Jehoshaphat Reigns in Judah
1 ThenJehoshaphat his son reigned in his place, and strengthened himself against Israel.
2 And he placed troops in all the fortified cities of Judah, and set garrisons in the land ofJudah and in the cities of Ephraimwhich Asa his father had taken.
3 Now theLordwas with Jehoshaphat, because he walked in the former ways of his father David; he did not seek the Baals,
4 but sought the God of his father, and walked in His commandments and not according tothe acts of Israel.
5 Therefore theLordestablished the kingdom in his hand; and all Judahgave presents to Jehoshaphat,and he had riches and honor in abundance.
6 And his heart took delight in the ways of theLord; moreoverhe removed the high places and wooden images from Judah.
7 Also in the third year of his reign he sent his leaders, Ben-Hail, Obadiah, Zechariah, Nethanel, and Michaiah,to teach in the cities of Judah.
8 And with themhesentLevites: Shemaiah, Nethaniah, Zebadiah, Asahel, Shemiramoth, Jehonathan, Adonijah, Tobijah, and Tobadonijah—the Levites; and with them Elishama and Jehoram, the priests.
9 So they taught in Judah, andhadthe Book of the Law of theLordwith them; they went throughout all the cities of Judah and taught the people.
10 Andthe fear of theLordfell on all the kingdoms of the lands thatwerearound Judah, so that they did not make war against Jehoshaphat.
11 Alsosomeof the Philistinesbrought Jehoshaphat presents and silver as tribute; and the Arabians brought him flocks, seven thousand seven hundred rams and seven thousand seven hundred male goats.
12 So Jehoshaphat became increasingly powerful, and he built fortresses and storage cities in Judah.
13 He had much property in the cities of Judah; and the men of war, mighty men of valor,werein Jerusalem.
14 Thesearetheir numbers, according to their fathers’ houses. Of Judah, the captains of thousands: Adnah the captain, and with him three hundred thousand mighty men of valor;
15 and next to himwasJehohanan the captain, and with him two hundred and eighty thousand;
16 and next to himwasAmasiah the son of Zichri,who willingly offered himself to theLord, and with him two hundred thousand mighty men of valor.
17 Of Benjamin: Eliada a mighty man of valor, and with him two hundred thousand men armed with bow and shield;
18 and next to himwasJehozabad, and with him one hundred and eighty thousand prepared for war.
19 These served the king, besidesthose the king put in the fortified cities throughout all Judah.