronicles 1714 And these are the numbers of themmdash That is of the soldiers as well as of those who were employed in the kings works in the several cities ampc which he built See 2 Chronicles 1719

REFLECTIOSmdash1st Jehoshaphat no sooner comes to the throne than we see the dawnings of a glorious reign

1 He strengthened his kingdom by placing strong garrisons in the cities of Judah and those which his father had recovered from Israel and prepared against that danger which Ahabs growing power seemed to threaten

2 Religion was his great concern He copied after the best of his predecessors in their best days such as were the first of David before the matter of Uriah and the numbering of the people had blotted his fair copy Faithful to the worship of God he abhorred all idols the law of God was his rule of duty and Israels apostacy rendered his fidelity more singular and exemplary Inspired with holy zeal his heart with delight and sincerity was engaged for God and no difficulties deterred him from the path of duty The idols and groves which in the declining days of Asa might have been set up again he utterly destroyed with all the high places where they still offered sacrifices to these abominations ote (1) In the fairest human pattern there will be found imperfections but there is a Son of David more than man who has set us a spotless example that we should follow his steps (2) Fidelity in Gods service is the stability of a nation (3) A lively soul on wings of faith and love mounts up to God rises superior to every difficulty and looks down upon every thing besides his favour as altogether vanity

3 He not only removed the temptations to sin but took care to instruct the people in

the path of duty Ignorance of Gods law had greatly prevailed and to oblige them merely to conform to his reformation without grounding them on the true foundation of Gods word promised little stability The Levites and priests therefore are sent in progress through the cities of Judah with the book of the law to explain and enforce the commandments of God and several princes accompanied them in order to engage the people to hear them and give countenance to these preachers by their weight and influence ote (1) It is a blessed thing when princes countenance faithful ministers Though they cannot make men true converts their example and authority will induce them to attend (2) They who are sent to teach must see that they take the pure word of God along with them A true preacher wishes for nothing in his hand but his Bible (3) Religion is a reasonable service Conviction alone not compulsion or education can make a man a christian

4 The blessing of God attended his labours The Lord was with him or as the Targum generally expresses it the word of the Lord the divine Logos to whom all things are committed strengthened him in his labours and established his kingdom The people charmed with his government liberally sent their presents to him and abounding in riches and honour his heart far from being intoxicated by prosperity was lifted up in greater love and thankfulness to the gracious giver ote (1) God often here rewards piety with prosperity (2) Worldly comforts are then truly blessings when as the steps of Jacobs ladder they raise our hearts to heaven

2nd Like the light of the morning which shineth more and more so did Jehoshaphats glory increase

1 Feared by his enemies as beloved by his subjects the neighbouring princes did not offer to molest him while those of Philistia and Arabia courted his favour either by a voluntary present or exact payment of the tribute which Asa had imposed on them see 2 Chronicles 1711 God had put an awe upon them of the majesty of his king in Zion ote God hath access to the spirits of men and by secret yet irresistible influence can bow them to his sovereign will

2 His military preparations greatly advanced While he reformed the people he fortified their ramparts and built new castles and store-cities strengthening them within and without against their enemies Under five chief officers an immense army was enlisted Probably all the able men in the country were enrolled and regularly mustered though not drawn out except in case of necessity and this may easily account for the greatness of their number if we consider also the long peace they had enjoyed the accession of Israelites to them and especially the blessing of Abraham which no doubt was eminently fulfilled Amasiah one of the officers is mentioned with an honourable mark of distinction as a volunteer who served for the glory of God not for the sake of pay Such patriots are scarce

TRAPP 2 Chronicles 1714 And these [are] the numbers of them according to the house of their fathers Of Judah the captains of thousands Adnah the chief and

with him mighty men of valour three hundred thousand

Ver 14 Three hundred thousand] These were under his command and at hand to come whensoever the king would

WHEDO 14 Three hundred thousand mdash The numbers in this verse and the four verses following are generally regarded as corrupt ldquoThey implyrdquo observes the writer last quoted ldquoa minimum population of 1480 to the square mile which is more than three times greater than that of any country in the known world It is probable that the original numbers have been lost and the loss supplied by a scribe who took 2 Chronicles 148 as his basis

ELLICOTT Verse 14 (14) And these their fathersmdashAnd this is their muster (or census) according to their father-houses (clans) 1 Chronicles 243 The warriors were marshalled in the army according to clans so that men of the same stock fought side by side with their kindred Perhaps in the original document this heading was followed by a much more detailed scheme of names and divisions than that which the text presents

Of JudahmdashTo Judah (belonged) captains of thousands viz the three enumerated in 2 Chronicles 1714-16 Adnah Jehohanan and Amasiah They were the principal officers or generals of the entire forces of Judah

Adnah the chiefmdashTo wit the captain Adnah That Adnah was commander-in-chief is implied by his being named first and his corps being the largest

PULPIT This verse with the following four gives us the names of five captains chiefs princes or military officers for the kingdoms service with the numbers of the troops they severally commanded The numbers of them (see note under 1 Chronicles 2311) Hebrew פקדתם The better English rendering to carry at once the signification would be The muster of them etc The captains hellip the chief In both cases the Hebrew is the familiar word for prince ( שר ) in the former without article in the latter with article The numbers of this and following four verses are not only absolutely unreliable but in themselves impossible According to the house of their fathers ie the quotation is drawn from an army catalogue arranged carefully by fathers houses (umbers 118 umbers 122 etc)

15 next Jehohanan the commander with 280000

GILL And next to him was Jehohanan the captain Being of the same rank as to office but having a lesser number of men under him and it may respect not any kind of subordination only nearness of place as the Targumhe that encamped next to him

and with him two hundred and fourscore thousand which number was but 20000 less than the former

POOLE ext to him either

1 After his death as his successor in the same command And the like is supposed concerning Jehozabad 2 Chronicles 1718 Or rather

2 ext to him in place and authority or at least in power and the numbers of his host

16 next Amasiah son of Zikri who volunteered himself for the service of the Lord with 200000

GILL And next him was Amasiah the son of Zichri He encamped next to him as the Targum

who willingly offered himself unto the Lord to fight the Lords battles and without any stipend as some think or as Kimchi he offered gold and silver to the treasures of the house of the Lord

and with him two hundred thousand mighty men of valour the number was 80000 less than the former the whole of Judah amounted to 780000 men

TRAPP 2 Chronicles 1716 And next him [was] Amasiah the son of Zichri who willingly offered himself unto the LORD and with him two hundred thousand mighty men of valour

Ver 16 Who willingly offered himself unto the Lord] He was a votary the vows of God were upon him and this made him the more valiant and resolute (a) in the exercise of arms for the service of God and the safety of his people The Spahis among the Turks are a sort of horsemen voluntaries and votaries to gain paradise by dying for the Mohammedan cause These are never known to return home but

with victory these are heavy upon the enemy For

ldquo Vincitur haud gratis iugulo qui provocat ensem rdquo

POOLE As volunteers and auxiliaries to be ready upon occasion as the service of God and the king should require Possibly these or most of them were the strangers which had come out of Israel into the kingdom of Judah in Asarsquos days and probably since that in his time

ELLICOTT (16) AmasiahmdashIah carrieth (Isaiah 4011) different from Amaziah (Iah is strong)

Who willingly offered himself unto the Lordmdash(Judges 52 Judges 59) An allusion to some noble act of self-devotion which was doubtless more fully recorded in the source from which the chronicler has drawn this brief account Such allusions though no longer intelligible are important as conducing to the proof of the historical value of the narratives in which they occur LXX ὁ προθυmicroούmicroενος τῷ κυρίῳ Vulg consecratus Domino

PULPIT Amaziah the son of Zichri This man is not titled at all The description of him as one who had willingly offered himself unto the Lord not elucidated by the context or any effective parallel will mark something honorable in his history Possibly he comes from an unexpected quarter and is a man of approved skill othing further is known of these three men Meantime it has been suggested (Professor Dr J Murphy of Belfast Handbook to Chronicles ) that the first of the three was for Judah proper the second for that contingent of Judah that hailed from Dan and the Philistines and the third for that of Simeon and the Arabs

MACLARE This is a scrap from the catalogue of Jehoshaphatrsquos lsquomighty men of valourrsquo and is Amasiahrsquos sole record We see him for a moment and hear his eulogium and then oblivion swallows him up We do not know what it was that he did to earn it But what a fate to live to all generations by that one sentence

I Cheerful self-surrender the secret of all religion

The words of our text contain a metaphor naturally drawn from the sacrificial system It comes so easily to us that we scarcely recognise the metaphorical element but the clear recognition of it gives great additional energy to the words Amasiah was both sacrificer and sacrifice His offering was self-immolation As in all love so in that noblest kind of it which clasps God its perfect expression is lsquoI give Thee my living loving selfrsquo Nor is it only sacrifice and sacrificer that are seen in deepest truth in the experience of the Christian life but the reality of the Temple is also there for lsquoYe also are built up a spiritual house to be a holy priesthood to offer up spiritual sacrificesrsquo Only when God dwells in us shall we have the nerve and the firmness of hand to take the knife and lsquoslay before the Lordrsquo the awful Guest in the sanctuary within the most precious of the children of our spirits

The essence of the sacrifice of self is the sacrifice of will In the Christian experience

lsquowillingly offeredrsquo is almost tautology for unwilling offerings are a contradiction and in fact there are no such things The quality of unwillingness destroys the character of the offering and robs it of all sacredness Reluctant Christianity is not Christianity That noun and that adjective can never be buckled together

The submission of will and the consequent surrender of myself and my powers opportunities and possessions so that I do all enjoy all use all and when need is endure all with glad thankful reference to God is only possible to me in the measure in which my will is made flexible by love and such will-subduing love comes only when we lsquoknow and believe the love that God hath to usrsquo There is the point at which not a few moral and religious teachers go wrong and bewilder themselves and their disciples There too is the point at which Christ and the Gospel of salvation through faith in Him stand forth as emancipating humanity from the dreary round of efforts and vain attempts to work up the condition needful for achieving the height of self-surrender which is seen to be indispensable to all true nobleness of living but is felt to be beyond the reach of the ordinary man There too is the point at which many good people mar their lives as Christians They waste their strength in trying to bring the jibbing horse up to the leap They try to blow up a fire of devotion and to make themselves priests to offer themselves but all the while the mutinous self recoils from the leap and the fire burns smokily and their sacrifice is laid on the altar with little joy because they have not been careful and wise enough to begin at the beginning and to follow Godrsquos way of melting their wills by love the reflection of the Infinite love of God to them Godrsquos priests offer themselves because they offer their wills they offer their wills because they love God they love God because they know that God loves them That is the divine order It is vain to try to accomplish the end by any other

II This willing offering hallows all life

No syllable is left to tell us what Amasiah did to win this praise Probably the words enshrine some now forgotten memory of his cheerful courage some heroic feat on an unrecorded battlefield Particulars are not given nor needed Specific actions are unimportant the spirit of a life can be told with very incomplete details and it not the details is the important thing Sometimes as in many modern biographies one lsquocannot see the wood for the treesrsquo and misses the main drift and aim of a life in the chaos of a bewildering mass of nothings How much more happy the lot of this man of whom we have only the generalised expression of the text unweighted and undisturbed by petty incidents It takes tons of rose leaves to make a tiny phial of otto of roses but the fragrance is far more pungent in a drop of the distillation than in armfuls of leaves Every life shrinks into very small compass and the centuries do not tolerate long biographies Shall we not seek to order our life so that Amasiahrsquos epitaph may serve for us It will be blessed if this-and nothing else-is known about us that we lsquowillingly offered ourselves to the Lordrsquo My friend will that be a true epitome of your life

III This willing offering is accepted by God

We may hear a mightier voice behind the chroniclerrsquo s and the judgment of the Judge of all pronounced by His lips It matters little what men say of one another but it matters everything what God says of us We are but too apt to forget that He is now saying something as to each of us and that we have not to wait for death to put a final period to our activities before our lives become fit subjects for Godrsquos judgment Moment by moment we are writing our own sentences But while it is good for us to remember the continuous judgment of God on each deed it is not good to let dark thoughts of the principles of that judgment paralyse our activity or chill our confidence in His forgiving and accepting mercy There is often a dark suspicion like that of the one-talented

servant which blackens Godrsquos fair fame as being lsquoan austere Manrsquo making demands rather than imparting power and the effect of such an ugly conception of Him is to cut the nerve of service and bury the talent carefully folded up it may be but none the less earning nothing lsquoIf we call on Him as Father who without respect of persons judgeth according to every manrsquos workrsquo let us be sure that it will be a Fatherly judgment that He will pass upon us and our offerings There is a wonderful collection on His altar of what many people would think rubbish just as many a mother has laid away among her treasures some worthless article which her child had once given her-a weed plucked by the roadside in a long past summer day some trifle of rare preciousness in the childrsquos eyes and of none in any others than her own She opens her drawer and brings out the poor little thing and her eyes fill and her heart fills as she looks And does not God keep His childrenrsquos gifts as lovingly and set them in places of honour in the day when He lsquomakes up His jewelsrsquo There are cups of cold water and widowsrsquo mites and much else that a supercilious world would call lsquotrashrsquo stored there Thank God He accepts imperfect service faltering faith partial consecration a little love Even our poor offering may be an lsquoodour of a sweet smellrsquo ministering fragrance that is a delight to Him if it is offered with the much incense of the great Sacrifice and through the mediation of the great High Priest

The world forgot Amasiah or never knew him an obscure soldier in an obscure kingdom but God did not forget and here is his epitaph and this is his memorial to all generations Menrsquos chronicles have no room for all the names that their wearers are eager to have inscribed on their crumbling and crowded pages lsquobut the Lambrsquos Book of Lifersquo has ample space on its radiant pages for all who desire to set their names there and if ours are there we need not envy the proudest whose titles and deeds fill the most conspicuous pages in the worldrsquos records lsquoThen shall every man have praise of Christrsquo and he who wins that guerdon needs nothing more and can have nothing more to swell his blessedness

17 From BenjaminEliada a valiant soldier with 200000 men armed with bows and shields

GILL And of Benjamin Eliada a mighty man of valour Was the chief commander

and with armed men with bow and shield two hundred thousand which were

the armour of the tribe of Benjamin they were best skilled in 2Ch_148

TRAPP 2 Chronicles 1717 And of Benjamin Eliada a mighty man of valour and with him armed men with bow and shield two hundred thousand

Ver 17 With bow and shield] The Benjamites were notable bowmen [1 Chronicles 122] The Engish were anciently so too

ELLICOTT (17) Armed men with bow and shieldmdashLiterally drawing bow and shield ie as the Targum explains ldquodrawing bow and grasping shieldsrdquo (Comp 1 Chronicles 122) LXX ldquoArchers and peltastsrdquo Vulg ldquoGrasping bow and shieldrdquo (Comp also 1 Chronicles 840 for the arms of the Benjaminites)

18 next Jehozabad with 180000 men armed for battle

GILL And next to him was Jehozabad According to the Targum he encamped next him

and with him one hundred and fourscore thousand ready prepared for war being able bodied men well disciplined valiant and well armed these numbers of Judah and Benjamin put together amount to 1160000 men whereas Asa only brought into the field 580000 but it should be considered there had been a long time of peace many had come off from the ten tribes to Judah and the promise of multiplying the seed of Abraham was eminently fulfilled

TRAPP 2 Chronicles 1718 And next him [was] Jehozabad and with him an hundred and fourscore thousand ready prepared for the war

Ver 18 A hundred and fourscore thousand] His militia was eleven hundred and threescore thousand besides what he had in garrisons [2 Chronicles 1719] So that as he was better he was stronger than his father Asa had been Piety hath prosperity

ELLICOTT (18) Ready prepared for the warmdashEquipped for service (See on 1

Chronicles 1223-24 umbers 315 umbers 3229) The hoplites or heavy-armed infantry are probably meant

PULPIT While Eliada of last verse was for Benjamin Professor Dr Murphy supposes that Jehozabad was for the annexed part of Ephraim But no suppositions of this kind can avail to explain the numbers in the text which is no doubt corrupt

19 These were the men who served the king besides those he stationed in the fortified cities throughout Judah

CLARKE These waited on the king - They were disposable forces always at the kingrsquos command and were independent of those by which the cities of Judah were garrisoned

There is not a sovereign in Europe or in the world but might read this chapter with advantage

1 It shows most forcibly that true religion is the basis of the state and that wherever it prospers there the state prospers

2 It shows also that it is the wisdom of kings to encourage religion with all their power and influence for if the hearts of the subjects be not bound and influenced by true religion vain is the application of laws fines imprisonments or corporal punishment of any kind

3 A religious nation is ever a great nation it is loved by its friends it is dreaded by its enemies

4 It is ever a peaceable and united nation the blessings of religion and a wholesome and paternal government are so fully felt and prized that all find it their interest to preserve and defend them Harmony peace piety and strength are the stability of such times May Britain know and value them

GILL These waited on the king Not this vast number of men at one time but in course as Davids military men waited on him 1Ch_271 or each of these captains with a proper number of men under them detached from the body and they were all ready to obey the kings orders whenever he should have occasion for them

besides those whom the king put into the fenced cities throughout Judah and all together the militia of the kingdom was very numerous and formidable

KampD 2Ch_1719

These were serving the king א6ה refers not to the above-mentioned men capable of

bearing arms for sheereet is not used of service in war but to the commanders whom he had placed in the fortified cities of all Judah ldquoin which probably bodies of the above-mentioned troops lay as garrisonsrdquo (Berth)

BESO 2 Chronicles 1719 These waited on the king mdash These above-mentioned were the trained bands or auxiliaries whose chief officers waited on the king to receive his commands and to raise and bring in all or part of their forces to the service of the king as need required A vast number for so small a compass of ground to furnish out and maintain But we may consider that God had promised to make the seed of Abraham like the sand of the sea for number that there had now been a long peace that many were come to them from the kingdom of Israel and that Jehoshaphat was under a special blessing of God They were doubtless dispersed all the country over every one residing on his own land only they were ready at call whenever there was occasion

TRAPP 2 Chronicles 1719 These waited on the king beside [those] whom the king put in the fenced cities throughout all Judah

Ver 19 These waited on the king] ie In their turns and by course

POOLE These above mentioned were the trained bands or auxiliaries whose chief officers waited upon the king to receive his commands and to raise and bring in all or part of their forces to the service of the king and kingdom as need required

ELLICOTT (19) These waited on the kingmdashRather these are they that ministered unto the king viz the five generals above named

Beside those whom the king put in the fenced citiesmdashie the commandants of the fortresses of the kingdom (2 Chronicles 1111 2 Chronicles 1123) These latter as well as the generals of the forces are called the kingrsquos ldquoministersrdquo (mĕshacircrĕthicircm)mdasha word which is not used of service in the field but implies their presence at court (ldquoin Jerusalemrdquo 2 Chronicles 1713 as the royal staff)

According to the above list the army of Jehoshaphat was organised in five grand divisions corresponding perhaps to five territorial divisions of the southern kingdom The totals are the largest assigned to the two tribes anywhere in the Old Testament viz Judah 780000 and Benjamin 380000 in all 1160000 At Davidrsquos census Judah had 500000 warriors (2 Samuel 249) and Israel 800000 Again in 2

Chronicles 148 Asarsquos army consists of 300000 men of Judah and 280000 Benjaminites clearly such an increase as our text indicates is unaccountable At the same time it is equally clear that the present numbers are not fortuitous results of clerical errors for they follow each other in the order of relative strength Judah 300000 280000 200000 Benjamin 200000 180000 and they are evidently not independent of the estimates of 2 Chronicles 148 above quoted

In the absence of adequate data for modifying these certainly startling figures it is well to bear in mind that we need not understand by them an army which ever actually mustered in the field or on parade but simply an estimate of the total male population liable to be called out for the national defence although even upon that understanding the total appears to be at least three times too great considering the small extent of the country

PULPIT These waited Hebrew המשרתים plur piel part of שרת The verse states that this enormous fivefold army with its five princes (counting in our corrupt text one million one hundred and sixty thousand) was the kings Jerusalem standing army while other separate regiments or bands of troops were spread through all Judah where they might be most needed for defence

nature and design of the religion they professed Thus the nation became thoroughly instructed in their duty to God to the king and to each other They became therefore as one man and against a people thus united on such principles no enemy could be successful

GILL Also in the third year of his reign he sent to his princes That dwelt in the several parts of the kingdom or he sent them being with him some of the

principal men of his court for ל may be a sign of the accusative case as it sometimes is

even to Benhail and to Obadiah and to Zechariah and to Nethaneel and to Michaiah to teach in the cities of Judah to see that they were taught and oblige them to attend to the instructions that should be given them and not mutiny and rebel against their teachers and to let them know what was the kings pleasure on this head and to back with their authority the priests and Levites whose proper work it was to instruct and who therefore were sent with them as follows

JAMISO 7-11 2Ch_177-11 He sends Levites to teach in Judah

Also in the third year of his reign he sent to his princes to teach in the cities of Judahmdash The ordinary work of teaching devolved on the priests But extraordinary commissioners were appointed probably to ascertain whether the work had been done or neglected This deputation of five princes assisted by two priests and nine Levites was to make a circuit of the towns in Judah It is the first practical measure we read of as being adopted by any of the kings for the religious instruction of the people Time and unbroken opportunities were afforded for carrying out fully this excellent plan of home education for the kingdom enjoyed internal tranquillity as well as freedom for foreign wars It is conformable to the pious style of the sacred historian to trace this profound peace to the ldquofear of the Lord having fallen on all kingdoms of the lands that were round about Judahrdquo

BESO 2 Chronicles 177 He sent to his princes mdash to teach in the cities of Judah mdash To inform the people of their duty and of the kingrsquos pleasure As judges teach or instruct the people in the laws of the land when they deliver their charges upon the bench so did these princes in the kingrsquos name admonish and require the people to observe and obey the laws of God which were the municipal laws of that land the particular explication and enforcement whereof they left to the Levites and priests here following who were sent for this end and accordingly taught the people 2 Chronicles 179

COFFMA Because of the clause which we have capitalized this is one of the most important passages in Chronicles Right here is the reason radical critics have extended themselves so unreasonably in their efforts to discredit Chronicles Here is dependable historical proof of the continued existence of the Torah from the days of Moses throughout the history of Israel As Keil stated it The book of the law of Jehovah is the Pentateuch not merely a collection of Mosaic laws since in Jehoshaphats time the Mosaic Book of the Law (the Pentateuch) had been long in existence[1] We shall not take the space to repeat the vociferous denials of critics

except to cite one knee-jerk remark that characterizes all of them Such action was not taken in Jehoshaphats time[2] What is the basis of such a blatant denial of what Gods Word states as a fact even giving the very names of the royal princes who did the teaching THERE IS OE o matter what unbelievers say this chapter IS the historical record of what happened in the reign of Jehoshaphat and those who live two and one half millenniums afterward have nothing of value by which they may challenge it Then why do men deny it The false theories they have invented are here contradicted forcing them either to give up their false theories or to deny the Sacred Scriptures that contradict them

COKE 2 Chronicles 177 He sent to his princes even to Ben-hail ampcmdash He sent of his princes Ben-hail Obadiah ampc The proper business of these princes in their circuit round the kingdom says Bishop Patrick was to admonish and require the people to observe the laws of God and to leave the particular explication and enforcement of them to those of the sacred order who went with them supporting them in the execution of their office and obliging the people to receive them with respect to hear them with attention and to practise what they taught

TRAPP 2 Chronicles 177 Also in the third year of his reign he sent to his princes [even] to Benhail and to Obadiah and to Zechariah and to ethaneel and to Michaiah to teach in the cities of Judah

Ver 7 He sent to his princes to teach in the cities of Judah] Teaching princes there are not many such as were David Solomon George prince of Anhalt ampc but these were sent with the teaching Levites to countenance and bear them out in this visitation general and perhaps to punish the opposite and obstinate if any such Junius readeth the text thus He sent with his princes these Levites for the teaching Or the princes taught the people the law of the land the priests and Levites the law of God both did mutually help one another So a Danish king of this land made a law that at the general court of every shire the bishop of the diocese should accompany the sheriff that the one might countenance Godrsquos law the other manrsquos (a) Queen Elizabeth once in her progress through Suffolk observing that the justices of that county who came to meet her had every man his minister next to his body said she wondered not that that county was so well governed where she saw that the word and sword went so lovingly together (b)

POOLE To teach in the cities of Judah to inform the people of their duty and of the kingrsquos pleasure As judges or justices of peace teach or instruct the people in the laws of the land when they deliver their charges upon the bench so did these princes in the kingrsquos name admonish and require the people to observe and obey the laws of God which were the prinicipal laws of that land the particular explication and enforcement whereof they left to the Levites and priests here following who were sent for this end and accordingly taught the people 2 Chronicles 179

WHEDO 7 He sent to his princeshellip to teach mdash He committed the matter of

teaching to their oversight and care and the teaching was done by the Levites and priests as stated in the next verse He did well to put down idolatry but he was wise enough to know that unless the people were instructed they would soon apostatize again

ELLICOTT THE COMMISSIOERS OF PUBLIC ISTRUCTIO I THE LAW

(7) He sent to his princes even to Ben-hail to MichaiahmdashRather He sent his princes Ben- hail and Obadiah and Michaiah (The le ldquotordquo in the chroniclerrsquos idiom marking the object of the verb) If however Authorised Version were correct the construction would not be unique as the Speakerrsquos Com mentary asserts (Comp 2 Kings 57 ldquothis man sendeth to me to recover a manrdquo ampc)

Princesmdashone of the personages mentioned in this and the following verse are otherwise known The ldquofive princesrdquo were laymen of rank and were accompanied by nine (eight) Levites and two priests

Ben-hailmdashSon of valour A compound proper name only occurring here but analogous to Ben-hur Ben-deker and Ben-hesed in 1 Kings 48-10 (The LXX renders ldquothe sons of the mightyrdquo Syriac ldquothe chiefs of the forcesrdquo apparently reading bnecirc chail)

ethaneelmdashSyriac Mattanael Arabic Mattaniah Michaiah Syriac and Arabic Malachiah

GUZIK B The strength of Jehoshaphatrsquos kingdom

1 (2 Chronicles 177-10) The spiritual strength of the kingdom Jehoshaphat brings the Word of God to the people

Also in the third year of his reign he sent his leaders Ben-Hail Obadiah Zechariah ethanel and Michaiah to teach in the cities of Judah And with them he sent Levites Shemaiah ethaniah Zebadiah Asahel Shemiramoth Jehonathan Adonijah Tobijah and Tobadonijah the Levites and with them Elishama and Jehoram the priests So they taught in Judah and had the Book of the Law of the LORD with them they went throughout all the cities of Judah and taught the people And the fear of the LORD fell on all the kingdoms of the lands that were around Judah so that they did not make war against Jehoshaphat

a To teach in the cities of Judah These ldquoteaching priestsrdquo have been mentioned by the Chronicler before (2 Chronicles 153) They had the important role of bringing the word of God to the people especially those who lived outside of Jerusalem

b They taught in Judah and had the Book of the Law of the LORD with them they went throughout all the cities of Judah and taught the people This was the wisest

and best policy a security-conscious king of Judah could promote Because Jehoshaphat sought God first God sent fear upon the neighboring kingdoms so that they did not make war against Jehoshaphat

i ldquoBy this little band of princes Levites and priests sixteen in all Jehoshaphat did more toward impressing the surrounding nations with a sense of his power than the largest and best-equipped standing army could have secured to himrdquo (Knapp)

ii ldquoThe method adopted was what in these modern times we might describe as the holding of Special Missions throughout the cities of Judah for the specific purpose of proclaiming and interpreting lsquothe book of the law of Jehovahrsquordquo (Morgan)

iii ldquoo better service can be rendered to the nation than that of proclaiming the Word of Jehovah to the people in cities towns villages and hamlets By such proclamation the heart of the people may be turned to Jehovah and so He be enabled to do for them all that is in His heartrdquo (Morgan)

iv ldquoThus the nation became thoroughly instructed in their duty to God to the king and to each other They became therefore as one man and against a people thus united on such principles no enemy could be successfulrdquo (Clarke)

v Clarke observed how a similar itinerant ministry in the days of John Wesley and his followers impacted Britain ldquoSuch an itinerant ministry established in these kingdoms for upwards of fourscore years teaching the pure unadulterated doctrines of the Gospel with the propriety and necessity of obedience to the laws has been the principle means in the hand of God of preserving the lands from those convulsions and revolutions that have ruined and nearly dissolved the European continentrdquo

vi ldquoIt is said (2 Chronicles 172) Jehoshaphat place forces in all the fenced cities yet it is not said thereupon that lsquothe fear of the Lord fell upon the neighbour nationsrsquo But when he had established a preaching ministry in all the cities then his enemies had a fear and made no warrdquo (Trapp)

PULPIT He sent Hebrew שלח The Hebrew text distinctly says he sent to his princes not he sent his princes The meaning ismdashhe sent orders to his princes to see to it that Judah was taught (2 Chronicles 179) the book of the Law of the Lord (Le 2 Chronicles 1011 Deuteronomy 49 Deuteronomy 1718) not indeed without their own personal aid in whatever way able to be given but systematically and with authority by the Levites and priests (Deuteronomy 3310) This deeper fathoming of the needs of the time and of what constituted its real safety was greatly to the spiritual credit of Jehoshaphat The references (2 Chronicles 153 2 Chronicles 352-4 2 Chronicles 3510-12) are full of point one of these princes or Levites and priests are elsewhere mentioned by name

8 With them were certain LevitesmdashShemaiah ethaniah Zebadiah Asahel Shemiramoth Jehonathan Adonijah Tobijah and Tob-Adonijahmdashand the priests Elishama and Jehoram

GILL 2 Chronicles 178And with them he sent Levites With the five princes he sent nine Levites

even Shemaiah and Nethaniah and Zebadiah and Asahel and Shemiramoth and Jehonathan and Adonijah and Tobijah and Tobadonijah Levites of whom we nowhere else read no doubt they were principal persons and fit for the work they were sent about

and with them Elishama and Jehoram priests whose lips were to keep knowledge and at whose mouth the law was to be sought Mal_27

ELLICOTT (8) And with them he sent LevitesmdashRather And with them were the Levites The construction being changed So LXX and the Syriac (Comp 1 Chronicles 1641-42 1 Chronicles 1518 for the same mode of enumeration which is characteristic of the style of the chronicler

ZebadiahmdashSome MSS and Syriac and Arabic read Zechariah

ShemiramothmdashSo LXX and Vulg (see 1 Chronicles 165 1 Chronicles 1518) The Heb text is probably incorrect Syriac and Arabic read instead atucircra

Tob-adonijahmdashThis curious name occurs only here and is perhaps a mere mistake arising out of the preceding Adonijah and Tobijah The Syriac and Arabic omit it

PriestsmdashThe priests

The commission was a mixed one of civil and ecclesiastical persons (comp 1 Chronicles 131-2 1 Chronicles 232 1 Chronicles 246)

And had the book of the law of the LordmdashAnd with them was the book of the law (teaching) of Jehovah For the construction compare 1 Chronicles 1642 The writer

evidently means the Pentateuch and if this notice was derived by him from a contemporary source eg the ldquowords of Jehu the son of Hananirdquo to which he refers as an authority for the reign (2 Chronicles 2034) it would constitute an important testimony to the existence if not of the five books at least of an ancient collection of laws at this early date (circ 850 BC )

And taught the peoplemdashTaught among the people

9 They taught throughout Judah taking with them the Book of the Law of the Lord they went around to all the towns of Judah and taught the people

BARES There is no reasonable doubt that this ldquobook of the lawrdquo was the Pentateuch - nearly if not quite in the shape in which we now have it Copies of the whole Law were no doubt scarce and therefore Jehoshaphatrsquos commission took care to carry a copy with them

CLARKE Had the book of the law of the Lord with them - This was their text book it was the book of God they taught it as such and as such the people received it Its laws were Godrsquos laws and the people felt their obligation and their consciences were bound Thus they were obedient to the laws of the land on the principle of religion In this they were encouraged and confirmed by the example of all both in Church and state The princes were not only pious but were teachers of piety the Levites showed them the worth and excellence of their ritual institutions and the priests showed them the moral use they were to make of the whole and thus the people became obedient to God as well as to the king and kept all the civil ordinances not merely for the sake of a good king but for the sake of a good and gracious God By these means the nation enjoyed peace and prosperity and all insurrections seditions and popular commotions were prevented The surrounding nations perceiving this saw that there was no hope of subduing such a people so they made no war with Jehoshaphat 2Ch_1710 And they took care not to provoke such a people to fall on them therefore it is said The fear of the Lord fell on all the kingdoms and lands that were round about Judah Such an itinerant ministry established in these kingdoms for upwards of fourscore years

teaching the pure unadulterated doctrines of the Gospel with the propriety and necessity of obedience to the laws has been the principal means in the hand of God of preserving these lands from those convulsions and revolutions that have ruined and nearly dissolved the European continent The itinerant ministry to which this refers is that which was established in these lands by the late truly reverend highly learned and cultivated deeply pious and loyal John Wesley AM formerly a fellow of Lincoln College Oxford whose followers are known by the name of Methodists a people who are an honor to their country and a blessing to the government under which they live

GILL And they taught in Judah The people their duty to God and man

and had the book of the law of the Lord with them as the rule of their instruction and the peoples obedience out of this they taught them and by it confirmed what they taught and enforced it with the divine authority

and went about throughout all the cities of Judah not only their own cities the Levitical ones but all others

and taught the people the law of the Lord the fear and worship of God

JAMISO the book of the lawmdash that is either the whole Pentateuch or only the book of Deuteronomy which contains an abridgment of it

BESO 2 Chronicles 179 And they taught in Judah ampc mdash The Levites and priests were teachers by office Deuteronomy 3310 It was a part of the work for which they had their maintenance and indeed had little else to do But it seems they had neglected it pretending probably that they could not get the people to hear them Jehoshaphat therefore sends them with the princes who by their authority might require the people to assemble together to receive instruction in the laws of God and their duty ldquoWhat a great deal of goodrdquo says Henry ldquomay be done when Moses and Aaron thus go hand in hand in the doing of it when princes with their power and priests and Levites with their Scripture-learning agree to teach the people the good knowledge of God and their duty These itinerant judges and itinerant preachers together were instrumental to diffuse a blessed light throughout the cities of Judahrdquo And had the book of the law of the Lord with them mdash 1st For their own guidance that from thence they might draw all the instructions they gave to the people and not teach for doctrines the commandments of men 2d For the conviction or the people that they might see these priests and Levites had a divine warrant for what they said and delivered to them only that which they had received from the Lord

TRAPP 2 Chronicles 179 And they taught in Judah and [had] the book of the law of the LORD with them and went about throughout all the cities of Judah and taught the people

Ver 9 And had the book of the law of the Lord with them] They taught not

traditions human inventions or unwritten verities All their doctrines came cum privilegio and were Scripture proof

WHEDO 9 The book of the law mdash Our Pentateuch in substantially its present form ldquoCopies of the whole law were no doubt scarce and therefore Jehoshaphatrsquos commission took care to carry a copy with themrdquo mdash Rawlinson

PARKER And they taught in Judah and had the book of the law of the Lord with them and went about throughout all the cities of Judah and taught the people ( 2 Chronicles 179)

This was a mixed commission partly civil partly ecclesiastical The men here mentioned are otherwise unknown We identify them as educational reformers or reformers who operated through the medium of education they were not warriors destroyers revolutionists but men who addressed the mind and the understanding and the conscience and caused men to know that the true law was from above and not from beneath The book which the commission had in hand was the Pentateuch or the law of Moses This was known to be the law which alone could touch all the vital necessities of the commonwealth Again and again we are constrained to admit that there is a law beyond Prayer of Manasseh above Prayer of Manasseh in a sense apart from man men are not driven within themselves to find a law an instinct or a reason they have a written statute an authoritative declaration a book which Christian teachers do not hesitate to describe as a Revelation and to that they call the attention of men If the teacher were teaching out of his own consciousness he would be but an equal often exposing himself to the destructive criticism of his more advanced and penetrating scholars but the teacher takes his stand upon a book upon the Book the Bible a revelation which he believes to be divine and final Say what we will the effect of Bible teaching must be judged by its fruits Where are the nations that are most distinguished for wide and varied intelligence for large and exhaustive sympathy for missionary enterprise for philanthropic institutions and for all the elements which give grace and beauty to social existence The question should admit of definite reply the facts are before men let them judge fearlessly and honestly and we need have no apprehension concerning their verdict Wherever the word of the Lord has had free course superstition has been chased away human slavery has been abolished every instance of intolerance injustice unkindness has felt the influence of holy thought in all these matters discussion should be limited strictly to facts Thus kings can help nations not by forcing education not by attempting to rule opinion not by setting up standards of orthodoxy to fall short of which is to incur penalty but by spreading education by extending light by cultivating a spirit of inquiry and by a generous multiplication of all the instrumentalities needed for the destruction of ignorance What may come of this we are not supposed at this moment to know Meanwhile let us be thankful that we are face to face with a man who has conviction courage independence high patriotic and generous impulse and let us hope that his end may be as beautiful as his beginning was promising

SIMEO THE ROYAL EDICT

ADVERTISEMETmdashThe author feels it necessary to prefix to this Sermon some short account of the occasion on which it was delivered

The author was at Amsterdam (in June 1818) partly with a view of re-establishing there an Episcopal Chapel in which there had been no service for seven years but principally with a view of seeking the welfare of the Children of Israel He went thither rather to explore than to act (See ehemiah 212-16) But just previous to the 18th of June he understood that the Third Anniversary of the Battle of Waterloo was to be kept throughout the etherlands as a day of thanksgiving and just at that time also he quite accidentally heard that the King of the etherlands had a year before issued an Edict requiring all the Jews to educate their children in the knowledge of their own Scriptures and calling upon all his Christian Subjects to aid in this good work Despondency not unlike to that which paralyzed all exertion at Jerusalem in ehemiahrsquos days so universally prevailed that no one had risen to the occasion the very Commissioners who had been appointed to carry the Edict into effect had published a Report in which they gave it as their opinion ldquothat the Lordrsquos time was not comerdquo and there was great danger that the gracious designs of the Monarch would be altogether frustrated The author therefore judged this a fit occasion for calling the attention of the Public to the Edict and accordingly after devoting the Morning Service to the more appropriate subject of the day he employed the Evening Service in an endeavour to forward this good work Considerable attention was excited to the subject by means of the Sermon which was therefore instantly printed in Dutch French and English for the purpose of its being circulated throughout the etherlands and he has reason to hope that active exertions were afterwards made in many places to promote what every benevolent mind must ardently desire the edification and welfare of the Jewish People

So good an example having been set by the Emperor of Russia and the King of the etherlands the author hopes that the attention of our own Governors also both in Church and State may be called to this long-neglected People and that now the British Public has been invited by authority (the Kingrsquos Letter) to aid in supporting Missions to the Heathen World the claims of the Jewish ation to whom under God we owe all the light that we ourselves enjoy will not be overlooked It is with a view to this great object that the author sends forth the Sermon in this country where if the foregoing explanation had not been given its relevancy and use might have been justly called in question

2 Chronicles 179 And they taught in Judah and had the book of the law of the Lord with them and went about throughout all the cities of Judah and taught the people

O a day set apart for thanksgiving to God for mercies received it is peculiarly proper to consider what we may render unto the Lord for all his benefits Certainly if any event ever deserved repeated annual commemoration it is that which has

freed the world from the most grievous tyranny that ever it endured Of the bitter cup which was put into the hands of every nation in Europe this nation [ote The etherlands] drank very deeply and the change which it has experienced in the restoration of their rightful Monarch and in the establishment of a free Constitution calls for their devoutest acknowledgments to Almighty God Doubtless we may with justice pay some tribute of honour to those who by their counsels and their arms effected the overthrow of the Usurper but it is God alone who giveth victory to kings and to whom the glory of this great victory must be primarily ascribed and he who accounts a day consecrated to this service superfluous shews that he is far from justly appreciating the blessings that have been conferred upon him The monarch himself has given to his people a very decided evidence that he feels the depth of his obligations to the God of his salvation and it will be your own loss if you do not cultivate a similar spirit and improve the occasion to the honour of your God

But it is not to thanksgiving only that your Monarch invites you he calls you by a special Edict to unite with him in seeking the welfare of your Jewish Brethren who in their struggle with the enemy signally approved their fidelity to their legitimate Sovereign Their welfare he in his turn studies to promote and he desires to combine the energies of all his subjects in efforts for their good Methinks he is like Jehoshaphat of old who well knowing that piety must be founded in knowledge and happiness in piety sent forth the Princes of his empire with a select number of Priests and Levites to instruct his people in the knowledge of Godrsquos blessed word

His edict on this occasion and the manner in which it was carried into effect will form the subject of my present discourse

I Then we notice the edict of King Jehoshaphatmdash

This was such as became a great and pious monarch and we shall find it not unprofitable or unsuitable to the present occasion to enter into a distinct consideration of it We observe then that it was a kind and benevolent edict a wise and politic edict a good and beneficial edict

Mark the benevolence displayed in it He sought the present and eternal welfare of his subjects He knew that as men are raised above the beasts by the exercise of reason so are they elevated in the scale of rational beings in proportion as their intellectual powers are cultivated and enlarged Man destitute of knowledge is a mere savage but when instructed in the various branches of science he becomes refined and civilized and capable of contributing to the general good In the very cultivation of knowledge there is much pleasure arising to the mind and in the application of that knowledge to useful purposes there is an exquisite delight We need only observe persons when employed in their several vocations how happy they are how contented how cheerful oftentimes unconsciously proclaiming their happiness like the birds of the air in festal songs or consciously and with devotion in songs of praise

But it was not mere intellectual improvement which Jehoshaphat sought to convey he wished his people to be instructed in the knowledge of that God whom they professed to fear and worship This alone could make them truly happy this alone could impart to them sound wisdom or solid consolation He therefore gave particular directions that they should be taught ldquoin the Book of the Law of the Lordrdquo and this throughout the whole land O happy people whose governor so employed the authority with which he was invested And happy that monarch who so improved his influence not for his own personal aggrandizement but for the best interests of the people committed to his charge In so doing he approved himself to be indeed what every governor should be the friend and father of his people

or was the policy of this measure at all inferior to its benevolence A people well instructed in moral and religious knowledge will view government as an ordinance of God and will learn to obey the constituted authorities not so much from fear of their wrath as for conscience sake towards God They will view their governors as Godrsquos vicegerents upon earth and will consider allegiance to them as an essential part of their duty to him Hence will spring up love in their hearts and a real delight in manifesting on all proper occasions their loyalty to their king they will form a bulwark around his person in case of necessity and even glory in laying down their lives for him as their greatest benefactor

The benefits arising from this edict were incalculable Such was the effect of it that the fear of Jehoshaphat and of Jehovah as his protector fell on all the nations that were round about him so that none however hostile in their hearts dared to make war against him [ote ver 10] Doubtless this resulted chiefly from an impression made upon their minds by God himself yet it was also produced by a dread of that energy which an united people were ready to put forth at any instant at the call of their beloved monarch At the same time that peace was thus secured prosperity reigned in every part of the empire and as the immediate fruit of it Jehoshaphat as well as the people ldquohad riches and honour in abundance [ote ver 5]rdquo In his own mind too he reaped the fruits of his own benevolence God smiled upon him and manifested himself to him and enabled him to walk with ldquohis heart lifted up in the ways of the Lord [ote ver 6]rdquo

Such was the edict of the pious Jehoshaphatmdashbenevolent politic beneficial And what I would ask is the Edict which has been issued by the highest authority in this kingdom Do we not see in it the same blessed characters as in that which we have been considering It was ldquoin the third year of his reign [ote ver 7]rdquo that Jehoshaphat sent forth teachers to enlighten and instruct his subjects The very instant he felt himself at liberty from the more urgent and pressing calls of duty (such as the fortifying of his land against foreign enemies and the correcting of some great internal abuses) he engaged in this good work of diffusing light and knowledge through all classes of the community In like manner the sovereign of this kingdom has scarcely had time to repair the ravages of war and to establish his empire too long weakened and impoverished by a cruel usurpation before he stands forth as the friend and father of his people and more especially of that portion of them who have in every age and place been most treated with neglect and

disdain to have them educated in scriptural knowledge and in the fear of God It is much to be lamented that the Jewish people have not in general been so attentive either to the learning or morals of their children as might be wished and hence arose a necessity for some authoritative admonition on the subject Yet if I may say it without offence this neglect has not been more reprehensible in them than has been the indifference with which the Christian world has regarded it The monarch (may God recompense it richly into his bosom) has risen up to remedy the supineness both of the one and the other and to call forth the united energies of all to correct and terminate this evil Yet whilst he thus consults the best interests of his subjects with what paternal tenderness has he guarded against wounding the feelings of any or exciting their religious prejudices The Scriptures of the Old Testament are alone to be used in the schools that shall be established even those Scriptures which Jews as well as Christians believe to have been given by inspiration of God and to contain truth without any mixture of error In this is marked the policy no less than the benevolence of the edict for it is not by constraint but by conciliation and kindness that good is to be done to any and more especially to those who have shewn themselves now for so many centuries proof against all the efforts of intimidation or force In this kingdom they form no small body and I may add no unimportant portion of the community It is well known how extensive is their influence in the affairs of commerce and how by their activity they contribute to enrich the state Hence it is now generally seen and felt that they are entitled to the same respect as any other subjects of the realm and whilst as in the present instance they see how deeply their monarch feels interested in their welfare they cannot but on their part be sensible of the privileges they enjoy under his paternal government and testify their gratitude to him by every possible expression of loyalty and affection

What the ultimate effect of these measures will be may be conjectured from the blessed results of the edict of Jehoshaphat all will feel themselves happy under the government of such a prince and he whilst he is respected abroad and beloved at home will have the happiness of seeing his labours crowned with prosperity throughout his dominions and with peace in his own soul

II The manner in which Jehoshaphatrsquos edict was carried into execution is now to be noticedmdash

The promptness with which his commands were executed deserves the highest praise All were ready to co-operate in this good work as soon as it was proposed ldquoPrinces and priests and Levites [ote ver 7 8]rdquo all addressed themselves to it instantly with one heart and one soul one accounted their dignity so high or their functions so sacred but they thought it an honour to be employed in such a service and found a delight in fulfilling the wishes of their revered monarch all entered into the work with zeal and prosecuted it with diligence and hence a rapid change was effected both in the temporal and spiritual condition of the whole nation And what may not be effected in this kingdom also if a similar zeal be exercised by ldquothe princes and priestsrdquo (the magistrates and clergy) of the land With them it must begin Those who move in a lower station can effect nothing if they be not aided and

countenanced by the higher orders whose rank in life or sacredness of character will give a tone to the general feeling and combine the energies of the whole kingdom If it be said that those for whom the benefit is designed do not feel a desire after it this only shews how much they need it and how earnestly we should all embark in a cause proposed by such high authority and recommended by the soundest dictates of wisdom and piety

That our obligations to unite in this labour of love may the more distinctly appear I would beg leave to suggest the following considerations

First Loyalty to the king demands our concurrence with him in this good work and a holy emulation amongst us to carry into effect his benevolent designs What can the greatest or best of men effect (what could Jehoshaphat himself have done) if there be none to act in subserviency to them and to follow their directions As the most potent monarch upon earth would in vain proclaim war if there were no soldiers found to enlist under his banners and to execute his commands so it will be in vain that the design of benefiting the Jewish people was ever conceived in the mind of the king or that his edict respecting them was ever issued if his subjects do not put forth their energies in obedience to his call In truth a backwardness to co-operate with him in this blessed work would seem like a reflection cast upon him as recommending a measure that was unworthy of attention I do not mean to insinuate that such an idea really exists in the minds of any for I am perfectly convinced it does not but certainly in appearance it is open to this construction and every subject of the empire is concerned to act in such a way as to cut off all occasion for a reflection like this I say loyalty alone even if we had no higher motive should be sufficient to call forth our exertions in this cause

But let me next observe that gratitude to the Jewish nation demands it at our hands How great how manifold are our obligations to them Behold Moses and the prophets what instruction have they given us in reference to the way of life and salvation Without the moral law as revealed by Moses we should never have known to what an extent we need a Saviour nor if the prophecies had not so fully designated the promised Messiah could we have ever so fully known that Jesus was the Christ Of whom did the Lord Jesus Christ himself come as pertaining to the flesh but from the loins of David and of the seed of Abraham Yet to him are we indebted for all that we either have or hope for in time or in eternity And who were the Apostles but Jews who for our sakes went forth preaching the word and counted not their lives dear to them so that they might but lead us to the knowledge of Christ and make us partakers of his salvation From them too we have received the lively oracles which are the one source of all spiritual knowledge and the one foundation of all our hopes Does all this call for no recompence at our hands Knowing as we do the vast importance of education should we not endeavour to impart it to those from whose ancestors we have received such innumerable such inestimable benefits Yet behold these are the people whom for many many centuries we have treated with more neglect and contempt than any other people upon the face of the earth the savages of the most distant climes have received more attention from us than they Surely it is high time that the Christian world awake to

a sense of their duty and begin to shew to the Jews somewhat of that love which their forefathers exercised towards us in our Gentile state We are debtors to them to a vast amount and it is high time that we begin to discharge our debt And how can we discharge it better than by enabling them to read and understand those very oracles which they have preserved with such fidelity and which testify so fully of their promised Messiah

Further A love to the rising generation should lead us to avail ourselves of the present opportunity to promote their welfaremdashIt is truly afflictive to see how low and degraded is the state of multitudes especially of the Jewish nation purely through the neglect with which they are treated in their early youth and still more grievous is it to reflect on their ignorance of those things which belong to their everlasting peace To counteract this we should endeavour to qualify the whole of their population for good and useful employments and through the medium of useful instruction to make them holy and to make them happy We need never be afraid that there will not be a sufficient number of poor to fill the lower stations do what we will there will never be wanting persons who through their own fault or misfortunes are necessitated to undertake the lowest offices of life And if they have been previously instructed in the Scriptures of Truth they will have a fund of consolation ever open to them in their deepest afflictions they will learn from the inspired volume in whatsoever state they are there-with to be content and in the prospect of the eternal world they will find joys with which a stranger intermeddleth not and which the world can neither give nor take away We feel the force of these considerations in reference to the poor of our own communion how is it that we feel it not in reference to our Jewish Brethren This is a partiality unworthy of us and we should rise as one man to wipe off this disgrace from our own character

This brings me to the last consideration which I propose to mention namely that a concern for the honour of our holy religion should operate to unite us all in executing the Royal EdictmdashWhat must a Jew think of our religion when he sees how little it has wrought for us in the production of love We may tell him of a Messiah who has loved us and laid down his life for us but what credit will he give us for our principles when he sees how little our practice corresponds with them May he not well say to us ldquoPhysician heal thyselfrdquo Shew by your conduct the superiority of your principles before you call on me to embrace them It is by love that we must win them it is by shewing kindness to them that we must efface from their hearts those prejudices which with too much reason they entertain against us We must exhibit in our own person the loveliness of Christianity before we can bring them to investigate the grounds of our faith or to imagine that they can improve their own condition by embracing it May I not then call upon you as Christians to unite in the good work that is now before you that you may thereby serve and glorify your Lord and Saviour As Christians you believe that there is no other way to the Father but by Christ [ote John 146] and no other name but his whereby any human being can be saved [ote Acts 412] Where is your piety where is your love to Christ where is even common humanity if you will not avail yourselves of the present opportunity to remove from before your Jewish Brethren

the stumbling-blocks which for so many ages have been laid in their way

Do any ask What shall we do I answer search out amongst the Jews some persons of probity and talent to commence schools among them and do you yourselves aid to the utmost of your power in the support of them provide them with all necessary books for instructing children in the first rudiments of knowledge provide them with Bibles also both in the Dutch and Hebrew languages that they may be thoroughly instructed in the knowledge of their own religion and learn to walk in the steps of their father Abraham and of all the holy prophets

Begin too without loss of time Adult Schools You will find many among the house of Israel who will be glad to avail themselves of your instructions Let those who are benevolent amongst you dedicate an hour in a day to the instructing of a few who may be desirous to learn and carefully avoid every thing which may give unnecessary offence Confine yourselves to the Old Testament which they venerate as well as you Let those who can teach only in the Dutch language give instruction in that and let those who either understand or have leisure to attain the Hebrew tongue draw their attention to that In particular let it be the united endeavour of all to qualify masters for this good work

And let it not be thought that this is the duty of men only The Royal Edict has particularly and with great wisdom recommended it to females who may be of infinite service in conveying instruction to their own sex This age is distinguished above all others for the activity of females in the service of God and in the performance of every good work Were I able to declare the proportion of good that is done in Britain by the female sex it would appear incredible I believe from my soul that it far exceeds one half in all the societies raised since the commencement of the present century in the Bible Society the Missionary Societies and the Society for Promoting the Knowledge of Christianity amongst the Jews yes let the ladies of this country exert themselves in a prudent modest and discreet way and the effects will soon appear the Royal Edict will not be a dead letter but will produce incalculable good to the whole nationmdashand the agents in this benevolent work will themselves receive quite as much benefit as they impart their benevolence being in proportion as it is exercised its own reward

10 The fear of the Lord fell on all the kingdoms of the lands surrounding Judah so that they did not go to war against Jehoshaphat

GILL And the fear of the Lord fell upon all the kingdoms of the lands that were round about Judah Upon the ten tribes and on foreign nations about them as Moabites Edomites Syrians Egyptians Arabs and Philistines this fear as it came from the Lord so might be raised and increased by observing that religion was revived in them for they might perceive by former observations made that the more religious these people were the more prosperous and formidable they were

so that they made no war against Jehoshaphat to interrupt him in the work of reformation he was so intent upon

HERY We have here a further account of Jehoshaphats great prosperity and the flourishing state of his kingdom

I He had good interest in the neighbouring princes and nations Though he was not perhaps so great a soldier as David (which might have made him their terror) nor so great a scholar as Solomon (which might have made him their oracle) yet the fear of the Lord fell so upon them (that is God so influenced and governed their spirits) that they had all a reverence for him 2Ch_1710 And 1 None of them made war against himGods good providence so ordered it that while the princes and priests were instructing and reforming the country none of his neighbours gave him any molestations to take him off from that good work Thus when Jacob and his sons were going to worship at Bethel the terror of God was upon the neighbouring cities that they did not pursue after them Gen_355 and see Exo_3424 2 Many of them brought presents to him (2Ch_1711) to secure his friendship Perhaps these were a tribute imposed upon them by Asa who made himself master of the cities of the Philistines and the tents of the Arabians 2Ch_1414 2Ch_1415 With the 7700 rams and the same number of he-goats which the Arabians brought there was probably a proportionable number of ewes and lambs she-goats and kids

KampD This attempt of Jehoshaphat brought him this blessing that the terror of Jahve fell upon all the surrounding kingdoms and not only did none of the neighbouring peoples venture to make war upon him but also various tribes did homage to him by presents Ramb has already so understood the connection of these verses (erat hoc praemium pietatis Josaphati quod vicini satisque potentes hostes non auderent adversus ipsum hiscere) while Berth fails to apprehend it saying that Jehoshaphat had time to care for the instruction of his people because at that time the neighbouring peoples did not venture to undertake war against Judah The words ldquoterror of Jahverdquo cf 2Ch_1413 2Ch_2029 and ldquoall the kingdoms of the landsrdquo cf 2Ch_128 1Ch_2930 are expressions peculiar to the author of the Chronicle which show that by these remarks he is preparing the way for a transition to a more detailed

portrayal of Jehoshaphats political power מן־(לש)ים is subject מן partitive some of the

Philistines brought him presents (for מנחה see on 2Ch_175) ldquoand silver a burdenrdquo ie

in great quantity מא does not signify tribute vectigal argento (Vulg) for the word has

not that signification but denotes burden that which can be carried as in מא לאן

2Ch_2025 - 2Ch_2116 2Ch_221 ערבים 2Ch_267 and more usually ערב-ים or ערביאים

are Arabian nomadic tribes (Bedacircwin) perhaps those whom Asa after his victory over the Cushite Zerah had brought under the kingdom of Judah 2Ch_1414 These paid

their tribute in small cattle rams and he-goats (ישים( Gen_3035 Gen_3215 Pro_

3031)

BESO 2 Chronicles 1710 The fear of the Lord fell upon all the kingdoms ampc mdash Justly concluding from his singular piety that God would eminently appear for him for even the heathen could not but observe that the kings of Judah were either prosperous or unhappy according as they served God or forsook him So that they made no war against Jehoshaphat mdash Godrsquos good providence so ordered it that while the princes and priests were instructing and endeavouring to reform the country none of his neighbours gave him any molestation to take him off from that good work

COFFMA All of this peace and prosperity were directly due to the respect which Jehoshaphat had shown to the Law of God and to his efforts to teach that word to all the people It is no problem that much of the material here is omitted in Kings because the primary focus there was political whereas in Chronicles the focus is upon the spiritual and religious significance of the same history

TRAPP 2 Chronicles 1710 And the fear of the LORD fell upon all the kingdoms of the lands that [were] round about Judah so that they made no war against Jehoshaphat

Ver 10 And the fear of the Lord fell upon all the kingdoms] It is said [2 Chronicles 172] Jehoshaphat placed forces in all the fenced cities yet it is not said thereupon that the fear of the Lord fell upon the neighbour nations But when he had established a preaching ministry in all the cities then his enemies had a fear and made no war

POOLE Justly concluding from this singular piety that God would eminently appear for him and against all those who had ill will to him which was their case For even the heathens could not but observe that the kings of Judah were either prosperous or unhappy accordingly as they served God or forsook him

ELLICOTT (10) The fear of the LordmdashA dread of Jehovah (pachad) aps 2029 (Comp Exodus 1516 1 Samuel 117 Isaiah 210 ) This phrase is not peculiar to the chronicler as Keil and Bertheau assert ldquoThe kingdoms of the landsrdquo is so (2 Chronicles 128 1 Chronicles 2930)

They made no warmdashThe reward of Jehosha-phatrsquos piety (1 Chronicles 229

Proverbs 167) ldquoWhen a manrsquos ways please the Lord he maketh even his enemies to be at peace with himrdquo (Comp also Genesis 355)

11 Some Philistines brought Jehoshaphat gifts and silver as tribute and the Arabs brought him flocks seven thousand seven hundred rams and seven thousand seven hundred goats

BARES Some of the Philistines brought Jehoshaphat presents - i e ldquosome of the Philistines were among his tributariesrdquo Compare 2Sa_82 1Ki_421

Tribute silver - Or ldquomuch silverrdquo - literally ldquosilver of burthenrdquo

The Arabians - The Arab tribes who bordered Judaea to the south and the southeast paid Jehoshaphat a fixed tribute in kind Compare 2Ki_34 note

CLARKE The Philistines brought - presents - They and the Arabians purchased peace with the king of Judah by paying an annual tribute The Philistines brought silver and no doubt different kinds of merchandise The Arabs whose riches consisted in cattle brought him flocks in great abundance principally rams and he-goats

GILL Also some of the Philistines brought Jehoshaphat presents and tribute silver Perhaps those of Gerar and the parts adjacent Asa took and spoiled and made tributary 2Ch_1414

and the Arabians brought him flocks seven thousand and seven hundred rams and seven thousand and seven hundred he goats with which their country abounded and these might be the Scenite Arabs who fearing lest Jehoshaphat should fall upon them and take away their flocks as his father had done 2Ch_1415 brought these presents to him

JAMISO Also some of the Philistines brought Jehoshaphat presents and tribute silvermdash either they had been his tributaries or they were desirous of securing his valuable friendship and now made a voluntary offer of tribute Perhaps

they were the Philistines who had submitted to the yoke of David (2Sa_81 Psa_608)

the Arabiansmdash the nomad tribes on the south of the Dead Sea who seeking the protection of Jehoshaphat after his conquest of Edom paid their tribute in the way most suitable to their pastoral habits - the present of so many head of cattle

BESO 2 Chronicles 1711 Some of the Philistines brought presents mdash They had been subject to Judah ever since Davidrsquos time but it seems had neglected this duty in the times of his predecessors but were now moved by their own fears to perform it And the Arabians brought him flocks mdash Either because he had upon some just occasion waged war against them and subdued them or because they voluntarily put themselves under his protection in recompense whereof they sent him these presents or only as a free acknowledgment of their respect for him

TRAPP 2 Chronicles 1711 Also [some] of the Philistines brought Jehoshaphat presents and tribute silver and the Arabians brought him flocks seven thousand and seven hundred rams and seven thousand and seven hundred he goats

Ver 11 Also some of the Philistines] These having been subdued by David had withheld their tribute for a time but now seeing Jehoshaphatrsquos growing greatness they bring it in with the better that no offence might be taken at their former neglect The word here used signifieth honorary gifts or oblations pacifications

ldquo Placatur donis Iupiter ipse datis rdquo

Think the same of the Arabians See 2 Chronicles 1414-15

POOLE Some of the Philistines who had been subjects to this kingdom ever since Davidrsquos time but it seems had neglected this duty in the times of his predecessors but now were moved by their own fears to perform it

The Arabians brought him flocks either because he had upon some just occasion waged war against them and subdued them though the particulars of it be not described in Scripture or because they voluntarily put themselves under his protection in recompence whereof they sent him those presents or only as a free acknowledgment of their respects to him

ELLICOTT (11) Broughtmdashie continually Such is the force of the participle

PresentsmdashAn offering ie tribute (minchah 2 Chronicles 175)

And tribute silvermdashRather and silver a load or burden ie a great quantity (massacircrsquo) 2 Chronicles 2025 As if ldquosilver as much as they could carryrdquomdasha natural hyperbole ot all the five states of the Philistines were subject to Jehoshaphat (Comp 2 Samuel 81)

The ArabiansmdashlsquoArbicircrsquoim here only equivalent to lsquoArbicircyicircm (2 Chronicles 267) and

lsquoArbim (2 Chronicles 2116) They are in each case grouped with the Philistines The nomad Bedacircwin conquered by Asa (2 Chronicles 1415) appear to be meant here or else some tribes which recognised the overlordship of Jehoshaphat after his reduction of Edom (2 Chronicles 2022 sqq)

Brought him flocksmdashComp Mesha of Moabrsquos tribute to Ahab (2 Kings 34)

GUZIK 2 (2 Chronicles 1711-19) The international strength of Jehoshaphatrsquos kingdom

Also some of the Philistines brought Jehoshaphat presents and silver as tribute and the Arabians brought him flocks seven thousand seven hundred rams and seven thousand seven hundred male goats So Jehoshaphat became increasingly powerful and he built fortresses and storage cities in Judah He had much property in the cities of Judah and the men of war mighty men of valor were in Jerusalem These are their numbers according to their fathersrsquo houses Of Judah the captains of thousands Adnah the captain and with him three hundred thousand mighty men of valor and next to him was Jehohanan the captain and with him two hundred and eighty thousand and next to him was Amasiah the son of Zichri who willingly offered himself to the LORD and with him two hundred thousand mighty men of valor Of Benjamin Eliada a mighty man of valor and with him two hundred thousand men armed with bow and shield and next to him was Jehozabad and with him one hundred and eighty thousand prepared for war These served the king besides those the king put in the fortified cities throughout all Judah

a Some of the Philistines brought Jehoshaphat presents and silver as tribute and the Arabians brought him flocks Jehoshaphatrsquos commitment to personal and public godliness meant that God exalted his kingdom above the neighboring nations even as God promised in Deuteronomy 281-13

b These served the king The true treasure of Jehoshaphatrsquos kingdom was not numbered only in security or material things but also in the dedicated and courageous men he had surrounding him these mighty men of valor

i Amasiah the son of Zichri who willingly offered himself to the LORD ldquoAmasiah is a man of whom we do not know anything beyond this ndash he lsquowillingly offered himself unto the Lordrsquo There must have been a turning-point in his career a time when first he knew the grace of God which wrought such a change in him There must have been a waking up to the feeling that God deserved his love and his liferdquo (Spurgeon)

ii Amasiah was a ready servant of the Lord this particularly notable because he did it in an otherwise secular calling

middot o one had to press him into service

middot o one had to seek him out for service

middot o one had to look after him once he had begun serving

middot o one had to lead him

iii ldquoThere is no lawful occupation in which a man cannot thoroughly serve the Lord It is a great privilege and blessing to be set apart to the work of winning souls but we must never separate that work from all the rest of the callings of life as though it alone were sacred and all the rest were secular and almost sinful Serve God where you arerdquo (Spurgeon)

PULPIT The presents were probably enough in the nature of tribute the fixed rate of which is sometimes alluded to (1 Kings 421 1 Kings 1025 2 Samuel 82) but it is doubtful whether the word משא purports to say this The word means bearing or carrying and then a burden load or weight The expression (2 Chronicles 2025) more than they could carry away where this word is used favours the idea that the meaning here is silver of great weight Probably the moral significance and historical interest whether of this statement respecting the Philistines or the following respecting the Arabians lies in the fact that both of them brought without more ado their payments and did not seek to slip out of their engagements with Judah and Judahs king ote for confirmation of this view 2 Kings 34 2 Kings 35

12 Jehoshaphat became more and more powerful he built forts and store cities in Judah

GILL And Jehoshaphat waxed great exceedingly In wealth and riches power and authority in his forces and fortifications

and he built in Judah castles and cities of stores castles for the defence of his kingdom and store cities to lay up corn and wine and all provisions in case of an invasion or against a time of war

HERY II He had a very considerable stores laid up in the cities of Judah He pulled down his barns and built larger (2Ch_1712) castles and cities of store for arms and victuals He was a man of business and aimed at the public good in all his

undertakings either to preserve the peace or prepare for war

JAMISO 2Ch_1712-19 His greatness captains and armies

KampD Description of Jehoshaphats power - 2Ch_1712 And Jehoshaphat became

ever greater sc in power The partic הולך expresses the continuous advance in

greatness cf Ew sect280 b as the infin absol does elsewhere eg Gen_83 למעלה as עד

in 2Ch_1612 - He built castles in Judah ירנ-ות only here and in 2Ch_274 from ירנית

derivative formed from ירה by the Syriac termination נית- fem of ן- castle fortress On

מסנות cf 2Ch_84 ערי

TRAPP 2 Chronicles 1712 And Jehoshaphat waxed great exceedingly and he built in Judah castles and cities of store

Ver 12 And Jehoshaphat waxed great exceedingly] Heb He was going and growing By humility and the fear of the Lord are riches and honour and life [Proverbs 224]

And he built in Judah castles] Bironeoth πυργους turres So did the Burgundians and thence had their names

And cities of store] Granaries in the Hebrew they have their name from their utility or usefulness

ELLICOTT (12) And Jehoshaphat waxed greatmdashLiterally And Jehoshaphat was going on and waxing great ie became greater and greater (Comp 1 Chronicles 119)

ExceedinglymdashlsquoAd lĕmagraversquolah This phrase occurs again in 2 Chronicles 1612 2 Chronicles 268 and nowhere else in the Old Testament (See on 1 Chronicles 142)

And he builtmdashLike his predecessorsmdashSolomon Rehoboam Asamdashhe displayed his wealth and power in great public works The records of the Assyrian and Babylonian sovereigns are largely taken up with similar accounts of temple and palace building

CastlesmdashBiranicircyocircth a derivative from birah (1 Chronicles 291 1 Chronicles 2919 comp Syriac here birocircthocirc) It only recurs at 2 Chronicles 274 It is an Aramaic term (Comp bicircranyacircthacirc which in the Targums means ldquopalacesrdquo)

Cities of storesmdashComp 2 Chronicles 84 2 Chronicles 164 Exodus 111

PULPIT Castles This rendering better than palaces (margin) wound bear improving to the rather stronger word fortresses Hebrew בירניות found only here and in 2 Chronicles 274 plur of בירנית connected with the Chaldee and later Hebrew בירה of Ezra 62 ehemiah 11 Esther 12 Daniel 82 Cities of store (see note under 2 Chronicles 84 see also 1 Kings 919 Exodus 111)

13 and had large supplies in the towns of Judah He also kept experienced fighting men in Jerusalem

CLARKE He hadmuch business in the cities - He kept the people constantly employed they had wages for their work and by their labors the empire was both enriched and strengthened

GILL And he had much business in the cities of Judah Partly in fortifying them and partly in reforming the inhabitants of them

and the men of war mighty men of valour were in Jerusalem or by or near unto it so the particle is rendered Jos_513 they encamped in places adjacent to it for such a number of men as follows even 1160000 could never be contained in Jerusalem but must be disposed of in the territories of it nor did they wait on the king together but in course see 2Ch_1719 by which it appears there is no need to suppose any mistake of the transcriber in any or all of the following sums as has been suggested (q)

HERY 13-19 III He had the militia in good order It was never in better since David modelled it Five lord-lieutenants (if I may so call them) are here named with the numbers of those under their command (the serviceable men that were fit for war in their respective districts) three in Judah and two in Benjamin It is said of one of these great commanders Amasiah that he willingly offered himself unto the Lord (2Ch_1716) not only to the king to serve him in this post but to the Lord to glorify him in it He was the most eminent among them for religion he accepted the place not for the

honour or power or profit of it but for conscience sake towards God that he might serve his country It was usual for great generals then to offer of their spoils to the Lord 1Ch_2626 But this good man offered himself first to the Lord and then his dedicated things The number of the soldiers under these five generals amounts to 1160000 men a vast number for so small a compass of ground as Judahs and Benjamins lot to furnish out and maintain Abijah could bring into the field but 400000 (2Ch_133) Asa not 600000 (2Ch_148) yet Jehoshaphat has at command almost 1200000 But it must be considered 1 That God had promised to make the seed of Abraham like the sand of the sea for number 2 There had now been a long peace 3 We may suppose that the city of Jerusalem was very much enlarged 4 Many had come over to them from the kingdom of Israel (2Ch_1519) which would increase the numbers of the people 5 Jehoshaphat was under a special blessing of God which made his affairs to prosper greatly The armies we may suppose were dispersed all the country over and each man resided for the most part on his own estate but they appeared often to be mustered and trained and were ready at call whenever there was occasion The commanders waited on the king (2Ch_1719) as officers of his court privy-counsellors and ministers of state

But lastly observe It was not this formidable army that struck a terror upon the neighbouring nations that restrained them from attempting any thing against Israel or obliged them to pay tribute but the fear of God which fell upon them when Jehoshaphat reformed his country and set up a preaching ministry in it 2Ch_1710 The ordinances of God are more the strength and safety of a kingdom than its military force - its men of God more than its men of war

KampD 2Ch_1713

וגווגווגווגו רהרהרהרה is rightly translated by Luther ldquound hatte viel Vorrathsrdquo (and ומלעכהומלעכהומלעכהומלעכה

had much store) מלעכהמלעכהמלעכהמלעכה denotes here as in Exo_227-10 property that which has been gained by work or business The signification much work opera magna (Vulg Cler etc) as also Bertheaus translation ldquothe works for equipping and provisioning the fortressesrdquo correspond neither to the context nor to the parallel (synonymous) second member of the verse The work and trouble necessary to equip the cities of Judah does not correspond to ldquothe valiant warriors in Jerusalemrdquo the only parallel is the goods and property which were in these cities the provision of victuals and war material there stored up

BESO 2 Chronicles 1713 He had much business in the cities of Judah mdash To repair and fortify them and furnish them with provisions and to purge out all the relics of idolatry and injustice which were more secretly and craftily managed in the cities than in the country and which were first and most prevalent in the cities and thence spread their infection into the country around them

TRAPP 2 Chronicles 1713 And he had much business in the cities of Judah and the men of war mighty men of valour [were] in Jerusalem

Ver 13 And he had much business] Eργα πολλα (a) Many works going forward at

once a negotious man he was His business say some lay in beautifying and fortifying those cities Augustus gloried at his death that whereas he had found Rome built with brick he had left it made of marble

And the men of war hellip were in Jerusalem] These were his Praetorian forces his Praesidiaries were up and down in the various cities

POOLE He had much business in the cities of Judah partly to repair and fortify them and furnish them with all necessary provisions and partly to purge out all the relies and seeds of idolatry and injustice which were more secretly and subtlely managed in the cities than in the country and which were first and most in the cities and thence spread their infection into the country about them See Jeremiah 228

ELLICOTT (13) BusinessmdashRather much goods or stores literally work (mĕlacirckacirch) and then produce The Hebrew word is so used in Exodus 227 Exodus 2210 (ldquoHis neighbourrsquos goodsrdquo) Stores of provisions and war material seem to be intended (Comp 2 Chronicles 1111)

And the man of war were in JerusalemmdashRather and (he had) men of war in Jerusalem

In Jerusalemmdashot the entire army corps whose numbers are given in 2 Chronicles 1714-18 but simply their chiefs

PULPIT Much business Hebrew מלאכה The meaning of the word is service labour bestowed and the verse reads And there was to him much labour in the cities of Judah and men of war mighty men of valour in Jerusalem ie He bestoweth much pains on the cities of Judah and had etc The word were Authorized Version italics is incorrectly inserted The former half of this verse would better constitute the end of 2 Chronicles 1712 Keil however maintains the rendering substance property for מלאכה (Exodus 227 Exodus 2210)

14 Their enrollment by families was as followsFrom Judah commanders of units of 1000Adnah the commander with 300000 fighting men

BARES The captains of thousands Adnah the chief - literally ldquoprinces of thousands Adnah the princerdquo The writer does not mean that Adnah (or Johohanan 2Ch_1715) was in any way superior to the other ldquoprincesrdquo but only that he was one of them

Three hundred thousand - This number and those which follow in 2Ch_1715-18 have been with good reason regarded as corrupt by most critics For

(1) They imply a minimum population of 1480 to the square mile which is more than three times greater than that of any country in the known world (circa 1880rsquos)

(2) they produce a total just double that of the next largest estimate of the military force of Judah the 580 000 of 2Ch_148

(3) they are professedly a statement not of the whole military force but of the force maintained at Jerusalem (2Ch_1713 compare 2Ch_1719)

It is probable that the original numbers have been lost and that the loss was suppplied by a scribe who took 2Ch_148 as his basis

CLARKE Adnah the chief - He was generalissimo of all this host These are the numbers of the five battalions under Adnah three hundred thousand Jehohanan two hundred and eighty thousand Amasiah two hundred thousand Eliada two hundred thousand Jehozabad one hundred and eighty thousand in all one million one hundred and sixty thousand

GILL And these are the numbers of them according to the house of their fathers Both of the tribe of Judah and of Benjamin and first

of Judah the captains of thousands some had 1000 men under them and some one hundred

Adnah the chief he was the principal commander or general of them

and with him mighty men of valour three hundred thousand such a number was under his command

JAMISO these are the numbersmdash The warriors were arranged in the army according to their fathers houses The army of Jehoshaphat commanded by five great generals and consisting of five unequal divisions comprised one million one hundred and sixty thousand men without including those who garrisoned the fortresses No monarch since the time of Solomon equaled Jehoshaphat in the extent of his revenue in the strength of his fortifications and in the number of his troops

KampD 2Ch_1714-16

The men fit for war passed in review according to their fathers-houses The male population of Judah fell into three divisions that of Benjamin into two The prince

Adnah held the first place among the generals with 300000 men of Judah ידו at his על

hand ie with and under him Jehohanan had the command of 280000 men and

Amasiah over 200000 השר is a contraction for אלפים For what special reason it is so שר

honourably recorded of Amasiah that he had willingly offered himself to the Lord (cf for

Jdg_59) has not been communicated התנב

COFFMA his represented a standing army of 1160000 men besides the garrisons in the fortified cities and this goes a long way to explaining why the Arabians and the Philistines brought tribute to Jehoshaphat In ancient times as in our own day peace frequently depended upon the strength of those who desired it

We should ignore the screams of exaggeration[3] which mark the writings of radical critics Pagan rulers of that era reported even larger armies than this and until the critics can prove that those were exaggerated reports they should let these alone Besides that we have already noted that the very word from which thousand is translated is disputed as to its exact meaning

COKE 2 Chronicles 1714 And these are the numbers of themmdash That is of the soldiers as well as of those who were employed in the kings works in the several cities ampc which he built See 2 Chronicles 1719

REFLECTIOSmdash1st Jehoshaphat no sooner comes to the throne than we see the dawnings of a glorious reign

1 He strengthened his kingdom by placing strong garrisons in the cities of Judah and those which his father had recovered from Israel and prepared against that danger which Ahabs growing power seemed to threaten

2 Religion was his great concern He copied after the best of his predecessors in their best days such as were the first of David before the matter of Uriah and the numbering of the people had blotted his fair copy Faithful to the worship of God he abhorred all idols the law of God was his rule of duty and Israels apostacy rendered his fidelity more singular and exemplary Inspired with holy zeal his heart with delight and sincerity was engaged for God and no difficulties deterred him from the path of duty The idols and groves which in the declining days of Asa might have been set up again he utterly destroyed with all the high places where they still offered sacrifices to these abominations ote (1) In the fairest human pattern there will be found imperfections but there is a Son of David more than man who has set us a spotless example that we should follow his steps (2) Fidelity in Gods service is the stability of a nation (3) A lively soul on wings of faith and love mounts up to God rises superior to every difficulty and looks down upon every thing besides his favour as altogether vanity

3 He not only removed the temptations to sin but took care to instruct the people in

the path of duty Ignorance of Gods law had greatly prevailed and to oblige them merely to conform to his reformation without grounding them on the true foundation of Gods word promised little stability The Levites and priests therefore are sent in progress through the cities of Judah with the book of the law to explain and enforce the commandments of God and several princes accompanied them in order to engage the people to hear them and give countenance to these preachers by their weight and influence ote (1) It is a blessed thing when princes countenance faithful ministers Though they cannot make men true converts their example and authority will induce them to attend (2) They who are sent to teach must see that they take the pure word of God along with them A true preacher wishes for nothing in his hand but his Bible (3) Religion is a reasonable service Conviction alone not compulsion or education can make a man a christian

4 The blessing of God attended his labours The Lord was with him or as the Targum generally expresses it the word of the Lord the divine Logos to whom all things are committed strengthened him in his labours and established his kingdom The people charmed with his government liberally sent their presents to him and abounding in riches and honour his heart far from being intoxicated by prosperity was lifted up in greater love and thankfulness to the gracious giver ote (1) God often here rewards piety with prosperity (2) Worldly comforts are then truly blessings when as the steps of Jacobs ladder they raise our hearts to heaven

2nd Like the light of the morning which shineth more and more so did Jehoshaphats glory increase

1 Feared by his enemies as beloved by his subjects the neighbouring princes did not offer to molest him while those of Philistia and Arabia courted his favour either by a voluntary present or exact payment of the tribute which Asa had imposed on them see 2 Chronicles 1711 God had put an awe upon them of the majesty of his king in Zion ote God hath access to the spirits of men and by secret yet irresistible influence can bow them to his sovereign will

2 His military preparations greatly advanced While he reformed the people he fortified their ramparts and built new castles and store-cities strengthening them within and without against their enemies Under five chief officers an immense army was enlisted Probably all the able men in the country were enrolled and regularly mustered though not drawn out except in case of necessity and this may easily account for the greatness of their number if we consider also the long peace they had enjoyed the accession of Israelites to them and especially the blessing of Abraham which no doubt was eminently fulfilled Amasiah one of the officers is mentioned with an honourable mark of distinction as a volunteer who served for the glory of God not for the sake of pay Such patriots are scarce

TRAPP 2 Chronicles 1714 And these [are] the numbers of them according to the house of their fathers Of Judah the captains of thousands Adnah the chief and

with him mighty men of valour three hundred thousand

Ver 14 Three hundred thousand] These were under his command and at hand to come whensoever the king would

WHEDO 14 Three hundred thousand mdash The numbers in this verse and the four verses following are generally regarded as corrupt ldquoThey implyrdquo observes the writer last quoted ldquoa minimum population of 1480 to the square mile which is more than three times greater than that of any country in the known world It is probable that the original numbers have been lost and the loss supplied by a scribe who took 2 Chronicles 148 as his basis

ELLICOTT Verse 14 (14) And these their fathersmdashAnd this is their muster (or census) according to their father-houses (clans) 1 Chronicles 243 The warriors were marshalled in the army according to clans so that men of the same stock fought side by side with their kindred Perhaps in the original document this heading was followed by a much more detailed scheme of names and divisions than that which the text presents

Of JudahmdashTo Judah (belonged) captains of thousands viz the three enumerated in 2 Chronicles 1714-16 Adnah Jehohanan and Amasiah They were the principal officers or generals of the entire forces of Judah

Adnah the chiefmdashTo wit the captain Adnah That Adnah was commander-in-chief is implied by his being named first and his corps being the largest

PULPIT This verse with the following four gives us the names of five captains chiefs princes or military officers for the kingdoms service with the numbers of the troops they severally commanded The numbers of them (see note under 1 Chronicles 2311) Hebrew פקדתם The better English rendering to carry at once the signification would be The muster of them etc The captains hellip the chief In both cases the Hebrew is the familiar word for prince ( שר ) in the former without article in the latter with article The numbers of this and following four verses are not only absolutely unreliable but in themselves impossible According to the house of their fathers ie the quotation is drawn from an army catalogue arranged carefully by fathers houses (umbers 118 umbers 122 etc)

15 next Jehohanan the commander with 280000

GILL And next to him was Jehohanan the captain Being of the same rank as to office but having a lesser number of men under him and it may respect not any kind of subordination only nearness of place as the Targumhe that encamped next to him

and with him two hundred and fourscore thousand which number was but 20000 less than the former

POOLE ext to him either

1 After his death as his successor in the same command And the like is supposed concerning Jehozabad 2 Chronicles 1718 Or rather

2 ext to him in place and authority or at least in power and the numbers of his host

16 next Amasiah son of Zikri who volunteered himself for the service of the Lord with 200000

GILL And next him was Amasiah the son of Zichri He encamped next to him as the Targum

who willingly offered himself unto the Lord to fight the Lords battles and without any stipend as some think or as Kimchi he offered gold and silver to the treasures of the house of the Lord

and with him two hundred thousand mighty men of valour the number was 80000 less than the former the whole of Judah amounted to 780000 men

TRAPP 2 Chronicles 1716 And next him [was] Amasiah the son of Zichri who willingly offered himself unto the LORD and with him two hundred thousand mighty men of valour

Ver 16 Who willingly offered himself unto the Lord] He was a votary the vows of God were upon him and this made him the more valiant and resolute (a) in the exercise of arms for the service of God and the safety of his people The Spahis among the Turks are a sort of horsemen voluntaries and votaries to gain paradise by dying for the Mohammedan cause These are never known to return home but

with victory these are heavy upon the enemy For

ldquo Vincitur haud gratis iugulo qui provocat ensem rdquo

POOLE As volunteers and auxiliaries to be ready upon occasion as the service of God and the king should require Possibly these or most of them were the strangers which had come out of Israel into the kingdom of Judah in Asarsquos days and probably since that in his time

ELLICOTT (16) AmasiahmdashIah carrieth (Isaiah 4011) different from Amaziah (Iah is strong)

Who willingly offered himself unto the Lordmdash(Judges 52 Judges 59) An allusion to some noble act of self-devotion which was doubtless more fully recorded in the source from which the chronicler has drawn this brief account Such allusions though no longer intelligible are important as conducing to the proof of the historical value of the narratives in which they occur LXX ὁ προθυmicroούmicroενος τῷ κυρίῳ Vulg consecratus Domino

PULPIT Amaziah the son of Zichri This man is not titled at all The description of him as one who had willingly offered himself unto the Lord not elucidated by the context or any effective parallel will mark something honorable in his history Possibly he comes from an unexpected quarter and is a man of approved skill othing further is known of these three men Meantime it has been suggested (Professor Dr J Murphy of Belfast Handbook to Chronicles ) that the first of the three was for Judah proper the second for that contingent of Judah that hailed from Dan and the Philistines and the third for that of Simeon and the Arabs

MACLARE This is a scrap from the catalogue of Jehoshaphatrsquos lsquomighty men of valourrsquo and is Amasiahrsquos sole record We see him for a moment and hear his eulogium and then oblivion swallows him up We do not know what it was that he did to earn it But what a fate to live to all generations by that one sentence

I Cheerful self-surrender the secret of all religion

The words of our text contain a metaphor naturally drawn from the sacrificial system It comes so easily to us that we scarcely recognise the metaphorical element but the clear recognition of it gives great additional energy to the words Amasiah was both sacrificer and sacrifice His offering was self-immolation As in all love so in that noblest kind of it which clasps God its perfect expression is lsquoI give Thee my living loving selfrsquo Nor is it only sacrifice and sacrificer that are seen in deepest truth in the experience of the Christian life but the reality of the Temple is also there for lsquoYe also are built up a spiritual house to be a holy priesthood to offer up spiritual sacrificesrsquo Only when God dwells in us shall we have the nerve and the firmness of hand to take the knife and lsquoslay before the Lordrsquo the awful Guest in the sanctuary within the most precious of the children of our spirits

The essence of the sacrifice of self is the sacrifice of will In the Christian experience

lsquowillingly offeredrsquo is almost tautology for unwilling offerings are a contradiction and in fact there are no such things The quality of unwillingness destroys the character of the offering and robs it of all sacredness Reluctant Christianity is not Christianity That noun and that adjective can never be buckled together

The submission of will and the consequent surrender of myself and my powers opportunities and possessions so that I do all enjoy all use all and when need is endure all with glad thankful reference to God is only possible to me in the measure in which my will is made flexible by love and such will-subduing love comes only when we lsquoknow and believe the love that God hath to usrsquo There is the point at which not a few moral and religious teachers go wrong and bewilder themselves and their disciples There too is the point at which Christ and the Gospel of salvation through faith in Him stand forth as emancipating humanity from the dreary round of efforts and vain attempts to work up the condition needful for achieving the height of self-surrender which is seen to be indispensable to all true nobleness of living but is felt to be beyond the reach of the ordinary man There too is the point at which many good people mar their lives as Christians They waste their strength in trying to bring the jibbing horse up to the leap They try to blow up a fire of devotion and to make themselves priests to offer themselves but all the while the mutinous self recoils from the leap and the fire burns smokily and their sacrifice is laid on the altar with little joy because they have not been careful and wise enough to begin at the beginning and to follow Godrsquos way of melting their wills by love the reflection of the Infinite love of God to them Godrsquos priests offer themselves because they offer their wills they offer their wills because they love God they love God because they know that God loves them That is the divine order It is vain to try to accomplish the end by any other

II This willing offering hallows all life

No syllable is left to tell us what Amasiah did to win this praise Probably the words enshrine some now forgotten memory of his cheerful courage some heroic feat on an unrecorded battlefield Particulars are not given nor needed Specific actions are unimportant the spirit of a life can be told with very incomplete details and it not the details is the important thing Sometimes as in many modern biographies one lsquocannot see the wood for the treesrsquo and misses the main drift and aim of a life in the chaos of a bewildering mass of nothings How much more happy the lot of this man of whom we have only the generalised expression of the text unweighted and undisturbed by petty incidents It takes tons of rose leaves to make a tiny phial of otto of roses but the fragrance is far more pungent in a drop of the distillation than in armfuls of leaves Every life shrinks into very small compass and the centuries do not tolerate long biographies Shall we not seek to order our life so that Amasiahrsquos epitaph may serve for us It will be blessed if this-and nothing else-is known about us that we lsquowillingly offered ourselves to the Lordrsquo My friend will that be a true epitome of your life

III This willing offering is accepted by God

We may hear a mightier voice behind the chroniclerrsquo s and the judgment of the Judge of all pronounced by His lips It matters little what men say of one another but it matters everything what God says of us We are but too apt to forget that He is now saying something as to each of us and that we have not to wait for death to put a final period to our activities before our lives become fit subjects for Godrsquos judgment Moment by moment we are writing our own sentences But while it is good for us to remember the continuous judgment of God on each deed it is not good to let dark thoughts of the principles of that judgment paralyse our activity or chill our confidence in His forgiving and accepting mercy There is often a dark suspicion like that of the one-talented

servant which blackens Godrsquos fair fame as being lsquoan austere Manrsquo making demands rather than imparting power and the effect of such an ugly conception of Him is to cut the nerve of service and bury the talent carefully folded up it may be but none the less earning nothing lsquoIf we call on Him as Father who without respect of persons judgeth according to every manrsquos workrsquo let us be sure that it will be a Fatherly judgment that He will pass upon us and our offerings There is a wonderful collection on His altar of what many people would think rubbish just as many a mother has laid away among her treasures some worthless article which her child had once given her-a weed plucked by the roadside in a long past summer day some trifle of rare preciousness in the childrsquos eyes and of none in any others than her own She opens her drawer and brings out the poor little thing and her eyes fill and her heart fills as she looks And does not God keep His childrenrsquos gifts as lovingly and set them in places of honour in the day when He lsquomakes up His jewelsrsquo There are cups of cold water and widowsrsquo mites and much else that a supercilious world would call lsquotrashrsquo stored there Thank God He accepts imperfect service faltering faith partial consecration a little love Even our poor offering may be an lsquoodour of a sweet smellrsquo ministering fragrance that is a delight to Him if it is offered with the much incense of the great Sacrifice and through the mediation of the great High Priest

The world forgot Amasiah or never knew him an obscure soldier in an obscure kingdom but God did not forget and here is his epitaph and this is his memorial to all generations Menrsquos chronicles have no room for all the names that their wearers are eager to have inscribed on their crumbling and crowded pages lsquobut the Lambrsquos Book of Lifersquo has ample space on its radiant pages for all who desire to set their names there and if ours are there we need not envy the proudest whose titles and deeds fill the most conspicuous pages in the worldrsquos records lsquoThen shall every man have praise of Christrsquo and he who wins that guerdon needs nothing more and can have nothing more to swell his blessedness

17 From BenjaminEliada a valiant soldier with 200000 men armed with bows and shields

GILL And of Benjamin Eliada a mighty man of valour Was the chief commander

and with armed men with bow and shield two hundred thousand which were

the armour of the tribe of Benjamin they were best skilled in 2Ch_148

TRAPP 2 Chronicles 1717 And of Benjamin Eliada a mighty man of valour and with him armed men with bow and shield two hundred thousand

Ver 17 With bow and shield] The Benjamites were notable bowmen [1 Chronicles 122] The Engish were anciently so too

ELLICOTT (17) Armed men with bow and shieldmdashLiterally drawing bow and shield ie as the Targum explains ldquodrawing bow and grasping shieldsrdquo (Comp 1 Chronicles 122) LXX ldquoArchers and peltastsrdquo Vulg ldquoGrasping bow and shieldrdquo (Comp also 1 Chronicles 840 for the arms of the Benjaminites)

18 next Jehozabad with 180000 men armed for battle

GILL And next to him was Jehozabad According to the Targum he encamped next him

and with him one hundred and fourscore thousand ready prepared for war being able bodied men well disciplined valiant and well armed these numbers of Judah and Benjamin put together amount to 1160000 men whereas Asa only brought into the field 580000 but it should be considered there had been a long time of peace many had come off from the ten tribes to Judah and the promise of multiplying the seed of Abraham was eminently fulfilled

TRAPP 2 Chronicles 1718 And next him [was] Jehozabad and with him an hundred and fourscore thousand ready prepared for the war

Ver 18 A hundred and fourscore thousand] His militia was eleven hundred and threescore thousand besides what he had in garrisons [2 Chronicles 1719] So that as he was better he was stronger than his father Asa had been Piety hath prosperity

ELLICOTT (18) Ready prepared for the warmdashEquipped for service (See on 1

Chronicles 1223-24 umbers 315 umbers 3229) The hoplites or heavy-armed infantry are probably meant

PULPIT While Eliada of last verse was for Benjamin Professor Dr Murphy supposes that Jehozabad was for the annexed part of Ephraim But no suppositions of this kind can avail to explain the numbers in the text which is no doubt corrupt

19 These were the men who served the king besides those he stationed in the fortified cities throughout Judah

CLARKE These waited on the king - They were disposable forces always at the kingrsquos command and were independent of those by which the cities of Judah were garrisoned

There is not a sovereign in Europe or in the world but might read this chapter with advantage

1 It shows most forcibly that true religion is the basis of the state and that wherever it prospers there the state prospers

2 It shows also that it is the wisdom of kings to encourage religion with all their power and influence for if the hearts of the subjects be not bound and influenced by true religion vain is the application of laws fines imprisonments or corporal punishment of any kind

3 A religious nation is ever a great nation it is loved by its friends it is dreaded by its enemies

4 It is ever a peaceable and united nation the blessings of religion and a wholesome and paternal government are so fully felt and prized that all find it their interest to preserve and defend them Harmony peace piety and strength are the stability of such times May Britain know and value them

GILL These waited on the king Not this vast number of men at one time but in course as Davids military men waited on him 1Ch_271 or each of these captains with a proper number of men under them detached from the body and they were all ready to obey the kings orders whenever he should have occasion for them

besides those whom the king put into the fenced cities throughout Judah and all together the militia of the kingdom was very numerous and formidable

KampD 2Ch_1719

These were serving the king א6ה refers not to the above-mentioned men capable of

bearing arms for sheereet is not used of service in war but to the commanders whom he had placed in the fortified cities of all Judah ldquoin which probably bodies of the above-mentioned troops lay as garrisonsrdquo (Berth)

BESO 2 Chronicles 1719 These waited on the king mdash These above-mentioned were the trained bands or auxiliaries whose chief officers waited on the king to receive his commands and to raise and bring in all or part of their forces to the service of the king as need required A vast number for so small a compass of ground to furnish out and maintain But we may consider that God had promised to make the seed of Abraham like the sand of the sea for number that there had now been a long peace that many were come to them from the kingdom of Israel and that Jehoshaphat was under a special blessing of God They were doubtless dispersed all the country over every one residing on his own land only they were ready at call whenever there was occasion

TRAPP 2 Chronicles 1719 These waited on the king beside [those] whom the king put in the fenced cities throughout all Judah

Ver 19 These waited on the king] ie In their turns and by course

POOLE These above mentioned were the trained bands or auxiliaries whose chief officers waited upon the king to receive his commands and to raise and bring in all or part of their forces to the service of the king and kingdom as need required

ELLICOTT (19) These waited on the kingmdashRather these are they that ministered unto the king viz the five generals above named

Beside those whom the king put in the fenced citiesmdashie the commandants of the fortresses of the kingdom (2 Chronicles 1111 2 Chronicles 1123) These latter as well as the generals of the forces are called the kingrsquos ldquoministersrdquo (mĕshacircrĕthicircm)mdasha word which is not used of service in the field but implies their presence at court (ldquoin Jerusalemrdquo 2 Chronicles 1713 as the royal staff)

According to the above list the army of Jehoshaphat was organised in five grand divisions corresponding perhaps to five territorial divisions of the southern kingdom The totals are the largest assigned to the two tribes anywhere in the Old Testament viz Judah 780000 and Benjamin 380000 in all 1160000 At Davidrsquos census Judah had 500000 warriors (2 Samuel 249) and Israel 800000 Again in 2

Chronicles 148 Asarsquos army consists of 300000 men of Judah and 280000 Benjaminites clearly such an increase as our text indicates is unaccountable At the same time it is equally clear that the present numbers are not fortuitous results of clerical errors for they follow each other in the order of relative strength Judah 300000 280000 200000 Benjamin 200000 180000 and they are evidently not independent of the estimates of 2 Chronicles 148 above quoted

In the absence of adequate data for modifying these certainly startling figures it is well to bear in mind that we need not understand by them an army which ever actually mustered in the field or on parade but simply an estimate of the total male population liable to be called out for the national defence although even upon that understanding the total appears to be at least three times too great considering the small extent of the country

PULPIT These waited Hebrew המשרתים plur piel part of שרת The verse states that this enormous fivefold army with its five princes (counting in our corrupt text one million one hundred and sixty thousand) was the kings Jerusalem standing army while other separate regiments or bands of troops were spread through all Judah where they might be most needed for defence

except to cite one knee-jerk remark that characterizes all of them Such action was not taken in Jehoshaphats time[2] What is the basis of such a blatant denial of what Gods Word states as a fact even giving the very names of the royal princes who did the teaching THERE IS OE o matter what unbelievers say this chapter IS the historical record of what happened in the reign of Jehoshaphat and those who live two and one half millenniums afterward have nothing of value by which they may challenge it Then why do men deny it The false theories they have invented are here contradicted forcing them either to give up their false theories or to deny the Sacred Scriptures that contradict them

COKE 2 Chronicles 177 He sent to his princes even to Ben-hail ampcmdash He sent of his princes Ben-hail Obadiah ampc The proper business of these princes in their circuit round the kingdom says Bishop Patrick was to admonish and require the people to observe the laws of God and to leave the particular explication and enforcement of them to those of the sacred order who went with them supporting them in the execution of their office and obliging the people to receive them with respect to hear them with attention and to practise what they taught

TRAPP 2 Chronicles 177 Also in the third year of his reign he sent to his princes [even] to Benhail and to Obadiah and to Zechariah and to ethaneel and to Michaiah to teach in the cities of Judah

Ver 7 He sent to his princes to teach in the cities of Judah] Teaching princes there are not many such as were David Solomon George prince of Anhalt ampc but these were sent with the teaching Levites to countenance and bear them out in this visitation general and perhaps to punish the opposite and obstinate if any such Junius readeth the text thus He sent with his princes these Levites for the teaching Or the princes taught the people the law of the land the priests and Levites the law of God both did mutually help one another So a Danish king of this land made a law that at the general court of every shire the bishop of the diocese should accompany the sheriff that the one might countenance Godrsquos law the other manrsquos (a) Queen Elizabeth once in her progress through Suffolk observing that the justices of that county who came to meet her had every man his minister next to his body said she wondered not that that county was so well governed where she saw that the word and sword went so lovingly together (b)

POOLE To teach in the cities of Judah to inform the people of their duty and of the kingrsquos pleasure As judges or justices of peace teach or instruct the people in the laws of the land when they deliver their charges upon the bench so did these princes in the kingrsquos name admonish and require the people to observe and obey the laws of God which were the prinicipal laws of that land the particular explication and enforcement whereof they left to the Levites and priests here following who were sent for this end and accordingly taught the people 2 Chronicles 179

WHEDO 7 He sent to his princeshellip to teach mdash He committed the matter of

teaching to their oversight and care and the teaching was done by the Levites and priests as stated in the next verse He did well to put down idolatry but he was wise enough to know that unless the people were instructed they would soon apostatize again

ELLICOTT THE COMMISSIOERS OF PUBLIC ISTRUCTIO I THE LAW

(7) He sent to his princes even to Ben-hail to MichaiahmdashRather He sent his princes Ben- hail and Obadiah and Michaiah (The le ldquotordquo in the chroniclerrsquos idiom marking the object of the verb) If however Authorised Version were correct the construction would not be unique as the Speakerrsquos Com mentary asserts (Comp 2 Kings 57 ldquothis man sendeth to me to recover a manrdquo ampc)

Princesmdashone of the personages mentioned in this and the following verse are otherwise known The ldquofive princesrdquo were laymen of rank and were accompanied by nine (eight) Levites and two priests

Ben-hailmdashSon of valour A compound proper name only occurring here but analogous to Ben-hur Ben-deker and Ben-hesed in 1 Kings 48-10 (The LXX renders ldquothe sons of the mightyrdquo Syriac ldquothe chiefs of the forcesrdquo apparently reading bnecirc chail)

ethaneelmdashSyriac Mattanael Arabic Mattaniah Michaiah Syriac and Arabic Malachiah

GUZIK B The strength of Jehoshaphatrsquos kingdom

1 (2 Chronicles 177-10) The spiritual strength of the kingdom Jehoshaphat brings the Word of God to the people

Also in the third year of his reign he sent his leaders Ben-Hail Obadiah Zechariah ethanel and Michaiah to teach in the cities of Judah And with them he sent Levites Shemaiah ethaniah Zebadiah Asahel Shemiramoth Jehonathan Adonijah Tobijah and Tobadonijah the Levites and with them Elishama and Jehoram the priests So they taught in Judah and had the Book of the Law of the LORD with them they went throughout all the cities of Judah and taught the people And the fear of the LORD fell on all the kingdoms of the lands that were around Judah so that they did not make war against Jehoshaphat

a To teach in the cities of Judah These ldquoteaching priestsrdquo have been mentioned by the Chronicler before (2 Chronicles 153) They had the important role of bringing the word of God to the people especially those who lived outside of Jerusalem

b They taught in Judah and had the Book of the Law of the LORD with them they went throughout all the cities of Judah and taught the people This was the wisest

and best policy a security-conscious king of Judah could promote Because Jehoshaphat sought God first God sent fear upon the neighboring kingdoms so that they did not make war against Jehoshaphat

i ldquoBy this little band of princes Levites and priests sixteen in all Jehoshaphat did more toward impressing the surrounding nations with a sense of his power than the largest and best-equipped standing army could have secured to himrdquo (Knapp)

ii ldquoThe method adopted was what in these modern times we might describe as the holding of Special Missions throughout the cities of Judah for the specific purpose of proclaiming and interpreting lsquothe book of the law of Jehovahrsquordquo (Morgan)

iii ldquoo better service can be rendered to the nation than that of proclaiming the Word of Jehovah to the people in cities towns villages and hamlets By such proclamation the heart of the people may be turned to Jehovah and so He be enabled to do for them all that is in His heartrdquo (Morgan)

iv ldquoThus the nation became thoroughly instructed in their duty to God to the king and to each other They became therefore as one man and against a people thus united on such principles no enemy could be successfulrdquo (Clarke)

v Clarke observed how a similar itinerant ministry in the days of John Wesley and his followers impacted Britain ldquoSuch an itinerant ministry established in these kingdoms for upwards of fourscore years teaching the pure unadulterated doctrines of the Gospel with the propriety and necessity of obedience to the laws has been the principle means in the hand of God of preserving the lands from those convulsions and revolutions that have ruined and nearly dissolved the European continentrdquo

vi ldquoIt is said (2 Chronicles 172) Jehoshaphat place forces in all the fenced cities yet it is not said thereupon that lsquothe fear of the Lord fell upon the neighbour nationsrsquo But when he had established a preaching ministry in all the cities then his enemies had a fear and made no warrdquo (Trapp)

PULPIT He sent Hebrew שלח The Hebrew text distinctly says he sent to his princes not he sent his princes The meaning ismdashhe sent orders to his princes to see to it that Judah was taught (2 Chronicles 179) the book of the Law of the Lord (Le 2 Chronicles 1011 Deuteronomy 49 Deuteronomy 1718) not indeed without their own personal aid in whatever way able to be given but systematically and with authority by the Levites and priests (Deuteronomy 3310) This deeper fathoming of the needs of the time and of what constituted its real safety was greatly to the spiritual credit of Jehoshaphat The references (2 Chronicles 153 2 Chronicles 352-4 2 Chronicles 3510-12) are full of point one of these princes or Levites and priests are elsewhere mentioned by name

8 With them were certain LevitesmdashShemaiah ethaniah Zebadiah Asahel Shemiramoth Jehonathan Adonijah Tobijah and Tob-Adonijahmdashand the priests Elishama and Jehoram

GILL 2 Chronicles 178And with them he sent Levites With the five princes he sent nine Levites

even Shemaiah and Nethaniah and Zebadiah and Asahel and Shemiramoth and Jehonathan and Adonijah and Tobijah and Tobadonijah Levites of whom we nowhere else read no doubt they were principal persons and fit for the work they were sent about

and with them Elishama and Jehoram priests whose lips were to keep knowledge and at whose mouth the law was to be sought Mal_27

ELLICOTT (8) And with them he sent LevitesmdashRather And with them were the Levites The construction being changed So LXX and the Syriac (Comp 1 Chronicles 1641-42 1 Chronicles 1518 for the same mode of enumeration which is characteristic of the style of the chronicler

ZebadiahmdashSome MSS and Syriac and Arabic read Zechariah

ShemiramothmdashSo LXX and Vulg (see 1 Chronicles 165 1 Chronicles 1518) The Heb text is probably incorrect Syriac and Arabic read instead atucircra

Tob-adonijahmdashThis curious name occurs only here and is perhaps a mere mistake arising out of the preceding Adonijah and Tobijah The Syriac and Arabic omit it

PriestsmdashThe priests

The commission was a mixed one of civil and ecclesiastical persons (comp 1 Chronicles 131-2 1 Chronicles 232 1 Chronicles 246)

And had the book of the law of the LordmdashAnd with them was the book of the law (teaching) of Jehovah For the construction compare 1 Chronicles 1642 The writer

evidently means the Pentateuch and if this notice was derived by him from a contemporary source eg the ldquowords of Jehu the son of Hananirdquo to which he refers as an authority for the reign (2 Chronicles 2034) it would constitute an important testimony to the existence if not of the five books at least of an ancient collection of laws at this early date (circ 850 BC )

And taught the peoplemdashTaught among the people

9 They taught throughout Judah taking with them the Book of the Law of the Lord they went around to all the towns of Judah and taught the people

BARES There is no reasonable doubt that this ldquobook of the lawrdquo was the Pentateuch - nearly if not quite in the shape in which we now have it Copies of the whole Law were no doubt scarce and therefore Jehoshaphatrsquos commission took care to carry a copy with them

CLARKE Had the book of the law of the Lord with them - This was their text book it was the book of God they taught it as such and as such the people received it Its laws were Godrsquos laws and the people felt their obligation and their consciences were bound Thus they were obedient to the laws of the land on the principle of religion In this they were encouraged and confirmed by the example of all both in Church and state The princes were not only pious but were teachers of piety the Levites showed them the worth and excellence of their ritual institutions and the priests showed them the moral use they were to make of the whole and thus the people became obedient to God as well as to the king and kept all the civil ordinances not merely for the sake of a good king but for the sake of a good and gracious God By these means the nation enjoyed peace and prosperity and all insurrections seditions and popular commotions were prevented The surrounding nations perceiving this saw that there was no hope of subduing such a people so they made no war with Jehoshaphat 2Ch_1710 And they took care not to provoke such a people to fall on them therefore it is said The fear of the Lord fell on all the kingdoms and lands that were round about Judah Such an itinerant ministry established in these kingdoms for upwards of fourscore years

teaching the pure unadulterated doctrines of the Gospel with the propriety and necessity of obedience to the laws has been the principal means in the hand of God of preserving these lands from those convulsions and revolutions that have ruined and nearly dissolved the European continent The itinerant ministry to which this refers is that which was established in these lands by the late truly reverend highly learned and cultivated deeply pious and loyal John Wesley AM formerly a fellow of Lincoln College Oxford whose followers are known by the name of Methodists a people who are an honor to their country and a blessing to the government under which they live

GILL And they taught in Judah The people their duty to God and man

and had the book of the law of the Lord with them as the rule of their instruction and the peoples obedience out of this they taught them and by it confirmed what they taught and enforced it with the divine authority

and went about throughout all the cities of Judah not only their own cities the Levitical ones but all others

and taught the people the law of the Lord the fear and worship of God

JAMISO the book of the lawmdash that is either the whole Pentateuch or only the book of Deuteronomy which contains an abridgment of it

BESO 2 Chronicles 179 And they taught in Judah ampc mdash The Levites and priests were teachers by office Deuteronomy 3310 It was a part of the work for which they had their maintenance and indeed had little else to do But it seems they had neglected it pretending probably that they could not get the people to hear them Jehoshaphat therefore sends them with the princes who by their authority might require the people to assemble together to receive instruction in the laws of God and their duty ldquoWhat a great deal of goodrdquo says Henry ldquomay be done when Moses and Aaron thus go hand in hand in the doing of it when princes with their power and priests and Levites with their Scripture-learning agree to teach the people the good knowledge of God and their duty These itinerant judges and itinerant preachers together were instrumental to diffuse a blessed light throughout the cities of Judahrdquo And had the book of the law of the Lord with them mdash 1st For their own guidance that from thence they might draw all the instructions they gave to the people and not teach for doctrines the commandments of men 2d For the conviction or the people that they might see these priests and Levites had a divine warrant for what they said and delivered to them only that which they had received from the Lord

TRAPP 2 Chronicles 179 And they taught in Judah and [had] the book of the law of the LORD with them and went about throughout all the cities of Judah and taught the people

Ver 9 And had the book of the law of the Lord with them] They taught not

traditions human inventions or unwritten verities All their doctrines came cum privilegio and were Scripture proof

WHEDO 9 The book of the law mdash Our Pentateuch in substantially its present form ldquoCopies of the whole law were no doubt scarce and therefore Jehoshaphatrsquos commission took care to carry a copy with themrdquo mdash Rawlinson

PARKER And they taught in Judah and had the book of the law of the Lord with them and went about throughout all the cities of Judah and taught the people ( 2 Chronicles 179)

This was a mixed commission partly civil partly ecclesiastical The men here mentioned are otherwise unknown We identify them as educational reformers or reformers who operated through the medium of education they were not warriors destroyers revolutionists but men who addressed the mind and the understanding and the conscience and caused men to know that the true law was from above and not from beneath The book which the commission had in hand was the Pentateuch or the law of Moses This was known to be the law which alone could touch all the vital necessities of the commonwealth Again and again we are constrained to admit that there is a law beyond Prayer of Manasseh above Prayer of Manasseh in a sense apart from man men are not driven within themselves to find a law an instinct or a reason they have a written statute an authoritative declaration a book which Christian teachers do not hesitate to describe as a Revelation and to that they call the attention of men If the teacher were teaching out of his own consciousness he would be but an equal often exposing himself to the destructive criticism of his more advanced and penetrating scholars but the teacher takes his stand upon a book upon the Book the Bible a revelation which he believes to be divine and final Say what we will the effect of Bible teaching must be judged by its fruits Where are the nations that are most distinguished for wide and varied intelligence for large and exhaustive sympathy for missionary enterprise for philanthropic institutions and for all the elements which give grace and beauty to social existence The question should admit of definite reply the facts are before men let them judge fearlessly and honestly and we need have no apprehension concerning their verdict Wherever the word of the Lord has had free course superstition has been chased away human slavery has been abolished every instance of intolerance injustice unkindness has felt the influence of holy thought in all these matters discussion should be limited strictly to facts Thus kings can help nations not by forcing education not by attempting to rule opinion not by setting up standards of orthodoxy to fall short of which is to incur penalty but by spreading education by extending light by cultivating a spirit of inquiry and by a generous multiplication of all the instrumentalities needed for the destruction of ignorance What may come of this we are not supposed at this moment to know Meanwhile let us be thankful that we are face to face with a man who has conviction courage independence high patriotic and generous impulse and let us hope that his end may be as beautiful as his beginning was promising

SIMEO THE ROYAL EDICT

ADVERTISEMETmdashThe author feels it necessary to prefix to this Sermon some short account of the occasion on which it was delivered

The author was at Amsterdam (in June 1818) partly with a view of re-establishing there an Episcopal Chapel in which there had been no service for seven years but principally with a view of seeking the welfare of the Children of Israel He went thither rather to explore than to act (See ehemiah 212-16) But just previous to the 18th of June he understood that the Third Anniversary of the Battle of Waterloo was to be kept throughout the etherlands as a day of thanksgiving and just at that time also he quite accidentally heard that the King of the etherlands had a year before issued an Edict requiring all the Jews to educate their children in the knowledge of their own Scriptures and calling upon all his Christian Subjects to aid in this good work Despondency not unlike to that which paralyzed all exertion at Jerusalem in ehemiahrsquos days so universally prevailed that no one had risen to the occasion the very Commissioners who had been appointed to carry the Edict into effect had published a Report in which they gave it as their opinion ldquothat the Lordrsquos time was not comerdquo and there was great danger that the gracious designs of the Monarch would be altogether frustrated The author therefore judged this a fit occasion for calling the attention of the Public to the Edict and accordingly after devoting the Morning Service to the more appropriate subject of the day he employed the Evening Service in an endeavour to forward this good work Considerable attention was excited to the subject by means of the Sermon which was therefore instantly printed in Dutch French and English for the purpose of its being circulated throughout the etherlands and he has reason to hope that active exertions were afterwards made in many places to promote what every benevolent mind must ardently desire the edification and welfare of the Jewish People

So good an example having been set by the Emperor of Russia and the King of the etherlands the author hopes that the attention of our own Governors also both in Church and State may be called to this long-neglected People and that now the British Public has been invited by authority (the Kingrsquos Letter) to aid in supporting Missions to the Heathen World the claims of the Jewish ation to whom under God we owe all the light that we ourselves enjoy will not be overlooked It is with a view to this great object that the author sends forth the Sermon in this country where if the foregoing explanation had not been given its relevancy and use might have been justly called in question

2 Chronicles 179 And they taught in Judah and had the book of the law of the Lord with them and went about throughout all the cities of Judah and taught the people

O a day set apart for thanksgiving to God for mercies received it is peculiarly proper to consider what we may render unto the Lord for all his benefits Certainly if any event ever deserved repeated annual commemoration it is that which has

freed the world from the most grievous tyranny that ever it endured Of the bitter cup which was put into the hands of every nation in Europe this nation [ote The etherlands] drank very deeply and the change which it has experienced in the restoration of their rightful Monarch and in the establishment of a free Constitution calls for their devoutest acknowledgments to Almighty God Doubtless we may with justice pay some tribute of honour to those who by their counsels and their arms effected the overthrow of the Usurper but it is God alone who giveth victory to kings and to whom the glory of this great victory must be primarily ascribed and he who accounts a day consecrated to this service superfluous shews that he is far from justly appreciating the blessings that have been conferred upon him The monarch himself has given to his people a very decided evidence that he feels the depth of his obligations to the God of his salvation and it will be your own loss if you do not cultivate a similar spirit and improve the occasion to the honour of your God

But it is not to thanksgiving only that your Monarch invites you he calls you by a special Edict to unite with him in seeking the welfare of your Jewish Brethren who in their struggle with the enemy signally approved their fidelity to their legitimate Sovereign Their welfare he in his turn studies to promote and he desires to combine the energies of all his subjects in efforts for their good Methinks he is like Jehoshaphat of old who well knowing that piety must be founded in knowledge and happiness in piety sent forth the Princes of his empire with a select number of Priests and Levites to instruct his people in the knowledge of Godrsquos blessed word

His edict on this occasion and the manner in which it was carried into effect will form the subject of my present discourse

I Then we notice the edict of King Jehoshaphatmdash

This was such as became a great and pious monarch and we shall find it not unprofitable or unsuitable to the present occasion to enter into a distinct consideration of it We observe then that it was a kind and benevolent edict a wise and politic edict a good and beneficial edict

Mark the benevolence displayed in it He sought the present and eternal welfare of his subjects He knew that as men are raised above the beasts by the exercise of reason so are they elevated in the scale of rational beings in proportion as their intellectual powers are cultivated and enlarged Man destitute of knowledge is a mere savage but when instructed in the various branches of science he becomes refined and civilized and capable of contributing to the general good In the very cultivation of knowledge there is much pleasure arising to the mind and in the application of that knowledge to useful purposes there is an exquisite delight We need only observe persons when employed in their several vocations how happy they are how contented how cheerful oftentimes unconsciously proclaiming their happiness like the birds of the air in festal songs or consciously and with devotion in songs of praise

But it was not mere intellectual improvement which Jehoshaphat sought to convey he wished his people to be instructed in the knowledge of that God whom they professed to fear and worship This alone could make them truly happy this alone could impart to them sound wisdom or solid consolation He therefore gave particular directions that they should be taught ldquoin the Book of the Law of the Lordrdquo and this throughout the whole land O happy people whose governor so employed the authority with which he was invested And happy that monarch who so improved his influence not for his own personal aggrandizement but for the best interests of the people committed to his charge In so doing he approved himself to be indeed what every governor should be the friend and father of his people

or was the policy of this measure at all inferior to its benevolence A people well instructed in moral and religious knowledge will view government as an ordinance of God and will learn to obey the constituted authorities not so much from fear of their wrath as for conscience sake towards God They will view their governors as Godrsquos vicegerents upon earth and will consider allegiance to them as an essential part of their duty to him Hence will spring up love in their hearts and a real delight in manifesting on all proper occasions their loyalty to their king they will form a bulwark around his person in case of necessity and even glory in laying down their lives for him as their greatest benefactor

The benefits arising from this edict were incalculable Such was the effect of it that the fear of Jehoshaphat and of Jehovah as his protector fell on all the nations that were round about him so that none however hostile in their hearts dared to make war against him [ote ver 10] Doubtless this resulted chiefly from an impression made upon their minds by God himself yet it was also produced by a dread of that energy which an united people were ready to put forth at any instant at the call of their beloved monarch At the same time that peace was thus secured prosperity reigned in every part of the empire and as the immediate fruit of it Jehoshaphat as well as the people ldquohad riches and honour in abundance [ote ver 5]rdquo In his own mind too he reaped the fruits of his own benevolence God smiled upon him and manifested himself to him and enabled him to walk with ldquohis heart lifted up in the ways of the Lord [ote ver 6]rdquo

Such was the edict of the pious Jehoshaphatmdashbenevolent politic beneficial And what I would ask is the Edict which has been issued by the highest authority in this kingdom Do we not see in it the same blessed characters as in that which we have been considering It was ldquoin the third year of his reign [ote ver 7]rdquo that Jehoshaphat sent forth teachers to enlighten and instruct his subjects The very instant he felt himself at liberty from the more urgent and pressing calls of duty (such as the fortifying of his land against foreign enemies and the correcting of some great internal abuses) he engaged in this good work of diffusing light and knowledge through all classes of the community In like manner the sovereign of this kingdom has scarcely had time to repair the ravages of war and to establish his empire too long weakened and impoverished by a cruel usurpation before he stands forth as the friend and father of his people and more especially of that portion of them who have in every age and place been most treated with neglect and

disdain to have them educated in scriptural knowledge and in the fear of God It is much to be lamented that the Jewish people have not in general been so attentive either to the learning or morals of their children as might be wished and hence arose a necessity for some authoritative admonition on the subject Yet if I may say it without offence this neglect has not been more reprehensible in them than has been the indifference with which the Christian world has regarded it The monarch (may God recompense it richly into his bosom) has risen up to remedy the supineness both of the one and the other and to call forth the united energies of all to correct and terminate this evil Yet whilst he thus consults the best interests of his subjects with what paternal tenderness has he guarded against wounding the feelings of any or exciting their religious prejudices The Scriptures of the Old Testament are alone to be used in the schools that shall be established even those Scriptures which Jews as well as Christians believe to have been given by inspiration of God and to contain truth without any mixture of error In this is marked the policy no less than the benevolence of the edict for it is not by constraint but by conciliation and kindness that good is to be done to any and more especially to those who have shewn themselves now for so many centuries proof against all the efforts of intimidation or force In this kingdom they form no small body and I may add no unimportant portion of the community It is well known how extensive is their influence in the affairs of commerce and how by their activity they contribute to enrich the state Hence it is now generally seen and felt that they are entitled to the same respect as any other subjects of the realm and whilst as in the present instance they see how deeply their monarch feels interested in their welfare they cannot but on their part be sensible of the privileges they enjoy under his paternal government and testify their gratitude to him by every possible expression of loyalty and affection

What the ultimate effect of these measures will be may be conjectured from the blessed results of the edict of Jehoshaphat all will feel themselves happy under the government of such a prince and he whilst he is respected abroad and beloved at home will have the happiness of seeing his labours crowned with prosperity throughout his dominions and with peace in his own soul

II The manner in which Jehoshaphatrsquos edict was carried into execution is now to be noticedmdash

The promptness with which his commands were executed deserves the highest praise All were ready to co-operate in this good work as soon as it was proposed ldquoPrinces and priests and Levites [ote ver 7 8]rdquo all addressed themselves to it instantly with one heart and one soul one accounted their dignity so high or their functions so sacred but they thought it an honour to be employed in such a service and found a delight in fulfilling the wishes of their revered monarch all entered into the work with zeal and prosecuted it with diligence and hence a rapid change was effected both in the temporal and spiritual condition of the whole nation And what may not be effected in this kingdom also if a similar zeal be exercised by ldquothe princes and priestsrdquo (the magistrates and clergy) of the land With them it must begin Those who move in a lower station can effect nothing if they be not aided and

countenanced by the higher orders whose rank in life or sacredness of character will give a tone to the general feeling and combine the energies of the whole kingdom If it be said that those for whom the benefit is designed do not feel a desire after it this only shews how much they need it and how earnestly we should all embark in a cause proposed by such high authority and recommended by the soundest dictates of wisdom and piety

That our obligations to unite in this labour of love may the more distinctly appear I would beg leave to suggest the following considerations

First Loyalty to the king demands our concurrence with him in this good work and a holy emulation amongst us to carry into effect his benevolent designs What can the greatest or best of men effect (what could Jehoshaphat himself have done) if there be none to act in subserviency to them and to follow their directions As the most potent monarch upon earth would in vain proclaim war if there were no soldiers found to enlist under his banners and to execute his commands so it will be in vain that the design of benefiting the Jewish people was ever conceived in the mind of the king or that his edict respecting them was ever issued if his subjects do not put forth their energies in obedience to his call In truth a backwardness to co-operate with him in this blessed work would seem like a reflection cast upon him as recommending a measure that was unworthy of attention I do not mean to insinuate that such an idea really exists in the minds of any for I am perfectly convinced it does not but certainly in appearance it is open to this construction and every subject of the empire is concerned to act in such a way as to cut off all occasion for a reflection like this I say loyalty alone even if we had no higher motive should be sufficient to call forth our exertions in this cause

But let me next observe that gratitude to the Jewish nation demands it at our hands How great how manifold are our obligations to them Behold Moses and the prophets what instruction have they given us in reference to the way of life and salvation Without the moral law as revealed by Moses we should never have known to what an extent we need a Saviour nor if the prophecies had not so fully designated the promised Messiah could we have ever so fully known that Jesus was the Christ Of whom did the Lord Jesus Christ himself come as pertaining to the flesh but from the loins of David and of the seed of Abraham Yet to him are we indebted for all that we either have or hope for in time or in eternity And who were the Apostles but Jews who for our sakes went forth preaching the word and counted not their lives dear to them so that they might but lead us to the knowledge of Christ and make us partakers of his salvation From them too we have received the lively oracles which are the one source of all spiritual knowledge and the one foundation of all our hopes Does all this call for no recompence at our hands Knowing as we do the vast importance of education should we not endeavour to impart it to those from whose ancestors we have received such innumerable such inestimable benefits Yet behold these are the people whom for many many centuries we have treated with more neglect and contempt than any other people upon the face of the earth the savages of the most distant climes have received more attention from us than they Surely it is high time that the Christian world awake to

a sense of their duty and begin to shew to the Jews somewhat of that love which their forefathers exercised towards us in our Gentile state We are debtors to them to a vast amount and it is high time that we begin to discharge our debt And how can we discharge it better than by enabling them to read and understand those very oracles which they have preserved with such fidelity and which testify so fully of their promised Messiah

Further A love to the rising generation should lead us to avail ourselves of the present opportunity to promote their welfaremdashIt is truly afflictive to see how low and degraded is the state of multitudes especially of the Jewish nation purely through the neglect with which they are treated in their early youth and still more grievous is it to reflect on their ignorance of those things which belong to their everlasting peace To counteract this we should endeavour to qualify the whole of their population for good and useful employments and through the medium of useful instruction to make them holy and to make them happy We need never be afraid that there will not be a sufficient number of poor to fill the lower stations do what we will there will never be wanting persons who through their own fault or misfortunes are necessitated to undertake the lowest offices of life And if they have been previously instructed in the Scriptures of Truth they will have a fund of consolation ever open to them in their deepest afflictions they will learn from the inspired volume in whatsoever state they are there-with to be content and in the prospect of the eternal world they will find joys with which a stranger intermeddleth not and which the world can neither give nor take away We feel the force of these considerations in reference to the poor of our own communion how is it that we feel it not in reference to our Jewish Brethren This is a partiality unworthy of us and we should rise as one man to wipe off this disgrace from our own character

This brings me to the last consideration which I propose to mention namely that a concern for the honour of our holy religion should operate to unite us all in executing the Royal EdictmdashWhat must a Jew think of our religion when he sees how little it has wrought for us in the production of love We may tell him of a Messiah who has loved us and laid down his life for us but what credit will he give us for our principles when he sees how little our practice corresponds with them May he not well say to us ldquoPhysician heal thyselfrdquo Shew by your conduct the superiority of your principles before you call on me to embrace them It is by love that we must win them it is by shewing kindness to them that we must efface from their hearts those prejudices which with too much reason they entertain against us We must exhibit in our own person the loveliness of Christianity before we can bring them to investigate the grounds of our faith or to imagine that they can improve their own condition by embracing it May I not then call upon you as Christians to unite in the good work that is now before you that you may thereby serve and glorify your Lord and Saviour As Christians you believe that there is no other way to the Father but by Christ [ote John 146] and no other name but his whereby any human being can be saved [ote Acts 412] Where is your piety where is your love to Christ where is even common humanity if you will not avail yourselves of the present opportunity to remove from before your Jewish Brethren

the stumbling-blocks which for so many ages have been laid in their way

Do any ask What shall we do I answer search out amongst the Jews some persons of probity and talent to commence schools among them and do you yourselves aid to the utmost of your power in the support of them provide them with all necessary books for instructing children in the first rudiments of knowledge provide them with Bibles also both in the Dutch and Hebrew languages that they may be thoroughly instructed in the knowledge of their own religion and learn to walk in the steps of their father Abraham and of all the holy prophets

Begin too without loss of time Adult Schools You will find many among the house of Israel who will be glad to avail themselves of your instructions Let those who are benevolent amongst you dedicate an hour in a day to the instructing of a few who may be desirous to learn and carefully avoid every thing which may give unnecessary offence Confine yourselves to the Old Testament which they venerate as well as you Let those who can teach only in the Dutch language give instruction in that and let those who either understand or have leisure to attain the Hebrew tongue draw their attention to that In particular let it be the united endeavour of all to qualify masters for this good work

And let it not be thought that this is the duty of men only The Royal Edict has particularly and with great wisdom recommended it to females who may be of infinite service in conveying instruction to their own sex This age is distinguished above all others for the activity of females in the service of God and in the performance of every good work Were I able to declare the proportion of good that is done in Britain by the female sex it would appear incredible I believe from my soul that it far exceeds one half in all the societies raised since the commencement of the present century in the Bible Society the Missionary Societies and the Society for Promoting the Knowledge of Christianity amongst the Jews yes let the ladies of this country exert themselves in a prudent modest and discreet way and the effects will soon appear the Royal Edict will not be a dead letter but will produce incalculable good to the whole nationmdashand the agents in this benevolent work will themselves receive quite as much benefit as they impart their benevolence being in proportion as it is exercised its own reward

10 The fear of the Lord fell on all the kingdoms of the lands surrounding Judah so that they did not go to war against Jehoshaphat

GILL And the fear of the Lord fell upon all the kingdoms of the lands that were round about Judah Upon the ten tribes and on foreign nations about them as Moabites Edomites Syrians Egyptians Arabs and Philistines this fear as it came from the Lord so might be raised and increased by observing that religion was revived in them for they might perceive by former observations made that the more religious these people were the more prosperous and formidable they were

so that they made no war against Jehoshaphat to interrupt him in the work of reformation he was so intent upon

HERY We have here a further account of Jehoshaphats great prosperity and the flourishing state of his kingdom

I He had good interest in the neighbouring princes and nations Though he was not perhaps so great a soldier as David (which might have made him their terror) nor so great a scholar as Solomon (which might have made him their oracle) yet the fear of the Lord fell so upon them (that is God so influenced and governed their spirits) that they had all a reverence for him 2Ch_1710 And 1 None of them made war against himGods good providence so ordered it that while the princes and priests were instructing and reforming the country none of his neighbours gave him any molestations to take him off from that good work Thus when Jacob and his sons were going to worship at Bethel the terror of God was upon the neighbouring cities that they did not pursue after them Gen_355 and see Exo_3424 2 Many of them brought presents to him (2Ch_1711) to secure his friendship Perhaps these were a tribute imposed upon them by Asa who made himself master of the cities of the Philistines and the tents of the Arabians 2Ch_1414 2Ch_1415 With the 7700 rams and the same number of he-goats which the Arabians brought there was probably a proportionable number of ewes and lambs she-goats and kids

KampD This attempt of Jehoshaphat brought him this blessing that the terror of Jahve fell upon all the surrounding kingdoms and not only did none of the neighbouring peoples venture to make war upon him but also various tribes did homage to him by presents Ramb has already so understood the connection of these verses (erat hoc praemium pietatis Josaphati quod vicini satisque potentes hostes non auderent adversus ipsum hiscere) while Berth fails to apprehend it saying that Jehoshaphat had time to care for the instruction of his people because at that time the neighbouring peoples did not venture to undertake war against Judah The words ldquoterror of Jahverdquo cf 2Ch_1413 2Ch_2029 and ldquoall the kingdoms of the landsrdquo cf 2Ch_128 1Ch_2930 are expressions peculiar to the author of the Chronicle which show that by these remarks he is preparing the way for a transition to a more detailed

portrayal of Jehoshaphats political power מן־(לש)ים is subject מן partitive some of the

Philistines brought him presents (for מנחה see on 2Ch_175) ldquoand silver a burdenrdquo ie

in great quantity מא does not signify tribute vectigal argento (Vulg) for the word has

not that signification but denotes burden that which can be carried as in מא לאן

2Ch_2025 - 2Ch_2116 2Ch_221 ערבים 2Ch_267 and more usually ערב-ים or ערביאים

are Arabian nomadic tribes (Bedacircwin) perhaps those whom Asa after his victory over the Cushite Zerah had brought under the kingdom of Judah 2Ch_1414 These paid

their tribute in small cattle rams and he-goats (ישים( Gen_3035 Gen_3215 Pro_

3031)

BESO 2 Chronicles 1710 The fear of the Lord fell upon all the kingdoms ampc mdash Justly concluding from his singular piety that God would eminently appear for him for even the heathen could not but observe that the kings of Judah were either prosperous or unhappy according as they served God or forsook him So that they made no war against Jehoshaphat mdash Godrsquos good providence so ordered it that while the princes and priests were instructing and endeavouring to reform the country none of his neighbours gave him any molestation to take him off from that good work

COFFMA All of this peace and prosperity were directly due to the respect which Jehoshaphat had shown to the Law of God and to his efforts to teach that word to all the people It is no problem that much of the material here is omitted in Kings because the primary focus there was political whereas in Chronicles the focus is upon the spiritual and religious significance of the same history

TRAPP 2 Chronicles 1710 And the fear of the LORD fell upon all the kingdoms of the lands that [were] round about Judah so that they made no war against Jehoshaphat

Ver 10 And the fear of the Lord fell upon all the kingdoms] It is said [2 Chronicles 172] Jehoshaphat placed forces in all the fenced cities yet it is not said thereupon that the fear of the Lord fell upon the neighbour nations But when he had established a preaching ministry in all the cities then his enemies had a fear and made no war

POOLE Justly concluding from this singular piety that God would eminently appear for him and against all those who had ill will to him which was their case For even the heathens could not but observe that the kings of Judah were either prosperous or unhappy accordingly as they served God or forsook him

ELLICOTT (10) The fear of the LordmdashA dread of Jehovah (pachad) aps 2029 (Comp Exodus 1516 1 Samuel 117 Isaiah 210 ) This phrase is not peculiar to the chronicler as Keil and Bertheau assert ldquoThe kingdoms of the landsrdquo is so (2 Chronicles 128 1 Chronicles 2930)

They made no warmdashThe reward of Jehosha-phatrsquos piety (1 Chronicles 229

Proverbs 167) ldquoWhen a manrsquos ways please the Lord he maketh even his enemies to be at peace with himrdquo (Comp also Genesis 355)

11 Some Philistines brought Jehoshaphat gifts and silver as tribute and the Arabs brought him flocks seven thousand seven hundred rams and seven thousand seven hundred goats

BARES Some of the Philistines brought Jehoshaphat presents - i e ldquosome of the Philistines were among his tributariesrdquo Compare 2Sa_82 1Ki_421

Tribute silver - Or ldquomuch silverrdquo - literally ldquosilver of burthenrdquo

The Arabians - The Arab tribes who bordered Judaea to the south and the southeast paid Jehoshaphat a fixed tribute in kind Compare 2Ki_34 note

CLARKE The Philistines brought - presents - They and the Arabians purchased peace with the king of Judah by paying an annual tribute The Philistines brought silver and no doubt different kinds of merchandise The Arabs whose riches consisted in cattle brought him flocks in great abundance principally rams and he-goats

GILL Also some of the Philistines brought Jehoshaphat presents and tribute silver Perhaps those of Gerar and the parts adjacent Asa took and spoiled and made tributary 2Ch_1414

and the Arabians brought him flocks seven thousand and seven hundred rams and seven thousand and seven hundred he goats with which their country abounded and these might be the Scenite Arabs who fearing lest Jehoshaphat should fall upon them and take away their flocks as his father had done 2Ch_1415 brought these presents to him

JAMISO Also some of the Philistines brought Jehoshaphat presents and tribute silvermdash either they had been his tributaries or they were desirous of securing his valuable friendship and now made a voluntary offer of tribute Perhaps

they were the Philistines who had submitted to the yoke of David (2Sa_81 Psa_608)

the Arabiansmdash the nomad tribes on the south of the Dead Sea who seeking the protection of Jehoshaphat after his conquest of Edom paid their tribute in the way most suitable to their pastoral habits - the present of so many head of cattle

BESO 2 Chronicles 1711 Some of the Philistines brought presents mdash They had been subject to Judah ever since Davidrsquos time but it seems had neglected this duty in the times of his predecessors but were now moved by their own fears to perform it And the Arabians brought him flocks mdash Either because he had upon some just occasion waged war against them and subdued them or because they voluntarily put themselves under his protection in recompense whereof they sent him these presents or only as a free acknowledgment of their respect for him

TRAPP 2 Chronicles 1711 Also [some] of the Philistines brought Jehoshaphat presents and tribute silver and the Arabians brought him flocks seven thousand and seven hundred rams and seven thousand and seven hundred he goats

Ver 11 Also some of the Philistines] These having been subdued by David had withheld their tribute for a time but now seeing Jehoshaphatrsquos growing greatness they bring it in with the better that no offence might be taken at their former neglect The word here used signifieth honorary gifts or oblations pacifications

ldquo Placatur donis Iupiter ipse datis rdquo

Think the same of the Arabians See 2 Chronicles 1414-15

POOLE Some of the Philistines who had been subjects to this kingdom ever since Davidrsquos time but it seems had neglected this duty in the times of his predecessors but now were moved by their own fears to perform it

The Arabians brought him flocks either because he had upon some just occasion waged war against them and subdued them though the particulars of it be not described in Scripture or because they voluntarily put themselves under his protection in recompence whereof they sent him those presents or only as a free acknowledgment of their respects to him

ELLICOTT (11) Broughtmdashie continually Such is the force of the participle

PresentsmdashAn offering ie tribute (minchah 2 Chronicles 175)

And tribute silvermdashRather and silver a load or burden ie a great quantity (massacircrsquo) 2 Chronicles 2025 As if ldquosilver as much as they could carryrdquomdasha natural hyperbole ot all the five states of the Philistines were subject to Jehoshaphat (Comp 2 Samuel 81)

The ArabiansmdashlsquoArbicircrsquoim here only equivalent to lsquoArbicircyicircm (2 Chronicles 267) and

lsquoArbim (2 Chronicles 2116) They are in each case grouped with the Philistines The nomad Bedacircwin conquered by Asa (2 Chronicles 1415) appear to be meant here or else some tribes which recognised the overlordship of Jehoshaphat after his reduction of Edom (2 Chronicles 2022 sqq)

Brought him flocksmdashComp Mesha of Moabrsquos tribute to Ahab (2 Kings 34)

GUZIK 2 (2 Chronicles 1711-19) The international strength of Jehoshaphatrsquos kingdom

Also some of the Philistines brought Jehoshaphat presents and silver as tribute and the Arabians brought him flocks seven thousand seven hundred rams and seven thousand seven hundred male goats So Jehoshaphat became increasingly powerful and he built fortresses and storage cities in Judah He had much property in the cities of Judah and the men of war mighty men of valor were in Jerusalem These are their numbers according to their fathersrsquo houses Of Judah the captains of thousands Adnah the captain and with him three hundred thousand mighty men of valor and next to him was Jehohanan the captain and with him two hundred and eighty thousand and next to him was Amasiah the son of Zichri who willingly offered himself to the LORD and with him two hundred thousand mighty men of valor Of Benjamin Eliada a mighty man of valor and with him two hundred thousand men armed with bow and shield and next to him was Jehozabad and with him one hundred and eighty thousand prepared for war These served the king besides those the king put in the fortified cities throughout all Judah

a Some of the Philistines brought Jehoshaphat presents and silver as tribute and the Arabians brought him flocks Jehoshaphatrsquos commitment to personal and public godliness meant that God exalted his kingdom above the neighboring nations even as God promised in Deuteronomy 281-13

b These served the king The true treasure of Jehoshaphatrsquos kingdom was not numbered only in security or material things but also in the dedicated and courageous men he had surrounding him these mighty men of valor

i Amasiah the son of Zichri who willingly offered himself to the LORD ldquoAmasiah is a man of whom we do not know anything beyond this ndash he lsquowillingly offered himself unto the Lordrsquo There must have been a turning-point in his career a time when first he knew the grace of God which wrought such a change in him There must have been a waking up to the feeling that God deserved his love and his liferdquo (Spurgeon)

ii Amasiah was a ready servant of the Lord this particularly notable because he did it in an otherwise secular calling

middot o one had to press him into service

middot o one had to seek him out for service

middot o one had to look after him once he had begun serving

middot o one had to lead him

iii ldquoThere is no lawful occupation in which a man cannot thoroughly serve the Lord It is a great privilege and blessing to be set apart to the work of winning souls but we must never separate that work from all the rest of the callings of life as though it alone were sacred and all the rest were secular and almost sinful Serve God where you arerdquo (Spurgeon)

PULPIT The presents were probably enough in the nature of tribute the fixed rate of which is sometimes alluded to (1 Kings 421 1 Kings 1025 2 Samuel 82) but it is doubtful whether the word משא purports to say this The word means bearing or carrying and then a burden load or weight The expression (2 Chronicles 2025) more than they could carry away where this word is used favours the idea that the meaning here is silver of great weight Probably the moral significance and historical interest whether of this statement respecting the Philistines or the following respecting the Arabians lies in the fact that both of them brought without more ado their payments and did not seek to slip out of their engagements with Judah and Judahs king ote for confirmation of this view 2 Kings 34 2 Kings 35

12 Jehoshaphat became more and more powerful he built forts and store cities in Judah

GILL And Jehoshaphat waxed great exceedingly In wealth and riches power and authority in his forces and fortifications

and he built in Judah castles and cities of stores castles for the defence of his kingdom and store cities to lay up corn and wine and all provisions in case of an invasion or against a time of war

HERY II He had a very considerable stores laid up in the cities of Judah He pulled down his barns and built larger (2Ch_1712) castles and cities of store for arms and victuals He was a man of business and aimed at the public good in all his

undertakings either to preserve the peace or prepare for war

JAMISO 2Ch_1712-19 His greatness captains and armies

KampD Description of Jehoshaphats power - 2Ch_1712 And Jehoshaphat became

ever greater sc in power The partic הולך expresses the continuous advance in

greatness cf Ew sect280 b as the infin absol does elsewhere eg Gen_83 למעלה as עד

in 2Ch_1612 - He built castles in Judah ירנ-ות only here and in 2Ch_274 from ירנית

derivative formed from ירה by the Syriac termination נית- fem of ן- castle fortress On

מסנות cf 2Ch_84 ערי

TRAPP 2 Chronicles 1712 And Jehoshaphat waxed great exceedingly and he built in Judah castles and cities of store

Ver 12 And Jehoshaphat waxed great exceedingly] Heb He was going and growing By humility and the fear of the Lord are riches and honour and life [Proverbs 224]

And he built in Judah castles] Bironeoth πυργους turres So did the Burgundians and thence had their names

And cities of store] Granaries in the Hebrew they have their name from their utility or usefulness

ELLICOTT (12) And Jehoshaphat waxed greatmdashLiterally And Jehoshaphat was going on and waxing great ie became greater and greater (Comp 1 Chronicles 119)

ExceedinglymdashlsquoAd lĕmagraversquolah This phrase occurs again in 2 Chronicles 1612 2 Chronicles 268 and nowhere else in the Old Testament (See on 1 Chronicles 142)

And he builtmdashLike his predecessorsmdashSolomon Rehoboam Asamdashhe displayed his wealth and power in great public works The records of the Assyrian and Babylonian sovereigns are largely taken up with similar accounts of temple and palace building

CastlesmdashBiranicircyocircth a derivative from birah (1 Chronicles 291 1 Chronicles 2919 comp Syriac here birocircthocirc) It only recurs at 2 Chronicles 274 It is an Aramaic term (Comp bicircranyacircthacirc which in the Targums means ldquopalacesrdquo)

Cities of storesmdashComp 2 Chronicles 84 2 Chronicles 164 Exodus 111

PULPIT Castles This rendering better than palaces (margin) wound bear improving to the rather stronger word fortresses Hebrew בירניות found only here and in 2 Chronicles 274 plur of בירנית connected with the Chaldee and later Hebrew בירה of Ezra 62 ehemiah 11 Esther 12 Daniel 82 Cities of store (see note under 2 Chronicles 84 see also 1 Kings 919 Exodus 111)

13 and had large supplies in the towns of Judah He also kept experienced fighting men in Jerusalem

CLARKE He hadmuch business in the cities - He kept the people constantly employed they had wages for their work and by their labors the empire was both enriched and strengthened

GILL And he had much business in the cities of Judah Partly in fortifying them and partly in reforming the inhabitants of them

and the men of war mighty men of valour were in Jerusalem or by or near unto it so the particle is rendered Jos_513 they encamped in places adjacent to it for such a number of men as follows even 1160000 could never be contained in Jerusalem but must be disposed of in the territories of it nor did they wait on the king together but in course see 2Ch_1719 by which it appears there is no need to suppose any mistake of the transcriber in any or all of the following sums as has been suggested (q)

HERY 13-19 III He had the militia in good order It was never in better since David modelled it Five lord-lieutenants (if I may so call them) are here named with the numbers of those under their command (the serviceable men that were fit for war in their respective districts) three in Judah and two in Benjamin It is said of one of these great commanders Amasiah that he willingly offered himself unto the Lord (2Ch_1716) not only to the king to serve him in this post but to the Lord to glorify him in it He was the most eminent among them for religion he accepted the place not for the

honour or power or profit of it but for conscience sake towards God that he might serve his country It was usual for great generals then to offer of their spoils to the Lord 1Ch_2626 But this good man offered himself first to the Lord and then his dedicated things The number of the soldiers under these five generals amounts to 1160000 men a vast number for so small a compass of ground as Judahs and Benjamins lot to furnish out and maintain Abijah could bring into the field but 400000 (2Ch_133) Asa not 600000 (2Ch_148) yet Jehoshaphat has at command almost 1200000 But it must be considered 1 That God had promised to make the seed of Abraham like the sand of the sea for number 2 There had now been a long peace 3 We may suppose that the city of Jerusalem was very much enlarged 4 Many had come over to them from the kingdom of Israel (2Ch_1519) which would increase the numbers of the people 5 Jehoshaphat was under a special blessing of God which made his affairs to prosper greatly The armies we may suppose were dispersed all the country over and each man resided for the most part on his own estate but they appeared often to be mustered and trained and were ready at call whenever there was occasion The commanders waited on the king (2Ch_1719) as officers of his court privy-counsellors and ministers of state

But lastly observe It was not this formidable army that struck a terror upon the neighbouring nations that restrained them from attempting any thing against Israel or obliged them to pay tribute but the fear of God which fell upon them when Jehoshaphat reformed his country and set up a preaching ministry in it 2Ch_1710 The ordinances of God are more the strength and safety of a kingdom than its military force - its men of God more than its men of war

KampD 2Ch_1713

וגווגווגווגו רהרהרהרה is rightly translated by Luther ldquound hatte viel Vorrathsrdquo (and ומלעכהומלעכהומלעכהומלעכה

had much store) מלעכהמלעכהמלעכהמלעכה denotes here as in Exo_227-10 property that which has been gained by work or business The signification much work opera magna (Vulg Cler etc) as also Bertheaus translation ldquothe works for equipping and provisioning the fortressesrdquo correspond neither to the context nor to the parallel (synonymous) second member of the verse The work and trouble necessary to equip the cities of Judah does not correspond to ldquothe valiant warriors in Jerusalemrdquo the only parallel is the goods and property which were in these cities the provision of victuals and war material there stored up

BESO 2 Chronicles 1713 He had much business in the cities of Judah mdash To repair and fortify them and furnish them with provisions and to purge out all the relics of idolatry and injustice which were more secretly and craftily managed in the cities than in the country and which were first and most prevalent in the cities and thence spread their infection into the country around them

TRAPP 2 Chronicles 1713 And he had much business in the cities of Judah and the men of war mighty men of valour [were] in Jerusalem

Ver 13 And he had much business] Eργα πολλα (a) Many works going forward at

once a negotious man he was His business say some lay in beautifying and fortifying those cities Augustus gloried at his death that whereas he had found Rome built with brick he had left it made of marble

And the men of war hellip were in Jerusalem] These were his Praetorian forces his Praesidiaries were up and down in the various cities

POOLE He had much business in the cities of Judah partly to repair and fortify them and furnish them with all necessary provisions and partly to purge out all the relies and seeds of idolatry and injustice which were more secretly and subtlely managed in the cities than in the country and which were first and most in the cities and thence spread their infection into the country about them See Jeremiah 228

ELLICOTT (13) BusinessmdashRather much goods or stores literally work (mĕlacirckacirch) and then produce The Hebrew word is so used in Exodus 227 Exodus 2210 (ldquoHis neighbourrsquos goodsrdquo) Stores of provisions and war material seem to be intended (Comp 2 Chronicles 1111)

And the man of war were in JerusalemmdashRather and (he had) men of war in Jerusalem

In Jerusalemmdashot the entire army corps whose numbers are given in 2 Chronicles 1714-18 but simply their chiefs

PULPIT Much business Hebrew מלאכה The meaning of the word is service labour bestowed and the verse reads And there was to him much labour in the cities of Judah and men of war mighty men of valour in Jerusalem ie He bestoweth much pains on the cities of Judah and had etc The word were Authorized Version italics is incorrectly inserted The former half of this verse would better constitute the end of 2 Chronicles 1712 Keil however maintains the rendering substance property for מלאכה (Exodus 227 Exodus 2210)

14 Their enrollment by families was as followsFrom Judah commanders of units of 1000Adnah the commander with 300000 fighting men

BARES The captains of thousands Adnah the chief - literally ldquoprinces of thousands Adnah the princerdquo The writer does not mean that Adnah (or Johohanan 2Ch_1715) was in any way superior to the other ldquoprincesrdquo but only that he was one of them

Three hundred thousand - This number and those which follow in 2Ch_1715-18 have been with good reason regarded as corrupt by most critics For

(1) They imply a minimum population of 1480 to the square mile which is more than three times greater than that of any country in the known world (circa 1880rsquos)

(2) they produce a total just double that of the next largest estimate of the military force of Judah the 580 000 of 2Ch_148

(3) they are professedly a statement not of the whole military force but of the force maintained at Jerusalem (2Ch_1713 compare 2Ch_1719)

It is probable that the original numbers have been lost and that the loss was suppplied by a scribe who took 2Ch_148 as his basis

CLARKE Adnah the chief - He was generalissimo of all this host These are the numbers of the five battalions under Adnah three hundred thousand Jehohanan two hundred and eighty thousand Amasiah two hundred thousand Eliada two hundred thousand Jehozabad one hundred and eighty thousand in all one million one hundred and sixty thousand

GILL And these are the numbers of them according to the house of their fathers Both of the tribe of Judah and of Benjamin and first

of Judah the captains of thousands some had 1000 men under them and some one hundred

Adnah the chief he was the principal commander or general of them

and with him mighty men of valour three hundred thousand such a number was under his command

JAMISO these are the numbersmdash The warriors were arranged in the army according to their fathers houses The army of Jehoshaphat commanded by five great generals and consisting of five unequal divisions comprised one million one hundred and sixty thousand men without including those who garrisoned the fortresses No monarch since the time of Solomon equaled Jehoshaphat in the extent of his revenue in the strength of his fortifications and in the number of his troops

KampD 2Ch_1714-16

The men fit for war passed in review according to their fathers-houses The male population of Judah fell into three divisions that of Benjamin into two The prince

Adnah held the first place among the generals with 300000 men of Judah ידו at his על

hand ie with and under him Jehohanan had the command of 280000 men and

Amasiah over 200000 השר is a contraction for אלפים For what special reason it is so שר

honourably recorded of Amasiah that he had willingly offered himself to the Lord (cf for

Jdg_59) has not been communicated התנב

COFFMA his represented a standing army of 1160000 men besides the garrisons in the fortified cities and this goes a long way to explaining why the Arabians and the Philistines brought tribute to Jehoshaphat In ancient times as in our own day peace frequently depended upon the strength of those who desired it

We should ignore the screams of exaggeration[3] which mark the writings of radical critics Pagan rulers of that era reported even larger armies than this and until the critics can prove that those were exaggerated reports they should let these alone Besides that we have already noted that the very word from which thousand is translated is disputed as to its exact meaning

COKE 2 Chronicles 1714 And these are the numbers of themmdash That is of the soldiers as well as of those who were employed in the kings works in the several cities ampc which he built See 2 Chronicles 1719

REFLECTIOSmdash1st Jehoshaphat no sooner comes to the throne than we see the dawnings of a glorious reign

1 He strengthened his kingdom by placing strong garrisons in the cities of Judah and those which his father had recovered from Israel and prepared against that danger which Ahabs growing power seemed to threaten

2 Religion was his great concern He copied after the best of his predecessors in their best days such as were the first of David before the matter of Uriah and the numbering of the people had blotted his fair copy Faithful to the worship of God he abhorred all idols the law of God was his rule of duty and Israels apostacy rendered his fidelity more singular and exemplary Inspired with holy zeal his heart with delight and sincerity was engaged for God and no difficulties deterred him from the path of duty The idols and groves which in the declining days of Asa might have been set up again he utterly destroyed with all the high places where they still offered sacrifices to these abominations ote (1) In the fairest human pattern there will be found imperfections but there is a Son of David more than man who has set us a spotless example that we should follow his steps (2) Fidelity in Gods service is the stability of a nation (3) A lively soul on wings of faith and love mounts up to God rises superior to every difficulty and looks down upon every thing besides his favour as altogether vanity

3 He not only removed the temptations to sin but took care to instruct the people in

the path of duty Ignorance of Gods law had greatly prevailed and to oblige them merely to conform to his reformation without grounding them on the true foundation of Gods word promised little stability The Levites and priests therefore are sent in progress through the cities of Judah with the book of the law to explain and enforce the commandments of God and several princes accompanied them in order to engage the people to hear them and give countenance to these preachers by their weight and influence ote (1) It is a blessed thing when princes countenance faithful ministers Though they cannot make men true converts their example and authority will induce them to attend (2) They who are sent to teach must see that they take the pure word of God along with them A true preacher wishes for nothing in his hand but his Bible (3) Religion is a reasonable service Conviction alone not compulsion or education can make a man a christian

4 The blessing of God attended his labours The Lord was with him or as the Targum generally expresses it the word of the Lord the divine Logos to whom all things are committed strengthened him in his labours and established his kingdom The people charmed with his government liberally sent their presents to him and abounding in riches and honour his heart far from being intoxicated by prosperity was lifted up in greater love and thankfulness to the gracious giver ote (1) God often here rewards piety with prosperity (2) Worldly comforts are then truly blessings when as the steps of Jacobs ladder they raise our hearts to heaven

2nd Like the light of the morning which shineth more and more so did Jehoshaphats glory increase

1 Feared by his enemies as beloved by his subjects the neighbouring princes did not offer to molest him while those of Philistia and Arabia courted his favour either by a voluntary present or exact payment of the tribute which Asa had imposed on them see 2 Chronicles 1711 God had put an awe upon them of the majesty of his king in Zion ote God hath access to the spirits of men and by secret yet irresistible influence can bow them to his sovereign will

2 His military preparations greatly advanced While he reformed the people he fortified their ramparts and built new castles and store-cities strengthening them within and without against their enemies Under five chief officers an immense army was enlisted Probably all the able men in the country were enrolled and regularly mustered though not drawn out except in case of necessity and this may easily account for the greatness of their number if we consider also the long peace they had enjoyed the accession of Israelites to them and especially the blessing of Abraham which no doubt was eminently fulfilled Amasiah one of the officers is mentioned with an honourable mark of distinction as a volunteer who served for the glory of God not for the sake of pay Such patriots are scarce

TRAPP 2 Chronicles 1714 And these [are] the numbers of them according to the house of their fathers Of Judah the captains of thousands Adnah the chief and

with him mighty men of valour three hundred thousand

Ver 14 Three hundred thousand] These were under his command and at hand to come whensoever the king would

WHEDO 14 Three hundred thousand mdash The numbers in this verse and the four verses following are generally regarded as corrupt ldquoThey implyrdquo observes the writer last quoted ldquoa minimum population of 1480 to the square mile which is more than three times greater than that of any country in the known world It is probable that the original numbers have been lost and the loss supplied by a scribe who took 2 Chronicles 148 as his basis

ELLICOTT Verse 14 (14) And these their fathersmdashAnd this is their muster (or census) according to their father-houses (clans) 1 Chronicles 243 The warriors were marshalled in the army according to clans so that men of the same stock fought side by side with their kindred Perhaps in the original document this heading was followed by a much more detailed scheme of names and divisions than that which the text presents

Of JudahmdashTo Judah (belonged) captains of thousands viz the three enumerated in 2 Chronicles 1714-16 Adnah Jehohanan and Amasiah They were the principal officers or generals of the entire forces of Judah

Adnah the chiefmdashTo wit the captain Adnah That Adnah was commander-in-chief is implied by his being named first and his corps being the largest

PULPIT This verse with the following four gives us the names of five captains chiefs princes or military officers for the kingdoms service with the numbers of the troops they severally commanded The numbers of them (see note under 1 Chronicles 2311) Hebrew פקדתם The better English rendering to carry at once the signification would be The muster of them etc The captains hellip the chief In both cases the Hebrew is the familiar word for prince ( שר ) in the former without article in the latter with article The numbers of this and following four verses are not only absolutely unreliable but in themselves impossible According to the house of their fathers ie the quotation is drawn from an army catalogue arranged carefully by fathers houses (umbers 118 umbers 122 etc)

15 next Jehohanan the commander with 280000

GILL And next to him was Jehohanan the captain Being of the same rank as to office but having a lesser number of men under him and it may respect not any kind of subordination only nearness of place as the Targumhe that encamped next to him

and with him two hundred and fourscore thousand which number was but 20000 less than the former

POOLE ext to him either

1 After his death as his successor in the same command And the like is supposed concerning Jehozabad 2 Chronicles 1718 Or rather

2 ext to him in place and authority or at least in power and the numbers of his host

16 next Amasiah son of Zikri who volunteered himself for the service of the Lord with 200000

GILL And next him was Amasiah the son of Zichri He encamped next to him as the Targum

who willingly offered himself unto the Lord to fight the Lords battles and without any stipend as some think or as Kimchi he offered gold and silver to the treasures of the house of the Lord

and with him two hundred thousand mighty men of valour the number was 80000 less than the former the whole of Judah amounted to 780000 men

TRAPP 2 Chronicles 1716 And next him [was] Amasiah the son of Zichri who willingly offered himself unto the LORD and with him two hundred thousand mighty men of valour

Ver 16 Who willingly offered himself unto the Lord] He was a votary the vows of God were upon him and this made him the more valiant and resolute (a) in the exercise of arms for the service of God and the safety of his people The Spahis among the Turks are a sort of horsemen voluntaries and votaries to gain paradise by dying for the Mohammedan cause These are never known to return home but

with victory these are heavy upon the enemy For

ldquo Vincitur haud gratis iugulo qui provocat ensem rdquo

POOLE As volunteers and auxiliaries to be ready upon occasion as the service of God and the king should require Possibly these or most of them were the strangers which had come out of Israel into the kingdom of Judah in Asarsquos days and probably since that in his time

ELLICOTT (16) AmasiahmdashIah carrieth (Isaiah 4011) different from Amaziah (Iah is strong)

Who willingly offered himself unto the Lordmdash(Judges 52 Judges 59) An allusion to some noble act of self-devotion which was doubtless more fully recorded in the source from which the chronicler has drawn this brief account Such allusions though no longer intelligible are important as conducing to the proof of the historical value of the narratives in which they occur LXX ὁ προθυmicroούmicroενος τῷ κυρίῳ Vulg consecratus Domino

PULPIT Amaziah the son of Zichri This man is not titled at all The description of him as one who had willingly offered himself unto the Lord not elucidated by the context or any effective parallel will mark something honorable in his history Possibly he comes from an unexpected quarter and is a man of approved skill othing further is known of these three men Meantime it has been suggested (Professor Dr J Murphy of Belfast Handbook to Chronicles ) that the first of the three was for Judah proper the second for that contingent of Judah that hailed from Dan and the Philistines and the third for that of Simeon and the Arabs

MACLARE This is a scrap from the catalogue of Jehoshaphatrsquos lsquomighty men of valourrsquo and is Amasiahrsquos sole record We see him for a moment and hear his eulogium and then oblivion swallows him up We do not know what it was that he did to earn it But what a fate to live to all generations by that one sentence

I Cheerful self-surrender the secret of all religion

The words of our text contain a metaphor naturally drawn from the sacrificial system It comes so easily to us that we scarcely recognise the metaphorical element but the clear recognition of it gives great additional energy to the words Amasiah was both sacrificer and sacrifice His offering was self-immolation As in all love so in that noblest kind of it which clasps God its perfect expression is lsquoI give Thee my living loving selfrsquo Nor is it only sacrifice and sacrificer that are seen in deepest truth in the experience of the Christian life but the reality of the Temple is also there for lsquoYe also are built up a spiritual house to be a holy priesthood to offer up spiritual sacrificesrsquo Only when God dwells in us shall we have the nerve and the firmness of hand to take the knife and lsquoslay before the Lordrsquo the awful Guest in the sanctuary within the most precious of the children of our spirits

The essence of the sacrifice of self is the sacrifice of will In the Christian experience

lsquowillingly offeredrsquo is almost tautology for unwilling offerings are a contradiction and in fact there are no such things The quality of unwillingness destroys the character of the offering and robs it of all sacredness Reluctant Christianity is not Christianity That noun and that adjective can never be buckled together

The submission of will and the consequent surrender of myself and my powers opportunities and possessions so that I do all enjoy all use all and when need is endure all with glad thankful reference to God is only possible to me in the measure in which my will is made flexible by love and such will-subduing love comes only when we lsquoknow and believe the love that God hath to usrsquo There is the point at which not a few moral and religious teachers go wrong and bewilder themselves and their disciples There too is the point at which Christ and the Gospel of salvation through faith in Him stand forth as emancipating humanity from the dreary round of efforts and vain attempts to work up the condition needful for achieving the height of self-surrender which is seen to be indispensable to all true nobleness of living but is felt to be beyond the reach of the ordinary man There too is the point at which many good people mar their lives as Christians They waste their strength in trying to bring the jibbing horse up to the leap They try to blow up a fire of devotion and to make themselves priests to offer themselves but all the while the mutinous self recoils from the leap and the fire burns smokily and their sacrifice is laid on the altar with little joy because they have not been careful and wise enough to begin at the beginning and to follow Godrsquos way of melting their wills by love the reflection of the Infinite love of God to them Godrsquos priests offer themselves because they offer their wills they offer their wills because they love God they love God because they know that God loves them That is the divine order It is vain to try to accomplish the end by any other

II This willing offering hallows all life

No syllable is left to tell us what Amasiah did to win this praise Probably the words enshrine some now forgotten memory of his cheerful courage some heroic feat on an unrecorded battlefield Particulars are not given nor needed Specific actions are unimportant the spirit of a life can be told with very incomplete details and it not the details is the important thing Sometimes as in many modern biographies one lsquocannot see the wood for the treesrsquo and misses the main drift and aim of a life in the chaos of a bewildering mass of nothings How much more happy the lot of this man of whom we have only the generalised expression of the text unweighted and undisturbed by petty incidents It takes tons of rose leaves to make a tiny phial of otto of roses but the fragrance is far more pungent in a drop of the distillation than in armfuls of leaves Every life shrinks into very small compass and the centuries do not tolerate long biographies Shall we not seek to order our life so that Amasiahrsquos epitaph may serve for us It will be blessed if this-and nothing else-is known about us that we lsquowillingly offered ourselves to the Lordrsquo My friend will that be a true epitome of your life

III This willing offering is accepted by God

We may hear a mightier voice behind the chroniclerrsquo s and the judgment of the Judge of all pronounced by His lips It matters little what men say of one another but it matters everything what God says of us We are but too apt to forget that He is now saying something as to each of us and that we have not to wait for death to put a final period to our activities before our lives become fit subjects for Godrsquos judgment Moment by moment we are writing our own sentences But while it is good for us to remember the continuous judgment of God on each deed it is not good to let dark thoughts of the principles of that judgment paralyse our activity or chill our confidence in His forgiving and accepting mercy There is often a dark suspicion like that of the one-talented

servant which blackens Godrsquos fair fame as being lsquoan austere Manrsquo making demands rather than imparting power and the effect of such an ugly conception of Him is to cut the nerve of service and bury the talent carefully folded up it may be but none the less earning nothing lsquoIf we call on Him as Father who without respect of persons judgeth according to every manrsquos workrsquo let us be sure that it will be a Fatherly judgment that He will pass upon us and our offerings There is a wonderful collection on His altar of what many people would think rubbish just as many a mother has laid away among her treasures some worthless article which her child had once given her-a weed plucked by the roadside in a long past summer day some trifle of rare preciousness in the childrsquos eyes and of none in any others than her own She opens her drawer and brings out the poor little thing and her eyes fill and her heart fills as she looks And does not God keep His childrenrsquos gifts as lovingly and set them in places of honour in the day when He lsquomakes up His jewelsrsquo There are cups of cold water and widowsrsquo mites and much else that a supercilious world would call lsquotrashrsquo stored there Thank God He accepts imperfect service faltering faith partial consecration a little love Even our poor offering may be an lsquoodour of a sweet smellrsquo ministering fragrance that is a delight to Him if it is offered with the much incense of the great Sacrifice and through the mediation of the great High Priest

The world forgot Amasiah or never knew him an obscure soldier in an obscure kingdom but God did not forget and here is his epitaph and this is his memorial to all generations Menrsquos chronicles have no room for all the names that their wearers are eager to have inscribed on their crumbling and crowded pages lsquobut the Lambrsquos Book of Lifersquo has ample space on its radiant pages for all who desire to set their names there and if ours are there we need not envy the proudest whose titles and deeds fill the most conspicuous pages in the worldrsquos records lsquoThen shall every man have praise of Christrsquo and he who wins that guerdon needs nothing more and can have nothing more to swell his blessedness

17 From BenjaminEliada a valiant soldier with 200000 men armed with bows and shields

GILL And of Benjamin Eliada a mighty man of valour Was the chief commander

and with armed men with bow and shield two hundred thousand which were

the armour of the tribe of Benjamin they were best skilled in 2Ch_148

TRAPP 2 Chronicles 1717 And of Benjamin Eliada a mighty man of valour and with him armed men with bow and shield two hundred thousand

Ver 17 With bow and shield] The Benjamites were notable bowmen [1 Chronicles 122] The Engish were anciently so too

ELLICOTT (17) Armed men with bow and shieldmdashLiterally drawing bow and shield ie as the Targum explains ldquodrawing bow and grasping shieldsrdquo (Comp 1 Chronicles 122) LXX ldquoArchers and peltastsrdquo Vulg ldquoGrasping bow and shieldrdquo (Comp also 1 Chronicles 840 for the arms of the Benjaminites)

18 next Jehozabad with 180000 men armed for battle

GILL And next to him was Jehozabad According to the Targum he encamped next him

and with him one hundred and fourscore thousand ready prepared for war being able bodied men well disciplined valiant and well armed these numbers of Judah and Benjamin put together amount to 1160000 men whereas Asa only brought into the field 580000 but it should be considered there had been a long time of peace many had come off from the ten tribes to Judah and the promise of multiplying the seed of Abraham was eminently fulfilled

TRAPP 2 Chronicles 1718 And next him [was] Jehozabad and with him an hundred and fourscore thousand ready prepared for the war

Ver 18 A hundred and fourscore thousand] His militia was eleven hundred and threescore thousand besides what he had in garrisons [2 Chronicles 1719] So that as he was better he was stronger than his father Asa had been Piety hath prosperity

ELLICOTT (18) Ready prepared for the warmdashEquipped for service (See on 1

Chronicles 1223-24 umbers 315 umbers 3229) The hoplites or heavy-armed infantry are probably meant

PULPIT While Eliada of last verse was for Benjamin Professor Dr Murphy supposes that Jehozabad was for the annexed part of Ephraim But no suppositions of this kind can avail to explain the numbers in the text which is no doubt corrupt

19 These were the men who served the king besides those he stationed in the fortified cities throughout Judah

CLARKE These waited on the king - They were disposable forces always at the kingrsquos command and were independent of those by which the cities of Judah were garrisoned

There is not a sovereign in Europe or in the world but might read this chapter with advantage

1 It shows most forcibly that true religion is the basis of the state and that wherever it prospers there the state prospers

2 It shows also that it is the wisdom of kings to encourage religion with all their power and influence for if the hearts of the subjects be not bound and influenced by true religion vain is the application of laws fines imprisonments or corporal punishment of any kind

3 A religious nation is ever a great nation it is loved by its friends it is dreaded by its enemies

4 It is ever a peaceable and united nation the blessings of religion and a wholesome and paternal government are so fully felt and prized that all find it their interest to preserve and defend them Harmony peace piety and strength are the stability of such times May Britain know and value them

GILL These waited on the king Not this vast number of men at one time but in course as Davids military men waited on him 1Ch_271 or each of these captains with a proper number of men under them detached from the body and they were all ready to obey the kings orders whenever he should have occasion for them

besides those whom the king put into the fenced cities throughout Judah and all together the militia of the kingdom was very numerous and formidable

KampD 2Ch_1719

These were serving the king א6ה refers not to the above-mentioned men capable of

bearing arms for sheereet is not used of service in war but to the commanders whom he had placed in the fortified cities of all Judah ldquoin which probably bodies of the above-mentioned troops lay as garrisonsrdquo (Berth)

BESO 2 Chronicles 1719 These waited on the king mdash These above-mentioned were the trained bands or auxiliaries whose chief officers waited on the king to receive his commands and to raise and bring in all or part of their forces to the service of the king as need required A vast number for so small a compass of ground to furnish out and maintain But we may consider that God had promised to make the seed of Abraham like the sand of the sea for number that there had now been a long peace that many were come to them from the kingdom of Israel and that Jehoshaphat was under a special blessing of God They were doubtless dispersed all the country over every one residing on his own land only they were ready at call whenever there was occasion

TRAPP 2 Chronicles 1719 These waited on the king beside [those] whom the king put in the fenced cities throughout all Judah

Ver 19 These waited on the king] ie In their turns and by course

POOLE These above mentioned were the trained bands or auxiliaries whose chief officers waited upon the king to receive his commands and to raise and bring in all or part of their forces to the service of the king and kingdom as need required

ELLICOTT (19) These waited on the kingmdashRather these are they that ministered unto the king viz the five generals above named

Beside those whom the king put in the fenced citiesmdashie the commandants of the fortresses of the kingdom (2 Chronicles 1111 2 Chronicles 1123) These latter as well as the generals of the forces are called the kingrsquos ldquoministersrdquo (mĕshacircrĕthicircm)mdasha word which is not used of service in the field but implies their presence at court (ldquoin Jerusalemrdquo 2 Chronicles 1713 as the royal staff)

According to the above list the army of Jehoshaphat was organised in five grand divisions corresponding perhaps to five territorial divisions of the southern kingdom The totals are the largest assigned to the two tribes anywhere in the Old Testament viz Judah 780000 and Benjamin 380000 in all 1160000 At Davidrsquos census Judah had 500000 warriors (2 Samuel 249) and Israel 800000 Again in 2

Chronicles 148 Asarsquos army consists of 300000 men of Judah and 280000 Benjaminites clearly such an increase as our text indicates is unaccountable At the same time it is equally clear that the present numbers are not fortuitous results of clerical errors for they follow each other in the order of relative strength Judah 300000 280000 200000 Benjamin 200000 180000 and they are evidently not independent of the estimates of 2 Chronicles 148 above quoted

In the absence of adequate data for modifying these certainly startling figures it is well to bear in mind that we need not understand by them an army which ever actually mustered in the field or on parade but simply an estimate of the total male population liable to be called out for the national defence although even upon that understanding the total appears to be at least three times too great considering the small extent of the country

PULPIT These waited Hebrew המשרתים plur piel part of שרת The verse states that this enormous fivefold army with its five princes (counting in our corrupt text one million one hundred and sixty thousand) was the kings Jerusalem standing army while other separate regiments or bands of troops were spread through all Judah where they might be most needed for defence

teaching to their oversight and care and the teaching was done by the Levites and priests as stated in the next verse He did well to put down idolatry but he was wise enough to know that unless the people were instructed they would soon apostatize again

ELLICOTT THE COMMISSIOERS OF PUBLIC ISTRUCTIO I THE LAW

(7) He sent to his princes even to Ben-hail to MichaiahmdashRather He sent his princes Ben- hail and Obadiah and Michaiah (The le ldquotordquo in the chroniclerrsquos idiom marking the object of the verb) If however Authorised Version were correct the construction would not be unique as the Speakerrsquos Com mentary asserts (Comp 2 Kings 57 ldquothis man sendeth to me to recover a manrdquo ampc)

Princesmdashone of the personages mentioned in this and the following verse are otherwise known The ldquofive princesrdquo were laymen of rank and were accompanied by nine (eight) Levites and two priests

Ben-hailmdashSon of valour A compound proper name only occurring here but analogous to Ben-hur Ben-deker and Ben-hesed in 1 Kings 48-10 (The LXX renders ldquothe sons of the mightyrdquo Syriac ldquothe chiefs of the forcesrdquo apparently reading bnecirc chail)

ethaneelmdashSyriac Mattanael Arabic Mattaniah Michaiah Syriac and Arabic Malachiah

GUZIK B The strength of Jehoshaphatrsquos kingdom

1 (2 Chronicles 177-10) The spiritual strength of the kingdom Jehoshaphat brings the Word of God to the people

Also in the third year of his reign he sent his leaders Ben-Hail Obadiah Zechariah ethanel and Michaiah to teach in the cities of Judah And with them he sent Levites Shemaiah ethaniah Zebadiah Asahel Shemiramoth Jehonathan Adonijah Tobijah and Tobadonijah the Levites and with them Elishama and Jehoram the priests So they taught in Judah and had the Book of the Law of the LORD with them they went throughout all the cities of Judah and taught the people And the fear of the LORD fell on all the kingdoms of the lands that were around Judah so that they did not make war against Jehoshaphat

a To teach in the cities of Judah These ldquoteaching priestsrdquo have been mentioned by the Chronicler before (2 Chronicles 153) They had the important role of bringing the word of God to the people especially those who lived outside of Jerusalem

b They taught in Judah and had the Book of the Law of the LORD with them they went throughout all the cities of Judah and taught the people This was the wisest

and best policy a security-conscious king of Judah could promote Because Jehoshaphat sought God first God sent fear upon the neighboring kingdoms so that they did not make war against Jehoshaphat

i ldquoBy this little band of princes Levites and priests sixteen in all Jehoshaphat did more toward impressing the surrounding nations with a sense of his power than the largest and best-equipped standing army could have secured to himrdquo (Knapp)

ii ldquoThe method adopted was what in these modern times we might describe as the holding of Special Missions throughout the cities of Judah for the specific purpose of proclaiming and interpreting lsquothe book of the law of Jehovahrsquordquo (Morgan)

iii ldquoo better service can be rendered to the nation than that of proclaiming the Word of Jehovah to the people in cities towns villages and hamlets By such proclamation the heart of the people may be turned to Jehovah and so He be enabled to do for them all that is in His heartrdquo (Morgan)

iv ldquoThus the nation became thoroughly instructed in their duty to God to the king and to each other They became therefore as one man and against a people thus united on such principles no enemy could be successfulrdquo (Clarke)

v Clarke observed how a similar itinerant ministry in the days of John Wesley and his followers impacted Britain ldquoSuch an itinerant ministry established in these kingdoms for upwards of fourscore years teaching the pure unadulterated doctrines of the Gospel with the propriety and necessity of obedience to the laws has been the principle means in the hand of God of preserving the lands from those convulsions and revolutions that have ruined and nearly dissolved the European continentrdquo

vi ldquoIt is said (2 Chronicles 172) Jehoshaphat place forces in all the fenced cities yet it is not said thereupon that lsquothe fear of the Lord fell upon the neighbour nationsrsquo But when he had established a preaching ministry in all the cities then his enemies had a fear and made no warrdquo (Trapp)

PULPIT He sent Hebrew שלח The Hebrew text distinctly says he sent to his princes not he sent his princes The meaning ismdashhe sent orders to his princes to see to it that Judah was taught (2 Chronicles 179) the book of the Law of the Lord (Le 2 Chronicles 1011 Deuteronomy 49 Deuteronomy 1718) not indeed without their own personal aid in whatever way able to be given but systematically and with authority by the Levites and priests (Deuteronomy 3310) This deeper fathoming of the needs of the time and of what constituted its real safety was greatly to the spiritual credit of Jehoshaphat The references (2 Chronicles 153 2 Chronicles 352-4 2 Chronicles 3510-12) are full of point one of these princes or Levites and priests are elsewhere mentioned by name

8 With them were certain LevitesmdashShemaiah ethaniah Zebadiah Asahel Shemiramoth Jehonathan Adonijah Tobijah and Tob-Adonijahmdashand the priests Elishama and Jehoram

GILL 2 Chronicles 178And with them he sent Levites With the five princes he sent nine Levites

even Shemaiah and Nethaniah and Zebadiah and Asahel and Shemiramoth and Jehonathan and Adonijah and Tobijah and Tobadonijah Levites of whom we nowhere else read no doubt they were principal persons and fit for the work they were sent about

and with them Elishama and Jehoram priests whose lips were to keep knowledge and at whose mouth the law was to be sought Mal_27

ELLICOTT (8) And with them he sent LevitesmdashRather And with them were the Levites The construction being changed So LXX and the Syriac (Comp 1 Chronicles 1641-42 1 Chronicles 1518 for the same mode of enumeration which is characteristic of the style of the chronicler

