Chapter 17

  Jehoshaphat his son reigned in his place, and strengthened himself against Israel.  

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  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.  

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  Yahweh was with Jehoshaphat, because he walked in the first ways of his father David, and didn't seek the Baals,  

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  but sought to the God of his father, and walked in his commandments, and not after the doings of Israel.  

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  Therefore Yahweh established the kingdom in his hand; and all Judah brought to Jehoshaphat tribute; and he had riches and honor in abundance.  

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  His heart was lifted up in the ways of Yahweh: and furthermore he took away the high places and the Asherim out of Judah.  

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  Also in the third year of his reign he sent his princes, even Ben-hail, and Obadiah, and Zechariah, and Nethanel, and Micaiah, to teach in the cities of Judah;  

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  and with them the Levites, even Shemaiah, and Nethaniah, and Zebadiah, and Asahel, and Shemiramoth, and Jehonathan, and Adonijah, and Tobijah, and Tob-adonijah, the Levites; and with them Elishama and Jehoram, the priests.  

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  They taught in Judah, having the book of the law of Yahweh with them; and they went about throughout all the cities of Judah, and taught among the people.  

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  The fear of Yahweh fell on all the kingdoms of the lands that were round about Judah, so that they made no war against Jehoshaphat.  

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  Some of the Philistines brought Jehoshaphat presents, and silver for tribute; the Arabians also brought him flocks, seven thousand and seven hundred rams, and seven thousand and seven hundred male goats.  

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  Jehoshaphat grew great exceedingly; and he built in Judah castles and cities of store.  

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  He had many works in the cities of Judah; and men of war, mighty men of valor, in Jerusalem.  

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  This was the numbering of them according to their fathers' houses: Of Judah, the captains of thousands: Adnah the captain, and with him mighty men of valor three hundred thousand;  

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  and next to him Jehohanan the captain, and with him two hundred eighty thousand;  

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  and next to him Amasiah the son of Zichri, who willingly offered himself to Yahweh; and with him two hundred thousand mighty men of valor.  

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  Of Benjamin: Eliada a mighty man of valor, and with him two hundred thousand armed with bow and shield;  

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  and next to him Jehozabad and with him one hundred eighty thousand ready prepared for war.  

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  These were those who waited on the king, besides those whom the king put in the fortified cities throughout all Judah.  

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