mh_parser/vol_split/14 - 2Chronicles/Chapter 19.xml

<div2 id="iiCh.xx" n="xx" next="iiCh.xxi" prev="iiCh.xix" progress="83.63%" title="Chapter XIX">
<h2 id="iiCh.xx-p0.1">S E C O N D   C H R O N I C L E
S</h2>
<h3 id="iiCh.xx-p0.2">CHAP. XIX.</h3>
<p class="intro" id="iiCh.xx-p1">We have here a further account of the good reign
of Jehoshaphat, I. His return in peace to Jerusalem, <scripRef id="iiCh.xx-p1.1" osisRef="Bible:2Chr.19.1" parsed="|2Chr|19|1|0|0" passage="2Ch 19:1">ver. 1</scripRef>. II. The reproof given him for
his league with Ahab, and his acting in conjunction with him,
<scripRef id="iiCh.xx-p1.2" osisRef="Bible:2Chr.19.2-2Chr.19.3" parsed="|2Chr|19|2|19|3" passage="2Ch 19:2,3">ver. 2, 3</scripRef>. III. The great
care he took thereupon to reform his kingdom, <scripRef id="iiCh.xx-p1.3" osisRef="Bible:2Chr.19.4" parsed="|2Chr|19|4|0|0" passage="2Ch 19:4">ver. 4</scripRef>. IV. The instructions he gave to his
judges, both those in the country towns that kept the inferior
courts (<scripRef id="iiCh.xx-p1.4" osisRef="Bible:2Chr.19.5-2Chr.19.7" parsed="|2Chr|19|5|19|7" passage="2Ch 19:5-7">ver. 5-7</scripRef>), and
those in Jerusalem that sat in the supreme judicature of the
kingdom, <scripRef id="iiCh.xx-p1.5" osisRef="Bible:2Chr.19.8-2Chr.19.11" parsed="|2Chr|19|8|19|11" passage="2Ch 19:8-11">ver. 8-11</scripRef>.</p>
<scripCom id="iiCh.xx-p0.1_1" osisRef="Bible:2Chr.19" parsed="|2Chr|19|0|0|0" passage="2Ch 19" type="Commentary"/>
<scripCom id="iiCh.xx-p0.2_1" osisRef="Bible:2Chr.19.1-2Chr.19.4" parsed="|2Chr|19|1|19|4" passage="2Ch 19:1-4" type="Commentary"/><div class="Commentary" id="Bible:2Chr.19.1-2Chr.19.4">
<h4 id="iiCh.xx-p1.8">Jehoshaphat's Piety. (<span class="smallcaps" id="iiCh.xx-p1.9">b. c.</span> 897.)</h4>
<p class="passage" id="iiCh.xx-p2">1 And Jehoshaphat the king of Judah returned to
his house in peace to Jerusalem.   2 And Jehu the son of
Hanani the seer went out to meet him, and said to king Jehoshaphat,
Shouldest thou help the ungodly, and love them that hate the <span class="smallcaps" id="iiCh.xx-p2.1">Lord</span>? therefore <i>is</i> wrath upon thee
from before the <span class="smallcaps" id="iiCh.xx-p2.2">Lord</span>.   3
Nevertheless there are good things found in thee, in that thou hast
taken away the groves out of the land, and hast prepared thine
heart to seek God.   4 And Jehoshaphat dwelt at Jerusalem: and
he went out again through the people from Beer-sheba to mount
Ephraim, and brought them back unto the <span class="smallcaps" id="iiCh.xx-p2.3">Lord</span> God of their fathers.</p>
<p class="indent" id="iiCh.xx-p3">Here is, I. The great favour God showed to
Jehoshaphat,</p>
<p class="indent" id="iiCh.xx-p4">1. In bringing him back in safety from his
dangerous expedition with Ahab, which had like to have cost him
dearly (<scripRef id="iiCh.xx-p4.1" osisRef="Bible:2Chr.19.1" parsed="|2Chr|19|1|0|0" passage="2Ch 19:1"><i>v.</i> 1</scripRef>): <i>He
returned to his house in peace.</i> Notice is taken of this to
intimate, (1.) That he fared better than he had expected. He had
been in imminent peril, and yet came home in peace. Whenever we
return in peace to our houses we ought to acknowledge God's
providence in preserving our going out and our coming in. But, if
we have been kept through more than ordinary dangers, we are in a
special manner bound to be thankful. There was but a step perhaps
between us and death, and yet we are alive. (2.) That he fared
better than he deserved. He was out of the way of his duty, had
been out upon an expedition which he could not well account for to
God and his conscience, and yet he returned in peace; for God is
not extreme to mark what we do amiss, nor does he withdraw his
protection every time we forfeit it. (3.) That he fared better than
Ahab king of Israel did, who was brought home slain. Though
Jehoshaphat had said to Ahab, <i>I am as thou art,</i> God
distinguished him; for he knows and owns <i>the way of the
righteous,</i> but <i>the way of the ungodly shall perish.</i>
Distinguishing mercies are very obliging. Here were two kings in
the field together, <i>one taken and the other left,</i> one
brought home in blood, the other in peace.</p>
