2 Chronicles 17

Jehoshaphat Reigns in Judah

1 And Jehoshaphat his son reigned in his place, and he strengthened himself against Israel.

2 And he put troops in all the fortified cities of Judah, and put garrisons in the land of Judah and in the cities of Ephraim that Asa his father had taken.

3 And Yahweh was with Jehoshaphat, because he walked in the former ways of David his father and did not seek after the Baals,

4 but he sought after the God of his ancestors and walked in his commandments and not according to the works of Israel.

5 So Yahweh established the kingdom in his hand. And all Judah gave tribute to Jehoshaphat, and he had much wealth and honor.

6 And his heart was courageous in the ways of Yahweh. Moreover, he removed the high places and the Asherahs from Judah.

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

8 and with them the Levites Shemaiah, Nethaniah, Zebadiah, Asahel, Shemiramoth, Jehonathan, Adonijah, Tobijah, and Tob-Adonijah; and with them the priests Elisham and Joram.

9 And they taught in Judah, and the scroll of the law of Yahweh [was] with them when they went around in all the cities of Judah, and they taught the people.

10 And the fear of Yahweh was upon all the kingdoms of the lands surrounding Judah, and they did not make war against Jehoshaphat.

11 And some of the Philistines brought a gift and silver to Jehoshaphat [as] tribute. The Arabians also brought him seven thousand seven hundred sheep and seven thousand seven hundred goats.

12 And Jehoshaphat {grew greater and greater}, and he built fortresses and storage cities in Judah.

13 And he had many supplies in the cities of Judah and mighty warriors for battle in Jerusalem.

14 Now these [were] their enrollment by the house of their ancestors: of Judah, the commanders of thousands: Adnah, the commander, and with him [were] three hundred thousand mighty armed warriors;

15 and at his side, Jehohanan the commander, and with him [were] two hundred and eighty thousand;

16 and at his side, Amasiah the son of Zicri, who had made a freewill offering to Yahweh, and with him [were] two hundred thousand mighty armed warriors.

17 And from Benjamin: Eliada, a powerful mighty warrior, and with him [were] two hundred thousand armed with bow and shield;

18 and at his side, Jehozabad, and with him [were] one hundred and eighty thousand armed for war.

19 These were serving the king, besides [those] whom the king had placed 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]. Or "fathers"
• [b]. Literally "was going and becoming great to the height"
• [c]. Or "fathers"
• [d]. Or "hand"
• [e]. Or "hand"
• [f]. Or "hand"

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.