1 Jehoshaphat succeeded his father Asa as king and strengthened his position against Israel.
2 He stationed troops in the fortified cities of Judah, in the Judean countryside, and in the cities which Asa had captured in the territory of Ephraim.
3 The Lord blessed Jehoshaphat because he followed the example of his father's early life and did not worship Baal.
4 He served his father's God, obeyed God's commands, and did not act the way the kings of Israel did.
5 The Lord gave Jehoshaphat firm control over the kingdom of Judah, and all the people brought him gifts, so that he became wealthy and highly honored.