Bible Reading April 28 
2 Chronicles 17:1--19:11
Context17:1 His son Jehoshaphat replaced him as king and solidified his rule over Israel. 1 17:2 He placed troops in all of Judah’s fortified cities and posted garrisons 2 throughout the land of Judah and in the cities of Ephraim that his father Asa had seized.
17:3 The Lord was with Jehoshaphat because he followed in his ancestor 3 David’s footsteps at the beginning of his reign. 4 He did not seek the Baals, 17:4 but instead sought the God of his ancestors 5 and obeyed 6 his commands, unlike the Israelites. 7 17:5 The Lord made his kingdom secure; 8 all Judah brought tribute to Jehoshaphat, and he became very wealthy and greatly respected. 9 17:6 He was committed to following the Lord; 10 he even removed the high places and Asherah poles from Judah.
17:7 In the third year of his reign he sent his officials Ben-Hail, Obadiah, Zechariah, Nethanel, and Micaiah to teach in the cities of Judah. 17:8 They were accompanied by the Levites Shemaiah, Nethaniah, Zebadiah, Asahel, Shemiramoth, Jehonathan, Adonijah, Tobijah, and Tob-Adonijah, and by the priests Elishama and Jehoram. 17:9 They taught throughout Judah, taking with them the scroll of the law of the Lord. They traveled to all the cities of Judah and taught the people.
17:10 The Lord put fear into all the kingdoms surrounding Judah; 11 they did not make war with Jehoshaphat. 17:11 Some of the Philistines brought Jehoshaphat tribute, including a load of silver. The Arabs brought him 7,700 rams and 7,700 goats from their flocks.
17:12 Jehoshaphat’s power kept increasing. He built fortresses and storage cities throughout Judah. 17:13 He had many supplies stored in the cities of Judah and an army of skilled warriors stationed in Jerusalem. 12 17:14 These were their divisions by families:
There were a thousand officers from Judah. 13 Adnah the commander led 300,000 skilled warriors, 17:15 Jehochanan the commander led 280,000, 17:16 and Amasiah son of Zikri, who volunteered to serve the Lord, led 200,000 skilled warriors.
17:17 From Benjamin, Eliada, a skilled warrior, led 200,000 men who were equipped with bows and shields, 17:18 and Jehozabad led 180,000 trained warriors.
17:19 These were the ones who served the king, besides those whom the king placed in the fortified cities throughout Judah.
18:1 Jehoshaphat was very wealthy and greatly respected. He made an alliance by marriage with Ahab, 18:2 and after several years 14 went down to visit 15 Ahab in Samaria. 16 Ahab slaughtered many sheep and cattle to honor Jehoshaphat and those who came with him. 17 He persuaded him to join in an attack 18 against Ramoth Gilead. 18:3 King Ahab of Israel said to Jehoshaphat, “Will you go with me to attack Ramoth Gilead?” Jehoshaphat replied to the king of Israel, “I will support you; my army is at your disposal and will support you in battle.” 19 18:4 Then Jehoshaphat added, 20 “First seek an oracle from the Lord.” 21 18:5 So the king of Israel assembled 400 prophets and asked them, “Should we attack Ramoth Gilead or not?” 22 They said, “Attack! God 23 will hand it over to the king.” 18:6 But Jehoshaphat asked, “Is there not a prophet of the Lord still here, that we may ask him?” 18:7 The king of Israel answered Jehoshaphat, “There is still one man through whom we can seek the Lord’s will. 24 But I despise 25 him because he does not prophesy prosperity for me, but always 26 disaster. His name is Micaiah son of Imlah. 27 Jehoshaphat said, “The king should not say such things!” 18:8 The king of Israel summoned an officer and said, “Quickly bring Micaiah son of Imlah.”
18:9 Now the king of Israel and King Jehoshaphat of Judah were sitting on their respective thrones, dressed in their royal robes, at the threshing floor at 28 the entrance of the gate of Samaria. All the prophets were prophesying before them. 18:10 Zedekiah son of Kenaanah made iron horns and said, “This is what the Lord says, ‘With these you will gore Syria until they are destroyed!’” 18:11 All the prophets were prophesying the same, saying, “Attack Ramoth Gilead! You will succeed; the Lord will hand it over to the king!” 18:12 Now the messenger who went to summon Micaiah said to him, “Look, the prophets are in complete agreement that the king will succeed. 29 Your words must agree with theirs; you must predict success!” 30 18:13 But Micaiah said, “As certainly as the Lord lives, I will say what my God tells me to say!”
