1 J ehoshaphat his son became king in his place, and made himself strong against Israel.

¶ And Jehoshaphat, his son, reigned in his stead and prevailed against Israel.

2 H e 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.

And he placed forces in all the fenced cities of Judah and set garrisons in the land of Judah and likewise in the cities of Ephraim, which Asa, his father had taken.

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

And the LORD was with Jehoshaphat because he walked in the first ways of his father David and sought not unto the Baalim

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

but sought the LORD God of his father and walked in his commandments, and not after the doings of Israel.

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

Therefore, the LORD confirmed the kingdom in his hand; and all Judah brought Jehoshaphat presents, and he had riches and glory in abundance.

6 H e 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.

And his heart was lifted up in the ways of the LORD, and he took away the high places and groves out of Judah.

7 I n 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.

Also in the third year of his reign he sent his princes, Benhail, Obadiah, Zechariah, Nethaneel, and Michaiah, to teach in the cities of Judah.

8 W ith 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.

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

9 T hey 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

And 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.

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

¶ And the fear of the LORD fell upon all the kingdoms of the lands that were round about Judah, so that they did not dare to make war against Jehoshaphat.

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

And the Philistines brought Jehoshaphat presents and tribute of silver; and the Arabians brought him flocks, seven thousand seven hundred rams and seven thousand seven hundred he goats.

12 S o Jehoshaphat became greater and greater. And he built strong places and store-cities in Judah.

And Jehoshaphat waxed great exceedingly; and he built in Judah castles and cities of store.

13 H e had many things in the cities of Judah. And he had powerful soldiers in Jerusalem.

And he had many works in the cities of Judah and men of war, mighty men of valour, in Jerusalem.

14 T his 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.

And these are the numbers of them according to the houses of their fathers: In Judah, princes of thousands; the prince Adnah and with him three hundred thousand mighty men of valour;

15 N ext to him was Johanan, the captain of 280, 000.

and after him, Prince Jehohanan and with him two hundred and eighty thousand;

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

after him, Amasiah the son of Zichri, who willingly offered himself unto the LORD and with him two hundred thousand mighty men of valour;

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

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

18 N ext to him was Jehozabad, the captain of 180, 000 ready for war.

after him, Jehozabad and with him one hundred and eighty thousand ready and prepared for the war.

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

These were servants of the king, besides those whom the king had put in the fenced cities throughout all Judah.