And Jehoshaphat waxed great exceedingly; and he built in Judah castles, and cities of store.
The verse describes Jehoshaphat after many years of peace, when the surrounding nations left Judah unmolested because the fear of the Lord had fallen upon them. His waxing great exceedingly meant riches and honor in abundance, receiving tribute money and presents and gifts from Philistia, including tribute silver, and large flocks of sheep and goats from Arabia and the surrounding peoples. He built castles, or fortified places and buildings, and cities of store, or supply towns, in Judah.
Besides the men he placed in the fenced and fortified towns throughout all Judah, he kept a great force of mighty men of valor waiting on him. His strength and prosperity, blessed abundantly with riches and honor, enabled him to wield a mighty influence for truth and righteousness. His worldly honor and prosperity worked against his piety and made him self-sufficient, since much exaltation spoils a man.
The verse describes Jehoshaphat after many years of peace, when the surrounding nations left Judah unmolested because the fear of the Lord had fallen upon them. His waxing great exceedingly meant riches and honor in abundance, receiving tribute money and presents and gifts from Philistia, including tribute silver, and large flocks of sheep and goats from Arabia and the surrounding peoples. He built castles, or fortified places and buildings, and cities of store, or supply towns, in Judah.
Besides the men he placed in the fenced and fortified towns throughout all Judah, he kept a great force of mighty men of valor waiting on him. His strength and prosperity, blessed abundantly with riches and honor, enabled him to wield a mighty influence for truth and righteousness. His worldly honor and prosperity worked against his piety and made him self-sufficient, since much exaltation spoils a man.