King Jehoshaphat

Jehoshaphat's Life

I. Ascension to Power

• • Son of Asa, became king at age 35 (1 Kings 22:42, 2 Chronicles 20:31)

• • Began reign in the 4th year of Ahab, king of Israel (1 Kings 22:41)

• • Reigned for 25 years in Jerusalem (2 Chronicles 20:31)

II. Early Reign and Reforms

• • Strengthened Judah against Israel (2 Chronicles 17:1-2)

• • Walked in the ways of his father David (2 Chronicles 17:3)

• • Removed high places and Asherah poles (2 Chronicles 17:6)

• • Sent officials and Levites to teach the Law throughout Judah (2 Chronicles 17:7-9)

• • Fear of the Lord fell on surrounding kingdoms (2 Chronicles 17:10)

III. Military and Economic Strength

• • Built fortresses and store cities (2 Chronicles 17:12)

• • Maintained a large, well-equipped army (2 Chronicles 17:13-19)

• • Received tribute from Philistines and Arabs (2 Chronicles 17:11)

IV. Alliances and Conflicts

• • Made peace with Israel through marriage alliance (2 Chronicles 18:1)

• • Joined Ahab in battle against Ramoth Gilead (1 Kings 22:1-36, 2 Chronicles 18:2-34)

• • Rebuked by Jehu the seer for allying with wicked Ahab (2 Chronicles 19:1-3)

• • Defeated Moabites and Ammonites with divine intervention (2 Chronicles 20:1-30)

• • Allied with Ahaziah of Israel in ship-building venture, which failed (2 Chronicles 20:35-37)

• • Joined Jehoram of Israel against Moab (2 Kings 3:6-27)

V. Judicial and Religious Reforms

• • Appointed judges throughout Judah (2 Chronicles 19:5-7)

• • Established a supreme court in Jerusalem (2 Chronicles 19:8-11)

VI. End of Reign

• • Died and was buried in the City of David (1 Kings 22:50, 2 Chronicles 21:1)

• • Succeeded by his son Jehoram (2 Chronicles 21:1)

Significant Places

• Jerusalem: Capital of Judah (2 Chronicles 20:31)

• Ramoth Gilead: Site of battle with Syria (1 Kings 22:3-4)

• Valley of Beracah: Where Jehoshaphat blessed the Lord after victory (2 Chronicles 20:26)

• Ezion Geber: Port where ships were built and destroyed (2 Chronicles 20:36-37)

Significant People in Jehoshaphat's Life

1. Asa (1 Kings 22:41-43)

   • Jehoshaphat's father and predecessor

   • Set an example of faithfulness that Jehoshaphat initially followed

2. Ahab (1 Kings 22:2-4, 2 Chronicles 18:1-3)

   • King of Israel

   • Jehoshaphat allied with him through marriage and joined him in battle

3. Micaiah son of Imlah (1 Kings 22:8-28, 2 Chronicles 18:7-27)

   • Prophet who warned against the campaign at Ramoth Gilead

   • Demonstrated the importance of hearing God's true word

4. Jehu son of Hanani (2 Chronicles 19:1-3)

   • Prophet who rebuked Jehoshaphat for allying with Ahab

   • His rebuke led to further reforms in Judah

5. Jahaziel (2 Chronicles 20:14-17)

   • Prophet who encouraged Jehoshaphat before the battle with Moab and Ammon

   • His prophecy led to a great victory without fighting

6. Eliezer son of Dodavahu (2 Chronicles 20:37)

   • Prophet who rebuked Jehoshaphat's alliance with Ahaziah

   • His prophecy was fulfilled when their ships were wrecked

7. Ahaziah (2 Chronicles 20:35-37)

   • King of Israel after Ahab

   • Jehoshaphat's ill-fated alliance with him led to a failed shipping venture

8. Jehoram of Israel (2 Kings 3:6-27)

   • King of Israel after Ahaziah

   • Allied with Jehoshaphat in a campaign against Moab

9. Jehoram of Judah (2 Chronicles 21:1-3)

   • Jehoshaphat's son and successor

   • Received the kingdom and gifts from his father

10. Elijah (2 Chronicles 21:12-15)

    • Major prophet in Israel during Jehoshaphat's reign

    • Though not directly interacting with Jehoshaphat, he was a significant contemporary

11. Elisha (2 Kings 3:11-19)

    • Prophet who succeeded Elijah

    • Provided guidance during the campaign against Moab

12. Mesha (2 Kings 3:4-27)

    • King of Moab who rebelled against Israel

    • His actions led to the campaign involving Jehoshaphat

13. Jehoshaphat's Officials (2 Chronicles 17:7-9)

    • Ben-hail, Obadiah, Zechariah, Nethanel, and Micaiah

    • Sent by Jehoshaphat to teach the Law in Judah

14. Levites (2 Chronicles 17:8-9)

    • Shemaiah, Nethaniah, Zebadiah, Asahel, Shemiramoth, Jehonathan, Adonijah, Tobijah, and Tob-adonijah

    • Accompanied the officials to teach the Law

15. Judges appointed by Jehoshaphat (2 Chronicles 19:5-11)

    • Including Amariah the chief priest and Zebadiah son of Ishmael

    • Established to administer justice throughout Judah

These individuals played various roles in Jehoshaphat's reign, either through direct interaction, as allies or adversaries, or as contemporary figures whose actions and ministries provide context for understanding Jehoshaphat's time as king.

Trajectory of Faith

Jehoshaphat's faith trajectory can be described as generally positive but with some significant missteps:

• Started strong, following the ways of David and removing idolatry (2 Chronicles 17:3-6)

• Demonstrated faith in times of crisis, such as the invasion by Moab and Ammon (2 Chronicles 20:1-30)

• However, made unwise alliances with ungodly kings of Israel (2 Chronicles 18:1, 20:35-37)

• Responded positively to prophetic rebukes and continued to seek God (2 Chronicles 19:4-11)

• Overall, maintained his faith throughout his reign, but his alliances with Israel's kings showed lapses in judgment

Unlike some kings who ended poorly, Jehoshaphat seems to have maintained his faith until the end of his life. He didn't lose power but died naturally and was succeeded by his son. His reign was marked by general faithfulness to God, prosperity, and peace, despite some questionable alliances.