Bible Strands
2 Chronicles 17:4
but he sought the God of his father and walked by His commandments rather than the practices of Israel.
Berean Standard Bible
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Study note
Setting — The Chronicler records King Jehoshaphat’s reign, placing his personal religious decisions immediately after his rejection of Baal worship and before the account of his kingdom’s prosperity. The narrative addresses the broader audience of Judah’s history by contrasting the king’s choices with Israel’s national apostasy.
The words — The text highlights דָּרָ֔שׁ (da.Rash), meaning he sought, and הָלָ֑ךְ (ha.Lakh), meaning he walked, to describe Jehoshaphat’s active pursuit of God and consistent obedience to His commands.
The thread — This pattern of faithful obedience contrasts with the idolatrous practices of 1 Kings 12:28 and aligns with the blameless walking described in Luke 1:6 and the exhortation to walk worthy of God in 1 Thessalonians 2:12.
Why it lands — The text states that Jehoshaphat chose God’s commandments over Israel’s practices, and this choice directly precedes the Lord establishing his kingdom and providing riches and honor. A reader must decide whether to follow divine instruction or conform to prevailing cultural compromise, recognizing that fidelity dictates divine response.
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
But sought to the Lord God of his father, and walked in his commandments, and not after the doings of Israel.
Cross-references
- 1 Kings 12:28 After seeking advice, the king made two golden calves and said to the people, “Going up to Jerusalem is too much for you. Here, O Israel, are your gods, who brought you up out of the land of Egypt.”
- Luke 1:6 Both of them were righteous in the sight of God, walking blamelessly in all the commandments and decrees of the Lord.
- 1 Thessalonians 2:12 encouraging you, comforting you, and urging you to walk in a manner worthy of God, who calls you into His own kingdom and glory.
- 2 Kings 8:18 And Jehoram walked in the ways of the kings of Israel, just as the house of Ahab had done. For he married a daughter of Ahab and did evil in the sight of the LORD.
- 2 Kings 17:19 and even Judah did not keep the commandments of the LORD their God, but lived according to the customs Israel had introduced.
- Hosea 4:15 Though you prostitute yourself, O Israel, may Judah avoid such guilt! Do not journey to Gilgal, do not go up to Beth-aven, and do not swear on oath, ‘As surely as the LORD lives!’
- 1 Thessalonians 4:1 Finally, brothers, we ask and encourage you in the Lord Jesus to live in a way that is pleasing to God, just as you have received from us. This is how you already live, so you should do so all the more.
- 1 Kings 12:30 And this thing became a sin; the people walked as far as Dan to worship before one of the calves.
- 1 Kings 12:33 On the fifteenth day of the eighth month, a month of his own choosing, Jeroboam offered sacrifices on the altar he had set up in Bethel. So he ordained a feast for the Israelites, offered sacrifices on the altar, and burned incense.
- 1 Kings 13:33 Even after these events, Jeroboam did not repent of his evil ways, but again he appointed priests for the high places from every class of people. He ordained anyone who desired to be a priest of the high places.