spring of the waters, and cast the salt in there, and said, Thus saith the LORD, I have healed these waters; there shall not be 22 from thence any more death or barren [land.] So the waters were healed unto this day, according to the saying of Elisha which he spake. Hereby Elisha's character and authority were confirmed. This was a miracle of mercy, the next, of judgment.

23

And he went up from thence unto Bethel, to comfort them under the loss of Elijah, and to show that he was his successor : and as he was going up by the way, there came forth little children out of the city, young men, capable of knowing good and evil, and mocked him, and said unto him, Go up, thou baldhead; go 24 up, thou baldhead.* And he turned back, and looked on them, and cursed them in the name of the LORD, by an immediate impulse from him. And there came forth two she bears out of the 25 wood, and tear forty and two children of them. And he went from thence to mount Carmel, to spend some time in meditation and prayer; and from thence he returned to Samaria, to more active scenes of business and duty.

1.

REFLECTIONS.

HEN saints and faithful prophets die, it is an unspeak able comfort for us to think that God lives. Elijah is gone, but Elijah's God still lives, and we know where to find him. Let us seek him, and live near to him. In vain do we put on the prophet's mantle, without the prophet's God. The garments, estates, and books of predecessors avail nothing, if we have not their God. If we are followers of them, who through faith and patience are now inheriting the promises, their God will be our guide even unto death, and our God for ever and ever.

2. Let this awful story be a warning to children and young people. It can hardly be doubted but that this is one end God intended should be answered by it. Take care of your words; do not mock people for their infirmities; especially the aged and infirm. If you scoff at his people and ministers, God hears, and will punish those who do so. Parents should often warn their children of this danger, lest they suffer in their children's sufferings, as these idolaters did. We can never expect good from those children whose education is neglected. It is in vain to grieve for miscarriages which their care might have prevented. Train up a child in the way he should go, and when he is old he will not depart from it.

Bethel was the seat of Ahab's idolatry; and the people were so degenerafé as to have ☛ particular contempt for the Lord's prophets. It is probable that they sent out these children to insult Elisha, and make a jest of his natural infirmity: accordingly, they called him an old baldpated fool, and bid him get up to heaven after his master, for they did not want his com pany there. They were vexed to have a college or divinity school among them, and were used to revile the prophets and students. This discovered rooted impiety, and a settled aver sion to God's prophets.

The bears destroying so many, proves that they were executioners of the divine vengeance; for two or three children would have satisfied their hunger, and the rest would have escaped. An awful providence, designed to awaken a sense of religion in the minds of thos idolaters; to promote their veneration for the prophet; to impress the rising generation with religious fear, as the death of these children was so terrible; and to lead them all to argue, that if the children were slain for only mocking God's prophet, how much more shall grown up persons be punished for continually persecuting and killing them.

CHAP. III.

A war between Jehoram and his allies and Moab; the strait to which they were reduced, and their deliverance; with their complete victory over the Moabites.

I

TOW Jehoram the son of Ahab began to reign over Israel in Samaria, the eighteenth year of Jehoshaphat king of 2 Judah, and reigned twelve years. And he wrought evil in the sight of the LORD; but not like his father, and like his mother: for he put away the image of Baal that his father had made; alarmed by what had befallen his father and brother, and by war breaking out, he removed the image of Baal; and Jezebel his mother submitted to this, being struck with the calamities that were 3 coming upon the family. Nevertheless he cleaved unto the sins of Jeroboam the son of Nebat, which made Israel to sin; he departed not therefrom; he left the calves standing, because that was the support of their devotion.

4

And Mesha king of Moab was a sheep master, and rendered unto the king of Israel an hundred thousand lambs, and an hun5 dred thousand rams, with the wool. But it came to pass, when Ahab was dead, that the king of Moab rebelled against the king of Israel.t

