These waited on the king, beside those whom the king put in the fenced cities throughout all Judah.

All these were at the hand of the king, beside others, whom he had put in the walled cities, in all Juda.

These are those serving the king, apart from those whom the king put in the cities of fortress, in all Judah.

These were the men who were waiting on the king, in addition to those placed by the king in the walled towns through all Judah.

These were they that waited on the king beside those whom the king put in the fortified cities throughout all Judah.

All these were at the hand of the king, aside from the others, whom he had positioned in the walled cities, in all of Judah.

These waited on the king - They were disposable forces, always at the king's command; and were independent of those by which the cities of Judah were garrisoned.
There is not a sovereign in Europe or in the world but might read this chapter with advantage.
1. It shows most forcibly that true religion is the basis of the state, and that, wherever it prospers, there the state prospers.
2. It shows also that it is the wisdom of kings to encourage religion with all their power and influence; for if the hearts of the subjects be not bound and influenced by true religion, vain is the application of laws, fines, imprisonments, or corporal punishment of any kind.
3. A religious nation is ever a great nation; it is loved by its friends, it is dreaded by its enemies.
4. It is ever a peaceable and united nation: the blessings of religion, and a wholesome and paternal government, are so fully felt and prized, that all find it their interest to preserve and defend them. Harmony, peace, piety, and strength, are the stability of such times. May Britain know and value them!

These (g) waited on the king, beside [those] whom the king put in the fenced cities throughout all Judah.
(g) That is, they were at his ordinary guard.

These waited on the king,.... Not this vast number of men at one time, but in course, as David's military men waited on him, 1-Chronicles 27:1 or each of these captains, with a proper number of men under them detached from the body; and they were all ready to obey the king's orders whenever he should have occasion for them:
besides those whom the king put into the fenced cities throughout Judah; and all together, the militia of the kingdom was very numerous and formidable.

These were serving the king. אלּה refers not to the above-mentioned men capable of bearing arms, for sheereet is not used of service in war, but to the commanders whom he had placed in the fortified cities of all Judah, "in which probably bodies of the above-mentioned troops lay as garrisons" (Berth.).

Waited - These above - mentioned were the trained bands or auxiliaries: whose chief officers waited on the king to receive his commands, and to raise, and bring in all, or part of their forces, to the service of the king as need required. A vast number for so small a compass of ground, to furnish out and maintain. But we may consider, that God had promised to make the seed of Abraham like the sand of the sea for number; that there had now been a long peace; that many were come to them from the kingdom of Israel and that Jehoshaphat was under a special blessing of God. They were doubtless dispersed all the country over, every one residing on his own land: only they were ready at call, whenever there was occasion.