Therefore. — And.
These cities. — The “fenced cities” of last verse. Their names are unknown. Geba and Mizpah were fortified by Asa; but that was after the war with Baasha, which began in the twenty-sixth year of Asa (1 Kings 15:33); see 2 Chronicles 16:6. A general system of defence, like that of Rehoboam, who fortified as many as fifteen cities, seems to be indicated.
Walls. — A wall.
Gates (doors) and bars. — 1 Samuel 23:7, and 2 Chronicles 8:5, supra, where “bars” is, as usual, singular, bariach. Here it is plural.
While the land is yet before us. — Is open to us, free from hostile occupation. The phrase is apparently borrowed from Genesis 13:9. (Is yet, ‘odennû, masculine pronoun, instead of feminine; probably a clerical error). Omit while, and put a stop at bars. “The land is still before us, for we have sought the Lord,” appears to be the connection of thought.
So they built and prospered — i.e., built prosperously, without let or hindrance.