Second Chronicles 17

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¹Jehoshaphat son of Asa became king in his place. Jehoshaphat strengthened himself against Israel.

²He 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 captured.

³Yahweh was with Jehoshaphat because he walked in the first ways of his father David, and did not seek the Baals.

⁴Instead, he relied on the God of his father, and walked in his commandments, not after the behavior of Israel.

⁵So Yahweh established the rule in his hand; all Judah brought tribute to Jehoshaphat. He had riches and honor in abundance.

⁶His heart was committed to Yahweh's ways. He also removed the high places and the Asherah poles from Judah.

⁷In the third year of his reign he sent his officials Ben-Hail, Obadiah, Zechariah, Nethanel, and Micaiah, to teach in the cities of Judah.

⁸With them were Levites: Shemaiah, Nethaniah, Zebadiah, Asahel, Shemiramoth, Jehonathan, Adonijah, Tobijah, and Tob-Adonijah; and with them were the priests Elishama and Jehoram.

⁹They taught in Judah, having the book of the law of Yahweh with them. They went about throughout all the cities of Judah and taught among the people.

¹⁰Terror of Yahweh fell on all the kingdoms of the lands that were around Judah, so that they made no war against Jehoshaphat.

¹¹Some of the Philistines brought Jehoshaphat presents, and silver as tribute. Arabians also brought him flocks, 7,700 rams, and 7,700 goats.

¹²Jehoshaphat became very powerful. He built fortresses and store cities in Judah.

¹³He had many supplies in the cities of Judah, and soldiers—strong, mighty men—in Jerusalem.

¹⁴These were their divisions listed by the name of their fathers' houses: From Judah, the commanders of thousands; Adnah the commander, and with him 300,000 fighting men;

¹⁵next to him Jehohanan the commander, and with him 280,000 men;

¹⁶next to him Amasiah son of Zichri, who willingly offered to serve Yahweh; and with him 200,000 fighting men.

¹⁷From Benjamin: Eliada a powerful man of courage, and with him 200,000 armed with bows and shields;

¹⁸next to him Jehozabad, and with him 180,000 ready prepared for war.

¹⁹These were those who served the king, besides those whom the king put in the fortified cities throughout all Judah.