Exegetical and Hermeneutical Commentary of 2 Chronicles 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.
10 13 (no parallel in 1 Kin.). The Greatness of Jehoshaphat
10. the fear of the Lord ] Cp. Gen 35:5.
Fuente: The Cambridge Bible for Schools and Colleges
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.
Fuente: English Annotations on the Holy Bible by Matthew Poole
7-11. Also in the third year of hisreign he sent to his princes, . . . to teach in the cities ofJudahThe ordinary work of teaching devolved on the priests.But extraordinary commissioners were appointed, probably to ascertainwhether the work had been done or neglected. This deputation of fiveprinces, assisted by two priests and nine Levites, was to make acircuit of the towns in Judah. It is the first practical measure weread of as being adopted by any of the kings for the religiousinstruction of the people. Time and unbroken opportunities wereafforded for carrying out fully this excellent plan of homeeducation, for the kingdom enjoyed internal tranquillity as well asfreedom for foreign wars. It is conformable to the pious style of thesacred historian to trace this profound peace to the “fear ofthe Lord having fallen on all kingdoms of the lands that were roundabout Judah.”
Fuente: Jamieson, Fausset and Brown’s Commentary Critical and Explanatory on the Whole Bible
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.
Fuente: John Gill’s Exposition of the Entire Bible
This attempt of Jehoshaphat brought him this blessing, that the terror of Jahve fell upon all the surrounding kingdoms; and not only did none of the neighbouring peoples venture to make war upon him, but also various tribes did homage to him by presents. Ramb. has already so understood the connection of these verses ( erat hoc praemium pietatis Josaphati, quod vicini satisque potentes hostes non auderent adversus ipsum hiscere ); while Berth. fails to apprehend it, saying that Jehoshaphat had time to care for the instruction of his people, because at that time the neighbouring peoples did not venture to undertake war against Judah. The words “terror of Jahve,” cf. 2Ch 14:13; 2Ch 20:29, and “all the kingdoms of the lands,” cf. 2Ch 12:8, 1Ch 29:30, are expressions peculiar to the author of the Chronicle, which show that by these remarks he is preparing the way for a transition to a more detailed portrayal of Jehoshaphat’s political power. is subject, partitive: some of the Philistines brought him presents (for see on 2Ch 17:5), “and silver a burden,” i.e., in great quantity. does not signify tribute, vectigal argento (Vulg.), for the word has not that signification, but denotes burden, that which can be carried, as in , 2Ch 20:25. – or , 2Ch 26:7, and more usually , 2Ch 21:16; 2Ch 22:1, are Arabian nomadic tribes (Bedwin), perhaps those whom Asa, after his victory over the Cushite Zerah, had brought under the kingdom of Judah, 2Ch 14:14. These paid their tribute in small cattle, rams, and he-goats. ( , Gen 30:35; Gen 32:15; Pro 30:31.)
Fuente: Keil & Delitzsch Commentary on the Old Testament
| Jehoshaphat’s Prosperity. | B. C. 911. |
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. 11 Also 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. 12 And Jehoshaphat waxed great exceedingly; and he built in Judah castles, and cities of store. 13 And he had much business in the cities of Judah: and the men of war, mighty men of valour, were in Jerusalem. 14 And 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. 15 And next to him was Jehohanan the captain, and with him two hundred and fourscore thousand. 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. 17 And of Benjamin; Eliada a mighty man of valour, and with him armed men with bow and shield two hundred thousand. 18 And next him was Jehozabad, and with him a hundred and fourscore thousand ready prepared for the war. 19 These waited on the king, beside those whom the king put in the fenced cities throughout all Judah.
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, v. 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. xxxv. 5, and see Exod. xxxiv. 24. 2. Many of them brought presents to him (v. 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, 2Ch 14:14; 2Ch 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 (v. 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 (v. 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, 1 Chron. xxvi. 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 (ch. xiii. 3), Asa not 600,000 (ch. xiv. 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 (ch. xv. 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 (v. 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, v. 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.
Fuente: Matthew Henry’s Whole Bible Commentary
Jehoshaphats Power, Verses 10-19
The Lord continued to reward Jehoshaphat with peace. He gained the respect of all the nations around Judah, because the Lord put His fear in their hearts. The Philistines and the Arabians were tributary to him. The Philistines’ tribute included silver, but the Arabians’ tribute consisted chiefly of animals, since their wealth was chiefly in herds and flocks. They were mainly nomadic people of the desert oases. They paid the tribute with seventy-seven hundred rams and seventy-seven hundred male goats. These animals would have furnished a great deal of meat for the people of Judah, or may perhaps have been used in commerce with other nations. Jehoshaphat grew ever more prestigious and great. He constructed castles and store cities to contain his wealth. He carried on commercial enterprises with all the cities of Judah.
