Also in the third year of his reign he sent his princes, even Ben Hail, Obadiah, Zechariah, Nethanel, and Micaiah, to teach in the cities of Judah; and with them the Levites, even Shemaiah, Nethaniah, Zebadiah, Asahel, Shemiramoth, Jehonathan, Adonijah, Tobijah, and Tobadonijah, the Levites; and with them Elishama and Jehoram, the priests. They taught in Judah, having the book of Yahweh’s law with them. They went about throughout all the cities of Judah and taught among the people.
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Jehoshaphat his son reigned in his place, and strengthened himself against Israel. He placed forces in all the fortified cities of Judah, and set garrisons in the land of Judah, and in the cities of Ephraim, which Asa his father had taken. Yahweh was with Jehoshaphat, because he walked in the first ways of his father David, and didn’t seek the Baals, but sought to the God of his father, and walked in his commandments, and not in the ways of Israel. Therefore Yahweh established the kingdom in his hand. All Judah brought tribute to Jehoshaphat, and he had riches and honor in abundance. His heart was lifted up in the ways of Yahweh. Furthermore, he took away the high places and the Asherah poles out of Judah. Also in the third year of his reign he sent his princes, even Ben Hail, Obadiah, Zechariah, Nethanel, and Micaiah, to teach in the cities of Judah; and with them the Levites, even Shemaiah, Nethaniah, Zebadiah, Asahel, Shemiramoth, Jehonathan, Adonijah, Tobijah, and Tobadonijah, the Levites; and with them Elishama and Jehoram, the priests. They taught in Judah, having the book of Yahweh’s law with them. They went about throughout all the cities of Judah and taught among the people. The fear of Yahweh fell on all the kingdoms of the lands that were around Judah, so that they made no war against Jehoshaphat. Some of the Philistines brought Jehoshaphat presents and silver for tribute. The Arabians also brought him flocks, seven thousand seven hundred rams, and seven thousand seven hundred male goats. Jehoshaphat grew great exceedingly; and he built fortresses and store cities in Judah. He had many works in the cities of Judah; and men of war, mighty men of valor, in Jerusalem. This was the numbering of them according to their fathers’ houses: From Judah, the captains of thousands: Adnah the captain, and with him three hundred thousand mighty men of valor; and next to him Jehohanan the captain, and with him two hundred eighty thousand; and next to him Amasiah the son of Zichri, who willingly offered himself to Yahweh, and with him two hundred thousand mighty men of valor. From Benjamin: Eliada, a mighty man of valor, and with him two hundred thousand armed with bow and shield; and next to him Jehozabad, and with him one hundred eighty thousand ready and prepared for war. These were those who waited on the king, in addition to those whom the king put in the fortified cities throughout all Judah.
Parallel Translations
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Also in the third year of his reign he sent his princes, even Ben Hail, Obadiah, Zechariah, Nethanel, and Micaiah, to teach in the cities of Judah;
and with them the Levites, even Shemaiah, Nethaniah, Zebadiah, Asahel, Shemiramoth, Jehonathan, Adonijah, Tobijah, and Tobadonijah, the Levites; and with them Elishama and Jehoram, the priests.
They taught in Judah, having the book of Yahweh’s law with them. They went about throughout all the cities of Judah and taught among the people.
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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.
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.
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.
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Also in the third year of his reign he sent his princes, even Ben-hail, and Obadiah, and Zechariah, and Nethanel, and Micaiah, to teach in the cities of Judah;
and with them the Levites, even Shemaiah, and Nethaniah, and Zebadiah, and Asahel, and Shemiramoth, and Jehonathan, and Adonijah, and Tobijah, and Tob-adonijah, the Levites; and with them Elishama and Jehoram, the priests.
And they taught in Judah, having the book of the Law of the LORD with them; and they went about throughout all the cities of Judah, and taught among the people.
