2 Chronicles 19:4 - Exposition

From Beershsba to Mount Ephraim . The length of the good land is not to be quoted, as of old, the undivided "Dan to Beersheba," but Beersheba to Mount Ephraim ( 2 Chronicles 13:16-19 ). Jehoshaphat makes another conscientious and vigorous endeavour to reform his own kingdom, to keep it steadfast in the worship of God, and free from idolatry. It is to be noticed that he does not turn away his ear from the rebuke which had been given him, but turns his heart to it. As it does not appear that he broke with Israel and Israel's kings ( 2 Chronicles 20:35 , 2 Chronicles 20:37 ; 2 Kings 3:7 , 2 Kings 3:14 , 2 Kings 3:24 ), it is possible, especially in view of verse 37 in our 2 Chronicles 20:1-37 ; that the severity of the Divine rebuke was understood to apply to the occasions which found Jehoshaphat in alliance with a king notably bad, and for some supposed chance of advantage to himself. This last element of consideration will difference sufficiently the two cases just cited, to wit, the case in which Jehoshaphat joined himself with Azariah, and is sternly "prophesied against," and that in which he helped Jehoram, and through Elisha's intervention gained him the day.