2 Chronicles
Chapter 17
Jehoshaphat of Judah (870 – 848)
His son, Jehoshaphat, succeeded him and strengthened his position against Israel.
He put troops in all the fortified towns of Judah. He appointed governors in the land of Judah and all the cities of Ephraim captured by his father, Asa.
The Lord blessed Jehoshaphat because he followed the example of David, his father, and did not worship Baal.
He served the God of his father, following his commandments and not following the example of Israel.
So the Lord made the kingship secure in his hands. Judah’s people brought gifts to Jehoshaphat, and ample riches and honor were his.
He took pride in serving the Lord and destroyed all the high places and Asherah’s trunks in Judah.
In the third year of his reign, he sent his officers, Ben-hail, Obadiah, Zechariah, Nethanel, and Micaiah, to instruct in the towns of Judah.
With them went the Levites: Shemaiah, Nethaniah, Zebadiah, Asahel, Shemiramoth, Jehonathan, Adonijah, and Tobijah. The Levites, together with the priests Elishama and Jehoram,
instructed Judah, carrying with them the book of the law of the Lord, and went around all the towns of Judah, teaching the people.
The fear of the Lord came upon all the kingdoms surrounding Judah, so they did not war against Jehoshaphat.
Some Philistines brought him gifts and silver in tribute. The Arabs brought him, in small stock, seven thousand seven hundred rams and seven thousand seven hundred he-goats.
Jehoshaphat became increasingly influential. Throughout Judah, he built fortresses and towns with storage facilities.
He had many workers in the towns of Judah and a garrison of outstanding officers in Jerusalem.
This was their disposition by families:For Judah, commanders of thousands; Adnah, the commanding officer, with three hundred thousand outstanding officers under his command,
Jehohanan with two hundred and eighty thousand;
Amasiah son of Zichri, who had volunteered for the Lord’s service, with two hundred thousand valiant warriors.
From Benjamin: the valiant warrior Eliada, with two hundred thousand, armed with bow and shield;
under his command, Jehozabad, with one hundred and eighty thousand equipped for war.
These men served the king, not counting those the king had put in the fortified towns throughout Judah.
Commentaries
The Kings of Judah Until the Exile.
The final section of the Chronicler’s work focuses on the history of the kingdom of Judah, covering from Solomon to the exile, with little mention of the Northern Kingdom. For the Chronicler, the kingdom of Judah represents the entire nation of Israel. The primary standard for judging each king is their loyalty to God. Four notable figures stand out as models of this loyalty: Asa, Jehoshaphat, Josiah, and especially Hezekiah. The prophets are also depicted alongside the kings, delivering messages that include warnings and sincere calls to stay loyal to the Lord. Ultimately, the Chronicler encourages the post-exilic community to seek God and remain faithful to the One who has remained true to his people despite their difficulties.
Positive Phase.
The reign begins by presenting Rehoboam as obedient to the Word of the Lord, who instructs him not to fight against Jeroboam. The list of cities (5-12) is likely authentic, although it is probable that they were only fortified after the invasion of Shishak, Pharaoh of Egypt (12:1-12). Through the removal of priests and Levites (13-17), the author emphasizes that the center of worship is in Jerusalem and that the Levites have been loyal to the Temple from the start.
The Faithfulness of Abijah.
Building on the account in 1 Kings 15:1-8, the Chronicler revises the story from a new perspective. Although he only reigned for three years, the Chronicler presents the king as faithful to God, a worthy successor to David and Solomon. The war against Jeroboam (3) is probably real and offers a chance to include a speech by Abijah to the northern tribes (4-12): those in the north (8.11) are not part of the Lord’s kingdom; they do not have a legitimate dynasty, only a usurper king; they worship idols instead of the true God, and they lack priests or proper worship. To fight against Judah (10) is to fight against the Lord (12). The logical result is Jeroboam’s defeat (13-18).
Jehoshaphat of Judah.
This account expands and alters 1 Kings 22:1-59, where the king’s role is less highlighted. The Chronicler develops Jehoshaphat’s character through four alternating scenes: religious and military reform (17), battle and victory (18), judicial reform (19), and a new triumph (20). The military efforts build on those of his father, Asa. Religious reform prepares the way for judicial reform, emphasizing obedience to Deuteronomy and heeding prophets’ warnings about judges (Dt 1:16ff). The military campaigns include one in Chapter 18, which aligns with 1 Kings 22, and another in Chapter 20, an addition by the author. The conclusion of Jehoshaphat’s reign (20:31-21:1) is based on 1 Kings 22:41-51, where his failure is connected to his alliance with the king of Israel.