Jehoshaphat

1For three years there was no war between Syria and Israel.

And they continued three years without war between Syria and Israel.

NoteSyria was a country just north of Israel. The two often fought over land near their border.

2In the third year, Jehoshaphat, the king of Judah, came to visit the king of Israel.

And it came to pass in the third year, that Jehoshaphat the king of Judah came down to the king of Israel.

NoteLong before this, God's people split into two kingdoms. Judah was in the south, with Jerusalem as its capital. Israel was in the north. Each had its own king.

3The king of Israel said to his servants, "You know the town of Ramoth in Gilead belongs to us. But we sit still. We have not taken it back from the king of Syria."

And the king of Israel said unto his servants, Know ye that Ramoth in Gilead is ours, and we be still, and take it not out of the hand of the king of Syria?

NoteThe king of Israel here is Ahab. Ramoth in Gilead was a town east of the Jordan River. Syria had taken it away from Israel.

4He asked Jehoshaphat, "Will you go fight with me at Ramoth-gilead?" Jehoshaphat said, "I am with you. My people are your people. My horses are your horses."

And he said unto Jehoshaphat, Wilt thou go with me to battle to Ramothgilead? And Jehoshaphat said to the king of Israel, I am as thou art, my people as thy people, my horses as thy horses.

5But Jehoshaphat also said to the king of Israel, "Please ask the LORD first what he says."

And Jehoshaphat said unto the king of Israel, Enquire, I pray thee, at the word of the LORD to day.

NoteKings asked God by asking a prophet to speak for him. A prophet was someone who told people what God said.

6So the king of Israel called his prophets together, about four hundred men. Prophets were people who told others what God said. He asked them, "Should I go fight at Ramoth-gilead, or should I stay home?" They said, "Go. The Lord will hand the town to the king."

Then the king of Israel gathered the prophets together, about four hundred men, and said unto them, Shall I go against Ramothgilead to battle, or shall I forbear? And they said, Go up; for the LORD shall deliver it into the hand of the king.

NoteThese four hundred prophets lived and worked at the king's palace. They usually told him what he wanted to hear.

7But Jehoshaphat asked, "Is there no prophet of the LORD here too? We could ask him."

And Jehoshaphat said, Is there not here a prophet of the LORD besides, that we might enquire of him?

NoteJehoshaphat wanted a prophet who spoke only for the LORD, and for no other god.

8The king of Israel said, "There is one more man, Micaiah son of Imlah. We can ask the LORD through him. But I hate him. He never says good things about me, only bad." Jehoshaphat said, "The king should not talk like that."

And the king of Israel said unto Jehoshaphat, There is yet one man, Micaiah the son of Imlah, by whom we may enquire of the LORD: but I hate him; for he doth not prophesy good concerning me, but evil. And Jehoshaphat said, Let not the king say so.

9So the king of Israel called one of his officers. He said, "Bring Micaiah son of Imlah here quickly."

Then the king of Israel called an officer, and said, Hasten hither Micaiah the son of Imlah.

10The king of Israel and Jehoshaphat sat on their thrones in their royal robes. They were in an open place by the gate of the city of Samaria. All the prophets were giving their messages in front of them.

And the king of Israel and Jehoshaphat the king of Judah sat each on his throne, having put on their robes, in a void place in the entrance of the gate of Samaria; and all the prophets prophesied before them.

NoteSamaria was the capital city, where Israel's king lived. The open place by the city gate was where kings met people and made big choices.

11Zedekiah son of Chenaanah had made horns out of iron, like a bull's horns. He said, "The LORD says this: with these you will push the Syrians until they are all gone."

And Zedekiah the son of Chenaanah made him horns of iron: and he said, Thus saith the LORD, With these shalt thou push the Syrians, until thou have consumed them.

NoteProphets sometimes acted out a message so people could see it. Iron horns stood for a strong bull knocking enemies down.

12All the other prophets said the same thing. "Go up to Ramoth-gilead and win. The LORD will hand it to the king."

And all the prophets prophesied so, saying, Go up to Ramothgilead, and prosper: for the LORD shall deliver it into the king’s hand.

13The messenger who went to get Micaiah spoke to him. "Listen. All the prophets are saying good things to the king. Please say what they say. Say something good."

And the messenger that was gone to call Micaiah spake unto him, saying, Behold now, the words of the prophets declare good unto the king with one mouth: let thy word, I pray thee, be like the word of one of them, and speak that which is good.

14But Micaiah said, "As surely as the LORD lives, I will say only what the LORD tells me."

And Micaiah said, As the LORD liveth, what the LORD saith unto me, that will I speak.

Note"As the LORD liveth" was a very strong promise. It meant, "I am telling you the truth."

15So he came to the king. The king asked, "Micaiah, should we go fight at Ramoth-gilead, or should we stay home?" Micaiah answered, "Go and win. The LORD will hand it to the king."

