next to him, Jehohanan the commander, and with him 280,000; Sermons
I. JEHOSHAPHAT'S NEIGHBOURS. 1. Afraid of his greatness. As on the cities round Jacob and his sons when they fled from Shecham (Genesis 35:5), the terror of Jehovah was on Jehoshaphat's neighbours. Regarding Jehoshaphat as under the protection of Heaven, they hesitated to try conclusions with him on the field of war. 2. Solicitous of his favor. This some sought by means of gifts. The Philistines brought presents and silver of tribute, or "silver a burden," i.e. a great quantity (Bertheau, Keil); the Arabians offered flocks - 7700 he-goats, and 7700 rams. II. JEHOSHAPHAT'S BUILDINGS. 1. Castles, or palaces. Oriental kings commonly attested their magnificence by temple and palace building; e.g. Solomon (2 Chronicles 8:1, etc.). 2. Store-cities. Arsenals or magazines for supplying the garrisons. In them Jehoshaphat had much property (Keil). III. JEHOSHAPHAT'S WARRIORS. 1. Those who served in Jerusalem. (1) Their battalions, five - three belonging to Judah, two to Benjamin. (2) Their captains. Of Judah's divisions, Adnah the chief, Jehohanan, and Amasiah the son of Zichri, "who had willingly given or offered himself to the Lord," perhaps in the performance of some mighty deed. Of Benjamin, "Eliada a mighty man of valour," and Jehozabad. (3) Their numbers. Of Judah, under Adnah, 300,000; under Jehohanan, 280,000; under Amasiah, 200,000; in all, 780,000 men. Of Benjamin, 200,000 with Eliada, and 180,000 with Jehozahad; in all, 380,000. For the kingdom 1,160,000, upwards of one million and a half of able-bodied soldiers - a huge incubus for so small a kingdom. (4) Their duties. They waited on the king, i.e. were disposable forces at his command, ready to take the field when he should give the word. 2. Those who served in Judah. The officers and companies distributed throughout the different garrisons in the land. Learn: 1. The influence of true religion even on the wicked. 2. The superior glory of good character, as compared with great condition. 3. The dignity implied in being a soldier of Jesus Christ. - W.
This chapter shows — I. THAT TRUE RELIGION IS THE BASIS OF THE STATE; and that wherever it prospers there the State prospers. II. THAT IT IS THE WISDOM OF KINGS TO ENCOURAGE RELIGION with all their power and influence. III. THAT A RELIGIOUS NATION IS EVER A GREAT NATION. IV. THAT A RELIGIOUS NATION IS EVER A PEACEFUL AND UNITED NATION. ( A. Clarke, D. D..) Metropolitan Pulpit. I. HIS POLICY AS A STATESMAN.1. It was protective (ver. 1, 2). 2. It was wise. 3. It was eminently patriotic. II. HIS CHARACTER AS A MAN. 1. He was distinguished for true piety. (1) (2) (3) 2. The inspiration of his heart came from the consciousness of his obedience to God (ver. 6). III. HIS WISDOM AS A RULER. 1. He removed temptation from his people (ver. 6). 2. He provided for his people the highest means of good (vers. 7-9). (Metropolitan Pulpit.) Monday Club Sermons. I. ITS MEASURE. Everything indicates that it was great and genuine. Not an element of true prosperity is wanting, whether we consider him individually or as identified with the realm. It involved —1. The safety of the kingdom. 2. Wealth. 3. Honour from abroad. 4. The love and confidence of his own people. II. ITS ORIGIN. This was partly natural, partly supernatural. 1. Natural.(1) The roots of his prosperity lay largely in himself. He was a man of correct instincts and good convictions. A man of worth and weight of character. By these he won the love and secured the co-operation of his people.(2) He was wise in management. 2. Supernatural. "The Lord stablished the kingdom in his hand." It was a reward of piety. He honoured God, and God honoured and exalted him. Lessons: 1. The union of prudence and piety. Each is helpful to the other; neither is sufficient without the other. Prudence gives tone and practicality to piety; piety gives sweetness and mellowness to prudence. Piety alone tends to feebleness and inefficiency; prudence alone inclines to coldness and covetousness. United they round out the character in beauty and strength. 2. Reform through religion and law. Jehoshaphat united the civil and religious power in securing national reform. How necessary is this union in the great struggle with intemperance and other moral defilements. (Monday Club Sermons.) People Adonijah, Arabians, Asa, Asahel, Ben, Benhail, Benjamin, David, Eliada, Elishama, Jehohanan, Jehonathan, Jehoram, Jehoshaphat, Jehozabad, Johanan, Jonathan, Levites, Micah, Micaiah, Michaiah, Nethaneel, Nethaniah, Obadiah, Shemaiah, Shemiramoth, Tobadonijah, Tobijah, Zebadiah, Zechariah, ZichriPlaces Jerusalem, JudahTopics 280000, Chiefs, Commander, Eighty, Fourscore, Hundred, Jehohanan, Jehoha'nan, Johanan, ThousandOutline 1. Jehoshaphat, succeeding Asa, reigns well, and prospers7. He sends Levites with the princes to teach Judah 10. His enemies being terrified by God, some of them bring him presents and tribute 12. His greatness, captains, and armies Dictionary of Bible Themes 2 Chronicles 17:13Library Jehoshaphat's Reform'And Jehoshaphat his son reigned in his stead, and strengthened himself against Israel. 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. 3. And the Lord was with Jehoshaphat, because he walked in the first ways of his father David, and sought not unto Baalim; 4. But sought to the Lord God of his father, and walked in His commandments, and not after the doings of Israel. 5. Therefore the … Alexander Maclaren—Expositions of Holy Scripture 'A Mirror for Magistrates' Chronicles Links 2 Chronicles 17:15 NIV2 Chronicles 17:15 NLT 2 Chronicles 17:15 ESV 2 Chronicles 17:15 NASB 2 Chronicles 17:15 KJV 2 Chronicles 17:15 Bible Apps 2 Chronicles 17:15 Parallel 2 Chronicles 17:15 Biblia Paralela 2 Chronicles 17:15 Chinese Bible 2 Chronicles 17:15 French Bible 2 Chronicles 17:15 German Bible 2 Chronicles 17:15 Commentaries Bible Hub |
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