Asa slept with his fathers, and was buried with his fathers in his father David's city; and Jehoshaphat his son reigned in his place.

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

2. 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.

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

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

5. Therefore the LORD established the kingdom in his hand. All Judah brought tribute to Jehoshaphat, and he had riches and honor in abundance.

6. His heart was lifted up in the ways of The LORD. Furthermore, he took away the high places and the Asherah poles out of Judah.

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

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

9. They taught in Judah, having the book of The LORD's law with them. They went about throughout all the cities of Judah and taught among the people.

10. The fear of the LORD fell on all the kingdoms of the lands that were around Judah, so that they made no war against Jehoshaphat.

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

12. Jehoshaphat grew great exceedingly; and he built fortresses and store cities in Judah.

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

1. Now Jehoshaphat had riches and honor in abundance; and he allied himself with Ahab.

2. After some years, he went down to Ahab to Samaria. Ahab killed sheep and cattle for him in abundance, and for the people who were with him, and moved him to go up with him to Ramoth Gilead.

3. Ahab king of Israel said to Jehoshaphat king of Judah, "Will you go with me to Ramoth Gilead?"He answered him, "I am as you are, and my people as your people. We will be with you in the war."

4. Jehoshaphat said to the king of Israel, "Please inquire first for The LORD's word."

5. Then the king of Israel gathered the prophets together, four hundred men, and said to them, "Shall we go to Ramoth Gilead to battle, or shall I forbear?"They said, "Go up; for God will deliver it into the hand of the king."

6. But Jehoshaphat said, "Isn't there here a prophet of the LORD besides, that we may inquire of him?"

7. The king of Israel said to Jehoshaphat, "There is yet one man by whom we may inquire of The LORD; but I hate him, for he never prophesies good concerning me, but always evil. He is Micaiah the son of Imla."Jehoshaphat said, "Don't let the king say so."

8. Then the king of Israel called an officer, and said, "Get Micaiah the son of Imla quickly."

9. Now the king of Israel and Jehoshaphat the king of Judah each sat on his throne, arrayed in their robes, and they were sitting in an open place at the entrance of the gate of Samaria; and all the prophets were prophesying before them.

10. Zedekiah the son of Chenaanah made himself horns of iron and said, "The LORD says, 'With these you shall push the Syrians, until they are consumed.'"

11. All the prophets prophesied so, saying, "Go up to Ramoth Gilead, and prosper; for the LORD will deliver it into the hand of the king."

12. The messenger who went to call Micaiah spoke to him, saying, "Behold, the words of the prophets declare good to the king with one mouth. Let your word therefore, please be like one of theirs, and speak good."

13. Micaiah said, "As the LORD lives, what my God says, that will I speak."

14. When he had come to the king, the king said to him, "Micaiah, shall we go to Ramoth Gilead to battle, or shall I forbear?"He said, "Go up, and prosper. They shall be delivered into your hand."

15. The king said to him, "How many times shall I adjure you that you speak to me nothing but the truth in The LORD's name?"

16. He said, "I saw all Israel scattered on the mountains, as sheep that have no shepherd. the LORD said, 'These have no master. Let them each return to his house in peace.'"

17. The king of Israel said to Jehoshaphat, "Didn't I tell you that he would not prophesy good concerning me, but evil?"

18. Micaiah said, "Therefore hear The LORD's word: I saw the LORD sitting on his throne, and all the army of heaven standing on his right hand and on his left.

19. The LORD said, 'Who will entice Ahab king of Israel, that he may go up and fall at Ramoth Gilead?' One spoke saying in this way, and another saying in that way.

20. A spirit came out, stood before The LORD, and said, 'I will entice him.'"The LORD said to him, 'How?'

21. "He said, 'I will go, and will be a lying spirit in the mouth of all his prophets.'"He said, 'You will entice him, and will prevail also. Go and do so.'

22. "Now therefore, behold, the LORD has put a lying spirit in the mouth of these your prophets; and the LORD has spoken evil concerning you."

23. Then Zedekiah the son of Chenaanah came near, and struck Micaiah on the cheek, and said, "Which way did The LORD's Spirit go from me to speak to you?"