So he came to the king. And the king said unto him, Micaiah, shall we go against Ramothgilead to battle, or shall we forbear? And he answered him, Go, and prosper: for the LORD shall deliver it into the hand of the king.

16The king said to him, "How many times must I make you promise? Tell me only the truth in the name of the LORD."

And the king said unto him, How many times shall I adjure thee that thou tell me nothing but that which is true in the name of the LORD?

NoteThe king made Micaiah swear in God's name. That meant God himself was listening to the promise.

17So Micaiah said, "I saw all Israel spread out on the hills. They were like sheep with no shepherd. And the LORD said, 'These people have no leader. Let each man go home in peace.'"

And he said, I saw all Israel scattered upon the hills, as sheep that have not a shepherd: and the LORD said, These have no master: let them return every man to his house in peace.

NoteSheep without a shepherd wander off and get lost. Here it means soldiers with no king to lead them home.

18The king of Israel said to Jehoshaphat, "See? I told you. He never says anything good about me, only bad."

And the king of Israel said unto Jehoshaphat, Did I not tell thee that he would prophesy no good concerning me, but evil?

19Micaiah said, "Then listen to the word of the LORD. I saw the LORD sitting on his throne. All the armies of heaven stood beside him, on his right and his left.

And he said, Hear thou therefore the word of the LORD: I saw the LORD sitting on his throne, and all the host of heaven standing by him on his right hand and on his left.

NoteThe "host of heaven" means the angels who serve God. They are pictured standing around his throne like helpers around a king.

20The LORD said, 'Who will talk Ahab into going up to Ramoth-gilead, so he falls there?' One spoke up one way, and another spoke up another way.

And the LORD said, Who shall persuade Ahab, that he may go up and fall at Ramothgilead? And one said on this manner, and another said on that manner.

21Then a spirit came out and stood in front of the LORD. The spirit said, 'I will talk him into it.'

And there came forth a spirit, and stood before the LORD, and said, I will persuade him.

22The LORD asked, 'How will you do it?' The spirit said, 'I will go out and make all his prophets speak lies.' The LORD said, 'You will talk him into it. It will work. Go and do it.'

And the LORD said unto him, Wherewith? And he said, I will go forth, and I will be a lying spirit in the mouth of all his prophets. And he said, Thou shalt persuade him, and prevail also: go forth, and do so.

23So now the LORD has put lies in the mouths of all these prophets of yours. And the LORD has said that trouble is coming to you."

Now therefore, behold, the LORD hath put a lying spirit in the mouth of all these thy prophets, and the LORD hath spoken evil concerning thee.

24Then Zedekiah son of Chenaanah walked up and hit Micaiah on the cheek. He said, "Which way did the Spirit of the LORD go? Did he leave me to speak to you?"

But Zedekiah the son of Chenaanah went near, and smote Micaiah on the cheek, and said, Which way went the Spirit of the LORD from me to speak unto thee?

NoteHitting someone on the cheek was a way to shame him. It was a way of saying, "You are lying."

25Micaiah said, "You will see it on the day you run and hide in a back room."

And Micaiah said, Behold, thou shalt see in that day, when thou shalt go into an inner chamber to hide thyself.

NoteAn inner room was a small room deep inside a house. People hid there when enemies came.

26The king of Israel said, "Take Micaiah back to Amon, the ruler of the city. Take him to Joash, the king's son.

And the king of Israel said, Take Micaiah, and carry him back unto Amon the governor of the city, and to Joash the king’s son;

NoteAmon ran the city of Samaria for the king. He and Joash took care of prisoners.

27Tell them the king says this: Put this man in prison. Give him nothing but bread and water until I come home safely."

And say, Thus saith the king, Put this fellow in the prison, and feed him with bread of affliction and with water of affliction, until I come in peace.

NoteOnly bread and water was prison food, and very little of it. It was meant to make the prisoner miserable.

28Micaiah said, "If you ever come home safely, then the LORD has not spoken through me." Then he said, "Listen to this, all you people!"

And Micaiah said, If thou return at all in peace, the LORD hath not spoken by me. And he said, Hearken, O people, every one of you.

29So the king of Israel and Jehoshaphat, king of Judah, went up to Ramoth-gilead.

So the king of Israel and Jehoshaphat the king of Judah went up to Ramothgilead.

30The king of Israel said to Jehoshaphat, "I will change my clothes so no one knows me. You wear your royal robes." So the king of Israel went into the battle in a disguise.

And the king of Israel said unto Jehoshaphat, I will disguise myself, and enter into the battle; but put thou on thy robes. And the king of Israel disguised himself, and went into the battle.

NoteKings wore bright robes so their own soldiers could find them. Ahab dressed like a plain soldier so no one would spot him.