<p class="indent" id="iiCh.xx-p5">2. In sending him a reproof for his
affinity with Ahab. It is a great mercy to be made sensible of our
faults, and to be told in time wherein we have erred, that we may
repent and amend the error before it be too late. The prophet by
whom the reproof is sent is Jehu the son of Hanani. The father was
an eminent prophet in the last reign, as appeared by Asa's putting
him in the stocks for his plain dealing; yet the son was not afraid
to reprove another king. Paul would have his son Timothy not only
discouraged, but animated by his sufferings, <scripRef id="iiCh.xx-p5.1" osisRef="Bible:2Tim.3.11 Bible:2Tim.3.14" parsed="|2Tim|3|11|0|0;|2Tim|3|14|0|0" passage="2Ti 3:11,14">2 Tim. iii. 11, 14</scripRef>. (1.) The prophet told
him plainly that he had done very ill in joining with Ahab:
"<i>Shouldst thou,</i> a godly man, <i>help the ungodly,</i> give
them a hand of fellowship, and lend them a hand of assistance?" Or,
"<i>Shouldst thou love those that hate the Lord;</i> wilt thou lay
those in thy bosom whom God beholds afar off?" It is the black
character of wicked people that they are <i>haters of God,</i>
<scripRef id="iiCh.xx-p5.2" osisRef="Bible:Rom.1.30" parsed="|Rom|1|30|0|0" passage="Ro 1:30">Rom. i. 30</scripRef>. Idolaters are so
reputed in the second commandment; and therefore it is not for
those that love God to take delight in them or contract an intimacy
with them. <i>Do I not hate those,</i> says David, <i>that hate
thee?</i> <scripRef id="iiCh.xx-p5.3" osisRef="Bible:Ps.139.11 Bible:Ps.139.21" parsed="|Ps|139|11|0|0;|Ps|139|21|0|0" passage="Ps 139:11,21">Ps. cxxxix. 21,
11</scripRef>. Those whom the grace of God has dignified ought not
to debase themselves. Let God's people be of God's mind. (2.) That
God was displeased with him for doing this: "<i>There is wrath upon
thee from before the Lord,</i> and thou must, by repentance, make
thy peace with him, or it will be the worse for thee." He did so,
and God's anger was turned away. Yet his trouble, as recorded in
the next chapter, was a rebuke to him for meddling with strife that
belonged not to him. If he be so fond of war, he shall have enough
of it. And the great mischief which his seed after him fell into by
the house of Ahab was the just punishment of his affinity with that
house. (3.) Yet he took notice of that which was praiseworthy, as
it is proper for us to do when we give a reproof (<scripRef id="iiCh.xx-p5.4" osisRef="Bible:2Chr.19.3" parsed="|2Chr|19|3|0|0" passage="2Ch 19:3"><i>v.</i> 3</scripRef>): "<i>There are good
things found in thee;</i> and therefore, though God be displeased
with thee, he does not, he will not, cast thee off." His abolishing
idolatry with a heart fixed for God and engaged to seek him was a
good thing, which God accepted and would have him go on with,
notwithstanding the displeasure he had now incurred.</p>
<p class="indent" id="iiCh.xx-p6">II. The return of duty which Jehoshaphat
made to God for this favour. He took the reproof well, was not
wroth with the seer as his father was, but submitted. <i>Let the
righteous smite me, it shall be a kindness.</i> See what effect the
reproof had upon him. 1. He <i>dwelt at Jerusalem</i> (<scripRef id="iiCh.xx-p6.1" osisRef="Bible:2Chr.19.4" parsed="|2Chr|19|4|0|0" passage="2Ch 19:4"><i>v.</i> 4</scripRef>), minded his own business
at home, and would not expose himself by paying any more such
visits to Ahab. <i>Rebuke a wise man, and he will be yet wiser,</i>
and will take warning, <scripRef id="iiCh.xx-p6.2" osisRef="Bible:Prov.9.8-Prov.9.9" parsed="|Prov|9|8|9|9" passage="Pr 9:8,9">Prov. ix. 8,
9</scripRef>. 2. To atone (as I may say) for the visit he had paid
to Ahab, he made a pious profitable visitation of his own kingdom:
He <i>went out through the people</i> in his own person from
Beersheba in the south to Mount Ephraim in the north, and
<i>brought them back to the Lord God of their fathers,</i> that is,
did all he could towards recovering them. (1.) By what the prophet
said he perceived that his former attempts for reformation were
well pleasing to God, and therefore he revived them, and did what
was then left undone. It is good when commendations thus quicken us
to our duty, and when the more we are praised for doing well the
