Bible Strands
2 Chronicles 17:7
In the third year of his reign, Jehoshaphat sent his officials Ben-hail, Obadiah, Zechariah, Nethanel, and Micaiah to teach in the cities of Judah,
Berean Standard Bible
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Study note
Setting — The chronicler records King Jehoshaphat’s administrative action in the third year of his reign, immediately after his removal of Judah’s high places and Asherah poles. He dispatches his officials to teach throughout the cities of Judah.
The words — The text highlights שָלַ֤ח (sha.Lach), meaning “he sent,” and לְ/שָׂרָי/ו֙ (le./sa.Ra/v), meaning “to his officials.” These terms frame the king’s direct command to his administrative leaders.
The thread — This royal teaching mission echoes the Levitical instruction in 2 Chronicles 35:3 and contrasts with the spiritual vacuum described in 2 Chronicles 15:3. It also aligns with the Teacher’s method of arranging knowledge in Ecclesiastes 12:9.
Why it lands — The verse requires readers to recognize that institutional reform follows personal devotion, demanding active instruction rather than passive reverence. It calls for deliberate, organized teaching within a community’s daily geography.
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
Also in the third year of his reign he sent to his princes, even to Ben–hail, and to Obadiah, and to Zechariah, and to Nethaneel, and to Michaiah, to teach in the cities of Judah.
Cross-references
- 2 Chronicles 35:3 To the Levites who taught all Israel and were holy to the LORD, Josiah said: “Put the holy ark in the temple built by Solomon son of David king of Israel. It is not to be carried around on your shoulders. Now serve the LORD your God and His people Israel.
- Ecclesiastes 12:9 Not only was the Teacher wise, but he also taught the people knowledge; he pondered, searched out, and arranged many proverbs.
- 2 Chronicles 15:3 For many years Israel has been without the true God, without a priest to instruct them, and without the law.
- Nehemiah 8:7 The Levites—Jeshua, Bani, Sherebiah, Jamin, Akkub, Shabbethai, Hodiah, Maaseiah, Kelita, Azariah, Jozabad, Hanan, and Pelaiah—instructed the people in the Law as they stood in their places.
- 2 Chronicles 30:22 And Hezekiah encouraged all the Levites who performed skillfully before the LORD. For seven days they ate their assigned portion, sacrificing peace offerings and giving thanks to the LORD, the God of their fathers.
- Nehemiah 8:13 On the second day of the month, the heads of all the families, along with the priests and Levites, gathered around Ezra the scribe to study the words of the Law.
- Nehemiah 9:3 While they stood in their places, they read from the Book of the Law of the LORD their God for a quarter of the day, and they spent another quarter of the day in confession and worship of the LORD their God.
- Psalms 51:13 Then I will teach transgressors Your ways, and sinners will return to You.
- Ecclesiastes 1:12 I, the Teacher, was king over Israel in Jerusalem.
- Luke 4:43 But Jesus told them, “I must preach the good news of the kingdom of God to the other towns as well, because that is why I was sent.”