31The king of Syria had thirty-two leaders over his chariots, which are war carts pulled by horses. He told them, "Do not fight anyone, big or small. Fight only the king of Israel."

But the king of Syria commanded his thirty and two captains that had rule over his chariots, saying, Fight neither with small nor great, save only with the king of Israel.

32When the chariot leaders saw Jehoshaphat, they said, "That must be the king of Israel." So they turned to fight him. Then Jehoshaphat cried out.

And it came to pass, when the captains of the chariots saw Jehoshaphat, that they said, Surely it is the king of Israel. And they turned aside to fight against him: and Jehoshaphat cried out.

33When the chariot leaders saw that he was not the king of Israel, they stopped chasing him.

And it came to pass, when the captains of the chariots perceived that it was not the king of Israel, that they turned back from pursuing him.

34A man shot an arrow without aiming at anyone. It hit the king of Israel in a gap in his armor. The king told his chariot driver, "Turn around. Take me out of the fight. I am hurt badly."

And a certain man drew a bow at a venture, and smote the king of Israel between the joints of the harness: wherefore he said unto the driver of his chariot, Turn thine hand, and carry me out of the host; for I am wounded.

NoteArmor was made of hard plates joined together. There were small gaps where the plates met.

35The fighting grew worse all that day. The king was propped up in his chariot, facing the Syrians. Blood ran from his wound onto the floor of the chariot. That evening he died.

And the battle increased that day: and the king was stayed up in his chariot against the Syrians, and died at even: and the blood ran out of the wound into the midst of the chariot.

36As the sun went down, a call went out through the army. "Every man go to his own city. Every man go to his own land."

And there went a proclamation throughout the host about the going down of the sun, saying, Every man to his city, and every man to his own country.

NoteAn army stayed together as long as its king was alive. Once Ahab died, there was no one to follow.

37So the king died. They brought him to Samaria and buried him there.

So the king died, and was brought to Samaria; and they buried the king in Samaria.

38Someone washed the chariot at the pool of Samaria. The dogs licked up his blood. Prostitutes, women who sold their bodies, washed there too. It all happened just as the LORD had said.

And one washed the chariot in the pool of Samaria; and the dogs licked up his blood; and they washed his armour; according unto the word of the LORD which he spake.

NoteGod had already said this would happen to Ahab. The prophet Elijah told him so after Ahab took a poor man's vineyard. The King James says they washed his armor here, but the Hebrew word means prostitutes.

39The rest of Ahab's story is written down in another book. It tells all he did, the palace he made from ivory, and the cities he built. That book is the history of the kings of Israel.

Now the rest of the acts of Ahab, and all that he did, and the ivory house which he made, and all the cities that he built, are they not written in the book of the chronicles of the kings of Israel?

NoteIvory is the smooth white part of an elephant's tusk. Only very rich people could decorate a house with it.

40So Ahab died, as his fathers had died before him. His son Ahaziah became king in his place.

So Ahab slept with his fathers; and Ahaziah his son reigned in his stead.

NoteThe King James says Ahab "slept with his fathers." That was a gentle way of saying he died and was buried with his family.

41Jehoshaphat son of Asa became king of Judah. This was in the fourth year that Ahab was king of Israel.

And Jehoshaphat the son of Asa began to reign over Judah in the fourth year of Ahab king of Israel.

NotePeople counted years by which king was ruling. They had no year numbers like ours.

42Jehoshaphat was thirty-five years old when he became king. He ruled twenty-five years in Jerusalem. His mother was Azubah, the daughter of Shilhi.

Jehoshaphat was thirty and five years old when he began to reign; and he reigned twenty and five years in Jerusalem. And his mother’s name was Azubah the daughter of Shilhi.

NoteThese king lists almost always name the king's mother. She was an important person in the palace.

43He lived the way his father Asa had lived. He did not turn away from it. He did what was right to the LORD. But the high places were left standing. The people still gave offerings and burned incense there.

And he walked in all the ways of Asa his father; he turned not aside from it, doing that which was right in the eyes of the LORD: nevertheless the high places were not taken away; for the people offered and burnt incense yet in the high places.

NoteHigh places were worship spots on hilltops. People burned incense there, which made sweet-smelling smoke. God's law said to worship at the temple in Jerusalem instead.

44Jehoshaphat also made peace with the king of Israel.

And Jehoshaphat made peace with the king of Israel.

45The rest of Jehoshaphat's story is written down in another book. It tells how strong he was and the wars he fought. That book is the history of the kings of Judah.

Now the rest of the acts of Jehoshaphat, and his might that he shewed, and how he warred, are they not written in the book of the chronicles of the kings of Judah?

NoteThat book of history is lost now. Nobody today has a copy of it.

