2 Chronicles 17 Study Notes: Jehoshaphat Seeks God and Teaches Judah
Jehoshaphat becomes king of Judah, follows David’s early example, and rejects the Baals, so God makes his rule secure. He sends officials, Levites and priests to teach God’s law in the towns, and fear from God keeps the nations from attacking while his strength and army grow.
General
How did the kingdoms around Judah respond during this time of teaching and reform (17:10)?
Answer: A fear from the LORD came on them, and they did not attack
A fear sent by the LORD came over every kingdom around Judah, and none of them went to war with Jehoshaphat (17:10). Judah’s peace is credited to God, who put fear into the hearts of the nations. It comes right after the teaching of God’s law (17:9). As Proverbs says, when someone’s life pleases God, He brings even that person’s enemies to peace (Proverbs 16:7). God had promised Israel long before that He would put the fear of His people on the lands around them (Deuteronomy 11:25), and He directs the hearts of kings as He pleases (Proverbs 21:1).
- 2 Chronicles 17:10 (BSB)“And the dread of the LORD fell upon all the kingdoms of the lands that surrounded Judah, so that they did not make war against Jehoshaphat.”Dread from the LORD falls on the surrounding kingdoms, so they do not go to war with Jehoshaphat.
- Proverbs 16:7 (BSB)“When a man’s ways please the LORD, He makes even the man’s enemies live at peace with him.”When a man’s ways please the LORD, He makes even his enemies live at peace with him.
- Deuteronomy 11:25 (BSB)“No man will be able to stand against you; the LORD your God will put the fear and dread of you upon all the land, wherever you set foot, as He has promised you.”God had promised to put the fear and dread of His people on the lands around them.
- Proverbs 21:1 (BSB)“The king’s heart is a waterway in the hand of the LORD; He directs it where He pleases.”The LORD directs the hearts of kings wherever He pleases.
Theological
According to 2 Chronicles 17:10, how did the surrounding kingdoms respond to Jehoshaphat?
Answer: A fear from the LORD came on them, and they did not attack
A fear sent by the LORD came over every kingdom around Judah, so that none went to war with Jehoshaphat (17:10). The peace is the LORD’s doing, coming directly after the teaching of the law (17:9): God sovereignly restrained the nations by working fear in their hearts. This exemplifies the proverb that the LORD brings even the enemies of one whose life pleases Him to peace (Proverbs 16:7), fulfills the covenant promise of fear and dread on surrounding lands (Deuteronomy 11:25), and illustrates the LORD’s rule over the hearts of kings (Proverbs 21:1).
- 2 Chronicles 17:10 (BSB)“And the dread of the LORD fell upon all the kingdoms of the lands that surrounded Judah, so that they did not make war against Jehoshaphat.”Dread from the LORD falls on the surrounding kingdoms, so they do not go to war with Jehoshaphat.
- Proverbs 16:7 (BSB)“When a man’s ways please the LORD, He makes even the man’s enemies live at peace with him.”When a man’s ways please the LORD, He makes even his enemies live at peace with him.
- Deuteronomy 11:25 (BSB)“No man will be able to stand against you; the LORD your God will put the fear and dread of you upon all the land, wherever you set foot, as He has promised you.”God had promised to put the fear and dread of His people on the lands around them.
- Proverbs 21:1 (BSB)“The king’s heart is a waterway in the hand of the LORD; He directs it where He pleases.”The LORD directs the hearts of kings wherever He pleases.
General
True or False: Jehoshaphat took joy in following the LORD, and he got rid of Judah’s high places and its Asherah poles.
Answer: True
This is true. Jehoshaphat found joy in following the LORD, and he got rid of the high places, unauthorized hilltop places of worship, and the Asherah poles, wooden objects honoring a Canaanite goddess (17:6). His heart took joy in God’s ways, like the blessed man of Psalm 1 who loves God’s instruction and thinks on it constantly (Psalm 1:1-2; Psalm 119:97). Later the prophet Jehu would point to this very clearing away of the Asherah poles, and to the king’s heart fixed on seeking God, as the good found in him (19:3).
- 2 Chronicles 17:6 (BSB)“And his heart took delight in the ways of the LORD; furthermore, he removed the high places and Asherah poles from Judah.”Jehoshaphat’s heart delights in the LORD’s ways, and he removes the high places and Asherah poles from Judah.
