II Chronicles 17
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Commentaries
Excerpts gathered from published commentaries to ground the reading.
Jehoshaphat - and strengthened himself against Israel - The kingdoms of Israel and Judah were rivals from the beginning; sometimes one, sometimes the other, prevailed. Asa and Baasha were nearly matched; but, after Baasha's death, Israel was greatly weakened by civil contentions, and Jehoshaphat got the ascendancy. See Kg1 16:16-23.
Open source ↗JEHOSHAPHAT REIGNS WELL AND PROSPERS. (Ch2 17:1-6) Jehoshaphat . . . strengthened himself against Israel--The temper and proceedings of the kings of Israel rendered it necessary for him to prepare vigorous measures of defense on the northern frontier of his kingdom. These consisted in filling all the fortresses with their full complement of troops and establishing military stations in various parts of the country, as well as in the cities of Mount Ephraim, which belonged to Jehoshaphat (Ch2 15:8).
Open source ↗And Jehoshaphat his son reigned in his stead,.... In the stead of Asa his father: and strengthened himself against Israel; the ten tribes, by fortifying his cities, building castles, raising and keeping a large standing army, as the latter part of this chapter shows, and the next verse.
Open source ↗Jehoshaphat's marriage alliance with Ahab, and his campaign with Ahab against the Syrians at Ramoth in Gilead. - Ch2 18:1. Jehoshaphat came into connection by marriage with Ahab through his son Joram taking Athaliah, a daughter of Ahab, to wife (Ch2 21:6); an event which did not take place on the visit made by Jehoshaphat to Ahab in his palace at Samaria, and recorded in Ch2 18:2, but which had preceded that by about nine years. That visit falls in the beginning of the year in which Ahab was mortally wounded at Ramoth, and died, i.e., the seventeenth year of Jehoshaphat's reign. But at that time Ahaziah, the son of Joram and Athaliah, was already from eight to nine years old, since thirteen years later he became king at the age of twenty-two; Kg2 8:26, cf. with the chronol. table to 1 Kings 12. The marriage connection is mentioned in order to account for Jehoshaphat's visit to Samaria (Ch2 18:2), and his alliance with Ahab in the war against the Syrians; but it is also introduced by a reference to Jehoshaphat's riches and his royal splendour, repeated from Ch2 17:5. In the opinion of many commentators, this is stated to account for Ahab's willingness to connect his family by marriage with that of Jehoshaphat. This opinion might be tenable were it Ahab's entering upon a marriage connection with Jehoshaphat which is spoken of; but for Jehoshaphat, of whom it is related that he entered into a marriage connection with Ahab, his own great wealth could not be a motive for his action in that matter. If we consider, first, that this marriage connection was very hurtful to the kingdom of Judah and the royal house of David, since Athaliah not only introduced the Phoenician idolatry into the kingdom, but also at the death of Ahaziah extirpated all the royal seed of the house of Da…
Open source ↗Here we find concerning Jehoshaphat, I. What a wise man he was. As soon as he came to the crown he strengthened himself against Israel, Ch2 17:1. Ahab, an active warlike prince, had now been three years upon the throne of Israel, the vigour of his beginning falling in with the decay of Asa's conclusion. It is probable that the kingdom of Israel had, of late, got ground of the kingdom of Judah and began to grow formidable to it; so that the first thing Jehoshaphat had to do was to make his part good on that side, and to check the growing greatness of the king of Israel, which he did so effectually, and without bloodshed, that Ahab soon courted his alliance, so far was he from giving him any disturbance, and proved more dangerous as a friend than he could have been as an enemy. Jehoshaphat strengthened himself not to act offensively against Israel or invade them, but only to maintain his own, which he did by fortifying the cities that were on his frontiers, and putting garrisons, stronger than had been, in the cities of Ephraim, which he was master of, Ch2 17:2. He did not strengthen himself, as his father did, by a league with the king of Syria, but by fair and regular methods, on which he might expect the blessing of God and in which he trusted God. II. What a good man he was. It is an excellent character that is here given him. 1. He walked in the ways of his father David. In the characters of the kings, David's ways are often made the standard, as Kg1 15:3, Kg1 15:11; Kg2 14:3; Kg2 16:2; Kg2 18:3. But the distinction is nowhere so strongly marked as here between his first ways and his last ways; for the last were not so good as the first. his ways, before he fell so foully in the matter of Uriah (which is mentioned long afterwards as the bar in his escutcheon, Kg1 15:…
Open source ↗17:1 Including a two-year co-regency with his father, Asa, Jehoshaphat reigned from 872 to 848 BC. • The last years of Asa’s reign were characterized by conflicts and oppression, so Jehoshaphat needed to consolidate power within Judah to restore peace and stability. Israel had been an enemy during Asa’s days, but Jehoshaphat soon entered into an alliance with Ahab (18:1-2).
