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and sacrificed unto their gods; and thus did evil in the sight of Jehovah; and went not fully after Jehovah, as did David, his father.*

The anger of Jehovah was, therefore, excited against this highly favoured servant, as well indeed it might, wherefore he said unto him, Forasmuch as this is done of thee, and thou hast not kept my covenant and my statutes, which I have commanded thee, I will surely rend the kingdom from thee, and will give it to thy servant. Notwithstanding, in thy days I will not do it, for David thy father's sake; but I will rend it out of the hand of thy son. Howbeit, I will not rend away all the kingdom: but will give one tribe to thy son for David my servant's sake,† and for Jerusalem's sake, which I have chosen; thus, however, in judgment remembering mercy, and his loving kindness to David.

In execution of this solemn sentence, several of the neighbouring princes were allowed to harass Solomon during the remainder of his days, and to destroy the tranquillity of his latter end; viz: Hadad,§ the Edomite,

* 1 Kings, xi. 1-8. See a curious plate of all these idols, in Fuller's Pisgah Sight of Canaan, p. 123.

+ The prevailing lion must come out of the tribe of Judah: not only the tribe must be preserved, but the regal line, and the regal right. All this must be done for the true David's sake: and this was undoubtedly what God had in view, by thus miraculously preserving the tribe of Judah, and the royal line, in the midst of so general a defection. A. CLARKE.

1 Kings, xi. 11-13.

It came to pass when David was in Edom, and Joab, the captain of the host, was gone up to bury the slain, after he had smitten every male in Edom, (for six months did Joab remain there with all Israel, after he had cut off every male in Edom,) that Hadad fled, he, and certain Edomites of his father's servants with him, to go into Egypt; Hadad being yet a little child. And they arose out of Midian, and came to Paran; and they took men with them out of Paran, and they came to Egypt, unto Pharaoh, king of Egypt; who gave him an

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.

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years old when

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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,

132

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

The anger of Jehovah was, the highly favoured servant, as well he said unto him, Forasmuch as th hast not kept my covenant and commanded thee, I will surely re and will give it to thy servant. N I will not do it, for David thy fath Ho it out of the hand of thy son. all the kingdom: but will give on my servant's sake,† and for Jeru chosen; thus, however, in judg and his loving kindness to David. In execution of this solemn neighbouring princes were all the remainder of his during tranquillity of his latter end; vi.

* 1 Kings, xi. 1–8. See a curious pl

ler's Pisgah Sight of (

The prevailing lion must come o only the tribe must be preserved, bu right. All this must be done for the was undoubtedly what God had in við serving the tribe of Judah, and the general a defection. A. CLARKE.

‡ 1 Kings, xi. 1

It came to pass when David was i of the host, was gone up to bury the sla male in Edom, (for six months did Joa after he had cut off every male in Ed certain Edomites of his father's servan Hadad being yet a little child. And t came to Paran; and they took men wit came to Egypt, unto Pharaoh, king

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