Jehoshaphat Walks With the Father
Our Father is with Jehoshaphat because he seeks him rather than the Baals. His most striking act is sending officials and Levites out with the book of instruction to teach in every city of Judah, and his kingdom grows strong, wealthy and well supplied.
17 1His son Jehoshaphat became king in his place and strengthened himself against Israel. 2He stationed troops in all Judah's fortified cities and garrisons in the land of Judah and in the cities of Ephraim that his father Asa had captured. 3Our Father was with Jehoshaphat, for he walked his father David's earlier ways, not seeking the Baals. 4Instead, he sought the Father his father served, obeyed his commandments, and not the practices of Israel. 5So our Father secured the kingdom in his hand; all Judah brought gifts to Jehoshaphat, and he had great wealth and honor. 6His heart was devoted to our Father's ways; he removed the high places and Asherah poles from Judah. a a v6 High places were hilltop outdoor shrines used for idol worship; Asherah poles were carved wooden cult objects dedicated to the Canaanite goddess Asherah.
7In his reign's third year he sent his officials Ben-hail, Obadiah, Zechariah, Nethanel, and Micaiah to teach in Judah's cities, 8and the Levites with them: Shemaiah, Nethaniah, Zebadiah, Asahel, Shemiramoth, Jehonathan, Adonijah, Tobijah, Tob-adonijah; and with them the priests Elishama, Jehoram. 9They taught throughout Judah, carrying the Book of our Father's Instruction, going to all Judah's cities, teaching the people.
10The dread of our Father fell on all the kingdoms around Judah, so they made no war on Jehoshaphat. 11Some Philistines brought Jehoshaphat gifts and silver tribute; the Arabs brought flocks: 7,700 rams, 7,700 male goats. 12Jehoshaphat grew more and more powerful, and he built fortresses and storage cities in Judah. 13He had large supplies in the cities of Judah, and mighty warriors in Jerusalem. 14Their enrollment by ancestral house: from Judah, commanders of thousands — Adnah the commander, with him 300,000 mighty warriors; 15next to him was Jehohanan the commander, and with him 280,000; 16next Amasiah son of Zichri, who volunteered for our Father, with him 200,000 mighty warriors. 17From Benjamin: Eliada, a mighty warrior, and with him 200,000 armed with bow and shield; 18next to him Jehozabad, and with him 180,000 equipped for war. 19These men served the king, besides those he stationed in the fortified cities throughout Judah.
