2 Chronicleschapter 17
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Key verse
And the Lord was with Jehoshaphat, because he walked in the first ways of his father David, and sought not unto Baalim;
It stands in Jehoshaphat's heart is lifted up in the ways of the LORD, verses 1 to 6.
The chapter
Chapter summary
Jehoshaphat strengthens himself against Israel and walks in the first ways of his father David, not seeking the Baalim, 'therefore Jehovah established the kingdom in his hand.' His signature act is an education program: in the third year he sends five princes, nine Levites, and two priests through the cities of Judah to teach, 'having the book of the law of Jehovah with them.' The result is national, the fear of Jehovah falls on the kingdoms round about so that they make no war, and the Philistines and Arabians bring tribute and flocks by the thousand. He builds castles and store cities, and the muster of his mighty men of valor in Jerusalem is counted by the hundred thousand. He waxed great exceedingly.
Context
History · Ezra · 2 Chronicles overview
The world behind this chapter
2 Chronicles 17The history
The most unusual thing any king of Judah ever did is recorded here in a single sentence. In his third year Jehoshaphat sent five officials, nine Levites and two priests through all the cities of Judah to teach, and they took the Book of the Law of the LORD with them.
The rest of the history, and what it meant to them
It is worth pausing on what that meant in practice. Scrolls were expensive and rare, and most people never saw one. Bringing the scroll to the villages, rather than requiring the villages to come to the scroll, changed who could know the law.
The tribute list shows the result in political terms. The surrounding kingdoms brought gifts, the Philistines paid silver, and the Arabs brought seven thousand seven hundred rams and the same number of goats. Livestock tribute from desert peoples was ordinary, and the figures say the flocks were large.
The muster totals by commander are the standard summary of national strength, set beside store cities in Judah and garrisons in the towns of Ephraim his father had taken.
What it meant to them
This chapter described the first hearers' own institution. When Nehemiah gathered the people at the water gate, Ezra read from the book and the Levites went through the crowd giving the sense so that the people understood the reading.
The pattern of the book carried to the people, with Levites sent to explain it, had a king's precedent behind it. His reign was remembered as strong because of it.
Sources cited
- Roland de Vaux, Ancient Israel: Its Life and Institutions
- Keil and Delitzsch, Biblical Commentary on the Old Testament: Chronicles
- John H. Walton, Victor H. Matthews and Mark W. Chavalas, The IVP Bible Background Commentary: Old Testament
Where the chapter sits
2 Chronicles 17 falls in Kings of Judah: Rehoboam to Ahaz (chapters 10–28). The divided kingdom narrated from Judah's side only; reform kings (Asa, Jehoshaphat, Joash, Uzziah, Jotham) and evil kings; prophetic interventions unique to Chronicles (Azariah, Hanani, Zechariah son of Jehoiada).
Before it: Solomon's reign, chapters 1–9. After it: Hezekiah to the exile, chapters 29–36.
The whole shape of 2 Chronicles→The structure of this chapter
The heads below are this chapter's scenes. The numbered points under each are its verses.
A. Jehoshaphat's heart is lifted up in the ways of the LORD
1. (vv. 1-2)
2 Chronicles 17:1
“Jehoshaphat ascended the throne in the fourth year of Ahab 1Ki 22:41, probably after that monarch had contracted his alliance with the royal family of Sidon, and before he was engaged in war with Syria. It was thus not unnatural that Jehoshaphat should begin his reign by strengthening himself against a possible attack on the part of his northern neighbor.”
2 Chronicles 17:2
“The cities of Ephraim - This conquest from the kingdom of Israel is referred to, 2Ch 15:8; but when it was made we do not know.”
Adam Clarke· Commentary on the Bible (1810-1826)evangelical
strengthened himself against Israel: Jehoshaphat succeeds Asa and strengthens himself against Israel, which the bench reads as defense rather than invasion: he garrisons the fenced cities of Judah and holds the cities of Ephraim his father had taken from the northern kingdom at 15:8. The reign opens on the border his father drew, and Chronicles will measure it by the same verb it measures every reign by, whether the king seeks the Lord.
2. (vv. 3-4)
2 Chronicles 17:3
“Of Jehoshaphat, the king of Judah, it is written, "And the Lord was with Jehoshaphat, who walked in the first ways of David, his father." From this it is clear that Jehoshaphat possessed the justice that David first possessed and that he did not commit the sins that David later committed. "He trusted not in Baalim," he says, "but in the God of his father and walked in his commandments, and not according to the sins of Israel. And the Lord established the kingdom in his hand and all Judah brought presents to Jehoshaphat.”
