20140815 Friday, August 15 2014
2 Chronicles 17: Jehoshaphat's Castles

by Wayne Blank
See also 1 Year Holy Bible Reading Plan

"Jehoshaphat waxed great exceedingly; and he built in Judah castles, and cities of store"

Jehoshaphat, from the Hebrew name pronounced yeh-ho-shaw-fawt, meaning the LORD judged, was the fourth king of Judah (see Israel In History and Prophecy: Kingdom Of Judah) after the LORD (Who was and is Jesus Christ - see Genesis 1: In The Beginning Was The Word and The Kingdom Of The LORD God) divided the united kingdom of Israel into "Israel" and "Judah" (see Israel In History and Prophecy: Israel and Judah). Jehoshaphat succeeded his father King Asa (see When The LORD Leads The Army, The History Of Idolatry and Asa's Physicians).

"16:13 And Asa slept with his fathers, and died in the one and fortieth year of his reign. 16:14 And they buried him in his own sepulchres, which he had made for himself in the city of David, and laid him in the bed which was filled with sweet odours and divers kinds of spices prepared by the apothecaries' art: and they made a very great burning for him." (2 Chronicles 16:13-14 KJV)

"17:1 And Jehoshaphat his son reigned in his stead, and strengthened himself against Israel." (2 Chronicles 17:1 KJV)

Jehoshaphat, like his father Asa, understood that weakness causes war by inviting aggression. He therefore "placed forces in all the fenced cities of Judah, and set garrisons in the land of Judah." Moreover, "the LORD was with Jehoshaphat, because he walked in the first ways of his father David, and sought not unto Baalim."

"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.

17:3 And the LORD was with Jehoshaphat, because he walked in the first ways of his father David, and sought not unto Baalim; 17:4 But sought to the LORD God of his father, and walked in his commandments, and not after the doings of Israel. 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. 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." (2 Chronicles 17:2-6 KJV)

Jehoshaphat was a righteous king because he obeyed the Law of the LORD. He provided that knowledge to the people through the Levites who "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."

"17:7 Also in the third year of his reign he sent to his princes, even to Benhail, and to Obadiah, and to Zechariah, and to Nethaneel, and to Michaiah, to teach in the cities of Judah. 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 Tobadonijah, Levites; and with them Elishama and Jehoram, priests. 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.

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. 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." (2 Chronicles 17:7-11 KJV)

Peace and prosperity are the immediate rewards of obeying the LORD.

"17:12 And Jehoshaphat waxed great exceedingly; and he built in Judah castles, and cities of store. 17:13 And he had much business in the cities of Judah: and the men of war, mighty men of valour, were in Jerusalem. 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. 17:15 And next to him was Jehohanan the captain, and with him two hundred and fourscore thousand. 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.

17:17 And of Benjamin; Eliada a mighty man of valour, and with him armed men with bow and shield two hundred thousand. 17:18 And next him was Jehozabad, and with him an hundred and fourscore thousand ready prepared for the war. 17:19 These waited on the king, beside those whom the king put in the fenced cities throughout all Judah." (2 Chronicles 17:12-19 KJV)

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