mh_parser/vol_split/14 - 2Chronicles/Chapter 17.xml

<div2 id="iiCh.xviii" n="xviii" next="iiCh.xix" prev="iiCh.xvii" progress="83.12%" title="Chapter XVII">
<h2 id="iiCh.xviii-p0.1">S E C O N D   C H R O N I C L E
S</h2>
<h3 id="iiCh.xviii-p0.2">CHAP. XVII.</h3>
<p class="intro" id="iiCh.xviii-p1">Here begin the life and reign of Jehoshaphat, who
was one of the first three among the royal worthies, one of the
best that ever swayed the sceptre of Judah since David's head was
laid. He was the good son of a good father, so that, as this time,
grace ran in the blood, even in the blood-royal. Happy the son that
had such a father, to lay a good foundation in him and for him.
Happy the father that had such a son, to build so wall upon the
foundation he had laid! Happy the kingdom that was blessed with two
such kings, two such reigns, together! In this chapter we have, I.
His accession to and establishment in the throne, <scripRef id="iiCh.xviii-p1.1" osisRef="Bible:2Chr.17.1-2Chr.17.2 Bible:2Chr.17.5" parsed="|2Chr|17|1|17|2;|2Chr|17|5|0|0" passage="2Ch 17:1,2,5">ver. 1, 2, 5</scripRef>. II. His personal
piety, <scripRef id="iiCh.xviii-p1.2" osisRef="Bible:2Chr.17.3-2Chr.17.4 Bible:2Chr.17.6" parsed="|2Chr|17|3|17|4;|2Chr|17|6|0|0" passage="2Ch 17:3,4,6">ver. 3, 4, 6</scripRef>.
III. The course he took to promote religion in his kingdom,
<scripRef id="iiCh.xviii-p1.3" osisRef="Bible:2Chr.17.7-2Chr.17.9" parsed="|2Chr|17|7|17|9" passage="2Ch 17:7-9">ver. 7-9</scripRef>. IV. The mighty
sway he bore among the neighbours, <scripRef id="iiCh.xviii-p1.4" osisRef="Bible:2Chr.17.10-2Chr.17.11" parsed="|2Chr|17|10|17|11" passage="2Ch 17:10,11">ver. 10, 11</scripRef>. V. The great strength of his
kingdom, both in garrisons and standing forces, <scripRef id="iiCh.xviii-p1.5" osisRef="Bible:2Chr.17.12-2Chr.17.19" parsed="|2Chr|17|12|17|19" passage="2Ch 17:12-19">ver. 12-19</scripRef>. Thus was his prosperity the
reward of his piety and his piety the brightest grace and ornament
of his prosperity.</p>
<scripCom id="iiCh.xviii-p0.1_1" osisRef="Bible:2Chr.17" parsed="|2Chr|17|0|0|0" passage="2Ch 17" type="Commentary"/>
<scripCom id="iiCh.xviii-p0.2_1" osisRef="Bible:2Chr.17.1-2Chr.17.9" parsed="|2Chr|17|1|17|9" passage="2Ch 17:1-9" type="Commentary"/><div class="Commentary" id="Bible:2Chr.17.1-2Chr.17.9">
<h4 id="iiCh.xviii-p1.8">Jehoshaphat Succeeds Asa. (<span class="smallcaps" id="iiCh.xviii-p1.9">b. c.</span> 914.)</h4>
<p class="passage" id="iiCh.xviii-p2">1 And Jehoshaphat his son reigned in his stead,
and strengthened himself against Israel.   2 And 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.   3 And the <span class="smallcaps" id="iiCh.xviii-p2.1">Lord</span> was
with Jehoshaphat, because he walked in the first ways of his father
David, and sought not unto Baalim;   4 But sought to the
<i><span class="smallcaps" id="iiCh.xviii-p2.2">Lord</span></i> God of his father, and
walked in his commandments, and not after the doings of Israel.
  5 Therefore the <span class="smallcaps" id="iiCh.xviii-p2.3">Lord</span>
stablished the kingdom in his hand; and all Judah brought to
Jehoshaphat presents; and he had riches and honour in abundance.
