3 The lord was with Jehoshaphat because he followed the example of his father’s early years and did not worship the images of Baal.
4 He sought his father’s God and obeyed his commands instead of following the evil practices of the kingdom of Israel.
5 So the lord established Jehoshaphat’s control over the kingdom of Judah. All the people of Judah brought gifts to Jehoshaphat, so he became very wealthy and highly esteemed.
6 He was deeply committed to the ways of the lord. He removed the pagan shrines and Asherah poles from Judah.
7 In the third year of his reign Jehoshaphat sent his officials to teach in all the towns of Judah. These officials included Ben-hail, Obadiah, Zechariah, Nethanel, and Micaiah.
8 He sent Levites along with them, including Shemaiah, Nethaniah, Zebadiah, Asahel, Shemiramoth, Jehonathan, Adonijah, Tobijah, and Tob-adonijah. He also sent out the priests Elishama and Jehoram.
9 They took copies of the Book of the Law of the lord and traveled around through all the towns of Judah, teaching the people.