2Chronicles 17
17Then Jehoshaphat, Asa's son, became the next king. He strengthened Judah to stand against any attack from Israel.H3092H1121H4427H2388H3478 2He stationed troops in all the fortified towns of Judah, and he assigned additional garrisons to the land of Judah and to the towns of Ephraim that his father, Asa, had captured.H5414H2428H1219H5892H3063H5414H5333H776H3063H5892H669H609H1H3920 3The LORD was with Jehoshaphat because he followed the example of his father's early years and did not worship the images of Baal.H3068H3092H1980H7223H1870H1H1732H1875H1168 4He sought his father's God and obeyed his commands instead of following the evil practices of the kingdom of Israel.H1875H430H1H1980H4687H4639H3478 5So the LORD established Jehoshaphat's control over the kingdom of Judah. All the people of Judah brought gifts to Jehoshaphat, so he became very wealthy and highly esteemed.H3068H3559H4467H3027H3063H5414H3092H4503H6239H3519H7230 6He was deeply committed to the ways of the LORD. He removed the pagan shrines and Asherah poles from Judah.H3820H1361H1870H3068H5493H1116H842H3063 7In the third year of his reign Jehoshaphat sent his officials to teach in all the towns of Judah. These officials included Ben-hail, Obadiah, Zechariah, Nethanel, and Micaiah.H7969H8141H4427H7971H8269H1134H5662H2148H5417H4322H3925H5892H3063 8He sent Levites along with them, including Shemaiah, Nethaniah, Zebadiah, Asahel, Shemiramoth, Jehonathan, Adonijah, Tobijah, and Tob-adonijah. He also sent out the priests Elishama and Jehoram.H3881H8098H5418H2069H6214H8070H3083H138H2900H2899H3881H476H3088H3548 9They took copies of the Book of the Law of the LORD and traveled around through all the towns of Judah, teaching the people.H3925H3063H5612H8451H3068H5437H5892H3063H3925H5971 10Then the fear of the LORD fell over all the surrounding kingdoms so that none of them wanted to declare war on Jehoshaphat.H6343H3068H4467H776H5439H3063H3898H3092 11Some of the Philistines brought him gifts and silver as tribute, and the Arabs brought 7,700 rams and 7,700 male goats.H6430H935H3092H4503H4853H3701H6163H935H6629H7651H505H7651H3967H352H7651H505H7651H3967H8495 12So Jehoshaphat became more and more powerful and built fortresses and storage cities throughout Judah.H3092H1980H1432H4605H1129H3063H1003H5892H4543 13He stored numerous supplies in Judah's towns and stationed an army of seasoned troops at Jerusalem.H7227H4399H5892H3063H582H4421H1368H2428H3389 14His army was enrolled according to ancestral clans. From Judah there were 300,000 troops organized in units of 1,000, under the command of Adnah.H6486H1004H1H3063H8269H505H5734H8269H1368H2428H7969H3967H505 15Next in command was Jehohanan, who commanded 280,000 troops.H3027H3076H8269H3967H8084H505 16Next was Amasiah son of Zicri, who volunteered for the LORD's service, with 200,000 troops under his command.H3027H6007H1121H2147H5068H3068H3967H505H1368H2428 17From Benjamin there were 200,000 troops equipped with bows and shields. They were under the command of Eliada, a veteran soldier.H1144H450H1368H2428H5401H7198H4043H3967H505 18Next in command was Jehozabad, who commanded 180,000 armed men.H3027H3075H3967H8084H505H2502H6635 19These were the troops stationed in Jerusalem to serve the king, besides those Jehoshaphat stationed in the fortified towns throughout Judah.H8334H4428H4428H5414H4013H5892H3063
2Chronicles 18
18Jehoshaphat enjoyed great riches and high esteem, and he made an alliance with Ahab of Israel by having his son marry Ahab's daughter.H3092H6239H3519H7230H2859H2562A few years later he went to Samaria to visit Ahab, who prepared a great banquet for him and his officials. They butchered great numbers of sheep, goats, and cattle for the feast. Then Ahab enticed Jehoshaphat to join forces with him to recover Ramoth-gilead.H7093H8141H3381H256H8111H256H2076H6629H1241H7230H5971H5496H5927H7433H15683"Will you go with me to Ramoth-gilead?" King Ahab of Israel asked King Jehoshaphat of Judah. Jehoshaphat replied, "Why, of course! You and I are as one, and my troops are your troops. We will certainly join you in battle."H256H4428H3478H559H3092H4428H3063H3212H7433H1568H559H5971H5971H44214Then Jehoshaphat added, "But first let's find out what the LORD says."H3092H559H4428H3478H1875H1697H3068H31175So the king of Israel summoned