2 Chronicles 17
1 And Jehoshaphat his son reigned in his stead, and strengthened himself against Israel.
Asa's son Jehoshaphat took over as king. He strengthened his country's defenses against Israel.
2 And he placed forces in all the fenced cities of Judah, and set garrisons in the land of Judah, and in the cities of Ephraim, which Asa his father had taken.
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 And Yhwh was with Jehoshaphat, because he walked in the first ways of his father David, and sought not unto Baalim;
The Lord supported Jehoshaphat because he followed the ways of his father David. He did not believe in the Baals,
4 But sought to the Lord God of his father, and walked in his commandments, and not after the doings of Israel.
but worshiped the God of his father and obeyed his commandments, unlike what the kingdom of Israel was doing.
5 Therefore Yhwh stablished the kingdom in his hand; and all Judah brought to Jehoshaphat presents; and he had riches and honour in abundance.
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 was lifted up in the ways of Yhwh: moreover he took away the high places and groves out of Judah.
He was sincerely committed to what the Lord wanted. He also he removed the high places and Asherah poles from Judah.
7 Also in the third year of his reign he sent to his princes, even to Ben–hail, and to Obadiah, and to Zechariah, and to Nethaneel, and to Michaiah, 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 And with them he sent Levites, even Shemaiah, and Nethaniah, and Zebadiah, and Asahel, and Shemiramoth, and Jehonathan, and Adonijah, and Tobijah, and Tob–adonijah, Levites; and with them Elishama and Jehoram, priests.
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 And they taught in Judah, and had the book of the law of Yhwh with them, and went about throughout all the cities 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 fear of Yhwh fell upon all the kingdoms of the lands that were round about Judah, so that they made no war against Jehoshaphat.
All the surrounding kingdoms were in awe of the Lord, so that they did not attack Jehoshaphat.
11 Also some of the Philistines brought Jehoshaphat presents, and tribute silver; and the Arabians brought him flocks, seven thousand and seven hundred rams, and seven thousand and seven hundred he goats.
Some of the Philistines even brought him gifts and silver, while the Arabians brought him 7,700 rams and 7,700 goats.
12 And Jehoshaphat waxed great exceedingly; and he built in Judah castles, and cities of store.
Jehoshaphat grew increasingly powerful, and he built fortresses and storehouse towns in Judah.
13 And he had much business in the cities of Judah: and the men of war, mighty men of valour, were in Jerusalem.
He maintained a great deal of supplies in the towns of Judah. He also had troops, experienced warriors, in Jerusalem.
14 And these are the numbers of them according to the house of their fathers: Of Judah, the captains of thousands; Adnah the chief, and with him mighty men of valour three hundred thousand.
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 And next to him was Jehohanan the captain, and with him two hundred and fourscore thousand.
then Jehohanan the commander, and 280,000 with him;
16 And next him was Amasiah the son of Zichri, who willingly offered himself unto Yhwh; and with him two hundred thousand mighty men of valour.
then Amasiah, son of Zichri, who volunteered to serve the Lord, and 200,000 mighty warriors with him;
17 And of Benjamin; Eliada a mighty man of valour, and with him armed men with bow and shield two hundred thousand.
from Benjamin, Eliada, a mighty warrior, and 200,000 with him armed with bows and shields;
18 And next him was Jehozabad, and with him an hundred and fourscore thousand ready prepared for the war.
then Jehozabad, and 180,000 with him ready for battle;
19 These waited on the king, beside those whom the king put in the fenced cities throughout all Judah.
These were the men who served the king, in addition those he assigned to the fortified towns throughout Judah.
