Castles . This rendering, better than " palaces " (margin), wound bear improving to the rather stronger word "fortresses," Hebrew, בִּירָנִיּוֹת , found only here and in 2 Chronicles 27:4 , plur. of בִּירָנִית connected with the Chaldee and later Hebrew, בִּירָה , of Ezra 6:2 ; Nehemiah 1:1 ; Esther 1:2 ; Daniel 8:2 , Cities of store (see note under 2 Chronicles 8:4 ; see also 1 Kings 9:19 ; Exodus 1:11 ). read more
Much business ; Hebrew, מְלָאכָה . The meaning of the word is "service?' "labour bestowed;" and the verse reads, "And there was to him much labour in the cities of Judah, and men of war, mighty men of valour, in Jerusalem;" i.e. He bestoweth much pains on the cities of Judah, and had , etc. The word "were," Authorized Version italics, is incorrectly inserted. The former half of this verse would better constitute the end of 2 Chronicles 17:12 . Keil, however, maintains the... read more
Some of the Philistines brought Jehoshaphat presents - i. e. “some of the Philistines were among his tributaries.” Compare 2Sa 8:2; 1 Kings 4:21.Tribute silver - Or, “much silver” - literally “silver of burthen.”The Arabians - The Arab tribes who bordered Judaea to the south and the southeast paid Jehoshaphat a fixed tribute in kind. Compare 2 Kings 3:4 note. read more
2 Chronicles 17:10. The fear of the Lord fell upon all the kingdoms, &c. Justly concluding, from his singular piety, that God would eminently appear for him; for even the heathen could not but observe, that the kings of Judah were either prosperous or unhappy, according as they served God or forsook him. So that they made no war against Jehoshaphat God’s good providence so ordered it, that while the princes and priests were instructing and endeavouring to reform the country, none of... read more
2 Chronicles 17:11 . Some of the Philistines brought presents They had been subject to Judah ever since David’s time; but, it seems, had neglected this duty in the times of his predecessors, but were now moved by their own fears to perform it. And the Arabians brought him flocks Either because he had upon some just occasion waged war against them, and subdued them; or because they voluntarily put themselves under his protection, in recompense whereof they sent him these presents; or only... read more
2 Chronicles 17:13. He had much business in the cities of Judah To repair and fortify them, and furnish them with provisions; and to purge out all the relics of idolatry and injustice, which were more secretly and craftily managed in the cities than in the country, and which were first and most prevalent in the cities, and thence spread their infection into the country around them. read more
The reign of Jehoshaphat (17:1-20:37)Jehoshaphat carried on the reform that Asa began, by destroying all the Baal shrines that remained in Judah (17:1-6; cf. 15:17). Positively, he educated the people in the law of God by forming an official group of instructors whom he sent around Judah’s towns and villages. The group consisted of civil leaders, priests and Levites (7-9). He also fortified Judah’s defences and enlarged its army, so that neighbouring countries feared to attack it... read more
fear = dread. fell = came, or was. read more
had much business = was busily engaged. and the men of. Hebrew, plural 'enosh. App-14 . mighty men. Hebrew. gibbor. read more
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The Pulpit Commentary - 2 Chronicles 17:11
The presents were probably enough in the nature of tribute, the "fixed rate" of which is sometimes alluded to ( 1 Kings 4:21 ; 1 Kings 10:25 ; 2 Samuel 8:2 ), but it is doubtful whether the word מַשָּׁא purports to say this. The word means "bearing" or "carrying," and then "a burden, load, or weight." The expression ( 2 Chronicles 20:25 ), "more than they could carry away," where this word is used, favours the idea that the meaning here is "silver of great weight." Probably the... read more