2 Chronicles 17
2 Chronicles 17 is part of “Judah's Kings: Rehoboam to Ahaz” (10–28) in the outline of 2 Chronicles.
2 Chronicles 17 summary
Here begin the life and reign of Jehoshaphat, who was one of the first three among the royal worthies, one of the best that ever swayed the sceptre of Judah since David's head was laid. He was the good son of a good father, so that, as this time, grace ran in the blood, even in the blood-royal. Happy the son that had such a father, to lay a good foundation in him and for him. Happy the father that had such a son, to build so wall upon the foundation he had laid!
Read the full introduction
Here begin the life and reign of Jehoshaphat, who was one of the first three among the royal worthies, one of the best that ever swayed the sceptre of Judah since David's head was laid. He was the good son of a good father, so that, as this time, grace ran in the blood, even in the blood-royal. Happy the son that had such a father, to lay a good foundation in him and for him. Happy the father that had such a son, to build so wall upon the foundation he had laid! Happy the kingdom that was blessed with two such kings, two such reigns, together! In this chapter we have, I. His accession to and establishment in the throne (Ch2 17:1, Ch2 17:2, Ch2 17:5). II. His persona piety (Ch2 17:3, Ch2 17:4, Ch2 17:6). III. The course he took to promote religion in his kingdom (Ch2 17:7-9). IV. The mighty sway he bore among the neighbours (Ch2 17:10, Ch2 17:11). V. The great strength of his kingdom, both in garrisons and standing forces (Ch2 17:12-19). Thus was his prosperity the reward of his piety and his piety the brightest grace and ornament of his prosperity.
Source: Matthew Henry, Commentary on the Whole Bible (1706–21; Romans–Revelation completed by Nonconformist ministers). Public domain. Digital text: Free Use Bible API (bible.helloao.org).
2 Chronicles 17 (GNV)
Geneva Bible 1599 (public domain)
Jehoshaphat's Greatness
1And Iehosphat his sonne reigned in his steade, and preuailed against Israel. 2And he put garisons in all the strong cities of Iudah, and set bandes in the lande of Iudah and in the cities of Ephraim, which Asa his father had taken. 3And the Lord was with Iehoshaphat, because he walked in the first wayes of his father Dauid, and sought not Baalim, 4But sought the Lord God of his father, and walked in his commandements, and not after the trade of Israel. 5Therefore the Lord stablished the kingdome in his hande, and all Iudah brought presents to Iehoshaphat, so that he had of riches and honour in abundance. 6And he lift vp his heart vnto the wayes of the Lord, and he tooke away moreouer the hie places and the groues out of Iudah.
Teaching the Law Throughout Judah
7And in the thirde yere of his reigne he sent his princes, Ben-hail, and Obadiah, and Zechariah, and Nethaneel, and Michaiah, that they should teach in the cities of Iudah, 8And with them Leuites, Shemaiah, and Nethaniah, and Zebadiah, and Asahel, and Shemiramoth, and Iehonathan, and Adoniiah, and Tobiiah, and Tob-adoniiah, Leuites, and with the Elishama and Iehoram Priestes. 9And they taught in Iudah, and had the booke of the Lawe of the Lord with them, and went about throughout all the cities of Iudah, and taught the people. 10And the feare of the Lord fell vpon all the kingdomes of ye lands that were round about Iudah, and they fought not against Iehoshaphat. 11Also some of the Philistims brought Iehoshaphat giftes and tribute siluer, and the Arabians brought him flockes, seuen thousande and seuen hundreth rammes, and seuen thousande and seuen hundreth hee goates. 12So Iehoshaphat prospered and grewe vp on hie: and he built in Iudah palaces and cities of store. 13And he had great workes in the cities of Iudah, and men of warre, and valiant men in Ierusalem. 14And these are the nombers of them after the house of their fathers, In Iudah were captaines of thousands, Adnah the captaine, and with him of valiant men three hundreth thousande. 15And at his hande Iehohanan a captaine, and with him two hundreth and fourescore thousande. 16And at his hande Amasiah the sonne of Zichri, which willingly offered him selfe vnto the Lord, and with him two hundreth thousand valiant men. 17And of Beniamin, Eliada a valiant man, and with him armed men with bowe and shielde two hundreth thousand. 18And at his hand Iehozabad, and with him an hundreth and fourescore thousand armed to the warre. 19These waited on the King, besides those which the King put in the strong cities thoroughout all Iudah.