Jerome· written before 420· Against the Pelagians 2.21patristic
2 more voices on this verse
2 Chronicles 17:3
“The first ways of his father David - The Septuagint and several Hebrew manuscripts omit “David,” which has probably crept in from the margin, for David’s “first ways” are nowhere else contrasted with his later ways. The real meaning of the writer is, that Jehoshaphat followed the example set by his father Asa in his earlier years 2Ch 14:1-15; 15. Baalim - On the plural form, see 1Ki 18:18 note.”
2 Chronicles 17:3
“Paul himself thus limits our imitation of him ( 1 Cor. xi. 1 ): Follow me, as I follow Christ, and not otherwise. Many good people have had their first ways, which were their best ways, their first love, which was their strongest love; and in every copy we propose to write after, as we must single out that only which is good, so that chiefly which is best.”
Matthew Henry· Commentary on the Whole Bible (1707-1721)puritan
2 Chronicles 17:4
“The doings of Israel - i. e. the especially idolatrous doings of the time - the introduction and establishment of the worship of Baal and the groves.”
walked in the first ways of his father David: The Lord is with Jehoshaphat because he walked in the first ways of his father David, and the text sets a negative beside a positive: he sought not unto Baalim, but sought to the Lord God of his father and walked in his commandments. Barnes notes that some manuscripts read simply his father without naming David, since David's earlier and later ways are nowhere else contrasted in the text, but either way the standard held up is the founding king's devotion rather than the mixed record Asa left in his own last years. This verse plants the seeking refrain that runs through the whole book at the head of the reign the rest of the chapter bears out.
3. (vv. 5-6)
2 Chronicles 17:5
“Therefore the Lord stablished the kingdom in his hand,....”
1 more voice on this verse
2 Chronicles 17:5
“A government that answers the end of government will be supported. The effect of the favour both of God and his kingdom was that he had riches and honour in abundance. It is undoubtedly true, though few will believe it, that religion and piety are the best friends to outward prosperity.”
Matthew Henry· Commentary on the Whole Bible (1707-1721)puritan
2 Chronicles 17:6
“His heart was lifted up - This expression generally occurs in a bad sense Deu 8:14; 2Ch 26:16; Psa 131:1; Pro 18:12; but here it must be taken differently. The margin “was encouraged” expresses fairly the true meaning. He first began by setting an example of faithfulness to Yahweh. He then proceeded to use his best endeavors to extirpate idolatry. He took away the high places - Compare 2Ch 20:33, and see the 2Ch 15:17 note.”
2 more voices on this verse
2 Chronicles 17:6
“He was valiant and resolute for God and his ways. Groves - Those wherein idols were worshipped, and though Asa had done this before, yet either he did not do it thoroughly; or the Jews (who were many of them mad upon their idols) had secretly made new ones, in the latter part of his reign, when he grew more infirm in body, and more remiss in God's cause.”
John Wesley· Explanatory Notes upon the Old Testament (1765)evangelical
2 Chronicles 17:6
“It is meant of those in which idols were worshipped; for those that were dedicated to the true God only were not taken away, ch. xx. It was only idolatry that he abolished.”
Matthew Henry· Commentary on the Whole Bible (1707-1721)puritan
stablished the kingdom in his hand: The Lord stablishes the kingdom in Jehoshaphat's hand and prosperity follows: Judah brings him presents and he has riches and honour in abundance. His heart is lifted up in the ways of the Lord, a phrase Barnes reads as encouraged rather than proud, since the usual bad sense of the idiom does not fit a king praised in the same breath, and he takes away the high places and groves. Chronicles will say at 20:33 that the high places were not taken away, because the people had not prepared their hearts, and both verses stand: the royal reform and the popular relapse are both true of one reign.
B. Princes and Levites carry the law through every city
1. (vv. 7-9)
2 Chronicles 17:7
“The princes were not sent as teachers themselves, but had the duty committed to them of seeing that the people were taught. The actual teachers were the priests and Levites of 2Ch 17:8.”
2 Chronicles 17:8
“And with them he sent Levites,.... With the five princes he sent nine Levites: even Shemaiah, and Nethaniah, and Zebadiah, and Asahel, and Shemiramoth, and Jehonathan, and Adonijah, and Tobijah, and Tobadonijah, Levites; of whom we nowhere else read; no doubt they were principal persons, and fit for the work they were sent about: and with them Elishama and Jehoram, priests; whose lips were to keep knowledge, and at whose mouth the law was to be sought, Mal 2:7.”
