And Jehoshaphat his son reigned in his stead, and strengthened himself against Israel. Ver. 1. _And Jehoshaphat his son reigned._] See 1 Kings 15:24 . _ And strengthened himself against Israel._] Or, Upon Israel; _i.e., _ upon that part of it which was subject to him.... [ Continue Reading ]
And he placed forces in all the fenced cities of Judah, and set garrisons in the land of Judah, and in the cities of Ephraim, which Asa his father had taken. Ver. 2. _And he placed forces._] See 2 Chronicles 17:19 .... [ Continue Reading ]
And the LORD was with Jehoshaphat, because he walked in the first ways of his father David, and sought not unto Baalim; Ver. 3. _Because he walked in the first ways of his father David._] Who during his trouble kept himself free from scandalous and reproachful practices, innocent from the great tra... [ Continue Reading ]
But sought to the [LORD] God of his father, and walked in his commandments, and not after the doings of Israel. Ver. 4. _And not after the doings of Israel._] Who in his days did evil as they could, under that nonsuch, Ahab. But Jehoshaphat was not corrupted with their ill neighbourhood.... [ Continue Reading ]
Therefore the LORD stablished the kingdom in his hand; and all Judah brought to Jehoshaphat presents; and he had riches and honour in abundance. Ver. 5. _And he had riches and honour in abundance._] Herein he came near unto Solomon in his greatest flourish.... [ Continue Reading ]
And his heart was lifted up in the ways of the LORD: moreover he took away the high places and groves out of Judah. Ver. 6. _And his heart was lifted up._] Not with pride, as 2 Chronicles 32:25, but with undaunted courage and disengaged zeal, such as made him come off roundly and readily in the ens... [ Continue Reading ]
Also in the third year of his reign he sent to his princes, [even] to Benhail, and to Obadiah, and to Zechariah, and to Nethaneel, and to Michaiah, to teach in the cities of Judah. Ver. 7. _He sent to his princes to teach in the cities of Judah._] Teaching princes there are not many, such as were D... [ Continue Reading ]
And they taught in Judah, and [had] the book of the law of the LORD with them, and went about throughout all the cities of Judah, and taught the people. Ver. 9. _And had the book of the law of the Lord with them._] They taught not traditions, human inventions, or unwritten verities. All their doctr... [ Continue Reading ]
And the fear of the LORD fell upon all the kingdoms of the lands that [were] round about Judah, so that they made no war against Jehoshaphat. Ver. 10. _And the fear of the Lord fell upon all the kingdoms._] It is said 2Ch 17:2 Jehoshaphat placed forces in all the fenced cities; yet it is not said t... [ Continue Reading ]
Also [some] of the Philistines brought Jehoshaphat presents, and tribute silver; and the Arabians brought him flocks, seven thousand and seven hundred rams, and seven thousand and seven hundred he goats. Ver. 11. _Also some of the Philistines._] These, having been subdued by David, had withheld the... [ Continue Reading ]
And Jehoshaphat waxed great exceedingly; and he built in Judah castles, and cities of store. Ver. 12. _And Jehoshaphat waxed great exceedingly._] Heb., He was going and growing. "By humility and the fear of the Lord are riches, and honour, and life." Pro 22:4 _ And he built in Judah castles._] _Bi... [ Continue Reading ]
And he had much business in the cities of Judah: and the men of war, mighty men of valour, [were] in Jerusalem. Ver. 13. _And he had much business._] Eργα πολλα, _a_ Many works going forward at once; a negotious man he was. His business, say some, lay in beautifying and fortifying those cities. Aug... [ Continue Reading ]
And these [are] the numbers of them according to the house of their fathers: Of Judah, the captains of thousands; Adnah the chief, and with him mighty men of valour three hundred thousand. Ver. 14. _Three hundred thousand._] These were under his command and at hand, to come whensoever the king woul... [ Continue Reading ]
And next him [was] Amasiah the son of Zichri, who willingly offered himself unto the LORD; and with him two hundred thousand mighty men of valour. Ver. 16. _Who willingly offered himself unto the Lord._] He was a votary: the vows of God were upon him, and this made him the more valiant and resolute... [ Continue Reading ]
_And of Benjamin; Eliada a mighty man of valour, and with him armed men with bow and shield two hundred thousand._ Ver. 17. _With bow and shield._] The Benjamites were notable bowmen. 1Ch 12:2 The Engish were anciently so too.... [ Continue Reading ]
And next him [was] Jehozabad, and with him an hundred and fourscore thousand ready prepared for the war. Ver. 18. _A hundred and fourscore thousand._] His militia was eleven hundred and threescore thousand, besides what he had in garrisons. 2Ch 17:19 So that, as he was better, he was stronger than... [ Continue Reading ]
These waited on the king, beside [those] whom the king put in the fenced cities throughout all Judah. Ver. 19. _These waited on the king,_] _i.e., _ In their turns, and by course.... [ Continue Reading ]