Read the Modern Pastor’s Version
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Currently viewing: 2 Chronicles 17 · MPV reading edition
Jehoshaphat his son reigned in his place, strengthening 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 sought not to the Baals. Jehoshaphat sought to the Lord God of his father, walking in his commandments, not after the ways of Israel. Therefore, the Lord established the kingdom in his hand; all Judah brought tribute to Jehoshaphat, who had riches and honor in abundance.
His heart was lifted up in the ways of the Lord. He also removed the high places and Asherah poles from Judah. In his third year of reign, he sent leaders – Ben-hail, Obadiah, Zechariah, Nethaneel, and Michaiah – to teach in the cities of Judah.
With them, he sent Levites: Shemaiah, Nethaniah, Zebadiah, Asahel, Shemiramoth, Jehonathan, Adonijah, Tobijah, and Tobadonijah, as well as Elishama and Jehoram, priests. They taught in Judah, carrying with them the book of the Lord's law, and went about throughout all the cities of Judah, instructing the people.
The fear of the Lord fell upon all the kingdoms surrounding Judah. Some of the Philistines brought Jehoshaphat presents and tribute silver; while the Arabians brought him flocks – seven thousand seven hundred rams and seven thousand seven hundred he-goats.
Jehoshaphat became extremely powerful, building fortresses and storage cities in Judah. He had much business in the cities of Judah, and the men of war, mighty men of valour, were stationed in Jerusalem. These are the numbers of them according to the house of their fathers: Of Judah, the captains of thousands – Adnah the chief, with three hundred thousand mighty men of valour.
Next to him was Jehohanan the captain, with two hundred and eighty thousand mighty men of valor. Amasiah, son of Zichri, willingly offered himself to the Lord, and with him were two hundred thousand mighty men of valor. Of Benjamin; Eliada, a mighty man of valor, led 200,000 armed men with bow and shield.
Next to Jehoshaphat was Jehozabad, with eighty thousand men ready and prepared for war. Those who waited on the king were in addition to those he had appointed to serve in the fortified cities throughout Judah.