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But you be strong. Do not lose strength of heart. For you will be paid for your work."

Then he gathered all Judah and Benjamin and those from Ephraim, Manasseh, and Simeon, who lived with them. For many had left Israel to come to him when they saw that the Lord his God was with him.

All Judah was filled with joy because of the promise. For they had promised with their whole heart. They had looked for the Lord with a pure heart. And He let them find Him. So the Lord gave them rest on every side.

He brought into the house of God the holy things of his father and his own holy things. He brought in silver and gold and the things used for the worship.

For the eyes of the Lord move over all the earth so that He may give strength to those whose whole heart is given to Him. You have done a foolish thing. So from now on you will have wars."

Then Asa was angry with the man of God. He put him in prison because he was angry at him for this. And Asa made it hard for some of the people at the same time.

They buried him in his own grave which he had cut out for himself in the city of David. They laid him in the place of rest which he had filled with different kinds of spices mixed by those who work with perfumes. And they made a very big fire in his honor.

He placed soldiers in all the strong cities of Judah, and in places built for them in the land of Judah. And he put soldiers in the cities of Ephraim which his father Asa had taken in battle.

Some of the Philistines brought Jehoshaphat gifts, and silver for taxes. The Arabians brought him flocks, 7,700 rams and 7,700 male goats.

Next to him was Amasiah the son of Zichri, who gave himself to work for the Lord. He had 200,000 powerful soldiers with him.

Next to him was Jehozabad, the captain of 180,000 ready for war.

After some years he went down to visit Ahab at Samaria. Ahab killed many sheep and cattle for him and for the people who were with him. And he wanted Jehoshaphat to fight against Ramoth-gilead.

Then Jehoshaphat said to the king of Israel, "Ask first for word from the Lord."

So the king of Israel gathered together the 400 men who told what would happen in the future. He said to them, "Should we go to battle against Ramoth-gilead, or should I wait?" And they said, "Go up, for God will give it into the hand of the king."

But Jehoshaphat said, "Is there not another man who speaks for the Lord here whom we may ask?"

The king of Israel said to him, "There is yet one man whom we may ask of the Lord. But I hate him. For he never tells me anything good, only bad. He is Micaiah, the son of Imla." But Jehoshaphat said, "You should not say that."

Then the king of Israel called for one of his captains and said, "Hurry, bring Micaiah the son of Imla."

Zedekiah the son of Chenaanah made horns of iron for himself and said, "The Lord says that with these you will hurt the Syrians until they are destroyed."

All the men who told what would happen in the future were saying, "Go up to Ramoth-gilead and win the battle. For the Lord will give it into the hand of the king."

When he came to the king, the king said to him, "Micaiah, should we go to Ramoth-gilead to battle, or should I wait?" Micaiah said, "Go up and win the battle. For they will be given into your hand."