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I have to describe to you a man, not lost, but continually in danger of being lost; a man not wicked, but weak; a man possessing in his character much that was good, but allowing his goodness to be sullied by approach to evil and evil men. I have to show you how one ill-considered step, in the earlier part of his career, embarrassed his whole reign. Affinity with Ahab's family affected more or less the whole life of Jehoshaphat. This should make us cautious.

I. IN SUCH SERIOUS MATTERS AS FORMING FAMILY CONNECTIONS, OR PARTNERSHIPS IN BUSINESS.

II. In what appear MINOR THINGS. Observe the man who is over-persuaded to what he believes to be evil; the man who consents to do what is wrong, and justifies himself by saying some good will come of it; the man who frequents the society of the vicious, yet believes that he can escape corruption; the man who enjoys the jest of the profane, yet supposes that his mind can retain its reverence for holy things; the man who is silent when he should declare openly his disapprobation of evil; the man who runs himself into temptation, yet trusts that God will find him a way out of it. All these persons do, in their measure and degree, expose themselves to danger — commit acts of indecision — take a step which may necessitate others, against which they may exert themselves in vain — impress a stain on their conscience which it may require years to efface — and plant on the soil of their souls a weed so vivacious, so self-spreading, so absorbent of moisture and nutriment, that by and by it may choke the growth of all Christian graces and virtues.

(J. Hessey.)

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KJV: And Jehoshaphat the king of Judah returned to his house in peace to Jerusalem.

WEB: Jehoshaphat the king of Judah returned to his house in peace to Jerusalem.