Jehoshaphat Reigns in Judah
(1 Kings 15:23–24)

1Asa’s son Jehoshaphat (YHWH has judged) reigned in his place, and he strengthened himself against Israel (he wrestles with God). 2He stationed troops in every fortified city of Judah (praised) and put garrisons in the land of Judah and in the cities of Ephraim (doubly fruitful) that his father Asa (healer) had captured.

3Now the LORD {YHWH} was with Jehoshaphat (YHWH has judged) because he walked in the earlier ways (in his early years he walked in the ways)a of his father David (beloved). He did not seek the Baals (lord), 4but he sought the God {Elohe} of his father and walked by His commandments rather than the practices of Israel (he wrestles with God). 5So the LORD {YHWH} established the kingdom in his hand, and all Judah (praised) brought him (YHWH has judged) tribute, so that he had an abundance of riches and honor. 6And his heart took delight (was exalted)b in the ways of the LORD {YHWH}; furthermore, he removed the high places and Asherah poles (goddess) from Judah (praised).

7In the third year of his reign, Jehoshaphat sent his officials Ben-hail (son of might), Obadiah (servant of YHWH), Zechariah (YHWH remembers), Nethanel (given of God), and Micaiah (who is like God) to teach in the cities of Judah (praised), 8accompanied by certain Levites—Shemaiah (heard by YHWH), Nethaniah (given of YHWH), Zebadiah (endowment of YHWH), Asahel (God-made), Shemiramoth (name of heights), Jehonathan (YHWH has given), Adonijah (my lord is YHWH), Tobijah (YHWH is good), and Tob-adonijah (my Lord is good)—along with the priests Elishama (my God has heard) and Jehoram (YHWH is exalted). 9They taught throughout Judah (praised), taking with them the Book of the Law of the LORD {YHWH}. They went throughout the towns of Judah and taught the people.

10And the dread of the LORD {YHWH} fell upon all the kingdoms of the lands that surrounded Judah (praised), so that they did not make war against Jehoshaphat (YHWH has judged). 11Some Philistines (immigrants) also brought gifts and silver as tribute (burden) to Jehoshaphat (YHWH has judged), and the Arabs brought him 7,700 rams and 7,700 goats from their flocks.

12Jehoshaphat (YHWH has judged) grew stronger and stronger, and he built fortresses and store cities in Judah (praised) 13and kept vast supplies in the cities of Judah (praised). He also had warriors in Jerusalem (city of peace) who were mighty men of valor. 14These are their numbers according to the houses of their fathers:

From Judah (praised), the commanders of thousands:

Adnah (pleasure) the commander, and with him 300,000 mighty men of valor;

15next to him, Jehohanan (YHWH has graced) the commander, and with him 280,000;

16and next to him, Amasiah (YHWH is strength) son of Zichri (memorable), the volunteer for the LORD {YHWH}, and with him 200,000 mighty men of valor.

17From Benjamin (son of the right hand):

Eliada (God knows), a mighty man of valor, and with him 200,000 armed with bows and shields;

18and next to him, Jehozabad (YHWH has endowed), and with him 180,000 armed for battle.

19These were the men who served the king, besides those he stationed in the fortified cities throughout Judah (praised).