2 Chronicles 17 — ULB

17Verse 1Jehoshaphat son of Asa became king in his place. Jehoshaphat strengthened himself against Israel.^{Verse 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 captured.^{Verse 3}Yahweh was with Jehoshaphat because he walked in the first ways of his father David, and did not seek the Baals.^{+Verse 4}Instead, he relied on the God of his father, and walked in his commandments, not after the behavior of Israel.^{Verse 5}So Yahweh established the rule in his hand; all Judah brought tribute to Jehoshaphat. He had riches and honor in abundance.^{Verse 6}His heart was committed to Yahweh's ways. He also removed the high places and the Asherah poles from Judah.^{Verse 7}In the third year of his reign he sent his officials Ben-Hail, Obadiah, Zechariah, Nethanel, and Micaiah, to teach in the cities of Judah.^{Verse 8}With them were Levites: Shemaiah, Nethaniah, Zebadiah, Asahel, Shemiramoth, Jehonathan, Adonijah, Tobijah, and Tob-Adonijah; and with them were the priests Elishama and Jehoram.^{Verse 9}They taught in Judah, having the book of the law of Yahweh with them. They went about throughout all the cities of Judah and taught among the people.^{Verse 10}Terror of Yahweh fell on all the kingdoms of the lands that were around Judah, so that they made no war against Jehoshaphat.^{Verse 11}Some of the Philistines brought Jehoshaphat presents, and silver as tribute. Arabians also brought him flocks, 7,700 rams, and 7,700 goats.^{Verse 12}Jehoshaphat became very powerful. He built fortresses and store cities in Judah.^{Verse 13}He had many supplies in the cities of Judah, and soldiers—strong, mighty men—in Jerusalem.^{Verse 14}These were their divisions listed by the name of their fathers' houses: From Judah, the commanders of thousands; Adnah the commander, and with him 300,000 fighting men;^{Verse 15}next to him Jehohanan the commander, and with him 280,000 men;^{Verse 16}next to him Amasiah son of Zichri, who willingly offered to serve Yahweh; and with him 200,000 fighting men.^{Verse 17}From Benjamin: Eliada a powerful man of courage, and with him 200,000 armed with bows and shields;^{Verse 18}next to him Jehozabad, and with him 180,000 ready prepared for war.^{Verse 19}These were those who served the king, besides those whom the king put in the fortified cities throughout all Judah.