Era 7 · Two Kingdoms2 Chronicles
Jehoshaphat's Teaching Mission
"They taught in Judah, and had the book of the law of the LORD with them"
"And the LORD was with Jehoshaphat, because he walked in the first ways of his father David, and sought not unto Baalim; But sought to the LORD God of his father." "And his heart was lifted up in the ways of the LORD."
"Also in the third year of his reign he sent to his princes… to teach in the cities of Judah. And with them he sent Levites… and with them Elishama and Jehoram, priests. And they taught in Judah, and had the book of the law of the LORD with them, and went about throughout all the cities of Judah, and taught the people."
"And the fear of the LORD fell upon all the kingdoms of the lands that were round about Judah." Philistines bring presents and silver; Arabians bring 7,700 rams and 7,700 goats. Five commanders lead 1,160,000 men.
Teaching the law
A royal teaching mission with a written law book anticipates Ezra (Nehemiah 8) and fits Chronicles' interest in Torah instruction. It is only in Chronicles.
Jehoshaphat's name
"YHWH has judged." Chapter 19 develops his judicial reform, matching his name.
What the evidence shows
- The teaching mission is only in Chronicles.
Continue the journey
Connected elsewhere in ScriptureMicaiah and the Heavenly Council1 Kings 22:41–46: Jehoshaphat in Kings.More from this lesson
Why this matters to the rest of Scripture
- Jehoshaphat in Kings.
- Levites teaching the law.