Bible Commentaries
2 Chronicles 17

Introduction

2 Chronicles 17:1 to 2 Chronicles 20:37 . The Reign of Jehoshaphat.— This section is, in the main, from the hand of the Chronicler, whose spirit and aim are visible throughout; he has utilised all the information concerning Jehoshaphat to be got from 1 K. viz. in 1 Kings 15:24; 1 Kings 22:1-35; 1 Kings 22:41-50 (see notes).

Verses 1-19

2 Chronicles 17:1 to 2 Chronicles 20:37 . The Reign of Jehoshaphat.— This section is, in the main, from the hand of the Chronicler, whose spirit and aim are visible throughout; he has utilised all the information concerning Jehoshaphat to be got from 1 K. viz. in 1 Kings 15:24; 1 Kings 22:1-35; 1 Kings 22:41-50 (see notes).

2 Chronicles 17:1-6 deals with Jehoshaphat’ s defensive measures; he is prosperous because he obeys the commandments of Yahweh.

2 Chronicles 17:6 . he took away the high places: but see 2 Chronicles 20:33 (= 1 Kings 22:43).

2 Chronicles 17:7-9 . It is difficult to regard these statements as historical, they betray too clearly the tendency characteristic of the Chronicler; moreover, what is stated is in itself improbable at the time the occurrence is said to have taken place. As an example of a “ prince” as a teacher in the Law, the case of Nehemiah is the most suggestive, for he clearly took a leading part, together with Ezra and the Levites, in pressing home the need of observing the Law (see Nehemiah 8:9-12).

2 Chronicles 17:10-19 . An account of Jehoshaphat’ s great prosperity, and details concerning his army. The fabulous numbers here given stamp the section as unhistorical so far as its details are concerned; that Jehoshaphat’ s reign was a prosperous one is implied in 1 Kings 22:41-50.