more vigorous we are in well-doing. (2.) Perhaps he found that his
late affinity with the idolatrous house of Ahab and kingdom of
Israel had had a bad influence upon his own kingdom. Many, we may
suppose, were emboldened to revolt to idolatry when they saw even
their reforming king so intimate with idolaters; and therefore he
thought himself doubly obliged to do all he could to restore them.
If we truly repent of our sin, we shall do our utmost to repair the
damage we have any way done by it to religion or the souls of
others. We are particularly concerned to recover those that have
fallen into sin, or been hardened in it, by our example.</p>
</div><scripCom id="iiCh.xx-p0.3" osisRef="Bible:2Chr.19.5-2Chr.19.11" parsed="|2Chr|19|5|19|11" passage="2Ch 19:5-11" type="Commentary"/><div class="Commentary" id="Bible:2Chr.19.5-2Chr.19.11">
<p class="passage" id="iiCh.xx-p7">5 And he set judges in the land throughout all
the fenced cities of Judah, city by city,   6 And said to the
judges, Take heed what ye do: for ye judge not for man, but for the
<span class="smallcaps" id="iiCh.xx-p7.1">Lord</span>, who <i>is</i> with you in the
judgment.   7 Wherefore now let the fear of the <span class="smallcaps" id="iiCh.xx-p7.2">Lord</span> be upon you; take heed and do <i>it:</i>
for <i>there is</i> no iniquity with the <span class="smallcaps" id="iiCh.xx-p7.3">Lord</span> our God, nor respect of persons, nor taking
of gifts.   8 Moreover in Jerusalem did Jehoshaphat set of the
Levites, and <i>of</i> the priests, and of the chief of the fathers
of Israel, for the judgment of the <span class="smallcaps" id="iiCh.xx-p7.4">Lord</span>, and for controversies, when they returned
to Jerusalem.   9 And he charged them, saying, Thus shall ye
do in the fear of the <span class="smallcaps" id="iiCh.xx-p7.5">Lord</span>,
faithfully, and with a perfect heart.   10 And what cause
soever shall come to you of your brethren that dwell in their
cities, between blood and blood, between law and commandment,
statutes and judgments, ye shall even warn them that they trespass
not against the <span class="smallcaps" id="iiCh.xx-p7.6">Lord</span>, and <i>so</i>
wrath come upon you, and upon your brethren: this do, and ye shall
not trespass.   11 And, behold, Amariah the chief priest
<i>is</i> over you in all matters of the <span class="smallcaps" id="iiCh.xx-p7.7">Lord</span>; and Zebadiah the son of Ishmael, the ruler
of the house of Judah, for all the king's matters: also the Levites
<i>shall be</i> officers before you. Deal courageously, and the
<span class="smallcaps" id="iiCh.xx-p7.8">Lord</span> shall be with the good.</p>
<p class="indent" id="iiCh.xx-p8">Jehoshaphat, having done what he could to
make his people good, is here providing, if possible, to keep them
so by the influence of a settled magistracy. He had sent preachers
among them, to instruct them (<scripRef id="iiCh.xx-p8.1" osisRef="Bible:2Chr.17.7-2Chr.17.9" parsed="|2Chr|17|7|17|9" passage="2Ch 17:7-9"><i>ch.</i> xvii. 7-9</scripRef>), and that provision
did well; but now he saw it further requisite to send judges among
them, to see the laws put in execution, and to be a terror to
evil-doers. It is probable that there were judges up and down the
country before, but either they neglected their business or the
people slighted them, so that the end of the institution was not
answered; and therefore it was necessary it should be new-modelled,
new men employed, and a new charge given them. That is it which is
here done.</p>
<p class="indent" id="iiCh.xx-p9">I. He erected inferior courts of justice in
the several cities of the kingdom, <scripRef id="iiCh.xx-p9.1" osisRef="Bible:2Chr.19.5" parsed="|2Chr|19|5|0|0" passage="2Ch 19:5"><i>v.</i> 5</scripRef>. The judges of these courts were
to keep the people in the worship of God, to punish the violations
of the law, and to decide controversies between man and man. Here
is the charge he gave them (<scripRef id="iiCh.xx-p9.2" osisRef="Bible:2Chr.19.6" parsed="|2Chr|19|6|0|0" passage="2Ch 19:6"><i>v.</i>
6</scripRef>), in which we have,</p>
<p class="indent" id="iiCh.xx-p10">1. The means he prescribes to them for the
keeping of them closely to their duty; and these are two:—(1.)
