| Holy Bible, The New Living Translation | |
| Book of 2 Chronicles |
Chapter 17 - Read Chapter - Click the Play Button for Chapter Audio 
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- 17:1 - [In Context]
- Then Jehoshaphat, Asa's son, became the next king. He strengthened Judah to stand against any attack from Israel.
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- 17:2 - [In Context]
- He stationed troops in all the fortified cities of Judah, and he assigned additional garrisons to the land of Judah and to the towns of Ephraim that his father, Asa, had conquered.
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- 17:3 - [In Context]
- The LORD was with Jehoshaphat because he followed the example of his father's early years F64 and did not worship the images of Baal.
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- 17:4 - [In Context]
- He sought his father's God and obeyed his commands instead of following the practices of the kingdom of Israel.
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- 17:5 - [In Context]
- So the LORD established Jehoshaphat's control over the kingdom of Judah. All the people of Judah brought gifts to Jehoshaphat, so he became very wealthy and highly esteemed.
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- 17:6 - [In Context]
- He was committed to the ways of the LORD. He knocked down the pagan shrines and destroyed the Asherah poles.
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- 17:7 - [In Context]
- In the third year of his reign, Jehoshaphat sent out his officials to teach in all the towns of Judah. These officials included Ben-hail, Obadiah, Zechariah, Nethanel, and Micaiah.
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- 17:8 - [In Context]
- He sent Levites along with them, including Shemaiah, Nethaniah, Zebadiah, Asahel, Shemiramoth, Jehonathan, Adonijah, Tobijah, and Tob-adonijah. He also sent out the priests, Elishama and Jehoram.
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- 17:9 - [In Context]
- They took copies of the Book of the Law of the LORD and traveled around through all the towns of Judah, teaching the people.
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- 17:10 - [In Context]
- Then the fear of the LORD fell over all the surrounding kingdoms so that none of them declared war on Jehoshaphat.
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- 17:11 - [In Context]
- Some of the Philistines brought him gifts and silver as tribute, and the Arabs brought seventy-seven hundred rams and seventy-seven hundred male goats.
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- 17:12 - [In Context]
- So Jehoshaphat became more and more powerful and built fortresses and store cities throughout Judah.
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- 17:13 - [In Context]
- He stored numerous supplies in Judah's towns and stationed an army of seasoned troops at Jerusalem.
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- 17:14 - [In Context]
- His army was enrolled according to ancestral clans. From Judah, there were 300,000 troops organized in units of one thousand, under the command of Adnah.
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- 17:15 - [In Context]
- Next in command was Jehohanan, who commanded 280,000 troops.
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- 17:16 - [In Context]
- Next was Amasiah son of Zicri, who volunteered for the LORD's service, with 200,000 troops under his command.
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- 17:17 - [In Context]
- From Benjamin, there were 200,000 troops equipped with bows and shields. They were under the command of Eliada, a veteran soldier.
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- 17:18 - [In Context]
- Next in command was Jehozabad, who commanded 180,000 armed men.
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- 17:19 - [In Context]
- These were the troops stationed in Jerusalem to serve the king, besides those Jehoshaphat stationed in the fortified cities throughout Judah.
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| Chapter 18 - Read Chapter - Click the Play Button for Chapter Audio
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- 18:1 - [In Context]
- Now Jehoshaphat enjoyed great riches and high esteem, and he arranged for his son to marry the daughter of King Ahab of Israel.
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- 18:2 - [In Context]
- A few years later, he went to Samaria to visit Ahab, who prepared a great banquet for him and his officials. They butchered great numbers of sheep and oxen for the feast. Then Ahab enticed Jehoshaphat to join forces with him to attack Ramoth-gilead.
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- 18:3 - [In Context]
- "Will you join me in fighting against Ramoth-gilead?" Ahab asked.And Jehoshaphat replied, "Why, of course! You and I are brothers, and my troops are yours to command. We will certainly join you in battle."
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- 18:4 - [In Context]
- Then Jehoshaphat added, "But first let's find out what the LORD says."
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- 18:5 - [In Context]
- So King Ahab summoned his prophets, four hundred of them, and asked them, "Should we go to war against Ramoth-gilead or not?"They all replied, "Go ahead, for God will give you a great victory!"
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- 18:6 - [In Context]
- But Jehoshaphat asked, "Isn't there a prophet of the LORD around, too? I would like to ask him the same question."
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- 18:7 - [In Context]
- King Ahab replied, "There is still one prophet of the LORD, but I hate him. He never prophesies anything but bad news for me! His name is Micaiah son of Imlah.""You shouldn't talk like that," Jehoshaphat said. "Let's hear what he has to say."
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- 18:8 - [In Context]
- So the king of Israel called one of his officials and said, "Quick! Go and get Micaiah son of Imlah."