- Psalm 1:1-2 (BSB)“Blessed is the man who does not walk in the counsel of the wicked, or set foot on the path of sinners, or sit in the seat of mockers. But his delight is in the Law of the LORD, and on His law he meditates day and night.”The blessed man delights in the law of the LORD, the same inward joy described in Jehoshaphat.
- Psalm 119:97 (BSB)“Oh, how I love Your law! All day long it is my meditation.”Love for God’s law shows itself in constant attention to it.
- 2 Chronicles 19:3 (BSB)“However, some good is found in you, for you have removed the Asherah poles from the land and have set your heart on seeking God.””The prophet Jehu later names the removal of the Asherah poles and a heart set on seeking God as the good found in Jehoshaphat.
Theological
True or False: 2 Chronicles 17:6 says Jehoshaphat rejoiced in the LORD’s ways and that he cleared Judah of its high places and its Asherah poles.
Answer: True
This is true. Jehoshaphat rejoiced in the LORD’s ways, and he also cleared Judah of its high places and its Asherah poles (17:6). His reform is joined to a heart that delights in God, mirroring the blessed man who loves God’s instruction and meditates on it (Psalm 1:1-2; Psalm 119:97). Jehu son of Hanani later cites the clearing away of the Asherah poles and the king’s heart fixed on seeking God as the good found in him (19:3), even while rebuking him.
- 2 Chronicles 17:6 (BSB)“And his heart took delight in the ways of the LORD; furthermore, he removed the high places and Asherah poles from Judah.”Jehoshaphat’s heart delights in the LORD’s ways, and he removes the high places and Asherah poles from Judah.
- Psalm 1:1-2 (BSB)“Blessed is the man who does not walk in the counsel of the wicked, or set foot on the path of sinners, or sit in the seat of mockers. But his delight is in the Law of the LORD, and on His law he meditates day and night.”The blessed man delights in the law of the LORD, the same inward joy described in Jehoshaphat.
- Psalm 119:97 (BSB)“Oh, how I love Your law! All day long it is my meditation.”Love for God’s law shows itself in constant attention to it.
- 2 Chronicles 19:3 (BSB)“However, some good is found in you, for you have removed the Asherah poles from the land and have set your heart on seeking God.””The prophet Jehu later names the removal of the Asherah poles and a heart set on seeking God as the good found in Jehoshaphat.
General
What resulted from Jehoshaphat’s seeking of God, according to 2 Chronicles 17:5?
Answer: The LORD made his rule secure, and he gained wealth and honor
Because Jehoshaphat sought the LORD, the LORD made his kingdom firm in his hand (17:5). The whole nation paid him tribute, gifts owed to a king, so that he became very wealthy and honored. This was God’s doing, not the result of the king’s skill. David had confessed that wealth and honor are God’s to give (1 Chronicles 29:12), and the LORD said He honors those who honor Him (1 Samuel 2:30). The blessing is God’s gift, not a payment earned.
- 2 Chronicles 17:5 (BSB)“So the LORD established the kingdom in his hand, and all Judah brought him tribute, so that he had an abundance of riches and honor.”The LORD secures Jehoshaphat’s kingdom, and Judah’s tribute brings him great riches and honor.
- 1 Chronicles 29:12 (BSB)“Both riches and honor come from You, and You are the ruler over all. In Your hands are power and might to exalt and give strength to all.”David confessed that riches and honor come from God, who gives strength to whom He wills.
- 1 Samuel 2:30 (BSB)“Therefore, the LORD, the God of Israel, declares: ‘I did indeed say that your house and the house of your father would walk before Me forever. But now the LORD declares: Far be it from Me! For I will honor those who honor Me, but those who despise Me will be disdained.”The LORD declares that He honors those who honor Him.
Theological
According to 2 Chronicles 17:5, what followed Jehoshaphat’s seeking of the LORD?
Answer: The LORD made his rule secure, and he gained wealth and honor
The LORD made the kingdom secure under Jehoshaphat, and the tribute of the whole nation brought him great wealth and honor (17:5). The king’s security is God’s doing, consistent with David’s confession that wealth and honor are God’s gifts, since He exalts and strengthens whom He wills (1 Chronicles 29:12). The LORD honors those who honor Him (1 Samuel 2:30). Blessing here is the fruit of God’s favor on a faithful king, not a wage earned by merit.
