Jehoshaphat Succeeds Asa
1 His son Jehoshaphat then became king in his place, and he proved himself strong over Israel. 2 He placed troops in all the fortified cities of Judah, and placed garrisons in the land of Judah and in the cities of Ephraim which his father Asa had captured.
His Good Reign
3 And the Lord was with Jehoshaphat because he 17:3 Lit walked in the earlier ways of his fatherfollowed the example of his father David’s earlier days and did not seek the Baals, 4 but sought the God of his father, 17:4 Lit walked infollowed His commandments, and did not act as Israel did. 5 So the Lord established the kingdom in his 17:5 Lit handcontrol, and all Judah gave tribute to Jehoshaphat, and he had great riches and honor. 6 17:6 Lit his heart was highHe took great pride in the ways of the Lord, and again removed the high places and the 17:6 I.e., wooden symbols of a female deity (Asherah)Asherim from Judah.
7 Then 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; 8 and with them the Levites, Shemaiah, Nethaniah, Zebadiah, Asahel, Shemiramoth, Jehonathan, Adonijah, Tobijah, and Tobadonijah, the Levites; and with them the priests Elishama and Jehoram. 9 They taught in Judah, having the Book of the Law of the Lord with them; and they went throughout the cities of Judah and taught among the people.
10 Now 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. 11 Some 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. 12 So Jehoshaphat grew greater and greater, and he built fortresses and storage cities in Judah. 13 He had large supplies in the cities of Judah, and warriors, valiant mighty men, in Jerusalem. 14 This was their muster according to their fathers’ households: of Judah, commanders of thousands, Adnah was the commander, and with him three hundred thousand valiant warriors; 15 and next to him was Johanan the commander, and with him 280,000; 16 and next to him Amasiah the son of Zichri, who volunteered for the Lord, and with him two hundred thousand valiant warriors; 17 and of Benjamin, Eliada, a valiant warrior, and with him two hundred thousand armed with bow and shield; 18 and next to him Jehozabad, and with him 180,000 equipped for war. 19 These are the ones who served the king, apart from those whom the king put in the fortified cities throughout Judah.