6

And king Jehoram went out of Samaria the same time, and 7 numbered all Israel, with a design to subdue the Moabites. And he went and sent to Jehoshaphat the king of Judah, saying, The king of Moab hath rebelled against me: wilt thou go with me against Moab to battle? And he said, I will go up: I [am] as thou [art,] my people as thy people, [and] my horses as thy horses. (1 Kings xxii. 4.) Jehoshaphat was induced to this, partly by Jehoram's reformation, and because the Moabites had lately invaded him, 2 Chron. xxi. And he called a counsel, and consulted them, and said, which way shall we go up? And he answered, The way through the wilderness of Edom; because the Moabites were weakest there, and they should have the assist◄ ance of the Edomites, who were tributary to Judah. (See ch. 9 i. 1.) So the king of Israel went, and the king of Judah, and the king of Edom: and they fetched a compass of seven days' journey, round the dead sea, that they might attack them where they were least expected and not prepared to receive them; and they came into that part of the wilderness where their fathers wanted water, Exodus xi. 8. and there was no water for 10 the host, and for the cattle that followed them. And the king of Israel said, Alas! that the LORD hath called these three kings together, to deliver them into the hand of Moab! This was a passionate and insolent complaint; for he had not consulted

This was his tribute, and was paid in kind; this it was that enabled Solomon to offer up such numerous sacrifices.

+ The rebellion began in the time of Ahaziah, ch. i. 1. but he reigned only a short timeį and, being sick, did not attempt to reduce them.

11 God, nor prayed for help. But Jehoshaphat, the pious king of Judah, said, [Is there] not here a prophet of the LORD, that we may inquire of the LORD by him? And one of the king of Israel's servants answered and said, Here [is] Elisha the son of Shaphat, which poured water on the hands of Elijah, that is, waited upon him as a menial servant. None knew what a treasure and friend they had in the camp ; perhaps he came by the special 12 directions of Providence. And Jehoshaphat said, The word of the LORD is with him. So the king of Israel and Jehoshaphat and the king of Edom went down to him; hearing that he was Elijah's successor, and of the extraordinary miracle he had done, they all went 13 down to him to show him the greater respect. And Elisha said unto Jehoram the king of Israel, What have I to do with thee? get thee to the prophets of thy father, and to the prophets of thy mother; prophets whom he still openly avowed, and perhaps had some of them with him. And the king of Israel said unto him, Nay, it is vain to apply to them: for the LORD hath called these three kings together, to deliver them into the hand of Moab; intimating that none but God could help them; and hoping, that if he had no regard to him, he would not suffer the other two kings to perish. 14 And Elisha said, [As] the LORD of hosts liveth, before whom I stand, surely, were it not that I regard the presence of Jehoshaphat the king of Judah, I would not look toward thee, nor see thee; a regard to Jehoshaphat's piety alone disposed him to use 15 his interest with heaven for them. But now bring me a minstrel.

And it came to pass when the minstrel played, that the hand of 16 the LORD came upon him.* And he said, "Thus saith the Lord, 17 Make this valley full of ditches. For thus saith the LORD, ye shall not see wind, neither shall ye see rain; yet that valley shall be filled with water, that ye may drink, both ye and your 18 cattle, and your beasts. And this is [but] a light thing in the sight of the LORD, the promise goes farther; he will deliver the 19 Moabites also into your hand. And ye shall smite every fenced city, and every choice city, and shall fell every good tree, and stop all wells of water, and mar every good piece of land with stones.t

20

And it came to pass in the morning, when the meat offering was offered at the temple in Jerusalem, and when he and the pious Israelites joined their prayers, that, behold, there came water by the way of Edom, and the country was filled with water, which 21 probably came from the rocks. And when all the Moabites heard that the kings were come up to fight against them, they gather ed all that were able to put on armour, and upward, and stood 22 in the border of their country, to defend themselves. And they rose up early in the morning, and the sun shone upon the water,

• Elisha was probably ruffled and discomposed at the presence of this idolatrous king; the spirit of prophecy was not at his command; it was necessary to be composed and calm so receive the divine oracles; and when the music had composed his mind, God was pleased to reveal himself to him.

+ This was contrary to the positive precept in the law, but was dispensed with by the command of the prophet, and in her extraordinary QÓC CẠN

and the Moabites saw the water on the other side [as] red as 23 blood: And they said, This [is] blood: the kings are surely slain, and they have smitten one another: now therefore Moab, 24 to the spoil.* And when they came to the camp of Israel, the Israelites rose up and smote the Moabites, so that they fled before them but they went forward smiting the Moabites, even 25 in [their] country. And they beat down the cities, and on every good piece of land cast every man his stone, and filled it; and they stopped all the wells of water, and felled all the good trees, intending to depopulate the country, that they might have no more disturbance from such neighbours only in Kirharaseth the capital city, (Isa. xvi. 11.) left. they the stones thereof; howbeit the slingers went about [it,] and smote it; they besieged it in form, and made breaches in it.

