17:1 Jehoshaphat his son then became king in his place, and made his position over Israel firm. |
17:2 He placed troops 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. |
17:3 The LORD remained with Jehoshaphat because he followed the example of his father David's earlier days and did not seek the Baals, |
17:4 but sought the God of his father, followed His commandments, and did not act as Israel did. |
17:5 So the LORD established the kingdom in his control, and all Judah brought tribute to Jehoshaphat, and he had great riches and honor. |
17:6 He took great pride in the ways of the LORD and again removed the high places and the Asherim from Judah. |
17:7 Then in the third year of his reign he sent his officials, Ben-hail, Obadiah, Zechariah, Nethanel and Micaiah, to teach in the cities of Judah; |
17:8 and with them the Levites, Shemaiah, Nethaniah, Zebadiah, Asahel, Shemiramoth, Jehonathan, Adonijah, Tobijah and Tobadonijah, the Levites; and with them Elishama and Jehoram, the priests. |
17:9 They taught in Judah, having the book of the law of the LORD with them; and they went throughout all the cities of Judah and taught among the people. |
17:10 Now the dread of the LORD fell on all the kingdoms of the lands which lay around Judah, so that they did not make war against Jehoshaphat. |
17:11 Some of the Philistines brought gifts and silver as tribute to Jehoshaphat; the Arabians also brought him flocks, 7,700 rams and 7,700 male goats. |
17:12 So Jehoshaphat grew greater and greater, and he built fortresses and store cities in Judah. |
17:13 He had large supplies in the cities of Judah, and warriors, valiant men, in Jerusalem. |
17:14 This consisted of their muster according to their fathers' households: of Judah, commanders of thousands, Adnah became the commander, and with him 300,000 valiant warriors; |
17:15 and next to him we identify as Johanan the commander, and with him 280,000; |
17:16 and next to him Amasiah the son of Zichri, who volunteered for the LORD, and with him 200,000 valiant warriors; |
17:17 and of Benjamin, Eliada a valiant warrior, and with him 200,000 armed with bow and shield; |
17:18 and next to him Jehozabad, and with him 180,000 equipped for war. |
17:19 These served the king, apart from those whom the king put in the fortified cities through all Judah. |