SERIES M --- PROPHESIES AND MIRACLES --- LESSON 6

JEHOSHAPHAT

THE RICH AND POWERFUL KING JEHOSHAPHAT

From 1 Kings 22:41-46; 2 Chronicles 17

When King Asa of Judah died, his son Jehoshaphat ruled in his place. He strengthened his armies so he could go to war against Israel. He placed soldiers in each of the fortified cities in Judah, built forts in other places in the land and also in the cities of Ephraim which his father Asa had captured. Jehoshaphat was thirty-five years old when he began to reign. This was the fourth year of King Ahab’s reign in Israel. He ruled in Jerusalem for twenty-five years. His mother was Azubah, the daughter of Shilhi. Jehoshaphat, like his father Asa, obeyed Adonai completely, except that he failed to destroy the high places and so the people continued to sacrifice and burn incense in them. However, he did abolish the few male cult harlots who remained from the reign of his father Asa. In his faithfulness to Adonai he was very different from the people of Israel to the north. Because of his faithfulness, Adonai strengthened Jehoshaphat as king of Judah. The people willingly brought their taxes to him and he became wealthy and had great honour. Jehoshaphat fearlessly followed the ways of Adonai, destroying the heathen altars in the hills and the Asherim idols. In the third year of his reign, he began a program to teach the Scriptures throughout Judah. He sent out the following officials: Ben-hail, Obadiah, Zechariah, Nethaneel and Michaiah. He also sent out the following Levites: Shemaiah, Nethaniah, Zebadiah, Asahel, Shemiramoth, Jehonathan, Adonijah, Tobijah and Tob-adonijah. In addition, he sent the priests Elishama and Jehoram. These people all took copies of the Book of the Law to the cities of Judah and taught the Law to the people. The fear of Adonai came upon the surrounding kingdoms so that none dared to make war with Jehoshaphat. The Philistines feared him and brought gifts and silver in tribute. The Arabs brought him seven thousand seven hundred rams and seven thousand seven hundred male goats Thus Jehoshaphat grew increasingly stronger. He built fortresses and store-cities throughout Judah. In addition, he had extensive building programs in the cities of Judah. Jehoshaphat built a strong army, with numerous troops in Jerusalem under the command of Adnah. Jehohanan was next in command with two hundred and eighty thousand troops and Amasiah the son of Zichri, a man greatly devoted to Adonai, was next with two hundred thousand troops. There were two hundred thousand men of Benjamin, with bows and shields, commanded by Eliada, a strong and brave man. All these troops faithfully served the king. There were also many more loyal troops in the fortified cities throughout the land.

COMMENTARY

THE LAND OF JUDAH IN THE DAYS OF JEHOSHAPHAT

Jehoshaphat’s reign in Judah was very different from that of rulers in Israel, the northern kingdom. As the prophets of his time said, he set his heart to seek Adonai and brought both religious and economic reform in the southern kingdom. Jehoshaphat rejected Baalism; the faith that had gained such popularity in the northern kingdom. He urged the Judeans to return to the faith in Adonai, tearing down Baal’s altars and idols throughout Judah. He appointed priests and teachers to travel throughout the land, instructing people in the Law of Moses. Jehoshaphat also put many government reforms into effect. He divided Judah into twelve districts and built cities where food and supplies would be stored. The royal treasuries provided money to build or improve fortified cities. In every one, Jehoshaphat appointed judges to rule and guide the people in their religious affairs. A governor ruled over each district to help with the administration of the kingdom. Despite his military strength, Jehoshaphat’s twenty-five year reign remained relatively free of warfare. Early in his rule the king arranged a marriage between his son and Athaliah, daughter of the king and queen of Israel. The marriage established peace between them, even though Israel and Judah had been hostile neighbours for years. Later, when Edom organized a revolt against Judah, fighting broke out among the attackers and they destroyed themselves. The crisis ended without Judah entering the battle. Jehoshaphat and the people of Judah recognized this as YHVH’s miracle. It created great fear in the neighbouring kingdoms and no one else attempted an invasion of Judah. Historians and biblical writers remember Jehoshaphat’s reign as a time of peace and prosperity under a just ruler. But his accomplishments are often contrasted with the harm resulting from his association with the northern kingdom. The marriage with Ahab’s daughter gradually brought the worship of Baal back into Judah. Jehoshaphat never succeeded in destroying all pagan altars in Judah and Baalism grew even stronger over the years.