Cross-references (39)
- 2 Chronicles 35:3 (vv7, 9) He said to the Levites who taught all Israel, who were holy to Yahweh, “Put the holy ark in the house which Solomon the son of David king…
- Ecclesiastes 12:9-10 (v7) Further, because the Preacher was wise, he still taught the people knowledge. Yes, he pondered, sought out, and set in order many proverbs.…
- 2 Chronicles 15:3 (v7) Now for a long time Israel was without the true God, without a teaching priest, and without law.
- Nehemiah 8:7-8 (v7) Also Jeshua, Bani, Sherebiah, Jamin, Akkub, Shabbethai, Hodiah, Maaseiah, Kelita, Azariah, Jozabad, Hanan, Pelaiah, and the Levites, caused…
- 2 Chronicles 30:22 (v7) Hezekiah spoke encouragingly to all the Levites who had good understanding in the service of Yahweh. So they ate throughout the feast for…
Show all 38 cross-references
- Nehemiah 8:13-14 (v7) On the second day, the heads of fathers’ households of all the people, the priests, and the Levites were gathered together to Ezra the…
- Nehemiah 9:3 (v7) They stood up in their place, and read in the book of the law of Yahweh their God a fourth part of the day; and a fourth part they…
- Psalms 51:13 (v7) Then I will teach transgressors your ways. Sinners will be converted to you.
- Ecclesiastes 1:12 (v7) I, the Preacher, was king over Israel in Jerusalem.
- Luke 4:43-44 (v7) But he said to them, “I must preach the good news of God’s Kingdom to the other cities also. For this reason I have been sent.” He was…
- John 5:46 (v9) For if you believed Moses, you would believe me; for he wrote about me.
- Acts 1:1 (v7) The first book I wrote, Theophilus, concerned all that Jesus began both to do and to teach,
- Deuteronomy 4:5 (v7) Behold, I have taught you statutes and ordinances, even as Yahweh my God commanded me, that you should do so in the middle of the land…
- Deuteronomy 33:10 (v7) They shall teach Jacob your ordinances, and Israel your law. They shall put incense before you, and whole burnt offering on your altar.
- 2 Chronicles 19:8 (v8) Moreover in Jerusalem Jehoshaphat appointed Levites and priests, and of the heads of the fathers’ households of Israel, for the judgment of…
- Ezra 7:1-6 (v8) Now after these things, in the reign of Artaxerxes king of Persia, Ezra the son of Seraiah, the son of Azariah, the son of Hilkiah, the son…
- Psalms 34:11 (v7) Come, you children, listen to me. I will teach you the fear of Yahweh.
- Isaiah 49:23 (v7) Kings shall be your foster fathers, and their queens your nursing mothers. They will bow down to you with their faces to the earth, and…
- Malachi 2:7 (v8) For the priest’s lips should keep knowledge, and they should seek the law at his mouth; for he is the messenger of Yahweh of Armies.
- Matthew 4:23 (v7) Jesus went about in all Galilee, teaching in their synagogues, preaching the Good News of the Kingdom, and healing every disease and every…
- Mark 4:2 (v7) He taught them many things in parables, and told them in his teaching,
- Romans 3:2 (v9) Much in every way! Because first of all, they were entrusted with the revelations of God.
- Deuteronomy 6:4-9 (v9) Hear, Israel: Yahweh is our God. Yahweh is one. You shall love Yahweh your God with all your heart, with all your soul, and with all your…
- Deuteronomy 31:11-13 (v9) when all Israel has come to appear before Yahweh your God in the place which he will choose, you shall read this law before all Israel in…
- Joshua 1:7-8 (v9) Only be strong and very courageous. Be careful to observe to do according to all the law which Moses my servant commanded you. Don’t turn…
- Nehemiah 8:7 (v9) Also Jeshua, Bani, Sherebiah, Jamin, Akkub, Shabbethai, Hodiah, Maaseiah, Kelita, Azariah, Jozabad, Hanan, Pelaiah, and the Levites, caused…
- Isaiah 8:20 (v9) Turn to the law and to the covenant! If they don’t speak according to this word, surely there is no morning for them.
