¹⁹ These were in the service of the king, besides those whom the king had placed in the fortified cities throughout all Judah.

² He placed forces in all the fortified cities of Judah and set garrisons in the land of Judah and in the cities of Ephraim that his father Asa had taken.^(A)

¹² Jehoshaphat grew steadily greater. He built fortresses and storage cities in Judah.

²³ He dealt wisely and distributed some of his sons through all the districts of Judah and Benjamin, in all the fortified cities; he gave them abundant provisions and found many wives for them.

¹² He also put large shields and spears in all the cities and made them very strong. So he held Judah and Benjamin.