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him in the city of David, but not in the sepulchres of

the kings.

ANNOTATIONS AND REFLECTIONS.

In order to connect the history of Judah, it will be neccessary to read over again, before we proceed, the section which contains the latter part of the reign of king Jehoshaphat*.

Jehoram had borne a share in the government with his father for four years before the death of Jehoshaphat We have already read, that he was married to Ahab's daughter; and now we are informed of the unhappy consequences of this improper alliance; for we may conclude that it was at the instigation of Athaliah, that Jehoram slew his brethren, and introduced the worship of Baal again into Jerusalem.

It was natural to expect, that the judgments of Goo would follow this wickedness; and accordingly we find the Edomites refused to pay the usual tribute, and set up a king of their own. This revolt completed the prediction of Isaac, that Esau's posterity should shake off the yoke of Jacob; which they did so effectually, that the Jews entirely lost their dominion of them. Libnah also threw off its allegiance, and the Philistines and Arabians ravaged the country, plundered the king's palace, and even carried away his wives and children.

It is not easy to account for Elijah's sending a writing to Jehoram. It is supposed that the word Elisha should be put instead of Elijah. This wicked king was permitted to reign but a short time, and his death was evidently a judgment for his sins, since the manner of it agreed exactly with the prophet's prediction.

The gracious care of God for perpetuating the kingdom of Judah and the house of David, in remembrance

* Section lavi.

of his covenant, was remarkably displayed. It certainly was for David's sake that such wicked kings were endured. For many generations, his name, by a succession of monarchs descended from him, was kept up bright and illustrious, as a lamp is kept burning by a constant supply of fresh oil; and we shall read, that even when the king and people of Judah had so highly provoked the LORD, that he suffered them to be carried away from their own land, the name of David was still honoured, by promises of future and everlasting glory, through a prince descended from him and his family was preserved, and his tribe had the pre-eminence, till the coming of the Messiah.

We are told that Jehoram died without being desired; by which we may understand, that he was hated by his people, who neither wished for his life, nor lamented his death. It appears that the people had fallen into the custom of burning dead bodies, like some of the heathen.

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AND the inhabitants of Jerusalem made Ahaziah Jehoram's youngest son king in his stead. For the band of men that came with the Arabians to the camp had slain all the eldest. So Ahaziah the son of Jehoram king of Judah reigned.

Forty and two years old was Ahaziah when he began

* 2 Chron. xxii. 6.

+ 2 Chron. xxi. 17, and xxv. 23.

to

to reign, and he reigned one year in Jerusalem. His mother's name also was Athaliah the daughter of

Omri.

He also walked in the ways of the house of Ahab: for his mother was his counsellor to do wickedly.

Wherefore he did evil in the sight of the LORD, like the house of Ahab for they were his counsellors after the death of his father to his destruction.

ANNOTATIONS AND REFLECTIONS.

The history of king Ahaziah is so interwoven with that of Jehoram king of Israel, that it is difficult to separate them. He is said to have been forty-two years old when he began to reign; but this he could not be, according to his father'ssage; it is therefore supposed by the learned, that there is some error in transcribing this passage, and that he was only twenty-two years old...?

Notwithstanding Jehoram's life was preserved by the particular Providence of GOD, when all his brethren were slain, he suffered himself to be influenced by bad counsel and example to do wickedly. One would have. supposed that the heavy judgments› which had so lately been inflicted on his father, would have made some impression on the mind of Ahaziah; but he seems to have been a confirmed idolator, and to have been educated in an habitual defiance and hatred of the LORD, from his very infancy.

We must now return to the history of the kings of Israel.

SECTION

SECTION LXXIV,

THE REIGN OF JEHU KING OF ISRAEL THE DEATHS OF JEZEBEL, JEHORAM KING OF ISRAEL, AND AHAZIAH KING OF JUDAH.

From 2 Chron. Chap. xxii.-2 Kings, Chap. ix.

AND Ahaziah king of Judah went with Jehoram the son of Ahab, to the war against Hazael king of Syria in Ramoth-gilead and the Syrians wounded Jehoram.

And king Jehoram went back to be healed in Jezreel of the wounds which the Syrians had given him at Ra mah, when he fought against Hazael king of Syria. And Ahaziah king of Judah went down to see Jehoram the son of Ahab in Jezreel, because he was sick.

And Elisha the prophet called one of the children of the prophets, and said unto him, Gird up thy loins, and take this box of oil in thine hand, and go to Ramothgilead.

And when thou comest thither, look out there Jehu the son of Jehoshaphat, the son of Nimshi, and go in, and make him arise up from among his brethren, and carry him to an inner chamber.

Then take the box of oil, and pour it on his head, and say, Thus saith the LORD, I have anointed thee king over Israel: then open the door, and flee, and tarry not.

So the young man, even the young man the prophet, went to Ramoth-gilead.

And when he c `came, behold the captains of the host were sitting; and he said, I have an errand to thee, O Captain. And Jehu said, Unto which of all us? and he said, To thee, O Captain.

And he arose, and went into the house: and he poured

the

the oil on his head, and said unto him, Thus saith the LORD GOD of Israel, I have anointed thee king over the people of the LORD, even over Israel."

And thou shalt smite the house of Ahab thy master,

that I may avenge the blood of my servants the prophets, and the blood of all the servants of the LORD, at the hand of Jezebel. For the whole house of Ahab shall perish.

And I will make the race of Ahab like the house of Jeroboam the son of Nebat, and like the house of Baasha the son of Ahijah.

And the dogs shall eat Jezebel in the portion of Jezreel, and there shall be none to bury her. And he opened the door and fled.

Then Jehu came forth to the servants of his lord: and one said unto him, Is all well? wherefore came this mad fellow to thee? and he said unto them, Ye know the man and his communication.

And they said, It is false tell us now. And he said, Thus and thus spake he to me, saying, Thus saith the LORD, I have anointed thee king over Israel.

Then they hasted, and took every man his garment, and

put it under him on the top of the stairs, and blew with trumpets, saying, Jehu is king.

So Jehu the son of Nimshi conspired against Jehoram, and Jehu said, If it be your minds let none go forth nor escape out of the city to go tell it in Jezreel.

So Jehu rode in a chariot, and went to Jezreel: for
And Ahaziah king of Judah was

Jehoram lay there.

come down to see Jehoram.

And there stood a watchman on the tower in Jezreel, and he spied the company of Jehu as he came, and said, I see a company.

And Jehoram said, Take an horseman and send to

meet

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