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2 Chronicles 17

BSB·19 verses ·Old Testament
✦ Tap any verse to open Scripture Explorer — original Hebrew/Greek, commentary, notes & highlights
1Asa’s sonבְּנ֖וֹbə·nōw — Son; descendant; member of a groupH1121 — Full Word Study → Jehoshaphatיְהוֹשָׁפָ֥טyə·hō·wō·šā·p̄āṭ — Yahweh judgesH3092 — Full Word Study → reignedוַיִּמְלֹ֛ךְway·yim·lōḵ — to reign; to rule as kingH4427 — Full Word Study → in his placeתַּחְתָּ֑יוtaḥ·tāw — Under, beneath, instead of, in place ofH8478 — Full Word Study →, and he strengthened himselfוַיִּתְחַזֵּ֖קway·yiṯ·ḥaz·zêq — To strengthen, make firm, establishH2388 — Full Word Study → againstעַל־‘al- — upon, over, against; concerningH5921 — Full Word Study → Israelיִשְׂרָאֵֽל׃yiś·rā·’êl — God prevailsH3478 — Full Word Study →. 2He stationedוַיִּ֨תֶּן־way·yit·ten- — to give, grant, or bestowH5414 — Full Word Study → troopsחַ֔יִלḥa·yil — Army, force, or wealthH2428 — Full Word Study → in everyבְּכָל־bə·ḵāl — All, every, whole, totalityH3605 — Full Word Study → fortifiedהַבְּצֻר֑וֹתhab·bə·ṣu·rō·wṯ — to gather, fortify, or restrainH1219 — Full Word Study → cityעָרֵ֥י‘ā·rê — City; fortified settlement or townH5892 — Full Word Study → of Judahיְהוּדָ֖הyə·hū·ḏāh — The Lord is praisedH3063 — Full Word Study → and putוַיִּתֵּ֤ןway·yit·tên — to give, grant, or bestowH5414 — Full Word Study → garrisonsנְצִיבִים֙nə·ṣî·ḇîm — Garrison, military outpost, or standing officerH5333 — Full Word Study → in the landבְּאֶ֣רֶץbə·’e·reṣ — Land, earth, or countryH776 — Full Word Study → of Judahיְהוּדָ֔הyə·hū·ḏāh — The Lord is praisedH3063 — Full Word Study → and in the citiesוּבְעָרֵ֣יū·ḇə·‘ā·rê — City; fortified settlement or townH5892 — Full Word Study → of Ephraimאֶפְרַ֔יִם’ep̄·ra·yim — Double fruitfulnessH669 — Full Word Study → thatאֲשֶׁ֥ר’ă·šer — who, which, that; when, where, becauseH834 — Full Word Study → his fatherאָבִֽיו׃’ā·ḇîw — H1 — Full Word Study → Asaאָסָ֥א’ā·sā — Healer or physicianH609 — Full Word Study → had capturedלָכַ֖דlā·ḵaḏ — To capture, seize, or take hold ofH3920 — Full Word Study →. 3Now the LORDיְהוָ֖הYah·weh — The LORD; God's covenant nameH3068 — Full Word Study → wasוַיְהִ֥יway·hî — to be, become, exist, happenH1961 — Full Word Study → withעִם־‘im- — with, together with, amongH5973 — Full Word Study → Jehoshaphatיְהוֹשָׁפָ֑טyə·hō·wō·šā·p̄āṭ — Yahweh judgesH3092 — Full Word Study → becauseכִּ֣יkî — because, since, that (conjunction/reason marker)H3588 — Full Word Study → he walkedהָלַ֗ךְhā·laḵ — to go, walk, travel, proceedH1980 — Full Word Study → in the earlierהָרִ֣אשֹׁנִ֔יםhā·ri·šō·nîm — First, foremost, or former; earliest in time or orderH7223 — Full Word Study → waysבְּדַרְכֵ֞יbə·ḏar·ḵê — way, path, journey, conductH1870 — Full Word Study → of his fatherאָבִיו֙’ā·ḇîw — H1 — Full Word Study → Davidדָּוִ֤ידdā·wîḏ — BelovedH1732 — Full Word Study →. He did notוְלֹ֥אwə·lō — not; negation; absenceH3808 — Full Word Study → seekדָרַ֖שׁḏā·raš — to seek, inquire, search diligentlyH1875 — Full Word Study → out the Baalsלַבְּעָלִֽים׃lab·bə·‘ā·lîm — Baal, a pagan deity; false godH1168 — Full Word Study →, 4butכִּ֠יkî — because, since, that (conjunction/reason marker)H3588 — Full Word Study → he soughtדָּרָ֔שׁdā·rāš — to seek, inquire, search diligentlyH1875 — Full Word Study → the Godלֵֽאלֹהֵ֤יlê·lō·hê — God, the divine beingH430 — Full Word Study → of his fatherאָבִיו֙’ā·ḇîw — H1 — Full Word Study → and walkedהָלָ֑ךְhā·lāḵ — to go, walk, travel, proceedH1980 — Full Word Study → by His commandmentsוּבְמִצְוֺתָ֖יוū·ḇə·miṣ·wō·ṯāw — A command or commandment; divine instruction or lawH4687 — Full Word Study → rather thanוְלֹ֖אwə·lō — not; negation; absenceH3808 — Full Word Study → the practicesכְּמַעֲשֵׂ֥הkə·ma·‘ă·śêh — Work, deed, or actionH4639 — Full Word Study → of Israelיִשְׂרָאֵֽל׃yiś·rā·’êl — God prevailsH3478 — Full Word Study →. 5So the LORDיְהוָ֤הYah·weh — The LORD; God's covenant nameH3068 — Full Word Study → establishedוַיָּ֨כֶןway·yā·ḵen — to establish, prepare, or make firmH3559 — Full Word Study → the kingdomהַמַּמְלָכָה֙ham·mam·lā·ḵāh — Kingdom; sovereign rule or realmH4467 — Full Word Study → in his handבְּיָד֔וֹbə·yā·ḏōw — hand; power, strength, controlH3027 — Full Word Study →, and allכָל־ḵāl — All, every, whole, totalityH3605 — Full Word Study → Judahיְהוּדָ֛הyə·hū·ḏāh — The Lord is praisedH3063 — Full Word Study → broughtוַיִּתְּנ֧וּway·yit·tə·nū — to give, grant, or bestowH5414 — Full Word Study → himלִיהוֹשָׁפָ֑טlî·hō·wō·šā·p̄āṭ — Yahweh judgesH3092 — Full Word Study → tributeמִנְחָ֖הmin·ḥāh — Gift offering; present or tributeH4503 — Full Word Study →, so thatוַֽיְהִי־way·hî- — to be, become, exist, happenH1961 — Full Word Study → he had an abundanceלָרֹֽב׃lā·rōḇ — Abundance, multitude, or great quantityH7230 — Full Word Study → of richesעֹֽשֶׁר־‘ō·šer- — Riches, wealth, abundance of possessionsH6239 — Full Word Study → and honorוְכָב֖וֹדwə·ḵā·ḇō·wḏ — weightiness, honor, splendor, gloryH3519 — Full Word Study →. 6And his heartלִבּ֖וֹlib·bōw — Heart; the center of emotion, will, and intellectH3820 — Full Word Study → took delightוַיִּגְבַּ֥הּway·yiḡ·bah — to rise up, exalt, or be proud; to make highH1361 — Full Word Study → in the waysבְּדַרְכֵ֣יbə·ḏar·ḵê — way, path, journey, conductH1870 — Full Word Study → of the LORDיְהוָ֑הYah·weh — The LORD; God's covenant nameH3068 — Full Word Study →; furthermoreוְע֗וֹדwə·‘ō·wḏ — still, yet, again, continuing or additional occurrenceH5750 — Full Word Study →, he removedהֵסִ֛ירhê·sîr — to turn aside, depart, removeH5493 — Full Word Study → the high placesהַבָּמ֥וֹתhab·bā·mō·wṯ — High place; elevated worship siteH1116 — Full Word Study → and Asherah polesהָאֲשֵׁרִ֖יםhā·’ă·šê·rîm — Canaanite fertility goddessH842 — Full Word Study → from Judahמִיהוּדָֽה׃פmî·hū·ḏāh — The Lord is praisedH3063 — Full Word Study →. 