SARAH
《历代志下》17章；《列王纪上》22章
(2 Chronicles 17; 1 Kings 22)
亚撒王去世以后，被埋在了大卫城，跟他的祖先葬在了一块儿。
After King Asa died, he was buried in the City of David, alongside his ancestors.
后来，他的儿子约沙法接班，当了犹大王。
Later, his son Jehoshaphat succeeded him as king of Judah.
约沙法当上国王的第三年，派了手下的几位大臣，到犹大各地的城池去办一件大事。
In the third year of his reign, Jehoshaphat sent several of his officials to the cities throughout Judah to carry out an important task.
这些大臣奉了王的命令，去教导老百姓。
These officials went out at the king’s command to teach the people.
他还安排了利未人和祭司参与教导，并让他们带着耶和华的律法书，走遍犹大各城，把上帝的话讲给老百姓听，让大家都能明白上帝的吩咐。
He also appointed Levites and priests to take part in the teaching, and he sent them with the Book of the Law of the LORD to travel throughout the cities of Judah, teaching the people God’s Word so that everyone could understand His commands.
为什么那时候耶和华会与约沙法同在呢？
Why was the LORD with Jehoshaphat during that time?
原因很简单，因为约沙法走的是他祖先大卫当初走过的正道。
The reason was simple: Jehoshaphat followed the right path that his ancestor David had walked at the beginning.
他坚决不去拜巴力那些假神，而是一心一意地寻求他父亲所敬拜的上帝。
He firmly refused to worship false gods like Baal and wholeheartedly sought the God whom his father had worshiped.
他老老实实地遵守上帝的诫命，不学北边以色列国那些不讨上帝喜悦的做法。
He faithfully obeyed God’s commandments and did not follow the practices of the northern kingdom of Israel that displeased God.
就因为他这么做，耶和华使他的国家越来越稳固。
Because he did these things, the LORD established his kingdom more firmly.
犹大的老百姓给他进贡，他手里的钱财越来越多，名声也越来越大，日子过得很有尊荣。
The people of Judah brought him tribute, his wealth increased, and his reputation grew, so he enjoyed great honor.
约沙法心里也越来越有力量，因为他敬畏耶和华，愿意照着上帝指的路走。
Jehoshaphat also grew stronger in his heart because he feared the LORD and was willing to follow the path God had shown him.
他还带头把犹大各地那些拜假神的邱坛和木偶清理掉，不让老百姓再胡乱敬拜别的神。
He also took the lead in removing the high places and Asherah poles used for idol worship throughout Judah, so that the people would no longer worship other gods.
就这样，约沙法的国家一天比一天强盛。
In this way, Jehoshaphat’s kingdom grew stronger day by day.
他在犹大各地修建了不少营寨，还建了许多储存粮食和物资的城池。
He built many fortresses throughout Judah and established numerous cities for storing grain and supplies.
他在国家建设上花了不少心思，也在耶路撒冷安排了大量能打仗的勇士。
He devoted considerable effort to developing the kingdom and stationed many capable warriors in Jerusalem.
这些勇士都是按照各自的家族统计出来的，一个个都是能打仗的人。
These warriors were counted according to their families, and every one of them was a capable fighter.
在犹大王国的军队里，有几个领兵的大将。
There were several leading commanders in the army of the kingdom of Judah.
– 押拿：头一位大将，手下带着三十万勇士。
Adnah: The first commander, leading 300,000 warriors.
– 约哈难：第二位大将，手下有二十八万勇士。
Jehohanan: The second commander, with 280,000 warriors under his command.
– 细基利：第三位大将，他甘心将自己献给耶和华，手下带着二十万勇士。
Zichri: The third commander. He willingly devoted himself to the LORD and led 200,000 warriors.
除了犹大支派，便雅悯支派那边也有不少能打仗的人。
Besides the tribe of Judah, there were also many capable warriors from the tribe of Benjamin.
– 有个叫以利雅大的人，带着二十万拿弓箭和盾牌的勇士。
A man named Eliada led 200,000 warriors equipped with bows and shields.
– 还有一个叫约萨拔的人，手下有十八万人。
Another man named Jehozabad commanded 180,000 men.
这些人都是服事王的勇士。
All these men were warriors who served the king.
除此之外，约沙法还在犹大那些坚固的城池里安排了军兵，把各地的防守也安排妥当了。
In addition, Jehoshaphat stationed troops in the fortified cities of Judah, making arrangements to defend the various regions.
这时候，耶和华使犹大周围的列国都对约沙法心存敬畏，不敢轻易跟他开战。
At that time, the LORD caused the surrounding nations to fear Jehoshaphat, and they did not dare to go to war against him.
有些非利士人主动给约沙法送来了礼物和银子。
Some Philistines voluntarily brought gifts and silver to Jehoshaphat.
阿拉伯人也送来了大批羊群，足足有七千七百只公绵羊，还有七千七百只公山羊。
The Arabs also brought him large flocks of sheep: 7,700 rams and 7,700 male goats.
就这样，约沙法的国家越来越强盛，钱财越来越多，军队也越来越有实力。
In this way, Jehoshaphat’s kingdom grew stronger, his wealth increased, and his army became more powerful.
他在犹大各地修营寨、建储货的城池，耶路撒冷也有许多勇敢的战士。
He built fortresses and storage cities throughout Judah, and Jerusalem had many brave warriors.
后来，约沙法年纪大了，去世了。
Later, when Jehoshaphat grew old, he died.
他也和自己的祖先一样，被安葬在大卫城里。
Like his ancestors, he was buried in the City of David.
之后，他的儿子约兰接续他作王，继续做犹大的国王。
Afterward, his son Jehoram succeeded him as king and became the next king of Judah.