2 Chronicles 17:1-6

2 Chronicles 17:1-6

[1] And Jehoshaphat  his son  reigned  in his stead, and strengthened  himself against Israel.  [2] 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.  [3] And the LORD  was with Jehoshaphat,  because he walked  in the first  ways  of his father  David,  and sought  not unto Baalim;  [4] But sought  to the LORD God  of his father,  and walked  in his commandments,  and not after the doings  of Israel.  [5] Therefore the LORD  stablished  the kingdom  in his hand;  and all Judah  brought  to Jehoshaphat  presents;  and he had riches  and honour  in abundance.  [6] And his heart  was lifted up  in the ways  of the LORD:  moreover he took away  the high places  and groves  out of Judah. 

What does 2 Chronicles 17:1-6 Mean?

Contextual Meaning

Jehoshaphat did right because he followed David"s example ( 2 Chronicles 17:3). He remained faithful to Yahweh by obeying His Law rather than worshipping Baal ( 2 Chronicles 17:3-4). Consequently God blessed his reign by giving him riches and honor ( 2 Chronicles 17:5). The king took pride in obeying God, and he weeded out the high places that kept sprouting up around Judah ( 2 Chronicles 17:6).
The Baals ( 2 Chronicles 17:3) ". . . were almost numberless, each individual field being treated as if it had its own guiding ba"al ("master, owner") i.e, fertility spirit." [1]