the prophets, 400 of them, and asked them, "Should we go to war against Ramoth-gilead, or should I hold back?" They all replied, "Yes, go right ahead! God will give the king victory."H4428H3478H6908H5030H702H3967H376H559H3212H7433H1568H4421H2308H559H5927H430H5414H4428H30276But Jehoshaphat asked, "Is there not also a prophet of the LORD here? We should ask him the same question."H3092H559H5030H3068H18757The king of Israel replied to Jehoshaphat, "There is one more man who could consult the LORD for us, but I hate him. He never prophesies anything but trouble for me! His name is Micaiah son of Imlah." Jehoshaphat replied, "That's not the way a king should talk! Let's hear what he has to say."H4428H3478H559H3092H259H376H1875H3068H8130H5012H2896H3117H7451H4321H1121H3229H3092H559H4428H5598So the king of Israel called one of his officials and said, "Quick! Bring Micaiah son of Imlah."H4428H3478H7121H259H5631H559H4116H4319H1121H32299King Ahab of Israel and King Jehoshaphat of Judah, dressed in their royal robes, were sitting on thrones at the threshing floor near the gate of Samaria. All of Ahab's prophets were prophesying there in front of them.H4428H3478H3092H4428H3063H3427H376H3678H3847H899H3427H1637H6607H8179H8111H5030H5012H644010One of them, Zedekiah son of Kenaanah, made some iron horns and proclaimed, "This is what the LORD says: With these horns you will gore the Arameans to death!"H6667H1121H3668H6213H7161H1270H559H559H3068H5055H758H361511All the other prophets agreed. "Yes," they said, "go up to Ramoth-gilead and be victorious, for the LORD will give the king victory!"H5030H5012H559H5927H7433H1568H6743H3068H5414H3027H442812Meanwhile, the messenger who went to get Micaiah said to him, "Look, all the prophets are promising victory for the king. Be sure that you agree with them and promise success."H4397H1980H7121H4321H1696H559H1697H5030H2896H4428H259H6310H1697H259H1696H289613But Micaiah replied, "As surely as the LORD lives, I will say only what my God says."H4321H559H3068H2416H430H559H169614When Micaiah arrived before the king, Ahab asked him, "Micaiah, should we go to war against Ramoth-gilead, or should I hold back?" Micaiah replied sarcastically, "Yes, go up and be victorious, for you will have victory over them!"H935H4428H4428H559H4318H3212H7433H1568H4421H2308H559H5927H6743H5414H302715But the king replied sharply, "How many times must I demand that you speak only the truth to me when you speak for the LORD?"H4428H559H6471H7650H1696H571H8034H306816Then Micaiah told him, "In a vision I saw all Israel scattered on the mountains, like sheep without a shepherd. And the LORD said, 'Their master has been killed. Send them home in peace.'"H559H7200H3478H6327H2022H6629H7462H3068H559H113H7725H376H1004H796517"Didn't I tell you?" the king of Israel exclaimed to Jehoshaphat. "He never prophesies anything but trouble for me."H4428H3478H559H3092H559H5012H2896H745118Then Micaiah continued, "Listen to what the LORD says! I saw the LORD sitting on his throne with all the armies of heaven around him, on his right and on his left.H559H8085H1697H3068H7200H3068H3427H3678H6635H8064H5975H3225H804019And the LORD said, 'Who can entice King Ahab of Israel to go into battle against Ramoth-gilead so he can be killed?' "There were many suggestions,H3068H559H6601H256H4428H3478H5927H5307H7433H1568H559H559H3602H559H360220and finally a spirit approached the LORD and said, 'I can do it!' "'How will you do this?' the LORD asked.H3318H7307H5975H6440H3068H559H6601H3068H55921"And the spirit replied, 'I will go out and inspire all of Ahab's prophets to speak lies.' "'You will succeed,' said the LORD. 'Go ahead and do it.'H559H3318H8267H7307H6310H5030H559H6601H3201H3318H621322"So you see, the LORD has put a lying spirit in the mouths of your prophets. For the LORD has pronounced your doom."H3068H5414H8267H7307H6310H5030H3068H1696H745123Then Zedekiah son of Kenaanah walked up to Micaiah and slapped him across the face. "Since when did the Spirit of the LORD leave me to speak to you?" he demanded.H6667H1121H3668H5066H5221H4321H3895H559H335H1870H5674H7307H3068H169624And Micaiah replied, "You will find out soon enough when you are trying to hide in some secret room!"H4321H559H7200H3117H935H2315H2315H224425"Arrest him!" the king of Israel ordered. "Take him back to Amon, the