2 Chronicles17
New King James Version
1Then Jehoshaphat his son reigned in his place, and strengthened himself against Israel.
2And he placed troops in all the fortified cities of Judah, and set garrisons in the land of Judah and in the cities of Ephraim which Asa his father had taken.
3Now the Lord was with Jehoshaphat, because he walked in the former ways of his father David; he did not seek the Baals,
4but sought the God of his father, and walked in His commandments and not according to the acts of Israel.
5Therefore the Lord established the kingdom in his hand; and all Judah gave presents to Jehoshaphat, and he had riches and honor in abundance.
6And his heart took delight in the ways of the Lord; moreover he removed the high places and wooden images from Judah.
7Also in the third year of his reign he sent his leaders, Ben-Hail, Obadiah, Zechariah, Nethanel, and Michaiah, to teach in the cities of Judah.
8And with them he sent Levites: Shemaiah, Nethaniah, Zebadiah, Asahel, Shemiramoth, Jehonathan, Adonijah, Tobijah, and Tobadonijah—the Levites; and with them Elishama and Jehoram, the priests.
9So they taught in Judah, and had the Book of the Law of the Lord with them; they went throughout all the cities of Judah and taught the people.
10And the fear of the Lord fell on all the kingdoms of the lands that were around Judah, so that they did not make war against Jehoshaphat.
11Also some of the Philistines brought Jehoshaphat presents and silver as tribute; and the Arabians brought him flocks, seven thousand seven hundred rams and seven thousand seven hundred male goats.
12So Jehoshaphat became increasingly powerful, and he built fortresses and storage cities in Judah.
13He had much property in the cities of Judah; and the men of war, mighty men of valor, were in Jerusalem.
14These are their numbers, according to their fathers’ houses. Of Judah, the captains of thousands: Adnah the captain, and with him three hundred thousand mighty men of valor;
15and next to him was Jehohanan the captain, and with him two hundred and eighty thousand;
16and next to him was Amasiah the son of Zichri, who willingly offered himself to the Lord, and with him two hundred thousand mighty men of valor.
17Of Benjamin: Eliada a mighty man of valor, and with him two hundred thousand men armed with bow and shield;
18and next to him was Jehozabad, and with him one hundred and eighty thousand prepared for war.
19These served the king, besides those the king put in the fortified cities throughout all Judah.
Study Guide
Public-domain commentary and original-language notes for 2 Chronicles 17.
Chapter Summary
In this chapter: Jehoshaphat promotes religion in Judah, His prosperity. (1-17).
vv1-17
Jehoshaphat found his people generally very ignorant, and therefore endeavoured to have them well taught. The public teaching of the word of God forms, in all ages, the great method of promoting the power of godliness. Thereby the understanding is informed, the conscience is awakened and directed. We have a particular account of Jehoshaphat's prosperity. But it was not his formidable army that restrained the neighbouring nations from attempting any thing against Israel, but the fear of God which fell upon them, when Jehoshaphat reformed his country, and set up a preaching ministry in it. The ordinances of God are more the strength and safety of a kingdom, than soldiers and weapons of war. The Bible requires use to notice the hand of God in every event, yet this is little regarded. But let all employ the talents they have: be faithful, even in that which is little. Set up the worship of God in your houses. The charge of a family is important. Why should you not instruct them as Jehoshaphat did his subjects, in the book of the law of the Lord. But be consistent. Do not recommend one thing, and practise another. Begin with yourselves. Seek to the Lord God of Israel, then call upon children and servants to follow your example.
Key Words
יְהוֹשָׁפָט: Jehoshaphat, the name of six Israelites; also of a valley near Jerusalem
בֵּן: a son (as a builder of the family name), in the widest sense (of literal and figurative relationship, including grandson, subject, nation, quality or condition, etc., (like father or brother), etc.)
מָלַךְ: to reign; inceptively, to ascend the throne; causatively, to induct into royalty; hence (by implication) to take counsel
תַּחַת: the bottom (as depressed); only adverbially, below (often with prepositional prefix underneath), in lieu of, etc.
חָזַק: to fasten upon; hence, to seize, be strong (figuratively, courageous, causatively strengthen, cure, help, repair, fortify), obstinate; to bind, restrain, conquer
יִשְׂרָאֵל: Jisrael, a symbolical name of Jacob; also (typically) of his posterity
נָתַן: to give, used with greatest latitude of application (put, make, etc.)
חַיִל: probably a force, whether of men, means or other resources; an army, wealth, virtue, valor, strength
כֹּל: properly, the whole; hence, all, any or every (in the singular only, but often in a plural sense)
בָּצַר: to gather grapes; also to be isolated (i.e. inaccessible by height or fortification)
Cross References
2 Chronicles 17Bringing presents (minchah) as a token of respect and allegiance at the beginning of a reign.
Supported by Matthew Poole, JFB
Clarifies that while Jehoshaphat removed idol high places, local worship high places remained among the people.
Supported by Matthew Poole, JFB
Identifies the cities of Ephraim taken by Asa, now fortified and garrisoned by Jehoshaphat.
Supported by JFB
The custom of bringing annual voluntary presents and tribute to established, wealthy kings.
Supported by Matthew Poole
Parallel pattern where obedience leads to neighboring nations bringing presents and magnifying the king.
Supported by Matthew Poole
The foundational Levitical commission to teach God's judgments and law to Israel.
Supported by Matthew Poole
Subsequent kings similarly destroying high places and groves to purify the land of idolatry.
Supported by Matthew Poole
Contrast with Azariah's warning that Israel had long been without a teaching priest.
Supported by Matthew Poole
The priest's lips should keep knowledge, and they should seek the law at his mouth.
Supported by Matthew Poole
Repeats the theme of the fear of God falling on foreign kingdoms when Judah is secure.
Supported by JFB