1.
And Jehoshaphat his son reigned in his stead, and strengthened himself against Israel.
And. This chapter is supplementary to 1 Kings 22:41-43 .
strengthened himself. Without this we could not understand his subsequent alliances with the worst of Israel's kings ( 2Ch 18:1 , 2 Chronicles 18:2 ; 2 Chronicles 20:35 , 2 Chronicles 20:36 ).
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.
fenced = fortified.
Asa . . . had taken (2 Chronicles 15:8 ).
3.
And the LORD was with Jehoshaphat, because he walked in the first ways of his father David, and sought not unto Baalim;
the LORD. Hebrew. Jehovah. App-4 .
was with. Thus approving his strengthening himself against idolaters and idolatry.
the first ways: i.e. David's earlier ways were of faith.
4.
But sought to the LORD God of his father, and walked in his commandments, and not after the doings of Israel.
God. Hebrew. Elohim. App-4 .
Israel. The worship of the calves, and Baal.
5.
Therefore the LORD stablished the kingdom in his hand; and all Judah brought to Jehoshaphat presents; and he had riches and honour in abundance.
brought . . . presents. In token of subjection and loyalty at beginning of reign (1 Samuel 10:27 . 1 Kings 10:25 ).
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.
lifted up = encouraged.
he took away. But "the people" failed in their part (2 Chronicles 20:33 ; 1 Kings 22:43 ). Jehoshaphat did his by commanding that they should be taken away; not, of course, doing this with his own hands. Compare 2 Chronicles 19:3 .
groves. Hebrew the 'Asherim . See notes on Exodus 34:13 , and App-42 .
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, to teach in the cities of Judah.
princes. These organized the Levites and priests (2 Chronicles 17:8 ) into a teaching mission. The first so recorded.
to teach. This was the special function of the priests. See notes on Deuteronomy 17:9-12 ; Deuteronomy 33:10 .
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, 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.
the book of the law. See note on Exodus 17:14 , and App-47 .
went about (2 Kings 23:2 .Nehemiah 8:3-18; Nehemiah 8:3-18 ).
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.
fear = dread.
fell = came, or was.
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, 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.
had much business = was busily engaged.
and the men of. Hebrew, plural 'enosh. App-14 .
mighty men. Hebrew. gibbor.
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.
three hundred thousand. So far from these numbers being exaggerated, they are a token of Jehovah's prospering grace. Jehoshaphat could muster 1,600,000; David, 1,300, 000.
15.
And next to him was Jehohanan the captain, and with him two hundred and fourscore thousand.
next to him = under his direction. Hebrew "at his hand" (1 Chronicles 25:2 ).
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.
With bow and shield. Figure of speech Zeugma ( App-6 ), by which the second verb is omitted. If we supply the first, the second follows: "[armed] with bow and [using] shield".
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.
throughout all Judah. Compare 2 Chronicles 17:2 .