7In the thirdשָׁל֜וֹשׁšā·lō·wōš — The number three; a group of three thingsH7969 — Full Word Study → yearוּבִשְׁנַ֨תū·ḇiš·naṯ — Year; period of time or ageH8141 — Full Word Study → of his reignלְמָלְכ֗וֹlə·mā·lə·ḵōw — to reign; to rule as kingH4427 — Full Word Study →, Jehoshaphat sentשָׁלַ֤חšā·laḥ — to send, let go, releaseH7971 — Full Word Study → his officialsלְשָׂרָיו֙lə·śā·rāw — Ruler, leader, or one in authorityH8269 — Full Word Study → Ben-hailחַ֙יִל֙ḥa·yil — Ben-hail: a man of valor; a mighty manH1134 — Full Word Study →, Obadiahוּלְעֹבַדְיָ֣הū·lə·‘ō·ḇaḏ·yāh — Servant of the LordH5662 — Full Word Study →, Zechariahוְלִזְכַרְיָ֔הwə·liz·ḵar·yāh — Zechariah, a name meaning 'the LORD remembers'H2148 — Full Word Study →, Nethanelוְלִנְתַנְאֵ֖לwə·lin·ṯan·’êl — God gaveH5417 — Full Word Study →, and Micaiahוּלְמִיכָיָ֑הוּū·lə·mî·ḵā·yā·hū — Who is like YahwehH4322 — Full Word Study → to teachלְלַמֵּ֖דlə·lam·mêḏ — To learn; to teach; to become accustomedH3925 — Full Word Study → in the citiesבְּעָרֵ֥יbə·‘ā·rê — City; fortified settlement or townH5892 — Full Word Study → of Judahיְהוּדָֽה׃yə·hū·ḏāh — The Lord is praisedH3063 — Full Word Study →, 8accompanied byוְעִמָּהֶ֣םwə·‘im·mā·hem — with, together with, amongH5973 — Full Word Study → certain Levitesהַלְוִיִּ֗םhal·wî·yim — Joined, AttachedH3881 — Full Word Study →Shemaiahשְֽׁמַֽעְיָ֡הוּšə·ma‘·yā·hū — Yahweh has heardH8098 — Full Word Study →, Nethaniahוּנְתַנְיָ֡הוּū·nə·ṯan·yā·hū — God has givenH5418 — Full Word Study →, Zebadiahוּזְבַדְיָ֡הוּū·zə·ḇaḏ·yā·hū — Yahweh has givenH2069 — Full Word Study →, Asahelוַעֲשָׂהאֵ֡לwa·‘ă·śā·h·’êl — God has madeH6214 — Full Word Study →, Shemiramothוּשְׁמִרִימוֹתū·šə·mi·rī·mōṯ — Guard of heightsH8070 — Full Word Study →, Jehonathanוִֽיהוֹנָתָן֩wî·hō·w·nā·ṯān — Yahweh has givenH3083 — Full Word Study →, Adonijahוַאֲדֹ֨נִיָּ֧הוּwa·’ă·ḏō·nî·yā·hū — My Lord is YahwehH138 — Full Word Study →, Tobijahוְטֽוֹבִיָּ֛הוּwə·ṭō·w·ḇî·yā·hū — Yahweh is goodH2900 — Full Word Study →, and Tob-adonijahאֲדוֹנִיָּ֖ה’ă·ḏō·w·nî·yāh — Goodness of the LordH2899 — Full Word Study →along withוְעִמָּהֶ֛םwə·‘im·mā·hem — with, together with, amongH5973 — Full Word Study → the priestsהַכֹּהֲנִֽים׃hak·kō·hă·nîm — priest; one who serves in God's sanctuaryH3548 — Full Word Study → Elishamaאֱלִישָׁמָ֥ע’ĕ·lî·šā·mā‘ — God has heardH476 — Full Word Study → and Jehoramוִֽיהוֹרָ֖םwî·hō·w·rām — Yahweh is exaltedH3088 — Full Word Study →. 9They taughtוַֽיְלַמְּדוּ֙way·lam·mə·ḏū — To learn; to teach; to become accustomedH3925 — Full Word Study → throughout Judahבִּֽיהוּדָ֔הbî·hū·ḏāh — The Lord is praisedH3063 — Full Word Study →, taking with themוְעִ֨מָּהֶ֔םwə·‘im·mā·hem — with, together with, amongH5973 — Full Word Study → the Bookסֵ֖פֶרsê·p̄er — A written document, scroll, or bookH5612 — Full Word Study → of the Lawתּוֹרַ֣תtō·w·raṯ — instruction, teaching, law, guidanceH8451 — Full Word Study → of the LORDיְהוָ֑הYah·weh — The LORD; God's covenant nameH3068 — Full Word Study →. They wentוַיָּסֹ֙בּוּ֙way·yā·sōb·bū — to turn, surround, go aroundH5437 — Full Word Study → throughoutבְּכָל־bə·ḵāl — All, every, whole, totalityH3605 — Full Word Study → the townsעָרֵ֣י‘ā·rê — City; fortified settlement or townH5892 — Full Word Study → of Judahיְהוּדָ֔הyə·hū·ḏāh — The Lord is praisedH3063 — Full Word Study → and taughtוַֽיְלַמְּד֖וּway·lam·mə·ḏū — To learn; to teach; to become accustomedH3925 — Full Word Study → the peopleבָּעָֽם׃bā·‘ām — a people; nation; communityH5971 — Full Word Study →. 