JEHOSHAPHAT

A pious king of Judah, the son and successor of Asa. He began to reign at the age of thirty-five, about the year 914 B. C., and reigned twenty-five years. His history is found in 1Ki 15:24 22:1-53 2Ch 17:1-20:37. He was distinguished by his zeal for true religion, and his firm trust in God. He thoroughly cleansed the land from idolatry, restored the divine ordinances, and provided for the religious instruction of the people. His government was highly prospered at home and abroad. The great error of his life was an entangling alliance with the wicked Ahab, whose infamous daughter Athaliah early began to afflict the kingdom of Judah, of which she was afterwards the queen. Jehoshaphat was beguiled by Ahab into an unsuccessful war with the Syrians, but soon resumed his labors in behalf of religion and justice. Having failed in a commercial enterprise with Ahaziah, he declined a second trial, 1Ki 22:48,49 but united with Joram, his successor, in a war with Moab. This seems to have led to his being assailed by a vast host of Moabites, Ammonites, Edomites, and Syrians; but again he was victorious through his faith in God. He died at the age of sixty years.

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Jehoshaphat. Jehoshaphat
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).

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Jehoshaphat. the Lord is judge

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JEHOSHAPHAT. 1. David's recorder 2Sa 8:16; 20:24; 1Ki 4:3; 1Ch 18:15 2. One of Solomon's commissariat officers 1Ki 4:17 3. King of Judah
* Succeeds Asa 1Ki 15:24; 22:41; 1Ch 3:10; 2Ch 17:1; Mt 1:8
* Strengthens himself against Israel 2Ch 17:2
* Inaugurates system of public instruction in the law 2Ch 17:7-9
* His wise reign 1Ki 22:43; 2Ch 17:7-9; 19:3-11
* His system of taxation 2Ch 17:11
* His military forces and armaments 2Ch 17:12-19
* Joins Ahab in an invasion of Ramoth-gilead 1Ki 22; 2Ch 18
* Rebuked by the prophet Jehu 2Ch 19:2
* The allied forces of the Amorites, Moabites, and other tribes invade his territory, and are defeated by 2Ch 20
* Builds ships for commerce with Tarshish, ships are destroyed 1Ki 22:48,49; 2Ch 20:35-37
* Joins Jehoram, king of Israel, in an invasion of the land of Moab, defeats the Moabites 2Ki 3
* Makes valuable gifts to the temple 2Ki 12:18
* Death of 1Ki 22:50; 2Ch 21:1
* Religious zeal of 1Ki 22:43,46; 2Ch 17:1-9; 19; 20:1-32; 22:9
* Prosperity of 1Ki 22:45,48
* Bequests of, to his children 1Ch 21:2,3

4. Father of Jehu 2Ki 9:2,14 5. A priest who assisted in bringing the ark of the covenant from Obed-edom 1Ch 15:24 6. A valley
* Called THE VALLEY OF DECISION Joe 3:2,12,14

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(a) David's Recorder 2Sa 8:16; 20:24; 1Ki 4:3; 1Ch 18:15 (b) King of Judah, son of Asa 1Ki 15:24; 22:41; 2Ki 8:16; 2Ch 17:1; 18:1; 19:1; 20:1; 21:1 --Summary of his life One of the best kings of Judah Had a godly father 2Ch 14:2 Inaugurated a system of religious instruction for the people 2Ch 17:7-9 Commanded the Judges to be just 2Ch 19:6-9 When surrounding nations attacked him he trusted in the Lord and gained a great victory 2Ch 20:1-37 He manifested weakness in forming alliances with wicked kings 1Ki 22:1-36; 2Ki 3:4-27