17:3 And the LORD was with Jehoshaphat, because he walked in the {a} first ways of his father David, and sought not unto {b} Baalim; (a) That is, his virtues meaning before he had committed with Bathsheba, and against Uriah. (b) Did not seek help from strange Gods. 17:6 And his heart was {c} lifted up in the ways of the LORD: moreover he took away the high places and groves out of Judah. (c) He gave himself wholly to serve the Lord. 17:7 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 {d} teach in the cities of Judah. (d) He knew it was in vain to profess religion, unless such were appointed who could instruct the people in the same, and had authority to put away all idolatry. 17:10 And the fear of the LORD fell upon all the kingdoms of the lands that [were] round about Judah, so that they {e} made no war against Jehoshaphat. (e) Thus God prospers all who with a pure heart seek his glory, and keeps their enemies in fear, so that they are not able to execute their rage against them. 17:16 And next him [was] Amasiah the son of Zichri, {f} who willingly offered himself unto the LORD; and with him two hundred thousand mighty men of valour. (f) Meaning, who was a Nazarite. 17:19 These {g} waited on the king, beside [those] whom the king put in the fenced cities throughout all Judah. (g) That is, they were at his ordinary guard. | |