24. Micaiah said, "Behold, you shall see on that day, when you go into an inner room to hide yourself."

25. The king of Israel said, "Take Micaiah, and carry him back to Amon the governor of the city, and to Joash the king's son;

26. and say, 'Thus says the king, "Put this fellow in the prison, and feed him with bread of affliction and with water of affliction, until I return in peace."'"

27. Micaiah said, "If you return at all in peace, the LORD has not spoken by me." He said, "Listen, you people, all of you!"

28. So the king of Israel and Jehoshaphat the king of Judah went up to Ramoth Gilead.

29. The king of Israel said to Jehoshaphat, "I will disguise myself, and go into the battle; but you put on your robes." So the king of Israel disguised himself; and they went into the battle.

30. Now the king of Syria had commanded the captains of his chariots, saying, "Don't fight with small nor great, except only with the king of Israel."

31. When the captains of the chariots saw Jehoshaphat, they said, "It is the king of Israel!" Therefore they turned around to fight against him. But Jehoshaphat cried out, and the LORD helped him; and God moved them to depart from him.

32. When the captains of the chariots saw that it was not the king of Israel, they turned back from pursuing him.

33. A certain man drew his bow at random, and struck the king of Israel between the joints of the armor. Therefore he said to the driver of the chariot, "Turn your hand, and carry me out of the army; for I am severely wounded."

34. The battle increased that day. However the king of Israel propped himself up in his chariot against the Syrians until the evening; and at about sunset, he died.

1. Jehoshaphat the king of Judah returned to his house in peace to Jerusalem.

2. Jehu the son of Hanani the seer went out to meet him, and said to king Jehoshaphat, "Should you help the wicked, and love those who hate The LORD? Because of this, wrath is on you from before The LORD.

3. Nevertheless there are good things found in you, in that you have put away the Asheroth out of the land, and have set your heart to seek God."

4. Jehoshaphat lived at Jerusalem; and he went out again among the people from Beersheba to the hill country of Ephraim, and brought them back to The LORD, the God of their fathers.

5. He set judges in the land throughout all the fortified cities of Judah, city by city,

6. and said to the judges, "Consider what you do, for you don't judge for man, but for The LORD; and he is with you in the judgment.

7. Now therefore let the fear of the LORD be on you. Take heed and do it; for there is no iniquity with the LORD our God, nor respect of persons, nor taking of bribes."

8. Moreover in Jerusalem Jehoshaphat appointed Levites and priests, and of the heads of the fathers' households of Israel, for the judgment of The LORD, and for controversies. They returned to Jerusalem.

9. He commanded them, saying, "You shall do this in the fear of The LORD, faithfully, and with a perfect heart.

10. Whenever any controversy comes to you from your brothers who dwell in their cities, between blood and blood, between law and commandment, statutes and ordinances, you must warn them, that they not be guilty towards The LORD, and so wrath come on you and on your brothers. Do this, and you will not be guilty.

11. Behold, Amariah the chief priest is over you in all matters of The LORD; and Zebadiah the son of Ishmael, the ruler of the house of Judah, in all the king's matters. Also the Levites shall be officers before you. Deal courageously, and may the LORD be with the good."

1. After this, the children of Moab, the children of Ammon, and with them some of the Ammonites, came against Jehoshaphat to battle.

2. Then some came who told Jehoshaphat, saying, "A great multitude is coming against you from beyond the sea from Syria. Behold, they are in Hazazon Tamar" (that is, En Gedi).

3. Jehoshaphat was alarmed, and set himself to seek to The LORD. He proclaimed a fast throughout all Judah.

4. Judah gathered themselves together to seek help from The LORD. They came out of all the cities of Judah to seek The LORD.

5. Jehoshaphat stood in the assembly of Judah and Jerusalem, in The LORD's house, before the new court;

6. and he said, "The LORD, the God of our fathers, aren't you God in heaven? Aren't you ruler over all the kingdoms of the nations? Power and might are in your hand, so that no one is able to withstand you.

7. Didn't you, our God, drive out the inhabitants of this land before your people Israel, and give it to the offspring of Abraham your friend forever?

8. They lived in it, and have built you a sanctuary in it for your name, saying,

9. 'If evil comes on us-the sword, judgment, pestilence, or famine-we will stand before this house, and before you (for your name is in this house), and cry to you in our affliction, and you will hear and save.'

