Jehu with indefatigable diligence pursues his blow; and as he drives to Samaria, 1. He meets Jeho and the son of Rechah, a man of eminent piety, coming to congratulate him on his sacrifice, and to encourage him to perfect what he had begun. Jehu with all respect salutes him, and enquires if Jeho and his cause, as he reverenced and respected him. On receiving the warmest assurances of his good welfare, Jehu invites him into his chariot, that he may be convinced of his zeal in the Lord's cause; and by the guidance of so good a man, no doubt to gain the greater reputation to himself. Note, (1.) It is a question we need often put to ourselves and each other, Is time been right? upright and sincere in God's service. All profession of zeal without that, is but hypocrisy and design. (2.) Where good men's countenance to their cause is needful, great men will excise them; but their kisses are usually deceitful. (3.) Whenever there appears an outward fair profession of zeal for God, a good man cannot but charitably with success, and countenance the work. Hearts must be left to God's searching. (4.) They who heath of their zeal, give cause to suspect their sincerity. (5.) Many will appear to serve God, as long as their own interest is advanced thereby, whose zeal quickly cools when they can no longer serve themselves. 2. Having destroyed at Samaria all Ahab's friends and family, as he had done at Jezezel, he contrives how at a stroke to cut off the worshippers of Baal from the land. The design was good, but the lie which paved the way was evil; professing an uncommon zeal for the worship of Baal, which during Joram's reign, who had removed the image of Baal, might have been less public and solemn, he concoches all the priests and zealous worshippers of Baal to Samaria, to partake of a great sacrifice for interests to their God, threatening death to the man who should be found wanting. This collected a vast concourse, the gates of Baal's temple are open, the house thronged, and all the worshippers dressed for the solemn service; and now pretending zeal for the purity of the sacrifice, least any servants of Jeho and should have mingled with them, he orders hold hearts to be made. All things being ready, guards are placed at the avenues, that not a man may escape: every soul is malfaced in the temple, the building laid in ruins, the images burnt, and the worship of Baal for the time utterly exterminated. Note, (1.) The wisdom of the serpent may be lawfully used in the cause of God, provided none of the person of the serpent may give the mouth. (2.) The executioners of God's vengeance, more terrible than Jehu's guards, will shortly without mercy, execute their commission on every servant of iniquity. (3.) God's cause, though long oppressed, will rise victorious at the last; and when Jehu shall have cast the wicked into hell, then shall he reign over his faints gloriously. 29. ¶ Howbeit, from the sins of Jeroboam the son of Nebat, who made Israel to sin, Jehu departed not from after them, to wit, 'the golden calves that were in Beth-ah, and that were in Dan. 30. And the LORD said unto Jehu, 'Because thou hast done well in executing that which is right in mine eyes, and hast done unto the house of Ahab according to all that was in mine heart, thy children of the fourth generation shall be on the throne of Israel. 31. But Jehu took no head to walk in the law of the LORD God of Israel with all his heart; for he departed not from the sins of Jeroboam, which made Israel to sin. 32. ¶ In those days the LORD began to ‡ cut Israel short: and Hazael became them in all the courts of Israel. 33. From Jordan, ¶ eastward, all the land of Gilead, the Gables, and the Reubenites, and the Manafifters, from Aroer (which is by the river Arroan) even Gilead and Bethan. 34. Now the rest of the Acts of Jehu, and all that he did, and all his might, are they not written in the book of the chronicles of the kings of Israel? 35. And Jehu slept with his fathers, and they buried him in Samaria, and Jeho has his son resigned in his stead. 