THE SECOND BOOK OF THE
CHRONICLES

2 Chronicles 17

1Jehoshaphat succeeding Asa reigneth well and prospereth. 7He sendeth Levites with his princes to teach the law in Judah. 10The neighbouring kingdoms awed by God dare not disturb him; the Philistines and Arabians bring him presents and tribute. 12His greatness; the number of his forces under their respective captains.


1AND Jehoshaphat hisa son reigned in his stead, and 1strengthened himself against Israel.

a 1 Kings 15:24.

1 That is, he furnished himself with store of arms and all kinds of instruments of war, to manifest his power against the ten tribes, to resist and oppose them, and to divert their strength and power. Other, he strengthened himself over Israel, that is, he confirmed himself in the kingdom, which he had over Judah, Benjamin and the strangers from Israel, and the cities of Ephraim, which his father had taken. See the next verse.

2And he placed 2forces in all the fenced cities of Judah, and set 3garrisons in the land of Judah, and inb the cities of Ephraim, which Asa his father had taken.

2 Or, men of war.

3 That is, forces under the conduct of their officers to secure the land against the invasion of the enemy. The Hebrew word is so taken 1 Sam. 13:3; 2 Sam. 8:6.

b 2 Chron. 15:8.

3And the LORD was with Jehoshaphat, because he walked in the 4first ways of his father David, and 5sought not unto Baalim;

4 That is, wherein his forefather David had walked. Other, previous; meaning, before David had committed adultery, caused Uriah to be slain, and the people to be numbered, 2 Sam. 11:4, 14; 24:2.

5 That is, he gave them no religious honor, to have aid from them, had them in no account. Understand by the Baalims all manner of idols, and see of this word Judges 2 on verse 11.

4But sought to the LORD God of his father, and walked in his commandments, and not 6after the doings of Israel.

6 Hebr. after the work, that is, after the idolatry of the backsliding Israelites, who worshipped the golden calves, and other idols.

5Therefore the LORD stablished the kingdom in his hand; and all Judah brought to Jehoshaphat 7presents; and he had riches and honour in abundance.

7 Kings and princes were honored with presents, either by their own subjects, unto a sign of willing subjection, whereby they did submit themselves to their command and government, as 1 Sam. 10:27 and here; or, by foreign nations unto a sign of reverence, and to maintain friendship and peace, as 1 Kings 10:25; 2 Chron. 9:24.

6And his heart 8was lifted up in the ways of the LORD: moreover he took away the 9high places and groves out of Judah.

8 Namely, not through conceit of his own virtues, riches and honor, but through and for a courageous resolution to root out idolatry, to reform religion, and to set up the pure worship of God, to bring in every good order according to the law of God, and to make himself strong against hindrances that he might meet with all by the way. Some take it thus: that he counted it his highest honor to walk in the ways of the Lord.

9 Which were yet remaining since Asa’s time, or were planted about the end of his life by the Jews, who were so prone to idolatry, that even, notwithstanding Jehoshaphat’s zeal, they were not utterly abolished and destroyed, 2 Chron. 20:33.

7¶Also in the third year of his reign he sent to his princes, even to Ben-hail, and to Obadiah, and to Zechariah, and to Nethaneel, and to Michaiah, 10to teach in the cities of Judah.

10 The meaning is, that they, in the king’s name, would everywhere exhort and command the people of the Jews to hear the law of the Lord at the mouth of the priests and Levites, and to order and regulate their lives according to it, and remove by public authority all hindrances whatsoever.

8And with them he sent Levites, even Shemaiah, and Nethaniah, and Zebadiah, and Asahel, and Shemiramoth, and Jehonathan, and Adonijah, and Tobijah, and Tob-adonijah, Levites; and with them Elishama and Jehoram, priests.

9And 11they taught in Judah, and had the book of the law of the LORD with them, and went about throughout all the cities of Judah, and taught the people.

11 Namely, the priests and Levites.

10¶And the 12fear of the LORD fell upon all the kingdoms of the lands that were round about Judah, so that they made no war against Jehoshaphat.

12 That is, a very great terror. See 2 Chron. 14 on verse 14. Likewise, compare Gen. 13 on verse 10.

11Also some of the Philistines brought Jehoshaphat presents, 13and tribute silver; and the Arabians brought him flocks, seven thousand and seven hundred rams, and seven thousand and seven hundred he goats.

13 Hebr. and or with the silver of the burden, that is, with the set money, which they were enjoined to pay yearly as a tax or tribute to the kings of Judah.

12¶And Jehoshaphat waxed 14great exceedingly; and he built in Judah 15castles, and cities of store.

14 Namely: I. in riches, verse 5, 2 Chron. 18:1; II. in military forces, verses 14, 15, etc.; III. in honor and renown, verses 5, 10; 2 Chron. 18:1. Hebr. he was or became, going and waxing great.

15 Or, strongholds, forts. Other, palaces.

13And he had 16much business in the cities of Judah: and the men of war, mighty men of valour, were in Jerusalem.

16 Understand this business not only of the instruments, means and provision, which he had in readiness for war, and other affairs (as some take the Hebrew word here), but also of the labor, transaction and business, which he had everywhere therein, to manage all things aright, to order, make and put the same in practice.

14And these are the 17numbers of them according to the house of their fathers: Of Judah, the captains of thousands; Adnah the chief, and with him mighty men of valour three hundred thousand.

17 Other, numbering, or, chief commanders, or, commanding power.

15And 18next to him was Jehohanan the captain, and with him two hundred and fourscore thousand.

18 Hebr. at his hand; and so in the sequel.

16And next him was Amasiah the son of Zichri, 19who willingly offered himself unto the LORD; and with him two hundred thousand mighty men of valour.

19 Namely, to fight the Lord’s battle against the enemies of the land.

17And of Benjamin; Eliada a mighty man of valour, and with him armed men with bow and shield two hundred thousand.

18And next him was Jehozabad, and with him an hundred and fourscore thousand ready prepared for the war.

19These 20waited on the king, beside those whom the king put in the fenced cities throughout all Judah.

20 Or, ministered unto the king. Other, were in the service of the king. Understand that they were always ready to be used for him in the war, when so ever they would be commanded by him for that end and purpose.