2 Chronicles 17

1 Asa’s son Jehoshaphat reigned in his place, and he strengthened himself against Israel.

Asa's son Jehoshaphat took over as king. He strengthened his country's defenses against Israel.

2 He stationed troops in every fortified city of Judah and put garrisons in the land of Judah and in the cities of Ephraim that his father Asa had captured.

He assigned troops to every fortified city of Judah and placed garrisons throughout Judah and in the towns of Ephraim that his father Asa had captured.

3 Now the LORD was with Jehoshaphat because he walked in the earlier ways of his father David. He did not seek out the Baals,

The Lord supported Jehoshaphat because he followed the ways of his father David. He did not believe in the Baals,

4 but he sought the God of his father and walked by His commandments rather than the practices of Israel.

but worshiped the God of his father and obeyed his commandments, unlike what the kingdom of Israel was doing.

5 So the LORD established the kingdom in his hand, and all Judah brought him tribute, so that he had an abundance of riches and honor.

So the Lord made Jehoshaphat's hold on the kingdom secure, and all the people of Judah paid their dues to him. As a result he became very wealthy and highly honored.

6 And his heart took delight in the ways of the LORD; furthermore, he removed the high places and Asherah poles from Judah.

He was sincerely committed to what the Lord wanted. He also he removed the high places and Asherah poles from Judah.

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

In the third year of his reign, Jehoshaphat sent his officials Ben-hail, Obadiah, Zechariah, Nethanel, and Micaiah to teach in the towns of Judah.

8 accompanied by certain Levites—Shemaiah, Nethaniah, Zebadiah, Asahel, Shemiramoth, Jehonathan, Adonijah, Tobijah, and Tob-adonijah—along with the priests Elishama and Jehoram.

He sent along with the them Levites named Shemaiah, Nethaniah, Zebadiah, Asahel, Shemiramoth, Jehonathan, Adonijah, Tobijah, and Tobadonijah, and with them the priests Elishama and Jehoram.

9 They taught throughout Judah, taking with them the Book of the Law of the LORD. They went throughout the towns of Judah and taught the people.

Taking with them the Book of the Law of the Lord they taught as they went around Judah. They visited all the towns of Judah, teaching the people.

10 And the dread of the LORD fell upon all the kingdoms of the lands that surrounded Judah, so that they did not make war against Jehoshaphat.

All the surrounding kingdoms were in awe of the Lord, so that they did not attack Jehoshaphat.

11 Some Philistines also brought gifts and silver as tribute to Jehoshaphat, and the Arabs brought him 7,700 rams and 7,700 goats from their flocks.

Some of the Philistines even brought him gifts and silver, while the Arabians brought him 7,700 rams and 7,700 goats.

12 Jehoshaphat grew stronger and stronger, and he built fortresses and store cities in Judah

Jehoshaphat grew increasingly powerful, and he built fortresses and storehouse towns in Judah.

13 and kept vast supplies in the cities of Judah. He also had warriors in Jerusalem who were mighty men of valor.

He maintained a great deal of supplies in the towns of Judah. He also had troops, experienced warriors, in Jerusalem.

14 These are their numbers according to the houses of their fathers: From Judah, the commanders of thousands: Adnah the commander, and with him 300,000 mighty men of valor;

This is a count of them, according to their family lines: from Judah, the commanders of thousands: Adnah the commander, and 300,000 mighty warriors with him;

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

then Jehohanan the commander, and 280,000 with him;

16 and next to him, Amasiah son of Zichri, the volunteer for the LORD, and with him 200,000 mighty men of valor.

then Amasiah, son of Zichri, who volunteered to serve the Lord, and 200,000 mighty warriors with him;

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

from Benjamin, Eliada, a mighty warrior, and 200,000 with him armed with bows and shields;

18 and next to him, Jehozabad, and with him 180,000 armed for battle.

then Jehozabad, and 180,000 with him ready for battle;

19 These were the men who served the king, besides those he stationed in the fortified cities throughout Judah.

These were the men who served the king, in addition those he assigned to the fortified towns throughout Judah.