He captured the fortified cities of Judah and marched against Jerusalem.p>

<t /><p class="bodytext">In the eighteenth year of the reign of King Jeroboam, Abijah became king over Judah.

<p class="bodytext">Now Jeroboam had sent some men to ambush the Judahite army from behind.<n id="1" /> The main army was in front of the Judahite army;<n id="2" /> the ambushers were behind it.

The men of Judah turned around and realized they were being attacked from the front and the rear.<n id="1" /> So they cried out for help to the <sc>Lordsc>. The priests blew their trumpets,

He ordered Judah to seek the <sc>Lordsc> God of their ancestors<n id="1" /> and to observe his law and commands.<n id="2" />

He removed the high places and the incense altars from all the cities of Judah. The kingdom had rest under his rule.<n id="1" />p>

The <sc>Lordsc> struck down the Cushites before Asa and Judah. The Cushites fled,

<t /><p class="bodytext">The events of Asa&#8217;s reign, from start to finish, are recorded in the Scroll of the Kings of Judah and Israel.<n id="1" />

He was committed to following the <sc>Lordsc>;<n id="1" /> he even removed the high places and Asherah poles from Judah.p>

<p class="bodytext">Jehoshaphat&#8217;s power kept increasing. He built fortresses and storage cities throughout Judah.

He had many supplies stored in the cities of Judah and an army of skilled warriors stationed in Jerusalem.<n id="1" />

<p class="bodytext">These were the ones who served the king, besides those whom the king placed in the fortified cities throughout Judah.p>

<p class="bodytext">The king of Israel and King Jehoshaphat of Judah attacked Ramoth Gilead.

He appointed judges throughout the land and in each of the fortified cities of Judah.<n id="1" />

Jehoshaphat was afraid, so he decided to seek the <sc>Lordsc>&#8217;s advice.<n id="1" /> He decreed that all Judah should observe a fast.

<p class="bodytext">Jehoshaphat stood before the assembly of Judah and Jerusalem<n id="1" /> at the <sc>Lordsc>&#8217;s temple, in front of the new courtyard.

<p class="bodytext">All the men of Judah<n id="1" /> were standing before the <sc>Lordsc>, along with their infants, wives, and children.

<p class="bodytext">Later King Jehoshaphat of Judah made an alliance with King Ahaziah of Israel, who<n id="1" /> did evil.

<p class="bodytext">During Jehoram&#8217;s<n id="1" /> reign Edom freed themselves from Judah&#8217;s control and set up their own king.<n id="2" />

<p class="bodytext">After Jehoiada died, the officials of Judah visited the king and declared their loyalty to him.<n id="1" /> The king listened to their advice.<n id="2" />