10And the dreadפַּ֣חַדpa·ḥaḏ — dread, terror, overwhelming fearH6343 — Full Word Study → of the LORDיְהוָ֗הYah·weh — The LORD; God's covenant nameH3068 — Full Word Study → fellוַיְהִ֣י׀way·hî — to be, become, exist, happenH1961 — Full Word Study → uponעַ֚ל‘al — upon, over, against; concerningH5921 — Full Word Study → allכָּל־kāl- — All, every, whole, totalityH3605 — Full Word Study → the kingdomsמַמְלְכ֣וֹתmam·lə·ḵō·wṯ — Kingdom; sovereign rule or realmH4467 — Full Word Study → of the landsהָֽאֲרָצ֔וֹתhā·’ă·rā·ṣō·wṯ — Land, earth, or countryH776 — Full Word Study → thatאֲשֶׁ֖ר’ă·šer — who, which, that; when, where, becauseH834 — Full Word Study → surroundedסְבִיב֣וֹתsə·ḇî·ḇō·wṯ — around, on all sides, encirclingH5439 — Full Word Study → Judahיְהוּדָ֑הyə·hū·ḏāh — The Lord is praisedH3063 — Full Word Study →, so that they did notוְלֹ֥אwə·lō — not; negation; absenceH3808 — Full Word Study → make warנִלְחֲמ֖וּnil·ḥă·mū — to fight; to consume; to battleH3898 — Full Word Study → againstעִם־‘im- — with, together with, amongH5973 — Full Word Study → Jehoshaphatיְהוֹשָׁפָֽט׃yə·hō·wō·šā·p̄āṭ — Yahweh judgesH3092 — Full Word Study →. 11Someוּמִן־ū·min- — from, out of, by means ofH4480 — Full Word Study → Philistinesפְּלִשְׁתִּ֗יםpə·liš·tîm — PhilistineH6430 — Full Word Study → also broughtמְבִיאִ֧יםmə·ḇî·’îm — to come, go, enter, arriveH935 — Full Word Study → giftsמִנְחָ֖הmin·ḥāh — Gift offering; present or tributeH4503 — Full Word Study → and silverוְכֶ֣סֶףwə·ḵe·sep̄ — Silver; money; price; valueH3701 — Full Word Study → as tributeמַשָּׂ֑אmaś·śā — burden; a load or weight; an oracle or utteranceH4853 — Full Word Study → to Jehoshaphatלִֽיהוֹשָׁפָ֛טlî·hō·wō·šā·p̄āṭ — Yahweh judgesH3092 — Full Word Study →, andגַּ֣םgam — also, even, moreover, both...andH1571 — Full Word Study → the Arabsהָֽעַרְבִיאִ֗יםhā·‘ar·ḇî·’îm — Arabian; inhabitant of ArabiaH6163 — Full Word Study → broughtמְבִיאִ֥יםmə·ḇî·’îm — to come, go, enter, arriveH935 — Full Word Study → him 7,700שִׁבְעַ֤תšiḇ·‘aṯ — The number seven; sevenfoldH7651 — Full Word Study → ramsאֵילִ֔ים’ê·lîm — strength, mighty one, ram, pillarH352 — Full Word Study → and 7,700שִׁבְעַ֥תšiḇ·‘aṯ — The number seven; sevenfoldH7651 — Full Word Study → goatsוּתְיָשִׁ֕יםū·ṯə·yā·šîm — Male goat; he-goatH8495 — Full Word Study → from their flocksצֹ֕אןṣōn — flock of sheep or goatsH6629 — Full Word Study →. 