2 Chronicles Chapter 17 — The Reign of Jehoshaphat
King Jehoshaphat succeeds his father Asa, strengthens Judah's defenses, and sends teachers throughout the land to instruct the people in the law of God.
1Jehoshaphat his son reigned in his place, and strengthened himself against Israel.
2He placed 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.
3The LORD was with Jehoshaphat, because he walked in the first ways of his father David, and didn’t seek the Baals,
4but sought the God of his father, and walked in his commandments, and not in the ways of Israel.
5Therefore the LORD established the kingdom in his hand. All Judah brought tribute to Jehoshaphat, and he had riches and honor in abundance.
6His heart was lifted up in the ways of the LORD. Furthermore, he took away the high places and the Asherah poles out of Judah.
7Also in the third year of his reign he sent his princes, even Ben Hail, Obadiah, Zechariah, Nethanel, and Micaiah, to teach in the cities of Judah;
8and with them Levites, even Shemaiah, Nethaniah, Zebadiah, Asahel, Shemiramoth, Jehonathan, Adonijah, Tobijah, and Tobadonijah, the Levites; and with them Elishama and Jehoram, the priests.
9They taught in Judah, having the book of the LORD’s law with them. They went about throughout all the cities of Judah and taught among the people.
10The fear of the LORD fell on all the kingdoms of the lands that were around Judah, so that they made no war against Jehoshaphat.
11Some of the Philistines brought Jehoshaphat presents and silver for tribute. The Arabians also brought him flocks: seven thousand seven hundred rams and seven thousand seven hundred male goats.
12Jehoshaphat grew great exceedingly; and he built fortresses and store cities in Judah.
13He had many works in the cities of Judah; and men of war, mighty men of valor, in Jerusalem.
14This was the numbering of them according to their fathers’ houses: From Judah, the captains of thousands: Adnah the captain, and with him three hundred thousand mighty men of valor;
15and next to him Jehohanan the captain, and with him two hundred eighty thousand;
16and next to him Amasiah the son of Zichri, who willingly offered himself to the LORD, and with him two hundred thousand mighty men of valor.
17From Benjamin: Eliada, a mighty man of valor, and with him two hundred thousand armed with bow and shield;
18and next to him Jehozabad, and with him one hundred eighty thousand ready and prepared for war.
19These were those who waited on the king, in addition to those whom the king put in the fortified cities throughout all Judah.
WEB Translation
Notable Verses
2 Chronicles 17:3-4
“The LORD was with Jehoshaphat, because he walked in the first ways of his father David, and didn’t seek the Baals, but sought the God of his father, and walked in his commandments, and not in the ways of Israel.”
This verse establishes the spiritual foundation and the reason for the success of Jehoshaphat’s reign.
2 Chronicles 17:9
“They taught in Judah, having the book of the LORD’s law with them. They went about throughout all the cities of Judah and taught among the people.”
It highlights the king's innovative and proactive approach to national education through religious instruction.
Chapter Summary
2 Chronicles 17 describes the early reign of King Jehoshaphat of Judah. He begins by fortifying the cities of Judah and placing garrisons in captured territories. The text emphasizes that the Lord was with him because he followed the example of David and rejected the worship of Baal. Jehoshaphat takes significant steps to remove high places and Asherah poles from the land. In a unique move, he commissions a group of princes, Levites, and priests to travel throughout all the cities of Judah to teach the people from the book of the law. This commitment to spiritual and civil instruction leads to great stability. As a result, the surrounding nations fear Judah and bring tribute, including silver and livestock from the Philistines and Arabians. Jehoshaphat becomes exceedingly powerful, building fortresses and maintaining a massive, well-organized army led by mighty men of valor. The chapter concludes with a detailed census of his military forces stationed in Jerusalem and throughout the fortified cities.
Frequently Asked Questions
Jehoshaphat was the son of Asa and the king of Judah who focused on spiritual reform and national defense. He is noted for his devotion to God's commandments and for removing idol worship from the kingdom.
He sent a delegation of princes, Levites, and priests to every city in Judah. They carried the book of the law of the Lord and taught its contents directly to the citizens to ensure the nation understood God's requirements.
The text states that the fear of the Lord fell upon the surrounding kingdoms, preventing them from making war. Instead of conflict, groups like the Philistines and Arabians brought Jehoshaphat tribute in the form of silver and livestock.
Study Note
The systematic teaching of the Law by itinerant Levites in this chapter is one of the earliest recorded examples of a nationwide religious education program in the history of the Southern Kingdom.
Continue in the App
Get the full experience — immersive audio, instant explanations, highlights, notes, and reading plans.