2 Chronicles 17

1 And Josaphat his son reigned in his stead, and grew strong against Israel.

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

2 And he placed numbers of soldiers in all the fortified cities of Juda. And he put garrisons in the land of Juda, and in the cities of Ephraim, which Asa his father had taken.

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.

3 And the Lord was with Josaphat, because he walked in the first ways of David his father: and trusted not in Baalim,

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

4 But in the God of his father, and walk in his commandments, and not according to the sins of Israel.

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

5 And the Lord established the kingdom in his hand, and all Juda brought presents to Josaphat: and he acquired immense riches, and much glory.

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.

6 And when his heart had taken courage for the ways of the Lord, he took away also the high places and the groves out of Juda.

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

7 And in the third year of his reign, he sent of his princes Benhail, and Abdias, and Zacharias, and Nathanael, and Micheas, to teach in the cities of Juda:

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,

8 And with them the Levites, Semeias, and Nathanias, and Zabadias, and Asael, and Semiramoth, and Jonathan, and Adonias, and Tobias, and Thobadonias Levites, and with them Elisama, and Joram priests.

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

9 And they taught the people in Juda, having with them the book of the law of the Lord: and they went about all the cities of Juda, and instructed the people.

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.

10 And the fear of the Lord came upon all the kingdoms of the lands that were round about Juda, and they durst not make war against Josaphat.

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.

11 The Philistines also brought presents to Josaphat, and tribute in silver, and the Arabians brought him cattle, seven thousand seven hundred rams, and as many he goats.

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.

12 And Josaphat grew, and became exceeding great: and he built in Juda houses like towers, and walled cities.

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

13 And he prepared many works in the cities of Juda: and he had warriors, and valiant men in Jerusalem.

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

14 Of whom this is the number of the houses and families of every one: in Juda captains of the army, Ednas the chief, and with him three hundred thousand most valiant men.

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;

15 After him Johanan the captain, and with him two hundred and eighty thousand.

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

16 And after him was Amasias the son of Zechri, consecrated to the Lord, and with him were two hundred thousand valiant men.

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

17 After him was Eliada valiant in battle, and with him two hundred thousand armed with bow and shield.

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

18 After him also was Jozabad, and with him a hundred and eighty thousand ready for war.

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

19 All these were at the hand of the king, beside others, whom he had put in the walled cities, in all Juda.

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