36. And the § time that Jehu resigned over Israel in Samaria, was twenty and eight years. ¶ And I do not know that the word of the word is to be a word of the word. I do not know that the word is to be a word of the word. I do not know that the word is to be a word of the word. I do not know that the word is to be a word of the word. I do not know that the word is to be a word of the word. I do not know that the word is to be a word of the word. I do not know that the word is to be a word of the word. Peace and plenty had for a time, with uninterrupted firearm, flowed in upon the pious Solomon: but when he exchanged his wisdom for folly, and his piety for profaneness, then the current of his mercies was stayed, and God began to afflict him. Sin and suffering go usually linked together. God stirred up adversaries against him, foreign and domestic, to avenge his quarrel, and to be a scourge for his sins. Note. The instruments God also, often mean only their own ambition, but he directs them to fulfil his purposes, and makes them subservient to his glory. 1. Hadad, an Edomite. He was of the seed royal, and had escaped from the general extirpation of Moab; which Joab, under David's reign, had attempted; v. 15, 16. Hadad was then a child, and a few of his servants rescued him by flight; and with guides, or baglives, like thenshines, from Paran, took refuge in Egypt; where, being kindly entertained by Pharaoh, he was in process of time, married to his wife's sister, greatly careful, v. 20. and nobly provided for. At the beginning of Solomon's reign, he longed to return to his native country, which Pharaoh, though with great reluctance, granted; there he seems to have continued in secret, engaging the people in his favour, till now Solomon's sin gave him an opportunity to declare himself; and though the mischief he did is not mentioned, he became, it is clear, a very troublesome neighbour, v. 25. Note. (1.) The weakest instruments in God's hands can soon grow strong enough to be our bitter scourge. (2.) Like Hadad, the believer, though enjoying every thing on earth his heart can with, yet sighs for home, and faith, O that I had wings like a dove, for then would I flee away to my eternal rest, in the bosom of Jesus. 2. Reason was another enemy; he escaped from the ruins of Zobah, when Hadadezer fell by the sword of David; and having collected as many as he could of the scattered forces, he became their captain; and now towards the end of Solomon's reign, when his wickedness made him weak, feating Damascus, he fixed there the seat of his kingdom. The remembrance of his former sufferings sharpened his refinement: he abhorred Solomon and Israel, and in concert with Hadad, continued to barracks and disturb them. Note. When God resolves to chastize, he will not want a rod. 26. ¶ And Jeroboam the son of Nekat, an Ephraim, the other of Zereda, Solomon's servant (whose mother's name was Zeruah, a widow-woman) even the left up his hand against the king. 27. And this was the cause that he left up his hand against the king: Solomon built Milky, and repaired the breaches of the city of David his father. 28. And the man Jeroboam was a mighty man of valour: and Solomon being the young man, that he was industrious, he made him ruler over all the charge of the house of Joseph. 29. And it came to pass at that time, when Jeroboam went out of Jerusalem, that the prophet Abijah the Shilonite found him in the way: and he had clad himself with a new garment; and they two were alone in the field. 30. And Abijah caught the new garment that was on him, and sent it in twelve pieces. 31. And he said to Jeroboam, Take thee ten pieces: for thus faith the LORD the God of Israel, Behold, I will rend the kingdom out of the hand of Solomon, and will give ten tribes to thee: 32. (But he shall have one tribe for my servant David's sake, and for Jerusalem's sake, the city which I have chosen out of all the tribes of Israel) 33. Because that they have forsaken me, and have worshipped Aftoneth the godless of the Zidonians, Chemoith the god of the Moabites, and Milcom the god of the children of Ammon, and have not walked in my ways, to do that which it right in mine eyes, and to keep my statutes and my judgments, as did David his father. 34. Howbeit, I will not take the whole kingdom out of his hand: but I will make him prince all the days of his life, for David my servant's sake, whom I chose, because he kept my commandments and my statutes: 35. But I will take the kingdom out of his son's hand, and will give it unto thee, even ten tribes. 36. And unto his son will I give one tribe, that David my servant may have a light always before me in Jerusalem, the city which I have chosen me to put my name there. 37. And I will take thee, and thou shalt reign according to all that thy soul desireeth, eth, What a pity that such promising appearances should drop short! Many come to be almsy, who are not altogether cherishants. 