(8) And with them he sent Levites.--Rather, And with them were the Levites. The construction being changed. So LXX. and the Syriac. (Comp. 1Chronicles 16:41-42; 1Chronicles 15:18, for the same mode of enumeration, which is characteristic of the style of the chronicler.

Zebadiah.--Some MSS. and Syriac and Arabic read Zechariah.

Shemiramoth.--So LXX. and Vulg. (see 1Chronicles 16:5; 1Chronicles 15:18). The Heb. text is probably incorrect. Syriac and Arabic read instead Nat-ra.

Tob-adonijah.--This curious name occurs only here, and is perhaps a mere mistake arising out of the preceding Adonijah and Tobijah. The Syriac and Arabic omit it.

Priests.--The priests.

The commission was a mixed one of civil and ecclesiastical persons (comp. 1Chronicles 13:1-2; 1Chronicles 23:2; 1Chronicles 24:6.)

And had the book of the law of the Lord.--And with them was the book of the law (teaching) of Jehovah. For the construction, compare 1Chronicles 16:42. The writer evidently means the Pentateuch; and if this notice was derived by him from a contemporary source, e.g., the "words of Jehu the son of Hanani," to which he refers as an authority for the reign (2Chronicles 20:34), it would constitute an important testimony to the existence, if not of the five books, at least of an ancient collection of laws at this early date (circ. 850 B.C. ).

And taught the people.--Taught among the people.

17:1-19 Jehoshaphat promotes religion in Judah, His prosperity. - Jehoshaphat found his people generally very ignorant, and therefore endeavoured to have them well taught. The public teaching of the word of God forms, in all ages, the great method of promoting the power of godliness. Thereby the understanding is informed, the conscience is awakened and directed. We have a particular account of Jehoshaphat's prosperity. But it was not his formidable army that restrained the neighbouring nations from attempting any thing against Israel, but the fear of God which fell upon them, when Jehoshaphat reformed his country, and set up a preaching ministry in it. The ordinances of God are more the strength and safety of a kingdom, than soldiers and weapons of war. The Bible requires use to notice the hand of God in every event, yet this is little regarded. But let all employ the talents they have: be faithful, even in that which is little. Set up the worship of God in your houses. The charge of a family is important. Why should you not instruct them as Jehoshaphat did his subjects, in the book of the law of the Lord. But be consistent. Do not recommend one thing, and practise another. Begin with yourselves. Seek to the Lord God of Israel, then call upon children and servants to follow your example.And with them he sent Levites,.... With the five princes he sent nine Levites:

even Shemaiah, and Nethaniah, and Zebadiah, and Asahel, and Shemiramoth, and Jehonathan, and Adonijah, and Tobijah, and Tobadonijah, Levites; of whom we nowhere else read; no doubt they were principal persons, and fit for the work they were sent about:

and with them Elishama and Jehoram, priests; whose lips were to keep knowledge, and at whose mouth the law was to be sought, Malachi 2:7.