Jotham reigneth well. 1 Jotham was twenty and five years old when he began to reign, and he reigned sixteen years in Jerusalem. His mother's name also was Jerushah, the daughter of Zadok. 2 And he did that which was right in the sight of the LORD, according to all that his father Uzziah did: howbeit he entered not into the temple of the LORD. And the people did yet corruptly. 3 He built the high gate of the house of the LORD, and on the wall of Ophel he built much. 4 Moreover he built cities in the mountains of Judah, and in the forests he built castles and towers. dren of Ammon gave him the same year an hundred talents of silver, and ten thousand measures of wheat, and ten thousand of barley. So much did the children of Ammon pay unto him, both the second year, and the third. 6 So Jotham became mighty, because he prepared his ways before the LORD his God. 7 Now the rest of the acts of Jotham, and all his wars, and his ways, lo, they are written in the book of the kings of Israel and Judah. 8 He was five and twenty years old when he began to reign, and reigned sixteen years in Jerusalem. 9 And Jotham slept with his fathers, and they buried him in the city of David: and Ahaz his son reigned in his stead. LECTURE 705. 5 He fought also with the king of the Ammonites, and prevailed against them. And the chil Private virtue is public strength. Though but little is here told us concerning the reign of Jotham, that little is highly to his honour. And it is remarkable, that no one thing is here laid to his charge, as done contrary to God's commandments. This is no common case in sacred history, which is designed to instruct us, not only by setting forth the good deeds of God's servants for our encouragement, but also by relating their sins for our warning. Some blame may perhaps appear to be intended, when it is said that "the people did yet corruptly." For it may be implied that Jotham ought to have checked, chastised, and prevented them. But these words are quite as likely to mean, that the people did corruptly notwithstanding the example of the king, and in spite of his kingly authority. And if this were so, it may rather add to his praise, that he continued stedfast in the service of the Lord, when all around him were so apt to turn away from God's worship to a religion of their own devising. It is mentioned to the praise of Jotham, that "he did that which was right in the sight of the Lord, according to all that his father Uzziah did: howbeit he entered not into the temple of the Lord." He was like his father in all that his father did aright. But he was not like his father in the unholy attempt to burn incense in God's temple. He would not arrogate to himself an office which did not belong to him. And though he doubtless resorted to the temple as a worshipper, he never entered into it as an irreverent intruder. His father's leprosy was indeed a warning not easily forgotten. But the temptation was greater than we should be apt to suppose, unless we bear in mind, that it was very common in those times for the same person to be both king and priest, and that this was a great source of power amongst the superstitious heathen, and that it might well appear to an ambitious king of Judah a likely means to strengthen him in his kingdom. But Jotham found a better way of strength than this. He "became mighty, because he prepared his ways before the Lord his God." No wonder that he prospered in all the works he undertook during his years of peace. No wonder that he was victorious in his wars. "He prepared his ways before the Lord his God." When will Christian sovereigns take words like these for their rule of greatness; for their principle of strength? When will they be persuaded, that the only power which it is really well for one man to have over his fellows, is the power that is exerted for the general good? When will they become aware, that the only adequate security for their exerting their power for the good of their subjects, is that they prepare their ways before the Lord their God? By the constitution of our own country, there is scarcely any one who has not some influence, directly or indirectly, in the affairs of state. Whether this be or be not upon the whole productive of private happiness, it certainly makes it every man's duty to understand the principles, on which he may use aright such influence as he has. Let all then take note, that in order for the nation to be really strong, its rulers must follow the example of Jotham, its public national acts must be done upon the principle which regulated his. And let all observe, that the best way to attain this object, is for every one to act upon this principle in his own personal conduct. In some countries the measures of the rulers may be little influenced by the principles of their subjects. But in our own it cannot fail to come to pass, that the larger is the proportion of those who prepare their ways before the Lord, there is so much the higher probability, that the nation will do the like in its national capacity. Thus private virtue will be found the chief source of public strength. And he will be in every sense the best lover of his country, who is the most faithful servant of his God. Ahaz reigneth most wickedly. 1 Ahaz was twenty years old when he began to reign, and he reigned sixteen years in Jerusalem: but he did not that which was right in the sight of the LORD, like David his father: 2 For he walked in the ways of the kings of Israel, and made also molten images for Baalim. 3 Moreover he burnt incense in the valley of the son of Hinnom, and burnt his children in the fire, after the abominations of the heathen whom the LORD had cast out before the children of Israel. 4 He sacrificed also and burnt incense in the high places, and on the hills, and under every green tree. 5 Wherefore the LORD his God delivered him into the hand of the king of Syria; and they smote him, and carried away a great multitude of them captives, and brought them to Damascus. And he was also delivered into the hand of the king of Israel, who smote him with a great slaughter. 6 For Pekah the son of Remaliah slew in Judah an hundred and twenty thousand in one day, which were all valiant men; because they had forsaken the LORD God of their fathers. 7 And Zichri, a mighty man of Ephraim, slew Maaseiah the king's son, and Azrikam the governor of the house, and Elkanah that was next to the king. 8 And the children of Israel carried away captive of their brethren two hundred thousand, women, sons, and daughters, and took also away much spoil from them, and brought the spoil to Samaria. 