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1 Kings 15:24
And Asa slept with his fathers, and was buried with his fathers in the city of David his father: and Jehoshaphat his son reigned in his stead.

1 Kings 22:41
And Jehoshaphat the son of Asa began to reign over Judah in the fourth year of Ahab king of Israel.

1 Chronicles 11:10
These alsoare the chief of the mighty men whom David had, who strengthened themselves with him in his kingdom,and with all Israel, to make him king, according to the word of the LORD concerning Israel.

Josaphat

2 Chronicles 12:1
And it came to pass, when Rehoboam had established the kingdom, and had strengthened himself, he forsook the law of the LORD, and all Israel with him.

2 Chronicles 26:8
And the Ammonites gave gifts to Uzziah: and his name spread abroadeven to the entering in of Egypt; for he strengthenedhimself exceedingly.

2 Chronicles 32:5
Also he strengthened himself, and built up all the wall that was broken, and raisedit up to the towers, and another wall without, and repaired Milloin the city of David, and made darts and shields in abundance.

and he strengthened himself against Israel
This phrase indicates Jehoshaphat's strategic and military initiatives to fortify Judah against potential threats from the northern kingdom of Israel. The division between Israel and Judah followed the reign of Solomon, leading to two separate kingdoms often at odds with each other. Jehoshaphat's actions reflect a period of tension and conflict between the two kingdoms. His efforts to strengthen Judah included fortifying cities and building up the military, as detailed in the subsequent verses (2 Chronicles 17:2). This preparation was not only for defense but also to assert Judah's independence and stability. Theologically, this can be seen as an effort to protect the worship of Yahweh in Jerusalem, the spiritual center of Judah, from the influences of Israel's idolatry. Jehoshaphat's reign is characterized by a commitment to seeking God's guidance, as seen in his later reforms and alliances (2 Chronicles 19:4-11).

• The verse opens by anchoring Jehoshaphat firmly in the godly line of Asa, a king who, despite later failures, “did what was good and right in the eyes of the LORD his God” (2 Chronicles 14:2).

• This lineage matters because it shows God preserving the house of David just as He promised in2 Samuel 7:16.

•1 Kings 22:41 echoes the same succession: “Jehoshaphat son of Asa became king of Judah.” The chronicler stresses continuity—God’s covenant purposes move forward one generation at a time.

• The phrase highlights legitimate, uncontested succession. Unlike the frequent coups in the northern kingdom, Judah’s throne passes peacefully, underscoring God’s steady hand (1 Chronicles 29:23;2 Chronicles 9:31).

• “Reigned” is more than holding a title. It signals responsibility to walk in covenant faithfulness, reflecting earlier charges like David’s to Solomon in1 Kings 2:3.

• Jehoshaphat will soon be praised for “seeking the God of his father” (2 Chronicles 17:4), showing that rightful rule involves spiritual allegiance.

• Immediately after taking the throne, Jehoshaphat acts: “He stationed troops in all the fortified cities of Judah” (2 Chronicles 17:2).

• Strengthening is both practical and spiritual:

– Practical: Fortifications, garrisons, ready troops (cf.2 Chronicles 11:5-12; 14:6-8).

– Spiritual: The king’s personal resolve to depend on the Lord (Proverbs 21:31—“The horse is prepared for the day of battle, but victory rests with the LORD”).

• God honors this balanced approach: “The LORD established the kingdom in his hand” (2 Chronicles 17:5).

• “Israel” here means the northern kingdom under Ahab—a neighbor that had warred with Asa (1 Kings 15:16, 32;2 Chronicles 16:1-6).

• Jehoshaphat fortifies not to provoke but to deter aggression and protect Judah’s worship purity. Earlier northern attacks had threatened Jerusalem itself (2 Chronicles 16:6).

• Ironically, years later Jehoshaphat will ally with Israel (2 Chronicles 18:1), but at this early stage he wisely guards Judah’s borders while trusting the Lord.

2 Chronicles 17:1 records a seamless royal transition, a proactive king, and a defensive posture toward a hostile neighbor. God’s covenant faithfulness places Jehoshaphat on David’s throne, and the new king responds by securing both the nation’s borders and its spiritual integrity.

And strengthened himself against Israel.--As described in2Chronicles 17:2.Israel is here the northern kingdom. These defensive measures were taken in the early part of the reign, and before Jehoshaphat connected himself by marriage with the northern dynasty (2Chronicles 18:1).