ZebadiahmdashSome MSS and Syriac and Arabic read Zechariah

ShemiramothmdashSo LXX and Vulg (see 1 Chronicles 165 1 Chronicles 1518) The Heb text is probably incorrect Syriac and Arabic read instead atucircra

Tob-adonijahmdashThis curious name occurs only here and is perhaps a mere mistake arising out of the preceding Adonijah and Tobijah The Syriac and Arabic omit it

PriestsmdashThe priests

The commission was a mixed one of civil and ecclesiastical persons (comp 1 Chronicles 131-2 1 Chronicles 232 1 Chronicles 246)

And had the book of the law of the LordmdashAnd with them was the book of the law (teaching) of Jehovah For the construction compare 1 Chronicles 1642 The writer

evidently means the Pentateuch and if this notice was derived by him from a contemporary source eg the ldquowords of Jehu the son of Hananirdquo to which he refers as an authority for the reign (2 Chronicles 2034) it would constitute an important testimony to the existence if not of the five books at least of an ancient collection of laws at this early date (circ 850 BC )

And taught the peoplemdashTaught among the people

9 They taught throughout Judah taking with them the Book of the Law of the Lord they went around to all the towns of Judah and taught the people

BARES There is no reasonable doubt that this ldquobook of the lawrdquo was the Pentateuch - nearly if not quite in the shape in which we now have it Copies of the whole Law were no doubt scarce and therefore Jehoshaphatrsquos commission took care to carry a copy with them

CLARKE Had the book of the law of the Lord with them - This was their text book it was the book of God they taught it as such and as such the people received it Its laws were Godrsquos laws and the people felt their obligation and their consciences were bound Thus they were obedient to the laws of the land on the principle of religion In this they were encouraged and confirmed by the example of all both in Church and state The princes were not only pious but were teachers of piety the Levites showed them the worth and excellence of their ritual institutions and the priests showed them the moral use they were to make of the whole and thus the people became obedient to God as well as to the king and kept all the civil ordinances not merely for the sake of a good king but for the sake of a good and gracious God By these means the nation enjoyed peace and prosperity and all insurrections seditions and popular commotions were prevented The surrounding nations perceiving this saw that there was no hope of subduing such a people so they made no war with Jehoshaphat 2Ch_1710 And they took care not to provoke such a people to fall on them therefore it is said The fear of the Lord fell on all the kingdoms and lands that were round about Judah Such an itinerant ministry established in these kingdoms for upwards of fourscore years

teaching the pure unadulterated doctrines of the Gospel with the propriety and necessity of obedience to the laws has been the principal means in the hand of God of preserving these lands from those convulsions and revolutions that have ruined and nearly dissolved the European continent The itinerant ministry to which this refers is that which was established in these lands by the late truly reverend highly learned and cultivated deeply pious and loyal John Wesley AM formerly a fellow of Lincoln College Oxford whose followers are known by the name of Methodists a people who are an honor to their country and a blessing to the government under which they live

GILL And they taught in Judah The people their duty to God and man

and had the book of the law of the Lord with them as the rule of their instruction and the peoples obedience out of this they taught them and by it confirmed what they taught and enforced it with the divine authority

and went about throughout all the cities of Judah not only their own cities the Levitical ones but all others

and taught the people the law of the Lord the fear and worship of God

JAMISO the book of the lawmdash that is either the whole Pentateuch or only the book of Deuteronomy which contains an abridgment of it

BESO 2 Chronicles 179 And they taught in Judah ampc mdash The Levites and priests were teachers by office Deuteronomy 3310 It was a part of the work for which they had their maintenance and indeed had little else to do But it seems they had neglected it pretending probably that they could not get the people to hear them Jehoshaphat therefore sends them with the princes who by their authority might require the people to assemble together to receive instruction in the laws of God and their duty ldquoWhat a great deal of goodrdquo says Henry ldquomay be done when Moses and Aaron thus go hand in hand in the doing of it when princes with their power and priests and Levites with their Scripture-learning agree to teach the people the good knowledge of God and their duty These itinerant judges and itinerant preachers together were instrumental to diffuse a blessed light throughout the cities of Judahrdquo And had the book of the law of the Lord with them mdash 1st For their own guidance that from thence they might draw all the instructions they gave to the people and not teach for doctrines the commandments of men 2d For the conviction or the people that they might see these priests and Levites had a divine warrant for what they said and delivered to them only that which they had received from the Lord

TRAPP 2 Chronicles 179 And they taught in Judah and [had] the book of the law of the LORD with them and went about throughout all the cities of Judah and taught the people

Ver 9 And had the book of the law of the Lord with them] They taught not

traditions human inventions or unwritten verities All their doctrines came cum privilegio and were Scripture proof

WHEDO 9 The book of the law mdash Our Pentateuch in substantially its present form ldquoCopies of the whole law were no doubt scarce and therefore Jehoshaphatrsquos commission took care to carry a copy with themrdquo mdash Rawlinson

PARKER And they taught in Judah and had the book of the law of the Lord with them and went about throughout all the cities of Judah and taught the people ( 2 Chronicles 179)

This was a mixed commission partly civil partly ecclesiastical The men here mentioned are otherwise unknown We identify them as educational reformers or reformers who operated through the medium of education they were not warriors destroyers revolutionists but men who addressed the mind and the understanding and the conscience and caused men to know that the true law was from above and not from beneath The book which the commission had in hand was the Pentateuch or the law of Moses This was known to be the law which alone could touch all the vital necessities of the commonwealth Again and again we are constrained to admit that there is a law beyond Prayer of Manasseh above Prayer of Manasseh in a sense apart from man men are not driven within themselves to find a law an instinct or a reason they have a written statute an authoritative declaration a book which Christian teachers do not hesitate to describe as a Revelation and to that they call the attention of men If the teacher were teaching out of his own consciousness he would be but an equal often exposing himself to the destructive criticism of his more advanced and penetrating scholars but the teacher takes his stand upon a book upon the Book the Bible a revelation which he believes to be divine and final Say what we will the effect of Bible teaching must be judged by its fruits Where are the nations that are most distinguished for wide and varied intelligence for large and exhaustive sympathy for missionary enterprise for philanthropic institutions and for all the elements which give grace and beauty to social existence The question should admit of definite reply the facts are before men let them judge fearlessly and honestly and we need have no apprehension concerning their verdict Wherever the word of the Lord has had free course superstition has been chased away human slavery has been abolished every instance of intolerance injustice unkindness has felt the influence of holy thought in all these matters discussion should be limited strictly to facts Thus kings can help nations not by forcing education not by attempting to rule opinion not by setting up standards of orthodoxy to fall short of which is to incur penalty but by spreading education by extending light by cultivating a spirit of inquiry and by a generous multiplication of all the instrumentalities needed for the destruction of ignorance What may come of this we are not supposed at this moment to know Meanwhile let us be thankful that we are face to face with a man who has conviction courage independence high patriotic and generous impulse and let us hope that his end may be as beautiful as his beginning was promising

SIMEO THE ROYAL EDICT

ADVERTISEMETmdashThe author feels it necessary to prefix to this Sermon some short account of the occasion on which it was delivered

The author was at Amsterdam (in June 1818) partly with a view of re-establishing there an Episcopal Chapel in which there had been no service for seven years but principally with a view of seeking the welfare of the Children of Israel He went thither rather to explore than to act (See ehemiah 212-16) But just previous to the 18th of June he understood that the Third Anniversary of the Battle of Waterloo was to be kept throughout the etherlands as a day of thanksgiving and just at that time also he quite accidentally heard that the King of the etherlands had a year before issued an Edict requiring all the Jews to educate their children in the knowledge of their own Scriptures and calling upon all his Christian Subjects to aid in this good work Despondency not unlike to that which paralyzed all exertion at Jerusalem in ehemiahrsquos days so universally prevailed that no one had risen to the occasion the very Commissioners who had been appointed to carry the Edict into effect had published a Report in which they gave it as their opinion ldquothat the Lordrsquos time was not comerdquo and there was great danger that the gracious designs of the Monarch would be altogether frustrated The author therefore judged this a fit occasion for calling the attention of the Public to the Edict and accordingly after devoting the Morning Service to the more appropriate subject of the day he employed the Evening Service in an endeavour to forward this good work Considerable attention was excited to the subject by means of the Sermon which was therefore instantly printed in Dutch French and English for the purpose of its being circulated throughout the etherlands and he has reason to hope that active exertions were afterwards made in many places to promote what every benevolent mind must ardently desire the edification and welfare of the Jewish People

So good an example having been set by the Emperor of Russia and the King of the etherlands the author hopes that the attention of our own Governors also both in Church and State may be called to this long-neglected People and that now the British Public has been invited by authority (the Kingrsquos Letter) to aid in supporting Missions to the Heathen World the claims of the Jewish ation to whom under God we owe all the light that we ourselves enjoy will not be overlooked It is with a view to this great object that the author sends forth the Sermon in this country where if the foregoing explanation had not been given its relevancy and use might have been justly called in question

2 Chronicles 179 And they taught in Judah and had the book of the law of the Lord with them and went about throughout all the cities of Judah and taught the people

O a day set apart for thanksgiving to God for mercies received it is peculiarly proper to consider what we may render unto the Lord for all his benefits Certainly if any event ever deserved repeated annual commemoration it is that which has

freed the world from the most grievous tyranny that ever it endured Of the bitter cup which was put into the hands of every nation in Europe this nation [ote The etherlands] drank very deeply and the change which it has experienced in the restoration of their rightful Monarch and in the establishment of a free Constitution calls for their devoutest acknowledgments to Almighty God Doubtless we may with justice pay some tribute of honour to those who by their counsels and their arms effected the overthrow of the Usurper but it is God alone who giveth victory to kings and to whom the glory of this great victory must be primarily ascribed and he who accounts a day consecrated to this service superfluous shews that he is far from justly appreciating the blessings that have been conferred upon him The monarch himself has given to his people a very decided evidence that he feels the depth of his obligations to the God of his salvation and it will be your own loss if you do not cultivate a similar spirit and improve the occasion to the honour of your God

But it is not to thanksgiving only that your Monarch invites you he calls you by a special Edict to unite with him in seeking the welfare of your Jewish Brethren who in their struggle with the enemy signally approved their fidelity to their legitimate Sovereign Their welfare he in his turn studies to promote and he desires to combine the energies of all his subjects in efforts for their good Methinks he is like Jehoshaphat of old who well knowing that piety must be founded in knowledge and happiness in piety sent forth the Princes of his empire with a select number of Priests and Levites to instruct his people in the knowledge of Godrsquos blessed word

His edict on this occasion and the manner in which it was carried into effect will form the subject of my present discourse

I Then we notice the edict of King Jehoshaphatmdash

This was such as became a great and pious monarch and we shall find it not unprofitable or unsuitable to the present occasion to enter into a distinct consideration of it We observe then that it was a kind and benevolent edict a wise and politic edict a good and beneficial edict

Mark the benevolence displayed in it He sought the present and eternal welfare of his subjects He knew that as men are raised above the beasts by the exercise of reason so are they elevated in the scale of rational beings in proportion as their intellectual powers are cultivated and enlarged Man destitute of knowledge is a mere savage but when instructed in the various branches of science he becomes refined and civilized and capable of contributing to the general good In the very cultivation of knowledge there is much pleasure arising to the mind and in the application of that knowledge to useful purposes there is an exquisite delight We need only observe persons when employed in their several vocations how happy they are how contented how cheerful oftentimes unconsciously proclaiming their happiness like the birds of the air in festal songs or consciously and with devotion in songs of praise

But it was not mere intellectual improvement which Jehoshaphat sought to convey he wished his people to be instructed in the knowledge of that God whom they professed to fear and worship This alone could make them truly happy this alone could impart to them sound wisdom or solid consolation He therefore gave particular directions that they should be taught ldquoin the Book of the Law of the Lordrdquo and this throughout the whole land O happy people whose governor so employed the authority with which he was invested And happy that monarch who so improved his influence not for his own personal aggrandizement but for the best interests of the people committed to his charge In so doing he approved himself to be indeed what every governor should be the friend and father of his people

or was the policy of this measure at all inferior to its benevolence A people well instructed in moral and religious knowledge will view government as an ordinance of God and will learn to obey the constituted authorities not so much from fear of their wrath as for conscience sake towards God They will view their governors as Godrsquos vicegerents upon earth and will consider allegiance to them as an essential part of their duty to him Hence will spring up love in their hearts and a real delight in manifesting on all proper occasions their loyalty to their king they will form a bulwark around his person in case of necessity and even glory in laying down their lives for him as their greatest benefactor

The benefits arising from this edict were incalculable Such was the effect of it that the fear of Jehoshaphat and of Jehovah as his protector fell on all the nations that were round about him so that none however hostile in their hearts dared to make war against him [ote ver 10] Doubtless this resulted chiefly from an impression made upon their minds by God himself yet it was also produced by a dread of that energy which an united people were ready to put forth at any instant at the call of their beloved monarch At the same time that peace was thus secured prosperity reigned in every part of the empire and as the immediate fruit of it Jehoshaphat as well as the people ldquohad riches and honour in abundance [ote ver 5]rdquo In his own mind too he reaped the fruits of his own benevolence God smiled upon him and manifested himself to him and enabled him to walk with ldquohis heart lifted up in the ways of the Lord [ote ver 6]rdquo

Such was the edict of the pious Jehoshaphatmdashbenevolent politic beneficial And what I would ask is the Edict which has been issued by the highest authority in this kingdom Do we not see in it the same blessed characters as in that which we have been considering It was ldquoin the third year of his reign [ote ver 7]rdquo that Jehoshaphat sent forth teachers to enlighten and instruct his subjects The very instant he felt himself at liberty from the more urgent and pressing calls of duty (such as the fortifying of his land against foreign enemies and the correcting of some great internal abuses) he engaged in this good work of diffusing light and knowledge through all classes of the community In like manner the sovereign of this kingdom has scarcely had time to repair the ravages of war and to establish his empire too long weakened and impoverished by a cruel usurpation before he stands forth as the friend and father of his people and more especially of that portion of them who have in every age and place been most treated with neglect and

disdain to have them educated in scriptural knowledge and in the fear of God It is much to be lamented that the Jewish people have not in general been so attentive either to the learning or morals of their children as might be wished and hence arose a necessity for some authoritative admonition on the subject Yet if I may say it without offence this neglect has not been more reprehensible in them than has been the indifference with which the Christian world has regarded it The monarch (may God recompense it richly into his bosom) has risen up to remedy the supineness both of the one and the other and to call forth the united energies of all to correct and terminate this evil Yet whilst he thus consults the best interests of his subjects with what paternal tenderness has he guarded against wounding the feelings of any or exciting their religious prejudices The Scriptures of the Old Testament are alone to be used in the schools that shall be established even those Scriptures which Jews as well as Christians believe to have been given by inspiration of God and to contain truth without any mixture of error In this is marked the policy no less than the benevolence of the edict for it is not by constraint but by conciliation and kindness that good is to be done to any and more especially to those who have shewn themselves now for so many centuries proof against all the efforts of intimidation or force In this kingdom they form no small body and I may add no unimportant portion of the community It is well known how extensive is their influence in the affairs of commerce and how by their activity they contribute to enrich the state Hence it is now generally seen and felt that they are entitled to the same respect as any other subjects of the realm and whilst as in the present instance they see how deeply their monarch feels interested in their welfare they cannot but on their part be sensible of the privileges they enjoy under his paternal government and testify their gratitude to him by every possible expression of loyalty and affection

What the ultimate effect of these measures will be may be conjectured from the blessed results of the edict of Jehoshaphat all will feel themselves happy under the government of such a prince and he whilst he is respected abroad and beloved at home will have the happiness of seeing his labours crowned with prosperity throughout his dominions and with peace in his own soul

II The manner in which Jehoshaphatrsquos edict was carried into execution is now to be noticedmdash

The promptness with which his commands were executed deserves the highest praise All were ready to co-operate in this good work as soon as it was proposed ldquoPrinces and priests and Levites [ote ver 7 8]rdquo all addressed themselves to it instantly with one heart and one soul one accounted their dignity so high or their functions so sacred but they thought it an honour to be employed in such a service and found a delight in fulfilling the wishes of their revered monarch all entered into the work with zeal and prosecuted it with diligence and hence a rapid change was effected both in the temporal and spiritual condition of the whole nation And what may not be effected in this kingdom also if a similar zeal be exercised by ldquothe princes and priestsrdquo (the magistrates and clergy) of the land With them it must begin Those who move in a lower station can effect nothing if they be not aided and

countenanced by the higher orders whose rank in life or sacredness of character will give a tone to the general feeling and combine the energies of the whole kingdom If it be said that those for whom the benefit is designed do not feel a desire after it this only shews how much they need it and how earnestly we should all embark in a cause proposed by such high authority and recommended by the soundest dictates of wisdom and piety

That our obligations to unite in this labour of love may the more distinctly appear I would beg leave to suggest the following considerations

First Loyalty to the king demands our concurrence with him in this good work and a holy emulation amongst us to carry into effect his benevolent designs What can the greatest or best of men effect (what could Jehoshaphat himself have done) if there be none to act in subserviency to them and to follow their directions As the most potent monarch upon earth would in vain proclaim war if there were no soldiers found to enlist under his banners and to execute his commands so it will be in vain that the design of benefiting the Jewish people was ever conceived in the mind of the king or that his edict respecting them was ever issued if his subjects do not put forth their energies in obedience to his call In truth a backwardness to co-operate with him in this blessed work would seem like a reflection cast upon him as recommending a measure that was unworthy of attention I do not mean to insinuate that such an idea really exists in the minds of any for I am perfectly convinced it does not but certainly in appearance it is open to this construction and every subject of the empire is concerned to act in such a way as to cut off all occasion for a reflection like this I say loyalty alone even if we had no higher motive should be sufficient to call forth our exertions in this cause

But let me next observe that gratitude to the Jewish nation demands it at our hands How great how manifold are our obligations to them Behold Moses and the prophets what instruction have they given us in reference to the way of life and salvation Without the moral law as revealed by Moses we should never have known to what an extent we need a Saviour nor if the prophecies had not so fully designated the promised Messiah could we have ever so fully known that Jesus was the Christ Of whom did the Lord Jesus Christ himself come as pertaining to the flesh but from the loins of David and of the seed of Abraham Yet to him are we indebted for all that we either have or hope for in time or in eternity And who were the Apostles but Jews who for our sakes went forth preaching the word and counted not their lives dear to them so that they might but lead us to the knowledge of Christ and make us partakers of his salvation From them too we have received the lively oracles which are the one source of all spiritual knowledge and the one foundation of all our hopes Does all this call for no recompence at our hands Knowing as we do the vast importance of education should we not endeavour to impart it to those from whose ancestors we have received such innumerable such inestimable benefits Yet behold these are the people whom for many many centuries we have treated with more neglect and contempt than any other people upon the face of the earth the savages of the most distant climes have received more attention from us than they Surely it is high time that the Christian world awake to

a sense of their duty and begin to shew to the Jews somewhat of that love which their forefathers exercised towards us in our Gentile state We are debtors to them to a vast amount and it is high time that we begin to discharge our debt And how can we discharge it better than by enabling them to read and understand those very oracles which they have preserved with such fidelity and which testify so fully of their promised Messiah

Further A love to the rising generation should lead us to avail ourselves of the present opportunity to promote their welfaremdashIt is truly afflictive to see how low and degraded is the state of multitudes especially of the Jewish nation purely through the neglect with which they are treated in their early youth and still more grievous is it to reflect on their ignorance of those things which belong to their everlasting peace To counteract this we should endeavour to qualify the whole of their population for good and useful employments and through the medium of useful instruction to make them holy and to make them happy We need never be afraid that there will not be a sufficient number of poor to fill the lower stations do what we will there will never be wanting persons who through their own fault or misfortunes are necessitated to undertake the lowest offices of life And if they have been previously instructed in the Scriptures of Truth they will have a fund of consolation ever open to them in their deepest afflictions they will learn from the inspired volume in whatsoever state they are there-with to be content and in the prospect of the eternal world they will find joys with which a stranger intermeddleth not and which the world can neither give nor take away We feel the force of these considerations in reference to the poor of our own communion how is it that we feel it not in reference to our Jewish Brethren This is a partiality unworthy of us and we should rise as one man to wipe off this disgrace from our own character

This brings me to the last consideration which I propose to mention namely that a concern for the honour of our holy religion should operate to unite us all in executing the Royal EdictmdashWhat must a Jew think of our religion when he sees how little it has wrought for us in the production of love We may tell him of a Messiah who has loved us and laid down his life for us but what credit will he give us for our principles when he sees how little our practice corresponds with them May he not well say to us ldquoPhysician heal thyselfrdquo Shew by your conduct the superiority of your principles before you call on me to embrace them It is by love that we must win them it is by shewing kindness to them that we must efface from their hearts those prejudices which with too much reason they entertain against us We must exhibit in our own person the loveliness of Christianity before we can bring them to investigate the grounds of our faith or to imagine that they can improve their own condition by embracing it May I not then call upon you as Christians to unite in the good work that is now before you that you may thereby serve and glorify your Lord and Saviour As Christians you believe that there is no other way to the Father but by Christ [ote John 146] and no other name but his whereby any human being can be saved [ote Acts 412] Where is your piety where is your love to Christ where is even common humanity if you will not avail yourselves of the present opportunity to remove from before your Jewish Brethren

the stumbling-blocks which for so many ages have been laid in their way

Do any ask What shall we do I answer search out amongst the Jews some persons of probity and talent to commence schools among them and do you yourselves aid to the utmost of your power in the support of them provide them with all necessary books for instructing children in the first rudiments of knowledge provide them with Bibles also both in the Dutch and Hebrew languages that they may be thoroughly instructed in the knowledge of their own religion and learn to walk in the steps of their father Abraham and of all the holy prophets

Begin too without loss of time Adult Schools You will find many among the house of Israel who will be glad to avail themselves of your instructions Let those who are benevolent amongst you dedicate an hour in a day to the instructing of a few who may be desirous to learn and carefully avoid every thing which may give unnecessary offence Confine yourselves to the Old Testament which they venerate as well as you Let those who can teach only in the Dutch language give instruction in that and let those who either understand or have leisure to attain the Hebrew tongue draw their attention to that In particular let it be the united endeavour of all to qualify masters for this good work

And let it not be thought that this is the duty of men only The Royal Edict has particularly and with great wisdom recommended it to females who may be of infinite service in conveying instruction to their own sex This age is distinguished above all others for the activity of females in the service of God and in the performance of every good work Were I able to declare the proportion of good that is done in Britain by the female sex it would appear incredible I believe from my soul that it far exceeds one half in all the societies raised since the commencement of the present century in the Bible Society the Missionary Societies and the Society for Promoting the Knowledge of Christianity amongst the Jews yes let the ladies of this country exert themselves in a prudent modest and discreet way and the effects will soon appear the Royal Edict will not be a dead letter but will produce incalculable good to the whole nationmdashand the agents in this benevolent work will themselves receive quite as much benefit as they impart their benevolence being in proportion as it is exercised its own reward

10 The fear of the Lord fell on all the kingdoms of the lands surrounding Judah so that they did not go to war against Jehoshaphat

GILL And the fear of the Lord fell upon all the kingdoms of the lands that were round about Judah Upon the ten tribes and on foreign nations about them as Moabites Edomites Syrians Egyptians Arabs and Philistines this fear as it came from the Lord so might be raised and increased by observing that religion was revived in them for they might perceive by former observations made that the more religious these people were the more prosperous and formidable they were

so that they made no war against Jehoshaphat to interrupt him in the work of reformation he was so intent upon

HERY We have here a further account of Jehoshaphats great prosperity and the flourishing state of his kingdom

I He had good interest in the neighbouring princes and nations Though he was not perhaps so great a soldier as David (which might have made him their terror) nor so great a scholar as Solomon (which might have made him their oracle) yet the fear of the Lord fell so upon them (that is God so influenced and governed their spirits) that they had all a reverence for him 2Ch_1710 And 1 None of them made war against himGods good providence so ordered it that while the princes and priests were instructing and reforming the country none of his neighbours gave him any molestations to take him off from that good work Thus when Jacob and his sons were going to worship at Bethel the terror of God was upon the neighbouring cities that they did not pursue after them Gen_355 and see Exo_3424 2 Many of them brought presents to him (2Ch_1711) to secure his friendship Perhaps these were a tribute imposed upon them by Asa who made himself master of the cities of the Philistines and the tents of the Arabians 2Ch_1414 2Ch_1415 With the 7700 rams and the same number of he-goats which the Arabians brought there was probably a proportionable number of ewes and lambs she-goats and kids

KampD This attempt of Jehoshaphat brought him this blessing that the terror of Jahve fell upon all the surrounding kingdoms and not only did none of the neighbouring peoples venture to make war upon him but also various tribes did homage to him by presents Ramb has already so understood the connection of these verses (erat hoc praemium pietatis Josaphati quod vicini satisque potentes hostes non auderent adversus ipsum hiscere) while Berth fails to apprehend it saying that Jehoshaphat had time to care for the instruction of his people because at that time the neighbouring peoples did not venture to undertake war against Judah The words ldquoterror of Jahverdquo cf 2Ch_1413 2Ch_2029 and ldquoall the kingdoms of the landsrdquo cf 2Ch_128 1Ch_2930 are expressions peculiar to the author of the Chronicle which show that by these remarks he is preparing the way for a transition to a more detailed

portrayal of Jehoshaphats political power מן־(לש)ים is subject מן partitive some of the

Philistines brought him presents (for מנחה see on 2Ch_175) ldquoand silver a burdenrdquo ie

in great quantity מא does not signify tribute vectigal argento (Vulg) for the word has

not that signification but denotes burden that which can be carried as in מא לאן

2Ch_2025 - 2Ch_2116 2Ch_221 ערבים 2Ch_267 and more usually ערב-ים or ערביאים

are Arabian nomadic tribes (Bedacircwin) perhaps those whom Asa after his victory over the Cushite Zerah had brought under the kingdom of Judah 2Ch_1414 These paid

their tribute in small cattle rams and he-goats (ישים( Gen_3035 Gen_3215 Pro_

3031)

BESO 2 Chronicles 1710 The fear of the Lord fell upon all the kingdoms ampc mdash Justly concluding from his singular piety that God would eminently appear for him for even the heathen could not but observe that the kings of Judah were either prosperous or unhappy according as they served God or forsook him So that they made no war against Jehoshaphat mdash Godrsquos good providence so ordered it that while the princes and priests were instructing and endeavouring to reform the country none of his neighbours gave him any molestation to take him off from that good work

COFFMA All of this peace and prosperity were directly due to the respect which Jehoshaphat had shown to the Law of God and to his efforts to teach that word to all the people It is no problem that much of the material here is omitted in Kings because the primary focus there was political whereas in Chronicles the focus is upon the spiritual and religious significance of the same history

TRAPP 2 Chronicles 1710 And the fear of the LORD fell upon all the kingdoms of the lands that [were] round about Judah so that they made no war against Jehoshaphat

Ver 10 And the fear of the Lord fell upon all the kingdoms] It is said [2 Chronicles 172] Jehoshaphat placed forces in all the fenced cities yet it is not said thereupon that the fear of the Lord fell upon the neighbour nations But when he had established a preaching ministry in all the cities then his enemies had a fear and made no war

POOLE Justly concluding from this singular piety that God would eminently appear for him and against all those who had ill will to him which was their case For even the heathens could not but observe that the kings of Judah were either prosperous or unhappy accordingly as they served God or forsook him

ELLICOTT (10) The fear of the LordmdashA dread of Jehovah (pachad) aps 2029 (Comp Exodus 1516 1 Samuel 117 Isaiah 210 ) This phrase is not peculiar to the chronicler as Keil and Bertheau assert ldquoThe kingdoms of the landsrdquo is so (2 Chronicles 128 1 Chronicles 2930)

They made no warmdashThe reward of Jehosha-phatrsquos piety (1 Chronicles 229

Proverbs 167) ldquoWhen a manrsquos ways please the Lord he maketh even his enemies to be at peace with himrdquo (Comp also Genesis 355)

11 Some Philistines brought Jehoshaphat gifts and silver as tribute and the Arabs brought him flocks seven thousand seven hundred rams and seven thousand seven hundred goats

BARES Some of the Philistines brought Jehoshaphat presents - i e ldquosome of the Philistines were among his tributariesrdquo Compare 2Sa_82 1Ki_421

Tribute silver - Or ldquomuch silverrdquo - literally ldquosilver of burthenrdquo

The Arabians - The Arab tribes who bordered Judaea to the south and the southeast paid Jehoshaphat a fixed tribute in kind Compare 2Ki_34 note

CLARKE The Philistines brought - presents - They and the Arabians purchased peace with the king of Judah by paying an annual tribute The Philistines brought silver and no doubt different kinds of merchandise The Arabs whose riches consisted in cattle brought him flocks in great abundance principally rams and he-goats

GILL Also some of the Philistines brought Jehoshaphat presents and tribute silver Perhaps those of Gerar and the parts adjacent Asa took and spoiled and made tributary 2Ch_1414

and the Arabians brought him flocks seven thousand and seven hundred rams and seven thousand and seven hundred he goats with which their country abounded and these might be the Scenite Arabs who fearing lest Jehoshaphat should fall upon them and take away their flocks as his father had done 2Ch_1415 brought these presents to him

JAMISO Also some of the Philistines brought Jehoshaphat presents and tribute silvermdash either they had been his tributaries or they were desirous of securing his valuable friendship and now made a voluntary offer of tribute Perhaps

they were the Philistines who had submitted to the yoke of David (2Sa_81 Psa_608)

the Arabiansmdash the nomad tribes on the south of the Dead Sea who seeking the protection of Jehoshaphat after his conquest of Edom paid their tribute in the way most suitable to their pastoral habits - the present of so many head of cattle

BESO 2 Chronicles 1711 Some of the Philistines brought presents mdash They had been subject to Judah ever since Davidrsquos time but it seems had neglected this duty in the times of his predecessors but were now moved by their own fears to perform it And the Arabians brought him flocks mdash Either because he had upon some just occasion waged war against them and subdued them or because they voluntarily put themselves under his protection in recompense whereof they sent him these presents or only as a free acknowledgment of their respect for him

TRAPP 2 Chronicles 1711 Also [some] of the Philistines brought Jehoshaphat presents and tribute silver and the Arabians brought him flocks seven thousand and seven hundred rams and seven thousand and seven hundred he goats

Ver 11 Also some of the Philistines] These having been subdued by David had withheld their tribute for a time but now seeing Jehoshaphatrsquos growing greatness they bring it in with the better that no offence might be taken at their former neglect The word here used signifieth honorary gifts or oblations pacifications

ldquo Placatur donis Iupiter ipse datis rdquo

Think the same of the Arabians See 2 Chronicles 1414-15

POOLE Some of the Philistines who had been subjects to this kingdom ever since Davidrsquos time but it seems had neglected this duty in the times of his predecessors but now were moved by their own fears to perform it

The Arabians brought him flocks either because he had upon some just occasion waged war against them and subdued them though the particulars of it be not described in Scripture or because they voluntarily put themselves under his protection in recompence whereof they sent him those presents or only as a free acknowledgment of their respects to him

ELLICOTT (11) Broughtmdashie continually Such is the force of the participle

PresentsmdashAn offering ie tribute (minchah 2 Chronicles 175)

And tribute silvermdashRather and silver a load or burden ie a great quantity (massacircrsquo) 2 Chronicles 2025 As if ldquosilver as much as they could carryrdquomdasha natural hyperbole ot all the five states of the Philistines were subject to Jehoshaphat (Comp 2 Samuel 81)

The ArabiansmdashlsquoArbicircrsquoim here only equivalent to lsquoArbicircyicircm (2 Chronicles 267) and

lsquoArbim (2 Chronicles 2116) They are in each case grouped with the Philistines The nomad Bedacircwin conquered by Asa (2 Chronicles 1415) appear to be meant here or else some tribes which recognised the overlordship of Jehoshaphat after his reduction of Edom (2 Chronicles 2022 sqq)

Brought him flocksmdashComp Mesha of Moabrsquos tribute to Ahab (2 Kings 34)

GUZIK 2 (2 Chronicles 1711-19) The international strength of Jehoshaphatrsquos kingdom

Also some of the Philistines brought Jehoshaphat presents and silver as tribute and the Arabians brought him flocks seven thousand seven hundred rams and seven thousand seven hundred male goats So Jehoshaphat became increasingly powerful and he built fortresses and storage cities in Judah He had much property in the cities of Judah and the men of war mighty men of valor were in Jerusalem These are their numbers according to their fathersrsquo houses Of Judah the captains of thousands Adnah the captain and with him three hundred thousand mighty men of valor and next to him was Jehohanan the captain and with him two hundred and eighty thousand and next to him was Amasiah the son of Zichri who willingly offered himself to the LORD and with him two hundred thousand mighty men of valor Of Benjamin Eliada a mighty man of valor and with him two hundred thousand men armed with bow and shield and next to him was Jehozabad and with him one hundred and eighty thousand prepared for war These served the king besides those the king put in the fortified cities throughout all Judah

a Some of the Philistines brought Jehoshaphat presents and silver as tribute and the Arabians brought him flocks Jehoshaphatrsquos commitment to personal and public godliness meant that God exalted his kingdom above the neighboring nations even as God promised in Deuteronomy 281-13

b These served the king The true treasure of Jehoshaphatrsquos kingdom was not numbered only in security or material things but also in the dedicated and courageous men he had surrounding him these mighty men of valor

i Amasiah the son of Zichri who willingly offered himself to the LORD ldquoAmasiah is a man of whom we do not know anything beyond this ndash he lsquowillingly offered himself unto the Lordrsquo There must have been a turning-point in his career a time when first he knew the grace of God which wrought such a change in him There must have been a waking up to the feeling that God deserved his love and his liferdquo (Spurgeon)

ii Amasiah was a ready servant of the Lord this particularly notable because he did it in an otherwise secular calling

middot o one had to press him into service

middot o one had to seek him out for service

middot o one had to look after him once he had begun serving

middot o one had to lead him

iii ldquoThere is no lawful occupation in which a man cannot thoroughly serve the Lord It is a great privilege and blessing to be set apart to the work of winning souls but we must never separate that work from all the rest of the callings of life as though it alone were sacred and all the rest were secular and almost sinful Serve God where you arerdquo (Spurgeon)

PULPIT The presents were probably enough in the nature of tribute the fixed rate of which is sometimes alluded to (1 Kings 421 1 Kings 1025 2 Samuel 82) but it is doubtful whether the word משא purports to say this The word means bearing or carrying and then a burden load or weight The expression (2 Chronicles 2025) more than they could carry away where this word is used favours the idea that the meaning here is silver of great weight Probably the moral significance and historical interest whether of this statement respecting the Philistines or the following respecting the Arabians lies in the fact that both of them brought without more ado their payments and did not seek to slip out of their engagements with Judah and Judahs king ote for confirmation of this view 2 Kings 34 2 Kings 35

12 Jehoshaphat became more and more powerful he built forts and store cities in Judah

GILL And Jehoshaphat waxed great exceedingly In wealth and riches power and authority in his forces and fortifications

and he built in Judah castles and cities of stores castles for the defence of his kingdom and store cities to lay up corn and wine and all provisions in case of an invasion or against a time of war

HERY II He had a very considerable stores laid up in the cities of Judah He pulled down his barns and built larger (2Ch_1712) castles and cities of store for arms and victuals He was a man of business and aimed at the public good in all his

undertakings either to preserve the peace or prepare for war

JAMISO 2Ch_1712-19 His greatness captains and armies

KampD Description of Jehoshaphats power - 2Ch_1712 And Jehoshaphat became

ever greater sc in power The partic הולך expresses the continuous advance in

greatness cf Ew sect280 b as the infin absol does elsewhere eg Gen_83 למעלה as עד

in 2Ch_1612 - He built castles in Judah ירנ-ות only here and in 2Ch_274 from ירנית

derivative formed from ירה by the Syriac termination נית- fem of ן- castle fortress On

מסנות cf 2Ch_84 ערי

TRAPP 2 Chronicles 1712 And Jehoshaphat waxed great exceedingly and he built in Judah castles and cities of store

Ver 12 And Jehoshaphat waxed great exceedingly] Heb He was going and growing By humility and the fear of the Lord are riches and honour and life [Proverbs 224]

And he built in Judah castles] Bironeoth πυργους turres So did the Burgundians and thence had their names

And cities of store] Granaries in the Hebrew they have their name from their utility or usefulness

ELLICOTT (12) And Jehoshaphat waxed greatmdashLiterally And Jehoshaphat was going on and waxing great ie became greater and greater (Comp 1 Chronicles 119)

ExceedinglymdashlsquoAd lĕmagraversquolah This phrase occurs again in 2 Chronicles 1612 2 Chronicles 268 and nowhere else in the Old Testament (See on 1 Chronicles 142)

And he builtmdashLike his predecessorsmdashSolomon Rehoboam Asamdashhe displayed his wealth and power in great public works The records of the Assyrian and Babylonian sovereigns are largely taken up with similar accounts of temple and palace building

CastlesmdashBiranicircyocircth a derivative from birah (1 Chronicles 291 1 Chronicles 2919 comp Syriac here birocircthocirc) It only recurs at 2 Chronicles 274 It is an Aramaic term (Comp bicircranyacircthacirc which in the Targums means ldquopalacesrdquo)

Cities of storesmdashComp 2 Chronicles 84 2 Chronicles 164 Exodus 111

PULPIT Castles This rendering better than palaces (margin) wound bear improving to the rather stronger word fortresses Hebrew בירניות found only here and in 2 Chronicles 274 plur of בירנית connected with the Chaldee and later Hebrew בירה of Ezra 62 ehemiah 11 Esther 12 Daniel 82 Cities of store (see note under 2 Chronicles 84 see also 1 Kings 919 Exodus 111)

13 and had large supplies in the towns of Judah He also kept experienced fighting men in Jerusalem

CLARKE He hadmuch business in the cities - He kept the people constantly employed they had wages for their work and by their labors the empire was both enriched and strengthened

GILL And he had much business in the cities of Judah Partly in fortifying them and partly in reforming the inhabitants of them

and the men of war mighty men of valour were in Jerusalem or by or near unto it so the particle is rendered Jos_513 they encamped in places adjacent to it for such a number of men as follows even 1160000 could never be contained in Jerusalem but must be disposed of in the territories of it nor did they wait on the king together but in course see 2Ch_1719 by which it appears there is no need to suppose any mistake of the transcriber in any or all of the following sums as has been suggested (q)

HERY 13-19 III He had the militia in good order It was never in better since David modelled it Five lord-lieutenants (if I may so call them) are here named with the numbers of those under their command (the serviceable men that were fit for war in their respective districts) three in Judah and two in Benjamin It is said of one of these great commanders Amasiah that he willingly offered himself unto the Lord (2Ch_1716) not only to the king to serve him in this post but to the Lord to glorify him in it He was the most eminent among them for religion he accepted the place not for the

honour or power or profit of it but for conscience sake towards God that he might serve his country It was usual for great generals then to offer of their spoils to the Lord 1Ch_2626 But this good man offered himself first to the Lord and then his dedicated things The number of the soldiers under these five generals amounts to 1160000 men a vast number for so small a compass of ground as Judahs and Benjamins lot to furnish out and maintain Abijah could bring into the field but 400000 (2Ch_133) Asa not 600000 (2Ch_148) yet Jehoshaphat has at command almost 1200000 But it must be considered 1 That God had promised to make the seed of Abraham like the sand of the sea for number 2 There had now been a long peace 3 We may suppose that the city of Jerusalem was very much enlarged 4 Many had come over to them from the kingdom of Israel (2Ch_1519) which would increase the numbers of the people 5 Jehoshaphat was under a special blessing of God which made his affairs to prosper greatly The armies we may suppose were dispersed all the country over and each man resided for the most part on his own estate but they appeared often to be mustered and trained and were ready at call whenever there was occasion The commanders waited on the king (2Ch_1719) as officers of his court privy-counsellors and ministers of state

But lastly observe It was not this formidable army that struck a terror upon the neighbouring nations that restrained them from attempting any thing against Israel or obliged them to pay tribute but the fear of God which fell upon them when Jehoshaphat reformed his country and set up a preaching ministry in it 2Ch_1710 The ordinances of God are more the strength and safety of a kingdom than its military force - its men of God more than its men of war

KampD 2Ch_1713

וגווגווגווגו רהרהרהרה is rightly translated by Luther ldquound hatte viel Vorrathsrdquo (and ומלעכהומלעכהומלעכהומלעכה

had much store) מלעכהמלעכהמלעכהמלעכה denotes here as in Exo_227-10 property that which has been gained by work or business The signification much work opera magna (Vulg Cler etc) as also Bertheaus translation ldquothe works for equipping and provisioning the fortressesrdquo correspond neither to the context nor to the parallel (synonymous) second member of the verse The work and trouble necessary to equip the cities of Judah does not correspond to ldquothe valiant warriors in Jerusalemrdquo the only parallel is the goods and property which were in these cities the provision of victuals and war material there stored up

BESO 2 Chronicles 1713 He had much business in the cities of Judah mdash To repair and fortify them and furnish them with provisions and to purge out all the relics of idolatry and injustice which were more secretly and craftily managed in the cities than in the country and which were first and most prevalent in the cities and thence spread their infection into the country around them

TRAPP 2 Chronicles 1713 And he had much business in the cities of Judah and the men of war mighty men of valour [were] in Jerusalem

Ver 13 And he had much business] Eργα πολλα (a) Many works going forward at

once a negotious man he was His business say some lay in beautifying and fortifying those cities Augustus gloried at his death that whereas he had found Rome built with brick he had left it made of marble

And the men of war hellip were in Jerusalem] These were his Praetorian forces his Praesidiaries were up and down in the various cities

POOLE He had much business in the cities of Judah partly to repair and fortify them and furnish them with all necessary provisions and partly to purge out all the relies and seeds of idolatry and injustice which were more secretly and subtlely managed in the cities than in the country and which were first and most in the cities and thence spread their infection into the country about them See Jeremiah 228

ELLICOTT (13) BusinessmdashRather much goods or stores literally work (mĕlacirckacirch) and then produce The Hebrew word is so used in Exodus 227 Exodus 2210 (ldquoHis neighbourrsquos goodsrdquo) Stores of provisions and war material seem to be intended (Comp 2 Chronicles 1111)

And the man of war were in JerusalemmdashRather and (he had) men of war in Jerusalem

In Jerusalemmdashot the entire army corps whose numbers are given in 2 Chronicles 1714-18 but simply their chiefs

PULPIT Much business Hebrew מלאכה The meaning of the word is service labour bestowed and the verse reads And there was to him much labour in the cities of Judah and men of war mighty men of valour in Jerusalem ie He bestoweth much pains on the cities of Judah and had etc The word were Authorized Version italics is incorrectly inserted The former half of this verse would better constitute the end of 2 Chronicles 1712 Keil however maintains the rendering substance property for מלאכה (Exodus 227 Exodus 2210)

14 Their enrollment by families was as followsFrom Judah commanders of units of 1000Adnah the commander with 300000 fighting men

BARES The captains of thousands Adnah the chief - literally ldquoprinces of thousands Adnah the princerdquo The writer does not mean that Adnah (or Johohanan 2Ch_1715) was in any way superior to the other ldquoprincesrdquo but only that he was one of them

Three hundred thousand - This number and those which follow in 2Ch_1715-18 have been with good reason regarded as corrupt by most critics For

(1) They imply a minimum population of 1480 to the square mile which is more than three times greater than that of any country in the known world (circa 1880rsquos)

(2) they produce a total just double that of the next largest estimate of the military force of Judah the 580 000 of 2Ch_148

(3) they are professedly a statement not of the whole military force but of the force maintained at Jerusalem (2Ch_1713 compare 2Ch_1719)

It is probable that the original numbers have been lost and that the loss was suppplied by a scribe who took 2Ch_148 as his basis

CLARKE Adnah the chief - He was generalissimo of all this host These are the numbers of the five battalions under Adnah three hundred thousand Jehohanan two hundred and eighty thousand Amasiah two hundred thousand Eliada two hundred thousand Jehozabad one hundred and eighty thousand in all one million one hundred and sixty thousand

GILL And these are the numbers of them according to the house of their fathers Both of the tribe of Judah and of Benjamin and first

of Judah the captains of thousands some had 1000 men under them and some one hundred

Adnah the chief he was the principal commander or general of them

and with him mighty men of valour three hundred thousand such a number was under his command

JAMISO these are the numbersmdash The warriors were arranged in the army according to their fathers houses The army of Jehoshaphat commanded by five great generals and consisting of five unequal divisions comprised one million one hundred and sixty thousand men without including those who garrisoned the fortresses No monarch since the time of Solomon equaled Jehoshaphat in the extent of his revenue in the strength of his fortifications and in the number of his troops

KampD 2Ch_1714-16

The men fit for war passed in review according to their fathers-houses The male population of Judah fell into three divisions that of Benjamin into two The prince

Adnah held the first place among the generals with 300000 men of Judah ידו at his על

hand ie with and under him Jehohanan had the command of 280000 men and

Amasiah over 200000 השר is a contraction for אלפים For what special reason it is so שר

honourably recorded of Amasiah that he had willingly offered himself to the Lord (cf for

Jdg_59) has not been communicated התנב

COFFMA his represented a standing army of 1160000 men besides the garrisons in the fortified cities and this goes a long way to explaining why the Arabians and the Philistines brought tribute to Jehoshaphat In ancient times as in our own day peace frequently depended upon the strength of those who desired it

We should ignore the screams of exaggeration[3] which mark the writings of radical critics Pagan rulers of that era reported even larger armies than this and until the critics can prove that those were exaggerated reports they should let these alone Besides that we have already noted that the very word from which thousand is translated is disputed as to its exact meaning

COKE 2 Chronicles 1714 And these are the numbers of themmdash That is of the soldiers as well as of those who were employed in the kings works in the several cities ampc which he built See 2 Chronicles 1719

REFLECTIOSmdash1st Jehoshaphat no sooner comes to the throne than we see the dawnings of a glorious reign

1 He strengthened his kingdom by placing strong garrisons in the cities of Judah and those which his father had recovered from Israel and prepared against that danger which Ahabs growing power seemed to threaten

2 Religion was his great concern He copied after the best of his predecessors in their best days such as were the first of David before the matter of Uriah and the numbering of the people had blotted his fair copy Faithful to the worship of God he abhorred all idols the law of God was his rule of duty and Israels apostacy rendered his fidelity more singular and exemplary Inspired with holy zeal his heart with delight and sincerity was engaged for God and no difficulties deterred him from the path of duty The idols and groves which in the declining days of Asa might have been set up again he utterly destroyed with all the high places where they still offered sacrifices to these abominations ote (1) In the fairest human pattern there will be found imperfections but there is a Son of David more than man who has set us a spotless example that we should follow his steps (2) Fidelity in Gods service is the stability of a nation (3) A lively soul on wings of faith and love mounts up to God rises superior to every difficulty and looks down upon every thing besides his favour as altogether vanity

3 He not only removed the temptations to sin but took care to instruct the people in

the path of duty Ignorance of Gods law had greatly prevailed and to oblige them merely to conform to his reformation without grounding them on the true foundation of Gods word promised little stability The Levites and priests therefore are sent in progress through the cities of Judah with the book of the law to explain and enforce the commandments of God and several princes accompanied them in order to engage the people to hear them and give countenance to these preachers by their weight and influence ote (1) It is a blessed thing when princes countenance faithful ministers Though they cannot make men true converts their example and authority will induce them to attend (2) They who are sent to teach must see that they take the pure word of God along with them A true preacher wishes for nothing in his hand but his Bible (3) Religion is a reasonable service Conviction alone not compulsion or education can make a man a christian

4 The blessing of God attended his labours The Lord was with him or as the Targum generally expresses it the word of the Lord the divine Logos to whom all things are committed strengthened him in his labours and established his kingdom The people charmed with his government liberally sent their presents to him and abounding in riches and honour his heart far from being intoxicated by prosperity was lifted up in greater love and thankfulness to the gracious giver ote (1) God often here rewards piety with prosperity (2) Worldly comforts are then truly blessings when as the steps of Jacobs ladder they raise our hearts to heaven

2nd Like the light of the morning which shineth more and more so did Jehoshaphats glory increase

1 Feared by his enemies as beloved by his subjects the neighbouring princes did not offer to molest him while those of Philistia and Arabia courted his favour either by a voluntary present or exact payment of the tribute which Asa had imposed on them see 2 Chronicles 1711 God had put an awe upon them of the majesty of his king in Zion ote God hath access to the spirits of men and by secret yet irresistible influence can bow them to his sovereign will

2 His military preparations greatly advanced While he reformed the people he fortified their ramparts and built new castles and store-cities strengthening them within and without against their enemies Under five chief officers an immense army was enlisted Probably all the able men in the country were enrolled and regularly mustered though not drawn out except in case of necessity and this may easily account for the greatness of their number if we consider also the long peace they had enjoyed the accession of Israelites to them and especially the blessing of Abraham which no doubt was eminently fulfilled Amasiah one of the officers is mentioned with an honourable mark of distinction as a volunteer who served for the glory of God not for the sake of pay Such patriots are scarce

TRAPP 2 Chronicles 1714 And these [are] the numbers of them according to the house of their fathers Of Judah the captains of thousands Adnah the chief and

with him mighty men of valour three hundred thousand

Ver 14 Three hundred thousand] These were under his command and at hand to come whensoever the king would

WHEDO 14 Three hundred thousand mdash The numbers in this verse and the four verses following are generally regarded as corrupt ldquoThey implyrdquo observes the writer last quoted ldquoa minimum population of 1480 to the square mile which is more than three times greater than that of any country in the known world It is probable that the original numbers have been lost and the loss supplied by a scribe who took 2 Chronicles 148 as his basis

ELLICOTT Verse 14 (14) And these their fathersmdashAnd this is their muster (or census) according to their father-houses (clans) 1 Chronicles 243 The warriors were marshalled in the army according to clans so that men of the same stock fought side by side with their kindred Perhaps in the original document this heading was followed by a much more detailed scheme of names and divisions than that which the text presents

Of JudahmdashTo Judah (belonged) captains of thousands viz the three enumerated in 2 Chronicles 1714-16 Adnah Jehohanan and Amasiah They were the principal officers or generals of the entire forces of Judah

Adnah the chiefmdashTo wit the captain Adnah That Adnah was commander-in-chief is implied by his being named first and his corps being the largest

PULPIT This verse with the following four gives us the names of five captains chiefs princes or military officers for the kingdoms service with the numbers of the troops they severally commanded The numbers of them (see note under 1 Chronicles 2311) Hebrew פקדתם The better English rendering to carry at once the signification would be The muster of them etc The captains hellip the chief In both cases the Hebrew is the familiar word for prince ( שר ) in the former without article in the latter with article The numbers of this and following four verses are not only absolutely unreliable but in themselves impossible According to the house of their fathers ie the quotation is drawn from an army catalogue arranged carefully by fathers houses (umbers 118 umbers 122 etc)

15 next Jehohanan the commander with 280000

GILL And next to him was Jehohanan the captain Being of the same rank as to office but having a lesser number of men under him and it may respect not any kind of subordination only nearness of place as the Targumhe that encamped next to him

and with him two hundred and fourscore thousand which number was but 20000 less than the former

POOLE ext to him either

1 After his death as his successor in the same command And the like is supposed concerning Jehozabad 2 Chronicles 1718 Or rather

2 ext to him in place and authority or at least in power and the numbers of his host

16 next Amasiah son of Zikri who volunteered himself for the service of the Lord with 200000

GILL And next him was Amasiah the son of Zichri He encamped next to him as the Targum

who willingly offered himself unto the Lord to fight the Lords battles and without any stipend as some think or as Kimchi he offered gold and silver to the treasures of the house of the Lord

and with him two hundred thousand mighty men of valour the number was 80000 less than the former the whole of Judah amounted to 780000 men

TRAPP 2 Chronicles 1716 And next him [was] Amasiah the son of Zichri who willingly offered himself unto the LORD and with him two hundred thousand mighty men of valour

Ver 16 Who willingly offered himself unto the Lord] He was a votary the vows of God were upon him and this made him the more valiant and resolute (a) in the exercise of arms for the service of God and the safety of his people The Spahis among the Turks are a sort of horsemen voluntaries and votaries to gain paradise by dying for the Mohammedan cause These are never known to return home but

with victory these are heavy upon the enemy For

ldquo Vincitur haud gratis iugulo qui provocat ensem rdquo

POOLE As volunteers and auxiliaries to be ready upon occasion as the service of God and the king should require Possibly these or most of them were the strangers which had come out of Israel into the kingdom of Judah in Asarsquos days and probably since that in his time

ELLICOTT (16) AmasiahmdashIah carrieth (Isaiah 4011) different from Amaziah (Iah is strong)

Who willingly offered himself unto the Lordmdash(Judges 52 Judges 59) An allusion to some noble act of self-devotion which was doubtless more fully recorded in the source from which the chronicler has drawn this brief account Such allusions though no longer intelligible are important as conducing to the proof of the historical value of the narratives in which they occur LXX ὁ προθυmicroούmicroενος τῷ κυρίῳ Vulg consecratus Domino

PULPIT Amaziah the son of Zichri This man is not titled at all The description of him as one who had willingly offered himself unto the Lord not elucidated by the context or any effective parallel will mark something honorable in his history Possibly he comes from an unexpected quarter and is a man of approved skill othing further is known of these three men Meantime it has been suggested (Professor Dr J Murphy of Belfast Handbook to Chronicles ) that the first of the three was for Judah proper the second for that contingent of Judah that hailed from Dan and the Philistines and the third for that of Simeon and the Arabs

MACLARE This is a scrap from the catalogue of Jehoshaphatrsquos lsquomighty men of valourrsquo and is Amasiahrsquos sole record We see him for a moment and hear his eulogium and then oblivion swallows him up We do not know what it was that he did to earn it But what a fate to live to all generations by that one sentence

I Cheerful self-surrender the secret of all religion

The words of our text contain a metaphor naturally drawn from the sacrificial system It comes so easily to us that we scarcely recognise the metaphorical element but the clear recognition of it gives great additional energy to the words Amasiah was both sacrificer and sacrifice His offering was self-immolation As in all love so in that noblest kind of it which clasps God its perfect expression is lsquoI give Thee my living loving selfrsquo Nor is it only sacrifice and sacrificer that are seen in deepest truth in the experience of the Christian life but the reality of the Temple is also there for lsquoYe also are built up a spiritual house to be a holy priesthood to offer up spiritual sacrificesrsquo Only when God dwells in us shall we have the nerve and the firmness of hand to take the knife and lsquoslay before the Lordrsquo the awful Guest in the sanctuary within the most precious of the children of our spirits

The essence of the sacrifice of self is the sacrifice of will In the Christian experience

lsquowillingly offeredrsquo is almost tautology for unwilling offerings are a contradiction and in fact there are no such things The quality of unwillingness destroys the character of the offering and robs it of all sacredness Reluctant Christianity is not Christianity That noun and that adjective can never be buckled together

The submission of will and the consequent surrender of myself and my powers opportunities and possessions so that I do all enjoy all use all and when need is endure all with glad thankful reference to God is only possible to me in the measure in which my will is made flexible by love and such will-subduing love comes only when we lsquoknow and believe the love that God hath to usrsquo There is the point at which not a few moral and religious teachers go wrong and bewilder themselves and their disciples There too is the point at which Christ and the Gospel of salvation through faith in Him stand forth as emancipating humanity from the dreary round of efforts and vain attempts to work up the condition needful for achieving the height of self-surrender which is seen to be indispensable to all true nobleness of living but is felt to be beyond the reach of the ordinary man There too is the point at which many good people mar their lives as Christians They waste their strength in trying to bring the jibbing horse up to the leap They try to blow up a fire of devotion and to make themselves priests to offer themselves but all the while the mutinous self recoils from the leap and the fire burns smokily and their sacrifice is laid on the altar with little joy because they have not been careful and wise enough to begin at the beginning and to follow Godrsquos way of melting their wills by love the reflection of the Infinite love of God to them Godrsquos priests offer themselves because they offer their wills they offer their wills because they love God they love God because they know that God loves them That is the divine order It is vain to try to accomplish the end by any other

II This willing offering hallows all life

No syllable is left to tell us what Amasiah did to win this praise Probably the words enshrine some now forgotten memory of his cheerful courage some heroic feat on an unrecorded battlefield Particulars are not given nor needed Specific actions are unimportant the spirit of a life can be told with very incomplete details and it not the details is the important thing Sometimes as in many modern biographies one lsquocannot see the wood for the treesrsquo and misses the main drift and aim of a life in the chaos of a bewildering mass of nothings How much more happy the lot of this man of whom we have only the generalised expression of the text unweighted and undisturbed by petty incidents It takes tons of rose leaves to make a tiny phial of otto of roses but the fragrance is far more pungent in a drop of the distillation than in armfuls of leaves Every life shrinks into very small compass and the centuries do not tolerate long biographies Shall we not seek to order our life so that Amasiahrsquos epitaph may serve for us It will be blessed if this-and nothing else-is known about us that we lsquowillingly offered ourselves to the Lordrsquo My friend will that be a true epitome of your life

III This willing offering is accepted by God

We may hear a mightier voice behind the chroniclerrsquo s and the judgment of the Judge of all pronounced by His lips It matters little what men say of one another but it matters everything what God says of us We are but too apt to forget that He is now saying something as to each of us and that we have not to wait for death to put a final period to our activities before our lives become fit subjects for Godrsquos judgment Moment by moment we are writing our own sentences But while it is good for us to remember the continuous judgment of God on each deed it is not good to let dark thoughts of the principles of that judgment paralyse our activity or chill our confidence in His forgiving and accepting mercy There is often a dark suspicion like that of the one-talented

servant which blackens Godrsquos fair fame as being lsquoan austere Manrsquo making demands rather than imparting power and the effect of such an ugly conception of Him is to cut the nerve of service and bury the talent carefully folded up it may be but none the less earning nothing lsquoIf we call on Him as Father who without respect of persons judgeth according to every manrsquos workrsquo let us be sure that it will be a Fatherly judgment that He will pass upon us and our offerings There is a wonderful collection on His altar of what many people would think rubbish just as many a mother has laid away among her treasures some worthless article which her child had once given her-a weed plucked by the roadside in a long past summer day some trifle of rare preciousness in the childrsquos eyes and of none in any others than her own She opens her drawer and brings out the poor little thing and her eyes fill and her heart fills as she looks And does not God keep His childrenrsquos gifts as lovingly and set them in places of honour in the day when He lsquomakes up His jewelsrsquo There are cups of cold water and widowsrsquo mites and much else that a supercilious world would call lsquotrashrsquo stored there Thank God He accepts imperfect service faltering faith partial consecration a little love Even our poor offering may be an lsquoodour of a sweet smellrsquo ministering fragrance that is a delight to Him if it is offered with the much incense of the great Sacrifice and through the mediation of the great High Priest

The world forgot Amasiah or never knew him an obscure soldier in an obscure kingdom but God did not forget and here is his epitaph and this is his memorial to all generations Menrsquos chronicles have no room for all the names that their wearers are eager to have inscribed on their crumbling and crowded pages lsquobut the Lambrsquos Book of Lifersquo has ample space on its radiant pages for all who desire to set their names there and if ours are there we need not envy the proudest whose titles and deeds fill the most conspicuous pages in the worldrsquos records lsquoThen shall every man have praise of Christrsquo and he who wins that guerdon needs nothing more and can have nothing more to swell his blessedness

17 From BenjaminEliada a valiant soldier with 200000 men armed with bows and shields

GILL And of Benjamin Eliada a mighty man of valour Was the chief commander

and with armed men with bow and shield two hundred thousand which were

the armour of the tribe of Benjamin they were best skilled in 2Ch_148

TRAPP 2 Chronicles 1717 And of Benjamin Eliada a mighty man of valour and with him armed men with bow and shield two hundred thousand

Ver 17 With bow and shield] The Benjamites were notable bowmen [1 Chronicles 122] The Engish were anciently so too

ELLICOTT (17) Armed men with bow and shieldmdashLiterally drawing bow and shield ie as the Targum explains ldquodrawing bow and grasping shieldsrdquo (Comp 1 Chronicles 122) LXX ldquoArchers and peltastsrdquo Vulg ldquoGrasping bow and shieldrdquo (Comp also 1 Chronicles 840 for the arms of the Benjaminites)

18 next Jehozabad with 180000 men armed for battle

GILL And next to him was Jehozabad According to the Targum he encamped next him

and with him one hundred and fourscore thousand ready prepared for war being able bodied men well disciplined valiant and well armed these numbers of Judah and Benjamin put together amount to 1160000 men whereas Asa only brought into the field 580000 but it should be considered there had been a long time of peace many had come off from the ten tribes to Judah and the promise of multiplying the seed of Abraham was eminently fulfilled

TRAPP 2 Chronicles 1718 And next him [was] Jehozabad and with him an hundred and fourscore thousand ready prepared for the war

Ver 18 A hundred and fourscore thousand] His militia was eleven hundred and threescore thousand besides what he had in garrisons [2 Chronicles 1719] So that as he was better he was stronger than his father Asa had been Piety hath prosperity

ELLICOTT (18) Ready prepared for the warmdashEquipped for service (See on 1

Chronicles 1223-24 umbers 315 umbers 3229) The hoplites or heavy-armed infantry are probably meant

PULPIT While Eliada of last verse was for Benjamin Professor Dr Murphy supposes that Jehozabad was for the annexed part of Ephraim But no suppositions of this kind can avail to explain the numbers in the text which is no doubt corrupt

19 These were the men who served the king besides those he stationed in the fortified cities throughout Judah

CLARKE These waited on the king - They were disposable forces always at the kingrsquos command and were independent of those by which the cities of Judah were garrisoned

There is not a sovereign in Europe or in the world but might read this chapter with advantage

1 It shows most forcibly that true religion is the basis of the state and that wherever it prospers there the state prospers

2 It shows also that it is the wisdom of kings to encourage religion with all their power and influence for if the hearts of the subjects be not bound and influenced by true religion vain is the application of laws fines imprisonments or corporal punishment of any kind

3 A religious nation is ever a great nation it is loved by its friends it is dreaded by its enemies

4 It is ever a peaceable and united nation the blessings of religion and a wholesome and paternal government are so fully felt and prized that all find it their interest to preserve and defend them Harmony peace piety and strength are the stability of such times May Britain know and value them

GILL These waited on the king Not this vast number of men at one time but in course as Davids military men waited on him 1Ch_271 or each of these captains with a proper number of men under them detached from the body and they were all ready to obey the kings orders whenever he should have occasion for them

besides those whom the king put into the fenced cities throughout Judah and all together the militia of the kingdom was very numerous and formidable

KampD 2Ch_1719

These were serving the king א6ה refers not to the above-mentioned men capable of

bearing arms for sheereet is not used of service in war but to the commanders whom he had placed in the fortified cities of all Judah ldquoin which probably bodies of the above-mentioned troops lay as garrisonsrdquo (Berth)

BESO 2 Chronicles 1719 These waited on the king mdash These above-mentioned were the trained bands or auxiliaries whose chief officers waited on the king to receive his commands and to raise and bring in all or part of their forces to the service of the king as need required A vast number for so small a compass of ground to furnish out and maintain But we may consider that God had promised to make the seed of Abraham like the sand of the sea for number that there had now been a long peace that many were come to them from the kingdom of Israel and that Jehoshaphat was under a special blessing of God They were doubtless dispersed all the country over every one residing on his own land only they were ready at call whenever there was occasion

TRAPP 2 Chronicles 1719 These waited on the king beside [those] whom the king put in the fenced cities throughout all Judah

Ver 19 These waited on the king] ie In their turns and by course

POOLE These above mentioned were the trained bands or auxiliaries whose chief officers waited upon the king to receive his commands and to raise and bring in all or part of their forces to the service of the king and kingdom as need required

ELLICOTT (19) These waited on the kingmdashRather these are they that ministered unto the king viz the five generals above named

Beside those whom the king put in the fenced citiesmdashie the commandants of the fortresses of the kingdom (2 Chronicles 1111 2 Chronicles 1123) These latter as well as the generals of the forces are called the kingrsquos ldquoministersrdquo (mĕshacircrĕthicircm)mdasha word which is not used of service in the field but implies their presence at court (ldquoin Jerusalemrdquo 2 Chronicles 1713 as the royal staff)

According to the above list the army of Jehoshaphat was organised in five grand divisions corresponding perhaps to five territorial divisions of the southern kingdom The totals are the largest assigned to the two tribes anywhere in the Old Testament viz Judah 780000 and Benjamin 380000 in all 1160000 At Davidrsquos census Judah had 500000 warriors (2 Samuel 249) and Israel 800000 Again in 2

Chronicles 148 Asarsquos army consists of 300000 men of Judah and 280000 Benjaminites clearly such an increase as our text indicates is unaccountable At the same time it is equally clear that the present numbers are not fortuitous results of clerical errors for they follow each other in the order of relative strength Judah 300000 280000 200000 Benjamin 200000 180000 and they are evidently not independent of the estimates of 2 Chronicles 148 above quoted

In the absence of adequate data for modifying these certainly startling figures it is well to bear in mind that we need not understand by them an army which ever actually mustered in the field or on parade but simply an estimate of the total male population liable to be called out for the national defence although even upon that understanding the total appears to be at least three times too great considering the small extent of the country

PULPIT These waited Hebrew המשרתים plur piel part of שרת The verse states that this enormous fivefold army with its five princes (counting in our corrupt text one million one hundred and sixty thousand) was the kings Jerusalem standing army while other separate regiments or bands of troops were spread through all Judah where they might be most needed for defence

and best policy a security-conscious king of Judah could promote Because Jehoshaphat sought God first God sent fear upon the neighboring kingdoms so that they did not make war against Jehoshaphat

i ldquoBy this little band of princes Levites and priests sixteen in all Jehoshaphat did more toward impressing the surrounding nations with a sense of his power than the largest and best-equipped standing army could have secured to himrdquo (Knapp)

ii ldquoThe method adopted was what in these modern times we might describe as the holding of Special Missions throughout the cities of Judah for the specific purpose of proclaiming and interpreting lsquothe book of the law of Jehovahrsquordquo (Morgan)

iii ldquoo better service can be rendered to the nation than that of proclaiming the Word of Jehovah to the people in cities towns villages and hamlets By such proclamation the heart of the people may be turned to Jehovah and so He be enabled to do for them all that is in His heartrdquo (Morgan)

iv ldquoThus the nation became thoroughly instructed in their duty to God to the king and to each other They became therefore as one man and against a people thus united on such principles no enemy could be successfulrdquo (Clarke)

v Clarke observed how a similar itinerant ministry in the days of John Wesley and his followers impacted Britain ldquoSuch an itinerant ministry established in these kingdoms for upwards of fourscore years teaching the pure unadulterated doctrines of the Gospel with the propriety and necessity of obedience to the laws has been the principle means in the hand of God of preserving the lands from those convulsions and revolutions that have ruined and nearly dissolved the European continentrdquo

vi ldquoIt is said (2 Chronicles 172) Jehoshaphat place forces in all the fenced cities yet it is not said thereupon that lsquothe fear of the Lord fell upon the neighbour nationsrsquo But when he had established a preaching ministry in all the cities then his enemies had a fear and made no warrdquo (Trapp)

PULPIT He sent Hebrew שלח The Hebrew text distinctly says he sent to his princes not he sent his princes The meaning ismdashhe sent orders to his princes to see to it that Judah was taught (2 Chronicles 179) the book of the Law of the Lord (Le 2 Chronicles 1011 Deuteronomy 49 Deuteronomy 1718) not indeed without their own personal aid in whatever way able to be given but systematically and with authority by the Levites and priests (Deuteronomy 3310) This deeper fathoming of the needs of the time and of what constituted its real safety was greatly to the spiritual credit of Jehoshaphat The references (2 Chronicles 153 2 Chronicles 352-4 2 Chronicles 3510-12) are full of point one of these princes or Levites and priests are elsewhere mentioned by name

8 With them were certain LevitesmdashShemaiah ethaniah Zebadiah Asahel Shemiramoth Jehonathan Adonijah Tobijah and Tob-Adonijahmdashand the priests Elishama and Jehoram

GILL 2 Chronicles 178And with them he sent Levites With the five princes he sent nine Levites

even Shemaiah and Nethaniah and Zebadiah and Asahel and Shemiramoth and Jehonathan and Adonijah and Tobijah and Tobadonijah Levites of whom we nowhere else read no doubt they were principal persons and fit for the work they were sent about

and with them Elishama and Jehoram priests whose lips were to keep knowledge and at whose mouth the law was to be sought Mal_27

ELLICOTT (8) And with them he sent LevitesmdashRather And with them were the Levites The construction being changed So LXX and the Syriac (Comp 1 Chronicles 1641-42 1 Chronicles 1518 for the same mode of enumeration which is characteristic of the style of the chronicler

ZebadiahmdashSome MSS and Syriac and Arabic read Zechariah

ShemiramothmdashSo LXX and Vulg (see 1 Chronicles 165 1 Chronicles 1518) The Heb text is probably incorrect Syriac and Arabic read instead atucircra

Tob-adonijahmdashThis curious name occurs only here and is perhaps a mere mistake arising out of the preceding Adonijah and Tobijah The Syriac and Arabic omit it

PriestsmdashThe priests

The commission was a mixed one of civil and ecclesiastical persons (comp 1 Chronicles 131-2 1 Chronicles 232 1 Chronicles 246)

And had the book of the law of the LordmdashAnd with them was the book of the law (teaching) of Jehovah For the construction compare 1 Chronicles 1642 The writer

evidently means the Pentateuch and if this notice was derived by him from a contemporary source eg the ldquowords of Jehu the son of Hananirdquo to which he refers as an authority for the reign (2 Chronicles 2034) it would constitute an important testimony to the existence if not of the five books at least of an ancient collection of laws at this early date (circ 850 BC )

And taught the peoplemdashTaught among the people

9 They taught throughout Judah taking with them the Book of the Law of the Lord they went around to all the towns of Judah and taught the people

BARES There is no reasonable doubt that this ldquobook of the lawrdquo was the Pentateuch - nearly if not quite in the shape in which we now have it Copies of the whole Law were no doubt scarce and therefore Jehoshaphatrsquos commission took care to carry a copy with them

CLARKE Had the book of the law of the Lord with them - This was their text book it was the book of God they taught it as such and as such the people received it Its laws were Godrsquos laws and the people felt their obligation and their consciences were bound Thus they were obedient to the laws of the land on the principle of religion In this they were encouraged and confirmed by the example of all both in Church and state The princes were not only pious but were teachers of piety the Levites showed them the worth and excellence of their ritual institutions and the priests showed them the moral use they were to make of the whole and thus the people became obedient to God as well as to the king and kept all the civil ordinances not merely for the sake of a good king but for the sake of a good and gracious God By these means the nation enjoyed peace and prosperity and all insurrections seditions and popular commotions were prevented The surrounding nations perceiving this saw that there was no hope of subduing such a people so they made no war with Jehoshaphat 2Ch_1710 And they took care not to provoke such a people to fall on them therefore it is said The fear of the Lord fell on all the kingdoms and lands that were round about Judah Such an itinerant ministry established in these kingdoms for upwards of fourscore years

teaching the pure unadulterated doctrines of the Gospel with the propriety and necessity of obedience to the laws has been the principal means in the hand of God of preserving these lands from those convulsions and revolutions that have ruined and nearly dissolved the European continent The itinerant ministry to which this refers is that which was established in these lands by the late truly reverend highly learned and cultivated deeply pious and loyal John Wesley AM formerly a fellow of Lincoln College Oxford whose followers are known by the name of Methodists a people who are an honor to their country and a blessing to the government under which they live

GILL And they taught in Judah The people their duty to God and man

and had the book of the law of the Lord with them as the rule of their instruction and the peoples obedience out of this they taught them and by it confirmed what they taught and enforced it with the divine authority

and went about throughout all the cities of Judah not only their own cities the Levitical ones but all others

and taught the people the law of the Lord the fear and worship of God

JAMISO the book of the lawmdash that is either the whole Pentateuch or only the book of Deuteronomy which contains an abridgment of it

BESO 2 Chronicles 179 And they taught in Judah ampc mdash The Levites and priests were teachers by office Deuteronomy 3310 It was a part of the work for which they had their maintenance and indeed had little else to do But it seems they had neglected it pretending probably that they could not get the people to hear them Jehoshaphat therefore sends them with the princes who by their authority might require the people to assemble together to receive instruction in the laws of God and their duty ldquoWhat a great deal of goodrdquo says Henry ldquomay be done when Moses and Aaron thus go hand in hand in the doing of it when princes with their power and priests and Levites with their Scripture-learning agree to teach the people the good knowledge of God and their duty These itinerant judges and itinerant preachers together were instrumental to diffuse a blessed light throughout the cities of Judahrdquo And had the book of the law of the Lord with them mdash 1st For their own guidance that from thence they might draw all the instructions they gave to the people and not teach for doctrines the commandments of men 2d For the conviction or the people that they might see these priests and Levites had a divine warrant for what they said and delivered to them only that which they had received from the Lord

TRAPP 2 Chronicles 179 And they taught in Judah and [had] the book of the law of the LORD with them and went about throughout all the cities of Judah and taught the people

Ver 9 And had the book of the law of the Lord with them] They taught not

traditions human inventions or unwritten verities All their doctrines came cum privilegio and were Scripture proof

WHEDO 9 The book of the law mdash Our Pentateuch in substantially its present form ldquoCopies of the whole law were no doubt scarce and therefore Jehoshaphatrsquos commission took care to carry a copy with themrdquo mdash Rawlinson

PARKER And they taught in Judah and had the book of the law of the Lord with them and went about throughout all the cities of Judah and taught the people ( 2 Chronicles 179)

This was a mixed commission partly civil partly ecclesiastical The men here mentioned are otherwise unknown We identify them as educational reformers or reformers who operated through the medium of education they were not warriors destroyers revolutionists but men who addressed the mind and the understanding and the conscience and caused men to know that the true law was from above and not from beneath The book which the commission had in hand was the Pentateuch or the law of Moses This was known to be the law which alone could touch all the vital necessities of the commonwealth Again and again we are constrained to admit that there is a law beyond Prayer of Manasseh above Prayer of Manasseh in a sense apart from man men are not driven within themselves to find a law an instinct or a reason they have a written statute an authoritative declaration a book which Christian teachers do not hesitate to describe as a Revelation and to that they call the attention of men If the teacher were teaching out of his own consciousness he would be but an equal often exposing himself to the destructive criticism of his more advanced and penetrating scholars but the teacher takes his stand upon a book upon the Book the Bible a revelation which he believes to be divine and final Say what we will the effect of Bible teaching must be judged by its fruits Where are the nations that are most distinguished for wide and varied intelligence for large and exhaustive sympathy for missionary enterprise for philanthropic institutions and for all the elements which give grace and beauty to social existence The question should admit of definite reply the facts are before men let them judge fearlessly and honestly and we need have no apprehension concerning their verdict Wherever the word of the Lord has had free course superstition has been chased away human slavery has been abolished every instance of intolerance injustice unkindness has felt the influence of holy thought in all these matters discussion should be limited strictly to facts Thus kings can help nations not by forcing education not by attempting to rule opinion not by setting up standards of orthodoxy to fall short of which is to incur penalty but by spreading education by extending light by cultivating a spirit of inquiry and by a generous multiplication of all the instrumentalities needed for the destruction of ignorance What may come of this we are not supposed at this moment to know Meanwhile let us be thankful that we are face to face with a man who has conviction courage independence high patriotic and generous impulse and let us hope that his end may be as beautiful as his beginning was promising

SIMEO THE ROYAL EDICT

ADVERTISEMETmdashThe author feels it necessary to prefix to this Sermon some short account of the occasion on which it was delivered

The author was at Amsterdam (in June 1818) partly with a view of re-establishing there an Episcopal Chapel in which there had been no service for seven years but principally with a view of seeking the welfare of the Children of Israel He went thither rather to explore than to act (See ehemiah 212-16) But just previous to the 18th of June he understood that the Third Anniversary of the Battle of Waterloo was to be kept throughout the etherlands as a day of thanksgiving and just at that time also he quite accidentally heard that the King of the etherlands had a year before issued an Edict requiring all the Jews to educate their children in the knowledge of their own Scriptures and calling upon all his Christian Subjects to aid in this good work Despondency not unlike to that which paralyzed all exertion at Jerusalem in ehemiahrsquos days so universally prevailed that no one had risen to the occasion the very Commissioners who had been appointed to carry the Edict into effect had published a Report in which they gave it as their opinion ldquothat the Lordrsquos time was not comerdquo and there was great danger that the gracious designs of the Monarch would be altogether frustrated The author therefore judged this a fit occasion for calling the attention of the Public to the Edict and accordingly after devoting the Morning Service to the more appropriate subject of the day he employed the Evening Service in an endeavour to forward this good work Considerable attention was excited to the subject by means of the Sermon which was therefore instantly printed in Dutch French and English for the purpose of its being circulated throughout the etherlands and he has reason to hope that active exertions were afterwards made in many places to promote what every benevolent mind must ardently desire the edification and welfare of the Jewish People

So good an example having been set by the Emperor of Russia and the King of the etherlands the author hopes that the attention of our own Governors also both in Church and State may be called to this long-neglected People and that now the British Public has been invited by authority (the Kingrsquos Letter) to aid in supporting Missions to the Heathen World the claims of the Jewish ation to whom under God we owe all the light that we ourselves enjoy will not be overlooked It is with a view to this great object that the author sends forth the Sermon in this country where if the foregoing explanation had not been given its relevancy and use might have been justly called in question

2 Chronicles 179 And they taught in Judah and had the book of the law of the Lord with them and went about throughout all the cities of Judah and taught the people

O a day set apart for thanksgiving to God for mercies received it is peculiarly proper to consider what we may render unto the Lord for all his benefits Certainly if any event ever deserved repeated annual commemoration it is that which has

freed the world from the most grievous tyranny that ever it endured Of the bitter cup which was put into the hands of every nation in Europe this nation [ote The etherlands] drank very deeply and the change which it has experienced in the restoration of their rightful Monarch and in the establishment of a free Constitution calls for their devoutest acknowledgments to Almighty God Doubtless we may with justice pay some tribute of honour to those who by their counsels and their arms effected the overthrow of the Usurper but it is God alone who giveth victory to kings and to whom the glory of this great victory must be primarily ascribed and he who accounts a day consecrated to this service superfluous shews that he is far from justly appreciating the blessings that have been conferred upon him The monarch himself has given to his people a very decided evidence that he feels the depth of his obligations to the God of his salvation and it will be your own loss if you do not cultivate a similar spirit and improve the occasion to the honour of your God

But it is not to thanksgiving only that your Monarch invites you he calls you by a special Edict to unite with him in seeking the welfare of your Jewish Brethren who in their struggle with the enemy signally approved their fidelity to their legitimate Sovereign Their welfare he in his turn studies to promote and he desires to combine the energies of all his subjects in efforts for their good Methinks he is like Jehoshaphat of old who well knowing that piety must be founded in knowledge and happiness in piety sent forth the Princes of his empire with a select number of Priests and Levites to instruct his people in the knowledge of Godrsquos blessed word

His edict on this occasion and the manner in which it was carried into effect will form the subject of my present discourse

I Then we notice the edict of King Jehoshaphatmdash

This was such as became a great and pious monarch and we shall find it not unprofitable or unsuitable to the present occasion to enter into a distinct consideration of it We observe then that it was a kind and benevolent edict a wise and politic edict a good and beneficial edict

Mark the benevolence displayed in it He sought the present and eternal welfare of his subjects He knew that as men are raised above the beasts by the exercise of reason so are they elevated in the scale of rational beings in proportion as their intellectual powers are cultivated and enlarged Man destitute of knowledge is a mere savage but when instructed in the various branches of science he becomes refined and civilized and capable of contributing to the general good In the very cultivation of knowledge there is much pleasure arising to the mind and in the application of that knowledge to useful purposes there is an exquisite delight We need only observe persons when employed in their several vocations how happy they are how contented how cheerful oftentimes unconsciously proclaiming their happiness like the birds of the air in festal songs or consciously and with devotion in songs of praise

But it was not mere intellectual improvement which Jehoshaphat sought to convey he wished his people to be instructed in the knowledge of that God whom they professed to fear and worship This alone could make them truly happy this alone could impart to them sound wisdom or solid consolation He therefore gave particular directions that they should be taught ldquoin the Book of the Law of the Lordrdquo and this throughout the whole land O happy people whose governor so employed the authority with which he was invested And happy that monarch who so improved his influence not for his own personal aggrandizement but for the best interests of the people committed to his charge In so doing he approved himself to be indeed what every governor should be the friend and father of his people

or was the policy of this measure at all inferior to its benevolence A people well instructed in moral and religious knowledge will view government as an ordinance of God and will learn to obey the constituted authorities not so much from fear of their wrath as for conscience sake towards God They will view their governors as Godrsquos vicegerents upon earth and will consider allegiance to them as an essential part of their duty to him Hence will spring up love in their hearts and a real delight in manifesting on all proper occasions their loyalty to their king they will form a bulwark around his person in case of necessity and even glory in laying down their lives for him as their greatest benefactor

The benefits arising from this edict were incalculable Such was the effect of it that the fear of Jehoshaphat and of Jehovah as his protector fell on all the nations that were round about him so that none however hostile in their hearts dared to make war against him [ote ver 10] Doubtless this resulted chiefly from an impression made upon their minds by God himself yet it was also produced by a dread of that energy which an united people were ready to put forth at any instant at the call of their beloved monarch At the same time that peace was thus secured prosperity reigned in every part of the empire and as the immediate fruit of it Jehoshaphat as well as the people ldquohad riches and honour in abundance [ote ver 5]rdquo In his own mind too he reaped the fruits of his own benevolence God smiled upon him and manifested himself to him and enabled him to walk with ldquohis heart lifted up in the ways of the Lord [ote ver 6]rdquo

Such was the edict of the pious Jehoshaphatmdashbenevolent politic beneficial And what I would ask is the Edict which has been issued by the highest authority in this kingdom Do we not see in it the same blessed characters as in that which we have been considering It was ldquoin the third year of his reign [ote ver 7]rdquo that Jehoshaphat sent forth teachers to enlighten and instruct his subjects The very instant he felt himself at liberty from the more urgent and pressing calls of duty (such as the fortifying of his land against foreign enemies and the correcting of some great internal abuses) he engaged in this good work of diffusing light and knowledge through all classes of the community In like manner the sovereign of this kingdom has scarcely had time to repair the ravages of war and to establish his empire too long weakened and impoverished by a cruel usurpation before he stands forth as the friend and father of his people and more especially of that portion of them who have in every age and place been most treated with neglect and

disdain to have them educated in scriptural knowledge and in the fear of God It is much to be lamented that the Jewish people have not in general been so attentive either to the learning or morals of their children as might be wished and hence arose a necessity for some authoritative admonition on the subject Yet if I may say it without offence this neglect has not been more reprehensible in them than has been the indifference with which the Christian world has regarded it The monarch (may God recompense it richly into his bosom) has risen up to remedy the supineness both of the one and the other and to call forth the united energies of all to correct and terminate this evil Yet whilst he thus consults the best interests of his subjects with what paternal tenderness has he guarded against wounding the feelings of any or exciting their religious prejudices The Scriptures of the Old Testament are alone to be used in the schools that shall be established even those Scriptures which Jews as well as Christians believe to have been given by inspiration of God and to contain truth without any mixture of error In this is marked the policy no less than the benevolence of the edict for it is not by constraint but by conciliation and kindness that good is to be done to any and more especially to those who have shewn themselves now for so many centuries proof against all the efforts of intimidation or force In this kingdom they form no small body and I may add no unimportant portion of the community It is well known how extensive is their influence in the affairs of commerce and how by their activity they contribute to enrich the state Hence it is now generally seen and felt that they are entitled to the same respect as any other subjects of the realm and whilst as in the present instance they see how deeply their monarch feels interested in their welfare they cannot but on their part be sensible of the privileges they enjoy under his paternal government and testify their gratitude to him by every possible expression of loyalty and affection

What the ultimate effect of these measures will be may be conjectured from the blessed results of the edict of Jehoshaphat all will feel themselves happy under the government of such a prince and he whilst he is respected abroad and beloved at home will have the happiness of seeing his labours crowned with prosperity throughout his dominions and with peace in his own soul

II The manner in which Jehoshaphatrsquos edict was carried into execution is now to be noticedmdash

The promptness with which his commands were executed deserves the highest praise All were ready to co-operate in this good work as soon as it was proposed ldquoPrinces and priests and Levites [ote ver 7 8]rdquo all addressed themselves to it instantly with one heart and one soul one accounted their dignity so high or their functions so sacred but they thought it an honour to be employed in such a service and found a delight in fulfilling the wishes of their revered monarch all entered into the work with zeal and prosecuted it with diligence and hence a rapid change was effected both in the temporal and spiritual condition of the whole nation And what may not be effected in this kingdom also if a similar zeal be exercised by ldquothe princes and priestsrdquo (the magistrates and clergy) of the land With them it must begin Those who move in a lower station can effect nothing if they be not aided and

countenanced by the higher orders whose rank in life or sacredness of character will give a tone to the general feeling and combine the energies of the whole kingdom If it be said that those for whom the benefit is designed do not feel a desire after it this only shews how much they need it and how earnestly we should all embark in a cause proposed by such high authority and recommended by the soundest dictates of wisdom and piety

That our obligations to unite in this labour of love may the more distinctly appear I would beg leave to suggest the following considerations

First Loyalty to the king demands our concurrence with him in this good work and a holy emulation amongst us to carry into effect his benevolent designs What can the greatest or best of men effect (what could Jehoshaphat himself have done) if there be none to act in subserviency to them and to follow their directions As the most potent monarch upon earth would in vain proclaim war if there were no soldiers found to enlist under his banners and to execute his commands so it will be in vain that the design of benefiting the Jewish people was ever conceived in the mind of the king or that his edict respecting them was ever issued if his subjects do not put forth their energies in obedience to his call In truth a backwardness to co-operate with him in this blessed work would seem like a reflection cast upon him as recommending a measure that was unworthy of attention I do not mean to insinuate that such an idea really exists in the minds of any for I am perfectly convinced it does not but certainly in appearance it is open to this construction and every subject of the empire is concerned to act in such a way as to cut off all occasion for a reflection like this I say loyalty alone even if we had no higher motive should be sufficient to call forth our exertions in this cause

But let me next observe that gratitude to the Jewish nation demands it at our hands How great how manifold are our obligations to them Behold Moses and the prophets what instruction have they given us in reference to the way of life and salvation Without the moral law as revealed by Moses we should never have known to what an extent we need a Saviour nor if the prophecies had not so fully designated the promised Messiah could we have ever so fully known that Jesus was the Christ Of whom did the Lord Jesus Christ himself come as pertaining to the flesh but from the loins of David and of the seed of Abraham Yet to him are we indebted for all that we either have or hope for in time or in eternity And who were the Apostles but Jews who for our sakes went forth preaching the word and counted not their lives dear to them so that they might but lead us to the knowledge of Christ and make us partakers of his salvation From them too we have received the lively oracles which are the one source of all spiritual knowledge and the one foundation of all our hopes Does all this call for no recompence at our hands Knowing as we do the vast importance of education should we not endeavour to impart it to those from whose ancestors we have received such innumerable such inestimable benefits Yet behold these are the people whom for many many centuries we have treated with more neglect and contempt than any other people upon the face of the earth the savages of the most distant climes have received more attention from us than they Surely it is high time that the Christian world awake to

a sense of their duty and begin to shew to the Jews somewhat of that love which their forefathers exercised towards us in our Gentile state We are debtors to them to a vast amount and it is high time that we begin to discharge our debt And how can we discharge it better than by enabling them to read and understand those very oracles which they have preserved with such fidelity and which testify so fully of their promised Messiah

Further A love to the rising generation should lead us to avail ourselves of the present opportunity to promote their welfaremdashIt is truly afflictive to see how low and degraded is the state of multitudes especially of the Jewish nation purely through the neglect with which they are treated in their early youth and still more grievous is it to reflect on their ignorance of those things which belong to their everlasting peace To counteract this we should endeavour to qualify the whole of their population for good and useful employments and through the medium of useful instruction to make them holy and to make them happy We need never be afraid that there will not be a sufficient number of poor to fill the lower stations do what we will there will never be wanting persons who through their own fault or misfortunes are necessitated to undertake the lowest offices of life And if they have been previously instructed in the Scriptures of Truth they will have a fund of consolation ever open to them in their deepest afflictions they will learn from the inspired volume in whatsoever state they are there-with to be content and in the prospect of the eternal world they will find joys with which a stranger intermeddleth not and which the world can neither give nor take away We feel the force of these considerations in reference to the poor of our own communion how is it that we feel it not in reference to our Jewish Brethren This is a partiality unworthy of us and we should rise as one man to wipe off this disgrace from our own character

This brings me to the last consideration which I propose to mention namely that a concern for the honour of our holy religion should operate to unite us all in executing the Royal EdictmdashWhat must a Jew think of our religion when he sees how little it has wrought for us in the production of love We may tell him of a Messiah who has loved us and laid down his life for us but what credit will he give us for our principles when he sees how little our practice corresponds with them May he not well say to us ldquoPhysician heal thyselfrdquo Shew by your conduct the superiority of your principles before you call on me to embrace them It is by love that we must win them it is by shewing kindness to them that we must efface from their hearts those prejudices which with too much reason they entertain against us We must exhibit in our own person the loveliness of Christianity before we can bring them to investigate the grounds of our faith or to imagine that they can improve their own condition by embracing it May I not then call upon you as Christians to unite in the good work that is now before you that you may thereby serve and glorify your Lord and Saviour As Christians you believe that there is no other way to the Father but by Christ [ote John 146] and no other name but his whereby any human being can be saved [ote Acts 412] Where is your piety where is your love to Christ where is even common humanity if you will not avail yourselves of the present opportunity to remove from before your Jewish Brethren

the stumbling-blocks which for so many ages have been laid in their way

Do any ask What shall we do I answer search out amongst the Jews some persons of probity and talent to commence schools among them and do you yourselves aid to the utmost of your power in the support of them provide them with all necessary books for instructing children in the first rudiments of knowledge provide them with Bibles also both in the Dutch and Hebrew languages that they may be thoroughly instructed in the knowledge of their own religion and learn to walk in the steps of their father Abraham and of all the holy prophets

Begin too without loss of time Adult Schools You will find many among the house of Israel who will be glad to avail themselves of your instructions Let those who are benevolent amongst you dedicate an hour in a day to the instructing of a few who may be desirous to learn and carefully avoid every thing which may give unnecessary offence Confine yourselves to the Old Testament which they venerate as well as you Let those who can teach only in the Dutch language give instruction in that and let those who either understand or have leisure to attain the Hebrew tongue draw their attention to that In particular let it be the united endeavour of all to qualify masters for this good work

And let it not be thought that this is the duty of men only The Royal Edict has particularly and with great wisdom recommended it to females who may be of infinite service in conveying instruction to their own sex This age is distinguished above all others for the activity of females in the service of God and in the performance of every good work Were I able to declare the proportion of good that is done in Britain by the female sex it would appear incredible I believe from my soul that it far exceeds one half in all the societies raised since the commencement of the present century in the Bible Society the Missionary Societies and the Society for Promoting the Knowledge of Christianity amongst the Jews yes let the ladies of this country exert themselves in a prudent modest and discreet way and the effects will soon appear the Royal Edict will not be a dead letter but will produce incalculable good to the whole nationmdashand the agents in this benevolent work will themselves receive quite as much benefit as they impart their benevolence being in proportion as it is exercised its own reward

10 The fear of the Lord fell on all the kingdoms of the lands surrounding Judah so that they did not go to war against Jehoshaphat

GILL And the fear of the Lord fell upon all the kingdoms of the lands that were round about Judah Upon the ten tribes and on foreign nations about them as Moabites Edomites Syrians Egyptians Arabs and Philistines this fear as it came from the Lord so might be raised and increased by observing that religion was revived in them for they might perceive by former observations made that the more religious these people were the more prosperous and formidable they were

so that they made no war against Jehoshaphat to interrupt him in the work of reformation he was so intent upon

HERY We have here a further account of Jehoshaphats great prosperity and the flourishing state of his kingdom

I He had good interest in the neighbouring princes and nations Though he was not perhaps so great a soldier as David (which might have made him their terror) nor so great a scholar as Solomon (which might have made him their oracle) yet the fear of the Lord fell so upon them (that is God so influenced and governed their spirits) that they had all a reverence for him 2Ch_1710 And 1 None of them made war against himGods good providence so ordered it that while the princes and priests were instructing and reforming the country none of his neighbours gave him any molestations to take him off from that good work Thus when Jacob and his sons were going to worship at Bethel the terror of God was upon the neighbouring cities that they did not pursue after them Gen_355 and see Exo_3424 2 Many of them brought presents to him (2Ch_1711) to secure his friendship Perhaps these were a tribute imposed upon them by Asa who made himself master of the cities of the Philistines and the tents of the Arabians 2Ch_1414 2Ch_1415 With the 7700 rams and the same number of he-goats which the Arabians brought there was probably a proportionable number of ewes and lambs she-goats and kids

KampD This attempt of Jehoshaphat brought him this blessing that the terror of Jahve fell upon all the surrounding kingdoms and not only did none of the neighbouring peoples venture to make war upon him but also various tribes did homage to him by presents Ramb has already so understood the connection of these verses (erat hoc praemium pietatis Josaphati quod vicini satisque potentes hostes non auderent adversus ipsum hiscere) while Berth fails to apprehend it saying that Jehoshaphat had time to care for the instruction of his people because at that time the neighbouring peoples did not venture to undertake war against Judah The words ldquoterror of Jahverdquo cf 2Ch_1413 2Ch_2029 and ldquoall the kingdoms of the landsrdquo cf 2Ch_128 1Ch_2930 are expressions peculiar to the author of the Chronicle which show that by these remarks he is preparing the way for a transition to a more detailed

portrayal of Jehoshaphats political power מן־(לש)ים is subject מן partitive some of the

Philistines brought him presents (for מנחה see on 2Ch_175) ldquoand silver a burdenrdquo ie

in great quantity מא does not signify tribute vectigal argento (Vulg) for the word has

not that signification but denotes burden that which can be carried as in מא לאן

2Ch_2025 - 2Ch_2116 2Ch_221 ערבים 2Ch_267 and more usually ערב-ים or ערביאים

are Arabian nomadic tribes (Bedacircwin) perhaps those whom Asa after his victory over the Cushite Zerah had brought under the kingdom of Judah 2Ch_1414 These paid

their tribute in small cattle rams and he-goats (ישים( Gen_3035 Gen_3215 Pro_

3031)

BESO 2 Chronicles 1710 The fear of the Lord fell upon all the kingdoms ampc mdash Justly concluding from his singular piety that God would eminently appear for him for even the heathen could not but observe that the kings of Judah were either prosperous or unhappy according as they served God or forsook him So that they made no war against Jehoshaphat mdash Godrsquos good providence so ordered it that while the princes and priests were instructing and endeavouring to reform the country none of his neighbours gave him any molestation to take him off from that good work

COFFMA All of this peace and prosperity were directly due to the respect which Jehoshaphat had shown to the Law of God and to his efforts to teach that word to all the people It is no problem that much of the material here is omitted in Kings because the primary focus there was political whereas in Chronicles the focus is upon the spiritual and religious significance of the same history

TRAPP 2 Chronicles 1710 And the fear of the LORD fell upon all the kingdoms of the lands that [were] round about Judah so that they made no war against Jehoshaphat

Ver 10 And the fear of the Lord fell upon all the kingdoms] It is said [2 Chronicles 172] Jehoshaphat placed forces in all the fenced cities yet it is not said thereupon that the fear of the Lord fell upon the neighbour nations But when he had established a preaching ministry in all the cities then his enemies had a fear and made no war

POOLE Justly concluding from this singular piety that God would eminently appear for him and against all those who had ill will to him which was their case For even the heathens could not but observe that the kings of Judah were either prosperous or unhappy accordingly as they served God or forsook him

ELLICOTT (10) The fear of the LordmdashA dread of Jehovah (pachad) aps 2029 (Comp Exodus 1516 1 Samuel 117 Isaiah 210 ) This phrase is not peculiar to the chronicler as Keil and Bertheau assert ldquoThe kingdoms of the landsrdquo is so (2 Chronicles 128 1 Chronicles 2930)

They made no warmdashThe reward of Jehosha-phatrsquos piety (1 Chronicles 229

Proverbs 167) ldquoWhen a manrsquos ways please the Lord he maketh even his enemies to be at peace with himrdquo (Comp also Genesis 355)

11 Some Philistines brought Jehoshaphat gifts and silver as tribute and the Arabs brought him flocks seven thousand seven hundred rams and seven thousand seven hundred goats

BARES Some of the Philistines brought Jehoshaphat presents - i e ldquosome of the Philistines were among his tributariesrdquo Compare 2Sa_82 1Ki_421

Tribute silver - Or ldquomuch silverrdquo - literally ldquosilver of burthenrdquo

The Arabians - The Arab tribes who bordered Judaea to the south and the southeast paid Jehoshaphat a fixed tribute in kind Compare 2Ki_34 note

CLARKE The Philistines brought - presents - They and the Arabians purchased peace with the king of Judah by paying an annual tribute The Philistines brought silver and no doubt different kinds of merchandise The Arabs whose riches consisted in cattle brought him flocks in great abundance principally rams and he-goats

GILL Also some of the Philistines brought Jehoshaphat presents and tribute silver Perhaps those of Gerar and the parts adjacent Asa took and spoiled and made tributary 2Ch_1414

and the Arabians brought him flocks seven thousand and seven hundred rams and seven thousand and seven hundred he goats with which their country abounded and these might be the Scenite Arabs who fearing lest Jehoshaphat should fall upon them and take away their flocks as his father had done 2Ch_1415 brought these presents to him

JAMISO Also some of the Philistines brought Jehoshaphat presents and tribute silvermdash either they had been his tributaries or they were desirous of securing his valuable friendship and now made a voluntary offer of tribute Perhaps

they were the Philistines who had submitted to the yoke of David (2Sa_81 Psa_608)

the Arabiansmdash the nomad tribes on the south of the Dead Sea who seeking the protection of Jehoshaphat after his conquest of Edom paid their tribute in the way most suitable to their pastoral habits - the present of so many head of cattle

BESO 2 Chronicles 1711 Some of the Philistines brought presents mdash They had been subject to Judah ever since Davidrsquos time but it seems had neglected this duty in the times of his predecessors but were now moved by their own fears to perform it And the Arabians brought him flocks mdash Either because he had upon some just occasion waged war against them and subdued them or because they voluntarily put themselves under his protection in recompense whereof they sent him these presents or only as a free acknowledgment of their respect for him

TRAPP 2 Chronicles 1711 Also [some] of the Philistines brought Jehoshaphat presents and tribute silver and the Arabians brought him flocks seven thousand and seven hundred rams and seven thousand and seven hundred he goats

Ver 11 Also some of the Philistines] These having been subdued by David had withheld their tribute for a time but now seeing Jehoshaphatrsquos growing greatness they bring it in with the better that no offence might be taken at their former neglect The word here used signifieth honorary gifts or oblations pacifications

ldquo Placatur donis Iupiter ipse datis rdquo

Think the same of the Arabians See 2 Chronicles 1414-15

POOLE Some of the Philistines who had been subjects to this kingdom ever since Davidrsquos time but it seems had neglected this duty in the times of his predecessors but now were moved by their own fears to perform it

The Arabians brought him flocks either because he had upon some just occasion waged war against them and subdued them though the particulars of it be not described in Scripture or because they voluntarily put themselves under his protection in recompence whereof they sent him those presents or only as a free acknowledgment of their respects to him

ELLICOTT (11) Broughtmdashie continually Such is the force of the participle

PresentsmdashAn offering ie tribute (minchah 2 Chronicles 175)

And tribute silvermdashRather and silver a load or burden ie a great quantity (massacircrsquo) 2 Chronicles 2025 As if ldquosilver as much as they could carryrdquomdasha natural hyperbole ot all the five states of the Philistines were subject to Jehoshaphat (Comp 2 Samuel 81)

The ArabiansmdashlsquoArbicircrsquoim here only equivalent to lsquoArbicircyicircm (2 Chronicles 267) and

lsquoArbim (2 Chronicles 2116) They are in each case grouped with the Philistines The nomad Bedacircwin conquered by Asa (2 Chronicles 1415) appear to be meant here or else some tribes which recognised the overlordship of Jehoshaphat after his reduction of Edom (2 Chronicles 2022 sqq)

Brought him flocksmdashComp Mesha of Moabrsquos tribute to Ahab (2 Kings 34)

GUZIK 2 (2 Chronicles 1711-19) The international strength of Jehoshaphatrsquos kingdom

Also some of the Philistines brought Jehoshaphat presents and silver as tribute and the Arabians brought him flocks seven thousand seven hundred rams and seven thousand seven hundred male goats So Jehoshaphat became increasingly powerful and he built fortresses and storage cities in Judah He had much property in the cities of Judah and the men of war mighty men of valor were in Jerusalem These are their numbers according to their fathersrsquo houses Of Judah the captains of thousands Adnah the captain and with him three hundred thousand mighty men of valor and next to him was Jehohanan the captain and with him two hundred and eighty thousand and next to him was Amasiah the son of Zichri who willingly offered himself to the LORD and with him two hundred thousand mighty men of valor Of Benjamin Eliada a mighty man of valor and with him two hundred thousand men armed with bow and shield and next to him was Jehozabad and with him one hundred and eighty thousand prepared for war These served the king besides those the king put in the fortified cities throughout all Judah

a Some of the Philistines brought Jehoshaphat presents and silver as tribute and the Arabians brought him flocks Jehoshaphatrsquos commitment to personal and public godliness meant that God exalted his kingdom above the neighboring nations even as God promised in Deuteronomy 281-13

b These served the king The true treasure of Jehoshaphatrsquos kingdom was not numbered only in security or material things but also in the dedicated and courageous men he had surrounding him these mighty men of valor

i Amasiah the son of Zichri who willingly offered himself to the LORD ldquoAmasiah is a man of whom we do not know anything beyond this ndash he lsquowillingly offered himself unto the Lordrsquo There must have been a turning-point in his career a time when first he knew the grace of God which wrought such a change in him There must have been a waking up to the feeling that God deserved his love and his liferdquo (Spurgeon)

ii Amasiah was a ready servant of the Lord this particularly notable because he did it in an otherwise secular calling

middot o one had to press him into service

middot o one had to seek him out for service

middot o one had to look after him once he had begun serving

middot o one had to lead him

iii ldquoThere is no lawful occupation in which a man cannot thoroughly serve the Lord It is a great privilege and blessing to be set apart to the work of winning souls but we must never separate that work from all the rest of the callings of life as though it alone were sacred and all the rest were secular and almost sinful Serve God where you arerdquo (Spurgeon)

PULPIT The presents were probably enough in the nature of tribute the fixed rate of which is sometimes alluded to (1 Kings 421 1 Kings 1025 2 Samuel 82) but it is doubtful whether the word משא purports to say this The word means bearing or carrying and then a burden load or weight The expression (2 Chronicles 2025) more than they could carry away where this word is used favours the idea that the meaning here is silver of great weight Probably the moral significance and historical interest whether of this statement respecting the Philistines or the following respecting the Arabians lies in the fact that both of them brought without more ado their payments and did not seek to slip out of their engagements with Judah and Judahs king ote for confirmation of this view 2 Kings 34 2 Kings 35

12 Jehoshaphat became more and more powerful he built forts and store cities in Judah

GILL And Jehoshaphat waxed great exceedingly In wealth and riches power and authority in his forces and fortifications

and he built in Judah castles and cities of stores castles for the defence of his kingdom and store cities to lay up corn and wine and all provisions in case of an invasion or against a time of war

HERY II He had a very considerable stores laid up in the cities of Judah He pulled down his barns and built larger (2Ch_1712) castles and cities of store for arms and victuals He was a man of business and aimed at the public good in all his

undertakings either to preserve the peace or prepare for war

JAMISO 2Ch_1712-19 His greatness captains and armies

KampD Description of Jehoshaphats power - 2Ch_1712 And Jehoshaphat became

ever greater sc in power The partic הולך expresses the continuous advance in

greatness cf Ew sect280 b as the infin absol does elsewhere eg Gen_83 למעלה as עד

in 2Ch_1612 - He built castles in Judah ירנ-ות only here and in 2Ch_274 from ירנית

derivative formed from ירה by the Syriac termination נית- fem of ן- castle fortress On

מסנות cf 2Ch_84 ערי

TRAPP 2 Chronicles 1712 And Jehoshaphat waxed great exceedingly and he built in Judah castles and cities of store

Ver 12 And Jehoshaphat waxed great exceedingly] Heb He was going and growing By humility and the fear of the Lord are riches and honour and life [Proverbs 224]

And he built in Judah castles] Bironeoth πυργους turres So did the Burgundians and thence had their names

And cities of store] Granaries in the Hebrew they have their name from their utility or usefulness

ELLICOTT (12) And Jehoshaphat waxed greatmdashLiterally And Jehoshaphat was going on and waxing great ie became greater and greater (Comp 1 Chronicles 119)

ExceedinglymdashlsquoAd lĕmagraversquolah This phrase occurs again in 2 Chronicles 1612 2 Chronicles 268 and nowhere else in the Old Testament (See on 1 Chronicles 142)

And he builtmdashLike his predecessorsmdashSolomon Rehoboam Asamdashhe displayed his wealth and power in great public works The records of the Assyrian and Babylonian sovereigns are largely taken up with similar accounts of temple and palace building

CastlesmdashBiranicircyocircth a derivative from birah (1 Chronicles 291 1 Chronicles 2919 comp Syriac here birocircthocirc) It only recurs at 2 Chronicles 274 It is an Aramaic term (Comp bicircranyacircthacirc which in the Targums means ldquopalacesrdquo)

Cities of storesmdashComp 2 Chronicles 84 2 Chronicles 164 Exodus 111

PULPIT Castles This rendering better than palaces (margin) wound bear improving to the rather stronger word fortresses Hebrew בירניות found only here and in 2 Chronicles 274 plur of בירנית connected with the Chaldee and later Hebrew בירה of Ezra 62 ehemiah 11 Esther 12 Daniel 82 Cities of store (see note under 2 Chronicles 84 see also 1 Kings 919 Exodus 111)

13 and had large supplies in the towns of Judah He also kept experienced fighting men in Jerusalem

CLARKE He hadmuch business in the cities - He kept the people constantly employed they had wages for their work and by their labors the empire was both enriched and strengthened

GILL And he had much business in the cities of Judah Partly in fortifying them and partly in reforming the inhabitants of them

and the men of war mighty men of valour were in Jerusalem or by or near unto it so the particle is rendered Jos_513 they encamped in places adjacent to it for such a number of men as follows even 1160000 could never be contained in Jerusalem but must be disposed of in the territories of it nor did they wait on the king together but in course see 2Ch_1719 by which it appears there is no need to suppose any mistake of the transcriber in any or all of the following sums as has been suggested (q)

HERY 13-19 III He had the militia in good order It was never in better since David modelled it Five lord-lieutenants (if I may so call them) are here named with the numbers of those under their command (the serviceable men that were fit for war in their respective districts) three in Judah and two in Benjamin It is said of one of these great commanders Amasiah that he willingly offered himself unto the Lord (2Ch_1716) not only to the king to serve him in this post but to the Lord to glorify him in it He was the most eminent among them for religion he accepted the place not for the

honour or power or profit of it but for conscience sake towards God that he might serve his country It was usual for great generals then to offer of their spoils to the Lord 1Ch_2626 But this good man offered himself first to the Lord and then his dedicated things The number of the soldiers under these five generals amounts to 1160000 men a vast number for so small a compass of ground as Judahs and Benjamins lot to furnish out and maintain Abijah could bring into the field but 400000 (2Ch_133) Asa not 600000 (2Ch_148) yet Jehoshaphat has at command almost 1200000 But it must be considered 1 That God had promised to make the seed of Abraham like the sand of the sea for number 2 There had now been a long peace 3 We may suppose that the city of Jerusalem was very much enlarged 4 Many had come over to them from the kingdom of Israel (2Ch_1519) which would increase the numbers of the people 5 Jehoshaphat was under a special blessing of God which made his affairs to prosper greatly The armies we may suppose were dispersed all the country over and each man resided for the most part on his own estate but they appeared often to be mustered and trained and were ready at call whenever there was occasion The commanders waited on the king (2Ch_1719) as officers of his court privy-counsellors and ministers of state

But lastly observe It was not this formidable army that struck a terror upon the neighbouring nations that restrained them from attempting any thing against Israel or obliged them to pay tribute but the fear of God which fell upon them when Jehoshaphat reformed his country and set up a preaching ministry in it 2Ch_1710 The ordinances of God are more the strength and safety of a kingdom than its military force - its men of God more than its men of war

KampD 2Ch_1713

וגווגווגווגו רהרהרהרה is rightly translated by Luther ldquound hatte viel Vorrathsrdquo (and ומלעכהומלעכהומלעכהומלעכה

had much store) מלעכהמלעכהמלעכהמלעכה denotes here as in Exo_227-10 property that which has been gained by work or business The signification much work opera magna (Vulg Cler etc) as also Bertheaus translation ldquothe works for equipping and provisioning the fortressesrdquo correspond neither to the context nor to the parallel (synonymous) second member of the verse The work and trouble necessary to equip the cities of Judah does not correspond to ldquothe valiant warriors in Jerusalemrdquo the only parallel is the goods and property which were in these cities the provision of victuals and war material there stored up

BESO 2 Chronicles 1713 He had much business in the cities of Judah mdash To repair and fortify them and furnish them with provisions and to purge out all the relics of idolatry and injustice which were more secretly and craftily managed in the cities than in the country and which were first and most prevalent in the cities and thence spread their infection into the country around them

TRAPP 2 Chronicles 1713 And he had much business in the cities of Judah and the men of war mighty men of valour [were] in Jerusalem

Ver 13 And he had much business] Eργα πολλα (a) Many works going forward at

once a negotious man he was His business say some lay in beautifying and fortifying those cities Augustus gloried at his death that whereas he had found Rome built with brick he had left it made of marble

And the men of war hellip were in Jerusalem] These were his Praetorian forces his Praesidiaries were up and down in the various cities

POOLE He had much business in the cities of Judah partly to repair and fortify them and furnish them with all necessary provisions and partly to purge out all the relies and seeds of idolatry and injustice which were more secretly and subtlely managed in the cities than in the country and which were first and most in the cities and thence spread their infection into the country about them See Jeremiah 228

ELLICOTT (13) BusinessmdashRather much goods or stores literally work (mĕlacirckacirch) and then produce The Hebrew word is so used in Exodus 227 Exodus 2210 (ldquoHis neighbourrsquos goodsrdquo) Stores of provisions and war material seem to be intended (Comp 2 Chronicles 1111)

And the man of war were in JerusalemmdashRather and (he had) men of war in Jerusalem

In Jerusalemmdashot the entire army corps whose numbers are given in 2 Chronicles 1714-18 but simply their chiefs

PULPIT Much business Hebrew מלאכה The meaning of the word is service labour bestowed and the verse reads And there was to him much labour in the cities of Judah and men of war mighty men of valour in Jerusalem ie He bestoweth much pains on the cities of Judah and had etc The word were Authorized Version italics is incorrectly inserted The former half of this verse would better constitute the end of 2 Chronicles 1712 Keil however maintains the rendering substance property for מלאכה (Exodus 227 Exodus 2210)

14 Their enrollment by families was as followsFrom Judah commanders of units of 1000Adnah the commander with 300000 fighting men

BARES The captains of thousands Adnah the chief - literally ldquoprinces of thousands Adnah the princerdquo The writer does not mean that Adnah (or Johohanan 2Ch_1715) was in any way superior to the other ldquoprincesrdquo but only that he was one of them

Three hundred thousand - This number and those which follow in 2Ch_1715-18 have been with good reason regarded as corrupt by most critics For

(1) They imply a minimum population of 1480 to the square mile which is more than three times greater than that of any country in the known world (circa 1880rsquos)

(2) they produce a total just double that of the next largest estimate of the military force of Judah the 580 000 of 2Ch_148

(3) they are professedly a statement not of the whole military force but of the force maintained at Jerusalem (2Ch_1713 compare 2Ch_1719)

It is probable that the original numbers have been lost and that the loss was suppplied by a scribe who took 2Ch_148 as his basis

CLARKE Adnah the chief - He was generalissimo of all this host These are the numbers of the five battalions under Adnah three hundred thousand Jehohanan two hundred and eighty thousand Amasiah two hundred thousand Eliada two hundred thousand Jehozabad one hundred and eighty thousand in all one million one hundred and sixty thousand

GILL And these are the numbers of them according to the house of their fathers Both of the tribe of Judah and of Benjamin and first

of Judah the captains of thousands some had 1000 men under them and some one hundred

Adnah the chief he was the principal commander or general of them

and with him mighty men of valour three hundred thousand such a number was under his command

JAMISO these are the numbersmdash The warriors were arranged in the army according to their fathers houses The army of Jehoshaphat commanded by five great generals and consisting of five unequal divisions comprised one million one hundred and sixty thousand men without including those who garrisoned the fortresses No monarch since the time of Solomon equaled Jehoshaphat in the extent of his revenue in the strength of his fortifications and in the number of his troops

KampD 2Ch_1714-16

The men fit for war passed in review according to their fathers-houses The male population of Judah fell into three divisions that of Benjamin into two The prince

Adnah held the first place among the generals with 300000 men of Judah ידו at his על

hand ie with and under him Jehohanan had the command of 280000 men and

Amasiah over 200000 השר is a contraction for אלפים For what special reason it is so שר

honourably recorded of Amasiah that he had willingly offered himself to the Lord (cf for

Jdg_59) has not been communicated התנב

COFFMA his represented a standing army of 1160000 men besides the garrisons in the fortified cities and this goes a long way to explaining why the Arabians and the Philistines brought tribute to Jehoshaphat In ancient times as in our own day peace frequently depended upon the strength of those who desired it

We should ignore the screams of exaggeration[3] which mark the writings of radical critics Pagan rulers of that era reported even larger armies than this and until the critics can prove that those were exaggerated reports they should let these alone Besides that we have already noted that the very word from which thousand is translated is disputed as to its exact meaning

COKE 2 Chronicles 1714 And these are the numbers of themmdash That is of the soldiers as well as of those who were employed in the kings works in the several cities ampc which he built See 2 Chronicles 1719

REFLECTIOSmdash1st Jehoshaphat no sooner comes to the throne than we see the dawnings of a glorious reign

1 He strengthened his kingdom by placing strong garrisons in the cities of Judah and those which his father had recovered from Israel and prepared against that danger which Ahabs growing power seemed to threaten

2 Religion was his great concern He copied after the best of his predecessors in their best days such as were the first of David before the matter of Uriah and the numbering of the people had blotted his fair copy Faithful to the worship of God he abhorred all idols the law of God was his rule of duty and Israels apostacy rendered his fidelity more singular and exemplary Inspired with holy zeal his heart with delight and sincerity was engaged for God and no difficulties deterred him from the path of duty The idols and groves which in the declining days of Asa might have been set up again he utterly destroyed with all the high places where they still offered sacrifices to these abominations ote (1) In the fairest human pattern there will be found imperfections but there is a Son of David more than man who has set us a spotless example that we should follow his steps (2) Fidelity in Gods service is the stability of a nation (3) A lively soul on wings of faith and love mounts up to God rises superior to every difficulty and looks down upon every thing besides his favour as altogether vanity

3 He not only removed the temptations to sin but took care to instruct the people in

the path of duty Ignorance of Gods law had greatly prevailed and to oblige them merely to conform to his reformation without grounding them on the true foundation of Gods word promised little stability The Levites and priests therefore are sent in progress through the cities of Judah with the book of the law to explain and enforce the commandments of God and several princes accompanied them in order to engage the people to hear them and give countenance to these preachers by their weight and influence ote (1) It is a blessed thing when princes countenance faithful ministers Though they cannot make men true converts their example and authority will induce them to attend (2) They who are sent to teach must see that they take the pure word of God along with them A true preacher wishes for nothing in his hand but his Bible (3) Religion is a reasonable service Conviction alone not compulsion or education can make a man a christian

4 The blessing of God attended his labours The Lord was with him or as the Targum generally expresses it the word of the Lord the divine Logos to whom all things are committed strengthened him in his labours and established his kingdom The people charmed with his government liberally sent their presents to him and abounding in riches and honour his heart far from being intoxicated by prosperity was lifted up in greater love and thankfulness to the gracious giver ote (1) God often here rewards piety with prosperity (2) Worldly comforts are then truly blessings when as the steps of Jacobs ladder they raise our hearts to heaven

2nd Like the light of the morning which shineth more and more so did Jehoshaphats glory increase

1 Feared by his enemies as beloved by his subjects the neighbouring princes did not offer to molest him while those of Philistia and Arabia courted his favour either by a voluntary present or exact payment of the tribute which Asa had imposed on them see 2 Chronicles 1711 God had put an awe upon them of the majesty of his king in Zion ote God hath access to the spirits of men and by secret yet irresistible influence can bow them to his sovereign will

2 His military preparations greatly advanced While he reformed the people he fortified their ramparts and built new castles and store-cities strengthening them within and without against their enemies Under five chief officers an immense army was enlisted Probably all the able men in the country were enrolled and regularly mustered though not drawn out except in case of necessity and this may easily account for the greatness of their number if we consider also the long peace they had enjoyed the accession of Israelites to them and especially the blessing of Abraham which no doubt was eminently fulfilled Amasiah one of the officers is mentioned with an honourable mark of distinction as a volunteer who served for the glory of God not for the sake of pay Such patriots are scarce

TRAPP 2 Chronicles 1714 And these [are] the numbers of them according to the house of their fathers Of Judah the captains of thousands Adnah the chief and

with him mighty men of valour three hundred thousand

Ver 14 Three hundred thousand] These were under his command and at hand to come whensoever the king would

WHEDO 14 Three hundred thousand mdash The numbers in this verse and the four verses following are generally regarded as corrupt ldquoThey implyrdquo observes the writer last quoted ldquoa minimum population of 1480 to the square mile which is more than three times greater than that of any country in the known world It is probable that the original numbers have been lost and the loss supplied by a scribe who took 2 Chronicles 148 as his basis

ELLICOTT Verse 14 (14) And these their fathersmdashAnd this is their muster (or census) according to their father-houses (clans) 1 Chronicles 243 The warriors were marshalled in the army according to clans so that men of the same stock fought side by side with their kindred Perhaps in the original document this heading was followed by a much more detailed scheme of names and divisions than that which the text presents

Of JudahmdashTo Judah (belonged) captains of thousands viz the three enumerated in 2 Chronicles 1714-16 Adnah Jehohanan and Amasiah They were the principal officers or generals of the entire forces of Judah

Adnah the chiefmdashTo wit the captain Adnah That Adnah was commander-in-chief is implied by his being named first and his corps being the largest

PULPIT This verse with the following four gives us the names of five captains chiefs princes or military officers for the kingdoms service with the numbers of the troops they severally commanded The numbers of them (see note under 1 Chronicles 2311) Hebrew פקדתם The better English rendering to carry at once the signification would be The muster of them etc The captains hellip the chief In both cases the Hebrew is the familiar word for prince ( שר ) in the former without article in the latter with article The numbers of this and following four verses are not only absolutely unreliable but in themselves impossible According to the house of their fathers ie the quotation is drawn from an army catalogue arranged carefully by fathers houses (umbers 118 umbers 122 etc)

15 next Jehohanan the commander with 280000

GILL And next to him was Jehohanan the captain Being of the same rank as to office but having a lesser number of men under him and it may respect not any kind of subordination only nearness of place as the Targumhe that encamped next to him

and with him two hundred and fourscore thousand which number was but 20000 less than the former

POOLE ext to him either

1 After his death as his successor in the same command And the like is supposed concerning Jehozabad 2 Chronicles 1718 Or rather

2 ext to him in place and authority or at least in power and the numbers of his host

16 next Amasiah son of Zikri who volunteered himself for the service of the Lord with 200000

GILL And next him was Amasiah the son of Zichri He encamped next to him as the Targum

who willingly offered himself unto the Lord to fight the Lords battles and without any stipend as some think or as Kimchi he offered gold and silver to the treasures of the house of the Lord

and with him two hundred thousand mighty men of valour the number was 80000 less than the former the whole of Judah amounted to 780000 men

TRAPP 2 Chronicles 1716 And next him [was] Amasiah the son of Zichri who willingly offered himself unto the LORD and with him two hundred thousand mighty men of valour

Ver 16 Who willingly offered himself unto the Lord] He was a votary the vows of God were upon him and this made him the more valiant and resolute (a) in the exercise of arms for the service of God and the safety of his people The Spahis among the Turks are a sort of horsemen voluntaries and votaries to gain paradise by dying for the Mohammedan cause These are never known to return home but

with victory these are heavy upon the enemy For

ldquo Vincitur haud gratis iugulo qui provocat ensem rdquo

POOLE As volunteers and auxiliaries to be ready upon occasion as the service of God and the king should require Possibly these or most of them were the strangers which had come out of Israel into the kingdom of Judah in Asarsquos days and probably since that in his time

ELLICOTT (16) AmasiahmdashIah carrieth (Isaiah 4011) different from Amaziah (Iah is strong)

Who willingly offered himself unto the Lordmdash(Judges 52 Judges 59) An allusion to some noble act of self-devotion which was doubtless more fully recorded in the source from which the chronicler has drawn this brief account Such allusions though no longer intelligible are important as conducing to the proof of the historical value of the narratives in which they occur LXX ὁ προθυmicroούmicroενος τῷ κυρίῳ Vulg consecratus Domino

PULPIT Amaziah the son of Zichri This man is not titled at all The description of him as one who had willingly offered himself unto the Lord not elucidated by the context or any effective parallel will mark something honorable in his history Possibly he comes from an unexpected quarter and is a man of approved skill othing further is known of these three men Meantime it has been suggested (Professor Dr J Murphy of Belfast Handbook to Chronicles ) that the first of the three was for Judah proper the second for that contingent of Judah that hailed from Dan and the Philistines and the third for that of Simeon and the Arabs

MACLARE This is a scrap from the catalogue of Jehoshaphatrsquos lsquomighty men of valourrsquo and is Amasiahrsquos sole record We see him for a moment and hear his eulogium and then oblivion swallows him up We do not know what it was that he did to earn it But what a fate to live to all generations by that one sentence

I Cheerful self-surrender the secret of all religion

The words of our text contain a metaphor naturally drawn from the sacrificial system It comes so easily to us that we scarcely recognise the metaphorical element but the clear recognition of it gives great additional energy to the words Amasiah was both sacrificer and sacrifice His offering was self-immolation As in all love so in that noblest kind of it which clasps God its perfect expression is lsquoI give Thee my living loving selfrsquo Nor is it only sacrifice and sacrificer that are seen in deepest truth in the experience of the Christian life but the reality of the Temple is also there for lsquoYe also are built up a spiritual house to be a holy priesthood to offer up spiritual sacrificesrsquo Only when God dwells in us shall we have the nerve and the firmness of hand to take the knife and lsquoslay before the Lordrsquo the awful Guest in the sanctuary within the most precious of the children of our spirits

The essence of the sacrifice of self is the sacrifice of will In the Christian experience

lsquowillingly offeredrsquo is almost tautology for unwilling offerings are a contradiction and in fact there are no such things The quality of unwillingness destroys the character of the offering and robs it of all sacredness Reluctant Christianity is not Christianity That noun and that adjective can never be buckled together

The submission of will and the consequent surrender of myself and my powers opportunities and possessions so that I do all enjoy all use all and when need is endure all with glad thankful reference to God is only possible to me in the measure in which my will is made flexible by love and such will-subduing love comes only when we lsquoknow and believe the love that God hath to usrsquo There is the point at which not a few moral and religious teachers go wrong and bewilder themselves and their disciples There too is the point at which Christ and the Gospel of salvation through faith in Him stand forth as emancipating humanity from the dreary round of efforts and vain attempts to work up the condition needful for achieving the height of self-surrender which is seen to be indispensable to all true nobleness of living but is felt to be beyond the reach of the ordinary man There too is the point at which many good people mar their lives as Christians They waste their strength in trying to bring the jibbing horse up to the leap They try to blow up a fire of devotion and to make themselves priests to offer themselves but all the while the mutinous self recoils from the leap and the fire burns smokily and their sacrifice is laid on the altar with little joy because they have not been careful and wise enough to begin at the beginning and to follow Godrsquos way of melting their wills by love the reflection of the Infinite love of God to them Godrsquos priests offer themselves because they offer their wills they offer their wills because they love God they love God because they know that God loves them That is the divine order It is vain to try to accomplish the end by any other

II This willing offering hallows all life

No syllable is left to tell us what Amasiah did to win this praise Probably the words enshrine some now forgotten memory of his cheerful courage some heroic feat on an unrecorded battlefield Particulars are not given nor needed Specific actions are unimportant the spirit of a life can be told with very incomplete details and it not the details is the important thing Sometimes as in many modern biographies one lsquocannot see the wood for the treesrsquo and misses the main drift and aim of a life in the chaos of a bewildering mass of nothings How much more happy the lot of this man of whom we have only the generalised expression of the text unweighted and undisturbed by petty incidents It takes tons of rose leaves to make a tiny phial of otto of roses but the fragrance is far more pungent in a drop of the distillation than in armfuls of leaves Every life shrinks into very small compass and the centuries do not tolerate long biographies Shall we not seek to order our life so that Amasiahrsquos epitaph may serve for us It will be blessed if this-and nothing else-is known about us that we lsquowillingly offered ourselves to the Lordrsquo My friend will that be a true epitome of your life

III This willing offering is accepted by God

We may hear a mightier voice behind the chroniclerrsquo s and the judgment of the Judge of all pronounced by His lips It matters little what men say of one another but it matters everything what God says of us We are but too apt to forget that He is now saying something as to each of us and that we have not to wait for death to put a final period to our activities before our lives become fit subjects for Godrsquos judgment Moment by moment we are writing our own sentences But while it is good for us to remember the continuous judgment of God on each deed it is not good to let dark thoughts of the principles of that judgment paralyse our activity or chill our confidence in His forgiving and accepting mercy There is often a dark suspicion like that of the one-talented

servant which blackens Godrsquos fair fame as being lsquoan austere Manrsquo making demands rather than imparting power and the effect of such an ugly conception of Him is to cut the nerve of service and bury the talent carefully folded up it may be but none the less earning nothing lsquoIf we call on Him as Father who without respect of persons judgeth according to every manrsquos workrsquo let us be sure that it will be a Fatherly judgment that He will pass upon us and our offerings There is a wonderful collection on His altar of what many people would think rubbish just as many a mother has laid away among her treasures some worthless article which her child had once given her-a weed plucked by the roadside in a long past summer day some trifle of rare preciousness in the childrsquos eyes and of none in any others than her own She opens her drawer and brings out the poor little thing and her eyes fill and her heart fills as she looks And does not God keep His childrenrsquos gifts as lovingly and set them in places of honour in the day when He lsquomakes up His jewelsrsquo There are cups of cold water and widowsrsquo mites and much else that a supercilious world would call lsquotrashrsquo stored there Thank God He accepts imperfect service faltering faith partial consecration a little love Even our poor offering may be an lsquoodour of a sweet smellrsquo ministering fragrance that is a delight to Him if it is offered with the much incense of the great Sacrifice and through the mediation of the great High Priest

The world forgot Amasiah or never knew him an obscure soldier in an obscure kingdom but God did not forget and here is his epitaph and this is his memorial to all generations Menrsquos chronicles have no room for all the names that their wearers are eager to have inscribed on their crumbling and crowded pages lsquobut the Lambrsquos Book of Lifersquo has ample space on its radiant pages for all who desire to set their names there and if ours are there we need not envy the proudest whose titles and deeds fill the most conspicuous pages in the worldrsquos records lsquoThen shall every man have praise of Christrsquo and he who wins that guerdon needs nothing more and can have nothing more to swell his blessedness

17 From BenjaminEliada a valiant soldier with 200000 men armed with bows and shields

GILL And of Benjamin Eliada a mighty man of valour Was the chief commander

and with armed men with bow and shield two hundred thousand which were

the armour of the tribe of Benjamin they were best skilled in 2Ch_148

TRAPP 2 Chronicles 1717 And of Benjamin Eliada a mighty man of valour and with him armed men with bow and shield two hundred thousand

Ver 17 With bow and shield] The Benjamites were notable bowmen [1 Chronicles 122] The Engish were anciently so too

ELLICOTT (17) Armed men with bow and shieldmdashLiterally drawing bow and shield ie as the Targum explains ldquodrawing bow and grasping shieldsrdquo (Comp 1 Chronicles 122) LXX ldquoArchers and peltastsrdquo Vulg ldquoGrasping bow and shieldrdquo (Comp also 1 Chronicles 840 for the arms of the Benjaminites)

18 next Jehozabad with 180000 men armed for battle

GILL And next to him was Jehozabad According to the Targum he encamped next him

and with him one hundred and fourscore thousand ready prepared for war being able bodied men well disciplined valiant and well armed these numbers of Judah and Benjamin put together amount to 1160000 men whereas Asa only brought into the field 580000 but it should be considered there had been a long time of peace many had come off from the ten tribes to Judah and the promise of multiplying the seed of Abraham was eminently fulfilled

TRAPP 2 Chronicles 1718 And next him [was] Jehozabad and with him an hundred and fourscore thousand ready prepared for the war

Ver 18 A hundred and fourscore thousand] His militia was eleven hundred and threescore thousand besides what he had in garrisons [2 Chronicles 1719] So that as he was better he was stronger than his father Asa had been Piety hath prosperity

ELLICOTT (18) Ready prepared for the warmdashEquipped for service (See on 1

Chronicles 1223-24 umbers 315 umbers 3229) The hoplites or heavy-armed infantry are probably meant

PULPIT While Eliada of last verse was for Benjamin Professor Dr Murphy supposes that Jehozabad was for the annexed part of Ephraim But no suppositions of this kind can avail to explain the numbers in the text which is no doubt corrupt

19 These were the men who served the king besides those he stationed in the fortified cities throughout Judah

CLARKE These waited on the king - They were disposable forces always at the kingrsquos command and were independent of those by which the cities of Judah were garrisoned

There is not a sovereign in Europe or in the world but might read this chapter with advantage

1 It shows most forcibly that true religion is the basis of the state and that wherever it prospers there the state prospers

2 It shows also that it is the wisdom of kings to encourage religion with all their power and influence for if the hearts of the subjects be not bound and influenced by true religion vain is the application of laws fines imprisonments or corporal punishment of any kind

3 A religious nation is ever a great nation it is loved by its friends it is dreaded by its enemies

4 It is ever a peaceable and united nation the blessings of religion and a wholesome and paternal government are so fully felt and prized that all find it their interest to preserve and defend them Harmony peace piety and strength are the stability of such times May Britain know and value them

GILL These waited on the king Not this vast number of men at one time but in course as Davids military men waited on him 1Ch_271 or each of these captains with a proper number of men under them detached from the body and they were all ready to obey the kings orders whenever he should have occasion for them

besides those whom the king put into the fenced cities throughout Judah and all together the militia of the kingdom was very numerous and formidable

KampD 2Ch_1719

These were serving the king א6ה refers not to the above-mentioned men capable of

bearing arms for sheereet is not used of service in war but to the commanders whom he had placed in the fortified cities of all Judah ldquoin which probably bodies of the above-mentioned troops lay as garrisonsrdquo (Berth)

BESO 2 Chronicles 1719 These waited on the king mdash These above-mentioned were the trained bands or auxiliaries whose chief officers waited on the king to receive his commands and to raise and bring in all or part of their forces to the service of the king as need required A vast number for so small a compass of ground to furnish out and maintain But we may consider that God had promised to make the seed of Abraham like the sand of the sea for number that there had now been a long peace that many were come to them from the kingdom of Israel and that Jehoshaphat was under a special blessing of God They were doubtless dispersed all the country over every one residing on his own land only they were ready at call whenever there was occasion

TRAPP 2 Chronicles 1719 These waited on the king beside [those] whom the king put in the fenced cities throughout all Judah

Ver 19 These waited on the king] ie In their turns and by course

POOLE These above mentioned were the trained bands or auxiliaries whose chief officers waited upon the king to receive his commands and to raise and bring in all or part of their forces to the service of the king and kingdom as need required

ELLICOTT (19) These waited on the kingmdashRather these are they that ministered unto the king viz the five generals above named

Beside those whom the king put in the fenced citiesmdashie the commandants of the fortresses of the kingdom (2 Chronicles 1111 2 Chronicles 1123) These latter as well as the generals of the forces are called the kingrsquos ldquoministersrdquo (mĕshacircrĕthicircm)mdasha word which is not used of service in the field but implies their presence at court (ldquoin Jerusalemrdquo 2 Chronicles 1713 as the royal staff)

According to the above list the army of Jehoshaphat was organised in five grand divisions corresponding perhaps to five territorial divisions of the southern kingdom The totals are the largest assigned to the two tribes anywhere in the Old Testament viz Judah 780000 and Benjamin 380000 in all 1160000 At Davidrsquos census Judah had 500000 warriors (2 Samuel 249) and Israel 800000 Again in 2

Chronicles 148 Asarsquos army consists of 300000 men of Judah and 280000 Benjaminites clearly such an increase as our text indicates is unaccountable At the same time it is equally clear that the present numbers are not fortuitous results of clerical errors for they follow each other in the order of relative strength Judah 300000 280000 200000 Benjamin 200000 180000 and they are evidently not independent of the estimates of 2 Chronicles 148 above quoted

In the absence of adequate data for modifying these certainly startling figures it is well to bear in mind that we need not understand by them an army which ever actually mustered in the field or on parade but simply an estimate of the total male population liable to be called out for the national defence although even upon that understanding the total appears to be at least three times too great considering the small extent of the country

PULPIT These waited Hebrew המשרתים plur piel part of שרת The verse states that this enormous fivefold army with its five princes (counting in our corrupt text one million one hundred and sixty thousand) was the kings Jerusalem standing army while other separate regiments or bands of troops were spread through all Judah where they might be most needed for defence

8 With them were certain LevitesmdashShemaiah ethaniah Zebadiah Asahel Shemiramoth Jehonathan Adonijah Tobijah and Tob-Adonijahmdashand the priests Elishama and Jehoram

GILL 2 Chronicles 178And with them he sent Levites With the five princes he sent nine Levites

even Shemaiah and Nethaniah and Zebadiah and Asahel and Shemiramoth and Jehonathan and Adonijah and Tobijah and Tobadonijah Levites of whom we nowhere else read no doubt they were principal persons and fit for the work they were sent about

and with them Elishama and Jehoram priests whose lips were to keep knowledge and at whose mouth the law was to be sought Mal_27

ELLICOTT (8) And with them he sent LevitesmdashRather And with them were the Levites The construction being changed So LXX and the Syriac (Comp 1 Chronicles 1641-42 1 Chronicles 1518 for the same mode of enumeration which is characteristic of the style of the chronicler

ZebadiahmdashSome MSS and Syriac and Arabic read Zechariah

ShemiramothmdashSo LXX and Vulg (see 1 Chronicles 165 1 Chronicles 1518) The Heb text is probably incorrect Syriac and Arabic read instead atucircra

Tob-adonijahmdashThis curious name occurs only here and is perhaps a mere mistake arising out of the preceding Adonijah and Tobijah The Syriac and Arabic omit it

PriestsmdashThe priests

The commission was a mixed one of civil and ecclesiastical persons (comp 1 Chronicles 131-2 1 Chronicles 232 1 Chronicles 246)

And had the book of the law of the LordmdashAnd with them was the book of the law (teaching) of Jehovah For the construction compare 1 Chronicles 1642 The writer

evidently means the Pentateuch and if this notice was derived by him from a contemporary source eg the ldquowords of Jehu the son of Hananirdquo to which he refers as an authority for the reign (2 Chronicles 2034) it would constitute an important testimony to the existence if not of the five books at least of an ancient collection of laws at this early date (circ 850 BC )

And taught the peoplemdashTaught among the people

9 They taught throughout Judah taking with them the Book of the Law of the Lord they went around to all the towns of Judah and taught the people

BARES There is no reasonable doubt that this ldquobook of the lawrdquo was the Pentateuch - nearly if not quite in the shape in which we now have it Copies of the whole Law were no doubt scarce and therefore Jehoshaphatrsquos commission took care to carry a copy with them

CLARKE Had the book of the law of the Lord with them - This was their text book it was the book of God they taught it as such and as such the people received it Its laws were Godrsquos laws and the people felt their obligation and their consciences were bound Thus they were obedient to the laws of the land on the principle of religion In this they were encouraged and confirmed by the example of all both in Church and state The princes were not only pious but were teachers of piety the Levites showed them the worth and excellence of their ritual institutions and the priests showed them the moral use they were to make of the whole and thus the people became obedient to God as well as to the king and kept all the civil ordinances not merely for the sake of a good king but for the sake of a good and gracious God By these means the nation enjoyed peace and prosperity and all insurrections seditions and popular commotions were prevented The surrounding nations perceiving this saw that there was no hope of subduing such a people so they made no war with Jehoshaphat 2Ch_1710 And they took care not to provoke such a people to fall on them therefore it is said The fear of the Lord fell on all the kingdoms and lands that were round about Judah Such an itinerant ministry established in these kingdoms for upwards of fourscore years

teaching the pure unadulterated doctrines of the Gospel with the propriety and necessity of obedience to the laws has been the principal means in the hand of God of preserving these lands from those convulsions and revolutions that have ruined and nearly dissolved the European continent The itinerant ministry to which this refers is that which was established in these lands by the late truly reverend highly learned and cultivated deeply pious and loyal John Wesley AM formerly a fellow of Lincoln College Oxford whose followers are known by the name of Methodists a people who are an honor to their country and a blessing to the government under which they live

GILL And they taught in Judah The people their duty to God and man

and had the book of the law of the Lord with them as the rule of their instruction and the peoples obedience out of this they taught them and by it confirmed what they taught and enforced it with the divine authority

and went about throughout all the cities of Judah not only their own cities the Levitical ones but all others

and taught the people the law of the Lord the fear and worship of God

JAMISO the book of the lawmdash that is either the whole Pentateuch or only the book of Deuteronomy which contains an abridgment of it

BESO 2 Chronicles 179 And they taught in Judah ampc mdash The Levites and priests were teachers by office Deuteronomy 3310 It was a part of the work for which they had their maintenance and indeed had little else to do But it seems they had neglected it pretending probably that they could not get the people to hear them Jehoshaphat therefore sends them with the princes who by their authority might require the people to assemble together to receive instruction in the laws of God and their duty ldquoWhat a great deal of goodrdquo says Henry ldquomay be done when Moses and Aaron thus go hand in hand in the doing of it when princes with their power and priests and Levites with their Scripture-learning agree to teach the people the good knowledge of God and their duty These itinerant judges and itinerant preachers together were instrumental to diffuse a blessed light throughout the cities of Judahrdquo And had the book of the law of the Lord with them mdash 1st For their own guidance that from thence they might draw all the instructions they gave to the people and not teach for doctrines the commandments of men 2d For the conviction or the people that they might see these priests and Levites had a divine warrant for what they said and delivered to them only that which they had received from the Lord

TRAPP 2 Chronicles 179 And they taught in Judah and [had] the book of the law of the LORD with them and went about throughout all the cities of Judah and taught the people

Ver 9 And had the book of the law of the Lord with them] They taught not

traditions human inventions or unwritten verities All their doctrines came cum privilegio and were Scripture proof

WHEDO 9 The book of the law mdash Our Pentateuch in substantially its present form ldquoCopies of the whole law were no doubt scarce and therefore Jehoshaphatrsquos commission took care to carry a copy with themrdquo mdash Rawlinson

PARKER And they taught in Judah and had the book of the law of the Lord with them and went about throughout all the cities of Judah and taught the people ( 2 Chronicles 179)

This was a mixed commission partly civil partly ecclesiastical The men here mentioned are otherwise unknown We identify them as educational reformers or reformers who operated through the medium of education they were not warriors destroyers revolutionists but men who addressed the mind and the understanding and the conscience and caused men to know that the true law was from above and not from beneath The book which the commission had in hand was the Pentateuch or the law of Moses This was known to be the law which alone could touch all the vital necessities of the commonwealth Again and again we are constrained to admit that there is a law beyond Prayer of Manasseh above Prayer of Manasseh in a sense apart from man men are not driven within themselves to find a law an instinct or a reason they have a written statute an authoritative declaration a book which Christian teachers do not hesitate to describe as a Revelation and to that they call the attention of men If the teacher were teaching out of his own consciousness he would be but an equal often exposing himself to the destructive criticism of his more advanced and penetrating scholars but the teacher takes his stand upon a book upon the Book the Bible a revelation which he believes to be divine and final Say what we will the effect of Bible teaching must be judged by its fruits Where are the nations that are most distinguished for wide and varied intelligence for large and exhaustive sympathy for missionary enterprise for philanthropic institutions and for all the elements which give grace and beauty to social existence The question should admit of definite reply the facts are before men let them judge fearlessly and honestly and we need have no apprehension concerning their verdict Wherever the word of the Lord has had free course superstition has been chased away human slavery has been abolished every instance of intolerance injustice unkindness has felt the influence of holy thought in all these matters discussion should be limited strictly to facts Thus kings can help nations not by forcing education not by attempting to rule opinion not by setting up standards of orthodoxy to fall short of which is to incur penalty but by spreading education by extending light by cultivating a spirit of inquiry and by a generous multiplication of all the instrumentalities needed for the destruction of ignorance What may come of this we are not supposed at this moment to know Meanwhile let us be thankful that we are face to face with a man who has conviction courage independence high patriotic and generous impulse and let us hope that his end may be as beautiful as his beginning was promising

SIMEO THE ROYAL EDICT

ADVERTISEMETmdashThe author feels it necessary to prefix to this Sermon some short account of the occasion on which it was delivered

The author was at Amsterdam (in June 1818) partly with a view of re-establishing there an Episcopal Chapel in which there had been no service for seven years but principally with a view of seeking the welfare of the Children of Israel He went thither rather to explore than to act (See ehemiah 212-16) But just previous to the 18th of June he understood that the Third Anniversary of the Battle of Waterloo was to be kept throughout the etherlands as a day of thanksgiving and just at that time also he quite accidentally heard that the King of the etherlands had a year before issued an Edict requiring all the Jews to educate their children in the knowledge of their own Scriptures and calling upon all his Christian Subjects to aid in this good work Despondency not unlike to that which paralyzed all exertion at Jerusalem in ehemiahrsquos days so universally prevailed that no one had risen to the occasion the very Commissioners who had been appointed to carry the Edict into effect had published a Report in which they gave it as their opinion ldquothat the Lordrsquos time was not comerdquo and there was great danger that the gracious designs of the Monarch would be altogether frustrated The author therefore judged this a fit occasion for calling the attention of the Public to the Edict and accordingly after devoting the Morning Service to the more appropriate subject of the day he employed the Evening Service in an endeavour to forward this good work Considerable attention was excited to the subject by means of the Sermon which was therefore instantly printed in Dutch French and English for the purpose of its being circulated throughout the etherlands and he has reason to hope that active exertions were afterwards made in many places to promote what every benevolent mind must ardently desire the edification and welfare of the Jewish People

So good an example having been set by the Emperor of Russia and the King of the etherlands the author hopes that the attention of our own Governors also both in Church and State may be called to this long-neglected People and that now the British Public has been invited by authority (the Kingrsquos Letter) to aid in supporting Missions to the Heathen World the claims of the Jewish ation to whom under God we owe all the light that we ourselves enjoy will not be overlooked It is with a view to this great object that the author sends forth the Sermon in this country where if the foregoing explanation had not been given its relevancy and use might have been justly called in question

2 Chronicles 179 And they taught in Judah and had the book of the law of the Lord with them and went about throughout all the cities of Judah and taught the people

O a day set apart for thanksgiving to God for mercies received it is peculiarly proper to consider what we may render unto the Lord for all his benefits Certainly if any event ever deserved repeated annual commemoration it is that which has

freed the world from the most grievous tyranny that ever it endured Of the bitter cup which was put into the hands of every nation in Europe this nation [ote The etherlands] drank very deeply and the change which it has experienced in the restoration of their rightful Monarch and in the establishment of a free Constitution calls for their devoutest acknowledgments to Almighty God Doubtless we may with justice pay some tribute of honour to those who by their counsels and their arms effected the overthrow of the Usurper but it is God alone who giveth victory to kings and to whom the glory of this great victory must be primarily ascribed and he who accounts a day consecrated to this service superfluous shews that he is far from justly appreciating the blessings that have been conferred upon him The monarch himself has given to his people a very decided evidence that he feels the depth of his obligations to the God of his salvation and it will be your own loss if you do not cultivate a similar spirit and improve the occasion to the honour of your God

But it is not to thanksgiving only that your Monarch invites you he calls you by a special Edict to unite with him in seeking the welfare of your Jewish Brethren who in their struggle with the enemy signally approved their fidelity to their legitimate Sovereign Their welfare he in his turn studies to promote and he desires to combine the energies of all his subjects in efforts for their good Methinks he is like Jehoshaphat of old who well knowing that piety must be founded in knowledge and happiness in piety sent forth the Princes of his empire with a select number of Priests and Levites to instruct his people in the knowledge of Godrsquos blessed word

His edict on this occasion and the manner in which it was carried into effect will form the subject of my present discourse

I Then we notice the edict of King Jehoshaphatmdash

This was such as became a great and pious monarch and we shall find it not unprofitable or unsuitable to the present occasion to enter into a distinct consideration of it We observe then that it was a kind and benevolent edict a wise and politic edict a good and beneficial edict

Mark the benevolence displayed in it He sought the present and eternal welfare of his subjects He knew that as men are raised above the beasts by the exercise of reason so are they elevated in the scale of rational beings in proportion as their intellectual powers are cultivated and enlarged Man destitute of knowledge is a mere savage but when instructed in the various branches of science he becomes refined and civilized and capable of contributing to the general good In the very cultivation of knowledge there is much pleasure arising to the mind and in the application of that knowledge to useful purposes there is an exquisite delight We need only observe persons when employed in their several vocations how happy they are how contented how cheerful oftentimes unconsciously proclaiming their happiness like the birds of the air in festal songs or consciously and with devotion in songs of praise

But it was not mere intellectual improvement which Jehoshaphat sought to convey he wished his people to be instructed in the knowledge of that God whom they professed to fear and worship This alone could make them truly happy this alone could impart to them sound wisdom or solid consolation He therefore gave particular directions that they should be taught ldquoin the Book of the Law of the Lordrdquo and this throughout the whole land O happy people whose governor so employed the authority with which he was invested And happy that monarch who so improved his influence not for his own personal aggrandizement but for the best interests of the people committed to his charge In so doing he approved himself to be indeed what every governor should be the friend and father of his people

or was the policy of this measure at all inferior to its benevolence A people well instructed in moral and religious knowledge will view government as an ordinance of God and will learn to obey the constituted authorities not so much from fear of their wrath as for conscience sake towards God They will view their governors as Godrsquos vicegerents upon earth and will consider allegiance to them as an essential part of their duty to him Hence will spring up love in their hearts and a real delight in manifesting on all proper occasions their loyalty to their king they will form a bulwark around his person in case of necessity and even glory in laying down their lives for him as their greatest benefactor

The benefits arising from this edict were incalculable Such was the effect of it that the fear of Jehoshaphat and of Jehovah as his protector fell on all the nations that were round about him so that none however hostile in their hearts dared to make war against him [ote ver 10] Doubtless this resulted chiefly from an impression made upon their minds by God himself yet it was also produced by a dread of that energy which an united people were ready to put forth at any instant at the call of their beloved monarch At the same time that peace was thus secured prosperity reigned in every part of the empire and as the immediate fruit of it Jehoshaphat as well as the people ldquohad riches and honour in abundance [ote ver 5]rdquo In his own mind too he reaped the fruits of his own benevolence God smiled upon him and manifested himself to him and enabled him to walk with ldquohis heart lifted up in the ways of the Lord [ote ver 6]rdquo

Such was the edict of the pious Jehoshaphatmdashbenevolent politic beneficial And what I would ask is the Edict which has been issued by the highest authority in this kingdom Do we not see in it the same blessed characters as in that which we have been considering It was ldquoin the third year of his reign [ote ver 7]rdquo that Jehoshaphat sent forth teachers to enlighten and instruct his subjects The very instant he felt himself at liberty from the more urgent and pressing calls of duty (such as the fortifying of his land against foreign enemies and the correcting of some great internal abuses) he engaged in this good work of diffusing light and knowledge through all classes of the community In like manner the sovereign of this kingdom has scarcely had time to repair the ravages of war and to establish his empire too long weakened and impoverished by a cruel usurpation before he stands forth as the friend and father of his people and more especially of that portion of them who have in every age and place been most treated with neglect and

disdain to have them educated in scriptural knowledge and in the fear of God It is much to be lamented that the Jewish people have not in general been so attentive either to the learning or morals of their children as might be wished and hence arose a necessity for some authoritative admonition on the subject Yet if I may say it without offence this neglect has not been more reprehensible in them than has been the indifference with which the Christian world has regarded it The monarch (may God recompense it richly into his bosom) has risen up to remedy the supineness both of the one and the other and to call forth the united energies of all to correct and terminate this evil Yet whilst he thus consults the best interests of his subjects with what paternal tenderness has he guarded against wounding the feelings of any or exciting their religious prejudices The Scriptures of the Old Testament are alone to be used in the schools that shall be established even those Scriptures which Jews as well as Christians believe to have been given by inspiration of God and to contain truth without any mixture of error In this is marked the policy no less than the benevolence of the edict for it is not by constraint but by conciliation and kindness that good is to be done to any and more especially to those who have shewn themselves now for so many centuries proof against all the efforts of intimidation or force In this kingdom they form no small body and I may add no unimportant portion of the community It is well known how extensive is their influence in the affairs of commerce and how by their activity they contribute to enrich the state Hence it is now generally seen and felt that they are entitled to the same respect as any other subjects of the realm and whilst as in the present instance they see how deeply their monarch feels interested in their welfare they cannot but on their part be sensible of the privileges they enjoy under his paternal government and testify their gratitude to him by every possible expression of loyalty and affection

What the ultimate effect of these measures will be may be conjectured from the blessed results of the edict of Jehoshaphat all will feel themselves happy under the government of such a prince and he whilst he is respected abroad and beloved at home will have the happiness of seeing his labours crowned with prosperity throughout his dominions and with peace in his own soul

II The manner in which Jehoshaphatrsquos edict was carried into execution is now to be noticedmdash

The promptness with which his commands were executed deserves the highest praise All were ready to co-operate in this good work as soon as it was proposed ldquoPrinces and priests and Levites [ote ver 7 8]rdquo all addressed themselves to it instantly with one heart and one soul one accounted their dignity so high or their functions so sacred but they thought it an honour to be employed in such a service and found a delight in fulfilling the wishes of their revered monarch all entered into the work with zeal and prosecuted it with diligence and hence a rapid change was effected both in the temporal and spiritual condition of the whole nation And what may not be effected in this kingdom also if a similar zeal be exercised by ldquothe princes and priestsrdquo (the magistrates and clergy) of the land With them it must begin Those who move in a lower station can effect nothing if they be not aided and

countenanced by the higher orders whose rank in life or sacredness of character will give a tone to the general feeling and combine the energies of the whole kingdom If it be said that those for whom the benefit is designed do not feel a desire after it this only shews how much they need it and how earnestly we should all embark in a cause proposed by such high authority and recommended by the soundest dictates of wisdom and piety

That our obligations to unite in this labour of love may the more distinctly appear I would beg leave to suggest the following considerations

First Loyalty to the king demands our concurrence with him in this good work and a holy emulation amongst us to carry into effect his benevolent designs What can the greatest or best of men effect (what could Jehoshaphat himself have done) if there be none to act in subserviency to them and to follow their directions As the most potent monarch upon earth would in vain proclaim war if there were no soldiers found to enlist under his banners and to execute his commands so it will be in vain that the design of benefiting the Jewish people was ever conceived in the mind of the king or that his edict respecting them was ever issued if his subjects do not put forth their energies in obedience to his call In truth a backwardness to co-operate with him in this blessed work would seem like a reflection cast upon him as recommending a measure that was unworthy of attention I do not mean to insinuate that such an idea really exists in the minds of any for I am perfectly convinced it does not but certainly in appearance it is open to this construction and every subject of the empire is concerned to act in such a way as to cut off all occasion for a reflection like this I say loyalty alone even if we had no higher motive should be sufficient to call forth our exertions in this cause

But let me next observe that gratitude to the Jewish nation demands it at our hands How great how manifold are our obligations to them Behold Moses and the prophets what instruction have they given us in reference to the way of life and salvation Without the moral law as revealed by Moses we should never have known to what an extent we need a Saviour nor if the prophecies had not so fully designated the promised Messiah could we have ever so fully known that Jesus was the Christ Of whom did the Lord Jesus Christ himself come as pertaining to the flesh but from the loins of David and of the seed of Abraham Yet to him are we indebted for all that we either have or hope for in time or in eternity And who were the Apostles but Jews who for our sakes went forth preaching the word and counted not their lives dear to them so that they might but lead us to the knowledge of Christ and make us partakers of his salvation From them too we have received the lively oracles which are the one source of all spiritual knowledge and the one foundation of all our hopes Does all this call for no recompence at our hands Knowing as we do the vast importance of education should we not endeavour to impart it to those from whose ancestors we have received such innumerable such inestimable benefits Yet behold these are the people whom for many many centuries we have treated with more neglect and contempt than any other people upon the face of the earth the savages of the most distant climes have received more attention from us than they Surely it is high time that the Christian world awake to

a sense of their duty and begin to shew to the Jews somewhat of that love which their forefathers exercised towards us in our Gentile state We are debtors to them to a vast amount and it is high time that we begin to discharge our debt And how can we discharge it better than by enabling them to read and understand those very oracles which they have preserved with such fidelity and which testify so fully of their promised Messiah

Further A love to the rising generation should lead us to avail ourselves of the present opportunity to promote their welfaremdashIt is truly afflictive to see how low and degraded is the state of multitudes especially of the Jewish nation purely through the neglect with which they are treated in their early youth and still more grievous is it to reflect on their ignorance of those things which belong to their everlasting peace To counteract this we should endeavour to qualify the whole of their population for good and useful employments and through the medium of useful instruction to make them holy and to make them happy We need never be afraid that there will not be a sufficient number of poor to fill the lower stations do what we will there will never be wanting persons who through their own fault or misfortunes are necessitated to undertake the lowest offices of life And if they have been previously instructed in the Scriptures of Truth they will have a fund of consolation ever open to them in their deepest afflictions they will learn from the inspired volume in whatsoever state they are there-with to be content and in the prospect of the eternal world they will find joys with which a stranger intermeddleth not and which the world can neither give nor take away We feel the force of these considerations in reference to the poor of our own communion how is it that we feel it not in reference to our Jewish Brethren This is a partiality unworthy of us and we should rise as one man to wipe off this disgrace from our own character

This brings me to the last consideration which I propose to mention namely that a concern for the honour of our holy religion should operate to unite us all in executing the Royal EdictmdashWhat must a Jew think of our religion when he sees how little it has wrought for us in the production of love We may tell him of a Messiah who has loved us and laid down his life for us but what credit will he give us for our principles when he sees how little our practice corresponds with them May he not well say to us ldquoPhysician heal thyselfrdquo Shew by your conduct the superiority of your principles before you call on me to embrace them It is by love that we must win them it is by shewing kindness to them that we must efface from their hearts those prejudices which with too much reason they entertain against us We must exhibit in our own person the loveliness of Christianity before we can bring them to investigate the grounds of our faith or to imagine that they can improve their own condition by embracing it May I not then call upon you as Christians to unite in the good work that is now before you that you may thereby serve and glorify your Lord and Saviour As Christians you believe that there is no other way to the Father but by Christ [ote John 146] and no other name but his whereby any human being can be saved [ote Acts 412] Where is your piety where is your love to Christ where is even common humanity if you will not avail yourselves of the present opportunity to remove from before your Jewish Brethren

the stumbling-blocks which for so many ages have been laid in their way

Do any ask What shall we do I answer search out amongst the Jews some persons of probity and talent to commence schools among them and do you yourselves aid to the utmost of your power in the support of them provide them with all necessary books for instructing children in the first rudiments of knowledge provide them with Bibles also both in the Dutch and Hebrew languages that they may be thoroughly instructed in the knowledge of their own religion and learn to walk in the steps of their father Abraham and of all the holy prophets

Begin too without loss of time Adult Schools You will find many among the house of Israel who will be glad to avail themselves of your instructions Let those who are benevolent amongst you dedicate an hour in a day to the instructing of a few who may be desirous to learn and carefully avoid every thing which may give unnecessary offence Confine yourselves to the Old Testament which they venerate as well as you Let those who can teach only in the Dutch language give instruction in that and let those who either understand or have leisure to attain the Hebrew tongue draw their attention to that In particular let it be the united endeavour of all to qualify masters for this good work

And let it not be thought that this is the duty of men only The Royal Edict has particularly and with great wisdom recommended it to females who may be of infinite service in conveying instruction to their own sex This age is distinguished above all others for the activity of females in the service of God and in the performance of every good work Were I able to declare the proportion of good that is done in Britain by the female sex it would appear incredible I believe from my soul that it far exceeds one half in all the societies raised since the commencement of the present century in the Bible Society the Missionary Societies and the Society for Promoting the Knowledge of Christianity amongst the Jews yes let the ladies of this country exert themselves in a prudent modest and discreet way and the effects will soon appear the Royal Edict will not be a dead letter but will produce incalculable good to the whole nationmdashand the agents in this benevolent work will themselves receive quite as much benefit as they impart their benevolence being in proportion as it is exercised its own reward

10 The fear of the Lord fell on all the kingdoms of the lands surrounding Judah so that they did not go to war against Jehoshaphat

GILL And the fear of the Lord fell upon all the kingdoms of the lands that were round about Judah Upon the ten tribes and on foreign nations about them as Moabites Edomites Syrians Egyptians Arabs and Philistines this fear as it came from the Lord so might be raised and increased by observing that religion was revived in them for they might perceive by former observations made that the more religious these people were the more prosperous and formidable they were

so that they made no war against Jehoshaphat to interrupt him in the work of reformation he was so intent upon

HERY We have here a further account of Jehoshaphats great prosperity and the flourishing state of his kingdom

I He had good interest in the neighbouring princes and nations Though he was not perhaps so great a soldier as David (which might have made him their terror) nor so great a scholar as Solomon (which might have made him their oracle) yet the fear of the Lord fell so upon them (that is God so influenced and governed their spirits) that they had all a reverence for him 2Ch_1710 And 1 None of them made war against himGods good providence so ordered it that while the princes and priests were instructing and reforming the country none of his neighbours gave him any molestations to take him off from that good work Thus when Jacob and his sons were going to worship at Bethel the terror of God was upon the neighbouring cities that they did not pursue after them Gen_355 and see Exo_3424 2 Many of them brought presents to him (2Ch_1711) to secure his friendship Perhaps these were a tribute imposed upon them by Asa who made himself master of the cities of the Philistines and the tents of the Arabians 2Ch_1414 2Ch_1415 With the 7700 rams and the same number of he-goats which the Arabians brought there was probably a proportionable number of ewes and lambs she-goats and kids

KampD This attempt of Jehoshaphat brought him this blessing that the terror of Jahve fell upon all the surrounding kingdoms and not only did none of the neighbouring peoples venture to make war upon him but also various tribes did homage to him by presents Ramb has already so understood the connection of these verses (erat hoc praemium pietatis Josaphati quod vicini satisque potentes hostes non auderent adversus ipsum hiscere) while Berth fails to apprehend it saying that Jehoshaphat had time to care for the instruction of his people because at that time the neighbouring peoples did not venture to undertake war against Judah The words ldquoterror of Jahverdquo cf 2Ch_1413 2Ch_2029 and ldquoall the kingdoms of the landsrdquo cf 2Ch_128 1Ch_2930 are expressions peculiar to the author of the Chronicle which show that by these remarks he is preparing the way for a transition to a more detailed

portrayal of Jehoshaphats political power מן־(לש)ים is subject מן partitive some of the

Philistines brought him presents (for מנחה see on 2Ch_175) ldquoand silver a burdenrdquo ie

in great quantity מא does not signify tribute vectigal argento (Vulg) for the word has

not that signification but denotes burden that which can be carried as in מא לאן

2Ch_2025 - 2Ch_2116 2Ch_221 ערבים 2Ch_267 and more usually ערב-ים or ערביאים

are Arabian nomadic tribes (Bedacircwin) perhaps those whom Asa after his victory over the Cushite Zerah had brought under the kingdom of Judah 2Ch_1414 These paid

their tribute in small cattle rams and he-goats (ישים( Gen_3035 Gen_3215 Pro_

3031)

BESO 2 Chronicles 1710 The fear of the Lord fell upon all the kingdoms ampc mdash Justly concluding from his singular piety that God would eminently appear for him for even the heathen could not but observe that the kings of Judah were either prosperous or unhappy according as they served God or forsook him So that they made no war against Jehoshaphat mdash Godrsquos good providence so ordered it that while the princes and priests were instructing and endeavouring to reform the country none of his neighbours gave him any molestation to take him off from that good work

COFFMA All of this peace and prosperity were directly due to the respect which Jehoshaphat had shown to the Law of God and to his efforts to teach that word to all the people It is no problem that much of the material here is omitted in Kings because the primary focus there was political whereas in Chronicles the focus is upon the spiritual and religious significance of the same history

TRAPP 2 Chronicles 1710 And the fear of the LORD fell upon all the kingdoms of the lands that [were] round about Judah so that they made no war against Jehoshaphat

Ver 10 And the fear of the Lord fell upon all the kingdoms] It is said [2 Chronicles 172] Jehoshaphat placed forces in all the fenced cities yet it is not said thereupon that the fear of the Lord fell upon the neighbour nations But when he had established a preaching ministry in all the cities then his enemies had a fear and made no war

POOLE Justly concluding from this singular piety that God would eminently appear for him and against all those who had ill will to him which was their case For even the heathens could not but observe that the kings of Judah were either prosperous or unhappy accordingly as they served God or forsook him

ELLICOTT (10) The fear of the LordmdashA dread of Jehovah (pachad) aps 2029 (Comp Exodus 1516 1 Samuel 117 Isaiah 210 ) This phrase is not peculiar to the chronicler as Keil and Bertheau assert ldquoThe kingdoms of the landsrdquo is so (2 Chronicles 128 1 Chronicles 2930)

They made no warmdashThe reward of Jehosha-phatrsquos piety (1 Chronicles 229

Proverbs 167) ldquoWhen a manrsquos ways please the Lord he maketh even his enemies to be at peace with himrdquo (Comp also Genesis 355)

11 Some Philistines brought Jehoshaphat gifts and silver as tribute and the Arabs brought him flocks seven thousand seven hundred rams and seven thousand seven hundred goats

BARES Some of the Philistines brought Jehoshaphat presents - i e ldquosome of the Philistines were among his tributariesrdquo Compare 2Sa_82 1Ki_421

Tribute silver - Or ldquomuch silverrdquo - literally ldquosilver of burthenrdquo

The Arabians - The Arab tribes who bordered Judaea to the south and the southeast paid Jehoshaphat a fixed tribute in kind Compare 2Ki_34 note

CLARKE The Philistines brought - presents - They and the Arabians purchased peace with the king of Judah by paying an annual tribute The Philistines brought silver and no doubt different kinds of merchandise The Arabs whose riches consisted in cattle brought him flocks in great abundance principally rams and he-goats

GILL Also some of the Philistines brought Jehoshaphat presents and tribute silver Perhaps those of Gerar and the parts adjacent Asa took and spoiled and made tributary 2Ch_1414

and the Arabians brought him flocks seven thousand and seven hundred rams and seven thousand and seven hundred he goats with which their country abounded and these might be the Scenite Arabs who fearing lest Jehoshaphat should fall upon them and take away their flocks as his father had done 2Ch_1415 brought these presents to him

JAMISO Also some of the Philistines brought Jehoshaphat presents and tribute silvermdash either they had been his tributaries or they were desirous of securing his valuable friendship and now made a voluntary offer of tribute Perhaps

they were the Philistines who had submitted to the yoke of David (2Sa_81 Psa_608)

the Arabiansmdash the nomad tribes on the south of the Dead Sea who seeking the protection of Jehoshaphat after his conquest of Edom paid their tribute in the way most suitable to their pastoral habits - the present of so many head of cattle

BESO 2 Chronicles 1711 Some of the Philistines brought presents mdash They had been subject to Judah ever since Davidrsquos time but it seems had neglected this duty in the times of his predecessors but were now moved by their own fears to perform it And the Arabians brought him flocks mdash Either because he had upon some just occasion waged war against them and subdued them or because they voluntarily put themselves under his protection in recompense whereof they sent him these presents or only as a free acknowledgment of their respect for him

TRAPP 2 Chronicles 1711 Also [some] of the Philistines brought Jehoshaphat presents and tribute silver and the Arabians brought him flocks seven thousand and seven hundred rams and seven thousand and seven hundred he goats

Ver 11 Also some of the Philistines] These having been subdued by David had withheld their tribute for a time but now seeing Jehoshaphatrsquos growing greatness they bring it in with the better that no offence might be taken at their former neglect The word here used signifieth honorary gifts or oblations pacifications

ldquo Placatur donis Iupiter ipse datis rdquo

Think the same of the Arabians See 2 Chronicles 1414-15

POOLE Some of the Philistines who had been subjects to this kingdom ever since Davidrsquos time but it seems had neglected this duty in the times of his predecessors but now were moved by their own fears to perform it

The Arabians brought him flocks either because he had upon some just occasion waged war against them and subdued them though the particulars of it be not described in Scripture or because they voluntarily put themselves under his protection in recompence whereof they sent him those presents or only as a free acknowledgment of their respects to him

ELLICOTT (11) Broughtmdashie continually Such is the force of the participle

PresentsmdashAn offering ie tribute (minchah 2 Chronicles 175)

And tribute silvermdashRather and silver a load or burden ie a great quantity (massacircrsquo) 2 Chronicles 2025 As if ldquosilver as much as they could carryrdquomdasha natural hyperbole ot all the five states of the Philistines were subject to Jehoshaphat (Comp 2 Samuel 81)

The ArabiansmdashlsquoArbicircrsquoim here only equivalent to lsquoArbicircyicircm (2 Chronicles 267) and

lsquoArbim (2 Chronicles 2116) They are in each case grouped with the Philistines The nomad Bedacircwin conquered by Asa (2 Chronicles 1415) appear to be meant here or else some tribes which recognised the overlordship of Jehoshaphat after his reduction of Edom (2 Chronicles 2022 sqq)

Brought him flocksmdashComp Mesha of Moabrsquos tribute to Ahab (2 Kings 34)

GUZIK 2 (2 Chronicles 1711-19) The international strength of Jehoshaphatrsquos kingdom

Also some of the Philistines brought Jehoshaphat presents and silver as tribute and the Arabians brought him flocks seven thousand seven hundred rams and seven thousand seven hundred male goats So Jehoshaphat became increasingly powerful and he built fortresses and storage cities in Judah He had much property in the cities of Judah and the men of war mighty men of valor were in Jerusalem These are their numbers according to their fathersrsquo houses Of Judah the captains of thousands Adnah the captain and with him three hundred thousand mighty men of valor and next to him was Jehohanan the captain and with him two hundred and eighty thousand and next to him was Amasiah the son of Zichri who willingly offered himself to the LORD and with him two hundred thousand mighty men of valor Of Benjamin Eliada a mighty man of valor and with him two hundred thousand men armed with bow and shield and next to him was Jehozabad and with him one hundred and eighty thousand prepared for war These served the king besides those the king put in the fortified cities throughout all Judah

a Some of the Philistines brought Jehoshaphat presents and silver as tribute and the Arabians brought him flocks Jehoshaphatrsquos commitment to personal and public godliness meant that God exalted his kingdom above the neighboring nations even as God promised in Deuteronomy 281-13

b These served the king The true treasure of Jehoshaphatrsquos kingdom was not numbered only in security or material things but also in the dedicated and courageous men he had surrounding him these mighty men of valor

i Amasiah the son of Zichri who willingly offered himself to the LORD ldquoAmasiah is a man of whom we do not know anything beyond this ndash he lsquowillingly offered himself unto the Lordrsquo There must have been a turning-point in his career a time when first he knew the grace of God which wrought such a change in him There must have been a waking up to the feeling that God deserved his love and his liferdquo (Spurgeon)

ii Amasiah was a ready servant of the Lord this particularly notable because he did it in an otherwise secular calling

middot o one had to press him into service

middot o one had to seek him out for service

middot o one had to look after him once he had begun serving

middot o one had to lead him

iii ldquoThere is no lawful occupation in which a man cannot thoroughly serve the Lord It is a great privilege and blessing to be set apart to the work of winning souls but we must never separate that work from all the rest of the callings of life as though it alone were sacred and all the rest were secular and almost sinful Serve God where you arerdquo (Spurgeon)

PULPIT The presents were probably enough in the nature of tribute the fixed rate of which is sometimes alluded to (1 Kings 421 1 Kings 1025 2 Samuel 82) but it is doubtful whether the word משא purports to say this The word means bearing or carrying and then a burden load or weight The expression (2 Chronicles 2025) more than they could carry away where this word is used favours the idea that the meaning here is silver of great weight Probably the moral significance and historical interest whether of this statement respecting the Philistines or the following respecting the Arabians lies in the fact that both of them brought without more ado their payments and did not seek to slip out of their engagements with Judah and Judahs king ote for confirmation of this view 2 Kings 34 2 Kings 35

12 Jehoshaphat became more and more powerful he built forts and store cities in Judah

GILL And Jehoshaphat waxed great exceedingly In wealth and riches power and authority in his forces and fortifications

and he built in Judah castles and cities of stores castles for the defence of his kingdom and store cities to lay up corn and wine and all provisions in case of an invasion or against a time of war

HERY II He had a very considerable stores laid up in the cities of Judah He pulled down his barns and built larger (2Ch_1712) castles and cities of store for arms and victuals He was a man of business and aimed at the public good in all his

undertakings either to preserve the peace or prepare for war

JAMISO 2Ch_1712-19 His greatness captains and armies

KampD Description of Jehoshaphats power - 2Ch_1712 And Jehoshaphat became

ever greater sc in power The partic הולך expresses the continuous advance in

greatness cf Ew sect280 b as the infin absol does elsewhere eg Gen_83 למעלה as עד

in 2Ch_1612 - He built castles in Judah ירנ-ות only here and in 2Ch_274 from ירנית

derivative formed from ירה by the Syriac termination נית- fem of ן- castle fortress On

מסנות cf 2Ch_84 ערי

TRAPP 2 Chronicles 1712 And Jehoshaphat waxed great exceedingly and he built in Judah castles and cities of store

Ver 12 And Jehoshaphat waxed great exceedingly] Heb He was going and growing By humility and the fear of the Lord are riches and honour and life [Proverbs 224]

And he built in Judah castles] Bironeoth πυργους turres So did the Burgundians and thence had their names

And cities of store] Granaries in the Hebrew they have their name from their utility or usefulness

ELLICOTT (12) And Jehoshaphat waxed greatmdashLiterally And Jehoshaphat was going on and waxing great ie became greater and greater (Comp 1 Chronicles 119)

ExceedinglymdashlsquoAd lĕmagraversquolah This phrase occurs again in 2 Chronicles 1612 2 Chronicles 268 and nowhere else in the Old Testament (See on 1 Chronicles 142)

And he builtmdashLike his predecessorsmdashSolomon Rehoboam Asamdashhe displayed his wealth and power in great public works The records of the Assyrian and Babylonian sovereigns are largely taken up with similar accounts of temple and palace building

CastlesmdashBiranicircyocircth a derivative from birah (1 Chronicles 291 1 Chronicles 2919 comp Syriac here birocircthocirc) It only recurs at 2 Chronicles 274 It is an Aramaic term (Comp bicircranyacircthacirc which in the Targums means ldquopalacesrdquo)

Cities of storesmdashComp 2 Chronicles 84 2 Chronicles 164 Exodus 111

PULPIT Castles This rendering better than palaces (margin) wound bear improving to the rather stronger word fortresses Hebrew בירניות found only here and in 2 Chronicles 274 plur of בירנית connected with the Chaldee and later Hebrew בירה of Ezra 62 ehemiah 11 Esther 12 Daniel 82 Cities of store (see note under 2 Chronicles 84 see also 1 Kings 919 Exodus 111)

13 and had large supplies in the towns of Judah He also kept experienced fighting men in Jerusalem

CLARKE He hadmuch business in the cities - He kept the people constantly employed they had wages for their work and by their labors the empire was both enriched and strengthened

GILL And he had much business in the cities of Judah Partly in fortifying them and partly in reforming the inhabitants of them

and the men of war mighty men of valour were in Jerusalem or by or near unto it so the particle is rendered Jos_513 they encamped in places adjacent to it for such a number of men as follows even 1160000 could never be contained in Jerusalem but must be disposed of in the territories of it nor did they wait on the king together but in course see 2Ch_1719 by which it appears there is no need to suppose any mistake of the transcriber in any or all of the following sums as has been suggested (q)

HERY 13-19 III He had the militia in good order It was never in better since David modelled it Five lord-lieutenants (if I may so call them) are here named with the numbers of those under their command (the serviceable men that were fit for war in their respective districts) three in Judah and two in Benjamin It is said of one of these great commanders Amasiah that he willingly offered himself unto the Lord (2Ch_1716) not only to the king to serve him in this post but to the Lord to glorify him in it He was the most eminent among them for religion he accepted the place not for the

honour or power or profit of it but for conscience sake towards God that he might serve his country It was usual for great generals then to offer of their spoils to the Lord 1Ch_2626 But this good man offered himself first to the Lord and then his dedicated things The number of the soldiers under these five generals amounts to 1160000 men a vast number for so small a compass of ground as Judahs and Benjamins lot to furnish out and maintain Abijah could bring into the field but 400000 (2Ch_133) Asa not 600000 (2Ch_148) yet Jehoshaphat has at command almost 1200000 But it must be considered 1 That God had promised to make the seed of Abraham like the sand of the sea for number 2 There had now been a long peace 3 We may suppose that the city of Jerusalem was very much enlarged 4 Many had come over to them from the kingdom of Israel (2Ch_1519) which would increase the numbers of the people 5 Jehoshaphat was under a special blessing of God which made his affairs to prosper greatly The armies we may suppose were dispersed all the country over and each man resided for the most part on his own estate but they appeared often to be mustered and trained and were ready at call whenever there was occasion The commanders waited on the king (2Ch_1719) as officers of his court privy-counsellors and ministers of state