Open source ↗Original language
The Hebrew and Greek words behind this passage, with Strong's numbers — from openscriptures (CC BY-SA).
יְהוֹשָׁפָט (Yᵉhôwshâphâṭ, H3092) — Jehoshaphat, the name of six Israelites; also of a valley near Jerusalem בֵּן (bên, H1121) — a son (as a builder of the family name), in the widest sense (of literal and figurative… מָלַךְ (mâlak, H4427) — to reign; inceptively, to ascend the throne; causatively, to induct into royalty; hence… חָזַק (châzaq, H2388) — to fasten upon; hence, to seize, be strong (figuratively, courageous, causatively… יִשְׂרָאֵל (Yisrâʼêl, H3478) — Jisrael, a symbolical name of Jacob; also (typically) of his posterity
Open source ↗נָתַן (nâthan, H5414) — to give, used with greatest latitude of application (put, make, etc.) חַיִל (chayil, H2428) — probably a force, whether of men, means or other resources; an army, wealth, virtue,… בָּצַר (bâtsar, H1219) — to gather grapes; also to be isolated (i.e. inaccessible by height or fortification) עִיר (ʻîyr, H5892) — a city (a place guarded by waking or a watch) in the widest sense (even of a mere… יְהוּדָה (Yᵉhûwdâh, H3063) — Jehudah (or Judah), the name of five Israelites; also of the tribe descended from the… נְצִיב (nᵉtsîyb, H5333) — something stationary, i.e. a prefect, a military post, a statue אֶרֶץ (ʼerets, H776) — the earth (at large, or partitively a land) אֶפְרַיִם (ʼEphrayim, H669) — Ephrajim, a son of Joseph; also the tribe descended from him, and its territory אָסָא (ʼÂçâʼ, H609) — Asa, the name of a king and of a Levite אָב (ʼâb, H1) — father, in a literal and immediate, or figurative and remote application לָכַד (lâkad, H3920) — to catch (in a net, trap or pit); generally, to capture or occupy; also to choose (by…
Open source ↗יְהֹוָה (Yᵉhôvâh, H3068) — Jehovah, Jewish national name of God יְהוֹשָׁפָט (Yᵉhôwshâphâṭ, H3092) — Jehoshaphat, the name of six Israelites; also of a valley near Jerusalem הָלַךְ (hâlak, H1980) — to walk (in a great variety of applications, literally and figuratively) רִאשׁוֹן (riʼshôwn, H7223) — first, in place, time or rank (as adjective or noun) דֶּרֶךְ (derek, H1870) — a road (as trodden); figuratively, a course of life or mode of action, often adverb אָב (ʼâb, H1) — father, in a literal and immediate, or figurative and remote application דָּוִד (Dâvid, H1732) — David, the youngest son of Jesse דָּרַשׁ (dârash, H1875) — properly, to tread or frequent; usually to follow (for pursuit or search); by… בַּעַל (Baʻal, H1168) — Baal, a Phoenician deity
Open source ↗דָּרַשׁ (dârash, H1875) — properly, to tread or frequent; usually to follow (for pursuit or search); by… אֱלֹהִים (ʼĕlôhîym, H430) — gods in the ordinary sense; but specifically used (in the plural thus, especially with… אָב (ʼâb, H1) — father, in a literal and immediate, or figurative and remote application הָלַךְ (hâlak, H1980) — to walk (in a great variety of applications, literally and figuratively) מִצְוָה (mitsvâh, H4687) — a command, whether human or divine (collectively, the Law) מַעֲשֶׂה (maʻăseh, H4639) — an action (good or bad); generally, a transaction; abstractly, activity; by implication,… יִשְׂרָאֵל (Yisrâʼêl, H3478) — Jisrael, a symbolical name of Jacob; also (typically) of his posterity