12Jehoshaphatיְהוֹשָׁפָ֛טyə·hō·wō·šā·p̄āṭ — Yahweh judgesH3092 — Full Word Study → grew strongerהֹלֵ֥ךְhō·lêḵ — to go, walk, travel, proceedH1980 — Full Word Study → and strongerלְמָ֑עְלָהlə·mā·‘ə·lāh — Above, over, upward; superiority in place or rankH4605 — Full Word Study →, and he builtוַיִּ֧בֶןway·yi·ḇen — to build, construct, establishH1129 — Full Word Study → fortressesבִּירָנִיּ֖וֹתbî·rā·nî·yō·wṯ — fortress, fortified tower or strongholdH1003 — Full Word Study → and storeמִסְכְּנֽוֹת׃mis·kə·nō·wṯ — storage house, treasury, storehouseH4543 — Full Word Study → citiesוְעָרֵ֥יwə·‘ā·rê — City; fortified settlement or townH5892 — Full Word Study → in Judahבִּֽיהוּדָ֛הbî·hū·ḏāh — The Lord is praisedH3063 — Full Word Study → 13and kept vastרַבָּ֛הrab·bāh — great, many, abundant, mightyH7227 — Full Word Study → suppliesוּמְלָאכָ֥הū·mə·lā·ḵāh — Work, labor, occupation; manufactured goods or craftH4399 — Full Word Study → in the citiesבְּעָרֵ֣יbə·‘ā·rê — City; fortified settlement or townH5892 — Full Word Study → of Judahיְהוּדָ֑הyə·hū·ḏāh — The Lord is praisedH3063 — Full Word Study →. He also hadהָ֥יָהhā·yāh — to be, become, exist, happenH1961 — Full Word Study → warriorsמִלְחָמָ֛הmil·ḥā·māh — Battle, warfare, combat, military conflictH4421 — Full Word Study → in Jerusalemבִּירוּשָׁלִָֽם׃bî·rū·šā·lim — City of peaceH3389 — Full Word Study → who were mighty men of valorחַ֖יִלḥa·yil — Army, force, or wealthH2428 — Full Word Study →. 14Theseוְאֵ֥לֶּהwə·’êl·leh — These; those; the onesH428 — Full Word Study → are their numbersפְקֻדָּתָ֖םp̄ə·qud·dā·ṯām — visitation, oversight, punishment, accountH6486 — Full Word Study → according to the housesלְבֵ֣יתlə·ḇêṯ — A house; dwelling place; household; familyH1004 — Full Word Study → of their fathersאֲבוֹתֵיהֶ֑ם’ă·ḇō·w·ṯê·hem — H1 — Full Word Study →: From Judahלִֽיהוּדָה֙lî·hū·ḏāh — The Lord is praisedH3063 — Full Word Study →, the commandersשָׂרֵ֣יśā·rê — Ruler, leader, or one in authorityH8269 — Full Word Study → of thousandsאֲלָפִ֔ים’ă·lā·p̄îm — A thousand; a large military unit or census numberH505 — Full Word Study →: Adnahעַדְנָ֣ה‘aḏ·nāh — My delight or pleasureH5734 — Full Word Study → the commanderהַשָּׂ֔רhaś·śār — Ruler, leader, or one in authorityH8269 — Full Word Study →, and with himוְעִמּוֹ֙wə·‘im·mōw — with, together with, amongH5973 — Full Word Study → 300,000 mighty menגִּבּ֣וֹרֵיgib·bō·w·rê — mighty man, warrior, strong heroH1368 — Full Word Study → of valorחַ֔יִלḥa·yil — Army, force, or wealthH2428 — Full Word Study →; 15next toוְעַל־wə·‘al- — upon, over, against; concerningH5921 — Full Word Study → himיָד֖וֹyā·ḏōw — hand; power, strength, controlH3027 — Full Word Study →, Jehohananיְהוֹחָנָ֣ןyə·hō·w·ḥā·nān — Yahweh is graciousH3076 — Full Word Study → the commanderהַשָּׂ֑רhaś·śār — Ruler, leader, or one in authorityH8269 — Full Word Study →, and with himוְעִמּ֕וֹwə·‘im·mōw — with, together with, amongH5973 — Full Word Study → 280,000; 16and next toוְעַל־wə·‘al- — upon, over, against; concerningH5921 — Full Word Study → himיָדוֹ֙yā·ḏōw — hand; power, strength, controlH3027 — Full Word Study →, Amasiahעֲמַסְיָ֣ה‘ă·mas·yāh — Yahweh