Thematic Bible

2 Chronicles 17:1

Jehoshaphat succeeded his father Asa as king and strengthened his position against Israel.

2 Chronicles 17:2

He stationed troops in the fortified cities of Judah. He also put troops in the Judean countryside, and in the cities that Asa had captured in the territory of Ephraim.

2 Chronicles 17:3

Jehovah blessed Jehoshaphat because he followed the example of his father's early life and did not worship Baal.

2 Chronicles 17:4

He served his father's God. He obeyed God's commandments, and did not act the way the kings of Israel did.

2 Chronicles 17:5

Jehovah gave Jehoshaphat firm control over the kingdom of Judah. The people brought him gifts, so that he became wealthy and highly honored.

2 Chronicles 17:6

His heart was devoted to the ways of Jehovah. He destroyed all the pagan places of worship and the symbols of the goddess Asherah in Judah.

2 Chronicles 17:7

In the third year of his reign he sent out the following officials to teach in the cities of Judah: Benhail, Obadiah, Zechariah, Nethanel, and Micaiah.

2 Chronicles 17:8

With them were the Levites Shemaiah, Nethaniah, Zebadiah, Asahel, Shemiramoth, Jehonathan, Adonijah, Tobijah, Tob Adonijah, and the priests Elishama and Jehoram.

2 Chronicles 17:9

They taught in Judah. They had the Book of Torah (the Law) (Jehovah's Teachings) with them when they taught the people in all the cities of Judah.

2 Chronicles 17:10

All the kingdoms around Judah were afraid of Jehovah. As a result, they did not wage war against Jehoshaphat.

2 Chronicles 17:11

Some of the Philistines brought gifts and silver as taxes. The Arabs also brought him flocks: seven thousand and seven hundred rams and seven thousand and seven hundred male goats.

2 Chronicles 17:12

Jehoshaphat became more and more powerful. He built fortresses and cities where supplies were stored in Judah.

2 Chronicles 17:13

He stored large supplies of food in the cities of Judah and an army of professional soldiers served him in Jerusalem.

2 Chronicles 17:14

The following is a breakdown of these soldiers. They are listed by families. Judah's regimental commanders were Commander Adnah with three hundred thousand fighting men,

2 Chronicles 17:15

next to him was Commander Jehohanan with two hundred and eighty thousand men.

2 Chronicles 17:16

There was Amasiah, Zichri's son, who volunteered to serve Jehovah with two hundred thousand fighting men.

2 Chronicles 17:17

From Benjamin there was the fighting man Eliada with two hundred thousand armed men with bows and shields.

2 Chronicles 17:18

Next to him was Jehozabad with an army of one hundred and eighty thousand armed men.

2 Chronicles 17:19

These were the men who served the king in addition to those whom the king put in the fortified cities throughout Judah.