2 Chronicles 17

1 And Jehoshaphat his son became king 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 fortified cities of Judah, and placed garrisons in the land of Judah, and in the cities of Ephraim, which Assa his father 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 And the Lord was with Jehoshaphat; because he walked in the first ways of David his father, and sought not after the Be'alim;

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

4 On the contrary, after the God of his father did he seek, and in his commandments did he walk, but 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 did the Lord establish the kingdom in his hand; and all Judah gave presents to Jehoshaphat; and he had riches and honor 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 raised itself up in the ways of the Lord, and he removed moreover 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 And in the third year of his reign he sent his princes, even Ben-chayil, and 'Obadiah, and Zechariah, and Nethanel, and Michayahu, 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 were the Levites, Shema'yahu, and Nethanyahu, and Zebadyahu, and 'Assahel, and Shemiramoth, and Jehonathan, and Adoniyahu, and Tobiyahu, and Tobadoniyah, the Levites; and with them Elishama' and Jehoram, the 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 with them was the book of the law of the Lord, and they moved about through 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 dread of the Lord was upon all the kingdoms of the lands that were round about Judah, so that they made no war with Jehoshaphat.

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

11 Also from the Philistines did people bring unto Jehoshaphat presents and silver, as tribute: also the Arabians brought him small cattle, rams seven thousand and seven hundred, and he-goats seven thousand and seven hundred.

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 went on becoming exceedingly great, and he built in Judah castles and treasure-cities.

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

13 And he had great works in the cities of Judah, and men of war, mighty in valor, 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 their numbers according to their family divisions: Of Judah, of the captains of the thousands was 'Adnah the chief, and with him were mighty men of valor, 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 Jehochanan the chief, and with him were two hundred and eighty thousand.

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

16 And next to him was 'Amassyah the son of Zichri, who voluntarily offered himself unto the Lord; and with him were two hundred thousand mighty men of valor.

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

17 And of Benjamin, the mighty valiant Elyada', and with him were those armed 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 were one hundred and eighty thousand ready armed for the host.

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

19 These were those that ministered to the king, besides those whom the king had placed in the fortified cities throughout all Judah.

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