And next to him was Jehohanan the captain, and with him two hundred and fourscore thousand.
The verse records one division of Jehoshaphat's exceedingly great standing army of mighty men of valor who waited on the king, with the captain Jehohanan commanding 280,000 men. That force was in addition to the troops stationed in the fenced cities throughout all Judah. At the same time he grew exceedingly great and built castles and cities of store in Judah.
This strength belonged to many years when he lived in peace unmolested by surrounding nations, because the fear of the Lord fell upon all the kingdoms of the lands around Judah. During that peace Philistia brought tribute money and presents, and Arabia brought large flocks of sheep and goats, and he was blessed abundantly with riches and honor. That blessing and military power enabled him to wield a mighty influence for truth and righteousness.
The verse records one division of Jehoshaphat's exceedingly great standing army of mighty men of valor who waited on the king, with the captain Jehohanan commanding 280,000 men. That force was in addition to the troops stationed in the fenced cities throughout all Judah. At the same time he grew exceedingly great and built castles and cities of store in Judah.
This strength belonged to many years when he lived in peace unmolested by surrounding nations, because the fear of the Lord fell upon all the kingdoms of the lands around Judah. During that peace Philistia brought tribute money and presents, and Arabia brought large flocks of sheep and goats, and he was blessed abundantly with riches and honor. That blessing and military power enabled him to wield a mighty influence for truth and righteousness.