46Some men sold their bodies at the places where false gods were served. A few were left from the days of his father Asa. Jehoshaphat sent them all out of the land.

And the remnant of the sodomites, which remained in the days of his father Asa, he took out of the land.

NoteThese men had a job at the temples of false gods. What they did there was part of that worship, and God's law said it was wrong.

47At that time the land of Edom had no king of its own. A deputy ruled it instead.

There was then no king in Edom: a deputy was king.

NoteEdom was a land south of Judah. A deputy is a helper who rules in the real king's place.

48Jehoshaphat built big trading ships to sail to Ophir for gold. But they never sailed. They were wrecked at Ezion-geber.

Jehoshaphat made ships of Tharshish to go to Ophir for gold: but they went not; for the ships were broken at Eziongeber.

Note"Ships of Tharshish" meant big ships built for long ocean trips. Ophir was a faraway land known for its gold. Ezion-geber was a port town on the Red Sea.

49Then Ahaziah son of Ahab said to Jehoshaphat, "Let my men sail with your men." But Jehoshaphat said no.

Then said Ahaziah the son of Ahab unto Jehoshaphat, Let my servants go with thy servants in the ships. But Jehoshaphat would not.

50Then Jehoshaphat died, as his fathers had died before him. He was buried with them in the city of David. His son Jehoram became king in his place.

And Jehoshaphat slept with his fathers, and was buried with his fathers in the city of David his father: and Jehoram his son reigned in his stead.

NoteThe city of David is another name for Jerusalem. King David had made it his city long before.

4Mesha was the king of Moab. He raised sheep. Every year he had to give the king of Israel a hundred thousand lambs. He also gave the wool from a hundred thousand rams.

And Mesha king of Moab was a sheepmaster, and rendered unto the king of Israel an hundred thousand lambs, and an hundred thousand rams, with the wool.

NoteLong ago, a beaten king had to send gifts to the stronger king every year. Sheep and wool were like paying money.

5But when King Ahab died, the king of Moab refused to obey Israel's king anymore.

But it came to pass, when Ahab was dead, that the king of Moab rebelled against the king of Israel.

6So King Jehoram left Samaria right away. He gathered all the fighting men of Israel.

And king Jehoram went out of Samaria the same time, and numbered all Israel.

7He sent this message to Jehoshaphat, the king of Judah: "The king of Moab will not obey me. Will you come and fight Moab with me?" Jehoshaphat said, "Yes, I will come. My people and my horses are ready to help you."

And he went and sent to Jehoshaphat the king of Judah, saying, The king of Moab hath rebelled against me: wilt thou go with me against Moab to battle? And he said, I will go up: I am as thou art, my people as thy people, and my horses as thy horses.

Note"My people and my horses are yours" was a promise. It meant, my army will fight beside your army.

8Jehoshaphat asked, "Which road should we take?" Jehoram answered, "We will go through the dry desert of Edom."

And he said, Which way shall we go up? And he answered, The way through the wilderness of Edom.

NoteEdom was the dry land south of Moab. Going that way meant a long, hot walk with little water.

9So three kings went together: the king of Israel, the king of Judah, and the king of Edom. They marched a long way around for seven days. Then they ran out of water. There was none for the soldiers or the animals.

So the king of Israel went, and the king of Judah, and the king of Edom: and they fetched a compass of seven days’ journey: and there was no water for the host, and for the cattle that followed them.

10The king of Israel said, "Oh no! The LORD has brought us three kings here. Now Moab will beat us."

And the king of Israel said, Alas! that the LORD hath called these three kings together, to deliver them into the hand of Moab!

11But Jehoshaphat asked, "Is there a prophet of the LORD here? We could ask the LORD through him." One of the king of Israel's servants said, "Elisha, the son of Shaphat, is here. He was the helper of the prophet Elijah."

But Jehoshaphat said, Is there not here a prophet of the LORD, that we may enquire of the LORD by him? And one of the king of Israel’s servants answered and said, Here is Elisha the son of Shaphat, which poured water on the hands of Elijah.

NoteThe King James says Elisha "poured water on the hands of Elijah." That was a servant's job, helping his master wash. A prophet was someone who told people what God said.

12Jehoshaphat said, "The LORD speaks through him." So the three kings went down to see Elisha.

And Jehoshaphat said, The word of the LORD is with him. So the king of Israel and Jehoshaphat and the king of Edom went down to him.

13Elisha said to the king of Israel, "Why come to me? Go ask the prophets your father and mother trusted." The king of Israel said, "No. The LORD brought us three kings here, and Moab will beat us."

And Elisha said unto the king of Israel, What have I to do with thee? get thee to the prophets of thy father, and to the prophets of thy mother. And the king of Israel said unto him, Nay: for the LORD hath called these three kings together, to deliver them into the hand of Moab.

NoteElisha means the prophets who spoke for Baal. King Ahab and Queen Jezebel kept many of them.