But lastly observe It was not this formidable army that struck a terror upon the neighbouring nations that restrained them from attempting any thing against Israel or obliged them to pay tribute but the fear of God which fell upon them when Jehoshaphat reformed his country and set up a preaching ministry in it 2Ch_1710 The ordinances of God are more the strength and safety of a kingdom than its military force - its men of God more than its men of war

KampD 2Ch_1713

וגווגווגווגו רהרהרהרה is rightly translated by Luther ldquound hatte viel Vorrathsrdquo (and ומלעכהומלעכהומלעכהומלעכה

had much store) מלעכהמלעכהמלעכהמלעכה denotes here as in Exo_227-10 property that which has been gained by work or business The signification much work opera magna (Vulg Cler etc) as also Bertheaus translation ldquothe works for equipping and provisioning the fortressesrdquo correspond neither to the context nor to the parallel (synonymous) second member of the verse The work and trouble necessary to equip the cities of Judah does not correspond to ldquothe valiant warriors in Jerusalemrdquo the only parallel is the goods and property which were in these cities the provision of victuals and war material there stored up

BESO 2 Chronicles 1713 He had much business in the cities of Judah mdash To repair and fortify them and furnish them with provisions and to purge out all the relics of idolatry and injustice which were more secretly and craftily managed in the cities than in the country and which were first and most prevalent in the cities and thence spread their infection into the country around them

TRAPP 2 Chronicles 1713 And he had much business in the cities of Judah and the men of war mighty men of valour [were] in Jerusalem

Ver 13 And he had much business] Eργα πολλα (a) Many works going forward at

once a negotious man he was His business say some lay in beautifying and fortifying those cities Augustus gloried at his death that whereas he had found Rome built with brick he had left it made of marble

And the men of war hellip were in Jerusalem] These were his Praetorian forces his Praesidiaries were up and down in the various cities

POOLE He had much business in the cities of Judah partly to repair and fortify them and furnish them with all necessary provisions and partly to purge out all the relies and seeds of idolatry and injustice which were more secretly and subtlely managed in the cities than in the country and which were first and most in the cities and thence spread their infection into the country about them See Jeremiah 228

ELLICOTT (13) BusinessmdashRather much goods or stores literally work (mĕlacirckacirch) and then produce The Hebrew word is so used in Exodus 227 Exodus 2210 (ldquoHis neighbourrsquos goodsrdquo) Stores of provisions and war material seem to be intended (Comp 2 Chronicles 1111)

And the man of war were in JerusalemmdashRather and (he had) men of war in Jerusalem

In Jerusalemmdashot the entire army corps whose numbers are given in 2 Chronicles 1714-18 but simply their chiefs

PULPIT Much business Hebrew מלאכה The meaning of the word is service labour bestowed and the verse reads And there was to him much labour in the cities of Judah and men of war mighty men of valour in Jerusalem ie He bestoweth much pains on the cities of Judah and had etc The word were Authorized Version italics is incorrectly inserted The former half of this verse would better constitute the end of 2 Chronicles 1712 Keil however maintains the rendering substance property for מלאכה (Exodus 227 Exodus 2210)

14 Their enrollment by families was as followsFrom Judah commanders of units of 1000Adnah the commander with 300000 fighting men

BARES The captains of thousands Adnah the chief - literally ldquoprinces of thousands Adnah the princerdquo The writer does not mean that Adnah (or Johohanan 2Ch_1715) was in any way superior to the other ldquoprincesrdquo but only that he was one of them

Three hundred thousand - This number and those which follow in 2Ch_1715-18 have been with good reason regarded as corrupt by most critics For

(1) They imply a minimum population of 1480 to the square mile which is more than three times greater than that of any country in the known world (circa 1880rsquos)

(2) they produce a total just double that of the next largest estimate of the military force of Judah the 580 000 of 2Ch_148

(3) they are professedly a statement not of the whole military force but of the force maintained at Jerusalem (2Ch_1713 compare 2Ch_1719)

It is probable that the original numbers have been lost and that the loss was suppplied by a scribe who took 2Ch_148 as his basis

CLARKE Adnah the chief - He was generalissimo of all this host These are the numbers of the five battalions under Adnah three hundred thousand Jehohanan two hundred and eighty thousand Amasiah two hundred thousand Eliada two hundred thousand Jehozabad one hundred and eighty thousand in all one million one hundred and sixty thousand

GILL And these are the numbers of them according to the house of their fathers Both of the tribe of Judah and of Benjamin and first

of Judah the captains of thousands some had 1000 men under them and some one hundred

Adnah the chief he was the principal commander or general of them

and with him mighty men of valour three hundred thousand such a number was under his command

JAMISO these are the numbersmdash The warriors were arranged in the army according to their fathers houses The army of Jehoshaphat commanded by five great generals and consisting of five unequal divisions comprised one million one hundred and sixty thousand men without including those who garrisoned the fortresses No monarch since the time of Solomon equaled Jehoshaphat in the extent of his revenue in the strength of his fortifications and in the number of his troops

KampD 2Ch_1714-16

The men fit for war passed in review according to their fathers-houses The male population of Judah fell into three divisions that of Benjamin into two The prince

Adnah held the first place among the generals with 300000 men of Judah ידו at his על

hand ie with and under him Jehohanan had the command of 280000 men and

Amasiah over 200000 השר is a contraction for אלפים For what special reason it is so שר

honourably recorded of Amasiah that he had willingly offered himself to the Lord (cf for

Jdg_59) has not been communicated התנב

COFFMA his represented a standing army of 1160000 men besides the garrisons in the fortified cities and this goes a long way to explaining why the Arabians and the Philistines brought tribute to Jehoshaphat In ancient times as in our own day peace frequently depended upon the strength of those who desired it

We should ignore the screams of exaggeration[3] which mark the writings of radical critics Pagan rulers of that era reported even larger armies than this and until the critics can prove that those were exaggerated reports they should let these alone Besides that we have already noted that the very word from which thousand is translated is disputed as to its exact meaning

COKE 2 Chronicles 1714 And these are the numbers of themmdash That is of the soldiers as well as of those who were employed in the kings works in the several cities ampc which he built See 2 Chronicles 1719

REFLECTIOSmdash1st Jehoshaphat no sooner comes to the throne than we see the dawnings of a glorious reign

1 He strengthened his kingdom by placing strong garrisons in the cities of Judah and those which his father had recovered from Israel and prepared against that danger which Ahabs growing power seemed to threaten

2 Religion was his great concern He copied after the best of his predecessors in their best days such as were the first of David before the matter of Uriah and the numbering of the people had blotted his fair copy Faithful to the worship of God he abhorred all idols the law of God was his rule of duty and Israels apostacy rendered his fidelity more singular and exemplary Inspired with holy zeal his heart with delight and sincerity was engaged for God and no difficulties deterred him from the path of duty The idols and groves which in the declining days of Asa might have been set up again he utterly destroyed with all the high places where they still offered sacrifices to these abominations ote (1) In the fairest human pattern there will be found imperfections but there is a Son of David more than man who has set us a spotless example that we should follow his steps (2) Fidelity in Gods service is the stability of a nation (3) A lively soul on wings of faith and love mounts up to God rises superior to every difficulty and looks down upon every thing besides his favour as altogether vanity

3 He not only removed the temptations to sin but took care to instruct the people in

the path of duty Ignorance of Gods law had greatly prevailed and to oblige them merely to conform to his reformation without grounding them on the true foundation of Gods word promised little stability The Levites and priests therefore are sent in progress through the cities of Judah with the book of the law to explain and enforce the commandments of God and several princes accompanied them in order to engage the people to hear them and give countenance to these preachers by their weight and influence ote (1) It is a blessed thing when princes countenance faithful ministers Though they cannot make men true converts their example and authority will induce them to attend (2) They who are sent to teach must see that they take the pure word of God along with them A true preacher wishes for nothing in his hand but his Bible (3) Religion is a reasonable service Conviction alone not compulsion or education can make a man a christian

4 The blessing of God attended his labours The Lord was with him or as the Targum generally expresses it the word of the Lord the divine Logos to whom all things are committed strengthened him in his labours and established his kingdom The people charmed with his government liberally sent their presents to him and abounding in riches and honour his heart far from being intoxicated by prosperity was lifted up in greater love and thankfulness to the gracious giver ote (1) God often here rewards piety with prosperity (2) Worldly comforts are then truly blessings when as the steps of Jacobs ladder they raise our hearts to heaven

2nd Like the light of the morning which shineth more and more so did Jehoshaphats glory increase

1 Feared by his enemies as beloved by his subjects the neighbouring princes did not offer to molest him while those of Philistia and Arabia courted his favour either by a voluntary present or exact payment of the tribute which Asa had imposed on them see 2 Chronicles 1711 God had put an awe upon them of the majesty of his king in Zion ote God hath access to the spirits of men and by secret yet irresistible influence can bow them to his sovereign will

2 His military preparations greatly advanced While he reformed the people he fortified their ramparts and built new castles and store-cities strengthening them within and without against their enemies Under five chief officers an immense army was enlisted Probably all the able men in the country were enrolled and regularly mustered though not drawn out except in case of necessity and this may easily account for the greatness of their number if we consider also the long peace they had enjoyed the accession of Israelites to them and especially the blessing of Abraham which no doubt was eminently fulfilled Amasiah one of the officers is mentioned with an honourable mark of distinction as a volunteer who served for the glory of God not for the sake of pay Such patriots are scarce

TRAPP 2 Chronicles 1714 And these [are] the numbers of them according to the house of their fathers Of Judah the captains of thousands Adnah the chief and

with him mighty men of valour three hundred thousand

Ver 14 Three hundred thousand] These were under his command and at hand to come whensoever the king would

WHEDO 14 Three hundred thousand mdash The numbers in this verse and the four verses following are generally regarded as corrupt ldquoThey implyrdquo observes the writer last quoted ldquoa minimum population of 1480 to the square mile which is more than three times greater than that of any country in the known world It is probable that the original numbers have been lost and the loss supplied by a scribe who took 2 Chronicles 148 as his basis

ELLICOTT Verse 14 (14) And these their fathersmdashAnd this is their muster (or census) according to their father-houses (clans) 1 Chronicles 243 The warriors were marshalled in the army according to clans so that men of the same stock fought side by side with their kindred Perhaps in the original document this heading was followed by a much more detailed scheme of names and divisions than that which the text presents

Of JudahmdashTo Judah (belonged) captains of thousands viz the three enumerated in 2 Chronicles 1714-16 Adnah Jehohanan and Amasiah They were the principal officers or generals of the entire forces of Judah

Adnah the chiefmdashTo wit the captain Adnah That Adnah was commander-in-chief is implied by his being named first and his corps being the largest

PULPIT This verse with the following four gives us the names of five captains chiefs princes or military officers for the kingdoms service with the numbers of the troops they severally commanded The numbers of them (see note under 1 Chronicles 2311) Hebrew פקדתם The better English rendering to carry at once the signification would be The muster of them etc The captains hellip the chief In both cases the Hebrew is the familiar word for prince ( שר ) in the former without article in the latter with article The numbers of this and following four verses are not only absolutely unreliable but in themselves impossible According to the house of their fathers ie the quotation is drawn from an army catalogue arranged carefully by fathers houses (umbers 118 umbers 122 etc)

15 next Jehohanan the commander with 280000

GILL And next to him was Jehohanan the captain Being of the same rank as to office but having a lesser number of men under him and it may respect not any kind of subordination only nearness of place as the Targumhe that encamped next to him

and with him two hundred and fourscore thousand which number was but 20000 less than the former

POOLE ext to him either

1 After his death as his successor in the same command And the like is supposed concerning Jehozabad 2 Chronicles 1718 Or rather

2 ext to him in place and authority or at least in power and the numbers of his host

16 next Amasiah son of Zikri who volunteered himself for the service of the Lord with 200000

GILL And next him was Amasiah the son of Zichri He encamped next to him as the Targum

who willingly offered himself unto the Lord to fight the Lords battles and without any stipend as some think or as Kimchi he offered gold and silver to the treasures of the house of the Lord

and with him two hundred thousand mighty men of valour the number was 80000 less than the former the whole of Judah amounted to 780000 men

TRAPP 2 Chronicles 1716 And next him [was] Amasiah the son of Zichri who willingly offered himself unto the LORD and with him two hundred thousand mighty men of valour

Ver 16 Who willingly offered himself unto the Lord] He was a votary the vows of God were upon him and this made him the more valiant and resolute (a) in the exercise of arms for the service of God and the safety of his people The Spahis among the Turks are a sort of horsemen voluntaries and votaries to gain paradise by dying for the Mohammedan cause These are never known to return home but

with victory these are heavy upon the enemy For

ldquo Vincitur haud gratis iugulo qui provocat ensem rdquo

POOLE As volunteers and auxiliaries to be ready upon occasion as the service of God and the king should require Possibly these or most of them were the strangers which had come out of Israel into the kingdom of Judah in Asarsquos days and probably since that in his time

ELLICOTT (16) AmasiahmdashIah carrieth (Isaiah 4011) different from Amaziah (Iah is strong)

Who willingly offered himself unto the Lordmdash(Judges 52 Judges 59) An allusion to some noble act of self-devotion which was doubtless more fully recorded in the source from which the chronicler has drawn this brief account Such allusions though no longer intelligible are important as conducing to the proof of the historical value of the narratives in which they occur LXX ὁ προθυmicroούmicroενος τῷ κυρίῳ Vulg consecratus Domino

PULPIT Amaziah the son of Zichri This man is not titled at all The description of him as one who had willingly offered himself unto the Lord not elucidated by the context or any effective parallel will mark something honorable in his history Possibly he comes from an unexpected quarter and is a man of approved skill othing further is known of these three men Meantime it has been suggested (Professor Dr J Murphy of Belfast Handbook to Chronicles ) that the first of the three was for Judah proper the second for that contingent of Judah that hailed from Dan and the Philistines and the third for that of Simeon and the Arabs

MACLARE This is a scrap from the catalogue of Jehoshaphatrsquos lsquomighty men of valourrsquo and is Amasiahrsquos sole record We see him for a moment and hear his eulogium and then oblivion swallows him up We do not know what it was that he did to earn it But what a fate to live to all generations by that one sentence

I Cheerful self-surrender the secret of all religion

The words of our text contain a metaphor naturally drawn from the sacrificial system It comes so easily to us that we scarcely recognise the metaphorical element but the clear recognition of it gives great additional energy to the words Amasiah was both sacrificer and sacrifice His offering was self-immolation As in all love so in that noblest kind of it which clasps God its perfect expression is lsquoI give Thee my living loving selfrsquo Nor is it only sacrifice and sacrificer that are seen in deepest truth in the experience of the Christian life but the reality of the Temple is also there for lsquoYe also are built up a spiritual house to be a holy priesthood to offer up spiritual sacrificesrsquo Only when God dwells in us shall we have the nerve and the firmness of hand to take the knife and lsquoslay before the Lordrsquo the awful Guest in the sanctuary within the most precious of the children of our spirits

The essence of the sacrifice of self is the sacrifice of will In the Christian experience

lsquowillingly offeredrsquo is almost tautology for unwilling offerings are a contradiction and in fact there are no such things The quality of unwillingness destroys the character of the offering and robs it of all sacredness Reluctant Christianity is not Christianity That noun and that adjective can never be buckled together

The submission of will and the consequent surrender of myself and my powers opportunities and possessions so that I do all enjoy all use all and when need is endure all with glad thankful reference to God is only possible to me in the measure in which my will is made flexible by love and such will-subduing love comes only when we lsquoknow and believe the love that God hath to usrsquo There is the point at which not a few moral and religious teachers go wrong and bewilder themselves and their disciples There too is the point at which Christ and the Gospel of salvation through faith in Him stand forth as emancipating humanity from the dreary round of efforts and vain attempts to work up the condition needful for achieving the height of self-surrender which is seen to be indispensable to all true nobleness of living but is felt to be beyond the reach of the ordinary man There too is the point at which many good people mar their lives as Christians They waste their strength in trying to bring the jibbing horse up to the leap They try to blow up a fire of devotion and to make themselves priests to offer themselves but all the while the mutinous self recoils from the leap and the fire burns smokily and their sacrifice is laid on the altar with little joy because they have not been careful and wise enough to begin at the beginning and to follow Godrsquos way of melting their wills by love the reflection of the Infinite love of God to them Godrsquos priests offer themselves because they offer their wills they offer their wills because they love God they love God because they know that God loves them That is the divine order It is vain to try to accomplish the end by any other

II This willing offering hallows all life

No syllable is left to tell us what Amasiah did to win this praise Probably the words enshrine some now forgotten memory of his cheerful courage some heroic feat on an unrecorded battlefield Particulars are not given nor needed Specific actions are unimportant the spirit of a life can be told with very incomplete details and it not the details is the important thing Sometimes as in many modern biographies one lsquocannot see the wood for the treesrsquo and misses the main drift and aim of a life in the chaos of a bewildering mass of nothings How much more happy the lot of this man of whom we have only the generalised expression of the text unweighted and undisturbed by petty incidents It takes tons of rose leaves to make a tiny phial of otto of roses but the fragrance is far more pungent in a drop of the distillation than in armfuls of leaves Every life shrinks into very small compass and the centuries do not tolerate long biographies Shall we not seek to order our life so that Amasiahrsquos epitaph may serve for us It will be blessed if this-and nothing else-is known about us that we lsquowillingly offered ourselves to the Lordrsquo My friend will that be a true epitome of your life

III This willing offering is accepted by God

We may hear a mightier voice behind the chroniclerrsquo s and the judgment of the Judge of all pronounced by His lips It matters little what men say of one another but it matters everything what God says of us We are but too apt to forget that He is now saying something as to each of us and that we have not to wait for death to put a final period to our activities before our lives become fit subjects for Godrsquos judgment Moment by moment we are writing our own sentences But while it is good for us to remember the continuous judgment of God on each deed it is not good to let dark thoughts of the principles of that judgment paralyse our activity or chill our confidence in His forgiving and accepting mercy There is often a dark suspicion like that of the one-talented

servant which blackens Godrsquos fair fame as being lsquoan austere Manrsquo making demands rather than imparting power and the effect of such an ugly conception of Him is to cut the nerve of service and bury the talent carefully folded up it may be but none the less earning nothing lsquoIf we call on Him as Father who without respect of persons judgeth according to every manrsquos workrsquo let us be sure that it will be a Fatherly judgment that He will pass upon us and our offerings There is a wonderful collection on His altar of what many people would think rubbish just as many a mother has laid away among her treasures some worthless article which her child had once given her-a weed plucked by the roadside in a long past summer day some trifle of rare preciousness in the childrsquos eyes and of none in any others than her own She opens her drawer and brings out the poor little thing and her eyes fill and her heart fills as she looks And does not God keep His childrenrsquos gifts as lovingly and set them in places of honour in the day when He lsquomakes up His jewelsrsquo There are cups of cold water and widowsrsquo mites and much else that a supercilious world would call lsquotrashrsquo stored there Thank God He accepts imperfect service faltering faith partial consecration a little love Even our poor offering may be an lsquoodour of a sweet smellrsquo ministering fragrance that is a delight to Him if it is offered with the much incense of the great Sacrifice and through the mediation of the great High Priest

The world forgot Amasiah or never knew him an obscure soldier in an obscure kingdom but God did not forget and here is his epitaph and this is his memorial to all generations Menrsquos chronicles have no room for all the names that their wearers are eager to have inscribed on their crumbling and crowded pages lsquobut the Lambrsquos Book of Lifersquo has ample space on its radiant pages for all who desire to set their names there and if ours are there we need not envy the proudest whose titles and deeds fill the most conspicuous pages in the worldrsquos records lsquoThen shall every man have praise of Christrsquo and he who wins that guerdon needs nothing more and can have nothing more to swell his blessedness

17 From BenjaminEliada a valiant soldier with 200000 men armed with bows and shields

GILL And of Benjamin Eliada a mighty man of valour Was the chief commander

and with armed men with bow and shield two hundred thousand which were

the armour of the tribe of Benjamin they were best skilled in 2Ch_148

TRAPP 2 Chronicles 1717 And of Benjamin Eliada a mighty man of valour and with him armed men with bow and shield two hundred thousand

Ver 17 With bow and shield] The Benjamites were notable bowmen [1 Chronicles 122] The Engish were anciently so too

ELLICOTT (17) Armed men with bow and shieldmdashLiterally drawing bow and shield ie as the Targum explains ldquodrawing bow and grasping shieldsrdquo (Comp 1 Chronicles 122) LXX ldquoArchers and peltastsrdquo Vulg ldquoGrasping bow and shieldrdquo (Comp also 1 Chronicles 840 for the arms of the Benjaminites)

18 next Jehozabad with 180000 men armed for battle

GILL And next to him was Jehozabad According to the Targum he encamped next him

and with him one hundred and fourscore thousand ready prepared for war being able bodied men well disciplined valiant and well armed these numbers of Judah and Benjamin put together amount to 1160000 men whereas Asa only brought into the field 580000 but it should be considered there had been a long time of peace many had come off from the ten tribes to Judah and the promise of multiplying the seed of Abraham was eminently fulfilled

TRAPP 2 Chronicles 1718 And next him [was] Jehozabad and with him an hundred and fourscore thousand ready prepared for the war

Ver 18 A hundred and fourscore thousand] His militia was eleven hundred and threescore thousand besides what he had in garrisons [2 Chronicles 1719] So that as he was better he was stronger than his father Asa had been Piety hath prosperity

ELLICOTT (18) Ready prepared for the warmdashEquipped for service (See on 1

Chronicles 1223-24 umbers 315 umbers 3229) The hoplites or heavy-armed infantry are probably meant

PULPIT While Eliada of last verse was for Benjamin Professor Dr Murphy supposes that Jehozabad was for the annexed part of Ephraim But no suppositions of this kind can avail to explain the numbers in the text which is no doubt corrupt

19 These were the men who served the king besides those he stationed in the fortified cities throughout Judah

CLARKE These waited on the king - They were disposable forces always at the kingrsquos command and were independent of those by which the cities of Judah were garrisoned

There is not a sovereign in Europe or in the world but might read this chapter with advantage

1 It shows most forcibly that true religion is the basis of the state and that wherever it prospers there the state prospers

2 It shows also that it is the wisdom of kings to encourage religion with all their power and influence for if the hearts of the subjects be not bound and influenced by true religion vain is the application of laws fines imprisonments or corporal punishment of any kind

3 A religious nation is ever a great nation it is loved by its friends it is dreaded by its enemies

4 It is ever a peaceable and united nation the blessings of religion and a wholesome and paternal government are so fully felt and prized that all find it their interest to preserve and defend them Harmony peace piety and strength are the stability of such times May Britain know and value them

GILL These waited on the king Not this vast number of men at one time but in course as Davids military men waited on him 1Ch_271 or each of these captains with a proper number of men under them detached from the body and they were all ready to obey the kings orders whenever he should have occasion for them

besides those whom the king put into the fenced cities throughout Judah and all together the militia of the kingdom was very numerous and formidable

KampD 2Ch_1719

These were serving the king א6ה refers not to the above-mentioned men capable of

bearing arms for sheereet is not used of service in war but to the commanders whom he had placed in the fortified cities of all Judah ldquoin which probably bodies of the above-mentioned troops lay as garrisonsrdquo (Berth)

BESO 2 Chronicles 1719 These waited on the king mdash These above-mentioned were the trained bands or auxiliaries whose chief officers waited on the king to receive his commands and to raise and bring in all or part of their forces to the service of the king as need required A vast number for so small a compass of ground to furnish out and maintain But we may consider that God had promised to make the seed of Abraham like the sand of the sea for number that there had now been a long peace that many were come to them from the kingdom of Israel and that Jehoshaphat was under a special blessing of God They were doubtless dispersed all the country over every one residing on his own land only they were ready at call whenever there was occasion

TRAPP 2 Chronicles 1719 These waited on the king beside [those] whom the king put in the fenced cities throughout all Judah

Ver 19 These waited on the king] ie In their turns and by course

POOLE These above mentioned were the trained bands or auxiliaries whose chief officers waited upon the king to receive his commands and to raise and bring in all or part of their forces to the service of the king and kingdom as need required

ELLICOTT (19) These waited on the kingmdashRather these are they that ministered unto the king viz the five generals above named

Beside those whom the king put in the fenced citiesmdashie the commandants of the fortresses of the kingdom (2 Chronicles 1111 2 Chronicles 1123) These latter as well as the generals of the forces are called the kingrsquos ldquoministersrdquo (mĕshacircrĕthicircm)mdasha word which is not used of service in the field but implies their presence at court (ldquoin Jerusalemrdquo 2 Chronicles 1713 as the royal staff)

According to the above list the army of Jehoshaphat was organised in five grand divisions corresponding perhaps to five territorial divisions of the southern kingdom The totals are the largest assigned to the two tribes anywhere in the Old Testament viz Judah 780000 and Benjamin 380000 in all 1160000 At Davidrsquos census Judah had 500000 warriors (2 Samuel 249) and Israel 800000 Again in 2

Chronicles 148 Asarsquos army consists of 300000 men of Judah and 280000 Benjaminites clearly such an increase as our text indicates is unaccountable At the same time it is equally clear that the present numbers are not fortuitous results of clerical errors for they follow each other in the order of relative strength Judah 300000 280000 200000 Benjamin 200000 180000 and they are evidently not independent of the estimates of 2 Chronicles 148 above quoted

In the absence of adequate data for modifying these certainly startling figures it is well to bear in mind that we need not understand by them an army which ever actually mustered in the field or on parade but simply an estimate of the total male population liable to be called out for the national defence although even upon that understanding the total appears to be at least three times too great considering the small extent of the country

PULPIT These waited Hebrew המשרתים plur piel part of שרת The verse states that this enormous fivefold army with its five princes (counting in our corrupt text one million one hundred and sixty thousand) was the kings Jerusalem standing army while other separate regiments or bands of troops were spread through all Judah where they might be most needed for defence

evidently means the Pentateuch and if this notice was derived by him from a contemporary source eg the ldquowords of Jehu the son of Hananirdquo to which he refers as an authority for the reign (2 Chronicles 2034) it would constitute an important testimony to the existence if not of the five books at least of an ancient collection of laws at this early date (circ 850 BC )

And taught the peoplemdashTaught among the people

9 They taught throughout Judah taking with them the Book of the Law of the Lord they went around to all the towns of Judah and taught the people

BARES There is no reasonable doubt that this ldquobook of the lawrdquo was the Pentateuch - nearly if not quite in the shape in which we now have it Copies of the whole Law were no doubt scarce and therefore Jehoshaphatrsquos commission took care to carry a copy with them

CLARKE Had the book of the law of the Lord with them - This was their text book it was the book of God they taught it as such and as such the people received it Its laws were Godrsquos laws and the people felt their obligation and their consciences were bound Thus they were obedient to the laws of the land on the principle of religion In this they were encouraged and confirmed by the example of all both in Church and state The princes were not only pious but were teachers of piety the Levites showed them the worth and excellence of their ritual institutions and the priests showed them the moral use they were to make of the whole and thus the people became obedient to God as well as to the king and kept all the civil ordinances not merely for the sake of a good king but for the sake of a good and gracious God By these means the nation enjoyed peace and prosperity and all insurrections seditions and popular commotions were prevented The surrounding nations perceiving this saw that there was no hope of subduing such a people so they made no war with Jehoshaphat 2Ch_1710 And they took care not to provoke such a people to fall on them therefore it is said The fear of the Lord fell on all the kingdoms and lands that were round about Judah Such an itinerant ministry established in these kingdoms for upwards of fourscore years

teaching the pure unadulterated doctrines of the Gospel with the propriety and necessity of obedience to the laws has been the principal means in the hand of God of preserving these lands from those convulsions and revolutions that have ruined and nearly dissolved the European continent The itinerant ministry to which this refers is that which was established in these lands by the late truly reverend highly learned and cultivated deeply pious and loyal John Wesley AM formerly a fellow of Lincoln College Oxford whose followers are known by the name of Methodists a people who are an honor to their country and a blessing to the government under which they live

GILL And they taught in Judah The people their duty to God and man

and had the book of the law of the Lord with them as the rule of their instruction and the peoples obedience out of this they taught them and by it confirmed what they taught and enforced it with the divine authority

and went about throughout all the cities of Judah not only their own cities the Levitical ones but all others

and taught the people the law of the Lord the fear and worship of God

JAMISO the book of the lawmdash that is either the whole Pentateuch or only the book of Deuteronomy which contains an abridgment of it

BESO 2 Chronicles 179 And they taught in Judah ampc mdash The Levites and priests were teachers by office Deuteronomy 3310 It was a part of the work for which they had their maintenance and indeed had little else to do But it seems they had neglected it pretending probably that they could not get the people to hear them Jehoshaphat therefore sends them with the princes who by their authority might require the people to assemble together to receive instruction in the laws of God and their duty ldquoWhat a great deal of goodrdquo says Henry ldquomay be done when Moses and Aaron thus go hand in hand in the doing of it when princes with their power and priests and Levites with their Scripture-learning agree to teach the people the good knowledge of God and their duty These itinerant judges and itinerant preachers together were instrumental to diffuse a blessed light throughout the cities of Judahrdquo And had the book of the law of the Lord with them mdash 1st For their own guidance that from thence they might draw all the instructions they gave to the people and not teach for doctrines the commandments of men 2d For the conviction or the people that they might see these priests and Levites had a divine warrant for what they said and delivered to them only that which they had received from the Lord

TRAPP 2 Chronicles 179 And they taught in Judah and [had] the book of the law of the LORD with them and went about throughout all the cities of Judah and taught the people

Ver 9 And had the book of the law of the Lord with them] They taught not

traditions human inventions or unwritten verities All their doctrines came cum privilegio and were Scripture proof

WHEDO 9 The book of the law mdash Our Pentateuch in substantially its present form ldquoCopies of the whole law were no doubt scarce and therefore Jehoshaphatrsquos commission took care to carry a copy with themrdquo mdash Rawlinson

PARKER And they taught in Judah and had the book of the law of the Lord with them and went about throughout all the cities of Judah and taught the people ( 2 Chronicles 179)

This was a mixed commission partly civil partly ecclesiastical The men here mentioned are otherwise unknown We identify them as educational reformers or reformers who operated through the medium of education they were not warriors destroyers revolutionists but men who addressed the mind and the understanding and the conscience and caused men to know that the true law was from above and not from beneath The book which the commission had in hand was the Pentateuch or the law of Moses This was known to be the law which alone could touch all the vital necessities of the commonwealth Again and again we are constrained to admit that there is a law beyond Prayer of Manasseh above Prayer of Manasseh in a sense apart from man men are not driven within themselves to find a law an instinct or a reason they have a written statute an authoritative declaration a book which Christian teachers do not hesitate to describe as a Revelation and to that they call the attention of men If the teacher were teaching out of his own consciousness he would be but an equal often exposing himself to the destructive criticism of his more advanced and penetrating scholars but the teacher takes his stand upon a book upon the Book the Bible a revelation which he believes to be divine and final Say what we will the effect of Bible teaching must be judged by its fruits Where are the nations that are most distinguished for wide and varied intelligence for large and exhaustive sympathy for missionary enterprise for philanthropic institutions and for all the elements which give grace and beauty to social existence The question should admit of definite reply the facts are before men let them judge fearlessly and honestly and we need have no apprehension concerning their verdict Wherever the word of the Lord has had free course superstition has been chased away human slavery has been abolished every instance of intolerance injustice unkindness has felt the influence of holy thought in all these matters discussion should be limited strictly to facts Thus kings can help nations not by forcing education not by attempting to rule opinion not by setting up standards of orthodoxy to fall short of which is to incur penalty but by spreading education by extending light by cultivating a spirit of inquiry and by a generous multiplication of all the instrumentalities needed for the destruction of ignorance What may come of this we are not supposed at this moment to know Meanwhile let us be thankful that we are face to face with a man who has conviction courage independence high patriotic and generous impulse and let us hope that his end may be as beautiful as his beginning was promising

SIMEO THE ROYAL EDICT

ADVERTISEMETmdashThe author feels it necessary to prefix to this Sermon some short account of the occasion on which it was delivered

The author was at Amsterdam (in June 1818) partly with a view of re-establishing there an Episcopal Chapel in which there had been no service for seven years but principally with a view of seeking the welfare of the Children of Israel He went thither rather to explore than to act (See ehemiah 212-16) But just previous to the 18th of June he understood that the Third Anniversary of the Battle of Waterloo was to be kept throughout the etherlands as a day of thanksgiving and just at that time also he quite accidentally heard that the King of the etherlands had a year before issued an Edict requiring all the Jews to educate their children in the knowledge of their own Scriptures and calling upon all his Christian Subjects to aid in this good work Despondency not unlike to that which paralyzed all exertion at Jerusalem in ehemiahrsquos days so universally prevailed that no one had risen to the occasion the very Commissioners who had been appointed to carry the Edict into effect had published a Report in which they gave it as their opinion ldquothat the Lordrsquos time was not comerdquo and there was great danger that the gracious designs of the Monarch would be altogether frustrated The author therefore judged this a fit occasion for calling the attention of the Public to the Edict and accordingly after devoting the Morning Service to the more appropriate subject of the day he employed the Evening Service in an endeavour to forward this good work Considerable attention was excited to the subject by means of the Sermon which was therefore instantly printed in Dutch French and English for the purpose of its being circulated throughout the etherlands and he has reason to hope that active exertions were afterwards made in many places to promote what every benevolent mind must ardently desire the edification and welfare of the Jewish People

So good an example having been set by the Emperor of Russia and the King of the etherlands the author hopes that the attention of our own Governors also both in Church and State may be called to this long-neglected People and that now the British Public has been invited by authority (the Kingrsquos Letter) to aid in supporting Missions to the Heathen World the claims of the Jewish ation to whom under God we owe all the light that we ourselves enjoy will not be overlooked It is with a view to this great object that the author sends forth the Sermon in this country where if the foregoing explanation had not been given its relevancy and use might have been justly called in question

2 Chronicles 179 And they taught in Judah and had the book of the law of the Lord with them and went about throughout all the cities of Judah and taught the people

O a day set apart for thanksgiving to God for mercies received it is peculiarly proper to consider what we may render unto the Lord for all his benefits Certainly if any event ever deserved repeated annual commemoration it is that which has

freed the world from the most grievous tyranny that ever it endured Of the bitter cup which was put into the hands of every nation in Europe this nation [ote The etherlands] drank very deeply and the change which it has experienced in the restoration of their rightful Monarch and in the establishment of a free Constitution calls for their devoutest acknowledgments to Almighty God Doubtless we may with justice pay some tribute of honour to those who by their counsels and their arms effected the overthrow of the Usurper but it is God alone who giveth victory to kings and to whom the glory of this great victory must be primarily ascribed and he who accounts a day consecrated to this service superfluous shews that he is far from justly appreciating the blessings that have been conferred upon him The monarch himself has given to his people a very decided evidence that he feels the depth of his obligations to the God of his salvation and it will be your own loss if you do not cultivate a similar spirit and improve the occasion to the honour of your God

But it is not to thanksgiving only that your Monarch invites you he calls you by a special Edict to unite with him in seeking the welfare of your Jewish Brethren who in their struggle with the enemy signally approved their fidelity to their legitimate Sovereign Their welfare he in his turn studies to promote and he desires to combine the energies of all his subjects in efforts for their good Methinks he is like Jehoshaphat of old who well knowing that piety must be founded in knowledge and happiness in piety sent forth the Princes of his empire with a select number of Priests and Levites to instruct his people in the knowledge of Godrsquos blessed word

His edict on this occasion and the manner in which it was carried into effect will form the subject of my present discourse

I Then we notice the edict of King Jehoshaphatmdash

This was such as became a great and pious monarch and we shall find it not unprofitable or unsuitable to the present occasion to enter into a distinct consideration of it We observe then that it was a kind and benevolent edict a wise and politic edict a good and beneficial edict

Mark the benevolence displayed in it He sought the present and eternal welfare of his subjects He knew that as men are raised above the beasts by the exercise of reason so are they elevated in the scale of rational beings in proportion as their intellectual powers are cultivated and enlarged Man destitute of knowledge is a mere savage but when instructed in the various branches of science he becomes refined and civilized and capable of contributing to the general good In the very cultivation of knowledge there is much pleasure arising to the mind and in the application of that knowledge to useful purposes there is an exquisite delight We need only observe persons when employed in their several vocations how happy they are how contented how cheerful oftentimes unconsciously proclaiming their happiness like the birds of the air in festal songs or consciously and with devotion in songs of praise

But it was not mere intellectual improvement which Jehoshaphat sought to convey he wished his people to be instructed in the knowledge of that God whom they professed to fear and worship This alone could make them truly happy this alone could impart to them sound wisdom or solid consolation He therefore gave particular directions that they should be taught ldquoin the Book of the Law of the Lordrdquo and this throughout the whole land O happy people whose governor so employed the authority with which he was invested And happy that monarch who so improved his influence not for his own personal aggrandizement but for the best interests of the people committed to his charge In so doing he approved himself to be indeed what every governor should be the friend and father of his people

or was the policy of this measure at all inferior to its benevolence A people well instructed in moral and religious knowledge will view government as an ordinance of God and will learn to obey the constituted authorities not so much from fear of their wrath as for conscience sake towards God They will view their governors as Godrsquos vicegerents upon earth and will consider allegiance to them as an essential part of their duty to him Hence will spring up love in their hearts and a real delight in manifesting on all proper occasions their loyalty to their king they will form a bulwark around his person in case of necessity and even glory in laying down their lives for him as their greatest benefactor

The benefits arising from this edict were incalculable Such was the effect of it that the fear of Jehoshaphat and of Jehovah as his protector fell on all the nations that were round about him so that none however hostile in their hearts dared to make war against him [ote ver 10] Doubtless this resulted chiefly from an impression made upon their minds by God himself yet it was also produced by a dread of that energy which an united people were ready to put forth at any instant at the call of their beloved monarch At the same time that peace was thus secured prosperity reigned in every part of the empire and as the immediate fruit of it Jehoshaphat as well as the people ldquohad riches and honour in abundance [ote ver 5]rdquo In his own mind too he reaped the fruits of his own benevolence God smiled upon him and manifested himself to him and enabled him to walk with ldquohis heart lifted up in the ways of the Lord [ote ver 6]rdquo

Such was the edict of the pious Jehoshaphatmdashbenevolent politic beneficial And what I would ask is the Edict which has been issued by the highest authority in this kingdom Do we not see in it the same blessed characters as in that which we have been considering It was ldquoin the third year of his reign [ote ver 7]rdquo that Jehoshaphat sent forth teachers to enlighten and instruct his subjects The very instant he felt himself at liberty from the more urgent and pressing calls of duty (such as the fortifying of his land against foreign enemies and the correcting of some great internal abuses) he engaged in this good work of diffusing light and knowledge through all classes of the community In like manner the sovereign of this kingdom has scarcely had time to repair the ravages of war and to establish his empire too long weakened and impoverished by a cruel usurpation before he stands forth as the friend and father of his people and more especially of that portion of them who have in every age and place been most treated with neglect and

disdain to have them educated in scriptural knowledge and in the fear of God It is much to be lamented that the Jewish people have not in general been so attentive either to the learning or morals of their children as might be wished and hence arose a necessity for some authoritative admonition on the subject Yet if I may say it without offence this neglect has not been more reprehensible in them than has been the indifference with which the Christian world has regarded it The monarch (may God recompense it richly into his bosom) has risen up to remedy the supineness both of the one and the other and to call forth the united energies of all to correct and terminate this evil Yet whilst he thus consults the best interests of his subjects with what paternal tenderness has he guarded against wounding the feelings of any or exciting their religious prejudices The Scriptures of the Old Testament are alone to be used in the schools that shall be established even those Scriptures which Jews as well as Christians believe to have been given by inspiration of God and to contain truth without any mixture of error In this is marked the policy no less than the benevolence of the edict for it is not by constraint but by conciliation and kindness that good is to be done to any and more especially to those who have shewn themselves now for so many centuries proof against all the efforts of intimidation or force In this kingdom they form no small body and I may add no unimportant portion of the community It is well known how extensive is their influence in the affairs of commerce and how by their activity they contribute to enrich the state Hence it is now generally seen and felt that they are entitled to the same respect as any other subjects of the realm and whilst as in the present instance they see how deeply their monarch feels interested in their welfare they cannot but on their part be sensible of the privileges they enjoy under his paternal government and testify their gratitude to him by every possible expression of loyalty and affection

What the ultimate effect of these measures will be may be conjectured from the blessed results of the edict of Jehoshaphat all will feel themselves happy under the government of such a prince and he whilst he is respected abroad and beloved at home will have the happiness of seeing his labours crowned with prosperity throughout his dominions and with peace in his own soul

II The manner in which Jehoshaphatrsquos edict was carried into execution is now to be noticedmdash

The promptness with which his commands were executed deserves the highest praise All were ready to co-operate in this good work as soon as it was proposed ldquoPrinces and priests and Levites [ote ver 7 8]rdquo all addressed themselves to it instantly with one heart and one soul one accounted their dignity so high or their functions so sacred but they thought it an honour to be employed in such a service and found a delight in fulfilling the wishes of their revered monarch all entered into the work with zeal and prosecuted it with diligence and hence a rapid change was effected both in the temporal and spiritual condition of the whole nation And what may not be effected in this kingdom also if a similar zeal be exercised by ldquothe princes and priestsrdquo (the magistrates and clergy) of the land With them it must begin Those who move in a lower station can effect nothing if they be not aided and

countenanced by the higher orders whose rank in life or sacredness of character will give a tone to the general feeling and combine the energies of the whole kingdom If it be said that those for whom the benefit is designed do not feel a desire after it this only shews how much they need it and how earnestly we should all embark in a cause proposed by such high authority and recommended by the soundest dictates of wisdom and piety

That our obligations to unite in this labour of love may the more distinctly appear I would beg leave to suggest the following considerations

First Loyalty to the king demands our concurrence with him in this good work and a holy emulation amongst us to carry into effect his benevolent designs What can the greatest or best of men effect (what could Jehoshaphat himself have done) if there be none to act in subserviency to them and to follow their directions As the most potent monarch upon earth would in vain proclaim war if there were no soldiers found to enlist under his banners and to execute his commands so it will be in vain that the design of benefiting the Jewish people was ever conceived in the mind of the king or that his edict respecting them was ever issued if his subjects do not put forth their energies in obedience to his call In truth a backwardness to co-operate with him in this blessed work would seem like a reflection cast upon him as recommending a measure that was unworthy of attention I do not mean to insinuate that such an idea really exists in the minds of any for I am perfectly convinced it does not but certainly in appearance it is open to this construction and every subject of the empire is concerned to act in such a way as to cut off all occasion for a reflection like this I say loyalty alone even if we had no higher motive should be sufficient to call forth our exertions in this cause

But let me next observe that gratitude to the Jewish nation demands it at our hands How great how manifold are our obligations to them Behold Moses and the prophets what instruction have they given us in reference to the way of life and salvation Without the moral law as revealed by Moses we should never have known to what an extent we need a Saviour nor if the prophecies had not so fully designated the promised Messiah could we have ever so fully known that Jesus was the Christ Of whom did the Lord Jesus Christ himself come as pertaining to the flesh but from the loins of David and of the seed of Abraham Yet to him are we indebted for all that we either have or hope for in time or in eternity And who were the Apostles but Jews who for our sakes went forth preaching the word and counted not their lives dear to them so that they might but lead us to the knowledge of Christ and make us partakers of his salvation From them too we have received the lively oracles which are the one source of all spiritual knowledge and the one foundation of all our hopes Does all this call for no recompence at our hands Knowing as we do the vast importance of education should we not endeavour to impart it to those from whose ancestors we have received such innumerable such inestimable benefits Yet behold these are the people whom for many many centuries we have treated with more neglect and contempt than any other people upon the face of the earth the savages of the most distant climes have received more attention from us than they Surely it is high time that the Christian world awake to

a sense of their duty and begin to shew to the Jews somewhat of that love which their forefathers exercised towards us in our Gentile state We are debtors to them to a vast amount and it is high time that we begin to discharge our debt And how can we discharge it better than by enabling them to read and understand those very oracles which they have preserved with such fidelity and which testify so fully of their promised Messiah

Further A love to the rising generation should lead us to avail ourselves of the present opportunity to promote their welfaremdashIt is truly afflictive to see how low and degraded is the state of multitudes especially of the Jewish nation purely through the neglect with which they are treated in their early youth and still more grievous is it to reflect on their ignorance of those things which belong to their everlasting peace To counteract this we should endeavour to qualify the whole of their population for good and useful employments and through the medium of useful instruction to make them holy and to make them happy We need never be afraid that there will not be a sufficient number of poor to fill the lower stations do what we will there will never be wanting persons who through their own fault or misfortunes are necessitated to undertake the lowest offices of life And if they have been previously instructed in the Scriptures of Truth they will have a fund of consolation ever open to them in their deepest afflictions they will learn from the inspired volume in whatsoever state they are there-with to be content and in the prospect of the eternal world they will find joys with which a stranger intermeddleth not and which the world can neither give nor take away We feel the force of these considerations in reference to the poor of our own communion how is it that we feel it not in reference to our Jewish Brethren This is a partiality unworthy of us and we should rise as one man to wipe off this disgrace from our own character

This brings me to the last consideration which I propose to mention namely that a concern for the honour of our holy religion should operate to unite us all in executing the Royal EdictmdashWhat must a Jew think of our religion when he sees how little it has wrought for us in the production of love We may tell him of a Messiah who has loved us and laid down his life for us but what credit will he give us for our principles when he sees how little our practice corresponds with them May he not well say to us ldquoPhysician heal thyselfrdquo Shew by your conduct the superiority of your principles before you call on me to embrace them It is by love that we must win them it is by shewing kindness to them that we must efface from their hearts those prejudices which with too much reason they entertain against us We must exhibit in our own person the loveliness of Christianity before we can bring them to investigate the grounds of our faith or to imagine that they can improve their own condition by embracing it May I not then call upon you as Christians to unite in the good work that is now before you that you may thereby serve and glorify your Lord and Saviour As Christians you believe that there is no other way to the Father but by Christ [ote John 146] and no other name but his whereby any human being can be saved [ote Acts 412] Where is your piety where is your love to Christ where is even common humanity if you will not avail yourselves of the present opportunity to remove from before your Jewish Brethren

the stumbling-blocks which for so many ages have been laid in their way

Do any ask What shall we do I answer search out amongst the Jews some persons of probity and talent to commence schools among them and do you yourselves aid to the utmost of your power in the support of them provide them with all necessary books for instructing children in the first rudiments of knowledge provide them with Bibles also both in the Dutch and Hebrew languages that they may be thoroughly instructed in the knowledge of their own religion and learn to walk in the steps of their father Abraham and of all the holy prophets

Begin too without loss of time Adult Schools You will find many among the house of Israel who will be glad to avail themselves of your instructions Let those who are benevolent amongst you dedicate an hour in a day to the instructing of a few who may be desirous to learn and carefully avoid every thing which may give unnecessary offence Confine yourselves to the Old Testament which they venerate as well as you Let those who can teach only in the Dutch language give instruction in that and let those who either understand or have leisure to attain the Hebrew tongue draw their attention to that In particular let it be the united endeavour of all to qualify masters for this good work

And let it not be thought that this is the duty of men only The Royal Edict has particularly and with great wisdom recommended it to females who may be of infinite service in conveying instruction to their own sex This age is distinguished above all others for the activity of females in the service of God and in the performance of every good work Were I able to declare the proportion of good that is done in Britain by the female sex it would appear incredible I believe from my soul that it far exceeds one half in all the societies raised since the commencement of the present century in the Bible Society the Missionary Societies and the Society for Promoting the Knowledge of Christianity amongst the Jews yes let the ladies of this country exert themselves in a prudent modest and discreet way and the effects will soon appear the Royal Edict will not be a dead letter but will produce incalculable good to the whole nationmdashand the agents in this benevolent work will themselves receive quite as much benefit as they impart their benevolence being in proportion as it is exercised its own reward

10 The fear of the Lord fell on all the kingdoms of the lands surrounding Judah so that they did not go to war against Jehoshaphat

GILL And the fear of the Lord fell upon all the kingdoms of the lands that were round about Judah Upon the ten tribes and on foreign nations about them as Moabites Edomites Syrians Egyptians Arabs and Philistines this fear as it came from the Lord so might be raised and increased by observing that religion was revived in them for they might perceive by former observations made that the more religious these people were the more prosperous and formidable they were

so that they made no war against Jehoshaphat to interrupt him in the work of reformation he was so intent upon

HERY We have here a further account of Jehoshaphats great prosperity and the flourishing state of his kingdom

I He had good interest in the neighbouring princes and nations Though he was not perhaps so great a soldier as David (which might have made him their terror) nor so great a scholar as Solomon (which might have made him their oracle) yet the fear of the Lord fell so upon them (that is God so influenced and governed their spirits) that they had all a reverence for him 2Ch_1710 And 1 None of them made war against himGods good providence so ordered it that while the princes and priests were instructing and reforming the country none of his neighbours gave him any molestations to take him off from that good work Thus when Jacob and his sons were going to worship at Bethel the terror of God was upon the neighbouring cities that they did not pursue after them Gen_355 and see Exo_3424 2 Many of them brought presents to him (2Ch_1711) to secure his friendship Perhaps these were a tribute imposed upon them by Asa who made himself master of the cities of the Philistines and the tents of the Arabians 2Ch_1414 2Ch_1415 With the 7700 rams and the same number of he-goats which the Arabians brought there was probably a proportionable number of ewes and lambs she-goats and kids

KampD This attempt of Jehoshaphat brought him this blessing that the terror of Jahve fell upon all the surrounding kingdoms and not only did none of the neighbouring peoples venture to make war upon him but also various tribes did homage to him by presents Ramb has already so understood the connection of these verses (erat hoc praemium pietatis Josaphati quod vicini satisque potentes hostes non auderent adversus ipsum hiscere) while Berth fails to apprehend it saying that Jehoshaphat had time to care for the instruction of his people because at that time the neighbouring peoples did not venture to undertake war against Judah The words ldquoterror of Jahverdquo cf 2Ch_1413 2Ch_2029 and ldquoall the kingdoms of the landsrdquo cf 2Ch_128 1Ch_2930 are expressions peculiar to the author of the Chronicle which show that by these remarks he is preparing the way for a transition to a more detailed

portrayal of Jehoshaphats political power מן־(לש)ים is subject מן partitive some of the

Philistines brought him presents (for מנחה see on 2Ch_175) ldquoand silver a burdenrdquo ie

in great quantity מא does not signify tribute vectigal argento (Vulg) for the word has

not that signification but denotes burden that which can be carried as in מא לאן

2Ch_2025 - 2Ch_2116 2Ch_221 ערבים 2Ch_267 and more usually ערב-ים or ערביאים

are Arabian nomadic tribes (Bedacircwin) perhaps those whom Asa after his victory over the Cushite Zerah had brought under the kingdom of Judah 2Ch_1414 These paid

their tribute in small cattle rams and he-goats (ישים( Gen_3035 Gen_3215 Pro_

3031)

BESO 2 Chronicles 1710 The fear of the Lord fell upon all the kingdoms ampc mdash Justly concluding from his singular piety that God would eminently appear for him for even the heathen could not but observe that the kings of Judah were either prosperous or unhappy according as they served God or forsook him So that they made no war against Jehoshaphat mdash Godrsquos good providence so ordered it that while the princes and priests were instructing and endeavouring to reform the country none of his neighbours gave him any molestation to take him off from that good work

COFFMA All of this peace and prosperity were directly due to the respect which Jehoshaphat had shown to the Law of God and to his efforts to teach that word to all the people It is no problem that much of the material here is omitted in Kings because the primary focus there was political whereas in Chronicles the focus is upon the spiritual and religious significance of the same history

TRAPP 2 Chronicles 1710 And the fear of the LORD fell upon all the kingdoms of the lands that [were] round about Judah so that they made no war against Jehoshaphat

Ver 10 And the fear of the Lord fell upon all the kingdoms] It is said [2 Chronicles 172] Jehoshaphat placed forces in all the fenced cities yet it is not said thereupon that the fear of the Lord fell upon the neighbour nations But when he had established a preaching ministry in all the cities then his enemies had a fear and made no war

POOLE Justly concluding from this singular piety that God would eminently appear for him and against all those who had ill will to him which was their case For even the heathens could not but observe that the kings of Judah were either prosperous or unhappy accordingly as they served God or forsook him

ELLICOTT (10) The fear of the LordmdashA dread of Jehovah (pachad) aps 2029 (Comp Exodus 1516 1 Samuel 117 Isaiah 210 ) This phrase is not peculiar to the chronicler as Keil and Bertheau assert ldquoThe kingdoms of the landsrdquo is so (2 Chronicles 128 1 Chronicles 2930)

They made no warmdashThe reward of Jehosha-phatrsquos piety (1 Chronicles 229

Proverbs 167) ldquoWhen a manrsquos ways please the Lord he maketh even his enemies to be at peace with himrdquo (Comp also Genesis 355)

11 Some Philistines brought Jehoshaphat gifts and silver as tribute and the Arabs brought him flocks seven thousand seven hundred rams and seven thousand seven hundred goats

BARES Some of the Philistines brought Jehoshaphat presents - i e ldquosome of the Philistines were among his tributariesrdquo Compare 2Sa_82 1Ki_421

Tribute silver - Or ldquomuch silverrdquo - literally ldquosilver of burthenrdquo

The Arabians - The Arab tribes who bordered Judaea to the south and the southeast paid Jehoshaphat a fixed tribute in kind Compare 2Ki_34 note

CLARKE The Philistines brought - presents - They and the Arabians purchased peace with the king of Judah by paying an annual tribute The Philistines brought silver and no doubt different kinds of merchandise The Arabs whose riches consisted in cattle brought him flocks in great abundance principally rams and he-goats

GILL Also some of the Philistines brought Jehoshaphat presents and tribute silver Perhaps those of Gerar and the parts adjacent Asa took and spoiled and made tributary 2Ch_1414

and the Arabians brought him flocks seven thousand and seven hundred rams and seven thousand and seven hundred he goats with which their country abounded and these might be the Scenite Arabs who fearing lest Jehoshaphat should fall upon them and take away their flocks as his father had done 2Ch_1415 brought these presents to him

JAMISO Also some of the Philistines brought Jehoshaphat presents and tribute silvermdash either they had been his tributaries or they were desirous of securing his valuable friendship and now made a voluntary offer of tribute Perhaps

they were the Philistines who had submitted to the yoke of David (2Sa_81 Psa_608)

the Arabiansmdash the nomad tribes on the south of the Dead Sea who seeking the protection of Jehoshaphat after his conquest of Edom paid their tribute in the way most suitable to their pastoral habits - the present of so many head of cattle

BESO 2 Chronicles 1711 Some of the Philistines brought presents mdash They had been subject to Judah ever since Davidrsquos time but it seems had neglected this duty in the times of his predecessors but were now moved by their own fears to perform it And the Arabians brought him flocks mdash Either because he had upon some just occasion waged war against them and subdued them or because they voluntarily put themselves under his protection in recompense whereof they sent him these presents or only as a free acknowledgment of their respect for him

TRAPP 2 Chronicles 1711 Also [some] of the Philistines brought Jehoshaphat presents and tribute silver and the Arabians brought him flocks seven thousand and seven hundred rams and seven thousand and seven hundred he goats

Ver 11 Also some of the Philistines] These having been subdued by David had withheld their tribute for a time but now seeing Jehoshaphatrsquos growing greatness they bring it in with the better that no offence might be taken at their former neglect The word here used signifieth honorary gifts or oblations pacifications

ldquo Placatur donis Iupiter ipse datis rdquo

Think the same of the Arabians See 2 Chronicles 1414-15

POOLE Some of the Philistines who had been subjects to this kingdom ever since Davidrsquos time but it seems had neglected this duty in the times of his predecessors but now were moved by their own fears to perform it

The Arabians brought him flocks either because he had upon some just occasion waged war against them and subdued them though the particulars of it be not described in Scripture or because they voluntarily put themselves under his protection in recompence whereof they sent him those presents or only as a free acknowledgment of their respects to him

ELLICOTT (11) Broughtmdashie continually Such is the force of the participle

PresentsmdashAn offering ie tribute (minchah 2 Chronicles 175)

And tribute silvermdashRather and silver a load or burden ie a great quantity (massacircrsquo) 2 Chronicles 2025 As if ldquosilver as much as they could carryrdquomdasha natural hyperbole ot all the five states of the Philistines were subject to Jehoshaphat (Comp 2 Samuel 81)

The ArabiansmdashlsquoArbicircrsquoim here only equivalent to lsquoArbicircyicircm (2 Chronicles 267) and

lsquoArbim (2 Chronicles 2116) They are in each case grouped with the Philistines The nomad Bedacircwin conquered by Asa (2 Chronicles 1415) appear to be meant here or else some tribes which recognised the overlordship of Jehoshaphat after his reduction of Edom (2 Chronicles 2022 sqq)

Brought him flocksmdashComp Mesha of Moabrsquos tribute to Ahab (2 Kings 34)

GUZIK 2 (2 Chronicles 1711-19) The international strength of Jehoshaphatrsquos kingdom

Also some of the Philistines brought Jehoshaphat presents and silver as tribute and the Arabians brought him flocks seven thousand seven hundred rams and seven thousand seven hundred male goats So Jehoshaphat became increasingly powerful and he built fortresses and storage cities in Judah He had much property in the cities of Judah and the men of war mighty men of valor were in Jerusalem These are their numbers according to their fathersrsquo houses Of Judah the captains of thousands Adnah the captain and with him three hundred thousand mighty men of valor and next to him was Jehohanan the captain and with him two hundred and eighty thousand and next to him was Amasiah the son of Zichri who willingly offered himself to the LORD and with him two hundred thousand mighty men of valor Of Benjamin Eliada a mighty man of valor and with him two hundred thousand men armed with bow and shield and next to him was Jehozabad and with him one hundred and eighty thousand prepared for war These served the king besides those the king put in the fortified cities throughout all Judah

a Some of the Philistines brought Jehoshaphat presents and silver as tribute and the Arabians brought him flocks Jehoshaphatrsquos commitment to personal and public godliness meant that God exalted his kingdom above the neighboring nations even as God promised in Deuteronomy 281-13

b These served the king The true treasure of Jehoshaphatrsquos kingdom was not numbered only in security or material things but also in the dedicated and courageous men he had surrounding him these mighty men of valor

i Amasiah the son of Zichri who willingly offered himself to the LORD ldquoAmasiah is a man of whom we do not know anything beyond this ndash he lsquowillingly offered himself unto the Lordrsquo There must have been a turning-point in his career a time when first he knew the grace of God which wrought such a change in him There must have been a waking up to the feeling that God deserved his love and his liferdquo (Spurgeon)

ii Amasiah was a ready servant of the Lord this particularly notable because he did it in an otherwise secular calling

middot o one had to press him into service

middot o one had to seek him out for service

middot o one had to look after him once he had begun serving

middot o one had to lead him

iii ldquoThere is no lawful occupation in which a man cannot thoroughly serve the Lord It is a great privilege and blessing to be set apart to the work of winning souls but we must never separate that work from all the rest of the callings of life as though it alone were sacred and all the rest were secular and almost sinful Serve God where you arerdquo (Spurgeon)

PULPIT The presents were probably enough in the nature of tribute the fixed rate of which is sometimes alluded to (1 Kings 421 1 Kings 1025 2 Samuel 82) but it is doubtful whether the word משא purports to say this The word means bearing or carrying and then a burden load or weight The expression (2 Chronicles 2025) more than they could carry away where this word is used favours the idea that the meaning here is silver of great weight Probably the moral significance and historical interest whether of this statement respecting the Philistines or the following respecting the Arabians lies in the fact that both of them brought without more ado their payments and did not seek to slip out of their engagements with Judah and Judahs king ote for confirmation of this view 2 Kings 34 2 Kings 35

12 Jehoshaphat became more and more powerful he built forts and store cities in Judah

GILL And Jehoshaphat waxed great exceedingly In wealth and riches power and authority in his forces and fortifications

and he built in Judah castles and cities of stores castles for the defence of his kingdom and store cities to lay up corn and wine and all provisions in case of an invasion or against a time of war

HERY II He had a very considerable stores laid up in the cities of Judah He pulled down his barns and built larger (2Ch_1712) castles and cities of store for arms and victuals He was a man of business and aimed at the public good in all his

undertakings either to preserve the peace or prepare for war

JAMISO 2Ch_1712-19 His greatness captains and armies

KampD Description of Jehoshaphats power - 2Ch_1712 And Jehoshaphat became

ever greater sc in power The partic הולך expresses the continuous advance in

greatness cf Ew sect280 b as the infin absol does elsewhere eg Gen_83 למעלה as עד

in 2Ch_1612 - He built castles in Judah ירנ-ות only here and in 2Ch_274 from ירנית

derivative formed from ירה by the Syriac termination נית- fem of ן- castle fortress On

מסנות cf 2Ch_84 ערי

TRAPP 2 Chronicles 1712 And Jehoshaphat waxed great exceedingly and he built in Judah castles and cities of store

Ver 12 And Jehoshaphat waxed great exceedingly] Heb He was going and growing By humility and the fear of the Lord are riches and honour and life [Proverbs 224]

And he built in Judah castles] Bironeoth πυργους turres So did the Burgundians and thence had their names

And cities of store] Granaries in the Hebrew they have their name from their utility or usefulness

ELLICOTT (12) And Jehoshaphat waxed greatmdashLiterally And Jehoshaphat was going on and waxing great ie became greater and greater (Comp 1 Chronicles 119)

ExceedinglymdashlsquoAd lĕmagraversquolah This phrase occurs again in 2 Chronicles 1612 2 Chronicles 268 and nowhere else in the Old Testament (See on 1 Chronicles 142)

And he builtmdashLike his predecessorsmdashSolomon Rehoboam Asamdashhe displayed his wealth and power in great public works The records of the Assyrian and Babylonian sovereigns are largely taken up with similar accounts of temple and palace building

CastlesmdashBiranicircyocircth a derivative from birah (1 Chronicles 291 1 Chronicles 2919 comp Syriac here birocircthocirc) It only recurs at 2 Chronicles 274 It is an Aramaic term (Comp bicircranyacircthacirc which in the Targums means ldquopalacesrdquo)

Cities of storesmdashComp 2 Chronicles 84 2 Chronicles 164 Exodus 111

PULPIT Castles This rendering better than palaces (margin) wound bear improving to the rather stronger word fortresses Hebrew בירניות found only here and in 2 Chronicles 274 plur of בירנית connected with the Chaldee and later Hebrew בירה of Ezra 62 ehemiah 11 Esther 12 Daniel 82 Cities of store (see note under 2 Chronicles 84 see also 1 Kings 919 Exodus 111)

13 and had large supplies in the towns of Judah He also kept experienced fighting men in Jerusalem

CLARKE He hadmuch business in the cities - He kept the people constantly employed they had wages for their work and by their labors the empire was both enriched and strengthened

GILL And he had much business in the cities of Judah Partly in fortifying them and partly in reforming the inhabitants of them

and the men of war mighty men of valour were in Jerusalem or by or near unto it so the particle is rendered Jos_513 they encamped in places adjacent to it for such a number of men as follows even 1160000 could never be contained in Jerusalem but must be disposed of in the territories of it nor did they wait on the king together but in course see 2Ch_1719 by which it appears there is no need to suppose any mistake of the transcriber in any or all of the following sums as has been suggested (q)

HERY 13-19 III He had the militia in good order It was never in better since David modelled it Five lord-lieutenants (if I may so call them) are here named with the numbers of those under their command (the serviceable men that were fit for war in their respective districts) three in Judah and two in Benjamin It is said of one of these great commanders Amasiah that he willingly offered himself unto the Lord (2Ch_1716) not only to the king to serve him in this post but to the Lord to glorify him in it He was the most eminent among them for religion he accepted the place not for the

honour or power or profit of it but for conscience sake towards God that he might serve his country It was usual for great generals then to offer of their spoils to the Lord 1Ch_2626 But this good man offered himself first to the Lord and then his dedicated things The number of the soldiers under these five generals amounts to 1160000 men a vast number for so small a compass of ground as Judahs and Benjamins lot to furnish out and maintain Abijah could bring into the field but 400000 (2Ch_133) Asa not 600000 (2Ch_148) yet Jehoshaphat has at command almost 1200000 But it must be considered 1 That God had promised to make the seed of Abraham like the sand of the sea for number 2 There had now been a long peace 3 We may suppose that the city of Jerusalem was very much enlarged 4 Many had come over to them from the kingdom of Israel (2Ch_1519) which would increase the numbers of the people 5 Jehoshaphat was under a special blessing of God which made his affairs to prosper greatly The armies we may suppose were dispersed all the country over and each man resided for the most part on his own estate but they appeared often to be mustered and trained and were ready at call whenever there was occasion The commanders waited on the king (2Ch_1719) as officers of his court privy-counsellors and ministers of state

But lastly observe It was not this formidable army that struck a terror upon the neighbouring nations that restrained them from attempting any thing against Israel or obliged them to pay tribute but the fear of God which fell upon them when Jehoshaphat reformed his country and set up a preaching ministry in it 2Ch_1710 The ordinances of God are more the strength and safety of a kingdom than its military force - its men of God more than its men of war

KampD 2Ch_1713

וגווגווגווגו רהרהרהרה is rightly translated by Luther ldquound hatte viel Vorrathsrdquo (and ומלעכהומלעכהומלעכהומלעכה

had much store) מלעכהמלעכהמלעכהמלעכה denotes here as in Exo_227-10 property that which has been gained by work or business The signification much work opera magna (Vulg Cler etc) as also Bertheaus translation ldquothe works for equipping and provisioning the fortressesrdquo correspond neither to the context nor to the parallel (synonymous) second member of the verse The work and trouble necessary to equip the cities of Judah does not correspond to ldquothe valiant warriors in Jerusalemrdquo the only parallel is the goods and property which were in these cities the provision of victuals and war material there stored up

BESO 2 Chronicles 1713 He had much business in the cities of Judah mdash To repair and fortify them and furnish them with provisions and to purge out all the relics of idolatry and injustice which were more secretly and craftily managed in the cities than in the country and which were first and most prevalent in the cities and thence spread their infection into the country around them

TRAPP 2 Chronicles 1713 And he had much business in the cities of Judah and the men of war mighty men of valour [were] in Jerusalem

Ver 13 And he had much business] Eργα πολλα (a) Many works going forward at

once a negotious man he was His business say some lay in beautifying and fortifying those cities Augustus gloried at his death that whereas he had found Rome built with brick he had left it made of marble

And the men of war hellip were in Jerusalem] These were his Praetorian forces his Praesidiaries were up and down in the various cities

POOLE He had much business in the cities of Judah partly to repair and fortify them and furnish them with all necessary provisions and partly to purge out all the relies and seeds of idolatry and injustice which were more secretly and subtlely managed in the cities than in the country and which were first and most in the cities and thence spread their infection into the country about them See Jeremiah 228

ELLICOTT (13) BusinessmdashRather much goods or stores literally work (mĕlacirckacirch) and then produce The Hebrew word is so used in Exodus 227 Exodus 2210 (ldquoHis neighbourrsquos goodsrdquo) Stores of provisions and war material seem to be intended (Comp 2 Chronicles 1111)

And the man of war were in JerusalemmdashRather and (he had) men of war in Jerusalem

In Jerusalemmdashot the entire army corps whose numbers are given in 2 Chronicles 1714-18 but simply their chiefs

PULPIT Much business Hebrew מלאכה The meaning of the word is service labour bestowed and the verse reads And there was to him much labour in the cities of Judah and men of war mighty men of valour in Jerusalem ie He bestoweth much pains on the cities of Judah and had etc The word were Authorized Version italics is incorrectly inserted The former half of this verse would better constitute the end of 2 Chronicles 1712 Keil however maintains the rendering substance property for מלאכה (Exodus 227 Exodus 2210)

14 Their enrollment by families was as followsFrom Judah commanders of units of 1000Adnah the commander with 300000 fighting men

BARES The captains of thousands Adnah the chief - literally ldquoprinces of thousands Adnah the princerdquo The writer does not mean that Adnah (or Johohanan 2Ch_1715) was in any way superior to the other ldquoprincesrdquo but only that he was one of them

Three hundred thousand - This number and those which follow in 2Ch_1715-18 have been with good reason regarded as corrupt by most critics For

(1) They imply a minimum population of 1480 to the square mile which is more than three times greater than that of any country in the known world (circa 1880rsquos)

(2) they produce a total just double that of the next largest estimate of the military force of Judah the 580 000 of 2Ch_148

(3) they are professedly a statement not of the whole military force but of the force maintained at Jerusalem (2Ch_1713 compare 2Ch_1719)

It is probable that the original numbers have been lost and that the loss was suppplied by a scribe who took 2Ch_148 as his basis

CLARKE Adnah the chief - He was generalissimo of all this host These are the numbers of the five battalions under Adnah three hundred thousand Jehohanan two hundred and eighty thousand Amasiah two hundred thousand Eliada two hundred thousand Jehozabad one hundred and eighty thousand in all one million one hundred and sixty thousand

GILL And these are the numbers of them according to the house of their fathers Both of the tribe of Judah and of Benjamin and first

of Judah the captains of thousands some had 1000 men under them and some one hundred

Adnah the chief he was the principal commander or general of them

and with him mighty men of valour three hundred thousand such a number was under his command

JAMISO these are the numbersmdash The warriors were arranged in the army according to their fathers houses The army of Jehoshaphat commanded by five great generals and consisting of five unequal divisions comprised one million one hundred and sixty thousand men without including those who garrisoned the fortresses No monarch since the time of Solomon equaled Jehoshaphat in the extent of his revenue in the strength of his fortifications and in the number of his troops

KampD 2Ch_1714-16

The men fit for war passed in review according to their fathers-houses The male population of Judah fell into three divisions that of Benjamin into two The prince

Adnah held the first place among the generals with 300000 men of Judah ידו at his על

hand ie with and under him Jehohanan had the command of 280000 men and

Amasiah over 200000 השר is a contraction for אלפים For what special reason it is so שר

honourably recorded of Amasiah that he had willingly offered himself to the Lord (cf for

Jdg_59) has not been communicated התנב

COFFMA his represented a standing army of 1160000 men besides the garrisons in the fortified cities and this goes a long way to explaining why the Arabians and the Philistines brought tribute to Jehoshaphat In ancient times as in our own day peace frequently depended upon the strength of those who desired it

We should ignore the screams of exaggeration[3] which mark the writings of radical critics Pagan rulers of that era reported even larger armies than this and until the critics can prove that those were exaggerated reports they should let these alone Besides that we have already noted that the very word from which thousand is translated is disputed as to its exact meaning

COKE 2 Chronicles 1714 And these are the numbers of themmdash That is of the soldiers as well as of those who were employed in the kings works in the several cities ampc which he built See 2 Chronicles 1719

REFLECTIOSmdash1st Jehoshaphat no sooner comes to the throne than we see the dawnings of a glorious reign

1 He strengthened his kingdom by placing strong garrisons in the cities of Judah and those which his father had recovered from Israel and prepared against that danger which Ahabs growing power seemed to threaten

2 Religion was his great concern He copied after the best of his predecessors in their best days such as were the first of David before the matter of Uriah and the numbering of the people had blotted his fair copy Faithful to the worship of God he abhorred all idols the law of God was his rule of duty and Israels apostacy rendered his fidelity more singular and exemplary Inspired with holy zeal his heart with delight and sincerity was engaged for God and no difficulties deterred him from the path of duty The idols and groves which in the declining days of Asa might have been set up again he utterly destroyed with all the high places where they still offered sacrifices to these abominations ote (1) In the fairest human pattern there will be found imperfections but there is a Son of David more than man who has set us a spotless example that we should follow his steps (2) Fidelity in Gods service is the stability of a nation (3) A lively soul on wings of faith and love mounts up to God rises superior to every difficulty and looks down upon every thing besides his favour as altogether vanity

3 He not only removed the temptations to sin but took care to instruct the people in

the path of duty Ignorance of Gods law had greatly prevailed and to oblige them merely to conform to his reformation without grounding them on the true foundation of Gods word promised little stability The Levites and priests therefore are sent in progress through the cities of Judah with the book of the law to explain and enforce the commandments of God and several princes accompanied them in order to engage the people to hear them and give countenance to these preachers by their weight and influence ote (1) It is a blessed thing when princes countenance faithful ministers Though they cannot make men true converts their example and authority will induce them to attend (2) They who are sent to teach must see that they take the pure word of God along with them A true preacher wishes for nothing in his hand but his Bible (3) Religion is a reasonable service Conviction alone not compulsion or education can make a man a christian

4 The blessing of God attended his labours The Lord was with him or as the Targum generally expresses it the word of the Lord the divine Logos to whom all things are committed strengthened him in his labours and established his kingdom The people charmed with his government liberally sent their presents to him and abounding in riches and honour his heart far from being intoxicated by prosperity was lifted up in greater love and thankfulness to the gracious giver ote (1) God often here rewards piety with prosperity (2) Worldly comforts are then truly blessings when as the steps of Jacobs ladder they raise our hearts to heaven

2nd Like the light of the morning which shineth more and more so did Jehoshaphats glory increase

1 Feared by his enemies as beloved by his subjects the neighbouring princes did not offer to molest him while those of Philistia and Arabia courted his favour either by a voluntary present or exact payment of the tribute which Asa had imposed on them see 2 Chronicles 1711 God had put an awe upon them of the majesty of his king in Zion ote God hath access to the spirits of men and by secret yet irresistible influence can bow them to his sovereign will

2 His military preparations greatly advanced While he reformed the people he fortified their ramparts and built new castles and store-cities strengthening them within and without against their enemies Under five chief officers an immense army was enlisted Probably all the able men in the country were enrolled and regularly mustered though not drawn out except in case of necessity and this may easily account for the greatness of their number if we consider also the long peace they had enjoyed the accession of Israelites to them and especially the blessing of Abraham which no doubt was eminently fulfilled Amasiah one of the officers is mentioned with an honourable mark of distinction as a volunteer who served for the glory of God not for the sake of pay Such patriots are scarce

TRAPP 2 Chronicles 1714 And these [are] the numbers of them according to the house of their fathers Of Judah the captains of thousands Adnah the chief and

with him mighty men of valour three hundred thousand

Ver 14 Three hundred thousand] These were under his command and at hand to come whensoever the king would

WHEDO 14 Three hundred thousand mdash The numbers in this verse and the four verses following are generally regarded as corrupt ldquoThey implyrdquo observes the writer last quoted ldquoa minimum population of 1480 to the square mile which is more than three times greater than that of any country in the known world It is probable that the original numbers have been lost and the loss supplied by a scribe who took 2 Chronicles 148 as his basis

ELLICOTT Verse 14 (14) And these their fathersmdashAnd this is their muster (or census) according to their father-houses (clans) 1 Chronicles 243 The warriors were marshalled in the army according to clans so that men of the same stock fought side by side with their kindred Perhaps in the original document this heading was followed by a much more detailed scheme of names and divisions than that which the text presents

Of JudahmdashTo Judah (belonged) captains of thousands viz the three enumerated in 2 Chronicles 1714-16 Adnah Jehohanan and Amasiah They were the principal officers or generals of the entire forces of Judah

Adnah the chiefmdashTo wit the captain Adnah That Adnah was commander-in-chief is implied by his being named first and his corps being the largest

PULPIT This verse with the following four gives us the names of five captains chiefs princes or military officers for the kingdoms service with the numbers of the troops they severally commanded The numbers of them (see note under 1 Chronicles 2311) Hebrew פקדתם The better English rendering to carry at once the signification would be The muster of them etc The captains hellip the chief In both cases the Hebrew is the familiar word for prince ( שר ) in the former without article in the latter with article The numbers of this and following four verses are not only absolutely unreliable but in themselves impossible According to the house of their fathers ie the quotation is drawn from an army catalogue arranged carefully by fathers houses (umbers 118 umbers 122 etc)

15 next Jehohanan the commander with 280000

GILL And next to him was Jehohanan the captain Being of the same rank as to office but having a lesser number of men under him and it may respect not any kind of subordination only nearness of place as the Targumhe that encamped next to him

and with him two hundred and fourscore thousand which number was but 20000 less than the former

POOLE ext to him either

1 After his death as his successor in the same command And the like is supposed concerning Jehozabad 2 Chronicles 1718 Or rather

2 ext to him in place and authority or at least in power and the numbers of his host

16 next Amasiah son of Zikri who volunteered himself for the service of the Lord with 200000

GILL And next him was Amasiah the son of Zichri He encamped next to him as the Targum

who willingly offered himself unto the Lord to fight the Lords battles and without any stipend as some think or as Kimchi he offered gold and silver to the treasures of the house of the Lord

and with him two hundred thousand mighty men of valour the number was 80000 less than the former the whole of Judah amounted to 780000 men

TRAPP 2 Chronicles 1716 And next him [was] Amasiah the son of Zichri who willingly offered himself unto the LORD and with him two hundred thousand mighty men of valour

Ver 16 Who willingly offered himself unto the Lord] He was a votary the vows of God were upon him and this made him the more valiant and resolute (a) in the exercise of arms for the service of God and the safety of his people The Spahis among the Turks are a sort of horsemen voluntaries and votaries to gain paradise by dying for the Mohammedan cause These are never known to return home but

with victory these are heavy upon the enemy For

ldquo Vincitur haud gratis iugulo qui provocat ensem rdquo

POOLE As volunteers and auxiliaries to be ready upon occasion as the service of God and the king should require Possibly these or most of them were the strangers which had come out of Israel into the kingdom of Judah in Asarsquos days and probably since that in his time

ELLICOTT (16) AmasiahmdashIah carrieth (Isaiah 4011) different from Amaziah (Iah is strong)

Who willingly offered himself unto the Lordmdash(Judges 52 Judges 59) An allusion to some noble act of self-devotion which was doubtless more fully recorded in the source from which the chronicler has drawn this brief account Such allusions though no longer intelligible are important as conducing to the proof of the historical value of the narratives in which they occur LXX ὁ προθυmicroούmicroενος τῷ κυρίῳ Vulg consecratus Domino

PULPIT Amaziah the son of Zichri This man is not titled at all The description of him as one who had willingly offered himself unto the Lord not elucidated by the context or any effective parallel will mark something honorable in his history Possibly he comes from an unexpected quarter and is a man of approved skill othing further is known of these three men Meantime it has been suggested (Professor Dr J Murphy of Belfast Handbook to Chronicles ) that the first of the three was for Judah proper the second for that contingent of Judah that hailed from Dan and the Philistines and the third for that of Simeon and the Arabs

MACLARE This is a scrap from the catalogue of Jehoshaphatrsquos lsquomighty men of valourrsquo and is Amasiahrsquos sole record We see him for a moment and hear his eulogium and then oblivion swallows him up We do not know what it was that he did to earn it But what a fate to live to all generations by that one sentence

I Cheerful self-surrender the secret of all religion

The words of our text contain a metaphor naturally drawn from the sacrificial system It comes so easily to us that we scarcely recognise the metaphorical element but the clear recognition of it gives great additional energy to the words Amasiah was both sacrificer and sacrifice His offering was self-immolation As in all love so in that noblest kind of it which clasps God its perfect expression is lsquoI give Thee my living loving selfrsquo Nor is it only sacrifice and sacrificer that are seen in deepest truth in the experience of the Christian life but the reality of the Temple is also there for lsquoYe also are built up a spiritual house to be a holy priesthood to offer up spiritual sacrificesrsquo Only when God dwells in us shall we have the nerve and the firmness of hand to take the knife and lsquoslay before the Lordrsquo the awful Guest in the sanctuary within the most precious of the children of our spirits

The essence of the sacrifice of self is the sacrifice of will In the Christian experience

lsquowillingly offeredrsquo is almost tautology for unwilling offerings are a contradiction and in fact there are no such things The quality of unwillingness destroys the character of the offering and robs it of all sacredness Reluctant Christianity is not Christianity That noun and that adjective can never be buckled together

The submission of will and the consequent surrender of myself and my powers opportunities and possessions so that I do all enjoy all use all and when need is endure all with glad thankful reference to God is only possible to me in the measure in which my will is made flexible by love and such will-subduing love comes only when we lsquoknow and believe the love that God hath to usrsquo There is the point at which not a few moral and religious teachers go wrong and bewilder themselves and their disciples There too is the point at which Christ and the Gospel of salvation through faith in Him stand forth as emancipating humanity from the dreary round of efforts and vain attempts to work up the condition needful for achieving the height of self-surrender which is seen to be indispensable to all true nobleness of living but is felt to be beyond the reach of the ordinary man There too is the point at which many good people mar their lives as Christians They waste their strength in trying to bring the jibbing horse up to the leap They try to blow up a fire of devotion and to make themselves priests to offer themselves but all the while the mutinous self recoils from the leap and the fire burns smokily and their sacrifice is laid on the altar with little joy because they have not been careful and wise enough to begin at the beginning and to follow Godrsquos way of melting their wills by love the reflection of the Infinite love of God to them Godrsquos priests offer themselves because they offer their wills they offer their wills because they love God they love God because they know that God loves them That is the divine order It is vain to try to accomplish the end by any other

II This willing offering hallows all life

No syllable is left to tell us what Amasiah did to win this praise Probably the words enshrine some now forgotten memory of his cheerful courage some heroic feat on an unrecorded battlefield Particulars are not given nor needed Specific actions are unimportant the spirit of a life can be told with very incomplete details and it not the details is the important thing Sometimes as in many modern biographies one lsquocannot see the wood for the treesrsquo and misses the main drift and aim of a life in the chaos of a bewildering mass of nothings How much more happy the lot of this man of whom we have only the generalised expression of the text unweighted and undisturbed by petty incidents It takes tons of rose leaves to make a tiny phial of otto of roses but the fragrance is far more pungent in a drop of the distillation than in armfuls of leaves Every life shrinks into very small compass and the centuries do not tolerate long biographies Shall we not seek to order our life so that Amasiahrsquos epitaph may serve for us It will be blessed if this-and nothing else-is known about us that we lsquowillingly offered ourselves to the Lordrsquo My friend will that be a true epitome of your life

III This willing offering is accepted by God

We may hear a mightier voice behind the chroniclerrsquo s and the judgment of the Judge of all pronounced by His lips It matters little what men say of one another but it matters everything what God says of us We are but too apt to forget that He is now saying something as to each of us and that we have not to wait for death to put a final period to our activities before our lives become fit subjects for Godrsquos judgment Moment by moment we are writing our own sentences But while it is good for us to remember the continuous judgment of God on each deed it is not good to let dark thoughts of the principles of that judgment paralyse our activity or chill our confidence in His forgiving and accepting mercy There is often a dark suspicion like that of the one-talented

servant which blackens Godrsquos fair fame as being lsquoan austere Manrsquo making demands rather than imparting power and the effect of such an ugly conception of Him is to cut the nerve of service and bury the talent carefully folded up it may be but none the less earning nothing lsquoIf we call on Him as Father who without respect of persons judgeth according to every manrsquos workrsquo let us be sure that it will be a Fatherly judgment that He will pass upon us and our offerings There is a wonderful collection on His altar of what many people would think rubbish just as many a mother has laid away among her treasures some worthless article which her child had once given her-a weed plucked by the roadside in a long past summer day some trifle of rare preciousness in the childrsquos eyes and of none in any others than her own She opens her drawer and brings out the poor little thing and her eyes fill and her heart fills as she looks And does not God keep His childrenrsquos gifts as lovingly and set them in places of honour in the day when He lsquomakes up His jewelsrsquo There are cups of cold water and widowsrsquo mites and much else that a supercilious world would call lsquotrashrsquo stored there Thank God He accepts imperfect service faltering faith partial consecration a little love Even our poor offering may be an lsquoodour of a sweet smellrsquo ministering fragrance that is a delight to Him if it is offered with the much incense of the great Sacrifice and through the mediation of the great High Priest

The world forgot Amasiah or never knew him an obscure soldier in an obscure kingdom but God did not forget and here is his epitaph and this is his memorial to all generations Menrsquos chronicles have no room for all the names that their wearers are eager to have inscribed on their crumbling and crowded pages lsquobut the Lambrsquos Book of Lifersquo has ample space on its radiant pages for all who desire to set their names there and if ours are there we need not envy the proudest whose titles and deeds fill the most conspicuous pages in the worldrsquos records lsquoThen shall every man have praise of Christrsquo and he who wins that guerdon needs nothing more and can have nothing more to swell his blessedness

17 From BenjaminEliada a valiant soldier with 200000 men armed with bows and shields

GILL And of Benjamin Eliada a mighty man of valour Was the chief commander

and with armed men with bow and shield two hundred thousand which were

the armour of the tribe of Benjamin they were best skilled in 2Ch_148

TRAPP 2 Chronicles 1717 And of Benjamin Eliada a mighty man of valour and with him armed men with bow and shield two hundred thousand

Ver 17 With bow and shield] The Benjamites were notable bowmen [1 Chronicles 122] The Engish were anciently so too

ELLICOTT (17) Armed men with bow and shieldmdashLiterally drawing bow and shield ie as the Targum explains ldquodrawing bow and grasping shieldsrdquo (Comp 1 Chronicles 122) LXX ldquoArchers and peltastsrdquo Vulg ldquoGrasping bow and shieldrdquo (Comp also 1 Chronicles 840 for the arms of the Benjaminites)

18 next Jehozabad with 180000 men armed for battle

GILL And next to him was Jehozabad According to the Targum he encamped next him

and with him one hundred and fourscore thousand ready prepared for war being able bodied men well disciplined valiant and well armed these numbers of Judah and Benjamin put together amount to 1160000 men whereas Asa only brought into the field 580000 but it should be considered there had been a long time of peace many had come off from the ten tribes to Judah and the promise of multiplying the seed of Abraham was eminently fulfilled

TRAPP 2 Chronicles 1718 And next him [was] Jehozabad and with him an hundred and fourscore thousand ready prepared for the war

Ver 18 A hundred and fourscore thousand] His militia was eleven hundred and threescore thousand besides what he had in garrisons [2 Chronicles 1719] So that as he was better he was stronger than his father Asa had been Piety hath prosperity

ELLICOTT (18) Ready prepared for the warmdashEquipped for service (See on 1

Chronicles 1223-24 umbers 315 umbers 3229) The hoplites or heavy-armed infantry are probably meant

PULPIT While Eliada of last verse was for Benjamin Professor Dr Murphy supposes that Jehozabad was for the annexed part of Ephraim But no suppositions of this kind can avail to explain the numbers in the text which is no doubt corrupt

19 These were the men who served the king besides those he stationed in the fortified cities throughout Judah

CLARKE These waited on the king - They were disposable forces always at the kingrsquos command and were independent of those by which the cities of Judah were garrisoned

There is not a sovereign in Europe or in the world but might read this chapter with advantage

1 It shows most forcibly that true religion is the basis of the state and that wherever it prospers there the state prospers

2 It shows also that it is the wisdom of kings to encourage religion with all their power and influence for if the hearts of the subjects be not bound and influenced by true religion vain is the application of laws fines imprisonments or corporal punishment of any kind

3 A religious nation is ever a great nation it is loved by its friends it is dreaded by its enemies

4 It is ever a peaceable and united nation the blessings of religion and a wholesome and paternal government are so fully felt and prized that all find it their interest to preserve and defend them Harmony peace piety and strength are the stability of such times May Britain know and value them

GILL These waited on the king Not this vast number of men at one time but in course as Davids military men waited on him 1Ch_271 or each of these captains with a proper number of men under them detached from the body and they were all ready to obey the kings orders whenever he should have occasion for them

besides those whom the king put into the fenced cities throughout Judah and all together the militia of the kingdom was very numerous and formidable

KampD 2Ch_1719

These were serving the king א6ה refers not to the above-mentioned men capable of

bearing arms for sheereet is not used of service in war but to the commanders whom he had placed in the fortified cities of all Judah ldquoin which probably bodies of the above-mentioned troops lay as garrisonsrdquo (Berth)

BESO 2 Chronicles 1719 These waited on the king mdash These above-mentioned were the trained bands or auxiliaries whose chief officers waited on the king to receive his commands and to raise and bring in all or part of their forces to the service of the king as need required A vast number for so small a compass of ground to furnish out and maintain But we may consider that God had promised to make the seed of Abraham like the sand of the sea for number that there had now been a long peace that many were come to them from the kingdom of Israel and that Jehoshaphat was under a special blessing of God They were doubtless dispersed all the country over every one residing on his own land only they were ready at call whenever there was occasion

TRAPP 2 Chronicles 1719 These waited on the king beside [those] whom the king put in the fenced cities throughout all Judah

Ver 19 These waited on the king] ie In their turns and by course

POOLE These above mentioned were the trained bands or auxiliaries whose chief officers waited upon the king to receive his commands and to raise and bring in all or part of their forces to the service of the king and kingdom as need required

ELLICOTT (19) These waited on the kingmdashRather these are they that ministered unto the king viz the five generals above named

Beside those whom the king put in the fenced citiesmdashie the commandants of the fortresses of the kingdom (2 Chronicles 1111 2 Chronicles 1123) These latter as well as the generals of the forces are called the kingrsquos ldquoministersrdquo (mĕshacircrĕthicircm)mdasha word which is not used of service in the field but implies their presence at court (ldquoin Jerusalemrdquo 2 Chronicles 1713 as the royal staff)

According to the above list the army of Jehoshaphat was organised in five grand divisions corresponding perhaps to five territorial divisions of the southern kingdom The totals are the largest assigned to the two tribes anywhere in the Old Testament viz Judah 780000 and Benjamin 380000 in all 1160000 At Davidrsquos census Judah had 500000 warriors (2 Samuel 249) and Israel 800000 Again in 2

Chronicles 148 Asarsquos army consists of 300000 men of Judah and 280000 Benjaminites clearly such an increase as our text indicates is unaccountable At the same time it is equally clear that the present numbers are not fortuitous results of clerical errors for they follow each other in the order of relative strength Judah 300000 280000 200000 Benjamin 200000 180000 and they are evidently not independent of the estimates of 2 Chronicles 148 above quoted

In the absence of adequate data for modifying these certainly startling figures it is well to bear in mind that we need not understand by them an army which ever actually mustered in the field or on parade but simply an estimate of the total male population liable to be called out for the national defence although even upon that understanding the total appears to be at least three times too great considering the small extent of the country

PULPIT These waited Hebrew המשרתים plur piel part of שרת The verse states that this enormous fivefold army with its five princes (counting in our corrupt text one million one hundred and sixty thousand) was the kings Jerusalem standing army while other separate regiments or bands of troops were spread through all Judah where they might be most needed for defence

teaching the pure unadulterated doctrines of the Gospel with the propriety and necessity of obedience to the laws has been the principal means in the hand of God of preserving these lands from those convulsions and revolutions that have ruined and nearly dissolved the European continent The itinerant ministry to which this refers is that which was established in these lands by the late truly reverend highly learned and cultivated deeply pious and loyal John Wesley AM formerly a fellow of Lincoln College Oxford whose followers are known by the name of Methodists a people who are an honor to their country and a blessing to the government under which they live

GILL And they taught in Judah The people their duty to God and man

and had the book of the law of the Lord with them as the rule of their instruction and the peoples obedience out of this they taught them and by it confirmed what they taught and enforced it with the divine authority

and went about throughout all the cities of Judah not only their own cities the Levitical ones but all others

and taught the people the law of the Lord the fear and worship of God

JAMISO the book of the lawmdash that is either the whole Pentateuch or only the book of Deuteronomy which contains an abridgment of it

BESO 2 Chronicles 179 And they taught in Judah ampc mdash The Levites and priests were teachers by office Deuteronomy 3310 It was a part of the work for which they had their maintenance and indeed had little else to do But it seems they had neglected it pretending probably that they could not get the people to hear them Jehoshaphat therefore sends them with the princes who by their authority might require the people to assemble together to receive instruction in the laws of God and their duty ldquoWhat a great deal of goodrdquo says Henry ldquomay be done when Moses and Aaron thus go hand in hand in the doing of it when princes with their power and priests and Levites with their Scripture-learning agree to teach the people the good knowledge of God and their duty These itinerant judges and itinerant preachers together were instrumental to diffuse a blessed light throughout the cities of Judahrdquo And had the book of the law of the Lord with them mdash 1st For their own guidance that from thence they might draw all the instructions they gave to the people and not teach for doctrines the commandments of men 2d For the conviction or the people that they might see these priests and Levites had a divine warrant for what they said and delivered to them only that which they had received from the Lord

TRAPP 2 Chronicles 179 And they taught in Judah and [had] the book of the law of the LORD with them and went about throughout all the cities of Judah and taught the people

Ver 9 And had the book of the law of the Lord with them] They taught not

traditions human inventions or unwritten verities All their doctrines came cum privilegio and were Scripture proof

WHEDO 9 The book of the law mdash Our Pentateuch in substantially its present form ldquoCopies of the whole law were no doubt scarce and therefore Jehoshaphatrsquos commission took care to carry a copy with themrdquo mdash Rawlinson

PARKER And they taught in Judah and had the book of the law of the Lord with them and went about throughout all the cities of Judah and taught the people ( 2 Chronicles 179)

This was a mixed commission partly civil partly ecclesiastical The men here mentioned are otherwise unknown We identify them as educational reformers or reformers who operated through the medium of education they were not warriors destroyers revolutionists but men who addressed the mind and the understanding and the conscience and caused men to know that the true law was from above and not from beneath The book which the commission had in hand was the Pentateuch or the law of Moses This was known to be the law which alone could touch all the vital necessities of the commonwealth Again and again we are constrained to admit that there is a law beyond Prayer of Manasseh above Prayer of Manasseh in a sense apart from man men are not driven within themselves to find a law an instinct or a reason they have a written statute an authoritative declaration a book which Christian teachers do not hesitate to describe as a Revelation and to that they call the attention of men If the teacher were teaching out of his own consciousness he would be but an equal often exposing himself to the destructive criticism of his more advanced and penetrating scholars but the teacher takes his stand upon a book upon the Book the Bible a revelation which he believes to be divine and final Say what we will the effect of Bible teaching must be judged by its fruits Where are the nations that are most distinguished for wide and varied intelligence for large and exhaustive sympathy for missionary enterprise for philanthropic institutions and for all the elements which give grace and beauty to social existence The question should admit of definite reply the facts are before men let them judge fearlessly and honestly and we need have no apprehension concerning their verdict Wherever the word of the Lord has had free course superstition has been chased away human slavery has been abolished every instance of intolerance injustice unkindness has felt the influence of holy thought in all these matters discussion should be limited strictly to facts Thus kings can help nations not by forcing education not by attempting to rule opinion not by setting up standards of orthodoxy to fall short of which is to incur penalty but by spreading education by extending light by cultivating a spirit of inquiry and by a generous multiplication of all the instrumentalities needed for the destruction of ignorance What may come of this we are not supposed at this moment to know Meanwhile let us be thankful that we are face to face with a man who has conviction courage independence high patriotic and generous impulse and let us hope that his end may be as beautiful as his beginning was promising

SIMEO THE ROYAL EDICT

ADVERTISEMETmdashThe author feels it necessary to prefix to this Sermon some short account of the occasion on which it was delivered

The author was at Amsterdam (in June 1818) partly with a view of re-establishing there an Episcopal Chapel in which there had been no service for seven years but principally with a view of seeking the welfare of the Children of Israel He went thither rather to explore than to act (See ehemiah 212-16) But just previous to the 18th of June he understood that the Third Anniversary of the Battle of Waterloo was to be kept throughout the etherlands as a day of thanksgiving and just at that time also he quite accidentally heard that the King of the etherlands had a year before issued an Edict requiring all the Jews to educate their children in the knowledge of their own Scriptures and calling upon all his Christian Subjects to aid in this good work Despondency not unlike to that which paralyzed all exertion at Jerusalem in ehemiahrsquos days so universally prevailed that no one had risen to the occasion the very Commissioners who had been appointed to carry the Edict into effect had published a Report in which they gave it as their opinion ldquothat the Lordrsquos time was not comerdquo and there was great danger that the gracious designs of the Monarch would be altogether frustrated The author therefore judged this a fit occasion for calling the attention of the Public to the Edict and accordingly after devoting the Morning Service to the more appropriate subject of the day he employed the Evening Service in an endeavour to forward this good work Considerable attention was excited to the subject by means of the Sermon which was therefore instantly printed in Dutch French and English for the purpose of its being circulated throughout the etherlands and he has reason to hope that active exertions were afterwards made in many places to promote what every benevolent mind must ardently desire the edification and welfare of the Jewish People

So good an example having been set by the Emperor of Russia and the King of the etherlands the author hopes that the attention of our own Governors also both in Church and State may be called to this long-neglected People and that now the British Public has been invited by authority (the Kingrsquos Letter) to aid in supporting Missions to the Heathen World the claims of the Jewish ation to whom under God we owe all the light that we ourselves enjoy will not be overlooked It is with a view to this great object that the author sends forth the Sermon in this country where if the foregoing explanation had not been given its relevancy and use might have been justly called in question

2 Chronicles 179 And they taught in Judah and had the book of the law of the Lord with them and went about throughout all the cities of Judah and taught the people

O a day set apart for thanksgiving to God for mercies received it is peculiarly proper to consider what we may render unto the Lord for all his benefits Certainly if any event ever deserved repeated annual commemoration it is that which has

freed the world from the most grievous tyranny that ever it endured Of the bitter cup which was put into the hands of every nation in Europe this nation [ote The etherlands] drank very deeply and the change which it has experienced in the restoration of their rightful Monarch and in the establishment of a free Constitution calls for their devoutest acknowledgments to Almighty God Doubtless we may with justice pay some tribute of honour to those who by their counsels and their arms effected the overthrow of the Usurper but it is God alone who giveth victory to kings and to whom the glory of this great victory must be primarily ascribed and he who accounts a day consecrated to this service superfluous shews that he is far from justly appreciating the blessings that have been conferred upon him The monarch himself has given to his people a very decided evidence that he feels the depth of his obligations to the God of his salvation and it will be your own loss if you do not cultivate a similar spirit and improve the occasion to the honour of your God

But it is not to thanksgiving only that your Monarch invites you he calls you by a special Edict to unite with him in seeking the welfare of your Jewish Brethren who in their struggle with the enemy signally approved their fidelity to their legitimate Sovereign Their welfare he in his turn studies to promote and he desires to combine the energies of all his subjects in efforts for their good Methinks he is like Jehoshaphat of old who well knowing that piety must be founded in knowledge and happiness in piety sent forth the Princes of his empire with a select number of Priests and Levites to instruct his people in the knowledge of Godrsquos blessed word

His edict on this occasion and the manner in which it was carried into effect will form the subject of my present discourse

I Then we notice the edict of King Jehoshaphatmdash

This was such as became a great and pious monarch and we shall find it not unprofitable or unsuitable to the present occasion to enter into a distinct consideration of it We observe then that it was a kind and benevolent edict a wise and politic edict a good and beneficial edict

Mark the benevolence displayed in it He sought the present and eternal welfare of his subjects He knew that as men are raised above the beasts by the exercise of reason so are they elevated in the scale of rational beings in proportion as their intellectual powers are cultivated and enlarged Man destitute of knowledge is a mere savage but when instructed in the various branches of science he becomes refined and civilized and capable of contributing to the general good In the very cultivation of knowledge there is much pleasure arising to the mind and in the application of that knowledge to useful purposes there is an exquisite delight We need only observe persons when employed in their several vocations how happy they are how contented how cheerful oftentimes unconsciously proclaiming their happiness like the birds of the air in festal songs or consciously and with devotion in songs of praise

But it was not mere intellectual improvement which Jehoshaphat sought to convey he wished his people to be instructed in the knowledge of that God whom they professed to fear and worship This alone could make them truly happy this alone could impart to them sound wisdom or solid consolation He therefore gave particular directions that they should be taught ldquoin the Book of the Law of the Lordrdquo and this throughout the whole land O happy people whose governor so employed the authority with which he was invested And happy that monarch who so improved his influence not for his own personal aggrandizement but for the best interests of the people committed to his charge In so doing he approved himself to be indeed what every governor should be the friend and father of his people

or was the policy of this measure at all inferior to its benevolence A people well instructed in moral and religious knowledge will view government as an ordinance of God and will learn to obey the constituted authorities not so much from fear of their wrath as for conscience sake towards God They will view their governors as Godrsquos vicegerents upon earth and will consider allegiance to them as an essential part of their duty to him Hence will spring up love in their hearts and a real delight in manifesting on all proper occasions their loyalty to their king they will form a bulwark around his person in case of necessity and even glory in laying down their lives for him as their greatest benefactor

The benefits arising from this edict were incalculable Such was the effect of it that the fear of Jehoshaphat and of Jehovah as his protector fell on all the nations that were round about him so that none however hostile in their hearts dared to make war against him [ote ver 10] Doubtless this resulted chiefly from an impression made upon their minds by God himself yet it was also produced by a dread of that energy which an united people were ready to put forth at any instant at the call of their beloved monarch At the same time that peace was thus secured prosperity reigned in every part of the empire and as the immediate fruit of it Jehoshaphat as well as the people ldquohad riches and honour in abundance [ote ver 5]rdquo In his own mind too he reaped the fruits of his own benevolence God smiled upon him and manifested himself to him and enabled him to walk with ldquohis heart lifted up in the ways of the Lord [ote ver 6]rdquo

Such was the edict of the pious Jehoshaphatmdashbenevolent politic beneficial And what I would ask is the Edict which has been issued by the highest authority in this kingdom Do we not see in it the same blessed characters as in that which we have been considering It was ldquoin the third year of his reign [ote ver 7]rdquo that Jehoshaphat sent forth teachers to enlighten and instruct his subjects The very instant he felt himself at liberty from the more urgent and pressing calls of duty (such as the fortifying of his land against foreign enemies and the correcting of some great internal abuses) he engaged in this good work of diffusing light and knowledge through all classes of the community In like manner the sovereign of this kingdom has scarcely had time to repair the ravages of war and to establish his empire too long weakened and impoverished by a cruel usurpation before he stands forth as the friend and father of his people and more especially of that portion of them who have in every age and place been most treated with neglect and

disdain to have them educated in scriptural knowledge and in the fear of God It is much to be lamented that the Jewish people have not in general been so attentive either to the learning or morals of their children as might be wished and hence arose a necessity for some authoritative admonition on the subject Yet if I may say it without offence this neglect has not been more reprehensible in them than has been the indifference with which the Christian world has regarded it The monarch (may God recompense it richly into his bosom) has risen up to remedy the supineness both of the one and the other and to call forth the united energies of all to correct and terminate this evil Yet whilst he thus consults the best interests of his subjects with what paternal tenderness has he guarded against wounding the feelings of any or exciting their religious prejudices The Scriptures of the Old Testament are alone to be used in the schools that shall be established even those Scriptures which Jews as well as Christians believe to have been given by inspiration of God and to contain truth without any mixture of error In this is marked the policy no less than the benevolence of the edict for it is not by constraint but by conciliation and kindness that good is to be done to any and more especially to those who have shewn themselves now for so many centuries proof against all the efforts of intimidation or force In this kingdom they form no small body and I may add no unimportant portion of the community It is well known how extensive is their influence in the affairs of commerce and how by their activity they contribute to enrich the state Hence it is now generally seen and felt that they are entitled to the same respect as any other subjects of the realm and whilst as in the present instance they see how deeply their monarch feels interested in their welfare they cannot but on their part be sensible of the privileges they enjoy under his paternal government and testify their gratitude to him by every possible expression of loyalty and affection

What the ultimate effect of these measures will be may be conjectured from the blessed results of the edict of Jehoshaphat all will feel themselves happy under the government of such a prince and he whilst he is respected abroad and beloved at home will have the happiness of seeing his labours crowned with prosperity throughout his dominions and with peace in his own soul

II The manner in which Jehoshaphatrsquos edict was carried into execution is now to be noticedmdash

The promptness with which his commands were executed deserves the highest praise All were ready to co-operate in this good work as soon as it was proposed ldquoPrinces and priests and Levites [ote ver 7 8]rdquo all addressed themselves to it instantly with one heart and one soul one accounted their dignity so high or their functions so sacred but they thought it an honour to be employed in such a service and found a delight in fulfilling the wishes of their revered monarch all entered into the work with zeal and prosecuted it with diligence and hence a rapid change was effected both in the temporal and spiritual condition of the whole nation And what may not be effected in this kingdom also if a similar zeal be exercised by ldquothe princes and priestsrdquo (the magistrates and clergy) of the land With them it must begin Those who move in a lower station can effect nothing if they be not aided and

countenanced by the higher orders whose rank in life or sacredness of character will give a tone to the general feeling and combine the energies of the whole kingdom If it be said that those for whom the benefit is designed do not feel a desire after it this only shews how much they need it and how earnestly we should all embark in a cause proposed by such high authority and recommended by the soundest dictates of wisdom and piety

That our obligations to unite in this labour of love may the more distinctly appear I would beg leave to suggest the following considerations

First Loyalty to the king demands our concurrence with him in this good work and a holy emulation amongst us to carry into effect his benevolent designs What can the greatest or best of men effect (what could Jehoshaphat himself have done) if there be none to act in subserviency to them and to follow their directions As the most potent monarch upon earth would in vain proclaim war if there were no soldiers found to enlist under his banners and to execute his commands so it will be in vain that the design of benefiting the Jewish people was ever conceived in the mind of the king or that his edict respecting them was ever issued if his subjects do not put forth their energies in obedience to his call In truth a backwardness to co-operate with him in this blessed work would seem like a reflection cast upon him as recommending a measure that was unworthy of attention I do not mean to insinuate that such an idea really exists in the minds of any for I am perfectly convinced it does not but certainly in appearance it is open to this construction and every subject of the empire is concerned to act in such a way as to cut off all occasion for a reflection like this I say loyalty alone even if we had no higher motive should be sufficient to call forth our exertions in this cause

But let me next observe that gratitude to the Jewish nation demands it at our hands How great how manifold are our obligations to them Behold Moses and the prophets what instruction have they given us in reference to the way of life and salvation Without the moral law as revealed by Moses we should never have known to what an extent we need a Saviour nor if the prophecies had not so fully designated the promised Messiah could we have ever so fully known that Jesus was the Christ Of whom did the Lord Jesus Christ himself come as pertaining to the flesh but from the loins of David and of the seed of Abraham Yet to him are we indebted for all that we either have or hope for in time or in eternity And who were the Apostles but Jews who for our sakes went forth preaching the word and counted not their lives dear to them so that they might but lead us to the knowledge of Christ and make us partakers of his salvation From them too we have received the lively oracles which are the one source of all spiritual knowledge and the one foundation of all our hopes Does all this call for no recompence at our hands Knowing as we do the vast importance of education should we not endeavour to impart it to those from whose ancestors we have received such innumerable such inestimable benefits Yet behold these are the people whom for many many centuries we have treated with more neglect and contempt than any other people upon the face of the earth the savages of the most distant climes have received more attention from us than they Surely it is high time that the Christian world awake to

a sense of their duty and begin to shew to the Jews somewhat of that love which their forefathers exercised towards us in our Gentile state We are debtors to them to a vast amount and it is high time that we begin to discharge our debt And how can we discharge it better than by enabling them to read and understand those very oracles which they have preserved with such fidelity and which testify so fully of their promised Messiah

Further A love to the rising generation should lead us to avail ourselves of the present opportunity to promote their welfaremdashIt is truly afflictive to see how low and degraded is the state of multitudes especially of the Jewish nation purely through the neglect with which they are treated in their early youth and still more grievous is it to reflect on their ignorance of those things which belong to their everlasting peace To counteract this we should endeavour to qualify the whole of their population for good and useful employments and through the medium of useful instruction to make them holy and to make them happy We need never be afraid that there will not be a sufficient number of poor to fill the lower stations do what we will there will never be wanting persons who through their own fault or misfortunes are necessitated to undertake the lowest offices of life And if they have been previously instructed in the Scriptures of Truth they will have a fund of consolation ever open to them in their deepest afflictions they will learn from the inspired volume in whatsoever state they are there-with to be content and in the prospect of the eternal world they will find joys with which a stranger intermeddleth not and which the world can neither give nor take away We feel the force of these considerations in reference to the poor of our own communion how is it that we feel it not in reference to our Jewish Brethren This is a partiality unworthy of us and we should rise as one man to wipe off this disgrace from our own character

This brings me to the last consideration which I propose to mention namely that a concern for the honour of our holy religion should operate to unite us all in executing the Royal EdictmdashWhat must a Jew think of our religion when he sees how little it has wrought for us in the production of love We may tell him of a Messiah who has loved us and laid down his life for us but what credit will he give us for our principles when he sees how little our practice corresponds with them May he not well say to us ldquoPhysician heal thyselfrdquo Shew by your conduct the superiority of your principles before you call on me to embrace them It is by love that we must win them it is by shewing kindness to them that we must efface from their hearts those prejudices which with too much reason they entertain against us We must exhibit in our own person the loveliness of Christianity before we can bring them to investigate the grounds of our faith or to imagine that they can improve their own condition by embracing it May I not then call upon you as Christians to unite in the good work that is now before you that you may thereby serve and glorify your Lord and Saviour As Christians you believe that there is no other way to the Father but by Christ [ote John 146] and no other name but his whereby any human being can be saved [ote Acts 412] Where is your piety where is your love to Christ where is even common humanity if you will not avail yourselves of the present opportunity to remove from before your Jewish Brethren

the stumbling-blocks which for so many ages have been laid in their way

Do any ask What shall we do I answer search out amongst the Jews some persons of probity and talent to commence schools among them and do you yourselves aid to the utmost of your power in the support of them provide them with all necessary books for instructing children in the first rudiments of knowledge provide them with Bibles also both in the Dutch and Hebrew languages that they may be thoroughly instructed in the knowledge of their own religion and learn to walk in the steps of their father Abraham and of all the holy prophets

Begin too without loss of time Adult Schools You will find many among the house of Israel who will be glad to avail themselves of your instructions Let those who are benevolent amongst you dedicate an hour in a day to the instructing of a few who may be desirous to learn and carefully avoid every thing which may give unnecessary offence Confine yourselves to the Old Testament which they venerate as well as you Let those who can teach only in the Dutch language give instruction in that and let those who either understand or have leisure to attain the Hebrew tongue draw their attention to that In particular let it be the united endeavour of all to qualify masters for this good work

And let it not be thought that this is the duty of men only The Royal Edict has particularly and with great wisdom recommended it to females who may be of infinite service in conveying instruction to their own sex This age is distinguished above all others for the activity of females in the service of God and in the performance of every good work Were I able to declare the proportion of good that is done in Britain by the female sex it would appear incredible I believe from my soul that it far exceeds one half in all the societies raised since the commencement of the present century in the Bible Society the Missionary Societies and the Society for Promoting the Knowledge of Christianity amongst the Jews yes let the ladies of this country exert themselves in a prudent modest and discreet way and the effects will soon appear the Royal Edict will not be a dead letter but will produce incalculable good to the whole nationmdashand the agents in this benevolent work will themselves receive quite as much benefit as they impart their benevolence being in proportion as it is exercised its own reward

10 The fear of the Lord fell on all the kingdoms of the lands surrounding Judah so that they did not go to war against Jehoshaphat

GILL And the fear of the Lord fell upon all the kingdoms of the lands that were round about Judah Upon the ten tribes and on foreign nations about them as Moabites Edomites Syrians Egyptians Arabs and Philistines this fear as it came from the Lord so might be raised and increased by observing that religion was revived in them for they might perceive by former observations made that the more religious these people were the more prosperous and formidable they were

so that they made no war against Jehoshaphat to interrupt him in the work of reformation he was so intent upon

HERY We have here a further account of Jehoshaphats great prosperity and the flourishing state of his kingdom

I He had good interest in the neighbouring princes and nations Though he was not perhaps so great a soldier as David (which might have made him their terror) nor so great a scholar as Solomon (which might have made him their oracle) yet the fear of the Lord fell so upon them (that is God so influenced and governed their spirits) that they had all a reverence for him 2Ch_1710 And 1 None of them made war against himGods good providence so ordered it that while the princes and priests were instructing and reforming the country none of his neighbours gave him any molestations to take him off from that good work Thus when Jacob and his sons were going to worship at Bethel the terror of God was upon the neighbouring cities that they did not pursue after them Gen_355 and see Exo_3424 2 Many of them brought presents to him (2Ch_1711) to secure his friendship Perhaps these were a tribute imposed upon them by Asa who made himself master of the cities of the Philistines and the tents of the Arabians 2Ch_1414 2Ch_1415 With the 7700 rams and the same number of he-goats which the Arabians brought there was probably a proportionable number of ewes and lambs she-goats and kids

KampD This attempt of Jehoshaphat brought him this blessing that the terror of Jahve fell upon all the surrounding kingdoms and not only did none of the neighbouring peoples venture to make war upon him but also various tribes did homage to him by presents Ramb has already so understood the connection of these verses (erat hoc praemium pietatis Josaphati quod vicini satisque potentes hostes non auderent adversus ipsum hiscere) while Berth fails to apprehend it saying that Jehoshaphat had time to care for the instruction of his people because at that time the neighbouring peoples did not venture to undertake war against Judah The words ldquoterror of Jahverdquo cf 2Ch_1413 2Ch_2029 and ldquoall the kingdoms of the landsrdquo cf 2Ch_128 1Ch_2930 are expressions peculiar to the author of the Chronicle which show that by these remarks he is preparing the way for a transition to a more detailed

portrayal of Jehoshaphats political power מן־(לש)ים is subject מן partitive some of the

Philistines brought him presents (for מנחה see on 2Ch_175) ldquoand silver a burdenrdquo ie

in great quantity מא does not signify tribute vectigal argento (Vulg) for the word has

not that signification but denotes burden that which can be carried as in מא לאן

2Ch_2025 - 2Ch_2116 2Ch_221 ערבים 2Ch_267 and more usually ערב-ים or ערביאים

are Arabian nomadic tribes (Bedacircwin) perhaps those whom Asa after his victory over the Cushite Zerah had brought under the kingdom of Judah 2Ch_1414 These paid

their tribute in small cattle rams and he-goats (ישים( Gen_3035 Gen_3215 Pro_

3031)

BESO 2 Chronicles 1710 The fear of the Lord fell upon all the kingdoms ampc mdash Justly concluding from his singular piety that God would eminently appear for him for even the heathen could not but observe that the kings of Judah were either prosperous or unhappy according as they served God or forsook him So that they made no war against Jehoshaphat mdash Godrsquos good providence so ordered it that while the princes and priests were instructing and endeavouring to reform the country none of his neighbours gave him any molestation to take him off from that good work

COFFMA All of this peace and prosperity were directly due to the respect which Jehoshaphat had shown to the Law of God and to his efforts to teach that word to all the people It is no problem that much of the material here is omitted in Kings because the primary focus there was political whereas in Chronicles the focus is upon the spiritual and religious significance of the same history

TRAPP 2 Chronicles 1710 And the fear of the LORD fell upon all the kingdoms of the lands that [were] round about Judah so that they made no war against Jehoshaphat

Ver 10 And the fear of the Lord fell upon all the kingdoms] It is said [2 Chronicles 172] Jehoshaphat placed forces in all the fenced cities yet it is not said thereupon that the fear of the Lord fell upon the neighbour nations But when he had established a preaching ministry in all the cities then his enemies had a fear and made no war

POOLE Justly concluding from this singular piety that God would eminently appear for him and against all those who had ill will to him which was their case For even the heathens could not but observe that the kings of Judah were either prosperous or unhappy accordingly as they served God or forsook him

ELLICOTT (10) The fear of the LordmdashA dread of Jehovah (pachad) aps 2029 (Comp Exodus 1516 1 Samuel 117 Isaiah 210 ) This phrase is not peculiar to the chronicler as Keil and Bertheau assert ldquoThe kingdoms of the landsrdquo is so (2 Chronicles 128 1 Chronicles 2930)

They made no warmdashThe reward of Jehosha-phatrsquos piety (1 Chronicles 229

Proverbs 167) ldquoWhen a manrsquos ways please the Lord he maketh even his enemies to be at peace with himrdquo (Comp also Genesis 355)

11 Some Philistines brought Jehoshaphat gifts and silver as tribute and the Arabs brought him flocks seven thousand seven hundred rams and seven thousand seven hundred goats

BARES Some of the Philistines brought Jehoshaphat presents - i e ldquosome of the Philistines were among his tributariesrdquo Compare 2Sa_82 1Ki_421

Tribute silver - Or ldquomuch silverrdquo - literally ldquosilver of burthenrdquo

The Arabians - The Arab tribes who bordered Judaea to the south and the southeast paid Jehoshaphat a fixed tribute in kind Compare 2Ki_34 note

CLARKE The Philistines brought - presents - They and the Arabians purchased peace with the king of Judah by paying an annual tribute The Philistines brought silver and no doubt different kinds of merchandise The Arabs whose riches consisted in cattle brought him flocks in great abundance principally rams and he-goats

GILL Also some of the Philistines brought Jehoshaphat presents and tribute silver Perhaps those of Gerar and the parts adjacent Asa took and spoiled and made tributary 2Ch_1414

and the Arabians brought him flocks seven thousand and seven hundred rams and seven thousand and seven hundred he goats with which their country abounded and these might be the Scenite Arabs who fearing lest Jehoshaphat should fall upon them and take away their flocks as his father had done 2Ch_1415 brought these presents to him

JAMISO Also some of the Philistines brought Jehoshaphat presents and tribute silvermdash either they had been his tributaries or they were desirous of securing his valuable friendship and now made a voluntary offer of tribute Perhaps

they were the Philistines who had submitted to the yoke of David (2Sa_81 Psa_608)

the Arabiansmdash the nomad tribes on the south of the Dead Sea who seeking the protection of Jehoshaphat after his conquest of Edom paid their tribute in the way most suitable to their pastoral habits - the present of so many head of cattle

BESO 2 Chronicles 1711 Some of the Philistines brought presents mdash They had been subject to Judah ever since Davidrsquos time but it seems had neglected this duty in the times of his predecessors but were now moved by their own fears to perform it And the Arabians brought him flocks mdash Either because he had upon some just occasion waged war against them and subdued them or because they voluntarily put themselves under his protection in recompense whereof they sent him these presents or only as a free acknowledgment of their respect for him

TRAPP 2 Chronicles 1711 Also [some] of the Philistines brought Jehoshaphat presents and tribute silver and the Arabians brought him flocks seven thousand and seven hundred rams and seven thousand and seven hundred he goats

Ver 11 Also some of the Philistines] These having been subdued by David had withheld their tribute for a time but now seeing Jehoshaphatrsquos growing greatness they bring it in with the better that no offence might be taken at their former neglect The word here used signifieth honorary gifts or oblations pacifications

ldquo Placatur donis Iupiter ipse datis rdquo

Think the same of the Arabians See 2 Chronicles 1414-15

POOLE Some of the Philistines who had been subjects to this kingdom ever since Davidrsquos time but it seems had neglected this duty in the times of his predecessors but now were moved by their own fears to perform it

The Arabians brought him flocks either because he had upon some just occasion waged war against them and subdued them though the particulars of it be not described in Scripture or because they voluntarily put themselves under his protection in recompence whereof they sent him those presents or only as a free acknowledgment of their respects to him

ELLICOTT (11) Broughtmdashie continually Such is the force of the participle

PresentsmdashAn offering ie tribute (minchah 2 Chronicles 175)

And tribute silvermdashRather and silver a load or burden ie a great quantity (massacircrsquo) 2 Chronicles 2025 As if ldquosilver as much as they could carryrdquomdasha natural hyperbole ot all the five states of the Philistines were subject to Jehoshaphat (Comp 2 Samuel 81)

The ArabiansmdashlsquoArbicircrsquoim here only equivalent to lsquoArbicircyicircm (2 Chronicles 267) and

lsquoArbim (2 Chronicles 2116) They are in each case grouped with the Philistines The nomad Bedacircwin conquered by Asa (2 Chronicles 1415) appear to be meant here or else some tribes which recognised the overlordship of Jehoshaphat after his reduction of Edom (2 Chronicles 2022 sqq)

Brought him flocksmdashComp Mesha of Moabrsquos tribute to Ahab (2 Kings 34)

GUZIK 2 (2 Chronicles 1711-19) The international strength of Jehoshaphatrsquos kingdom

Also some of the Philistines brought Jehoshaphat presents and silver as tribute and the Arabians brought him flocks seven thousand seven hundred rams and seven thousand seven hundred male goats So Jehoshaphat became increasingly powerful and he built fortresses and storage cities in Judah He had much property in the cities of Judah and the men of war mighty men of valor were in Jerusalem These are their numbers according to their fathersrsquo houses Of Judah the captains of thousands Adnah the captain and with him three hundred thousand mighty men of valor and next to him was Jehohanan the captain and with him two hundred and eighty thousand and next to him was Amasiah the son of Zichri who willingly offered himself to the LORD and with him two hundred thousand mighty men of valor Of Benjamin Eliada a mighty man of valor and with him two hundred thousand men armed with bow and shield and next to him was Jehozabad and with him one hundred and eighty thousand prepared for war These served the king besides those the king put in the fortified cities throughout all Judah

a Some of the Philistines brought Jehoshaphat presents and silver as tribute and the Arabians brought him flocks Jehoshaphatrsquos commitment to personal and public godliness meant that God exalted his kingdom above the neighboring nations even as God promised in Deuteronomy 281-13

b These served the king The true treasure of Jehoshaphatrsquos kingdom was not numbered only in security or material things but also in the dedicated and courageous men he had surrounding him these mighty men of valor

i Amasiah the son of Zichri who willingly offered himself to the LORD ldquoAmasiah is a man of whom we do not know anything beyond this ndash he lsquowillingly offered himself unto the Lordrsquo There must have been a turning-point in his career a time when first he knew the grace of God which wrought such a change in him There must have been a waking up to the feeling that God deserved his love and his liferdquo (Spurgeon)

ii Amasiah was a ready servant of the Lord this particularly notable because he did it in an otherwise secular calling

middot o one had to press him into service

middot o one had to seek him out for service

middot o one had to look after him once he had begun serving

middot o one had to lead him

iii ldquoThere is no lawful occupation in which a man cannot thoroughly serve the Lord It is a great privilege and blessing to be set apart to the work of winning souls but we must never separate that work from all the rest of the callings of life as though it alone were sacred and all the rest were secular and almost sinful Serve God where you arerdquo (Spurgeon)

PULPIT The presents were probably enough in the nature of tribute the fixed rate of which is sometimes alluded to (1 Kings 421 1 Kings 1025 2 Samuel 82) but it is doubtful whether the word משא purports to say this The word means bearing or carrying and then a burden load or weight The expression (2 Chronicles 2025) more than they could carry away where this word is used favours the idea that the meaning here is silver of great weight Probably the moral significance and historical interest whether of this statement respecting the Philistines or the following respecting the Arabians lies in the fact that both of them brought without more ado their payments and did not seek to slip out of their engagements with Judah and Judahs king ote for confirmation of this view 2 Kings 34 2 Kings 35

12 Jehoshaphat became more and more powerful he built forts and store cities in Judah

GILL And Jehoshaphat waxed great exceedingly In wealth and riches power and authority in his forces and fortifications

and he built in Judah castles and cities of stores castles for the defence of his kingdom and store cities to lay up corn and wine and all provisions in case of an invasion or against a time of war

HERY II He had a very considerable stores laid up in the cities of Judah He pulled down his barns and built larger (2Ch_1712) castles and cities of store for arms and victuals He was a man of business and aimed at the public good in all his

undertakings either to preserve the peace or prepare for war

JAMISO 2Ch_1712-19 His greatness captains and armies

KampD Description of Jehoshaphats power - 2Ch_1712 And Jehoshaphat became

ever greater sc in power The partic הולך expresses the continuous advance in

greatness cf Ew sect280 b as the infin absol does elsewhere eg Gen_83 למעלה as עד

in 2Ch_1612 - He built castles in Judah ירנ-ות only here and in 2Ch_274 from ירנית

derivative formed from ירה by the Syriac termination נית- fem of ן- castle fortress On

מסנות cf 2Ch_84 ערי

TRAPP 2 Chronicles 1712 And Jehoshaphat waxed great exceedingly and he built in Judah castles and cities of store

Ver 12 And Jehoshaphat waxed great exceedingly] Heb He was going and growing By humility and the fear of the Lord are riches and honour and life [Proverbs 224]

And he built in Judah castles] Bironeoth πυργους turres So did the Burgundians and thence had their names

And cities of store] Granaries in the Hebrew they have their name from their utility or usefulness

ELLICOTT (12) And Jehoshaphat waxed greatmdashLiterally And Jehoshaphat was going on and waxing great ie became greater and greater (Comp 1 Chronicles 119)

ExceedinglymdashlsquoAd lĕmagraversquolah This phrase occurs again in 2 Chronicles 1612 2 Chronicles 268 and nowhere else in the Old Testament (See on 1 Chronicles 142)

And he builtmdashLike his predecessorsmdashSolomon Rehoboam Asamdashhe displayed his wealth and power in great public works The records of the Assyrian and Babylonian sovereigns are largely taken up with similar accounts of temple and palace building

CastlesmdashBiranicircyocircth a derivative from birah (1 Chronicles 291 1 Chronicles 2919 comp Syriac here birocircthocirc) It only recurs at 2 Chronicles 274 It is an Aramaic term (Comp bicircranyacircthacirc which in the Targums means ldquopalacesrdquo)

Cities of storesmdashComp 2 Chronicles 84 2 Chronicles 164 Exodus 111

PULPIT Castles This rendering better than palaces (margin) wound bear improving to the rather stronger word fortresses Hebrew בירניות found only here and in 2 Chronicles 274 plur of בירנית connected with the Chaldee and later Hebrew בירה of Ezra 62 ehemiah 11 Esther 12 Daniel 82 Cities of store (see note under 2 Chronicles 84 see also 1 Kings 919 Exodus 111)

13 and had large supplies in the towns of Judah He also kept experienced fighting men in Jerusalem

CLARKE He hadmuch business in the cities - He kept the people constantly employed they had wages for their work and by their labors the empire was both enriched and strengthened

GILL And he had much business in the cities of Judah Partly in fortifying them and partly in reforming the inhabitants of them

and the men of war mighty men of valour were in Jerusalem or by or near unto it so the particle is rendered Jos_513 they encamped in places adjacent to it for such a number of men as follows even 1160000 could never be contained in Jerusalem but must be disposed of in the territories of it nor did they wait on the king together but in course see 2Ch_1719 by which it appears there is no need to suppose any mistake of the transcriber in any or all of the following sums as has been suggested (q)

HERY 13-19 III He had the militia in good order It was never in better since David modelled it Five lord-lieutenants (if I may so call them) are here named with the numbers of those under their command (the serviceable men that were fit for war in their respective districts) three in Judah and two in Benjamin It is said of one of these great commanders Amasiah that he willingly offered himself unto the Lord (2Ch_1716) not only to the king to serve him in this post but to the Lord to glorify him in it He was the most eminent among them for religion he accepted the place not for the

honour or power or profit of it but for conscience sake towards God that he might serve his country It was usual for great generals then to offer of their spoils to the Lord 1Ch_2626 But this good man offered himself first to the Lord and then his dedicated things The number of the soldiers under these five generals amounts to 1160000 men a vast number for so small a compass of ground as Judahs and Benjamins lot to furnish out and maintain Abijah could bring into the field but 400000 (2Ch_133) Asa not 600000 (2Ch_148) yet Jehoshaphat has at command almost 1200000 But it must be considered 1 That God had promised to make the seed of Abraham like the sand of the sea for number 2 There had now been a long peace 3 We may suppose that the city of Jerusalem was very much enlarged 4 Many had come over to them from the kingdom of Israel (2Ch_1519) which would increase the numbers of the people 5 Jehoshaphat was under a special blessing of God which made his affairs to prosper greatly The armies we may suppose were dispersed all the country over and each man resided for the most part on his own estate but they appeared often to be mustered and trained and were ready at call whenever there was occasion The commanders waited on the king (2Ch_1719) as officers of his court privy-counsellors and ministers of state

But lastly observe It was not this formidable army that struck a terror upon the neighbouring nations that restrained them from attempting any thing against Israel or obliged them to pay tribute but the fear of God which fell upon them when Jehoshaphat reformed his country and set up a preaching ministry in it 2Ch_1710 The ordinances of God are more the strength and safety of a kingdom than its military force - its men of God more than its men of war

KampD 2Ch_1713

וגווגווגווגו רהרהרהרה is rightly translated by Luther ldquound hatte viel Vorrathsrdquo (and ומלעכהומלעכהומלעכהומלעכה

had much store) מלעכהמלעכהמלעכהמלעכה denotes here as in Exo_227-10 property that which has been gained by work or business The signification much work opera magna (Vulg Cler etc) as also Bertheaus translation ldquothe works for equipping and provisioning the fortressesrdquo correspond neither to the context nor to the parallel (synonymous) second member of the verse The work and trouble necessary to equip the cities of Judah does not correspond to ldquothe valiant warriors in Jerusalemrdquo the only parallel is the goods and property which were in these cities the provision of victuals and war material there stored up

BESO 2 Chronicles 1713 He had much business in the cities of Judah mdash To repair and fortify them and furnish them with provisions and to purge out all the relics of idolatry and injustice which were more secretly and craftily managed in the cities than in the country and which were first and most prevalent in the cities and thence spread their infection into the country around them

TRAPP 2 Chronicles 1713 And he had much business in the cities of Judah and the men of war mighty men of valour [were] in Jerusalem

Ver 13 And he had much business] Eργα πολλα (a) Many works going forward at

once a negotious man he was His business say some lay in beautifying and fortifying those cities Augustus gloried at his death that whereas he had found Rome built with brick he had left it made of marble

And the men of war hellip were in Jerusalem] These were his Praetorian forces his Praesidiaries were up and down in the various cities

POOLE He had much business in the cities of Judah partly to repair and fortify them and furnish them with all necessary provisions and partly to purge out all the relies and seeds of idolatry and injustice which were more secretly and subtlely managed in the cities than in the country and which were first and most in the cities and thence spread their infection into the country about them See Jeremiah 228

ELLICOTT (13) BusinessmdashRather much goods or stores literally work (mĕlacirckacirch) and then produce The Hebrew word is so used in Exodus 227 Exodus 2210 (ldquoHis neighbourrsquos goodsrdquo) Stores of provisions and war material seem to be intended (Comp 2 Chronicles 1111)

And the man of war were in JerusalemmdashRather and (he had) men of war in Jerusalem

In Jerusalemmdashot the entire army corps whose numbers are given in 2 Chronicles 1714-18 but simply their chiefs

PULPIT Much business Hebrew מלאכה The meaning of the word is service labour bestowed and the verse reads And there was to him much labour in the cities of Judah and men of war mighty men of valour in Jerusalem ie He bestoweth much pains on the cities of Judah and had etc The word were Authorized Version italics is incorrectly inserted The former half of this verse would better constitute the end of 2 Chronicles 1712 Keil however maintains the rendering substance property for מלאכה (Exodus 227 Exodus 2210)

14 Their enrollment by families was as followsFrom Judah commanders of units of 1000Adnah the commander with 300000 fighting men

BARES The captains of thousands Adnah the chief - literally ldquoprinces of thousands Adnah the princerdquo The writer does not mean that Adnah (or Johohanan 2Ch_1715) was in any way superior to the other ldquoprincesrdquo but only that he was one of them

Three hundred thousand - This number and those which follow in 2Ch_1715-18 have been with good reason regarded as corrupt by most critics For

(1) They imply a minimum population of 1480 to the square mile which is more than three times greater than that of any country in the known world (circa 1880rsquos)

(2) they produce a total just double that of the next largest estimate of the military force of Judah the 580 000 of 2Ch_148

(3) they are professedly a statement not of the whole military force but of the force maintained at Jerusalem (2Ch_1713 compare 2Ch_1719)

It is probable that the original numbers have been lost and that the loss was suppplied by a scribe who took 2Ch_148 as his basis

CLARKE Adnah the chief - He was generalissimo of all this host These are the numbers of the five battalions under Adnah three hundred thousand Jehohanan two hundred and eighty thousand Amasiah two hundred thousand Eliada two hundred thousand Jehozabad one hundred and eighty thousand in all one million one hundred and sixty thousand

GILL And these are the numbers of them according to the house of their fathers Both of the tribe of Judah and of Benjamin and first

of Judah the captains of thousands some had 1000 men under them and some one hundred

Adnah the chief he was the principal commander or general of them

and with him mighty men of valour three hundred thousand such a number was under his command

JAMISO these are the numbersmdash The warriors were arranged in the army according to their fathers houses The army of Jehoshaphat commanded by five great generals and consisting of five unequal divisions comprised one million one hundred and sixty thousand men without including those who garrisoned the fortresses No monarch since the time of Solomon equaled Jehoshaphat in the extent of his revenue in the strength of his fortifications and in the number of his troops

KampD 2Ch_1714-16

The men fit for war passed in review according to their fathers-houses The male population of Judah fell into three divisions that of Benjamin into two The prince

Adnah held the first place among the generals with 300000 men of Judah ידו at his על

hand ie with and under him Jehohanan had the command of 280000 men and

Amasiah over 200000 השר is a contraction for אלפים For what special reason it is so שר

honourably recorded of Amasiah that he had willingly offered himself to the Lord (cf for

Jdg_59) has not been communicated התנב

COFFMA his represented a standing army of 1160000 men besides the garrisons in the fortified cities and this goes a long way to explaining why the Arabians and the Philistines brought tribute to Jehoshaphat In ancient times as in our own day peace frequently depended upon the strength of those who desired it

We should ignore the screams of exaggeration[3] which mark the writings of radical critics Pagan rulers of that era reported even larger armies than this and until the critics can prove that those were exaggerated reports they should let these alone Besides that we have already noted that the very word from which thousand is translated is disputed as to its exact meaning

COKE 2 Chronicles 1714 And these are the numbers of themmdash That is of the soldiers as well as of those who were employed in the kings works in the several cities ampc which he built See 2 Chronicles 1719

REFLECTIOSmdash1st Jehoshaphat no sooner comes to the throne than we see the dawnings of a glorious reign

1 He strengthened his kingdom by placing strong garrisons in the cities of Judah and those which his father had recovered from Israel and prepared against that danger which Ahabs growing power seemed to threaten

2 Religion was his great concern He copied after the best of his predecessors in their best days such as were the first of David before the matter of Uriah and the numbering of the people had blotted his fair copy Faithful to the worship of God he abhorred all idols the law of God was his rule of duty and Israels apostacy rendered his fidelity more singular and exemplary Inspired with holy zeal his heart with delight and sincerity was engaged for God and no difficulties deterred him from the path of duty The idols and groves which in the declining days of Asa might have been set up again he utterly destroyed with all the high places where they still offered sacrifices to these abominations ote (1) In the fairest human pattern there will be found imperfections but there is a Son of David more than man who has set us a spotless example that we should follow his steps (2) Fidelity in Gods service is the stability of a nation (3) A lively soul on wings of faith and love mounts up to God rises superior to every difficulty and looks down upon every thing besides his favour as altogether vanity

3 He not only removed the temptations to sin but took care to instruct the people in

the path of duty Ignorance of Gods law had greatly prevailed and to oblige them merely to conform to his reformation without grounding them on the true foundation of Gods word promised little stability The Levites and priests therefore are sent in progress through the cities of Judah with the book of the law to explain and enforce the commandments of God and several princes accompanied them in order to engage the people to hear them and give countenance to these preachers by their weight and influence ote (1) It is a blessed thing when princes countenance faithful ministers Though they cannot make men true converts their example and authority will induce them to attend (2) They who are sent to teach must see that they take the pure word of God along with them A true preacher wishes for nothing in his hand but his Bible (3) Religion is a reasonable service Conviction alone not compulsion or education can make a man a christian

4 The blessing of God attended his labours The Lord was with him or as the Targum generally expresses it the word of the Lord the divine Logos to whom all things are committed strengthened him in his labours and established his kingdom The people charmed with his government liberally sent their presents to him and abounding in riches and honour his heart far from being intoxicated by prosperity was lifted up in greater love and thankfulness to the gracious giver ote (1) God often here rewards piety with prosperity (2) Worldly comforts are then truly blessings when as the steps of Jacobs ladder they raise our hearts to heaven

2nd Like the light of the morning which shineth more and more so did Jehoshaphats glory increase

1 Feared by his enemies as beloved by his subjects the neighbouring princes did not offer to molest him while those of Philistia and Arabia courted his favour either by a voluntary present or exact payment of the tribute which Asa had imposed on them see 2 Chronicles 1711 God had put an awe upon them of the majesty of his king in Zion ote God hath access to the spirits of men and by secret yet irresistible influence can bow them to his sovereign will

2 His military preparations greatly advanced While he reformed the people he fortified their ramparts and built new castles and store-cities strengthening them within and without against their enemies Under five chief officers an immense army was enlisted Probably all the able men in the country were enrolled and regularly mustered though not drawn out except in case of necessity and this may easily account for the greatness of their number if we consider also the long peace they had enjoyed the accession of Israelites to them and especially the blessing of Abraham which no doubt was eminently fulfilled Amasiah one of the officers is mentioned with an honourable mark of distinction as a volunteer who served for the glory of God not for the sake of pay Such patriots are scarce

TRAPP 2 Chronicles 1714 And these [are] the numbers of them according to the house of their fathers Of Judah the captains of thousands Adnah the chief and

with him mighty men of valour three hundred thousand

Ver 14 Three hundred thousand] These were under his command and at hand to come whensoever the king would

WHEDO 14 Three hundred thousand mdash The numbers in this verse and the four verses following are generally regarded as corrupt ldquoThey implyrdquo observes the writer last quoted ldquoa minimum population of 1480 to the square mile which is more than three times greater than that of any country in the known world It is probable that the original numbers have been lost and the loss supplied by a scribe who took 2 Chronicles 148 as his basis

ELLICOTT Verse 14 (14) And these their fathersmdashAnd this is their muster (or census) according to their father-houses (clans) 1 Chronicles 243 The warriors were marshalled in the army according to clans so that men of the same stock fought side by side with their kindred Perhaps in the original document this heading was followed by a much more detailed scheme of names and divisions than that which the text presents

Of JudahmdashTo Judah (belonged) captains of thousands viz the three enumerated in 2 Chronicles 1714-16 Adnah Jehohanan and Amasiah They were the principal officers or generals of the entire forces of Judah

Adnah the chiefmdashTo wit the captain Adnah That Adnah was commander-in-chief is implied by his being named first and his corps being the largest

PULPIT This verse with the following four gives us the names of five captains chiefs princes or military officers for the kingdoms service with the numbers of the troops they severally commanded The numbers of them (see note under 1 Chronicles 2311) Hebrew פקדתם The better English rendering to carry at once the signification would be The muster of them etc The captains hellip the chief In both cases the Hebrew is the familiar word for prince ( שר ) in the former without article in the latter with article The numbers of this and following four verses are not only absolutely unreliable but in themselves impossible According to the house of their fathers ie the quotation is drawn from an army catalogue arranged carefully by fathers houses (umbers 118 umbers 122 etc)

15 next Jehohanan the commander with 280000

GILL And next to him was Jehohanan the captain Being of the same rank as to office but having a lesser number of men under him and it may respect not any kind of subordination only nearness of place as the Targumhe that encamped next to him

and with him two hundred and fourscore thousand which number was but 20000 less than the former

POOLE ext to him either

1 After his death as his successor in the same command And the like is supposed concerning Jehozabad 2 Chronicles 1718 Or rather

2 ext to him in place and authority or at least in power and the numbers of his host

16 next Amasiah son of Zikri who volunteered himself for the service of the Lord with 200000

GILL And next him was Amasiah the son of Zichri He encamped next to him as the Targum

who willingly offered himself unto the Lord to fight the Lords battles and without any stipend as some think or as Kimchi he offered gold and silver to the treasures of the house of the Lord

and with him two hundred thousand mighty men of valour the number was 80000 less than the former the whole of Judah amounted to 780000 men

TRAPP 2 Chronicles 1716 And next him [was] Amasiah the son of Zichri who willingly offered himself unto the LORD and with him two hundred thousand mighty men of valour

Ver 16 Who willingly offered himself unto the Lord] He was a votary the vows of God were upon him and this made him the more valiant and resolute (a) in the exercise of arms for the service of God and the safety of his people The Spahis among the Turks are a sort of horsemen voluntaries and votaries to gain paradise by dying for the Mohammedan cause These are never known to return home but

with victory these are heavy upon the enemy For

ldquo Vincitur haud gratis iugulo qui provocat ensem rdquo

POOLE As volunteers and auxiliaries to be ready upon occasion as the service of God and the king should require Possibly these or most of them were the strangers which had come out of Israel into the kingdom of Judah in Asarsquos days and probably since that in his time

ELLICOTT (16) AmasiahmdashIah carrieth (Isaiah 4011) different from Amaziah (Iah is strong)

Who willingly offered himself unto the Lordmdash(Judges 52 Judges 59) An allusion to some noble act of self-devotion which was doubtless more fully recorded in the source from which the chronicler has drawn this brief account Such allusions though no longer intelligible are important as conducing to the proof of the historical value of the narratives in which they occur LXX ὁ προθυmicroούmicroενος τῷ κυρίῳ Vulg consecratus Domino

PULPIT Amaziah the son of Zichri This man is not titled at all The description of him as one who had willingly offered himself unto the Lord not elucidated by the context or any effective parallel will mark something honorable in his history Possibly he comes from an unexpected quarter and is a man of approved skill othing further is known of these three men Meantime it has been suggested (Professor Dr J Murphy of Belfast Handbook to Chronicles ) that the first of the three was for Judah proper the second for that contingent of Judah that hailed from Dan and the Philistines and the third for that of Simeon and the Arabs

MACLARE This is a scrap from the catalogue of Jehoshaphatrsquos lsquomighty men of valourrsquo and is Amasiahrsquos sole record We see him for a moment and hear his eulogium and then oblivion swallows him up We do not know what it was that he did to earn it But what a fate to live to all generations by that one sentence

I Cheerful self-surrender the secret of all religion

The words of our text contain a metaphor naturally drawn from the sacrificial system It comes so easily to us that we scarcely recognise the metaphorical element but the clear recognition of it gives great additional energy to the words Amasiah was both sacrificer and sacrifice His offering was self-immolation As in all love so in that noblest kind of it which clasps God its perfect expression is lsquoI give Thee my living loving selfrsquo Nor is it only sacrifice and sacrificer that are seen in deepest truth in the experience of the Christian life but the reality of the Temple is also there for lsquoYe also are built up a spiritual house to be a holy priesthood to offer up spiritual sacrificesrsquo Only when God dwells in us shall we have the nerve and the firmness of hand to take the knife and lsquoslay before the Lordrsquo the awful Guest in the sanctuary within the most precious of the children of our spirits

The essence of the sacrifice of self is the sacrifice of will In the Christian experience

lsquowillingly offeredrsquo is almost tautology for unwilling offerings are a contradiction and in fact there are no such things The quality of unwillingness destroys the character of the offering and robs it of all sacredness Reluctant Christianity is not Christianity That noun and that adjective can never be buckled together

The submission of will and the consequent surrender of myself and my powers opportunities and possessions so that I do all enjoy all use all and when need is endure all with glad thankful reference to God is only possible to me in the measure in which my will is made flexible by love and such will-subduing love comes only when we lsquoknow and believe the love that God hath to usrsquo There is the point at which not a few moral and religious teachers go wrong and bewilder themselves and their disciples There too is the point at which Christ and the Gospel of salvation through faith in Him stand forth as emancipating humanity from the dreary round of efforts and vain attempts to work up the condition needful for achieving the height of self-surrender which is seen to be indispensable to all true nobleness of living but is felt to be beyond the reach of the ordinary man There too is the point at which many good people mar their lives as Christians They waste their strength in trying to bring the jibbing horse up to the leap They try to blow up a fire of devotion and to make themselves priests to offer themselves but all the while the mutinous self recoils from the leap and the fire burns smokily and their sacrifice is laid on the altar with little joy because they have not been careful and wise enough to begin at the beginning and to follow Godrsquos way of melting their wills by love the reflection of the Infinite love of God to them Godrsquos priests offer themselves because they offer their wills they offer their wills because they love God they love God because they know that God loves them That is the divine order It is vain to try to accomplish the end by any other

II This willing offering hallows all life

No syllable is left to tell us what Amasiah did to win this praise Probably the words enshrine some now forgotten memory of his cheerful courage some heroic feat on an unrecorded battlefield Particulars are not given nor needed Specific actions are unimportant the spirit of a life can be told with very incomplete details and it not the details is the important thing Sometimes as in many modern biographies one lsquocannot see the wood for the treesrsquo and misses the main drift and aim of a life in the chaos of a bewildering mass of nothings How much more happy the lot of this man of whom we have only the generalised expression of the text unweighted and undisturbed by petty incidents It takes tons of rose leaves to make a tiny phial of otto of roses but the fragrance is far more pungent in a drop of the distillation than in armfuls of leaves Every life shrinks into very small compass and the centuries do not tolerate long biographies Shall we not seek to order our life so that Amasiahrsquos epitaph may serve for us It will be blessed if this-and nothing else-is known about us that we lsquowillingly offered ourselves to the Lordrsquo My friend will that be a true epitome of your life

III This willing offering is accepted by God

We may hear a mightier voice behind the chroniclerrsquo s and the judgment of the Judge of all pronounced by His lips It matters little what men say of one another but it matters everything what God says of us We are but too apt to forget that He is now saying something as to each of us and that we have not to wait for death to put a final period to our activities before our lives become fit subjects for Godrsquos judgment Moment by moment we are writing our own sentences But while it is good for us to remember the continuous judgment of God on each deed it is not good to let dark thoughts of the principles of that judgment paralyse our activity or chill our confidence in His forgiving and accepting mercy There is often a dark suspicion like that of the one-talented

servant which blackens Godrsquos fair fame as being lsquoan austere Manrsquo making demands rather than imparting power and the effect of such an ugly conception of Him is to cut the nerve of service and bury the talent carefully folded up it may be but none the less earning nothing lsquoIf we call on Him as Father who without respect of persons judgeth according to every manrsquos workrsquo let us be sure that it will be a Fatherly judgment that He will pass upon us and our offerings There is a wonderful collection on His altar of what many people would think rubbish just as many a mother has laid away among her treasures some worthless article which her child had once given her-a weed plucked by the roadside in a long past summer day some trifle of rare preciousness in the childrsquos eyes and of none in any others than her own She opens her drawer and brings out the poor little thing and her eyes fill and her heart fills as she looks And does not God keep His childrenrsquos gifts as lovingly and set them in places of honour in the day when He lsquomakes up His jewelsrsquo There are cups of cold water and widowsrsquo mites and much else that a supercilious world would call lsquotrashrsquo stored there Thank God He accepts imperfect service faltering faith partial consecration a little love Even our poor offering may be an lsquoodour of a sweet smellrsquo ministering fragrance that is a delight to Him if it is offered with the much incense of the great Sacrifice and through the mediation of the great High Priest

The world forgot Amasiah or never knew him an obscure soldier in an obscure kingdom but God did not forget and here is his epitaph and this is his memorial to all generations Menrsquos chronicles have no room for all the names that their wearers are eager to have inscribed on their crumbling and crowded pages lsquobut the Lambrsquos Book of Lifersquo has ample space on its radiant pages for all who desire to set their names there and if ours are there we need not envy the proudest whose titles and deeds fill the most conspicuous pages in the worldrsquos records lsquoThen shall every man have praise of Christrsquo and he who wins that guerdon needs nothing more and can have nothing more to swell his blessedness

17 From BenjaminEliada a valiant soldier with 200000 men armed with bows and shields

GILL And of Benjamin Eliada a mighty man of valour Was the chief commander

and with armed men with bow and shield two hundred thousand which were

the armour of the tribe of Benjamin they were best skilled in 2Ch_148

TRAPP 2 Chronicles 1717 And of Benjamin Eliada a mighty man of valour and with him armed men with bow and shield two hundred thousand

Ver 17 With bow and shield] The Benjamites were notable bowmen [1 Chronicles 122] The Engish were anciently so too

ELLICOTT (17) Armed men with bow and shieldmdashLiterally drawing bow and shield ie as the Targum explains ldquodrawing bow and grasping shieldsrdquo (Comp 1 Chronicles 122) LXX ldquoArchers and peltastsrdquo Vulg ldquoGrasping bow and shieldrdquo (Comp also 1 Chronicles 840 for the arms of the Benjaminites)

18 next Jehozabad with 180000 men armed for battle

GILL And next to him was Jehozabad According to the Targum he encamped next him

and with him one hundred and fourscore thousand ready prepared for war being able bodied men well disciplined valiant and well armed these numbers of Judah and Benjamin put together amount to 1160000 men whereas Asa only brought into the field 580000 but it should be considered there had been a long time of peace many had come off from the ten tribes to Judah and the promise of multiplying the seed of Abraham was eminently fulfilled

TRAPP 2 Chronicles 1718 And next him [was] Jehozabad and with him an hundred and fourscore thousand ready prepared for the war

Ver 18 A hundred and fourscore thousand] His militia was eleven hundred and threescore thousand besides what he had in garrisons [2 Chronicles 1719] So that as he was better he was stronger than his father Asa had been Piety hath prosperity

ELLICOTT (18) Ready prepared for the warmdashEquipped for service (See on 1

Chronicles 1223-24 umbers 315 umbers 3229) The hoplites or heavy-armed infantry are probably meant

PULPIT While Eliada of last verse was for Benjamin Professor Dr Murphy supposes that Jehozabad was for the annexed part of Ephraim But no suppositions of this kind can avail to explain the numbers in the text which is no doubt corrupt

19 These were the men who served the king besides those he stationed in the fortified cities throughout Judah

CLARKE These waited on the king - They were disposable forces always at the kingrsquos command and were independent of those by which the cities of Judah were garrisoned

There is not a sovereign in Europe or in the world but might read this chapter with advantage

1 It shows most forcibly that true religion is the basis of the state and that wherever it prospers there the state prospers

2 It shows also that it is the wisdom of kings to encourage religion with all their power and influence for if the hearts of the subjects be not bound and influenced by true religion vain is the application of laws fines imprisonments or corporal punishment of any kind

3 A religious nation is ever a great nation it is loved by its friends it is dreaded by its enemies

4 It is ever a peaceable and united nation the blessings of religion and a wholesome and paternal government are so fully felt and prized that all find it their interest to preserve and defend them Harmony peace piety and strength are the stability of such times May Britain know and value them

GILL These waited on the king Not this vast number of men at one time but in course as Davids military men waited on him 1Ch_271 or each of these captains with a proper number of men under them detached from the body and they were all ready to obey the kings orders whenever he should have occasion for them

besides those whom the king put into the fenced cities throughout Judah and all together the militia of the kingdom was very numerous and formidable

KampD 2Ch_1719

These were serving the king א6ה refers not to the above-mentioned men capable of

bearing arms for sheereet is not used of service in war but to the commanders whom he had placed in the fortified cities of all Judah ldquoin which probably bodies of the above-mentioned troops lay as garrisonsrdquo (Berth)

BESO 2 Chronicles 1719 These waited on the king mdash These above-mentioned were the trained bands or auxiliaries whose chief officers waited on the king to receive his commands and to raise and bring in all or part of their forces to the service of the king as need required A vast number for so small a compass of ground to furnish out and maintain But we may consider that God had promised to make the seed of Abraham like the sand of the sea for number that there had now been a long peace that many were come to them from the kingdom of Israel and that Jehoshaphat was under a special blessing of God They were doubtless dispersed all the country over every one residing on his own land only they were ready at call whenever there was occasion

TRAPP 2 Chronicles 1719 These waited on the king beside [those] whom the king put in the fenced cities throughout all Judah

Ver 19 These waited on the king] ie In their turns and by course

POOLE These above mentioned were the trained bands or auxiliaries whose chief officers waited upon the king to receive his commands and to raise and bring in all or part of their forces to the service of the king and kingdom as need required

ELLICOTT (19) These waited on the kingmdashRather these are they that ministered unto the king viz the five generals above named

Beside those whom the king put in the fenced citiesmdashie the commandants of the fortresses of the kingdom (2 Chronicles 1111 2 Chronicles 1123) These latter as well as the generals of the forces are called the kingrsquos ldquoministersrdquo (mĕshacircrĕthicircm)mdasha word which is not used of service in the field but implies their presence at court (ldquoin Jerusalemrdquo 2 Chronicles 1713 as the royal staff)

According to the above list the army of Jehoshaphat was organised in five grand divisions corresponding perhaps to five territorial divisions of the southern kingdom The totals are the largest assigned to the two tribes anywhere in the Old Testament viz Judah 780000 and Benjamin 380000 in all 1160000 At Davidrsquos census Judah had 500000 warriors (2 Samuel 249) and Israel 800000 Again in 2

Chronicles 148 Asarsquos army consists of 300000 men of Judah and 280000 Benjaminites clearly such an increase as our text indicates is unaccountable At the same time it is equally clear that the present numbers are not fortuitous results of clerical errors for they follow each other in the order of relative strength Judah 300000 280000 200000 Benjamin 200000 180000 and they are evidently not independent of the estimates of 2 Chronicles 148 above quoted

In the absence of adequate data for modifying these certainly startling figures it is well to bear in mind that we need not understand by them an army which ever actually mustered in the field or on parade but simply an estimate of the total male population liable to be called out for the national defence although even upon that understanding the total appears to be at least three times too great considering the small extent of the country

PULPIT These waited Hebrew המשרתים plur piel part of שרת The verse states that this enormous fivefold army with its five princes (counting in our corrupt text one million one hundred and sixty thousand) was the kings Jerusalem standing army while other separate regiments or bands of troops were spread through all Judah where they might be most needed for defence

traditions human inventions or unwritten verities All their doctrines came cum privilegio and were Scripture proof

WHEDO 9 The book of the law mdash Our Pentateuch in substantially its present form ldquoCopies of the whole law were no doubt scarce and therefore Jehoshaphatrsquos commission took care to carry a copy with themrdquo mdash Rawlinson

PARKER And they taught in Judah and had the book of the law of the Lord with them and went about throughout all the cities of Judah and taught the people ( 2 Chronicles 179)

This was a mixed commission partly civil partly ecclesiastical The men here mentioned are otherwise unknown We identify them as educational reformers or reformers who operated through the medium of education they were not warriors destroyers revolutionists but men who addressed the mind and the understanding and the conscience and caused men to know that the true law was from above and not from beneath The book which the commission had in hand was the Pentateuch or the law of Moses This was known to be the law which alone could touch all the vital necessities of the commonwealth Again and again we are constrained to admit that there is a law beyond Prayer of Manasseh above Prayer of Manasseh in a sense apart from man men are not driven within themselves to find a law an instinct or a reason they have a written statute an authoritative declaration a book which Christian teachers do not hesitate to describe as a Revelation and to that they call the attention of men If the teacher were teaching out of his own consciousness he would be but an equal often exposing himself to the destructive criticism of his more advanced and penetrating scholars but the teacher takes his stand upon a book upon the Book the Bible a revelation which he believes to be divine and final Say what we will the effect of Bible teaching must be judged by its fruits Where are the nations that are most distinguished for wide and varied intelligence for large and exhaustive sympathy for missionary enterprise for philanthropic institutions and for all the elements which give grace and beauty to social existence The question should admit of definite reply the facts are before men let them judge fearlessly and honestly and we need have no apprehension concerning their verdict Wherever the word of the Lord has had free course superstition has been chased away human slavery has been abolished every instance of intolerance injustice unkindness has felt the influence of holy thought in all these matters discussion should be limited strictly to facts Thus kings can help nations not by forcing education not by attempting to rule opinion not by setting up standards of orthodoxy to fall short of which is to incur penalty but by spreading education by extending light by cultivating a spirit of inquiry and by a generous multiplication of all the instrumentalities needed for the destruction of ignorance What may come of this we are not supposed at this moment to know Meanwhile let us be thankful that we are face to face with a man who has conviction courage independence high patriotic and generous impulse and let us hope that his end may be as beautiful as his beginning was promising

SIMEO THE ROYAL EDICT

ADVERTISEMETmdashThe author feels it necessary to prefix to this Sermon some short account of the occasion on which it was delivered

The author was at Amsterdam (in June 1818) partly with a view of re-establishing there an Episcopal Chapel in which there had been no service for seven years but principally with a view of seeking the welfare of the Children of Israel He went thither rather to explore than to act (See ehemiah 212-16) But just previous to the 18th of June he understood that the Third Anniversary of the Battle of Waterloo was to be kept throughout the etherlands as a day of thanksgiving and just at that time also he quite accidentally heard that the King of the etherlands had a year before issued an Edict requiring all the Jews to educate their children in the knowledge of their own Scriptures and calling upon all his Christian Subjects to aid in this good work Despondency not unlike to that which paralyzed all exertion at Jerusalem in ehemiahrsquos days so universally prevailed that no one had risen to the occasion the very Commissioners who had been appointed to carry the Edict into effect had published a Report in which they gave it as their opinion ldquothat the Lordrsquos time was not comerdquo and there was great danger that the gracious designs of the Monarch would be altogether frustrated The author therefore judged this a fit occasion for calling the attention of the Public to the Edict and accordingly after devoting the Morning Service to the more appropriate subject of the day he employed the Evening Service in an endeavour to forward this good work Considerable attention was excited to the subject by means of the Sermon which was therefore instantly printed in Dutch French and English for the purpose of its being circulated throughout the etherlands and he has reason to hope that active exertions were afterwards made in many places to promote what every benevolent mind must ardently desire the edification and welfare of the Jewish People

So good an example having been set by the Emperor of Russia and the King of the etherlands the author hopes that the attention of our own Governors also both in Church and State may be called to this long-neglected People and that now the British Public has been invited by authority (the Kingrsquos Letter) to aid in supporting Missions to the Heathen World the claims of the Jewish ation to whom under God we owe all the light that we ourselves enjoy will not be overlooked It is with a view to this great object that the author sends forth the Sermon in this country where if the foregoing explanation had not been given its relevancy and use might have been justly called in question

2 Chronicles 179 And they taught in Judah and had the book of the law of the Lord with them and went about throughout all the cities of Judah and taught the people

O a day set apart for thanksgiving to God for mercies received it is peculiarly proper to consider what we may render unto the Lord for all his benefits Certainly if any event ever deserved repeated annual commemoration it is that which has

freed the world from the most grievous tyranny that ever it endured Of the bitter cup which was put into the hands of every nation in Europe this nation [ote The etherlands] drank very deeply and the change which it has experienced in the restoration of their rightful Monarch and in the establishment of a free Constitution calls for their devoutest acknowledgments to Almighty God Doubtless we may with justice pay some tribute of honour to those who by their counsels and their arms effected the overthrow of the Usurper but it is God alone who giveth victory to kings and to whom the glory of this great victory must be primarily ascribed and he who accounts a day consecrated to this service superfluous shews that he is far from justly appreciating the blessings that have been conferred upon him The monarch himself has given to his people a very decided evidence that he feels the depth of his obligations to the God of his salvation and it will be your own loss if you do not cultivate a similar spirit and improve the occasion to the honour of your God

But it is not to thanksgiving only that your Monarch invites you he calls you by a special Edict to unite with him in seeking the welfare of your Jewish Brethren who in their struggle with the enemy signally approved their fidelity to their legitimate Sovereign Their welfare he in his turn studies to promote and he desires to combine the energies of all his subjects in efforts for their good Methinks he is like Jehoshaphat of old who well knowing that piety must be founded in knowledge and happiness in piety sent forth the Princes of his empire with a select number of Priests and Levites to instruct his people in the knowledge of Godrsquos blessed word

His edict on this occasion and the manner in which it was carried into effect will form the subject of my present discourse

I Then we notice the edict of King Jehoshaphatmdash

This was such as became a great and pious monarch and we shall find it not unprofitable or unsuitable to the present occasion to enter into a distinct consideration of it We observe then that it was a kind and benevolent edict a wise and politic edict a good and beneficial edict

Mark the benevolence displayed in it He sought the present and eternal welfare of his subjects He knew that as men are raised above the beasts by the exercise of reason so are they elevated in the scale of rational beings in proportion as their intellectual powers are cultivated and enlarged Man destitute of knowledge is a mere savage but when instructed in the various branches of science he becomes refined and civilized and capable of contributing to the general good In the very cultivation of knowledge there is much pleasure arising to the mind and in the application of that knowledge to useful purposes there is an exquisite delight We need only observe persons when employed in their several vocations how happy they are how contented how cheerful oftentimes unconsciously proclaiming their happiness like the birds of the air in festal songs or consciously and with devotion in songs of praise

But it was not mere intellectual improvement which Jehoshaphat sought to convey he wished his people to be instructed in the knowledge of that God whom they professed to fear and worship This alone could make them truly happy this alone could impart to them sound wisdom or solid consolation He therefore gave particular directions that they should be taught ldquoin the Book of the Law of the Lordrdquo and this throughout the whole land O happy people whose governor so employed the authority with which he was invested And happy that monarch who so improved his influence not for his own personal aggrandizement but for the best interests of the people committed to his charge In so doing he approved himself to be indeed what every governor should be the friend and father of his people

or was the policy of this measure at all inferior to its benevolence A people well instructed in moral and religious knowledge will view government as an ordinance of God and will learn to obey the constituted authorities not so much from fear of their wrath as for conscience sake towards God They will view their governors as Godrsquos vicegerents upon earth and will consider allegiance to them as an essential part of their duty to him Hence will spring up love in their hearts and a real delight in manifesting on all proper occasions their loyalty to their king they will form a bulwark around his person in case of necessity and even glory in laying down their lives for him as their greatest benefactor

The benefits arising from this edict were incalculable Such was the effect of it that the fear of Jehoshaphat and of Jehovah as his protector fell on all the nations that were round about him so that none however hostile in their hearts dared to make war against him [ote ver 10] Doubtless this resulted chiefly from an impression made upon their minds by God himself yet it was also produced by a dread of that energy which an united people were ready to put forth at any instant at the call of their beloved monarch At the same time that peace was thus secured prosperity reigned in every part of the empire and as the immediate fruit of it Jehoshaphat as well as the people ldquohad riches and honour in abundance [ote ver 5]rdquo In his own mind too he reaped the fruits of his own benevolence God smiled upon him and manifested himself to him and enabled him to walk with ldquohis heart lifted up in the ways of the Lord [ote ver 6]rdquo

Such was the edict of the pious Jehoshaphatmdashbenevolent politic beneficial And what I would ask is the Edict which has been issued by the highest authority in this kingdom Do we not see in it the same blessed characters as in that which we have been considering It was ldquoin the third year of his reign [ote ver 7]rdquo that Jehoshaphat sent forth teachers to enlighten and instruct his subjects The very instant he felt himself at liberty from the more urgent and pressing calls of duty (such as the fortifying of his land against foreign enemies and the correcting of some great internal abuses) he engaged in this good work of diffusing light and knowledge through all classes of the community In like manner the sovereign of this kingdom has scarcely had time to repair the ravages of war and to establish his empire too long weakened and impoverished by a cruel usurpation before he stands forth as the friend and father of his people and more especially of that portion of them who have in every age and place been most treated with neglect and

disdain to have them educated in scriptural knowledge and in the fear of God It is much to be lamented that the Jewish people have not in general been so attentive either to the learning or morals of their children as might be wished and hence arose a necessity for some authoritative admonition on the subject Yet if I may say it without offence this neglect has not been more reprehensible in them than has been the indifference with which the Christian world has regarded it The monarch (may God recompense it richly into his bosom) has risen up to remedy the supineness both of the one and the other and to call forth the united energies of all to correct and terminate this evil Yet whilst he thus consults the best interests of his subjects with what paternal tenderness has he guarded against wounding the feelings of any or exciting their religious prejudices The Scriptures of the Old Testament are alone to be used in the schools that shall be established even those Scriptures which Jews as well as Christians believe to have been given by inspiration of God and to contain truth without any mixture of error In this is marked the policy no less than the benevolence of the edict for it is not by constraint but by conciliation and kindness that good is to be done to any and more especially to those who have shewn themselves now for so many centuries proof against all the efforts of intimidation or force In this kingdom they form no small body and I may add no unimportant portion of the community It is well known how extensive is their influence in the affairs of commerce and how by their activity they contribute to enrich the state Hence it is now generally seen and felt that they are entitled to the same respect as any other subjects of the realm and whilst as in the present instance they see how deeply their monarch feels interested in their welfare they cannot but on their part be sensible of the privileges they enjoy under his paternal government and testify their gratitude to him by every possible expression of loyalty and affection

What the ultimate effect of these measures will be may be conjectured from the blessed results of the edict of Jehoshaphat all will feel themselves happy under the government of such a prince and he whilst he is respected abroad and beloved at home will have the happiness of seeing his labours crowned with prosperity throughout his dominions and with peace in his own soul

II The manner in which Jehoshaphatrsquos edict was carried into execution is now to be noticedmdash

The promptness with which his commands were executed deserves the highest praise All were ready to co-operate in this good work as soon as it was proposed ldquoPrinces and priests and Levites [ote ver 7 8]rdquo all addressed themselves to it instantly with one heart and one soul one accounted their dignity so high or their functions so sacred but they thought it an honour to be employed in such a service and found a delight in fulfilling the wishes of their revered monarch all entered into the work with zeal and prosecuted it with diligence and hence a rapid change was effected both in the temporal and spiritual condition of the whole nation And what may not be effected in this kingdom also if a similar zeal be exercised by ldquothe princes and priestsrdquo (the magistrates and clergy) of the land With them it must begin Those who move in a lower station can effect nothing if they be not aided and

countenanced by the higher orders whose rank in life or sacredness of character will give a tone to the general feeling and combine the energies of the whole kingdom If it be said that those for whom the benefit is designed do not feel a desire after it this only shews how much they need it and how earnestly we should all embark in a cause proposed by such high authority and recommended by the soundest dictates of wisdom and piety

That our obligations to unite in this labour of love may the more distinctly appear I would beg leave to suggest the following considerations

First Loyalty to the king demands our concurrence with him in this good work and a holy emulation amongst us to carry into effect his benevolent designs What can the greatest or best of men effect (what could Jehoshaphat himself have done) if there be none to act in subserviency to them and to follow their directions As the most potent monarch upon earth would in vain proclaim war if there were no soldiers found to enlist under his banners and to execute his commands so it will be in vain that the design of benefiting the Jewish people was ever conceived in the mind of the king or that his edict respecting them was ever issued if his subjects do not put forth their energies in obedience to his call In truth a backwardness to co-operate with him in this blessed work would seem like a reflection cast upon him as recommending a measure that was unworthy of attention I do not mean to insinuate that such an idea really exists in the minds of any for I am perfectly convinced it does not but certainly in appearance it is open to this construction and every subject of the empire is concerned to act in such a way as to cut off all occasion for a reflection like this I say loyalty alone even if we had no higher motive should be sufficient to call forth our exertions in this cause

But let me next observe that gratitude to the Jewish nation demands it at our hands How great how manifold are our obligations to them Behold Moses and the prophets what instruction have they given us in reference to the way of life and salvation Without the moral law as revealed by Moses we should never have known to what an extent we need a Saviour nor if the prophecies had not so fully designated the promised Messiah could we have ever so fully known that Jesus was the Christ Of whom did the Lord Jesus Christ himself come as pertaining to the flesh but from the loins of David and of the seed of Abraham Yet to him are we indebted for all that we either have or hope for in time or in eternity And who were the Apostles but Jews who for our sakes went forth preaching the word and counted not their lives dear to them so that they might but lead us to the knowledge of Christ and make us partakers of his salvation From them too we have received the lively oracles which are the one source of all spiritual knowledge and the one foundation of all our hopes Does all this call for no recompence at our hands Knowing as we do the vast importance of education should we not endeavour to impart it to those from whose ancestors we have received such innumerable such inestimable benefits Yet behold these are the people whom for many many centuries we have treated with more neglect and contempt than any other people upon the face of the earth the savages of the most distant climes have received more attention from us than they Surely it is high time that the Christian world awake to

a sense of their duty and begin to shew to the Jews somewhat of that love which their forefathers exercised towards us in our Gentile state We are debtors to them to a vast amount and it is high time that we begin to discharge our debt And how can we discharge it better than by enabling them to read and understand those very oracles which they have preserved with such fidelity and which testify so fully of their promised Messiah

Further A love to the rising generation should lead us to avail ourselves of the present opportunity to promote their welfaremdashIt is truly afflictive to see how low and degraded is the state of multitudes especially of the Jewish nation purely through the neglect with which they are treated in their early youth and still more grievous is it to reflect on their ignorance of those things which belong to their everlasting peace To counteract this we should endeavour to qualify the whole of their population for good and useful employments and through the medium of useful instruction to make them holy and to make them happy We need never be afraid that there will not be a sufficient number of poor to fill the lower stations do what we will there will never be wanting persons who through their own fault or misfortunes are necessitated to undertake the lowest offices of life And if they have been previously instructed in the Scriptures of Truth they will have a fund of consolation ever open to them in their deepest afflictions they will learn from the inspired volume in whatsoever state they are there-with to be content and in the prospect of the eternal world they will find joys with which a stranger intermeddleth not and which the world can neither give nor take away We feel the force of these considerations in reference to the poor of our own communion how is it that we feel it not in reference to our Jewish Brethren This is a partiality unworthy of us and we should rise as one man to wipe off this disgrace from our own character

This brings me to the last consideration which I propose to mention namely that a concern for the honour of our holy religion should operate to unite us all in executing the Royal EdictmdashWhat must a Jew think of our religion when he sees how little it has wrought for us in the production of love We may tell him of a Messiah who has loved us and laid down his life for us but what credit will he give us for our principles when he sees how little our practice corresponds with them May he not well say to us ldquoPhysician heal thyselfrdquo Shew by your conduct the superiority of your principles before you call on me to embrace them It is by love that we must win them it is by shewing kindness to them that we must efface from their hearts those prejudices which with too much reason they entertain against us We must exhibit in our own person the loveliness of Christianity before we can bring them to investigate the grounds of our faith or to imagine that they can improve their own condition by embracing it May I not then call upon you as Christians to unite in the good work that is now before you that you may thereby serve and glorify your Lord and Saviour As Christians you believe that there is no other way to the Father but by Christ [ote John 146] and no other name but his whereby any human being can be saved [ote Acts 412] Where is your piety where is your love to Christ where is even common humanity if you will not avail yourselves of the present opportunity to remove from before your Jewish Brethren

the stumbling-blocks which for so many ages have been laid in their way

Do any ask What shall we do I answer search out amongst the Jews some persons of probity and talent to commence schools among them and do you yourselves aid to the utmost of your power in the support of them provide them with all necessary books for instructing children in the first rudiments of knowledge provide them with Bibles also both in the Dutch and Hebrew languages that they may be thoroughly instructed in the knowledge of their own religion and learn to walk in the steps of their father Abraham and of all the holy prophets

Begin too without loss of time Adult Schools You will find many among the house of Israel who will be glad to avail themselves of your instructions Let those who are benevolent amongst you dedicate an hour in a day to the instructing of a few who may be desirous to learn and carefully avoid every thing which may give unnecessary offence Confine yourselves to the Old Testament which they venerate as well as you Let those who can teach only in the Dutch language give instruction in that and let those who either understand or have leisure to attain the Hebrew tongue draw their attention to that In particular let it be the united endeavour of all to qualify masters for this good work

And let it not be thought that this is the duty of men only The Royal Edict has particularly and with great wisdom recommended it to females who may be of infinite service in conveying instruction to their own sex This age is distinguished above all others for the activity of females in the service of God and in the performance of every good work Were I able to declare the proportion of good that is done in Britain by the female sex it would appear incredible I believe from my soul that it far exceeds one half in all the societies raised since the commencement of the present century in the Bible Society the Missionary Societies and the Society for Promoting the Knowledge of Christianity amongst the Jews yes let the ladies of this country exert themselves in a prudent modest and discreet way and the effects will soon appear the Royal Edict will not be a dead letter but will produce incalculable good to the whole nationmdashand the agents in this benevolent work will themselves receive quite as much benefit as they impart their benevolence being in proportion as it is exercised its own reward

10 The fear of the Lord fell on all the kingdoms of the lands surrounding Judah so that they did not go to war against Jehoshaphat

GILL And the fear of the Lord fell upon all the kingdoms of the lands that were round about Judah Upon the ten tribes and on foreign nations about them as Moabites Edomites Syrians Egyptians Arabs and Philistines this fear as it came from the Lord so might be raised and increased by observing that religion was revived in them for they might perceive by former observations made that the more religious these people were the more prosperous and formidable they were

so that they made no war against Jehoshaphat to interrupt him in the work of reformation he was so intent upon

HERY We have here a further account of Jehoshaphats great prosperity and the flourishing state of his kingdom

I He had good interest in the neighbouring princes and nations Though he was not perhaps so great a soldier as David (which might have made him their terror) nor so great a scholar as Solomon (which might have made him their oracle) yet the fear of the Lord fell so upon them (that is God so influenced and governed their spirits) that they had all a reverence for him 2Ch_1710 And 1 None of them made war against himGods good providence so ordered it that while the princes and priests were instructing and reforming the country none of his neighbours gave him any molestations to take him off from that good work Thus when Jacob and his sons were going to worship at Bethel the terror of God was upon the neighbouring cities that they did not pursue after them Gen_355 and see Exo_3424 2 Many of them brought presents to him (2Ch_1711) to secure his friendship Perhaps these were a tribute imposed upon them by Asa who made himself master of the cities of the Philistines and the tents of the Arabians 2Ch_1414 2Ch_1415 With the 7700 rams and the same number of he-goats which the Arabians brought there was probably a proportionable number of ewes and lambs she-goats and kids

KampD This attempt of Jehoshaphat brought him this blessing that the terror of Jahve fell upon all the surrounding kingdoms and not only did none of the neighbouring peoples venture to make war upon him but also various tribes did homage to him by presents Ramb has already so understood the connection of these verses (erat hoc praemium pietatis Josaphati quod vicini satisque potentes hostes non auderent adversus ipsum hiscere) while Berth fails to apprehend it saying that Jehoshaphat had time to care for the instruction of his people because at that time the neighbouring peoples did not venture to undertake war against Judah The words ldquoterror of Jahverdquo cf 2Ch_1413 2Ch_2029 and ldquoall the kingdoms of the landsrdquo cf 2Ch_128 1Ch_2930 are expressions peculiar to the author of the Chronicle which show that by these remarks he is preparing the way for a transition to a more detailed

portrayal of Jehoshaphats political power מן־(לש)ים is subject מן partitive some of the