2 Chronicles 17:9
“There is no reasonable doubt that this “book of the law” was the Pentateuch - nearly, if not quite, in the shape in which we now have it. Copies of the whole Law were, no doubt, scarce; and therefore Jehoshaphat’s commission took care to carry a copy with them.”
to teach in the cities of Judah: In the third year Jehoshaphat sends five princes, nine Levites and two priests through all the cities of Judah, and they carry the book of the law of the Lord with them as they go. Nothing in Samuel or Kings parallels this mission; it is Chronicles' own material, an itinerant teaching program built on the written word a century before Josiah's workmen find a forgotten copy of that same law in the temple. Barnes takes the book carried to be the Pentateuch essentially as it stands, brought along because full copies of the law were scarce, and Gill reads the teaching itself as the people's duty toward God and man, taught from the text and confirmed by its own authority.
2. (v. 10)
2 Chronicles 17:10
“God's good providence so ordered it that, while the princes and priests were instructing and reforming the country, none of his neighbours gave him any molestations, to take him off from that good work. Thus when Jacob and his sons were going to worship at Bethel the terror of God was upon the neighbouring cities, that they did not pursue after them, Gen. xxxv.”
Matthew Henry· Commentary on the Whole Bible (1707-1721)puritan
fell upon all the kingdoms of the lands: The fear of the Lord falls on the surrounding kingdoms and no one makes war on Jehoshaphat, the same shape of protection Chronicles' own tradition finds when the terror of God kept the cities around Shechem from pursuing Jacob's sons after Genesis 35. Henry reads the timing as providence covering the reformers rather than the army: while the princes, priests and Levites are still teaching the country, none of the neighbors moves against the king.
3. (v. 11)
2 Chronicles 17:11
“Also some of the Philistines brought Jehoshaphat presents and tribute silver,.... Perhaps those of Gerar, and the parts adjacent, Asa took and spoiled, and made tributary, 2Ch 14:14, and the Arabians brought him flocks, seven thousand and seven hundred rams, and seven thousand and seven hundred he goats; with which their country abounded; and these might be the Scenite Arabs, who fearing lest Jehoshaphat should fall upon them, and take away their flocks as his father had done, 2Ch 14:15, brought these presents to him.”
1 more voice on this verse
2 Chronicles 17:11
“Some of the Philistines brought Jehoshaphat presents - i. e. “some of the Philistines were among his tributaries.” Compare 2Sa 8:2; 1Ki 4:21. Tribute silver - Or, “much silver” - literally “silver of burthen.” The Arabians - The Arab tribes who bordered Judaea to the south and the southeast paid Jehoshaphat a fixed tribute in kind. Compare 2Ki 3:4 note.”
brought Jehoshaphat presents, and tribute silver: Philistines pay tribute silver and Arabians bring flocks of rams and goats in matched sevens of thousands, a second gift list beside the one Judah itself gave at verse 5. Gill and Barnes both read these as neighboring peoples buying peace rather than risking the fate the Arabians met when Asa defeated them at 14:15.
C. The mighty men of valor who waited on the king
1. (vv. 12-13)
2 Chronicles 17:12
“And Jehoshaphat waxed great exceedingly,.... In wealth and riches, power and authority, in his forces and fortifications: and he built in Judah castles, and cities of stores; castles for the defence of his kingdom, and store cities to lay up corn, and wine, and all provisions, in case of an invasion, or against a time of war.”
2 Chronicles 17:13
“He had much business in the cities - He kept the people constantly employed; they had wages for their work; and by their labors the empire was both enriched and strengthened.”
Adam Clarke· Commentary on the Bible (1810-1826)evangelical
waxed great exceedingly: Jehoshaphat waxes great, building castles and store cities and keeping much business running through the cities of Judah, while his standing men of war are held in reserve at Jerusalem. Clarke reads the busy cities as full employment, the kingdom enriched by wages paid for work done, the domestic strength that fills out the military strength verse 1 opened with.
2. (vv. 14-16)
2 Chronicles 17:14
“Adnah, the chief - He was generalissimo of all this host. These are the numbers of the five battalions: under Adnah, three hundred thousand; Jehohanan, two hundred and eighty thousand, Amasiah, two hundred thousand; Eliada, two hundred thousand; Jehozabad, one hundred and eighty thousand; in all, one million one hundred and sixty thousand.”
Adam Clarke· Commentary on the Bible (1810-1826)evangelical
1 more voice on this verse
2 Chronicles 17:14
“The army of Jehoshaphat, commanded by five great generals and consisting of five unequal divisions, comprised one million one hundred and sixty thousand men, without including those who garrisoned the fortresses. No monarch, since the time of Solomon, equalled Jehoshaphat in the extent of his revenue, in the strength of his fortifications, and in the number of his troops.”