14Elisha said, "I serve the living LORD, the God of armies. I would not even look at you. But I care about Jehoshaphat, the king of Judah, who is here.

And Elisha said, As the LORD of hosts liveth, before whom I stand, surely, were it not that I regard the presence of Jehoshaphat the king of Judah, I would not look toward thee, nor see thee.

NoteThe King James calls God "the LORD of hosts." A host meant a huge army, so the name means God is stronger than any army.

15"Now bring me someone who plays music." While the music played, the power of the LORD came on Elisha.

But now bring me a minstrel. And it came to pass, when the minstrel played, that the hand of the LORD came upon him.

NoteMusic helped a prophet grow quiet and listen for God. The player used a small harp.

16He said, "The LORD says this: dig this whole valley full of ditches.

And he said, Thus saith the LORD, Make this valley full of ditches.

NoteA ditch is a long hole dug in the ground. Water runs into it and stays there.

17The LORD says you will not see any wind or rain. But this valley will fill up with water. You will drink, and so will your cattle and other animals.

For thus saith the LORD, Ye shall not see wind, neither shall ye see rain; yet that valley shall be filled with water, that ye may drink, both ye, and your cattle, and your beasts.

NoteIn that dry land, rain almost never fell in summer. Water would come without any storm they could see.

18This is an easy thing for the LORD to do. He will also help you win against the people of Moab.

And this is but a light thing in the sight of the LORD: he will deliver the Moabites also into your hand.

19You will take every strong, walled city and every important town. You will cut down every good tree. You will block up every spring of water. You will cover every good field with stones."

And ye shall smite every fenced city, and every choice city, and shall fell every good tree, and stop all wells of water, and mar every good piece of land with stones.

NoteArmies ruined farms so the land could not grow food. Stones in a field and blocked springs meant no crops and no water.

20The next morning, at the time when the grain gift was given to God, water came flowing from the direction of Edom. The land filled up with water.

And it came to pass in the morning, when the meat offering was offered, that, behold, there came water by the way of Edom, and the country was filled with water.

NoteEvery morning, people brought God a gift of grain at the temple. It was about the time we call breakfast.

21The people of Moab had heard that the kings were coming to fight them. So every man who could carry a weapon was called. They stood ready at the border.

And when all the Moabites heard that the kings were come up to fight against them, they gathered all that were able to put on armour, and upward, and stood in the border.

22They got up early in the morning. The sun was shining on the water. Across the way, the water looked red as blood to them.

And they rose up early in the morning, and the sun shone upon the water, and the Moabites saw the water on the other side as red as blood:

NoteEarly sunlight can make water look orange or red. From far away it looked like blood to them.

23They said, "That is blood! The kings must have fought and killed each other. Come on, Moab, let's go take their things!"

And they said, This is blood: the kings are surely slain, and they have smitten one another: now therefore, Moab, to the spoil.

24But when the Moabites reached Israel's camp, the men of Israel got up and attacked them. The Moabites ran away. Israel chased them and kept fighting them inside their own land.

And when they came to the camp of Israel, the Israelites rose up and smote the Moabites, so that they fled before them: but they went forward smiting the Moabites, even in their country.

25They tore down the cities. Each man threw stones on every good field until it was covered. They blocked up all the springs and cut down all the good trees. Only the city of Kir-haraseth still had its walls standing. Men with slings surrounded it and attacked it too.

And they beat down the cities, and on every good piece of land cast every man his stone, and filled it; and they stopped all the wells of water, and felled all the good trees: only in Kirharaseth left they the stones thereof; howbeit the slingers went about it, and smote it.

NoteKir-haraseth was Moab's strongest city, built high up with thick walls. A sling was a leather strap that threw stones very hard.

26The king of Moab saw that the fight was going badly for him. He took seven hundred men with swords to break through to the king of Edom. But they could not get through.

And when the king of Moab saw that the battle was too sore for him, he took with him seven hundred men that drew swords, to break through even unto the king of Edom: but they could not.

27Then he took his oldest son, who would have been king after him. He killed him as an offering on the city wall. There was great anger against Israel. So the armies left Moab and went home to their own land.

Then he took his eldest son that should have reigned in his stead, and offered him for a burnt offering upon the wall. And there was great indignation against Israel: and they departed from him, and returned to their own land.

NoteA burnt offering was a gift burned up for a god. The king of Moab believed his god would help him if he gave his own son.

1Jehoshaphat became king after his father Asa. He made himself strong against the land of Israel.

And Jehoshaphat his son reigned in his stead, and strengthened himself against Israel.

NoteLong ago God's people split into two kingdoms. Israel was the bigger one in the north. Judah was the smaller one in the south, and Jehoshaphat was its king.