- Matthew 10:23 (v9) But when they persecute you in this city, flee into the next, for most certainly I tell you, you will not have gone through the cities of…
- Matthew 11:1 (v9) When Jesus had finished directing his twelve disciples, he departed from there to teach and preach in their cities.
- Matthew 15:2-9 (v9) “Why do your disciples disobey the tradition of the elders? For they don’t wash their hands when they eat bread.” He answered them, “Why do…
- Matthew 28:19-20 (v9) Go and make disciples of all nations, baptizing them in the name of the Father and of the Son and of the Holy Spirit, teaching them to…
- Luke 4:17-19 (v9) The book of the prophet Isaiah was handed to him. He opened the book, and found the place where it was written, “The Spirit of the Lord is…
- John 5:39 (v9) “You search the Scriptures, because you think that in them you have eternal life; and these are they which testify about me.
- Acts 8:40 (v9) But Philip was found at Azotus. Passing through, he preached the Good News to all the cities, until he came to Caesarea.
- Acts 13:15 (v9) After the reading of the law and the prophets, the rulers of the synagogue sent to them, saying, “Brothers, if you have any word of…
- Acts 15:21 (v9) For Moses from generations of old has in every city those who preach him, being read in the synagogues every Sabbath.”
- Acts 28:23 (v9) When they had appointed him a day, many people came to him at his lodging. He explained to them, testifying about God’s Kingdom, and…
- 1 Peter 4:11 (v9) If anyone speaks, let it be as it were the very words of God. If anyone serves, let it be as of the strength which God supplies, that in…
38 distinct cross-references across this passage (39 total citations).
Cross-references from openbible.info (CC BY 4.0)
Explain this passage (17 sources)
Historical commentary, presented as a primary source — not an endorsement.
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Geneva Bible translators 1599 · Public Domain On v7 He knew it was in vain to profess religion,…
He knew it was in vain to profess religion, except such were appointed which could instruct the people in the same, and had authority to put away all idolatry.
Geneva Bible (1599) marginal notes — public domain.
John Trapp 1656 · Public Domain On vv7, 9 2Ch 17:7 Also in the third year of his…
2Ch 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.
Ver. 7. He sent to his princes to teach in the cities of Judah.] Teaching princes there are not many, such as were David, Solomon, George, prince of Anhalt, &c., but these were sent with the teaching Levites to countenance and bear them out in this visitation general, and perhaps to punish the opposite and obstinate, if any such. Junius readeth the text thus, He sent with his princes, these Levites for the teaching. Or, the princes taught the people the law of the land; the priests and Levites the law of God: both did mutually help one another. So a Danish king of this land made a law, that at the general court of every shire the bishop of the diocese should accompany the sheriff, that the one might countenance God’s law, the other man’s. {a} Queen Elizabeth once in her progress through Suffolk, observing that the justices of that county who came to meet her had every man his minister next to his body, said she wondered not that that county was so well governed, where she saw that the word and sword went so lovingly together. {b}
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{a} In Scotland, in their General Assembly, the king had his commissioner or substitute, to see that nothing was concluded to his prejudice.
{b} Speed.
John Trapp, A Commentary or Exposition upon All the Books of the Old and New Testament (1647–1656) — public domain. Text from a community e-Sword module.
Matthew Poole 1685 · Public Domain On v7 To teach in the cities of Judah; to inform…
To teach in the cities of Judah; to inform the people of their duty, and of the king’s pleasure. As judges or justices of peace teach or instruct the people in the laws of the land, when they deliver their charges upon the bench; so did these princes in the king’s name admonish and require the people to observe and obey the laws of God, which were the prinicipal laws of that land; the particular explication and enforcement whereof they left to the Levites and priests here following, who were sent for this end, and accordingly taught the people, 2Ch 17:9.
