2 Chronicles 17

17:1

Asa’s son Jehoshaphat reigned in his place, and he strengthened himself against Israel.

17:2

He stationed troops in every fortified city of Judah and put garrisons in the land of Judah and in the cities of Ephraim that his father Asa had captured.

17:3

Now the LORD was with Jehoshaphat because he walked in the earlier ways of his father David. He did not seek out the Baals,

17:4

but he sought the God of his father and walked by His commandments rather than the practices of Israel.

17:5

So the LORD established the kingdom in his hand, and all Judah brought him tribute, so that he had an abundance of riches and honor.

17:6

And his heart took delight in the ways of the LORD; furthermore, he removed the high places and Asherah poles from Judah.

17:7

In the third year of his reign, Jehoshaphat sent his officials Ben-hail, Obadiah, Zechariah, Nethanel, and Micaiah to teach in the cities of Judah,

17:8

accompanied by certain Levites—Shemaiah, Nethaniah, Zebadiah, Asahel, Shemiramoth, Jehonathan, Adonijah, Tobijah, and Tob-adonijah—along with the priests Elishama and Jehoram.

17:9

They taught throughout Judah, taking with them the Book of the Law of the LORD. They went throughout the towns of Judah and taught the people.

17:10

And the dread of the LORD fell upon all the kingdoms of the lands that surrounded Judah, so that they did not make war against Jehoshaphat.

17:11

Some Philistines also brought gifts and silver as tribute to Jehoshaphat, and the Arabs brought him 7,700 rams and 7,700 goats from their flocks.

17:12

Jehoshaphat grew stronger and stronger, and he built fortresses and store cities in Judah

17:13

and kept vast supplies in the cities of Judah. He also had warriors in Jerusalem who were mighty men of valor.

17:14

These are their numbers according to the houses of their fathers: From Judah, the commanders of thousands: Adnah the commander, and with him 300,000 mighty men of valor;

17:15

next to him, Jehohanan the commander, and with him 280,000;

17:16

and next to him, Amasiah son of Zichri, the volunteer for the LORD, and with him 200,000 mighty men of valor.

17:17

From Benjamin: Eliada, a mighty man of valor, and with him 200,000 armed with bows and shields;

17:18

and next to him, Jehozabad, and with him 180,000 armed for battle.

17:19

These were the men who served the king, besides those he stationed in the fortified cities throughout Judah.