1 Jehoshaphat {Yehoshafat: Covenant King} his son reigned in his place, and he strengthened himself {vayitchazek: consolidation of power} against Israel.
2 And he stationed forces {chayil: organized military unit} in all the fortified {betzurot: walled for defense} cities of Judah, and he placed garrisons in the land of Judah and in the cities of Ephraim that his father Asa had captured.
3 And the LORD {YHWH, Covenant Sustainer} was with Jehoshaphat because he walked in the former ways of David his father and did not seek out the Baals {ba’alim: Canaanite gods}.
4 For he sought the God {Elohei aviv: God of his fathers} of his father and walked in His commandments, and not like the practice {ma’aseh: Prevailing Custom} of Israel.
5 And the LORD {YHWH, Sure Kingdom Founder} firmly established the kingdom in his hand, and all Judah gave Jehoshaphat tribute {minchah: royal gift}, and he came to have wealth and honor in abundance.
6 And his heart grew bold in the ways of the LORD {YHWH, Covenant Guide}; furthermore, he removed the high places and the Asherah images from Judah {yehudah: tribal territory}.
7 And in the third year of his reign he sent his officials {sarav: royal advisers}—Ben-Hayil, Obadiah, Zechariah, Nethanel, and Micaiah—to teach in the towns of Judah {Yehudah: southern kingdom}.
8 And with them {ve’immahem: grouped association} were the Levites—Shemaiah, Nethaniah, Zebadiah, Asahel, Shemiramoth, Jehonathan, Adonijah, Tobijah, and Tob-Adonijah—and with them were Elishama and Jehoram, the priests {kohanim: sanctuary ministers}.
9 And they taught in Judah, and with them was the Book {sefer: written scroll} of the Law of the LORD {YHWH, Instruction Giver}. They went about through all the cities of Judah and taught among the people.
10 And the terror {pachad: overwhelming dread} of the LORD {YHWH, Awe-Inspirer} was upon all the kingdoms of the lands that surrounded Judah, and they did not fight with Jehoshaphat.
11 And from the Philistines they brought gifts and silver as tribute {minchah: diplomatic gift} to Jehoshaphat {Yehoshafat: Yahweh judges}. Also the Arabians brought him flocks—seven thousand seven hundred rams and seven thousand seven hundred male goats.
12 And Jehoshaphat {Yehoshaphat: God-Judged King} kept increasing, becoming greater and greater, and he built strongholds in Judah and cities for storehouses {miskenot: supply depots}.
13 And he had great stores {melekhah: organized resources} in the cities of Judah, and warriors {anshei milchamah: battle leaders}, mighty men of valor were in Jerusalem.
14 And these are their enrollments {pekudatam: muster rolls} by the house of their fathers: for Judah, the commanders of thousands {sarei alafim: unit commanders} were Adnah the commander and with him mighty men of valor, three hundred thousand.
15 Under {al: subordination} his command was Jehochanan the commander {sar: military leader}, with 280,000 troops.
16 And under his command, Amasiah son of Zikri, who volunteered himself for the LORD {YHWH, Devoted Commander}, and with him two hundred thousand mighty men of valor {chayil: military strength}.
17 And from the tribe of Benjamin, Elyada {elyada: God knows}, a mighty man of valor {gibbor hayil: courageous warrior}, and with him two hundred thousand wielders of bow and shield.
18 And at his hand {veal-yado: close support} was Jehozabad, and with him were 180,000 armed men {chalutse: battle-equipped troops}.
19 These were the royal attendants {mesharetim: palace officials}, apart from those whom the king had stationed in the fortified cities {mivtzar: defense strongholds} throughout all Judah.