  6 And his heart was lifted up in the ways of the <span class="smallcaps" id="iiCh.xviii-p2.4">Lord</span>: moreover he took away the high
places and groves out of Judah.   7 Also in the third year of
his reign he sent to his princes, <i>even</i> to Ben-hail, and to
Obadiah, and to Zechariah, and to Nethaneel, and to Michaiah, to
teach in the cities of Judah.   8 And with them <i>he sent</i>
Levites, <i>even</i> 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.   9 And they taught in Judah, and <i>had</i> the book
of the law of the <span class="smallcaps" id="iiCh.xviii-p2.5">Lord</span> with them,
and went about throughout all the cities of Judah, and taught the
people.</p>
<p class="indent" id="iiCh.xviii-p3">Here we find concerning Jehoshaphat,</p>
<p class="indent" id="iiCh.xviii-p4">I. What a wise man he was. As soon as he
came to the crown he <i>strengthened himself against Israel,</i>
<scripRef id="iiCh.xviii-p4.1" osisRef="Bible:2Chr.17.1" parsed="|2Chr|17|1|0|0" passage="2Ch 17:1"><i>v.</i> 1</scripRef>. Ahab, an
active warlike prince, had now been three years upon the throne of
Israel, the vigour of his beginning falling in with the decay of
Asa's conclusion. It is probable that the kingdom of Israel had, of
late, got ground of the kingdom of Judah and began to grow
formidable to it; so that the first thing Jehoshaphat had to do was
to make his part good on that side, and to check the growing
greatness of the king of Israel, which he did so effectually, and
without bloodshed, that Ahab soon courted his alliance, so far was
he from giving him any disturbance, and proved more dangerous as a
friend than he could have been as an enemy. Jehoshaphat
strengthened himself not to act offensively against Israel or
invade them, but only to maintain his own, which he did by
fortifying the cities that were on his frontiers, and putting
garrisons, stronger than had been, in the cities of Ephraim, which
he was master of, <scripRef id="iiCh.xviii-p4.2" osisRef="Bible:2Chr.17.2" parsed="|2Chr|17|2|0|0" passage="2Ch 17:2"><i>v.</i>
2</scripRef>. He did not strengthen himself, as his father did, by
a league with the king of Syria, but by fair and regular methods,
on which he might expect the blessing of God and in which he
trusted God.</p>
<p class="indent" id="iiCh.xviii-p5">II. What a good man he was. It is an
excellent character that is here given him. 1. He <i>walked in the
ways of his father David.</i> In the characters of the kings,
David's ways are often made the standard, as <scripRef id="iiCh.xviii-p5.1" osisRef="Bible:1Kgs.15.3 Bible:1Kgs.15.11 Bible:2Kgs.14.3 Bible:2Kgs.18.3" parsed="|1Kgs|15|3|0|0;|1Kgs|15|11|0|0;|2Kgs|14|3|0|0;|2Kgs|18|3|0|0" passage="1Ki 15:3,11,2Ki 14:3,18:3">1 Kings xv. 3, 11; 2 Kings xiv. 3; xvi.
2; xviii. 3</scripRef>. But the distinction is nowhere so strongly
marked as here between his first ways and his last ways; for the
last were not so good as the first. His ways, before he fell so
foully in the matter of Uriah (which is mentioned long afterwards
as the bar in his escutcheon, <scripRef id="iiCh.xviii-p5.2" osisRef="Bible:1Kgs.15.5" parsed="|1Kgs|15|5|0|0" passage="1Ki 15:5">1 Kings
xv. 5</scripRef>), were good ways, and, though he happily recovered
from that fall, yet perhaps he never, while he lived, fully
retrieved the spiritual strength and comfort he lost by it.
Jehoshaphat followed David as far as he followed God and no
further. Paul himself thus limits our imitation of him (<scripRef id="iiCh.xviii-p5.3" osisRef="Bible:1Cor.11.1" parsed="|1Cor|11|1|0|0" passage="1Co 11:1">1 Cor. xi. 1</scripRef>): <i>Follow me, as I
follow Christ,</i> and not otherwise. Many good people have had
their first ways, which were their best ways, their first love,
which was their strongest love; and in every copy we propose to
write after, as we must single out that only which is good, so that
chiefly which is best. The words here will admit another reading;
they run thus: <i>He walked in the ways of David his father
(Hareshonim), those first ways,</i> or those <i>ancient ways.</i>
He proposed to himself, for his example, the primitive times of the
royal family, those purest times, before the corruptions of the
late reigns came in. See <scripRef id="iiCh.xviii-p5.4" osisRef="Bible:Jer.6.16" parsed="|Jer|6|16|0|0" passage="Jer 6:16">Jer. vi.