Open source ↗יְהֹוָה (Yᵉhôvâh, H3068) — Jehovah, Jewish national name of God כּוּן (kûwn, H3559) — properly, to be erect (i.e. stand perpendicular); hence (causatively) to set up, in a… מַמְלָכָה (mamlâkâh, H4467) — dominion, i.e. (abstractly) the estate (rule) or (concretely) the country (realm) יָד (yâd, H3027) — a hand (the open one (indicating power, means, direction, etc.), יְהוּדָה (Yᵉhûwdâh, H3063) — Jehudah (or Judah), the name of five Israelites; also of the tribe descended from the… נָתַן (nâthan, H5414) — to give, used with greatest latitude of application (put, make, etc.) יְהוֹשָׁפָט (Yᵉhôwshâphâṭ, H3092) — Jehoshaphat, the name of six Israelites; also of a valley near Jerusalem מִנְחָה (minchâh, H4503) — a donation; euphemistically, tribute; specifically a sacrificial offering (usually… עֹשֶׁר (ʻôsher, H6239) — wealth כָּבוֹד (kâbôwd, H3519) — properly, weight, but only figuratively in a good sense, splendor or copiousness רֹב (rôb, H7230) — abundance (in any respect)
Open source ↗לֵב (lêb, H3820) — the heart; also used (figuratively) very widely for the feelings, the will and even the… גָּבַהּ (gâbahh, H1361) — to soar, i.e. be lofty; figuratively, to be haughty דֶּרֶךְ (derek, H1870) — a road (as trodden); figuratively, a course of life or mode of action, often adverb יְהֹוָה (Yᵉhôvâh, H3068) — Jehovah, Jewish national name of God סוּר (çûwr, H5493) — to turn off (literal or figurative) בָּמָה (bâmâh, H1116) — an elevation אֲשֵׁרָה (ʼăshêrâh, H842) — Asherah (or Astarte) a Phoenician goddess; also an image of the same יְהוּדָה (Yᵉhûwdâh, H3063) — Jehudah (or Judah), the name of five Israelites; also of the tribe descended from the…
Open source ↗שָׁלוֹשׁ (shâlôwsh, H7969) — three; occasionally (ordinal) third, or (multiple) thrice שָׁנֶה (shâneh, H8141) — a year (as a revolution of time) מָלַךְ (mâlak, H4427) — to reign; inceptively, to ascend the throne; causatively, to induct into royalty; hence… שָׁלַח (shâlach, H7971) — to send away, for, or out (in a great variety of applications) שַׂר (sar, H8269) — a head person (of any rank or class) בֶּן־חַיִל (Ben-Chayil, H1134) — Ben-Chail, an Israelite עֹבַדְיָה (ʻÔbadyâh, H5662) — Obadjah, the name of thirteen Israelites זְכַרְיָה (Zᵉkaryâh, H2148) — Zecarjah, the name of twenty-nine Israelites נְתַנְאֵל (Nᵉthanʼêl, H5417) — Nethanel, the name of ten Israelites מִיכָיָהוּ (Mîykâyâhûw, H4322) — Mikajah, the name of an Israelite and an Israelitess לָמַד (lâmad, H3925) — properly, to goad, i.e. (by implication) to teach (the rod being an Oriental incentive) עִיר (ʻîyr, H5892) — a city (a place guarded by waking or a watch) in the widest sense (even of a mere… יְהוּדָה (Yᵉhûwdâh, H3063) — Jehudah (or Judah), the name of five Israelites; also of the tribe descended from the…
Open source ↗לֵוִיִּי (Lêvîyîy, H3881) — a Levite or descendant of Levi שְׁמַעְיָה (Shᵉmaʻyâh, H8098) — Shemajah, the name of twenty-five Israelites נְתַנְיָה (Nᵉthanyâh, H5418) — Nethanjah, the name of four Israelites זְבַדְיָה (Zᵉbadyâh, H2069) — Zebadjah, the name of nine Israelites עֲשָׂהאֵל (ʻĂsâhʼêl, H6214) — Asahel, the name of four Israelites שְׁמִירָמוֹת (Shᵉmîyrâmôwth, H8070) — Shemiramoth, the name of two Israelites יְהוֹנָתָן (Yᵉhôwnâthân, H3083) — Jehonathan, the name of four Israelites אֲדֹנִיָּה (ʼĂdônîyâh, H138) — Adonijah, the name of three Israelites טוֹבִיָּה (Ṭôwbîyâh, H2900) — Tobijah, the name of three Israelites and of one Samaritan טוֹב אֲדֹנִיָּהוּ (Ṭôwb ʼĂdônîyâhûw, H2899) — Tob-Adonijah, an Israelite אֱלִישָׁמָע (ʼĔlîyshâmâʻ, H476) — Elishama, the name of seven Israelites יְהוֹרָם (Yᵉhôwrâm, H3088) — Jehoram, the name of a Syrian and of three Israelites כֹּהֵן (kôhên, H3548) — literally one officiating, a priest; also (by courtesy) an acting priest (although a…
