Tyndale Open Study Notes2 Chronicles 17

Jehoshaphat reigned from 872 to 848 BC, including a two-year co-regency with his father, Asa. Asa's last years were marked by conflicts and oppression. Jehoshaphat needed to strengthen his rule in Judah to bring back peace and stability. During Asa's time, Israel was an enemy, but Jehoshaphat soon formed an alliance with Ahab (2 Chronicles 18:1–2).

For 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).

The word translated as "gifts" is often translated as "tribute," like what conquering kings demanded from their subjects (for example, Judges 3:15–18). However, forced tribute is not the intended meaning here. The people of Judah willingly made Jehoshaphat very wealthy. Like Uzziah (2 Chronicles 26:16) and Hezekiah (32:25), wealth often leads to pride. However, Jehoshaphat was deeply committed to following the Lord's ways. He did not take pride in his own achievements; instead, his courage led him to remove idol worship from the kingdom. Jehoshaphat established control within his kingdom by practicing righteousness and faithfulness to God.

• Jehoshaphat fulfilled the Lord's command to teach the law (Deuteronomy 5:1; 17:18–20). He appointed five royal officers, nine Levites, and two priests to teach the people the book of the covenant. Levites often served as teachers during the Second temple period as well (Nehemiah 8:7).

• Some versions leave out Tob-adonijah; this seems to be a scribal error of repetition.

• The surrounding kingdoms feared the Lord, so they paid tribute to Jehoshaphat to buy peace. Peace often shows divine favor (see 2 Chronicles 14:2–6).

• The Arabs were likely desert tribes living south of Judah, near the Philistines.

Jehoshaphat was known for his international influence, construction projects, and strong army. Archaeologists have found highway forts in the Jordan Valley near the Dead Sea from his era. The reported number of troops in his army—over a million in Jerusalem—seems too high. Since leaders were organized by tribes (2 Chronicles 17:14), "thousand" (’elep) might mean "squad" or "platoon," which are smaller units. The totals might also include reserve divisions that rotated service (see 1 Chronicles 27:1–15). Jehoshaphat's troop numbers are about three times those of:

• Abijah (2 Chronicles 13:3)

• Asa (2 Chronicles 14:8)

• Amaziah (2 Chronicles 25:5)

• Uzziah (2 Chronicles 26:11–15)

They are similar to the number of warriors during David’s census (1 Chronicles 21:5), when soldiers from the northern tribes were included. A large army showed God's blessing.