Jehoshaphat (1 Kings 15:24; 1 Kings 22:1–37; 1 Kings 22:41–50; 2 Kings 3:1–27; 2 Kings 8:16–18; 1 Chronicles 3:10; 2 Chronicles 17:1–19; 2 Chronicles 18:1–34; 2 Chronicles 19:1–11; 2 Chronicles 20:1–30; 2 Chronicles 20:31–37; 2 Chronicles 21:1–3; 2 Chronicles 22:9; Matthew 1:8)

King of Judah Who Sought the LORD

The son of Asa, who reigned over Judah twenty-five years, walked in the first ways of David, sent teachers through Judah with the book of the law, joined affinity with Ahab and went up with him to Ramoth-gilead, was rebuked by Jehu the seer, set judges in the land, and cried to the LORD when Moab and Ammon came against him.

Jehoshaphat the son of Asa succeeded his father and “strengthened himself against Israel” (2 Chronicles 17:1). 2 Chronicles says “Jehovah was with Jehoshaphat, because he walked in the first ways of his father David” (2 Chronicles 17:3), and that “his heart was lifted up in the ways of Jehovah” (2 Chronicles 17:6). In his third year he sent princes, Levites and priests to teach in the cities of Judah “having the book of the law of Jehovah with them” (2 Chronicles 17:9). He was thirty and five years old when he began to reign and reigned twenty and five years in Jerusalem; his mother was Azubah the daughter of Shilhi (1 Kings 22:42).

“Now Jehoshaphat had riches and honor in abundance; and he joined affinity with Ahab” (2 Chronicles 18:1). He went up with Ahab to Ramoth-gilead, asked first for the word of the LORD, and was in the battle when Ahab died (1 Kings 22; 2 Chronicles 18). Jehu the seer met him on his return: “Shouldest thou help the wicked, and love them that hate Jehovah?” (2 Chronicles 19:2). He then went out among the people, set judges in the fortified cities, and when Moab, Ammon and mount Seir came, proclaimed a fast and prayed in the house of the LORD (2 Chronicles 19:4-5; 20:1-13). With Ahab's sons he joined again: the ships he made with Ahaziah king of Israel were broken (2 Chronicles 20:35-37), and he went with Jehoram the son of Ahab, king of Israel, against Moab, where Elisha spoke for his sake (2 Kings 3).

The accounts of his reign carry notes on the high places that the text leaves side by side. 2 Chronicles says “he took away the high places and the Asherim out of Judah” (2 Chronicles 17:6); 1 Kings says “howbeit the high places were not taken away; the people still sacrificed and burnt incense in the high places” (1 Kings 22:43), and 2 Chronicles closes his reign with “Howbeit the high places were not taken away; neither as yet had the people set their hearts unto the God of their fathers” (2 Chronicles 20:33). He “slept with his fathers, and was buried with his fathers in the city of David” (2 Chronicles 21:1), and Jehoram his son reigned in his stead (2 Chronicles 21:1). When his grandson Ahaziah was slain, they buried him, saying, “He is the son of Jehoshaphat, who sought Jehovah with all his heart” (2 Chronicles 22:9). Matthew's genealogy reads: “Asa begat Jehoshaphat; and Jehoshaphat begat Joram” (Matthew 1:8).

Strengths

• Walked in the first ways of David
• Heart lifted up in the ways of the LORD
• Sent the book of the law through Judah
• Asked for the word of the LORD
• Set his heart to seek God
• Brought the people back unto the LORD
• Set judges in the fear of the LORD
• Proclaimed a fast and sought the LORD
• Bowed his head and worshipped

Weaknesses

• Joined affinity with Ahab
• Helped the wicked
• Joined himself with Ahaziah

Themes

• Seeking the LORD
• Alliance with Israel
• True and false prophets
• Justice in the gates
• Prayer in distress

Strengthened, and the LORD with him (1 Kings 15:24; 2 Chronicles 17:1–6)

Jehoshaphat succeeds Asa, strengthens himself against Israel, and the LORD is with him because he walked in the first ways of David.

Teachers sent through Judah (2 Chronicles 17:7–9)

In his third year he sends princes, Levites and priests with the book of the law of the LORD to teach in the cities of Judah.

Affinity with Ahab (2 Chronicles 18:1–3; 1 Kings 22:1–4)

Having riches and honor, he joins affinity with Ahab, goes down to Samaria, and says he will be with Ahab in the war at Ramoth-gilead.

Inquire first for the word (1 Kings 22:5–28; 2 Chronicles 18:4–27)

Jehoshaphat asks for a prophet of the LORD beside Ahab's four hundred; Micaiah the son of Imlah is sent for, speaks against the venture, and is struck and imprisoned.

