And next to him was Jehohanan the captain ,.... Being of the same rank as to office, but having a lesser number of men under him; and it may respect not any kind of subordination, only nearness of place, as the Targum,"he that encamped next to him" and with him two hundred and fourscore thousand ; which number was but 20,000 less than the former. read more
The greatness of Jehoshaphat. I. JEHOSHAPHAT 'S NEIGHBOURS . 1 . Afraid of his greatness. As on the cities round Jacob and his sons when they fled from Shecham ( Genesis 35:5 ), the terror of Jehovah was on Jehoshaphat's neighbours. Regarding Jehoshaphat as under the protection of Heaven, they hesitated to try conclusions with him on the field of war. 2 . Solicitous of his favor. This some sought by means of gifts. The Philistines brought presents and silver of tribute,... read more
The captain . So again read, the prince . 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
next to him = under his direction. Hebrew "at his hand" (1 Chronicles 25:2 ). read more
D. Jehoshaphat chs. 17-20This account of Jehoshaphat’s rule reveals that God was then actively leading His people. These were the years of alliance with Israel, and Ahab was on the throne of the Northern Kingdom.The Chronicler deliberately presented Jehoshaphat’s record very similarly to the way he recounted Asa’s experiences. In chapters 17-20, as in 14-16, we have a series of contrasts that teach the same lessons. These lessons are the importance of depending on Yahweh and being loyal to Him... read more
2. The strength of Jehoshaphat’s kingdom 17:7-19This survey of the king’s administrative accomplishments is not in Kings. Jehoshaphat sent teachers of the Mosaic Law throughout Judah to enable the people to know God’s will (2 Chronicles 17:7-9). Thus he fortified his nation spiritually as well as physically. God blessed this effort to glorify Him by putting the fear of the Lord in Judah’s enemies (2 Chronicles 17:11). Again we see Gentiles bringing gifts to the Davidic king who walked in the... read more
Reign of JehoshaphatAn account of a mission of Levites to teach the Law, and of the king’s army.The particulars of Jehoshaphat’s reign here given are additional to those contained in 1 Kings 22:41-50.1. Strengthened himself against Israel] Jehoshaphat came to the throne in the fourth year of Ahab, and it is probable that some interval elapsed before he made peace with him, as recorded in 1 Kings 22:44.2. Which Asa.. taken] see 2 Chronicles 15:8, and note.3. His father David] LXX omits ’David,’... read more
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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