2 Chronicles 17:1-19 - Arthur Peake's Commentary on the Bible

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Bible Comments

2 Chronicles 17:1 to 2 Chronicles 20:37. The Reign of Jehoshaphat. This section is, in the main, from the hand of the Chronicler, whose spirit and aim are visible throughout; he has utilised all the information concerning Jehoshaphat to be got from 1 K. viz. in 1 Kings 15:24; 1 Kings 22:1-35; 1 Kings 22:41-50 (see notes).

2 Chronicles 17:1-6 deals with Jehoshaphat's defensive measures; he is prosperous because he obeys the commandments of Yahweh.

2 Chronicles 17:6. he took away the high places: but see 2 Chronicles 20:33 (= 1 Kings 22:43).

2 Chronicles 17:7-9. It is difficult to regard these statements as historical, they betray too clearly the tendency characteristic of the Chronicler; moreover, what is stated is in itself improbable at the time the occurrence is said to have taken place. As an example of a prince as a teacher in the Law, the case of Nehemiah is the most suggestive, for he clearly took a leading part, together with Ezra and the Levites, in pressing home the need of observing the Law (see Nehemiah 8:9-12).

2 Chronicles 17:10-19. An account of Jehoshaphat's great prosperity, and details concerning his army. The fabulous numbers here given stamp the section as unhistorical so far as its details are concerned; that Jehoshaphat's reign was a prosperous one is implied in 1 Kings 22:41-50.

Related Commentaries of 2 Chronicles 17:1

2 Chronicles 17:1-19

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

9 And they 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.

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

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

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

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

14 And these are the numbers 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.

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

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

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

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

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