Josaphat’s reign: his care for the instruction of his people: his
numerous forces.
17:1. And Josaphat his son reigned in his stead, and grew strong
against Israel.
17:2. And he placed numbers of soldiers in all the fortified cities of
Juda. And he put garrisons in the land of Juda, and in the cities of
Ephraim, which Asa his father had taken.
17:3. And the Lord was with Josaphat, because he walked in the first
ways of David his father: and trusted not in Baalim,
17:4. But in the God of his father, and walked in his commandments, and
not according to the sins of Israel.
17:5. And the Lord established the kingdom in his hand, and all Juda
brought presents to Josaphat: and he acquired immense riches, and much
glory.
17:6. And when his heart had taken courage for the ways of the Lord, he
took away also the high places and the groves out of Juda.
17:7. And in the third year of his reign, he sent of his princes
Benhail, and Abdias, and Zacharias, and Nathanael, and Micheas, to
teach in the cities of Juda:
17:8. And with them the Levites, Semeias, and Nathanias, and Zabadias,
and Asael, and Semiramoth, and Jonathan, and Adonias, and Tobias, and
Thobadonias Levites, and with them Elisama, and Joram priests.
17:9. And they taught the people in Juda, having with them the book of
the law of the Lord: and they went about all the cities of Juda, and
instructed the people.
17:10. And the fear of the Lord came upon all the kingdoms of the lands
that were round about Juda, and they durst not make war against
Josaphat.
17:11. The Philistines also brought presents to Josaphat, and tribute
in silver, and the Arabians brought him cattle, seven thousand seven
hundred rams, and as many he goats.
17:12. And Josaphat grew, and became exceeding great: and he built in
Juda houses like towers, and walled cities.
17:13. And he prepared many works in the cities of Juda: and he had
warriors, and valiant men in Jerusalem.
17:14. Of whom this is the number of the houses and families of every
one: in Juda captains of the army, Ednas the chief, and with him three
hundred thousand most valiant men.
17:15. After him Johanan the captain, and with him two hundred and
eighty thousand.
17:16. And after him was Amasias the son of Zechri, consecrated to the
Lord, and with him were two hundred thousand valiant men.
17:17. After him was Eliada valiant in battle, and with him two hundred
thousand armed with bow and shield.
17:18. After him also was Jozabad, and with him a hundred and eighty
thousand ready for war.
17:19. All these were at the hand of the king, beside others, whom he
had put in the walled cities, in all Juda.