*Jehoshaphat’s story is told in 1 Kings 15:24-22:50; 2 Chronicles 17:1-21:1
Who is Jehoshaphat?
- Son of King Asa: He was the son of Asa and became the king of Judah.
- King of Judah: He ruled Judah for 25 years, and his reign was generally marked by faithfulness to God.
- Context: His story is mainly found in 1 Kings 22 and 2 Chronicles 17-20.
Strengths and Accomplishments
- Deeply Religious: He followed the “ways of his father Asa” and sought God earnestly.
- Reformer: One of the first things he did was remove idols from the land.
- Educational Initiatives: He sent officials and priests throughout Judah to teach people the Law of God.
- Military Acumen: Built fortresses and developed a formidable army, which deterred initial attacks.
- Alliance with Ahab: Though problematic (we’ll get to that), this alliance also showed his diplomatic skills.
- Battle of Beracah: When Moabites and Ammonites attacked, Jehoshaphat led his people to seek God’s guidance, which led to a miraculous victory.
Weaknesses and Mistakes
- Alliance with Ahab: Jehoshaphat allied himself with Ahab, a wicked king of Israel, which led to unnecessary warfare and almost cost him his life.
- Alliance with Ahaziah: Another poor choice of friends. He joined Ahaziah in a business venture that God disapproved of, leading to a prophet condemning the venture.
- Passed Challenges to Posterity: His son Jehoram turned out to be not-so-great, partly due to his alliances and compromises.
Lessons from His Life
- Importance of Godly Alliances: Who we partner with in life can either bring us closer to God or drive us away.
- Seek God in Crisis: His first response to a crisis was always to seek God, an excellent example for anyone facing trials.
- Consequences of Mistakes: Even good leaders can make poor choices that affect generations.
Key Verses (NIV)
- 2 Chronicles 17:3-4: “The Lord was with Jehoshaphat because he followed the ways of his father David before him.”
- 2 Chronicles 20:12: “Our God, will you not judge them? For we have no power to face this vast army that is attacking us. We do not know what to do, but our eyes are on you.”