And his heart took delight in the ways of the LORD;This phrase highlights King Jehoshaphat's genuine devotion to God, contrasting with the often wayward hearts of other kings of Judah and Israel. The "heart" in biblical terms refers to the center of one's being, encompassing will, emotions, and intellect. Jehoshaphat's delight in God's ways suggests a deep, personal commitment to following God's commandments and statutes, reminiscent of David's heart for God (
1 Samuel 13:14). This delight is not merely an obligation but a joyful pursuit, aligning with
Psalm 1:2, which speaks of delighting in the law of the Lord. Jehoshaphat's reign is marked by religious reforms and a return to the worship of Yahweh, setting a standard for godly leadership.
furthermore, he removed the high places and Asherah poles from Judah.
The removal of high places and Asherah poles signifies Jehoshaphat's commitment to purifying worship in Judah. High places were often sites of idol worship, including Canaanite deities, which were contrary to the worship of Yahweh. Asherah poles were associated with the goddess Asherah, a symbol of fertility and a common object of worship in the region. By removing these, Jehoshaphat was not only obeying the first commandment (Exodus 20:3) but also following the example of his father, Asa, who also sought to rid the land of idolatry (2 Chronicles 14:3). This action reflects a broader biblical theme of removing sin and idolatry to restore true worship, as seen in the reforms of other kings like Hezekiah (2 Kings 18:4). Jehoshaphat's actions foreshadow the ultimate cleansing and restoration brought by Jesus Christ, who calls for worship in spirit and truth (John 4:24).
Persons / Places / Events
1.
JehoshaphatThe king of Judah during this time, known for his devotion to God and efforts to reform the nation spiritually.
2.
JudahThe southern kingdom of Israel, where Jehoshaphat reigned and implemented religious reforms.
3.
High PlacesElevated sites often used for idol worship, which Jehoshaphat sought to remove to purify worship practices.
4.
Asherah PolesWooden symbols associated with the worship of the Canaanite goddess Asherah, which were also removed by Jehoshaphat.
5.
The LORDThe God of Israel, whom Jehoshaphat served with a devoted heart, leading to his reforms.
Teaching Points
Devotion to GodJehoshaphat's heart was devoted to the ways of the LORD, demonstrating the importance of sincere commitment to God in our lives.
Spiritual ReformationRemoving high places and Asherah poles signifies the need for spiritual cleansing and reform in our personal lives and communities.
Obedience to God's CommandsJehoshaphat's actions reflect obedience to God's commands, reminding us of the importance of aligning our actions with Scripture.
Leadership and InfluenceAs a leader, Jehoshaphat used his influence to guide his nation towards God, illustrating the impact of godly leadership.
Courage in FaithRemoving entrenched idol worship required courage, encouraging us to stand firm in our faith even when it challenges societal norms.
Bible Study Questions and Answers
1.What is the meaning of 2 Chronicles 17:6?
2.How can we emulate Jehoshaphat's "heart was devoted to the ways of the LORD"?
3.What steps did Jehoshaphat take to remove "high places and Asherah poles"?
4.How does Jehoshaphat's devotion in 2 Chronicles 17:6 inspire our daily worship?
5.Connect Jehoshaphat's actions to the First Commandment in Exodus 20:3.
6.What modern "high places" might we need to remove from our lives?
7.How does 2 Chronicles 17:6 reflect King Jehoshaphat's commitment to God?
8.What does "his heart was devoted to the ways of the LORD" mean in 2 Chronicles 17:6?
9.How does 2 Chronicles 17:6 demonstrate the importance of religious reform?
10.What are the top 10 Lessons from 2 Chronicles 17?
11.In 1 Kings 22:43, why does the text imply Jehoshaphat removed high places when 2 Chronicles 20:33 suggests otherwise?
12.(2 Chronicles 17:6) How is the claim that Jehoshaphat removed high places consistent with other passages stating they persisted under various kings?
13.(2 Chronicles 17:3–4) How can Jehoshaphat be said to walk in David’s ways without referencing David’s well-documented moral failures in earlier narratives?
14.In 2 Chronicles 30:6, how could King Hezekiah send invitations throughout the northern kingdom if they had already been exiled according to 2 Kings 17?What Does 2 Chronicles 17:6 Mean
His heart took delight in the ways of the LORD“His heart took delight in the ways of the LORD” speaks first to Jehoshaphat’s inner disposition. His obedience was not grudging or merely formal; it was joyful, wholehearted commitment.
• Delight implies pleasure, satisfaction, and eagerness—echoingPsalm 1:2, where the blessed man “delights in the law of the LORD.”
• Devotion begins in the heart (Proverbs 4:23). God consistently measures faithfulness by inward loyalty, as seen in2 Chronicles 16:9: “the eyes of the LORD roam to and fro… to show Himself strong on behalf of those whose heart is fully devoted to Him.”
• True delight energizes ongoing obedience, aligning withPsalm 119:14–16, where the psalmist rejoices in God’s testimonies and meditates on His precepts.
