1 J ehoshaphat his son then became king in his place, and made his position over Israel firm.

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

2 H e 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

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 T he Lord was with Jehoshaphat because he followed the example of his father David’s earlier days and did not seek 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 sought the God of his father, followed His commandments, and did not act as Israel did.

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

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

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

6 H e took great pride in the ways of the Lord and again removed the high places and the Asherim from 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 T hen 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;

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, Nethaniah, Zebadiah, Asahel, Shemiramoth, Jehonathan, Adonijah, Tobijah and Tobadonijah, the 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 T hey 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.

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 N ow 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.

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

11 S ome 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.

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

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

13 H e had large supplies in the cities of Judah, and warriors, valiant men, in Jerusalem.

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

14 T his was their muster according to their fathers’ households: of Judah, commanders of thousands, Adnah was the commander, and with him 300, 000 valiant warriors;

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 commander, and with him 280, 000;

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

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

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 valiant warrior, and with him 200, 000 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 Jehozabad, and with him 180, 000 equipped for war.

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

19 T hese are they who served the king, apart from those whom the king put in the fortified cities through 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.