2 Chronicles 17 2

2 Chronicles 17:2 kjv

And he placed forces in all the fenced cities of Judah, and set garrisons in the land of Judah, and in the cities of Ephraim, which Asa his father had taken.

2 Chronicles 17:2 nkjv

And he placed troops in all the fortified cities of Judah, and set garrisons in the land of Judah and in the cities of Ephraim which Asa his father had taken.

2 Chronicles 17:2 niv

He stationed troops in all the fortified cities of Judah and put garrisons in Judah and in the towns of Ephraim that his father Asa had captured.

2 Chronicles 17:2 esv

He placed forces in all the fortified cities of Judah and set garrisons in the land of Judah, and in the cities of Ephraim that Asa his father had captured.

2 Chronicles 17:2 nlt

He stationed troops in all the fortified towns of Judah, and he assigned additional garrisons to the land of Judah and to the towns of Ephraim that his father, Asa, had captured.

2 Chronicles 17 verses

2 Chronicles 17 2 Meaning

2 Chronicles 17:2 describes King Jehoshaphat's immediate actions upon ascending the throne, emphasizing his commitment to national security and strategic military deployment. He solidified Judah's defenses by placing military personnel ("troops") in all its existing fortified cities, ensuring their readiness and protection. Furthermore, he established permanent military outposts ("garrisons") throughout the broader land of Judah to maintain order and control. Crucially, he extended this defensive network to include cities in the region of Ephraim, territory previously conquered and secured by his father, King Asa. This action demonstrated Jehoshaphat's resolve to preserve and reinforce the gains of his predecessor, ensuring the kingdom's stability and deterring potential threats from the Northern Kingdom of Israel.

2 Chronicles 17 2 Context

2 Chronicles 17:2 introduces Jehoshaphat's reign following his father Asa. Verse 1 notes Jehoshaphat's succession and his initial move to "strengthen himself against Israel," which sets the stage for the specific actions detailed in verse 2. Asa, his father, had a mixed record: he had initiated religious reforms and experienced divine help in military campaigns (2 Chr 14), but also relied on foreign alliances and oppressed a prophet later in his reign (2 Chr 16). Critically, Asa had engaged in conflict with the Northern Kingdom of Israel, notably capturing territory in Ephraim (2 Chr 16:6).

Historically, the kingdoms of Judah (South) and Israel (North) were often in contention. Fortified cities and military garrisons were essential for defense, trade, and projecting royal authority in ancient Near Eastern kingdoms. Jehoshaphat's immediate focus on military preparedness highlights the perceived threat from the Northern Kingdom and his pragmatic approach to state security, even as the chapter soon pivots to describe his spiritual leadership and reliance on God. This act established a stable foundation upon which his subsequent reign, marked by significant religious reforms and prosperity, could flourish.

2 Chronicles 17 2 Word analysis

• He placed (וַיִּתֵּן - vayyitten): A decisive action by Jehoshaphat. It indicates intentionality and direct control in establishing military presence. This wasn't a passive oversight but an active, kingly directive to fortify.
• troops (חֵילִים - cheilim): Refers to military forces, the physical army or fighting men. The term suggests a robust and capable military contingent, more than just a small watch. It points to a substantial deployment.
• in all the fortified cities (בְּכָל-עָרֵי הַמְצֻרֹת - bekol-arey hammetsurot):
  • kol (כָל): "all," emphasizing comprehensiveness. Jehoshaphat did not neglect any defensive stronghold within his territory.
  • ‘arim (עָרִים): "cities."
  • metsurot (מְצֻרֹת): "fortified," "walled," implying cities designed for defense with strong walls and strategic locations. These were not mere towns but defensive strongholds, indicating a focus on core strategic locations.
• of Judah (יְהוּדָה - Yehudah): Specifies the primary geographical area under his immediate sovereignty and responsibility for defense. His focus began with securing his own domain.
• and put garrisons (וַיִּתֵּן מֻצָּבוֹת - vayyitten muttsavot):
  • vayyitten (וַיִּתֵּן): Repetition emphasizes another deliberate act.
  • muttsavot (מֻצָּבוֹת): "Garrisons," fixed military posts, outposts, or stationary troops. Unlike "troops" which could be mobile, "garrisons" implies more permanent stationing to control territory, key routes, or specific points of vulnerability. This signifies effective occupation and maintenance of order throughout the land.
• in the land of Judah (בְּאֶרֶץ יְהוּדָה - be'erets Yehudah): Differentiates from "fortified cities," suggesting a broader control beyond the urban centers to cover the general countryside, routes, and rural areas, ensuring overall security and suppression of unrest or incursions.
• and in the cities of Ephraim (וּבְעָרֵי אֶפְרַיִם - u'v'arey Ephraim): This is a critical detail. Ephraim was a prominent territory of the Northern Kingdom of Israel. Placing troops here highlights Jehoshaphat's assertion of Judah's authority beyond its traditional boundaries, into disputed or recently conquered areas.
• that Asa his father had captured (אֲשֶׁר לָכַד אָסָא אָבִיו - asher lachad Asa aviv): This directly connects Jehoshaphat’s actions to his predecessor. It shows he was consolidating and maintaining territorial gains from his father's successful campaigns (e.g., 2 Chr 16:6), illustrating a continuity of power and a stable transition, while asserting Judah’s dominion over strategically important northern border regions.

2 Chronicles 17 2 Bonus section

• The placement of forces in Ephraimite cities highlights a critical point of geopolitical tension and the enduring divide between the two kingdoms descended from Israel. This strategic move provided Judah with a buffer zone and observation points against the Northern Kingdom, which was frequently plagued by instability and idolatry.
• This military act is immediately followed in 2 Chronicles 17 by a description of Jehoshaphat's walking in the ways of the Lord. This sequencing implies that secure governance provided the foundation for effective religious reforms and true peace, demonstrating that practical wisdom in leadership often complements spiritual dedication.
• The chronicler consistently emphasizes continuity between kings, especially good ones. Jehoshaphat not only continued Asa's military consolidation but also initially walked in Asa's early, faithful ways, demonstrating a generational commitment to the kingdom's security and prosperity.

2 Chronicles 17 2 Commentary

2 Chronicles 17:2 reveals Jehoshaphat as a king who understood the practicalities of governance and defense. His initial act upon securing the throne was not one of conquest but of consolidation and strengthening. By meticulously placing "troops" in fortified cities and "garrisons" across both the settled parts of Judah and the newly acquired territories in Ephraim, he established a robust defensive posture. This demonstrated his wisdom in leadership, acknowledging that while God provides victory, human effort and strategic preparedness are vital components of national security. It provided the necessary political and military stability that enabled his later spiritual reforms, marking his reign as one that blended proactive faith with prudent governance, and importantly, secured his father's territorial achievements.