Jehoshaphat King of Judah

17 Jehoshaphat, Asa’s son, became king of Judah in his place. Jehoshaphat ·made Judah strong so they could fight [strengthened himself] against Israel. ² He put ·troops [garrisons] in all the ·strong, walled [fortified] cities of Judah, in the land of Judah, and in the towns of Ephraim that his father Asa had captured.

³ The Lord was with Jehoshaphat, because he ·lived as his ancestor David had lived when he first became king [followed the earlier example/ways of his ancestor/father David]. Jehoshaphat did not ·ask for help from [seek; consult] the Baal idols, ⁴ but ·from [sought; consulted] the God of his father. He ·obeyed [^Lwalked in] God’s commands and did not ·live as the people of Israel lived [behave like Israel]. ⁵ The Lord ·made Jehoshaphat a strong king over Judah [secured/established the kingdom under his control/^Lhand]. All the people of Judah brought ·gifts [tribute] to Jehoshaphat, so he had much wealth and ·honor [esteem]. ⁶ ·He wanted very much to obey [^LHis heart was devoted/committed to the ways of] the Lord. He also removed the ·places for worshiping gods [^Lhigh places; 11:15] and the Asherah ·idols [poles; 14:3] from Judah.