2 Chronicles 17:14

And these are the numbers of them according to the house of their fathers: Of Iudah, the captaines of thousands, Adnah the chiefe, and with him mighty men of valour, three hundred thousand. 2 Chronicles 17:14 (KJV)

The verse begins by presenting the census of Judah’s warriors according to the house of their fathers, indicating that the tribe’s military organization was rooted in family lineage. Each ancestral household contributed a defined group of men, reflecting a structured system in which families bore collective responsibility for the defense of the nation.

Adnah is identified as the chief captain of thousands for Judah. His title denotes a position of high authority within the tribal militia, suggesting that he oversaw a large contingent of soldiers and was entrusted with leading them in battle. The reference to “captains of thousands” implies a tiered command hierarchy, where multiple leaders each directed sizable forces.

Alongside Adnah, the passage mentions “mighty men of valor.” This description highlights not only the great number of warriors but also their reputation for bravery, skill, and strength. Their valor is emphasized as a key attribute that contributed to Judah’s defensive capability and effectiveness in combat.

The specific figure given—three hundred thousand mighty men of valor—illustrates the substantial military strength of Judah during the reign of King Jehoshaphat. The passage also notes additional contingents led by other captains, such as Jehohanan with two hundred eighty thousand and Amasiah with two hundred thousand, underscoring the breadth of the kingdom’s armed forces.

Overall, the verse underscores the importance of organized leadership, familial responsibility, and the presence of courageous warriors in maintaining a robust defense for the kingdom. It serves as a reminder that a nation’s security rests on both structured command and the character of its soldiers, offering a model of collective duty and valor for believers today.