2 Chronicles 17:10

We have here a further account of Jehoshaphat's great prosperity and the flourishing state of his kingdom.

I. He had good interest in the neighbouring princes and nations. Though he was not perhaps so great a soldier as David (which might have made him their terror), nor so great a scholar as Solomon (which might have made him their oracle), yet the fear of the Lord fell so upon them (that is, God so influenced and governed their spirits) that they had all a reverence for him, Ch2 17:10. And, 1. None of them made war against him. God's good providence so ordered it that, while the princes and priests were instructing and reforming the country, none of his neighbours gave him any molestations, to take him off from that good work. Thus when Jacob and his sons were going to worship at Bethel the terror of God was upon the neighbouring cities, that they did not pursue after them, Gen 35:5, and see Exo 34:24. 2. Many of them brought presents to him (Ch2 17:11), to secure his friendship. Perhaps these were a tribute imposed upon them by Asa, who made himself master of the cities of the Philistines, and the tents of the Arabians, Ch2 14:14, Ch2 14:15. With the 7700 rams, and the same number of he-goats, which the Arabians brought, there was probably a proportionable number of ewes and lambs, she-goats and kids.

II. He had a very considerable stores laid up in the cities of Judah. He pulled down his barns, and built larger (Ch2 17:12), castles and cities of store, for arms and victuals. He was a man of business, and aimed at the public good in all his undertakings, either to preserve the peace or prepare for war.

III. He had the militia in good order. It was never in better since David modelled it. Five lord-lieutenants (if I may so call them) are here named, with the numbers of those under their command (the serviceable men, that were fit for war in their respective districts), three in Judah, and two in Benjamin. It is said of one of these great commanders, Amasiah, that he willingly offered himself unto the Lord (Ch2 17:16), not only to the king, to serve him in this post, but to the Lord, to glorify him in it. He was the most eminent among them for religion, he accepted the place, not for the honour, or power, or profit of it, but for conscience' sake towards God, that he might serve his country,. It was usual for great generals then to offer of their spoils to the Lord, Ch1 26:26. But this good man offered himself first to the Lord, and then his dedicated things. The number of the soldiers under these five generals amounts to 1,160,000 men, a vast number for so small a compass of ground as Judah's and Benjamin's lot to furnish out and maintain. Abijah could bring into the field but 400,000 (Ch2 13:3), Asa not 600,000 (Ch2 14:8), yet Jehoshaphat has at command almost 1,200,000. But it must be considered, 1. That God had promised to make the seed of Abraham like the sand of the sea for number. 2. There had now been a long peace. 3. We may suppose that the city of Jerusalem was very much enlarged. 4. Many had come over to them from the kingdom of Israel (Ch2 15:19), which would increase the numbers of the people. 5. Jehoshaphat was under a special blessing of God, which made his affairs to prosper greatly. The armies, we may suppose, were dispersed all the country over, and each man resided for the most part on his own estate; but they appeared often, to be mustered and trained, and were ready at call whenever there was occasion. The commanders waited on the king (Ch2 17:19) as officers of his court, privy-counsellors, and ministers of state.

But, lastly, observe, It was not this formidable army that struck a terror upon the neighbouring nations, that restrained them from attempting any thing against Israel, or obliged them to pay tribute, but the fear of God which fell upon them when Jehoshaphat reformed his country and set up a preaching ministry in it, Ch2 17:10. The ordinances of God are more the strength and safety of a kingdom than its military force - its men of God more than its men of war.

Matthew Henry's Commentary on the Whole Bible (1708–1710) — public domain (CC PDM 1.0). Text via the HelloAO Bible API.

2Ch 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.

Ver. 10. And the fear of the Lord fell upon all the kingdoms.] It is said {2Ch 17:2} Jehoshaphat placed forces in all the fenced cities; yet it is not said thereupon that "the fear of the Lord fell upon the neighbour nations." But when he had established a preaching ministry in all the cities, then his enemies had a fear, and made no war.

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.

2Ch 17:10. The fear of the Lord fell upon all the kingdoms, &c. — Justly concluding, from his singular piety, that God would eminently appear for him; for even the heathen could not but observe, that the kings of Judah were either prosperous or unhappy, according as they served God or forsook him. So that they made no war against Jehoshaphat — God’s good providence so ordered it, that while the princes and priests were instructing and endeavouring to reform the country, none of his neighbours gave him any molestation, to take him off from that good work.

Joseph Benson's Commentary on the Old and New Testaments (1811–1818) — public domain. Text from a community e-Sword module.

17:10-11 The fear of the Lord among the surrounding kingdoms resulted in tribute to Jehoshaphat, an action that was intended to buy peace. Peace is one indicator of divine favor (cp. 14:2-6). • The Arabs were probably the desert tribes living south of Judah in territory next to the Philistines.

Tyndale Open Study Notes — © Tyndale Open Resources, licensed CC BY-SA 4.0. Text via the HelloAO Bible API.

Thus God prospereth all such that with a pure heart seek his glory, and keepeth their enemies in fear, that they cannot be able to execute their rage against them.

Geneva Bible (1599) marginal notes — public domain. Text via Bolls.life.

JEHOS APHAT BECOMES A POWERFUL SOVEREIGN.

(10) The fear of the Lord.—A dread of Jehovah (pachad), aps. 14:13, 20:29. (Comp. Exo_15:16; 1Sa_11:7; Isa_2:10. ) This phrase is not peculiar to the chronicler, as Keil and Bertheau assert. “The kingdoms of the lands” is so (2Ch_12:8; 1Ch_29:30).