Inquire first for the word

At Samaria Jehoshaphat said to the king of Israel, “Inquire first, I pray thee, for the word of Jehovah” (1 Kings 22:5). About four hundred prophets answered, “Go up; for the Lord will deliver it into the hand of the king” (1 Kings 22:6). “But Jehoshaphat said, Is there not here a prophet of Jehovah besides, that we may inquire of him?” (1 Kings 22:7).

Ahab answered, “There is yet one man by whom we may inquire of Jehovah, Micaiah the son of Imlah: but I hate him; for he doth not prophesy good concerning me, but evil. And Jehoshaphat said, Let not the king say so” (1 Kings 22:8). The two kings sat on their thrones at the entrance of the gate of Samaria, and Zedekiah the son of Chenaanah made horns of iron (1 Kings 22:10-11).

Micaiah said, “As Jehovah liveth, what Jehovah saith unto me, that will I speak” (1 Kings 22:14). He told of Israel “scattered upon the mountains, as sheep that have no shepherd” (1 Kings 22:17). Zedekiah “smote Micaiah on the cheek” (1 Kings 22:24), and the king of Israel ordered him put in the prison. Micaiah said, “If thou return at all in peace, Jehovah hath not spoken by me” (1 Kings 22:28). The same scene stands in 2 Chronicles 18:4-27.

At Ramoth-gilead (1 Kings 22:29–37; 2 Chronicles 18:28–34)

Ahab disguises himself and tells Jehoshaphat to wear his robes; the Syrian captains turn on Jehoshaphat, who cries out, and the LORD helps him; Ahab is smitten by a bow drawn at a venture and dies at even.

Jehu's rebuke, and the judges (2 Chronicles 19:1–11)

Jehu the son of Hanani rebukes him for helping the wicked yet notes the good in him; he goes out among the people, sets judges in the fortified cities, and appoints Levites and priests in Jerusalem.

Jehu's rebuke, and the judges

“And Jehoshaphat the king of Judah returned to his house in peace to Jerusalem. And Jehu the son of Hanani the seer went out to meet him, and said to king Jehoshaphat, Shouldest thou help the wicked, and love them that hate Jehovah? for this thing wrath is upon thee from before Jehovah. Nevertheless there are good things found in thee, in that thou hast put away the Asheroth out of the land, and hast set thy heart to seek God” (2 Chronicles 19:1-3). The text does not record his reply.

Jehoshaphat “went out again among the people from Beer-sheba to the hill-country of Ephraim, and brought them back unto Jehovah, the God of their fathers” (2 Chronicles 19:4). “And he set judges in the land throughout all the fortified cities of Judah, city by city, and said to the judges, Consider what ye do: for ye judge not for man, but for Jehovah; and he is with you in the judgment” (2 Chronicles 19:5-6).

In Jerusalem he set some of the Levites and the priests and the heads of the fathers' houses “for the judgment of Jehovah, and for controversies” (2 Chronicles 19:8). “And he charged them, saying, Thus shall ye do in the fear of Jehovah, faithfully, and with a perfect heart” (2 Chronicles 19:9).

Moab and Ammon come; the fast and the prayer (2 Chronicles 20:1–13)

A great multitude from Moab, Ammon and mount Seir comes against him; he fears, seeks the LORD, proclaims a fast, and prays in the house of the LORD before the assembly of Judah.

Moab and Ammon come; the fast and the prayer

“The children of Moab, and the children of Ammon, and with them some of the Ammonites, came against Jehoshaphat to battle” (2 Chronicles 20:1). “And Jehoshaphat feared, and set himself to seek unto Jehovah; and he proclaimed a fast throughout all Judah. And Judah gathered themselves together, to seek help of Jehovah: even out of all the cities of Judah they came to seek Jehovah” (2 Chronicles 20:3-4).

He stood in the house of the LORD, before the new court, and said, “O Jehovah, the God of our fathers, art not thou God in heaven? and art not thou ruler over all the kingdoms of the nations? and in thy hand is power and might, so that none is able to withstand thee” (2 Chronicles 20:6).

He closed: “O our God, wilt thou not judge them? for we have no might against this great company that cometh against us; neither know we what to do: but our eyes are upon thee” (2 Chronicles 20:12). “And all Judah stood before Jehovah, with their little ones, their wives, and their children” (2 Chronicles 20:13).

The word through Jahaziel; the valley of Beracah (2 Chronicles 20:14–30)

The Spirit of the LORD comes on Jahaziel the Levite, who says the battle is God's; Judah worships, the singers go before the army, the enemy destroys itself, and Judah blesses the LORD in the valley of Beracah.

