2 Chronicles 17

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

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

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,

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

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

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

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

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

His heart was committed to Yahweh's ways. He also removed the high places and the 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 he sent his officials Ben-Hail, Obadiah, Zechariah, Nethanel, and Micaiah, to teach in the cities 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.

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

They 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.

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.

Terror of Yahweh fell on all the kingdoms of the lands that were around Judah, so that they made no war against 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 brought Jehoshaphat presents, and silver as tribute. Arabians also brought him flocks, 7,700 rams, and 7,700 goats.

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

Jehoshaphat became very powerful. He built fortresses and store cities 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 had many supplies in the cities of Judah, and soldiers—strong, mighty men—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;

These 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;

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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