17:1-19

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The reign of Jehoshaphat (2Chr 17:1-20:37)

Jehoshaphat carried on the reform that Asa began, by destroying all the Baal shrines that remained in Judah (2Chr 17:1-6; cf. 2Chr 15:17).

Positively, he educated the people in the law of God by forming an official group of instructors whom he sent around Judah’s towns and villages. The group consisted of civil leaders, priests and Levites (2Chr 17:7-9).

He also fortified Judah’s defences and enlarged its army, so that neighbouring countries feared to attack it (2Chr 17:10-19).

Judah’s army was so strong that Ahab of Israel sought and obtained Jehoshaphat’s help in a war against Syria (Aram) (2Chr 18:1-34; see notes on 1 Kings 22:1-40).

A prophet rebuked Jehoshaphat for this, as Ahab was a worshipper of Baal and therefore an enemy of God (2Chr 19:1-3).

Jehoshaphat reformed and reorganized Judah’s judicial system to eliminate injustice, guarantee fair treatment for all, and ensure that standard procedures were followed throughout the land. He set up courts and appointed judges in all the chief cities of Judah, with the main court and the chief judges in Jerusalem.

The courts and the officials were divided into two kinds. Some dealt with religious matters and were under the control of the chief priest. Others dealt with civil matters and were under the control of the chief governor (2Chr 17:4-11).

This arrangement was a further indication to the Chronicler that David’s dynasty governed according to the Levitical code (cf. Deut 16:18-20; 17:8-12).

Some time later, a combined army of various nations from the south and east set out to attack Judah (2Chr 20:1-2).

The Chronicler notes that Jehoshaphat and his people not only cried to God for help, but they did so by gathering at the temple in Jerusalem. That was the place of prayer for God’s people in times of crisis (2Chr 17:3-12; cf. 6:24-25).

As a result God answered their prayer. He assured them through a prophet (who was also a Levite) that the enemy would be defeated without Judah’s army having to do anything (2Chr 17:13-17).

The priests and Levites, being very active in Judah, led the people in songs of praise even before the victory was won (2Chr 17:18-23).

After the people had plundered the defeated army, the Levitical singers led them to the temple to praise God for the victory (2Chr 17:24-30).

Earlier, Jehoshaphat had done wrong when he formed a military partnership with Ahab (see 2Chr 18:3; 19:2).

Later, he did wrong again when he formed a commercial partnership with Ahab’s son Ahaziah. God sent a disaster to remind Jehoshaphat that he was not to cooperate with Israel’s Baal-worshipping kings (2Chr 17:31-37; see notes on 1 Kings 22:41-50).

(The Chronicler omits the other references to Ahaziah’s short rule in 1 Kings 22:51-53.)