17 ¹ Jehoshaphat his son reigned in his stead, and strengthened himself against Israel. 17 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. 17 ³ Yahweh was with Jehoshaphat, because he walked in the earlier ways of his father; he did not seek the Baals, 17 ⁴ but sought the God of his father and walked in his commandments, and not according to the ways of Israel. 17 ⁵ Therefore Yahweh established the kingdom in his hand; and all Judah brought tribute to Jehoshaphat; and he had great riches and honour. 17 ⁶ His heart was courageous in the ways of Yahweh; and furthermore he took the high places and the Asherim out of Judah.

17 ⁷ In the third year of his reign he sent his princes, Ben-hail, Obadiah, Zechariah, Nethanel, and Micaiah, to teach in the cities of Judah; 17 ⁸ and with them the Levites, Shemaiah, Nethaniah, Zebadiah, Asahel, Shemiramoth, Jehonathan, Adonijah, Tobijah, and Tobadonijah; and with these Levites, the priests Elishama and Jehoram. 17 ⁹ And they taught in Judah, having the book of the law of Yahweh with them; they went about through all the cities of Judah and taught among the people.