2 Chron. 17 Jehoshaphat is made king; reigneth well and prospereth, 2 Chron. 17:1–6. He sendeth Levites with the princes to teach Judah, 2 Chron. 17:7–9. He is feared by the nations round about, who bring him presents and tribute; his greatness, captains and armies, 2 Chron. 17:10–19.

Against the king and people of Israel, who had molested the kingdom of Judah with wars all the days of Asa, after that sin of his mentioned 2 Chron. 16:2;c.

In the first ways, which David walked in before he fell into those horrid sins of murder and adultery. Or, in the ways of David, and his father’s first ways. For the beginning of Asa’s reign was laudable, as we have seen, though he declined at last.

i.e. Their worship of the calves, or other idols.

Judah brought to Jehoshaphat presents; as subjects in those times and places used to do to their kings, as a token of their respect and subjection to them. See 1 Sam. 10:27, 1 Kings 10:25, 2 Chron. 32:23.

His heart was lifted up above all discouragements, and difficulties, and fears, by which men’s hearts use to be cast down: he was valiant and resolute for God and his ways.

To teach in the cities of Judah; to inform the people of their duty, and of the king’s pleasure. As judges or justices of peace teach or instruct the people in the laws of the land, when they deliver their charges upon the bench; so did these princes in the king’s name admonish and require the…

Justly concluding from this singular piety that God would eminently appear for him, and against all those who had ill will to him, which was their case.

Some of the Philistines; who had been subjects to this kingdom ever since David’s time, but, it seems, had neglected this duty in the times of his predecessors, but now were moved by their own fears to perform it.

He had much business in the cities of Judah; partly to repair and fortify them, and furnish them with all necessary provisions; and partly to purge out all the relies and seeds of idolatry and injustice, which were more secretly and subtlely managed in the cities than in the country, and which were…

Next to him; either, 1. After his death, as his successor in the same command. And the like is supposed concerning Jehozabad, 2 Chron. 17:18. Or rather, 2. Next to him in place and authority; or, at least, in power and the numbers of his host.

As volunteers and auxiliaries, to be ready upon occasion, as the service of God and the king should require. Possibly these or most of them were the strangers which had come out of Israel into the kingdom of Judah in Asa’s days, and probably since that in his time.

These above mentioned were the trained bands or auxiliaries; whose chief officers waited upon the king to receive his commands, and to raise and bring in all or part of their forces to the service of the king and kingdom, as need required.