2 Chronicles 17:3

2 Chronicles 17:3 in other versions

• King James Version (KJV)And the Lord was with Jehoshaphat, because he walked in the first ways of his father David, and sought not unto Baalim;
• New International Version (NIV)The Lord was with Jehoshaphat because he followed the ways of his father David before him. He did not consult the Baals
• English Standard Version (ESV)The Lord was with Jehoshaphat, because he walked in the earlier ways of his father David. He did not seek the Baals,
• New King James Version (NKJV)Now the Lord was with Jehoshaphat, because he walked in the former ways of his father David; he did not seek the Baals,

Context of 2 Chronicles 17:3

1Jehoshaphat his son then became king [of Judah] in Asa’s place, and strengthened his position over Israel. 2He placed troops in all the fortified cities of Judah, and set garrisons in the land of Judah and in the cities of Ephraim which his father Asa had captured. The Lord was with Jehoshaphat because he followed the example of his father (ancestor) David. He did not seek [to follow] the Baals [the false gods], 4but sought the God of his father, and walked in (obeyed) His commandments, and did not act as Israel did. 5Therefore the Lord established the kingdom in his hand; and all Judah brought tribute to Jehoshaphat, and he had great wealth and honor.

2 Chronicles 17:3 word by word

וַיְהִ֥י יְהוָ֖ה עִם־יְהוֹשָׁפָ֑ט כִּ֣י הָלַ֗ךְ בְּדַרְכֵ֞י דָּוִ֤יד אָבִיו֙ הָרִ֣אשֹׁנִ֔ים וְלֹ֥א דָרַ֖שׁ לַבְּעָלִֽים׃Read the interlinear

Words taken from the KJV.

• And the Lordיְהֹוָהyehôvâh · LORDH3068
• was with Jehoshaphatיְהוֹשָׁפָטyehôshâphâţ · JehoshaphatH3092
• because he walkedהָלַךְhâlak · to go: walkH1980
• in the firstרִאשׁוֹןri'shôn ri'shôn · first: previousH7223
• waysדֶּ֫רֶךְderek · way: conductH1870
• of his fatherאָב'âb · fatherH1
• Davidדָּוִדdâvid dâvîyd · DavidH1732
• and soughtדָּרַשׁdârash · to seekH1875
• not unto Baalimבַּעַלba‛al · BaalH1168

Cross-references for 2 Chronicles 17:3

• 2 Chronicles 15:2and he went out to meet Asa and said to him, “Hear me, Asa, and all Judah and Benjamin: the Lord is with you while you are with Him. If you seek Him [inquiring for and of Him, as your soul’s first necessity], He will let you find Him; but if you abandon (turn away from) Him, He will abandon (turn away from) you.
• Genesis 39:2The Lord was with Joseph, and he [even though a slave] became a successful and prosperous man; and he was in the house of his master, the Egyptian.
• Exodus 3:12And God said, “Certainly I will be with you, and this shall be the sign to you that it is I who have sent you: when you have brought the people out of Egypt, you shall serve and worship God at this mountain.”
• Exodus 4:12Now then go, and I, even I, will be with your mouth, and will teach you what you shall say.”
• Joshua 1:5No man will [be able to] stand before you [to oppose you] as long as you live. Just as I was [present] with Moses, so will I be with you; I will not fail you or abandon you.
• Judges 2:18When the Lord raised up judges for them, He was with the judge and He rescued them from the hand of their enemies all the days of the judge; for the Lord was moved to pity by their groaning because of those who oppressed and afflicted them.
• Judges 6:12And the Angel of the Lord appeared to him and said to him, “The Lord is with you, O brave man.”
• 2 Samuel 5:10David became greater and greater, for the Lord, the God of hosts (armies), was with him.
• 1 Chronicles 22:18“Is not the Lord your God with you? And has He not given you rest and peace on every side? For He has given the inhabitants of the land into my hand, and the land is subdued before the Lord and before His people.
• Psalms 46:7The Lord of hosts is with us; The God of Jacob is our stronghold [our refuge, our high tower]. Selah.
• Isaiah 8:10Take counsel together [against Judah], but it will come to nothing; Speak the word, but it will not stand, For God is with us (Immanuel).”
• Isaiah 41:10Do not fear [anything], for I am with you; Do not be afraid, for I am your God. I will strengthen you, be assured I will help you; I will certainly take hold of you with My righteous right hand [a hand of justice, of power, of victory, of salvation].’
• Matthew 1:23“Behold, the virgin shall be with child and give birth to a Son, and they shall call His name Immanuel”—which, when translated, means, “God with us.”
• Matthew 18:20For where two or three are gathered in My name [meeting together as My followers], I am there among them.”
• Matthew 28:20teaching them to observe everything that I have commanded you; and lo, I am with you always [remaining with you perpetually—regardless of circumstance, and on every occasion], even to the end of the age.”
• 2 Timothy 4:22The Lord be with your spirit. Grace be with you.

Commentaries on 2 Chronicles 17:3

• Adam Clarke Bible Commentary · v. 3The Lord was with Jehoshaphat - "The Word of the Lord was Jehoshaphat's Helper." - Targum.Read the comment
• Barnes’ Notes on the Bible · v. 3The first ways of his father David - The Septuagint and several Hebrew manuscripts omit “David,” which has probably crept in from the margin, for David‘s “first ways” are nowhere else contrasted with his later ways. The real meaning of the writer is, that Jehoshaphat followed the example set by his father Asa in his earlier years 2 Chronicles 14:1-15; 15. Baalim - On the plural form, see 1 Kings 18:18 note.Read the comment
• Tyndale Open Study Notes · v. 3-4For the first time, the Chronicler compares Judah's practices with those of northern Israel. He shows awareness that the Baal cult from Tyre had been introduced into northern worship (see 1 Kings 16:31–32).Read the comment
• Jamieson–Fausset–Brown Commentary · v. 3-53-5. he walked in the first ways of his father David--He imitated the piety of his great ancestor in the early part of his reign before he made those unhappy lapses which dishonored his character. and sought not unto Baalim--a term used for idols generally in contradistinction to the Lord God of his father.Read the comment

Topics related to 2 Chronicles 17:3

• Blessing
• Children
• Jehoshaphat
• Obedience
• Religion
• Rulers
• Seekers

In the dictionaries

• David
• Jehoshaphat
• Chronicles, Books of
• Jehoshaphat (2)
• Priests and Levites

Commentaries on 2 Chronicles 17

• Adam Clarke Bible Commentary
• Barnes’ Notes on the Bible
• Matthew Henry Concise Commentary
• Tyndale Open Study Notes
• Jamieson–Fausset–Brown Commentary
• Rashi on Tanakh
• Keil & Delitzsch Commentary
• John Wesley’s Notes
• Darby Translation Notes
• Geneva Bible Translation Notes
• Kingcomments
• Matthew Henry’s Complete Commentary
• Matthew Henry’s Modern English Commentary
• Scofield Reference Notes, 1917 Edition
• Seventh-day Adventist Bible Commentary
• EGW Writings