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- 18:9 - [In Context]
- King Ahab of Israel and King Jehoshaphat of Judah, dressed in their royal robes, were sitting on thrones at the threshing floor near the gate of Samaria. All of Ahab's prophets were prophesying there in front of them.
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- 18:10 - [In Context]
- One of them, Zedekiah son of Kenaanah, made some iron horns and proclaimed, "This is what the LORD says: With these horns you will gore the Arameans to death!"
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- 18:11 - [In Context]
- All the other prophets agreed. "Yes," they said, "go up to Ramoth-gilead and be victorious. The LORD will give you a glorious victory!"
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- 18:12 - [In Context]
- Meanwhile, the messenger who went to get Micaiah said to him, "Look, all the prophets are promising victory for the king. Be sure that you agree with them and promise success."
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- 18:13 - [In Context]
- But Micaiah replied, "As surely as the LORD lives, I will say only what my God tells me to say."
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- 18:14 - [In Context]
- When Micaiah arrived before the king, Ahab asked him, "Micaiah, should we go to war against Ramoth-gilead or not?"And Micaiah replied, "Go right ahead! It will be a glorious victory!"
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- 18:15 - [In Context]
- But the king replied sharply, "How many times must I demand that you speak only the truth when you speak for the LORD?"
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- 18:16 - [In Context]
- So Micaiah told him, "In a vision I saw all Israel scattered on the mountains, like sheep without a shepherd. And the LORD said, 'Their master has been killed. Send them home in peace.'"
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- 18:17 - [In Context]
- "Didn't I tell you?" the king of Israel said to Jehoshaphat. "He does it every time. He never prophesies anything but bad news for me."
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- 18:18 - [In Context]
- Then Micaiah continued, "Listen to what the LORD says! I saw the LORD sitting on his throne with all the armies of heaven on his right and on his left.
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- 18:19 - [In Context]
- And the LORD said, 'Who can entice King Ahab of Israel to go into battle against Ramoth-gilead so that he can be killed there?' There were many suggestions,
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- 18:20 - [In Context]
- until finally a spirit approached the LORD and said, 'I can do it!'"'How will you do this?' the LORD asked.
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- 18:21 - [In Context]
- "And the spirit replied, 'I will go out and inspire all Ahab's prophets to speak lies.'"'You will succeed,' said the LORD. 'Go ahead and do it.'
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- 18:22 - [In Context]
- "So you see, the LORD has put a lying spirit in the mouths of your prophets. For the LORD has determined disaster for you."
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- 18:23 - [In Context]
- Then Zedekiah son of Kenaanah walked up to Micaiah and slapped him across the face. "When did the Spirit of the LORD leave me to speak to you?" he demanded.
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- 18:24 - [In Context]
- And Micaiah replied, "You will find out soon enough, when you find yourself hiding in some secret room!"
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- 18:25 - [In Context]
- King Ahab of Israel then ordered, "Arrest Micaiah and take him back to Amon, the governor of the city, and to my son Joash.
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- 18:26 - [In Context]
- Give them this order from the king: 'Put this man in prison, and feed him nothing but bread and water until I return safely from the battle!'"
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- 18:27 - [In Context]
- But Micaiah replied, "If you return safely, the LORD has not spoken through me!" Then he added to those standing around, "Take note of what I have said."
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- 18:28 - [In Context]
- So the king of Israel and King Jehoshaphat of Judah led their armies against Ramoth-gilead.
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- 18:29 - [In Context]
- Now King Ahab said to Jehoshaphat, "As we go into battle, I will disguise myself so no one will recognize me, but you wear your royal robes." So Ahab disguised himself, and they went into battle.
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- 18:30 - [In Context]
- Now the king of Aram had issued these orders to his charioteers: "Attack only the king of Israel!"
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- 18:31 - [In Context]
- So when the Aramean charioteers saw Jehoshaphat in his royal robes, they went after him. "There is the king of Israel!" they shouted. But Jehoshaphat cried out to the LORD to save him, and God helped him by turning the attack away from him.
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- 18:32 - [In Context]
- As soon as the charioteers realized he was not the king of Israel, they stopped chasing him.
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- 18:33 - [In Context]
- An Aramean soldier, however, randomly shot an arrow at the Israelite troops, and the arrow hit the king of Israel between the joints of his armor. "Get me out of here!" Ahab groaned to the driver of his chariot. "I have been badly wounded!"
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- 18:34 - [In Context]
- The battle raged all that day, and Ahab propped himself up in his chariot facing the Arameans until evening. Then, just as the sun was setting, he died.
