2 Chronicles 17:3-19

His Good Reign

3 The LORD was with Jehoshaphat because he followed the example of his father David's earlier days and did not seek the Baals,

4 but sought the God of his father, followed His commandments, ¹and did not act as Israel did.

5 So the LORD established the kingdom in his control, and all Judah brought tribute to Jehoshaphat, and ²he had great riches and honor.

6 He took great pride * in the ways of the LORD and again ³removed the high places and the Asherim from Judah.

7 Then in the third year of his reign he sent his officials, Ben-hail, Obadiah, Zechariah, Nethanel and Micaiah, ⁴to teach in the cities of Judah;

8 and with them ⁵the Levites, Shemaiah, Nethaniah, Zebadiah, Asahel, Shemiramoth, Jehonathan, Adonijah, Tobijah and Tobadonijah, the Levites; and with them Elishama and Jehoram, the priests.

9 They taught in Judah, having ⁶the book of the law of the LORD with them; and they went throughout all the cities of Judah and taught among the people.

10 Now ⁷the dread of the LORD was on all the kingdoms of the lands which were around Judah, so that they did not make war against Jehoshaphat.

11 Some of the Philistines ⁸brought gifts and silver as tribute to Jehoshaphat; the Arabians also brought him flocks, 7,700 * * * rams and 7,700 * * * male goats.

12 So Jehoshaphat grew greater and greater, and he built fortresses and store cities in Judah.

13 He had large supplies in the cities of Judah, and warriors, valiant * men, in Jerusalem.

14 This was their muster according to their fathers' households: of Judah, commanders of thousands, Adnah was the commander, and with him 300,000 * * valiant warriors;

15 and next * to him was Johanan the commander, and with him 280,000 * *;

16 and next * to him Amasiah the son of Zichri, ⁹who volunteered for the LORD, and with him 200,000 * valiant warriors;

17 and of Benjamin, Eliada a valiant warrior, and with him 200,000 * armed with bow and shield;

18 and next * to him Jehozabad, and with him 180,000 * * equipped for war.

19 These are they who served the king, apart from ¹⁰those whom the king put in the fortified cities through all Judah.

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2 Chronicles 17:3-19 Meaning and Commentary

INTRODUCTION TO 2 CHRONICLES 17

This chapter relates the accession of Jehoshaphat to the throne, his settlement on it, his piety, and reformation in religion, 2Ch 17:1-6, his care to instruct the people in the law of God, 2Ch 17:7-9, the respect shown him by neighbouring nations, 2Ch 17:10,11, the fortified places of his kingdom, his numerous forces and mighty men at the head of them, 2Ch 17:12-19.

Taken from John Gill's Exposition of the Bible

Cross References 10

1. 1 Kings 12:28
2. 2 Chronicles 18:1
3. 2 Chronicles 15:17
4. 2 Chronicles 15:3; 2 Chronicles 35:3
5. 2 Chronicles 19:8
6. Deuteronomy 6:4-9
7. 2 Chronicles 14:14
8. 2 Chronicles 9:14; 2 Chronicles 26:8
9. Judges 5:2, 9; 1 Chronicles 29:9
10. 2 Chronicles 17:2

Footnotes 4

[a]. Lit "walked in the earlier ways of his father"
[b]. Lit "walked in"
[c]. Lit "hand"
[d]. Lit "his heart was high"