16</scripRef>. The LXX. leaves out David, and so refers it to Asa:
<i>He walked in the first ways of his father,</i> and did not
imitate him in what was amiss in him, towards the latter end of his
time. It is good to be cautious in following the best men, lest we
step aside after them. 2. He <i>sought not to Baalim, but sought to
the Lord God of his father,</i> <scripRef id="iiCh.xviii-p5.5" osisRef="Bible:2Chr.17.3-2Chr.17.4" parsed="|2Chr|17|3|17|4" passage="2Ch 17:3,4"><i>v.</i> 3, 4</scripRef>. The neighbouring nations
had their Baalim, one had one Baal and another had another; but he
abhorred them all, had nothing to do with them. He <i>worshipped
the Lord God of his father</i> and him only, prayed to him only and
enquired of him only; both are included in seeking him. 3. That he
<i>walked in God's commandments,</i> not only worshipped the true
God, but worshipped him according to his own institution, <i>and
not after the doings of Israel,</i> <scripRef id="iiCh.xviii-p5.6" osisRef="Bible:2Chr.17.4" parsed="|2Chr|17|4|0|0" passage="2Ch 17:4"><i>v.</i> 4</scripRef>. Though the king of Israel was
his neighbour and ally, yet he did not learn his way. Whatever
dealings he had with him in civil matters, he would not have
communion with him, nor comply with him in his religion. In this he
kept close to the rule. 4. <i>His heart was lifted up in the ways
of the Lord</i> (<scripRef id="iiCh.xviii-p5.7" osisRef="Bible:2Chr.17.6" parsed="|2Chr|17|6|0|0" passage="2Ch 17:6"><i>v.</i>
6</scripRef>), or <i>he lifted up his heart.</i> He brought his
heart to his work, and lifted up his heart in it; that is, he had a
sincere regard to God in it. <i>Unto thee, O Lord! do I lift up my
soul.</i> His heart was enlarged in that which is good, <scripRef id="iiCh.xviii-p5.8" osisRef="Bible:Ps.119.32" parsed="|Ps|119|32|0|0" passage="Ps 119:32">Ps. cxix. 32</scripRef>. He never thought he
could do enough for God. He was lively and affectionate in his
religion, <i>fervent in spirit, serving the Lord,</i> cheerful and
pleasant in it; he went on in his work with alacrity, as Jacob,
who, after his vision of God at Bethel, <i>lifted up his feet,</i>
<scripRef id="iiCh.xviii-p5.9" osisRef="Bible:Gen.29.1" parsed="|Gen|29|1|0|0" passage="Ge 29:1">Gen. xxix. 1</scripRef>, <i>margin.</i>
He was bold and resolute in the ways of God and went on with
courage. His heart was lifted up above the consideration of the
difficulties that were in the way of his duty; he easily got over
them all, and was not frightened with <i>winds and clouds</i> from
<i>sowing and reaping,</i> <scripRef id="iiCh.xviii-p5.10" osisRef="Bible:Eccl.11.4" parsed="|Eccl|11|4|0|0" passage="Ec 11:4">Eccl. xi.
4</scripRef>. Let us walk in the same spirit.</p>
<p class="indent" id="iiCh.xviii-p6">III. What a useful man he was, not only a
good man, but a good king. He not only was good himself, but did
good in his generation, did a great deal of good. 1. He took away
the teachers of lies, so images are called (<scripRef id="iiCh.xviii-p6.1" osisRef="Bible:Hab.2.18" parsed="|Hab|2|18|0|0" passage="Hab 2:18">Hab. ii. 18</scripRef>), the <i>high places</i> and
<i>the groves,</i> <scripRef id="iiCh.xviii-p6.2" osisRef="Bible:2Chr.17.6" parsed="|2Chr|17|6|0|0" passage="2Ch 17:6"><i>v.</i>
6</scripRef>. It is meant of those in which idols were worshipped;
for those that were dedicated to the true God only were not taken
away, <scripRef id="iiCh.xviii-p6.3" osisRef="Bible:2Chr.20.33" parsed="|2Chr|20|33|0|0" passage="2Ch 20:33"><i>ch.</i> xx. 33</scripRef>.