18:14 Micaiah 31 came before the king and the king asked him, “Micaiah, should we attack Ramoth Gilead or not?” He answered him, “Attack! You will succeed; they will be handed over to you.” 32 18:15 The king said to him, “How many times must I make you solemnly promise in 33 the name of the Lord to tell me only the truth?” 18:16 Micaiah 34 replied, “I saw all Israel scattered on the mountains like sheep that have no shepherd. Then the Lord said, ‘They have no master. They should go home in peace.’” 18:17 The king of Israel said to Jehoshaphat, “Didn’t I tell you he does not prophesy prosperity for me, but disaster?” 18:18 Micaiah 35 said, “That being the case, hear the word of the Lord: I saw the Lord sitting on his throne, with all the heavenly assembly standing on his right and on his left. 18:19 The Lord said, ‘Who will deceive King Ahab of Israel, so he will attack Ramoth Gilead and die there?’ One said this and another that. 18:20 Then a spirit 36 stepped forward and stood before the Lord. He said, ‘I will deceive him.’ The Lord asked him, ‘How?’ 18:21 He replied, ‘I will go out and be a lying spirit in the mouths of all his prophets.’ The Lord 37 said, ‘Deceive and overpower him. 38 Go out and do as you have proposed.’ 18:22 So now, look, the Lord has placed a lying spirit in the mouths of all these prophets of yours; but the Lord has decreed disaster for you.” 18:23 Zedekiah son of Kenaanah approached, hit Micaiah on the jaw, and said, “Which way did the Lord’s spirit go when he went from me to speak to you?” 18:24 Micaiah replied, “Look, you will see in the day when you go into an inner room to hide.” 18:25 Then the king of Israel said, “Take Micaiah and return him to Amon the city official and Joash the king’s son. 18:26 Say, ‘This is what the king says: “Put this man in prison. Give him only a little bread and water 39 until I return safely.”’” 18:27 Micaiah said, “If you really do return safely, then the Lord has not spoken through me!” Then he added, “Take note, 40 all you people.”
18:28 The king of Israel and King Jehoshaphat of Judah attacked Ramoth Gilead. 18:29 The king of Israel said to Jehoshaphat, “I will disguise myself and then enter 41 the battle; but you wear your royal attire.” So the king of Israel disguised himself and they entered the battle. 18:30 Now the king of Syria had ordered his chariot commanders, “Do not fight common soldiers or high ranking officers; 42 fight only the king of Israel!” 18:31 When the chariot commanders saw Jehoshaphat, they said, “He must be the king of Israel!” So they turned and attacked him, but Jehoshaphat cried out. The Lord helped him; God lured them away from him. 18:32 When the chariot commanders realized he was not the king of Israel, they turned away from him. 18:33 Now an archer shot an arrow at random 43 and it struck the king of Israel between the plates of his armor. The king 44 ordered his charioteer, “Turn around and take me from the battle line, 45 for I am wounded.” 18:34 While the battle raged throughout the day, the king stood propped up in his chariot opposite the Syrians. He died in the evening as the sun was setting.
19:1 When King Jehoshaphat of Judah returned home safely to Jerusalem, 46 19:2 the prophet 47 Jehu son of Hanani confronted him; 48 he said to King Jehoshaphat, “Is it right to help the wicked and be an ally of those who oppose the Lord? 49 Because you have done this the Lord is angry with you! 50 19:3 Nevertheless you have done some good things; 51 you removed 52 the Asherah poles from the land and you were determined to follow the Lord.” 53
19:4 Jehoshaphat lived in Jerusalem. 54 He went out among the people from Beer Sheba to the hill country of Ephraim and encouraged them to follow 55 the Lord God of their ancestors. 56 19:5 He appointed judges throughout the land and in each of the fortified cities of Judah. 57 19:6 He told the judges, “Be careful what you do, 58 for you are not judging for men, but for the Lord, who will be with you when you make judicial decisions. 19:7 Respect the Lord and make careful decisions, for the Lord our God disapproves of injustice, partiality, and bribery.” 59
19:8 In Jerusalem Jehoshaphat appointed some Levites, priests, and Israelite family leaders to judge on behalf of the Lord 60 and to settle disputes among the residents of Jerusalem. 61 19:9 He commanded them: “Carry out your duties with respect for the Lord, with honesty, and with pure motives. 62 19:10 Whenever your countrymen who live in the cities bring a case before you 63 (whether it involves a violent crime 64 or other matters related to the law, commandments, rules, and regulations), warn them that they must not sin against the Lord. If you fail to do so, God will be angry with you and your colleagues; but if you obey, you will be free of guilt. 65 19:11 You will report to Amariah the chief priest in all matters pertaining to the Lord’s law, and to Zebadiah son of Ishmael, the leader of the family of Judah, in all matters pertaining to the king. 66 The Levites will serve as officials before you. Confidently carry out your duties! 67 May the Lord be with those who do well!”
[17:1] 1 tn Heb “and strengthened himself over Israel.”
[17:2] 2 tn Or perhaps, “governors.”
[17:3] 4 tn Heb “for he walked in the ways of David his father [in] the beginning [times].”
[17:4] 7 tn Heb “and not like the behavior of Israel.”
[17:5] 8 tn Heb “established the kingdom in his hand.”
[17:5] 9 tn Heb “and he had wealth and honor in abundance.”
[17:6] 10 tn Heb “and his heart was high in the ways of the
[17:10] 11 tn Heb “and the terror of the
[17:13] 12 tn Heb “and many supplies were his in the cities of Judah, and men of war, warriors of skill in Jerusalem.”
[17:14] 13 tn Or perhaps “from Judah, commanders of the thousands.”
[18:2] 14 tn Heb “at the end of years.”