• Jehoshaphat’s example contrasts with superficial piety; his delight mirrors the greatest commandment to “love the Lord your God with all your heart” (Mark 12:30).
He removed the high places and Asherah poles from JudahDelight in God led to decisive action. Idolatrous sites, though culturally entrenched, directly violated God’s clear commands (Exodus 34:13;Deuteronomy 12:2–4).
• High places were local worship sites often mixed with pagan practices. Even when used for sacrifices to the LORD, they represented disobedience because worship was to be centralized in Jerusalem (Deuteronomy 12:5–6).
• Asherah poles honored a fertility goddess, introducing moral compromise and spiritual confusion (Judges 2:13).
• Removing them meant confronting popular tradition. Similar reforms were later undertaken by Hezekiah (2 Kings 18:4) and Josiah (2 Kings 23:13–14).
• The sequence matters: inward delight produced outward reform. Jehoshaphat illustratesJames 2:18—faith shown by works—and1 John 5:3, where love for God equals obedience to His commands.
summary2 Chronicles 17:6 presents a seamless link between heart and action. Jehoshaphat’s genuine pleasure in God’s ways compelled him to purge Judah of idolatry. Scripture affirms that authentic devotion begins within, yet it must bear visible fruit—joyful loyalty to God expressed in courageous, practical obedience.
(6)
And his heart was lifted up.--
Gabhah l?bh, which usually, like the phrase of Authorised version, has a bad meaning, as in
2Chronicles 26:16. The margin is right here: "his courage rose high," or "he grew bold"
in the ways of Jehovah, i.e., in the path of religious reform. Vulg., "cum sumpsisset cor ejus audaciam propter vias Domini."
Moreover.--And again, further. Referring to2Chronicles 17:3. Not only did he not seek the Baals, but more than this, he removed the high places, &c. [This is the common explanation. But the sense may rather be: "And he again removed," referring back to Asa's reforms,2Chronicles 14:5.]
Groves.--'Asherim, "Asherahs." (2Chronicles 14:3.)
. . .Verse 6. -And his heart was lifted up in the ways of the Lord. Although the verbגָבַהּ often carries a bad sense with it, it quite as often carries with it a good one in the Old Testament, and the typical instance of the former (Psalm 131:1) is fully counterbalanced byIsaiah 52:13. The marginal "was enencouraged may be superseded with advantage by "took courage" (Isaiah 40:29-31).The groves. Supersede this incorrect rendering bythe Asherim; and upon the seeming discrepancy, see again ch. 15:17, and "Introduction to Chronicles" there quoted.
Parallel Commentaries ...
Hebrew
And his heart
לִבּ֖וֹ(lib·bōw)
Noun - masculine singular construct | third person masculine singular
Strong's 3820:The heart, the feelings, the will, the intellect, centre
took delight
וַיִּגְבַּ֥הּ(way·yiḡ·bah)
Conjunctive waw | Verb - Qal - Consecutive imperfect - third person masculine singular
Strong's 1361:To soar, be lofty, to be haughty
in the ways
בְּדַרְכֵ֣י(bə·ḏar·ḵê)
Preposition-b | Noun - common plural construct
Strong's 1870:A road, a course of life, mode of action
of the LORD;
יְהוָ֑ה(Yah·weh)
Noun - proper - masculine singular
Strong's 3068:LORD -- the proper name of the God of Israel
furthermore,
וְע֗וֹד(wə·‘ō·wḏ)
Conjunctive waw | Adverb
Strong's 5750:Iteration, continuance, again, repeatedly, still, more
he removed
הֵסִ֛יר(hê·sîr)
Verb - Hifil - Perfect - third person masculine singular
Strong's 5493:To turn aside
the high places
הַבָּמ֥וֹת(hab·bā·mō·wṯ)
Article | Noun - feminine plural
Strong's 1116:An elevation
and Asherah poles
הָאֲשֵׁרִ֖ים(hā·’ă·šê·rîm)
Article | Noun - feminine plural
Strong's 842:A Phoenician goddess, also an image of the same
from Judah.
מִיהוּדָֽה׃(mî·hū·ḏāh)
Preposition-m | Noun - proper - masculine singular
Strong's 3063:Judah -- 'praised', a son of Jacob, also the southern kingdom, also four Israelites
Links
2 Chronicles 17:6 NIV
2 Chronicles 17:6 NLT
2 Chronicles 17:6 ESV
2 Chronicles 17:6 NASB
2 Chronicles 17:6 KJV
2 Chronicles 17:6 BibleApps.com
2 Chronicles 17:6 Biblia Paralela
2 Chronicles 17:6 Chinese Bible
2 Chronicles 17:6 French Bible
2 Chronicles 17:6 Catholic Bible
OT History: 2 Chronicles 17:6 His heart was lifted up (2 Chron. 2Ch iiCh ii ch 2 chr 2chr)