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| Chapter 19 - Read Chapter - Click the Play Button for Chapter Audio
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- 19:1 - [In Context]
- When King Jehoshaphat of Judah arrived safely home to Jerusalem,
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- 19:2 - [In Context]
- Jehu son of Hanani the seer went out to meet him. "Why should you help the wicked and love those who hate the LORD?" he asked the king. "What you have done has brought the LORD's anger against you.
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- 19:3 - [In Context]
- There is some good in you, however, for you have removed the Asherah poles throughout the land, and you have committed yourself to seeking God."
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- 19:4 - [In Context]
- So Jehoshaphat lived in Jerusalem, but he went out among the people, traveling from Beersheba to the hill country of Ephraim, encouraging the people to return to the LORD, the God of their ancestors.
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- 19:5 - [In Context]
- He appointed judges throughout the nation in all the fortified cities,
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- 19:6 - [In Context]
- and he gave them these instructions: "Always think carefully before pronouncing judgment. Remember that you do not judge to please people but to please the LORD. He will be with you when you render the verdict in each case that comes before you.
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- 19:7 - [In Context]
- Fear the LORD and judge with care, for the LORD our God does not tolerate perverted justice, partiality, or the taking of bribes."
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- 19:8 - [In Context]
- Jehoshaphat appointed some of the Levites and priests and clan leaders in Israel to serve as judges in Jerusalem for cases concerning both the law of the LORD and civil disputes.
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- 19:9 - [In Context]
- These were his instructions to them: "You must always act in the fear of the LORD, with integrity and with undivided hearts.
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- 19:10 - [In Context]
- Whenever a case comes to you from fellow citizens in an outlying town, whether a murder case or some other violation of God's instructions, commands, laws, or regulations, you must warn them not to sin against the LORD, so that his anger will not come against you and them. Do this and you will not be guilty.
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- 19:11 - [In Context]
- "Amariah the high priest will have final say in all cases concerning the LORD. Zebadiah son of Ishmael, a leader from the tribe of Judah, will have final say in all civil cases. The Levites will assist you in making sure that justice is served. Take courage as you fulfill your duties, and may the LORD be with those who do what is right."
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| Chapter 20 - Read Chapter - Click the Play Button for Chapter Audio
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- 20:1 - [In Context]
- After this, the armies of the Moabites, Ammonites, and some of the Meunites F65 declared war on Jehoshaphat.
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- 20:2 - [In Context]
- Messengers came and told Jehoshaphat, "A vast army from Edom F66 is marching against you from beyond the Dead Sea. F67 They are already at Hazazon-tamar." (This was another name for En-gedi.)
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- 20:3 - [In Context]
- Jehoshaphat was alarmed by this news and sought the LORD for guidance. He also gave orders that everyone throughout Judah should observe a fast.
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- 20:4 - [In Context]
- So people from all the towns of Judah came to Jerusalem to seek the LORD.
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- 20:5 - [In Context]
- Jehoshaphat stood before the people of Judah and Jerusalem in front of the new courtyard at the Temple of the LORD.
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- 20:6 - [In Context]
- He prayed, "O LORD, God of our ancestors, you alone are the God who is in heaven. You are ruler of all the kingdoms of the earth. You are powerful and mighty; no one can stand against you!
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- 20:7 - [In Context]
- O our God, did you not drive out those who lived in this land when your people arrived? And did you not give this land forever to the descendants of your friend Abraham?
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- 20:8 - [In Context]
- Your people settled here and built this Temple for you.
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- 20:9 - [In Context]
- They said, 'Whenever we are faced with any calamity such as war, disease, or famine, we can come to stand in your presence before this Temple where your name is honored. We can cry out to you to save us, and you will hear us and rescue us.'
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- 20:10 - [In Context]
- "And now see what the armies of Ammon, Moab, and Mount Seir are doing. You would not let our ancestors invade those nations when Israel left Egypt, so they went around them and did not destroy them.
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- 20:11 - [In Context]
- Now see how they reward us! For they have come to throw us out of your land, which you gave us as an inheritance.
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- 20:12 - [In Context]
- O our God, won't you stop them? We are powerless against this mighty army that is about to attack us. We do not know what to do, but we are looking to you for help."
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- 20:13 - [In Context]
- As all the men of Judah stood before the LORD with their little ones, wives, and children,
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- 20:14 - [In Context]
- the Spirit of the LORD came upon one of the men standing there. His name was Jahaziel son of Zechariah, son of Benaiah, son of Jeiel, son of Mattaniah, a Levite who was a descendant of Asaph.
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- 20:15 - [In Context]
- He said, "Listen, King Jehoshaphat! Listen, all you people of Judah and Jerusalem! This is what the LORD says: Do not be afraid! Don't be discouraged by this mighty army, for the battle is not yours, but God's.
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- 20:16 - [In Context]
- Tomorrow, march out against them. You will find them coming up through the ascent of Ziz at the end of the valley that opens into the wilderness of Jeruel.
