jehoshaphat Summary and Overview

Jehovah-judged. (1.) One of David's body-guard (1 Chr. 11:43). (2.) One of the priests who accompanied the removal of the ark to Jerusalem (1 Chr. 15:24). (3.) Son of Ahilud, "recorder" or annalist under David and Solomon (2 Sam. 8:16), a state officer of high rank, chancellor or vizier of the kingdom. (4.) Solomon's purveyor in Issachar (1 Kings 4:17). (5.) The son and successor of Asa, king of Judah. After fortifying his kingdom against Israel (2 Chr. 17:1, 2), he set himself to cleanse the land of idolatry (1 Kings 22:43). In the third year of his reign he sent out priests and Levites over the land to instruct the people in the law (2 Chr. 17:7-9). He enjoyed a great measure of peace and prosperity, the blessing of God resting on the people "in their basket and their store." The great mistake of his reign was his entering into an alliance with Ahab, the king of Israel, which involved him in much disgrace, and brought disaster on his kingdom (1 Kings 22:1-33). Escaping from the bloody battle of Ramoth-gilead, the prophet Jehu (2 Chr. 19:1-3) reproached him for the course he had been pursuing, whereupon he entered with rigour on his former course of opposition to all idolatry, and of deepening interest in the worship of God and in the righteous government of the people (2 Chr. 19:4-11). Again he entered into an alliance with Ahaziah, the king of Israel, for the purpose of carrying on maritime commerce with Ophir. But the fleet that was then equipped at Ezion-gaber was speedily wrecked. A new fleet was fitted out without the co-operation of the king of Israel, and although it was successful, the trade was not prosecuted (2 Chr. 20:35-37; 1 Kings 22:48-49). He subsequently joined Jehoram, king of Israel, in a war against the Moabites, who were under tribute to Israel. This war was successful. The Moabites were subdued; but the dreadful act of Mesha in offering his own son a sacrifice on the walls of Kir-haresheth in the sight of the armies of Israel filled him with horror, and he withdrew and returned to his own land (2 Kings 3:4-27). The last most notable event of his reign was that recorded in 2 Chr. 20. The Moabites formed a great and powerful confederacy with the surrounding nations, and came against Jehoshaphat. The allied forces were encamped at Engedi. The king and his people were filled with alarm, and betook themselves to God in prayer. The king prayed in the court of the temple, "O our God, wilt thou not judge them? for we have no might against this great company that cometh against us." Amid the silence that followed, the voice of Jahaziel the Levite was heard announcing that on the morrow all this great host would be overthrown. So it was, for they quarrelled among themselves, and slew one another, leaving to the people of Judah only to gather the rich spoils of the slain. This was recognized as a great deliverance wrought for them by God (B.C. 890). Soon after this Jehoshaphat died, after a reign of twenty-five years, being sixty years of age, and was succeeded by his son Jehoram (1 Kings 22:50). He had this testimony, that "he sought the Lord with all his heart" (2 Chr. 22:9). The kingdom of Judah was never more prosperous than under his reign. (6.) The son of Nimshi, and father of Jehu, king of Israel (2 Kings 9:2, 14).

(whom Jehovah judges.) 1. King of Judah, son of Asa, succeeded to the throne B.C. 914, when he was 35 years old, and reigned 25 years. His history is to be found among the events recorded in #1Ki 15:24; 2Ki 8:16| or in a continuous narrative in #2Ch 17:1 ... 21:3| He was contemporary with Ahab, Ahaziah and Jehoram. He was one of the best, most pious and prosperous kings of Judah, the greatest since Solomon. At first he strengthened himself against Israel; but soon afterward the two Hebrew kings formed an alliance. In his own kingdom Jehoshaphat ever showed himself a zealous follower of the commandments of God: he tried to put down the high places and groves in which the people of Judah burnt incense, and sent the wisest Levites through the cities and towns to instruct the people in true morality and religion. Riches and honors increased around him. He received tribute from the Philistines and Arabians, and kept up a large standing army in Jerusalem. It was probably about the 16th year of his reign, B.C. 898, when he became Ahab's ally