1 J ehoshaphat his son reigned in his place, and strengthened himself against Israel.

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

2 H e 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 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 Y ahweh was with Jehoshaphat, because he walked in the first ways of his father David, and didn’t 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 to 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 T herefore Yahweh established the kingdom in his hand; and all Judah brought to Jehoshaphat tribute; and he had riches and honor 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 H is heart was lifted up in the ways of Yahweh: and furthermore he took away the high places and the Asherah poles 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 his princes, even Ben Hail, and Obadiah, and Zechariah, and 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, even Shemaiah, and Nethaniah, and Zebadiah, and Asahel, and Shemiramoth, and Jehonathan, and Adonijah, and 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 Yahweh’s law with them; and 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. They went through all the cities of Judah and taught among the people. Jehoshaphat’s Strength

10 T he fear of Yahweh fell on all the kingdoms of the lands that were around 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 S ome of the Philistines brought Jehoshaphat presents, and silver for tribute; the Arabians also brought him flocks, seven thousand and seven hundred rams, and seven thousand and seven hundred 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 J ehoshaphat grew great exceedingly; 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 many works in the cities of Judah; and men of war, mighty men of valor, in Jerusalem.

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

14 T his was the numbering of them according to their fathers’ houses: Of Judah, the captains of thousands: Adnah the captain, and with him mighty men of valor 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 Jehohanan the captain, and with him two hundred 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 Yahweh; and with him two hundred thousand mighty men of valor.

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 O f Benjamin: Eliada a mighty man of valor, 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 Jehozabad and with him one hundred eighty thousand ready prepared for war.

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

19 T hese were those who waited on the king, besides those whom the king put in the fortified 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.