2 Chronicles 17

Jehoshaphat rules Judah

1 Asa's son Jehoshaphat succeeded him as king. Jehoshaphat strengthened his position against Israel

2 by stationing troops in the fortified cities of Judah and placing soldiers throughout the land of Judah and in the cities of Ephraim that his father Asa had captured.

3 The LORD was with Jehoshaphat because he followed the earlier ways of his father by not seeking Baal.

4 Instead, he sought the God of his father, and unlike Israel, he followed God's commandments.

5 The LORD gave him firm control over the kingdom, and all Judah brought Jehoshaphat tribute, so that he had abundant riches and honor.

6 Jehoshaphat took pride in the LORD's ways and again removed the shrines and the sacred poles from Judah.

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

8 They were accompanied by the Levites Shemaiah, Nethaniah, Zebadiah, Asahel, Shemiramoth, Jehonathan, Adonijah, Tobijah, and Tob-adonijah, and by the priests Elishama and Jehoram.

9 They taught throughout Judah. They brought with them the LORD's Instruction scroll as they made their rounds to all the cities of Judah, teaching the people.

10 All the kingdoms surrounding Judah were afraid of the LORD and didn't wage war against Jehoshaphat.

11 Some of the Philistines brought a load of silver as tribute to Jehoshaphat. The Arabians also brought flocks to Jehoshaphat: seventy-seven hundred rams and seventy-seven hundred goats.

12 As Jehoshaphat grew increasingly powerful, he built fortresses and storage cities in Judah

13 and had many supplies in the cities of Judah. He also had an army of mighty warriors in Jerusalem,

14 registered by their clans as follows: Judah's officers over units of a thousand included Commander Adnah with three hundred thousand soldiers;

15 next to him was Commander Jehohanan with two hundred eighty thousand soldiers;

16 at his side was Amasiah, Zichri's son, who volunteered for the LORD with two hundred thousand soldiers.

17 From Benjamin came a valiant warrior: Eliada, together with two hundred thousand armed with bow and shield;

18 next to him was Jehozabad, together with one hundred eighty thousand soldiers.

19 These were the individuals who served the king in addition to those the king placed in the fortified cities throughout 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]. LXX; MT in the ways of his father David
• [b]. Heb asherim, perhaps objects devoted to the goddess Asherah

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.