Ben Benhail Ben-hail Captains Cities Hail Heads Judah Micah Micaiah Micai'ah Michaiah Nethaneel Nethanel Nethan'el Obadiah Obadi'ah Officials Princes Reign Rule Teach Teachers Third Towns Zechariah Zechari'ah
17:7 Also in the third year of his reign he sent to his princes, [even] to Benhail, and to Obadiah, and to Zechariah, and to Nethaneel, and to Michaiah, to {d} teach in the cities of Judah.
(d) He knew it was in vain to profess religion, unless such were appointed who could instruct the people in the same, and had authority to put away all idolatry.
17:7 To teach - To inform the people of their duty, and of the king's pleasure, as judges teach or instruct the people in the laws of the land, when they deliver their charges upon the bench; so did these princes in the king's name admonish and require the people to observe and obey the laws of God, which were the municipal laws of that land: the particular explication and enforcement whereof, they left to the Levites and priests here following, who were sent for this end, and accordingly taught the people, ver.9.
17:1-19 Jehoshaphat promotes religion in Judah, His prosperity. - Jehoshaphat found his people generally very ignorant, and therefore endeavoured to have them well taught. The public teaching of the word 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's 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 and 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 up 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 recommend one thing, and practise another. Begin with yourselves. Seek to the Lord God of Israel, then call upon children and servants to follow your example.
Ben Captains Cities Hail Heads Judah Micah Micaiah Micai'ah Michaiah Nethaneel Nethanel Nethan'el Obadiah Obadi'ah Officials Princes Reign Rule Teach Third Towns Zechariah Zechari'ah
Ben Captains Cities Hail Heads Judah Micah Micaiah Micai'ah Michaiah Nethaneel Nethanel Nethan'el Obadiah Obadi'ah Officials Princes Reign Rule Teach Third Towns Zechariah Zechari'ah
