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2 Chronicles 17

Jehoshaphat’s kingdom gains strength as he seeks YHWH, spreads knowledge of God’s law, and receives protection from surrounding nations.

Jehoshaphat succeeds his father Asa as king of Judah and strengthens its defenses against Israel. He seeks YHWH, removes places and objects of idol worship, and sends officials, Levites, and priests through Judah to teach from the book of YHWH’s law. YHWH establishes his rule, and neighboring kingdoms refrain from war because they fear YHWH. The account closes with Jehoshaphat’s building projects and a roster of commanders and troops.

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1Jehoshaphat his son reigned in his place, and strengthened himself against Israel.
2He placed forces in all the fortified cities of Judah, and set garrisons in the land of Judah and in the cities of Ephraim, which Asa his father had taken.
3The LORD was with Jehoshaphat, because he walked in the first ways of his father David, and didn’t seek the Baals,
4but sought the God of his father, and walked in his commandments, and not in the ways of Israel.
5Therefore the LORD established the kingdom in his hand. All Judah brought tribute to Jehoshaphat, and he had riches and honor in abundance.
6His heart was lifted up in the ways of the LORD. Furthermore, he took away the high places and the Asherah poles out of Judah.
7Also in the third year of his reign he sent his princes, even Ben Hail, Obadiah, Zechariah, Nethanel, and Micaiah, to teach in the cities of Judah;
8and with them Levites, even Shemaiah, Nethaniah, Zebadiah, Asahel, Shemiramoth, Jehonathan, Adonijah, Tobijah, and Tobadonijah, the Levites; and with them Elishama and Jehoram, the priests.
9They taught in Judah, having the book of the LORD’s law with them. They went about throughout all the cities of Judah and taught among the people.
10The fear of the LORD fell on all the kingdoms of the lands that were around Judah, so that they made no war against Jehoshaphat.
11Some of the Philistines brought Jehoshaphat presents and silver for tribute. The Arabians also brought him flocks: seven thousand seven hundred rams and seven thousand seven hundred male goats.
12Jehoshaphat grew great exceedingly; and he built fortresses and store cities in Judah.
14This was the numbering of them according to their fathers’ houses: From Judah, the captains of thousands: Adnah the captain, and with him three hundred thousand mighty men of valor;
16and next to him Amasiah the son of Zichri, who willingly offered himself to the LORD, and with him two hundred thousand mighty men of valor.
17From Benjamin: Eliada, a mighty man of valor, and with him two hundred thousand armed with bow and shield;
19These were those who waited on the king, in addition to those whom the king put in the fortified cities throughout all Judah.
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Key verses
2 Chronicles 17:3YHWH’s presence with Jehoshaphat is tied to his faithfulness to David’s example and his refusal to seek the Baals.
2 Chronicles 17:5The account credits YHWH with establishing Jehoshaphat’s kingdom before describing the tribute and honor he receives.
2 Chronicles 17:10Despite the chapter’s extensive military roster, the stated reason neighboring kingdoms avoid war is their fear of YHWH.
Where this chapter reaches

Genesis shares the theme of God restraining surrounding peoples through fear, protecting Jacob’s household as it travels. 1 Kings shares the person and reign of Jehoshaphat, identifying him as Asa’s son and describing his devotion to what was right in YHWH’s sight.

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After reading the whole chapter

What stands out to you about Jehoshaphat sending teachers with the book of YHWH’s law?

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How does the stated reason for Judah’s peace shape your reading of its military strength?

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Questions people ask about 2 Chronicles 17

What does Jehoshaphat’s heart being lifted up mean in 2 Chronicles 17:6?

The phrase describes Jehoshaphat’s heart in relation to YHWH’s ways. In this context, it expresses devotion and courage in following God. The surrounding verses describe his obedience, and verse 6 pairs this heart posture with his removal of high places and Asherah poles from Judah.

Who taught the people in 2 Chronicles 17?

Jehoshaphat sent a group of princes, Levites, and priests to teach throughout Judah in the third year of his reign. They carried the book of YHWH’s law and taught among the people in the cities. The passage names the teachers but does not describe their teaching schedule or methods.

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2 Chronicles · 36 chapters
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Cross-reference data from OpenBible.info (CC BY). Scripture from the World English Bible (public domain). Arc diagram after Chris Harrison and Christoph Römhild (2007).