_A.M. 3090. B.C. 914._ Jehoshaphat is established in his kingdom, 2 Chronicles 17:1. His piety, 2 Chronicles 17:4. He sends Levites to teach Judah, 2 Chronicles 17:7. His influence over his neighbours, 2 Chronicles 17:10; 2 Chronicles 17:11. His greatness, captains, and armies, 2 Chronicles 17:12.... [ Continue Reading ]
_Jehoshaphat strengthened himself against Israel_ Against the king and people of Israel, who had molested the kingdom of Judah with wars _all the days of Asa_, after that sin of his, mentioned 2 Chronicles 16:2, &c. Ahab had now been three years upon the throne of Israel, an active, warlike prince.... [ Continue Reading ]
_And set garrisons in the cities which Asa had taken_ We do not read of any cities which Asa took; but Abijah his father possessed himself of several, which Asa kept and took for his own, 2 Chronicles 13:19. And, it appears, Jehoshaphat put such forces in them as might secure them to himself.... [ Continue Reading ]
_He walked in the first ways of his father David_ His ways before he fell so foully, in the matter of Uriah, which were good ways. David, indeed, recovered from that fall, but, perhaps, never, while he lived, fully retrieved the spiritual strength and comfort which he had lost. Jehoshaphat followed... [ Continue Reading ]
_Therefore the Lord established the kingdom in his hand_ Those stand firm that have the presence of God with them. _If the beauty of the Lord our God be upon us_, that will _stablish the work of our hands_, and establish us in our integrity. _And all Judah brought to Jehoshaphat presents_ As subject... [ Continue Reading ]
_He sent to his princes to teach in the cities of Judah_ To inform the people of their duty, and of the king's pleasure. As judges teach or instruct the people in the laws of the land, when they deliver their charges upon the bench; so did these princes, in the king's name, admonish and require the... [ Continue Reading ]
_And they taught in Judah_, &c. The Levites and priests were teachers by office, Deuteronomy 33:10. It was a part of the work for which they had their maintenance, and indeed had little else to do. But, it seems, they had neglected it, pretending, probably, that they could not get the people to hear... [ Continue Reading ]
_The fear of the Lord fell upon all the kingdoms_, &c. Justly concluding, from his singular piety, that God would eminently appear for him; for even the heathen could not but observe, that the kings of Judah were either prosperous or unhappy, according as they served God or forsook him. _So that the... [ Continue Reading ]
_Some of the Philistines brought presents_ They had been subject to Judah ever since David's time; but, it seems, had neglected this duty in the times of his predecessors, but were now moved by their own fears to perform it. _And the Arabians brought him flocks_ Either because he had upon some just... [ Continue Reading ]
_He had much business in the cities of Judah_ To repair and fortify them, and furnish them with provisions; and to purge out all the relics of idolatry and injustice, which were more secretly and craftily managed in the cities than in the country, and which were first and most prevalent in the citie... [ Continue Reading ]
_These waited on the king_ These above-mentioned were the trained bands, or auxiliaries; whose chief officers waited on the king to receive his commands, and to raise and bring in all, or part of their forces, to the service of the king, as need required. A vast number for so small a compass of grou... [ Continue Reading ]