Again we meet with those references to David that we found in the previous chapter. See'vs. 3, 4,5, 11. His name lingers as sweet fragrance in the air, or as the after-glow of sundown. But Abijam’s mother was descended from Absalom, and it is

From Painting by G. GRENVILLE MANTON. Modern British Artist.

hardly surprising that the unhappy ancestry conflicted with the other and holier influence. Though the lamp burned low, however, it was not entirely extinguished. What a pathetic touch that is in v.5! One moment of passion may be a long regret to God and to the soul! Yet there is forgiveness with God, that he may be feared, Psa. 130: 4.

For Asa’s reign, we must turn to the book of Chronicles, where further evidence is given of his truly religious character—at least during the earlier portion of his rule. Even his grandmother was removed from her position. Compare vs. 2 and 10; the words father and mother are used loosely, as may be seen in v. 3. On the whole, Asa’s policy was directed to the overthrow of the heathen worship, but he seems to have shrunk from a root-and-branch extermination of the evil, v. 14; and the result was personal deterioration and the springing up again of idolatry. Our Lord asks us never to compromise. The right hand that offends must be cut off. The brood of the viper must be stamped out to the last egg.