Matthew Poole and continuators on 2 Chronicles 17

ANd Jehoshaphat his son reigned in his stead, and strengthened himself against Israel .

Against the King and People of Israel, who had molested the Kingdom of Judah with Wars all the days of Asa after that Sin of his mentioned, ch. 16. 2, &c.

Marginal references: 1 Kin. 15. 24.

3 And the LORD was with Jehoshaphat, because he walked in the first ways of his father David , and sought not unto Baalim.

Which David walked in before he fell into those horrid Sins of Murder and Adultery. Or, in the ways of David, and his Fathers first ways: For the beginning of Asa's Reign was Laudable, as we have seen, though he declined at last. For it seems more probable that this Passage is a Ref[illegible: 1+ letters]ection upon Asa, whose last ways were much his worst, and of whose Repentance we have no Evidence, than upon David, who, though he fell dreadfully in the Matter of Uriah, yet did manifestly repent of it and return to his first and holy course of Life, in which also he continued until death; having this Character given him by the Holy Ghost after his death, that he did right in all things, saving that of Uriah, 1 King. 15. 5.

Marginal references: O[illegible: 1+ letters] of his father, & David.

4 But sought to the LORD God of his father, and walked in his commandments, and not after the doings of Israel :

i. e. Their Worship of the Calves or other Idols.

5 There[illegible: 1+ letters]ore the LORD stablished the kingdom in his hand, and all Judah brought to Jehoshaphat presents , and he had riches and honour in abundance.

As Subjects in those times and Places used to do to their Kings, as a Token of their Respect and Subjection to them. See 1 Sam. 10. 27, 28. 1 King. 10. 25. 2 Chron. 32. 23.

Marginal references: Heb. [illegible: 1 word].

6 And his heart was lift up in the ways of the LORD: moreover, he took away the high places and groves out of Judah.

Above all discouragements and difficulties and fears, by which mens Hearts use to be cast down: He was Valiant and Resolute for God and his Ways.

To wit, such onely wherein Idols were worshipped, as appears by comparing this with ch. 20. 33. And though Asa had done this before, yet either he did not do it thoroughly; or the Jews (who were many of them mad upon their Idols) had secretly made new Ones in the latter part of his Reign when he grew more infirm in Body and more remiss in Gods cause.

Marginal references: That is, [illegible: 1 word] encouraged.; Ch. 19. [illegible: 1+ letters].

7 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 Michajah, to teach in the cities of Judah.

To inform the People of their Duty and of the Kings 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 Kings 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 Inforcement whereof they left to the Levites and Priests here following, who were sent for this End, and accordingly taught the People, v. 9.

Marginal references: Or, [illegible: 1 word] princes, [illegible: 1 word] ▪ [illegible: 1 word].

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.

Justly concluding from this singular Piety that God would eminently appear for him and against all those who had Ill W[illegible: 1+ letters]ll 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.

Marginal references: Gen. [illegible: 1+ letters]5. 5.; Heb. [illegible: 1 word].

11 Also some of the Philistins 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.

Who had been Subjects to this Kingdom ever since Davids Time, but, it seems, had neglected this Duty in the Times of his Predecessors, but now were moved by their own Fears to perform it.

Either because he had upon some just occasion waged War against them and subdued them; though the Particulars of it [illegible: 1+ letters]e not described in Scripture▪ Or because, they voluntarily put themselves under his Protection, in Recompence whereof they sent him those Presents: Or onely as a free Acknowledgment of their Respects to him.

13 And he had much business in the cities of Judah : and the men of war mighty men of valour were in Jerusalem.

Partly to repair and fortifie them, and furnish them with all necessary Provisions: and partly to purge out all the Reliques and Seeds of Idolatry and Injustice which were more secretly and subtilly managed in the Cities than in the Country, and which were first and most in the Cities, and thence spread their Infection into the Country about them. See Ier. 2. 28.

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

Either 1. After his death, as his Successor in the same Command. And the like is supposed concerning Jehozabad, v. 18. Or, rather 2. Next to him in Place and Authority; or, at least, in Power and the Numbers of his Host.

Marginal references: Heb. [illegible: 1 word] [illegible: 1 word] [illegible: 1 word].

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 valour.

As Voluntiers and Auxiliaries to be ready upon Occasion as the Service of God and the King should require. Possibly these or most of them were the Strangers which had come out of Israel into the Kingdom of Judah in Asa's days, and probably since that in his Time.

19 These waited on the king , besides those whom the king put in the fenced cities throughout all Judah.

These above mentioned were the Trained Bands or Auxiliaries: whose Chief Officers waited upon the King to receive his Commands, and to raise and bring in all or part of their Forces to the Service of the King and Kingdom, as need required.