The word through Jahaziel; the valley of Beracah

“Then upon Jahaziel … the Levite, of the sons of Asaph, came the Spirit of Jehovah in the midst of the assembly; and he said, Hearken ye, all Judah, and ye inhabitants of Jerusalem, and thou king Jehoshaphat: Thus saith Jehovah unto you, Fear not ye, neither be dismayed by reason of this great multitude; for the battle is not yours, but God's” (2 Chronicles 20:14-15). “And Jehoshaphat bowed his head with his face to the ground; and all Judah and the inhabitants of Jerusalem fell down before Jehovah, worshipping Jehovah” (2 Chronicles 20:18).

As they went out he stood and said, “believe in Jehovah your God, so shall ye be established; believe his prophets, so shall ye prosper” (2 Chronicles 20:20). He appointed singers to go out before the army and say, “Give thanks unto Jehovah; for his lovingkindness endureth for ever” (2 Chronicles 20:21). “And when they began to sing and to praise, Jehovah set liers-in-wait against the children of Ammon, Moab, and mount Seir … and they were smitten” (2 Chronicles 20:22).

“And on the fourth day they assembled themselves in the valley of Beracah; for there they blessed Jehovah: therefore the name of that place was called The valley of Beracah unto this day” (2 Chronicles 20:26). “So the realm of Jehoshaphat was quiet; for his God gave him rest round about” (2 Chronicles 20:30).

The ships (1 Kings 22:48–49; 2 Chronicles 20:35–37)

1 Kings says the ships of Tarshish were broken at Ezion-geber and that Jehoshaphat would not let Ahaziah's servants go in them; 2 Chronicles says he joined himself with Ahaziah to make them, and Eliezer prophesied against him.

The ships

1 Kings says: “Jehoshaphat made ships of Tarshish to go to Ophir for gold: but they went not; for the ships were broken at Ezion-geber. Then said Ahaziah the son of Ahab unto Jehoshaphat, Let my servants go with thy servants in the ships. But Jehoshaphat would not” (1 Kings 22:48-49).

2 Chronicles says: “And after this did Jehoshaphat king of Judah join himself with Ahaziah king of Israel; the same did very wickedly: and he joined himself with him to make ships to go to Tarshish; and they made the ships in Ezion-geber” (2 Chronicles 20:35-36).

“Then Eliezer the son of Dodavahu of Mareshah prophesied against Jehoshaphat, saying, Because thou hast joined thyself with Ahaziah, Jehovah hath destroyed thy works. And the ships were broken, so that they were not able to go to Tarshish” (2 Chronicles 20:37).

Against Moab with Jehoram of Israel, and Elisha (2 Kings 3:1–27)

Jehoram the son of Ahab asks him to go against Moab; with the king of Edom they go round by the wilderness and find no water, Jehoshaphat asks for a prophet of the LORD, and Elisha, regarding the presence of Jehoshaphat, promises water and victory over Moab.

Sleeps with his fathers (1 Kings 22:50; 2 Chronicles 21:1; 2 Kings 8:16–18)

Jehoshaphat sleeps with his fathers and is buried in the city of David; Jehoram his son reigns in his stead and had the daughter of Ahab to wife.

Asa (1 Kings 15:24; 1 Kings 22:43; 2 Chronicles 20:32)

His father; Jehoshaphat walked in the way of Asa and turned not aside from it.

David (2 Chronicles 17:3)

He walked in the first ways of his father David, and the LORD was with him.

Jehoram, his son (2 Kings 8:16–18; 2 Chronicles 21:1–3)

His first-born, given the kingdom after him, who walked in the way of the kings of Israel because he had the daughter of Ahab to wife.

Ahab (2 Chronicles 18:1–3; 1 Kings 22:29–37)

Jehoshaphat joined affinity with him and went up with him to Ramoth-gilead, where Ahab died.

Jehoram son of Ahab (2 Kings 3:1; 2 Kings 3:6–7)

King of Israel, who asked him to go against rebelling Moab and heard Jehoshaphat say, I am as thou art.

Ahaziah son of Ahab (1 Kings 22:49; 2 Chronicles 20:35–37)

King of Israel, with whom 2 Chronicles says Jehoshaphat joined to make ships, and whose servants 1 Kings says he would not let go in the ships.

Micaiah son of Imlah (1 Kings 22:7–8; 1 Kings 22:14–28)

The prophet of the LORD whom Jehoshaphat asked for, and who was struck and imprisoned.

Jehu son of Hanani (2 Chronicles 19:2–3)

The seer who met him and said, Shouldest thou help the wicked, but found good things in him.

Elisha (2 Kings 3:11–14)

Spoke the word of the LORD to the three kings, saying he regarded the presence of Jehoshaphat.

The LORD (2 Chronicles 17:3–5; 2 Chronicles 20:15–17; 2 Chronicles 20:30)

Was with Jehoshaphat, established the kingdom in his hand, and gave him rest round about.

Major sections

• 1 Kings 22
• 2 Kings 3
• 2 Chronicles 17–21
• Matthew 1:8

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