governor of the city, and to my son Joash.H4428H3478H559H3947H4321H7725H526H8269H5892H3101H4428H112126Give them this order from the king: 'Put this man in prison, and feed him nothing but bread and water until I return safely from the battle!'"H559H559H4428H7760H1004H3608H398H3899H3906H4325H3906H7725H796527But Micaiah replied, "If you return safely, it will mean that the LORD has not spoken through me!" Then he added to those standing around, "Everyone mark my words!"H4321H559H7725H7725H7965H3068H1696H559H8085H597128So King Ahab of Israel and King Jehoshaphat of Judah led their armies against Ramoth-gilead.H4428H3478H3092H4428H3063H5927H7433H156829The king of Israel said to Jehoshaphat, "As we go into battle, I will disguise myself so no one will recognize me, but you wear your royal robes." So the king of Israel disguised himself, and they went into battle.H4428H3478H559H3092H2664H935H4421H3847H899H4428H3478H2664H935H442130Meanwhile, the king of Aram had issued these orders to his chariot commanders: "Attack only the king of Israel! Don't bother with anyone else."H4428H758H6680H8269H7393H559H3898H6996H1419H4428H347831So when the Aramean chariot commanders saw Jehoshaphat in his royal robes, they went after him. "There is the king of Israel!" they shouted. But Jehoshaphat called out, and the LORD saved him. God helped him by turning the attackers away from him.H8269H7393H7200H3092H559H4428H3478H5437H3898H3092H2199H3068H5826H430H549632As soon as the chariot commanders realized he was not the king of Israel, they stopped chasing him.H8269H7393H7200H4428H3478H7725H31033An Aramean soldier, however, randomly shot an arrow at the Israelite troops and hit the king of Israel between the joints of his armor. "Turn the horses and get me out of here!" Ahab groaned to the driver of the chariot. "I'm badly wounded!"H4900H7198H8537H5221H4428H3478H1694H8302H559H7395H376H2015H3027H3318H4264H247034The battle raged all that day, and the king of Israel propped himself up in his chariot facing the Arameans. In the evening, just as the sun was setting, he died.H4421H5927H3117H4428H3478H5975H4818H5227H758H6153H6256H8121H935H4191
2Chronicles 19
19When King Jehoshaphat of Judah arrived safely home in Jerusalem,H3092H4428H3063H7725H1004H7965H33892Jehu son of Hanani the seer went out to meet him. "Why should you help the wicked and love those who hate the LORD?" he asked the king. "Because of what you have done, the LORD is very angry with you.H3058H1121H2607H2374H3318H6440H559H4428H3092H5826H7563H157H8130H3068H2063H7110H6440H30683Even so, there is some good in you, for you have removed the Asherah poles throughout the land, and you have committed yourself to seeking God."H61H2896H1697H4672H1197H842H776H3559H3824H1875H4304Jehoshaphat lived in Jerusalem, but he went out among the people, traveling from Beersheba to the hill country of Ephraim, encouraging the people to return to the LORD, the God of their ancestors.H3092H3427H3389H3318H7725H5971H884H2022H669H7725H3068H430H15He appointed judges throughout the nation in all the fortified towns,H5975H8199H776H1219H5892H3063H5892H58926and he said to them, "Always think carefully before pronouncing judgment. Remember that you do not judge to please people but to please the LORD. He will be with you when you render the verdict in each case.H559H8199H7200H6213H8199H120H3068H1697H49417Fear the LORD and judge with integrity, for the LORD our God does not tolerate perverted justice, partiality, or the taking of bribes."H6343H3068H8104H6213H5766H3068H430H4856H6440H4727H78108In Jerusalem, Jehoshaphat appointed some of the Levites and priests and clan leaders in Israel to serve as judges for cases involving the LORD's regulations and for civil disputes.H3389H3092H5975H3881H3548H7218H1H3478H4941H3068H7379H7725H33899These were his instructions to them: "You must always act in the fear of the LORD, with faithfulness and an undivided heart.H6680H559H6213H3374H3068H530H8003H382410Whenever a case comes to you from fellow citizens in an outlying town, whether a murder case or some other violation of God's laws, commands, decrees, or regulations, you must warn them not to sin against the LORD, so that he will not be angry with you and them. Do this and you will not be guilty.H7379H935H251H3427H5892H1818H1818H8451H4687H2706H4941H2094H816H3068H7110H251H3541H6213H81611"Amariah the high priest will have final say in all cases involving the LORD. Zebadiah son of Ishmael, a leader from the tribe of Judah, will have final say in all civil cases. The Levites will assist you in making sure that justice is served. Take courage as you fulfill your duties, and may the LORD be with those who do what is right."H568H7218H3548H1697H3068H2069H1121H3458H5057H1004H3063H4428H1697H3881H7860H6440H6213H2388H3068H2896
