2 Chronicles 17King James Version
Jehoshaphat, Asa's son, walks in the ways of his father. He sends Levites throughout the cities of Judah to teach the people the law. His kingdom grows strong. The fear of the Lord falls on the surrounding nations so that none makes war against him.
Jehoshaphat becomes king and strengthens himself by following the ways of David his ancestor rather than the practices of Israel. He removes high places, sends officials and Levites throughout Judah to teach the book of the law. Fear of the Lord falls on surrounding nations and they bring tribute. The chapter catalogs his military forces and his officials, noting that his heart was lifted in the ways of the Lord.
Teaching the law to the whole population is itself a form of national defense: when people know God's ways, the surrounding nations are afraid of something they cannot fight.
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." A systematic education program as the foundation of a reign.
Jehoshaphat reigns from 873 to 849 BC. His name means the Lord judges. The surrounding nations who pay tribute rather than attack include traditional enemies: Philistines bring silver, Arabians bring rams and goats. The Chronicler implies the tribute flows from the fear of a nation that is visibly oriented toward God. The military buildup and the teaching program are presented as complementary, not competing.
Jehoshaphat, whose first act is not military but educational; the Levites and priests who travel the cities with the law; the officials who accompany them.
The Chronicler is writing for a community that has recently re-encountered its own scriptures. The book of the law, rediscovered and read publicly, is a recurring theme in both Chronicles and Ezra-Nehemiah. Jehoshaphat's mass education program resonates with the post-exilic community's own experience of coming back to texts that had been lost or neglected.
For when you are in a position to teach what you know and wonder whether it matters. Jehoshaphat sends officials with a book, not an army, to stabilize his kingdom. What you teach shapes what survives.
1And Jehoshaphat his son reigned in his stead, and strengthened himself against Israel.
2And 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.
3And the LORD was with Jehoshaphat, because he walked in the first ways of his father David, and sought not unto Baalim;
4But sought to the LORD God of his father, and walked in his commandments, and not after the doings of Israel.
5Therefore the LORD stablished the kingdom in his hand; and all Judah brought to Jehoshaphat presents; and he had riches and honour in abundance.
6And his heart was lifted up in the ways of the LORD: moreover he took away the high places and groves out of Judah.
7Also 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.
8And 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.
9And 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.
10And 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.
11Also 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.
12And Jehoshaphat waxed great exceedingly; and he built in Judah castles, and cities of store.
13And he had much business in the cities of Judah: and the men of war, mighty men of valour, were in Jerusalem.
14And 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.
15And next to him was Jehohanan the captain, and with him two hundred and fourscore thousand.
16And 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.
17And of Benjamin; Eliada a mighty man of valour, and with him armed men with bow and shield two hundred thousand.
18And next him was Jehozabad, and with him an hundred and fourscore thousand ready prepared for the war.
19These waited on the king, beside those whom the king put in the fenced cities throughout all Judah.