King James Version, with Nii Okai's journal notes · 5 notes
Read 2 Chronicles 17 in the app
1And Jehoshaphat his son reigned in his stead, and strengthened himself against Israel.
2And 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.
3And the LORD was with Jehoshaphat, because he walked in the first ways of his father David, and sought not unto Baalim;
4But sought to the Lord God of his father, and walked in his commandments, and not after the doings of Israel.
David was the standard, just as Jeroboam was the standard for evil 😈.
5Therefore the LORD stablished the kingdom in his hand; and all Judah brought to Jehoshaphat presents; and he had riches and honour in abundance.
6And his heart was lifted up in the ways of the LORD: moreover he took away the high places and groves out of Judah.
7Also in the third year of his reign he sent to his princes, even to Ben-hail, and to Obadiah, and to Zechariah, and to Nethaneel, and to Michaiah, to teach in the cities of Judah.
8And with them he sent Levites, even Shemaiah, and Nethaniah, and Zebadiah, and Asahel, and Shemiramoth, and Jehonathan, and Adonijah, and Tobijah, and Tob-adonijah, Levites; and with them Elishama and Jehoram, priests.
9And 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.
10And 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.
11Also 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.
Hm, just like his grandfather Solomon... Men brought him gifts because he was greatly helped of the Lord.
12And Jehoshaphat waxed great exceedingly; and he built in Judah castles, and cities of store.
13And he had much business in the cities of Judah: and the men of war, mighty men of valour, were in Jerusalem.
14And these are the numbers of them according to the house of their fathers: Of Judah, the captains of thousands; Adnah the chief, and with him mighty men of valour three hundred thousand.
We see that with prosperity came proper structure, systems and order. We see numbering of the captains — we see structure and order.
Wisdom indeed starts from the fear of the Lord, and with it comes riches and order, and law and order, and knowledge of witty inventions.
The witty inventions of Jehoshaphat are mentioned later — it always follows the fear of God.
15And next to him was Jehohanan the captain, and with him two hundred and fourscore thousand.
16And next him was Amasiah the son of Zichri, who willingly offered himself unto the LORD; and with him two hundred thousand mighty men of valour.
17And of Benjamin; Eliada a mighty man of valour, and with him armed men with bow and shield two hundred thousand.
18And next him was Jehozabad, and with him an hundred and fourscore thousand ready prepared for the war.
19These waited on the king, beside those whom the king put in the fenced cities throughout all Judah.
A 1,160,000-strong army in the city.
No wonder he was feared greatly.
As we saw in the preceding verse, the Philistines brought gifts of silver. I have no doubt there were a lot of foreign mercenaries who partnered with him as well.