2 Chronicles 17:8-9

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

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

Adam Clarke

Adam Clarke's Commentary on the Bible - 2 Chronicles 17:7-9

To teach in the cities of Judah - "To teach the fear of the Lord in the cities of Judah." - Targum. In these verses we find a remarkable account of an itinerant ministry established by Jehoshaphat; and in this work he employed three classes of men: The princes. The Levites. The priests. We may presume that the princes instructed the people in the nature of the civil law and constitution of the kingdom; the Levites instructed them in every thing that appertained to the... read more

Adam Clarke

Adam Clarke's Commentary on the Bible - 2 Chronicles 17:9

Had the book of the law of the Lord with them - This was their text book: it was the book of God; they taught it as such, and as such the people received it. Its laws were God's laws, and the people felt their obligation, and their consciences were bound. Thus they were obedient to the laws of the land, on the principle of religion. In this they were encouraged and confirmed by the example of all, both in Church and state. The princes were not only pious, but were... read more

Spence, H. D. M., etc.

The Pulpit Commentary - 2 Chronicles 17:1-9

The first chapter of Jehoshaphat's career. Although to the end Jehoshaphat was neither an unfaithful king nor an unfaithful man, and certainly no apostate, yet the first chapter of his career reads the best. The mounting of the sun was fine, but clouds hung about the noonday sun, and the setting was not a sky of perfect western glory. The unfolding of the bud looked towards a perfect flower, but some blight seemed to visit it, and some worm was in the fruit. The three chief features of... read more

Spence, H. D. M., etc.

The Pulpit Commentary - 2 Chronicles 17:1-19

Spence, H. D. M., etc.

The Pulpit Commentary - 2 Chronicles 17:7-9

He sent ; Hebrew, שָׁלַח . The Hebrew text distinctly says, he sent to his princes , not, "he sent his princes." The meaning is—he sent orders to his princes to see to it that Judah was taught ( 2 Chronicles 17:9 ) the book of the Law of the Lord (Le 2 Chronicles 10:11 ; Deuteronomy 4:9 ; Deuteronomy 17:18 ), not, indeed, without their own personal aid in whatever way able to be given, but systematically and with authority by the Levites and priests ( Deuteronomy 33:10 ... read more

Spence, H. D. M., etc.

The Pulpit Commentary - 2 Chronicles 17:7-9

A strong because instructed people. Jehoshaphat had not been long on the throne before he took a step admirably adapted to benefit and, indeed, to bless the nation. Better than "strengthening himself against Israel" by increasing his garrisons ( 2 Chronicles 17:1 , 2 Chronicles 17:2 ) was the enlightenment of "all the cities of Judah," the teaching of "the people" ( 2 Chronicles 17:9 ) from "the book of the Law of the Lord." I. STRENGTH IN INSTRUCTION . It is well for a... read more

Spence, H. D. M., etc.

The Pulpit Commentary - 2 Chronicles 17:7-9

An old Education Act. I. ITS PROMULGATION . 1 . By whom ? Jehoshaphat, the son of Asa and King of Judah. Kings and parliaments should care for the education of the people. No better means of promoting social order. 2 . When ? In the third year of his reign. Jehoshaphat postponed not a work so excellent, but assigned it a precedence, answering to its importance. Of greater consequence was it for the prosperity of his dominions and the peace of his reign that his subjects... read more

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