2 Chronicles 17

1 Forsooth Jehoshaphat, his son, reigned for him; and he had the mastery against Israel.
2 And he set numbers of knights in all the cities of Judah, that were (en)compassed with walls (And he put numbers of horsemen in all the cities of Judah, that were surrounded with walls), and he disposed strongholds in the land of Judah, and in the cities of Ephraim, which Asa, his father, had taken.
3 And the Lord was with Jehoshaphat, which went in the first ways of David, his father; he hoped not in Baalim, (And the Lord was with Jehoshaphat, who went in the early ways of his father Asa; he did not trust in, or follow, the Baalim,)
4 but he hoped in the Lord God of David, his father (but he hoped in the Lord God of his father Asa), and he went in the commandments of God, and not after the sins of Israel.
5 And the Lord confirmed the realm in his hand; and all Judah gave gifts to Jehoshaphat, and riches without number, and much glory was made to him.
6 And when his heart had taken hardiness for the ways of the Lord, he took away also (the) high places and [maumet] woods from Judah. (And he took pride in following the ways of the Lord, and he also did away the hill shrines and the idol groves, or the sacred poles, in Judah.)
7 And in the third year of his realm, he sent of his princes (he sent his officials), Benhail, and Obadiah, and Zechariah, and Nethaneel, and Michaiah, that they should teach in the cities of Judah;
8 and with them he sent nine deacons, (or Levites,) that is, Shemaiah, and Nethaniah, and Zebadiah, and Asahel, and Shemiramoth, and Jehonathan, and Adonijah, and Tobijah, and Tobadonijah, deacons (all Levites); and with them Elishama and Jehoram, priests;
9 and they taught the people in Judah, and had the book of the law of the Lord; and they compassed all the cities of Judah, and taught all the people. (and they taught the people in Judah, and had The Book of the Law of the Lord; and they went all around the cities of Judah, and taught all the people.)
10 Therefore the dread of the Lord was made upon all the realms of (the) lands, that were (round) about Judah; and those durst not fight against Jehoshaphat.
11 But also [the] Philistines brought gifts to Jehoshaphat, and toll, or tribute, of silver; and men of Arabia brought to him sheep, seven thousand and seven hundred wethers, and so many bucks of goats (and as many goat bucks).
12 Then Jehoshaphat increased, and was magnified till to on high; and he builded in Judah houses at the likeness of towers, and full strong cities;
13 and he made ready many works in the cities of Judah. Also men warriors and strong men were in Jerusalem; (and he had much work done in the cities of Judah. And there were men of war and strong men in Jerusalem;)
14 of which this is the number, by the houses and families of all (the) men (who were) in Judah. Duke Adnah was prince of the host (Adnah was the leader of the army), and with him were three hundred thousand full strong men.
15 And after him was Jehohanan (the) prince (And second in command was Jehohanan), and with him were two hundred thousand and fourscore thousand men.
16 After this also Amasiah, the son of Zichri, was hallowed to the Lord (And after him was Amasiah, the son of Zichri, who was dedicated to the Lord), and with him were two hundred thousand of strong men.
17 (And of Benjamin;) Eliada, a mighty man to battles, followed this Amasiah, and with him were two hundred thousand of men holding bow and shield. (And of Benjamin; Eliada, a mighty man of battles, and with him were two hundred thousand men holding bow and shield.)
18 After this was also Jehozabad, and with him were an hundred thousand and fourscore thousand of ready knights. (And after him was Jehozabad, and with him were a hundred and eighty thousand fully-armed horsemen.)
19 All these were at the hand of the king, besides others, which he had put in walled cities in all Judah. (All of these were at the hand of the king, besides others, whom he had put in the fortified cities in all of Judah.)

2 Chronicles 17 Commentary

Chapter 17

Jehoshaphat promotes religion in Judah, His prosperity.

- 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.

Chapter Summary

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.

2 Chronicles 17 Commentaries

Copyright © 2001 by Terence P. Noble. For personal use only.