How did Jehoshaphat's actions align with God's commands in 1 Kings 22:43? Setting the scene 1 Kings 22:43 summarizes Jehoshaphat’s reign in Judah: “He walked in all the ways of his father Asa; he did not stray from them but did what was right in the eyes of the LORD. Yet the high places were not removed, and the people continued sacrificing and burning incense on the high places.” Walking in Asa’s footsteps • Asa (1 Kings 15:11–14) modeled covenant devotion—purging idols, repairing the temple, and calling Judah to seek the LORD. • Jehoshaphat “did not stray” from that example. His pattern of life paralleled Asa’s, anchoring Judah in faithful worship. • By honoring his father’s godly legacy, he upheld the fifth commandment (Exodus 20:12) and embodied Deuteronomy 17:18-20, which calls a king to keep the law “so that he may learn to fear the LORD his God.” Faithfulness in worship and justice 2 Chronicles gives extra detail: • “The LORD was with Jehoshaphat… he sought the God of his father” (2 Chron 17:3-4). • He sent teachers throughout Judah with “the Book of the Law of the LORD” (2 Chron 17:9). • He appointed judges, charging them to decide “for the LORD” and “with no injustice or partiality” (2 Chron 19:5-7). These actions mirror God’s commands: teach the law (Deuteronomy 6:6-9) and establish righteous courts (Deuteronomy 16:18-20). The lingering high places • God had clearly ordered, “You must destroy all the high places… seek the place the LORD your God will choose” (Deuteronomy 12:2-5). • Kings notes, “the high places were not removed.” Whether through political caution, popular pressure, or incomplete reform, Jehoshaphat allowed these unauthorized worship sites to persist. • Chronicles states he removed some high places early on (2 Chron 17:6), yet later “the people had not yet set their hearts on the God of their fathers” (2 Chron 20:33). His initial purge was only partly successful. Alignment with God’s commands Aligned • Personal obedience—he “did what was right in the eyes of the LORD.” • Covenant instruction—spread the Scriptures, fulfilling Deuteronomy 6 and 17. • Judicial righteousness—set up godly courts in line with Deuteronomy 16. Partially aligned • Idol removal—he began the work but did not complete the Deuteronomy 12 mandate to eliminate every high place. • Corporate worship—people still sacrificed outside the chosen temple site, contrary to God’s centralized-worship command. Takeaways for today • Wholehearted beginnings please God; unfinished obedience still matters to Him. • Passing on a godly legacy (from Asa to Jehoshaphat) blesses a nation. • Teaching Scripture widely anchors communities in truth. • Leaders must couple personal devotion with persistent reform, pressing on until every lingering “high place” is surrendered to the LORD. |
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