- 2 Chronicles 17:5 (BSB)“So the LORD established the kingdom in his hand, and all Judah brought him tribute, so that he had an abundance of riches and honor.”The LORD secures Jehoshaphat’s kingdom, and Judah’s tribute brings him great riches and honor.
- 1 Chronicles 29:12 (BSB)“Both riches and honor come from You, and You are the ruler over all. In Your hands are power and might to exalt and give strength to all.”David confessed that riches and honor come from God, who gives strength to whom He wills.
- 1 Samuel 2:30 (BSB)“Therefore, the LORD, the God of Israel, declares: ‘I did indeed say that your house and the house of your father would walk before Me forever. But now the LORD declares: Far be it from Me! For I will honor those who honor Me, but those who despise Me will be disdained.”The LORD declares that He honors those who honor Him.
General
According to 2 Chronicles 17:3-4, why was the LORD with Jehoshaphat?
Answer: He followed David’s early example and sought his father’s God, not the Baals
God stood by Jehoshaphat because he followed the example his ancestor David had set in his early years (17:3). He refused to seek the Baals, the false gods of Canaan, and instead sought his father’s God and obeyed His commands rather than copying the northern kingdom of Israel (17:4). This is the book’s repeated theme: the prophet Azariah had told Jehoshaphat’s father Asa that the LORD stays with those who stay with Him and is found by those who seek Him (15:2), just as David had urged Solomon to seek his father’s God (1 Chronicles 28:9). David’s faithful walk was the pattern God set for his royal sons (7:17).
- 2 Chronicles 17:3-4 (BSB)“Now the LORD was with Jehoshaphat because he walked in the earlier ways of his father David. He did not seek the Baals, but he sought the God of his father and walked by His commandments rather than the practices of Israel.”The reason the LORD was with Jehoshaphat: he followed David’s earlier ways and sought God rather than the Baals.
- 2 Chronicles 15:2 (BSB)“So he went out to meet Asa and said to him, “Listen to me, Asa and all Judah and Benjamin. The LORD is with you when you are with Him. If you seek Him, He will be found by you, but if you forsake Him, He will forsake you.”Azariah had told Jehoshaphat’s father that the LORD is with those who are with Him and is found by those who seek Him.
- 1 Chronicles 28:9 (BSB)“As for you, Solomon my son, know the God of your father and serve Him wholeheartedly and with a willing mind, for the LORD searches every heart and understands the intent of every thought. If you seek Him, He will be found by you; but if you forsake Him, He will reject you forever.”David charged Solomon to know and seek the God of his father, promising that the one who seeks Him will find Him.
- 2 Chronicles 7:17 (BSB)“And as for you, if you walk before Me as your father David walked, doing all I have commanded you, and if you keep My statutes and ordinances,”God had set David’s walk before Him as the pattern for the kings of his line.
Theological
What reason does 2 Chronicles 17:3-4 give for the LORD’s presence with Jehoshaphat?
Answer: He followed David’s early example and sought his father’s God, not the Baals
The LORD’s presence with Jehoshaphat is grounded in his following David’s early pattern (17:3): he sought his father’s God and obeyed His commandments instead of turning to the Baals or adopting the northern kingdom’s ways (17:4). This is the seeking of the LORD that Azariah had already urged on Asa: the LORD stays with those who stay with Him and is found by those who seek Him (15:2), echoing David’s charge to Solomon (1 Chronicles 28:9). David’s walk is the covenant standard set before his royal line (7:17), and Jehoshaphat begins his reign measured by it.
- 2 Chronicles 17:3-4 (BSB)“Now the LORD was with Jehoshaphat because he walked in the earlier ways of his father David. He did not seek the Baals, but he sought the God of his father and walked by His commandments rather than the practices of Israel.”The reason the LORD was with Jehoshaphat: he followed David’s earlier ways and sought God rather than the Baals.
- 2 Chronicles 15:2 (BSB)“So he went out to meet Asa and said to him, “Listen to me, Asa and all Judah and Benjamin. The LORD is with you when you are with Him. If you seek Him, He will be found by you, but if you forsake Him, He will forsake you.”Azariah had told Jehoshaphat’s father that the LORD is with those who are with Him and is found by those who seek Him.
- 1 Chronicles 28:9 (BSB)“As for you, Solomon my son, know the God of your father and serve Him wholeheartedly and with a willing mind, for the LORD searches every heart and understands the intent of every thought. If you seek Him, He will be found by you; but if you forsake Him, He will reject you forever.”David charged Solomon to know and seek the God of his father, promising that the one who seeks Him will find Him.
