2 Chronicles 17:7-18 NIV

Matthew Henry's Complete Commentary - 2 Chronicles 17:1-9

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, 2 Chron. 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... read more

Matthew Henry

Matthew Henry's Complete Commentary - 2 Chronicles 17:10-19

We have here a further account of Jehoshaphat's great prosperity and the flourishing state of his kingdom. I. He had good interest in the neighbouring princes and nations. Though he was not perhaps so great a soldier as David (which might have made him their terror), nor so great a scholar as Solomon (which might have made him their oracle), yet the fear of the Lord fell so upon them (that is, God so influenced and governed their spirits) that they had all a reverence for him, 2 Chron. 17:10.... read more

John Gill

John Gills Exposition of the Bible Commentary - 2 Chronicles 17:7

Also in the third year of his reign he sent to his princes ,.... That dwelt in the several parts of the kingdom; or he sent them, being with him, some of the principal men of his court; for ל may be a sign of the accusative case, as it sometimes is: even to Benhail, and to Obadiah, and to Zechariah, and to Nethaneel, and to Michaiah, to teach in the cities of Judah ; to see that they were taught, and oblige them to attend to the instructions that should be given them, and not mutiny... read more

John Gill

John Gills Exposition of the Bible Commentary - 2 Chronicles 17:8

And with them he sent Levites ,.... With the five princes he sent nine Levites: even Shemaiah, and Nethaniah, and Zebadiah, and Asahel, and Shemiramoth, and Jehonathan, and Adonijah, and Tobijah, and Tobadonijah, Levites ; of whom we nowhere else read; no doubt they were principal persons, and fit for the work they were sent about: and with them Elishama and Jehoram, priests ; whose lips were to keep knowledge, and at whose mouth the law was to be sought, Malachi 2:7 . read more

John Gill

John Gills Exposition of the Bible Commentary - 2 Chronicles 17:9

And they taught in Judah ,.... The people their duty to God and man: and had the book of the law of the Lord with them ; as the rule of their instruction, and the people's obedience; out of this they taught them, and by it confirmed what they taught, and enforced it with the divine authority: and went about throughout all the cities of Judah ; not only their own cities, the Levitical ones, but all others: and taught the people ; the law of the Lord, the fear and worship of God. read more

John Gill

John Gills Exposition of the Bible Commentary - 2 Chronicles 17:10

And the fear of the Lord fell upon all the kingdoms of the lands that were round about Judah ,.... Upon the ten tribes, and on foreign nations about them, as Moabites, Edomites, Syrians, Egyptians, Arabs, and Philistines; this fear, as it came from the Lord, so might be raised and increased by observing, that religion was revived in them; for they might perceive, by former observations made, that the more religious these people were, the more prosperous and formidable they were: so that... read more

John Gill

John Gills Exposition of the Bible Commentary - 2 Chronicles 17:11

Also some of the Philistines brought Jehoshaphat presents and tribute silver ,.... Perhaps those of Gerar, and the parts adjacent, Asa took and spoiled, and made tributary, 2 Chronicles 14:14 , and the Arabians brought him flocks, seven thousand and seven hundred rams, and seven thousand and seven hundred he goats ; with which their country abounded; and these might be the Scenite Arabs, who fearing lest Jehoshaphat should fall upon them, and take away their flocks as his father had... read more

John Gill

John Gills Exposition of the Bible Commentary - 2 Chronicles 17:12

And Jehoshaphat waxed great exceedingly ,.... In wealth and riches, power and authority, in his forces and fortifications: and he built in Judah castles, and cities of stores ; castles for the defence of his kingdom, and store cities to lay up corn, and wine, and all provisions, in case of an invasion, or against a time of war. read more

John Gill

John Gills Exposition of the Bible Commentary - 2 Chronicles 17:13

And he had much business in the cities of Judah ,.... Partly in fortifying them, and partly in reforming the inhabitants of them: and the men of war, mighty men of valour, were in Jerusalem ; or by or near unto it, so the particle is rendered, Joshua 5:13 , they encamped in places adjacent to it; for such a number of men as follows, even 1,160,000, could never be contained in Jerusalem, but must be disposed of in the territories of it; nor did they wait on the king together; but in... read more

John Gill

John Gills Exposition of the Bible Commentary - 2 Chronicles 17:14

And these are the numbers of them, according to the house of their fathers ,.... Both of the tribe of Judah and of Benjamin: and first of Judah, the captains of thousands ; some had 1000 men under them, and some one hundred: Adnah the chief ; he was the principal commander or general of them: and with him mighty men of valour, three hundred thousand ; such a number was under his command. read more

Matthew Henry's Complete Commentary - 2 Chronicles 17:1-9

Matthew Henry's Complete Commentary - 2 Chronicles 17:10-19

John Gills Exposition of the Bible Commentary - 2 Chronicles 17:7

John Gills Exposition of the Bible Commentary - 2 Chronicles 17:8

John Gills Exposition of the Bible Commentary - 2 Chronicles 17:9

John Gills Exposition of the Bible Commentary - 2 Chronicles 17:10

John Gills Exposition of the Bible Commentary - 2 Chronicles 17:11

John Gills Exposition of the Bible Commentary - 2 Chronicles 17:12

John Gills Exposition of the Bible Commentary - 2 Chronicles 17:13

John Gills Exposition of the Bible Commentary - 2 Chronicles 17:14

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