| New King James Version | International Standard Version |
| 1Then Jehoshaphat his son reigned in his place, and strengthened himself against Israel. | 1Asa's son Jehoshaphat succeeded him as king, and he consolidated his authority over Israel |
| 2And he placed troops 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. | 2by placing troops in all of the fortified citadels through Judah and by establishing garrisons throughout the land of Judah and in the cities that his father Asa had captured. |
| 3Now the LORD was with Jehoshaphat, because he walked in the former ways of his father David; he did not seek the Baals, | 3The LORD was with Jehoshaphat because he followed the example set during his ancestor David's preliminary years by not pursuing the Baals. |
| 4but sought the God of his father, and walked in His commandments and not according to the acts of Israel. | 4Instead, Jehoshaphat sought the God of his ancestors and obeyed his commands, unlike Israel. |
| 5Therefore the LORD established the kingdom in his hand; and all Judah gave presents to Jehoshaphat, and he had riches and honor in abundance. | 5Therefore the LORD secured Jehoshaphat's kingdom under his control, with all of Judah paying him tribute, and Jehoshaphat became very wealthy and greatly respected. |
| 6And his heart took delight in the ways of the LORD; moreover he removed the high places and wooden images from Judah. | 6He remained committed to following the LORD, and he removed the high places and Asherah poles from Judah. |
| 7Also in the third year of his reign he sent his leaders, Ben-Hail, Obadiah, Zechariah, Nethanel, and Michaiah, to teach in the cities of Judah. | 7During the third year of his reign, Jehoshaphat sent his officials Ben-hail, Obadiah, Zechariah, Nethanel, and Micaiah to teach throughout the cities of Judah. |
| 8And with them he sent Levites: Shemaiah, Nethaniah, Zebadiah, Asahel, Shemiramoth, Jehonathan, Adonijah, Tobijah, and Tobadonijah—the Levites; and with them Elishama and Jehoram, the priests. | 8They were accompanied by the descendants of Levi, including Shemaiah, Nethaniah, Zebadiah, Asahel, Shemiramoth, Jehonathan, Adonijah, Tobijah, and Tobadonijah. These descendants of Levi were accompanied by the priests Elishama and Jehoram. |
| 9So they taught in Judah, and had the Book of the Law of the LORD with them; they went throughout all the cities of Judah and taught the people. | 9They taught throughout Judah from a copy of the Book of the Law of the LORD that they took with them as they passed through all the cities of Judah, teaching among all the people. |
| 10And the fear of the LORD fell on all the kingdoms of the lands that were around Judah, so that they did not make war against Jehoshaphat. | 10Because they were afraid of the LORD, none of the kingdoms of the lands that surrounded Judah dared go to war against Jehoshaphat. |
| 11Also some of the Philistines brought Jehoshaphat presents and silver as tribute; and the Arabians brought him flocks, seven thousand seven hundred rams and seven thousand seven hundred male goats. | 11Some of the Philistines brought gifts and silver as tribute to Jehoshaphat, and Arabians brought him flocks of 7,700 rams and 7,700 male goats. |
| 12So Jehoshaphat became increasingly powerful, and he built fortresses and storage cities in Judah. | 12As a result, Jehoshaphat grew more and more powerful, and built up fortresses and storage centers throughout Judah. |
| 13He had much property in the cities of Judah; and the men of war, mighty men of valor, were in Jerusalem. | 13He placed a large amount of supplies into storage throughout the cities of Judah and stationed soldiers—all of them valiant men—in Jerusalem. |
| 14These are their numbers, according to their fathers’ houses. Of Judah, the captains of thousands: Adnah the captain, and with him three hundred thousand mighty men of valor; | 14Here's how they were mustered, listed according to their ancestral houses and listed by commanders of thousands: Adnah commanded 300,000 elite forces. |
| 15and next to him was Jehohanan the captain, and with him two hundred and eighty thousand; | 15Near him was Johanan, commander of 280,000 |
| 16and next to him was Amasiah the son of Zichri, who willingly offered himself to the LORD, and with him two hundred thousand mighty men of valor. | 16and next to him was Zichri's son Amasiah, who had volunteered to serve the LORD. He commanded 200,000 elite forces. |
| 17Of Benjamin: Eliada a mighty man of valor, and with him two hundred thousand men armed with bow and shield; | 17There was also Eliada from Benjamin, himself a valiant soldier. He was accompanied by 200,000 expert archers bearing shields. |
| 18and next to him was Jehozabad, and with him one hundred and eighty thousand prepared for war. | 18Near him was Jehozabad, who was accompanied by 180,000 soldiers equipped for warfare. |
| 19These served the king, besides those the king put in the fortified cities throughout all Judah. | 19These men served the king, and there were others whom the king garrisoned inside fortified cities throughout all of Judah. |
| The Holy Bible, New King James Version, Copyright © 1982 Thomas Nelson. All rights reserved. | The Holy Bible: International Standard Version® Release 2.1 Copyright © 1996-2012 The ISV Foundation
ALL RIGHTS RESERVED INTERNATIONALLY. |
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