2He put soldiers in every walled city of Judah. He also put groups of soldiers in the land of Judah. He put some in the towns of Ephraim that his father Asa had taken.

And he placed forces in all the fenced cities of Judah, and set garrisons in the land of Judah, and in the cities of Ephraim, which Asa his father had taken.

NoteCities had thick walls around them to keep enemies out. Soldiers stood on the walls and watched the roads. Ephraim was part of the northern kingdom, so those towns had once belonged to Israel.

3The LORD was with Jehoshaphat. He lived the way his ancestor David lived at first. He did not go after the Baals, which were false gods.

And the LORD was with Jehoshaphat, because he walked in the first ways of his father David, and sought not unto Baalim;

NoteAn ancestor is someone in your family who lived long before you. David was a famous good king of Judah many years earlier.

4Instead he looked to the God his father worshiped. He obeyed God's commands. He did not copy what the people of Israel were doing.

But sought to the Lord God of his father, and walked in his commandments, and not after the doings of Israel.

5So the LORD made his kingdom strong and safe. All Judah brought him gifts. He had a great deal of money and honor.

Therefore the LORD stablished the kingdom in his hand; and all Judah brought to Jehoshaphat presents; and he had riches and honour in abundance.

NoteBringing gifts to a king was a way of showing you were loyal. It said, we are glad you are our king.

6His heart was glad to walk in the LORD's ways. He also took away the high places and the Asherah poles from Judah.

And his heart was lifted up in the ways of the LORD: moreover he took away the high places and groves out of Judah.

NoteA high place was an altar built on a hill. An altar is a stone table where people gave gifts to a god. Asherah poles were wooden poles put up to honor a goddess named Asherah.

7In his third year as king, he sent out his officials to teach in the towns of Judah. They were Ben-hail, Obadiah, Zechariah, Nethanel, and Micaiah.

Also in the third year of his reign he sent to his princes, even to Benhail, and to Obadiah, and to Zechariah, and to Nethaneel, and to Michaiah, to teach in the cities of Judah.

NoteOfficials were important men who helped the king run the country.

8He sent Levites with them, men from the family that helped with worship. They were Shemaiah, Nethaniah, Zebadiah, Asahel, Shemiramoth, Jehonathan, Adonijah, Tobijah, and Tob-adonijah. Two priests went too, Elishama and Jehoram.

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

NotePriests were the men who led worship at God's temple in Jerusalem. The Levites were their helpers.

9They taught all through Judah. They carried the book of the LORD's law with them. They went to every town in Judah and taught the people.

And they taught in Judah, and had the book of the law of the LORD with them, and went about throughout all the cities of Judah, and taught the people.

NoteThe book of the law held the rules God gave to Moses. It told people how to live and how to worship God.

10All the kingdoms around Judah became afraid of the LORD. So none of them went to war against Jehoshaphat.

And the fear of the LORD fell upon all the kingdoms of the lands that were round about Judah, so that they made no war against Jehoshaphat.

NoteThis kind of fear means being filled with awe. The kingdoms knew God was very strong, so they left Judah alone.

11Some Philistines brought Jehoshaphat gifts and silver as payment. The Arabs brought him animals from their flocks. They brought 7,700 rams and 7,700 male goats.

Also some of the Philistines brought Jehoshaphat presents, and tribute silver; and the Arabians brought him flocks, seven thousand and seven hundred rams, and seven thousand and seven hundred he goats.

NoteThe Philistines lived by the sea, west of Judah. They were often enemies of God's people. The Arabs lived in the dry lands to the south. A weaker kingdom often sent silver or animals to a strong king. It was a way of promising not to fight him. A ram is a male sheep.

12Jehoshaphat grew stronger and stronger. He built forts in Judah and towns for storing supplies.

And Jehoshaphat waxed great exceedingly; and he built in Judah castles, and cities of store.

NoteA fort is a strong building where soldiers keep watch. Store cities held food and supplies to use in hard times.

13He kept large amounts of supplies in the towns of Judah. He also had brave, skilled soldiers in Jerusalem.

And he had much business in the cities of Judah: and the men of war, mighty men of valour, were in Jerusalem.

14Here is how many there were, listed by family. From the tribe of Judah, these men led groups of a thousand. Adnah was the chief leader, with 300,000 brave soldiers.

And these are the numbers of them according to the house of their fathers: Of Judah, the captains of thousands; Adnah the chief, and with him mighty men of valour three hundred thousand.

NoteA tribe is a very big family group. God's people had twelve tribes, and Judah was one of them.

15Next to him was the leader Jehohanan, with 280,000 men.

And next to him was Jehohanan the captain, and with him two hundred and fourscore thousand.

16Next was Amasiah son of Zichri. He chose on his own to serve the LORD. He had 200,000 brave soldiers with him.

