1And Jehoshaphat his son reigned in his stead, and strengthened himself against Israel. 2And 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. 3And the LORD was with Jehoshaphat, because he walked in the first ways of his father David, and sought not unto Baalim;17.3 of…: or, of his father, and of David 4But sought to the Lord God of his father, and walked in his commandments, and not after the doings of Israel. 5Therefore the LORD stablished the kingdom in his hand; and all Judah brought to Jehoshaphat presents; and he had riches and honour in abundance.17.5 brought: Heb. gave 6And his heart was lifted up in the ways of the LORD: moreover he took away the high places and groves out of Judah.17.6 was…: that is, was encouraged
7¶ 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. 8And 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. 9And 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.
10¶ 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.17.10 fell: Heb. was 11Also 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¶ And Jehoshaphat waxed great exceedingly; and he built in Judah castles, and cities of store.17.12 castles: or, palaces 13And he had much business in the cities of Judah: and the men of war, mighty men of valour, were in Jerusalem. 14And 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. 15And next to him was Jehohanan the captain, and with him two hundred and fourscore thousand.17.15 next…: Heb. at his hand 16And 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. 17And of Benjamin; Eliada a mighty man of valour, and with him armed men with bow and shield two hundred thousand. 18And next him was Jehozabad, and with him an hundred and fourscore thousand ready prepared for the war. 19These waited on the king, beside those whom the king put in the fenced cities throughout all Judah.
猶大王約沙法
1亞撒的兒子約沙法繼位，他發憤圖強對抗以色列。 2他派兵駐守猶大所有的堅城，又把守備軍安置在猶大和他父親亞撒所征服的以法蓮各城邑。 3耶和華與約沙法同在，因為他效法他祖先大衛起初所行的，沒有尋求巴力， 4只尋求他父親的上帝，遵行祂的誡命，沒有效法以色列人的行為。 5因此，耶和華鞏固他的王位，所有的猶大人都向他進貢，他極有財富和尊榮。 6他專心遵行耶和華的道，剷除猶大境內的邱壇和亞舍拉神像。
7他在執政第三年委派官員便·亥伊勒、俄巴底、撒迦利雅、拿坦業和米該亞到猶大各城教導民眾， 8與他們同去的還有利未人示瑪雅、尼探雅、西巴第雅、亞撒黑、示米拉末、約拿單、亞多尼雅、多比雅和駝·巴多尼雅，還有祭司以利沙瑪和約蘭。 9他們帶著耶和華的律法書，走遍猶大各城鎮教導民眾。 10猶大周圍的列國都懼怕耶和華，不敢與約沙法爭戰。 11一些非利士人向他進貢禮物和銀子，阿拉伯人也給他送來公綿羊和公山羊各七千七百隻。
12約沙法日漸強大，在猶大境內修建堡壘和儲貨城， 13在猶大各城儲備大量物資。他又在耶路撒冷屯駐精兵， 14其人數按宗族記在下面。
猶大族有千夫長押拿，率領精兵三十萬； 15其次是千夫長約哈難，率領軍兵二十八萬； 16其次是自願事奉耶和華的細基利的兒子亞瑪斯雅，率領精兵二十萬。 17便雅憫族有勇士以利雅大，率領手持弓箭和盾牌的軍兵二十萬； 18其次是約薩拔，率領全副武裝的軍兵十八萬。 19以上都是服侍王的軍兵，不包括王派去駐守猶大各堅城的軍兵。
