Jehoshaphat was the fourth king of Judah after the kingdom split. He was known for his godliness, his legal reforms, and his zeal to teach the people the law of the Lord. Despite some unfortunate alliances with the wicked kings of Israel, his reign is considered one of the most successful in Judah's history.
Jehoshaphat succeeded his father Asa as king over Judah and walked in the early ways of his father. He strengthened himself against Israel and stationed garrisons in the cities of Judah.
2He stationed troops in all the fortified cities of Judah and set garrisons in the land of Judah and in the cities of Ephraim that his father Asa had captured.
Jehoshaphat sent out leaders, Levites and priests to teach the people throughout Judah about the Lord's law, which led to spiritual renewal in the land.
8and with them the Levites Shemaiah, Nethaniah, Zebadiah, Asahel, Shemiramoth, Jehonathan, Adonijah, Tobijah, and Tob-adonijah; and with them the priests Elishama and Jehoram.
Alliance with Ahab and the Battle at Ramoth Gilead
Jehoshaphat formed an unfortunate alliance with the wicked King Ahab of Israel through marriage and went with him to war against Ramoth Gilead. The prophet Micaiah warned against this, and Ahab was killed in battle.
2Some years later he went down to visit Ahab in Samaria, and Ahab slaughtered sheep and cattle in abundance for him and for the people who were with him, and he urged him to march against Ramoth-gilead.
3Ahab king of Israel said to Jehoshaphat king of Judah, "Will you go with me to Ramoth-gilead?" He answered him, "I am as you are, and my people as your people; we will join you in the battle."
5So the king of Israel gathered the prophets, four hundred men, and asked them, "Shall we go to war against Ramoth-gilead, or shall I hold back?" They said, "Go up, and God will give it into the king's hand."
7The king of Israel said to Jehoshaphat, "There is still one man through whom we may inquire of the LORD, but I hate him, because he never prophesies anything good about me, only trouble, all his days. He is Micaiah son of Imlah." Jehoshaphat said, "The king should not say such a thing."
29The king of Israel said to Jehoshaphat, "I will disguise myself and go into battle, but you wear your royal robes." So the king of Israel disguised himself, and they went into battle.
31When the chariot commanders saw Jehoshaphat, they said, "That is the king of Israel," and they turned to attack him. But Jehoshaphat cried out, and the LORD helped him; God drew them away from him.
Jehoshaphat carried out important judicial reforms in Judah. He appointed judges throughout the land and instructed them to judge fairly, for they did not judge for humans but for the Lord.
4So Jehoshaphat lived in Jerusalem. Then he went out again among the people, from Beersheba to the hill country of Ephraim, and brought them back to the LORD, the God of their fathers.
7Now then, let the fear of the LORD be upon you. Be careful in what you do, for with the LORD our God there is no injustice, no partiality, and no taking of bribes."
8In Jerusalem too, Jehoshaphat appointed some of the Levites, the priests, and the heads of the families of Israel to administer the law of the LORD and to settle disputes. And they returned to Jerusalem.
10Whenever a case comes before you from your brothers who live in their cities—whether bloodshed or questions of law, commandment, statutes, or ordinances—you are to warn them, so that they do not become guilty before the LORD and wrath come upon you and your brothers. Do this, and you will not incur guilt.
11See, Amariah the chief priest is over you in every matter of the LORD, and Zebadiah son of Ishmael, the ruler of the house of Judah, in every matter of the king; and the Levites serve as officers before you. Be strong and act, and may the LORD be with those who do what is right."
When a large army from Moab, Ammon and Mount Se'ir threatened Judah, Jehoshaphat turned to the Lord in prayer and fasting. God answered the prayer through the prophet Jahaziel, and the enemies were defeated without Judah having to fight.
2Messengers came and reported to Jehoshaphat: "A vast army is coming against you from beyond the Sea, from Edom. They are already at Hazazon Tamar"—that is, En Gedi.
6and said: "LORD, God of our fathers, are you not the God who is in heaven? You rule over all the kingdoms of the nations. Power and might are in your hand, and no one can withstand you.
15He said: "Listen, all Judah and you who live in Jerusalem, and you, King Jehoshaphat! This is what the LORD says to you: Do not be afraid or dismayed because of this vast horde, for the battle is not yours, but God's.
16Tomorrow march down against them. They will be coming up by the Pass of Ziz, and you will find them at the end of the valley, facing the wilderness of Jeruel.
17You will not have to fight this battle. Take your positions, stand firm, and see the deliverance the LORD will give you, Judah and Jerusalem. Do not be afraid, do not be dismayed. Go out to face them tomorrow, and the LORD will be with you."
20Early in the morning they set out for the Desert of Tekoa. As they started out, Jehoshaphat stood and said, "Listen to me, Judah and you who live in Jerusalem! Trust in the LORD your God, and you will stand firm; trust in his prophets, and you will succeed."
21After consulting the people, he appointed men to sing to the LORD and to praise him in the splendor of holiness as they went out ahead of the army, saying: "Give thanks to the LORD, for his mercy endures forever."
22As they began to sing and praise, the LORD set ambushes against the men of Ammon and Moab and Mount Seir who were invading Judah, and they were defeated.
23The Ammonites and Moabites turned on the men from Mount Seir to destroy and annihilate them; and when they had finished off the men of Seir, they helped to destroy one another.
24When the men of Judah came to the place overlooking the wilderness and looked toward the vast army, they saw only corpses lying on the ground; no one had escaped.
25So Jehoshaphat and his men went to carry off the plunder, and they found among them a great amount of goods, clothing, and articles of value—more than they could take away. There was so much plunder that it took them three days to collect it.
27Then all the men of Judah and Jerusalem, with Jehoshaphat at their head, returned joyfully to Jerusalem, for the LORD had given them cause to rejoice over their enemies.
After Jehoshaphat returned from his alliance with Ahab, the prophet Jehu son of Hanani met him and rebuked him for helping the wicked and loving those who hate the Lord, but also acknowledged the good that Jehoshaphat had done.
2Jehu son of Hanani, the seer, went out to meet him and said to King Jehoshaphat, "Should you help the wicked and love those who hate the LORD? Because of this, wrath rests upon you from the LORD.