| Chapter 17 |
1 | Jehoshaphat his son reigned in his place, and strengthened himself 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. |
3 | Yahweh was with Jehoshaphat, because he walked in the first ways of his father David, and didn't seek the Baals, |
4 | but sought to the God of his father, and walked in his commandments, and not after the doings of Israel. |
5 | Therefore Yahweh established the kingdom in his hand; and all Judah brought to Jehoshaphat tribute; and he had riches and honor in abundance. |
6 | His heart was lifted up in the ways of Yahweh: and furthermore he took away the high places and the Asherim out of Judah. |
7 | Also in the third year of his reign he sent his princes, even Ben-hail, and Obadiah, and Zechariah, and Nethanel, and Micaiah, to teach in the cities of Judah; |
8 | and with them the Levites, even Shemaiah, and Nethaniah, and Zebadiah, and Asahel, and Shemiramoth, and Jehonathan, and Adonijah, and Tobijah, and Tob-adonijah, the Levites; and with them Elishama and Jehoram, the priests. |
9 | They taught in Judah, having the book of the law of Yahweh with them; and they went about throughout all the cities of Judah, and taught among the people. |
10 | The fear of Yahweh fell on all the kingdoms of the lands that were round about Judah, so that they made no 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. |
12 | Jehoshaphat grew great exceedingly; and he built in Judah castles and cities of store. |
13 | He had many works in the cities of Judah; and men of war, mighty men of valor, in Jerusalem. |
14 | This was the numbering of them according to their fathers' houses: Of Judah, the captains of thousands: Adnah the captain, and with him mighty men of valor three hundred thousand; |
15 | and next to him Jehohanan the captain, and with him two hundred eighty thousand; |
16 | and next to him Amasiah the son of Zichri, who willingly offered himself to Yahweh; and with him two hundred thousand mighty men of valor. |
17 | Of Benjamin: Eliada a mighty man of valor, and with him two hundred thousand armed with bow and shield; |
18 | and next to him Jehozabad and with him one hundred eighty thousand ready prepared for war. |
19 | These were those who waited on the king, besides those whom the king put in the fortified cities throughout all Judah. |