Jehoshaphat Follows God
Study note
Jehoshaphat son of Asa became king and strengthened his position against the northern kingdom. He placed troops in all the fortified cities of Judah and in the towns of Ephraim that his father had captured. Because Jehoshaphat followed the Lord and did not worship the Baals, God established his kingdom. Everyone brought him gifts, and he became very wealthy and honored.
1 Asa's son Jehoshaphat became the next king and made Judah strong against Israel. And Jehoshaphat his son reigned in his stead, and strengthened himself against Israel.
2 He put soldiers in all the walled cities of Judah. He also placed troops all over the land and in the cities of Ephraim that his father Asa had captured. And he placed forces in all the fenced cities of Judah, and set garrisons in the land of Judah, and in the cities of Ephraim, which Asa his father had taken.
3 The Lord was with Jehoshaphat because he followed the good example of his father David's early years. He did not worship the Baal idols. And the LORD was with Jehoshaphat, because he walked in the first ways of his father David, and sought not unto Baalim;
4 Instead, he looked to the God of his father and obeyed God's commands. He did not copy what the northern kingdom of Israel did. But sought to the LORD God of his father, and walked in his commandments, and not after the doings of Israel.
5 So the Lord made his kingdom strong. Everyone in Judah brought gifts to Jehoshaphat, and he became very wealthy and highly respected. Therefore the LORD stablished the kingdom in his hand; and all Judah brought to Jehoshaphat presents; and he had riches and honour in abundance.
6 His heart was committed to following the Lord's ways. He also removed the hilltop worship places and the Asherah poles from Judah. And his heart was lifted up in the ways of the LORD: moreover he took away the high places and groves out of Judah.
Teaching God's Law Throughout Judah
Study note
In the third year of his reign, Jehoshaphat did something remarkable: he sent officials, Levites, and priests throughout Judah to teach the people from the Book of the Law of the Lord. This traveling teaching ministry went to every city in Judah, bringing God's word directly to the people. This was one of the first organized religious education programs in history.
7 In his third year, he sent five officials to teach in Judah's cities. They were Ben-hail, Obadiah, Zechariah, Nethanel, and Micaiah. Also in the third year of his reign he sent to his princes, even to Ben-hail, and to Obadiah, and to Zechariah, and to Nethaneel, and to Michaiah, to teach in the cities of Judah.
8 With them went the Levites: Shemaiah, Nethaniah, Zebadiah, Asahel, Shemiramoth, Jehonathan, Adonijah, Tobijah, and Tob-adonijah, along with the priests Elishama and Jehoram. And with them he sent Levites, even Shemaiah, and Nethaniah, and Zebadiah, and Asahel, and Shemiramoth, and Jehonathan, and Adonijah, and Tobijah, and Tob-adonijah, Levites; and with them Elishama and Jehoram, priests.
9 They traveled all through Judah, carrying the Book of the Law of the Lord with them. They went to every city and taught the people. And they taught in Judah, and had the book of the law of the LORD with them, and went about throughout all the cities of Judah, and taught the people.
Jehoshaphat's Power and Military Strength
Study note
The fear of the Lord fell on all the surrounding kingdoms, so none of them dared to make war against Jehoshaphat. Some of the Philistines and Arabians even brought him tribute gifts. Jehoshaphat became increasingly powerful and built fortresses and supply cities. His army numbered over 1,160,000 men, organized under five commanders.
10 All the kingdoms in the lands around Judah became afraid of the Lord, so none of them went to war against Jehoshaphat. And the fear of the LORD fell upon all the kingdoms of the lands that were round about Judah, so that they made no war against Jehoshaphat.
11 Some Philistines brought Jehoshaphat gifts and silver as tribute payments. The Arabs also brought him flocks of 7,700 rams and 7,700 male goats. Also some of the Philistines brought 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.
12 Jehoshaphat became more and more powerful. He built fortresses and cities for storing supplies all through Judah. And Jehoshaphat waxed great exceedingly; and he built in Judah castles, and cities of store.
13 He stored large amounts of supplies in the cities of Judah. He also placed trained soldiers in Jerusalem. And he had much business in the cities of Judah: and the men of war, mighty men of valour, were in Jerusalem.
14 Here is a list of soldiers by family group. From Judah, Adnah was the top leader. He led 300,000 brave men. And these are the numbers of them according to the house of their fathers: Of Judah, the captains of thousands; Adnah the chief, and with him mighty men of valour three hundred thousand.
15 Next was the commander Jehohanan, who led 280,000 men. And next to him was Jehohanan the captain, and with him two hundred and fourscore thousand.
16 Next was Amasiah son of Zichri, who had volunteered to serve the Lord. He led 200,000 brave soldiers. And next him was Amasiah the son of Zichri, who willingly offered himself unto the LORD; and with him two hundred thousand mighty men of valour.
17 From Benjamin: Eliada, a brave warrior, led 200,000 men armed with bows and shields. And of Benjamin; Eliada a mighty man of valour, and with him armed men with bow and shield two hundred thousand.
18 Next was Jehozabad, who led 180,000 men ready for battle. And next him was Jehozabad, and with him an hundred and fourscore thousand ready prepared for the war.
19 These were the men who served the king in Jerusalem. This does not count the ones he had placed in walled cities all across Judah. These waited on the king, beside those whom the king put in the fenced cities throughout all Judah.