1. God declares his approbation of Jehu's conduct in general. Though his heart was far from right, and the methods he took unjustifiable, yet the execution of God's judgments upon the idolaters was agreeable to God's will, and therefore a present reward is given him. The throne is assured in his godfermy, to the fourth generation. Note, If a hypocrite's services have a temporal reward, how much more may the faithful expect, the eternal and never-fading crown of glory. 2. Jehu is end answered not his beginnings. He was, with all his zeal, prestigious in temper; took no head to walk in God's ways or worship; carefully about pleasing him, when he was sick kind on the throne: and though he had put away the worship of Baal, he still stuck to the calves of Jeroboam, for the same political reasons as his predecessors. Note, (1.) They who are real converts, put away (in without return); not merely leaving those sins they grew tired of, or which hurtful them, but those that are most gainful and demagogy necessary. If a hoof of the calves be allowed left behind, we may not hope to please a jealous God. (2.) Negligence in the concerns of God's service is fatally ruinous. (3.) A man may be the instrument of much good to other men's souls, and yet after all lose his own. 3. The punishment of his unfaithful conduct, which it is to be feared his people imitated, God soon made him feel in the loss of all that part of his kingdom beyond Jordan, where the tribes of Reuben, Gad, and Manalith lay. They eagerly sought their settlement first, and now they are the first to suffer, malfaced no doubt; See chap. viii. 12. and led captive by Hazael, king of Syria. Note, They who chuse for themselves, without confiding God, will usually smart for it. 4. Jehu's reign concludes after twenty-eight years; a longer space than most of his predecessors enjoyed, yet the events of it are buried for the most part in oblivion. Nothing farther good and gracious appeared in him to deserve mention, and all he did beside may better be buried with him. They are only truly great, and their memory to be had in honour, whose goodness marks them for examples to succeeding generations. CHAP. XI. On the death of Abasiah, 1. Abasiah aforesaid the government, and destroyed all the said vessel, except Jaffa, a child of a year old, ver. 2, 3. 2. At for years end, by the agency of Jehoids, he is made king, ver. 4—12. 3. Abasiah is slain, ver. 13—16. 4. Both the rival and religious interests of the kingdom are well settled in the hands of Jaffa, ver. 17—21. 1. AND when Athaliah the mother of Abaziah said that her son was dead, she arose, and destroyed The first day of the year, 2. But Jehoſheba the daughter of king Joram, ſister of Ahaizah, took Joaſh the ſon of Ahaizah, and ſtole him from among the king's ſons which were ſlain; and they hid him, even him and his nurse in the bed-chamber from Athalia, ſo that he was not ſlain. 3. And he was with her hid in the houſe of the LORD, ſix years: and Athaliah did reign over the land. 9. 1—3. Never was royal blood ſo proſoſely ſpilt. Jehoram had ſtish his own brothers, 2 Chron. xxii. 4. The Atahian, all his ſons, except Ahaizah, 2 Chron. xxii. 1. Jeho his brother's children, chap. x. (4.) and now Athaliah feeks to enterminate the whole race, and but for the promile made to David, chap. viii. 19. had ſucceeded. Ambition to reign, ſtied her hard heart againſt her own offspring; and that the might have no rival to grow up to comſt the crown, the murders all her grandchildren. What devils ſecerates would the human race appear, and what an aceldams, a field of blood, would the earth be, but for the reſtraining grace of God? Joram's daughter, by another wife, who was married to the high-priſt, ſcatched one babe of Ahaizah's children from the bloody looſe; and with his nurse, hid him in one of the bed-chambers belonging to the priſts which attended the temple, while Athaliah peaceably for ſix years poſſeſſed the bloody crown, and ſerved ſcarleſs of a competitor. Note, (1.) The ſied of David's ſon, like the ſeed royal here, ſometimes are ſo reduced, that their place ſeems no where found; but God in the worth times will not ſuffer the lamp of his church utterly to be extinguished. (2.) Every believer who comes to his throne, may regard himſelf like Joaſh, a heard plucked from the burning. (3.) The ſinners appear ſecure in triumphant wickedness, their judgment lingreth not. 4. ¶ And the ſeventh year Jehoiada ſent and ſet the rulers over hundreds, with the captains, and the guard, and brought them to him into the houſe of the LORD, and made a covenant with them, and took an oath of them