- 2 Chronicles 7:17 (BSB)“And as for you, if you walk before Me as your father David walked, doing all I have commanded you, and if you keep My statutes and ordinances,”God had set David’s walk before Him as the pattern for the kings of his line.
General
Early in his reign, the king sent officials, Levites and priests out through Judah to do what (17:7-9)?
Answer: Instruct the towns using the scroll of the LORD’s law
Jehoshaphat sent a team of royal officials, Levites (members of the tribe set apart to serve God) and priests through Judah’s towns (17:7-8). They carried the scroll of God’s law, His written instruction given through Moses, and taught in town after town (17:9). Teaching God’s law was a duty given to the Levites from the beginning (Deuteronomy 33:10), and the law was to be read to everyone so they would grow in reverence for the LORD (Deuteronomy 31:11-12). Centuries later, Levites would again read and explain God’s law to the people after the exile (Nehemiah 8:7-8).
- 2 Chronicles 17:7-9 (BSB)“In the third year of his reign, Jehoshaphat sent his officials Ben-hail, Obadiah, Zechariah, Nethanel, and Micaiah to teach in the cities of Judah, accompanied by certain Levites—Shemaiah, Nethaniah, Zebadiah, Asahel, Shemiramoth, Jehonathan, Adonijah, Tobijah, and Tob-adonijah—along with the priests Elishama and Jehoram. They taught throughout Judah, taking with them the Book of the Law of the LORD. They went throughout the towns of Judah and taught the people.”Officials, Levites and priests travel through Judah’s towns teaching the people with the Book of the Law of the LORD.
- Deuteronomy 33:10 (BSB)“He will teach Your ordinances to Jacob and Your law to Israel; he will set incense before You and whole burnt offerings on Your altar.”Moses’ blessing gave the Levites the task of teaching God’s ordinances and law to Israel.
- Deuteronomy 31:11-12 (BSB)“when all Israel comes before the LORD your God at the place He will choose, you are to read this law in the hearing of all Israel. Assemble the people—men, women, children, and the foreigners within your gates—so that they may listen and learn to fear the LORD your God and to follow carefully all the words of this law.”The law was to be read to all the people so that they would learn to fear the LORD and obey.
- Nehemiah 8:7-8 (BSB)“The Levites—Jeshua, Bani, Sherebiah, Jamin, Akkub, Shabbethai, Hodiah, Maaseiah, Kelita, Azariah, Jozabad, Hanan, and Pelaiah—instructed the people in the Law as they stood in their places. So they read from the Book of the Law of God, explaining it and giving insight, so that the people could understand what was being read.”Later the Levites again taught the people from the Book of the Law, explaining it so they understood.
Theological
What mission did Jehoshaphat give his officials, the Levites and the priests in 2 Chronicles 17:7-9?
Answer: Instruct the towns using the scroll of the LORD’s law
Jehoshaphat commissioned officials, Levites and priests to go through Judah’s towns teaching the people, carrying the scroll of the LORD’s law with them (17:7-9). Reform under Jehoshaphat is word-centered: the removal of idols is matched by positive instruction in God’s revealed will. This fulfills the Levitical calling to teach Israel God’s ordinances and law (Deuteronomy 33:10) and the Mosaic command that the law be read so the people grow in reverence for the LORD (Deuteronomy 31:11-12). The same pattern reappears after the exile, when Levites expound God’s law to the assembly (Nehemiah 8:7-8).
- 2 Chronicles 17:7-9 (BSB)“In the third year of his reign, Jehoshaphat sent his officials Ben-hail, Obadiah, Zechariah, Nethanel, and Micaiah to teach in the cities of Judah, accompanied by certain Levites—Shemaiah, Nethaniah, Zebadiah, Asahel, Shemiramoth, Jehonathan, Adonijah, Tobijah, and Tob-adonijah—along with the priests Elishama and Jehoram. They taught throughout Judah, taking with them the Book of the Law of the LORD. They went throughout the towns of Judah and taught the people.”Officials, Levites and priests travel through Judah’s towns teaching the people with the Book of the Law of the LORD.
- Deuteronomy 33:10 (BSB)“He will teach Your ordinances to Jacob and Your law to Israel; he will set incense before You and whole burnt offerings on Your altar.”Moses’ blessing gave the Levites the task of teaching God’s ordinances and law to Israel.
