2 Chronicles, 17

1. When his son Jehoshaphat succeeded him, he made himself stronger against Israel

1. Jehosh'aphat his son reigned in his stead, and strengthened himself against Israel.

2. by stationing troops in all the fortified towns in Judah and by garrisoning Judah and the towns of Ephraim which his father Asa had captured.

2. He placed forces in all the fortified cities of Judah, and set garrisons in the land of Judah, and in the cities of E'phraim which Asa his father had taken.

3. Yahweh was with Jehoshaphat because he followed the example of his father's earlier days and did not have recourse to Baal,

3. The LORD was with Jehosh'aphat, because he walked in the earlier ways of his father; he did not seek the Ba'als,

4. but sought Yahweh, the God of his father, following his commandments and not behaving as Israel did.

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

5. Because of this, Yahweh put him in secure control of the kingdom, while all Judah gave Jehoshaphat presents until ample riches and honour were his.

5. Therefore the LORD established the kingdom in his hand; and all Judah brought tribute to Jehosh'aphat; and he had great riches and honor.

6. He was so enthusiastic about obeying Yahweh that once again he abolished the high places and sacred poles in Judah.

6. His heart was courageous in the ways of the LORD; and furthermore he took the high places and the Ashe'rim out of Judah.

7. In the third year of his reign he sent his leading men-Ben-Hail, Obadiah, Zechariah, Nethanel and Micaiah, to give instruction in the towns of Judah.

7. In the third year of his reign he sent his princes, Ben-hail, Obadi'ah, Zechari'ah, Nethan'el, and Micai'ah, to teach in the cities of Judah;

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

8. and with them the Levites, Shemai'ah, Nethani'ah, Zebadi'ah, As'ahel, Shemi'ramoth, Jehon'athan, Adoni'jah, Tobi'jah, and Tobadoni'jah; and with these Levites, the priests Eli'shama and Jeho'ram.

9. They gave instruction in Judah, having with them the book of the Law of Yahweh, and went round all the towns of Judah instructing the people.

9. And they taught in Judah, having the book of the law of the LORD with them; they went about through all the cities of Judah and taught among the people.

10. A panic from Yahweh seized all the kings of the countries surrounding Judah, as a result of which they did not make war on Jehoshaphat.

10. And the fear of the LORD fell upon all the kingdoms of the lands that were round about Judah, and they made no war against Jehosh'aphat.

11. Some of the Philistines brought Jehoshaphat presents and a load of silver and the Arabs brought him seven thousand seven hundred rams and seven thousand seven hundred he-goats.

11. Some of the Philistines brought Jehosh'aphat presents, and silver for tribute; and the Arabs also brought him seven thousand seven hundred rams and seven thousand seven hundred he-goats.

12. Jehoshaphat became more and more powerful. He built fortresses and storage towns in Judah.

12. And Jehosh'aphat grew steadily greater. He built in Judah fortresses and store-cities,

13. He accumulated ample supplies in the towns of Judah. He also had warriors, outstanding men, in Jerusalem.

13. and he had great stores in the cities of Judah. He had soldiers, mighty men of valor, in Jerusalem.

14. According to family, this is how they were classified: Over the commanders of the thousands of Judah was General Adnah, who had three hundred thousand outstanding men;

14. This was the muster of them by fathers' houses: Of Judah, the commanders of thousands: Adnah the commander, with three hundred thousand mighty men of valor,

15. Under him was General Jehohanan, who had two hundred and eighty thousand;

15. and next to him Jehoha'nan the commander, with two hundred and eighty thousand,

16. Under him was Amasiah son of Zichri, who had volunteered for Yahweh and who had two hundred thousand outstanding men;

16. and next to him Amasi'ah the son of Zichri, a volunteer for the service of the LORD, with two hundred thousand mighty men of valor.

17. That outstanding soldier, Eliada, represented Benjamin, and he had two hundred thousand men armed with bow and shield;

17. Of Benjamin: Eli'ada, a mighty man of valor, with two hundred thousand men armed with bow and shield,

18. And under him Jehozabad, who had one hundred and eighty thousand equipped for war.

18. and next to him Jeho'zabad with a hundred and eighty thousand armed for war.

19. These were in attendance on the king, apart from those whom the king had stationed in the fortified towns all over Judah.

19. These were in the service of the king, besides those whom the king had placed in the fortified cities throughout all Judah.