Jehoshaphat was a famous Judean king who led his people back to the true worship of God during his reign. He was the son of another godly Judean leader named King Asa. He was thirty-five years old when he ruled the kingdom of Judah, and he reigned for 25 years. He appears on the Bible Timeline Chart with World History 928 BC.
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A Life Committed to God
When Jehoshaphat took over the throne, he quickly established himself as a righteous ruler who feared the Lord. He was devoted to God in his heart and his actions. His love for God greatly benefited the kingdom of Judah. The people’s hearts were turned from the false worship of Baal that was present in the land during his time in power. Because of his actions God strengthened the nation of Judah so that no one would dare to attack them for many years. Judah’s foreign enemies also sent them gifts and paid tribute to avoid going to war with Jehoshaphat. The Bible says that the fear of the Lord was on the nations that surrounded Judah, and this caused them to treat Judah with love and respect. Since God had made the other nations fear Judah, Jehoshaphat was able to build up forts and strengthen his military forces.
King Jehoshaphat and King Ahab
King Jehoshaphat and King Ahab of Israel were good friends, and they became allied through a marriage between some of their close relatives. Ahab wanted Jehoshaphat’s help against Ramoth Gilead a foreign group of people that had been harassing Israel. King Jehoshaphat agreed, but he desired God’s opinion about his decision to fight with Ahab. So, King Ahab summoned a bunch of prophets who told them that they were going to win the war. King Jehoshaphat didn’t believe these prophets. Somehow he knew they were lying. He then asked Ahab to summon a true prophet from God that would tell them the truth. A prophet named Micaiah came forth and told King Ahab that he would fail and die during this conflict. King Ahab had him imprisoned and went to battle with Jehoshaphat. King Ahab disguised himself on the battlefield while Jehoshaphat wore his royal robes. When the enemy realized that, King Jehoshaphat wasn’t King Ahab they didn’t kill him. A Bowman shot a random arrow, and it hit King Ahab who died later on that night. Jehoshaphat made it home safely.
Jehu Son of Hanani Prophesizes against King Jehoshaphat Once the king returned home, he was soon greeted by a prophet named Jehu, who was the son of Hanani. Jehu told the king that the wrath of God was upon him. God didn’t carry out this judgment right away because of the good things that the king had done for him and the people of Judah.
Eventually, God’s judgment finally came, and the Ammonites with the help of the Moabites attacked Judah. This particular foreign army was huge and vast, and they were so big that they could have annihilated King Jehoshaphat’s forces if they went to war. All of Judah was afraid, so the king summoned the people and gave a speech and a prayer to God to overcome this great enemy. Then a priest named Jahaziel prophesied that God would give Judah victory against this united army. God revealed to the army of Judah that they had to praise him with music and songs and when they did he defeated the invading army by having them to turn on each other until they destroyed themselves. King Jehoshaphat and his forces carried away the plunder of the enemy, and the fear of God came upon all of the surrounding nations. Once again, no one messed with Judah because of God’s protection.
The Last Days of Jehoshaphat
Jehoshaphat’s last days were peaceful, but the people still didn’t fully have their hearts set on the Lord and some pagan temples and altars remained in the land. God was also disappointed with Jehoshaphat for making an alliance with King Ahab’s successor King Ahaziah and he destroyed Judah’s trading vessels as a result. Ultimately, God claimed that King Jehoshaphat’s rule was successful.
Bible References
- 2 Chronicles 17 Jehoshaphat governs the kingdom of Judah in a godly manner.
- 2 Chronicles 18 King Jehoshaphat Allies with King Ahab
- 2 Chronicles 19: 1 – 3 Jehu warns Jehoshaphat about his sins.
- 2 Chronicles: 20 Moab and Ammon unite against Judah
- 2 Chronicles 20: 31 – 38 Jehoshaphat’s final days.
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Jehu was not the son of Jehoshaphat the king. check 2nd Chronicles 21:2 Jehu the king of Israel’s father was a different jehoshaphat.
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Jehu – Wikipedia
https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Jehu
Jehu was the tenth king of the northern Kingdom of Israel since Jeroboam I, noted for exterminating the house of Ahab at the instruction of Jehovah. He was the son of Jehoshaphat, grandson of Nimshi, and possibly … House/Land/Kingdom of Omri could apply to later Israelite kings not necessarily descended from Omri.
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