[1] Jehoshaphat his son then became king in his place, and made his position over Israel firm.
[2] 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 captured.
[3] The LORD was with Jehoshaphat because he followed the example of his father David's earlier days and did not seek the Baals,
[4] but sought the God of his father, followed His commandments, and did not act as Israel did.
[5] So the LORD established the kingdom in his control, and all Judah brought tribute to Jehoshaphat, and he had great riches and honor.
[6] He took great pride in the ways of the LORD and again removed the high places and the Asherim from Judah.
[7] Then 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;
[8] and with them the Levites, Shemaiah, Nethaniah, Zebadiah, Asahel, Shemiramoth, Jehonathan, Adonijah, Tobijah and Tobadonijah, the Levites; and with them Elishama and Jehoram, the priests.
[9] They taught in Judah, having the book of the law of the LORD with them; and they went throughout all the cities of Judah and taught among the people.
[10] Now the dread of the LORD was on all the kingdoms of the lands which were around Judah, so that they did not make war against Jehoshaphat.
[11] Some 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.
[12] So Jehoshaphat grew greater and greater, and he built fortresses and store cities in Judah.
[13] He had large supplies in the cities of Judah, and warriors, valiant men, in Jerusalem.
[14] This was their muster according to their fathers’ households: of Judah, commanders of thousands, Adnah was the commander, and with him 300,000 valiant warriors;
[15] and next to him was Johanan the commander, and with him 280,000;
[16] and next to him Amasiah the son of Zichri, who volunteered for the LORD, and with him 200,000 valiant warriors;
[17] and of Benjamin, Eliada a valiant warrior, and with him 200,000 armed with bow and shield;
[18] and next to him Jehozabad, and with him 180,000 equipped for war.
[19] These are they who served the king, apart from those whom the king put in the fortified cities through all Judah.