II Chronicles: Jehoshaphat

God commended Jehoshaphat, noting that "he walked in the way of his father Asa, . . . doing right in the sight of the LORD" (II Chronicles 20:32). Jehoshaphat took proper advantage of the godly heritage of his father and grandfather. His father had failed later in life, but apparently Jehoshaphat's heart was already established to follow God.

Jehoshaphat followed God personally. "He followed the example of his father David's earlier days and did not seek the Baals, but sought the God of his father, followed His commandments, and did not act as Israel did" (17:3-4). He set his "heart to seek God" (19:3). He made it a practice to seek God before battles (18:4-6; 20:3-12). This consistent service to God was not grudging; rather "he took great pride in the ways of the LORD" (17:6).

Jehoshaphat also influenced his people to follow God. He removed the high places and idols, but he did not stop with simply removing the evil influences. Rather, he actively worked to direct the people's hearts toward God. Early in his reign he commissioned a team of godly leaders to travel the land, teaching the people God's ways (17:7-9). When Jehoshaphat realized the people's hearts were still not right, he took renewed steps to bring them back to God (19:4). He established a system of judges throughout the land, earnestly charging them as representatives of God to give righteous judgment (19:5-11). Jehoshaphat further influenced his people by calling them together for prayer and fasting during a time of crisis (20:3-5). He urged them to trust God and displayed trust in God by his own example (20:20-21).

Jehoshaphat realized the important truth that his heart alone was not enough for the whole nation. Even if he destroyed the idols, the people could set them up again as they had previously (20:33). He tried to cultivate their own trust in God by actively teaching, by showing his example, by leading them in distress, and by setting up godly leaders. Threatening the people that they had to worship God had been tried before (15:13); Jehoshaphat wanted them to follow God because they really knew Him. While he was not successful in directing the hearts of all the people toward God, he seemingly made more progress than his predecessors.

Jehoshaphat knew "the LORD [would] be with the upright" (19:11), and it is not surprising to see God's hand of blessing on him. "The LORD was with Jehoshaphat because he followed" God (17:3). "The LORD established the kingdom" (19:5) to the extent that Jehoshaphat received gifts and tribute not only from his own people but also from foreign nations (17:5,11). Jehoshaphat strengthened the land militarily, and "the dread of the LORD was on all the kingdoms of the lands which were around Judah, so that they did not make war" (17:10). "Jehoshaphat grew greater and greater" (17:12) and "had great riches and honor" (18:1).

Three significant incidents are recorded from Jehoshaphat's life. The first was a battle in alliance with Ahab of Israel. Because of a marriage alliance, Jehoshaphat committed to join in battle with this wicked king. Jehoshaphat did have the sense to inquire of God before going to battle and even mildly rebuked Ahab's carelessness toward God (18:7). Even after the prophet's warning of "disaster" (18:22), however, Jehoshaphat still went to battle, further complicating the situation by agreeing to Ahaz's crazy scheme of disguise.

Jehoshaphat should never have agreed to go to battle at Ahaz's side, especially after the godly prophet's prediction. Additionally, he foolishly went in his kingly robes while Ahab was disguised. Jehoshaphat did not know the enemy was intent on killing only Ahab, making Jehoshaphat (dressed as a king) the only target on the battle field. With all of this against him, God caused Ahab to be randomly killed, while Jehoshaphat mercifully "returned in safety to . . . Jerusalem" (19:1).

Beyond the physical danger, this battle also put Jehoshaphat in danger of the wrath of God. A prophet came to rebuke Jehoshaphat with this pointed question: "Should you help the wicked and love those who hate the LORD and so bring wrath on yourself from the LORD?" (19:2). Even in the rebuke, God acknowledged Jehoshaphat's heart for God. Jehoshaphat took the warning to heart, responding with renewed efforts for God.

The second incident was the threat of war by a large combined army. Jehoshaphat was afraid of the enemy, but he did the right thing by taking his fear to God. Interestingly, Jehoshaphat had an enormous army, with nearly 1,200,000 men in Jerusalem alone, not counting soldiers stationed elsewhere. Of any king, he could have trusted in himself, but he knew he needed God.

Jehoshaphat fasted with the people. He prayed with the people, recalling God's power, His past deliverances, and His promises (20:6-9). He recalled Israel's obedience that had led to the present threat (20:10-11). Then he humbly and dependently prayed for God's help, concluding, "Nor do we know what to do, but our eyes are on You" (20:12). After God's assurance of victory, Jehoshaphat confidently told his people, "Put your trust in the LORD your God and you will be established" (20:20). God then caused the enemy to destroy itself, with nothing for Judah to do but collect the massive amounts of spoil (20:22-25). The surrounding countries further developed a dread of God, and continued peace resulted (20:29-30).

The third incident was a commercial alliance with Ahaziah of Israel. In spite of God's previous confrontation about allying with His enemies, Jehoshaphat "acted wickedly" in forming this new alliance (20:35). Jehoshaphat knew better. God had graciously spared Jehoshaphat's life the first time, with apparently no actual loss and the opportunity to move forward. This time God increased the consequences. Jehoshaphat again received a verbal rebuke; additionally, he lost his investment. The prophet declared, "Because you have allied yourself with Ahaziah, the LORD has destroyed your works" (20:37). The ships were lost at sea.

While this final story is sad, the fact remains that Jehoshaphat was a man of God. He understood that following God was not a ritual, but a matter of the heart, and he sought to cultivate a genuine heart in others both by his example and by providing godly instruction and guidance. Jehoshaphat was not perfect, but God's blessing and curtailed judgment were indications that God was pleased with this man who truly sought Him.