in the great battle of Ramoth-gilead, for which he was severely reproved by Jehu. #2Ch 19:2| He built at Ezion-geber, with the help of Ahaziah, a navy designed to go to Tarshish; but it was wrecked at Ezion-geber. Before the close of his reign he was engaged in two additional wars. He was miraculously delivered from a threatened attack of the people of Ammon, Moab and Seir. After this, perhaps, must be dated the war which Jehoshaphat, in conjunction with Jehoram king of Israel and the king of Edom, carried on against the rebellious king of Moab. #2Ki 3:1| ... In his declining years the administration of affairs was placed, probably B.C. 891, in the hands of his son Jehoram. 2. Son of Ahilud, who filled the office of recorder of annalist in the courts of David, #2Sa 8:16| etc., and Solomon. #1Ki 4:3| 3. One of the priests in David's time. #1Ch 15:24| 4. Son of Paruah; one of the twelve purveyors of King Solomon. #1Ki 4:17| 5. Son of Nimshi and father of King Jehu. #2Ki 9:2,14|

JEHOSH'APHAT (whom Jehovah judges). 1. The royal "recorder" or annalist under David and Solomon. 2 Sam 8:16; 2 Sam 20:24; 1 Kgs 4:3; 1 Chr 18:15. 2. Solomon's purveyor for the tribe of Issachar. 1 Kgs 4:17. 3. The son and successor of Asa, king of Judah, 1 Kgs 15:24; 2 Chr 17:1; called Josaphat in Matt 1:8, and in 2 Chr 21:2 the king of Israel, where the writer uses the generic term. He came to the throne at the age of 35, and reigned 25 years, b.c. 914-890. He was a prince of distinguished piety, and his reign was powerful and prosperous. 2 Chr 17:3-6. Among other evidences of his piety and benevolence, we are told that he caused the altars and places of idolatry to be destroyed, a knowledge of the law to be diffused throughout the kingdom, and the places of judicial and ecclesiastical authority to be filled by the wisest and best men of the land. 2 Chr 17:6-9; 2 Chr 19:5-11. His sin in forming a league with Ahab, contrary to the counsel of Micaiah, against Ramoth-gilead, 2 Chr 18, was severely censured by Jehu, 2 Chr 19:2, and had nearly cost him his life. 2 Chr 18:31. A few years after this the kingdom of Judah was invaded by a confederacy of Edomites, Moabites, and others. They collected their forces at En-gedi, and threatened to overthrow the kingdom. Jehoshaphat proclaimed a fast, and the people from all parts of the kingdom -men, women, and children- came up to Jerusalem; and being assembled in one place, the king himself made supplication to God for help in their extremity. 2 Chr 20:6-12. His prayer was answered, and a certain and easy victory was promised by the Lord through Jahaziel, a Levite. On the following day the army of Judah went forth to meet the enemy, preceded by a company of singers, who praised the name of the Lord. The enemy were panic-struck and fell into irrecoverable confusion, and instead of facing their adversaries turned their swords against each other, until they were utterly routed and overthrown; so that Jehoshaphat and his men had no occasion to engage in the conflict. And such abundance of spoil remained in the camp that the men of Judah were employed three days in collecting it. 2 Chr 20:14-27. Still later in his life, Jehoshaphat connected himself with Ahaziah, son and successor of Ahab, king of Israel, in a naval expedition; but this alliance with a wicked king turned out disastrously; as had been predicted by Eliezer, the son of Dodovah; for while the fleet lay at Ezion-geber it was utterly destroyed by a violent storm. 2 Chr 20:35, 2 Chr 20:37. See Ahaziah. Again he involved himself in an alliance with Jehoram, the second son of Ahab, and also with the Edomites, for the purpose of invading the land of Moab; but while they attempted to make their way through the wilderness their water failed, and the whole army must have perished with thirst had not a miraculous supply been granted in answer to the prayers of Elisha, who accompanied the army. 2 Kgs 3:6-20. Jehoshaphat left seven sons, one of whom, Jehoram, succeeded him. It may be said of his reign, as of that of many others in ancient and modern times, that his schemes of reform were dependent on his personal influence, and, not being in conformity with the popular sentiment and general policy of the country, were not of permanent utility. 1. The father of King Jehu. 2 Kgs 9:2, 2 Kgs 9:14. 2. A priest in the time of David. 1 Chr 15:24.