in the houſe of the LORD, and ſhewed them the king's ſon. 5. And he commanded them, ſaying, This is the thing that ye ſhall do; A third part of you that enter in on the ſabbath, ſhall even be keepers of the watch of the king's houſe: 6. And a third part ſhall be at the gate of Sur: and a third part at the gate behind the guard: ſo ſhall ye keep the watch of the houſe, that it be not broken down. 7. And two parts of all you, that go forth on the ſabbath, even they ſhall keep the watch of the houſe of the LORD about the king. 8. And ye ſhall compaſs the king round about, every man with his weapons in his hand: and he that cometh within the ranges, let him be ſlain; and he ye with the king, as he goeth out, and as he cometh in. 9. And the captains over the hundreds did according to all things that Jehoiada the priſt commanded: and they took every man his men that were to come in on the ſabbath, with them that ſhould go out on the ſabbath, and came to Jehoiada the priſt. 10. And to the captains over hundreds did the priſts give king David's ſpairs, and ſtielids that were in the temple of the LORD. 11. And the guard ſlood, every man with his weapons in his hand, round about the king, from the right corner of the temple, to the left corner of the temple, along by the altar and the temple. 12. And he brought forth the king's ſon, and put the crown upon him, and gave him the teſtimony, and they made him king, and anointed him, and they clapt their hands, and ſaid, † God ſave the king. 9. 4—12. When Athaliah by her idolatry and murders had now rendered herſelf juſlly odious, Jehoiada begins to prepare for the reſtoration of the rightful heir to the crown of Judah. 1. He concurs the plan of operations with his brethren the Levites, and their chief rulers; and having exacted from them an oath of ſecurey, ſhewed them the king. The ſabbath was eſholes for the execution of their deſign, when a new courſe coming in to relieve the other, would greatly ſtroughen their hands, without giving ſuſpicion. Theſe were ordered to the ſeveral poſts, part to guard the temple from profane intruders, or to prevent the entrance of Athaliah's partſans, part to furround the king for ſtate and ſecurity. 2. When all were fixed at their poſts, the king is brought forth, crowned and anointed with great ſolemnity, and the book of the law put into his hand, intimating that this muſl be the rule of his future coudoct. Immediately they who were present, rend the air with joyful acclamations, and with the king long to live; which the people now aſſembled in the court, joy-Vol. I. fully echo back. Note, (1.) Kings muſl know they are not ſtive law, but muſl be accountable to the King of kings. (2.) When Satan, the uſurper, is caſt down from the throne of the heart, and Jeſus exalted there, with exſultation well may we cry, Hoſanna to the Son of David. 13. ¶ And when Athaliah heard the houſe of the guard, and of the people, ſhe came to the people into the temple of the LORD. 14. And when ſhe looked, behold, the king ſlood by a pillar, as the manner was, and the priſtors, and the trumpeters by the king, and all the people of the land rejoiced, and blew with trumpets: and Athaliah rent her clothes, and cried, Teraion, treads. 15. But Jehoiada the priſt commanded the captains of the hundreds, the officers of the hoſt, and ſaid unto them, Have her forth without the ranges; and him that followeth her? All with the ſword. For the priſt had ſaid, Let her not be ſlain in the houſe of the LORD. 16. And they laid hands on her, and ſhe went by the way by the which the horſes came into the king's houſe, and there was ſhe's ſlain. 9. 13—16. Quickly theſe ſounds of unwelcome joy reached Athaliah's cars; and though ſhe ſeldom, it is to be feared, frequented the temple of the Lord, now ſhe haſtona thither, to enquire into the cauſe. 1. With ſurper and conſternation ſhe beholds the infant king ſtanding furrounded with his guards, and receiving the homage of his people, and tranſported with fury, cries out, Teraion. Vale cry? Who would eſpouſe her wicked cauſe, or help a bloody traitor againſt their rightful ſovereign? Note, (1.) When uſurper rails, loyalty will be called rebellion. (2.) They who are moſt criminal, are often the firſt to reproach the innocent. 2. Jehoiada orders her to be ſlain, as an idolater, murderer, and uſurper, and all who ſhould offer to aſſiſt her; but to take her out, that they might not doſile the temple with her blood. She is accordingly feized as the fled to the palace, and ſlain without teſſhance. Note, They who by inquiry rife to honour, though during their power they may ſeem to be adored; no sooner begin to fall, than they will ſee themſelves deſerted. 