¶ And Jehoshaphat¹ his son reigned in his stead, and strengthened himself against Israel.

And he placed forces³ in all the fenced cities of Judah, and set garrisons in the land of Judah, and in the cities⁴ of Ephraim, which Asa his father had taken.

And the LORD⁵ was with Jehoshaphat, because he walked⁶ in the first ways of his father David⁷, and sought⁸ not unto Baalim;

But sought to the LORD God of his father, and walked⁹ in his commandments, and not after¹⁰ the doings of Israel.

Therefore the LORD¹¹ stablished the kingdom in his hand; and all Judah brought¹² to Jehoshaphat presents; and he had riches¹³ and honour in abundance.

And his heart¹⁴ was lifted up¹⁵ in the ways of the LORD: moreover he took away¹⁶ the high places and groves out of Judah.

Also in the third year of his reign he sent¹⁷ to his princes, even to Benhail, and to Obadiah, and to Zechariah, and to Nethaneel, and to Michaiah, to teach¹⁸ in the cities of Judah.

And with them he sent Levites, even Shemaiah, and Nethaniah, and Zebadiah, and Asahel, and Shemiramoth, and Jehonathan, and Adonijah, and Tobijah, and Tobadonijah, Levites; and with them Elishama and Jehoram, priests¹⁹.

And they taught²⁰ in Judah, and had the book²¹ of the law of the LORD with them, and went about throughout²² all the cities of Judah, and taught the people.

¶ And the fear²³ of the LORD fell²⁴ upon all the kingdoms of the lands that were round about Judah, so that they made no war against Jehoshaphat.

Also some of the Philistines brought²⁵ Jehoshaphat presents, and tribute silver; and the Arabians brought him flocks, seven thousand and seven hundred rams, and seven thousand and seven hundred he goats.

And Jehoshaphat waxed great²⁶ exceedingly; and he built in Judah²⁷ castles²⁸, and cities of store.

And he had much business²⁹ in the cities of Judah: and the men of war, mighty men of valour, were in Jerusalem.

And these are the numbers³⁰ of them according to the house³¹ of their fathers: Of Judah, the captains of thousands; Adnah the chief, and with him mighty men of valour three hundred³² thousand.

And next to him³³ was Jehohanan the captain, and with him two hundred and fourscore thousand.

And next him was Amasiah the son of Zichri, who willingly³⁴ offered himself unto the LORD; and with him two hundred thousand mighty men of valour.

And of Benjamin; Eliada a mighty man of valour, and with him armed men³⁵ with bow and shield two hundred thousand.

And next him was Jehozabad³⁶, and with him an hundred and fourscore thousand³⁷ ready prepared for the war.

These waited on the king, beside those whom the king put in³⁸ the fenced cities throughout all Judah.