2 Chronicles 17:7-9 KJV
Also in the third year of his reign he sent to his princes, even to Benhail, and to Obadiah, and to Zechariah, and to Nethaneel, and to Michaiah, to teach in the cities of Judah.
And with them he sent Levites, even Shemaiah, and Nethaniah, and Zebadiah, and Asahel, and Shemiramoth, and Jehonathan, and Adonijah, and Tobijah, and Tobadonijah, Levites; and with them Elishama and Jehoram, priests.
And they taught in Judah, and had the book of the law of the LORD with them, and went about throughout all the cities of Judah, and taught the people.
I am not aware of any organized effort to instruct Israel prior to this account. My understanding is that although the priest dwelt in cities scattered throughout the land, their only true ministry took place during their rotation for service at the Temple. Synagogue services did not begin until sometime during the captivity. There are times when all of Israel gathered together in one place to hear the Word of the Lord, and I do believe that there were likely prophets scattered throughout the land serving in a capacity similar to that of a local pastor. But to have teachers dispersed through the land; this appears to be a brand new thing, unique perhaps to the reign of Jehoshaphat.
Clarke's commentary says,
“To teach in the cities of Judah …
In these verses we find a remarkable account of an itinerant ministry established by Jehoshaphat; and in this work he employed three classes of men:
· The princes.
· The Levites.
· The priests.
We may presume that the princes instructed the people in the nature of the civil law and constitution of the kingdom; the Levites instructed them in every thing that appertained to the temple service, and ritual law; and the priests instructed them in the nature and design of the religion they professed. Thus the nation became thoroughly instructed in their duty to God, to the king, and to each other. They became, therefore, as one man; and against a people thus united, on such principles, no enemy could be successful.”
We can never underestimate the value of regular consistent and well rounded instruction; especially in the things of God.
Also in the third year of his reign he sent to his princes, even to Benhail, and to Obadiah, and to Zechariah, and to Nethaneel, and to Michaiah, to teach in the cities of Judah.
And with them he sent Levites, even Shemaiah, and Nethaniah, and Zebadiah, and Asahel, and Shemiramoth, and Jehonathan, and Adonijah, and Tobijah, and Tobadonijah, Levites; and with them Elishama and Jehoram, priests.
And they taught in Judah, and had the book of the law of the LORD with them, and went about throughout all the cities of Judah, and taught the people.
I am not aware of any organized effort to instruct Israel prior to this account. My understanding is that although the priest dwelt in cities scattered throughout the land, their only true ministry took place during their rotation for service at the Temple. Synagogue services did not begin until sometime during the captivity. There are times when all of Israel gathered together in one place to hear the Word of the Lord, and I do believe that there were likely prophets scattered throughout the land serving in a capacity similar to that of a local pastor. But to have teachers dispersed through the land; this appears to be a brand new thing, unique perhaps to the reign of Jehoshaphat.
Clarke's commentary says,
“To teach in the cities of Judah …
In these verses we find a remarkable account of an itinerant ministry established by Jehoshaphat; and in this work he employed three classes of men:
· The princes.
· The Levites.
· The priests.
We may presume that the princes instructed the people in the nature of the civil law and constitution of the kingdom; the Levites instructed them in every thing that appertained to the temple service, and ritual law; and the priests instructed them in the nature and design of the religion they professed. Thus the nation became thoroughly instructed in their duty to God, to the king, and to each other. They became, therefore, as one man; and against a people thus united, on such principles, no enemy could be successful.”
We can never underestimate the value of regular consistent and well rounded instruction; especially in the things of God.
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