Chapter 17

And Jehoshaphat his son reigned⁴ in his stead, and strengthened¹⁰¹ himself against Israel.

And he placed⁴ forces in all the fenced⁷ cities of Judah, and set⁴ garrisons in the land of Judah, and in the cities of Ephraim, which Asa his father had taken.¹

And the LORD was with Jehoshaphat, because he walked¹ in the first ways of his father David, and sought¹ not unto Baalim;

But sought¹ to the [LORD] God of his father, and walked¹ in his commandments, and not after the doings of Israel.

Therefore the LORD stablished⁵⁵ the kingdom in his hand; and all Judah brought⁴ to Jehoshaphat presents; and he had riches and honour in abundance.

And his heart was lifted up⁴ in the ways of the LORD: moreover he took away⁵² the high places and groves out of Judah.

Also in the third year of his reign² he sent¹ to his princes, [even] to Benhail, and to Obadiah, and to Zechariah, and to Nethaneel, and to Michaiah, to teach¹⁵ in the cities of Judah.

And with them [he sent] Levites, [even] Shemaiah, and Nethaniah, and Zebadiah, and Asahel, and Shemiramoth, and Jehonathan, and Adonijah, and Tobijah, and Tobadonijah, Levites; and with them Elishama and Jehoram, priests.

And they taught¹⁷ in Judah, and [had] the book of the law of the LORD with them, and went about⁴ throughout all the cities of Judah, and taught¹⁷ the people.

And the fear of the LORD fell upon all the kingdoms of the lands that [were] round about Judah, so that they made no war⁸ against Jehoshaphat.

Also [some] of the Philistines brought⁵⁶ Jehoshaphat presents, and tribute silver; and the Arabians brought⁵⁶ him flocks, seven thousand and seven hundred rams, and seven thousand and seven hundred he goats.

And Jehoshaphat waxed⁶ great exceedingly; and he built⁴ in Judah castles, and cities of store.

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

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.

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

And next him [was] Amasiah the son of Zichri, who willingly offered¹⁰² himself unto the LORD; and with him two hundred thousand mighty men of valour.

And of Benjamin; Eliada a mighty man of valour, and with him armed⁶ men with bow and shield two hundred thousand.

And next him [was] Jehozabad, and with him an hundred and fourscore thousand ready prepared⁷ for the war.

These waited on¹⁸ the king, beside [those] whom the king put¹ in the fenced cities throughout all Judah.