Philistines brought him presents (for מנחה see on 2Ch_175) ldquoand silver a burdenrdquo ie

in great quantity מא does not signify tribute vectigal argento (Vulg) for the word has

not that signification but denotes burden that which can be carried as in מא לאן

2Ch_2025 - 2Ch_2116 2Ch_221 ערבים 2Ch_267 and more usually ערב-ים or ערביאים

are Arabian nomadic tribes (Bedacircwin) perhaps those whom Asa after his victory over the Cushite Zerah had brought under the kingdom of Judah 2Ch_1414 These paid

their tribute in small cattle rams and he-goats (ישים( Gen_3035 Gen_3215 Pro_

3031)

BESO 2 Chronicles 1710 The fear of the Lord fell upon all the kingdoms ampc mdash Justly concluding from his singular piety that God would eminently appear for him for even the heathen could not but observe that the kings of Judah were either prosperous or unhappy according as they served God or forsook him So that they made no war against Jehoshaphat mdash Godrsquos good providence so ordered it that while the princes and priests were instructing and endeavouring to reform the country none of his neighbours gave him any molestation to take him off from that good work

COFFMA All of this peace and prosperity were directly due to the respect which Jehoshaphat had shown to the Law of God and to his efforts to teach that word to all the people It is no problem that much of the material here is omitted in Kings because the primary focus there was political whereas in Chronicles the focus is upon the spiritual and religious significance of the same history

TRAPP 2 Chronicles 1710 And the fear of the LORD fell upon all the kingdoms of the lands that [were] round about Judah so that they made no war against Jehoshaphat

Ver 10 And the fear of the Lord fell upon all the kingdoms] It is said [2 Chronicles 172] Jehoshaphat placed forces in all the fenced cities yet it is not said thereupon that the fear of the Lord fell upon the neighbour nations But when he had established a preaching ministry in all the cities then his enemies had a fear and made no war

POOLE Justly concluding from this singular piety that God would eminently appear for him and against all those who had ill will to him which was their case For even the heathens could not but observe that the kings of Judah were either prosperous or unhappy accordingly as they served God or forsook him

ELLICOTT (10) The fear of the LordmdashA dread of Jehovah (pachad) aps 2029 (Comp Exodus 1516 1 Samuel 117 Isaiah 210 ) This phrase is not peculiar to the chronicler as Keil and Bertheau assert ldquoThe kingdoms of the landsrdquo is so (2 Chronicles 128 1 Chronicles 2930)

They made no warmdashThe reward of Jehosha-phatrsquos piety (1 Chronicles 229

Proverbs 167) ldquoWhen a manrsquos ways please the Lord he maketh even his enemies to be at peace with himrdquo (Comp also Genesis 355)

11 Some Philistines brought Jehoshaphat gifts and silver as tribute and the Arabs brought him flocks seven thousand seven hundred rams and seven thousand seven hundred goats

BARES Some of the Philistines brought Jehoshaphat presents - i e ldquosome of the Philistines were among his tributariesrdquo Compare 2Sa_82 1Ki_421

Tribute silver - Or ldquomuch silverrdquo - literally ldquosilver of burthenrdquo

The Arabians - The Arab tribes who bordered Judaea to the south and the southeast paid Jehoshaphat a fixed tribute in kind Compare 2Ki_34 note

CLARKE The Philistines brought - presents - They and the Arabians purchased peace with the king of Judah by paying an annual tribute The Philistines brought silver and no doubt different kinds of merchandise The Arabs whose riches consisted in cattle brought him flocks in great abundance principally rams and he-goats

GILL Also some of the Philistines brought Jehoshaphat presents and tribute silver Perhaps those of Gerar and the parts adjacent Asa took and spoiled and made tributary 2Ch_1414

and the Arabians brought him flocks seven thousand and seven hundred rams and seven thousand and seven hundred he goats with which their country abounded and these might be the Scenite Arabs who fearing lest Jehoshaphat should fall upon them and take away their flocks as his father had done 2Ch_1415 brought these presents to him

JAMISO Also some of the Philistines brought Jehoshaphat presents and tribute silvermdash either they had been his tributaries or they were desirous of securing his valuable friendship and now made a voluntary offer of tribute Perhaps

they were the Philistines who had submitted to the yoke of David (2Sa_81 Psa_608)

the Arabiansmdash the nomad tribes on the south of the Dead Sea who seeking the protection of Jehoshaphat after his conquest of Edom paid their tribute in the way most suitable to their pastoral habits - the present of so many head of cattle

BESO 2 Chronicles 1711 Some of the Philistines brought presents mdash They had been subject to Judah ever since Davidrsquos time but it seems had neglected this duty in the times of his predecessors but were now moved by their own fears to perform it And the Arabians brought him flocks mdash Either because he had upon some just occasion waged war against them and subdued them or because they voluntarily put themselves under his protection in recompense whereof they sent him these presents or only as a free acknowledgment of their respect for him

TRAPP 2 Chronicles 1711 Also [some] of the Philistines brought Jehoshaphat presents and tribute silver and the Arabians brought him flocks seven thousand and seven hundred rams and seven thousand and seven hundred he goats

Ver 11 Also some of the Philistines] These having been subdued by David had withheld their tribute for a time but now seeing Jehoshaphatrsquos growing greatness they bring it in with the better that no offence might be taken at their former neglect The word here used signifieth honorary gifts or oblations pacifications

ldquo Placatur donis Iupiter ipse datis rdquo

Think the same of the Arabians See 2 Chronicles 1414-15

POOLE Some of the Philistines who had been subjects to this kingdom ever since Davidrsquos time but it seems had neglected this duty in the times of his predecessors but now were moved by their own fears to perform it

The Arabians brought him flocks either because he had upon some just occasion waged war against them and subdued them though the particulars of it be not described in Scripture or because they voluntarily put themselves under his protection in recompence whereof they sent him those presents or only as a free acknowledgment of their respects to him

ELLICOTT (11) Broughtmdashie continually Such is the force of the participle

PresentsmdashAn offering ie tribute (minchah 2 Chronicles 175)

And tribute silvermdashRather and silver a load or burden ie a great quantity (massacircrsquo) 2 Chronicles 2025 As if ldquosilver as much as they could carryrdquomdasha natural hyperbole ot all the five states of the Philistines were subject to Jehoshaphat (Comp 2 Samuel 81)

The ArabiansmdashlsquoArbicircrsquoim here only equivalent to lsquoArbicircyicircm (2 Chronicles 267) and

lsquoArbim (2 Chronicles 2116) They are in each case grouped with the Philistines The nomad Bedacircwin conquered by Asa (2 Chronicles 1415) appear to be meant here or else some tribes which recognised the overlordship of Jehoshaphat after his reduction of Edom (2 Chronicles 2022 sqq)

Brought him flocksmdashComp Mesha of Moabrsquos tribute to Ahab (2 Kings 34)

GUZIK 2 (2 Chronicles 1711-19) The international strength of Jehoshaphatrsquos kingdom

Also some of the Philistines brought Jehoshaphat presents and silver as tribute and the Arabians brought him flocks seven thousand seven hundred rams and seven thousand seven hundred male goats So Jehoshaphat became increasingly powerful and he built fortresses and storage cities in Judah He had much property in the cities of Judah and the men of war mighty men of valor were in Jerusalem These are their numbers according to their fathersrsquo houses Of Judah the captains of thousands Adnah the captain and with him three hundred thousand mighty men of valor and next to him was Jehohanan the captain and with him two hundred and eighty thousand and next to him was Amasiah the son of Zichri who willingly offered himself to the LORD and with him two hundred thousand mighty men of valor Of Benjamin Eliada a mighty man of valor and with him two hundred thousand men armed with bow and shield and next to him was Jehozabad and with him one hundred and eighty thousand prepared for war These served the king besides those the king put in the fortified cities throughout all Judah

a Some of the Philistines brought Jehoshaphat presents and silver as tribute and the Arabians brought him flocks Jehoshaphatrsquos commitment to personal and public godliness meant that God exalted his kingdom above the neighboring nations even as God promised in Deuteronomy 281-13

b These served the king The true treasure of Jehoshaphatrsquos kingdom was not numbered only in security or material things but also in the dedicated and courageous men he had surrounding him these mighty men of valor

i Amasiah the son of Zichri who willingly offered himself to the LORD ldquoAmasiah is a man of whom we do not know anything beyond this ndash he lsquowillingly offered himself unto the Lordrsquo There must have been a turning-point in his career a time when first he knew the grace of God which wrought such a change in him There must have been a waking up to the feeling that God deserved his love and his liferdquo (Spurgeon)

ii Amasiah was a ready servant of the Lord this particularly notable because he did it in an otherwise secular calling

middot o one had to press him into service

middot o one had to seek him out for service

middot o one had to look after him once he had begun serving

middot o one had to lead him

iii ldquoThere is no lawful occupation in which a man cannot thoroughly serve the Lord It is a great privilege and blessing to be set apart to the work of winning souls but we must never separate that work from all the rest of the callings of life as though it alone were sacred and all the rest were secular and almost sinful Serve God where you arerdquo (Spurgeon)

PULPIT The presents were probably enough in the nature of tribute the fixed rate of which is sometimes alluded to (1 Kings 421 1 Kings 1025 2 Samuel 82) but it is doubtful whether the word משא purports to say this The word means bearing or carrying and then a burden load or weight The expression (2 Chronicles 2025) more than they could carry away where this word is used favours the idea that the meaning here is silver of great weight Probably the moral significance and historical interest whether of this statement respecting the Philistines or the following respecting the Arabians lies in the fact that both of them brought without more ado their payments and did not seek to slip out of their engagements with Judah and Judahs king ote for confirmation of this view 2 Kings 34 2 Kings 35

12 Jehoshaphat became more and more powerful he built forts and store cities in Judah

GILL And Jehoshaphat waxed great exceedingly In wealth and riches power and authority in his forces and fortifications

and he built in Judah castles and cities of stores castles for the defence of his kingdom and store cities to lay up corn and wine and all provisions in case of an invasion or against a time of war

HERY II He had a very considerable stores laid up in the cities of Judah He pulled down his barns and built larger (2Ch_1712) castles and cities of store for arms and victuals He was a man of business and aimed at the public good in all his

undertakings either to preserve the peace or prepare for war

JAMISO 2Ch_1712-19 His greatness captains and armies

KampD Description of Jehoshaphats power - 2Ch_1712 And Jehoshaphat became

ever greater sc in power The partic הולך expresses the continuous advance in

greatness cf Ew sect280 b as the infin absol does elsewhere eg Gen_83 למעלה as עד

in 2Ch_1612 - He built castles in Judah ירנ-ות only here and in 2Ch_274 from ירנית

derivative formed from ירה by the Syriac termination נית- fem of ן- castle fortress On

מסנות cf 2Ch_84 ערי

TRAPP 2 Chronicles 1712 And Jehoshaphat waxed great exceedingly and he built in Judah castles and cities of store

Ver 12 And Jehoshaphat waxed great exceedingly] Heb He was going and growing By humility and the fear of the Lord are riches and honour and life [Proverbs 224]

And he built in Judah castles] Bironeoth πυργους turres So did the Burgundians and thence had their names

And cities of store] Granaries in the Hebrew they have their name from their utility or usefulness

ELLICOTT (12) And Jehoshaphat waxed greatmdashLiterally And Jehoshaphat was going on and waxing great ie became greater and greater (Comp 1 Chronicles 119)

ExceedinglymdashlsquoAd lĕmagraversquolah This phrase occurs again in 2 Chronicles 1612 2 Chronicles 268 and nowhere else in the Old Testament (See on 1 Chronicles 142)

And he builtmdashLike his predecessorsmdashSolomon Rehoboam Asamdashhe displayed his wealth and power in great public works The records of the Assyrian and Babylonian sovereigns are largely taken up with similar accounts of temple and palace building

CastlesmdashBiranicircyocircth a derivative from birah (1 Chronicles 291 1 Chronicles 2919 comp Syriac here birocircthocirc) It only recurs at 2 Chronicles 274 It is an Aramaic term (Comp bicircranyacircthacirc which in the Targums means ldquopalacesrdquo)

Cities of storesmdashComp 2 Chronicles 84 2 Chronicles 164 Exodus 111

PULPIT Castles This rendering better than palaces (margin) wound bear improving to the rather stronger word fortresses Hebrew בירניות found only here and in 2 Chronicles 274 plur of בירנית connected with the Chaldee and later Hebrew בירה of Ezra 62 ehemiah 11 Esther 12 Daniel 82 Cities of store (see note under 2 Chronicles 84 see also 1 Kings 919 Exodus 111)

13 and had large supplies in the towns of Judah He also kept experienced fighting men in Jerusalem

CLARKE He hadmuch business in the cities - He kept the people constantly employed they had wages for their work and by their labors the empire was both enriched and strengthened

GILL And he had much business in the cities of Judah Partly in fortifying them and partly in reforming the inhabitants of them

and the men of war mighty men of valour were in Jerusalem or by or near unto it so the particle is rendered Jos_513 they encamped in places adjacent to it for such a number of men as follows even 1160000 could never be contained in Jerusalem but must be disposed of in the territories of it nor did they wait on the king together but in course see 2Ch_1719 by which it appears there is no need to suppose any mistake of the transcriber in any or all of the following sums as has been suggested (q)

HERY 13-19 III He had the militia in good order It was never in better since David modelled it Five lord-lieutenants (if I may so call them) are here named with the numbers of those under their command (the serviceable men that were fit for war in their respective districts) three in Judah and two in Benjamin It is said of one of these great commanders Amasiah that he willingly offered himself unto the Lord (2Ch_1716) not only to the king to serve him in this post but to the Lord to glorify him in it He was the most eminent among them for religion he accepted the place not for the

honour or power or profit of it but for conscience sake towards God that he might serve his country It was usual for great generals then to offer of their spoils to the Lord 1Ch_2626 But this good man offered himself first to the Lord and then his dedicated things The number of the soldiers under these five generals amounts to 1160000 men a vast number for so small a compass of ground as Judahs and Benjamins lot to furnish out and maintain Abijah could bring into the field but 400000 (2Ch_133) Asa not 600000 (2Ch_148) yet Jehoshaphat has at command almost 1200000 But it must be considered 1 That God had promised to make the seed of Abraham like the sand of the sea for number 2 There had now been a long peace 3 We may suppose that the city of Jerusalem was very much enlarged 4 Many had come over to them from the kingdom of Israel (2Ch_1519) which would increase the numbers of the people 5 Jehoshaphat was under a special blessing of God which made his affairs to prosper greatly The armies we may suppose were dispersed all the country over and each man resided for the most part on his own estate but they appeared often to be mustered and trained and were ready at call whenever there was occasion The commanders waited on the king (2Ch_1719) as officers of his court privy-counsellors and ministers of state

But lastly observe It was not this formidable army that struck a terror upon the neighbouring nations that restrained them from attempting any thing against Israel or obliged them to pay tribute but the fear of God which fell upon them when Jehoshaphat reformed his country and set up a preaching ministry in it 2Ch_1710 The ordinances of God are more the strength and safety of a kingdom than its military force - its men of God more than its men of war

KampD 2Ch_1713

וגווגווגווגו רהרהרהרה is rightly translated by Luther ldquound hatte viel Vorrathsrdquo (and ומלעכהומלעכהומלעכהומלעכה

had much store) מלעכהמלעכהמלעכהמלעכה denotes here as in Exo_227-10 property that which has been gained by work or business The signification much work opera magna (Vulg Cler etc) as also Bertheaus translation ldquothe works for equipping and provisioning the fortressesrdquo correspond neither to the context nor to the parallel (synonymous) second member of the verse The work and trouble necessary to equip the cities of Judah does not correspond to ldquothe valiant warriors in Jerusalemrdquo the only parallel is the goods and property which were in these cities the provision of victuals and war material there stored up

BESO 2 Chronicles 1713 He had much business in the cities of Judah mdash To repair and fortify them and furnish them with provisions and to purge out all the relics of idolatry and injustice which were more secretly and craftily managed in the cities than in the country and which were first and most prevalent in the cities and thence spread their infection into the country around them

TRAPP 2 Chronicles 1713 And he had much business in the cities of Judah and the men of war mighty men of valour [were] in Jerusalem

Ver 13 And he had much business] Eργα πολλα (a) Many works going forward at

once a negotious man he was His business say some lay in beautifying and fortifying those cities Augustus gloried at his death that whereas he had found Rome built with brick he had left it made of marble

And the men of war hellip were in Jerusalem] These were his Praetorian forces his Praesidiaries were up and down in the various cities

POOLE He had much business in the cities of Judah partly to repair and fortify them and furnish them with all necessary provisions and partly to purge out all the relies and seeds of idolatry and injustice which were more secretly and subtlely managed in the cities than in the country and which were first and most in the cities and thence spread their infection into the country about them See Jeremiah 228

ELLICOTT (13) BusinessmdashRather much goods or stores literally work (mĕlacirckacirch) and then produce The Hebrew word is so used in Exodus 227 Exodus 2210 (ldquoHis neighbourrsquos goodsrdquo) Stores of provisions and war material seem to be intended (Comp 2 Chronicles 1111)

And the man of war were in JerusalemmdashRather and (he had) men of war in Jerusalem

In Jerusalemmdashot the entire army corps whose numbers are given in 2 Chronicles 1714-18 but simply their chiefs

PULPIT Much business Hebrew מלאכה The meaning of the word is service labour bestowed and the verse reads And there was to him much labour in the cities of Judah and men of war mighty men of valour in Jerusalem ie He bestoweth much pains on the cities of Judah and had etc The word were Authorized Version italics is incorrectly inserted The former half of this verse would better constitute the end of 2 Chronicles 1712 Keil however maintains the rendering substance property for מלאכה (Exodus 227 Exodus 2210)

14 Their enrollment by families was as followsFrom Judah commanders of units of 1000Adnah the commander with 300000 fighting men

BARES The captains of thousands Adnah the chief - literally ldquoprinces of thousands Adnah the princerdquo The writer does not mean that Adnah (or Johohanan 2Ch_1715) was in any way superior to the other ldquoprincesrdquo but only that he was one of them

Three hundred thousand - This number and those which follow in 2Ch_1715-18 have been with good reason regarded as corrupt by most critics For

(1) They imply a minimum population of 1480 to the square mile which is more than three times greater than that of any country in the known world (circa 1880rsquos)

(2) they produce a total just double that of the next largest estimate of the military force of Judah the 580 000 of 2Ch_148

(3) they are professedly a statement not of the whole military force but of the force maintained at Jerusalem (2Ch_1713 compare 2Ch_1719)

It is probable that the original numbers have been lost and that the loss was suppplied by a scribe who took 2Ch_148 as his basis

CLARKE Adnah the chief - He was generalissimo of all this host These are the numbers of the five battalions under Adnah three hundred thousand Jehohanan two hundred and eighty thousand Amasiah two hundred thousand Eliada two hundred thousand Jehozabad one hundred and eighty thousand in all one million one hundred and sixty thousand

GILL And these are the numbers of them according to the house of their fathers Both of the tribe of Judah and of Benjamin and first

of Judah the captains of thousands some had 1000 men under them and some one hundred

Adnah the chief he was the principal commander or general of them

and with him mighty men of valour three hundred thousand such a number was under his command

JAMISO these are the numbersmdash The warriors were arranged in the army according to their fathers houses The army of Jehoshaphat commanded by five great generals and consisting of five unequal divisions comprised one million one hundred and sixty thousand men without including those who garrisoned the fortresses No monarch since the time of Solomon equaled Jehoshaphat in the extent of his revenue in the strength of his fortifications and in the number of his troops

KampD 2Ch_1714-16

The men fit for war passed in review according to their fathers-houses The male population of Judah fell into three divisions that of Benjamin into two The prince

Adnah held the first place among the generals with 300000 men of Judah ידו at his על

hand ie with and under him Jehohanan had the command of 280000 men and

Amasiah over 200000 השר is a contraction for אלפים For what special reason it is so שר

honourably recorded of Amasiah that he had willingly offered himself to the Lord (cf for

Jdg_59) has not been communicated התנב

COFFMA his represented a standing army of 1160000 men besides the garrisons in the fortified cities and this goes a long way to explaining why the Arabians and the Philistines brought tribute to Jehoshaphat In ancient times as in our own day peace frequently depended upon the strength of those who desired it

We should ignore the screams of exaggeration[3] which mark the writings of radical critics Pagan rulers of that era reported even larger armies than this and until the critics can prove that those were exaggerated reports they should let these alone Besides that we have already noted that the very word from which thousand is translated is disputed as to its exact meaning

COKE 2 Chronicles 1714 And these are the numbers of themmdash That is of the soldiers as well as of those who were employed in the kings works in the several cities ampc which he built See 2 Chronicles 1719

REFLECTIOSmdash1st Jehoshaphat no sooner comes to the throne than we see the dawnings of a glorious reign

1 He strengthened his kingdom by placing strong garrisons in the cities of Judah and those which his father had recovered from Israel and prepared against that danger which Ahabs growing power seemed to threaten

2 Religion was his great concern He copied after the best of his predecessors in their best days such as were the first of David before the matter of Uriah and the numbering of the people had blotted his fair copy Faithful to the worship of God he abhorred all idols the law of God was his rule of duty and Israels apostacy rendered his fidelity more singular and exemplary Inspired with holy zeal his heart with delight and sincerity was engaged for God and no difficulties deterred him from the path of duty The idols and groves which in the declining days of Asa might have been set up again he utterly destroyed with all the high places where they still offered sacrifices to these abominations ote (1) In the fairest human pattern there will be found imperfections but there is a Son of David more than man who has set us a spotless example that we should follow his steps (2) Fidelity in Gods service is the stability of a nation (3) A lively soul on wings of faith and love mounts up to God rises superior to every difficulty and looks down upon every thing besides his favour as altogether vanity

3 He not only removed the temptations to sin but took care to instruct the people in

the path of duty Ignorance of Gods law had greatly prevailed and to oblige them merely to conform to his reformation without grounding them on the true foundation of Gods word promised little stability The Levites and priests therefore are sent in progress through the cities of Judah with the book of the law to explain and enforce the commandments of God and several princes accompanied them in order to engage the people to hear them and give countenance to these preachers by their weight and influence ote (1) It is a blessed thing when princes countenance faithful ministers Though they cannot make men true converts their example and authority will induce them to attend (2) They who are sent to teach must see that they take the pure word of God along with them A true preacher wishes for nothing in his hand but his Bible (3) Religion is a reasonable service Conviction alone not compulsion or education can make a man a christian

4 The blessing of God attended his labours The Lord was with him or as the Targum generally expresses it the word of the Lord the divine Logos to whom all things are committed strengthened him in his labours and established his kingdom The people charmed with his government liberally sent their presents to him and abounding in riches and honour his heart far from being intoxicated by prosperity was lifted up in greater love and thankfulness to the gracious giver ote (1) God often here rewards piety with prosperity (2) Worldly comforts are then truly blessings when as the steps of Jacobs ladder they raise our hearts to heaven

2nd Like the light of the morning which shineth more and more so did Jehoshaphats glory increase

1 Feared by his enemies as beloved by his subjects the neighbouring princes did not offer to molest him while those of Philistia and Arabia courted his favour either by a voluntary present or exact payment of the tribute which Asa had imposed on them see 2 Chronicles 1711 God had put an awe upon them of the majesty of his king in Zion ote God hath access to the spirits of men and by secret yet irresistible influence can bow them to his sovereign will

2 His military preparations greatly advanced While he reformed the people he fortified their ramparts and built new castles and store-cities strengthening them within and without against their enemies Under five chief officers an immense army was enlisted Probably all the able men in the country were enrolled and regularly mustered though not drawn out except in case of necessity and this may easily account for the greatness of their number if we consider also the long peace they had enjoyed the accession of Israelites to them and especially the blessing of Abraham which no doubt was eminently fulfilled Amasiah one of the officers is mentioned with an honourable mark of distinction as a volunteer who served for the glory of God not for the sake of pay Such patriots are scarce

TRAPP 2 Chronicles 1714 And these [are] the numbers of them according to the house of their fathers Of Judah the captains of thousands Adnah the chief and

with him mighty men of valour three hundred thousand

Ver 14 Three hundred thousand] These were under his command and at hand to come whensoever the king would

WHEDO 14 Three hundred thousand mdash The numbers in this verse and the four verses following are generally regarded as corrupt ldquoThey implyrdquo observes the writer last quoted ldquoa minimum population of 1480 to the square mile which is more than three times greater than that of any country in the known world It is probable that the original numbers have been lost and the loss supplied by a scribe who took 2 Chronicles 148 as his basis

ELLICOTT Verse 14 (14) And these their fathersmdashAnd this is their muster (or census) according to their father-houses (clans) 1 Chronicles 243 The warriors were marshalled in the army according to clans so that men of the same stock fought side by side with their kindred Perhaps in the original document this heading was followed by a much more detailed scheme of names and divisions than that which the text presents

Of JudahmdashTo Judah (belonged) captains of thousands viz the three enumerated in 2 Chronicles 1714-16 Adnah Jehohanan and Amasiah They were the principal officers or generals of the entire forces of Judah

Adnah the chiefmdashTo wit the captain Adnah That Adnah was commander-in-chief is implied by his being named first and his corps being the largest

PULPIT This verse with the following four gives us the names of five captains chiefs princes or military officers for the kingdoms service with the numbers of the troops they severally commanded The numbers of them (see note under 1 Chronicles 2311) Hebrew פקדתם The better English rendering to carry at once the signification would be The muster of them etc The captains hellip the chief In both cases the Hebrew is the familiar word for prince ( שר ) in the former without article in the latter with article The numbers of this and following four verses are not only absolutely unreliable but in themselves impossible According to the house of their fathers ie the quotation is drawn from an army catalogue arranged carefully by fathers houses (umbers 118 umbers 122 etc)

15 next Jehohanan the commander with 280000

GILL And next to him was Jehohanan the captain Being of the same rank as to office but having a lesser number of men under him and it may respect not any kind of subordination only nearness of place as the Targumhe that encamped next to him

and with him two hundred and fourscore thousand which number was but 20000 less than the former

POOLE ext to him either

1 After his death as his successor in the same command And the like is supposed concerning Jehozabad 2 Chronicles 1718 Or rather

2 ext to him in place and authority or at least in power and the numbers of his host

16 next Amasiah son of Zikri who volunteered himself for the service of the Lord with 200000

GILL And next him was Amasiah the son of Zichri He encamped next to him as the Targum

who willingly offered himself unto the Lord to fight the Lords battles and without any stipend as some think or as Kimchi he offered gold and silver to the treasures of the house of the Lord

and with him two hundred thousand mighty men of valour the number was 80000 less than the former the whole of Judah amounted to 780000 men

TRAPP 2 Chronicles 1716 And next him [was] Amasiah the son of Zichri who willingly offered himself unto the LORD and with him two hundred thousand mighty men of valour

Ver 16 Who willingly offered himself unto the Lord] He was a votary the vows of God were upon him and this made him the more valiant and resolute (a) in the exercise of arms for the service of God and the safety of his people The Spahis among the Turks are a sort of horsemen voluntaries and votaries to gain paradise by dying for the Mohammedan cause These are never known to return home but

with victory these are heavy upon the enemy For

ldquo Vincitur haud gratis iugulo qui provocat ensem rdquo

POOLE As volunteers and auxiliaries to be ready upon occasion as the service of God and the king should require Possibly these or most of them were the strangers which had come out of Israel into the kingdom of Judah in Asarsquos days and probably since that in his time

ELLICOTT (16) AmasiahmdashIah carrieth (Isaiah 4011) different from Amaziah (Iah is strong)

Who willingly offered himself unto the Lordmdash(Judges 52 Judges 59) An allusion to some noble act of self-devotion which was doubtless more fully recorded in the source from which the chronicler has drawn this brief account Such allusions though no longer intelligible are important as conducing to the proof of the historical value of the narratives in which they occur LXX ὁ προθυmicroούmicroενος τῷ κυρίῳ Vulg consecratus Domino

PULPIT Amaziah the son of Zichri This man is not titled at all The description of him as one who had willingly offered himself unto the Lord not elucidated by the context or any effective parallel will mark something honorable in his history Possibly he comes from an unexpected quarter and is a man of approved skill othing further is known of these three men Meantime it has been suggested (Professor Dr J Murphy of Belfast Handbook to Chronicles ) that the first of the three was for Judah proper the second for that contingent of Judah that hailed from Dan and the Philistines and the third for that of Simeon and the Arabs

MACLARE This is a scrap from the catalogue of Jehoshaphatrsquos lsquomighty men of valourrsquo and is Amasiahrsquos sole record We see him for a moment and hear his eulogium and then oblivion swallows him up We do not know what it was that he did to earn it But what a fate to live to all generations by that one sentence

I Cheerful self-surrender the secret of all religion

The words of our text contain a metaphor naturally drawn from the sacrificial system It comes so easily to us that we scarcely recognise the metaphorical element but the clear recognition of it gives great additional energy to the words Amasiah was both sacrificer and sacrifice His offering was self-immolation As in all love so in that noblest kind of it which clasps God its perfect expression is lsquoI give Thee my living loving selfrsquo Nor is it only sacrifice and sacrificer that are seen in deepest truth in the experience of the Christian life but the reality of the Temple is also there for lsquoYe also are built up a spiritual house to be a holy priesthood to offer up spiritual sacrificesrsquo Only when God dwells in us shall we have the nerve and the firmness of hand to take the knife and lsquoslay before the Lordrsquo the awful Guest in the sanctuary within the most precious of the children of our spirits

The essence of the sacrifice of self is the sacrifice of will In the Christian experience

lsquowillingly offeredrsquo is almost tautology for unwilling offerings are a contradiction and in fact there are no such things The quality of unwillingness destroys the character of the offering and robs it of all sacredness Reluctant Christianity is not Christianity That noun and that adjective can never be buckled together

The submission of will and the consequent surrender of myself and my powers opportunities and possessions so that I do all enjoy all use all and when need is endure all with glad thankful reference to God is only possible to me in the measure in which my will is made flexible by love and such will-subduing love comes only when we lsquoknow and believe the love that God hath to usrsquo There is the point at which not a few moral and religious teachers go wrong and bewilder themselves and their disciples There too is the point at which Christ and the Gospel of salvation through faith in Him stand forth as emancipating humanity from the dreary round of efforts and vain attempts to work up the condition needful for achieving the height of self-surrender which is seen to be indispensable to all true nobleness of living but is felt to be beyond the reach of the ordinary man There too is the point at which many good people mar their lives as Christians They waste their strength in trying to bring the jibbing horse up to the leap They try to blow up a fire of devotion and to make themselves priests to offer themselves but all the while the mutinous self recoils from the leap and the fire burns smokily and their sacrifice is laid on the altar with little joy because they have not been careful and wise enough to begin at the beginning and to follow Godrsquos way of melting their wills by love the reflection of the Infinite love of God to them Godrsquos priests offer themselves because they offer their wills they offer their wills because they love God they love God because they know that God loves them That is the divine order It is vain to try to accomplish the end by any other

II This willing offering hallows all life

No syllable is left to tell us what Amasiah did to win this praise Probably the words enshrine some now forgotten memory of his cheerful courage some heroic feat on an unrecorded battlefield Particulars are not given nor needed Specific actions are unimportant the spirit of a life can be told with very incomplete details and it not the details is the important thing Sometimes as in many modern biographies one lsquocannot see the wood for the treesrsquo and misses the main drift and aim of a life in the chaos of a bewildering mass of nothings How much more happy the lot of this man of whom we have only the generalised expression of the text unweighted and undisturbed by petty incidents It takes tons of rose leaves to make a tiny phial of otto of roses but the fragrance is far more pungent in a drop of the distillation than in armfuls of leaves Every life shrinks into very small compass and the centuries do not tolerate long biographies Shall we not seek to order our life so that Amasiahrsquos epitaph may serve for us It will be blessed if this-and nothing else-is known about us that we lsquowillingly offered ourselves to the Lordrsquo My friend will that be a true epitome of your life

III This willing offering is accepted by God

We may hear a mightier voice behind the chroniclerrsquo s and the judgment of the Judge of all pronounced by His lips It matters little what men say of one another but it matters everything what God says of us We are but too apt to forget that He is now saying something as to each of us and that we have not to wait for death to put a final period to our activities before our lives become fit subjects for Godrsquos judgment Moment by moment we are writing our own sentences But while it is good for us to remember the continuous judgment of God on each deed it is not good to let dark thoughts of the principles of that judgment paralyse our activity or chill our confidence in His forgiving and accepting mercy There is often a dark suspicion like that of the one-talented

servant which blackens Godrsquos fair fame as being lsquoan austere Manrsquo making demands rather than imparting power and the effect of such an ugly conception of Him is to cut the nerve of service and bury the talent carefully folded up it may be but none the less earning nothing lsquoIf we call on Him as Father who without respect of persons judgeth according to every manrsquos workrsquo let us be sure that it will be a Fatherly judgment that He will pass upon us and our offerings There is a wonderful collection on His altar of what many people would think rubbish just as many a mother has laid away among her treasures some worthless article which her child had once given her-a weed plucked by the roadside in a long past summer day some trifle of rare preciousness in the childrsquos eyes and of none in any others than her own She opens her drawer and brings out the poor little thing and her eyes fill and her heart fills as she looks And does not God keep His childrenrsquos gifts as lovingly and set them in places of honour in the day when He lsquomakes up His jewelsrsquo There are cups of cold water and widowsrsquo mites and much else that a supercilious world would call lsquotrashrsquo stored there Thank God He accepts imperfect service faltering faith partial consecration a little love Even our poor offering may be an lsquoodour of a sweet smellrsquo ministering fragrance that is a delight to Him if it is offered with the much incense of the great Sacrifice and through the mediation of the great High Priest

The world forgot Amasiah or never knew him an obscure soldier in an obscure kingdom but God did not forget and here is his epitaph and this is his memorial to all generations Menrsquos chronicles have no room for all the names that their wearers are eager to have inscribed on their crumbling and crowded pages lsquobut the Lambrsquos Book of Lifersquo has ample space on its radiant pages for all who desire to set their names there and if ours are there we need not envy the proudest whose titles and deeds fill the most conspicuous pages in the worldrsquos records lsquoThen shall every man have praise of Christrsquo and he who wins that guerdon needs nothing more and can have nothing more to swell his blessedness

17 From BenjaminEliada a valiant soldier with 200000 men armed with bows and shields

GILL And of Benjamin Eliada a mighty man of valour Was the chief commander

and with armed men with bow and shield two hundred thousand which were

the armour of the tribe of Benjamin they were best skilled in 2Ch_148

TRAPP 2 Chronicles 1717 And of Benjamin Eliada a mighty man of valour and with him armed men with bow and shield two hundred thousand

Ver 17 With bow and shield] The Benjamites were notable bowmen [1 Chronicles 122] The Engish were anciently so too

ELLICOTT (17) Armed men with bow and shieldmdashLiterally drawing bow and shield ie as the Targum explains ldquodrawing bow and grasping shieldsrdquo (Comp 1 Chronicles 122) LXX ldquoArchers and peltastsrdquo Vulg ldquoGrasping bow and shieldrdquo (Comp also 1 Chronicles 840 for the arms of the Benjaminites)

18 next Jehozabad with 180000 men armed for battle

GILL And next to him was Jehozabad According to the Targum he encamped next him

and with him one hundred and fourscore thousand ready prepared for war being able bodied men well disciplined valiant and well armed these numbers of Judah and Benjamin put together amount to 1160000 men whereas Asa only brought into the field 580000 but it should be considered there had been a long time of peace many had come off from the ten tribes to Judah and the promise of multiplying the seed of Abraham was eminently fulfilled

TRAPP 2 Chronicles 1718 And next him [was] Jehozabad and with him an hundred and fourscore thousand ready prepared for the war

Ver 18 A hundred and fourscore thousand] His militia was eleven hundred and threescore thousand besides what he had in garrisons [2 Chronicles 1719] So that as he was better he was stronger than his father Asa had been Piety hath prosperity

ELLICOTT (18) Ready prepared for the warmdashEquipped for service (See on 1

Chronicles 1223-24 umbers 315 umbers 3229) The hoplites or heavy-armed infantry are probably meant

PULPIT While Eliada of last verse was for Benjamin Professor Dr Murphy supposes that Jehozabad was for the annexed part of Ephraim But no suppositions of this kind can avail to explain the numbers in the text which is no doubt corrupt

19 These were the men who served the king besides those he stationed in the fortified cities throughout Judah

CLARKE These waited on the king - They were disposable forces always at the kingrsquos command and were independent of those by which the cities of Judah were garrisoned

There is not a sovereign in Europe or in the world but might read this chapter with advantage

1 It shows most forcibly that true religion is the basis of the state and that wherever it prospers there the state prospers

2 It shows also that it is the wisdom of kings to encourage religion with all their power and influence for if the hearts of the subjects be not bound and influenced by true religion vain is the application of laws fines imprisonments or corporal punishment of any kind

3 A religious nation is ever a great nation it is loved by its friends it is dreaded by its enemies

4 It is ever a peaceable and united nation the blessings of religion and a wholesome and paternal government are so fully felt and prized that all find it their interest to preserve and defend them Harmony peace piety and strength are the stability of such times May Britain know and value them

GILL These waited on the king Not this vast number of men at one time but in course as Davids military men waited on him 1Ch_271 or each of these captains with a proper number of men under them detached from the body and they were all ready to obey the kings orders whenever he should have occasion for them

besides those whom the king put into the fenced cities throughout Judah and all together the militia of the kingdom was very numerous and formidable

KampD 2Ch_1719

These were serving the king א6ה refers not to the above-mentioned men capable of

bearing arms for sheereet is not used of service in war but to the commanders whom he had placed in the fortified cities of all Judah ldquoin which probably bodies of the above-mentioned troops lay as garrisonsrdquo (Berth)

BESO 2 Chronicles 1719 These waited on the king mdash These above-mentioned were the trained bands or auxiliaries whose chief officers waited on the king to receive his commands and to raise and bring in all or part of their forces to the service of the king as need required A vast number for so small a compass of ground to furnish out and maintain But we may consider that God had promised to make the seed of Abraham like the sand of the sea for number that there had now been a long peace that many were come to them from the kingdom of Israel and that Jehoshaphat was under a special blessing of God They were doubtless dispersed all the country over every one residing on his own land only they were ready at call whenever there was occasion

TRAPP 2 Chronicles 1719 These waited on the king beside [those] whom the king put in the fenced cities throughout all Judah

Ver 19 These waited on the king] ie In their turns and by course

POOLE These above mentioned were the trained bands or auxiliaries whose chief officers waited upon the king to receive his commands and to raise and bring in all or part of their forces to the service of the king and kingdom as need required

ELLICOTT (19) These waited on the kingmdashRather these are they that ministered unto the king viz the five generals above named

Beside those whom the king put in the fenced citiesmdashie the commandants of the fortresses of the kingdom (2 Chronicles 1111 2 Chronicles 1123) These latter as well as the generals of the forces are called the kingrsquos ldquoministersrdquo (mĕshacircrĕthicircm)mdasha word which is not used of service in the field but implies their presence at court (ldquoin Jerusalemrdquo 2 Chronicles 1713 as the royal staff)

According to the above list the army of Jehoshaphat was organised in five grand divisions corresponding perhaps to five territorial divisions of the southern kingdom The totals are the largest assigned to the two tribes anywhere in the Old Testament viz Judah 780000 and Benjamin 380000 in all 1160000 At Davidrsquos census Judah had 500000 warriors (2 Samuel 249) and Israel 800000 Again in 2

Chronicles 148 Asarsquos army consists of 300000 men of Judah and 280000 Benjaminites clearly such an increase as our text indicates is unaccountable At the same time it is equally clear that the present numbers are not fortuitous results of clerical errors for they follow each other in the order of relative strength Judah 300000 280000 200000 Benjamin 200000 180000 and they are evidently not independent of the estimates of 2 Chronicles 148 above quoted

In the absence of adequate data for modifying these certainly startling figures it is well to bear in mind that we need not understand by them an army which ever actually mustered in the field or on parade but simply an estimate of the total male population liable to be called out for the national defence although even upon that understanding the total appears to be at least three times too great considering the small extent of the country

PULPIT These waited Hebrew המשרתים plur piel part of שרת The verse states that this enormous fivefold army with its five princes (counting in our corrupt text one million one hundred and sixty thousand) was the kings Jerusalem standing army while other separate regiments or bands of troops were spread through all Judah where they might be most needed for defence

SIMEO THE ROYAL EDICT

ADVERTISEMETmdashThe author feels it necessary to prefix to this Sermon some short account of the occasion on which it was delivered

The author was at Amsterdam (in June 1818) partly with a view of re-establishing there an Episcopal Chapel in which there had been no service for seven years but principally with a view of seeking the welfare of the Children of Israel He went thither rather to explore than to act (See ehemiah 212-16) But just previous to the 18th of June he understood that the Third Anniversary of the Battle of Waterloo was to be kept throughout the etherlands as a day of thanksgiving and just at that time also he quite accidentally heard that the King of the etherlands had a year before issued an Edict requiring all the Jews to educate their children in the knowledge of their own Scriptures and calling upon all his Christian Subjects to aid in this good work Despondency not unlike to that which paralyzed all exertion at Jerusalem in ehemiahrsquos days so universally prevailed that no one had risen to the occasion the very Commissioners who had been appointed to carry the Edict into effect had published a Report in which they gave it as their opinion ldquothat the Lordrsquos time was not comerdquo and there was great danger that the gracious designs of the Monarch would be altogether frustrated The author therefore judged this a fit occasion for calling the attention of the Public to the Edict and accordingly after devoting the Morning Service to the more appropriate subject of the day he employed the Evening Service in an endeavour to forward this good work Considerable attention was excited to the subject by means of the Sermon which was therefore instantly printed in Dutch French and English for the purpose of its being circulated throughout the etherlands and he has reason to hope that active exertions were afterwards made in many places to promote what every benevolent mind must ardently desire the edification and welfare of the Jewish People

So good an example having been set by the Emperor of Russia and the King of the etherlands the author hopes that the attention of our own Governors also both in Church and State may be called to this long-neglected People and that now the British Public has been invited by authority (the Kingrsquos Letter) to aid in supporting Missions to the Heathen World the claims of the Jewish ation to whom under God we owe all the light that we ourselves enjoy will not be overlooked It is with a view to this great object that the author sends forth the Sermon in this country where if the foregoing explanation had not been given its relevancy and use might have been justly called in question

2 Chronicles 179 And they taught in Judah and had the book of the law of the Lord with them and went about throughout all the cities of Judah and taught the people

O a day set apart for thanksgiving to God for mercies received it is peculiarly proper to consider what we may render unto the Lord for all his benefits Certainly if any event ever deserved repeated annual commemoration it is that which has

freed the world from the most grievous tyranny that ever it endured Of the bitter cup which was put into the hands of every nation in Europe this nation [ote The etherlands] drank very deeply and the change which it has experienced in the restoration of their rightful Monarch and in the establishment of a free Constitution calls for their devoutest acknowledgments to Almighty God Doubtless we may with justice pay some tribute of honour to those who by their counsels and their arms effected the overthrow of the Usurper but it is God alone who giveth victory to kings and to whom the glory of this great victory must be primarily ascribed and he who accounts a day consecrated to this service superfluous shews that he is far from justly appreciating the blessings that have been conferred upon him The monarch himself has given to his people a very decided evidence that he feels the depth of his obligations to the God of his salvation and it will be your own loss if you do not cultivate a similar spirit and improve the occasion to the honour of your God

But it is not to thanksgiving only that your Monarch invites you he calls you by a special Edict to unite with him in seeking the welfare of your Jewish Brethren who in their struggle with the enemy signally approved their fidelity to their legitimate Sovereign Their welfare he in his turn studies to promote and he desires to combine the energies of all his subjects in efforts for their good Methinks he is like Jehoshaphat of old who well knowing that piety must be founded in knowledge and happiness in piety sent forth the Princes of his empire with a select number of Priests and Levites to instruct his people in the knowledge of Godrsquos blessed word

His edict on this occasion and the manner in which it was carried into effect will form the subject of my present discourse

I Then we notice the edict of King Jehoshaphatmdash

This was such as became a great and pious monarch and we shall find it not unprofitable or unsuitable to the present occasion to enter into a distinct consideration of it We observe then that it was a kind and benevolent edict a wise and politic edict a good and beneficial edict

Mark the benevolence displayed in it He sought the present and eternal welfare of his subjects He knew that as men are raised above the beasts by the exercise of reason so are they elevated in the scale of rational beings in proportion as their intellectual powers are cultivated and enlarged Man destitute of knowledge is a mere savage but when instructed in the various branches of science he becomes refined and civilized and capable of contributing to the general good In the very cultivation of knowledge there is much pleasure arising to the mind and in the application of that knowledge to useful purposes there is an exquisite delight We need only observe persons when employed in their several vocations how happy they are how contented how cheerful oftentimes unconsciously proclaiming their happiness like the birds of the air in festal songs or consciously and with devotion in songs of praise

But it was not mere intellectual improvement which Jehoshaphat sought to convey he wished his people to be instructed in the knowledge of that God whom they professed to fear and worship This alone could make them truly happy this alone could impart to them sound wisdom or solid consolation He therefore gave particular directions that they should be taught ldquoin the Book of the Law of the Lordrdquo and this throughout the whole land O happy people whose governor so employed the authority with which he was invested And happy that monarch who so improved his influence not for his own personal aggrandizement but for the best interests of the people committed to his charge In so doing he approved himself to be indeed what every governor should be the friend and father of his people

or was the policy of this measure at all inferior to its benevolence A people well instructed in moral and religious knowledge will view government as an ordinance of God and will learn to obey the constituted authorities not so much from fear of their wrath as for conscience sake towards God They will view their governors as Godrsquos vicegerents upon earth and will consider allegiance to them as an essential part of their duty to him Hence will spring up love in their hearts and a real delight in manifesting on all proper occasions their loyalty to their king they will form a bulwark around his person in case of necessity and even glory in laying down their lives for him as their greatest benefactor

The benefits arising from this edict were incalculable Such was the effect of it that the fear of Jehoshaphat and of Jehovah as his protector fell on all the nations that were round about him so that none however hostile in their hearts dared to make war against him [ote ver 10] Doubtless this resulted chiefly from an impression made upon their minds by God himself yet it was also produced by a dread of that energy which an united people were ready to put forth at any instant at the call of their beloved monarch At the same time that peace was thus secured prosperity reigned in every part of the empire and as the immediate fruit of it Jehoshaphat as well as the people ldquohad riches and honour in abundance [ote ver 5]rdquo In his own mind too he reaped the fruits of his own benevolence God smiled upon him and manifested himself to him and enabled him to walk with ldquohis heart lifted up in the ways of the Lord [ote ver 6]rdquo

Such was the edict of the pious Jehoshaphatmdashbenevolent politic beneficial And what I would ask is the Edict which has been issued by the highest authority in this kingdom Do we not see in it the same blessed characters as in that which we have been considering It was ldquoin the third year of his reign [ote ver 7]rdquo that Jehoshaphat sent forth teachers to enlighten and instruct his subjects The very instant he felt himself at liberty from the more urgent and pressing calls of duty (such as the fortifying of his land against foreign enemies and the correcting of some great internal abuses) he engaged in this good work of diffusing light and knowledge through all classes of the community In like manner the sovereign of this kingdom has scarcely had time to repair the ravages of war and to establish his empire too long weakened and impoverished by a cruel usurpation before he stands forth as the friend and father of his people and more especially of that portion of them who have in every age and place been most treated with neglect and

disdain to have them educated in scriptural knowledge and in the fear of God It is much to be lamented that the Jewish people have not in general been so attentive either to the learning or morals of their children as might be wished and hence arose a necessity for some authoritative admonition on the subject Yet if I may say it without offence this neglect has not been more reprehensible in them than has been the indifference with which the Christian world has regarded it The monarch (may God recompense it richly into his bosom) has risen up to remedy the supineness both of the one and the other and to call forth the united energies of all to correct and terminate this evil Yet whilst he thus consults the best interests of his subjects with what paternal tenderness has he guarded against wounding the feelings of any or exciting their religious prejudices The Scriptures of the Old Testament are alone to be used in the schools that shall be established even those Scriptures which Jews as well as Christians believe to have been given by inspiration of God and to contain truth without any mixture of error In this is marked the policy no less than the benevolence of the edict for it is not by constraint but by conciliation and kindness that good is to be done to any and more especially to those who have shewn themselves now for so many centuries proof against all the efforts of intimidation or force In this kingdom they form no small body and I may add no unimportant portion of the community It is well known how extensive is their influence in the affairs of commerce and how by their activity they contribute to enrich the state Hence it is now generally seen and felt that they are entitled to the same respect as any other subjects of the realm and whilst as in the present instance they see how deeply their monarch feels interested in their welfare they cannot but on their part be sensible of the privileges they enjoy under his paternal government and testify their gratitude to him by every possible expression of loyalty and affection

What the ultimate effect of these measures will be may be conjectured from the blessed results of the edict of Jehoshaphat all will feel themselves happy under the government of such a prince and he whilst he is respected abroad and beloved at home will have the happiness of seeing his labours crowned with prosperity throughout his dominions and with peace in his own soul

II The manner in which Jehoshaphatrsquos edict was carried into execution is now to be noticedmdash

The promptness with which his commands were executed deserves the highest praise All were ready to co-operate in this good work as soon as it was proposed ldquoPrinces and priests and Levites [ote ver 7 8]rdquo all addressed themselves to it instantly with one heart and one soul one accounted their dignity so high or their functions so sacred but they thought it an honour to be employed in such a service and found a delight in fulfilling the wishes of their revered monarch all entered into the work with zeal and prosecuted it with diligence and hence a rapid change was effected both in the temporal and spiritual condition of the whole nation And what may not be effected in this kingdom also if a similar zeal be exercised by ldquothe princes and priestsrdquo (the magistrates and clergy) of the land With them it must begin Those who move in a lower station can effect nothing if they be not aided and

countenanced by the higher orders whose rank in life or sacredness of character will give a tone to the general feeling and combine the energies of the whole kingdom If it be said that those for whom the benefit is designed do not feel a desire after it this only shews how much they need it and how earnestly we should all embark in a cause proposed by such high authority and recommended by the soundest dictates of wisdom and piety

That our obligations to unite in this labour of love may the more distinctly appear I would beg leave to suggest the following considerations

First Loyalty to the king demands our concurrence with him in this good work and a holy emulation amongst us to carry into effect his benevolent designs What can the greatest or best of men effect (what could Jehoshaphat himself have done) if there be none to act in subserviency to them and to follow their directions As the most potent monarch upon earth would in vain proclaim war if there were no soldiers found to enlist under his banners and to execute his commands so it will be in vain that the design of benefiting the Jewish people was ever conceived in the mind of the king or that his edict respecting them was ever issued if his subjects do not put forth their energies in obedience to his call In truth a backwardness to co-operate with him in this blessed work would seem like a reflection cast upon him as recommending a measure that was unworthy of attention I do not mean to insinuate that such an idea really exists in the minds of any for I am perfectly convinced it does not but certainly in appearance it is open to this construction and every subject of the empire is concerned to act in such a way as to cut off all occasion for a reflection like this I say loyalty alone even if we had no higher motive should be sufficient to call forth our exertions in this cause

But let me next observe that gratitude to the Jewish nation demands it at our hands How great how manifold are our obligations to them Behold Moses and the prophets what instruction have they given us in reference to the way of life and salvation Without the moral law as revealed by Moses we should never have known to what an extent we need a Saviour nor if the prophecies had not so fully designated the promised Messiah could we have ever so fully known that Jesus was the Christ Of whom did the Lord Jesus Christ himself come as pertaining to the flesh but from the loins of David and of the seed of Abraham Yet to him are we indebted for all that we either have or hope for in time or in eternity And who were the Apostles but Jews who for our sakes went forth preaching the word and counted not their lives dear to them so that they might but lead us to the knowledge of Christ and make us partakers of his salvation From them too we have received the lively oracles which are the one source of all spiritual knowledge and the one foundation of all our hopes Does all this call for no recompence at our hands Knowing as we do the vast importance of education should we not endeavour to impart it to those from whose ancestors we have received such innumerable such inestimable benefits Yet behold these are the people whom for many many centuries we have treated with more neglect and contempt than any other people upon the face of the earth the savages of the most distant climes have received more attention from us than they Surely it is high time that the Christian world awake to

a sense of their duty and begin to shew to the Jews somewhat of that love which their forefathers exercised towards us in our Gentile state We are debtors to them to a vast amount and it is high time that we begin to discharge our debt And how can we discharge it better than by enabling them to read and understand those very oracles which they have preserved with such fidelity and which testify so fully of their promised Messiah

Further A love to the rising generation should lead us to avail ourselves of the present opportunity to promote their welfaremdashIt is truly afflictive to see how low and degraded is the state of multitudes especially of the Jewish nation purely through the neglect with which they are treated in their early youth and still more grievous is it to reflect on their ignorance of those things which belong to their everlasting peace To counteract this we should endeavour to qualify the whole of their population for good and useful employments and through the medium of useful instruction to make them holy and to make them happy We need never be afraid that there will not be a sufficient number of poor to fill the lower stations do what we will there will never be wanting persons who through their own fault or misfortunes are necessitated to undertake the lowest offices of life And if they have been previously instructed in the Scriptures of Truth they will have a fund of consolation ever open to them in their deepest afflictions they will learn from the inspired volume in whatsoever state they are there-with to be content and in the prospect of the eternal world they will find joys with which a stranger intermeddleth not and which the world can neither give nor take away We feel the force of these considerations in reference to the poor of our own communion how is it that we feel it not in reference to our Jewish Brethren This is a partiality unworthy of us and we should rise as one man to wipe off this disgrace from our own character

This brings me to the last consideration which I propose to mention namely that a concern for the honour of our holy religion should operate to unite us all in executing the Royal EdictmdashWhat must a Jew think of our religion when he sees how little it has wrought for us in the production of love We may tell him of a Messiah who has loved us and laid down his life for us but what credit will he give us for our principles when he sees how little our practice corresponds with them May he not well say to us ldquoPhysician heal thyselfrdquo Shew by your conduct the superiority of your principles before you call on me to embrace them It is by love that we must win them it is by shewing kindness to them that we must efface from their hearts those prejudices which with too much reason they entertain against us We must exhibit in our own person the loveliness of Christianity before we can bring them to investigate the grounds of our faith or to imagine that they can improve their own condition by embracing it May I not then call upon you as Christians to unite in the good work that is now before you that you may thereby serve and glorify your Lord and Saviour As Christians you believe that there is no other way to the Father but by Christ [ote John 146] and no other name but his whereby any human being can be saved [ote Acts 412] Where is your piety where is your love to Christ where is even common humanity if you will not avail yourselves of the present opportunity to remove from before your Jewish Brethren

the stumbling-blocks which for so many ages have been laid in their way

Do any ask What shall we do I answer search out amongst the Jews some persons of probity and talent to commence schools among them and do you yourselves aid to the utmost of your power in the support of them provide them with all necessary books for instructing children in the first rudiments of knowledge provide them with Bibles also both in the Dutch and Hebrew languages that they may be thoroughly instructed in the knowledge of their own religion and learn to walk in the steps of their father Abraham and of all the holy prophets

Begin too without loss of time Adult Schools You will find many among the house of Israel who will be glad to avail themselves of your instructions Let those who are benevolent amongst you dedicate an hour in a day to the instructing of a few who may be desirous to learn and carefully avoid every thing which may give unnecessary offence Confine yourselves to the Old Testament which they venerate as well as you Let those who can teach only in the Dutch language give instruction in that and let those who either understand or have leisure to attain the Hebrew tongue draw their attention to that In particular let it be the united endeavour of all to qualify masters for this good work

And let it not be thought that this is the duty of men only The Royal Edict has particularly and with great wisdom recommended it to females who may be of infinite service in conveying instruction to their own sex This age is distinguished above all others for the activity of females in the service of God and in the performance of every good work Were I able to declare the proportion of good that is done in Britain by the female sex it would appear incredible I believe from my soul that it far exceeds one half in all the societies raised since the commencement of the present century in the Bible Society the Missionary Societies and the Society for Promoting the Knowledge of Christianity amongst the Jews yes let the ladies of this country exert themselves in a prudent modest and discreet way and the effects will soon appear the Royal Edict will not be a dead letter but will produce incalculable good to the whole nationmdashand the agents in this benevolent work will themselves receive quite as much benefit as they impart their benevolence being in proportion as it is exercised its own reward

10 The fear of the Lord fell on all the kingdoms of the lands surrounding Judah so that they did not go to war against Jehoshaphat

GILL And the fear of the Lord fell upon all the kingdoms of the lands that were round about Judah Upon the ten tribes and on foreign nations about them as Moabites Edomites Syrians Egyptians Arabs and Philistines this fear as it came from the Lord so might be raised and increased by observing that religion was revived in them for they might perceive by former observations made that the more religious these people were the more prosperous and formidable they were

so that they made no war against Jehoshaphat to interrupt him in the work of reformation he was so intent upon

HERY We have here a further account of Jehoshaphats great prosperity and the flourishing state of his kingdom

I He had good interest in the neighbouring princes and nations Though he was not perhaps so great a soldier as David (which might have made him their terror) nor so great a scholar as Solomon (which might have made him their oracle) yet the fear of the Lord fell so upon them (that is God so influenced and governed their spirits) that they had all a reverence for him 2Ch_1710 And 1 None of them made war against himGods good providence so ordered it that while the princes and priests were instructing and reforming the country none of his neighbours gave him any molestations to take him off from that good work Thus when Jacob and his sons were going to worship at Bethel the terror of God was upon the neighbouring cities that they did not pursue after them Gen_355 and see Exo_3424 2 Many of them brought presents to him (2Ch_1711) to secure his friendship Perhaps these were a tribute imposed upon them by Asa who made himself master of the cities of the Philistines and the tents of the Arabians 2Ch_1414 2Ch_1415 With the 7700 rams and the same number of he-goats which the Arabians brought there was probably a proportionable number of ewes and lambs she-goats and kids

KampD This attempt of Jehoshaphat brought him this blessing that the terror of Jahve fell upon all the surrounding kingdoms and not only did none of the neighbouring peoples venture to make war upon him but also various tribes did homage to him by presents Ramb has already so understood the connection of these verses (erat hoc praemium pietatis Josaphati quod vicini satisque potentes hostes non auderent adversus ipsum hiscere) while Berth fails to apprehend it saying that Jehoshaphat had time to care for the instruction of his people because at that time the neighbouring peoples did not venture to undertake war against Judah The words ldquoterror of Jahverdquo cf 2Ch_1413 2Ch_2029 and ldquoall the kingdoms of the landsrdquo cf 2Ch_128 1Ch_2930 are expressions peculiar to the author of the Chronicle which show that by these remarks he is preparing the way for a transition to a more detailed

portrayal of Jehoshaphats political power מן־(לש)ים is subject מן partitive some of the

Philistines brought him presents (for מנחה see on 2Ch_175) ldquoand silver a burdenrdquo ie

in great quantity מא does not signify tribute vectigal argento (Vulg) for the word has

not that signification but denotes burden that which can be carried as in מא לאן

2Ch_2025 - 2Ch_2116 2Ch_221 ערבים 2Ch_267 and more usually ערב-ים or ערביאים

are Arabian nomadic tribes (Bedacircwin) perhaps those whom Asa after his victory over the Cushite Zerah had brought under the kingdom of Judah 2Ch_1414 These paid

their tribute in small cattle rams and he-goats (ישים( Gen_3035 Gen_3215 Pro_

3031)

BESO 2 Chronicles 1710 The fear of the Lord fell upon all the kingdoms ampc mdash Justly concluding from his singular piety that God would eminently appear for him for even the heathen could not but observe that the kings of Judah were either prosperous or unhappy according as they served God or forsook him So that they made no war against Jehoshaphat mdash Godrsquos good providence so ordered it that while the princes and priests were instructing and endeavouring to reform the country none of his neighbours gave him any molestation to take him off from that good work

COFFMA All of this peace and prosperity were directly due to the respect which Jehoshaphat had shown to the Law of God and to his efforts to teach that word to all the people It is no problem that much of the material here is omitted in Kings because the primary focus there was political whereas in Chronicles the focus is upon the spiritual and religious significance of the same history

TRAPP 2 Chronicles 1710 And the fear of the LORD fell upon all the kingdoms of the lands that [were] round about Judah so that they made no war against Jehoshaphat

Ver 10 And the fear of the Lord fell upon all the kingdoms] It is said [2 Chronicles 172] Jehoshaphat placed forces in all the fenced cities yet it is not said thereupon that the fear of the Lord fell upon the neighbour nations But when he had established a preaching ministry in all the cities then his enemies had a fear and made no war

POOLE Justly concluding from this singular piety that God would eminently appear for him and against all those who had ill will to him which was their case For even the heathens could not but observe that the kings of Judah were either prosperous or unhappy accordingly as they served God or forsook him

ELLICOTT (10) The fear of the LordmdashA dread of Jehovah (pachad) aps 2029 (Comp Exodus 1516 1 Samuel 117 Isaiah 210 ) This phrase is not peculiar to the chronicler as Keil and Bertheau assert ldquoThe kingdoms of the landsrdquo is so (2 Chronicles 128 1 Chronicles 2930)

They made no warmdashThe reward of Jehosha-phatrsquos piety (1 Chronicles 229

Proverbs 167) ldquoWhen a manrsquos ways please the Lord he maketh even his enemies to be at peace with himrdquo (Comp also Genesis 355)

11 Some Philistines brought Jehoshaphat gifts and silver as tribute and the Arabs brought him flocks seven thousand seven hundred rams and seven thousand seven hundred goats

BARES Some of the Philistines brought Jehoshaphat presents - i e ldquosome of the Philistines were among his tributariesrdquo Compare 2Sa_82 1Ki_421

Tribute silver - Or ldquomuch silverrdquo - literally ldquosilver of burthenrdquo

The Arabians - The Arab tribes who bordered Judaea to the south and the southeast paid Jehoshaphat a fixed tribute in kind Compare 2Ki_34 note

CLARKE The Philistines brought - presents - They and the Arabians purchased peace with the king of Judah by paying an annual tribute The Philistines brought silver and no doubt different kinds of merchandise The Arabs whose riches consisted in cattle brought him flocks in great abundance principally rams and he-goats

GILL Also some of the Philistines brought Jehoshaphat presents and tribute silver Perhaps those of Gerar and the parts adjacent Asa took and spoiled and made tributary 2Ch_1414

and the Arabians brought him flocks seven thousand and seven hundred rams and seven thousand and seven hundred he goats with which their country abounded and these might be the Scenite Arabs who fearing lest Jehoshaphat should fall upon them and take away their flocks as his father had done 2Ch_1415 brought these presents to him

JAMISO Also some of the Philistines brought Jehoshaphat presents and tribute silvermdash either they had been his tributaries or they were desirous of securing his valuable friendship and now made a voluntary offer of tribute Perhaps

they were the Philistines who had submitted to the yoke of David (2Sa_81 Psa_608)

the Arabiansmdash the nomad tribes on the south of the Dead Sea who seeking the protection of Jehoshaphat after his conquest of Edom paid their tribute in the way most suitable to their pastoral habits - the present of so many head of cattle

BESO 2 Chronicles 1711 Some of the Philistines brought presents mdash They had been subject to Judah ever since Davidrsquos time but it seems had neglected this duty in the times of his predecessors but were now moved by their own fears to perform it And the Arabians brought him flocks mdash Either because he had upon some just occasion waged war against them and subdued them or because they voluntarily put themselves under his protection in recompense whereof they sent him these presents or only as a free acknowledgment of their respect for him

TRAPP 2 Chronicles 1711 Also [some] of the Philistines brought Jehoshaphat presents and tribute silver and the Arabians brought him flocks seven thousand and seven hundred rams and seven thousand and seven hundred he goats

Ver 11 Also some of the Philistines] These having been subdued by David had withheld their tribute for a time but now seeing Jehoshaphatrsquos growing greatness they bring it in with the better that no offence might be taken at their former neglect The word here used signifieth honorary gifts or oblations pacifications

ldquo Placatur donis Iupiter ipse datis rdquo

Think the same of the Arabians See 2 Chronicles 1414-15

POOLE Some of the Philistines who had been subjects to this kingdom ever since Davidrsquos time but it seems had neglected this duty in the times of his predecessors but now were moved by their own fears to perform it

The Arabians brought him flocks either because he had upon some just occasion waged war against them and subdued them though the particulars of it be not described in Scripture or because they voluntarily put themselves under his protection in recompence whereof they sent him those presents or only as a free acknowledgment of their respects to him

ELLICOTT (11) Broughtmdashie continually Such is the force of the participle

PresentsmdashAn offering ie tribute (minchah 2 Chronicles 175)

And tribute silvermdashRather and silver a load or burden ie a great quantity (massacircrsquo) 2 Chronicles 2025 As if ldquosilver as much as they could carryrdquomdasha natural hyperbole ot all the five states of the Philistines were subject to Jehoshaphat (Comp 2 Samuel 81)

The ArabiansmdashlsquoArbicircrsquoim here only equivalent to lsquoArbicircyicircm (2 Chronicles 267) and

lsquoArbim (2 Chronicles 2116) They are in each case grouped with the Philistines The nomad Bedacircwin conquered by Asa (2 Chronicles 1415) appear to be meant here or else some tribes which recognised the overlordship of Jehoshaphat after his reduction of Edom (2 Chronicles 2022 sqq)

Brought him flocksmdashComp Mesha of Moabrsquos tribute to Ahab (2 Kings 34)

GUZIK 2 (2 Chronicles 1711-19) The international strength of Jehoshaphatrsquos kingdom

Also some of the Philistines brought Jehoshaphat presents and silver as tribute and the Arabians brought him flocks seven thousand seven hundred rams and seven thousand seven hundred male goats So Jehoshaphat became increasingly powerful and he built fortresses and storage cities in Judah He had much property in the cities of Judah and the men of war mighty men of valor were in Jerusalem These are their numbers according to their fathersrsquo houses Of Judah the captains of thousands Adnah the captain and with him three hundred thousand mighty men of valor and next to him was Jehohanan the captain and with him two hundred and eighty thousand and next to him was Amasiah the son of Zichri who willingly offered himself to the LORD and with him two hundred thousand mighty men of valor Of Benjamin Eliada a mighty man of valor and with him two hundred thousand men armed with bow and shield and next to him was Jehozabad and with him one hundred and eighty thousand prepared for war These served the king besides those the king put in the fortified cities throughout all Judah

a Some of the Philistines brought Jehoshaphat presents and silver as tribute and the Arabians brought him flocks Jehoshaphatrsquos commitment to personal and public godliness meant that God exalted his kingdom above the neighboring nations even as God promised in Deuteronomy 281-13

b These served the king The true treasure of Jehoshaphatrsquos kingdom was not numbered only in security or material things but also in the dedicated and courageous men he had surrounding him these mighty men of valor

i Amasiah the son of Zichri who willingly offered himself to the LORD ldquoAmasiah is a man of whom we do not know anything beyond this ndash he lsquowillingly offered himself unto the Lordrsquo There must have been a turning-point in his career a time when first he knew the grace of God which wrought such a change in him There must have been a waking up to the feeling that God deserved his love and his liferdquo (Spurgeon)

ii Amasiah was a ready servant of the Lord this particularly notable because he did it in an otherwise secular calling

middot o one had to press him into service

middot o one had to seek him out for service

middot o one had to look after him once he had begun serving

middot o one had to lead him

iii ldquoThere is no lawful occupation in which a man cannot thoroughly serve the Lord It is a great privilege and blessing to be set apart to the work of winning souls but we must never separate that work from all the rest of the callings of life as though it alone were sacred and all the rest were secular and almost sinful Serve God where you arerdquo (Spurgeon)

PULPIT The presents were probably enough in the nature of tribute the fixed rate of which is sometimes alluded to (1 Kings 421 1 Kings 1025 2 Samuel 82) but it is doubtful whether the word משא purports to say this The word means bearing or carrying and then a burden load or weight The expression (2 Chronicles 2025) more than they could carry away where this word is used favours the idea that the meaning here is silver of great weight Probably the moral significance and historical interest whether of this statement respecting the Philistines or the following respecting the Arabians lies in the fact that both of them brought without more ado their payments and did not seek to slip out of their engagements with Judah and Judahs king ote for confirmation of this view 2 Kings 34 2 Kings 35

12 Jehoshaphat became more and more powerful he built forts and store cities in Judah

GILL And Jehoshaphat waxed great exceedingly In wealth and riches power and authority in his forces and fortifications

and he built in Judah castles and cities of stores castles for the defence of his kingdom and store cities to lay up corn and wine and all provisions in case of an invasion or against a time of war

HERY II He had a very considerable stores laid up in the cities of Judah He pulled down his barns and built larger (2Ch_1712) castles and cities of store for arms and victuals He was a man of business and aimed at the public good in all his

undertakings either to preserve the peace or prepare for war

JAMISO 2Ch_1712-19 His greatness captains and armies

KampD Description of Jehoshaphats power - 2Ch_1712 And Jehoshaphat became

ever greater sc in power The partic הולך expresses the continuous advance in

greatness cf Ew sect280 b as the infin absol does elsewhere eg Gen_83 למעלה as עד

in 2Ch_1612 - He built castles in Judah ירנ-ות only here and in 2Ch_274 from ירנית

derivative formed from ירה by the Syriac termination נית- fem of ן- castle fortress On

מסנות cf 2Ch_84 ערי

TRAPP 2 Chronicles 1712 And Jehoshaphat waxed great exceedingly and he built in Judah castles and cities of store

Ver 12 And Jehoshaphat waxed great exceedingly] Heb He was going and growing By humility and the fear of the Lord are riches and honour and life [Proverbs 224]

And he built in Judah castles] Bironeoth πυργους turres So did the Burgundians and thence had their names

And cities of store] Granaries in the Hebrew they have their name from their utility or usefulness

ELLICOTT (12) And Jehoshaphat waxed greatmdashLiterally And Jehoshaphat was going on and waxing great ie became greater and greater (Comp 1 Chronicles 119)

ExceedinglymdashlsquoAd lĕmagraversquolah This phrase occurs again in 2 Chronicles 1612 2 Chronicles 268 and nowhere else in the Old Testament (See on 1 Chronicles 142)

And he builtmdashLike his predecessorsmdashSolomon Rehoboam Asamdashhe displayed his wealth and power in great public works The records of the Assyrian and Babylonian sovereigns are largely taken up with similar accounts of temple and palace building

CastlesmdashBiranicircyocircth a derivative from birah (1 Chronicles 291 1 Chronicles 2919 comp Syriac here birocircthocirc) It only recurs at 2 Chronicles 274 It is an Aramaic term (Comp bicircranyacircthacirc which in the Targums means ldquopalacesrdquo)

Cities of storesmdashComp 2 Chronicles 84 2 Chronicles 164 Exodus 111

PULPIT Castles This rendering better than palaces (margin) wound bear improving to the rather stronger word fortresses Hebrew בירניות found only here and in 2 Chronicles 274 plur of בירנית connected with the Chaldee and later Hebrew בירה of Ezra 62 ehemiah 11 Esther 12 Daniel 82 Cities of store (see note under 2 Chronicles 84 see also 1 Kings 919 Exodus 111)

13 and had large supplies in the towns of Judah He also kept experienced fighting men in Jerusalem

CLARKE He hadmuch business in the cities - He kept the people constantly employed they had wages for their work and by their labors the empire was both enriched and strengthened

GILL And he had much business in the cities of Judah Partly in fortifying them and partly in reforming the inhabitants of them

and the men of war mighty men of valour were in Jerusalem or by or near unto it so the particle is rendered Jos_513 they encamped in places adjacent to it for such a number of men as follows even 1160000 could never be contained in Jerusalem but must be disposed of in the territories of it nor did they wait on the king together but in course see 2Ch_1719 by which it appears there is no need to suppose any mistake of the transcriber in any or all of the following sums as has been suggested (q)

HERY 13-19 III He had the militia in good order It was never in better since David modelled it Five lord-lieutenants (if I may so call them) are here named with the numbers of those under their command (the serviceable men that were fit for war in their respective districts) three in Judah and two in Benjamin It is said of one of these great commanders Amasiah that he willingly offered himself unto the Lord (2Ch_1716) not only to the king to serve him in this post but to the Lord to glorify him in it He was the most eminent among them for religion he accepted the place not for the

honour or power or profit of it but for conscience sake towards God that he might serve his country It was usual for great generals then to offer of their spoils to the Lord 1Ch_2626 But this good man offered himself first to the Lord and then his dedicated things The number of the soldiers under these five generals amounts to 1160000 men a vast number for so small a compass of ground as Judahs and Benjamins lot to furnish out and maintain Abijah could bring into the field but 400000 (2Ch_133) Asa not 600000 (2Ch_148) yet Jehoshaphat has at command almost 1200000 But it must be considered 1 That God had promised to make the seed of Abraham like the sand of the sea for number 2 There had now been a long peace 3 We may suppose that the city of Jerusalem was very much enlarged 4 Many had come over to them from the kingdom of Israel (2Ch_1519) which would increase the numbers of the people 5 Jehoshaphat was under a special blessing of God which made his affairs to prosper greatly The armies we may suppose were dispersed all the country over and each man resided for the most part on his own estate but they appeared often to be mustered and trained and were ready at call whenever there was occasion The commanders waited on the king (2Ch_1719) as officers of his court privy-counsellors and ministers of state

But lastly observe It was not this formidable army that struck a terror upon the neighbouring nations that restrained them from attempting any thing against Israel or obliged them to pay tribute but the fear of God which fell upon them when Jehoshaphat reformed his country and set up a preaching ministry in it 2Ch_1710 The ordinances of God are more the strength and safety of a kingdom than its military force - its men of God more than its men of war

KampD 2Ch_1713

וגווגווגווגו רהרהרהרה is rightly translated by Luther ldquound hatte viel Vorrathsrdquo (and ומלעכהומלעכהומלעכהומלעכה

had much store) מלעכהמלעכהמלעכהמלעכה denotes here as in Exo_227-10 property that which has been gained by work or business The signification much work opera magna (Vulg Cler etc) as also Bertheaus translation ldquothe works for equipping and provisioning the fortressesrdquo correspond neither to the context nor to the parallel (synonymous) second member of the verse The work and trouble necessary to equip the cities of Judah does not correspond to ldquothe valiant warriors in Jerusalemrdquo the only parallel is the goods and property which were in these cities the provision of victuals and war material there stored up

BESO 2 Chronicles 1713 He had much business in the cities of Judah mdash To repair and fortify them and furnish them with provisions and to purge out all the relics of idolatry and injustice which were more secretly and craftily managed in the cities than in the country and which were first and most prevalent in the cities and thence spread their infection into the country around them

TRAPP 2 Chronicles 1713 And he had much business in the cities of Judah and the men of war mighty men of valour [were] in Jerusalem

Ver 13 And he had much business] Eργα πολλα (a) Many works going forward at

once a negotious man he was His business say some lay in beautifying and fortifying those cities Augustus gloried at his death that whereas he had found Rome built with brick he had left it made of marble

And the men of war hellip were in Jerusalem] These were his Praetorian forces his Praesidiaries were up and down in the various cities

POOLE He had much business in the cities of Judah partly to repair and fortify them and furnish them with all necessary provisions and partly to purge out all the relies and seeds of idolatry and injustice which were more secretly and subtlely managed in the cities than in the country and which were first and most in the cities and thence spread their infection into the country about them See Jeremiah 228

ELLICOTT (13) BusinessmdashRather much goods or stores literally work (mĕlacirckacirch) and then produce The Hebrew word is so used in Exodus 227 Exodus 2210 (ldquoHis neighbourrsquos goodsrdquo) Stores of provisions and war material seem to be intended (Comp 2 Chronicles 1111)

And the man of war were in JerusalemmdashRather and (he had) men of war in Jerusalem

In Jerusalemmdashot the entire army corps whose numbers are given in 2 Chronicles 1714-18 but simply their chiefs

PULPIT Much business Hebrew מלאכה The meaning of the word is service labour bestowed and the verse reads And there was to him much labour in the cities of Judah and men of war mighty men of valour in Jerusalem ie He bestoweth much pains on the cities of Judah and had etc The word were Authorized Version italics is incorrectly inserted The former half of this verse would better constitute the end of 2 Chronicles 1712 Keil however maintains the rendering substance property for מלאכה (Exodus 227 Exodus 2210)

14 Their enrollment by families was as followsFrom Judah commanders of units of 1000Adnah the commander with 300000 fighting men

BARES The captains of thousands Adnah the chief - literally ldquoprinces of thousands Adnah the princerdquo The writer does not mean that Adnah (or Johohanan 2Ch_1715) was in any way superior to the other ldquoprincesrdquo but only that he was one of them

Three hundred thousand - This number and those which follow in 2Ch_1715-18 have been with good reason regarded as corrupt by most critics For

(1) They imply a minimum population of 1480 to the square mile which is more than three times greater than that of any country in the known world (circa 1880rsquos)

(2) they produce a total just double that of the next largest estimate of the military force of Judah the 580 000 of 2Ch_148

(3) they are professedly a statement not of the whole military force but of the force maintained at Jerusalem (2Ch_1713 compare 2Ch_1719)

It is probable that the original numbers have been lost and that the loss was suppplied by a scribe who took 2Ch_148 as his basis

CLARKE Adnah the chief - He was generalissimo of all this host These are the numbers of the five battalions under Adnah three hundred thousand Jehohanan two hundred and eighty thousand Amasiah two hundred thousand Eliada two hundred thousand Jehozabad one hundred and eighty thousand in all one million one hundred and sixty thousand

GILL And these are the numbers of them according to the house of their fathers Both of the tribe of Judah and of Benjamin and first

of Judah the captains of thousands some had 1000 men under them and some one hundred

Adnah the chief he was the principal commander or general of them

and with him mighty men of valour three hundred thousand such a number was under his command

JAMISO these are the numbersmdash The warriors were arranged in the army according to their fathers houses The army of Jehoshaphat commanded by five great generals and consisting of five unequal divisions comprised one million one hundred and sixty thousand men without including those who garrisoned the fortresses No monarch since the time of Solomon equaled Jehoshaphat in the extent of his revenue in the strength of his fortifications and in the number of his troops

KampD 2Ch_1714-16

The men fit for war passed in review according to their fathers-houses The male population of Judah fell into three divisions that of Benjamin into two The prince

Adnah held the first place among the generals with 300000 men of Judah ידו at his על

hand ie with and under him Jehohanan had the command of 280000 men and

Amasiah over 200000 השר is a contraction for אלפים For what special reason it is so שר

honourably recorded of Amasiah that he had willingly offered himself to the Lord (cf for

Jdg_59) has not been communicated התנב

COFFMA his represented a standing army of 1160000 men besides the garrisons in the fortified cities and this goes a long way to explaining why the Arabians and the Philistines brought tribute to Jehoshaphat In ancient times as in our own day peace frequently depended upon the strength of those who desired it

We should ignore the screams of exaggeration[3] which mark the writings of radical critics Pagan rulers of that era reported even larger armies than this and until the critics can prove that those were exaggerated reports they should let these alone Besides that we have already noted that the very word from which thousand is translated is disputed as to its exact meaning

COKE 2 Chronicles 1714 And these are the numbers of themmdash That is of the soldiers as well as of those who were employed in the kings works in the several cities ampc which he built See 2 Chronicles 1719

REFLECTIOSmdash1st Jehoshaphat no sooner comes to the throne than we see the dawnings of a glorious reign

1 He strengthened his kingdom by placing strong garrisons in the cities of Judah and those which his father had recovered from Israel and prepared against that danger which Ahabs growing power seemed to threaten

2 Religion was his great concern He copied after the best of his predecessors in their best days such as were the first of David before the matter of Uriah and the numbering of the people had blotted his fair copy Faithful to the worship of God he abhorred all idols the law of God was his rule of duty and Israels apostacy rendered his fidelity more singular and exemplary Inspired with holy zeal his heart with delight and sincerity was engaged for God and no difficulties deterred him from the path of duty The idols and groves which in the declining days of Asa might have been set up again he utterly destroyed with all the high places where they still offered sacrifices to these abominations ote (1) In the fairest human pattern there will be found imperfections but there is a Son of David more than man who has set us a spotless example that we should follow his steps (2) Fidelity in Gods service is the stability of a nation (3) A lively soul on wings of faith and love mounts up to God rises superior to every difficulty and looks down upon every thing besides his favour as altogether vanity

3 He not only removed the temptations to sin but took care to instruct the people in

the path of duty Ignorance of Gods law had greatly prevailed and to oblige them merely to conform to his reformation without grounding them on the true foundation of Gods word promised little stability The Levites and priests therefore are sent in progress through the cities of Judah with the book of the law to explain and enforce the commandments of God and several princes accompanied them in order to engage the people to hear them and give countenance to these preachers by their weight and influence ote (1) It is a blessed thing when princes countenance faithful ministers Though they cannot make men true converts their example and authority will induce them to attend (2) They who are sent to teach must see that they take the pure word of God along with them A true preacher wishes for nothing in his hand but his Bible (3) Religion is a reasonable service Conviction alone not compulsion or education can make a man a christian

4 The blessing of God attended his labours The Lord was with him or as the Targum generally expresses it the word of the Lord the divine Logos to whom all things are committed strengthened him in his labours and established his kingdom The people charmed with his government liberally sent their presents to him and abounding in riches and honour his heart far from being intoxicated by prosperity was lifted up in greater love and thankfulness to the gracious giver ote (1) God often here rewards piety with prosperity (2) Worldly comforts are then truly blessings when as the steps of Jacobs ladder they raise our hearts to heaven

2nd Like the light of the morning which shineth more and more so did Jehoshaphats glory increase

1 Feared by his enemies as beloved by his subjects the neighbouring princes did not offer to molest him while those of Philistia and Arabia courted his favour either by a voluntary present or exact payment of the tribute which Asa had imposed on them see 2 Chronicles 1711 God had put an awe upon them of the majesty of his king in Zion ote God hath access to the spirits of men and by secret yet irresistible influence can bow them to his sovereign will

2 His military preparations greatly advanced While he reformed the people he fortified their ramparts and built new castles and store-cities strengthening them within and without against their enemies Under five chief officers an immense army was enlisted Probably all the able men in the country were enrolled and regularly mustered though not drawn out except in case of necessity and this may easily account for the greatness of their number if we consider also the long peace they had enjoyed the accession of Israelites to them and especially the blessing of Abraham which no doubt was eminently fulfilled Amasiah one of the officers is mentioned with an honourable mark of distinction as a volunteer who served for the glory of God not for the sake of pay Such patriots are scarce

TRAPP 2 Chronicles 1714 And these [are] the numbers of them according to the house of their fathers Of Judah the captains of thousands Adnah the chief and

with him mighty men of valour three hundred thousand

Ver 14 Three hundred thousand] These were under his command and at hand to come whensoever the king would

WHEDO 14 Three hundred thousand mdash The numbers in this verse and the four verses following are generally regarded as corrupt ldquoThey implyrdquo observes the writer last quoted ldquoa minimum population of 1480 to the square mile which is more than three times greater than that of any country in the known world It is probable that the original numbers have been lost and the loss supplied by a scribe who took 2 Chronicles 148 as his basis

ELLICOTT Verse 14 (14) And these their fathersmdashAnd this is their muster (or census) according to their father-houses (clans) 1 Chronicles 243 The warriors were marshalled in the army according to clans so that men of the same stock fought side by side with their kindred Perhaps in the original document this heading was followed by a much more detailed scheme of names and divisions than that which the text presents

Of JudahmdashTo Judah (belonged) captains of thousands viz the three enumerated in 2 Chronicles 1714-16 Adnah Jehohanan and Amasiah They were the principal officers or generals of the entire forces of Judah

Adnah the chiefmdashTo wit the captain Adnah That Adnah was commander-in-chief is implied by his being named first and his corps being the largest

PULPIT This verse with the following four gives us the names of five captains chiefs princes or military officers for the kingdoms service with the numbers of the troops they severally commanded The numbers of them (see note under 1 Chronicles 2311) Hebrew פקדתם The better English rendering to carry at once the signification would be The muster of them etc The captains hellip the chief In both cases the Hebrew is the familiar word for prince ( שר ) in the former without article in the latter with article The numbers of this and following four verses are not only absolutely unreliable but in themselves impossible According to the house of their fathers ie the quotation is drawn from an army catalogue arranged carefully by fathers houses (umbers 118 umbers 122 etc)

15 next Jehohanan the commander with 280000

GILL And next to him was Jehohanan the captain Being of the same rank as to office but having a lesser number of men under him and it may respect not any kind of subordination only nearness of place as the Targumhe that encamped next to him

and with him two hundred and fourscore thousand which number was but 20000 less than the former

POOLE ext to him either

1 After his death as his successor in the same command And the like is supposed concerning Jehozabad 2 Chronicles 1718 Or rather

2 ext to him in place and authority or at least in power and the numbers of his host

16 next Amasiah son of Zikri who volunteered himself for the service of the Lord with 200000

GILL And next him was Amasiah the son of Zichri He encamped next to him as the Targum

who willingly offered himself unto the Lord to fight the Lords battles and without any stipend as some think or as Kimchi he offered gold and silver to the treasures of the house of the Lord

and with him two hundred thousand mighty men of valour the number was 80000 less than the former the whole of Judah amounted to 780000 men

TRAPP 2 Chronicles 1716 And next him [was] Amasiah the son of Zichri who willingly offered himself unto the LORD and with him two hundred thousand mighty men of valour

Ver 16 Who willingly offered himself unto the Lord] He was a votary the vows of God were upon him and this made him the more valiant and resolute (a) in the exercise of arms for the service of God and the safety of his people The Spahis among the Turks are a sort of horsemen voluntaries and votaries to gain paradise by dying for the Mohammedan cause These are never known to return home but

with victory these are heavy upon the enemy For

ldquo Vincitur haud gratis iugulo qui provocat ensem rdquo

POOLE As volunteers and auxiliaries to be ready upon occasion as the service of God and the king should require Possibly these or most of them were the strangers which had come out of Israel into the kingdom of Judah in Asarsquos days and probably since that in his time

ELLICOTT (16) AmasiahmdashIah carrieth (Isaiah 4011) different from Amaziah (Iah is strong)

Who willingly offered himself unto the Lordmdash(Judges 52 Judges 59) An allusion to some noble act of self-devotion which was doubtless more fully recorded in the source from which the chronicler has drawn this brief account Such allusions though no longer intelligible are important as conducing to the proof of the historical value of the narratives in which they occur LXX ὁ προθυmicroούmicroενος τῷ κυρίῳ Vulg consecratus Domino

PULPIT Amaziah the son of Zichri This man is not titled at all The description of him as one who had willingly offered himself unto the Lord not elucidated by the context or any effective parallel will mark something honorable in his history Possibly he comes from an unexpected quarter and is a man of approved skill othing further is known of these three men Meantime it has been suggested (Professor Dr J Murphy of Belfast Handbook to Chronicles ) that the first of the three was for Judah proper the second for that contingent of Judah that hailed from Dan and the Philistines and the third for that of Simeon and the Arabs

MACLARE This is a scrap from the catalogue of Jehoshaphatrsquos lsquomighty men of valourrsquo and is Amasiahrsquos sole record We see him for a moment and hear his eulogium and then oblivion swallows him up We do not know what it was that he did to earn it But what a fate to live to all generations by that one sentence

I Cheerful self-surrender the secret of all religion

The words of our text contain a metaphor naturally drawn from the sacrificial system It comes so easily to us that we scarcely recognise the metaphorical element but the clear recognition of it gives great additional energy to the words Amasiah was both sacrificer and sacrifice His offering was self-immolation As in all love so in that noblest kind of it which clasps God its perfect expression is lsquoI give Thee my living loving selfrsquo Nor is it only sacrifice and sacrificer that are seen in deepest truth in the experience of the Christian life but the reality of the Temple is also there for lsquoYe also are built up a spiritual house to be a holy priesthood to offer up spiritual sacrificesrsquo Only when God dwells in us shall we have the nerve and the firmness of hand to take the knife and lsquoslay before the Lordrsquo the awful Guest in the sanctuary within the most precious of the children of our spirits

The essence of the sacrifice of self is the sacrifice of will In the Christian experience

lsquowillingly offeredrsquo is almost tautology for unwilling offerings are a contradiction and in fact there are no such things The quality of unwillingness destroys the character of the offering and robs it of all sacredness Reluctant Christianity is not Christianity That noun and that adjective can never be buckled together

The submission of will and the consequent surrender of myself and my powers opportunities and possessions so that I do all enjoy all use all and when need is endure all with glad thankful reference to God is only possible to me in the measure in which my will is made flexible by love and such will-subduing love comes only when we lsquoknow and believe the love that God hath to usrsquo There is the point at which not a few moral and religious teachers go wrong and bewilder themselves and their disciples There too is the point at which Christ and the Gospel of salvation through faith in Him stand forth as emancipating humanity from the dreary round of efforts and vain attempts to work up the condition needful for achieving the height of self-surrender which is seen to be indispensable to all true nobleness of living but is felt to be beyond the reach of the ordinary man There too is the point at which many good people mar their lives as Christians They waste their strength in trying to bring the jibbing horse up to the leap They try to blow up a fire of devotion and to make themselves priests to offer themselves but all the while the mutinous self recoils from the leap and the fire burns smokily and their sacrifice is laid on the altar with little joy because they have not been careful and wise enough to begin at the beginning and to follow Godrsquos way of melting their wills by love the reflection of the Infinite love of God to them Godrsquos priests offer themselves because they offer their wills they offer their wills because they love God they love God because they know that God loves them That is the divine order It is vain to try to accomplish the end by any other

II This willing offering hallows all life

No syllable is left to tell us what Amasiah did to win this praise Probably the words enshrine some now forgotten memory of his cheerful courage some heroic feat on an unrecorded battlefield Particulars are not given nor needed Specific actions are unimportant the spirit of a life can be told with very incomplete details and it not the details is the important thing Sometimes as in many modern biographies one lsquocannot see the wood for the treesrsquo and misses the main drift and aim of a life in the chaos of a bewildering mass of nothings How much more happy the lot of this man of whom we have only the generalised expression of the text unweighted and undisturbed by petty incidents It takes tons of rose leaves to make a tiny phial of otto of roses but the fragrance is far more pungent in a drop of the distillation than in armfuls of leaves Every life shrinks into very small compass and the centuries do not tolerate long biographies Shall we not seek to order our life so that Amasiahrsquos epitaph may serve for us It will be blessed if this-and nothing else-is known about us that we lsquowillingly offered ourselves to the Lordrsquo My friend will that be a true epitome of your life

III This willing offering is accepted by God

We may hear a mightier voice behind the chroniclerrsquo s and the judgment of the Judge of all pronounced by His lips It matters little what men say of one another but it matters everything what God says of us We are but too apt to forget that He is now saying something as to each of us and that we have not to wait for death to put a final period to our activities before our lives become fit subjects for Godrsquos judgment Moment by moment we are writing our own sentences But while it is good for us to remember the continuous judgment of God on each deed it is not good to let dark thoughts of the principles of that judgment paralyse our activity or chill our confidence in His forgiving and accepting mercy There is often a dark suspicion like that of the one-talented

servant which blackens Godrsquos fair fame as being lsquoan austere Manrsquo making demands rather than imparting power and the effect of such an ugly conception of Him is to cut the nerve of service and bury the talent carefully folded up it may be but none the less earning nothing lsquoIf we call on Him as Father who without respect of persons judgeth according to every manrsquos workrsquo let us be sure that it will be a Fatherly judgment that He will pass upon us and our offerings There is a wonderful collection on His altar of what many people would think rubbish just as many a mother has laid away among her treasures some worthless article which her child had once given her-a weed plucked by the roadside in a long past summer day some trifle of rare preciousness in the childrsquos eyes and of none in any others than her own She opens her drawer and brings out the poor little thing and her eyes fill and her heart fills as she looks And does not God keep His childrenrsquos gifts as lovingly and set them in places of honour in the day when He lsquomakes up His jewelsrsquo There are cups of cold water and widowsrsquo mites and much else that a supercilious world would call lsquotrashrsquo stored there Thank God He accepts imperfect service faltering faith partial consecration a little love Even our poor offering may be an lsquoodour of a sweet smellrsquo ministering fragrance that is a delight to Him if it is offered with the much incense of the great Sacrifice and through the mediation of the great High Priest

The world forgot Amasiah or never knew him an obscure soldier in an obscure kingdom but God did not forget and here is his epitaph and this is his memorial to all generations Menrsquos chronicles have no room for all the names that their wearers are eager to have inscribed on their crumbling and crowded pages lsquobut the Lambrsquos Book of Lifersquo has ample space on its radiant pages for all who desire to set their names there and if ours are there we need not envy the proudest whose titles and deeds fill the most conspicuous pages in the worldrsquos records lsquoThen shall every man have praise of Christrsquo and he who wins that guerdon needs nothing more and can have nothing more to swell his blessedness

17 From BenjaminEliada a valiant soldier with 200000 men armed with bows and shields

GILL And of Benjamin Eliada a mighty man of valour Was the chief commander

and with armed men with bow and shield two hundred thousand which were

the armour of the tribe of Benjamin they were best skilled in 2Ch_148

TRAPP 2 Chronicles 1717 And of Benjamin Eliada a mighty man of valour and with him armed men with bow and shield two hundred thousand

Ver 17 With bow and shield] The Benjamites were notable bowmen [1 Chronicles 122] The Engish were anciently so too

ELLICOTT (17) Armed men with bow and shieldmdashLiterally drawing bow and shield ie as the Targum explains ldquodrawing bow and grasping shieldsrdquo (Comp 1 Chronicles 122) LXX ldquoArchers and peltastsrdquo Vulg ldquoGrasping bow and shieldrdquo (Comp also 1 Chronicles 840 for the arms of the Benjaminites)

18 next Jehozabad with 180000 men armed for battle

GILL And next to him was Jehozabad According to the Targum he encamped next him

and with him one hundred and fourscore thousand ready prepared for war being able bodied men well disciplined valiant and well armed these numbers of Judah and Benjamin put together amount to 1160000 men whereas Asa only brought into the field 580000 but it should be considered there had been a long time of peace many had come off from the ten tribes to Judah and the promise of multiplying the seed of Abraham was eminently fulfilled

TRAPP 2 Chronicles 1718 And next him [was] Jehozabad and with him an hundred and fourscore thousand ready prepared for the war

Ver 18 A hundred and fourscore thousand] His militia was eleven hundred and threescore thousand besides what he had in garrisons [2 Chronicles 1719] So that as he was better he was stronger than his father Asa had been Piety hath prosperity

ELLICOTT (18) Ready prepared for the warmdashEquipped for service (See on 1

Chronicles 1223-24 umbers 315 umbers 3229) The hoplites or heavy-armed infantry are probably meant

PULPIT While Eliada of last verse was for Benjamin Professor Dr Murphy supposes that Jehozabad was for the annexed part of Ephraim But no suppositions of this kind can avail to explain the numbers in the text which is no doubt corrupt

19 These were the men who served the king besides those he stationed in the fortified cities throughout Judah

CLARKE These waited on the king - They were disposable forces always at the kingrsquos command and were independent of those by which the cities of Judah were garrisoned

There is not a sovereign in Europe or in the world but might read this chapter with advantage

1 It shows most forcibly that true religion is the basis of the state and that wherever it prospers there the state prospers

2 It shows also that it is the wisdom of kings to encourage religion with all their power and influence for if the hearts of the subjects be not bound and influenced by true religion vain is the application of laws fines imprisonments or corporal punishment of any kind

3 A religious nation is ever a great nation it is loved by its friends it is dreaded by its enemies

4 It is ever a peaceable and united nation the blessings of religion and a wholesome and paternal government are so fully felt and prized that all find it their interest to preserve and defend them Harmony peace piety and strength are the stability of such times May Britain know and value them

GILL These waited on the king Not this vast number of men at one time but in course as Davids military men waited on him 1Ch_271 or each of these captains with a proper number of men under them detached from the body and they were all ready to obey the kings orders whenever he should have occasion for them

besides those whom the king put into the fenced cities throughout Judah and all together the militia of the kingdom was very numerous and formidable

KampD 2Ch_1719

These were serving the king א6ה refers not to the above-mentioned men capable of

bearing arms for sheereet is not used of service in war but to the commanders whom he had placed in the fortified cities of all Judah ldquoin which probably bodies of the above-mentioned troops lay as garrisonsrdquo (Berth)

BESO 2 Chronicles 1719 These waited on the king mdash These above-mentioned were the trained bands or auxiliaries whose chief officers waited on the king to receive his commands and to raise and bring in all or part of their forces to the service of the king as need required A vast number for so small a compass of ground to furnish out and maintain But we may consider that God had promised to make the seed of Abraham like the sand of the sea for number that there had now been a long peace that many were come to them from the kingdom of Israel and that Jehoshaphat was under a special blessing of God They were doubtless dispersed all the country over every one residing on his own land only they were ready at call whenever there was occasion

TRAPP 2 Chronicles 1719 These waited on the king beside [those] whom the king put in the fenced cities throughout all Judah

Ver 19 These waited on the king] ie In their turns and by course

POOLE These above mentioned were the trained bands or auxiliaries whose chief officers waited upon the king to receive his commands and to raise and bring in all or part of their forces to the service of the king and kingdom as need required

ELLICOTT (19) These waited on the kingmdashRather these are they that ministered unto the king viz the five generals above named

Beside those whom the king put in the fenced citiesmdashie the commandants of the fortresses of the kingdom (2 Chronicles 1111 2 Chronicles 1123) These latter as well as the generals of the forces are called the kingrsquos ldquoministersrdquo (mĕshacircrĕthicircm)mdasha word which is not used of service in the field but implies their presence at court (ldquoin Jerusalemrdquo 2 Chronicles 1713 as the royal staff)

According to the above list the army of Jehoshaphat was organised in five grand divisions corresponding perhaps to five territorial divisions of the southern kingdom The totals are the largest assigned to the two tribes anywhere in the Old Testament viz Judah 780000 and Benjamin 380000 in all 1160000 At Davidrsquos census Judah had 500000 warriors (2 Samuel 249) and Israel 800000 Again in 2

Chronicles 148 Asarsquos army consists of 300000 men of Judah and 280000 Benjaminites clearly such an increase as our text indicates is unaccountable At the same time it is equally clear that the present numbers are not fortuitous results of clerical errors for they follow each other in the order of relative strength Judah 300000 280000 200000 Benjamin 200000 180000 and they are evidently not independent of the estimates of 2 Chronicles 148 above quoted

In the absence of adequate data for modifying these certainly startling figures it is well to bear in mind that we need not understand by them an army which ever actually mustered in the field or on parade but simply an estimate of the total male population liable to be called out for the national defence although even upon that understanding the total appears to be at least three times too great considering the small extent of the country

PULPIT These waited Hebrew המשרתים plur piel part of שרת The verse states that this enormous fivefold army with its five princes (counting in our corrupt text one million one hundred and sixty thousand) was the kings Jerusalem standing army while other separate regiments or bands of troops were spread through all Judah where they might be most needed for defence

freed the world from the most grievous tyranny that ever it endured Of the bitter cup which was put into the hands of every nation in Europe this nation [ote The etherlands] drank very deeply and the change which it has experienced in the restoration of their rightful Monarch and in the establishment of a free Constitution calls for their devoutest acknowledgments to Almighty God Doubtless we may with justice pay some tribute of honour to those who by their counsels and their arms effected the overthrow of the Usurper but it is God alone who giveth victory to kings and to whom the glory of this great victory must be primarily ascribed and he who accounts a day consecrated to this service superfluous shews that he is far from justly appreciating the blessings that have been conferred upon him The monarch himself has given to his people a very decided evidence that he feels the depth of his obligations to the God of his salvation and it will be your own loss if you do not cultivate a similar spirit and improve the occasion to the honour of your God

But it is not to thanksgiving only that your Monarch invites you he calls you by a special Edict to unite with him in seeking the welfare of your Jewish Brethren who in their struggle with the enemy signally approved their fidelity to their legitimate Sovereign Their welfare he in his turn studies to promote and he desires to combine the energies of all his subjects in efforts for their good Methinks he is like Jehoshaphat of old who well knowing that piety must be founded in knowledge and happiness in piety sent forth the Princes of his empire with a select number of Priests and Levites to instruct his people in the knowledge of Godrsquos blessed word

His edict on this occasion and the manner in which it was carried into effect will form the subject of my present discourse

I Then we notice the edict of King Jehoshaphatmdash

This was such as became a great and pious monarch and we shall find it not unprofitable or unsuitable to the present occasion to enter into a distinct consideration of it We observe then that it was a kind and benevolent edict a wise and politic edict a good and beneficial edict

Mark the benevolence displayed in it He sought the present and eternal welfare of his subjects He knew that as men are raised above the beasts by the exercise of reason so are they elevated in the scale of rational beings in proportion as their intellectual powers are cultivated and enlarged Man destitute of knowledge is a mere savage but when instructed in the various branches of science he becomes refined and civilized and capable of contributing to the general good In the very cultivation of knowledge there is much pleasure arising to the mind and in the application of that knowledge to useful purposes there is an exquisite delight We need only observe persons when employed in their several vocations how happy they are how contented how cheerful oftentimes unconsciously proclaiming their happiness like the birds of the air in festal songs or consciously and with devotion in songs of praise

But it was not mere intellectual improvement which Jehoshaphat sought to convey he wished his people to be instructed in the knowledge of that God whom they professed to fear and worship This alone could make them truly happy this alone could impart to them sound wisdom or solid consolation He therefore gave particular directions that they should be taught ldquoin the Book of the Law of the Lordrdquo and this throughout the whole land O happy people whose governor so employed the authority with which he was invested And happy that monarch who so improved his influence not for his own personal aggrandizement but for the best interests of the people committed to his charge In so doing he approved himself to be indeed what every governor should be the friend and father of his people

or was the policy of this measure at all inferior to its benevolence A people well instructed in moral and religious knowledge will view government as an ordinance of God and will learn to obey the constituted authorities not so much from fear of their wrath as for conscience sake towards God They will view their governors as Godrsquos vicegerents upon earth and will consider allegiance to them as an essential part of their duty to him Hence will spring up love in their hearts and a real delight in manifesting on all proper occasions their loyalty to their king they will form a bulwark around his person in case of necessity and even glory in laying down their lives for him as their greatest benefactor

The benefits arising from this edict were incalculable Such was the effect of it that the fear of Jehoshaphat and of Jehovah as his protector fell on all the nations that were round about him so that none however hostile in their hearts dared to make war against him [ote ver 10] Doubtless this resulted chiefly from an impression made upon their minds by God himself yet it was also produced by a dread of that energy which an united people were ready to put forth at any instant at the call of their beloved monarch At the same time that peace was thus secured prosperity reigned in every part of the empire and as the immediate fruit of it Jehoshaphat as well as the people ldquohad riches and honour in abundance [ote ver 5]rdquo In his own mind too he reaped the fruits of his own benevolence God smiled upon him and manifested himself to him and enabled him to walk with ldquohis heart lifted up in the ways of the Lord [ote ver 6]rdquo

Such was the edict of the pious Jehoshaphatmdashbenevolent politic beneficial And what I would ask is the Edict which has been issued by the highest authority in this kingdom Do we not see in it the same blessed characters as in that which we have been considering It was ldquoin the third year of his reign [ote ver 7]rdquo that Jehoshaphat sent forth teachers to enlighten and instruct his subjects The very instant he felt himself at liberty from the more urgent and pressing calls of duty (such as the fortifying of his land against foreign enemies and the correcting of some great internal abuses) he engaged in this good work of diffusing light and knowledge through all classes of the community In like manner the sovereign of this kingdom has scarcely had time to repair the ravages of war and to establish his empire too long weakened and impoverished by a cruel usurpation before he stands forth as the friend and father of his people and more especially of that portion of them who have in every age and place been most treated with neglect and

disdain to have them educated in scriptural knowledge and in the fear of God It is much to be lamented that the Jewish people have not in general been so attentive either to the learning or morals of their children as might be wished and hence arose a necessity for some authoritative admonition on the subject Yet if I may say it without offence this neglect has not been more reprehensible in them than has been the indifference with which the Christian world has regarded it The monarch (may God recompense it richly into his bosom) has risen up to remedy the supineness both of the one and the other and to call forth the united energies of all to correct and terminate this evil Yet whilst he thus consults the best interests of his subjects with what paternal tenderness has he guarded against wounding the feelings of any or exciting their religious prejudices The Scriptures of the Old Testament are alone to be used in the schools that shall be established even those Scriptures which Jews as well as Christians believe to have been given by inspiration of God and to contain truth without any mixture of error In this is marked the policy no less than the benevolence of the edict for it is not by constraint but by conciliation and kindness that good is to be done to any and more especially to those who have shewn themselves now for so many centuries proof against all the efforts of intimidation or force In this kingdom they form no small body and I may add no unimportant portion of the community It is well known how extensive is their influence in the affairs of commerce and how by their activity they contribute to enrich the state Hence it is now generally seen and felt that they are entitled to the same respect as any other subjects of the realm and whilst as in the present instance they see how deeply their monarch feels interested in their welfare they cannot but on their part be sensible of the privileges they enjoy under his paternal government and testify their gratitude to him by every possible expression of loyalty and affection

What the ultimate effect of these measures will be may be conjectured from the blessed results of the edict of Jehoshaphat all will feel themselves happy under the government of such a prince and he whilst he is respected abroad and beloved at home will have the happiness of seeing his labours crowned with prosperity throughout his dominions and with peace in his own soul

II The manner in which Jehoshaphatrsquos edict was carried into execution is now to be noticedmdash

The promptness with which his commands were executed deserves the highest praise All were ready to co-operate in this good work as soon as it was proposed ldquoPrinces and priests and Levites [ote ver 7 8]rdquo all addressed themselves to it instantly with one heart and one soul one accounted their dignity so high or their functions so sacred but they thought it an honour to be employed in such a service and found a delight in fulfilling the wishes of their revered monarch all entered into the work with zeal and prosecuted it with diligence and hence a rapid change was effected both in the temporal and spiritual condition of the whole nation And what may not be effected in this kingdom also if a similar zeal be exercised by ldquothe princes and priestsrdquo (the magistrates and clergy) of the land With them it must begin Those who move in a lower station can effect nothing if they be not aided and

countenanced by the higher orders whose rank in life or sacredness of character will give a tone to the general feeling and combine the energies of the whole kingdom If it be said that those for whom the benefit is designed do not feel a desire after it this only shews how much they need it and how earnestly we should all embark in a cause proposed by such high authority and recommended by the soundest dictates of wisdom and piety

That our obligations to unite in this labour of love may the more distinctly appear I would beg leave to suggest the following considerations

First Loyalty to the king demands our concurrence with him in this good work and a holy emulation amongst us to carry into effect his benevolent designs What can the greatest or best of men effect (what could Jehoshaphat himself have done) if there be none to act in subserviency to them and to follow their directions As the most potent monarch upon earth would in vain proclaim war if there were no soldiers found to enlist under his banners and to execute his commands so it will be in vain that the design of benefiting the Jewish people was ever conceived in the mind of the king or that his edict respecting them was ever issued if his subjects do not put forth their energies in obedience to his call In truth a backwardness to co-operate with him in this blessed work would seem like a reflection cast upon him as recommending a measure that was unworthy of attention I do not mean to insinuate that such an idea really exists in the minds of any for I am perfectly convinced it does not but certainly in appearance it is open to this construction and every subject of the empire is concerned to act in such a way as to cut off all occasion for a reflection like this I say loyalty alone even if we had no higher motive should be sufficient to call forth our exertions in this cause

But let me next observe that gratitude to the Jewish nation demands it at our hands How great how manifold are our obligations to them Behold Moses and the prophets what instruction have they given us in reference to the way of life and salvation Without the moral law as revealed by Moses we should never have known to what an extent we need a Saviour nor if the prophecies had not so fully designated the promised Messiah could we have ever so fully known that Jesus was the Christ Of whom did the Lord Jesus Christ himself come as pertaining to the flesh but from the loins of David and of the seed of Abraham Yet to him are we indebted for all that we either have or hope for in time or in eternity And who were the Apostles but Jews who for our sakes went forth preaching the word and counted not their lives dear to them so that they might but lead us to the knowledge of Christ and make us partakers of his salvation From them too we have received the lively oracles which are the one source of all spiritual knowledge and the one foundation of all our hopes Does all this call for no recompence at our hands Knowing as we do the vast importance of education should we not endeavour to impart it to those from whose ancestors we have received such innumerable such inestimable benefits Yet behold these are the people whom for many many centuries we have treated with more neglect and contempt than any other people upon the face of the earth the savages of the most distant climes have received more attention from us than they Surely it is high time that the Christian world awake to

a sense of their duty and begin to shew to the Jews somewhat of that love which their forefathers exercised towards us in our Gentile state We are debtors to them to a vast amount and it is high time that we begin to discharge our debt And how can we discharge it better than by enabling them to read and understand those very oracles which they have preserved with such fidelity and which testify so fully of their promised Messiah

Further A love to the rising generation should lead us to avail ourselves of the present opportunity to promote their welfaremdashIt is truly afflictive to see how low and degraded is the state of multitudes especially of the Jewish nation purely through the neglect with which they are treated in their early youth and still more grievous is it to reflect on their ignorance of those things which belong to their everlasting peace To counteract this we should endeavour to qualify the whole of their population for good and useful employments and through the medium of useful instruction to make them holy and to make them happy We need never be afraid that there will not be a sufficient number of poor to fill the lower stations do what we will there will never be wanting persons who through their own fault or misfortunes are necessitated to undertake the lowest offices of life And if they have been previously instructed in the Scriptures of Truth they will have a fund of consolation ever open to them in their deepest afflictions they will learn from the inspired volume in whatsoever state they are there-with to be content and in the prospect of the eternal world they will find joys with which a stranger intermeddleth not and which the world can neither give nor take away We feel the force of these considerations in reference to the poor of our own communion how is it that we feel it not in reference to our Jewish Brethren This is a partiality unworthy of us and we should rise as one man to wipe off this disgrace from our own character

This brings me to the last consideration which I propose to mention namely that a concern for the honour of our holy religion should operate to unite us all in executing the Royal EdictmdashWhat must a Jew think of our religion when he sees how little it has wrought for us in the production of love We may tell him of a Messiah who has loved us and laid down his life for us but what credit will he give us for our principles when he sees how little our practice corresponds with them May he not well say to us ldquoPhysician heal thyselfrdquo Shew by your conduct the superiority of your principles before you call on me to embrace them It is by love that we must win them it is by shewing kindness to them that we must efface from their hearts those prejudices which with too much reason they entertain against us We must exhibit in our own person the loveliness of Christianity before we can bring them to investigate the grounds of our faith or to imagine that they can improve their own condition by embracing it May I not then call upon you as Christians to unite in the good work that is now before you that you may thereby serve and glorify your Lord and Saviour As Christians you believe that there is no other way to the Father but by Christ [ote John 146] and no other name but his whereby any human being can be saved [ote Acts 412] Where is your piety where is your love to Christ where is even common humanity if you will not avail yourselves of the present opportunity to remove from before your Jewish Brethren

the stumbling-blocks which for so many ages have been laid in their way

Do any ask What shall we do I answer search out amongst the Jews some persons of probity and talent to commence schools among them and do you yourselves aid to the utmost of your power in the support of them provide them with all necessary books for instructing children in the first rudiments of knowledge provide them with Bibles also both in the Dutch and Hebrew languages that they may be thoroughly instructed in the knowledge of their own religion and learn to walk in the steps of their father Abraham and of all the holy prophets

Begin too without loss of time Adult Schools You will find many among the house of Israel who will be glad to avail themselves of your instructions Let those who are benevolent amongst you dedicate an hour in a day to the instructing of a few who may be desirous to learn and carefully avoid every thing which may give unnecessary offence Confine yourselves to the Old Testament which they venerate as well as you Let those who can teach only in the Dutch language give instruction in that and let those who either understand or have leisure to attain the Hebrew tongue draw their attention to that In particular let it be the united endeavour of all to qualify masters for this good work

And let it not be thought that this is the duty of men only The Royal Edict has particularly and with great wisdom recommended it to females who may be of infinite service in conveying instruction to their own sex This age is distinguished above all others for the activity of females in the service of God and in the performance of every good work Were I able to declare the proportion of good that is done in Britain by the female sex it would appear incredible I believe from my soul that it far exceeds one half in all the societies raised since the commencement of the present century in the Bible Society the Missionary Societies and the Society for Promoting the Knowledge of Christianity amongst the Jews yes let the ladies of this country exert themselves in a prudent modest and discreet way and the effects will soon appear the Royal Edict will not be a dead letter but will produce incalculable good to the whole nationmdashand the agents in this benevolent work will themselves receive quite as much benefit as they impart their benevolence being in proportion as it is exercised its own reward

10 The fear of the Lord fell on all the kingdoms of the lands surrounding Judah so that they did not go to war against Jehoshaphat

GILL And the fear of the Lord fell upon all the kingdoms of the lands that were round about Judah Upon the ten tribes and on foreign nations about them as Moabites Edomites Syrians Egyptians Arabs and Philistines this fear as it came from the Lord so might be raised and increased by observing that religion was revived in them for they might perceive by former observations made that the more religious these people were the more prosperous and formidable they were

so that they made no war against Jehoshaphat to interrupt him in the work of reformation he was so intent upon

HERY We have here a further account of Jehoshaphats great prosperity and the flourishing state of his kingdom

I He had good interest in the neighbouring princes and nations Though he was not perhaps so great a soldier as David (which might have made him their terror) nor so great a scholar as Solomon (which might have made him their oracle) yet the fear of the Lord fell so upon them (that is God so influenced and governed their spirits) that they had all a reverence for him 2Ch_1710 And 1 None of them made war against himGods good providence so ordered it that while the princes and priests were instructing and reforming the country none of his neighbours gave him any molestations to take him off from that good work Thus when Jacob and his sons were going to worship at Bethel the terror of God was upon the neighbouring cities that they did not pursue after them Gen_355 and see Exo_3424 2 Many of them brought presents to him (2Ch_1711) to secure his friendship Perhaps these were a tribute imposed upon them by Asa who made himself master of the cities of the Philistines and the tents of the Arabians 2Ch_1414 2Ch_1415 With the 7700 rams and the same number of he-goats which the Arabians brought there was probably a proportionable number of ewes and lambs she-goats and kids

KampD This attempt of Jehoshaphat brought him this blessing that the terror of Jahve fell upon all the surrounding kingdoms and not only did none of the neighbouring peoples venture to make war upon him but also various tribes did homage to him by presents Ramb has already so understood the connection of these verses (erat hoc praemium pietatis Josaphati quod vicini satisque potentes hostes non auderent adversus ipsum hiscere) while Berth fails to apprehend it saying that Jehoshaphat had time to care for the instruction of his people because at that time the neighbouring peoples did not venture to undertake war against Judah The words ldquoterror of Jahverdquo cf 2Ch_1413 2Ch_2029 and ldquoall the kingdoms of the landsrdquo cf 2Ch_128 1Ch_2930 are expressions peculiar to the author of the Chronicle which show that by these remarks he is preparing the way for a transition to a more detailed

portrayal of Jehoshaphats political power מן־(לש)ים is subject מן partitive some of the

Philistines brought him presents (for מנחה see on 2Ch_175) ldquoand silver a burdenrdquo ie

in great quantity מא does not signify tribute vectigal argento (Vulg) for the word has

not that signification but denotes burden that which can be carried as in מא לאן

2Ch_2025 - 2Ch_2116 2Ch_221 ערבים 2Ch_267 and more usually ערב-ים or ערביאים

are Arabian nomadic tribes (Bedacircwin) perhaps those whom Asa after his victory over the Cushite Zerah had brought under the kingdom of Judah 2Ch_1414 These paid

their tribute in small cattle rams and he-goats (ישים( Gen_3035 Gen_3215 Pro_

3031)

BESO 2 Chronicles 1710 The fear of the Lord fell upon all the kingdoms ampc mdash Justly concluding from his singular piety that God would eminently appear for him for even the heathen could not but observe that the kings of Judah were either prosperous or unhappy according as they served God or forsook him So that they made no war against Jehoshaphat mdash Godrsquos good providence so ordered it that while the princes and priests were instructing and endeavouring to reform the country none of his neighbours gave him any molestation to take him off from that good work

COFFMA All of this peace and prosperity were directly due to the respect which Jehoshaphat had shown to the Law of God and to his efforts to teach that word to all the people It is no problem that much of the material here is omitted in Kings because the primary focus there was political whereas in Chronicles the focus is upon the spiritual and religious significance of the same history

TRAPP 2 Chronicles 1710 And the fear of the LORD fell upon all the kingdoms of the lands that [were] round about Judah so that they made no war against Jehoshaphat

Ver 10 And the fear of the Lord fell upon all the kingdoms] It is said [2 Chronicles 172] Jehoshaphat placed forces in all the fenced cities yet it is not said thereupon that the fear of the Lord fell upon the neighbour nations But when he had established a preaching ministry in all the cities then his enemies had a fear and made no war

POOLE Justly concluding from this singular piety that God would eminently appear for him and against all those who had ill will to him which was their case For even the heathens could not but observe that the kings of Judah were either prosperous or unhappy accordingly as they served God or forsook him

ELLICOTT (10) The fear of the LordmdashA dread of Jehovah (pachad) aps 2029 (Comp Exodus 1516 1 Samuel 117 Isaiah 210 ) This phrase is not peculiar to the chronicler as Keil and Bertheau assert ldquoThe kingdoms of the landsrdquo is so (2 Chronicles 128 1 Chronicles 2930)

They made no warmdashThe reward of Jehosha-phatrsquos piety (1 Chronicles 229

Proverbs 167) ldquoWhen a manrsquos ways please the Lord he maketh even his enemies to be at peace with himrdquo (Comp also Genesis 355)

11 Some Philistines brought Jehoshaphat gifts and silver as tribute and the Arabs brought him flocks seven thousand seven hundred rams and seven thousand seven hundred goats

BARES Some of the Philistines brought Jehoshaphat presents - i e ldquosome of the Philistines were among his tributariesrdquo Compare 2Sa_82 1Ki_421

Tribute silver - Or ldquomuch silverrdquo - literally ldquosilver of burthenrdquo

The Arabians - The Arab tribes who bordered Judaea to the south and the southeast paid Jehoshaphat a fixed tribute in kind Compare 2Ki_34 note

CLARKE The Philistines brought - presents - They and the Arabians purchased peace with the king of Judah by paying an annual tribute The Philistines brought silver and no doubt different kinds of merchandise The Arabs whose riches consisted in cattle brought him flocks in great abundance principally rams and he-goats

GILL Also some of the Philistines brought Jehoshaphat presents and tribute silver Perhaps those of Gerar and the parts adjacent Asa took and spoiled and made tributary 2Ch_1414

and the Arabians brought him flocks seven thousand and seven hundred rams and seven thousand and seven hundred he goats with which their country abounded and these might be the Scenite Arabs who fearing lest Jehoshaphat should fall upon them and take away their flocks as his father had done 2Ch_1415 brought these presents to him

JAMISO Also some of the Philistines brought Jehoshaphat presents and tribute silvermdash either they had been his tributaries or they were desirous of securing his valuable friendship and now made a voluntary offer of tribute Perhaps

they were the Philistines who had submitted to the yoke of David (2Sa_81 Psa_608)

the Arabiansmdash the nomad tribes on the south of the Dead Sea who seeking the protection of Jehoshaphat after his conquest of Edom paid their tribute in the way most suitable to their pastoral habits - the present of so many head of cattle

BESO 2 Chronicles 1711 Some of the Philistines brought presents mdash They had been subject to Judah ever since Davidrsquos time but it seems had neglected this duty in the times of his predecessors but were now moved by their own fears to perform it And the Arabians brought him flocks mdash Either because he had upon some just occasion waged war against them and subdued them or because they voluntarily put themselves under his protection in recompense whereof they sent him these presents or only as a free acknowledgment of their respect for him

TRAPP 2 Chronicles 1711 Also [some] of the Philistines brought Jehoshaphat presents and tribute silver and the Arabians brought him flocks seven thousand and seven hundred rams and seven thousand and seven hundred he goats

Ver 11 Also some of the Philistines] These having been subdued by David had withheld their tribute for a time but now seeing Jehoshaphatrsquos growing greatness they bring it in with the better that no offence might be taken at their former neglect The word here used signifieth honorary gifts or oblations pacifications

ldquo Placatur donis Iupiter ipse datis rdquo

Think the same of the Arabians See 2 Chronicles 1414-15

POOLE Some of the Philistines who had been subjects to this kingdom ever since Davidrsquos time but it seems had neglected this duty in the times of his predecessors but now were moved by their own fears to perform it

The Arabians brought him flocks either because he had upon some just occasion waged war against them and subdued them though the particulars of it be not described in Scripture or because they voluntarily put themselves under his protection in recompence whereof they sent him those presents or only as a free acknowledgment of their respects to him

ELLICOTT (11) Broughtmdashie continually Such is the force of the participle

PresentsmdashAn offering ie tribute (minchah 2 Chronicles 175)

And tribute silvermdashRather and silver a load or burden ie a great quantity (massacircrsquo) 2 Chronicles 2025 As if ldquosilver as much as they could carryrdquomdasha natural hyperbole ot all the five states of the Philistines were subject to Jehoshaphat (Comp 2 Samuel 81)

The ArabiansmdashlsquoArbicircrsquoim here only equivalent to lsquoArbicircyicircm (2 Chronicles 267) and

lsquoArbim (2 Chronicles 2116) They are in each case grouped with the Philistines The nomad Bedacircwin conquered by Asa (2 Chronicles 1415) appear to be meant here or else some tribes which recognised the overlordship of Jehoshaphat after his reduction of Edom (2 Chronicles 2022 sqq)

Brought him flocksmdashComp Mesha of Moabrsquos tribute to Ahab (2 Kings 34)

GUZIK 2 (2 Chronicles 1711-19) The international strength of Jehoshaphatrsquos kingdom

Also some of the Philistines brought Jehoshaphat presents and silver as tribute and the Arabians brought him flocks seven thousand seven hundred rams and seven thousand seven hundred male goats So Jehoshaphat became increasingly powerful and he built fortresses and storage cities in Judah He had much property in the cities of Judah and the men of war mighty men of valor were in Jerusalem These are their numbers according to their fathersrsquo houses Of Judah the captains of thousands Adnah the captain and with him three hundred thousand mighty men of valor and next to him was Jehohanan the captain and with him two hundred and eighty thousand and next to him was Amasiah the son of Zichri who willingly offered himself to the LORD and with him two hundred thousand mighty men of valor Of Benjamin Eliada a mighty man of valor and with him two hundred thousand men armed with bow and shield and next to him was Jehozabad and with him one hundred and eighty thousand prepared for war These served the king besides those the king put in the fortified cities throughout all Judah

a Some of the Philistines brought Jehoshaphat presents and silver as tribute and the Arabians brought him flocks Jehoshaphatrsquos commitment to personal and public godliness meant that God exalted his kingdom above the neighboring nations even as God promised in Deuteronomy 281-13

b These served the king The true treasure of Jehoshaphatrsquos kingdom was not numbered only in security or material things but also in the dedicated and courageous men he had surrounding him these mighty men of valor

i Amasiah the son of Zichri who willingly offered himself to the LORD ldquoAmasiah is a man of whom we do not know anything beyond this ndash he lsquowillingly offered himself unto the Lordrsquo There must have been a turning-point in his career a time when first he knew the grace of God which wrought such a change in him There must have been a waking up to the feeling that God deserved his love and his liferdquo (Spurgeon)

ii Amasiah was a ready servant of the Lord this particularly notable because he did it in an otherwise secular calling

middot o one had to press him into service

middot o one had to seek him out for service

middot o one had to look after him once he had begun serving

middot o one had to lead him

iii ldquoThere is no lawful occupation in which a man cannot thoroughly serve the Lord It is a great privilege and blessing to be set apart to the work of winning souls but we must never separate that work from all the rest of the callings of life as though it alone were sacred and all the rest were secular and almost sinful Serve God where you arerdquo (Spurgeon)

PULPIT The presents were probably enough in the nature of tribute the fixed rate of which is sometimes alluded to (1 Kings 421 1 Kings 1025 2 Samuel 82) but it is doubtful whether the word משא purports to say this The word means bearing or carrying and then a burden load or weight The expression (2 Chronicles 2025) more than they could carry away where this word is used favours the idea that the meaning here is silver of great weight Probably the moral significance and historical interest whether of this statement respecting the Philistines or the following respecting the Arabians lies in the fact that both of them brought without more ado their payments and did not seek to slip out of their engagements with Judah and Judahs king ote for confirmation of this view 2 Kings 34 2 Kings 35

12 Jehoshaphat became more and more powerful he built forts and store cities in Judah

GILL And Jehoshaphat waxed great exceedingly In wealth and riches power and authority in his forces and fortifications

and he built in Judah castles and cities of stores castles for the defence of his kingdom and store cities to lay up corn and wine and all provisions in case of an invasion or against a time of war

HERY II He had a very considerable stores laid up in the cities of Judah He pulled down his barns and built larger (2Ch_1712) castles and cities of store for arms and victuals He was a man of business and aimed at the public good in all his

undertakings either to preserve the peace or prepare for war

JAMISO 2Ch_1712-19 His greatness captains and armies

KampD Description of Jehoshaphats power - 2Ch_1712 And Jehoshaphat became

ever greater sc in power The partic הולך expresses the continuous advance in

greatness cf Ew sect280 b as the infin absol does elsewhere eg Gen_83 למעלה as עד

in 2Ch_1612 - He built castles in Judah ירנ-ות only here and in 2Ch_274 from ירנית

derivative formed from ירה by the Syriac termination נית- fem of ן- castle fortress On

מסנות cf 2Ch_84 ערי

TRAPP 2 Chronicles 1712 And Jehoshaphat waxed great exceedingly and he built in Judah castles and cities of store

Ver 12 And Jehoshaphat waxed great exceedingly] Heb He was going and growing By humility and the fear of the Lord are riches and honour and life [Proverbs 224]

And he built in Judah castles] Bironeoth πυργους turres So did the Burgundians and thence had their names

And cities of store] Granaries in the Hebrew they have their name from their utility or usefulness

ELLICOTT (12) And Jehoshaphat waxed greatmdashLiterally And Jehoshaphat was going on and waxing great ie became greater and greater (Comp 1 Chronicles 119)

ExceedinglymdashlsquoAd lĕmagraversquolah This phrase occurs again in 2 Chronicles 1612 2 Chronicles 268 and nowhere else in the Old Testament (See on 1 Chronicles 142)

And he builtmdashLike his predecessorsmdashSolomon Rehoboam Asamdashhe displayed his wealth and power in great public works The records of the Assyrian and Babylonian sovereigns are largely taken up with similar accounts of temple and palace building

CastlesmdashBiranicircyocircth a derivative from birah (1 Chronicles 291 1 Chronicles 2919 comp Syriac here birocircthocirc) It only recurs at 2 Chronicles 274 It is an Aramaic term (Comp bicircranyacircthacirc which in the Targums means ldquopalacesrdquo)

Cities of storesmdashComp 2 Chronicles 84 2 Chronicles 164 Exodus 111

PULPIT Castles This rendering better than palaces (margin) wound bear improving to the rather stronger word fortresses Hebrew בירניות found only here and in 2 Chronicles 274 plur of בירנית connected with the Chaldee and later Hebrew בירה of Ezra 62 ehemiah 11 Esther 12 Daniel 82 Cities of store (see note under 2 Chronicles 84 see also 1 Kings 919 Exodus 111)

13 and had large supplies in the towns of Judah He also kept experienced fighting men in Jerusalem

CLARKE He hadmuch business in the cities - He kept the people constantly employed they had wages for their work and by their labors the empire was both enriched and strengthened

GILL And he had much business in the cities of Judah Partly in fortifying them and partly in reforming the inhabitants of them

and the men of war mighty men of valour were in Jerusalem or by or near unto it so the particle is rendered Jos_513 they encamped in places adjacent to it for such a number of men as follows even 1160000 could never be contained in Jerusalem but must be disposed of in the territories of it nor did they wait on the king together but in course see 2Ch_1719 by which it appears there is no need to suppose any mistake of the transcriber in any or all of the following sums as has been suggested (q)

HERY 13-19 III He had the militia in good order It was never in better since David modelled it Five lord-lieutenants (if I may so call them) are here named with the numbers of those under their command (the serviceable men that were fit for war in their respective districts) three in Judah and two in Benjamin It is said of one of these great commanders Amasiah that he willingly offered himself unto the Lord (2Ch_1716) not only to the king to serve him in this post but to the Lord to glorify him in it He was the most eminent among them for religion he accepted the place not for the

honour or power or profit of it but for conscience sake towards God that he might serve his country It was usual for great generals then to offer of their spoils to the Lord 1Ch_2626 But this good man offered himself first to the Lord and then his dedicated things The number of the soldiers under these five generals amounts to 1160000 men a vast number for so small a compass of ground as Judahs and Benjamins lot to furnish out and maintain Abijah could bring into the field but 400000 (2Ch_133) Asa not 600000 (2Ch_148) yet Jehoshaphat has at command almost 1200000 But it must be considered 1 That God had promised to make the seed of Abraham like the sand of the sea for number 2 There had now been a long peace 3 We may suppose that the city of Jerusalem was very much enlarged 4 Many had come over to them from the kingdom of Israel (2Ch_1519) which would increase the numbers of the people 5 Jehoshaphat was under a special blessing of God which made his affairs to prosper greatly The armies we may suppose were dispersed all the country over and each man resided for the most part on his own estate but they appeared often to be mustered and trained and were ready at call whenever there was occasion The commanders waited on the king (2Ch_1719) as officers of his court privy-counsellors and ministers of state

But lastly observe It was not this formidable army that struck a terror upon the neighbouring nations that restrained them from attempting any thing against Israel or obliged them to pay tribute but the fear of God which fell upon them when Jehoshaphat reformed his country and set up a preaching ministry in it 2Ch_1710 The ordinances of God are more the strength and safety of a kingdom than its military force - its men of God more than its men of war

KampD 2Ch_1713

וגווגווגווגו רהרהרהרה is rightly translated by Luther ldquound hatte viel Vorrathsrdquo (and ומלעכהומלעכהומלעכהומלעכה

had much store) מלעכהמלעכהמלעכהמלעכה denotes here as in Exo_227-10 property that which has been gained by work or business The signification much work opera magna (Vulg Cler etc) as also Bertheaus translation ldquothe works for equipping and provisioning the fortressesrdquo correspond neither to the context nor to the parallel (synonymous) second member of the verse The work and trouble necessary to equip the cities of Judah does not correspond to ldquothe valiant warriors in Jerusalemrdquo the only parallel is the goods and property which were in these cities the provision of victuals and war material there stored up

BESO 2 Chronicles 1713 He had much business in the cities of Judah mdash To repair and fortify them and furnish them with provisions and to purge out all the relics of idolatry and injustice which were more secretly and craftily managed in the cities than in the country and which were first and most prevalent in the cities and thence spread their infection into the country around them

TRAPP 2 Chronicles 1713 And he had much business in the cities of Judah and the men of war mighty men of valour [were] in Jerusalem

Ver 13 And he had much business] Eργα πολλα (a) Many works going forward at

once a negotious man he was His business say some lay in beautifying and fortifying those cities Augustus gloried at his death that whereas he had found Rome built with brick he had left it made of marble

And the men of war hellip were in Jerusalem] These were his Praetorian forces his Praesidiaries were up and down in the various cities

POOLE He had much business in the cities of Judah partly to repair and fortify them and furnish them with all necessary provisions and partly to purge out all the relies and seeds of idolatry and injustice which were more secretly and subtlely managed in the cities than in the country and which were first and most in the cities and thence spread their infection into the country about them See Jeremiah 228

ELLICOTT (13) BusinessmdashRather much goods or stores literally work (mĕlacirckacirch) and then produce The Hebrew word is so used in Exodus 227 Exodus 2210 (ldquoHis neighbourrsquos goodsrdquo) Stores of provisions and war material seem to be intended (Comp 2 Chronicles 1111)

And the man of war were in JerusalemmdashRather and (he had) men of war in Jerusalem

In Jerusalemmdashot the entire army corps whose numbers are given in 2 Chronicles 1714-18 but simply their chiefs

PULPIT Much business Hebrew מלאכה The meaning of the word is service labour bestowed and the verse reads And there was to him much labour in the cities of Judah and men of war mighty men of valour in Jerusalem ie He bestoweth much pains on the cities of Judah and had etc The word were Authorized Version italics is incorrectly inserted The former half of this verse would better constitute the end of 2 Chronicles 1712 Keil however maintains the rendering substance property for מלאכה (Exodus 227 Exodus 2210)

14 Their enrollment by families was as followsFrom Judah commanders of units of 1000Adnah the commander with 300000 fighting men

BARES The captains of thousands Adnah the chief - literally ldquoprinces of thousands Adnah the princerdquo The writer does not mean that Adnah (or Johohanan 2Ch_1715) was in any way superior to the other ldquoprincesrdquo but only that he was one of them

Three hundred thousand - This number and those which follow in 2Ch_1715-18 have been with good reason regarded as corrupt by most critics For

(1) They imply a minimum population of 1480 to the square mile which is more than three times greater than that of any country in the known world (circa 1880rsquos)

(2) they produce a total just double that of the next largest estimate of the military force of Judah the 580 000 of 2Ch_148

(3) they are professedly a statement not of the whole military force but of the force maintained at Jerusalem (2Ch_1713 compare 2Ch_1719)

It is probable that the original numbers have been lost and that the loss was suppplied by a scribe who took 2Ch_148 as his basis

CLARKE Adnah the chief - He was generalissimo of all this host These are the numbers of the five battalions under Adnah three hundred thousand Jehohanan two hundred and eighty thousand Amasiah two hundred thousand Eliada two hundred thousand Jehozabad one hundred and eighty thousand in all one million one hundred and sixty thousand

GILL And these are the numbers of them according to the house of their fathers Both of the tribe of Judah and of Benjamin and first

of Judah the captains of thousands some had 1000 men under them and some one hundred

Adnah the chief he was the principal commander or general of them

and with him mighty men of valour three hundred thousand such a number was under his command

JAMISO these are the numbersmdash The warriors were arranged in the army according to their fathers houses The army of Jehoshaphat commanded by five great generals and consisting of five unequal divisions comprised one million one hundred and sixty thousand men without including those who garrisoned the fortresses No monarch since the time of Solomon equaled Jehoshaphat in the extent of his revenue in the strength of his fortifications and in the number of his troops

KampD 2Ch_1714-16

The men fit for war passed in review according to their fathers-houses The male population of Judah fell into three divisions that of Benjamin into two The prince

Adnah held the first place among the generals with 300000 men of Judah ידו at his על

hand ie with and under him Jehohanan had the command of 280000 men and

Amasiah over 200000 השר is a contraction for אלפים For what special reason it is so שר

honourably recorded of Amasiah that he had willingly offered himself to the Lord (cf for

Jdg_59) has not been communicated התנב

COFFMA his represented a standing army of 1160000 men besides the garrisons in the fortified cities and this goes a long way to explaining why the Arabians and the Philistines brought tribute to Jehoshaphat In ancient times as in our own day peace frequently depended upon the strength of those who desired it

We should ignore the screams of exaggeration[3] which mark the writings of radical critics Pagan rulers of that era reported even larger armies than this and until the critics can prove that those were exaggerated reports they should let these alone Besides that we have already noted that the very word from which thousand is translated is disputed as to its exact meaning

COKE 2 Chronicles 1714 And these are the numbers of themmdash That is of the soldiers as well as of those who were employed in the kings works in the several cities ampc which he built See 2 Chronicles 1719

REFLECTIOSmdash1st Jehoshaphat no sooner comes to the throne than we see the dawnings of a glorious reign

1 He strengthened his kingdom by placing strong garrisons in the cities of Judah and those which his father had recovered from Israel and prepared against that danger which Ahabs growing power seemed to threaten

2 Religion was his great concern He copied after the best of his predecessors in their best days such as were the first of David before the matter of Uriah and the numbering of the people had blotted his fair copy Faithful to the worship of God he abhorred all idols the law of God was his rule of duty and Israels apostacy rendered his fidelity more singular and exemplary Inspired with holy zeal his heart with delight and sincerity was engaged for God and no difficulties deterred him from the path of duty The idols and groves which in the declining days of Asa might have been set up again he utterly destroyed with all the high places where they still offered sacrifices to these abominations ote (1) In the fairest human pattern there will be found imperfections but there is a Son of David more than man who has set us a spotless example that we should follow his steps (2) Fidelity in Gods service is the stability of a nation (3) A lively soul on wings of faith and love mounts up to God rises superior to every difficulty and looks down upon every thing besides his favour as altogether vanity

3 He not only removed the temptations to sin but took care to instruct the people in

the path of duty Ignorance of Gods law had greatly prevailed and to oblige them merely to conform to his reformation without grounding them on the true foundation of Gods word promised little stability The Levites and priests therefore are sent in progress through the cities of Judah with the book of the law to explain and enforce the commandments of God and several princes accompanied them in order to engage the people to hear them and give countenance to these preachers by their weight and influence ote (1) It is a blessed thing when princes countenance faithful ministers Though they cannot make men true converts their example and authority will induce them to attend (2) They who are sent to teach must see that they take the pure word of God along with them A true preacher wishes for nothing in his hand but his Bible (3) Religion is a reasonable service Conviction alone not compulsion or education can make a man a christian

4 The blessing of God attended his labours The Lord was with him or as the Targum generally expresses it the word of the Lord the divine Logos to whom all things are committed strengthened him in his labours and established his kingdom The people charmed with his government liberally sent their presents to him and abounding in riches and honour his heart far from being intoxicated by prosperity was lifted up in greater love and thankfulness to the gracious giver ote (1) God often here rewards piety with prosperity (2) Worldly comforts are then truly blessings when as the steps of Jacobs ladder they raise our hearts to heaven

2nd Like the light of the morning which shineth more and more so did Jehoshaphats glory increase

1 Feared by his enemies as beloved by his subjects the neighbouring princes did not offer to molest him while those of Philistia and Arabia courted his favour either by a voluntary present or exact payment of the tribute which Asa had imposed on them see 2 Chronicles 1711 God had put an awe upon them of the majesty of his king in Zion ote God hath access to the spirits of men and by secret yet irresistible influence can bow them to his sovereign will

2 His military preparations greatly advanced While he reformed the people he fortified their ramparts and built new castles and store-cities strengthening them within and without against their enemies Under five chief officers an immense army was enlisted Probably all the able men in the country were enrolled and regularly mustered though not drawn out except in case of necessity and this may easily account for the greatness of their number if we consider also the long peace they had enjoyed the accession of Israelites to them and especially the blessing of Abraham which no doubt was eminently fulfilled Amasiah one of the officers is mentioned with an honourable mark of distinction as a volunteer who served for the glory of God not for the sake of pay Such patriots are scarce

TRAPP 2 Chronicles 1714 And these [are] the numbers of them according to the house of their fathers Of Judah the captains of thousands Adnah the chief and

with him mighty men of valour three hundred thousand

Ver 14 Three hundred thousand] These were under his command and at hand to come whensoever the king would

WHEDO 14 Three hundred thousand mdash The numbers in this verse and the four verses following are generally regarded as corrupt ldquoThey implyrdquo observes the writer last quoted ldquoa minimum population of 1480 to the square mile which is more than three times greater than that of any country in the known world It is probable that the original numbers have been lost and the loss supplied by a scribe who took 2 Chronicles 148 as his basis

ELLICOTT Verse 14 (14) And these their fathersmdashAnd this is their muster (or census) according to their father-houses (clans) 1 Chronicles 243 The warriors were marshalled in the army according to clans so that men of the same stock fought side by side with their kindred Perhaps in the original document this heading was followed by a much more detailed scheme of names and divisions than that which the text presents

Of JudahmdashTo Judah (belonged) captains of thousands viz the three enumerated in 2 Chronicles 1714-16 Adnah Jehohanan and Amasiah They were the principal officers or generals of the entire forces of Judah

Adnah the chiefmdashTo wit the captain Adnah That Adnah was commander-in-chief is implied by his being named first and his corps being the largest

PULPIT This verse with the following four gives us the names of five captains chiefs princes or military officers for the kingdoms service with the numbers of the troops they severally commanded The numbers of them (see note under 1 Chronicles 2311) Hebrew פקדתם The better English rendering to carry at once the signification would be The muster of them etc The captains hellip the chief In both cases the Hebrew is the familiar word for prince ( שר ) in the former without article in the latter with article The numbers of this and following four verses are not only absolutely unreliable but in themselves impossible According to the house of their fathers ie the quotation is drawn from an army catalogue arranged carefully by fathers houses (umbers 118 umbers 122 etc)

15 next Jehohanan the commander with 280000

GILL And next to him was Jehohanan the captain Being of the same rank as to office but having a lesser number of men under him and it may respect not any kind of subordination only nearness of place as the Targumhe that encamped next to him

and with him two hundred and fourscore thousand which number was but 20000 less than the former

POOLE ext to him either

1 After his death as his successor in the same command And the like is supposed concerning Jehozabad 2 Chronicles 1718 Or rather

2 ext to him in place and authority or at least in power and the numbers of his host

16 next Amasiah son of Zikri who volunteered himself for the service of the Lord with 200000

GILL And next him was Amasiah the son of Zichri He encamped next to him as the Targum

who willingly offered himself unto the Lord to fight the Lords battles and without any stipend as some think or as Kimchi he offered gold and silver to the treasures of the house of the Lord

and with him two hundred thousand mighty men of valour the number was 80000 less than the former the whole of Judah amounted to 780000 men

TRAPP 2 Chronicles 1716 And next him [was] Amasiah the son of Zichri who willingly offered himself unto the LORD and with him two hundred thousand mighty men of valour

Ver 16 Who willingly offered himself unto the Lord] He was a votary the vows of God were upon him and this made him the more valiant and resolute (a) in the exercise of arms for the service of God and the safety of his people The Spahis among the Turks are a sort of horsemen voluntaries and votaries to gain paradise by dying for the Mohammedan cause These are never known to return home but

with victory these are heavy upon the enemy For

ldquo Vincitur haud gratis iugulo qui provocat ensem rdquo

POOLE As volunteers and auxiliaries to be ready upon occasion as the service of God and the king should require Possibly these or most of them were the strangers which had come out of Israel into the kingdom of Judah in Asarsquos days and probably since that in his time

ELLICOTT (16) AmasiahmdashIah carrieth (Isaiah 4011) different from Amaziah (Iah is strong)

Who willingly offered himself unto the Lordmdash(Judges 52 Judges 59) An allusion to some noble act of self-devotion which was doubtless more fully recorded in the source from which the chronicler has drawn this brief account Such allusions though no longer intelligible are important as conducing to the proof of the historical value of the narratives in which they occur LXX ὁ προθυmicroούmicroενος τῷ κυρίῳ Vulg consecratus Domino

PULPIT Amaziah the son of Zichri This man is not titled at all The description of him as one who had willingly offered himself unto the Lord not elucidated by the context or any effective parallel will mark something honorable in his history Possibly he comes from an unexpected quarter and is a man of approved skill othing further is known of these three men Meantime it has been suggested (Professor Dr J Murphy of Belfast Handbook to Chronicles ) that the first of the three was for Judah proper the second for that contingent of Judah that hailed from Dan and the Philistines and the third for that of Simeon and the Arabs

MACLARE This is a scrap from the catalogue of Jehoshaphatrsquos lsquomighty men of valourrsquo and is Amasiahrsquos sole record We see him for a moment and hear his eulogium and then oblivion swallows him up We do not know what it was that he did to earn it But what a fate to live to all generations by that one sentence

I Cheerful self-surrender the secret of all religion

The words of our text contain a metaphor naturally drawn from the sacrificial system It comes so easily to us that we scarcely recognise the metaphorical element but the clear recognition of it gives great additional energy to the words Amasiah was both sacrificer and sacrifice His offering was self-immolation As in all love so in that noblest kind of it which clasps God its perfect expression is lsquoI give Thee my living loving selfrsquo Nor is it only sacrifice and sacrificer that are seen in deepest truth in the experience of the Christian life but the reality of the Temple is also there for lsquoYe also are built up a spiritual house to be a holy priesthood to offer up spiritual sacrificesrsquo Only when God dwells in us shall we have the nerve and the firmness of hand to take the knife and lsquoslay before the Lordrsquo the awful Guest in the sanctuary within the most precious of the children of our spirits

The essence of the sacrifice of self is the sacrifice of will In the Christian experience

lsquowillingly offeredrsquo is almost tautology for unwilling offerings are a contradiction and in fact there are no such things The quality of unwillingness destroys the character of the offering and robs it of all sacredness Reluctant Christianity is not Christianity That noun and that adjective can never be buckled together

The submission of will and the consequent surrender of myself and my powers opportunities and possessions so that I do all enjoy all use all and when need is endure all with glad thankful reference to God is only possible to me in the measure in which my will is made flexible by love and such will-subduing love comes only when we lsquoknow and believe the love that God hath to usrsquo There is the point at which not a few moral and religious teachers go wrong and bewilder themselves and their disciples There too is the point at which Christ and the Gospel of salvation through faith in Him stand forth as emancipating humanity from the dreary round of efforts and vain attempts to work up the condition needful for achieving the height of self-surrender which is seen to be indispensable to all true nobleness of living but is felt to be beyond the reach of the ordinary man There too is the point at which many good people mar their lives as Christians They waste their strength in trying to bring the jibbing horse up to the leap They try to blow up a fire of devotion and to make themselves priests to offer themselves but all the while the mutinous self recoils from the leap and the fire burns smokily and their sacrifice is laid on the altar with little joy because they have not been careful and wise enough to begin at the beginning and to follow Godrsquos way of melting their wills by love the reflection of the Infinite love of God to them Godrsquos priests offer themselves because they offer their wills they offer their wills because they love God they love God because they know that God loves them That is the divine order It is vain to try to accomplish the end by any other

II This willing offering hallows all life

No syllable is left to tell us what Amasiah did to win this praise Probably the words enshrine some now forgotten memory of his cheerful courage some heroic feat on an unrecorded battlefield Particulars are not given nor needed Specific actions are unimportant the spirit of a life can be told with very incomplete details and it not the details is the important thing Sometimes as in many modern biographies one lsquocannot see the wood for the treesrsquo and misses the main drift and aim of a life in the chaos of a bewildering mass of nothings How much more happy the lot of this man of whom we have only the generalised expression of the text unweighted and undisturbed by petty incidents It takes tons of rose leaves to make a tiny phial of otto of roses but the fragrance is far more pungent in a drop of the distillation than in armfuls of leaves Every life shrinks into very small compass and the centuries do not tolerate long biographies Shall we not seek to order our life so that Amasiahrsquos epitaph may serve for us It will be blessed if this-and nothing else-is known about us that we lsquowillingly offered ourselves to the Lordrsquo My friend will that be a true epitome of your life

III This willing offering is accepted by God

We may hear a mightier voice behind the chroniclerrsquo s and the judgment of the Judge of all pronounced by His lips It matters little what men say of one another but it matters everything what God says of us We are but too apt to forget that He is now saying something as to each of us and that we have not to wait for death to put a final period to our activities before our lives become fit subjects for Godrsquos judgment Moment by moment we are writing our own sentences But while it is good for us to remember the continuous judgment of God on each deed it is not good to let dark thoughts of the principles of that judgment paralyse our activity or chill our confidence in His forgiving and accepting mercy There is often a dark suspicion like that of the one-talented

servant which blackens Godrsquos fair fame as being lsquoan austere Manrsquo making demands rather than imparting power and the effect of such an ugly conception of Him is to cut the nerve of service and bury the talent carefully folded up it may be but none the less earning nothing lsquoIf we call on Him as Father who without respect of persons judgeth according to every manrsquos workrsquo let us be sure that it will be a Fatherly judgment that He will pass upon us and our offerings There is a wonderful collection on His altar of what many people would think rubbish just as many a mother has laid away among her treasures some worthless article which her child had once given her-a weed plucked by the roadside in a long past summer day some trifle of rare preciousness in the childrsquos eyes and of none in any others than her own She opens her drawer and brings out the poor little thing and her eyes fill and her heart fills as she looks And does not God keep His childrenrsquos gifts as lovingly and set them in places of honour in the day when He lsquomakes up His jewelsrsquo There are cups of cold water and widowsrsquo mites and much else that a supercilious world would call lsquotrashrsquo stored there Thank God He accepts imperfect service faltering faith partial consecration a little love Even our poor offering may be an lsquoodour of a sweet smellrsquo ministering fragrance that is a delight to Him if it is offered with the much incense of the great Sacrifice and through the mediation of the great High Priest

The world forgot Amasiah or never knew him an obscure soldier in an obscure kingdom but God did not forget and here is his epitaph and this is his memorial to all generations Menrsquos chronicles have no room for all the names that their wearers are eager to have inscribed on their crumbling and crowded pages lsquobut the Lambrsquos Book of Lifersquo has ample space on its radiant pages for all who desire to set their names there and if ours are there we need not envy the proudest whose titles and deeds fill the most conspicuous pages in the worldrsquos records lsquoThen shall every man have praise of Christrsquo and he who wins that guerdon needs nothing more and can have nothing more to swell his blessedness

17 From BenjaminEliada a valiant soldier with 200000 men armed with bows and shields

GILL And of Benjamin Eliada a mighty man of valour Was the chief commander

and with armed men with bow and shield two hundred thousand which were

the armour of the tribe of Benjamin they were best skilled in 2Ch_148

TRAPP 2 Chronicles 1717 And of Benjamin Eliada a mighty man of valour and with him armed men with bow and shield two hundred thousand

Ver 17 With bow and shield] The Benjamites were notable bowmen [1 Chronicles 122] The Engish were anciently so too

ELLICOTT (17) Armed men with bow and shieldmdashLiterally drawing bow and shield ie as the Targum explains ldquodrawing bow and grasping shieldsrdquo (Comp 1 Chronicles 122) LXX ldquoArchers and peltastsrdquo Vulg ldquoGrasping bow and shieldrdquo (Comp also 1 Chronicles 840 for the arms of the Benjaminites)

18 next Jehozabad with 180000 men armed for battle

GILL And next to him was Jehozabad According to the Targum he encamped next him

and with him one hundred and fourscore thousand ready prepared for war being able bodied men well disciplined valiant and well armed these numbers of Judah and Benjamin put together amount to 1160000 men whereas Asa only brought into the field 580000 but it should be considered there had been a long time of peace many had come off from the ten tribes to Judah and the promise of multiplying the seed of Abraham was eminently fulfilled

TRAPP 2 Chronicles 1718 And next him [was] Jehozabad and with him an hundred and fourscore thousand ready prepared for the war

Ver 18 A hundred and fourscore thousand] His militia was eleven hundred and threescore thousand besides what he had in garrisons [2 Chronicles 1719] So that as he was better he was stronger than his father Asa had been Piety hath prosperity

ELLICOTT (18) Ready prepared for the warmdashEquipped for service (See on 1

Chronicles 1223-24 umbers 315 umbers 3229) The hoplites or heavy-armed infantry are probably meant

PULPIT While Eliada of last verse was for Benjamin Professor Dr Murphy supposes that Jehozabad was for the annexed part of Ephraim But no suppositions of this kind can avail to explain the numbers in the text which is no doubt corrupt

19 These were the men who served the king besides those he stationed in the fortified cities throughout Judah

CLARKE These waited on the king - They were disposable forces always at the kingrsquos command and were independent of those by which the cities of Judah were garrisoned

There is not a sovereign in Europe or in the world but might read this chapter with advantage

1 It shows most forcibly that true religion is the basis of the state and that wherever it prospers there the state prospers

2 It shows also that it is the wisdom of kings to encourage religion with all their power and influence for if the hearts of the subjects be not bound and influenced by true religion vain is the application of laws fines imprisonments or corporal punishment of any kind

3 A religious nation is ever a great nation it is loved by its friends it is dreaded by its enemies

4 It is ever a peaceable and united nation the blessings of religion and a wholesome and paternal government are so fully felt and prized that all find it their interest to preserve and defend them Harmony peace piety and strength are the stability of such times May Britain know and value them

GILL These waited on the king Not this vast number of men at one time but in course as Davids military men waited on him 1Ch_271 or each of these captains with a proper number of men under them detached from the body and they were all ready to obey the kings orders whenever he should have occasion for them

besides those whom the king put into the fenced cities throughout Judah and all together the militia of the kingdom was very numerous and formidable

KampD 2Ch_1719

These were serving the king א6ה refers not to the above-mentioned men capable of

bearing arms for sheereet is not used of service in war but to the commanders whom he had placed in the fortified cities of all Judah ldquoin which probably bodies of the above-mentioned troops lay as garrisonsrdquo (Berth)

BESO 2 Chronicles 1719 These waited on the king mdash These above-mentioned were the trained bands or auxiliaries whose chief officers waited on the king to receive his commands and to raise and bring in all or part of their forces to the service of the king as need required A vast number for so small a compass of ground to furnish out and maintain But we may consider that God had promised to make the seed of Abraham like the sand of the sea for number that there had now been a long peace that many were come to them from the kingdom of Israel and that Jehoshaphat was under a special blessing of God They were doubtless dispersed all the country over every one residing on his own land only they were ready at call whenever there was occasion

TRAPP 2 Chronicles 1719 These waited on the king beside [those] whom the king put in the fenced cities throughout all Judah

Ver 19 These waited on the king] ie In their turns and by course

POOLE These above mentioned were the trained bands or auxiliaries whose chief officers waited upon the king to receive his commands and to raise and bring in all or part of their forces to the service of the king and kingdom as need required

ELLICOTT (19) These waited on the kingmdashRather these are they that ministered unto the king viz the five generals above named

Beside those whom the king put in the fenced citiesmdashie the commandants of the fortresses of the kingdom (2 Chronicles 1111 2 Chronicles 1123) These latter as well as the generals of the forces are called the kingrsquos ldquoministersrdquo (mĕshacircrĕthicircm)mdasha word which is not used of service in the field but implies their presence at court (ldquoin Jerusalemrdquo 2 Chronicles 1713 as the royal staff)

According to the above list the army of Jehoshaphat was organised in five grand divisions corresponding perhaps to five territorial divisions of the southern kingdom The totals are the largest assigned to the two tribes anywhere in the Old Testament viz Judah 780000 and Benjamin 380000 in all 1160000 At Davidrsquos census Judah had 500000 warriors (2 Samuel 249) and Israel 800000 Again in 2

Chronicles 148 Asarsquos army consists of 300000 men of Judah and 280000 Benjaminites clearly such an increase as our text indicates is unaccountable At the same time it is equally clear that the present numbers are not fortuitous results of clerical errors for they follow each other in the order of relative strength Judah 300000 280000 200000 Benjamin 200000 180000 and they are evidently not independent of the estimates of 2 Chronicles 148 above quoted

In the absence of adequate data for modifying these certainly startling figures it is well to bear in mind that we need not understand by them an army which ever actually mustered in the field or on parade but simply an estimate of the total male population liable to be called out for the national defence although even upon that understanding the total appears to be at least three times too great considering the small extent of the country

PULPIT These waited Hebrew המשרתים plur piel part of שרת The verse states that this enormous fivefold army with its five princes (counting in our corrupt text one million one hundred and sixty thousand) was the kings Jerusalem standing army while other separate regiments or bands of troops were spread through all Judah where they might be most needed for defence

But it was not mere intellectual improvement which Jehoshaphat sought to convey he wished his people to be instructed in the knowledge of that God whom they professed to fear and worship This alone could make them truly happy this alone could impart to them sound wisdom or solid consolation He therefore gave particular directions that they should be taught ldquoin the Book of the Law of the Lordrdquo and this throughout the whole land O happy people whose governor so employed the authority with which he was invested And happy that monarch who so improved his influence not for his own personal aggrandizement but for the best interests of the people committed to his charge In so doing he approved himself to be indeed what every governor should be the friend and father of his people

or was the policy of this measure at all inferior to its benevolence A people well instructed in moral and religious knowledge will view government as an ordinance of God and will learn to obey the constituted authorities not so much from fear of their wrath as for conscience sake towards God They will view their governors as Godrsquos vicegerents upon earth and will consider allegiance to them as an essential part of their duty to him Hence will spring up love in their hearts and a real delight in manifesting on all proper occasions their loyalty to their king they will form a bulwark around his person in case of necessity and even glory in laying down their lives for him as their greatest benefactor

The benefits arising from this edict were incalculable Such was the effect of it that the fear of Jehoshaphat and of Jehovah as his protector fell on all the nations that were round about him so that none however hostile in their hearts dared to make war against him [ote ver 10] Doubtless this resulted chiefly from an impression made upon their minds by God himself yet it was also produced by a dread of that energy which an united people were ready to put forth at any instant at the call of their beloved monarch At the same time that peace was thus secured prosperity reigned in every part of the empire and as the immediate fruit of it Jehoshaphat as well as the people ldquohad riches and honour in abundance [ote ver 5]rdquo In his own mind too he reaped the fruits of his own benevolence God smiled upon him and manifested himself to him and enabled him to walk with ldquohis heart lifted up in the ways of the Lord [ote ver 6]rdquo

Such was the edict of the pious Jehoshaphatmdashbenevolent politic beneficial And what I would ask is the Edict which has been issued by the highest authority in this kingdom Do we not see in it the same blessed characters as in that which we have been considering It was ldquoin the third year of his reign [ote ver 7]rdquo that Jehoshaphat sent forth teachers to enlighten and instruct his subjects The very instant he felt himself at liberty from the more urgent and pressing calls of duty (such as the fortifying of his land against foreign enemies and the correcting of some great internal abuses) he engaged in this good work of diffusing light and knowledge through all classes of the community In like manner the sovereign of this kingdom has scarcely had time to repair the ravages of war and to establish his empire too long weakened and impoverished by a cruel usurpation before he stands forth as the friend and father of his people and more especially of that portion of them who have in every age and place been most treated with neglect and

disdain to have them educated in scriptural knowledge and in the fear of God It is much to be lamented that the Jewish people have not in general been so attentive either to the learning or morals of their children as might be wished and hence arose a necessity for some authoritative admonition on the subject Yet if I may say it without offence this neglect has not been more reprehensible in them than has been the indifference with which the Christian world has regarded it The monarch (may God recompense it richly into his bosom) has risen up to remedy the supineness both of the one and the other and to call forth the united energies of all to correct and terminate this evil Yet whilst he thus consults the best interests of his subjects with what paternal tenderness has he guarded against wounding the feelings of any or exciting their religious prejudices The Scriptures of the Old Testament are alone to be used in the schools that shall be established even those Scriptures which Jews as well as Christians believe to have been given by inspiration of God and to contain truth without any mixture of error In this is marked the policy no less than the benevolence of the edict for it is not by constraint but by conciliation and kindness that good is to be done to any and more especially to those who have shewn themselves now for so many centuries proof against all the efforts of intimidation or force In this kingdom they form no small body and I may add no unimportant portion of the community It is well known how extensive is their influence in the affairs of commerce and how by their activity they contribute to enrich the state Hence it is now generally seen and felt that they are entitled to the same respect as any other subjects of the realm and whilst as in the present instance they see how deeply their monarch feels interested in their welfare they cannot but on their part be sensible of the privileges they enjoy under his paternal government and testify their gratitude to him by every possible expression of loyalty and affection

What the ultimate effect of these measures will be may be conjectured from the blessed results of the edict of Jehoshaphat all will feel themselves happy under the government of such a prince and he whilst he is respected abroad and beloved at home will have the happiness of seeing his labours crowned with prosperity throughout his dominions and with peace in his own soul

II The manner in which Jehoshaphatrsquos edict was carried into execution is now to be noticedmdash

The promptness with which his commands were executed deserves the highest praise All were ready to co-operate in this good work as soon as it was proposed ldquoPrinces and priests and Levites [ote ver 7 8]rdquo all addressed themselves to it instantly with one heart and one soul one accounted their dignity so high or their functions so sacred but they thought it an honour to be employed in such a service and found a delight in fulfilling the wishes of their revered monarch all entered into the work with zeal and prosecuted it with diligence and hence a rapid change was effected both in the temporal and spiritual condition of the whole nation And what may not be effected in this kingdom also if a similar zeal be exercised by ldquothe princes and priestsrdquo (the magistrates and clergy) of the land With them it must begin Those who move in a lower station can effect nothing if they be not aided and

countenanced by the higher orders whose rank in life or sacredness of character will give a tone to the general feeling and combine the energies of the whole kingdom If it be said that those for whom the benefit is designed do not feel a desire after it this only shews how much they need it and how earnestly we should all embark in a cause proposed by such high authority and recommended by the soundest dictates of wisdom and piety

That our obligations to unite in this labour of love may the more distinctly appear I would beg leave to suggest the following considerations

First Loyalty to the king demands our concurrence with him in this good work and a holy emulation amongst us to carry into effect his benevolent designs What can the greatest or best of men effect (what could Jehoshaphat himself have done) if there be none to act in subserviency to them and to follow their directions As the most potent monarch upon earth would in vain proclaim war if there were no soldiers found to enlist under his banners and to execute his commands so it will be in vain that the design of benefiting the Jewish people was ever conceived in the mind of the king or that his edict respecting them was ever issued if his subjects do not put forth their energies in obedience to his call In truth a backwardness to co-operate with him in this blessed work would seem like a reflection cast upon him as recommending a measure that was unworthy of attention I do not mean to insinuate that such an idea really exists in the minds of any for I am perfectly convinced it does not but certainly in appearance it is open to this construction and every subject of the empire is concerned to act in such a way as to cut off all occasion for a reflection like this I say loyalty alone even if we had no higher motive should be sufficient to call forth our exertions in this cause

But let me next observe that gratitude to the Jewish nation demands it at our hands How great how manifold are our obligations to them Behold Moses and the prophets what instruction have they given us in reference to the way of life and salvation Without the moral law as revealed by Moses we should never have known to what an extent we need a Saviour nor if the prophecies had not so fully designated the promised Messiah could we have ever so fully known that Jesus was the Christ Of whom did the Lord Jesus Christ himself come as pertaining to the flesh but from the loins of David and of the seed of Abraham Yet to him are we indebted for all that we either have or hope for in time or in eternity And who were the Apostles but Jews who for our sakes went forth preaching the word and counted not their lives dear to them so that they might but lead us to the knowledge of Christ and make us partakers of his salvation From them too we have received the lively oracles which are the one source of all spiritual knowledge and the one foundation of all our hopes Does all this call for no recompence at our hands Knowing as we do the vast importance of education should we not endeavour to impart it to those from whose ancestors we have received such innumerable such inestimable benefits Yet behold these are the people whom for many many centuries we have treated with more neglect and contempt than any other people upon the face of the earth the savages of the most distant climes have received more attention from us than they Surely it is high time that the Christian world awake to

a sense of their duty and begin to shew to the Jews somewhat of that love which their forefathers exercised towards us in our Gentile state We are debtors to them to a vast amount and it is high time that we begin to discharge our debt And how can we discharge it better than by enabling them to read and understand those very oracles which they have preserved with such fidelity and which testify so fully of their promised Messiah

Further A love to the rising generation should lead us to avail ourselves of the present opportunity to promote their welfaremdashIt is truly afflictive to see how low and degraded is the state of multitudes especially of the Jewish nation purely through the neglect with which they are treated in their early youth and still more grievous is it to reflect on their ignorance of those things which belong to their everlasting peace To counteract this we should endeavour to qualify the whole of their population for good and useful employments and through the medium of useful instruction to make them holy and to make them happy We need never be afraid that there will not be a sufficient number of poor to fill the lower stations do what we will there will never be wanting persons who through their own fault or misfortunes are necessitated to undertake the lowest offices of life And if they have been previously instructed in the Scriptures of Truth they will have a fund of consolation ever open to them in their deepest afflictions they will learn from the inspired volume in whatsoever state they are there-with to be content and in the prospect of the eternal world they will find joys with which a stranger intermeddleth not and which the world can neither give nor take away We feel the force of these considerations in reference to the poor of our own communion how is it that we feel it not in reference to our Jewish Brethren This is a partiality unworthy of us and we should rise as one man to wipe off this disgrace from our own character

This brings me to the last consideration which I propose to mention namely that a concern for the honour of our holy religion should operate to unite us all in executing the Royal EdictmdashWhat must a Jew think of our religion when he sees how little it has wrought for us in the production of love We may tell him of a Messiah who has loved us and laid down his life for us but what credit will he give us for our principles when he sees how little our practice corresponds with them May he not well say to us ldquoPhysician heal thyselfrdquo Shew by your conduct the superiority of your principles before you call on me to embrace them It is by love that we must win them it is by shewing kindness to them that we must efface from their hearts those prejudices which with too much reason they entertain against us We must exhibit in our own person the loveliness of Christianity before we can bring them to investigate the grounds of our faith or to imagine that they can improve their own condition by embracing it May I not then call upon you as Christians to unite in the good work that is now before you that you may thereby serve and glorify your Lord and Saviour As Christians you believe that there is no other way to the Father but by Christ [ote John 146] and no other name but his whereby any human being can be saved [ote Acts 412] Where is your piety where is your love to Christ where is even common humanity if you will not avail yourselves of the present opportunity to remove from before your Jewish Brethren

the stumbling-blocks which for so many ages have been laid in their way

Do any ask What shall we do I answer search out amongst the Jews some persons of probity and talent to commence schools among them and do you yourselves aid to the utmost of your power in the support of them provide them with all necessary books for instructing children in the first rudiments of knowledge provide them with Bibles also both in the Dutch and Hebrew languages that they may be thoroughly instructed in the knowledge of their own religion and learn to walk in the steps of their father Abraham and of all the holy prophets

Begin too without loss of time Adult Schools You will find many among the house of Israel who will be glad to avail themselves of your instructions Let those who are benevolent amongst you dedicate an hour in a day to the instructing of a few who may be desirous to learn and carefully avoid every thing which may give unnecessary offence Confine yourselves to the Old Testament which they venerate as well as you Let those who can teach only in the Dutch language give instruction in that and let those who either understand or have leisure to attain the Hebrew tongue draw their attention to that In particular let it be the united endeavour of all to qualify masters for this good work

And let it not be thought that this is the duty of men only The Royal Edict has particularly and with great wisdom recommended it to females who may be of infinite service in conveying instruction to their own sex This age is distinguished above all others for the activity of females in the service of God and in the performance of every good work Were I able to declare the proportion of good that is done in Britain by the female sex it would appear incredible I believe from my soul that it far exceeds one half in all the societies raised since the commencement of the present century in the Bible Society the Missionary Societies and the Society for Promoting the Knowledge of Christianity amongst the Jews yes let the ladies of this country exert themselves in a prudent modest and discreet way and the effects will soon appear the Royal Edict will not be a dead letter but will produce incalculable good to the whole nationmdashand the agents in this benevolent work will themselves receive quite as much benefit as they impart their benevolence being in proportion as it is exercised its own reward

10 The fear of the Lord fell on all the kingdoms of the lands surrounding Judah so that they did not go to war against Jehoshaphat

GILL And the fear of the Lord fell upon all the kingdoms of the lands that were round about Judah Upon the ten tribes and on foreign nations about them as Moabites Edomites Syrians Egyptians Arabs and Philistines this fear as it came from the Lord so might be raised and increased by observing that religion was revived in them for they might perceive by former observations made that the more religious these people were the more prosperous and formidable they were

so that they made no war against Jehoshaphat to interrupt him in the work of reformation he was so intent upon

HERY We have here a further account of Jehoshaphats great prosperity and the flourishing state of his kingdom

I He had good interest in the neighbouring princes and nations Though he was not perhaps so great a soldier as David (which might have made him their terror) nor so great a scholar as Solomon (which might have made him their oracle) yet the fear of the Lord fell so upon them (that is God so influenced and governed their spirits) that they had all a reverence for him 2Ch_1710 And 1 None of them made war against himGods good providence so ordered it that while the princes and priests were instructing and reforming the country none of his neighbours gave him any molestations to take him off from that good work Thus when Jacob and his sons were going to worship at Bethel the terror of God was upon the neighbouring cities that they did not pursue after them Gen_355 and see Exo_3424 2 Many of them brought presents to him (2Ch_1711) to secure his friendship Perhaps these were a tribute imposed upon them by Asa who made himself master of the cities of the Philistines and the tents of the Arabians 2Ch_1414 2Ch_1415 With the 7700 rams and the same number of he-goats which the Arabians brought there was probably a proportionable number of ewes and lambs she-goats and kids

KampD This attempt of Jehoshaphat brought him this blessing that the terror of Jahve fell upon all the surrounding kingdoms and not only did none of the neighbouring peoples venture to make war upon him but also various tribes did homage to him by presents Ramb has already so understood the connection of these verses (erat hoc praemium pietatis Josaphati quod vicini satisque potentes hostes non auderent adversus ipsum hiscere) while Berth fails to apprehend it saying that Jehoshaphat had time to care for the instruction of his people because at that time the neighbouring peoples did not venture to undertake war against Judah The words ldquoterror of Jahverdquo cf 2Ch_1413 2Ch_2029 and ldquoall the kingdoms of the landsrdquo cf 2Ch_128 1Ch_2930 are expressions peculiar to the author of the Chronicle which show that by these remarks he is preparing the way for a transition to a more detailed

portrayal of Jehoshaphats political power מן־(לש)ים is subject מן partitive some of the

Philistines brought him presents (for מנחה see on 2Ch_175) ldquoand silver a burdenrdquo ie

in great quantity מא does not signify tribute vectigal argento (Vulg) for the word has

not that signification but denotes burden that which can be carried as in מא לאן

2Ch_2025 - 2Ch_2116 2Ch_221 ערבים 2Ch_267 and more usually ערב-ים or ערביאים

are Arabian nomadic tribes (Bedacircwin) perhaps those whom Asa after his victory over the Cushite Zerah had brought under the kingdom of Judah 2Ch_1414 These paid

their tribute in small cattle rams and he-goats (ישים( Gen_3035 Gen_3215 Pro_

3031)

BESO 2 Chronicles 1710 The fear of the Lord fell upon all the kingdoms ampc mdash Justly concluding from his singular piety that God would eminently appear for him for even the heathen could not but observe that the kings of Judah were either prosperous or unhappy according as they served God or forsook him So that they made no war against Jehoshaphat mdash Godrsquos good providence so ordered it that while the princes and priests were instructing and endeavouring to reform the country none of his neighbours gave him any molestation to take him off from that good work

COFFMA All of this peace and prosperity were directly due to the respect which Jehoshaphat had shown to the Law of God and to his efforts to teach that word to all the people It is no problem that much of the material here is omitted in Kings because the primary focus there was political whereas in Chronicles the focus is upon the spiritual and religious significance of the same history

TRAPP 2 Chronicles 1710 And the fear of the LORD fell upon all the kingdoms of the lands that [were] round about Judah so that they made no war against Jehoshaphat

Ver 10 And the fear of the Lord fell upon all the kingdoms] It is said [2 Chronicles 172] Jehoshaphat placed forces in all the fenced cities yet it is not said thereupon that the fear of the Lord fell upon the neighbour nations But when he had established a preaching ministry in all the cities then his enemies had a fear and made no war

POOLE Justly concluding from this singular piety that God would eminently appear for him and against all those who had ill will to him which was their case For even the heathens could not but observe that the kings of Judah were either prosperous or unhappy accordingly as they served God or forsook him

ELLICOTT (10) The fear of the LordmdashA dread of Jehovah (pachad) aps 2029 (Comp Exodus 1516 1 Samuel 117 Isaiah 210 ) This phrase is not peculiar to the chronicler as Keil and Bertheau assert ldquoThe kingdoms of the landsrdquo is so (2 Chronicles 128 1 Chronicles 2930)

They made no warmdashThe reward of Jehosha-phatrsquos piety (1 Chronicles 229

Proverbs 167) ldquoWhen a manrsquos ways please the Lord he maketh even his enemies to be at peace with himrdquo (Comp also Genesis 355)

11 Some Philistines brought Jehoshaphat gifts and silver as tribute and the Arabs brought him flocks seven thousand seven hundred rams and seven thousand seven hundred goats

BARES Some of the Philistines brought Jehoshaphat presents - i e ldquosome of the Philistines were among his tributariesrdquo Compare 2Sa_82 1Ki_421

Tribute silver - Or ldquomuch silverrdquo - literally ldquosilver of burthenrdquo

The Arabians - The Arab tribes who bordered Judaea to the south and the southeast paid Jehoshaphat a fixed tribute in kind Compare 2Ki_34 note

CLARKE The Philistines brought - presents - They and the Arabians purchased peace with the king of Judah by paying an annual tribute The Philistines brought silver and no doubt different kinds of merchandise The Arabs whose riches consisted in cattle brought him flocks in great abundance principally rams and he-goats

GILL Also some of the Philistines brought Jehoshaphat presents and tribute silver Perhaps those of Gerar and the parts adjacent Asa took and spoiled and made tributary 2Ch_1414

and the Arabians brought him flocks seven thousand and seven hundred rams and seven thousand and seven hundred he goats with which their country abounded and these might be the Scenite Arabs who fearing lest Jehoshaphat should fall upon them and take away their flocks as his father had done 2Ch_1415 brought these presents to him

JAMISO Also some of the Philistines brought Jehoshaphat presents and tribute silvermdash either they had been his tributaries or they were desirous of securing his valuable friendship and now made a voluntary offer of tribute Perhaps

they were the Philistines who had submitted to the yoke of David (2Sa_81 Psa_608)

the Arabiansmdash the nomad tribes on the south of the Dead Sea who seeking the protection of Jehoshaphat after his conquest of Edom paid their tribute in the way most suitable to their pastoral habits - the present of so many head of cattle

BESO 2 Chronicles 1711 Some of the Philistines brought presents mdash They had been subject to Judah ever since Davidrsquos time but it seems had neglected this duty in the times of his predecessors but were now moved by their own fears to perform it And the Arabians brought him flocks mdash Either because he had upon some just occasion waged war against them and subdued them or because they voluntarily put themselves under his protection in recompense whereof they sent him these presents or only as a free acknowledgment of their respect for him

TRAPP 2 Chronicles 1711 Also [some] of the Philistines brought Jehoshaphat presents and tribute silver and the Arabians brought him flocks seven thousand and seven hundred rams and seven thousand and seven hundred he goats