Matthew Poole's English Annotations on the Holy Bible (1683–1685) — public domain. Text from a community e-Sword/MySword module.
John Gill 1763 · Public Domain On vv7–9 Also in the third year of his reign he…
Also in the third year of his reign he sent to his princes,.... That dwelt in the several parts of the kingdom; or he sent them, being with him, some of the principal men of his court; for may be a sign of the accusative case, as it sometimes is:
even to Benhail, and to Obadiah, and to Zechariah, and to Nethaneel, and to Michaiah, to teach in the cities of Judah; to see that they were taught, and oblige them to attend to the instructions that should be given them, and not mutiny and rebel against their teachers; and to let them know what was the king's pleasure on this head, and to back with their authority the priests and Levites, whose proper work it was to instruct, and who therefore were sent with them, as follows.
John Gill's Exposition of the Whole Bible (1746–1763) — public domain (CC PDM 1.0). Text via the HelloAO Bible API.
John Wesley 1765 · Public Domain On vv7, 9 To teach - To inform the people of their…
To teach - To inform the people of their duty, and of the king's pleasure, as Judges teach or instruct the people in the laws of the land, when they deliver their charges upon the bench; so did these princes in the king's name admonish and require the people to observe and obey the laws of God, which were the municipal laws of that land: the particular explication and enforcement whereof, they left to the Levites and priests here following, who were sent for this end, and accordingly taught the people, ver. 9.
John Wesley, Explanatory Notes Upon the Whole Bible (1754–1765) — public domain. Text via the GEBible commentary corpus.
Adam Clarke 1810 · Public Domain On vv7–9 Verse 7. - 9. To teach in the cities…
Verse 7. - 9. To teach in the cities of Judah.] "To teach the fear of the Lord in the cities of Judah."-Targum.
In these verses we find a remarkable account of an itinerant ministry established by Jehoshaphat; and in this work he employed three classes of men:
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1. The princes.
2. The Levites.
3. The priests.
We may presume that the princes instructed the people in the nature of the civil law and constitution of the kingdom; the Levites instructed them in every thing that appertained to the temple service, and ritual law; and the priests instructed them in the nature and design of the religion they professed. Thus the nation became thoroughly instructed in their duty to God, to the king, and to each other. They became, therefore, as one man; and against a people thus united, on such principles, no enemy could be successful.
Adam Clarke's Commentary on the Bible (1810–1826) — public domain. Text from a community e-Sword/MySword module.
Joseph Benson 1811 · Public Domain On vv7, 9 2Ch 17:7. He sent to his princes — to…
2Ch 17:7. He sent to his princes — to teach in the cities of Judah — To inform the people of their duty, and of the king’s pleasure. As judges teach or instruct the people in the laws of the land, when they deliver their charges upon the bench; so did these princes, in the king’s name, admonish and require the people to observe and obey the laws of God, which were the municipal laws of that land: the particular explication and enforcement whereof they left to the Levites and priests here following, who were sent for this end, and accordingly taught the people, 2Ch 17:9.
Joseph Benson's Commentary on the Old and New Testaments (1811–1818) — public domain. Text from a community e-Sword module.
Albert Barnes 1834 · Public Domain On vv7, 9 The princes were not sent as teachers themselves, but…
The princes were not sent as teachers themselves, but had the duty committed to them of seeing that the people were taught. The actual teachers were the priests and Levites of 2Ch 17:8.
Albert Barnes' Notes on the Bible (1834–1885) — public domain. Text from a community e-Sword/MySword module.
Haydock's Catholic Bible Commentary 1859 · Public Domain On vv7, 9 Princes. Political, (T.) to see that all paid attention…
Princes. Political, (T.) to see that all paid attention to the proper teachers; (Malachias ii. 7.; C.) and thus to partake in that good work. M. --- The princes might also give instruction by word (C.) and example. H.
