Verse-by-Verse Commentary
The Book of 2 Chronicles
Chapter 17: They Taught in Judah, and Had the Book of the Law
Jehoshaphat is one of Judah's best kings. He sought the LORD and walked in His commandments, so God was with him and established his kingdom. Then he did a remarkable thing: he sent princes, Levites, and priests throughout the land with the book of the law to teach the people. As the word of God spread, the fear of the LORD fell on the surrounding nations. A reign built on seeking God and teaching His word.
About This Commentary
This is a verse-by-verse study of 2 Chronicles chapter 17. For each section you will find the KJV text, the Hebrew words that sharpen the meaning, plain explanation, and a Gospel Focus. Every Scripture quotation is from the King James Version.
He Sought to the LORD (2 Chronicles 17:3-6)
Because Jehoshaphat sought God and walked in His ways, the LORD was with him and established his kingdom.
His Heart Was Lifted Up in the Ways of the LORD
"And the LORD was with Jehoshaphat, because he walked in the first ways of his father David, and sought not unto Baalim; But sought to the LORD God of his father, and walked in his commandments, and not after the doings of Israel. Therefore the LORD stablished the kingdom in his hand; and all Judah brought to Jehoshaphat presents; and he had riches and honour in abundance. And his heart was lifted up in the ways of the LORD: moreover he took away the high places and groves out of Judah."
Word Study
"lifted up," Hebrew gavah (גָּבַהּ), to be high, exalted; here, uncommonly, in a good sense. The Chronicler traces the source of Jehoshaphat's blessing: "the LORD was with Jehoshaphat, because he walked in the first ways of his father David, and sought not unto Baalim; but sought to the LORD God of his father." He followed the early, faithful pattern of David, and he sought God rather than idols. The result: "Therefore the LORD stablished the kingdom in his hand," and gave him riches and honour. Seeking God brought God's presence, and God's presence brought stability and blessing. Then a striking phrase: "his heart was lifted up (gavah) in the ways of the LORD." The word usually describes proud self-exaltation, and elsewhere is condemned; but here it is used positively, his heart was lifted up, encouraged and emboldened, not in pride but "in the ways of the LORD." It means he grew in holy courage and zeal for God, and that zeal took action: "he took away the high places and groves." A heart genuinely lifted up in God's ways does not grow complacent but bold to purge sin and pursue righteousness. Jehoshaphat models the blessed man: he sought God, walked in His commandments, was established by Him, and grew ever more courageous in His ways.
Explanation
Jehoshaphat was a godly king, and the LORD was with him because he followed the faithful early example of David, sought the LORD rather than the idols of Baal, obeyed God's commandments, and did not imitate the sinful ways of the northern kingdom of Israel. Because of this, God firmly established his kingdom, and he received wealth and honor. His heart grew bold and zealous in following the LORD's ways, and out of that zeal he removed the high places and pagan worship sites from Judah. His blessing flowed directly from his devotion to seeking and obeying God.
Gospel Focus
"The LORD was with Jehoshaphat, because he... sought to the LORD" shows the blessed pattern of a life devoted to God: seek Him, walk in His commandments, and He is with you and establishes you. "The LORD is with you, while ye be with him" (2 Chronicles 15:2); "them that honour me I will honour" (1 Samuel 2:30). And the beautiful phrase "his heart was lifted up in the ways of the LORD" shows what holy zeal looks like: not pride, but a heart emboldened and courageous for God, growing in devotion rather than settling into complacency. We are called to the same, "be ye stedfast, unmoveable, always abounding in the work of the Lord" (1 Corinthians 15:58), and to have hearts enlarged and lifted up in godliness. Notice, too, that Jehoshaphat's blessing did not make him careless; it made him bolder to purge sin, "he took away the high places." True prosperity from God, unlike the prosperity that ruined Rehoboam, deepens devotion rather than dulling it. Seek the LORD, walk in His ways, and let your heart be lifted up not in self but in Him, growing ever more courageous to put away sin and pursue holiness. The God who was with Jehoshaphat is with all who seek Him, and He establishes those whose hearts are set on His ways.
They Taught the People (2 Chronicles 17:9-10)
Jehoshaphat sends teachers with the book of the law through all Judah, and the fear of the LORD spreads.
The Fear of the LORD Fell Upon All the Kingdoms
"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. 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."
