The Divided Kingdom

But the works of Asa the first and last are written in the book of the kings of Juda and Israel.

And Asa fell sick in the nine and thirtieth year of his reign, of a most violent pain in his feet, and yet in his illness he did not seek the Lord, but rather trusted in the skill of physicians.

And he slept with his fathers: and he died in the one and fortieth year of his reign.

And they buried him in his own sepulchre, which he had made for himself in the city of David: and they laid him on his bed full of spices and odoriferous ointments, which were made by the art of the perfumers, and they burnt them over him with very great pomp.

And Josaphat his son reigned in his stead, and grew strong against Israel.

And he placed numbers of soldiers in all the fortified cities of Juda. And he put garrisons in the land of Juda, and in the cities of Ephraim, which Asa his father had taken.

And the Lord was with Josaphat, because he walked in the first ways of David his father: and trusted not in Baalim,

But in the God of his father, and walked in his commandments, and not according to the sins of Israel.

And the Lord established the kingdom in his hand, and all Juda brought presents to Josaphat: and he acquired immense riches, and much glory.

And when his heart had taken courage for the ways of the Lord, he took away also the high places and the groves out of Juda.

And in the third year of his reign, he sent of his princes Benhail, and Abdias, and Zacharias, and Nathanael, and Micheas, to teach in the cites of Juda:

And with them the Levites, Semeias, and Nathanias, and Zabadias, and Asael, and Semiramoth, and Jonathan, and Adonias, and Tobias, and Thobadonias Levites, and with them Elisama, and Joram priests.

And they taught the people in Juda, having with them the book of the law of the Lord: and they went about all the cities of Juda, and instructed the people.

And the fear of the Lord came upon all the kingdoms of the lands that were round about Juda, and they durst not make war against Josaphat.

The Philistines also brought presents to Josaphat, and tribute in silver, and the Arabians brought him cattle, seven thousand seven hundred rams, and as many he goats.

And Josaphat grew, and became exceeding great: and he built in Juda houses like towers, and walled cities.

And he prepared many works in the cities of Juda: and he had warriors, and valiant men in Jerusalem.

Of whom this is the number of the houses and families of every one: in Juda captains of the army, Ednas the chief, and with him three hundred thousand most valiant men.

After him Johanan the captain, and with him two hundred and eighty thousand.

And after him was Amasias the son of Zechri, consecrated to the Lord, and with him were two hundred thousand valiant men.

After him was Eliada valiant in battle, and with him two hundred thousand armed with bow and shield.

After him also was Jozabad, and with him a hundred and eighty thousand ready for war.

All these were at the hand of the king, beside others, whom he had put in the walled cities, in all Juda.

Now Josaphat was rich and very glorious, and was joined by affinity to Achab.

And he went down to him after some years to Samaria: and Achab at his coming killed sheep and oxen in abundance for him and the people that came with him: and he persuaded him to go up to Ramoth Galaad.