2 Chronicles 17

Judah's King Jehoshaphat

1 His son Jehoshaphat became king in his place^[a] and strengthened himself against Israel.

2 He stationed troops in every fortified city of Judah and set garrisons in the land of Judah and in the cities of Ephraim that his father Asa had captured.

3 Now the Lord was with Jehoshaphat because he walked in the former ways of his father David.^[b] He did not seek the Baals

4 but sought the God of his father and walked by His commands, not according to the practices of Israel.

5 So the Lord established the kingdom in his hand. Then all Judah brought him tribute, and he had riches and honor in abundance.

6 His mind rejoiced in the Lord's ways, and he again^[c] removed the high places and Asherah poles from Judah.

Jehoshaphat's Educational Plan

7 In the third year of his reign, Jehoshaphat sent his officials-Ben-hail,^[d] Obadiah, Zechariah, Nethanel, and Micaiah-to teach in the cities of Judah.

8 The Levites with them were Shemaiah, Nethaniah, Zebadiah,^[e] Asahel, Shemiramoth, Jehonathan, Adonijah, Tobijah, and Tob-adonijah; the priests, Elishama and Jehoram, were with these Levites.

9 They taught throughout Judah, [having] the book of the Lord's instruction with them. They went throughout the towns of Judah and taught the people.

10 The terror of the Lord was on all the kingdoms of the lands that surrounded Judah, so they didn't fight against Jehoshaphat.

11 Some of the Philistines also brought gifts and silver as tribute to Jehoshaphat, and the Arabs brought him flocks: 7,700 rams and 7,700 male goats.

Jehoshaphat's Military Might

12 Jehoshaphat grew stronger and stronger. He built fortresses^[f] and storage cities in Judah

13 and carried out great works in the towns of Judah. He had fighting men, brave warriors, in Jerusalem.

14 These are their numbers according to their ancestral families. For Judah, the commanders of thousands: Adnah the commander and 300,000 brave warriors with him;

15 next to him, Jehohanan the commander and 280,000 with him;

16 next to him, Amasiah son of Zichri, the volunteer of the Lord, and 200,000 brave warriors with him;

17 from Benjamin, Eliada, a brave warrior, and 200,000 with him armed with bow and shield;

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

19 These were the ones who served the king, besides those he stationed in the fortified cities throughout all 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.

Footnotes

• [a]. 1 Kg 15:24
• [b]. Some Hb mss, LXX omits David
• [c]. 2 Ch 14:2-3
• [d]. Son of Power
• [e]. Some Hb mss, Syr, Tg, Arabic read Zechariah
• [f]. 2 Ch 27:4

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.