2 Chronicles 17:4

_BUT SOUGHT TO THE (LORD) GOD OF HIS FATHER, AND WALKED IN HIS COMMANDMENTS, AND NOT AFTER THE DOINGS OF ISRAEL._ And not after the doings of Israel. He observed with scrupulous fidelity, and employed his royal influence to support, the divine institutions as enacted by Moses, abhorring that spurious and unlawful calf-worship which formed now the established religion in Israel. Being thus far removed alike from gross idolatry and Israelite apostasy, and adhering zealously to the requirements of the divine law, the blessing of God rested on his government; because, ruling in fear of God, and for the good of his subjects, "the Lord stablished the kingdom in his hand....

THE DOINGS OF ISRAEL - i. e. the especially idolatrous doings of the time - the introduction and establishment of the worship of Baal and the groves....

EXPOSITION To the contents of this chapter, and to the reign of Jehoshaphat, which occupies this and the following three chapters, the Book of Kings furnishes as yet no parallel. All that it has to say of Jehoshaphat now is summed up in one sentence (1 Kings 15:24), "And Jehoshaphat his son reigned in his stead," till we arrive at the ten verses of 1 Kings 22:41-11, with their very slender sketch (see also 2 Kings 3:1). 2 CHRONICLES 17:1 JEHOSHAPHAT. In 2 Chronicles 2

BUT SOUGHT TO THE LORD GOD OF HIS FATHERS,.... Prayed to him, worshipped and served him: AND WALKED IN HIS COMMANDMENTS; observed and kept them, moral, ceremonial, and judicial: AND NOT AFTER THE DOINGS OF ISRAEL: who worshipped the golden calves at Dan and Bethel....

ISRAEL That is, the ten-tribe kingdom....

2. REFORMATION UNDER JEHOSHAPHAT CHAPTER 17 Jehoshaphat's Reformation and Increase _ 1. The Lord was with Jehoshaphat (2 Chronicles 17:1)_ 2. The revival under his reign (2 Chronicles 17:6) 3. His increase (2 Chronicles 17:10) Jehoshaphat, the son of Asa, began his reign by strengthening himself against Israel. The Lord was with him, because he walked in the first ways of his father David, which means David's faithful walk before his great sin. The Lord greatly blessed him by establishing his kingdom and in giving him riches and honor in abundance. The Lord kept all His promises. When Jehoshaphat saw the evidences of divine blessing, his heart was li

2 Chronicles 17:1 to 2 Chronicles 20:37. THE REIGN OF JEHOSHAPHAT. This section is, in the main, from the hand of the Chronicler, whose spirit and aim are visible throughout; he has utilised all the information concerning Jehoshaphat to be got from 1 K. viz. in 1 Kings 15:24; 1 Kings 22:1; 1 Kings 22:41 (see notes). 2 CHRONICLES 17:1 deals with Jehoshaphat's defensive measures; he is prosperous because he obeys the

GOD. Hebrew. _Elohim._ App-4. ISRAEL. The worship of the calves, and Baal....

_to the_Lord _God of his father_ R.V. TO THE GOD OF HIS FATHER. The Chronicler frequently avoids introducing the name _Jehovah_(rendered Lord in A.V.) in places where it might be expected; cp. 2 Chronicles 20:12; 2 Chronicles 30. For another and different instance of reverent suppression of the divine name see 2 Chronicles 28:9 (note). _after the doings of Israel_ Cp. 2 Chronicles 13:8-9....

5. THE REIGN OF JEHOSHAPHAT (17-21:3) TEXT 2 Chronicles 17:1. And Jehoshaphat his son reigned in his stead, and strengthened himself against Israel. 2. And he 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. 3. And Jehovah was with Jehoshaphat, because he walked in the first ways of his father David, and sought not unto the Baalim, 4. but sought to the God of his father, and walked in his commandments, and not after the doings of Israel. 5. Therefore Jehovah established the kingdom in his hand; and all Judah brought to Jehoshaphat tribute; and he had riches and honor in abundance. 6. And his heart was lifted up in the ways of Jehovah: and furthermore he took away the high places and the Asherim out of Judah. 7. Also in the third year of his reign he sent his pri