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 fenced 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 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 the Lord was with Jehoshaphat, because he walked in the first ways of his father David, and sought not unto Baalim;

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 sought to the Lord 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 T herefore the Lord stablished the kingdom in his hand; and all Judah brought to Jehoshaphat presents; 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 his heart was lifted up in the ways of the Lord: moreover he took away the high places and groves 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 lso in the third year of his reign he sent to his princes, even to Benhail, and to Obadiah, and to Zechariah, and to Nethaneel, and to Michaiah, 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 he sent Levites, even Shemaiah, and Nethaniah, and Zebadiah, and Asahel, and Shemiramoth, and Jehonathan, and Adonijah, and Tobijah, and Tobadonijah, Levites; and with them Elishama and Jehoram, 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 the Lord with them, and went about throughout all the cities of Judah, and taught 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 fear of the Lord fell upon all the kingdoms of the lands that were round about Judah, so that 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 lso some of the Philistines brought Jehoshaphat presents, and tribute silver; and the Arabians brought him flocks, seven thousand and seven hundred rams, and seven thousand and 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 great exceedingly; and he built in Judah castles, and cities of store.

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 the men of war, mighty men of valour, were 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 the house of their fathers: Of Judah, the captains of thousands; Adnah the chief, and with him mighty men of valour three hundred thousand.

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 Jehohanan the captain, and with him two hundred and fourscore thousand.

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

16 A nd next him was Amasiah the son of Zichri, who willingly offered himself unto the Lord; 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 armed men with bow and shield two hundred thousand.

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 him was Jehozabad, and with him an hundred and fourscore thousand ready prepared for the war.

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

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

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