Ver 11 Also some of the Philistines] These having been subdued by David had withheld their tribute for a time but now seeing Jehoshaphatrsquos growing greatness they bring it in with the better that no offence might be taken at their former neglect The word here used signifieth honorary gifts or oblations pacifications

ldquo Placatur donis Iupiter ipse datis rdquo

Think the same of the Arabians See 2 Chronicles 1414-15

POOLE Some of the Philistines who had been subjects to this kingdom ever since Davidrsquos time but it seems had neglected this duty in the times of his predecessors but now were moved by their own fears to perform it

The Arabians brought him flocks either because he had upon some just occasion waged war against them and subdued them though the particulars of it be not described in Scripture or because they voluntarily put themselves under his protection in recompence whereof they sent him those presents or only as a free acknowledgment of their respects to him

ELLICOTT (11) Broughtmdashie continually Such is the force of the participle

PresentsmdashAn offering ie tribute (minchah 2 Chronicles 175)

And tribute silvermdashRather and silver a load or burden ie a great quantity (massacircrsquo) 2 Chronicles 2025 As if ldquosilver as much as they could carryrdquomdasha natural hyperbole ot all the five states of the Philistines were subject to Jehoshaphat (Comp 2 Samuel 81)

The ArabiansmdashlsquoArbicircrsquoim here only equivalent to lsquoArbicircyicircm (2 Chronicles 267) and

lsquoArbim (2 Chronicles 2116) They are in each case grouped with the Philistines The nomad Bedacircwin conquered by Asa (2 Chronicles 1415) appear to be meant here or else some tribes which recognised the overlordship of Jehoshaphat after his reduction of Edom (2 Chronicles 2022 sqq)

Brought him flocksmdashComp Mesha of Moabrsquos tribute to Ahab (2 Kings 34)

GUZIK 2 (2 Chronicles 1711-19) The international strength of Jehoshaphatrsquos kingdom

Also some of the Philistines brought Jehoshaphat presents and silver as tribute and the Arabians brought him flocks seven thousand seven hundred rams and seven thousand seven hundred male goats So Jehoshaphat became increasingly powerful and he built fortresses and storage cities in Judah He had much property in the cities of Judah and the men of war mighty men of valor were in Jerusalem These are their numbers according to their fathersrsquo houses Of Judah the captains of thousands Adnah the captain and with him three hundred thousand mighty men of valor and next to him was Jehohanan the captain and with him two hundred and eighty thousand and next to him was Amasiah the son of Zichri who willingly offered himself to the LORD and with him two hundred thousand mighty men of valor Of Benjamin Eliada a mighty man of valor and with him two hundred thousand men armed with bow and shield and next to him was Jehozabad and with him one hundred and eighty thousand prepared for war These served the king besides those the king put in the fortified cities throughout all Judah

a Some of the Philistines brought Jehoshaphat presents and silver as tribute and the Arabians brought him flocks Jehoshaphatrsquos commitment to personal and public godliness meant that God exalted his kingdom above the neighboring nations even as God promised in Deuteronomy 281-13

b These served the king The true treasure of Jehoshaphatrsquos kingdom was not numbered only in security or material things but also in the dedicated and courageous men he had surrounding him these mighty men of valor

i Amasiah the son of Zichri who willingly offered himself to the LORD ldquoAmasiah is a man of whom we do not know anything beyond this ndash he lsquowillingly offered himself unto the Lordrsquo There must have been a turning-point in his career a time when first he knew the grace of God which wrought such a change in him There must have been a waking up to the feeling that God deserved his love and his liferdquo (Spurgeon)

ii Amasiah was a ready servant of the Lord this particularly notable because he did it in an otherwise secular calling

middot o one had to press him into service

middot o one had to seek him out for service

middot o one had to look after him once he had begun serving

middot o one had to lead him

iii ldquoThere is no lawful occupation in which a man cannot thoroughly serve the Lord It is a great privilege and blessing to be set apart to the work of winning souls but we must never separate that work from all the rest of the callings of life as though it alone were sacred and all the rest were secular and almost sinful Serve God where you arerdquo (Spurgeon)

PULPIT The presents were probably enough in the nature of tribute the fixed rate of which is sometimes alluded to (1 Kings 421 1 Kings 1025 2 Samuel 82) but it is doubtful whether the word משא purports to say this The word means bearing or carrying and then a burden load or weight The expression (2 Chronicles 2025) more than they could carry away where this word is used favours the idea that the meaning here is silver of great weight Probably the moral significance and historical interest whether of this statement respecting the Philistines or the following respecting the Arabians lies in the fact that both of them brought without more ado their payments and did not seek to slip out of their engagements with Judah and Judahs king ote for confirmation of this view 2 Kings 34 2 Kings 35

12 Jehoshaphat became more and more powerful he built forts and store cities in Judah

GILL And Jehoshaphat waxed great exceedingly In wealth and riches power and authority in his forces and fortifications

and he built in Judah castles and cities of stores castles for the defence of his kingdom and store cities to lay up corn and wine and all provisions in case of an invasion or against a time of war

HERY II He had a very considerable stores laid up in the cities of Judah He pulled down his barns and built larger (2Ch_1712) castles and cities of store for arms and victuals He was a man of business and aimed at the public good in all his

undertakings either to preserve the peace or prepare for war

JAMISO 2Ch_1712-19 His greatness captains and armies

KampD Description of Jehoshaphats power - 2Ch_1712 And Jehoshaphat became

ever greater sc in power The partic הולך expresses the continuous advance in

greatness cf Ew sect280 b as the infin absol does elsewhere eg Gen_83 למעלה as עד

in 2Ch_1612 - He built castles in Judah ירנ-ות only here and in 2Ch_274 from ירנית

derivative formed from ירה by the Syriac termination נית- fem of ן- castle fortress On

מסנות cf 2Ch_84 ערי

TRAPP 2 Chronicles 1712 And Jehoshaphat waxed great exceedingly and he built in Judah castles and cities of store

Ver 12 And Jehoshaphat waxed great exceedingly] Heb He was going and growing By humility and the fear of the Lord are riches and honour and life [Proverbs 224]

And he built in Judah castles] Bironeoth πυργους turres So did the Burgundians and thence had their names

And cities of store] Granaries in the Hebrew they have their name from their utility or usefulness

ELLICOTT (12) And Jehoshaphat waxed greatmdashLiterally And Jehoshaphat was going on and waxing great ie became greater and greater (Comp 1 Chronicles 119)

ExceedinglymdashlsquoAd lĕmagraversquolah This phrase occurs again in 2 Chronicles 1612 2 Chronicles 268 and nowhere else in the Old Testament (See on 1 Chronicles 142)

And he builtmdashLike his predecessorsmdashSolomon Rehoboam Asamdashhe displayed his wealth and power in great public works The records of the Assyrian and Babylonian sovereigns are largely taken up with similar accounts of temple and palace building

CastlesmdashBiranicircyocircth a derivative from birah (1 Chronicles 291 1 Chronicles 2919 comp Syriac here birocircthocirc) It only recurs at 2 Chronicles 274 It is an Aramaic term (Comp bicircranyacircthacirc which in the Targums means ldquopalacesrdquo)

Cities of storesmdashComp 2 Chronicles 84 2 Chronicles 164 Exodus 111

PULPIT Castles This rendering better than palaces (margin) wound bear improving to the rather stronger word fortresses Hebrew בירניות found only here and in 2 Chronicles 274 plur of בירנית connected with the Chaldee and later Hebrew בירה of Ezra 62 ehemiah 11 Esther 12 Daniel 82 Cities of store (see note under 2 Chronicles 84 see also 1 Kings 919 Exodus 111)

13 and had large supplies in the towns of Judah He also kept experienced fighting men in Jerusalem

CLARKE He hadmuch business in the cities - He kept the people constantly employed they had wages for their work and by their labors the empire was both enriched and strengthened

GILL And he had much business in the cities of Judah Partly in fortifying them and partly in reforming the inhabitants of them

and the men of war mighty men of valour were in Jerusalem or by or near unto it so the particle is rendered Jos_513 they encamped in places adjacent to it for such a number of men as follows even 1160000 could never be contained in Jerusalem but must be disposed of in the territories of it nor did they wait on the king together but in course see 2Ch_1719 by which it appears there is no need to suppose any mistake of the transcriber in any or all of the following sums as has been suggested (q)

HERY 13-19 III He had the militia in good order It was never in better since David modelled it Five lord-lieutenants (if I may so call them) are here named with the numbers of those under their command (the serviceable men that were fit for war in their respective districts) three in Judah and two in Benjamin It is said of one of these great commanders Amasiah that he willingly offered himself unto the Lord (2Ch_1716) not only to the king to serve him in this post but to the Lord to glorify him in it He was the most eminent among them for religion he accepted the place not for the

honour or power or profit of it but for conscience sake towards God that he might serve his country It was usual for great generals then to offer of their spoils to the Lord 1Ch_2626 But this good man offered himself first to the Lord and then his dedicated things The number of the soldiers under these five generals amounts to 1160000 men a vast number for so small a compass of ground as Judahs and Benjamins lot to furnish out and maintain Abijah could bring into the field but 400000 (2Ch_133) Asa not 600000 (2Ch_148) yet Jehoshaphat has at command almost 1200000 But it must be considered 1 That God had promised to make the seed of Abraham like the sand of the sea for number 2 There had now been a long peace 3 We may suppose that the city of Jerusalem was very much enlarged 4 Many had come over to them from the kingdom of Israel (2Ch_1519) which would increase the numbers of the people 5 Jehoshaphat was under a special blessing of God which made his affairs to prosper greatly The armies we may suppose were dispersed all the country over and each man resided for the most part on his own estate but they appeared often to be mustered and trained and were ready at call whenever there was occasion The commanders waited on the king (2Ch_1719) as officers of his court privy-counsellors and ministers of state

But lastly observe It was not this formidable army that struck a terror upon the neighbouring nations that restrained them from attempting any thing against Israel or obliged them to pay tribute but the fear of God which fell upon them when Jehoshaphat reformed his country and set up a preaching ministry in it 2Ch_1710 The ordinances of God are more the strength and safety of a kingdom than its military force - its men of God more than its men of war

KampD 2Ch_1713

וגווגווגווגו רהרהרהרה is rightly translated by Luther ldquound hatte viel Vorrathsrdquo (and ומלעכהומלעכהומלעכהומלעכה

had much store) מלעכהמלעכהמלעכהמלעכה denotes here as in Exo_227-10 property that which has been gained by work or business The signification much work opera magna (Vulg Cler etc) as also Bertheaus translation ldquothe works for equipping and provisioning the fortressesrdquo correspond neither to the context nor to the parallel (synonymous) second member of the verse The work and trouble necessary to equip the cities of Judah does not correspond to ldquothe valiant warriors in Jerusalemrdquo the only parallel is the goods and property which were in these cities the provision of victuals and war material there stored up

BESO 2 Chronicles 1713 He had much business in the cities of Judah mdash To repair and fortify them and furnish them with provisions and to purge out all the relics of idolatry and injustice which were more secretly and craftily managed in the cities than in the country and which were first and most prevalent in the cities and thence spread their infection into the country around them

TRAPP 2 Chronicles 1713 And he had much business in the cities of Judah and the men of war mighty men of valour [were] in Jerusalem

Ver 13 And he had much business] Eργα πολλα (a) Many works going forward at

once a negotious man he was His business say some lay in beautifying and fortifying those cities Augustus gloried at his death that whereas he had found Rome built with brick he had left it made of marble

And the men of war hellip were in Jerusalem] These were his Praetorian forces his Praesidiaries were up and down in the various cities

POOLE He had much business in the cities of Judah partly to repair and fortify them and furnish them with all necessary provisions and partly to purge out all the relies and seeds of idolatry and injustice which were more secretly and subtlely managed in the cities than in the country and which were first and most in the cities and thence spread their infection into the country about them See Jeremiah 228

ELLICOTT (13) BusinessmdashRather much goods or stores literally work (mĕlacirckacirch) and then produce The Hebrew word is so used in Exodus 227 Exodus 2210 (ldquoHis neighbourrsquos goodsrdquo) Stores of provisions and war material seem to be intended (Comp 2 Chronicles 1111)

And the man of war were in JerusalemmdashRather and (he had) men of war in Jerusalem

In Jerusalemmdashot the entire army corps whose numbers are given in 2 Chronicles 1714-18 but simply their chiefs

PULPIT Much business Hebrew מלאכה The meaning of the word is service labour bestowed and the verse reads And there was to him much labour in the cities of Judah and men of war mighty men of valour in Jerusalem ie He bestoweth much pains on the cities of Judah and had etc The word were Authorized Version italics is incorrectly inserted The former half of this verse would better constitute the end of 2 Chronicles 1712 Keil however maintains the rendering substance property for מלאכה (Exodus 227 Exodus 2210)

14 Their enrollment by families was as followsFrom Judah commanders of units of 1000Adnah the commander with 300000 fighting men

BARES The captains of thousands Adnah the chief - literally ldquoprinces of thousands Adnah the princerdquo The writer does not mean that Adnah (or Johohanan 2Ch_1715) was in any way superior to the other ldquoprincesrdquo but only that he was one of them

Three hundred thousand - This number and those which follow in 2Ch_1715-18 have been with good reason regarded as corrupt by most critics For

(1) They imply a minimum population of 1480 to the square mile which is more than three times greater than that of any country in the known world (circa 1880rsquos)

(2) they produce a total just double that of the next largest estimate of the military force of Judah the 580 000 of 2Ch_148

(3) they are professedly a statement not of the whole military force but of the force maintained at Jerusalem (2Ch_1713 compare 2Ch_1719)

It is probable that the original numbers have been lost and that the loss was suppplied by a scribe who took 2Ch_148 as his basis

CLARKE Adnah the chief - He was generalissimo of all this host These are the numbers of the five battalions under Adnah three hundred thousand Jehohanan two hundred and eighty thousand Amasiah two hundred thousand Eliada two hundred thousand Jehozabad one hundred and eighty thousand in all one million one hundred and sixty thousand

GILL And these are the numbers of them according to the house of their fathers Both of the tribe of Judah and of Benjamin and first

of Judah the captains of thousands some had 1000 men under them and some one hundred

Adnah the chief he was the principal commander or general of them

and with him mighty men of valour three hundred thousand such a number was under his command

JAMISO these are the numbersmdash The warriors were arranged in the army according to their fathers houses The army of Jehoshaphat commanded by five great generals and consisting of five unequal divisions comprised one million one hundred and sixty thousand men without including those who garrisoned the fortresses No monarch since the time of Solomon equaled Jehoshaphat in the extent of his revenue in the strength of his fortifications and in the number of his troops

KampD 2Ch_1714-16

The men fit for war passed in review according to their fathers-houses The male population of Judah fell into three divisions that of Benjamin into two The prince

Adnah held the first place among the generals with 300000 men of Judah ידו at his על

hand ie with and under him Jehohanan had the command of 280000 men and

Amasiah over 200000 השר is a contraction for אלפים For what special reason it is so שר

honourably recorded of Amasiah that he had willingly offered himself to the Lord (cf for

Jdg_59) has not been communicated התנב

COFFMA his represented a standing army of 1160000 men besides the garrisons in the fortified cities and this goes a long way to explaining why the Arabians and the Philistines brought tribute to Jehoshaphat In ancient times as in our own day peace frequently depended upon the strength of those who desired it

We should ignore the screams of exaggeration[3] which mark the writings of radical critics Pagan rulers of that era reported even larger armies than this and until the critics can prove that those were exaggerated reports they should let these alone Besides that we have already noted that the very word from which thousand is translated is disputed as to its exact meaning

COKE 2 Chronicles 1714 And these are the numbers of themmdash That is of the soldiers as well as of those who were employed in the kings works in the several cities ampc which he built See 2 Chronicles 1719

REFLECTIOSmdash1st Jehoshaphat no sooner comes to the throne than we see the dawnings of a glorious reign

1 He strengthened his kingdom by placing strong garrisons in the cities of Judah and those which his father had recovered from Israel and prepared against that danger which Ahabs growing power seemed to threaten

2 Religion was his great concern He copied after the best of his predecessors in their best days such as were the first of David before the matter of Uriah and the numbering of the people had blotted his fair copy Faithful to the worship of God he abhorred all idols the law of God was his rule of duty and Israels apostacy rendered his fidelity more singular and exemplary Inspired with holy zeal his heart with delight and sincerity was engaged for God and no difficulties deterred him from the path of duty The idols and groves which in the declining days of Asa might have been set up again he utterly destroyed with all the high places where they still offered sacrifices to these abominations ote (1) In the fairest human pattern there will be found imperfections but there is a Son of David more than man who has set us a spotless example that we should follow his steps (2) Fidelity in Gods service is the stability of a nation (3) A lively soul on wings of faith and love mounts up to God rises superior to every difficulty and looks down upon every thing besides his favour as altogether vanity

3 He not only removed the temptations to sin but took care to instruct the people in

the path of duty Ignorance of Gods law had greatly prevailed and to oblige them merely to conform to his reformation without grounding them on the true foundation of Gods word promised little stability The Levites and priests therefore are sent in progress through the cities of Judah with the book of the law to explain and enforce the commandments of God and several princes accompanied them in order to engage the people to hear them and give countenance to these preachers by their weight and influence ote (1) It is a blessed thing when princes countenance faithful ministers Though they cannot make men true converts their example and authority will induce them to attend (2) They who are sent to teach must see that they take the pure word of God along with them A true preacher wishes for nothing in his hand but his Bible (3) Religion is a reasonable service Conviction alone not compulsion or education can make a man a christian

4 The blessing of God attended his labours The Lord was with him or as the Targum generally expresses it the word of the Lord the divine Logos to whom all things are committed strengthened him in his labours and established his kingdom The people charmed with his government liberally sent their presents to him and abounding in riches and honour his heart far from being intoxicated by prosperity was lifted up in greater love and thankfulness to the gracious giver ote (1) God often here rewards piety with prosperity (2) Worldly comforts are then truly blessings when as the steps of Jacobs ladder they raise our hearts to heaven

2nd Like the light of the morning which shineth more and more so did Jehoshaphats glory increase

1 Feared by his enemies as beloved by his subjects the neighbouring princes did not offer to molest him while those of Philistia and Arabia courted his favour either by a voluntary present or exact payment of the tribute which Asa had imposed on them see 2 Chronicles 1711 God had put an awe upon them of the majesty of his king in Zion ote God hath access to the spirits of men and by secret yet irresistible influence can bow them to his sovereign will

2 His military preparations greatly advanced While he reformed the people he fortified their ramparts and built new castles and store-cities strengthening them within and without against their enemies Under five chief officers an immense army was enlisted Probably all the able men in the country were enrolled and regularly mustered though not drawn out except in case of necessity and this may easily account for the greatness of their number if we consider also the long peace they had enjoyed the accession of Israelites to them and especially the blessing of Abraham which no doubt was eminently fulfilled Amasiah one of the officers is mentioned with an honourable mark of distinction as a volunteer who served for the glory of God not for the sake of pay Such patriots are scarce

TRAPP 2 Chronicles 1714 And these [are] the numbers of them according to the house of their fathers Of Judah the captains of thousands Adnah the chief and

with him mighty men of valour three hundred thousand

Ver 14 Three hundred thousand] These were under his command and at hand to come whensoever the king would

WHEDO 14 Three hundred thousand mdash The numbers in this verse and the four verses following are generally regarded as corrupt ldquoThey implyrdquo observes the writer last quoted ldquoa minimum population of 1480 to the square mile which is more than three times greater than that of any country in the known world It is probable that the original numbers have been lost and the loss supplied by a scribe who took 2 Chronicles 148 as his basis

ELLICOTT Verse 14 (14) And these their fathersmdashAnd this is their muster (or census) according to their father-houses (clans) 1 Chronicles 243 The warriors were marshalled in the army according to clans so that men of the same stock fought side by side with their kindred Perhaps in the original document this heading was followed by a much more detailed scheme of names and divisions than that which the text presents

Of JudahmdashTo Judah (belonged) captains of thousands viz the three enumerated in 2 Chronicles 1714-16 Adnah Jehohanan and Amasiah They were the principal officers or generals of the entire forces of Judah

Adnah the chiefmdashTo wit the captain Adnah That Adnah was commander-in-chief is implied by his being named first and his corps being the largest

PULPIT This verse with the following four gives us the names of five captains chiefs princes or military officers for the kingdoms service with the numbers of the troops they severally commanded The numbers of them (see note under 1 Chronicles 2311) Hebrew פקדתם The better English rendering to carry at once the signification would be The muster of them etc The captains hellip the chief In both cases the Hebrew is the familiar word for prince ( שר ) in the former without article in the latter with article The numbers of this and following four verses are not only absolutely unreliable but in themselves impossible According to the house of their fathers ie the quotation is drawn from an army catalogue arranged carefully by fathers houses (umbers 118 umbers 122 etc)

15 next Jehohanan the commander with 280000

GILL And next to him was Jehohanan the captain Being of the same rank as to office but having a lesser number of men under him and it may respect not any kind of subordination only nearness of place as the Targumhe that encamped next to him

and with him two hundred and fourscore thousand which number was but 20000 less than the former

POOLE ext to him either

1 After his death as his successor in the same command And the like is supposed concerning Jehozabad 2 Chronicles 1718 Or rather

2 ext to him in place and authority or at least in power and the numbers of his host

16 next Amasiah son of Zikri who volunteered himself for the service of the Lord with 200000

GILL And next him was Amasiah the son of Zichri He encamped next to him as the Targum

who willingly offered himself unto the Lord to fight the Lords battles and without any stipend as some think or as Kimchi he offered gold and silver to the treasures of the house of the Lord

and with him two hundred thousand mighty men of valour the number was 80000 less than the former the whole of Judah amounted to 780000 men

TRAPP 2 Chronicles 1716 And next him [was] Amasiah the son of Zichri who willingly offered himself unto the LORD and with him two hundred thousand mighty men of valour

Ver 16 Who willingly offered himself unto the Lord] He was a votary the vows of God were upon him and this made him the more valiant and resolute (a) in the exercise of arms for the service of God and the safety of his people The Spahis among the Turks are a sort of horsemen voluntaries and votaries to gain paradise by dying for the Mohammedan cause These are never known to return home but

with victory these are heavy upon the enemy For

ldquo Vincitur haud gratis iugulo qui provocat ensem rdquo

POOLE As volunteers and auxiliaries to be ready upon occasion as the service of God and the king should require Possibly these or most of them were the strangers which had come out of Israel into the kingdom of Judah in Asarsquos days and probably since that in his time

ELLICOTT (16) AmasiahmdashIah carrieth (Isaiah 4011) different from Amaziah (Iah is strong)

Who willingly offered himself unto the Lordmdash(Judges 52 Judges 59) An allusion to some noble act of self-devotion which was doubtless more fully recorded in the source from which the chronicler has drawn this brief account Such allusions though no longer intelligible are important as conducing to the proof of the historical value of the narratives in which they occur LXX ὁ προθυmicroούmicroενος τῷ κυρίῳ Vulg consecratus Domino

PULPIT Amaziah the son of Zichri This man is not titled at all The description of him as one who had willingly offered himself unto the Lord not elucidated by the context or any effective parallel will mark something honorable in his history Possibly he comes from an unexpected quarter and is a man of approved skill othing further is known of these three men Meantime it has been suggested (Professor Dr J Murphy of Belfast Handbook to Chronicles ) that the first of the three was for Judah proper the second for that contingent of Judah that hailed from Dan and the Philistines and the third for that of Simeon and the Arabs

MACLARE This is a scrap from the catalogue of Jehoshaphatrsquos lsquomighty men of valourrsquo and is Amasiahrsquos sole record We see him for a moment and hear his eulogium and then oblivion swallows him up We do not know what it was that he did to earn it But what a fate to live to all generations by that one sentence

I Cheerful self-surrender the secret of all religion

The words of our text contain a metaphor naturally drawn from the sacrificial system It comes so easily to us that we scarcely recognise the metaphorical element but the clear recognition of it gives great additional energy to the words Amasiah was both sacrificer and sacrifice His offering was self-immolation As in all love so in that noblest kind of it which clasps God its perfect expression is lsquoI give Thee my living loving selfrsquo Nor is it only sacrifice and sacrificer that are seen in deepest truth in the experience of the Christian life but the reality of the Temple is also there for lsquoYe also are built up a spiritual house to be a holy priesthood to offer up spiritual sacrificesrsquo Only when God dwells in us shall we have the nerve and the firmness of hand to take the knife and lsquoslay before the Lordrsquo the awful Guest in the sanctuary within the most precious of the children of our spirits

The essence of the sacrifice of self is the sacrifice of will In the Christian experience

lsquowillingly offeredrsquo is almost tautology for unwilling offerings are a contradiction and in fact there are no such things The quality of unwillingness destroys the character of the offering and robs it of all sacredness Reluctant Christianity is not Christianity That noun and that adjective can never be buckled together

The submission of will and the consequent surrender of myself and my powers opportunities and possessions so that I do all enjoy all use all and when need is endure all with glad thankful reference to God is only possible to me in the measure in which my will is made flexible by love and such will-subduing love comes only when we lsquoknow and believe the love that God hath to usrsquo There is the point at which not a few moral and religious teachers go wrong and bewilder themselves and their disciples There too is the point at which Christ and the Gospel of salvation through faith in Him stand forth as emancipating humanity from the dreary round of efforts and vain attempts to work up the condition needful for achieving the height of self-surrender which is seen to be indispensable to all true nobleness of living but is felt to be beyond the reach of the ordinary man There too is the point at which many good people mar their lives as Christians They waste their strength in trying to bring the jibbing horse up to the leap They try to blow up a fire of devotion and to make themselves priests to offer themselves but all the while the mutinous self recoils from the leap and the fire burns smokily and their sacrifice is laid on the altar with little joy because they have not been careful and wise enough to begin at the beginning and to follow Godrsquos way of melting their wills by love the reflection of the Infinite love of God to them Godrsquos priests offer themselves because they offer their wills they offer their wills because they love God they love God because they know that God loves them That is the divine order It is vain to try to accomplish the end by any other

II This willing offering hallows all life

No syllable is left to tell us what Amasiah did to win this praise Probably the words enshrine some now forgotten memory of his cheerful courage some heroic feat on an unrecorded battlefield Particulars are not given nor needed Specific actions are unimportant the spirit of a life can be told with very incomplete details and it not the details is the important thing Sometimes as in many modern biographies one lsquocannot see the wood for the treesrsquo and misses the main drift and aim of a life in the chaos of a bewildering mass of nothings How much more happy the lot of this man of whom we have only the generalised expression of the text unweighted and undisturbed by petty incidents It takes tons of rose leaves to make a tiny phial of otto of roses but the fragrance is far more pungent in a drop of the distillation than in armfuls of leaves Every life shrinks into very small compass and the centuries do not tolerate long biographies Shall we not seek to order our life so that Amasiahrsquos epitaph may serve for us It will be blessed if this-and nothing else-is known about us that we lsquowillingly offered ourselves to the Lordrsquo My friend will that be a true epitome of your life

III This willing offering is accepted by God

We may hear a mightier voice behind the chroniclerrsquo s and the judgment of the Judge of all pronounced by His lips It matters little what men say of one another but it matters everything what God says of us We are but too apt to forget that He is now saying something as to each of us and that we have not to wait for death to put a final period to our activities before our lives become fit subjects for Godrsquos judgment Moment by moment we are writing our own sentences But while it is good for us to remember the continuous judgment of God on each deed it is not good to let dark thoughts of the principles of that judgment paralyse our activity or chill our confidence in His forgiving and accepting mercy There is often a dark suspicion like that of the one-talented

servant which blackens Godrsquos fair fame as being lsquoan austere Manrsquo making demands rather than imparting power and the effect of such an ugly conception of Him is to cut the nerve of service and bury the talent carefully folded up it may be but none the less earning nothing lsquoIf we call on Him as Father who without respect of persons judgeth according to every manrsquos workrsquo let us be sure that it will be a Fatherly judgment that He will pass upon us and our offerings There is a wonderful collection on His altar of what many people would think rubbish just as many a mother has laid away among her treasures some worthless article which her child had once given her-a weed plucked by the roadside in a long past summer day some trifle of rare preciousness in the childrsquos eyes and of none in any others than her own She opens her drawer and brings out the poor little thing and her eyes fill and her heart fills as she looks And does not God keep His childrenrsquos gifts as lovingly and set them in places of honour in the day when He lsquomakes up His jewelsrsquo There are cups of cold water and widowsrsquo mites and much else that a supercilious world would call lsquotrashrsquo stored there Thank God He accepts imperfect service faltering faith partial consecration a little love Even our poor offering may be an lsquoodour of a sweet smellrsquo ministering fragrance that is a delight to Him if it is offered with the much incense of the great Sacrifice and through the mediation of the great High Priest

The world forgot Amasiah or never knew him an obscure soldier in an obscure kingdom but God did not forget and here is his epitaph and this is his memorial to all generations Menrsquos chronicles have no room for all the names that their wearers are eager to have inscribed on their crumbling and crowded pages lsquobut the Lambrsquos Book of Lifersquo has ample space on its radiant pages for all who desire to set their names there and if ours are there we need not envy the proudest whose titles and deeds fill the most conspicuous pages in the worldrsquos records lsquoThen shall every man have praise of Christrsquo and he who wins that guerdon needs nothing more and can have nothing more to swell his blessedness

17 From BenjaminEliada a valiant soldier with 200000 men armed with bows and shields

GILL And of Benjamin Eliada a mighty man of valour Was the chief commander

and with armed men with bow and shield two hundred thousand which were

the armour of the tribe of Benjamin they were best skilled in 2Ch_148

TRAPP 2 Chronicles 1717 And of Benjamin Eliada a mighty man of valour and with him armed men with bow and shield two hundred thousand

Ver 17 With bow and shield] The Benjamites were notable bowmen [1 Chronicles 122] The Engish were anciently so too

ELLICOTT (17) Armed men with bow and shieldmdashLiterally drawing bow and shield ie as the Targum explains ldquodrawing bow and grasping shieldsrdquo (Comp 1 Chronicles 122) LXX ldquoArchers and peltastsrdquo Vulg ldquoGrasping bow and shieldrdquo (Comp also 1 Chronicles 840 for the arms of the Benjaminites)

18 next Jehozabad with 180000 men armed for battle

GILL And next to him was Jehozabad According to the Targum he encamped next him

and with him one hundred and fourscore thousand ready prepared for war being able bodied men well disciplined valiant and well armed these numbers of Judah and Benjamin put together amount to 1160000 men whereas Asa only brought into the field 580000 but it should be considered there had been a long time of peace many had come off from the ten tribes to Judah and the promise of multiplying the seed of Abraham was eminently fulfilled

TRAPP 2 Chronicles 1718 And next him [was] Jehozabad and with him an hundred and fourscore thousand ready prepared for the war

Ver 18 A hundred and fourscore thousand] His militia was eleven hundred and threescore thousand besides what he had in garrisons [2 Chronicles 1719] So that as he was better he was stronger than his father Asa had been Piety hath prosperity

ELLICOTT (18) Ready prepared for the warmdashEquipped for service (See on 1

Chronicles 1223-24 umbers 315 umbers 3229) The hoplites or heavy-armed infantry are probably meant

PULPIT While Eliada of last verse was for Benjamin Professor Dr Murphy supposes that Jehozabad was for the annexed part of Ephraim But no suppositions of this kind can avail to explain the numbers in the text which is no doubt corrupt

19 These were the men who served the king besides those he stationed in the fortified cities throughout Judah

CLARKE These waited on the king - They were disposable forces always at the kingrsquos command and were independent of those by which the cities of Judah were garrisoned

There is not a sovereign in Europe or in the world but might read this chapter with advantage

1 It shows most forcibly that true religion is the basis of the state and that wherever it prospers there the state prospers

2 It shows also that it is the wisdom of kings to encourage religion with all their power and influence for if the hearts of the subjects be not bound and influenced by true religion vain is the application of laws fines imprisonments or corporal punishment of any kind

3 A religious nation is ever a great nation it is loved by its friends it is dreaded by its enemies

4 It is ever a peaceable and united nation the blessings of religion and a wholesome and paternal government are so fully felt and prized that all find it their interest to preserve and defend them Harmony peace piety and strength are the stability of such times May Britain know and value them

GILL These waited on the king Not this vast number of men at one time but in course as Davids military men waited on him 1Ch_271 or each of these captains with a proper number of men under them detached from the body and they were all ready to obey the kings orders whenever he should have occasion for them

besides those whom the king put into the fenced cities throughout Judah and all together the militia of the kingdom was very numerous and formidable

KampD 2Ch_1719

These were serving the king א6ה refers not to the above-mentioned men capable of

bearing arms for sheereet is not used of service in war but to the commanders whom he had placed in the fortified cities of all Judah ldquoin which probably bodies of the above-mentioned troops lay as garrisonsrdquo (Berth)

BESO 2 Chronicles 1719 These waited on the king mdash These above-mentioned were the trained bands or auxiliaries whose chief officers waited on the king to receive his commands and to raise and bring in all or part of their forces to the service of the king as need required A vast number for so small a compass of ground to furnish out and maintain But we may consider that God had promised to make the seed of Abraham like the sand of the sea for number that there had now been a long peace that many were come to them from the kingdom of Israel and that Jehoshaphat was under a special blessing of God They were doubtless dispersed all the country over every one residing on his own land only they were ready at call whenever there was occasion

TRAPP 2 Chronicles 1719 These waited on the king beside [those] whom the king put in the fenced cities throughout all Judah

Ver 19 These waited on the king] ie In their turns and by course

POOLE These above mentioned were the trained bands or auxiliaries whose chief officers waited upon the king to receive his commands and to raise and bring in all or part of their forces to the service of the king and kingdom as need required

ELLICOTT (19) These waited on the kingmdashRather these are they that ministered unto the king viz the five generals above named

Beside those whom the king put in the fenced citiesmdashie the commandants of the fortresses of the kingdom (2 Chronicles 1111 2 Chronicles 1123) These latter as well as the generals of the forces are called the kingrsquos ldquoministersrdquo (mĕshacircrĕthicircm)mdasha word which is not used of service in the field but implies their presence at court (ldquoin Jerusalemrdquo 2 Chronicles 1713 as the royal staff)

According to the above list the army of Jehoshaphat was organised in five grand divisions corresponding perhaps to five territorial divisions of the southern kingdom The totals are the largest assigned to the two tribes anywhere in the Old Testament viz Judah 780000 and Benjamin 380000 in all 1160000 At Davidrsquos census Judah had 500000 warriors (2 Samuel 249) and Israel 800000 Again in 2

Chronicles 148 Asarsquos army consists of 300000 men of Judah and 280000 Benjaminites clearly such an increase as our text indicates is unaccountable At the same time it is equally clear that the present numbers are not fortuitous results of clerical errors for they follow each other in the order of relative strength Judah 300000 280000 200000 Benjamin 200000 180000 and they are evidently not independent of the estimates of 2 Chronicles 148 above quoted

In the absence of adequate data for modifying these certainly startling figures it is well to bear in mind that we need not understand by them an army which ever actually mustered in the field or on parade but simply an estimate of the total male population liable to be called out for the national defence although even upon that understanding the total appears to be at least three times too great considering the small extent of the country

PULPIT These waited Hebrew המשרתים plur piel part of שרת The verse states that this enormous fivefold army with its five princes (counting in our corrupt text one million one hundred and sixty thousand) was the kings Jerusalem standing army while other separate regiments or bands of troops were spread through all Judah where they might be most needed for defence

disdain to have them educated in scriptural knowledge and in the fear of God It is much to be lamented that the Jewish people have not in general been so attentive either to the learning or morals of their children as might be wished and hence arose a necessity for some authoritative admonition on the subject Yet if I may say it without offence this neglect has not been more reprehensible in them than has been the indifference with which the Christian world has regarded it The monarch (may God recompense it richly into his bosom) has risen up to remedy the supineness both of the one and the other and to call forth the united energies of all to correct and terminate this evil Yet whilst he thus consults the best interests of his subjects with what paternal tenderness has he guarded against wounding the feelings of any or exciting their religious prejudices The Scriptures of the Old Testament are alone to be used in the schools that shall be established even those Scriptures which Jews as well as Christians believe to have been given by inspiration of God and to contain truth without any mixture of error In this is marked the policy no less than the benevolence of the edict for it is not by constraint but by conciliation and kindness that good is to be done to any and more especially to those who have shewn themselves now for so many centuries proof against all the efforts of intimidation or force In this kingdom they form no small body and I may add no unimportant portion of the community It is well known how extensive is their influence in the affairs of commerce and how by their activity they contribute to enrich the state Hence it is now generally seen and felt that they are entitled to the same respect as any other subjects of the realm and whilst as in the present instance they see how deeply their monarch feels interested in their welfare they cannot but on their part be sensible of the privileges they enjoy under his paternal government and testify their gratitude to him by every possible expression of loyalty and affection

What the ultimate effect of these measures will be may be conjectured from the blessed results of the edict of Jehoshaphat all will feel themselves happy under the government of such a prince and he whilst he is respected abroad and beloved at home will have the happiness of seeing his labours crowned with prosperity throughout his dominions and with peace in his own soul

II The manner in which Jehoshaphatrsquos edict was carried into execution is now to be noticedmdash

The promptness with which his commands were executed deserves the highest praise All were ready to co-operate in this good work as soon as it was proposed ldquoPrinces and priests and Levites [ote ver 7 8]rdquo all addressed themselves to it instantly with one heart and one soul one accounted their dignity so high or their functions so sacred but they thought it an honour to be employed in such a service and found a delight in fulfilling the wishes of their revered monarch all entered into the work with zeal and prosecuted it with diligence and hence a rapid change was effected both in the temporal and spiritual condition of the whole nation And what may not be effected in this kingdom also if a similar zeal be exercised by ldquothe princes and priestsrdquo (the magistrates and clergy) of the land With them it must begin Those who move in a lower station can effect nothing if they be not aided and

countenanced by the higher orders whose rank in life or sacredness of character will give a tone to the general feeling and combine the energies of the whole kingdom If it be said that those for whom the benefit is designed do not feel a desire after it this only shews how much they need it and how earnestly we should all embark in a cause proposed by such high authority and recommended by the soundest dictates of wisdom and piety

That our obligations to unite in this labour of love may the more distinctly appear I would beg leave to suggest the following considerations

First Loyalty to the king demands our concurrence with him in this good work and a holy emulation amongst us to carry into effect his benevolent designs What can the greatest or best of men effect (what could Jehoshaphat himself have done) if there be none to act in subserviency to them and to follow their directions As the most potent monarch upon earth would in vain proclaim war if there were no soldiers found to enlist under his banners and to execute his commands so it will be in vain that the design of benefiting the Jewish people was ever conceived in the mind of the king or that his edict respecting them was ever issued if his subjects do not put forth their energies in obedience to his call In truth a backwardness to co-operate with him in this blessed work would seem like a reflection cast upon him as recommending a measure that was unworthy of attention I do not mean to insinuate that such an idea really exists in the minds of any for I am perfectly convinced it does not but certainly in appearance it is open to this construction and every subject of the empire is concerned to act in such a way as to cut off all occasion for a reflection like this I say loyalty alone even if we had no higher motive should be sufficient to call forth our exertions in this cause

But let me next observe that gratitude to the Jewish nation demands it at our hands How great how manifold are our obligations to them Behold Moses and the prophets what instruction have they given us in reference to the way of life and salvation Without the moral law as revealed by Moses we should never have known to what an extent we need a Saviour nor if the prophecies had not so fully designated the promised Messiah could we have ever so fully known that Jesus was the Christ Of whom did the Lord Jesus Christ himself come as pertaining to the flesh but from the loins of David and of the seed of Abraham Yet to him are we indebted for all that we either have or hope for in time or in eternity And who were the Apostles but Jews who for our sakes went forth preaching the word and counted not their lives dear to them so that they might but lead us to the knowledge of Christ and make us partakers of his salvation From them too we have received the lively oracles which are the one source of all spiritual knowledge and the one foundation of all our hopes Does all this call for no recompence at our hands Knowing as we do the vast importance of education should we not endeavour to impart it to those from whose ancestors we have received such innumerable such inestimable benefits Yet behold these are the people whom for many many centuries we have treated with more neglect and contempt than any other people upon the face of the earth the savages of the most distant climes have received more attention from us than they Surely it is high time that the Christian world awake to

a sense of their duty and begin to shew to the Jews somewhat of that love which their forefathers exercised towards us in our Gentile state We are debtors to them to a vast amount and it is high time that we begin to discharge our debt And how can we discharge it better than by enabling them to read and understand those very oracles which they have preserved with such fidelity and which testify so fully of their promised Messiah

Further A love to the rising generation should lead us to avail ourselves of the present opportunity to promote their welfaremdashIt is truly afflictive to see how low and degraded is the state of multitudes especially of the Jewish nation purely through the neglect with which they are treated in their early youth and still more grievous is it to reflect on their ignorance of those things which belong to their everlasting peace To counteract this we should endeavour to qualify the whole of their population for good and useful employments and through the medium of useful instruction to make them holy and to make them happy We need never be afraid that there will not be a sufficient number of poor to fill the lower stations do what we will there will never be wanting persons who through their own fault or misfortunes are necessitated to undertake the lowest offices of life And if they have been previously instructed in the Scriptures of Truth they will have a fund of consolation ever open to them in their deepest afflictions they will learn from the inspired volume in whatsoever state they are there-with to be content and in the prospect of the eternal world they will find joys with which a stranger intermeddleth not and which the world can neither give nor take away We feel the force of these considerations in reference to the poor of our own communion how is it that we feel it not in reference to our Jewish Brethren This is a partiality unworthy of us and we should rise as one man to wipe off this disgrace from our own character

This brings me to the last consideration which I propose to mention namely that a concern for the honour of our holy religion should operate to unite us all in executing the Royal EdictmdashWhat must a Jew think of our religion when he sees how little it has wrought for us in the production of love We may tell him of a Messiah who has loved us and laid down his life for us but what credit will he give us for our principles when he sees how little our practice corresponds with them May he not well say to us ldquoPhysician heal thyselfrdquo Shew by your conduct the superiority of your principles before you call on me to embrace them It is by love that we must win them it is by shewing kindness to them that we must efface from their hearts those prejudices which with too much reason they entertain against us We must exhibit in our own person the loveliness of Christianity before we can bring them to investigate the grounds of our faith or to imagine that they can improve their own condition by embracing it May I not then call upon you as Christians to unite in the good work that is now before you that you may thereby serve and glorify your Lord and Saviour As Christians you believe that there is no other way to the Father but by Christ [ote John 146] and no other name but his whereby any human being can be saved [ote Acts 412] Where is your piety where is your love to Christ where is even common humanity if you will not avail yourselves of the present opportunity to remove from before your Jewish Brethren

the stumbling-blocks which for so many ages have been laid in their way

Do any ask What shall we do I answer search out amongst the Jews some persons of probity and talent to commence schools among them and do you yourselves aid to the utmost of your power in the support of them provide them with all necessary books for instructing children in the first rudiments of knowledge provide them with Bibles also both in the Dutch and Hebrew languages that they may be thoroughly instructed in the knowledge of their own religion and learn to walk in the steps of their father Abraham and of all the holy prophets

Begin too without loss of time Adult Schools You will find many among the house of Israel who will be glad to avail themselves of your instructions Let those who are benevolent amongst you dedicate an hour in a day to the instructing of a few who may be desirous to learn and carefully avoid every thing which may give unnecessary offence Confine yourselves to the Old Testament which they venerate as well as you Let those who can teach only in the Dutch language give instruction in that and let those who either understand or have leisure to attain the Hebrew tongue draw their attention to that In particular let it be the united endeavour of all to qualify masters for this good work

And let it not be thought that this is the duty of men only The Royal Edict has particularly and with great wisdom recommended it to females who may be of infinite service in conveying instruction to their own sex This age is distinguished above all others for the activity of females in the service of God and in the performance of every good work Were I able to declare the proportion of good that is done in Britain by the female sex it would appear incredible I believe from my soul that it far exceeds one half in all the societies raised since the commencement of the present century in the Bible Society the Missionary Societies and the Society for Promoting the Knowledge of Christianity amongst the Jews yes let the ladies of this country exert themselves in a prudent modest and discreet way and the effects will soon appear the Royal Edict will not be a dead letter but will produce incalculable good to the whole nationmdashand the agents in this benevolent work will themselves receive quite as much benefit as they impart their benevolence being in proportion as it is exercised its own reward

10 The fear of the Lord fell on all the kingdoms of the lands surrounding Judah so that they did not go to war against Jehoshaphat

GILL And the fear of the Lord fell upon all the kingdoms of the lands that were round about Judah Upon the ten tribes and on foreign nations about them as Moabites Edomites Syrians Egyptians Arabs and Philistines this fear as it came from the Lord so might be raised and increased by observing that religion was revived in them for they might perceive by former observations made that the more religious these people were the more prosperous and formidable they were

so that they made no war against Jehoshaphat to interrupt him in the work of reformation he was so intent upon

HERY We have here a further account of Jehoshaphats great prosperity and the flourishing state of his kingdom

I He had good interest in the neighbouring princes and nations Though he was not perhaps so great a soldier as David (which might have made him their terror) nor so great a scholar as Solomon (which might have made him their oracle) yet the fear of the Lord fell so upon them (that is God so influenced and governed their spirits) that they had all a reverence for him 2Ch_1710 And 1 None of them made war against himGods good providence so ordered it that while the princes and priests were instructing and reforming the country none of his neighbours gave him any molestations to take him off from that good work Thus when Jacob and his sons were going to worship at Bethel the terror of God was upon the neighbouring cities that they did not pursue after them Gen_355 and see Exo_3424 2 Many of them brought presents to him (2Ch_1711) to secure his friendship Perhaps these were a tribute imposed upon them by Asa who made himself master of the cities of the Philistines and the tents of the Arabians 2Ch_1414 2Ch_1415 With the 7700 rams and the same number of he-goats which the Arabians brought there was probably a proportionable number of ewes and lambs she-goats and kids

KampD This attempt of Jehoshaphat brought him this blessing that the terror of Jahve fell upon all the surrounding kingdoms and not only did none of the neighbouring peoples venture to make war upon him but also various tribes did homage to him by presents Ramb has already so understood the connection of these verses (erat hoc praemium pietatis Josaphati quod vicini satisque potentes hostes non auderent adversus ipsum hiscere) while Berth fails to apprehend it saying that Jehoshaphat had time to care for the instruction of his people because at that time the neighbouring peoples did not venture to undertake war against Judah The words ldquoterror of Jahverdquo cf 2Ch_1413 2Ch_2029 and ldquoall the kingdoms of the landsrdquo cf 2Ch_128 1Ch_2930 are expressions peculiar to the author of the Chronicle which show that by these remarks he is preparing the way for a transition to a more detailed

portrayal of Jehoshaphats political power מן־(לש)ים is subject מן partitive some of the

Philistines brought him presents (for מנחה see on 2Ch_175) ldquoand silver a burdenrdquo ie

in great quantity מא does not signify tribute vectigal argento (Vulg) for the word has

not that signification but denotes burden that which can be carried as in מא לאן

2Ch_2025 - 2Ch_2116 2Ch_221 ערבים 2Ch_267 and more usually ערב-ים or ערביאים

are Arabian nomadic tribes (Bedacircwin) perhaps those whom Asa after his victory over the Cushite Zerah had brought under the kingdom of Judah 2Ch_1414 These paid

their tribute in small cattle rams and he-goats (ישים( Gen_3035 Gen_3215 Pro_

3031)

BESO 2 Chronicles 1710 The fear of the Lord fell upon all the kingdoms ampc mdash Justly concluding from his singular piety that God would eminently appear for him for even the heathen could not but observe that the kings of Judah were either prosperous or unhappy according as they served God or forsook him So that they made no war against Jehoshaphat mdash Godrsquos good providence so ordered it that while the princes and priests were instructing and endeavouring to reform the country none of his neighbours gave him any molestation to take him off from that good work

COFFMA All of this peace and prosperity were directly due to the respect which Jehoshaphat had shown to the Law of God and to his efforts to teach that word to all the people It is no problem that much of the material here is omitted in Kings because the primary focus there was political whereas in Chronicles the focus is upon the spiritual and religious significance of the same history

TRAPP 2 Chronicles 1710 And the fear of the LORD fell upon all the kingdoms of the lands that [were] round about Judah so that they made no war against Jehoshaphat

Ver 10 And the fear of the Lord fell upon all the kingdoms] It is said [2 Chronicles 172] Jehoshaphat placed forces in all the fenced cities yet it is not said thereupon that the fear of the Lord fell upon the neighbour nations But when he had established a preaching ministry in all the cities then his enemies had a fear and made no war

POOLE Justly concluding from this singular piety that God would eminently appear for him and against all those who had ill will to him which was their case For even the heathens could not but observe that the kings of Judah were either prosperous or unhappy accordingly as they served God or forsook him

ELLICOTT (10) The fear of the LordmdashA dread of Jehovah (pachad) aps 2029 (Comp Exodus 1516 1 Samuel 117 Isaiah 210 ) This phrase is not peculiar to the chronicler as Keil and Bertheau assert ldquoThe kingdoms of the landsrdquo is so (2 Chronicles 128 1 Chronicles 2930)

They made no warmdashThe reward of Jehosha-phatrsquos piety (1 Chronicles 229

Proverbs 167) ldquoWhen a manrsquos ways please the Lord he maketh even his enemies to be at peace with himrdquo (Comp also Genesis 355)

11 Some Philistines brought Jehoshaphat gifts and silver as tribute and the Arabs brought him flocks seven thousand seven hundred rams and seven thousand seven hundred goats

BARES Some of the Philistines brought Jehoshaphat presents - i e ldquosome of the Philistines were among his tributariesrdquo Compare 2Sa_82 1Ki_421

Tribute silver - Or ldquomuch silverrdquo - literally ldquosilver of burthenrdquo

The Arabians - The Arab tribes who bordered Judaea to the south and the southeast paid Jehoshaphat a fixed tribute in kind Compare 2Ki_34 note

CLARKE The Philistines brought - presents - They and the Arabians purchased peace with the king of Judah by paying an annual tribute The Philistines brought silver and no doubt different kinds of merchandise The Arabs whose riches consisted in cattle brought him flocks in great abundance principally rams and he-goats

GILL Also some of the Philistines brought Jehoshaphat presents and tribute silver Perhaps those of Gerar and the parts adjacent Asa took and spoiled and made tributary 2Ch_1414

and the Arabians brought him flocks seven thousand and seven hundred rams and seven thousand and seven hundred he goats with which their country abounded and these might be the Scenite Arabs who fearing lest Jehoshaphat should fall upon them and take away their flocks as his father had done 2Ch_1415 brought these presents to him

JAMISO Also some of the Philistines brought Jehoshaphat presents and tribute silvermdash either they had been his tributaries or they were desirous of securing his valuable friendship and now made a voluntary offer of tribute Perhaps

they were the Philistines who had submitted to the yoke of David (2Sa_81 Psa_608)

the Arabiansmdash the nomad tribes on the south of the Dead Sea who seeking the protection of Jehoshaphat after his conquest of Edom paid their tribute in the way most suitable to their pastoral habits - the present of so many head of cattle

BESO 2 Chronicles 1711 Some of the Philistines brought presents mdash They had been subject to Judah ever since Davidrsquos time but it seems had neglected this duty in the times of his predecessors but were now moved by their own fears to perform it And the Arabians brought him flocks mdash Either because he had upon some just occasion waged war against them and subdued them or because they voluntarily put themselves under his protection in recompense whereof they sent him these presents or only as a free acknowledgment of their respect for him

TRAPP 2 Chronicles 1711 Also [some] of the Philistines brought Jehoshaphat presents and tribute silver and the Arabians brought him flocks seven thousand and seven hundred rams and seven thousand and seven hundred he goats

Ver 11 Also some of the Philistines] These having been subdued by David had withheld their tribute for a time but now seeing Jehoshaphatrsquos growing greatness they bring it in with the better that no offence might be taken at their former neglect The word here used signifieth honorary gifts or oblations pacifications

ldquo Placatur donis Iupiter ipse datis rdquo

Think the same of the Arabians See 2 Chronicles 1414-15

POOLE Some of the Philistines who had been subjects to this kingdom ever since Davidrsquos time but it seems had neglected this duty in the times of his predecessors but now were moved by their own fears to perform it

The Arabians brought him flocks either because he had upon some just occasion waged war against them and subdued them though the particulars of it be not described in Scripture or because they voluntarily put themselves under his protection in recompence whereof they sent him those presents or only as a free acknowledgment of their respects to him

ELLICOTT (11) Broughtmdashie continually Such is the force of the participle

PresentsmdashAn offering ie tribute (minchah 2 Chronicles 175)

And tribute silvermdashRather and silver a load or burden ie a great quantity (massacircrsquo) 2 Chronicles 2025 As if ldquosilver as much as they could carryrdquomdasha natural hyperbole ot all the five states of the Philistines were subject to Jehoshaphat (Comp 2 Samuel 81)

The ArabiansmdashlsquoArbicircrsquoim here only equivalent to lsquoArbicircyicircm (2 Chronicles 267) and

lsquoArbim (2 Chronicles 2116) They are in each case grouped with the Philistines The nomad Bedacircwin conquered by Asa (2 Chronicles 1415) appear to be meant here or else some tribes which recognised the overlordship of Jehoshaphat after his reduction of Edom (2 Chronicles 2022 sqq)

Brought him flocksmdashComp Mesha of Moabrsquos tribute to Ahab (2 Kings 34)

GUZIK 2 (2 Chronicles 1711-19) The international strength of Jehoshaphatrsquos kingdom

Also some of the Philistines brought Jehoshaphat presents and silver as tribute and the Arabians brought him flocks seven thousand seven hundred rams and seven thousand seven hundred male goats So Jehoshaphat became increasingly powerful and he built fortresses and storage cities in Judah He had much property in the cities of Judah and the men of war mighty men of valor were in Jerusalem These are their numbers according to their fathersrsquo houses Of Judah the captains of thousands Adnah the captain and with him three hundred thousand mighty men of valor and next to him was Jehohanan the captain and with him two hundred and eighty thousand and next to him was Amasiah the son of Zichri who willingly offered himself to the LORD and with him two hundred thousand mighty men of valor Of Benjamin Eliada a mighty man of valor and with him two hundred thousand men armed with bow and shield and next to him was Jehozabad and with him one hundred and eighty thousand prepared for war These served the king besides those the king put in the fortified cities throughout all Judah

a Some of the Philistines brought Jehoshaphat presents and silver as tribute and the Arabians brought him flocks Jehoshaphatrsquos commitment to personal and public godliness meant that God exalted his kingdom above the neighboring nations even as God promised in Deuteronomy 281-13

b These served the king The true treasure of Jehoshaphatrsquos kingdom was not numbered only in security or material things but also in the dedicated and courageous men he had surrounding him these mighty men of valor

i Amasiah the son of Zichri who willingly offered himself to the LORD ldquoAmasiah is a man of whom we do not know anything beyond this ndash he lsquowillingly offered himself unto the Lordrsquo There must have been a turning-point in his career a time when first he knew the grace of God which wrought such a change in him There must have been a waking up to the feeling that God deserved his love and his liferdquo (Spurgeon)

ii Amasiah was a ready servant of the Lord this particularly notable because he did it in an otherwise secular calling

middot o one had to press him into service

middot o one had to seek him out for service

middot o one had to look after him once he had begun serving

middot o one had to lead him

iii ldquoThere is no lawful occupation in which a man cannot thoroughly serve the Lord It is a great privilege and blessing to be set apart to the work of winning souls but we must never separate that work from all the rest of the callings of life as though it alone were sacred and all the rest were secular and almost sinful Serve God where you arerdquo (Spurgeon)

PULPIT The presents were probably enough in the nature of tribute the fixed rate of which is sometimes alluded to (1 Kings 421 1 Kings 1025 2 Samuel 82) but it is doubtful whether the word משא purports to say this The word means bearing or carrying and then a burden load or weight The expression (2 Chronicles 2025) more than they could carry away where this word is used favours the idea that the meaning here is silver of great weight Probably the moral significance and historical interest whether of this statement respecting the Philistines or the following respecting the Arabians lies in the fact that both of them brought without more ado their payments and did not seek to slip out of their engagements with Judah and Judahs king ote for confirmation of this view 2 Kings 34 2 Kings 35

12 Jehoshaphat became more and more powerful he built forts and store cities in Judah

GILL And Jehoshaphat waxed great exceedingly In wealth and riches power and authority in his forces and fortifications

and he built in Judah castles and cities of stores castles for the defence of his kingdom and store cities to lay up corn and wine and all provisions in case of an invasion or against a time of war

HERY II He had a very considerable stores laid up in the cities of Judah He pulled down his barns and built larger (2Ch_1712) castles and cities of store for arms and victuals He was a man of business and aimed at the public good in all his

undertakings either to preserve the peace or prepare for war

JAMISO 2Ch_1712-19 His greatness captains and armies

KampD Description of Jehoshaphats power - 2Ch_1712 And Jehoshaphat became

ever greater sc in power The partic הולך expresses the continuous advance in

greatness cf Ew sect280 b as the infin absol does elsewhere eg Gen_83 למעלה as עד

in 2Ch_1612 - He built castles in Judah ירנ-ות only here and in 2Ch_274 from ירנית

derivative formed from ירה by the Syriac termination נית- fem of ן- castle fortress On

מסנות cf 2Ch_84 ערי

TRAPP 2 Chronicles 1712 And Jehoshaphat waxed great exceedingly and he built in Judah castles and cities of store

Ver 12 And Jehoshaphat waxed great exceedingly] Heb He was going and growing By humility and the fear of the Lord are riches and honour and life [Proverbs 224]

And he built in Judah castles] Bironeoth πυργους turres So did the Burgundians and thence had their names

And cities of store] Granaries in the Hebrew they have their name from their utility or usefulness

ELLICOTT (12) And Jehoshaphat waxed greatmdashLiterally And Jehoshaphat was going on and waxing great ie became greater and greater (Comp 1 Chronicles 119)

ExceedinglymdashlsquoAd lĕmagraversquolah This phrase occurs again in 2 Chronicles 1612 2 Chronicles 268 and nowhere else in the Old Testament (See on 1 Chronicles 142)

And he builtmdashLike his predecessorsmdashSolomon Rehoboam Asamdashhe displayed his wealth and power in great public works The records of the Assyrian and Babylonian sovereigns are largely taken up with similar accounts of temple and palace building

CastlesmdashBiranicircyocircth a derivative from birah (1 Chronicles 291 1 Chronicles 2919 comp Syriac here birocircthocirc) It only recurs at 2 Chronicles 274 It is an Aramaic term (Comp bicircranyacircthacirc which in the Targums means ldquopalacesrdquo)

Cities of storesmdashComp 2 Chronicles 84 2 Chronicles 164 Exodus 111

PULPIT Castles This rendering better than palaces (margin) wound bear improving to the rather stronger word fortresses Hebrew בירניות found only here and in 2 Chronicles 274 plur of בירנית connected with the Chaldee and later Hebrew בירה of Ezra 62 ehemiah 11 Esther 12 Daniel 82 Cities of store (see note under 2 Chronicles 84 see also 1 Kings 919 Exodus 111)

13 and had large supplies in the towns of Judah He also kept experienced fighting men in Jerusalem

CLARKE He hadmuch business in the cities - He kept the people constantly employed they had wages for their work and by their labors the empire was both enriched and strengthened

GILL And he had much business in the cities of Judah Partly in fortifying them and partly in reforming the inhabitants of them

and the men of war mighty men of valour were in Jerusalem or by or near unto it so the particle is rendered Jos_513 they encamped in places adjacent to it for such a number of men as follows even 1160000 could never be contained in Jerusalem but must be disposed of in the territories of it nor did they wait on the king together but in course see 2Ch_1719 by which it appears there is no need to suppose any mistake of the transcriber in any or all of the following sums as has been suggested (q)

HERY 13-19 III He had the militia in good order It was never in better since David modelled it Five lord-lieutenants (if I may so call them) are here named with the numbers of those under their command (the serviceable men that were fit for war in their respective districts) three in Judah and two in Benjamin It is said of one of these great commanders Amasiah that he willingly offered himself unto the Lord (2Ch_1716) not only to the king to serve him in this post but to the Lord to glorify him in it He was the most eminent among them for religion he accepted the place not for the

honour or power or profit of it but for conscience sake towards God that he might serve his country It was usual for great generals then to offer of their spoils to the Lord 1Ch_2626 But this good man offered himself first to the Lord and then his dedicated things The number of the soldiers under these five generals amounts to 1160000 men a vast number for so small a compass of ground as Judahs and Benjamins lot to furnish out and maintain Abijah could bring into the field but 400000 (2Ch_133) Asa not 600000 (2Ch_148) yet Jehoshaphat has at command almost 1200000 But it must be considered 1 That God had promised to make the seed of Abraham like the sand of the sea for number 2 There had now been a long peace 3 We may suppose that the city of Jerusalem was very much enlarged 4 Many had come over to them from the kingdom of Israel (2Ch_1519) which would increase the numbers of the people 5 Jehoshaphat was under a special blessing of God which made his affairs to prosper greatly The armies we may suppose were dispersed all the country over and each man resided for the most part on his own estate but they appeared often to be mustered and trained and were ready at call whenever there was occasion The commanders waited on the king (2Ch_1719) as officers of his court privy-counsellors and ministers of state

But lastly observe It was not this formidable army that struck a terror upon the neighbouring nations that restrained them from attempting any thing against Israel or obliged them to pay tribute but the fear of God which fell upon them when Jehoshaphat reformed his country and set up a preaching ministry in it 2Ch_1710 The ordinances of God are more the strength and safety of a kingdom than its military force - its men of God more than its men of war

KampD 2Ch_1713

וגווגווגווגו רהרהרהרה is rightly translated by Luther ldquound hatte viel Vorrathsrdquo (and ומלעכהומלעכהומלעכהומלעכה

had much store) מלעכהמלעכהמלעכהמלעכה denotes here as in Exo_227-10 property that which has been gained by work or business The signification much work opera magna (Vulg Cler etc) as also Bertheaus translation ldquothe works for equipping and provisioning the fortressesrdquo correspond neither to the context nor to the parallel (synonymous) second member of the verse The work and trouble necessary to equip the cities of Judah does not correspond to ldquothe valiant warriors in Jerusalemrdquo the only parallel is the goods and property which were in these cities the provision of victuals and war material there stored up

BESO 2 Chronicles 1713 He had much business in the cities of Judah mdash To repair and fortify them and furnish them with provisions and to purge out all the relics of idolatry and injustice which were more secretly and craftily managed in the cities than in the country and which were first and most prevalent in the cities and thence spread their infection into the country around them

TRAPP 2 Chronicles 1713 And he had much business in the cities of Judah and the men of war mighty men of valour [were] in Jerusalem

Ver 13 And he had much business] Eργα πολλα (a) Many works going forward at

once a negotious man he was His business say some lay in beautifying and fortifying those cities Augustus gloried at his death that whereas he had found Rome built with brick he had left it made of marble

And the men of war hellip were in Jerusalem] These were his Praetorian forces his Praesidiaries were up and down in the various cities

POOLE He had much business in the cities of Judah partly to repair and fortify them and furnish them with all necessary provisions and partly to purge out all the relies and seeds of idolatry and injustice which were more secretly and subtlely managed in the cities than in the country and which were first and most in the cities and thence spread their infection into the country about them See Jeremiah 228

ELLICOTT (13) BusinessmdashRather much goods or stores literally work (mĕlacirckacirch) and then produce The Hebrew word is so used in Exodus 227 Exodus 2210 (ldquoHis neighbourrsquos goodsrdquo) Stores of provisions and war material seem to be intended (Comp 2 Chronicles 1111)

And the man of war were in JerusalemmdashRather and (he had) men of war in Jerusalem

In Jerusalemmdashot the entire army corps whose numbers are given in 2 Chronicles 1714-18 but simply their chiefs

PULPIT Much business Hebrew מלאכה The meaning of the word is service labour bestowed and the verse reads And there was to him much labour in the cities of Judah and men of war mighty men of valour in Jerusalem ie He bestoweth much pains on the cities of Judah and had etc The word were Authorized Version italics is incorrectly inserted The former half of this verse would better constitute the end of 2 Chronicles 1712 Keil however maintains the rendering substance property for מלאכה (Exodus 227 Exodus 2210)

14 Their enrollment by families was as followsFrom Judah commanders of units of 1000Adnah the commander with 300000 fighting men

BARES The captains of thousands Adnah the chief - literally ldquoprinces of thousands Adnah the princerdquo The writer does not mean that Adnah (or Johohanan 2Ch_1715) was in any way superior to the other ldquoprincesrdquo but only that he was one of them

Three hundred thousand - This number and those which follow in 2Ch_1715-18 have been with good reason regarded as corrupt by most critics For

(1) They imply a minimum population of 1480 to the square mile which is more than three times greater than that of any country in the known world (circa 1880rsquos)

(2) they produce a total just double that of the next largest estimate of the military force of Judah the 580 000 of 2Ch_148

(3) they are professedly a statement not of the whole military force but of the force maintained at Jerusalem (2Ch_1713 compare 2Ch_1719)

It is probable that the original numbers have been lost and that the loss was suppplied by a scribe who took 2Ch_148 as his basis

CLARKE Adnah the chief - He was generalissimo of all this host These are the numbers of the five battalions under Adnah three hundred thousand Jehohanan two hundred and eighty thousand Amasiah two hundred thousand Eliada two hundred thousand Jehozabad one hundred and eighty thousand in all one million one hundred and sixty thousand

GILL And these are the numbers of them according to the house of their fathers Both of the tribe of Judah and of Benjamin and first

of Judah the captains of thousands some had 1000 men under them and some one hundred

Adnah the chief he was the principal commander or general of them

and with him mighty men of valour three hundred thousand such a number was under his command

JAMISO these are the numbersmdash The warriors were arranged in the army according to their fathers houses The army of Jehoshaphat commanded by five great generals and consisting of five unequal divisions comprised one million one hundred and sixty thousand men without including those who garrisoned the fortresses No monarch since the time of Solomon equaled Jehoshaphat in the extent of his revenue in the strength of his fortifications and in the number of his troops

KampD 2Ch_1714-16

The men fit for war passed in review according to their fathers-houses The male population of Judah fell into three divisions that of Benjamin into two The prince

Adnah held the first place among the generals with 300000 men of Judah ידו at his על

hand ie with and under him Jehohanan had the command of 280000 men and

Amasiah over 200000 השר is a contraction for אלפים For what special reason it is so שר

honourably recorded of Amasiah that he had willingly offered himself to the Lord (cf for

Jdg_59) has not been communicated התנב

COFFMA his represented a standing army of 1160000 men besides the garrisons in the fortified cities and this goes a long way to explaining why the Arabians and the Philistines brought tribute to Jehoshaphat In ancient times as in our own day peace frequently depended upon the strength of those who desired it

We should ignore the screams of exaggeration[3] which mark the writings of radical critics Pagan rulers of that era reported even larger armies than this and until the critics can prove that those were exaggerated reports they should let these alone Besides that we have already noted that the very word from which thousand is translated is disputed as to its exact meaning

COKE 2 Chronicles 1714 And these are the numbers of themmdash That is of the soldiers as well as of those who were employed in the kings works in the several cities ampc which he built See 2 Chronicles 1719

REFLECTIOSmdash1st Jehoshaphat no sooner comes to the throne than we see the dawnings of a glorious reign

1 He strengthened his kingdom by placing strong garrisons in the cities of Judah and those which his father had recovered from Israel and prepared against that danger which Ahabs growing power seemed to threaten

2 Religion was his great concern He copied after the best of his predecessors in their best days such as were the first of David before the matter of Uriah and the numbering of the people had blotted his fair copy Faithful to the worship of God he abhorred all idols the law of God was his rule of duty and Israels apostacy rendered his fidelity more singular and exemplary Inspired with holy zeal his heart with delight and sincerity was engaged for God and no difficulties deterred him from the path of duty The idols and groves which in the declining days of Asa might have been set up again he utterly destroyed with all the high places where they still offered sacrifices to these abominations ote (1) In the fairest human pattern there will be found imperfections but there is a Son of David more than man who has set us a spotless example that we should follow his steps (2) Fidelity in Gods service is the stability of a nation (3) A lively soul on wings of faith and love mounts up to God rises superior to every difficulty and looks down upon every thing besides his favour as altogether vanity

3 He not only removed the temptations to sin but took care to instruct the people in

the path of duty Ignorance of Gods law had greatly prevailed and to oblige them merely to conform to his reformation without grounding them on the true foundation of Gods word promised little stability The Levites and priests therefore are sent in progress through the cities of Judah with the book of the law to explain and enforce the commandments of God and several princes accompanied them in order to engage the people to hear them and give countenance to these preachers by their weight and influence ote (1) It is a blessed thing when princes countenance faithful ministers Though they cannot make men true converts their example and authority will induce them to attend (2) They who are sent to teach must see that they take the pure word of God along with them A true preacher wishes for nothing in his hand but his Bible (3) Religion is a reasonable service Conviction alone not compulsion or education can make a man a christian

4 The blessing of God attended his labours The Lord was with him or as the Targum generally expresses it the word of the Lord the divine Logos to whom all things are committed strengthened him in his labours and established his kingdom The people charmed with his government liberally sent their presents to him and abounding in riches and honour his heart far from being intoxicated by prosperity was lifted up in greater love and thankfulness to the gracious giver ote (1) God often here rewards piety with prosperity (2) Worldly comforts are then truly blessings when as the steps of Jacobs ladder they raise our hearts to heaven

2nd Like the light of the morning which shineth more and more so did Jehoshaphats glory increase

1 Feared by his enemies as beloved by his subjects the neighbouring princes did not offer to molest him while those of Philistia and Arabia courted his favour either by a voluntary present or exact payment of the tribute which Asa had imposed on them see 2 Chronicles 1711 God had put an awe upon them of the majesty of his king in Zion ote God hath access to the spirits of men and by secret yet irresistible influence can bow them to his sovereign will

2 His military preparations greatly advanced While he reformed the people he fortified their ramparts and built new castles and store-cities strengthening them within and without against their enemies Under five chief officers an immense army was enlisted Probably all the able men in the country were enrolled and regularly mustered though not drawn out except in case of necessity and this may easily account for the greatness of their number if we consider also the long peace they had enjoyed the accession of Israelites to them and especially the blessing of Abraham which no doubt was eminently fulfilled Amasiah one of the officers is mentioned with an honourable mark of distinction as a volunteer who served for the glory of God not for the sake of pay Such patriots are scarce

TRAPP 2 Chronicles 1714 And these [are] the numbers of them according to the house of their fathers Of Judah the captains of thousands Adnah the chief and

with him mighty men of valour three hundred thousand

Ver 14 Three hundred thousand] These were under his command and at hand to come whensoever the king would

WHEDO 14 Three hundred thousand mdash The numbers in this verse and the four verses following are generally regarded as corrupt ldquoThey implyrdquo observes the writer last quoted ldquoa minimum population of 1480 to the square mile which is more than three times greater than that of any country in the known world It is probable that the original numbers have been lost and the loss supplied by a scribe who took 2 Chronicles 148 as his basis

ELLICOTT Verse 14 (14) And these their fathersmdashAnd this is their muster (or census) according to their father-houses (clans) 1 Chronicles 243 The warriors were marshalled in the army according to clans so that men of the same stock fought side by side with their kindred Perhaps in the original document this heading was followed by a much more detailed scheme of names and divisions than that which the text presents

Of JudahmdashTo Judah (belonged) captains of thousands viz the three enumerated in 2 Chronicles 1714-16 Adnah Jehohanan and Amasiah They were the principal officers or generals of the entire forces of Judah

Adnah the chiefmdashTo wit the captain Adnah That Adnah was commander-in-chief is implied by his being named first and his corps being the largest

PULPIT This verse with the following four gives us the names of five captains chiefs princes or military officers for the kingdoms service with the numbers of the troops they severally commanded The numbers of them (see note under 1 Chronicles 2311) Hebrew פקדתם The better English rendering to carry at once the signification would be The muster of them etc The captains hellip the chief In both cases the Hebrew is the familiar word for prince ( שר ) in the former without article in the latter with article The numbers of this and following four verses are not only absolutely unreliable but in themselves impossible According to the house of their fathers ie the quotation is drawn from an army catalogue arranged carefully by fathers houses (umbers 118 umbers 122 etc)

15 next Jehohanan the commander with 280000

GILL And next to him was Jehohanan the captain Being of the same rank as to office but having a lesser number of men under him and it may respect not any kind of subordination only nearness of place as the Targumhe that encamped next to him

and with him two hundred and fourscore thousand which number was but 20000 less than the former

POOLE ext to him either

1 After his death as his successor in the same command And the like is supposed concerning Jehozabad 2 Chronicles 1718 Or rather

2 ext to him in place and authority or at least in power and the numbers of his host

16 next Amasiah son of Zikri who volunteered himself for the service of the Lord with 200000

GILL And next him was Amasiah the son of Zichri He encamped next to him as the Targum

who willingly offered himself unto the Lord to fight the Lords battles and without any stipend as some think or as Kimchi he offered gold and silver to the treasures of the house of the Lord

and with him two hundred thousand mighty men of valour the number was 80000 less than the former the whole of Judah amounted to 780000 men

TRAPP 2 Chronicles 1716 And next him [was] Amasiah the son of Zichri who willingly offered himself unto the LORD and with him two hundred thousand mighty men of valour

Ver 16 Who willingly offered himself unto the Lord] He was a votary the vows of God were upon him and this made him the more valiant and resolute (a) in the exercise of arms for the service of God and the safety of his people The Spahis among the Turks are a sort of horsemen voluntaries and votaries to gain paradise by dying for the Mohammedan cause These are never known to return home but

with victory these are heavy upon the enemy For

ldquo Vincitur haud gratis iugulo qui provocat ensem rdquo

POOLE As volunteers and auxiliaries to be ready upon occasion as the service of God and the king should require Possibly these or most of them were the strangers which had come out of Israel into the kingdom of Judah in Asarsquos days and probably since that in his time

ELLICOTT (16) AmasiahmdashIah carrieth (Isaiah 4011) different from Amaziah (Iah is strong)

Who willingly offered himself unto the Lordmdash(Judges 52 Judges 59) An allusion to some noble act of self-devotion which was doubtless more fully recorded in the source from which the chronicler has drawn this brief account Such allusions though no longer intelligible are important as conducing to the proof of the historical value of the narratives in which they occur LXX ὁ προθυmicroούmicroενος τῷ κυρίῳ Vulg consecratus Domino

PULPIT Amaziah the son of Zichri This man is not titled at all The description of him as one who had willingly offered himself unto the Lord not elucidated by the context or any effective parallel will mark something honorable in his history Possibly he comes from an unexpected quarter and is a man of approved skill othing further is known of these three men Meantime it has been suggested (Professor Dr J Murphy of Belfast Handbook to Chronicles ) that the first of the three was for Judah proper the second for that contingent of Judah that hailed from Dan and the Philistines and the third for that of Simeon and the Arabs

MACLARE This is a scrap from the catalogue of Jehoshaphatrsquos lsquomighty men of valourrsquo and is Amasiahrsquos sole record We see him for a moment and hear his eulogium and then oblivion swallows him up We do not know what it was that he did to earn it But what a fate to live to all generations by that one sentence

I Cheerful self-surrender the secret of all religion

The words of our text contain a metaphor naturally drawn from the sacrificial system It comes so easily to us that we scarcely recognise the metaphorical element but the clear recognition of it gives great additional energy to the words Amasiah was both sacrificer and sacrifice His offering was self-immolation As in all love so in that noblest kind of it which clasps God its perfect expression is lsquoI give Thee my living loving selfrsquo Nor is it only sacrifice and sacrificer that are seen in deepest truth in the experience of the Christian life but the reality of the Temple is also there for lsquoYe also are built up a spiritual house to be a holy priesthood to offer up spiritual sacrificesrsquo Only when God dwells in us shall we have the nerve and the firmness of hand to take the knife and lsquoslay before the Lordrsquo the awful Guest in the sanctuary within the most precious of the children of our spirits

The essence of the sacrifice of self is the sacrifice of will In the Christian experience

lsquowillingly offeredrsquo is almost tautology for unwilling offerings are a contradiction and in fact there are no such things The quality of unwillingness destroys the character of the offering and robs it of all sacredness Reluctant Christianity is not Christianity That noun and that adjective can never be buckled together

The submission of will and the consequent surrender of myself and my powers opportunities and possessions so that I do all enjoy all use all and when need is endure all with glad thankful reference to God is only possible to me in the measure in which my will is made flexible by love and such will-subduing love comes only when we lsquoknow and believe the love that God hath to usrsquo There is the point at which not a few moral and religious teachers go wrong and bewilder themselves and their disciples There too is the point at which Christ and the Gospel of salvation through faith in Him stand forth as emancipating humanity from the dreary round of efforts and vain attempts to work up the condition needful for achieving the height of self-surrender which is seen to be indispensable to all true nobleness of living but is felt to be beyond the reach of the ordinary man There too is the point at which many good people mar their lives as Christians They waste their strength in trying to bring the jibbing horse up to the leap They try to blow up a fire of devotion and to make themselves priests to offer themselves but all the while the mutinous self recoils from the leap and the fire burns smokily and their sacrifice is laid on the altar with little joy because they have not been careful and wise enough to begin at the beginning and to follow Godrsquos way of melting their wills by love the reflection of the Infinite love of God to them Godrsquos priests offer themselves because they offer their wills they offer their wills because they love God they love God because they know that God loves them That is the divine order It is vain to try to accomplish the end by any other

II This willing offering hallows all life

No syllable is left to tell us what Amasiah did to win this praise Probably the words enshrine some now forgotten memory of his cheerful courage some heroic feat on an unrecorded battlefield Particulars are not given nor needed Specific actions are unimportant the spirit of a life can be told with very incomplete details and it not the details is the important thing Sometimes as in many modern biographies one lsquocannot see the wood for the treesrsquo and misses the main drift and aim of a life in the chaos of a bewildering mass of nothings How much more happy the lot of this man of whom we have only the generalised expression of the text unweighted and undisturbed by petty incidents It takes tons of rose leaves to make a tiny phial of otto of roses but the fragrance is far more pungent in a drop of the distillation than in armfuls of leaves Every life shrinks into very small compass and the centuries do not tolerate long biographies Shall we not seek to order our life so that Amasiahrsquos epitaph may serve for us It will be blessed if this-and nothing else-is known about us that we lsquowillingly offered ourselves to the Lordrsquo My friend will that be a true epitome of your life

III This willing offering is accepted by God

We may hear a mightier voice behind the chroniclerrsquo s and the judgment of the Judge of all pronounced by His lips It matters little what men say of one another but it matters everything what God says of us We are but too apt to forget that He is now saying something as to each of us and that we have not to wait for death to put a final period to our activities before our lives become fit subjects for Godrsquos judgment Moment by moment we are writing our own sentences But while it is good for us to remember the continuous judgment of God on each deed it is not good to let dark thoughts of the principles of that judgment paralyse our activity or chill our confidence in His forgiving and accepting mercy There is often a dark suspicion like that of the one-talented

servant which blackens Godrsquos fair fame as being lsquoan austere Manrsquo making demands rather than imparting power and the effect of such an ugly conception of Him is to cut the nerve of service and bury the talent carefully folded up it may be but none the less earning nothing lsquoIf we call on Him as Father who without respect of persons judgeth according to every manrsquos workrsquo let us be sure that it will be a Fatherly judgment that He will pass upon us and our offerings There is a wonderful collection on His altar of what many people would think rubbish just as many a mother has laid away among her treasures some worthless article which her child had once given her-a weed plucked by the roadside in a long past summer day some trifle of rare preciousness in the childrsquos eyes and of none in any others than her own She opens her drawer and brings out the poor little thing and her eyes fill and her heart fills as she looks And does not God keep His childrenrsquos gifts as lovingly and set them in places of honour in the day when He lsquomakes up His jewelsrsquo There are cups of cold water and widowsrsquo mites and much else that a supercilious world would call lsquotrashrsquo stored there Thank God He accepts imperfect service faltering faith partial consecration a little love Even our poor offering may be an lsquoodour of a sweet smellrsquo ministering fragrance that is a delight to Him if it is offered with the much incense of the great Sacrifice and through the mediation of the great High Priest

The world forgot Amasiah or never knew him an obscure soldier in an obscure kingdom but God did not forget and here is his epitaph and this is his memorial to all generations Menrsquos chronicles have no room for all the names that their wearers are eager to have inscribed on their crumbling and crowded pages lsquobut the Lambrsquos Book of Lifersquo has ample space on its radiant pages for all who desire to set their names there and if ours are there we need not envy the proudest whose titles and deeds fill the most conspicuous pages in the worldrsquos records lsquoThen shall every man have praise of Christrsquo and he who wins that guerdon needs nothing more and can have nothing more to swell his blessedness

17 From BenjaminEliada a valiant soldier with 200000 men armed with bows and shields

GILL And of Benjamin Eliada a mighty man of valour Was the chief commander

and with armed men with bow and shield two hundred thousand which were

the armour of the tribe of Benjamin they were best skilled in 2Ch_148

TRAPP 2 Chronicles 1717 And of Benjamin Eliada a mighty man of valour and with him armed men with bow and shield two hundred thousand

Ver 17 With bow and shield] The Benjamites were notable bowmen [1 Chronicles 122] The Engish were anciently so too

ELLICOTT (17) Armed men with bow and shieldmdashLiterally drawing bow and shield ie as the Targum explains ldquodrawing bow and grasping shieldsrdquo (Comp 1 Chronicles 122) LXX ldquoArchers and peltastsrdquo Vulg ldquoGrasping bow and shieldrdquo (Comp also 1 Chronicles 840 for the arms of the Benjaminites)

18 next Jehozabad with 180000 men armed for battle

GILL And next to him was Jehozabad According to the Targum he encamped next him

and with him one hundred and fourscore thousand ready prepared for war being able bodied men well disciplined valiant and well armed these numbers of Judah and Benjamin put together amount to 1160000 men whereas Asa only brought into the field 580000 but it should be considered there had been a long time of peace many had come off from the ten tribes to Judah and the promise of multiplying the seed of Abraham was eminently fulfilled

TRAPP 2 Chronicles 1718 And next him [was] Jehozabad and with him an hundred and fourscore thousand ready prepared for the war

Ver 18 A hundred and fourscore thousand] His militia was eleven hundred and threescore thousand besides what he had in garrisons [2 Chronicles 1719] So that as he was better he was stronger than his father Asa had been Piety hath prosperity

ELLICOTT (18) Ready prepared for the warmdashEquipped for service (See on 1

Chronicles 1223-24 umbers 315 umbers 3229) The hoplites or heavy-armed infantry are probably meant

PULPIT While Eliada of last verse was for Benjamin Professor Dr Murphy supposes that Jehozabad was for the annexed part of Ephraim But no suppositions of this kind can avail to explain the numbers in the text which is no doubt corrupt

19 These were the men who served the king besides those he stationed in the fortified cities throughout Judah

CLARKE These waited on the king - They were disposable forces always at the kingrsquos command and were independent of those by which the cities of Judah were garrisoned

There is not a sovereign in Europe or in the world but might read this chapter with advantage

1 It shows most forcibly that true religion is the basis of the state and that wherever it prospers there the state prospers

2 It shows also that it is the wisdom of kings to encourage religion with all their power and influence for if the hearts of the subjects be not bound and influenced by true religion vain is the application of laws fines imprisonments or corporal punishment of any kind

3 A religious nation is ever a great nation it is loved by its friends it is dreaded by its enemies

4 It is ever a peaceable and united nation the blessings of religion and a wholesome and paternal government are so fully felt and prized that all find it their interest to preserve and defend them Harmony peace piety and strength are the stability of such times May Britain know and value them

GILL These waited on the king Not this vast number of men at one time but in course as Davids military men waited on him 1Ch_271 or each of these captains with a proper number of men under them detached from the body and they were all ready to obey the kings orders whenever he should have occasion for them

besides those whom the king put into the fenced cities throughout Judah and all together the militia of the kingdom was very numerous and formidable

KampD 2Ch_1719

These were serving the king א6ה refers not to the above-mentioned men capable of

bearing arms for sheereet is not used of service in war but to the commanders whom he had placed in the fortified cities of all Judah ldquoin which probably bodies of the above-mentioned troops lay as garrisonsrdquo (Berth)

BESO 2 Chronicles 1719 These waited on the king mdash These above-mentioned were the trained bands or auxiliaries whose chief officers waited on the king to receive his commands and to raise and bring in all or part of their forces to the service of the king as need required A vast number for so small a compass of ground to furnish out and maintain But we may consider that God had promised to make the seed of Abraham like the sand of the sea for number that there had now been a long peace that many were come to them from the kingdom of Israel and that Jehoshaphat was under a special blessing of God They were doubtless dispersed all the country over every one residing on his own land only they were ready at call whenever there was occasion

TRAPP 2 Chronicles 1719 These waited on the king beside [those] whom the king put in the fenced cities throughout all Judah

Ver 19 These waited on the king] ie In their turns and by course

POOLE These above mentioned were the trained bands or auxiliaries whose chief officers waited upon the king to receive his commands and to raise and bring in all or part of their forces to the service of the king and kingdom as need required

ELLICOTT (19) These waited on the kingmdashRather these are they that ministered unto the king viz the five generals above named

Beside those whom the king put in the fenced citiesmdashie the commandants of the fortresses of the kingdom (2 Chronicles 1111 2 Chronicles 1123) These latter as well as the generals of the forces are called the kingrsquos ldquoministersrdquo (mĕshacircrĕthicircm)mdasha word which is not used of service in the field but implies their presence at court (ldquoin Jerusalemrdquo 2 Chronicles 1713 as the royal staff)

According to the above list the army of Jehoshaphat was organised in five grand divisions corresponding perhaps to five territorial divisions of the southern kingdom The totals are the largest assigned to the two tribes anywhere in the Old Testament viz Judah 780000 and Benjamin 380000 in all 1160000 At Davidrsquos census Judah had 500000 warriors (2 Samuel 249) and Israel 800000 Again in 2

Chronicles 148 Asarsquos army consists of 300000 men of Judah and 280000 Benjaminites clearly such an increase as our text indicates is unaccountable At the same time it is equally clear that the present numbers are not fortuitous results of clerical errors for they follow each other in the order of relative strength Judah 300000 280000 200000 Benjamin 200000 180000 and they are evidently not independent of the estimates of 2 Chronicles 148 above quoted

In the absence of adequate data for modifying these certainly startling figures it is well to bear in mind that we need not understand by them an army which ever actually mustered in the field or on parade but simply an estimate of the total male population liable to be called out for the national defence although even upon that understanding the total appears to be at least three times too great considering the small extent of the country

PULPIT These waited Hebrew המשרתים plur piel part of שרת The verse states that this enormous fivefold army with its five princes (counting in our corrupt text one million one hundred and sixty thousand) was the kings Jerusalem standing army while other separate regiments or bands of troops were spread through all Judah where they might be most needed for defence

countenanced by the higher orders whose rank in life or sacredness of character will give a tone to the general feeling and combine the energies of the whole kingdom If it be said that those for whom the benefit is designed do not feel a desire after it this only shews how much they need it and how earnestly we should all embark in a cause proposed by such high authority and recommended by the soundest dictates of wisdom and piety

That our obligations to unite in this labour of love may the more distinctly appear I would beg leave to suggest the following considerations

First Loyalty to the king demands our concurrence with him in this good work and a holy emulation amongst us to carry into effect his benevolent designs What can the greatest or best of men effect (what could Jehoshaphat himself have done) if there be none to act in subserviency to them and to follow their directions As the most potent monarch upon earth would in vain proclaim war if there were no soldiers found to enlist under his banners and to execute his commands so it will be in vain that the design of benefiting the Jewish people was ever conceived in the mind of the king or that his edict respecting them was ever issued if his subjects do not put forth their energies in obedience to his call In truth a backwardness to co-operate with him in this blessed work would seem like a reflection cast upon him as recommending a measure that was unworthy of attention I do not mean to insinuate that such an idea really exists in the minds of any for I am perfectly convinced it does not but certainly in appearance it is open to this construction and every subject of the empire is concerned to act in such a way as to cut off all occasion for a reflection like this I say loyalty alone even if we had no higher motive should be sufficient to call forth our exertions in this cause

But let me next observe that gratitude to the Jewish nation demands it at our hands How great how manifold are our obligations to them Behold Moses and the prophets what instruction have they given us in reference to the way of life and salvation Without the moral law as revealed by Moses we should never have known to what an extent we need a Saviour nor if the prophecies had not so fully designated the promised Messiah could we have ever so fully known that Jesus was the Christ Of whom did the Lord Jesus Christ himself come as pertaining to the flesh but from the loins of David and of the seed of Abraham Yet to him are we indebted for all that we either have or hope for in time or in eternity And who were the Apostles but Jews who for our sakes went forth preaching the word and counted not their lives dear to them so that they might but lead us to the knowledge of Christ and make us partakers of his salvation From them too we have received the lively oracles which are the one source of all spiritual knowledge and the one foundation of all our hopes Does all this call for no recompence at our hands Knowing as we do the vast importance of education should we not endeavour to impart it to those from whose ancestors we have received such innumerable such inestimable benefits Yet behold these are the people whom for many many centuries we have treated with more neglect and contempt than any other people upon the face of the earth the savages of the most distant climes have received more attention from us than they Surely it is high time that the Christian world awake to

a sense of their duty and begin to shew to the Jews somewhat of that love which their forefathers exercised towards us in our Gentile state We are debtors to them to a vast amount and it is high time that we begin to discharge our debt And how can we discharge it better than by enabling them to read and understand those very oracles which they have preserved with such fidelity and which testify so fully of their promised Messiah

Further A love to the rising generation should lead us to avail ourselves of the present opportunity to promote their welfaremdashIt is truly afflictive to see how low and degraded is the state of multitudes especially of the Jewish nation purely through the neglect with which they are treated in their early youth and still more grievous is it to reflect on their ignorance of those things which belong to their everlasting peace To counteract this we should endeavour to qualify the whole of their population for good and useful employments and through the medium of useful instruction to make them holy and to make them happy We need never be afraid that there will not be a sufficient number of poor to fill the lower stations do what we will there will never be wanting persons who through their own fault or misfortunes are necessitated to undertake the lowest offices of life And if they have been previously instructed in the Scriptures of Truth they will have a fund of consolation ever open to them in their deepest afflictions they will learn from the inspired volume in whatsoever state they are there-with to be content and in the prospect of the eternal world they will find joys with which a stranger intermeddleth not and which the world can neither give nor take away We feel the force of these considerations in reference to the poor of our own communion how is it that we feel it not in reference to our Jewish Brethren This is a partiality unworthy of us and we should rise as one man to wipe off this disgrace from our own character

This brings me to the last consideration which I propose to mention namely that a concern for the honour of our holy religion should operate to unite us all in executing the Royal EdictmdashWhat must a Jew think of our religion when he sees how little it has wrought for us in the production of love We may tell him of a Messiah who has loved us and laid down his life for us but what credit will he give us for our principles when he sees how little our practice corresponds with them May he not well say to us ldquoPhysician heal thyselfrdquo Shew by your conduct the superiority of your principles before you call on me to embrace them It is by love that we must win them it is by shewing kindness to them that we must efface from their hearts those prejudices which with too much reason they entertain against us We must exhibit in our own person the loveliness of Christianity before we can bring them to investigate the grounds of our faith or to imagine that they can improve their own condition by embracing it May I not then call upon you as Christians to unite in the good work that is now before you that you may thereby serve and glorify your Lord and Saviour As Christians you believe that there is no other way to the Father but by Christ [ote John 146] and no other name but his whereby any human being can be saved [ote Acts 412] Where is your piety where is your love to Christ where is even common humanity if you will not avail yourselves of the present opportunity to remove from before your Jewish Brethren

the stumbling-blocks which for so many ages have been laid in their way

Do any ask What shall we do I answer search out amongst the Jews some persons of probity and talent to commence schools among them and do you yourselves aid to the utmost of your power in the support of them provide them with all necessary books for instructing children in the first rudiments of knowledge provide them with Bibles also both in the Dutch and Hebrew languages that they may be thoroughly instructed in the knowledge of their own religion and learn to walk in the steps of their father Abraham and of all the holy prophets

Begin too without loss of time Adult Schools You will find many among the house of Israel who will be glad to avail themselves of your instructions Let those who are benevolent amongst you dedicate an hour in a day to the instructing of a few who may be desirous to learn and carefully avoid every thing which may give unnecessary offence Confine yourselves to the Old Testament which they venerate as well as you Let those who can teach only in the Dutch language give instruction in that and let those who either understand or have leisure to attain the Hebrew tongue draw their attention to that In particular let it be the united endeavour of all to qualify masters for this good work

And let it not be thought that this is the duty of men only The Royal Edict has particularly and with great wisdom recommended it to females who may be of infinite service in conveying instruction to their own sex This age is distinguished above all others for the activity of females in the service of God and in the performance of every good work Were I able to declare the proportion of good that is done in Britain by the female sex it would appear incredible I believe from my soul that it far exceeds one half in all the societies raised since the commencement of the present century in the Bible Society the Missionary Societies and the Society for Promoting the Knowledge of Christianity amongst the Jews yes let the ladies of this country exert themselves in a prudent modest and discreet way and the effects will soon appear the Royal Edict will not be a dead letter but will produce incalculable good to the whole nationmdashand the agents in this benevolent work will themselves receive quite as much benefit as they impart their benevolence being in proportion as it is exercised its own reward

10 The fear of the Lord fell on all the kingdoms of the lands surrounding Judah so that they did not go to war against Jehoshaphat

GILL And the fear of the Lord fell upon all the kingdoms of the lands that were round about Judah Upon the ten tribes and on foreign nations about them as Moabites Edomites Syrians Egyptians Arabs and Philistines this fear as it came from the Lord so might be raised and increased by observing that religion was revived in them for they might perceive by former observations made that the more religious these people were the more prosperous and formidable they were

so that they made no war against Jehoshaphat to interrupt him in the work of reformation he was so intent upon

HERY We have here a further account of Jehoshaphats great prosperity and the flourishing state of his kingdom

I He had good interest in the neighbouring princes and nations Though he was not perhaps so great a soldier as David (which might have made him their terror) nor so great a scholar as Solomon (which might have made him their oracle) yet the fear of the Lord fell so upon them (that is God so influenced and governed their spirits) that they had all a reverence for him 2Ch_1710 And 1 None of them made war against himGods good providence so ordered it that while the princes and priests were instructing and reforming the country none of his neighbours gave him any molestations to take him off from that good work Thus when Jacob and his sons were going to worship at Bethel the terror of God was upon the neighbouring cities that they did not pursue after them Gen_355 and see Exo_3424 2 Many of them brought presents to him (2Ch_1711) to secure his friendship Perhaps these were a tribute imposed upon them by Asa who made himself master of the cities of the Philistines and the tents of the Arabians 2Ch_1414 2Ch_1415 With the 7700 rams and the same number of he-goats which the Arabians brought there was probably a proportionable number of ewes and lambs she-goats and kids

KampD This attempt of Jehoshaphat brought him this blessing that the terror of Jahve fell upon all the surrounding kingdoms and not only did none of the neighbouring peoples venture to make war upon him but also various tribes did homage to him by presents Ramb has already so understood the connection of these verses (erat hoc praemium pietatis Josaphati quod vicini satisque potentes hostes non auderent adversus ipsum hiscere) while Berth fails to apprehend it saying that Jehoshaphat had time to care for the instruction of his people because at that time the neighbouring peoples did not venture to undertake war against Judah The words ldquoterror of Jahverdquo cf 2Ch_1413 2Ch_2029 and ldquoall the kingdoms of the landsrdquo cf 2Ch_128 1Ch_2930 are expressions peculiar to the author of the Chronicle which show that by these remarks he is preparing the way for a transition to a more detailed

portrayal of Jehoshaphats political power מן־(לש)ים is subject מן partitive some of the

Philistines brought him presents (for מנחה see on 2Ch_175) ldquoand silver a burdenrdquo ie

in great quantity מא does not signify tribute vectigal argento (Vulg) for the word has

not that signification but denotes burden that which can be carried as in מא לאן

2Ch_2025 - 2Ch_2116 2Ch_221 ערבים 2Ch_267 and more usually ערב-ים or ערביאים

are Arabian nomadic tribes (Bedacircwin) perhaps those whom Asa after his victory over the Cushite Zerah had brought under the kingdom of Judah 2Ch_1414 These paid

their tribute in small cattle rams and he-goats (ישים( Gen_3035 Gen_3215 Pro_

3031)

BESO 2 Chronicles 1710 The fear of the Lord fell upon all the kingdoms ampc mdash Justly concluding from his singular piety that God would eminently appear for him for even the heathen could not but observe that the kings of Judah were either prosperous or unhappy according as they served God or forsook him So that they made no war against Jehoshaphat mdash Godrsquos good providence so ordered it that while the princes and priests were instructing and endeavouring to reform the country none of his neighbours gave him any molestation to take him off from that good work

COFFMA All of this peace and prosperity were directly due to the respect which Jehoshaphat had shown to the Law of God and to his efforts to teach that word to all the people It is no problem that much of the material here is omitted in Kings because the primary focus there was political whereas in Chronicles the focus is upon the spiritual and religious significance of the same history

TRAPP 2 Chronicles 1710 And the fear of the LORD fell upon all the kingdoms of the lands that [were] round about Judah so that they made no war against Jehoshaphat

Ver 10 And the fear of the Lord fell upon all the kingdoms] It is said [2 Chronicles 172] Jehoshaphat placed forces in all the fenced cities yet it is not said thereupon that the fear of the Lord fell upon the neighbour nations But when he had established a preaching ministry in all the cities then his enemies had a fear and made no war

POOLE Justly concluding from this singular piety that God would eminently appear for him and against all those who had ill will to him which was their case For even the heathens could not but observe that the kings of Judah were either prosperous or unhappy accordingly as they served God or forsook him

ELLICOTT (10) The fear of the LordmdashA dread of Jehovah (pachad) aps 2029 (Comp Exodus 1516 1 Samuel 117 Isaiah 210 ) This phrase is not peculiar to the chronicler as Keil and Bertheau assert ldquoThe kingdoms of the landsrdquo is so (2 Chronicles 128 1 Chronicles 2930)

They made no warmdashThe reward of Jehosha-phatrsquos piety (1 Chronicles 229

Proverbs 167) ldquoWhen a manrsquos ways please the Lord he maketh even his enemies to be at peace with himrdquo (Comp also Genesis 355)

11 Some Philistines brought Jehoshaphat gifts and silver as tribute and the Arabs brought him flocks seven thousand seven hundred rams and seven thousand seven hundred goats

BARES Some of the Philistines brought Jehoshaphat presents - i e ldquosome of the Philistines were among his tributariesrdquo Compare 2Sa_82 1Ki_421

Tribute silver - Or ldquomuch silverrdquo - literally ldquosilver of burthenrdquo

The Arabians - The Arab tribes who bordered Judaea to the south and the southeast paid Jehoshaphat a fixed tribute in kind Compare 2Ki_34 note

CLARKE The Philistines brought - presents - They and the Arabians purchased peace with the king of Judah by paying an annual tribute The Philistines brought silver and no doubt different kinds of merchandise The Arabs whose riches consisted in cattle brought him flocks in great abundance principally rams and he-goats

GILL Also some of the Philistines brought Jehoshaphat presents and tribute silver Perhaps those of Gerar and the parts adjacent Asa took and spoiled and made tributary 2Ch_1414

and the Arabians brought him flocks seven thousand and seven hundred rams and seven thousand and seven hundred he goats with which their country abounded and these might be the Scenite Arabs who fearing lest Jehoshaphat should fall upon them and take away their flocks as his father had done 2Ch_1415 brought these presents to him

JAMISO Also some of the Philistines brought Jehoshaphat presents and tribute silvermdash either they had been his tributaries or they were desirous of securing his valuable friendship and now made a voluntary offer of tribute Perhaps

they were the Philistines who had submitted to the yoke of David (2Sa_81 Psa_608)

the Arabiansmdash the nomad tribes on the south of the Dead Sea who seeking the protection of Jehoshaphat after his conquest of Edom paid their tribute in the way most suitable to their pastoral habits - the present of so many head of cattle

BESO 2 Chronicles 1711 Some of the Philistines brought presents mdash They had been subject to Judah ever since Davidrsquos time but it seems had neglected this duty in the times of his predecessors but were now moved by their own fears to perform it And the Arabians brought him flocks mdash Either because he had upon some just occasion waged war against them and subdued them or because they voluntarily put themselves under his protection in recompense whereof they sent him these presents or only as a free acknowledgment of their respect for him

TRAPP 2 Chronicles 1711 Also [some] of the Philistines brought Jehoshaphat presents and tribute silver and the Arabians brought him flocks seven thousand and seven hundred rams and seven thousand and seven hundred he goats

Ver 11 Also some of the Philistines] These having been subdued by David had withheld their tribute for a time but now seeing Jehoshaphatrsquos growing greatness they bring it in with the better that no offence might be taken at their former neglect The word here used signifieth honorary gifts or oblations pacifications

ldquo Placatur donis Iupiter ipse datis rdquo

Think the same of the Arabians See 2 Chronicles 1414-15

POOLE Some of the Philistines who had been subjects to this kingdom ever since Davidrsquos time but it seems had neglected this duty in the times of his predecessors but now were moved by their own fears to perform it

The Arabians brought him flocks either because he had upon some just occasion waged war against them and subdued them though the particulars of it be not described in Scripture or because they voluntarily put themselves under his protection in recompence whereof they sent him those presents or only as a free acknowledgment of their respects to him

ELLICOTT (11) Broughtmdashie continually Such is the force of the participle

PresentsmdashAn offering ie tribute (minchah 2 Chronicles 175)

And tribute silvermdashRather and silver a load or burden ie a great quantity (massacircrsquo) 2 Chronicles 2025 As if ldquosilver as much as they could carryrdquomdasha natural hyperbole ot all the five states of the Philistines were subject to Jehoshaphat (Comp 2 Samuel 81)

The ArabiansmdashlsquoArbicircrsquoim here only equivalent to lsquoArbicircyicircm (2 Chronicles 267) and

lsquoArbim (2 Chronicles 2116) They are in each case grouped with the Philistines The nomad Bedacircwin conquered by Asa (2 Chronicles 1415) appear to be meant here or else some tribes which recognised the overlordship of Jehoshaphat after his reduction of Edom (2 Chronicles 2022 sqq)

Brought him flocksmdashComp Mesha of Moabrsquos tribute to Ahab (2 Kings 34)

GUZIK 2 (2 Chronicles 1711-19) The international strength of Jehoshaphatrsquos kingdom

Also some of the Philistines brought Jehoshaphat presents and silver as tribute and the Arabians brought him flocks seven thousand seven hundred rams and seven thousand seven hundred male goats So Jehoshaphat became increasingly powerful and he built fortresses and storage cities in Judah He had much property in the cities of Judah and the men of war mighty men of valor were in Jerusalem These are their numbers according to their fathersrsquo houses Of Judah the captains of thousands Adnah the captain and with him three hundred thousand mighty men of valor and next to him was Jehohanan the captain and with him two hundred and eighty thousand and next to him was Amasiah the son of Zichri who willingly offered himself to the LORD and with him two hundred thousand mighty men of valor Of Benjamin Eliada a mighty man of valor and with him two hundred thousand men armed with bow and shield and next to him was Jehozabad and with him one hundred and eighty thousand prepared for war These served the king besides those the king put in the fortified cities throughout all Judah

a Some of the Philistines brought Jehoshaphat presents and silver as tribute and the Arabians brought him flocks Jehoshaphatrsquos commitment to personal and public godliness meant that God exalted his kingdom above the neighboring nations even as God promised in Deuteronomy 281-13

b These served the king The true treasure of Jehoshaphatrsquos kingdom was not numbered only in security or material things but also in the dedicated and courageous men he had surrounding him these mighty men of valor

i Amasiah the son of Zichri who willingly offered himself to the LORD ldquoAmasiah is a man of whom we do not know anything beyond this ndash he lsquowillingly offered himself unto the Lordrsquo There must have been a turning-point in his career a time when first he knew the grace of God which wrought such a change in him There must have been a waking up to the feeling that God deserved his love and his liferdquo (Spurgeon)

ii Amasiah was a ready servant of the Lord this particularly notable because he did it in an otherwise secular calling

middot o one had to press him into service

middot o one had to seek him out for service

middot o one had to look after him once he had begun serving

middot o one had to lead him

iii ldquoThere is no lawful occupation in which a man cannot thoroughly serve the Lord It is a great privilege and blessing to be set apart to the work of winning souls but we must never separate that work from all the rest of the callings of life as though it alone were sacred and all the rest were secular and almost sinful Serve God where you arerdquo (Spurgeon)

PULPIT The presents were probably enough in the nature of tribute the fixed rate of which is sometimes alluded to (1 Kings 421 1 Kings 1025 2 Samuel 82) but it is doubtful whether the word משא purports to say this The word means bearing or carrying and then a burden load or weight The expression (2 Chronicles 2025) more than they could carry away where this word is used favours the idea that the meaning here is silver of great weight Probably the moral significance and historical interest whether of this statement respecting the Philistines or the following respecting the Arabians lies in the fact that both of them brought without more ado their payments and did not seek to slip out of their engagements with Judah and Judahs king ote for confirmation of this view 2 Kings 34 2 Kings 35

12 Jehoshaphat became more and more powerful he built forts and store cities in Judah

GILL And Jehoshaphat waxed great exceedingly In wealth and riches power and authority in his forces and fortifications

and he built in Judah castles and cities of stores castles for the defence of his kingdom and store cities to lay up corn and wine and all provisions in case of an invasion or against a time of war

HERY II He had a very considerable stores laid up in the cities of Judah He pulled down his barns and built larger (2Ch_1712) castles and cities of store for arms and victuals He was a man of business and aimed at the public good in all his

undertakings either to preserve the peace or prepare for war

JAMISO 2Ch_1712-19 His greatness captains and armies

KampD Description of Jehoshaphats power - 2Ch_1712 And Jehoshaphat became

ever greater sc in power The partic הולך expresses the continuous advance in

greatness cf Ew sect280 b as the infin absol does elsewhere eg Gen_83 למעלה as עד

in 2Ch_1612 - He built castles in Judah ירנ-ות only here and in 2Ch_274 from ירנית

derivative formed from ירה by the Syriac termination נית- fem of ן- castle fortress On

מסנות cf 2Ch_84 ערי

TRAPP 2 Chronicles 1712 And Jehoshaphat waxed great exceedingly and he built in Judah castles and cities of store

Ver 12 And Jehoshaphat waxed great exceedingly] Heb He was going and growing By humility and the fear of the Lord are riches and honour and life [Proverbs 224]

And he built in Judah castles] Bironeoth πυργους turres So did the Burgundians and thence had their names

And cities of store] Granaries in the Hebrew they have their name from their utility or usefulness

ELLICOTT (12) And Jehoshaphat waxed greatmdashLiterally And Jehoshaphat was going on and waxing great ie became greater and greater (Comp 1 Chronicles 119)

ExceedinglymdashlsquoAd lĕmagraversquolah This phrase occurs again in 2 Chronicles 1612 2 Chronicles 268 and nowhere else in the Old Testament (See on 1 Chronicles 142)

And he builtmdashLike his predecessorsmdashSolomon Rehoboam Asamdashhe displayed his wealth and power in great public works The records of the Assyrian and Babylonian sovereigns are largely taken up with similar accounts of temple and palace building

CastlesmdashBiranicircyocircth a derivative from birah (1 Chronicles 291 1 Chronicles 2919 comp Syriac here birocircthocirc) It only recurs at 2 Chronicles 274 It is an Aramaic term (Comp bicircranyacircthacirc which in the Targums means ldquopalacesrdquo)

Cities of storesmdashComp 2 Chronicles 84 2 Chronicles 164 Exodus 111

PULPIT Castles This rendering better than palaces (margin) wound bear improving to the rather stronger word fortresses Hebrew בירניות found only here and in 2 Chronicles 274 plur of בירנית connected with the Chaldee and later Hebrew בירה of Ezra 62 ehemiah 11 Esther 12 Daniel 82 Cities of store (see note under 2 Chronicles 84 see also 1 Kings 919 Exodus 111)

13 and had large supplies in the towns of Judah He also kept experienced fighting men in Jerusalem

CLARKE He hadmuch business in the cities - He kept the people constantly employed they had wages for their work and by their labors the empire was both enriched and strengthened

GILL And he had much business in the cities of Judah Partly in fortifying them and partly in reforming the inhabitants of them

and the men of war mighty men of valour were in Jerusalem or by or near unto it so the particle is rendered Jos_513 they encamped in places adjacent to it for such a number of men as follows even 1160000 could never be contained in Jerusalem but must be disposed of in the territories of it nor did they wait on the king together but in course see 2Ch_1719 by which it appears there is no need to suppose any mistake of the transcriber in any or all of the following sums as has been suggested (q)

HERY 13-19 III He had the militia in good order It was never in better since David modelled it Five lord-lieutenants (if I may so call them) are here named with the numbers of those under their command (the serviceable men that were fit for war in their respective districts) three in Judah and two in Benjamin It is said of one of these great commanders Amasiah that he willingly offered himself unto the Lord (2Ch_1716) not only to the king to serve him in this post but to the Lord to glorify him in it He was the most eminent among them for religion he accepted the place not for the

honour or power or profit of it but for conscience sake towards God that he might serve his country It was usual for great generals then to offer of their spoils to the Lord 1Ch_2626 But this good man offered himself first to the Lord and then his dedicated things The number of the soldiers under these five generals amounts to 1160000 men a vast number for so small a compass of ground as Judahs and Benjamins lot to furnish out and maintain Abijah could bring into the field but 400000 (2Ch_133) Asa not 600000 (2Ch_148) yet Jehoshaphat has at command almost 1200000 But it must be considered 1 That God had promised to make the seed of Abraham like the sand of the sea for number 2 There had now been a long peace 3 We may suppose that the city of Jerusalem was very much enlarged 4 Many had come over to them from the kingdom of Israel (2Ch_1519) which would increase the numbers of the people 5 Jehoshaphat was under a special blessing of God which made his affairs to prosper greatly The armies we may suppose were dispersed all the country over and each man resided for the most part on his own estate but they appeared often to be mustered and trained and were ready at call whenever there was occasion The commanders waited on the king (2Ch_1719) as officers of his court privy-counsellors and ministers of state

But lastly observe It was not this formidable army that struck a terror upon the neighbouring nations that restrained them from attempting any thing against Israel or obliged them to pay tribute but the fear of God which fell upon them when Jehoshaphat reformed his country and set up a preaching ministry in it 2Ch_1710 The ordinances of God are more the strength and safety of a kingdom than its military force - its men of God more than its men of war

KampD 2Ch_1713

וגווגווגווגו רהרהרהרה is rightly translated by Luther ldquound hatte viel Vorrathsrdquo (and ומלעכהומלעכהומלעכהומלעכה

had much store) מלעכהמלעכהמלעכהמלעכה denotes here as in Exo_227-10 property that which has been gained by work or business The signification much work opera magna (Vulg Cler etc) as also Bertheaus translation ldquothe works for equipping and provisioning the fortressesrdquo correspond neither to the context nor to the parallel (synonymous) second member of the verse The work and trouble necessary to equip the cities of Judah does not correspond to ldquothe valiant warriors in Jerusalemrdquo the only parallel is the goods and property which were in these cities the provision of victuals and war material there stored up

BESO 2 Chronicles 1713 He had much business in the cities of Judah mdash To repair and fortify them and furnish them with provisions and to purge out all the relics of idolatry and injustice which were more secretly and craftily managed in the cities than in the country and which were first and most prevalent in the cities and thence spread their infection into the country around them

TRAPP 2 Chronicles 1713 And he had much business in the cities of Judah and the men of war mighty men of valour [were] in Jerusalem

Ver 13 And he had much business] Eργα πολλα (a) Many works going forward at

once a negotious man he was His business say some lay in beautifying and fortifying those cities Augustus gloried at his death that whereas he had found Rome built with brick he had left it made of marble

And the men of war hellip were in Jerusalem] These were his Praetorian forces his Praesidiaries were up and down in the various cities

POOLE He had much business in the cities of Judah partly to repair and fortify them and furnish them with all necessary provisions and partly to purge out all the relies and seeds of idolatry and injustice which were more secretly and subtlely managed in the cities than in the country and which were first and most in the cities and thence spread their infection into the country about them See Jeremiah 228

ELLICOTT (13) BusinessmdashRather much goods or stores literally work (mĕlacirckacirch) and then produce The Hebrew word is so used in Exodus 227 Exodus 2210 (ldquoHis neighbourrsquos goodsrdquo) Stores of provisions and war material seem to be intended (Comp 2 Chronicles 1111)

And the man of war were in JerusalemmdashRather and (he had) men of war in Jerusalem

In Jerusalemmdashot the entire army corps whose numbers are given in 2 Chronicles 1714-18 but simply their chiefs

PULPIT Much business Hebrew מלאכה The meaning of the word is service labour bestowed and the verse reads And there was to him much labour in the cities of Judah and men of war mighty men of valour in Jerusalem ie He bestoweth much pains on the cities of Judah and had etc The word were Authorized Version italics is incorrectly inserted The former half of this verse would better constitute the end of 2 Chronicles 1712 Keil however maintains the rendering substance property for מלאכה (Exodus 227 Exodus 2210)

14 Their enrollment by families was as followsFrom Judah commanders of units of 1000Adnah the commander with 300000 fighting men

BARES The captains of thousands Adnah the chief - literally ldquoprinces of thousands Adnah the princerdquo The writer does not mean that Adnah (or Johohanan 2Ch_1715) was in any way superior to the other ldquoprincesrdquo but only that he was one of them

Three hundred thousand - This number and those which follow in 2Ch_1715-18 have been with good reason regarded as corrupt by most critics For

(1) They imply a minimum population of 1480 to the square mile which is more than three times greater than that of any country in the known world (circa 1880rsquos)

(2) they produce a total just double that of the next largest estimate of the military force of Judah the 580 000 of 2Ch_148

(3) they are professedly a statement not of the whole military force but of the force maintained at Jerusalem (2Ch_1713 compare 2Ch_1719)

It is probable that the original numbers have been lost and that the loss was suppplied by a scribe who took 2Ch_148 as his basis

CLARKE Adnah the chief - He was generalissimo of all this host These are the numbers of the five battalions under Adnah three hundred thousand Jehohanan two hundred and eighty thousand Amasiah two hundred thousand Eliada two hundred thousand Jehozabad one hundred and eighty thousand in all one million one hundred and sixty thousand

GILL And these are the numbers of them according to the house of their fathers Both of the tribe of Judah and of Benjamin and first

of Judah the captains of thousands some had 1000 men under them and some one hundred

Adnah the chief he was the principal commander or general of them

and with him mighty men of valour three hundred thousand such a number was under his command

JAMISO these are the numbersmdash The warriors were arranged in the army according to their fathers houses The army of Jehoshaphat commanded by five great generals and consisting of five unequal divisions comprised one million one hundred and sixty thousand men without including those who garrisoned the fortresses No monarch since the time of Solomon equaled Jehoshaphat in the extent of his revenue in the strength of his fortifications and in the number of his troops

KampD 2Ch_1714-16

The men fit for war passed in review according to their fathers-houses The male population of Judah fell into three divisions that of Benjamin into two The prince

Adnah held the first place among the generals with 300000 men of Judah ידו at his על

hand ie with and under him Jehohanan had the command of 280000 men and

Amasiah over 200000 השר is a contraction for אלפים For what special reason it is so שר

honourably recorded of Amasiah that he had willingly offered himself to the Lord (cf for

Jdg_59) has not been communicated התנב

COFFMA his represented a standing army of 1160000 men besides the garrisons in the fortified cities and this goes a long way to explaining why the Arabians and the Philistines brought tribute to Jehoshaphat In ancient times as in our own day peace frequently depended upon the strength of those who desired it

We should ignore the screams of exaggeration[3] which mark the writings of radical critics Pagan rulers of that era reported even larger armies than this and until the critics can prove that those were exaggerated reports they should let these alone Besides that we have already noted that the very word from which thousand is translated is disputed as to its exact meaning

COKE 2 Chronicles 1714 And these are the numbers of themmdash That is of the soldiers as well as of those who were employed in the kings works in the several cities ampc which he built See 2 Chronicles 1719

REFLECTIOSmdash1st Jehoshaphat no sooner comes to the throne than we see the dawnings of a glorious reign

1 He strengthened his kingdom by placing strong garrisons in the cities of Judah and those which his father had recovered from Israel and prepared against that danger which Ahabs growing power seemed to threaten

2 Religion was his great concern He copied after the best of his predecessors in their best days such as were the first of David before the matter of Uriah and the numbering of the people had blotted his fair copy Faithful to the worship of God he abhorred all idols the law of God was his rule of duty and Israels apostacy rendered his fidelity more singular and exemplary Inspired with holy zeal his heart with delight and sincerity was engaged for God and no difficulties deterred him from the path of duty The idols and groves which in the declining days of Asa might have been set up again he utterly destroyed with all the high places where they still offered sacrifices to these abominations ote (1) In the fairest human pattern there will be found imperfections but there is a Son of David more than man who has set us a spotless example that we should follow his steps (2) Fidelity in Gods service is the stability of a nation (3) A lively soul on wings of faith and love mounts up to God rises superior to every difficulty and looks down upon every thing besides his favour as altogether vanity

3 He not only removed the temptations to sin but took care to instruct the people in

the path of duty Ignorance of Gods law had greatly prevailed and to oblige them merely to conform to his reformation without grounding them on the true foundation of Gods word promised little stability The Levites and priests therefore are sent in progress through the cities of Judah with the book of the law to explain and enforce the commandments of God and several princes accompanied them in order to engage the people to hear them and give countenance to these preachers by their weight and influence ote (1) It is a blessed thing when princes countenance faithful ministers Though they cannot make men true converts their example and authority will induce them to attend (2) They who are sent to teach must see that they take the pure word of God along with them A true preacher wishes for nothing in his hand but his Bible (3) Religion is a reasonable service Conviction alone not compulsion or education can make a man a christian

4 The blessing of God attended his labours The Lord was with him or as the Targum generally expresses it the word of the Lord the divine Logos to whom all things are committed strengthened him in his labours and established his kingdom The people charmed with his government liberally sent their presents to him and abounding in riches and honour his heart far from being intoxicated by prosperity was lifted up in greater love and thankfulness to the gracious giver ote (1) God often here rewards piety with prosperity (2) Worldly comforts are then truly blessings when as the steps of Jacobs ladder they raise our hearts to heaven

2nd Like the light of the morning which shineth more and more so did Jehoshaphats glory increase

1 Feared by his enemies as beloved by his subjects the neighbouring princes did not offer to molest him while those of Philistia and Arabia courted his favour either by a voluntary present or exact payment of the tribute which Asa had imposed on them see 2 Chronicles 1711 God had put an awe upon them of the majesty of his king in Zion ote God hath access to the spirits of men and by secret yet irresistible influence can bow them to his sovereign will

2 His military preparations greatly advanced While he reformed the people he fortified their ramparts and built new castles and store-cities strengthening them within and without against their enemies Under five chief officers an immense army was enlisted Probably all the able men in the country were enrolled and regularly mustered though not drawn out except in case of necessity and this may easily account for the greatness of their number if we consider also the long peace they had enjoyed the accession of Israelites to them and especially the blessing of Abraham which no doubt was eminently fulfilled Amasiah one of the officers is mentioned with an honourable mark of distinction as a volunteer who served for the glory of God not for the sake of pay Such patriots are scarce

TRAPP 2 Chronicles 1714 And these [are] the numbers of them according to the house of their fathers Of Judah the captains of thousands Adnah the chief and

with him mighty men of valour three hundred thousand

Ver 14 Three hundred thousand] These were under his command and at hand to come whensoever the king would

WHEDO 14 Three hundred thousand mdash The numbers in this verse and the four verses following are generally regarded as corrupt ldquoThey implyrdquo observes the writer last quoted ldquoa minimum population of 1480 to the square mile which is more than three times greater than that of any country in the known world It is probable that the original numbers have been lost and the loss supplied by a scribe who took 2 Chronicles 148 as his basis

ELLICOTT Verse 14 (14) And these their fathersmdashAnd this is their muster (or census) according to their father-houses (clans) 1 Chronicles 243 The warriors were marshalled in the army according to clans so that men of the same stock fought side by side with their kindred Perhaps in the original document this heading was followed by a much more detailed scheme of names and divisions than that which the text presents

Of JudahmdashTo Judah (belonged) captains of thousands viz the three enumerated in 2 Chronicles 1714-16 Adnah Jehohanan and Amasiah They were the principal officers or generals of the entire forces of Judah

Adnah the chiefmdashTo wit the captain Adnah That Adnah was commander-in-chief is implied by his being named first and his corps being the largest

PULPIT This verse with the following four gives us the names of five captains chiefs princes or military officers for the kingdoms service with the numbers of the troops they severally commanded The numbers of them (see note under 1 Chronicles 2311) Hebrew פקדתם The better English rendering to carry at once the signification would be The muster of them etc The captains hellip the chief In both cases the Hebrew is the familiar word for prince ( שר ) in the former without article in the latter with article The numbers of this and following four verses are not only absolutely unreliable but in themselves impossible According to the house of their fathers ie the quotation is drawn from an army catalogue arranged carefully by fathers houses (umbers 118 umbers 122 etc)

15 next Jehohanan the commander with 280000

GILL And next to him was Jehohanan the captain Being of the same rank as to office but having a lesser number of men under him and it may respect not any kind of subordination only nearness of place as the Targumhe that encamped next to him

and with him two hundred and fourscore thousand which number was but 20000 less than the former

POOLE ext to him either

1 After his death as his successor in the same command And the like is supposed concerning Jehozabad 2 Chronicles 1718 Or rather

2 ext to him in place and authority or at least in power and the numbers of his host

16 next Amasiah son of Zikri who volunteered himself for the service of the Lord with 200000

GILL And next him was Amasiah the son of Zichri He encamped next to him as the Targum

who willingly offered himself unto the Lord to fight the Lords battles and without any stipend as some think or as Kimchi he offered gold and silver to the treasures of the house of the Lord

and with him two hundred thousand mighty men of valour the number was 80000 less than the former the whole of Judah amounted to 780000 men

TRAPP 2 Chronicles 1716 And next him [was] Amasiah the son of Zichri who willingly offered himself unto the LORD and with him two hundred thousand mighty men of valour

Ver 16 Who willingly offered himself unto the Lord] He was a votary the vows of God were upon him and this made him the more valiant and resolute (a) in the exercise of arms for the service of God and the safety of his people The Spahis among the Turks are a sort of horsemen voluntaries and votaries to gain paradise by dying for the Mohammedan cause These are never known to return home but

with victory these are heavy upon the enemy For

ldquo Vincitur haud gratis iugulo qui provocat ensem rdquo

POOLE As volunteers and auxiliaries to be ready upon occasion as the service of God and the king should require Possibly these or most of them were the strangers which had come out of Israel into the kingdom of Judah in Asarsquos days and probably since that in his time

ELLICOTT (16) AmasiahmdashIah carrieth (Isaiah 4011) different from Amaziah (Iah is strong)

Who willingly offered himself unto the Lordmdash(Judges 52 Judges 59) An allusion to some noble act of self-devotion which was doubtless more fully recorded in the source from which the chronicler has drawn this brief account Such allusions though no longer intelligible are important as conducing to the proof of the historical value of the narratives in which they occur LXX ὁ προθυmicroούmicroενος τῷ κυρίῳ Vulg consecratus Domino

PULPIT Amaziah the son of Zichri This man is not titled at all The description of him as one who had willingly offered himself unto the Lord not elucidated by the context or any effective parallel will mark something honorable in his history Possibly he comes from an unexpected quarter and is a man of approved skill othing further is known of these three men Meantime it has been suggested (Professor Dr J Murphy of Belfast Handbook to Chronicles ) that the first of the three was for Judah proper the second for that contingent of Judah that hailed from Dan and the Philistines and the third for that of Simeon and the Arabs

MACLARE This is a scrap from the catalogue of Jehoshaphatrsquos lsquomighty men of valourrsquo and is Amasiahrsquos sole record We see him for a moment and hear his eulogium and then oblivion swallows him up We do not know what it was that he did to earn it But what a fate to live to all generations by that one sentence

I Cheerful self-surrender the secret of all religion

The words of our text contain a metaphor naturally drawn from the sacrificial system It comes so easily to us that we scarcely recognise the metaphorical element but the clear recognition of it gives great additional energy to the words Amasiah was both sacrificer and sacrifice His offering was self-immolation As in all love so in that noblest kind of it which clasps God its perfect expression is lsquoI give Thee my living loving selfrsquo Nor is it only sacrifice and sacrificer that are seen in deepest truth in the experience of the Christian life but the reality of the Temple is also there for lsquoYe also are built up a spiritual house to be a holy priesthood to offer up spiritual sacrificesrsquo Only when God dwells in us shall we have the nerve and the firmness of hand to take the knife and lsquoslay before the Lordrsquo the awful Guest in the sanctuary within the most precious of the children of our spirits

The essence of the sacrifice of self is the sacrifice of will In the Christian experience

lsquowillingly offeredrsquo is almost tautology for unwilling offerings are a contradiction and in fact there are no such things The quality of unwillingness destroys the character of the offering and robs it of all sacredness Reluctant Christianity is not Christianity That noun and that adjective can never be buckled together

The submission of will and the consequent surrender of myself and my powers opportunities and possessions so that I do all enjoy all use all and when need is endure all with glad thankful reference to God is only possible to me in the measure in which my will is made flexible by love and such will-subduing love comes only when we lsquoknow and believe the love that God hath to usrsquo There is the point at which not a few moral and religious teachers go wrong and bewilder themselves and their disciples There too is the point at which Christ and the Gospel of salvation through faith in Him stand forth as emancipating humanity from the dreary round of efforts and vain attempts to work up the condition needful for achieving the height of self-surrender which is seen to be indispensable to all true nobleness of living but is felt to be beyond the reach of the ordinary man There too is the point at which many good people mar their lives as Christians They waste their strength in trying to bring the jibbing horse up to the leap They try to blow up a fire of devotion and to make themselves priests to offer themselves but all the while the mutinous self recoils from the leap and the fire burns smokily and their sacrifice is laid on the altar with little joy because they have not been careful and wise enough to begin at the beginning and to follow Godrsquos way of melting their wills by love the reflection of the Infinite love of God to them Godrsquos priests offer themselves because they offer their wills they offer their wills because they love God they love God because they know that God loves them That is the divine order It is vain to try to accomplish the end by any other

II This willing offering hallows all life

No syllable is left to tell us what Amasiah did to win this praise Probably the words enshrine some now forgotten memory of his cheerful courage some heroic feat on an unrecorded battlefield Particulars are not given nor needed Specific actions are unimportant the spirit of a life can be told with very incomplete details and it not the details is the important thing Sometimes as in many modern biographies one lsquocannot see the wood for the treesrsquo and misses the main drift and aim of a life in the chaos of a bewildering mass of nothings How much more happy the lot of this man of whom we have only the generalised expression of the text unweighted and undisturbed by petty incidents It takes tons of rose leaves to make a tiny phial of otto of roses but the fragrance is far more pungent in a drop of the distillation than in armfuls of leaves Every life shrinks into very small compass and the centuries do not tolerate long biographies Shall we not seek to order our life so that Amasiahrsquos epitaph may serve for us It will be blessed if this-and nothing else-is known about us that we lsquowillingly offered ourselves to the Lordrsquo My friend will that be a true epitome of your life

III This willing offering is accepted by God

We may hear a mightier voice behind the chroniclerrsquo s and the judgment of the Judge of all pronounced by His lips It matters little what men say of one another but it matters everything what God says of us We are but too apt to forget that He is now saying something as to each of us and that we have not to wait for death to put a final period to our activities before our lives become fit subjects for Godrsquos judgment Moment by moment we are writing our own sentences But while it is good for us to remember the continuous judgment of God on each deed it is not good to let dark thoughts of the principles of that judgment paralyse our activity or chill our confidence in His forgiving and accepting mercy There is often a dark suspicion like that of the one-talented

servant which blackens Godrsquos fair fame as being lsquoan austere Manrsquo making demands rather than imparting power and the effect of such an ugly conception of Him is to cut the nerve of service and bury the talent carefully folded up it may be but none the less earning nothing lsquoIf we call on Him as Father who without respect of persons judgeth according to every manrsquos workrsquo let us be sure that it will be a Fatherly judgment that He will pass upon us and our offerings There is a wonderful collection on His altar of what many people would think rubbish just as many a mother has laid away among her treasures some worthless article which her child had once given her-a weed plucked by the roadside in a long past summer day some trifle of rare preciousness in the childrsquos eyes and of none in any others than her own She opens her drawer and brings out the poor little thing and her eyes fill and her heart fills as she looks And does not God keep His childrenrsquos gifts as lovingly and set them in places of honour in the day when He lsquomakes up His jewelsrsquo There are cups of cold water and widowsrsquo mites and much else that a supercilious world would call lsquotrashrsquo stored there Thank God He accepts imperfect service faltering faith partial consecration a little love Even our poor offering may be an lsquoodour of a sweet smellrsquo ministering fragrance that is a delight to Him if it is offered with the much incense of the great Sacrifice and through the mediation of the great High Priest

The world forgot Amasiah or never knew him an obscure soldier in an obscure kingdom but God did not forget and here is his epitaph and this is his memorial to all generations Menrsquos chronicles have no room for all the names that their wearers are eager to have inscribed on their crumbling and crowded pages lsquobut the Lambrsquos Book of Lifersquo has ample space on its radiant pages for all who desire to set their names there and if ours are there we need not envy the proudest whose titles and deeds fill the most conspicuous pages in the worldrsquos records lsquoThen shall every man have praise of Christrsquo and he who wins that guerdon needs nothing more and can have nothing more to swell his blessedness

17 From BenjaminEliada a valiant soldier with 200000 men armed with bows and shields

GILL And of Benjamin Eliada a mighty man of valour Was the chief commander

and with armed men with bow and shield two hundred thousand which were

the armour of the tribe of Benjamin they were best skilled in 2Ch_148

TRAPP 2 Chronicles 1717 And of Benjamin Eliada a mighty man of valour and with him armed men with bow and shield two hundred thousand

Ver 17 With bow and shield] The Benjamites were notable bowmen [1 Chronicles 122] The Engish were anciently so too

ELLICOTT (17) Armed men with bow and shieldmdashLiterally drawing bow and shield ie as the Targum explains ldquodrawing bow and grasping shieldsrdquo (Comp 1 Chronicles 122) LXX ldquoArchers and peltastsrdquo Vulg ldquoGrasping bow and shieldrdquo (Comp also 1 Chronicles 840 for the arms of the Benjaminites)

18 next Jehozabad with 180000 men armed for battle

GILL And next to him was Jehozabad According to the Targum he encamped next him

and with him one hundred and fourscore thousand ready prepared for war being able bodied men well disciplined valiant and well armed these numbers of Judah and Benjamin put together amount to 1160000 men whereas Asa only brought into the field 580000 but it should be considered there had been a long time of peace many had come off from the ten tribes to Judah and the promise of multiplying the seed of Abraham was eminently fulfilled

TRAPP 2 Chronicles 1718 And next him [was] Jehozabad and with him an hundred and fourscore thousand ready prepared for the war

Ver 18 A hundred and fourscore thousand] His militia was eleven hundred and threescore thousand besides what he had in garrisons [2 Chronicles 1719] So that as he was better he was stronger than his father Asa had been Piety hath prosperity

ELLICOTT (18) Ready prepared for the warmdashEquipped for service (See on 1

Chronicles 1223-24 umbers 315 umbers 3229) The hoplites or heavy-armed infantry are probably meant

PULPIT While Eliada of last verse was for Benjamin Professor Dr Murphy supposes that Jehozabad was for the annexed part of Ephraim But no suppositions of this kind can avail to explain the numbers in the text which is no doubt corrupt

19 These were the men who served the king besides those he stationed in the fortified cities throughout Judah

CLARKE These waited on the king - They were disposable forces always at the kingrsquos command and were independent of those by which the cities of Judah were garrisoned

There is not a sovereign in Europe or in the world but might read this chapter with advantage

1 It shows most forcibly that true religion is the basis of the state and that wherever it prospers there the state prospers

2 It shows also that it is the wisdom of kings to encourage religion with all their power and influence for if the hearts of the subjects be not bound and influenced by true religion vain is the application of laws fines imprisonments or corporal punishment of any kind

3 A religious nation is ever a great nation it is loved by its friends it is dreaded by its enemies

4 It is ever a peaceable and united nation the blessings of religion and a wholesome and paternal government are so fully felt and prized that all find it their interest to preserve and defend them Harmony peace piety and strength are the stability of such times May Britain know and value them

GILL These waited on the king Not this vast number of men at one time but in course as Davids military men waited on him 1Ch_271 or each of these captains with a proper number of men under them detached from the body and they were all ready to obey the kings orders whenever he should have occasion for them

besides those whom the king put into the fenced cities throughout Judah and all together the militia of the kingdom was very numerous and formidable

KampD 2Ch_1719

These were serving the king א6ה refers not to the above-mentioned men capable of

bearing arms for sheereet is not used of service in war but to the commanders whom he had placed in the fortified cities of all Judah ldquoin which probably bodies of the above-mentioned troops lay as garrisonsrdquo (Berth)

BESO 2 Chronicles 1719 These waited on the king mdash These above-mentioned were the trained bands or auxiliaries whose chief officers waited on the king to receive his commands and to raise and bring in all or part of their forces to the service of the king as need required A vast number for so small a compass of ground to furnish out and maintain But we may consider that God had promised to make the seed of Abraham like the sand of the sea for number that there had now been a long peace that many were come to them from the kingdom of Israel and that Jehoshaphat was under a special blessing of God They were doubtless dispersed all the country over every one residing on his own land only they were ready at call whenever there was occasion

TRAPP 2 Chronicles 1719 These waited on the king beside [those] whom the king put in the fenced cities throughout all Judah

Ver 19 These waited on the king] ie In their turns and by course

POOLE These above mentioned were the trained bands or auxiliaries whose chief officers waited upon the king to receive his commands and to raise and bring in all or part of their forces to the service of the king and kingdom as need required

ELLICOTT (19) These waited on the kingmdashRather these are they that ministered unto the king viz the five generals above named

Beside those whom the king put in the fenced citiesmdashie the commandants of the fortresses of the kingdom (2 Chronicles 1111 2 Chronicles 1123) These latter as well as the generals of the forces are called the kingrsquos ldquoministersrdquo (mĕshacircrĕthicircm)mdasha word which is not used of service in the field but implies their presence at court (ldquoin Jerusalemrdquo 2 Chronicles 1713 as the royal staff)

According to the above list the army of Jehoshaphat was organised in five grand divisions corresponding perhaps to five territorial divisions of the southern kingdom The totals are the largest assigned to the two tribes anywhere in the Old Testament viz Judah 780000 and Benjamin 380000 in all 1160000 At Davidrsquos census Judah had 500000 warriors (2 Samuel 249) and Israel 800000 Again in 2

Chronicles 148 Asarsquos army consists of 300000 men of Judah and 280000 Benjaminites clearly such an increase as our text indicates is unaccountable At the same time it is equally clear that the present numbers are not fortuitous results of clerical errors for they follow each other in the order of relative strength Judah 300000 280000 200000 Benjamin 200000 180000 and they are evidently not independent of the estimates of 2 Chronicles 148 above quoted

In the absence of adequate data for modifying these certainly startling figures it is well to bear in mind that we need not understand by them an army which ever actually mustered in the field or on parade but simply an estimate of the total male population liable to be called out for the national defence although even upon that understanding the total appears to be at least three times too great considering the small extent of the country

PULPIT These waited Hebrew המשרתים plur piel part of שרת The verse states that this enormous fivefold army with its five princes (counting in our corrupt text one million one hundred and sixty thousand) was the kings Jerusalem standing army while other separate regiments or bands of troops were spread through all Judah where they might be most needed for defence

a sense of their duty and begin to shew to the Jews somewhat of that love which their forefathers exercised towards us in our Gentile state We are debtors to them to a vast amount and it is high time that we begin to discharge our debt And how can we discharge it better than by enabling them to read and understand those very oracles which they have preserved with such fidelity and which testify so fully of their promised Messiah

Further A love to the rising generation should lead us to avail ourselves of the present opportunity to promote their welfaremdashIt is truly afflictive to see how low and degraded is the state of multitudes especially of the Jewish nation purely through the neglect with which they are treated in their early youth and still more grievous is it to reflect on their ignorance of those things which belong to their everlasting peace To counteract this we should endeavour to qualify the whole of their population for good and useful employments and through the medium of useful instruction to make them holy and to make them happy We need never be afraid that there will not be a sufficient number of poor to fill the lower stations do what we will there will never be wanting persons who through their own fault or misfortunes are necessitated to undertake the lowest offices of life And if they have been previously instructed in the Scriptures of Truth they will have a fund of consolation ever open to them in their deepest afflictions they will learn from the inspired volume in whatsoever state they are there-with to be content and in the prospect of the eternal world they will find joys with which a stranger intermeddleth not and which the world can neither give nor take away We feel the force of these considerations in reference to the poor of our own communion how is it that we feel it not in reference to our Jewish Brethren This is a partiality unworthy of us and we should rise as one man to wipe off this disgrace from our own character

This brings me to the last consideration which I propose to mention namely that a concern for the honour of our holy religion should operate to unite us all in executing the Royal EdictmdashWhat must a Jew think of our religion when he sees how little it has wrought for us in the production of love We may tell him of a Messiah who has loved us and laid down his life for us but what credit will he give us for our principles when he sees how little our practice corresponds with them May he not well say to us ldquoPhysician heal thyselfrdquo Shew by your conduct the superiority of your principles before you call on me to embrace them It is by love that we must win them it is by shewing kindness to them that we must efface from their hearts those prejudices which with too much reason they entertain against us We must exhibit in our own person the loveliness of Christianity before we can bring them to investigate the grounds of our faith or to imagine that they can improve their own condition by embracing it May I not then call upon you as Christians to unite in the good work that is now before you that you may thereby serve and glorify your Lord and Saviour As Christians you believe that there is no other way to the Father but by Christ [ote John 146] and no other name but his whereby any human being can be saved [ote Acts 412] Where is your piety where is your love to Christ where is even common humanity if you will not avail yourselves of the present opportunity to remove from before your Jewish Brethren

the stumbling-blocks which for so many ages have been laid in their way

Do any ask What shall we do I answer search out amongst the Jews some persons of probity and talent to commence schools among them and do you yourselves aid to the utmost of your power in the support of them provide them with all necessary books for instructing children in the first rudiments of knowledge provide them with Bibles also both in the Dutch and Hebrew languages that they may be thoroughly instructed in the knowledge of their own religion and learn to walk in the steps of their father Abraham and of all the holy prophets

Begin too without loss of time Adult Schools You will find many among the house of Israel who will be glad to avail themselves of your instructions Let those who are benevolent amongst you dedicate an hour in a day to the instructing of a few who may be desirous to learn and carefully avoid every thing which may give unnecessary offence Confine yourselves to the Old Testament which they venerate as well as you Let those who can teach only in the Dutch language give instruction in that and let those who either understand or have leisure to attain the Hebrew tongue draw their attention to that In particular let it be the united endeavour of all to qualify masters for this good work

And let it not be thought that this is the duty of men only The Royal Edict has particularly and with great wisdom recommended it to females who may be of infinite service in conveying instruction to their own sex This age is distinguished above all others for the activity of females in the service of God and in the performance of every good work Were I able to declare the proportion of good that is done in Britain by the female sex it would appear incredible I believe from my soul that it far exceeds one half in all the societies raised since the commencement of the present century in the Bible Society the Missionary Societies and the Society for Promoting the Knowledge of Christianity amongst the Jews yes let the ladies of this country exert themselves in a prudent modest and discreet way and the effects will soon appear the Royal Edict will not be a dead letter but will produce incalculable good to the whole nationmdashand the agents in this benevolent work will themselves receive quite as much benefit as they impart their benevolence being in proportion as it is exercised its own reward

10 The fear of the Lord fell on all the kingdoms of the lands surrounding Judah so that they did not go to war against Jehoshaphat

GILL And the fear of the Lord fell upon all the kingdoms of the lands that were round about Judah Upon the ten tribes and on foreign nations about them as Moabites Edomites Syrians Egyptians Arabs and Philistines this fear as it came from the Lord so might be raised and increased by observing that religion was revived in them for they might perceive by former observations made that the more religious these people were the more prosperous and formidable they were

so that they made no war against Jehoshaphat to interrupt him in the work of reformation he was so intent upon

HERY We have here a further account of Jehoshaphats great prosperity and the flourishing state of his kingdom

I He had good interest in the neighbouring princes and nations Though he was not perhaps so great a soldier as David (which might have made him their terror) nor so great a scholar as Solomon (which might have made him their oracle) yet the fear of the Lord fell so upon them (that is God so influenced and governed their spirits) that they had all a reverence for him 2Ch_1710 And 1 None of them made war against himGods good providence so ordered it that while the princes and priests were instructing and reforming the country none of his neighbours gave him any molestations to take him off from that good work Thus when Jacob and his sons were going to worship at Bethel the terror of God was upon the neighbouring cities that they did not pursue after them Gen_355 and see Exo_3424 2 Many of them brought presents to him (2Ch_1711) to secure his friendship Perhaps these were a tribute imposed upon them by Asa who made himself master of the cities of the Philistines and the tents of the Arabians 2Ch_1414 2Ch_1415 With the 7700 rams and the same number of he-goats which the Arabians brought there was probably a proportionable number of ewes and lambs she-goats and kids

KampD This attempt of Jehoshaphat brought him this blessing that the terror of Jahve fell upon all the surrounding kingdoms and not only did none of the neighbouring peoples venture to make war upon him but also various tribes did homage to him by presents Ramb has already so understood the connection of these verses (erat hoc praemium pietatis Josaphati quod vicini satisque potentes hostes non auderent adversus ipsum hiscere) while Berth fails to apprehend it saying that Jehoshaphat had time to care for the instruction of his people because at that time the neighbouring peoples did not venture to undertake war against Judah The words ldquoterror of Jahverdquo cf 2Ch_1413 2Ch_2029 and ldquoall the kingdoms of the landsrdquo cf 2Ch_128 1Ch_2930 are expressions peculiar to the author of the Chronicle which show that by these remarks he is preparing the way for a transition to a more detailed

portrayal of Jehoshaphats political power מן־(לש)ים is subject מן partitive some of the

Philistines brought him presents (for מנחה see on 2Ch_175) ldquoand silver a burdenrdquo ie

in great quantity מא does not signify tribute vectigal argento (Vulg) for the word has

not that signification but denotes burden that which can be carried as in מא לאן

2Ch_2025 - 2Ch_2116 2Ch_221 ערבים 2Ch_267 and more usually ערב-ים or ערביאים

are Arabian nomadic tribes (Bedacircwin) perhaps those whom Asa after his victory over the Cushite Zerah had brought under the kingdom of Judah 2Ch_1414 These paid

their tribute in small cattle rams and he-goats (ישים( Gen_3035 Gen_3215 Pro_

3031)

BESO 2 Chronicles 1710 The fear of the Lord fell upon all the kingdoms ampc mdash Justly concluding from his singular piety that God would eminently appear for him for even the heathen could not but observe that the kings of Judah were either prosperous or unhappy according as they served God or forsook him So that they made no war against Jehoshaphat mdash Godrsquos good providence so ordered it that while the princes and priests were instructing and endeavouring to reform the country none of his neighbours gave him any molestation to take him off from that good work

COFFMA All of this peace and prosperity were directly due to the respect which Jehoshaphat had shown to the Law of God and to his efforts to teach that word to all the people It is no problem that much of the material here is omitted in Kings because the primary focus there was political whereas in Chronicles the focus is upon the spiritual and religious significance of the same history

TRAPP 2 Chronicles 1710 And the fear of the LORD fell upon all the kingdoms of the lands that [were] round about Judah so that they made no war against Jehoshaphat

Ver 10 And the fear of the Lord fell upon all the kingdoms] It is said [2 Chronicles 172] Jehoshaphat placed forces in all the fenced cities yet it is not said thereupon that the fear of the Lord fell upon the neighbour nations But when he had established a preaching ministry in all the cities then his enemies had a fear and made no war

POOLE Justly concluding from this singular piety that God would eminently appear for him and against all those who had ill will to him which was their case For even the heathens could not but observe that the kings of Judah were either prosperous or unhappy accordingly as they served God or forsook him

ELLICOTT (10) The fear of the LordmdashA dread of Jehovah (pachad) aps 2029 (Comp Exodus 1516 1 Samuel 117 Isaiah 210 ) This phrase is not peculiar to the chronicler as Keil and Bertheau assert ldquoThe kingdoms of the landsrdquo is so (2 Chronicles 128 1 Chronicles 2930)

They made no warmdashThe reward of Jehosha-phatrsquos piety (1 Chronicles 229

Proverbs 167) ldquoWhen a manrsquos ways please the Lord he maketh even his enemies to be at peace with himrdquo (Comp also Genesis 355)

11 Some Philistines brought Jehoshaphat gifts and silver as tribute and the Arabs brought him flocks seven thousand seven hundred rams and seven thousand seven hundred goats

BARES Some of the Philistines brought Jehoshaphat presents - i e ldquosome of the Philistines were among his tributariesrdquo Compare 2Sa_82 1Ki_421

Tribute silver - Or ldquomuch silverrdquo - literally ldquosilver of burthenrdquo

The Arabians - The Arab tribes who bordered Judaea to the south and the southeast paid Jehoshaphat a fixed tribute in kind Compare 2Ki_34 note

CLARKE The Philistines brought - presents - They and the Arabians purchased peace with the king of Judah by paying an annual tribute The Philistines brought silver and no doubt different kinds of merchandise The Arabs whose riches consisted in cattle brought him flocks in great abundance principally rams and he-goats

GILL Also some of the Philistines brought Jehoshaphat presents and tribute silver Perhaps those of Gerar and the parts adjacent Asa took and spoiled and made tributary 2Ch_1414

and the Arabians brought him flocks seven thousand and seven hundred rams and seven thousand and seven hundred he goats with which their country abounded and these might be the Scenite Arabs who fearing lest Jehoshaphat should fall upon them and take away their flocks as his father had done 2Ch_1415 brought these presents to him

JAMISO Also some of the Philistines brought Jehoshaphat presents and tribute silvermdash either they had been his tributaries or they were desirous of securing his valuable friendship and now made a voluntary offer of tribute Perhaps

they were the Philistines who had submitted to the yoke of David (2Sa_81 Psa_608)

the Arabiansmdash the nomad tribes on the south of the Dead Sea who seeking the protection of Jehoshaphat after his conquest of Edom paid their tribute in the way most suitable to their pastoral habits - the present of so many head of cattle

BESO 2 Chronicles 1711 Some of the Philistines brought presents mdash They had been subject to Judah ever since Davidrsquos time but it seems had neglected this duty in the times of his predecessors but were now moved by their own fears to perform it And the Arabians brought him flocks mdash Either because he had upon some just occasion waged war against them and subdued them or because they voluntarily put themselves under his protection in recompense whereof they sent him these presents or only as a free acknowledgment of their respect for him

TRAPP 2 Chronicles 1711 Also [some] of the Philistines brought Jehoshaphat presents and tribute silver and the Arabians brought him flocks seven thousand and seven hundred rams and seven thousand and seven hundred he goats

Ver 11 Also some of the Philistines] These having been subdued by David had withheld their tribute for a time but now seeing Jehoshaphatrsquos growing greatness they bring it in with the better that no offence might be taken at their former neglect The word here used signifieth honorary gifts or oblations pacifications

ldquo Placatur donis Iupiter ipse datis rdquo

Think the same of the Arabians See 2 Chronicles 1414-15

POOLE Some of the Philistines who had been subjects to this kingdom ever since Davidrsquos time but it seems had neglected this duty in the times of his predecessors but now were moved by their own fears to perform it

The Arabians brought him flocks either because he had upon some just occasion waged war against them and subdued them though the particulars of it be not described in Scripture or because they voluntarily put themselves under his protection in recompence whereof they sent him those presents or only as a free acknowledgment of their respects to him

ELLICOTT (11) Broughtmdashie continually Such is the force of the participle

PresentsmdashAn offering ie tribute (minchah 2 Chronicles 175)

And tribute silvermdashRather and silver a load or burden ie a great quantity (massacircrsquo) 2 Chronicles 2025 As if ldquosilver as much as they could carryrdquomdasha natural hyperbole ot all the five states of the Philistines were subject to Jehoshaphat (Comp 2 Samuel 81)

The ArabiansmdashlsquoArbicircrsquoim here only equivalent to lsquoArbicircyicircm (2 Chronicles 267) and

lsquoArbim (2 Chronicles 2116) They are in each case grouped with the Philistines The nomad Bedacircwin conquered by Asa (2 Chronicles 1415) appear to be meant here or else some tribes which recognised the overlordship of Jehoshaphat after his reduction of Edom (2 Chronicles 2022 sqq)

Brought him flocksmdashComp Mesha of Moabrsquos tribute to Ahab (2 Kings 34)

GUZIK 2 (2 Chronicles 1711-19) The international strength of Jehoshaphatrsquos kingdom

Also some of the Philistines brought Jehoshaphat presents and silver as tribute and the Arabians brought him flocks seven thousand seven hundred rams and seven thousand seven hundred male goats So Jehoshaphat became increasingly powerful and he built fortresses and storage cities in Judah He had much property in the cities of Judah and the men of war mighty men of valor were in Jerusalem These are their numbers according to their fathersrsquo houses Of Judah the captains of thousands Adnah the captain and with him three hundred thousand mighty men of valor and next to him was Jehohanan the captain and with him two hundred and eighty thousand and next to him was Amasiah the son of Zichri who willingly offered himself to the LORD and with him two hundred thousand mighty men of valor Of Benjamin Eliada a mighty man of valor and with him two hundred thousand men armed with bow and shield and next to him was Jehozabad and with him one hundred and eighty thousand prepared for war These served the king besides those the king put in the fortified cities throughout all Judah

a Some of the Philistines brought Jehoshaphat presents and silver as tribute and the Arabians brought him flocks Jehoshaphatrsquos commitment to personal and public godliness meant that God exalted his kingdom above the neighboring nations even as God promised in Deuteronomy 281-13

b These served the king The true treasure of Jehoshaphatrsquos kingdom was not numbered only in security or material things but also in the dedicated and courageous men he had surrounding him these mighty men of valor

i Amasiah the son of Zichri who willingly offered himself to the LORD ldquoAmasiah is a man of whom we do not know anything beyond this ndash he lsquowillingly offered himself unto the Lordrsquo There must have been a turning-point in his career a time when first he knew the grace of God which wrought such a change in him There must have been a waking up to the feeling that God deserved his love and his liferdquo (Spurgeon)

ii Amasiah was a ready servant of the Lord this particularly notable because he did it in an otherwise secular calling

middot o one had to press him into service

middot o one had to seek him out for service

middot o one had to look after him once he had begun serving

middot o one had to lead him

iii ldquoThere is no lawful occupation in which a man cannot thoroughly serve the Lord It is a great privilege and blessing to be set apart to the work of winning souls but we must never separate that work from all the rest of the callings of life as though it alone were sacred and all the rest were secular and almost sinful Serve God where you arerdquo (Spurgeon)

PULPIT The presents were probably enough in the nature of tribute the fixed rate of which is sometimes alluded to (1 Kings 421 1 Kings 1025 2 Samuel 82) but it is doubtful whether the word משא purports to say this The word means bearing or carrying and then a burden load or weight The expression (2 Chronicles 2025) more than they could carry away where this word is used favours the idea that the meaning here is silver of great weight Probably the moral significance and historical interest whether of this statement respecting the Philistines or the following respecting the Arabians lies in the fact that both of them brought without more ado their payments and did not seek to slip out of their engagements with Judah and Judahs king ote for confirmation of this view 2 Kings 34 2 Kings 35

12 Jehoshaphat became more and more powerful he built forts and store cities in Judah

GILL And Jehoshaphat waxed great exceedingly In wealth and riches power and authority in his forces and fortifications

and he built in Judah castles and cities of stores castles for the defence of his kingdom and store cities to lay up corn and wine and all provisions in case of an invasion or against a time of war

HERY II He had a very considerable stores laid up in the cities of Judah He pulled down his barns and built larger (2Ch_1712) castles and cities of store for arms and victuals He was a man of business and aimed at the public good in all his

undertakings either to preserve the peace or prepare for war

JAMISO 2Ch_1712-19 His greatness captains and armies

KampD Description of Jehoshaphats power - 2Ch_1712 And Jehoshaphat became

ever greater sc in power The partic הולך expresses the continuous advance in

greatness cf Ew sect280 b as the infin absol does elsewhere eg Gen_83 למעלה as עד

in 2Ch_1612 - He built castles in Judah ירנ-ות only here and in 2Ch_274 from ירנית

derivative formed from ירה by the Syriac termination נית- fem of ן- castle fortress On

מסנות cf 2Ch_84 ערי

TRAPP 2 Chronicles 1712 And Jehoshaphat waxed great exceedingly and he built in Judah castles and cities of store

Ver 12 And Jehoshaphat waxed great exceedingly] Heb He was going and growing By humility and the fear of the Lord are riches and honour and life [Proverbs 224]

And he built in Judah castles] Bironeoth πυργους turres So did the Burgundians and thence had their names

And cities of store] Granaries in the Hebrew they have their name from their utility or usefulness

ELLICOTT (12) And Jehoshaphat waxed greatmdashLiterally And Jehoshaphat was going on and waxing great ie became greater and greater (Comp 1 Chronicles 119)

ExceedinglymdashlsquoAd lĕmagraversquolah This phrase occurs again in 2 Chronicles 1612 2 Chronicles 268 and nowhere else in the Old Testament (See on 1 Chronicles 142)

And he builtmdashLike his predecessorsmdashSolomon Rehoboam Asamdashhe displayed his wealth and power in great public works The records of the Assyrian and Babylonian sovereigns are largely taken up with similar accounts of temple and palace building

CastlesmdashBiranicircyocircth a derivative from birah (1 Chronicles 291 1 Chronicles 2919 comp Syriac here birocircthocirc) It only recurs at 2 Chronicles 274 It is an Aramaic term (Comp bicircranyacircthacirc which in the Targums means ldquopalacesrdquo)

Cities of storesmdashComp 2 Chronicles 84 2 Chronicles 164 Exodus 111

PULPIT Castles This rendering better than palaces (margin) wound bear improving to the rather stronger word fortresses Hebrew בירניות found only here and in 2 Chronicles 274 plur of בירנית connected with the Chaldee and later Hebrew בירה of Ezra 62 ehemiah 11 Esther 12 Daniel 82 Cities of store (see note under 2 Chronicles 84 see also 1 Kings 919 Exodus 111)

13 and had large supplies in the towns of Judah He also kept experienced fighting men in Jerusalem

CLARKE He hadmuch business in the cities - He kept the people constantly employed they had wages for their work and by their labors the empire was both enriched and strengthened

GILL And he had much business in the cities of Judah Partly in fortifying them and partly in reforming the inhabitants of them

and the men of war mighty men of valour were in Jerusalem or by or near unto it so the particle is rendered Jos_513 they encamped in places adjacent to it for such a number of men as follows even 1160000 could never be contained in Jerusalem but must be disposed of in the territories of it nor did they wait on the king together but in course see 2Ch_1719 by which it appears there is no need to suppose any mistake of the transcriber in any or all of the following sums as has been suggested (q)

HERY 13-19 III He had the militia in good order It was never in better since David modelled it Five lord-lieutenants (if I may so call them) are here named with the numbers of those under their command (the serviceable men that were fit for war in their respective districts) three in Judah and two in Benjamin It is said of one of these great commanders Amasiah that he willingly offered himself unto the Lord (2Ch_1716) not only to the king to serve him in this post but to the Lord to glorify him in it He was the most eminent among them for religion he accepted the place not for the

honour or power or profit of it but for conscience sake towards God that he might serve his country It was usual for great generals then to offer of their spoils to the Lord 1Ch_2626 But this good man offered himself first to the Lord and then his dedicated things The number of the soldiers under these five generals amounts to 1160000 men a vast number for so small a compass of ground as Judahs and Benjamins lot to furnish out and maintain Abijah could bring into the field but 400000 (2Ch_133) Asa not 600000 (2Ch_148) yet Jehoshaphat has at command almost 1200000 But it must be considered 1 That God had promised to make the seed of Abraham like the sand of the sea for number 2 There had now been a long peace 3 We may suppose that the city of Jerusalem was very much enlarged 4 Many had come over to them from the kingdom of Israel (2Ch_1519) which would increase the numbers of the people 5 Jehoshaphat was under a special blessing of God which made his affairs to prosper greatly The armies we may suppose were dispersed all the country over and each man resided for the most part on his own estate but they appeared often to be mustered and trained and were ready at call whenever there was occasion The commanders waited on the king (2Ch_1719) as officers of his court privy-counsellors and ministers of state

But lastly observe It was not this formidable army that struck a terror upon the neighbouring nations that restrained them from attempting any thing against Israel or obliged them to pay tribute but the fear of God which fell upon them when Jehoshaphat reformed his country and set up a preaching ministry in it 2Ch_1710 The ordinances of God are more the strength and safety of a kingdom than its military force - its men of God more than its men of war

KampD 2Ch_1713

וגווגווגווגו רהרהרהרה is rightly translated by Luther ldquound hatte viel Vorrathsrdquo (and ומלעכהומלעכהומלעכהומלעכה

had much store) מלעכהמלעכהמלעכהמלעכה denotes here as in Exo_227-10 property that which has been gained by work or business The signification much work opera magna (Vulg Cler etc) as also Bertheaus translation ldquothe works for equipping and provisioning the fortressesrdquo correspond neither to the context nor to the parallel (synonymous) second member of the verse The work and trouble necessary to equip the cities of Judah does not correspond to ldquothe valiant warriors in Jerusalemrdquo the only parallel is the goods and property which were in these cities the provision of victuals and war material there stored up

BESO 2 Chronicles 1713 He had much business in the cities of Judah mdash To repair and fortify them and furnish them with provisions and to purge out all the relics of idolatry and injustice which were more secretly and craftily managed in the cities than in the country and which were first and most prevalent in the cities and thence spread their infection into the country around them

TRAPP 2 Chronicles 1713 And he had much business in the cities of Judah and the men of war mighty men of valour [were] in Jerusalem

Ver 13 And he had much business] Eργα πολλα (a) Many works going forward at

once a negotious man he was His business say some lay in beautifying and fortifying those cities Augustus gloried at his death that whereas he had found Rome built with brick he had left it made of marble

And the men of war hellip were in Jerusalem] These were his Praetorian forces his Praesidiaries were up and down in the various cities

POOLE He had much business in the cities of Judah partly to repair and fortify them and furnish them with all necessary provisions and partly to purge out all the relies and seeds of idolatry and injustice which were more secretly and subtlely managed in the cities than in the country and which were first and most in the cities and thence spread their infection into the country about them See Jeremiah 228

ELLICOTT (13) BusinessmdashRather much goods or stores literally work (mĕlacirckacirch) and then produce The Hebrew word is so used in Exodus 227 Exodus 2210 (ldquoHis neighbourrsquos goodsrdquo) Stores of provisions and war material seem to be intended (Comp 2 Chronicles 1111)

And the man of war were in JerusalemmdashRather and (he had) men of war in Jerusalem

In Jerusalemmdashot the entire army corps whose numbers are given in 2 Chronicles 1714-18 but simply their chiefs

PULPIT Much business Hebrew מלאכה The meaning of the word is service labour bestowed and the verse reads And there was to him much labour in the cities of Judah and men of war mighty men of valour in Jerusalem ie He bestoweth much pains on the cities of Judah and had etc The word were Authorized Version italics is incorrectly inserted The former half of this verse would better constitute the end of 2 Chronicles 1712 Keil however maintains the rendering substance property for מלאכה (Exodus 227 Exodus 2210)

14 Their enrollment by families was as followsFrom Judah commanders of units of 1000Adnah the commander with 300000 fighting men

BARES The captains of thousands Adnah the chief - literally ldquoprinces of thousands Adnah the princerdquo The writer does not mean that Adnah (or Johohanan 2Ch_1715) was in any way superior to the other ldquoprincesrdquo but only that he was one of them

Three hundred thousand - This number and those which follow in 2Ch_1715-18 have been with good reason regarded as corrupt by most critics For

(1) They imply a minimum population of 1480 to the square mile which is more than three times greater than that of any country in the known world (circa 1880rsquos)

(2) they produce a total just double that of the next largest estimate of the military force of Judah the 580 000 of 2Ch_148

(3) they are professedly a statement not of the whole military force but of the force maintained at Jerusalem (2Ch_1713 compare 2Ch_1719)

It is probable that the original numbers have been lost and that the loss was suppplied by a scribe who took 2Ch_148 as his basis

CLARKE Adnah the chief - He was generalissimo of all this host These are the numbers of the five battalions under Adnah three hundred thousand Jehohanan two hundred and eighty thousand Amasiah two hundred thousand Eliada two hundred thousand Jehozabad one hundred and eighty thousand in all one million one hundred and sixty thousand

GILL And these are the numbers of them according to the house of their fathers Both of the tribe of Judah and of Benjamin and first

of Judah the captains of thousands some had 1000 men under them and some one hundred

Adnah the chief he was the principal commander or general of them

and with him mighty men of valour three hundred thousand such a number was under his command

JAMISO these are the numbersmdash The warriors were arranged in the army according to their fathers houses The army of Jehoshaphat commanded by five great generals and consisting of five unequal divisions comprised one million one hundred and sixty thousand men without including those who garrisoned the fortresses No monarch since the time of Solomon equaled Jehoshaphat in the extent of his revenue in the strength of his fortifications and in the number of his troops

KampD 2Ch_1714-16

The men fit for war passed in review according to their fathers-houses The male population of Judah fell into three divisions that of Benjamin into two The prince

Adnah held the first place among the generals with 300000 men of Judah ידו at his על

hand ie with and under him Jehohanan had the command of 280000 men and

Amasiah over 200000 השר is a contraction for אלפים For what special reason it is so שר

honourably recorded of Amasiah that he had willingly offered himself to the Lord (cf for

Jdg_59) has not been communicated התנב

COFFMA his represented a standing army of 1160000 men besides the garrisons in the fortified cities and this goes a long way to explaining why the Arabians and the Philistines brought tribute to Jehoshaphat In ancient times as in our own day peace frequently depended upon the strength of those who desired it

We should ignore the screams of exaggeration[3] which mark the writings of radical critics Pagan rulers of that era reported even larger armies than this and until the critics can prove that those were exaggerated reports they should let these alone Besides that we have already noted that the very word from which thousand is translated is disputed as to its exact meaning

COKE 2 Chronicles 1714 And these are the numbers of themmdash That is of the soldiers as well as of those who were employed in the kings works in the several cities ampc which he built See 2 Chronicles 1719

REFLECTIOSmdash1st Jehoshaphat no sooner comes to the throne than we see the dawnings of a glorious reign

1 He strengthened his kingdom by placing strong garrisons in the cities of Judah and those which his father had recovered from Israel and prepared against that danger which Ahabs growing power seemed to threaten

2 Religion was his great concern He copied after the best of his predecessors in their best days such as were the first of David before the matter of Uriah and the numbering of the people had blotted his fair copy Faithful to the worship of God he abhorred all idols the law of God was his rule of duty and Israels apostacy rendered his fidelity more singular and exemplary Inspired with holy zeal his heart with delight and sincerity was engaged for God and no difficulties deterred him from the path of duty The idols and groves which in the declining days of Asa might have been set up again he utterly destroyed with all the high places where they still offered sacrifices to these abominations ote (1) In the fairest human pattern there will be found imperfections but there is a Son of David more than man who has set us a spotless example that we should follow his steps (2) Fidelity in Gods service is the stability of a nation (3) A lively soul on wings of faith and love mounts up to God rises superior to every difficulty and looks down upon every thing besides his favour as altogether vanity

3 He not only removed the temptations to sin but took care to instruct the people in

the path of duty Ignorance of Gods law had greatly prevailed and to oblige them merely to conform to his reformation without grounding them on the true foundation of Gods word promised little stability The Levites and priests therefore are sent in progress through the cities of Judah with the book of the law to explain and enforce the commandments of God and several princes accompanied them in order to engage the people to hear them and give countenance to these preachers by their weight and influence ote (1) It is a blessed thing when princes countenance faithful ministers Though they cannot make men true converts their example and authority will induce them to attend (2) They who are sent to teach must see that they take the pure word of God along with them A true preacher wishes for nothing in his hand but his Bible (3) Religion is a reasonable service Conviction alone not compulsion or education can make a man a christian

4 The blessing of God attended his labours The Lord was with him or as the Targum generally expresses it the word of the Lord the divine Logos to whom all things are committed strengthened him in his labours and established his kingdom The people charmed with his government liberally sent their presents to him and abounding in riches and honour his heart far from being intoxicated by prosperity was lifted up in greater love and thankfulness to the gracious giver ote (1) God often here rewards piety with prosperity (2) Worldly comforts are then truly blessings when as the steps of Jacobs ladder they raise our hearts to heaven

2nd Like the light of the morning which shineth more and more so did Jehoshaphats glory increase

1 Feared by his enemies as beloved by his subjects the neighbouring princes did not offer to molest him while those of Philistia and Arabia courted his favour either by a voluntary present or exact payment of the tribute which Asa had imposed on them see 2 Chronicles 1711 God had put an awe upon them of the majesty of his king in Zion ote God hath access to the spirits of men and by secret yet irresistible influence can bow them to his sovereign will

2 His military preparations greatly advanced While he reformed the people he fortified their ramparts and built new castles and store-cities strengthening them within and without against their enemies Under five chief officers an immense army was enlisted Probably all the able men in the country were enrolled and regularly mustered though not drawn out except in case of necessity and this may easily account for the greatness of their number if we consider also the long peace they had enjoyed the accession of Israelites to them and especially the blessing of Abraham which no doubt was eminently fulfilled Amasiah one of the officers is mentioned with an honourable mark of distinction as a volunteer who served for the glory of God not for the sake of pay Such patriots are scarce

TRAPP 2 Chronicles 1714 And these [are] the numbers of them according to the house of their fathers Of Judah the captains of thousands Adnah the chief and

with him mighty men of valour three hundred thousand

Ver 14 Three hundred thousand] These were under his command and at hand to come whensoever the king would

WHEDO 14 Three hundred thousand mdash The numbers in this verse and the four verses following are generally regarded as corrupt ldquoThey implyrdquo observes the writer last quoted ldquoa minimum population of 1480 to the square mile which is more than three times greater than that of any country in the known world It is probable that the original numbers have been lost and the loss supplied by a scribe who took 2 Chronicles 148 as his basis

ELLICOTT Verse 14 (14) And these their fathersmdashAnd this is their muster (or census) according to their father-houses (clans) 1 Chronicles 243 The warriors were marshalled in the army according to clans so that men of the same stock fought side by side with their kindred Perhaps in the original document this heading was followed by a much more detailed scheme of names and divisions than that which the text presents

Of JudahmdashTo Judah (belonged) captains of thousands viz the three enumerated in 2 Chronicles 1714-16 Adnah Jehohanan and Amasiah They were the principal officers or generals of the entire forces of Judah

Adnah the chiefmdashTo wit the captain Adnah That Adnah was commander-in-chief is implied by his being named first and his corps being the largest

PULPIT This verse with the following four gives us the names of five captains chiefs princes or military officers for the kingdoms service with the numbers of the troops they severally commanded The numbers of them (see note under 1 Chronicles 2311) Hebrew פקדתם The better English rendering to carry at once the signification would be The muster of them etc The captains hellip the chief In both cases the Hebrew is the familiar word for prince ( שר ) in the former without article in the latter with article The numbers of this and following four verses are not only absolutely unreliable but in themselves impossible According to the house of their fathers ie the quotation is drawn from an army catalogue arranged carefully by fathers houses (umbers 118 umbers 122 etc)

15 next Jehohanan the commander with 280000

GILL And next to him was Jehohanan the captain Being of the same rank as to office but having a lesser number of men under him and it may respect not any kind of subordination only nearness of place as the Targumhe that encamped next to him

and with him two hundred and fourscore thousand which number was but 20000 less than the former

POOLE ext to him either

1 After his death as his successor in the same command And the like is supposed concerning Jehozabad 2 Chronicles 1718 Or rather

2 ext to him in place and authority or at least in power and the numbers of his host

16 next Amasiah son of Zikri who volunteered himself for the service of the Lord with 200000

GILL And next him was Amasiah the son of Zichri He encamped next to him as the Targum

who willingly offered himself unto the Lord to fight the Lords battles and without any stipend as some think or as Kimchi he offered gold and silver to the treasures of the house of the Lord

and with him two hundred thousand mighty men of valour the number was 80000 less than the former the whole of Judah amounted to 780000 men

TRAPP 2 Chronicles 1716 And next him [was] Amasiah the son of Zichri who willingly offered himself unto the LORD and with him two hundred thousand mighty men of valour

Ver 16 Who willingly offered himself unto the Lord] He was a votary the vows of God were upon him and this made him the more valiant and resolute (a) in the exercise of arms for the service of God and the safety of his people The Spahis among the Turks are a sort of horsemen voluntaries and votaries to gain paradise by dying for the Mohammedan cause These are never known to return home but

with victory these are heavy upon the enemy For

ldquo Vincitur haud gratis iugulo qui provocat ensem rdquo

POOLE As volunteers and auxiliaries to be ready upon occasion as the service of God and the king should require Possibly these or most of them were the strangers which had come out of Israel into the kingdom of Judah in Asarsquos days and probably since that in his time

ELLICOTT (16) AmasiahmdashIah carrieth (Isaiah 4011) different from Amaziah (Iah is strong)

Who willingly offered himself unto the Lordmdash(Judges 52 Judges 59) An allusion to some noble act of self-devotion which was doubtless more fully recorded in the source from which the chronicler has drawn this brief account Such allusions though no longer intelligible are important as conducing to the proof of the historical value of the narratives in which they occur LXX ὁ προθυmicroούmicroενος τῷ κυρίῳ Vulg consecratus Domino

PULPIT Amaziah the son of Zichri This man is not titled at all The description of him as one who had willingly offered himself unto the Lord not elucidated by the context or any effective parallel will mark something honorable in his history Possibly he comes from an unexpected quarter and is a man of approved skill othing further is known of these three men Meantime it has been suggested (Professor Dr J Murphy of Belfast Handbook to Chronicles ) that the first of the three was for Judah proper the second for that contingent of Judah that hailed from Dan and the Philistines and the third for that of Simeon and the Arabs

MACLARE This is a scrap from the catalogue of Jehoshaphatrsquos lsquomighty men of valourrsquo and is Amasiahrsquos sole record We see him for a moment and hear his eulogium and then oblivion swallows him up We do not know what it was that he did to earn it But what a fate to live to all generations by that one sentence

I Cheerful self-surrender the secret of all religion

The words of our text contain a metaphor naturally drawn from the sacrificial system It comes so easily to us that we scarcely recognise the metaphorical element but the clear recognition of it gives great additional energy to the words Amasiah was both sacrificer and sacrifice His offering was self-immolation As in all love so in that noblest kind of it which clasps God its perfect expression is lsquoI give Thee my living loving selfrsquo Nor is it only sacrifice and sacrificer that are seen in deepest truth in the experience of the Christian life but the reality of the Temple is also there for lsquoYe also are built up a spiritual house to be a holy priesthood to offer up spiritual sacrificesrsquo Only when God dwells in us shall we have the nerve and the firmness of hand to take the knife and lsquoslay before the Lordrsquo the awful Guest in the sanctuary within the most precious of the children of our spirits

The essence of the sacrifice of self is the sacrifice of will In the Christian experience

lsquowillingly offeredrsquo is almost tautology for unwilling offerings are a contradiction and in fact there are no such things The quality of unwillingness destroys the character of the offering and robs it of all sacredness Reluctant Christianity is not Christianity That noun and that adjective can never be buckled together

The submission of will and the consequent surrender of myself and my powers opportunities and possessions so that I do all enjoy all use all and when need is endure all with glad thankful reference to God is only possible to me in the measure in which my will is made flexible by love and such will-subduing love comes only when we lsquoknow and believe the love that God hath to usrsquo There is the point at which not a few moral and religious teachers go wrong and bewilder themselves and their disciples There too is the point at which Christ and the Gospel of salvation through faith in Him stand forth as emancipating humanity from the dreary round of efforts and vain attempts to work up the condition needful for achieving the height of self-surrender which is seen to be indispensable to all true nobleness of living but is felt to be beyond the reach of the ordinary man There too is the point at which many good people mar their lives as Christians They waste their strength in trying to bring the jibbing horse up to the leap They try to blow up a fire of devotion and to make themselves priests to offer themselves but all the while the mutinous self recoils from the leap and the fire burns smokily and their sacrifice is laid on the altar with little joy because they have not been careful and wise enough to begin at the beginning and to follow Godrsquos way of melting their wills by love the reflection of the Infinite love of God to them Godrsquos priests offer themselves because they offer their wills they offer their wills because they love God they love God because they know that God loves them That is the divine order It is vain to try to accomplish the end by any other

II This willing offering hallows all life

No syllable is left to tell us what Amasiah did to win this praise Probably the words enshrine some now forgotten memory of his cheerful courage some heroic feat on an unrecorded battlefield Particulars are not given nor needed Specific actions are unimportant the spirit of a life can be told with very incomplete details and it not the details is the important thing Sometimes as in many modern biographies one lsquocannot see the wood for the treesrsquo and misses the main drift and aim of a life in the chaos of a bewildering mass of nothings How much more happy the lot of this man of whom we have only the generalised expression of the text unweighted and undisturbed by petty incidents It takes tons of rose leaves to make a tiny phial of otto of roses but the fragrance is far more pungent in a drop of the distillation than in armfuls of leaves Every life shrinks into very small compass and the centuries do not tolerate long biographies Shall we not seek to order our life so that Amasiahrsquos epitaph may serve for us It will be blessed if this-and nothing else-is known about us that we lsquowillingly offered ourselves to the Lordrsquo My friend will that be a true epitome of your life

