2 Chronicles 17:13 kjv
And he had much business in the cities of Judah: and the men of war, mighty men of valor, were in Jerusalem.
2 Chronicles 17:13 nkjv
He had much property in the cities of Judah; and the men of war, mighty men of valor, were in Jerusalem.
2 Chronicles 17:13 niv
and had large supplies in the towns of Judah. He also kept experienced fighting men in Jerusalem.
2 Chronicles 17:13 esv
and he had large supplies in the cities of Judah. He had soldiers, mighty men of valor, in Jerusalem.
2 Chronicles 17:13 nlt
He stored numerous supplies in Judah's towns and stationed an army of seasoned troops at Jerusalem.
2 Chronicles 17 13 Cross References
| Verse | Text | Reference |
|---|---|---|
| Prov 22:29 | Do you see a man skillful in his work? He will stand before kings... | Diligence brings recognition. |
| Prov 10:4 | A slack hand causes poverty, but the hand of the diligent makes rich. | Value of diligent labor. |
| Rom 12:8 | the one who leads, with diligence... | Diligence in leadership. |
| 1 Tim 3:4-5 | He must manage his own household well, with all dignity keeping his children submissive, for if someone does not know how to manage his own household, how will he care for God's church? | Effective management. |
| Lk 12:48 | For everyone to whom much is given, from him much will be required... | Responsibility proportional to gifts. |
| Deut 28:8 | The LORD will command the blessing on you in your barns and in all that you undertake. | Blessing on work/undertakings. |
| Gen 39:3 | His master saw that the LORD was with him and that the LORD made all that he did to prosper. | Divine blessing on actions. |
| 1 Chr 22:13 | Then you will prosper if you are careful to observe the statutes... | Prosperity linked to obedience. |
| Ps 128:2 | You shall eat the fruit of the labor of your hands; you shall be blessed, and it shall be well with you. | Reward for labor. |
| Phil 2:12 | Work out your own salvation with fear and trembling... | Diligence in spiritual life. |
| Col 3:23 | Whatever you do, work heartily, as for the Lord and not for men... | Working diligently for the Lord. |
| 1 Kgs 4:7-19 | Solomon's twelve officers were over all Israel, who provided food for the king and his household... | Royal administration examples. |
| Neh 2:18-20 | So they said, "Let us rise up and build." So they strengthened their hands for the good work. | Rebuilding/organizational work. |
| 2 Chr 11:5-10 | Rehoboam lived in Jerusalem, and he built cities for defense in Judah. | Fortification of cities. |
| 2 Chr 17:2 | He garrisoned troops in all the fortified cities of Judah... | Military administration. |
| Ezra 6:8-12 | Now therefore, Tattenai... must stay far from there... letting the work on this house of God alone. | Royal decrees and work management. |
| Isa 22:9-11 | You observed the many breaches in the city of David... and you gathered the waters of the lower pool... | Preparation and infrastructure. |
| Ps 78:70-72 | He chose David his servant... to be a shepherd over Jacob his people... | Leadership as shepherding. |
| Jn 10:11-13 | I am the good shepherd. The good shepherd lays down his life for the sheep... | Shepherd's dedication. |
| Acts 20:28 | Pay careful attention to yourselves and to all the flock... to shepherd the church of God... | Care for God's people. |
| Tit 1:7 | For an overseer, as God's steward, must be above reproach... | Stewardship in leadership. |
| 1 Pet 5:2 | Shepherd the flock of God that is among you... | Shepherding and oversight. |
2 Chronicles 17 verses
2 Chronicles 17 13 Meaning
The verse states that King Jehoshaphat had significant ongoing administrative and operational responsibilities across the cities of Judah. This "business" encompasses the broad array of duties a righteous and effective king would undertake to govern, maintain, strengthen, and provide for his kingdom, building upon the reforms and successes detailed earlier in the chapter. It reflects his diligent and hands-on management, crucial for the kingdom's prosperity and security.
