1 Then Y’hoshafat his son became king in his place. He strengthened his position against Isra’el
2 by placing forces in all the fortified cities of Y’hudah, and by garrisoning troops in the territory of Y’hudah and in the cities of Efrayim that Asa his father had captured.
3 Adonaiwas with Y’hoshafat, because he lived according to the first ways of his ancestor David, not seeking theba‘alim,
4 but seeking the God of his father and living by hismitzvot, not by what Isra’el did.
5 ThereforeAdonaiconsolidated his rulership; all Y’hudah brought presents to Y’hoshafat, so that he had wealth and honor in abundance.
6 In his heart he highly regardedAdonai’s ways; moreover, he removed the high places and sacred poles from Y’hudah.
7 In the third year of his reign he sent his leading men Ben-Chayil, ‘Ovadyah, Z’kharyah, N’tan’el and Mikhayahu to teach in the cities of Y’hudah;
8 with them were theL’vi’imSh’ma‘yahu, N’tanyahu, Z’vadyahu, ‘Asah’el, Sh’miramot, Y’honatan, Adoniyahu, Tuviyahu and Tov-Adoniyah, theL’vi’im; and with them Elishama and Y’horam thecohanim.
9 They taught in Y’hudah, having a scroll of theTorahofAdonaiwith them; they circulated through all the cities of Y’hudah, teaching among the people.
10 A panic fromAdonaiseized all the kingdoms in the lands surrounding Y’hudah, so that they did not make war against Y’hoshafat.
11 Some of the P’lishtim brought Y’hoshafat gifts and silver as tribute; the Arabs too brought him flocks — 7,700 rams and 7,700 male goats.
12 So Y’hoshafat grew increasingly powerful. In Y’hudah he built fortresses and storage cities.
13 He had many projects in the cities of Y’hudah; and in Yerushalayim he had warriors, strong brave men.
14 Here is a listing of them by clans: from Y’hudah, the captains of thousands: ‘Adnah the leader, and with him 300,000 strong, brave men;
15 next to him Y’hochanan the leader, and with him 280,000;
16 next to him ‘Amasyah the son of Zikhri, who volunteered to serveAdonai, and with him 200,000 strong, brave men.
17 From Binyamin: Elyada, a strong, brave man, and with him 200,000 equipped with bows and shields;
18 next to him Y’hozavad, and with him 180,000 prepared for war.
19 These served the king, in addition to those the king assigned to the fortified cities throughout all Y’hudah.