And next him was Amasiah the son of Zichri, who willingly offered himself unto the LORD; and with him two hundred thousand mighty men of valour.

17From the tribe of Benjamin came Eliada, a brave soldier. He had 200,000 men with bows and shields.

And of Benjamin; Eliada a mighty man of valour, and with him armed men with bow and shield two hundred thousand.

NoteBenjamin was another tribe. Its land sat right next to Judah's land.

18Next to him was Jehozabad, with 180,000 men ready for battle.

And next him was Jehozabad, and with him an hundred and fourscore thousand ready prepared for the war.

19These men served the king. The king also had other soldiers in the walled cities all over Judah.

These waited on the king, beside those whom the king put in the fenced cities throughout all Judah.

1Jehoshaphat, the king of Judah, was very rich. People gave him great honor. He joined his family to King Ahab's family by marriage.

Now Jehoshaphat had riches and honour in abundance, and joined affinity with Ahab.

NoteIsrael and Judah were two small lands next to each other. Long before this, they were one country with one king. Joining families by marriage was how two kings became friends and promised to help each other.

2Some years later he went to see Ahab in Samaria. Ahab killed many sheep and cattle for a big meal. It was for Jehoshaphat and all the men with him. Then Ahab urged him to go fight for the town of Ramoth-gilead.

And after certain years he went down to Ahab to Samaria. And Ahab killed sheep and oxen for him in abundance, and for the people that he had with him, and persuaded him to go up with him to Ramothgilead.

NoteSamaria was the biggest city in Israel. It was where King Ahab lived. Ramoth-gilead was a town far away that the king of Syria had taken. Ahab wanted it back.

3Ahab, king of Israel, asked Jehoshaphat, king of Judah, "Will you go with me to Ramoth-gilead?" Jehoshaphat answered, "I am like you, and my people are like your people. We will fight in this war with you."

And Ahab king of Israel said unto Jehoshaphat king of Judah, Wilt thou go with me to Ramothgilead? And he answered him, I am as thou art, and my people as thy people; and we will be with thee in the war.

4But Jehoshaphat also said to the king of Israel, "Please ask the LORD first what he says."

And Jehoshaphat said unto the king of Israel, Enquire, I pray thee, at the word of the LORD to day.

NoteWhen you see LORD in big letters, it stands for God's own special name. People long ago said that name with great care.

5So the king of Israel called together four hundred prophets. He asked them, "Should we go fight at Ramoth-gilead, or should we stay home?" They said, "Go. God will hand the town to the king."

Therefore the king of Israel gathered together of prophets four hundred men, and said unto them, Shall we go to Ramothgilead to battle, or shall I forbear? And they said, Go up; for God will deliver it into the king’s hand.

NoteThese four hundred prophets worked for King Ahab. Ahab paid them and fed them. A prophet was a man who told people God's messages.

6But Jehoshaphat asked, "Is there not one more prophet of the LORD here? We could ask him too."

But Jehoshaphat said, Is there not here a prophet of the LORD besides, that we might enquire of him?

7The king of Israel said, "There is one more man who can ask the LORD. His name is Micaiah son of Imla. But I hate him. He never tells me good news, only bad." Jehoshaphat said, "The king should not talk that way."

And the king of Israel said unto Jehoshaphat, There is yet one man, by whom we may enquire of the LORD: but I hate him; for he never prophesied good unto me, but always evil: the same is Micaiah the son of Imla. And Jehoshaphat said, Let not the king say so.

8So the king of Israel called one of his officers. He said, "Bring Micaiah son of Imla here quickly."

And the king of Israel called for one of his officers, and said, Fetch quickly Micaiah the son of Imla.

9The two kings sat on their thrones in their royal robes. They sat on an open floor near the gate of Samaria. All the prophets stood in front of them, telling their messages.

And the king of Israel and Jehoshaphat king of Judah sat either of them on his throne, clothed in their robes, and they sat in a void place at the entering in of the gate of Samaria; and all the prophets prophesied before them.

NoteA throne is the special chair a king sits on. The open floor was a wide, flat, hard place outside the gate. Farmers used it to beat the grain out of their wheat. It was the biggest open space in town, so crowds could gather there.

10Zedekiah son of Chenaanah had made horns out of iron. He said, "The LORD says: with these horns you will push Syria until they are all gone."

And Zedekiah the son of Chenaanah had made him horns of iron, and said, Thus saith the LORD, With these thou shalt push Syria until they be consumed.

NoteSyria was a country just north of Israel. The two lands often fought each other. Zedekiah made iron horns like a bull's horns. A bull pushes and shoves with its horns. He held them up to show what he thought the army would do.

11All the other prophets said the same thing. "Go to Ramoth-gilead and win. The LORD will hand the town to the king."

And all the prophets prophesied so, saying, Go up to Ramothgilead, and prosper: for the LORD shall deliver it into the hand of the king.

