2 Chronicles 17

1 Asa’s son Jehoshaphat became the king [of Judah], and he enabled his army to become very strong, with the result that they could resist attacks from [the army of] Israel.

And Jehoshaphat his son reigned in his stead, and strengthened himself against Israel.

2 He put soldiers in all the cities in Judah around which they had built walls, and he put soldiers in other places in Judah and in the towns in the area belonging to the tribe of Ephraim that [soldiers of] his father Asa had captured.

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.

3 Yahweh helped Jehoshaphat because when he started [to rule Judah], he did the things that pleased Yahweh like his ancestor [King] David had done. He did not worship the idols of Baal.

And Yhwh was with Jehoshaphat, because he walked in the first ways of his father David, and sought not unto Baalim;

4 Instead, he sought advice from the God whom his father [had worshiped], and he obeyed God’s commands, and did not do the [evil things that the kings of] Israel continually did.

But sought to the Lord God of his father, and walked in his commandments, and not after the doings of Israel.

5 Yahweh enabled him to completely control his kingdom. All [the people of] Judah brought gifts to him, with the result that he became very rich and was greatly honored.

Therefore Yhwh stablished the kingdom in his hand; and all Judah brought to Jehoshaphat presents; and he had riches and honour in abundance.

6 He was completely devoted to doing what pleased Yahweh. His workers got rid of the shrines on the hilltops and the poles for [worshiping the goddess] Asherah throughout Judah.

And his heart was lifted up in the ways of Yhwh: moreover he took away the high places and groves out of Judah.

7 When he had been ruling [Judah] for almost three years, he sent some of his officials—Ben-Hail, Obadiah, Zechariah, Nethanel, and Micaiah—to teach the people in various towns in Judah.

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.

8 With them he sent several descendants of Levi—Shemaiah, Nethaniah, Zebadiah, Asahel, Shemiramoth, Jehonathan, Adonijah, Tobijah, and Tob-Adonijah—and two priests, Elishama and Jehoram.

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.

9 They took with them a scroll on which were written the laws of Yahweh and taught them to the people in all the towns throughout Judah,

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.

10 The people in all the kingdoms surrounding Judah became very afraid of [what Yahweh might do to punish them if they fought against Judah], so they did not start wars with Jehoshaphat’s army.

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.

11 Some people from Philistia brought gifts to Jehoshaphat, and they also brought to him the silver that he demanded that they pay to him. Some Arabs brought to him 7,700 rams and 7,700 goats.

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.

12 Jehoshaphat continued to become more powerful/influential. His workers built forts and places to store supplies in various towns in Judah.

And Jehoshaphat waxed great exceedingly; and he built in Judah castles, and cities of store.

13 Then they put large amounts of supplies in those storehouses. Jehoshaphat also placed in Jerusalem soldiers who were experienced.

And he had much business in the cities of Judah: and the men of war, mighty men of valour, were in Jerusalem.

14 The leaders and numbers from each tribe were as follows: From the tribe of Judah, Adnah was the leader of the soldiers, and he commanded 300,000 soldiers.

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.

15 His assistant was Jehohanan, who commanded 280,000 soldiers.

And next to him was Jehohanan the captain, and with him two hundred and fourscore thousand.

16 Next was Zicri’s son Amasiah, who volunteered to serve Yahweh in this way; he commanded 200,000 soldiers.

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.

17 From the tribe of Benjamin, Eliada, who was a brave soldier, was the leader of the soldiers; he commanded 200,000 men who had bows [and arrows] and shields.

And of Benjamin; Eliada a mighty man of valour, and with him armed men with bow and shield two hundred thousand.

18 Next was Jehozabad, who commanded 180,000 men who had weapons for fighting battles.

And next him was Jehozabad, and with him an hundred and fourscore thousand ready prepared for the war.

19 Those were the soldiers who served the king [in Jerusalem], in addition to the men whom the king had placed in the other cities in Judah that had walls around them.

These waited on the king, beside those whom the king put in the fenced cities throughout all Judah.