1 J ehoshaphat his son reigned in Asa’s stead and strengthened himself against Israel.

Jehoshaphat his son then became king in his place, and made his position over Israel firm.

2 A nd he placed forces in all the fortified cities of Judah and set garrisons in the land of Judah and in the cities of Ephraim which Asa his father had taken.

He placed troops in all the fortified cities of Judah, and set garrisons in the land of Judah and in the cities of Ephraim which Asa his father had captured. His Good Reign

3 T he Lord was with Jehoshaphat because he walked in the first ways of his father. He did not seek the Baals

The Lord was with Jehoshaphat because he followed the example of his father David’s earlier days and did not seek the Baals,

4 B ut sought and yearned with all his desire for the Lord, the God of his father, and walked in His commandments and not after the ways of Israel.

but sought the God of his father, followed His commandments, and did not act as Israel did.

5 T herefore the Lord established the kingdom in his hand; and all Judah brought tribute to Jehoshaphat, and he had great riches and honor.

So the Lord established the kingdom in his control, and all Judah brought tribute to Jehoshaphat, and he had great riches and honor.

6 H is heart was cheered and his courage was high in the ways of the Lord; moreover, he took away the high places and the Asherim out of Judah.

He took great pride in the ways of the Lord and again removed the high places and the Asherim from Judah.

7 A lso in the third year of his reign he sent his princes Ben-hail, Obadiah, Zechariah, Nethanel, and Micaiah to teach in the cities of Judah;

Then in the third year of his reign he sent his officials, Ben-hail, Obadiah, Zechariah, Nethanel and Micaiah, to teach in the cities of Judah;

8 A nd with them were the Levites—Shemaiah, Nethaniah, Zebadiah, Asahel, Shemiramoth, Jehonathan, Adonijah, Tobijah, and Tob-adonijah; and with these Levites were the priests Elishama and Jehoram.

and with them the Levites, Shemaiah, Nethaniah, Zebadiah, Asahel, Shemiramoth, Jehonathan, Adonijah, Tobijah and Tobadonijah, the Levites; and with them Elishama and Jehoram, the priests.

9 A nd they taught in Judah, and had the Book of the Law of the Lord with them; they went about throughout all the cities of Judah and taught among the people.

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.

10 A nd a terror from the Lord fell upon all the kingdoms of the lands that were round about Judah, so that they made no war against Jehoshaphat.

Now the dread of the Lord was on all the kingdoms of the lands which were around Judah, so that they did not make war against Jehoshaphat.

11 A nd some of the Philistines brought Jehoshaphat gifts and tribute silver, and the Arabs brought him flocks: 7, 700 each of rams and of he-goats.

Some of the Philistines brought gifts and silver as tribute to Jehoshaphat; the Arabians also brought him flocks, 7, 700 rams and 7, 700 male goats.

12 A nd Jehoshaphat became very great. He built in Judah fortresses and store cities,

So Jehoshaphat grew greater and greater, and he built fortresses and store cities in Judah.

13 A nd he had many works in the cities of Judah, and soldiers, mighty men of courage, in Jerusalem.

He had large supplies in the cities of Judah, and warriors, valiant men, in Jerusalem.

14 T his was the number of them by their fathers’ houses: Of Judah, the captains of thousands: Adnah the chief, with 300, 000 mighty men of valor;

This was their muster according to their fathers’ households: of Judah, commanders of thousands, Adnah was the commander, and with him 300, 000 valiant warriors;

15 N ext to him was Jehohanan the captain, with 280, 000;

and next to him was Johanan the commander, and with him 280, 000;

16 A nd next to him Amasiah son of Zichri, who willingly offered himself to the Lord, with 200, 000 mighty men of valor.

and next to him Amasiah the son of Zichri, who volunteered for the Lord, and with him 200, 000 valiant warriors;

17 O f Benjamin: Eliada, a mighty man of valor, with 200, 000 men armed with bow and shield;

and of Benjamin, Eliada a valiant warrior, and with him 200, 000 armed with bow and shield;

18 N ext to him was Jehozabad with 180, 000 armed for war.

and next to him Jehozabad, and with him 180, 000 equipped for war.

19 T hese were in the king’s service, besides those had placed in fortified cities throughout all Judah.

These are they who served the king, apart from those whom the king put in the fortified cities through all Judah.