(3) Nevertheless.--Yet the Divine wrath will not pursue thee to destruction, for there are good things found in thee. (So 2 Chronicles 12:12; comp. also 1 Kings 14:13.)
Verse 3. - Nevertheless; Hebrew, אֲכָל one of the few particles that were affirmative in the earlier Hebrew (Genesis 42:21), but adversative in the later (2 Chronicles 1:4; Daniel 10:7, 21). It may be well rendered, "on the other hand." The expression here recalls the less favourable "notwithstanding" of Revelation 2:20. There are good things found in thee (see 2 Chronicles 17:1-9).
19:1-11 Jehoshaphat visits his kingdom. - Whenever we return in peace to our houses, we ought to acknowledge God's providence in preserving our going out and coming in. And if we have been kept through more than common dangers, we are, in a special manner, bound to be thankful. Distinguishing mercies lay us under strong obligations. The prophet tells Jehoshaphat he had done very ill in joining Ahab. He took the reproof well. See the effect the reproof had upon him. He strictly searched his own kingdom. By what the prophet said, Jehoshaphat perceived that his former attempts for reformation were well-pleasing to God; therefore he did what was then left undone. It is good when commendations quicken us to our duty. There are diversities of gifts and operations, but all from the same Spirit, and for the public good; and as every one has received the gift, so let him minister the same. Blessed be God for magistrates and ministers, scribes and statesmen, men of books, and men of business. Observe the charge the king gave. They must do all in the fear of the Lord, with a perfect, upright heart. And they must make it their constant care to prevent sin, as an offence to God, and what would bring wrath on the people.
Nevertheless, there are good things found in thee,.... Principles of grace, righteousness, and holiness, faith, love, zeal, and other graces, true and genuine, from whence sprung many good works done by him:
in that thou hast taken away the groves out of the land; cut down the groves of trees, and destroyed the idols and images in them:
and hast prepared thine heart to seek God; through the grace of God his heart was disposed to serve and worship the Lord, and to seek his honour and glory.
Thou hast taken away the groves.--Thou hast consumed (or exterminated ) the Ash?rahs. (Deuteronomy 13:6; 2 Kings 23:24.) So Asa had done (2 Chronicles 17:4). (Ash?roth, as equivalent to Ash?rim, recurs in 2 Chronicles 33:3 and in Judges 3:7 only.)
And hast prepared.--Or, directed. The contrary was said of Rehoboam (2 Chronicles 12:14.)
in that thou hast taken away the groves out of the land; cut down the groves of trees, and destroyed the idols and images in them:
and hast prepared thine heart to seek God; through the grace of God his heart was disposed to serve and worship the Lord, and to seek his honour and glory.