10. Now, behold, the children of Ammon and Moab and Mount Seir, whom you would not let Israel invade when they came out of the land of Egypt, but they turned aside from them, and didn't destroy them;

11. behold, how they reward us, to come to cast us out of your possession, which you have given us to inherit.

12. Our God, will you not judge them? For we have no might against this great company that comes against us. We don't know what to do, but our eyes are on you."

13. All Judah stood before The LORD, with their little ones, their wives, and their children.

14. Then The LORD's Spirit came on Jahaziel the son of Zechariah, the son of Benaiah, the son of Jeiel, the son of Mattaniah, the Levite, of the sons of Asaph, in the middle of the assembly;

15. and he said, "Listen, all Judah, and you inhabitants of Jerusalem, and you, king Jehoshaphat. the LORD says to you, 'Don't be afraid, and don't be dismayed because of this great multitude; for the battle is not yours, but God's.

16. Tomorrow, go down against them. Behold, they are coming up by the ascent of Ziz. You will find them at the end of the valley, before the wilderness of Jeruel.

17. You will not need to fight this battle. Set yourselves, stand still, and see the salvation of the LORD with you, O Judah and Jerusalem. Don't be afraid, nor be dismayed. Go out against them tomorrow, for the LORD is with you.'"

18. Jehoshaphat bowed his head with his face to the ground; and all Judah and the inhabitants of Jerusalem fell down before The LORD, worshiping The LORD.

19. The Levites, of the children of the Kohathites and of the children of the Korahites, stood up to praise The LORD, the God of Israel, with an exceeding loud voice.

20. They rose early in the morning, and went out into the wilderness of Tekoa. As they went out, Jehoshaphat stood and said, "Listen to me, Judah, and you inhabitants of Jerusalem! Believe in the LORD your God, so you will be established! Believe his prophets, so you will prosper."

21. When he had taken counsel with the people, he appointed those who were to sing to The LORD, and give praise in holy array, as they go out before the army, and say, "Give thanks to The LORD; for his loving kindness endures forever."

22. When they began to sing and to praise, the LORD set ambushers against the children of Ammon, Moab, and Mount Seir, who had come against Judah; and they were struck.

23. For the children of Ammon and Moab stood up against the inhabitants of Mount Seir to utterly kill and destroy them: and when they had finished the inhabitants of Seir, everyone helped to destroy another.

24. When Judah came to the place overlooking the wilderness, they looked at the multitude; and behold, they were dead bodies fallen to the earth, and there were none who escaped.

25. When Jehoshaphat and his people came to take their plunder, they found among them in abundance both riches and dead bodies, and precious jewels, which they stripped off for themselves, more than they could carry away. They took plunder for three days, it was so much.

26. On the fourth day, they assembled themselves in Beracah Valley, for there they blessed The LORD. Therefore the name of that place was called "Beracah Valley" to this day.

27. Then they returned, every man of Judah and Jerusalem, with Jehoshaphat in front of them, to go again to Jerusalem with joy; for the LORD had made them to rejoice over their enemies.

28. They came to Jerusalem with stringed instruments, harps, and trumpets to The LORD's house.

29. The fear of God was on all the kingdoms of the countries, when they heard that the LORD fought against the enemies of Israel.

30. So the realm of Jehoshaphat was quiet, for his God gave him rest all around.

31. Jehoshaphat reigned over Judah. He was thirty-five years old when he began to reign; and he reigned twenty-five years in Jerusalem. His mother's name was Azubah the daughter of Shilhi.

32. He walked in the way of Asa his father, and didn't turn aside from it, doing that which was right in The LORD's eyes.

33. However the high places were not taken away, and the people had still not set their hearts on the God of their fathers.

34. Now the rest of the acts of Jehoshaphat, first and last, behold, they are written in the history of Jehu the son of Hanani, which is included in the book of the kings of Israel.

35. After this, Jehoshaphat king of Judah joined himself with Ahaziah king of Israel. The same did very wickedly.

36. He joined himself with him to make ships to go to Tarshish. They made the ships in Ezion Geber.

37. Then Eliezer the son of Dodavahu of Mareshah prophesied against Jehoshaphat, saying, "Because you have joined yourself with Ahaziah, the LORD has destroyed your works." The ships were wrecked, so that they were not able to go to Tarshish.

Jehoshaphat slept with his fathers, and was buried with his fathers in David's city, and Jehoram his son reigned in his place.