Third Millennium Bible TMB
GOD'S WORD Translation GW
1 And Jehoshaphat his son reigned in his stead, and strengthened himself against Israel.
1
Asa's son Jehoshaphat succeeded him as king. Jehoshaphat strengthened himself [to wage war] against Israel.
2 And he placed forces in all the fortified cities of Judah, and set garrisons in the land of Judah and in the cities of Ephraim, which Asa his father had taken.
2
He put troops in all the fortified cities of Judah and placed military posts in Judah and in the cities of Ephraim that his father Asa had captured.
3 And the LORD was with Jehoshaphat, because he walked in the first ways of his father David and sought not unto the Baalim,
3
The LORD was with Jehoshaphat, who lived in the old way like his ancestor David. Jehoshaphat didn't dedicate his life to serving other gods--the Baals.
4 but sought the LORD God of his father and walked in His commandments, and not according to the doings of Israel.
4
Instead, he dedicated his life to his ancestor's God and lived by God's commands. Jehoshaphat did not do what Israel was doing.
5 Therefore the LORD established the kingdom in his hand; and all Judah brought Jehoshaphat presents, and he had riches and honor in abundance.
5
So the LORD established Jehoshaphat's power over the kingdom. All the people of Judah gave gifts to Jehoshaphat, and he had a lot of riches and honor.
6 And his heart was lifted up in the ways of the LORD; moreover he took away the high places and Asherah poles out of Judah.
6
He had the confidence to live the way the LORD wanted him to live. He also got rid of the illegal places of worship and poles dedicated to the goddess Asherah in Judah.
7 Also in the third year of his reign he sent his princes, even Benhail, and Obadiah, and Zechariah, and Nethaneel, and Michaiah, to teach in the cities of Judah.
7
In the third year of his reign, he sent his officers Ben Hail, Obadiah, Zechariah, Nethanel, and Micaiah to teach in the cities of Judah.
8 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, priests.
8
With them were the Levites Shemaiah, Nethaniah, Zebadiah, Asahel, Shemiramoth, Jehonathan, Adonijah, Tobijah, Tob Adonijah, and the priests Elishama and Jehoram.
9 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.
9
They taught in Judah. They had the Book of the LORD's Teachings with them when they taught the people in all the cities of Judah.
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.
10
Fear of the LORD came to all the kingdoms around Judah. As a result, they didn't wage war against Jehoshaphat.
11 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 hegoats.
11
Some of the Philistines brought gifts and silver as taxes. The Arabs also brought him flocks: 7,700 rams and 7,700 male goats.
12 And Jehoshaphat waxed exceedingly great; and he built in Judah palaces and cities for stores.
12
So Jehoshaphat became more and more powerful. He built fortresses and cities where supplies were stored in Judah.
13 And he had much business in the cities of Judah; and the men of war, mighty men of valor, were in Jerusalem.
13
He had large supplies of food in the cities of Judah and an army of professional soldiers with him in Jerusalem.
14 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 valor three hundred thousand;
14
The following is a breakdown of these soldiers. They are listed by families. Judah's regimental commanders were Commander Adnah (with 300,000 fighting men),
15 and next to him was Jehohanan the captain, and with him two hundred and fourscore thousand;
15
next to him Commander Jehohanan (with 280,000),
16 and next to him was Amasiah the son of Zichri, who willingly offered himself unto the LORD, and with him two hundred thousand mighty men of valor.
16
and next to him Amasiah, Zichri's son, who volunteered to serve the LORD (with 200,000 fighting men).
17 And of Benjamin: Eliada a mighty man of valor, and with him armed men with bow and shield two hundred thousand;
17
From Benjamin there was the fighting man Eliada (with 200,000 armed men with bows and shields),
18 and next to him was Jehozabad, and with him a hundred and fourscore thousand ready, prepared for the war.
18
and next to him was Jehozabad (with him was an army of 180,000 armed men).
19 These waited on the king, besides those whom the king put in the fortified cities throughout all Judah.
19
These were the men who served the king in addition to those whom the king put in the fortified cities throughout Judah.
Third Millennium Bible (TMB), New Authorized Version, Copyright 1998 by Deuel Enterprises, Inc., Gary, SD 57237. All rights reserved.
GOD'S WORD® is a copyrighted work of God's Word to the Nations. Copyright © 1995 by God's Word to the Nations. All rights reserved. Used by permission.