Great caution and circumspection: <i>Take heed what you do,</i>
<scripRef id="iiCh.xx-p10.1" osisRef="Bible:2Chr.19.6" parsed="|2Chr|19|6|0|0" passage="2Ch 19:6"><i>v.</i> 6</scripRef>. And again,
"<i>Take heed and do it,</i> <scripRef id="iiCh.xx-p10.2" osisRef="Bible:2Chr.19.7" parsed="|2Chr|19|7|0|0" passage="2Ch 19:7"><i>v.</i>
7</scripRef>. Mind your business; take heed of making any mistakes;
be afraid of misunderstanding any point of law, or the matter of
fact." Judges, of all men, have need to be cautious, because so
much depends upon the correctness of their judgment. (2.) Great
piety and religion: "<i>Let the fear of God be upon you,</i> and
that will be a restraint upon you to keep you from doing wrong
(<scripRef id="iiCh.xx-p10.3" osisRef="Bible:Neh.5.15 Bible:Gen.42.18" parsed="|Neh|5|15|0|0;|Gen|42|18|0|0" passage="Ne 5:15,Ge 42:18">Neh. v. 15; Gen. xlii.
18</scripRef>) and an engagement to you to be active in doing the
duty of your place." Let destruction from God be a terror to them,
as Job speaks (<scripRef id="iiCh.xx-p10.4" osisRef="Bible:Job.31.23" parsed="|Job|31|23|0|0" passage="Job 31:23">Job xxxi.
23</scripRef>), and then they will be a terror to none but
evil-doers.</p>
<p class="indent" id="iiCh.xx-p11">2. The motives he would have them consider,
to engage them to faithfulness. These are three, all taken from
God:—(1.) That from him they had their commission; his ministers
they were. The powers that be are ordained by him and for him:
"<i>You judge not for man, but for the Lord;</i> your business is
to glorify him, and serve the interests of his kingdom among men."
(2.) That his eye was upon them: "He is <i>with you in the
judgment,</i> to take notice what you do and call you to an account
if you do amiss." (3.) That he is the great example of justice to
all magistrates: <i>There is no iniquity with him,</i> no bribery,
nor respect of persons. Magistrates are called gods, and therefore
must endeavour to resemble him.</p>
<p class="indent" id="iiCh.xx-p12">II. He erected a supreme court at
Jerusalem, which was advised with, and appealed to, in all the
difficult causes that occurred in the inferior courts, and which
gave judgment upon demurrers (to speak in the language of our own
law), special verdicts, and writs of error. This court sat in
Jerusalem; for <i>there were set the thrones of judgment:</i> there
they would be under the inspection of the king himself.
