17:1 His son Jehoshaphat replaced him as king and solidified his rule over Israel.
King Jehoshaphat was the son of good King Asa. He led even a bigger revival than his father.
17:2 He placed troops in all of Judah’s fortified cities and posted garrisons throughout the land of Judah and in the cities of Ephraim that his father Asa had seized.
King Jehoshaphat built up his army to protect himself against Israel. Israel had become a nation of satanism. Israel wanted to destroy Judah and end the Davidic dynasty which would have brought in the seed of the Messiah.
17:3 The Lord was with Jehoshaphat because he followed in his ancestor David’s footsteps at the beginning of his reign. He did not seek the Baals,
Jehovah possessed the spiritual zeal of David when he was young. He did not seek after demonic gods. This was a great complement to Jehoshaphat.
17:4 but instead sought the God of his ancestors and obeyed his commands, unlike the Israelites.
Israel was worshiping demons. Judah was worshiping Jehovah.
17:5 The Lord made his kingdom secure; all Judah brought tribute to Jehoshaphat, and he became very wealthy and greatly respected.
Jehovah blessed Judah materially as per the obedience of the Mosaic Covenant.
17:6 He was committed to following the Lord; he even removed the high places and Asherah poles from Judah.
Some high places were utilized to worship Jehovah. Others were used to worship pagan gods. Sometimes syncretism was practiced, which was the combination of worshiping Jehovah with other pagan gods. It was against the Mosaic Law to offer sacrifices at the high places, even if they were only to Jehovah. Offerings could only be offered at God’s appointed place, which was the temple.
17:7 In the third year of his reign he sent his officials Ben-Hail, Obadiah, Zechariah, Nethanel, and Micaiah to teach in the cities of Judah.
Jehoshaphat sent out bible teachers throughout Judah.
17:8 They were accompanied by the Levites Shemaiah, Nethaniah, Zebadiah, Asahel, Shemiramoth, Jehonathan, Adonijah, Tobijah, and Tob-Adonijah, and by the priests Elishama and Jehoram.
It was the responsibility of the Levites to study and teach the Word of God. In the modern local churches, pastor-teachers are given the responsibility of teaching their congregations the entire counsel of the Word of God at the deepest level. God give mercy to those pastors who refuse to do so.
17:9 They taught throughout Judah, taking with them the scroll of the law of the Lord. They traveled to all the cities of Judah and taught the people.
Revival cannot happen without bible study. This national bible study led Israel to one of their greatest revivals in history. If America wants revival, then they must return to the Bible. The purpose of the YEBC Study Bible is to bring global revival back to God.
17:10 The Lord put fear into all the kingdoms surrounding Judah; they did not make war with Jehoshaphat.
This national bible study blessed Judah so much, that other foreign satanic nations feared their military.
17:11 Some of the Philistines brought Jehoshaphat tribute, including a load of silver. The Arabs brought him 7,700 rams and 7,700 goats from their flocks.
This Bible study blessed other nations. The Philistines and Arabs brought gifts to Judah. According to Paul, the purpose of evangelism is to turn ones enemies into ones friends. Believers can share the Gospel with unbelievers and make them their friends.
17:12 Jehoshaphat’s power kept increasing. He built fortresses and storage cities throughout Judah.
Revival increased the military power of Judah.
17:13 He had many supplies stored in the cities of Judah and an army of skilled warriors stationed in Jerusalem.
Revival increased the supplies and number of soldiers in Judah. God protected the nation when they returned to the Word of God.
17:14 These were their divisions by families: There were a thousand officers from Judah. Adnah the commander led 300,000 skilled warriors, 15 Jehochanan the commander led 280,000, 16 and Amasiah son of Zikri, who volunteered to serve the Lord, led 200,000 skilled warriors. 17 From Benjamin, Eliada, a skilled warrior, led 200,000 men who were equipped with bows and shields, 18 and Jehozabad led 180,000 trained warriors. 19 These were the ones who served the king, besides those whom the king placed in the fortified cities throughout Judah.
The army increase from 580,000 in King David’s day to over 1,100,000 in King Jehoshaphat’s day. Believers are called to become soldiers against the enemies of the satanic world system. The Bible is the training manual of the Christian soldier. The increase of Bible study will increase the effectiveness of God's army on earth.