Lives of Scripture
Obadiah (M)
First named in 2 Chronicles 17:7
Obadiah is named among five officials -- Ben-hail, Obadiah, Zechariah, Nethanel, and Micaiah -- whom King Jehoshaphat of Judah sent throughout the kingdom in the third year of his reign as part of an organized program of religious instruction (2 Chronicles 17:7). Jehoshaphat paired these officials with a team of Levites and two priests, Elishama and Jehoram (17:8), and together "they taught in Judah, having the book of the law of the LORD with them; and they went throughout all the cities of Judah and taught among the people" (17:9). This was a deliberate, circuit-style teaching campaign reaching the whole of Judah, part of the broader reforms Chronicles credits to Jehoshaphat, including removing pagan high places and Asherim (17:6). The chapter connects this teaching mission to the kingdom's resulting stability: surrounding nations, in awe of the LORD's hand on Judah, brought tribute rather than making war (17:10-11). Scripture gives Obadiah no further individual action beyond his place on this team.
References: 2 Chronicles 17:7
Genealogy
Father
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- Nethanel (M) ↔ joined Jehoshaphat's teaching mission ↔ Obadiah (M)
Nethanel and Obadiah were two of five officials King Jehoshaphat sent throughout Judah, paired with Levites and priests, to teach the Book of the Law in every city -- a circuit-style instruction campaign Chronicles connects to the kingdom's resulting stability and blessing.
2 Chronicles 17:7-9
Places
Other people named Obadiah
