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Jehoshaphat his son reigned in his place, and strengthened himself against Israel.
Verse 1. Israel. In consequence of the civil broils, which ensued after the death of Baasa. The two kingdoms had been nearly equal.
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.
Verse 2. Numbers, who were kept on foot; probably as in the days of David.
The LORD was with Jehoshaphat, because he walked in the first ways of his father David, and didn’t seek the Baals,
Verse 3. First. Before his fall: some copies add, “and last,” (La Haye) as the Gothic MS. used by Mariana does, agreeably to the Scripture style. D.—David began and ended well. Bible.
but sought the God of his father, and walked in his commandments, and not in the ways of Israel.
Therefore the LORD established the kingdom in his hand. All Judah brought tribute to Jehoshaphat, and he had riches and honor in abundance.
Verse 5. Presents, as was customary, (1 Kennicott. 10:27,) or tribute. Calmet.
His heart was lifted up in the ways of the LORD. Furthermore, he took away the high places and the Asherah poles out of Judah.
Verse 6. When. Hebrew “And his heart was elevated in the ways of the Lord.” He was endued with courage to undertake the great work of banishing all abuses out of his dominions, seeing that the people were well affected, and the Lord urged him forward. Bible.—He trusted no so much to his great army or riches, as to a good conscience, ( Tirinus.) which made him fear no difficulties; (1 John 3:21,) doubting not but God would grant him success, as he endeavoured to keep his laws. Calmet.—Groves of idols, ( Menochius.) though he tolerated the high places, which had been consecrated to God. Calmet. 20:33 and 3 Kennicott. 22:43. Bible.—Good works, rewarded by God, encouraged people to proceed in virtue. Worthington.
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;
Verse 7. Princes. Political, ( Tirinus.) to see that all paid attention to the proper teachers; (Malachi 2:7. Calmet.) and thus to partake in that good work. Menochius.—The princes might also give instruction by word ( Calmet.) and example. Bible.
and with them 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 the LORD’s law with them. They went about throughout all the cities of Judah and taught among the people.
Verse 9. Book. The Pentateuch, or its abridgment, the book of Deuteronomy, ( Menochius.) which they read and explained. Calmet.—People. It was not sufficient to destroy idolatry, ( Menochius.) unless the people were taught how to serve the true God. Bible.
The fear of the LORD fell on all the kingdoms of the lands that were around Judah, so that they made no war against Jehoshaphat.
Verse 10. War. They had witnessed the fruitless attempt of Zara. Calmet. 14:15. Bible.
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.
Verse 11. Philistines. Though they had been reduced by David, they had sometimes proved remiss in the payment of tribute.—Arabians, who lived near the Ethiopians, and the Dead Sea. Calmet. 21:19. They had been subdued by Solomon, (3 Kennicott. 10:15) and were rich in cattle. Ezekiel 27:21. The name is not so comprehensive as we generally make it. Calmet.
Jehoshaphat grew great exceedingly; and he built fortresses and store cities in Judah.
Verse 12. Houses. Prot. “castles.” Hebrew biraniyoth. Birah is properly a Chal. word, and is added after susan, to imply that it was a royal castle, ( Calmet.) or palace. ( Bible.) 2 Ezra 1:1.—Septuagint often use baris in the same sense. Calmet.—It became a provincial word in Palestine, for a place shut up on all sides and built like a tower. Saint Jerome ad Princep.—David calls the temple a palace (habbirah) for God. 1 Chronicles 29:1. Calmet.—Josaphat employed his immense riches in beautifying the country, and erecting storehouses, verse 5.—Walled. Prot. “cities of store.” Bible. See Calmet. 15:4.
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;
Verse 14. Ednas was the chief of the five generals, who had under their command 1,160,000, ( Calmet.) besides the garrison soldiers, verse 19. Bible.—So great power and riches had not been seen in Juda since the days of Solomon. Calmet.—They were not all on duty at the same time, but were able to bear arms ( Menochius.) when called out.
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 the LORD, and with him two hundred thousand mighty men of valor.
Verse 16. Consecrated. Hebrew “a volunteer of the Lord,” ( Bible.) serving at his own expence, ( Tirinus.) or with remarkable zeal. Calmet.—Perhaps he was of the tribe of Levi, ( Menochius.) or had taken the vows of the Nazarites, and so forth
From Benjamin: Eliada, a mighty man of valor, and with him two hundred thousand armed with bow and shield;
Verse 17. After. Hebrew and Septuagint “And of Benjamin, Eliada, a valiant man of the army.” Bible.—It seems all were not chosen from Juda. Menochius.
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.
Verse 19. King, at different times. Septuagint “waiting upon” him, ( Bible.) like the companies which David had appointed, ( Calmet.) but far more numerous. Bible.—The dominions of Juda were now pretty extensive, and well cultivated. The population must have amounted to near six millions, for whose support recourse must have been had to commerce. Rome had once almost four million inhabitants, and Cairo is said to contain seven millions, while China has two hundred millions. Calmet.—We must reflect that many from the other tribes had taken refuge in the kingdom of Juda. Tirinus.—It would be too bold to suppose, with Kennicott, that so many numbers have been corrupted. Bible. Calmet. 13:3.