9 But a prophet of the LORD was there, whose name was Oded: and he went out before the host that came to Samaria, and said unto them, Behold, because the LORD God of your fathers was wroth with Judah, he hath delivered them into your hand, and ye have slain them in a rage that reacheth up unto heaven. 10 And now ye purpose to keep under the children of Judah and Jerusalem for bondmen and bondwomen unto you: but are there not with you, even with you, sins against the LORD your God? 11 Now hear me therefore, and deliver the captives again, which ye have taken captive of your brethren: for the fierce wrath of the LORD is upon you. 12 Then certain of the heads of the children of Ephraim, Azariah the son of Johanan, Berechiah the son of Meshillemoth, and Jehizkiah the son of Shallum, and Amasa the son of Hadlai, stood up against them that came from the war, 13 And said unto them, Ye shall not bring in the captives hither: for whereas we have offended against the LORD already, ye intend to add more to our sins and to our trespass: for our trespass is great, and there is fierce wrath against Israel. 14 So the armed men left the captives and the spoil before the princes and all the congregation. 15 And the men which were expressed by name rose up, and took the captives, and with the spoil clothed all that were naked among them, and arrayed them, and shod them, and gave them to eat and to drink, and anoint ed them, and carried all the feeble of them upon asses, and brought them to Jericho, the city of palm trees, to their brethren: then they returned to Samaria. 16 At that time did king Ahaz send unto the kings of Assyria to help him. 17 For again the Edomites had come and smitten Judah, and carried away captives. 18 The Philistines also had invaded the cities of the low country, and of the south of Judah, and had taken Beth-shemesh, and Ajalon, and Gederoth, and Shocho with the villages thereof, and Timnah with the villages thereof, Gimzo also and the villages thereof: and they dwelt there. 19 For the LORD brought Judah low because of Ahaz king of Israel; for he made Judah naked, and transgressed sore against the LORD. 20 And Tilgath-pilneser king of Assyria came unto him, and distressed him, but strengthened him not. 22 And in the time of his distress did he trespass yet more against the LORD: this is that king Ahaz. : 23 For he sacrificed unto the gods of Damascus, which smote him and he said, Because the gods of the kings of Syria help them, therefore will I sacrifice to them, that they may help me.. But they were the ruin of him, and of all Israel. 24 And Ahaz gathered together the vessels of the house of God, and cut in pieces the vessels of the house of God, and shut up the doors of the house of the LORD, and he made him altars in every corner of Jerusalem. 25 And in every several city of Judah he made high places to burn incense unto other gods, and provoked to anger the LORD God of his fathers. 26 Now the rest of his acts and of all his ways, first and last, behold, they are written in the book of the kings of Judah and Israel. 27 And Ahaz slept with his fathers, and they buried him in the city, even in Jerusalem: but they brought him not into the sepulchres of the kings of Israel and Hezekiah his son reigned in his stead. LECTURE 706. 21 For Ahaz took away a portion out of the house of the LORD, and out of the house of the king, and of the princes, and gave it unto the king of Assyria: but he helped him not. : Mercy reserved for the merciful. Even Israel, ripe as Israel now was for judgment, here shews fair by comparison with Judah. For Israel was not only allowed to be a means of taking vengeance for the Lord, but it was invested also with the higher honour, of shewing mercy according to the word of his commandment. It is most refreshing to learn, that there were thus amongst them, in their last hours, some who so readily obeyed a prophet of the Lord. And considering how soon afterwards their whole nation was destroyed, it is most consoling to reflect, that there is yet ample season, in another world, for God to fulfil in them his gracious words, "Blessed are the merciful for they shall obtain mercy." Matt. 5. 7. : Hezekiah beginneth to restore the service of God. 1 Hezekiah began to reign when he was five and twenty years old, and he reigned nine and twenty years in Jerusalem. And his mother's name was Abijah, the daughter of Zechariah. 2 And he did that which was right in the sight of the LORD, according to all that David his father had done. 3 He in the first year of his reign, in the first month, opened the doors of the house of the LORD, and repaired them. 4 And he brought in the priests and the Levites, and gathered them together into the east street. 5 And said unto them, Hear me, ye Levites, sanctify now yourselves, and sanctify the house of the LORD God of your fathers, and carry forth the filthiness out of the holy place. 6 For our fathers have trespassed, and done that which was evil in the eyes of the LORD our God, and have forsaken him, and have turned away their faces from the habitation of the LORD, and turned their backs. 7 Also they have shut up the doors of the porch, and put out the lamps, and have not burned incense nor offered burnt offerings in the holy place unto the God of Israel. 8 Wherefore the wrath of the LORD was upon Judah and Jerusalem, and he hath delivered them to trouble, to astonishment, and to hissing, as ye see with your eyes. 9 For, lo, our fathers have fallen by the sword, and our sons and our daughters and our wives are in captivity for this. 10 Now it is in mine heart to make a covenant with the LORD God of Israel, that his fierce wrath may turn away from us. 11 My sons, be not now negligent: for the LORD hath chosen you to stand before him, to serve him, and that ye should minister unto him, and burn incense. 12 Then the Levites arose, Mahath the son of Amasai, and Joel the son of Azariah, of the sons of the Kohathites: and of the sons of Merari, Kish the son of Abdi, and Azariah the son of Jehalelel: and of the Gershonites; Joah the son of Zimmah, and Eden the son of Joah: 13 And of the sons of Elizaphan; Shimri, and Jeiel: and of the sons of Asaph; Zechariah, and Mattaniah: 14 And of the sons of Heman; Jehiel, and Shimei: and of the sons of Jeduthun; Shemaiah, and Uzziel. 15 And they gathered their brethren, and sanctified themselves, and came, according to the commandment of the king, by the words of the LORD, to cleanse the house of the LORD. 16 And the priests went into the inner part of the house of the LORD, to cleanse it, and brought out all the uncleanness that they found in the temple of the LORD into the court of the house of the LORD. And the Levites took it, to carry it out abroad into the brook Kidron. 17 Now they began on the first day of the first month to sanctify, and on the eighth day of the month came they to the porch of the LORD: so they |