It was only idolatry that he abolished. Nothing debauched the
nation more than those idolatrous groves or images which he took
away. 2. He sent forth teachers of truth. When he enquired into the
state of religion in his kingdom he found his people generally very
ignorant: they <i>knew not that they did evil.</i> Even in the last
good reign there had been little care taken to instruct them in
their duty; and therefore Jehoshaphat resolves to begin his work at
the right end, deals with them as reasonable creatures, will not
lead them blindfold, no, not into a reformation, but endeavours to
have them well taught, knowing that that was the way to have them
well cured. In this good work he employed, (1.) His princes. Those
about him he sent forth; those in the country he sent <i>to teach
in the cities of Judah,</i> <scripRef id="iiCh.xviii-p6.4" osisRef="Bible:2Chr.17.7" parsed="|2Chr|17|7|0|0" passage="2Ch 17:7"><i>v.</i>
7</scripRef>. He ordered them, in the administration of justice,
not only to correct the people when they did ill, but to teach them
how to do better, and to give a reason for what they did, that the
people might be informed of the difference between good and evil.
The princes or judges upon the bench have a great opportunity of
teaching people their duty to God and man, and it is not out of
their province, for the laws of God are to be looked upon as laws
of the land. (2.) The <i>Levites</i> and <i>priests</i> went
<i>with the princes,</i> and <i>taught in Judah, having the book of
the law with them,</i> <scripRef id="iiCh.xviii-p6.5" osisRef="Bible:2Chr.17.8-2Chr.17.9" parsed="|2Chr|17|8|17|9" passage="2Ch 17:8,9"><i>v.</i> 8,
9</scripRef>. They were teachers by office, <scripRef id="iiCh.xviii-p6.6" osisRef="Bible:Deut.33.10" parsed="|Deut|33|10|0|0" passage="De 33:10">Deut. xxxiii. 10</scripRef>. Teaching was part of the
work for which they had their maintenance. The priests and the
Levites had little else to do. But, it seems, they had neglected
it, pretending perhaps that they could not get the people to hear
them. "Well," says Jehoshaphat, "you shall go along with the
princes, and they with their authority shall oblige the people to
come and hear you; and then, if they be not well instructed, it is
your fault." What an abundance of good may be done when Moses and
Aaron thus go hand in hand in the doing of it, when princes with
their power, and priests and Levites with their scripture learning,
agree to teach the people the good knowledge of God and their duty!
These itinerant judges and itinerant preachers together were
instrumental to diffuse a blessed light throughout the cities of
Judah. But it is said, <i>They had the book of the law of the Lord
with them.</i> [1.] For their own direction, that thence they might
fetch all the instructions they gave to the people, and not
<i>teach for doctrines the commandments of men.</i> [2.] For the
conviction of the people, that they might see that they had a
divine warrant for what they said and delivered to them that only
which they received from the Lord. Note, Ministers, when they go to
teach the people, should have their Bibles with them.</p>
<p class="indent" id="iiCh.xviii-p7">IV. What a happy man he was. 1. How happy
he was in the favour of his God, who signally owned and blessed
him: <i>The Lord was with him</i> (<scripRef id="iiCh.xviii-p7.1" osisRef="Bible:2Chr.17.3" parsed="|2Chr|17|3|0|0" passage="2Ch 17:3"><i>v.</i> 3</scripRef>); <i>the word of the Lord was his
helper</i> (so the Chaldee paraphrase); <i>the Lord established the
kingdom in his hand,</i> <scripRef id="iiCh.xviii-p7.2" osisRef="Bible:2Chr.17.5" parsed="|2Chr|17|5|0|0" passage="2Ch 17:5"><i>v.</i>
5</scripRef>. Those stand firmly that have the presence of God with
them. If the <i>beauty of the Lord our God be upon us,</i> that
will <i>establish the work of our hands</i> and establish us in our
integrity. 2. How happy he was in the affections of his people
(<scripRef id="iiCh.xviii-p7.3" osisRef="Bible:2Chr.17.5" parsed="|2Chr|17|5|0|0" passage="2Ch 17:5"><i>v.</i> 5</scripRef>): <i>All Judah
brought him presents,</i> in acknowledgment of his kindness in
sending preachers among them. The more there is of true religion
among a people the more there will be of conscientious loyalty. A
government that answers the end of government will be supported.