bears/sustainsH6007 — Full Word Study → sonבֶן־ḇen- — Son; descendant; member of a groupH1121 — Full Word Study → of Zichriזִכְרִ֔יziḵ·rî — Remembered by the LordH2147 — Full Word Study →, the volunteerהַמִּתְנַדֵּ֖בham·miṯ·nad·dêḇ — to volunteer willingly; offer oneself freelyH5068 — Full Word Study → for the LORDלַיהוָ֑הYah·weh — The LORD; God's covenant nameH3068 — Full Word Study →, and with himוְעִמּ֛וֹwə·‘im·mōw — with, together with, amongH5973 — Full Word Study → 200,000 mighty menגִּבּ֥וֹרgib·bō·wr — mighty man, warrior, strong heroH1368 — Full Word Study → of valorחָֽיִל׃סḥā·yil — Army, force, or wealthH2428 — Full Word Study →. 17Fromוּמִ֨ן־ū·min- — from, out of, by means ofH4480 — Full Word Study → Benjaminבִּנְיָמִ֔ןbin·yā·min — Son of the right handH1144 — Full Word Study →: Eliadaאֶלְיָדָ֑ע’el·yā·ḏā‘ — God knowsH450 — Full Word Study →, a mighty manגִּבּ֥וֹרgib·bō·wr — mighty man, warrior, strong heroH1368 — Full Word Study → of valorחַ֖יִלḥa·yil — Army, force, or wealthH2428 — Full Word Study →, and with himוְעִמּ֛וֹwə·‘im·mōw — with, together with, amongH5973 — Full Word Study → 200,000 armedנֹֽשְׁקֵי־nō·šə·qê- — To kiss; to touch; to equip with weaponsH5401 — Full Word Study → with bowsקֶ֥שֶׁתqe·šeṯ — bow (weapon); arcH7198 — Full Word Study → and shieldsוּמָגֵ֖ןū·mā·ḡên — Shield; protection, defenseH4043 — Full Word Study →; 18and next toוְעַל־wə·‘al- — upon, over, against; concerningH5921 — Full Word Study → himיָד֖וֹyā·ḏōw — hand; power, strength, controlH3027 — Full Word Study →, Jehozabadיְהוֹזָבָ֑דyə·hō·w·zā·ḇāḏ — Yahweh has bestowedH3075 — Full Word Study →, and with himוְעִמּ֛וֹwə·‘im·mōw — with, together with, amongH5973 — Full Word Study → 180,000 armedחֲלוּצֵ֥יḥă·lū·ṣê — to strip off; to arm; to deliverH2502 — Full Word Study → for battleצָבָֽא׃סṣā·ḇā — army, host, or organized military forceH6635 — Full Word Study →. 19These were the menאֵ֖לֶּה’êl·leh — These; those; the onesH428 — Full Word Study → who servedהַמְשָׁרְתִ֣יםham·šā·rə·ṯîm — to minister, serve, or attendH8334 — Full Word Study → the kingהַמֶּ֑לֶךְham·me·leḵ — A male ruler or sovereign who governs a nation or kingdomH4428 — Full Word Study →, besidesמִלְּבַ֞דmil·lə·ḇaḏ — alone, apart, or bar/poleH905 — Full Word Study → thoseאֲשֶׁר־’ă·šer- — who, which, that; when, where, becauseH834 — Full Word Study → heהַמֶּ֛לֶךְham·me·leḵ — A male ruler or sovereign who governs a nation or kingdomH4428 — Full Word Study → stationedנָתַ֥ןnā·ṯan — to give, grant, or bestowH5414 — Full Word Study → in the fortifiedהַמִּבְצָ֖רham·miḇ·ṣār — fortress, fortified city, strongholdH4013 — Full Word Study → citiesבְּעָרֵ֥יbə·‘ā·rê — City; fortified settlement or townH5892 — Full Word Study → throughoutבְּכָל־bə·ḵāl — All, every, whole, totalityH3605 — Full Word Study → Judahיְהוּדָֽה׃פyə·hū·ḏāh — The Lord is praisedH3063 — Full Word Study →.
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Chapter Commentary — 2 Chronicles 17
Chapter Overview