Word Study
"taught," Hebrew lamad (לָמַד), to teach, instruct, train. Jehoshaphat did something rare among kings: he made the teaching of God's word a national priority. He sent out princes, along with Levites and priests, who "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 (lamad) the people." Note the essentials: they carried "the book of the law of the LORD", the teaching was grounded in Scripture, not human opinion; they "went about throughout all the cities", they took the word to the people everywhere, not waiting for the people to come to it; and they "taught the people", the aim was to instruct ordinary Israelites in God's word. A king who wanted his nation to walk with God saw that the way to it was to fill the land with the knowledge of Scripture. And the effect was striking: "the fear of the LORD fell upon all the kingdoms... so that they made no war against Jehoshaphat." As Judah was grounded in God's word, God Himself guarded the nation, putting His fear on their enemies. The spread of Scripture brought not only inward godliness but outward peace, for a people built on the word of God are kept by the God of the word.
Explanation
Jehoshaphat sent out officials, Levites, and priests to travel through all the cities of Judah, carrying the book of the law and teaching the people God's word. This was a deliberate, kingdom-wide effort to ground the nation in Scripture. The result was remarkable: the fear of the LORD came upon all the surrounding nations, so that none of them dared to make war against Jehoshaphat. As Judah was filled with the knowledge of God's law, God Himself protected the nation, giving it peace from its enemies. Teaching the word brought both spiritual health at home and safety from abroad.
Gospel Focus
Jehoshaphat's program of teaching "the book of the law of the LORD" throughout the land is a model for every generation: the health of God's people depends on the knowledge of God's word. "Faith cometh by hearing, and hearing by the word of God" (Romans 10:17), and the word makes us "wise unto salvation" and thoroughly furnished "unto all good works" (2 Timothy 3:15-17). Notice the pattern, which mirrors the Great Commission: they took the word out to the people everywhere and taught them, just as Jesus commanded, "Go ye therefore, and teach all nations... teaching them to observe all things whatsoever I have commanded you" (Matthew 28:19-20). A people saturated with Scripture is a people who walk with God. And the fruit here, "the fear of the LORD fell upon all the kingdoms", reminds us that when God's people are grounded in His word, He Himself is their defense; "except the LORD keep the city, the watchman waketh but in vain" (Psalm 127:1). The greatest thing any leader, parent, or church can do for those in their care is to fill their lives with the word of God. Treasure the Scriptures, teach them diligently, carry them to those who do not know them, and trust the God of the word to guard and bless a people built upon His truth.
Chapter in Review
Second Chronicles 17 introduces Jehoshaphat, one of Judah's finest kings. The LORD was with him "because he... sought to the LORD God of his father, and walked in his commandments," so God established his kingdom and gave him riches and honour, and "his heart was lifted up in the ways of the LORD" to purge the high places. Most notably, Jehoshaphat made the teaching of Scripture a national priority, sending princes, Levites, and priests with "the book of the law of the LORD" throughout all the cities to teach the people, and as the word spread, "the fear of the LORD fell upon all the kingdoms" so that none warred against Judah. The chapter shows the blessing of seeking God and walking in His ways, the holy courage of a heart lifted up in the LORD, and the power of teaching God's word to ground a people in Him and keep them under His protection, a pattern fulfilled in the church's call to carry the word to all.
Key Takeaways
- Seek the LORD and He is with you. Jehoshaphat sought God and walked in His commandments, and God established him.
- Let your heart be lifted up in God's ways. Holy zeal, not complacency, marks a heart truly devoted to the LORD.
- Ground the people in Scripture. Jehoshaphat sent teachers with the book of the law to all the cities; the word is the health of God's people.
- Take the word to the people. They went throughout all the cities and taught, a pattern of the Great Commission.
- God guards a people built on His word. As the word spread, the fear of the LORD kept their enemies at bay.
Questions for Reflection
- Is the LORD with you because you are seeking Him and walking in His commandments?
- Is your heart lifted up in the ways of the LORD, growing in courage and zeal, or settling into complacency?
- How central is the teaching of God's word in your life, family, and church?
- Are you carrying the word to those who do not yet know it?
- Do you trust God to guard and bless a life and a people built on His truth?
References
- Scripture: 2 Chronicles 17:1-19, King James Version (commentary focuses on verses 3-6 and 9-10).
- Cross-references: 1 Samuel 2:30; 2 Chronicles 15:2; Psalm 127:1; Matthew 28:19-20; Romans 10:17; 1 Corinthians 15:58; 2 Timothy 3:15-17.
- Hebrew word meanings: standard lexical sources (Strong's, BDB) for gavah ("lifted up") and lamad ("taught"); background on Jehoshaphat's reforms and his teaching mission.