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- 20:17 - [In Context]
- But you will not even need to fight. Take your positions; then stand still and watch the LORD's victory. He is with you, O people of Judah and Jerusalem. Do not be afraid or discouraged. Go out there tomorrow, for the LORD is with you!"
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- 20:18 - [In Context]
- Then King Jehoshaphat bowed down with his face to the ground. And all the people of Judah and Jerusalem did the same, worshiping the LORD.
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- 20:19 - [In Context]
- Then the Levites from the clans of Kohath and Korah stood to praise the LORD, the God of Israel, with a very loud shout.
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- 20:20 - [In Context]
- Early the next morning the army of Judah went out into the wilderness of Tekoa. On the way Jehoshaphat stopped and said, "Listen to me, all you people of Judah and Jerusalem! Believe in the LORD your God, and you will be able to stand firm. Believe in his prophets, and you will succeed."
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- 20:21 - [In Context]
- After consulting the leaders of the people, the king appointed singers to walk ahead of the army, singing to the LORD and praising him for his holy splendor. This is what they sang: "Give thanks to the LORD; his faithful love endures forever!"
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- 20:22 - [In Context]
- At the moment they began to sing and give praise, the LORD caused the armies of Ammon, Moab, and Mount Seir to start fighting among themselves.
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- 20:23 - [In Context]
- The armies of Moab and Ammon turned against their allies from Mount Seir and killed every one of them. After they had finished off the army of Seir, they turned on each other.
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- 20:24 - [In Context]
- So when the army of Judah arrived at the lookout point in the wilderness, there were dead bodies lying on the ground for as far as they could see. Not a single one of the enemy had escaped.
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- 20:25 - [In Context]
- King Jehoshaphat and his men went out to gather the plunder. They found vast amounts of equipment, clothing, F68 and other valuables – more than they could carry. There was so much plunder that it took them three days just to collect it all!
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- 20:26 - [In Context]
- On the fourth day they gathered in the Valley of Blessing, F69 which got its name that day because the people praised and thanked the LORD there. It is still called the Valley of Blessing today.
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- 20:27 - [In Context]
- Then they returned to Jerusalem, with Jehoshaphat leading them, full of joy that the LORD had given them victory over their enemies.
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- 20:28 - [In Context]
- They marched into Jerusalem to the music of harps, lyres, and trumpets and proceeded to the Temple of the LORD.
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- 20:29 - [In Context]
- When the surrounding kingdoms heard that the LORD himself had fought against the enemies of Israel, the fear of God came over them.
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- 20:30 - [In Context]
- So Jehoshaphat's kingdom was at peace, for his God had given him rest on every side.
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- 20:31 - [In Context]
- So Jehoshaphat ruled over the land of Judah. He was thirty-five years old when he became king, and he reigned in Jerusalem twenty-five years. His mother was Azubah, the daughter of Shilhi.
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- 20:32 - [In Context]
- Jehoshaphat was a good king, following the ways of his father, Asa. He did what was pleasing in the LORD's sight.
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- 20:33 - [In Context]
- During his reign, however, he failed to remove all the pagan shrines, and the people never fully committed themselves to following the God of their ancestors.
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- 20:34 - [In Context]
- The rest of the events of Jehoshaphat's reign, from beginning to end, are recorded in The Record of Jehu Son of Hanani, which is included in The Book of the Kings of Israel.
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- 20:35 - [In Context]
- But near the end of his life, King Jehoshaphat of Judah made an alliance with King Ahaziah of Israel, who was a very wicked man. F70
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- 20:36 - [In Context]
- Together they built a fleet of trading ships F71 at the port of Ezion-geber.
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- 20:37 - [In Context]
- Then Eliezer son of Dodavahu from Mareshah prophesied against Jehoshaphat. He said, "Because you have allied yourself with King Ahaziah, the LORD will destroy your work." So the ships met with disaster and never put out to sea. F72
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| Chapter 21 - Read Chapter - Click the Play Button for Chapter Audio
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- 21:1 - [In Context]
- When Jehoshaphat died, he was buried with his ancestors in the City of David. Then his son Jehoram became the next king.
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FOOTNOTES:
F64: Some Hebrew manuscripts read the example of his father, David.
F65: As in some Greek manuscripts (see also 26:7); Hebrew reads Ammonites.
F66: As in one Hebrew manuscript; most Hebrew manuscripts and ancient versions read Aram.
F67: Hebrew the sea.
F68: As in some Hebrew manuscripts and Latin Vulgate; most Hebrew manuscripts read corpses.
F69: Hebrew valley of Beracah.
F70: Or who made him do what was wrong.
F71: Hebrew fleet of ships that could go to Tarshish.
F72: Hebrew never set sail for Tarshish.
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