1And Jehoshaphat his son reigned in his stead , and strengthened himself against Israel . 2And 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 . 3And Jehovah was with Jehoshaphat , because he walked in the first ways of his father David , and sought not unto the Baalim , 4but sought to the God of his father, and walked in his commandments , and not after the doings of Israel . 5Therefore Jehovah established the kingdom in his hand ; and all Judah brought to Jehoshaphat tribute ; and he had riches and honor in abundance . 6And his heart was lifted up in the ways of Jehovah : and furthermore he took away the high places and the Asherim out of Judah .
Seeking the Lord
7Also 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 ; 8and 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 . 9And they taught in Judah , having the book of the law of Jehovah with them ; and they went about throughout all the cities of Judah , and taught among the people .
Military Strength and Alliances
10And the fear of Jehovah fell upon all the kingdoms of the lands that were round about Judah , so that they made no war against Jehoshaphat . 11And 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 he-goats. 12And Jehoshaphat waxed great exceedingly ; and he built in Judah castles and cities of store . 13And he had many works in the cities of Judah ; and men of war , mighty men of valor , in Jerusalem . 14And 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; 15and next to him Jehohanan the captain , and with him two hundred and fourscore thousand; 16and next to him Amasiah the son of Zichri , who willingly offered himself unto Jehovah ; and with him two hundred thousand mighty men of valor . 17And of Benjamin : Eliada a mighty man of valor , and with him two hundred thousand armed with bow and shield ; 18and next to him Jehozabad , and with him a hundred and fourscore thousand ready prepared for war . 19These were they that waited on the king , besides those whom the king put in the fortified cities throughout all Judah .