Ver. 1. And Jehoshaphat his son reigned.] See 1 Kings 15:24. And strengthened himself against Israel.] Or, Upon Israel; i.e., upon that part of it which was subject to him.
Ver. 2. And he placed forces.] See 2 Chronicles 17:19.
Ver. 3. Because he walked in the first ways of his father David.] Who during his trouble kept himself free from scandalous and reproachful practices, innocent from the great transgression. (Psalms 19:13) David rectior fuit in servitio quam in regno, saith Gregory.
Ver. 4. And not after the doings of Israel.] Who in his days did evil as they could, under that nonsuch, Ahab. But Jehoshaphat was not corrupted with their ill neighbourhood.
Ver. 5. And he had riches and honour in abundance.] Herein he came near unto Solomon in his greatest flourish.
Ver. 6. And his heart was lifted up.] Not with pride, as 2 Chronicles 32:25, but with undaunted courage and disengaged zeal, such as made him come off roundly and readily in the ensuing reformation: he was more forward and forth putting than his father Asa, “not slothful in business, but fervent in spirit, serving the Lord.”
Ver. 7. He sent to his princes to teach in the cities of Judah.] Teaching princes there are not many, such as were David, Solomon, George, prince of Anhalt, &c., but these were sent with the teaching Levites to countenance and bear them out in this visitation general, and perhaps to punish the opposite and obstinate, if any such. Junius readeth the text thus, He sent with his princes, these Levites for the teaching. Or, the princes taught the people the law of the land; the priests and Levites the law of God: both did mutually help one another. So a Danish king of this land made a law, that at the general court of every shire the bishop of the diocese should accompany the sheriff, that the one might countenance God’s law, the other man’s. Queen Elizabeth once in her progress through Suffolk, observing that the justices of that county who came to meet her had every man his minister next to his body, said she wondered not that that county was so well governed, where she saw that the word and sword went so lovingly together. In Scotland, in their General Assembly, the king had his commissioner or substitute, to see that nothing was concluded to his prejudice. Speed.
Ver. 9. And had the book of the law of the Lord with them.] They taught not traditions, human inventions, or unwritten verities. All their doctrines came cum privilegio, and were Scripture proof.
Ver. 10. And the fear of the Lord fell upon all the kingdoms.] It is said (2 Chronicles 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.
Ver. 11. Also some of the Philistines.] These, having been subdued by David, had withheld their tribute for a time; but now, seeing Jehoshaphat’s growing greatness, they bring it in with the better, that no offence might be taken at their former neglect. The word here used signifieth honorary gifts, or oblations, pacifications. “ Placatur donis Iupiter ipse datis ” Think the same of the Arabians. See 2 Chronicles 14:14,15.
Ver. 12. And Jehoshaphat waxed great exceedingly.] Heb., He was going and growing. “By humility and the fear of the Lord are riches, and honour, and life.” (Proverbs 22:4) And he built in Judah castles.] Bironeoth, πυργους, turres. So did the Burgundians, and thence had their names And cities of store.] Granaries; in the Hebrew they have their name from their utility or usefulness.
Ver. 13. And he had much business.] Εργα πολλα, Many works going forward at once; a negotious man he was. His business, say some, lay in beautifying and fortifying those cities. Augustus gloried at his death, that whereas he had found Rome built with brick, he had left it made of marble. And the men of war…were in Jerusalem.] These were his Praetorian forces; his Praesidiaries were up and down in the various cities. Sept.
Ver. 14. Three hundred thousand.] These were under his command and at hand, to come whensoever the king would.
Ver. 16. Who willingly offered himself unto the Lord.] He was a votary: the vows of God were upon him, and this made him the more valiant and resolute in the exercise of arms, for the service of God and the safety of his people. The Spahis among the Turks are a sort of horsemen, voluntaries and votaries to gain paradise by dying for the Mohammedan cause. These are never known to return home but with victory; these are heavy upon the enemy. For “ Vincitur haud gratis, iugulo qui provocat ensem. ” Alacerrimo et promptissimo animo. -Jan.
Ver. 17. With bow and shield.] The Benjamites were notable bowmen. (1 Chronicles 12:2) The Engish were anciently so too.
Ver. 18. A hundred and fourscore thousand.] His militia was eleven hundred and threescore thousand, besides what he had in garrisons. (2 Chronicles 17:19) So that, as he was better, he was stronger than his father Asa had been. Piety hath prosperity.
Ver. 19. These waited on the king,] i.e., In their turns, and by course.