III This willing offering is accepted by God

We may hear a mightier voice behind the chroniclerrsquo s and the judgment of the Judge of all pronounced by His lips It matters little what men say of one another but it matters everything what God says of us We are but too apt to forget that He is now saying something as to each of us and that we have not to wait for death to put a final period to our activities before our lives become fit subjects for Godrsquos judgment Moment by moment we are writing our own sentences But while it is good for us to remember the continuous judgment of God on each deed it is not good to let dark thoughts of the principles of that judgment paralyse our activity or chill our confidence in His forgiving and accepting mercy There is often a dark suspicion like that of the one-talented

servant which blackens Godrsquos fair fame as being lsquoan austere Manrsquo making demands rather than imparting power and the effect of such an ugly conception of Him is to cut the nerve of service and bury the talent carefully folded up it may be but none the less earning nothing lsquoIf we call on Him as Father who without respect of persons judgeth according to every manrsquos workrsquo let us be sure that it will be a Fatherly judgment that He will pass upon us and our offerings There is a wonderful collection on His altar of what many people would think rubbish just as many a mother has laid away among her treasures some worthless article which her child had once given her-a weed plucked by the roadside in a long past summer day some trifle of rare preciousness in the childrsquos eyes and of none in any others than her own She opens her drawer and brings out the poor little thing and her eyes fill and her heart fills as she looks And does not God keep His childrenrsquos gifts as lovingly and set them in places of honour in the day when He lsquomakes up His jewelsrsquo There are cups of cold water and widowsrsquo mites and much else that a supercilious world would call lsquotrashrsquo stored there Thank God He accepts imperfect service faltering faith partial consecration a little love Even our poor offering may be an lsquoodour of a sweet smellrsquo ministering fragrance that is a delight to Him if it is offered with the much incense of the great Sacrifice and through the mediation of the great High Priest

The world forgot Amasiah or never knew him an obscure soldier in an obscure kingdom but God did not forget and here is his epitaph and this is his memorial to all generations Menrsquos chronicles have no room for all the names that their wearers are eager to have inscribed on their crumbling and crowded pages lsquobut the Lambrsquos Book of Lifersquo has ample space on its radiant pages for all who desire to set their names there and if ours are there we need not envy the proudest whose titles and deeds fill the most conspicuous pages in the worldrsquos records lsquoThen shall every man have praise of Christrsquo and he who wins that guerdon needs nothing more and can have nothing more to swell his blessedness

17 From BenjaminEliada a valiant soldier with 200000 men armed with bows and shields

GILL And of Benjamin Eliada a mighty man of valour Was the chief commander

and with armed men with bow and shield two hundred thousand which were

the armour of the tribe of Benjamin they were best skilled in 2Ch_148

TRAPP 2 Chronicles 1717 And of Benjamin Eliada a mighty man of valour and with him armed men with bow and shield two hundred thousand

Ver 17 With bow and shield] The Benjamites were notable bowmen [1 Chronicles 122] The Engish were anciently so too

ELLICOTT (17) Armed men with bow and shieldmdashLiterally drawing bow and shield ie as the Targum explains ldquodrawing bow and grasping shieldsrdquo (Comp 1 Chronicles 122) LXX ldquoArchers and peltastsrdquo Vulg ldquoGrasping bow and shieldrdquo (Comp also 1 Chronicles 840 for the arms of the Benjaminites)

18 next Jehozabad with 180000 men armed for battle

GILL And next to him was Jehozabad According to the Targum he encamped next him

and with him one hundred and fourscore thousand ready prepared for war being able bodied men well disciplined valiant and well armed these numbers of Judah and Benjamin put together amount to 1160000 men whereas Asa only brought into the field 580000 but it should be considered there had been a long time of peace many had come off from the ten tribes to Judah and the promise of multiplying the seed of Abraham was eminently fulfilled

TRAPP 2 Chronicles 1718 And next him [was] Jehozabad and with him an hundred and fourscore thousand ready prepared for the war

Ver 18 A hundred and fourscore thousand] His militia was eleven hundred and threescore thousand besides what he had in garrisons [2 Chronicles 1719] So that as he was better he was stronger than his father Asa had been Piety hath prosperity

ELLICOTT (18) Ready prepared for the warmdashEquipped for service (See on 1

Chronicles 1223-24 umbers 315 umbers 3229) The hoplites or heavy-armed infantry are probably meant

PULPIT While Eliada of last verse was for Benjamin Professor Dr Murphy supposes that Jehozabad was for the annexed part of Ephraim But no suppositions of this kind can avail to explain the numbers in the text which is no doubt corrupt

19 These were the men who served the king besides those he stationed in the fortified cities throughout Judah

CLARKE These waited on the king - They were disposable forces always at the kingrsquos command and were independent of those by which the cities of Judah were garrisoned

There is not a sovereign in Europe or in the world but might read this chapter with advantage

1 It shows most forcibly that true religion is the basis of the state and that wherever it prospers there the state prospers

2 It shows also that it is the wisdom of kings to encourage religion with all their power and influence for if the hearts of the subjects be not bound and influenced by true religion vain is the application of laws fines imprisonments or corporal punishment of any kind

3 A religious nation is ever a great nation it is loved by its friends it is dreaded by its enemies

4 It is ever a peaceable and united nation the blessings of religion and a wholesome and paternal government are so fully felt and prized that all find it their interest to preserve and defend them Harmony peace piety and strength are the stability of such times May Britain know and value them

GILL These waited on the king Not this vast number of men at one time but in course as Davids military men waited on him 1Ch_271 or each of these captains with a proper number of men under them detached from the body and they were all ready to obey the kings orders whenever he should have occasion for them

besides those whom the king put into the fenced cities throughout Judah and all together the militia of the kingdom was very numerous and formidable

KampD 2Ch_1719

These were serving the king א6ה refers not to the above-mentioned men capable of

bearing arms for sheereet is not used of service in war but to the commanders whom he had placed in the fortified cities of all Judah ldquoin which probably bodies of the above-mentioned troops lay as garrisonsrdquo (Berth)

BESO 2 Chronicles 1719 These waited on the king mdash These above-mentioned were the trained bands or auxiliaries whose chief officers waited on the king to receive his commands and to raise and bring in all or part of their forces to the service of the king as need required A vast number for so small a compass of ground to furnish out and maintain But we may consider that God had promised to make the seed of Abraham like the sand of the sea for number that there had now been a long peace that many were come to them from the kingdom of Israel and that Jehoshaphat was under a special blessing of God They were doubtless dispersed all the country over every one residing on his own land only they were ready at call whenever there was occasion

TRAPP 2 Chronicles 1719 These waited on the king beside [those] whom the king put in the fenced cities throughout all Judah

Ver 19 These waited on the king] ie In their turns and by course

POOLE These above mentioned were the trained bands or auxiliaries whose chief officers waited upon the king to receive his commands and to raise and bring in all or part of their forces to the service of the king and kingdom as need required

ELLICOTT (19) These waited on the kingmdashRather these are they that ministered unto the king viz the five generals above named

Beside those whom the king put in the fenced citiesmdashie the commandants of the fortresses of the kingdom (2 Chronicles 1111 2 Chronicles 1123) These latter as well as the generals of the forces are called the kingrsquos ldquoministersrdquo (mĕshacircrĕthicircm)mdasha word which is not used of service in the field but implies their presence at court (ldquoin Jerusalemrdquo 2 Chronicles 1713 as the royal staff)

According to the above list the army of Jehoshaphat was organised in five grand divisions corresponding perhaps to five territorial divisions of the southern kingdom The totals are the largest assigned to the two tribes anywhere in the Old Testament viz Judah 780000 and Benjamin 380000 in all 1160000 At Davidrsquos census Judah had 500000 warriors (2 Samuel 249) and Israel 800000 Again in 2

Chronicles 148 Asarsquos army consists of 300000 men of Judah and 280000 Benjaminites clearly such an increase as our text indicates is unaccountable At the same time it is equally clear that the present numbers are not fortuitous results of clerical errors for they follow each other in the order of relative strength Judah 300000 280000 200000 Benjamin 200000 180000 and they are evidently not independent of the estimates of 2 Chronicles 148 above quoted

In the absence of adequate data for modifying these certainly startling figures it is well to bear in mind that we need not understand by them an army which ever actually mustered in the field or on parade but simply an estimate of the total male population liable to be called out for the national defence although even upon that understanding the total appears to be at least three times too great considering the small extent of the country

PULPIT These waited Hebrew המשרתים plur piel part of שרת The verse states that this enormous fivefold army with its five princes (counting in our corrupt text one million one hundred and sixty thousand) was the kings Jerusalem standing army while other separate regiments or bands of troops were spread through all Judah where they might be most needed for defence

the stumbling-blocks which for so many ages have been laid in their way

Do any ask What shall we do I answer search out amongst the Jews some persons of probity and talent to commence schools among them and do you yourselves aid to the utmost of your power in the support of them provide them with all necessary books for instructing children in the first rudiments of knowledge provide them with Bibles also both in the Dutch and Hebrew languages that they may be thoroughly instructed in the knowledge of their own religion and learn to walk in the steps of their father Abraham and of all the holy prophets

Begin too without loss of time Adult Schools You will find many among the house of Israel who will be glad to avail themselves of your instructions Let those who are benevolent amongst you dedicate an hour in a day to the instructing of a few who may be desirous to learn and carefully avoid every thing which may give unnecessary offence Confine yourselves to the Old Testament which they venerate as well as you Let those who can teach only in the Dutch language give instruction in that and let those who either understand or have leisure to attain the Hebrew tongue draw their attention to that In particular let it be the united endeavour of all to qualify masters for this good work

And let it not be thought that this is the duty of men only The Royal Edict has particularly and with great wisdom recommended it to females who may be of infinite service in conveying instruction to their own sex This age is distinguished above all others for the activity of females in the service of God and in the performance of every good work Were I able to declare the proportion of good that is done in Britain by the female sex it would appear incredible I believe from my soul that it far exceeds one half in all the societies raised since the commencement of the present century in the Bible Society the Missionary Societies and the Society for Promoting the Knowledge of Christianity amongst the Jews yes let the ladies of this country exert themselves in a prudent modest and discreet way and the effects will soon appear the Royal Edict will not be a dead letter but will produce incalculable good to the whole nationmdashand the agents in this benevolent work will themselves receive quite as much benefit as they impart their benevolence being in proportion as it is exercised its own reward

10 The fear of the Lord fell on all the kingdoms of the lands surrounding Judah so that they did not go to war against Jehoshaphat

GILL And the fear of the Lord fell upon all the kingdoms of the lands that were round about Judah Upon the ten tribes and on foreign nations about them as Moabites Edomites Syrians Egyptians Arabs and Philistines this fear as it came from the Lord so might be raised and increased by observing that religion was revived in them for they might perceive by former observations made that the more religious these people were the more prosperous and formidable they were

so that they made no war against Jehoshaphat to interrupt him in the work of reformation he was so intent upon

HERY We have here a further account of Jehoshaphats great prosperity and the flourishing state of his kingdom

I He had good interest in the neighbouring princes and nations Though he was not perhaps so great a soldier as David (which might have made him their terror) nor so great a scholar as Solomon (which might have made him their oracle) yet the fear of the Lord fell so upon them (that is God so influenced and governed their spirits) that they had all a reverence for him 2Ch_1710 And 1 None of them made war against himGods good providence so ordered it that while the princes and priests were instructing and reforming the country none of his neighbours gave him any molestations to take him off from that good work Thus when Jacob and his sons were going to worship at Bethel the terror of God was upon the neighbouring cities that they did not pursue after them Gen_355 and see Exo_3424 2 Many of them brought presents to him (2Ch_1711) to secure his friendship Perhaps these were a tribute imposed upon them by Asa who made himself master of the cities of the Philistines and the tents of the Arabians 2Ch_1414 2Ch_1415 With the 7700 rams and the same number of he-goats which the Arabians brought there was probably a proportionable number of ewes and lambs she-goats and kids

KampD This attempt of Jehoshaphat brought him this blessing that the terror of Jahve fell upon all the surrounding kingdoms and not only did none of the neighbouring peoples venture to make war upon him but also various tribes did homage to him by presents Ramb has already so understood the connection of these verses (erat hoc praemium pietatis Josaphati quod vicini satisque potentes hostes non auderent adversus ipsum hiscere) while Berth fails to apprehend it saying that Jehoshaphat had time to care for the instruction of his people because at that time the neighbouring peoples did not venture to undertake war against Judah The words ldquoterror of Jahverdquo cf 2Ch_1413 2Ch_2029 and ldquoall the kingdoms of the landsrdquo cf 2Ch_128 1Ch_2930 are expressions peculiar to the author of the Chronicle which show that by these remarks he is preparing the way for a transition to a more detailed

portrayal of Jehoshaphats political power מן־(לש)ים is subject מן partitive some of the

Philistines brought him presents (for מנחה see on 2Ch_175) ldquoand silver a burdenrdquo ie

in great quantity מא does not signify tribute vectigal argento (Vulg) for the word has

not that signification but denotes burden that which can be carried as in מא לאן

2Ch_2025 - 2Ch_2116 2Ch_221 ערבים 2Ch_267 and more usually ערב-ים or ערביאים

are Arabian nomadic tribes (Bedacircwin) perhaps those whom Asa after his victory over the Cushite Zerah had brought under the kingdom of Judah 2Ch_1414 These paid

their tribute in small cattle rams and he-goats (ישים( Gen_3035 Gen_3215 Pro_

3031)

BESO 2 Chronicles 1710 The fear of the Lord fell upon all the kingdoms ampc mdash Justly concluding from his singular piety that God would eminently appear for him for even the heathen could not but observe that the kings of Judah were either prosperous or unhappy according as they served God or forsook him So that they made no war against Jehoshaphat mdash Godrsquos good providence so ordered it that while the princes and priests were instructing and endeavouring to reform the country none of his neighbours gave him any molestation to take him off from that good work

COFFMA All of this peace and prosperity were directly due to the respect which Jehoshaphat had shown to the Law of God and to his efforts to teach that word to all the people It is no problem that much of the material here is omitted in Kings because the primary focus there was political whereas in Chronicles the focus is upon the spiritual and religious significance of the same history

TRAPP 2 Chronicles 1710 And the fear of the LORD fell upon all the kingdoms of the lands that [were] round about Judah so that they made no war against Jehoshaphat

Ver 10 And the fear of the Lord fell upon all the kingdoms] It is said [2 Chronicles 172] Jehoshaphat placed forces in all the fenced cities yet it is not said thereupon that the fear of the Lord fell upon the neighbour nations But when he had established a preaching ministry in all the cities then his enemies had a fear and made no war

POOLE Justly concluding from this singular piety that God would eminently appear for him and against all those who had ill will to him which was their case For even the heathens could not but observe that the kings of Judah were either prosperous or unhappy accordingly as they served God or forsook him

ELLICOTT (10) The fear of the LordmdashA dread of Jehovah (pachad) aps 2029 (Comp Exodus 1516 1 Samuel 117 Isaiah 210 ) This phrase is not peculiar to the chronicler as Keil and Bertheau assert ldquoThe kingdoms of the landsrdquo is so (2 Chronicles 128 1 Chronicles 2930)

They made no warmdashThe reward of Jehosha-phatrsquos piety (1 Chronicles 229

Proverbs 167) ldquoWhen a manrsquos ways please the Lord he maketh even his enemies to be at peace with himrdquo (Comp also Genesis 355)

11 Some Philistines brought Jehoshaphat gifts and silver as tribute and the Arabs brought him flocks seven thousand seven hundred rams and seven thousand seven hundred goats

BARES Some of the Philistines brought Jehoshaphat presents - i e ldquosome of the Philistines were among his tributariesrdquo Compare 2Sa_82 1Ki_421

Tribute silver - Or ldquomuch silverrdquo - literally ldquosilver of burthenrdquo

The Arabians - The Arab tribes who bordered Judaea to the south and the southeast paid Jehoshaphat a fixed tribute in kind Compare 2Ki_34 note

CLARKE The Philistines brought - presents - They and the Arabians purchased peace with the king of Judah by paying an annual tribute The Philistines brought silver and no doubt different kinds of merchandise The Arabs whose riches consisted in cattle brought him flocks in great abundance principally rams and he-goats

GILL Also some of the Philistines brought Jehoshaphat presents and tribute silver Perhaps those of Gerar and the parts adjacent Asa took and spoiled and made tributary 2Ch_1414

and the Arabians brought him flocks seven thousand and seven hundred rams and seven thousand and seven hundred he goats with which their country abounded and these might be the Scenite Arabs who fearing lest Jehoshaphat should fall upon them and take away their flocks as his father had done 2Ch_1415 brought these presents to him

JAMISO Also some of the Philistines brought Jehoshaphat presents and tribute silvermdash either they had been his tributaries or they were desirous of securing his valuable friendship and now made a voluntary offer of tribute Perhaps

they were the Philistines who had submitted to the yoke of David (2Sa_81 Psa_608)

the Arabiansmdash the nomad tribes on the south of the Dead Sea who seeking the protection of Jehoshaphat after his conquest of Edom paid their tribute in the way most suitable to their pastoral habits - the present of so many head of cattle

BESO 2 Chronicles 1711 Some of the Philistines brought presents mdash They had been subject to Judah ever since Davidrsquos time but it seems had neglected this duty in the times of his predecessors but were now moved by their own fears to perform it And the Arabians brought him flocks mdash Either because he had upon some just occasion waged war against them and subdued them or because they voluntarily put themselves under his protection in recompense whereof they sent him these presents or only as a free acknowledgment of their respect for him

TRAPP 2 Chronicles 1711 Also [some] of the Philistines brought Jehoshaphat presents and tribute silver and the Arabians brought him flocks seven thousand and seven hundred rams and seven thousand and seven hundred he goats

Ver 11 Also some of the Philistines] These having been subdued by David had withheld their tribute for a time but now seeing Jehoshaphatrsquos growing greatness they bring it in with the better that no offence might be taken at their former neglect The word here used signifieth honorary gifts or oblations pacifications

ldquo Placatur donis Iupiter ipse datis rdquo

Think the same of the Arabians See 2 Chronicles 1414-15

POOLE Some of the Philistines who had been subjects to this kingdom ever since Davidrsquos time but it seems had neglected this duty in the times of his predecessors but now were moved by their own fears to perform it

The Arabians brought him flocks either because he had upon some just occasion waged war against them and subdued them though the particulars of it be not described in Scripture or because they voluntarily put themselves under his protection in recompence whereof they sent him those presents or only as a free acknowledgment of their respects to him

ELLICOTT (11) Broughtmdashie continually Such is the force of the participle

PresentsmdashAn offering ie tribute (minchah 2 Chronicles 175)

And tribute silvermdashRather and silver a load or burden ie a great quantity (massacircrsquo) 2 Chronicles 2025 As if ldquosilver as much as they could carryrdquomdasha natural hyperbole ot all the five states of the Philistines were subject to Jehoshaphat (Comp 2 Samuel 81)

The ArabiansmdashlsquoArbicircrsquoim here only equivalent to lsquoArbicircyicircm (2 Chronicles 267) and

lsquoArbim (2 Chronicles 2116) They are in each case grouped with the Philistines The nomad Bedacircwin conquered by Asa (2 Chronicles 1415) appear to be meant here or else some tribes which recognised the overlordship of Jehoshaphat after his reduction of Edom (2 Chronicles 2022 sqq)

Brought him flocksmdashComp Mesha of Moabrsquos tribute to Ahab (2 Kings 34)

GUZIK 2 (2 Chronicles 1711-19) The international strength of Jehoshaphatrsquos kingdom

Also some of the Philistines brought Jehoshaphat presents and silver as tribute and the Arabians brought him flocks seven thousand seven hundred rams and seven thousand seven hundred male goats So Jehoshaphat became increasingly powerful and he built fortresses and storage cities in Judah He had much property in the cities of Judah and the men of war mighty men of valor were in Jerusalem These are their numbers according to their fathersrsquo houses Of Judah the captains of thousands Adnah the captain and with him three hundred thousand mighty men of valor and next to him was Jehohanan the captain and with him two hundred and eighty thousand and next to him was Amasiah the son of Zichri who willingly offered himself to the LORD and with him two hundred thousand mighty men of valor Of Benjamin Eliada a mighty man of valor and with him two hundred thousand men armed with bow and shield and next to him was Jehozabad and with him one hundred and eighty thousand prepared for war These served the king besides those the king put in the fortified cities throughout all Judah

a Some of the Philistines brought Jehoshaphat presents and silver as tribute and the Arabians brought him flocks Jehoshaphatrsquos commitment to personal and public godliness meant that God exalted his kingdom above the neighboring nations even as God promised in Deuteronomy 281-13

b These served the king The true treasure of Jehoshaphatrsquos kingdom was not numbered only in security or material things but also in the dedicated and courageous men he had surrounding him these mighty men of valor

i Amasiah the son of Zichri who willingly offered himself to the LORD ldquoAmasiah is a man of whom we do not know anything beyond this ndash he lsquowillingly offered himself unto the Lordrsquo There must have been a turning-point in his career a time when first he knew the grace of God which wrought such a change in him There must have been a waking up to the feeling that God deserved his love and his liferdquo (Spurgeon)

ii Amasiah was a ready servant of the Lord this particularly notable because he did it in an otherwise secular calling

middot o one had to press him into service

middot o one had to seek him out for service

middot o one had to look after him once he had begun serving

middot o one had to lead him

iii ldquoThere is no lawful occupation in which a man cannot thoroughly serve the Lord It is a great privilege and blessing to be set apart to the work of winning souls but we must never separate that work from all the rest of the callings of life as though it alone were sacred and all the rest were secular and almost sinful Serve God where you arerdquo (Spurgeon)

PULPIT The presents were probably enough in the nature of tribute the fixed rate of which is sometimes alluded to (1 Kings 421 1 Kings 1025 2 Samuel 82) but it is doubtful whether the word משא purports to say this The word means bearing or carrying and then a burden load or weight The expression (2 Chronicles 2025) more than they could carry away where this word is used favours the idea that the meaning here is silver of great weight Probably the moral significance and historical interest whether of this statement respecting the Philistines or the following respecting the Arabians lies in the fact that both of them brought without more ado their payments and did not seek to slip out of their engagements with Judah and Judahs king ote for confirmation of this view 2 Kings 34 2 Kings 35

12 Jehoshaphat became more and more powerful he built forts and store cities in Judah

GILL And Jehoshaphat waxed great exceedingly In wealth and riches power and authority in his forces and fortifications

and he built in Judah castles and cities of stores castles for the defence of his kingdom and store cities to lay up corn and wine and all provisions in case of an invasion or against a time of war

HERY II He had a very considerable stores laid up in the cities of Judah He pulled down his barns and built larger (2Ch_1712) castles and cities of store for arms and victuals He was a man of business and aimed at the public good in all his

undertakings either to preserve the peace or prepare for war

JAMISO 2Ch_1712-19 His greatness captains and armies

KampD Description of Jehoshaphats power - 2Ch_1712 And Jehoshaphat became

ever greater sc in power The partic הולך expresses the continuous advance in

greatness cf Ew sect280 b as the infin absol does elsewhere eg Gen_83 למעלה as עד

in 2Ch_1612 - He built castles in Judah ירנ-ות only here and in 2Ch_274 from ירנית

derivative formed from ירה by the Syriac termination נית- fem of ן- castle fortress On

מסנות cf 2Ch_84 ערי

TRAPP 2 Chronicles 1712 And Jehoshaphat waxed great exceedingly and he built in Judah castles and cities of store

Ver 12 And Jehoshaphat waxed great exceedingly] Heb He was going and growing By humility and the fear of the Lord are riches and honour and life [Proverbs 224]

And he built in Judah castles] Bironeoth πυργους turres So did the Burgundians and thence had their names

And cities of store] Granaries in the Hebrew they have their name from their utility or usefulness

ELLICOTT (12) And Jehoshaphat waxed greatmdashLiterally And Jehoshaphat was going on and waxing great ie became greater and greater (Comp 1 Chronicles 119)

ExceedinglymdashlsquoAd lĕmagraversquolah This phrase occurs again in 2 Chronicles 1612 2 Chronicles 268 and nowhere else in the Old Testament (See on 1 Chronicles 142)

And he builtmdashLike his predecessorsmdashSolomon Rehoboam Asamdashhe displayed his wealth and power in great public works The records of the Assyrian and Babylonian sovereigns are largely taken up with similar accounts of temple and palace building

CastlesmdashBiranicircyocircth a derivative from birah (1 Chronicles 291 1 Chronicles 2919 comp Syriac here birocircthocirc) It only recurs at 2 Chronicles 274 It is an Aramaic term (Comp bicircranyacircthacirc which in the Targums means ldquopalacesrdquo)

Cities of storesmdashComp 2 Chronicles 84 2 Chronicles 164 Exodus 111

PULPIT Castles This rendering better than palaces (margin) wound bear improving to the rather stronger word fortresses Hebrew בירניות found only here and in 2 Chronicles 274 plur of בירנית connected with the Chaldee and later Hebrew בירה of Ezra 62 ehemiah 11 Esther 12 Daniel 82 Cities of store (see note under 2 Chronicles 84 see also 1 Kings 919 Exodus 111)

13 and had large supplies in the towns of Judah He also kept experienced fighting men in Jerusalem

CLARKE He hadmuch business in the cities - He kept the people constantly employed they had wages for their work and by their labors the empire was both enriched and strengthened

GILL And he had much business in the cities of Judah Partly in fortifying them and partly in reforming the inhabitants of them

and the men of war mighty men of valour were in Jerusalem or by or near unto it so the particle is rendered Jos_513 they encamped in places adjacent to it for such a number of men as follows even 1160000 could never be contained in Jerusalem but must be disposed of in the territories of it nor did they wait on the king together but in course see 2Ch_1719 by which it appears there is no need to suppose any mistake of the transcriber in any or all of the following sums as has been suggested (q)

HERY 13-19 III He had the militia in good order It was never in better since David modelled it Five lord-lieutenants (if I may so call them) are here named with the numbers of those under their command (the serviceable men that were fit for war in their respective districts) three in Judah and two in Benjamin It is said of one of these great commanders Amasiah that he willingly offered himself unto the Lord (2Ch_1716) not only to the king to serve him in this post but to the Lord to glorify him in it He was the most eminent among them for religion he accepted the place not for the

honour or power or profit of it but for conscience sake towards God that he might serve his country It was usual for great generals then to offer of their spoils to the Lord 1Ch_2626 But this good man offered himself first to the Lord and then his dedicated things The number of the soldiers under these five generals amounts to 1160000 men a vast number for so small a compass of ground as Judahs and Benjamins lot to furnish out and maintain Abijah could bring into the field but 400000 (2Ch_133) Asa not 600000 (2Ch_148) yet Jehoshaphat has at command almost 1200000 But it must be considered 1 That God had promised to make the seed of Abraham like the sand of the sea for number 2 There had now been a long peace 3 We may suppose that the city of Jerusalem was very much enlarged 4 Many had come over to them from the kingdom of Israel (2Ch_1519) which would increase the numbers of the people 5 Jehoshaphat was under a special blessing of God which made his affairs to prosper greatly The armies we may suppose were dispersed all the country over and each man resided for the most part on his own estate but they appeared often to be mustered and trained and were ready at call whenever there was occasion The commanders waited on the king (2Ch_1719) as officers of his court privy-counsellors and ministers of state

But lastly observe It was not this formidable army that struck a terror upon the neighbouring nations that restrained them from attempting any thing against Israel or obliged them to pay tribute but the fear of God which fell upon them when Jehoshaphat reformed his country and set up a preaching ministry in it 2Ch_1710 The ordinances of God are more the strength and safety of a kingdom than its military force - its men of God more than its men of war

KampD 2Ch_1713

וגווגווגווגו רהרהרהרה is rightly translated by Luther ldquound hatte viel Vorrathsrdquo (and ומלעכהומלעכהומלעכהומלעכה

had much store) מלעכהמלעכהמלעכהמלעכה denotes here as in Exo_227-10 property that which has been gained by work or business The signification much work opera magna (Vulg Cler etc) as also Bertheaus translation ldquothe works for equipping and provisioning the fortressesrdquo correspond neither to the context nor to the parallel (synonymous) second member of the verse The work and trouble necessary to equip the cities of Judah does not correspond to ldquothe valiant warriors in Jerusalemrdquo the only parallel is the goods and property which were in these cities the provision of victuals and war material there stored up

BESO 2 Chronicles 1713 He had much business in the cities of Judah mdash To repair and fortify them and furnish them with provisions and to purge out all the relics of idolatry and injustice which were more secretly and craftily managed in the cities than in the country and which were first and most prevalent in the cities and thence spread their infection into the country around them

TRAPP 2 Chronicles 1713 And he had much business in the cities of Judah and the men of war mighty men of valour [were] in Jerusalem

Ver 13 And he had much business] Eργα πολλα (a) Many works going forward at

once a negotious man he was His business say some lay in beautifying and fortifying those cities Augustus gloried at his death that whereas he had found Rome built with brick he had left it made of marble

And the men of war hellip were in Jerusalem] These were his Praetorian forces his Praesidiaries were up and down in the various cities

POOLE He had much business in the cities of Judah partly to repair and fortify them and furnish them with all necessary provisions and partly to purge out all the relies and seeds of idolatry and injustice which were more secretly and subtlely managed in the cities than in the country and which were first and most in the cities and thence spread their infection into the country about them See Jeremiah 228

ELLICOTT (13) BusinessmdashRather much goods or stores literally work (mĕlacirckacirch) and then produce The Hebrew word is so used in Exodus 227 Exodus 2210 (ldquoHis neighbourrsquos goodsrdquo) Stores of provisions and war material seem to be intended (Comp 2 Chronicles 1111)

And the man of war were in JerusalemmdashRather and (he had) men of war in Jerusalem

In Jerusalemmdashot the entire army corps whose numbers are given in 2 Chronicles 1714-18 but simply their chiefs

PULPIT Much business Hebrew מלאכה The meaning of the word is service labour bestowed and the verse reads And there was to him much labour in the cities of Judah and men of war mighty men of valour in Jerusalem ie He bestoweth much pains on the cities of Judah and had etc The word were Authorized Version italics is incorrectly inserted The former half of this verse would better constitute the end of 2 Chronicles 1712 Keil however maintains the rendering substance property for מלאכה (Exodus 227 Exodus 2210)

14 Their enrollment by families was as followsFrom Judah commanders of units of 1000Adnah the commander with 300000 fighting men

BARES The captains of thousands Adnah the chief - literally ldquoprinces of thousands Adnah the princerdquo The writer does not mean that Adnah (or Johohanan 2Ch_1715) was in any way superior to the other ldquoprincesrdquo but only that he was one of them

Three hundred thousand - This number and those which follow in 2Ch_1715-18 have been with good reason regarded as corrupt by most critics For

(1) They imply a minimum population of 1480 to the square mile which is more than three times greater than that of any country in the known world (circa 1880rsquos)

(2) they produce a total just double that of the next largest estimate of the military force of Judah the 580 000 of 2Ch_148

(3) they are professedly a statement not of the whole military force but of the force maintained at Jerusalem (2Ch_1713 compare 2Ch_1719)

It is probable that the original numbers have been lost and that the loss was suppplied by a scribe who took 2Ch_148 as his basis

CLARKE Adnah the chief - He was generalissimo of all this host These are the numbers of the five battalions under Adnah three hundred thousand Jehohanan two hundred and eighty thousand Amasiah two hundred thousand Eliada two hundred thousand Jehozabad one hundred and eighty thousand in all one million one hundred and sixty thousand

GILL And these are the numbers of them according to the house of their fathers Both of the tribe of Judah and of Benjamin and first

of Judah the captains of thousands some had 1000 men under them and some one hundred

Adnah the chief he was the principal commander or general of them

and with him mighty men of valour three hundred thousand such a number was under his command

JAMISO these are the numbersmdash The warriors were arranged in the army according to their fathers houses The army of Jehoshaphat commanded by five great generals and consisting of five unequal divisions comprised one million one hundred and sixty thousand men without including those who garrisoned the fortresses No monarch since the time of Solomon equaled Jehoshaphat in the extent of his revenue in the strength of his fortifications and in the number of his troops

KampD 2Ch_1714-16

The men fit for war passed in review according to their fathers-houses The male population of Judah fell into three divisions that of Benjamin into two The prince

Adnah held the first place among the generals with 300000 men of Judah ידו at his על

hand ie with and under him Jehohanan had the command of 280000 men and

Amasiah over 200000 השר is a contraction for אלפים For what special reason it is so שר

honourably recorded of Amasiah that he had willingly offered himself to the Lord (cf for

Jdg_59) has not been communicated התנב

COFFMA his represented a standing army of 1160000 men besides the garrisons in the fortified cities and this goes a long way to explaining why the Arabians and the Philistines brought tribute to Jehoshaphat In ancient times as in our own day peace frequently depended upon the strength of those who desired it

We should ignore the screams of exaggeration[3] which mark the writings of radical critics Pagan rulers of that era reported even larger armies than this and until the critics can prove that those were exaggerated reports they should let these alone Besides that we have already noted that the very word from which thousand is translated is disputed as to its exact meaning

COKE 2 Chronicles 1714 And these are the numbers of themmdash That is of the soldiers as well as of those who were employed in the kings works in the several cities ampc which he built See 2 Chronicles 1719

REFLECTIOSmdash1st Jehoshaphat no sooner comes to the throne than we see the dawnings of a glorious reign

1 He strengthened his kingdom by placing strong garrisons in the cities of Judah and those which his father had recovered from Israel and prepared against that danger which Ahabs growing power seemed to threaten

2 Religion was his great concern He copied after the best of his predecessors in their best days such as were the first of David before the matter of Uriah and the numbering of the people had blotted his fair copy Faithful to the worship of God he abhorred all idols the law of God was his rule of duty and Israels apostacy rendered his fidelity more singular and exemplary Inspired with holy zeal his heart with delight and sincerity was engaged for God and no difficulties deterred him from the path of duty The idols and groves which in the declining days of Asa might have been set up again he utterly destroyed with all the high places where they still offered sacrifices to these abominations ote (1) In the fairest human pattern there will be found imperfections but there is a Son of David more than man who has set us a spotless example that we should follow his steps (2) Fidelity in Gods service is the stability of a nation (3) A lively soul on wings of faith and love mounts up to God rises superior to every difficulty and looks down upon every thing besides his favour as altogether vanity

3 He not only removed the temptations to sin but took care to instruct the people in

the path of duty Ignorance of Gods law had greatly prevailed and to oblige them merely to conform to his reformation without grounding them on the true foundation of Gods word promised little stability The Levites and priests therefore are sent in progress through the cities of Judah with the book of the law to explain and enforce the commandments of God and several princes accompanied them in order to engage the people to hear them and give countenance to these preachers by their weight and influence ote (1) It is a blessed thing when princes countenance faithful ministers Though they cannot make men true converts their example and authority will induce them to attend (2) They who are sent to teach must see that they take the pure word of God along with them A true preacher wishes for nothing in his hand but his Bible (3) Religion is a reasonable service Conviction alone not compulsion or education can make a man a christian

4 The blessing of God attended his labours The Lord was with him or as the Targum generally expresses it the word of the Lord the divine Logos to whom all things are committed strengthened him in his labours and established his kingdom The people charmed with his government liberally sent their presents to him and abounding in riches and honour his heart far from being intoxicated by prosperity was lifted up in greater love and thankfulness to the gracious giver ote (1) God often here rewards piety with prosperity (2) Worldly comforts are then truly blessings when as the steps of Jacobs ladder they raise our hearts to heaven

2nd Like the light of the morning which shineth more and more so did Jehoshaphats glory increase

1 Feared by his enemies as beloved by his subjects the neighbouring princes did not offer to molest him while those of Philistia and Arabia courted his favour either by a voluntary present or exact payment of the tribute which Asa had imposed on them see 2 Chronicles 1711 God had put an awe upon them of the majesty of his king in Zion ote God hath access to the spirits of men and by secret yet irresistible influence can bow them to his sovereign will

2 His military preparations greatly advanced While he reformed the people he fortified their ramparts and built new castles and store-cities strengthening them within and without against their enemies Under five chief officers an immense army was enlisted Probably all the able men in the country were enrolled and regularly mustered though not drawn out except in case of necessity and this may easily account for the greatness of their number if we consider also the long peace they had enjoyed the accession of Israelites to them and especially the blessing of Abraham which no doubt was eminently fulfilled Amasiah one of the officers is mentioned with an honourable mark of distinction as a volunteer who served for the glory of God not for the sake of pay Such patriots are scarce

TRAPP 2 Chronicles 1714 And these [are] the numbers of them according to the house of their fathers Of Judah the captains of thousands Adnah the chief and

with him mighty men of valour three hundred thousand

Ver 14 Three hundred thousand] These were under his command and at hand to come whensoever the king would

WHEDO 14 Three hundred thousand mdash The numbers in this verse and the four verses following are generally regarded as corrupt ldquoThey implyrdquo observes the writer last quoted ldquoa minimum population of 1480 to the square mile which is more than three times greater than that of any country in the known world It is probable that the original numbers have been lost and the loss supplied by a scribe who took 2 Chronicles 148 as his basis

ELLICOTT Verse 14 (14) And these their fathersmdashAnd this is their muster (or census) according to their father-houses (clans) 1 Chronicles 243 The warriors were marshalled in the army according to clans so that men of the same stock fought side by side with their kindred Perhaps in the original document this heading was followed by a much more detailed scheme of names and divisions than that which the text presents

Of JudahmdashTo Judah (belonged) captains of thousands viz the three enumerated in 2 Chronicles 1714-16 Adnah Jehohanan and Amasiah They were the principal officers or generals of the entire forces of Judah

Adnah the chiefmdashTo wit the captain Adnah That Adnah was commander-in-chief is implied by his being named first and his corps being the largest

PULPIT This verse with the following four gives us the names of five captains chiefs princes or military officers for the kingdoms service with the numbers of the troops they severally commanded The numbers of them (see note under 1 Chronicles 2311) Hebrew פקדתם The better English rendering to carry at once the signification would be The muster of them etc The captains hellip the chief In both cases the Hebrew is the familiar word for prince ( שר ) in the former without article in the latter with article The numbers of this and following four verses are not only absolutely unreliable but in themselves impossible According to the house of their fathers ie the quotation is drawn from an army catalogue arranged carefully by fathers houses (umbers 118 umbers 122 etc)

15 next Jehohanan the commander with 280000

GILL And next to him was Jehohanan the captain Being of the same rank as to office but having a lesser number of men under him and it may respect not any kind of subordination only nearness of place as the Targumhe that encamped next to him

and with him two hundred and fourscore thousand which number was but 20000 less than the former

POOLE ext to him either

1 After his death as his successor in the same command And the like is supposed concerning Jehozabad 2 Chronicles 1718 Or rather

2 ext to him in place and authority or at least in power and the numbers of his host

16 next Amasiah son of Zikri who volunteered himself for the service of the Lord with 200000

GILL And next him was Amasiah the son of Zichri He encamped next to him as the Targum

who willingly offered himself unto the Lord to fight the Lords battles and without any stipend as some think or as Kimchi he offered gold and silver to the treasures of the house of the Lord

and with him two hundred thousand mighty men of valour the number was 80000 less than the former the whole of Judah amounted to 780000 men

TRAPP 2 Chronicles 1716 And next him [was] Amasiah the son of Zichri who willingly offered himself unto the LORD and with him two hundred thousand mighty men of valour

Ver 16 Who willingly offered himself unto the Lord] He was a votary the vows of God were upon him and this made him the more valiant and resolute (a) in the exercise of arms for the service of God and the safety of his people The Spahis among the Turks are a sort of horsemen voluntaries and votaries to gain paradise by dying for the Mohammedan cause These are never known to return home but

with victory these are heavy upon the enemy For

ldquo Vincitur haud gratis iugulo qui provocat ensem rdquo

POOLE As volunteers and auxiliaries to be ready upon occasion as the service of God and the king should require Possibly these or most of them were the strangers which had come out of Israel into the kingdom of Judah in Asarsquos days and probably since that in his time

ELLICOTT (16) AmasiahmdashIah carrieth (Isaiah 4011) different from Amaziah (Iah is strong)

Who willingly offered himself unto the Lordmdash(Judges 52 Judges 59) An allusion to some noble act of self-devotion which was doubtless more fully recorded in the source from which the chronicler has drawn this brief account Such allusions though no longer intelligible are important as conducing to the proof of the historical value of the narratives in which they occur LXX ὁ προθυmicroούmicroενος τῷ κυρίῳ Vulg consecratus Domino

PULPIT Amaziah the son of Zichri This man is not titled at all The description of him as one who had willingly offered himself unto the Lord not elucidated by the context or any effective parallel will mark something honorable in his history Possibly he comes from an unexpected quarter and is a man of approved skill othing further is known of these three men Meantime it has been suggested (Professor Dr J Murphy of Belfast Handbook to Chronicles ) that the first of the three was for Judah proper the second for that contingent of Judah that hailed from Dan and the Philistines and the third for that of Simeon and the Arabs

MACLARE This is a scrap from the catalogue of Jehoshaphatrsquos lsquomighty men of valourrsquo and is Amasiahrsquos sole record We see him for a moment and hear his eulogium and then oblivion swallows him up We do not know what it was that he did to earn it But what a fate to live to all generations by that one sentence

I Cheerful self-surrender the secret of all religion

The words of our text contain a metaphor naturally drawn from the sacrificial system It comes so easily to us that we scarcely recognise the metaphorical element but the clear recognition of it gives great additional energy to the words Amasiah was both sacrificer and sacrifice His offering was self-immolation As in all love so in that noblest kind of it which clasps God its perfect expression is lsquoI give Thee my living loving selfrsquo Nor is it only sacrifice and sacrificer that are seen in deepest truth in the experience of the Christian life but the reality of the Temple is also there for lsquoYe also are built up a spiritual house to be a holy priesthood to offer up spiritual sacrificesrsquo Only when God dwells in us shall we have the nerve and the firmness of hand to take the knife and lsquoslay before the Lordrsquo the awful Guest in the sanctuary within the most precious of the children of our spirits

The essence of the sacrifice of self is the sacrifice of will In the Christian experience

lsquowillingly offeredrsquo is almost tautology for unwilling offerings are a contradiction and in fact there are no such things The quality of unwillingness destroys the character of the offering and robs it of all sacredness Reluctant Christianity is not Christianity That noun and that adjective can never be buckled together

The submission of will and the consequent surrender of myself and my powers opportunities and possessions so that I do all enjoy all use all and when need is endure all with glad thankful reference to God is only possible to me in the measure in which my will is made flexible by love and such will-subduing love comes only when we lsquoknow and believe the love that God hath to usrsquo There is the point at which not a few moral and religious teachers go wrong and bewilder themselves and their disciples There too is the point at which Christ and the Gospel of salvation through faith in Him stand forth as emancipating humanity from the dreary round of efforts and vain attempts to work up the condition needful for achieving the height of self-surrender which is seen to be indispensable to all true nobleness of living but is felt to be beyond the reach of the ordinary man There too is the point at which many good people mar their lives as Christians They waste their strength in trying to bring the jibbing horse up to the leap They try to blow up a fire of devotion and to make themselves priests to offer themselves but all the while the mutinous self recoils from the leap and the fire burns smokily and their sacrifice is laid on the altar with little joy because they have not been careful and wise enough to begin at the beginning and to follow Godrsquos way of melting their wills by love the reflection of the Infinite love of God to them Godrsquos priests offer themselves because they offer their wills they offer their wills because they love God they love God because they know that God loves them That is the divine order It is vain to try to accomplish the end by any other

II This willing offering hallows all life

No syllable is left to tell us what Amasiah did to win this praise Probably the words enshrine some now forgotten memory of his cheerful courage some heroic feat on an unrecorded battlefield Particulars are not given nor needed Specific actions are unimportant the spirit of a life can be told with very incomplete details and it not the details is the important thing Sometimes as in many modern biographies one lsquocannot see the wood for the treesrsquo and misses the main drift and aim of a life in the chaos of a bewildering mass of nothings How much more happy the lot of this man of whom we have only the generalised expression of the text unweighted and undisturbed by petty incidents It takes tons of rose leaves to make a tiny phial of otto of roses but the fragrance is far more pungent in a drop of the distillation than in armfuls of leaves Every life shrinks into very small compass and the centuries do not tolerate long biographies Shall we not seek to order our life so that Amasiahrsquos epitaph may serve for us It will be blessed if this-and nothing else-is known about us that we lsquowillingly offered ourselves to the Lordrsquo My friend will that be a true epitome of your life

III This willing offering is accepted by God

We may hear a mightier voice behind the chroniclerrsquo s and the judgment of the Judge of all pronounced by His lips It matters little what men say of one another but it matters everything what God says of us We are but too apt to forget that He is now saying something as to each of us and that we have not to wait for death to put a final period to our activities before our lives become fit subjects for Godrsquos judgment Moment by moment we are writing our own sentences But while it is good for us to remember the continuous judgment of God on each deed it is not good to let dark thoughts of the principles of that judgment paralyse our activity or chill our confidence in His forgiving and accepting mercy There is often a dark suspicion like that of the one-talented

servant which blackens Godrsquos fair fame as being lsquoan austere Manrsquo making demands rather than imparting power and the effect of such an ugly conception of Him is to cut the nerve of service and bury the talent carefully folded up it may be but none the less earning nothing lsquoIf we call on Him as Father who without respect of persons judgeth according to every manrsquos workrsquo let us be sure that it will be a Fatherly judgment that He will pass upon us and our offerings There is a wonderful collection on His altar of what many people would think rubbish just as many a mother has laid away among her treasures some worthless article which her child had once given her-a weed plucked by the roadside in a long past summer day some trifle of rare preciousness in the childrsquos eyes and of none in any others than her own She opens her drawer and brings out the poor little thing and her eyes fill and her heart fills as she looks And does not God keep His childrenrsquos gifts as lovingly and set them in places of honour in the day when He lsquomakes up His jewelsrsquo There are cups of cold water and widowsrsquo mites and much else that a supercilious world would call lsquotrashrsquo stored there Thank God He accepts imperfect service faltering faith partial consecration a little love Even our poor offering may be an lsquoodour of a sweet smellrsquo ministering fragrance that is a delight to Him if it is offered with the much incense of the great Sacrifice and through the mediation of the great High Priest

The world forgot Amasiah or never knew him an obscure soldier in an obscure kingdom but God did not forget and here is his epitaph and this is his memorial to all generations Menrsquos chronicles have no room for all the names that their wearers are eager to have inscribed on their crumbling and crowded pages lsquobut the Lambrsquos Book of Lifersquo has ample space on its radiant pages for all who desire to set their names there and if ours are there we need not envy the proudest whose titles and deeds fill the most conspicuous pages in the worldrsquos records lsquoThen shall every man have praise of Christrsquo and he who wins that guerdon needs nothing more and can have nothing more to swell his blessedness

17 From BenjaminEliada a valiant soldier with 200000 men armed with bows and shields

GILL And of Benjamin Eliada a mighty man of valour Was the chief commander

and with armed men with bow and shield two hundred thousand which were

the armour of the tribe of Benjamin they were best skilled in 2Ch_148

TRAPP 2 Chronicles 1717 And of Benjamin Eliada a mighty man of valour and with him armed men with bow and shield two hundred thousand

Ver 17 With bow and shield] The Benjamites were notable bowmen [1 Chronicles 122] The Engish were anciently so too

ELLICOTT (17) Armed men with bow and shieldmdashLiterally drawing bow and shield ie as the Targum explains ldquodrawing bow and grasping shieldsrdquo (Comp 1 Chronicles 122) LXX ldquoArchers and peltastsrdquo Vulg ldquoGrasping bow and shieldrdquo (Comp also 1 Chronicles 840 for the arms of the Benjaminites)

18 next Jehozabad with 180000 men armed for battle

GILL And next to him was Jehozabad According to the Targum he encamped next him

and with him one hundred and fourscore thousand ready prepared for war being able bodied men well disciplined valiant and well armed these numbers of Judah and Benjamin put together amount to 1160000 men whereas Asa only brought into the field 580000 but it should be considered there had been a long time of peace many had come off from the ten tribes to Judah and the promise of multiplying the seed of Abraham was eminently fulfilled

TRAPP 2 Chronicles 1718 And next him [was] Jehozabad and with him an hundred and fourscore thousand ready prepared for the war

Ver 18 A hundred and fourscore thousand] His militia was eleven hundred and threescore thousand besides what he had in garrisons [2 Chronicles 1719] So that as he was better he was stronger than his father Asa had been Piety hath prosperity

ELLICOTT (18) Ready prepared for the warmdashEquipped for service (See on 1

Chronicles 1223-24 umbers 315 umbers 3229) The hoplites or heavy-armed infantry are probably meant

PULPIT While Eliada of last verse was for Benjamin Professor Dr Murphy supposes that Jehozabad was for the annexed part of Ephraim But no suppositions of this kind can avail to explain the numbers in the text which is no doubt corrupt

19 These were the men who served the king besides those he stationed in the fortified cities throughout Judah

CLARKE These waited on the king - They were disposable forces always at the kingrsquos command and were independent of those by which the cities of Judah were garrisoned

There is not a sovereign in Europe or in the world but might read this chapter with advantage

1 It shows most forcibly that true religion is the basis of the state and that wherever it prospers there the state prospers

2 It shows also that it is the wisdom of kings to encourage religion with all their power and influence for if the hearts of the subjects be not bound and influenced by true religion vain is the application of laws fines imprisonments or corporal punishment of any kind

3 A religious nation is ever a great nation it is loved by its friends it is dreaded by its enemies

4 It is ever a peaceable and united nation the blessings of religion and a wholesome and paternal government are so fully felt and prized that all find it their interest to preserve and defend them Harmony peace piety and strength are the stability of such times May Britain know and value them

GILL These waited on the king Not this vast number of men at one time but in course as Davids military men waited on him 1Ch_271 or each of these captains with a proper number of men under them detached from the body and they were all ready to obey the kings orders whenever he should have occasion for them

besides those whom the king put into the fenced cities throughout Judah and all together the militia of the kingdom was very numerous and formidable

KampD 2Ch_1719

These were serving the king א6ה refers not to the above-mentioned men capable of

bearing arms for sheereet is not used of service in war but to the commanders whom he had placed in the fortified cities of all Judah ldquoin which probably bodies of the above-mentioned troops lay as garrisonsrdquo (Berth)

BESO 2 Chronicles 1719 These waited on the king mdash These above-mentioned were the trained bands or auxiliaries whose chief officers waited on the king to receive his commands and to raise and bring in all or part of their forces to the service of the king as need required A vast number for so small a compass of ground to furnish out and maintain But we may consider that God had promised to make the seed of Abraham like the sand of the sea for number that there had now been a long peace that many were come to them from the kingdom of Israel and that Jehoshaphat was under a special blessing of God They were doubtless dispersed all the country over every one residing on his own land only they were ready at call whenever there was occasion

TRAPP 2 Chronicles 1719 These waited on the king beside [those] whom the king put in the fenced cities throughout all Judah

Ver 19 These waited on the king] ie In their turns and by course

POOLE These above mentioned were the trained bands or auxiliaries whose chief officers waited upon the king to receive his commands and to raise and bring in all or part of their forces to the service of the king and kingdom as need required

ELLICOTT (19) These waited on the kingmdashRather these are they that ministered unto the king viz the five generals above named

Beside those whom the king put in the fenced citiesmdashie the commandants of the fortresses of the kingdom (2 Chronicles 1111 2 Chronicles 1123) These latter as well as the generals of the forces are called the kingrsquos ldquoministersrdquo (mĕshacircrĕthicircm)mdasha word which is not used of service in the field but implies their presence at court (ldquoin Jerusalemrdquo 2 Chronicles 1713 as the royal staff)

According to the above list the army of Jehoshaphat was organised in five grand divisions corresponding perhaps to five territorial divisions of the southern kingdom The totals are the largest assigned to the two tribes anywhere in the Old Testament viz Judah 780000 and Benjamin 380000 in all 1160000 At Davidrsquos census Judah had 500000 warriors (2 Samuel 249) and Israel 800000 Again in 2

Chronicles 148 Asarsquos army consists of 300000 men of Judah and 280000 Benjaminites clearly such an increase as our text indicates is unaccountable At the same time it is equally clear that the present numbers are not fortuitous results of clerical errors for they follow each other in the order of relative strength Judah 300000 280000 200000 Benjamin 200000 180000 and they are evidently not independent of the estimates of 2 Chronicles 148 above quoted

In the absence of adequate data for modifying these certainly startling figures it is well to bear in mind that we need not understand by them an army which ever actually mustered in the field or on parade but simply an estimate of the total male population liable to be called out for the national defence although even upon that understanding the total appears to be at least three times too great considering the small extent of the country

PULPIT These waited Hebrew המשרתים plur piel part of שרת The verse states that this enormous fivefold army with its five princes (counting in our corrupt text one million one hundred and sixty thousand) was the kings Jerusalem standing army while other separate regiments or bands of troops were spread through all Judah where they might be most needed for defence

GILL And the fear of the Lord fell upon all the kingdoms of the lands that were round about Judah Upon the ten tribes and on foreign nations about them as Moabites Edomites Syrians Egyptians Arabs and Philistines this fear as it came from the Lord so might be raised and increased by observing that religion was revived in them for they might perceive by former observations made that the more religious these people were the more prosperous and formidable they were

so that they made no war against Jehoshaphat to interrupt him in the work of reformation he was so intent upon

HERY We have here a further account of Jehoshaphats great prosperity and the flourishing state of his kingdom

I He had good interest in the neighbouring princes and nations Though he was not perhaps so great a soldier as David (which might have made him their terror) nor so great a scholar as Solomon (which might have made him their oracle) yet the fear of the Lord fell so upon them (that is God so influenced and governed their spirits) that they had all a reverence for him 2Ch_1710 And 1 None of them made war against himGods good providence so ordered it that while the princes and priests were instructing and reforming the country none of his neighbours gave him any molestations to take him off from that good work Thus when Jacob and his sons were going to worship at Bethel the terror of God was upon the neighbouring cities that they did not pursue after them Gen_355 and see Exo_3424 2 Many of them brought presents to him (2Ch_1711) to secure his friendship Perhaps these were a tribute imposed upon them by Asa who made himself master of the cities of the Philistines and the tents of the Arabians 2Ch_1414 2Ch_1415 With the 7700 rams and the same number of he-goats which the Arabians brought there was probably a proportionable number of ewes and lambs she-goats and kids

KampD This attempt of Jehoshaphat brought him this blessing that the terror of Jahve fell upon all the surrounding kingdoms and not only did none of the neighbouring peoples venture to make war upon him but also various tribes did homage to him by presents Ramb has already so understood the connection of these verses (erat hoc praemium pietatis Josaphati quod vicini satisque potentes hostes non auderent adversus ipsum hiscere) while Berth fails to apprehend it saying that Jehoshaphat had time to care for the instruction of his people because at that time the neighbouring peoples did not venture to undertake war against Judah The words ldquoterror of Jahverdquo cf 2Ch_1413 2Ch_2029 and ldquoall the kingdoms of the landsrdquo cf 2Ch_128 1Ch_2930 are expressions peculiar to the author of the Chronicle which show that by these remarks he is preparing the way for a transition to a more detailed

portrayal of Jehoshaphats political power מן־(לש)ים is subject מן partitive some of the

Philistines brought him presents (for מנחה see on 2Ch_175) ldquoand silver a burdenrdquo ie

in great quantity מא does not signify tribute vectigal argento (Vulg) for the word has

not that signification but denotes burden that which can be carried as in מא לאן

2Ch_2025 - 2Ch_2116 2Ch_221 ערבים 2Ch_267 and more usually ערב-ים or ערביאים

are Arabian nomadic tribes (Bedacircwin) perhaps those whom Asa after his victory over the Cushite Zerah had brought under the kingdom of Judah 2Ch_1414 These paid

their tribute in small cattle rams and he-goats (ישים( Gen_3035 Gen_3215 Pro_

3031)

BESO 2 Chronicles 1710 The fear of the Lord fell upon all the kingdoms ampc mdash Justly concluding from his singular piety that God would eminently appear for him for even the heathen could not but observe that the kings of Judah were either prosperous or unhappy according as they served God or forsook him So that they made no war against Jehoshaphat mdash Godrsquos good providence so ordered it that while the princes and priests were instructing and endeavouring to reform the country none of his neighbours gave him any molestation to take him off from that good work

COFFMA All of this peace and prosperity were directly due to the respect which Jehoshaphat had shown to the Law of God and to his efforts to teach that word to all the people It is no problem that much of the material here is omitted in Kings because the primary focus there was political whereas in Chronicles the focus is upon the spiritual and religious significance of the same history

TRAPP 2 Chronicles 1710 And the fear of the LORD fell upon all the kingdoms of the lands that [were] round about Judah so that they made no war against Jehoshaphat

Ver 10 And the fear of the Lord fell upon all the kingdoms] It is said [2 Chronicles 172] Jehoshaphat placed forces in all the fenced cities yet it is not said thereupon that the fear of the Lord fell upon the neighbour nations But when he had established a preaching ministry in all the cities then his enemies had a fear and made no war

POOLE Justly concluding from this singular piety that God would eminently appear for him and against all those who had ill will to him which was their case For even the heathens could not but observe that the kings of Judah were either prosperous or unhappy accordingly as they served God or forsook him

ELLICOTT (10) The fear of the LordmdashA dread of Jehovah (pachad) aps 2029 (Comp Exodus 1516 1 Samuel 117 Isaiah 210 ) This phrase is not peculiar to the chronicler as Keil and Bertheau assert ldquoThe kingdoms of the landsrdquo is so (2 Chronicles 128 1 Chronicles 2930)

They made no warmdashThe reward of Jehosha-phatrsquos piety (1 Chronicles 229

Proverbs 167) ldquoWhen a manrsquos ways please the Lord he maketh even his enemies to be at peace with himrdquo (Comp also Genesis 355)

11 Some Philistines brought Jehoshaphat gifts and silver as tribute and the Arabs brought him flocks seven thousand seven hundred rams and seven thousand seven hundred goats

BARES Some of the Philistines brought Jehoshaphat presents - i e ldquosome of the Philistines were among his tributariesrdquo Compare 2Sa_82 1Ki_421

Tribute silver - Or ldquomuch silverrdquo - literally ldquosilver of burthenrdquo

The Arabians - The Arab tribes who bordered Judaea to the south and the southeast paid Jehoshaphat a fixed tribute in kind Compare 2Ki_34 note

CLARKE The Philistines brought - presents - They and the Arabians purchased peace with the king of Judah by paying an annual tribute The Philistines brought silver and no doubt different kinds of merchandise The Arabs whose riches consisted in cattle brought him flocks in great abundance principally rams and he-goats

GILL Also some of the Philistines brought Jehoshaphat presents and tribute silver Perhaps those of Gerar and the parts adjacent Asa took and spoiled and made tributary 2Ch_1414

and the Arabians brought him flocks seven thousand and seven hundred rams and seven thousand and seven hundred he goats with which their country abounded and these might be the Scenite Arabs who fearing lest Jehoshaphat should fall upon them and take away their flocks as his father had done 2Ch_1415 brought these presents to him

JAMISO Also some of the Philistines brought Jehoshaphat presents and tribute silvermdash either they had been his tributaries or they were desirous of securing his valuable friendship and now made a voluntary offer of tribute Perhaps

they were the Philistines who had submitted to the yoke of David (2Sa_81 Psa_608)

the Arabiansmdash the nomad tribes on the south of the Dead Sea who seeking the protection of Jehoshaphat after his conquest of Edom paid their tribute in the way most suitable to their pastoral habits - the present of so many head of cattle

BESO 2 Chronicles 1711 Some of the Philistines brought presents mdash They had been subject to Judah ever since Davidrsquos time but it seems had neglected this duty in the times of his predecessors but were now moved by their own fears to perform it And the Arabians brought him flocks mdash Either because he had upon some just occasion waged war against them and subdued them or because they voluntarily put themselves under his protection in recompense whereof they sent him these presents or only as a free acknowledgment of their respect for him

TRAPP 2 Chronicles 1711 Also [some] of the Philistines brought Jehoshaphat presents and tribute silver and the Arabians brought him flocks seven thousand and seven hundred rams and seven thousand and seven hundred he goats

Ver 11 Also some of the Philistines] These having been subdued by David had withheld their tribute for a time but now seeing Jehoshaphatrsquos growing greatness they bring it in with the better that no offence might be taken at their former neglect The word here used signifieth honorary gifts or oblations pacifications

ldquo Placatur donis Iupiter ipse datis rdquo

Think the same of the Arabians See 2 Chronicles 1414-15

POOLE Some of the Philistines who had been subjects to this kingdom ever since Davidrsquos time but it seems had neglected this duty in the times of his predecessors but now were moved by their own fears to perform it

The Arabians brought him flocks either because he had upon some just occasion waged war against them and subdued them though the particulars of it be not described in Scripture or because they voluntarily put themselves under his protection in recompence whereof they sent him those presents or only as a free acknowledgment of their respects to him

ELLICOTT (11) Broughtmdashie continually Such is the force of the participle

PresentsmdashAn offering ie tribute (minchah 2 Chronicles 175)

And tribute silvermdashRather and silver a load or burden ie a great quantity (massacircrsquo) 2 Chronicles 2025 As if ldquosilver as much as they could carryrdquomdasha natural hyperbole ot all the five states of the Philistines were subject to Jehoshaphat (Comp 2 Samuel 81)

The ArabiansmdashlsquoArbicircrsquoim here only equivalent to lsquoArbicircyicircm (2 Chronicles 267) and

lsquoArbim (2 Chronicles 2116) They are in each case grouped with the Philistines The nomad Bedacircwin conquered by Asa (2 Chronicles 1415) appear to be meant here or else some tribes which recognised the overlordship of Jehoshaphat after his reduction of Edom (2 Chronicles 2022 sqq)

Brought him flocksmdashComp Mesha of Moabrsquos tribute to Ahab (2 Kings 34)

GUZIK 2 (2 Chronicles 1711-19) The international strength of Jehoshaphatrsquos kingdom

Also some of the Philistines brought Jehoshaphat presents and silver as tribute and the Arabians brought him flocks seven thousand seven hundred rams and seven thousand seven hundred male goats So Jehoshaphat became increasingly powerful and he built fortresses and storage cities in Judah He had much property in the cities of Judah and the men of war mighty men of valor were in Jerusalem These are their numbers according to their fathersrsquo houses Of Judah the captains of thousands Adnah the captain and with him three hundred thousand mighty men of valor and next to him was Jehohanan the captain and with him two hundred and eighty thousand and next to him was Amasiah the son of Zichri who willingly offered himself to the LORD and with him two hundred thousand mighty men of valor Of Benjamin Eliada a mighty man of valor and with him two hundred thousand men armed with bow and shield and next to him was Jehozabad and with him one hundred and eighty thousand prepared for war These served the king besides those the king put in the fortified cities throughout all Judah

a Some of the Philistines brought Jehoshaphat presents and silver as tribute and the Arabians brought him flocks Jehoshaphatrsquos commitment to personal and public godliness meant that God exalted his kingdom above the neighboring nations even as God promised in Deuteronomy 281-13

b These served the king The true treasure of Jehoshaphatrsquos kingdom was not numbered only in security or material things but also in the dedicated and courageous men he had surrounding him these mighty men of valor

i Amasiah the son of Zichri who willingly offered himself to the LORD ldquoAmasiah is a man of whom we do not know anything beyond this ndash he lsquowillingly offered himself unto the Lordrsquo There must have been a turning-point in his career a time when first he knew the grace of God which wrought such a change in him There must have been a waking up to the feeling that God deserved his love and his liferdquo (Spurgeon)

ii Amasiah was a ready servant of the Lord this particularly notable because he did it in an otherwise secular calling

middot o one had to press him into service

middot o one had to seek him out for service

middot o one had to look after him once he had begun serving

middot o one had to lead him

iii ldquoThere is no lawful occupation in which a man cannot thoroughly serve the Lord It is a great privilege and blessing to be set apart to the work of winning souls but we must never separate that work from all the rest of the callings of life as though it alone were sacred and all the rest were secular and almost sinful Serve God where you arerdquo (Spurgeon)

PULPIT The presents were probably enough in the nature of tribute the fixed rate of which is sometimes alluded to (1 Kings 421 1 Kings 1025 2 Samuel 82) but it is doubtful whether the word משא purports to say this The word means bearing or carrying and then a burden load or weight The expression (2 Chronicles 2025) more than they could carry away where this word is used favours the idea that the meaning here is silver of great weight Probably the moral significance and historical interest whether of this statement respecting the Philistines or the following respecting the Arabians lies in the fact that both of them brought without more ado their payments and did not seek to slip out of their engagements with Judah and Judahs king ote for confirmation of this view 2 Kings 34 2 Kings 35

12 Jehoshaphat became more and more powerful he built forts and store cities in Judah

GILL And Jehoshaphat waxed great exceedingly In wealth and riches power and authority in his forces and fortifications

and he built in Judah castles and cities of stores castles for the defence of his kingdom and store cities to lay up corn and wine and all provisions in case of an invasion or against a time of war

HERY II He had a very considerable stores laid up in the cities of Judah He pulled down his barns and built larger (2Ch_1712) castles and cities of store for arms and victuals He was a man of business and aimed at the public good in all his

undertakings either to preserve the peace or prepare for war

JAMISO 2Ch_1712-19 His greatness captains and armies

KampD Description of Jehoshaphats power - 2Ch_1712 And Jehoshaphat became

ever greater sc in power The partic הולך expresses the continuous advance in

greatness cf Ew sect280 b as the infin absol does elsewhere eg Gen_83 למעלה as עד

in 2Ch_1612 - He built castles in Judah ירנ-ות only here and in 2Ch_274 from ירנית

derivative formed from ירה by the Syriac termination נית- fem of ן- castle fortress On

מסנות cf 2Ch_84 ערי

TRAPP 2 Chronicles 1712 And Jehoshaphat waxed great exceedingly and he built in Judah castles and cities of store

Ver 12 And Jehoshaphat waxed great exceedingly] Heb He was going and growing By humility and the fear of the Lord are riches and honour and life [Proverbs 224]

And he built in Judah castles] Bironeoth πυργους turres So did the Burgundians and thence had their names

And cities of store] Granaries in the Hebrew they have their name from their utility or usefulness

ELLICOTT (12) And Jehoshaphat waxed greatmdashLiterally And Jehoshaphat was going on and waxing great ie became greater and greater (Comp 1 Chronicles 119)

ExceedinglymdashlsquoAd lĕmagraversquolah This phrase occurs again in 2 Chronicles 1612 2 Chronicles 268 and nowhere else in the Old Testament (See on 1 Chronicles 142)

And he builtmdashLike his predecessorsmdashSolomon Rehoboam Asamdashhe displayed his wealth and power in great public works The records of the Assyrian and Babylonian sovereigns are largely taken up with similar accounts of temple and palace building

CastlesmdashBiranicircyocircth a derivative from birah (1 Chronicles 291 1 Chronicles 2919 comp Syriac here birocircthocirc) It only recurs at 2 Chronicles 274 It is an Aramaic term (Comp bicircranyacircthacirc which in the Targums means ldquopalacesrdquo)

Cities of storesmdashComp 2 Chronicles 84 2 Chronicles 164 Exodus 111

PULPIT Castles This rendering better than palaces (margin) wound bear improving to the rather stronger word fortresses Hebrew בירניות found only here and in 2 Chronicles 274 plur of בירנית connected with the Chaldee and later Hebrew בירה of Ezra 62 ehemiah 11 Esther 12 Daniel 82 Cities of store (see note under 2 Chronicles 84 see also 1 Kings 919 Exodus 111)

13 and had large supplies in the towns of Judah He also kept experienced fighting men in Jerusalem

CLARKE He hadmuch business in the cities - He kept the people constantly employed they had wages for their work and by their labors the empire was both enriched and strengthened

GILL And he had much business in the cities of Judah Partly in fortifying them and partly in reforming the inhabitants of them

and the men of war mighty men of valour were in Jerusalem or by or near unto it so the particle is rendered Jos_513 they encamped in places adjacent to it for such a number of men as follows even 1160000 could never be contained in Jerusalem but must be disposed of in the territories of it nor did they wait on the king together but in course see 2Ch_1719 by which it appears there is no need to suppose any mistake of the transcriber in any or all of the following sums as has been suggested (q)

HERY 13-19 III He had the militia in good order It was never in better since David modelled it Five lord-lieutenants (if I may so call them) are here named with the numbers of those under their command (the serviceable men that were fit for war in their respective districts) three in Judah and two in Benjamin It is said of one of these great commanders Amasiah that he willingly offered himself unto the Lord (2Ch_1716) not only to the king to serve him in this post but to the Lord to glorify him in it He was the most eminent among them for religion he accepted the place not for the

honour or power or profit of it but for conscience sake towards God that he might serve his country It was usual for great generals then to offer of their spoils to the Lord 1Ch_2626 But this good man offered himself first to the Lord and then his dedicated things The number of the soldiers under these five generals amounts to 1160000 men a vast number for so small a compass of ground as Judahs and Benjamins lot to furnish out and maintain Abijah could bring into the field but 400000 (2Ch_133) Asa not 600000 (2Ch_148) yet Jehoshaphat has at command almost 1200000 But it must be considered 1 That God had promised to make the seed of Abraham like the sand of the sea for number 2 There had now been a long peace 3 We may suppose that the city of Jerusalem was very much enlarged 4 Many had come over to them from the kingdom of Israel (2Ch_1519) which would increase the numbers of the people 5 Jehoshaphat was under a special blessing of God which made his affairs to prosper greatly The armies we may suppose were dispersed all the country over and each man resided for the most part on his own estate but they appeared often to be mustered and trained and were ready at call whenever there was occasion The commanders waited on the king (2Ch_1719) as officers of his court privy-counsellors and ministers of state

But lastly observe It was not this formidable army that struck a terror upon the neighbouring nations that restrained them from attempting any thing against Israel or obliged them to pay tribute but the fear of God which fell upon them when Jehoshaphat reformed his country and set up a preaching ministry in it 2Ch_1710 The ordinances of God are more the strength and safety of a kingdom than its military force - its men of God more than its men of war

KampD 2Ch_1713

וגווגווגווגו רהרהרהרה is rightly translated by Luther ldquound hatte viel Vorrathsrdquo (and ומלעכהומלעכהומלעכהומלעכה

had much store) מלעכהמלעכהמלעכהמלעכה denotes here as in Exo_227-10 property that which has been gained by work or business The signification much work opera magna (Vulg Cler etc) as also Bertheaus translation ldquothe works for equipping and provisioning the fortressesrdquo correspond neither to the context nor to the parallel (synonymous) second member of the verse The work and trouble necessary to equip the cities of Judah does not correspond to ldquothe valiant warriors in Jerusalemrdquo the only parallel is the goods and property which were in these cities the provision of victuals and war material there stored up

BESO 2 Chronicles 1713 He had much business in the cities of Judah mdash To repair and fortify them and furnish them with provisions and to purge out all the relics of idolatry and injustice which were more secretly and craftily managed in the cities than in the country and which were first and most prevalent in the cities and thence spread their infection into the country around them

TRAPP 2 Chronicles 1713 And he had much business in the cities of Judah and the men of war mighty men of valour [were] in Jerusalem

Ver 13 And he had much business] Eργα πολλα (a) Many works going forward at

once a negotious man he was His business say some lay in beautifying and fortifying those cities Augustus gloried at his death that whereas he had found Rome built with brick he had left it made of marble

And the men of war hellip were in Jerusalem] These were his Praetorian forces his Praesidiaries were up and down in the various cities

POOLE He had much business in the cities of Judah partly to repair and fortify them and furnish them with all necessary provisions and partly to purge out all the relies and seeds of idolatry and injustice which were more secretly and subtlely managed in the cities than in the country and which were first and most in the cities and thence spread their infection into the country about them See Jeremiah 228

ELLICOTT (13) BusinessmdashRather much goods or stores literally work (mĕlacirckacirch) and then produce The Hebrew word is so used in Exodus 227 Exodus 2210 (ldquoHis neighbourrsquos goodsrdquo) Stores of provisions and war material seem to be intended (Comp 2 Chronicles 1111)

And the man of war were in JerusalemmdashRather and (he had) men of war in Jerusalem

In Jerusalemmdashot the entire army corps whose numbers are given in 2 Chronicles 1714-18 but simply their chiefs

PULPIT Much business Hebrew מלאכה The meaning of the word is service labour bestowed and the verse reads And there was to him much labour in the cities of Judah and men of war mighty men of valour in Jerusalem ie He bestoweth much pains on the cities of Judah and had etc The word were Authorized Version italics is incorrectly inserted The former half of this verse would better constitute the end of 2 Chronicles 1712 Keil however maintains the rendering substance property for מלאכה (Exodus 227 Exodus 2210)

14 Their enrollment by families was as followsFrom Judah commanders of units of 1000Adnah the commander with 300000 fighting men

BARES The captains of thousands Adnah the chief - literally ldquoprinces of thousands Adnah the princerdquo The writer does not mean that Adnah (or Johohanan 2Ch_1715) was in any way superior to the other ldquoprincesrdquo but only that he was one of them

Three hundred thousand - This number and those which follow in 2Ch_1715-18 have been with good reason regarded as corrupt by most critics For

(1) They imply a minimum population of 1480 to the square mile which is more than three times greater than that of any country in the known world (circa 1880rsquos)

(2) they produce a total just double that of the next largest estimate of the military force of Judah the 580 000 of 2Ch_148

(3) they are professedly a statement not of the whole military force but of the force maintained at Jerusalem (2Ch_1713 compare 2Ch_1719)

It is probable that the original numbers have been lost and that the loss was suppplied by a scribe who took 2Ch_148 as his basis

CLARKE Adnah the chief - He was generalissimo of all this host These are the numbers of the five battalions under Adnah three hundred thousand Jehohanan two hundred and eighty thousand Amasiah two hundred thousand Eliada two hundred thousand Jehozabad one hundred and eighty thousand in all one million one hundred and sixty thousand

GILL And these are the numbers of them according to the house of their fathers Both of the tribe of Judah and of Benjamin and first

of Judah the captains of thousands some had 1000 men under them and some one hundred

Adnah the chief he was the principal commander or general of them

and with him mighty men of valour three hundred thousand such a number was under his command

JAMISO these are the numbersmdash The warriors were arranged in the army according to their fathers houses The army of Jehoshaphat commanded by five great generals and consisting of five unequal divisions comprised one million one hundred and sixty thousand men without including those who garrisoned the fortresses No monarch since the time of Solomon equaled Jehoshaphat in the extent of his revenue in the strength of his fortifications and in the number of his troops

KampD 2Ch_1714-16

The men fit for war passed in review according to their fathers-houses The male population of Judah fell into three divisions that of Benjamin into two The prince

Adnah held the first place among the generals with 300000 men of Judah ידו at his על

hand ie with and under him Jehohanan had the command of 280000 men and

Amasiah over 200000 השר is a contraction for אלפים For what special reason it is so שר

honourably recorded of Amasiah that he had willingly offered himself to the Lord (cf for

Jdg_59) has not been communicated התנב

COFFMA his represented a standing army of 1160000 men besides the garrisons in the fortified cities and this goes a long way to explaining why the Arabians and the Philistines brought tribute to Jehoshaphat In ancient times as in our own day peace frequently depended upon the strength of those who desired it

We should ignore the screams of exaggeration[3] which mark the writings of radical critics Pagan rulers of that era reported even larger armies than this and until the critics can prove that those were exaggerated reports they should let these alone Besides that we have already noted that the very word from which thousand is translated is disputed as to its exact meaning

COKE 2 Chronicles 1714 And these are the numbers of themmdash That is of the soldiers as well as of those who were employed in the kings works in the several cities ampc which he built See 2 Chronicles 1719

REFLECTIOSmdash1st Jehoshaphat no sooner comes to the throne than we see the dawnings of a glorious reign

1 He strengthened his kingdom by placing strong garrisons in the cities of Judah and those which his father had recovered from Israel and prepared against that danger which Ahabs growing power seemed to threaten

2 Religion was his great concern He copied after the best of his predecessors in their best days such as were the first of David before the matter of Uriah and the numbering of the people had blotted his fair copy Faithful to the worship of God he abhorred all idols the law of God was his rule of duty and Israels apostacy rendered his fidelity more singular and exemplary Inspired with holy zeal his heart with delight and sincerity was engaged for God and no difficulties deterred him from the path of duty The idols and groves which in the declining days of Asa might have been set up again he utterly destroyed with all the high places where they still offered sacrifices to these abominations ote (1) In the fairest human pattern there will be found imperfections but there is a Son of David more than man who has set us a spotless example that we should follow his steps (2) Fidelity in Gods service is the stability of a nation (3) A lively soul on wings of faith and love mounts up to God rises superior to every difficulty and looks down upon every thing besides his favour as altogether vanity

3 He not only removed the temptations to sin but took care to instruct the people in

the path of duty Ignorance of Gods law had greatly prevailed and to oblige them merely to conform to his reformation without grounding them on the true foundation of Gods word promised little stability The Levites and priests therefore are sent in progress through the cities of Judah with the book of the law to explain and enforce the commandments of God and several princes accompanied them in order to engage the people to hear them and give countenance to these preachers by their weight and influence ote (1) It is a blessed thing when princes countenance faithful ministers Though they cannot make men true converts their example and authority will induce them to attend (2) They who are sent to teach must see that they take the pure word of God along with them A true preacher wishes for nothing in his hand but his Bible (3) Religion is a reasonable service Conviction alone not compulsion or education can make a man a christian

4 The blessing of God attended his labours The Lord was with him or as the Targum generally expresses it the word of the Lord the divine Logos to whom all things are committed strengthened him in his labours and established his kingdom The people charmed with his government liberally sent their presents to him and abounding in riches and honour his heart far from being intoxicated by prosperity was lifted up in greater love and thankfulness to the gracious giver ote (1) God often here rewards piety with prosperity (2) Worldly comforts are then truly blessings when as the steps of Jacobs ladder they raise our hearts to heaven

2nd Like the light of the morning which shineth more and more so did Jehoshaphats glory increase

1 Feared by his enemies as beloved by his subjects the neighbouring princes did not offer to molest him while those of Philistia and Arabia courted his favour either by a voluntary present or exact payment of the tribute which Asa had imposed on them see 2 Chronicles 1711 God had put an awe upon them of the majesty of his king in Zion ote God hath access to the spirits of men and by secret yet irresistible influence can bow them to his sovereign will

2 His military preparations greatly advanced While he reformed the people he fortified their ramparts and built new castles and store-cities strengthening them within and without against their enemies Under five chief officers an immense army was enlisted Probably all the able men in the country were enrolled and regularly mustered though not drawn out except in case of necessity and this may easily account for the greatness of their number if we consider also the long peace they had enjoyed the accession of Israelites to them and especially the blessing of Abraham which no doubt was eminently fulfilled Amasiah one of the officers is mentioned with an honourable mark of distinction as a volunteer who served for the glory of God not for the sake of pay Such patriots are scarce

TRAPP 2 Chronicles 1714 And these [are] the numbers of them according to the house of their fathers Of Judah the captains of thousands Adnah the chief and

with him mighty men of valour three hundred thousand

Ver 14 Three hundred thousand] These were under his command and at hand to come whensoever the king would

WHEDO 14 Three hundred thousand mdash The numbers in this verse and the four verses following are generally regarded as corrupt ldquoThey implyrdquo observes the writer last quoted ldquoa minimum population of 1480 to the square mile which is more than three times greater than that of any country in the known world It is probable that the original numbers have been lost and the loss supplied by a scribe who took 2 Chronicles 148 as his basis

ELLICOTT Verse 14 (14) And these their fathersmdashAnd this is their muster (or census) according to their father-houses (clans) 1 Chronicles 243 The warriors were marshalled in the army according to clans so that men of the same stock fought side by side with their kindred Perhaps in the original document this heading was followed by a much more detailed scheme of names and divisions than that which the text presents

Of JudahmdashTo Judah (belonged) captains of thousands viz the three enumerated in 2 Chronicles 1714-16 Adnah Jehohanan and Amasiah They were the principal officers or generals of the entire forces of Judah

Adnah the chiefmdashTo wit the captain Adnah That Adnah was commander-in-chief is implied by his being named first and his corps being the largest

PULPIT This verse with the following four gives us the names of five captains chiefs princes or military officers for the kingdoms service with the numbers of the troops they severally commanded The numbers of them (see note under 1 Chronicles 2311) Hebrew פקדתם The better English rendering to carry at once the signification would be The muster of them etc The captains hellip the chief In both cases the Hebrew is the familiar word for prince ( שר ) in the former without article in the latter with article The numbers of this and following four verses are not only absolutely unreliable but in themselves impossible According to the house of their fathers ie the quotation is drawn from an army catalogue arranged carefully by fathers houses (umbers 118 umbers 122 etc)

15 next Jehohanan the commander with 280000

GILL And next to him was Jehohanan the captain Being of the same rank as to office but having a lesser number of men under him and it may respect not any kind of subordination only nearness of place as the Targumhe that encamped next to him

and with him two hundred and fourscore thousand which number was but 20000 less than the former

POOLE ext to him either

1 After his death as his successor in the same command And the like is supposed concerning Jehozabad 2 Chronicles 1718 Or rather

2 ext to him in place and authority or at least in power and the numbers of his host

16 next Amasiah son of Zikri who volunteered himself for the service of the Lord with 200000

GILL And next him was Amasiah the son of Zichri He encamped next to him as the Targum

who willingly offered himself unto the Lord to fight the Lords battles and without any stipend as some think or as Kimchi he offered gold and silver to the treasures of the house of the Lord

and with him two hundred thousand mighty men of valour the number was 80000 less than the former the whole of Judah amounted to 780000 men

TRAPP 2 Chronicles 1716 And next him [was] Amasiah the son of Zichri who willingly offered himself unto the LORD and with him two hundred thousand mighty men of valour

Ver 16 Who willingly offered himself unto the Lord] He was a votary the vows of God were upon him and this made him the more valiant and resolute (a) in the exercise of arms for the service of God and the safety of his people The Spahis among the Turks are a sort of horsemen voluntaries and votaries to gain paradise by dying for the Mohammedan cause These are never known to return home but

with victory these are heavy upon the enemy For

ldquo Vincitur haud gratis iugulo qui provocat ensem rdquo

POOLE As volunteers and auxiliaries to be ready upon occasion as the service of God and the king should require Possibly these or most of them were the strangers which had come out of Israel into the kingdom of Judah in Asarsquos days and probably since that in his time

ELLICOTT (16) AmasiahmdashIah carrieth (Isaiah 4011) different from Amaziah (Iah is strong)

Who willingly offered himself unto the Lordmdash(Judges 52 Judges 59) An allusion to some noble act of self-devotion which was doubtless more fully recorded in the source from which the chronicler has drawn this brief account Such allusions though no longer intelligible are important as conducing to the proof of the historical value of the narratives in which they occur LXX ὁ προθυmicroούmicroενος τῷ κυρίῳ Vulg consecratus Domino

PULPIT Amaziah the son of Zichri This man is not titled at all The description of him as one who had willingly offered himself unto the Lord not elucidated by the context or any effective parallel will mark something honorable in his history Possibly he comes from an unexpected quarter and is a man of approved skill othing further is known of these three men Meantime it has been suggested (Professor Dr J Murphy of Belfast Handbook to Chronicles ) that the first of the three was for Judah proper the second for that contingent of Judah that hailed from Dan and the Philistines and the third for that of Simeon and the Arabs

MACLARE This is a scrap from the catalogue of Jehoshaphatrsquos lsquomighty men of valourrsquo and is Amasiahrsquos sole record We see him for a moment and hear his eulogium and then oblivion swallows him up We do not know what it was that he did to earn it But what a fate to live to all generations by that one sentence

I Cheerful self-surrender the secret of all religion

The words of our text contain a metaphor naturally drawn from the sacrificial system It comes so easily to us that we scarcely recognise the metaphorical element but the clear recognition of it gives great additional energy to the words Amasiah was both sacrificer and sacrifice His offering was self-immolation As in all love so in that noblest kind of it which clasps God its perfect expression is lsquoI give Thee my living loving selfrsquo Nor is it only sacrifice and sacrificer that are seen in deepest truth in the experience of the Christian life but the reality of the Temple is also there for lsquoYe also are built up a spiritual house to be a holy priesthood to offer up spiritual sacrificesrsquo Only when God dwells in us shall we have the nerve and the firmness of hand to take the knife and lsquoslay before the Lordrsquo the awful Guest in the sanctuary within the most precious of the children of our spirits

The essence of the sacrifice of self is the sacrifice of will In the Christian experience

lsquowillingly offeredrsquo is almost tautology for unwilling offerings are a contradiction and in fact there are no such things The quality of unwillingness destroys the character of the offering and robs it of all sacredness Reluctant Christianity is not Christianity That noun and that adjective can never be buckled together

The submission of will and the consequent surrender of myself and my powers opportunities and possessions so that I do all enjoy all use all and when need is endure all with glad thankful reference to God is only possible to me in the measure in which my will is made flexible by love and such will-subduing love comes only when we lsquoknow and believe the love that God hath to usrsquo There is the point at which not a few moral and religious teachers go wrong and bewilder themselves and their disciples There too is the point at which Christ and the Gospel of salvation through faith in Him stand forth as emancipating humanity from the dreary round of efforts and vain attempts to work up the condition needful for achieving the height of self-surrender which is seen to be indispensable to all true nobleness of living but is felt to be beyond the reach of the ordinary man There too is the point at which many good people mar their lives as Christians They waste their strength in trying to bring the jibbing horse up to the leap They try to blow up a fire of devotion and to make themselves priests to offer themselves but all the while the mutinous self recoils from the leap and the fire burns smokily and their sacrifice is laid on the altar with little joy because they have not been careful and wise enough to begin at the beginning and to follow Godrsquos way of melting their wills by love the reflection of the Infinite love of God to them Godrsquos priests offer themselves because they offer their wills they offer their wills because they love God they love God because they know that God loves them That is the divine order It is vain to try to accomplish the end by any other

II This willing offering hallows all life

No syllable is left to tell us what Amasiah did to win this praise Probably the words enshrine some now forgotten memory of his cheerful courage some heroic feat on an unrecorded battlefield Particulars are not given nor needed Specific actions are unimportant the spirit of a life can be told with very incomplete details and it not the details is the important thing Sometimes as in many modern biographies one lsquocannot see the wood for the treesrsquo and misses the main drift and aim of a life in the chaos of a bewildering mass of nothings How much more happy the lot of this man of whom we have only the generalised expression of the text unweighted and undisturbed by petty incidents It takes tons of rose leaves to make a tiny phial of otto of roses but the fragrance is far more pungent in a drop of the distillation than in armfuls of leaves Every life shrinks into very small compass and the centuries do not tolerate long biographies Shall we not seek to order our life so that Amasiahrsquos epitaph may serve for us It will be blessed if this-and nothing else-is known about us that we lsquowillingly offered ourselves to the Lordrsquo My friend will that be a true epitome of your life

III This willing offering is accepted by God

We may hear a mightier voice behind the chroniclerrsquo s and the judgment of the Judge of all pronounced by His lips It matters little what men say of one another but it matters everything what God says of us We are but too apt to forget that He is now saying something as to each of us and that we have not to wait for death to put a final period to our activities before our lives become fit subjects for Godrsquos judgment Moment by moment we are writing our own sentences But while it is good for us to remember the continuous judgment of God on each deed it is not good to let dark thoughts of the principles of that judgment paralyse our activity or chill our confidence in His forgiving and accepting mercy There is often a dark suspicion like that of the one-talented

servant which blackens Godrsquos fair fame as being lsquoan austere Manrsquo making demands rather than imparting power and the effect of such an ugly conception of Him is to cut the nerve of service and bury the talent carefully folded up it may be but none the less earning nothing lsquoIf we call on Him as Father who without respect of persons judgeth according to every manrsquos workrsquo let us be sure that it will be a Fatherly judgment that He will pass upon us and our offerings There is a wonderful collection on His altar of what many people would think rubbish just as many a mother has laid away among her treasures some worthless article which her child had once given her-a weed plucked by the roadside in a long past summer day some trifle of rare preciousness in the childrsquos eyes and of none in any others than her own She opens her drawer and brings out the poor little thing and her eyes fill and her heart fills as she looks And does not God keep His childrenrsquos gifts as lovingly and set them in places of honour in the day when He lsquomakes up His jewelsrsquo There are cups of cold water and widowsrsquo mites and much else that a supercilious world would call lsquotrashrsquo stored there Thank God He accepts imperfect service faltering faith partial consecration a little love Even our poor offering may be an lsquoodour of a sweet smellrsquo ministering fragrance that is a delight to Him if it is offered with the much incense of the great Sacrifice and through the mediation of the great High Priest

The world forgot Amasiah or never knew him an obscure soldier in an obscure kingdom but God did not forget and here is his epitaph and this is his memorial to all generations Menrsquos chronicles have no room for all the names that their wearers are eager to have inscribed on their crumbling and crowded pages lsquobut the Lambrsquos Book of Lifersquo has ample space on its radiant pages for all who desire to set their names there and if ours are there we need not envy the proudest whose titles and deeds fill the most conspicuous pages in the worldrsquos records lsquoThen shall every man have praise of Christrsquo and he who wins that guerdon needs nothing more and can have nothing more to swell his blessedness

17 From BenjaminEliada a valiant soldier with 200000 men armed with bows and shields

GILL And of Benjamin Eliada a mighty man of valour Was the chief commander

and with armed men with bow and shield two hundred thousand which were

the armour of the tribe of Benjamin they were best skilled in 2Ch_148

TRAPP 2 Chronicles 1717 And of Benjamin Eliada a mighty man of valour and with him armed men with bow and shield two hundred thousand

Ver 17 With bow and shield] The Benjamites were notable bowmen [1 Chronicles 122] The Engish were anciently so too

ELLICOTT (17) Armed men with bow and shieldmdashLiterally drawing bow and shield ie as the Targum explains ldquodrawing bow and grasping shieldsrdquo (Comp 1 Chronicles 122) LXX ldquoArchers and peltastsrdquo Vulg ldquoGrasping bow and shieldrdquo (Comp also 1 Chronicles 840 for the arms of the Benjaminites)

18 next Jehozabad with 180000 men armed for battle

GILL And next to him was Jehozabad According to the Targum he encamped next him

and with him one hundred and fourscore thousand ready prepared for war being able bodied men well disciplined valiant and well armed these numbers of Judah and Benjamin put together amount to 1160000 men whereas Asa only brought into the field 580000 but it should be considered there had been a long time of peace many had come off from the ten tribes to Judah and the promise of multiplying the seed of Abraham was eminently fulfilled

TRAPP 2 Chronicles 1718 And next him [was] Jehozabad and with him an hundred and fourscore thousand ready prepared for the war

Ver 18 A hundred and fourscore thousand] His militia was eleven hundred and threescore thousand besides what he had in garrisons [2 Chronicles 1719] So that as he was better he was stronger than his father Asa had been Piety hath prosperity

ELLICOTT (18) Ready prepared for the warmdashEquipped for service (See on 1

Chronicles 1223-24 umbers 315 umbers 3229) The hoplites or heavy-armed infantry are probably meant

PULPIT While Eliada of last verse was for Benjamin Professor Dr Murphy supposes that Jehozabad was for the annexed part of Ephraim But no suppositions of this kind can avail to explain the numbers in the text which is no doubt corrupt

19 These were the men who served the king besides those he stationed in the fortified cities throughout Judah

CLARKE These waited on the king - They were disposable forces always at the kingrsquos command and were independent of those by which the cities of Judah were garrisoned

There is not a sovereign in Europe or in the world but might read this chapter with advantage

1 It shows most forcibly that true religion is the basis of the state and that wherever it prospers there the state prospers

2 It shows also that it is the wisdom of kings to encourage religion with all their power and influence for if the hearts of the subjects be not bound and influenced by true religion vain is the application of laws fines imprisonments or corporal punishment of any kind

3 A religious nation is ever a great nation it is loved by its friends it is dreaded by its enemies

4 It is ever a peaceable and united nation the blessings of religion and a wholesome and paternal government are so fully felt and prized that all find it their interest to preserve and defend them Harmony peace piety and strength are the stability of such times May Britain know and value them

GILL These waited on the king Not this vast number of men at one time but in course as Davids military men waited on him 1Ch_271 or each of these captains with a proper number of men under them detached from the body and they were all ready to obey the kings orders whenever he should have occasion for them

besides those whom the king put into the fenced cities throughout Judah and all together the militia of the kingdom was very numerous and formidable

KampD 2Ch_1719

These were serving the king א6ה refers not to the above-mentioned men capable of

bearing arms for sheereet is not used of service in war but to the commanders whom he had placed in the fortified cities of all Judah ldquoin which probably bodies of the above-mentioned troops lay as garrisonsrdquo (Berth)

BESO 2 Chronicles 1719 These waited on the king mdash These above-mentioned were the trained bands or auxiliaries whose chief officers waited on the king to receive his commands and to raise and bring in all or part of their forces to the service of the king as need required A vast number for so small a compass of ground to furnish out and maintain But we may consider that God had promised to make the seed of Abraham like the sand of the sea for number that there had now been a long peace that many were come to them from the kingdom of Israel and that Jehoshaphat was under a special blessing of God They were doubtless dispersed all the country over every one residing on his own land only they were ready at call whenever there was occasion

TRAPP 2 Chronicles 1719 These waited on the king beside [those] whom the king put in the fenced cities throughout all Judah

Ver 19 These waited on the king] ie In their turns and by course

POOLE These above mentioned were the trained bands or auxiliaries whose chief officers waited upon the king to receive his commands and to raise and bring in all or part of their forces to the service of the king and kingdom as need required

ELLICOTT (19) These waited on the kingmdashRather these are they that ministered unto the king viz the five generals above named

Beside those whom the king put in the fenced citiesmdashie the commandants of the fortresses of the kingdom (2 Chronicles 1111 2 Chronicles 1123) These latter as well as the generals of the forces are called the kingrsquos ldquoministersrdquo (mĕshacircrĕthicircm)mdasha word which is not used of service in the field but implies their presence at court (ldquoin Jerusalemrdquo 2 Chronicles 1713 as the royal staff)

According to the above list the army of Jehoshaphat was organised in five grand divisions corresponding perhaps to five territorial divisions of the southern kingdom The totals are the largest assigned to the two tribes anywhere in the Old Testament viz Judah 780000 and Benjamin 380000 in all 1160000 At Davidrsquos census Judah had 500000 warriors (2 Samuel 249) and Israel 800000 Again in 2

Chronicles 148 Asarsquos army consists of 300000 men of Judah and 280000 Benjaminites clearly such an increase as our text indicates is unaccountable At the same time it is equally clear that the present numbers are not fortuitous results of clerical errors for they follow each other in the order of relative strength Judah 300000 280000 200000 Benjamin 200000 180000 and they are evidently not independent of the estimates of 2 Chronicles 148 above quoted

In the absence of adequate data for modifying these certainly startling figures it is well to bear in mind that we need not understand by them an army which ever actually mustered in the field or on parade but simply an estimate of the total male population liable to be called out for the national defence although even upon that understanding the total appears to be at least three times too great considering the small extent of the country

PULPIT These waited Hebrew המשרתים plur piel part of שרת The verse states that this enormous fivefold army with its five princes (counting in our corrupt text one million one hundred and sixty thousand) was the kings Jerusalem standing army while other separate regiments or bands of troops were spread through all Judah where they might be most needed for defence

not that signification but denotes burden that which can be carried as in מא לאן

2Ch_2025 - 2Ch_2116 2Ch_221 ערבים 2Ch_267 and more usually ערב-ים or ערביאים

are Arabian nomadic tribes (Bedacircwin) perhaps those whom Asa after his victory over the Cushite Zerah had brought under the kingdom of Judah 2Ch_1414 These paid

their tribute in small cattle rams and he-goats (ישים( Gen_3035 Gen_3215 Pro_

3031)

BESO 2 Chronicles 1710 The fear of the Lord fell upon all the kingdoms ampc mdash Justly concluding from his singular piety that God would eminently appear for him for even the heathen could not but observe that the kings of Judah were either prosperous or unhappy according as they served God or forsook him So that they made no war against Jehoshaphat mdash Godrsquos good providence so ordered it that while the princes and priests were instructing and endeavouring to reform the country none of his neighbours gave him any molestation to take him off from that good work

COFFMA All of this peace and prosperity were directly due to the respect which Jehoshaphat had shown to the Law of God and to his efforts to teach that word to all the people It is no problem that much of the material here is omitted in Kings because the primary focus there was political whereas in Chronicles the focus is upon the spiritual and religious significance of the same history

TRAPP 2 Chronicles 1710 And the fear of the LORD fell upon all the kingdoms of the lands that [were] round about Judah so that they made no war against Jehoshaphat

Ver 10 And the fear of the Lord fell upon all the kingdoms] It is said [2 Chronicles 172] Jehoshaphat placed forces in all the fenced cities yet it is not said thereupon that the fear of the Lord fell upon the neighbour nations But when he had established a preaching ministry in all the cities then his enemies had a fear and made no war

POOLE Justly concluding from this singular piety that God would eminently appear for him and against all those who had ill will to him which was their case For even the heathens could not but observe that the kings of Judah were either prosperous or unhappy accordingly as they served God or forsook him

ELLICOTT (10) The fear of the LordmdashA dread of Jehovah (pachad) aps 2029 (Comp Exodus 1516 1 Samuel 117 Isaiah 210 ) This phrase is not peculiar to the chronicler as Keil and Bertheau assert ldquoThe kingdoms of the landsrdquo is so (2 Chronicles 128 1 Chronicles 2930)

They made no warmdashThe reward of Jehosha-phatrsquos piety (1 Chronicles 229

Proverbs 167) ldquoWhen a manrsquos ways please the Lord he maketh even his enemies to be at peace with himrdquo (Comp also Genesis 355)

11 Some Philistines brought Jehoshaphat gifts and silver as tribute and the Arabs brought him flocks seven thousand seven hundred rams and seven thousand seven hundred goats

BARES Some of the Philistines brought Jehoshaphat presents - i e ldquosome of the Philistines were among his tributariesrdquo Compare 2Sa_82 1Ki_421

Tribute silver - Or ldquomuch silverrdquo - literally ldquosilver of burthenrdquo

The Arabians - The Arab tribes who bordered Judaea to the south and the southeast paid Jehoshaphat a fixed tribute in kind Compare 2Ki_34 note

CLARKE The Philistines brought - presents - They and the Arabians purchased peace with the king of Judah by paying an annual tribute The Philistines brought silver and no doubt different kinds of merchandise The Arabs whose riches consisted in cattle brought him flocks in great abundance principally rams and he-goats

GILL Also some of the Philistines brought Jehoshaphat presents and tribute silver Perhaps those of Gerar and the parts adjacent Asa took and spoiled and made tributary 2Ch_1414

and the Arabians brought him flocks seven thousand and seven hundred rams and seven thousand and seven hundred he goats with which their country abounded and these might be the Scenite Arabs who fearing lest Jehoshaphat should fall upon them and take away their flocks as his father had done 2Ch_1415 brought these presents to him

JAMISO Also some of the Philistines brought Jehoshaphat presents and tribute silvermdash either they had been his tributaries or they were desirous of securing his valuable friendship and now made a voluntary offer of tribute Perhaps

they were the Philistines who had submitted to the yoke of David (2Sa_81 Psa_608)

the Arabiansmdash the nomad tribes on the south of the Dead Sea who seeking the protection of Jehoshaphat after his conquest of Edom paid their tribute in the way most suitable to their pastoral habits - the present of so many head of cattle

BESO 2 Chronicles 1711 Some of the Philistines brought presents mdash They had been subject to Judah ever since Davidrsquos time but it seems had neglected this duty in the times of his predecessors but were now moved by their own fears to perform it And the Arabians brought him flocks mdash Either because he had upon some just occasion waged war against them and subdued them or because they voluntarily put themselves under his protection in recompense whereof they sent him these presents or only as a free acknowledgment of their respect for him

TRAPP 2 Chronicles 1711 Also [some] of the Philistines brought Jehoshaphat presents and tribute silver and the Arabians brought him flocks seven thousand and seven hundred rams and seven thousand and seven hundred he goats

Ver 11 Also some of the Philistines] These having been subdued by David had withheld their tribute for a time but now seeing Jehoshaphatrsquos growing greatness they bring it in with the better that no offence might be taken at their former neglect The word here used signifieth honorary gifts or oblations pacifications

ldquo Placatur donis Iupiter ipse datis rdquo

Think the same of the Arabians See 2 Chronicles 1414-15

POOLE Some of the Philistines who had been subjects to this kingdom ever since Davidrsquos time but it seems had neglected this duty in the times of his predecessors but now were moved by their own fears to perform it

The Arabians brought him flocks either because he had upon some just occasion waged war against them and subdued them though the particulars of it be not described in Scripture or because they voluntarily put themselves under his protection in recompence whereof they sent him those presents or only as a free acknowledgment of their respects to him

ELLICOTT (11) Broughtmdashie continually Such is the force of the participle

PresentsmdashAn offering ie tribute (minchah 2 Chronicles 175)

And tribute silvermdashRather and silver a load or burden ie a great quantity (massacircrsquo) 2 Chronicles 2025 As if ldquosilver as much as they could carryrdquomdasha natural hyperbole ot all the five states of the Philistines were subject to Jehoshaphat (Comp 2 Samuel 81)

The ArabiansmdashlsquoArbicircrsquoim here only equivalent to lsquoArbicircyicircm (2 Chronicles 267) and

lsquoArbim (2 Chronicles 2116) They are in each case grouped with the Philistines The nomad Bedacircwin conquered by Asa (2 Chronicles 1415) appear to be meant here or else some tribes which recognised the overlordship of Jehoshaphat after his reduction of Edom (2 Chronicles 2022 sqq)

Brought him flocksmdashComp Mesha of Moabrsquos tribute to Ahab (2 Kings 34)

GUZIK 2 (2 Chronicles 1711-19) The international strength of Jehoshaphatrsquos kingdom

Also some of the Philistines brought Jehoshaphat presents and silver as tribute and the Arabians brought him flocks seven thousand seven hundred rams and seven thousand seven hundred male goats So Jehoshaphat became increasingly powerful and he built fortresses and storage cities in Judah He had much property in the cities of Judah and the men of war mighty men of valor were in Jerusalem These are their numbers according to their fathersrsquo houses Of Judah the captains of thousands Adnah the captain and with him three hundred thousand mighty men of valor and next to him was Jehohanan the captain and with him two hundred and eighty thousand and next to him was Amasiah the son of Zichri who willingly offered himself to the LORD and with him two hundred thousand mighty men of valor Of Benjamin Eliada a mighty man of valor and with him two hundred thousand men armed with bow and shield and next to him was Jehozabad and with him one hundred and eighty thousand prepared for war These served the king besides those the king put in the fortified cities throughout all Judah

a Some of the Philistines brought Jehoshaphat presents and silver as tribute and the Arabians brought him flocks Jehoshaphatrsquos commitment to personal and public godliness meant that God exalted his kingdom above the neighboring nations even as God promised in Deuteronomy 281-13

b These served the king The true treasure of Jehoshaphatrsquos kingdom was not numbered only in security or material things but also in the dedicated and courageous men he had surrounding him these mighty men of valor

i Amasiah the son of Zichri who willingly offered himself to the LORD ldquoAmasiah is a man of whom we do not know anything beyond this ndash he lsquowillingly offered himself unto the Lordrsquo There must have been a turning-point in his career a time when first he knew the grace of God which wrought such a change in him There must have been a waking up to the feeling that God deserved his love and his liferdquo (Spurgeon)

ii Amasiah was a ready servant of the Lord this particularly notable because he did it in an otherwise secular calling

middot o one had to press him into service

middot o one had to seek him out for service

middot o one had to look after him once he had begun serving

middot o one had to lead him

iii ldquoThere is no lawful occupation in which a man cannot thoroughly serve the Lord It is a great privilege and blessing to be set apart to the work of winning souls but we must never separate that work from all the rest of the callings of life as though it alone were sacred and all the rest were secular and almost sinful Serve God where you arerdquo (Spurgeon)

PULPIT The presents were probably enough in the nature of tribute the fixed rate of which is sometimes alluded to (1 Kings 421 1 Kings 1025 2 Samuel 82) but it is doubtful whether the word משא purports to say this The word means bearing or carrying and then a burden load or weight The expression (2 Chronicles 2025) more than they could carry away where this word is used favours the idea that the meaning here is silver of great weight Probably the moral significance and historical interest whether of this statement respecting the Philistines or the following respecting the Arabians lies in the fact that both of them brought without more ado their payments and did not seek to slip out of their engagements with Judah and Judahs king ote for confirmation of this view 2 Kings 34 2 Kings 35

12 Jehoshaphat became more and more powerful he built forts and store cities in Judah

GILL And Jehoshaphat waxed great exceedingly In wealth and riches power and authority in his forces and fortifications

and he built in Judah castles and cities of stores castles for the defence of his kingdom and store cities to lay up corn and wine and all provisions in case of an invasion or against a time of war

HERY II He had a very considerable stores laid up in the cities of Judah He pulled down his barns and built larger (2Ch_1712) castles and cities of store for arms and victuals He was a man of business and aimed at the public good in all his

undertakings either to preserve the peace or prepare for war

JAMISO 2Ch_1712-19 His greatness captains and armies

KampD Description of Jehoshaphats power - 2Ch_1712 And Jehoshaphat became

ever greater sc in power The partic הולך expresses the continuous advance in

greatness cf Ew sect280 b as the infin absol does elsewhere eg Gen_83 למעלה as עד

in 2Ch_1612 - He built castles in Judah ירנ-ות only here and in 2Ch_274 from ירנית

derivative formed from ירה by the Syriac termination נית- fem of ן- castle fortress On

מסנות cf 2Ch_84 ערי

TRAPP 2 Chronicles 1712 And Jehoshaphat waxed great exceedingly and he built in Judah castles and cities of store

Ver 12 And Jehoshaphat waxed great exceedingly] Heb He was going and growing By humility and the fear of the Lord are riches and honour and life [Proverbs 224]

And he built in Judah castles] Bironeoth πυργους turres So did the Burgundians and thence had their names

And cities of store] Granaries in the Hebrew they have their name from their utility or usefulness

ELLICOTT (12) And Jehoshaphat waxed greatmdashLiterally And Jehoshaphat was going on and waxing great ie became greater and greater (Comp 1 Chronicles 119)

ExceedinglymdashlsquoAd lĕmagraversquolah This phrase occurs again in 2 Chronicles 1612 2 Chronicles 268 and nowhere else in the Old Testament (See on 1 Chronicles 142)

And he builtmdashLike his predecessorsmdashSolomon Rehoboam Asamdashhe displayed his wealth and power in great public works The records of the Assyrian and Babylonian sovereigns are largely taken up with similar accounts of temple and palace building

CastlesmdashBiranicircyocircth a derivative from birah (1 Chronicles 291 1 Chronicles 2919 comp Syriac here birocircthocirc) It only recurs at 2 Chronicles 274 It is an Aramaic term (Comp bicircranyacircthacirc which in the Targums means ldquopalacesrdquo)

Cities of storesmdashComp 2 Chronicles 84 2 Chronicles 164 Exodus 111

PULPIT Castles This rendering better than palaces (margin) wound bear improving to the rather stronger word fortresses Hebrew בירניות found only here and in 2 Chronicles 274 plur of בירנית connected with the Chaldee and later Hebrew בירה of Ezra 62 ehemiah 11 Esther 12 Daniel 82 Cities of store (see note under 2 Chronicles 84 see also 1 Kings 919 Exodus 111)

13 and had large supplies in the towns of Judah He also kept experienced fighting men in Jerusalem

CLARKE He hadmuch business in the cities - He kept the people constantly employed they had wages for their work and by their labors the empire was both enriched and strengthened

GILL And he had much business in the cities of Judah Partly in fortifying them and partly in reforming the inhabitants of them

and the men of war mighty men of valour were in Jerusalem or by or near unto it so the particle is rendered Jos_513 they encamped in places adjacent to it for such a number of men as follows even 1160000 could never be contained in Jerusalem but must be disposed of in the territories of it nor did they wait on the king together but in course see 2Ch_1719 by which it appears there is no need to suppose any mistake of the transcriber in any or all of the following sums as has been suggested (q)

HERY 13-19 III He had the militia in good order It was never in better since David modelled it Five lord-lieutenants (if I may so call them) are here named with the numbers of those under their command (the serviceable men that were fit for war in their respective districts) three in Judah and two in Benjamin It is said of one of these great commanders Amasiah that he willingly offered himself unto the Lord (2Ch_1716) not only to the king to serve him in this post but to the Lord to glorify him in it He was the most eminent among them for religion he accepted the place not for the

honour or power or profit of it but for conscience sake towards God that he might serve his country It was usual for great generals then to offer of their spoils to the Lord 1Ch_2626 But this good man offered himself first to the Lord and then his dedicated things The number of the soldiers under these five generals amounts to 1160000 men a vast number for so small a compass of ground as Judahs and Benjamins lot to furnish out and maintain Abijah could bring into the field but 400000 (2Ch_133) Asa not 600000 (2Ch_148) yet Jehoshaphat has at command almost 1200000 But it must be considered 1 That God had promised to make the seed of Abraham like the sand of the sea for number 2 There had now been a long peace 3 We may suppose that the city of Jerusalem was very much enlarged 4 Many had come over to them from the kingdom of Israel (2Ch_1519) which would increase the numbers of the people 5 Jehoshaphat was under a special blessing of God which made his affairs to prosper greatly The armies we may suppose were dispersed all the country over and each man resided for the most part on his own estate but they appeared often to be mustered and trained and were ready at call whenever there was occasion The commanders waited on the king (2Ch_1719) as officers of his court privy-counsellors and ministers of state

But lastly observe It was not this formidable army that struck a terror upon the neighbouring nations that restrained them from attempting any thing against Israel or obliged them to pay tribute but the fear of God which fell upon them when Jehoshaphat reformed his country and set up a preaching ministry in it 2Ch_1710 The ordinances of God are more the strength and safety of a kingdom than its military force - its men of God more than its men of war

KampD 2Ch_1713

וגווגווגווגו רהרהרהרה is rightly translated by Luther ldquound hatte viel Vorrathsrdquo (and ומלעכהומלעכהומלעכהומלעכה

had much store) מלעכהמלעכהמלעכהמלעכה denotes here as in Exo_227-10 property that which has been gained by work or business The signification much work opera magna (Vulg Cler etc) as also Bertheaus translation ldquothe works for equipping and provisioning the fortressesrdquo correspond neither to the context nor to the parallel (synonymous) second member of the verse The work and trouble necessary to equip the cities of Judah does not correspond to ldquothe valiant warriors in Jerusalemrdquo the only parallel is the goods and property which were in these cities the provision of victuals and war material there stored up

BESO 2 Chronicles 1713 He had much business in the cities of Judah mdash To repair and fortify them and furnish them with provisions and to purge out all the relics of idolatry and injustice which were more secretly and craftily managed in the cities than in the country and which were first and most prevalent in the cities and thence spread their infection into the country around them

TRAPP 2 Chronicles 1713 And he had much business in the cities of Judah and the men of war mighty men of valour [were] in Jerusalem

Ver 13 And he had much business] Eργα πολλα (a) Many works going forward at

once a negotious man he was His business say some lay in beautifying and fortifying those cities Augustus gloried at his death that whereas he had found Rome built with brick he had left it made of marble

And the men of war hellip were in Jerusalem] These were his Praetorian forces his Praesidiaries were up and down in the various cities

POOLE He had much business in the cities of Judah partly to repair and fortify them and furnish them with all necessary provisions and partly to purge out all the relies and seeds of idolatry and injustice which were more secretly and subtlely managed in the cities than in the country and which were first and most in the cities and thence spread their infection into the country about them See Jeremiah 228

ELLICOTT (13) BusinessmdashRather much goods or stores literally work (mĕlacirckacirch) and then produce The Hebrew word is so used in Exodus 227 Exodus 2210 (ldquoHis neighbourrsquos goodsrdquo) Stores of provisions and war material seem to be intended (Comp 2 Chronicles 1111)

And the man of war were in JerusalemmdashRather and (he had) men of war in Jerusalem

In Jerusalemmdashot the entire army corps whose numbers are given in 2 Chronicles 1714-18 but simply their chiefs

PULPIT Much business Hebrew מלאכה The meaning of the word is service labour bestowed and the verse reads And there was to him much labour in the cities of Judah and men of war mighty men of valour in Jerusalem ie He bestoweth much pains on the cities of Judah and had etc The word were Authorized Version italics is incorrectly inserted The former half of this verse would better constitute the end of 2 Chronicles 1712 Keil however maintains the rendering substance property for מלאכה (Exodus 227 Exodus 2210)

14 Their enrollment by families was as followsFrom Judah commanders of units of 1000Adnah the commander with 300000 fighting men

BARES The captains of thousands Adnah the chief - literally ldquoprinces of thousands Adnah the princerdquo The writer does not mean that Adnah (or Johohanan 2Ch_1715) was in any way superior to the other ldquoprincesrdquo but only that he was one of them

Three hundred thousand - This number and those which follow in 2Ch_1715-18 have been with good reason regarded as corrupt by most critics For

(1) They imply a minimum population of 1480 to the square mile which is more than three times greater than that of any country in the known world (circa 1880rsquos)

(2) they produce a total just double that of the next largest estimate of the military force of Judah the 580 000 of 2Ch_148

(3) they are professedly a statement not of the whole military force but of the force maintained at Jerusalem (2Ch_1713 compare 2Ch_1719)

It is probable that the original numbers have been lost and that the loss was suppplied by a scribe who took 2Ch_148 as his basis

CLARKE Adnah the chief - He was generalissimo of all this host These are the numbers of the five battalions under Adnah three hundred thousand Jehohanan two hundred and eighty thousand Amasiah two hundred thousand Eliada two hundred thousand Jehozabad one hundred and eighty thousand in all one million one hundred and sixty thousand

GILL And these are the numbers of them according to the house of their fathers Both of the tribe of Judah and of Benjamin and first

of Judah the captains of thousands some had 1000 men under them and some one hundred

Adnah the chief he was the principal commander or general of them

and with him mighty men of valour three hundred thousand such a number was under his command

JAMISO these are the numbersmdash The warriors were arranged in the army according to their fathers houses The army of Jehoshaphat commanded by five great generals and consisting of five unequal divisions comprised one million one hundred and sixty thousand men without including those who garrisoned the fortresses No monarch since the time of Solomon equaled Jehoshaphat in the extent of his revenue in the strength of his fortifications and in the number of his troops

KampD 2Ch_1714-16

The men fit for war passed in review according to their fathers-houses The male population of Judah fell into three divisions that of Benjamin into two The prince

Adnah held the first place among the generals with 300000 men of Judah ידו at his על

hand ie with and under him Jehohanan had the command of 280000 men and

Amasiah over 200000 השר is a contraction for אלפים For what special reason it is so שר

honourably recorded of Amasiah that he had willingly offered himself to the Lord (cf for

Jdg_59) has not been communicated התנב

COFFMA his represented a standing army of 1160000 men besides the garrisons in the fortified cities and this goes a long way to explaining why the Arabians and the Philistines brought tribute to Jehoshaphat In ancient times as in our own day peace frequently depended upon the strength of those who desired it

We should ignore the screams of exaggeration[3] which mark the writings of radical critics Pagan rulers of that era reported even larger armies than this and until the critics can prove that those were exaggerated reports they should let these alone Besides that we have already noted that the very word from which thousand is translated is disputed as to its exact meaning

COKE 2 Chronicles 1714 And these are the numbers of themmdash That is of the soldiers as well as of those who were employed in the kings works in the several cities ampc which he built See 2 Chronicles 1719

REFLECTIOSmdash1st Jehoshaphat no sooner comes to the throne than we see the dawnings of a glorious reign

1 He strengthened his kingdom by placing strong garrisons in the cities of Judah and those which his father had recovered from Israel and prepared against that danger which Ahabs growing power seemed to threaten

2 Religion was his great concern He copied after the best of his predecessors in their best days such as were the first of David before the matter of Uriah and the numbering of the people had blotted his fair copy Faithful to the worship of God he abhorred all idols the law of God was his rule of duty and Israels apostacy rendered his fidelity more singular and exemplary Inspired with holy zeal his heart with delight and sincerity was engaged for God and no difficulties deterred him from the path of duty The idols and groves which in the declining days of Asa might have been set up again he utterly destroyed with all the high places where they still offered sacrifices to these abominations ote (1) In the fairest human pattern there will be found imperfections but there is a Son of David more than man who has set us a spotless example that we should follow his steps (2) Fidelity in Gods service is the stability of a nation (3) A lively soul on wings of faith and love mounts up to God rises superior to every difficulty and looks down upon every thing besides his favour as altogether vanity

3 He not only removed the temptations to sin but took care to instruct the people in

the path of duty Ignorance of Gods law had greatly prevailed and to oblige them merely to conform to his reformation without grounding them on the true foundation of Gods word promised little stability The Levites and priests therefore are sent in progress through the cities of Judah with the book of the law to explain and enforce the commandments of God and several princes accompanied them in order to engage the people to hear them and give countenance to these preachers by their weight and influence ote (1) It is a blessed thing when princes countenance faithful ministers Though they cannot make men true converts their example and authority will induce them to attend (2) They who are sent to teach must see that they take the pure word of God along with them A true preacher wishes for nothing in his hand but his Bible (3) Religion is a reasonable service Conviction alone not compulsion or education can make a man a christian

4 The blessing of God attended his labours The Lord was with him or as the Targum generally expresses it the word of the Lord the divine Logos to whom all things are committed strengthened him in his labours and established his kingdom The people charmed with his government liberally sent their presents to him and abounding in riches and honour his heart far from being intoxicated by prosperity was lifted up in greater love and thankfulness to the gracious giver ote (1) God often here rewards piety with prosperity (2) Worldly comforts are then truly blessings when as the steps of Jacobs ladder they raise our hearts to heaven

2nd Like the light of the morning which shineth more and more so did Jehoshaphats glory increase

1 Feared by his enemies as beloved by his subjects the neighbouring princes did not offer to molest him while those of Philistia and Arabia courted his favour either by a voluntary present or exact payment of the tribute which Asa had imposed on them see 2 Chronicles 1711 God had put an awe upon them of the majesty of his king in Zion ote God hath access to the spirits of men and by secret yet irresistible influence can bow them to his sovereign will

2 His military preparations greatly advanced While he reformed the people he fortified their ramparts and built new castles and store-cities strengthening them within and without against their enemies Under five chief officers an immense army was enlisted Probably all the able men in the country were enrolled and regularly mustered though not drawn out except in case of necessity and this may easily account for the greatness of their number if we consider also the long peace they had enjoyed the accession of Israelites to them and especially the blessing of Abraham which no doubt was eminently fulfilled Amasiah one of the officers is mentioned with an honourable mark of distinction as a volunteer who served for the glory of God not for the sake of pay Such patriots are scarce

TRAPP 2 Chronicles 1714 And these [are] the numbers of them according to the house of their fathers Of Judah the captains of thousands Adnah the chief and

with him mighty men of valour three hundred thousand

Ver 14 Three hundred thousand] These were under his command and at hand to come whensoever the king would

WHEDO 14 Three hundred thousand mdash The numbers in this verse and the four verses following are generally regarded as corrupt ldquoThey implyrdquo observes the writer last quoted ldquoa minimum population of 1480 to the square mile which is more than three times greater than that of any country in the known world It is probable that the original numbers have been lost and the loss supplied by a scribe who took 2 Chronicles 148 as his basis

ELLICOTT Verse 14 (14) And these their fathersmdashAnd this is their muster (or census) according to their father-houses (clans) 1 Chronicles 243 The warriors were marshalled in the army according to clans so that men of the same stock fought side by side with their kindred Perhaps in the original document this heading was followed by a much more detailed scheme of names and divisions than that which the text presents

Of JudahmdashTo Judah (belonged) captains of thousands viz the three enumerated in 2 Chronicles 1714-16 Adnah Jehohanan and Amasiah They were the principal officers or generals of the entire forces of Judah

Adnah the chiefmdashTo wit the captain Adnah That Adnah was commander-in-chief is implied by his being named first and his corps being the largest

PULPIT This verse with the following four gives us the names of five captains chiefs princes or military officers for the kingdoms service with the numbers of the troops they severally commanded The numbers of them (see note under 1 Chronicles 2311) Hebrew פקדתם The better English rendering to carry at once the signification would be The muster of them etc The captains hellip the chief In both cases the Hebrew is the familiar word for prince ( שר ) in the former without article in the latter with article The numbers of this and following four verses are not only absolutely unreliable but in themselves impossible According to the house of their fathers ie the quotation is drawn from an army catalogue arranged carefully by fathers houses (umbers 118 umbers 122 etc)

15 next Jehohanan the commander with 280000

GILL And next to him was Jehohanan the captain Being of the same rank as to office but having a lesser number of men under him and it may respect not any kind of subordination only nearness of place as the Targumhe that encamped next to him

and with him two hundred and fourscore thousand which number was but 20000 less than the former

POOLE ext to him either

1 After his death as his successor in the same command And the like is supposed concerning Jehozabad 2 Chronicles 1718 Or rather

2 ext to him in place and authority or at least in power and the numbers of his host

16 next Amasiah son of Zikri who volunteered himself for the service of the Lord with 200000

GILL And next him was Amasiah the son of Zichri He encamped next to him as the Targum

who willingly offered himself unto the Lord to fight the Lords battles and without any stipend as some think or as Kimchi he offered gold and silver to the treasures of the house of the Lord

and with him two hundred thousand mighty men of valour the number was 80000 less than the former the whole of Judah amounted to 780000 men

TRAPP 2 Chronicles 1716 And next him [was] Amasiah the son of Zichri who willingly offered himself unto the LORD and with him two hundred thousand mighty men of valour

Ver 16 Who willingly offered himself unto the Lord] He was a votary the vows of God were upon him and this made him the more valiant and resolute (a) in the exercise of arms for the service of God and the safety of his people The Spahis among the Turks are a sort of horsemen voluntaries and votaries to gain paradise by dying for the Mohammedan cause These are never known to return home but

with victory these are heavy upon the enemy For

ldquo Vincitur haud gratis iugulo qui provocat ensem rdquo

POOLE As volunteers and auxiliaries to be ready upon occasion as the service of God and the king should require Possibly these or most of them were the strangers which had come out of Israel into the kingdom of Judah in Asarsquos days and probably since that in his time

ELLICOTT (16) AmasiahmdashIah carrieth (Isaiah 4011) different from Amaziah (Iah is strong)

Who willingly offered himself unto the Lordmdash(Judges 52 Judges 59) An allusion to some noble act of self-devotion which was doubtless more fully recorded in the source from which the chronicler has drawn this brief account Such allusions though no longer intelligible are important as conducing to the proof of the historical value of the narratives in which they occur LXX ὁ προθυmicroούmicroενος τῷ κυρίῳ Vulg consecratus Domino

PULPIT Amaziah the son of Zichri This man is not titled at all The description of him as one who had willingly offered himself unto the Lord not elucidated by the context or any effective parallel will mark something honorable in his history Possibly he comes from an unexpected quarter and is a man of approved skill othing further is known of these three men Meantime it has been suggested (Professor Dr J Murphy of Belfast Handbook to Chronicles ) that the first of the three was for Judah proper the second for that contingent of Judah that hailed from Dan and the Philistines and the third for that of Simeon and the Arabs

MACLARE This is a scrap from the catalogue of Jehoshaphatrsquos lsquomighty men of valourrsquo and is Amasiahrsquos sole record We see him for a moment and hear his eulogium and then oblivion swallows him up We do not know what it was that he did to earn it But what a fate to live to all generations by that one sentence

I Cheerful self-surrender the secret of all religion

The words of our text contain a metaphor naturally drawn from the sacrificial system It comes so easily to us that we scarcely recognise the metaphorical element but the clear recognition of it gives great additional energy to the words Amasiah was both sacrificer and sacrifice His offering was self-immolation As in all love so in that noblest kind of it which clasps God its perfect expression is lsquoI give Thee my living loving selfrsquo Nor is it only sacrifice and sacrificer that are seen in deepest truth in the experience of the Christian life but the reality of the Temple is also there for lsquoYe also are built up a spiritual house to be a holy priesthood to offer up spiritual sacrificesrsquo Only when God dwells in us shall we have the nerve and the firmness of hand to take the knife and lsquoslay before the Lordrsquo the awful Guest in the sanctuary within the most precious of the children of our spirits

The essence of the sacrifice of self is the sacrifice of will In the Christian experience

lsquowillingly offeredrsquo is almost tautology for unwilling offerings are a contradiction and in fact there are no such things The quality of unwillingness destroys the character of the offering and robs it of all sacredness Reluctant Christianity is not Christianity That noun and that adjective can never be buckled together

The submission of will and the consequent surrender of myself and my powers opportunities and possessions so that I do all enjoy all use all and when need is endure all with glad thankful reference to God is only possible to me in the measure in which my will is made flexible by love and such will-subduing love comes only when we lsquoknow and believe the love that God hath to usrsquo There is the point at which not a few moral and religious teachers go wrong and bewilder themselves and their disciples There too is the point at which Christ and the Gospel of salvation through faith in Him stand forth as emancipating humanity from the dreary round of efforts and vain attempts to work up the condition needful for achieving the height of self-surrender which is seen to be indispensable to all true nobleness of living but is felt to be beyond the reach of the ordinary man There too is the point at which many good people mar their lives as Christians They waste their strength in trying to bring the jibbing horse up to the leap They try to blow up a fire of devotion and to make themselves priests to offer themselves but all the while the mutinous self recoils from the leap and the fire burns smokily and their sacrifice is laid on the altar with little joy because they have not been careful and wise enough to begin at the beginning and to follow Godrsquos way of melting their wills by love the reflection of the Infinite love of God to them Godrsquos priests offer themselves because they offer their wills they offer their wills because they love God they love God because they know that God loves them That is the divine order It is vain to try to accomplish the end by any other

II This willing offering hallows all life

No syllable is left to tell us what Amasiah did to win this praise Probably the words enshrine some now forgotten memory of his cheerful courage some heroic feat on an unrecorded battlefield Particulars are not given nor needed Specific actions are unimportant the spirit of a life can be told with very incomplete details and it not the details is the important thing Sometimes as in many modern biographies one lsquocannot see the wood for the treesrsquo and misses the main drift and aim of a life in the chaos of a bewildering mass of nothings How much more happy the lot of this man of whom we have only the generalised expression of the text unweighted and undisturbed by petty incidents It takes tons of rose leaves to make a tiny phial of otto of roses but the fragrance is far more pungent in a drop of the distillation than in armfuls of leaves Every life shrinks into very small compass and the centuries do not tolerate long biographies Shall we not seek to order our life so that Amasiahrsquos epitaph may serve for us It will be blessed if this-and nothing else-is known about us that we lsquowillingly offered ourselves to the Lordrsquo My friend will that be a true epitome of your life

III This willing offering is accepted by God

We may hear a mightier voice behind the chroniclerrsquo s and the judgment of the Judge of all pronounced by His lips It matters little what men say of one another but it matters everything what God says of us We are but too apt to forget that He is now saying something as to each of us and that we have not to wait for death to put a final period to our activities before our lives become fit subjects for Godrsquos judgment Moment by moment we are writing our own sentences But while it is good for us to remember the continuous judgment of God on each deed it is not good to let dark thoughts of the principles of that judgment paralyse our activity or chill our confidence in His forgiving and accepting mercy There is often a dark suspicion like that of the one-talented

servant which blackens Godrsquos fair fame as being lsquoan austere Manrsquo making demands rather than imparting power and the effect of such an ugly conception of Him is to cut the nerve of service and bury the talent carefully folded up it may be but none the less earning nothing lsquoIf we call on Him as Father who without respect of persons judgeth according to every manrsquos workrsquo let us be sure that it will be a Fatherly judgment that He will pass upon us and our offerings There is a wonderful collection on His altar of what many people would think rubbish just as many a mother has laid away among her treasures some worthless article which her child had once given her-a weed plucked by the roadside in a long past summer day some trifle of rare preciousness in the childrsquos eyes and of none in any others than her own She opens her drawer and brings out the poor little thing and her eyes fill and her heart fills as she looks And does not God keep His childrenrsquos gifts as lovingly and set them in places of honour in the day when He lsquomakes up His jewelsrsquo There are cups of cold water and widowsrsquo mites and much else that a supercilious world would call lsquotrashrsquo stored there Thank God He accepts imperfect service faltering faith partial consecration a little love Even our poor offering may be an lsquoodour of a sweet smellrsquo ministering fragrance that is a delight to Him if it is offered with the much incense of the great Sacrifice and through the mediation of the great High Priest

The world forgot Amasiah or never knew him an obscure soldier in an obscure kingdom but God did not forget and here is his epitaph and this is his memorial to all generations Menrsquos chronicles have no room for all the names that their wearers are eager to have inscribed on their crumbling and crowded pages lsquobut the Lambrsquos Book of Lifersquo has ample space on its radiant pages for all who desire to set their names there and if ours are there we need not envy the proudest whose titles and deeds fill the most conspicuous pages in the worldrsquos records lsquoThen shall every man have praise of Christrsquo and he who wins that guerdon needs nothing more and can have nothing more to swell his blessedness

17 From BenjaminEliada a valiant soldier with 200000 men armed with bows and shields

GILL And of Benjamin Eliada a mighty man of valour Was the chief commander

and with armed men with bow and shield two hundred thousand which were

the armour of the tribe of Benjamin they were best skilled in 2Ch_148

TRAPP 2 Chronicles 1717 And of Benjamin Eliada a mighty man of valour and with him armed men with bow and shield two hundred thousand

Ver 17 With bow and shield] The Benjamites were notable bowmen [1 Chronicles 122] The Engish were anciently so too

ELLICOTT (17) Armed men with bow and shieldmdashLiterally drawing bow and shield ie as the Targum explains ldquodrawing bow and grasping shieldsrdquo (Comp 1 Chronicles 122) LXX ldquoArchers and peltastsrdquo Vulg ldquoGrasping bow and shieldrdquo (Comp also 1 Chronicles 840 for the arms of the Benjaminites)

18 next Jehozabad with 180000 men armed for battle

GILL And next to him was Jehozabad According to the Targum he encamped next him

and with him one hundred and fourscore thousand ready prepared for war being able bodied men well disciplined valiant and well armed these numbers of Judah and Benjamin put together amount to 1160000 men whereas Asa only brought into the field 580000 but it should be considered there had been a long time of peace many had come off from the ten tribes to Judah and the promise of multiplying the seed of Abraham was eminently fulfilled

TRAPP 2 Chronicles 1718 And next him [was] Jehozabad and with him an hundred and fourscore thousand ready prepared for the war

Ver 18 A hundred and fourscore thousand] His militia was eleven hundred and threescore thousand besides what he had in garrisons [2 Chronicles 1719] So that as he was better he was stronger than his father Asa had been Piety hath prosperity

ELLICOTT (18) Ready prepared for the warmdashEquipped for service (See on 1

Chronicles 1223-24 umbers 315 umbers 3229) The hoplites or heavy-armed infantry are probably meant

PULPIT While Eliada of last verse was for Benjamin Professor Dr Murphy supposes that Jehozabad was for the annexed part of Ephraim But no suppositions of this kind can avail to explain the numbers in the text which is no doubt corrupt

19 These were the men who served the king besides those he stationed in the fortified cities throughout Judah

CLARKE These waited on the king - They were disposable forces always at the kingrsquos command and were independent of those by which the cities of Judah were garrisoned

There is not a sovereign in Europe or in the world but might read this chapter with advantage

1 It shows most forcibly that true religion is the basis of the state and that wherever it prospers there the state prospers

2 It shows also that it is the wisdom of kings to encourage religion with all their power and influence for if the hearts of the subjects be not bound and influenced by true religion vain is the application of laws fines imprisonments or corporal punishment of any kind

3 A religious nation is ever a great nation it is loved by its friends it is dreaded by its enemies

4 It is ever a peaceable and united nation the blessings of religion and a wholesome and paternal government are so fully felt and prized that all find it their interest to preserve and defend them Harmony peace piety and strength are the stability of such times May Britain know and value them

GILL These waited on the king Not this vast number of men at one time but in course as Davids military men waited on him 1Ch_271 or each of these captains with a proper number of men under them detached from the body and they were all ready to obey the kings orders whenever he should have occasion for them

besides those whom the king put into the fenced cities throughout Judah and all together the militia of the kingdom was very numerous and formidable

KampD 2Ch_1719

These were serving the king א6ה refers not to the above-mentioned men capable of

bearing arms for sheereet is not used of service in war but to the commanders whom he had placed in the fortified cities of all Judah ldquoin which probably bodies of the above-mentioned troops lay as garrisonsrdquo (Berth)

BESO 2 Chronicles 1719 These waited on the king mdash These above-mentioned were the trained bands or auxiliaries whose chief officers waited on the king to receive his commands and to raise and bring in all or part of their forces to the service of the king as need required A vast number for so small a compass of ground to furnish out and maintain But we may consider that God had promised to make the seed of Abraham like the sand of the sea for number that there had now been a long peace that many were come to them from the kingdom of Israel and that Jehoshaphat was under a special blessing of God They were doubtless dispersed all the country over every one residing on his own land only they were ready at call whenever there was occasion

TRAPP 2 Chronicles 1719 These waited on the king beside [those] whom the king put in the fenced cities throughout all Judah

Ver 19 These waited on the king] ie In their turns and by course

POOLE These above mentioned were the trained bands or auxiliaries whose chief officers waited upon the king to receive his commands and to raise and bring in all or part of their forces to the service of the king and kingdom as need required

ELLICOTT (19) These waited on the kingmdashRather these are they that ministered unto the king viz the five generals above named

Beside those whom the king put in the fenced citiesmdashie the commandants of the fortresses of the kingdom (2 Chronicles 1111 2 Chronicles 1123) These latter as well as the generals of the forces are called the kingrsquos ldquoministersrdquo (mĕshacircrĕthicircm)mdasha word which is not used of service in the field but implies their presence at court (ldquoin Jerusalemrdquo 2 Chronicles 1713 as the royal staff)

According to the above list the army of Jehoshaphat was organised in five grand divisions corresponding perhaps to five territorial divisions of the southern kingdom The totals are the largest assigned to the two tribes anywhere in the Old Testament viz Judah 780000 and Benjamin 380000 in all 1160000 At Davidrsquos census Judah had 500000 warriors (2 Samuel 249) and Israel 800000 Again in 2

Chronicles 148 Asarsquos army consists of 300000 men of Judah and 280000 Benjaminites clearly such an increase as our text indicates is unaccountable At the same time it is equally clear that the present numbers are not fortuitous results of clerical errors for they follow each other in the order of relative strength Judah 300000 280000 200000 Benjamin 200000 180000 and they are evidently not independent of the estimates of 2 Chronicles 148 above quoted

In the absence of adequate data for modifying these certainly startling figures it is well to bear in mind that we need not understand by them an army which ever actually mustered in the field or on parade but simply an estimate of the total male population liable to be called out for the national defence although even upon that understanding the total appears to be at least three times too great considering the small extent of the country

PULPIT These waited Hebrew המשרתים plur piel part of שרת The verse states that this enormous fivefold army with its five princes (counting in our corrupt text one million one hundred and sixty thousand) was the kings Jerusalem standing army while other separate regiments or bands of troops were spread through all Judah where they might be most needed for defence

Proverbs 167) ldquoWhen a manrsquos ways please the Lord he maketh even his enemies to be at peace with himrdquo (Comp also Genesis 355)

11 Some Philistines brought Jehoshaphat gifts and silver as tribute and the Arabs brought him flocks seven thousand seven hundred rams and seven thousand seven hundred goats

BARES Some of the Philistines brought Jehoshaphat presents - i e ldquosome of the Philistines were among his tributariesrdquo Compare 2Sa_82 1Ki_421

Tribute silver - Or ldquomuch silverrdquo - literally ldquosilver of burthenrdquo

The Arabians - The Arab tribes who bordered Judaea to the south and the southeast paid Jehoshaphat a fixed tribute in kind Compare 2Ki_34 note

CLARKE The Philistines brought - presents - They and the Arabians purchased peace with the king of Judah by paying an annual tribute The Philistines brought silver and no doubt different kinds of merchandise The Arabs whose riches consisted in cattle brought him flocks in great abundance principally rams and he-goats

GILL Also some of the Philistines brought Jehoshaphat presents and tribute silver Perhaps those of Gerar and the parts adjacent Asa took and spoiled and made tributary 2Ch_1414

and the Arabians brought him flocks seven thousand and seven hundred rams and seven thousand and seven hundred he goats with which their country abounded and these might be the Scenite Arabs who fearing lest Jehoshaphat should fall upon them and take away their flocks as his father had done 2Ch_1415 brought these presents to him

JAMISO Also some of the Philistines brought Jehoshaphat presents and tribute silvermdash either they had been his tributaries or they were desirous of securing his valuable friendship and now made a voluntary offer of tribute Perhaps

they were the Philistines who had submitted to the yoke of David (2Sa_81 Psa_608)

the Arabiansmdash the nomad tribes on the south of the Dead Sea who seeking the protection of Jehoshaphat after his conquest of Edom paid their tribute in the way most suitable to their pastoral habits - the present of so many head of cattle

BESO 2 Chronicles 1711 Some of the Philistines brought presents mdash They had been subject to Judah ever since Davidrsquos time but it seems had neglected this duty in the times of his predecessors but were now moved by their own fears to perform it And the Arabians brought him flocks mdash Either because he had upon some just occasion waged war against them and subdued them or because they voluntarily put themselves under his protection in recompense whereof they sent him these presents or only as a free acknowledgment of their respect for him

TRAPP 2 Chronicles 1711 Also [some] of the Philistines brought Jehoshaphat presents and tribute silver and the Arabians brought him flocks seven thousand and seven hundred rams and seven thousand and seven hundred he goats

Ver 11 Also some of the Philistines] These having been subdued by David had withheld their tribute for a time but now seeing Jehoshaphatrsquos growing greatness they bring it in with the better that no offence might be taken at their former neglect The word here used signifieth honorary gifts or oblations pacifications

ldquo Placatur donis Iupiter ipse datis rdquo

Think the same of the Arabians See 2 Chronicles 1414-15

POOLE Some of the Philistines who had been subjects to this kingdom ever since Davidrsquos time but it seems had neglected this duty in the times of his predecessors but now were moved by their own fears to perform it

The Arabians brought him flocks either because he had upon some just occasion waged war against them and subdued them though the particulars of it be not described in Scripture or because they voluntarily put themselves under his protection in recompence whereof they sent him those presents or only as a free acknowledgment of their respects to him

ELLICOTT (11) Broughtmdashie continually Such is the force of the participle

PresentsmdashAn offering ie tribute (minchah 2 Chronicles 175)

And tribute silvermdashRather and silver a load or burden ie a great quantity (massacircrsquo) 2 Chronicles 2025 As if ldquosilver as much as they could carryrdquomdasha natural hyperbole ot all the five states of the Philistines were subject to Jehoshaphat (Comp 2 Samuel 81)

The ArabiansmdashlsquoArbicircrsquoim here only equivalent to lsquoArbicircyicircm (2 Chronicles 267) and

lsquoArbim (2 Chronicles 2116) They are in each case grouped with the Philistines The nomad Bedacircwin conquered by Asa (2 Chronicles 1415) appear to be meant here or else some tribes which recognised the overlordship of Jehoshaphat after his reduction of Edom (2 Chronicles 2022 sqq)

Brought him flocksmdashComp Mesha of Moabrsquos tribute to Ahab (2 Kings 34)

GUZIK 2 (2 Chronicles 1711-19) The international strength of Jehoshaphatrsquos kingdom

Also some of the Philistines brought Jehoshaphat presents and silver as tribute and the Arabians brought him flocks seven thousand seven hundred rams and seven thousand seven hundred male goats So Jehoshaphat became increasingly powerful and he built fortresses and storage cities in Judah He had much property in the cities of Judah and the men of war mighty men of valor were in Jerusalem These are their numbers according to their fathersrsquo houses Of Judah the captains of thousands Adnah the captain and with him three hundred thousand mighty men of valor and next to him was Jehohanan the captain and with him two hundred and eighty thousand and next to him was Amasiah the son of Zichri who willingly offered himself to the LORD and with him two hundred thousand mighty men of valor Of Benjamin Eliada a mighty man of valor and with him two hundred thousand men armed with bow and shield and next to him was Jehozabad and with him one hundred and eighty thousand prepared for war These served the king besides those the king put in the fortified cities throughout all Judah

a Some of the Philistines brought Jehoshaphat presents and silver as tribute and the Arabians brought him flocks Jehoshaphatrsquos commitment to personal and public godliness meant that God exalted his kingdom above the neighboring nations even as God promised in Deuteronomy 281-13

b These served the king The true treasure of Jehoshaphatrsquos kingdom was not numbered only in security or material things but also in the dedicated and courageous men he had surrounding him these mighty men of valor

i Amasiah the son of Zichri who willingly offered himself to the LORD ldquoAmasiah is a man of whom we do not know anything beyond this ndash he lsquowillingly offered himself unto the Lordrsquo There must have been a turning-point in his career a time when first he knew the grace of God which wrought such a change in him There must have been a waking up to the feeling that God deserved his love and his liferdquo (Spurgeon)

ii Amasiah was a ready servant of the Lord this particularly notable because he did it in an otherwise secular calling

middot o one had to press him into service

middot o one had to seek him out for service

middot o one had to look after him once he had begun serving

middot o one had to lead him

iii ldquoThere is no lawful occupation in which a man cannot thoroughly serve the Lord It is a great privilege and blessing to be set apart to the work of winning souls but we must never separate that work from all the rest of the callings of life as though it alone were sacred and all the rest were secular and almost sinful Serve God where you arerdquo (Spurgeon)

PULPIT The presents were probably enough in the nature of tribute the fixed rate of which is sometimes alluded to (1 Kings 421 1 Kings 1025 2 Samuel 82) but it is doubtful whether the word משא purports to say this The word means bearing or carrying and then a burden load or weight The expression (2 Chronicles 2025) more than they could carry away where this word is used favours the idea that the meaning here is silver of great weight Probably the moral significance and historical interest whether of this statement respecting the Philistines or the following respecting the Arabians lies in the fact that both of them brought without more ado their payments and did not seek to slip out of their engagements with Judah and Judahs king ote for confirmation of this view 2 Kings 34 2 Kings 35

12 Jehoshaphat became more and more powerful he built forts and store cities in Judah

GILL And Jehoshaphat waxed great exceedingly In wealth and riches power and authority in his forces and fortifications

and he built in Judah castles and cities of stores castles for the defence of his kingdom and store cities to lay up corn and wine and all provisions in case of an invasion or against a time of war

HERY II He had a very considerable stores laid up in the cities of Judah He pulled down his barns and built larger (2Ch_1712) castles and cities of store for arms and victuals He was a man of business and aimed at the public good in all his

undertakings either to preserve the peace or prepare for war

JAMISO 2Ch_1712-19 His greatness captains and armies

KampD Description of Jehoshaphats power - 2Ch_1712 And Jehoshaphat became

ever greater sc in power The partic הולך expresses the continuous advance in

greatness cf Ew sect280 b as the infin absol does elsewhere eg Gen_83 למעלה as עד

in 2Ch_1612 - He built castles in Judah ירנ-ות only here and in 2Ch_274 from ירנית

derivative formed from ירה by the Syriac termination נית- fem of ן- castle fortress On

מסנות cf 2Ch_84 ערי

TRAPP 2 Chronicles 1712 And Jehoshaphat waxed great exceedingly and he built in Judah castles and cities of store

Ver 12 And Jehoshaphat waxed great exceedingly] Heb He was going and growing By humility and the fear of the Lord are riches and honour and life [Proverbs 224]

And he built in Judah castles] Bironeoth πυργους turres So did the Burgundians and thence had their names

And cities of store] Granaries in the Hebrew they have their name from their utility or usefulness

ELLICOTT (12) And Jehoshaphat waxed greatmdashLiterally And Jehoshaphat was going on and waxing great ie became greater and greater (Comp 1 Chronicles 119)

ExceedinglymdashlsquoAd lĕmagraversquolah This phrase occurs again in 2 Chronicles 1612 2 Chronicles 268 and nowhere else in the Old Testament (See on 1 Chronicles 142)

And he builtmdashLike his predecessorsmdashSolomon Rehoboam Asamdashhe displayed his wealth and power in great public works The records of the Assyrian and Babylonian sovereigns are largely taken up with similar accounts of temple and palace building

CastlesmdashBiranicircyocircth a derivative from birah (1 Chronicles 291 1 Chronicles 2919 comp Syriac here birocircthocirc) It only recurs at 2 Chronicles 274 It is an Aramaic term (Comp bicircranyacircthacirc which in the Targums means ldquopalacesrdquo)

Cities of storesmdashComp 2 Chronicles 84 2 Chronicles 164 Exodus 111

PULPIT Castles This rendering better than palaces (margin) wound bear improving to the rather stronger word fortresses Hebrew בירניות found only here and in 2 Chronicles 274 plur of בירנית connected with the Chaldee and later Hebrew בירה of Ezra 62 ehemiah 11 Esther 12 Daniel 82 Cities of store (see note under 2 Chronicles 84 see also 1 Kings 919 Exodus 111)

13 and had large supplies in the towns of Judah He also kept experienced fighting men in Jerusalem

CLARKE He hadmuch business in the cities - He kept the people constantly employed they had wages for their work and by their labors the empire was both enriched and strengthened

GILL And he had much business in the cities of Judah Partly in fortifying them and partly in reforming the inhabitants of them

and the men of war mighty men of valour were in Jerusalem or by or near unto it so the particle is rendered Jos_513 they encamped in places adjacent to it for such a number of men as follows even 1160000 could never be contained in Jerusalem but must be disposed of in the territories of it nor did they wait on the king together but in course see 2Ch_1719 by which it appears there is no need to suppose any mistake of the transcriber in any or all of the following sums as has been suggested (q)

HERY 13-19 III He had the militia in good order It was never in better since David modelled it Five lord-lieutenants (if I may so call them) are here named with the numbers of those under their command (the serviceable men that were fit for war in their respective districts) three in Judah and two in Benjamin It is said of one of these great commanders Amasiah that he willingly offered himself unto the Lord (2Ch_1716) not only to the king to serve him in this post but to the Lord to glorify him in it He was the most eminent among them for religion he accepted the place not for the

honour or power or profit of it but for conscience sake towards God that he might serve his country It was usual for great generals then to offer of their spoils to the Lord 1Ch_2626 But this good man offered himself first to the Lord and then his dedicated things The number of the soldiers under these five generals amounts to 1160000 men a vast number for so small a compass of ground as Judahs and Benjamins lot to furnish out and maintain Abijah could bring into the field but 400000 (2Ch_133) Asa not 600000 (2Ch_148) yet Jehoshaphat has at command almost 1200000 But it must be considered 1 That God had promised to make the seed of Abraham like the sand of the sea for number 2 There had now been a long peace 3 We may suppose that the city of Jerusalem was very much enlarged 4 Many had come over to them from the kingdom of Israel (2Ch_1519) which would increase the numbers of the people 5 Jehoshaphat was under a special blessing of God which made his affairs to prosper greatly The armies we may suppose were dispersed all the country over and each man resided for the most part on his own estate but they appeared often to be mustered and trained and were ready at call whenever there was occasion The commanders waited on the king (2Ch_1719) as officers of his court privy-counsellors and ministers of state

But lastly observe It was not this formidable army that struck a terror upon the neighbouring nations that restrained them from attempting any thing against Israel or obliged them to pay tribute but the fear of God which fell upon them when Jehoshaphat reformed his country and set up a preaching ministry in it 2Ch_1710 The ordinances of God are more the strength and safety of a kingdom than its military force - its men of God more than its men of war

KampD 2Ch_1713

וגווגווגווגו רהרהרהרה is rightly translated by Luther ldquound hatte viel Vorrathsrdquo (and ומלעכהומלעכהומלעכהומלעכה

had much store) מלעכהמלעכהמלעכהמלעכה denotes here as in Exo_227-10 property that which has been gained by work or business The signification much work opera magna (Vulg Cler etc) as also Bertheaus translation ldquothe works for equipping and provisioning the fortressesrdquo correspond neither to the context nor to the parallel (synonymous) second member of the verse The work and trouble necessary to equip the cities of Judah does not correspond to ldquothe valiant warriors in Jerusalemrdquo the only parallel is the goods and property which were in these cities the provision of victuals and war material there stored up

BESO 2 Chronicles 1713 He had much business in the cities of Judah mdash To repair and fortify them and furnish them with provisions and to purge out all the relics of idolatry and injustice which were more secretly and craftily managed in the cities than in the country and which were first and most prevalent in the cities and thence spread their infection into the country around them

TRAPP 2 Chronicles 1713 And he had much business in the cities of Judah and the men of war mighty men of valour [were] in Jerusalem

Ver 13 And he had much business] Eργα πολλα (a) Many works going forward at

once a negotious man he was His business say some lay in beautifying and fortifying those cities Augustus gloried at his death that whereas he had found Rome built with brick he had left it made of marble

And the men of war hellip were in Jerusalem] These were his Praetorian forces his Praesidiaries were up and down in the various cities

POOLE He had much business in the cities of Judah partly to repair and fortify them and furnish them with all necessary provisions and partly to purge out all the relies and seeds of idolatry and injustice which were more secretly and subtlely managed in the cities than in the country and which were first and most in the cities and thence spread their infection into the country about them See Jeremiah 228

ELLICOTT (13) BusinessmdashRather much goods or stores literally work (mĕlacirckacirch) and then produce The Hebrew word is so used in Exodus 227 Exodus 2210 (ldquoHis neighbourrsquos goodsrdquo) Stores of provisions and war material seem to be intended (Comp 2 Chronicles 1111)

And the man of war were in JerusalemmdashRather and (he had) men of war in Jerusalem

In Jerusalemmdashot the entire army corps whose numbers are given in 2 Chronicles 1714-18 but simply their chiefs

PULPIT Much business Hebrew מלאכה The meaning of the word is service labour bestowed and the verse reads And there was to him much labour in the cities of Judah and men of war mighty men of valour in Jerusalem ie He bestoweth much pains on the cities of Judah and had etc The word were Authorized Version italics is incorrectly inserted The former half of this verse would better constitute the end of 2 Chronicles 1712 Keil however maintains the rendering substance property for מלאכה (Exodus 227 Exodus 2210)

14 Their enrollment by families was as followsFrom Judah commanders of units of 1000Adnah the commander with 300000 fighting men

BARES The captains of thousands Adnah the chief - literally ldquoprinces of thousands Adnah the princerdquo The writer does not mean that Adnah (or Johohanan 2Ch_1715) was in any way superior to the other ldquoprincesrdquo but only that he was one of them

Three hundred thousand - This number and those which follow in 2Ch_1715-18 have been with good reason regarded as corrupt by most critics For

(1) They imply a minimum population of 1480 to the square mile which is more than three times greater than that of any country in the known world (circa 1880rsquos)

(2) they produce a total just double that of the next largest estimate of the military force of Judah the 580 000 of 2Ch_148

(3) they are professedly a statement not of the whole military force but of the force maintained at Jerusalem (2Ch_1713 compare 2Ch_1719)

It is probable that the original numbers have been lost and that the loss was suppplied by a scribe who took 2Ch_148 as his basis

CLARKE Adnah the chief - He was generalissimo of all this host These are the numbers of the five battalions under Adnah three hundred thousand Jehohanan two hundred and eighty thousand Amasiah two hundred thousand Eliada two hundred thousand Jehozabad one hundred and eighty thousand in all one million one hundred and sixty thousand

GILL And these are the numbers of them according to the house of their fathers Both of the tribe of Judah and of Benjamin and first

of Judah the captains of thousands some had 1000 men under them and some one hundred

Adnah the chief he was the principal commander or general of them

and with him mighty men of valour three hundred thousand such a number was under his command

JAMISO these are the numbersmdash The warriors were arranged in the army according to their fathers houses The army of Jehoshaphat commanded by five great generals and consisting of five unequal divisions comprised one million one hundred and sixty thousand men without including those who garrisoned the fortresses No monarch since the time of Solomon equaled Jehoshaphat in the extent of his revenue in the strength of his fortifications and in the number of his troops

KampD 2Ch_1714-16

The men fit for war passed in review according to their fathers-houses The male population of Judah fell into three divisions that of Benjamin into two The prince

Adnah held the first place among the generals with 300000 men of Judah ידו at his על

hand ie with and under him Jehohanan had the command of 280000 men and

Amasiah over 200000 השר is a contraction for אלפים For what special reason it is so שר

honourably recorded of Amasiah that he had willingly offered himself to the Lord (cf for

Jdg_59) has not been communicated התנב

COFFMA his represented a standing army of 1160000 men besides the garrisons in the fortified cities and this goes a long way to explaining why the Arabians and the Philistines brought tribute to Jehoshaphat In ancient times as in our own day peace frequently depended upon the strength of those who desired it

We should ignore the screams of exaggeration[3] which mark the writings of radical critics Pagan rulers of that era reported even larger armies than this and until the critics can prove that those were exaggerated reports they should let these alone Besides that we have already noted that the very word from which thousand is translated is disputed as to its exact meaning

COKE 2 Chronicles 1714 And these are the numbers of themmdash That is of the soldiers as well as of those who were employed in the kings works in the several cities ampc which he built See 2 Chronicles 1719

REFLECTIOSmdash1st Jehoshaphat no sooner comes to the throne than we see the dawnings of a glorious reign

1 He strengthened his kingdom by placing strong garrisons in the cities of Judah and those which his father had recovered from Israel and prepared against that danger which Ahabs growing power seemed to threaten

2 Religion was his great concern He copied after the best of his predecessors in their best days such as were the first of David before the matter of Uriah and the numbering of the people had blotted his fair copy Faithful to the worship of God he abhorred all idols the law of God was his rule of duty and Israels apostacy rendered his fidelity more singular and exemplary Inspired with holy zeal his heart with delight and sincerity was engaged for God and no difficulties deterred him from the path of duty The idols and groves which in the declining days of Asa might have been set up again he utterly destroyed with all the high places where they still offered sacrifices to these abominations ote (1) In the fairest human pattern there will be found imperfections but there is a Son of David more than man who has set us a spotless example that we should follow his steps (2) Fidelity in Gods service is the stability of a nation (3) A lively soul on wings of faith and love mounts up to God rises superior to every difficulty and looks down upon every thing besides his favour as altogether vanity

3 He not only removed the temptations to sin but took care to instruct the people in

the path of duty Ignorance of Gods law had greatly prevailed and to oblige them merely to conform to his reformation without grounding them on the true foundation of Gods word promised little stability The Levites and priests therefore are sent in progress through the cities of Judah with the book of the law to explain and enforce the commandments of God and several princes accompanied them in order to engage the people to hear them and give countenance to these preachers by their weight and influence ote (1) It is a blessed thing when princes countenance faithful ministers Though they cannot make men true converts their example and authority will induce them to attend (2) They who are sent to teach must see that they take the pure word of God along with them A true preacher wishes for nothing in his hand but his Bible (3) Religion is a reasonable service Conviction alone not compulsion or education can make a man a christian

4 The blessing of God attended his labours The Lord was with him or as the Targum generally expresses it the word of the Lord the divine Logos to whom all things are committed strengthened him in his labours and established his kingdom The people charmed with his government liberally sent their presents to him and abounding in riches and honour his heart far from being intoxicated by prosperity was lifted up in greater love and thankfulness to the gracious giver ote (1) God often here rewards piety with prosperity (2) Worldly comforts are then truly blessings when as the steps of Jacobs ladder they raise our hearts to heaven

2nd Like the light of the morning which shineth more and more so did Jehoshaphats glory increase

1 Feared by his enemies as beloved by his subjects the neighbouring princes did not offer to molest him while those of Philistia and Arabia courted his favour either by a voluntary present or exact payment of the tribute which Asa had imposed on them see 2 Chronicles 1711 God had put an awe upon them of the majesty of his king in Zion ote God hath access to the spirits of men and by secret yet irresistible influence can bow them to his sovereign will

2 His military preparations greatly advanced While he reformed the people he fortified their ramparts and built new castles and store-cities strengthening them within and without against their enemies Under five chief officers an immense army was enlisted Probably all the able men in the country were enrolled and regularly mustered though not drawn out except in case of necessity and this may easily account for the greatness of their number if we consider also the long peace they had enjoyed the accession of Israelites to them and especially the blessing of Abraham which no doubt was eminently fulfilled Amasiah one of the officers is mentioned with an honourable mark of distinction as a volunteer who served for the glory of God not for the sake of pay Such patriots are scarce

TRAPP 2 Chronicles 1714 And these [are] the numbers of them according to the house of their fathers Of Judah the captains of thousands Adnah the chief and

with him mighty men of valour three hundred thousand

Ver 14 Three hundred thousand] These were under his command and at hand to come whensoever the king would

WHEDO 14 Three hundred thousand mdash The numbers in this verse and the four verses following are generally regarded as corrupt ldquoThey implyrdquo observes the writer last quoted ldquoa minimum population of 1480 to the square mile which is more than three times greater than that of any country in the known world It is probable that the original numbers have been lost and the loss supplied by a scribe who took 2 Chronicles 148 as his basis

ELLICOTT Verse 14 (14) And these their fathersmdashAnd this is their muster (or census) according to their father-houses (clans) 1 Chronicles 243 The warriors were marshalled in the army according to clans so that men of the same stock fought side by side with their kindred Perhaps in the original document this heading was followed by a much more detailed scheme of names and divisions than that which the text presents

Of JudahmdashTo Judah (belonged) captains of thousands viz the three enumerated in 2 Chronicles 1714-16 Adnah Jehohanan and Amasiah They were the principal officers or generals of the entire forces of Judah

Adnah the chiefmdashTo wit the captain Adnah That Adnah was commander-in-chief is implied by his being named first and his corps being the largest

PULPIT This verse with the following four gives us the names of five captains chiefs princes or military officers for the kingdoms service with the numbers of the troops they severally commanded The numbers of them (see note under 1 Chronicles 2311) Hebrew פקדתם The better English rendering to carry at once the signification would be The muster of them etc The captains hellip the chief In both cases the Hebrew is the familiar word for prince ( שר ) in the former without article in the latter with article The numbers of this and following four verses are not only absolutely unreliable but in themselves impossible According to the house of their fathers ie the quotation is drawn from an army catalogue arranged carefully by fathers houses (umbers 118 umbers 122 etc)

15 next Jehohanan the commander with 280000

GILL And next to him was Jehohanan the captain Being of the same rank as to office but having a lesser number of men under him and it may respect not any kind of subordination only nearness of place as the Targumhe that encamped next to him

and with him two hundred and fourscore thousand which number was but 20000 less than the former

POOLE ext to him either

1 After his death as his successor in the same command And the like is supposed concerning Jehozabad 2 Chronicles 1718 Or rather

2 ext to him in place and authority or at least in power and the numbers of his host

16 next Amasiah son of Zikri who volunteered himself for the service of the Lord with 200000

GILL And next him was Amasiah the son of Zichri He encamped next to him as the Targum

who willingly offered himself unto the Lord to fight the Lords battles and without any stipend as some think or as Kimchi he offered gold and silver to the treasures of the house of the Lord

and with him two hundred thousand mighty men of valour the number was 80000 less than the former the whole of Judah amounted to 780000 men

TRAPP 2 Chronicles 1716 And next him [was] Amasiah the son of Zichri who willingly offered himself unto the LORD and with him two hundred thousand mighty men of valour

Ver 16 Who willingly offered himself unto the Lord] He was a votary the vows of God were upon him and this made him the more valiant and resolute (a) in the exercise of arms for the service of God and the safety of his people The Spahis among the Turks are a sort of horsemen voluntaries and votaries to gain paradise by dying for the Mohammedan cause These are never known to return home but

with victory these are heavy upon the enemy For

ldquo Vincitur haud gratis iugulo qui provocat ensem rdquo

POOLE As volunteers and auxiliaries to be ready upon occasion as the service of God and the king should require Possibly these or most of them were the strangers which had come out of Israel into the kingdom of Judah in Asarsquos days and probably since that in his time

ELLICOTT (16) AmasiahmdashIah carrieth (Isaiah 4011) different from Amaziah (Iah is strong)

Who willingly offered himself unto the Lordmdash(Judges 52 Judges 59) An allusion to some noble act of self-devotion which was doubtless more fully recorded in the source from which the chronicler has drawn this brief account Such allusions though no longer intelligible are important as conducing to the proof of the historical value of the narratives in which they occur LXX ὁ προθυmicroούmicroενος τῷ κυρίῳ Vulg consecratus Domino

PULPIT Amaziah the son of Zichri This man is not titled at all The description of him as one who had willingly offered himself unto the Lord not elucidated by the context or any effective parallel will mark something honorable in his history Possibly he comes from an unexpected quarter and is a man of approved skill othing further is known of these three men Meantime it has been suggested (Professor Dr J Murphy of Belfast Handbook to Chronicles ) that the first of the three was for Judah proper the second for that contingent of Judah that hailed from Dan and the Philistines and the third for that of Simeon and the Arabs

MACLARE This is a scrap from the catalogue of Jehoshaphatrsquos lsquomighty men of valourrsquo and is Amasiahrsquos sole record We see him for a moment and hear his eulogium and then oblivion swallows him up We do not know what it was that he did to earn it But what a fate to live to all generations by that one sentence

I Cheerful self-surrender the secret of all religion

The words of our text contain a metaphor naturally drawn from the sacrificial system It comes so easily to us that we scarcely recognise the metaphorical element but the clear recognition of it gives great additional energy to the words Amasiah was both sacrificer and sacrifice His offering was self-immolation As in all love so in that noblest kind of it which clasps God its perfect expression is lsquoI give Thee my living loving selfrsquo Nor is it only sacrifice and sacrificer that are seen in deepest truth in the experience of the Christian life but the reality of the Temple is also there for lsquoYe also are built up a spiritual house to be a holy priesthood to offer up spiritual sacrificesrsquo Only when God dwells in us shall we have the nerve and the firmness of hand to take the knife and lsquoslay before the Lordrsquo the awful Guest in the sanctuary within the most precious of the children of our spirits

The essence of the sacrifice of self is the sacrifice of will In the Christian experience

lsquowillingly offeredrsquo is almost tautology for unwilling offerings are a contradiction and in fact there are no such things The quality of unwillingness destroys the character of the offering and robs it of all sacredness Reluctant Christianity is not Christianity That noun and that adjective can never be buckled together

The submission of will and the consequent surrender of myself and my powers opportunities and possessions so that I do all enjoy all use all and when need is endure all with glad thankful reference to God is only possible to me in the measure in which my will is made flexible by love and such will-subduing love comes only when we lsquoknow and believe the love that God hath to usrsquo There is the point at which not a few moral and religious teachers go wrong and bewilder themselves and their disciples There too is the point at which Christ and the Gospel of salvation through faith in Him stand forth as emancipating humanity from the dreary round of efforts and vain attempts to work up the condition needful for achieving the height of self-surrender which is seen to be indispensable to all true nobleness of living but is felt to be beyond the reach of the ordinary man There too is the point at which many good people mar their lives as Christians They waste their strength in trying to bring the jibbing horse up to the leap They try to blow up a fire of devotion and to make themselves priests to offer themselves but all the while the mutinous self recoils from the leap and the fire burns smokily and their sacrifice is laid on the altar with little joy because they have not been careful and wise enough to begin at the beginning and to follow Godrsquos way of melting their wills by love the reflection of the Infinite love of God to them Godrsquos priests offer themselves because they offer their wills they offer their wills because they love God they love God because they know that God loves them That is the divine order It is vain to try to accomplish the end by any other

II This willing offering hallows all life

No syllable is left to tell us what Amasiah did to win this praise Probably the words enshrine some now forgotten memory of his cheerful courage some heroic feat on an unrecorded battlefield Particulars are not given nor needed Specific actions are unimportant the spirit of a life can be told with very incomplete details and it not the details is the important thing Sometimes as in many modern biographies one lsquocannot see the wood for the treesrsquo and misses the main drift and aim of a life in the chaos of a bewildering mass of nothings How much more happy the lot of this man of whom we have only the generalised expression of the text unweighted and undisturbed by petty incidents It takes tons of rose leaves to make a tiny phial of otto of roses but the fragrance is far more pungent in a drop of the distillation than in armfuls of leaves Every life shrinks into very small compass and the centuries do not tolerate long biographies Shall we not seek to order our life so that Amasiahrsquos epitaph may serve for us It will be blessed if this-and nothing else-is known about us that we lsquowillingly offered ourselves to the Lordrsquo My friend will that be a true epitome of your life

III This willing offering is accepted by God

We may hear a mightier voice behind the chroniclerrsquo s and the judgment of the Judge of all pronounced by His lips It matters little what men say of one another but it matters everything what God says of us We are but too apt to forget that He is now saying something as to each of us and that we have not to wait for death to put a final period to our activities before our lives become fit subjects for Godrsquos judgment Moment by moment we are writing our own sentences But while it is good for us to remember the continuous judgment of God on each deed it is not good to let dark thoughts of the principles of that judgment paralyse our activity or chill our confidence in His forgiving and accepting mercy There is often a dark suspicion like that of the one-talented

servant which blackens Godrsquos fair fame as being lsquoan austere Manrsquo making demands rather than imparting power and the effect of such an ugly conception of Him is to cut the nerve of service and bury the talent carefully folded up it may be but none the less earning nothing lsquoIf we call on Him as Father who without respect of persons judgeth according to every manrsquos workrsquo let us be sure that it will be a Fatherly judgment that He will pass upon us and our offerings There is a wonderful collection on His altar of what many people would think rubbish just as many a mother has laid away among her treasures some worthless article which her child had once given her-a weed plucked by the roadside in a long past summer day some trifle of rare preciousness in the childrsquos eyes and of none in any others than her own She opens her drawer and brings out the poor little thing and her eyes fill and her heart fills as she looks And does not God keep His childrenrsquos gifts as lovingly and set them in places of honour in the day when He lsquomakes up His jewelsrsquo There are cups of cold water and widowsrsquo mites and much else that a supercilious world would call lsquotrashrsquo stored there Thank God He accepts imperfect service faltering faith partial consecration a little love Even our poor offering may be an lsquoodour of a sweet smellrsquo ministering fragrance that is a delight to Him if it is offered with the much incense of the great Sacrifice and through the mediation of the great High Priest

The world forgot Amasiah or never knew him an obscure soldier in an obscure kingdom but God did not forget and here is his epitaph and this is his memorial to all generations Menrsquos chronicles have no room for all the names that their wearers are eager to have inscribed on their crumbling and crowded pages lsquobut the Lambrsquos Book of Lifersquo has ample space on its radiant pages for all who desire to set their names there and if ours are there we need not envy the proudest whose titles and deeds fill the most conspicuous pages in the worldrsquos records lsquoThen shall every man have praise of Christrsquo and he who wins that guerdon needs nothing more and can have nothing more to swell his blessedness

17 From BenjaminEliada a valiant soldier with 200000 men armed with bows and shields

GILL And of Benjamin Eliada a mighty man of valour Was the chief commander

and with armed men with bow and shield two hundred thousand which were

the armour of the tribe of Benjamin they were best skilled in 2Ch_148

TRAPP 2 Chronicles 1717 And of Benjamin Eliada a mighty man of valour and with him armed men with bow and shield two hundred thousand

Ver 17 With bow and shield] The Benjamites were notable bowmen [1 Chronicles 122] The Engish were anciently so too

ELLICOTT (17) Armed men with bow and shieldmdashLiterally drawing bow and shield ie as the Targum explains ldquodrawing bow and grasping shieldsrdquo (Comp 1 Chronicles 122) LXX ldquoArchers and peltastsrdquo Vulg ldquoGrasping bow and shieldrdquo (Comp also 1 Chronicles 840 for the arms of the Benjaminites)

18 next Jehozabad with 180000 men armed for battle

GILL And next to him was Jehozabad According to the Targum he encamped next him

and with him one hundred and fourscore thousand ready prepared for war being able bodied men well disciplined valiant and well armed these numbers of Judah and Benjamin put together amount to 1160000 men whereas Asa only brought into the field 580000 but it should be considered there had been a long time of peace many had come off from the ten tribes to Judah and the promise of multiplying the seed of Abraham was eminently fulfilled

TRAPP 2 Chronicles 1718 And next him [was] Jehozabad and with him an hundred and fourscore thousand ready prepared for the war

Ver 18 A hundred and fourscore thousand] His militia was eleven hundred and threescore thousand besides what he had in garrisons [2 Chronicles 1719] So that as he was better he was stronger than his father Asa had been Piety hath prosperity

ELLICOTT (18) Ready prepared for the warmdashEquipped for service (See on 1

Chronicles 1223-24 umbers 315 umbers 3229) The hoplites or heavy-armed infantry are probably meant

PULPIT While Eliada of last verse was for Benjamin Professor Dr Murphy supposes that Jehozabad was for the annexed part of Ephraim But no suppositions of this kind can avail to explain the numbers in the text which is no doubt corrupt

19 These were the men who served the king besides those he stationed in the fortified cities throughout Judah

CLARKE These waited on the king - They were disposable forces always at the kingrsquos command and were independent of those by which the cities of Judah were garrisoned

There is not a sovereign in Europe or in the world but might read this chapter with advantage

1 It shows most forcibly that true religion is the basis of the state and that wherever it prospers there the state prospers

2 It shows also that it is the wisdom of kings to encourage religion with all their power and influence for if the hearts of the subjects be not bound and influenced by true religion vain is the application of laws fines imprisonments or corporal punishment of any kind

3 A religious nation is ever a great nation it is loved by its friends it is dreaded by its enemies

4 It is ever a peaceable and united nation the blessings of religion and a wholesome and paternal government are so fully felt and prized that all find it their interest to preserve and defend them Harmony peace piety and strength are the stability of such times May Britain know and value them

GILL These waited on the king Not this vast number of men at one time but in course as Davids military men waited on him 1Ch_271 or each of these captains with a proper number of men under them detached from the body and they were all ready to obey the kings orders whenever he should have occasion for them

besides those whom the king put into the fenced cities throughout Judah and all together the militia of the kingdom was very numerous and formidable

KampD 2Ch_1719

These were serving the king א6ה refers not to the above-mentioned men capable of

bearing arms for sheereet is not used of service in war but to the commanders whom he had placed in the fortified cities of all Judah ldquoin which probably bodies of the above-mentioned troops lay as garrisonsrdquo (Berth)

BESO 2 Chronicles 1719 These waited on the king mdash These above-mentioned were the trained bands or auxiliaries whose chief officers waited on the king to receive his commands and to raise and bring in all or part of their forces to the service of the king as need required A vast number for so small a compass of ground to furnish out and maintain But we may consider that God had promised to make the seed of Abraham like the sand of the sea for number that there had now been a long peace that many were come to them from the kingdom of Israel and that Jehoshaphat was under a special blessing of God They were doubtless dispersed all the country over every one residing on his own land only they were ready at call whenever there was occasion

TRAPP 2 Chronicles 1719 These waited on the king beside [those] whom the king put in the fenced cities throughout all Judah

Ver 19 These waited on the king] ie In their turns and by course

POOLE These above mentioned were the trained bands or auxiliaries whose chief officers waited upon the king to receive his commands and to raise and bring in all or part of their forces to the service of the king and kingdom as need required

ELLICOTT (19) These waited on the kingmdashRather these are they that ministered unto the king viz the five generals above named

Beside those whom the king put in the fenced citiesmdashie the commandants of the fortresses of the kingdom (2 Chronicles 1111 2 Chronicles 1123) These latter as well as the generals of the forces are called the kingrsquos ldquoministersrdquo (mĕshacircrĕthicircm)mdasha word which is not used of service in the field but implies their presence at court (ldquoin Jerusalemrdquo 2 Chronicles 1713 as the royal staff)

According to the above list the army of Jehoshaphat was organised in five grand divisions corresponding perhaps to five territorial divisions of the southern kingdom The totals are the largest assigned to the two tribes anywhere in the Old Testament viz Judah 780000 and Benjamin 380000 in all 1160000 At Davidrsquos census Judah had 500000 warriors (2 Samuel 249) and Israel 800000 Again in 2

Chronicles 148 Asarsquos army consists of 300000 men of Judah and 280000 Benjaminites clearly such an increase as our text indicates is unaccountable At the same time it is equally clear that the present numbers are not fortuitous results of clerical errors for they follow each other in the order of relative strength Judah 300000 280000 200000 Benjamin 200000 180000 and they are evidently not independent of the estimates of 2 Chronicles 148 above quoted

In the absence of adequate data for modifying these certainly startling figures it is well to bear in mind that we need not understand by them an army which ever actually mustered in the field or on parade but simply an estimate of the total male population liable to be called out for the national defence although even upon that understanding the total appears to be at least three times too great considering the small extent of the country

PULPIT These waited Hebrew המשרתים plur piel part of שרת The verse states that this enormous fivefold army with its five princes (counting in our corrupt text one million one hundred and sixty thousand) was the kings Jerusalem standing army while other separate regiments or bands of troops were spread through all Judah where they might be most needed for defence

they were the Philistines who had submitted to the yoke of David (2Sa_81 Psa_608)

the Arabiansmdash the nomad tribes on the south of the Dead Sea who seeking the protection of Jehoshaphat after his conquest of Edom paid their tribute in the way most suitable to their pastoral habits - the present of so many head of cattle

BESO 2 Chronicles 1711 Some of the Philistines brought presents mdash They had been subject to Judah ever since Davidrsquos time but it seems had neglected this duty in the times of his predecessors but were now moved by their own fears to perform it And the Arabians brought him flocks mdash Either because he had upon some just occasion waged war against them and subdued them or because they voluntarily put themselves under his protection in recompense whereof they sent him these presents or only as a free acknowledgment of their respect for him

TRAPP 2 Chronicles 1711 Also [some] of the Philistines brought Jehoshaphat presents and tribute silver and the Arabians brought him flocks seven thousand and seven hundred rams and seven thousand and seven hundred he goats

Ver 11 Also some of the Philistines] These having been subdued by David had withheld their tribute for a time but now seeing Jehoshaphatrsquos growing greatness they bring it in with the better that no offence might be taken at their former neglect The word here used signifieth honorary gifts or oblations pacifications

ldquo Placatur donis Iupiter ipse datis rdquo

Think the same of the Arabians See 2 Chronicles 1414-15

POOLE Some of the Philistines who had been subjects to this kingdom ever since Davidrsquos time but it seems had neglected this duty in the times of his predecessors but now were moved by their own fears to perform it

The Arabians brought him flocks either because he had upon some just occasion waged war against them and subdued them though the particulars of it be not described in Scripture or because they voluntarily put themselves under his protection in recompence whereof they sent him those presents or only as a free acknowledgment of their respects to him

