> [[2-chronicles-16|← Previous]] | [[2-chronicles-00|TOC]] | [[2-chronicles-18|Next →]] --- # 2 Chronicles, Chapter 17 ## Chapter 17 **Jehoshaphat’s Zeal for the Law.** 1 His son Jehoshaphat succeeded him as king and strengthened his position against Israel. ^2-chronicles-17-1 2 He placed armed forces in all the fortified cities of Judah, and set garrisons in the land of Judah and in the cities of Ephraim which Asa his father had taken. ^2-chronicles-17-2 3 The LORD was with Jehoshaphat, for he walked in the earlier ways of David his father, and did not seek the Baals. ^2-chronicles-17-3 4 Rather, he sought the God of his father and walked in his commands, and not the practices of Israel. ^2-chronicles-17-4 5 Through him, the LORD made the kingdom secure, and all Judah gave Jehoshaphat gifts, so that great wealth and glory was his. ^2-chronicles-17-5 6 Thus he was encouraged to follow the LORD’s ways, and once again he removed the high places and the asherahs from Judah. ^2-chronicles-17-6 7 In the third year of his reign he sent his officials, Ben-hail, Obadiah, Zechariah, Nethanel, and Micaiah, to teach in the cities of Judah. ^2-chronicles-17-7 8 With them he sent the Levites Shemaiah, Nethaniah, Zebadiah, Asahel, Shemiramoth, Jehonathan, Adonijah, and Tobijah, together with Elishama and Jehoram the priests. ^2-chronicles-17-8 9 They taught in Judah, having with them the book of the law of the LORD; they traveled through all the cities of Judah and taught among the people. ^2-chronicles-17-9 **His Power.** 10 Now the fear of the LORD was upon all the kingdoms of the countries surrounding Judah, so that they did not war against Jehoshaphat. ^2-chronicles-17-10 11 Some of the Philistines brought Jehoshaphat gifts and a tribute of silver; the Arabians also brought him a flock of seven thousand seven hundred rams and seven thousand seven hundred he-goats. ^2-chronicles-17-11 12 Jehoshaphat grew ever greater. He built strongholds and store cities in Judah. ^2-chronicles-17-12 13 He carried out many works in the cities of Judah, and he had soldiers, valiant warriors, in Jerusalem. ^2-chronicles-17-13 14 This was their mustering according to their ancestral houses. From Judah, the commanders of thousands: Adnah the commander, and with him three hundred thousand valiant warriors. ^2-chronicles-17-14 15 Next to him, Jehohanan the commander, and with him two hundred eighty thousand. ^2-chronicles-17-15 16 Next to him, Amasiah, son of Zichri, who offered himself to the LORD, and with him two hundred thousand valiant warriors. ^2-chronicles-17-16 17 From Benjamin: Eliada, a valiant warrior, and with him two hundred thousand armed with bow and buckler. ^2-chronicles-17-17 18 Next to him, Jehozabad, and with him one hundred and eighty thousand equipped for war. ^2-chronicles-17-18 19 These attended the king; in addition to those whom the king had stationed in the fortified cities throughout all Judah. ^2-chronicles-17-19 \* (17:3) The LORD was with Jehoshaphat: along with his successors Hezekiah and Josiah, Jehoshaphat is one of the Chronicler’s exemplary kings. \* (17:6) Thus he was encouraged: lit., “his heart was high,” a phrase that ordinarily describes arrogance and rebelliousness; in this case, however, it introduces a notice of Jehoshaphat’s fidelity to the Lord. a. (17:1) [[1-kings-15|1 Kgs 15]]:24. b. (17:6) [2 Chr 20:33]; [Ex 34:13]. c. (17:8) [2 Chr 19:8]. d. (17:9) ([[ezra-07|Ezr 7]]:25]. --- _New American Bible, revised edition_ (2010, 1991, 1986, 1970) Confraternity of Christian Doctrine, Washington, D.C. > [[2-chronicles-16|← Previous]] | [[2-chronicles-00|TOC]] | [[2-chronicles-18|Next →]]