2 Chronicles, 17

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

1. And Jehoshaphat 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. And he placed forces in all the fenced 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 followed the example of his father's earlier days and did not have recourse to Baal,

3. And the LORD was with Jehoshaphat, because he walked in the first ways of his father David, and sought not unto Baalim;

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

4. But sought to the [LORD] God of his father, and walked in his commandments, and not after the doings 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 stablished the kingdom in his hand; and all Judah brought to Jehoshaphat presents; and he had riches and honour in abundance.

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

6. And his heart was lifted up in the ways of the LORD: moreover he took away the high places and groves 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. Also in the third year of his reign he sent to his princes, [even] to Benhail, and to Obadiah, and to Zechariah, and to Nethaneel, and to Michaiah, 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 [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.

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, and [had] the book of the law of the LORD with them, and went about throughout all the cities of Judah, and taught 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, so that they made no war against Jehoshaphat.

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

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

12. And Jehoshaphat waxed great exceedingly; and he built in Judah castles, and cities of store.

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

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

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

15. And next to him [was] Jehohanan the captain, and with him two hundred and fourscore 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 him [was] Amasiah the son of Zichri, who willingly offered himself unto the LORD; and with him two hundred thousand mighty men of valour.

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

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

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

18. And next him [was] Jehozabad, and with him an hundred and fourscore thousand ready prepared for the 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 waited on the king, beside [those] whom the king put in the fenced cities throughout all Judah.