2 Chronicles 17 explained: Jehoshaphat Builds a Strong Kingdom

Guarding the border (vv. 1-2)

The new king strengthened his defenses against Israel, the rival kingdom to the north. He put troops in Judah's walled towns and in the border towns of Ephraim that his father Asa had captured.

A king who sought God (vv. 3-6)

He followed David's example, refused the Baals (gods of the surrounding peoples), and did not copy the northern kingdom's worship, which centered on golden calf statues. He removed hilltop shrines and wooden poles honoring the goddess Asherah, though 20:33 says some shrines remained, which may mean only those used for other gods were cleared.

Teachers sent through Judah (vv. 7-9)

Royal officials traveled with Levites (the tribe that served at the temple) and priests, teaching town by town from the Book of the Law, probably Deuteronomy or the first five books of the Bible. Some interpreters note this is the first time a king is recorded organizing teaching for ordinary people.

Neighbors keep the peace (vv. 10-11)

The writer credits the LORD for the fact that nearby kingdoms did not attack Judah. Some Philistines paid silver, and Arab herding tribes paid in livestock, signs that they accepted Judah's power or wanted its friendship.

Forts and a vast army (vv. 12-19)

Jehoshaphat built forts and supply towns and kept seasoned fighting men in Jerusalem, organized by family groups from the tribes of Judah and Benjamin under five commanders. The totals come to over a million, which many scholars doubt are literal, since the Hebrew word for "thousand" may sometimes mean a smaller military unit.

Key verse: 2 Chronicles 17:3

Where Christians differ

Christians differ over whether this chapter's link between faithfulness and prosperity is a lasting principle for believers or mainly this writer's way of interpreting Judah's history.

Something to think about

When a leader's own beliefs shape the life of a whole country, as Jehoshaphat's did, where would you draw the line between good influence and too much?