Matthew Henry on 2 Chronicles 17:1-9
Here we find concerning Jehoshaphat,
I. What a wise man he was. As soon as he came to the crown he strengthened himself against Israel, Ch2 17:1. 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 d…
Read the whole note in the consoleJamieson-Fausset-Brown on 2 Chronicles 17:9
the book of the law--that is, either the whole Pentateuch or only the book of Deuteronomy, which contains an abridgment of it.
Adam Clarke on 2 Chronicles 17:9
Had the book of the law of the Lord with them - This was their text book: it was the book of God; they taught it as such, and as such the people received it. Its laws were God's laws, and the people felt their obligation, and their consciences were bound. Thus they were obedient to the laws of the land, on the principle of religion. In this they were encouraged and confirmed by the example of all, both in Church and state. The princes were not only pious, but were teachers of piety; the Levites showed them the worth and excellence of their ritual institutions; and the priests showed them the moral use they were to make of the whole: and thus the people became obedient to God as well as to th…
Read the whole note in the consoleJohn Gill on 2 Chronicles 17:9
And they taught in Judah,.... The people their duty to God and man:
and had the book of the law of the Lord with them; as the rule of their instruction, and the people's obedience; out of this they taught them, and by it confirmed what they taught, and enforced it with the divine authority:
and went about throughout all the cities of Judah; not only their own cities, the Levitical ones, but all others:
and taught the people; the law of the Lord, the fear and worship of God.