17. ¶ And Jehoiada made a covenant between the LORD, and the king and the people, that they ſhould be the LORD's people; between the king also and the people. 18. And all the people of the land went into the houſe of Baal, and brake it down, his altars and his images brake they in pieces throughly, and ſlew Mattan the priſt of Baal before the altars: and the priſt appointed officers over the houſe of the LORD. 19. And he took the rulers over hundreds, and the captains, and the guard, and all the people of the land, and they brought down the king from the houſe of the LORD, and came by the way of the gate of the guard to the king's houſe, and he ſat on the throne of the kings. 20. And all the people of the land rejoiced, and the city was in quiet; and they ſlew Athaliah with the ſword, beſide the king's houſe. 21. Seven years old was Jehoaſh when he began to reign. 9. 17—21. The way to the throne being opened, Jehoiada, amidſt the ſacces of his politicks, forgets not the greater interrel's of religion. 1. A ſolomen covenant is made between God, and the king and people. The high-priſt in God's name declaring his promiles, and they pledging their fidelity: then followed the mutual engagement between the prince and his ſubjects: he engaged to rule according to God's word; and they in return, according to the ſame word, promifing all dutiful allegiance. Note, (1.) They who firſt give themſelves to God, may comfortably hope for his bleſing upon their undertakings. (2.) That kingdom will be truly happy, where God's word is made the rule of the monarch's government, and of the people's obedience. 2. The people encouraged by this good example, teſtily their zeal againſt Baal's hated worſhip, break down his temple, images, altars, and ſiny Mattan, the idol-priſt, at the altar. And as Athaliah ſeems to have neglected the temple ſervice, order is there reſtured. Note, (1.) When religion comes in ſaſhion, every man will appear zealous. (2.) Order in the houſe of God is beautiful; but holneſs in the worſhippers, the greatest ornament of the ſervice. 3. The flate is now comfortably ſertled, the king goes to his palace, to ſit on the throne of his anceſitors, and the people rejoice in his reſtoration; promifing themſelves peace under the government of a prince, who had ſo good a man as Jehoiada for his guardian and inſtructor. 5 N CHAP. 11. 1. IN the seventh year of Jehu, Jehoaib began to reign; and forty years reigned he in Jerusalem; and his mother's name was Zithiah of Beer-theba. 2. And Jehoaib did that which was right in the fight of the LORD all his days, wherein Jehoiada the priest instructed him. 3. But the high places were not taken away; the people still sacrificed and burnt incense in the high places. Very promising were the beginnings of this minority. Under Jehoiada's instructions, Jehoaib cleaved to the true worthy of God, and continued steadfast as long as Jehoiada lived. Howbeit, custom had so established the high places, which were used for sacrifices before the temple was built, that Jehoiada either could not, or dared not attempt this reformation. Note, (1.) The greatest mercy that a child can be blest with, is a poum tutor; but whilst the great are so solicitous to have their sons educated in every human accomplishment, how few concern themselves about their being taught what it right is the fight of the Lord? (2.) Old and evil customs are hard to be eradicated. 4 Chap. xxii. 4. 7 Heb. Heineffen, 7. Exod. xxii. 7. 7 Lev. xxii. 7. 8 Exod. xxii. 8. Exod. xxii. 5. (Chron. xxiv. 9, 8. Exo. xx. 12. 8. xii. 13. 2, 6. 5 Mark xii. 41. 7 Heb. Therauld, Phil. Iann. 10. 7 Chap. xii. 6. 8 Ibid. xxii. 5. 9 Heb. Brought in forth. 1 Chom. xxiv. 14. w 1 Kings vii. 20. 7 Nam. 1. a Chap. xxii. 7. 9 Heb. In math. Not vii. 8. 7 Lev. xii. 7. Nam. xxiv. 9. 4. And Jehoaib said to the priests, 'All the money of the + dedicated things that is brought into the house of the LORD, even' the money of every one that passed the account, the money that every man is set at, and all the money that cometh into any man's heart to bring into the house of the LORD. 5. Let the priests take it to them, every man of his acquaintance, and let them repair the breaches of the house, wheresoever any breach shall be found. 6. But it was so, that in the three and twentieth year of king Jehoaib, the priests had not repaired the breaches of the house. 