Jehoshaphat used his wealth to build a great army, with well-trained captains at their heads. It consisted of five companies, three composed of men of Judah and two composed of men of Benjamin. The contingents of Judah numbered 300,000 under Adnah; 280,000 under Jehohanan; 200,000 under Amasiah. The Benjamite contingents numbered 200,000 under Eliada, and 180,000 under Jehozabad. Altogether the armed forces numbered 1,160,000 men, said to be in addition to those already garrisoned in the fenced cities. It would have required a lot of rams and goats to feed this many men.
Nothing more is known of any of these captains of the army except what is recorded here. It is said that Amasiah, who commanded the third Judahite contingent, willingly offered himself to the Lord. This means he willingly supported King Jehoshaphat in his religious reformation. God desires willing service (Psa 110:3). Eliada’s command was over the famed bowmen of the tribe of Benjamin. All of them stood ready, prepared for war (1Pe 3:15).
There are lessons to be found in this brief chapter: 1) the Lord will heap His blessings on those who walk in His way; 2) those who have the truth should use their means to let others know it also; 3) willingness and readiness should characterize every disciple of Christ.
Fuente: Garner-Howes Baptist Commentary
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-phats piety (1Ch. 22:9; Pro. 16:7): When a mans ways please the Lord, he maketh even his enemies to be at peace with him. (Comp. also Gen. 35:5)
Fuente: Ellicott’s Commentary for English Readers (Old and New Testaments)
Jehoshaphat’s Riches, Valor, and Mighty Men
v. 10. v. 11. v. 12. v. 13. v. 14. v. 15. v. 16. v. 17. v. 18. v. 19.
Fuente: The Popular Commentary on the Bible by Kretzmann
It plainly proves how much the Lord approved of Jehoshaphat’s instructing the people, for he suffered no interruption to the pious work to take place from the nations around.
Fuente: Hawker’s Poor Man’s Commentary (Old and New Testaments)
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.
Fuente: John Trapp’s Complete Commentary (Old and New Testaments)
fear = dread.
fell = came, or was.
Fuente: Companion Bible Notes, Appendices and Graphics
2Ch 17:10-13
2Ch 17:10-13
THE PROSPERITY OF JUDAH UNDER JEHOSHAPHAT
“And the fear of Jehovah fell upon all the kingdoms of the lands that were round about Judah, so that they made no war against Jehoshaphat. And some of the Philistines brought Jehoshaphat presents, and silver for tribute; and the Arabians also brought him flocks, seven thousand and seven hundred rams, and seven thousand and seven hundred he-goats. And Jehoshaphat waxed great exceedingly; and he built in Judah, castles and cities of store. And he had many works in the cities of Judah; and men of war, mighty men of valor in Jerusalem.”
All of this peace and prosperity were directly due to the respect which Jehoshaphat had shown to the Law of God and to his efforts to teach that word to all the people. It is no problem that much of the material here is omitted in Kings, because the primary focus there was political; whereas, in Chronicles the focus is upon the spiritual and religious significance of the same history.
E.M. Zerr:
2Ch 17:10. God had frequently told his people that he would bless them and bring the other nations in subjection to them. Now that the requirements of the law were being carried out under the directions of Jehoshaphat, the Lord caused the kingdoms around them to fear to the extent that they did not undertake any war against him.
2Ch 17:11. The absence of war was not the only indication of the subjection of the kingdoms, for they brought presents and tribute silver. The first was a diplomatic courtesy (explained at Gen 32:13), and the second was a specific charge of financial support for the kingdom of Judah.
2Ch 17:12. The castles were fortified places to defend the country against invasion of the enemies. The cities of store were the ones equipped for storage of provisions.
2Ch 17:13. Business is from MELAKAH and Strong defines it, “properly deputyship, i. e. ministry.” It means that Jehoshaphat had official and military representatives in the cities of his kingdom. He had brave and strong men with him also in Jerusalem.
Fuente: Old and New Testaments Restoration Commentary
the fear: 2Ch 14:14, Gen 35:5, Exo 15:14-16, Jos 2:9-11
fell: Heb. was
so that: 2Ch 16:9, Exo 34:24, Pro 16:7
Reciprocal: 1Sa 11:7 – the fear 2Ch 20:29 – the fear
Fuente: The Treasury of Scripture Knowledge
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 Gods 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.
Fuente: Joseph Bensons Commentary on the Old and New Testaments
17:10 And the fear of the LORD fell upon all the kingdoms of the lands that [were] round about Judah, so that they {e} made no war against Jehoshaphat.
(e) Thus God prospers all who with a pure heart seek his glory, and keeps their enemies in fear, so that they are not able to execute their rage against them.