2Ch 17:12-19 | TNotes | STEP | Summary for 2Chr 17:12-19: 17:12-19 Jehoshaphat’s international status, building enterprises, and army characterized his great rule. Archaeological excavations have revealed a line of highway forts in the Jordan Valley near the Dead Sea dating to his time. • The number of troops in his army—totaling more than a million in Jerusalem—seems unreasonably high. Because the leaders were based on tribal divisions (17:14 ), it is possible that the term translated as “thousand” ( ’elep ) should instead be translated as “squad” or “platoon,” a much smaller military unit. The totals might also include reserve divisions that served on rotation (see 1 Chr 27:1-15 ). The number of troops credited to Jehoshaphat is approximately triple those of Abijah (2 Chr 13:3 ), Asa (14:8 ), Amaziah (25:5 ), and Uzziah (26:11-15 ). It is comparable to the number of warriors at the time of David’s census (1 Chr 21:5 ), when soldiers from the northern tribes were counted. A large army was an indication of God’s blessing.

a17:12-19►

b17:14►

c1 Chr 27:1-15►

d2 Chr 13:3►

e14:8►

f25:5►

g26:11-15►

h1 Chr 21:5►

‏ 2 Chronicles 17:12-19

Summary for 2Chr 17:12-19: 17:12-19 ^a Jehoshaphat’s international status, building enterprises, and army characterized his great rule. Archaeological excavations have revealed a line of highway forts in the Jordan Valley near the Dead Sea dating to his time.

• The number of troops in his army—totaling more than a million in Jerusalem—seems unreasonably high. Because the leaders were based on tribal divisions (17:14 ^b), it is possible that the term translated as “thousand” (’elep) should instead be translated as “squad” or “platoon,” a much smaller military unit. The totals might also include reserve divisions that served on rotation (see 1 Chr 27:1-15 ^c). The number of troops credited to Jehoshaphat is approximately triple those of Abijah (2 Chr 13:3 ^d), Asa (14:8 ^e), Amaziah (25:5 ^f), and Uzziah (26:11-15 ^g). It is comparable to the number of warriors at the time of David’s census (1 Chr 21:5 ^h), when soldiers from the northern tribes were counted. A large army was an indication of God’s blessing.