2 Chronicles 17 13 Context
Chapter 17 of 2 Chronicles portrays the early reign of Jehoshaphat, King of Judah, as a period marked by devotion to the Lord, strength, and prosperity. Following his father Asa's death, Jehoshaphat solidified his position by removing idol worship and teaching the law of the Lord throughout Judah. The preceding verses (17:1-12) detail his spiritual reforms, military preparations (including fortifying cities), and the subsequent respect and gifts received from surrounding nations, leading to Judah's significant flourishing. Verse 13 directly follows this description of success and wealth, indicating that Jehoshaphat actively managed and utilized these resources. The "much business" refers to the continuous, practical administration required to sustain the kingdom's military, economic, and religious infrastructure that Jehoshaphat had established and cultivated across all its territories.
2 Chronicles 17 13 Word analysis
- And: Links the current statement to the preceding description of Jehoshaphat's successes and administrative strength, indicating a continuation of his active engagement.
- he: Refers to King Jehoshaphat, the primary subject of the chapter, highlighting his personal involvement and diligent leadership.
- had: Denotes possession and the state of ongoing engagement in activities.
- much: Signifies abundance, extensive scope, or considerable volume. It implies that Jehoshaphat's "business" was not minor or infrequent but widespread and demanding, requiring substantial time and effort.
- business: (Hebrew: מְלָאכָה, mela'ka). This term is versatile and can refer to "work," "labor," "occupation," "affairs," or "undertaking." It's broadly used for general tasks (Exod 20:9) but also for specific skilled work, especially in building or crafting (Exod 36:1, 40:33). Here, it denotes the extensive administrative, economic, military, and possibly judicial responsibilities of a king. It underscores Jehoshaphat's active governance and diligent execution of his royal duties. It contrasts with idleness or delegation without oversight.
- in the cities: Denotes geographical scope. This specifies that his activities were not confined to the capital, Jerusalem, but extended throughout the various towns and regions of Judah, indicating centralized administration reaching every part of his kingdom. It highlights comprehensive territorial oversight.
- of Judah: Identifies the specific kingdom under Jehoshaphat's rule, the Southern Kingdom. This clarifies the political boundary and emphasizes his dedication to strengthening his own God-given territory.
- He had much business: This phrase emphasizes Jehoshaphat's active, hands-on leadership style. It suggests he was a diligent ruler, fully engaged in the affairs of his kingdom. This implies systematic organization, active administration of justice, maintenance of order, and the implementation of his various initiatives—spiritual, military, and economic—that led to Judah's prosperity. It highlights that success and stability were not accidental but the result of sustained, purposeful work.
- in the cities of Judah: This highlights the extent and decentralization of his administrative responsibilities. His governance wasn't just theoretical; it was practical, touching the lives of people in every corner of his kingdom, implying regional infrastructure and active local management, possibly tied to the fortified cities mentioned earlier (2 Chr 17:12).
2 Chronicles 17 13 Bonus section
The concept of "much business" or active labor being a hallmark of a divinely blessed life or reign resonates strongly throughout the Scriptures. It teaches that prosperity often arises from purposeful, God-honoring work, not from idleness. In the biblical narrative, particularly within the Books of Chronicles which emphasize the Davidic covenant and the temple, a king's activity and zeal for the Lord's work (often denoted by mela'ka) is seen as a key component of his success and favor. It reflects Jehoshaphat's comprehensive and effective stewardship over all aspects of the kingdom, embodying the wisdom often exhorted in Proverbs concerning diligence and leadership.
2 Chronicles 17 13 Commentary
2 Chronicles 17:13 offers a concise yet powerful insight into the practical outworking of godly leadership. Following the descriptive praise of Jehoshaphat's spiritual reforms, military might, and the divine blessing he enjoyed, this verse reveals the underlying commitment that maintained his success: consistent, diligent, and widespread administration. The "much business" signifies not mere personal affairs, but a vast array of royal duties, including the oversight of his military forces, the ongoing education in the Law of the Lord initiated in verse 9, the management of economic resources, and the general welfare and order within his territory. This diligence indicates that blessings from God do not negate the need for human effort and responsible stewardship. Jehoshaphat's prosperity was not a passive reception but an active engagement that fulfilled the mandate of righteous governance. This serves as a vital principle for leaders in any sphere—faithfulness in divine principles must be accompanied by responsible, laborious work to truly see the fruits of blessings extended and maintained.