George Leo Haydock (1774–1849), Haydock's Catholic Family Bible and Commentary, 1859 edition — public domain. Excludes Psalms (Douay-Rheims chapter numbering differs from Protestant) and Deuterocanonical books (Catholic canon only).
Robert Jamieson, A. R. Fausset & David Brown 1871 · Public Domain On vv7, 9 HE SENDS LEVITES TO TEACH IN JUDAH. (Ch2 17:7-11)
HE SENDS LEVITES TO TEACH IN JUDAH. (Ch2 17:7-11)
Also in the third year of his reign he sent to his princes, . . . to teach in the cities of Judah--The ordinary work of teaching devolved on the priests. But extraordinary commissioners were appointed, probably to ascertain whether the work had been done or neglected. This deputation of five princes, assisted by two priests and nine Levites, was to make a circuit of the towns in Judah. It is the first practical measure we read of as being adopted by any of the kings for the religious instruction of the people. Time and unbroken opportunities were afforded for carrying out fully this excellent plan of home education, for the kingdom enjoyed internal tranquillity as well as freedom for foreign wars. It is conformable to the pious style of the sacred historian to trace this profound peace to the "fear of the Lord having fallen on all kingdoms of the lands that were round about Judah."
Jamieson, Fausset & Brown — Commentary Critical and Explanatory on the Whole Bible (1871) — public domain (CC PDM 1.0). Text via the HelloAO Bible API.
Daniel D. Whedon 1874 · Public Domain On vv7, 9 7. He sent to his princes… to teach —…
7. He sent to his princes… to teach — He committed the matter of teaching to their oversight and care, and the teaching was done by the Levites and priests, as stated in the next verse. He did well to put down idolatry, but he was wise enough to know that unless the people were instructed, they would soon apostatize again.
Daniel D. Whedon (gen. ed.), Commentary on the Old and New Testaments (1874–1909) — public domain. Text from a community e-Sword module.
The Cambridge Bible for Schools and Colleges 1878 · Public Domain On vv7, 9 7–9 (no parallel in 1 Kin.). Jehoshaphat’s Provision for…
7–9 (no parallel in 1 Kin.). Jehoshaphat’s Provision for Teaching the Law
7. he sent to his princes … to teach] R.V. he sent his princes, even Ben-hail, and Obadiah, and Zechariah, and Nethanel, and Micaiah, to teach.
The Cambridge Bible for Schools and Colleges (gen. ed. J. J. S. Perowne; Cambridge University Press, 1878–1918) — public domain. Text from a community e-Sword module.
Ellicott's Commentary for English Readers 1878 · Public Domain On vv7–8 (7) He sent to his princes, even to Ben-hail…
THE COMMISSIONERS OF PUBLIC INSTRUCTION IN THE LAW.
(7) He sent to his princes, even to Ben-hail . . . to Michaiah.—Rather, He sent his princes, Ben- hail and Obadiah . . . and Michaiah. (The le “to,” in the chronicler’s idiom, marking the object of the verb.) If, however, Authorised Version were correct, the construction would not be unique, as the Speaker’s Com mentary asserts. (Comp. 2Ki_5:7, “this man sendeth to me to recover a man,” &c.)
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Princes.—None of the personages mentioned in this and the following verse are otherwise known. The “five princes” were laymen of rank, and were accompanied by nine (eight) Levites and two priests.
Ben-hail.—Son of valour. A compound proper name, only occurring here, but analogous to Ben-hur. Ben-deker, and Ben-hesed in 1Ki_4:8-10. (The LXX. renders “the sons of the mighty.” Syriac, “the chiefs of the forces;” apparently reading bnê chail.)
Nethaneel.—Syriac, Mattanael; Arabic, Mattaniah, Michaiah. Syriac and Arabic, Malachiah.