7. Then king Jehoaib called for Jehoiada the priest, and the other priests, and said unto them, Why repair ye not the breaches of the house? now therefore receive no more money of your acquaintance, but deliver it for the breaches of the house. 8. And the priests consented to receive no more money of the people, neither to repair the breaches of the house. 9. But Jehoiada the priest took a chest, and bored a hole in the lid of it, and set it beside the altar on the right side, as one cometh into the house of the LORD; and the priests that kept the g door, put there, in all the money that was brought into the house of the LORD. 10. And it was so, when they saw that there was much money in the chest, that the king's shrine, and the high priest came up, and they put up in bags, and told the money that was found in the house of the LORD. 11. And they gave the money, being told, into the hands of them that did the work, that had the oversight of the house of the LORD: and they laid it out to the carpenters and builders, that wrought upon the house of the LORD. 12. And to melons, and bevers of those, and to buy timber, and hewed stone to repair the breaches of the house of the LORD, and for all that was laid out for the house to repair it. 13. Howbeit, there were not made for the house of the LORD, "bowls of silver, snuffers, babons," trumpets, any vessels of gold, or vessels of silver, of the money that was brought into the house of the LORD. 14. But they gave that to the workmen, and repaired therewith the house of the LORD. 15. Moreover, they reckoned not with the men, into whose hand they delivered the money to be bestowed on workmen: for they dealt g faithfully. 16. The trespass-money, and sin-money was not brought into the house of the LORD: it was the priests. 1. IN the second year of Josph son of Jehoahaz king of Israel, reigned 'Amaziah the son of Josph king of Judah. 2. He was twenty and five years old when he began to reign, and reigned twenty and nine years in Jerusalem: and his mother's name was Jehoaddan of Jerusalem. 3. And 'he did that which was right in the fight of the LORD, yet not like David his father: he did according to all things as Josph his father did. 4. Howbeit, the high places were not taken away: as yet the people did sacrifice, and burnt incense on the high places. 5. ¶ And it came to pass as soon as the kingdom was confirmed in his hand, that 'he flew his servants which had 'flain the king his father. 6. But the children of the murderers he flew not; according unto that which is written in the book of the law of Moses, wherein the LORD commanded, saying, 'The fathers shall not be put to death for the children, nor the children be put to death for the fathers: but every man shall be put to death for his own sin. 7. He flew of Edom in 'the valley of Salt, ten thousand, and took Selah by war, and called the name of it Joktheel, unto this day. Amaziah succeeded his father Josph in Judah, and followed his ways; began well, but ended ill. 1. He externally kept up the worship of God, but his heart was not right with him, as David's. The high places also he suffered to remain. Nate, Outward formality may pass upon men; but God requires the heart. 2. He justly punished the conspirators against his father, as soon as he was well fixed on the throne. Their children, however, he flew not, according to the law, Deut. xxiv. 16. Nate, Though blood sleeps for a while, vengeance will at last overtake the murderer. 3. In his war against Edom, which had revolted, he was successful, vanquished them in battle, and took Selah, which he called Joktheel. 8. ¶ Then Amaziah sent messengers to Jehoah the son of Jehoahaz, son of Jehu king of Israel, saying, 'Come, let us look one another in the face. 9. And Jehoah the king of Israel sent to Amaziah king of Judah, saying, 'The thistle that was in Lebanon, sent to the cedar that was in Lebanon, saying, Give thy daughter to my son to wife: and there passed by a wild beak that was in Lebanon, and trode down the thistle. 10. Thou hast indeed smitten Edom, and 'thine heart hath lifted thee up: glory of this, and tarry at home: for 'why thou hast thou meddle to thy hurt, that thou thou hast fall, even thou, and Judah with thee? 11. But Amaziah 'would not hear: therefore Jehoah king of Israel went up, and he, and Amaziah king of Judah looked one another in the face at Beth-shemeh, which belonged to Judah. 12. And Judah was put to the worke before Israel, and they fled every man to their tents. 