They made no war.—The reward of Jehosha-phat’s piety (1Ch_22:9; Pro_16:7): “When a man’s ways please the Lord, he maketh even his enemies to be at peace with him.” (Comp. also Gen_35:5)

A Bible Commentary for English Readers, edited by Charles John Ellicott (1878–1897) — public domain. Text from a community e-Sword module.

10–13 (no parallel in 1 Kin.). The Greatness of Jehoshaphat

10. the fear of the Lord] Cp. Gen_35:5.

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.

And the fear of the Lord fell upon all the kingdoms of the lands that were round about Judah,.... Upon the ten tribes, and on foreign nations about them, as Moabites, Edomites, Syrians, Egyptians, Arabs, and Philistines; this fear, as it came from the Lord, so might be raised and increased by observing, that religion was revived in them; for they might perceive, by former observations made, that the more religious these people were, the more prosperous and formidable they were:

so that they made no war against Jehoshaphat; to interrupt him in the work of reformation he was so intent upon.

John Gill's Exposition of the Whole Bible (1746–1763) — public domain (CC PDM 1.0). Text via the HelloAO Bible API.

War. They had witnessed the fruitless attempt of Zara, C. xiv. 15. 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).

Justly concluding from this singular piety that God would eminently appear for him, and against all those who had ill will to him, which was their case. For even the heathens could not but observe that the kings of Judah were either prosperous or unhappy, accordingly as they served God or forsook him.

Matthew Poole's English Annotations on the Holy Bible (1683–1685) — public domain. Text from a community e-Sword/MySword module.

The moral effect of this peaceful war of Jehoshaphat is manifestly great.

Vers. 10-19.

The greatness of Jehoshaphat.

I JEHOSHAPHAT"S NEIGHBOURS.

1. Afraid of his greatness. As on the cities round Jacob and his sons when they fled from Shecham, (Gen_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. (2Ch_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 greatcondition.

3. The dignity implied in being a soldier of Jesus Christ. W.

The Pulpit Commentary (1880–1919), ed. H.D.M. Spence-Jones & Joseph S. Exell — public domain. Text from a community e-Sword module.

Fear fell - Justly concluding from his singular piety that God would eminently appear for him, for even the Heathens could not but observe, that the kings of Judah were either prosperous or unhappy, according as they served God or forsook him.

John Wesley, Explanatory Notes Upon the Whole Bible (1754–1765) — public domain. Text via the GEBible commentary corpus.

Jehoshaphat’s Riches, Valor, and Mighty Men

v. 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, namely, while these reformatory measures were being carried out.

v. 11. Also some of the Philistines brought Jehoshaphat presents, voluntarily placing themselves under his jurisdiction as tributaries, and tribute silver; and the Arabians, the nomad tribes to the south and southeast of the Dead Sea, brought him flocks, seven thousand and seven hundred rams and seven thousand and seven hundred he-goats, apparently the tale of so many herds of cattle.

v. 12. And Jehoshaphat waxed great exceedingly, he became ever greater in riches and power; and he built in Judah castles, single fortified palaces, and cities of store, where food was stored against the event of a war.

v. 13. And he had much business in the cities of Judah, great stores of food and material; and the men of war, mighty men of valor, were in Jerusalem.

v. 14. And these are the numbers of them according to the house of their fathers, the divisions known as father-houses: of Judah, the captains of thousands: Adnah the chief, and with him mighty men of valor, three hundred thousand.

v. 15. And next to him, next in rank, was Jehohanan, the captain, and with him two hundred and fourscore thousand.

v. 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 valor, the total number of men in Judah available for purposes of war being 780,000.

v. 17. And of Benjamin: Eliada, a mighty man of valor, and with him armed men with bow and shield, the Benjamites having always been famed as archers, two hundred thousand.

v. 18. And next him was Jehozabad, and with him an hundred and fourscore thousand, ready prepared for the war, the total number from Benjamin being 380,000.

v. 19. These waited on the king, they were at his disposal, beside those whom the king put in the fenced cities throughout all Judah, the garrisons of all the fortresses. No monarch, after the time of Solomon, equaled Jehoshaphat in the greatness of his revenue, in the strength of his forts, and in the number of his troops. Note: Whenever people returned to the Word of God in all its purity and readily learned and followed it, conditions became better, and God’s blessings rested upon the entire country.

Paul E. Kretzmann, Popular Commentary of the Bible (1921–1924) — public domain. Text from a community e-Sword module.

Terror of Yahweh fell on all the kingdoms of the lands

The word "terror" can be expressed with the adjective "afraid." Also, this speaks of the people becoming afraid as if the terror were something that fell upon them. AT: "The people in all the kingdoms surrounding Judah became very afraid of what Yahweh might do to punish them" (See: Abstract Nouns and Metaphor)

against Jehoshaphat

Here Jehoshaphat represents his army. AT: "against Jehoshaphat's army" (See: Synecdoche)

7,700 rams, and 7,700 goats

The number can also be written as seven thousand seven hundred. This is a description of the flocks that the Arabians brought Jehoshaphat. (See: Numbers)

translationWords

Philistines

silver

tribute

Arabia

flocks

ewe

goat

unfoldingWord translationNotes — © Distant Shores Media and the Door43 World Missions Community, licensed CC BY-SA 4.0. Source: git.door43.org/Door43/en_tn.

And the fear of the Lord was upon all the kingdoms of the lands in the merit of having studied Torah.

Rashi on the Tanakh — English translations: “The Judaica Press complete Tanach with Rashi, translated by A. J. Rosenberg” (CC BY 4.0); “Pentateuch with Rashi's commentary by M. Rosenbaum and A.M. Silbermann, 1929-1934” (public domain); “The Metsudah Tanach series, Lakewood, N.J” (CC BY 4.0); and “The Book of Joshua, Metsudah Publications, 1997” (CC BY 4.0). Text via Sefaria.