A Bible Commentary for English Readers, edited by Charles John Ellicott (1878–1897) — public domain. Text from a community e-Sword module.
The Pulpit Commentary 1880 · Public Domain On v7 Vers. 7-9. He sent; Hebrew, jlv; The Hebrew text…
Vers. 7-9. He sent; Hebrew, jlv; The Hebrew text distinctly says, he sent to his princes, not, "he sent his princes." The meaning is he sent orders to his princes to see to it that Judah was taught (ver. 9) the book of the Law of the Lord (Lev_10:11; Deu_4:9 Deu_17:18) not, indeed, without their own personal aid in whatever way able to be given, but systematically and with authority by the Levites and priests. (Deu_33:10) This deeper fathoming of the needs of the time, and of what constituted its real safety, was greatly to the spiritual credit of Jehoshaphat. The references (2Ch_15:3 2Ch_35:2-4, 2Ch_35:10-12) are full of point. None of these princes, or Levites and priests, are elsewhere mentioned by name.
Vers. 7-9.
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A strong because instructed people.
Jehoshaphat had not been long on the throne before he took a step admirably adapted to benefit and, indeed, to bless the nation. Better than "strengthening himself against Israel" by increasing his garrisons (vers. 1, 2) was the enlightenment of "all the cities of Judah," the teaching of "the people" (ver. 9) from "the book of the Law of the Lord.
I STRENGTH IN INSTRUCTION. It is well for a land to have its strong, unassailable fortresses, its well-garrisoned towns, its frontier of steep mountain or of precipitous rock. But the strength of a nation does not reside in such defences as these; it lies in the intelligence, the vigour, the courage, the patriotism, of its people. All material munitions will fail to keep out the enemy when "the people" are corrupt and enfeebled. Without any remarkable fortifications constructed by human art and labour, a free, brave, godly nation will be respected and preserved. And such a nation will be only found where there is knowledge and consequent intelligence. You cannot build anything durable on ignorance. Ignorance means folly, indulgence in the lower pleasures, feebleness, decline. "Knowledge is power" in more ways than one.
II INSTRUCTION IN SACRED TRUTH. Power needs to be rightly guided; misguided, it is the source of greatest evil. Everything depends on the way in which intelligence is directed. Genius, working towards an evil end, is a force that is simply terrible. The world can suffer no sadder infliction than a man or a community possessed of the power of highly cultivated intelligence, but unregulated by righteous principles, abandoning itself to unworthy impulses. Therefore was it of the first importance that those who went "throughout all the cities of Judah" should "teach the people" from "the book of the Law of the Lord." Thence they would gain those directing truths, those commanding principles which would lead in the ways of holiness and heavenly wisdom. Therefore is it of the first importance, here and everywhere, that throughout all our cities and all our towns and villages we should not only have "the schoolmaster abroad," but have the Christian teacher also, busily, earnestly, faithfully making known the will of God, the truth and grace of Jesus Christ, basing all character on sound morality, and basing all morals on their only sound foundation, Christian truth.
III SACRED TRUTH SUPPLIED IN EVERY OPEN WAY. Jehoshaphat did not think it enough to leave things to be done by existing institutions. Like a wise and an earnest man, he east about for additional methods, he looked in all directions for competent men to effect his pious purpose. And he called out:
1. The man who brought the weight of his social position the prince( ver. 7).
2. The man who carried the influence of his sacred office the priest (ver.8).
3. The man who contributed the strength of special training the Levite (ver. 8). Thus wisely and effectively are we to work. In our country there is:
(1) Scope for much Christian instruction throughout the land. There are the young coming up to be taught; there are the neglected and spiritually ignorant multitudes crowded in our great cities; there are uninstructed numbers needing to be taught the way of life, scattered through the rural districts of the land. There is ample room yet for the work of the teacher.