Jamieson, Fausset & Brown· Commentary Critical and Explanatory on the Whole Bible (1871)reformed
2 Chronicles 17:15
“And next to him was Jehohanan the captain,.... Being of the same rank as to office, but having a lesser number of men under him; and it may respect not any kind of subordination, only nearness of place, as the Targum,"he that encamped next to him" and with him two hundred and fourscore thousand; which number was but 20,000 less than the former.”
2 Chronicles 17:16
“And next him was Amasiah the son of Zichri,.... He encamped next to him, as the Targum: who willingly offered himself unto the Lord; to fight the Lord's battles, and without any stipend, as some think; or, as Kimchi, he offered gold and silver to the treasures of the house of the Lord: and with him two hundred thousand mighty men of valour; the number was 80,000 less than the former; the whole of Judah amounted to 780,000 men.”
1 more voice on this verse
2 Chronicles 17:16
“IT was a great thing for King Jehoshaphat to have such a pious lord-lieutenant, one who could command an army and, at the same time, obey the commands of God. Christian men ought greatly to value Christian servants, especially if such persons are employed in positions of trust. If we can have godly men to occupy our offices and transact our business, we should be very grateful and do our best to encourage and cheer them.”
the numbers of them according to the house of their fathers: The roster opens with Judah's three captains: Adnah over three hundred thousand, Jehohanan over two hundred and eighty thousand, and Amasiah son of Zichri over two hundred thousand, named because he willingly offered himself unto the Lord. Gill reads the phrase either as service given without pay or, following Kimchi, as gold and silver given to the temple treasury, the same freewill spirit David asked of Israel's officers at 1 Chr 29:5. Spurgeon preached from this verse itself, taking a commander who could lead an army and still obey God as the pattern a Christian employer should want in a Christian servant.
3. (vv. 17-19)
2 Chronicles 17:17
“And of Benjamin, Eliada, a mighty man of valour,.... Was the chief commander: and with armed men with bow and shield two hundred thousand; which were the armour of the tribe of Benjamin they were best skilled in, 2Ch 14:8.”
2 Chronicles 17:18
“And next to him, was Jehozabad,.... According to the Targum he encamped next him: and with him one hundred and fourscore thousand ready prepared for war; being able bodied men, well disciplined, valiant, and well armed; these numbers of Judah and Benjamin put together amount to 1,160,000 men, whereas Asa only brought into the field 580,000; but it should be considered there had been a long time of peace, many had come off from the ten tribes to Judah, and the promise of multiplying the seed of Abraham was eminently fulfilled.”
2 Chronicles 17:19
“These waited on the king,.... Not this vast number of men at one time, but in course, as David's military men waited on him, 1Ch 27:1 or each of these captains, with a proper number of men under them detached from the body; and they were all ready to obey the king's orders whenever he should have occasion for them: besides those whom the king put into the fenced cities throughout Judah; and all together, the militia of the kingdom was very numerous and formidable.”
Eliada a mighty man of valour: Benjamin's contingent under Eliada carries bow and shield, the tribe's own weapon since 14:8, and Jehozabad closes the list at a hundred and eighty thousand. Gill sums Judah and Benjamin together at 1,160,000 men, roughly double the 580,000 Asa fielded at 14:8, and credits the growth to a long peace and to Israelites who had come over from the north. These waited on the king in Jerusalem besides the garrisons already posted in the fenced cities, and Henry's own summary of the chapter insists it was not this army that put fear into the neighboring nations but the fear of God that fell when Jehoshaphat reformed his kingdom and set a preaching ministry loose in it.
This page carries no textual note on 2 Chronicles 17. Where this site has examined a place the manuscripts differ, the examination is in the manuscripts room. Every place this site examines →
Sources for this chapter
The summary
Jamieson, Fausset & Brown, Commentary Critical and Explanatory; John Wesley, Notes on the Old Testament and Matthew Henry, Complete Commentary.
The exposition
Adam Clarke, Commentary on the Bible; Albert Barnes, Notes on the Old Testament; Charles Spurgeon, The Metropolitan Tabernacle Pulpit, Sermon No. 2227, Wanted! Volunteers; Jamieson Fausset and Brown, Commentary Critical and Explanatory on the Whole Bible; John Gill, Exposition of the Old Testament; John Wesley, Explanatory Notes upon the Old Testament and Matthew Henry, Commentary on the Whole Bible.