The Second Book of the Chronicles

⭑ Catholic Public Domain :: World English Bible Catholic ⭑

- Chapter 17 -

(1 Kings 15:23–24)

Then Jehoshaphat, his son, reigned in his place. And he grew strong against Israel.

And he appointed numbers of soldiers in all the cities of Judah that had been fortified with walls. And he placed garrisons in the land of Judah, and in the cities of Ephraim that his father Asa had seized.

And the Lord was with Jehoshaphat, because he walked in the first ways of his father, David. And he did not trust in the Baals,

but in the God of his father. And he advanced in his precepts, and not according to the sins of Israel.

And the Lord confirmed the kingdom in his hand. And all of Judah gave gifts to Jehoshaphat. And innumerable riches were brought to him, and much glory.

And when his heart had taken courage because of the ways of the Lord, he now also took away the high places and the sacred groves from Judah.

Then, in the third year of his reign, he sent Benhail, and Obadiah, and Zechariah, and Nethanel, and Micaiah, from among his leaders, so that they might teach in the cites of Judah.

And with them were the Levites Shemaiah and Nethaniah and Zebadiah, and also Asahel and Shemiramoth and Jehonathan, and the Levites Adonijah and Tobijah and Tobadonijah. And with them were the priests Elishama and Jehoram.

And they were teaching the people in Judah, having with them the book of the law of the Lord. And they were traveling through all the cities of Judah, and were instructing the people.

And so, the fear of the Lord fell upon all the kingdoms of the lands which were around Judah. And they did not dare to make war against Jehoshaphat.

Moreover, the Philistines carried gifts to Jehoshaphat, and a tribute in silver. Also, the Arabians brought cattle: seven thousand seven hundred rams, and the same number of he-goats.

Therefore, Jehoshaphat increased and was magnified, even on high. And in Judah, he built houses in the likeness of towers, and walled cities.

And he prepared many works in the cities of Judah. Also, there were men experienced in warfare in Jerusalem,

and this is the number of them, by each of the houses and families. In Judah, the leader of the army was Adnah, the commander; and with him were three hundred thousand very experienced men.

After him, Jehohanan was the leader; and with him were two hundred eighty thousand.

Also after him, there was Amasiah, the son of Zichri, who was consecrated to the Lord; and with him were two hundred thousand strong men.

Following him, there was Eliada, who was experienced in battle; and with him were two hundred thousand, holding bow and shield.

Then too, after him, there was Jehozabad; and with him were one hundred eighty thousand lightly-armed soldiers.

All these were at the hand of the king, aside from the others, whom he had positioned in the walled cities, in all of Judah.

(1 Kings 15:23–24)

Jehoshaphat his son reigned in his place, and strengthened himself against Israel.

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.

The LORD was with Jehoshaphat, because he walked in the first ways of his father David, and didn’t seek the Baals,

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

Therefore the LORD established the kingdom in his hand. All Judah brought tribute to Jehoshaphat, and he had riches and honor in abundance.

His heart was lifted up in the ways of the LORD. Furthermore, he took away the high places and the Asherah poles out of Judah.

Also in the third year of his reign he sent his princes, even Ben Hail, Obadiah, Zechariah, Nethanel, and Micaiah, to teach in the cities of Judah;

and with them Levites, even Shemaiah, Nethaniah, Zebadiah, Asahel, Shemiramoth, Jehonathan, Adonijah, Tobijah, and Tobadonijah, the Levites; and with them Elishama and Jehoram, the priests.

They taught in Judah, having the book of the LORD’s law with them. They went about throughout all the cities of Judah and taught among the people.

The fear of the LORD fell on all the kingdoms of the lands that were around Judah, so that they made no war against Jehoshaphat.

Some of the Philistines brought Jehoshaphat presents and silver for tribute. The Arabians also brought him flocks: seven thousand seven hundred rams and seven thousand seven hundred male goats.

Jehoshaphat grew great exceedingly; and he built fortresses and store cities in Judah.

He had many works in the cities of Judah; and men of war, mighty men of valor, in Jerusalem.

This was the numbering of them according to their fathers’ houses: From Judah, the captains of thousands: Adnah the captain, and with him three hundred thousand mighty men of valor;

and next to him Jehohanan the captain, and with him two hundred eighty thousand;

and next to him Amasiah the son of Zichri, who willingly offered himself to the LORD, and with him two hundred thousand mighty men of valor.

From Benjamin: Eliada, a mighty man of valor, and with him two hundred thousand armed with bow and shield;

and next to him Jehozabad, and with him one hundred eighty thousand ready and prepared for war.

These were those who waited on the king, in addition to those whom the king put in the fortified cities throughout all Judah.