(2) Ample teaching material from which to draw. Those who can contribute social rank, or intellectual power, or special religious training, or exceptional spiritual fervour, or even the ordinary knowledge and common zeal of the members of our Christian Churches. There is available on every hand a very large measure of capacity for religious instruction; and this the Christian Church should, like the King of Judah, enlist on behalf of the country. Then may we look for
(3) the most excellent results; for a country covered with Christian teachers, and saturated with heavenly truth, will be a nation walking in the fear of God and resting under his smile. C.
Vers. 7-9.
An old Education Act.
I ITS PROMULGATION.
1. By whom? Jehoshaphat, the son of Asa and King of Judah. Kings and parliaments should care for the education of the people. No better means of promoting social order.
2. When? In the third year of his reign. Jehoshaphat postponed not a work so excellent, but assigned it a precedence, answering to its importance. Of greater consequence was it for the prosperity of his dominions and the peace of his reign that his subjects should be instructed, than that his armies should be drilled or his garrisons strengthened.
3. For what end? The religious improvement of the people. Under the Old Testament economy that formed part of the duty of the Hebrew state, because state and Church were then one. Under the New Testament economy, when state and Church are not coextensive, the obligation to provide religious education for both old and young rests exclusively upon the Church; the furtherance of secular instruction being the department that properly belongs to the state. If, however, the state is not required to directly furnish teaching in religion, it is not at liberty to hinder the Church, but is bound to afford her free scope for discharging the special work committed to her care.
II ITS CONSTITUTION.
1. Three orders of teachers.
(1) Laymen of high rank princes, of whom the names were Ben-hail, Obadiah, Zechariah, Nethaneel, and Michaiah, but of whom nothing more is known. If they were "princes" in the sense of being related to the royal family, then to none could the work be more fittingly assigned; if heads of families or fathers" houses, the propriety of appointing them was still more evident; if governors of districts, it was not dimmed.
(2) Levites, nine in number Shemaiah, Nethaniah, Zebadiah, Asahel, Shemiramoth, Jehonathan, Adonijah, Tobijah, and Tob-adonijah, all now equally unknown.
(3) Priests, two in number Elishama and Jehoram.
2. Three kinds of instruction. This at least probable from the appointing of three classes of teachers.
(1) Civil law, and the constitution of the kingdom, were pro-sumably taught by the laymen.
(2) Ritual law, and what pertained to the worship of the temple, by the Levites.
(3) Moral law, with the nature and obligation of religion, by the priests. "Thus the nation became thoroughly instructed in their duty to God, to the king, and to each other" (Adam Clarke).
III ITS OPERATION. It was put in force:
1. Immediately. Good resolutions cannot be too soon carried out, or good schemes too quickly set on foot. Quite as many noble projects are ruined by procrastination as by undue haste.
2. Universally. The teaching deputies went through the land, visited the cities and villages, and left no part unblessed by their labours.
3. Earnestly. They taught the people; not simply opened schools, and read dry and uninteresting lectures on civil, ecclesiastical, and religious history, but saw that the people understood and practised what was taught.
Learn:
1. The true glory of a king to care for the welfare of his subjects.
2. The value of secular, but especially of religious, instruction.
3. The best spring of prosperity for a people-knowledge of the Law of theLord.
4. The true function of a teacher to cause the people to understand.
5. The ultimate end of education obedience. W.
The Pulpit Commentary (1880–1919), ed. H.D.M. Spence-Jones & Joseph S. Exell — public domain. Text from a community e-Sword module.
The Biblical Illustrator 1887 · Public Domain On v8 And the Lord was with Jehoshaphat.
2Ch_17:8
And the Lord was with Jehoshaphat.
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The great companionship
I. Jehoshaphat secured the great companionship by following true example. Because he walked in the first ways of David his father. Beautiful those first ways of David. Turn to the eighteenth Psalm, which David sang in the day that the Lord delivered him from the hand of all his enemies, and from the hand of Saul. These first ways of David were ways of love to God (2Ch_17:1) of trust in God (2Ch_17:2); of prayer to God (2Ch_17:3); of strength in God (verse 29) of thanks to God (verses 49, 50). But the later ways of David--the ways concerning Bathsheba, etc., Jehoshaphat would not walk in. This matter of true example for the ways of life is a great thing. Such following will surely lead us into the great companionship of God.
