NOTES for Ch2 17:1-19
It is said of Jehoshaphat that he walked in the ways of his father David. But which of Jehoshaphat’s deeds were done along those ways? Was it only the strengthening of the state and the army, about which David cared so much? Jehoshaphat certainly labored greatly in this area to continue the work of his illustrious ancestor. But such concerns are the natural duty of every ruler. What Jehoshaphat commanded beyond the usual royal orders is more important than the state’s outward achievements: he took care that his subjects should be taught the law. The very listing of the names of the princes, priests, and Levites who were to travel through Judah reading the words of the law to the people emphasizes the importance of this command.
There is a well-known legal principle according to which ignorance of the law does not excuse responsibility for breaking it. Unfortunately, those who follow this principle are not always interested in whether the person who broke the law had an opportunity to learn about it. But King Jehoshaphat does not want to deprive people of that opportunity and therefore takes care to educate the people. For responsibility for ignorance may fall not on the one who does not know, but on the one who could have conveyed the necessary information to people and failed to do so.