The LORD was with Jehoshaphat, because he walked in the earlier ways of his father David. He did not seek the Baals,
Here we find concerning Jehoshaphat, I. What a wise man he was. As soon as he came to the crown he strengthened himself against Israel, Ch2 17:1. Ahab, an active warlike prince, had now been three years upon the throne of Israel, the vigour of his beginning falling in with the decay of Asa's conclusion.
Commenting on 2 Chronicles 17:1-9
And the Lord was with Jehoshaphat,.... Guiding and directing, prospering and succeeding him in all things; he had, no doubt, his gracious presence in spiritual things, as well as his powerful and directing presence in things civil; the Targum is,"the Word of the Lord was for his help;" because he walked in the first ways of his father David; which were his best; some of...
he walked in the first ways of his father David--He imitated the piety of his great ancestor in the early part of his reign before he made those unhappy lapses which dishonored his character. and sought not unto Baalim--a term used for idols generally in contradistinction to the Lord God of his father.