ELLICOTT (11) Broughtmdashie continually Such is the force of the participle

PresentsmdashAn offering ie tribute (minchah 2 Chronicles 175)

And tribute silvermdashRather and silver a load or burden ie a great quantity (massacircrsquo) 2 Chronicles 2025 As if ldquosilver as much as they could carryrdquomdasha natural hyperbole ot all the five states of the Philistines were subject to Jehoshaphat (Comp 2 Samuel 81)

The ArabiansmdashlsquoArbicircrsquoim here only equivalent to lsquoArbicircyicircm (2 Chronicles 267) and

lsquoArbim (2 Chronicles 2116) They are in each case grouped with the Philistines The nomad Bedacircwin conquered by Asa (2 Chronicles 1415) appear to be meant here or else some tribes which recognised the overlordship of Jehoshaphat after his reduction of Edom (2 Chronicles 2022 sqq)

Brought him flocksmdashComp Mesha of Moabrsquos tribute to Ahab (2 Kings 34)

GUZIK 2 (2 Chronicles 1711-19) The international strength of Jehoshaphatrsquos kingdom

Also some of the Philistines brought Jehoshaphat presents and silver as tribute and the Arabians brought him flocks seven thousand seven hundred rams and seven thousand seven hundred male goats So Jehoshaphat became increasingly powerful and he built fortresses and storage cities in Judah He had much property in the cities of Judah and the men of war mighty men of valor were in Jerusalem These are their numbers according to their fathersrsquo houses Of Judah the captains of thousands Adnah the captain and with him three hundred thousand mighty men of valor and next to him was Jehohanan the captain and with him two hundred and eighty thousand and next to him was Amasiah the son of Zichri who willingly offered himself to the LORD and with him two hundred thousand mighty men of valor Of Benjamin Eliada a mighty man of valor and with him two hundred thousand men armed with bow and shield and next to him was Jehozabad and with him one hundred and eighty thousand prepared for war These served the king besides those the king put in the fortified cities throughout all Judah

a Some of the Philistines brought Jehoshaphat presents and silver as tribute and the Arabians brought him flocks Jehoshaphatrsquos commitment to personal and public godliness meant that God exalted his kingdom above the neighboring nations even as God promised in Deuteronomy 281-13

b These served the king The true treasure of Jehoshaphatrsquos kingdom was not numbered only in security or material things but also in the dedicated and courageous men he had surrounding him these mighty men of valor

i Amasiah the son of Zichri who willingly offered himself to the LORD ldquoAmasiah is a man of whom we do not know anything beyond this ndash he lsquowillingly offered himself unto the Lordrsquo There must have been a turning-point in his career a time when first he knew the grace of God which wrought such a change in him There must have been a waking up to the feeling that God deserved his love and his liferdquo (Spurgeon)

ii Amasiah was a ready servant of the Lord this particularly notable because he did it in an otherwise secular calling

middot o one had to press him into service

middot o one had to seek him out for service

middot o one had to look after him once he had begun serving

middot o one had to lead him

iii ldquoThere is no lawful occupation in which a man cannot thoroughly serve the Lord It is a great privilege and blessing to be set apart to the work of winning souls but we must never separate that work from all the rest of the callings of life as though it alone were sacred and all the rest were secular and almost sinful Serve God where you arerdquo (Spurgeon)

PULPIT The presents were probably enough in the nature of tribute the fixed rate of which is sometimes alluded to (1 Kings 421 1 Kings 1025 2 Samuel 82) but it is doubtful whether the word משא purports to say this The word means bearing or carrying and then a burden load or weight The expression (2 Chronicles 2025) more than they could carry away where this word is used favours the idea that the meaning here is silver of great weight Probably the moral significance and historical interest whether of this statement respecting the Philistines or the following respecting the Arabians lies in the fact that both of them brought without more ado their payments and did not seek to slip out of their engagements with Judah and Judahs king ote for confirmation of this view 2 Kings 34 2 Kings 35

12 Jehoshaphat became more and more powerful he built forts and store cities in Judah

GILL And Jehoshaphat waxed great exceedingly In wealth and riches power and authority in his forces and fortifications

and he built in Judah castles and cities of stores castles for the defence of his kingdom and store cities to lay up corn and wine and all provisions in case of an invasion or against a time of war

HERY II He had a very considerable stores laid up in the cities of Judah He pulled down his barns and built larger (2Ch_1712) castles and cities of store for arms and victuals He was a man of business and aimed at the public good in all his

undertakings either to preserve the peace or prepare for war

JAMISO 2Ch_1712-19 His greatness captains and armies

KampD Description of Jehoshaphats power - 2Ch_1712 And Jehoshaphat became

ever greater sc in power The partic הולך expresses the continuous advance in

greatness cf Ew sect280 b as the infin absol does elsewhere eg Gen_83 למעלה as עד

in 2Ch_1612 - He built castles in Judah ירנ-ות only here and in 2Ch_274 from ירנית

derivative formed from ירה by the Syriac termination נית- fem of ן- castle fortress On

מסנות cf 2Ch_84 ערי

TRAPP 2 Chronicles 1712 And Jehoshaphat waxed great exceedingly and he built in Judah castles and cities of store

Ver 12 And Jehoshaphat waxed great exceedingly] Heb He was going and growing By humility and the fear of the Lord are riches and honour and life [Proverbs 224]

And he built in Judah castles] Bironeoth πυργους turres So did the Burgundians and thence had their names

And cities of store] Granaries in the Hebrew they have their name from their utility or usefulness

ELLICOTT (12) And Jehoshaphat waxed greatmdashLiterally And Jehoshaphat was going on and waxing great ie became greater and greater (Comp 1 Chronicles 119)

ExceedinglymdashlsquoAd lĕmagraversquolah This phrase occurs again in 2 Chronicles 1612 2 Chronicles 268 and nowhere else in the Old Testament (See on 1 Chronicles 142)

And he builtmdashLike his predecessorsmdashSolomon Rehoboam Asamdashhe displayed his wealth and power in great public works The records of the Assyrian and Babylonian sovereigns are largely taken up with similar accounts of temple and palace building

CastlesmdashBiranicircyocircth a derivative from birah (1 Chronicles 291 1 Chronicles 2919 comp Syriac here birocircthocirc) It only recurs at 2 Chronicles 274 It is an Aramaic term (Comp bicircranyacircthacirc which in the Targums means ldquopalacesrdquo)

Cities of storesmdashComp 2 Chronicles 84 2 Chronicles 164 Exodus 111

PULPIT Castles This rendering better than palaces (margin) wound bear improving to the rather stronger word fortresses Hebrew בירניות found only here and in 2 Chronicles 274 plur of בירנית connected with the Chaldee and later Hebrew בירה of Ezra 62 ehemiah 11 Esther 12 Daniel 82 Cities of store (see note under 2 Chronicles 84 see also 1 Kings 919 Exodus 111)

13 and had large supplies in the towns of Judah He also kept experienced fighting men in Jerusalem

CLARKE He hadmuch business in the cities - He kept the people constantly employed they had wages for their work and by their labors the empire was both enriched and strengthened

GILL And he had much business in the cities of Judah Partly in fortifying them and partly in reforming the inhabitants of them

and the men of war mighty men of valour were in Jerusalem or by or near unto it so the particle is rendered Jos_513 they encamped in places adjacent to it for such a number of men as follows even 1160000 could never be contained in Jerusalem but must be disposed of in the territories of it nor did they wait on the king together but in course see 2Ch_1719 by which it appears there is no need to suppose any mistake of the transcriber in any or all of the following sums as has been suggested (q)

HERY 13-19 III He had the militia in good order It was never in better since David modelled it Five lord-lieutenants (if I may so call them) are here named with the numbers of those under their command (the serviceable men that were fit for war in their respective districts) three in Judah and two in Benjamin It is said of one of these great commanders Amasiah that he willingly offered himself unto the Lord (2Ch_1716) not only to the king to serve him in this post but to the Lord to glorify him in it He was the most eminent among them for religion he accepted the place not for the

honour or power or profit of it but for conscience sake towards God that he might serve his country It was usual for great generals then to offer of their spoils to the Lord 1Ch_2626 But this good man offered himself first to the Lord and then his dedicated things The number of the soldiers under these five generals amounts to 1160000 men a vast number for so small a compass of ground as Judahs and Benjamins lot to furnish out and maintain Abijah could bring into the field but 400000 (2Ch_133) Asa not 600000 (2Ch_148) yet Jehoshaphat has at command almost 1200000 But it must be considered 1 That God had promised to make the seed of Abraham like the sand of the sea for number 2 There had now been a long peace 3 We may suppose that the city of Jerusalem was very much enlarged 4 Many had come over to them from the kingdom of Israel (2Ch_1519) which would increase the numbers of the people 5 Jehoshaphat was under a special blessing of God which made his affairs to prosper greatly The armies we may suppose were dispersed all the country over and each man resided for the most part on his own estate but they appeared often to be mustered and trained and were ready at call whenever there was occasion The commanders waited on the king (2Ch_1719) as officers of his court privy-counsellors and ministers of state

But lastly observe It was not this formidable army that struck a terror upon the neighbouring nations that restrained them from attempting any thing against Israel or obliged them to pay tribute but the fear of God which fell upon them when Jehoshaphat reformed his country and set up a preaching ministry in it 2Ch_1710 The ordinances of God are more the strength and safety of a kingdom than its military force - its men of God more than its men of war

KampD 2Ch_1713

וגווגווגווגו רהרהרהרה is rightly translated by Luther ldquound hatte viel Vorrathsrdquo (and ומלעכהומלעכהומלעכהומלעכה

had much store) מלעכהמלעכהמלעכהמלעכה denotes here as in Exo_227-10 property that which has been gained by work or business The signification much work opera magna (Vulg Cler etc) as also Bertheaus translation ldquothe works for equipping and provisioning the fortressesrdquo correspond neither to the context nor to the parallel (synonymous) second member of the verse The work and trouble necessary to equip the cities of Judah does not correspond to ldquothe valiant warriors in Jerusalemrdquo the only parallel is the goods and property which were in these cities the provision of victuals and war material there stored up

BESO 2 Chronicles 1713 He had much business in the cities of Judah mdash To repair and fortify them and furnish them with provisions and to purge out all the relics of idolatry and injustice which were more secretly and craftily managed in the cities than in the country and which were first and most prevalent in the cities and thence spread their infection into the country around them

TRAPP 2 Chronicles 1713 And he had much business in the cities of Judah and the men of war mighty men of valour [were] in Jerusalem

Ver 13 And he had much business] Eργα πολλα (a) Many works going forward at

once a negotious man he was His business say some lay in beautifying and fortifying those cities Augustus gloried at his death that whereas he had found Rome built with brick he had left it made of marble

And the men of war hellip were in Jerusalem] These were his Praetorian forces his Praesidiaries were up and down in the various cities

POOLE He had much business in the cities of Judah partly to repair and fortify them and furnish them with all necessary provisions and partly to purge out all the relies and seeds of idolatry and injustice which were more secretly and subtlely managed in the cities than in the country and which were first and most in the cities and thence spread their infection into the country about them See Jeremiah 228

ELLICOTT (13) BusinessmdashRather much goods or stores literally work (mĕlacirckacirch) and then produce The Hebrew word is so used in Exodus 227 Exodus 2210 (ldquoHis neighbourrsquos goodsrdquo) Stores of provisions and war material seem to be intended (Comp 2 Chronicles 1111)

And the man of war were in JerusalemmdashRather and (he had) men of war in Jerusalem

In Jerusalemmdashot the entire army corps whose numbers are given in 2 Chronicles 1714-18 but simply their chiefs

PULPIT Much business Hebrew מלאכה The meaning of the word is service labour bestowed and the verse reads And there was to him much labour in the cities of Judah and men of war mighty men of valour in Jerusalem ie He bestoweth much pains on the cities of Judah and had etc The word were Authorized Version italics is incorrectly inserted The former half of this verse would better constitute the end of 2 Chronicles 1712 Keil however maintains the rendering substance property for מלאכה (Exodus 227 Exodus 2210)

14 Their enrollment by families was as followsFrom Judah commanders of units of 1000Adnah the commander with 300000 fighting men

BARES The captains of thousands Adnah the chief - literally ldquoprinces of thousands Adnah the princerdquo The writer does not mean that Adnah (or Johohanan 2Ch_1715) was in any way superior to the other ldquoprincesrdquo but only that he was one of them

Three hundred thousand - This number and those which follow in 2Ch_1715-18 have been with good reason regarded as corrupt by most critics For

(1) They imply a minimum population of 1480 to the square mile which is more than three times greater than that of any country in the known world (circa 1880rsquos)

(2) they produce a total just double that of the next largest estimate of the military force of Judah the 580 000 of 2Ch_148

(3) they are professedly a statement not of the whole military force but of the force maintained at Jerusalem (2Ch_1713 compare 2Ch_1719)

It is probable that the original numbers have been lost and that the loss was suppplied by a scribe who took 2Ch_148 as his basis

CLARKE Adnah the chief - He was generalissimo of all this host These are the numbers of the five battalions under Adnah three hundred thousand Jehohanan two hundred and eighty thousand Amasiah two hundred thousand Eliada two hundred thousand Jehozabad one hundred and eighty thousand in all one million one hundred and sixty thousand

GILL And these are the numbers of them according to the house of their fathers Both of the tribe of Judah and of Benjamin and first

of Judah the captains of thousands some had 1000 men under them and some one hundred

Adnah the chief he was the principal commander or general of them

and with him mighty men of valour three hundred thousand such a number was under his command

JAMISO these are the numbersmdash The warriors were arranged in the army according to their fathers houses The army of Jehoshaphat commanded by five great generals and consisting of five unequal divisions comprised one million one hundred and sixty thousand men without including those who garrisoned the fortresses No monarch since the time of Solomon equaled Jehoshaphat in the extent of his revenue in the strength of his fortifications and in the number of his troops

KampD 2Ch_1714-16

The men fit for war passed in review according to their fathers-houses The male population of Judah fell into three divisions that of Benjamin into two The prince

Adnah held the first place among the generals with 300000 men of Judah ידו at his על

hand ie with and under him Jehohanan had the command of 280000 men and

Amasiah over 200000 השר is a contraction for אלפים For what special reason it is so שר

honourably recorded of Amasiah that he had willingly offered himself to the Lord (cf for

Jdg_59) has not been communicated התנב

COFFMA his represented a standing army of 1160000 men besides the garrisons in the fortified cities and this goes a long way to explaining why the Arabians and the Philistines brought tribute to Jehoshaphat In ancient times as in our own day peace frequently depended upon the strength of those who desired it

We should ignore the screams of exaggeration[3] which mark the writings of radical critics Pagan rulers of that era reported even larger armies than this and until the critics can prove that those were exaggerated reports they should let these alone Besides that we have already noted that the very word from which thousand is translated is disputed as to its exact meaning

COKE 2 Chronicles 1714 And these are the numbers of themmdash That is of the soldiers as well as of those who were employed in the kings works in the several cities ampc which he built See 2 Chronicles 1719

REFLECTIOSmdash1st Jehoshaphat no sooner comes to the throne than we see the dawnings of a glorious reign

1 He strengthened his kingdom by placing strong garrisons in the cities of Judah and those which his father had recovered from Israel and prepared against that danger which Ahabs growing power seemed to threaten

2 Religion was his great concern He copied after the best of his predecessors in their best days such as were the first of David before the matter of Uriah and the numbering of the people had blotted his fair copy Faithful to the worship of God he abhorred all idols the law of God was his rule of duty and Israels apostacy rendered his fidelity more singular and exemplary Inspired with holy zeal his heart with delight and sincerity was engaged for God and no difficulties deterred him from the path of duty The idols and groves which in the declining days of Asa might have been set up again he utterly destroyed with all the high places where they still offered sacrifices to these abominations ote (1) In the fairest human pattern there will be found imperfections but there is a Son of David more than man who has set us a spotless example that we should follow his steps (2) Fidelity in Gods service is the stability of a nation (3) A lively soul on wings of faith and love mounts up to God rises superior to every difficulty and looks down upon every thing besides his favour as altogether vanity

3 He not only removed the temptations to sin but took care to instruct the people in

the path of duty Ignorance of Gods law had greatly prevailed and to oblige them merely to conform to his reformation without grounding them on the true foundation of Gods word promised little stability The Levites and priests therefore are sent in progress through the cities of Judah with the book of the law to explain and enforce the commandments of God and several princes accompanied them in order to engage the people to hear them and give countenance to these preachers by their weight and influence ote (1) It is a blessed thing when princes countenance faithful ministers Though they cannot make men true converts their example and authority will induce them to attend (2) They who are sent to teach must see that they take the pure word of God along with them A true preacher wishes for nothing in his hand but his Bible (3) Religion is a reasonable service Conviction alone not compulsion or education can make a man a christian

4 The blessing of God attended his labours The Lord was with him or as the Targum generally expresses it the word of the Lord the divine Logos to whom all things are committed strengthened him in his labours and established his kingdom The people charmed with his government liberally sent their presents to him and abounding in riches and honour his heart far from being intoxicated by prosperity was lifted up in greater love and thankfulness to the gracious giver ote (1) God often here rewards piety with prosperity (2) Worldly comforts are then truly blessings when as the steps of Jacobs ladder they raise our hearts to heaven

2nd Like the light of the morning which shineth more and more so did Jehoshaphats glory increase

1 Feared by his enemies as beloved by his subjects the neighbouring princes did not offer to molest him while those of Philistia and Arabia courted his favour either by a voluntary present or exact payment of the tribute which Asa had imposed on them see 2 Chronicles 1711 God had put an awe upon them of the majesty of his king in Zion ote God hath access to the spirits of men and by secret yet irresistible influence can bow them to his sovereign will

2 His military preparations greatly advanced While he reformed the people he fortified their ramparts and built new castles and store-cities strengthening them within and without against their enemies Under five chief officers an immense army was enlisted Probably all the able men in the country were enrolled and regularly mustered though not drawn out except in case of necessity and this may easily account for the greatness of their number if we consider also the long peace they had enjoyed the accession of Israelites to them and especially the blessing of Abraham which no doubt was eminently fulfilled Amasiah one of the officers is mentioned with an honourable mark of distinction as a volunteer who served for the glory of God not for the sake of pay Such patriots are scarce

TRAPP 2 Chronicles 1714 And these [are] the numbers of them according to the house of their fathers Of Judah the captains of thousands Adnah the chief and

with him mighty men of valour three hundred thousand

Ver 14 Three hundred thousand] These were under his command and at hand to come whensoever the king would

WHEDO 14 Three hundred thousand mdash The numbers in this verse and the four verses following are generally regarded as corrupt ldquoThey implyrdquo observes the writer last quoted ldquoa minimum population of 1480 to the square mile which is more than three times greater than that of any country in the known world It is probable that the original numbers have been lost and the loss supplied by a scribe who took 2 Chronicles 148 as his basis

ELLICOTT Verse 14 (14) And these their fathersmdashAnd this is their muster (or census) according to their father-houses (clans) 1 Chronicles 243 The warriors were marshalled in the army according to clans so that men of the same stock fought side by side with their kindred Perhaps in the original document this heading was followed by a much more detailed scheme of names and divisions than that which the text presents

Of JudahmdashTo Judah (belonged) captains of thousands viz the three enumerated in 2 Chronicles 1714-16 Adnah Jehohanan and Amasiah They were the principal officers or generals of the entire forces of Judah

Adnah the chiefmdashTo wit the captain Adnah That Adnah was commander-in-chief is implied by his being named first and his corps being the largest

PULPIT This verse with the following four gives us the names of five captains chiefs princes or military officers for the kingdoms service with the numbers of the troops they severally commanded The numbers of them (see note under 1 Chronicles 2311) Hebrew פקדתם The better English rendering to carry at once the signification would be The muster of them etc The captains hellip the chief In both cases the Hebrew is the familiar word for prince ( שר ) in the former without article in the latter with article The numbers of this and following four verses are not only absolutely unreliable but in themselves impossible According to the house of their fathers ie the quotation is drawn from an army catalogue arranged carefully by fathers houses (umbers 118 umbers 122 etc)

15 next Jehohanan the commander with 280000

GILL And next to him was Jehohanan the captain Being of the same rank as to office but having a lesser number of men under him and it may respect not any kind of subordination only nearness of place as the Targumhe that encamped next to him

and with him two hundred and fourscore thousand which number was but 20000 less than the former

POOLE ext to him either

1 After his death as his successor in the same command And the like is supposed concerning Jehozabad 2 Chronicles 1718 Or rather

2 ext to him in place and authority or at least in power and the numbers of his host

16 next Amasiah son of Zikri who volunteered himself for the service of the Lord with 200000

GILL And next him was Amasiah the son of Zichri He encamped next to him as the Targum

who willingly offered himself unto the Lord to fight the Lords battles and without any stipend as some think or as Kimchi he offered gold and silver to the treasures of the house of the Lord

and with him two hundred thousand mighty men of valour the number was 80000 less than the former the whole of Judah amounted to 780000 men

TRAPP 2 Chronicles 1716 And next him [was] Amasiah the son of Zichri who willingly offered himself unto the LORD and with him two hundred thousand mighty men of valour

Ver 16 Who willingly offered himself unto the Lord] He was a votary the vows of God were upon him and this made him the more valiant and resolute (a) in the exercise of arms for the service of God and the safety of his people The Spahis among the Turks are a sort of horsemen voluntaries and votaries to gain paradise by dying for the Mohammedan cause These are never known to return home but

with victory these are heavy upon the enemy For

ldquo Vincitur haud gratis iugulo qui provocat ensem rdquo

POOLE As volunteers and auxiliaries to be ready upon occasion as the service of God and the king should require Possibly these or most of them were the strangers which had come out of Israel into the kingdom of Judah in Asarsquos days and probably since that in his time

ELLICOTT (16) AmasiahmdashIah carrieth (Isaiah 4011) different from Amaziah (Iah is strong)

Who willingly offered himself unto the Lordmdash(Judges 52 Judges 59) An allusion to some noble act of self-devotion which was doubtless more fully recorded in the source from which the chronicler has drawn this brief account Such allusions though no longer intelligible are important as conducing to the proof of the historical value of the narratives in which they occur LXX ὁ προθυmicroούmicroενος τῷ κυρίῳ Vulg consecratus Domino

PULPIT Amaziah the son of Zichri This man is not titled at all The description of him as one who had willingly offered himself unto the Lord not elucidated by the context or any effective parallel will mark something honorable in his history Possibly he comes from an unexpected quarter and is a man of approved skill othing further is known of these three men Meantime it has been suggested (Professor Dr J Murphy of Belfast Handbook to Chronicles ) that the first of the three was for Judah proper the second for that contingent of Judah that hailed from Dan and the Philistines and the third for that of Simeon and the Arabs

MACLARE This is a scrap from the catalogue of Jehoshaphatrsquos lsquomighty men of valourrsquo and is Amasiahrsquos sole record We see him for a moment and hear his eulogium and then oblivion swallows him up We do not know what it was that he did to earn it But what a fate to live to all generations by that one sentence

I Cheerful self-surrender the secret of all religion

The words of our text contain a metaphor naturally drawn from the sacrificial system It comes so easily to us that we scarcely recognise the metaphorical element but the clear recognition of it gives great additional energy to the words Amasiah was both sacrificer and sacrifice His offering was self-immolation As in all love so in that noblest kind of it which clasps God its perfect expression is lsquoI give Thee my living loving selfrsquo Nor is it only sacrifice and sacrificer that are seen in deepest truth in the experience of the Christian life but the reality of the Temple is also there for lsquoYe also are built up a spiritual house to be a holy priesthood to offer up spiritual sacrificesrsquo Only when God dwells in us shall we have the nerve and the firmness of hand to take the knife and lsquoslay before the Lordrsquo the awful Guest in the sanctuary within the most precious of the children of our spirits

The essence of the sacrifice of self is the sacrifice of will In the Christian experience

lsquowillingly offeredrsquo is almost tautology for unwilling offerings are a contradiction and in fact there are no such things The quality of unwillingness destroys the character of the offering and robs it of all sacredness Reluctant Christianity is not Christianity That noun and that adjective can never be buckled together

The submission of will and the consequent surrender of myself and my powers opportunities and possessions so that I do all enjoy all use all and when need is endure all with glad thankful reference to God is only possible to me in the measure in which my will is made flexible by love and such will-subduing love comes only when we lsquoknow and believe the love that God hath to usrsquo There is the point at which not a few moral and religious teachers go wrong and bewilder themselves and their disciples There too is the point at which Christ and the Gospel of salvation through faith in Him stand forth as emancipating humanity from the dreary round of efforts and vain attempts to work up the condition needful for achieving the height of self-surrender which is seen to be indispensable to all true nobleness of living but is felt to be beyond the reach of the ordinary man There too is the point at which many good people mar their lives as Christians They waste their strength in trying to bring the jibbing horse up to the leap They try to blow up a fire of devotion and to make themselves priests to offer themselves but all the while the mutinous self recoils from the leap and the fire burns smokily and their sacrifice is laid on the altar with little joy because they have not been careful and wise enough to begin at the beginning and to follow Godrsquos way of melting their wills by love the reflection of the Infinite love of God to them Godrsquos priests offer themselves because they offer their wills they offer their wills because they love God they love God because they know that God loves them That is the divine order It is vain to try to accomplish the end by any other

II This willing offering hallows all life

No syllable is left to tell us what Amasiah did to win this praise Probably the words enshrine some now forgotten memory of his cheerful courage some heroic feat on an unrecorded battlefield Particulars are not given nor needed Specific actions are unimportant the spirit of a life can be told with very incomplete details and it not the details is the important thing Sometimes as in many modern biographies one lsquocannot see the wood for the treesrsquo and misses the main drift and aim of a life in the chaos of a bewildering mass of nothings How much more happy the lot of this man of whom we have only the generalised expression of the text unweighted and undisturbed by petty incidents It takes tons of rose leaves to make a tiny phial of otto of roses but the fragrance is far more pungent in a drop of the distillation than in armfuls of leaves Every life shrinks into very small compass and the centuries do not tolerate long biographies Shall we not seek to order our life so that Amasiahrsquos epitaph may serve for us It will be blessed if this-and nothing else-is known about us that we lsquowillingly offered ourselves to the Lordrsquo My friend will that be a true epitome of your life

III This willing offering is accepted by God

We may hear a mightier voice behind the chroniclerrsquo s and the judgment of the Judge of all pronounced by His lips It matters little what men say of one another but it matters everything what God says of us We are but too apt to forget that He is now saying something as to each of us and that we have not to wait for death to put a final period to our activities before our lives become fit subjects for Godrsquos judgment Moment by moment we are writing our own sentences But while it is good for us to remember the continuous judgment of God on each deed it is not good to let dark thoughts of the principles of that judgment paralyse our activity or chill our confidence in His forgiving and accepting mercy There is often a dark suspicion like that of the one-talented

servant which blackens Godrsquos fair fame as being lsquoan austere Manrsquo making demands rather than imparting power and the effect of such an ugly conception of Him is to cut the nerve of service and bury the talent carefully folded up it may be but none the less earning nothing lsquoIf we call on Him as Father who without respect of persons judgeth according to every manrsquos workrsquo let us be sure that it will be a Fatherly judgment that He will pass upon us and our offerings There is a wonderful collection on His altar of what many people would think rubbish just as many a mother has laid away among her treasures some worthless article which her child had once given her-a weed plucked by the roadside in a long past summer day some trifle of rare preciousness in the childrsquos eyes and of none in any others than her own She opens her drawer and brings out the poor little thing and her eyes fill and her heart fills as she looks And does not God keep His childrenrsquos gifts as lovingly and set them in places of honour in the day when He lsquomakes up His jewelsrsquo There are cups of cold water and widowsrsquo mites and much else that a supercilious world would call lsquotrashrsquo stored there Thank God He accepts imperfect service faltering faith partial consecration a little love Even our poor offering may be an lsquoodour of a sweet smellrsquo ministering fragrance that is a delight to Him if it is offered with the much incense of the great Sacrifice and through the mediation of the great High Priest

The world forgot Amasiah or never knew him an obscure soldier in an obscure kingdom but God did not forget and here is his epitaph and this is his memorial to all generations Menrsquos chronicles have no room for all the names that their wearers are eager to have inscribed on their crumbling and crowded pages lsquobut the Lambrsquos Book of Lifersquo has ample space on its radiant pages for all who desire to set their names there and if ours are there we need not envy the proudest whose titles and deeds fill the most conspicuous pages in the worldrsquos records lsquoThen shall every man have praise of Christrsquo and he who wins that guerdon needs nothing more and can have nothing more to swell his blessedness

17 From BenjaminEliada a valiant soldier with 200000 men armed with bows and shields

GILL And of Benjamin Eliada a mighty man of valour Was the chief commander

and with armed men with bow and shield two hundred thousand which were

the armour of the tribe of Benjamin they were best skilled in 2Ch_148

TRAPP 2 Chronicles 1717 And of Benjamin Eliada a mighty man of valour and with him armed men with bow and shield two hundred thousand

Ver 17 With bow and shield] The Benjamites were notable bowmen [1 Chronicles 122] The Engish were anciently so too

ELLICOTT (17) Armed men with bow and shieldmdashLiterally drawing bow and shield ie as the Targum explains ldquodrawing bow and grasping shieldsrdquo (Comp 1 Chronicles 122) LXX ldquoArchers and peltastsrdquo Vulg ldquoGrasping bow and shieldrdquo (Comp also 1 Chronicles 840 for the arms of the Benjaminites)

18 next Jehozabad with 180000 men armed for battle

GILL And next to him was Jehozabad According to the Targum he encamped next him

and with him one hundred and fourscore thousand ready prepared for war being able bodied men well disciplined valiant and well armed these numbers of Judah and Benjamin put together amount to 1160000 men whereas Asa only brought into the field 580000 but it should be considered there had been a long time of peace many had come off from the ten tribes to Judah and the promise of multiplying the seed of Abraham was eminently fulfilled

TRAPP 2 Chronicles 1718 And next him [was] Jehozabad and with him an hundred and fourscore thousand ready prepared for the war

Ver 18 A hundred and fourscore thousand] His militia was eleven hundred and threescore thousand besides what he had in garrisons [2 Chronicles 1719] So that as he was better he was stronger than his father Asa had been Piety hath prosperity

ELLICOTT (18) Ready prepared for the warmdashEquipped for service (See on 1

Chronicles 1223-24 umbers 315 umbers 3229) The hoplites or heavy-armed infantry are probably meant

PULPIT While Eliada of last verse was for Benjamin Professor Dr Murphy supposes that Jehozabad was for the annexed part of Ephraim But no suppositions of this kind can avail to explain the numbers in the text which is no doubt corrupt

19 These were the men who served the king besides those he stationed in the fortified cities throughout Judah

CLARKE These waited on the king - They were disposable forces always at the kingrsquos command and were independent of those by which the cities of Judah were garrisoned

There is not a sovereign in Europe or in the world but might read this chapter with advantage

1 It shows most forcibly that true religion is the basis of the state and that wherever it prospers there the state prospers

2 It shows also that it is the wisdom of kings to encourage religion with all their power and influence for if the hearts of the subjects be not bound and influenced by true religion vain is the application of laws fines imprisonments or corporal punishment of any kind

3 A religious nation is ever a great nation it is loved by its friends it is dreaded by its enemies

4 It is ever a peaceable and united nation the blessings of religion and a wholesome and paternal government are so fully felt and prized that all find it their interest to preserve and defend them Harmony peace piety and strength are the stability of such times May Britain know and value them

GILL These waited on the king Not this vast number of men at one time but in course as Davids military men waited on him 1Ch_271 or each of these captains with a proper number of men under them detached from the body and they were all ready to obey the kings orders whenever he should have occasion for them

besides those whom the king put into the fenced cities throughout Judah and all together the militia of the kingdom was very numerous and formidable

KampD 2Ch_1719

These were serving the king א6ה refers not to the above-mentioned men capable of

bearing arms for sheereet is not used of service in war but to the commanders whom he had placed in the fortified cities of all Judah ldquoin which probably bodies of the above-mentioned troops lay as garrisonsrdquo (Berth)

BESO 2 Chronicles 1719 These waited on the king mdash These above-mentioned were the trained bands or auxiliaries whose chief officers waited on the king to receive his commands and to raise and bring in all or part of their forces to the service of the king as need required A vast number for so small a compass of ground to furnish out and maintain But we may consider that God had promised to make the seed of Abraham like the sand of the sea for number that there had now been a long peace that many were come to them from the kingdom of Israel and that Jehoshaphat was under a special blessing of God They were doubtless dispersed all the country over every one residing on his own land only they were ready at call whenever there was occasion

TRAPP 2 Chronicles 1719 These waited on the king beside [those] whom the king put in the fenced cities throughout all Judah

Ver 19 These waited on the king] ie In their turns and by course

POOLE These above mentioned were the trained bands or auxiliaries whose chief officers waited upon the king to receive his commands and to raise and bring in all or part of their forces to the service of the king and kingdom as need required

ELLICOTT (19) These waited on the kingmdashRather these are they that ministered unto the king viz the five generals above named

Beside those whom the king put in the fenced citiesmdashie the commandants of the fortresses of the kingdom (2 Chronicles 1111 2 Chronicles 1123) These latter as well as the generals of the forces are called the kingrsquos ldquoministersrdquo (mĕshacircrĕthicircm)mdasha word which is not used of service in the field but implies their presence at court (ldquoin Jerusalemrdquo 2 Chronicles 1713 as the royal staff)

According to the above list the army of Jehoshaphat was organised in five grand divisions corresponding perhaps to five territorial divisions of the southern kingdom The totals are the largest assigned to the two tribes anywhere in the Old Testament viz Judah 780000 and Benjamin 380000 in all 1160000 At Davidrsquos census Judah had 500000 warriors (2 Samuel 249) and Israel 800000 Again in 2

Chronicles 148 Asarsquos army consists of 300000 men of Judah and 280000 Benjaminites clearly such an increase as our text indicates is unaccountable At the same time it is equally clear that the present numbers are not fortuitous results of clerical errors for they follow each other in the order of relative strength Judah 300000 280000 200000 Benjamin 200000 180000 and they are evidently not independent of the estimates of 2 Chronicles 148 above quoted

In the absence of adequate data for modifying these certainly startling figures it is well to bear in mind that we need not understand by them an army which ever actually mustered in the field or on parade but simply an estimate of the total male population liable to be called out for the national defence although even upon that understanding the total appears to be at least three times too great considering the small extent of the country

PULPIT These waited Hebrew המשרתים plur piel part of שרת The verse states that this enormous fivefold army with its five princes (counting in our corrupt text one million one hundred and sixty thousand) was the kings Jerusalem standing army while other separate regiments or bands of troops were spread through all Judah where they might be most needed for defence

lsquoArbim (2 Chronicles 2116) They are in each case grouped with the Philistines The nomad Bedacircwin conquered by Asa (2 Chronicles 1415) appear to be meant here or else some tribes which recognised the overlordship of Jehoshaphat after his reduction of Edom (2 Chronicles 2022 sqq)

Brought him flocksmdashComp Mesha of Moabrsquos tribute to Ahab (2 Kings 34)

GUZIK 2 (2 Chronicles 1711-19) The international strength of Jehoshaphatrsquos kingdom

Also some of the Philistines brought Jehoshaphat presents and silver as tribute and the Arabians brought him flocks seven thousand seven hundred rams and seven thousand seven hundred male goats So Jehoshaphat became increasingly powerful and he built fortresses and storage cities in Judah He had much property in the cities of Judah and the men of war mighty men of valor were in Jerusalem These are their numbers according to their fathersrsquo houses Of Judah the captains of thousands Adnah the captain and with him three hundred thousand mighty men of valor and next to him was Jehohanan the captain and with him two hundred and eighty thousand and next to him was Amasiah the son of Zichri who willingly offered himself to the LORD and with him two hundred thousand mighty men of valor Of Benjamin Eliada a mighty man of valor and with him two hundred thousand men armed with bow and shield and next to him was Jehozabad and with him one hundred and eighty thousand prepared for war These served the king besides those the king put in the fortified cities throughout all Judah

a Some of the Philistines brought Jehoshaphat presents and silver as tribute and the Arabians brought him flocks Jehoshaphatrsquos commitment to personal and public godliness meant that God exalted his kingdom above the neighboring nations even as God promised in Deuteronomy 281-13

b These served the king The true treasure of Jehoshaphatrsquos kingdom was not numbered only in security or material things but also in the dedicated and courageous men he had surrounding him these mighty men of valor

i Amasiah the son of Zichri who willingly offered himself to the LORD ldquoAmasiah is a man of whom we do not know anything beyond this ndash he lsquowillingly offered himself unto the Lordrsquo There must have been a turning-point in his career a time when first he knew the grace of God which wrought such a change in him There must have been a waking up to the feeling that God deserved his love and his liferdquo (Spurgeon)

ii Amasiah was a ready servant of the Lord this particularly notable because he did it in an otherwise secular calling

middot o one had to press him into service

middot o one had to seek him out for service

middot o one had to look after him once he had begun serving

middot o one had to lead him

iii ldquoThere is no lawful occupation in which a man cannot thoroughly serve the Lord It is a great privilege and blessing to be set apart to the work of winning souls but we must never separate that work from all the rest of the callings of life as though it alone were sacred and all the rest were secular and almost sinful Serve God where you arerdquo (Spurgeon)

PULPIT The presents were probably enough in the nature of tribute the fixed rate of which is sometimes alluded to (1 Kings 421 1 Kings 1025 2 Samuel 82) but it is doubtful whether the word משא purports to say this The word means bearing or carrying and then a burden load or weight The expression (2 Chronicles 2025) more than they could carry away where this word is used favours the idea that the meaning here is silver of great weight Probably the moral significance and historical interest whether of this statement respecting the Philistines or the following respecting the Arabians lies in the fact that both of them brought without more ado their payments and did not seek to slip out of their engagements with Judah and Judahs king ote for confirmation of this view 2 Kings 34 2 Kings 35

12 Jehoshaphat became more and more powerful he built forts and store cities in Judah

GILL And Jehoshaphat waxed great exceedingly In wealth and riches power and authority in his forces and fortifications

and he built in Judah castles and cities of stores castles for the defence of his kingdom and store cities to lay up corn and wine and all provisions in case of an invasion or against a time of war

HERY II He had a very considerable stores laid up in the cities of Judah He pulled down his barns and built larger (2Ch_1712) castles and cities of store for arms and victuals He was a man of business and aimed at the public good in all his

undertakings either to preserve the peace or prepare for war

JAMISO 2Ch_1712-19 His greatness captains and armies

KampD Description of Jehoshaphats power - 2Ch_1712 And Jehoshaphat became

ever greater sc in power The partic הולך expresses the continuous advance in

greatness cf Ew sect280 b as the infin absol does elsewhere eg Gen_83 למעלה as עד

in 2Ch_1612 - He built castles in Judah ירנ-ות only here and in 2Ch_274 from ירנית

derivative formed from ירה by the Syriac termination נית- fem of ן- castle fortress On

מסנות cf 2Ch_84 ערי

TRAPP 2 Chronicles 1712 And Jehoshaphat waxed great exceedingly and he built in Judah castles and cities of store

Ver 12 And Jehoshaphat waxed great exceedingly] Heb He was going and growing By humility and the fear of the Lord are riches and honour and life [Proverbs 224]

And he built in Judah castles] Bironeoth πυργους turres So did the Burgundians and thence had their names

And cities of store] Granaries in the Hebrew they have their name from their utility or usefulness

ELLICOTT (12) And Jehoshaphat waxed greatmdashLiterally And Jehoshaphat was going on and waxing great ie became greater and greater (Comp 1 Chronicles 119)

ExceedinglymdashlsquoAd lĕmagraversquolah This phrase occurs again in 2 Chronicles 1612 2 Chronicles 268 and nowhere else in the Old Testament (See on 1 Chronicles 142)

And he builtmdashLike his predecessorsmdashSolomon Rehoboam Asamdashhe displayed his wealth and power in great public works The records of the Assyrian and Babylonian sovereigns are largely taken up with similar accounts of temple and palace building

CastlesmdashBiranicircyocircth a derivative from birah (1 Chronicles 291 1 Chronicles 2919 comp Syriac here birocircthocirc) It only recurs at 2 Chronicles 274 It is an Aramaic term (Comp bicircranyacircthacirc which in the Targums means ldquopalacesrdquo)

Cities of storesmdashComp 2 Chronicles 84 2 Chronicles 164 Exodus 111

PULPIT Castles This rendering better than palaces (margin) wound bear improving to the rather stronger word fortresses Hebrew בירניות found only here and in 2 Chronicles 274 plur of בירנית connected with the Chaldee and later Hebrew בירה of Ezra 62 ehemiah 11 Esther 12 Daniel 82 Cities of store (see note under 2 Chronicles 84 see also 1 Kings 919 Exodus 111)

13 and had large supplies in the towns of Judah He also kept experienced fighting men in Jerusalem

CLARKE He hadmuch business in the cities - He kept the people constantly employed they had wages for their work and by their labors the empire was both enriched and strengthened

GILL And he had much business in the cities of Judah Partly in fortifying them and partly in reforming the inhabitants of them

and the men of war mighty men of valour were in Jerusalem or by or near unto it so the particle is rendered Jos_513 they encamped in places adjacent to it for such a number of men as follows even 1160000 could never be contained in Jerusalem but must be disposed of in the territories of it nor did they wait on the king together but in course see 2Ch_1719 by which it appears there is no need to suppose any mistake of the transcriber in any or all of the following sums as has been suggested (q)

HERY 13-19 III He had the militia in good order It was never in better since David modelled it Five lord-lieutenants (if I may so call them) are here named with the numbers of those under their command (the serviceable men that were fit for war in their respective districts) three in Judah and two in Benjamin It is said of one of these great commanders Amasiah that he willingly offered himself unto the Lord (2Ch_1716) not only to the king to serve him in this post but to the Lord to glorify him in it He was the most eminent among them for religion he accepted the place not for the

honour or power or profit of it but for conscience sake towards God that he might serve his country It was usual for great generals then to offer of their spoils to the Lord 1Ch_2626 But this good man offered himself first to the Lord and then his dedicated things The number of the soldiers under these five generals amounts to 1160000 men a vast number for so small a compass of ground as Judahs and Benjamins lot to furnish out and maintain Abijah could bring into the field but 400000 (2Ch_133) Asa not 600000 (2Ch_148) yet Jehoshaphat has at command almost 1200000 But it must be considered 1 That God had promised to make the seed of Abraham like the sand of the sea for number 2 There had now been a long peace 3 We may suppose that the city of Jerusalem was very much enlarged 4 Many had come over to them from the kingdom of Israel (2Ch_1519) which would increase the numbers of the people 5 Jehoshaphat was under a special blessing of God which made his affairs to prosper greatly The armies we may suppose were dispersed all the country over and each man resided for the most part on his own estate but they appeared often to be mustered and trained and were ready at call whenever there was occasion The commanders waited on the king (2Ch_1719) as officers of his court privy-counsellors and ministers of state

But lastly observe It was not this formidable army that struck a terror upon the neighbouring nations that restrained them from attempting any thing against Israel or obliged them to pay tribute but the fear of God which fell upon them when Jehoshaphat reformed his country and set up a preaching ministry in it 2Ch_1710 The ordinances of God are more the strength and safety of a kingdom than its military force - its men of God more than its men of war

KampD 2Ch_1713

וגווגווגווגו רהרהרהרה is rightly translated by Luther ldquound hatte viel Vorrathsrdquo (and ומלעכהומלעכהומלעכהומלעכה

had much store) מלעכהמלעכהמלעכהמלעכה denotes here as in Exo_227-10 property that which has been gained by work or business The signification much work opera magna (Vulg Cler etc) as also Bertheaus translation ldquothe works for equipping and provisioning the fortressesrdquo correspond neither to the context nor to the parallel (synonymous) second member of the verse The work and trouble necessary to equip the cities of Judah does not correspond to ldquothe valiant warriors in Jerusalemrdquo the only parallel is the goods and property which were in these cities the provision of victuals and war material there stored up

BESO 2 Chronicles 1713 He had much business in the cities of Judah mdash To repair and fortify them and furnish them with provisions and to purge out all the relics of idolatry and injustice which were more secretly and craftily managed in the cities than in the country and which were first and most prevalent in the cities and thence spread their infection into the country around them

TRAPP 2 Chronicles 1713 And he had much business in the cities of Judah and the men of war mighty men of valour [were] in Jerusalem

Ver 13 And he had much business] Eργα πολλα (a) Many works going forward at

once a negotious man he was His business say some lay in beautifying and fortifying those cities Augustus gloried at his death that whereas he had found Rome built with brick he had left it made of marble

And the men of war hellip were in Jerusalem] These were his Praetorian forces his Praesidiaries were up and down in the various cities

POOLE He had much business in the cities of Judah partly to repair and fortify them and furnish them with all necessary provisions and partly to purge out all the relies and seeds of idolatry and injustice which were more secretly and subtlely managed in the cities than in the country and which were first and most in the cities and thence spread their infection into the country about them See Jeremiah 228

ELLICOTT (13) BusinessmdashRather much goods or stores literally work (mĕlacirckacirch) and then produce The Hebrew word is so used in Exodus 227 Exodus 2210 (ldquoHis neighbourrsquos goodsrdquo) Stores of provisions and war material seem to be intended (Comp 2 Chronicles 1111)

And the man of war were in JerusalemmdashRather and (he had) men of war in Jerusalem

In Jerusalemmdashot the entire army corps whose numbers are given in 2 Chronicles 1714-18 but simply their chiefs

PULPIT Much business Hebrew מלאכה The meaning of the word is service labour bestowed and the verse reads And there was to him much labour in the cities of Judah and men of war mighty men of valour in Jerusalem ie He bestoweth much pains on the cities of Judah and had etc The word were Authorized Version italics is incorrectly inserted The former half of this verse would better constitute the end of 2 Chronicles 1712 Keil however maintains the rendering substance property for מלאכה (Exodus 227 Exodus 2210)

14 Their enrollment by families was as followsFrom Judah commanders of units of 1000Adnah the commander with 300000 fighting men

BARES The captains of thousands Adnah the chief - literally ldquoprinces of thousands Adnah the princerdquo The writer does not mean that Adnah (or Johohanan 2Ch_1715) was in any way superior to the other ldquoprincesrdquo but only that he was one of them

Three hundred thousand - This number and those which follow in 2Ch_1715-18 have been with good reason regarded as corrupt by most critics For

(1) They imply a minimum population of 1480 to the square mile which is more than three times greater than that of any country in the known world (circa 1880rsquos)

(2) they produce a total just double that of the next largest estimate of the military force of Judah the 580 000 of 2Ch_148

(3) they are professedly a statement not of the whole military force but of the force maintained at Jerusalem (2Ch_1713 compare 2Ch_1719)

It is probable that the original numbers have been lost and that the loss was suppplied by a scribe who took 2Ch_148 as his basis

CLARKE Adnah the chief - He was generalissimo of all this host These are the numbers of the five battalions under Adnah three hundred thousand Jehohanan two hundred and eighty thousand Amasiah two hundred thousand Eliada two hundred thousand Jehozabad one hundred and eighty thousand in all one million one hundred and sixty thousand

GILL And these are the numbers of them according to the house of their fathers Both of the tribe of Judah and of Benjamin and first

of Judah the captains of thousands some had 1000 men under them and some one hundred

Adnah the chief he was the principal commander or general of them

and with him mighty men of valour three hundred thousand such a number was under his command

JAMISO these are the numbersmdash The warriors were arranged in the army according to their fathers houses The army of Jehoshaphat commanded by five great generals and consisting of five unequal divisions comprised one million one hundred and sixty thousand men without including those who garrisoned the fortresses No monarch since the time of Solomon equaled Jehoshaphat in the extent of his revenue in the strength of his fortifications and in the number of his troops

KampD 2Ch_1714-16

The men fit for war passed in review according to their fathers-houses The male population of Judah fell into three divisions that of Benjamin into two The prince

Adnah held the first place among the generals with 300000 men of Judah ידו at his על

hand ie with and under him Jehohanan had the command of 280000 men and

Amasiah over 200000 השר is a contraction for אלפים For what special reason it is so שר

honourably recorded of Amasiah that he had willingly offered himself to the Lord (cf for

Jdg_59) has not been communicated התנב

COFFMA his represented a standing army of 1160000 men besides the garrisons in the fortified cities and this goes a long way to explaining why the Arabians and the Philistines brought tribute to Jehoshaphat In ancient times as in our own day peace frequently depended upon the strength of those who desired it

We should ignore the screams of exaggeration[3] which mark the writings of radical critics Pagan rulers of that era reported even larger armies than this and until the critics can prove that those were exaggerated reports they should let these alone Besides that we have already noted that the very word from which thousand is translated is disputed as to its exact meaning

COKE 2 Chronicles 1714 And these are the numbers of themmdash That is of the soldiers as well as of those who were employed in the kings works in the several cities ampc which he built See 2 Chronicles 1719

REFLECTIOSmdash1st Jehoshaphat no sooner comes to the throne than we see the dawnings of a glorious reign

1 He strengthened his kingdom by placing strong garrisons in the cities of Judah and those which his father had recovered from Israel and prepared against that danger which Ahabs growing power seemed to threaten

2 Religion was his great concern He copied after the best of his predecessors in their best days such as were the first of David before the matter of Uriah and the numbering of the people had blotted his fair copy Faithful to the worship of God he abhorred all idols the law of God was his rule of duty and Israels apostacy rendered his fidelity more singular and exemplary Inspired with holy zeal his heart with delight and sincerity was engaged for God and no difficulties deterred him from the path of duty The idols and groves which in the declining days of Asa might have been set up again he utterly destroyed with all the high places where they still offered sacrifices to these abominations ote (1) In the fairest human pattern there will be found imperfections but there is a Son of David more than man who has set us a spotless example that we should follow his steps (2) Fidelity in Gods service is the stability of a nation (3) A lively soul on wings of faith and love mounts up to God rises superior to every difficulty and looks down upon every thing besides his favour as altogether vanity

3 He not only removed the temptations to sin but took care to instruct the people in

the path of duty Ignorance of Gods law had greatly prevailed and to oblige them merely to conform to his reformation without grounding them on the true foundation of Gods word promised little stability The Levites and priests therefore are sent in progress through the cities of Judah with the book of the law to explain and enforce the commandments of God and several princes accompanied them in order to engage the people to hear them and give countenance to these preachers by their weight and influence ote (1) It is a blessed thing when princes countenance faithful ministers Though they cannot make men true converts their example and authority will induce them to attend (2) They who are sent to teach must see that they take the pure word of God along with them A true preacher wishes for nothing in his hand but his Bible (3) Religion is a reasonable service Conviction alone not compulsion or education can make a man a christian

4 The blessing of God attended his labours The Lord was with him or as the Targum generally expresses it the word of the Lord the divine Logos to whom all things are committed strengthened him in his labours and established his kingdom The people charmed with his government liberally sent their presents to him and abounding in riches and honour his heart far from being intoxicated by prosperity was lifted up in greater love and thankfulness to the gracious giver ote (1) God often here rewards piety with prosperity (2) Worldly comforts are then truly blessings when as the steps of Jacobs ladder they raise our hearts to heaven

2nd Like the light of the morning which shineth more and more so did Jehoshaphats glory increase

1 Feared by his enemies as beloved by his subjects the neighbouring princes did not offer to molest him while those of Philistia and Arabia courted his favour either by a voluntary present or exact payment of the tribute which Asa had imposed on them see 2 Chronicles 1711 God had put an awe upon them of the majesty of his king in Zion ote God hath access to the spirits of men and by secret yet irresistible influence can bow them to his sovereign will

2 His military preparations greatly advanced While he reformed the people he fortified their ramparts and built new castles and store-cities strengthening them within and without against their enemies Under five chief officers an immense army was enlisted Probably all the able men in the country were enrolled and regularly mustered though not drawn out except in case of necessity and this may easily account for the greatness of their number if we consider also the long peace they had enjoyed the accession of Israelites to them and especially the blessing of Abraham which no doubt was eminently fulfilled Amasiah one of the officers is mentioned with an honourable mark of distinction as a volunteer who served for the glory of God not for the sake of pay Such patriots are scarce

TRAPP 2 Chronicles 1714 And these [are] the numbers of them according to the house of their fathers Of Judah the captains of thousands Adnah the chief and

with him mighty men of valour three hundred thousand

Ver 14 Three hundred thousand] These were under his command and at hand to come whensoever the king would

WHEDO 14 Three hundred thousand mdash The numbers in this verse and the four verses following are generally regarded as corrupt ldquoThey implyrdquo observes the writer last quoted ldquoa minimum population of 1480 to the square mile which is more than three times greater than that of any country in the known world It is probable that the original numbers have been lost and the loss supplied by a scribe who took 2 Chronicles 148 as his basis

ELLICOTT Verse 14 (14) And these their fathersmdashAnd this is their muster (or census) according to their father-houses (clans) 1 Chronicles 243 The warriors were marshalled in the army according to clans so that men of the same stock fought side by side with their kindred Perhaps in the original document this heading was followed by a much more detailed scheme of names and divisions than that which the text presents

Of JudahmdashTo Judah (belonged) captains of thousands viz the three enumerated in 2 Chronicles 1714-16 Adnah Jehohanan and Amasiah They were the principal officers or generals of the entire forces of Judah

Adnah the chiefmdashTo wit the captain Adnah That Adnah was commander-in-chief is implied by his being named first and his corps being the largest

PULPIT This verse with the following four gives us the names of five captains chiefs princes or military officers for the kingdoms service with the numbers of the troops they severally commanded The numbers of them (see note under 1 Chronicles 2311) Hebrew פקדתם The better English rendering to carry at once the signification would be The muster of them etc The captains hellip the chief In both cases the Hebrew is the familiar word for prince ( שר ) in the former without article in the latter with article The numbers of this and following four verses are not only absolutely unreliable but in themselves impossible According to the house of their fathers ie the quotation is drawn from an army catalogue arranged carefully by fathers houses (umbers 118 umbers 122 etc)

15 next Jehohanan the commander with 280000

GILL And next to him was Jehohanan the captain Being of the same rank as to office but having a lesser number of men under him and it may respect not any kind of subordination only nearness of place as the Targumhe that encamped next to him

and with him two hundred and fourscore thousand which number was but 20000 less than the former

POOLE ext to him either

1 After his death as his successor in the same command And the like is supposed concerning Jehozabad 2 Chronicles 1718 Or rather

2 ext to him in place and authority or at least in power and the numbers of his host

16 next Amasiah son of Zikri who volunteered himself for the service of the Lord with 200000

GILL And next him was Amasiah the son of Zichri He encamped next to him as the Targum

who willingly offered himself unto the Lord to fight the Lords battles and without any stipend as some think or as Kimchi he offered gold and silver to the treasures of the house of the Lord

and with him two hundred thousand mighty men of valour the number was 80000 less than the former the whole of Judah amounted to 780000 men

TRAPP 2 Chronicles 1716 And next him [was] Amasiah the son of Zichri who willingly offered himself unto the LORD and with him two hundred thousand mighty men of valour

Ver 16 Who willingly offered himself unto the Lord] He was a votary the vows of God were upon him and this made him the more valiant and resolute (a) in the exercise of arms for the service of God and the safety of his people The Spahis among the Turks are a sort of horsemen voluntaries and votaries to gain paradise by dying for the Mohammedan cause These are never known to return home but

with victory these are heavy upon the enemy For

ldquo Vincitur haud gratis iugulo qui provocat ensem rdquo

POOLE As volunteers and auxiliaries to be ready upon occasion as the service of God and the king should require Possibly these or most of them were the strangers which had come out of Israel into the kingdom of Judah in Asarsquos days and probably since that in his time

ELLICOTT (16) AmasiahmdashIah carrieth (Isaiah 4011) different from Amaziah (Iah is strong)

Who willingly offered himself unto the Lordmdash(Judges 52 Judges 59) An allusion to some noble act of self-devotion which was doubtless more fully recorded in the source from which the chronicler has drawn this brief account Such allusions though no longer intelligible are important as conducing to the proof of the historical value of the narratives in which they occur LXX ὁ προθυmicroούmicroενος τῷ κυρίῳ Vulg consecratus Domino

PULPIT Amaziah the son of Zichri This man is not titled at all The description of him as one who had willingly offered himself unto the Lord not elucidated by the context or any effective parallel will mark something honorable in his history Possibly he comes from an unexpected quarter and is a man of approved skill othing further is known of these three men Meantime it has been suggested (Professor Dr J Murphy of Belfast Handbook to Chronicles ) that the first of the three was for Judah proper the second for that contingent of Judah that hailed from Dan and the Philistines and the third for that of Simeon and the Arabs

MACLARE This is a scrap from the catalogue of Jehoshaphatrsquos lsquomighty men of valourrsquo and is Amasiahrsquos sole record We see him for a moment and hear his eulogium and then oblivion swallows him up We do not know what it was that he did to earn it But what a fate to live to all generations by that one sentence

I Cheerful self-surrender the secret of all religion

The words of our text contain a metaphor naturally drawn from the sacrificial system It comes so easily to us that we scarcely recognise the metaphorical element but the clear recognition of it gives great additional energy to the words Amasiah was both sacrificer and sacrifice His offering was self-immolation As in all love so in that noblest kind of it which clasps God its perfect expression is lsquoI give Thee my living loving selfrsquo Nor is it only sacrifice and sacrificer that are seen in deepest truth in the experience of the Christian life but the reality of the Temple is also there for lsquoYe also are built up a spiritual house to be a holy priesthood to offer up spiritual sacrificesrsquo Only when God dwells in us shall we have the nerve and the firmness of hand to take the knife and lsquoslay before the Lordrsquo the awful Guest in the sanctuary within the most precious of the children of our spirits

The essence of the sacrifice of self is the sacrifice of will In the Christian experience

lsquowillingly offeredrsquo is almost tautology for unwilling offerings are a contradiction and in fact there are no such things The quality of unwillingness destroys the character of the offering and robs it of all sacredness Reluctant Christianity is not Christianity That noun and that adjective can never be buckled together

The submission of will and the consequent surrender of myself and my powers opportunities and possessions so that I do all enjoy all use all and when need is endure all with glad thankful reference to God is only possible to me in the measure in which my will is made flexible by love and such will-subduing love comes only when we lsquoknow and believe the love that God hath to usrsquo There is the point at which not a few moral and religious teachers go wrong and bewilder themselves and their disciples There too is the point at which Christ and the Gospel of salvation through faith in Him stand forth as emancipating humanity from the dreary round of efforts and vain attempts to work up the condition needful for achieving the height of self-surrender which is seen to be indispensable to all true nobleness of living but is felt to be beyond the reach of the ordinary man There too is the point at which many good people mar their lives as Christians They waste their strength in trying to bring the jibbing horse up to the leap They try to blow up a fire of devotion and to make themselves priests to offer themselves but all the while the mutinous self recoils from the leap and the fire burns smokily and their sacrifice is laid on the altar with little joy because they have not been careful and wise enough to begin at the beginning and to follow Godrsquos way of melting their wills by love the reflection of the Infinite love of God to them Godrsquos priests offer themselves because they offer their wills they offer their wills because they love God they love God because they know that God loves them That is the divine order It is vain to try to accomplish the end by any other

II This willing offering hallows all life

No syllable is left to tell us what Amasiah did to win this praise Probably the words enshrine some now forgotten memory of his cheerful courage some heroic feat on an unrecorded battlefield Particulars are not given nor needed Specific actions are unimportant the spirit of a life can be told with very incomplete details and it not the details is the important thing Sometimes as in many modern biographies one lsquocannot see the wood for the treesrsquo and misses the main drift and aim of a life in the chaos of a bewildering mass of nothings How much more happy the lot of this man of whom we have only the generalised expression of the text unweighted and undisturbed by petty incidents It takes tons of rose leaves to make a tiny phial of otto of roses but the fragrance is far more pungent in a drop of the distillation than in armfuls of leaves Every life shrinks into very small compass and the centuries do not tolerate long biographies Shall we not seek to order our life so that Amasiahrsquos epitaph may serve for us It will be blessed if this-and nothing else-is known about us that we lsquowillingly offered ourselves to the Lordrsquo My friend will that be a true epitome of your life

III This willing offering is accepted by God

We may hear a mightier voice behind the chroniclerrsquo s and the judgment of the Judge of all pronounced by His lips It matters little what men say of one another but it matters everything what God says of us We are but too apt to forget that He is now saying something as to each of us and that we have not to wait for death to put a final period to our activities before our lives become fit subjects for Godrsquos judgment Moment by moment we are writing our own sentences But while it is good for us to remember the continuous judgment of God on each deed it is not good to let dark thoughts of the principles of that judgment paralyse our activity or chill our confidence in His forgiving and accepting mercy There is often a dark suspicion like that of the one-talented

servant which blackens Godrsquos fair fame as being lsquoan austere Manrsquo making demands rather than imparting power and the effect of such an ugly conception of Him is to cut the nerve of service and bury the talent carefully folded up it may be but none the less earning nothing lsquoIf we call on Him as Father who without respect of persons judgeth according to every manrsquos workrsquo let us be sure that it will be a Fatherly judgment that He will pass upon us and our offerings There is a wonderful collection on His altar of what many people would think rubbish just as many a mother has laid away among her treasures some worthless article which her child had once given her-a weed plucked by the roadside in a long past summer day some trifle of rare preciousness in the childrsquos eyes and of none in any others than her own She opens her drawer and brings out the poor little thing and her eyes fill and her heart fills as she looks And does not God keep His childrenrsquos gifts as lovingly and set them in places of honour in the day when He lsquomakes up His jewelsrsquo There are cups of cold water and widowsrsquo mites and much else that a supercilious world would call lsquotrashrsquo stored there Thank God He accepts imperfect service faltering faith partial consecration a little love Even our poor offering may be an lsquoodour of a sweet smellrsquo ministering fragrance that is a delight to Him if it is offered with the much incense of the great Sacrifice and through the mediation of the great High Priest

The world forgot Amasiah or never knew him an obscure soldier in an obscure kingdom but God did not forget and here is his epitaph and this is his memorial to all generations Menrsquos chronicles have no room for all the names that their wearers are eager to have inscribed on their crumbling and crowded pages lsquobut the Lambrsquos Book of Lifersquo has ample space on its radiant pages for all who desire to set their names there and if ours are there we need not envy the proudest whose titles and deeds fill the most conspicuous pages in the worldrsquos records lsquoThen shall every man have praise of Christrsquo and he who wins that guerdon needs nothing more and can have nothing more to swell his blessedness

17 From BenjaminEliada a valiant soldier with 200000 men armed with bows and shields

GILL And of Benjamin Eliada a mighty man of valour Was the chief commander

and with armed men with bow and shield two hundred thousand which were

the armour of the tribe of Benjamin they were best skilled in 2Ch_148

TRAPP 2 Chronicles 1717 And of Benjamin Eliada a mighty man of valour and with him armed men with bow and shield two hundred thousand

Ver 17 With bow and shield] The Benjamites were notable bowmen [1 Chronicles 122] The Engish were anciently so too

ELLICOTT (17) Armed men with bow and shieldmdashLiterally drawing bow and shield ie as the Targum explains ldquodrawing bow and grasping shieldsrdquo (Comp 1 Chronicles 122) LXX ldquoArchers and peltastsrdquo Vulg ldquoGrasping bow and shieldrdquo (Comp also 1 Chronicles 840 for the arms of the Benjaminites)

18 next Jehozabad with 180000 men armed for battle

GILL And next to him was Jehozabad According to the Targum he encamped next him

and with him one hundred and fourscore thousand ready prepared for war being able bodied men well disciplined valiant and well armed these numbers of Judah and Benjamin put together amount to 1160000 men whereas Asa only brought into the field 580000 but it should be considered there had been a long time of peace many had come off from the ten tribes to Judah and the promise of multiplying the seed of Abraham was eminently fulfilled

TRAPP 2 Chronicles 1718 And next him [was] Jehozabad and with him an hundred and fourscore thousand ready prepared for the war

Ver 18 A hundred and fourscore thousand] His militia was eleven hundred and threescore thousand besides what he had in garrisons [2 Chronicles 1719] So that as he was better he was stronger than his father Asa had been Piety hath prosperity

ELLICOTT (18) Ready prepared for the warmdashEquipped for service (See on 1

Chronicles 1223-24 umbers 315 umbers 3229) The hoplites or heavy-armed infantry are probably meant

PULPIT While Eliada of last verse was for Benjamin Professor Dr Murphy supposes that Jehozabad was for the annexed part of Ephraim But no suppositions of this kind can avail to explain the numbers in the text which is no doubt corrupt

19 These were the men who served the king besides those he stationed in the fortified cities throughout Judah

CLARKE These waited on the king - They were disposable forces always at the kingrsquos command and were independent of those by which the cities of Judah were garrisoned

There is not a sovereign in Europe or in the world but might read this chapter with advantage

1 It shows most forcibly that true religion is the basis of the state and that wherever it prospers there the state prospers

2 It shows also that it is the wisdom of kings to encourage religion with all their power and influence for if the hearts of the subjects be not bound and influenced by true religion vain is the application of laws fines imprisonments or corporal punishment of any kind

3 A religious nation is ever a great nation it is loved by its friends it is dreaded by its enemies

4 It is ever a peaceable and united nation the blessings of religion and a wholesome and paternal government are so fully felt and prized that all find it their interest to preserve and defend them Harmony peace piety and strength are the stability of such times May Britain know and value them

GILL These waited on the king Not this vast number of men at one time but in course as Davids military men waited on him 1Ch_271 or each of these captains with a proper number of men under them detached from the body and they were all ready to obey the kings orders whenever he should have occasion for them

besides those whom the king put into the fenced cities throughout Judah and all together the militia of the kingdom was very numerous and formidable

KampD 2Ch_1719

These were serving the king א6ה refers not to the above-mentioned men capable of

bearing arms for sheereet is not used of service in war but to the commanders whom he had placed in the fortified cities of all Judah ldquoin which probably bodies of the above-mentioned troops lay as garrisonsrdquo (Berth)

BESO 2 Chronicles 1719 These waited on the king mdash These above-mentioned were the trained bands or auxiliaries whose chief officers waited on the king to receive his commands and to raise and bring in all or part of their forces to the service of the king as need required A vast number for so small a compass of ground to furnish out and maintain But we may consider that God had promised to make the seed of Abraham like the sand of the sea for number that there had now been a long peace that many were come to them from the kingdom of Israel and that Jehoshaphat was under a special blessing of God They were doubtless dispersed all the country over every one residing on his own land only they were ready at call whenever there was occasion

TRAPP 2 Chronicles 1719 These waited on the king beside [those] whom the king put in the fenced cities throughout all Judah

Ver 19 These waited on the king] ie In their turns and by course

POOLE These above mentioned were the trained bands or auxiliaries whose chief officers waited upon the king to receive his commands and to raise and bring in all or part of their forces to the service of the king and kingdom as need required

ELLICOTT (19) These waited on the kingmdashRather these are they that ministered unto the king viz the five generals above named

Beside those whom the king put in the fenced citiesmdashie the commandants of the fortresses of the kingdom (2 Chronicles 1111 2 Chronicles 1123) These latter as well as the generals of the forces are called the kingrsquos ldquoministersrdquo (mĕshacircrĕthicircm)mdasha word which is not used of service in the field but implies their presence at court (ldquoin Jerusalemrdquo 2 Chronicles 1713 as the royal staff)

According to the above list the army of Jehoshaphat was organised in five grand divisions corresponding perhaps to five territorial divisions of the southern kingdom The totals are the largest assigned to the two tribes anywhere in the Old Testament viz Judah 780000 and Benjamin 380000 in all 1160000 At Davidrsquos census Judah had 500000 warriors (2 Samuel 249) and Israel 800000 Again in 2

Chronicles 148 Asarsquos army consists of 300000 men of Judah and 280000 Benjaminites clearly such an increase as our text indicates is unaccountable At the same time it is equally clear that the present numbers are not fortuitous results of clerical errors for they follow each other in the order of relative strength Judah 300000 280000 200000 Benjamin 200000 180000 and they are evidently not independent of the estimates of 2 Chronicles 148 above quoted

In the absence of adequate data for modifying these certainly startling figures it is well to bear in mind that we need not understand by them an army which ever actually mustered in the field or on parade but simply an estimate of the total male population liable to be called out for the national defence although even upon that understanding the total appears to be at least three times too great considering the small extent of the country

PULPIT These waited Hebrew המשרתים plur piel part of שרת The verse states that this enormous fivefold army with its five princes (counting in our corrupt text one million one hundred and sixty thousand) was the kings Jerusalem standing army while other separate regiments or bands of troops were spread through all Judah where they might be most needed for defence

middot o one had to seek him out for service

middot o one had to look after him once he had begun serving

middot o one had to lead him

iii ldquoThere is no lawful occupation in which a man cannot thoroughly serve the Lord It is a great privilege and blessing to be set apart to the work of winning souls but we must never separate that work from all the rest of the callings of life as though it alone were sacred and all the rest were secular and almost sinful Serve God where you arerdquo (Spurgeon)

PULPIT The presents were probably enough in the nature of tribute the fixed rate of which is sometimes alluded to (1 Kings 421 1 Kings 1025 2 Samuel 82) but it is doubtful whether the word משא purports to say this The word means bearing or carrying and then a burden load or weight The expression (2 Chronicles 2025) more than they could carry away where this word is used favours the idea that the meaning here is silver of great weight Probably the moral significance and historical interest whether of this statement respecting the Philistines or the following respecting the Arabians lies in the fact that both of them brought without more ado their payments and did not seek to slip out of their engagements with Judah and Judahs king ote for confirmation of this view 2 Kings 34 2 Kings 35

12 Jehoshaphat became more and more powerful he built forts and store cities in Judah

GILL And Jehoshaphat waxed great exceedingly In wealth and riches power and authority in his forces and fortifications

and he built in Judah castles and cities of stores castles for the defence of his kingdom and store cities to lay up corn and wine and all provisions in case of an invasion or against a time of war

HERY II He had a very considerable stores laid up in the cities of Judah He pulled down his barns and built larger (2Ch_1712) castles and cities of store for arms and victuals He was a man of business and aimed at the public good in all his

undertakings either to preserve the peace or prepare for war

JAMISO 2Ch_1712-19 His greatness captains and armies

KampD Description of Jehoshaphats power - 2Ch_1712 And Jehoshaphat became

ever greater sc in power The partic הולך expresses the continuous advance in

greatness cf Ew sect280 b as the infin absol does elsewhere eg Gen_83 למעלה as עד

in 2Ch_1612 - He built castles in Judah ירנ-ות only here and in 2Ch_274 from ירנית

derivative formed from ירה by the Syriac termination נית- fem of ן- castle fortress On

מסנות cf 2Ch_84 ערי

TRAPP 2 Chronicles 1712 And Jehoshaphat waxed great exceedingly and he built in Judah castles and cities of store

Ver 12 And Jehoshaphat waxed great exceedingly] Heb He was going and growing By humility and the fear of the Lord are riches and honour and life [Proverbs 224]

And he built in Judah castles] Bironeoth πυργους turres So did the Burgundians and thence had their names

And cities of store] Granaries in the Hebrew they have their name from their utility or usefulness

ELLICOTT (12) And Jehoshaphat waxed greatmdashLiterally And Jehoshaphat was going on and waxing great ie became greater and greater (Comp 1 Chronicles 119)

ExceedinglymdashlsquoAd lĕmagraversquolah This phrase occurs again in 2 Chronicles 1612 2 Chronicles 268 and nowhere else in the Old Testament (See on 1 Chronicles 142)

And he builtmdashLike his predecessorsmdashSolomon Rehoboam Asamdashhe displayed his wealth and power in great public works The records of the Assyrian and Babylonian sovereigns are largely taken up with similar accounts of temple and palace building

CastlesmdashBiranicircyocircth a derivative from birah (1 Chronicles 291 1 Chronicles 2919 comp Syriac here birocircthocirc) It only recurs at 2 Chronicles 274 It is an Aramaic term (Comp bicircranyacircthacirc which in the Targums means ldquopalacesrdquo)

Cities of storesmdashComp 2 Chronicles 84 2 Chronicles 164 Exodus 111

PULPIT Castles This rendering better than palaces (margin) wound bear improving to the rather stronger word fortresses Hebrew בירניות found only here and in 2 Chronicles 274 plur of בירנית connected with the Chaldee and later Hebrew בירה of Ezra 62 ehemiah 11 Esther 12 Daniel 82 Cities of store (see note under 2 Chronicles 84 see also 1 Kings 919 Exodus 111)

13 and had large supplies in the towns of Judah He also kept experienced fighting men in Jerusalem

CLARKE He hadmuch business in the cities - He kept the people constantly employed they had wages for their work and by their labors the empire was both enriched and strengthened

GILL And he had much business in the cities of Judah Partly in fortifying them and partly in reforming the inhabitants of them

and the men of war mighty men of valour were in Jerusalem or by or near unto it so the particle is rendered Jos_513 they encamped in places adjacent to it for such a number of men as follows even 1160000 could never be contained in Jerusalem but must be disposed of in the territories of it nor did they wait on the king together but in course see 2Ch_1719 by which it appears there is no need to suppose any mistake of the transcriber in any or all of the following sums as has been suggested (q)

HERY 13-19 III He had the militia in good order It was never in better since David modelled it Five lord-lieutenants (if I may so call them) are here named with the numbers of those under their command (the serviceable men that were fit for war in their respective districts) three in Judah and two in Benjamin It is said of one of these great commanders Amasiah that he willingly offered himself unto the Lord (2Ch_1716) not only to the king to serve him in this post but to the Lord to glorify him in it He was the most eminent among them for religion he accepted the place not for the

honour or power or profit of it but for conscience sake towards God that he might serve his country It was usual for great generals then to offer of their spoils to the Lord 1Ch_2626 But this good man offered himself first to the Lord and then his dedicated things The number of the soldiers under these five generals amounts to 1160000 men a vast number for so small a compass of ground as Judahs and Benjamins lot to furnish out and maintain Abijah could bring into the field but 400000 (2Ch_133) Asa not 600000 (2Ch_148) yet Jehoshaphat has at command almost 1200000 But it must be considered 1 That God had promised to make the seed of Abraham like the sand of the sea for number 2 There had now been a long peace 3 We may suppose that the city of Jerusalem was very much enlarged 4 Many had come over to them from the kingdom of Israel (2Ch_1519) which would increase the numbers of the people 5 Jehoshaphat was under a special blessing of God which made his affairs to prosper greatly The armies we may suppose were dispersed all the country over and each man resided for the most part on his own estate but they appeared often to be mustered and trained and were ready at call whenever there was occasion The commanders waited on the king (2Ch_1719) as officers of his court privy-counsellors and ministers of state

But lastly observe It was not this formidable army that struck a terror upon the neighbouring nations that restrained them from attempting any thing against Israel or obliged them to pay tribute but the fear of God which fell upon them when Jehoshaphat reformed his country and set up a preaching ministry in it 2Ch_1710 The ordinances of God are more the strength and safety of a kingdom than its military force - its men of God more than its men of war

KampD 2Ch_1713

וגווגווגווגו רהרהרהרה is rightly translated by Luther ldquound hatte viel Vorrathsrdquo (and ומלעכהומלעכהומלעכהומלעכה

had much store) מלעכהמלעכהמלעכהמלעכה denotes here as in Exo_227-10 property that which has been gained by work or business The signification much work opera magna (Vulg Cler etc) as also Bertheaus translation ldquothe works for equipping and provisioning the fortressesrdquo correspond neither to the context nor to the parallel (synonymous) second member of the verse The work and trouble necessary to equip the cities of Judah does not correspond to ldquothe valiant warriors in Jerusalemrdquo the only parallel is the goods and property which were in these cities the provision of victuals and war material there stored up

BESO 2 Chronicles 1713 He had much business in the cities of Judah mdash To repair and fortify them and furnish them with provisions and to purge out all the relics of idolatry and injustice which were more secretly and craftily managed in the cities than in the country and which were first and most prevalent in the cities and thence spread their infection into the country around them

TRAPP 2 Chronicles 1713 And he had much business in the cities of Judah and the men of war mighty men of valour [were] in Jerusalem

Ver 13 And he had much business] Eργα πολλα (a) Many works going forward at

once a negotious man he was His business say some lay in beautifying and fortifying those cities Augustus gloried at his death that whereas he had found Rome built with brick he had left it made of marble

And the men of war hellip were in Jerusalem] These were his Praetorian forces his Praesidiaries were up and down in the various cities

POOLE He had much business in the cities of Judah partly to repair and fortify them and furnish them with all necessary provisions and partly to purge out all the relies and seeds of idolatry and injustice which were more secretly and subtlely managed in the cities than in the country and which were first and most in the cities and thence spread their infection into the country about them See Jeremiah 228

ELLICOTT (13) BusinessmdashRather much goods or stores literally work (mĕlacirckacirch) and then produce The Hebrew word is so used in Exodus 227 Exodus 2210 (ldquoHis neighbourrsquos goodsrdquo) Stores of provisions and war material seem to be intended (Comp 2 Chronicles 1111)

And the man of war were in JerusalemmdashRather and (he had) men of war in Jerusalem

In Jerusalemmdashot the entire army corps whose numbers are given in 2 Chronicles 1714-18 but simply their chiefs

PULPIT Much business Hebrew מלאכה The meaning of the word is service labour bestowed and the verse reads And there was to him much labour in the cities of Judah and men of war mighty men of valour in Jerusalem ie He bestoweth much pains on the cities of Judah and had etc The word were Authorized Version italics is incorrectly inserted The former half of this verse would better constitute the end of 2 Chronicles 1712 Keil however maintains the rendering substance property for מלאכה (Exodus 227 Exodus 2210)

14 Their enrollment by families was as followsFrom Judah commanders of units of 1000Adnah the commander with 300000 fighting men

BARES The captains of thousands Adnah the chief - literally ldquoprinces of thousands Adnah the princerdquo The writer does not mean that Adnah (or Johohanan 2Ch_1715) was in any way superior to the other ldquoprincesrdquo but only that he was one of them

Three hundred thousand - This number and those which follow in 2Ch_1715-18 have been with good reason regarded as corrupt by most critics For

(1) They imply a minimum population of 1480 to the square mile which is more than three times greater than that of any country in the known world (circa 1880rsquos)

(2) they produce a total just double that of the next largest estimate of the military force of Judah the 580 000 of 2Ch_148

(3) they are professedly a statement not of the whole military force but of the force maintained at Jerusalem (2Ch_1713 compare 2Ch_1719)

It is probable that the original numbers have been lost and that the loss was suppplied by a scribe who took 2Ch_148 as his basis

CLARKE Adnah the chief - He was generalissimo of all this host These are the numbers of the five battalions under Adnah three hundred thousand Jehohanan two hundred and eighty thousand Amasiah two hundred thousand Eliada two hundred thousand Jehozabad one hundred and eighty thousand in all one million one hundred and sixty thousand

GILL And these are the numbers of them according to the house of their fathers Both of the tribe of Judah and of Benjamin and first

of Judah the captains of thousands some had 1000 men under them and some one hundred

Adnah the chief he was the principal commander or general of them

and with him mighty men of valour three hundred thousand such a number was under his command

JAMISO these are the numbersmdash The warriors were arranged in the army according to their fathers houses The army of Jehoshaphat commanded by five great generals and consisting of five unequal divisions comprised one million one hundred and sixty thousand men without including those who garrisoned the fortresses No monarch since the time of Solomon equaled Jehoshaphat in the extent of his revenue in the strength of his fortifications and in the number of his troops

KampD 2Ch_1714-16

The men fit for war passed in review according to their fathers-houses The male population of Judah fell into three divisions that of Benjamin into two The prince

Adnah held the first place among the generals with 300000 men of Judah ידו at his על

hand ie with and under him Jehohanan had the command of 280000 men and

Amasiah over 200000 השר is a contraction for אלפים For what special reason it is so שר

honourably recorded of Amasiah that he had willingly offered himself to the Lord (cf for

Jdg_59) has not been communicated התנב

COFFMA his represented a standing army of 1160000 men besides the garrisons in the fortified cities and this goes a long way to explaining why the Arabians and the Philistines brought tribute to Jehoshaphat In ancient times as in our own day peace frequently depended upon the strength of those who desired it

We should ignore the screams of exaggeration[3] which mark the writings of radical critics Pagan rulers of that era reported even larger armies than this and until the critics can prove that those were exaggerated reports they should let these alone Besides that we have already noted that the very word from which thousand is translated is disputed as to its exact meaning

COKE 2 Chronicles 1714 And these are the numbers of themmdash That is of the soldiers as well as of those who were employed in the kings works in the several cities ampc which he built See 2 Chronicles 1719

REFLECTIOSmdash1st Jehoshaphat no sooner comes to the throne than we see the dawnings of a glorious reign

1 He strengthened his kingdom by placing strong garrisons in the cities of Judah and those which his father had recovered from Israel and prepared against that danger which Ahabs growing power seemed to threaten

2 Religion was his great concern He copied after the best of his predecessors in their best days such as were the first of David before the matter of Uriah and the numbering of the people had blotted his fair copy Faithful to the worship of God he abhorred all idols the law of God was his rule of duty and Israels apostacy rendered his fidelity more singular and exemplary Inspired with holy zeal his heart with delight and sincerity was engaged for God and no difficulties deterred him from the path of duty The idols and groves which in the declining days of Asa might have been set up again he utterly destroyed with all the high places where they still offered sacrifices to these abominations ote (1) In the fairest human pattern there will be found imperfections but there is a Son of David more than man who has set us a spotless example that we should follow his steps (2) Fidelity in Gods service is the stability of a nation (3) A lively soul on wings of faith and love mounts up to God rises superior to every difficulty and looks down upon every thing besides his favour as altogether vanity

3 He not only removed the temptations to sin but took care to instruct the people in

the path of duty Ignorance of Gods law had greatly prevailed and to oblige them merely to conform to his reformation without grounding them on the true foundation of Gods word promised little stability The Levites and priests therefore are sent in progress through the cities of Judah with the book of the law to explain and enforce the commandments of God and several princes accompanied them in order to engage the people to hear them and give countenance to these preachers by their weight and influence ote (1) It is a blessed thing when princes countenance faithful ministers Though they cannot make men true converts their example and authority will induce them to attend (2) They who are sent to teach must see that they take the pure word of God along with them A true preacher wishes for nothing in his hand but his Bible (3) Religion is a reasonable service Conviction alone not compulsion or education can make a man a christian

4 The blessing of God attended his labours The Lord was with him or as the Targum generally expresses it the word of the Lord the divine Logos to whom all things are committed strengthened him in his labours and established his kingdom The people charmed with his government liberally sent their presents to him and abounding in riches and honour his heart far from being intoxicated by prosperity was lifted up in greater love and thankfulness to the gracious giver ote (1) God often here rewards piety with prosperity (2) Worldly comforts are then truly blessings when as the steps of Jacobs ladder they raise our hearts to heaven

2nd Like the light of the morning which shineth more and more so did Jehoshaphats glory increase

1 Feared by his enemies as beloved by his subjects the neighbouring princes did not offer to molest him while those of Philistia and Arabia courted his favour either by a voluntary present or exact payment of the tribute which Asa had imposed on them see 2 Chronicles 1711 God had put an awe upon them of the majesty of his king in Zion ote God hath access to the spirits of men and by secret yet irresistible influence can bow them to his sovereign will

2 His military preparations greatly advanced While he reformed the people he fortified their ramparts and built new castles and store-cities strengthening them within and without against their enemies Under five chief officers an immense army was enlisted Probably all the able men in the country were enrolled and regularly mustered though not drawn out except in case of necessity and this may easily account for the greatness of their number if we consider also the long peace they had enjoyed the accession of Israelites to them and especially the blessing of Abraham which no doubt was eminently fulfilled Amasiah one of the officers is mentioned with an honourable mark of distinction as a volunteer who served for the glory of God not for the sake of pay Such patriots are scarce

TRAPP 2 Chronicles 1714 And these [are] the numbers of them according to the house of their fathers Of Judah the captains of thousands Adnah the chief and

with him mighty men of valour three hundred thousand

Ver 14 Three hundred thousand] These were under his command and at hand to come whensoever the king would

WHEDO 14 Three hundred thousand mdash The numbers in this verse and the four verses following are generally regarded as corrupt ldquoThey implyrdquo observes the writer last quoted ldquoa minimum population of 1480 to the square mile which is more than three times greater than that of any country in the known world It is probable that the original numbers have been lost and the loss supplied by a scribe who took 2 Chronicles 148 as his basis

ELLICOTT Verse 14 (14) And these their fathersmdashAnd this is their muster (or census) according to their father-houses (clans) 1 Chronicles 243 The warriors were marshalled in the army according to clans so that men of the same stock fought side by side with their kindred Perhaps in the original document this heading was followed by a much more detailed scheme of names and divisions than that which the text presents

Of JudahmdashTo Judah (belonged) captains of thousands viz the three enumerated in 2 Chronicles 1714-16 Adnah Jehohanan and Amasiah They were the principal officers or generals of the entire forces of Judah

Adnah the chiefmdashTo wit the captain Adnah That Adnah was commander-in-chief is implied by his being named first and his corps being the largest

PULPIT This verse with the following four gives us the names of five captains chiefs princes or military officers for the kingdoms service with the numbers of the troops they severally commanded The numbers of them (see note under 1 Chronicles 2311) Hebrew פקדתם The better English rendering to carry at once the signification would be The muster of them etc The captains hellip the chief In both cases the Hebrew is the familiar word for prince ( שר ) in the former without article in the latter with article The numbers of this and following four verses are not only absolutely unreliable but in themselves impossible According to the house of their fathers ie the quotation is drawn from an army catalogue arranged carefully by fathers houses (umbers 118 umbers 122 etc)

15 next Jehohanan the commander with 280000

GILL And next to him was Jehohanan the captain Being of the same rank as to office but having a lesser number of men under him and it may respect not any kind of subordination only nearness of place as the Targumhe that encamped next to him

and with him two hundred and fourscore thousand which number was but 20000 less than the former

POOLE ext to him either

1 After his death as his successor in the same command And the like is supposed concerning Jehozabad 2 Chronicles 1718 Or rather

2 ext to him in place and authority or at least in power and the numbers of his host

16 next Amasiah son of Zikri who volunteered himself for the service of the Lord with 200000

GILL And next him was Amasiah the son of Zichri He encamped next to him as the Targum

who willingly offered himself unto the Lord to fight the Lords battles and without any stipend as some think or as Kimchi he offered gold and silver to the treasures of the house of the Lord

and with him two hundred thousand mighty men of valour the number was 80000 less than the former the whole of Judah amounted to 780000 men

TRAPP 2 Chronicles 1716 And next him [was] Amasiah the son of Zichri who willingly offered himself unto the LORD and with him two hundred thousand mighty men of valour

Ver 16 Who willingly offered himself unto the Lord] He was a votary the vows of God were upon him and this made him the more valiant and resolute (a) in the exercise of arms for the service of God and the safety of his people The Spahis among the Turks are a sort of horsemen voluntaries and votaries to gain paradise by dying for the Mohammedan cause These are never known to return home but

with victory these are heavy upon the enemy For

ldquo Vincitur haud gratis iugulo qui provocat ensem rdquo

POOLE As volunteers and auxiliaries to be ready upon occasion as the service of God and the king should require Possibly these or most of them were the strangers which had come out of Israel into the kingdom of Judah in Asarsquos days and probably since that in his time

ELLICOTT (16) AmasiahmdashIah carrieth (Isaiah 4011) different from Amaziah (Iah is strong)

Who willingly offered himself unto the Lordmdash(Judges 52 Judges 59) An allusion to some noble act of self-devotion which was doubtless more fully recorded in the source from which the chronicler has drawn this brief account Such allusions though no longer intelligible are important as conducing to the proof of the historical value of the narratives in which they occur LXX ὁ προθυmicroούmicroενος τῷ κυρίῳ Vulg consecratus Domino

PULPIT Amaziah the son of Zichri This man is not titled at all The description of him as one who had willingly offered himself unto the Lord not elucidated by the context or any effective parallel will mark something honorable in his history Possibly he comes from an unexpected quarter and is a man of approved skill othing further is known of these three men Meantime it has been suggested (Professor Dr J Murphy of Belfast Handbook to Chronicles ) that the first of the three was for Judah proper the second for that contingent of Judah that hailed from Dan and the Philistines and the third for that of Simeon and the Arabs

MACLARE This is a scrap from the catalogue of Jehoshaphatrsquos lsquomighty men of valourrsquo and is Amasiahrsquos sole record We see him for a moment and hear his eulogium and then oblivion swallows him up We do not know what it was that he did to earn it But what a fate to live to all generations by that one sentence

I Cheerful self-surrender the secret of all religion

The words of our text contain a metaphor naturally drawn from the sacrificial system It comes so easily to us that we scarcely recognise the metaphorical element but the clear recognition of it gives great additional energy to the words Amasiah was both sacrificer and sacrifice His offering was self-immolation As in all love so in that noblest kind of it which clasps God its perfect expression is lsquoI give Thee my living loving selfrsquo Nor is it only sacrifice and sacrificer that are seen in deepest truth in the experience of the Christian life but the reality of the Temple is also there for lsquoYe also are built up a spiritual house to be a holy priesthood to offer up spiritual sacrificesrsquo Only when God dwells in us shall we have the nerve and the firmness of hand to take the knife and lsquoslay before the Lordrsquo the awful Guest in the sanctuary within the most precious of the children of our spirits

The essence of the sacrifice of self is the sacrifice of will In the Christian experience

lsquowillingly offeredrsquo is almost tautology for unwilling offerings are a contradiction and in fact there are no such things The quality of unwillingness destroys the character of the offering and robs it of all sacredness Reluctant Christianity is not Christianity That noun and that adjective can never be buckled together

The submission of will and the consequent surrender of myself and my powers opportunities and possessions so that I do all enjoy all use all and when need is endure all with glad thankful reference to God is only possible to me in the measure in which my will is made flexible by love and such will-subduing love comes only when we lsquoknow and believe the love that God hath to usrsquo There is the point at which not a few moral and religious teachers go wrong and bewilder themselves and their disciples There too is the point at which Christ and the Gospel of salvation through faith in Him stand forth as emancipating humanity from the dreary round of efforts and vain attempts to work up the condition needful for achieving the height of self-surrender which is seen to be indispensable to all true nobleness of living but is felt to be beyond the reach of the ordinary man There too is the point at which many good people mar their lives as Christians They waste their strength in trying to bring the jibbing horse up to the leap They try to blow up a fire of devotion and to make themselves priests to offer themselves but all the while the mutinous self recoils from the leap and the fire burns smokily and their sacrifice is laid on the altar with little joy because they have not been careful and wise enough to begin at the beginning and to follow Godrsquos way of melting their wills by love the reflection of the Infinite love of God to them Godrsquos priests offer themselves because they offer their wills they offer their wills because they love God they love God because they know that God loves them That is the divine order It is vain to try to accomplish the end by any other

II This willing offering hallows all life

No syllable is left to tell us what Amasiah did to win this praise Probably the words enshrine some now forgotten memory of his cheerful courage some heroic feat on an unrecorded battlefield Particulars are not given nor needed Specific actions are unimportant the spirit of a life can be told with very incomplete details and it not the details is the important thing Sometimes as in many modern biographies one lsquocannot see the wood for the treesrsquo and misses the main drift and aim of a life in the chaos of a bewildering mass of nothings How much more happy the lot of this man of whom we have only the generalised expression of the text unweighted and undisturbed by petty incidents It takes tons of rose leaves to make a tiny phial of otto of roses but the fragrance is far more pungent in a drop of the distillation than in armfuls of leaves Every life shrinks into very small compass and the centuries do not tolerate long biographies Shall we not seek to order our life so that Amasiahrsquos epitaph may serve for us It will be blessed if this-and nothing else-is known about us that we lsquowillingly offered ourselves to the Lordrsquo My friend will that be a true epitome of your life

III This willing offering is accepted by God

We may hear a mightier voice behind the chroniclerrsquo s and the judgment of the Judge of all pronounced by His lips It matters little what men say of one another but it matters everything what God says of us We are but too apt to forget that He is now saying something as to each of us and that we have not to wait for death to put a final period to our activities before our lives become fit subjects for Godrsquos judgment Moment by moment we are writing our own sentences But while it is good for us to remember the continuous judgment of God on each deed it is not good to let dark thoughts of the principles of that judgment paralyse our activity or chill our confidence in His forgiving and accepting mercy There is often a dark suspicion like that of the one-talented

servant which blackens Godrsquos fair fame as being lsquoan austere Manrsquo making demands rather than imparting power and the effect of such an ugly conception of Him is to cut the nerve of service and bury the talent carefully folded up it may be but none the less earning nothing lsquoIf we call on Him as Father who without respect of persons judgeth according to every manrsquos workrsquo let us be sure that it will be a Fatherly judgment that He will pass upon us and our offerings There is a wonderful collection on His altar of what many people would think rubbish just as many a mother has laid away among her treasures some worthless article which her child had once given her-a weed plucked by the roadside in a long past summer day some trifle of rare preciousness in the childrsquos eyes and of none in any others than her own She opens her drawer and brings out the poor little thing and her eyes fill and her heart fills as she looks And does not God keep His childrenrsquos gifts as lovingly and set them in places of honour in the day when He lsquomakes up His jewelsrsquo There are cups of cold water and widowsrsquo mites and much else that a supercilious world would call lsquotrashrsquo stored there Thank God He accepts imperfect service faltering faith partial consecration a little love Even our poor offering may be an lsquoodour of a sweet smellrsquo ministering fragrance that is a delight to Him if it is offered with the much incense of the great Sacrifice and through the mediation of the great High Priest

The world forgot Amasiah or never knew him an obscure soldier in an obscure kingdom but God did not forget and here is his epitaph and this is his memorial to all generations Menrsquos chronicles have no room for all the names that their wearers are eager to have inscribed on their crumbling and crowded pages lsquobut the Lambrsquos Book of Lifersquo has ample space on its radiant pages for all who desire to set their names there and if ours are there we need not envy the proudest whose titles and deeds fill the most conspicuous pages in the worldrsquos records lsquoThen shall every man have praise of Christrsquo and he who wins that guerdon needs nothing more and can have nothing more to swell his blessedness

17 From BenjaminEliada a valiant soldier with 200000 men armed with bows and shields

GILL And of Benjamin Eliada a mighty man of valour Was the chief commander

and with armed men with bow and shield two hundred thousand which were

the armour of the tribe of Benjamin they were best skilled in 2Ch_148

TRAPP 2 Chronicles 1717 And of Benjamin Eliada a mighty man of valour and with him armed men with bow and shield two hundred thousand

Ver 17 With bow and shield] The Benjamites were notable bowmen [1 Chronicles 122] The Engish were anciently so too

ELLICOTT (17) Armed men with bow and shieldmdashLiterally drawing bow and shield ie as the Targum explains ldquodrawing bow and grasping shieldsrdquo (Comp 1 Chronicles 122) LXX ldquoArchers and peltastsrdquo Vulg ldquoGrasping bow and shieldrdquo (Comp also 1 Chronicles 840 for the arms of the Benjaminites)

18 next Jehozabad with 180000 men armed for battle

GILL And next to him was Jehozabad According to the Targum he encamped next him

and with him one hundred and fourscore thousand ready prepared for war being able bodied men well disciplined valiant and well armed these numbers of Judah and Benjamin put together amount to 1160000 men whereas Asa only brought into the field 580000 but it should be considered there had been a long time of peace many had come off from the ten tribes to Judah and the promise of multiplying the seed of Abraham was eminently fulfilled

TRAPP 2 Chronicles 1718 And next him [was] Jehozabad and with him an hundred and fourscore thousand ready prepared for the war

Ver 18 A hundred and fourscore thousand] His militia was eleven hundred and threescore thousand besides what he had in garrisons [2 Chronicles 1719] So that as he was better he was stronger than his father Asa had been Piety hath prosperity

ELLICOTT (18) Ready prepared for the warmdashEquipped for service (See on 1

Chronicles 1223-24 umbers 315 umbers 3229) The hoplites or heavy-armed infantry are probably meant

PULPIT While Eliada of last verse was for Benjamin Professor Dr Murphy supposes that Jehozabad was for the annexed part of Ephraim But no suppositions of this kind can avail to explain the numbers in the text which is no doubt corrupt

19 These were the men who served the king besides those he stationed in the fortified cities throughout Judah

CLARKE These waited on the king - They were disposable forces always at the kingrsquos command and were independent of those by which the cities of Judah were garrisoned

There is not a sovereign in Europe or in the world but might read this chapter with advantage

1 It shows most forcibly that true religion is the basis of the state and that wherever it prospers there the state prospers

2 It shows also that it is the wisdom of kings to encourage religion with all their power and influence for if the hearts of the subjects be not bound and influenced by true religion vain is the application of laws fines imprisonments or corporal punishment of any kind

3 A religious nation is ever a great nation it is loved by its friends it is dreaded by its enemies

4 It is ever a peaceable and united nation the blessings of religion and a wholesome and paternal government are so fully felt and prized that all find it their interest to preserve and defend them Harmony peace piety and strength are the stability of such times May Britain know and value them

GILL These waited on the king Not this vast number of men at one time but in course as Davids military men waited on him 1Ch_271 or each of these captains with a proper number of men under them detached from the body and they were all ready to obey the kings orders whenever he should have occasion for them

besides those whom the king put into the fenced cities throughout Judah and all together the militia of the kingdom was very numerous and formidable

KampD 2Ch_1719

These were serving the king א6ה refers not to the above-mentioned men capable of

bearing arms for sheereet is not used of service in war but to the commanders whom he had placed in the fortified cities of all Judah ldquoin which probably bodies of the above-mentioned troops lay as garrisonsrdquo (Berth)

BESO 2 Chronicles 1719 These waited on the king mdash These above-mentioned were the trained bands or auxiliaries whose chief officers waited on the king to receive his commands and to raise and bring in all or part of their forces to the service of the king as need required A vast number for so small a compass of ground to furnish out and maintain But we may consider that God had promised to make the seed of Abraham like the sand of the sea for number that there had now been a long peace that many were come to them from the kingdom of Israel and that Jehoshaphat was under a special blessing of God They were doubtless dispersed all the country over every one residing on his own land only they were ready at call whenever there was occasion

TRAPP 2 Chronicles 1719 These waited on the king beside [those] whom the king put in the fenced cities throughout all Judah

Ver 19 These waited on the king] ie In their turns and by course

POOLE These above mentioned were the trained bands or auxiliaries whose chief officers waited upon the king to receive his commands and to raise and bring in all or part of their forces to the service of the king and kingdom as need required

ELLICOTT (19) These waited on the kingmdashRather these are they that ministered unto the king viz the five generals above named

Beside those whom the king put in the fenced citiesmdashie the commandants of the fortresses of the kingdom (2 Chronicles 1111 2 Chronicles 1123) These latter as well as the generals of the forces are called the kingrsquos ldquoministersrdquo (mĕshacircrĕthicircm)mdasha word which is not used of service in the field but implies their presence at court (ldquoin Jerusalemrdquo 2 Chronicles 1713 as the royal staff)

According to the above list the army of Jehoshaphat was organised in five grand divisions corresponding perhaps to five territorial divisions of the southern kingdom The totals are the largest assigned to the two tribes anywhere in the Old Testament viz Judah 780000 and Benjamin 380000 in all 1160000 At Davidrsquos census Judah had 500000 warriors (2 Samuel 249) and Israel 800000 Again in 2

Chronicles 148 Asarsquos army consists of 300000 men of Judah and 280000 Benjaminites clearly such an increase as our text indicates is unaccountable At the same time it is equally clear that the present numbers are not fortuitous results of clerical errors for they follow each other in the order of relative strength Judah 300000 280000 200000 Benjamin 200000 180000 and they are evidently not independent of the estimates of 2 Chronicles 148 above quoted

In the absence of adequate data for modifying these certainly startling figures it is well to bear in mind that we need not understand by them an army which ever actually mustered in the field or on parade but simply an estimate of the total male population liable to be called out for the national defence although even upon that understanding the total appears to be at least three times too great considering the small extent of the country

PULPIT These waited Hebrew המשרתים plur piel part of שרת The verse states that this enormous fivefold army with its five princes (counting in our corrupt text one million one hundred and sixty thousand) was the kings Jerusalem standing army while other separate regiments or bands of troops were spread through all Judah where they might be most needed for defence

undertakings either to preserve the peace or prepare for war

JAMISO 2Ch_1712-19 His greatness captains and armies

KampD Description of Jehoshaphats power - 2Ch_1712 And Jehoshaphat became

ever greater sc in power The partic הולך expresses the continuous advance in

greatness cf Ew sect280 b as the infin absol does elsewhere eg Gen_83 למעלה as עד

in 2Ch_1612 - He built castles in Judah ירנ-ות only here and in 2Ch_274 from ירנית

derivative formed from ירה by the Syriac termination נית- fem of ן- castle fortress On

מסנות cf 2Ch_84 ערי

TRAPP 2 Chronicles 1712 And Jehoshaphat waxed great exceedingly and he built in Judah castles and cities of store

Ver 12 And Jehoshaphat waxed great exceedingly] Heb He was going and growing By humility and the fear of the Lord are riches and honour and life [Proverbs 224]

And he built in Judah castles] Bironeoth πυργους turres So did the Burgundians and thence had their names

And cities of store] Granaries in the Hebrew they have their name from their utility or usefulness

ELLICOTT (12) And Jehoshaphat waxed greatmdashLiterally And Jehoshaphat was going on and waxing great ie became greater and greater (Comp 1 Chronicles 119)

ExceedinglymdashlsquoAd lĕmagraversquolah This phrase occurs again in 2 Chronicles 1612 2 Chronicles 268 and nowhere else in the Old Testament (See on 1 Chronicles 142)

And he builtmdashLike his predecessorsmdashSolomon Rehoboam Asamdashhe displayed his wealth and power in great public works The records of the Assyrian and Babylonian sovereigns are largely taken up with similar accounts of temple and palace building

CastlesmdashBiranicircyocircth a derivative from birah (1 Chronicles 291 1 Chronicles 2919 comp Syriac here birocircthocirc) It only recurs at 2 Chronicles 274 It is an Aramaic term (Comp bicircranyacircthacirc which in the Targums means ldquopalacesrdquo)

Cities of storesmdashComp 2 Chronicles 84 2 Chronicles 164 Exodus 111

PULPIT Castles This rendering better than palaces (margin) wound bear improving to the rather stronger word fortresses Hebrew בירניות found only here and in 2 Chronicles 274 plur of בירנית connected with the Chaldee and later Hebrew בירה of Ezra 62 ehemiah 11 Esther 12 Daniel 82 Cities of store (see note under 2 Chronicles 84 see also 1 Kings 919 Exodus 111)

13 and had large supplies in the towns of Judah He also kept experienced fighting men in Jerusalem

CLARKE He hadmuch business in the cities - He kept the people constantly employed they had wages for their work and by their labors the empire was both enriched and strengthened

GILL And he had much business in the cities of Judah Partly in fortifying them and partly in reforming the inhabitants of them

and the men of war mighty men of valour were in Jerusalem or by or near unto it so the particle is rendered Jos_513 they encamped in places adjacent to it for such a number of men as follows even 1160000 could never be contained in Jerusalem but must be disposed of in the territories of it nor did they wait on the king together but in course see 2Ch_1719 by which it appears there is no need to suppose any mistake of the transcriber in any or all of the following sums as has been suggested (q)

HERY 13-19 III He had the militia in good order It was never in better since David modelled it Five lord-lieutenants (if I may so call them) are here named with the numbers of those under their command (the serviceable men that were fit for war in their respective districts) three in Judah and two in Benjamin It is said of one of these great commanders Amasiah that he willingly offered himself unto the Lord (2Ch_1716) not only to the king to serve him in this post but to the Lord to glorify him in it He was the most eminent among them for religion he accepted the place not for the

honour or power or profit of it but for conscience sake towards God that he might serve his country It was usual for great generals then to offer of their spoils to the Lord 1Ch_2626 But this good man offered himself first to the Lord and then his dedicated things The number of the soldiers under these five generals amounts to 1160000 men a vast number for so small a compass of ground as Judahs and Benjamins lot to furnish out and maintain Abijah could bring into the field but 400000 (2Ch_133) Asa not 600000 (2Ch_148) yet Jehoshaphat has at command almost 1200000 But it must be considered 1 That God had promised to make the seed of Abraham like the sand of the sea for number 2 There had now been a long peace 3 We may suppose that the city of Jerusalem was very much enlarged 4 Many had come over to them from the kingdom of Israel (2Ch_1519) which would increase the numbers of the people 5 Jehoshaphat was under a special blessing of God which made his affairs to prosper greatly The armies we may suppose were dispersed all the country over and each man resided for the most part on his own estate but they appeared often to be mustered and trained and were ready at call whenever there was occasion The commanders waited on the king (2Ch_1719) as officers of his court privy-counsellors and ministers of state

But lastly observe It was not this formidable army that struck a terror upon the neighbouring nations that restrained them from attempting any thing against Israel or obliged them to pay tribute but the fear of God which fell upon them when Jehoshaphat reformed his country and set up a preaching ministry in it 2Ch_1710 The ordinances of God are more the strength and safety of a kingdom than its military force - its men of God more than its men of war

KampD 2Ch_1713

וגווגווגווגו רהרהרהרה is rightly translated by Luther ldquound hatte viel Vorrathsrdquo (and ומלעכהומלעכהומלעכהומלעכה

had much store) מלעכהמלעכהמלעכהמלעכה denotes here as in Exo_227-10 property that which has been gained by work or business The signification much work opera magna (Vulg Cler etc) as also Bertheaus translation ldquothe works for equipping and provisioning the fortressesrdquo correspond neither to the context nor to the parallel (synonymous) second member of the verse The work and trouble necessary to equip the cities of Judah does not correspond to ldquothe valiant warriors in Jerusalemrdquo the only parallel is the goods and property which were in these cities the provision of victuals and war material there stored up

BESO 2 Chronicles 1713 He had much business in the cities of Judah mdash To repair and fortify them and furnish them with provisions and to purge out all the relics of idolatry and injustice which were more secretly and craftily managed in the cities than in the country and which were first and most prevalent in the cities and thence spread their infection into the country around them

TRAPP 2 Chronicles 1713 And he had much business in the cities of Judah and the men of war mighty men of valour [were] in Jerusalem

Ver 13 And he had much business] Eργα πολλα (a) Many works going forward at

once a negotious man he was His business say some lay in beautifying and fortifying those cities Augustus gloried at his death that whereas he had found Rome built with brick he had left it made of marble

And the men of war hellip were in Jerusalem] These were his Praetorian forces his Praesidiaries were up and down in the various cities

POOLE He had much business in the cities of Judah partly to repair and fortify them and furnish them with all necessary provisions and partly to purge out all the relies and seeds of idolatry and injustice which were more secretly and subtlely managed in the cities than in the country and which were first and most in the cities and thence spread their infection into the country about them See Jeremiah 228

ELLICOTT (13) BusinessmdashRather much goods or stores literally work (mĕlacirckacirch) and then produce The Hebrew word is so used in Exodus 227 Exodus 2210 (ldquoHis neighbourrsquos goodsrdquo) Stores of provisions and war material seem to be intended (Comp 2 Chronicles 1111)

And the man of war were in JerusalemmdashRather and (he had) men of war in Jerusalem

In Jerusalemmdashot the entire army corps whose numbers are given in 2 Chronicles 1714-18 but simply their chiefs

PULPIT Much business Hebrew מלאכה The meaning of the word is service labour bestowed and the verse reads And there was to him much labour in the cities of Judah and men of war mighty men of valour in Jerusalem ie He bestoweth much pains on the cities of Judah and had etc The word were Authorized Version italics is incorrectly inserted The former half of this verse would better constitute the end of 2 Chronicles 1712 Keil however maintains the rendering substance property for מלאכה (Exodus 227 Exodus 2210)

14 Their enrollment by families was as followsFrom Judah commanders of units of 1000Adnah the commander with 300000 fighting men

BARES The captains of thousands Adnah the chief - literally ldquoprinces of thousands Adnah the princerdquo The writer does not mean that Adnah (or Johohanan 2Ch_1715) was in any way superior to the other ldquoprincesrdquo but only that he was one of them

Three hundred thousand - This number and those which follow in 2Ch_1715-18 have been with good reason regarded as corrupt by most critics For

(1) They imply a minimum population of 1480 to the square mile which is more than three times greater than that of any country in the known world (circa 1880rsquos)

(2) they produce a total just double that of the next largest estimate of the military force of Judah the 580 000 of 2Ch_148

(3) they are professedly a statement not of the whole military force but of the force maintained at Jerusalem (2Ch_1713 compare 2Ch_1719)

It is probable that the original numbers have been lost and that the loss was suppplied by a scribe who took 2Ch_148 as his basis

CLARKE Adnah the chief - He was generalissimo of all this host These are the numbers of the five battalions under Adnah three hundred thousand Jehohanan two hundred and eighty thousand Amasiah two hundred thousand Eliada two hundred thousand Jehozabad one hundred and eighty thousand in all one million one hundred and sixty thousand

GILL And these are the numbers of them according to the house of their fathers Both of the tribe of Judah and of Benjamin and first

of Judah the captains of thousands some had 1000 men under them and some one hundred

Adnah the chief he was the principal commander or general of them

and with him mighty men of valour three hundred thousand such a number was under his command

JAMISO these are the numbersmdash The warriors were arranged in the army according to their fathers houses The army of Jehoshaphat commanded by five great generals and consisting of five unequal divisions comprised one million one hundred and sixty thousand men without including those who garrisoned the fortresses No monarch since the time of Solomon equaled Jehoshaphat in the extent of his revenue in the strength of his fortifications and in the number of his troops

KampD 2Ch_1714-16

The men fit for war passed in review according to their fathers-houses The male population of Judah fell into three divisions that of Benjamin into two The prince

Adnah held the first place among the generals with 300000 men of Judah ידו at his על

hand ie with and under him Jehohanan had the command of 280000 men and

Amasiah over 200000 השר is a contraction for אלפים For what special reason it is so שר

honourably recorded of Amasiah that he had willingly offered himself to the Lord (cf for

Jdg_59) has not been communicated התנב

COFFMA his represented a standing army of 1160000 men besides the garrisons in the fortified cities and this goes a long way to explaining why the Arabians and the Philistines brought tribute to Jehoshaphat In ancient times as in our own day peace frequently depended upon the strength of those who desired it

We should ignore the screams of exaggeration[3] which mark the writings of radical critics Pagan rulers of that era reported even larger armies than this and until the critics can prove that those were exaggerated reports they should let these alone Besides that we have already noted that the very word from which thousand is translated is disputed as to its exact meaning

COKE 2 Chronicles 1714 And these are the numbers of themmdash That is of the soldiers as well as of those who were employed in the kings works in the several cities ampc which he built See 2 Chronicles 1719

REFLECTIOSmdash1st Jehoshaphat no sooner comes to the throne than we see the dawnings of a glorious reign

1 He strengthened his kingdom by placing strong garrisons in the cities of Judah and those which his father had recovered from Israel and prepared against that danger which Ahabs growing power seemed to threaten

2 Religion was his great concern He copied after the best of his predecessors in their best days such as were the first of David before the matter of Uriah and the numbering of the people had blotted his fair copy Faithful to the worship of God he abhorred all idols the law of God was his rule of duty and Israels apostacy rendered his fidelity more singular and exemplary Inspired with holy zeal his heart with delight and sincerity was engaged for God and no difficulties deterred him from the path of duty The idols and groves which in the declining days of Asa might have been set up again he utterly destroyed with all the high places where they still offered sacrifices to these abominations ote (1) In the fairest human pattern there will be found imperfections but there is a Son of David more than man who has set us a spotless example that we should follow his steps (2) Fidelity in Gods service is the stability of a nation (3) A lively soul on wings of faith and love mounts up to God rises superior to every difficulty and looks down upon every thing besides his favour as altogether vanity

3 He not only removed the temptations to sin but took care to instruct the people in

the path of duty Ignorance of Gods law had greatly prevailed and to oblige them merely to conform to his reformation without grounding them on the true foundation of Gods word promised little stability The Levites and priests therefore are sent in progress through the cities of Judah with the book of the law to explain and enforce the commandments of God and several princes accompanied them in order to engage the people to hear them and give countenance to these preachers by their weight and influence ote (1) It is a blessed thing when princes countenance faithful ministers Though they cannot make men true converts their example and authority will induce them to attend (2) They who are sent to teach must see that they take the pure word of God along with them A true preacher wishes for nothing in his hand but his Bible (3) Religion is a reasonable service Conviction alone not compulsion or education can make a man a christian

4 The blessing of God attended his labours The Lord was with him or as the Targum generally expresses it the word of the Lord the divine Logos to whom all things are committed strengthened him in his labours and established his kingdom The people charmed with his government liberally sent their presents to him and abounding in riches and honour his heart far from being intoxicated by prosperity was lifted up in greater love and thankfulness to the gracious giver ote (1) God often here rewards piety with prosperity (2) Worldly comforts are then truly blessings when as the steps of Jacobs ladder they raise our hearts to heaven

2nd Like the light of the morning which shineth more and more so did Jehoshaphats glory increase

1 Feared by his enemies as beloved by his subjects the neighbouring princes did not offer to molest him while those of Philistia and Arabia courted his favour either by a voluntary present or exact payment of the tribute which Asa had imposed on them see 2 Chronicles 1711 God had put an awe upon them of the majesty of his king in Zion ote God hath access to the spirits of men and by secret yet irresistible influence can bow them to his sovereign will

2 His military preparations greatly advanced While he reformed the people he fortified their ramparts and built new castles and store-cities strengthening them within and without against their enemies Under five chief officers an immense army was enlisted Probably all the able men in the country were enrolled and regularly mustered though not drawn out except in case of necessity and this may easily account for the greatness of their number if we consider also the long peace they had enjoyed the accession of Israelites to them and especially the blessing of Abraham which no doubt was eminently fulfilled Amasiah one of the officers is mentioned with an honourable mark of distinction as a volunteer who served for the glory of God not for the sake of pay Such patriots are scarce

TRAPP 2 Chronicles 1714 And these [are] the numbers of them according to the house of their fathers Of Judah the captains of thousands Adnah the chief and

with him mighty men of valour three hundred thousand

Ver 14 Three hundred thousand] These were under his command and at hand to come whensoever the king would

WHEDO 14 Three hundred thousand mdash The numbers in this verse and the four verses following are generally regarded as corrupt ldquoThey implyrdquo observes the writer last quoted ldquoa minimum population of 1480 to the square mile which is more than three times greater than that of any country in the known world It is probable that the original numbers have been lost and the loss supplied by a scribe who took 2 Chronicles 148 as his basis

ELLICOTT Verse 14 (14) And these their fathersmdashAnd this is their muster (or census) according to their father-houses (clans) 1 Chronicles 243 The warriors were marshalled in the army according to clans so that men of the same stock fought side by side with their kindred Perhaps in the original document this heading was followed by a much more detailed scheme of names and divisions than that which the text presents

Of JudahmdashTo Judah (belonged) captains of thousands viz the three enumerated in 2 Chronicles 1714-16 Adnah Jehohanan and Amasiah They were the principal officers or generals of the entire forces of Judah

Adnah the chiefmdashTo wit the captain Adnah That Adnah was commander-in-chief is implied by his being named first and his corps being the largest

PULPIT This verse with the following four gives us the names of five captains chiefs princes or military officers for the kingdoms service with the numbers of the troops they severally commanded The numbers of them (see note under 1 Chronicles 2311) Hebrew פקדתם The better English rendering to carry at once the signification would be The muster of them etc The captains hellip the chief In both cases the Hebrew is the familiar word for prince ( שר ) in the former without article in the latter with article The numbers of this and following four verses are not only absolutely unreliable but in themselves impossible According to the house of their fathers ie the quotation is drawn from an army catalogue arranged carefully by fathers houses (umbers 118 umbers 122 etc)

15 next Jehohanan the commander with 280000

GILL And next to him was Jehohanan the captain Being of the same rank as to office but having a lesser number of men under him and it may respect not any kind of subordination only nearness of place as the Targumhe that encamped next to him

and with him two hundred and fourscore thousand which number was but 20000 less than the former

POOLE ext to him either

1 After his death as his successor in the same command And the like is supposed concerning Jehozabad 2 Chronicles 1718 Or rather

2 ext to him in place and authority or at least in power and the numbers of his host

16 next Amasiah son of Zikri who volunteered himself for the service of the Lord with 200000

GILL And next him was Amasiah the son of Zichri He encamped next to him as the Targum

who willingly offered himself unto the Lord to fight the Lords battles and without any stipend as some think or as Kimchi he offered gold and silver to the treasures of the house of the Lord

and with him two hundred thousand mighty men of valour the number was 80000 less than the former the whole of Judah amounted to 780000 men

TRAPP 2 Chronicles 1716 And next him [was] Amasiah the son of Zichri who willingly offered himself unto the LORD and with him two hundred thousand mighty men of valour

Ver 16 Who willingly offered himself unto the Lord] He was a votary the vows of God were upon him and this made him the more valiant and resolute (a) in the exercise of arms for the service of God and the safety of his people The Spahis among the Turks are a sort of horsemen voluntaries and votaries to gain paradise by dying for the Mohammedan cause These are never known to return home but

with victory these are heavy upon the enemy For

ldquo Vincitur haud gratis iugulo qui provocat ensem rdquo

POOLE As volunteers and auxiliaries to be ready upon occasion as the service of God and the king should require Possibly these or most of them were the strangers which had come out of Israel into the kingdom of Judah in Asarsquos days and probably since that in his time

ELLICOTT (16) AmasiahmdashIah carrieth (Isaiah 4011) different from Amaziah (Iah is strong)

Who willingly offered himself unto the Lordmdash(Judges 52 Judges 59) An allusion to some noble act of self-devotion which was doubtless more fully recorded in the source from which the chronicler has drawn this brief account Such allusions though no longer intelligible are important as conducing to the proof of the historical value of the narratives in which they occur LXX ὁ προθυmicroούmicroενος τῷ κυρίῳ Vulg consecratus Domino

PULPIT Amaziah the son of Zichri This man is not titled at all The description of him as one who had willingly offered himself unto the Lord not elucidated by the context or any effective parallel will mark something honorable in his history Possibly he comes from an unexpected quarter and is a man of approved skill othing further is known of these three men Meantime it has been suggested (Professor Dr J Murphy of Belfast Handbook to Chronicles ) that the first of the three was for Judah proper the second for that contingent of Judah that hailed from Dan and the Philistines and the third for that of Simeon and the Arabs

MACLARE This is a scrap from the catalogue of Jehoshaphatrsquos lsquomighty men of valourrsquo and is Amasiahrsquos sole record We see him for a moment and hear his eulogium and then oblivion swallows him up We do not know what it was that he did to earn it But what a fate to live to all generations by that one sentence

I Cheerful self-surrender the secret of all religion

The words of our text contain a metaphor naturally drawn from the sacrificial system It comes so easily to us that we scarcely recognise the metaphorical element but the clear recognition of it gives great additional energy to the words Amasiah was both sacrificer and sacrifice His offering was self-immolation As in all love so in that noblest kind of it which clasps God its perfect expression is lsquoI give Thee my living loving selfrsquo Nor is it only sacrifice and sacrificer that are seen in deepest truth in the experience of the Christian life but the reality of the Temple is also there for lsquoYe also are built up a spiritual house to be a holy priesthood to offer up spiritual sacrificesrsquo Only when God dwells in us shall we have the nerve and the firmness of hand to take the knife and lsquoslay before the Lordrsquo the awful Guest in the sanctuary within the most precious of the children of our spirits

The essence of the sacrifice of self is the sacrifice of will In the Christian experience

lsquowillingly offeredrsquo is almost tautology for unwilling offerings are a contradiction and in fact there are no such things The quality of unwillingness destroys the character of the offering and robs it of all sacredness Reluctant Christianity is not Christianity That noun and that adjective can never be buckled together

The submission of will and the consequent surrender of myself and my powers opportunities and possessions so that I do all enjoy all use all and when need is endure all with glad thankful reference to God is only possible to me in the measure in which my will is made flexible by love and such will-subduing love comes only when we lsquoknow and believe the love that God hath to usrsquo There is the point at which not a few moral and religious teachers go wrong and bewilder themselves and their disciples There too is the point at which Christ and the Gospel of salvation through faith in Him stand forth as emancipating humanity from the dreary round of efforts and vain attempts to work up the condition needful for achieving the height of self-surrender which is seen to be indispensable to all true nobleness of living but is felt to be beyond the reach of the ordinary man There too is the point at which many good people mar their lives as Christians They waste their strength in trying to bring the jibbing horse up to the leap They try to blow up a fire of devotion and to make themselves priests to offer themselves but all the while the mutinous self recoils from the leap and the fire burns smokily and their sacrifice is laid on the altar with little joy because they have not been careful and wise enough to begin at the beginning and to follow Godrsquos way of melting their wills by love the reflection of the Infinite love of God to them Godrsquos priests offer themselves because they offer their wills they offer their wills because they love God they love God because they know that God loves them That is the divine order It is vain to try to accomplish the end by any other

II This willing offering hallows all life

No syllable is left to tell us what Amasiah did to win this praise Probably the words enshrine some now forgotten memory of his cheerful courage some heroic feat on an unrecorded battlefield Particulars are not given nor needed Specific actions are unimportant the spirit of a life can be told with very incomplete details and it not the details is the important thing Sometimes as in many modern biographies one lsquocannot see the wood for the treesrsquo and misses the main drift and aim of a life in the chaos of a bewildering mass of nothings How much more happy the lot of this man of whom we have only the generalised expression of the text unweighted and undisturbed by petty incidents It takes tons of rose leaves to make a tiny phial of otto of roses but the fragrance is far more pungent in a drop of the distillation than in armfuls of leaves Every life shrinks into very small compass and the centuries do not tolerate long biographies Shall we not seek to order our life so that Amasiahrsquos epitaph may serve for us It will be blessed if this-and nothing else-is known about us that we lsquowillingly offered ourselves to the Lordrsquo My friend will that be a true epitome of your life

III This willing offering is accepted by God

We may hear a mightier voice behind the chroniclerrsquo s and the judgment of the Judge of all pronounced by His lips It matters little what men say of one another but it matters everything what God says of us We are but too apt to forget that He is now saying something as to each of us and that we have not to wait for death to put a final period to our activities before our lives become fit subjects for Godrsquos judgment Moment by moment we are writing our own sentences But while it is good for us to remember the continuous judgment of God on each deed it is not good to let dark thoughts of the principles of that judgment paralyse our activity or chill our confidence in His forgiving and accepting mercy There is often a dark suspicion like that of the one-talented

servant which blackens Godrsquos fair fame as being lsquoan austere Manrsquo making demands rather than imparting power and the effect of such an ugly conception of Him is to cut the nerve of service and bury the talent carefully folded up it may be but none the less earning nothing lsquoIf we call on Him as Father who without respect of persons judgeth according to every manrsquos workrsquo let us be sure that it will be a Fatherly judgment that He will pass upon us and our offerings There is a wonderful collection on His altar of what many people would think rubbish just as many a mother has laid away among her treasures some worthless article which her child had once given her-a weed plucked by the roadside in a long past summer day some trifle of rare preciousness in the childrsquos eyes and of none in any others than her own She opens her drawer and brings out the poor little thing and her eyes fill and her heart fills as she looks And does not God keep His childrenrsquos gifts as lovingly and set them in places of honour in the day when He lsquomakes up His jewelsrsquo There are cups of cold water and widowsrsquo mites and much else that a supercilious world would call lsquotrashrsquo stored there Thank God He accepts imperfect service faltering faith partial consecration a little love Even our poor offering may be an lsquoodour of a sweet smellrsquo ministering fragrance that is a delight to Him if it is offered with the much incense of the great Sacrifice and through the mediation of the great High Priest

The world forgot Amasiah or never knew him an obscure soldier in an obscure kingdom but God did not forget and here is his epitaph and this is his memorial to all generations Menrsquos chronicles have no room for all the names that their wearers are eager to have inscribed on their crumbling and crowded pages lsquobut the Lambrsquos Book of Lifersquo has ample space on its radiant pages for all who desire to set their names there and if ours are there we need not envy the proudest whose titles and deeds fill the most conspicuous pages in the worldrsquos records lsquoThen shall every man have praise of Christrsquo and he who wins that guerdon needs nothing more and can have nothing more to swell his blessedness

17 From BenjaminEliada a valiant soldier with 200000 men armed with bows and shields

GILL And of Benjamin Eliada a mighty man of valour Was the chief commander

and with armed men with bow and shield two hundred thousand which were

the armour of the tribe of Benjamin they were best skilled in 2Ch_148

TRAPP 2 Chronicles 1717 And of Benjamin Eliada a mighty man of valour and with him armed men with bow and shield two hundred thousand

Ver 17 With bow and shield] The Benjamites were notable bowmen [1 Chronicles 122] The Engish were anciently so too

ELLICOTT (17) Armed men with bow and shieldmdashLiterally drawing bow and shield ie as the Targum explains ldquodrawing bow and grasping shieldsrdquo (Comp 1 Chronicles 122) LXX ldquoArchers and peltastsrdquo Vulg ldquoGrasping bow and shieldrdquo (Comp also 1 Chronicles 840 for the arms of the Benjaminites)

18 next Jehozabad with 180000 men armed for battle

GILL And next to him was Jehozabad According to the Targum he encamped next him

and with him one hundred and fourscore thousand ready prepared for war being able bodied men well disciplined valiant and well armed these numbers of Judah and Benjamin put together amount to 1160000 men whereas Asa only brought into the field 580000 but it should be considered there had been a long time of peace many had come off from the ten tribes to Judah and the promise of multiplying the seed of Abraham was eminently fulfilled

TRAPP 2 Chronicles 1718 And next him [was] Jehozabad and with him an hundred and fourscore thousand ready prepared for the war

Ver 18 A hundred and fourscore thousand] His militia was eleven hundred and threescore thousand besides what he had in garrisons [2 Chronicles 1719] So that as he was better he was stronger than his father Asa had been Piety hath prosperity

ELLICOTT (18) Ready prepared for the warmdashEquipped for service (See on 1

Chronicles 1223-24 umbers 315 umbers 3229) The hoplites or heavy-armed infantry are probably meant

PULPIT While Eliada of last verse was for Benjamin Professor Dr Murphy supposes that Jehozabad was for the annexed part of Ephraim But no suppositions of this kind can avail to explain the numbers in the text which is no doubt corrupt

19 These were the men who served the king besides those he stationed in the fortified cities throughout Judah

CLARKE These waited on the king - They were disposable forces always at the kingrsquos command and were independent of those by which the cities of Judah were garrisoned

There is not a sovereign in Europe or in the world but might read this chapter with advantage

1 It shows most forcibly that true religion is the basis of the state and that wherever it prospers there the state prospers

2 It shows also that it is the wisdom of kings to encourage religion with all their power and influence for if the hearts of the subjects be not bound and influenced by true religion vain is the application of laws fines imprisonments or corporal punishment of any kind

3 A religious nation is ever a great nation it is loved by its friends it is dreaded by its enemies

4 It is ever a peaceable and united nation the blessings of religion and a wholesome and paternal government are so fully felt and prized that all find it their interest to preserve and defend them Harmony peace piety and strength are the stability of such times May Britain know and value them

GILL These waited on the king Not this vast number of men at one time but in course as Davids military men waited on him 1Ch_271 or each of these captains with a proper number of men under them detached from the body and they were all ready to obey the kings orders whenever he should have occasion for them

besides those whom the king put into the fenced cities throughout Judah and all together the militia of the kingdom was very numerous and formidable

KampD 2Ch_1719

These were serving the king א6ה refers not to the above-mentioned men capable of

bearing arms for sheereet is not used of service in war but to the commanders whom he had placed in the fortified cities of all Judah ldquoin which probably bodies of the above-mentioned troops lay as garrisonsrdquo (Berth)

BESO 2 Chronicles 1719 These waited on the king mdash These above-mentioned were the trained bands or auxiliaries whose chief officers waited on the king to receive his commands and to raise and bring in all or part of their forces to the service of the king as need required A vast number for so small a compass of ground to furnish out and maintain But we may consider that God had promised to make the seed of Abraham like the sand of the sea for number that there had now been a long peace that many were come to them from the kingdom of Israel and that Jehoshaphat was under a special blessing of God They were doubtless dispersed all the country over every one residing on his own land only they were ready at call whenever there was occasion

TRAPP 2 Chronicles 1719 These waited on the king beside [those] whom the king put in the fenced cities throughout all Judah

Ver 19 These waited on the king] ie In their turns and by course

POOLE These above mentioned were the trained bands or auxiliaries whose chief officers waited upon the king to receive his commands and to raise and bring in all or part of their forces to the service of the king and kingdom as need required

ELLICOTT (19) These waited on the kingmdashRather these are they that ministered unto the king viz the five generals above named

Beside those whom the king put in the fenced citiesmdashie the commandants of the fortresses of the kingdom (2 Chronicles 1111 2 Chronicles 1123) These latter as well as the generals of the forces are called the kingrsquos ldquoministersrdquo (mĕshacircrĕthicircm)mdasha word which is not used of service in the field but implies their presence at court (ldquoin Jerusalemrdquo 2 Chronicles 1713 as the royal staff)

According to the above list the army of Jehoshaphat was organised in five grand divisions corresponding perhaps to five territorial divisions of the southern kingdom The totals are the largest assigned to the two tribes anywhere in the Old Testament viz Judah 780000 and Benjamin 380000 in all 1160000 At Davidrsquos census Judah had 500000 warriors (2 Samuel 249) and Israel 800000 Again in 2

Chronicles 148 Asarsquos army consists of 300000 men of Judah and 280000 Benjaminites clearly such an increase as our text indicates is unaccountable At the same time it is equally clear that the present numbers are not fortuitous results of clerical errors for they follow each other in the order of relative strength Judah 300000 280000 200000 Benjamin 200000 180000 and they are evidently not independent of the estimates of 2 Chronicles 148 above quoted

In the absence of adequate data for modifying these certainly startling figures it is well to bear in mind that we need not understand by them an army which ever actually mustered in the field or on parade but simply an estimate of the total male population liable to be called out for the national defence although even upon that understanding the total appears to be at least three times too great considering the small extent of the country

PULPIT These waited Hebrew המשרתים plur piel part of שרת The verse states that this enormous fivefold army with its five princes (counting in our corrupt text one million one hundred and sixty thousand) was the kings Jerusalem standing army while other separate regiments or bands of troops were spread through all Judah where they might be most needed for defence

Cities of storesmdashComp 2 Chronicles 84 2 Chronicles 164 Exodus 111

PULPIT Castles This rendering better than palaces (margin) wound bear improving to the rather stronger word fortresses Hebrew בירניות found only here and in 2 Chronicles 274 plur of בירנית connected with the Chaldee and later Hebrew בירה of Ezra 62 ehemiah 11 Esther 12 Daniel 82 Cities of store (see note under 2 Chronicles 84 see also 1 Kings 919 Exodus 111)

13 and had large supplies in the towns of Judah He also kept experienced fighting men in Jerusalem

CLARKE He hadmuch business in the cities - He kept the people constantly employed they had wages for their work and by their labors the empire was both enriched and strengthened

GILL And he had much business in the cities of Judah Partly in fortifying them and partly in reforming the inhabitants of them

and the men of war mighty men of valour were in Jerusalem or by or near unto it so the particle is rendered Jos_513 they encamped in places adjacent to it for such a number of men as follows even 1160000 could never be contained in Jerusalem but must be disposed of in the territories of it nor did they wait on the king together but in course see 2Ch_1719 by which it appears there is no need to suppose any mistake of the transcriber in any or all of the following sums as has been suggested (q)

HERY 13-19 III He had the militia in good order It was never in better since David modelled it Five lord-lieutenants (if I may so call them) are here named with the numbers of those under their command (the serviceable men that were fit for war in their respective districts) three in Judah and two in Benjamin It is said of one of these great commanders Amasiah that he willingly offered himself unto the Lord (2Ch_1716) not only to the king to serve him in this post but to the Lord to glorify him in it He was the most eminent among them for religion he accepted the place not for the

honour or power or profit of it but for conscience sake towards God that he might serve his country It was usual for great generals then to offer of their spoils to the Lord 1Ch_2626 But this good man offered himself first to the Lord and then his dedicated things The number of the soldiers under these five generals amounts to 1160000 men a vast number for so small a compass of ground as Judahs and Benjamins lot to furnish out and maintain Abijah could bring into the field but 400000 (2Ch_133) Asa not 600000 (2Ch_148) yet Jehoshaphat has at command almost 1200000 But it must be considered 1 That God had promised to make the seed of Abraham like the sand of the sea for number 2 There had now been a long peace 3 We may suppose that the city of Jerusalem was very much enlarged 4 Many had come over to them from the kingdom of Israel (2Ch_1519) which would increase the numbers of the people 5 Jehoshaphat was under a special blessing of God which made his affairs to prosper greatly The armies we may suppose were dispersed all the country over and each man resided for the most part on his own estate but they appeared often to be mustered and trained and were ready at call whenever there was occasion The commanders waited on the king (2Ch_1719) as officers of his court privy-counsellors and ministers of state

But lastly observe It was not this formidable army that struck a terror upon the neighbouring nations that restrained them from attempting any thing against Israel or obliged them to pay tribute but the fear of God which fell upon them when Jehoshaphat reformed his country and set up a preaching ministry in it 2Ch_1710 The ordinances of God are more the strength and safety of a kingdom than its military force - its men of God more than its men of war

KampD 2Ch_1713

וגווגווגווגו רהרהרהרה is rightly translated by Luther ldquound hatte viel Vorrathsrdquo (and ומלעכהומלעכהומלעכהומלעכה

had much store) מלעכהמלעכהמלעכהמלעכה denotes here as in Exo_227-10 property that which has been gained by work or business The signification much work opera magna (Vulg Cler etc) as also Bertheaus translation ldquothe works for equipping and provisioning the fortressesrdquo correspond neither to the context nor to the parallel (synonymous) second member of the verse The work and trouble necessary to equip the cities of Judah does not correspond to ldquothe valiant warriors in Jerusalemrdquo the only parallel is the goods and property which were in these cities the provision of victuals and war material there stored up

BESO 2 Chronicles 1713 He had much business in the cities of Judah mdash To repair and fortify them and furnish them with provisions and to purge out all the relics of idolatry and injustice which were more secretly and craftily managed in the cities than in the country and which were first and most prevalent in the cities and thence spread their infection into the country around them

TRAPP 2 Chronicles 1713 And he had much business in the cities of Judah and the men of war mighty men of valour [were] in Jerusalem

Ver 13 And he had much business] Eργα πολλα (a) Many works going forward at

once a negotious man he was His business say some lay in beautifying and fortifying those cities Augustus gloried at his death that whereas he had found Rome built with brick he had left it made of marble

And the men of war hellip were in Jerusalem] These were his Praetorian forces his Praesidiaries were up and down in the various cities

POOLE He had much business in the cities of Judah partly to repair and fortify them and furnish them with all necessary provisions and partly to purge out all the relies and seeds of idolatry and injustice which were more secretly and subtlely managed in the cities than in the country and which were first and most in the cities and thence spread their infection into the country about them See Jeremiah 228

ELLICOTT (13) BusinessmdashRather much goods or stores literally work (mĕlacirckacirch) and then produce The Hebrew word is so used in Exodus 227 Exodus 2210 (ldquoHis neighbourrsquos goodsrdquo) Stores of provisions and war material seem to be intended (Comp 2 Chronicles 1111)

And the man of war were in JerusalemmdashRather and (he had) men of war in Jerusalem

In Jerusalemmdashot the entire army corps whose numbers are given in 2 Chronicles 1714-18 but simply their chiefs

PULPIT Much business Hebrew מלאכה The meaning of the word is service labour bestowed and the verse reads And there was to him much labour in the cities of Judah and men of war mighty men of valour in Jerusalem ie He bestoweth much pains on the cities of Judah and had etc The word were Authorized Version italics is incorrectly inserted The former half of this verse would better constitute the end of 2 Chronicles 1712 Keil however maintains the rendering substance property for מלאכה (Exodus 227 Exodus 2210)

14 Their enrollment by families was as followsFrom Judah commanders of units of 1000Adnah the commander with 300000 fighting men

BARES The captains of thousands Adnah the chief - literally ldquoprinces of thousands Adnah the princerdquo The writer does not mean that Adnah (or Johohanan 2Ch_1715) was in any way superior to the other ldquoprincesrdquo but only that he was one of them

Three hundred thousand - This number and those which follow in 2Ch_1715-18 have been with good reason regarded as corrupt by most critics For

(1) They imply a minimum population of 1480 to the square mile which is more than three times greater than that of any country in the known world (circa 1880rsquos)

(2) they produce a total just double that of the next largest estimate of the military force of Judah the 580 000 of 2Ch_148

(3) they are professedly a statement not of the whole military force but of the force maintained at Jerusalem (2Ch_1713 compare 2Ch_1719)

It is probable that the original numbers have been lost and that the loss was suppplied by a scribe who took 2Ch_148 as his basis

CLARKE Adnah the chief - He was generalissimo of all this host These are the numbers of the five battalions under Adnah three hundred thousand Jehohanan two hundred and eighty thousand Amasiah two hundred thousand Eliada two hundred thousand Jehozabad one hundred and eighty thousand in all one million one hundred and sixty thousand

GILL And these are the numbers of them according to the house of their fathers Both of the tribe of Judah and of Benjamin and first

of Judah the captains of thousands some had 1000 men under them and some one hundred

Adnah the chief he was the principal commander or general of them

and with him mighty men of valour three hundred thousand such a number was under his command

JAMISO these are the numbersmdash The warriors were arranged in the army according to their fathers houses The army of Jehoshaphat commanded by five great generals and consisting of five unequal divisions comprised one million one hundred and sixty thousand men without including those who garrisoned the fortresses No monarch since the time of Solomon equaled Jehoshaphat in the extent of his revenue in the strength of his fortifications and in the number of his troops

KampD 2Ch_1714-16

The men fit for war passed in review according to their fathers-houses The male population of Judah fell into three divisions that of Benjamin into two The prince

Adnah held the first place among the generals with 300000 men of Judah ידו at his על

hand ie with and under him Jehohanan had the command of 280000 men and

Amasiah over 200000 השר is a contraction for אלפים For what special reason it is so שר

honourably recorded of Amasiah that he had willingly offered himself to the Lord (cf for

Jdg_59) has not been communicated התנב

COFFMA his represented a standing army of 1160000 men besides the garrisons in the fortified cities and this goes a long way to explaining why the Arabians and the Philistines brought tribute to Jehoshaphat In ancient times as in our own day peace frequently depended upon the strength of those who desired it

We should ignore the screams of exaggeration[3] which mark the writings of radical critics Pagan rulers of that era reported even larger armies than this and until the critics can prove that those were exaggerated reports they should let these alone Besides that we have already noted that the very word from which thousand is translated is disputed as to its exact meaning

COKE 2 Chronicles 1714 And these are the numbers of themmdash That is of the soldiers as well as of those who were employed in the kings works in the several cities ampc which he built See 2 Chronicles 1719

REFLECTIOSmdash1st Jehoshaphat no sooner comes to the throne than we see the dawnings of a glorious reign

1 He strengthened his kingdom by placing strong garrisons in the cities of Judah and those which his father had recovered from Israel and prepared against that danger which Ahabs growing power seemed to threaten

2 Religion was his great concern He copied after the best of his predecessors in their best days such as were the first of David before the matter of Uriah and the numbering of the people had blotted his fair copy Faithful to the worship of God he abhorred all idols the law of God was his rule of duty and Israels apostacy rendered his fidelity more singular and exemplary Inspired with holy zeal his heart with delight and sincerity was engaged for God and no difficulties deterred him from the path of duty The idols and groves which in the declining days of Asa might have been set up again he utterly destroyed with all the high places where they still offered sacrifices to these abominations ote (1) In the fairest human pattern there will be found imperfections but there is a Son of David more than man who has set us a spotless example that we should follow his steps (2) Fidelity in Gods service is the stability of a nation (3) A lively soul on wings of faith and love mounts up to God rises superior to every difficulty and looks down upon every thing besides his favour as altogether vanity

3 He not only removed the temptations to sin but took care to instruct the people in

the path of duty Ignorance of Gods law had greatly prevailed and to oblige them merely to conform to his reformation without grounding them on the true foundation of Gods word promised little stability The Levites and priests therefore are sent in progress through the cities of Judah with the book of the law to explain and enforce the commandments of God and several princes accompanied them in order to engage the people to hear them and give countenance to these preachers by their weight and influence ote (1) It is a blessed thing when princes countenance faithful ministers Though they cannot make men true converts their example and authority will induce them to attend (2) They who are sent to teach must see that they take the pure word of God along with them A true preacher wishes for nothing in his hand but his Bible (3) Religion is a reasonable service Conviction alone not compulsion or education can make a man a christian

4 The blessing of God attended his labours The Lord was with him or as the Targum generally expresses it the word of the Lord the divine Logos to whom all things are committed strengthened him in his labours and established his kingdom The people charmed with his government liberally sent their presents to him and abounding in riches and honour his heart far from being intoxicated by prosperity was lifted up in greater love and thankfulness to the gracious giver ote (1) God often here rewards piety with prosperity (2) Worldly comforts are then truly blessings when as the steps of Jacobs ladder they raise our hearts to heaven

2nd Like the light of the morning which shineth more and more so did Jehoshaphats glory increase

1 Feared by his enemies as beloved by his subjects the neighbouring princes did not offer to molest him while those of Philistia and Arabia courted his favour either by a voluntary present or exact payment of the tribute which Asa had imposed on them see 2 Chronicles 1711 God had put an awe upon them of the majesty of his king in Zion ote God hath access to the spirits of men and by secret yet irresistible influence can bow them to his sovereign will

2 His military preparations greatly advanced While he reformed the people he fortified their ramparts and built new castles and store-cities strengthening them within and without against their enemies Under five chief officers an immense army was enlisted Probably all the able men in the country were enrolled and regularly mustered though not drawn out except in case of necessity and this may easily account for the greatness of their number if we consider also the long peace they had enjoyed the accession of Israelites to them and especially the blessing of Abraham which no doubt was eminently fulfilled Amasiah one of the officers is mentioned with an honourable mark of distinction as a volunteer who served for the glory of God not for the sake of pay Such patriots are scarce

TRAPP 2 Chronicles 1714 And these [are] the numbers of them according to the house of their fathers Of Judah the captains of thousands Adnah the chief and

with him mighty men of valour three hundred thousand

Ver 14 Three hundred thousand] These were under his command and at hand to come whensoever the king would

WHEDO 14 Three hundred thousand mdash The numbers in this verse and the four verses following are generally regarded as corrupt ldquoThey implyrdquo observes the writer last quoted ldquoa minimum population of 1480 to the square mile which is more than three times greater than that of any country in the known world It is probable that the original numbers have been lost and the loss supplied by a scribe who took 2 Chronicles 148 as his basis

ELLICOTT Verse 14 (14) And these their fathersmdashAnd this is their muster (or census) according to their father-houses (clans) 1 Chronicles 243 The warriors were marshalled in the army according to clans so that men of the same stock fought side by side with their kindred Perhaps in the original document this heading was followed by a much more detailed scheme of names and divisions than that which the text presents

Of JudahmdashTo Judah (belonged) captains of thousands viz the three enumerated in 2 Chronicles 1714-16 Adnah Jehohanan and Amasiah They were the principal officers or generals of the entire forces of Judah

Adnah the chiefmdashTo wit the captain Adnah That Adnah was commander-in-chief is implied by his being named first and his corps being the largest

PULPIT This verse with the following four gives us the names of five captains chiefs princes or military officers for the kingdoms service with the numbers of the troops they severally commanded The numbers of them (see note under 1 Chronicles 2311) Hebrew פקדתם The better English rendering to carry at once the signification would be The muster of them etc The captains hellip the chief In both cases the Hebrew is the familiar word for prince ( שר ) in the former without article in the latter with article The numbers of this and following four verses are not only absolutely unreliable but in themselves impossible According to the house of their fathers ie the quotation is drawn from an army catalogue arranged carefully by fathers houses (umbers 118 umbers 122 etc)

15 next Jehohanan the commander with 280000

GILL And next to him was Jehohanan the captain Being of the same rank as to office but having a lesser number of men under him and it may respect not any kind of subordination only nearness of place as the Targumhe that encamped next to him

and with him two hundred and fourscore thousand which number was but 20000 less than the former

POOLE ext to him either

1 After his death as his successor in the same command And the like is supposed concerning Jehozabad 2 Chronicles 1718 Or rather

2 ext to him in place and authority or at least in power and the numbers of his host

16 next Amasiah son of Zikri who volunteered himself for the service of the Lord with 200000

GILL And next him was Amasiah the son of Zichri He encamped next to him as the Targum

who willingly offered himself unto the Lord to fight the Lords battles and without any stipend as some think or as Kimchi he offered gold and silver to the treasures of the house of the Lord

and with him two hundred thousand mighty men of valour the number was 80000 less than the former the whole of Judah amounted to 780000 men

TRAPP 2 Chronicles 1716 And next him [was] Amasiah the son of Zichri who willingly offered himself unto the LORD and with him two hundred thousand mighty men of valour

Ver 16 Who willingly offered himself unto the Lord] He was a votary the vows of God were upon him and this made him the more valiant and resolute (a) in the exercise of arms for the service of God and the safety of his people The Spahis among the Turks are a sort of horsemen voluntaries and votaries to gain paradise by dying for the Mohammedan cause These are never known to return home but

with victory these are heavy upon the enemy For

ldquo Vincitur haud gratis iugulo qui provocat ensem rdquo

POOLE As volunteers and auxiliaries to be ready upon occasion as the service of God and the king should require Possibly these or most of them were the strangers which had come out of Israel into the kingdom of Judah in Asarsquos days and probably since that in his time

ELLICOTT (16) AmasiahmdashIah carrieth (Isaiah 4011) different from Amaziah (Iah is strong)

Who willingly offered himself unto the Lordmdash(Judges 52 Judges 59) An allusion to some noble act of self-devotion which was doubtless more fully recorded in the source from which the chronicler has drawn this brief account Such allusions though no longer intelligible are important as conducing to the proof of the historical value of the narratives in which they occur LXX ὁ προθυmicroούmicroενος τῷ κυρίῳ Vulg consecratus Domino

PULPIT Amaziah the son of Zichri This man is not titled at all The description of him as one who had willingly offered himself unto the Lord not elucidated by the context or any effective parallel will mark something honorable in his history Possibly he comes from an unexpected quarter and is a man of approved skill othing further is known of these three men Meantime it has been suggested (Professor Dr J Murphy of Belfast Handbook to Chronicles ) that the first of the three was for Judah proper the second for that contingent of Judah that hailed from Dan and the Philistines and the third for that of Simeon and the Arabs

MACLARE This is a scrap from the catalogue of Jehoshaphatrsquos lsquomighty men of valourrsquo and is Amasiahrsquos sole record We see him for a moment and hear his eulogium and then oblivion swallows him up We do not know what it was that he did to earn it But what a fate to live to all generations by that one sentence

I Cheerful self-surrender the secret of all religion

The words of our text contain a metaphor naturally drawn from the sacrificial system It comes so easily to us that we scarcely recognise the metaphorical element but the clear recognition of it gives great additional energy to the words Amasiah was both sacrificer and sacrifice His offering was self-immolation As in all love so in that noblest kind of it which clasps God its perfect expression is lsquoI give Thee my living loving selfrsquo Nor is it only sacrifice and sacrificer that are seen in deepest truth in the experience of the Christian life but the reality of the Temple is also there for lsquoYe also are built up a spiritual house to be a holy priesthood to offer up spiritual sacrificesrsquo Only when God dwells in us shall we have the nerve and the firmness of hand to take the knife and lsquoslay before the Lordrsquo the awful Guest in the sanctuary within the most precious of the children of our spirits

The essence of the sacrifice of self is the sacrifice of will In the Christian experience

lsquowillingly offeredrsquo is almost tautology for unwilling offerings are a contradiction and in fact there are no such things The quality of unwillingness destroys the character of the offering and robs it of all sacredness Reluctant Christianity is not Christianity That noun and that adjective can never be buckled together

The submission of will and the consequent surrender of myself and my powers opportunities and possessions so that I do all enjoy all use all and when need is endure all with glad thankful reference to God is only possible to me in the measure in which my will is made flexible by love and such will-subduing love comes only when we lsquoknow and believe the love that God hath to usrsquo There is the point at which not a few moral and religious teachers go wrong and bewilder themselves and their disciples There too is the point at which Christ and the Gospel of salvation through faith in Him stand forth as emancipating humanity from the dreary round of efforts and vain attempts to work up the condition needful for achieving the height of self-surrender which is seen to be indispensable to all true nobleness of living but is felt to be beyond the reach of the ordinary man There too is the point at which many good people mar their lives as Christians They waste their strength in trying to bring the jibbing horse up to the leap They try to blow up a fire of devotion and to make themselves priests to offer themselves but all the while the mutinous self recoils from the leap and the fire burns smokily and their sacrifice is laid on the altar with little joy because they have not been careful and wise enough to begin at the beginning and to follow Godrsquos way of melting their wills by love the reflection of the Infinite love of God to them Godrsquos priests offer themselves because they offer their wills they offer their wills because they love God they love God because they know that God loves them That is the divine order It is vain to try to accomplish the end by any other

II This willing offering hallows all life

No syllable is left to tell us what Amasiah did to win this praise Probably the words enshrine some now forgotten memory of his cheerful courage some heroic feat on an unrecorded battlefield Particulars are not given nor needed Specific actions are unimportant the spirit of a life can be told with very incomplete details and it not the details is the important thing Sometimes as in many modern biographies one lsquocannot see the wood for the treesrsquo and misses the main drift and aim of a life in the chaos of a bewildering mass of nothings How much more happy the lot of this man of whom we have only the generalised expression of the text unweighted and undisturbed by petty incidents It takes tons of rose leaves to make a tiny phial of otto of roses but the fragrance is far more pungent in a drop of the distillation than in armfuls of leaves Every life shrinks into very small compass and the centuries do not tolerate long biographies Shall we not seek to order our life so that Amasiahrsquos epitaph may serve for us It will be blessed if this-and nothing else-is known about us that we lsquowillingly offered ourselves to the Lordrsquo My friend will that be a true epitome of your life

III This willing offering is accepted by God

We may hear a mightier voice behind the chroniclerrsquo s and the judgment of the Judge of all pronounced by His lips It matters little what men say of one another but it matters everything what God says of us We are but too apt to forget that He is now saying something as to each of us and that we have not to wait for death to put a final period to our activities before our lives become fit subjects for Godrsquos judgment Moment by moment we are writing our own sentences But while it is good for us to remember the continuous judgment of God on each deed it is not good to let dark thoughts of the principles of that judgment paralyse our activity or chill our confidence in His forgiving and accepting mercy There is often a dark suspicion like that of the one-talented

servant which blackens Godrsquos fair fame as being lsquoan austere Manrsquo making demands rather than imparting power and the effect of such an ugly conception of Him is to cut the nerve of service and bury the talent carefully folded up it may be but none the less earning nothing lsquoIf we call on Him as Father who without respect of persons judgeth according to every manrsquos workrsquo let us be sure that it will be a Fatherly judgment that He will pass upon us and our offerings There is a wonderful collection on His altar of what many people would think rubbish just as many a mother has laid away among her treasures some worthless article which her child had once given her-a weed plucked by the roadside in a long past summer day some trifle of rare preciousness in the childrsquos eyes and of none in any others than her own She opens her drawer and brings out the poor little thing and her eyes fill and her heart fills as she looks And does not God keep His childrenrsquos gifts as lovingly and set them in places of honour in the day when He lsquomakes up His jewelsrsquo There are cups of cold water and widowsrsquo mites and much else that a supercilious world would call lsquotrashrsquo stored there Thank God He accepts imperfect service faltering faith partial consecration a little love Even our poor offering may be an lsquoodour of a sweet smellrsquo ministering fragrance that is a delight to Him if it is offered with the much incense of the great Sacrifice and through the mediation of the great High Priest

The world forgot Amasiah or never knew him an obscure soldier in an obscure kingdom but God did not forget and here is his epitaph and this is his memorial to all generations Menrsquos chronicles have no room for all the names that their wearers are eager to have inscribed on their crumbling and crowded pages lsquobut the Lambrsquos Book of Lifersquo has ample space on its radiant pages for all who desire to set their names there and if ours are there we need not envy the proudest whose titles and deeds fill the most conspicuous pages in the worldrsquos records lsquoThen shall every man have praise of Christrsquo and he who wins that guerdon needs nothing more and can have nothing more to swell his blessedness

17 From BenjaminEliada a valiant soldier with 200000 men armed with bows and shields

GILL And of Benjamin Eliada a mighty man of valour Was the chief commander

and with armed men with bow and shield two hundred thousand which were

the armour of the tribe of Benjamin they were best skilled in 2Ch_148

TRAPP 2 Chronicles 1717 And of Benjamin Eliada a mighty man of valour and with him armed men with bow and shield two hundred thousand

Ver 17 With bow and shield] The Benjamites were notable bowmen [1 Chronicles 122] The Engish were anciently so too

ELLICOTT (17) Armed men with bow and shieldmdashLiterally drawing bow and shield ie as the Targum explains ldquodrawing bow and grasping shieldsrdquo (Comp 1 Chronicles 122) LXX ldquoArchers and peltastsrdquo Vulg ldquoGrasping bow and shieldrdquo (Comp also 1 Chronicles 840 for the arms of the Benjaminites)

18 next Jehozabad with 180000 men armed for battle

GILL And next to him was Jehozabad According to the Targum he encamped next him

and with him one hundred and fourscore thousand ready prepared for war being able bodied men well disciplined valiant and well armed these numbers of Judah and Benjamin put together amount to 1160000 men whereas Asa only brought into the field 580000 but it should be considered there had been a long time of peace many had come off from the ten tribes to Judah and the promise of multiplying the seed of Abraham was eminently fulfilled

TRAPP 2 Chronicles 1718 And next him [was] Jehozabad and with him an hundred and fourscore thousand ready prepared for the war

Ver 18 A hundred and fourscore thousand] His militia was eleven hundred and threescore thousand besides what he had in garrisons [2 Chronicles 1719] So that as he was better he was stronger than his father Asa had been Piety hath prosperity

ELLICOTT (18) Ready prepared for the warmdashEquipped for service (See on 1

Chronicles 1223-24 umbers 315 umbers 3229) The hoplites or heavy-armed infantry are probably meant

PULPIT While Eliada of last verse was for Benjamin Professor Dr Murphy supposes that Jehozabad was for the annexed part of Ephraim But no suppositions of this kind can avail to explain the numbers in the text which is no doubt corrupt

19 These were the men who served the king besides those he stationed in the fortified cities throughout Judah

CLARKE These waited on the king - They were disposable forces always at the kingrsquos command and were independent of those by which the cities of Judah were garrisoned

There is not a sovereign in Europe or in the world but might read this chapter with advantage

1 It shows most forcibly that true religion is the basis of the state and that wherever it prospers there the state prospers

2 It shows also that it is the wisdom of kings to encourage religion with all their power and influence for if the hearts of the subjects be not bound and influenced by true religion vain is the application of laws fines imprisonments or corporal punishment of any kind

3 A religious nation is ever a great nation it is loved by its friends it is dreaded by its enemies

4 It is ever a peaceable and united nation the blessings of religion and a wholesome and paternal government are so fully felt and prized that all find it their interest to preserve and defend them Harmony peace piety and strength are the stability of such times May Britain know and value them

GILL These waited on the king Not this vast number of men at one time but in course as Davids military men waited on him 1Ch_271 or each of these captains with a proper number of men under them detached from the body and they were all ready to obey the kings orders whenever he should have occasion for them

besides those whom the king put into the fenced cities throughout Judah and all together the militia of the kingdom was very numerous and formidable

KampD 2Ch_1719

These were serving the king א6ה refers not to the above-mentioned men capable of

bearing arms for sheereet is not used of service in war but to the commanders whom he had placed in the fortified cities of all Judah ldquoin which probably bodies of the above-mentioned troops lay as garrisonsrdquo (Berth)

BESO 2 Chronicles 1719 These waited on the king mdash These above-mentioned were the trained bands or auxiliaries whose chief officers waited on the king to receive his commands and to raise and bring in all or part of their forces to the service of the king as need required A vast number for so small a compass of ground to furnish out and maintain But we may consider that God had promised to make the seed of Abraham like the sand of the sea for number that there had now been a long peace that many were come to them from the kingdom of Israel and that Jehoshaphat was under a special blessing of God They were doubtless dispersed all the country over every one residing on his own land only they were ready at call whenever there was occasion

TRAPP 2 Chronicles 1719 These waited on the king beside [those] whom the king put in the fenced cities throughout all Judah

Ver 19 These waited on the king] ie In their turns and by course

POOLE These above mentioned were the trained bands or auxiliaries whose chief officers waited upon the king to receive his commands and to raise and bring in all or part of their forces to the service of the king and kingdom as need required

ELLICOTT (19) These waited on the kingmdashRather these are they that ministered unto the king viz the five generals above named

Beside those whom the king put in the fenced citiesmdashie the commandants of the fortresses of the kingdom (2 Chronicles 1111 2 Chronicles 1123) These latter as well as the generals of the forces are called the kingrsquos ldquoministersrdquo (mĕshacircrĕthicircm)mdasha word which is not used of service in the field but implies their presence at court (ldquoin Jerusalemrdquo 2 Chronicles 1713 as the royal staff)

According to the above list the army of Jehoshaphat was organised in five grand divisions corresponding perhaps to five territorial divisions of the southern kingdom The totals are the largest assigned to the two tribes anywhere in the Old Testament viz Judah 780000 and Benjamin 380000 in all 1160000 At Davidrsquos census Judah had 500000 warriors (2 Samuel 249) and Israel 800000 Again in 2

Chronicles 148 Asarsquos army consists of 300000 men of Judah and 280000 Benjaminites clearly such an increase as our text indicates is unaccountable At the same time it is equally clear that the present numbers are not fortuitous results of clerical errors for they follow each other in the order of relative strength Judah 300000 280000 200000 Benjamin 200000 180000 and they are evidently not independent of the estimates of 2 Chronicles 148 above quoted

In the absence of adequate data for modifying these certainly startling figures it is well to bear in mind that we need not understand by them an army which ever actually mustered in the field or on parade but simply an estimate of the total male population liable to be called out for the national defence although even upon that understanding the total appears to be at least three times too great considering the small extent of the country

PULPIT These waited Hebrew המשרתים plur piel part of שרת The verse states that this enormous fivefold army with its five princes (counting in our corrupt text one million one hundred and sixty thousand) was the kings Jerusalem standing army while other separate regiments or bands of troops were spread through all Judah where they might be most needed for defence

honour or power or profit of it but for conscience sake towards God that he might serve his country It was usual for great generals then to offer of their spoils to the Lord 1Ch_2626 But this good man offered himself first to the Lord and then his dedicated things The number of the soldiers under these five generals amounts to 1160000 men a vast number for so small a compass of ground as Judahs and Benjamins lot to furnish out and maintain Abijah could bring into the field but 400000 (2Ch_133) Asa not 600000 (2Ch_148) yet Jehoshaphat has at command almost 1200000 But it must be considered 1 That God had promised to make the seed of Abraham like the sand of the sea for number 2 There had now been a long peace 3 We may suppose that the city of Jerusalem was very much enlarged 4 Many had come over to them from the kingdom of Israel (2Ch_1519) which would increase the numbers of the people 5 Jehoshaphat was under a special blessing of God which made his affairs to prosper greatly The armies we may suppose were dispersed all the country over and each man resided for the most part on his own estate but they appeared often to be mustered and trained and were ready at call whenever there was occasion The commanders waited on the king (2Ch_1719) as officers of his court privy-counsellors and ministers of state

But lastly observe It was not this formidable army that struck a terror upon the neighbouring nations that restrained them from attempting any thing against Israel or obliged them to pay tribute but the fear of God which fell upon them when Jehoshaphat reformed his country and set up a preaching ministry in it 2Ch_1710 The ordinances of God are more the strength and safety of a kingdom than its military force - its men of God more than its men of war

KampD 2Ch_1713

וגווגווגווגו רהרהרהרה is rightly translated by Luther ldquound hatte viel Vorrathsrdquo (and ומלעכהומלעכהומלעכהומלעכה

had much store) מלעכהמלעכהמלעכהמלעכה denotes here as in Exo_227-10 property that which has been gained by work or business The signification much work opera magna (Vulg Cler etc) as also Bertheaus translation ldquothe works for equipping and provisioning the fortressesrdquo correspond neither to the context nor to the parallel (synonymous) second member of the verse The work and trouble necessary to equip the cities of Judah does not correspond to ldquothe valiant warriors in Jerusalemrdquo the only parallel is the goods and property which were in these cities the provision of victuals and war material there stored up

BESO 2 Chronicles 1713 He had much business in the cities of Judah mdash To repair and fortify them and furnish them with provisions and to purge out all the relics of idolatry and injustice which were more secretly and craftily managed in the cities than in the country and which were first and most prevalent in the cities and thence spread their infection into the country around them

TRAPP 2 Chronicles 1713 And he had much business in the cities of Judah and the men of war mighty men of valour [were] in Jerusalem

Ver 13 And he had much business] Eργα πολλα (a) Many works going forward at

once a negotious man he was His business say some lay in beautifying and fortifying those cities Augustus gloried at his death that whereas he had found Rome built with brick he had left it made of marble

And the men of war hellip were in Jerusalem] These were his Praetorian forces his Praesidiaries were up and down in the various cities

POOLE He had much business in the cities of Judah partly to repair and fortify them and furnish them with all necessary provisions and partly to purge out all the relies and seeds of idolatry and injustice which were more secretly and subtlely managed in the cities than in the country and which were first and most in the cities and thence spread their infection into the country about them See Jeremiah 228

ELLICOTT (13) BusinessmdashRather much goods or stores literally work (mĕlacirckacirch) and then produce The Hebrew word is so used in Exodus 227 Exodus 2210 (ldquoHis neighbourrsquos goodsrdquo) Stores of provisions and war material seem to be intended (Comp 2 Chronicles 1111)

And the man of war were in JerusalemmdashRather and (he had) men of war in Jerusalem

In Jerusalemmdashot the entire army corps whose numbers are given in 2 Chronicles 1714-18 but simply their chiefs

PULPIT Much business Hebrew מלאכה The meaning of the word is service labour bestowed and the verse reads And there was to him much labour in the cities of Judah and men of war mighty men of valour in Jerusalem ie He bestoweth much pains on the cities of Judah and had etc The word were Authorized Version italics is incorrectly inserted The former half of this verse would better constitute the end of 2 Chronicles 1712 Keil however maintains the rendering substance property for מלאכה (Exodus 227 Exodus 2210)

14 Their enrollment by families was as followsFrom Judah commanders of units of 1000Adnah the commander with 300000 fighting men

BARES The captains of thousands Adnah the chief - literally ldquoprinces of thousands Adnah the princerdquo The writer does not mean that Adnah (or Johohanan 2Ch_1715) was in any way superior to the other ldquoprincesrdquo but only that he was one of them

Three hundred thousand - This number and those which follow in 2Ch_1715-18 have been with good reason regarded as corrupt by most critics For

(1) They imply a minimum population of 1480 to the square mile which is more than three times greater than that of any country in the known world (circa 1880rsquos)

(2) they produce a total just double that of the next largest estimate of the military force of Judah the 580 000 of 2Ch_148

(3) they are professedly a statement not of the whole military force but of the force maintained at Jerusalem (2Ch_1713 compare 2Ch_1719)

It is probable that the original numbers have been lost and that the loss was suppplied by a scribe who took 2Ch_148 as his basis

CLARKE Adnah the chief - He was generalissimo of all this host These are the numbers of the five battalions under Adnah three hundred thousand Jehohanan two hundred and eighty thousand Amasiah two hundred thousand Eliada two hundred thousand Jehozabad one hundred and eighty thousand in all one million one hundred and sixty thousand

GILL And these are the numbers of them according to the house of their fathers Both of the tribe of Judah and of Benjamin and first

of Judah the captains of thousands some had 1000 men under them and some one hundred

Adnah the chief he was the principal commander or general of them

and with him mighty men of valour three hundred thousand such a number was under his command

JAMISO these are the numbersmdash The warriors were arranged in the army according to their fathers houses The army of Jehoshaphat commanded by five great generals and consisting of five unequal divisions comprised one million one hundred and sixty thousand men without including those who garrisoned the fortresses No monarch since the time of Solomon equaled Jehoshaphat in the extent of his revenue in the strength of his fortifications and in the number of his troops

KampD 2Ch_1714-16

The men fit for war passed in review according to their fathers-houses The male population of Judah fell into three divisions that of Benjamin into two The prince

Adnah held the first place among the generals with 300000 men of Judah ידו at his על

hand ie with and under him Jehohanan had the command of 280000 men and

Amasiah over 200000 השר is a contraction for אלפים For what special reason it is so שר

honourably recorded of Amasiah that he had willingly offered himself to the Lord (cf for

Jdg_59) has not been communicated התנב

COFFMA his represented a standing army of 1160000 men besides the garrisons in the fortified cities and this goes a long way to explaining why the Arabians and the Philistines brought tribute to Jehoshaphat In ancient times as in our own day peace frequently depended upon the strength of those who desired it

We should ignore the screams of exaggeration[3] which mark the writings of radical critics Pagan rulers of that era reported even larger armies than this and until the critics can prove that those were exaggerated reports they should let these alone Besides that we have already noted that the very word from which thousand is translated is disputed as to its exact meaning

COKE 2 Chronicles 1714 And these are the numbers of themmdash That is of the soldiers as well as of those who were employed in the kings works in the several cities ampc which he built See 2 Chronicles 1719

REFLECTIOSmdash1st Jehoshaphat no sooner comes to the throne than we see the dawnings of a glorious reign

1 He strengthened his kingdom by placing strong garrisons in the cities of Judah and those which his father had recovered from Israel and prepared against that danger which Ahabs growing power seemed to threaten

2 Religion was his great concern He copied after the best of his predecessors in their best days such as were the first of David before the matter of Uriah and the numbering of the people had blotted his fair copy Faithful to the worship of God he abhorred all idols the law of God was his rule of duty and Israels apostacy rendered his fidelity more singular and exemplary Inspired with holy zeal his heart with delight and sincerity was engaged for God and no difficulties deterred him from the path of duty The idols and groves which in the declining days of Asa might have been set up again he utterly destroyed with all the high places where they still offered sacrifices to these abominations ote (1) In the fairest human pattern there will be found imperfections but there is a Son of David more than man who has set us a spotless example that we should follow his steps (2) Fidelity in Gods service is the stability of a nation (3) A lively soul on wings of faith and love mounts up to God rises superior to every difficulty and looks down upon every thing besides his favour as altogether vanity

3 He not only removed the temptations to sin but took care to instruct the people in

the path of duty Ignorance of Gods law had greatly prevailed and to oblige them merely to conform to his reformation without grounding them on the true foundation of Gods word promised little stability The Levites and priests therefore are sent in progress through the cities of Judah with the book of the law to explain and enforce the commandments of God and several princes accompanied them in order to engage the people to hear them and give countenance to these preachers by their weight and influence ote (1) It is a blessed thing when princes countenance faithful ministers Though they cannot make men true converts their example and authority will induce them to attend (2) They who are sent to teach must see that they take the pure word of God along with them A true preacher wishes for nothing in his hand but his Bible (3) Religion is a reasonable service Conviction alone not compulsion or education can make a man a christian

4 The blessing of God attended his labours The Lord was with him or as the Targum generally expresses it the word of the Lord the divine Logos to whom all things are committed strengthened him in his labours and established his kingdom The people charmed with his government liberally sent their presents to him and abounding in riches and honour his heart far from being intoxicated by prosperity was lifted up in greater love and thankfulness to the gracious giver ote (1) God often here rewards piety with prosperity (2) Worldly comforts are then truly blessings when as the steps of Jacobs ladder they raise our hearts to heaven

2nd Like the light of the morning which shineth more and more so did Jehoshaphats glory increase

1 Feared by his enemies as beloved by his subjects the neighbouring princes did not offer to molest him while those of Philistia and Arabia courted his favour either by a voluntary present or exact payment of the tribute which Asa had imposed on them see 2 Chronicles 1711 God had put an awe upon them of the majesty of his king in Zion ote God hath access to the spirits of men and by secret yet irresistible influence can bow them to his sovereign will

2 His military preparations greatly advanced While he reformed the people he fortified their ramparts and built new castles and store-cities strengthening them within and without against their enemies Under five chief officers an immense army was enlisted Probably all the able men in the country were enrolled and regularly mustered though not drawn out except in case of necessity and this may easily account for the greatness of their number if we consider also the long peace they had enjoyed the accession of Israelites to them and especially the blessing of Abraham which no doubt was eminently fulfilled Amasiah one of the officers is mentioned with an honourable mark of distinction as a volunteer who served for the glory of God not for the sake of pay Such patriots are scarce

TRAPP 2 Chronicles 1714 And these [are] the numbers of them according to the house of their fathers Of Judah the captains of thousands Adnah the chief and

with him mighty men of valour three hundred thousand

Ver 14 Three hundred thousand] These were under his command and at hand to come whensoever the king would

WHEDO 14 Three hundred thousand mdash The numbers in this verse and the four verses following are generally regarded as corrupt ldquoThey implyrdquo observes the writer last quoted ldquoa minimum population of 1480 to the square mile which is more than three times greater than that of any country in the known world It is probable that the original numbers have been lost and the loss supplied by a scribe who took 2 Chronicles 148 as his basis

ELLICOTT Verse 14 (14) And these their fathersmdashAnd this is their muster (or census) according to their father-houses (clans) 1 Chronicles 243 The warriors were marshalled in the army according to clans so that men of the same stock fought side by side with their kindred Perhaps in the original document this heading was followed by a much more detailed scheme of names and divisions than that which the text presents

Of JudahmdashTo Judah (belonged) captains of thousands viz the three enumerated in 2 Chronicles 1714-16 Adnah Jehohanan and Amasiah They were the principal officers or generals of the entire forces of Judah

Adnah the chiefmdashTo wit the captain Adnah That Adnah was commander-in-chief is implied by his being named first and his corps being the largest

PULPIT This verse with the following four gives us the names of five captains chiefs princes or military officers for the kingdoms service with the numbers of the troops they severally commanded The numbers of them (see note under 1 Chronicles 2311) Hebrew פקדתם The better English rendering to carry at once the signification would be The muster of them etc The captains hellip the chief In both cases the Hebrew is the familiar word for prince ( שר ) in the former without article in the latter with article The numbers of this and following four verses are not only absolutely unreliable but in themselves impossible According to the house of their fathers ie the quotation is drawn from an army catalogue arranged carefully by fathers houses (umbers 118 umbers 122 etc)

15 next Jehohanan the commander with 280000

GILL And next to him was Jehohanan the captain Being of the same rank as to office but having a lesser number of men under him and it may respect not any kind of subordination only nearness of place as the Targumhe that encamped next to him

and with him two hundred and fourscore thousand which number was but 20000 less than the former

POOLE ext to him either

1 After his death as his successor in the same command And the like is supposed concerning Jehozabad 2 Chronicles 1718 Or rather

2 ext to him in place and authority or at least in power and the numbers of his host

16 next Amasiah son of Zikri who volunteered himself for the service of the Lord with 200000

GILL And next him was Amasiah the son of Zichri He encamped next to him as the Targum

who willingly offered himself unto the Lord to fight the Lords battles and without any stipend as some think or as Kimchi he offered gold and silver to the treasures of the house of the Lord

and with him two hundred thousand mighty men of valour the number was 80000 less than the former the whole of Judah amounted to 780000 men

TRAPP 2 Chronicles 1716 And next him [was] Amasiah the son of Zichri who willingly offered himself unto the LORD and with him two hundred thousand mighty men of valour

Ver 16 Who willingly offered himself unto the Lord] He was a votary the vows of God were upon him and this made him the more valiant and resolute (a) in the exercise of arms for the service of God and the safety of his people The Spahis among the Turks are a sort of horsemen voluntaries and votaries to gain paradise by dying for the Mohammedan cause These are never known to return home but

with victory these are heavy upon the enemy For

ldquo Vincitur haud gratis iugulo qui provocat ensem rdquo

POOLE As volunteers and auxiliaries to be ready upon occasion as the service of God and the king should require Possibly these or most of them were the strangers which had come out of Israel into the kingdom of Judah in Asarsquos days and probably since that in his time

ELLICOTT (16) AmasiahmdashIah carrieth (Isaiah 4011) different from Amaziah (Iah is strong)

Who willingly offered himself unto the Lordmdash(Judges 52 Judges 59) An allusion to some noble act of self-devotion which was doubtless more fully recorded in the source from which the chronicler has drawn this brief account Such allusions though no longer intelligible are important as conducing to the proof of the historical value of the narratives in which they occur LXX ὁ προθυmicroούmicroενος τῷ κυρίῳ Vulg consecratus Domino

PULPIT Amaziah the son of Zichri This man is not titled at all The description of him as one who had willingly offered himself unto the Lord not elucidated by the context or any effective parallel will mark something honorable in his history Possibly he comes from an unexpected quarter and is a man of approved skill othing further is known of these three men Meantime it has been suggested (Professor Dr J Murphy of Belfast Handbook to Chronicles ) that the first of the three was for Judah proper the second for that contingent of Judah that hailed from Dan and the Philistines and the third for that of Simeon and the Arabs

MACLARE This is a scrap from the catalogue of Jehoshaphatrsquos lsquomighty men of valourrsquo and is Amasiahrsquos sole record We see him for a moment and hear his eulogium and then oblivion swallows him up We do not know what it was that he did to earn it But what a fate to live to all generations by that one sentence

I Cheerful self-surrender the secret of all religion

The words of our text contain a metaphor naturally drawn from the sacrificial system It comes so easily to us that we scarcely recognise the metaphorical element but the clear recognition of it gives great additional energy to the words Amasiah was both sacrificer and sacrifice His offering was self-immolation As in all love so in that noblest kind of it which clasps God its perfect expression is lsquoI give Thee my living loving selfrsquo Nor is it only sacrifice and sacrificer that are seen in deepest truth in the experience of the Christian life but the reality of the Temple is also there for lsquoYe also are built up a spiritual house to be a holy priesthood to offer up spiritual sacrificesrsquo Only when God dwells in us shall we have the nerve and the firmness of hand to take the knife and lsquoslay before the Lordrsquo the awful Guest in the sanctuary within the most precious of the children of our spirits