The effect of the favour both of God and his kingdom was that he
had <i>riches and honour in abundance.</i> It is undoubtedly true,
though few will believe it, that religion and piety are the best
friends to outward prosperity. And, observe, it follows
immediately, <i>His heart was lifted up in the ways of the
Lord.</i> Riches and honour in abundance prove to many a clog and a
hindrance in the ways of the Lord, an occasion of pride, security,
and sensuality; but they had a quite contrary effect upon
Jehoshaphat: his abundance was oil to the wheels of his obedience,
and the more he had of the wealth of this world the more was his
heart <i>lifted up in the ways of the Lord.</i></p>
</div><scripCom id="iiCh.xviii-p0.3" osisRef="Bible:2Chr.17.10-2Chr.17.19" parsed="|2Chr|17|10|17|19" passage="2Ch 17:10-19" type="Commentary"/><div class="Commentary" id="Bible:2Chr.17.10-2Chr.17.19">
<h4 id="iiCh.xviii-p7.5">Jehoshaphat's Prosperity. (<span class="smallcaps" id="iiCh.xviii-p7.6">b. c.</span> 911.)</h4>
<p class="passage" id="iiCh.xviii-p8">10 And the fear of the <span class="smallcaps" id="iiCh.xviii-p8.1">Lord</span> fell upon all the kingdoms of the lands
that <i>were</i> round about Judah, so that they made no war
against Jehoshaphat.   11 Also <i>some</i> 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.   12 And
Jehoshaphat waxed great exceedingly; and he built in Judah castles,
and cities of store.   13 And he had much business in the
cities of Judah: and the men of war, mighty men of valour,
<i>were</i> in Jerusalem.   14 And these <i>are</i> 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.   15 And next to him
<i>was</i> Jehohanan the captain, and with him two hundred and
fourscore thousand.   16 And next him <i>was</i> Amasiah the
son of Zichri, who willingly offered himself unto the <span class="smallcaps" id="iiCh.xviii-p8.2">Lord</span>; and with him two hundred thousand mighty
men of valour.   17 And of Benjamin; Eliada a mighty man of
valour, and with him armed men with bow and shield two hundred
thousand.   18 And next him <i>was</i> Jehozabad, and with him
a hundred and fourscore thousand ready prepared for the war.  
19 These waited on the king, beside <i>those</i> whom the king put
in the fenced cities throughout all Judah.</p>
<p class="indent" id="iiCh.xviii-p9">We have here a further account of
Jehoshaphat's great prosperity and the flourishing state of his
kingdom.</p>
<p class="indent" id="iiCh.xviii-p10">I. He had good interest in the neighbouring
princes and nations. Though he was not perhaps so great a soldier
as David (which might have made him their terror), nor so great a
scholar as Solomon (which might have made him their oracle), yet
<i>the fear of the Lord fell so upon them</i> (that is, God so
influenced and governed their spirits) that they had all a
reverence for him, <scripRef id="iiCh.xviii-p10.1" osisRef="Bible:2Chr.17.10" parsed="|2Chr|17|10|0|0" passage="2Ch 17:10"><i>v.</i>
10</scripRef>. And, 1. <i>None of them made war against him.</i>
God's good providence so ordered it that, while the princes and
priests were instructing and reforming the country, none of his
neighbours gave him any molestations, to take him off from that
good work. Thus when Jacob and his sons were going to worship at
Bethel the terror of God was upon the neighbouring cities, that
they <i>did not pursue after them,</i> <scripRef id="iiCh.xviii-p10.2" osisRef="Bible:Gen.35.5" parsed="|Gen|35|5|0|0" passage="Ge 35:5">Gen. xxxv. 5</scripRef>, and see <scripRef id="iiCh.xviii-p10.3" osisRef="Bible:Exod.34.24" parsed="|Exod|34|24|0|0" passage="Ex 34:24">Exod. xxxiv. 24</scripRef>. 2. Many of them brought
presents to him (<scripRef id="iiCh.xviii-p10.4" osisRef="Bible:2Chr.17.11" parsed="|2Chr|17|11|0|0" passage="2Ch 17:11"><i>v.</i>
11</scripRef>), to secure his friendship. Perhaps these were a
tribute imposed upon them by Asa, who made himself master of the
cities of the Philistines, and the tents of the Arabians, <scripRef id="iiCh.xviii-p10.5" osisRef="Bible:2Chr.14.14-2Chr.14.15" parsed="|2Chr|14|14|14|15" passage="2Ch 14:14,15"><i>ch.</i> xiv. 14, 15</scripRef>. With the