Open source ↗לָמַד (lâmad, H3925) — properly, to goad, i.e. (by implication) to teach (the rod being an Oriental incentive) יְהוּדָה (Yᵉhûwdâh, H3063) — Jehudah (or Judah), the name of five Israelites; also of the tribe descended from the… סֵפֶר (çêpher, H5612) — properly, writing (the art or a document); by implication, a book תּוֹרָה (tôwrâh, H8451) — a precept or statute, especially the Decalogue or Pentateuch יְהֹוָה (Yᵉhôvâh, H3068) — Jehovah, Jewish national name of God סָבַב (çâbab, H5437) — to revolve, surround, or border; used in various applications, literally and figuratively עִיר (ʻîyr, H5892) — a city (a place guarded by waking or a watch) in the widest sense (even of a mere… עַם (ʻam, H5971) — a people (as a congregated unit); specifically, a tribe (as those of Israel); hence…
Open source ↗פַּחַד (pachad, H6343) — a (sudden) alarm (properly, the object feared, by implication, the feeling) יְהֹוָה (Yᵉhôvâh, H3068) — Jehovah, Jewish national name of God מַמְלָכָה (mamlâkâh, H4467) — dominion, i.e. (abstractly) the estate (rule) or (concretely) the country (realm) אֶרֶץ (ʼerets, H776) — the earth (at large, or partitively a land) סָבִיב (çâbîyb, H5439) — (as noun) a circle, neighbour, or environs; but chiefly (as adverb, with or without… יְהוּדָה (Yᵉhûwdâh, H3063) — Jehudah (or Judah), the name of five Israelites; also of the tribe descended from the… לָחַם (lâcham, H3898) — to feed on; figuratively, to consume; by implication, to battle (as destruction) יְהוֹשָׁפָט (Yᵉhôwshâphâṭ, H3092) — Jehoshaphat, the name of six Israelites; also of a valley near Jerusalem
Open source ↗פְּלִשְׁתִּי (Pᵉlishtîy, H6430) — a Pelishtite or inhabitant of Pelesheth בּוֹא (bôwʼ, H935) — to go or come (in a wide variety of applications) יְהוֹשָׁפָט (Yᵉhôwshâphâṭ, H3092) — Jehoshaphat, the name of six Israelites; also of a valley near Jerusalem מִנְחָה (minchâh, H4503) — a donation; euphemistically, tribute; specifically a sacrificial offering (usually… מַשָּׂא (massâʼ, H4853) — a burden; specifically, tribute, or (abstractly) porterage; figuratively, an utterance,… כֶּסֶף (keçeph, H3701) — silver (from its pale color); by implication, money עֲרָבִי (ʻĂrâbîy, H6163) — an Arabian or inhabitant of Arab (i.e. Arabia) צֹאן (tsôʼn, H6629) — a collective name for a flock (of sheep or goats); also figuratively (of men) שֶׁבַע (shebaʻ, H7651) — seven (as the sacred full one); also (adverbially) seven times; by implication, a week;… אֶלֶף (ʼeleph, H505) — hence (the ox's head being the first letter of the alphabet, and this eventually used as… מֵאָה (mêʼâh, H3967) — a hundred; also as a multiplicative and a fraction אַיִל (ʼayil, H352) — properly, strength; hence, anything strong; specifically a chief (politically); also a… תַּיִשׁ (tayish, H8495) — a buck or he-goat (as given to butting)
Open source ↗יְהוֹשָׁפָט (Yᵉhôwshâphâṭ, H3092) — Jehoshaphat, the name of six Israelites; also of a valley near Jerusalem הָלַךְ (hâlak, H1980) — to walk (in a great variety of applications, literally and figuratively) גָּדֵל (gâdêl, H1432) — large (literally or figuratively) מַעַל (maʻal, H4605) — properly, the upper part, used only adverbially with prefix upward, above, overhead, from… בָּנָה (bânâh, H1129) — to build (literally and figuratively) יְהוּדָה (Yᵉhûwdâh, H3063) — Jehudah (or Judah), the name of five Israelites; also of the tribe descended from the… בִּירָנִית (bîyrânîyth, H1003) — a fortress עִיר (ʻîyr, H5892) — a city (a place guarded by waking or a watch) in the widest sense (even of a mere… מִסְכְּנָה (miçkᵉnâh, H4543) — a magazine
