Jehoshaphat Reigns in Judah

17 Then (A)Jehoshaphat his son reigned in his place, and strengthened himself against Israel. And he placed troops in all the fortified cities of Judah, and set garrisons in the land of (B)Judah and in the cities of Ephraim (C)which Asa his father had taken. Now the Lord was with Jehoshaphat, because he walked in the former ways of his father David; he did not seek the Baals, but sought [a]the God of his father, and walked in His commandments and not according to (D)the acts of Israel. Therefore the Lord established the kingdom in his hand; and all Judah (E)gave presents to Jehoshaphat, (F)and he had riches and honor in abundance. And his heart took delight in the ways of the Lord; moreover (G)he removed the [b]high places and wooden images from Judah.

Also in the third year of his reign he sent his leaders, Ben-Hail, Obadiah, Zechariah, Nethanel, and Michaiah, (H)to teach in the cities of Judah. And with them he sent Levites: Shemaiah, Nethaniah, Zebadiah, Asahel, Shemiramoth, Jehonathan, Adonijah, Tobijah, and Tobadonijah—the Levites; and with them Elishama and Jehoram, the priests. (I)So they taught in Judah, and had the Book of the Law of the Lord with them; they went throughout all the cities of Judah and taught the people.

10 And (J)the fear of the Lord fell on all the kingdoms of the lands that were around Judah, so that they did not make war against Jehoshaphat. 11 Also some of the Philistines (K)brought 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, were in Jerusalem.

14 These are their 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 him was Jehohanan the captain, and with him two hundred and eighty thousand; 16 and next to him was Amasiah the son of Zichri, (L)who willingly offered himself to the Lord, 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 him was Jehozabad, and with him one hundred and eighty thousand prepared for war. 19 These served the king, besides (M)those the king put in the fortified cities throughout all Judah.

Footnotes

  1. 2 Chronicles 17:4 LXX the Lord God
  2. 2 Chronicles 17:6 Places for pagan worship

17 And Jehoshaphat his son reigned in his stead, and strengthened himself against Israel.

And he 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.

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

but sought the Lord God of his father and walked in His commandments, and not according to the doings of Israel.

Therefore the Lord established the kingdom in his hand; and all Judah brought Jehoshaphat presents, and he had riches and honor in abundance.

And his heart was lifted up in the ways of the Lord; moreover he took away the high places and Asherah poles out of Judah.

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

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

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 And the fear of the Lord fell upon all the kingdoms of the lands that were round about Judah, so that they made no war against Jehoshaphat.

11 Also some of the Philistines brought Jehoshaphat presents and tribute silver; and the Arabians brought him flocks, seven thousand and seven hundred rams, and seven thousand and seven hundred hegoats.

12 And Jehoshaphat waxed exceedingly great; and he built in Judah palaces and cities for stores.

13 And he had much business in the cities of Judah; and the men of war, mighty men of valor, were in Jerusalem.

14 And these are the numbers of them according to the house of their fathers. Of Judah, the captains of thousands: Adnah the chief, and with him mighty men of valor three hundred thousand;

15 and next to him was Jehohanan the captain, and with him two hundred and fourscore thousand;

16 and next to him was Amasiah the son of Zichri, who willingly offered himself unto the Lord, and with him two hundred thousand mighty men of valor.

17 And of Benjamin: Eliada a mighty man of valor, and with him armed men with bow and shield two hundred thousand;

18 and next to him was Jehozabad, and with him a hundred and fourscore thousand ready, prepared for the war.

19 These waited on the king, besides those whom the king put in the fortified cities throughout all Judah.