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with a loud voice, and with shouting, and with trumpets, and with cornets. And all Judah rejoiced at the oath for they had sworn with all their heart, and sought him with their whole desire; and he was found of them and Jehovah gave them rest round about,* and there was no more war until the thirty-fifth year of the reign of Asa.†

In the following year, however, Baasha, king of Israel, came up against Judah, and built Ramah, to the intent that he might let none go out or come in to Asa, king of Judah. Then Asa brought silver and gold out of the treasures of the house of Jehovah, and of the king's house, and sent to Benhadad, king of Syria, that dwelt at Damascus, saying, There is a league between me and thee, as there was between my father and thy father; behold I have sent thee silver and gold, go, break thy league with Baasha, king of Israel, that he may depart from me. And Benhadad hearkened unto king Asa, and sent the captains of his armies against the cities of Israel; and they smote Ijon, and Dan, and Abelmaim, and all the store cities of Naphtali. And it came to pass when Baasha heard it, that he left off building of Ramah, and let his work cease. Then Asa, the king, took all Judah, and they carried away the stones of Ramah, and the timber thereof, wherewith Baasha was building; and he built therewith Geba and Mizpah.‡

At that time Hanani, the seer, came to Asa, king of Judah, and said unto him, Because thou hast relied on the king of Syria, and not relied on Jehovah, thy God, therefore is the host of the king of Syria escaped out of thine hand. Were not the Ethiopians and Lubims a huge host, with very many chariots and horsemen ? yet because thou didst rely on Jehovah, he delivered them into thine hand. For the eyes

* 2 Chron. xv. 1—15.

+ 2 Chron. xv. 19.

2 Chron. xvi. 1-6. 1 Kings, xv. 16-22.

and sacrificed unto their gods; a of Jehovah; and went not fully a his father.*

The anger of Jehovah was, the highly favoured servant, as well he said unto him, Forasmuch as t hast not kept my covenant and commanded thee, I will surely ren and will give it to thy servant. Not I will not do it, for David thy fathe it out of the hand of thy son. How all the kingdom: but will give one my servant's sake,† and for Jerusa chosen; thus, however, in judgm and his loving kindness to David.

In execution of this solemn se neighbouring princes were allow during the remainder of his day tranquillity of his latter end; viz:

* 1 Kings, xi. 1-S. See a curious plat ler's Pisgah Sight of Ca

+ The prevailing lion must come out only the tribe must be preserved, but t right. All this must be done for the tr was undoubtedly what God had in view serving the tribe of Judah, and the ro general a defection. A. CLARKE.

+1 Kings, xi. 11§ It came to pass when David was in E of the host, was gone up to bury the slain, male in Edom, (for six months did Joab after he had cut off every male in Edom certain Edomites of his father's servants Hadad being yet a little child. And the came to Paran; and they took men with 1 came to Egypt, unto Pharaoh, king of

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phat presents; and he had riches and honour in
And his heart was lifted up in the ways of
noreover, he took away the high places and groves
h.*

e influence of this pious feeling, in the third year
, Jehoshaphat sent to his princes to teach in the
dah, and with them he sent Levites and priests;
nght in Judah, and had the book of the law of
th them; and went about throughout all the cities
nd taught the people. And the fear of Jehovah
the kingdoms of the lands that were round about
at they made no war against Jehoshaphat. Also
Philistines brought Jehoshaphat presents, and
r; and the Arabians brought him flocks, 7,700
,700 he goats. And Jehoshaphat waxed great
and he built in Judah castles and cities of store.
1 much business in the cities of Judah; and the
mighty men of valour, were in Jerusalem.†
oshaphat had riches and honour in abundance,
affinity with Ahab. And after certain years he
to Ahab, to Samaria.
in in abundance, and for the people that he had
nd persuaded him to go up with him to Ramoth
id Abab, king of Israel, said unto Jehoshaphat,
lah, Wilt thou go with me to Ramoth Gilead?
wered him, I am as thou art, and my people as
and we will be with thee in the war.‡

And Ahab killed sheep and

2 Chron. xvii. 3-6.

xvii. 9-13. The names of his officers were Adnah, der-in-chief; Jehohanan, the captain; Amaziah, a voJada, of Benjamin; Jehozabad; and their united force 1,160,000 men, besides the troops in garrison. 2 Chron.

2 Chron. xviii. 1—3.

of Jehovah run to and fro throughout the whole earth, to shew himself strong in the behalf of them whose heart is perfect toward him. Herein thou hast done foolishly; therefore, from henceforth, thou shalt have wars. Then Asa was wroth with the seer, and put him in a prison-house, for he was in a rage with him because of this thing. And Asa oppressed some of the people the same time.*

And Asa, in the thirty-ninth year of his reign, was diseased in his feet, until his disease was exceeding great; yet in his disease he sought not to Jehovah, but to the physicians.†

And Asa reigned forty-one years in Jerusalem, when he died, and slept with his fathers; and they buried him in his own sepulchres, which he had made for himself in the city of David; and laid him in the bed, which was filled with sweet odours, and divers kinds of spices, prepared by the apothecaries' art; and they made a very great burning for him ;+ and he was succeeded by his son,

A. C.

JEHOSHA PHAT.§

THIS monarch, who was thirty-five years old when he began to reign, strengthened himself against Israel, 951. and 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. And Jehovah was with Jehoshaphat, because he walked in the first ways of his father, David, and sought not unto Baalim; but sought to Jehovah, the God of his father, and walked in his commandments, and not after the doings of Israel. Therefore Jehovah established the kingdom in his hand; and all Judah brought

2 Chron. xvi. 7-10.

+2 Chron. xvi. 12.

2 Chron. xvi. 13, 14.

§ 1 Kings, xv. 24. 2 Chron. xvii. 1.

to Jehoshaphat presents; and he had riches and honour in abundance. And his heart was lifted up in the ways of Jehovah moreover, he took away the high places and groves out of Judah.*

Under the influence of this pious feeling, in the third year of his reign, Jehoshaphat sent to his princes to teach in the cities of Judah, and with them he sent Levites and priests; and they taught in Judah, and had the book of the law of Jehovah with them; and went about throughout all the cities of Judah, and taught the people. And the fear of Jehovah fell upon all the kingdoms of the lands that were round about Judah, so that they made no war against Jehoshaphat. Also some of the Philistines brought Jehoshaphat presents, and tribute silver; and the Arabians brought him flocks, 7,700 rams, and 7,700 he goats. And Jehoshaphat waxed great exceedingly; and he built in Judah castles and cities of store. And he had much business in the cities of Judah; and the men of war, mighty men of valour, were in Jerusalem.† Now Jehoshaphat had riches and honour in abundance, and joined affinity with Ahab. And after certain years he went down to Ahab, to Samaria. oxen for him in abundance, and for the people that he had with him, and persuaded him to go up with him to Ramoth Gilead. And Ahab, king of Israel, said unto Jehoshaphat, king of Judah, Wilt thou go with me to Ramoth-Gilead? and he answered him, I am as thou art, and my people as thy people; and we will be with thee in the war.‡

And Ahab killed sheep and

2 Chron. xvii. 3-6.

† 2 Chron. xvii. 9-13. The names of his officers were Adnah, the commander-in-chief; Jehohanan, the captain; Amaziah, a volunteer; Eliada, of Benjamin; Jehozabad; and their united force amounted to 1,160,000 men, besides the troops in garrison. 2 Chron. xvii. 14 - 19.

2 Chron. xviii. 1—3.

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