2 CHRONICLES LESSON 17
We will begin this lesson in II Chronicles 17:1 "And Jehoshaphat
his son reigned in his stead, and strengthened himself against
Israel."
Jehoshaphat {whom Jehovah judges} was a powerful king who took
over as king, when he was 35 years old. He was the son of Asa and
Azubah. He was, also, spoken of as Josaphat. It appears, he
strengthened his people against possible attack from Israel.
II Chronicles 17:2 "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."
This appears, that he sent troops and fortifications to these
cities to ward off any attack from Israel. In the last lesson, we saw
that Asa had begun to do these things at the latter part of his reign.
II Chronicles 17:3 "And the LORD was with Jehoshaphat, because he
walked in the first ways of his father David, and sought not unto
Baalim;"
David was not the father of Jehoshaphat. He was his ancestor. In
fact, he was his great-great-great-grandson. He was a man after God's
own heart. David had loved the LORD with all his heart, and that was
what was said of Jehoshaphat, here. Asa, his father, had loved the
LORD, as well. Israel had some very wicked kings, such as Ahab, during
the reign of Jehoshaphat over Judah. Baalim was one of the false gods
worshipped in Israel.
II Chronicles 17:4 "But sought to the [LORD] God of his father,
and walked in his commandments, and not after the doings of Israel."
This, of course, is speaking of Asa, who destroyed the idols in
Judah.
II Chronicles 17:5 "Therefore the LORD stablished the kingdom in
his hand; and all Judah brought to Jehoshaphat presents; and he had
riches and honour in abundance."
The gifts were not taxes. These were given, because the people
loved and appreciated what Jehoshaphat stood for. When a king served
the LORD with all his heart, the people were blessed, as well. We see
that God had poured an abundant blessing upon Jehoshaphat.
II Chronicles 17:6 "And his heart was lifted up in the ways of
the LORD: moreover he took away the high places and groves out of
Judah."
Asa had begun this work when he was king, but it appears that
Jehoshaphat continued the cleansing of the land of all false worship.
II Chronicles 17:7 "Also in the third year of his reign he sent
to his princes, [even] to Ben-hail, and to Obadiah, and to Zechariah,
and to Nethaneel, and to Michaiah, to teach in the cities of Judah."
This is a message to the princes of each of the areas, to see
that their people were taught the book of the law. They had drifted
away from God's teachings, much as our land has today. Notice, what
would get them back where they needed to be. They must learn God's
Word. We must return to our Bible, also, if we are to be a great
nation, again.
II Chronicles 17:8 "And with them [he sent] Levites, [even]
Shemaiah, and Nethaniah, and Zebadiah, and Asahel, and Shemiramoth,
and Jehonathan, and Adonijah, and Tobijah, and Tob-adonijah, Levites;
and with them Elishama and Jehoram, priests."
The Levites were the chosen ones to bring the people into a
spiritual awareness of God and His ways. They were entrusted with the
spiritual growth of the people of the land.
II Chronicles 17:9 "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."
I have said this numerous times, but must say it, again, here.
These people of Judah or, even, our people today, cannot do the will
of God, until we know what that will is. We cannot know His will,
until we know His Word. We must study the Bible, as they had to study
the law to know God.
II Chronicles 17:10 "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."
It is thrilling to me to see, that even the worldly people around
them feared the power of their God. The worldly people even knew that
the knowing of God's law and doing it would bring tremendous blessings
to Judah.
II Chronicles 17:11 "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."
These Philistines were, probably, paying tribute. They would not
dare come against Jehoshaphat's God. The Arabians were the same way.
They did not necessarily fear Jehoshaphat. They feared Jehoshaphat's
God.
II Chronicles 17:12 "And Jehoshaphat waxed great exceedingly; and
he built in Judah castles, and cities of store."
With this type of tribute, it would not take long for the country
of Judah to become wealthy. The castles and the cities of store come
with great abundance.
II Chronicles 17:13 "And he had much business in the cities of
Judah: and the men of war, mighty men of valour, [were] in Jerusalem."
There was plenty of work for everyone to do with all of the
building that was going on. His great strength of his military was to
guard the city of God, Jerusalem.
II Chronicles 17:14 "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."
This is speaking of 300,000 standing men ready for war. This
first captain of thousands was Adnah. He seemed to be like a general
in our army. He was the main officer of authority of the troops.
II Chronicles 17:15 "And next to him [was] Jehohanan the captain,
and with him two hundred and fourscore thousand."
This is 280,000 men that Jehohanan captained.
II Chronicles 17:16 "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."
It is interesting that this high officer in the army had
dedicated his office as a soldier to the LORD. These 200,000 men were
favored to have an officer who loved God.
II Chronicles 17:17 "And of Benjamin; Eliada a mighty man of
valour, and with him armed men with bow and shield two hundred
thousand." II Chronicles 17:18 And next him [was] Jehozabad, and with
him an hundred and fourscore thousand ready prepared for the war.
The first men mentioned were of Judah. Now, this one was from
Benjamin. These 200,000 of Eliada would have been expert in bows. The
180,000 of Jehozabad would have been foot-soldiers.
II Chronicles 17:19 "These waited on the king, beside [those]
whom the king put in the fenced cities throughout all Judah."
It appears, that literally hundreds of thousands of soldiers were
stationed in Jerusalem. There were other soldiers dispatched to stop
any attack, before it came to Jerusalem. We can see the blessings by
seeing the men who were devoted to the security of Jerusalem. These
fenced cities away from Jerusalem were like front line fortresses.
Jehoshaphat was, indeed, blessed of God, as David had been.
2 Chronicles 17 Questions
1. Who reigned in Asa's stead?
2. Who did he strengthen himself against?
3. How old was Jehoshaphat, when he began to reign?
4. Who was his mother?
5. Why did he place forces in the fenced cities of Judah?
6. Why was the LORD with Jehoshaphat?
7. What was David to him, really?
8. Who was one of the wicked kings of Israel, that reigned in Israel
during the time Jehoshaphat reigned in Judah?
9. Who was one of the false gods of Israel?
10. What did all Judah bring to Jehoshaphat?
11. Did they do this, because it was required?
12. Who is blessed, when the king follows God?
13. Verse 6 says he did what?
14. Who had begun to do that in his reign?
15. What special thing did he do in the third year of his reign?
16. What had the land done, that we can relate to our land today?
17. What will get them back in good standing with God?
18. What lesson can we take from that?
19. Who did he send to teach them the law?
20. What is the comment the author made on verse 9?
21. And the fear of the _________ fell upon all the kingdoms of the
lands that were round about Judah.
22. What were the Philistine's gifts, really?
23. What did the Arabians bring to Jehoshaphat?
24. What did Jehoshaphat build during this time?
25. Who was the captain, that was like a general?
26. Whose men were armed with bow and shield?
27. These hundreds of thousands were located in ___________, and
others were in the fenced cities.
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