1 A nd Jehoshaphat his son reigned in his stead, and strengthened himself against Israel.

Jehoshaphat his son became king in his place, and made himself strong against Israel.

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 that Asa his father had taken.

He placed soldiers in all the strong cities of Judah, and in places built for them in the land of Judah. And he put soldiers in the cities of Ephraim which his father Asa had taken in battle.

3 A nd Jehovah was with Jehoshaphat, for he walked in the first ways of his father David, and sought not unto the Baals;

The Lord was with Jehoshaphat because he followed the early ways of his father. He did not follow the false gods of Baal.

4 b ut he sought the God of his father, and walked in his commandments, and not after the doings of Israel.

He looked to the God of his father, followed His Laws, and did not act as Israel did.

5 A nd Jehovah established the kingdom in his hand; and all Judah gave gifts to Jehoshaphat; and he had riches and honour in abundance.

So the Lord made the nation strong under his rule. And all Judah paid taxes to Jehoshaphat. He had great riches and honor.

6 A nd he took courage in the ways of Jehovah; moreover, he removed the high places and Asherahs out of Judah.

He was strong in his heart in the ways of the Lord. And he took the high places and the false goddess Asherah out of Judah again.

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

In the third year of his rule, Jehoshaphat sent his leaders to teach in the cities of Judah. He sent Ben-hail, Obadiah, Zechariah, Nethanel, and Micaiah.

8 a nd with them the Levites: Shemaiah, and Nethaniah, and Zebadiah, and Asahel, and Shemiramoth, and Jonathan, and Adonijah, and Tobijah, and Tob-Adonijah, Levites; and with them Elishama and Jehoram, the priests.

With them he sent the Levites, Shemaiah, Nethaniah, Zebadiah, Asahel, Shemiramoth, Jehonathan, Adonijah, Tobijah, and Tobadonijah. And with them he sent the religious leaders, Elishama and Jehoram.

9 A nd they taught in Judah, and had the book of the law of Jehovah with them; and they went about through 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. They went through all the cities of Judah and taught among the people. Jehoshaphat’s Strength

10 A nd the terror of Jehovah was upon all the kingdoms of the lands that were round about Judah, and they made no war against Jehoshaphat.

The fear of the Lord was on all the nations of the lands around Judah. So they did not make war against Jehoshaphat.

11 A nd some of the Philistines brought Jehoshaphat gifts and tribute-silver. The Arabians also brought him flocks, seven thousand seven hundred rams, and seven thousand seven hundred he-goats.

Some of the Philistines brought Jehoshaphat gifts, and silver for taxes. The Arabians brought him flocks, 7, 700 rams and 7, 700 male goats.

12 A nd Jehoshaphat waxed exceeding great; and he built in Judah castles and store-cities.

So Jehoshaphat became greater and greater. And he built strong places and store-cities in Judah.

13 A nd he had much business in the cities of Judah; and men of war, strong and valiant, in Jerusalem.

He had many things in the cities of Judah. And he had powerful soldiers in Jerusalem.

14 A nd these are the numbers of them according to their fathers' houses. Of Judah the captains of thousands: Adnah the captain, and with him three hundred thousand mighty men of valour;

This was the number of them by their fathers’ houses: Adnah was the captain of thousands from Judah. He had 300, 000 powerful soldiers with him.

15 a nd next to him was Johanan the captain, and with him two hundred and eighty thousand;

Next to him was Johanan, the captain of 280, 000.

16 a nd next to him, Amasiah the son of Zichri, who willingly offered himself to Jehovah; and with him two hundred thousand mighty men of valour.

Next to him was Amasiah the son of Zichri, who gave himself to work for the Lord. He had 200, 000 powerful soldiers with him.

17 A nd of Benjamin: Eliada, a mighty man of valour, and with him two hundred thousand, armed with bow and shield;

Eliada was a powerful soldier of the family of Benjamin. He had with him 200, 000 men with bows and battle-coverings.

18 a nd next to him was Jehozabad, and with him a hundred and eighty thousand ready prepared for war.

Next to him was Jehozabad, the captain of 180, 000 ready for war.

19 T hese were they that waited on the king, besides those that the king had put in the fortified cities throughout Judah.

These are the men who served the king, as well as those whom the king put in the strong cities through all Judah.