26

And when the king of Moab saw that the battle was too sore for him, he took with him seven hundred men that drew swords, to break through [even] unto the king of Edom, thinking to attack him, the army being weakest there but they could not, and 27 were repulsed. Then he took his eldest son that should have reigned in his stead, and offered him [for] a burnt offering upon the wall to his god Chemosh, to secure his favour. And there was great indignation against Israel, or rather, great indignation and remorse in Israel; they were so affected and grieved at this barbarous action, that they raised the siege and returned home: and they departed from him, and returned to [their own] land

r.

REFLECTIONS.

I. HOW miserably do those, who put up with a partial re

gard to God's law, deceive themselves! Jehoram put away the images, but not the calves. Thus do sinners put away some sins, but keep others; and think to please God by such parfial obedience: but they affront him and deceive themselves. He that keepeth the whole law, and offends only in one point, is guilty of all.

2. See how prone good men are to fall into the same fault for which they have smarted. Jehoshaphat had suffered by his alliance with Ahab, 2 Chron. xviii. and had once bravely resolved against such connections; but here he falls into the same sin again. This was written for our warning. Good men often think, that whatever other errors they may fall into, they shall never fall into those for which they have suffered and been penitent. But there is danger even of this. Let him that thinketh he standeth, take heed, lest he fall.

The Moabites knowing there was no water there, and that no rain had fallen, coneluded that they had quarrelled through rage for want of water, or some other cause, and destroved one another. Remembering what a quarrel there was between them and their al lies when Jehoshaphat opposed them. 2 Chron. xx. and so confident were they of this matter, that, without sending any scouts, they marched in disorder to seize the spoils.

+ Perhaps he had personal resentment against him, Edom having been formerly allied to Mono; or he thought, that being mercenaries, they would soon fly.

3. Learn how vain the confidence of sinners is in the day of distress. What confusion will they be in when sent to their idols, as Jehoram was; get thee to the prophets of thy father and thy mother. So, when conscience is alarmed, or sickness or death approaches, what will ye do when sent to your money, to your pleasures, to your gay company? can they save you? Think of such seasons. They will come; and what fruit will ye then have in those things of which you will be ashamed?

4. We have here an instance of the usefulness of music in moderating the passions and composing the mind. Elisha played on a minstrel for this purpose; and therefore it was studied in the schools of the prophets. Among the heathens it was always recommended; and many instances of its remarkable effects are record. ed. It is an agreeable entertainment for young people, if they do not spend too much time about it. The love of it is generally reckoned a sign of a good temper; and the moderate use of it may help to mend a bad one.

5. It is necessary to govern our passions if we desire the spirit of God to rest upon us. Anger or fretfulness drives away the spirit. The peaceful dove flies from railing, noise, and strife. Therefore, let not anger, wrath and bitterness be once found among us, if we desire his influences to improve our virtues, and afford us strong consolation.

6. See the regard to be shown to good and bad men. The prophets indeed are not always models for us. It is not fit that we should say to a king, What have I to do with thee? though a prophet might. Elisha had great respect for Jehoshaphat, but he would not even look upon Jehoram. It is the character of a good man that a vile person is contemned in his sight, however great, and he loves and honours all that fear the Lord.

7. Observe the folly and misery of idolatry, in the inhuman rites with which they think to appease their deities. The king of Moab offered up his eldest son with this design. It was a common practice in the heathen world. There are accounts of many such sacrifices among the Indians in later years. Let us lament the degen. eracy of human nature, that is capable of offering such unnatural and cruel sacrifices; and pray God to lead them to a better knowl. edge, and to send them the glorious light of the gospel. These instances should make us thankful that we enjoy it. He hath not dealt so with many other nations; let us therefore praise the Lord.

CHAP. IV.

In which we have an account of more of Elisha's miracles, performed for the honour of true religion, and the encouragement of those who adhered to it,

1

TOW there cried a certain woman of the wives of the sons of the prophets unto Elisha, saying, Thy servant my hus band is dead; and thou knowest that thy servant did fear the