The essence of the sacrifice of self is the sacrifice of will In the Christian experience

lsquowillingly offeredrsquo is almost tautology for unwilling offerings are a contradiction and in fact there are no such things The quality of unwillingness destroys the character of the offering and robs it of all sacredness Reluctant Christianity is not Christianity That noun and that adjective can never be buckled together

The submission of will and the consequent surrender of myself and my powers opportunities and possessions so that I do all enjoy all use all and when need is endure all with glad thankful reference to God is only possible to me in the measure in which my will is made flexible by love and such will-subduing love comes only when we lsquoknow and believe the love that God hath to usrsquo There is the point at which not a few moral and religious teachers go wrong and bewilder themselves and their disciples There too is the point at which Christ and the Gospel of salvation through faith in Him stand forth as emancipating humanity from the dreary round of efforts and vain attempts to work up the condition needful for achieving the height of self-surrender which is seen to be indispensable to all true nobleness of living but is felt to be beyond the reach of the ordinary man There too is the point at which many good people mar their lives as Christians They waste their strength in trying to bring the jibbing horse up to the leap They try to blow up a fire of devotion and to make themselves priests to offer themselves but all the while the mutinous self recoils from the leap and the fire burns smokily and their sacrifice is laid on the altar with little joy because they have not been careful and wise enough to begin at the beginning and to follow Godrsquos way of melting their wills by love the reflection of the Infinite love of God to them Godrsquos priests offer themselves because they offer their wills they offer their wills because they love God they love God because they know that God loves them That is the divine order It is vain to try to accomplish the end by any other

II This willing offering hallows all life

No syllable is left to tell us what Amasiah did to win this praise Probably the words enshrine some now forgotten memory of his cheerful courage some heroic feat on an unrecorded battlefield Particulars are not given nor needed Specific actions are unimportant the spirit of a life can be told with very incomplete details and it not the details is the important thing Sometimes as in many modern biographies one lsquocannot see the wood for the treesrsquo and misses the main drift and aim of a life in the chaos of a bewildering mass of nothings How much more happy the lot of this man of whom we have only the generalised expression of the text unweighted and undisturbed by petty incidents It takes tons of rose leaves to make a tiny phial of otto of roses but the fragrance is far more pungent in a drop of the distillation than in armfuls of leaves Every life shrinks into very small compass and the centuries do not tolerate long biographies Shall we not seek to order our life so that Amasiahrsquos epitaph may serve for us It will be blessed if this-and nothing else-is known about us that we lsquowillingly offered ourselves to the Lordrsquo My friend will that be a true epitome of your life

III This willing offering is accepted by God

We may hear a mightier voice behind the chroniclerrsquo s and the judgment of the Judge of all pronounced by His lips It matters little what men say of one another but it matters everything what God says of us We are but too apt to forget that He is now saying something as to each of us and that we have not to wait for death to put a final period to our activities before our lives become fit subjects for Godrsquos judgment Moment by moment we are writing our own sentences But while it is good for us to remember the continuous judgment of God on each deed it is not good to let dark thoughts of the principles of that judgment paralyse our activity or chill our confidence in His forgiving and accepting mercy There is often a dark suspicion like that of the one-talented

servant which blackens Godrsquos fair fame as being lsquoan austere Manrsquo making demands rather than imparting power and the effect of such an ugly conception of Him is to cut the nerve of service and bury the talent carefully folded up it may be but none the less earning nothing lsquoIf we call on Him as Father who without respect of persons judgeth according to every manrsquos workrsquo let us be sure that it will be a Fatherly judgment that He will pass upon us and our offerings There is a wonderful collection on His altar of what many people would think rubbish just as many a mother has laid away among her treasures some worthless article which her child had once given her-a weed plucked by the roadside in a long past summer day some trifle of rare preciousness in the childrsquos eyes and of none in any others than her own She opens her drawer and brings out the poor little thing and her eyes fill and her heart fills as she looks And does not God keep His childrenrsquos gifts as lovingly and set them in places of honour in the day when He lsquomakes up His jewelsrsquo There are cups of cold water and widowsrsquo mites and much else that a supercilious world would call lsquotrashrsquo stored there Thank God He accepts imperfect service faltering faith partial consecration a little love Even our poor offering may be an lsquoodour of a sweet smellrsquo ministering fragrance that is a delight to Him if it is offered with the much incense of the great Sacrifice and through the mediation of the great High Priest

The world forgot Amasiah or never knew him an obscure soldier in an obscure kingdom but God did not forget and here is his epitaph and this is his memorial to all generations Menrsquos chronicles have no room for all the names that their wearers are eager to have inscribed on their crumbling and crowded pages lsquobut the Lambrsquos Book of Lifersquo has ample space on its radiant pages for all who desire to set their names there and if ours are there we need not envy the proudest whose titles and deeds fill the most conspicuous pages in the worldrsquos records lsquoThen shall every man have praise of Christrsquo and he who wins that guerdon needs nothing more and can have nothing more to swell his blessedness

17 From BenjaminEliada a valiant soldier with 200000 men armed with bows and shields

GILL And of Benjamin Eliada a mighty man of valour Was the chief commander

and with armed men with bow and shield two hundred thousand which were

the armour of the tribe of Benjamin they were best skilled in 2Ch_148

TRAPP 2 Chronicles 1717 And of Benjamin Eliada a mighty man of valour and with him armed men with bow and shield two hundred thousand

Ver 17 With bow and shield] The Benjamites were notable bowmen [1 Chronicles 122] The Engish were anciently so too

ELLICOTT (17) Armed men with bow and shieldmdashLiterally drawing bow and shield ie as the Targum explains ldquodrawing bow and grasping shieldsrdquo (Comp 1 Chronicles 122) LXX ldquoArchers and peltastsrdquo Vulg ldquoGrasping bow and shieldrdquo (Comp also 1 Chronicles 840 for the arms of the Benjaminites)

18 next Jehozabad with 180000 men armed for battle

GILL And next to him was Jehozabad According to the Targum he encamped next him

and with him one hundred and fourscore thousand ready prepared for war being able bodied men well disciplined valiant and well armed these numbers of Judah and Benjamin put together amount to 1160000 men whereas Asa only brought into the field 580000 but it should be considered there had been a long time of peace many had come off from the ten tribes to Judah and the promise of multiplying the seed of Abraham was eminently fulfilled

TRAPP 2 Chronicles 1718 And next him [was] Jehozabad and with him an hundred and fourscore thousand ready prepared for the war

Ver 18 A hundred and fourscore thousand] His militia was eleven hundred and threescore thousand besides what he had in garrisons [2 Chronicles 1719] So that as he was better he was stronger than his father Asa had been Piety hath prosperity

ELLICOTT (18) Ready prepared for the warmdashEquipped for service (See on 1

Chronicles 1223-24 umbers 315 umbers 3229) The hoplites or heavy-armed infantry are probably meant

PULPIT While Eliada of last verse was for Benjamin Professor Dr Murphy supposes that Jehozabad was for the annexed part of Ephraim But no suppositions of this kind can avail to explain the numbers in the text which is no doubt corrupt

19 These were the men who served the king besides those he stationed in the fortified cities throughout Judah

CLARKE These waited on the king - They were disposable forces always at the kingrsquos command and were independent of those by which the cities of Judah were garrisoned

There is not a sovereign in Europe or in the world but might read this chapter with advantage

1 It shows most forcibly that true religion is the basis of the state and that wherever it prospers there the state prospers

2 It shows also that it is the wisdom of kings to encourage religion with all their power and influence for if the hearts of the subjects be not bound and influenced by true religion vain is the application of laws fines imprisonments or corporal punishment of any kind

3 A religious nation is ever a great nation it is loved by its friends it is dreaded by its enemies

4 It is ever a peaceable and united nation the blessings of religion and a wholesome and paternal government are so fully felt and prized that all find it their interest to preserve and defend them Harmony peace piety and strength are the stability of such times May Britain know and value them

GILL These waited on the king Not this vast number of men at one time but in course as Davids military men waited on him 1Ch_271 or each of these captains with a proper number of men under them detached from the body and they were all ready to obey the kings orders whenever he should have occasion for them

besides those whom the king put into the fenced cities throughout Judah and all together the militia of the kingdom was very numerous and formidable

KampD 2Ch_1719

These were serving the king א6ה refers not to the above-mentioned men capable of

bearing arms for sheereet is not used of service in war but to the commanders whom he had placed in the fortified cities of all Judah ldquoin which probably bodies of the above-mentioned troops lay as garrisonsrdquo (Berth)

BESO 2 Chronicles 1719 These waited on the king mdash These above-mentioned were the trained bands or auxiliaries whose chief officers waited on the king to receive his commands and to raise and bring in all or part of their forces to the service of the king as need required A vast number for so small a compass of ground to furnish out and maintain But we may consider that God had promised to make the seed of Abraham like the sand of the sea for number that there had now been a long peace that many were come to them from the kingdom of Israel and that Jehoshaphat was under a special blessing of God They were doubtless dispersed all the country over every one residing on his own land only they were ready at call whenever there was occasion

TRAPP 2 Chronicles 1719 These waited on the king beside [those] whom the king put in the fenced cities throughout all Judah

Ver 19 These waited on the king] ie In their turns and by course

POOLE These above mentioned were the trained bands or auxiliaries whose chief officers waited upon the king to receive his commands and to raise and bring in all or part of their forces to the service of the king and kingdom as need required

ELLICOTT (19) These waited on the kingmdashRather these are they that ministered unto the king viz the five generals above named

Beside those whom the king put in the fenced citiesmdashie the commandants of the fortresses of the kingdom (2 Chronicles 1111 2 Chronicles 1123) These latter as well as the generals of the forces are called the kingrsquos ldquoministersrdquo (mĕshacircrĕthicircm)mdasha word which is not used of service in the field but implies their presence at court (ldquoin Jerusalemrdquo 2 Chronicles 1713 as the royal staff)

According to the above list the army of Jehoshaphat was organised in five grand divisions corresponding perhaps to five territorial divisions of the southern kingdom The totals are the largest assigned to the two tribes anywhere in the Old Testament viz Judah 780000 and Benjamin 380000 in all 1160000 At Davidrsquos census Judah had 500000 warriors (2 Samuel 249) and Israel 800000 Again in 2

Chronicles 148 Asarsquos army consists of 300000 men of Judah and 280000 Benjaminites clearly such an increase as our text indicates is unaccountable At the same time it is equally clear that the present numbers are not fortuitous results of clerical errors for they follow each other in the order of relative strength Judah 300000 280000 200000 Benjamin 200000 180000 and they are evidently not independent of the estimates of 2 Chronicles 148 above quoted

In the absence of adequate data for modifying these certainly startling figures it is well to bear in mind that we need not understand by them an army which ever actually mustered in the field or on parade but simply an estimate of the total male population liable to be called out for the national defence although even upon that understanding the total appears to be at least three times too great considering the small extent of the country

PULPIT These waited Hebrew המשרתים plur piel part of שרת The verse states that this enormous fivefold army with its five princes (counting in our corrupt text one million one hundred and sixty thousand) was the kings Jerusalem standing army while other separate regiments or bands of troops were spread through all Judah where they might be most needed for defence

once a negotious man he was His business say some lay in beautifying and fortifying those cities Augustus gloried at his death that whereas he had found Rome built with brick he had left it made of marble

And the men of war hellip were in Jerusalem] These were his Praetorian forces his Praesidiaries were up and down in the various cities

POOLE He had much business in the cities of Judah partly to repair and fortify them and furnish them with all necessary provisions and partly to purge out all the relies and seeds of idolatry and injustice which were more secretly and subtlely managed in the cities than in the country and which were first and most in the cities and thence spread their infection into the country about them See Jeremiah 228

ELLICOTT (13) BusinessmdashRather much goods or stores literally work (mĕlacirckacirch) and then produce The Hebrew word is so used in Exodus 227 Exodus 2210 (ldquoHis neighbourrsquos goodsrdquo) Stores of provisions and war material seem to be intended (Comp 2 Chronicles 1111)

And the man of war were in JerusalemmdashRather and (he had) men of war in Jerusalem

In Jerusalemmdashot the entire army corps whose numbers are given in 2 Chronicles 1714-18 but simply their chiefs

PULPIT Much business Hebrew מלאכה The meaning of the word is service labour bestowed and the verse reads And there was to him much labour in the cities of Judah and men of war mighty men of valour in Jerusalem ie He bestoweth much pains on the cities of Judah and had etc The word were Authorized Version italics is incorrectly inserted The former half of this verse would better constitute the end of 2 Chronicles 1712 Keil however maintains the rendering substance property for מלאכה (Exodus 227 Exodus 2210)

14 Their enrollment by families was as followsFrom Judah commanders of units of 1000Adnah the commander with 300000 fighting men

BARES The captains of thousands Adnah the chief - literally ldquoprinces of thousands Adnah the princerdquo The writer does not mean that Adnah (or Johohanan 2Ch_1715) was in any way superior to the other ldquoprincesrdquo but only that he was one of them

Three hundred thousand - This number and those which follow in 2Ch_1715-18 have been with good reason regarded as corrupt by most critics For

(1) They imply a minimum population of 1480 to the square mile which is more than three times greater than that of any country in the known world (circa 1880rsquos)

(2) they produce a total just double that of the next largest estimate of the military force of Judah the 580 000 of 2Ch_148

(3) they are professedly a statement not of the whole military force but of the force maintained at Jerusalem (2Ch_1713 compare 2Ch_1719)

It is probable that the original numbers have been lost and that the loss was suppplied by a scribe who took 2Ch_148 as his basis

CLARKE Adnah the chief - He was generalissimo of all this host These are the numbers of the five battalions under Adnah three hundred thousand Jehohanan two hundred and eighty thousand Amasiah two hundred thousand Eliada two hundred thousand Jehozabad one hundred and eighty thousand in all one million one hundred and sixty thousand

GILL And these are the numbers of them according to the house of their fathers Both of the tribe of Judah and of Benjamin and first

of Judah the captains of thousands some had 1000 men under them and some one hundred

Adnah the chief he was the principal commander or general of them

and with him mighty men of valour three hundred thousand such a number was under his command

JAMISO these are the numbersmdash The warriors were arranged in the army according to their fathers houses The army of Jehoshaphat commanded by five great generals and consisting of five unequal divisions comprised one million one hundred and sixty thousand men without including those who garrisoned the fortresses No monarch since the time of Solomon equaled Jehoshaphat in the extent of his revenue in the strength of his fortifications and in the number of his troops

KampD 2Ch_1714-16

The men fit for war passed in review according to their fathers-houses The male population of Judah fell into three divisions that of Benjamin into two The prince

Adnah held the first place among the generals with 300000 men of Judah ידו at his על

hand ie with and under him Jehohanan had the command of 280000 men and

Amasiah over 200000 השר is a contraction for אלפים For what special reason it is so שר

honourably recorded of Amasiah that he had willingly offered himself to the Lord (cf for

Jdg_59) has not been communicated התנב

COFFMA his represented a standing army of 1160000 men besides the garrisons in the fortified cities and this goes a long way to explaining why the Arabians and the Philistines brought tribute to Jehoshaphat In ancient times as in our own day peace frequently depended upon the strength of those who desired it

We should ignore the screams of exaggeration[3] which mark the writings of radical critics Pagan rulers of that era reported even larger armies than this and until the critics can prove that those were exaggerated reports they should let these alone Besides that we have already noted that the very word from which thousand is translated is disputed as to its exact meaning

COKE 2 Chronicles 1714 And these are the numbers of themmdash That is of the soldiers as well as of those who were employed in the kings works in the several cities ampc which he built See 2 Chronicles 1719

REFLECTIOSmdash1st Jehoshaphat no sooner comes to the throne than we see the dawnings of a glorious reign

1 He strengthened his kingdom by placing strong garrisons in the cities of Judah and those which his father had recovered from Israel and prepared against that danger which Ahabs growing power seemed to threaten

2 Religion was his great concern He copied after the best of his predecessors in their best days such as were the first of David before the matter of Uriah and the numbering of the people had blotted his fair copy Faithful to the worship of God he abhorred all idols the law of God was his rule of duty and Israels apostacy rendered his fidelity more singular and exemplary Inspired with holy zeal his heart with delight and sincerity was engaged for God and no difficulties deterred him from the path of duty The idols and groves which in the declining days of Asa might have been set up again he utterly destroyed with all the high places where they still offered sacrifices to these abominations ote (1) In the fairest human pattern there will be found imperfections but there is a Son of David more than man who has set us a spotless example that we should follow his steps (2) Fidelity in Gods service is the stability of a nation (3) A lively soul on wings of faith and love mounts up to God rises superior to every difficulty and looks down upon every thing besides his favour as altogether vanity

3 He not only removed the temptations to sin but took care to instruct the people in

the path of duty Ignorance of Gods law had greatly prevailed and to oblige them merely to conform to his reformation without grounding them on the true foundation of Gods word promised little stability The Levites and priests therefore are sent in progress through the cities of Judah with the book of the law to explain and enforce the commandments of God and several princes accompanied them in order to engage the people to hear them and give countenance to these preachers by their weight and influence ote (1) It is a blessed thing when princes countenance faithful ministers Though they cannot make men true converts their example and authority will induce them to attend (2) They who are sent to teach must see that they take the pure word of God along with them A true preacher wishes for nothing in his hand but his Bible (3) Religion is a reasonable service Conviction alone not compulsion or education can make a man a christian

4 The blessing of God attended his labours The Lord was with him or as the Targum generally expresses it the word of the Lord the divine Logos to whom all things are committed strengthened him in his labours and established his kingdom The people charmed with his government liberally sent their presents to him and abounding in riches and honour his heart far from being intoxicated by prosperity was lifted up in greater love and thankfulness to the gracious giver ote (1) God often here rewards piety with prosperity (2) Worldly comforts are then truly blessings when as the steps of Jacobs ladder they raise our hearts to heaven

2nd Like the light of the morning which shineth more and more so did Jehoshaphats glory increase

1 Feared by his enemies as beloved by his subjects the neighbouring princes did not offer to molest him while those of Philistia and Arabia courted his favour either by a voluntary present or exact payment of the tribute which Asa had imposed on them see 2 Chronicles 1711 God had put an awe upon them of the majesty of his king in Zion ote God hath access to the spirits of men and by secret yet irresistible influence can bow them to his sovereign will

2 His military preparations greatly advanced While he reformed the people he fortified their ramparts and built new castles and store-cities strengthening them within and without against their enemies Under five chief officers an immense army was enlisted Probably all the able men in the country were enrolled and regularly mustered though not drawn out except in case of necessity and this may easily account for the greatness of their number if we consider also the long peace they had enjoyed the accession of Israelites to them and especially the blessing of Abraham which no doubt was eminently fulfilled Amasiah one of the officers is mentioned with an honourable mark of distinction as a volunteer who served for the glory of God not for the sake of pay Such patriots are scarce

TRAPP 2 Chronicles 1714 And these [are] the numbers of them according to the house of their fathers Of Judah the captains of thousands Adnah the chief and

with him mighty men of valour three hundred thousand

Ver 14 Three hundred thousand] These were under his command and at hand to come whensoever the king would

WHEDO 14 Three hundred thousand mdash The numbers in this verse and the four verses following are generally regarded as corrupt ldquoThey implyrdquo observes the writer last quoted ldquoa minimum population of 1480 to the square mile which is more than three times greater than that of any country in the known world It is probable that the original numbers have been lost and the loss supplied by a scribe who took 2 Chronicles 148 as his basis

ELLICOTT Verse 14 (14) And these their fathersmdashAnd this is their muster (or census) according to their father-houses (clans) 1 Chronicles 243 The warriors were marshalled in the army according to clans so that men of the same stock fought side by side with their kindred Perhaps in the original document this heading was followed by a much more detailed scheme of names and divisions than that which the text presents

Of JudahmdashTo Judah (belonged) captains of thousands viz the three enumerated in 2 Chronicles 1714-16 Adnah Jehohanan and Amasiah They were the principal officers or generals of the entire forces of Judah

Adnah the chiefmdashTo wit the captain Adnah That Adnah was commander-in-chief is implied by his being named first and his corps being the largest

PULPIT This verse with the following four gives us the names of five captains chiefs princes or military officers for the kingdoms service with the numbers of the troops they severally commanded The numbers of them (see note under 1 Chronicles 2311) Hebrew פקדתם The better English rendering to carry at once the signification would be The muster of them etc The captains hellip the chief In both cases the Hebrew is the familiar word for prince ( שר ) in the former without article in the latter with article The numbers of this and following four verses are not only absolutely unreliable but in themselves impossible According to the house of their fathers ie the quotation is drawn from an army catalogue arranged carefully by fathers houses (umbers 118 umbers 122 etc)

15 next Jehohanan the commander with 280000

GILL And next to him was Jehohanan the captain Being of the same rank as to office but having a lesser number of men under him and it may respect not any kind of subordination only nearness of place as the Targumhe that encamped next to him

and with him two hundred and fourscore thousand which number was but 20000 less than the former

POOLE ext to him either

1 After his death as his successor in the same command And the like is supposed concerning Jehozabad 2 Chronicles 1718 Or rather

2 ext to him in place and authority or at least in power and the numbers of his host

16 next Amasiah son of Zikri who volunteered himself for the service of the Lord with 200000

GILL And next him was Amasiah the son of Zichri He encamped next to him as the Targum

who willingly offered himself unto the Lord to fight the Lords battles and without any stipend as some think or as Kimchi he offered gold and silver to the treasures of the house of the Lord

and with him two hundred thousand mighty men of valour the number was 80000 less than the former the whole of Judah amounted to 780000 men

TRAPP 2 Chronicles 1716 And next him [was] Amasiah the son of Zichri who willingly offered himself unto the LORD and with him two hundred thousand mighty men of valour

Ver 16 Who willingly offered himself unto the Lord] He was a votary the vows of God were upon him and this made him the more valiant and resolute (a) in the exercise of arms for the service of God and the safety of his people The Spahis among the Turks are a sort of horsemen voluntaries and votaries to gain paradise by dying for the Mohammedan cause These are never known to return home but

with victory these are heavy upon the enemy For

ldquo Vincitur haud gratis iugulo qui provocat ensem rdquo

POOLE As volunteers and auxiliaries to be ready upon occasion as the service of God and the king should require Possibly these or most of them were the strangers which had come out of Israel into the kingdom of Judah in Asarsquos days and probably since that in his time

ELLICOTT (16) AmasiahmdashIah carrieth (Isaiah 4011) different from Amaziah (Iah is strong)

Who willingly offered himself unto the Lordmdash(Judges 52 Judges 59) An allusion to some noble act of self-devotion which was doubtless more fully recorded in the source from which the chronicler has drawn this brief account Such allusions though no longer intelligible are important as conducing to the proof of the historical value of the narratives in which they occur LXX ὁ προθυmicroούmicroενος τῷ κυρίῳ Vulg consecratus Domino

PULPIT Amaziah the son of Zichri This man is not titled at all The description of him as one who had willingly offered himself unto the Lord not elucidated by the context or any effective parallel will mark something honorable in his history Possibly he comes from an unexpected quarter and is a man of approved skill othing further is known of these three men Meantime it has been suggested (Professor Dr J Murphy of Belfast Handbook to Chronicles ) that the first of the three was for Judah proper the second for that contingent of Judah that hailed from Dan and the Philistines and the third for that of Simeon and the Arabs

MACLARE This is a scrap from the catalogue of Jehoshaphatrsquos lsquomighty men of valourrsquo and is Amasiahrsquos sole record We see him for a moment and hear his eulogium and then oblivion swallows him up We do not know what it was that he did to earn it But what a fate to live to all generations by that one sentence

I Cheerful self-surrender the secret of all religion

The words of our text contain a metaphor naturally drawn from the sacrificial system It comes so easily to us that we scarcely recognise the metaphorical element but the clear recognition of it gives great additional energy to the words Amasiah was both sacrificer and sacrifice His offering was self-immolation As in all love so in that noblest kind of it which clasps God its perfect expression is lsquoI give Thee my living loving selfrsquo Nor is it only sacrifice and sacrificer that are seen in deepest truth in the experience of the Christian life but the reality of the Temple is also there for lsquoYe also are built up a spiritual house to be a holy priesthood to offer up spiritual sacrificesrsquo Only when God dwells in us shall we have the nerve and the firmness of hand to take the knife and lsquoslay before the Lordrsquo the awful Guest in the sanctuary within the most precious of the children of our spirits

The essence of the sacrifice of self is the sacrifice of will In the Christian experience

lsquowillingly offeredrsquo is almost tautology for unwilling offerings are a contradiction and in fact there are no such things The quality of unwillingness destroys the character of the offering and robs it of all sacredness Reluctant Christianity is not Christianity That noun and that adjective can never be buckled together

The submission of will and the consequent surrender of myself and my powers opportunities and possessions so that I do all enjoy all use all and when need is endure all with glad thankful reference to God is only possible to me in the measure in which my will is made flexible by love and such will-subduing love comes only when we lsquoknow and believe the love that God hath to usrsquo There is the point at which not a few moral and religious teachers go wrong and bewilder themselves and their disciples There too is the point at which Christ and the Gospel of salvation through faith in Him stand forth as emancipating humanity from the dreary round of efforts and vain attempts to work up the condition needful for achieving the height of self-surrender which is seen to be indispensable to all true nobleness of living but is felt to be beyond the reach of the ordinary man There too is the point at which many good people mar their lives as Christians They waste their strength in trying to bring the jibbing horse up to the leap They try to blow up a fire of devotion and to make themselves priests to offer themselves but all the while the mutinous self recoils from the leap and the fire burns smokily and their sacrifice is laid on the altar with little joy because they have not been careful and wise enough to begin at the beginning and to follow Godrsquos way of melting their wills by love the reflection of the Infinite love of God to them Godrsquos priests offer themselves because they offer their wills they offer their wills because they love God they love God because they know that God loves them That is the divine order It is vain to try to accomplish the end by any other

II This willing offering hallows all life

No syllable is left to tell us what Amasiah did to win this praise Probably the words enshrine some now forgotten memory of his cheerful courage some heroic feat on an unrecorded battlefield Particulars are not given nor needed Specific actions are unimportant the spirit of a life can be told with very incomplete details and it not the details is the important thing Sometimes as in many modern biographies one lsquocannot see the wood for the treesrsquo and misses the main drift and aim of a life in the chaos of a bewildering mass of nothings How much more happy the lot of this man of whom we have only the generalised expression of the text unweighted and undisturbed by petty incidents It takes tons of rose leaves to make a tiny phial of otto of roses but the fragrance is far more pungent in a drop of the distillation than in armfuls of leaves Every life shrinks into very small compass and the centuries do not tolerate long biographies Shall we not seek to order our life so that Amasiahrsquos epitaph may serve for us It will be blessed if this-and nothing else-is known about us that we lsquowillingly offered ourselves to the Lordrsquo My friend will that be a true epitome of your life

III This willing offering is accepted by God

We may hear a mightier voice behind the chroniclerrsquo s and the judgment of the Judge of all pronounced by His lips It matters little what men say of one another but it matters everything what God says of us We are but too apt to forget that He is now saying something as to each of us and that we have not to wait for death to put a final period to our activities before our lives become fit subjects for Godrsquos judgment Moment by moment we are writing our own sentences But while it is good for us to remember the continuous judgment of God on each deed it is not good to let dark thoughts of the principles of that judgment paralyse our activity or chill our confidence in His forgiving and accepting mercy There is often a dark suspicion like that of the one-talented

servant which blackens Godrsquos fair fame as being lsquoan austere Manrsquo making demands rather than imparting power and the effect of such an ugly conception of Him is to cut the nerve of service and bury the talent carefully folded up it may be but none the less earning nothing lsquoIf we call on Him as Father who without respect of persons judgeth according to every manrsquos workrsquo let us be sure that it will be a Fatherly judgment that He will pass upon us and our offerings There is a wonderful collection on His altar of what many people would think rubbish just as many a mother has laid away among her treasures some worthless article which her child had once given her-a weed plucked by the roadside in a long past summer day some trifle of rare preciousness in the childrsquos eyes and of none in any others than her own She opens her drawer and brings out the poor little thing and her eyes fill and her heart fills as she looks And does not God keep His childrenrsquos gifts as lovingly and set them in places of honour in the day when He lsquomakes up His jewelsrsquo There are cups of cold water and widowsrsquo mites and much else that a supercilious world would call lsquotrashrsquo stored there Thank God He accepts imperfect service faltering faith partial consecration a little love Even our poor offering may be an lsquoodour of a sweet smellrsquo ministering fragrance that is a delight to Him if it is offered with the much incense of the great Sacrifice and through the mediation of the great High Priest

The world forgot Amasiah or never knew him an obscure soldier in an obscure kingdom but God did not forget and here is his epitaph and this is his memorial to all generations Menrsquos chronicles have no room for all the names that their wearers are eager to have inscribed on their crumbling and crowded pages lsquobut the Lambrsquos Book of Lifersquo has ample space on its radiant pages for all who desire to set their names there and if ours are there we need not envy the proudest whose titles and deeds fill the most conspicuous pages in the worldrsquos records lsquoThen shall every man have praise of Christrsquo and he who wins that guerdon needs nothing more and can have nothing more to swell his blessedness

17 From BenjaminEliada a valiant soldier with 200000 men armed with bows and shields

GILL And of Benjamin Eliada a mighty man of valour Was the chief commander

and with armed men with bow and shield two hundred thousand which were

the armour of the tribe of Benjamin they were best skilled in 2Ch_148

TRAPP 2 Chronicles 1717 And of Benjamin Eliada a mighty man of valour and with him armed men with bow and shield two hundred thousand

Ver 17 With bow and shield] The Benjamites were notable bowmen [1 Chronicles 122] The Engish were anciently so too

ELLICOTT (17) Armed men with bow and shieldmdashLiterally drawing bow and shield ie as the Targum explains ldquodrawing bow and grasping shieldsrdquo (Comp 1 Chronicles 122) LXX ldquoArchers and peltastsrdquo Vulg ldquoGrasping bow and shieldrdquo (Comp also 1 Chronicles 840 for the arms of the Benjaminites)

18 next Jehozabad with 180000 men armed for battle

GILL And next to him was Jehozabad According to the Targum he encamped next him

and with him one hundred and fourscore thousand ready prepared for war being able bodied men well disciplined valiant and well armed these numbers of Judah and Benjamin put together amount to 1160000 men whereas Asa only brought into the field 580000 but it should be considered there had been a long time of peace many had come off from the ten tribes to Judah and the promise of multiplying the seed of Abraham was eminently fulfilled

TRAPP 2 Chronicles 1718 And next him [was] Jehozabad and with him an hundred and fourscore thousand ready prepared for the war

Ver 18 A hundred and fourscore thousand] His militia was eleven hundred and threescore thousand besides what he had in garrisons [2 Chronicles 1719] So that as he was better he was stronger than his father Asa had been Piety hath prosperity

ELLICOTT (18) Ready prepared for the warmdashEquipped for service (See on 1

Chronicles 1223-24 umbers 315 umbers 3229) The hoplites or heavy-armed infantry are probably meant

PULPIT While Eliada of last verse was for Benjamin Professor Dr Murphy supposes that Jehozabad was for the annexed part of Ephraim But no suppositions of this kind can avail to explain the numbers in the text which is no doubt corrupt

19 These were the men who served the king besides those he stationed in the fortified cities throughout Judah

CLARKE These waited on the king - They were disposable forces always at the kingrsquos command and were independent of those by which the cities of Judah were garrisoned

There is not a sovereign in Europe or in the world but might read this chapter with advantage

1 It shows most forcibly that true religion is the basis of the state and that wherever it prospers there the state prospers

2 It shows also that it is the wisdom of kings to encourage religion with all their power and influence for if the hearts of the subjects be not bound and influenced by true religion vain is the application of laws fines imprisonments or corporal punishment of any kind

3 A religious nation is ever a great nation it is loved by its friends it is dreaded by its enemies

4 It is ever a peaceable and united nation the blessings of religion and a wholesome and paternal government are so fully felt and prized that all find it their interest to preserve and defend them Harmony peace piety and strength are the stability of such times May Britain know and value them

GILL These waited on the king Not this vast number of men at one time but in course as Davids military men waited on him 1Ch_271 or each of these captains with a proper number of men under them detached from the body and they were all ready to obey the kings orders whenever he should have occasion for them

besides those whom the king put into the fenced cities throughout Judah and all together the militia of the kingdom was very numerous and formidable

KampD 2Ch_1719

These were serving the king א6ה refers not to the above-mentioned men capable of

bearing arms for sheereet is not used of service in war but to the commanders whom he had placed in the fortified cities of all Judah ldquoin which probably bodies of the above-mentioned troops lay as garrisonsrdquo (Berth)

BESO 2 Chronicles 1719 These waited on the king mdash These above-mentioned were the trained bands or auxiliaries whose chief officers waited on the king to receive his commands and to raise and bring in all or part of their forces to the service of the king as need required A vast number for so small a compass of ground to furnish out and maintain But we may consider that God had promised to make the seed of Abraham like the sand of the sea for number that there had now been a long peace that many were come to them from the kingdom of Israel and that Jehoshaphat was under a special blessing of God They were doubtless dispersed all the country over every one residing on his own land only they were ready at call whenever there was occasion

TRAPP 2 Chronicles 1719 These waited on the king beside [those] whom the king put in the fenced cities throughout all Judah

Ver 19 These waited on the king] ie In their turns and by course

POOLE These above mentioned were the trained bands or auxiliaries whose chief officers waited upon the king to receive his commands and to raise and bring in all or part of their forces to the service of the king and kingdom as need required

ELLICOTT (19) These waited on the kingmdashRather these are they that ministered unto the king viz the five generals above named

Beside those whom the king put in the fenced citiesmdashie the commandants of the fortresses of the kingdom (2 Chronicles 1111 2 Chronicles 1123) These latter as well as the generals of the forces are called the kingrsquos ldquoministersrdquo (mĕshacircrĕthicircm)mdasha word which is not used of service in the field but implies their presence at court (ldquoin Jerusalemrdquo 2 Chronicles 1713 as the royal staff)

According to the above list the army of Jehoshaphat was organised in five grand divisions corresponding perhaps to five territorial divisions of the southern kingdom The totals are the largest assigned to the two tribes anywhere in the Old Testament viz Judah 780000 and Benjamin 380000 in all 1160000 At Davidrsquos census Judah had 500000 warriors (2 Samuel 249) and Israel 800000 Again in 2

Chronicles 148 Asarsquos army consists of 300000 men of Judah and 280000 Benjaminites clearly such an increase as our text indicates is unaccountable At the same time it is equally clear that the present numbers are not fortuitous results of clerical errors for they follow each other in the order of relative strength Judah 300000 280000 200000 Benjamin 200000 180000 and they are evidently not independent of the estimates of 2 Chronicles 148 above quoted

In the absence of adequate data for modifying these certainly startling figures it is well to bear in mind that we need not understand by them an army which ever actually mustered in the field or on parade but simply an estimate of the total male population liable to be called out for the national defence although even upon that understanding the total appears to be at least three times too great considering the small extent of the country

PULPIT These waited Hebrew המשרתים plur piel part of שרת The verse states that this enormous fivefold army with its five princes (counting in our corrupt text one million one hundred and sixty thousand) was the kings Jerusalem standing army while other separate regiments or bands of troops were spread through all Judah where they might be most needed for defence

BARES The captains of thousands Adnah the chief - literally ldquoprinces of thousands Adnah the princerdquo The writer does not mean that Adnah (or Johohanan 2Ch_1715) was in any way superior to the other ldquoprincesrdquo but only that he was one of them

Three hundred thousand - This number and those which follow in 2Ch_1715-18 have been with good reason regarded as corrupt by most critics For

(1) They imply a minimum population of 1480 to the square mile which is more than three times greater than that of any country in the known world (circa 1880rsquos)

(2) they produce a total just double that of the next largest estimate of the military force of Judah the 580 000 of 2Ch_148

(3) they are professedly a statement not of the whole military force but of the force maintained at Jerusalem (2Ch_1713 compare 2Ch_1719)

It is probable that the original numbers have been lost and that the loss was suppplied by a scribe who took 2Ch_148 as his basis

CLARKE Adnah the chief - He was generalissimo of all this host These are the numbers of the five battalions under Adnah three hundred thousand Jehohanan two hundred and eighty thousand Amasiah two hundred thousand Eliada two hundred thousand Jehozabad one hundred and eighty thousand in all one million one hundred and sixty thousand

GILL And these are the numbers of them according to the house of their fathers Both of the tribe of Judah and of Benjamin and first

of Judah the captains of thousands some had 1000 men under them and some one hundred

Adnah the chief he was the principal commander or general of them

and with him mighty men of valour three hundred thousand such a number was under his command

JAMISO these are the numbersmdash The warriors were arranged in the army according to their fathers houses The army of Jehoshaphat commanded by five great generals and consisting of five unequal divisions comprised one million one hundred and sixty thousand men without including those who garrisoned the fortresses No monarch since the time of Solomon equaled Jehoshaphat in the extent of his revenue in the strength of his fortifications and in the number of his troops

KampD 2Ch_1714-16

The men fit for war passed in review according to their fathers-houses The male population of Judah fell into three divisions that of Benjamin into two The prince

Adnah held the first place among the generals with 300000 men of Judah ידו at his על

hand ie with and under him Jehohanan had the command of 280000 men and

Amasiah over 200000 השר is a contraction for אלפים For what special reason it is so שר

honourably recorded of Amasiah that he had willingly offered himself to the Lord (cf for

Jdg_59) has not been communicated התנב

COFFMA his represented a standing army of 1160000 men besides the garrisons in the fortified cities and this goes a long way to explaining why the Arabians and the Philistines brought tribute to Jehoshaphat In ancient times as in our own day peace frequently depended upon the strength of those who desired it

We should ignore the screams of exaggeration[3] which mark the writings of radical critics Pagan rulers of that era reported even larger armies than this and until the critics can prove that those were exaggerated reports they should let these alone Besides that we have already noted that the very word from which thousand is translated is disputed as to its exact meaning

COKE 2 Chronicles 1714 And these are the numbers of themmdash That is of the soldiers as well as of those who were employed in the kings works in the several cities ampc which he built See 2 Chronicles 1719

REFLECTIOSmdash1st Jehoshaphat no sooner comes to the throne than we see the dawnings of a glorious reign

1 He strengthened his kingdom by placing strong garrisons in the cities of Judah and those which his father had recovered from Israel and prepared against that danger which Ahabs growing power seemed to threaten

2 Religion was his great concern He copied after the best of his predecessors in their best days such as were the first of David before the matter of Uriah and the numbering of the people had blotted his fair copy Faithful to the worship of God he abhorred all idols the law of God was his rule of duty and Israels apostacy rendered his fidelity more singular and exemplary Inspired with holy zeal his heart with delight and sincerity was engaged for God and no difficulties deterred him from the path of duty The idols and groves which in the declining days of Asa might have been set up again he utterly destroyed with all the high places where they still offered sacrifices to these abominations ote (1) In the fairest human pattern there will be found imperfections but there is a Son of David more than man who has set us a spotless example that we should follow his steps (2) Fidelity in Gods service is the stability of a nation (3) A lively soul on wings of faith and love mounts up to God rises superior to every difficulty and looks down upon every thing besides his favour as altogether vanity

3 He not only removed the temptations to sin but took care to instruct the people in

the path of duty Ignorance of Gods law had greatly prevailed and to oblige them merely to conform to his reformation without grounding them on the true foundation of Gods word promised little stability The Levites and priests therefore are sent in progress through the cities of Judah with the book of the law to explain and enforce the commandments of God and several princes accompanied them in order to engage the people to hear them and give countenance to these preachers by their weight and influence ote (1) It is a blessed thing when princes countenance faithful ministers Though they cannot make men true converts their example and authority will induce them to attend (2) They who are sent to teach must see that they take the pure word of God along with them A true preacher wishes for nothing in his hand but his Bible (3) Religion is a reasonable service Conviction alone not compulsion or education can make a man a christian

4 The blessing of God attended his labours The Lord was with him or as the Targum generally expresses it the word of the Lord the divine Logos to whom all things are committed strengthened him in his labours and established his kingdom The people charmed with his government liberally sent their presents to him and abounding in riches and honour his heart far from being intoxicated by prosperity was lifted up in greater love and thankfulness to the gracious giver ote (1) God often here rewards piety with prosperity (2) Worldly comforts are then truly blessings when as the steps of Jacobs ladder they raise our hearts to heaven

2nd Like the light of the morning which shineth more and more so did Jehoshaphats glory increase

1 Feared by his enemies as beloved by his subjects the neighbouring princes did not offer to molest him while those of Philistia and Arabia courted his favour either by a voluntary present or exact payment of the tribute which Asa had imposed on them see 2 Chronicles 1711 God had put an awe upon them of the majesty of his king in Zion ote God hath access to the spirits of men and by secret yet irresistible influence can bow them to his sovereign will

2 His military preparations greatly advanced While he reformed the people he fortified their ramparts and built new castles and store-cities strengthening them within and without against their enemies Under five chief officers an immense army was enlisted Probably all the able men in the country were enrolled and regularly mustered though not drawn out except in case of necessity and this may easily account for the greatness of their number if we consider also the long peace they had enjoyed the accession of Israelites to them and especially the blessing of Abraham which no doubt was eminently fulfilled Amasiah one of the officers is mentioned with an honourable mark of distinction as a volunteer who served for the glory of God not for the sake of pay Such patriots are scarce

TRAPP 2 Chronicles 1714 And these [are] the numbers of them according to the house of their fathers Of Judah the captains of thousands Adnah the chief and

with him mighty men of valour three hundred thousand

Ver 14 Three hundred thousand] These were under his command and at hand to come whensoever the king would

WHEDO 14 Three hundred thousand mdash The numbers in this verse and the four verses following are generally regarded as corrupt ldquoThey implyrdquo observes the writer last quoted ldquoa minimum population of 1480 to the square mile which is more than three times greater than that of any country in the known world It is probable that the original numbers have been lost and the loss supplied by a scribe who took 2 Chronicles 148 as his basis

ELLICOTT Verse 14 (14) And these their fathersmdashAnd this is their muster (or census) according to their father-houses (clans) 1 Chronicles 243 The warriors were marshalled in the army according to clans so that men of the same stock fought side by side with their kindred Perhaps in the original document this heading was followed by a much more detailed scheme of names and divisions than that which the text presents

Of JudahmdashTo Judah (belonged) captains of thousands viz the three enumerated in 2 Chronicles 1714-16 Adnah Jehohanan and Amasiah They were the principal officers or generals of the entire forces of Judah

Adnah the chiefmdashTo wit the captain Adnah That Adnah was commander-in-chief is implied by his being named first and his corps being the largest

PULPIT This verse with the following four gives us the names of five captains chiefs princes or military officers for the kingdoms service with the numbers of the troops they severally commanded The numbers of them (see note under 1 Chronicles 2311) Hebrew פקדתם The better English rendering to carry at once the signification would be The muster of them etc The captains hellip the chief In both cases the Hebrew is the familiar word for prince ( שר ) in the former without article in the latter with article The numbers of this and following four verses are not only absolutely unreliable but in themselves impossible According to the house of their fathers ie the quotation is drawn from an army catalogue arranged carefully by fathers houses (umbers 118 umbers 122 etc)

15 next Jehohanan the commander with 280000

GILL And next to him was Jehohanan the captain Being of the same rank as to office but having a lesser number of men under him and it may respect not any kind of subordination only nearness of place as the Targumhe that encamped next to him

and with him two hundred and fourscore thousand which number was but 20000 less than the former

POOLE ext to him either

1 After his death as his successor in the same command And the like is supposed concerning Jehozabad 2 Chronicles 1718 Or rather

2 ext to him in place and authority or at least in power and the numbers of his host

16 next Amasiah son of Zikri who volunteered himself for the service of the Lord with 200000

GILL And next him was Amasiah the son of Zichri He encamped next to him as the Targum

who willingly offered himself unto the Lord to fight the Lords battles and without any stipend as some think or as Kimchi he offered gold and silver to the treasures of the house of the Lord

and with him two hundred thousand mighty men of valour the number was 80000 less than the former the whole of Judah amounted to 780000 men

TRAPP 2 Chronicles 1716 And next him [was] Amasiah the son of Zichri who willingly offered himself unto the LORD and with him two hundred thousand mighty men of valour

Ver 16 Who willingly offered himself unto the Lord] He was a votary the vows of God were upon him and this made him the more valiant and resolute (a) in the exercise of arms for the service of God and the safety of his people The Spahis among the Turks are a sort of horsemen voluntaries and votaries to gain paradise by dying for the Mohammedan cause These are never known to return home but

with victory these are heavy upon the enemy For

ldquo Vincitur haud gratis iugulo qui provocat ensem rdquo

POOLE As volunteers and auxiliaries to be ready upon occasion as the service of God and the king should require Possibly these or most of them were the strangers which had come out of Israel into the kingdom of Judah in Asarsquos days and probably since that in his time

ELLICOTT (16) AmasiahmdashIah carrieth (Isaiah 4011) different from Amaziah (Iah is strong)

Who willingly offered himself unto the Lordmdash(Judges 52 Judges 59) An allusion to some noble act of self-devotion which was doubtless more fully recorded in the source from which the chronicler has drawn this brief account Such allusions though no longer intelligible are important as conducing to the proof of the historical value of the narratives in which they occur LXX ὁ προθυmicroούmicroενος τῷ κυρίῳ Vulg consecratus Domino

PULPIT Amaziah the son of Zichri This man is not titled at all The description of him as one who had willingly offered himself unto the Lord not elucidated by the context or any effective parallel will mark something honorable in his history Possibly he comes from an unexpected quarter and is a man of approved skill othing further is known of these three men Meantime it has been suggested (Professor Dr J Murphy of Belfast Handbook to Chronicles ) that the first of the three was for Judah proper the second for that contingent of Judah that hailed from Dan and the Philistines and the third for that of Simeon and the Arabs

MACLARE This is a scrap from the catalogue of Jehoshaphatrsquos lsquomighty men of valourrsquo and is Amasiahrsquos sole record We see him for a moment and hear his eulogium and then oblivion swallows him up We do not know what it was that he did to earn it But what a fate to live to all generations by that one sentence

I Cheerful self-surrender the secret of all religion

The words of our text contain a metaphor naturally drawn from the sacrificial system It comes so easily to us that we scarcely recognise the metaphorical element but the clear recognition of it gives great additional energy to the words Amasiah was both sacrificer and sacrifice His offering was self-immolation As in all love so in that noblest kind of it which clasps God its perfect expression is lsquoI give Thee my living loving selfrsquo Nor is it only sacrifice and sacrificer that are seen in deepest truth in the experience of the Christian life but the reality of the Temple is also there for lsquoYe also are built up a spiritual house to be a holy priesthood to offer up spiritual sacrificesrsquo Only when God dwells in us shall we have the nerve and the firmness of hand to take the knife and lsquoslay before the Lordrsquo the awful Guest in the sanctuary within the most precious of the children of our spirits

The essence of the sacrifice of self is the sacrifice of will In the Christian experience

lsquowillingly offeredrsquo is almost tautology for unwilling offerings are a contradiction and in fact there are no such things The quality of unwillingness destroys the character of the offering and robs it of all sacredness Reluctant Christianity is not Christianity That noun and that adjective can never be buckled together

The submission of will and the consequent surrender of myself and my powers opportunities and possessions so that I do all enjoy all use all and when need is endure all with glad thankful reference to God is only possible to me in the measure in which my will is made flexible by love and such will-subduing love comes only when we lsquoknow and believe the love that God hath to usrsquo There is the point at which not a few moral and religious teachers go wrong and bewilder themselves and their disciples There too is the point at which Christ and the Gospel of salvation through faith in Him stand forth as emancipating humanity from the dreary round of efforts and vain attempts to work up the condition needful for achieving the height of self-surrender which is seen to be indispensable to all true nobleness of living but is felt to be beyond the reach of the ordinary man There too is the point at which many good people mar their lives as Christians They waste their strength in trying to bring the jibbing horse up to the leap They try to blow up a fire of devotion and to make themselves priests to offer themselves but all the while the mutinous self recoils from the leap and the fire burns smokily and their sacrifice is laid on the altar with little joy because they have not been careful and wise enough to begin at the beginning and to follow Godrsquos way of melting their wills by love the reflection of the Infinite love of God to them Godrsquos priests offer themselves because they offer their wills they offer their wills because they love God they love God because they know that God loves them That is the divine order It is vain to try to accomplish the end by any other

II This willing offering hallows all life

No syllable is left to tell us what Amasiah did to win this praise Probably the words enshrine some now forgotten memory of his cheerful courage some heroic feat on an unrecorded battlefield Particulars are not given nor needed Specific actions are unimportant the spirit of a life can be told with very incomplete details and it not the details is the important thing Sometimes as in many modern biographies one lsquocannot see the wood for the treesrsquo and misses the main drift and aim of a life in the chaos of a bewildering mass of nothings How much more happy the lot of this man of whom we have only the generalised expression of the text unweighted and undisturbed by petty incidents It takes tons of rose leaves to make a tiny phial of otto of roses but the fragrance is far more pungent in a drop of the distillation than in armfuls of leaves Every life shrinks into very small compass and the centuries do not tolerate long biographies Shall we not seek to order our life so that Amasiahrsquos epitaph may serve for us It will be blessed if this-and nothing else-is known about us that we lsquowillingly offered ourselves to the Lordrsquo My friend will that be a true epitome of your life

III This willing offering is accepted by God

We may hear a mightier voice behind the chroniclerrsquo s and the judgment of the Judge of all pronounced by His lips It matters little what men say of one another but it matters everything what God says of us We are but too apt to forget that He is now saying something as to each of us and that we have not to wait for death to put a final period to our activities before our lives become fit subjects for Godrsquos judgment Moment by moment we are writing our own sentences But while it is good for us to remember the continuous judgment of God on each deed it is not good to let dark thoughts of the principles of that judgment paralyse our activity or chill our confidence in His forgiving and accepting mercy There is often a dark suspicion like that of the one-talented

servant which blackens Godrsquos fair fame as being lsquoan austere Manrsquo making demands rather than imparting power and the effect of such an ugly conception of Him is to cut the nerve of service and bury the talent carefully folded up it may be but none the less earning nothing lsquoIf we call on Him as Father who without respect of persons judgeth according to every manrsquos workrsquo let us be sure that it will be a Fatherly judgment that He will pass upon us and our offerings There is a wonderful collection on His altar of what many people would think rubbish just as many a mother has laid away among her treasures some worthless article which her child had once given her-a weed plucked by the roadside in a long past summer day some trifle of rare preciousness in the childrsquos eyes and of none in any others than her own She opens her drawer and brings out the poor little thing and her eyes fill and her heart fills as she looks And does not God keep His childrenrsquos gifts as lovingly and set them in places of honour in the day when He lsquomakes up His jewelsrsquo There are cups of cold water and widowsrsquo mites and much else that a supercilious world would call lsquotrashrsquo stored there Thank God He accepts imperfect service faltering faith partial consecration a little love Even our poor offering may be an lsquoodour of a sweet smellrsquo ministering fragrance that is a delight to Him if it is offered with the much incense of the great Sacrifice and through the mediation of the great High Priest

The world forgot Amasiah or never knew him an obscure soldier in an obscure kingdom but God did not forget and here is his epitaph and this is his memorial to all generations Menrsquos chronicles have no room for all the names that their wearers are eager to have inscribed on their crumbling and crowded pages lsquobut the Lambrsquos Book of Lifersquo has ample space on its radiant pages for all who desire to set their names there and if ours are there we need not envy the proudest whose titles and deeds fill the most conspicuous pages in the worldrsquos records lsquoThen shall every man have praise of Christrsquo and he who wins that guerdon needs nothing more and can have nothing more to swell his blessedness

17 From BenjaminEliada a valiant soldier with 200000 men armed with bows and shields

GILL And of Benjamin Eliada a mighty man of valour Was the chief commander

and with armed men with bow and shield two hundred thousand which were

the armour of the tribe of Benjamin they were best skilled in 2Ch_148

TRAPP 2 Chronicles 1717 And of Benjamin Eliada a mighty man of valour and with him armed men with bow and shield two hundred thousand

Ver 17 With bow and shield] The Benjamites were notable bowmen [1 Chronicles 122] The Engish were anciently so too

ELLICOTT (17) Armed men with bow and shieldmdashLiterally drawing bow and shield ie as the Targum explains ldquodrawing bow and grasping shieldsrdquo (Comp 1 Chronicles 122) LXX ldquoArchers and peltastsrdquo Vulg ldquoGrasping bow and shieldrdquo (Comp also 1 Chronicles 840 for the arms of the Benjaminites)

18 next Jehozabad with 180000 men armed for battle

GILL And next to him was Jehozabad According to the Targum he encamped next him

and with him one hundred and fourscore thousand ready prepared for war being able bodied men well disciplined valiant and well armed these numbers of Judah and Benjamin put together amount to 1160000 men whereas Asa only brought into the field 580000 but it should be considered there had been a long time of peace many had come off from the ten tribes to Judah and the promise of multiplying the seed of Abraham was eminently fulfilled

TRAPP 2 Chronicles 1718 And next him [was] Jehozabad and with him an hundred and fourscore thousand ready prepared for the war

Ver 18 A hundred and fourscore thousand] His militia was eleven hundred and threescore thousand besides what he had in garrisons [2 Chronicles 1719] So that as he was better he was stronger than his father Asa had been Piety hath prosperity

ELLICOTT (18) Ready prepared for the warmdashEquipped for service (See on 1

Chronicles 1223-24 umbers 315 umbers 3229) The hoplites or heavy-armed infantry are probably meant

PULPIT While Eliada of last verse was for Benjamin Professor Dr Murphy supposes that Jehozabad was for the annexed part of Ephraim But no suppositions of this kind can avail to explain the numbers in the text which is no doubt corrupt

19 These were the men who served the king besides those he stationed in the fortified cities throughout Judah

CLARKE These waited on the king - They were disposable forces always at the kingrsquos command and were independent of those by which the cities of Judah were garrisoned

There is not a sovereign in Europe or in the world but might read this chapter with advantage

1 It shows most forcibly that true religion is the basis of the state and that wherever it prospers there the state prospers

2 It shows also that it is the wisdom of kings to encourage religion with all their power and influence for if the hearts of the subjects be not bound and influenced by true religion vain is the application of laws fines imprisonments or corporal punishment of any kind

3 A religious nation is ever a great nation it is loved by its friends it is dreaded by its enemies

4 It is ever a peaceable and united nation the blessings of religion and a wholesome and paternal government are so fully felt and prized that all find it their interest to preserve and defend them Harmony peace piety and strength are the stability of such times May Britain know and value them

GILL These waited on the king Not this vast number of men at one time but in course as Davids military men waited on him 1Ch_271 or each of these captains with a proper number of men under them detached from the body and they were all ready to obey the kings orders whenever he should have occasion for them

besides those whom the king put into the fenced cities throughout Judah and all together the militia of the kingdom was very numerous and formidable

KampD 2Ch_1719

These were serving the king א6ה refers not to the above-mentioned men capable of

bearing arms for sheereet is not used of service in war but to the commanders whom he had placed in the fortified cities of all Judah ldquoin which probably bodies of the above-mentioned troops lay as garrisonsrdquo (Berth)

BESO 2 Chronicles 1719 These waited on the king mdash These above-mentioned were the trained bands or auxiliaries whose chief officers waited on the king to receive his commands and to raise and bring in all or part of their forces to the service of the king as need required A vast number for so small a compass of ground to furnish out and maintain But we may consider that God had promised to make the seed of Abraham like the sand of the sea for number that there had now been a long peace that many were come to them from the kingdom of Israel and that Jehoshaphat was under a special blessing of God They were doubtless dispersed all the country over every one residing on his own land only they were ready at call whenever there was occasion

TRAPP 2 Chronicles 1719 These waited on the king beside [those] whom the king put in the fenced cities throughout all Judah

Ver 19 These waited on the king] ie In their turns and by course

POOLE These above mentioned were the trained bands or auxiliaries whose chief officers waited upon the king to receive his commands and to raise and bring in all or part of their forces to the service of the king and kingdom as need required

ELLICOTT (19) These waited on the kingmdashRather these are they that ministered unto the king viz the five generals above named

Beside those whom the king put in the fenced citiesmdashie the commandants of the fortresses of the kingdom (2 Chronicles 1111 2 Chronicles 1123) These latter as well as the generals of the forces are called the kingrsquos ldquoministersrdquo (mĕshacircrĕthicircm)mdasha word which is not used of service in the field but implies their presence at court (ldquoin Jerusalemrdquo 2 Chronicles 1713 as the royal staff)

According to the above list the army of Jehoshaphat was organised in five grand divisions corresponding perhaps to five territorial divisions of the southern kingdom The totals are the largest assigned to the two tribes anywhere in the Old Testament viz Judah 780000 and Benjamin 380000 in all 1160000 At Davidrsquos census Judah had 500000 warriors (2 Samuel 249) and Israel 800000 Again in 2

Chronicles 148 Asarsquos army consists of 300000 men of Judah and 280000 Benjaminites clearly such an increase as our text indicates is unaccountable At the same time it is equally clear that the present numbers are not fortuitous results of clerical errors for they follow each other in the order of relative strength Judah 300000 280000 200000 Benjamin 200000 180000 and they are evidently not independent of the estimates of 2 Chronicles 148 above quoted

In the absence of adequate data for modifying these certainly startling figures it is well to bear in mind that we need not understand by them an army which ever actually mustered in the field or on parade but simply an estimate of the total male population liable to be called out for the national defence although even upon that understanding the total appears to be at least three times too great considering the small extent of the country

PULPIT These waited Hebrew המשרתים plur piel part of שרת The verse states that this enormous fivefold army with its five princes (counting in our corrupt text one million one hundred and sixty thousand) was the kings Jerusalem standing army while other separate regiments or bands of troops were spread through all Judah where they might be most needed for defence

The men fit for war passed in review according to their fathers-houses The male population of Judah fell into three divisions that of Benjamin into two The prince

Adnah held the first place among the generals with 300000 men of Judah ידו at his על

hand ie with and under him Jehohanan had the command of 280000 men and

Amasiah over 200000 השר is a contraction for אלפים For what special reason it is so שר

honourably recorded of Amasiah that he had willingly offered himself to the Lord (cf for

Jdg_59) has not been communicated התנב

COFFMA his represented a standing army of 1160000 men besides the garrisons in the fortified cities and this goes a long way to explaining why the Arabians and the Philistines brought tribute to Jehoshaphat In ancient times as in our own day peace frequently depended upon the strength of those who desired it

We should ignore the screams of exaggeration[3] which mark the writings of radical critics Pagan rulers of that era reported even larger armies than this and until the critics can prove that those were exaggerated reports they should let these alone Besides that we have already noted that the very word from which thousand is translated is disputed as to its exact meaning

COKE 2 Chronicles 1714 And these are the numbers of themmdash That is of the soldiers as well as of those who were employed in the kings works in the several cities ampc which he built See 2 Chronicles 1719

REFLECTIOSmdash1st Jehoshaphat no sooner comes to the throne than we see the dawnings of a glorious reign

1 He strengthened his kingdom by placing strong garrisons in the cities of Judah and those which his father had recovered from Israel and prepared against that danger which Ahabs growing power seemed to threaten

2 Religion was his great concern He copied after the best of his predecessors in their best days such as were the first of David before the matter of Uriah and the numbering of the people had blotted his fair copy Faithful to the worship of God he abhorred all idols the law of God was his rule of duty and Israels apostacy rendered his fidelity more singular and exemplary Inspired with holy zeal his heart with delight and sincerity was engaged for God and no difficulties deterred him from the path of duty The idols and groves which in the declining days of Asa might have been set up again he utterly destroyed with all the high places where they still offered sacrifices to these abominations ote (1) In the fairest human pattern there will be found imperfections but there is a Son of David more than man who has set us a spotless example that we should follow his steps (2) Fidelity in Gods service is the stability of a nation (3) A lively soul on wings of faith and love mounts up to God rises superior to every difficulty and looks down upon every thing besides his favour as altogether vanity

3 He not only removed the temptations to sin but took care to instruct the people in

the path of duty Ignorance of Gods law had greatly prevailed and to oblige them merely to conform to his reformation without grounding them on the true foundation of Gods word promised little stability The Levites and priests therefore are sent in progress through the cities of Judah with the book of the law to explain and enforce the commandments of God and several princes accompanied them in order to engage the people to hear them and give countenance to these preachers by their weight and influence ote (1) It is a blessed thing when princes countenance faithful ministers Though they cannot make men true converts their example and authority will induce them to attend (2) They who are sent to teach must see that they take the pure word of God along with them A true preacher wishes for nothing in his hand but his Bible (3) Religion is a reasonable service Conviction alone not compulsion or education can make a man a christian

4 The blessing of God attended his labours The Lord was with him or as the Targum generally expresses it the word of the Lord the divine Logos to whom all things are committed strengthened him in his labours and established his kingdom The people charmed with his government liberally sent their presents to him and abounding in riches and honour his heart far from being intoxicated by prosperity was lifted up in greater love and thankfulness to the gracious giver ote (1) God often here rewards piety with prosperity (2) Worldly comforts are then truly blessings when as the steps of Jacobs ladder they raise our hearts to heaven

2nd Like the light of the morning which shineth more and more so did Jehoshaphats glory increase

1 Feared by his enemies as beloved by his subjects the neighbouring princes did not offer to molest him while those of Philistia and Arabia courted his favour either by a voluntary present or exact payment of the tribute which Asa had imposed on them see 2 Chronicles 1711 God had put an awe upon them of the majesty of his king in Zion ote God hath access to the spirits of men and by secret yet irresistible influence can bow them to his sovereign will

2 His military preparations greatly advanced While he reformed the people he fortified their ramparts and built new castles and store-cities strengthening them within and without against their enemies Under five chief officers an immense army was enlisted Probably all the able men in the country were enrolled and regularly mustered though not drawn out except in case of necessity and this may easily account for the greatness of their number if we consider also the long peace they had enjoyed the accession of Israelites to them and especially the blessing of Abraham which no doubt was eminently fulfilled Amasiah one of the officers is mentioned with an honourable mark of distinction as a volunteer who served for the glory of God not for the sake of pay Such patriots are scarce

TRAPP 2 Chronicles 1714 And these [are] the numbers of them according to the house of their fathers Of Judah the captains of thousands Adnah the chief and

with him mighty men of valour three hundred thousand

Ver 14 Three hundred thousand] These were under his command and at hand to come whensoever the king would

WHEDO 14 Three hundred thousand mdash The numbers in this verse and the four verses following are generally regarded as corrupt ldquoThey implyrdquo observes the writer last quoted ldquoa minimum population of 1480 to the square mile which is more than three times greater than that of any country in the known world It is probable that the original numbers have been lost and the loss supplied by a scribe who took 2 Chronicles 148 as his basis

ELLICOTT Verse 14 (14) And these their fathersmdashAnd this is their muster (or census) according to their father-houses (clans) 1 Chronicles 243 The warriors were marshalled in the army according to clans so that men of the same stock fought side by side with their kindred Perhaps in the original document this heading was followed by a much more detailed scheme of names and divisions than that which the text presents

Of JudahmdashTo Judah (belonged) captains of thousands viz the three enumerated in 2 Chronicles 1714-16 Adnah Jehohanan and Amasiah They were the principal officers or generals of the entire forces of Judah

Adnah the chiefmdashTo wit the captain Adnah That Adnah was commander-in-chief is implied by his being named first and his corps being the largest

PULPIT This verse with the following four gives us the names of five captains chiefs princes or military officers for the kingdoms service with the numbers of the troops they severally commanded The numbers of them (see note under 1 Chronicles 2311) Hebrew פקדתם The better English rendering to carry at once the signification would be The muster of them etc The captains hellip the chief In both cases the Hebrew is the familiar word for prince ( שר ) in the former without article in the latter with article The numbers of this and following four verses are not only absolutely unreliable but in themselves impossible According to the house of their fathers ie the quotation is drawn from an army catalogue arranged carefully by fathers houses (umbers 118 umbers 122 etc)

15 next Jehohanan the commander with 280000

GILL And next to him was Jehohanan the captain Being of the same rank as to office but having a lesser number of men under him and it may respect not any kind of subordination only nearness of place as the Targumhe that encamped next to him

and with him two hundred and fourscore thousand which number was but 20000 less than the former

POOLE ext to him either

1 After his death as his successor in the same command And the like is supposed concerning Jehozabad 2 Chronicles 1718 Or rather

2 ext to him in place and authority or at least in power and the numbers of his host

16 next Amasiah son of Zikri who volunteered himself for the service of the Lord with 200000

GILL And next him was Amasiah the son of Zichri He encamped next to him as the Targum

who willingly offered himself unto the Lord to fight the Lords battles and without any stipend as some think or as Kimchi he offered gold and silver to the treasures of the house of the Lord

and with him two hundred thousand mighty men of valour the number was 80000 less than the former the whole of Judah amounted to 780000 men

TRAPP 2 Chronicles 1716 And next him [was] Amasiah the son of Zichri who willingly offered himself unto the LORD and with him two hundred thousand mighty men of valour

Ver 16 Who willingly offered himself unto the Lord] He was a votary the vows of God were upon him and this made him the more valiant and resolute (a) in the exercise of arms for the service of God and the safety of his people The Spahis among the Turks are a sort of horsemen voluntaries and votaries to gain paradise by dying for the Mohammedan cause These are never known to return home but

with victory these are heavy upon the enemy For

ldquo Vincitur haud gratis iugulo qui provocat ensem rdquo

POOLE As volunteers and auxiliaries to be ready upon occasion as the service of God and the king should require Possibly these or most of them were the strangers which had come out of Israel into the kingdom of Judah in Asarsquos days and probably since that in his time

ELLICOTT (16) AmasiahmdashIah carrieth (Isaiah 4011) different from Amaziah (Iah is strong)

Who willingly offered himself unto the Lordmdash(Judges 52 Judges 59) An allusion to some noble act of self-devotion which was doubtless more fully recorded in the source from which the chronicler has drawn this brief account Such allusions though no longer intelligible are important as conducing to the proof of the historical value of the narratives in which they occur LXX ὁ προθυmicroούmicroενος τῷ κυρίῳ Vulg consecratus Domino

PULPIT Amaziah the son of Zichri This man is not titled at all The description of him as one who had willingly offered himself unto the Lord not elucidated by the context or any effective parallel will mark something honorable in his history Possibly he comes from an unexpected quarter and is a man of approved skill othing further is known of these three men Meantime it has been suggested (Professor Dr J Murphy of Belfast Handbook to Chronicles ) that the first of the three was for Judah proper the second for that contingent of Judah that hailed from Dan and the Philistines and the third for that of Simeon and the Arabs

MACLARE This is a scrap from the catalogue of Jehoshaphatrsquos lsquomighty men of valourrsquo and is Amasiahrsquos sole record We see him for a moment and hear his eulogium and then oblivion swallows him up We do not know what it was that he did to earn it But what a fate to live to all generations by that one sentence

I Cheerful self-surrender the secret of all religion

The words of our text contain a metaphor naturally drawn from the sacrificial system It comes so easily to us that we scarcely recognise the metaphorical element but the clear recognition of it gives great additional energy to the words Amasiah was both sacrificer and sacrifice His offering was self-immolation As in all love so in that noblest kind of it which clasps God its perfect expression is lsquoI give Thee my living loving selfrsquo Nor is it only sacrifice and sacrificer that are seen in deepest truth in the experience of the Christian life but the reality of the Temple is also there for lsquoYe also are built up a spiritual house to be a holy priesthood to offer up spiritual sacrificesrsquo Only when God dwells in us shall we have the nerve and the firmness of hand to take the knife and lsquoslay before the Lordrsquo the awful Guest in the sanctuary within the most precious of the children of our spirits

The essence of the sacrifice of self is the sacrifice of will In the Christian experience

lsquowillingly offeredrsquo is almost tautology for unwilling offerings are a contradiction and in fact there are no such things The quality of unwillingness destroys the character of the offering and robs it of all sacredness Reluctant Christianity is not Christianity That noun and that adjective can never be buckled together

The submission of will and the consequent surrender of myself and my powers opportunities and possessions so that I do all enjoy all use all and when need is endure all with glad thankful reference to God is only possible to me in the measure in which my will is made flexible by love and such will-subduing love comes only when we lsquoknow and believe the love that God hath to usrsquo There is the point at which not a few moral and religious teachers go wrong and bewilder themselves and their disciples There too is the point at which Christ and the Gospel of salvation through faith in Him stand forth as emancipating humanity from the dreary round of efforts and vain attempts to work up the condition needful for achieving the height of self-surrender which is seen to be indispensable to all true nobleness of living but is felt to be beyond the reach of the ordinary man There too is the point at which many good people mar their lives as Christians They waste their strength in trying to bring the jibbing horse up to the leap They try to blow up a fire of devotion and to make themselves priests to offer themselves but all the while the mutinous self recoils from the leap and the fire burns smokily and their sacrifice is laid on the altar with little joy because they have not been careful and wise enough to begin at the beginning and to follow Godrsquos way of melting their wills by love the reflection of the Infinite love of God to them Godrsquos priests offer themselves because they offer their wills they offer their wills because they love God they love God because they know that God loves them That is the divine order It is vain to try to accomplish the end by any other

II This willing offering hallows all life

No syllable is left to tell us what Amasiah did to win this praise Probably the words enshrine some now forgotten memory of his cheerful courage some heroic feat on an unrecorded battlefield Particulars are not given nor needed Specific actions are unimportant the spirit of a life can be told with very incomplete details and it not the details is the important thing Sometimes as in many modern biographies one lsquocannot see the wood for the treesrsquo and misses the main drift and aim of a life in the chaos of a bewildering mass of nothings How much more happy the lot of this man of whom we have only the generalised expression of the text unweighted and undisturbed by petty incidents It takes tons of rose leaves to make a tiny phial of otto of roses but the fragrance is far more pungent in a drop of the distillation than in armfuls of leaves Every life shrinks into very small compass and the centuries do not tolerate long biographies Shall we not seek to order our life so that Amasiahrsquos epitaph may serve for us It will be blessed if this-and nothing else-is known about us that we lsquowillingly offered ourselves to the Lordrsquo My friend will that be a true epitome of your life

III This willing offering is accepted by God

We may hear a mightier voice behind the chroniclerrsquo s and the judgment of the Judge of all pronounced by His lips It matters little what men say of one another but it matters everything what God says of us We are but too apt to forget that He is now saying something as to each of us and that we have not to wait for death to put a final period to our activities before our lives become fit subjects for Godrsquos judgment Moment by moment we are writing our own sentences But while it is good for us to remember the continuous judgment of God on each deed it is not good to let dark thoughts of the principles of that judgment paralyse our activity or chill our confidence in His forgiving and accepting mercy There is often a dark suspicion like that of the one-talented

servant which blackens Godrsquos fair fame as being lsquoan austere Manrsquo making demands rather than imparting power and the effect of such an ugly conception of Him is to cut the nerve of service and bury the talent carefully folded up it may be but none the less earning nothing lsquoIf we call on Him as Father who without respect of persons judgeth according to every manrsquos workrsquo let us be sure that it will be a Fatherly judgment that He will pass upon us and our offerings There is a wonderful collection on His altar of what many people would think rubbish just as many a mother has laid away among her treasures some worthless article which her child had once given her-a weed plucked by the roadside in a long past summer day some trifle of rare preciousness in the childrsquos eyes and of none in any others than her own She opens her drawer and brings out the poor little thing and her eyes fill and her heart fills as she looks And does not God keep His childrenrsquos gifts as lovingly and set them in places of honour in the day when He lsquomakes up His jewelsrsquo There are cups of cold water and widowsrsquo mites and much else that a supercilious world would call lsquotrashrsquo stored there Thank God He accepts imperfect service faltering faith partial consecration a little love Even our poor offering may be an lsquoodour of a sweet smellrsquo ministering fragrance that is a delight to Him if it is offered with the much incense of the great Sacrifice and through the mediation of the great High Priest

The world forgot Amasiah or never knew him an obscure soldier in an obscure kingdom but God did not forget and here is his epitaph and this is his memorial to all generations Menrsquos chronicles have no room for all the names that their wearers are eager to have inscribed on their crumbling and crowded pages lsquobut the Lambrsquos Book of Lifersquo has ample space on its radiant pages for all who desire to set their names there and if ours are there we need not envy the proudest whose titles and deeds fill the most conspicuous pages in the worldrsquos records lsquoThen shall every man have praise of Christrsquo and he who wins that guerdon needs nothing more and can have nothing more to swell his blessedness

17 From BenjaminEliada a valiant soldier with 200000 men armed with bows and shields

GILL And of Benjamin Eliada a mighty man of valour Was the chief commander

and with armed men with bow and shield two hundred thousand which were

the armour of the tribe of Benjamin they were best skilled in 2Ch_148

TRAPP 2 Chronicles 1717 And of Benjamin Eliada a mighty man of valour and with him armed men with bow and shield two hundred thousand

Ver 17 With bow and shield] The Benjamites were notable bowmen [1 Chronicles 122] The Engish were anciently so too

ELLICOTT (17) Armed men with bow and shieldmdashLiterally drawing bow and shield ie as the Targum explains ldquodrawing bow and grasping shieldsrdquo (Comp 1 Chronicles 122) LXX ldquoArchers and peltastsrdquo Vulg ldquoGrasping bow and shieldrdquo (Comp also 1 Chronicles 840 for the arms of the Benjaminites)

18 next Jehozabad with 180000 men armed for battle

GILL And next to him was Jehozabad According to the Targum he encamped next him

and with him one hundred and fourscore thousand ready prepared for war being able bodied men well disciplined valiant and well armed these numbers of Judah and Benjamin put together amount to 1160000 men whereas Asa only brought into the field 580000 but it should be considered there had been a long time of peace many had come off from the ten tribes to Judah and the promise of multiplying the seed of Abraham was eminently fulfilled

TRAPP 2 Chronicles 1718 And next him [was] Jehozabad and with him an hundred and fourscore thousand ready prepared for the war

Ver 18 A hundred and fourscore thousand] His militia was eleven hundred and threescore thousand besides what he had in garrisons [2 Chronicles 1719] So that as he was better he was stronger than his father Asa had been Piety hath prosperity

ELLICOTT (18) Ready prepared for the warmdashEquipped for service (See on 1

Chronicles 1223-24 umbers 315 umbers 3229) The hoplites or heavy-armed infantry are probably meant

PULPIT While Eliada of last verse was for Benjamin Professor Dr Murphy supposes that Jehozabad was for the annexed part of Ephraim But no suppositions of this kind can avail to explain the numbers in the text which is no doubt corrupt

19 These were the men who served the king besides those he stationed in the fortified cities throughout Judah

CLARKE These waited on the king - They were disposable forces always at the kingrsquos command and were independent of those by which the cities of Judah were garrisoned

There is not a sovereign in Europe or in the world but might read this chapter with advantage

1 It shows most forcibly that true religion is the basis of the state and that wherever it prospers there the state prospers

2 It shows also that it is the wisdom of kings to encourage religion with all their power and influence for if the hearts of the subjects be not bound and influenced by true religion vain is the application of laws fines imprisonments or corporal punishment of any kind

3 A religious nation is ever a great nation it is loved by its friends it is dreaded by its enemies

4 It is ever a peaceable and united nation the blessings of religion and a wholesome and paternal government are so fully felt and prized that all find it their interest to preserve and defend them Harmony peace piety and strength are the stability of such times May Britain know and value them

GILL These waited on the king Not this vast number of men at one time but in course as Davids military men waited on him 1Ch_271 or each of these captains with a proper number of men under them detached from the body and they were all ready to obey the kings orders whenever he should have occasion for them

besides those whom the king put into the fenced cities throughout Judah and all together the militia of the kingdom was very numerous and formidable

KampD 2Ch_1719

These were serving the king א6ה refers not to the above-mentioned men capable of

bearing arms for sheereet is not used of service in war but to the commanders whom he had placed in the fortified cities of all Judah ldquoin which probably bodies of the above-mentioned troops lay as garrisonsrdquo (Berth)

BESO 2 Chronicles 1719 These waited on the king mdash These above-mentioned were the trained bands or auxiliaries whose chief officers waited on the king to receive his commands and to raise and bring in all or part of their forces to the service of the king as need required A vast number for so small a compass of ground to furnish out and maintain But we may consider that God had promised to make the seed of Abraham like the sand of the sea for number that there had now been a long peace that many were come to them from the kingdom of Israel and that Jehoshaphat was under a special blessing of God They were doubtless dispersed all the country over every one residing on his own land only they were ready at call whenever there was occasion

TRAPP 2 Chronicles 1719 These waited on the king beside [those] whom the king put in the fenced cities throughout all Judah

Ver 19 These waited on the king] ie In their turns and by course

POOLE These above mentioned were the trained bands or auxiliaries whose chief officers waited upon the king to receive his commands and to raise and bring in all or part of their forces to the service of the king and kingdom as need required

ELLICOTT (19) These waited on the kingmdashRather these are they that ministered unto the king viz the five generals above named

Beside those whom the king put in the fenced citiesmdashie the commandants of the fortresses of the kingdom (2 Chronicles 1111 2 Chronicles 1123) These latter as well as the generals of the forces are called the kingrsquos ldquoministersrdquo (mĕshacircrĕthicircm)mdasha word which is not used of service in the field but implies their presence at court (ldquoin Jerusalemrdquo 2 Chronicles 1713 as the royal staff)

According to the above list the army of Jehoshaphat was organised in five grand divisions corresponding perhaps to five territorial divisions of the southern kingdom The totals are the largest assigned to the two tribes anywhere in the Old Testament viz Judah 780000 and Benjamin 380000 in all 1160000 At Davidrsquos census Judah had 500000 warriors (2 Samuel 249) and Israel 800000 Again in 2

Chronicles 148 Asarsquos army consists of 300000 men of Judah and 280000 Benjaminites clearly such an increase as our text indicates is unaccountable At the same time it is equally clear that the present numbers are not fortuitous results of clerical errors for they follow each other in the order of relative strength Judah 300000 280000 200000 Benjamin 200000 180000 and they are evidently not independent of the estimates of 2 Chronicles 148 above quoted

In the absence of adequate data for modifying these certainly startling figures it is well to bear in mind that we need not understand by them an army which ever actually mustered in the field or on parade but simply an estimate of the total male population liable to be called out for the national defence although even upon that understanding the total appears to be at least three times too great considering the small extent of the country

PULPIT These waited Hebrew המשרתים plur piel part of שרת The verse states that this enormous fivefold army with its five princes (counting in our corrupt text one million one hundred and sixty thousand) was the kings Jerusalem standing army while other separate regiments or bands of troops were spread through all Judah where they might be most needed for defence

the path of duty Ignorance of Gods law had greatly prevailed and to oblige them merely to conform to his reformation without grounding them on the true foundation of Gods word promised little stability The Levites and priests therefore are sent in progress through the cities of Judah with the book of the law to explain and enforce the commandments of God and several princes accompanied them in order to engage the people to hear them and give countenance to these preachers by their weight and influence ote (1) It is a blessed thing when princes countenance faithful ministers Though they cannot make men true converts their example and authority will induce them to attend (2) They who are sent to teach must see that they take the pure word of God along with them A true preacher wishes for nothing in his hand but his Bible (3) Religion is a reasonable service Conviction alone not compulsion or education can make a man a christian

4 The blessing of God attended his labours The Lord was with him or as the Targum generally expresses it the word of the Lord the divine Logos to whom all things are committed strengthened him in his labours and established his kingdom The people charmed with his government liberally sent their presents to him and abounding in riches and honour his heart far from being intoxicated by prosperity was lifted up in greater love and thankfulness to the gracious giver ote (1) God often here rewards piety with prosperity (2) Worldly comforts are then truly blessings when as the steps of Jacobs ladder they raise our hearts to heaven

2nd Like the light of the morning which shineth more and more so did Jehoshaphats glory increase

1 Feared by his enemies as beloved by his subjects the neighbouring princes did not offer to molest him while those of Philistia and Arabia courted his favour either by a voluntary present or exact payment of the tribute which Asa had imposed on them see 2 Chronicles 1711 God had put an awe upon them of the majesty of his king in Zion ote God hath access to the spirits of men and by secret yet irresistible influence can bow them to his sovereign will

2 His military preparations greatly advanced While he reformed the people he fortified their ramparts and built new castles and store-cities strengthening them within and without against their enemies Under five chief officers an immense army was enlisted Probably all the able men in the country were enrolled and regularly mustered though not drawn out except in case of necessity and this may easily account for the greatness of their number if we consider also the long peace they had enjoyed the accession of Israelites to them and especially the blessing of Abraham which no doubt was eminently fulfilled Amasiah one of the officers is mentioned with an honourable mark of distinction as a volunteer who served for the glory of God not for the sake of pay Such patriots are scarce

TRAPP 2 Chronicles 1714 And these [are] the numbers of them according to the house of their fathers Of Judah the captains of thousands Adnah the chief and

with him mighty men of valour three hundred thousand

Ver 14 Three hundred thousand] These were under his command and at hand to come whensoever the king would

WHEDO 14 Three hundred thousand mdash The numbers in this verse and the four verses following are generally regarded as corrupt ldquoThey implyrdquo observes the writer last quoted ldquoa minimum population of 1480 to the square mile which is more than three times greater than that of any country in the known world It is probable that the original numbers have been lost and the loss supplied by a scribe who took 2 Chronicles 148 as his basis

ELLICOTT Verse 14 (14) And these their fathersmdashAnd this is their muster (or census) according to their father-houses (clans) 1 Chronicles 243 The warriors were marshalled in the army according to clans so that men of the same stock fought side by side with their kindred Perhaps in the original document this heading was followed by a much more detailed scheme of names and divisions than that which the text presents

Of JudahmdashTo Judah (belonged) captains of thousands viz the three enumerated in 2 Chronicles 1714-16 Adnah Jehohanan and Amasiah They were the principal officers or generals of the entire forces of Judah

Adnah the chiefmdashTo wit the captain Adnah That Adnah was commander-in-chief is implied by his being named first and his corps being the largest

PULPIT This verse with the following four gives us the names of five captains chiefs princes or military officers for the kingdoms service with the numbers of the troops they severally commanded The numbers of them (see note under 1 Chronicles 2311) Hebrew פקדתם The better English rendering to carry at once the signification would be The muster of them etc The captains hellip the chief In both cases the Hebrew is the familiar word for prince ( שר ) in the former without article in the latter with article The numbers of this and following four verses are not only absolutely unreliable but in themselves impossible According to the house of their fathers ie the quotation is drawn from an army catalogue arranged carefully by fathers houses (umbers 118 umbers 122 etc)

15 next Jehohanan the commander with 280000

GILL And next to him was Jehohanan the captain Being of the same rank as to office but having a lesser number of men under him and it may respect not any kind of subordination only nearness of place as the Targumhe that encamped next to him

and with him two hundred and fourscore thousand which number was but 20000 less than the former

POOLE ext to him either

1 After his death as his successor in the same command And the like is supposed concerning Jehozabad 2 Chronicles 1718 Or rather

2 ext to him in place and authority or at least in power and the numbers of his host

16 next Amasiah son of Zikri who volunteered himself for the service of the Lord with 200000

GILL And next him was Amasiah the son of Zichri He encamped next to him as the Targum

who willingly offered himself unto the Lord to fight the Lords battles and without any stipend as some think or as Kimchi he offered gold and silver to the treasures of the house of the Lord

and with him two hundred thousand mighty men of valour the number was 80000 less than the former the whole of Judah amounted to 780000 men

TRAPP 2 Chronicles 1716 And next him [was] Amasiah the son of Zichri who willingly offered himself unto the LORD and with him two hundred thousand mighty men of valour

Ver 16 Who willingly offered himself unto the Lord] He was a votary the vows of God were upon him and this made him the more valiant and resolute (a) in the exercise of arms for the service of God and the safety of his people The Spahis among the Turks are a sort of horsemen voluntaries and votaries to gain paradise by dying for the Mohammedan cause These are never known to return home but

with victory these are heavy upon the enemy For

ldquo Vincitur haud gratis iugulo qui provocat ensem rdquo

POOLE As volunteers and auxiliaries to be ready upon occasion as the service of God and the king should require Possibly these or most of them were the strangers which had come out of Israel into the kingdom of Judah in Asarsquos days and probably since that in his time

ELLICOTT (16) AmasiahmdashIah carrieth (Isaiah 4011) different from Amaziah (Iah is strong)

Who willingly offered himself unto the Lordmdash(Judges 52 Judges 59) An allusion to some noble act of self-devotion which was doubtless more fully recorded in the source from which the chronicler has drawn this brief account Such allusions though no longer intelligible are important as conducing to the proof of the historical value of the narratives in which they occur LXX ὁ προθυmicroούmicroενος τῷ κυρίῳ Vulg consecratus Domino

PULPIT Amaziah the son of Zichri This man is not titled at all The description of him as one who had willingly offered himself unto the Lord not elucidated by the context or any effective parallel will mark something honorable in his history Possibly he comes from an unexpected quarter and is a man of approved skill othing further is known of these three men Meantime it has been suggested (Professor Dr J Murphy of Belfast Handbook to Chronicles ) that the first of the three was for Judah proper the second for that contingent of Judah that hailed from Dan and the Philistines and the third for that of Simeon and the Arabs

MACLARE This is a scrap from the catalogue of Jehoshaphatrsquos lsquomighty men of valourrsquo and is Amasiahrsquos sole record We see him for a moment and hear his eulogium and then oblivion swallows him up We do not know what it was that he did to earn it But what a fate to live to all generations by that one sentence

I Cheerful self-surrender the secret of all religion

The words of our text contain a metaphor naturally drawn from the sacrificial system It comes so easily to us that we scarcely recognise the metaphorical element but the clear recognition of it gives great additional energy to the words Amasiah was both sacrificer and sacrifice His offering was self-immolation As in all love so in that noblest kind of it which clasps God its perfect expression is lsquoI give Thee my living loving selfrsquo Nor is it only sacrifice and sacrificer that are seen in deepest truth in the experience of the Christian life but the reality of the Temple is also there for lsquoYe also are built up a spiritual house to be a holy priesthood to offer up spiritual sacrificesrsquo Only when God dwells in us shall we have the nerve and the firmness of hand to take the knife and lsquoslay before the Lordrsquo the awful Guest in the sanctuary within the most precious of the children of our spirits

The essence of the sacrifice of self is the sacrifice of will In the Christian experience

lsquowillingly offeredrsquo is almost tautology for unwilling offerings are a contradiction and in fact there are no such things The quality of unwillingness destroys the character of the offering and robs it of all sacredness Reluctant Christianity is not Christianity That noun and that adjective can never be buckled together

The submission of will and the consequent surrender of myself and my powers opportunities and possessions so that I do all enjoy all use all and when need is endure all with glad thankful reference to God is only possible to me in the measure in which my will is made flexible by love and such will-subduing love comes only when we lsquoknow and believe the love that God hath to usrsquo There is the point at which not a few moral and religious teachers go wrong and bewilder themselves and their disciples There too is the point at which Christ and the Gospel of salvation through faith in Him stand forth as emancipating humanity from the dreary round of efforts and vain attempts to work up the condition needful for achieving the height of self-surrender which is seen to be indispensable to all true nobleness of living but is felt to be beyond the reach of the ordinary man There too is the point at which many good people mar their lives as Christians They waste their strength in trying to bring the jibbing horse up to the leap They try to blow up a fire of devotion and to make themselves priests to offer themselves but all the while the mutinous self recoils from the leap and the fire burns smokily and their sacrifice is laid on the altar with little joy because they have not been careful and wise enough to begin at the beginning and to follow Godrsquos way of melting their wills by love the reflection of the Infinite love of God to them Godrsquos priests offer themselves because they offer their wills they offer their wills because they love God they love God because they know that God loves them That is the divine order It is vain to try to accomplish the end by any other

II This willing offering hallows all life

No syllable is left to tell us what Amasiah did to win this praise Probably the words enshrine some now forgotten memory of his cheerful courage some heroic feat on an unrecorded battlefield Particulars are not given nor needed Specific actions are unimportant the spirit of a life can be told with very incomplete details and it not the details is the important thing Sometimes as in many modern biographies one lsquocannot see the wood for the treesrsquo and misses the main drift and aim of a life in the chaos of a bewildering mass of nothings How much more happy the lot of this man of whom we have only the generalised expression of the text unweighted and undisturbed by petty incidents It takes tons of rose leaves to make a tiny phial of otto of roses but the fragrance is far more pungent in a drop of the distillation than in armfuls of leaves Every life shrinks into very small compass and the centuries do not tolerate long biographies Shall we not seek to order our life so that Amasiahrsquos epitaph may serve for us It will be blessed if this-and nothing else-is known about us that we lsquowillingly offered ourselves to the Lordrsquo My friend will that be a true epitome of your life

III This willing offering is accepted by God

We may hear a mightier voice behind the chroniclerrsquo s and the judgment of the Judge of all pronounced by His lips It matters little what men say of one another but it matters everything what God says of us We are but too apt to forget that He is now saying something as to each of us and that we have not to wait for death to put a final period to our activities before our lives become fit subjects for Godrsquos judgment Moment by moment we are writing our own sentences But while it is good for us to remember the continuous judgment of God on each deed it is not good to let dark thoughts of the principles of that judgment paralyse our activity or chill our confidence in His forgiving and accepting mercy There is often a dark suspicion like that of the one-talented

servant which blackens Godrsquos fair fame as being lsquoan austere Manrsquo making demands rather than imparting power and the effect of such an ugly conception of Him is to cut the nerve of service and bury the talent carefully folded up it may be but none the less earning nothing lsquoIf we call on Him as Father who without respect of persons judgeth according to every manrsquos workrsquo let us be sure that it will be a Fatherly judgment that He will pass upon us and our offerings There is a wonderful collection on His altar of what many people would think rubbish just as many a mother has laid away among her treasures some worthless article which her child had once given her-a weed plucked by the roadside in a long past summer day some trifle of rare preciousness in the childrsquos eyes and of none in any others than her own She opens her drawer and brings out the poor little thing and her eyes fill and her heart fills as she looks And does not God keep His childrenrsquos gifts as lovingly and set them in places of honour in the day when He lsquomakes up His jewelsrsquo There are cups of cold water and widowsrsquo mites and much else that a supercilious world would call lsquotrashrsquo stored there Thank God He accepts imperfect service faltering faith partial consecration a little love Even our poor offering may be an lsquoodour of a sweet smellrsquo ministering fragrance that is a delight to Him if it is offered with the much incense of the great Sacrifice and through the mediation of the great High Priest

The world forgot Amasiah or never knew him an obscure soldier in an obscure kingdom but God did not forget and here is his epitaph and this is his memorial to all generations Menrsquos chronicles have no room for all the names that their wearers are eager to have inscribed on their crumbling and crowded pages lsquobut the Lambrsquos Book of Lifersquo has ample space on its radiant pages for all who desire to set their names there and if ours are there we need not envy the proudest whose titles and deeds fill the most conspicuous pages in the worldrsquos records lsquoThen shall every man have praise of Christrsquo and he who wins that guerdon needs nothing more and can have nothing more to swell his blessedness

17 From BenjaminEliada a valiant soldier with 200000 men armed with bows and shields

GILL And of Benjamin Eliada a mighty man of valour Was the chief commander

and with armed men with bow and shield two hundred thousand which were

the armour of the tribe of Benjamin they were best skilled in 2Ch_148

TRAPP 2 Chronicles 1717 And of Benjamin Eliada a mighty man of valour and with him armed men with bow and shield two hundred thousand

Ver 17 With bow and shield] The Benjamites were notable bowmen [1 Chronicles 122] The Engish were anciently so too

ELLICOTT (17) Armed men with bow and shieldmdashLiterally drawing bow and shield ie as the Targum explains ldquodrawing bow and grasping shieldsrdquo (Comp 1 Chronicles 122) LXX ldquoArchers and peltastsrdquo Vulg ldquoGrasping bow and shieldrdquo (Comp also 1 Chronicles 840 for the arms of the Benjaminites)

18 next Jehozabad with 180000 men armed for battle

GILL And next to him was Jehozabad According to the Targum he encamped next him

and with him one hundred and fourscore thousand ready prepared for war being able bodied men well disciplined valiant and well armed these numbers of Judah and Benjamin put together amount to 1160000 men whereas Asa only brought into the field 580000 but it should be considered there had been a long time of peace many had come off from the ten tribes to Judah and the promise of multiplying the seed of Abraham was eminently fulfilled

TRAPP 2 Chronicles 1718 And next him [was] Jehozabad and with him an hundred and fourscore thousand ready prepared for the war

Ver 18 A hundred and fourscore thousand] His militia was eleven hundred and threescore thousand besides what he had in garrisons [2 Chronicles 1719] So that as he was better he was stronger than his father Asa had been Piety hath prosperity

ELLICOTT (18) Ready prepared for the warmdashEquipped for service (See on 1

Chronicles 1223-24 umbers 315 umbers 3229) The hoplites or heavy-armed infantry are probably meant

PULPIT While Eliada of last verse was for Benjamin Professor Dr Murphy supposes that Jehozabad was for the annexed part of Ephraim But no suppositions of this kind can avail to explain the numbers in the text which is no doubt corrupt

19 These were the men who served the king besides those he stationed in the fortified cities throughout Judah

CLARKE These waited on the king - They were disposable forces always at the kingrsquos command and were independent of those by which the cities of Judah were garrisoned

There is not a sovereign in Europe or in the world but might read this chapter with advantage

1 It shows most forcibly that true religion is the basis of the state and that wherever it prospers there the state prospers

2 It shows also that it is the wisdom of kings to encourage religion with all their power and influence for if the hearts of the subjects be not bound and influenced by true religion vain is the application of laws fines imprisonments or corporal punishment of any kind

3 A religious nation is ever a great nation it is loved by its friends it is dreaded by its enemies

4 It is ever a peaceable and united nation the blessings of religion and a wholesome and paternal government are so fully felt and prized that all find it their interest to preserve and defend them Harmony peace piety and strength are the stability of such times May Britain know and value them

GILL These waited on the king Not this vast number of men at one time but in course as Davids military men waited on him 1Ch_271 or each of these captains with a proper number of men under them detached from the body and they were all ready to obey the kings orders whenever he should have occasion for them

besides those whom the king put into the fenced cities throughout Judah and all together the militia of the kingdom was very numerous and formidable

KampD 2Ch_1719

These were serving the king א6ה refers not to the above-mentioned men capable of

bearing arms for sheereet is not used of service in war but to the commanders whom he had placed in the fortified cities of all Judah ldquoin which probably bodies of the above-mentioned troops lay as garrisonsrdquo (Berth)

BESO 2 Chronicles 1719 These waited on the king mdash These above-mentioned were the trained bands or auxiliaries whose chief officers waited on the king to receive his commands and to raise and bring in all or part of their forces to the service of the king as need required A vast number for so small a compass of ground to furnish out and maintain But we may consider that God had promised to make the seed of Abraham like the sand of the sea for number that there had now been a long peace that many were come to them from the kingdom of Israel and that Jehoshaphat was under a special blessing of God They were doubtless dispersed all the country over every one residing on his own land only they were ready at call whenever there was occasion

TRAPP 2 Chronicles 1719 These waited on the king beside [those] whom the king put in the fenced cities throughout all Judah

Ver 19 These waited on the king] ie In their turns and by course

POOLE These above mentioned were the trained bands or auxiliaries whose chief officers waited upon the king to receive his commands and to raise and bring in all or part of their forces to the service of the king and kingdom as need required

ELLICOTT (19) These waited on the kingmdashRather these are they that ministered unto the king viz the five generals above named

Beside those whom the king put in the fenced citiesmdashie the commandants of the fortresses of the kingdom (2 Chronicles 1111 2 Chronicles 1123) These latter as well as the generals of the forces are called the kingrsquos ldquoministersrdquo (mĕshacircrĕthicircm)mdasha word which is not used of service in the field but implies their presence at court (ldquoin Jerusalemrdquo 2 Chronicles 1713 as the royal staff)

According to the above list the army of Jehoshaphat was organised in five grand divisions corresponding perhaps to five territorial divisions of the southern kingdom The totals are the largest assigned to the two tribes anywhere in the Old Testament viz Judah 780000 and Benjamin 380000 in all 1160000 At Davidrsquos census Judah had 500000 warriors (2 Samuel 249) and Israel 800000 Again in 2

Chronicles 148 Asarsquos army consists of 300000 men of Judah and 280000 Benjaminites clearly such an increase as our text indicates is unaccountable At the same time it is equally clear that the present numbers are not fortuitous results of clerical errors for they follow each other in the order of relative strength Judah 300000 280000 200000 Benjamin 200000 180000 and they are evidently not independent of the estimates of 2 Chronicles 148 above quoted

In the absence of adequate data for modifying these certainly startling figures it is well to bear in mind that we need not understand by them an army which ever actually mustered in the field or on parade but simply an estimate of the total male population liable to be called out for the national defence although even upon that understanding the total appears to be at least three times too great considering the small extent of the country

PULPIT These waited Hebrew המשרתים plur piel part of שרת The verse states that this enormous fivefold army with its five princes (counting in our corrupt text one million one hundred and sixty thousand) was the kings Jerusalem standing army while other separate regiments or bands of troops were spread through all Judah where they might be most needed for defence

with him mighty men of valour three hundred thousand

Ver 14 Three hundred thousand] These were under his command and at hand to come whensoever the king would

WHEDO 14 Three hundred thousand mdash The numbers in this verse and the four verses following are generally regarded as corrupt ldquoThey implyrdquo observes the writer last quoted ldquoa minimum population of 1480 to the square mile which is more than three times greater than that of any country in the known world It is probable that the original numbers have been lost and the loss supplied by a scribe who took 2 Chronicles 148 as his basis

ELLICOTT Verse 14 (14) And these their fathersmdashAnd this is their muster (or census) according to their father-houses (clans) 1 Chronicles 243 The warriors were marshalled in the army according to clans so that men of the same stock fought side by side with their kindred Perhaps in the original document this heading was followed by a much more detailed scheme of names and divisions than that which the text presents

Of JudahmdashTo Judah (belonged) captains of thousands viz the three enumerated in 2 Chronicles 1714-16 Adnah Jehohanan and Amasiah They were the principal officers or generals of the entire forces of Judah

Adnah the chiefmdashTo wit the captain Adnah That Adnah was commander-in-chief is implied by his being named first and his corps being the largest

PULPIT This verse with the following four gives us the names of five captains chiefs princes or military officers for the kingdoms service with the numbers of the troops they severally commanded The numbers of them (see note under 1 Chronicles 2311) Hebrew פקדתם The better English rendering to carry at once the signification would be The muster of them etc The captains hellip the chief In both cases the Hebrew is the familiar word for prince ( שר ) in the former without article in the latter with article The numbers of this and following four verses are not only absolutely unreliable but in themselves impossible According to the house of their fathers ie the quotation is drawn from an army catalogue arranged carefully by fathers houses (umbers 118 umbers 122 etc)

15 next Jehohanan the commander with 280000

GILL And next to him was Jehohanan the captain Being of the same rank as to office but having a lesser number of men under him and it may respect not any kind of subordination only nearness of place as the Targumhe that encamped next to him

and with him two hundred and fourscore thousand which number was but 20000 less than the former

POOLE ext to him either

1 After his death as his successor in the same command And the like is supposed concerning Jehozabad 2 Chronicles 1718 Or rather

2 ext to him in place and authority or at least in power and the numbers of his host

16 next Amasiah son of Zikri who volunteered himself for the service of the Lord with 200000

GILL And next him was Amasiah the son of Zichri He encamped next to him as the Targum

who willingly offered himself unto the Lord to fight the Lords battles and without any stipend as some think or as Kimchi he offered gold and silver to the treasures of the house of the Lord

and with him two hundred thousand mighty men of valour the number was 80000 less than the former the whole of Judah amounted to 780000 men

TRAPP 2 Chronicles 1716 And next him [was] Amasiah the son of Zichri who willingly offered himself unto the LORD and with him two hundred thousand mighty men of valour

Ver 16 Who willingly offered himself unto the Lord] He was a votary the vows of God were upon him and this made him the more valiant and resolute (a) in the exercise of arms for the service of God and the safety of his people The Spahis among the Turks are a sort of horsemen voluntaries and votaries to gain paradise by dying for the Mohammedan cause These are never known to return home but

with victory these are heavy upon the enemy For

ldquo Vincitur haud gratis iugulo qui provocat ensem rdquo

POOLE As volunteers and auxiliaries to be ready upon occasion as the service of God and the king should require Possibly these or most of them were the strangers which had come out of Israel into the kingdom of Judah in Asarsquos days and probably since that in his time

ELLICOTT (16) AmasiahmdashIah carrieth (Isaiah 4011) different from Amaziah (Iah is strong)

Who willingly offered himself unto the Lordmdash(Judges 52 Judges 59) An allusion to some noble act of self-devotion which was doubtless more fully recorded in the source from which the chronicler has drawn this brief account Such allusions though no longer intelligible are important as conducing to the proof of the historical value of the narratives in which they occur LXX ὁ προθυmicroούmicroενος τῷ κυρίῳ Vulg consecratus Domino

PULPIT Amaziah the son of Zichri This man is not titled at all The description of him as one who had willingly offered himself unto the Lord not elucidated by the context or any effective parallel will mark something honorable in his history Possibly he comes from an unexpected quarter and is a man of approved skill othing further is known of these three men Meantime it has been suggested (Professor Dr J Murphy of Belfast Handbook to Chronicles ) that the first of the three was for Judah proper the second for that contingent of Judah that hailed from Dan and the Philistines and the third for that of Simeon and the Arabs

MACLARE This is a scrap from the catalogue of Jehoshaphatrsquos lsquomighty men of valourrsquo and is Amasiahrsquos sole record We see him for a moment and hear his eulogium and then oblivion swallows him up We do not know what it was that he did to earn it But what a fate to live to all generations by that one sentence

I Cheerful self-surrender the secret of all religion

The words of our text contain a metaphor naturally drawn from the sacrificial system It comes so easily to us that we scarcely recognise the metaphorical element but the clear recognition of it gives great additional energy to the words Amasiah was both sacrificer and sacrifice His offering was self-immolation As in all love so in that noblest kind of it which clasps God its perfect expression is lsquoI give Thee my living loving selfrsquo Nor is it only sacrifice and sacrificer that are seen in deepest truth in the experience of the Christian life but the reality of the Temple is also there for lsquoYe also are built up a spiritual house to be a holy priesthood to offer up spiritual sacrificesrsquo Only when God dwells in us shall we have the nerve and the firmness of hand to take the knife and lsquoslay before the Lordrsquo the awful Guest in the sanctuary within the most precious of the children of our spirits

The essence of the sacrifice of self is the sacrifice of will In the Christian experience

lsquowillingly offeredrsquo is almost tautology for unwilling offerings are a contradiction and in fact there are no such things The quality of unwillingness destroys the character of the offering and robs it of all sacredness Reluctant Christianity is not Christianity That noun and that adjective can never be buckled together

The submission of will and the consequent surrender of myself and my powers opportunities and possessions so that I do all enjoy all use all and when need is endure all with glad thankful reference to God is only possible to me in the measure in which my will is made flexible by love and such will-subduing love comes only when we lsquoknow and believe the love that God hath to usrsquo There is the point at which not a few moral and religious teachers go wrong and bewilder themselves and their disciples There too is the point at which Christ and the Gospel of salvation through faith in Him stand forth as emancipating humanity from the dreary round of efforts and vain attempts to work up the condition needful for achieving the height of self-surrender which is seen to be indispensable to all true nobleness of living but is felt to be beyond the reach of the ordinary man There too is the point at which many good people mar their lives as Christians They waste their strength in trying to bring the jibbing horse up to the leap They try to blow up a fire of devotion and to make themselves priests to offer themselves but all the while the mutinous self recoils from the leap and the fire burns smokily and their sacrifice is laid on the altar with little joy because they have not been careful and wise enough to begin at the beginning and to follow Godrsquos way of melting their wills by love the reflection of the Infinite love of God to them Godrsquos priests offer themselves because they offer their wills they offer their wills because they love God they love God because they know that God loves them That is the divine order It is vain to try to accomplish the end by any other

II This willing offering hallows all life

No syllable is left to tell us what Amasiah did to win this praise Probably the words enshrine some now forgotten memory of his cheerful courage some heroic feat on an unrecorded battlefield Particulars are not given nor needed Specific actions are unimportant the spirit of a life can be told with very incomplete details and it not the details is the important thing Sometimes as in many modern biographies one lsquocannot see the wood for the treesrsquo and misses the main drift and aim of a life in the chaos of a bewildering mass of nothings How much more happy the lot of this man of whom we have only the generalised expression of the text unweighted and undisturbed by petty incidents It takes tons of rose leaves to make a tiny phial of otto of roses but the fragrance is far more pungent in a drop of the distillation than in armfuls of leaves Every life shrinks into very small compass and the centuries do not tolerate long biographies Shall we not seek to order our life so that Amasiahrsquos epitaph may serve for us It will be blessed if this-and nothing else-is known about us that we lsquowillingly offered ourselves to the Lordrsquo My friend will that be a true epitome of your life

III This willing offering is accepted by God

We may hear a mightier voice behind the chroniclerrsquo s and the judgment of the Judge of all pronounced by His lips It matters little what men say of one another but it matters everything what God says of us We are but too apt to forget that He is now saying something as to each of us and that we have not to wait for death to put a final period to our activities before our lives become fit subjects for Godrsquos judgment Moment by moment we are writing our own sentences But while it is good for us to remember the continuous judgment of God on each deed it is not good to let dark thoughts of the principles of that judgment paralyse our activity or chill our confidence in His forgiving and accepting mercy There is often a dark suspicion like that of the one-talented

servant which blackens Godrsquos fair fame as being lsquoan austere Manrsquo making demands rather than imparting power and the effect of such an ugly conception of Him is to cut the nerve of service and bury the talent carefully folded up it may be but none the less earning nothing lsquoIf we call on Him as Father who without respect of persons judgeth according to every manrsquos workrsquo let us be sure that it will be a Fatherly judgment that He will pass upon us and our offerings There is a wonderful collection on His altar of what many people would think rubbish just as many a mother has laid away among her treasures some worthless article which her child had once given her-a weed plucked by the roadside in a long past summer day some trifle of rare preciousness in the childrsquos eyes and of none in any others than her own She opens her drawer and brings out the poor little thing and her eyes fill and her heart fills as she looks And does not God keep His childrenrsquos gifts as lovingly and set them in places of honour in the day when He lsquomakes up His jewelsrsquo There are cups of cold water and widowsrsquo mites and much else that a supercilious world would call lsquotrashrsquo stored there Thank God He accepts imperfect service faltering faith partial consecration a little love Even our poor offering may be an lsquoodour of a sweet smellrsquo ministering fragrance that is a delight to Him if it is offered with the much incense of the great Sacrifice and through the mediation of the great High Priest

The world forgot Amasiah or never knew him an obscure soldier in an obscure kingdom but God did not forget and here is his epitaph and this is his memorial to all generations Menrsquos chronicles have no room for all the names that their wearers are eager to have inscribed on their crumbling and crowded pages lsquobut the Lambrsquos Book of Lifersquo has ample space on its radiant pages for all who desire to set their names there and if ours are there we need not envy the proudest whose titles and deeds fill the most conspicuous pages in the worldrsquos records lsquoThen shall every man have praise of Christrsquo and he who wins that guerdon needs nothing more and can have nothing more to swell his blessedness

17 From BenjaminEliada a valiant soldier with 200000 men armed with bows and shields

GILL And of Benjamin Eliada a mighty man of valour Was the chief commander

and with armed men with bow and shield two hundred thousand which were

the armour of the tribe of Benjamin they were best skilled in 2Ch_148

TRAPP 2 Chronicles 1717 And of Benjamin Eliada a mighty man of valour and with him armed men with bow and shield two hundred thousand

Ver 17 With bow and shield] The Benjamites were notable bowmen [1 Chronicles 122] The Engish were anciently so too

ELLICOTT (17) Armed men with bow and shieldmdashLiterally drawing bow and shield ie as the Targum explains ldquodrawing bow and grasping shieldsrdquo (Comp 1 Chronicles 122) LXX ldquoArchers and peltastsrdquo Vulg ldquoGrasping bow and shieldrdquo (Comp also 1 Chronicles 840 for the arms of the Benjaminites)

18 next Jehozabad with 180000 men armed for battle

GILL And next to him was Jehozabad According to the Targum he encamped next him

and with him one hundred and fourscore thousand ready prepared for war being able bodied men well disciplined valiant and well armed these numbers of Judah and Benjamin put together amount to 1160000 men whereas Asa only brought into the field 580000 but it should be considered there had been a long time of peace many had come off from the ten tribes to Judah and the promise of multiplying the seed of Abraham was eminently fulfilled

TRAPP 2 Chronicles 1718 And next him [was] Jehozabad and with him an hundred and fourscore thousand ready prepared for the war

Ver 18 A hundred and fourscore thousand] His militia was eleven hundred and threescore thousand besides what he had in garrisons [2 Chronicles 1719] So that as he was better he was stronger than his father Asa had been Piety hath prosperity

ELLICOTT (18) Ready prepared for the warmdashEquipped for service (See on 1

Chronicles 1223-24 umbers 315 umbers 3229) The hoplites or heavy-armed infantry are probably meant

PULPIT While Eliada of last verse was for Benjamin Professor Dr Murphy supposes that Jehozabad was for the annexed part of Ephraim But no suppositions of this kind can avail to explain the numbers in the text which is no doubt corrupt

19 These were the men who served the king besides those he stationed in the fortified cities throughout Judah

CLARKE These waited on the king - They were disposable forces always at the kingrsquos command and were independent of those by which the cities of Judah were garrisoned

There is not a sovereign in Europe or in the world but might read this chapter with advantage

1 It shows most forcibly that true religion is the basis of the state and that wherever it prospers there the state prospers

2 It shows also that it is the wisdom of kings to encourage religion with all their power and influence for if the hearts of the subjects be not bound and influenced by true religion vain is the application of laws fines imprisonments or corporal punishment of any kind

3 A religious nation is ever a great nation it is loved by its friends it is dreaded by its enemies

4 It is ever a peaceable and united nation the blessings of religion and a wholesome and paternal government are so fully felt and prized that all find it their interest to preserve and defend them Harmony peace piety and strength are the stability of such times May Britain know and value them

GILL These waited on the king Not this vast number of men at one time but in course as Davids military men waited on him 1Ch_271 or each of these captains with a proper number of men under them detached from the body and they were all ready to obey the kings orders whenever he should have occasion for them

besides those whom the king put into the fenced cities throughout Judah and all together the militia of the kingdom was very numerous and formidable

KampD 2Ch_1719

These were serving the king א6ה refers not to the above-mentioned men capable of

bearing arms for sheereet is not used of service in war but to the commanders whom he had placed in the fortified cities of all Judah ldquoin which probably bodies of the above-mentioned troops lay as garrisonsrdquo (Berth)

BESO 2 Chronicles 1719 These waited on the king mdash These above-mentioned were the trained bands or auxiliaries whose chief officers waited on the king to receive his commands and to raise and bring in all or part of their forces to the service of the king as need required A vast number for so small a compass of ground to furnish out and maintain But we may consider that God had promised to make the seed of Abraham like the sand of the sea for number that there had now been a long peace that many were come to them from the kingdom of Israel and that Jehoshaphat was under a special blessing of God They were doubtless dispersed all the country over every one residing on his own land only they were ready at call whenever there was occasion

TRAPP 2 Chronicles 1719 These waited on the king beside [those] whom the king put in the fenced cities throughout all Judah

Ver 19 These waited on the king] ie In their turns and by course

POOLE These above mentioned were the trained bands or auxiliaries whose chief officers waited upon the king to receive his commands and to raise and bring in all or part of their forces to the service of the king and kingdom as need required

ELLICOTT (19) These waited on the kingmdashRather these are they that ministered unto the king viz the five generals above named

Beside those whom the king put in the fenced citiesmdashie the commandants of the fortresses of the kingdom (2 Chronicles 1111 2 Chronicles 1123) These latter as well as the generals of the forces are called the kingrsquos ldquoministersrdquo (mĕshacircrĕthicircm)mdasha word which is not used of service in the field but implies their presence at court (ldquoin Jerusalemrdquo 2 Chronicles 1713 as the royal staff)

According to the above list the army of Jehoshaphat was organised in five grand divisions corresponding perhaps to five territorial divisions of the southern kingdom The totals are the largest assigned to the two tribes anywhere in the Old Testament viz Judah 780000 and Benjamin 380000 in all 1160000 At Davidrsquos census Judah had 500000 warriors (2 Samuel 249) and Israel 800000 Again in 2

Chronicles 148 Asarsquos army consists of 300000 men of Judah and 280000 Benjaminites clearly such an increase as our text indicates is unaccountable At the same time it is equally clear that the present numbers are not fortuitous results of clerical errors for they follow each other in the order of relative strength Judah 300000 280000 200000 Benjamin 200000 180000 and they are evidently not independent of the estimates of 2 Chronicles 148 above quoted

In the absence of adequate data for modifying these certainly startling figures it is well to bear in mind that we need not understand by them an army which ever actually mustered in the field or on parade but simply an estimate of the total male population liable to be called out for the national defence although even upon that understanding the total appears to be at least three times too great considering the small extent of the country

PULPIT These waited Hebrew המשרתים plur piel part of שרת The verse states that this enormous fivefold army with its five princes (counting in our corrupt text one million one hundred and sixty thousand) was the kings Jerusalem standing army while other separate regiments or bands of troops were spread through all Judah where they might be most needed for defence

GILL And next to him was Jehohanan the captain Being of the same rank as to office but having a lesser number of men under him and it may respect not any kind of subordination only nearness of place as the Targumhe that encamped next to him

and with him two hundred and fourscore thousand which number was but 20000 less than the former

POOLE ext to him either

1 After his death as his successor in the same command And the like is supposed concerning Jehozabad 2 Chronicles 1718 Or rather

2 ext to him in place and authority or at least in power and the numbers of his host

16 next Amasiah son of Zikri who volunteered himself for the service of the Lord with 200000

GILL And next him was Amasiah the son of Zichri He encamped next to him as the Targum

who willingly offered himself unto the Lord to fight the Lords battles and without any stipend as some think or as Kimchi he offered gold and silver to the treasures of the house of the Lord

and with him two hundred thousand mighty men of valour the number was 80000 less than the former the whole of Judah amounted to 780000 men

TRAPP 2 Chronicles 1716 And next him [was] Amasiah the son of Zichri who willingly offered himself unto the LORD and with him two hundred thousand mighty men of valour

Ver 16 Who willingly offered himself unto the Lord] He was a votary the vows of God were upon him and this made him the more valiant and resolute (a) in the exercise of arms for the service of God and the safety of his people The Spahis among the Turks are a sort of horsemen voluntaries and votaries to gain paradise by dying for the Mohammedan cause These are never known to return home but

with victory these are heavy upon the enemy For

ldquo Vincitur haud gratis iugulo qui provocat ensem rdquo

POOLE As volunteers and auxiliaries to be ready upon occasion as the service of God and the king should require Possibly these or most of them were the strangers which had come out of Israel into the kingdom of Judah in Asarsquos days and probably since that in his time

ELLICOTT (16) AmasiahmdashIah carrieth (Isaiah 4011) different from Amaziah (Iah is strong)

Who willingly offered himself unto the Lordmdash(Judges 52 Judges 59) An allusion to some noble act of self-devotion which was doubtless more fully recorded in the source from which the chronicler has drawn this brief account Such allusions though no longer intelligible are important as conducing to the proof of the historical value of the narratives in which they occur LXX ὁ προθυmicroούmicroενος τῷ κυρίῳ Vulg consecratus Domino

PULPIT Amaziah the son of Zichri This man is not titled at all The description of him as one who had willingly offered himself unto the Lord not elucidated by the context or any effective parallel will mark something honorable in his history Possibly he comes from an unexpected quarter and is a man of approved skill othing further is known of these three men Meantime it has been suggested (Professor Dr J Murphy of Belfast Handbook to Chronicles ) that the first of the three was for Judah proper the second for that contingent of Judah that hailed from Dan and the Philistines and the third for that of Simeon and the Arabs

MACLARE This is a scrap from the catalogue of Jehoshaphatrsquos lsquomighty men of valourrsquo and is Amasiahrsquos sole record We see him for a moment and hear his eulogium and then oblivion swallows him up We do not know what it was that he did to earn it But what a fate to live to all generations by that one sentence

I Cheerful self-surrender the secret of all religion

The words of our text contain a metaphor naturally drawn from the sacrificial system It comes so easily to us that we scarcely recognise the metaphorical element but the clear recognition of it gives great additional energy to the words Amasiah was both sacrificer and sacrifice His offering was self-immolation As in all love so in that noblest kind of it which clasps God its perfect expression is lsquoI give Thee my living loving selfrsquo Nor is it only sacrifice and sacrificer that are seen in deepest truth in the experience of the Christian life but the reality of the Temple is also there for lsquoYe also are built up a spiritual house to be a holy priesthood to offer up spiritual sacrificesrsquo Only when God dwells in us shall we have the nerve and the firmness of hand to take the knife and lsquoslay before the Lordrsquo the awful Guest in the sanctuary within the most precious of the children of our spirits

The essence of the sacrifice of self is the sacrifice of will In the Christian experience

lsquowillingly offeredrsquo is almost tautology for unwilling offerings are a contradiction and in fact there are no such things The quality of unwillingness destroys the character of the offering and robs it of all sacredness Reluctant Christianity is not Christianity That noun and that adjective can never be buckled together

The submission of will and the consequent surrender of myself and my powers opportunities and possessions so that I do all enjoy all use all and when need is endure all with glad thankful reference to God is only possible to me in the measure in which my will is made flexible by love and such will-subduing love comes only when we lsquoknow and believe the love that God hath to usrsquo There is the point at which not a few moral and religious teachers go wrong and bewilder themselves and their disciples There too is the point at which Christ and the Gospel of salvation through faith in Him stand forth as emancipating humanity from the dreary round of efforts and vain attempts to work up the condition needful for achieving the height of self-surrender which is seen to be indispensable to all true nobleness of living but is felt to be beyond the reach of the ordinary man There too is the point at which many good people mar their lives as Christians They waste their strength in trying to bring the jibbing horse up to the leap They try to blow up a fire of devotion and to make themselves priests to offer themselves but all the while the mutinous self recoils from the leap and the fire burns smokily and their sacrifice is laid on the altar with little joy because they have not been careful and wise enough to begin at the beginning and to follow Godrsquos way of melting their wills by love the reflection of the Infinite love of God to them Godrsquos priests offer themselves because they offer their wills they offer their wills because they love God they love God because they know that God loves them That is the divine order It is vain to try to accomplish the end by any other

II This willing offering hallows all life

No syllable is left to tell us what Amasiah did to win this praise Probably the words enshrine some now forgotten memory of his cheerful courage some heroic feat on an unrecorded battlefield Particulars are not given nor needed Specific actions are unimportant the spirit of a life can be told with very incomplete details and it not the details is the important thing Sometimes as in many modern biographies one lsquocannot see the wood for the treesrsquo and misses the main drift and aim of a life in the chaos of a bewildering mass of nothings How much more happy the lot of this man of whom we have only the generalised expression of the text unweighted and undisturbed by petty incidents It takes tons of rose leaves to make a tiny phial of otto of roses but the fragrance is far more pungent in a drop of the distillation than in armfuls of leaves Every life shrinks into very small compass and the centuries do not tolerate long biographies Shall we not seek to order our life so that Amasiahrsquos epitaph may serve for us It will be blessed if this-and nothing else-is known about us that we lsquowillingly offered ourselves to the Lordrsquo My friend will that be a true epitome of your life

III This willing offering is accepted by God

We may hear a mightier voice behind the chroniclerrsquo s and the judgment of the Judge of all pronounced by His lips It matters little what men say of one another but it matters everything what God says of us We are but too apt to forget that He is now saying something as to each of us and that we have not to wait for death to put a final period to our activities before our lives become fit subjects for Godrsquos judgment Moment by moment we are writing our own sentences But while it is good for us to remember the continuous judgment of God on each deed it is not good to let dark thoughts of the principles of that judgment paralyse our activity or chill our confidence in His forgiving and accepting mercy There is often a dark suspicion like that of the one-talented

servant which blackens Godrsquos fair fame as being lsquoan austere Manrsquo making demands rather than imparting power and the effect of such an ugly conception of Him is to cut the nerve of service and bury the talent carefully folded up it may be but none the less earning nothing lsquoIf we call on Him as Father who without respect of persons judgeth according to every manrsquos workrsquo let us be sure that it will be a Fatherly judgment that He will pass upon us and our offerings There is a wonderful collection on His altar of what many people would think rubbish just as many a mother has laid away among her treasures some worthless article which her child had once given her-a weed plucked by the roadside in a long past summer day some trifle of rare preciousness in the childrsquos eyes and of none in any others than her own She opens her drawer and brings out the poor little thing and her eyes fill and her heart fills as she looks And does not God keep His childrenrsquos gifts as lovingly and set them in places of honour in the day when He lsquomakes up His jewelsrsquo There are cups of cold water and widowsrsquo mites and much else that a supercilious world would call lsquotrashrsquo stored there Thank God He accepts imperfect service faltering faith partial consecration a little love Even our poor offering may be an lsquoodour of a sweet smellrsquo ministering fragrance that is a delight to Him if it is offered with the much incense of the great Sacrifice and through the mediation of the great High Priest

The world forgot Amasiah or never knew him an obscure soldier in an obscure kingdom but God did not forget and here is his epitaph and this is his memorial to all generations Menrsquos chronicles have no room for all the names that their wearers are eager to have inscribed on their crumbling and crowded pages lsquobut the Lambrsquos Book of Lifersquo has ample space on its radiant pages for all who desire to set their names there and if ours are there we need not envy the proudest whose titles and deeds fill the most conspicuous pages in the worldrsquos records lsquoThen shall every man have praise of Christrsquo and he who wins that guerdon needs nothing more and can have nothing more to swell his blessedness

17 From BenjaminEliada a valiant soldier with 200000 men armed with bows and shields

GILL And of Benjamin Eliada a mighty man of valour Was the chief commander

and with armed men with bow and shield two hundred thousand which were

the armour of the tribe of Benjamin they were best skilled in 2Ch_148

TRAPP 2 Chronicles 1717 And of Benjamin Eliada a mighty man of valour and with him armed men with bow and shield two hundred thousand

Ver 17 With bow and shield] The Benjamites were notable bowmen [1 Chronicles 122] The Engish were anciently so too

ELLICOTT (17) Armed men with bow and shieldmdashLiterally drawing bow and shield ie as the Targum explains ldquodrawing bow and grasping shieldsrdquo (Comp 1 Chronicles 122) LXX ldquoArchers and peltastsrdquo Vulg ldquoGrasping bow and shieldrdquo (Comp also 1 Chronicles 840 for the arms of the Benjaminites)

18 next Jehozabad with 180000 men armed for battle

GILL And next to him was Jehozabad According to the Targum he encamped next him

and with him one hundred and fourscore thousand ready prepared for war being able bodied men well disciplined valiant and well armed these numbers of Judah and Benjamin put together amount to 1160000 men whereas Asa only brought into the field 580000 but it should be considered there had been a long time of peace many had come off from the ten tribes to Judah and the promise of multiplying the seed of Abraham was eminently fulfilled

TRAPP 2 Chronicles 1718 And next him [was] Jehozabad and with him an hundred and fourscore thousand ready prepared for the war

Ver 18 A hundred and fourscore thousand] His militia was eleven hundred and threescore thousand besides what he had in garrisons [2 Chronicles 1719] So that as he was better he was stronger than his father Asa had been Piety hath prosperity

ELLICOTT (18) Ready prepared for the warmdashEquipped for service (See on 1

Chronicles 1223-24 umbers 315 umbers 3229) The hoplites or heavy-armed infantry are probably meant

PULPIT While Eliada of last verse was for Benjamin Professor Dr Murphy supposes that Jehozabad was for the annexed part of Ephraim But no suppositions of this kind can avail to explain the numbers in the text which is no doubt corrupt

19 These were the men who served the king besides those he stationed in the fortified cities throughout Judah

CLARKE These waited on the king - They were disposable forces always at the kingrsquos command and were independent of those by which the cities of Judah were garrisoned

There is not a sovereign in Europe or in the world but might read this chapter with advantage

1 It shows most forcibly that true religion is the basis of the state and that wherever it prospers there the state prospers

2 It shows also that it is the wisdom of kings to encourage religion with all their power and influence for if the hearts of the subjects be not bound and influenced by true religion vain is the application of laws fines imprisonments or corporal punishment of any kind

3 A religious nation is ever a great nation it is loved by its friends it is dreaded by its enemies

4 It is ever a peaceable and united nation the blessings of religion and a wholesome and paternal government are so fully felt and prized that all find it their interest to preserve and defend them Harmony peace piety and strength are the stability of such times May Britain know and value them

GILL These waited on the king Not this vast number of men at one time but in course as Davids military men waited on him 1Ch_271 or each of these captains with a proper number of men under them detached from the body and they were all ready to obey the kings orders whenever he should have occasion for them

besides those whom the king put into the fenced cities throughout Judah and all together the militia of the kingdom was very numerous and formidable

KampD 2Ch_1719

These were serving the king א6ה refers not to the above-mentioned men capable of

bearing arms for sheereet is not used of service in war but to the commanders whom he had placed in the fortified cities of all Judah ldquoin which probably bodies of the above-mentioned troops lay as garrisonsrdquo (Berth)

BESO 2 Chronicles 1719 These waited on the king mdash These above-mentioned were the trained bands or auxiliaries whose chief officers waited on the king to receive his commands and to raise and bring in all or part of their forces to the service of the king as need required A vast number for so small a compass of ground to furnish out and maintain But we may consider that God had promised to make the seed of Abraham like the sand of the sea for number that there had now been a long peace that many were come to them from the kingdom of Israel and that Jehoshaphat was under a special blessing of God They were doubtless dispersed all the country over every one residing on his own land only they were ready at call whenever there was occasion

TRAPP 2 Chronicles 1719 These waited on the king beside [those] whom the king put in the fenced cities throughout all Judah

Ver 19 These waited on the king] ie In their turns and by course

POOLE These above mentioned were the trained bands or auxiliaries whose chief officers waited upon the king to receive his commands and to raise and bring in all or part of their forces to the service of the king and kingdom as need required

ELLICOTT (19) These waited on the kingmdashRather these are they that ministered unto the king viz the five generals above named

Beside those whom the king put in the fenced citiesmdashie the commandants of the fortresses of the kingdom (2 Chronicles 1111 2 Chronicles 1123) These latter as well as the generals of the forces are called the kingrsquos ldquoministersrdquo (mĕshacircrĕthicircm)mdasha word which is not used of service in the field but implies their presence at court (ldquoin Jerusalemrdquo 2 Chronicles 1713 as the royal staff)

According to the above list the army of Jehoshaphat was organised in five grand divisions corresponding perhaps to five territorial divisions of the southern kingdom The totals are the largest assigned to the two tribes anywhere in the Old Testament viz Judah 780000 and Benjamin 380000 in all 1160000 At Davidrsquos census Judah had 500000 warriors (2 Samuel 249) and Israel 800000 Again in 2

Chronicles 148 Asarsquos army consists of 300000 men of Judah and 280000 Benjaminites clearly such an increase as our text indicates is unaccountable At the same time it is equally clear that the present numbers are not fortuitous results of clerical errors for they follow each other in the order of relative strength Judah 300000 280000 200000 Benjamin 200000 180000 and they are evidently not independent of the estimates of 2 Chronicles 148 above quoted

In the absence of adequate data for modifying these certainly startling figures it is well to bear in mind that we need not understand by them an army which ever actually mustered in the field or on parade but simply an estimate of the total male population liable to be called out for the national defence although even upon that understanding the total appears to be at least three times too great considering the small extent of the country

PULPIT These waited Hebrew המשרתים plur piel part of שרת The verse states that this enormous fivefold army with its five princes (counting in our corrupt text one million one hundred and sixty thousand) was the kings Jerusalem standing army while other separate regiments or bands of troops were spread through all Judah where they might be most needed for defence

with victory these are heavy upon the enemy For

ldquo Vincitur haud gratis iugulo qui provocat ensem rdquo

POOLE As volunteers and auxiliaries to be ready upon occasion as the service of God and the king should require Possibly these or most of them were the strangers which had come out of Israel into the kingdom of Judah in Asarsquos days and probably since that in his time

ELLICOTT (16) AmasiahmdashIah carrieth (Isaiah 4011) different from Amaziah (Iah is strong)

Who willingly offered himself unto the Lordmdash(Judges 52 Judges 59) An allusion to some noble act of self-devotion which was doubtless more fully recorded in the source from which the chronicler has drawn this brief account Such allusions though no longer intelligible are important as conducing to the proof of the historical value of the narratives in which they occur LXX ὁ προθυmicroούmicroενος τῷ κυρίῳ Vulg consecratus Domino

PULPIT Amaziah the son of Zichri This man is not titled at all The description of him as one who had willingly offered himself unto the Lord not elucidated by the context or any effective parallel will mark something honorable in his history Possibly he comes from an unexpected quarter and is a man of approved skill othing further is known of these three men Meantime it has been suggested (Professor Dr J Murphy of Belfast Handbook to Chronicles ) that the first of the three was for Judah proper the second for that contingent of Judah that hailed from Dan and the Philistines and the third for that of Simeon and the Arabs

MACLARE This is a scrap from the catalogue of Jehoshaphatrsquos lsquomighty men of valourrsquo and is Amasiahrsquos sole record We see him for a moment and hear his eulogium and then oblivion swallows him up We do not know what it was that he did to earn it But what a fate to live to all generations by that one sentence

I Cheerful self-surrender the secret of all religion

The words of our text contain a metaphor naturally drawn from the sacrificial system It comes so easily to us that we scarcely recognise the metaphorical element but the clear recognition of it gives great additional energy to the words Amasiah was both sacrificer and sacrifice His offering was self-immolation As in all love so in that noblest kind of it which clasps God its perfect expression is lsquoI give Thee my living loving selfrsquo Nor is it only sacrifice and sacrificer that are seen in deepest truth in the experience of the Christian life but the reality of the Temple is also there for lsquoYe also are built up a spiritual house to be a holy priesthood to offer up spiritual sacrificesrsquo Only when God dwells in us shall we have the nerve and the firmness of hand to take the knife and lsquoslay before the Lordrsquo the awful Guest in the sanctuary within the most precious of the children of our spirits

The essence of the sacrifice of self is the sacrifice of will In the Christian experience

lsquowillingly offeredrsquo is almost tautology for unwilling offerings are a contradiction and in fact there are no such things The quality of unwillingness destroys the character of the offering and robs it of all sacredness Reluctant Christianity is not Christianity That noun and that adjective can never be buckled together

The submission of will and the consequent surrender of myself and my powers opportunities and possessions so that I do all enjoy all use all and when need is endure all with glad thankful reference to God is only possible to me in the measure in which my will is made flexible by love and such will-subduing love comes only when we lsquoknow and believe the love that God hath to usrsquo There is the point at which not a few moral and religious teachers go wrong and bewilder themselves and their disciples There too is the point at which Christ and the Gospel of salvation through faith in Him stand forth as emancipating humanity from the dreary round of efforts and vain attempts to work up the condition needful for achieving the height of self-surrender which is seen to be indispensable to all true nobleness of living but is felt to be beyond the reach of the ordinary man There too is the point at which many good people mar their lives as Christians They waste their strength in trying to bring the jibbing horse up to the leap They try to blow up a fire of devotion and to make themselves priests to offer themselves but all the while the mutinous self recoils from the leap and the fire burns smokily and their sacrifice is laid on the altar with little joy because they have not been careful and wise enough to begin at the beginning and to follow Godrsquos way of melting their wills by love the reflection of the Infinite love of God to them Godrsquos priests offer themselves because they offer their wills they offer their wills because they love God they love God because they know that God loves them That is the divine order It is vain to try to accomplish the end by any other

II This willing offering hallows all life

No syllable is left to tell us what Amasiah did to win this praise Probably the words enshrine some now forgotten memory of his cheerful courage some heroic feat on an unrecorded battlefield Particulars are not given nor needed Specific actions are unimportant the spirit of a life can be told with very incomplete details and it not the details is the important thing Sometimes as in many modern biographies one lsquocannot see the wood for the treesrsquo and misses the main drift and aim of a life in the chaos of a bewildering mass of nothings How much more happy the lot of this man of whom we have only the generalised expression of the text unweighted and undisturbed by petty incidents It takes tons of rose leaves to make a tiny phial of otto of roses but the fragrance is far more pungent in a drop of the distillation than in armfuls of leaves Every life shrinks into very small compass and the centuries do not tolerate long biographies Shall we not seek to order our life so that Amasiahrsquos epitaph may serve for us It will be blessed if this-and nothing else-is known about us that we lsquowillingly offered ourselves to the Lordrsquo My friend will that be a true epitome of your life

III This willing offering is accepted by God

We may hear a mightier voice behind the chroniclerrsquo s and the judgment of the Judge of all pronounced by His lips It matters little what men say of one another but it matters everything what God says of us We are but too apt to forget that He is now saying something as to each of us and that we have not to wait for death to put a final period to our activities before our lives become fit subjects for Godrsquos judgment Moment by moment we are writing our own sentences But while it is good for us to remember the continuous judgment of God on each deed it is not good to let dark thoughts of the principles of that judgment paralyse our activity or chill our confidence in His forgiving and accepting mercy There is often a dark suspicion like that of the one-talented

servant which blackens Godrsquos fair fame as being lsquoan austere Manrsquo making demands rather than imparting power and the effect of such an ugly conception of Him is to cut the nerve of service and bury the talent carefully folded up it may be but none the less earning nothing lsquoIf we call on Him as Father who without respect of persons judgeth according to every manrsquos workrsquo let us be sure that it will be a Fatherly judgment that He will pass upon us and our offerings There is a wonderful collection on His altar of what many people would think rubbish just as many a mother has laid away among her treasures some worthless article which her child had once given her-a weed plucked by the roadside in a long past summer day some trifle of rare preciousness in the childrsquos eyes and of none in any others than her own She opens her drawer and brings out the poor little thing and her eyes fill and her heart fills as she looks And does not God keep His childrenrsquos gifts as lovingly and set them in places of honour in the day when He lsquomakes up His jewelsrsquo There are cups of cold water and widowsrsquo mites and much else that a supercilious world would call lsquotrashrsquo stored there Thank God He accepts imperfect service faltering faith partial consecration a little love Even our poor offering may be an lsquoodour of a sweet smellrsquo ministering fragrance that is a delight to Him if it is offered with the much incense of the great Sacrifice and through the mediation of the great High Priest

The world forgot Amasiah or never knew him an obscure soldier in an obscure kingdom but God did not forget and here is his epitaph and this is his memorial to all generations Menrsquos chronicles have no room for all the names that their wearers are eager to have inscribed on their crumbling and crowded pages lsquobut the Lambrsquos Book of Lifersquo has ample space on its radiant pages for all who desire to set their names there and if ours are there we need not envy the proudest whose titles and deeds fill the most conspicuous pages in the worldrsquos records lsquoThen shall every man have praise of Christrsquo and he who wins that guerdon needs nothing more and can have nothing more to swell his blessedness

17 From BenjaminEliada a valiant soldier with 200000 men armed with bows and shields

GILL And of Benjamin Eliada a mighty man of valour Was the chief commander

and with armed men with bow and shield two hundred thousand which were

the armour of the tribe of Benjamin they were best skilled in 2Ch_148

TRAPP 2 Chronicles 1717 And of Benjamin Eliada a mighty man of valour and with him armed men with bow and shield two hundred thousand

Ver 17 With bow and shield] The Benjamites were notable bowmen [1 Chronicles 122] The Engish were anciently so too

ELLICOTT (17) Armed men with bow and shieldmdashLiterally drawing bow and shield ie as the Targum explains ldquodrawing bow and grasping shieldsrdquo (Comp 1 Chronicles 122) LXX ldquoArchers and peltastsrdquo Vulg ldquoGrasping bow and shieldrdquo (Comp also 1 Chronicles 840 for the arms of the Benjaminites)

18 next Jehozabad with 180000 men armed for battle

GILL And next to him was Jehozabad According to the Targum he encamped next him

and with him one hundred and fourscore thousand ready prepared for war being able bodied men well disciplined valiant and well armed these numbers of Judah and Benjamin put together amount to 1160000 men whereas Asa only brought into the field 580000 but it should be considered there had been a long time of peace many had come off from the ten tribes to Judah and the promise of multiplying the seed of Abraham was eminently fulfilled

TRAPP 2 Chronicles 1718 And next him [was] Jehozabad and with him an hundred and fourscore thousand ready prepared for the war

Ver 18 A hundred and fourscore thousand] His militia was eleven hundred and threescore thousand besides what he had in garrisons [2 Chronicles 1719] So that as he was better he was stronger than his father Asa had been Piety hath prosperity

ELLICOTT (18) Ready prepared for the warmdashEquipped for service (See on 1

Chronicles 1223-24 umbers 315 umbers 3229) The hoplites or heavy-armed infantry are probably meant

PULPIT While Eliada of last verse was for Benjamin Professor Dr Murphy supposes that Jehozabad was for the annexed part of Ephraim But no suppositions of this kind can avail to explain the numbers in the text which is no doubt corrupt

19 These were the men who served the king besides those he stationed in the fortified cities throughout Judah

CLARKE These waited on the king - They were disposable forces always at the kingrsquos command and were independent of those by which the cities of Judah were garrisoned

There is not a sovereign in Europe or in the world but might read this chapter with advantage

1 It shows most forcibly that true religion is the basis of the state and that wherever it prospers there the state prospers

2 It shows also that it is the wisdom of kings to encourage religion with all their power and influence for if the hearts of the subjects be not bound and influenced by true religion vain is the application of laws fines imprisonments or corporal punishment of any kind

3 A religious nation is ever a great nation it is loved by its friends it is dreaded by its enemies

4 It is ever a peaceable and united nation the blessings of religion and a wholesome and paternal government are so fully felt and prized that all find it their interest to preserve and defend them Harmony peace piety and strength are the stability of such times May Britain know and value them

GILL These waited on the king Not this vast number of men at one time but in course as Davids military men waited on him 1Ch_271 or each of these captains with a proper number of men under them detached from the body and they were all ready to obey the kings orders whenever he should have occasion for them

besides those whom the king put into the fenced cities throughout Judah and all together the militia of the kingdom was very numerous and formidable

KampD 2Ch_1719

These were serving the king א6ה refers not to the above-mentioned men capable of

bearing arms for sheereet is not used of service in war but to the commanders whom he had placed in the fortified cities of all Judah ldquoin which probably bodies of the above-mentioned troops lay as garrisonsrdquo (Berth)

BESO 2 Chronicles 1719 These waited on the king mdash These above-mentioned were the trained bands or auxiliaries whose chief officers waited on the king to receive his commands and to raise and bring in all or part of their forces to the service of the king as need required A vast number for so small a compass of ground to furnish out and maintain But we may consider that God had promised to make the seed of Abraham like the sand of the sea for number that there had now been a long peace that many were come to them from the kingdom of Israel and that Jehoshaphat was under a special blessing of God They were doubtless dispersed all the country over every one residing on his own land only they were ready at call whenever there was occasion

TRAPP 2 Chronicles 1719 These waited on the king beside [those] whom the king put in the fenced cities throughout all Judah

Ver 19 These waited on the king] ie In their turns and by course

POOLE These above mentioned were the trained bands or auxiliaries whose chief officers waited upon the king to receive his commands and to raise and bring in all or part of their forces to the service of the king and kingdom as need required

ELLICOTT (19) These waited on the kingmdashRather these are they that ministered unto the king viz the five generals above named

Beside those whom the king put in the fenced citiesmdashie the commandants of the fortresses of the kingdom (2 Chronicles 1111 2 Chronicles 1123) These latter as well as the generals of the forces are called the kingrsquos ldquoministersrdquo (mĕshacircrĕthicircm)mdasha word which is not used of service in the field but implies their presence at court (ldquoin Jerusalemrdquo 2 Chronicles 1713 as the royal staff)

According to the above list the army of Jehoshaphat was organised in five grand divisions corresponding perhaps to five territorial divisions of the southern kingdom The totals are the largest assigned to the two tribes anywhere in the Old Testament viz Judah 780000 and Benjamin 380000 in all 1160000 At Davidrsquos census Judah had 500000 warriors (2 Samuel 249) and Israel 800000 Again in 2

Chronicles 148 Asarsquos army consists of 300000 men of Judah and 280000 Benjaminites clearly such an increase as our text indicates is unaccountable At the same time it is equally clear that the present numbers are not fortuitous results of clerical errors for they follow each other in the order of relative strength Judah 300000 280000 200000 Benjamin 200000 180000 and they are evidently not independent of the estimates of 2 Chronicles 148 above quoted

In the absence of adequate data for modifying these certainly startling figures it is well to bear in mind that we need not understand by them an army which ever actually mustered in the field or on parade but simply an estimate of the total male population liable to be called out for the national defence although even upon that understanding the total appears to be at least three times too great considering the small extent of the country

PULPIT These waited Hebrew המשרתים plur piel part of שרת The verse states that this enormous fivefold army with its five princes (counting in our corrupt text one million one hundred and sixty thousand) was the kings Jerusalem standing army while other separate regiments or bands of troops were spread through all Judah where they might be most needed for defence

lsquowillingly offeredrsquo is almost tautology for unwilling offerings are a contradiction and in fact there are no such things The quality of unwillingness destroys the character of the offering and robs it of all sacredness Reluctant Christianity is not Christianity That noun and that adjective can never be buckled together

The submission of will and the consequent surrender of myself and my powers opportunities and possessions so that I do all enjoy all use all and when need is endure all with glad thankful reference to God is only possible to me in the measure in which my will is made flexible by love and such will-subduing love comes only when we lsquoknow and believe the love that God hath to usrsquo There is the point at which not a few moral and religious teachers go wrong and bewilder themselves and their disciples There too is the point at which Christ and the Gospel of salvation through faith in Him stand forth as emancipating humanity from the dreary round of efforts and vain attempts to work up the condition needful for achieving the height of self-surrender which is seen to be indispensable to all true nobleness of living but is felt to be beyond the reach of the ordinary man There too is the point at which many good people mar their lives as Christians They waste their strength in trying to bring the jibbing horse up to the leap They try to blow up a fire of devotion and to make themselves priests to offer themselves but all the while the mutinous self recoils from the leap and the fire burns smokily and their sacrifice is laid on the altar with little joy because they have not been careful and wise enough to begin at the beginning and to follow Godrsquos way of melting their wills by love the reflection of the Infinite love of God to them Godrsquos priests offer themselves because they offer their wills they offer their wills because they love God they love God because they know that God loves them That is the divine order It is vain to try to accomplish the end by any other

II This willing offering hallows all life

No syllable is left to tell us what Amasiah did to win this praise Probably the words enshrine some now forgotten memory of his cheerful courage some heroic feat on an unrecorded battlefield Particulars are not given nor needed Specific actions are unimportant the spirit of a life can be told with very incomplete details and it not the details is the important thing Sometimes as in many modern biographies one lsquocannot see the wood for the treesrsquo and misses the main drift and aim of a life in the chaos of a bewildering mass of nothings How much more happy the lot of this man of whom we have only the generalised expression of the text unweighted and undisturbed by petty incidents It takes tons of rose leaves to make a tiny phial of otto of roses but the fragrance is far more pungent in a drop of the distillation than in armfuls of leaves Every life shrinks into very small compass and the centuries do not tolerate long biographies Shall we not seek to order our life so that Amasiahrsquos epitaph may serve for us It will be blessed if this-and nothing else-is known about us that we lsquowillingly offered ourselves to the Lordrsquo My friend will that be a true epitome of your life

III This willing offering is accepted by God

We may hear a mightier voice behind the chroniclerrsquo s and the judgment of the Judge of all pronounced by His lips It matters little what men say of one another but it matters everything what God says of us We are but too apt to forget that He is now saying something as to each of us and that we have not to wait for death to put a final period to our activities before our lives become fit subjects for Godrsquos judgment Moment by moment we are writing our own sentences But while it is good for us to remember the continuous judgment of God on each deed it is not good to let dark thoughts of the principles of that judgment paralyse our activity or chill our confidence in His forgiving and accepting mercy There is often a dark suspicion like that of the one-talented

servant which blackens Godrsquos fair fame as being lsquoan austere Manrsquo making demands rather than imparting power and the effect of such an ugly conception of Him is to cut the nerve of service and bury the talent carefully folded up it may be but none the less earning nothing lsquoIf we call on Him as Father who without respect of persons judgeth according to every manrsquos workrsquo let us be sure that it will be a Fatherly judgment that He will pass upon us and our offerings There is a wonderful collection on His altar of what many people would think rubbish just as many a mother has laid away among her treasures some worthless article which her child had once given her-a weed plucked by the roadside in a long past summer day some trifle of rare preciousness in the childrsquos eyes and of none in any others than her own She opens her drawer and brings out the poor little thing and her eyes fill and her heart fills as she looks And does not God keep His childrenrsquos gifts as lovingly and set them in places of honour in the day when He lsquomakes up His jewelsrsquo There are cups of cold water and widowsrsquo mites and much else that a supercilious world would call lsquotrashrsquo stored there Thank God He accepts imperfect service faltering faith partial consecration a little love Even our poor offering may be an lsquoodour of a sweet smellrsquo ministering fragrance that is a delight to Him if it is offered with the much incense of the great Sacrifice and through the mediation of the great High Priest

The world forgot Amasiah or never knew him an obscure soldier in an obscure kingdom but God did not forget and here is his epitaph and this is his memorial to all generations Menrsquos chronicles have no room for all the names that their wearers are eager to have inscribed on their crumbling and crowded pages lsquobut the Lambrsquos Book of Lifersquo has ample space on its radiant pages for all who desire to set their names there and if ours are there we need not envy the proudest whose titles and deeds fill the most conspicuous pages in the worldrsquos records lsquoThen shall every man have praise of Christrsquo and he who wins that guerdon needs nothing more and can have nothing more to swell his blessedness

17 From BenjaminEliada a valiant soldier with 200000 men armed with bows and shields

GILL And of Benjamin Eliada a mighty man of valour Was the chief commander

and with armed men with bow and shield two hundred thousand which were

the armour of the tribe of Benjamin they were best skilled in 2Ch_148

TRAPP 2 Chronicles 1717 And of Benjamin Eliada a mighty man of valour and with him armed men with bow and shield two hundred thousand

Ver 17 With bow and shield] The Benjamites were notable bowmen [1 Chronicles 122] The Engish were anciently so too

ELLICOTT (17) Armed men with bow and shieldmdashLiterally drawing bow and shield ie as the Targum explains ldquodrawing bow and grasping shieldsrdquo (Comp 1 Chronicles 122) LXX ldquoArchers and peltastsrdquo Vulg ldquoGrasping bow and shieldrdquo (Comp also 1 Chronicles 840 for the arms of the Benjaminites)

18 next Jehozabad with 180000 men armed for battle

GILL And next to him was Jehozabad According to the Targum he encamped next him

and with him one hundred and fourscore thousand ready prepared for war being able bodied men well disciplined valiant and well armed these numbers of Judah and Benjamin put together amount to 1160000 men whereas Asa only brought into the field 580000 but it should be considered there had been a long time of peace many had come off from the ten tribes to Judah and the promise of multiplying the seed of Abraham was eminently fulfilled

TRAPP 2 Chronicles 1718 And next him [was] Jehozabad and with him an hundred and fourscore thousand ready prepared for the war

Ver 18 A hundred and fourscore thousand] His militia was eleven hundred and threescore thousand besides what he had in garrisons [2 Chronicles 1719] So that as he was better he was stronger than his father Asa had been Piety hath prosperity

ELLICOTT (18) Ready prepared for the warmdashEquipped for service (See on 1

Chronicles 1223-24 umbers 315 umbers 3229) The hoplites or heavy-armed infantry are probably meant

PULPIT While Eliada of last verse was for Benjamin Professor Dr Murphy supposes that Jehozabad was for the annexed part of Ephraim But no suppositions of this kind can avail to explain the numbers in the text which is no doubt corrupt

19 These were the men who served the king besides those he stationed in the fortified cities throughout Judah

CLARKE These waited on the king - They were disposable forces always at the kingrsquos command and were independent of those by which the cities of Judah were garrisoned

There is not a sovereign in Europe or in the world but might read this chapter with advantage

1 It shows most forcibly that true religion is the basis of the state and that wherever it prospers there the state prospers

2 It shows also that it is the wisdom of kings to encourage religion with all their power and influence for if the hearts of the subjects be not bound and influenced by true religion vain is the application of laws fines imprisonments or corporal punishment of any kind

3 A religious nation is ever a great nation it is loved by its friends it is dreaded by its enemies

4 It is ever a peaceable and united nation the blessings of religion and a wholesome and paternal government are so fully felt and prized that all find it their interest to preserve and defend them Harmony peace piety and strength are the stability of such times May Britain know and value them

GILL These waited on the king Not this vast number of men at one time but in course as Davids military men waited on him 1Ch_271 or each of these captains with a proper number of men under them detached from the body and they were all ready to obey the kings orders whenever he should have occasion for them

besides those whom the king put into the fenced cities throughout Judah and all together the militia of the kingdom was very numerous and formidable

KampD 2Ch_1719

These were serving the king א6ה refers not to the above-mentioned men capable of

bearing arms for sheereet is not used of service in war but to the commanders whom he had placed in the fortified cities of all Judah ldquoin which probably bodies of the above-mentioned troops lay as garrisonsrdquo (Berth)

BESO 2 Chronicles 1719 These waited on the king mdash These above-mentioned were the trained bands or auxiliaries whose chief officers waited on the king to receive his commands and to raise and bring in all or part of their forces to the service of the king as need required A vast number for so small a compass of ground to furnish out and maintain But we may consider that God had promised to make the seed of Abraham like the sand of the sea for number that there had now been a long peace that many were come to them from the kingdom of Israel and that Jehoshaphat was under a special blessing of God They were doubtless dispersed all the country over every one residing on his own land only they were ready at call whenever there was occasion

TRAPP 2 Chronicles 1719 These waited on the king beside [those] whom the king put in the fenced cities throughout all Judah

Ver 19 These waited on the king] ie In their turns and by course

POOLE These above mentioned were the trained bands or auxiliaries whose chief officers waited upon the king to receive his commands and to raise and bring in all or part of their forces to the service of the king and kingdom as need required

ELLICOTT (19) These waited on the kingmdashRather these are they that ministered unto the king viz the five generals above named

Beside those whom the king put in the fenced citiesmdashie the commandants of the fortresses of the kingdom (2 Chronicles 1111 2 Chronicles 1123) These latter as well as the generals of the forces are called the kingrsquos ldquoministersrdquo (mĕshacircrĕthicircm)mdasha word which is not used of service in the field but implies their presence at court (ldquoin Jerusalemrdquo 2 Chronicles 1713 as the royal staff)

According to the above list the army of Jehoshaphat was organised in five grand divisions corresponding perhaps to five territorial divisions of the southern kingdom The totals are the largest assigned to the two tribes anywhere in the Old Testament viz Judah 780000 and Benjamin 380000 in all 1160000 At Davidrsquos census Judah had 500000 warriors (2 Samuel 249) and Israel 800000 Again in 2

Chronicles 148 Asarsquos army consists of 300000 men of Judah and 280000 Benjaminites clearly such an increase as our text indicates is unaccountable At the same time it is equally clear that the present numbers are not fortuitous results of clerical errors for they follow each other in the order of relative strength Judah 300000 280000 200000 Benjamin 200000 180000 and they are evidently not independent of the estimates of 2 Chronicles 148 above quoted

In the absence of adequate data for modifying these certainly startling figures it is well to bear in mind that we need not understand by them an army which ever actually mustered in the field or on parade but simply an estimate of the total male population liable to be called out for the national defence although even upon that understanding the total appears to be at least three times too great considering the small extent of the country

PULPIT These waited Hebrew המשרתים plur piel part of שרת The verse states that this enormous fivefold army with its five princes (counting in our corrupt text one million one hundred and sixty thousand) was the kings Jerusalem standing army while other separate regiments or bands of troops were spread through all Judah where they might be most needed for defence

servant which blackens Godrsquos fair fame as being lsquoan austere Manrsquo making demands rather than imparting power and the effect of such an ugly conception of Him is to cut the nerve of service and bury the talent carefully folded up it may be but none the less earning nothing lsquoIf we call on Him as Father who without respect of persons judgeth according to every manrsquos workrsquo let us be sure that it will be a Fatherly judgment that He will pass upon us and our offerings There is a wonderful collection on His altar of what many people would think rubbish just as many a mother has laid away among her treasures some worthless article which her child had once given her-a weed plucked by the roadside in a long past summer day some trifle of rare preciousness in the childrsquos eyes and of none in any others than her own She opens her drawer and brings out the poor little thing and her eyes fill and her heart fills as she looks And does not God keep His childrenrsquos gifts as lovingly and set them in places of honour in the day when He lsquomakes up His jewelsrsquo There are cups of cold water and widowsrsquo mites and much else that a supercilious world would call lsquotrashrsquo stored there Thank God He accepts imperfect service faltering faith partial consecration a little love Even our poor offering may be an lsquoodour of a sweet smellrsquo ministering fragrance that is a delight to Him if it is offered with the much incense of the great Sacrifice and through the mediation of the great High Priest

The world forgot Amasiah or never knew him an obscure soldier in an obscure kingdom but God did not forget and here is his epitaph and this is his memorial to all generations Menrsquos chronicles have no room for all the names that their wearers are eager to have inscribed on their crumbling and crowded pages lsquobut the Lambrsquos Book of Lifersquo has ample space on its radiant pages for all who desire to set their names there and if ours are there we need not envy the proudest whose titles and deeds fill the most conspicuous pages in the worldrsquos records lsquoThen shall every man have praise of Christrsquo and he who wins that guerdon needs nothing more and can have nothing more to swell his blessedness

17 From BenjaminEliada a valiant soldier with 200000 men armed with bows and shields

GILL And of Benjamin Eliada a mighty man of valour Was the chief commander

and with armed men with bow and shield two hundred thousand which were

the armour of the tribe of Benjamin they were best skilled in 2Ch_148

TRAPP 2 Chronicles 1717 And of Benjamin Eliada a mighty man of valour and with him armed men with bow and shield two hundred thousand

Ver 17 With bow and shield] The Benjamites were notable bowmen [1 Chronicles 122] The Engish were anciently so too

ELLICOTT (17) Armed men with bow and shieldmdashLiterally drawing bow and shield ie as the Targum explains ldquodrawing bow and grasping shieldsrdquo (Comp 1 Chronicles 122) LXX ldquoArchers and peltastsrdquo Vulg ldquoGrasping bow and shieldrdquo (Comp also 1 Chronicles 840 for the arms of the Benjaminites)

18 next Jehozabad with 180000 men armed for battle

GILL And next to him was Jehozabad According to the Targum he encamped next him

and with him one hundred and fourscore thousand ready prepared for war being able bodied men well disciplined valiant and well armed these numbers of Judah and Benjamin put together amount to 1160000 men whereas Asa only brought into the field 580000 but it should be considered there had been a long time of peace many had come off from the ten tribes to Judah and the promise of multiplying the seed of Abraham was eminently fulfilled

TRAPP 2 Chronicles 1718 And next him [was] Jehozabad and with him an hundred and fourscore thousand ready prepared for the war

Ver 18 A hundred and fourscore thousand] His militia was eleven hundred and threescore thousand besides what he had in garrisons [2 Chronicles 1719] So that as he was better he was stronger than his father Asa had been Piety hath prosperity

ELLICOTT (18) Ready prepared for the warmdashEquipped for service (See on 1

Chronicles 1223-24 umbers 315 umbers 3229) The hoplites or heavy-armed infantry are probably meant

PULPIT While Eliada of last verse was for Benjamin Professor Dr Murphy supposes that Jehozabad was for the annexed part of Ephraim But no suppositions of this kind can avail to explain the numbers in the text which is no doubt corrupt

19 These were the men who served the king besides those he stationed in the fortified cities throughout Judah

CLARKE These waited on the king - They were disposable forces always at the kingrsquos command and were independent of those by which the cities of Judah were garrisoned

There is not a sovereign in Europe or in the world but might read this chapter with advantage

1 It shows most forcibly that true religion is the basis of the state and that wherever it prospers there the state prospers

2 It shows also that it is the wisdom of kings to encourage religion with all their power and influence for if the hearts of the subjects be not bound and influenced by true religion vain is the application of laws fines imprisonments or corporal punishment of any kind

3 A religious nation is ever a great nation it is loved by its friends it is dreaded by its enemies

4 It is ever a peaceable and united nation the blessings of religion and a wholesome and paternal government are so fully felt and prized that all find it their interest to preserve and defend them Harmony peace piety and strength are the stability of such times May Britain know and value them

GILL These waited on the king Not this vast number of men at one time but in course as Davids military men waited on him 1Ch_271 or each of these captains with a proper number of men under them detached from the body and they were all ready to obey the kings orders whenever he should have occasion for them

besides those whom the king put into the fenced cities throughout Judah and all together the militia of the kingdom was very numerous and formidable

KampD 2Ch_1719

These were serving the king א6ה refers not to the above-mentioned men capable of

bearing arms for sheereet is not used of service in war but to the commanders whom he had placed in the fortified cities of all Judah ldquoin which probably bodies of the above-mentioned troops lay as garrisonsrdquo (Berth)

BESO 2 Chronicles 1719 These waited on the king mdash These above-mentioned were the trained bands or auxiliaries whose chief officers waited on the king to receive his commands and to raise and bring in all or part of their forces to the service of the king as need required A vast number for so small a compass of ground to furnish out and maintain But we may consider that God had promised to make the seed of Abraham like the sand of the sea for number that there had now been a long peace that many were come to them from the kingdom of Israel and that Jehoshaphat was under a special blessing of God They were doubtless dispersed all the country over every one residing on his own land only they were ready at call whenever there was occasion

TRAPP 2 Chronicles 1719 These waited on the king beside [those] whom the king put in the fenced cities throughout all Judah

Ver 19 These waited on the king] ie In their turns and by course

POOLE These above mentioned were the trained bands or auxiliaries whose chief officers waited upon the king to receive his commands and to raise and bring in all or part of their forces to the service of the king and kingdom as need required

ELLICOTT (19) These waited on the kingmdashRather these are they that ministered unto the king viz the five generals above named

Beside those whom the king put in the fenced citiesmdashie the commandants of the fortresses of the kingdom (2 Chronicles 1111 2 Chronicles 1123) These latter as well as the generals of the forces are called the kingrsquos ldquoministersrdquo (mĕshacircrĕthicircm)mdasha word which is not used of service in the field but implies their presence at court (ldquoin Jerusalemrdquo 2 Chronicles 1713 as the royal staff)

According to the above list the army of Jehoshaphat was organised in five grand divisions corresponding perhaps to five territorial divisions of the southern kingdom The totals are the largest assigned to the two tribes anywhere in the Old Testament viz Judah 780000 and Benjamin 380000 in all 1160000 At Davidrsquos census Judah had 500000 warriors (2 Samuel 249) and Israel 800000 Again in 2

Chronicles 148 Asarsquos army consists of 300000 men of Judah and 280000 Benjaminites clearly such an increase as our text indicates is unaccountable At the same time it is equally clear that the present numbers are not fortuitous results of clerical errors for they follow each other in the order of relative strength Judah 300000 280000 200000 Benjamin 200000 180000 and they are evidently not independent of the estimates of 2 Chronicles 148 above quoted

In the absence of adequate data for modifying these certainly startling figures it is well to bear in mind that we need not understand by them an army which ever actually mustered in the field or on parade but simply an estimate of the total male population liable to be called out for the national defence although even upon that understanding the total appears to be at least three times too great considering the small extent of the country

PULPIT These waited Hebrew המשרתים plur piel part of שרת The verse states that this enormous fivefold army with its five princes (counting in our corrupt text one million one hundred and sixty thousand) was the kings Jerusalem standing army while other separate regiments or bands of troops were spread through all Judah where they might be most needed for defence

the armour of the tribe of Benjamin they were best skilled in 2Ch_148

TRAPP 2 Chronicles 1717 And of Benjamin Eliada a mighty man of valour and with him armed men with bow and shield two hundred thousand

Ver 17 With bow and shield] The Benjamites were notable bowmen [1 Chronicles 122] The Engish were anciently so too

ELLICOTT (17) Armed men with bow and shieldmdashLiterally drawing bow and shield ie as the Targum explains ldquodrawing bow and grasping shieldsrdquo (Comp 1 Chronicles 122) LXX ldquoArchers and peltastsrdquo Vulg ldquoGrasping bow and shieldrdquo (Comp also 1 Chronicles 840 for the arms of the Benjaminites)

18 next Jehozabad with 180000 men armed for battle

GILL And next to him was Jehozabad According to the Targum he encamped next him

and with him one hundred and fourscore thousand ready prepared for war being able bodied men well disciplined valiant and well armed these numbers of Judah and Benjamin put together amount to 1160000 men whereas Asa only brought into the field 580000 but it should be considered there had been a long time of peace many had come off from the ten tribes to Judah and the promise of multiplying the seed of Abraham was eminently fulfilled

TRAPP 2 Chronicles 1718 And next him [was] Jehozabad and with him an hundred and fourscore thousand ready prepared for the war

Ver 18 A hundred and fourscore thousand] His militia was eleven hundred and threescore thousand besides what he had in garrisons [2 Chronicles 1719] So that as he was better he was stronger than his father Asa had been Piety hath prosperity

ELLICOTT (18) Ready prepared for the warmdashEquipped for service (See on 1

Chronicles 1223-24 umbers 315 umbers 3229) The hoplites or heavy-armed infantry are probably meant

PULPIT While Eliada of last verse was for Benjamin Professor Dr Murphy supposes that Jehozabad was for the annexed part of Ephraim But no suppositions of this kind can avail to explain the numbers in the text which is no doubt corrupt

19 These were the men who served the king besides those he stationed in the fortified cities throughout Judah

CLARKE These waited on the king - They were disposable forces always at the kingrsquos command and were independent of those by which the cities of Judah were garrisoned

There is not a sovereign in Europe or in the world but might read this chapter with advantage

1 It shows most forcibly that true religion is the basis of the state and that wherever it prospers there the state prospers

2 It shows also that it is the wisdom of kings to encourage religion with all their power and influence for if the hearts of the subjects be not bound and influenced by true religion vain is the application of laws fines imprisonments or corporal punishment of any kind

3 A religious nation is ever a great nation it is loved by its friends it is dreaded by its enemies

4 It is ever a peaceable and united nation the blessings of religion and a wholesome and paternal government are so fully felt and prized that all find it their interest to preserve and defend them Harmony peace piety and strength are the stability of such times May Britain know and value them

GILL These waited on the king Not this vast number of men at one time but in course as Davids military men waited on him 1Ch_271 or each of these captains with a proper number of men under them detached from the body and they were all ready to obey the kings orders whenever he should have occasion for them

besides those whom the king put into the fenced cities throughout Judah and all together the militia of the kingdom was very numerous and formidable

KampD 2Ch_1719

These were serving the king א6ה refers not to the above-mentioned men capable of

bearing arms for sheereet is not used of service in war but to the commanders whom he had placed in the fortified cities of all Judah ldquoin which probably bodies of the above-mentioned troops lay as garrisonsrdquo (Berth)

BESO 2 Chronicles 1719 These waited on the king mdash These above-mentioned were the trained bands or auxiliaries whose chief officers waited on the king to receive his commands and to raise and bring in all or part of their forces to the service of the king as need required A vast number for so small a compass of ground to furnish out and maintain But we may consider that God had promised to make the seed of Abraham like the sand of the sea for number that there had now been a long peace that many were come to them from the kingdom of Israel and that Jehoshaphat was under a special blessing of God They were doubtless dispersed all the country over every one residing on his own land only they were ready at call whenever there was occasion

TRAPP 2 Chronicles 1719 These waited on the king beside [those] whom the king put in the fenced cities throughout all Judah

Ver 19 These waited on the king] ie In their turns and by course

POOLE These above mentioned were the trained bands or auxiliaries whose chief officers waited upon the king to receive his commands and to raise and bring in all or part of their forces to the service of the king and kingdom as need required

ELLICOTT (19) These waited on the kingmdashRather these are they that ministered unto the king viz the five generals above named

Beside those whom the king put in the fenced citiesmdashie the commandants of the fortresses of the kingdom (2 Chronicles 1111 2 Chronicles 1123) These latter as well as the generals of the forces are called the kingrsquos ldquoministersrdquo (mĕshacircrĕthicircm)mdasha word which is not used of service in the field but implies their presence at court (ldquoin Jerusalemrdquo 2 Chronicles 1713 as the royal staff)

According to the above list the army of Jehoshaphat was organised in five grand divisions corresponding perhaps to five territorial divisions of the southern kingdom The totals are the largest assigned to the two tribes anywhere in the Old Testament viz Judah 780000 and Benjamin 380000 in all 1160000 At Davidrsquos census Judah had 500000 warriors (2 Samuel 249) and Israel 800000 Again in 2

Chronicles 148 Asarsquos army consists of 300000 men of Judah and 280000 Benjaminites clearly such an increase as our text indicates is unaccountable At the same time it is equally clear that the present numbers are not fortuitous results of clerical errors for they follow each other in the order of relative strength Judah 300000 280000 200000 Benjamin 200000 180000 and they are evidently not independent of the estimates of 2 Chronicles 148 above quoted

In the absence of adequate data for modifying these certainly startling figures it is well to bear in mind that we need not understand by them an army which ever actually mustered in the field or on parade but simply an estimate of the total male population liable to be called out for the national defence although even upon that understanding the total appears to be at least three times too great considering the small extent of the country

PULPIT These waited Hebrew המשרתים plur piel part of שרת The verse states that this enormous fivefold army with its five princes (counting in our corrupt text one million one hundred and sixty thousand) was the kings Jerusalem standing army while other separate regiments or bands of troops were spread through all Judah where they might be most needed for defence

Chronicles 1223-24 umbers 315 umbers 3229) The hoplites or heavy-armed infantry are probably meant

PULPIT While Eliada of last verse was for Benjamin Professor Dr Murphy supposes that Jehozabad was for the annexed part of Ephraim But no suppositions of this kind can avail to explain the numbers in the text which is no doubt corrupt

19 These were the men who served the king besides those he stationed in the fortified cities throughout Judah

CLARKE These waited on the king - They were disposable forces always at the kingrsquos command and were independent of those by which the cities of Judah were garrisoned

There is not a sovereign in Europe or in the world but might read this chapter with advantage

1 It shows most forcibly that true religion is the basis of the state and that wherever it prospers there the state prospers

2 It shows also that it is the wisdom of kings to encourage religion with all their power and influence for if the hearts of the subjects be not bound and influenced by true religion vain is the application of laws fines imprisonments or corporal punishment of any kind

3 A religious nation is ever a great nation it is loved by its friends it is dreaded by its enemies

4 It is ever a peaceable and united nation the blessings of religion and a wholesome and paternal government are so fully felt and prized that all find it their interest to preserve and defend them Harmony peace piety and strength are the stability of such times May Britain know and value them

GILL These waited on the king Not this vast number of men at one time but in course as Davids military men waited on him 1Ch_271 or each of these captains with a proper number of men under them detached from the body and they were all ready to obey the kings orders whenever he should have occasion for them

besides those whom the king put into the fenced cities throughout Judah and all together the militia of the kingdom was very numerous and formidable

KampD 2Ch_1719

These were serving the king א6ה refers not to the above-mentioned men capable of

bearing arms for sheereet is not used of service in war but to the commanders whom he had placed in the fortified cities of all Judah ldquoin which probably bodies of the above-mentioned troops lay as garrisonsrdquo (Berth)

BESO 2 Chronicles 1719 These waited on the king mdash These above-mentioned were the trained bands or auxiliaries whose chief officers waited on the king to receive his commands and to raise and bring in all or part of their forces to the service of the king as need required A vast number for so small a compass of ground to furnish out and maintain But we may consider that God had promised to make the seed of Abraham like the sand of the sea for number that there had now been a long peace that many were come to them from the kingdom of Israel and that Jehoshaphat was under a special blessing of God They were doubtless dispersed all the country over every one residing on his own land only they were ready at call whenever there was occasion

TRAPP 2 Chronicles 1719 These waited on the king beside [those] whom the king put in the fenced cities throughout all Judah

Ver 19 These waited on the king] ie In their turns and by course

POOLE These above mentioned were the trained bands or auxiliaries whose chief officers waited upon the king to receive his commands and to raise and bring in all or part of their forces to the service of the king and kingdom as need required

ELLICOTT (19) These waited on the kingmdashRather these are they that ministered unto the king viz the five generals above named

Beside those whom the king put in the fenced citiesmdashie the commandants of the fortresses of the kingdom (2 Chronicles 1111 2 Chronicles 1123) These latter as well as the generals of the forces are called the kingrsquos ldquoministersrdquo (mĕshacircrĕthicircm)mdasha word which is not used of service in the field but implies their presence at court (ldquoin Jerusalemrdquo 2 Chronicles 1713 as the royal staff)

According to the above list the army of Jehoshaphat was organised in five grand divisions corresponding perhaps to five territorial divisions of the southern kingdom The totals are the largest assigned to the two tribes anywhere in the Old Testament viz Judah 780000 and Benjamin 380000 in all 1160000 At Davidrsquos census Judah had 500000 warriors (2 Samuel 249) and Israel 800000 Again in 2

Chronicles 148 Asarsquos army consists of 300000 men of Judah and 280000 Benjaminites clearly such an increase as our text indicates is unaccountable At the same time it is equally clear that the present numbers are not fortuitous results of clerical errors for they follow each other in the order of relative strength Judah 300000 280000 200000 Benjamin 200000 180000 and they are evidently not independent of the estimates of 2 Chronicles 148 above quoted

In the absence of adequate data for modifying these certainly startling figures it is well to bear in mind that we need not understand by them an army which ever actually mustered in the field or on parade but simply an estimate of the total male population liable to be called out for the national defence although even upon that understanding the total appears to be at least three times too great considering the small extent of the country

PULPIT These waited Hebrew המשרתים plur piel part of שרת The verse states that this enormous fivefold army with its five princes (counting in our corrupt text one million one hundred and sixty thousand) was the kings Jerusalem standing army while other separate regiments or bands of troops were spread through all Judah where they might be most needed for defence

besides those whom the king put into the fenced cities throughout Judah and all together the militia of the kingdom was very numerous and formidable

KampD 2Ch_1719

These were serving the king א6ה refers not to the above-mentioned men capable of

bearing arms for sheereet is not used of service in war but to the commanders whom he had placed in the fortified cities of all Judah ldquoin which probably bodies of the above-mentioned troops lay as garrisonsrdquo (Berth)

BESO 2 Chronicles 1719 These waited on the king mdash These above-mentioned were the trained bands or auxiliaries whose chief officers waited on the king to receive his commands and to raise and bring in all or part of their forces to the service of the king as need required A vast number for so small a compass of ground to furnish out and maintain But we may consider that God had promised to make the seed of Abraham like the sand of the sea for number that there had now been a long peace that many were come to them from the kingdom of Israel and that Jehoshaphat was under a special blessing of God They were doubtless dispersed all the country over every one residing on his own land only they were ready at call whenever there was occasion

TRAPP 2 Chronicles 1719 These waited on the king beside [those] whom the king put in the fenced cities throughout all Judah

Ver 19 These waited on the king] ie In their turns and by course

POOLE These above mentioned were the trained bands or auxiliaries whose chief officers waited upon the king to receive his commands and to raise and bring in all or part of their forces to the service of the king and kingdom as need required

ELLICOTT (19) These waited on the kingmdashRather these are they that ministered unto the king viz the five generals above named

Beside those whom the king put in the fenced citiesmdashie the commandants of the fortresses of the kingdom (2 Chronicles 1111 2 Chronicles 1123) These latter as well as the generals of the forces are called the kingrsquos ldquoministersrdquo (mĕshacircrĕthicircm)mdasha word which is not used of service in the field but implies their presence at court (ldquoin Jerusalemrdquo 2 Chronicles 1713 as the royal staff)

According to the above list the army of Jehoshaphat was organised in five grand divisions corresponding perhaps to five territorial divisions of the southern kingdom The totals are the largest assigned to the two tribes anywhere in the Old Testament viz Judah 780000 and Benjamin 380000 in all 1160000 At Davidrsquos census Judah had 500000 warriors (2 Samuel 249) and Israel 800000 Again in 2

Chronicles 148 Asarsquos army consists of 300000 men of Judah and 280000 Benjaminites clearly such an increase as our text indicates is unaccountable At the same time it is equally clear that the present numbers are not fortuitous results of clerical errors for they follow each other in the order of relative strength Judah 300000 280000 200000 Benjamin 200000 180000 and they are evidently not independent of the estimates of 2 Chronicles 148 above quoted

In the absence of adequate data for modifying these certainly startling figures it is well to bear in mind that we need not understand by them an army which ever actually mustered in the field or on parade but simply an estimate of the total male population liable to be called out for the national defence although even upon that understanding the total appears to be at least three times too great considering the small extent of the country

PULPIT These waited Hebrew המשרתים plur piel part of שרת The verse states that this enormous fivefold army with its five princes (counting in our corrupt text one million one hundred and sixty thousand) was the kings Jerusalem standing army while other separate regiments or bands of troops were spread through all Judah where they might be most needed for defence

Chronicles 148 Asarsquos army consists of 300000 men of Judah and 280000 Benjaminites clearly such an increase as our text indicates is unaccountable At the same time it is equally clear that the present numbers are not fortuitous results of clerical errors for they follow each other in the order of relative strength Judah 300000 280000 200000 Benjamin 200000 180000 and they are evidently not independent of the estimates of 2 Chronicles 148 above quoted

In the absence of adequate data for modifying these certainly startling figures it is well to bear in mind that we need not understand by them an army which ever actually mustered in the field or on parade but simply an estimate of the total male population liable to be called out for the national defence although even upon that understanding the total appears to be at least three times too great considering the small extent of the country

PULPIT These waited Hebrew המשרתים plur piel part of שרת The verse states that this enormous fivefold army with its five princes (counting in our corrupt text one million one hundred and sixty thousand) was the kings Jerusalem standing army while other separate regiments or bands of troops were spread through all Judah where they might be most needed for defence