Observe,</p>
<p class="indent" id="iiCh.xx-p13">1. The causes cognizable in this court; and
they were of two kinds, as with us:—(1.) Pleas of the crown,
called here <i>the judgment of the Lord,</i> because the law of God
was the law of the realm. All criminals were charged with the
breach of some part of his law and were said to offend against his
peace, his crown and dignity. (2.) Common pleas, between party and
party, called here <i>controversies</i> (<scripRef id="iiCh.xx-p13.1" osisRef="Bible:2Chr.19.8" parsed="|2Chr|19|8|0|0" passage="2Ch 19:8"><i>v.</i> 8</scripRef>) and <i>causes of their
brethren</i> (<scripRef id="iiCh.xx-p13.2" osisRef="Bible:2Chr.19.10" parsed="|2Chr|19|10|0|0" passage="2Ch 19:10"><i>v.</i>
10</scripRef>), differences <i>between blood and blood</i> (this
refers to <scripRef id="iiCh.xx-p13.3" osisRef="Bible:Deut.17.8" parsed="|Deut|17|8|0|0" passage="De 17:8">Deut. xvii. 8</scripRef>),
between the blood of the person slain and the blood of the
man-slayer. Since the revolt of the ten tribes all the cities of
refuge, except Hebron, belonged to the kingdom of Israel; and
therefore, we may suppose, the courts of the temple, or the horns
of the altar, were chiefly used as sanctuaries in that case, and
hence the trial of homicides was reserved for the court at
Jerusalem. If the inferior judges did not agree about the sense of
any law or commandment, any statute or judgment, this court must
determine the controversy.</p>
<p class="indent" id="iiCh.xx-p14">2. The judges of this court were some of
<i>the Levites and priests</i> that were most learned in the law,
eminent for wisdom, and of approved integrity, and some of <i>the
chief of the fathers of Israel, peers of the realm,</i> as I may
call them, or persons of age and experience, that had been men of
business, who would be the most competent judges of matters of
fact, as the priests and Levites were of the sense of the law.</p>
<p class="indent" id="iiCh.xx-p15">3. The two chiefs, or presidents, of this
court. Amariah, the high priest, was to preside in ecclesiastical
causes, to direct the court and be the mouth of it, or perhaps to
be last consulted in cases which the judges themselves doubted of.
Zebadiah, the prime-minister of that state, was to preside in all
civil causes, <scripRef id="iiCh.xx-p15.1" osisRef="Bible:2Chr.19.11" parsed="|2Chr|19|11|0|0" passage="2Ch 19:11"><i>v.</i>
11</scripRef>. Thus there are diversities of gifts and operations,
but all from the same Spirit, and for the good of the body. Some
best understand <i>the matters of the Lord,</i> others <i>the
king's matters;</i> neither can say to the other, <i>I have no need
of thee,</i> for God's Israel has need of both; and, as every one
has received the gift, so let him minister the same. Blessed be God
both for magistrates and ministers, scribes and statesmen, men of
books and men of business.</p>
<p class="indent" id="iiCh.xx-p16">4. The inferior officers of the court.
"Some of <i>the Levites</i> (such as had not abilities to qualify
them for judges) <i>shall be officers before you,</i>" <scripRef id="iiCh.xx-p16.1" osisRef="Bible:2Chr.19.11" parsed="|2Chr|19|11|0|0" passage="2Ch 19:11"><i>v.</i> 11</scripRef>. They were to bring
causes into the court, and to see the sentence of the judges
executed. And these hands and feet were as necessary in their
places as the eyes and heads (the judges) in theirs.</p>
<p class="indent" id="iiCh.xx-p17">5. The charge which the king gave them.
(1.) They must see to it that they acted from a good principle;
they must do all in the <i>fear of the Lord,</i> setting him always
before them, and then they would act faithfully, conscientiously,
and <i>with a perfect upright heart,</i> <scripRef id="iiCh.xx-p17.1" osisRef="Bible:2Chr.19.9" parsed="|2Chr|19|9|0|0" passage="2Ch 19:9"><i>v.</i> 9</scripRef>. (2.) They must make it their
great and constant care to prevent sin, <i>to warn the people that
they trespass not against the Lord,</i> inspire them with a dread
of sin, not only as hurtful to themselves and the public peace, but
as an offence to God, and that which would bring wrath upon the
people if they committed it and upon the magistrates if they did
not punish it. "<i>This do, and you shall not trespass;</i>" this
implies that those who have power in their hands contract the guilt
of sin themselves if they do not use their power for the preventing
and restraining of sin in others. "You trespass if you do not keep
them from trespassing." (3.) They must act with resolution. "Deal
courageously, and fear not the face of man; be bold and daring in
the discharge of your duty, and, whoever is against you, God will
protect you: <i>The Lord shall be with the good.</i>" Wherever he
finds a good man, a good magistrate, he will be found a good
God.</p>
</div></div2>