[18:2] 15 tn The word “visit” is supplied in the translation for clarity and for stylistic reasons.
[18:2] 16 map For location see Map2 B1; Map4 D3; Map5 E2; Map6 A4; Map7 C1.
[18:2] 17 tn Heb “and Ahab slaughtered for him sheep and cattle in abundance, and for the people who were with him.”
[18:3] 19 tn Heb “Like me, like you; and like your people, my people; and with you in battle.”
[18:4] 20 tn Heb “and Jehoshaphat said to the king of Israel.”
[18:4] 21 tn Heb “the word of the
[18:5] 22 tn Heb “Should we go against Ramoth Gilead for war or should I refrain?”
[18:5] 23 tn Though Jehoshaphat had requested an oracle from “the
[18:7] 24 tn Heb “to seek the
[18:7] 26 tn Heb “all his days.”
[18:7] 27 tn The words “his name is” are supplied in the translation for stylistic reasons.
[18:9] 28 tn Heb “at,” which in this case probably means “near.”
[18:12] 29 tn Heb “the words of the prophets are [with] one mouth good for the king.”
[18:12] 30 tn Heb “let your words be like one of them and speak good.”
[18:14] 31 tn Heb “he”; the referent (Micaiah) has been specified in the translation both for clarity and for stylistic reasons.
[18:14] 32 sn One does not expect Micaiah, having just vowed to speak only what the
[18:15] 33 tn Or “swear an oath by.”
[18:16] 34 tn Heb “he”; the referent (Micaiah) has been specified in the translation for clarity.
[18:18] 35 tn Heb “he”; the referent (Micaiah) has been specified in the translation for clarity.
[18:20] 36 tn Heb “the spirit.” The significance of the article prefixed to רוּחַ (ruakh) is uncertain, but it could contain a clue as to this spirit’s identity, especially when interpreted in light of verse 23. It is certainly possible, and probably even likely, that the article is used in a generic or dramatic sense and should be translated, “a spirit.” In the latter case it would show that this spirit was vivid and definite in the mind of Micaiah the storyteller. However, if one insists that the article indicates a well-known or universally known spirit, the following context provides a likely referent. Verse 23 tells how Zedekiah slapped Micaiah in the face and then asked sarcastically, “Which way did the spirit from the
[18:21] 37 tn Heb “he”; the referent (the
[18:21] 38 tn The Hebrew text has two imperfects connected by וְגַם (vÿgam). These verbs could be translated as specific futures, “you will deceive and also you will prevail,” in which case the
[18:26] 39 tn Heb “the bread of affliction and the water of affliction.”
[18:29] 41 tn The Hebrew verbal forms could be imperatives (“Disguise yourself and enter”), but this would make no sense in light of the immediately following context. The forms are better interpreted as infinitives absolute functioning as cohortatives (see IBHS 594 §35.5.2a). Some prefer to emend the forms to imperfects.
[18:30] 42 tn Heb “small or great.”
[18:33] 43 tn Heb “now a man drew a bow in his innocence” (i.e., with no specific target in mind, or at least without realizing his target was the king of Israel).
[18:33] 44 tn Heb “he”; the referent (the king) has been specified in the translation for clarity.
[19:1] 46 map For location see Map5 B1; Map6 F3; Map7 E2; Map8 F2; Map10 B3; JP1 F4; JP2 F4; JP3 F4; JP4 F4.
[19:2] 48 tn Heb “went out to his face.”
[19:2] 49 tn Heb “and love those who hate the
[19:2] 50 tn Heb “and because of this upon you is anger from before the
[19:3] 51 tn Heb “nevertheless good things are found with you.”
[19:3] 52 tn Here בָּעַר (ba’ar) is not the well attested verb “burn,” but the less common homonym meaning “devastate, sweep away, remove.” See HALOT 146 s.v. II בער.
[19:3] 53 tn Heb “and you set your heart to seek the
[19:4] 54 map For location see Map5 B1; Map6 F3; Map7 E2; Map8 F2; Map10 B3; JP1 F4; JP2 F4; JP3 F4; JP4 F4.
[19:4] 55 tn Heb “and turned them back to.”
[19:5] 57 tn Heb “in all the fortified cities of Judah, city by city.”
[19:6] 58 tn Heb “see what you are doing.”
[19:7] 59 tn Heb “and now let the terror of the
[19:8] 60 tn Heb “for the judgment of the
[19:8] 61 tc Heb “and to conduct a case [or “for controversy”], and they returned [to] Jerusalem.” Some emend וַיָּשֻׁבוּ (vayyashuvu, “and they returned”) to וַיֵּשְׁבוּ (vayyeshÿvu, “and they lived [in]”). The present translation assumes an emendation to יֹשְׁבֵי (yoshÿvey, “residents of”).
[19:9] 62 tn Heb “This you must do with the fear of the
[19:10] 63 tn Heb “and every case which comes to you from your brothers who live in their cities.”
[19:10] 64 tn Heb “between blood pertaining to blood.”
[19:10] 65 tn Heb “and anger will be upon you and your brothers; do this and you will not be guilty.”
[19:11] 66 tn Heb “and look, Amariah the chief priest is over you with respect to every matter of the
