Jehoshaphat of Judah Led Revival and Teaching the Law

Jehoshaphat succeeded his father Asa as King of Judah and he was like Asa during his early years. For Jehoshaphat walked in the ways of the LORD. He continued the revival which Asa led. He removed the idols and their worship places and he sought God. Reminiscent of David, for Jehoshaphat "his heart took delight in the ways of the LORD". So God blessed his kingdom, and tributes flowed into Judah.

Jehoshaphat was able to strengthen and fortified Judah and he became more powerful. The symbols of his power included more fortified cities and storage cities. His army was also renowned for his mighty men which included these commanders from Judah:
Adnah with 300,000 men
Jehohanan with 280,000 men
Amasiah with 200,000 men
and from Benjamin:
Eliada with 200,000 men
Jehozabad with 180,000 men

More importantly, the spiritual revival was significant. Jehoshaphat send leaders or princes, Ben-Hail, Obadiah, Zechariah, Nethanel, and Michaiah along with Levites Shemaiah, Nethaniah, Zebadiah, Asahel, Shemiramoth, Jehonathan, Adonijah, Tobijah, and Tobadonijah and priests Elishama and Jehoram to go all around Judah and teach the Law of the LORD to the people. The remarkable result was that even the surrounding lands was in fear of this and their arch enemies, the Philistines, brought tributes to Judah.



2 Chronicles 17

Jehoshaphat Reigns in Judah

 1 Then Jehoshaphat his son reigned in his place, and strengthened himself against Israel. 2 And he placed troops in all the fortified cities of Judah, and set garrisons in the land of Judah and in the cities of Ephraim which Asa his father had taken. 3 Now the LORD was with Jehoshaphat, because he walked in the former ways of his father David; he did not seek the Baals, 4 but sought the God[a] of his father, and walked in His commandments and not according to the acts of Israel. 5 Therefore the LORD established the kingdom in his hand; and all Judah gave presents to Jehoshaphat, and he had riches and honor in abundance. 6 And his heart took delight in the ways of the LORD; moreover he removed the high places and wooden images from Judah.
7 Also in the third year of his reign he sent his leaders, Ben-Hail, Obadiah, Zechariah, Nethanel, and Michaiah, to teach in the cities of Judah. 8 And with them he sent Levites: Shemaiah, Nethaniah, Zebadiah, Asahel, Shemiramoth, Jehonathan, Adonijah, Tobijah, and Tobadonijah—the Levites; and with them Elishama and Jehoram, the priests. 9 So they taught in Judah, and had the Book of the Law of the LORD with them; they went throughout all the cities of Judah and taught the people.
10 And the fear of the LORD fell on all the kingdoms of the lands that were around Judah, so that they did not make war against Jehoshaphat. 11 Also some of the Philistines brought Jehoshaphat presents and silver as tribute; and the Arabians brought him flocks, seven thousand seven hundred rams and seven thousand seven hundred male goats.
12 So Jehoshaphat became increasingly powerful, and he built fortresses and storage cities in Judah. 13 He had much property in the cities of Judah; and the men of war, mighty men of valor, were in Jerusalem.
14 These are their numbers, according to their fathers’ houses. Of Judah, the captains of thousands: Adnah the captain, and with him three hundred thousand mighty men of valor; 15 and next to him was Jehohanan the captain, and with him two hundred and eighty thousand; 16 and next to him was Amasiah the son of Zichri, who willingly offered himself to the LORD, and with him two hundred thousand mighty men of valor. 17 Of Benjamin: Eliada a mighty man of valor, and with him two hundred thousand men armed with bow and shield; 18 and next to him was Jehozabad, and with him one hundred and eighty thousand prepared for war. 19 These served the king, besides those the king put in the fortified cities throughout all Judah.