John Gill's Bible Commentary Ver. 3. And the Lord was with Jehoshaphat , etc.] Guiding and directing, prospering and succeeding him in all things; he had, no doubt, his gracious presence in spiritual things, as well as his powerful and directing presence in things civil; the Targum is, “the Word of the Lord was for his help;” because he walked in the first ways of his father David ; which were his best; some of his last ways not being good, as in the affair of Uriah and Bathsheba, and his numbering of the people; Jehoshaphat followed him in the one, but not in the other: or, “in the ways of David and his father, the first”; the first of them both; for the latter ways of his father Asa were not so good as his first, as the preceding chapter shows; and the Septuagint version leaves out the word “David”, and so restrains it to his own father: and sought not unto Baalim ; as did Ahab king of Israel, who now reigned there; ( 1 Kings 15:24 16:32).
Matthew Henry Commentary
- Jehoshaphat promotes religion in Judah, His prosperity.
--Jehoshaphat found his people generally very ignorant, and therefor endeavoured to have them well taught. The public teaching of the wor of God forms, in all ages, the great method of promoting the power of godliness. Thereby the understanding is informed, the conscience is awakened and directed. We have a particular account of Jehoshaphat' prosperity. But it was not his formidable army that restrained the neighbouring nations from attempting any thing against Israel, but the fear of God which fell upon them, when Jehoshaphat reformed his country, and set up a preaching ministry in it. The ordinances of God are more the strength and safety of a kingdom, than soldiers an weapons of war. The Bible requires use to notice the hand of God in every event, yet this is little regarded. But let all employ the talents they have: be faithful, even in that which is little. Set u the worship of God in your houses. The charge of a family is important Why should you not instruct them as Jehoshaphat did his subjects, in the book of the law of the Lord. But be consistent. Do not recommen one thing, and practise another. Begin with yourselves. Seek to the Lord God of Israel, then call upon children and servants to follow you example _________________________________________________
Original Hebrew ויהי1961 יהוה3068 עם5973 יהושׁפט3092 כי3588 הלך1980 בדרכי1870 דויד1732 אביו1 הראשׁנים7223 ולא3808 דרשׁ1875 לבעלים׃1168
