Bible Commentary (1871–1879 Edition)
Jchoshapkat Visits his Kingdom. 2 CHRONICLES XVIII—XX. He Proclaims a Fast. preme court, which sat In Jerusalem to review appellate cases from the inferior courts. It consisted of two divisions: the first of wliich had jurisdiction in ecclesiastical matters; the second, in civil, fiscal, and criminal cases. According to others, the two divisions of the supreme court adjudicated the one according to the law contaimi in the sacred books, the other to tlie law of custom and equity, as in Eastern countries at the present day, the written and unwritten law are objects of separate jurisdiction. or only the book of Deuteronomy, which contains an abridsment of it. 11. Also some of the Pltiltstlnes brought Jehoshaphat presents, and trllmte sliver
Eitlier they liad been his triljutaries, or tliey were desirous of securing his valuable friendship, and now made a voluntary of Ter of tribute. Perhaps thfy were the Philistines who had submitted to the yolce of David (2 Samuel
8.1; Psalm 60.8). the Arabians—tlie 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 tale of so many heads of cattle.
CHAPTER XX.
Ver. 1-21. Jehoshaphat, Invaded by the Moabites, Proclaims a Fast. 1. the children of Moab . . . A>nmon, and with them otlier beside the Ammonites supposed to be rather the name of a certain people called Mohammonim or Mehunim (cli. 26. 7), who dwelt in Mount Seir—eitlier a branch of the old Edomite race, or a separate trilje wlio were settled there. 2. from beyond sea, on this side Syria— Instead of Syria, some versions read "Edom," and many able critics prefer this reading, both because the nomad tribes here mentioned were far from Syria, and because express mention is made of Mount Seir, i. e., Edom. The meaning then is, that this confederate horde was composed of the dif Terenl tribes
12-19. His Gkeatness, Captains, and Armies. 14. these are the numbers—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 eleven hundred and sixty thousand men, witliout including those who garrisoned the fortresses. No monarch, since the time of Solomon, equalled Jehoshaphat in the extent of his revenue—in the strength of his fortifications, and the number of his troops.
CHAPTER XVIII.
Vcr. 1-3J. Jehoshaphat AND Ahab go against RamOTH-GlLEAD. 2. after certain years he went down to Ahab to Samaria—This is word for word, tlie same as 1 Kings 22. (See commentary on tliat chapter.) tliat inhabited the far distant regions bordering on tlie northern and eastern coasts of the Red Sea. Their progress was apparently by tlie southern point of the Dead Sea, as far as En-gedi, which, more .anciently, was called Hazezon-tamar (Genesis 14. 7). This is tlie uniform route taken by the Araijs in their marauding expeditions at the present day; and in coming round tlie soutliern end of the Dead Sea, thej' can penetrate along tlie low-lying Ghor far north, withfmt letting their movements be known to the tribes and villages west of the mountain cliain. [Robinson.] Thus, anciently, the invading horde in Jehoshaphat's time had marched as far north as En-gedi, before intelligence of their advance was conveyed to tlie court. En-gedi is recognized in the modern Ainjidy, and is situated at a point of the western shore, nearly equi-distant from both extremities of the lake. [Robinson.] 3, 4. Jehoshaphat proclaimed a fast throughout all dah—Alarmed by the intelligence, and conscious of liis total inability to repel this host of invaders, Jehoshaphat
CHAPTER XIX.
Ver. 1^. Jehoshaphat Visits his Kingdom. 1. Jehoshaphat returned to his hotise in peace—(.See on ch.
IS. 16.) Not long after he had resumed the ordinary functions of royalty in Jerusalem, he was one day disturbed by an unexpected and ominous visit from a prophet of the Lord. This was Jehu, of whose father a notice occurred (ch. 16. 7). He tiimself had been called to discharge the prophetic office .in Israel; but probably for his bold rebuke to Baaslia (1 Kings 16. 1), had been driven by that arbitrary monarch within the territory of Judah, where we now find him with the privileged license of his order, taking the same religious supervision of Jehoshaphat's proceedings, as he had formerly done of Baasha's. At the interview here described, he condemned in tlie sti'ongest terms, the king of Judah's imprudent and incongruous league with Alialj—God's open enemy (1 Kings 22.2)—as an unlioly alliance that would be conducive neither to the lionour and comfoi't of his house nor to the best interests of liis kingdom; and he apprised Jelioshaphat that, on account of that grave offence, " wrath was upon hiin from before the Lord ;" a judgment that was inflicted soon after (see on ch. 20). The prophet's rebuke, however, was administered in a mingled strain of severity and mildness; for he Interposed " a nevertheless" (v. 3), which implied that the threatened storm would lie averted, in token of tlie Divine approval of his public efforts for the promotion of the true religion, as well as of the sincere piety of his personal character and life. 4. he went out again through the people—This means his re-appointing the commissioners of public instruction (cli. 17. 7-9), perliaps wltli new powers and a larger staff' of assistants to overtake every part of the land. The complement of teachers required for that purpose would he easily obtained from the whole tribe of Levites being now concentrated within the kingdom of .fudali. felt his only refuge was at tlie horns of tlie altar. He resolved to employ the aid of his God, and, in conformity with this resolution, summoned his whole subjects to observe a solemn fast at the sanctuary. It was customary with the Hebrew kings to proclaim fastsin perilous circumstances, either in a city, a district, or througiiout the entire kingdom, according to the greatness of the emergency. On this occasion, it was a universal fast, which extended to infants (ii. 13; see also Joel 2. 