2 Chronicles 17

2 Chronicles 17:1

D. King Jehoshaphat (Chaps. 1720)17:1-5 Jehoshaphat succeeded his father and reigned twenty-five years (2Ch_20:31). Much more space is devoted to him in 2 Chronicles (chaps. 1720) than in Kings. The material in chapter 17 has no parallel in 1 Kings. Upon ascending the throne, Jehoshaphat . . . strengthened his kingdom against Israel. He fortified his kingdom, but the secret of his successful reign was that he followed the LORD, as David had done. It is interesting how David is constantly used as the standard by which kings were measured. If they walked after his example, they prospered and were blessed. If they did not, they failed. The land was at peace under Jehoshaphat, and his enemies paid tribute (vv. 10-12). 17:6-9 The Word of God had high priority in Jehoshaphat’s life. He was zealous in following its precepts and took delight in obeying it. He also made it the rule of his kingdom, sending a special commission of princes, Levites, and priests to educate the people in the ways of the LORD, thus obeying God’s commands in Deu_6:6ff. 17:10-19 Under Jehovah’s blessing, Jehoshaphat became increasingly powerful. And what an army he had! Rehoboam started out over sixty years earlier with 180,000 men. Now Judah’s militia numbered 1,160,000 men, not counting those stationed in the fortified cities. Many of these men had no doubt defected from Israel because they saw that the Lord was with Judah. It is too bad that Jehoshaphat did not use his manpower more wisely, as we shall see in chapter 18.