- Deuteronomy 31:11-12 (BSB)“when all Israel comes before the LORD your God at the place He will choose, you are to read this law in the hearing of all Israel. Assemble the people—men, women, children, and the foreigners within your gates—so that they may listen and learn to fear the LORD your God and to follow carefully all the words of this law.”The law was to be read to all the people so that they would learn to fear the LORD and obey.
- Nehemiah 8:7-8 (BSB)“The Levites—Jeshua, Bani, Sherebiah, Jamin, Akkub, Shabbethai, Hodiah, Maaseiah, Kelita, Azariah, Jozabad, Hanan, and Pelaiah—instructed the people in the Law as they stood in their places. So they read from the Book of the Law of God, explaining it and giving insight, so that the people could understand what was being read.”Later the Levites again taught the people from the Book of the Law, explaining it so they understood.
General
True or False: During these years the Philistines and Arabs stopped dealing with Judah, and Jehoshaphat’s power slowly declined.
Answer: False
This is false. Instead of turning away, some Philistines, Judah’s old enemies along the coast, brought Jehoshaphat presents and payments of silver, and Arabs brought him large flocks (17:11). Far from declining, Jehoshaphat grew steadily stronger and built strongholds and supply cities across Judah (17:12). Foreign peoples bringing gifts to a king blessed by God echoes Psalm 72:10. The chapter presents this strength as the LORD’s gift (17:5; 1 Chronicles 29:12), and Scripture is clear that a large army cannot save a king (Psalm 33:16-17).
- 2 Chronicles 17:11-12 (BSB)“Some Philistines also brought gifts and silver as tribute to Jehoshaphat, and the Arabs brought him 7,700 rams and 7,700 goats from their flocks. Jehoshaphat grew stronger and stronger, and he built fortresses and store cities in Judah”Philistines and Arabs bring tribute, and Jehoshaphat keeps growing stronger, building fortresses and store cities.
- Psalm 72:10 (BSB)“May the kings of Tarshish and distant shores bring tribute; may the kings of Sheba and Seba offer gifts.”The psalm pictures distant kings bringing tribute and gifts to the king God blesses.
- 1 Chronicles 29:12 (BSB)“Both riches and honor come from You, and You are the ruler over all. In Your hands are power and might to exalt and give strength to all.”Power and strength are in God’s hands to give to whom He wills.
- Psalm 33:16-17 (BSB)“No king is saved by his vast army; no warrior is delivered by his great strength. A horse is a vain hope for salvation; even its great strength cannot save.”No king is saved by a vast army, so Jehoshaphat’s strength rests on the LORD, not his troops.
Theological
True or False: In 2 Chronicles 17:11-12, the Philistines and Arabs withheld tribute from Judah, and Jehoshaphat’s strength diminished.
Answer: False
This is false. Some Philistines brought Jehoshaphat presents and silver in tribute, and Arab peoples sent him large flocks (17:11), while Jehoshaphat grew ever stronger and built strongholds and supply cities throughout Judah (17:12). Foreign peoples paying tribute to the God-blessed king recalls Psalm 72:10. Judah’s military and economic strength is the LORD’s gift to a king who sought Him (17:5; 1 Chronicles 29:12), not the ground of his security, for a vast army cannot save a king (Psalm 33:16-17).
- 2 Chronicles 17:11-12 (BSB)“Some Philistines also brought gifts and silver as tribute to Jehoshaphat, and the Arabs brought him 7,700 rams and 7,700 goats from their flocks. Jehoshaphat grew stronger and stronger, and he built fortresses and store cities in Judah”Philistines and Arabs bring tribute, and Jehoshaphat keeps growing stronger, building fortresses and store cities.
- Psalm 72:10 (BSB)“May the kings of Tarshish and distant shores bring tribute; may the kings of Sheba and Seba offer gifts.”The psalm pictures distant kings bringing tribute and gifts to the king God blesses.
- 1 Chronicles 29:12 (BSB)“Both riches and honor come from You, and You are the ruler over all. In Your hands are power and might to exalt and give strength to all.”Power and strength are in God’s hands to give to whom He wills.
- Psalm 33:16-17 (BSB)“No king is saved by his vast army; no warrior is delivered by his great strength. A horse is a vain hope for salvation; even its great strength cannot save.”No king is saved by a vast army, so Jehoshaphat’s strength rests on the LORD, not his troops.