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| 1 And Jehoshaphat his son reigned in his stead, and strengthened himself against Israel. |
Jehoshaphat his son – Who had the great advantage that his parents were Godly people. R4730:1
Reigned – While Ahab was king of Israel Jehoshaphat succeeded to the throne of Judah. R4730:1
Against Israel – The iniquity and idolatry of Israel reacted favorably by driving the most saintly characters of all the tribes to Judah, including the priests and Levites who were still loyal to God. R4730:1
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| 2 And he placed forces in all the fenced cities of Judah, and set garrisons in the land of Judah, and in the cities of Ephraim, which Asa his father had taken. |
Set garrisons – He fortified its various boundaries, especially toward the land of Israel, Judah's nearest neighbor. R4730:2
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| 3 And the LORD was with Jehoshaphat, because he walked in the first ways of his father David, and sought not unto Baalim; |
Was with Jehoshaphat – Jehoshaphat's fidelity to the Lord was rewarded with prosperity for his kingdom. R4730:2
Does not mean that all prosperous persons and nations are in divine fellowship. R4730:2
Of his father David – Copying after David's earliest course of devotion to the Lord. R2365:1
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| 4 But sought to the LORD God of his father, and walked in his commandments, and not after the doings of Israel. |
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| 5 Therefore the LORD stablished the kingdom in his hand; and all Judah brought to Jehoshaphat presents; and he had riches and honour in abundance. |
He had riches – Prosperity is not always a sign of divine favor, but to Jehoshaphat and his kingdom it was because Judah still represented God's chosen nation in a special manner. R4730:3
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| 6 And his heart was lifted up in the ways of the LORD: moreover he took away the high places and groves out of Judah. |
Heart was lifted up – Not in pride and self-adulation, but with encouragement, as recognizing the fulfillment of the divine promises in the blessings enjoyed. R2365:1
Ways of the LORD – As Ahab exceeded his father Omri as an evil-doer, so Jehoshaphat exceeded his father Asa as an upholder of the divine Law. R4730:2
The high places – The young king began a general crusade against every idolatrous place and custom in the kingdom. R4730:2
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| 7 Also in the third year of his reign he sent to his princes, even to Benhail, and to Obadiah, and to Zechariah, and to Nethaneel, and to Michaiah, to teach in the cities of Judah. |
Teach in the cities – Perceiving the necessity of knowledge as a basis for faith, the king instituted a general system of instruction in the Word of the Lord throughout his kingdom. R2365:2
In proportion as the Lord's people are intimately acquainted with his Word, they are made free from earthly affairs and realize their obligations to the King of kings. R2365:3
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| 8 And with them he sent Levites, even Shemaiah, and Nethaniah, and Zebadiah, and Asahel, and Shemiramoth, and Jehonathan, and Adonijah, and Tobijah, and Tobadonijah, Levites; and with them Elishama and Jehoram, priests. |
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| 9 And they taught in Judah, and had the book of the law of the LORD with them, and went about throughout all the cities of Judah, and taught the people. |
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| 10 And the fear of the LORD fell upon all the kingdoms of the lands that were round about Judah, so that they made no war against Jehoshaphat. |
Fear of the LORD – The world recognizes in a general way that there is some truth in Christianity. R2365:5
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| 11 Also some of the Philistines brought Jehoshaphat presents, and tribute silver; and the Arabians brought him flocks, seven thousand and seven hundred rams, and seven thousand and seven hundred he goats. |
Presents, and tribute – Neighboring nations sought Judah's favor and paid tribute until Jehoshaphat's kingdom was very prosperous. R4730:2
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| 12 And Jehoshaphat waxed great exceedingly; and he built in Judah castles, and cities of store. |
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| 13 And he had much business in the cities of Judah: and the men of war, mighty men of valour, were in Jerusalem. |
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| 14 And these are the numbers of them according to the house of their fathers: Of Judah, the captains of thousands; Adnah the chief, and with him mighty men of valour three hundred thousand. |
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| 15 And next to him was Jehohanan the captain, and with him two hundred and fourscore thousand. |
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| 16 And next him was Amasiah the son of Zichri, who willingly offered himself unto the LORD; and with him two hundred thousand mighty men of valour. |
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| 17 And of Benjamin; Eliada a mighty man of valour, and with him armed men with bow and shield two hundred thousand. |
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| 18 And next him was Jehozabad, and with him an hundred and fourscore thousand ready prepared for the war. |
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| 19 These waited on the king, beside those whom the king put in the fenced cities throughout all Judah. |
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