13. And Jehoah king of Israel 'took Amaziah king of Judah, the son of Jehoah the son of Ahaziah at Beth-shemeh, and came to Jerusalem, and brake down the wall of Jerusalem, from 'the gate of Ephraim, unto 'the corner gate, four hundred cubits. 14. And he took all the gold and silver, and 'all the vessels that were found in the house of the LORD, and in the treasures of the king's house, and hostages, and returned to Samaria. The temple of the Lord was gone out of repair, not so much by natural decay, as by the violence suffered it by Athabiah, and her ungodly sons, 2 Chron. xxiv. 7. And the priests it should seem were not careful to repair it, perhaps unable, the defection of the ten others having greatly lessened their provision. 1. The king therefore, whether for God's glory, or in gra- strude for his preservation there, solicitous to see it repaired and beautified, orders a collection to be made through the cities, and the redemption-money, Exod. xxv. 13. to be applied to repair the breaches. Note, (1.) When God's house goes to decay, it is a sign the priests want and for the service. (2.) They who are great, should be encourages of godliness, and excite to diligence, and affil with their influence the ministers of the sanctuary. 2. The expedient did not answer; either the people were backward, or the priests negligent or unfaithful. In the 23d year the breaches remained, and the king justly reproves them for it. The priests therefore consented to give up the matter into the king's hand, and Jehoiada, at his command, made a chest, into which the redemption-money and farewell offerings were to be put. Thither, no proclamation made, (see 2 Chron. xxiv. 9.) the people liberally brought their contributions; and when there was much money in it, to avoid all solemnies of dishonesty, the high-priest and secretary of State counted the sum, and laid it up in bags, till enough was collected. Note, (1.) They who profess great zeal for religion, are often backward enough to part from their money for the support of it. (2.) When priests give solemnies of their love of filthy lucre, no wonder the people with-hold their hand. (3.) Approved fidelity in the distribution, will encourage liberal contribution. 3. The money being ready, the preparation go forward; and so faithful were the overseers, that their accounts needed no examination. What they laid out at first was only for use, not ornament; but afterwards, (see 2 Chron. xxiv. 14.) when they found enough left, they added vessels of gold and silver, instead of those Athabiah had taken away, 2 Chron. xxiv. 7. Note, Church work is generally ill done, and long in hand; for to rob the church or the public is seldom thought criminal: but an honest man fears God, and therefore acts uprightly. 4. The maintenance of the priests was not neglected amidst the repairs of the temple, v. 10. They who are to serve at the altar, must live by the altar. 17. Then Hazael king of Syria went up, and fought against Gath, and took it: and Hazael set his face to go up to Jerusalem. 18. And Jehoaib king of Judah took all the hallowed things that Jehoahaphat, and Jehoram, and Ahaniah his fathers, kings of Judah, had dedicated, and his own hallowed things, and all the gold that was found in the treasures of the house of the LORD, and in the king's house, and sent it to Hazael king of Syria, and he went away from Jerusalem. 19. And the rest of the acts of Joafs, and all that he did, are they not written in the book of the chronicles of the kings of Judah? 20. And his servants arose, and made a conspiracy, and flew Joafs in the house of Miffa, which goeth down to Silla. 21. For Joachar the son of Shimazah, and Jehorabad the son of Shomer, his servants, froose him, and he died; and they buried him with his fathers in the city of David, and Amaziah his son reigned in his stead. Vain on his victory over Edom, or perhaps to revenge the daughter made by the Israelites, whom he had dismissed from his army, 2 Chron. xxv. 13. Amaziah, 1. Sends a challenge to Josph king of Israel to meet him in the field, little suspecting the consequence of his foolish bravado. Nate, They who begin a quarrel, deserve to suffer for it. 2. Josph treats his message with great contempt, compares himself to a cedar, and Amaziah to a thistle; intimates that he would have thought any alliance with him disgraceful, and could treat him under foot, as easily as a wild beak does the thistle; therefore admits him to repress the vanity of his heart on his late trivial success, and not meddle to his harm. Nate, (1.) They who are proud, will meet with those who take a