2 Chronicles 17

King James Version

Full text for 2 Chronicles Chapter 17

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

2And 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.

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

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

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

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

7Also 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.

8And 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.

9And 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.

11Also [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.

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

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

14And 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.

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

16And 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.

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

AI Analysis

AI Summaries

Short Summary

King Jehoshaphat of Judah strengthened his kingdom and walked in the ways of the LORD, seeking God and removing idolatrous high places. He initiated a program to teach the law of the LORD throughout Judah, sending princes, Levites, and priests. Consequently, the LORD established his kingdom, granting him great wealth and honor, and instilling fear in surrounding nations who brought him tribute. Jehoshaphat also maintained an exceptionally large and well-organized military force.

Medium Summary

King Jehoshaphat began his reign by fortifying Judah against Israel and establishing garrisons in key cities. His devotion to the LORD, demonstrated by walking in the ways of David and rejecting Baalim, led to divine favor and the establishment of his kingdom with abundant riches and honor. Jehoshaphat actively promoted spiritual reform by removing high places and groves from Judah. Furthermore, he dispatched princes, Levites, and priests with the book of the law to instruct the people throughout all the cities of Judah. This spiritual and military strengthening resulted in the fear of the LORD falling upon surrounding nations, who consequently brought tribute rather than waging war. Jehoshaphat's power grew exceedingly, and he commanded an immense and well-structured army of over a million mighty men of valour from Judah and Benjamin, in addition to those stationed in fortified cities.

Long Summary

Upon succeeding his father Asa, Jehoshaphat commenced his reign by fortifying the kingdom of Judah against the northern kingdom of Israel. He strategically placed military forces and garrisons within all the fenced cities of Judah, including those in Ephraim that Asa had previously captured. The narrative emphasizes that the LORD was with Jehoshaphat because he diligently followed the "first ways" of his ancestor David, seeking the LORD God of his father and adhering to His commandments, rather than adopting the idolatrous practices of Israel. This faithfulness resulted in divine blessing, as the LORD firmly established the kingdom in his hand, leading all Judah to bring him presents, and he accumulated abundant riches and honor. Jehoshaphat's heart was devoted to the LORD's ways, prompting him to actively remove the high places and groves from Judah, signifying a commitment to religious purity. In the third year of his reign, he undertook a significant initiative by dispatching a delegation of princes, Levites, and priests, including specific individuals named, to travel throughout all the cities of Judah. Their mission was to teach the people the "book of the law of the LORD," indicating a concerted effort to educate the populace in divine statutes. As a direct consequence of Jehoshaphat's righteous rule and the LORD's favor, a profound "fear of the LORD" fell upon all the surrounding kingdoms, effectively deterring them from making war against Judah. Instead, nations such as the Philistines and Arabians brought tribute, including silver, rams, and he-goats, acknowledging Judah's strength and divine protection. Jehoshaphat continued to wax exceedingly great, constructing castles and cities of store throughout Judah. His military might was formidable, with a vast army of "mighty men of valour" stationed in Jerusalem and throughout the land. The chapter meticulously details the numbers of his organized forces: from Judah, Adnah commanded 300,000, Jehohanan 280,000, and Amasiah 200,000; from Benjamin, Eliada led 200,000 armed with bow and shield, and Jehozabad commanded 180,000 ready for war. These enumerated forces, totaling over a million men, served the king, supplementing the garrisons already placed in the fortified cities across Judah.

Core Concepts

  • Divine Favor and ObedienceJehoshaphat's reign was blessed by the LORD because he walked in the ways of David, sought God, and obeyed His commandments, contrasting with the idolatry of Israel. This obedience led to the establishment of his kingdom and abundant prosperity.
  • Religious ReformKing Jehoshaphat actively removed the high places and groves from Judah, demonstrating his commitment to eradicating idolatrous worship and promoting the exclusive worship of the LORD. This was a key aspect of his righteous rule.
  • Spiritual EducationA unique initiative undertaken by Jehoshaphat was sending princes, Levites, and priests throughout Judah to teach the "book of the law of the LORD." This widespread instruction aimed to educate the populace in divine statutes and reinforce national piety.
  • National Security and TributeDue to the LORD's presence with Jehoshaphat, a "fear of the LORD" fell upon surrounding kingdoms, preventing war against Judah. Instead, nations like the Philistines and Arabians brought tribute, acknowledging Judah's strength and divine protection.
  • Military StrengthJehoshaphat maintained an exceptionally large and well-organized army, comprising over a million "mighty men of valour" from Judah and Benjamin, in addition to garrisons in fortified cities. This formidable military power underscored his kingdom's security and influence.
  • Kingdom EstablishmentThe LORD "stablished the kingdom" in Jehoshaphat's hand, signifying divine endorsement and consolidation of his rule. This establishment was marked by the bringing of presents by all Judah and the accumulation of great riches and honor.