2Chronicles 17

1 Asa’s son Jehoshaphat succeeded him as king, and he consolidated his authority over IsraelISV — 2Chronicles 17:1

2 by 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.ISV — 2Chronicles 17:2

3 The LORD was with Jehoshaphat because he followed the example set during his ancestor David’s preliminary years by not pursuing the Baals. ^{a17:3 i.e. the supreme male divinity of the Philistines and Canaanites}ISV — 2Chronicles 17:3

4 Instead, Jehoshaphat ^{b17:4 Lit. he} sought the God of his ancestors and obeyed his commands, unlike Israel.ISV — 2Chronicles 17:4

5 Therefore the LORD secured Jehoshaphat’s ^{c17:5 Lit. his} kingdom under his control, with all of Judah paying him tribute, and Jehoshaphat became very wealthy and greatly respected.ISV — 2Chronicles 17:5

6 He remained committed to following the LORD, and he removed the high places and Asherah poles from Judah.ISV — 2Chronicles 17:6

7 During the third year of his reign, Jehoshaphat sent his officials Ben-hail, Obadiah, Zechariah, Nethanel, and Micaiah to teach throughout the cities of Judah.ISV — 2Chronicles 17:7

8 They were accompanied by the descendants of Levi, including ^{d17:8 The Heb. lacks including} Shemaiah, Nethaniah, Zebadiah, Asahel, Shemiramoth, Jehonathan, Adonijah, Tobijah, and Tobadonijah. These descendants of Levi were accompanied by the priests Elishama and Jehoram.ISV — 2Chronicles 17:8

9 They 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.ISV — 2Chronicles 17:9

10 Because they were afraid of the LORD, none of the kingdoms of the lands that surrounded Judah dared go to war against Jehoshaphat.ISV — 2Chronicles 17:10

11 Some 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.ISV — 2Chronicles 17:11

12 As a result, Jehoshaphat grew more and more powerful, and built up fortresses and storage centers throughout Judah.ISV — 2Chronicles 17:12

13 He placed a large amount of supplies into storage throughout the cities of Judah and stationed soldiers—all of them valiant men—in Jerusalem.ISV — 2Chronicles 17:13

14 Here’s how they were mustered, listed according to their ancestral houses and listed by commanders of thousands: Adnah commanded 300,000 elite forces.ISV — 2Chronicles 17:14

15 Near him was Johanan, commander of 280,000ISV — 2Chronicles 17:15

16 and next to him was Zichri’s son Amasiah, who had volunteered to serve the LORD. He commanded 200,000 elite forces.ISV — 2Chronicles 17:16

17 There was also Eliada from Benjamin, himself a valiant soldier. He was accompanied by 200,000 expert archers bearing shields.ISV — 2Chronicles 17:17

18 Near him was Jehozabad, who was accompanied by 180,000 soldiers equipped for warfare.ISV — 2Chronicles 17:18

19 These men served the king, and there were others whom the king garrisoned inside fortified cities throughout all of Judah.ISV — 2Chronicles 17:19