2 Chronicles 17:3-13

3 The LORD was with Jehoshaphat because he followed the example of his father’s early years and did not worship the images of Baal.

4 He sought his father’s God and obeyed his commands instead of following the evil practices of the kingdom of Israel.

5 So the LORD established Jehoshaphat’s control over the kingdom of Judah. All the people of Judah brought gifts to Jehoshaphat, so he became very wealthy and highly esteemed.

6 He was deeply committed to the ways of the LORD . He removed the pagan shrines and Asherah poles from Judah.

7 In the third year of his reign Jehoshaphat sent his officials to teach in all the towns of Judah. These officials included Ben-hail, Obadiah, Zechariah, Nethanel, and Micaiah.

8 He sent Levites along with them, including Shemaiah, Nethaniah, Zebadiah, Asahel, Shemiramoth, Jehonathan, Adonijah, Tobijah, and Tob-adonijah. He also sent out the priests Elishama and Jehoram.

9 They took copies of the Book of the Law of the LORD and traveled around through all the towns of Judah, teaching the people.

10 Then the fear of the LORD fell over all the surrounding kingdoms so that none of them wanted to declare war on Jehoshaphat.

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

12 So Jehoshaphat became more and more powerful and built fortresses and storage cities throughout Judah.

13 He stored numerous supplies in Judah’s towns and stationed an army of seasoned troops at Jerusalem.

2 Chronicles 17:3-13 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.

Footnotes

• [a]. Some Hebrew manuscripts read the example of his father, David.
• [b]. Hebrew His heart was courageous in.