Chapter Overview

2 Chronicles 17 presents a portrait of King Jehoshaphat's early reign as a season of spiritual renewal and national strength in Judah. The chapter demonstrates a crucial biblical principle: when a leader prioritizes obedience to God's law and establishes godly instruction throughout the land, the Lord grants both spiritual blessing and practical prosperity. Jehoshaphat's systematic campaign to teach God's Word in every city, combined with his removal of idolatrous worship, results in divine favor, military security, and material abundance that extends throughout his kingdom.

Verses 1–5: A King Who Seeks the Lord

Jehoshaphat begins his reign by strengthening Judah militarily and strategically, placing garrisons throughout the land (verses 1–2). However, the true source of his success is spiritual, not merely military. Verse 3 reveals the foundation: "the LORD was with Jehoshaphat, because he walked in the first ways of his father David, and sought not unto Baalim." His strength lay in rejecting idolatry and pursuing the God of his fathers. Unlike the northern kingdom of Israel, which had departed into false worship, Jehoshaphat deliberately distinguished Judah by walking in God's commandments (verse 4).

This loyalty produced remarkable results: God established his kingdom, tribute flowed in from surrounding peoples, and he accumulated both riches and honor (verse 5). The text emphasizes that obedience precedes blessing—prosperity was not the goal but the fruit of seeking God first.

Verses 6–9: Teaching God's Law Throughout the Land

Verses 6–9 describe Jehoshaphat's most distinctive achievement: a nationwide religious education program. His heart was lifted up in the ways of the Lord, prompting him to remove high places and groves used for idol worship (verse 6). But removal alone was insufficient; he needed to fill the spiritual vacuum with truth.

In the third year of his reign, Jehoshaphat commissioned princes, Levites, and priests to carry "the book of the law of the LORD" (verse 9) to every city in Judah. This was not a haphazard effort but an organized campaign ensuring that God's revealed Word reached every community. The specific naming of officials underscores the seriousness and intentionality of this mission. His strategy recognized that lasting spiritual change requires systematic instruction in Scripture, not mere external reformation.

Verses 10–19: Divine Protection and Military Strength

The results of Jehoshaphat's faithfulness were remarkable. Verse 10 states: "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." Instead of military conflict, surrounding nations brought tribute and gifts (verses 10–11). Jehoshaphat became great, building fortifications and supply cities (verse 12).

Verses 13–19 catalog his military strength in detail—over one million soldiers from Judah and Benjamin, organized under capable commanders who had willingly devoted themselves to the Lord (verse 16). This military roster emphasizes that true security comes through seeking God, not merely through military might. The armies existed to defend a nation whose king walked in righteousness.

Application for Today

Jehoshaphat's example challenges modern believers and church leaders: spiritual strength requires deliberate commitment to God's Word and the elimination of competing loyalties. Just as Jehoshaphat invested in teaching Scripture throughout his kingdom, the church must prioritize biblical instruction in every congregation and community. When leaders model submission to God's authority and systematically communicate His Word, the Lord grants both spiritual vitality and practical blessing. Our security, influence, and true prosperity flow not from material accumulation or political power, but from wholehearted allegiance to God and faithful proclamation of His truth.

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