The Second Book of the Chronicles
2 Chronicles 17
Chapter XVII · Vol. II, pp. 863–864
1 Jehoshaphat, succeeding Asa, reigneth well, and prospereth. 7 He sendeth Levites with his princes to teach Judah. 10 His enemies being terrified by God, some of them bring him presents and tribute. 12 His greatness, captains, and armies.
1 And Jehoshaphata his son reigned in his stead, and strengthened himself against Israel.
a 1 Ki.15.24; 22.41. 1 Ch.3.10. Mat.1.8.
2 And he bplaced 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.
A.M. 3090. B.C. 914.
b ch.11.11?,12; 14.7; 15.8; ver.19.
3 And the LORD was cwith Jehoshaphat, because he walked in the dfirst ways of his father David,1 and sought not unto Baalim;
c ch.15.2. Ro.8.31.
d Not 2 Sa.xi.
1 Some read the passage—'of his father and of David;' others, for David, would substitute Asa. Houbigant renders it, 'first and last;' but there does not appear sufficient authority for any of these emendations. That the 'first ways' of Asa were religious, is recorded (ch. 14. 2), and may not David have been one of his names, generally dropped for the name of Asa, or the physician, a name probably derived from his following physicians to the neglect of God, ch.16.12? C.——There can be no doubt that king David is here referred to. According to Hebrew idiom and eastern custom the word father has a very wide signification. It may mean any ancestor however remote. David was not merely one of Jehoshaphat's ancestors, but he was the head of the royal line.—P.
4 But esought to the LORD God of his father, and walked in his commandments, and not fafter the doings of Israel:
5 Therefore the LORD gstablished the kingdom in his hand: and all Judah brought to Jehoshaphat hpresents; and he had riches and honour in abundance.
6 And his heart was lifted up2 in the ways of the LORD: moreover, he took away the ihigh places and groves out of Judah.
2 That is, was encouraged.
i Of idols, for 1 Ki.22.43. ch.20.33.
7 Also, in the third year3 of his reign, khe sent to his princes, even to Ben-hail, and to Obadiah, and to Zechariah, and to Nethaneel, and to Michaiah, lto teach in the cities of 4Judah.
3 B.C. 911.
l Ne.8.7. ch.35.3.
4 The princes most probably taught the civil law, the Levites and the priests the nature and design of the ceremonies of the temple service: all was contained in the 'book of the law.' It forms a remarkable example of a public itinerant ministry, which appears to have been imitated, in some degree, in the reign of Edward VI.—C.
8 And 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, mpriests.
9 And they taught in Judah, and had nthe book of the law of the LORD with them, and went about throughout all the cities of Judah, and taught the people.5
n Is.8.20. Jn.5.39. De.6.6-9. Mat.28.20. 2 Ti.3.16,17. Ro.15.4.
5 'The book of the law of the Lord' was the full and well-known name of the Pentateuch—a name given to it by Jehovah himself (De. 31. 26; 30. 10; xi.); it was frequently mentioned by Joshua (ch. 1. 8, &c.), and by the sacred writers who succeeded him.—P.
10 And othe fear of the LORD fell6 upon all the kingdoms of the lands that were round about Judah, so that they made no war against Jehoshaphat.
o Ge.35.5. ch.14.14.
6 Heb. was.
11 Also psome 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.
p ch.9.14; 26.8. 2 Ki.3.4.
13 And he had smuch business in the cities of Judah:8 and the men of war, mighty men of valour, were in Jerusalem.
8 By his judicious government he increased commerce and manufactures, and carried on much public improvement in all the cities.—C.
14 And these are tthe numbers of them, according to the house of their fathers: Of Judah, the captains of thousands, Adnah the chief, and with him9 mighty men of valour three hundred thousand.
15 And next to him1 was Jehohanan the captain, and with him two hundred and fourscore thousand.
A.M. 3104. B.C. 900.
1 Heb. at his hand.
16 And next him was Amasiah the son of Zichri, uwho willingly offered himself unto the LORD,2 and with him two hundred thousand mighty men of valour.
u Ju.5.2,9. Ps.110.3. Ac.2.41. In all, 780,000 of Judah, and 380,000 of Benjamin. The whole of his subjects could not therefore be less than 6,000,000 of men, women, and children.
2 That is, who did not choose war as a mere profession, or for the purposes of advancement, but solely in obedience to the Lord, when his providence or his word called him to the defence of his country.—C.
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 These3 waited on the king, besides those whom the king xput in the fenced cities throughout all Judah.4
3 Officers.
x ver.2,12.
4 The organization of the army and defences of the kingdom were most complete. The army was not kept as a modern standing army; it bore more resemblance to a militia. The soldiers were trained, ranked under leaders, and ready to be called out at a moment's notice; but during peace they were permitted to remain at their ordinary occupations, with the exception of a few who were placed as garrisons in fortified cities. The army was composed of five great divisions. Judah contributed 780,000 men in three divisions, and Benjamin 380,000 in two divisions.—P.
Notes
Reflections.—How glorious is it when remarkable piety and prosperity are so connected that they promote one another, and outward wealth and greatness lift up the heart to God!—when kings at the same time promote religion and advance the civil power of the nation!—when the personal piety of princes, and their zeal for reforming others, are equally conspicuous!—and when ministers and magistrates heartily concur in promoting the knowledge and fear of God! Religion is a reasonable service; and in promoting reformation we must begin with instruction in the truths of God as laid down in his word. No dictates of men, but the lively oracles of God, must be produced as the ground of what we inculcate. What a powerful protection to nations is the terror of God impressed on their neighbours and enemies! No armed hosts are comparable to it. To what prodigious numbers had the Hebrews increased, had not their sin prevented it! and marvellous was the providence of God in maintaining such multitudes in so small a country as the lots of Judah and Benjamin!