1.5, 16; Jonah 3.7). 513. Jehoshapliat stood in tlie house of the Lord, before the new court—t. c, the great or outer court (ch. 4. 9) called the new court, proliably from having been at that time enlarged or beautified. 6. and said, O Lord God of our fathers—This earnest and impressive prayer embraces every topic and argument which, as king and representative of tlie chosen people, he could urge; and then concludes with an earnest appeal to tlie justice of Gfid to protect those who, without provocation, were attacked, and who were unable to defend themselves against overwhelniingnnmbers. 14-18. Then upon Jahastiel . . . camethe spirit of the Lord—This prophet is not elsewhere mentioned, but his cl.aini to the inspiration of a prophetic spirit was verified by the calm and distinct announcement he gave, both of tlie manner and the completeness of the deliverance he predicted. 10. they came up by the cliff of Ziz—This seems to have been nothing else tliaii the present pass which leads northw.ards, by an ascent from En-gedi to Jerusalem, issuing .a little bi'low Tekoa. The wildeiness of Jeruel was, probably, the huge Hat (Iislvi<-t adjoining the desert of Ti koa, called el-Hiisiisah, Iroiii a wady on its tiorthern side. (KoiiiNSoN.] is, Jelioslmpbat bowed Ills head . . . and all Judah, i<:c.—This altitude was expressive of reverence to God and His Word. n( confidence in His promise, and thankfulness for so e.xtia-.5-7. His Ixstkuctions to the Judges. 5-7. he set Judges in tlie land—There had been judicial courts estul)Ilslied at an early period. But Jelioshaphat was the first king wlio modified tliese institutions according to tlie circumstances of the now fragmentary kingdom of Judah.
He fixed local courts in each of the fortified cities, tliese being the provincial capitals of every district (see on l>euteronomy 16. 18-20).
8-11. To the Priests and Levites. 8. set of the Le- >lleg . . . priests and chief of the fathers of Israel— oerialn number of tliese inree classes constituted a su-
The Overthrow of Jehoshaphat's Enemies. 2 CHRONICLES XXI. Revolt of Edam and Libnuh. ordinary a favour. 19. the licvltcs stood up to praise the Lord—Doubtless by the king's command; and tlieir anthem was sung with such a Joyful acclaim as sliowed that they universally regarded the victory as already but the ships, when just ofl tlie docks, were wreclied in tlie rocky creek gf Ezion-geber.
CHAPTEE XXI. oljtained. 20, $21. asthcy went forth, .lehoshaphat stood
Ver. 1-4. Jehoram SucCEEns Jehoshaphat. l. Jehoshaphat slept witli his fathers .. . . Jehoram reigiie<1 —The late king left seven sons ; two of tliem are in our version named Azariali ; but in the Hebrew they appear considerably different, the one being spelt Azariah, and the other Azariahu. Though Jelioshaphat had made his family arrangements with prudent precaution, and wliile he divided tlie functions of royalty in his lifetime (cf. 2 Kings. . . Hear me, O Judah, aiid ye Inhabitants of Jfnisalein—Probably in the gate of Jerusalem, tlie place of general rendezvous; and as the people were on tlie eve of setting out, he exhorted them to repose implicit trust in the Lord and His prophet, not to be timid or desponding at sight of the enemy, but to remain firm in the confident assux'ance of a miraculous deliverance, without their striking a single stroke, he appointed singers . . . that tliey should praise ... as they went before the aniiy —Having arranged the line oS procession, he gave the signal to move forwards; when the Levites, leading the
8. 16), as well as fixed the succession to the throne in liis eldest son, he appointed each of tlie others to the government of a fenced city, thus pi'oviding them with an honourable independence. But hisgood intentions were frustrated ; for no sooner did Jelioram find himself in the sole possession of sovereign power than, from jealousy, or on account of their connections, he murdered all his brotlivan with their musical instruments, and singing the 13Hth Psalm, the people went on, not as an army marching against an enemy, but returning in joyful triumph after a victory.
22-30. The Overthkow of his Enemies. 22. when they began to sing and to praise, the Lord set abiishments against the children of Ammon, Moab, and DIount Selr—Some think that this was done by angels in human form, whose sudden appearance diffused an uncontrollable panic; others entertain the more probable opinion that, in the camp of this vast horde, composed of different tribes, jealousies and animosities had sprung up, which led to wide-spread dissensions and fierce feuds, in wliich they drew the sword against eacli other. The consequence was, that as the mutual strife commenced when the Hebrew procession set out from Jerusalem, the work of destruction was completed before Jehoshaphat and his people arrived at the battlefield. Thus easy is it ers, together with some leading influential persons who, he suspected, were attached to their interest, or would avenge their deaths. Similar tragedies have been sadly frequent in Eastern courts, where the Heir of the crown looks upon his brothers as his most formidable enemies, and is therefore tempted to secure his power by their death.
