2 Chronicles 17

1 Jehoshaphat his son reigned in his place, and strengthened himself against Israel.

Then Jehoshaphat, his son, reigned in his place. And he grew strong against Israel.

2 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 taken.

And he appointed numbers of soldiers in all the cities of Judah that had been fortified with walls. And he placed garrisons in the land of Judah, and in the cities of Ephraim that his father Asa had seized.

3 The LORD was with Jehoshaphat, because he walked in the first ways of his father David, and didn’t seek the Baals,

And the Lord was with Jehoshaphat, because he walked in the first ways of his father, David. And he did not trust in the Baals,

4 but sought the God of his father, and walked in his commandments, and not in the ways of Israel.

but in the God of his father. And he advanced in his precepts, and not according to the sins of Israel.

5 Therefore the LORD established the kingdom in his hand. All Judah brought tribute to Jehoshaphat, and he had riches and honour in abundance.

And the Lord confirmed the kingdom in his hand. And all of Judah gave gifts to Jehoshaphat. And innumerable riches were brought to him, and much glory.

6 His heart was lifted up in the ways of the LORD. Furthermore, he took away the high places and the Asherah poles out of Judah.

And when his heart had taken courage because of the ways of the Lord, he now also took away the high places and the sacred groves from Judah.

7 Also in the third year of his reign he sent his princes, even Ben Hail, Obadiah, Zechariah, Nethanel, and Micaiah, to teach in the cities of Judah;

Then, in the third year of his reign, he sent Benhail, and Obadiah, and Zechariah, and Nethanel, and Micaiah, from among his leaders, so that they might teach in the cites of Judah.

8 and with them Levites, even Shemaiah, Nethaniah, Zebadiah, Asahel, Shemiramoth, Jehonathan, Adonijah, Tobijah, and Tobadonijah, the Levites; and with them Elishama and Jehoram, the priests.

And with them were the Levites Shemaiah and Nethaniah and Zebadiah, and also Asahel and Shemiramoth and Jehonathan, and the Levites Adonijah and Tobijah and Tobadonijah. And with them were the priests Elishama and Jehoram.

9 They taught in Judah, having the book of the LORD’s law with them. They went about throughout all the cities of Judah and taught amongst the people.

And they were teaching the people in Judah, having with them the book of the law of the Lord. And they were traveling through all the cities of Judah, and were instructing the people.

10 The fear of the LORD fell on all the kingdoms of the lands that were around Judah, so that they made no war against Jehoshaphat.

And so, the fear of the Lord fell upon all the kingdoms of the lands which were around Judah. And they did not dare to make war against Jehoshaphat.

11 Some of the Philistines brought Jehoshaphat presents and silver for tribute. The Arabians also brought him flocks: seven thousand and seven hundred rams and seven thousand and seven hundred male goats.

Moreover, the Philistines carried gifts to Jehoshaphat, and a tribute in silver. Also, the Arabians brought cattle: seven thousand seven hundred rams, and the same number of he-goats.

12 Jehoshaphat grew great exceedingly; and he built fortresses and store cities in Judah.

Therefore, Jehoshaphat increased and was magnified, even on high. And in Judah, he built houses in the likeness of towers, and walled cities.

13 He had many works in the cities of Judah; and men of war, mighty men of valour, in Jerusalem.

And he prepared many works in the cities of Judah. Also, there were men experienced in warfare in Jerusalem,

14 This was the numbering of them according to their fathers’ houses: From Judah, the captains of thousands: Adnah the captain, and with him three hundred thousand mighty men of valour;

and this is the number of them, by each of the houses and families. In Judah, the leader of the army was Adnah, the commander; and with him were three hundred thousand very experienced men.

15 and next to him Jehohanan the captain, and with him two hundred and eighty thousand;

After him, Jehohanan was the leader; and with him were two hundred eighty thousand.

16 and next to him Amasiah the son of Zichri, who willingly offered himself to the LORD, and with him two hundred thousand mighty men of valour.

Also after him, there was Amasiah, the son of Zichri, who was consecrated to the Lord; and with him were two hundred thousand strong men.

17 From Benjamin: Eliada, a mighty man of valour, and with him two hundred thousand armed with bow and shield;

Following him, there was Eliada, who was experienced in battle; and with him were two hundred thousand, holding bow and shield.

18 and next to him Jehozabad, and with him one hundred and eighty thousand ready and prepared for war.

Then too, after him, there was Jehozabad; and with him were one hundred eighty thousand lightly-armed soldiers.

19 These were those who waited on the king, in addition to those whom the king put in the fortified cities throughout all Judah.

All these were at the hand of the king, aside from the others, whom he had positioned in the walled cities, in all of Judah.