2 Chronicles 17:1-13
Brief summary: Jehoshaphat reigns; seeks the LORD; His rule is established; provision for idolatrous worship is removed. Jehoshaphat sends princes to teach and priests through the land. The teachers had the Book of the Law of the LORD with them. After such teaching: 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. Greatness and much business follows.
And Jehoshaphat his son reigned in his stead, and strengthened himself against Israel. 2 And he placed forces in all the fenced cities of Judah, and set garrisons in the land of Judah, and in the cities of Ephraim, which Asa his father had taken. 3 AND THE LORD WAS WITH JEHOSHAPHAT, because he walked in the first ways of his father David, and sought not unto Baalim; 4 BUT SOUGHT TO THE LORD GOD OF HIS FATHER, AND WALKED IN HIS COMMANDMENTS, and not after the doings of Israel. 5 THEREFORE THE LORD STABLISHED THE KINGDOM IN HIS HAND; AND ALL JUDAH BROUGHT TO JEHOSHAPHAT PRESENTS; AND HE HAD RICHES AND HONOUR IN ABUNDANCE. 6 And his heart was lifted up in the ways of the LORD: moreover he took away the high places and groves out of Judah. 7 Also in the third year of his reign HE SENT TO HIS PRINCES, even to Benhail, and to Obadiah, and to Zechariah, and to Nethaneel, and to Michaiah, TO TEACH IN THE CITIES OF JUDAH. 8 And with them he sent Levites, even Shemaiah, and Nethaniah, and Zebadiah, and Asahel, and Shemiramoth, and Jehonathan, and Adonijah, and Tobijah, and Tobadonijah, Levites; and with them Elishama and Jehoram, priests. 9 AND THEY TAUGHT IN JUDAH, AND HAD THE BOOK OF THE LAW OF THE LORD WITH THEM, AND WENT ABOUT THROUGHOUT ALL THE CITIES OF JUDAH, AND TAUGHT THE PEOPLE. 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.
O that leaders everywhere might seek the LORD as Jehoshaphat did. O that princes as teachers might go throughout the US, Iraq, and other lands to teach the fear and honor of the LORD. O that the US, Iraq, and other lands would have much business and an abundance of courageous, strong men!
O that many might hear good teaching of the Word of the LORD and strive to enter in at the narrow gate (Luke 13:24)!
Brief summary: Jehoshaphat reigns; seeks the LORD; His rule is established; provision for idolatrous worship is removed. Jehoshaphat sends princes to teach and priests through the land. The teachers had the Book of the Law of the LORD with them. After such teaching: 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. Greatness and much business follows.
And Jehoshaphat his son reigned in his stead, and strengthened himself against Israel. 2 And he placed forces in all the fenced cities of Judah, and set garrisons in the land of Judah, and in the cities of Ephraim, which Asa his father had taken. 3 AND THE LORD WAS WITH JEHOSHAPHAT, because he walked in the first ways of his father David, and sought not unto Baalim; 4 BUT SOUGHT TO THE LORD GOD OF HIS FATHER, AND WALKED IN HIS COMMANDMENTS, and not after the doings of Israel. 5 THEREFORE THE LORD STABLISHED THE KINGDOM IN HIS HAND; AND ALL JUDAH BROUGHT TO JEHOSHAPHAT PRESENTS; AND HE HAD RICHES AND HONOUR IN ABUNDANCE. 6 And his heart was lifted up in the ways of the LORD: moreover he took away the high places and groves out of Judah. 7 Also in the third year of his reign HE SENT TO HIS PRINCES, even to Benhail, and to Obadiah, and to Zechariah, and to Nethaneel, and to Michaiah, TO TEACH IN THE CITIES OF JUDAH. 8 And with them he sent Levites, even Shemaiah, and Nethaniah, and Zebadiah, and Asahel, and Shemiramoth, and Jehonathan, and Adonijah, and Tobijah, and Tobadonijah, Levites; and with them Elishama and Jehoram, priests. 9 AND THEY TAUGHT IN JUDAH, AND HAD THE BOOK OF THE LAW OF THE LORD WITH THEM, AND WENT ABOUT THROUGHOUT ALL THE CITIES OF JUDAH, AND TAUGHT THE PEOPLE. 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.
O that leaders everywhere might seek the LORD as Jehoshaphat did. O that princes as teachers might go throughout the US, Iraq, and other lands to teach the fear and honor of the LORD. O that the US, Iraq, and other lands would have much business and an abundance of courageous, strong men!
O that many might hear good teaching of the Word of the LORD and strive to enter in at the narrow gate (Luke 13:24)!