Open source ↗רַב (rab, H7227) — abundant (in quantity, size, age, number, rank, quality) מְלָאכָה (mᵉlâʼkâh, H4399) — properly, deputyship, i.e. ministry; generally, employment (never servile) or work… עִיר (ʻîyr, H5892) — a city (a place guarded by waking or a watch) in the widest sense (even of a mere… יְהוּדָה (Yᵉhûwdâh, H3063) — Jehudah (or Judah), the name of five Israelites; also of the tribe descended from the… אֱנוֹשׁ (ʼĕnôwsh, H582) — a man in general (singly or collectively) מִלְחָמָה (milchâmâh, H4421) — a battle (i.e. the engagement); generally, war (i.e. warfare) גִּבּוֹר (gibbôwr, H1368) — powerful; by implication, warrior, tyrant חַיִל (chayil, H2428) — probably a force, whether of men, means or other resources; an army, wealth, virtue,… יְרוּשָׁלַ͏ִם (Yᵉrûwshâlaim, H3389) — Jerushalaim or Jerushalem, the capital city of Palestine
Open source ↗פְּקֻדָּה (pᵉquddâh, H6486) — visitation (in many senses, chiefly official) בַּיִת (bayith, H1004) — a house (in the greatest variation of applications, especially family, etc.) אָב (ʼâb, H1) — father, in a literal and immediate, or figurative and remote application יְהוּדָה (Yᵉhûwdâh, H3063) — Jehudah (or Judah), the name of five Israelites; also of the tribe descended from the… שַׂר (sar, H8269) — a head person (of any rank or class) אֶלֶף (ʼeleph, H505) — hence (the ox's head being the first letter of the alphabet, and this eventually used as… עַדְנָה (ʻAdnâh, H5734) — Adnah, the name of two Israelites גִּבּוֹר (gibbôwr, H1368) — powerful; by implication, warrior, tyrant חַיִל (chayil, H2428) — probably a force, whether of men, means or other resources; an army, wealth, virtue,… שָׁלוֹשׁ (shâlôwsh, H7969) — three; occasionally (ordinal) third, or (multiple) thrice מֵאָה (mêʼâh, H3967) — a hundred; also as a multiplicative and a fraction
Open source ↗Cross-references
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And Asa rested with his fathers and was buried with them in the city of his father David, and his son Jehoshaphat reigned in his place.
Finally, be strong in the Lord and in His mighty power.
Then Hezekiah worked resolutely to rebuild all the broken sections of the wall and to raise up towers on it. He also built an outer wall and reinforced the supporting terraces of the City of David, and he produced an abundance of weapons and shields.
Asa was the father of Jehoshaphat, Jehoshaphat the father of Joram, and Joram the father of Uzziah.
And Saul’s son Jonathan came to David in Horesh and strengthened his hand in God,
The Ammonites brought tribute to Uzziah, and his fame spread as far as the border of Egypt, for he had become exceedingly powerful.
The king will mourn, the prince will be clothed with despair, and the hands of the people of the land will tremble. I will deal with them according to their conduct, and I will judge them by their own standards. Then they will know that I am the LORD.’”
Now these were the chiefs of David’s mighty men, who, together with all Israel, bolstered and strengthened his kingdom, according to the word of the LORD concerning Israel.
After Rehoboam had established his sovereignty and royal power, he and all Israel with him forsook the Law of the LORD.
In the fourth year of Ahab’s reign over Israel, Jehoshaphat son of Asa became king of Judah.