Immerse: Chronicles Full Volume - Flipbook - Page 83
2C
| 17:10–18:7
C hronicles – E Z R A – N E H E M I A H
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Then the fear of the Lord fell over all the surrounding kingdoms so that
none of them wanted to declare war on Jehoshaphat. Some of the Philis
tines brought him gifts and silver as tribute, and the Arabs brought 7,700
rams and 7,700 male goats.
So Jehoshaphat became more and more powerful and built fortresses
and storage cities throughout Judah. He stored numerous supplies in Ju
dah’s towns and stationed an army of seasoned troops at Jerusalem. His
army was enrolled according to ancestral clans.
From Judah there were 300,000 troops organized in units of 1,000,
under the command of Adnah. Next in command was Jehohanan,
who commanded 280,000 troops. Next was Amasiah son of Zicri, who
volunteered for the Lord’s service, with 200,000 troops under his
command.
From Benjamin there were 200,000 troops equipped with bows and
shields. They were under the command of Eliada, a veteran soldier.
Next in command was Jehozabad, who commanded 180,000 armed
men.
These were the troops stationed in Jerusalem to serve the king, besides
those Jehoshaphat stationed in the fortified towns throughout Judah.
Jehoshaphat enjoyed great riches and high esteem, and he made an alliance with Ahab of Israel by having his son marry Ahab’s daughter. 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, goats,
and cattle for the feast. Then Ahab enticed Jehoshaphat to join forces with
him to recover R amoth-gilead.
“Will you go with me to R amoth-gilead?” King Ahab of Israel asked
King Jehoshaphat of Judah.
Jehoshaphat replied, “Why, of course! You and I are as one, and my
troops are your troops. We will certainly join you in battle.” Then Jehosh
aphat added, “But first let’s find out what the Lord says.”
So the king of Israel summoned the prophets, 400 of them, and asked
them, “Should we go to war against Ramoth-gilead, or should I hold back?”
They all replied, “Yes, go right ahead! God will give the king victory.”
But Jehoshaphat asked, “Is there not also a prophet of the Lord here?
We should ask him the same question.”
The king of Israel replied to Jehoshaphat, “There is one more man who
could consult the Lord for us, but I hate him. He never prophesies anything but trouble for me! His name is Micaiah son of Imlah.”
Jehoshaphat replied, “That’s not the way a king should talk! Let’s hear
what he has to say.”
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