דברי הימים ב, פרק י״ז, פסוק א׳

A transition of power takes place as Jehoshaphat inherits the throne from his father, King Asa [ביאור שטיינזלץ]. The main focus of his early reign is the firm establishment of his rule. He strengthens his hold on the kingdom [ביאור שטיינזלץ] by using various strategic plans designed to build and secure his power [מצודת דוד].

This approach marks a clear change from the situation left behind by his father. King Asa had been afraid of Baasha, the king of Israel, and was therefore unable to hold onto the territories he had captured from the region of Ephraim. Jehoshaphat reverses this weakness. He successfully takes control of those locations, secures his position, and builds up his strength against the neighboring kingdom of Israel [מלבי״ם].