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;
A HAPPY REIGN
‘The Lord was with Jehoshaphat.’
2 Chronicles 17:3
It is instructive to notice what is said about David’s ways—it was his first ways that Jehoshaphat took for his pattern. We should always be careful to adopt only the good things in others.
I. ‘ The Lord stablished the kingdom in his hand.’ God loves to find a man He can trust, a man into whose hand He can put holy interests and know that they will be sacredly cherished.—The Lord established the kingdom in the hands of Jehoshaphat, because Jehoshaphat was true to his trust. In our Lord’s parable of The Talents we are taught that those who prove faithful to their trust receive other things also in trust, while those who are unfaithful even in small things God will not intrust with larger things.
II. ‘ His heart was lifted up in the ways of the Lord.’ There is a bad lifting up and a good lifting up. Some people are made vain and self-conceited by prosperity.—The temptation for young people, when first called upon to do any work, and accomplishing it with some measure of success, is to become proud, and to show their vanity by talking too much about themselves and what they have done. Such lifting up not only dishonours God but hurts the person. But Jehoshaphat was lifted up in the ways of the Lord. Too often, as money comes in and prosperity increases, people get so absorbed in these new gifts of God that the Giver Himself fades out of their vision. If only we see the hand of God in every new mercy and goodness that comes to us, our heart will be lifted up in the ways of the Lord.
III. ‘ The fear of the Lord fell upon all the kingdoms … so that they made no war against Jehoshaphat.’ The Lord is able to control even the diplomacy and the politics of nations.—When these kingdoms saw the blessing which Jehoshaphat was enjoying in his country, they felt an awe in their hearts—the fear of the Lord fell upon them—and they refrained from making war. God will always find some way to defend His own people in the midst of dangers.
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 brought 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 Ben-hail, 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 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.
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, 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 next 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.