He appointed judges throughout the land and in each of the fortified cities of Judah.

Jehoshaphat was afraid, so he decided to seek the Lord’s advice. He decreed that all Judah should observe a fast.

Jehoshaphat stood before the assembly of Judah and Jerusalem at the Lord’s temple, in front of the new courtyard.

All the men of Judah were standing before the Lord, along with their infants, wives, and children.

Later King Jehoshaphat of Judah made an alliance with King Ahaziah of Israel, who did evil.

During Jehoram’s reign Edom freed themselves from Judah’s control and set up their own king.

After Jehoiada died, the officials of Judah visited the king and declared their loyalty to him. The king listened to their advice.

His body was carried back by horses, and he was buried in Jerusalem with his ancestors in the City of David.

This is what Hezekiah did throughout Judah. He did what the Lord his God considered good and right and faithful.

He burned the bones of the pagan priests on their altars; he purified Judah and Jerusalem.

In the thirty-sixth year of Asa’s reign, King Baasha of Israel attacked Judah, and he established Ramah as a military outpost to prevent anyone from leaving or entering the land of King Asa of Judah.

Amaziah assembled the people of Judah and assigned them by families to the commanders of units of a thousand and the commanders of units of a hundred for all Judah and Benjamin. He counted those twenty years old and up and discovered there were 300,000 young men of fighting age equipped with spears and shields.

Afterward King Sennacherib of Assyria, while attacking Lachish with all his military might, sent his messengers to Jerusalem. The message was for King Hezekiah of Judah and all the people of Judah who were in Jerusalem. It read:

“Say this to King Rehoboam son of Solomon of Judah and to all the Israelites in Judah and Benjamin,

They supported the kingdom of Judah and were loyal to Rehoboam son of Solomon for three years; they followed the edicts of David and Solomon for three years.

He wisely placed some of his many sons throughout the regions of Judah and Benjamin in the various fortified cities. He supplied them with abundant provisions and acquired many wives for them.

That day the Israelites were defeated; the men of Judah prevailed because they relied on the Lord God of their ancestors.

All Judah was happy about the oath, because they made the vow with their whole heart. They willingly sought the Lord and he responded to them. He made them secure on every side.

The Lord made his kingdom secure; all Judah brought tribute to Jehoshaphat, and he became very wealthy and greatly respected.

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.