II. The Lord was with Jehoshaphat; he secured the great companionship by standing out against the evil spirit of his time. And sought not unto the Baalim. The Baalim represented the popular religious tendency.
III. And the Lord was with Jehoshaphat; he secured the great companionship by right affection. But sought to the God of his father. Do not imagine the set of the supreme affection a light matter And when our heart supremely sets towards God, God answers with companionship.
IV. And the Lord was with Jehoshaphat; he secured the great companionship by right practice. And walked in His commandments, and not after the doings of Israel. Jehoshaphat did not mean about it, and dream about it, and think about it; he vigorously did it. Do not imagine that inward and sentimental intention which never finds expression in corresponding action amounts to anything. What vigorous volition and right practise sound in that walked! Man is three things--intellect, affection, will. Jehoshaphat turned these three toward God. Intellectually, he recognised Jehovah as God, not the Baalim; affectionately, he sought to God; volitionally, he practised for God. What wonder he was wrapped about with the great companionship? (Homiletic Review.)
Because he walked in the first ways of his father David.--
The first ways of David
1. We have here a pattern and a warning. It is an eulogy heightened by a limitation. The merit of the copy is advanced at the expense of the pattern. It is intimated that Davids first ways were his best ways. This is in contradiction of the true order of the spiritual life. A retrograde motion in it is a violation of its nature and a frustration of its intent. Deterioration in goodness is a disease and an anomaly.
2. Notice the impartiality and candour which characterise the accounts of good men in Scripture. The Bible has no human idols. Fault and virtue it sets forth with equal distinctness and prominence. Herein it shows itself Divine. The Bible in its way of dealing with the lives and characters of men, almost as much as in anything, bespeaks itself the voice of God.
3. The change in Davids spiritual course was connected with an equally marked change in his outward condition.
4. See here the danger of prosperity.
5. We infer that men are not to be our patterns, but only the man Christ Jesus. Him alone we can look up to with unqualified admiration.
6. Let us always be looking out for the symptoms and beginnings of spiritual decline. (R. A. Hallam, D.D.)
The Biblical Illustrator, edited by Joseph S. Exell (c. 1880s–1900s) — public domain. Text from a community e-Sword module.
unfoldingWord translationNotes 2017 · CC BY-SA 4.0 On v7 the third
the third
"year 3" (See: Ordinal Numbers)
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Ben-Hail, Obadiah, Zechariah, Nethanel, and Micaiah ... Shemaiah, Nethaniah, Zebadiah, Asahel, Shemiramoth, Jehonathan, Adonijah, Tobijah, and Tob-Adonijah ... Elishama and Jehoram
These are names of men. (See: How to Translate Names)
translationWords
year
reign
send
Levi
priest
law
people group
unfoldingWord translationNotes — © Distant Shores Media and the Door43 World Missions Community, licensed CC BY-SA 4.0. Source: git.door43.org/Door43/en_tn.
Tyndale Open Study Notes 2022 · CC BY-SA 4.0 On v7 17:7-9 Jehoshaphat carried out the Lord’s requirement to know…
17:7-9 Jehoshaphat carried out the Lord’s requirement to know the law (Deut 5:1; 17:18-20), commissioning five royal officers, nine Levites, and two priests to instruct the people in the book of the covenant. Levites frequently functioned as teachers during the Second Temple period as well (Neh 8:7). • Some versions omit Tob-adonijah; it appears to be a scribal error of repetition.
Tyndale Open Study Notes — © Tyndale Open Resources, licensed CC BY-SA 4.0. Text via the HelloAO Bible API.