Jehoshaphat Reigns Well in Judah

(1 Kings 15:23-24)

1Jehoshaphat his son reigned in his place, and strengthened himself against Israel. 2He 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.

3Yahweh was with Jehoshaphat, because he walked in the first ways of his father David, and didn't seek the Baals, 4but sought to the God of his father, and walked in his commandments, and not after the doings of Israel. 5Therefore Yahweh established the kingdom in his hand; and all Judah brought to Jehoshaphat tribute; and he had riches and honor in abundance. 6His heart was lifted up in the ways of Yahweh: and furthermore he took away the high places and the Asherim out of Judah.

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 Tobadonijah, the Levites; and with them Elishama and Jehoram, the priests. 9They taught in Judah, having the book of the law of Yahweh with them; and they went about throughout all the cities of Judah, and taught among the people.

10The fear of Yahweh fell on all the kingdoms of the lands that were around Judah, so that they made no war against Jehoshaphat. 11Some 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 male goats. 12Jehoshaphat grew great exceedingly; and he built in Judah castles and cities of store. 13He had many works in the cities of Judah; and men of war, mighty men of valor, in Jerusalem. 14This 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 eighty thousand; 16and next to him Amasiah the son of Zichri, who willingly offered himself to Yahweh; and with him two hundred thousand mighty men of valor. 17Of 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 one hundred eighty thousand ready prepared for war. 19These were those who waited on the king, besides those whom the king put in the fortified cities throughout all Judah.