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ובשׁנת8141 שׁלושׁ7969 למלכו4427 שׁלח7971 לשׂריו8269 לבן  חיל1134  ולעבדיה5662 ולזכריה2148 ולנתנאל5417 ולמיכיהו4322 ללמד3925 בערי5892 יהודה׃3063

2Ch 15:3; 30:22; 35:3 De 33:10 Ne 8:7,8,13,14; 9:3 Mt 4:23 Mr 4:2

Verse 7. - 9. To teach in the cities of Judah.] "To teach the fear of the Lord in the cities of Judah." -Targum.

In these verses we find a remarkable account of an itinerant ministry established by Jehoshaphat; and in this work he employed three classes of men: 1. The princes. 2. The Levites. 3. The priests. We may presume that the princes instructed the people in the nature of the civil law and constitution of the kingdom; the Levites instructed them in every thing that appertained to the temple service, and ritual law; and the priests instructed them in the nature and design of the religion they professed.

Thus the nation became thoroughly instructed in their duty to God, to the king, and to each other. They became, therefore, as one man; and against a people thus united, on such principles, no enemy could be successful.

Ver. 7. Also in the third year of his reign he sent to his princes , etc.] That dwelt in the several parts of the kingdom; or he sent them, being with him, some of the principal men of his court; for l may be a sign of the accusative case, as it sometimes is: even to Benhail, and to Obadiah, and to Zechariah, and to Nethaneel, and to Michaiah, to teach in the cities of Judah ; to see that they were taught, and oblige them to attend to the instructions that should be given them, and not mutiny and rebel against their teachers; and to let them know what was the king’s pleasure on this head, and to back with their authority the priests and Levites, whose proper work it was to instruct, and who therefore were sent with them, as follows.

--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 _________________________________________________

ובשׁנת8141 שׁלושׁ7969 למלכו4427 שׁלח7971 לשׂריו8269 לבן  חיל1134  ולעבדיה5662 ולזכריה2148 ולנתנאל5417 ולמיכיהו4322 ללמד3925 בערי5892 יהודה׃3063