Commentary - 2 Chronicles 17:1-2

Bird's-eye view

This brief passage marks the beginning of Jehoshaphat's reign, and the Chronicler immediately establishes the central theme of his rule: godly strength. The first actions of a new king are always significant, and Jehoshaphat’s first business is to secure his kingdom. This is not presented as mere political pragmatism or military maneuvering. Rather, it is the action of a wise and righteous king fulfilling his God-given duty. He strengthens himself against the apostate northern kingdom of Israel, not just militarily but spiritually, by establishing a clear line of demarcation. He then follows this resolve with practical action, fortifying cities and manning garrisons. This demonstrates a foundational principle of godly rule: faith in God does not lead to passivity, but to prudent and vigorous action. Jehoshaphat's reign will be marked by reform and blessing, but it all begins here, with the sober responsibility of guarding the kingdom entrusted to him.

He is not just a son of Asa, but a son of the covenant. His actions are a direct fulfillment of the magistrate's duty to be a minister of God for the good of his people, which includes protecting them from external threats. This passage sets the stage for the spiritual revival that follows, teaching us that a secure and well-ordered society is a stable platform from which true spiritual reform can be launched.

Outline

Context In 2 Chronicles

This chapter follows the account of the reign of Asa, Jehoshaphat's father. Asa's reign was a mixed bag; it began with sweeping reforms and great faith (2 Chron 14-15) but ended with a compromised reliance on a pagan king and persecution of God's prophet (2 Chron 16). The Chronicler, writing after the exile, is keen to show his readers the direct correlation between obedience and blessing, and disobedience and cursing. Jehoshaphat's reign, which is presented in a very positive light, begins by picking up the baton of his father's early faithfulness. The immediate context is the ongoing division between Judah (the southern kingdom) and Israel (the northern kingdom). The threat from Israel was not just military; it was a spiritual cancer of idolatry. Jehoshaphat's first actions, therefore, are set against this backdrop of familial and spiritual strife, demonstrating his commitment to preserve the unique covenant identity of Judah.

Key Issues

The King's First Business

When a man takes up a new office, his first actions tell you a great deal about his priorities. This is true for a new pastor, a new president, or a new father. And it is certainly true for a new king. Jehoshaphat ascends to the throne of David, and what is his first order of business? He doesn't throw a lavish coronation party. He doesn't launch an ambitious public works project to make a name for himself. He secures the perimeter. He strengthens the defenses. He mans the walls.

This is the work of a sober-minded man who understands the world he lives in. It is a fallen world, a dangerous world. His kingdom is a sheep among wolves, and a shepherd who does not prepare for wolves is no shepherd at all. The civil magistrate is ordained by God to bear the sword, not as a decoration, but to defend the good and punish the wicked (Rom. 13:4). Jehoshaphat understands his calling. His first actions are not a sign of fear, but of faithfulness. He is taking his God-given responsibilities with the seriousness they deserve. This is the foundation upon which all his subsequent reforms will be built. You cannot have a flourishing garden if the fences are down and the wild boars can get in.

Verse by Verse Commentary

1 Jehoshaphat his son then became king in his place, and strengthened himself over Israel.

The transfer of power is smooth, a mark of God's covenantal blessing on the line of David. "Jehoshaphat his son then became king in his place." This is covenant succession in action. Despite the sins of Solomon and the mixed record of his successors, God is still faithful to His promise to David. But the new king cannot simply rest on the laurels of his lineage. He must act. And his first act is to strengthen himself "over Israel." The preposition here is significant. This is not just strengthening himself against Israel as a foreign enemy, but asserting his rightful position over them. The northern kingdom was in rebellion, not just against the house of David, but against the Lord Himself. Jehoshaphat's strengthening is a defensive posture, certainly, but it also contains a statement of principle. He is the king of the covenant people, and he is setting his house in order against the pervasive idolatry and apostasy of his northern cousins. This is a spiritual fortification as much as it is a military one.

2 And he put military forces in all the fortified cities of Judah, and put garrisons in the land of Judah and in the cities of Ephraim which Asa his father had captured.

Principle is now followed by practice. Resolve is fleshed out with resources. How did he strengthen himself? By putting soldiers in the strategic, fortified cities. This is prudent statecraft. A godly king is not a pietistic dreamer who thinks faith negates the need for locks on the doors. Faith works, and one of the things it works at is responsible preparation. He also mans the garrisons throughout the land, establishing a broad defensive network. Notice also that he secures the gains made by his father, Asa. He doesn't try to reinvent the wheel, but builds on the legacy he inherited. He mans the garrisons "in the cities of Ephraim which Asa his father had captured." This is a quiet but firm reminder that the division of the kingdom was a tragic aberration. By holding and securing these northern cities, Jehoshaphat maintains a foothold and a testimony in the apostate territory. He is not just the king of Judah; he is a son of David, with a claim to all of Israel. His first actions are thus a potent combination of practical defense, generational continuity, and theological principle.

Application

The principles laid down in these two verses have a direct application to every sphere of government God has ordained: the self, the family, the church, and the state. Just as Jehoshaphat began his reign by securing his kingdom, so we must begin our duties with a sober assessment of the threats we face and a prudent establishment of defenses.

For the civil magistrate, the lesson is plain. A primary duty of government is national defense. Pacifism is not a biblical option for the state, which is commanded to bear the sword. A nation that cannot or will not defend its borders and its people has failed in its most basic God-given task. A strong military and secure borders are not signs of aggression, but of responsible stewardship.

For the family, the father is the head, the king of his own little kingdom. He too must strengthen himself against the encroachments of a hostile world. He must establish garrisons of truth in his home, fortifying it with the Word of God, with prayer, and with discipline. He must guard the gates of his home, monitoring the influences that come in through screens and friendships. He builds on the faithful legacy of his own father and secures a godly inheritance for his children.

And for the church, elders are the shepherds who must guard the flock. They must strengthen the church against the false doctrines and worldly philosophies that constantly seek to invade. This means clearly teaching the whole counsel of God, practicing church discipline, and equipping the saints to defend the faith. A church with no doctrinal boundaries is a city without walls, ready to be overrun. Like Jehoshaphat, we are called to be faithful stewards of what God has entrusted to us, and that faithfulness begins with guarding the trust.