2 Chronicles 17

Josaphat succeeding his father Asa, strengtheneth his kingdom, vers.1.&c. and because he feared God, he is blessed of God, 3. Destroyeth idolatry, 6. Causeth his people every where to be instructed in the book of the law, 7. Is feared and honored by the nations rounds about, 10. The names of the Commanders of his army, and the number of his men of war, 14.

1. And Josaphat his son became king in his stead: And he strengthened himself against Israel. [that is, he furnished himself with store of arms, and all kind of instruments wars, to manifest his power against the ten tribes, to resist and oppose them, and to divert their strength and power. Oth. He strengthened himself over Israel: that is, he comfirmed himself in the Kingdom, which he had over Juda, Benjamin, and the strangers of Israel, and the cities Ephraim, which his father had taken. See the next verse.]

2. And he put men of war [Or, Forces] in all the fenced cities of Juda, and put Garrisons in the land of Juda, [that is, men of war under the conduct of their Officers and Commanders, to secure the land against the invasion of the Enemy. The Hebrew word is so taken, 1 Sam.13.3. and 2 Sam.8.6.] and in the cities of Ephraim, which Asa his Father had taken.

3. And the Lord was with Josaphat: For he walked in the former ways of his father David, [That is, wherein his fore-father David had walked. Oth. First, meaning before David had commited adultery, caused Uria to be slain, and the people to be numbered, 2 Sam.11.4,14. And 24.2.] and sought not the Baalims. [that is, he gave them no religious honor, to have aid from them, had them in no account. Understand by the Baalims all manner of idols; and see of this word Judg.2.on v.11.]

4. But he sought the God of his Father, and walked in his commandments, and not after the doings of Israel. [Heb. after the word, that is, after the idolatry of the back-sliding Israelites, who worshipped the golden calves, and other idols.]

5. And the LORD stablished the kingdom in his hand, and all Israel gave present to Josaphat: [Kings and Princes were honored with presents, either by their own subjects, in token of willing subjection, whereby they did submit themselves to their command and government, as 1 Sam.10.28. and here: Or by strange nations in token of reverence, and to maintain friendship and peace, as 1 Kings 10:25. and above chap.4.v.24.] and he had riches and honor in abundance.

6. And his heart was lift up in the ways of the LORD: [Not through conceit of his own vertues, riches, and honor, but through and for a courageous resolution to root out idolatry, to reform Religion, and to set up the pure worship of God, to bring in all good orders according to the law of God, and to make himself strong against all lets and hinderances, that he might meet withal by the way. Some take it thus, that he counted it his highest honor to walk in the ways of the Lord] and moreover he took away the high places and the groves out of Juda. [which were yet remaining since Asa’s time, or were planted about the end of his life by the Jews, who were so prone to idolatry, that even not withstanding Josaphats zeal, they were not utterly abolished and destroyed: below chap.20.33.]

7. Now in the third year of his reign he sent to his Princes, to Benchail, and to Obadia, and to Zecharia, and to Nethaniel, and to Michaia, to teach in the cities of Juda: [The meaning is, that they should every where exhort and command the people of the Jews in the Kings name, to hear the Law of the Lord at the mouth of the Priests and Levites, and to order and regulate their lives according to it; and remove by public authority all lets and hinderances whatsoever.]

8. And with them the Levites, Semaja, and Netania and Zabadia, and Asahel, and Semiramoth, and Jonathan, and Adonia, and Tobia, and Tob Adonia, the Levites, and with them the Priests, Elisama, and Joram.

9. And they [To wit, the Priests and Levites] taught in Juda, and the book of the Law of the LORD was with them; and they went about in all the cities of Juda, and taught among the people.

10. And a terror of the LORD [That is, a very great terror. See above chap.14.on vers.14. Item, compare Gen.13.on vers.10.] was over all the kingdoms of the lands, that were round about Juda: (so) that they warred not against Josaphat.

11. And from the Philistines they brought presents to Josaphat with the imposed money: [Hebr. And, or, with the silver of the burden: that is, with the set money, which they were injoined to pay yearly as a Tax or Tribute to the Kings of Juda] also the Arabians brought him small cattle, seven thousand, and seven hundred rams, and seven thousand, and seven hundred he goats.

12. So Josaphat increased, and waxed exceeding great, [To wit, 1. In riches, above vers.5. and below chap.18.1. 2. In military force, below vers.14,15, etc.3. In honor, and renown, above vers.5. and 10. And below chap 18.1. Hebr. He was, or, became, going and waxed great] moreover, he built in Juda strong holds, [or, Castles, Forts. Others, Palaces] and cities of store.

13. And he had men in the cities of Juda: [Understand this work not onely of the preparation, means, and provision, which he had in readiness for war, and other affairs, (as some take the Hebrew word here) but also of the labour, transaction, and business, which he had every where therein, to manage all things aright, to order, make, and put the same in practice] and men of war, valiant champions in Jerusalem.

14. Now this is their numbering, [Others, number, or, chief commanders, or, commanding power] according to the houses of their fathers: In Juda were chief of the thousand; Adana the chief, and with him were three hundred thousand valiant champions.

15. Now next to him [Hebr. At his hand: and so in the sequel] was Jobanan the chief: and with him were two hundred and fouescore thousand.

16. And next to him was Amasia the son of Zichri, who had willingly given up himself unto the LORD: [To wit, to fight the Lords battles against the enemies of the land] and with him were two hundred thousand valiant champions.

17. And of Benjamin was Eliada, valiant champion: and with him two hundred thousand, that were armed with bow and shield.

18. And next to him was Jozabad; and with him were an hundred and fourscore thousand, ready prepared for the war.

19. These were in the Kings service, [Or, ministered unto the King. Others, waited on the King. Understand that they were always ready to be used for him in the war, when so ever they should for that end and purpose be commanded by him] besides those, whom the Kings had put in the fenced cities thorough out all Juda.