pleasure to mortify them. (2.) Vain minds swell with success, and usually destroy themselves by attempting things to which they are unequal. (3.) It is fully to despite good advice, though 3. Amaziah was too obstinate to be advised, and therefore rushes on his ruin, is routed, taken prisoner, led in triumph to his own capital, which the victor entered; and, after plundering the city and temple of every thing valuable, and breaking down a great part of the wall, left the place defenceless, and took hostages of Amaziah to keep him in subjection. Thus, whilst Ephraim vowed Judah, and Judah Ephraim, they opened an easier door of conquest for their common fors. Nate, The quarrels and divisions of God's people give the greatest advantage to their enemies. 15. ¶ Now the rest of the acts of Jehoah which he did, and his might, and how he fought with Amaziah king of Judah, are they not written in the book of the chronicles of the kings of Israel? 16. And Jehoah's slept with his fathers, and was buried in Samaria with the kings of Israel, and Jeroboam his son reigned in his stead. 17. ¶ And Amaziah the son of Josph king of Judah, lived after the death of Jehoah's son of Jehoahaz king of Israel, fifteen years. 18. And the rest of the acts of Amaziah, are they not written in the book of the chronicles of the kings of Judah? 19. Now they made a conspiracy against him in Jerusalem: and he fled to Lachith, but they sent after him to Lachith, and flew him there. 20. And they brought him on hostess, and he was buried at Jerusalem with his fathers in the city of David. 21. ¶ And all the people of Judah took Azairah (which was sixteen years old) and made him king instead of his father Amaziah. 22. He built Elath, and restored it to Judah, after that the king slept with his fathers. Jehoah's death and burial was mentioned, chap. xiii. 12. after his conquests above recorded, it is again repeated. Amaziah, his late prisoner, survived him fifteen years, whose ill conduct and ill success provoked his subjects to conspire against him. He flew to Lachith for refuge, but they pursued and flew him there. His son, who was a minor of sixteen, succeeded him, and built Elath, a city on the Red Sea, which his father had recovered from the Edomites, annexing it to the crown of Judah. Nate, (1.) They who govern ill, must blame themselves for the discontent their conduct produces. (2.) Every refuge a sinner dies to will be vain to protect him from the sword of judgment. 23. ¶ In the fifteenth year of Amaziah, the son of Josph king of Judah, Jeroboam the son of Josph king of Israel began to reign in Samaria, and reigned forty and one years. 24. And 'he did that which was evil in the fight of the LORD: he departed not from all the sins of Jeroboam the son of Nehat, who made Israel to sin. 25. He restored 'the coast of Israel from the entering of Hamath, unto the sea of the plain, according to the word of the LORD God of Israel, which he spake by the hand of his servant' Jonah the son of Amittai, the prophet, which was of Gath-hepher. 26. For 'the LORD saw the affliction of Israel, that it was very bitter: for 'there was not any shut up, nor any left, nor any helper for Israel. 27. And the LORD said not that he would blot out the name of Israel from under heaven: but he saved them by the hand of Jeroboam the son of Josph. 28. ¶ Now the rest of the acts of Jeroboam, and all that he did, and his might, how he warned, and how he recovered Damascus, and Hamath, which belonged to Judah, for Israel, are they not written in the book of the chronicles of the kings of Israel? 29. And Jeroboam slept with his fathers, even with the kings of Israel; and Zachariah his son reigned in his stead. Jehoiada being dead, and Joafs spoilate, God visits him with a severe courage. 1. Hazael king of Syria, after the capture of Gath, prepares for the siege of Jerusalem; and Joafs now having deserted God, and being justly deserted by him, instead of returning to seek his favour, by robbing his temple endeavours to bribe his enemy. An impolitic contrivance, which only tempted the Syrians to a speedy return, 2 Chron. xxiv. Note, They who forsake God, grow foolish in their imaginations, and hullen their ruin by the means they use to avert it. 2. His wickedness and cruelty exasperated his subjects, and two of his servants conspired against him, and flew him. Thus ingloriously ended that reign, so promisingly begun. Note, Apollates from God, as they bring greater dishonour upon religion than others, may expect to be visited with God's heavy hand.