Jehu the son of Hanani the seer went out to meet him, and said to King Jehoshaphat, “Should you help the wicked, and love those who hate the LORD? Because of this, wrath is on you from before the LORD.
ExplanationCommentary
Verse 2. Thou. Septuagint “O king Josaphat, if thou helpest the sinner; or, wilt thou befriend one hated by the Lord?” Prot. “shouldst thou.… love them that hate the Lord?” Bible.—The Donatists hence inferred, that it was not lawful to converse with sinners. But Saint Augustine (c. ep. Chronicles 2:18) replied, that Josaphat was blamed for aiding Achab in the contempt of the true prophet, and for going to battle conformably to the predictions of impostors. Both kings offended, but in a different degree. Worthington.—We must also keep at as great a distance as possible from the notorious enemies of God, as their conversation is dangerous. Tirinus.—Evil communications corrupt the best of manners. See Psalms 138. and so forth