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but he sought the God of his father and walked by His commandments rather than the practices of Israel.

So the LORD established the kingdom in his hand, and all Judah brought him tribute, so that he had an abundance of riches and honor.

And his heart took delight in the ways of the LORD; furthermore, he removed the high places and Asherah poles from Judah.

In the third year of his reign, Jehoshaphat sent his officials Ben-hail, Obadiah, Zechariah, Nethanel, and Micaiah to teach in the cities of Judah,

So the king of Israel called one of his officials and said, "Bring Micaiah son of Imlah at once."

Micaiah continued, "Therefore hear the word of the LORD: I saw the LORD sitting on His throne, and all the host of heaven standing on His right and on His left.

And he replied, 'I will go out and be a lying spirit in the mouth of all his prophets.' 'You will surely entice him and prevail,' said the LORD. 'Go and do it.'

Now the king of Aram had ordered his chariot commanders, "Do not fight with anyone, small or great, except the king of Israel."

However, a certain man drew his bow without taking special aim, and he struck the king of Israel between the joints of his armor. So the king said to his charioteer, "Turn around and take me out of the battle, for I am badly wounded!"

The battle raged throughout that day, and the king of Israel propped himself up in his chariot facing the Arameans until evening. And at sunset he died.

Jehoshaphat king of Judah returned safely to his home in Jerusalem.

Jehoshaphat was alarmed and set his face to seek the LORD. And he proclaimed a fast throughout Judah.

Then Jehoshaphat bowed with his face to the ground, and all the people of Judah and Jerusalem fell down before the LORD to worship Him.

Early in the morning they got up and left for the Wilderness of Tekoa. As they set out, Jehoshaphat stood up and said, "Hear me, O people of Judah and Jerusalem. Believe in the LORD your God, and you will be upheld; believe in His prophets, and you will succeed."

Then Jehoshaphat consulted with the people and appointed those who would sing to the LORD and praise the splendor of His holiness. As they went out before the army, they were singing: "Give thanks to the LORD, for His loving devotion endures forever."

Then Jehoshaphat and his people went to carry off the plunder, and they found on the bodies an abundance of goods and valuables-more than they could carry away. They were gathering the plunder for three days because there was so much.

Then Jehoshaphat's kingdom was at peace, for his God had given him rest on every side.

So Jehoshaphat reigned over Judah. He was thirty-five years old when he became king, and he reigned in Jerusalem twenty-five years. His mother's name was Azubah daughter of Shilhi.

And Jehoshaphat walked in the way of his father Asa and did not turn away from it; he did what was right in the eyes of the LORD.

Then Jehoshaphat rested with his fathers and was buried with them in the City of David. And his son Jehoram became king in his place.