Jehoshaphat II Chronicles 17

II Chronicles 17:3 "And the LORD was with Jehoshaphat, because he walked in the first ways of his father David, and sought not unto Baalim; v4 But sought to the LORD God of his father, and walked in his commandments, and not after the doings of Israel."

Jehoshaphat was a good king. This chapter details how he set up his kingdom. First and foremost, he sought the LORD. He apparently knew the family history. For he picked out the good things and did those.

v6 "And his heart was lifted up in the ways of the LORD; moreover he took away the high places and groves out of Judah."

v7 "...to teach in the cities of Judah." He wanted the people to know the right thing to do according to the law and not to just follow him blindly.

v11 "Also some of the Philistines brought Jehoshaphat presents, and tribute silver and the Arabians brought him flocks..." You remember the Philistines, i.e. Goliath and his brothers. God gave Jehoshaphat rest from his enemies and many gifts were brought to him so that he became very rich.

I found the phrase in verse 3 very interesting where it speaks of Jehoshaphat walking in the first ways of David. We remember the zeal David had for the LORD but also his failure with Bathsheba and Uriah and numbering the people. But Jehoshaphat picked out the good in David and followed after those things. We can do the same with people. People are people. They falter sometimes but that does not discount the good they do.

You might also notice the sevens in verse 11 7,700 rams, 7,700 goats. I don't read anything into the numbers but 7 does pop up often in scripture.

v19 "These waited on the king, beside those whom the king put in the fenced cities throughout all Judah."

This verse comes after a list of the thousands of fighting men who came to the king an those who were placed in cities ready to defend.

Jehoshaphat was not perfect or all wise. He fell into a trap in the next chapter.

Colossians 1:14 (Speaking of Jesus) "In whom we have redemption through his blood, even the forgiveness of sins:"

Jehoshaphat, a good king, reigns in Judah. II Chronicles study guide.