2Chronicles 20
20After this, the armies of the Moabites, Ammonites, and some of the Meunites declared war on Jehoshaphat.H310H1121H4124H1121H5983H5984H935H3092H44212Messengers came and told Jehoshaphat, "A vast army from Edom is marching against you from beyond the Dead Sea. They are already at Hazazon-tamar." (This was another name for En-gedi.)H935H5046H3092H559H935H7227H1995H5676H3220H758H2688H58723Jehoshaphat was terrified by this news and begged the LORD for guidance. He also ordered everyone in Judah to begin fasting.H3092H3372H5414H6440H1875H3068H7121H6685H5921H30634So people from all the towns of Judah came to Jerusalem to seek the LORD's help.H3063H6908H1245H3068H5892H3063H935H1245H30685Jehoshaphat stood before the community of Judah and Jerusalem in front of the new courtyard at the Temple of the LORD.H3092H5975H6951H3063H3389H1004H3068H6440H2319H26916He prayed, "O LORD, God of our ancestors, you alone are the God who is in heaven. You are ruler of all the kingdoms of the earth. You are powerful and mighty; no one can stand against you!H559H3068H430H1H430H8064H4910H4467H1471H3027H3581H1369H33207O our God, did you not drive out those who lived in this land when your people Israel arrived? And did you not give this land forever to the descendants of your friend Abraham?H430H3423H3427H776H6440H5971H3478H5414H2233H85H157H57698Your people settled here and built this Temple to honor your name.H3427H1129H4720H8034H5599They said, 'Whenever we are faced with any calamity such as war, plague, or famine, we can come to stand in your presence before this Temple where your name is honored. We can cry out to you to save us, and you will hear us and rescue us.'H7451H935H2719H8196H1698H7458H5975H6440H1004H6440H8034H1004H2199H6869H8085H346710"And now see what the armies of Ammon, Moab, and Mount Seir are doing. You would not let our ancestors invade those nations when Israel left Egypt, so they went around them and did not destroy them.H1121H5983H4124H2022H8165H5414H3478H935H935H776H4714H5493H804511Now see how they reward us! For they have come to throw us out of your land, which you gave us as an inheritance.H1580H935H1644H3425H342312O our God, won't you stop them? We are powerless against this mighty army that is about to attack us. We do not know what to do, but we are looking to you for help."H430H8199H3581H6440H7227H1995H935H3045H587H6213H586913As all the men of Judah stood before the LORD with their little ones, wives, and children,H3063H5975H6440H3068H1571H2945H802H112114the Spirit of the LORD came upon one of the men standing there. His name was Jahaziel son of Zechariah, son of Benaiah, son of Jeiel, son of Mattaniah, a Levite who was a descendant of Asaph.H3166H1121H2148H1121H1141H1121H3273H1121H4983H3881H1121H623H7307H3068H8432H695115He said, "Listen, all you people of Judah and Jerusalem! Listen, King Jehoshaphat! This is what the LORD says: Do not be afraid! Don't be discouraged by this mighty army, for the battle is not yours, but God's.H559H7181H3063H3427H3389H4428H3092H559H3068H3372H2865H6440H7227H1995H4421H43016Tomorrow, march out against them. You will find them coming up through the ascent of Ziz at the end of the valley that opens into the wilderness of Jeruel.H4279H3381H5927H4608H6732H4672H5490H5158H6440H4057H338517But you will not even need to fight. Take your positions; then stand still and watch the LORD's victory. He is with you, O people of Judah and Jerusalem. Do not be afraid or discouraged. Go out against them tomorrow, for the LORD is with you!"H3898H2063H3320H5975H7200H3444H3068H3063H3389H3372H2865H4279H3318H6440H306818Then King Jehoshaphat bowed low with his face to the ground. And all the people of Judah and Jerusalem did the same, worshiping the LORD.H3092H6915H639H776H3063H3427H3389H5307H6440H3068H7812H306819Then the Levites from the