King
Jehoshaphat
Fourth King of Judah
872-848 BC
Biography
Jehoshaphat was one of Judah's great kings. He sent officials throughout Judah to teach the Law, fortified cities, and established judges. When a vast army invaded, he proclaimed a fast and prayed publicly. God answered through the prophet Jahaziel — victory through worship. However, his fatal flaw was alliance with Ahab, Ahaziah, and Jehoram of Israel. His son married Ahab's daughter Athaliah, bringing disaster to Judah.
We do not know what to do, but our eyes are on you
Key events
- 1Sent teachers throughout Judah2 Chronicles 17:7-9→
Teaching mission
Read the verse here
2 Chronicles 17:7-9In the third year of his reign, Jehoshaphat sent his officials Ben-hail, Obadiah, Zechariah, Nethanel, and Micaiah to teach in the cities of Judah,
- 2Victory through worship2 Chronicles 20:1-30→
Defeated Moab/Ammon/Edom by praise
Read the verse here
2 Chronicles 20:1-30After this, the Moabites and Ammonites, together with some of the Meunites, came to make war against Jehoshaphat.
- 3Alliance with Ahab1 Kings 22:1-40→
Nearly killed at Ramoth-gilead
Read the verse here
1 Kings 22:1-40Then three years passed without war between Aram and Israel.
More key verses
“The battle is not yours, but God's”
What they got right, and what they got wrong
Strengths
Sought the LORD, established justice, teaching ministry
Weaknesses
Unwise alliances with wicked kings
Lessons
Don't ally with the ungodly. Seek God in crisis. Worship can bring victory.
Spiritual significance
Jehoshaphat shows godliness doesn't prevent foolish decisions.
Jehoshaphat in Scripture
79 verses use this name, in 7 books. Open a book to read its mentions here. Text: Berean Standard Bible. Names repeat in Scripture, some of these verses may speak of another person called Jehoshaphat.
Old TestamentNew Testamentsegment width = share of mentions
Old Testament6 books · 78 mentions
2 Samuel2 mentions
1 Kings22 mentions
- 1 Kings 4:3Elihoreph and Ahijah, the sons of Shisha, were secretaries; Jehoshaphat son of Ahilud was the recorder;
- 1 Kings 4:17Jehoshaphat son of Paruah in Issachar;
- 1 Kings 15:24And Asa rested with his fathers and was buried with them in the city of his father David, and his son Jehoshaphat reigned in his place.
- 1 Kings 22:2However, in the third year, Jehoshaphat king of Judah went down to visit the king of Israel,
- 1 Kings 22:4So he asked Jehoshaphat, “Will you go with me to fight against Ramoth-gilead?” Jehoshaphat answered the king of Israel, “I am like you, my people are your people, and my horses are your horses.”
17 further mentions in 1 Kings — read them in the book.
2 Kings10 mentions
- 2 Kings 1:17So Ahaziah died according to the word of the LORD that Elijah had spoken. And since he had no son, Jehoram succeeded him in the second year of the reign of Jehoram son of Jehoshaphat over Judah.
- 2 Kings 3:1In the eighteenth year of Jehoshaphat’s reign over Judah, Jehoram son of Ahab became king of Israel, and he reigned in Samaria twelve years.
- 2 Kings 3:7And he sent a message to Jehoshaphat king of Judah: “The king of Moab has rebelled against me. Will you go with me to fight against Moab?” “I will go,” replied Jehoshaphat. “I am like you, my people are your people, and my horses are your horses.”
- 2 Kings 3:11But Jehoshaphat asked, “Is there no prophet of the LORD here? Let us inquire of the LORD through him.” And one of the servants of the king of Israel answered, “Elisha son of Shaphat is here. He used to pour water on the hands of Elijah.”
- 2 Kings 3:12Jehoshaphat affirmed, “The word of the LORD is with him.” So the king of Israel and Jehoshaphat and the king of Edom went down to him.
5 further mentions in 2 Kings — read them in the book.
1 Chronicles2 mentions
2 Chronicles40 mentions
- 2 Chronicles 17:1Asa’s son Jehoshaphat reigned in his place, and he strengthened himself against Israel.
- 2 Chronicles 17:3Now the LORD was with Jehoshaphat because he walked in the earlier ways of his father David. He did not seek out the Baals,
- 2 Chronicles 17:7In the third year of his reign, Jehoshaphat sent his officials Ben-hail, Obadiah, Zechariah, Nethanel, and Micaiah to teach in the cities of Judah,
- 2 Chronicles 17:10And the dread of the LORD fell upon all the kingdoms of the lands that surrounded Judah, so that they did not make war against Jehoshaphat.
- 2 Chronicles 17:11Some Philistines also brought gifts and silver as tribute to Jehoshaphat, and the Arabs brought him 7,700 rams and 7,700 goats from their flocks.
35 further mentions in 2 Chronicles — read them in the book.
Joel2 mentions
- Joel 3:2I will gather all the nations and bring them down to the Valley of Jehoshaphat. There I will enter into judgment against them concerning My people, My inheritance, Israel, whom they have scattered among the nations as they divided up My land.
- Joel 3:12Let the nations be roused and advance to the Valley of Jehoshaphat, for there I will sit down to judge all the nations on every side.
New Testament1 book · 1 mention
Study trails
that mention Jehoshaphat
Named in passing:Prayers of the Bible
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