="he whom Jehovah judges." 1. Recorder or annalist in David's and Solomon's court. Son of Ahilud (2 Samuel 8:16; 1 Kings 4:3; compare Esther 6:1). 2. A priest. Blew the trumpet before the ark in its passage from Obed Edom's house to Jerusalem (1 Chronicles 15:24). 3. Son of Paruah. One of Solomon's twelve purveyors, in Issachar (1 Kings 4:17). 4. Son of Asa and Azubah. At 35 began to reign, the first three years during his father's incapacity through disease in the feet, then 22 alone, beginning at 914 B.C., 25 years in all (1 Kings 15:24; 22:41-50; 2 Kings 8:16; 2 Chronicles 17:1-21. 3). "He walked in the first ways of his father David (before his sin with Bathsheba), and sought not unto Baalim (whether Baal or other false god, or worshipping Jehovah by an image which degrades Him to the level of Baal, Judges 2:11), but to the Lord God of his fathers, and not after the doings of Israel (worshipping Jehovah through the golden calves). Therefore, the Lord established the kingdom in his hand .... And his heart was lifted up in the ways of the Lord; moreover he took away the high places and groves out ofJudah" (2 Chronicles 17:3-6; 19:3). But "the high places (of Jehovah) were not taken away, for as yet the people had not prepared their hearts unto the God of their fathers." All that depended on him he did, but the people could not yet rise up to his spirituality so as to worship Jehovah without any visible altar save the one at Jerusalem (20:32,33). He utterly abolished the idol high places and, as far as he could, the unlawful Jehovah high places, but was unable thoroughly to get rid of the latter (1 Kings 15:14; 22:43). To remedy the people's ignorance of the book of the law, in the third year of his reign he sent a commission of five princes, nine Levites, and two priests to go through the cities of Judah, teaching them in it; a model for rulers as to national education (Deuteronomy 11:19-21). Jehoshaphat at first fortified the cities of Judah and those of Ephraim taken by Asa (2 Chronicles 17:2) to secure himself against Israel. Afterward he changed his policy to one of alliance with Israel against, the common foe Syria and the eastern tribes, Ammon, Moab, etc.; and his son see JEHORAM married see ATHALIAH , the daughter of Ahab and Jezebel (2 Chronicles 22:2,3,7,8,10). A fatal union (1 Corinthians 15:33)! Many facts attest the intimacy between the two dynasties; see ELIJAH 'S avoiding Judah when fleeing from Ahab; the same names given in the two families; Jehovah's name compounded in names of Ahab's idolatrous children; Jehoshaphat's readiness to go with see AHAB to battle at Ramoth Gilead. Ahab's demonstrative hospitality was the bait to entice him (2 Chronicles 18:1-3). There he would have paid with life for his dangerous alliance with cowardly Ahab, who sought to save his own life by exposing his magnanimous ally, but for God's interposition. On his return in peace, in the 16th year of his reign probably, Jehu the son of Hanani reproved him," Shouldest thou help the ungodly and love them that hate the Lord? (compare 1 Samuel 15:35; 16:1). Therefore is wrath upon thee from before the Lord." But God is ever ready to discern any good in His servants; "nevertheless there are good things found in thee, in that thou hast taken away the groves out of the land, and hast prepared thine heart to seek God" (compare 2 Chronicles 27:6, "ways"; contrast Rehoboam, 12:14). Jehoshaphat then again, besides the former commission (17:9) in the third year of his reign, took up the work of reformation and went out in person through the people from Beersheba in the S. to mount Ephraim in the N. to bring them back unto the Lord God of their fathers. He also set judges in the several cities, and a supreme court for references and appeals ("controversies") in Jerusalem, made up of Levites, priests, and chief fathers of Israel (the judges in the cities were probably of the same classes). The judges chosen from the elders by Mosesat Jethro's suggestion were the foundation of the judicial body (Exodus 18:21, etc.; Deuteronomy 1:15, etc.), David added for the expanding wants of the kingdom 6,000 Levites. "The judgment of the Lord" (2 Chronicles 19:8) corresponds to "matters of the Lord" (verse 11), i.e. religious questions. "Controversies" answer to "the king's matters," civil causes. Jehoshaphat's directions are a rule for judges in all ages: "take heed what ye do, for ye judge not for man but for the Lord, who is with you in the judgment; wherefore now let the fear of the Lord be upon you ... for there is no iniquity with the Lord our God, nor respect of persons, nor taking of gifts." Amariah the chief priest presided in religious questions; Zebadiah, "ruler of the house of Judah" (tribal prince of Judah), in civil questions. The Levites were to be shoterim , "officers" literally, scribes, keeping written accounts; assistants to the judges, transmitting their orders to the people, and superintending the execution of them. Five divisions comprised his soldiery, comprising 780,000 men in Judah and 380,000 in Benjamin. But it was "the fear of the Lord failing upon all the kingdoms ... round about Judah" (so Genesis 35:5), that was his