clans of Kohath and Korah stood to praise the LORD, the God of Israel, with a very loud shout.H3881H1121H6956H1121H7145H6965H1984H3068H430H3478H1419H6963H460520Early the next morning the army of Judah went out into the wilderness of Tekoa. On the way Jehoshaphat stopped and said, "Listen to me, all you people of Judah and Jerusalem! Believe in the LORD your God, and you will be able to stand firm. Believe in his prophets, and you will succeed."H7925H1242H3318H4057H8620H3318H3092H5975H559H8085H3063H3427H3389H539H3068H430H539H539H5030H674321After consulting the people, the king appointed singers to walk ahead of the army, singing to the LORD and praising him for his holy splendor. This is what they sang: "Give thanks to the LORD; his faithful love endures forever!"H3289H5971H5975H7891H3068H1984H1927H6944H3318H6440H2502H559H3034H3068H2617H576922At the very moment they began to sing and give praise, the LORD caused the armies of Ammon, Moab, and Mount Seir to start fighting among themselves.H6256H2490H7440H8416H3068H5414H693H1121H5983H4124H2022H8165H935H3063H506223The armies of Moab and Ammon turned against their allies from Mount Seir and killed every one of them. After they had destroyed the army of Seir, they began attacking each other.H1121H5983H4124H5975H3427H2022H8165H2763H8045H3615H3427H8165H376H5826H4889H745324So when the army of Judah arrived at the lookout point in the wilderness, all they saw were dead bodies lying on the ground as far as they could see. Not a single one of the enemy had escaped.H3063H935H4707H4708H4057H6437H1995H6297H5307H776H641325King Jehoshaphat and his men went out to gather the plunder. They found vast amounts of equipment, clothing, and other valuables—more than they could carry. There was so much plunder that it took them three days just to collect it all!H3092H5971H935H962H7998H4672H7230H7399H6297H2532H3627H5337H369H4853H7969H3117H962H7998H722726On the fourth day they gathered in the Valley of Blessing, which got its name that day because the people praised and thanked the LORD there. It is still called the Valley of Blessing today.H7243H3117H6950H6010H1294H1288H3068H8034H4725H7121H6010H1294H311727Then all the men returned to Jerusalem, with Jehoshaphat leading them, overjoyed that the LORD had given them victory over their enemies.H7725H376H3063H3389H3092H7218H7725H3389H8057H3068H8055H34128They marched into Jerusalem to the music of harps, lyres, and trumpets, and they proceeded to the Temple of the LORD.H935H3389H5035H3658H2689H1004H306829When all the surrounding kingdoms heard that the LORD himself had fought against the enemies of Israel, the fear of God came over them.H6343H430H4467H776H8085H3068H3898H341H347830So Jehoshaphat's kingdom was at peace, for his God had given him rest on every side.H4438H3092H8252H430H5117H543931So Jehoshaphat ruled over the land of Judah. He was thirty-five years old when he became king, and he reigned in Jerusalem twenty-five years. His mother was Azubah, the daughter of Shilhi.H3092H4427H3063H7970H2568H8141H1121H4427H4427H6242H2568H8141H3389H517H8034H5806H1323H797732Jehoshaphat was a good king, following the ways of his father, Asa. He did what was pleasing in the LORD's sight.H3212H1870H609H1H5493H6213H3477H5869H306833During his reign, however, he failed to remove all the pagan shrines, and the people never fully committed themselves to follow the God of their ancestors.H1116H5493H5971H3559H3824H430H134The rest of the events of Jehoshaphat's reign, from beginning to end, are recorded in The Record of Jehu Son of Hanani, which is included in The Book of the Kings of Israel.H3499H1697H3092H7223H314H3789H1697H3058H1121H2607H5927H5612H4428H347835Some time later King Jehoshaphat of Judah made an alliance with King Ahaziah of Israel, who was very wicked.H310H3092H4428H3063H2266H274H4428H3478H6213H756136Together they built a fleet of trading ships at the port of Ezion-geber.H2266H6213H591H3212H8659H6213H591H610037Then Eliezer son of Dodavahu from Mareshah prophesied against Jehoshaphat. He said, "Because you have allied yourself with King Ahaziah, the LORD will destroy your work." So the ships met with disaster and never put out to sea.H461H1121H1735H4762H5012H3092H559H2266H274H3068H6555H4639H591H7665H6113H3212H8659
Dublin, OH
and did not worship the images of Baal.H3068
