Synopsis of the Chapter
The pious Jehoshaphat succeeds Asa, and is therefore rich and powerful in arms. In verse 7 he sends teachers throughout the entire kingdom, to teach the people the law of God; in verse 11, the Philistines and Arabs become tributaries to him; in verse 14, his soldiers and commanders are enumerated.
Verse 6: His Heart Took Courage ¶
6. AND WHEN HIS HEART HAD TAKEN COURAGE BECAUSE OF THE WAYS OF THE LORD — that is to say: Piety, religion, and the keeping of the divine law made Jehoshaphat bold, so that he feared neither his subjects nor his enemies, but trusting in God boldly cut down the high places and groves, which other pious kings, fearing the people's displeasure or rebellion, had tolerated and permitted. See here what piety and pious intention accomplish, which fears nothing and dares all things when God assists. Such was Pius V, Pontiff of this age, who, relying on God, did not fear kings, but was the terror and scourge of kings, and even of the Turks. For holiness is a terror to all, as well as an object of veneration.
Verse 7: He Sent His Princes ¶
7. HE SENT SOME OF HIS PRINCES — namely, princes of his court, who at his command, having abolished the idols, might restore the worship of the one God and the keeping of the Mosaic law. For this reason he sent with them Levites and priests, to teach the people the laws of the Lord. This was the remarkable zeal of King Jehoshaphat, which was later imitated by St. Stephen, the first king of the Hungarians, St. Louis of France, St. Wenceslaus duke of Bohemia, and in our age by the kings of Spain and Portugal, who at great expense subjugated both Indies, that through religious men they might bring their inhabitants to the knowledge and worship of the true God.
Verse 12: Houses Like Towers ¶
12. HE BUILT IN JUDEA HOUSES LIKE TOWERS. — In Hebrew, palaces so lofty and fortified that they looked like towers. He did this both for the adornment and for the defense of Judea. Just as the Burgundians, against the incursions of the Vandals, Alans, Goths, etc., built pyrgous, that is, strongholds and towers; and from this the Burgundians got their name.
Verse 16: Amasiah Consecrated to the Lord ¶
16. AMASIAH, CONSECRATED TO THE LORD. — In Hebrew hammitnaddab, that is, who willingly offered himself to the Lord, that is, he devoted himself to sacred military service, to fight for God and the worship of God against idols and idolaters, and for his faithful and pious king Jehoshaphat. Similar of old were the Knights of the Temple, or Templars, who devoted themselves to sacred military service for the protection of the Holy Land. See St. Bernard in his sermon to the Knights of the Temple.
Verse 18: Total Army of 1,160,000 ¶
18. AND WITH HIM A HUNDRED AND EIGHTY THOUSAND. — In total, Jehoshaphat had under his standards one million one hundred and sixty thousand warriors, with God prospering him; because besides the powerful and numerous tribes of Judah and Benjamin subject to him, many from the ten tribes who were zealous for their ancestral religion and attracted by the prosperity of Jehoshaphat had fled to Jerusalem, as was said in chapter XV, 9.