Bible Strands
2 Chronicles 17:1
Asa’s son Jehoshaphat reigned in his place, and he strengthened himself against Israel.
Berean Standard Bible
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Study note
Setting — The narrator records the immediate transition of power after King Asa’s death, noting that his son Jehoshaphat assumes the throne and begins consolidating military control against the northern kingdom.
The words — וַ/יִּתְחַזֵּ֖ק (va/i.yit.cha.Zek) translates literally as “and he strengthened himself,” describing active fortification. עַל־יִשְׂרָאֵל (‘al-Yisra’El) specifies that this preparation was directed “against Israel,” the neighboring northern realm.
The thread — The succession is documented in 1 Kings 15:24, and Jehoshaphat’s placement in the Davidic line is recorded in Matthew 1:8.
Why it lands — The text states that royal succession requires immediate defensive preparation, framing Jehoshaphat’s reign as a direct political and military response to external threat.
Drafted by a language model from the text, its original words and its cross-references, then checked against them. It can still be wrong: open the verse in the app to report it.
The Hebrew words
King James Version
And Jehoshaphat his son reigned in his stead, and strengthened himself against Israel.
Cross-references
- 1 Kings 15:24 And Asa rested with his fathers and was buried with them in the city of his father David, and his son Jehoshaphat reigned in his place.
- 2 Chronicles 32:5 Then Hezekiah worked resolutely to rebuild all the broken sections of the wall and to raise up towers on it. He also built an outer wall and reinforced the supporting terraces of the City of David, and he produced an abundance of weapons and shields.
- Matthew 1:8 Asa was the father of Jehoshaphat, Jehoshaphat the father of Joram, and Joram the father of Uzziah.
- Ephesians 6:10 Finally, be strong in the Lord and in His mighty power.
- 1 Samuel 23:16 And Saul’s son Jonathan came to David in Horesh and strengthened his hand in God,
- 1 Kings 22:41 In the fourth year of Ahab’s reign over Israel, Jehoshaphat son of Asa became king of Judah.
- 1 Chronicles 11:10 Now these were the chiefs of David’s mighty men, who, together with all Israel, bolstered and strengthened his kingdom, according to the word of the LORD concerning Israel.
- 2 Chronicles 12:1 After Rehoboam had established his sovereignty and royal power, he and all Israel with him forsook the Law of the LORD.
- 2 Chronicles 26:8 The Ammonites brought tribute to Uzziah, and his fame spread as far as the border of Egypt, for he had become exceedingly powerful.
- Ezekiel 7:27 The king will mourn, the prince will be clothed with despair, and the hands of the people of the land will tremble. I will deal with them according to their conduct, and I will judge them by their own standards. Then they will know that I am the LORD.’”