main defense, "so that they made no war on Jehoshaphat." Nay, the Philistines and Arabians brought presents and tribute. Edom had a "deputy king," a vassal to Judah; "there was (then) no (real, independent) king" (1 Kings 22:47). This remark is introduced to show how Jehoshaphat was able to make ships of Tarshish (i.e. ships such as go to Tarshish, i.e. long voyaging ships; 2 Chronicles 20:36 changes this into "to make ships to go to Tarshish," a copyist's misunderstanding) to go to Ophir from the maritime coast of Edom. Jehoshaphat allied himself with the wicked Ahaziah in this enterprise. The ships were built in see EZION GEBER on the Red Sea. Then see ELIEZER , son of Dodavah, prophesied," because thou hast joined thyself with Ahaziah, the Lord shall break (the perfect is prophetical, not hath broken) thy works." They were accordingly wrecked at Ezion Geber by a storm (2 Chronicles 20:35-37). Ahaziah in vain tried to induce Jehoshaphat to repeat the attempt. One chastisement from the Lord sufficed a docile child (1 Corinthians 11:32; contrast Isaiah 9:13; Jeremiah 5:3). This was subsequent to the Edomite, Ammonite, and Moabite invasion of Judah by way of see ENGEDI . Edom joined with Ammon and other desert tribes enumerated in Psalm 83:3-7 ("other beside the Ammonites," KJV 2 Chronicles 20:1; Hiller proposesto read Maonites from Maan a city near Petra on mount Seir, tribes from all parts of mount Seir: Keil; 26:7, Mehunims), to not only throw off Judah's supremacy but root the Jews out of their divinely given inheritance; but in vain. (See JAHAZIEL and see BERACHAH ). Jehoshaphat's piety shone brightly on this occasion. "He feared, set himself to seek Jehovah, and proclaimed a fast throughout Judah," so that "out of all the cities they came to ask help of Jehovah." His prayer in the congregation in the Lord's house is a model "O Lord God of our fathers (therefore we the children have a covenanted claim on Thee), art not Thou God in heaven (therefore hast rule thence over all)? Rulest not Thou over all the kingdoms of the pagan (therefore the pagan invaders of Thine elect nation cannot escape Thee)? And in Thine hand is there not power and might, so that none is able to withstand Thee (therefore this horde cannot)? Art not Thou our God who didst drive out the inhabitants of this land before Thy people Israel, and gavest it to the seed of Abraham Thy friend for ever? (Thy covenant forever with ‘Thy friend,' and Thine honour at stake, require Thy interposition). And they have built Thee a sanctuary, saying (1 Kings 8:33,37, covenanting for God's help to be rendered in all future times in answer to the nation's prayer, which covenant God accepted), If when evil cometh upon us... we stand before Thy house in Thy presence ... and cry unto Thee ... then Thou wilt hear and help. And now behold ... Ammon, Moab ... whom Thou wouldest not let Israel invade ... they reward us (evil for good) to come to east us out of Thy possession (in undesigned coincidence with Psalm 83:12, ‘let us take to ourselves the houses of God in possession'). O our God, wilt Thou not judge (do us justice on) them? For we have no might against this great company ... neither know we what to do: but our eyes are upon Thee." The "little ones, wives, and children," standing before Jehovah, by their very helplessness were a powerful plea with the compassionate God. Jahaziel then gave the promise from God (compare Exodus 14:13,14), and Jehoshaphat and all Judah bowed with face to the ground. The Levites stood up to praise the God of Israel with a loud voice. As the people went forth the following morning Jehoshaphat urged the people to faith as the receptive state needed on their part for ensuring God's promised blessing: "Believe in the Lord your God, so shall ye be established" (compare Isaiah 7:9; Matthew 9:28,29). In strong faith he ordered singers to "praise the beauty of holiness" ("to praise, clad in holy ornaments," Keil) already for the promised victory. At their beginning to sing was the time that the Lord delivered them. Seirites, greedy for booty, by God's providence, from an ambush suddenly attacking, caused a panic among theAmmonites and Moabites which eventuated in mutual slaughter. Jehoshaphat and his people were three days gathering the spoil. On the fourth day was the blessing of Jehovah in Berachah valley, then the return and the thanksgiving in the house of God. The three allies' invasion of Moab was probably subsequent. His character stands among the highest for piety of Judah's kings, and the kingdom in his reign was at its zenith. Firmness and consistency were wanting. This want betrayed him into the alliance with Israel which on three occasions brought its penalty: (1) at Ramoth Gilead, (2) in the joint invasion of Moab (2 Kings 3) through the Edomite wilderness, and (3) in respect to his naval enterprise for Ophir. To avert the foreseen evil consequences of his alliance he appointed see JEHORAM , his firstborn, king in his lifetime, and gave gifts and fenced eries to his other sons; but no human precautions can avert. the penalty for religious compromise (2 Corinthians 6:17,18). 5. Nimshi's son, king Jehu's father (2 Kings 9:2).