7700 rams, and the same number of he-goats, which the Arabians
brought, there was probably a proportionable number of ewes and
lambs, she-goats and kids.</p>
<p class="indent" id="iiCh.xviii-p11">II. He had a very considerable stores laid
up in the cities of Judah. He pulled down his barns, and built
larger (<scripRef id="iiCh.xviii-p11.1" osisRef="Bible:2Chr.17.12" parsed="|2Chr|17|12|0|0" passage="2Ch 17:12"><i>v.</i> 12</scripRef>),
<i>castles and cities of store,</i> for arms and victuals. He was a
man of business, and aimed at the public good in all his
undertakings, either to preserve the peace or prepare for war.</p>
<p class="indent" id="iiCh.xviii-p12">III. He had the militia in good order. It
was never in better since David modelled it. Five
<i>lord-lieutenants</i> (if I may so call them) are here named,
with the numbers of those under their command (the serviceable men,
that were fit for war in their respective districts), three in
Judah, and two in Benjamin. It is said of one of these great
commanders, <i>Amasiah,</i> that <i>he willingly offered himself
unto the Lord</i> (<scripRef id="iiCh.xviii-p12.1" osisRef="Bible:2Chr.17.16" parsed="|2Chr|17|16|0|0" passage="2Ch 17:16"><i>v.</i>
16</scripRef>), not only to the king, to serve him in this post,
but to the Lord, to glorify him in it. He was the most eminent
among them for religion, he accepted the place, not for the honour,
or power, or profit of it, but for conscience' sake towards God,
that he might serve his country,. It was usual for great generals
then to offer of their spoils to the Lord, <scripRef id="iiCh.xviii-p12.2" osisRef="Bible:1Chr.26.26" parsed="|1Chr|26|26|0|0" passage="1Ch 26:26">1 Chron. xxvi. 26</scripRef>. But this good man offered
himself first to the Lord, and then his dedicated things. The
number of the soldiers under these five generals amounts to
1,160,000 men, a vast number for so small a compass of ground as
Judah's and Benjamin's lot to furnish out and maintain. Abijah
could bring into the field but 400,000 (<scripRef id="iiCh.xviii-p12.3" osisRef="Bible:2Chr.13.3" parsed="|2Chr|13|3|0|0" passage="2Ch 13:3"><i>ch.</i> xiii. 3</scripRef>), Asa not 600,000
(<scripRef id="iiCh.xviii-p12.4" osisRef="Bible:2Chr.14.8" parsed="|2Chr|14|8|0|0" passage="2Ch 14:8"><i>ch.</i> xiv. 8</scripRef>), yet
Jehoshaphat has at command almost 1,200,000. But it must be
considered, 1. That God had promised to make the seed of Abraham
like the sand of the sea for number. 2. There had now been a long
peace. 3. We may suppose that the city of Jerusalem was very much
enlarged. 4. Many had come over to them from the kingdom of Israel
(<scripRef id="iiCh.xviii-p12.5" osisRef="Bible:2Chr.15.19" parsed="|2Chr|15|19|0|0" passage="2Ch 15:19"><i>ch.</i> xv. 19</scripRef>), which
would increase the numbers of the people. 5. Jehoshaphat was under
a special blessing of God, which made his affairs to prosper
greatly. The armies, we may suppose, were dispersed all the country
over, and each man resided for the most part on his own estate; but
they appeared often, to be mustered and trained, and were ready at
call whenever there was occasion. The commanders waited on the king
(<scripRef id="iiCh.xviii-p12.6" osisRef="Bible:2Chr.17.19" parsed="|2Chr|17|19|0|0" passage="2Ch 17:19"><i>v.</i> 19</scripRef>) as officers
of his court, privy-counsellors, and ministers of state.</p>
<p class="indent" id="iiCh.xviii-p13">But, <i>lastly,</i> observe, It was not
this formidable army that struck a terror upon the neighbouring
nations, that restrained them from attempting any thing against
Israel, or obliged them to pay tribute, but the fear of God which
fell upon them when Jehoshaphat reformed his country and set up a
preaching ministry in it, <scripRef id="iiCh.xviii-p13.1" osisRef="Bible:2Chr.17.10" parsed="|2Chr|17|10|0|0" passage="2Ch 17:10"><i>v.</i>
10</scripRef>. The ordinances of God are more the strength and
safety of a kingdom than its military force—its men of God more
than its men of war.</p>
</div></div2>