Jehoshaphat Succeeds Asa

1Jehoshaphat his son then became king [of Judah] in Asa’s place, and strengthened his position over Israel. 2He placed troops in all the fortified cities of Judah, and set garrisons in the land of Judah and in the cities of Ephraim which his father Asa had captured.

His Good Reign

3The LORD was with Jehoshaphat because he [a]followed the example of his father (ancestor) David. He did not seek [to follow] the Baals [the false gods], 4but sought the God of his father, and walked in (obeyed) His commandments, and did not act as Israel did. 5Therefore the LORD established the kingdom in his hand; and all Judah brought tribute to Jehoshaphat, and he had great wealth and honor. 6His heart was encouraged and he took great pride in the ways of the LORD; moreover, he again removed the high places [of pagan worship] and the Asherim from Judah.

7Then 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; 8and with them were the Levites--Shemaiah, Nethaniah, Zebadiah, Asahel, Shemiramoth, Jehonathan, Adonijah, Tobijah, and Tobadonijah; and with them the priests Elishama and Jehoram. 9They taught in Judah having the Book of the Law of the LORD with them; they went throughout all the cities of Judah and taught among the people.

10Now the dread of the LORD was on all the kingdoms of the lands surrounding Judah, so that they did not make war against Jehoshaphat. 11Some of the Philistines brought gifts and silver as tribute to Jehoshaphat; the Arabians also brought him flocks: 7,700 rams and 7,700 male goats. 12So Jehoshaphat became greater and greater. He built fortresses and storage cities in Judah. 13He had large supplies in the cities of Judah, and soldiers, courageous men, in Jerusalem. 14This was the number of them by their fathers’ (ancestors’) households: of Judah, the commanders of thousands, Adnah the commander, and with him 300,000 courageous men; 15and next to him was Jehohanan the commander, and with him 280,000; 16and next to him Amasiah the son of Zichri, who volunteered for the LORD, and with him 200,000 courageous men; 17and of Benjamin: Eliada, a brave man, and with him 200,000 men armed with bow and shield; 18and next to him was Jehozabad, and with him 180,000 armed and ready for military service. 19These are the ones who were in the service of the king, besides those he had placed in fortified cities throughout Judah.

[a] 3 Lit walked in the earlier ways of his father.