5-7. His Wicked Reign. 6. he walked ... as did the house of Ahab, for he had the daughter of Aliab to wife— Tiie precepts and examples of his excellent father were soon obliterated by his matrimonial alliance witli a daughter of the royal liouse of Israel. Through the influence of Athaliah he abolished the worship of the Lord, and encouraged an introduction of all the corruptions prevalent in the sister kingdom. The Divine vengeance was denounced against him, and would have utterly destroyed him and his house, had it not been for a tender regard to the promise made to David (2 Samuel 7.; 2 Kings S. 19). for God to make the wrath of man to praise Him, to confound tlie counsels of His enemies, and employ tlieir own passions in defeating the machinations tliey liave devised for the overthrow of His Church and people. 24. wlien Jndah came to the watch-tower In the wilderness
8-17. Edom anb Libnah Revolt. 8. the Kdomites revolted—That nation had been made dependent by David, and down to the time of Jelioshaphat was governed by a tributary ruler (1 Kings 22.47; 2 Kings 3.9). But that king having been slain in an insurrection at home, his successor thought to ingratiate himself with his new sub-
Jlost prol)ably the conical hill, Jebel Fereidis, or Frank Mountain, from the summit of whicli tliey obtained the first view of the scene of slaughter. Jelioshaphat and his people found tlie field strewed witli dead bodies, so that they had not to fight at all, but to take possession of an immense booty, the collection of wliich occupied three days. On the fourth they set out on their return to Jerusalem in the same order and joyful mood as they came. The place where they mustered previous to departure was, from their public thanksgiving service, called, "Tlie Valley of Berachah" (benediction), now Wady Bcreikut. jects by raising the flag of independence. [Josephus.] The attempt w.as defeated in the first instance by Jehoram, wlio possessed all the military establishments of his father; but being renewed unexpectedly, the Edomltes succeeded in completely emancipating theircouutry from the yoke of Judah (Genesis 27. 40). Libnah, which lay on 31-37. His Beign. 31. Jehoshaphat reigned over .Tudah—(See ch. 24. 1.) 32. he walked in tlie way of Asa his father, and departed not from it—He was more steadfast and consistently religious (cf. ch. 15. 18). 3.3. the high places were not taken away—Those on which Idolatry was practised were entirely destroyed (ch. 17.6), but tliose where the people, notwithstanding the oroctlou of the temple, continued to worship the true God, prudence required to be slowly and gradually aliolislicd. In deference to popular prejudice. .35-37. after tills did .Tehosliaphat . . . Join himself witli Aliazinli . . . lo iiinke ships—A combined fleet was built at Ezloii-gchi r, the destination of which was to voyage to Tartcssus, but It was wrecked. Jehoshaphat's motive for entering into this partnership was to secure a free passage tliiough Israel, for the vessels were to be conveyed across tlio Isthmus of 8ucz, and to sail to the west of Europe from oni of the ports of I'alestlne on the Mediterranean. Kliezar, a prophet, denounced this unholy alliance, and foretold, as Divine judgment, the total wreck of the whole fleet. The consequence was, thatalthough Jehosliapliat lirokeott—In ol)edience to the Divine will—his league wit h Ahazlah, ho formed a new scheme of a merchant fleet, ap,l Aliiiziali wislied to be a<lniltted a partner. Tlie proposal of the Israelitlsh king was respectfully declined. The destination of this new fleet was to Ophlr, because the Israelltlsli seaports were not accessible to him for the Tartcssus trade; tlie southern frontier and towards Edom, followed the example of that ciniiitry. 12-1.'». there came a writing to Iilm fk-om Elljali—That prophet's translation having taken place In the reign of Jehoshaphat, wemustconclude that tiie name of FMlJah has, by the error ofa transcriber, lieeii put for that of Ellsha. 13. hast made Judali and the inhabitants of Jeriisnlein . . . like the whoredoms of tlie liousc of Ahab—i. p.. Introduced tliesujierstltlons and vices of Phfrnldan Idolatry (see on Deuteronomy 13.6-11). On this account, as well as forlils uiiiiatnrnl cruelties, Divine vengeance was denounced against liini, whlcli was soon after executed exactly as the prophet had for(>told. A series of overwhelming calamities befel this wl<-ked king; for In addition to tlie revolts already mentioned, two neighbouring tribes (see eh. 17.11) made hostile Incui'sions on the southi>rn and western portions of his kingdom; his country was ravaged, his capital taken, his jialaco plundered, his wives carried oil', all ills children slain except the youngest, himself was seized witli an incurable dysentery, which, after subjecting hlru to the most painful suffering for the unusual period of two years, carried him olf, a monument of the Divine judgment; and, to complete his degradation, his death was unlamented, his burial unhoiioured by his subjects. This usage, similar to what obtained in Egypt, seems to have orejil in among the Hebrews, of giving funeral honours to