2 Chronicles 17
1 Asa's son Jehoshaphat took over as king. He strengthened his country's defenses against Israel.
Jehoshaphat son of Asa became king in his place. Jehoshaphat strengthened himself against Israel.
2 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.
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 The Lord supported Jehoshaphat because he followed the ways of his father David. He did not believe in 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 worshiped the God of his father and obeyed his commandments, unlike what the kingdom of Israel was doing.
Instead, he relied on the God of his father, and walked in his commandments, not after the behavior of Israel.
5 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.
So Yahweh established the rule in his hand; all Judah brought tribute to Jehoshaphat. He had riches and honor in abundance.
6 He was sincerely committed to what the Lord wanted. He also 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 towns 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 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.
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 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.
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 All the surrounding kingdoms were in awe of the Lord, so that they did not attack 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 of the Philistines even brought him gifts and silver, while the Arabians brought him 7,700 rams and 7,700 goats.
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 increasingly powerful, and he built fortresses and storehouse towns in Judah.
Jehoshaphat became very powerful. He built fortresses and store cities in Judah.
13 He maintained a great deal of supplies in the towns of Judah. He also had troops, experienced warriors, in Jerusalem.
He had many supplies in the cities of Judah, and soldiers—strong, mighty men—in Jerusalem.
14 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;
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 then Jehohanan the commander, and 280,000 with him;
next to him Jehohanan the commander, and with him 280,000 men;
16 then Amasiah, son of Zichri, who volunteered to serve the Lord, and 200,000 mighty warriors with him;
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 warrior, and 200,000 with him armed with bows and shields;
From Benjamin: Eliada a powerful man of courage, and with him 200,000 armed with bows and shields;
18 then Jehozabad, and 180,000 with him ready for battle;
next to him Jehozabad, and with him 180,000 ready prepared for war.
19 These were the men who served the king, in addition those he assigned to the fortified towns throughout Judah.
These were those who served the king, besides those whom the king put in the fortified cities throughout all Judah.
