2 Chronicles 17
1Jehoshaphat his son reigned in his place, and strengthened himself against Israel. 2He placed forces in all the fortified cities of Judah, and set garrisons in the land of Judah and in the cities of Ephraim, which Asa his father had taken. 3Yahweh was with Jehoshaphat, because he walked in the first ways of his father David, and didn’t seek the Baals, 4but sought the God of his father, and walked in his commandments, and not in the ways of Israel. 5Therefore Yahweh established the kingdom in his hand. All Judah brought tribute to Jehoshaphat, and he had riches and honor in abundance. 6His heart was lifted up in the ways of Yahweh. Furthermore, he took away the high places and the Asherah poles out of Judah. 7Also in the third year of his reign he sent his princes, even Ben Hail, Obadiah, Zechariah, Nethanel, and Micaiah, to teach in the cities of Judah; 8and with them Levites, even Shemaiah, Nethaniah, Zebadiah, Asahel, Shemiramoth, Jehonathan, Adonijah, Tobijah, and Tobadonijah, the Levites; and with them Elishama and Jehoram, the priests. 9They taught in Judah, having the book of Yahweh’s law with them. They went about throughout all the cities of Judah and taught among the people. 10The fear of Yahweh fell on all the kingdoms of the lands that were around Judah, so that they made no war against Jehoshaphat. 11Some of the Philistines brought Jehoshaphat presents and silver for tribute. The Arabians also brought him flocks: seven thousand seven hundred rams and seven thousand seven hundred male goats. 12Jehoshaphat grew great exceedingly; and he built fortresses and store cities in Judah. 13He had many works in the cities of Judah; and men of war, mighty men of valor, in Jerusalem. 14This was the numbering of them according to their fathers’ houses: From Judah, the captains of thousands: Adnah the captain, and with him three hundred thousand mighty men of valor; 15and next to him Jehohanan the captain, and with him two hundred eighty thousand; 16and next to him Amasiah the son of Zichri, who willingly offered himself to Yahweh, and with him two hundred thousand mighty men of valor. 17From Benjamin: Eliada, a mighty man of valor, and with him two hundred thousand armed with bow and shield; 18and next to him Jehozabad, and with him one hundred eighty thousand ready and prepared for war. 19These were those who waited on the king, in addition to those whom the king put in the fortified cities throughout all Judah.
Introduction
2 Chronicles 17
Here begin the life and reign of Jehoshaphat, who was one of the first three among the royal worthies, one of the best that ever swayed the sceptre of Judah since David's head was laid. He was the good son of a good father, so that, as this time, grace ran in the blood, even in the blood-royal. Happy the son that had such a father, to lay a good foundation in him and for him. Happy the father that had such a son, to build so wall upon the foundation he had laid! Happy the kingdom that was blessed with two such kings, two such reigns, together! In this chapter we have, I. His accession to and establishment in the throne (Ch2 17:1, Ch2 17:2, Ch2 17:5). II. His persona piety (Ch2 17:3, Ch2 17:4, Ch2 17:6). III. The course he took to promote religion in his kingdom (Ch2 17:7-9). IV. The mighty sway he bore among the neighbours (Ch2 17:10, Ch2 17:11). V. The great strength of his kingdom, both in garrisons and standing forces (Ch2 17:12-19). Thus was his prosperity the reward of his piety and his piety the brightest grace and ornament of his prosperity.
Cross-references: 2Chr 17:1 · 2Chr 17:2 · 2Chr 17:5 · 2Chr 17:3 · 2Chr 17:4 · 2Chr 17:6 · 2Chr 17:7 · 2Chr 17:10 · 2Chr 17:11 · 2Chr 17:12