# 2 Chronicles 17 📖: Jehoshaphat Strengthens Judah
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> [!info] Table of Contents
> [[#📜 Scripture Text (NET)]]
> [[#📖 Verse-by-Verse Commentary]]
> [[#🤔 Interesting Facts / Historical and Cultural Insights]]
> [[#🧠 Chapter Summary]]
> [[#✝️ Christ in This Chapter]]
> [[#🔎 Key Principles / 🛟 Life Application]]
> [[#💬 Discussion Questions]]
> [[#✍️ Key Verses to Remember]]
> [[#🔗 Related Passages/Cross Reference]]
> [[#🙏 Devotional Reflection]]
> [[#📂 Internal Notes]]
## 📜 Scripture Text (NET)
(The NET Bible: New English Translation. Biblical Studies Press, 2005)
### Jehoshaphat Becomes King
[[#Verse 01.]] His son Jehoshaphat replaced him as king and solidified his rule over Israel.
[[#Verse 02.]] He placed troops in all Judah’s fortified cities and posted garrisons throughout the land of Judah and in the cities of Ephraim that his father Asa had seized.
[[#Verse 03.]] The Lord was with Jehoshaphat because he followed in his ancestor David’s footsteps at the beginning of his reign. He did not seek the Baals,
[[#Verse 04.]] but instead sought the God of his ancestors and obeyed his commands, unlike the Israelites.
[[#Verse 05.]] The Lord made his kingdom secure; all Judah brought tribute to Jehoshaphat, and he became very wealthy and greatly respected.
[[#Verse 06.]] He was committed to following the Lord; he even removed the high places and Asherah poles from Judah.
[[#Verse 07.]] In the third year of his reign he sent his officials Ben Hail, Obadiah, Zechariah, Nethanel, and Micaiah to teach in the cities of Judah.
[[#Verse 08.]] They were accompanied by the Levites Shemaiah, Nethaniah, Zebadiah, Asahel, Shemiramoth, Jehonathan, Adonijah, Tobijah, and Tob-Adonijah, and by the priests Elishama and Jehoram.
[[#Verse 09.]] They taught throughout Judah, taking with them the scroll of the law of the Lord. They traveled to all the cities of Judah and taught the people.
[[#Verse 10.]] The Lord put fear into all the kingdoms surrounding Judah; they did not make war with Jehoshaphat.
[[#Verse 11.]] Some of the Philistines brought Jehoshaphat tribute, including a load of silver. The Arabs brought him 7,700 rams and 7,700 goats from their flocks.
[[#Verse 12.]] Jehoshaphat’s power kept increasing. He built fortresses and storage cities throughout Judah.
[[#Verse 13.]] He had many supplies stored in the cities of Judah and an army of skilled warriors stationed in Jerusalem.
[[#Verse 14.]] These were their divisions by families: There were 1,000 officers from Judah. Adnah the commander led 300,000 skilled warriors,
[[#Verse 15.]] Jehochanan the commander led 280,000,
[[#Verse 16.]] and Amasiah son of Zikri, who volunteered to serve the Lord, led 200,000 skilled warriors.
[[#Verse 17.]] From Benjamin, Eliada, a skilled warrior, led 200,000 men who were equipped with bows and shields,
[[#Verse 18.]] and Jehozabad led 180,000 trained warriors.
[[#Verse 19.]] These were the ones who served the king, besides those whom the king placed in the fortified cities throughout Judah.
## 📖 Verse-by-Verse Commentary
###### Overall.
###### Verse 01.
###### Verse 02.
###### Verse 03.
###### Verse 04.
###### Verse 05.
###### Verse 06.
###### Verse 07.
###### Verse 08.
###### Verse 09.
###### Verse 10.
###### Verse 11.
###### Verse 12.
###### Verse 13.
###### Verse 14.
###### Verse 15.
###### Verse 16.
###### Verse 17.
###### Verse 18.
###### Verse 19.
## 🤔 Interesting Facts / Historical and Cultural Insights
1. Jehoshaphat's name means "the Lord judges."
2. He followed the early ways of David his ancestor (17:3).
3. He did not seek the Baals (17:3).
4. In his third year, Jehoshaphat sent five officials, nine Levites, and two priests to teach (17:7-8).
5. The teachers carried the Book of the Law of the Lord with them (17:9).
6. The Philistines brought him gifts and silver as tribute (17:11).
7. The Arabs brought 7,700 rams and 7,700 male goats (17:11).
8. Jehoshaphat built fortresses and store cities throughout Judah (17:12).
9. Amasiah son of Zichri is described as one who volunteered for the Lord's service (17:16).
10. The army totals listed in 17:14-18 add up to more than a million men.
## 🧠 Chapter Summary
> [!note] 🌱 Still growing. This section is on its way.
## ✝️ Christ in This Chapter
Christ is the Teacher sent from God (John 3:2). Jehoshaphat sent teachers with the Book of the Law through Judah (17:9), and Jesus sends His people to teach the nations to obey all He commanded (Matthew 28:19-20).
## 🔎 Key Principles / 🛟 Life Application
> [!note] 🌱 Still growing. This section is on its way.
## 💬 Discussion Questions
1. Jehoshaphat's heart was devoted to the ways of the Lord (17:6). What does wholehearted devotion look like day to day?
2. He sent officials and Levites to teach God's law in every town (17:7-9). Why is teaching Scripture so important for a community?
3. God gave Judah peace and respect from surrounding nations (17:10). How does faithfulness to God affect those around us?
## ✍️ Key Verses to Remember
- 📖 verses 3-4: The Lord is with Jehoshaphat because he follows the early ways of David and seeks God.
- 📖 verse 6: Jehoshaphat's heart is devoted to the ways of the Lord.
- 📖 verse 9: Teachers travel through Judah with the Book of the Law of the Lord.
## 🔗 Related Passages/Cross Reference
- 🔗 [[1 Kings 22#Verse 41.|1 Kings 22:41-44]] - A summary of Jehoshaphat's reign.
- 🔗 [[Deuteronomy 06#Verse 06.|Deuteronomy 6:6-7]] - Teach God's words diligently.
- 🔗 [[Nehemiah 08#Verse 07.|Nehemiah 8:7-8]] - Levites help the people understand the law.
- 🔗 [[Matthew 28#Verse 19.|Matthew 28:19-20]] - Teach them to obey everything I commanded.
- 🔗 [[2 Timothy 02#Verse 02.|2 Timothy 2:2]] - Entrust the teaching to faithful people.
## 🙏 Devotional Reflection
📝 SOAP: [[2 Chronicles 17 - SOAP|Making God a Priority Pays Off]]
## 📂 Internal Notes