Bible Strands
2 Chronicles 17:3
Now the LORD was with Jehoshaphat because he walked in the earlier ways of his father David. He did not seek the Baals,
Berean Standard Bible
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Study note
Setting — The Chronicler's narrator assesses Jehoshaphat's reign, sandwiched between his military garrisons (v. 2) and his seeking of God's commandments (v. 4). No character speaks; this is editorial verdict.
The words — הָלַךְ (ha-Lakh, "he walked") governs the sentence: it is not a one-time act but a sustained path. Its object, דַרְכֵי (dar-Khei, "ways of"), makes the path specific—David's, not an abstract virtue.
The thread — The identical formula "walked in the ways of David" appears in 2 Kings 22:2 for Josiah. The "Yahweh was with" clause echoes the divine presence promise of Isaiah 41:10.
Why it lands — The verse makes divine presence conditional on a concrete, nameable pattern (David's, not the Baals'), forcing the reader to name which "ways" they actually walk in rather than assuming the blessing is automatic.
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 the Lord was with Jehoshaphat, because he walked in the first ways of his father David, and sought not unto Baalim;
Cross-references
- 2 Kings 22:2 And he did what was right in the eyes of the LORD and walked in all the ways of his father David; he did not turn aside to the right or to the left.
- Isaiah 41:10 Do not fear, for I am with you; do not be afraid, for I am your God. I will strengthen you; I will surely help you; I will uphold you with My righteous right hand.
- 2 Timothy 4:22 The Lord be with your spirit. Grace be with you all.
- Genesis 39:2 And the LORD was with Joseph, and he became a successful man, serving in the household of his Egyptian master.
- Genesis 39:21 the LORD was with him and extended kindness to him, granting him favor in the eyes of the prison warden.
- Joshua 1:9 Have I not commanded you to be strong and courageous? Do not be afraid; do not be discouraged, for the LORD your God is with you wherever you go.”
- Judges 6:12 And the angel of the LORD appeared to Gideon and said, “The LORD is with you, O mighty man of valor.”
- Psalms 46:11 The LORD of Hosts is with us; the God of Jacob is our fortress. Selah
- Matthew 28:20 and teaching them to obey all that I have commanded you. And surely I am with you always, even to the end of the age.”
- Joshua 1:5 No one shall stand against you all the days of your life. As I was with Moses, so will I be with you; I will never leave you nor forsake you.