12The messenger who went to get Micaiah spoke to him. "Listen. Every one of the prophets is telling the king good news. Please say what they say. Say something good."

And the messenger that went to call Micaiah spake to him, saying, Behold, the words of the prophets declare good to the king with one assent; let thy word therefore, I pray thee, be like one of theirs, and speak thou good.

13But Micaiah said, "As surely as the LORD lives, I will say what my God tells me."

And Micaiah said, As the LORD liveth, even what my God saith, that will I speak.

Note"As surely as the LORD lives" was a way of making a very strong promise. It meant: I am telling the truth, no matter what.

14When Micaiah came, the king asked him, "Micaiah, should we go fight at Ramoth-gilead, or should we stay home?" Micaiah said, "Go and win. They will be handed over to you."

And when he was come to the king, the king said unto him, Micaiah, shall we go to Ramothgilead to battle, or shall I forbear? And he said, Go ye up, and prosper, and they shall be delivered into your hand.

15The king said to him, "How many times must I make you promise? Tell me only the truth in the name of the LORD."

And the king said to him, How many times shall I adjure thee that thou say nothing but the truth to me in the name of the LORD?

16Then Micaiah said, "I saw all Israel spread out on the hills. They were like sheep with no shepherd. And the LORD said, 'These people have no master. Let each man go home in peace.'"

Then he said, I did see all Israel scattered upon the mountains, as sheep that have no shepherd: and the LORD said, These have no master; let them return therefore every man to his house in peace.

NoteA shepherd is a person who takes care of sheep. Sheep with no shepherd wander off and get lost. People back then often called a king the shepherd of his people. So Micaiah was saying the king would be gone.

17The king of Israel said to Jehoshaphat, "I told you so. He never tells me good news, only bad."

And the king of Israel said to Jehoshaphat, Did I not tell thee that he would not prophesy good unto me, but evil?

18Micaiah kept speaking. "So hear what the LORD says. I saw the LORD sitting on his throne. All the armies of heaven stood at his right side and his left.

Again he said, Therefore hear the word of the LORD; I saw the LORD sitting upon his throne, and all the host of heaven standing on his right hand and on his left.

NoteThe armies of heaven means God's helpers, whom we call angels. Micaiah saw them standing around God the way helpers stand around a king.

19The LORD said, 'Who will talk Ahab king of Israel into going up to Ramoth-gilead, so he dies there?' One said one thing, and another said something else.

And the LORD said, Who shall entice Ahab king of Israel, that he may go up and fall at Ramothgilead? And one spake saying after this manner, and another saying after that manner.

20Then a spirit came and stood in front of the LORD. The spirit said, 'I will talk him into it.' The LORD asked, 'How will you do it?'

Then there came out a spirit, and stood before the LORD, and said, I will entice him. And the LORD said unto him, Wherewith?

21The spirit said, 'I will go out and make all his prophets speak lies.' The LORD said, 'You will talk him into it, and it will work. Go and do it.'

And he said, I will go out, and be a lying spirit in the mouth of all his prophets. And the Lord said, Thou shalt entice him, and thou shalt also prevail: go out, and do even so.

22So look. The LORD has put a lying spirit in the mouths of these prophets of yours. The LORD has said that trouble is coming to you."

Now therefore, behold, the LORD hath put a lying spirit in the mouth of these thy prophets, and the LORD hath spoken evil against thee.

23Then Zedekiah son of Chenaanah walked up and hit Micaiah on the face. He said, "Which way did the Spirit of the LORD go when he left me to speak to you?"

Then Zedekiah the son of Chenaanah came near, and smote Micaiah upon the cheek, and said, Which way went the Spirit of the LORD from me to speak unto thee?

NoteHitting someone on the face was a way of shaming him in front of everyone. Zedekiah was very angry that Micaiah said his message was false.

24Micaiah said, "You will find that out on the day you hide in a back room."

And Micaiah said, Behold, thou shalt see on that day when thou shalt go into an inner chamber to hide thyself.

NoteA back room is a small room deep inside a house, with no window to the street. It was the last place someone would look for you.

25Then the king of Israel said, "Take Micaiah back to Amon, the ruler of the city. Take him also to Joash, the king's son.

Then the king of Israel said, Take ye Micaiah, and carry him back to Amon the governor of the city, and to Joash the king’s son;

26Tell them the king says this: put this man in prison. Give him only bread and water until I come home safely."

And say, Thus saith 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.

NotePrison food meant only plain bread and water, and not very much of it. It was meant to make the prisoner miserable.

27Micaiah said, "If you ever do come home safely, the LORD did not speak through me." Then he said, "All you people, listen to this!"

And Micaiah said, If thou certainly return in peace, then hath not the LORD spoken by me. And he said, Hearken, all ye people.